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Nerveless bowling from Shahid Afridi kick-started Hampshire’s hopes of a seventh successive Natwest T20 Blast Finals Day

ECB Reporters Network02-Jun-2016
ScorecardShahid Afridi’s spell was key in Hampshire’s victory•Getty Images

Nerveless bowling from Shahid Afridi kick-started Hampshire’s hopes of a seventh successive Natwest T20 Blast Finals Day. Afridi’s of 3 for 33, including the key wicket of Daniel Bell-Drummond, and a rapid 21 helped his new county to a nine-run victory over Kent.After being put in by Kent captain Sam Northeast, Michael Carberry got Hampshire going with a firm cut to the boundary before hooking Matt Coles fine for another four.Skipper James Vince, released by England to play in both this game and against Glamorgan on Friday, beautifully drove former academy pal David Griffiths to the point ropes. But the fast bowler had the last laugh as Vince tamely cut to Blake at cover.Jimmy Adams carted the first Ageas Bowl maximum of the season, pinged way over midwicket. Carberry joined the six hitting party with a huge slog sweep as the hosts reached 47 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay, and Griffiths boasting impressive two over figures of 1 for 5.The end of the fielding restrictions slowed Hampshire up, as Adams was caught on the deep-square leg boundary by Fabian Cowdrey – only 11 more runs coming before the halfway point.After being on the receiving end of a Coles beamer, Adam Wheater was caught at third man – a full 180 degrees from where he aimed the shot. The wicket gave the Ageas Bowl fans their first viewing of Afridi, and he did not disappoint as he carved a four through the off side before skipping down the track to boom one to the fence.The Pakistan allrounder upped the run rate to reignite hopes of setting a defendable score, putting on 40 with Carberry before being bowled by Cowdrey swinging wildly. Carberry had gone about his work quietly reaching a solid fifty from 49 balls – but the glue of the innings departed after firing to the long-on boundary.Sean Ervine scooped behind first ball before Darren Sammy, on his first appearance since captaining the West Indies to the World T20, skewed a six off his legs. Sammy and Liam Dawson accelerated Hampshire to 158 for 8, although both found fielders in the final over.Bell-Drummond rode his luck in the early stages of the chase: firstly Gareth Andrew thought he had him caught behind but the umpire adjust the leg-side ball to have flicked the hip. Then Ervine dropped a chance running in from the rope, before Bell-Drummond survived a close run out chance.But that only encouraged Bell-Drummond as he confidently took himself to a half-century from 43 deliveries – which included a sumptuous straight drive off Tino Best.Around him, Dawson bowled Denly for 31 just before the 10-over point, and then Afridi stood arms and legs stretched as he knocked over Northeast.Sam Billings, on his IPL return, was lbw to Gareth Berg but Darren Stevens entered the fray and slogged Dawson for a six and then a four. Sammy got his first scalp of the campaign having the veteran Stevens leg before, before Alex Blake chipped a slower ball back to him next ball.Bell-Drummond, who had done an identical role to Carberry, was finally stumped by a sharp piece of keeping by Wheater as Afridi came alive; the next ball Coles slogged straight into the hands of Dawson.Andrew had Cowdrey pinned down lbw and Best knocked over James Tredwell’s middle stump. Griffith smashed a six but Berg had the last laugh as he forced an edge and a stunning catch behind the stumps made sure Hampshire were the victors.

The BCB’s bowling action review committee will assess the suspected bowling actions of at least 13 bowlers who were reported during this season’s Dhaka Premier League

Mohammad Isam25-Jun-2016The BCB’s bowling action review committee will assess the suspected bowling actions of at least 13 bowlers who were reported during this season’s Dhaka Premier League. The committee’s head, Jalal Yunus, said that they will also bring an expert from Cardiff Metropolitan University, which is one of ICC’s accredited testing centres for suspect bowling actions.The committee was formed during last Sunday’s board meeting, three months after BCB president Nazmul Hassan had said that they will weed out illegal bowling actions from domestic cricket in wake of the suspensions of Taskin Ahmed and Arafat Sunny, during the World T20 in March.

Bowlers to be sent for re-modelling actions

• Mustafizur Rahman – right-arm offspinner

• Moinul Islam – left-arm spinner

• Amit Kumar – left-arm spinner

• Rejaul Karim – left-arm spinner

• Sharifullah – right-arm offspinner

• Asif Ahmed – right-arm offspinner

• Naeem Islam jnr – left-arm spinner

• Faisal Hossain – left-arm spinner

• Sanjit Saha – right-arm offpinner

• Mohammad Saifuddin – right-arm seamer

In the first week of the DPL, six bowlers were reported by the umpires – Naeem Islam jnr, Faisal Hossain, Moinul Islam, Rejaul Karim, Amit Kumar, and offspinner Mustafizur Rahman, who was reported twice. They, along with several others, will be tested next month, after the Eid vacations.”We have a meeting on Tuesday to decide the committee’s modus operandi,” Yunus said. “At least 13 to 14 bowlers have been reported during this Dhaka Premier League. We will start working with them after Eid. We will assess their bowling actions in the nets. Omar Khaled was a former spinner and Dipu Roy Chowdhury and Golam Faruk are former pace bowlers who will work according to their areas. If we find deviation in their bowling through the naked eye and cameras, we will have to rectify them.”Afterwards, if we see the correction is consistent, they can play in next year’s league. If they are reported again, they will be banned for a year. We will work with bowlers in the NCL, BCL, BPL, the Dhaka Premier League, Dhaka First Division and Second Division and age-group.”Yunus said they are in touch with the ICC for technological assistance and have also contacted the Cardiff centre for personnel to be sent to Dhaka to guide the committee, which will also invite local bowling coaches to help out with the process. He, however, said that the BCB doesn’t plan to build a testing centre of its own just yet.”We are not experienced at reviewing a bowling action, so we will bring an outside expert. We will need a dedicated space because this process also requires technological assistance. We have a long gap now and we are now well-equipped to tackle this issue.”Building a lab within ICC’s protocol is going to be very expensive. We want to start with minimum costs. We have written to the ICC for technical assistance. We are also hoping to bring experts from Cardiff on a temporary basis,” he said.Meanwhile, the second bowing action tests of Sunny and Taskin will be completed before Bangladesh’s international commitments begin in October, against England at home. Yunus said that the actions of both bowlers were video-taped during the DPL, and will now be assessed by the Bangladesh’s coaching staff.”Arafat Sunny and Taskin Ahmed are not within our jurisdiction. The national team’s management is working with them. Their rehab is ongoing,” Yunus said. “Their videos from the Dhaka Premier League will be assessed soon, and if it is satisfactory and we are fully confirmed, they will go for a second bowling action test and it will be before the next international assignment.”

BCCI and WICB officials are confident of securing US visas in time for their respective squads to go ahead with the proposed T20 series in Florida next month

Peter Della Penna29-Jul-2016BCCI and WICB officials are confident of securing US visas in time for their respective squads to go ahead with the proposed T20 series in Florida next month. A source with knowledge of the negotiations between the two boards, which took place at the Central Broward Regional Park (CBRP) on Thursday, said that the series is “98% on”.The tentative plan, it is understood, is to hold two T20s on August 27 and 28, following the negotiations in Florida that involved BCCI general manager MV Shridar and WICB commercial manager Nelecia Yeates. Discussions are also believed to involve staging a return visit by both sides in 2017.For now, the 2% hold-up on finalising the August series is based on multiple factors, including the visa status of players. However, multiple sources have confirmed that the BCCI has already submitted names, photographs and documents for their intended T20 squad to the US Embassy in Jamaica, where the second Test is due to start on Saturday.There is a sense of urgency to get expedited visas approved for India’s dual Test and T20 players at the US Embassy in Jamaica because there is no US Embassy in St Lucia, the venue of the third Test. All US consular affairs in St Lucia are handled by the US Embassy in Barbados. By waiting to file the visa applications until the team gets to Trinidad for the fourth Test, it would leave just a over a week to finalise other logistical aspects with no guarantee that the players’ visas will be approved.Aside from the visas, the WICB also needs to get approval from the ICC to host matches in the USA, though that is a formality with the ICC eager to facilitate as much cricket as possible within the country. ICC chief operating officer Iain Higgins is currently in Florida for the CPL matches and is expected to rubber stamp approval once an application is submitted.A contract will also need to be arranged with the CBRP and Broward County for stadium rental fees. That may also include paying a fee to accommodate the shifting of an event previously scheduled for August 28 at the stadium. The BCCI is determined to play the matches on a Saturday and Sunday to capitalise on the US expat market, enabling fans to fly into Florida for the weekend.The start times may also shift at the behest of the BCCI. The CPL matches taking place at the CBRP this week include local start times of 7 pm on the two week nights, and 12 pm and 4 pm doubleheaders for the weekend. The BCCI is pushing for the two T20Is to have a 10 am local start in Florida, which is 7.30 pm in India, allowing a prime-time audience and maximising TV revenue.One more piece in the puzzle is the ground capacity. The capacity for the CPL has been capped at 10,000, but the CBRP is capable of bringing in more temporary bleachers to hold as many as 20,000 people. The BCCI is angling for the capacity to be maxed out, confident that they can generate two sellouts and maximise gate revenue.Among the other details to be ironed out are the ticket-pricing policy as well as broadcast rights. Pending the approval of the players’ visas along with the other logistical details, the two proposed matches may not be finalised until sometime next week.

Andrew McGlashan09-Aug-2016Alex Hales has realised he must remain his own man as he tries to cement his position at the top of England’s batting order rather than trying to copy anyone else.Earlier in the series at Old Trafford, the television coverage picked up that Hales had made an adjustment to his technique between the first and second innings. Hales revealed that had come from watching Joe Root during his double century, but he said that the tweaks, which involved trying to replicate Root’s trigger movements at the crease, did not feel natural to him.Instead, he went and worked with Peter Moores, the former England coach who is now a batting consultant with Nottinghamshire, and returned to trusting his own methods.Hales made 54 in the game-changing opening stand of 126 with Alastair Cook in the second innings at Edgbaston, which was his first significant contribution of the series, but he is still waiting for the maiden Test century which would make him the first Englishman to make hundreds in all three formats.”Watching Rooty bat in the first innings [at Old Trafford], the way he moves his feet around the crease, got me thinking about little adjustments in my game. Second innings, I tried to give it a go and it wasn’t something I was comfortable with,” Hales said.”In between Tests I did a lot of work with Peter Moores. Trying to copy other players isn’t being true to yourself. I made some improvements after South Africa and just because you get a couple of good balls doesn’t mean you should go away from what you have done well in the past.”So I did a bit of alignment work, sticking to the basics of trigger and head movements, some adjustments to the left-armers, but sticking to what has brought me success in the past.”Despite four half-centuries this season, Hales has not quite done enough to end the debate about Alastair Cook’s opening partner. After ten Tests he has 555 runs at 29.21, a difficult start in South Africa being followed by an encouraging display against Sri Lanka where he came close to a maiden hundred on three occasions.Against Pakistan’s higher-class of pace bowlers, however, he has again looked a little vulnerable. He has been caught behind or in the slips in five of his six innings in the series, while in the other was cleaned up by a classy Mohammad Amir inswinger in the first innings at Old Trafford.”The results I have had this series have not been what I’ve wanted, having got a couple of good balls and played a couple of rash shots, but the exciting thing for me is that I’m developing and learning. Keep doing that and enjoying myself and I will give myself the best chance,” he said. “I think the second innings at Edgbaston showed that, but at the same time it’s about scoring runs and getting results and I know I need to score more, particularly in this Test coming up.”It’s important in anyone’s career to get a century. I have given myself five opportunities with five half centuries but not gone on. I am learning and improving so hopefully the best is to come.”One of the curious dynamics of this series has been that Hales, perceived as more of a dashing batsman, has a strike-rate of 47.56 while Alastair Cook is blazing away at 76.20 (Cook’s ODI strike-rate was 77.13). The notion that Hales could be England’s David Warner was always ill-conceived and Hales is happy with how he is adjusting his game.”Something I’ve learnt is not to go out and bat with any preconceived ideas,” he said. “I don’t want to be a guy who is known for blocking it nor hitting it to all parts. You have to be adaptable to each situation. If they bowl well I want to be good enough to see it off and if they bowl poorly still have the intention to hit the bad balls. Just play the situation.”Another contrast between Hales and his opening partner is their sweating. Cook is famous for barely dropping a bead while Hales can barely keep his hands dry. It means the bowlers are desperate to keep the ball away from him when it starts to reverse, as it did so crucially on the final day at Edgbaston.”I stay well clear of it – if I know it’s coming my way I rub them on the floor to try and dry them out,” he said.Hales’ sweating is out of his hands. His chance to finish the Test season in convincing style is certainly not.

Mashrafe Mortaza produced a matchwinning all-round display, and Taskin Ahmed took three quick wickets, as Bangladesh squared the series by 34 runs

The Report by David Hopps09-Oct-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAll the major cricketing nations to visit Bangladesh in the past three years, with the exception of Sri Lanka, have discovered to their cost that they are far from the pushovers they once were. That truth is now painfully evident to England after a 34-run defeat in Mirpur in the second ODI that sets up a decider to the series in Chittagong on Wednesday.When Bangladesh set England 239 for victory, they knew they had a vaguely competitive, if unprepossessing, score, but surely even they could not have imagined that it would provide such a substantial winning margin. England’s 204 – bolstered by a last-wicket stand of 45 – could have been much lower.England’s cause was all but lost when Jos Buttler, their captain, became the seventh batsman out at 123, his serene resistance ended when he walked across his stumps against Taskin Ahmed and was given out lbw on review. After Bangladesh celebrated uproariously and Buttler took a drink of water before departing, something that was said riled him. He swung back in fury and was ushered away by the umpires. There were more words at end-of-match handshakes, England’s fury unabated. The match referee could well take an interest.That flare-up should not deflect attention from Mashrafe Mortaza’s rousing display. There have been many times in his long career when Mashrafe has seemed almost mashed-up, an allrounder of passion held together by desire and bandages, his follow-through often taking place in his mind only. But he was a potent force here, firstly to drag Bangladesh’s score to respectability with a rumbustious 44 from 29 balls at the death, roared in to take three top-order wickets and finally sealed victory by deceiving Jake Ball with a slower ball just as England dared to hope for a miracle.James Vince’s penchant for pretty off drives was again his undoing as Mashrafe nibbled one away to have him caught at backward point, Jason Roy played across a straight one and Ben Stokes was unhinged by a full inswinger which bowled him off his pads.Add Ben Duckett, who was bowled as Shakib Al Hasan turned one through the gate, and England ended the first Powerplay at 31 for 4 – their lowest 10-over score since they reinvented their 50-over cricket after a disastrous World Cup. Stokes, a century-maker in the first game, and Duckett, who had made a fifty on debut, had both fallen without scoring.Buttler was at his most serene. He cruised to his half-century at better than a run a ball, repeatedly advancing to the seamers, yet doing so with such smoothness that when he played the shot he appeared perfectly still and balanced. When he forced them to drop short, he preyed on the opportunity venomously.But what Mashrafe began, Taskin completed. His action was ruled illegal during the early stages of World T20 in India in March but he was cleared earlier this month and looks eager to make up for lost time.His first two overs leaked 19, but when he switched ends he found extra bounce and movement. Before Buttler’s dismissal, he dismissed the craggily-bearded Bairstow for 35, his drive flying through to Mushfiqur Rahim, a settling stand of 79 in 14 overs with Buttler ended. Afterwards, he had Chris Woakes caught at the wicket, trying to run one to third man. A spell of 3 for 11 in 11 balls turned the game. At 21, he looks a decent addition to Bangladesh’s pace stocks.Taskin Ahmed removed Jonny Bairstow in a three-wicket burst which changed the game•Getty Images

The pitch was a little slower and grippier than Friday’s surface, on which England made 309 and won by 21 runs. Nevertheless, Mashrafe faced a fading Bangladesh innings when he came to the crease at 169 for 7 with 8.2 overs remaining, the loss of Mahmudullah for 75 from 88 balls severely compromising their chances of putting England under pressure. His innings brought Bangladesh another 69 in a stand with Nasir Hossain until he was run out one ball from the end and cheered the outlook for a crowd that until then had watched events unfold with trepidation.Mahmudullah had been their only solace until then. He manoeuvred the ball skilfully in making 75 from 88 balls when he tried to paddle Adil Rashid and was lbw. His walk-off was arrested as he responded to calls to review the decision, but his initial suspicions proved well founded. Rashid’s ability to dismiss top-order batsmen is a source of debate, but he took the vital wicket here.England had chosen to bat in the first ODI, but Buttler, had indicated after the match that he felt he had made the wrong decision. Presented with an opportunity after winning the toss to switch tactics, he had a bowl. But by the end of the night, as the pitch became more uneven, it was tempting to contend that he had made the wrong decision twice.England’s pace attack responded to bowling in the heat of the day with a combative, disciplined display. The short ball soon dispensed with the openers. Imrul Kayes, after two hundreds in a week against the tourists, hauled a cutter from Woakes to Willey at deep square leg, just repositioned for the catch. Tamim Iqbal spliced Woakes into the ring.More than six years ago, Tamim announced himself to England with a century in an ODI in Dhaka. More runs followed in the Test series and when Bangladesh visited England that same year his reputation grew further with Test centuries at Lord’s and Old Trafford. Tamim was the representative, to England eyes, of all that was good about Bangladesh cricket, but that success has not been maintained and in his last eight matches against England in all formats he has failed to reach 50.Ball, fresh from five wickets on debut on Friday, struck in his first over as Sabbir Rahman, after making 3 from 21 balls, chopped on. Another pull shot, another wicket: Mushfiqur’s swivel well held by Moeen Ali, plunging forward at long leg. Shakib had a charmed life, almost chopping Ball onto his stumps, escaping a run out courtesy of Sam Billings’ inaccurate throw and then falling to Stokes when his glance off the hips was pouched by Buttler.Mahmudullah’s lone hand was staving off calamity, but it did not promise a competitive score. When he fell lbw to Rashid, who then ended Mosaddek Hossain’s innings with a long hop which was hauled to cow corner, Mashrafe, had little choice but to swing heartily and hope that luck fell his way.Two straight sixes off Moeen – the first of the innings – indicated his approach and prodigious strength, and minimal technique, came into play when he bludgeoned Willey over the ropes at long-on. “I just slog man,” he said later. But add his first four-wicket haul for eight years and it won the man-of-the-match award.Bilateral series are about as trendy these days as a Val Doonican CD, but the two matches in this series have been excellent, fought out with skill and fervour. England studied security advice and chose to tour Bangladesh and, with the entertainment at its height, the cricketing value of that decision was self-evident.

Allrounder Corey Anderson has been named in New Zealand’s ODI squad for the India tour and will play the five-match series as a specialist batsman, New Zealand Cricket announced on Monday

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-20160:53

Quick facts – Corey Anderson

Allrounder Corey Anderson has been named in New Zealand’s ODI squad for the five-match series in India, but he will play as a specialist batsman, New Zealand Cricket announced on Monday.New Zealand recalled batsman Anton Devcich and wicketkeeper BJ Watling to the side, while allrounder James Neesham, who made a return to the Test team after a long injury lay-off, was also picked. Tim Southee, who was ruled out of the Test series in India after straining an ankle ligament, found a place in the 15-member squad. Henry Nicholls, who is part of the Test squad in India, was left out.

NZ squad for India ODIs

Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling
In: Anton Devcich, Tom Latham, James Neesham, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling
Out: Brendon McCullum, Grant Elliott, Adam Milne, Henry Nicholls, Colin Munro

Anderson last played an international game for New Zealand during the World T20 in India, before a back injury ruled him out of the tours of Zimbabwe and South Africa. He played in three 50-over trial games in Lincoln last week but did not bowl. NZC selector Gavin Larsen said the allrounder’s rehab would continue to be monitored.”Corey’s professionalism throughout his rehab process has led to this point, and it’s a credit to him and the hard work he’s put in,” Larsen said. “We’re excited to have him back. He provides power through the middle order and knows the conditions in India well.”He’s still working on his bowling and we’ll continue to monitor that, but for this series he will be used solely as a specialist batsman.”Both Watling and Devich have not played ODIs for a significant period. Watling’s previous match in the format was in February 2013, while Devcich’s last international appearance was in December 2014.Watling was added to the squad as wicketkeeping and batting cover, Larsen said, while Devcich’s inclusion gave the side an extra spin option in India, complementing Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner.”India conditions are known to be quite harsh, so it’s really important that we have cover for all positions,” Larsen said. “Luke Ronchi and BJ Watling provide us with wicketkeeping and middle-order cover, while Anton is another spin option for us and can bat anywhere in the order.”The last time we played ODI cricket was in the Chappell-Hadlee series and victory there helped us reach the world no. 2 ranking. We obviously want to keep growing on that and this series is another massive challenge for us.”Fast bowlers Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne, batsman Colin Munro and allrounder George Worker were unavailable for selection due to injury. Milne, who underwent an elbow operation, had played the trial matches in Lincoln as a batsman, while McClenaghan was ruled out due to a pelvis injury.The first match of the ODI series will be played in Dharamsala on October 16, with the remaining games being held in Delhi, Mohali, Ranchi and Visakhapatnam. New Zealand are currently ranked No. 2 on the ICC ODI rankings, three points ahead of India, who are third.

Although it comes four months after the due date. The ICC said they were aware of the delay but have not immediately commented on the news of ZC’s finalised accounts

Firdose Moonda28-Oct-2016Zimbabwe Cricket is ready to submit its 2015 audit to the ICC, almost four months later than it was due. In accordance with ICC rules all Full Members must file an unqualified audit within six months of the end of its financial year. That was the end of June for ZC, but it has taken them until the end of October to finalise the audit.In a statement, ZC said it “was satisfied with the audit process and subsequently recommended the adoption of the audited accounts to the Special General Meeting (SGM). Delegates to the SGM, after considering the financial records, adopted the audited accounts.”The ICC confirmed they were aware of delays in ZC’s audit and that they were in regular communication with the board. However, the ICC did not immediately comment on the news of ZC’s finalised accounts.Three weeks ago, ESPNcricinfo reported that some members of the board had raised concerns about the figures in an initial audit, with particular scrutiny on US$5.2 million in tour expenses. The amount was thought to be inflated because most of Zimbabwe’s incoming tours were paid for in other ways.The accounts were rejected by ZC, and its auditors, HLB Zimbabwe, distanced themselves from the report saying they were still waiting for information from the board in order to complete the audit.ZC now claim to have “worked closely with its auditors who satisfactorily concluded the exercise.”

Australia’s revamped 12-man Test squad that won against South Africa in Adelaide has been retained for the first Test against Pakistan

Daniel Brettig07-Dec-2016Uncertainty over Shaun Marsh’s badly broken finger has ensured that Australia’s revamped Test squad was retained for the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba.The selectors had made sweeping changes after Australia’s crushing defeat in Hobart, where South Africa secured the series, and only six of the XI from that Test retained their places for the day-night Test in Adelaide. Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb and Nic Maddinson all made their debuts in Adelaide, where Australia picked up a consolation victory.Maddinson, who made 80 in a Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales this week, was thought he man most likely to make way in the event of Marsh returning to fitness. However Marsh was not considered as he continues rehabilitation after a broken finger suffered against South Africa in Perth.”Shaun has yet to resume batting and will have a follow-up x-ray this week that will be reviewed by a specialist,” the CA head of sports science Alex Kountouris said. “This will determine when he can resume cricket training.”It is believed that Marsh’s finger injury, a re-break suffered during the first Test after he initially fractured it in Sri Lanka, is of a more serious nature than initially thought. Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann conceded that Marsh would now need to prove his fitness via the Big Bash League – either for the Pakistan series or the tour of India next year, for which he is considered a vital component given a sound batting method against spin.”Fingers crossed. Hopefully he’ll be batting soon, the specialist will be seeing him this week and hopefully that goes well and he starts batting again,” Lehmann said. “He’s only got BBL to play. If he plays that and gets through he’ll be available for selection.”Usman Khawaja did it last year, he had a BBL game from a hamstring and that’s all we had to go on. As long as they can get through then they’re available.”Lehmann also said Marsh would be able to slot into a middle order role when fit, despite most recently playing as an opener alongside David Warner. “He did really well in Perth in the Test match for us opening, he scored a hundred for us opening but he’s had success down the order as well,” Lehmann said. “He’s one of those guys who can fit in anywhere in the top six which is pleasing to have. It depends on what happens with other positions.”The Gabba Test is also a day-night affair, and given Australia’s success in Adelaide and the desire for stability, there is every chance they will take an unchanged XI into a Test for the first time in more than a year. The only possible alteration would be if Adelaide 12th man Chadd Sayers came into contention, and he did his chances no harm by taking eight wickets in the Sheffield Shield this week.”We were very pleased with how the team came together in Adelaide after some significant changes following the Tests in Perth and Hobart,” the interim selection chairman Trevor Hohns said. “This is a young group with a lot of promise and we believe all deserve their opportunity again in this upcoming Test.”Of Australia’s debutants from the previous match, Maddinson in particular will be keen to prove his Test worth at the Gabba, having fallen for a 12-ball duck in his only innings of the Adelaide Test. Maddinson bounced back from that disappointment with 80 in the first innings for New South Wales this week in their Shield game against South Australia.The other Adelaide debutants, Handscomb and Renshaw, both enjoyed longer stays at the crease in their first appearance for Australia. Handscomb scored a half-century in the first innings and then hit the winning runs in the second, while Renshaw occupied the crease for 137 balls in Australia’s chase to help them secure victory.Squad David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.

The Gujarat bowling attack, without Jasprit Bumrah on national duty, combined well to dismiss defending champions Mumbai for 228 on the first day of the Ranji Trophy final in Indore

Shashank Kishore in Indore10-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:41

Kishore: Poor shot selection and running from Mumbai

Mumbai’s batting woes that have troubled them all season extended into the grand finale too. A mix of poor shots, shocking running and an umpiring howler resulted in Gujarat using the toss advantage in their favour to take the opening day honours in Indore.Twenty-two-year-old medium-pacer Chintan Gaja, who was drafted in for his third first-class game on the biggest stage in Indian domestic cricket, cracked open the game with the wickets of Shreyas Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav. RP Singh’s presence in the ears of the young pacer at mid-off proved why investing in him as a professional was a wise move. He picked up two wickets of his own to sustain pressure as Mumbai were bowled out for 228.Gujarat openers Samit Gohel, reprieved off the first ball by Prithvi Shaw at second slip, and Priyank Panchal were unscathed after a probing over from Shardul Thakur as Gujarat ended the day with the relief that their top two run-scorers of the season would need for the second day.It was their bowling performance without semi-final hero Jasprit Bumrah, away on national duty, on a surface with just about enough live grass to keep the bowlers interested, that edged them ahead. Rush Kalaria, deemed fit to play after injuring his shoulder in the semi-final, recovered after a wobbly first spell to maintain pressure in an intense second spell before tea, even though his figures of 20.5-5-66-1 didn’t present an accurate picture.But Gujarat’s bowling would not have been the day’s talking point had Shaw not been sold down the river by Suryakumar.
Shaw, the 17-year old opener who played attractive back-foot punches and flicks in his 71, froze after a poor call for a single towards cover left him with no option but to try and scamper an impossible run towards the striker’s end.Until that point though, he was a picture of confidence, even if his choice of strokes were a little off at times. Yet, he showed enough glimpses of why he could be a long-term opener. When the ball was pitched up, he showed how strong he was off the pads; when pitched short, he was deep in the crease to punch. This put the onus back on Gujarat after RP Singh trapped comeback man Akhil Herwadkar in the seventh over.Iyer, a pale shadow of the batsman who topped the run charts in 2015-16, tried to live up to his reputation of being an aggressor. Where patience was the need of the hour, it was this very trait that resulted in his downfall as he charged down the pitch and nicked an away-going delivery off Gaja to wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.1:28

‘RP has done terrific mentoring’ – Manprit Juneja

Shaw, let off first on 25 after a loose drive was fluffed by Samit Gohel at second slip, survived another chance at the bowler’s end while attempting a risky single to point. But two superbly-timed back-foot punches for four in three deliveries immediately after Iyer’s dismissal showed he was not playing the situation, but just reading the ball off the bowler’s hand; the fifty was brought up off just 56 deliveries.Suryakumar started slowly – he had just one scoring shot off 44 deliveries at one stage. After playing out 38 dot balls, he poked to get a thick edge for four through a vacant third slip. But he changed gears immediately after Shaw’s dismissal, the hurt of having to make up for his mistake bringing out the aggressor in him. What resulted was some clean hits down the ground, two of those immediately in the over that followed Shaw’s dismissal.Suryakumar was lucky to survive a close lbw appeal on 46 while shouldering arms to an indipper that hit him on the knee roll. But Gujarat didn’t have to wait long for a wicket as Hardik Patel struck. Aditya Tare played for the turn when there was none as an inside edge popped to first slip. When Suryakumar checked an attempted pull, only to be cramped for room as the ball flew to mid-off, Mumbai were in trouble at 169 for 5.When in trouble, Mumbai have often dialed Siddhesh Lad and Abhishek Nayar. At the best of times, both batsmen rely on wearing the bowlers down. Lad, who time and again has made vital contributions this season, played and left in equal measure until an attempted hook off the last ball before tea resulted in a strong appeal as it whizzed to Parthiv. Umpire Anil Chaudhary, perhaps drawn in by the nature of the appeal from RP Singh and company, took a couple of seconds before giving him out. However, replays suggested daylight between bat and ball.Nayar was unfazed and did what he usually does. He continued to soldier on in the hope of some support from the lower order. He found some support in Balwinder Sandhu for close to an hour, before Parthiv introduced part-time offspinner Rujul Bhatt, who struck off successive overs to send back Sandhu and Thakur. Nayar struck a few lusty blows after a mix-up with Vishal Dabholkar before being the last batsman to fall for 35 in an attempt to hit out and pocket useful runs off a tiring attack.

Zimbabwe’s domestic first-class competition has been postponed for a third time this season, with no confirmation of when fixtures may resume

Firdose Moonda12-Jan-2017Zimbabwe’s domestic first-class competition has been postponed for a third time this season, with no confirmation of when fixtures may resume. The four-team, 12-round tournament has only had one completed match so far after player strikes and non-payment of salaries. Now an unexplained postponement, ostensibly to concentrate on the the Zimbabwe Premier League, a 40-over club competition that was going to take place anyway, has got in the way of game time.In an email sent by Caesar Bond Nayoto, Zimbabwe Cricket’s manager of domestic cricket and game development, and seen by ESPNcricinfo, ZC have decided to “focus on the ZPL” and will circulate Logan Cup fixtures in “due course”.A source expected the competition to resume mid-February but admitted players were becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of game time.There has been no explanation given to players for the most recent postponement but it is known that it does not have anything to do with outstanding payments to players. Unlike earlier in the season, when provincial players from the Matabeleland Tuskers went on strike and forfeited their match over unpaid salaries, players have been paid. Rather, it is thought that logistical concerns from Zimbabwe Cricket’s side are preventing matches from getting underway.For Zimbabwe’s national players, the inaction is a major concern not least because they do not have any cricket scheduled until at least the middle of the year, when they are due to travel to Sri Lanka. That means they will likely only have a series or two in preparation for the 2019 World Cup qualifier, which takes place in Bangladesh in March 2018 and without regular game time, Zimbabwe fear they may miss out on the showpiece event.”The officials expect the team to do better than other teams but then give them the worst preparation,” an insider said. “For the players, at the moment it’s a case of training and running, playing a little bit and then just more training. They are frustrated.”National coach Heath Streak is planning a training camp for the players to compensate for the lack of the game time. Details are yet to be confirmed.The Logan Cup is scheduled to run until early May but the latest postponement could see it extend further into the Zimbabwean winter, unless some rounds are forfeited. If fixtures resume mid-February, the tournament could lose at least three rounds.