All posts by n8rngtd.top

Abid Ali and Usman Salahuddin masterminded an impressive run-chase, as Pakistan A chased down 312 to see off England Lions

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2018Pakistan A 195 and 314 for 6 (Abid 113, Salahuddin 74) beat England Lions 240 (Billings 74*, Irfan 4-80) and 266 (Clarke 107, Shaheen 4-80) by four wickets
ScorecardAbid Ali and Usman Salahuddin masterminded an impressive run-chase, as Pakistan A chased down 312 to see off England Lions in the four-day unofficial Test match in Abu Dhabi.Ali, who has made over 100 first-class appearances and made a hundred against New Zealand A earlier this month, top-scored with 113 while Salahuddin, who made his Test debut against England at Headingley last summer, made 74.The game had been in the balance going into the final day, with the Lions fancying their chances of victory after enjoying the better of the first three days, thanks in particular to Joe Clarke’s second-innings hundred in a total of 266.But, despite Jamie Porter trapping Khurram Manzoor lbw with his first ball of the run-chase, and Mark Wood trapping Shan Masood lbw for 11 soon afterwards, they were frustrated as Abid and Salahuddin extended their third-wicket stand of 160 deep into the morning session.Dom Bess eventually broke the stand en route to figures of 3 for 110 from 31 overs, and Porter bowled the captain Mohammad Rizwan for 47, but by the time Abid was extracted for 113, Pakistan A were just 16 runs from victory.”Funny old game against Pakistan A,” Wood later wrote on Twitter. “Felt like we had won 3 of the 4 days but they played well & wore us down on an unresponsive pitch in the end. A learning experience in conditions much different to home & now it’s time to reflect & prepare for the next fixture.”

The pair added 266 to wrest back control after Zimbabwe’s seamers had reduced Bangladesh to 26 for 3

The Report by Liam Brickhill11-Nov-2018Getty Images

Mominul Haque and Mushfiqur Rahim produced centuries of contrasting style but equally weighty substance as Bangladesh took early control of the second Test in Dhaka. With Mominul striking a boundary-laden 161 and Mushfiqur grinding his way to an unbeaten 111 from 231 balls, the pair put on 266 – Bangladesh’s best ever partnership for the fourth wicket in Tests – to completely reverse Zimbabwe’s morning gains and put Bangladesh in charge.Their stand flattened Zimbabwe, who had had their tails up when the hosts were tottering at 26 for 3 this morning but progressively lost their grip on the game as the partnership grew. Crucially, Zimbabwe not only lost consistency with the ball during the day, but also gifted Mominul three lives as he was dropped on 9, 25 and 120.Bangladesh had been in dire need of something special from the pair when the top order slipped up against the tight lines and subtle changes of length from Zimbabwe’s new-ball bowlers. Kyle Jarvis and Tendai Chatara gave Liton Das and Imrul Kayes a thorough working over in the first half hour, with Jarvis soon removing both men, while debutant Mohammad Mithun jabbed nervously at a full, wide outswinger from Donald Tiripano to present Brendan Taylor with an easy chance at second slip, his first Test innings ending in a horrendous shot and a four-ball duck.Bangladesh could have been in even more serious strife when Mominul cut Chatara hard but in the air towards Brian Chari at gully, but the fielder couldn’t quite hold on. Unfazed, Mominul continued to counterattack in style, striking boundaries on both sides of the wicket to lead Bangladesh through to lunch without further bother. If anything, he only struck the ball even more cleanly in the afternoon, and Zimbabwe let their position of strength slip in the face of proactive batting, both batsmen benefiting from erratic lines.While Mushfiqur was content absorbing any pressure and then dissipating it whenever a bad ball came his way, Mominul took the attack to Zimbabwe’s bowlers, using his feet particularly aggressively to the spinners. Importantly, both batsmen’s boundaries were also punctuated by lots of singles and excellent running that slowly but surely transferred the pressure back onto Zimbabwe in the field and kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely.Mominul had not passed fifty in eight innings before this one, but he shrugged off indifferent form in the lead-up to this game to bring up his seventh Test hundred from just 150 deliveries in the 55th over, just before tea. So fluent was Mominul’s knock, and so competent Mushfiqur’s backing role, that Bangladesh raced through the second session at more than four-and-a-half runs an over.Zimbabwe’s attack returned somewhat invigorated in the final session, but Mominul and Mushfiqur dug in once more and Zimbabwe did themselves no favours by dropping Mominul a third time ten overs into the session, an edge off Brandon Mavuta evading both wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva and Hamilton Masakadza at slip.Mushfiqur rubbed it in with boundaries in consecutive overs from Tiripano and Mavuta, the first taking the partnership beyond 200 and the second nudging him ever closer to his own ton. He reached the landmark off 187 deliveries in the 76th over, and in desperation Zimbabwe captain Masakadza brought himself on for a rare spell of medium-pace.Yet it seemed nothing could budge the fourth-wicket pair, and every time Zimbabwe managed to string a couple of tight overs together, one or the other of the batting pair broke free with a boundary. Inexplicably, Zimbabwe didn’t take the new ball as soon as it was available, and when Mominul cruised ominously past 150 he seemed set for a double.But the new ball, when it was eventually taken four overs late, finally did the trick. Driving hard at Chatara, Mominul sent another thick edge flying towards Chari at gully, and this time he held on. Jarvis nipped out nightwatchman Taijul Islam out three overs later, a prudent review reversing umpire Richard Kettleborough’s not out decision, but Mushfiqur lasted through to the end of the day, unbeaten and unbowed, to make sure that Bangladesh claimed the first-day honours.

New Zealand required only 14 deliveries on the final day to clinch a series win that took them to No. 3 in the Test rankings

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Christchurch29-Dec-2018New Zealand required only 14 deliveries to wipe out Sri Lanka’s tail and claim a 423-run victory in the second Test at Christchurch, by extension winning the series, and moving up the No. 3 in the Test rankings.Angelo Mathews, who retired hurt with hamstring trouble at tea on day four, did not come out to bat, which meant that only three dismissals stood between New Zealand and the series win.

Watch LIVE on ESPN+

Readers from the US can also watch the match LIVE here, on ESPN+

This was a record fourth consecutive series win for New Zealand, with the team having beaten West Indies and England at home in the last summer, and having defeated Pakistan in the UAE earlier this month.Trent Boult claimed two of those dismissals, bowling Suranga Lakmal with the third ball of the day, before trapping Dushmantha Chameera in front of the stumps with the first ball of his next over. Boult finished with match figures of 9 for 107, having taken 6 for 30 in the first innings.In between those two Boult wickets, Neil Wagner bounced Dilruwan Perera out, having him caught in the square leg region by Kane Williamson, who ran towards the boundary to complete a good overhead catch. Having taken three vital wickets on day four, Wagner finished with wickets of 4 for 48 from his 29 overs in the second innings.The margin of victory is the greatest for New Zealand in matches not involving an innings result, beating their 254-run win over Zimbabwe in 2016. It is also Sri Lanka’s heaviest defeat not involving an innings result, with the 304-run loss against India last year being their previous worst.

Selectors claimed they picked Sabbir Rahman for the New Zealand ODI series because the captain specifically asked for him

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Jan-2019Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has refuted chief selector Minhajl Abedin’s claim that he had asked for Sabbir Rahman to be part of the ODI series in New Zealand starting February 13.Sabbir was suspended for six months in September 2018 but the BCB reduced that sentence so that he can be part of the squad. When the squad was named two days ago, Abedin said, “Let me make one thing clear, he is totally the captain’s choice”.However, on Thursday, Mashrafe told that he only “suggested” Sabbir’s name because he wanted Mahmudullah to bat higher up the order and was in need of a good No. 7. “[Mahmudullah] Riyad definitely does this job quite well but should we be playing him at No 7 for so long? Isn’t it unfair on him to be batting so low? He doesn’t complain but as a captain I have to understand everyone. We have Shakib and Mushfiqur at No 4 and 5, so we should at least have Riyad batting at No 6.”I want a 15-ball 25 or a 20-ball 35 from my No 7. Imagine who he will be facing at the World Cup – Starc, Cummins, Bumrah, Shami, Bhuvneshwar, Rabada, Steyn, Woakes, Stokes, Boult, Southee, Hasan Ali or Amir. Give me one batsman who can play shots with power or improvise against these bowlers. I think Sabbir has the ability. We don’t have any batsman doing this in the BPL even, and we have all seen how others have done in this position recently. I am not saying that he has proved himself but Sabbir’s strike-rate at No. 7 and his batting style tells me that he has the ability. In theory, he has the most ability among those who have batted in this position.”Since his ODI debut, Sabbir has a strike-rate of 99.41, which is the highest among all Bangladesh batsmen who have batted at least five times between Nos. 6 and 8.Mashrafe also reiterated that he didn’t strongarm the selectors into making any decisions. “Do I have the authority to place a demand?” he said. “Am I part of the selection committee? I gave my opinion when they asked for it. There was cricketing logic behind my opinion. It is up to the selectors if they want to pick someone in the side. They possibly thought that my logic was good enough. We would see a different side had they not agreed with my logic. I never asked them to pick Sabbir. I only gave logic behind my opinion.”The coach and selectors had picked 14 out of the 15 players. They wanted my opinion about the 15th member. They placed several options in front of me, asking me who would be better to pick among Imrul [Kayes], Mosaddek [Hossain], [Abu Hider] Rony, [Nazmul Islam] Apu or Sabbir [Rahman].”Soumya and Liton were there to open with Tamim. Nayeem [Islam] is there for spin cover for Shakib and [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz. We didn’t need the extra spinner. I have Mustafizur, Rubel and Saifuddin in the pace department. If it was a 16-member squad, I could have kept another pacer.”I had Sabbir and Mosaddek as choices for No 6 or 7. Mosaddek hadn’t done that well in the BPL till Wednesday, and whether he is right for the No. 7 role is something that even the media has questioned a number of times. Was there an option other than Sabbir?Mashrafe did add, however, that if Sabbir doesn’t mend his ways after getting suspended twice in 2018 for beating up one fan and abusing another on Facebook, it could spell the end of his career. “What could be more example-setting than the board suspending a cricketer like Shakib [in the past]? Still Sabbir did wrong things and got banned. You can’t do much when a player fails to understand.”He got an opportunity this time but that doesn’t mean he got it all. If he cannot manage himself, then he has a dark future.”Sabbir, meanwhile, termed the recall as a “second life”, and said he will try to focus on batting in his own way. “When I will play the first game, it will be my second debut. I will try to do better from here. I will try to bring back the old Sabbir. If I fail, I will keep faith in myself and do what the team management tells me to do.”

Bravo: Gayle makes up for lack of mobility with power and charisma

George Dobell24-Feb-2019Darren Bravo has hailed Chris Gayle as “a legend” and “priceless” in terms of the experience he provides for the West Indies team.While Bravo, who is scheduled to play his 100th ODI in Grenada on Monday, admits there are times when Gayle’s lack of mobility can be frustrating, he believes he more than compensates with his destructive power and charisma.”He’s definitely a hero to the young players,” Bravo said. “Not even a hero; he’s a legend.”The experience of having Chris in the dressing room is priceless. He puts a smile on each and every player’s face. And, as you can see when we go out there, we really enjoy our cricket.”If you look at the stats, he’s achieved a lot at international level. He’s a special player. We’re really happy to have him.”He’s getting on a bit in age but he’s still striking the ball nicely so that is the most important thing. And in the dressing room he’s always giving information. He’s helping all the youngsters.”I think over the last few years he’s changed the game a little bit. He’s not going so hard as before. He understands his game pretty well. As long as it all goes well, as long as his approach is concerned, I don’t see any reason we can’t consistently cross the 300 mark.”At times [it can be frustrating batting with him]. There are obvious singles that he may not take as he’s probably getting a little slow. But having him at the other end… he can make up. He can hit two sixes in the next over and make up for the single that was deprived from the other batter.Chris Gayle cracked 12 sixes in his 135•Getty Images

“I don’t want to get too negative: so far he’s been our highest run-scorer. He’s been tremendous and I want to wish him all the best.”Bravo will become the 30th West Indies player to reach 100 ODI caps if he plays on Monday. Having had an extended break from the side after a public fall-out with CWI President, Dave Cameron, he now says he is enjoying his cricket – and an environment which allows players to appear in T20 tournaments without compromising their international aspirations – more than ever.He also had praise for interim coach Richard Pybus, who was seen by some as a controversial appointment.”I’m happy; the guys are smiling,” he said. “It’s always good to have the best of both worlds. It’s a good feeling. There’s a nice gel of experience and young guys. The fans are enjoying our style of play, which is the most important thing.”Pybus is doing a fantastic job. So far so good. I wish him all the best.”West Indies are likely to be unchanged for the third ODI. But with Andre Russell expecting to join the squad on Tuesday and available for selection in the fourth and fifth ODIs, Carlos Brathwaite, in particular, may be under pressure to retain his place.

JP Duminy will lead a home side that will be without Faf du Plessis, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir and Quinton de Kock

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Mar-2019

Big picture

South Africa will reflect that having needed 18 runs from 24 balls, with seven wickets remaining, they should have never got themselves to a Super Over position on Tuesday. But that they flew through that Super Over with such ease may also give them heart. They almost choked, but not quite – self-applying the Heimlich manoeuvre through Imran Tahir and David Miller. Bilateral T20Is don’t have a lot of intrinsic value in ODI World Cup years, but surviving their own late-overs ineptitude may be a key milestone for this South Africa team. Perhaps it has instilled belief that they can get through the challenges awaiting them in June and July.But beyond just the tight finish, the hosts’ bowlers were the more impressive attack over the course of the first match. Their dominance over Sri Lanka’s batsmen, which had been established in the ODIs, seems to have carried forward into the T20s. But this is not the same attack that will take the field on Friday. South Africa have chosen to rest their key players for the last two games against Sri Lanka. There is no Faf du Plessis (JP Duminy will take the reins instead), and Kagiso Rabada is gone, as are Tahir and Quinton de Kock.This should make Sri Lanka more confident, only there is no one in this Sri Lanka top order that can claim to be in form. Kusal Mendis, their best batsman from the one-day series, got a duck on Tuesday, and in any case has only hit two fifties in his last 11 limited-overs innings. The other batsmen’s recent returns are even more abysmal. Niroshan Dickwella has one fifty in eight limited-overs innings this year. Dhananjaya de Silva has no half-centuries from seven innings.Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Lasith Malinga, were valiant on Tuesday. They would have defended a very modest score, had a run-out not been missed from close range off the last ball. But so long as their batsmen fail to stand up, even a South Africa side missing several big players could continue to boss them.

Form guide

South Africa WLWWW (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWL

In the spotlight

Operating in the mid-130skph range, and with an unremarkable action, Andile Phehlukwayo might seem a modest cricketer, but he is putting together a good career in the limited-overs formats. His one-day performances have fetched him more attention, but his T20I returns are very good as well – his average is less than 20, and his economy rate is a shade under eight. On Tuesday, he picked up 3 for 25, having knocked out Sri Lanka’s middle order.Jeffrey Vandersay in his delivery stride•Getty Images

Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay played his first T20I in almost three years on Tuesday, and of his team’s four spin bowlers, his figures of 1 for 25 were the best. Vandersay has been highly rated for several years now, but through a series of injuries, and his own poor behaviour (he got into a serious disciplinary scrape while on tour with the Test team last year), his international career had been stalled. Sri Lanka are looking for middle-overs wicket-takers for their World Cup squad, and although these are T20Is, Vandersay could still bowl himself into contention in the two games that remain.

Team news

Chris Morris is in line to play his first match of the tour, while South Africa may choose to continue with Miller as the designated wicketkeeper, in order to give him more match practice ahead of the World Cup. Miller is likely to be the only back-up keeping option in the World Cup squad.South Africa (possible): 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 JP Duminy (capt), 5 David Miller (wk), 6 Dwaine Pretorius, 7 Andile Phehlukwayo, 8 Chris Morris, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Lutho Sipamla, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiSri Lanka may swap Sadeera Samarawickrama for the misfiring Avishka Fernando.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 3 Kusal Mendis 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Angelo Perera, 6 Thisara Perera, 7 Dhananjaya de Silva, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Lasith Malinga (capt.), 11 Jeffrey Vandersay

Pitch and conditions

The weather is expected to be good at Centurion. The surface often has plenty of pace and carry.

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have lost six of their seven most recent T20Is, but the only victory through that period came against South Africa, in Colombo.
• South Africa’s most recent T20I at Centurion yielded a loss – Pakistan defeating them by 27 runs in February.
• After 20 matches, Phehlukwayo’s T20I average (19.91) and economy rate (7.98) are better than those of Rabada (23.40 and 8.31) after 19.

Western Province Cricket Association chief executive was confident the problem had been resolved and would not affect the T20I

Liam Brickhill19-Mar-2019The floodlight failure that brought a premature end to the fifth and final one-day international between South Africa and Sri Lanka at Newlands on Saturday “could not have been detected early in any pre-match testing which takes place before any domestic or international match,” according to a statement from the Western Province Cricket Association.One of the floodlight pylons failed during the match, and the lighting problem became an issue as the sun set just after 7pm and artificial lighting took over, with the umpires leading the players from the field at the end of the 28th over of the innings. Technicians worked on the problem for a full two hours, but the umpires took the decision to end the game after making an inspection at 9.10pm and deciding that no play would be possible in the prevailing conditions, with South Africa winning by 41 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.WPCA chief executive Nabeal Dien expressed regret at the lighting failure, and explained the cause of the problem. Many South African fans who took to social media to voice their disappointment suggested that load-shedding might have been the cause – South Africa is currently experiencing an energy supply crisis and Cape Town has been hit with multiple daily power cuts – but Dien explained that a short circuit was to blame.”According to our electrical engineers, there was an underground cable that short-circuited due to rodents or age,” he said. “This also caused the switches and circuit breaker to trip continuously in the pylon.”Dien was confident that the problem had subsequently been resolved, and that the Twenty20 international on Tuesday evening would be unaffected. “We apologise to both the Proteas and Sri Lankan teams as well as to the general public who attended the match and who were viewing on television,” he concluded.

England’s middle-innings enforcer determined to make speed variation his World Cup weapon

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2019Liam Plunkett knows he can’t bowl consistently as fast as he used to but he is determined to turn what could be seen as a shortcoming into a weapon.After all, there is a World Cup on his doorstep and Plunkett admits he turns into a green-eyed monster if he is not on the big stage.Even during England’s last warm-up, a nine-wicket win against Afghanistan on Monday, he couldn’t help himself. Plunkett was officially rested for the match but came on as a substitute fielder, took a catch and was involved in a run-out.While Plunkett’s ability to frustrate opposition teams during the middle overs was his big selling point for World Cup selection, a drop in pace – inevitable at the age of 34 – was also noted as pundits weighed up the possibilities ahead of England naming their final squad last week.”I find it harder to bowl as quick as I used to consistently,” Plunkett said. “But I feel that’s something that helps me. I’ll try and bowl the same speed and sometimes it will come out at late 80s and sometimes it will come out at 81. So I feel I’ve got to use that as my variation. If I don’t know what speed it’s going to come out, the batters won’t either.”Plunkett’s role is also helped by England’s formidable batting line-up which is threatening to become the first team to reach a total of 500.”I’ve gone through patches since I came back when I was bowling consistently quick,” Plunkett said. “We call our bowlers the ants as they just do the job, go home and let the batters get the glory. We’ll take that.”I just try and go about my business and do the hard yards with the boys in the middle and make it as boring and difficult as possible for the batters.”Obviously it’s been harder now for people as we can score at eight and nine an over so you know the batters will come after you. Maybe that’s helped with wickets because people know they need to score and that gives you a chance to get wickets.”Plunkett returns to England’s World Cup fold ahead of Thursday’s tournament opener against South Africa having last featured in 2007, when he took four wickets in three matches. He has secured his place with 85 wickets at 28.43 from 53 matches since 2015.He can’t remember exactly where he was during the last World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but he was watching, sometimes.”I was watching,” he said. “When I’m not in the squad I get a bit bitter. I don’t like watching England because you’re always jealous because you want to be there. So I didn’t watch too much to be honest with you.”At that point I wasn’t sure I was going to play in the white-ball team so much. So, to be a couple of years down the line and be on the brink of playing on Thursday is exciting.”Plunkett can empathise with fellow fast bowler David Willey, who missed out when England opted for back-up spinner Liam Dawson for the World Cup. It is a feeling compounded by the squad’s closeness, developed under captain Eoin Morgan.”Even though people were thinking about the World Cup squad and the Pakistan series, the bowlers who didn’t play were helping each other out,” Plunkett said. “Me down at fine leg, one of the other bowlers would come and say, ‘what do you think about this?’ which is something that can be hard to do in a team, especially when you know the squad is coming up.”Do you want to give that guy extra credit or something you know about the batter? So the guys have been really good, because we all get on with each other. But at the end of the day it is international sport.”You want people to do well. I’ve never been a person who wanted someone to go out there and fail because I feel that can come round and bite you on the backside. This team, the support we have as a unit, is the best I’ve ever played in.”Meanwhile, Jofra Archer, whose inclusion also contributed to Willey missing out, wished he could have bowled double the amount of overs he had in preparation for the tournament since making his international debut against Ireland last month.”I’ve bowled about 20 overs in the last month in a match situation which isn’t really ideal,” Archer said. “The flip side of that is you get to rest and I’ve had a long six months going back to October.”I was 100 percent fit but I guess they were just trying to rest me. I didn’t have any niggles or anything like that. I can get by, but personally I’ve not played a lot of 50-over cricket in the last year so I just wanted to top up.”

The opener admitted to be being worn out after a home season which included his first taste of Test cricket and knows nothing is guaranteed about an Ashes berth

Alex Malcolm04-Jul-2019Even prior to David Warner’s barnstorming return in the World Cup, Marcus Harris knew the two opening spots available for Australia in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston would be reduced to one.While Harris impressed in his first international summer against an outstanding India attack, he walked away without the defining innings to show for it. He reached 20 in six of his first seven Test innings but made only two half-centuries with a highest score of 79. Slim pickings against a comparatively gentler Sri Lanka attack left him frustrated but he knows no matter what he might have done, Warner’s return was always a certainty.”I’m not sure he’s nipping at my heels, I’m pretty sure he’s there,” Harris said. “He’s probably the best opening batter of my generation. Just to watch the way he played, how he took it on against other sides and how consistent he was.”Warner has been the most successful opener in Test cricket since 2013 with 5341 runs at 49.91 including 18 hundreds – seven ahead of the next best of M Vijay’s 11 hundreds. However Harris, an incredibly pragmatic character, doesn’t see Warner’s return to the Test side as a door closing in his face.”If I had the opportunity to play with him it will be a great learning experience to watch the way he goes about it and how he takes on other teams,” Harris said. “I don’t see it as a hindrance, I see it more as an opportunity to learn from someone who’s probably the best, in my opinion, at that position. And I think the Australian cricket team will be better for having him back in the side.”Harris arrived in England earlier this week to join the Australia A team for the red-ball section of the tour in the lead up to the Ashes. While most of the potential Ashes squad have been playing cricket in England, either in the World Cup, with the Australia A one-day side or an English county, Harris has had to make do with the indoor centre at the Junction Oval in cold, wintery Melbourne, save for a week-long camp in Brisbane at the start of last month.”You make the most of what you’ve got but it’s not outdoor nets, out in the sun,” Harris said.