Before today, very few would have known the name Marnus Labuschagne, but his catching exploits at the Gabba have boosted his profile

Brydon Coverdale at the Gabba18-Dec-2014Just over two weeks ago, Marnus Labuschagne posted a video on Instagram of him in a kitchen, diving forward with his right hand to catch a corncob that had just been chopped by fellow Queensland cricketer James Bazley. “Short-leg catching has never been this much fun,” he posted.On day two at the Gabba, Labuschagne put those skills to good use while fielding as a substitute for Australia in the Test against India. Asked to go under the helmet while Nathan Lyon was operating, Labuschagne reacted quickly to an inside edge of the bat of Varun Aaron, diving forward onto the pitch to pouch the catch with his right hand.It has been an enjoyable summer so far for Labuschagne, a 20-year-old opening batsman who scored 83 on his Sheffield Shield debut for Queensland at Adelaide Oval and has played every match for the Bulls since. Born in Klerksdorp in South Africa, Labuschagne moved with his family to Australia as a child.”I spoke Afrikaans in South Africa — I barely spoke any English when I arrived here and it was a big change,” Labuschagne told the in October. “Adapting at school was interesting but a good experience and I wouldn’t trade it.”I remember the teacher saying ‘get your rubbers and rulers out’ and I had no idea what rubbers and rulers were. First day at school that is not what you want.”Despite his South African origins, the Australians were more than happy to claim Labuschagne as one of their own after his effort at the Gabba.

New Zealand cricket and Christchurch have seen a pleasant rebuilding in the past few years and now the country’s second sport is ready to take over, at least for six weeks

Andrew Fidel Fernando12-Feb-2015Traipse through Christchurch this week and see cricket moving in like a pathogen on another sport’s turf. If New Zealand is rugby heartland, the Canterbury province is its aortic chamber. Here, local veins bleed the Canterbury Rugby Union’s red-and-black, grizzled men speak of All Black stars Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter as if they were their own children, whose bedrooms, by the way, are covered in posters of the same men in sporting pose.Cricket’s grip had begun to set in when Christchurch was granted the World Cup curtain-raiser. Then on Boxing Day, when the city saw its first Test match since 2006, Brendon McCullum’s breakneck 195 gave a bold new edge to the invasion. Suddenly, the chatter over café tables was no longer about backlines and forward packs. Top orders and bowling attacks captured imaginations instead.By Thursday, the cricket contagion had become an epidemic, as denizens gathered in their tens of thousands at the opening ceremony. North Hagley Park broke out in dozens of mini cricket matches, some at specially-themed stations celebrating all corners of the cricket universe, from the Caribbean’s calypso to Punjab’s bhangra. WG Grace watched over the Victorian themed match, which was attended by pretend Victorian ladies, having pretend tea on the boundary.As the sun set and the show began, the swelling masses obeyed the directions issued by the ceremony’s presenters and turned around to wave at the helicopter flying overhead – it’s camera potentially beaming their collective flailings to hundreds of millions worldwide. Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel even took the stage like the hype-woman for a 1980s rapper and bellowed “We are back”, amid other rhapsodic catchphrases. Here was a town so caught in the spirit of the event, it did not mind coming off a little naff. Here was a city so keen to resurge after four difficult years, each of its citizens were taking ownership of their own bite-sized role in hosting planet cricket.”Right from the beginning when I started working on cricket World Cup, everyone was very interested in Christchurch and how it could have a special role in the tournament,” New Zealand’s head World Cup organiser, Therese Walsh said. “What happened with the Rugby World Cup in 2011, is that matches were taken away from Christchurch after the earthquakes. It was always really important to us to bring a major sporting event back to the city. We knew we needed stadiums with bigger capacity for the quarter and semi final, so the obvious thing for Christchurch was the opening match and opening event.”It has helped no end of course, that like Christchurch, New Zealand’s cricket team has risen dramatically from the dust of its barren spell at the beginning of this decade. Not so long ago, they were pampered wastrels of ability in the public’s eye, but Brendon McCullum and Mike Hesson have now pulled off a monumentally successful rebranding campaign, not just via on-field successes, but also by adopting values that resonate with the national ethos. Tim Southee canned his trash talk. McCullum curbed his own public impetuosity. “Humility” became a buzzword, and respect the team dogma.

“Ticket sales are very strong, very early. When we launched them one year ago, we sold thousands of tickets. Even before the tournament has started, five of the six Black Caps matches are sold out.”New Zealand head World Cup organiser, Therese Walsh

New Zealand’s young quicks have begun to set pulses racing as well as any All Blacks line break, but it is not Southee and Trent Boult around whom New Zealand’s World Cup hopes have gathered. In Kane Williamson’s mellow manner and monstrous appetite for runs New Zealand has found a hero as young, as restrained, and as exquisite to behold as the country itself.There is arguably no more exciting young player in the world, yet New Zealand’s cricket fans don’t beat chests or blow trumpets. Williamson’s nation of admirers speak of him in whispers, as if the decibels of their regard could press down on his 24-year-old shoulders. “He doesn’t quite understand how good he is”, fans feel. Both they, and perhaps he, will strive to leave that unchanged. McCullum’s blitzkriegs and Ross Taylor’s legside shellackings will always exhilarate and draw great crowds, but Williamson is forming a deeper, more profound relationship with New Zealand’s public.New Zealand’s optimism about their team’s chances of lifting the trophy, is similarly subdued. They know the details of the team’s outstanding form, but they are eager to experience the World Cup journey, rather set sights too tightly on a triumphant destination.”With the rugby world cup, there was a lot of excitement, but there was also a weighing down and seriousness brought by the expectation that the All Blacks had to win,” Walsh said, having also helped oversee New Zealand’s hosting of the Rugby World Cup in 2011. “You don’t get that so much with the cricket World Cup. It’s very much a: ‘Ooh, we think the Black Caps can do pretty well in this tournament’ kind of feeling. There were a couple of years when the public was a little negative toward the team, but there has been a real re-emergence of cricket.”That re-emergence has seen thousands sign up as volunteers, while organisers’ efforts to have migrant communities from cricket-playing nations involved have also caught fire. The opening ceremony in Christchurch began with a Kandyan dance, performed by a locally-based Sri Lankan troupe. That event had plenty of Indian, Pakistani and Caribbean flavour as well.More importantly, healthy crowds are expected for matches throughout the country. “What usually happens for international cricket in this country, is we’re a little bit slow,” Walsh said. “We wait till the day and we see what the weather is like. We’re very much a walk-up crowd.”For World Cup, sales are very strong, very early. When we launched them one year ago, we sold thousands of tickets. Even before the tournament has started, five of the six Black Caps matches are sold out.”The most anticipated of those sold-out games is New Zealand’s game against Australia at Eden Park, on February 28. Though Australia have more storied cricket rivalries, no victory is more savoured in New Zealand than triumph over the men from “across the ditch”. Unlike in rugby, where the Bledisloe Cup is contested between these two teams every year, New Zealand cricket fans grumble that their side don’t tour their neighbours often enough.It is of course inevitable that when the All Blacks re-form for the approach to their defence of the Rugby World Cup later this year, that the country’s sporting allegiance will realign itself. But for the next six weeks, New Zealanders have readied to dance to the beat of leather on willow, emboldened by the devious thought their nation of four million could hold two major world titles at the end of it all.

While he stroked his way to a fluent and majestic hundred, his team-mates struggled to find the boundaries, something that is very likely to cost England in their upcoming games

Andy Zaltzman23-Feb-2015Moeen Ali could wake the dead with the timeless beauty of his batting. If many 21st-century players clout the ball as if they hate the entire concept of spheres and have a lifelong grudge against leather, Moeen finesses it like he pities it, and wants to comfort it on its journey over the boundary rope. Even his ugly, mistimed slogs are more stylish than most players’ perfect cover drives. In fact, there are undenied rumours that Michelangelo is considered coming out of his near half-millennium-long retirement to update the Sistine Chapel ceiling with Moeen lofting Richie Berrington for six over long off at Hagley Oval today.How good Moeen Ali proves to be remains to be seen. He is, currently, sporadically effective. He makes mistakes, frequently. Against Australia and New Zealand, he was out. Against Scotland, a drive fell just short of cover, an edge evaded the slips, and Moeen scored 128 off 107 balls. I fly home on Wednesday, before returning for the knockouts. A Moeen Ali century is worth travelling half way around world and back again, just to tell your children about it.Moeen scored 78 of his runs in boundaries, with five sixes and 12 fours. After 42 overs, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and James Taylor had collectively struck three fours and absolutely zero sixes, whilst scoring 88 for 3 off 146 balls. The pitch was a little awkwardly paced, Morgan explained afterwards, and Moeen is an unusually brilliant stroke player, but that is still a worrying statistic for England.Nudging will not win this tournament. It does not win many tournaments. In the 2011 World Cup, England’s campaign of thrilling inconsistency and nail-biting finishes, ended in the dampest possible squib when they managed only 12 boundaries in 50 overs against Sri Lanka, three of them in the final 13 balls, and were duly demolished by 10 wickets.In ODIs since the last World Cup, batsmen from the Test nations have scored, on average, 87 runs in boundaries in the first 42 overs of an innings. With Moeen’s 78 boundary runs and the others’ 12, England were slightly above average. Without Moeen, the others were massively below average – 50 boundary runs would be expected from those 146 balls.All statistics can be crumbled under scrutiny, and Bell was largely playing a valuable, if scratchy supporting role, the principal purpose of which was to ensure that England’s deluge of cricketing calamity was curtailed. He battled admirably against his absent timing, but played with the fluent certainty of a concrete hedgehog on an ice rink.England’s power shortfall is striking. Or not striking, more appropriately. Jos Buttler came in later than would have been ideal (England could be more flexible with their batting order), hit a staggeringly-timed leg-side boundary first ball, and pushed his side above 300. He was aided by Morgan finding some belated fluency. England under-use their power resources. Or leave them on the bench. Or at home. (And this is without even factoring in players who have written awkward autobiographies).Moeen’s sumptuous talents papered over the chasms that were exposed by the two host nations. If he finds consistency, he might even start filling those chasms with some concrete. But he needs help.Morgan claimed that victory has given England some confidence for the second half of their group-stage campaign. Confidence, like momentum (that much-sought-after but frequently irrelevant commodity), can come and go with a few overs, a couple of middled drives, a perfect outswinger, a lucky escape or a dodgy umpiring decision. Perhaps this victory (and claiming their first major ODI title as Official UK Cricket Champions) will prove to be a watershed, but the suspicion remains that England’s strategy and selection is outdated, vulnerable and almost completely dependent on Anderson and Broad, with over 1000 international wickets between them, finding their best form.Moeen Ali scored 78 of his runs in boundaries, with 12 fours and five sixes. After 42 overs, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and James Taylor had collectively struck 88, with three fours and no sixes•Getty ImagesThus far, they have not come close. Broad, who has at times in his fluctuating career been as lethal a full-length bowler as Southee was in Wellington, appears to have become a short-ball specialist. He did not bowl badly in Christchurch, nor was he particularly menacing, and he now has 0 for 90 since his two wickets with consecutive pitched-up balls in the eighth over of England’s opening game.Broad’s innings of nought not out from three deliveries, in which he failed to make contact with the ball, was by far his best performance with the bat in the tournament so far. He has been a spectacular, match-winning, series-shaping cricketer. Does that player still exist? Can he be located within the next three weeks?There are a few statistics that help explain why England have been so heroically unsuccessful at World Cups:

• Moeen hit five sixes in Christchurch, the 39th time in World Cup cricket that a player hit at least five sixes. David Gower was the first to do so, in 1983, a week before Kapil Dev clouted six into the Tunbridge Wells rhododendrons. Since then, 32 different players have hit five or more sixes in a total of 37 World Cup innings. Until Moeen, none of them had been English.
• Moeen’s hundred was only the fifth English World Cup hundred since Graham Gooch’s semi-final masterpiece in 1987, in 46 matches. Since 1992, the other top-8 ODI nations have, between them, scored 92 hundreds, at a rate of one century per 3.7 matches, compared with England’s one every nine games. Interestingly, Moeen was the first England player born in England to score a World Cup ton since Gooch. Hick, Pietersern (twice) and Strauss were the only England players to reach three figures from 1992 to 2011.
• Moeen’s was the first century by an England player in a Southern Hemisphere World Cup, in their 18th World Cup match below the equator.

****

Another excellent crowd of more than 12,000 came to the Hagley Oval for Christchurch’s final game of the tournament, including a man who concluded his afternoon’s cricket-watching with one of the more athletic pieces of field-intruding nudity ever seen on a cricket ground.Leaping onto the field at long leg, the streaker, who had no political or commercial message to convey other than an unmistakable belief in clotheslessness, spranted towards the pitch amidst no discernible concern from the players. He evaded the pursuing stewards with a series of swerves and sidesteps reminiscent of the great Welsh fly-half Barry John, star of the British Lions’ series win here in New Zealand in 1971, but fatter, and with his jumble chunks out.He bounded over the third-man boundary fence like a young, naked Ed Moses, ran, without breaking nudey stride, up a grass bank, beetled past the media dining facilities with an unclad defiance, and, reportedly, vaulted over the security fence and escaped into Christchurch with bareness aforethought.

Stats highlights from the first semi-final, between New Zealand and South Africa in Auckland

Bishen Jeswant24-Mar-20156:37

Insights: McCullum tops strike-rate charts

0 Fifty-plus opening stands for South Africa in this World Cup. South Africa have posted at least three 50-plus partnerships in each of their previous six World Cups. Their opening pair only averages 16.25 in this World Cup, with the previous low being 42.85 (during the 2011 World Cup).71 Runs scored by New Zealand in the first five overs, the second-highest in ODIs since 2001 (prior to which ball-by-ball data is not available). The top three five-over scores are all by New Zealand, with the highest being the 78 that they scored against Bangladesh in 2007.482 Runs scored by AB de Villiers this World Cup, the second-most by a South African batsman in a World Cup, after Jacques Kallis (485 in the 2007 World Cup). It is also the third-highest aggregate by a captain in a World Cup after Mahela Jayawardene (548 in 2007 World Cup) and Ricky Ponting (539 in 2007 World Cup).25 Runs conceded by Dale Steyn off the fifth over of New Zealand’s innings, including three fours and two sixes by Brendon McCullum, the most he has conceded off a single over in his ODI career. His previous most was 24 against Australia in 2006.22 Number of balls in which McCullum got to his fifty. This is the fourth instance of McCullum making a World Cup fifty in 22 balls or less. Overall, this has only been done nine times. Mark Boucher is the only other batsman to have done this twice at World Cups. (Click here for the complete list of fastest ODI fifties)Brendon McCullum has now smashed four World Cup half-centuries within 22 balls•Getty Images21 Wicket taken by Trent Boult in this World Cup, the most by any New Zealand bowler in a single World Cup. The previous record was 20 wickets, taken by Geoff Allott during the 1999 World Cup.272 David Miller’s strike-rate during his 49 off 18 balls. This is the highest strike rate by a South African batsman in a World Cup match (minimum 40 runs) and the third-highest by any batsman.192 McCullum’s strike-rate during this World Cup, the highest by any batsman in a World Cup (minimum 5 innings). Each of the top-three instances on this list are from the 2015 World Cup, with the others being Glenn Maxwell (183.5) and Andre Russell (185.7).2 Number of batsmen who have scored 3000-plus ODI runs in New Zealand. McCullum (3014) went past this mark today and the only other person to have done this before him is Nathan Astle (3448).300 ODIs played in New Zealand; this was the 300th. The only top-eight nations that haven’t hosted 300 or more ODIs are West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.299 Runs scored by New Zealand, the most by any team in a successful chase in the knockout stages of a World Cup. The previous record was 289, scored by Australia against New Zealand in the quarter-final of the 1996 World Cup.

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Apr-2015Kings XI raced to 60 in seven overs but then lost Sehwag and Glenn Maxwell in the space of seven balls•BCCIDebuant J Suchith and the experienced Harbhajan Singh tied down the Kings XI batsmen in the middle overs•BCCIDavid Miller struck three boundaries during his 24 but fell to Lasith Malinga in the 16th over•BCCIMalinga then dismissed Rishi Dhawan to leave Kings XI at 150 for 5•BCCIGeorge Bailey struck an unbeaten 61 off 32 balls, bringing up his maiden IPL fifty in the process and helped Kings XI to 177 for 5•BCCISandeep Sharma struck on the second ball of Mumbai’s innings to remove Rohit Sharma for a duck•BCCIMitchell Johnson and the Kings XI pacers shackled the Mumbai batsmen and picked a further four wickets, leaving them at a paltry 46 for 5 after 12 overs•BCCIAxar Patel chipped in with two scalps to all but seal the game. Miller had little trouble holding on to a simple offering from Kieron Pollard at long-off•BCCIHarbhajan Singh added some late drama, smoking six sixes during a 24-ball 64 for Mumbai’s fastest IPL fifty. However, he was left with too much to do in too little time, as the visitors completed an 18-run victory•BCCI

How cricketers reacted to a humdinger of a semi-final between New Zealand and South Africa

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2015

What a great game of cricket. SA did not lose that game. NZ won it. Well played NZ. And to the Proteas you can be proud of your campaign.

— Jacques Kallis (@jacqueskallis75) March 24, 2015

South Africa DID NOT CHOKE! They got beaten by a better team today…AB led the team wonderfully well! But, well done NZ! See you in Sydney!

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 24, 2015

What an unbelievable game. So proud of the @BLACKCAPS and what they have achieved. Also feel the raw pain of @OfficialCSA on an amazing day.

— Stephen Fleming (@SPFleming7) March 24, 2015

Let's take a moment to sit back right now and say, regardless of the result, what an absolute humdinger of a game.

— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 24, 2015

Well played NZ well deserved!! Cricket the true winner best game of the Cup!! Grant Elliot cool head magnificent innings!! #ontothefinalsNZ

— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) March 24, 2015

Congrats South Africa on this performance and your tournament. Quite simply the best match I've ever been to live! Worthy of a final

— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) March 24, 2015

Its tough to see a side lose in a match like the semis. Well played South Africa. (1/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 24, 2015

Big Congratulations to New Zealand for making the ICC World Cup finals and playing amazing cricket… #CWC15 (2/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 24, 2015

What a game of cricket in NZ, please hold your heads high South Africa, you've done everyone proud as you gave it absolutely everything !!

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) March 24, 2015

WHAT A GAME!!!! The eruption of Eden park there was spine tingling huge! Grant Elliot take a bow #cricketisawesome

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) March 24, 2015

Still proud of my bois, good fight thru out the game. Great game of cricket by u buggers. U can stand up tall and b proud of ur perfomance.

— Lonwabo Tsotsobe (@LonwaboTsotsobe) March 24, 2015

I didnt expect that. Wow!! I really thought the game was won with the bat for SA… well played New Zealand

— Alviro Petersen (@AlviroPetersen) March 24, 2015

Bad luck SA. You can see how emotional they are and you feel for them.They wanted this desperately. They gave it all they had. #CWC2015

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 24, 2015

What a semi final! I feel for the SA boys. Well done to NZ.

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) March 24, 2015

2am start, didn't miss a ball. @grantelliottnz run chase king. lock me in a room Sunday, was particularly bad company for the last 10 hrs.

— Peter Borren (@dutchiepdb) March 24, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Apr-2015Dwayne Smith struck four fours and a six in his 27 before being run out by Trent Boult, leaving Super Kings at 75 for 1•BCCIIshant Sharma did not help Sunrisers’ cause as he bowled four no balls and conceded 46 runs in three overs•BCCISuresh Raina was run out in the 13th over but McCullum continued to lay into the bowling•BCCIMS Dhoni promoted himself up the order and blasted fours fours and as many sixes for his 29-ball 53•BCCIMcCullum played some outrageous shots and raced to his second IPL ton off just 53 balls to help Super Kings finish on 209 for 4•BCCISunrisers started the chase brightly but lost the key wicket of Shikhar Dhawan for 26 in the fourth over•BCCIR Ashwin stifled the Sunrisers and returned figures of 1 for 22 in his four overs even as David Warner brought up his fifty•BCCIIt took a special catch to dismiss Warner as Smith timed his jump perfectly at the boundary•BCCIRavi Bopara hit some late blows but Sunrisers were left with too many to get in too little time and slumped to a 45-run loss•BCCI

Shane Watson and Steven Smith talk about winning the World Cup at the MCG, what lies ahead for Australia, and Rajasthan Royals’ chances in the IPL this season

Interview by Gaurav Kalra29-Apr-201520:18

‘No doubt in my mind that Steve will be the next captain’

Shane, it has been a good start to this IPL campaign for Rajasthan Royals; five wins out of seven, it’s just where you want to be?
Watson: Absolutely, it has been a great start; lost a little bit of momentum in the last two games. To be in this position halfway through the tournament is a great place to be.Last year when you came to the IPL, you were one of the most promising names in world cricket. Today Steven Smith is a superstar in world cricket. How has the journey been this last year, Steven?
Smith: I’ve enjoyed my cricket this year, that’s for sure. I’ve enjoyed being a part of the Royals. It’s a great culture here. We’ve started this tournament very well, [but] we haven’t probably played our best cricket yet, which is nice to see. Hopefully we can continue to put good performances on the board and play our best cricket come the business end of the tournament.From the outside, it appears to be a really tight unit. Will it be right to say that the guys get along well with each other?
Smith: It’s a great culture. [Captain] Shane and [coach] Paddy Upton have created a great culture here and everyone gets along with everyone. We’re really working hard for each other and, hopefully, we can have a good end to the season.Feels very comfortable to come back and play for Rajasthan every year?
Watson: It’s one of the best times of the year for me. I’ve got some incredible memories with Rajasthan where we went all the way through. It’s great fun to be involved with such a franchise, great friends. I just love to come back and help the team perform as well. I know how much it means to the guys and also to the owners who have been incredibly good to the franchise all the way through. I’ve been fairly lucky to be at the Royals and can hopefully continue to be a part of the Royals for a fair bit longer.Has it been a little disappointing to not make the finals after the first season?
Watson: The first year was a perfect start coming together. What Shane Warne did with the team we had was incredible. The coaching staff bringing the team together so quickly was our biggest advantage because it was so new and everyone didn’t really know what to expect in the first year of the IPL. But since then we certainly aren’t one of the biggest franchises financially. Some of the other teams spend all their salary caps but in the end it’s part of the evolution of our group to give an opportunity to people, like myself in the first year, to impress, and to get guys in and around our group because we know they really want to get the best out of themselves. We had a good year a couple of years ago when we made the Champions League, and this year it feels very special as well. The depth in our squad has been as good as it ever has been.Smith: “The IPL is one of the best times of the year for me. I’ve got some incredible memories with Rajasthan”•BCCIHow tough is the IPL in terms of playing day in and day out with all the extra travelling?
Smith: I think it is a very tough tournament to win. I think all the franchises, on their day, can beat anyone. If someone has a good day out, they can really get on top of you. I’ve learnt so much out of it, particularly pacing my innings in the limited-overs game. It has really been good for me in that aspect.What has clicked for you in these last few months, where your weight of runs has been incredible?
Smith: For me, it’s just about preparation – making sure I’m doing the same things over and over again, and trying to keep my routines as simple and as basic as I can. That’s one thing, my patience when I go out to bat. I know each day is a new day and I’m trying to start my innings the same way each time and build an innings. I think in the past I’ve been a little bit guilty of going too hard too early. I try to get myself in now and give myself a chance by having a look at the conditions.What has been like watching it all from the dressing room, Shane? Does it become a little bit boring?
Watson: I wouldn’t say boring. It has been a pleasure to watch Steve bat the way he has, not only in the ground but also the way he has batted in the nets and taken on our quicks in the nets. It’s very special to watch. I’ve been very lucky to be around guys at their absolute best, whether it was Ricky Ponting or Matthew Hayden. To be able to see Steve Smith where he has been for a while now is incredible to watch. Someone who has been in total control of his game against world-class bowlers is very special, and we would hope that he continues to bat the way he is so that Australia can have a lot of success over the next couple of years.Does it concern you, Steven, when people say that your unconventional approach may create difficulties for you when you are not in good form?
Smith: I don’t think the way I bat is unconventional. It’s just other people’s opinions, but, for me, it’s about knowing your game. I’ve learnt a lot over the past 12-18 months about my game, and my strengths and weaknesses. It’s just about playing to my strengths as much as I can and it’s worked pretty well for me what I’ve been doing.

“It has been a pleasure to watch Steven Smith bat the way he has, not only in the ground but also the way he has batted in the nets and taken on our quicks in the nets”Watson

Is the World Cup win one of the most special things you guys have accomplished as a playing unit? Both of you were batting when the winning runs were scored.
Watson: It’s the most special thing for me. It was a dream to win the World Cup on home soil. The way the treadmill of cricket is we haven’t had much time to soak it up as within a week we were here playing the IPL. That’s just the landscape of world cricket nowadays. For me, winning the Ashes series at home is the most amazing thing, and I was lucky to be a part of the team that won the 2007 World Cup. The team we had back then had outrageous talent and I was a young guy in that team. But this time, being a more senior guy in the World Cup squad, and then for us to play the way we did all the way through, and the brand of cricket we played to come together at the MCG in front of 90,000 people, and then walking in front of those people after winning was incredible.Can you describe the feeling you had when you hit the winning runs in front of that MCG crowd?
Smith: It was just a magical moment to be out there with Shane and score the winning runs in the World Cup at the MCG in front of 90,000 people. It was an amazing feeling and one that I’ll never forget. We played terrific cricket the whole way through. We had a little hiccup against New Zealand in New Zealand, but that made us up for the challenge a little bit more. I thought if we played on home soil, we’ll have an advantage over them in the final and it turned out that way in the end. The support we got from the Australian public was unbelievable. To be involved in a World Cup win in Australia is a dream come true.Do you remember saying something to each other after the winning runs were scored?
Watson: I don’t know whether anything was said other than big embraces. It’s more an unconscious state. You’re not really conscious at that moment. It’s just the elation and emotion that pours out of you at that moment. The thing I remember is the team running out on the field and it was just an incredible moment with everyone from the team being there. I just came out there with a couple of runs to go and was certainly not going to play a big shot at that time to score the winning runs. I was just happy to be out there at the end and with Steve scoring the winning runs it worked out nicely. It was very fitting for him after the summer he had and the amazing World Cup he had.How much are you looking at captaining Australia on a regular basis?
Smith: We’ll see how that goes in the future. It’s not my job to decide who is going to be the captain. I’ve had some good experiences and really enjoyed captaining the team in Michael [Clarke’s] absence in the summer against India. It was a great learning experience for me to have senior players like Shane and Brad Haddin around the group to bounce ideas off. Shane was very supportive throughout the home series and to have him and Hadds next to me while I was standing at second slip, and to have that wealth of experience beside me, was really beneficial for me at the start, and I really enjoyed the experience of captaining Australia.Smith: “I thought if we played on home soil, we’ll have an advantage over New Zealand in the final and it turned out that way in the end”•Robert Cianflone/Getty ImagesAre we talking to the next full-time Australian one-day and Test captain, Shane?
Watson: Absolutely, no doubt about that. He did a great job when he took over during the summer and he just reads the game incredibly well. He’s also got a great feel for the team environment and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll be the next captain when the opportunity arises. For a young guy, he has had a lot of experience, be it as the captain of New South Wales or around other teams that he has been involved in as well. Australia would be crazy not to make the most of someone who has at a young age got the leadership skills already and is only going to get better.Do you think Clarke’s relationship with other players has been focused on too much by the media, or is it just part and parcel of the game when you play for that long?
Watson: When you spend so much time like I and Michael have in the team, generally you have your ups and downs. Some days I don’t even get along with Steve either . When specific parts of media are trying to look into and find things to be able to write about, they look at certain avenues to get a story.From my perspective, in the end we wouldn’t have been able to achieve the things we have as a team if there were things going on in the group that were fracturing the whole group. We wouldn’t have been able to play the way we have over the last 18 months if there was too much going on within the group. I’ve been involved in teams before where that just breaks down the team. I actually think that things are going all right at the moment. Everyone’s loving every moment of playing in and around the Australian team. I think that’s a pretty good sign of where we are at.How much do you enjoy working with Clarke, Steve?
Smith: I think Michael has been a terrific captain for a long period of time now. He reads the game better than anyone that’s playing at the moment. He’s tactically very good and he’s a terrific player. It’s been great to have him around and learn some of his strategies and the way he goes about things in training and on the field. It’s been great to be able to watch and develop.Australia has not won an Ashes series in England now for a decade. You think this team can do differently?
Watson: I’ve got no doubt. We’ve got a very strong squad that’s going over to England. We’ve got good depth and the best part is everyone is in nearly career-best form right now, which is most important as well. There is a huge hunger within the group because we know that we haven’t won in England for the last three series. I’ve been involved in two of those. There’s a big burning desire to be involved in an Ashes-winning campaign in England. We’re as well prepared as we can be within our group. I’m incredibly excited about what’s on the horizon with the Ashes and everyone else is as well. There’s still a little bit of time with the IPL and the West Indies tour, but it’s going to be a very exciting time.

“When you spend so much time like I and Michael Clarke have in the team, you have your ups and downs. We wouldn’t have been able to achieve the things we have as a team if there were things fracturing the group”Watson

Steven, five hundreds in five Tests in the Ashes will be good after four in four against India?
Smith: Would be nice, wouldn’t it? I can’t wait to get over there and play another Ashes against England in their conditions after beating them so convincingly in Australia. It’s going to be nice to go in their backyard. If we continue to play the way we have been playing over the last 12-18 months, I don’t think that they’ll come close to us, to be honest.Have you settled on what your goals are for your career?
Smith: Not really. I’m just happy with the way things are at the moment. I don’t like looking too far ahead. I like living in the present as much as I can and enjoying each moment.Looking forward to a few more years in the game, Shane, doing everything that you do?
Watson: I still absolutely love playing the game of cricket and I love being in and around the Australian cricket team. It has been a very special time to have been in the team. The most important thing for me is to able to contribute with bat and ball, which I have not done consistently over the last 12-18 months. I still feel I have my best cricket in front of me with all the experience I have. I still feel fresh in my body and know how to get the best out of it. I’m excited to be able to play the game that I love so much and hopefully can continue for a little while longer.

R Ashwin has reaped the benefits of reverting to classic offspin bowling and with the confidence his captain shows in him, he can become deadly

Alagappan Muthu in Fatullah15-Jun-20152:00

Insights – Insights – Ashwin India’s go-to spinner in Asia

“Have they shook hands?”The thought couldn’t be helped. India had bowled Bangladesh out in 66 overs, and with enough in the bank to cash in on a follow-on. But the clouds had gathered again and there was only an hour or so left in the game. Barely two days’ play has been possible in the Fatullah Test. Chances of a result had gone down the drain, along with rain water to fill three dozen swimming pools. Yet with the potential for 30 overs including extra time, Virat Kohli wanted one last gamble. And he took out his ace in the hole: R Ashwin.An offbreak fizzed from outside leg, as it was supposed to. It drew Imrul Kayes into a prod, as was planned. The edge hitchhiked off the thigh pad to the first of two slips but was put down. If Bangladesh survived long enough, play was certain to be called off by the mandatory 15 overs. As it was. But Ashwin wouldn’t make it easy.India have said they are on the hunt for wins. So the lead spinner will be pestered for miracles. Trying too much can never be ruled out under such circumstances. But Ashwin had secured his first (of 10) five-wicket hauls outside India – 5 for 87 in 25 overs – through classic offspin bowling in the first innings. He would loop the ball up and then get it to dip. Turn and bounce become academic after that. He trusted his stock delivery, the only variations he tried were those of pace and length and he stuck to a rhythmic, repeatable action. Nothing needed to change.”He’s priceless, to be honest,” Kohli said, “In a subcontinent Test match, you won’t get any better than him. He can bowl at right-handers, at left-handers, he can deceive people with pace, with spin, with bounce. I mean you name it and he has it.”So nothing needs to change looking ahead either. Even in limited-overs cricket, Ashwin had worked out that he is at his best when dealing the ball enough flight. The results were on show at the World Cup: 13 wickets at an average of 25 and an economy of 4.28. Among spinners, he’d bowled the most overs – 77 – and maidens – 6 – and was only two wickets shy of Imran Tahir and Daniel Vettori’s tally.A clever Ashwin is an asset, but an Ashwin who is clear enough in his mind to base his attack around his offbreak can be deadly. Especially in subcontinent conditions. Batsmen are most nervous when the length of the ball prevents them from deciding whether to go forward or not. Often times that means they push with their hands to make up the distance. As Tamim Iqbal did, to be stumped here. As Mushfiqur Rahim did, to be caught. As Shuvagata Hom did, to be caught again.But with a well-stocked bag of tricks comes the compulsion to dip into them. There have been times when the carom ball was strutted out so often that the offbreak might have felt like the jealous understudy. Then there were the changes he often made to his bowling action. As though it had fallen behind the times and he wanted to stay hip. Ashwin had even ceded as much to explain his borrowing Sunil Narine’s action, replete will the full-sleeved shirt that hid the elbow.”I just wanted to see if you can get more revs on the ball, if you can do a little bit with your elbow, as much as [is allowed], that is,” he had said after the Asia Cup in March 2014. “That’s what it was all about. You can get a lot of advantage with these things. So why should I lag behind if someone else is getting a competitive edge?”He’d returned to his normal routine immediately after that match against Bangladesh, including ditching the full-sleeves.Besides, his own tinkering, captains have assigned defensive mandates to him. Especially in away Tests. And when protecting runs enters into a spinner’s equation, it can get ugly. The switch to a limited-overs mindset can come unbidden. The urge to bowl around the wicket and at the pads would seem appropriate. The fact that the batsman is quite comfortable with that, since you are diminishing your chances of getting him out, slips the mind. And the good ones find ways to milk that line far easier.Ashwin had discovered that on his first tour to Australia in 2011: 168 overs, 565 runs, nine wickets. On his next trip abroad, he was dropped after the Boxing Day Test in Johannesburg. Eight months outside the Test team. The murkiest time of his career so far. It is difficult to ascertain if he had fallen off the wagon himself, or if his confusion was a byproduct of the team wanting his role to be summarily overhauled: from attack to contain.”I think he is not being handled properly,” former India left-arm spinner Maninder Singh had said in February 2014. “Somebody who came into the Indian side because he had the capability and the urge to take wickets, he was eager to take wickets in 20-overs cricket, becomes defensive in Test cricket where you are supposed to take wickets … Something is going wrong somewhere, someone is giving him the wrong advice.”So Ashwin decided to block out the noise. The World T20 arrived. He did too, with a simple action and a fetish for flighted offbreaks. India waltzed into the final and wowed the audience with the guile their spinners persisted with even in the one format where they were supposed to be most endangered. The flatter trajectory was as good as outlawed, and Ashwin said, “The ball is landing exactly where I want.”There were evidences of similar form in Fatullah. He was able to assess the pitch quickly, the batsmen’s weaknesses in double that time, plan his traps and spring them. The confidence he had was exemplified when he was miffed at the appointment of a deep cover towards the dying stages of the fifth day and demanded he stride back inside the circle.”He understands the game well,” Kohli said. “As a captain, you don’t need to tell him much because he’s very clear about what he wants to do, and I’m pretty confident of his contribution in the coming season, and he’s pretty geared up as well. He’s going to be really important for us.”It would take courage and self-belief not to abuse his variations. More so against batsmen he will meet soon: AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla and Kumar Sangakkara can frighten bowlers to dig for plan Z and beyond. But the offbreak is a classic and there is a reason why the classics are highly rated.

Stats highlights from Bangladesh’s historic ODI win against India in Mirpur

Bishen Jeswant21-Jun-20151:37

Insights – Bangladesh complete 10 straight home wins

10 Successive ODI wins for Bangladesh at home – five against Zimbabwe, three against Pakistan, and two against India.5 Number of ODI wins for Bangladesh against India, in 31 games. Among the top ten sides, Bangladesh have won more often against West Indies (seven out of 28) and New Zealand (eight out of 25). (Click here for their ODI record against each opposition.)93 Bangladesh’s current points tally on the ICC rankings table. Even if they lose the next game against India, and all three against South Africa, they will still be on 90 points, which is ahead of West Indies’ 88.11 Wickets taken by Mustafizur Rahman in his first two ODIs, the most by any bowler in ODI history. Mustafizur took 5 for 50 in his first ODI and 6 for 43 in the second. The only other bowler to take two five-wicket hauls in his first two ODIs was Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori, with 5 for 30 and 5 for 20 against Bangladesh in 2011.6-43 Mustafizur’s figures in the second ODI, the third-best by any Bangladesh bowler in ODIs. The only other Bangladesh bowlers to take six-wicket hauls are Mashrafe Mortaza (6 for 26 against Kenya, 2006) and Rubel Hossain (6 for 26 against New Zealand, 2013).36 Fifity-plus scores for Shakib-Al-Hasan in ODIs, which equals the record for Bangladesh. Tamim Iqbal has 36 such scores as well. Both have played 145 ODI innings.7 Number of 50-plus scores in ODIs for Shakib against India, from 13 innings. The only team against whom he has more 50-plus scores is Zimbabwe – nine from 39 innings.3 Number of times India have been bowled out for 200 or less against Bangladesh, the second-most for a top-eight side. West Indies have suffered this fate four times. Each of India’s three instances have come when batting first, which is the most for any top-eight side.2 Number of times Nasir Hossain has bowled his full quota of 10 overs in an ODI, against New Zealand in 2013 and India in this game. Nasir conceded exactly 33 runs on both occasions, but was wicketless against New Zealand while he picked up two wickets against India.3 Ducks by Indian batsmen in this ODI, the joint-most for them in an ODI against Bangladesh. The only previous instance of three Indian batsmen scoring ducks against Bangladesh was in Port-of-Spain during the 2007 World Cup.