Wellington – New Zealand media on Wednesday hailed as a “masterstroke” the bold selection behind the Black Caps’ stunning win over India in the World Twenty20 opener. The New Zealand Herald declared the Black Caps’ win as the best possible start to the tournament © AFP Punit Paranjpe “What a twist”, trumpeted Fairfax NZ’s stuff.co.nz website after New Zealand’s unheralded spinners tweaked the Black Caps to a 47-run victory over…
Pakistan coach backs Afridi on India love row
Kolkata – Coach Waqar Younis stood by his skipper Shahid Afridi Tuesday over his declaration that Pakistan’s cricketers receive more love in India than back home, saying critics should stop stirring up trouble. Pakistan’s captain Shahid Afridi gestures as he addresses media representatives at a press conference at The Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata on March 13, 2016 © AFP/File Dibyangshu Sarkar Former Pakistani captain Javed Miandad has been at…
Morgan confident England will perform
Skipper Eoin Morgan is confident England’s youthful squad are capable of handling the pressure of an ICC World Twenty20 in India. Morgan has suffered disappointment in global tournaments since he was part of the England side that ended a 35-year wait for an ICC limited-overs trophy with victory at the 2010 World T20 in the Caribbean. England reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup and after exiting the last…
Sammy tips Gayle to shine for West Indies
Captain Darren Sammy remains calm amid West Indies’ chaotic ICC World Twenty20 build-up – and has backed star batsman Chris Gayle to do likewise. Sammy leads a side shorn of spinner Sunil Narine, due to a ban for an illegal bowling action, and withdrawn duo Kieron Pollard and Darren Bravo as they provide England’s opening opponents tomorrow. With the big-hitting Gayle at the top of the order, though, the Windies…
'Martin Crowe would be proud'
With the Super 10 phase starting, there was plenty of excitement around. There was a shock right at the toss, when New Zealand left out their established pace pair of Tim Southee and Trent Boult and picked plenty of spinners. 3 spinners for New Zealand!!! I didn’t know there were that many spinners in the entire country#IndvsNZ — Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) March 15, 2016 The game got off to a…
NZ spin trio routs India on raging turner
New Zealand 126 for 7 (Anderson 34, Bumrah 1-15, Raina 1-16) beat India 79 (Dhoni 30, Santner 4-11, Sodhi 3-18) by 47 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Play 04:50 Highlights: Santner, Sodhi and McCullum catch India off guard For a long time, this New Zealand team was under the charge of a man who loved a gamble or two. But would even Brendon McCullum have been funky enough to go up…
NZ spin trio hand India shock defeat
Toss New Zealand chose to bat v IndiaLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Play 03:09 Styris: India are favourites for a reason New Zealand went for a horses-for-courses approach upon seeing a dry and cracked pitch in Nagpur, and their conviction was such that they left out their two best fast bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee to accommodate three spinners. The visitors made a far more orthodox call when the…
Sammy's ensemble ready to back up Gayle
Play 01:22 ‘We thrive on setbacks’ – Sammy Chris Gayle. Destructive. Chris Gayle. Massive. Chris Gayle. Best T20 batsman. Right from the time West Indies arrived in India, Darren Sammy has summoned courage from these words, even using them as incantations to rouse confidence. Unlike some captains who prefer not to talk up their gun player – as much to not add to the pressure as not wanting to jinx…
New Zealand cruise to win after Sri Lanka's late collapse
New Zealand Women 111 for 3 (Bates 37) beat Sri Lanka Women 110 for 8 (Manodara 37) by seven wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Suzie Bates helped New Zealand take control of the 111-run chase early on © IDI/Getty Images New Zealand Women began their World T20 campaign with an easy seven-wicket win after a late collapse restricted Sri Lanka Women to 110 for 8 in Delhi. Sri Lanka won the…
England World T20 preview: West Indies
There have been five different winners of the five World Twenty20 tournaments to date and two champions from this decade lock horns in a mouthwatering opening group one clash. England captain Eoin Morgan was at the other end when Paul Collingwood hit the winning runs to defeat Australia in the 2010 final in Barbados and leads a young, fearless side against the host nation from six years ago, Darren Sammy’s…