Video footage had shown Faf du Plessis shining the ball with his saliva, while he had a sweet in his mouth © Getty Images Faf du Plessis’ appeal against his conviction of ball-tampering has been rejected by judicial commissioner Michael Beloff. The newly confirmed South African Test captain remains guilty of breaching Law 42.3 and the sanction initially imposed on him by match referee Andy Pycroft – 100% of his…
Somerset make Abell Championship captain at 22
Tom Abell is highly regarded at Somerset and will captain the Championship side in 2017 © Getty Images Somerset have named Tom Abell as their Championship captain for 2017. Abell, who replaces Chris Rogers after the Australian’s retirement, will be 23 by the time the season starts, making him one of the youngest captains on the county circuit. Jim Allenby, meanwhile, will continue to lead the club in T20 and…
Somerset make Abell Championship captain
Tom Abell is highly regarded at Somerset and will captain the Championship side in 2017 © Getty Images Somerset have named Tom Abell as their Championship captain for 2017. Abell, who replaces Chris Rogers after the Australian’s retirement, will be 23 by the time the season starts, making him one of the youngest captains on the county circuit. Jim Allenby, meanwhile, will continue to lead the club in T20 and…
Heat choke Strikers in slog overs to defend 206
Brisbane Heat 5 for 206 (Ross 64, Peirson 46) beat Adelaide Strikers 6 for 196 (Dunk 85, Weatherald 52, Steketee 3-32) by 10 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Brendon McCullum’s fluent 42 and his leadership set the tone for Brisbane Heat’s comeback win © Getty Images Marshalled expertly by Brendon McCullum, Brisbane Heat held their nerve to storm Adelaide Oval and deny the Strikers in a high-scoring Big Bash League shootout…
Sussex eye job share as Joyce opts for Ireland
Ed Joyce has committed to Ireland’s brave new world © Getty Images Ed Joyce has embarked upon a novel job-sharing deal by continuing his county career at Sussex while accepting a role as batting coach and mentor for Cricket Ireland during the inaugural season of their first-class competition. Joyce’s availability for Sussex sounds tenuous at best, as he also intends to play in Ireland’s Inter-Provincial series, but the county are…
Joyce, Niall O'Brien given Cricket Ireland contracts
Niall O’Brien will return to play in Ireland’s inter-provincial tournament in 2017 © International Cricket Council Cricket Ireland has announced its list of centrally contracted players for 2017, with the return of Ed Joyce and a specialist wicketkeeping role for Niall O’Brien among the most significant developments as Ireland target a promotion to Test status over the next two years. O’Brien is no longer contracted to a county, while Joyce…
Ashwin, Jadeja go 1-2 in Test bowling rankings
Ravindra Jadeja took 26 wickets at an average of 25.84 in the five-match Test series against England © Associated Press Ravindra Jadeja‘s maiden ten-wicket haul in the fifth Test against England in Chennai helped him rise to second in the ICC Test bowling rankings, a list led by team-mate R Ashwin. This is the first time since 1979 that two India bowlers occupy the top spots in the bowling rankings….
Otago trump Central Districts in record 497-run T20
File photo: Mahela Jayawardene overtook Hamish Rutherford’s century in terms of runs but couldn’t help Central Districts to the win © Getty Images In a record-breaking 497-run T20 match in New Plymouth, Neil Wagner defended eight off the final over to help Otago clinch a one-run thriller against Central Districts. It became the highest aggregate of runs in a T20, beating 489 scored by India and West Indies in Lauderhill…
England planning for Cook to captain Ashes
Play 01:59 Cook won’t be rushed on captaincy decision Alastair Cook‘s captaincy retains the full support of the England team, according to assistant coach, Paul Farbrace. While Farbrace accepted that speculation over leadership was inevitable after a 4-0 defeat, he insisted that there was “no uncertainty” over the issue inside the dressing room and that the management had been planning on Cook leading the team for the Ashes tour. “We…
Cricket Australia bans Russell's black bat
Andre Russell scored 9 off 7 balls with a black bat in the Big Bash League opener © Cricket Australia Cricket Australia has banned Andre Russell‘s black bat from the Big Bash League, having previously approved its use during the Sydney Thunder’s first match of the tournament. Russell used the black bat on Tuesday as the Thunder lost to the Sydney Sixers. Cricket Australia said at the time that players…