Match facts Tuesday, March 1, 2016Start time 1930 local (1330 GMT) Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are likely to be reunited at the top of the order for India © BCCI Big Picture India, seven wins from their last eight T20s, are fresh from a high-octane triumph against their greatest rivals. Sri Lanka, having lost six of their last eight T20s, have been comprehensively beaten by a team they used…
Pakistan overcome hiccups for first win
Pakistan 131 for 3 (Malik 63*, Akmal 50*, Javed 3-36) beat UAE 129 for 6 (Anwar 46, Amir 2-6, Irfan 2-30) by seven wicketsScorecard and ball-by-ball details Umar Akmal’s unbeaten 50 came off 46 balls © Getty Images UAE’s decision to bat seemed a bit like someone doing away with the veggies so they could get to the meat quicker. All their captain Amjad Javed hoped for was “120 to…
Smith, Australia seek World T20 directions
Steven Smith was appointed Australia’s T20 captain a month before the tournament © Getty Images It is less than a month since Steven Smith took over as Australia’s T20 captain and less than a week since he was leading the Test side back to the top of the ICC rankings in New Zealand. Now Smith is in South Africa, where Australia will play three T20s as part of their preparation…
Side strain ends Mustafizur's Asia Cup
Mustafizur Rahman picked up the injury during Bangladesh’s win against Sri Lanka on Sunday © AFP Bangladesh fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman has been ruled ouf of the remainder of the Asia Cup T20 with a side strain. He has been replaced by Tamim Iqbal, who returned to Dhaka on Monday from paternity leave. Mustafizur picked up the injury during Bangladesh’s 23-run win over Sri Lanka on Sunday. Bayjedul Islam Khan,…
Clarke set to be called before parliament to explain role in Big Three takeover
Giles Clarke, right, with former Cricket Australia chairman Wally Edwards © Getty Images Giles Clarke, the ECB president, faces the prospect of being called to appear before the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee, to explain his role in the controversial ICC structural reforms of February 2014, in which the boards of England, India and Australia seized control of the sport’s finances. No hearing is expected before Easter, but as…
Chetty, van Niekerk fifties set up SA win
South Africa Women 235 for 8 (Chetty 55, van Niekerk 55) beat West Indies Women (Aguilleira 40, Luus 2-30, Klaas 2-33) by 35 runsScorecard File photo: Dane van Niekerk slammed 55 off 48 deliveries © Getty Images Trisha Chetty and Dane van Niekerk both stroked half-centuries, paving the way for South Africa Women’s 35-run win against West Indies Women in East London. Victory was not of much significance, though, as…
Bird joins Nottinghamshire as Siddle replacement
Jackson Bird is looking forward to the conditions at Trent Bridge © Marty Melville/AFP/Getty Images Nottinghamshire have signed Jackson Bird, the Australia fast bowler, as a replacement for Peter Siddle who faces an extended period on the sidelines after being diagnosed with stress fractures of the back. Bird, who returned to the Test team in the recent series against New Zealand and claimed 5 for 59 in the second Test,…
Specsavers sign four-year deal to sponsor County Championship
The England and Wales Cricket Board today announced Specsavers will become the new title sponsor of the County Championship. The four-year deal will give Specsavers full naming and branding rights around the historic competition which will enter its 126th season in April – with current County Champions Yorkshire bidding to win their third successive title. The new agreement strengthens Specsavers’ relationship with county cricket as the eye-wear chain has been…
Nottinghamshire swoop for Bird
Nottinghamshire have moved quickly to replace injured overseas player Peter Siddle with his Australia team-mate Jackson Bird. The 29-year-old will arrive at Trent Bridge in time to feature in the first 10 matches of the Specsavers County Championship, but is unlikely to feature in limited-overs cricket, with Dan Christian set to add Royal London One-Day Cup duties to his NatWest T20 Blast commitments. Siddle had been earmarked for a return…
BCCI media manager cleared of conflict charge
Justice AP Shah, the BCCI ombudsman, said the allegations against Nishant Arora “cannot be an issue of consideration” © Hindustan Times The BCCI ombudsman Justice AP Shah has dismissed allegations of conflict of interest against the board’s media manager Nishant Arora. Shah said the charges against Arora, leveled by freelance journalist Neeraj Gunde, “cannot be an issue of consideration.” Gunde had written to Shah last month alleging that Arora and…