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The Bangladesh selectors have brought in left-arm spinner Mosharraf Hossain to replace pacer Rubel Hossain for the third ODI against Afghanistan.The decision came in a Wednesday-night selection meeting, soon after the loss to Afghanistan in the second ODI. Rubel had bowled only three overs in that two-wicket defeat, conceding 24 runs. He had fared only slightly better in the first game, particularly in the last few overs when Bangladesh pulled the game back, but still went for 62 runs in nine overs.In a rocky career so far, Mosharraf, 34, has played three ODIs, all in March 2008, before joining the now-defunct, rebel Indian Cricket League. He was regularly among the top wicket-takers in domestic cricket since the BCB reinstated the ICL players in 2010. He was last picked in the national squad more than three years ago, for the three-match ODI series in Sri Lanka, but did not get a game. He was then provisionally banned in connection with the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League fixing controversy, but cleared of any wrongdoing by the investigation tribunal. He has performed with bat and ball for Legends of Rupganj this season, but, in June, was suspended for one match in the Dhaka Premier League for misconduct. In August, he was added to Bangladesh’s 30-man preliminary squad ahead of the international season.The ODIs between Bangladesh and Afghanistan currently stand at 1-1, with one match to play in Mirpur on October 1.

Liam Plunkett has said he will speak to his family before making a decision over whether to tour Bangladesh following the ECB’s approval for the trip to go ahead.Plunkett, who is a regular part of England’s one-day side and can be expected to be included in the squad for that leg of the tour, added he has “a few more questions to ask” before making up his mind but that he has full faith in the ECB’s head of security Reg Dickason.There has been a sense of uncertainty among the England players since the tour was given the green light last week. Jos Buttler said there was a lot of information to digest and Alex Hales, speaking to the admitted being torn with the risk of giving up his place in the side. Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, said no one would be forced to tour, but hoped that the full squad selected would travel.The players are keen not to have to think about the situation while the current series with Pakistan is going on but the squads are due to named just a couple of days after the T20 at Old Trafford and the team flies out on September 30.”People are just digesting what went on in the meeting and I will have a bit more of a think once the series is done,” Plunkett said. “Maybe I will speak to a few more people but I trust Reg and what he says and I will have another look after the series.”You pick up a paper and there’s trouble everywhere in the world so I don’t know but I’ll speak to my family once the series is done, have a good think, look into it a bit more and come up with a decision.”Plunkett was part of England’s previous tour to Bangladesh in 2010 but he will not be rushing into his decision.”I know the environment in Bangladesh and I know what it’s like,” he said. “I’ve travelled in the sub-continent quite a lot so I’ve got a few more questions to ask and I’ll finalise my judgment and come up with a decision then.”England have been promised huge levels of security for the tour which includes three ODIs and two Tests. Doubts over the trip came after the July terror attacks in Dhaka during which 20 people were killed. Australia had pulled out of their tour last year having received specific government advice and also withdrew their Under-19 side from the World Cup staged in the country this year, but England did send a team to that tournament.

Match facts

July 21-25, 2016
Start time 1000 local (1400 GMT)

Big Picture

Ajinkya Rahane has said it will be the key. R Ashwin has said this series will be all about it. West Indies coach Phil Simmons has said his side will harp on the word throughout the series. All signs so far point to a test of “patience” on what have become quintessential slow and low Caribbean pitches.The physicality of winning a Test in the West Indies, no matter how weak the regional Test side might have become, cannot be overstated. The outfields are heavy, which will mean a lot of running. Over the last 10 years, only Zimbabwe and the UAE have produced runs at a slower clip.This is an uneven contest with the best West Indies players not available through problems with the administration and other lucrative options available, the CPL in this case, which will clash with the Test series. As much as for the bowlers and the batsmen, this will be a test for the watching public of the Caribbean islands; many will be choosing between the modern stadiums sans the character of old hosting attritional Test cricket and the CPL matches full of life in the cooler and colourful evenings.If West Indies can manage to make time a factor with good attritional Test cricket, it could be a fascinating series. Make the Indian bowlers earn every wicket, make their batsmen go uneasy in an attempt to give the bowlers enough time, absorb the punches and land one when India leave themselves open in trying too hard. If it works in Antigua, in Jamaica they could even try to blindside India with a green seamer. At a time when West Indies, the World T20 champions, are on the mend in ODIs and have their own T20 party going on, the Test side will need to tell their fans why they should give them their patience.On the other end will be a side looking to break away from its limited ambition of the past. India have claimed they don’t want to win series 1-0 anymore. They want to win every Test. Their captain has said he won’t entertain tired bowlers in the final sessions of long days. Their new coach is an epitome of relentlessness. They won’t be shy of sacrificing a batsman for an allrounder or a bowler in order to claim 20 wickets. From their two warm-up games in St Kitts, they have realised they will have to stretch every sinew to take 20 wickets: batsmen might have to score quicker, and bowlers will have to peg away for long hours.

Form guide

West Indies DLLLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)

India WWDWW
Can Marlon Samuels and Darren Bravo step up?•AFP

In the spotlight

Man of World T20 final. Averages 44.69 in ODIs since 2013. Yet Marlon Samuels, the most experienced player in the squad, can be considered lucky to be in the playing party. He has gone 10 Test innings without reaching 20, has scored only two hundreds in the last three years, and has averaged 25.14 in the period. His career average of 33.53 is hardly justification for either his talent or persistence over 64 Tests. If Kemar Roach’s dropping is anything to go by, West Indies selectors might be running out of patience and Samuels time. On him and Darren Bravo will rest the biggest responsibility for scoring runs.”I’m sure I’ll have to be as boring as possible in terms of trying to plug away all day long.” <b R Ashwin is not used to being boring. He has already bagged five Man-of-the-series awards in Tests, the joint most by an Indian. He takes a wicket every 52 balls – 46 at home, where he has been at his most effective. He takes a five-for every other Test. If West Indies do manage to hold India off, Ashwin will have to show he can be boring and persistent and, every once in a while, magical.

Team news

West Indies will have a new opener, a new wicketkeeper, a new pace attack and a new spinner from the last time they played a Test. Five men from their last Test XI are not even in this 13-man squad. Expect a debut for Miguel Cummins, Rajendra Chandrika to open alongside Kraigg Brathwaite, and Devendra Bishoo and Shannon Gabriel to make comebacks.West Indies (probable) 1 Kraigg Brathwaite, 2 Rajendra Chandrika, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Jermaine Blackwood/ Leon Johnson/Roston Chase, 6 Carlos Brathwaite, 7 Shane Dowrich (wk), 8 Jason Holder (capt.), 9 Shanon Gabriel, 10 Miguel Cummins, 11 Devendra BishooIndia go in with a more settled side; seven months since they last played a Test in a different continent. Nobody will bat an eyelid if they retain the XI. Kohli admitted it was tough to choose between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul, although he hinted Dhawan might retain his place. With the pitch expected to be flat, India are likely to continue with five bowlers, but the decision will be whether that fifth bowler should be a spinner, a pure seamer or an allrounder. Kohli has been known to prefer Stuart Binny in the role outside India. Mohammed Shami, who has taken the new ball on each of the three occasions that India have bowled in the warm-ups, should walk right back into the XI after injury kept him out for most of 2015.India(probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 M Vijay, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Virat Kohli (capt.), 5 Ajinkya Rahane, 6 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja/Stuart Binny, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Ishant Sharma, 11 Mohammed Shami

Pitch and conditions

There was some grass on the surface, but it seemed dry underneath on the eve of the match. Kohli felt that the grass was only to hold the pitch together, and it would behave like an Indian track. The ball might not bounce much, with conditions favouring the batsmen initially.There have been brief, sharp showers on the days leading up to the Test, and more rain is forecast for days three and four. It’s hurricane season all over the Caribbean, but Antigua is usually one of the drier islands.

Stats and trivia

• India have played 27 limited-overs internationals since their last Test, in December last year. West Indies last played a Test in the first week of 2016, but have played only 13 other international matches since then.
• R Ashwin has 16 five-wicket hauls in his first 32 Tests, level with Clarrie Grimmett among spinners at the end of their 32nd Test.
• The five bowlers in the West Indies squad have a combined experience of 111 wickets. R Ashwin and Ishant Sharma have taken more by themselves.
• The Indian squad has scored 40 Test hundreds to West Indies’ 20.

Quotes

“I’m really happy to be back here. The atmosphere is really good, people like cricket, they support it. I’m really excited to play a Test match here after so long. So is everyone else in the team.”
“It’s the first time I’m involved in a series playing four Tests. I think the name of the game is recovery in between Test matches. There’s not much time either. It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be tough for every member of the squad.”

Angelo Mathews is in a race to be fit for the second Royal London ODI at Edgbaston but will be given until the last moment to prove his hamstring has fully recovered from the stiffness that forced him from the field in the first ODI at Trent Bridge.Mathews looked somewhat uncomfortable and was only able to run at around 70 percent during a fitness test on Wednesday afternoon before sitting out the rest of the fielding session, although he did take part in some batting practice later.He will have a further fitness test on Friday before the team is announced but if he is unable to play then Sri Lanka, whose bowling stocks have been depleted throughout the tour, have limited options to replace him.Dinesh Chandimal is tipped to step in as captain and, if the pitch looks likely to turn, Sri Lanka may consider playing two slow bowlers and bring in off-spinner Suraj Randiv to replace Mathews, a move that would undoubtedly weaken the batting line-up and leave Sri Lanka needing a new opening bowler to partner Suranga Lakmal.But while replacing Mathews with bat and ball – not to mention losing his experience as captain – would be a huge challenge, Sri Lanka’s fielding must also be a significant concern.As Mathews lumbered through cones with training staff, his teammates – barely 30 metres away – hardly impressed in their fielding drills, diving over balls and failing to pick them up cleanly on several occasions.Liam Plunkett’s six off Nuwan Pradeep’s final ball may have tied the first ODI but it was Sri Lanka’s sloppiness in the field off the penultimate ball, which gave Chris Woakes three runs instead of two, that put England in a position from which a tie was even possible.It is a point not lost on Sri Lanka opener, Danushka Gunathilaka.”That’s a ball that if we keep to them to two runs we win the game,” Gunithilaka said. “You can’t just blame the one person. It’s a team game.”Of course we are a bit disapppointed by the fielding. We were very good with batting and bowling, the only thing is we have to improve our fielding a bit more. If we fielded well [at Trent Bridge] it would have been a different story but we are improving. We have to improve our fielding. Sometimes we did well, sometimes we gave them runs.”It was a pretty tight game and at the end of the day we were disappointed, but we take some very good positive things and we are looking forward to the next game.”

Spinning allrounder Milinda Siriwardana has been left out of Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the forthcoming series against Ireland and England. Siriwardana had made a bright start to his limited-overs career in 2015, averaging 29.11 with the bat and 30.50 with the ball. He hit 66, 12 and 39 in Sri Lanka’s most recent ODI series, in New Zealand.SLC had already announced the names of five players who would join the squad for the ODIs (Farveez Maharoof, Upul Tharanga, Seekkuge Prasanna, Danushka Gunathilaka and Suraj Randiv), but had not said who from the Test squad would return. Team manager Charith Senanayake confirmed on Monday that, along with Siriwardana, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera would also return to Sri Lanka. Rangana Herath has retired from the format.The first of two ODIs against Ireland is set to be played in Dublin on Thursday. The five-match ODI series against England begins on June 21.Sri Lanka squad: Angelo Mathews (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Farveez Maharoof, Suraj Randiv, Seekkuge Prasanna, Chaminda Bandara

Big picture – all eyes on Kane Williamson

The Christchurch Test against West Indies will mark the start of New Zealand’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle and Kane Williamson’s return to Test cricket.Williamson’s previous Test was in December last year, and quite a lot has happened since.He has tapered back his international commitments, playing more games for others during this period. He has also retired from T20Is, and the entire cricketing landscape seems to be changing in New Zealand as well, with plans being developed for a T20 league in the country in 2027.After the three-match Test series against West Indies, New Zealand fans may have to wait until late 2026 to watch Williamson in Test action at home again (if he continues to play on). This is a rare chance for them, then, as speculation around his international future grows.Related

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• Roach, Hodge recalled to WI squad for NZ Tests

• Williamson returns for WI Tests; Jamieson held back

While New Zealand have won 11 ODI series in a row at home, their recent home Test record isn’t as formidable. They have won just two of their last seven home series, with one of those coming against a second-string South Africa side. A number of New Zealand players are currently injured – or working their way back from injuries – but despite that, they will start as favourites because West Indies have bigger problems to deal with.Both the Josephs – Alzarri and Shamar – are nursing injuries, and West Indies have sent an SOS to Kemar Roach, who hasn’t played Test cricket since January. They have also called up Ojay Shields, a former high-school PE teacher. While Jayden Seales is available for this Test series, before joining the ILT20 in the UAE, there are serious concerns around West Indies’ depth, or lack of it.John Campbell and Shai Hope offered a sliver of hope with the bat in decent batting conditions against India in Delhi, but can they do the job on potentially green pitches in New Zealand? Who should be their No. 3, Alick Athanaze or Brandon King? Can West Indies relieve Hope of wicketkeeping duties, trust Tevin Imlach, and find the right balance? Johann Layne or Anderson Phillip? The visitors find themselves with more questions than answers.History is also against West Indies: the last time they won a Test in New Zealand was way back in 1995.An on-song Jayden Seales can single-handedly carve up batting line-ups with his swing, bounce and control•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

New Zealand: WWWLL
West Indies: LLLLL

In the spotlight: Tom Latham and Jayden Seales

Since leading New Zealand to a historic 3-0 sweep of India in India in November last year, Tom Latham has endured a difficult time. He oversaw New Zealand’s 2-1 defeat to England at home last December and then missed the Zimbabwe Test series with injury. His last Test hundred came in December 2022, but he has some recent form on his side, having compiled a half-century for Canterbury in the second round of the Plunket Shield. Prior to that, Latham had hit two fifties in three innings in the one-day Ford Trophy, which had kicked off New Zealand’s domestic seasonJayden Seales barely found support at the other end in India, and could face a similar scenario in New Zealand. But an on-song Seales can single-handedly carve up batting line-ups with his swing, bounce and control. His battle against Williamson is one to watch out for – the two have never faced each other in international cricket before.Against West Indies, New Zealand will have to choose between Devon Conway and Will Young•Zimbabwe Cricket

Team news: Devon Conway or Will Young?

With Williamson back, New Zealand will have to choose between Devon Conway and Will Young. On the bowling front, they might also have to choose between Jacob Duffy and Blair Tickner. Local boy Zak Foulkes addressed the media on the eve of the game, which was perhaps a hint that he may play. Daryl Mitchell, one of the mainstays of the batting line-up, has recovered from a groin injury that had kept him out of the last two ODIs against West Indies.New Zealand (probable): 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Devon Conway/Will Young, 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Rachin Ravindra, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Mitchell Santner/Michael Bracewell, 8 Zak Foulkes, 9 Nathan Smith, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Jacob Duffy/Blair TicknerWest Indies’ team management had suggested they had picked Alick Athanaze in India for his ability to counter spin. In seam-friendly New Zealand, they might consider bringing back Brandon King, who is proficient against pace, and leaving out left-arm fingerspinner Jomel Warrican for an extra seamer. It remains to be seen if Jamaican fast bowler Shields gets a debut at 29. Captain Roston Chase could pitch in with his offspin when the quicks need a break.West Indies (probable): 1 John Campbell, 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Alick Athanaze/Brandon King, 4 Shai Hope, 5 Kavem Hodge, 6 Roston Chase (capt), 7 Tevin Imlach (wk), 8 Justin Greaves, 9 Kemar Roach, 10 Jayden Seales, 11 Johann Layne/Anderson Phillip/Ojay ShieldsNew Zealand have beaten West Indies in their last five Tests•Associated Press

Pitch and conditions

The conditions at Hagley Oval aid swing, though New Zealand surfaces are often misleading with the grass at the toss rarely lasting much beyond the first session. The weather is likely to be clear on the first day, but some showers have been forecast for the second in Christchurch.

Stats and trivia

• Matt Henry has a good Test record at his domestic home ground: 36 wickets in seven games at an average of 23.91, including two five-fors.
• Since his debut in November 2022, Tagenarine Chanderpaul has faced 1564 balls in Test cricket. Only Kraigg Brathwaite (2376) has faced more balls than Chanderpaul for West Indies during this period.
• New Zealand have beaten West Indies in their last five Tests, including three innings wins at home.

Quotes

“It’s the purest form of the game, really, and it’s the first Test series for me at home, and I’m really excited. In December, the Test cricket arena is always the best time of the year, and [this is] certainly a format this team prides itself on playing well.”
“Any bowler will want to come in these conditions and bowl because it’s not too hot. So when it’s nice and cool, the fast bowlers like to bowl very long. The ball is bouncing and seaming around, so the guys are very happy about that and ready to bowl.”

Quick Matthew Forde provided a spark in his return from injury before West Indies overcame a late whirlwind from skipper Mitchell Santner to defeat New Zealand in the T20I series-opener. West Indies did eventually clinch the lowest total successfully defended at Eden Park in a T20I, but they were made to work hard after Santner clubbed 55 not out from 28 balls to almost power New Zealand to an incredible victory.Romario Shepherd, however, held his nerve with the ball in the final over to ensure West Indies drew first blood in the five-match series. Roston Chase produced a fine display of spin bowling on a small ground, picking up 3 for 26 to go with the hand he played in West Indies’ two biggest partnerships earlier in the day. He was named Player of the Match.Having been restricted in good batting conditions less than a week after clean-sweeping a T20I series in Bangladesh, West Indies appeared set for a tough start to a tour that comprises all three formats. But Forde was menacing in his return from a shoulder injury as West Indies tore through a meek New Zealand batting effort. It was a disappointing start for New Zealand in their first match since the retirement of Kane Williamson from T20I cricket.It was a major turnaround after West Indies’ batting order had earlier struggled on a surface with much more bounce than in Bangladesh. Captain Shai Hope overcame a slow start in the powerplay to top score with 53 off 39 balls to lead West Indies’ recovery from 43 for 3.This series is seen as important preparation for the short-handed teams as they build towards a T20 World Cup that is just three months away. Meanwhile, there was an old-school feel to the game with DRS not in place due to technical issues.Matthew Forde got 1 for 9 off his first three overs•Getty Images

Forde sparks WI in comeback game

Forde hadn’t played any competitive cricket since July, but showed no signs of rust in a brilliant opening burst. He bowled beautifully with the new ball, especially from around the wicket to trouble Devon Conway with deadly swing.Forde was finally rewarded when he clean-bowled Conway with an inswinger that hit top of off stump. He continued to be all over New Zealand’s top order, finishing with 1 for 9 off his first three overs – marked by 14 dot balls – in the powerplay. But his performance was soured slightly after conceding 23 runs to a rampaging Santner in the 18th over.

Santner’s near miraculous heist

After a horrific collapse of 7 for 37 from 70 for 2 in the tenth over, New Zealand appeared set for a crushing defeat at 107 for 9 in the 17th. But Santner turned the chase on its head by smashing seven boundaries and a six in a nine-ball flurry as the sparse crowd started to find its voice.With New Zealand needing 20 runs off the final over, Santner could not score off the first two deliveries bowled by Shepherd – although the second ball should have been called a wide due to height – before clubbing a six to give New Zealand hope. But it ultimately proved too tough a task despite a record tenth-wicket partnership for New Zealand in T20Is.Shai Hope rebuilt with a half-century after three early wickets•AFP/Getty Images

Hope fires after slow start

Having come off tours of Bangladesh and India, West Indies had the tough task of quickly acclimatising to the different conditions in New Zealand. Their top order made a rough start, struggling to handle the extra bounce as Brandon King, Alick Athanaze and Ackeem Auguste holed out after miscues.Hope had to steady the innings, and he entered the match after solid performances across formats in south Asia. But he was sluggish to begin with, unable to find timing much to his frustration on a true surface. Hope scored only 11 off 17 balls in the powerplay, with West Indies making just 32 runs off the first six overs. He finally decided to go for broke against Jimmy Neesham in the seventh over as the run rate finally lifted over six an over.It got him going, with Hope starting to clatter the smaller boundaries and bringing up his half-century in style by clubbing Zakary Foulkes for six over long-off. But Hope was clean bowled on the next delivery, undone by Foulkes’ variation as he missed an attempted swipe over the leg side.West Indies’ innings never truly got rolling, but it did receive a lift from Rovman Powell, who smashed a couple of huge sixes after being dropped twice in the outfield by Michael Bracewell.Jacob Duffy struck in the first over•AFP/Getty Images

Duffy shines in NZ’s disciplined attack

New Zealand are assembling a deep and talented pace pack, with competition for spots hotting up as the T20 World Cup looms. With Matt Henry, Will O’Rourke and Lockie Ferguson on the sidelines, New Zealand didn’t miss a beat, with Jacob Duffy the standout of an attack that kept a powerful West Indies batting order in check.Duffy was outstanding in the powerplay, removing King in the first over to start an opening burst that yielded figures of 1 for 10 off three overs. He later bowled Chase with a superb yorker after coming back at the death.Duffy showcased his variety, bowling a mixture of length and full deliveries to concede just one boundary in four overs. Kyle Jamieson bowled well in his return from a side strain, while Foulkes had a mixed bag but did claim two wickets.

Kent 325 for 4 (Bell-Drummond 66*, Compton 66, Guthrie 2-54) vs NorthamptonshireBen Compton celebrated being handed both his county cap and a new three-year contract by making 66 on day one of Kent’s Rothesay County Championship game with Northants at Canterbury.The hosts were 325 for 4 at stumps, with Tawanda Muyeye hitting 58 and captain Daniel Bell-Drummond unbeaten on 66.Liam Guthrie took 2 for 54 but it was a gruelling day in the heat for the visitors, who used seven different bowlers after losing the toss and being asked to field.The 173rd Canterbury Festival continued with an immaculate minute’s silence for Wayne Larkins before the start of play and both sides wore black armbands in honour of the former Northamptonshire and England opener, who passed away yesterday at the age of 71.Kent chose to bat in already sweltering heat, with Jaydn Denly driving a regal six through point early on, but his stylish innings came to an end when Guthrie had him caught by Justin Broad at gully for 35 off 36 balls.It was 110 for 1 at lunch, at which point Compton was awarded his county cap by the former England seamer and incoming Kent president Richard Ellison at a ceremony in front of the pavilion.His partner, Ekansh Singh, was playing only his second first-class game, but he looked as assured as Denly had, only to fall a run shy of his 50 when Dom Leech had him caught behind.Compton did pass 50 in Leech’s next over, carving a no ball through point for four, but he nicked Broad behind, leaving Kent on 207 for 3 at tea and the hosts chose this moment to announce that he’d also agreed a new deal that will keep him at the Spitfire Ground until the end of the 2028 season, ending speculation he was moving to Essex.Muyeye then reached 50 with an elegant flick of the wrist for a single off Calvin Harrison but Guthrie got him lbw with the new ball.Bell-Drummond became the third Kent player to make a half-century when he hit Guthrie for four through cover and he was joined by Joey Evision, who had reached 29 not out by stumps.

Yorkshire 143 for 3 (Lyth 65*) trail Essex 368 (Thain 50*, White 3-68) by 225 runsThe Rothesay County Championship clash between Division One strugglers Yorkshire and Essex is nicely poised at its midway point after an engaging day two at York.The opening day was a slow-burner which saw Essex close on 248 for 3. But things were different upon the resumption this morning, with Yorkshire claiming the last seven Essex wickets for 95 on a placid Clifton Park pitch, bowling the visitors out for 368 during the early stages of the afternoon.Yorkshire then closed on 143 for 3 from 54 overs, including opener Adam Lyth’s 65 not out off 172 balls. They trail by 225.This was a tireless display from a Yorkshire bowling unit who gained little reward on day one, with new-ball seamer Jack White returning 3 for 68 from 27 overs.He, alongside George Hill and Dom Bess, struck twice during the first half of day two, while Noah Thain compiled an unbeaten 50 not out off 81 balls.Thain was then one of Essex’s three wicket-takers before close via his seamers, alongside Shane Snater and Simon Harmer. Like Yorkshire’s bowlers had done, Essex’s bowlers also stuck to their task well in difficult conditions.Essex’s innings was a curious affair, highlighted by the fact they batted through 110 overs on a pitch lacking pace for 278 for 6 and only one batting bonus point. They really did seem to get stuck between a rock and hard place today. Unable to attack whilst being unable to survive.While Yorkshire didn’t race away in their reply, they started more positively than Essex had batted. Lyth drove particularly well.The White Rose county struck three times in five overs for the addition of only three runs just before midday as Essex slipped from 273 for 3 in the 104th over to 276 for 6 in the 109th. With it, Yorkshire secured a second bowling point.Hill claimed two of those wickets, with England fringe batter Jordan Cox caught behind for 33 playing off the back foot and Charlie Allison caught slicing to point.Thain shared a seventh-wicket 56 with Michael Pepper through until early afternoon and reached his fifty off the last ball that he faced, with the last four wickets falling for 36. Offspinner Bess picked up two of those. He had Harmer caught at slip and Snater caught at long-on.Yorkshire openers Fin Bean and Lyth then started their reply confidently either side of the tea break, sharing 81 on a pitch lacking pace. Both men pulled confidently, with Bean looking a completely different player to the one who had posted a top-score of only 31 in the first seven games.An impressive 224 on a similarly slow pitch against leaders Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge has done wonders for his confidence. It will, therefore, have been a major frustration to him that he couldn’t go on beyond 31 here as, after tea, he was caught behind down leg off Snater’s seam in the 27th over.James Wharton then drilled Harmer’s offspin to mid-on having advanced down the pitch looking to hit over the top – 110 for 2 in the 34th over.One man who did go on was Lyth. Sandwiched in between the two wickets, he reached 50 for the seventh time this season, this one off 110 balls. But the fixture’s fourth leg-side strangle did for Pakistani overseas debutant Abdullah Shafique for 4 as Thain left Yorkshire at 125 for 3 in the 41st over. Pepper took a brilliant one-handed catch going to his left.Survival was the main aim for Lyth and Jonny Bairstow late on. The former was stuck on 63 from the 39th over until the day’s last. He navigated the threat of Harmer, who was excellent for 1 for 18 from 15 overs.Early morning wickets on day three will put eighth-placed Essex in a strong position, whereas second-bottom Yorkshire will know batting big is imperative for their own victory hopes.

Bangladesh legspinner Rishad Hossain has returned to Lahore Qalandars ahead of their eliminator match in the PSL on Thursday. Qalandars take on Karachi Kings from 8:00pm local time in Lahore.Rishad was in Sharjah on Wednesday, playing in the third T20I between Bangladesh and UAE. He featured in two of the three matches in the series that UAE won 2-1.Related

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Rishad was one of several overseas cricketers who were transported out of Pakistan when the tournament was suspended amid the border tensions earlier in the month.Qalandars now have a three-man Bangladeshi spin attack. Alongside Rishad they have Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz joining the side. Shakib has played one game, while Mehidy joined a couple of days ago.Rishad has already played five games for Qalandars, taking nine wickets at 16.44 average. However, he didn’t have a good time against UAE in the two matches, taking three expensive wickets.Qalandars face some interesting selection decisions around their bowling line-up as they have covered most of the variations. They have fast bowlers in Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, but who they choose among the three spinners will be worth looking at.Rishad will remain available for the rest of Qalandars’ PSL campaign. The BCB has extended his No Objection Certificate (NOC) from May 22 to 25. Bangladesh’s first T20I against Pakistan is on May 28 in Lahore, while the PSL final is on May 25.