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    “Virat Kohli is World’s Number 1 Batsman, Nobody Can Match Him” : Sarfaraz Ahmed

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    Times of Sports
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    Sarfaraz Ahmed claims Virat Kohli as World's Number 1 Batsman

    Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has a clear pick when it comes to the world’s current best batsman – India captain Virat Kohli who has a 50-plus average across formats. While Sarfaraz is impressed with Rohit Sharma’s timing, Kohli is world number one batsman for him and he’s unreachable.

    “In today’s time, there should be no doubt, it is Virat Kohli who’s the world’s number 1 batsman,” Sarfaraz told CricTracker. “But, as I have told you before that when I have been behind the wicket, I have felt that although Rohit Sharma does not have that many runs in Test matches, the timing that he has is great. But the number one player in the world is definitely Virat Kohli. Nobody can match him.”

    Sarfaraz recently made his international return after being named in Pakistan’s 29-man squad for the England tour. He steadily lost favour with the national selectors following his slump in form and captaincy failures.

    However, the initial period of his reign saw Pakistan becoming the world’s top-ranked T20I team as they won 11 T20I series in a row apart from beating arch-rivals India in the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy final.

    “In 2016, I became captain for the first time and I had a lot of young boys with me, I had only one senior player and in between (Mohammad) Hafeez bhai joined but unfortunately left soon. In my team, there were young boys and you know, you have played so many T20 matches, the same amount I have played too. In the last 10 to 12 years, you have made at least two teams with 27-28 players. T20 cricket happens in Dubai and how fast it goes I have seen and experienced it,” the 32-year-old said.

    “In T20 cricket, the point is that you play and win with young players the important part was our fielding. We won many matches that we were about to lose because of our fielding. You can bat and bowl, but for me, as a captain, I feel the main factor behind our success was our fielding,” he added.

    He also rued the absence of bilateral cricket tournaments between India and Pakistan recalling the time when the players of the two teams used to eat together.

    “I have even seen scenes when I have also seen players from both countries sit together and eat. But now, unfortunately, it is a scenario where-in we are not able to play matches, but I hope the situation improves and India and Pakistan are able to play cricket the way they used to,” the wicketkeeper-batsman said.

    “As far as role models are concerned, mine is Rohit Sharma,” Says Pakistan Cricketer Haider Ali

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    Haider Ali's role model

    Pakistan youngster Haider Ali has picked Rohit Sharma as his role model, saying he’s inspired by the India vice-captain’s adaptability and clean hitting.

    Haider is a highly rated batting talent to have emerged from Pakistan in recent times and was part of their U-19 team that lost to India in the junior world cup semi-final earlier this year. Such has been his rise that the 19-year-old has been included in Pakistan’s 29 member squad for the upcoming England tour.

    Haider Ali’s Role Model

    “As far as role models are concerned, mine is Rohit Sharma,” Haider was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “I really like him as a player, and want to give the side an aggressive start at the top, and hit the ball cleanly like him. He is a man for all three formats, and he can adapt his game to all three formats.

    And the thing I like best is when he crosses 50, he moves on to a 100, and then he’s thinking of 150, and even 200. That’s what I want to do: to think about getting big scores, and when I get there, aim for even bigger ones. He finishes the game off for his side, and is a real match-winner.”

    Haider’s performance at the U-19 World Cup led West Indies legend Ian Bishop comparing the youngster to Pakistan’s limited-overs captain Babar Azam.

    Haider Ali

    Haider will have plenty of support and knowledge to gain from a star-studded Pakistan coaching staff headed by former captain Misba-ul-Haq with Younis Khan as batting coach and Waqar Younis as the bowling coach.

    “I always wanted to play under the coaching of Younis Khan, and I’m glad I will get the opportunity this time,” Haider said. “I want to learn as much as possible from this tour and ask lots of questions of both Younis and Misbah. I want to learn how to play all three formats and what mindset to approach all three formats with. I’m very excited about how much I can grow over these next three months.”

    Haider’s Aim

    Haider aims to represent Pakistan in all three formats. “My aim was to represent Pakistan. My aim is to play all three formats, and my preparation for all three formats is great. Recently in the domestic first-class competition, I did well, and before that there was the U-19 World Cup. I then played the PSL, so I’ve had practice in all three formats. As soon as I get the chance, I’ll give my best,” he said.

    Also read : Pakistan Announce Team For England Tour, Haider Ali Named in 29-Member Squad

    WATCH : Indian Fast Bowler Jasprit Bumrah Reveals His Fitness Secret

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    Times of Sports
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    Jasprit Bumrah's fitness Secret

    One of the Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and also the person to hold the No. 2 position in ICC ranking for bowlers reveals his fitness secret. Bumrah is considered as the backbone of the Indian bowling attack. As a fast bowler who consistently bowls at 140–145 kilometers per hour need to maintain his fitness at his peak.

    Bumrah’s Fitness secret 

    Jasprit Bumrah gives batsmen sleepless nights but ensures he gets enough shut-eye and is up early in the morning.

    “I try to sleep well. I believe if you start your day early, it gives you energy which carries you through the entire day,”

    The competitiveness that he shows on the field is one that Bumrah maintains in all things. “When I play any sport, the driving force is to be the best,” he said. “I may be playing on the PlayStation or some other sport, but I always try to give my best.”

    Watch Jasprit Bumrah Workouts and gym sessions

    “Sometimes you feel that the match is over, but sometimes you see teams finding a way and winning,” Bumrah said. “Till the last ball is not bowled, you have to keep giving your best shot even if things don’t work out. Maybe next match. In life also, if I am stuck in a situation and things are not going so well, I maintain a positive perspective.”

    Fitness is another important department for the youngster. In a team where the captain leads by example and teammates keep pushing one and other, ‘Boom’, as Bumrah is fondly known, also feels the need to be fit.

    “For us, because we play professional sports, we have to tick all the boxes. I try to eat well and do my gym training well,” he said.

    Jasprit Bumrah’s Inspiration

    In an Instagram Live session with Hitman Rohit Sharma India pacer revealed that he takes inspiration from Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Bumrah said he loves the way Ibrahimovic rose from the ashes to become one of the best in the business.

    Also read : Indian Pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s List of Records in all International Formats

    Ellyse Perry Grateful Australia’s Women’s Team Avoided Staff Cuts

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    Times of Sports
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    Ellyse Perry
    Ellyse Perry

    Ellyse Perry feels “very grateful” that the Australia Women’s team has avoided cuts to their backroom staff amid Cricket Australia’s redundancies while also stressing the importance of domestic competitions being retained in their current structures.

    A announced 40 job losses earlier this week – of which men’s batting coach Graeme Hick was among them – but confirmed that the senior domestic tournaments across men’s and women’s cricket would not be cut back after previously being under threat when the financial impact of Covid-19 looked likely to be more severe, although the Under-15 and Under-17 set-ups have been suspended for the 2020-21 season.

    However, while the women’s national team has not experienced any direct losses to their staffing Perry still expects the game to adapt to a new landscape with the expectation there will be a less centralised high performance set-up.

    Perry Feels Lockdown as a Good Opportunity

    “We’ve been incredibly fortunate to be able to maintain the structure and make-up of our staff within the Australian team albeit maybe with slightly varied roles and hours,” Perry said. “In terms of the resourcing we’ve been able to keep our group together which I know from a player and staff perspective we are very grateful for given everything that’s been going on.

    “It actually presents a really good opportunity. We are really fortunate to be able to run with some great luxuries around resourcing and high performance, and those things are absolutely great, but I think sometimes paring it back and figuring out what you absolutely need is not a bad thing. I’m sure we’ll look at those different things and highlight what’s best to spend time and resources on and in many ways that could be a positive.”

    In terms of the domestic competitions, Perry said it was vital that the current level was maintained in the women’s game. “It’s important not just from an Australian players’ perspective but even more so from a domestic players’ point of view. We don’t play a lot of cricket as is so to be able to maintain the number of games is crucial for cricket to keep developing and providing opportunities to everyone who will have a pretty long winter just training, so nice to have something to look forward to at the end of that.”

    Ellyse Hopes the Women’s Game Would Continue

    Perry was also confident that the women’s game would continue to thrive as sport emerges from Covid-19 and believes there could even be an upside with people desperate to be able to reconnect with the game.

    “People really want it back on our screens and be able to go down to matches,” she said. “Women’s sport is increasingly playing such an important role in that, especially for families, you look at the demographic of our audience, especially at the ground, a lot of it is young families so I don’t see that changing – if anything as we go forward it could be enhanced.”

    Australia are scheduled to return to action with a series against New Zealand starting late September. Perry remained hopeful that she would be available for those matches as she continues her recovery from hamstring surgery, following the injury she sustained in the T20 World Cup which forced her to miss the knockout stages, but also wants to ensure she is able to perform at her peak.

    “It’s going pretty well. I caught up with the surgeon a couple of weeks ago and he was really happy with the progress,” she said. “It would be lovely to be fit for the New Zealand series, at this stage it’s tracking that way but there’s a little bit to go. Coming back from injury there’s a clear distinction in my mind between being fit to play and fit to perform. I don’t really mind if I don’t play in those games, it’s more about when I do play again I want to be a position to contribute and perform.”

    The major event of the season is the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand next February and March although it remains to be confirmed if that will go ahead as scheduled either directly due to the impact of Covid-19 or the knock-on impact to the calendar.

    “In some ways in the scheme of things a World Cup seems a bit irrelevant given everything else that has gone on, but at the same time everyone will prepare like it will happen,” Perry said. “It’s nice to know that more than likely we’ll be playing this series in September against New Zealand so that’s an immediate focus. Obviously depending on what depends on what happens on the men’s T20 World Cup that could have an impact on the Women’s World Cup.”

    Also read : “Facing Jasprit Bumrah or Bowling to Virat Kohli?” Ellyse Perry makes her Pick

    Chinese Sponsorship In IPL Helping Indian Economy, Says BCCI Treasurer Arun Dhumal

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    Times of Sports
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    The BCCI is open to reviewing its sponsorship policy for the next cycle but has no plans to end its association with current IPL title sponsor Vivo as the money coming in from the Chinese company is helping India’s cause and not the other way round, board treasurer Arun Dhumal said on Friday.

    But Dhumal said Chinese companies sponsoring an Indian event like the IPL only serve his country’s interests.

    The BCCI gets Rs 440 crore annually from Vivo and the five-year deal ends in 2022.

    “When you talk emotionally, you tend to leave the rationale behind. We have to understand the difference between supporting a Chinese company for a Chinese cause or taking help from Chinese company to support India’s cause,” Dhumal told PTI.

    “When we are allowing Chinese companies to sell their products in India, whatever money they are taking from Indian consumer, they are paying part of it to the BCCI (as brand promotion) and the board is paying 42 per cent tax on that money to the Indian government. So, that is supporting India’s cause and not China’s,” he argued.

    Oppo, a mobile phone brand like Vivo, was sponsoring the Indian cricket team until September last year when Bengaluru-based educational technology Byju’s start-up replaced the Chinese company.

    Dhumal said he is all for reducing dependence on Chinese products but as long as its companies are allowed to do business in India, there is no harm in them sponsoring an Indian brand like the IPL.

    IPL title sponsorships
    IPL title sponsorships

    “If they are not supporting the IPL, they are likely to take that money back to China. If that money is retained here, we should be happy about it. We are supporting our government with that money (by paying taxes on it).”

    “If I am giving a contract to a Chinese company to build a cricket stadium, then I am helping the Chinese economy. GCA built the world’s largest cricket stadium at Motera and that contract was given to an Indian company (L&T),” he said.

    “Cricketing infrastructure worth thousands of crores was created across country and none of the contract was awarded to a Chinese company.”

    Dhumal went on to say the BCCI is spoilt for choice when it comes to attracting sponsors, whether Indian or Chinese or from any other nation.

    “If that Chinese money is coming to support Indian cricket, we should be okay with it. I am all for banning Chinese products as an individual, we are there to support our government but by getting sponsorship from Chinese company, we are helping India’s cause.”

    Also read : IPL 2020 Fixtures BCCI Planning to Stage The Event From September 26 With Finals on November 8

    “2011 World Cup final was fixed, claims Sri Lankan minister” : Sangakkara, Jayawardena respond

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    Times of Sports
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    Sri Lankan minister claims 2011 world cup was fixed

    Mahindananda Aluthgamage, who had been Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister in 2011, when India won the ODI World Cup, has claimed that the final of the tournament – in which India beat Sri Lanka with 10 balls to spare – had been ‘fixed’ by ‘certain groups’.

    2011 World cup was Fixed: Sri Lanka’s Ex-Sports Minister

    “2011 final was fixed. I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for a debate… I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game,” he told News 1st on Thursday.

    “I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports…I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game we could have won, was fixed,” he said.

    Reacting to the claim, Mahela Jayawardene, who had scored an unbeaten 103 for Sri Lanka in the final, said that ‘elections must be around the corner’.

    He asked for evidence to back up the ex-ministers allegation.

    Later in the day, Kumar Sangakkara, who had been the Sri Lanka captain in the World Cup, but resigned soon after, said the politician must provide evidence to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit because he has made very serious allegations.

    “Then no one needs to speculate and can get to the bottom of this. That should be the most prudent course of action,” Sangakkara told News 1st.

    In 2017, former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who had been at the Wankhede as a commentator during 2011 final, had also said that he had ‘doubts’ over the final and that he wanted an investigation into the result.

    India players Gautam Gambhir and Ashish Nehra had rubbished Ranatunga’s claims then.

    Watch 2011 World Cup Finals India vs Sri Lanka Highlights : 

    Also read: MS Dhoni’s 2011 World Cup Winning Team Had 7-8 Players Who Started Their Careers Under me: Sourav Ganguly

    “Sachin was very good at reading the game” : Madan Lal on Sachin Tendulkar’s Captaincy

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    Times of Sports
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    Reason for Sachin Tendulkar's Failure as captain

    Sachin Tendulkar could not be successful as India captain because he used to be too involved in his own performances while Sourav Ganguly always used to manage things quietly, said Madan Lal.

    Lal, a key figure in Indian cricket administration in the late 90s and early 2000s, first as the coach of the national team and then as national selector, said he had observed that Sachin’s reading of game situations was superb but that he sometimes found it difficult to manage the ten other players.

    “Sachin was so involved in his own performance that it sometimes became difficult for him to think about the team. A captain needs to manage the other ten players in the side also,” Lal said on a Sportskeeda Facebook Live session.

    “But I won’t say Sachin was not a good captain. A captain is only as good as his team. He was very good at reading the game, telling players where they were going wrong,” added Lal, who had been coach of the team when Sachin had been captain in 1996/1997.

    Lal also said that it had been un unanimous decision between the five national selectors in 2000 to name Sourav Ganguly as the new captain. He said how Ganguly went about quietly in his leadership role had convinced the selection board that he was the right candidate to fill the leadership vacuum.

    “Sourav Ganguly was the leading candidate to become the captain in 2000. He used to quietly manage everybody in his own way,” he said, adding that how ‘Dada’ managed the Bengal cricket board for five years is proof that he has always showed good administration skills.

    Tendulkar had two tenures as India captain. He first took over as skipper in 1996 but by 1997 he was dropped from the position. After the 1999 World Cup, Sachin again succeeded Md Azharudding for a short term, before resigning from the position after two series in which India fared badly – a decision which paved the way for a long captaincy tenure by Ganguly.

    After the 2007 World Cup, Sachin Tendulkar was again offered the captaincy, according to then BCCI President Sharad Pawar, but Tendulkar had then suggested that MS Dhoni be named as captain instead.

    Also read : Sachin Tendulkar Wasn’t Enjoying Cricket, Wanted to Give Up in 2007: Gary Kirsten

    Sachin Tendulkar Record as Captain : 

    Matches Won Lost Drawn Tied No result Win %
    Test 25 4 9 12 0 – 16%
    ODI 73 23 43 – 2 6 31.50%

     

     

    England Women to Resume Training with 24-Player Group Ahead of Possible Tri-series with India, South Africa

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    Times of Sports
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    List of England women cricketers to resume training

    England announces list of 24 women’s name to resume their training from 22 June in a bid for a return to competitive action before the end of the season.

    The England and Wales Cricket Board postponed a series against India, initially scheduled to start at the end of the end of June, because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    24 Women Players to Resume Training 

    There had been fears that, with many sports prioritising the return of men’s matches over less-lucrative women’s fixtures, England Women might not play at all this season. But the ECB have since held talks with Indian and South African officials about staging a tri-series.

    A group of 24 players, including several members of the 2017 World-Cup winning side such as captain Heather Knight, are due to resume training on June 22.

    All the training sessions will take place in bio-secure environments and in line with the medical guidelines that have applied to the England men’s team ahead of next month’s three-Test series against the West Indies.

    Director of England Women’s Cricket Jonathan Finch said they remained “hopeful of playing cricket this summer”, adding that “it’s exciting for this group of players to be able to return to training”.

    Finch also gave thanks to the counties for providing use of their facilities, saying: “We’ve had great support from the first-class counties with the use of their venues, and we’re grateful to them for that, and hopefully this is one step closer towards England Women returning to the field this summer.”

    The ECB are currently exploring the possibility of a tri-series with India and South Africa to take place in September.

    Squad: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Alice Davidson-Richards, Freya Davies, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Katie George, Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Bryony Smith, Linsey Smith, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt.

    England Men’s Test Series Against West Indies : 

    Earlier The England and Wales Cricket Board announced list of 30 men training squad ahead of first West Indies test series. The England and Wales Cricket Board announced proposed dates and venues for a three-match Test series against West Indies in July.

    As per the plan, West Indies squad is scheduled to arrive in the UK on June 9 for a mandatory three-week period of quarantine in Manchester before moving to the Ageas Bowl for the series opening Test.

    Chennai Super Kings Suspends Team Doctor Over Insensitive Online Post On India-China

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    Times of Sports
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    Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Wednesday suspended its team doctor, Madhu Thottappillil, after he posted a tweet about recent India-China military stand-off ‘in bad taste’ Thottappillil had tweeted on Indian soldiers killed during the violent clashes with the Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. “Just curious if the Coffins will come back with a ‘PM CARES’ sticker on them?” he had reportedly tweeted.

    After this irresponsible tweet CSK said the management was “not aware” of the tweet and has suspended Thottappillil. “The Chennai Super Kings Management was not aware of the personal tweet of Madhu Thottappillil. He has been suspended from his position as the Team Doctor. Chennai Super Kings regrets his tweet which was without the knowledge of the Management and in bad taste,” CSK tweeted.

    Dr. Madhu Thottappillil’s Apoligize

    After this Tweet Dr. Madhu Thottappillil has made an apologize via twitter “On 16th June, I had put out a tweet, and after I realised that the words used by me was inappropriate and unintended. I deleted the same. But by then there were screen shots of my tweet being circulated and shared in social media. It was never my intention to belittle the great and herculean efforts taken by our Honb’le prime minister and the Govt in taking care of all the citizens obligations of this great nation and its Army or our brave Martyrs.

    I have always respected the efforts of the govt in its valiant war on covid-19 pandemic armed forces and valour of the armed forces standing and fighting under adverse conditions. I regret the hurt and anguish I may have caused to many people who read my Tweet and wholeheartedly apologize for the same. I have tweeted inadvertently and mistakenly and it has nothing to do with my association with any individual or organisation.

    I am aware of the care bestowed by the Honb’le prime minister taken for the martyred jawans who had laid their lives for the country , without whom we the citizens would not be having a secured life. I hope the whole issue is put to an end and the tweet be treated as an aberration on my part. I once again express my sincere apologies for the unintended and inadvertent remarks made in my earlier tweet. #jaihind Dr. Madhu Thottappillil” his twitter post reads.

    Shane Watson Interesting Trivia And Records You Must Know

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    Times of Sports
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    Shane Watson records

    Shane Watson announced his retirement from all form cricket on 2nd November 2020. Watson played a crucial role for CSK in winning IPL 2018 and also dragged CSK to near the victory in IPL 2019. Where CSK lost the finals by 1 run. Watson has a huge bag of records to his name and it really is worth listing out.

    Times of Sports(TOS) listed his records in cricket as well as some lesser-known facts about the former Oz international player.

    Shane Watson Record in Cricket Carrier

    • Watson is the second player after Ricky Ponting to win two back-to-back Allan Border Medals (2010, 2011).
    • Shane Watson held the number one spot in T20I all-rounder rankings for a record of 139 weeks.
    • Shane Watson is the only cricketer to be named Australian ‘Player of the Year’ in all three formats.
    • Shane Watson has the most consecutive fifties, most wickets, and most sixes by an Australian cricketer.
    • Shane Watson is the only player to score a fifty and take three wickets in a T20I on three occasions.
    • Shane Watson is the only player to score a hundred and take 4 wickets in an innings in all formats of the game.
    • Shane Watson is the only cricketer to win four consecutive man-of-the-match awards in ICC history.
    • Shane Watson is the only cricketer to win the man of the tournament in IPL twice.
    • Shane Watson is the only Australian cricketer to play all six World T20s.
    • Shane Watson has the highest ODI score by an Aussie cricketer.
    • He was Australia’s highest-paid cricketer in 2014. He was also one of the highest-paid non-Indian cricketers.
    • In 2006 during the Champions Trophy, Watson had chest pain and was rushed to the hospital. Initially, he believed it was a heart attack but was later revealed to be gastritis.
    • Watson got married to Lee Furlong in 2010 and the couple has a son William and a daughter Matilda.

    Watch Shane Watson Smashes Sensational 143 Against England 

    Shane Watson Batting Stats

    M Inn NO Runs HS Avg BF SR 100 200 50 4s 6s
    Test 59 109 3 3731 176 35.2 7094 52.59 4 0 24 484 31
    ODI 190 169 27 5757 185 40.54 6365 90.45 9 0 33 570 131
    T20I 58 56 6 1462 124 29.24 1006 145.33 1 0 10 115 83
    IPL 145 141 16 3874 117 30.99 2809 137.91 4 0 21 376 190

    Watson Bowling Stats

    M Inn B Runs Wkts BBI BBM Econ Avg SR 5W 10W
    Test 59 93 5495 2526 75 6/33 6/51 2.76 33.68 73.27 3 0
    ODI 190 163 6466 5342 168 4/36 4/36 4.96 31.8 38.49 0 0
    T20I 58 49 930 1187 48 4/15 4/15 7.66 24.73 19.38 0 0
    IPL 145 105 2029 2682 92 4/29 4/29 7.93 29.15 22.05 0 0

    WATCH : ‘Best thing I did on cricket field’: Former England All-Rounder Andrew Flintoff Recalls his 2004 Sledge

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    Andrew Flintoff Recalls his 2004 Sledge against West Indies

    Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has recalled his sledge to Windies pacer Tino Best in 2004, saying that was the best thing he ever did on the cricket field.

    The official handle of England Cricket had shared a video from 2004, in which Flintoff can be seen prompting Best to hit a six on the bowling off Ashley Giles.

    In the video, Flintoff can be heard saying, ‘Mind the Windows’. The all-rounder was standing at the first-slip position and was sledging Best to get under his skin.

    Seeing the video, Flintoff tweeted: “Possibly the best thing I did on a cricket field, thanks for popping in Tino”.

    In the match between England and West Indies in 2004, Best was trying to hit Giles for a maximum but he was unable to connect the ball properly. It was then, Flintoff said ‘Mind The Windows’ with a big smile on his face.

    The move then riled up Best, and on the next ball, he decided to step out of the crease to hit a six, but he ended up missing the ball and was stumped.

    After that Flintoff had a big grin on his face and he celebrated in style.

    The commentator was Richie Benaud at that time, and he also took a jibe at Best, saying: “whether Giles outbowled Best or outtalked him, I do not know.”

    West Indies Tour of England 2020

    England have named 30 players in their “behind-closed-doors training group” who will live and train at the Ageas Bowl in the run-up to the first Test against West Indies, set to begin at the venue on 8 July.

    The group will play a three-day practice match among themselves starting on 1 July, after which the squad for the first Test will be selected. National Selector Ed Smith was upbeat about the return of cricket.

    CSA : AB de Villiers Set to Play in Innovative Three-Team Format Scheduled From June 27

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    Three-Team Format in Solidarity Cup organized CSA
    Three-Team Format in Solidarity Cup organized CSA

    Cricket is set to resume in South Africa on 27 June as the country’s board (CSA) announced the launch of an innovative competition titled ‘3TCricket’, where three teams will play in a single match at SuperSport Park in Centurion.

    According to a Cricket South Africa statement, the three teams will compete for the inaugural Solidarity Cup. It will be the first live sporting event organized in the country since the coronavirus-forced lockdown in March.

    As per the new format, 24 of South Africa’s top cricketers will feature in three teams playing two halves in one match.

    The teams are the Eagles, to be captained by AB de Villiers, Kingfishers, to be led by Kagiso Rabada and the Kites, which will have Quinton de Kock as captain.

    CSA Director of Cricket, Graeme Smith believes that this new format will bring back the excitement to the game.

    “It’s been quite some time since the South African public and fans of cricket worldwide have been able to consume the game we all love. I know that the players are itching to get back into action as well, which is why we as CSA are so excited about the Solidarity Cup,” he said.

    “It’s a thrilling new format and a match that is working towards a greater good. We are proud to partner with 3TeamCricket on this project,” said the former South Africa skipper.

    The 3TeamCricket also aims to raise money for The Hardship Fund by using its platform of passionate cricket supporters.

    The match will have 36 overs in two halves of 18 overs each. Each team will bat for one innings of 12 overs, split into two 6-over periods. Each 6-over period will be bowled by a different opponent.

    The starting positions will be determined by a draw. The teams rotate from batting to bowling/dugout in the first half.

    In the second half, the teams bat in order of highest score in the first half.

    In case a team loses seven wickets, the last batsman can bat alone but he can score only an even number of runs.

    The team with most runs bags the gold, while the next two sides win silver and bronze respectively.

    Eagles skipper De Villiers believes that 3TCricket will be an incredible spectacle for the fans starved of action.

    “It’s a great idea and credit must go to Cricket South Africa and Rain for working to develop this new and innovative style of cricket. There are very few team sports in the world where you get to play more than one opponent in a single fixture, this is going to be a game changer. We have some very talented cricketers involved who are really excited to return to play with a bang,” he said.

    Kites captain, Quinton de Kock expressed his excitement at the prospect of beating two teams at once in the 3TCricket model.

    “I’m really excited to be captaining the Kites, we have a great team and I think we can claim the gold. I’m even more excited about the new format, it’s going to be a lot of fun playing to beat KG and AB on the same day,” De Kock said.

    The event will also witness the comeback of Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, the captain of Kingfishers.

    He was sidelined from cricket since February due to a groin injury.

    “It’s been a long wait to get back into action and I’m looking forward to playing again alongside some of the country’s biggest names. We have a good balance of talent and experience in our team and I’m confident that we can walk away with the inaugural Solidarity Cup,” he said.

    Squads:

    Kingfishers: Kagiso Rabada (c), Faf du Plessis, Chris Morris, Tabraiz Shamsi, Reeza Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Heinrich Klaasen, Glenton Stuurman.

    Kites: Quinton de Kock (c), David Miller, Temba Bavuma, Anrich Nortje, Dwayne Pretorius, Beuran Hendricks, JJ Smuts, Lutho Sipamla.

    Eagles: AB de Villiers (c), Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Andile, Phehlukwayo, Rassie van der Dussen, Junior Dala, Kyle Verreynne, Sisanda Magala.

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