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England given a boost ahead of crucial clash with West Indies in Southampton, where Moeen Ali may return after birth of second child

George Dobell in Southampton12-Jun-2019Jos Buttler has given England a significant boost by reporting fit for training in Southampton, following a thigh injury sustained during last week’s victory over Bangladesh.Buttler did not keep wicket in Cardiff on Saturday – Jonny Bairstow took the gloves – after sustained heavy bruising after being hit by a delivery while batting. But he has recovered well and is all but certain to play in Friday’s match against West Indies.”He’ll be fine,” England coach, Trevor Bayliss, said. “He’ll be back and able to practice fully. It was a bit precautionary the other day. He could have kept. We just weren’t really sure if he would have been able to sprint after a high catch.”Moeen Ali was absent from Wednesday’s session, however. He was at the bedside of his wife, Firuza, as she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Haadiya. He is expected to re-join the squad in time for training on Thursday morning, and is likely to return to the team for Friday’s game in place of one of the seamers. Bayliss hinted that the final place in the side would probably be between the new-ball bowler Chris Woakes or middle-overs seamer Liam Plunkett.”Southampton is somewhere where we have played two spinners in the past,” Bayliss said. “If Moeen does come back in – and we’ll have to have a look at the wicket first – then it is one of the pace bowlers who misses out. It is a difficult decision: you’ve got one guy who bowls up front [Woakes] who can get the ball to move off the seam versus a guy [Plunkett] that is the leading wicket-taker through those middle overs over the last few years. It’s a difficult decision and I can’t tell you right at this moment who would miss out.”ALSO READ: Archer’s presence adds spice to England-West Indies clashThe statistics would suggest Plunkett might have the better chance of retaining his place. He has been England’s most economical bowler in the tournament to date – he is conceding just 4.86 runs per over on average – and has claimed three wickets at an average of 24.33. Woakes has been England’s most expensive bowler – he is conceding 7.71 runs per over – and has claimed three wickets at a cost of 54 apiece. Woakes is the better batsman and fielder, however, and bowls in the first Powerplay, so the comparison is not entirely valid.A glance at the pitch – which is nowhere near as green as the surface seen in the match against Bangladesh – suggests England will recall Moeen. The playing area in Southampton is also much larger than the one in Cardiff – it is probably the largest among international grounds in England and Wales – so there is less chance of mis-hits carrying over the boundary.While Bayliss admitted to some concerns over the form of Adil Rashid, who came into the World Cup with a shoulder injury, he also expressed confidence in his anticipated contributions in the remainder of the tournament.”I think what he needs is more bowling whether that is in the nets or in a match,” Bayliss said. “He did have a niggle in his shoulder, but over this last couple of weeks he hasn’t had anywhere near as much of a problem with it. I don’t think the wickets have necessarily been an advantage to the spinners yet, but the further we go through the competition and maybe get a bit of drier weather and play on used pitches, he may come into his own.”England’s training session was heavily curtailed by rain on Wednesday afternoon, though West Indies were able to train in the morning. Andre Russell was a noticeable absentee – he missed the match against South Africa due to his chronic knee problem – though the team management remain confident he will be fit for Friday. Evin Lewis, however, was able to return to training after recovering from a hand injury.

The silly and the sublime came together in Lahore for a riveting finish as Peshawar Zalmi booked their place in the second qualifier and increased their chances of becoming back-to-back champions

The Report by Alagappan Muthu20-Mar-2018
Rahat Ali took four wickets in the eliminator•PCB/PSL

In a nutshellThe silly and the sublime came together in Lahore for a riveting finish as Peshawar Zalmi booked their place in the second qualifier and increased their chances of becoming back-to-back champions.But with 24 to defend off the last over, the result should have been straightforward, right?Wrong.Liam Dawson, the left-arm spinner, was pressed to action with all the other frontliners having bowled out. Anwar Ali took strike and managed an unseemly top-edge that beat Darren Sammy, who has been carrying a knee injury for almost half the tournament and just could not run after the ball.Then came three massive sixes.Anwar strode down the track, unleashed every last bit of his power, made the ball disappear over long-on and long-off, and had the defending champions scrambling.Quetta suddenly needed only three runs off the last ball. A last ball which ended up as a full toss. A last ball which Anwar walloped straight to long-on. A last ball which was dropped by Umaid Asif. A last ball which, somehow, someway, ended in joy for Peshawar as the fielder recovered in time to instigate a run-out. For the third season in a row, a play-off match between these two teams ended with a one-run win.Where the game was wonConsidering how it all turned out, there is an argument to be made that even fate cannot deny Hasan Ali, that irrepressible fast-bowling force. He took a wicket off his very first ball of the match, a pearler that straightened after pitching to claim Asad Shafiq’s outside edge through to slip’s waiting hands. Then, he gave away only two runs in the 18th over, outsmarting Thisara Perera with slower balls and outclassing Anwar by hitting the deck.PCB/PSL

The execution was top-notch but for a 24-year old to have such clarity of thought in such a high-pressure situation is unreal. Hasan knew that change of pace had a higher probability of success against a big-hitter. But when the strike turned and he was faced with a new batsman, who would have no idea that this pitch was offering extra bounce, he cranked it back up. There were three wild swings. None of them connected.That Hasan had enough runs to work his magic was due to Dawson. So nearly the villain in the dying moments, he was actually the only batsman who played with any measure of control against a Quetta bowling attack that was consistently threatening. While many of his team-mates kept premeditating shots and walking back to the pavilion, he simply responded to what came his way. So good were his instincts that, on 19, he kept out a grubber that seemed destined to hit the stumps. So pristine was his timing that he struck a wide yorker – after making room room down leg – to the third man boundary.Dawson’s 62 off 35 balls was exactly the tonic an innings floundering at 86 for 5 sorely needed.Who (almost) won itChases of 158 on a true pitch had no business being anything but one-sided, and Quetta had done ever so well to earn the mantle of favourites. They compensated for the loss of Shane Watson and Kevin Pietersen, who chose not to come to Pakistan, with a splendid display on the field. Left-arm seamer Rahat Ali took 4 for 16 – nearly his best ever performance in a T20 game – but by around the penultimate over of the match, he would have felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.Sarfraz Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz would be just as disgruntled. They had put on a partnership of 63 off only 45 balls. But moments after a long and animated chat in the middle of the pitch, the pinch hitter top-edged to third man and the captain top-edged to the wicketkeeper. They had been in harmony all night; Sarfraz even protected Nawaz after his first over leaked nine runs and bringing him back when the field restrictions were lifted, helping the left-arm spinner finish with an economy rate of 5.2. So perhaps it wasn’t all that surprising that they were dismissed in the space of two balls, giving 19-year old Sameen Gul and the Peshawar team the momentum they needed to seal the gameWhere they standQuetta would have hoped to make their third final in a row, but those hopes have been dashed. Peshawar will have to deal with the pressure of another knockout match in Lahore, against Karachi Kings, on Wednesday.

The latest directive is a setback for the office-bearers of the board, who had received some relief after a clarification last week on the tenure limit in state associations and the BCCI

Nagraj Gollapudi22-Jan-2017The Supreme Court has directed that BCCI chief executive Rahul Johri will be the caretaker head of the board until the committee of administrators is appointed by the court, which is likely at the next hearing on January 24. The Supreme Court’s latest directive is a setback for the senior office-bearers in the BCCI, who had received a reprieve last week after a three-judge bench issued a clarification stating that an administrator can serve nine years each at the BCCI and state association separately.On January 2, the Supreme Court had removed Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke as BCCI president and secretary and had said that the committee of administrators would supervise and control the board until fresh elections were conducted once the board’s constitution was amended in line with the Lodha Committee recommendations. In the interim, the court had also said that the senior-most vice-president would serve as the board president while the joint secretary would function as the interim secretary.Accordingly CK Khanna, vice-president from the central zone, would be eligible to take over based on seniority. Khanna has been a vice-president for the last two years in addition to a term between 2001 and 2003. Also, Amitabh Choudhary, who was the joint secretary, would take over Shirke’s seat.The reported that Choudhary and BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry arrived at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai last week to resume charge after the court issued the clarification concerning the tenure cap. Khanna, too, told the media that he had received a letter from the BCCI acknowledging he was the senior-most vice-president, and entertained his chances of being the interim president.However, in an interim order issued on January 20, the court put Johri in charge. “We have been apprised that presently the CEO is functioning and looking after the working of the BCCI and he shall continue to do so till we nominate the Committee, under whose supervision he shall work,” the interim order said.Nonetheless, the eligible office-bearers could continue subject to an undertaking by them that they will comply with the Supreme Court’s judgement of July 18 last year, in which court said the BCCI had to implement all the approved recommendations of the Lodha Committee. In its order on January 2, the Supreme Court had said that the office-bearers could then continue in their roles, but the committee of administrators would be the main supervisory body.In the order on January 20, the three-judge bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra, DY Chandrachud and AM Khanwilkar said that it had received “suggestions” from the amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium and senior legal counsel Anil Divan for the committee. “The said suggestions were filed in two sealed covers before the Court, one containing the names and the other the methodology adopted by it,” Friday’s order said. “Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we think it appropriate that the documents in the sealed covers which have been opened in the Court should be sealed and, after due deliberation, certain number of members shall be chosen, who can administer the day-to-day affairs of the BCCI.”

“We will pose a tougher challenge to New Zealand than Sri Lanka did because we have more variety and experience in our pace attack,” says Wahab Riaz

Andrew Fidel Fernando13-Jan-20161:04

Amir’s return will take pressure off me, says Wahab

Pakistan already have a bowler who is quick and hostile, and another who specialises in yorkers and reverse swing, but the return of Mohammad Amir may help round out the pace attack’s threat, Wahab Riaz said. The visitors have brought a pace-heavy squad to New Zealand – Anwar Ali and Aamer Yamin also in the mix, while Umar Gul, Amir and Wahab himself make up the more high-profile seam options.”Amir is a great introduction to the team,” Wahab said. “He’s getting a chance. He’s a great fast bowler – he’s proved that in the past. It’s time for him to prove here as well. And he will prove it. With him there’s less pressure on me as a bowler, because I’m getting his support. Umar Gul is back and is doing really well. It’s going to be a good combination for Pakistan.”Amir’s return to national team had in part been paved by his outstanding returns in the Bangladesh Premier League late last year. He took 14 wickets at an average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 5.56 in that tournament, where his swing and seam movement appeared largely undiminished by five years of suspension.”Amir is a good inswing bowler, bowling with the new ball,” Wahab said. “He can bowl outswing as well. If you can take wickets with the new ball the pressure will always be on the batsmen. That’s I’m saying that him coming into the team will help us more.”On paper, Pakistan’s attack appears stronger than the Sri Lanka bowling unit New Zealand plundered 147 for 2 against on Sunday. New Zealand’s top order has been in excellent form, but Wahab suggested Pakistan’s attack would present them with a sterner challenge.”It seems like cricket is very easy these days for the New Zealand batsmen,” he said. “They’ve been hitting balls really well. It’s going to be a different challenge because we have much more good bowlers than Sri Lanka. They lacked experience, but we have experience and some quality bowlers as well. It’s not going to be easy for them to score runs against us.”We cannot sit back and see what they are doing. We will definitely attack, and let’s see. If they can play good cricket – hats off to them.”Sri Lanka had struggled to contend with the small dimensions of Eden Park, but Pakistan have had recent success at the ground, having defeated South Africa there by 29 runs, during last year’s World Cup.*”We have some good memories here,” he said. “The World Cup game we played here were very successful for us.”It’s a great preparation for the World T20. Winning here against the Black Caps could be a great confidence booster for the team. The way they are playing right now – if we get the series win here, it will be great for Pakistan cricket. “*This article had said Pakistan won their most recent T20 series in the country, but New Zealand had been victors.

The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security (ACSU) chief Ravi Sawani has submitted his report on the alleged spot-fixing by Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, the three Rajasthan Royals players who were arrested last month, to the board’s working com

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jun-2013The BCCI’s Anti-Corruption and Security (ACSU) chief Ravi Sawani has submitted his interim report on the alleged spot-fixing by Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, the three Rajasthan Royals players who were arrested last month, to the board’s working committee. The working committee, which met in Delhi on Monday, decided to forward the sealed report to the board’s two-member disciplinary committee.Board president N Srinivasan, who is currently refraining from carrying out his duties as BCCI chief pending the probe into the alleged IPL corruption, will not participate in the disciplinary committee’s proceedings. That means what was originally a three-member committee has been reduced to a two-man panel, which will now examine the results of Sawani’s probe. After studying the report, the committee will issue a charge sheet to the players, which includes all the charges laid down by Sawani, and the three players will then have an opportunity to explain their stand.Though the working committee didn’t even open the sealed envelope of Sawani’s findings during the meeting, it discussed his recommendations with regards to player regulations during the IPL. Sawani, who was a special invitee at the meeting, suggested a stricter code of conduct for the players, ESPNcricinfo has learned. The committee also discussed restricting the number of sponsored events that the cricketers have to attend during the IPL.During the meeting, the working committee also appointed Mumbai Cricket Association president Ravi Savant as the BCCI’s treasurer. Savant replaces Ajay Shirke, who resigned the post in wake of IPL controversy. Earlier, Sanjay Patel had been named the board’s new secretary, in place of Sanjay Jagdale, who had also resigned.

Imran Tahir, South Africa’s Pakistan-born legspinner, has said that he will seek the advice of mentor Abdul Qadir while preparing for the Test series against England in July

Firdose Moonda16-May-2012Imran Tahir, the South African legspinner, will prepare for the much-anticipated Test series against England with long-time mentor Abdul Qadir. Tahir is set to travel to Lahore to meet Qadir for personalised training before the national team heads to England in July, with the No. 1 Test ranking in their sights.”It will be a very big series and if I do something special it will be one of the biggest achievements of my life,” Tahir said at the Wanderers Stadium, his new domestic home. Tahir will represent the Lions franchise in the 2012-13 season, having moved there after two seasons at the Durban-based Dolphins. “I am not very similar but I am almost the kind of bowler which he [Qadir] was in his time so I want to get his help.”After the hype that surrounded Tahir’s Test call up, he has performed below expectations. In his seven Test matches he has played for South Africa, claiming 18 wickets at an average of 37.05, and has not been the answer to South Africa’s spin problem he was predicted to be.In his defence, Tahir has had to battle in unhelpful conditions. Apart from seamer-friendly surfaces, two of the Tests he featured lasted only lasted three days and only two others went to five days. Instead of playing his natural game as a wicket-taker, Tahir has had to perform a more defensive role.Both Gary Kirsten and Graeme Smith praised him for his ability to adjust, which Tahir said helped ease his worries about meeting expectations. “I had too much pressure on me to do something really good,” he said. “But I had a lot of support from the boys and the management, especially the captain. He had to put the right field to defend because if I had gone for many runs, I would have been under more pressure.”When wickets did not come, Tahir resorted to the tactic of using as many variations as he had in his repertoire and earned nothing but criticism from those who thought he was trying too hard. He dismissed the notion of desperation and said that he is only hoping to make the most of being an international cricketer. “If I am playing for my country, I love to try as hard as I can. Inside I am always cool but no-one can see that,” he said. “I want to try hard and make sure I don’t relax and lose concentration and bowl a bad ball. I enjoy it that way.”Still, Tahir acknowledged that he has some work to do on some of his deliveries and will consult with Qadir to assist him. “He [Qadir] said anytime I need help I should talk to him but I feel it’s better if I see him rather than talk to him on the phone,” Tahir said. “He is a legend and he can help me big time. He can change small things. I think he can make me a better bowler than what I am now.”Tahir is also hopeful that the familiarity of playing in England will allow him to have more of a say in the course of the series. Tahir has spent some part of the last 12 years in the country. He played club cricket for eight season and county cricket for four. He is comfortable with the pitches and knows many of the English players, although he does not think their recent form against spinners will be something he can hope to exploit too much further.”I’ve played with a few of the guys and against a few. They are a good team but I’m sure everyone is up for it. We want to beat them and take their place [at the top of the rankings],” he said. “I don’t think they have been so bad against spin, apart from one series against Pakistan. We have to respect them. It’s not going to be easy for us to beat them.”While the seam attacks of both sides are expected to headline the contest, there has been some suggestion that the difference will be in the quality of the spinners. Former England captain, Michael Vaughan posted a message on Twitter last week which read, “England’s bowling attack is the best in the world. Would not swap it for any other. Not SA. Swann is the difference. Cheers.”Tahir refused to take the bait. “I won’t say anything until we beat them. That’s how we will prove him wrong.”

Neil Dexter and John Simpson shared a 254-stand to hoist Middlesex from up from 88 for 4 to close the day 368 for 5

Sahil Dutta at Lord's27-Apr-2011
ScorecardIf tradition and resources had any bearing on performance then Middlesex v Surrey would be a marquee match. The city slickers with Test grounds and, until recently in Surrey’s case, big wallets, should be lording it over the shire sides. As it is, these teams finished at the foot of Division Two last season and have not met in the top flight since 2005.With patience, not to mention cash, dwindling, this season had to mark an improvement and after hundreds for Neil Dexter and John Simpson in a mammoth 254-stand that hoisted Middlesex from 88 for 4, it’s they who look best placed to make a promotion tilt this season. The pair negotiated the Tiflex swing early on before cashing in under the evening sun to close the day 368 for 5.It was a triumph for Dexter who took over the captaincy when Shaun Udal resigned mid-season last year. Though Middlesex have won their opening games their jittery batting hasn’t inspired confidence and they needed him to haul them out of trouble again. Yasir Arafat had broken his season’s duck in his third match by taking three wickets in his opening spell and with Gareth Batty making it four before lunch gloomy Middlesex fans were fearing the worst.Dexter though was untroubled from the start and absorbed the pressure while Simpson took 23 balls to get off the mark. Once the shackles broke the runs came at a canter with 134 added between lunch and tea and another 142 in the final session.Dexter lifted Batty into the pavilion to bring up his fifty and twice swatted Rory Hamilton-Brown’s gentle spin to the midwicket, one of which carried for six. With the swing long-since departed proceedings in the evening session looked very easier for Middlesex pair and Dexter reached his century by driving sweetly back past Jade Dernbach. The next ball he was dropped at slip by Hamilton-Brown. That was the only chance he offered until he fell late in the day and celebrated the reprieve by punching the next delivery wide of mid-off.Simpson was less expansive but equally solid and reached his own hundred in the 81st over, nudging Tim Linley to fine leg. He is in the side ahead of Ben Scott for his batting and looks far happier down the order having been made to bat in the top three last season.By the latter stages Surrey were toothless. The second new ball came and went to the boundary. Though they had Chris Jordan back for the time since 2009 they missed the injured Stuart Meaker, who has been their best bowler so far this season.Jordan was understandably rusty early on but produced his best spell just before the close and was rewarded with Dexter’s wicket with the Middlesex captain spooning a catch to mid-off for 145, a run shy of his highest first-class score.It was Jordan’s senior partner, Dernbach, who the England selector James Whitaker will have been watching most keenly though. Despite his muscular pace, however, he bowled too short and never really threatened. Chris Tremlett would have been useful, but part of his reward for nudging Steven Finn out of the England side is that he gets to enjoy an extended rest. Finn, on the other hand, will be in action during the second day.

Graeme Smith has praised his men for completing a clean sweep against West Indies with their one-wicket win in Trinidad

Cricinfo staff04-Jun-2010Graeme Smith has praised his men for completing a clean sweep against West Indies with their one-wicket win in Trinidad. South Africa were coming off a disappointing exit in the Super Eights at the World Twenty20 and Smith was pleased with the way they turned their form around to ensure a 5-0 result.”It’s terrific to have achieved this result, and bounce back from the failure at the Twenty20 World Cup,” Smith said. “It was an important time for us as a group of people, and it was important for us to regain the faith of a lot of the public back home. I think a lot of the fans back home in South Africa support us through thick and thin, so it is nice to give them all something about which to feel good.”The fifth game almost didn’t go South Africa’s way, and they needed 17 from the final two overs with two wickets in hand to chase down West Indies’ 252. The last pair, Roelof van der Merwe and Lonwabo Tsotsobe, held their nerve in the 50th over to confirm the victory with two balls to spare.”The last few games have been too close for comfort,” Smith said. “We have chased on some pretty flat pitches, and West Indies have controlled the games at different times, and we have lost wickets at crucial times. But we have held our nerve. Winning is a habit, and when you get into tight games, and you are used to winning, you are able to limp over the line.”Chris Gayle, the West Indies captain, was hoping his men could put the one-dayers in the past and focus on the upcoming Test series. He said his side had struggled in the key moments against South Africa.”We seem to be in a bad habit of losing, and when it comes down to these tight situations in matches, we do not know how to handle ourselves,” Gayle said. “It’s been tough losing this much. The good thing is we have a few days off to put this behind us, and hopefully, we can get a fresh start in the Test series.”

“All I want is to have options moving forward,” Rohit says on Shivam Dube the bowler

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jun-20241:13

Aaron: Suryakumar’s innings should be appreciated

Suryakumar Yadav’s unbeaten 49-ball 50, which bailed India out from a precarious situation on a low-scoring New York surface against USA, wasn’t a typical 360-degree knock, but it impressed his captain.”He showed he’s got a different game as well, that is what you expect from experienced players,” Rohit Sharma said on the official broadcast after India won their third straight game to enter the Super Eight stage. “To come out and bat differently if the situation demands, that is what Surya did. The partnership [67-run stand] with [Shivam] Dube was very important for us. In the end, to take us home was a great effort.”We knew it was going to be a tough task scoring those many runs [111], but credit to us. At the end, we held our nerves, got that partnership as well. We lost wickets upfront but credit to Surya and Dube to show that maturity and take the game till the end.”Related

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Dube finished on 31 off 35, and though he did the job required off him, the scorecard won’t reveal his struggle to force the pace against cutters dug into the surface. Dube was on 5 off 14 balls at one point, but muscled a six off Corey Anderson in the 15th over just as USA were beginning to tighten the screws. Before that shot, India needed 44 from 35.While Dube’s spin-hitting has made him a point of difference in the middle overs for Chennai Super Kings for two IPL seasons now, and led to his selection for the World Cup, he is also expected to chip in with the ball. On Wednesday, Rohit turned to Dube for an over. That went for 11. In a match where 221 runs were scored from 38.2 overs.”I think that is something we want; we want options with us,” Rohit said when asked about Dube the allrounder. “As and when we feel like we can use them, we should be able to use them. Today, I thought we could use them, the pitch had something in it. But yeah, again, all I want is to have options moving forward.”Rohit called the conditions “very tough” for batters, but lauded his bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh, for leading the way. Arshdeep struck twice in his first over – the first of the match – and finished with 4 for 9, his career-best figures in T20Is. Hardik Pandya also picked up two key wickets, of Aaron Jones and Anderson, with short deliveries.”We knew bowlers had to take the lead,” Rohit said. “We knew run-scoring is difficult on this pitch. Again, all our bowlers did the job, particularly Arshdeep, the way he started off was magnificent. Playing cricket here wasn’t easy. It could’ve been anyone’s game.”All three games we played, we had to stick in till the end and take the game as deep as possible. Lucky for us, we managed to pull through in all three games and [we] take a lot of confidence for a victory like this.”Rohit also lauded USA’s Indian-origin players for their performance. Saurabh Netravalkar, the left-arm seamer, was his junior in the Mumbai circuit once upon a time, while Harmeet Singh, the left-arm spinner, went to the same school as him in the Mumbai suburb of Borivali.”Lot of these guys, we’ve played cricket together,” Rohit said. “But I’m very happy to see them, their progress in cricket. Last year, we saw them play in the MLC [Major League Cricket] as well, they’re going from strength to strength, and I can hope for nothing but the best for them. They’re hard-working guys making their mark here in US.”