IPL 2016

Pubudu Dassanayake: ‘Batting 50 overs, it’s a different art’ © Peter Della Penna USA coach Pubudu Dassanayake has said that revamping the team’s middle-order batting is a key area of focus in the squad’s preparation for ICC World Cricket League Division Three, which begins May 23 in Uganda. Dassanayake indicated that several former first-class players who came into the team’s recent four-day camp in Houston, Texas – Ibrahim Khaleel, Camilus…

Tim Southee’s hamstring problem has depleted New Zealand further © Getty Images Fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the third Test against South Africa in Hamilton due to a hamstring injury he sustained in New Zealand’s eight wicket-loss in Wellington. No replacement has been added to the squad even though it was New Zealand’s third injury blow of the series. Ross Taylor and Trent Boult had been…

Quinton de Kock is not only doubtful for the Hamilton Test but also the IPL © AFP South Africa will take a late call on Quinton de Kock‘s availability for the Hamilton Test after scans revealed tendon damage to his right index finger. If de Kock is able to bat pain free with extra strapping, he will play in Hamilton, but even if he participates in the match, his availability…

Kusal Perera had been left out for the limited-overs series in South Africa and Australia © Associated Press Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against Bangladesh, after sustaining a hamstring strain during Wednesday’s warm-up match in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha confirmed. The strain – to his left thigh – was a “very minor” one, Gurusinha said, and though there was a…

Kusal Perera had been left out for the limited-overs series in South Africa and Australia © Associated Press Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against Bangladesh, after sustaining a hamstring strain during Wednesday’s warm-up match in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha confirmed. The strain – to his left thigh – was a “very minor” one, Gurusinha said, and though there was a…

Josh Hazlewood has said the Australian team have recovered from spending 210 overs in the field in Ranchi © AFP Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expected a result-oriented pitch for the series-deciding fourth Test against India in Dharamsala, though not necessarily the juicy kind that helped Adam Gilchrist’s team clinch the most recent Australian victory in India, 13 years ago. Dharamsala is the home ground of the deposed former BCCI…

Kusal Perera had been left out for the limited-overs series in South Africa and Australia © Associated Press Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera has been ruled out of the first two ODIs against Bangladesh, after sustaining a hamstring strain during Wednesday’s warm-up match in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha confirmed. The strain – to his left thigh – was a “very minor” one, Gurusinha said, and though there was a…

Zimbabwe are yet to face Scotland in an ODI © AFP After hosting Afghanistan for five ODIs in February, Zimbabwe have now plugged their gap in the international calendar by negotiating a tour of Scotland for two ODIs this summer. Before the Afghanistan ODIs, Zimbabwe were looking at a six-month hiatus. This will be the first bilateral series between Zimbabwe and Scotland. Their only meeting so far was at the…

Jeet Raval has defended resolutely against both pace and spin © AFP Forget the ramp shot, the reverse sweep or the really, really late cut, the simple forward defensive is the stroke batsmen should be practicing ahead of the Hamilton Test. That should seem obvious, shouldn’t it? This is the format for less flash, more focus, the format for a fight, yet so many batsmen seem to be losing it….

Josh Hazlewood has said the Australian team have recovered from spending 210 overs in the field in Ranchi © AFP Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expected a result-oriented pitch for the series-deciding fourth Test against India in Dharamsala, though not necessarily the juicy kind that helped Adam Gilchrist’s team clinch the most recent Australian victory in India, 13 years ago. Dharamsala is the home ground of the deposed former BCCI…