Afghanistan names three uncapped players for one-off Test vs NZ

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September 6, 2024

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SCO vs AUS Dream11 Prediction: Richie Berrington-led Scotland will lock horns with Mitchell Marsh-led Australia to play the third T20I of the Australia tour of Scotland 2024 on September 7 in Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh.

Tournament	Australia tour of Scotland 2024
Match	Scotland vs Australia 3rd T20I
Venue	Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh
Date	Saturday, September 07, 2024
Time	6:30 PM IST / 01:00 PM GMT / 02:00 PM LOCAL
Live Telecasting	Fan Code(India)

SCO vs AUS Squad

Scotland

Richie Berrington (c), Charlie Cassell, Matthew Cross, Bradley Currie, Jasper Davidson, Chris Greaves, Ollie Hairs, Jack Jarvis, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Christopher Sole, Charlie Tear, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal

Australia

Travis Head, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Spencer Johnson, Adam Zampa, Riley Meredith

Scotland Unavailable Players

Injury: NIL
Others: NIL

Australia Unavailable Players

Injury: NIL
Others: NIL

SCO vs AUS Probable Playing 11

Scotland

George Munsey, Michael Jones, Brandon McMullen, Richie Berrington (c), Charlie Tear (wk), Michael Leask, Mark Watt, Chris Greaves, Christopher Sole, Brad Wheal, Bradley Currie

Australia

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Josh Inglis (wk), Aaron Hardie, Marcus Stoinis, Tim David, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Adam Zampa

SCO vs AUS Pitch Report

Grange Cricket Club has a flat deck, and it is a batting paradise, which has good help for the batting side. It is a small venue, and batters can enjoy the small boundaries all around, and the fast outfield makes it tough to contain the batters.

SCO vs AUS Dream11 Prediction – Mega Contest

Batters: M Marsh, T Head, J Fraser-McGurk
All-rounders: M Leask, C Green
Bowlers: S Abbott, A Zampa, M Watt, X Bartlett
Wicket-Keeper: G Munsey, J Inglis
Captain: T Head
Vice-captain: S Abbott

SCO vs AUS Dream11 Prediction – H2H Contest

Batters: M Marsh, T Head, J Fraser-McGurk
All-rounders: M Stoinis, C Green
Bowlers: S Abbott, A Zampa, M Watt, X Bartlett
Wicket-Keeper: G Munsey, J Inglis
Captain: T Head
Vice-captain: A Zampa

SCO vs AUS Dream11 Prediction – Small Contest

Batters: M Marsh, T Head, J Fraser-McGurk
All-rounders: M Stoinis, M Leask, C Green
Bowlers: S Abbott, A Zampa, M Watt
Wicket-Keeper: G Munsey, J Inglis
Captain: T Head
Vice-captain: M Marsh

ALSO CHECK: Today Australia Cricket Team Players List, Playing 11, Match Updates

Rahul Dravid appointed as Rajasthan Royals head coach for IPL 2025

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September 6, 2024

Former Indian cricketer and head coach Rahul Dravid was appointed as the head coach of the Rajasthan Royals for the IPL 2025 season.

After the successful T20 World Cup campaign in the USA and West Indies, Rahul Dravid stepped down as the Indian head coach and was expected to coach an IPL team in the upcoming 2025 season. [All IPL 2025 Teams Head Coach List]

As expected, the legendary Indian cricketer was roped in by Rajasthan Royals as their head coach for the IPL 2025 edition. Dravid has been closely associated with the Rajasthan Royals in both playing and coaching capacities.

Rahul Dravid played and captained the Royals franchise between 2011 and 2013 before being the mentor of the team for the 2014 season.

At the Royals, Dravid will work in close synergy with Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara, who served as coach over the past four years.

“Rahul is one of the greatest players to have played the game, but what he has achieved over the past decade as a coach is extraordinary. The characteristics that he possesses as a coach to nurture talent but also enable them to consistently perform at the highest level, will allow the Rajasthan Royals to further challenge for the title,” Sangakkara said.

“I’ve already had some meaningful conversations with him about his vision for this team, and he is looking forward to delivering the results for the Royals.”

Speaking about his return to the Royals, Rahul Dravid said: “I am pleased to be returning to the franchise I have called ‘home’ for a number of years in the past”.

“After the World Cup, I feel it’s the ideal time for me to take on another challenge, and the Royals is the perfect place to do that. A lot of hard work and deliberations from Manoj, Jake, Kumar and the team has gone into the progression that the franchise has made over the past few years.

It’s an exciting opportunity for us to take this team to the next level given the kind of talent and resources we have at our disposal and I’m looking forward to getting started”, he added.

Ahead of coaching the team during the tournament, Rahul Dravid will now be tasked with making decisions on the team’s retentions once the IPL 2025 retention rules are revealed officially by BCCI.

KKR in Discussion with Sangakkara for Mentor Role

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September 6, 2024

Kolkata Knight Riders are in talks with Kumar Sangakkara for the mentor role after Gautam Gambhir left the position to take over India’s Head coach position.

Under the guidance of Gambhir, KKR won the IPL 2024 title and defeated SRH in the finals. Meanwhile, Kumar Sangakkara has been associated with Rajasthan Royal since the 2021 season. Former India coach Rahul Dravid is in talks with the franchise, which might lead to Sangakkara’s exit.

Some reports that former India batting coach Vikram Rathour is likely to join RR. Keeping that in mind, Sangakkara has decided to part ways with the franchise.

KKR already has roped in Chandrakanth Pandit as the team’s head coach for the IPL 2025 season and Bharat Arun as the bowling coach but has to fill in other positions. With the departure of batting coach Abhishek Nayar and Fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate following Gambhir taking over India’s head coach role.

Shreyas Iyer-led side wants to retain the majority of their players for the upcoming edition of the tournament. Co-owner Shah Rukh has already communicated the same in the BCCI meeting with the IPL franchise in July.

BCCI is yet to finalize their stand on the number of Retentions and the usage of the RTM cards in the upcoming mega auction.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have roped in Dravid to join the franchise as head coach for IPL 2025. Reports have mentioned that Dravid is anticipated to rope Vikram Rathour as his assistant coach. The former Indian batting coach has played a key role in India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies.

Rajasthan Royals has finished third in the recently concluded 2024 season and eagerly waiting for the mega auction ahead of the IPL 2025.

Also Read: IPL 2025 Teams Head Coach, Support Staff For All 10 Teams

“Whenever We Have Chance” Yashasvi Jaiswal Eyes Consistency Ahead of Bangladesh Series

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September 6, 2024

Yashasvi Jaiswal regrets on missed century — Yashasvi Jaiswal (image: BCCI)

The Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has eyed on focusing red-ball cricket at the ongoing Duleep Trophy while preparing for the upcoming test series against Bangladesh.

Jaiswal has become a key player in India’s red ball format and has scored 30 runs off 50 balls for India B in their Duleep Trophy match against India ‘A’ in Bengaluru on Thursday.

With India set to have a busy test schedule in the BCCI home season 2024-25, the Indian cricketers are gearing up for the red ball cricket about taking in the domestic tournaments.

While speaking in an interaction with Jio Cinema, “It’s a great opportunity whenever we have the chance to play the Duleep or Ranji Trophy. I’m really looking forward to that, and I hope I’ll enjoy my game. I’ll try my best.”

Team India is likely to continue with Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order after his brilliant performance during England’s tour of India in 2024.

“Every match is important because of the World Test Championship. You have to make sure you give your best as every win counts. Any opportunity to play for India is incredible, and representing the country is the biggest motivation that I have,” said the 22-year-old.

The Young player has been in fine form in the Test format and he will be eager to maintain his form in the format.

“I have worked hard to keep up my form and continue to do so to ensure I maintain it. The more consistent I stay with my practice and preparation; my results will improve,” he commented.

“On maintaining consistency as a player, “I don’t overthink, I just need to prepare well and keep improving myself as a player. The more I repeat these steps, the better I’ll get.”

India will be going up against Bangladesh as part of their assignment in a two-match test series at home. Yashasvi Jaiswal will be looking forward to the contest against Bangladesh who recently completed a two-match Test series against Pakistan.

India is currently in the top position of the WTC points table with six wins of nine matches. The first match of the Bangladesh test series will be starting on September 19 at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.

Michael Vaughan Challenges BCCI on Joe Root Shattering Tendulkar’s Record

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September 6, 2024

Michael Vaughan made an open challenge to BCCI about Joe Root breaking the records of Sachin Tendulkar for highest test runs and added that BCCI would never allow an England player to go on top of the list replacing an Indian.

Joe Root had a brilliant format in test cricket in recent days. He scored two hundred across two innings in the second test of the ongoing three-match test series on the Sri Lanka tour of England 2024.

The hundreds also saw Root surpass Alastair Cook to become England’s batter with the most centuries in test cricket. He has 34 centuries to his name, one more than that of a retired player cook.

He has over 12,000 test runs to his credit and he is close to surpassing the all-time record of India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Sachin tops the run scorers’ chart with 15921 runs in Test cricket. When asked during an interaction whether Root will be able to surpass Sachin, former England cricketer Michael Vaughan replied with a ‘Yes’.

“I think it’s three and a half thousand runs he trails by. He has three years. Unless his back snaps; he is the most enthusiastic lover of the game. I don’t think he is going to get away. He is no longer the captain and knows his game better than ever before. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t. He has played beautifully,” said Vaughan.

Vaughan added that BCCI would never want an England player to go on top of list to replace an Indian.

“If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that would ever happen to Test cricket, because there’s no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They’ll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it’ll take forever for someone to get past him,” he added.

Legendary Australia WK-batter Adam Gilchrist was also present in the discussion and said, “Don’t know. How old is he? 33? He’s a youngster. I have no idea when his appetite is going to slow down.”

“He is clearly pretty hungry at the moment. But does he have the desire to go on? He is going to phase himself out of the white ball completely. Sorry, I will answer that question about Joe after the Ashes next year.”

CSA Awards 2024: Laura Wolvaardt, Jansen bag top honours

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September 6, 2024

CSA Awards 2024: South Africa’s women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt has won five awards including the Women’s Player of the Year at the CSA Awards 2024 ceremony held on Thursday (September 6).

Macro Jansen won the Men’s Player of the Year award while Wolvaardt along with the Women’s Player of the Year award, also won four other awards namely: Women’s T20 International Player of the Year, One-Day International Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and finally the Fans’ Player of the Year.

Quinton de Kock was named the ODI Player of the Year in his last season as a one-day player for South Africa after his four centuries at the 2023 ODI World Cup.

CSA Awards 2024 – Complete Winners

The awards recognise achievements from May 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024, so performances at June’s Men’s T20 World Cup and in Test and T20I series in West Indies will be considered only at next year’s events.

The reason for the awards being held in September rather than immediately after the season in May is because CSA’s sponsors require all nationally contracted players to appear at the ceremony and that would not be possible in May because of the IPL.

Category	Winner
Men’s Player of the Year	Macro Jansen
Women’s Player of the Year	Laura Wolvaardt
Men’s Test Player of the Year	David Bedingham
Men’s ODI Player of the Year	Quinton de Kock
Women’s ODI Player of the Year	Laura Wolvaardt
Men’s T20I Player of the Year	Reeza Hendricks
Women’s T20I Player of the Year	Laura Wolvaardt
Men’s Newcomer of the Year	David Bedingham
Women’s Newcomer of the Year	Eliz-Mari Marx
Men’s Players’ Player of the Year	Keshav Maharaj
Women’s Players’ Player of the Year	Laura Wolvaardt
Fans’ Player of the Year	Laura Wolvaardt
Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award	Masabata Klaas

Anuj Rawat Reveals Virat Kohli’s Advice for Success ahead of IPL Mega Auction

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September 6, 2024

The East Delhi Riders batter Anuj Rawat has revealed that Virat Kohli’s advice on being consistent with his preparations has helped him a lot in the Delhi Premier League.

Rawat who shared the dressing room with Virat Kohli at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, scored 328 runs in eight outings said the RCB batter has made necessary amendments in his games for the challenges.

Virat Kohli who is considered one of the greatest batters of this era, has been looked up to by young players as an inspiring one and often looks up for advice. Rawat has revealed a piece of advice he received from Virat Kohli while playing in the IPL.

“I asked him something about the game. He told me, ‘no matter whatever the situation is in the game, just keep your preparations consistent. It helps you mentally’. This advice has certainly helped me so far,” said Rawat.

In the DPL 2024, the left-handed Rawat records the second-highest opening stand of 241 runs in T20 cricket with Sujal Singh for the Riders against Purani Dilli 6 where he contributed 121 runs.

Rawat said that senior players will have to maintain the dressing room environment when the domestic season begins for Delhi.

“There is a lot of excitement and we have played together before as well. The senior players will help in maintaining a light environment in the team and that will help everyone to perform better,” he said.

With the mega auction slated to be held before the next IPL, Rawat said he has made necessary preparations to be ready for the challenges.

There are one or two games that just don’t go right for a player but after that, you start getting that rhythm the way I had in the initial part,” he said.

SKN vs BR Dream11 Prediction, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Updates – CPL 2024

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September 6, 2024

Table of Contents

SKN vs BR Dream11 Prediction: Andre Fletcher-led St Kitts and Nevis Patriots will lock horns with Rovman Powell-led Barbados Royals to play the 9th match of the CPL 2024 on September 6 in Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

Tournament	Caribbean Premier League 2024
Match	St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Royals, 9th Match
Venue	Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts
Date	Friday, September 06, 2024
Time	4:30 AM (Sep 07) IST / 11:00 PM GMT / 07:00 PM LOCAL
Live Telecasting	Star Sports Network, Fan Code

SKN vs BR Squad

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher(w/c), Kyle Mayers, Sherfane Rutherford, Josh Clarkson, Odean Smith, Mikyle Louis, Ryan John, Mohammad Mohsin, Veerasammy Permaul, Anrich Nortje, Ashmead Nedd, Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Johann Layne, Rilee Rossouw

Barbados Royals

Quinton de Kock(w), Rahkeem Cornwall, Shamarh Brooks, Alick Athanaze, Rovman Powell(c), Jason Holder, Dunith Wellalage, Obed McCoy, Maheesh Theekshana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nyeem Young, Kevin Wickham, Ramon Simmonds, Kadeem Alleyne, Rivaldo Clarke, Isai Thorne, Nathan Sealy

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Unavailable Players

Injury: NIL
Others: NIL

Barbados Royals Unavailable Players

Injury: NIL
Others: NIL

SKN vs BR Probable Playing 11

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots

Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher (c & wk), Kyle Mayers, Josh Clarkson, Sherfane Rutherford, Mikyle Louis, Odean Smith, Ryan John, Veerasammy Permaul, Mohammad Mohsin, Anrich Nortje

Barbados Royals

Quinton de Kock (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Dunith Wellalage, Obed McCoy, Maheesh Theekshana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nyeem Young

SKN vs BR Pitch Report

The Warner Park, St Kitts has been a batting haven. Plethora of runs has been scored in the last three matches here with both the first and second innings average totals surging above 200.

There is little assist for the pacers while the spinners are getting to grip the ball to a moderate amount. For a bowler, it is very important to hit the right areas as the margin of error is very less.

SKN vs BR Dream11 Prediction – Mega Contest

Batters: E Lewis
All-rounders: J Holder, R Cornwall, K Mayers, D Wellalage
Bowlers: T Shamsi, O McCoy, Naveen-ul-Haq, A Nortje, M Theekshana
Wicket-Keeper: Q de Kock
Captain: K Mayers
Vice-captain: Q de Kock

SKN vs BR Dream11 Prediction – H2H Contest

Batters: E Lewis, S Rutherford
All-rounders: J Holder, R Cornwall, K Mayers, O Smith, D Wellalage
Bowlers: A Nortje, M Theekshana
Wicket-Keeper: A Fletcher, Q de Kock
Captain: K Mayers
Vice-captain: A Nortje

SKN vs BR Dream11 Prediction – Small Contest

Batters: E Lewis
All-rounders: J Holder, R Cornwall, K Mayers, O Smith, D Wellalage
Bowlers: O McCoy, A Nortje, M Theekshana
Wicket-Keeper: A Fletcher, Q de Kock
Captain: K Mayers
Vice-captain: Q de Kock

“What a Disappointment” Ravichandran Ashwin on Pakistan’s Test Downfall

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September 6, 2024

India spin all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin has expressed his Sympathy for Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood as the side lost the home test series against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh secured a victory against Pakistan in the first Test in Rawalpindi by 10 wickets and went on to beat them in the second and final test at the same venue by six wickets to secure a historic series win.

On the other hand, Pakistan went winless for the 10th consecutive test at home where they have lost six and drawn four. Their last test win at home was more than three and half years ago against South Africa in February 2021.

As a result, Pakistan went to no. 8 in the WTC points table and their rating has dropped down which is the lowest one since 1965.

“What a victory for Bangladesh but what a disappointment for Pakistan. It’s quite disappointing because Pakistan is not an easy team to beat. But for more than 1000 days at home, Pakistan hasn’t won at home. Pakistani cricket fans are passionate,” said Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube Channel.

India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests pointed to the legacy of Pakistan Cricket to express his shock at the current performance.

“You know who I feel for the most? It’s Pakistan cricket’s history. Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Imran Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ijaz Ahmed,, Salim Malik, Saeed Anwar, Amer Sohail… I can just keep on going. What legacy that country and their cricket team have.”

Ravichandran Ashwin called them a much-improved Test side because of the mixed Youth and experience in their line-up, saying that it was difficult to beat Pakistan 10 years ago.

“Of course, Bangladesh has come a long way. I don’t take anything away from them. Last year, when we toured Bangladesh, we knew what a good Test side Bangladesh is. They have got a lot of experience in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Mehidy Hasan and they have also got some good young talent.

“Keeping all this aside, to see where Pakistan cricket where it is now… It was difficult to beat them even 10 years ago when Misbah and Younis Khan were there and they played their home matches in the UAE.”

“You had the likes of Yasir Shah, you had two left-arm spinners Adbur Rahman and Zulfiqar Babar coming in. Where they (Pakistan team) are right now, I can’t believe it,” Ashwin added.

He also said he felt bad for Pakistan test captain Shan Masood who won all five tests after taking over captaincy duties from Babar Azam. He also pointed out issues in the Pakistan dressing room.

“I feel terribly bad for someone like Shan Masood. Shan Masood is a very smart cricketer. I know that guy. He speaks a lot of sense. He can be a really good captain for Pakistan. But handling a Pakistan team at this point, where somebody like Babar Azam is not the captain and he’s the poster boy of Pakistan, it cannot be an easy dressing room,” he added.

Pakistan is set to play a three-match test series against England next month with the first test against to be starting on October 7 at Multan Cricket Stadium.

Vikram Rathour, Rangana Herath Joins New Zealand Coaching Setup

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September 6, 2024

The New Zealand Cricket has added former Sri Lanka Spinner Rangana Herath and Former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour to their coaching setup ahead of the one-off test against Afghanistan starting on September 09.

Herath has been appointed as the spin bowling coach for the upcoming three tests replacing Pakistani coach Saqlain Mushtaq who was set to fill in the interim role before pulling out to take up a position in the Pakistan Cricket Board.

On the other hand, Vikram Rathour has joined the Kiwis for the one-off test against Afghanistan. Rathour played six tests for India in the 90s before becoming the BCCI selector in 2012. His most recent work comes from the Indian batting unit under head coach Rahul Dravid.

Rangana Herath has been appointed as spin-bowling coach for the three upcoming Tests in Asia while former Indian batting coach Vikram Rathour has joined the BLACKCAPS for the one-off Test in Noida against Afghanistan. #AFGvNZ #SLvNZ https://t.co/faF2cFarMo

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 6, 2024

Speaking about the appointment of Herath and Vikram Rathour, Kiwis head coach Gary Stead said, “We’re really excited to introduce Rangana and Vikram into our Test group.”

“Both men are held in high regard in the world of cricket and I know our players are really looking forward to the opportunity to learn from them.”

“For our three left-arm orthodox spinners in particular, Ajaz (Patel), Mitchell (Santner), and Rachin (Ravindra) having the chance to work with Rangana across three Tests on the sub-continent will be hugely beneficial,” he said.

“Rangana has taken over 100 Test wickets in Galle which is the venue of our two Tests against Sri Lanka and so his knowledge of that venue will be priceless,” Stead added.

New Zealand will be touring Sri Lanka in the second half of the month before they play a three-match test series against India. The One-off test against Afghanistan is not part of the WTC cycle.

Currently, New Zealand stands in third position in the WTC points table with 3 wins in 6 matches. The only test against Afghanistan will be played between September 9 and 13 at Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.

“We Strive to Play” Rishabh Pant Statement Ahead of Duleep Trophy

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September 5, 2024