More
    Home Blog Page 715

    Steve Smith Bags Two Prestigious Awards of Australian Cricket

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Steve Smith
    Steve Smith

    Australia’s star batsman, the ‘genius’ Steve Smith has won the Allan Border Medal for the year 2021. Along with this Steve Smith also bagged Australia’s Men’s ODI Player of the Year.

    Steve Smith won the Allan Border Medal

    With this, Steve Smith has joined David Warner in the second position on the all-time list behind four-time winners of the medal- Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke.

    Smith on receiving Allan Border Medal

    “It’s a great thrill, plenty of hard work has gone into it (but) I didn’t expect it; I thought Marnus (Labuschagne) or Pat Cummins were the front runners because they both had exceptional years. I didn’t feel I had the biggest Test summer, which normally holds the most votes. I think my one-day cricket was pretty good last summer,” Smith said, on receiving the award.

    “I’m just really honoured to have won my third AB Medal and hopefully I can keep producing results for Australia.”

    Full list of 2021 Australian Cricket Awards recipients

    Allan Border Medal: Steve Smith

    Belinda Clark Award: Beth Mooney

    Men’s Test Player of the Year: Pat Cummins

    Men’s ODI Player of the Year: Steve Smith

    Men’s T20I Player of the Year: Ashton Agar

    Women’s ODI Player of the Year: Rachael Haynes

    Women’s T20I Player of the Year: Beth Mooney

    Community Impact Award: Josh Lalor

    Men’s Domestic Player of the Year: Shaun Marsh

    Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year: Will Sutherland

    Women’s Domestic Player of the Year: Elyse Villani

    Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year: Hannah Darlington

    Australian Cricket Hall of Fame: Johnny Mullagh, Merv Hughes, and Lisa Sthalekar

    IPL 2021: 1097 Players were Registered for the IPL 2021 Auction

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Dream11 IPL trophy
    Dream11 IPL trophy

    A massive 1097 players were registered for the upcoming IPL 2021 Auction including international and domestic capped and uncapped players.

    IPL board announces players with the eligibility to get part in IPL to complete the registration before February 4.

    Left-arm fast bowler Arjun Tendulkar, son of the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, will be among the players available for the IPL 2021 players’ auction. Arjun Tendulkar made his T20 debut during the Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy, picking up 1/34 for Mumbai against Haryana. He played another game against Puducherry, claiming 1/33.

    Kerala fast bowler S Sreesanth, who returned to playing competitive cricket a month ago during the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament, setting his base price at ₹75 lakh.

    Among other Indians, Kedar Jadhav, having been released by Chennai Super Kings, has put his base price at Rs 2 crore. Harbhajan Singh, Kedar Jadhav, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Moeen Ali, Sam Billings, Jason Roy, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, and Colin Ingram – all set their base price at ₹2 crores.

    Finch, Umesh, Vihari, Labuschagne, Cottrell registered their name for 1 Crore. While Mujeeb, Carey, NCN, J Richardson, Swepson, T Curran, Gregory, Hales, Adam Lyth, Adil, Willey registered for 1.5 crores. Where Pujara, Dube, Karun Nair, Varun Aaron has a base price of 50 Lakh in the IPL auction 2021.

    Players registered for IPL 2021 Player Auction

    The IPL Player Registration closed on 4th February 2021 with 1097 players (814 Indian and 283 overseas players) signing up to be a part of the IPL 2021 Player Auction set to take place in Chennai on 18th February 2021.

    The Auction will begin from 3 PM onwards.

    The players’ list incorporates 207 capped, 863 uncapped, and 27 Associate players. The detailed list is as below

    • Capped Indian (21 players)
    • Capped International (186 players)
    • Associate (27 players)
    • Uncapped Indian players who have played at least 1 IPL match (50 players)
    • Overseas uncapped players who have played at least 1 IPL match (2 players)
    • Uncapped International (68 players)

    If every franchise were to have a maximum of 25 players in their squad, 61 players will be taken in the auction (of which up to 22 may be overseas players).

    The country-wise breakdown of 283 overseas players is listed below

    Country
    Players Registered
    Afghanistan 30
    Australia 42
    Bangladesh 5
    England 21
    Ireland 2
    Nepal 8
    Netherlands 1
    New Zealand 29
    Scotland 7
    South Africa 38
    Sri Lanka 31
    UAE 9
    USA 2
    West Indies 56
    Zimbabwe 2

    Babar Azam Win the ICC’s Poll of “Best Cover Drive”

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Babar Azam
    Babar Azam

    Pakistan’s Babar Azam beats Virat Kohli in the ICC’s poll of For Best Cover Drive. ICC announced a poll for the best cover drive between Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Joe Toot, and Kane Williamson.

    Babar Azam Wins Best Cover Drive Poll

    All the cricketers in the list are top batsmen in the world and to see Babar beat such big names in the poll, is certainly a massive feat. A total of 260,143 people voted in the poll in which the Pakistan cricketer garnered around 46 percent of votes

    He was closely followed by Kohli – who finished second by a whisker. Kohli lost out to Babar by a margin of 0.01 percent. NZ star Williamson is third in the coveted list with 7.1 percent, while Root with 1.1 percent was at four.

    Currently, Babar averages in excess of 50 in ODIs and T20Is with 12 centuries and 40.93, while in Tests, he has over 2,000 runs at an average of 44.29. Babar has a total of 17 tons and 47 half-centuries.

    Kohli on the other hand averages in excess of 50 across formats and has been one of the best players of the decade. Kohli – who was on paternity leave – is back at the helm of affairs as India hosts England at home. Kohli would be expected to play a big part in the series after having missed out on the Australia tour.

    Meanwhile, Kohli is back to lead the Indian cricket team in the four-match Test series against England which began in Chennai on Friday (February 05). Joe Root & Co. are batting first after winning the toss.

    The hosts have included three spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, and Washington Sundar – in their bowling attack for the opening Test.

    BCCI Announces the Upcoming Schedule for India From 2021 to 2023

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    BCCI

    BCCI announces the upcoming cricket schedule for team India for the window of 2021-2023.

    With an improvement in the situation across the world, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian cricket team’s schedule for the next two years. From 2021 to 2023, the Indian team will have a jam-packed schedule, playing three World Cups — 2 T20Is and the ODI WC — and several bilateral series.

    The Indian cricket team’s upcoming schedule from 2021 to 2023

    BCCI’s releases the upcoming cricket schedule for team India including three World Cups — 2 T20Is and the ODI WC — and several bilateral series.

    Indian Cricket Team Schedule for 2021

    April to May 2021: Indian Premier League.

    June to July 2021: World Test Championship (June), India vs Sri Lanka (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is), Asia Cup.

    July 2021: India vs Zimbabwe (3 ODIs).

    July to September 2021: India vs England (5 Tests).

    October 2021: India vs South Africa (3 ODIs, 5 T20Is).

    October to November 2021: ICC T20 World Cup.

    November to December 2021: India vs New Zealand (2 Tests, 3 T20Is), India vs South Africa (3 Tests, 3 T20Is).

    Indian Cricket Team Schedule for 2022

    January to March 2022: India vs West Indies (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is), India vs Sri Lanka (3 Tests, 3 T20Is), April to May 2022, Indian Premier League 2022.

    June 2022: NO SERIES SCHEDULED

    July to August 2022: India vs England (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is), India vs West Indies (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is).

    September 2022: Asia Cup (Venue Undecided).

    October to November 2022: ICC World T20 in Australia.

    November to December 2022: India vs Bangladesh (2 Tests, 3 T20Is), India vs Sri Lanka (5 ODIs).

    Indian Cricket Team Schedule for 2023

    January 2023: India vs New Zealand (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is).

    February to March 2023: India vs Australia (4 Tests, 3 ODIs, 3 T20Is).

    April to May 2023: Indian Premier League.

    October 2023: ODI World Cup.

    How India can qualify for the World Test Championships finals?

    Currently, India is playing their 4 match test series against England on their home ground.

    Current PCT of India – 71.7%

    Remaining matches: Four-Test home series against England.

    Though India remains in the secured spot of the WTC points table still they need the following qualifications to eligible for the World Test Championships finals.

    India needs to beat England by 2-1, 2-0, 3-1, 3-0, or 4-0.

    To cement their place in the final, India will need to win their upcoming four-match home series against England by at least a two-match margin.

    If they lose one Test, then they will need to win three games (2-1, 2-0, 3-1, 3-0, or 4-0), whereas a 0-3 or 0-4 loss against England will wipe away their chances of making the final regardless of other results.

    Rishabh Pant Trolls Sundar in Hilarious Way in IND vs ENG Chennai Test

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Rishabh Pant
    Rishabh Pant

    Indian wicket keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant trolled his teammate Washington Sundar while fielding against England at Chennai.

    Rishabh Pant Trolls Sundar

    So, while he has been continuously talking in the Test series against England at Chennai, a lot of it has been captured by the stump mic. However, something that he told Washington Sundar has got fans laughing out loud.

    During the 70th over of the innings, Sibley managed to defend a delivery from Washington Sundar. Pant decided it was a good idea to troll the all-rounder and he was heard screaming, “Mera naam hai Washington, Mujhe jana hai DC” which translates to, “My name is Washington, and I want to go to DC”.

    As soon as this was heard, netizens made sure to share videos of the same.

    As for the clash, England skipper Joe Root smashed a ton on his 100th Test in Chennai. The England captain who has three consecutive centuries now in his last three Tests, also the first player in history to score a hundred in his 98th, 99th and 100th Test.

    Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is the only cricketer to hit centuries in both innings on his 100th Test. With this ton, Joe Root also became the eighth player and third English cricketer after Colin Cowdrey and Alec Stewart to score the century on their 100th Test.

    Sri Lanka Includes Former Cricketers in the “New Cricket Committee”

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Cricket Sri Lanka
    Cricket Sri Lanka

    Sri Lanka includes Spin bowling legend Muttiah Muralitharan and former captain Kumar Sangakkara in the four-member Sri Lanka New cricket committee.

    Sri Lanka Announces New cricket committee

    “Sri Lanka Cricket appointed the following members to the ‘Cricket Committee,’ taking into consideration the recommendations made by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Honorable Namal Rajapaksa,” SLC said in an official statement.

    Last month, Sri Lanka chief selector Ashantha de Mel stepped down following the 2-0 loss against England in the home Test series.De Mel said it had always been his plan to resign as a selector at the conclusion of the England series. He had earlier stepped down as team manager — a post he had simultaneously held. He had held both roles since November 2018.

    “I was planning to resign from both anyway, so I was waiting for the second Test [against England] to be over. With the manager’s role, they needed the next manager to get visas ready for an upcoming tour. So I announced that earlier. I feel now it’s time for me to move on. It’s been two years,” ESPNcricinfo had quoted De Mel as saying.

    Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has confirmed that Jerome Jayaratne, who has held various roles within the team, including as interim head coach in 2015 and 2016, will take up the manager’s position. There is no news yet as to who might be part of a fresh selection committee, ESPNcricinfo reported.

    De Mel blamed lack of practice for the 2-0 loss in the Test series against South Africa and the latest defeat against England.

    “Considering the last two tours, we were not prepared to go and play in South Africa. We played the LPL and the next day flew off. We had one day’s practice. Who goes and plays at The Wanderers without having at least a three or four-day practice game to get used to the conditions? People have to acclimatise to the high altitude, and then the physical fitness — no one checked for one month,” De Mel said.

    Also read: Former Sri Lankan Cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan Recalls Playing Under MS Dhoni for CSK

    Ravi Shastri Suggests a Two Week Break for Team India Post IPL 2021

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Indian head coach Ravi Shastri
    Indian head coach Ravi Shastri

    Indian Head Coach Ravi Shastri needs a two-week break for team India as living in a bio-bubble can be mentally very draining.

    Ravi Shastri needs a two-week Break for India

    The Indian players haven’t been on a break since the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) last year in September and Shastri feels the team must go for a break after this year’s IPL to recover from exhaustion.

    “You know, this team takes, like I said, pride in performance. They take it one step at a time. Every game is important, every format is important, and you look at it in that way and we’ve got the volume of players. You know, at the moment, the bench strength is there to for you to accommodate them, across formats,” said Shastri on Star Sports show Cricket Live.

    India beat Australia in Gabba and lifts the series trophy
    India beat Australia in Gabba and lifts the series trophy

    “So, I think the hunger will be there, you’ll have to perform game after game, but I do believe, you need a break as well, from the international arena. So, I think, hopefully, after this series,” he further said.

    “Yes, they go into the IPL, but that’s a shorter format, but then again, after the IPL, I think, a couple of weeks off is a must. With these quarantines, these bubbles, it is mentally very, very draining. You’re a human at the end of it all,” Shastri added.

    The former cricketer and head coach lauded skipper Virat Kohli and pointed out how the India captain has developed into an astute leader.

    “Just seeing the way he has evolved, you knew that there was an uncut diamond there when I took over in 2014, but just to see him evolve… It takes time, everything doesn’t happen in a hurry,” said Shastri.

    “You got to have the ups, the downs, you know, you got to feel the heat, you got to have your successes and failures, to be able to get up and move on in life. I think he has handled that beautifully and I’m sure he will handle fatherhood as well in that similar manner,” he added.

    READ: Cricket Experts Slams BCCI for Not Including Kuldeep Yadav in England Test

    Cricket Experts Slams BCCI for Not Including Kuldeep Yadav in England Test

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Kuldeep Yadav
    Kuldeep Yadav

    Former cricketers and Cricket Experts slams the Indian selection committee for not including Kuldeep Yadav in the 1st Test vs England.

    Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav has been omitted from India’s playing XI for the first Test against England in Chennai as the Virat Kohli-led team included Shahbaz Nadeem, Washington Sundar, and R Ashwin in the spin department.

    Virat Kohli on Yadav

    Virat Kohli said, “Someone like Kuldeep hasn’t had a lot of game time but now that the home season starts, he will in the scheme of things, he will be in the team plans, but to keep guys motivated you need to give them goals.

    “Kuldeep is someone who has got a lot of skill. He understands there were areas in his game that he had to work on, which he has worked in beautifully in Australia. I see him, fitter, I see his bowling improved much more than it was before. I see he has added to his skill sets as well.

    It is about giving them goals. And these guys are young. So they understand that once an opportunity arrives, and they start capitalising on them, the careers are long.”

    Netizens Slams BCCI for not including Kuldeep Yadav

    Moreover, Twitter is abuzz with fans, former cricketers and cricket expert’s reactions over Kuldeep Yadav’s exclusion. 31-year-old Shahbaz Nadeem has grabbed the spot in India’s playing XI.

    Joe Root Achieve THIS Feat in his 100th Test Match

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Joe Root
    Joe Root

    England’s Joe Root register his name in the list of players to score a century in their 100th test match. Root completed his century with a single off Washington Sundar off 162 balls in a knock studded with 12 boundaries.

    Joe Root Score Century in his 100th Test

    The in-form batsman — who made his Test debut in India in 2012 and is playing after match-winning knocks of 228 and 186 in Sri Lanka — swept the Indian spinners around the stadium as he reached the landmark in 164 balls.

    Root becomes the third Englishman after Colin Cowdrey (104 vs Australia in 1968) and Alec Stewart (105 vs West Indies in 2000) to achieve this feat.

    Players to Score TON in their 100th Test match

    Player Score Team Opposition Ground Year
    Colin Cowdrey 104 England v Australia Birmingham 11-Jul-68
    Javed Miandad 145 Pakistan v India Lahore 01-Dec-89
    Gordon Greenidge 149 West Indies v England St John’s 12-Apr-90
    Alex Stewart 105 England v West Indies Manchester 03-Aug-00
    Inzamam-ul-Haq 184 Pakistan v India Bengaluru 24-Mar-05
    Ricky Ponting 120 Australia v South Africa Sydney 02-Jan-06
    Ricky Ponting 143* Australia v South Africa Sydney 02-Jan-06
    Graeme Smith 131 South Africa v England The Oval 19-Jul-12
    Hashim Amla 134 South Africa v Sri Lanka Johannesburg 12-Jan-17
    Joe Root Batting England v India Chennai 05-Feb-21

     

    He has also presented a special cap by England national selector Ed Smith on the occasion. Root had made his debut against India in the 2012-13 tour and also played his 50th Test against the same opponent in Vishakapatnam in 2016.

    The 30-year-old Root has scored 8,249 runs with 19 centuries and 49 half-centuries before this Test. Wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler, who is playing in his 50th Test, also received a special cap from Root.

    At the time of filing the report, England were 242/2 (81)  with Root and Dominic Sibley unbeaten on 109 and 85 runs respectively. They have added 179 runs in 339 balls for the third wicket.

    Also read: India vs England 2021 Schedule, Venue, and Timing

    India vs England: Axar Patel Ruled out, BCCI Names the Replacement

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Axar Patel
    Axar Patel

    Just hours before the 1st IND vs ENG Test, India have received a major blow as spin bowler Axar Patel is ruled out of the match due to a Knee injury. The team management has announced Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar as his replacement and added in the squad as a replacement for Axar.

    Axar Patel Ruled out of the England Test series

    Patel was picked as a replacement for star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is recovering from an injury and was in line to make his Test debut.

    “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added spinners Shahbaz Nadeem and Rahul Chahar to India’s squad. Both Nadeem and Chahar have been training with Team India as part of the standby group of players,” the release also stated.

    Both bowlers had already been on stand-by and training with the team, so they will already be part of the bio-secure bubble.

    Shahbaz Nadeem replaced Axar

    Finally, Shahbaz Nadeem has been dragged into the playing XI for the 1st test against England.

    Nadeem brings immense experience with him. Having played 117 first-class games, he has 443 wickets in the format, 83 of which have come for India A at an average of under 30. Despite all that, he has played just the one Test though, against South Africa in Ranchi in 2019, finishing with match figures of 4 for 40.

    Chahar, 21, on the other hand, has only 17 first-class games to his name after debuting in the format in 2016. But he offers a leg-spin option and is coming off an IPL in which he showcased some fearless tactics. He finished the IPL with 15 wickets at 28.86 for Mumbai Indians. Following the IPL, in the recently concluded domestic T20s, the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, he claimed 11 wickets in five games for Rajasthan.

    India playing XI for 1st Test vs England

    Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shahbaz Nadeem, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah.

    Brad Hogg Predicts Number of Balls Pujara will Face in England Series

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Brad Hogg
    Brad Hogg

    Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg talked about how Pujara might approach England’s bowling during the series. He said that he expects nothing different from Pujara and even predicted the number of balls he will face.

    Earlier this year India scripts a record breaking winning in Gabba Test by beating Australia in Border Gavaskar Trophy. Pujara plays a crucial role in last two test and paved the way for India to beat the Australia.

    Brad Hogg Praises Pujara

    Pujara scored 278 runs from 928 deliveries by playing 8 innings of 4 Test matches. Netizens praises him as the next WALL for the team India after Rahul Dravid. His crucial 77 off 205 deliveries plays an important role in 3rd Test match which results in draw.

    His innings of 56 in the last Test proved to be a memorable on as he took 11 body blows during his stay at the crease but continued to bat on. India eventually chased down Australia’s target to win the Test series 2-1.

    “(Cheteshwar) Pujara, I reckon, is going to play some 997 balls for the series in these four Test matches. Dig in, and watch him block away,” Hogg said on his Youtube channel.

    Joe Root hails Pujara

    England captain Joe Root also hailed Cheteshwar Pujara as he said that the India No. 3 is a ‘fantastic player’ and is going to be a ‘huge wicket’ for them.

    “I think he is a fantastic player, I had the pleasure of playing a couple of games with him for Yorkshire. To learn from him and speak about batting, was really interesting.

    “Playing against him and being on the wrong end of him scoring some runs, you learn from those kinds of innings. You have seen his importance and what he adds to the Indian team, he is going to be a huge wicket for us, no doubt,” said Root.

    Also read: Cheteshwar Pujara Opens up on the Concluded Australia Tour

    Marnus Labuschagne Shows Interest to Get Part in IPL 2021

    By
    Times of Sports
    -
    0
    Marnus Labuschagne
    Marnus Labuschagne

    Marnus Labuschagne, the Australian batsman, has expressed his desire to play in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

    Marnus Labuschagne to Register for IPL 2021 Auction

    The 26-year-old has hinted at registering for the IPL auction, which is set to take place on February 18 in Chennai.

    Earlier in December 2020 when Australia were busy playing the Adelaide Test against India, Labuschagne talked about his dream of taking part in the IPL. He believed that he has a chance of getting picked after how he has performed in the last one and half years or so.

    “I think so, I think so [will be registering for the IPL]. That will obviously be released really soonish anyway. You throw your name in the hat and see what happens. You know, like I’ve said that the IPL is a great competition. Personally, I would love to be part of it but, let’s see what happens,” Labuschagne said at a post-match interview of the BBL.

    Marnus Labuschagne
    Marnus Labuschagne

    “I have been interested in the IPL for a long time, always following and how the teams are going. I really want to be involved in the IPL at some stage but I think the time will come when I’m ready for that opportunity. And I think you don’t need to always rush these things.

    “You know the way my career has developed in the last year has been quite substantial. It’s gone real quick. Probably a year and a half ago, I wouldn’t even be in contention for the IPL but now I would love to be over there,” he had said.

    Also read: How a new Player can register for IPL Auction?

    Marnus Labuschagne’s Carrier

    In the 2020-21 BBL, Labuschagne scored 176 runs at an average and strike-rate of 29.33 and 123.07 respectively. With his leg-breaks, he got 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.58.

    Overall, in just 18 Tests, the right-handed batsman has scored 1885 runs at an outstanding average of 60.80. He also has a decent average of 39.41 in his short ODI career so far.

    IPL 2021 Schedule

    According to some media reports, the 14th edition of the IPL is slated to be held in its original April-May window, but the venue and dates for IPL 2021 are yet to be announced by BCCI.

    But BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal, last week, said that the board doesn’t even need to look at back-up overseas venues for hosting the next IPL as the Covid-19 situation is improving in India.

    Dhumal told news agency PTI that BCCI is confident of hosting IPL 2021 in India unlike the previous edition, which was held in the UAE due to the pandemic.

    “We are working on having the IPL in India and we are hopeful that we would be able to organize it. We are not even thinking of a back-up also at this point in time, we are wanting to do it here. India is probably safer than UAE at this point. Hopefully, the situation remains stable and keep improving and we will have it here,” Dhumal said.

    1...714715716...841Page 715 of 841
    Times-Of-Sports-Logo

    Latest Sports News, Updates, Highlights, Stats on different sports like Cricket, Football and so. Get all the needed verified news from Times Of Sports News Websites.

    contact@timesofsports.com

    Latest articles

    Popular Categories