IPL 2016

Sabbir Rahman’s all-round ability could prove to be crucial for the hosts again © AFP Match facts January 22, 2016Start time 1500 local (0900 GMT) Big picture Zimbabwe’s 31-run win in the third T20 has suddenly made the final game on Friday more meaningful. Bangladesh are leading 2-1 but they were thrown off kilter by the visitors’ six-hitting spree and tight bowling in the previous game. Malcolm Waller was the…

Sydney Thunder 2 for 160 (Khawaja 104*) beat Adelaide Strikers 7 for 159 (Ross 47, McKay 3-44) by eight wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Usman Khawaja celebrates his second century of this season’s BBL © Getty Images and Cricket Australia A year ago, a team from Sydney – who had sneaked into the last four – came to Adelaide to play the table-topping locals in a semi-final, and silenced a record…

Keith Greenfield will become Sussex’s first director of cricket © Sussex CCC Sussex have named Keith Greenfield as their first director of cricket. Greenfield, who played for the club during the 1990s, steps up to the new role from his position as performance manager, taking on some of the responsibilities held by Mark Robinson, Sussex’s professional cricket manager until his appointment to coach England women last year. Greenfield will oversee…

Chaminda Vaas was Sri Lanka’s bowling coach from February 2013 to April 2015 © AFP Ireland have appointed Chaminda Vaas, the former Sri Lanka seamer, as their bowling consultant ahead of the World T20. Vaas will begin his short-term assignment during Ireland’s visit to Abu Dhabi, where they will play two T20Is against UAE on February 14 and 16, and remain with the squad until the end of the World…

Australia batsman Usman Khawaja stole the show as Sydney Thunder eased past Adil Rashid‘s Adelaide Strikers to book their place in Sunday’s Big Bash League final. Khawaja made light work of Sydney’s victory target of 160, the opener moving to 104 from just 59 deliveries with the winning run off Rashid, who had earlier given the Strikers a chance by smashing 14 from the final three balls of the innings. Adelaide had…

Marcus Trescothick has relinquished the Somerset captaincy after six seasons in the job © Getty Images Marcus Trescothick has promised his “unconditional support” to his replacements having stepped down as captain of Somerset. Trescothick, now aged 40, was appointed captain in 2010 but, despite leading the side through some of the most enjoyable, competitive years in their history, the trophies remained elusive. Chris Rogers, recently signed as Somerset’s overseas player,…

Brian Vitori’s bowling action is under scrutiny © AFP Zimbabwe left-arm seamer Brian Vitori has been reported for a suspect action following the third T20 international against Bangladesh. Vitori will have to undergo a test on his action at an ICC-accredited centre within 14 days but can continue bowling in international cricket until the results are out. The ICC said that the match officials’ report had been handed over to…