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PSL 2021 postponed after more players test positive for Covid-19

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Decision taken after emergency virtual meeting with franchises on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2021The remainder of the 2021 Pakistan Super League has been postponed, following news on Thursday morning that three more players had tested positive for Covid-19. The decision was taken after an emergency meeting between the PCB and the franchises. The three new cases on Thursday brought the tally of total positives in the tournament bubble to seven, of which six were players.The PCB said that the decision to postpone was taken “following a meeting with the team owners and considering the health and well-being of all participants”. The board’s immediate next step is to focus on the “safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides”. Fourteen out of the scheduled 34 matches in the tournament have been completed.The PCB had said the three most-recent cases are from two different teams. They were tested on Wednesday afternoon after reporting symptoms. The board said the new cases were not from any of the teams who played in Wednesday’s double-header matches, which rules out players from Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Sultans or Quetta Gladiators.Related

  • Bangladesh Emerging Team vs Ireland A game called off after player tests positive for Covid-19

  • PSL could resume in May, clashing with the IPL

  • PSL blame game begins with independent investigation on the horizon

  • A timeline of how Covid-19 forced PSL 2021 to be suspended

  • PSL: After Fawad Ahmed, three more test positive

The first case reported by the PCB was on March 1, when Islamabad United’s Australian legspinner Fawad Ahmed tested positive for the virus hours before the 12th match of the season. The following day, the PCB said that two more overseas players, along with one local support-staff member – Kamran Khan of Kings – had tested positive. It was later revealed by Gladiators’ Tom Banton on his Twitter handle that he was one of those who were among the positive cases.Before the postponement was announced, the PCB was considering cancelling the Lahore leg of the season and playing all the matches in Karachi. The PCB had also offered every member of the PSL bubble Covid-19 vaccine shots if they wish to take them.

Gary Kirsten declares interest in becoming England's Test coach

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Kirsten was beaten to the role by the under-fire Chris Silverwood in 2019

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Dec-2021Gary Kirsten has declared his interest in becoming head coach of England’s Test team, with Chris Silverwood likely to pay for their Ashes debacle with his job.Kirsten, the former South Africa and India coach, has applied for the role twice previously, in 2015 and 2019. He has not coached an international team since 2013, citing family commitments, but has held roles with various T20 teams including Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hobart Hurricanes and Durban Heat.He was the frontrunner to succeed Trevor Bayliss in 2019 but was beaten to the role by Silverwood after underwhelming at interview. He later revealed that he had believed he was attending a “token interview” and that the ECB had already decided to offer him the job.Kirsten is already on the ECB’s payroll in his role as Welsh Fire’s head coach in the men’s Hundred, and said on Thursday that he would be keen to take over as England’s coach on the proviso that the roles were split between red- and white-ball formats.Related

  • Kirsten would 'love' return to international coaching

  • Silverwood to miss Sydney Test due to Covid-19 close contact

  • Roller: Silverwood's position untenable after Ashes drubbing

  • Ashes long-con: England's dereliction of Tests threatens format as a whole

“Listen, it [the England job] is always a consideration because it’s a tremendous honour,” Kirsten told the newspaper. “I’ve walked this journey twice now and I’ve always made it clear that I would never commit to doing all formats. And when international cricket boards get their head around the fact that they need to split coaching roles, then it becomes a consideration.”Working with a Test side, or working with an ODI side is great. Listen, the England ODI side is set-up, you’re the best ODI side in the world at the moment. It’s a project that has been well-thought-out. You’ve got consistency in the players that have been picked.”Your Test side has battled for a while but it would be a really lovely project to get that going. I think it’s a great project for someone to come in and take that Test side on. There’s a lot that needs to be put in place to build this Test team out.”Two years ago, Ashley Giles, the ECB’s managing director of men’s cricket, opted to appoint a single head coach across formats rather than splitting the role in order to ensure “consistency of communication”, with his own experiences as one-day head coach in 2012-14 playing a part in his decision.But Silverwood has regularly been given leave during limited-overs series due to England’s packed schedule, with assistant coaches Paul Collingwood and Graham Thorpe filling in for him, and the ECB are certain to consider whether it is reasonable to expect one individual to have responsibility for both set-ups.

Australia must be on their guard against buoyant Ireland

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The hosts will be comfortable favourites, but events recently at the MCG have shown that can matter for very little

Andrew McGlashan30-Oct-20222:32

Moody: Australia playing at a venue where everything’s in their favour

Big picture

While not yet certain, it feels as though this group is becoming a race for the second semi-final spot after New Zealand made a further statement with their big win over Sri Lanka. If that is indeed the case, then Australia and Ireland are firmly in that tussle. It may have felt unlikely that these two sides would have been equal on points ahead of this meeting but Ireland’s victory over England is one of the reasons things are so tight – Ireland go into this match marginally ahead of the hosts on net run-rate.It will be just the second time the two sides have met in T20 after a World Cup clash in 2012 where Australia came out winners by seven wickets. Although it was 10 years ago, Australia will likely have five players from that game. Despite the England result, Australia will start as comfortable favourites at the Gabba but there remains enough uncertainty around their form that nothing can be taken for granted. Marcus Stoinis hauled them over the line against Sri Lanka, but the washout against England left unanswered questions.Related

  • Ireland's new 'golden generation' comes of age at the biggest stage of all

  • Finch acing verbal volleys but needs his bat to do the talking

  • T20 World Cup scenarios: England, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan cannot afford washouts

The main one remains whether Steven Smith will find a spot to return to the side having been pushed out heading into this tournament. Australia have gone with a power-heavy line-up – captain Aaron Finch said on Sunday that the team had batters who can be adaptable – but in a tournament where the ball is holding sway, there is an argument for the skills that Smith brings.Ireland will probably feel more frustrated by the double-header washout at the MCG because, on a high after beating England, they would have been confident of pushing hard for another two points against Afghanistan. Captain Andy Balbirnie thought they may have been one ball away from defeat the way Moeen Ali was playing, but they were full value for the win. However, they will want to improve the middle-order batting after they lost 9 for 54.Given Australia close their group matches with games against Ireland and Afghanistan there has been a lot of talk about net run rate which could yet decide qualification, but Finch followed Glenn Maxwell’s comments from the previous day by saying such a focus can be dangerous and a position of strength has to be earned before taking advantage of it. In a group of narrow margins, though, it could be vital.

Recent form

Australia WLLLW (last five matches, most recent first)
Ireland WLWWLDavid Warner has started with two low scores, but things can change in an instant•AFP

In the spotlight

David Warner hasn’t quite got going yet in the tournament with scores of 5 of 11, but he has had a magnificent run in T20Is dating right back to 2019 since when he has averaged 56.52 with a strike-rate of 144.35. He played a crucial role in Australia’s progression in last year’s World Cup where his rapid 89 off 56 balls against West Indies helped lift their net run rate. Don’t rule out a similar impact this time.Josh Little had a big impact against England – coming out as ESPNcricinfo’s MVP – as he removed Jos Buttler and Alex Hales inside the powerplay. His left-arm angle could be vital again against Australia with the line of attack having often troubled Finch and also being a good option against Warner, whose lowest average against a style of bowling in T20Is comes against left-arm pace. And since 2020, the difference is even more stark with an average of just 14 against them and four dismissals, one every 13 deliveries faced.

Team news

It feels likely Australia will retain the same batting order, not least because of the net run rate factor, although Smith will be considered. Adam Zampa would have returned against England after Covid and Matthew Wade, who would have played with it, has now tested negative. Finch did not rule out a reshuffle with Cameron Green coming in as he largely kept every option open.Australia (probable) 1 David Warner, 2 Aaron Finch (capt), 3 Mitchell Marsh, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Tim David, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Pat Cummins, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Adam Zampa, 11 Josh HazlewoodIt would be a surprise if Ireland changed the winning side from the England game, unless they wanted to strengthen the spin attack.Ireland (probable) 1 Paul Stirling, 2 Andy Balbirnie (capt), 3 Lorcan Tucker (wk), 4 Harry Tector, 5 Curtis Campher, 6 George Dockrell, 7 Gareth Delany, 8 Mark Adair, 9 Fionn Hand, 10 Barry McCarthy, 11 Josh Little

Pitch and conditions

You’ll get good pace and carry at the Gabba, but the bounce should be true and it can be a terrific place to bat although Bangladesh and Zimbabwe made it seem tricky. There is a small chance of a shower very late in the day.

Stats and trivia

  • Ireland’s one previous international at the Gabba was at the 2015 ODI World Cup where they beat UAE by two wickets. From that game, Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirine and George Dockrell will likely be in this Ireland side.
  • There is an argument to be made for Kane Richardson replacing Pat Cummins, particularly with a focus on the death: this year, Richardson has 11 wickets at economy of 7.84 in the last five overs compare to Cummins’ three wickets at an economy of 11.66
  • Since moving to No. 3, Lorcan Tucker has been a revelation for Ireland. He averages 37.92 with a strike-rate of 135.06 compared to 11.46 and 104.19 in other positions

Quotes

“We have seen how damaging Ireland can be if you give them a sniff in a game. They have got some seriously talented players and some experience, especially at the top of the order. They are never a team you can take lightly. If the wicket has got anything in it they have got very good bowlers to maximise that as well.”
“I think we know if we play pretty much near our best that we’re going to be able to compete with anybody here.”

Henry and Sears new ball surge gives New Zealand hope of famous win

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Australia’s uncertain top order was again exposed leaving them with a tough task to chase 279

Tristan Lavalette10-Mar-2024Matt Henry and Ben Sears tore through Australia’s struggling top-order late on a dramatic day three at Hagley Oval, but Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head halted New Zealand’s push to leave the second Test on a knife’s edge.Needing 279 runs to clinch the series 2-0, Australia were in disarray at 34 for 4 with Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green falling cheaply. But Marsh and Head produced a steadying 43-run partnership as Australia reached stumps at 77 for 4 and they need a further 202 runs for victory.Related

  • The long-awaited New Zealand uprising against Australia

  • Labuschagne felt under no pressure during lean run of form

  • Matt Henry, New Zealand's man of steel, drags his team back into the contest

Having taken 15 wickets in three innings in the series, Henry loomed as New Zealand’s main hope and he had a big caught behind appeal off Khawaja on his first delivery turned down.But Henry soon had his first breakthrough when he trapped a shuffling Smith lbw for 9. Smith reviewed at the last second, but the decision was upheld and completed his modest series output of 51 runs at 12.75 as the spotlight intensifies on his shift up the order.Sears continued his eye-catching debut after entering the attack in the ninth over and on his second delivery he had Labuschagne edging to first slip only for Daryl Mitchell to drop a catch low to his right. But it did not cost them a run with Labuschagne two balls later unable to control a lifting delivery as he offered a return catch to Sears.New Zealand were on a roll when Khawaja edged Henry to Tim Southee, who held a stunning take low to his left in the slips. Australia’s collapse was complete when Green chopped on to a pumped-up Sears, who celebrated with gusto.Coming to the crease after consecutive ducks, Marsh smashed a first-ball boundary and was unperturbed by the situation as he bravely counterattacked. Australia’s hopes largely rest with Marsh and Head, who was forced to play defensively before the close.In what had been a bowler-dominated series, batting was looking easier against the older ball with most of the damage being done with the new ball.Australia have only chased 279 runs or more 13 times before with the most recent being in Edgbaston last year during the Ashes.Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra put on 123 runs for the fourth wicket•Associated Press

They had earlier restricted New Zealand’s lead after Pat Cummins bowled superbly. A 53-run seventh-wicket partnership between Glenn Phillips and Scott Kuggeleijn put New Zealand in position to gain a lead of more than 300 runs. But they fell apart and lost 4 for 23 to be bowled out for 372 shortly after tea.Cummins was the standout as he finished with 4 for 62, while Nathan Lyon found sharp turn after the interval to rip through the lower order with three wickets.Wicketkeeper Alex Carey equalled an Australian record with ten dismissals for the match.After being dismissed for just 162 on day one, New Zealand had fought back ever since to sniff just their second Test victory against Australia in the last three decades.New Zealand had appeared to be in a position of strength when Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra combined for a 123-run fourth-wicket partnership in the highest stand of the series for either team.But the match turned shortly after Australia took the second new ball, with Josh Hazlewood nicking off Mitchell for 58 before Ravindra fell for 82 to Cummins’ first ball of a new spell when he was caught behind off a brilliant short-of-a-length delivery.New Zealand slumped further after Tom Blundell suffered a horrendous dismissal when he hit a short-and-wide delivery from Green to cover with Labuschagne completing a fine catch diving to his left.For the second time Pat Cummins struck with the first ball of a spell•Getty Images

Green sheepishly covered his mouth after the dismissal, but he was soon left frustrated when Labuschagne spilt Kuggeleijn after diving low to his left at third slip. Kuggeleijn made them pay with a valuable 44 before being the last batter dismissed.Having captured just two wickets in the series before this innings, Cummins bent his back and again showed his knack for making things happen on flat surfaces.After bowling a terrific spell late on day two, where he claimed the key wicket of Kane Williamson for 51, Cummins took the only wicket of the morning session when he dismissed opener Tom Latham for 73.If they do end up falling short, New Zealand might rue four of their specialist batters not converting fifties into centuries. Resuming at 134 for 2, Latham eyed a first Test century against Australia having overtaken his highest previous score of 63.But his bid for an elusive century against Australia ended when Cummins, bowling from around the wicket, cut through him with a delivery that reared sharply off the surface. It appeared to take Latham on the back pad and there was only a half-hearted appeal from behind the wicket, but Cummins wisely decided to review after consulting with Carey.Ravindra and Mitchell took over with a supreme partnership, forcing Cummins to revert to Head and Labuschagne either side of lunch as Australia used eight bowlers. Just before the second new ball, Labuschagne unfurled his seamers and focused on bowling short with speeds reaching 130 kph. The tactic almost proved a masterstroke when Ravindra top-edged just short of long-leg.After that somewhat amusing over, Australia took the second new ball and it did the trick, but the twists and turns continued to set up a grandstand finish.

Last chance for Kohli to find runs before India's Super Eight campaign

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The weather in Lauderhill could severely impact the contest between Canada and India

Ashish Pant14-Jun-20241:40

Should India give Kuldeep Yadav a game?

Match details

Canada vs India
June 15, Lauderhill, Florida, 10.30am local time

Big picture: Rain threat in Florida

Canada are facing their toughest test of the T20 World Cup as India aim to go into the Super 8 stage with a clean sheet, but the fixture is at the mercy of the weather in Florida. Friday’s game between USA and Ireland was washed out at the venue, and there’s an 85% chance of rain on Saturday.If the game does go ahead, India could test out their bench strength. They have played the same XI in their first three group games, but with qualification secure and no points advantage carried forward to the Super Eight, they could give the likes of Kuldeep Yadav or Sanju Samson some game time.Related

  • Similar but different India have tough choices to make with their batting order

  • Johnson: That was my best international innings

  • Hardik hits his rhythm to get rid of the blues

India’s final group game is also Virat Kohli’s last chance to find form before the more competitive Super Eight stage. Of all the batters itching to get out of New York, he is right up there. His move to the top of the order has yielded scores of 4, 1 and 0, and Kohli is not even among the top 150 run-scorers of the tournament. He does not have exceptional numbers in Florida, though: 63 runs in three innings at an average of 21.00.Virat Kohli has not yet fired as an opener in the T20 World Cup•Associated Press

With USA confirming their Super Eight berth from Group A along with India, Canada have been knocked out, having earned only two points from their first three games. They have been competitive at their first T20 World Cup though, having scored 194 in their opening game against USA and then securing a comfortable win against Ireland. They even gave Pakistan a scare, and will hope to sign off at their best against their most high-profile opponents.

Form guide: India on a roll

India WWWWW
Canada LWLLL

In the spotlight: Aaron Johnson and Hardik Pandya

Despite making his T20I debut only in November 2022, Aaron Johnson is already Canada’s second highest run-scorer. He had a tremendous start to his international career, scoring four fifties and one century in his first seven T20I innings, and has sustained his form. No other Canada batter has more runs than Johnson’s 400 in 12 innings since the start of 2023. He is coming into this game on the back of a confident 52 against Pakistan.Hardik Pandya has seven wickets in three games at the T20 World Cup•Associated Press

Hardik Pandya has not had much to do with the bat, but has been an asset with the ball. He is India’s joint highest wicket-taker so far in the competition, with seven wickets in three games, and has stifled batters in the middle overs. Hardik has hit those hard lengths and finished the New York leg with an economy of 5.41.

Team news: Will India give Kuldeep a go?

Canada’s move to bring in Ravinderpal Singh for Dilpreet Bajwa did not work, with Ravinderpal out for a second-ball duck. They might go back to Bajwa against India.Canada (probable XI): 1 Aaron Johnson, 2 Navneet Dhaliwal, 3 Pargat Singh, 4 Nicholas Kirton, 5 Shreyas Movva (wk), 6 Ravinderpal Singh/Dilpreet Bajwa, 7 Dilon Heyliger, 8 Saad Bin Zafar (capt), 9 Kaleem Sana, 10 Junaid Siddiqui, 11 Jeremy GordonIndia could rest one of their fast bowlers and bring in Kuldeep, whose wristspin might be required in the Super Eight stage in the West Indies.India (probable XI): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel, 9, 10, 11 Jasprit Bumrah/Mohammed Siraj/Kuldeep Yadav/Arshdeep SinghFriday morning was extremely wet at the venue•ICC/Getty Images

Pitch and conditions: Rain alert

Thursday was dry but Friday was a washout in Lauderhill. The forecast for Saturday morning is not promising, with scattered thunderstorms predicted throughout the day.

Stats and trivia

  • Apart from West Indies, who play some international matches here, India have played the most T20Is (eight) in Lauderhill: five wins, two defeats and one washout.
  • Rohit Sharma is the top-scorer in T20Is at this venue: 196 runs, with two half-centuries in in five innings.
  • Arshdeep Singh has the second most T20I wickets in Lauderhill: seven in four innings, with an economy of 7.88.
  • Arshdeep has bowled six overs in the powerplay at this T20 World Cup and conceded just one boundary.
  • Out of the 56 overs India have bowled in the tournament, only nine have been delivered by spinners
  • Canada have never faced India in a T20I.

Quotes

“I saw them last month in April. Those guys were working really hard. I am happy for them. It is a motivation for us, going into the next tournament that USA have down, so can we. In that way, we can look at it.”
“Regarding this stadium, we played earlier so we are slightly aware of the conditions, what we get. Yes, the weather is challenging here, you don’t know about when the rain comes and all, but we have been prepared for all these things. So, we are focusing on what we can control and at this point of the time, we can’t control the weather conditions. So, we are trying to prepare ourselves in the best possible way but we want a game to happen.”
India fielding coach T Dilip isn’t bothered about the conditions

Turkeys vote for Christmas as SLC usher in sweeping reforms

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Voting body uses own votes to reduce the size of that very body by 59%.

Andrew Fidel Fernando and Madushka Balasuriya20-Dec-2024Sri Lanka Cricket’s internal politics and administration is set for sweeping change after the board announced a drastic reduction in votes, from 147 to 60. What is remarkable is that this decision was made by the voting members, meaning the voting body has used their own votes to reduce the size of that very body by 59%.These events took place during an extraordinary general meeting of SLC on Friday, during which the SLC membership “approved significant amendments to the Constitution of SLC, reaffirming its commitment to fostering good governance, transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency in its management structure”, according to the board’s own release.Though SLC’s current constitution, which was drafted soon after Sri Lanka’s World Cup win in 1996, has long been criticised as the font of dysfunction in Sri Lankan cricket (because many of the 147 votes belonged to defunct clubs or ineffective district and provincial associations), there has been little political will within the membership to vote for reform, particularly as votes equated to power within the SLC structure.It is likely that broader political changes within Sri Lanka has affected this vote, however. The recent elections centred on issues of good governance, and combating corruption. In the 21st century, SLC has been seen within Sri Lanka as one of the most dysfunctional institutions in the country, as well as one in which substantial wheeling-and-dealing occurred.This fresh amendment aims to optimise SLC’s decision-making, the board release said.”The new voting structure ensures that voting rights are determined solely based on the level of cricket played by each member club, with all qualified clubs and associations being entitled to only one vote. This marks a pivotal step towards equitable representation and streamlined decision-making.”Several sports ministers, past cricketers, and interim heads of SLC had long spoken of the need to change the constitution. In fact a group of concerned citizens, including former players, had petitioned Sri Lanka’s courts in early 2021 to overhaul the SLC constitution. But it was always seen as highly unlikely for the governing body’s membership to vote against their own self interest.A shift in Sri Lanka’s political environment, however, may have made such a vote possible.

Jos Buttler concedes decision to bowl first in Mumbai was 'potentially' a mistake

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

“It leaves us with no room for error, we have to probably win every game from here on in”

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2023Jos Buttler admitted that England had “potentially” made a mistake when choosing to bowl first on the way to a 229-run thrashing by South Africa at the Wankhede, before conceding his team will likely need to “win every game from here on in” to keep their World Cup defence alive.Asked to bat first in Mumbai, South Africa piled up 399 for 7 during their 50 overs despite losing a wicket to the second ball of the innings, with Heinrich Klaasen’s 61-ball hundred building on top-order half-centuries from Reeza Hendricks and Rassie van der Dussen. Marco Jansen also struck 75 off 42 balls as he and Klaasen added 151 in 12.4 overs for the sixth wicket.By that stage, England’s players were visibly wilting in the heat. The bowlers made regular trips off the field, with Adil Rashid suffering from an upset stomach and David Willey felled by cramp during one over. In addition, Reece Topley suffered a suspected broken finger when fielding the ball in his follow through, and had to leave for treatment with one ball of his fourth over unbowled.When asked at the post-match presentations whether bowling first was a mistake, Buttler said: “Yeah, potentially. You always look back and reflect on the decisions you make. Obviously incredibly tough conditions here in the heat, we saw that with the boys in the field. Everyone put in a great shift. I still believe if it was 340-350 and we got off to a good start it would have been a great chase. But yeah, potentially should have batted first with the heat.”Related

  • England's woes weigh heavy on Jos Buttler, the captain

  • England balancing act leaves them staring into World Cup abyss

  • England look for 'X-factor' Topley replacement

  • Live report – England vs South Africa, Mumbai

  • Klaasen sends England's title-defence hopes spiralling

Aiden Markram, standing in as captain for South Africa due to Temba Bavuma suffering from illness, said they had been “slightly” surprised by Buttler’s call. “We know England do like chasing,” he said. “We were going to bat first. Happy that it worked out the way it did, we felt comfortable doing that and I think it helped us a lot that our big quicks weren’t in the sun cooking.”Although Topley returned to deliver another five overs with a strapped finger, he looks set to be ruled out for the rest of the tournament. With three defeats in their first four matches, the defending champions are already in a struggle to qualify for the semi-finals via a place in the top four.”It leaves us with no room for error, we have to probably win every game from here on in,” Buttler said. “That’s the situation we find ourselves in.”England made three changes for the game, having suffered a shock defeat to Afghanistan in their previous outing. Ben Stokes was fit to make his first appearance of the tournament, while Willey and Gus Atkinson both made World Cup debuts, as Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran made way.Buttler denied that the changed personnel contributed to England’s poor showing, as South Africa recovered from losing Quinton de Kock early to post the second-highest total of this edition of the World Cup.”I don’t think so. Throughout the first innings, lots of things didn’t quite go to plan. We started nicely, [but] Reece picked up that injury and then the unknown as to whether he’d come back or not, trying to fiddle a few overs in. Those kind of things, couple of guys struggling with the heat, etc. So it was a tough 50 overs there, the boys fought hard, a lot of effort.”I thought if we could have restricted them to 340-350, probably on this pitch it would have been a really good chase. They just got away from us there at the end.”Having been baked out in the middle during the hottest part of the day, England were quickly cooked during their chase, slipping to 38 for 4 inside the powerplay on the way to their heaviest defeat by runs in ODIs.”[It was] certainly tough, the humidity and the cramps and all the other challenges – yeah, it was tough,” Buttler said. “We needed to get off to a really good start, chasing a score like that. The ball did a bit, a couple of dismissals, caught down the leg side, caught leg slip – when those kind of things start happening you feel like the writing’s on the wall a bit.”

Asia Cup discussion on the cards at IPL final

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Heads of the Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi and Afghanistan boards will meet in Ahmedabad but a final decision will be taken only after consultation with the PCB

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2023Where will the Men’s Asia Cup be played? Will it even be played? Answers to these questions are likely to emerge at an informal meeting in Ahmedabad on May 28 where heads of the Indian (BCCI), the Bangladeshi (BCB), the Sri Lankan (SLC) and the Afghanistani (ACB) cricket boards will be present to watch the IPL final.Pakistan are the hosts of this year’s Asia Cup scheduled for September, but with India declining to travel there, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has been looking at alternatives. Recently the PCB had suggested a hybrid host model for the six-team tournament where four of the 13 matches will be held in Pakistan. The rest, including the final, would be held overseas. However, no final decision has been reached by ACC which is locked in discussions with PCB.It is understood that Pakistan are not expecting any major pushback about the hybrid model. The only issue left to iron out is where India and their opponents will be based. The choice is between Sri Lanka and the UAE.The six teams to contest the 2023 edition of the Asia Cup are India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Nepal and hosts Pakistan. ESPNcricnfo reached out to at least four boards to inquire if a consensus had been reached on adopting the hybrid model recommended by PCB, but all four said no final decision had yet been taken.BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who is also president of the ACC, said on Thursday that the presidents of BCB, SLC and ACB will be at the IPL final in Ahmedabad. “We will hold discussions with them for outlining the future course of action in relation to Asia Cup 2023,” Shah said.However, officials privy to the Sunday meeting have pointed out that a final decision on the Asia Cup will only be taken by the ACC in coordination with PCB. No date yet has been set for the next ACC meeting.

Kallis absence evens the scales

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

This is now a four-match series after the abandonment at the Wanderers left everyone kicking their heels

The Preview by Andrew McGlashan21-Nov-2009

Match facts

Sunday, November 22, 2009
Start time 10.00 (08.00GMT)James Tredwell could leapfrog Adil Rashid for a place in the England side•Getty Images

Big picture

This is now a four-match series after the abandonment at the Wanderers left everyone kicking their heels. The significant development in the last couple of days has been the news of Jacques Kallis’ absence from the series due to a rib fracture, so his partnership with Graeme Smith will be a non-starter.England’s injury situation remains unchanged with Stuart Broad (shoulder) and Graeme Swann (side) already ruled out of the match, but the delayed start to the series will have helped Paul Collingwood and James Anderson recover from their niggles. With the forecast more promising for Sunday’s game, Collingwood should finally have the chance to become England’s most capped ODI player with his 171st appearance, overtaking Alec Stewart’s record.Really, though, it’s as you were in the build-up to the opening match although the rain has taken some of the sting out of the hype. Andrew Strauss won’t mind that, having refused to be drawn into any mind games with the South Africans but, when the action does finally start, the attention will still be on Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott.With one match already gone from the schedule, there is less room for error and therefore even more important to hit the ground running. At least on Saturday the teams were able to train outdoors, and whichever side clicks into gear the quickest after a frustrating few days will be in prime position to take control of the series.

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa – WWLWL
England – LLWWW

Team news

With Kallis out of the series, Hashim Amla is set to be given another chance to open alongside Smith, a position he has filled with decent results. South Africa will also have to decide whether to go with a full hand of seamers or play one of their spinners. Without the services of Kallis’ fast bowling and the recent wet weather, the former could be the preferred route.South Africa (possible) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 AB de Villiers, 4 JP Duminy, 5 Alviro Petersen, 6 Mark Boucher (wk), 7 Albie Morkel, 8 Ryan McLaren, 9 Charl Langeveldt, 10 Lonwabo Tsotsobe, 11 Dale SteynEngland may hand an international debut to James Tredwell, who has been called up as cover for Graeme Swann. Quite what Adil Rashid, the second spinner in the original squad, will make of that remains to be seen but Tredwell has the advantage of spinning the ball away from South Africa’s clutch of left handers. However, they too may decide on a full hand of quicks, especially with Collingwood’s troublesome back. The other question is how many batsman to play, and if one misses out it is likely to be Joe Denly.England (possible) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Jonathan Trott, 3 Kevin Pietersen, 4 Paul Collingwood, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Matt Prior (wk), 7 Luke Wright, 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 James Tredwell, 10 Graham Onions, 11 James Anderson

Watch out for

Kevin Pietersen was called back into action a couple of days early when England were hit by injuries ahead of the second Twenty20, but looked in decent fettle for his 29. The 50-over warm-up against South Africa was more of a struggle as he scratched 4 from 17 balls, but he looks eager to make up for lost time. His three ODI tons in South Africa four years ago are still talked about and England would dearly like to see a return of that free-flowing, care-free Pietersen rather than the mentally strained and restrained figure that has been on show for much of 2009.JP Duminy‘s international numbers are already impressive and an ODI average of 37.57 indicates his talent. However, against England, he has struggled to make a mark with 88 runs in six matches with a best of 24. The South African management are giving him the chance to build an innings by promoting him to No 4, and with the absence of Kallis now is the time for Duminy to repay that faith.James Anderson…but not for his bowling. If he gets his turn to bat, Anderson will use the Mongoose bat which made much fanfare last season. It has a shorter blade and longer handle – meaning, in theory, better striking power – and Jimmy has got his hands on one. Without being too harsh, it might be a little wasted.

Stats and trivia

  • Collingwood, as well as being one away from an England cap record, also needs three wickets to reach 100 in ODIs

Quotes

“I was actually organising a trip to India for the start of December, so they had to tell me pretty sharpish so that I didn’t put my passport in for a visa.”

Top-of-the-table teams duel in potential blockbuster at Eden Gardens

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The big call at the toss, for either team, is whether to do what they do best or make the opposition do what they don’t like too much

Hemant Brar04-Nov-20235:52

Harmison: SA batters can stand up against Indian bowling attack

Big picture – the toss conundrum

Do you back your strength, or look to exploit your opponent’s weakness? Rohit Sharma and Temba Bavuma will have that question in their minds as India take on South Africa in a top-of-the-table clash at Eden Gardens on Sunday.South Africa love to bat first. Their top order invariably sets the platform for the middle to go big. Batting first in this World Cup, their totals have been 428, 311, 399, 382 and 357. On each occasion, they won by more than 100 runs. While chasing, though, they lost to Netherlands and narrowly escaped, with a one-wicket win, against Pakistan.For India, it’s the opposite. They prefer having a target in front of them so that they can pace their innings accordingly. Batting first, they can appear unsure about how hard to go. So whoever wins the toss on Sunday will have to make the tricky call.Related

  • Unfazed Bavuma ready to 'make a big play', and soon

  • India vs South Africa – a high-voltage contest between contrasting approaches

  • Quinton de Kock is done with ODIs, or is he?

  • Marco Jansen, South Africa's Magnificent No. 7

This match will also present the sternest test so far for India’s five-bowler strategy. In the absence of Hardik Pandya, who has now been ruled out of the World Cup, India do not have a sixth bowling option in their regular XI, something Bavuma said South Africa will look to take advantage of.Pakistan’s win over New Zealand on Saturday means South Africa have joined India in the semi-finals. With India and South Africa well-placed to retain the top-two positions by the end of the league stage, this could very well be a dress rehearsal for the final, though they have to get there first.

Form guide – two teams in red-hot form

India WWWWW
South Africa WWWWL

In the spotlight – Mohammed Shami and Quinton de Kock

Mohammed Shami was not part of India’s first-choice XI at the World Cup. He got a chance only when Hardik was injured. But after playing only three matches, he is among the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. He started with a five-for against New Zealand, picked up four against England, and then five more against Sri Lanka. In any other team, he would have probably opened the bowling; for India, he bowls first change after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. That he is still able to make such a big impact is a testament to his skills.3:15

Bavuma hopes to take advantage of India’s missing sixth bowler

Quinton de Kock is having a dream World Cup. He is the leading run-scorer (545) and century-maker (four) at this stage. He may take his time early on but his overall strike rate of 112.60 is well above par. India must be one of his favourite opponents. In 19 ODIs against them, he has six hundreds, three of them in successive innings at the start of his career. With Bavuma struggling for form, de Kock’s role becomes even more important in setting the platform for the middle order to tee off.

Team news – Shamsi might come in

India are likely to field an unchanged XI, with KL Rahul now officially the vice-captain of the team.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Suryakumar Yadav, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed SirajBavuma has hinted that South Africa could play both Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi. But the final decision will be made after seeing the pitch. Shamsi, though, doesn’t have a great record against India: five wickets in six ODIs, at an economy of 6.48.South Africa (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Temba Bavuma (capt), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 David Miller, 6 Heinrich Klaasen, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi/Gerald Coetzee

Pitch and conditions – will dew play a role?

The pitch at Eden Gardens hasn’t really favoured a particular type of bowling. If fast bowlers have picked up wickets at a better strike rate than the spinners, spinners have superior economy rates. On Sunday afternoon, the temperature will peak at 32°C. At night, it’s expected to drop to 23°C, which means dew could play a role in the second innings. The Air Quality Index will be around 160.3:24

Dravid: Hardik the one player we don’t have a back-up for

Stats and trivia – Jansen’s powerplay impact

  • Virat Kohli (48) is one short of equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of most ODI hundreds. If he gets there on Sunday, it will make his 35th birthday all the more special.
  • Kohli is yet to get out to spin in this World Cup. In 204 balls against spinners, he has scored 184 runs.
  • Among those who have bowled at least 15 overs in this World Cup, only two have economy rates under four: Jasprit Bumrah (3.72) and Ravindra Jadeja (3.78).
  • Marco Jansen has picked up 12 wickets in the powerplay in this World Cup – the most by any bowler in that phase. Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka is second with seven.
  • South Africa’s 82 sixes in the tournament are the most by any team in a single edition of the World Cup. England (76 in 2019) held the previous record.
  • Lungi Ngidi has dismissed Shreyas Iyer four times in 30 balls in ODIs.
  • Maharaj is two short of 50 ODI wickets.

Quotes

“It is a contest between two teams that are playing very good cricket. Whether they [South Africa] are the toughest or not, I think there are three or four other good teams in this tournament as well. Maybe some of them haven’t clicked as well as they would have liked to, or they have had a tough run. But South Africa certainly have been playing very well.”
“You got two teams who are in form, coming up against each other and I think it’s just a matter of who breaks first and who’s able to I guess, exploit that moment or that weakness. We understand that there will be pressure moments within the World Cup, moments that we’ve overcome to get to this point, and there will still be more. We’ll deal with them as best as we can.”