Thursday, October 6, 2016

Kohli heaps praise on Jadeja, Saha after series win

On winning on non-turning tracks too...
Why didn't you come in so many press conferences? I was waiting (laughs). I feel all those questions are to take the focus away from the team. We don't believe in that. Because we have to go and play cricket ourselves. We can't think of external factors. We never do. Our aim is to win games of cricket anywhere and everywhere we play. We have shown that over the past one-and-a-half years. So we don't go out there to prove anything to anyone. That we have a challenging win and we have to win because people are asking questions. We are doing our job, people are doing theirs. That's how the balance goes. Its basically what you want to entertain and what you don't want to entertain. As simple as that. But when we go on to the pitch we have control of what we can achieve. We understand our abilities. We have enough belief in our abilities to play good cricket anywhere. Not putting pressure of winning on challenging wickets, but believing in ourselves to execute our plans to the best of our abilities.

Bangladesh have confidence and belief to bounce back: Mortaza

Mashrafe Mortaza, Bangladesh's captain for the abridged versions of the game, observed that the Asian country has put up consistent performances over a period of time and that one defeat against Afghanistan in the second One-Day International (ODI) played in Dhaka shouldn't erase all the good work done by Bangladesh in the recent past.

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

ICC starts process to reinstate Cricket Association of Nepal

An International Cricket Council (ICC) delegation consisting of David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, and Imran Khwaja, the ICC chairman of Associate, met Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the prime minister of Nepal, on Sunday (September 4) to chart out a way to reinstate Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN).

Phehlukwayo among three uncapped players in South Africa's ODI squads

Andile Phehlukwayo, the 20-year-old Dolphins seamer, has been picked in South Africa's One-Day International squads for the forthcoming series against Ireland and Australia. Phehlukwayo is among three new caps, alongside top-order batsman Temba Bavuma and all-rounder Dwaine Pretorious, in line for an ODI debut during the upcoming limited-overs swing for South Africa. While Phehlukwayo finds a mention in both squads, Pretorious and Bavuma have been included only for the one-off game against Ireland.

Neesham back in New Zealand Test team for India tour

James Neesham has returned to the New Zealand Test squad for their three-Test tour of India. The 25-year-old has been reinstated for the first time since he left last year's series in Australia after suffering a back injury.

Very difficult to pick the googly under lights: Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara came up with a fluent 166 against India Green to power India Blue to 707 at stumps on Day 2 of the Duleep Trophy clash at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground on Monday (September 5). However, the right-hander acknowledged that it was little difficult to pick the variations under lights.

Whoever masters the mind-games will be the best: Ponting

Comparisons count for little and it all boils down to who "masters the mind games the best", which would eventually decide who is the best batsman in the world, said Ricky Ponting, when he was asked to pick the best batsman in world cricket currently. While Virat Kohli, Joe Root, Steven Smith and Kane Williamson are among the most-discussed batsmen in recent years, Ponting sees them all in the same boat.

Alzarri Joseph, Kraigg Brathwaite named in West Indies ODI squad

Chris Gayle won't be part of the West Indies squad for the limited-overs series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates after the burly left-hander made himself unavailable for selection for the tour. The West Indies selectors name Evin Lewis, Alzarri Joseph and Kraigg Brathwaite in the One-Day International (ODI) squad on Monday (September 5).

Taskin Ahmed, Arafat Sunny hopeful of getting their actions cleared

Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny, the Bangladesh bowlers, are upbeat that their action will be cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after they take the test in Brisbane on September 8. The duo will fly out to Australia with Chandika Hathurusingha, the Bangladesh coach.

Almost three-quarters of international cricketers are favouring separate windows for domestic Twenty20 competitions around the globe, a survey conducted by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations has revealed. Almost 200 professional cricketers, including 111 internationals took part in the survey and 72% indicated that they would welcome 'the introduction of a divisional Test competition'. Perhaps the most worrying stat was that 52% of the players admitted that they would reject a national contract in order to play the domestic T20 leagues but 75% of them suggested that an increase in pay would help them commit to international cricket. "It is clear that there is a groundswell of opinion around the world that the current structure of international cricket is not serving the game globally, and that the status quo is not good enough for the long-term future success of cricket," Tony Irish, FICA executive chairman, said on Monday (September 5). "The entire cricket economy, including all professional players - both international and domestic - is highly dependent on international cricket. To ensure its survival, the game needs to evolve. "It has many strengths and its rich history must be protected, but it is time to significantly move the game forward. That is not an easy task, but thinking globally, and not based on regional or country interests, is a good place to start." Irish admitted that international cricket could start losing a lot of top players to the T20 leagues. "We know from our player surveys that they are facing a conflict between international cricket and domestic T20 cricket leagues," he said. "This is a fundamental issue that we want any future structure of the game to address. Our concern is that if nothing is done, international cricket may very soon lose more and more of its best players to free agency and the T20 leagues. It is time for global, collective thinking." South Africa's Test and One-Day International skipper AB de Villiers urged the need for Test matches to have some meaning to it and has given his nod for two-tier Test cricket. "We have already raised our intensity and urgency just knowing that a Test league might happen," de Villiers said. "There is nothing like the pressure and adrenaline that comes with knowing you need to win matches. It's time for all international matches to have more meaning." West Indies in the last few years have lost some of their leading cricketers to some of the biggest T20 domestic tournaments around the world and have been forced to field a weakened team. Jason Holder, the current ODI and Test captain, believes that separate windows for lucrative T20 tournaments can prevent players from making a choice between international cricket and domestic T20 leagues. "Creating windows [for T20 leagues] would make the whole situation a lot easier as players would not be forced to choose. If players could play both domestic T20 and international cricket, it would definitely help to keep players in international cricket." Australian captain Steven Smith believes that the players 'have a close up view of what's happening' and hence wants the ICC to listen to them. "We want our best players to be on the park as much as possible playing for our countries, and at the moment that isn't always happening," Smith conceded. "Players should absolutely have a say in the future of the game. We are the ones out there doing the job and it is important we are involved in decision making."

Joe Root, the mainstay of England's batting line-up across formats, has leapfrogged Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Rohit Sharma to climb to No.4 in the latest International Cricket Council's (ICC) rankings for One-Day International batsmen released on Monday (September 5). The 25-year-old top-order batsman compiled 274 runs in the five-match ODI series against Pakistan.

Players in favour of separate windows for T20 leagues

Almost three-quarters of international cricketers are favouring separate windows for domestic Twenty20 competitions around the globe, a survey conducted by the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations has revealed. Almost 200 professional cricketers, including 111 internationals took part in the survey and 72% indicated that they would welcome 'the introduction of a divisional Test competition'.

Thisara Perera, Senanayake recalled to Sri Lanka's T20I squad

All-rounder Thisara Perera and spinner Sachithra Senanayake were amongst a host of players who have been handed a recall to the Sri Lanka Twenty20 International (T20I) team for the upcoming two-match series against Australia at home. All-rounder Ramith Rambukwella, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella have all lost their spots in the side.

Three uncapped pacers make Australia squad for South Africa ODIs

Three uncapped pacemen have been named in Australia's One-Day International squad for the tour of South Africa staring later this month.

Century in Sri Lanka a 'sigh of relief': David Warner

David Warner, Australia's interim captain, admits scoring a drought-breaking century in the finale of the One-Day International series against Sri Lanka was a "sigh of relief".

The 30-year-old scored 106 to steer Australia to a five-wicket victory and a comprehensive 4-1 series win against Sri Lanka. It was Warner's seventh ODI hundred and the first by an Australian in an away one-day series against Sri Lanka.

We have shown lot of strength throughout this series: Eoin Morgan

Despite ending up on the losing side in the final One Day International (ODI) against Pakistan at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Sunday (September 4), England managed an emphatic 4-1 series win, and limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan attributed it to "outstanding" performance from the team throughout the series.

Australia retain No. 1 spot, England remain at No. 5

Australia's 4-1 series win against Sri Lanka and England's similar finish in the series against Pakistan helped them consolidate their positions in the latest One Day International (ODI) rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday (September 4).

Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch ruled out of Sri Lanka T20Is

Chris Lynn and Aaron Finch are the latest to join the list of injured Australians in their ongoing tour of Sri Lanka. Lynn has been ruled out of the two-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series with a dislocated shoulder, while Finch also won't participate in the T20I matches after fracturing his index finger on Sunday (September 4) during the final One Day International (ODI) in Pallekele, which the visitors won to seal a 4-1 finish.

See myself more as a mentor: Walsh

Courtney Walsh, the newly appointed Bangladesh bowling coach, has said he sees himself more as a mentor than a coach for the Bangladesh bowlers. Walsh, addressed the media in Dhaka on Sunday (September 4), after signing a contract with the Bangladesh Cricket Board till the 2019 World Cup.

Would love the chance to lead Australia's attack: Hastings

John Hastings, the recalled Australian paceman, certainly fits the hackneyed adage that a week is a long time in sports.

One week ago, the 30-year-old was in Sri Lanka preparing for the upcoming Twenty20 series but unexpectedly found himself drafted into Australia's One-Day International team after Nathan Coulter-Nile was sent home with a back injury.

Mohammad Irfan ruled out of remainder of England tour

Mohammad Irfan, the Pakistan left-arm pacer, has been ruled out of the remainder of the England tour due to fitness issues, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Saturday (September 3). Fellow paceman Hasan Ali, who is set to feature in the final One Day International (ODI) against England on Sunday, has been named Irfran's replacement in the Pakistan squad for the one-off Twenty20 International (T20I).

Moeen Ali willing to tour Bangladesh

Moeen Ali, England all-rounder, has become the first English player to confirm that he is willing to travel to Bangladesh for England's upcoming tour, subject to his selection in the squad.

Saturday, September 3, 2016

RAM part ways with CSA as domestic T20 sponsors

Cricket South Africa (CSA) and RAM Hand to Hand Couriers, the title sponsors of the national Twenty20 championship, have decided to part ways after their four-year association.

Bailey deserves another crack at Test cricket: Dan Marsh

George Bailey, Australia's middle-order batsman, played with maturity and showed the required batting nous to counter the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka and aggregate 226 runs at an average of 75.33 in the ongoing One-Day International (ODI) series against the home side. The 33-year-old veteran has always been a consistent performer in the 50-over format and boasts of a noteworthy average of 42.48 in 80 matches.

Can't let our guard down against New Zealand: Rahane

Zealand lightly later this month in the Test series at home. Rahane is wary of the threat the New Zealand attack possesses especially after the performance of their spinners in the World Twenty20 earlier this year. Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi and Nathan McCullum picked nine wickets among themselves to give their side a huge 47-run win over India in the first game of the Super 10 stage.

BCCI set to oppose two-tier Test proposal

In the backdrop of its recent but sustained belief that the financial value of bilateral series between full member boards has been fast diminishing, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has put the idea of a two-tier Test structure on the agenda for its meeting in Dubai.

Eoin Morgan still undecided on Bangladesh tour

Eoin Morgan on Friday (September 2) said that his designation as the skipper of England's limited-overs sides will have no influence on players' decision to tour Bangladesh for the forthcoming series in October. Morgan, who is undecided on his participation in the series due to security concerns raised by terrorist attacks in Dhaka in July this year, opined that the resolution to travel to the sub-continent country will need to be taken at an individual level.

Zaheer Khan gets honorary life membership from MCC

Zaheer Khan, former India pacer, has been inducted as an Honorary Life Member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on Friday(September 2). He is the third Indian player to receive the distinction this year after Virender Sehwag and Anjum Chopra.

ODI specialists have adapted really well: Matthew Wade

Matthew Wade, the Australian wicket-keeper-batsman, pointed out that the visitors clinched the One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka, largely due to the one-day specialists adjusting quickly to the unfamiliar climes to negate the threat of the turning ball. Australia sealed the five-match series after beating the home side by six wickets in the fourth ODI in Dambulla on Wednesday (August 31).

Calf tear rules Mathews out of remainder of Australia series

Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka skipper, has been ruled out of the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) and the upcoming two-match Twenty20 International series against Australia due to a calf tear.

Bangladesh rope in Thilan Samaraweera as batting consultant

Thilan Samaraweera, the former Sri Lankan middle-order batsman, has been roped in as the batting consultant by the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) for the forthcoming One-Day International (ODI) and Test series against England, starting in October this year.

Ryan Harris named bowling coach for SA series

Ryan Harris, the former Australian paceman, has been appointed Australia's bowling coach for their One-Day International tour of South Africa starting later this month.

The 36-year-old was seen as a leading candidate to replace Craig McDermott as Australia's full-time assistant coach earlier this year but eventually lost out to David Saker, the former Victoria Bushrangers coach.

Frustrated not to be in the XI week in week out: Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow, the England wicketkeeper-batsman, expressed his frustration at not being a regular member of the limited-overs playing XI. Bairstow, who came into the side in place of regular keeper Jos Buttler, scored a crucial half-century to help England take an unassailable 4-0 lead in the One-Day International series against Pakistan on Thursday (September 1).

Finding my way with the one-day team: Arthur

Pakistan made as many as four changes to their side for the fourth One-Day International at Headingley after their 169-run battering at Trent Bridge. One of which, was Mohammad Irfan coming in after Mohammad Hafeez was ruled out of the series with a calf injury. Irfan, however, much to the dismay of Mickey Arthur, the head coach, only managed to bowl five overs before leaving the field with cramps.

Starc and Hazlewood to be rested for South Africa series

Australian pacemen Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be rested from Australia's One-Day International tour of South Africa starting later this month.

Gavin Main replaces Davey for Hong Kong ODIs

Josh Davey has been left out of Scotland's 13-member squad for the limited-overs home series against Hong Kong, Scotland Cricket announced on Thursday (September 1). Gavin Main, the uncapped pacer, will replace Davey and will join the squad from the second One-Day International.

Pakistan include uncapped pacer Amad Butt for one-off T20I against England

Pakistan Cricket Board, on Thursday (September 1), named uncapped fast bowler Amad Butt in a 13-man squad to face England in the one-off Twenty20 International at Old Trafford. The 21-year-old Sialkot-born pacer merited an inclusion in the side after a string of promising performances (six wickets in three games) for the Lahore Whites in the National T20 Cup.

Finch echoes Warner's thoughts on Sri Lankan tracks

A day after David Warner critisied the tracks prepared during the One-Day International series in Sri Lanka, Aaron Finch came out in support of his captain and termed the pitches as 'ordinary tracks'.

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Form new IPL governing council by December 30: Lodha panel

The Lodha committee has directed a second set of deadlines to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday (August 31) after a meeting in New Delhi. The board has been asked to form a new governing council for the Indian Premier League (IPL), appoint a new management with the new rules and form new committees by December 30.

SG to submit pink balls for testing

The Indian cricket board (BCCI) has opted for the tried and tested Kookaburra pink ball for the ongoing Duleep Trophy but SG, the company which supplies the bulk of balls for domestic and Test matches at home, is ready with its pink samples for testing at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Players' mouths bigger than ability: Jeff Thomson

Broken marriages, conflicts of loyalty, the problems of everyday life fall away as one faces up to Thomson," former England captain Mike Brearley wrote this in his book `Return of the Ashes'.Nothing captures the essence of Jeff Thomson more than these words. He was the fastest bowler in the world in the 1970s and formed a lethal partnership with Dennis Lillee.

Plunket Shield gears up for pink-ball trials

While the pink-ball trials have already started in India's domestic cricket, in the ongoing edition of Duleep Trophy, New Zealand too is set to gets its first taste of day-night domestic matches during the 2016-17 season of Plunket Shield. As per the domestic schedule released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday (August 30), the first-class matches, scheduled from March 6 to March 9, 2017, do not have a confirmed start time, while the rest of the games have a start time of 10:30 AM.

We are encouraged to play our natural games: Chris Woakes

There has been a tectonic shift in England's one-day fortunes since their disappointment at the World Cup 2015 where they were ousted by a spirited Bangladesh. Since they began their revival against New Zealand last year, where they crossed the 400-run mark for the first time and also recorded their highest successful ODI chase, they have won four ODI series out of the six played (with the exclusion of the abandoned Ireland ODI).

Ready to play more Tests in winter: Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis, the stand-in South Africa Test skipper, has welcomed the possibility of playing more Tests in the winter following the conclusion of the Test series against New Zealand. Even though Cricket South Africa (CSA) has been reluctant to host Tests during the winter because of the nature of the surfaces, the experiment to play the two-Test series proved to be fairly successful as the home side won the series 1-0.

Shamsi, Adams reprimanded for dissent

The South African A pair of Tabraiz Shamsi and Qaasim Adams have been charged for separate incidents during their Quadrangular One-Day Series match against the National Performance Squad after having breached the ICC's Code of Conduct on Wednesday (August 31).

Mathews in serious doubt for final ODI, T20I series

George Bailey's unbeaten 90 combined with John Hastings' six-wicket haul handed Australia a massive six-wicket win over Sri Lanka to take the One-Day International series at Dambulla with one to play.

Mini IPL plans to be put on hold: Anurag Thakur

Anurag Thakur, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, has stalled the plans of having a mini Indian Premier League (IPL) in the United States of America, following the response that the Twenty20 Internationals between India and West Indies received.

Walsh named Bangladesh's bowling coach

West Indian legend and former captain Courtney Walsh has been appointed Bangladesh's new bowling coach until the 2019 World Cup, replacing Heath Streak who fulfilled the responsibilities of the role for two years until May.
Jason Gillespie, the departing Yorkshire coach, has declared he will not pursue an international coaching role despite an imminent return to Australia.

The former Australian paceman, who claimed 259 wickets from 71 Tests, will step down from his role at Yorkshire in the coming weeks heightening speculation of a return to the Australian national set-up. Earlier this year, Darren Lehmann, Australia's coach, tried to woo his former teammate to apply for the full-time bowling coach's position that eventually went to David Saker.

James Sutherland believes review will question CA's high-performance system

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia chief executive, says a review into Australia's travails in the subcontinent will question the organisation's 'high-performance systems'.

Sri Lankan tracks aren't ideal to promote limited-overs cricket, feels Warner

David Warner feels the kind of tracks being prepared in the Sri Lanka series aren't ideal to promote limited-overs cricket. Warner wasn't pleased with the turning surfaces that have been prepared in the Test series and in the four One-Day Internationals so far, even as Australia clinched the five-match series 3-1 with one game to go.

Dale Steyn becomes No. 1 Test bowler

Dale Steyn has reclaimed the top spot in ICC Test bowler's ranking after his match figures of 8 for 99 against New Zealand in the second Test in Centurion, the International Cricket Council announced on Wednesday (August 31).