Virat Kohli: “Now I play on instinct. I have come to terms with the fact that I can’t hit too many sixes, so I concentrate on hitting boundaries.” © AFP In the lead up to the World T20, India’s success in the shortest format has been built on the success of their top order. They swept Australia 3-0 with Virat Kohli scoring 199 runs in three matches. He was dismissed…
Tare plays down Mumbai's 'favourites' tag
Aditya Tare – “Yes, we’re in the final, but we have a lot to do as a team still, so you can’t really judge us at the moment” © PTI Cricketers often talk about how pressure changes the equation in a knockout clash. Most times, they want to “keep it simple” and “stick to the basics.” It wasn’t any different ahead of the Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Saurashtra…
South Africa sports minister offers CSA state assistance in fixing probe
Last month Gulam Bodi was banned for 20 years for attempting to fix matches during the Ram Slam 20-overs competition © Associated Press Fikile Mbalula, South Africa’s sports minister, has offered Cricket South Africa state services to assist in the ongoing match-fixing investigation if needed. The ministry also impressed on CSA the importance of concluding the matter thoroughly because of the criminality involved. “The minister explained the need for Cricket…
Kent sign Latham for 2016 season
Kent have secured their second overseas signing in the space of five days after clinching the signature of New Zealand batsman Tom Latham for the 2016 season. The 23-year-old, son of former Black Caps all-rounder Rod Latham, has been a mainstay in the New Zealand side across all formats since making his one-day international debut in 2012. He has so far scored three Test hundreds plus one ton and four…
Flintoff named PCA president
Former England skipper Andrew Flintoff has been named the new president of the Professional Cricketers’ Association. The 38-year-old, elected at the PCA’s annual general meeting held in Birmingham today, will succeed fellow Lancastrian and ex-England player and coach David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd. Flintoff becomes the seventh president in the PCA’s history and his term will include the 50th anniversary next year. “This is a huge honour, especially as it will be…
Kent sign Tom Latham for new season
Tom Latham in action during the series against Australia © AFP Kent have signed New Zealand opening batsman Tom Latham for the 2016 English season and he will be available for all formats. Latham, 23, is Kent’s second significant recent signing after they brought Kagiso Rabada to the club for a month in mid-season. Latham currently averages close to 40 in Test cricket with three centuries and also provides an…
Saurashtra face Mumbai colossus in bid for first title
Play 03:02 Young Mumbai stake claim for 41st Ranji title The only time Saurashtra have had a shot at Indian domestic cricket’s biggest prize before this was three seasons ago. But they spent more time plotting and planning than they did in the middle; being blown away by Mumbai in three days at the Wankhede Stadium. If Saurashtra wanted a taste of what to expect in the grand finale this…
Buttler tops England T20 MVP Rankings
Jos Buttler’s performances in the two-match series against South Africa have seen him move to the top of the England T20 MVP Rankings. The wicketkeeper-batsman followed an unbeaten 32 at Newlands with a brutal 28-ball 54 at the Wanderers, taking his run tally in the sprint format this winter to 121, at a strike rate of 146 per 100 deliveries. Buttler, having also taken a catch and two stumpings, sits…
India-Bangladesh soap opera set for new season
Match facts Wednesday, February 24, 2016Start time 1930 local (1330 GMT) Play 02:47 ‘Every team member knows what needs to be done’ – Kohli Big Picture It was all telenovela in 2015. MS Dhoni as the hero who had gone on to be perceived as villain. “If I am the reason for all the bad that is happening to Indian cricket, definitely I would love to step away.” R Ashwin…
India-Bangladesh soap opera set for season two
Match facts Wednesday, February 24, 2016Start time 1930 local (1330 GMT) Play 02:47 ‘Every team member knows what needs to be done’ – Kohli Big Picture It was all telenovela in 2015. MS Dhoni as the hero who had gone on to be perceived as villain. “If I am the reason for all the bad that is happening to Indian cricket, definitely I would love to step away.” R Ashwin…