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Australia captain George Bailey has said that although his team didn’t play their best cricket during the 3-0 series sweep against Pakistan, the experience of crunch games would hold them in good stead during the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Oct-20142:36

‘Being No. 1 means nothing come the World Cup’ – Bailey

Following his team’s thrilling one-run victory against Pakistan in the final ODI in Abu Dhabi, Australia captain George Bailey said that although his team didn’t play their best cricket during the 3-0 sweep of Pakistan, the experience of crunch games would hold them in good stead during the World Cup.Australia, who had already bagged the series in the second ODI, made a strong start in the final game in Abu Dhabi but were limited to 231 for 9. Australia’s bowlers, however, turned the match around, capitalising on Pakistan’s brittle batting – the hosts needed two runs off the last over but a double-wicket maiden from Glenn Maxwell ensured a win for Australia.”To be honest, I don’t think we played our best cricket over here, appreciating the conditions are different and challenging and we worked hard to prepare for those,” Bailey said. “The most pleasing thing, for my part, was the fact that we had to battle in every game. Not everything went our way and there weren’t scores of 300, to see our energy and fight and intent to get through difficult phases, and absorb the pressure Pakistan were putting and throw it back on them – I think that was more pleasing.”I think that’s the sort of stuff that will happen in World Cups in games that come to the crunch point and then you will have to absorb pressure and stand up and guys will have to deliver match-winning performances. So the more you can find ways to win games like we did tonight, that holds you down the road. But ideally, we are looking to play better cricket as a team.”George Bailey said the decision to keep Glenn Maxwell’s overs until the end was a risk•Getty ImagesBailey said his decision of bowling out fast bowlers Kane Richardson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner going into the final few overs of the game was a risk but said he had done so to get the team back into the contest.”The dream scenario is knocking them over in the 42nd over. In my book, it was pretty stressful,” he said. “The position we were in, I felt that unless we got our quicks in and got some wickets and got ourselves back in the game, then they were going to win the game in the 46th-47th over and that was about where the spin was going to come back into play. In some ways, it’s a risk but we had to try and get back into the game.”Bailey also backed Steven Smith’s unusual catch to dismiss Fawad Alam. The Pakistan batsman tried to play a sweep against Xavier Doherty but Smith saw the batsman’s movement early and ran from first slip towards leg slip before Alam could make contact with the ball. The catch was deemed legal as a change in playing conditions allowed a fielder to make a move in response to a batsman’s actions. Bailey said Australia were aware of the new rule and said such changes were good for the game.”We didn’t talk about that before the game but I am aware the rule has changed and it should. As a batsman, you are allowed to switch-hit or do whatever you like,” he said. “All he’s done is anticipate where the ball is going to go. As a cricket lover, you’re just moving well in the field and that’s no different to if you’re fielding at point you see that someone’s about to drop the ball and you’re moving in quicker. So I think I’d be really sad if that went out of the game because that’s a spectacle. I could see there was confusion because the umpires had come together but we knew the rule had changed.”

The SLC have appointed Ashley de Silva, their former director of cricket operations, as their acting CEO, before making a permanent decision

Andrew Fidel Fernando25-Mar-2013Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Ashley de Silva to the position of acting CEO, with a view to giving him the official position in six months, SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has confirmed. De Silva has been SLC’s director of cricket operations since 2008, and replaces Ajit Jayasekara, who retires at the end of the month.”Like in any organisation we will give him a probation period, which will be around six months, and at the end of that we hope he will be CEO permanently,” Ranatunga said.Sri Lanka’s first Test captain Bandula Warnapura, had emerged as the early frontrunner for the position, but was later disqualified due to his age. Warnapura turned 60 in March, falling foul of an SLC rule that has enforced employees’ retirement at 60 since 2009. He will continue in his present job as development manager for the Asian Cricket Council.In addition to de Silva’s experience as director of cricket operations, he also managed Sri Lanka’s Under-19 side on an assignment basis before 2008, and was the general manager of private communication company Suntel for five years. He played as a wicketkeeper batsman for Colombo Cricket Club from 1984 to 1996, and appeared in three Tests and four ODIs for Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka’s youth cricket coach, Carlton Bernadaus, has been appointed to the director of cricket operations role that de Silva vacated.

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Apr-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA rapid half-century from Cameron Delport propelled South Africa Emerging Players to a seven-wicket win against Namibia in their opening game of the quadrangular T20 tournament in Windhoek. Delport, opening for South Africa, slammed 69 in 40 balls with 10 boundaries to help them chase down 161 with an over to spare. His team-mates could not match his pace of scoring, but handy cameos from Yaseen Vallie and Jean Symes after Delport was dismissed ensured the team eased home.Namibia’s innings too was built around one half-century, theirs coming from No. 3 Louis van der Westhuizen. His knock of 63 off 45 was crucial in that it followed ducks from both openers. That they got to 160 after being 4 for 2 in the second over was commendable, but as it turned was not enough. Left-arm pacer Beuran Hendricks was quite expensive, going at nine an over, but he was also the most effective for South Africa with three scalps.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has adopted a new constitution and, as per the stipulations of the new constitution, elected former assistant secretary Drubahadur as its president

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jan-2013The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has adopted a new constitution and, as per the stipulations of the new constitution, elected former assistant secretary Drubahadur as its president. These changes were sanctioned at the GCB’s annual general meeting in Georgetown on January 27, but it is as yet not certain whether this new development would ease the WICB-backed Guyana board’s continuing standoff with the country’s government.Drubahadur, a GCB press release said, was the lone nominee for the post of president. He takes over from Fizul Bacchus, who was named acting president following the resignation of Ramsey Ali in February 2012. Ali had been elected to the post in a contentious election in July 2011, and quit after police and court officials raided his home and the homes of other board officials.Those raids were part of the ongoing conflict between the GCB and the Guyana government, which began when the government dissolved the board due to the dispute over the 2011 elections. The elections were boycotted by some of the board’s constituent members, one of which, the Berbice Cricket Board, took the GCB to court, claiming the new administration was not properly established. The Chief Justice recommended that “there may be immediate need for the minister responsible for sports to impose his executive will in the national interest”.Following that ruling, Guyana’s sports minister Dr Frank Anthony appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC), headed by ex-West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, to run cricket in Guyana. The WICB, however, refused to acknowledge the IMC, in keeping with the ICC’s stance against government intervention in cricket administration, and said the only authority it would recognise was the GCB.At Sunday’s AGM, Bacchus was elected vice-president, administration, while Anand Sanasie and Anand Kalladeen got the posts of secretary and treasurer respectively. Auditing firm Barcellos Narine was also elected to be auditors of the Guyana board.

Regular captain Darren Sammy and batsman Chris Gayle have been rested by West Indies for the first two ODIs of their three-match home series against Zimbabwe

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2013West Indies squad for first two Zimbabwe ODIs

Dwayne Bravo (capt), Tino Best, Darren Bravo, Johnson Charles, Narsingh Deonarine, Sunil Narine, Veerasammy Permaul, Kieron Pollard, Kieran Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Andre Russell, Ramnaresh Sarwan
In: Veerasammy Permaul, Denesh Ramdin
Out: Darren Sammy, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Devon Thomas

Dwayne Bravo will lead West Indies in the first two Zimbabwe ODIs•Associated PressRegular captain Darren Sammy and key batsman Chris Gayle have been rested by West Indies for the first two ODIs of their three-match home series against Zimbabwe. Allrounder Dwayne Bravo will lead the team in the matches, which are scheduled for February 22 and 24 in St George’s.Gayle, a WICB release said, had asked to skip the games, while it was decided that Sammy needed a break after playing in every match for West Indies over the past two years. The selectors are yet to name a vice-captain.Wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, who travelled with West Indies to Australia for their just-concluded limited-overs series missed out, making way for Denesh Ramdin to return. Ramdin’s last ODI for West Indies was against New Zealand in July 2012, though he played the World Twenty20 and the Test series against Bangladesh that followed.Fast bowler Jason Holder was also left out, with the selectors going in for the extra spinner in left-armer Veerasammy Permaul who had a fine first-class game for Guyana against Leeward Islands last week, taking a match haul of 9 for 115.Devon Thomas had a poor series in Australia with the bat, totaling 48 in five ODIs. Holder had played only two of those games, claiming the wicket of Aaron Finch in both matches.Veteran batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan, who made a comeback on the Australian tour after a contentious 18-month absence from the team, retained his spot despite getting two ducks in three ODIs in Australia.Marlon Samuels, meanwhile, is still sidelined, currently recovering from the facial injury that he suffered at the Big Bash League after being struck in the face while facing Lasith Malinga.Following the ODI series, West Indies also host Zimbabwe in two Twenty20s and two Tests.

The last five wickets belonging to Michael Clarke’s befuddled team tumbled for eight runs in 46 balls after lunch, rather summing up the gulf between the two sides in a series Australia had expected to win

The Report by Daniel Brettig03-Nov-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details7:02

‘Pakistan’s greatest series win’ – Ramiz

Twenty years of Pakistan defeats at Australian hands were erased in little more than 20 minutes. The last five wickets belonging to Michael Clarke’s befuddled team tumbled for eight runs in 46 balls after lunch, rather summing up the gulf between the two sides in a series Australia had expected to win.Instead it was Misbah-ul-Haq’s team that was triumphant, not just beating Australia but totally obliterating them. The Abu Dhabi result was Pakistan’s biggest ever victory margin by runs. In terms of average differential (batting average minus bowling average) this was Australia’s worst series of all time. Australia have the Ashes, but that’s all.The final spoils were rightly shared by Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah, the little-known spin duo which did not merely cover for Saeed Ajmal’s absence but took advantage of it. Australia spent most of the preceding six months preparing for mystery offspin and doosras, even hiring Muttiah Muralitharan. Instead they were flummoxed by classical left-arm orthodox and legspin.Pakistan up to No. 3 in Test rankings

Following their 2-0 thumping of Australia, Pakistan have moved up to No. 3 in the ICC’s Test ranking, leapfrogging England, Sri Lanka and India.
This is Pakistan’s best ranking since January 2007, when they had claimed third after winning a Test against South Africa in South Africa – the hosts won that series 2-1.
Australia have not dropped out of second place despite being whitewashed, but the gap to South Africa at No. 1 has widened.

Other garlands were rightfully saved for Younis Khan, the prolific and cultured runmaker who built the wall Australia’s bowlers were never anywhere near tearing down. Then there was the captain Misbah, who showed total composure throughout the series before giving free rein to his skills with the equal-fastest Test century of all time.Above all else, Australia’s display demonstrated how they will be illegitimate contenders for the title of best team in the world until they can find a way to thrive on the slow, low and turning pitches set-up to blunt their speedy brand of the game in Asia and elsewhere. Clarke in particular must wear a share of blame for the result, as he failed completely to set a batting example for less experienced team-mates.For most of the morning Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh at least showed some evidence of learning how to cope with these climes, too late to change the series but perhaps an attempt to salvage some vestige of self-respect.Smith used his feet smartly and also defended stoutly in a fine display, but he lost the assistance of Marsh when the allrounder glanced Mohammad Hafeez straight to leg slip. Marsh had played doggedly and well, but he will regret not either leaving or hitting out harder at a delivery that was short and down the leg side.That ended a stand of 107 over more than two hours, and brought the pained Brad Haddin to the middle, still favouring his right shoulder after jarring and bruising it heavily on the first day of the Test. Haddin winced repeatedly when playing the ball but showed great determination in doing so, and Smith cuffed a pair of boundaries in the final over of the morning to reach the cusp of a fighting century.But two balls into the afternoon he became yet another batsman to play presumptuously for spin where none existed, pinned in front by a Yasir delivery that skidded on. Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon melted away within minutes, allowing Pakistan to celebrate. It’s been a while.

Kevin Pietersen could find a dated interview comes back to haunt him when he tries to patch up his differences with England

David Hopps30-Aug-2012Kevin Pietersen could find a dated interview comes back to haunt him when he tries to patch up his differences with England.The ECB hierarchy will try to reach an understanding with Pietersen this weekend when Hugh Morris, England’s managing director, and the director of cricket Andy Flower hold what is expected to be the first of several meetings.As they seek confirmation of Pietersen’s absolute commitment to England, they will be met with “fresh” criticism of their negative attitude towards IPL and read that he is revelling in his one-day retirement.It was a brazenly confident Pietersen who spoke to magazine three weeks before the Headingley Test that brought about his downfall – and as that magazine is published this week, with his picture on the cover, he may cringe in hindsight at his comments.Pietersen has since sworn allegiance to England in all forms of the game in a YouTube video, without his blandishments being returned, as England play hardball over what they regard as his disloyalty and disruptive influence.But that love of the English season was not apparent when he spoke to the magazine three weeks before a Headingley Test against South Africa where his behaviour deepened divisions between him and his team-mates and led him to complain that it was “tough being me” in the England dressing room.The magazine quotes him revelling in his enforced one-day retirement, referring to England’s abandoned third ODI against West Indies: “Hey, a game called off in Leeds or 35 degrees on a beach in Portugal? It’s a no-brainer.”Pietersen will find consolation in the fact that England’s director of cricket, Andy Flower, has also called for an IPL window, but even so his veiled criticism of the ECB’s hostile attitude towards the IPL will not please his masters.”Test cricket is right up there, most definitely,” he says, “but IPL and Twenty20 cricket is a matter of fact now. Every board has accepted it apart from the ECB, unfortunately. Some part of international cricket may have to give because the IPL is not going away. No one in their right mind would turn down the contracts I have been offered.”The implication, in his own words, that Pietersen is playing Test cricket largely to ensure his own brand awareness remains high will also leave England’s managing director, Hugh Morris, aghast as he determines whether Pietersen can be part of a united dressing room under a new captain, Alastair Cook.”The best players in Test cricket have got the best contracts in the IPL,” he says. “You know that’s where you build the brand.”Six weeks might have passed since he made those remarks, but when a new magazine is published, the words reappear as if they are still meant today. It is not about to make his negotiations any easier.

MCC has elected four new members to its main committee. Angus Fraser, John Barclay, Hugo Loudon and Robert Griffiths will take up their three-year positions on October 1.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-2012MCC has elected four new members to its main committee. Angus Fraser, John Barclay, Hugo Loudon and Robert Griffiths will take up their three-year positions on October 1.The four will replace Matthew Fleming, Charles Fry, Christopher Martin-Jenkins and Colin Maber, who will retire as elected members on September 30.”MCC will continue to be well served from October, with a committee intake that boasts an excellent amount of cricketing skills and expertise,” Oliver Stocken, the MCC chairman, said. “I look forward to welcoming everyone on to the committee in the autumn.”Former-England fast bowler, Fraser, is now managing director of cricket at Middlesex; Barclay played for Sussex for 17 years and is a former MCC president; Loudon, 33, is financial controller of BSkyB and, having played for Hampshire and Kent second XI’s, has been a regular player in MCC colours; Griffith is a practicing Queen’s Counsel and has been chairman of the MCC laws sub-committee since 2008.The new members become part of the 20-strong MCC vommittee, which comprises the president, the club chairman, six chairmen of committees and twelve elected members.

Offspinner Mark Craig spearheaded an incisive bowling performance from Otago, as they comprehensively beat Canterbury by 47 runs in the HRV Cup in Christchurch

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Neil Wagner picked up two wickets for just 11 runs•AFPOffspinner Mark Craig spearheaded an incisive bowling performance from Otago, as they comprehensively beat Canterbury by 47 runs in the HRV Cup in Christchurch.Craig got the crucial wickets of the Rob Nicol, Bradley Cachopa and Andrew Ellis, and eventually finished with 3 for 29, as Canterbury struggled to produce a significant partnership. Nicol top-scored with 31, but James McMillan, Neil Wagner and Ryan ten Doeschate picked up two wickets each, to prevent any of the other batsmen from settling, as Canterbury were bundled out for 121 inside 18 overs.Otago, put in to bat, were earlier propelled by a 29-ball 46 from Derek de Boorder, and his 70-run third-wicket partnership with Aaron Redmond, that helped them overcome an early wobble at the top. Redmond and de Boorder both departed in quick succession, but ten Doeschate added a late surge by racing to 35 off just 26 balls, to help Otago to a competitive 168 for 9 from their 20 overs.

Stuart Law, the Bangladesh coach, has said he was surprised by the removal of Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh captain

Mohammad Isam08-Sep-2011Stuart Law, the Bangladesh coach, has said he was surprised by the removal of Shakib Al Hasan as Bangladesh captain. Law, who joined the team in late July, has had a tumultuous start to his tenure with Bangladesh losing the one-off Test and the ODI series in Zimbabwe last month. Law said he was not consulted about the decision to sack Shakib and vice-captain Tamim Iqbal and that it had been taken not just based on the on-field performance of the team in Zimbabwe.”It was a surprise,” he said. “The cricket board has made a decision so we have got to run with it. I was not [consulted] but I was on leave, so I was not contactable at the time. The board has made a decision not just based on events in Zimbabwe but, from what I understand, some other ongoing situations.”The BCB had said there had been reports of indiscipline surrounding Shakib and Tamim which had been part of the reason for their removal. Shakib had always had an uneasy relationship with the board and selectors, having initially refused the captaincy and later questioned team selection more than once. Law, however, said Shakib and Tamim had the support of their team-mates. “I’ve observed that the Bangladesh dressing-room is no different than any other I’ve been involved in. Captain and vice-captain are basically the leaders of the group. They have the respect of the players and they dish out their respect as well.”What you guys have been told and what is being reported is far from the truth about what’s going on inside the dressing room. From what I’ve seen, they are a very disciplined bunch of boys. They enjoy a good time and they’re allowed to. We’re dealing with very young men in that dressing room and they should be given their chance to grow up.”Law also said the performance in Zimbabwe did have positives, since Bangladesh won the last two ODIs, and previously uncapped players Nasir Hossain and Shuvagoto Hom both impressed.”While we didn’t perform well in Zimbabwe, it steadily improved. We unearthed two youngsters who came in and did a great job. There’s a lot of positive things that came out. The feeling has definitely been good.”Bangladesh have not named a new captain yet, and Law believes it could be any one of “six people”. He said whoever the captain was would have the full support of the team and would find having Shakib around to be an advantage. “Cricket teams run themselves. It is the captain who makes the decisions but very rarely will he make it by himself. He’ll consult his players out there. It is great to have a guy like Shakib in your locker for advice in the field. That’s going to be a positive.”