Mike Hesson: “We’ve got to be able to rely on a number of different players to perform.” © Getty Images The five upcoming T20s at home are New Zealand’s chance to build depth into their squad ahead of the World T20 in March, coach Mike Hesson said. New Zealand play two T20s against Sri Lanka to close out that tour, then play three T20s against Pakistan, before moving on to…
WBBL television coverage expands
Play 02:59 It’s fantastic exposure – Alyssa Healy The Women’s Big Bash League has continued to gain strong support, with the Ten Network confirming it will now provide television coverage of the tournament semi-finals and also move two of the remaining three matches to its main channel. Each semi-final is to be played as a double-header with the men’s semis, and will be broadcast on the network’s digital channel One….
Chance for fringe players to book World T20 berths
Match facts January 7, 2015Start time 1500 local (0200 GMT) Play 01:03 Sri Lanka seek revenge in T20s Big Picture It might be tempting to view the two games in this series as a sort of first glimpse at each team’s form ahead of the World T20. Will Sri Lanka have the attack of the tournament again? How will New Zealand compensate for the Brendon McCullum-shaped hole in their top…
New pink ball prototype gets Shield trial
There were some concerns raised about the visibility of the seam during the inaugural day-night Test between Australia and New Zealand © Getty Images A fresh prototype of the pink ball will be trialled during the next day-night Sheffield Shield round later this summer, as negotiations intensify around more flood-lit Test cricket in 2016-17. The salient criticism of the Adelaide Test between Australia and New Zealand centred on the seam,…
WBBL games move to Ten's main channel
The Women’s Big Bash League has rated well so far © Getty Images The Women’s Big Bash League has continued to gain strong support, with the Ten Network confirming it would move two of the remaining three matches to its main channel. The Sydney derby between the Sixers and the Thunder on Saturday January 16 will be shown on Channel Ten, as will the final on Sunday January 24, which…
Rain washes out second consecutive day
West Indies 7 for 248 (Ramdin 30*, Roach 0*) v AustraliaScorecard and ball-by-ball details Further heavy rain in Sydney led to the abandonment of the fourth day’s play © Cricket Australia For the first time in more than 25 years, two consecutive Test days were washed out in Australia without a ball being bowled, as heavy rain continued in Sydney on Wednesday. Only 68 balls had been bowled on the…
Shami aims to put injury frustration behind
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…
Cape Town draw likely as runs continue to flow
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…
Farbrace rues missed opportunities
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…
Southee ruled out of Sri Lanka T20s
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…