All posts by h716a5.icu

An exceptional day for Yorkshire sees them on the brink of inflicting Middlesex’s first defeat at Lord’s since May 2011 and achieving their first away win in this fixture since 1987

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's13-Jun-2013
ScorecardLiam Plunkett was one of the key bowlers for Yorkshire•PA PhotosAn exceptional day for Yorkshire sees them on the brink of inflicting Middlesex’s first defeat at Lord’s since May 2011 and achieving their first away win in this fixture since 1987. A total of 13 wickets fell as the visiting bowlers bowled tirelessly through the day to expose fragility in Middlesex’s middle order that up until now had been shielded by the success of their in-form openers Chris Rogers and Sam Robson.It was a heavily overcast start and when play was halted at 11:46 for bad light, you did wonder how Middlesex would deal with the extra intervals. Unfortunately for the hosts, that proved to be the only one. Returning 26 minutes later, Rogers soon departed with only 46 on the scoreboard, and with him the faint hope that the follow-on would be avoided.When it was enforced, the Middlesex captain lasted only five balls into his second innings and, while Robson looked like he was beginning to settle into a groove, he played across the line to a short ball from Adil Rashid that straightened and hurried on to all but end Middlesex’s hopes of saving this match.It is worth noting that of the seven century partnerships Middlesex batsmen have put together this season, only one was scored without either Rogers or Robson, who have featured together in four of them.It is an indication of just how over-reliant Middlesex have been on their opening pair and how lucky they have been that their underperforming middle order had not cost them. Neil Dexter has been the only batsman outside the top two to reach triple figures, while others like Joe Denly and John Simpson have contributed the odd half-century, but nothing more. Dawid Malan has already paid the price for his paucity of red ball runs, and there is little chance he will be the last.For all Middlesex’s batting malaise, the Yorkshire attack put in a near faultless display. The wickets have been shared about this season, as evidenced by the fact that Steven Patterson has the most (24) despite not having taken five wickets in an innings. His haul of four to finish Middlesex off for 175 is his highest to date.Ryan Sidebottom was masterful from over the wicket, particularly to the left handers, taking the vital second innings wicket of Rogers, while Rashid took three valuable wickets in the evening session with some bite and turn that will buoy him going into tomorrow. But it was Liam Plunkett who incorporated some versatility into his bowling repertoire to hammer home Yorkshire’s advantage.”A freedom to smash the deck as quick as I can,” was the response from Plunkett when it was put to him that his control looked as good as it ever has been. On first change in the morning, the onus was on him to plunge the knife into Middlesex and then twist it with the help of Patterson. It took him three balls, as Rogers nicked behind, before he worked over Adam London and then made a mess of Simpson’s stumps with a sharp yorker – “a delivery that can get people out” as he needlessly put it – you would not wish upon the toes of your worst enemy.His last season at Durham was one he was keen to forget – both on and off the field, where he picked a second drink driving charge – so much so that he went down to Headingley as soon as the 2012 season ended to begin his indoor work. A stint bowling into the relatively flat Adelaide decks helped him find some rhythm and confidence. He says he still bowls the odd bad ball – not that they were on show today – but feels experience has taught him to let them go. “You can always take a wicket with the next ball” his new mantra.A good night sleep is on the cards for him and the rest of the Yorkshire side, as they return tomorrow with six wickets to take and, perhaps, a modest total to chase, for a first win in 19 attempts against Middlesex and one which will take them to the top of the Championship.

Kieron Pollard led the Barbados Tridents to a 17-run victory over St Lucia Zouks with an all-round show in the first match of the inaugural Caribbean Premier League

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jul-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsShoaib Malik’s 51-ball 78 set the tone for Barbados’ innings•Getty ImagesIn the lead-up to the first match of the Caribbean Premier League, there were reports of protests in Barbados over the appointment of Kieron Pollard, a Trinidadian, as captain of the Barbados Tridents. But Pollard’s unbeaten half-century and three-wicket haul in the 17-run win against St Lucia Zouks on Tuesday is likely to have added to his growing legion of fans.After Barbados, having chosen to bat first, were reduced to 48 for 4, Pollard played the perfect foil to an aggressive Shoaib Malik, as the pair added 88 runs off 61 balls. Malik, who was named the Player of the Match, raced to his 50 off just 35 balls, and smashed a six and two fours off pacer Nelon Pascal in the 15th over. Once Malik perished for 78 in the 18th over, going for a slog off Tino Best, Pollard stepped up with the big shots, hitting 28 runs off the last two overs to take Barbados to 169 for 5.St Lucia, in reply, got off to a good start, as the openers Tamim Iqbal and Andre Fletcher had a 57-run stand. Having powered to 77 for 1 off seven overs, St Lucia were in a good position and the match was theirs to lose. They went on to do exactly that, as the wicket of Fletcher in the 12th over sparked a mini-collapse and the visitors went on to lose their remaining eight wickets for 57 runs.Struggling at 105 for 5, Darren Sammy briefly raised St Lucia’s hopes with a 16-ball 35, belting four fours and two sixes, but found himself running out of partners as the asking rate mounted. Pollard struck twice in the 18th over to dismiss Misbah-ul-Haq and Shane Shillingford, while Jason Holder dismissed Sammy and Tino Best off consecutive balls in the 19th over. Pollard sealed the win with a wicket in the final over, to end with match figures of 2.4- 0-15-3.

Sam Northeast and Brendan Nash helped guide Kent to only their second County Championship win of the season with a seven-wicket victory over Glamorgan at Cardiff.

05-Sep-2013
ScorecardSam Northeast made 88 to steer Kent home•Getty ImagesSam Northeast and Brendan Nash helped guide Kent to only their second County Championship win of the season with a seven-wicket victory over Glamorgan at Cardiff.Northeast, who had only scored 442 Championship runs before this game, made 88 as Kent chased down the 242 runs needed with more than a day to spare. Northeast shared in a match-winning partnership of 62 for the third wicket with Brendan Nash, who was 70 not out from 77 balls.Glamorgan, who went down to their sixth four-day defeat, will now hope that they can regain their form ahead of their Yorkshire Bank 40 semi-final against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Saturday.At the start of the third morning the contest had been well-balanced with Glamorgan resuming 237 for 7 in their second innings – an overall lead of 220. And that advantage was increased to 241 as their innings lasted another 9.5 overs.In only the third over of the day Darren Stevens struck twice in the space of four balls to reduce the home side to 237 for 9. First Stevens, who claimed four wickets in the first innings, had Dean Cosker caught by Nash at backward point before bowling Michael Hogan for a duck. Offspinner Adam Riley came in to the attack and ended Glamorgan’s innings when last man Mike Reed drove straight to long-on.That left Kent with a target of 242 to win in a minimum of 180 overs. Kent’s chase for victory was fairly untroubled before lunch as the openers – Rob Key and Northeast – reached the interval at 49 without loss. The only chance for Glamorgan came when Key was almost caught at second slip off Chris Cooke.Kent lost their first wicket shortly after lunch when Reed had Key caught by Murray Goodwin at midwicket. Kent moved to 100 in the 37th over and shortly before tea Northeast completed a patient half-century from 150 balls. But on the stroke of tea, slow left-armer Cosker had Daniel Bell-Drummond caught behind for 30 leaving the visitors 134 for 2 requiring another 108.Northeast looked as if he was on his way to his first century but was bowled by Cosker, who claimed his 500th first-class wicket leaving Kent 211 for 3 just needing 31 more. Nash, who reached his 50 from 61 balls with eight fours, was still there at the end.

Heavy skies interfered again in Pallekele, but there was enough time for Kaushal Silva to complete another first-class hundred in a fine year for the right-hand batsman

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Sep-2013
ScorecardKaushal Silva’s fruitful year continued•WICB MediaHeavy skies interfered again in Pallekele, but there was enough time for Kaushal Silva to complete another first-class hundred in a fine year for the right-hand batsman where he also scored 1073 runs in 10 innings for Sinhalese Sports Club, and for New Zealand A to dismiss the remainder of Sri Lanka’s mediocre batting order. Just under 55 overs were bowled on the second day of the four-day match, and at its end, the visitors had hit 31 for no loss in response to Sri Lanka A’s 252.Silva had been the most successful batsman in Sri Lanka’s first-class season earlier in the year – the final of which he helped win thrillingly – and at 27, he is mounting a case for a Test recall. Three men who have played Tests for Sri Lanka this year gave him scant support, as he held out against a good pace attack, and formed the backbone of Sri Lanka’s modest first-innings score with 103. He had begun the day on 49.Doug Bracewell made the first breakthrough for New Zealand A, removing Ashan Priyanjan for 40 in the fifth over of the morning to end his 81-run stand with Silva, whom Bracewell would also dismiss. Ish Sodhi took three middle-order scalps to ensure no more lengthy partnerships would take root, and Corey Anderson added a wicket to the one he had taken on Tuesday. Tearaway Adam Milne dismissed the last man.Carl Cachopa and Anton Devcich began cautiously as the day wound down, finishing on 14 and 11 not out respectively.The weather is forecast to improve on Thursday and Friday, but the rain may not disappear entirely. Only 40 overs were bowled on day one.

Misbah-ul-Haq has suggested that Pakistan need a stronger first-class system to help them become a more consistent Test side

Firdose Moonda in Dubai26-Oct-2013Misbah-ul-Haq, understandably, spends a lot of his time in front of the media explaining that not being able to play international cricket at home has adversely affected the Pakistan team. After their defeat in Dubai – a first for them at this venue – he went even further and questioned whether a more rigorous domestic set-up is also needed for them to thrive in conditions which suit them already.”It may be due to the first-class system. If you are coming through a tough first-class system, playing really tough teams, facing tough bowlers and batsmen, it automatically comes when you play competitive cricket,” he said. “Otherwise, if you are in an easy competition, when you are playing top sides, you will struggle. We must make our first class more competitive. That is why we are not mentally strong.”Pakistan’s domestic season had not started before this series was played, although they played warm-up matches before leaving for the UAE, but it is a competition in which matches are often shorter than four-days and five-wicket hauls are not uncommon. If it is impacting on members of the international team, then it could explain why their inconsistencies in the batting department, which ultimately cost them a series win against another world No.1.After scoring 442 in the first innings of the first Test, Pakistan looked a completely different side when they were bundled out for 99 on the first day in Dubai. Misbah knew that innings had cost his side the series.”We are disappointed given the conditions here,” he said. Before the series Misbah made special mention of how his batsmen would be better on these surfaces than they were in Zimbabwe and South Africa because the pitches suited their style of play. Graeme Smith noted Pakistan’s batsmen are “far more comfortable with less pace and bounce that they have here.”Still, Pakistan managed to fold in the first innings and slump to 2 for 2 in the second, raising questions about their top-order that were thought to be on their way to being answered after their showing in Abu Dhabi. Khurram Manzoor followed up his century with a pair and Shan Masood made one start and then a duck to ensure the uncertainty in the top two, which has been a long-running issue in Pakistan cricket, exacerbated by Mohammad Hafeez’s loss of form, continues.Instead of looking elsewhere, though, Misbah wants some continuity. “If you keep changing things, it doesn’t help. Opening is one of the toughest jobs. You need some experience. Even the best players struggle sometimes. You just need to be patient,” he said. “To keep on changing the openers is not the solution. These guys need to learn. They need more chances to understand what Test cricket is.”If they had that, and the grounding from their domestic game, Misbah believes 99 all out could have been avoided and the session that lost Pakistan the Test may never have been. “It was just one session and if we could reverse that then that thing that is associated with us, that we are just so bad in one hour and one session, would not hurt us. We want to improve on that in future. We don’t want these sorts of sessions. We need more character, otherwise ups and downs can really hurt the team.”As South Africa showed in their innings and Pakistan did in their second attempt, the pitch in Dubai had runs in it throughout the game. It also had appreciable turn, which Pakistan’s spinners were never able to exploit by having a target to defend. Misbah believed even a lead under of 200 could have given Pakistan a chance. “If we had something of 150 or 200 runs in the last innings, the kind of patches and rough on the pitch, the kind of spinners we have, it could have been very interesting.”

Ajay Jadeja, the Haryana captain, is relishing the prospect of being part of what is likely to be Sachin Tendulkar’s final domestic match but says his team won’t be overawed by the occasion

Abhishek Purohit in Lahli26-Oct-2013Ajay Jadeja, the former India allrounder, finds himself playing a part in what is likely to be Sachin Tendulkar’s final domestic match and, while relishing the prospect of an unexpected encounter, says his team won’t be overawed by the occasion.Jadeja, who came out of retirement to lead Haryana in the Buchi Babu tournament, and will now do the same against Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, says he isn’t quite sure of the role he’ll be able to play on the field at his age – bordering 43 – apart from mentoring the side.He denied there was any pressure on his players to push themselves more because of the hype surrounding the game. Instead he felt it was a rare chance for them to test themselves against someone like Tendulkar. “The match is going to be played on the ground. Whether there is hype or no hype there is no player who turns up not wanting to do his best. This is a player’s career, his life.”It’s wonderful to have people watching because if there’s interest in the game and people talking about it, it can only inspire you. That encourages our team to go out there and do what needs to be done. It’s not as though you can do something extra just because of the hype.”The coach needs to tell people not to get overawed all the time. We are looking at this as an opportunity to play against the best in the world. You always have a shot when you walk on to the park. This is not an under-15 team. Sachin Tendulkar will have an effect, but the squad is full of professional first-class cricketers, so they’ll be looking at it as a chance to play against the greatest ever.”He paid tribute to Tendulkar’s longevity. “I’ve been watching him for 30 years,” Jadeja said. “He is enjoying the game today as he did when he started off. For a player any match, whether it is his first or last, is about enjoying the game. I have never seen him do anything different in any match. he always gives it everything.”Some of us were fortunate to spend time with him. He is considered the god of cricket, so to have been able to spend that time with him, on the field and travelling, I consider myself lucky, at least I can tell my kids about the times I spent with him. The last memory is of beating them in Mumbai. That’s the last memory I carry of a Ranji encounter against Sachin.”Jadeja remarked that there was no need for people to go to France – a reference to Zaheer Khan’s trip to meet with fitness expert Tim Exeter – when they had facilities in the country such as the ground in Lahli. “It’s wonderful for us at Haryana. We’ve been here a few weeks, we live at the ground. There are nets available all day. The facilities at the ground are terrific. We have indoor nets. If someone wants to be away from the crowd, play cricket and get fit, you don’t necessarily have to go all the way to France.”The playing square had a a liberal covering of grass and Jadeja said it would help the quick bowlers. “This is my first game here. The pitch has been helpful to seamers but there have been occasions of 500-plus scores. Walking in, my first thought was wondering where they were going to mark the crease, because it all looks green at the moment on the square. So that probably gives you a little hint. Let me put it this way, I think it will help Zaheer for sure.”

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Nov-2013

Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who reclaimed the post of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president at the election last week, has died in Bangalore following a heart attack

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Dec-2013Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, who reclaimed the post of Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president at the election last week, has died in Bangalore following a heart attack. Wadiyar, 60, was a member of the former royal family of Mysore.Wadiyar and his group returned to power in the KSCA on December 1, after sweeping all 24 posts up for grabs at the election. He took over the post from former India captain Anil Kumble, who defeated him in the 2010 election. Wadiyar beat Sadanand Maiya, who was supported by Kumble, in the presidential race.Brijesh Patel, the KSCA secretary who was also re-elected last week, said: “He was a very happy man when we won the recently concluded elections. He had definite plans for the next three years and was very keen to start implementing them at the earliest. This is really unfortunate. Our thoughts are with the family as of now.”Wadiyar was the son of the last ruling Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, and was elected a Member of Parliament, representing the Mysore constituency, four times. He had played university cricket for Mysore.

A round-up of matches in the Ram Slam T20 Challenge that took place on January 22

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2014Beuran Hendricks’ spell of 4-0-18-3 led Cape Cobras’ successful defence of their total of 129 for 9 against Titans at Newlands. The 13-run victory was Cobras’ sixth in seven matches and it opened up a ten-point lead at the top of the table. Titans had been progressing at just about a run-a-ball in their chase when they lost Heino Kuhn for 53 to slip to 89 for 3 in 14.3 overs. Kuhn, however, was the only batsman to make more than 20 and his dismissal triggered a slide during which they lost three wickets for 16 runs. Albie Morkel’s inability to score more than 1 off 8 balls before he fell to Sunil Narine hindered Titans’ momentum. Narine finished with 1 for 23 in four overs as Titans were limited to 116 for 6. Cobras had also struggled in their innings, after choosing to bat, with Hashim Amla’s 33 off 24 balls being the top score. Morne Morkel hit Cobras hard at the top with a spell of 4-1-11-2, but it was after David Weise dismissed Amla that the innings fell away. Cobras collapsed from 75 for 2 in 10.5 overs to 129 for 9, but that proved to be enough.There was a run explosion in Durban, where Dolphins stormed to 214 for 2 and Lions replied with 198 for 9. After winning the toss, the Dolphins top order ran riot. Morne van Wyk scored his 44 at two runs a ball, Cameron Delport smashed 82 off 44 deliveries, and David Miller was unbeaten on 60 off 44. Azhar Mahmood, who went for 12.50 runs an over, and Imran Tahir were the only Lions bowlers to take wickets. The Lions chase got off to a fast start with Quinton de Kock and Alviro Peterson scoring 30s at a strike rate of more than 180, but once they fell the only significant contribution came from Neil McKenzie, who made 61 off 32. With the lower-middle order failing to contribute, the Lions fell 16 runs short.Dillon du Preez blitzed 24 off 7 balls and then took 2 for 17 in three overs to lead Knights to a five-run win against Warriors in Kimberley. Rilee Rossouw scored an unbeaten run-a-ball 64 but Knights were struggling for momentum and had progressed to 120 for 6 when Johann van der Wath fell. Eight balls were left in the innings and du Preez faced seven of them, hitting two fours and two sixes to lead his team to 145. Warriors made a sedate start to their chase to reach 58 for 2 in ten overs, but JJ Smuts cut loose by hitting two fours and a six off the first three balls of the 11th over. Du Preez returned in the 13th and after conceding a boundary he had Smuts caught for 44 off 27 balls. Warriors then needed 40 in the last four overs but Davy Jacobs and Wayne Parnell falling in successive overs spoiled their finish.

Peter Siddle declared Australia’s bowling attack the world’s best no fewer than three times

Daniel Brettig07-Jan-20140:00

‘Being dropped a blessing in disguise’ – Warner

Peter Siddle declared Australia’s bowling attack the world’s best no fewer than three times as the somewhat hung-over but deliriously happy Ashes victors set their sights on a Test match showdown in South Africa next month. A crowd of more than 4,000 converged on the Sydney Opera House overlooking the harbour to pay tribute to the Australian team, a number that might have been greater in a venue less cramped for space.As some members of the team battled to regain voices lost over the course of two nights’ raucous celebrations and Chris Rogers danced for the crowd after sleeping through the start of the event in the best traditions of Andrew Flintoff, Siddle spoke stridently about how the bowling ensemble was a match for any in the world. Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel will not be able to ignore Siddle’s words.”When we’re bowling at our consistent best like we did throughout this series I think it shows [we are the best],” he said. “Everyone playing their role, Mitch bowling fast, Ryano and myself doing our role and Nath with the spin from his end. The consistency we’ve had against England over a five Test series, no-one’s ever really done it as successfully as we have, to be able to do that and win so convincingly shows how strong we are at the moment.”Just the way we’ve worked together at different times and break partnerships, I don’t think we’ve let any partnership get too big on us, and we’re able to break them and get stuck into the rest – that’s what caused all the collapses, so that’s what we’re looking to do over there and if we continue to do that it could be a very good year for us.”It’s going to be a very tough contest over there, we’re looking forward to it. Conditions are going to be similar to back home which is going to make it easier for us to adapt, but we’re going to have to lift our game a bit more to get over them.”Asked repeatedly by an English correspondent if the attack was the best around the globe, Siddle could not have made his point clearer: “For the third time, yes. Did you get that? Good, okay, remember.”Siddle’s fellow fast man Ryan Harris reiterated his own desire to push through a complete schedule of Tests in South Africa, revealing he had delayed knee clean-out surgery during the Ashes to make sure he could play in all five matches against England. Harris had long doubted his own capacity to stay fit for lengthy enough periods to do justice to his undoubted bowling talent, but to have played nine out of a possible 10 Ashes Tests had proved his durability at the unlikely age of 34.”[Surgery] has got to be after South Africa now,” Harris said. “I went to Melbourne after Perth and had a check with the surgeon. There are bits of bone floating around. We were thinking about doing it then and there and missing the rest of the series but I wanted to play five games. I wanted to be a part of it for the whole thing. Hopefully it can get through South Africa.”The knee is no different now than it was a month or six weeks ago. You wake up sometimes in the morning and it’s tough. You get out of bed and it’s sore. But you either decide whether you want to go through the pain or you don’t. It’s as simple as that. And I want to be in this team as long as I can. I’ll put up with it. If we win in South Africa we go to number one in the world, which is our goal. But more importantly we just want to make sure we keep winning.”As for Rogers, the chance to go to South Africa will prolong the most remarkable final chapter of a career that looked destined to remain unfulfilled for most of his journey. “I think if I’d have finished and not played international cricket I’d have been quite disappointed,” he said from behind sunglasses. “To get this opportunity and play it well, I can finish cricket at some stage and think I’ve done everything, and that’s great to do.”I still didn’t think people had seen the way I actually bat and I wanted to show that and fortunately I’ve been able to play a couple of good innings. I’ve always wondered what it’d be like to play international cricket and thought I was good enough but never got the opportunity, so it is nice now to get that chance.”People talk about retirement, but what’s the point of retiring? This is amazing and I haven’t had this opportunity before, so I might as well enjoy it while it lasts.”