Women’s T20I World cup-India vs Bangladesh: Live score update

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Times of Sports

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February 24, 2020

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Women's T20I worldcup India vs Bangladesh

Venue : W.A.C.A. Ground, Perth

Toss : Bangladesh Women won the toss and opt to bowl

Squad

Bangladesh Women (Playing XI): Murshida Khatun, Shamima Sultana, Sanjida Islam, Nigar Sultana(w), Fargana Hoque, Rumana Ahmed, Salma Khatun(c), Fahima Khatun, Jahanara Alam, Panna Ghosh, Nahida Akter

India Women (Playing XI): Shafali Verma, Taniya Bhatia(w), Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

Smiriti Mandhana-Viral fever

On speaking about Smiriti captain Harmanpreet Kaur said : We wanted to bat, and get a decent total on the board, so we are happy. The first game was good for us to set the tone, and we’re positive that we’ll do that. Smriti Mandhana is out due to viral fever, and Richa Ghosh comes in for her.

India’s Batting

After the victory in first match against Australia, India face Bangladesh without their opener Smiriti Mandhana. Bhatia and Shafali Verma are at the crease, Bhatia is on strike. Jahanara Alam opens the attack. Without any fear 16 year old Verma strike a six in the first over and continued her play as in the first match. In the next over bowled by Salma Khatun where Verma strike another six and rotate the strike to Bhatia. But Bhatia failed to show up and left to pavilion as she ventured out far too early from the crease and get stumped by keeper.

Verma’s innings end by Ghosh

On the other hand Verma continued her aggressive strike with balls flying around the ground. With a six and couple of boundaries in 3rd over India scored a total of 34 runs for a wicket loss. The terrific innings of Verma comes to an end when she strike the Panna Ghosh’s ball and get caught by Shamima Sultana. At the end of power play India scored 54 runs for two wicket loss.

Harmanpreet Kaur fails to show herself as in the first T20I and return to pavilion with just 8 runs from 11 balls. Deepti Sharma then joins hand with Rodrigues where this duo is expected to score some runs.

Verma's aggressive strike — Verma’s aggressive strike

India reached 100!!

The well formed in ground Rodrigues get an unnecessary run out and left the ground while she scored 34 runs off 37 balls. With a couple of boundaries from Richa Ghosh India reached 100 runs in total. But soon Ghosh lose her wicket to Salma Khatun and return pavilion with 14 runs.

Crazy run-out

In the same over where Deepti Sharma and Krishnamurthy are in crease. Deepti Sharma gets a run out while try to take a second run, both ended up going towards the same end after some major confusion. Shikha Pandey paired with Krishnamurthy and dragged India towards a descent score of 142. Salma Khatun and Panna Ghosh each took couple of wickets for Bangladesh.

Deepthi sharma run out — Deepti Sharma and Krishnamurthy confused while running for a second run

Bangladesh Batting

With a target of 143 to chase down Bangladesh’s Shamima Sultana and Murshida Khatun gets in crease. Deepti Sharma opens the bowling attack for India and provided only 3 runs of the first over. Shikha Pandey took the wicket of Shamima Sultana in her first over and Bangladesh stunned as they lose their opener for 5 runs.

In the very next over of Deepti Sharma, Murshida Khatun hits three boundaries and scored 14 runs of that over. Bangladesh scored 33 runs for a wicket loss when power play ends. This duo paired and scored 39 runs for the next wicket of Murshida Khatun. Richa Ghosh took the Khatun’s catch and sent her to paviliion for 30 runs.

Nigar Sultana-Helpless

Nigar Sultana joins hand with Sanjida Islam and moved Bangladesh towards 50 runs in total. Nigar Sultana hits couple of boundaries in Arundhati Reddy’s over and after 10 overs Bangladesh scored 60 runs for two wicket loss.

Poonam Yadav’s wicket-taking form continues as she uproots Sanjida Islam’s wicket and breaks the partnership that about to do something great. Arundhati Reddy gets into celebration when she dismissed Fargana Hoque for a duck.

Poonam Yadav’s spell

Nigar Sultana single handedly fought and try to move Bangladesh towards their victory. But failed to make a partnership and have a stand by. In the 15th over Poonam Yadav uproot Fahima Khatun and provide the break through needed by Indian team. Finally the long fight of Nigar Sultana came to an end when Gayakwad dismissed her for 35 runs. An easy stumping for Jahanara Alam made by Bhatia added credits.

Bangladesh need an improbable 22 off the final over. That too against Shikha Pandey who was superb against Australia. With a yorker in the first ball Shikha Pandey dismissed Rumana Ahmed and paved the way for a glorious victory where India beat Bangladesh by 18 runs.

Player of the match

Shafali Verma(India)

Batting : 39 off 17 delivery

Shafali Verma : Since Mandhana wasn’t around, I wanted to take the responsibility to stay around and give India a good start. I’ve been practising hitting the ball hard and I would like to bring the team more success in the future. I’d like to continue doing this, help India win matches and ultimately win us the World Cup.

Captain’s view

Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain : The way Shafali and Richa played today, they showed how capable they are for the team. Veda’s innings was turning point. We needed boundaries at that point and she did a great job. Look at one game at a time. Looking forward to do well in the future also. Hopefully Mandhana will be ready for New Zealand. She’s feeling better now.

Salma Khatun, Bangladesh captain : Didn’t bowl well in powerplay. Had mistakes in the field. Have only played 3-4 games under lights. Have to improve our game in the powerplay.

South Africa vs Australia T20I match-2: South Africa stays alive in the series.

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Times of Sports

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February 24, 2020

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Venue : St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth

Toss : South Africa won the toss and opt to bat

Squad

South Africa | Playing : Quinton de Kock(w/c), Reeza Hendricks, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bench : JJ Smuts, Dale Steyn, Bjorn Fortuin, Andile Phehlukwayo

Australia | Playing : David Warner, Aaron Finch(c), Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Bench : Sean Abbott, D Arcy Short, Jhye Richardson

De Kock’s phenomenal strike

After a terrible loss against Australia in the first T20I South Africa seeks to win this match to keep Proteas alive in the T20I series. de Kock and R Hendricks enters the crease. de Kock is on strike, Starc opens the attack. Though openers dont show any boundaries in first over, de Kock smashed couple of sixes in the second over. After the bad performance in first T20I De Kock seems shows his glorious form by striking boundaries in every possible direction. De Kock seems unstoppable, he striked aggressively that boost the South Afica’s total. After the power play South Africa scored 59 runs without any lose of wicket.

K Richardson took the Hendricks’s wicket very much needed to provide a break through. Du Plessis joins hand with South African skipper and expect to play a tremendous game but Cummins dismissed Du Plessis with a slower ball off the outside half.

Proteas dragged to 158

van der Dussen and De Kock strikes boundaries to boost their teams total. Where Zampa ends the De Kock’s aggressive game when he scored 70 runs from just 47 balls. At that time South Africa scored 121 runs, where Miller joins hand with van der Dussen and drag the team towards 158. Miller and Pite van Biljon stands unbeaten in ground.

Australia towards series win?

Australia get down to bat with a focus to win the match and take the Series win while a match left. Warner and Finch are at the crease, Warner is on strike. Rabada will open the attack for South Africa. As Warner lose his wicket in an early stage in the first T20I seeks to play a defensive game in second T20I.

Ngidi’s three wicket saved the game

Warner partnered with Finch and starts strike focusing towards a steady run growth. But Ngidi with his Spell took Finch’s wicket and there’s a huge smile of relief from de Kock as Finch departs. Warner joins hand with his all time favourite Smith, where Smith blew a six in Ngidi’s ball. After 10 over Australia scored 84 runs for a wicket loss, three runs ahead of South Africa.

The expected break through is provided by Pretorius when he dismissed Smith for 29 runs. South Africa’s greatest fear Warner stands tall and played aggressively, though Proteas didn’t able to dismiss Warner they dismissed other players to avoid from creating a partnership with him.

Ngidi's bowling spell — Ngidi picks three wicket in total

Warner seems helpless

After Carey’s wicket none of the Australian players scored dual digit runs, everyone returns pavilion with single digit score. When its 17 runs required from last over with Warner at the non-striker end South Africa’s winning phase seems glorious. Nortje bowled the last over and picked a wicket and allowed only four runs in that. South Africa kept the series alive by defeating Australia by 12 runs.

David Warner’s 67* is the joint second-highest score by an opening batsman remaining not out in an unsuccessful T20I chase.#SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/nVe3yKmWFf

— ICC (@ICC) February 23, 2020

Man of the Match

Quinton de Kock (South Africa)

Batting : 70 runs off 47 balls (4×5,6×4)

De Kock : I’ve realized that the new ball is key while batting. It gets difficult at the end so we capitalized on the powerplay. I know it’s difficult to chase a target like this here and we knew that and we pulled it off. In international cricket we need to understand what needs to be done and I’m really proud of the boys. I think a couple of games before this our death bowling struggled, and we had a good chat, but the boys came out here and stuck to the plans to execute brilliantly. It’ll be a good game, expecting a good wicket, so hopefully the boys come up there and perform well.

Aaron Finch | Australia captain: It’s always exciting on a surface like that. Unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it today. The way their bowlers brought it back was outstanding. Quinny played well, but we did well to stop the batsmen in the end. I think we just lacked the kick at the end of the chase. Pace off was the way to go, and we tried running hard, but Miller and co make it hard to take twos. If you don’t get the balls where you want to in the powerplay, it’s about making sure we rotate the strike, but we managed to get off to a flier. They bowled to a simple and effective plan. David didn’t get much strike, but South Africa bowled beautifully despite the larger margin for error on such a surface. I think getting the winning feeling in the middle-order is important and I think this is an important game building up to the World Cup.

T20I Women’s World cup-West Indies vs Thailand: Live Score Update

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Times of Sports

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February 22, 2020

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Venue : W.A.C.A. Ground, Pert

Toss : Thailand Women won the toss and opt to bat

Squad

West Indies

Playing: Hayley Matthews, Lee-Ann Kirby, Stafanie Taylor (c), Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Chedean Nation, Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Anisa Mohammed, Afy Fletcher, Shamilia Connell

Bench: Britney Cooper, Cherry Ann Fraser, Sheneta Grimmond, Shakera Selman

Thailand

Playing: Nattakan Chantam, Nattaya Boochatham, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (wk), Naruemol Chaiwai, Chanida Sutthiruang, Sornnarin Tippoch (c), Wongpaka Liengprasert, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Ratanaporn Padunglerd, Suleeporn Laomi, Soraya Lateh

Bench: Rosenan Kanoh, Phannita Maya, Thipatcha Puttawong, Suwanan Khiaoto

Thailand’s maiden match

Thailand makes their debut match in the World cup series. Chantam and Boochatham are at the crease, Chantam is on strike. Chinelle Henry opens the attack for West Indies. As this is their first match in International tournament they struggled to show up. Soon they lose their opener Boochatham for two runs. Nannapat Koncharoenkai paired up with Chantam and expect to perform a much needed strike. But soon West Indies acheived an another break through by uprooting Chantam for 9 runs.

Thailand lose its both the opener and seems to be helpless. Naruemol Chaiwai who is the wicket keeper of Thailand enters the crease and pair with Koncharoenkai. This duo added 35 runs for the next wicket of Chaiwai who return to pavilion for 13 runs. Hayley Matthews fires in a yorker from round the wicket.

Koncharoenkai- last hope for Thailand

Sutthiruang while try to hit a round-armish full ball wide of off from round the wicket, chiped it straight back to the bowler. Koncharoenkai is the only hope for Thailand to add some runs and end their first game with a descent score. But the remaining players failed to build a partnership with Koncharoenkai. Taylor picked couple of wickets in 15th over and that added benefits for West Indies. Atlast Afy Fletcher scatters Thailands hope by uprooting Koncharoenkai’s(33runs) wicket followed by a run out of W Liengprasert. Team Thailand fold up for just 78 runs in 20 overs.

At the toss Stafanie Taylor mentioned that she would like to restrict Thailand under 100 and her team have succeeded in doing that.

West Indies played without pressure

With an easy target of 79 to chase down Hayley Matthews and Lee-Ann Kirby get in the crease. Hayley Matthews is on strike, Boochatham opens the attack. Pressure builds over Thailand when Lateh spell 3 wides in the second over. Inspite of the low target the lose balls from Thailand shows they are playing under-pressure.

Without any rush West Indies played the match in a steady format. Lee-Ann Kirby sent to pavilion by run out due to the poor running while try to take a single. Stafanie Taylor(right handed) West Indian’s captain walk to the crease and pair with Hayley Matthews. In the fifth over Lateh uproot the Hayley Matthews’s wicket by a clean bowled.

Nannapat's effort to runout — Nannapat’s effort to runout

Campbelle at her 100th T20I

In the very next over Dottin lose her wicket while tries to take single. Count as second run out of the match for West Indies. This builds some pressure over West Indies as they lose three wickets for 27 runs in seven overs. Campbelle joins hand with captain Taylor and decide to play a steady game as the path to victory seems glorious. This is her 100th T20I match- a milestone acheivement for Campbelle.

This duo added 48 runs in total and paved the way for the victory. With a boundary West Indies win the match with 7 wickets in hand.

Player of the match

Stafanie Taylor(West Indies)

Batting : 26 from 37 ball

Stafanie Taylor : The bowling I felt was good but while batting I felt I just couldn’t get the ball off the square. But had to hang in there. I had decided with Campbelle we need to take our team through. We need to take our time to get used to the wicket. I keep telling my coaches that give me lesser bowlers and that I guess makes me feel that I need to bowl everyone.

👉 3/13
👉 26*
✅ One happy captain!

A selfie with Stafanie Taylor, Player of the Match for her all-round performance. #T20WorldCup | #WIvTHA pic.twitter.com/LsPkpBwFKM

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 22, 2020

Captain’s view

Sornnarin Tippoch: We are happy that we did well. Actually, we wanted to get around 120 but we couldn’t. They bowled short and we need to learn to deal with it. We need to keep improving on so many areas. Our bowling and fielding was excellent. We enjoyed ourselves. Had been waiting for this.

Stafanie Taylor: For them it is very special. Once they keep playing, they will keep getting better. When we played Australia and India back in the Caribbean, it wasn’t great. The bowlers bowled really well. Shamilia Connell has been working a lot with Courtney Walsh and she was brilliant. We always look at dot ball percentage. That is a factor for us and we need to work on it. We need to make sure that we are rotating the strike. We need to be tough on ourselves.

pic.twitter.com/nPwhWbwVPZ They started the game with showing a humble gesture and they end the game with a humble gesture as well. #spiritofcricket #T20WorldCup | #WT20WC | #WIvTHA

— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) February 22, 2020

South Africa vs Australia T20I match-1 : Highlights

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Times of Sports

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February 22, 2020

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Venue : The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

Toss : South Africa won the toss and opt to bowl

Squad

South Africa | Playing : Quinton de Kock (c & wk), Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, JJ Smuts, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi

Bench : Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Bjorn Fortuin

Australia | Playing : Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steven Smith, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Ashton Agar, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Adam Zampa

Bench : D Arcy Short, Sean Abbott, Jhye Richardson

Aggressive start by Aussies

Warner and Finch are at the crease,Warner is on strike. Steyn opens the attack. Warner without any fear strike the Steyn’s first ball to boundary. In the very next ball Steyn got his revenge by an extra bounce ball that dismissed Warner. After Warner’s wicket everyone expect Australia will play a steady game but in spite Finch move the next ball towards boundary. Steven Smith join hands with the captain Finch and start to strike aggressively. Though Rabada bowled at 147 kph Australian strikers shows no fear and continued to strike as-usual. At the end of power play Australia scored 70 runs for one wicket and placed them-self in safe zone.

Shamsi’s spin

South Africa badly need a wicket and changed their plan by introducing the spinners. Shamsi has been introduced and without any failure he done his job by uprooting the Aussies captain’s wicket. The 80 run partner-ship has been broken as Finch lose his wicket for 42 runs. At the end of 10 over Aussies scored 99 runs for two wicket lose.

Slower balls done their duty

Matthew Wade(left handed) comes to crease and join hands with Smith. This partnership didn’t last long as Steyn picks Wade’s wicket by a slower ball. In the very next over Smith lose his wicket to Shamsi’s spin ball. Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh joins hand and provided the required partnership though Rabadda get back in attack with his 140+ kph this duo scored 16 runs of that over. They added up sum of 50 runs in total and moves the score forward. As Carey lose his wicket to Phehlukwayo’s slower ball the partnership got broken as expected by South Africa. Though Australia lose 2 more wickets they manage to score a total of 196 runs-that’s huge.

Struggled South Africa

With a massive target of 197 to chase down de Kock and van der Dussen enters the ground de Kock is on strike as Starc opens the bowling attack. South Africa got stunned when their captain de Kock who is in glorious form return pavilion after scoring just 2 runs. South Africa’s former captain Faf du Plessis shows some of his skills and keep South Africa to score as needed. Proteas failed to build a partnership as van der Dussen lose his wicket to Cummins when he scored just 6 runs. Smuts who expected to join hands with du Plessis and lead the South Africa also failed and return pavilion for just 7 runs.

The swing, the pace, the look on his face… Proteas skipper Quinton de Kock copped an absolutely unplayable seed from Mitch Starc! #SAvAUS #starc pic.twitter.com/TCMFTMEuFJ

— News Cricket (@NewsCorpCricket) February 22, 2020

Agar’s hat-trick

In the very next over Zampa too lose his wicket and returns pavilion with a score of 2. South Africa just scored 42 runs for 4 wicket at the end of power play. South Africa’s winning dream get scatters when their only hope du Plessis lose his wicket to Agar while scoring 24 off 22 balls. Agar gained a hat-trick as he uproot the wicket of Phehlukwayo and Dale Steyn in the very next balls and script a history as he is the first bowler to take a T20I hat-trick against South Africa.

South Africa lose its every hope and expect for some miracle to happen as they scored only 44 runs for losing seven wickets. Agar almost got an second hat-trick when he picked Pite van Biljon and Ngidi’s wicket. In the 14th over Zampa got the Rabada’s wicket and fold up South Africa for 89 runs and registered their win with a massive difference of 107 runs.

Stats after this match

Biggest defeats for SA in T20Is (runs):

107 runs v AUS Johannesburg 2020*
95 runs v AUS Brisbane 2006
95 runs v PAK Centurion 2013
52 runs v AUS Melbourne 2009

Best bowling figures vs SA in T20Is:

5/6 Umar Gul Centurion 2013
5/19 Ahsan Malik Chattogram 2014
5/24 Bhuvneshwar Kumar Johannesburg 2018
5/24 Ashton Agar Johannesburg 2020*

Best bowling figures for Australia in T20Is:

5/24 Ashton Agar v SA Johannesburg 2020*
5/27 James Faulkner v PAK Mohali 2016

Lowest totals for South Africa In T20Is:

89 v Australia Johannesburg 2020*
98 v Sri Lanka Colombo 2018
100 v Pakistan Centurion 2013

Player of the match

Ashton Agar (Australia)

Bowling : 5 wickets for 24 runs in 4 four.

Agar states : It was really exciting; a highlight of my cricketing life. It was made easy by Starc, Cummins and Richardson bowling in front of me. Starc, at 150 clicks, induces fear in the opposition. I was feeling horrible at the start of the game. But with a bit of turn off the pitch your job becomes easy. Terrific catch by the skipper, he enjoyed it himself.

Captains view

Aaron Finch | Australia’s skipper: The way we set the tone on the field was fantastic. Ashton gets the credit today; the lengths he bowled was fantastic. When you are scoring 200 the start is very important. I would have batted second as well had I won the toss, so a nice toss to lose. I thought the way we attacked the crease and the lengths we bowled was fantastic. If someone blasts a good ball off you, you take your hat off to them. I had a 10% chance of catching that (hat-trick ball) but he deserves all the credit.

Quinton de Kock | South Africa’s skipper: I am not quite sure what happened here. The energy was there but the skills just weren’t enough. Obviously we try and pride ourselves with our fielding and we weren’t at our best today. There isn’t much you can do at practice, it has to be a mental thing for the boys. We hope to come back with that fight on Sunday.

Pyagyan Ojha Announced his retirement from all Cricket format

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Times of Sports

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February 21, 2020

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Pragyan Ojha’s carrier

The 33 year old Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. Pyagyan Ojha made his International debut in 2008 in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh. His T20I debut was also against the same opponent in the following year during the World T20 where he bagged four wickets which leads him to be named man of the match. He played only 18 ODIs and six T20Is in total and made his debut against Sri Lanka at home in 2009 and went on to pick more than 100 wickets.

Pyagyan Ojha’s Test carrier

Pyagyan Ojha finally showed up in the test match against West Indies where he got the man of the match performance as he picked up ten wickets in total. India won that series and also the game was Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test. He represented India in 48 matches across formats between 2008 and 2013 and picked up 144 wickets.

Ojha in sachin's last test match — Ojha in sachin’s last test match

Indian Premier League’s record

In Indian Premier League he played for the tittle winning team Deccan Chargers in 2009 and later again with Mumbai Indians. He also won purple cap for picking most number of wickets in IPL 2010 and made his last appearance in 2015 IPL.

“To be an Indian cricketer and represent the country at the highest level was always a dream I cherished as a youngster,” Ojha said in a statement shared on Twitter. “My eventful career has witnessed many ups and downs. Over the time, I have realised that the legacy of a sportsperson is not just the outcome of his hard work and dedication, but also the faith and guidance bestowed upon by the association (team management), teammates, coaches, trainers, and the fans.

“I am very thankful to Mr. V.V.S Laxman for mentoring me like an elder brother, Mr. Venkatapathy Raju for being the role model I always looked to emulate, Mr. Harbhajan Singh for being a constant adviser and Mr. M.S. Dhoni for providing me with the honorable opportunity to wear the Indian Cap. Lastly, I am certain that looking back at my career will always fill me with a sense of pride. The most memorable moments would be receiving my Test Cap from Mr. Sachin Tendulkar and accomplishing the feat of taking 100 Test wickets. I hope to continue contributing towards the growth of Indian Cricket in every capacity possible.”

T20I Women’s World cup-Australia vs India:Highlights

By

Times of Sports

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February 27, 2020

0

Venue : Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney

Toss : Australia women’s won the toss and opt to bowl

Playing XI

Australia Women Squad:

Alyssa Healy(w), Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Meg Lanning(c), Ellyse Perry, Rachael Haynes, Annabel Sutherland, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Molly Strano, Megan Schutt

India Women Squad:

Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia(w), Arundhati Reddy, Poonam Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad

India’s impressive start

Shafali Verma and Mandhana are at the crease, Shafali Verma is on strike. Strano opens the attack. The 16 year old young player Shafali Verma is expected to perform well in her first match of the women’s World cup. Soon this duo starts to strike boundaries from the second over and scored 40 runs in 4 overs. Jess Jonassen sent Mandhana(10 runs from 11 balls) back to dressing room with her first ball that leads to an LBW and provide the breakthrough needed by the Australia.

India’s sudden collapse

Soon in the very next over Ellyse Perry uproot the wicket of the young champ Shafali Verma who scored 29 runs of 15 deliveries. Out of 29 runs 26 comes from boundary(5×4,6×1) after her wicket Australia would be jubilant to see the back of Shafali Verma who was looking in supreme touch. India struggled to score after Mandhana’s wicket as Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur(2 from 5) leaves India in a big mess after losing her wicket. India lose three wicket for 47 runs and expected the middle order players to shine which will leads to a descent score.

Rodrigues and Sharma avert India from scoring low

Deepti Sharma(left handed) get in crease and joins hand with Jemimah Rodrigues and provide the needed partnership. This duo added 53 runs in total and prevent India from folding up in a dual digit score. When India scored a ton Rodrigues leaves the ground after losing her wicket to Delissa Kimmince. Veda Krishnamurthy and Deepti Sharma join hands for the next wicket and drag India from there to a descent score of 132. Deepti sharma(49) with a run, away for her half century remains unbeaten in ground.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma are scrapping hard at the Sydney Showground.

What’s a good score from here?#AUSvIND | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/VIJadrZkGZ

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) February 21, 2020

Alyssa Healy’s comeback

After a successful bowling Australia gear up with bat to chase down the target of 133. Healy and Mooney are at the crease, Healy is on strike. Deepti Sharma opens the attack after her unbeaten 49, and start things off with her off-spin. Healy who failed to show up in the women’s tri series is expect to comeback in her World cup match. In the 5th ball of the first over Mandhana appears to be in great strife after a terrific effort to save four. She’s clutches her shoulder in pain after a diving effort lucky she is safe and return to fielding.

Mooney rotate the strike to Healy as she starts to strike well and show her form despite of the last T20I series. Australia starts scoring in a steady growth but Shikha Pandey’s pulled back Australia when they lose Mooney’a wicket. Healy with her back to back four in Arundhati Reddy’s over impressed everyone after a long time.

Poonam Yadav scatters Australian dream

After the power play ended Australia seems to collapse as they start losing their wicket. Gayakwad picked Lanning’s wicket which blow the Australian fans. In the very next over Healy, who’s scored around 80 percent of Australia’s runs, has chipped away by Poonam Yadav. In the previous ball Healy scored a half century with a massive six and recorded the first half century in the T20I World cup 2020. In the 12th over Poonam Yadav released her spell by picking back to back wicket but missed a hat-trick. Yadav took Haynes and all-rounder Perry(for duck) but missed a hat-trick as keeper dropped Jonassen’s catch.

The total game turns upside down with this two wicket as everyone expect that Perry will lead Aussies to the win. Poonam picked the Jonassen’s wicket which she missed at her previous over. Australia’s only hope is Ashleigh Gardner who struggle to make a partnership which is very much needed at that time. When Gardner hit a sensational six into the crowd the game seems to be in favor for Aussies. But Shikha Pandey breaks the belief of Australia’s winning by uprooting the wicket of Sutherland.

Shikha Pandey’s show

Poonam Yadav controlled her last over though she gave a loose ball with free hit due to the no ball. Delissa Kimmince who paired with Gardner lose her wicket by run out while tries to take a single. With a need of 21 runs in last over Shikha Pandey bowled and picks Gardner wicket who seems to be the last hope for some miracle. The victory seems to be in the shoulder of India but Shikha Pandey finished the match by picking Schutt’s wicket and paved the path for India to win the first match in World cup with a ball left.

India win the match — India win the first match in World cup series

Player of the match

Poonam Yadav(India)

Bowling : 4 wickets for 19 runs in four overs.

Poonam Yadav with her bowling spell picked four crucial wicket which makes India to win with an average total. She said” My physio and my teammates supported me a lot during my injury phase. I bowled well against Australia here in the past so I wanted to continue that. This is the third time that I didn’t get a hat-trick but I am thankful to my teammates as it is not easy to come back after an injury.”

Captain’s view

Harmanpreet, India captain: Great feeling to win the first game. Knew this track is something where we can do well. Knew if we’re able to score 140, our bowlers will be able to defend it, and that’s what happened. This track wasn’t easy to bat on. Were just looking to score 140. The partnership between Jemi and Deepti got us there. Poonam was going through some injuries but has made a great comeback. That’s what we were expecting. Our team is looking nice. Earlier we were depending on 2-3 players but now we’re doing well as a team. If we do well in the tournament we will definitely win the World Cup.

Lanning, Australia captain: They started well and put us under the pump, but our bowlers did a pretty good job to pull things back. At the halfway stage we thought we were in a pretty good position. Just didn’t execute with the bat unfortunately. Just the lack of partnerships through the middle. Alyssa went well for a fifty but couldn’t get going after that. We came into this match as ready as we could’ve been. India sort of outplayed us. Will assess this game and see what we can learn. It’s not ideal. Would’ve loved to have won. But we have to get back on the bandwagon pretty quickly.

New Zealand vs India 1st Test at Basin Reserve, Wellington -Highlights

By

Times of Sports

-

February 24, 2020

0

Venue : Basin Reserve, Wellington

Toss : New Zealand won the toss and opt to bowl

Squad

New Zealand

Playing XI : Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel, Trent Boult.

Bench : Daryl Mitchell, Matt Henry

India

Playing XI : Prithvi Shaw, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Bench : Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha, Umesh Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Shubman Gill

Stats on Test Series between India & New Zealand

Head to Head so far

Played : 57 India won : 21 New Zealand won : 10 Drawn : 26

India vs New Zealand in New Zealand

Played : 23 Ind Won : 5 NZ Won: 8 Drawn : 10

India vs New Zealand in Wellington

Played : 7 Ind Won : 1 NZ Won: 4 Drawn : 2

Mayank Agarwal’s record

As everyone expected Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal set in to bat while Southee opens the bowling attack. Agarwal script a history as first Indian opener to survive the opening session in a New Zealand test in the last 30 years. Shaw makes run in every possible delivery but Southee’s ball put an end to his erratic start. India lose its opener in an very early stage. Shaw return to pavilion when he scored 16 runs of 18 balls. Cheteshwar Pujara takes the strike after the Shaw’s wicket. There comes the 6 ft 6in New Zealand debut(test) bowler in attack and made his first over as maiden.

New Zealand vs India 1st test India struggled to score

India struggled to make runs

In his third over he made his test debut maiden wicket by uprooting Pujara for 11 runs. Jamieson welcomed the India skipper Virat Kohli with a short ball, and alternated between unfurling those and going full against him. Jamieson smartly went off-script and released a good length ball, outside the offstump, but Kohli took the bait and chased after it in search of one of those signature cover drives. Once again the extra bit of bounce meant Kohli ended up edging it, and Ross Taylor held onto it well at first slip.

One of those typical Virat Kohli’s UNWANTED way of getting OUT. #NZvIND #NZvsIND pic.twitter.com/uwKCtX2Hm7

— Daddy Hundred 🏏 (@daddyhundred) February 21, 2020

Jamieson’s impressive debut

Jamieson picked the India’s most crucial wickets of Kohli and Pujara which lags India from scoring. As the top order failed to execute, the pressure builds over middle order players as India lose its three wicket for just 40 runs. Ajinkya Rahane and Mayank Agarwal join hands and prevent India from collapsing, and execute a steady game. These two survived until lunch break and push India towards 79 runs in total for three wicket lose.

End of Session : 1

India : 79 for 3 wickets(Agarwal 29* and Rahane 19*)

New Zealand stand strong in session 1 as debut player shows up by picking two main wickets of India.

Jemison's debut match — Jemison’s debut match

Session 2

Kiwi’s giraffe crashed India’s all hope

Soon after the lunch this duo’s partnership comes to an end when Boult took Agarwal’s wicket. Mayank Agarwal get dismissal when he top-edged a leg side short ball from Trent Boult and leaves the catch to Jamieson’s hand at fine leg.

There’s still some hope left for India as Hanuma Vihari joined forces with Rahane. Vihari who execute his glorious performance in practice match is expected to prevent India from sinking. But Jamieson seems having a bit to execute after the drinks break where India likely to gain control over the match. This time its Vihari who lose his wicket to Kiwi’s giraffe and return pavilion. The first test turns as a dream debut match for Jamieson where he execute his phenomenal performance by picking three main wickets of India. India lose five wickets while crossing 100 runs in total.

Unexpected guest – Rain

Rishabh Pant gets in ground with a huge expectation by Indian team as he was chosen ahead of Saha owning to his superior overseas batting skills. This pair moves India towards 155 runs for 55 overs when its time for tea break. Windy Wellington seems to have blown away India’s top-order and that of course didn’t take long either. 3 wickets in the first session and 2 more in the second. The rain interrupted the match and the match has been called off. At the end of day one India scored 122 runs for 5 wickets. Ajinkya Rahane scored 38 off 122 balls and Rishabh Pant scores 10 off 37 balls and remains unbeaten.

Day 1- Stumps

India : 122 for 5(Rahane 38* and Pant 10*)

India still struggle to face New Zealand bowlers and fail to make good score. Hope for day 2 to have some better performance from Indian batting.

Day-2

Session-1

It’s Day 2, and as is the norm, Day 1 of a Test in New Zealand was worth waking up for. Some rather slow movement off a green deck, which Pujara won’t agree with, but movement nonetheless, that has accounted for half of the Indian batting line-up for just over a hundred runs on the board. Blue skies at the moment with a bit of sun peeking out too, which is a good sign. Spin to start proceedings on day two.

India surrended to Southee’s bowling

Pant and Rahane return to ground and need to move the India towards a better score. Pant doesn’t take long to give a charge as he strike a six in the first over of thye day 2. Pant lose his wicket in an unnecessary run out and Rahane needs to take the blame here. A run out is always the worst mode of dismissal in Test cricket and when it is through a bad mix up as this one, makes things all the more worst. The smiling assassin Tim Southee took Ashwin who is in for Jadeja return to pavilion for duck. Ishant Sharma(right handed) stop Southee from having a hat-trick wicket.

Rahane still fights single handedly to add some runs in total to make a descent score for India. Southee soon clears his wicket when he scored 46 runs now the Body blown for India as Rahane falls. Shami gets to he ground and manage to score 21 runs from 20 balls and lose his wicket to Southee. India fold up for 165, Tim Southee’s return really helped Kiwis as he picked 4 wickets in the 1st innings of India.

Steady start from New Zealand

Latham and Tom Blundell are at the crease, Latham is on strike. Bumrah opens the attack. Ishant Sharma who returned from injury delivered his first over and mark it as maiden over. Bumrah then made his second over as maiden and start the innings in a spectacular way. Latham and Tom Blundell execute their steady game in order not to lose the wickets which is precious in test matches. Kiwis scored 17 runs without losing any wicket and left to lunch.

Session 2

Indian fast bowlers keep Kiwis in control

After the lunch Ishant and Shami starts to bowl at 130+ km/h. New Zealand’s symbol of stoicism will get disappointed after Ishant uproot the wicket of Latham. It’s good come back with form after recovering from injury. There comes the Kane Williamson(right handed) comes to the crease and joins hands with Blundell.

Ishant got Latham's wicket — Ishant got Latham’s wicket

Stat:

New Zealand hasn’t had a 50+ opening partnership against India at home since 1994 – 18 innings and four series without one. The last opening pair with a 50+ stand was Bryan Young & Blair Hartland in Hamilton in March 1994, which was Kapil Dev’s last Test appearance.

Kiwis played without pressure

Indian fast bowlers kept Kiwi batsman under control and defend from scoring in high. Kiwis scored 63 runs for one wicket lose and its time for drinks break. New Zealand lost Latham early on in this session, but since then, there have been no wickets.

There have been a few alarms, in the form of leading edges. India have bowled well. They’ve tried hard. But lady luck has deserted them, and New Zealand are just over a hundred runs short of India’s first-innings total. With a hand full of wickets New Zealand played without any pressure.

Kane Williamson and Tom Blundell have looked solid after Tom Latham’s dismissal. The 🇳🇿 captain has already hit three fours.#NZvIND pic.twitter.com/MHBgJIi791

— ICC (@ICC) February 22, 2020

Ishant’s comeback performance

Again its Ishant Sharma who cleaned up Tom Blundell’s wicket just the tonic India needed. Huge reception for Taylor who walks out to bat in his 100th Test (176th innings), Standing ovation and rightly so. Taylor and Latham partnered and start batting in steady to pump the New Zealand score. These two well experienced batsman didn’t rush to score instead provide a steady run growth.

Ishant Sharma's comeback performance — Ishant Sharma’s comeback performance

Tea break

New Zealand continue to strengthen their position in the game. Runs came at a fair clip in the post-lunch session and although Blundell fell to a peach from Ishant, Taylor counterattacked in his skipper’s presence as NZ’s most experienced pair prevented further alarms.

Taylor dismissed by Ishant

After the tea break Taylor continue to strike as like in pre-tea break session. With a cracking shot down to the boundary Williamson scored a half-century in Ashwin’s delivery. Indian skipper Virat Kohli made numerous changes in bowling style to break the partner ship. Finally its done by Ishant Sharma by clearing Taylor and stops him from scoring half-century.

NZ players in their 100th Test appearance
S Fleming 0 & 4 v SA, Centurion 2006
D Vettori 41 v Ind, Ahmedabad 2010
B McCullum 0 & 10 v Aus, Wellington 2016

Shami scatters Kane’s dream of ton

On the other hand its Williamson who advance towards scoring a ton in the test match by joining hands with Henry Nicholls who gets in after Taylors wicket. Hendry rotates the strike to Williamson who is in field for long time. Shami scatters the Williamsons’s dream towards ton as Jadeja(sub) at cover took the catch who get seldom misses out on anything that’s within a radius of 5 feet.

Day-2 stumps

Its a great relief for India as Williamsons went down. BJ Watling gets in crease and joins hand with Henry Nicholls where Nicholls expose a steady game. But soon lose his wicket to Ashwin’s spin spell and return to pavilion by scoring 17 runs. At the end of day-2 New Zealand scored 207 runs for five wicket loss and 51 runs ahead of India.

Day-3

India starts the 3rd day with a bang as Bumrah uproot Watling’s wicket when he scored 14 runs. Soon Ishant packs Southee’s wicket for 6 runs. After Kiwi loses seven wickets everyone expect it would be easy to foldup them. But Kyle Jamieson joins hand with de Grandhomme and start performing with an impressive play.

Kiwis start to strike aggressively in every possible direction. This partnership has already started to be significant in the context of this game. Once the lead goes past three figures, it could start to have an psychological effect. Pressur builds when Jamieson was dropped by Shami. Shami probably could have done better on his followthrough, stretched out his right hand but a dive was what he needed perhaps. This stuck on the pitch from a shorter length, Jamieson tried to defend and ended up spooning it straight back to the bowler.

Drinks break

Ashwin’s revenge

After the drinks break Jamieson starts to hurt India, banged in short and at the stumps, Jamieson was rushed onto the pull, gets a fat top-edge that sailed over the keeper’s head, went all the way for a maximum. Indian skipper Kohli changed the bowling statics in order top get a break through and introduced Ashwin. Inspite Jamieson hit a couple of massive six in Ashwin’s delivery and prove himself. Ashwin got his revenge by uprooting Jamieson when he change the angle of ball. Jamieson’s impressive performance comes to an end when he scored 44 runs of 45 deliveries.

Ajaz Patel(left handed) comes in and joins hand with de Grandhomme and helps New Zealand to cross 300 runs. Ashwin uproot de Grandhomme’s wicket, third wicket for him a well deserved one. de Grandhomme scored 43 runs from 74 balls an impressive game play comes to an end.

Boult’s final blow

There comes Trent Boult(right handed) comes to crease and strike most of the balls towards boundary and six. Finally Boult’s massive play comes to an end when Ishant uproot his wicket for 38 runs. A good finish from New Zealand player and leads Kiwis to score 348 runs. The inni9ngs end with the lunch time.

Trent Boult in 1st test match — Trent Boult scored 38 runs

India winning a Test after conceding 100+ 1st innings lead:
131 vs WI Port of Spain 1976
182 vs Aus MCG 1980/81
274 vs Aus Kolkata 2000/01

Stat

Only once India conceded a higher 1st innings lead under Kohli – 289 vs Eng at Lord’s in 2018. That Test remains the only instance of India losing after batting first under Kohli.

Only once a team lost after taking 150+ first innings lead in a Test played in NZ – NZ (366 & 103) lost to Pak (196 & 277/3) by seven wickets in 2003.

Session-2

Boult picks two major wickets

After lunch Prithvi Shaw and Agarwal comes to the crease. Prithvi Shaw is on strike, Southee opens the bowling attack. Indian openers start to play steady as they in need of a good partnership. Shaw and Agarwal took their time and strikes in controlled manner. Everything went off when Boult start to show off with bowling performance and uproot Shaw.

India lose its first wicket for 27 runs and Cheteshwar Pujara comes in to join hands with Agarwal.

Agarwal and Pujara manage to face the Kiwi bowlers till drinks break without loosing their wickets.With a boundary in Ajaz Patel’s over Agarwal reaches 50 runs where India scored 72 runs for a wicket loss. After facing 81 balls Pujara scored only 11 runs and bowled out by Boult.

Boult along with captain Williamson — Boult took the first wicket in India’s 2nd innings

Tea break

Agarwal’s show comes to an end

After tea, Indian skipper Virat Kohli entered and start his innings with a boundary in Southee over. Everyone expect Kohli would dig up India from the lose. A body blow for India, the in-form batsman has been sent packing as Southee uproot his wicket when he scored 58 runs.

Kohli down

Rahane comes in and joins hand with Kohli everyone expect this duo would drag India from losing. With a boundary from Kohli India reached 100 runs but the hope was scattered by Boult. As he uproot Kohli’s wicket while India scored 113 runs. Kohli returned pavilion with a great disappointment and India looks helpless as it lose their run machine.

Rahane and Hanuma Vihari joins hand where India need a great partnership. This duo seems to move India further as they partnered and strikes in an control manner. And at the end of day 3 India scored 144 runs where Vihari and Rahane stand unbeaten.

Day-4

India moves to dangerous position as they keep losing wickets

Boult starts his attack towards Indian players and soon picked Rahane’s wicket when he scored 29 runs. Team India is in dangerous positiion as they lose their five wickets for 148 runs. Southee uproot Vihari’s wicket when he scored 15 runs. India then lose its remaining wickets when they score only in single digits. Finally Southee picks couple of wickets in 80th over where Pant scored 25 runs and Bumrah return without scoring any. Southee picks five wickets in total that makes India to fold up for 191 runs.

Pant saved India from losing by an innings

India getting dismissed < 200 twice in a Test vs NZ
161 & 121, Wellington 2002/03
99 & 154, Hamilton 2002/03
165 & 191, Wellington 2019/20

Best match figures for Tim Southee
10/108 v Eng, Lord’s 2013
9/110 v Ind, Wellington 2019/20
9/162 v Aus, Perth 2019/20

Kiwis 100th test win

With a single digit target to chase down New Zealand win the match easily and record its 100th win in test match.

Matches to 100 Test wins
199 Australia (1951)
241 England (1939)
266 West Indies (1988)
310 South Africa (2006)
320 Pakistan (2006)
432 India (2009)
441 New Zealand (2020)

Ten wicket wins for NZ vs India
Christchurch 1989/90
Wellington 2002/03
Wellington 2019/20

India’s Test defeats after batting 1st under Virat Kohli
innings & 159 runs vs Eng Lord’s 2018
10 wickets vs NZ Wellington 2019/20 *

Man of the Match

Tim Southee(New Zealand) : A great win. To beat a quality Indian side, the way we have is very pleasing. The effort throughout from everyone was outstanding. I think this morning was a massive moment in the game. Being able to pick up those two wickets before the second new ball was crucial. The more you play, you get back into the rhythm. If you want to play three formats, you got to chop and change. As a bowling unit, to take 20 wickets and an effort like this was pretty pleasing. The wicket had more in it than usual. With the wind there, the ball did a bit more.

Tim Southee is the @ANZ_NZ Player of the Match at the @BasinReserve. 9 wickets in the Test including his 10th 5 wicket haul. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/sI0BoPfBlW

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 24, 2020

Captain’s view

Virat Kohli: Day 1, the toss did turn out to be very important. But at the same time, we take a lot of pride in being competitive as a batting unit and we were just not competitive enough. I don’t think we put their bowlers under enough pressure. Anything over 220-230 and we would have been talking a different language. Even the deficit looks lot lesser if you get that score and take those last three wickets cheaply. The first innings really put us behind in the game and the lead put us under pressure. As a bowling group, we have been pretty competitive in bowling good channels for long periods of time. Till about 7 wickets, we were pretty good. The wicket did get better. The last 3 wickets and those 120 runs hurt us and pushed us out of the game. Overall, we did put in a good effort but can still be more disciplined. It doesn’t need to be pointed to them as the bowlers have recognized themselves. That can happen at the international level. You don’t have to be too hard on the guys. Prithvi has played only two games away from home. He is a natural strokemaker and would figure out things to get the runs going. Mayank was outstanding in both the innings. Him and Jinks were the only two batters who got some tempo. We just need to stick our template as a batting unit.

Kane Williamson: It was an outstanding effort over a space of 4 days. We know how strong this India team is all over the world. The effort that went into the first innings to get the ball in the right areas for long periods of time did help. With the bat to get what was a very competitive total on a surface which offered something throughout the game was very important. The lower order runs are very important to get some sort of a handy lead. It was brilliant, the wicket. We didn’t know what to expect looking at it the day before. The grass cover did brown off. The bowling attack was brilliant. We were able to get some swing thanks to the ground being windy. Kyle Jamieson has been brilliant throughout the summer with the white ball as well. He contributed in a number of ways. A great debut for him. Great experience for him to bowl with a somewhat settled group. Southee came in and wanted to operate as best as he could. The left arm and right arm combination has done it for us and they showed it again especially with the old ball. The passion and the energy they showed was brilliant. Tom Blundell is alright and was just a precautionary thing. He says his pain is 2 out of 10.

Umar Akmal receives suspension for Breaching PCB Anti-corruption code

By

Times of Sports

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February 20, 2020

0

The Pakistan Cricket Board suspend Umar Akmal with immediate effect under the governing body’s anti-corruption code. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision put Umar Akmal to get relieve from participating in Pakistan Super League which begins from February 20. Umar’s franchise, Quetta Gladiators, will be allowed to sign a replacement. This is not the first time Umar Akmal receiving the Suspension from PCB.

PCB constitution’s code

While a board-appointed or independent tribunal will determine if Umar is indeed guilty of wrongdoing, the invoking of Article 4.7.1 of the anti-corruption code is a potential indicator of the graveness of the offence. As per the said code of the PCB constitution, the board “shall have the discretion, in circumstances where it considers that the integrity of the sport could otherwise be seriously undermined, to Provisionally Suspend the Participant pending the Anti-Corruption Tribunals determination of whether he/she has committed an offence.

“Any decision to Provisionally Suspend the Participant will be communicated to the Participant in writing, with a copy sent at the same time to the ICC and, where applicable, the National Cricket Federation to which the Participant is affiliated.”

The suspension issue is due to the behavior of Akmal where he let-off by the board after he allegedly fully exposed himself to a trainer after failing a skin-fold test and asked: “Where is the fat?”

PCB suspends Umar Akmal from all cricket activities; Quetta Gladiators allowed Replacement 🏏#Cricket #HBLPSL #HBLPSLV #UmarAkmal pic.twitter.com/Cj5aTsRJn3

— Cricerz 🏏 (@Cricerz) February 20, 2020

Umar Akmal’s list of trouble so far

Feb 2020 – Reprimanded for inappropriate behaviour at fitness Test

Apr 2019 – Fined for breaking team curfew in Dubai during series versus Australia

Jun 2018 – Served notice to explain his comments on a television show about spot-fixing requests

Sep 2017 – Banned for his outburst on former coach Mickey Arthur, his NOCs to play foreign leagues revoked

May 2017 – Recalled from England ahead of the Champions Trophy for failing fitness Test

May 2016 – Left out of the England tour along with Ahmed Shehzad on disciplinary grounds

Jan 2016 – Banned for a T20I against New Zealand for misconduct

Nov 2015 – Left out of England T20Is for “bringing PCB into disrepute” after reportedly attending a party without permission

Feb 2014 – Charged by Lahore police for allegedly misbehaving with warden after committing a traffic violation

Oct 2012 – Fined for ignoring umpires while going for a change of gloves in a T20 against Sri Lanka

Jun 2011 – Issued show-cause notice for giving unauthorized interviews to television media

“Not one, but each of our pacemen could take turns bowling against the wind.”-Bharat Arun

By

Times of Sports

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February 20, 2020

0

The former Indian Test cricketer and current Bowling coach of the Indian national cricket team Bharat Arun backs India team. Speaking on behalf of the Indian bowlers he states that current Team India players have the capabilities of defeating this combative New Zealand side in its own backyard. India and New Zealand will play two matches series scheduled to start from February 21. Previously India won the T20I trophy by whitewashing New Zealand and vice versa New Zealand won the ODI trophy by Whitewashing India.

After an eye for eye whitewash series these two will face each other in the test series. Inspite of the India’s best performance, team India lose the ODI series where New Zealand registered an impressive whitewash.

Coach Bharat Arun’s confession

When Bharat interact with Sportstar he states :”New Zealand is a combative side but we have the team to beat it in its backyard. We were without six of our World Cup players.”

“Sometimes, it is not all about winning. It’s about trying out cricketers in different positions and we might lose some matches in the bargain,” he added.

He also claimed that each Indian pacer can take their turn to bowl against the oncoming wind at the Basin Reserve in Wellington which will play a key factor during the match.

“Not one, but each of our pacemen could take turns bowling against the wind.”

“We could also ask the spinner to bowl against the wind and rotate the pacemen from the other end,” said Bharat.

Ross Taylor’s warning for Kiwis

Previously New Zealand player Ross Taylor who is in verge to achieve as a first player to play 100 test matches warned Kiwis about the Indian bowling. When he speaks about the upcoming test match against India, he warned New Zealand players about the Indian bowling order. Ishant Sharma who returned from injury add benefit for the Indian bowling line. By stating “I think if we just look at Bumrah, we are in trouble. I think their whole bowling lineup is fantastic. Obviously, Sharma coming back will bring new dynamics to the team,” he warned Kiwis to look aftfer the Indian bowling.

“They have got a world-class batting line-up as well and we have to get through that. But they are the No. 1 team in the world for a reason and we know we have to be on our game to be successful against them,” he added.

Kohli’s statement

He mentioned that “We have reached a stage where every team wants to beat us and New Zealand won’t be any different,”. India is in the top position of the ICC World Test Championship points table and are scheduled to play two test match against New Zealand who holds the sixth position.

Taylor on a “verge to achieve” as the first cricketer to play 100 test matches

By

Times of Sports

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February 20, 2020

0

Ross Taylor-100 test matches — Ross Taylor marching towards his 100th test match

Ross Taylor who shows his glorious form in the last ODI against India is just a day away from becoming the first cricketer to play 100 test matches. He already competed in 231 ODIs and 100 T20 Internationals while just three weeks away from his 36th birthday.

Taylor – regards Indian bowling

When he speaks about the upcoming test match against India, he warned New Zealand players about the Indian bowling order. Ishant Sharma who returned from injury add benefit for the Indian bowling line. By stating “I think if we just look at Bumrah, we are in trouble. I think their whole bowling lineup is fantastic. Obviously, Sharma coming back will bring new dynamics to the team,” he warned Kiwis to look aftfer the Indian bowling.

“They have got a world-class batting line-up as well and we have to get through that. But they are the No. 1 team in the world for a reason and we know we have to be on our game to be successful against them,” he added.

Regarding the milestone achievement

Speaking about his view on his early days he said : “Yeah, I think so. That shapes you as a person and as a player,” he agreed instantly. “Sometimes it’s not necessarily the runs you get and the good times. It’s how you deal with failures along the way that shape you as a person, as the way you go about your training, as a teammate.

“Sometimes it’s the negative things that make you stronger and more resilient, and that’s what you need to be a Test player,” said Taylor.

Achievement delayed

Taylor would have reached this milestone previously in the match played against Australia in Sydney but terror attack in Christchurch results in cancelling the test against Bangladesh. This made an opportunity for Taylor to complete his 100th test match in front of his friends and family in home.

“David White (NZC CEO) comes in and gives us a talk about what games are coming up and you start doing the math and he actually says Ross, it’s going to be your 100th Test in Sydney. But obviously what happened in Christchurch last year with the shootings at the mosque had moved things back a game.

“But then, things happen for a reason, I believe, and it’s nice for it to happen back home. I don’t know how many people would have traveled to Sydney for it. So it’s nice for it to be here.”

Wishes from former teammates

Brendon McCullum

“I just got a call from Brendon before we got here saying all the best. He said ‘do better than what I did’, I don’t know what he got in his 100th game. I asked if there was any tip on how to deal with tickets and things like that,” he laughed.

Vettori

“I got a message from Vettori as well last night. Obviously, it is a special club to join and it’s nice to hear from fellow players who have been there and done that.”

Speaking about Whether he have enough tickets at his disposal he mentioned that : “I don’t know if I have enough tickets for them all, they are all coming out of the woodwork! All the old coaches and things like that. This is just to thank them for all the sacrifices they have made,” he said.

Retirement postponed

While speaking about his retirement he states that he fix the 2019 world cup match as his deadline for the retirement. His eagerness towards playing and scoring more just postponed his decision of retirement.

“I always said to myself, 2019 World Cup wasn’t a bad place to start thinking about that ‘R’ word. But I still think I am good enough and have a lot more to offer this team both on and off the field.

“I am still as hungry as ever to score runs. After my first series, I wouldn’t have been putting much money on myself to be playing 100 Tests, that’s for sure. I am happy with what has happened,” he added.

🇳🇿🏏👏

In 24 hours time @RossLTaylor will become the first player to reach 100 caps in Tests, ODIs & T20Is

Tests 99🧢
Average 46.28
Top Score 290

ODIs 231🧢
Average 48.69
Top Score 181*

T20Is 100🧢
Average 26.51, Strike Rate 122.68
Top Score 63

— The Pinch Hitter (@LePinchHitter) February 19, 2020

“Every team wants to beat us and New Zealand won’t be any different,” Virat Kohli said

By

Times of Sports

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February 20, 2020

0

team india in Wellington — Team India in Indian high Commission in Wellington.

Team India’s visit to Indian High Commission

Ahead of the first test match against New Zealand Virat Kohli and his team visited the Indian High Commission in Wellington. He spoke about the mutual respect and admiration between the two countries. He mentioned that “We have reached a stage where every team wants to beat us and New Zealand won’t be any different,”. India is in the top position of the ICC World Test Championship points table and are scheduled to play two test match against New Zealand who holds the sixth position.

Virat Kohli said “We are very honored to be here invited by the High Commissioner. We want to thank you for that. Of all the tours that we have, coming to the Indian High Commission is a very special evening. Because we get to spend time with a lot of people from India, but we also get to meet a lot of people from a country that we are in.” while addressing the event.

Ahead of the Test series against New Zealand, #TeamIndia visits the Indian High Commission in Wellington. 🇮🇳🇳🇿

Talking about mutual admiration and respect between the two countries, listen to what @imVkohli has to say👌. @IndiainNZ pic.twitter.com/H3i7i0z9AW

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 19, 2020

Kohli’s future plan

In a press meet earlier in that day Virat Kohli reveals the “future plan about his retirement” and also promise to play at least for three years in all formats.

“Look it’s not a conversation that is to hide away from in any manner,” Kohli said. “I think it’s been eight or nine years that I have been playing almost 300 days a year with the travelling and practice sessions. And the intensity is right up there all the time. So it does take a toll on you. I am not saying that it’s not something the players are not thinking about.”

Short break for players

“We do choose to take a lot more breaks individually even though the schedule might not allow you to,” Kohli said. “You are going to see a lot of that in the future from many players. Not just myself, especially from the guys who are playing all three formats. It’s not that easy. Then being captain and having intensity in practice session and discussing the game, so it does take a toll on you. So I am not in that space at the moment. So periodic breaks for me seems to work pretty okay. At a time when the body doesn’t respond as well, maybe when I am 34-35, you might have a different conversation at that stage. But for the next 2-3 years, I have no issues at all. Can keep going on with the same intensity and I also understand that the team wants a lot of my contribution in the next 2-3 years so that we can ease into another transition phase that we faced some 5-6 years ago. So the mindset is on the larger picture, and from that point, I am preparing myself for a rigorous three years from now. And then after that we might have a different conversation.”

He also mentioned that at the time of his retirement he wants team India as well as the players to be in their best position.

“We will have a different conversation” after three years – Kohli on quitting atleast in One format

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Times of Sports

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February 20, 2020

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Virat Kohli's view on playing cricket behind closed doors

The 31 year old Indian skipper Virat Kohli admits that fatigue and workload management are issues that need to be discussed at all forums. And also agreed that periodic breaks have worked well for him. He also states that he want to play all the three formats for three more years after 34 or 35 when his body can’t take anymore “we will have a different conversation”he said.

“Look it’s not a conversation that is to hide away from in any manner,” Kohli said. “I think it’s been eight or nine years that I have been playing almost 300 days a year with the travelling and practice sessions. And the intensity is right up there all the time. So it does take a toll on you. I am not saying that it’s not something the players are not thinking about.”

Short breaks to players

Indian skipper Virat Kohli so far allowed to take seasonal breaks where he managed to recover from playing continuously. He was rested for the T20I series against Bangladesh, and then took a break in one of the T20I match in New Zealand series.

“We do choose to take a lot more breaks individually even though the schedule might not allow you to,” Kohli said. “You are going to see a lot of that in the future from many players. Not just myself, especially from the guys who are playing all three formats. It’s not that easy. Then being captain and having intensity in practice session and discussing the game, so it does take a toll on you. So I am not in that space at the moment. So periodic breaks for me seems to work pretty okay. At a time when the body doesn’t respond as well, maybe when I am 34-35, you might have a different conversation at that stage. But for the next 2-3 years, I have no issues at all. Can keep going on with the same intensity and I also understand that the team wants a lot of my contribution in the next 2-3 years so that we can ease into another transition phase that we faced some 5-6 years ago. So the mindset is on the larger picture, and from that point, I am preparing myself for a rigorous three years from now. And then after that we might have a different conversation.”

World test championship

India leads in first position with a point of 360 in the World test championship which he feels has “made Test cricket more exciting”. Previously India played seven test matches and won all of them, out of seven five matches were played at home ground. But after the whitewash against New Zealand in ODI series it seems most difficult challenge to play against them. Later this year India face Australia in the test championship match.

“I think the series in South Africa was pretty interesting, with South Africa winning the first and then England winning the Cape Town won, the way they won in the last hour. I think you will see a lot more results like that because of the points that are on the line,” Kohli said. “I think Test Championship, as an ICC tournament should be right up there. All the other tournaments, for me, start under that. This is going to be the biggest of them all. And every team wants to make it to the final at Lord’s. And we are not any different. We want those points and make sure that we qualify as early as soon as we can and be in that frame of mind to hopefully win that.

India vs New Zealand upcoming test series

Virat Kohli was speaking to the media ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand starting on Friday. He also highlights having three fast bowlers would enough for bowling where Ishant Sharma is expected to be in among those three fast bowlers who return from the Injury after clearing the fitness test.

Two days out from the Test, the Basin Reserve pitch had plenty of grass on it but India don’t seem to be getting carried away just yet. “If it’s a Johannesburg pitch, it’s a possibility,” Kohli said of playing four pacers. “From the point of view of our team, we have enough skill that even with three fast bowlers we can win matches. But if you have a world-class spinner in the midst, it’s a great advantage. A world-class spinner has the ability to take wickets on any kind of pitch. So we are not looking at the combination of other teams. We will stick to our strengths. We look for putting the most lethal and balanced bowling attack. We have the belief that with this bowling attack we can win the matches against this batting attack. Ours is a different bowling attack compared to the last tour, in terms of the experience. As a group, we haven’t bowled better than this. We haven’t bowled out these many sides in the last 2-3 years. I’m sure they will repeat the same here as well.”

Indian skipper’s view on Prithvi

“In white-ball cricket you can try to do too much, but when you come into red-ball cricket you fall into the discipline mould of batting, which obviously suits him much more at this stage. Prithvi is a talented player, so he has his own game and we want him to follow his instincts and play the way he does. Look, these guys have no baggage. These guys are not desperate to perform here in any manner or they don’t have any nerves in wanting to do well overseas because they haven’t done well in the past or something like that. I think with a clear head, as Mayank played in Australia, hopefully Prithvi can do the same in New Zealand and Mayank can carry forward that as well. A bunch of new guys, they play with a lot of fearlessness and something that can motivate the whole team and give us the starts that we want and not be intimidated by the opposition in any manner.”

2023 World cup

He also mentioned he understand till the 2023 World Cup his presence and peak performance is crucial after which he understands that the next phase of transition will set in.

“I can keep going on with the same intensity and also understand that the team wants a lot of my contribution in the next two to three years, so that I can ease into another transition that we faced five-six years ago,” he said referring to the retirements of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman.