Shahid Afridi has played 27 Tests, 398 ODIs and 90 Twenty20Is for Pakistan © AFP London: Shahid Afridi is set to return to Hampshire for this season’s domestic Twenty20 Blast competition, the English county announced on Wednesday. (Shahid Afridi Reconsidering Retirement From International Cricket) Afridi, Pakistan’s captain for the forthcoming World Twenty20 in India, will be available for the whole Blast tournament, Hampshire said. Nicknamed ‘Boom Boom’ for his aggressive…
'Dangerous' Australia climb to top of the world
Australia became the No. 1 ranked Test side after a 2-0 win against New Zealand, but plenty of challenges lie ahead © Getty Images A small crowd, a quiet Christchurch day in the last week of February, an Australian rise to No.1. It could have been Allan Border overtaking Sunil Gavaskar 23 years ago to become the leading run scorer in Tests. Instead it was Steven Smith‘s men nudging ahead…
Smash or crash — the McCullum way
Christchurch (New Zealand) – The tattered cap was removed for the last time on Wednesday as Brendon McCullum headed into retirement ultimately in defeat, but on the back of one last destructive, record-breaking innings. Brendon McCullum drew the curtain on his illustrious career after a 2-0 series defeat as Australia wrapped up the second Test by seven wickets in Christchurch © AFP Marty Melville McCullum drew the curtain on his…
Australia captain Steve Smith fined for dissent over umpire row
Christchurch (New Zealand) – Australian captain Steve Smith was fined 30 percent of his match fee for dissent on Wednesday after a confrontation with the umpires in the second Test against New Zealand. Australian captain Steve Smith (C) pleaded guilty to a dissent charge following an angry outburst during the second Test against New Zealand © AFP Marty Melville Australia won the Test by seven wickets to move to the…
Time’s right, says departing McCullum
Christchurch (New Zealand) – New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted the time was right to quit international cricket on Wednesday despite hitting one of his best innings just days earlier. New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum insisted the time was right to quit despite hitting one of his best innings just days earlier © AFP Marty Melville It was not the way the 34-year-old wanted to retire, as Australia completed a…
Australia’s return to the top of Test rankings hit by controversy
Christchurch (New Zealand) – Australia sealed a 2-0 series victory over New Zealand to reach the top Test ranking Wednesday but captain Steve Smith was forced to defend their aggressive style as he was fined over a row with the umpires. Australia captain Steve Smith was fined 30 percent of his match fee over a show of dissent during the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch © AFP Marty…
Smith charged for dissent shown towards umpires
Steven Smith, along with Josh Hazlewood, approached umpire Ranmore Martinesz, seemingly to demand explanations © Getty Images Australia’s captain Steven Smith has been charged with dissent over the same incident that saw fast bowler Josh Hazlewood fined 15% of his match fee on day four in Christchurch. The ICC confirmed Hazlewood’s charge and penalty on Tuesday but it was not until Wednesday that the Australians were notified that Smith would…
Mumbai choose to field in Ranji final
Toss: Mumbai chose to field v SaurashtraLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Dhawal Kulkarni was brought back into Mumbai’s side for Badre Alam © BCCI Aditya Tare called right as Mumbai opted to field in the Ranji Trophy final against Mumbai in Pune. In direct acknowledgment of the surface prepared at the MCA Stadium, both teams boosted their seam bowling stocks. Mumbai made just one change to the side that outbatted…
Australia claim No. 1, McCullum exits
Australia 505 (Burns 170, Smith 138, Wagner 6-106) and 201 for 3 (Burns 65, Smith 53*, Khawaja 45) beat New Zealand 370 (McCullum 145, Anderson 72, Lyon 3-61) and 335 (Williamson 97, Bird 5-59, Pattinson 4-77) by 7 wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details It wasn’t easy for Joe Burns, but he battled through © Getty Images At once a benediction and a coronation, Brendon McCullum’s final moments as a Test cricketer…
Australia 16 run short of No. 1 ranking
Australia 505 and 185 for 3 (Smith 47*, Voges 0*) need another 16 runs to beat New Zealand 370 and 335Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details It wasn’t easy for Joe Burns, but he battled through © Getty Images A few uncomfortable moments aside, Australia closed rapidly upon their target of 201 to defeat New Zealand and claim the world No. 1 Test match ranking on the final morning of the…