Pune is preparing to roll out a bald, low-bounce black-soil pitch to negate New Zealand’s seamers, who had set up their first Test win in India in 36 years in Bengaluru, but the visitors aren’t too fussed about it, according to Daryl Mitchell. After New Zealand finished their first practice session by noon on Tuesday, the groundstaff cut some amount of grass off the pitch and it might be shaved…
Afghanistan have made two additions to the squad that beat South Africa in Sharjah in September, for the ODI series against Bangladesh at the same venue in November: opening batter Sediqullah Atal and left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad come into a 19-man squad. Ibrahim Zadran, who is recovering from an ankle surgery, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, sidelined by a right phalanx (hand) sprain, are not yet fit to play. Afghanistan Cricket…
Armed with a menacing inswinger and deceptive slower ball, Indonesia quick Ni Made Putri Suwandewi caught the eye of Perth Scorchers women’s coach Becky Grundy and high performance boss Kade Harvey during their visit to Bali earlier in the year. After closely monitoring her in the ensuing months, and needing pace depth with veteran quick Piepa Cleary sidelined for the entire summer due to a knee injury, Scorchers have signed…
Kyle Verreynne believes his 114 against Bangladesh is the best innings of his short career. He said that handling spin in the heat and humidity of Dhaka, particularly with South Africa under pressure when he came to the crease, made it a special occasion. Verreynne spent just over four hours to get his second Test century after South Africa had slipped to 99 for 5 in reply to Bangladesh’s 106…
There is little secret about Pakistan’s ambitions for the pitch by now. Before the second Test reached its inevitable conclusion, Aleem Dar and Aqib Javed were already on their way to Rawalpindi to oversee work on the pitch for the final Test. At the post-match press conference in Multan, Shan Masood said he’d like the surface to take turn. Two days later, giant heaters, the sort usually seen in Pakistan…
Tasmania 277 & 135 for 9 (Wakim 37, Webster 35, Couch 3-48, Gannon 2-22) lead Western Australia 332 (Inglis 101, Cartwright 65, Connolly 55) by 80 runs Josh Inglis continued his outstanding start to the Sheffield Shield season with another century before Western Australia’s attack tore into Tasmania late on day three at the WACA to close in on victory. After Inglis’ 101 helped WA to a 55-run first innings…
South Africa’s interim coach, Dillon du Preez, who oversaw the team’s run to the women’s T20 World Cup final, is unsure if he will continue in the role because he feels “the team needs a little bit more”. Du Preez has been in the job since May, when long-serving coach Hilton Moreeng chose to step away. Moreeng has since been appointed the coach of USA women’s senior and Under-19 teams….
India are also hopeful of Pant returning to action as a wicketkeeper as they aim to bounce back from the defeat in the series opener in Bengaluru. Pant hurt his knee on the second day of the Test when he was attempting to stump Devon Conway in the 37th over of New Zealand’s innings. He failed to collect the ball and copped a blow. He winced in pain and went…
South Australia 314 & 352 for 9 (Carey 123*, McSweeney 72, Whitney 3-62) lead Queensland 308 (Peirson 94, McDermott 52) by 358 runs Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has fired another warning shot to India with an unbeaten century for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland. Already in blistering form to start the red-ball summer, Carey was again chief agitator on day three scoring 123 not out from…
England will field a three-pronged spin attack on a Rawalpindi pitch that Harry Brook believes has been “raked” by local groundstaff in an attempt to bring Pakistan’s spinners into play. Rehan Ahmed has been recalled and will play alongside Shoaib Bashir and Jack Leach, with Gus Atkinson also coming into a side in which both Brydon Carse and Matthew Potts miss out. Rehan played three Tests in India at the…