India scared of defeat to Australia – Starc

Play 00:25 Steven Smith upbeat after Ranchi draw Australia’s injured spearhead Mitchell Starc has said India’s verbal confrontations with the tourists were the result of fear over losing the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after their unexpected defeat in the opening Test of the series in Pune. Starc, who flew home with a foot stress fracture after the second Test in Bengaluru but hopes to be fit in time for the ICC Champions…

Read More >>

Jadeja, Pujara and Vijay given top BCCI contracts

Play 01:46 Kalra: Test performers not shortchanged Ravindra Jadeja, Cheteshwar Pujara and M Vijay have broken into the Grade-A category of the new annual contracts announced by the BCCI today. The trio joins Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, R Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane in the top bracket, the upgrade recognition of a prolific home season. The annual retainership for this grade of contract has also increased to INR 2 crore (USD…

Read More >>

Ranchi among 'toughest conditions I've played in' – Peter Handscomb

Peter Handscomb has made a stellar start to his Test career © Associated Press It’s been an eventful tour for Peter Handscomb. Setting aside his batting, which brought only modest returns in the first two Tests, Handscomb has been swept up in the whirl of controversy – both real and imagined – that has marked the series. He was there in the middle with Steven Smith in Bengaluru, suggesting his…

Read More >>

Sabbir 72, Mahmudullah 71* in Bangladesh's warm-up defeat

SL President’s XI 354 for 7 (Weerakkody 67, Kusal 64) beat Bangladesh 352 for 8 (Sabbir 72, Mahmudullah 71*, Dananjaya 3-61) by two runsScorecard Mahmudullah found some form after a string of poor performances saw his exclusion from the second Test against Sri Lanka © AFP Mahmudullah hit an unbeaten 71 off 68 balls and strode into some form in Bangladesh’s practice match against the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI,…

Read More >>

South Africa welcome dry Hamilton pitch

South Africa are expecting Seddon Park’s worn pitch to aid their fast bowlers with the old ball © AFP One member of the South African touring party strode out to the Seddon Park square and lifted a blanket-like grey cover from the surface it was covering. He pulled a face as though he had just smelled something odd. As he walked back, he muttered, “That isn’t even prepared,” to another…

Read More >>

Ratcliffe fears death of county game if T20 gamble fails

Jason Ratcliffe feels the T20 debate has rarely escaped the ECB’s inner sanctum © ESPNcricinfo Ltd Jason Ratcliffe, formerly second in command at the Professional Cricketers Association, has warned of “the huge gamble” English cricket is taking with the introduction of a new-team T20 competition. Ratcliffe was on the steering group in the developmental stages of the proposed competition in 2015 before stepping down as assistant chief executive of the…

Read More >>

CoA turns to court for smooth conduct of Dharamsala Test, IPL

The Commitee of Administrators, headed by Vinod Rai, has submitted a second status report to the Supreme Court © AFP The Committee of Administrators (CoA) has sought the Supreme Court’s immediate interference to ensure both the fourth Test between India and Australia and the IPL are not disrupted by disgruntled state associations. In its second status report, submitted in the court last week, the CoA singled out the Himachal Pradesh…

Read More >>

South Australia call up second spinner for Shield final

Left-arm spinner Tom Andrews has been called up to South Australia’s squad for the Sheffield Shield final © Getty Images South Australia have added left-arm spinner Tom Andrews and fast bowler Kane Richardson to their squad for the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria in Alice Springs. The pitch at Traeger Park has traditionally taken spin, meaning Andrews is in with a chance of joining Adam Zampa in a spin bowling…

Read More >>

De Kock, Boult both still in doubt for Hamilton Test

Quinton de Kock suffered the injury during the Wellington Test © AFP South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock has been taken for a scan on his right index finger, which he hurt during the Wellington Test. De Kock injured himself in the field and South Africa will wait for results of the scan before making any calls on his availability for the Hamilton Test. De Kock was not present at…

Read More >>

Kevin O'Brien 72* helps Ireland draw level

Ireland 224 for 7 (Kevin O’Brien 72*, Wilson 41, Nabi 4-30) beat Afghanistan 220 (Shafiqullah 42, Zadran 41*, Nabi 41, K O’Brien 4-26, Mulder 3-57) by three wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Kevin O’Brien hit eight fours and two sixes in his 60-ball knock © Associated Press Kevin O’Brien fought a hamstring injury to club an unbeaten 72 that helped Ireland chase down a 221-run target with three wickets in hand…

Read More >>