Match facts Wednesday, March 23, 2016Start time 1930 local (1400 GMT) Play 02:00 Chappell: Net run rate could factor into India’s plans Big Picture After a thumping loss to New Zealand in their opening game, India found their footling with a Virat Kohli masterclass against Pakistan, and are now eyeing the semi-finals. They will face a Bangladesh side, reeling from two defeats, to add to the absence of Taskin Ahmed…
Fowler urges ECB to cover university academies funding cuts
MCC’s funding of the university centre of excellences has been cut by 50% © Getty Images Graeme Fowler has called on the ECB to fund the university centre of excellence programme after the MCC announced it will slash its contribution by 50%. Fowler, who established what is currently termed the MCCU scheme two decades ago, is concerned that the cuts will see talented cricketers forced to choose between completing their…
Fowler calls for ECB to fill university academies funding cuts
MCC’s funding of the university centre of excellences has been cut by 50% © Getty Images Graeme Fowler has called on the ECB to fund the university centre of excellence programme after the MCC announced it will slash its contribution by 50%. Fowler, who established what is currently termed the MCCU scheme two decades ago, is concerned that the cuts will see talented cricketers forced to choose between completing their…
New Zealand see off Pakistan to take semi spot
New Zealand became the first team to reach the semi-finals of this ICC World Twenty20, making it three group wins from three as Martin Guptill‘s 80 proved too much for Pakistan. Guptill’s 48-ball innings, featuring 10 fours and three sixes, set the Black Caps up for a score of 180 for five under lights in Mohali. That was 22 too many for Pakistan, who ended on 158 for five and…
Spinners enjoy profitable day in Abu Dhabi
Yorkshire 275 and 239 for 7 (Lees 86, Tredwell 3-70) lead MCC 299 by 215 runsScorecard Alex Lees made 86 in Yorkshire’s second innings © Getty Images The MCC’s spinners, James Tredwell and Samit Patel, combined to take five wickets in Yorkshire’s second innings in Abu Dhabi to set up an intriguing final day. The MCC could only extend their lead to 24 on the third morning then Yorkshire slipped…
Hampshire's Arafat to spend season with Somerset
Former Pakistan seamer Yasir Arafat has joined Somerset on a season-long loan from Hampshire as a limited-overs specialist. The 34-year-old, who last played for his country in 2012, returns to the county he represented in 2013. He will be available for all white-ball cricket this term. Yasir, having made 22 first-team appearances for Hampshire last year, moves after England paceman Reece Topley‘s arrival at the Ageas Bowl. Hampshire director of…
Unchanged NZ bat; Hafeez and Wahab out for Pakistan
Toss New Zealand chose to bat v PakistanLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Mohammad Hafeez is nursing an injury to his right femur and was ruled out of today’s game © AFP On a ‘good wicket,’ Kane Williamson decided to put runs on the board in a bid to make the semi-final of the World T20. Mohali had a sprinkling of grass, but the common perception was that its presence was…
England Women survive spin scare to chase 91
England Women 92 for 8 (Beaumont 20, Bisht 4-21, Kaur 2-22 ) beat India Women 90 for 8 (Kaur 26, Knight 3-15, Shrubsole 2-12) by two wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Heather Knight set the match up for England with three wickets © International Cricket Council India Women nearly got out of jail courtesy their trump card, spin, in conditions as subcontinental as it could get to lift the hopes of…
England Women survive spin threat to chase 91
England Women 92 for 8 (Beaumont 20, Bisht 4-21, Kaur 2-22 ) beat India Women 90 for 8 (Kaur 26, Knight 3-15, Shrubsole 2-12) by two wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Heather Knight set the match up for England with three wickets © International Cricket Council India Women nearly got out of jail courtesy their trump card, spin, in conditions as subcontinental as it could get to lift the hopes of…
England mull over Dawson debut
Liam Dawson could be kicking out in celebration in Delhi © PA Photos Liam Dawson, the Hampshire slow left-armer, could make his international debut against Afghanistan on Wednesday after Eoin Morgan admitted England were considering the option of three spinners in a vital Group 1 clash in Delhi England would take a significant stride towards the World T20 semi-finals if they avoid an upset tomorrow. Their frontline spin pairing, Moeen…