Hashim Amla has managed 10 runs in two innings, and knows a return to form is an imperative © Getty Images The absence of a genuine allrounder continues to haunt South Africa as they try to balance a long enough batting line-up with a sufficiently complete bowling pack. So far, they are shortchanging themselves in both departments. With seven specialist batsmen, South Africa can only accommodate a four-person attack, which…
Allround England seek the knock-out blow
Match facts Tuesday, February 9, 2016Start time 1330 local (1130 GMT) Alex Hales’ 99 anchored England’s run-chase at Port Elizabeth © Getty Images Big Picture Two-nil up with a trip to Centurion to come. As in the Test series, so now in the ODIs, as England head for the Highveld with a rare double on the cards. Not since Australia’s all-conquering tour of 2001-02 has a visiting team beaten South…
Smith to lead, Wade, Boyce dropped from World T20 squad
Australian selectors have cited continuity as one of the reasons for naming Steven Smith as captain of the T20 side © Getty Images Peter Nevill, Ashton Agar and Adam Zampa will make their Twenty20 international debuts at the World T20 in India, while Steven Smith will replace Aaron Finch as captain after Australia’s selectors dramatically shuffled the deck in a final effort to seek a winning combination. Finch was still…
Under-strength SL have mountain to climb
Play 04:11 Agarkar: Series a good test for India’s spinners ahead of World T20 Match facts February 9, 2016Start time 1930 local (1400 GMT) Big Picture When these T20 teams met most recently, at the 2014 World T20 final, India may have been better-drilled, but Sri Lanka had the cleverer strategy. Sri Lanka were T20’s iconoclasts at the time, topping the rankings with wit and versatility, while other teams doubled…
Wilson lends a hand with Gloucs juniors
England international Fran Wilson has played a helping hand in inspiring the young generation of girls this winter. The Middlesex batter, who passed her Level 3 Head Coach qualification in October last year, has taken time out of her England commitments to coach Gloucestershire Under-11s and -13s girls teams and has enjoyed passing on her knowledge. “It has been fantastic to work with Gloucestershire, the girls have been really enthusiastic…
Porterfield to lead experienced Ireland squad for World T20
William Porterfield will be playing in the World T20 for the fifth time © Peter Della Penna William Porterfield will lead an experienced Ireland squad for the upcoming World Twenty20 in India, with as many as five players ready to take part in their fifth tournament. Porterfield, who also captained the team during their inaugural World T20 in England in 2009, will be joined by Paul Stirling, Gary Wilson as…
Scotland include pacer Main for World T20
Gavin Main made his List A and T20 international debuts for Scotland in 2015 © Peter Della Penna Scotland have picked fast bowler Gavin Main in their squad for the upcoming World Twenty20, which starts in India from March 8, the only change to the squad that recently toured Hong Kong and the UAE last month. Preston Mommsen will lead Scotland, while Kyle Coetzer has been named vice-captain. Main, 20,…
'Beating England in quarters give us the edge' – Asalanka
“Beating England was the best win for us. We did a good job with our bowling and fielding. We are in really good form.” – Charith Asalanka © International Cricket Council “I told [Dinesh] Chandimal that the present Under-19 side is better than the one he played in [2008].” Sri Lanka Under-19s coach Roger Wijesuriya had a big smile on his face as he explained the quality of the present…
Marsh decision 'handled pretty poorly' – Smith
Steven Smith on the controversial dismissal: “I was pretty disappointed with the whole process .. it was handled pretty poorly” © Getty Images Australia’s captain Steven Smith has levelled heavy criticism about how Mitchell Marsh came to be given out at a pivotal moment of the deciding Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match in Hamilton. His opposite number Brendon McCullum, however, disputed the view that there had been no appeal to force an…
Lord's to host 2017 Women's World Cup final
Australia are the defending Women’s World Cup champions, after victory in 2013 © Getty Images Lord’s will host the final of the Women’s World Cup in 2017, the ICC has announced, with fixtures also being allocated to Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, Leicestershire and Somerset during the tournament that takes place between June 26 and July 23. Eight sides will participate in the single-league format with each side playing each other at least…