Ineffective Axar Patel makes a case for Jayant Yadav
Jayant Yadav took seven wickets in two unofficial India A Tests in Australia and has been Haryana's stand-out performer.
Ranchi | Published:October 26, 2016 1:10 am
Axar Patel may have had a decent economy rate of 4.79 but has taken just one wicket in three matches. (Source: AP)
We still don’t have a 300-plus total in this series, but an even contest between bat and ball has proved to be refreshing. Apart from the slog-over hammering in Mohali, Umesh Yadav has bowled very well, providing breakthroughs upfront in every game. Jasprit Bumrah has been steady, while Kedar Jadhav is making a name for himself. With six scalps, the part-time Maharashtra off-spinner is jointly the team’s second-highest wicket-taker at present; forget the full-tosses and long-hops that ‘befuddled’ opposition batters. To be fair, Jadhav has perfectly fit into the role of a sixth bowler and is making things better for Amit Mishra, who tops the wicket-taking chart with eight scalps.
Axar Patel, however, has been pretty mediocre. An economy rate of 4.79 is decent, but only one wicket from three matches attests lack of penetration. The team management will have to take a call on retaining him. Haryana offie Jayant Yadav waits in the wings and deserves his ODI debut at some point.
Yadav had seven wickets in two unofficial Tests for India A in Australia in September. He was pretty decent with the bat as well, scoring 11 not out, 46 and 28 in those two matches. In the Board President’s XI that played a tour game against South Africans last year in CCI in Mumbai, he impressed and even dismissed AB de Villiers.
He had been also the standout performer for Haryana in the Ranji Trophy last season with 298 runs and 36 wickets, making his presence felt even in seamier-friendly conditions at Lahli. A 2-1 lead in the five-match series allows India breathing space; maybe an ideal opportunity for experiment. The barren JSCA Stadium surface, however, should assist turn as the match progresses. So Patel or Yadav, whoever is picked, he might enjoy bowling here.
It’s either Virat Kohli or bust
Over last 10 months, Virat Kohli has got little support from his mates — MS Dhoni’s 80 in Mohali was exception
Ranchi | Published:October 26, 2016 12:56 am
India have struggled in those matches where Virat Kohli has been dismissed early. (Source: AP)
It would be harsh to call India’s batting a one-man army, but they are leaning too heavily on Virat Kohli to do the job for them. Consider the number of deliveries the other batsmen have faced in three games against New Zealand in this series. Sharma has played 74 balls, Rahane 93, Pandey 81, Pandya 32. Forget this series, where MS Dhoni apart, Kohli has had little support from the batsmen, this has been a trend over the last ten months or so.
Kohli’s performance and India’s success has become interlinked. Back in March, during the T20 world cup in India, the Amul girl had captured the issue smartly in their slogan: “Kohli ke peeche kya hai?” Taken from a mid-90s Bollywood song, it had the picture of Kohli in the dug-out with his colleagues behind him, and the caption meant ‘who’s behind Kohli?’ They can re-run that campaign now and it still would be topical.
The year had started with India riding the Kohli train in Australia. He top scored with 199 in the three T20s in January to star in India’s 3-0 whitewash. Not long after, he was rested for the home T20 series against a depleted Sri Lanka, and the team was bundled out for 101 in 18.5 overs on a Pune green top. R Ashwin soaked up the pressure of Kohli’s absence, and helped India rally brilliantly to win that series 2-1 but the batting vulnerabilities were exposed to a certain extent.
Kohli returned for the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and guided India to the title with 153 runs from five matches. A 49 against Pakistan on a very spicy Mirpur pitch stood out.
World T20 arrived, and India got a rude awakening at Nagpur. Chasing 127 for victory against the Kiwis, the hosts were all out for 79, going down to Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi’s spin. The slump hastened after Kohli’s dismissal on 23. In fact, India stuttered in the group phase because their best batsman had been a little sort of rhythm. The Australia game became a do-or-die affair and India reached knockouts riding on Kohli’s scintillating 82 not out.
This series against New Zealand hasn’t eased those batting concerns. Kohli towers over the rest with 248 runs from three games and his skipper Dhoni has been the second-best with 140. But their team-mates, from Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane to Hardik Pandya haven’t come up with the runs. Sharma has eked out 42 runs while his opening partner Rahane has scored just 24 runs more — a combined tally of 108. Manish Pandey has made 64 runs, and Pandya 36 runs.
Rahane is yet to seal his ODI spot as he averages 32.71 from 70 games. He averages 32.66 as an opener, and 37 at No. 4 from 27 games – he is yet to click as an opener or in the middle order. India’s coach Anil Kumble had offered support to Rahane before the Delhi ODI though he did add that the other options might be looked from the series against England in January. “If Shikhar Dhawan or KL Rahul get fit in the coming days, even then that option is for the series against England next year and not for now,” said the coach.”In this series, definitely Rahane is going to open the batting. Looking at the Champions Trophy, we will then decide who will open the batting,”
The batsmen haven’t lasted long in the middle and this is all the more reason why Dhoni should stick to the No. 4 position on his home patch. The sentiment is shared in the changing room; in his pre-match media interaction, Pandya admitted that the finishers feel more comfortable with Kohli and captain batting at No. 3 and No. 4 respectively.
India had optional practice sessions on Tuesday in Ranchi. Optional nets are usually attended by the reserves and little wonder then that all frontline Indian batters, save Dhoni, Pandey and Pandya decided to skip. This understandably is Indian cricket team’s preferred way to counter a hectic schedule. They need to do something to ease up the load on Kohli.
At the moment, Kohli is going at an average of 248.00 in the ongoing series. A match-winning 154 not out at Mohali has contributed immensely to the mid-boggling figure. In the series opener at Dharamsala, India’s limited-overs vice-captain had scored 85 not out in a 191-run victory chase. In the second match at Kotla, he fell for nine and the team folded for 236 to lose by six runs. Ross Taylor’s dropped catch – Kohli was on six – proved to be very costly for New Zealand in the last game. MS Dhoni’s 91-ball 80 was a super support act, but Kohli’s brilliance took India home.
“When Virat bats, it boosts the confidence. He is a high impact player so obviously it creates pressure when he gets out cheaply and the team has to start building again. Generally he scores for the team,” Pandya said.
Pakistan remain unchanged for third Test against West Indies
Pakistan selectors may add two or three names for the upcoming tours of New Zealand and Pakistan in November-December.
Karachi | Published:October 25, 2016 10:06 pm
Pakistan will be led by Misbah-ul-Haq against West Indies in the final Test of the series. (Source: Reuters)
Pakistani selectors have named an unchanged squad for the third cricket Test against the West Indies after another crushing victory in the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Riding on a century by Younis Khan and another 10-wicket haul by leg-spinner Yasir Shah, the Pakistan team has taken a unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. As such it was no surprise when the selectors named
an unchanged squad. One selector said that two or three names would be added to the squad for the tours to New Zealand and Australia later this week.
A well-informed source said that experienced but out of luck opener, Muhammad Hafeez was most likely to make the
touring squad despite being ignored for the series against the West Indies. “The selectors don’t want to take too many risks for the Tests in New Zealand and Australia and Hafeez because of his past record is a safe choice,” the source said.
Pakistan plays two Tests in New Zealand and another three in Australia in November-December.
Pakistan’s former Test batsman and now Chairman of the junior selection committee, Basit Ali said that Pakistan would face a challenge beating New Zealand because conditions were difficult there. “I think the Pakistan team will find the going tough more in New Zealand than Australia where the pitches are not the same they were some years ago,” Basit said.
The Pakistan squad for the third Test against West Indies: Misbah-ul-Haq (Capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Younis
Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Muhammad Aamir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Imran Khansenior and Sohail Khan.
Misbah-ul-Haq disappointed at West Indian downfall
The defeat to Pakistan is West Indies' 19th in their last 29 Tests since November 2013, having won only four and drawn the remaining six.
Abu Dhabi | Published:October 25, 2016 7:30 pm
Misbah-ul-Haq expressed dismay at what had become of the West Indies cricket team.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq showed disappointment over the downfall of once-mighty West Indies after Pakistan achieved a series-clinching win in the second Test in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Pakistan thumped West Indies by 133 runs on the fifth and final day to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three match series. The defeat is West Indies’ 19th in their last 29 Tests since November 2013, having won only four and drawn the remaining six.
“That’s bit disappointing and if you see their strength in international cricket they were always a force but now they are having a downfall,” said Misbah after Pakistan’s victory in Abu Dhabi. “They are a young side with some players performing well in bits and pieces at the moment. They will become a good side but at the moment they are lacking experience.
“Everyone wants to see a strong West Indies side like we had in the past. Right now it’s really a big disappointing factor for all of their fans.”
West Indies now face the prospect of a whitewash in the Tests, with the third and final match starting in Sharjah from Sunday.
They were also routed 3-0 in both the Twenty20 and one-day international series which were played before the Tests.
Misbah, who equalled the legendary Imran Khan’s record of most Tests as captain with 48, is understandably happy with his own team’s progress. “Its a matter of happiness to equal Imran’s record but I think I am more happy because we won the match,” said Misbah, who now has 23 wins to Imran’s 14.
However, he agreed the Sheikh Zayed Stadium pitch was unresponsive to bowlers. “It was a tough pitch to get bastmen out but at the end it is satisfactory. I think wins help in the development of the team and its rise in the rankings.”
Pakistan are now number two in the Test rankings behind India, while West Indies are eighth, ahead only of Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.
Jason Holder has now faced eight defeats in 11 Tests as captain but he feels there are signs of improvement. “It is a young and inexperienced squad so it will take time to get the results we have been looking for. We have been in the position of inconsistency for the last number of years so I don’t feel any pressure,” said Holder, who was appointed captain last year.
“I am here to do a job and I am trying to do as best as possible. It’s almost a decade since we have been struggling. We are in a situation where we are trying to get things right.
“It will take some time for these boys to get nourished and developed and we have to give them that opportunity to do so. If you have watched our cricket for the last couple of months then we have shown signs of improvement.”
West Indies lost the first Test by 56 runs in Dubai, but still fought hard in both the matches, batting for 109 and 108 overs respectively in the fourth innings of the two Tests.
India vs New Zealand: Locals want a taste of MS Dhoni fireworks before Diwali
Ranchi locals would like MS Dhoni to use his blazing blade in what could possibly be his swansong on home turf and add to his legacy.
Ranchi | Published:October 25, 2016 7:28 pm
MS Dhoni Dhoni, who came in at number four ahead of Manish Pandey, scored 91-ball 80. (Source: AP)
There is nothing that is ‘untold’ about Mahendra Singh Dhoni in Ranchi but the people in this industrial township would like their favourite son to use his blazing blade in what could possibly be his swansong on home turf and add to his legacy.
At a venue where India have won all their matches, two in ODIs and one in T20I, Dhoni has had limited opportunity as the India’s most successful captain and best keeper-batsman’s topscore here 10 not out.
As he has stopped playing Test matches, there is no guarantee that the talismanic limited overs skipper will be around when India play their next match.
Dhoni, who in the last match promoted himself to four and hit a 91-ball 80, it seems is determined not to deprive his home crowd one last time.
On a day most including Virat Kohli did not turn up for an optional practice, the 35-year-old was in full intent as he batted for nearly 20 minutes, swinging and swiveling his blade as the ball flew past the boundary on more than one occasion.
Dhoni was tested by the leg-spin of none other than the legendary Anil Kumble, the Indian head coach as the optional practice saw two others, Hardik Pandya and Manish Pandey, from the Mohali XI who turned up.
The skipper earlier had a close look at the pitch and pointed at a few patches to the local curator before heading to the nets.
India last played here earlier this year when they posted 196 before restricting Sri Lanka to 127/9 in the second T20I of the series where Dhoni scored 9 not out.
Dhoni did not play the last ODI India played in Ranchi when Virat Kohli’s 139 not out steered them to a three-wicket win over Sri Lanka who had scored 286/8 on November 16, 2014.
The pitch is a batting paradise as both teams would certainly look to breach the 300-barrier, something that has never achieved at this venue and in this series.
The best total on this ground has been Australia’s 295/8 in the rain-marred ODI on October 23, 2013 but with Dhoni batting with a renewed vigour, his fans here would certainly expect a treat.
“The wicket will be full of runs. We will keep our fingers crossed to see a 300-total here,” the local curator said indicating that evening dew may be a determining factor, making toss a crucial event ahead of the match.
India also wrapped their practice quickly and rushed to the hotel on a day their frontline pacer Umesh Yadav turned 29. “Always be yourself. You’re always happy and smiling, that’s the best thing about you. I wish you all the very best for future. Wish you all the success and lots of victories together. God bless you and have a great career for Team India,” Virat Kohli said in his message on BCCI Twitter.
Leading the five-match series 2-1 with their win in Mohali, India would look to seal the issue here before heading to Visakhapatnam for the final ODI October 29.
MS Dhoni leaves Tom Latham, Ross Taylor gawking at his Hummer in Ranchi
MS Dhoni is an avid automobile aficionado with love for motorbikes and sports cars.
Updated: October 26, 2016 3:21 am
MS Dhoni owns multiple sports bikes as well as a Hummer. (Source: Twitter)
India are leading New Zealand by 2-1 in the five match ODI series and the focus for the fourth match has shifted already to Ranchi, Jharkhand. Besides being the focal point due to the cricketing activity, it’s also a special place considering it is the hometown of the Indian skipper MS Dhoni. And with the skipper in town, the fancy automobiles come to full use given his love for bikes and cars. And that was visible on Tuesday morning.
With both teams travelling to the hotel in their respective buses, MS Dhoni opted to pull out the fancy automobile with his giant of a car Hummer. Dhoni opted to drive the vehicle himself and a picture taken at an opportune moment found Tom Latham and Ross Taylor gawking and amazed at the Indian skipper’s ride.
Dhoni had played a pivotal role in India’s victory in the third ODI at Mohali. Coming in at number four, Dhoni and Test captain Virat Kohli put up 151 runs for the third wicket. Dhoni himself scored 80 runs and smashed nine boundaries and three sixes in the innings. The ODI skipper also reached a career milestone of crossing 9000 runs in 50-over cricket.
The fourth ODI will be a day-night contest and will be played on Wednesday with New Zealand looking to draw things back level while India are eager to ensure a big winning margin in the series that could help the MS Dhoni-led side to jump in the ICC ODI rankings.
India vs New Zealand: Tom Latham looks to take cue from Virat Kohli’s batting
Tom Latha, New Zealand opener, said that the Kiwis are looking forward to emulating Virat Kohli's 155 in their bid to save the series.
Ranchi | Published:October 25, 2016 5:46 pm
Tom Latham is New Zealand’s top scorer in the five-match ODI series , where the Kiwis trail 2-1. (Source: PTI)
Tom Latham, New Zealand’s best batsman on the tour of India with five half centuries, said he will look to take a cue from Virat Kohli’s batting and try to convert his starts into big scores.
After being whitewashed 0-3 in the preceding Test series, New Zealand are trailing 1-2 in the ongoing five-match ODI series against India heading into the fourth One-day International here tomorrow.
“You need those big hundreds if you want to win. Look at Virat (Kohli) the other night. He got into a position and he won the game (for India). Obviously it’s nice that I am putting myself in that situation. Hopefully, I am able to put up a big score. It’s the big hundreds that count,” Latham told reporters at the pre-match press conference.
Even as they struggle to win games, the 24-year-old opener said they’re looking forward to that “perfect show” in their bid to save the series.
“In cricket you have to learn to adapt to different surfaces. I think we haven’t assessed that early enough. For me, it’s about getting used to the conditions because they are so different to the conditions back home.
“We know we haven’t put our best foot forward in a few games now. Everyone is trying hard to put that perfect performance and we are not far away. Certainly looking forward for that chance tomorrow,” he said about the must-win game.
Indicating that the Ranchi turf has plenty of runs on offer, he urged their struggling batsmen to fire on all cylinders.
“Certainly, it looks a lot different to the Mohali wicket. It’s very bare and not much grass is there. It can change a lot in a day so we will wait and see what happens tomorrow. Hopefully, there will be lot of runs coming from the batters. As I said before, we have to adapt to the conditions.
“I think it’s important that whether we bat or bowl first, we make that assessment (about the surface), get the news to the group about what’s the best score here. It’s the most important thing for us you know. We have to adapt and adjust quickly.
“I suppose the more myself and everyone out there is exposed to these conditions, the more experienced we get and hopefully in future tours, we can challenge more and share our skills. Personally, it has been nice to spend a bit of time (in the middle) and getting used to the conditions.
From 160 for three, New Zealand lost wickets in a heap before James Neesham (57) and Matt Henry (39 not out) bailed them out to take them to a fighting 285 in the last ODI.
“We need to get better in the middle-order, build a few partnerships. We have seen that we bat deep, hopefully we can put the icing on the cake by batting better in the middle-order.”
“I wouldn’t say we have done a lot of over thinking. For every game we prepare the same way. The good thing about this group is that when things are not going our way, we don’t get bogged down and when things are going our way, we don’t get too high. I think it’s important you make subtle changes in your game based on the surfaces.
Their left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner who is also a handy batsman, is also yet to fire and Latham hoped that his day would come soon.
“He’s experienced at this level and especially on these conditions as well. But I think the way he stood (for us) in Tests and ODIs has been great. I know he’s not far away from a really good performance and playing a key role in our bowling and certainly the batting. That goes for everyone.”
India vs England: England must improve with bat against India, says Michael Vaughan
England relied on their bowling and an in-form Ben Stokes to bail them out against Bangladesh and claim a 22-run win on Day 5.
Updated: October 25, 2016 6:03 pm
Ben Stokes steadied England’s second innings after the top order collapsed on day three. (Source: Reuters)
England will suffer a series whitewash against India unless their batting improves dramatically from the first test win over Bangladesh, former captain Michael Vaughan has said.
England relied on their bowling and an in-form Ben Stokes to bail them out against Bangladesh and claim a 22-run victory on the final morning in Chittagong on Monday.
“If they perform like they did against Bangladesh, it’ll be 5-0,” Vaughan told the BBC.
Stokes steadied England’s second innings after the top order collapsed on day three and Vaughan said England cannot afford to put themselves in a similar situation against the world’s top-ranked test side.
“It doesn’t matter who goes first. England for such a long time are always 30 or 40 for three. If they’re 30 or 40 for three against India they’ll get blown away,” he added.
“Yes, you celebrate a win, but hopefully England, in the background, are being honest with themselves that they can play better.”
The second and final test against Bangladesh starts on Friday in Dhaka.
England play India in the first of five tests from Nov. 9.
Yasir Shah leads Pakistan to 133 run win over West Indies; clinch series 2-0
Yasir Shah grabbed 6/124 in the second innings after 4/86 in the first innings bowled out West Indies for 224.
Abu Dhabi | Published:October 25, 2016 5:19 pm
Yasir Shah picked up his second ten-for in Test cricket. (Source: AP File)
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah took 10 wickets in a match for second time in his Test career and led Pakistan to a series clinching 133-run victory over the West Indies on Tuesday on the last day of the second Test.
The West Indies set up a massive 456-run target but were bowled out for 322 after lunch as Pakistan took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
“It wasn’t easy to get 20 wickets on a pitch like that. The bowlers worked really hard and it was a big achievement to get 20 wickets on this pitch,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said. “I believe in assessing conditions and then using your resources, how to conduct your gameplan, stay in your limits and execute your plan.”
Shah grabbed 6-124 in the second innings after his 4-86 effort in the first innings bowled out West Indies for 224 and provided Pakistan with a strong lead of 228 runs.
“I wanted to bowl in one area because these wickets are slow and that’s why there were many bad balls,” Shah said.
Resuming overnight at 171-4, the West Indies crumbled against Shah’s sharp turning deliveries as the leg-spinner took three wickets before lunch despite a fluent 95 by Jermaine Blackwood.
Shah struck with the old ball when he had Roston Chase (20) caught behind off a vicious leg-break before denying Blackwood a deserved century when he clean bowled the right-hander with the new ball.
Blackwood, resuming at 41, led the West Indies’ fight with 11 fours during his 127-ball knock in three hours that featured some crisp straight driven boundaries off seamers and spinners.
West Indies captain Jason Holder missed Shah’s straight delivery and was trapped leg before wicket on the backfoot just before lunch to reduce his team to 272-7.
Shai Hope (41) and Devendra Bishoo (26) delayed the inevitable with their 45-run stand. Bishoo escaped on 19 when Sarfraz Ahmed missed a stumping before left-arm bowler Zulfiqar Babar had Hope caught in the slips from the other end and Misbah neatly caught a skier off Bishoo to finish off the match.
“We’ve shown signs of improvement, but unfortunately we weren’t able to start the game as we liked to and they scored too many runs on the first day,” Holder said. “We have to go from the planning phase into the execution phase, that’s where we fall in our cricket.”
The West Indies lost the first day-night test by 56 runs despite a resilient century from Darren Bravo. The third and final test will start in Sharjah on Sunday.
Australia vs South Africa: Australia Test stars have point to prove
After losing 3-0 to Sri Lanka, Steve Smith and his colleagues face a tough challenge as they prepare to host South Africa for three Test series.
FacebookTwitterGo Sydney | Published:October 25, 2016 3:33 pm
Steve Smith, Australia skipper, admitted that his side’s latest performances had been poor. (Source: File)
Australia captain Steve Smith admits the team has its work cut out after their 3-0 Test series loss to Sri Lanka, but says it’ll be a different ball game on home soil against South Africa.
Smith and his colleagues pull on their pads for day-night Sheffield Shield domestic games with several players needing to impress before the first Test against the Proteas starts in Perth on November 3.
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor recently claimed only five members of the current Test side, which went down 3-0 in Sri Lanka in September, were assured of their places.
They included Smith, David Warner, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.
The skipper admitted that Australia’s latest performances had been poor, with the one-day team whitewashed 5-0 by South Africa following the Sri Lanka hammering.
“Results haven’t gone our way in the last couple of months but that’s the game of cricket sometimes,” he said in comments published by The Australian Tuesday.
“You have to move on and try and improve. I was disappointed with the way we played in Sri Lanka. We probably let a few opportunities slip so we’ve got to move forward and try to improve in those conditions. There’s a lot of work to do there.”
But Smith, himself under the microscope after Australian great Steve Waugh said his captaincy would be closely monitored in the summer Test series against South Africa and Pakistan, insisted it would be different on Australian soil.
“I’m comfortable with where we’re at back in Australia. We’ve played good cricket here in the past and hopefully we can continue to do that this summer.”
The squad for the three-Test South Africa series is set to be announced Friday with the likes of batsmen Shaun Marsh and Adam Voges, all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Moises Henriques, and spinners Nathan Lyon and Jon Holland keen to prove their form.
Smith said he believed selectors were close but still had not decided on an XI for the first Test.
“I’d say they want to see a few guys play the first couple of days in the Shield game then be settled,” he said. “I don’t think they are too far off.”
As well as Perth, Australia face South Africa in Hobart and Adelaide before a home Test series against Pakistan in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney from December 15.
Ben Stokes’ method against spin has made him an X-factor: Alastair Cook
Ben Stokes won man of the match for his performance in England's thrilling 22-run victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
Updated: October 25, 2016 6:44 pm
Ben Stokes picked up two wickets in three balls on the final day to take England to 22 run win against Bangladesh. (Source: AP)
England cricket captain Alastair Cook says all-rounder Ben Stokes gives England the “X factor” and put his improvement down to the work he has done to play against spin.
Stokes won man of the match for his performance in England’s thrilling 22-run victory in the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong.
He took six wickets, including two in three balls to seal victory on the final day, and scored a crucial 85 runs in the second innings after England’s top order collapsed on day three.
“I now say it every single time we speak about him. The guy is that X factor cricketer which every side would love to have. And he balances our side and gives us options,” Cook told British media.
“The one thing that he has done over the last year is to improve his method against spin.”
With a five-match Test series in India coming up for England next month, Cook said there would be changes to the squad for the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday.
“I’m pretty sure there will be some changes. In an ideal world we don’t want to get to India with people having not played much cricket,” he added.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann to ‘chat’ with aggrieved Usman Khawaja
Joe Burns and Usman Khawaja struggled for runs in Sri Lanka but Khawaja felt they were unfairly singled out.
Melbourne | Published:October 25, 2016 1:50 pm
Usman Khawaja was dropped after a poor Sri Lanka tour. (Source: Reuters file)
Australia coach Darren Lehmann will have a ‘private chat’ with Usman Khawaja after the top order batsman publicly criticised selectors for dropping him during the Sri Lanka tour.
Khawaja and opener Joe Burns were omitted for the third and final Test in Colombo, which Australia lost to slump to a 3-0 series whitewash.
Although both the Queenslanders struggled for runs, Khawaja told local media over the weekend he felt they were unfairly singled out.
“It was disappointing that Joe Burns and I were sort of the scapegoats for not performing,” Khawaja told Fairfax Media.
“I found it pretty fickle that the selectors dropped me for the third one.”
Khawaja’s comments came less than a week before Lehmann and selectors Rod Marsh, Mark Waugh and Trevor Hohns, pick their squad for the three-test South Africa series starting in Perth on Nov. 3.
Lehmann said he would talk to Khawaja but denied the batsman’s comments would count against his hopes of a recall.
“He is not on the back foot,” Lehmann told local reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday. “(But) I will chat to him privately.
“We would rather have these things played out between selectors and players.”
Khawaja and Burns both enjoyed outstanding home summers against New Zealand and West Indies but struggled on the flat wickets of Sri Lanka in August where they averaged 13.75 and 8.50 runs respectively.
“Being on the selection panel for the test match, it was warranted,” Lehmann said of their omission in Colombo.
“At the end of the day, there were different conditions and those two guys weren’t playing well enough — they averaged eight or seven in two test matches.
“We had to change something, but that doesn’t affect the summer at home.
“We have to work out what we think the best batting line-up is for the summer.”
Khawaja and Burns are hoping to impress selectors in Queensland’s day-night Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales this week.
Western Australia batsman Shaun Marsh, who replaced Burns and scored a century in Colomobo, is also bidding for a top order spot as he recovers from a hamstring injury.
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 5: Yasir Shah strikes first to bring Pakistan closer to 2-0 series win against West Indies
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 5: Stay tuned for live scores and updates from Abu Dhabi.
Updated: October 25, 2016 12:18 pm
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 5: Pakistan close in on 2-0 series win against West Indies. (Source: ICC)
Six wickets. 90 overs. 285 runs. That is the equation for the final day in Abu Dhabi. Pakistan need six wickets and West Indies need 285 runs to win. If Pakistan win, they will have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three Test series and extend Misbah-ul-Haq led side’s dominance in the sub-continent. If West Indies win, it will be 1-1 and make things tasty for the final Test in Sharjah.
Pakistan declared at 227/2 at lunch to give themselves five sessions to bowl the visitors out with a massive target of 456 ahead of them. West Indies were able to reduce that by 171 runs but at the cost of four wickets. At stumps, Roston Chase and Jermaine Blackwood were in the middle having put together 47 but the ask is still a daunting one even though the pitch has offered little for the bowlers. Catch live scores and updates from Pakistan vs West Indies.
Drinks break in the first session and West Indies are 210/5. Still need 246 to win and Pakistan need 5 wickets. Can go either way!
EDGED AND FOUR! Sohail Khan comes into the attack and he offers width straight away to Jermaine Blackwood. Short, wide and slow outside off to Blackwood and the West Indies batsman goes after it but doesn’t get the right contact. Gets a thick outside edge which goes flying over the slips for a four
Roston Chase c Sarfraz b Yasir 20 (86)
GONE! Yasir Shah strikes with a peace of a delivery. The ball pitches on middle and off and angling away from the right hander. Chase tries to defend it but ends up getting an outside edge and Sarfraz holds on. West Indies are 187/5
FIFTY! Jermaine Blackwood drives Yasir Shah with the spin to pick up a single and bring up his fifty.
On the other end is Yasir Shah. But before that we’ve already had the first runs of the day courtesy Blackwood who sends the ball to the right of the fielder at mid-on. A desperate dive doesn’t prevent the ball from making its way to the ropes
All right, off we go! Jermaine Blackwood to face the first delivery of the day and he’s joined by Roston Chase at the non-striker’s end. Rahat Ali to open proceedings with the ball.
Build Up
West Indies stumble to 171 for 4, chasing 456
West Indies were left reeling at 171-4 as Pakistan pressed for victory on the fourth day of the second test after setting up a stiff target of 456 runs.
Leg-spinner Yasir Shah took 2-60 while seamer Rahat Ali got the prized wicket of Darren Bravo for just 13 when the left-hander played a lose cut and was caught at point Monday.
Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz then went for a successful lbw television referral against half century-maker Kraigg Brathwaite (67) to leave West Indies with a gigantic task to save the test on the last day.
Jermaine Blackwood (41 not out) and Roston Chase (17 not out) survived over an hour and will resume with West Indies requiring further 285 runs for victory or to bat out the 90 overs for a draw on Tuesday.
Both Blackwood and Chase needed to repeat their performances against India at Jamaica in August where they also resumed the last day and earned West Indies a draw.
West Indies already trails 1-0 in the three-match series after losing the first day-night test by 56 runs where Bravo hit a resilient century in the second innings.
Earlier, Pakistan stretched its lead to 455 before declaring their second innings at 227-2 at lunch after they resumed at overnight 114-1.
Asad Shafiq scored successive half century with a fluent unbeaten 58 and West Indies’ lone success came when Azhar Ali (79) chased a wide delivery of Miguel Cummins and was caught in the slips.
Azhar, who scored a triple century in Dubai test, added 29 to his overnight 52 before missing out on an opportunity to hit a hundred.
Brathwaite looked at ease for the first time in the test series despite Shah striking in his second over and clean bowling Leon Johnson for 9.
Bravo looked composed until he played a reckless stroke and gifted his wicket before Marlon Samuels and Brathwaite added 49 runs.
Shah broke the partnership after tea when Samuels fell to a loose shot and looped a simple catch back to the leg-spinner.
Brathwaite completed his half century off 71 balls when he flicked Rahat Ali to wide mid-on for three runs but erred against Nawaz’s quicker delivery.
Chase, who scored an unbeaten century at Jamaica against India and batted throughout the last day, then played solidly with Blackwood as both batsmen negotiated the spin and reverse swing of seamers for more than 17 overs.
India vs New Zealand: Despite cash crunch, Ranchi ready to host fourth ODI
On an average, budget for hosting an ODI is Rs 2 crore. The JSCA’s current annual report shows, the association has sold the ground rights for this game to TCM for Rs 2 crore.
Updated: October 25, 2016 10:51 am
MS Dhoni, who made 80 runs from 91 balls in the third ODI, will lead India against the Kiwis at his home ground. PTI
International cricket will not suffer due to the Supreme Court stopping all fund transfers from the BCCI to state associations till they agree to follow the Lodha Committee guidelines, as is evident from the case of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA), which will host the fourth India-New Zealand ODI in Ranchi on Wednesday.
On an average, the budget for hosting an ODI is Rs 2 crore. The JSCA’s current annual report shows the association has sold the ground rights for the game to TCM for Rs 2 crore, ensuring break-even. It means whatever else the state body earns from the match is its pure profit, and it is not reliant on BCCI to hold international matches.
According to some JSCA officials, ground rights money has salvaged the ODI. Normally, every hosting association gets Rs 1.5 crore from the BCCI for an ODI. So effectively, the parent body used to help its match-hosting affiliates reach the break-even point. Revenue from ground rights, gates and advertisements contributed to profit margins.
But the Supreme Court in its October 21 order clearly said that the state units shouldn’t be given a single penny “for any purpose whatsoever” until they implement the Lodha Committee recommendations in toto. Like most other state units, the JSCA too has been averse to the absolute implementation of the Lodha reforms, preventing the cricket body from getting the BCCI money. So, according to the state association functionaries, profit margin would be a lot less this time.
“Yes, without Rs 2 crore from ground rights we would have been in trouble. Not that the JSCA coffers are empty, but profits received from an international match help you nurture your domestic cricket and carry forward the development work. Not getting the BCCI money will stall our cricket. It could have stalled the ODI also, but the ground rights agreement has come to our rescue. Still we have told some of our vendors that in certain cases payments might be delayed. Over the years we have established a good rapport with our vendors and they are cooperating,” JSCA secretary Rajesh Verma told The Indian Express.
He explained… “Our cash reserves are limited and we have so many things to look after – from the Ranji Trophy to age-group events and infrastructure development. We are build two new dressing rooms at the Tata Motors ground at Jamshedpur. We are in talks with Tata Steel for renovation of the Keenan Stadium. We are looking for land to build a new stadium in Bokaro. Without the BCCI fund, all projects would eventually come to a halt. We have already written a letter to the BCCI about this,” said Verma.
The JSCA had sold the ground rights for the India-Sri Lanka T20 International earlier this year for Rs 1.8 crore. This time there’s a hike, which has allowed the association some breathing space.
“But if we don’t get the BCCI money for the ODI, the profit margin would be less. Also, in the long run, it would be very difficult for smaller state associations like us to sustain,” said a JSCA official.
But how does the state association plan to cope with the restricted financial freedom? Will it eventually fall in line and adopt the new MoA as per the Lodha Committee recommendations? “Our managing committee will meet after the ODI and decide our future course of action,” Verma said.
For the moment, though, he is looking forward to having good gate receipts for this match. The JSCA Cricket Stadium has a capacity of 39,000 and tickets are priced between Rs 700 and 4,000. Ranchi being the hometown of skipperMahendra Singh Dhoni, a full house is expected on Wednesday. This has now become an annual ritual in this part of the world – fanfare around an international fixture.
The enthusiasm for the fixture is such that despite a Jharkhand bandh called by opposition parties on Monday, large number of fans reached the Birsa Munda Airport when the two teams landed in Ranchi early afternoon. The noise of the spectators echoed around the area. Despite cash crunch, Ranchi decked up for fourth one-dayer
MS Dhoni promises bigger and better things higher up the order
In more ways than one, MS Dhoni’s promotion in the batting order is a progressive measure.
New Delhi | Updated: October 25, 2016 10:27 am
MS Dhoni, coming in at number four, shared 151 run partnership with Virat Kohli. (Source: PTI)
For the briefest of seconds, it seemed like a time lapse, or highlights footage of the mid-noughties. Mahendra Singh Dhoni had just bludgeoned Tim Southee through midwicket, a stroke stamped with muscular brutality. Dhoni didn’t care as much to follow the path of the ball or stand frozen watching it rebound off the boundary ropes.
There was nothing unusual or incredulous about the shot — a cross-batted swivel, a feature of most Dhoni knocks. But it was the timing of it, albeit not in the shot-making sense, which was surprising. It was just the sixth ball he was facing. India had just lost Rohit Sharma. As if promoting himself wasn’t a surprise in itself, watching Dhoni charging down and flat-batting a medium-pacer was an atavism.
Images of a long-maned dasher came flooding back. In many ways, his 91-balled 80 was a throwback, not fully but for most parts. A threadbare dissection of his numbers would suggest he was batting like he’d been in his fabled finisher-avatar. However, that was not the case.
Dhoni was revelling in the newfound freedom of batting up the order. He might be monkish in concealing emotions on the field, even in the middle of a daunting chase, but here a more unrestrained, nonplussed self, manifested. The body language was one of dominance and not practised restraint.
Later in the night, he clarified the approach. He admitted the decision had a bit of “self” in it — his diminished ability to farm strike being the most apparent reason. That “self” could be indulged, for he has reached that stature where he can afford such liberties.
In the past too, we’ve indulged Sachin Tendulkar’s steadfast fixation with opening in ODIs, and he was palpably upset with then coach Greg Chappell, who wanted him to bat down the order. The experiment was shelved with Chappell’s departure. Another example is former Australia skipper Michael Clarke, who adamantly clung on to the number five spot in Tests until the fag end of his career.
But here, there was a pervading sense of pragmatism as well. Neither Dhoni nor the team management wants him to be a liability, and wasted lower down the order, sweating to finish matches, which could have only hastened his walk into the sunset. He is the captain, wicket-keeper — two of the most demanding tasks on the field—and of course undroppable. So why not give him a slot where he can be comfortable, and where he again illustrated on Sunday the requisite traits of a number four batsman. In fact, he has always been utmost comfortable batting at four—he averages 61.63 in 24 innings–or upwards.
It’s not like Dhoni is seeking a convenient way out of his recent travails, but looking to make himself more relevant. For batting at No 4, or any other spot, brings with it a certain responsibility. What it gives Dhoni is more time to control and impact the match, to modulate the tempo when they are batting first or orchestrating a chase. “First thing that helps is you are only two down. You can go up there and play the big shots,” he said.
It also implies that he’s more often than not batting with the top three, ensuring that Dhoni gets more time to bed in before he shifts gears. “It gives me a chance to bat with Virat. We run very well between the wickets, we can take on the opposition fielders even the best ones. It really helps to build partnerships. If you get a good partnership between 100-125 it becomes slightly easier for the batsman coming after that.”
There is also a sense of entitlement Dhoni might feel, like when he said, “I have batted lower down for a long time, I think 200 innings down the order.” It’s legitimate. For India were so stuffed with strokemakers during most of Dhoni’s time that there hardly ever was a vacancy. Finishing duties were thrust upon him. Later, as the galacticos departed one after another, opportunities presented themselves, but Dhoni then was in his prime (as finisher) and resisted such temptations.
Another point of consideration is that though he has nuanced the finisher role, after a point he was writhing in the cringing burden of it. It was getting a little too monotonously repetitive. “Often, you will get in with the last 10 or 12 overs, trying to slog and trying to get as many runs as possible, or the other way round where in the 20th over maybe where you’ve lost five wickets and are looking for a partnership. When you know there’s just one batsman after you, you actually weigh in a lot of things.
You have to be close to 90 percent sure all the time when you are setting out and looking for a big hit. It becomes more result-oriented,” he said.
The role tweak is very much a fabric of the modern team-game, especially in guaranteeing longevity without compromising on utility, and there are a lot of instances wherein it has worked spectacularly. Like Cesare Prandelli tinkering with the role of ageing Azzuri playmaker Andrea Pirlo for Italy. From an advanced role in the midfield, he remoulded him to a regista, or deep-lying playmaker, where he needn’t have to make too many runs and could dictate the match with measured passes. So did Sir Alex Ferguson while prolonging careers of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. These weren’t drastic alterations to your vocation, just subtle role-change. It’s not like a goalkeeper suddenly wanting to be a striker or a fast bowler deciding to open the innings.
Structural confusion
Then, the success of role-tweaks also depends on how their colleagues also adjust to it and fit into the overall scheme. In India’s case, it hinges on how the team will be formatted once several of the regulars return. When Shikhar Dhawanreturns, Ajinkya Rahane will have to come lower down the order. That the Mumbaikar loves batting in the top order is more than evident, but Dhawan’s claims are untenable in this format. This means, Rahane will have to invariably bat at five, where his adaptability is a concern. He should, at the latest, come at number four to influence the match, and Dhoni himself has been a little skeptical of Rahane’s finishing utility.
Then there are the likes of KL Rahul, who too is primarily a top-order batsman, and whose utility down the order is untested, and Manish Pandey, widely considered the next finisher in line (albeit based on the singular proof of his hundred against Australia early this year). Not to discount the stakes of Suresh Raina, who until a year ago was touted a canny finisher.
So Dhoni’s promotion has the potential to trigger a minor structural mayhem, and irrespective of how India are to line-up in the Champions Trophy, a few batsmen will have to either bat out of their comfort zone or plainly sit out. And there are only a few matches—five, unless the itinerary is reworked– before the Champions Trophy to judge which batsman fits where. But Dhoni sees this conundrum in a different light. “It gives a chance to some of the other youngsters to bat lower down the order and see as to what really needs to be done, how calculated they need to be and all. There is one way of chasing which is hit, hit, hit and ultimately you achieve the target and often on slower wickets that is quite difficult to achieve. So, I feel it’s overall good for everyone,” he said.
Or in a different light, Dhoni wants the suitors to experience and learn what he had learnt on the job several years ago. “To go through the processes,” as he often says. For Dhoni the finisher was as much a product of circumstances as natural gift. If, maybe India weren’t blessed with stroke-makers of such supreme capabilities as Dhoni played along with, maybe Dhoni the finisher would have ceased to exist.
And in his last leg, he’s trying to blend the “self” with the “team” in the most optimal way. It’s, as Dhoni says, a “win-win situation” for all involved. It gives him, as well as the audience, the opportunity to re-acquaint with Dhoni’s old self.
Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath set for captaincy debut
Rangana Herath's stint at the helm will only be the second time after Somachandra de Silva when a bowler will lead Sri Lanka.
Colombo | Published:October 24, 2016 10:56 pm
Rangana Herath did not captain Sri Lanka in any of the 71 ODIs and 17 T20Is he had played. (SOurce: Reuters)
Veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was named Sri Lanka skipper for the two-Test series in Zimbabwe in place of the injured Angelo Matthews, is all set to become the oldest person to lead the islanders since leg-spinner Somachandra de Silva in 1983.
The 38-year-old, who retired from limited-overs cricket in April this year to focus on Tests will make his captaincy debut in his 74th match.
He, however, did not captain Sri Lanka in any of the 71 ODIs and 17 T20Is he had played.
Herath’s stint at the helm will only be the second time after de Silva when a bowler will lead the Lankans.
The decision to appoint Herath came after both Mathews and his deputy Dinesh Chandimal were ruled out due to injuries.
Mathews had torn his calf during the fourth One-Day International (ODI) against Australia in August and is expected to be out of action for three weeks.
He is doubtful for the tri-series in Zimbabwe, also involving West Indies, that follows the Tests. No replacement has been named yet for Mathews.
Meanwhile, Chandimal, who suffered a thumb injury during a domestic game, will go under the knife.
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 2: Pakistan look to build on advantage against West Indies in Abu Dhabi
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 2: Stay tuned to live scores and updates from Abu Dhabi here.
Published:October 22, 2016 10:19 am
Live cricket score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test Day 2: Pakistan hold the upper hand against West Indies after first day’s play in the second Test.
It has been all Pakistan on this West Indies tour to the sub-continent. It started with a thrashing in the T20s, moved to the ODIs and then the first Test – first pink ball Test in the region – which went down to the wire. Now on the opening day of the second Test in Abu Dhabi – a traditional day affair with the red ball – Pakistan continued their onslaught and it came courtesy familiar faces.
After losing two quick wickets, the hosts regained composure first with Asad Shafiq and Younus Khan (putting together 87) and then stalwarts Younus and Misbah-ul-Haq (175). On what turned out to be the final ball of the day, Younus was holed out at 127. Misbah remained unbeaten on 90 with Pakistan in a strong position at 304/4. Catch live scores and updates from Pakistan vs West Indies here.
Live cricket score of Bangladesh vs England, 1st Test Day 3: Bangladesh lose three wickets early against England in Chittagong
Live cricket score of Bangladesh vs England, 1st Test Day 3: Stay tuned for live scores and updates from Chittagong here.
Updated: October 22, 2016 10:05 am
Live cricket score, Bangladesh vs England, 1st Test Day 3: The first Test hangs in the balance after two competitive days of cricket. (Source: AP)
First Test at Chittagong hangs in the balance after the first two days of play. England scored 293 after being in a tricky place early on on day one. Moeen Ali produced the goods with the willow to keep the visitors in with a chance. On Day 2, Bangladesh eventually got England out and resumed their run with the bat to build a lead and create early momentum into the contest.
But that plan looked to backfire early on until Tamim Iqbal (78) and Mahmudullah (38) took matters into their own hands and got the hosts out of the gutter. Mushfiqur Rahim (48) was inching towards a half century but his run in the middle was stopped just before close of play to bring out night watchman Shafiul Islam. He is joined in the middle by Shakib Al Hasan with Bangladesh 72 runs behind. Catch live scores and updates from Bangladesh vs England here.
Mehedi Hasan lbw Stokes 1
This is going exceptionally well for England. Ben Stokes traps Mehedi Hasan who was shuffling across to counter the reverse swing. The umpire immediately raised his finger but the Bangladeshi pair opted to REVIEW. And it’s not a tough call for the third umpire. It pitched outside off and was going on to hit the leg stump. Bangladesh are 239/8
Shafiul Islam c Broad b Rashid 2 (29)
GONE! Shafiul Islam tries to find the distance but can’t get enough power or elevation on that shot to be taken by Stuart Broad at mid on. Adil Rashid strikes in his first over of the day. Bangladesh are 238/7
Change in bowling for England. Adil Rashid comes on to replace Moeen Ali.
FOUR AND FOUR! Sabbir Rahman piling on the runs on his Test debut. Sweeps Moeen Ali beautifully not once but twice to reduce pressure after a touch-and-go review that went his way.
Shakib Al Hasan stumped Bairstow b Moeen Ali 31 (62)
Woeful start to the day for Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan comes darting down the track and goes for a big heave only to get nothing on the ball and Moeen Ali’s delivery spins away from him and Jonny Bairstow does the rest. That was rather needless and rather brainless! Bangladesh are 221/6
Build Up
Tamim Iqbal keeps Bangladesh fighting against England, trail by 72 runs
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal hit a patient 78 as Bangladesh reached 221-5 against England by stumps on day two of the first Test on Friday. The hosts trail by 72 runs and could hope to gain a first-innings lead after bowling out England for 293 in the morning.
In the middle were Shakib Al Hasan, on 31 not out, with nightwatchman Shafiul Islam yet to score after facing nine balls.
England ruined Bangladesh’s chance of taking complete control of the Test by removing captain Mushfiqur Rahim on 48, just two overs before the end of play.
Mahmudullah was the other notable scorer with 38.
Offspinner Moeen Ali took 2-66, both wickets in the same over in the morning session.
Just when Bangladesh looked like reaching lunch unscathed on a pitch offering plenty of turn and variable bounce, Ali’s first over flipped the complexion of the contest.
He bowled opener Imrul Kayes (21) with a quicker delivery that didn’t turn as much as Kayes expected, and induced Mominul Haque with extra bounce to poke a shot to gully for a three-ball duck.
Bangladesh was 29-2, and Mahmudullah joined Iqbal to keep England at bay for almost the entire second session. They used their feet well to neutralize the spinners, who operated tirelessly.
Legspinner Adil Rashid broke through by forcing Mahmudullah to edge to slip in the last over before tea, bring an end a 90-run partnership with Iqbal.
Iqbal, who brought up his seventh half-century in nine innings against England, survived a video review just two balls before the dismissal of Mahmudlluah, off Ali.
Offspinner Gareth Batty, playing his first Test in 11 years, snagged Iqbal, who was slowly approaching his third century against England. Iqbal hit seven fours in a knock in which he faced 179 deliveries.
Mushfiqur and Shakib looked like they would make stumps together, until Ben Stokes delivered a perfect leg-cutter to get the edge of the former.
Shaiful and Shakib survived the last overs against Stuart Broad and Stokes, who found reverse swing.
Earlier, teenage offspinner Mehedi Hasan returned figures of 6-80 to prevent England from going past 300.
Mehedi’s figures were the second best on debut for Bangladesh, behind Sohag Gazi’s 6-74 in 2012.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam struck with the first ball of the day, removing Chris Woakes, who edged to short leg on his overnight score of 36.
Adil Rashid survived a video review and kept England on track but fell for 26, caught at cover off the bowling of Islam.
In the 14th over of the morning, Mehedi finished off England with a successful video review of Broad caught behind.
Hardik Pandya, India’s destiny child
In Dharamshala, Hardik Pandya showed his bowling utility; in Delhi he almost won the match with the willow.
Mohali | Updated: October 22, 2016 8:15 am
On October 17, 1994, an unremarkable autumn day on the outskirts of Delhi, Kapil Dev played what turned out to be his last match for India. It was evident then that he was leaving a pair of oversized cricketing shoes that would take a while to fill. But even the most cynical follower of Indian cricket couldn’t have wagered that ‘a while’ would turn out to be this long. Years ticked by and became decades. There were mirages and flashes in the pan, but not the real deal.
It felt as if Indian cricket fans weren’t waiting for the next pacer-allrounder but Godot.
Cut to October 16, 2016 in Dharamshala. The moment was dripping with symbolism as the legend himself handed the blue cap to Hardik Pandya — the latest next big hope — before the first match of the India versus New Zealand ODI series. Maybe the Indian team management thought that Kapil’s blessings would break the 21 years and 364 days-long jinx.
Pandya’s swagger betrays he will take on the bowlers right from the start. It has also got something to do with the fact that he made his bones in T20, where at his position lower down the order, going for the big shots is the only option really. Therefore, even coach Anil Kumble wasn’t sure till Wednesday if the 23-year-old from Baroda could restrain himself.
“He is someone who likes the freedom and that’s exactly what we have given someone like a Hardik. It doesn’t matter what the situation is when he walks in. I’m sure he’ll play the way he wants to play rather than how you want him to play,” said Kumble. With 71 needed off 63 on a tough track, Pandya showed he wanted to play to win rather than for the galleries. His first boundary wasn’t an ugly, malevolent heave but a picture-perfect cover drive that threaded the gap between short extra cover and mid-off you thought didn’t exist. There would be only two more boundaries from his blade. With a willing Umesh Yadav, he mostly ran hard. It was a less-risky Viratian sort of a chase — where the chasm between the balls remaining and the runs required is never allowed to widen much. And so, it came down to 16 needed off 12 balls. You knew this — and not the last — would be the over when Pandya would cut loose. He swung a wild one over mid-off on a short-of-a-length ball by Trent Boult and collected a four, but then perished trying to smash the left-armer’s bouncer down the ground.
In hindsight, with eight needed of 11, he could have played a safer shot against New Zealand’s best bowler on that evening. But it’s these little mistakes that should make him a better finisher, provided he reflects on them. Dhoni agreed.
“It will be harsh on him,” he said, defending Pandya. “He could have (finished the game). The option is always there.
You have to target who are the bowlers you want to hit. In these situations even last ball counts. It is good exposure when you are under the pump. It always teaches you a lot. maybe if that shot would have gone over point or for boundary, it would have been different. It will be harsh on him but he will slowly learn. Whether to finish early or in the last over will be his call.”
Lot at stake
A lot appears to be riding on the Pandya experiment in limited overs in the short to medium term. England host the Champions Trophy next year and the World Cup in 2019. The next Word Twenty20 in Australia in 2020. India will need a fast-bowling all-rounder for those kind of pitches — flattish, as has been the trend in the ICC tournaments lately.
A Ravindra Jadeja could be a sitting duck there, and Stuart Binny’s 120-odd kph won’t be of much help either (even in England where ODI pitches don’t offer much swing these days). Pandya is 10 years younger than Binny and over 15-20 kph faster. If he can work on his accuracy, he can be a valuable asset. By sharing the new-ball burden with someone like Umesh Yadav, he could provide — as he did in the first two matches — India the option of keeping the deadly Jasprit Bumrah for latter stages when batsmen look to hit out.
“We just have eight games before the Champions Trophy,” Dhoni said after the Dharamshala game. “So we would like to see how he (Pandya) reacts under different conditions and situations. How quickly he can adapt to the conditions. If he keeps on performing like what he did today I don’t see why we won’t pick him as the first of the three fast bowlers.”
Pandya is destiny’s child. A product of hardships, hard work and luck. ‘Luck’ because his final over against Bangladesh in Bangalore in World T20, that made him a hero, could have made him a villain if the batsmen hadn’t gone for glory strokes on half-trackers and full-tosses. And then Dhoni saved his fledgling career with that run out.
Pandya had acknowledged after the match: “I know this over may have made me a hero for tonight, but at the same time, it could have made me a criminal had I not defended it.” Or, rather Dhoni not ‘defended’ him, and then persisted with him. Maybe the Indian captain foresaw in this wiry bloke the man in whose search he has gone grey.
Fit-again Younus Khan leads Pakistan charge against West Indies
Younus Khan smashed 127 to carry Pakistan, who won the toss, to 304-4 at the close at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Abu Dhabi | Published:October 21, 2016 9:05 pm
Younus Khan missed the opening Test of the series due to dengue. (Source: AP File)
Younus Khan showed no signs of weakness after recovering from dengue fever to score a brilliant century as Pakistan dominated the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies on Friday.
The 38-year-old, who missed Pakistan’s 56-run victory in the first Test in Dubai with illness, smashed 127 to carry Pakistan, who won the toss, to 304-4 at the close at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.
Younus finally holed out to deep mid-wicket off part-timer Kraigg Brathwaite after five hours at the crease, with fading light prompting the umpires to halt the day six overs before the scheduled close.
Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was unbeaten on 90 — just ten runs short of his 11th hundred as Pakistan’s batsmen dominated on a batting-friendly pitch.
Younus, who hit ten boundaries and a six, added 175 for the fourth wicket with Misbah and 87 for the third with Asad Shafiq who made 68. It was again the two veteran batsmen — Younus and Misbah — who put Pakistan on track for another big total with their 15th hundred partnership in 49 innings.
Misbah, who has now equalled Imran Khan’s record of most Test matches as Pakistan captain with 48, hit two sixes and four boundaries as he worked in tandem with Younus to build an imposing total.
West Indies were guilty of sloppy fielding with Younus dropped on 83 when Brathwaite failed to hold a return catch off his own bowling and wicket-keeper Shai Hope handing Misbah a lifeline on 54 off paceman Shannon Gabriel.
Gabriel was the best of the bowlers with 2-43.
It was Younus’s 33rd Test hundred and 11th in the United Arab Emirates — where Pakistan have been forced to host international fixtures because of security fears back home. He drove spinner Roston Chase for his eighth boundary to complete his hundred — his 31st score of over 100 without being dismissed in nineties — the most in Test cricket.
Younus and Shafiq led the early recovery after Pakistan lost openers Azhar Ali (nought) and Sami Aslam (six) in the first hour. Shafiq batted well in the extended two-and-a-half hour first session due to Friday prayers, hitting seven boundaries before playing on to Gabriel.
Ali, who scored a career best 302 not out in Dubai, played on to Gabriel in the fifth over before Aslam was bowled by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo attempting an ambitious drive.
Pakistan, who lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 runs, brought in Younus, Zulfiqar Babar and Rahat Ali as they made three changes to their line-up. Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir (both rested) and Babar Azam were the trio to make way.
West Indies were forced to leave out unfit wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich, bringing in Shai Hope.
The third and final Test starts in Sharjah from October 30.
Sri Lanka omit Dinesh Chandimal for Zimbabwe tour
Sri Lanka Cricket said Dinesh Chandimal was yet to recover from a thumb injury he sustained during a domestic match.
Colombo | Updated: October 21, 2016 7:26 pm
Dinesh Chandimal has played 31 Test for Sri Lanka where the right-handed batsman has scored 2257 runs. (Source: File)
Sri Lanka omitted vice captain Dinesh Chandimal from a 15-member squad and brought in three uncapped players for a two-Test tour of Zimbabwe next week.
Sri Lanka Cricket said Chandimal was yet to recover from a thumb injury he sustained during a domestic match last month.
The three new faces in the squad are fast bowlers Kasun Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara and the allrounder Asela Gunaratne.
The first Test begins on October 29 in Harare while the second is scheduled from November 6 at the same venue.
The Test squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya Silva, Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Niroshan Dikwella, Kasun Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Gamage and Asela Gunaratne.
Tamim Iqbal keeps Bangladesh fighting against England, trail by 72 runs
England ruined Bangladesh's chance of taking complete control by removing captain Mushfiqur Rahim just two overs before the end of play.
Chittagong | Published:October 21, 2016 5:54 pm
Tamim Iqbal’s 78 kept Bangladesh fighting in the opening Test against England at Chittagong. (Source: AP)
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal hit a patient 78 as Bangladesh reached 221-5 against England by stumps on day two of the first Test on Friday. The hosts trail by 72 runs and could hope to gain a first-innings lead after bowling out England for 293 in the morning.
In the middle were Shakib Al Hasan, on 31 not out, with nightwatchman Shafiul Islam yet to score after facing nine balls.
England ruined Bangladesh’s chance of taking complete control of the Test by removing captain Mushfiqur Rahim on 48, just two overs before the end of play.
Mahmudullah was the other notable scorer with 38.
Offspinner Moeen Ali took 2-66, both wickets in the same over in the morning session.
Just when Bangladesh looked like reaching lunch unscathed on a pitch offering plenty of turn and variable bounce, Ali’s first over flipped the complexion of the contest.
He bowled opener Imrul Kayes (21) with a quicker delivery that didn’t turn as much as Kayes expected, and induced Mominul Haque with extra bounce to poke a shot to gully for a three-ball duck.
Bangladesh was 29-2, and Mahmudullah joined Iqbal to keep England at bay for almost the entire second session. They used their feet well to neutralize the spinners, who operated tirelessly.
Legspinner Adil Rashid broke through by forcing Mahmudullah to edge to slip in the last over before tea, bring an end a 90-run partnership with Iqbal.
Iqbal, who brought up his seventh half-century in nine innings against England, survived a video review just two balls before the dismissal of Mahmudlluah, off Ali.
Offspinner Gareth Batty, playing his first Test in 11 years, snagged Iqbal, who was slowly approaching his third century against England. Iqbal hit seven fours in a knock in which he faced 179 deliveries.
Mushfiqur and Shakib looked like they would make stumps together, until Ben Stokes delivered a perfect leg-cutter to get the edge of the former.
Shaiful and Shakib survived the last overs against Stuart Broad and Stokes, who found reverse swing.
Earlier, teenage offspinner Mehedi Hasan returned figures of 6-80 to prevent England from going past 300.
Mehedi’s figures were the second best on debut for Bangladesh, behind Sohag Gazi’s 6-74 in 2012.
Left-arm spinner Taijul Islam struck with the first ball of the day, removing Chris Woakes, who edged to short leg on his overnight score of 36.
Adil Rashid survived a video review and kept England on track but fell for 26, caught at cover off the bowling of Islam.
In the 14th over of the morning, Mehedi finished off England with a successful video review of Broad caught behind.
MS Dhoni’s return catch was big moment in the match: Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson was happy with the manner his bowlers responded on a tricky surface at Feroz Shah Kotla.
New Delhi | Updated: October 21, 2016 6:55 pm
Kane Williamson scored 118 runs for New Zealand which helped them post 242/9 against India. (Source: AP)
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson lauded his bowlers for drying up the runs during India’s chase in the second ODI here, terming Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s brilliant return catch by Tim Southee as a “big moment” in the match.
When asked about how the bowlers and fielders responded while defending a low total, Williamson said: “Someone like MS Dhoni, he can finish matches when he is allowed to play his shots. He is the best in the world. That catch was big for us.”
Williamson was happy with the manner his bowlers responded on a tricky surface and also gave an insight to how some adjustments led to the Indian skipper playing 37 dot balls.
“On this kind of a surface (Kotla), scrapping was important. You needed to put the ball in areas where it’s tough to get away and try and build that pressure. It was an extremely good effort considering that the ball was damp due to dew factor.”
Dhoni was cleverly stopped as the pushes for singles and doubles through the cover and extra cover region were stopped keeping a double cover in the region.
“We tried to make adjustments out there. The ball was going to cover more. So we put an extra fielder there. Sometimes thats how you adjust to the surface and adapt.
“The ball was damp and they did great job with small boundaries. We were fortunate pick (regular) wickets and play consistently which allowed us to rotate our spinners but credit to how our seamers bowled.”
With figures of 10-2-25-2, Trent Boult deservingly got a special mention from his skipper.
“I think he (Boult) was extremely clever. He tried to swing it early, made adjustment to come round the wicket gauging low bounce, trying not to give width. He was extremely accurate. 10 overs, 25 runs doesn’t happen often. It was a special performance.”
Williamson also explained the reason he went with a single specialist spinner in Mitchell Santner.
“Anton Devcich came in place of Jimmy Neesham in that all-rounder’s role. We thought looking at surface that we wanted to play our frontline seamers. There was bit of grass on the surface. We would have bowled (first) as well trying to get more out of it but at the same time it was nice to put a total on board.
“Certainly, it was a tough surface to increase the scoring rate. It had slow and low bounce. At halfway stage, we knew that we were little bit short but surface was lively. We learned from how India bowled on it. Fantastic effort by our seam bowlers led by Boult to squeeze them, the only way to do it.
“He didn’t want to dwell on his century which was a great one considering the nature of the track. For him, showing improvements is the key.
“It’s certainly nice to come out on a winning side. At the same time, best part was to show some improvement from previous one-dayer. It was extremely important for our unit.”
“We wanted to improve rather than chasing win. Signs of improvement — that’s always a focus. We are playing a very good Indian side. We need to touch on some areas and be better again.”
People want India and Pakistan to play, says Younis Khan
Under the MoU Pakistan were due to host a series last year and were due in India next year.
Abu Dhabi | Published:October 21, 2016 9:00 AM
There has been no Test cricket between India and Pakistan since 2007. (Source: AP/File)
Senior batsman Younis Khan wants India and Pakistan to set aside their strained relations and resume five-day matches as both are giants of the game. “It’s my wish to play a Test in Pakistan again, play against India and against all top teams,” Younis told reporters in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.
“India and Pakistan are two giants of cricket — one number one and the other number two — so whatever the situation between the two nations it must be forgotten and cricket should be played, people want to watch them play.”
There has been no Test cricket between the two nations since 2007. Bilateral cricket ties were severed in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which New Delhi blamed on militants based in Pakistan.
Pakistan did tour India in December 2012-January 2013 for a short limited over series but that failed to revive full ties, including Tests.
The two countries have come close to war since last month’s attacks on a military base in Indian-administered Kashmir, again blamed on militants from Pakistan.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) repeatedly snubbed Pakistan’s calls for resumption of ties in the current scenario.
The Pakistan Cricket Board wants BCCI to honour its commitment of six series between 2015-2023 under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2014, but linked to Indian government’s clearance.
Under the MoU Pakistan were due to host a series last year and were due in India next year but considering the strained relations there are no signs of immediate cricket between the arch rivals. Younis said the situation was deplorable.
“Whenever we play India people watch the game with unmatched interest and the game gets good promotion in the region, it should be played and played regularly,” insisted Younis, part of Pakistan’s last Test tour to India in 2007.
The 38-year-old returns for Pakistan in the second Test against the West Indies starting in Abu Dhabi on Friday after missing the first Test — a day-night affair with the pink ball — in Dubai as he was recovering from dengue fever. Younis, Pakistan’s top run-getter in Tests with 9,456, hopes he gets to 10,000 runs in the near future.
“I never go after records,” said Younis, who compiled a monumental 218 against England in his last Test at The Oval.
“It’s my wish to be in that elite group of 10,000 runs because there is no Pakistani in that group.”
Younis reckons Pakistan’s good showing in Tests have increased support for the the five-day format.
“People now talk about us as a Test team and people who used to stay away from Tests are now coming back,” he said.
Live Cricket Score of Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 1: Pakistan square off with West Indies in Abu Dhabi
Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 1: Catch the live cricket updates of PAK vs WI 2nd Test here.
Express Web Desk | Published:October 21, 2016 9:33 am
Live Cricket Score, Pakistan vs West Indies, 2nd Test, Day 1: Pakistan, West Indies square off in Abu Dhabi. (Source: File)
Pakistan and West Indies resume their cricket competition with the second Test match in Abu Dhabi. Both teams will the match with red ball after the first was played with a pink ball and in day-night format. Pakistan, leading the three-match series 1-0, will once again like to assert their domination over the Windies with another good win. In the pink-ball Test, Pakistan managed to beat West Indies in a thriller which could have gone either way. Azhar Ali scored a triple ton and Pakistan took a big first innings lead but were bundled out for 123 in the second innings as Devendra Bishoo took 8 wickets. West Indies looked good to chase the target of 357 with Darren Bravo scoring a ton but Yasir Shah dismissed him and West Indies slipped from there to lose the match by 56 runs. Catch the live cricket scores and live cricket updates of PAK vs WI second Test here.
India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI: Luck on his side, Kane Williamson canes bowlers
In the first ODI series since Breondon McCullum’s retirement, the onus was on Kane Williamson to lead from the front.
New Delhi | Updated: October 21, 2016 8:51 am
Kane Williamson scored a breezy century for New Zealand against India. (Source: AP)
14th over, 2nd ball: Jasprit Bumrah angles the ball in from wide of the crease. A loud appeal of LBW is turned down following an unsuccessful attempt to flick the ball by Kane Williamson.
14th over, 6th ball: Hardik Pandya, at mid-off, fails to make the most of a half chance after Williamson can’t clear the in-field.
20th over, 1st ball: MS Dhoni, standing up to the stumps, fails to hold on to a thick edge when Williamson attempts the cut shot against left-arm spinner Axar Patel.
24th over, 1st ball: Bumrah’s yorker has Williamson sprawling on the ground. The subsequent LBW appeal is not entertained as the ball was missing the leg-stump.
Despite those chances, the New Zealand skipper’s innings was a delight to watch. Besides, nobody would grudge Williamson — winless for over a month now — a stroke of luck. His team lost the Test series 0-3, The first ODI was lost in the first one hour, New Zealand were reduced to 5 for 48. When you are a young captain who has taken over from a legend, Brendon McCullum, such losing streaks hurt the fans more.
For a batsman of Williamson’s calibre, the No.3 in Tests and ODIs – this tour has been a humbling experience and a learning curve, considering he is relatively new to the job of leading the side. He was dismissed by R Ashwin in all the four Test innings, scoring only one fifty.
He has scored runs in India before – a Test hundred on debut in Ahmedabad in 2010 marked him as one for the future. Six years later, Williamson is New Zealand’s best batsman and captain and the dual roles bring its own unique set of pressures. In the first ODI series since McCullum’s retirement, the onus was on Williamson to lead from the front.
He is not the raw, brawny and explosive batsman but will fall into the template of a gifted and effective stroke-maker. Walking in at the fall of Guptill’s wicket, Williamson had the opportunity to set the tone for the innings. Over the next 20 overs, the New Zealand captain and the team’s most consistent batman on tour Tom Latham added 120 runs for the second wicket.
Productive batsman
The passage of play in the 13th over of the New Zealand innings was an example of how productive a batsman Williamson can be. Axar Patel, the left-arm spinner, had tied him down in four consecutive deliveries in his previous over, a flick being Williamson’s only scoring shot for two runs.
The skipper would disrupt Patel’s line and length the next time he faced him, though. The first ball of the 13th over was slog swept to the mid-wicket region for a four. When Axar altered the length in the next delivery, Williamson went down the track and lofted him over long-on for a six. Now, Axar went fuller in an attempt to not give the batsman any room but Williamson waited for the ball, which was fired in, to arrive and cleverly guided it past gully for a four.
Williamson didn’t allow the Indian bowlers to settle down. When the off-side was packed, he walked across the stumps and flicked the ball when facing the fast bowlers. Against the spinners he slog swept or played the milder version of this stroke to pierce the field.
Williamson employed the sweep to attack leg-spinner Amit Mishra as soon as he was brought on to bring up his half century, off 56 balls. Two balls later, he used his feet and flicked the ball through mid-on for another boundary, forcing Mishra to call for a meeting with Dhoni.
As he approached his 80s, the time he spend in the middle in the stifling conditions, was beginning to show. The 12th man and the support staff were making visits to the middle at the end of every over to attend to Williamson’s cramping hands and to ensure that he was hydrated enough.
When the body starts protesting, batsmen tend to look for the big shots to avoid running. Williamson didn’t step on the pedal in panic. Ross Taylor and Corey Anderson, two big-hitters in the line-up capable of tearing into bowling attacks, had struggled to time the ball on the slow wicket, and had been dismissed after making just 21 each at middling strike rates. A lot depended on how long the well-set Williamson could bat. And he carried on.
He brought up his century with a lovely cover drive which fetched him two runs. There was no over the top celebrations from Williamson. He perhaps didn’t want to waste any energy on anything but batting during his over three-hour stay at the wicket.
After Williamson was caught on the long-on boundary, New Zealand lost four wickets for 24 runs and imploded in the final 10 overs. What could have been a 280-plus score was nipped at 242 for nine. 118 of those runs were off the captain’s bat.
India vs New Zealand, 2nd ODI: After 36 winless days, Kiwis take flight
India fall short in last over by six runs as New Zealand record their first victory on tour; level the five-match ODI series 1-1
New Delhi | Updated: October 21, 2016 8:21 am
New Zealand’s Tim Southee celebrates the wicket of India captain MS Dhoni during the second ODI at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi on Thursday. (Source: AP)
In what had been another miserable chapter on a nightmarish tour, Martin Guptill had his stumps splayed by Umesh Yadav on the second ball of the day. Guptill had strode forward to defend a length ball, playing for the line, but it pitched and shaped away just enough to knock back his off-stump. He didn’t even bother to turn around and survey the destruction. For the next 538 balls, Guptill had little role to play in the match.
Then, in the 40th over of India’s tense chase, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, in an inspired move, summoned him to roll his arm over. The gambit was risky, but it helped that there was that extra fielder in the deep. Moreover, the hosts had just lost their captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who was caught by Tim Southee in a most spectacular fashion. Dhoni had driven Southee back, albeit uppishly, and the strapping fast bowler had plucked a sharp, ankle high reflex catch while still in his follow through. Needing 243 to win, India were 172/6 with their best finisher back in the pavilion.
Coming from around the wicket to Axar Patel, Guptill ambled in and sent down a lazy loppy delivery that was directed wide down the leg side. 64 off 60 balls. Next ball, another wide down leg. 63 off 60. Next ball, a full toss. Patel’s eyes must have widened. He took a swipe. He could have hit it anywhere, but found Mitchell Santner at long-on. Guptill would send down two more wides, but would also account for Amit Mishra who attempted another ill-advised shot, an outrageous slog-sweep, and the top edge was gleefully accepted at short fine leg. “This was one game when we kept losing wickets,” Dhoni would later say. “That was something that hurt us. It wasn’t the run rate which pushed us to play big shots. It’s a day when any of the batsmen could go on and say that we could have seen it through.”
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Hardik Pandya and Umesh Yadav nearly did, taking India tantalisingly close with a 49-run ninth wicket stand. But Pandya top-edged a tennis forehand top-spinner aimed at the sightscreen on the penultimate ball off Boult’s 49th over. As the crowd went silent, India were just a wicket away from defeat. If they wished to turn the tables, Jasprit Bumrah and Umesh needed to score 10 from the final over. Tim Southee, who had been bowled by a Bumrah yorker earlier in the day, paid the latter back in the same coin to give New Zealand their first victory of the tour.
At the half-stage, it had looked like India had restricted New Zealand to a below par score, despite Kane Williamson’s century. However, the visitors had hope. This wasn’t a flat surface. “The wicket wasn’t easy to increase the scoring rate, at the halfway stage we were a few off where we wanted to be, a lot of credit to the way we bowled, to create pressure on that surface was key. Trent Boult was outstanding,” Williamson said after the match.
The left-arm pacer had on Wednesday exhorted his batsmen to put up some runs on the board. It was less than what Boult would have hoped for when Williamson and Tom Latham were batting, but there was still something to bowl at. He gave New Zealand the perfect start, inducing an edge off Rohit Sharma’s bat towards the end of a tight first spell. Some questionable shot selection (Virat Kohli) and spectacular fielding (Ajinkya Rahane and Manish Pandey) saw India reduced to 73/4. Kedar Jadhav and Dhoni put a brisk 56-run partnership, but it was all over after THAT Southee catch and THAT Guptill over.
Bowlers’ comeback
“In the coming games, I’ll be losing a toss somewhere and then we’ll have to bowl well,” Dhoni would say at the presentation.
Dhoni had won India’s fifth toss in a row this series and opted to bowl first. To be fair, they bowled fairly well. There was a bit of early juice in the pitch. Like he did in Dharamshala, Dhoni picked the all-rounder Pandya over the specialist Bumrah to share the new ball with Yadav.
In his five previous matches, too, Bumrah has never opened the bowling. Perhaps, the pacer’s accuracy and his mastery of the yorker tempts Dhoni to save a chunk of his overs for the back-end of the innings. Not to disappoint his captain, Bumrah blew away the New Zealand tail as the visitors, who when Williamson was batting looked all set for a 270-plus score, fell 30 short.
To gauge just how effective Bumrah was, we need to look beyond his figures — 3/35 in 10 overs — or rather look deep into it. He bowled nearly half of his quota at Williamson, perhaps the best batsman on the pitch on Thursday, and conceded only 13 runs. In the 14th over, he rapped Williamson on the pads, but the umpire turned a close appeal down, and the induced mis-hit was put down by Pandya at mid-off. In the 24th, he sent down a toe-crusher that had the elegant batsman biting the Kotla dust. The Indian team also fielded exceptionally, and none more so than perhaps Patel, who was the proverbial livewire. His one-handed catch of Anton Devcich off Bumrah at short-fine leg while running behind was the stuff of YouTube compilations.
But no Indian bowler or fielder was as successful in putting the brakes on the Black Caps’ innings as their own batsman, Ross Taylor. Taylor joined Williamson after Tom Latham was trapped in front of the wicket by the part-time off-spinner Kedar Jadhav against the run of play. Taylor, who had scored only 89 runs in India in the last five weeks, looked to grind it out, but in the process sucked the momentum out of the innings. On a pitch that offered little assistance to spin, he made only six runs off 22 balls he faced from the tweakers. By the time he slog-swept Amit Mishra straight to Pandya at deep midwicket, New Zealand’s run rate had come down from nearly six to five. It bookended a wretched day for Taylor who must have woken up to the news of some unflattering description of his captaincy and general attitude in Brendon McCullum’s tell-all book.
Then when Williamson holed out in the deep in the 43rd over and their lower order collapsed, it looked New Zealand were hurtling towards another loss. In the end, however, they finally contrived a way to win.
We just kept losing wickets, says India captain MS Dhoni
MS Dhoni also credited New Zealand as his own bowlers for the superb show in the match.
| New Delhi | Published:October 20, 2016 10:34 pm
MS Dhoni felt India kept losing wickets against the run of play. (Source: AP)
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said “losing wickets against the run of play” while chasing a tricky target led to the home team’s defeat against New Zealand in the second ODI in New Delhi.
The Black Caps levelled the five-match series 1-1 and in the process also won their first game of the tour. India were all-out for 236 in 49.3 overs while chasing a target of 243.
It is also after 11 long years that India have lost an ODI at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground here.
“I feel this was one game where we lost wickets against the run of play, it was not that the deliveries were good, we just kept losing wickets,” Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Until the end we had the run rate under control … When you’re chasing you need to play 50 overs and at one stage it didn’t look like we would,” he said.
Dhoni also credited New Zealand as his own bowlers for the superb show in the match.
“I felt the New Zealand bowlers bowled really well … but we just kept losing wickets. I don’t think there was a lot of dew, it was not coming out to the bat,” he said.
“I think we bowled really well, after the new ball it was key to get reverse swing and put pressure on the batsman, Mishy (Amit Mishra) bowled well and got crucial wickets.”
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson was adjudged man-of-the-match for his 118-run knock which was largely responsible for the visitors 242 run score on the board.
Williamson too credited his bowlers for helping the Kiwis register their first win in the tour.
“The wicket wasn’t easy to increase the scoring rate, at the halfway stage we were a few off where we wanted to be. A lot of credit to the way we bowled, to create pressure on that surface was key and Trent Boult was outstanding,” he said.
“The bowling was huge for us. We were below par but we did have enough runs to create a squeeze, dealing with the dew is never easy. The dew didn’t help the spinners and they did a great job. There wasn’t much turn but they did great for us.
“Seam bowling was easier to face on that surface. It was a good game of cricket,” Williamson added.
Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy to compete with Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or
Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy were the stars of Leicester City's miraculous Premier League title winning exploits last season.
Paris | Published:October 25, 2016 1:31 pm
Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, right, and Jamie Vardy have been shortlisted for the Ballon d’Or. (Source: AP)
Leicester City forwards Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy will try to break the domination of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the annual Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best player.
The stars of Leicester’s surprise English Premier League title are among 30 players announced on Monday as candidates for the prize presented by France Football magazine.
Five-time winner Messi and three-time winner Ronaldo are the only previous winners nominated for a prize that is no longer linked to FIFA.
Luis Suarez and Neymar complete a full Barcelona forward line on the list, though Champions League winner Real Madrid has the most nominees with six, including Wales winger Gareth Bale.
European Championship winner Portugal has Ronaldo plus goalkeeper Rui Patricio and defender Pepe.
Copa America winner Chile has only Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal listed, and two Africans are nominated: Algeria’s Mahrez and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund.
France Football has reverted to the traditional vote of journalists only for an award it first made in 1956. The winner will be announced in mid-December, the magazine said.
FIFA will continue to present its own world’s best player award – voted by national team coaches and captains plus media – in January.
Candidates:
Sergio Aguero (Manchester City, Argentina), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund, Gabon), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid, Wales), Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, Portugal), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, Belgium), Paulo Dybala (Juventus, Argentina), Diego Godin (Atletico Madrid, Uruguay), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid, France), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli-Juventus, Argentina), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Paris Saint-Germain-Manchester United, Sweden), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona, Spain), Koke (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid, Germany), Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich, Poland), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, France), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester, Algeria), Lionel Messi (Barcelona, Argentina), Luka Modric (Real Madrid, Croatia), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich, Germany), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Germany), Neymar (Barcelona, Brazil), Dimitri Payet (West Ham, France), Pepe (Real Madrid, Portugal), Paul Pogba (Manchester United, France), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid, Spain), Luis Suarez (Barcelona, Uruguay), Jamie Vardy (Leicester, England), Arturo Vidal (Bayern Munich, Chile).
Subroto Cup most promising player Dip Majumdar has promises to keep
Dip Majumdar's team, Army Boys, went down in the final to a stronger Brazilian side, Atletico Paranaense, but not without a fight.
New Delhi | Updated: October 25, 2016 11:17 am
Dip Majumdar, who hails from Kolkata where his father runs a meat shop, was awarded a laptop.
A new pair of studs, a television dish, a laptop and perhaps a new beginning. That’s Subroto Cup’s most promising player Dip Majumdar’s special day in a nutshell. His team, Army Boys, on Saturday went down in the final to a stronger Brazilian side, Atletico Paranaense, but not without a fight. Unlike their previous triumphs, they were made to sweat for the win. The difference proved to be a goal converted from the spot.
With the disappointment of losing the game still reflecting on his body language, Majumdar took a while before he could gather himself and speak. “This is the biggest day of my life,” he said. As part of the award, the 16-year -old was also given a laptop. “Ye mera pehla laptop hai (This is my first laptop),” he says with a tinge of disbelief.
Back home, Majumdar’s parents had just installed a television dish to watch their son play in the final. His father was once an aspiring footballer, but had to quit after an appendix surgery. His elder brother made it to the U-16 national team, but plagued by ligament injures, he couldn’t make it big either. The elder Majumdar got his brother a new pair of studs to play the final. “It cost him Rs 8,000. I have never worn such an expensive shoe in my life,” Majumdar said.
He credits his come-uppance to his family, the elixir of his life.”My family keep encouraging me. We have limited resources but that has never stopped my family from supporting and providing me with whatever I require for training and excelling in the sport. My father and brother could not reach the top echelons of football , but it’s my desire to become a top footballer and make them proud.” Majumdar hails from Kolkata where his father runs a meat shop.
Brazliain football legend Rivaldo watching the proceedings from the stands further made his day . The 1998 Ballon d’or winner was the guest of honour for the final. In 2011, Majumdar took part in a local tournament in Kolkata where it was announced that all the goal-scorers would be given a ticket to watch an exhibition match featuring Argentine Lionel Messi. A die-hard Messi supporter, Majumder ensured he was among the scorers. He got his tickets too. But from where he was seated in the stadium, he could hardly glimpse Messi. “I could hardly see Messi. He was so far.”
However, things were quite different on Saturday evening. “I shook hands with Rivaldo. I haven’t seen him play live, but I watch his videos. This is another first in my life. Never have I met such a big star in my life,” he says with wide-eyed enthusiasm.
For the boys from Brazil, playing in subcontinent was an eyeopener. in every sense They had never played so many back-to-back matches in any tournament prior to this. Even the style of game they faced was different. “It’s all about short passes back home. Here we see that the game is quite different: long balls and fast-paced,” felt Luiz Greco, the international affairs director of the Brazilian club. Greco is no stranger to Indian football, as he was the technical director of Mohan Bagan nine years ago and has fond memories of the country.
Apart from winning the tournament, the boys boarded the flight to India with another desire– that was to visit the Taj Mahal. The rigorous scheduling meant that they could sneak out for a visit only a couple of days before the final game. “Uno Taj Mahal ” is what Victor , a member of the squad, is taking home for his family. “I love the hospitality in India. I feel the people here are in many ways similar to people back home,” said manager Marcelo Vilhena.
“I see that the country has several issues to deal with. Not everyone is economical y sound. The same holds for Brazil. A lot of people are in turmoil, but what’s important is that people rise above this problems and never forget to smile and enjoy life,” he added.
No panic for Atletico Madrid after first loss this season
Atletico Madrid's 1-0 loss to Sevilla has left Diego Simeone's side three points behind leaders Real Madrid.
Madrid | Updated: October 25, 2016 12:41 am
Atletico Madrid went into the encounter in Sevilla after 1-0 victory at Rostov in the Champions League. (Source: Reuters)
Atletico Madrid have been reminded of just how challenging this season’s La Liga is going to be after falling to fifth place following their first defeat of the season, a 1-0 setback at Sevilla.
So tightly packed is the title race that Sunday’s loss has left Diego Simeone’s side three points behind leaders Real Madrid, two adrift of second-top Sevilla and one behind Barcelona and Villarreal, who are third and fourth, respectively.
“Sevilla and the other teams that are currently high up in the standings can also fight for the title,” Atletico captain Gabi said to Spanish radio Cadena Ser. “They (Sevilla) are headed in the right direction but it’s early.”
Barca nearly dropped two points against the Valencia side, which is in the lower echelon of the standings but got a late penalty from talisman Lionel Messi.
Villarreal have yet to lose after coming from behind at home against Las Palmas and getting a stoppage-time goal from Cedric Bakambu.
Real were 2-1 winners at home over Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.
According to Gabi, a 33-year-old midfielder, there should be no loss of confidence in the Atletico squad.
Sevilla had, after all, won all of their previous encounters at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium this season.
“The team is on the right path,” Gabi said. “We just have to continue to improve. “We knew Sevilla’s strengths and it was a very level game. We had the right game plan but the team that was more efficient won.”
Steven N’Zonzi’s second-half goal at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium ended Atletico’s 11-game unbeaten run and five-game winning streak.
“We had three or four chances in the opening half and we didn’t make them,” Gabi said. “If you are not decisive in these evenly balanced games, then in the end you pay for it.
“We must congratulate Sevilla,” he said.
Atletico went into the encounter in Sevilla after Wednesday’s 1-0 victory at Rostov in the Champions League but Gabi says his team was not affected by the long trip to Russia.
“We are not a side that finds excuses,” he said. “We tried our best and we played as we always do. We just need to move on, stick to this path and aim to win the next game.”
Atletico play at home to Malaga on Saturday before hosting Rostov in the Champions League on November 1.
Win against Crystal Palace showcased ‘real’ Leicester City, says Claudio Ranieri
Claudio Ranieri coached Leicester City are on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds after three group stage wins.
Updated: October 25, 2016 12:12 am
Leicester City are 12th in the league, travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. (Source: Reuters)
Leicester City’s emphatic 3-1 victory against Crystal Palace on Saturday was reminiscent of the performances that propelled them to the title in May, manager Claudio Ranieri has said.
Champions Leicester’s faltering domestic form this season finally found some spark as Ahmed Musa scored his first goal for the club and Shinji Okazaki and Christian Fuchs struck after the break to stretch the Foxes’ unbeaten home run to 20 games.
“Everyone played well, everyone understood the movement and helped each other,” Ranieri told British media
“There was this type of performance last season. (Against Palace) we saw the real Leicester.
“For me, the more important thing is to see my Leicester. When we fight, the result is another thing.
“Realistically we have to be safe this season, because everyone now is thinking we are the champions, but the last campaign we have to forget. It was not real, it was magic.”
Ranieri left striker Jamie Vardy on the bench for the clash against Palace, but the Italian suggested that the move was also indicative of Leicester strength in depth.
“Always it is in my mind and he (Vardy) is our goalscorer, but he knows when there are so many players a little rotation doesn’t matter,” Ranieri added.
“If I don’t have Islam Slimani or Leonardo Ulloa, Vardy would have to play, but we have some good players so it was right to give him a rest.”
Leicester are also on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds after three group stage wins, and Ranieri wants to build a team that will be a threat in Europe.
“We have to build to bring this team in Europe. I think it is difficult this season because there are so many teams who spend a lot of money,” Ranieri added.
“For me it is important to maintain these players and improve our squad.”
Leicester, who are 12th in the league, travel to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Lionel Messi returns to Argentina squad for Brazil, Colombia games
Lionel Messi was named on Friday in coach Edgardo Bauza's 26-man squad and will captain Argentina away to arch-rivals Brazil on November 10.
Buenos Aires | Published:October 22, 2016 2:58 am
Argentina lost one and had to settle for two draws during Lionel Messi’s absence. (Source: File)
Lionel Messi is back in the Argentina squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Colombia after missing the last three due to injury in which his team have dropped seven points.
Messi was named on Friday in coach Edgardo Bauza’s 26-man squad and will captain Argentina away to arch-rivals Brazil in Belo Horizonte on Nov. 10 and at home against Colombia in San Juan five days later.
Argentina have slipped down the South American group standings to fifth after a shock 1-0 home defeat by Paraguay and 2-2 draws with Peru and Venezuela, all without Messi.
They have 16 points from 10 matches, five less than leaders Brazil with Uruguay second on 20 and Ecuador and Colombia on 17. The top four go through to the 2018 finals in Russia with the fifth qualifying for an intercontinental playoff for another berth.
Valencia winger Enzo Perez, who last played for Argentina in a 1-0 away win over Colombia in a qualifier last November, has been recalled.
There were first call-ups for right back Julio Buffarini, a key member of the San Lorenzo side Bauza coached to the Copa Libertadores title in 2014 who now plays for Sao Paulo in Brazil, and Racing Club midfielder Marcos Acuna.
Bauza has dropped Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo, Tottenham Hotspur’s Erik Lamela and midfielder Matias Kranevitter of Sevilla.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (Manchester United), Nahuel Guzman (UANL Tigres), Geronimo Rulli (Real Sociedad)
Defenders: Facundo Roncaglia (Celta Vigo), Mateo Musacchio (Villarreal), Ramiro Funes Mori (Everton), Martin Demichelis (Espanyol), Pablo Zabaleta, Nicolas Otamendi (both Manchester City), Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla), Julio Buffarini (Sao Paulo), Emmanuel Mas (San Lorenzo)
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Barcelona), Lucas Biglia (Lazio), Guido Pizarro (UANL Tigres), Nicolas Gaitan (Atletico Madrid), Ever Banega (Inter Milan), Angel Di Maria (Paris St Germain), Enzo Perez (Valencia), Marcos Acuna (Racing Club)
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid), Lucas Pratto (Atletico Mineiro), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Paulo Dybala, Gonzalo Higuain (both Juventus)
Brazilian flavour to Subroto Cup final in the form of Atletico Paranaense and Rivaldo
Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense's U-17 team, playing their first tournament in India, will be taking on Army Team from Bengaluru for the title.
New Delhi | Updated: October 22, 2016 8:41 am
Rivaldo, former Brazil great, will be in attendance at the Subroto Cup final. (Source: PTI)
There will be a South American flavour to the final of the Subroto Cup to be played at the Ambedkar Stadium in the Capital on Saturday. Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense’s U-17 team, playing their first tournament in the country, will be taking on Army Team from Bengaluru for the title.
The presence of Atletico Paranaense, a top division Brazilian side, has created ample buzz. The boys from the South American club, as expected, have made a smooth entry to the title match beating a team from Mizoram 6-1.
During the final, though, the limelight might be on another Brazilian. Rivaldo, 2002 World Cup winner, will closely watch the proceedings from the VIP enclosure.
Last year the organizers roped in Pele as chief guest for the final and this time, after dilly-dallying between Rivaldo and David Beckham, they managed to bring in the former.
There is considerable excitement not only among fans who will turn for the game, but also among players who will get to exhibit their talent before the 1999 Ballon d’Or winner. Joao Victor, a member of the Paranaesnse squad, is eager to put up a decent show in front of his ‘hero’.
“Everyone knows Rivaldo is a legend. I am really motivated and looking forward to showcase my skills in front of him,” said the youngster.
Rivaldo, addressing a press conference at a swanky hotel in Gurgaon, seemed a bit reluctant to answer the routine questions thrown at him. “How would you compare Messi, Suarez and Neymar to the trio of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho ?”
“You can’t compare players from different generation,” came the reply.
“Pele or Maradona?” “Both are my friends and I like them equally,” was the former Barcelona midfielder’s response.
But he did not mince his words when asked about the national team and their disappointing World Cup campaign. “It is something we will never forget. Even if we win the next World Cup, we might forget it a little bit, but it will always remain in the back of our minds,” he said.
Coming back to Saturday’s final, it was no surprise that he threw his weight behind the Brazilian side to win the trophy. “I hope they are inspired by my presence.”
This is the second time a team from Brazil is taking part in the tournament. In 2014, Brazil side Colegio Estadul Santo Antonio lifted the trophy after winning on penalties against MSP Higher Secondary School from Kerala. MSP were leading 2-1 till the dying minutes of the game, but a turnaround happened just seconds before the final whistle.
Bart King: 16 facts about the greatest cricketer from USA
Don Bradman called Bart King “America’s greatest cricketing son.”
| Updated : October 20, 2016 12:20 PM
Bart King scored 2,134 runs and picked up 415 wickets from his 65 First-Class matches
John Barton ‘Bart’ King, born October 19, 1873, was easily the greatest cricketer in the history of USA. A champion in the Halifax Cup, King ran through the Englishmen and Australians whenever he was up against them, in USA or on tours. Widely credited as one of the earliest exponents of deliberate swing bowling, King also developed a delivery called ‘angler’ — a by-product of baseball — that confused batsmen to no ends. Abhishek Mukherjee lists 16 facts about a turn-of-the-20th-century legend who lived to his surname as much as anyone has.
John Barton ‘Bart’ King was easily the greatest cricketer in the history of the United States. When I talk about cricket in USA, do take it seriously, for cricket was played in USA, especially Philadelphia, well before it was played in Australia. It is well-documented that the first international cricket match was played between USA and Canada in 1844, over three decades before Australia and England played the first Test. George Parr’s motley group of Englishmen that toured North America in 1859 was the first overseas cricket tour by any English team.
Unfortunately, cricket faded out in the early 20th century as baseball gained in popularity and stature in the country. Cricket remained popular in Philadelphia, that hub of American cricket, but not for long. Even Halifax Cup, the premier cricket tournament in the city, closed in 1926.
Fortunately, Bart King had already peaked before that: he played the Australians and Englishmen when they toured North America, and went to Britain thrice with Gentlemen of Philadelphia — in 1897, 1903, and 1908. King was a ‘professional’, which would ideally have made it impossible from qualifying for a team of amateurs, but how could they possibly have left their greatest cricketer back home?
Once his talent was exposed to the world, the who’s who of cricket went gaga over King. Don Bradman called King “America’s greatest cricketing son.” Plum Warner called him “one of the finest bowlers of all time,” adding that “had he been an Englishman or an Australian, he would have been even more famous than he was”. CB Fry added: “the best swerver I ever saw in my life was J Barton King of Philadelphia.” And Ralph Barker hailed him as “the American Lillee.”
King was an outstanding bowler, relying on his ‘angler’ (a by-product of his baseball days), something the world had not seen before, but more of that later. He is usually credited for being one of the earliest to invent the art of swing bowling deliberately (others swung the ball before King, but accidentally).
Originally a batsman who could bowl, King established himself as one of the foremost all-rounders in contemporary cricket. His considerable frame (6’1”, 81 kg) helped.
From 65 matches that got First-Class status, King scored 2,134 runs at 20.51 and claimed 415 wickets (6.38 a match) at 15.66. He took five wickets in an innings 38 times (once in only 1.71 Tests). In all recorded matches his 15,398 runs came at 33.48 and 1,935 wickets at 10.74. Not many have achieved something of that level.
1. Acute angling
Had King been a more famous cricketer, the ‘angler’ would probably have been named after him. Before going into that, however, a short introduction to King’s bowling prowess and features merits a mention.
King could swing the ball (even the old ball). His out-swinger was probing, but it was really the vicious ‘other’ in-swinger that tormented champions on either side of The Atlantic. This was no ordinary ball: during the action King’s right hand came down from above his left shoulder — a trick he had picked up during his baseball days. The innocuous-looking ball followed a straight trajectory before changing direction about 3 to 5 yards from the batsman.
King called this his ‘angler’. By his own admission he unleashed the ball only against the best of batsmen, so the mortals were spared.
In 1896 George Giffen, no less, had to pay the price of being a champion cricketer: “The Philadelphians really have some high-class players, but it was the fact of their bowlers playing us with baseball curves that upset our batsmen.”
2. The pitcher
Bart King’s father was a linen merchant, a profession he himself adapted later. He did not have the financial status of being part of the Philadelphian aristocracy. Like most American boys, King took to baseball in his teens before joining Tioga CC in 1888.
Unlike Belmont or Merion (or Germantown of later days), Tioga was not one of the top sides in the city. Tioga lacked quality bowlers; the teenager had to shoulder extra responsibilities. In his second season he took 10 wickets against Merion Juniors. In his next match, against Young America Juniors, he had 4 for 1 and 5 for 5. The opposition was blown away for 10 and 25 before they knew what had hit them.
3. Maple leaves and leprechauns
Still in his teens, King wreaked havoc in Halifax Cup of 1892 for Tioga. His 34 wickets came at an astonishing 8.73; it was not a low-scoring tournament, for both George Patterson and Arthur Wood averaged above 40. King himself got 216 runs at 21.60.
King was selected to play for USA against Canada shortly that same season. Bowled out for 65 in each innings, Canada lost by an innings and 222 runs; King had 3 for 6 and 2 for 15. In a week’s time he played for Gentlemen of Philadelphia against the touring Gentlemen of Ireland. From 3 matches King had 19 wickets including 3 five-fors.
4. Aussie attacks
Jack Blackham brought his Australians to USA in 1893. Gentlemen of Philadelphia piled up 525, King scoring 36 at No. 11. King then ran through the illustrious tourists with 5 for 78 (including Alec Bannerman, Giffen, William Bruce, and Harry Trott) and 2 for 90 (including Henry Graham), leading his side to an innings win.
Giffen, as mentioned above, toured USA in 1896, along with an extremely formidable side that consisted of Trott and youngsters Clem Hill and Joe Darling. The three matches fetched him 15 wickets with 2 five-fors.
In the last match, an innings win, King bowled unchanged through both innings, taking 5 for 43 (he got Frank Iredale, Syd Gregory, Henry Donnan, and Trott) and 3 for 47 (Darling and Hill among them). There was no stopping King from there.
5. Amateurish stuff
Did you notice that King had represented the Gentlemen? His linen trade certainly did not fetch him enough money to give up his career as a professional cricketer. King had his share of supporters and resourceful teammates who found him a well-paying job in insurance.
Not only did this help King play against Gentlemen of Ireland, it also helped him tour the Britain Isles thrice with Gentlemen of Philadelphia.
6. Child’s stuff
Tioga was not able to get King the stature he deserved. He made a move to Belmont in 1896. That year he won the Child’s Bowling Cup for the best bowler in Halifax Cup: King had taken 34 wickets at 8.94 (along with 166 runs at 23.71).
Improving on that was not easy, but King was not going to remain content success against club sides. That would happen the following season.
7. England Part I: A King is born
Despite their sporadic success against the touring English sides, it was not expected that the Philadelphians would take England by storm. They played 15 matches in all, winning 2 and losing 9. King played all 15, scoring 441 runs at 20.04 and taking 72 wickets at 24.02.
King had an ordinary start to the tour, taking 7 wickets from his first 3 matches. Then came the Sussex match at Hove, where he caught the star-studded hosts (the line-up included KS Ranjitsinhji and Billy Murdoch) unaware.
The tourists scored 216 first, King getting 58. Sussex were shot out for 46 in less than an hour. King had 7 for 13, 6 of them (including Ranji for a duck) bowled; following-on, Sussex reached 252, King taking 6 for 102 (4 bowled). He got Murdoch in each innings. The other win came against Gloucestershire, where King had 5 for 95 (4 bowled) and 7 for 72 (6 bowled, 1 LBW).
It was not only about King’s excellent numbers. While he took 72 wickets, nobody else in the side got more than 35. King also sent down 3,294 balls on the tour, way more than the Henry Baily (1,808), the next man on the list. It must be remembered here that Baily was an off-spinner, not a fast bowler like King.
8. The seven-thousand proposal
While the tourists did not create a massive impact in the English cricket circuit, King and his swing bowling certainly did. Several counties tried to sign up, only to find out that King was not really interested in staying back on this side of The Atlantic.
They tried to marry him off to a rich widow, which would have guaranteed King of £7,000 a year, almost the income of a king (if you mind the pun). Even that could hold King back. In retrospect, he had turned down what could have been the path to Test cricket.
King would later marry Fannie Lockhart. The marriage lasted for fifty years till she passed away in 1963. King himself died two years later, just two days before his 92nd birthday.
9. Warner warned, Bosanquet bossed
Before they could settle down in America again, the Philadelphians were up against a new batch of tourists, led by Warner. Warner’s men were shot out for 63. King, bowling unchanged, had 9 for 25 (7 bowled), including Warner himself.
Warner returned the following season, only to find his men against King: this time he had match figures of 4 for 47 and 9 for 103.
King continued to run rout in Halifax Cup, but his feats mostly went unnoticed as England and Australia dominated cricket with South Africa joining as a third force. However, his name surfaced whenever a major side toured USA.
The next big side to face King was Bernard Bosanquet’s men in 1901. King played 2 matches, finishing with match figures of 14 for 135 and 9 for 132.
10. England Part II: Return of the King
The Philadelphians came to England again in 1903. This was also the tour where King put all doubts regarding his prowess to rest, taking 78 wickets at 16.06 (in addition to scoring 614 runs at 29.23).
There were also some Second-Class matches. In one of these, against a Lincolnshire XVI, he took 11 for 115 in an innings.
Against the two Universities he took 17 wickets from 3 innings; against Lancashire he had 5 for 46 and 9 for 62; against Glamorgan, 7 for 38 and 2 for 30; against Surrey, he slammed 98 and 113* in addition to taking 3 for 89 and 3 for 98; and against Kent, he had 39, 41, 7 for 39, and 1 for 55.
The Lancashire match deserves special mention. Things were evenly poised at Old Trafford after Lancashire, having conceded a 29-run lead, knocked off the deficit after lunch on Day Two.
King resorted to his ‘anglers,’ for there was a breeze that blew from over his left shoulder. His immediate; spell read 3-1-7-5; all 5 men were bowled. In fact, 8 of the 9 men he got were bowled; the tenth was run out.
11. Triple-hundreds and all that
King, by his choice, decided to stay back in USA. He terrorised both batsmen and bowlers, taking wickets every time he bowled and often notching up big scores. Against Germantown B in 1905 he slammed 305, the highest score in USA till then. The next season he bettered that with 344* against Merion B.
Two days after that he routed Canada with 2 for 25 and 8 for 17 as the tourists collapsed to 90 and 62. Against Germantown B in 1907 he had 7 for 12. A week later he had 8 for 3 (not the other way round) against Moorestown. Five days after this, he got 9 for 66 against Germantown A. And towards the end of the season he skittled out a touring MCC side with 5 for 39.
12. England Part III: Long Live the King
There was a third trip to The Blighty as well. This time the Philadelphians were bolstered by ‘Ranji’ Hordern, a budding dentist at University of Pennsylvania. It was during this period when Hordern was perfecting his googly (he would later take 46 wickets in 7 Tests for Australia).
This time King surpassed even himself, taking 10 five-wicket hauls from 10 matches. He had an outrageous haul of 87 wickets at 11.01 (Hordern had 45 at 20.66). Till Les Jackson in 1958 nobody had a better average in a season with a 50-wicket cut-off.
His ten-fors came against Ireland (14 for 63), Derbyshire (12 for 116), and Nottinghamshire (14 for 130), the last two in consecutive matches.
13. Living till the Morrow
By this time King was universally accepted as one of the greatest in the world. When the Gentlemen of Ireland toured USA in 1909 they were ready for him, but he was still better than what they had expected.
As George Morrow carried his bat through an innings with 50, the tourists were bowled out for 111. King took all 10 wickets (7 bowled, 2 LBW), bowling unchanged. He took 10 for 53, but he achieved something else — he bowled Morrow as well, albeit off a no-ball.
14. Mopping up
King’s last recorded match is from 1916. Two years before that, at 39, he had 9 for 78 and 8 for 74 in the two matches against the touring Australians. As his bowling declined, he concentrated more on batting, reaching double-figures in 14 of his last 15 innings; these included 6 fifties and a hundred.
15. The honour
As mentioned, King lived till almost 92. He was a tremendous after-dinner speaker, gifted with both a remarkable trove of anecdotes, most of them true, and a terrific sense of humour.
In 1962, three years before his death, King was the first American to be honoured with the Lifetime Membership of MCC.
16. The daddy of all anecdotes
No story about King is complete without the most favourite anecdote regarded to him during a match against Trenton. The story might be entirely apocryphal for several reasons.
Though the match was played against Trenton, it is often mentioned it was a Halifax Cup match. Trenton, a team from New Jersey, was not a participant of the tournament.
Scanning through the scorecards, I could find only four matches played by Trenton against any side of Belmont: one of them, against Belmont, was in 1890, when King played for Tioga; two others, in 1905, were against Belmont Colts, and King was certainly not a part of the Colts side (I still checked)!
There was a fourth match against Belmont Summer XI, in 1901, the year typically mentioned as the one in which the match was played. Unfortunately, no scorecard survives.
For a change, however, we have had enough of facts: the story is too delicious to miss out on.
Trenton were playing Belmont. The team did not travel together, and not all of them had turned up when the match had started. Trenton batted first, and as expected, King scythed through their men at breakneck pace.
Trenton were 9 down for a very low score when their captain turned up, looked at the score, and made a remark that had he been there he would have played King with ease.
King was obviously not amused. He sent all ten men away, leaving only the last man, the Trenton captain (who had been requested to walk out), and the two umpires. The confused captain protested, but the umpires insisted that there was no rule regarding the minimum number of fielders required for a match to continue.
When the Trenton captain still insisted, King placed a man just inside the rope, behind where the wicketkeeper would have stood. It could have been a long-stop, but King asked the man to move to walk towards long-leg before making him stop.
As the story goes, the next ball from King was an ‘angler’ that clean bowled the Trenton captain; the bails landed in front of the only fielder on the ground.
Note: The Trenton captain, however, told a different tale, though he agreed with King till the point when King bowled the ball. He claimed to have hit the ball to the cover-fence. It stopped, and King had to run himself, but not before they ran six. The next three balls — for that was left in the over — went for three sixes over the ropes…
Imad Wasim: Looking forward to the challenge of playing against India
Imad Wasim mad his international debut in the historic home series against Zimbabwe in May 2015.
| Updated : October 20, 2016 10:56 AM
Imad Wasim thus far has an impressive tally of 40 wickets and scored 350 runs in 29 international games. © AFP
Widely considered as a mainstay of Pakistan’s middle-order in the Limited-over format, all-rounder Imad Wasim is also more than a useful spin bowler with an uncanny ability to take key wickets for his team. The 27-year-old has continued to impress one and all ever since his debut against Zimbabwe during the historic home series in 2015 and has thus far has an impressive tally of 40 wickets and scored 350 runs in 29 international games. In an exclusive interview withPakPassion.net, Imad spoke about his success in international cricket, the secret behind his confident demeanour on the cricket pitch, how being picked for T20 leagues around the world is helping him improve as a cricketer, the frustration as a young cricketer of not playing in high profile games against India as well as his aspirations to represent Pakistan in Tests.
Imad Wasim (IW): Not really because I have always worked very hard in domestic cricket and it’s pleasing that I’m finding my feet in international cricket which is a good thing. I’ve just taken it game by game really and my passion has always been to play for my country. I’ve always been keen to represent my country and I am an ambitious cricketer. I’ve worked hard and I’ve performed and I always give 100 per cent on the field and the rest is down to the Almighty.
PP: You’ve settled into international cricket so well and adjusted to its demands so quickly. Why do you think that is?
IW: What has helped is that I’ve had eight or nine seasons behind me of First-Class cricket before I got into the international side, and playing for Pakistan Under 19s and Pakistan A has also helped a lot. I knew playing international cricket would be tough, but deep down I knew that I wanted to make a name for myself and for my country. If you take all that into consideration then I don’t think it’s surprising that I have made a good start in international cricket. READ: Imad Wasim: I am a genuine all-rounder who can win a match with either bat or ball
PP: Pakistan’s domestic cricket set-up keeps getting criticised but it keeps producing high quality cricketers doesn’t it?
IW: Look whoever is criticising domestic cricket I respect their views but our domestic cricket is producing a lot of players. It keeps producing young cricketers who go on and play international cricket and perform very well. There is a lot of talent in Pakistan and our domestic circuit has to take credit for producing and developing this talent. This same domestic cricket is ensuring that there is a lot of healthy competition for places in all formats.
PP: You are a cricketer who was developed by Islamabad Region and have continued to play for them despite interest from departmental teams. Has that been a difficult decision for you to make?
IW: When I was nothing and unheard of, Islamabad Region believed in me and gave me a chance. Now that I am playing for Pakistan, departmental teams have made me some lucrative offers to play for them, but now is my time to give back something to Islamabad Region. I want to give something back to my city and the people who gave me a chance and to help young cricketers from Islamabad. READ: Pakistan’s Imad Wasim sneaks into top 5 of ICC’s T20I rankings for bowlers
PP: You not only have an excellent economy rate but have the ability to take wickets. How difficult is it to balance attack and defence as a bowler?
IW: I just try to keep things simple and keep bowling wicket to wicket and attack the stumps. My theory is that, if you miss I will hit. I concentrate on bowling a consistent length because I feel that is a length that is difficult for batsmen to play. So far I’m very satisfied with what I have achieved.
PP: It seems that you are a cricketer who doesn’t mind offering the opposition a bit of advice on the field?
IW: I’m an ambitious person and an ambitious cricketer and when I am on the field all I want to do is to win the match for my country. If people are chirping at me then I will give it back to them in a nice way. I like to take the game on and am not one of those cricketers who will just sit back and listen to the opposition. I want to be involved in the game and maybe that has had a hand in my success.
PP: The England players seemed to want to have a few exchanges with you. How did you feel about that?
IW: It’s just part of the game. The England players are a great bunch of guys and I respect them and they are playing for their country and they want to win a game of cricket for their country. The same goes for me, I want to desperately win for my country also. So it’s fine inside the ground and outside the ground they are very nice guys and to be honest I don’t really like to talk about cricket outside of the ground. It’s all good and nothing too malicious.
PP: There’s a swagger and confidence about you. You give the impression that you belong in international cricket.
IW: That confidence comes from within me. I think I was born like that. On the field I want to be involved in everything. I want to work hard. Success breeds confidence and if you watch the legends of the game, the likes of Viv Richards, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan they all had very positive body language. If you are confident enough you can achieve anything, but of course that confidence needs to be expressed in a good way and should not become overconfidence. My approach is that I want to win the game with either bat or ball or both if possible. I’m a naturally confident person in life in general and away from cricket. I want to take the game on and take on challenges and I have never backed down from any challenge that is in front of me. Win or lose, you have to be brave enough to step up and grab any opportunity in front of you. READ: Pakistan vs West Indies: Imad Wasim enters record books
PP: For some you are a bowler who only takes wickets when the opposition batsmen are looking to attack. What do you say to this kind of remark?
IW: Whoever is saying that I respect their opinion as I always take criticism in a positive way. That person is saying what they are for my benefit and I’m glad that some people are making this observation and obviously it’s something I will look at and rectify. But whatever is happening right now things are going in the right direction and I want that to continue. Obviously people will criticise but what’s more important is that you take this criticism in a positive way. I do respect in equal measure the people who praise me and criticise me.
PP: With expectations comes pressure. Do you feel that you are capable of handling the ever increasing pressure on you?
IW: I have to satisfy myself with my performances before I try to satisfy others. My expectations for myself are very high so my aim is to ensure that I satisfy myself with my performances before worrying about satisfying others. What I have done so far in my performances counts for nothing; it’s the future that matters. What matters is that I give my 100 per cent, work hard, stay loyal to my cricket and the results will come. I want to be part of a team that brings consistency to Pakistan cricket as we have been labelled unpredictable in the past and that is a tag we want to remove.
PP: You are becoming a regular pick in Twenty20 leagues around the world. How is playing in those leagues helping you as a cricketer?
IW: When I went to play in the Caribbean Premier League someone asked me about my aims and I said I am not here for the money. What I am here for is to learn and to improve as a cricketer and to learn about the conditions and to share a dressing room with some of the best players in the world. Every time I play in one of these leagues my aim is to adapt to the conditions and to learn. Money can come and go so it’s not about the money, it’s about learning and improving. I’m lucky enough to have been picked by some of the teams in various leagues but the best part is that I am learning which is helping me to develop as a cricketer.
PP: Is playing County Cricket a target in future?
IW: Yes, I am interested. Hopefully an offer will come up and if I am available I would definitely like to give it a go. I intend to play County Cricket and also feature in leagues around the world like the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), The Big Bash and others.
PP: As a young Pakistani cricketer it must be frustrating that regular matches against India are not possible?
IW: Yes, absolutely. These are massive matches for both countries and if you manage to win such a game for your country you become a hero which would be a huge achievement. I think given that these matches are such a rarity they become huge when they do actually happen. No doubt when the time comes for me to play against India I will be pumped up. There are a lot of top-class cricketers in India and it’s a challenge that I am looking forward to in future if I am selected.
PP: We’ve seen many Pakistani players make a great start to their international career and then lose their way. What’s to say you won’t be one of those players?
IW: I have waited ten years for a chance to play for Pakistan and I am not going to let it go easily; that’s for sure. I am going to do everything in my power to not just stay in the Pakistan team but also to make a name for myself and make my country proud.
PP: You’ve made a good start to your international cricket career in the Limited-Overs formats. Is Test cricket on your radar?
IW: Ask any cricketer and it’s their dream to play Test cricket for their country. Test cricket is the ultimate test for any cricketer and it tests your mental approach. Playing Test cricket is the only goal a player can have. But, I don’t rush things and if the selectors and coach and captain want me to play Test cricket I will give my all. If I am not selected I don’t mind as it’s something that is out of my hands or in my control. I will just continue to work hard and carry on playing in the formats I am picked for and in domestic cricket.
Pakistan vs West Indies, day-night Test: Yasir Shah’s ‘incredible’ athleticism ends Darren Bravo’s ‘Marathon innings’
How often do we see a veteran cricketer, or a bowler flying in the air to cup a catch? Well, it is rare, and when it comes to a team like Pakistan, it is an oddity.
| Updated : October 20, 2016 7:04 AM
Yasir Shah calimed a fifer in the first innings © Getty Images
How often do we see a veteran cricketer, or a bowler flying in the air to cup a catch? Well, it is rare, and when it comes to a team like Pakistan, it is an oddity. Pakistan have never been a side who inspire confidence with their fielding. In fact, over the years, they have been one of the worst fielding sides in world cricket. But the second ever Day-Night Test between Pakistan andWest Indies in the UAE saw some extra-ordinary fielding by the hosts. Yasir Shah’s fielding was astonishing while Misbah-ul-Haq corroborated the belief that age is just a number.
The first Test went down the wire, with Pakistan winning the nail-biting encounter by 56 runs after West Indies returned from the dead riding on Devendra Bishoo’s stellar performance. Bishoo recorded his finest performance in Test cricket with figures of 8 for 49, which were also the fifth-best figures by a West Indian in an innings in the history of Test cricket. His stellar performance helped his side dismantle Pakistan for a mere score of 123 in the second innings and opened the game for both the sides. West Indies now had a target of 346 runs to be chased with a session and a day left.
West Indies had a mountain to climb in front of them as Pakistan had a formidable bowling attack and have done well in the recent times. Confronting Yasir Shah on a fifth day wicket is always a valiant task and Darren Bravo was certainly having other ideas as he came out fighting. Despite losing wickets at the other end, Bravo stood at the other end like a rock and was unhindered due to external pressure,. He showed hawk-like attention and was as alert as a deer. He realised his need to bide time against the new ball and did everything right on a difficult surface.
Bravo was playing a marathon innings and was battling it hard to carry his team over the line. As long as he was out there in the middle, every West Indies fan knew the match was in their hands. But Yasir did something out of the box to pull curtains on his innings. Bravo was playing on 116 and had already faced 248 deliveries, which contained 10 boundaries and six. In those 248 deliveries, which he faced, he hardly put a foot wrong and did not lose his wicket. And it was evident that Pakistan had to do something unusual to scalp his wicket.
West Indies needed 83 more runs to win with a well-set Bravo and Jason Holder at the crease, when Yasir was putting in the hard yards. The match at this position looked in the visitors’ hands as Bravo was engineering the run chase and was doing a commendable job with the bat. He was dedicated and the level of determination was on a different level. Pakistan were running out of options and needed a breakthrough. On the final delivery of the 95th over, Yasir bowled his stock delivery, which is a leg-spinner and invited Bravo to drive. The southpaw went for it without getting to the pitch of the ball and unfortunately his bat twisted in his hands. The ball went flying towards the left of Yasir, who in no time went flying to it and cupped it with both the hands. The whole stadium including his teammates was stunned by this valour effort as Bravo dejectedly walked towards the pavilion.
It was a beautiful delivery from Yasir, and more importantly some incredible athleticism for a player of his age. This was probably the final nail in the coffin as a victory for Pakistan was just a matter of time. Yasir earned accolades for his efforts and Bravo was hailed for his magnificent resistance. Moments later, Misbah-ul-Haq exhibited fantastic fitness by running out Miguel Cummins while fielding at covers. He caught the ball and charged towards the stumps to help his side inch a step closer towards a splendid victory.
Pakistan eventually won the game as West Indies fell short by 56 runs. Without a doubt, this catch by Yasir will go down as one of the best by a bowler in the history book as it virtually ended West Indies’ hopes of winning the Test.
NCA: Talent Hunt Program (Spin Wizards, Tall & Fast) in Remote Areas
OCT 20,2016
PCB is always keen to conduct various programs for young players in Remote Areas for promotion of the game of cricket through out the country.
In this connection, NCA is conducting a Talent Hunt Program for Fast Bowlers and Spinners in the remote areas as per following details:
Sr.
Venue
Date
Covering Area
i.
Bugti Stadium, Quetta
26th & 27th October 2016
Baluchistan
ii.
PCB Cricket Ground, Sukkur
02nd & 03rd November 2016
Interior Sindh
iii.
Mirpur Cricket Stadium, Mirpur
06th & 07th November 2016
AJK
iv.
Narul Cricket Ground, Muzzafarabad
06th & 07th November 2016
AJK
v.
Islamia Cricket Academy, Peshawar
10th & 11th November 2016
FATA & Peshawar
Mr. Mudassar Nazar, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed, Mr. Ijaz Ahmed, Mr. Ali Zia will conduct these trials along with NCA Elite Panel Coaches and Regional Coaches at each venue to select overall around 30 talented players for a 2 weeks Skill Development Camp at Multan HPC in December 2016.
The interested players must be between the age of 17 to U–21 years. The players must show their original B-Form/ID Card at the time of registration to be eligible for trials.
India vs New Zealand: Time to invoke the winning spirit
On a tour which has gone only downhill, New Zealand must find a way to reverse fortunes in the 2nd ODI.
New Delhi | Published:October 20, 2016 2:18 am
Kane Williamson’s team is yet to win a match on India tour. (Source: AP)
On most days of the week, Feroz Shah Kotla, the fort, is a forgotten place. Few care to bother the man behind the ticket counter who dozes off to the whirr of the table fan and the hum of the flies. Once past the wrought iron gate, you may run into a bunch of kids from the nearby madrasa playing cricket, or spot a stray couple in search of privacy – but that, generally, is about it. No tourists. However, on one day out of seven, Thursday, the phlegmatic city warms up to Kotla. Hundreds flock from different parts of the Capital armed with incense sticks, oil lamps and all manner of wishes – jobs, love, offsprings, you name it. They devoutly place them before the jinns they believe inhabit the darkest bowels of these ruins. It’s their unshakable faith that an impassioned prayer from a pure heart will be answered.
It’s Thursday on October 20. All roads will lead to Feroz Shah Kotla, the stadium, where India are scheduled to play New Zealand in the second One-Day International of the five-match series. Perhaps, a set of foreign ‘tourists’ will do well to have their luxury coach pulled over a little before the ground, in front of the fort, and seek the jinns’ blessings as a last resort.
The Blackcaps have tried almost everything cricketing over the course of the wretched one month that has gone incrementally worse. Might as well seek some otherworldly intervention.
Feroz Shah Kotla was where New Zealand’s harrowing journey began last month. They criss-crossed north India – Delhi-Kanpur-Kolkata-Indore-Dharamshala – but all along Kane Williamson & Co. must have felt they were heading one way: down. In the warm-up match against Mumbai here, they were decidedly the second-best team. They proceeded to lose by 197 runs in Kanpur, by 178 runs in Kolkata and by 321 runs in Indore.
While, the visitors were competitive in patches, the long-format drubbing wasn’t surprising – facing India at home is arguably the toughest challenge in Test cricket. However, New Zealand were expected to put up an improved performance in the ODIs. Their white-ball record in recent times has been impressive, if not formidable. And India were without the services of at least six first-choice players, unavailable either due to injury or rest. Importantly, from New Zealand’s point of view, the two Rs – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja – who tormented their batsmen in the Tests were missing.
Who, then, would have foreseen that New Zealand would be seven down for 65, done in primarily by the debutant all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the innocuous off-spin of the part-timer Kedar Jadhav. If not for Umesh Yadav, who spilled a simple Tim Southee offering in the deep, the day-nighter would likely have ended before dusk.
“The Indians bowled well in Dharamshala to start off. Especially their seamers. They set the tone, managed to get us down to four in first 10 over. They are a quality side and they are putting a lot of pressure on us at the moment and at the moment we don’t have the answers for their questions,” New Zealand pacer Trent Boult reasoned ahead of the second match when asked if the visitors’ scars from the Tests’ mauling hadn’t healed.
Indeed, India’s seamers were good, but by no means unplayable. It indicates that what had begun as a trial by spin and essentially a test of skill, appears to have transformed into a full-blown mindset issue. Indian fans would recognise these symptoms. They have such self-doubts creep into their team on many a foreign tour. For instance in 2011-12, India didn’t win a single international match on tour of England and, later, were whitewashed in the Tests in Australia and finished last in the subsequent Commonwealth Bank tri-series.
Like that miserable summer in England, where no Indian batsman save Rahul Dravid stepped up, New Zealand’s batting, too, has largely been a one-man affair. Apart from the opener Tom Latham, who has scored a half century in each of the five matches, including the practice match, few others have put their hands up consistently.
Martin Guptill has been a monumental disaster. Luke Ronchi flourished initially but floundered as the tour progressed. Even the usually reliable Kane Williamson, who sat out the Kolkata Test due to fever, has found that the body recovers faster than the mind. His lack of runs and New Zealand’s concurrent travails have brooked harsh comparisons with ex-skipper Brendon McCullum.
“Kane is a classy player and has been ranked as a top batsman for a reason. In a way, he has had pretty tough time walking into the role of captaincy. It has been a learning experience for the whole team to be honest. The way Brendon led the team, I don’t think anyone could do it as well as he did it. He set his own tone, we all know what kind of explosive batsman, he is,” Boult said, answering a question on the duo’s captaincy styles.
This pitting of the former skipper and the incumbent is a bit curious because as recently as seven months ago, on these very shores, Williamson was being universally hailed as the ideal successor to the inspirational McCullum after he had led the team into the World T20 semifinals. Those comparisons may yet die a quick death if Williamson comes into his own at Kotla tomorrow. It was here that his team’s unbeaten run in the World T20 ended. He would hope the venue snaps their losing streak, too. For that to happen, however, New Zealand would need to summon their fighting spirit. And at Kotla, they say, spirits wake up easily on Thursday.
Hardik Pandya has freedom to play the way he wants, says India coach Anil Kumble
Anil Kumble feels Hardik Pandya has shown the potential of an all-rounder that team India has been searching for.
New Delhi | Updated: October 20, 2016 8:45 am
Hardik Pandya shared the new-ball with Umesh Yadav in the 1st ODI and clinched three New Zealand wickets. (Source: AP)
Hardik Pandya, who bagged the man of the match award on his debut in the first ODI in Dharamsala, will enjoy the freedom to bat and bowl without having to worry about following ‘definite plans’, India coach Anil Kumble said on Wednesday. Pandya shared the new-ball with Umesh Yadav and had taken three wickets to leave New Zealand tottering at 5 for 48. The all-rounder can give the ODI unit the right balance, the coach believed.
“He is someone who gives us the right balance because not only can he bowl but he can bowl at a decent pace as well. He really bowled well in the first game with the new ball and that is something MS (Dhoni) wanted Hardik to try. He came off with the Man of the Match in his first game and that should give him a lot of confidence,” Kumble said.
The team has been searching for an all-rounder who is not a flash in the pan and can consistently contribute and Kumble feels Hardik has shown the potential in the limited opportunities he has got. “Like I mentioned, all-rounders who can run in and bowl quick and also bat are certainly an asset. He has the potential and has showed his potential in the limited opportunities he has got. With him giving us seven to 8 overs and sometimes 10, it gives us the balance.”
Kumble said that the team’s approach would be to allow Hardik to play with complete freedom because it was too early to burden the 23-year-old with expectations. For someone who is starting his international career we don’t want to burden him with definite plans or tell him what is expected of him. Hardik can bowl with freedom. The moment you put pressure it does not work. The same is with the batting. He has all the freedom to play the way he wants to play rather than how you want him to play.”
West Indies will come down hard on us: Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur
Pakistan a are leading the series 1-0, but Mickey Arthur urged his team not to lose their edge ahead of second Test.
Abu Dhabi | Updated: October 20, 2016 1:30 am
Mickey Arthur said Pakistan allowed the West Indies to claw their way back in the Test. (Source: File)
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur expects a strong response from the West Indies in the second Test in Abu Dhabi after the tourists came close to pulling off a remarkable comeback in Dubai.
Pakistan were forced to ward off a challenge from Darren Bravo, whose pugnacious 116 gave the West Indies hopes of an upset before ultimately losing by 56 runs in the last hour on the fifth and final day.
That gave Pakistan a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but Arthur urged his team not to lose their edge ahead of Friday’s second Test.
“I think West Indies will come down hard on us considering their exceptional fight in Dubai,” Arthur told AFP.
“I am really impressed with their fight and Bravo was outstanding so we have to play exceptionally well next Test.”
Pakistan had amassed 579 for 3 declared in their first innings, with opener Azhar Ali smashing 302 not out, but were then dismantled by leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo whose 8-49 bundled them out for a mere 123 second time round.
Arthur said Pakistan allowed the West Indies to claw their way back in the Test, just the second ever day-night Test played with a pink ball.
“I am disappointed with the batting in the second innings,” said Arthur. “We allowed West Indies to come back into the game but sometimes it’s good that you learn and make sure that it doesn’t happen again,” he said.
Arthur, formerly coach of his native South Africa and Australia, said he was satisfied with the progress of the team.
“I am confident that if we keep growing and keep learning then it’s good,” said Arthur, who replaced former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis as coach in May this year.
“We have won 10 games since the Cardiff match (ODI) and if you include the Test at The Oval that is in three different formats and that gives you confidence, and players are learning and that’s a real good feeling in the dressing room,” said Arthur.
“Amir key to future”
Arthur said fast bowler Mohammad Amir — who returned to international cricket in January after a five-year ban for spot-fixing — has a role to play in all formats.
“His return has been steady and I think he is getting better and better. His pace was up and I am comfortable that he is going to play a massive role going forward,” Arthur said of Amir, who took 3-63 in the second innings in Dubai.
Arthur also said Pakistan are improving their fitness, an area regarded as the weakest at international level. “I am really happy with the fitness of the players,” said Arthur. “We still have a lot of work to do and that’s good.”
The coach added that selection headaches, with a number of players waiting on the sidelines, could serve the team well.
“It’s excellent for any team that you have a good bench strength. We want competition to be created within the team because it’s challenging the players and I don’t want comfort zones in the team, so we are heading in the right direction.”
The third and final Test will be played in Sharjah from October 30-November 3.
Virat Kohli is my good friend on and off the field: Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli had a verbal duel during the 2013 IPL match between their respective teams KKR and RCB.
| New Delhi | Published:October 18, 2016 8:02 pm
Gautam Gambhir said his characteristics are similar to Virat Kohli. (Source: Reuters)
Out-of-favour India opener Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday said both he and current India Test captain Virat Kohli are aggressive individuals who are passionate about cricket. Gambhir said his characteristics are similar to Kohli and both of them share a common goal, i.e to give their best for their respective teams on the field.
“When you are playing against an opposition you want to go out there and win a game and for that you have to be aggressive. As a leader you want your team to play as you are. Both of us are aggressive and passionate individuals and want to do well for our respective teams,” Gambhir said.
“Even if we have difference of opinion there is nothing wrong in it. We both have same ambition that is to make our country proud and try to win each and every game as possible and try to contribute in the team’s success. There is nothing personal about it.
“This is what professional people do. We are pretty good friends on and off the field,” he told NDTV.
Gambhir and Kohli had a verbal duel during the 2013 IPL match between their respective teams — Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Bangalore Challengers.
Also this year, Gambhir had apparently kicked a chair during the celebration of KKR’s victory over Kohli’s RCB and was later fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching the Indian Premier League (IPL) Code of Conduct.
In the wake of the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan, Gambhir said he is completely against playing the troubled neighbouring country until and unless they stop killing innocent Indians across the border.
“Not at all. I cannot think about playing Pakistan. Life of people of this country is far more important than any sports or any other thing,” the left-handed opener said.
“I am talking as an Indian and not as as a cricketer. I believe we should not have any ties or relationship with Pakistan. For me it is very important to protect out people,” Gambhir concluded.
We should have no ties with Pakistan, says Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir said India should not have any ties with neighbours until the time cross-border terrorism stops.
New Delhi | Updated: October 18, 2016 5:16 pm
Gautam Gambhir returned to India whites in the recently concluded three-match series against New Zealand. (Source: PTI)
India opener Gautam Gambhir has “endorsed” that India should not have any ties with Pakistan until cross-border terrorism stops. Gambhir feels there is a need to empathise with people who lose their family members on the border.
“I absolutely endorse that we should have no ties with Pakistan until the time this cross-border terrorism finishes, because I feel that people absolutely need to put themselves in the shoes of those who’ve lost their kids, someone who’s lost their father, son or husband,” Gambhir told Times Now on Tuesday.
Gambhir further feels that there should be no cricketing ties with the neighbours, and no Bollywood connection whatsoever.
“Obviously I can say this sitting in an AC room, that we should not play or whatever, that cricket should not be compared with politics, Bollywood should not be compared with politics, but people who’ve lost their loved ones obviously feel … if you ask them, you’ll get the answer.”
Indian cricketer’s statements come after voices for a ban on ties with Pakistan getting louder. BCCI president Anurag Thakur, last month, also said that there was no question of playing cricket with the arch-rivals.
“So I totally endorse that until the time we don’t secure our own Indians, our own countrymen, all other things can be kept aside. I totally ensure that we should not have any relationship with Pakistan until cross-border terrorism is over,” Gambhir added.
Suresh Raina ruled out of India’s second ODI against New Zealand in New Delhi
Suresh Raina led Uttar Pradesh in the team's Ranji Trophy opener against Madhya Pradesh last week but did not come out to bat.
New Delhi | Published:October 18, 2016 7:40 pm
Suresh Raina last played an ODI for India in October, 2015. (Source: File)
Suresh Raina is set to miss the second ODI for India against New Zealand in New Delhi as the left-hander “requires more time to recover” from viral fever. Raina had also missed the series opener in Dharamsala but the Indian cricket team hasn’t named any replacement for the southpaw yet.
Raina is yet to play an ODI for the country since October 2015 and New Zealand series could well have been the perfect stage to return to form.
Raina was dropped for the ODIs in Australia and the limited-overs tour of Zimbabwe earlier this year besides the two-match T20 series against the West Indies in USA.
Raina led Uttar Pradesh in the team’s Ranji Trophy opener against Madhya Pradesh last week but did not come out to bat. Uttar Pradesh ended up suffering an innings and 64 run defeat at the hands of Madhya Pradesh.
Having swept the Test series 3-0, India are 1-0 up in the five-match ODI series against New Zealand. The hosts won the series opener in convincing fashion, and Hardik Pandya (3/31) and Virat Kohli (85*) played a crucial role in team’s emphatic win.
