Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja put on 126 runs for the third wicket. © AFP Wellington: It was supposed to be Brendon McCullum’s day but it was opposing captain Steve Smith who made the right moves as Australia ended day one of the first Test against New Zealand comfortably in control in Wellington on Friday. (Scorecard) Smith called correctly at the toss, made New Zealand bat on a green wicket…
McGrath to assist Silverwood
Essex have continued their winter overhaul by appointing former Yorkshire and England batsman Anthony McGrath as assistant head coach. McGrath was chosen following an application process to assist newly-appointed head coach Chris Silverwood , and joins several new arrivals among the playing staff – with Wahab Riaz , Adam Milne, Ashar Zaidi and Matthew Quinn all arriving in recent weeks. Ryan ten Doeschate and Ravi Bopara have also been appointed…
Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine Out of West Indies World Twenty20 Squad
Carlos Brathwaite has been named the replacement for injured Kieron Pollard. © AFP Antigua: All-rounder Kieron Pollard and off-spinner Sunil Narine withdrew from the West Indies World Twenty20 squad Friday but officials insisted the moves were not sparked by the current pay dispute engulfing the team. (Viv Richards Backs West Indies Stars in World Twenty20 Dispute) Pollard, 28, pulled out due to injury while 27-year-old Narine said he was under-prepared…
Broad back as SA win toss and field
Toss South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first against EnglandLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Play 02:09 Stopping de Kock vital in predicted run-fest Stuart Broad returns to the England side for the first time since the 2015 World Cup. Broad was dropped from the white-ball sides after a disappointing tournament in Australia and New Zealand and also missed out on selection for England’s World T20 squad, announced…
Maturing CPL seeks growth spurt
The CPL’s attempt to popularise the tournament in the USA could be hindered due to limited venue options © Caribbean Premier League You know you are in the Caribbean when the music is louder than is necessary and the venue for the Caribbean Premier League draft was no different. Even with an 11am start there was pumping soca music and scantily clad carnival dancers. A steel drum band was at…
Zeeshan, Badar steer Pakistan to fifth place
Play 03:41 Watch – Pakistan U-19s dominate England U-19s in easy win Half-centuries from Zeeshan Malik and Saif Badar helped Pakistan Under-19s pull off the highest successful chase of the tournament and clinch fifth place with a seven-wicket win over England Under-19s. Chasing 265, Pakistan got off to a strong start courtesy Zeeshan, who added 25 with Gauhar Hafeez for the first wicket and 58 for the second wicket with…
Essex appoint McGrath as Yorkshire links stay strong
Anthony McGrath, batting for Yorkshire against Essex in 2012 © Getty Images Essex have continued their strong coaching association with Yorkshire by naming Anthony McGrath as assistant head coach. McGrath becomes No. 2 to a former Yorkshire team mate, Chris Silverwood, who was promoted up to the head coach role after the departure from the post of another Yorkshireman, Paul Grayson, late last season. McGrath, who has recently been fulfilling…
Thisara Perera Makes History, Takes Hat-Trick Against India in Ranchi Twenty20
Thisara Perera celebrates after dismissing Yuvraj Singh on Friday. © BCCI Thisara Perera stole the show in the second Twenty20 International against India by becoming the first Sri Lankan bowler to take a hat-trick in Twenty20 Internationals. He is now the fourth bowler to take a hat-trick in this format. (Scorecard | Highlights) Bowling the 19th over, Perera, who had figures of 2-0-26-0 before the start of the over, was…
BCCI bans umpire Asad Rauf for five years
Asad Rauf had been named as a “wanted accused” in the Mumbai Police’s chargesheet for the betting scandal in IPL 2013 © Associated Press The BCCI has banned Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf for five years on charges of corruption and misconduct. The ban prevents Rauf from umpiring or playing or representing cricket in any form or being associated with activities of the BCCI and its affiliates. Rauf was named as…
Hazlewood runs through Black Caps
Josh Hazlewood claimed four wickets as Australia skittled New Zealand for 183 before half-centuries from captain Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja rounded off a fine opening day of the first Test in Wellington for the tourists. Hazlewood snared both openers in figures of 4-42, with Peter Siddle, who took 3-37, also playing a big role in dismantling the Black Caps’ top order after they had been asked to bat first….