Mohammad Shahzad has 681 points, which is only three behind New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum © Chris Whiteoak Less than a week ago Afghanistan confirmed their place among the top 10 teams in the world, as rated by the ICC. Now they have a representative each in the top 10 batsmen and bowlers rankings in Twenty20 cricket. Mohammad Shahzad struck 118 off 67 balls last night – the highest score by…
Napier to retire after 2016 season
Graham Napier came close to an England cap but it never quite arrived © Getty Images Graham Napier, the Essex allrounder, has announced he will retire at the end of 2016 English season to take up a position running his cricket academy. Napier, 36, made his Essex debut in 1997 and is widely considered a player unlucky not to have earned an England cap in white-ball cricket. The closest he…
Australia New Boys Joel Paris, Scott Boland to Face India in Perth ODI
Australian pacer Joel Paris has picked up 24 wickets in 13 List A games in domestic cricket. (Image credit: Joel Paris/Twitter) © Twitter Perth: Australian pacemen Joel Paris and Scott Boland will make their international debuts but Shaun Marsh will miss out when the one-day series opener against India starts in Perth on Tuesday. (Joel Paris Feels India Can be Tamed With Accuracy) Western Australia’s Paris and Victoria’s Boland get…
Steyn ruled out of third Test
Dale Steyn will again be on the sidelines © Getty Images Dale Steyn has been ruled out of the third Test against England at the Wanderers due to the shoulder injury he sustained during the opening match of the series in Durban. There had been encouraging updates about Steyn’s fitness during the Newlands Test but doubts over his recovery came when he was ruled “50-50” at the conclusion of that…
De Villiers' inspirational qualities are key for South Africa
Get set and go: AB de Villiers is poised for his captaincy stinto © Associated Press AB de Villiers‘ ability to inspire will be the most important aspect of his leadership as he takes over South Africa’s Test team, according to his former coach Ray Jennings and team-mates, Paul Harris and Jacques Rudolph. The trio believe de Villiers was the right choice to succeed Hashim Amla and to turn the…
Stephen Fleming to coach Pune in IPL
MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming will be reunited at IPL 2016 after the latter was confirmed as the Pune coach © Hindustan Times via Getty Images Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been named as head coach of the Pune franchise for the next two seasons of the IPL. The appointment was confirmed in a media release by Sanjeev Goenka, head of New Rising group which owns the franchise….
Fleming to coach Pune franchise in IPL
MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming will be reunited at IPL 2016 after the latter was confirmed as the Pune coach © Hindustan Times via Getty Images Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming has been named as head coach of the Pune franchise for the next two seasons of the IPL. The appointment was confirmed in a media release by Sanjeev Goenka, head of New Rising group which owns the franchise….
BCCI Pays Suspended Chennai Super Kings Rs 15.67 Crore for IPL 2014
Bernard Tomic is no stranger to controversy. © AFP Brisbane: Australia’s top-ranked player Bernard Tomic has clashed with security and staff over a practice court during his Australian Open build-up, a report said Monday. (Click here for latest Tennis stories) The trouble-prone 23-year-old told recreational players to leave the court at the Royal Pines resort on Australia’s Gold Coast before verbally abusing intervening staff late last week, Brisbane’s Courier Mail…
George Bailey Aims to be Part of Australia Squad for 2016 ICC World Twenty20
George Bailey is determined to win the World Twenty20, the one tournament which Australia has never won. © AFP Australian batsman George Bailey has said he would love to be part of his country’s World T20 squad, and added the best way to get selected is to score runs. (Australia Face Acid Test With Depleted Squad) “There’s a World Cup looming around the corner, and I’d love to be part…
Young pacers will relish bowling at WACA, Gabba – Smith
Play 01:10 ‘Good opportunity for young quicks’ – Smith There has been much boasting in recent years of Australia’s seemingly endless supply of talented, young fast bowlers. Of a first-class roster bursting at the seams with seamers. Of tall timbers touted as the Next Big Thing. But, as the injury roll call and retirement parades have multiplied, the next few months may prove to be a true test of Australia’s…