Ireland 170 for 7 (Balbirnie 62, Rashid 5-54) trail Afghanistan 537 for 8 dec (Stanikzai 145, Zazai 103*) by 367 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Rashid Khan’s variations were too much for a floundering Ireland middle-order © Getty Images In the world of the Chinese zodiac, 2017 is the year of the rooster. If the first three months of the Gregorian calendar are anything to go by, this is also shaping…
'New Zealand deserved to have a crack at us today' – du Plessis
Play 01:23 Moonda: An intriguing series decided by one hour When the first drops of rain began falling in the early hours of Wednesday morning, it woke Kane Williamson up. “I was hoping it might stop or it might come a little bit early and fine up,” he said. Faf du Plessis did not say whether he was disturbed or not but if he was, it would have been a…
ECB turn to netball to reinforce women's talent-spotting
The ECB have reinforced their talent development programme for women’s cricket © ESPNcricinfo Ltd A former Wales U21 netball player has been appointed by the ECB as National Talent Manager for women’s cricket. Diana Lewis, who is currently England Netball’s Performance Pathway Manager, will oversee the ECB’s talent development programme aimed at supporting the women’s professional game. She will work closely with the wider cricket network to help identify and…
Counties face stiffened penalties for sub-par pitch preparation
Counties who prepare two ‘below average’ pitches in a 12-month period could be penalised © PA Photos Counties producing two ‘below average’ pitches in a 12-month period could be penalised under new regulations brought in by the ECB for the 2017 County Championship season. In a further attempt to encourage counties to produce better quality pitches, the ECB have widened the criteria under which they can take action. Whereas, in…
Finch, Christian all but bat Redbacks out of final
Victoria 487 and 6 for 254 (Finch 83, Christian 53*) lead South Australia 287 by 454 runsScorecard Seb Gotch and Daniel Christian batted together for nearly 40 overs and were still unmoved at stumps © Getty Images A third consecutive Sheffield Shield title for Victoria appears all but certain after the Bushrangers ground South Australia in to the Alice Springs dust on the fourth day of the final. Needing only…
Alex Carey breaks wicketkeeping record
File photo – Alex Carey surpassed the all-time Sheffield Shield wicketkeeping season record in 2016-17 © Getty Images South Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey has broken the all-time record for most dismissals in a Sheffield Shield season. Carey achieved the feat on the fourth morning of the Shield final against Victoria in Alice Springs, when he pouched a take to remove the Bushrangers’ nightwatchman Chris Tremain off the bowling of Daniel…
Irfan banned for one year for failing to report approach
Mohammad Irfan will not be allowed to participate in any form of cricket for at least six months © Associated Press Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has been banned from all forms of cricket for a year after he pleaded guilty to failing to report details of two approaches to corrupt the game. He can return, however, after six months if he assists the PCB in their ongoing investigations into the…
'Bradman-like' Smith is changing Australia – Lehmann
‘I’m really pleased with the effort and the attitude at trying to change the way we play here’ – Darren Lehmann © Associated Press Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann has lauded Steven Smith as “Bradman-like,” while confirming that the way the tourists pushed India to the brink of losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has set a marker for how the team intends to play from here on. The 2017 Australians were not…
Pakistan look to extend domineering streak over West Indies
Match facts March 30, 2017Start time 1230 local (1630 GMT) Debutant Shadab Khan stunned West Indies in the first T20I in Barbados with returns of 3 for 7 © AFP Big Picture The first T20I between West Indies and Pakistan didn’t tell us much, confirming, instead, what was already widely known: West Indies appear a long way away from their World Cup-winning best at the moment, while Pakistan, though nowhere…
In-form Karthik helps Tamil Nadu clinch Deodhar Trophy
Tamil Nadu 303 for 9 (Karthik 126, Jagadeesan 55, Kulkarni 5-39) beat India B 261 (Gurkeerat 64, Rahil Shah 3-40) by 42 runsScorecard The Tamil Nadu team and support staff pose with the Deodhar Trophy © Andhra Cricket Association Tamil Nadu clinched the 2016-17 Deodhar Trophy after Dinesh Karthik‘s 91-ball 126 that rescued his side after they were struggling at 39 for 3. Rahil Shah‘s three crucial wickets – Shikhar…