File photo: Mohammed Shami is eager to suit up again after being out of international cricket for nearly a year © Getty Images Of the four players lined up for a joint media interaction ahead of the Indian team’s departure to Australia, Mohammed Shami came across as the most badass. He and three others – Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey and Umesh Yadav – trotted out in suits, as did the…

England spent more than 200 overs in the field for just the second time this century as the second Test against South Africa was set for a high-scoring draw in Cape Town. There was brief hope that England might push for victory when they claimed three quick wickets after lunch as they finally saw the back of Proteas skipper Hashim Amla after almost 12 hours at the crease. Amla’s fourth…

Assistant Coach Paul Farbrace admitted missed chances in the field took the shine off a determined England bowling performance in the second Test against South Africa that appears to be heading for a draw. The tourists were made to toil in the field for more than 200 overs, for just the second time this century, as South Africa declared two runs behind their first-innings total on 627 for seven on…

Tim Southee has played just one ODI since June © Getty Images New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match T20I series against Sri Lanka after scans showed a bruise on the bone of his left foot. Southee had sustained the injury during the third ODI in Nelson, and was subsequently replaced in the ODI squad by Matt Henry. An NZC release confirmed that…

Barry Richards has said he would select Stephen Cook to open for South Africa in Tests © Getty Images Barry Richards has some advice for Stiaan van Zyl. “He should bat at No. 3, where he is best.” He also has some advice for South Africa’s decision-makers. “If I was a selector, I would have selected Stephen Cook. He has had 10 years of producing some very good scores and…

Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited 238 and 56 for 3 need another 104 runs to beat United Bank Limited 208 and 189 (Younis Khan 98, Bhatti 8-56)Scorecard File photo – Bilawal Bhatti’s figures of 8 for 56 were his best in first-class cricket, as were his match figures of 11 for 95 © AFP An eight-wicket haul from Bilawal Bhatti shot out United Bank Limited for 189 in their second…

MS Dhoni – “Ashwin just makes my job slightly easy, especially for a consistent period of time when my fast bowlers have not done well” © AFP MS Dhoni has praised R Ashwin‘s evolution as a bowler, noting the numerous transitional hurdles Ashwin had to cross in his career. “He [Ashwin] is slightly different. He is a thinking cricketer,” Dhoni said. “He thinks a lot about his bowling which is…

Jos Buttler crashed a 46-ball hundred for England’s ODI team after being dropped from the Test side © Getty Images Jos Buttler is facing a tricky decision over his future as he decides whether to fight for his Test place or appear in this year’s IPL season. Buttler was dropped from England’s Test team during the tour of the UAE, having averaged 13 with the bat in the seven matches…

MS Dhoni – “I have been doing a bit of planning when it comes to my body and my fitness, but I look slimmer, I am not lightweight” © Associated Press It has been some time since you last saw MS Dhoni with jet-black hair. While the greying of the temples could be masked by cosmetic methods, the more striking sighting is a visibly trimmer, fresher Dhoni. It was the…

Sheikh Sohel, the BCB disciplinary chairman, has said Tamim Iqbal should have ‘shown more patience’ when provoked by Sylhet team owner Azizul Islam © AFP Tamim Iqbal, the Chittagong Vikings captain, and Azizul Islam, the Sylhet Super Stars owner, will both be fined for their altercation during the BPL match on November 23. BCB disciplinary chairman Sheikh Sohel said the fines would be announced after the Bangladesh-Zimbabwe T20 series. Sohel…