Category Uncategorized

Friendship and memories abound at unveiling of Richards-Botham Trophy

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Test greats become legends in their own lifetimes, even as news of Shane Warne’s death casts launch in strange light

Cameron Ponsonby07-Mar-2022Ian Botham is sitting next to old friend Viv Richards as they unveil the new Richards-Botham Trophy that England and West Indies will now compete for in Test cricket. And with a press conference, a photo-op, and a handshake, they have officially done it. They have been immortalised, not for the first time, in their own lifetimes.After the press conference, Richards is asked if part of his friendship with Botham was down to the fact that took their games to a level that only the other could relate to and understand.No, comes the answer. He was attracted to the person before the cricketer. That there was a magnetism about Botham. And that he, Botham, was like Richards.Yeah, geniuses attract other geniuses.In all, it’s a strange, if nice, event that celebrates the friendship between two men, and honours them as cricketers. It’s easy to roll your eyes at gestures that are meaningless in the greater scheme of things but, on an individual level, there’s no doubt it means a lot to the two men being honoured. An act that rekindles the fires behind two names that are greats of the game, not just among the best.And people love that stuff. In 2016, we named our club’s third XI trophy after a former player. It’s still his WhatsApp profile picture. It’s nice to do nice things.What’s more, Viv and Beefy’s relationship is worth celebrating as two people who found home comforts in someone from the other side of the world. They are each other’s Irish pub on the beachfront in Benidorm.”We made our first-class [County Championship] debuts together in 1974 against Lancashire at Taunton,” Botham says. “And that was really the start of what was, well, it was there already, but to take it to the levels that it did. He is the godfather to my son and you know it’s a special relationship and these things don’t come along very often.”The event celebrated a friendship, but it also mourned the loss of another, with the uncomfortable balance of two men being immortalised while addressing the death of a friend running throughout.Related

  • Our retro T20 XI? Sobers, Richards, Bradman… oh, wait

  • 1981: Botham, Willis, Brearley, magic

  • Why Headingley 1981 is a work of art

It was the press conference of one man (Botham) who had just lost a close friend and has unsurprisingly spent 48 hours thinking about what those around him really mean to him. And another (Richards) who was sitting next to a friend in mourning and wasn’t quite sure how to pitch it. Who really knows how to react in such circumstances.At one point Richards – who, as fate would have it, turns 70 today – made a joke about how the news about Shane Warne had him “checking my shoulder, you know – what’s coming next”.One person laughs. In fact, they find it hilarious. The rest of the room is trying to work out if they think it’s appropriate, let alone funny, but this guy is deep into a hero-worship laugh. The type your boss gets for saying, “oh, half-day is it?”, when a colleague walks in two minutes late.At one point, Botham is asked about the omission from the Test squad of Stuart Broad and James Anderson. And within an answer that eventually concludes that he thinks they will be back, he says, “Look, you move on. Time moves things on. You’ve got to look forward to the future and we can’t go on forever.”It’s a fine and sensible message. It’s just a bit of a peculiar one to emerge at a ceremony that is commemorating the past with a newly unveiled trophy, while at the same time celebrating a lifelong friendship and the memories of a recently deceased friend.And yet, there is a difference between living in the past and celebrating it. And through doing the latter, things do live on and legends and legacies remain. Otherwise, none of us would be here at the unveiling of the Richards-Botham Trophy. And that guy definitely wouldn’t have been laughing at Richards’ awkward joke.

Ross Taylor: 'All good things have to come to an end'

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Retirement hasn’t quite sunk in with the New Zealand batter focused on bouncing back from the Mount Maunganui defeat against Bangladesh

Alagappan Muthu07-Jan-2022Ross Taylor will soon be spending a lot less time on the cricket field and there’s at least one person who’s going to be fairly happy about that.”My daughter still hasn’t grasped the concept of five-day cricket yet. When I got out the other day she said, ‘Come on, Dad, let’s go home’.”Come Sunday, Taylor will be playing his final Test match of a career that began in 2007. He has seen great highs – hitting the runs that made New Zealand the first-ever Test world champions – and great lows, especially during a captaincy stint that went horribly wrong.”It doesn’t feel like it, my last game,” he said. “It hasn’t really dawned on me just yet. I suppose when you’ve still got one-dayers to go… if it was my last game full stop, then definitely it might feel a little bit different.”Related

  • 'Do the basics well and for a long period' – the plan that worked for New Zealand

  • New Zealand look to bounce back against joyous Bangladesh

  • Latham admits Bangladesh 'certainly outplayed us'

  • Bangladesh 'crossed all barriers to bring a wonderful win'

New Zealand will play Australia across three ODIs and three T20Is later this year. Perhaps that might be the time Taylor really figures out what it means to hang up those well-worn boots. For now, his focus is on bouncing back from 1-0 down against a fighting Bangladesh in Christchurch.”It’s all to play for here at a ground that we know well. I still think we’re learning how to play in the Mount,” he said. “But we know what to expect a lot more here than we did in the Mount (Maunganui), I think. It’s going to have bounce and carry the whole time. There’s going to be a lot of grass on it. It’s conditions that us batters are used to and I’m sure our bowlers are as well.”So, if we win the toss, we’re more often than not going to bowl and if you’re batting first, you’ve got to scrap through. Sometimes our lower order has got us out of trouble. So just trying to scrap to 200 can be well above par. We’ll just have to wait and see.”New Zealand have played eight Test matches at Hagley Oval. And they have lost only one of them. Mount Maunganui is a relatively newer ground which has hosted only three Test matches so far, and Ebadot Hossain, in particular, used it to throw up a challenge that, in Taylor’s estimation, they weren’t ready for.”They were patient, they brought the stumps into play, they made us hit straight down the ground and a lot of our players probably haven’t faced reverse swing for a majority of their careers,” he said. “It’s probably only been sporadic in the domestic circuit. And they bowled very well with it. Got it going both ways. But here, in Christchurch, the conditions will suit us a lot more than they probably did in the Mount.”So are things falling in place for a memorable Taylor farewell?”As a team, we definitely want to try and turn things around and send him off in a nice, positive way,” team-mate Devon Conway said. “It’s been a real honour to play alongside him even though it’s been sort of five Test matches for me personally but just to be in and around Ross in that change-room, it is an honour.”We spoke about it as the game ended in the Mount last week. We said we needed to try and bounce back and send him off on a positive note and try and remind him as to what he’s done throughout Test cricket.”The last New Zealand player who retired at Hagley Oval went off with a proper bang. Brendon McCullum exited the stage having struck the fastest hundred in all of Test cricket. What’s it like having to be his follow-up act?”Aw, jeepers – he’s set the bar very high,” Taylor said. “Jeepers! As I said, it’d just be good to have a win, I think. Get our first win of the summer under our belt. But in terms of being Bazesque, yeah, I don’t think there’s going to be many people who are going to be able to do what he did in his last match.”If there was one thing that Taylor did want from his final Test, it was to do well for his friends and family. “They’ve been a big part of my career today,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of the young kids that are in the side and I’ve been fortunate now that my kids are a bit older that they’ve been able to see me play, watch Dad go through the ups and downs and they’ve experienced a lot of things that I’m sure if it wasn’t for cricket they wouldn’t have been able to see. So yeah, it’s cool to have them here and hopefully we can turn up and play cool.”And will he miss the grind? “Oh 100%. But there’s aspects that I won’t miss as well,” Taylor said. “But, you know, all good things have to come to an end. I’m just looking forward to this Test match, then hopefully a few more one-dayers, and then on to the next chapter.”

Jhye Richardson confident for Test chance after weathering injury challenges

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The fast bowler could add to his two Test caps against England in the Ashes

AAP19-Nov-2021Jhye Richardson couldn’t help but doubt whether he would return to Australia’s Test squad during the past two and a half years of injury hell.Richardson need worry no longer, having demanded selection in a 15-man Ashes squad named on Wednesday with his eye-catching match haul of 8 for 61 at the Gabba last week.He made his Test debut at the same ground in 2019, taking the new ball while enhancing his reputation as the nation’s most exciting young paceman.Richardson was earmarked for big things at both the 2019 ODI World Cup and Ashes, only to dislocate his right shoulder while landing awkwardly during a fielding mishap in Sharjah.Related

  • Khawaja and Travis Head set to compete for Australia's final batting spot

  • Cummins won't ask for rest 'unless I've got something going wrong'

  • Matt Prior: England have the fast bowlers to replicate 2010-11 Ashes success

The 25-year-old weathered several setbacks but is now back to his best, looming as the most likely fast bowler to step up whenever selectors opt to rejig the triumvirate of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.”An injury like that, that sets you back for so long. There’s certainly some of those negative thoughts that come in,” Richardson told reporters in Perth. “Whether or not I’m going to get back to where I was.”Or could I swing the ball or have my variations or whatever? Getting consecutive games in, it makes it all worth it…to know that I can bowl that many overs, relatively unscathed, I think it puts me in a good place.”Jhye Richardson celebrates the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne•Getty Images

Richardson has snagged 16 wickets at 12.50 this Sheffield Shield season, delivering 85.2 overs in total. He spooked selectors and medicos in October, suffering a back spasm while warming up during a match in Perth.But he quickly got the green light to resume bowling then made a big impression on George Bailey last week, when the chairman of selectors was in the stands as Richardson bowled his side to a Shield victory.”Getting pretty excited by Jhye,” Bailey said. “Physically I think he looks as strong as I’ve seen ever seen him…he’s starting to build some resilience into his body.”One particular spell was really impressive. He ended up getting the wickets of Marnus [Labuschagne] and Joe Burns, who both commented that it was impressive quality.”Bailey shared news of Richardson’s call-up with the fast bowler during that same game, putting him on the cusp of fulfilling a childhood dream.”It’s one of the biggest series that you can possibly be involved in. Super exciting,” said Richardson. The focus is, if I do get a game, to just make sure that I’m doing everything that I have done up until this point. I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”

Jos Buttler and Chris Gayle could be key as Rajasthan Royals face Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Both teams are coming off wins, but might have to tweak their XIs to accommodate the star players

Shashank Kishore26-Sep-20206:58

Should it be Buttler in place of Miller or Tom Curran?

Big picture

The Kings XI Punjab recovered superbly – a 97-run win against the Royal Challengers Bangalore – after their Super Over heartbreak against the Delhi Capitals. Now they move to Sharjah, the smallest of the three venues, to take on the Rajasthan Royals, who made 216 at that venue earlier this week for a 16-run win over the Chennai Super Kings. We could be in for another high-scoring game on Sunday.The Kings XI have so far held back Chris Gayle. Is there a case for them to unleash him in this game? No ground is too big for him, but in Sharjah, where even mis-hits carry over the rope, Gayle will be a big threat even though he isn’t the force he once was. The Kings XI management is happy with his form in the nets, but bringing him could mean altering their balance because both KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal, the regular openers, have done exceedingly well in the first two games. Yet, it is a good selection headache to have. Nicholas Pooran may have to miss out in case Gayle comes in.The Royals will be boosted by the return of Jos Buttler, but there is a possibility he’ll bat in the middle order. Steven Smith played anchor from the top of the innings in the first game, and might want to continue doing that alongside rookie Yashasvi Jaiswal. With Sanju Samson likely to play one-drop, Buttler could slot in at No. 4 to give the middle order some solidity, with Robin Uthappa and Riyan Parag to follow. David Miller, who was run-out without facing a ball on his debut for the Royals last week, could be the unfortunate one to miss out.Having competed hard and won a high-scoring game at this venue should give the Royals a slight edge in this contest, but on their day, Kings XI can topple any side like they showed two nights ago against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Whatever happens, expect another 200 vs 200 contest.

In the news

  • Buttler is available for selection after completing his extended quarantine. That means the Royals may have to decide between David Miller and Tom Curran for one overseas spot.
  • The Kings XI have no injury concerns. Everyone is fit and available for selection.

Likely XIs

Rajasthan Royals: 1 Steven Smith (capt), 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson, 4 Jos Buttler (wk), 5 Robin Uthappa, 6 Riyan Parag, 7 Shreyas Gopal, 8 Jofra Archer, 9 Tom Curran, 10 Rahul Tewatia, 11 Jaydev UnadkatKings XI Punjab: 1 KL Rahul, 2 Chris Gayle, 3 Mayank Agarwal, 4 Karun Nair, 5 Glenn Maxwell, 6 Sarfaraz Khan, 7 Jimmy Neesham/Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 8 Ravi Bishnoi, 9 Mohammed Shami, 10 Sheldon Cottrell, 11 M Ashwin

Strategy punt

  • The Kings XI have an opportunity to surprise the Royals by fielding Gayle. Apart from the dimensions of the ground, the Royals have two legspinners – Shreyas Gopal and Rahul Tewatia – and Jaydev Unadkat, the left-arm pacer. Gayle strikes at over 200 against bowlers with these skillsets since IPL 2018. This will also give more heft to an in-form Kings XI line-up.
  • Jimmy Neesham didn’t bat, and bowled just two overs in the previous game, and if the top three fire, it’s unlikely he’ll get too many opportunities. While leaving him out may seem a tad harsh, strategy could dictate the inclusion of Mujeeb Ur Rahman in his place.

Stats that matter

  • Samson is two hits away from 100 sixes in the IPL, and Maxwell is nine away from the landmark.
  • Buttler needs 97 more to get to 6000 T20 runs.
  • Archer’s IPL best of 3 for 15 came against the Kings XI in IPL 2019.
  • Kings XI’s opening pair has averaged 50.8, the best among all teams, since IPL 2019.

ALSO SEE: Kings XI Punjab v Rajasthan Royals live score 27 September 2020

'Jofra Archer must keep wanting to learn' – Joe Root

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Captain backs fast bowler to bounce back from tough New Zealand tour as thoughts turn to South Africa

Andrew Miller03-Dec-2019Joe Root, England’s captain, has backed Jofra Archer to learn his lessons quickly after a chastening first taste of overseas Test cricket, and believes that England will travel to South Africa for next month’s four-Test series all the better prepared for the challenge after two hard-fought Tests in New Zealand.Archer endured a frustrating series, in what was his first experience of first-class cricket outside of England, let alone at the highest level. With his speeds noticeably down as he struggled to get to grips with the Kookaburra ball, he picked up two wickets across 82 overs in the two matches. His fortunes were epitomised on the final day in Hamilton, where Joe Denly dropped a sitter at midwicket to deny him the prize scalp of New Zealand’s captain, Kane Williamson.Off the field he was distracted too, following an incident of racial abuse at Mount Maunganui that has led NZC to lodge an official complaint with the police. But speaking at the end of the series, Root reiterated that Archer, 24, is still very new to international cricket, and will continue to be an incredible asset to England if he carries on developing as he has done so far this year.”I think he’s found that Test cricket is hard, and you’ve got to keep backing up those performances over and over again,” Root told Sky Sports. “You can sometimes bowl extremely well and get no reward.”And he’s young,” Root added. “He’s right at the start of his career, and as I said at the start of the trip, there are big expectations on him. He’s still got a lot of learning to do, but one thing I know for sure is that he’s a fantastic talent and there’s no doubt he’s going to contribute massively for England in Test cricket.”But he has to keep wanting to learn, and to stay nice and resilient mentally and physically as well, because these conditions can wear you down. I expect him to bounce back quite strongly from something like this, because he’s a fast learner. He’s proven that when he’s played domestic cricket around the world, in all these big franchise tournaments. Hopefully we’ll see see him back at his best soon.”ALSO READ: Taylor, Williamson secure New Zealand series winEngland’s selectors will name their squad for the South Africa tour over the weekend, and Root said that in spite of the series scoreline in New Zealand, they could take heart from the manner in which the side bounced back from their innings defeat in the first Test, and from the lessons they took from New Zealand’s star peformers – not least the Man of the Series, Neil Wagner, who claimed back-to-back five-fors on the unresponsive decks.”I think we learned a lot about the group,” said Root. “Obviously the ideal scenario is perform extremely well, and come away with a 2-0 series win, so it’s not worked out how we would have liked, but [for South Africa] we’ve now seen what it can be like if the surfaces do get like this with the Kookaburra ball. And like we did at Mount Maunganui, we have to learn very quickly and take that forward into those four games.”You’ve got to learn from the opposition as well,” he added. “You look at someone like Neil Wagner – he’s got a big heart, a big engine, and keeps running. And that’s what you want, you want guys who, time and time again, want to be putting themselves in that position, to keep wanting to create chances and keep trying to change the game.”Wholesale changes for the tour of South Africa are unlikely, although James Anderson will doubtless return to the fray if he can prove his fitness after missing the bulk of the Ashes with a long-term calf injury. He is currently on a training camp in Potchefstroom with other potential selections, including Mark Wood and Jonny Bairstow, whose omission from the New Zealand tour left Ollie Pope with the wicketkeeping duties at Hamilton after Jos Buttler suffered a back strain on the eve of the match.Pope performed creditably in difficult circumstances, making a career-best 75 in England’s only innings, although he did drop a straightforward chance off Williamson on the final morning of the Test.”Look, we didn’t expect Jos to go down as late as he did, but it does happen,” said Root. “And we knew that that could happen when we picked the squad. And, bar one mistake today, Ollie made a very good account of himself. He showed great maturity with the way he batted throughout his innings and proved why he got given that opportunity.””Jonny is out in South Africa practising,” Root added. “He’s obviously not played red-ball cricket or been given an opportunity to prove himself, in terms of match time, so he’s doing some work with a couple of coaches and facing those [bowlers], and make sure he’s match-hardened if he’s to be selected.”One key decision will be the availability of Moeen Ali, who requested time away from red-ball cricket after a tough home summer, and who hinted to ESPNcricinfo last week that he is not yet sure he’s ready for a return to the Test arena. But, with England opting for an all-seam attack in Hamilton amid doubts about Jack Leach’s penetration with the ball, his prowess as a spin-bowling allrounder is still highly valued by his captain.”I need to sit down and speak to Ed [Smith, selector], and to Moeen, and find out exactly what the situation is with Mo,” said Root. “One thing is for sure, we know how talented he is. We know what he has produced in Test cricket over his career. It’s very easy to look at small sample sizes that have happened more recently, but he’s a he’s a fine, fine player and I’m sure at some point, he’ll be back in and raring to go. But once those conversations have happened, I’ll give you a little bit more.”

Australia seek desert glory; Fakhar eyes Test cap

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

If Dubai was anything to go by, Australia have shown they’re up for a fight. For a bruised Pakistan, nothing but a win will do

The Preview by Shashank Kishore15-Oct-2018

Big Picture

The first Test reinforced a few age-old lessons about cricket in the UAE: dead as the tracks may appear to be, do not jump the gun until both sides have batted once. It may all look dull and dreary halfway into the Test, but a blink and the game springs to life when you least expect it to. Pakistan would certainly vouch for it. Just when statisticians and pundits had begun to check for record double-century opening stands, Australia collapsed dramatically.The collapse handed the advantage to Pakistan, but they weren’t in the mood to take it. A decision to bat on didn’t do them any favours. This has now added to the scrutiny around Sarfraz Ahmed’s captaincy, and nothing but a Test win in Abu Dhabi can sooth a bruised side that is yet to win a Test in UAE in over two years. There isn’t a better time to reverse that, for it would at least give their beleaguered captain some breathing space after a spate of ordinary results, including the ones at the Asia Cup last month.Australia are just beginning to wriggle out of a crisis under a new leadership group. Justin Langer, the head coach, has been quite vocal about the need to not just be satisfied with what they’ve achieved so far. This tour has been in the making for three months now, and has its roots in India, where they played a stream of matches against the A sides of South Africa and India. They’ve even managed to integrate two young Indian domestic spinners into the set up to help prepare them for Tests on dry turners.Visualisation techniques, spin lessons, simulation, matches – they’ve all been checked. The proof of the pudding is in the eating and if Dubai was anything to go by, Australia have shown they’re up for a fight. Langer will expect much more from his boys if they are to move to the next level and for that, the rest of the batsmen have to show the resolve of Usman Khawaja and captain Paine. This could in many ways direct the course the team takes ahead of a big home summer against India.

Form guide

Pakistan: DLWWL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Australia: DLLLW

In the spotlight

Fakhar Zaman has played just two first-class games since the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy final in 2016-17 that brought him into national reckoning. Since then, he’s built a reputation of white-ball destroyer. At the Asia Cup last month, he struggled from what coach Mickey Arthur called a ‘confidence crisis.’ He’s had two weeks to rejuvenate. A finger injury to Imam-ul-Haq means he’s set to receive his maiden Test cap. In that final, he made a quickfire 170 not out. Now, against a potent Australia attack, he may have to shelve some of his flamboyance. Can he display another facet to his game?Even Shaun Marsh will struggle to explain his decade of underachievement since international debut in 2011. Injuries, poor form, and competition may have contributed to him being in and out of the side, but even that can’t explain why he has played only 33 Tests. Now, with Steven Smith and David Warner serving bans, there is an opportunity for him to make the No. 3 spot his own for the immediate future. Scores of 7 and 0 in Dubai – he was out nicking behind in both innings – will add to his itch to make an impression before the bigger challenges later in the summer. Against an unrelenting attack, the pressure isn’t likely to be any less, but he’ll still have to find a way out, even if it means curbing his natural instinct of looking to drive on the up on docile surfaces.

Team news

Imam’s injury means Fakhar is set to become Pakistan’s 234th Test cricketer. But Pakistan will be asking two other questions. Bilal Asif’s Test initiation with a six-for quickly dissipated after a wicketless show on the final day. This could make them ponder over the inclusion of legspinner Shadab Khan, who has been troubled with a groin strain lately. Also, what of Wahab Riaz, who bowled 27 wicketless overs across two innings? Mir Hamza could come in as a like-for-like replacement, which potentially means two new Test caps for Pakistan.Pakistan XI: 1 Fakhar Zaman, 2 Mohammad Hafeez, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Haris Sohail, 5 Babar Azam, 6, Asad Shafiq, 7 Sarfraz Ahmed, 8 Mir Hamza/Shadab Khan, 9 Bilal Asif, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Yasir ShahMarnus Labuschagne failed with the bat, but his legbreaks were more than useful. This could earn him another opportunity, even though Matt Renshaw is knocking on the doors for a middle-order berth. They will possibly hand a debut to one of two fast bowlers – Brendan Dogget or Michael Neser – in place of left-arm spinner Jon Holland, who had a forgettable outing in Dubai.Australia XI: 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 Aaron Finch, 3 Shaun Marsh, 4 Mitchell Marsh, 5 Travis Head, 6 Marnus Labuschangne, 7 Tim Paine, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Peter Siddle 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Jon Holland/Ashton Agar/Michael Neser

Pitch and conditions

A time-lapse from three days prior to the game will reveal how the tinge has changed from green right through to biscuit brown on match-eve. The heat will ensure the track will break as the Test progresses, allowing the spinners to come into the game on days four and five. It should be the best for batting early on. No prizes for guessing what the captain winning the toss will do.

Stats and trivia

  • Pakistan’s previous Test win in the UAE came in Abu Dhabi in 2016. Since then they haven’t won a Test in the UAE in four attempts, losing three – one to West Indies and two to Sri Lanka – and drawing the first Test of this series in Dubai.
  • Azhar Ali needs 59 runs to go past Misbah-ul-haq as the batsman with second highest Test runs in the UAE, He is going through a bit of a lean patch of late though, averaging just 17.10 from this last 10 Test innings.
  • Nathan Lyon averages a poor 84.85 from three Tests in the UAE. Elsewhere in Asia, he’s taken 80 wickets at an average of 27.01.
  • Mohammad Abbas is one wicket away from being the joint-fastest Pakistan pacer to 50 Test wickets.

Quotes

“Can’t say if the pressure will be more on Pakistan or Australia. We are the home side and obviously, people expect us to win and so there is pressure. Having said that, these are favourable conditions for us and we have to make the most of it.”
“It’s one of those things, you can get nailed for it either way, so it can be a hard job, but I’m sure they know what they’re trying to do, we certainly know what we’re trying to do, and what matters to us is what’s inside our four walls and I’m sure Sarfraz and Pakistan are the same.”

Leeward Islands to debut in Regional Women's Tournament

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

All six territorial boards of the West Indies Cricket Board will find representation for the first time in the upcoming Regional Women’s Tournament, which begins on Thursday

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2016All six territorial boards of the West Indies Cricket Board will find representation for the first time in the upcoming Regional Women’s Tournament, comprising the limited-overs format, starting Thursday. Leewards Islands will field a team for the first time in the tournament, while Windward Islands will play as a single unit, also for the first time.Windwards earlier had each of its four nations – Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenada – playing as individual teams when the regional tournament was an eight-team competition. That changed in 2015 when Windwards fielded only two outfits – North and South.”We want to welcome Leewards Women into the fold and are looking forward to them playing a valuable role in the expansion of the women’s game in the region,” Josina Luke, WICB project officer for women’s cricket, said. “We have spent the last year working with the Leewards in the development of this squad, following a decision by our directors to have them involved this year, so this is another step towards strengthening the base of the women’s game in the region and expanding our talent pool.”The banding together of the talents of the Windwards Women helps us to streamline our tournaments and bring greater competitiveness to the overall women’s game, as the ultimate aim is to create a stronger West Indies Women’s team with a view to winning more global titles.”Leewards will be captained by Shawnisha Hector, the Antiguan pacer, while Afy Fletcher, the West Indies Women’s legspinner, will lead Windwards.The tournament, this year, will comprise the Super50 as well as Twenty20 competitions. “We want to broaden the pool of players for the West Indies Women’s team, bearing in mind two important things,” Luke said. “First, we are well-placed for automatic qualification for the ICC Women’s World Cup next year in England and want to remain on that trajectory with important series in the ICC Women’s Championship later this year against England at home and India on the road. Also, we want to fortify our squad in the T20 format, so we can continue to put forward the kind of performances that enhance our position as World champions.”The tournament will begin with the Super50 competition. Barbados, the defending champions, will face Trinidad & Tobago. Leewards will take on five-time champions Jamaica, while hosts Guyana kickstart their campaign against Windwards. Each of the teams will meet the others once in the round-robin stage, which will consist of five matches of 50-overs-a-side. The teams with the maximum points will clash in the final, on July 17.The T20 tournament will take place four days later with three games on each match day, all of them at the Guyana National Stadium, before a final round of play-off matches to determine positions on July 25.SquadsBarbados: Shaquana Quintyne (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Keila Elliott, Allison Gordon, Reshelle Griffith, Malissa Howard, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Shakera Selman, Charlene Taitt, , Shanna Thompson, Tiffany ThorpeGuyana Tremayne Smartt (captain), Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Mandy Mangru, Plaffiana Millington, Subrina Munroe, Kaysia Shultz, Heema Singh, Latoya Smith, Akaze Thompson, Lashuna Toussaint, Kavita YadramJamaica Stafanie Taylor (captain), Alecia Bookal, Shanel Daley, Keneshia Ferron, Chinelle Henry, Corrine, Howell, Natasha McLean, Jodian Morgan, Chedean Nation, Roshana Outar, Tameka Sanford, Jerona Walcott, Vanessa Watts, Rashada WilliamsLeeward Islands Shawnisha Hector (captain), Jasmine Clarke, Melicia Clarke, Davanna Claxton, Kimberly Dookhan, Amanda Edwards, Sherma Jackson, Rozel Liburd, Terez Parker, Grace Persaud, Kerisha Powell, Jenisen Richards, Eldora Sylvester, Saneldo WillettTrinidad & Tobago Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Kirbyina Alexander, Reniece Boyce, Britney Cooper, Rosalie Dolabaille, Stacy Ann King, Lee Ann Kirby, Shenelle Lord, Anisa Mohammed, Selene O’Neil, Kamara Ragoobar, Karishma Ramharack, Amanda Samaroo, Rachael VincentWindward Islands Afy Fletcher (captain), Stacy Ann Adams, Holly Charles, Roylyn Cooper, Nerissa Crafton, Krisani Irish, Qiana Joseph, Juliana Nero, Akeira Peters, Rosilia Registe, Yasmine St. Ange, Glendeen Turtin, Rackel Williams, Swayline Williams

Sammy's ensemble ready to back up Gayle

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has backed his batting line-up to come good in support of their star man, opener Chris Gayle

Arun Venugopal in Mumbai15-Mar-2016Chris Gayle. Destructive. Chris Gayle. Massive. Chris Gayle. Best T20 batsman. Right from the time West Indies arrived in India, Darren Sammy has summoned courage from these words, even using them as incantations to rouse confidence.Unlike some captains who prefer not to talk up their gun player – as much to not add to the pressure as not wanting to jinx him – Sammy has no problem harking back to Gayle every time. Wobbly middle-order? There’s Gayle to make up for it. Areas of concern? There are some… but then we have Gayle.Sammy is confident it won’t overwhelm Gayle. “There is never too much pressure on Chris.” Sammy is probably right. Evidence of that, if you need it, can be seen at West Indies’ practice. Gayle ambles to the nets, pats a few balls, misses some and in due course larrups successive deliveries into the vacant stands over deep midwicket. The routine plays out on loop for some time before Gayle has a seat in the shade.

‘We support Russell’ – Sammy

West Indies captain Darren Sammy has thrown his weight behind allrounder Andre Russell, who faces the possibility of a lengthy ban for committing an “anti-doping whereabouts violation”, according to the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission. Russell reportedly missed three tests in a 12-month period, which equates to a failed test under doping laws, and could face a possible two-year ban if found guilty.
“We always have setbacks. We thrive on things like that to use that as motivation to go out and play well,” Sammy said. “When we especially play well, no other team can match it. The vibes we bring, and we as a team have supported Russell. We are confident he will be taking part in the full tournament and having an impact like he has done in all the four tournaments he has played around the world.”
Russell, who can continue to play while his case is investigated, has been in good bowling form lately and finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan Super League.

As the sun begins to set he is messing with a media person from the ICC who is interviewing with him. Gayle has taken a liking for his interviewer’s fancy camera and is fiddling with it. It is the media guy’s turn to be asked a question: “Which team are you supporting?” When the answer isn’t West Indies Gayle mock threatens to take his camera away. All in a day’s work.Watching Gayle go about his thing it is hard to imagine a team beset with off-field worries. Equally hard is getting your head round the fact that here is a team preparing for its opening game in the World T20. Gayle’s statesmanlike presence – not that he lugs such baggage around – in a young, exuberant side hits home only when you notice the smattering of grey on his beard”Whichever dressing room Chris Gayle is in, because he such a destructive figure – there always seems to be pressure on him to perform,” Sammy said. “But Chris is just gearing up to do what Chris has done throughout his T20 career. That’s why he is the leading run-scorer in T20s and has, I think, 12 or 13 hundreds [16] and the next person has seven or six.”What is also hard to overlook, however, is how the batsmen that follow Gayle have fared. In West Indies’ warm-up game against India, the middle-order froze against the spinners after Gayle was dismissed for 20 off 11 balls. In their second warm-up game against Australia, they were spiralling downwards at 72 for 6 in a chase of 162 before Sammy manufactured a heist. The likes of Dwayne Bravo and Denesh Ramdin did better in their four practice matches in the UAE recently but there are question marks over how consistently they can notch up such performances, especially against spin in the middle stages.Sammy, though, vouches for his senior players, and feels Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali won’t be hard to counter on a surface more hospitable to seam bowling.”If you look at our middle, where you have potentially Marlon [Samuels], Bravo, Ramdin, [Andre] Russell at six. Bravo is one of the most experienced as he has been playing in these conditions,” he said. “Wankhede is a more seamer-friendly track; the games that have been played at the IPL tell you that.”You have Bravo, Russell, Sammy, Jason [Holder], Carlos Braithwaite… that’s a lot of power, so the key for us is each player accepting their own personal role in the team and be responsible and not leaving it for any one person.”Darren Sammy’s hitting rescued West Indies in their warm-up game with Australia•AFP

Sammy cited the Australia game as an example of West Indies becoming more efficient in finishing games. While Sammy ransacked an unbeaten 50 off 28 balls, Braithwaite blasted 33 off 14 and Russell 29 off 15 as they reached their target with a ball to spare. Sammy feels that a robust lower order has ensured his team remained unfazed by tall scores or dire situations. He may not admit to it but they have also covered for the batsmen higher up a little too often, maybe, for West Indies’ comfort.”Playing T20 all over, you gain experience,” Sammy said. “I am 32 years old and I have gained a lot of experience playing and being in the situation, especially batting at six or seven, most of the times you will get maximum eight overs unless the team really collapses.”So I have developed a formula for my game. I have watched [MS] Dhoni do it all the time, just take the game all the way down to the last over, give yourself the best chance. As a captain, that lower order of ours always makes me smile. Russell, the last three tournaments he has played, he has been MVP. You have the young and exciting Carlos, and myself. That game against Australia gave us more belief that from whatever position we are, the job could be done.”At the end of a long training session, though, there were other things to be worried about. Gayle and Bravo were curious to know if a full house would turn up at the Wankhede on Wednesday night. The West Indies are ready to put on a show.

Stokes declares fitness after big hundred

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Centuries from James Taylor and Ben Stokes helped England recover from a shaky start to post an imposing 470 for 5 on the first day of their opening warm-up match in South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Dec-2015Ben Stokes has confirmed what the evidence of his powerful hitting at Potchefstroom appeared to suggest, that he is fully recovered from the shoulder injury that he sustained during last month’s Test series against Pakistan, and will take his place as England’s allrounder for the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at Durban.Stokes allayed any lingering doubts about his fitness by scoring a hard-hitting 158 from 131 balls on the opening day of England’s tour match against a South Africa Invitational XI at Senwes Park, including five sixes and 23 fours.It was his first full-throttle innings since landing awkwardly on the point of his shoulder during the third Test in Sharjah in November, an injury that onlookers had initially feared was a dislocation.However, he came out to bat at No. 11 and No. 10 in that match, an early sign that it was not as serious as first feared, and though he missed the one-day and T20 leg of the UAE tour, the month’s rest and recuperation meant that he was back to full power this afternoon.”There’s been no pain and I haven’t twinged it or anything so far, so touch wood nothing bad happens again,” he said at the close of play. “The first two weeks after I did it is was a little bit sore, I was worried about if I was going to be fit, but I did everything to make sure that I was on the plane out here.”I worked really hard with the physios at the ECB and Durham, followed all the medical advice, which is unlike me, as I just wanted to make sure I was fit.”Ben Stokes hit five sixes in his 158•Getty Images

Stokes’ innings was the centrepiece of an impressive first-day performance from England, who recovered from the early loss of both openers – including Alex Hales, who made 8 in his first outing ahead of his planned Test debut on Boxing Day – to reach the close on 470 for 5, with James Taylor (114) also making a hundred before retiring to give others a bat.”It’s always nice to get runs in these warm-up games, it’s what they’re used for,” said Stokes. “But now it’s a case of not getting too far ahead of myself and trying to keep the form I have shown up to the first Test.”Stokes’ next test will come on the second day, when he will bowl in a match for the first time since his injury, and throw himself around in the field as well. However, he has no concerns about coming through that examination, having worked up a good head of steam in the nets already.”I’m fully fit to bowl, I’m 100 percent fit,” he said. “I have done the same amount of bowling work as I have batting work back at home and then out here in the nets.”I’ve been working in a couple of training sessions on diving because I think that’s going to be the main thing, but bowling and batting there’s been no pain.”

Sheik, Mehedi lead Bangladesh to tight win

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

A 106-ball 90 from Joyraz Sheik and a four-for from offspinner Mehedi Hasan gave Bangladesh U-19 a close 22-run win against South Africa in Durban

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jul-2015
ScorecardJoyraz Sheik struck six fours and two sixes in his 90•WICB

A 106-ball 90 from Joyraz Sheik and a four-for from captain Mehedi Hasan gave Bangladesh Under-19s a close 22-run win against South Africa Under-19s in Durban. Chasing 267, South Africa needed 26 to win off the last two overs with three wickets remaining, but Mehedi’s double-strike in the 49th over, including the wicket of the set batsman Dayyaan Galiem, effectively closed out the game giving Bangladesh a 5-2 series victory.South Africa began their chase losing opener Matthew Breetzke in the first over and No. 3 batsman Rivaldo Moonsammy 22 runs later. However, Liam Smith’s 89 looked to bring the chase back on track and he shared in partnerships worth 47 and 56 for the third and fourth wickets. He was the fifth batsman to be dismissed, with the score at 159 in the 39th over with South Africa needing 108 in a little over 11 overs. South Africa lost a few more wickets before Galiem(65) with the help of Sean Whitehead (24) shared in a 52-run partnership for the eighth wicket to bring the equation down to 32 off the last three overs. Mohammad Saifuddin conceded just six off his penultimate over before Mehedi capitalised on that pressure with two wickets.Earlier, the Bangladesh openers – Saif Hassan (45) and Pinak Ghosh(31) – got off to a good start after choosing to bat. The pair added 63 before Ghosh was caught off the bowling of Wiaan Mulder. However, partnerships of 60 and 82 for the second and third wickets extended Bangladesh’s ascendancy. Joyraz played the anchor with his 90, which included six fours and two sixes. He started slowly but kicked on towards the end of the innings – scoring 37 runs in his last 17 balls. Brisk cameos from the middle order – with 95 runs coming off the last 10 overs – propelled Bangladesh to 266 for 6. South Africa’s stand-in captain Willem Ludick and Mulder picked up two wickets each.