2.4 to Babar Azam, short ball, top edges to short fine leg, who takes the catch! Pakistan lose their captain early. Bouncer from Kumar and it got big on Babar as he looked to pull it to square leg. India draw first blood. 15/1 16.3 to Asif Ali, Holes out to Surya at long-off. Slower legcutter from Bhuvneshwar. Asif lofts in the air, does not get enough elevation. Picks out…
New bowler, new ball: Fitter, more focused Ollie Robinson shows he's worthy of key promotion
On Wednesday, on the eve of the second Test against South Africa, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad were driving back to the team hotel after a round of golf at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa. It was here that Broad first heard he would not be taking the new ball at Emirates Old Trafford. He wasn’t told, expressly. Instead, his captain floated the idea to the 36-year-old, whose last…
Sophie Ecclestone stars with bat and ball as Manchester Originals keep play-off hopes alive
Manchester Originals 122 for 6 (Lamb 30, Arlott 2-17) beat Birmingham Phoenix 104 (Elwis 32, Ecclestone 3-8) Manchester Originals left Birmingham Phoenix shellshocked by masterminding an 18-run victory at Edgbaston, successfully defending a total of just 122 to claim their second victory of the season. England internationals Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone led the charge for the visitors, ripping through the home side’s star-studded top order to leave them spluttering…
BBL overseas draft: Livingstone to Renegades, Boult to Stars, du Plessis and Russell unpicked
Liam Livingstone and Trent Boult were big early signings in the inaugural BBL overseas draft, but five of the 12 platinum players went unselected, including Andre Russell and Faf du Plessis, as clubs put a strong emphasis on availability while working within their salary caps. As expected, Rashid Khan was retained by Adelaide Strikers when Melbourne Stars picked him after Melbourne Renegades had taken Livingstone with the first selection of…
England's injury list grows with Livingstone ruled out of remainder of the Hundred
England’s injury crisis has deepened ahead of their seven-match T20I series in Pakistan and the T20 World Cup this winter, with Liam Livingstone becoming the latest to be ruled out of the final stages of the men’s Hundred. Livingstone was the MVP at the 2021 men’s Hundred as Birmingham Phoenix finished top of the table after the group stage, before losing in the final. But an ankle injury means it’s…
'It's a big headache', but Pujara expects India to pick Pant ahead of Karthik
Cheteshwar Pujara, called the task of picking one of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in the India XI for the Asia Cup game against Pakistan a “big headache”. But, unless both are fielded, one has to miss out, and Pujara picked Pant over Karthik for a spot in the team. “Firstly, it’s a big headache for the team management as both [Pant and Karthik] are doing really well in the…
Dravid links up with team in Dubai in time for India vs Pakistan fixture
Head coach Rahul Dravid has joined India’s Asia Cup tour party in Dubai after returning a negative result for Covid-19. He will take over the reins of the team from VVS Laxman, who had stepped in to oversee the preparatory phase of India’s campaign in Dravid’s absence. Dravid will be in the Indian dugout on Sunday when their play their Asia Cup opener against Pakistan in Dubai, while National Cricket…
Shanaka questions batters' preparation after demoralising loss to Afghanistan
Sri Lanka were 5 for 3 in two overs – albeit with a strange caught-behind decision thrown into the mix – and never quite recovered. Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Danushka Gunathilaka did add 44 for the fourth wicket, but they crashed to 105. Related Farooqi and spinners set up Afghanistan’s rout of Sri Lanka Afghanistan focus on improving batting to support their spin superstars Bhanuka Rajapaksa ready to bring IPL confidence…
Roy 388: Townsville pays tribute to Andrew Symonds
Andrew Symonds‘ children were at the centre of tributes to him during the opening ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville. The outfield was emblazoned with Roy 388 – Symonds’ nickname and Test cap number – in memory of the former allrounder who died in a car accident west of Townsville in May. Symonds’ children, Billy and Chloe, were part of the pre-match ceremony, standing alongside Aaron Finch and Steven…
Australia bowl first; Williams ruled out for Zimbabwe
Australia chose to bowl against Zimbabwe Australia had the chance to exploit the early-morning conditions in Townsville after Aaron Finch won the toss to start a long home international season. Australia confirmed their XI yesterday with Marnus Labuschagne left out as they continued to field an allrounder-heavy side. Mitchell Starc will play his 100th ODI. Zimbabwe were forced to make a late change with the experienced Sean Williams scrubbed from…