Big picture: Test debut for Northern Ireland With its lush, green outfield and the iconic Stormont Estate situated behind it, the Civil Service Cricket Ground in Belfast is a picturesque addition to the list of Test grounds. On Thursday, when Ireland take on Zimbabwe, it will become the 123rd venue to host a men’s Test match. Ireland will be playing only their ninth Test in six years and are going…
Toss Thailand won the toss and chose to bat vs Sri Lanka Thailand captain Thipatcha Putthawong called correctly and had no hesitations in electing to bat in the final group game of the women’s Asia Cup 2024 against Sri Lanka. Thailand are fielding an unchanged side from their previous encounter against Bangladesh. “A par score is what we are looking for,” said the Thailand captain Putthawong. “We haven’t made too…
“Only yesterday did we get back the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India,” Sri Lanka’s chief selector Upul Tharanga said at a briefing alongside newly appointed interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya on Wednesday. “We will name a replacement shortly.” Related Jayasuriya appointed Sri Lanka’s interim head coach Chandimal returns; Asalanka to lead Sri Lanka in T20I series against India Four…
Conduct a mega auction only once in five years. Allow teams to retain between four and six players. Give each franchise eight right-to-match (RTM) options. These are some of the significant suggestions franchises have shared with IPL officials during feedback sessions on player retentions ahead of the 2025 auction. The next steps will be discussed when IPL officials meet the franchises, possibly as early as next week though a date…
Fast bowler Jeremiah Louis has been ruled out of the final Test between West Indies and England due to a hamstring injury, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced in a statement. The visitors have opted for a like-for-like replacement, bringing Akeem Jordan into the squad. Louis, who did not feature in the first two Tests, picked up the injury during the second Test at Trent Bridge. He will remain with the…
Bangladesh chose to bat vs Malaysia Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana won the toss and opted to bat against Malaysia as they look to get one step closer to the semi-final spot in Asia Cup 2024. After losing to Sri Lanka in their opening game, Bangladesh bounced back with a seven-wicket win over Thailand to stay in contention for the knockouts. A win here will take them to second place on…
Is it wise or profitable to buy the minority (49%) stake being offered by ECB to own one of the eight franchises in the Hundred? That’s the question being asked by owners of almost all of the 10 IPL teams, most of whom are keen to buy teams in the Hundred but not in favour of being a “passive” investor. An integral part of ECB’s privatisation of the Hundred, which…
Oval Invincibles 93 for 2 (Billings 31) beat Birmingham Phoenix 89 (Zampa 3-11) by eight wickets Defending champions Oval Invincibles romped to victory under the lights at The Kia Oval as the fourth year of The Hundred got underway with two wins out of two for the men’s and women’s South London team. The Invincibles pace duo of Saqib Mahmood and Mohammad Amir ripped the heart out of Birmingham Phoenix’s…
Eoin Morgan has categorically denied reports that he could replace Matthew Mott as England men’s white-ball coach after their semi-final exit at last month’s T20 World Cup. Morgan was linked with the job on Tuesday but passed it off as nothing more than “speculation” while commentating on the Hundred for Sky Sports. “This news is actually news to me,” he said. “It’s obviously not nice when a coach comes under…
Oval Invincibles 150 for 5 (Scholfield 71, Capsey 52) beat Birmingham Phoenix 105 (Jone 21, Wellington 3-9) by 45 runs A sparkling 71 from Paige Scholfield took Oval Invincibles to a domineering 45-run victory against Birmingham Phoenix in the first game of the fourth year of the Hundred. In front of 10,249 fans, the two-time champions Oval Invincibles batted first and the 28-year-old Scholfield – enjoying a new role at…