All posts by n8rngtd.top

Seales strikes as Robinson seeks rhythm in curtailed Hove opener

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Northants battle through to 95 for 2 after being inserted on soggy southcoast day

ECB Reporters Network05-Apr-2024Northamptonshire had the better of the half day’s play that was possible on the opening of the Vitality County Championship match at Hove. They lost the toss but their batters battled hard and reached 95 for 2 when bad light – with no option for floodlights – drove the players from the field just after 6pm.Play started four hours late, at 3pm, with 51 overs scheduled but there were only 38.1 bowled. The good news for Sussex – and England – is that Ollie Robinson, in only his second first-class game since last July, bowled with an easy rhythm and some pace and carry from the Cromwell Road end.He opened the bowling down the hill after new Sussex captain John Simpson had won the toss and chosen to bowl under sullen skies. It was surprising that Robinson was taken off after bowling just four overs – his figures were 4-1-9-0 but his workload is being managed at this stage of the season.When Robinson opened the bowling again after tea he was even more impressive, with a spell of 5-3-5-0, and looked back to his best speeds. The only frustration for Robinson, and the other Sussex bowlers, was that there was so little movement with the Kookaburra ball.Northants were making their first visit to Hove for three years and the first runs of the season at Hove came when the left-handed opener Emilio Gay drove Robinson wide of mid-on for four. But Sussex broke through with the first ball of the fourth over when Gay glanced Jayden Seales down the leg-side and Simpson made a distance to his right to pull off a fine catch.Northants captain Luke Procter showed his intent when he pulled Seales over the square-leg boundary for a nonchalant six. And Procter was given solid support by makeshift opener Justin Broad at the other end. Broad played an excellent back-foot drive through the covers for four off Danny Lamb, the allrounder who – along with Seales and Simpson – was one of three players making his first-class debut for Sussex.At tea, Northants had reached 58 for 1 from 24 overs, with Broad on 23 and Procter 29 not out. After the interval, it was again Seales who made the breakthrough, having Broad, who was only half-forward, lbw for 27, to make it 66 for 2. Broad had hit five handsome fours in his 76-ball innings.But Procter and Karun Nair – who scored such an impressive 150 against Surrey at The Oval last season – carried Northants to the close without any further loss.

CPL final: clash of the SA veterans, du Plessis and Tahir

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All eyes will be on the weather and the pitch in Providence, as Amazon Warriors look to defend their title

Deivarayan Muthu05-Oct-2024

Big picture: A rich SA flavour to the CPL final

After having had to wait 11 years for a maiden CPL trophy, Guyana Amazon Warriors are now just one step away from winning back-to-back titles. Imran Tahir was targeted when he was appointed Amazon Warriors’ captain last season at 44 – Tahir said “everyone was sending jokes” about it – and having been retained as captain this year, he will be looking to lead Amazon Warriors to glory once again, in front of their home fans, in Providence.At 45, Tahir became the first overseas bowler to 100 wickets in the CPL and continues to rock the league with his variations and celebrations. He had joined Amazon Warriors in 2018 and has remained with the side for seven seasons, which is quite rare in the cutthroat world of franchise T20 cricket. Midway through this season, Tahir suffered an injury, but he recovered to forge a potent partnership with Gudakesh Motie, the local left-arm fingerspinner, and Moeen Ali, the English offspinner. The trio has been hard to get away, especially on the spin-friendly surfaces in Providence.Amazon Warriors have also loaded their side with spin-hitters like Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Moeen. After not playing a single game in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Hetmyer has reminded the world of his T20 pedigree, hitting 391 runs in 12 innings at an average of 43.44 and strike rate of 187.98 in this CPL heading into the final.Since the start of CPL 2023, Amazon Warriors have lost just four games at home, with two of those losses coming at the hands of St Lucia Kings, including the Qualifier 1 earlier this week. Despite losing tosses and losing key personnel – like Heinrich Klaasen even before the start of the tournament – Kings have remained a formidable force under Faf du Plessis, who, like Tahir, is a familiar face at the CPL.At 40, du Plessis is still going strong. This is his most prolific CPL in terms of runs – 384 runs in 11 innings at an average of 38.40 and strike rate of 148.83 – and if it culminates in a title, it could potentially raise his stocks ahead of the IPL retention deadline and player auction. Du Plessis’ stint in CPL 2023 was cut short by a tennis-elbow injury, but he has worked his way around that this season, dovetailing well with Johnson Charles, who has reinvented himself as a 360-degree batter.Related

  • Noor: gun wristspinner who turned Kings' X-factor

  • Johnson Charles switches his T20 fortunes

  • Barbados to host maiden CPL final in 2026

  • Russell, Pooran opt out of SL T20Is; Andrew bolts into ODI squad

While this is the St Lucia franchise’s third CPL final, this will be du Plessis’ first – he had suffered an injury before the title clash in 2021, when they lost to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots. However, he is used to the pressure that a final brings, having been part of Chennai Super Kings for a number of years in the IPL.Kings’ coach Daren Sammy also has some unfinished business: in his last match as CPL captain, he lost to Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2020 final. Can he and du Plessis upstage Amazon Warriors at their home ground and lead Kings to their first CPL title?

Form guide

Guyana Amazon Warriors WLWWW (last five T20s, most recent first)
St Lucia Kings WLWWWImran Tahir and Moeen Ali have produced vital breakthroughs for Guyana Amazon Warriors•CPL T20 via Getty Images

In the spotlight: Moeen Ali and Alzarri Joseph

Just over three months after in England’s T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to India in Providence, Moeen Ali is now on the verge of winning a title, in his first CPL stint, at the venue. He has bagged 14 wickets in nine innings at an average of 11.35 and an economy rate of less than five. With the bat, he has floated up and down the order and in the qualifier 2, he scored an unbeaten 44 to put Amazon Warriors in the final.In another spin-dominated CPL, Alzarri Joseph is the most successful fast bowler with 15 wickets in 11 innings. His ability to hit hard lengths and generate extra bounce have served him well, and on potentially slow surfaces in Guyana, he could take the conditions out of the equation and provide a point of difference to Kings’ attack. Du Plessis, too, trusts Alzarri to bowl the tough overs, having also worked with him at the SA20 (Joburg Super Kings) and IPL (Royal Challengers Bengaluru).

Team news: Who will open the batting for GAW?

Since the start of CPL 2023, Amazon Warriors have used 14 openers with only Rahmanullah Guraz and Saim Ayub, who has missed this season for national duty, getting more than five innings each at the top. It remains to be seen if Moeen will open alongside Gurbaz again in the final on Sunday. Amazon Warriors will also have to make a choice between the fingerspin of Kevin Sinclair and the pace of Shamar Joseph.Guyana Amazon Warriors (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2 Moeen Ali, 3 Shai Hope (wk), 4 Shimron Hetmyer, 5 Romario Shepherd, 6 Keemo Paul, 7 Dwaine Pretorius, 8 Raymon Reiffer, 9 Kevin Sinclair/Shamar Joseph, 10 Gudakesh Motie, 11 Imran Tahir (capt)Will Kings stick with Johann Jeremiah, who had made his CPL debut in Qualifier 1, or will they go back to Shadrack Descarte?St Lucia Kings (probable): 1 Faf du Plessis (capt), 2 Johnson Charles, 3 Roston Chase, 4 Ackeem Auguste, 5 Tim Seifert (wk), 6 David Wiese, 7 Johann Jeremiah/Shadrack Descarte, 8 Matthew Forde, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Khary Pierre, 11 Noor Ahmad

Pitch and conditions: Spin to win?

Though the Providence pitch used for the last two games against Kings saw the ball come on to the bat better, the venue has traditionally rolled out slow tracks. Rain had interrupted Amazon Warriors’ chase in the first qualifier and though rain has been forecast for Sunday morning as well, the forecast is more promising for the evening. Dew could be a factor later in the night.Shimron Hetmyer has been in terrific six-hitting form in CPL 2024•CPL T20/Getty Images

Stats and trivia

  • The team batting first has won seven of the ten games Providence has hosted so far this season.
  • Hetmyer and Charles have hit 31 sixes each in CPL 2024. Only Nicholas Pooran (35) has smashed more sixes than them this season.
  • Noor Ahmad has dominated right-hand batters in this tournament, taking 16 wickets against them in ten innings. While he has managed just three wickets against left-hand batters, he has tied them down, conceding at just 5.34 an over.

Quotes

“We gelled well together last year, and we knew we had to work hard to win the competition. Coming back and defending the title is a bigger challenge.”
“I feel like we’ve adapted well wherever we’ve played, bar two games at home where he were a little bit slow on reacting to those conditions.”

Beau Webster returns to Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL

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But Hurricanes are yet to re-sign Tim David; Melbourne Stars, meanwhile, bag Liam Hatcher

Alex Malcolm31-Jan-2025Australia Test allrounder Beau Webster has returned to BBL champions Hobart Hurricanes on a three-year deal, having not played for his home state’s team since 2017.Webster, 31, played five matches for Hurricanes in 2016-17, but has spent the past eight seasons in Melbourne: he was there for four seasons with Renegades, before another four with Stars.But having played his entire domestic career for his home state Tasmania, Webster will return to play for Hurricanes in the BBL over the next three seasons.Related

  • Marsh and David set to re-sign as BBL, WBBL contracting embargo ends

  • Swepson moves to Melbourne Stars on deadline day

  • Melbourne Renegades sign Doggett, Jewell set to follow

  • Owen earns SA20 deal on the back of BBL heroics

  • Renegades sign Jason Behrendorff in first BBL free agency move

“I am pumped to return to Hobart next summer for the BBL, and get the opportunity to play on a packed Ninja Stadium in front of our fans, my friends and family,” Webster said.”Vaughany [Jeff Vaughan] and Nelly [Nathan Ellis] have got the group playing a really good brand of cricket, and to see them win a championship makes me hungry to bring another one to ‘Canes fans next season.”Webster signing is an interesting move by Hurricanes given they already have seam-bowling allrounders in Mitchell Owen and Chris Jordan in the top seven of their title-winning team. Despite Webster’s outstanding first-class record, he hasn’t been as dominant in T20 cricket.He has failed to strike at more than 132 in any of his last seven BBL seasons, and it will be interesting to see how he slips into Hurricanes’ high-tempo batting unit. But Hurricanes general manager Salliann Beams was pleased to bring Webster back to Hobart.”We have seen over the past 18 months just how special of a player Beau is, and to have him re-join the Hurricanes is something that will make all Tasmanians proud to hear,” Beams said. “Beau’s skill set in the short form of the game is up there with some of the best in the country, and he can take the game away from the opposition with the bat while also providing another wicket-taking option with the ball.”His leadership will also be a vital aspect of his role at the Hurricanes, and he is great mates with the players we already have on our list, which means he will fit into what we are trying to build seamlessly.”

Stars hopeful about David, and sign Hatcher

Hurricanes are still yet to re-sign title-winning power hitter Tim David, but they are hopeful of keeping him after a successful season. But Stars are still hoping of landing him as a free agent.Meanwhile, Stars have signed New South Wales fast bowler Liam Hatcher on a two-year deal after he spent the past two seasons with Sydney Thunder. Hatcher began his BBL at Stars in 2020, playing 17 matches over two seasons before moving to Thunder in 2023. But he played just four games in his first season in 2023-24, and did not feature at all in Thunder’s run to the final in 2024-25.

Shakib and Hridoy help Bangladesh to record-breaking win over Ireland

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Their biggest total in the format led to their biggest win as well

Mohammad Isam18-Mar-2023Bangladesh set two new team records in their 183-run win over Ireland in the first ODI in Sylhet. It is their biggest win in ODIs, batting first, after they scored 338 for 8, their highest total in the format, too. The visitors, who have come to these shores after 15 years, were bowled out for 155 in 30.5 overs.Bangladesh’s innings was built around Shakib Al Hasan and Towhid Hridoy making nineties, with Mushfiqur Rahim’s fiery 26-ball 44 complementing their effort. Hridoy’s 92 is the highest by a Bangladeshi debutant in ODIs, beating Nasir Hossain’s 63 in 2011. Hridoy became the first batter from this team to score a fifty on debut batting in the top five. Shakib scored 93, the fourth time he has fallen in the nineties. The pair added 135 runs for the fourth wicket, the foundation on which Bangladesh built their record-breaking total.With a big chase in front of them, Ireland suffered a top- and middle-order collapse, triggered by Shakib and then made terminal by Ebadot Hossain and Taskin Ahmed, who picked up the next four wickets to fall. The visitors went from 60 for 0 to 76 for 5. Nasum Ahmed cleaned up the lower order with 3 for 43. On the day of winning the ESPNcricinfo award for 2022’s best Test bowling performance, Ebadot finished on his career-best ODI figures of 4 for 42.But it was Bangladesh’s batting that made this victory possible. The big partnership between Hridoy and Shakib came on the back of Ireland taking three early wickets. Paul Stirling took the catches of both Tamim Iqbal and Litton Das, before Andy McBrine removed Najmul Hossain Shanto for 25. The trio must have rued their luck having seen what followed.Shakib and Hridoy spent roughly 15 overs rebuilding the innings before unfurling a flurry of boundaries. During this consolidation period, Shakib became the third cricketer to reach 7,000 runs and 300 wickets in ODIs. The pair struck a four each in the 32nd over before Shakib launched into Harry Tector in the 35th over. He struck five fours — sweeping twice, cutting one through point, and chipping over cover and long-on – as Bangladesh lifted the scoring significantly.Towhid Hridoy made 92 on ODI debut•AFP/Getty Images

A century after four years stared back at Shakib at this stage but Graham Hume, Ireland’s best bowler of the day, removed him with a wide yorker. This was Shakib’s eighth dismissal in the 90s in all formats. His 89-ball stay contained nine boundaries.Soon after that dismissal, Hridoy blasted Hume for a six to keep the momentum going. He struck one more, and rushed towards a century himself. It would have been the first by a Bangladeshi on ODI debut but Hume bowled him with a full one and, having already removed Mushfiqur earlier in the over. finished with his maiden four-wicket haul in ODIs.Mushfiqur had hammered three sixes, two of them down the ground. He also hit three fours as his 26-ball 44, the late push that took them to a big total.Ireland’s innings started as promisingly as any team would want chasing 339. Stirling and Stephen Doheny added 60 runs for the first wicket before the batting collapse set in. Doheny made 34 off 38 balls with five boundaries, before Shakib had him caught behind in the 12th over. Ebadot removed Stirling in the following over but that was more a wicketkeeper’s wicket. Mushfiqur dived down the leg-side to complete a tumbling effort.In his next over, Tector edged Ebadot for 3, with Mushfiqur taking his third catch. Then Taskin turned 68 for 3 into 76 for 5 in the space of five of his deliveries. First he bowled captain Andrew Balbirnie through the gate for 5, before Yasir took a smart catch at slip, to remove Lorcan Tucker for 6.Curtis Campher and George Dockrell stemmed the collapse with a 33-run stand for the sixth wicket, before Nasum did away with it. He trapped Campher lbw in the 24th over, with the third umpire upholding the on-field umpire’s decision. Nasum repeated the dose to Gareth Delany in his following over, trapping him lbw for 1. McBrine fell next ball, caught behind for a golden duck. Ebadot removed Mark Adair three overs later, with Mushfiqur taking his fifth catch in the match, for the second time in his ODI career.Ebadot finished the game with his fourth wicket, that of Dockrell, who top scored with 45 off 47 with six fours. It was Ebadot’s second four-wicket haul, coming in an already special day for him.

Da Silva hits century as West Indies find positives before Test challenge

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Kavem Hodge fell for 99 as the tourists made good use of the final day of their warm-up match

AAP12-Jan-2024West Indies 251 for 8 (Greaves 65, Hodge 52, Brathwaite 52) and 315 for 5 dec (Da Silva 105, Hodge 99) drew with Cricket Australia XI 174 (Ward 50) and 149 for 5 (Sinclair 3-38)Joshua Da Silva wrapped up West Indies’ on-field preparations for the Frank Worrell Trophy by hitting a century against a Cricket Australia XI in Adelaide.Five days out from the first Test in the South Australian capital, Da Silva offered the tourists hope on Friday with a fine 105 against an inexperienced attack at Karen Rolton Oval.Related

  • Meet West Indies' new names: the seven uncapped players in Australia

  • Hodge, da Silva impress for West Indies after fast bowlers run through CA XI

Test hopeful Kavem Hodge did his chances of a debut no harm with 99, before being bowled by spinner Doug Warren agonisingly close to reaching three figures.Hodge was desperately unlucky when a ball spun out of the rough, hit the right-hander’s back leg and bounced onto the stumps.Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten 41 to go with his first-innings 65, helping the tourists to 315 for 5 declared in their second visit to the middle, and a sizeable lead of 392.There do, however, remain some concerns for the tourists. The men likely to bat No. 3 and No. 4 in Adelaide both failed again, with Kirk McKenzie and Alick Athanaze backing up their first-innings scores of 23 and 0 with 9 and 15 respectively.West Indies need more out of the pair in the two-Test series, given they are likely to field debutants in Hodge and Greaves at No. 5 and No. 6.The CA XI were able to hold on for 39 overs to draw the game. West Indies off-spinning allrounder Kevin Sinclair, famous for his somersault celebrations after wickets, claimed three scalps. That will help his case for a Test call-up as he battles with Greaves for a spot in the side.The tourists will have to play at least three debutants at Adelaide Oval, with seven uncapped players in their 15-man squad.That lack of top-level experience highlights the predicament Test cricket finds itself in, with Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers the latest West Indies players to prioritise T20 leagues over the five-day format.

Afghanistan look to exploit Pakistan's vulnerability as teams approach must-win territory

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Defeat for Afghanistan would almost certainly knock them out, while a Pakistan loss leaves Babar Azam’s side with no further room for error

Danyal Rasool22-Oct-20234:46

Pujara and Bond in favour of Shadab returning for Pakistan

Big Picture – Advantage Afghanistan?

It’s now roughly halfway through the World Cup, and the table is beginning to take shape. Afghanistan and Pakistan, the two sides that take each other on in Chennai, are nowhere near the head of it, and it’s already beginning to approach must-win territory for each of these sides. Defeat for Afghanistan would almost certainly knock them out, while a Pakistan loss leaves Babar Azam’s side with no further room for error.Afghanistan will feel like there’s been little to separate the two sides on far too many occasions, but they’re yet to celebrate an ODI win against their fiercest regional rivals. They were famously denied in a heartbreaker at the 2019 World Cup after being presented with a golden opportunity to knock Pakistan out, and victory on Monday would have a near-similar effect. There have been enough encouraging signs to suggest this could be an evenly poised game, though Afghanistan have peppered patches of brilliance with extended spells of mediocrity with both bat and ball.Related

  • The pushing and shoving is over, we're now at the business stage of the World Cup

  • World Cup trends: Where have all the thrillers gone?

  • Crafty Azmatullah Omarzai on his way to be Afghanistan's own Hardik Pandya

There are two clear areas where Afghanistan enjoy an advantage over their more decorated opponents: top-order firepower and world-class spin bowling. Rahmanullah Gurbaz alone has hit seven sixes in the powerplay in this World Cup so far, while Pakistan have managed none in the whole of 2023. With Pakistan’s openers out of form, it will be an area where Afghanistan can demonstrate a clear point of difference.On the bowling front, while Pakistan juggle their spinners and try to figure out a way to get the most out of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Usama Mir, Afghanistan have no issues when it comes to spin. Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are two of the most prized spinners in world cricket, while Mohammad Nabi has been effectively used to sap opposition momentum through the middle overs. Pakistan, meanwhile, have often needed to turn back to pace, or keep taking expensive spinners out of the attack through the middle overs of innings. Add to that questions around the tactical astuteness of Babar’s in-game captaincy, and Afghanistan will feel there is a Pakistani vulnerability to be exploited there.

Form guide

Afghanistan LWLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)

Pakistan LLWWL

In the spotlight: Ikram Alikhil and Shaheen Afridi

Twenty-two-year-old Ikram Alikhil wasn’t part of Afghanistan’s starting line-up for nearly two months until he was plunged in against England last week. It would turn out to be an inspired selection, with the wicketkeeper-batter shepherding his side through a tricky phase during the middle overs when Afghanistan looked in danger of collapsing. He would score a half-century that helped Afghanistan stun England, while his keeping across the last two games has been impressively assured. He last featured in the Afghan line-up during the sides’ three-match series against Pakistan in August, unable to get a look-in during the Asia Cup. In what feels like a must-win clash for both, he has the chance to ensure he isn’t in line for the chop anytime soon again.Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up a five-for against Australia•Getty Images

There isn’t much that Pakistan have had to cheer about the past couple of games, but Shaheen Afridi‘s performance against Australia was little short of world-class. In a game where Australia racked up 367, he registered figures of 5 for 54, including the innings’ only maiden over, in an exquisite bowling display that straddled all three phases. Things might have been even better for Pakistan had Usama Mir not shelled a simple chance off his bowling when David Warner – who would go on to score 163 – was on 10. He has a good record against Afghanistan, with 12 wickets at 15.25, and with Pakistan needing to get their World Cup back on track, Shaheen’s leadership with the ball could go a long way.

Team news – Does Usama Mir still make the Pakistan XI?

Afghanistan (possible): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz 2 Ibrahim Zadran 3 Rahmat Shah 4 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt) 5 Azmatullah Omarzai 6 Ikram Alikhil (wk) 7 Mohammad Nabi 8 Rashid Khan 9 Mujeeb Ur Rahman 10 Naveen-ul-Haq 11 Fazalhaq FarooqiThe only question for Pakistan is whether Usama Mir, who had a disappointing previous outing, gets another opportunity in more conducive conditions. One of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Mir will miss out, with Nawaz looking likely to make way.Pakistan (possible): 1 Abdullah Shafique 2 Imam-ul-Haq 3 Babar Azam (capt) 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk) 5 Saud Shakeel 6 Mohammad Nawaz/Shadab Khan 7 Iftikhar Ahmed 8 Usama Mir 8 9 Hasan Ali 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi 11 Haris Rauf

Pitch and conditions

The pitch will be the same as the one used for the Australia-India game a fortnight ago, which means both sides can expect plenty of turn.There is an excessive heat warning in Chennai tomorrow, with conditions expected to be particularly oppressive throughout the afternoon. That could mean batting first for the side winning the toss.

Stats and trivia

  • Mohammad Rizwan is 13 runs away from becoming the fourth Pakistan wicketkeeper to reach 2000 ODI runs after Kamran Akmal, Moin Khan and Sarfaraz Ahmed (though not all 2000 of these runs would have come as designated keeper for Rizwan).*
  • Pakistan have only ever played two ODIs in Chennai, both against India. They won each time, in 1997 and 2012.
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman needs three wickets to become the fourth Afghanistan man to 100 ODI wickets.

Quotes

“We have played four matches and we are 2-2. We are confident. We accept that we did not play well in the last two matches. We will have to perform up to the mark.”
*

Pakistan get government clearance to travel to India for 2023 ODI World Cup

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Pakistan still has “deep concerns” about security; no decision yet on whether they will play India in Ahmedabad

Danyal Rasool06-Aug-2023Pakistan will send their cricket team to India for the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup in October-November this year, ending months of uncertainty over the country’s participation.”Pakistan has consistently maintained that sports should not be mixed with politics,” Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. “It has, therefore, decided to send its cricket team to India to participate in the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan believes that the state of bilateral relations with India should not stand in the way of fulfilling its international sports-related obligations.Related

  • Second first-class competition added to Pakistan's domestic calendar

  • Faheem in, Masood out as Pakistan name squads for Asia Cup and Afghanistan ODIs

  • WC schedule will undergo changes, confirms Jay Shah

  • Pakistan agree to WC schedule change, to play India on October 14

  • CAB requests BCCI to reschedule Pakistan-England game

“Pakistan’s decision shows its constructive and responsible approach vis-à-vis India’s intransigent attitude, as the latter had refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Asia Cup.While the statement effectively guarantees Pakistan will participate in the World Cup, it also suggested significant areas of divergence remain. ESPNcricinfo understands Pakistan has not yet taken a decision on whether they will agree to participate in the group stage game against India in Ahmedabad, or demand to have it moved elsewhere. The statement, however, does not mention a desire for a change of venue.The statement also signalled a lack of complete confidence in the security arrangements for Pakistan at the World Cup. “Pakistan, however, has deep concerns about the security of its cricket team,” the statement said further. “We are conveying these concerns to the International Cricket Council and the Indian authorities. We expect that full safety and security of Pakistan cricket team will be ensured during its visit to India.”ESPNcricinfo understands the PCB will reach out to the ICC for security guarantees once there is more clarity on arrangements.The World Cup schedule has been hit by several delays and tweaks. Pakistan’s fixture against India was brought forward by a day to avoid a clash with the Hindu festival of Navaratri. That created a knock-on effect, with Pakistan’s earlier game against Sri Lanka on October 12 moved to October 10 to give them enough time to prepare, arrangements that the PCB agreed to. The PCB accepted those date changes to their fixtures.On Saturday, ESPNcricinfo reported that the Cricket Association of Bengal had requested the BCCI to have Pakistan’s game against England moved from November 12 to November 11, to avoid a clash with another Hindu festival, Kali Puja.The PCB has privately expressed frustration at the potential change of date for the England fixture, and the constant rejigging of fixtures affecting Pakistan. It is understood there has been no communication between the PCB and the BCCI about the fixture change, and no clarity on when a decision will be reached or how it will be communicated to the PCB.The World Cup is scheduled to begin with reigning champions England taking on New Zealand On October 5, and end on November 19, but there is still no update on when the tickets will go on sale.

Head 'almost out' of Covid, set to start day-night Test at the Gabba

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“Even if he’s still positive he can still play, [but] there’ll just be a few protocols,” Pat Cummins said

Andrew McGlashan23-Jan-20240:59

Clarke: No Australia attack will reach McGrath and Warne levels

Australia are confident that Travis Head will be able to take his place in the second Test against West Indies despite having Covid since the end of the opening game in Adelaide.Head delayed his arrival into Brisbane by a day to give himself extra time to recover at home and opted not to take part in Australia’s main training session at the Gabba on Tuesday evening in order to rest further but will take part on Wednesday. There remains hope that he will test negative before the start of the game, but even if he doesn’t, he will be able to play although there will be some additional protocols in place.”Think he’s almost out of it. He’s fine, feeling good,” Pat Cummins said. “Think he’ll train tonight. Obviously, even if he’s still positive he can still play, there’ll just be a few protocols. But think he’s pretty close to a negative.”Last season against South Africa, Matt Renshaw came down with Covid during his comeback game at the SCG and was kept separate from team-mates while off the field.Related

  • Australia's marvel and crisis man, Head again shows why he's a cult hero

  • Renshaw could remain available to Brisbane Heat in Test lead-up

  • Khawaja cleared for Gabba Test after Adelaide head blow

With Usman Khawaja having cleared his concussion tests since the blow on the head late in the game in Adelaide, Australia are set to be unchanged. Renshaw has been made available to Brisbane Heat for the BBL final at the SCG on Wednesday and will then rejoin the Test squad.Head played the decisive hand in Adelaide with his 119 off 134 balls turning around an uncertain Australia first innings into a lead, which was almost enough to win by an innings inside two days.There was considerable assistance in the Adelaide surface and two days out at the Gabba, the pitch had a distinctive green tinge although it may lose some of that colour before the first day for what will be the venue’s third day-night Test. Last year, the match against South Africa ended inside two days and the ground was handed a demerit point by the ICC, but this surface is not expected to be as wild.”The aim is definitely to wind it back from what it was last year for sure but we have to be careful we don’t go too far,” head groundsman Dave Sandurski told the last week. “We want a contest between bat and ball. We don’t want a T20 batathon. We have to find a happy [middle] ground and hopefully we will find it this year.”The early finish in Adelaide meant the ground was left with no Test cricket over the weekend given the game started on a Wednesday. As a bowler, Cummins is rarely going to shy away from early finishes – and has pinpointed the shorter Tests this summer as a reason why Australia’s attack is set to remain unchanged throughout the home season – but he also believed matches where the ball holds sway provide more enthralling cricket.”I’ve played in Tests that have fizzled out into a five-day draw and think everyone walks away feeling a bit empty whereas [have] played in two or three-day matches where everyone can’t take their eyes off the TV for a minute,” he said. “Ideally you want it to go a bit longer than two days but you want it to be a good contest between bat and ball. A couple of the Tests this summer have been fantastic, feels like every session has importance and each side can win.”With Australia’s three frontline quicks all averaging under 20 in day-night Tests, life is unlikely to get any easier for West Indies’ batters. However, one element that may yet prevent a short finish in Brisbane is the weather, with the forecast deteriorating in recent days with significant rain now expected over the weekend.

Record-breaking Root arms England with control of Manchester Test

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Root’s 150, Pope and Stokes’ fifties leave India playing catch-up

Vithushan Ehantharajah25-Jul-20254:14

Manjrekar: ‘Serious chance’ for Root to break Tendulkar’s record

This is the way Joe Root would have wanted to ascend to No. 2 on the Test run-scoring charts. With an immaculate 150, his 38th century, which did not just certify England’s command of this fourth Test – and, thus, the series – but took it out of India’s reach. They closed day three on 544 for 7, leading by 186 on a deteriorating surface. An innings victory for an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the series is not out of the question.At Old Trafford, a sellout crowd hung on every tuck, flick, dab and drive as England’s greatest batter confirmed, statistically, he was the second greatest of all time. Illuminated by Manchester’s generous Friday sun, Root moved past the greats Rahul Dravid, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting to sidle up next to Sachin Tendulkar. And though Tendulkar still commands an imposing lead at the summit, England’s own little master is coming for him.It will take time. Certainly longer than it took to knock off three legends in one go. Upon moving to 31, Root snuck past Dravid (13,288) and Jacques Kallis (13,289), bumping the latter off the podium to join Tendulkar and Ponting. And, four minutes before the end of the second session, he walked down to open the face for a single down to third to move to 120, knocking Ponting (13,378) down a peg. The legendary Australian sung Root’s praises on Sky Sports upon being usurped.

Root did little more than raise a thumb to his skipper, Ben Stokes, with whom he shared a 142-run stand before Stokes was forced to retire hurt for the first time in his Test career, on 66.It was here at Old Trafford that Stokes was carried off during the Hundred, suffering the first of two hamstring tears in six months. This, though, was just cramp in his left leg, shaken off 13.1 overs later to return to see out the day. Stokes wanted to embrace Root when he moved to 13,379 runs, as they had done for the century, after Root tickled his 178th delivery around the corner for his 12th boundary. Instead, turned down by the thumb, he applauded from his end.Root’s hundred, by the way, was also noteworthy on the all-time charts, going level-fourth with Kumar Sangakkara on 38. It was also Root’s 12th century against India, the most by any player, now ahead of Steven Smith. And as if that was not enough, he became the first player to reach a 1000 Test runs at this venue.Root would make it to 150, his 16th time to that score – another one over Ponting – before being stumped off Ravindra Jadeja. It was the third of four dismissals affected by Dhruv Jurel, the stand-in wicketkeeper in Rishabh Pant’s absence, and the only man on the field in Indian whites who could claim to have had a decent day.Joe Root and Ollie Pope looked immovable in the morning session•Getty Images

Much of that was on Root, who had taken England to a 141-run lead by the time he had finished, more than flipping the deficit of 133 that existed on Friday morning. Both he and Ollie Pope ticked through a wicketless first session, with Pope registering his 25th 50-plus score before Root punched the card for his 104th from 99 deliveries.Their stand of 144 was their sixth century partnership, putting them ahead of any other pairing under Stokes’ tenure. They ran brilliantly throughout, toying with the outfield, with just one moment of real alarm when Root was on 22.With Root reeling from a Mohammed Siraj delivery that leapt off a length, Pope charged down while calling his partner through, forcing Root to head to the bowler’s end. Jadeja’s throw from point was off target, but both he and Siraj were furious that neither mid-off nor mid-on had taken the initiative to come up to the stumps. The single brought up the fifty-run stand for the third wicket.Pope might have also been dismissed before his final score of 71, though his edge on 48 off Anshul Kamboj was as tough a chance as they come for Jurel, standing up to the stumps to keep the batter in his crease. Just when it looked like he might register two hundreds in a series for the first time after bagging one at Headingley, he edged his first ball after lunch through to KL Rahul at first slip. A repeat of his error at Lord’s, when a patient first-innings 44 was given away with the first ball after tea.Washington Sundar picked up two quick wickets after being introduced late•Getty Images

Washington Sundar was the man with the breakthrough – the first of the day – and he followed it up four overs later with Harry Brook for 3. A hint of drift forced the right-hander into a defensive block that ended up on the wrong line. Jurel had the bails off in a flash and Brook was stumped for the first time in Test cricket.It was peculiar that India captain Shubman Gill had not turned to his offspinner earlier than the 69th over of the innings, which came 22 into the morning session. Washington’s 4 for 22 in the third Test had given them a short in the arm. The energy in the field upon his double strike here felt too little too late.Jolted but only trailing by nine, England did not look back. Stokes walked out to join Root and, five wickets already in his back pocket from India’s first innings, looked at ease before cramp set in.A relatively subdued half-century – just three boundaries, taking 97 deliveries, and his first since last November – took him to an exclusive club of his own. He is now one of three England captains to notch a five-for alongside at least a fifty in a Test.It was during the 108th over, reverse-sweeping Washington that Stokes started to feel discomfort in his left calf. Seven overs later, his running had become so laboured that England physiotherapist Ben Davies came out to investigate. Stokes would last just one more over before deciding to momentarily call it quits, limping off and up the stairs to the home dressing room, as Jamie Smith replaced him.Jasprit Bumrah took his first wicket of the Test in his 24th over•Getty Images

Naturally, there were fears of something serious, as Stokes’ previous issues of a dodgy left knee and two right hamstring tears came to the forefront of people’s minds. And the fact that his 129 overs so far are the most he has bowled in a single series.But shortly after 6pm, after Smith had become Jasprit Bumrah’s first wicket of the innings and 50th in England, and Chris Woakes had been bowled by one that kept low from Siraj, out walked Stokes. The ovation was akin to a hero’s return, joining Liam Dawson, who was batting in Tests for the first time since 2017. Stokes rests on 77, his highest score in ten innings.Both lasted through to stumps, even though Bumrah and Siraj tried to unsettle them late in the day with some short stuff. India’s premier quicks looked spent as they walked off, themselves struggling with injuries throughout the day.Bumrah only managed one over with the second new ball – taken in the 91st over – before leaving the field. Siraj then limped off before tea and showed his typical guts to return late in the day and take the last of the five wickets India managed in 89 overs. Bumrah had rolled his ankle going down the stairs while Siraj rolled his foot in one of the footholes, India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel would reveal later.Saturday is set to bring more toil, and not even the forecasted rain will be long enough to spare them in a meaningful way. While this day will go down as one when Root ascended the second step of Test cricket’s podium, it was also the day this series was taken out of India’s control.

Ravindra Jadeja 'hopefully good to go now' for India vs Australia Tests

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

He picked up seven wickets in the second innings – and bowled 41.1 overs in the match – in his comeback from knee surgery

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jan-20230:43

Jadeja trains in Chennai ahead of Saurashtra’s Ranji game

Ravindra Jadeja’s return from injury has had its hiccups but now, with a crucial Test series against Australia imminent, the India allrounder is hopeful that he is “good to go”.On Thursday, in the middle of his first game of cricket in five months following knee surgery, Jadeja picked up a seven-for for Saurashtra against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy. He also got through 41.1 overs of bowling across two innings.Ahead of this game, he had been rather more cautious in his outlook. “I will go slowly [when I’m bowling],” he said on Monday. “Have to see how my leg is feeling and then I will see.”But on the third day’s play against Tamil Nadu, Jadeja managed to get through an uninterrupted spell of 12 overs and seemed fairly happy with the results. “I [am] used to bowling long spells,” he was quoted as saying by . “Nothing new for me. I was enjoying… ball was turning. The pitch was assisting me. When we were batting, the odd ball was spinning, the odd ball was keeping low, so I was keen to bowl a long spell. Luckily I got wickets.”Ravindra Jadeja picked up 7 for 53 in the second innings•PTI

When asked about his fitness, Jadeja said he felt “no discomfort… not really” and added that he was “almost there… it is just a matter of little bit of confidence. Luckily I bowled enough overs in the match, like almost 37 overs in the game (41.1 – 24 in the first innings and 17.1 in the second).”So feeling very good, playing a game after a long time. Hopefully I am good to go now. It was tough on the first day but as the game progressed, I was feeling good. When you take a five-for in a first-class game it is always good.”It has been a long road back for Jadeja since he had his knee surgery in September 2022. Initial estimates suggested he might be able to return in time for India’s tour of Bangladesh in December 2022 – he was named in the squad subject to fitness – but that didn’t pan out. ESPNcricinfo learnt that it was only a few weeks ago that he had started to bowl and bat again. In between, he has also been helping his wife campaign in the Gujarat assembly elections, which he said helped keep his mind off the injury.Up next for Jadeja is an India training camp in Nagpur, which will host the first of four Tests against Australia starting February 9. He was picked in this squad subject to fitness too, so a 29th first-class five-wicket haul should come in handy.

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