India are missing three major batsmen – openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, and Rohit Sharma – because of injures for the first two Tests against England. Allrounder Hardik Pandya has been included in India’s Test squad for the first time in his career. Squad Virat Kohli (capt), R Ashwin, Gautam Gambhir, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Mohammad Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha, Karun Nair, M Vijay, Umesh Yadav,…
Series against West Indies A had many gains – Gunawardene
Avishka Gunawardene was pleased that legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay had found form in the series against West Indies A after returning from a long injury lay-off © Getty Images Sri Lanka A coach Avishka Gunawardene was pleased the home series against West Indies A had served its purpose of grooming young players, despite the 3-0 loss in the one-dayers. Gunaratne was also satisfied that the four-day matches – which his team…
A tantalising middleweight battle
Match facts November 3-7, 2016Start time 1030 local (0230 GMT) Steven Smith and Faf du Plessis with the series trophy on the eve of the first Test at the WACA © Getty Images Big Picture So often in recent years, series between Australia and South Africa have been heavyweight title fights. Two of the most successful Test nations of the past two decades, they have more than once met with…
Timil five-for, Taylor century sees USA steamroll Oman
Steven Taylor brought up his century off 88 balls and eventually finished unbeaten on 124 off 95 balls © Peter Della Penna Legspinner Timil Patel‘s second five-wicket haul of the tournament was followed by a devastating century by captain Steven Taylor as USA crushed Oman by eight wickets at Wright Cricket Field. The win puts USA in the driver’s seat for one of the two promotion berths available at WCL…
WACA curator's uphill battle for pace, bounce
Play 02:51 A few pitches in Australia have lost their characteristics – Starc Nobody wants to atone for last year’s road-like WACA pitch more keenly than the curator Matt Page. However, circumstances of climate and schedule have conspired to increase the degree of difficulty for the ground staff commissioned to restore a slowing surface to its former glory. The New Zealand Test began on November 13 last year, 10 days…
Rajshahi, Khulna return with balance
Shakib Al Hasan will be the key for Dhaka as they push for a first title as the Dynamites © Associated Press Dhaka Dynamites Big picture Dhaka will bank on the experience of Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Shakib Al Hasan in their bid for the BPL title for the first time as the Dynamites franchise. They have a good mix of allrounders and big-hitters in the side including Evin…
Comilla seek title repeat with strengthened squad
Comilla Victorians have strengthened their bowling with the acquisition of the Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan © Raton Gomes Comilla Victorians Big picture Allrounders will once again be the key for Comilla as they approach their title defense. Mashrafe Mortaza continues as captain, and he will have Imrul Kayes, Liton Das, Ashar Zaidi and Nuwan Kulasekara among those who were part of their championship team from last year. The additions of…
Siddle named in XI; Mennie made 12th man
Play 01:48 ‘As ready as I’m going to be’ – Mennie Peter Siddle has been preferred to Joe Mennie in Australia’s XI for the first Test against South Africa in Perth. Captain Steven Smith announced the XI on the eve of the match, confirming that Mennie would be 12th man for the WACA Test. The South Australia fast bowler made his ODI debut on the recent tour of South Africa…
No progress in Lodha-BCCI email exchange
BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke and president Anurag Thakur are supposed to meet the Lodha Committee by November 3 © AFP The impasse between the Lodha Committee and the BCCI appears set to continue, with the committee saying the board has shown no sign of complying with its directive to provide an undertaking to follow the order the Supreme Court passed on October 21. Based on an email received on October…
Cape Cobras selector Alan Dawson resigns
Alan Dawson played two Tests and 19 ODIs for South Africa between 1998 and 2004 © Getty Images Former South African medium-pacer Alan Dawson has resigned from his post as the Cape Cobras’ selection convener with immediate effect. Dawson said that the off-field situation at the Cobras had made his position untenable. The situation he referred to was the increasing tension between players and management that originated after 14 contracted…