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AB de Villiers played a crucial cameo as Royal Challengers Bangalore won the battle against Super Kings’ army of spinners in a low-scoring Ranchi encounter

The Report by Siddarth Ravindran18-May-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
7:42

Prasad: Mohit better choice than rusty Hussey

Why did MS Dhoni go with David Hussey for the final over? That’s the question IPL fans will be asking after a gripping low-scoring encounter on a spinning Ranchi track went down to 10 off the final over.The ball was turning square, and Dhoni had three options: legspinner Samuel Badree, who had figures of 3-0-15-0, Mohit Sharma, who has been one of the standout bowlers of the tournament, and Hussey, who had no playing contract and was part of the IPL commentary team till last week. This was also Hussey’s first game since March, he has bowled more than one over only once in his previous 14 Twenty20 matches, and had conceded 25 in his two overs on the day.Still, Dhoni went with Hussey, perhaps wanting the ball to turn away from the main remaining threat, Yuvraj Singh. Dhoni has famously made unconventional bowling choices towards the end of an innings to conjure victories, but this was not one of those occasions. Yuvraj mowed the first ball over wide long-on for six, and the game was effectively over. With four needed off five deliveries, it was too little for Super Kings to play with. Abu Nechim clubbed a boundary to long-on to complete the game off the penultimate delivery.Despite making only 138, Super Kings looked to be in control of the game for most of the chase. R Ashwin was outstanding with the new ball, giving away only three in three overs as he repeatedly made Chris Gayle look clueless. He would have sealed the game in the 15th over had he pouched an overhead chance off AB de Villiers at extra cover.De Villiers was yet to get off the mark then, and the asking-rate was over 10 – perhaps par for the course for Twenty20s, but incredibly tough on this surface. On a track where even Gayle and Virat Kohli struggled to get the ball away, de Villiers was at ease, pummelling the ball to all parts as he scored at a strike-rate of 200. Three sixes in successive overs had brought the asking-rate down to a run-a-ball, but de Villiers went for another big hit in the 18th to perish and leave Yuvraj the job of hitting 14 off the final two overs.There was drama as Yuvraj missed three deliveries from Ravindra Jadeja in the 19th, to leave 10 for the final over. Hussey was given the responsibility, but he couldn’t pull it off.He hadn’t looked at ease with the bat either, after coming in following a rare early fall of Super Kings’ openers. Suresh Raina and Hussey, however, put on 75 for the third wicket as Super Kings seemed set for their patented formula of bludgeoning the bowling in the second half. Though Raina went on to make 62, there was to be no bludgeoning as first the spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Yuzvendra Chahal stifled the batsmen, before Abu Nechim and Mitchell Starc did the same at the death. Dhoni, dismissed only once in his previous seven innings, fell for 7, and there were no boundaries in the final four overs as Starc and Nechim profited by bowling a full length.The result isn’t too much of a blow for Super Kings, who are still almost certain of making the playoffs, but was huge for Royal Challengers as it kept them alive and hoping.

AB de Villiers has predicted a stream of South African success at major tournaments which he hopes will start next month at the Champions Trophy

Firdose Moonda30-May-2013AB de Villiers has predicted a stream of South African success at major tournaments, which he hopes will start next month. The ODI captain did not remember that his countrymen captured the inaugural Champions Trophy but is confident they can claim the last and many others after that.”We haven’t won an ICC trophy yet even though we are the No.1 Test team in the world but I’ve got a feeling there are a few to come in the next few years” he told Dutch radio NOS in Amsterdam, where the South African squad have set up camp. “We are just going to have to wait patiently. We are doing the small things right. The work ethic is there, the talent is there and the belief is there, so we’ve just got to go out there and give it our best shot.”De Villiers is the first member of the South Africa group to make public the team’s real expectations of the Champions Trophy, after Gary Kirsten played down their chances on their departure. As suspected, South Africa have every intention of discarding their chokers’ tag in England and are feeling the heat as the event gets closer.”There is always some pressure,” de Villiers said. “We are a very talented cricketing nation and we understand there are some responsibilities in performance. We would love to say we are just going to go and enjoy it but it’s more complicated than that. We’ve got to win some big games and we would love to win the trophy. I think we are preparing in the right way.”In an attempt to replicate the success on last year’s Test tour of England, when South Africa claimed the Test championship mace, Kirsten has taken the squad to Amsterdam. They met up with explorer Mike Horn and did a cycle and canoe tour of the city before getting down to the business of net sessions.Wet weather has not dampened South Africa’s plans. Despite 42mm of rain falling on Wednesday night, the groundstaff was able to dry the surface sufficiently for practice to get under way as planned at 10am on Thursday. That was the last training session before an ODI against the Netherlands tomorrow, the first of two warm-up matches before the tournament starts.The fixture against the Netherlands is a particularly important one because it will be the first time in 67 days that South Africa will take the field as a team. It will also be the first opportunity for nine of their squad to get game time after a break of almost two months.JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis (both because of injury), Rory Kleinveldt, Hashim Amla, Robin Peterson, Aaron Phangiso, Farhaan Behardien, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Colin Ingram have not played any cricket since the end of the South African season. The rest will be relied on to bring “match intensity,” Kirsten said. De Villiers, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Ryan McLaren were in action at the IPL and while Alviro Petersen played in England.While much of the focus has been on the batsmen, and the middle order in particular, South Africa will also want their quicks to find their rhythm quickly. Both Kleinveldt and Peterson expect the tournament to be more of a bowler-headlined spectacle because of the time of year, the conditions and the opposition.”I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a few low scoring games,” Kleinveldt said. “I watched the Test and saw Jimmy Anderson swinging it. There should be plenty for the bowlers.”And Peterson believes South Africa’s bowlers in particular will benefit. “Dale and Morne looked really impressive in the IPL.” he said. “With two new white balls and India and West Indies in our group, we can do well. Their batting line-ups tend to dominate more on subcontinental surfaces.”Steyn and Morkel may be rested for the Holland match so South Africa can ensure all parts of their machine are working as they should be before they head to England. But they also know they will not be able to get away with a below-par performance against a much lower-ranked team.They’ve done their homework on the Dutch. Netherlands batsman Stephan Myburgh is a former schoolmate of de Villiers’ and the brother of Johann Myburgh, who played for the Titans in South Africa before moving to New Zealand.”I know Stephan from the age of nine,” de Villiers said. “I am very happy for him that he got his chance to play international cricket, I am very proud of the fact that he did that because I know that was always a dream of his. He probably didn’t get his break in South Africa and he couldn’t find a way into the Titans.”He was quite young when he took a chance to come over here and saw opportunity to play international cricket and took it with both hands. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” he said. “Back home competition is quite tough and he just didn’t get his chance when he was young. You never know, if he stuck it out for a few more years… but he will be proud of the fact that he is playing international cricket and I am proud he has achieved that.”Coming up against a former countryman who has crossed borders is not new to South Africa and it has ensured they see familiar faces almost everywhere they go. That may be one of the reasons de Villiers said the squad “could not have asked for a better place to prepare before the big tournament.” Next week will be an opportunity for them to show whether the effort paid off.

Ryan Harris’ recovery from shoulder surgery has consumed his BBL campaign, as the highly regarded fast bowler strives to be considered for Australia’s 2013 Test tours

Daniel Brettig10-Dec-2012Ryan Harris’ recovery from shoulder surgery has consumed his BBL campaign for the Brisbane Heat, as the highly regarded fast bowler strives to be considered for Australia’s 2013 Test tours of India and England.Having undergone rotator cuff surgery in August, Harris had originally hoped to be fit in time to take part in Australia’s home Test series against Sri Lanka, starting on Friday in Hobart.But a careful recuperation process has taken longer than first thought, first ruling him out of any cricket before Christmas and now extending into the BBL phase of summer. While Harris has returned to the bowling crease, he is yet to deliver a ball at full pace or off his long run, and it has been decided that he is better off not rushing back for Twenty20 duty.”It’s disappointing because I am pretty close but to push now might not turn out to be the best thing for longer term,” Harris said. “Everyone agrees that I will be best suited to come back with Toombul in club cricket first up in January and then aim to be considered for the first Queensland games after the BBL.”I’ve been feeling pretty good in the nets so far, and while I’m not bowling off the full run-up or at full pace, I’m very positive about getting up to that level soon.”James Hopes, captain of the Bulls and the Heat, was hopeful that Harris’ conservative approach would reap benefits at the international level in the new year.”I pushed myself too hard with a knee injury last year for the first half of the BBL,” Hopes said. “I was fortunate enough to be able to take stock and opt for a less aggressive recovery schedule that got me back fit and well in time for the remaining Shield and one-dayers, and that’s what we’re going to do with Ryano.”He is bowling really well at this stage of his recovery, but it would have been unfair to throw him back into a BBL game and expect him to go full tilt from the outset. This is the best thing for him and will give him plenty of playing time for Queensland and allow him to build a case for the Australian tours to India and England.”I’m firmly convinced that with his bowling skill set, he is comfortably in the ranks of the best Test bowling line-up that Australia can field.”When fit, Harris is greatly valued by Australia’s captain Michael Clarke and the national selectors for his combination of swing, speed and accuracy. His bowling was a key plank of Australia’s series win in Sri Lanka in 2011, utilising a skidding, wicket-to-wicket method that will be suited to India.Beyond that lies the trip to England for the first leg of dual Ashes series.

Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges, Hilton Cartwright and Josh Nicholas all scored half-centuries as Western Australia crawled along on the second day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Mar-2016
ScorecardFile photo: Adam Voges scored another half-century•Getty ImagesShaun Marsh, Adam Voges, Hilton Cartwright and Josh Nicholas all scored half-centuries as Western Australia crawled along on the second day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the Gabba. At stumps on day two, the Warriors were 8 for 337, with Cartwright on 68 and Nicholas on 53, and their lead had gradually grown to 190 runs.The Warriors had started the morning on 2 for 66 and they proceeded to do their best to bat Queensland out of the match, the Bulls needing to win to claim a place in the Shield final. Voges made 52 from 145 deliveries and Marsh made 74 from 168, as Queensland struggled to string wickets together.Legspinner Mitch Swepson and fast bowlers Jack Wildermuth and Peter George picked up two wickets each. Queensland had been skittled for 147 in their first innings on day one.

Sachin Tendulkar was thrilled that Mumbai Indians finally won their first IPL title

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2013Sachin Tendulkar was thrilled that Mumbai Indians finally won their first IPL title, after beating Chennai Super Kings in the finals. Tendulkar, who has been with Mumbai for all six years of the IPL, announced his retirement from the IPL moments after his team was crowned champions.”I have waited for this for six years and six years is a long time.” he told the IPL website. “But it’s never too late. This has been an outstanding season for us; we have thoroughly enjoyed every moment with each other. It’s been really solid. The goal for this season was to win the trophy and I am glad that we have been able to do that.”Tendulkar captained Mumbai the last time they reached the finals in 2010. He was also the tournament’s leading batsman that season, as his team topped the league table. “It was good to reach the final [in 2010] but this year we made it till the end.” he said, “Whoever is the captain, it doesn’t matter as long as we lift the trophy. That is what you play for and Sunday was that moment.”Tendulkar, who did not feature in the playing eleven that won the trophy after tendon damage to his wrist, was overjoyed with Mumbai’s achievement. “It’s a different feeling to get your hands on that trophy and I can’t wait to celebrate with the team. We’ve really worked hard for it. After two and a half months of sheer hard work we have been able to win this trophy. It’s a wonderful feeling.”It still remains to be seen whether he has played his last game for Mumbai or whether he will represent them in the Champions League T20.

A round-up of IPL news from April 23

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2014 Pietersen poised to make first appearance
Delhi Daredevils are likely to receive a much-needed boost, as Kevin Pietersen, the team’s captain, is expected to recover from a finger injury and make his first appearance of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.”I’m going to hopefully be back in the next game after I train well for a week. I have trained a couple of days, but it hasn’t been an ideal start going into this tournament,” Pietersen told “I had good practice for a couple of weeks in London, but then hurt myself and have had three weeks off. I just need another good week of training and then I’ll be back.”With two heavy defeats at the hands of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, Daredevils currently languish near the bottom of the table with the worst net run-rate among the eight teams. To compound their woes, their seamer Nathan Coulter-Nile suffered a hamstring injury against Super Kings and according to the stand-in captain Dinesh Karthik, could be “out for some time”. Pietersen, however, remained optimistic of the team’s chances.”I want all the guys in the team to know that there is no pressure. I want all the players to relax and play to the best of their ability. Another important thing for me as a leader is that the guys train well. According to me, the training should be so thorough and intense that the game-day becomes easier.”Pujara wants to mould his style on Kallis
Kings XI Punjab batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has accepted his limitations as a T20 batsman and wants to mould his style on Jacques Kallis, as a steady accumulator. The opening batsman, whose IPL experience was limited to only 24 matches over four seasons before the current edition began, says he is “getting better and better” in the T20 format.”I cannot be flamboyant like [Glenn] Maxwell or [David] Miller, but I can always be a Jacques Kallis who plays proper cricketing shots, but can still score runs at a good strike-rate,” Pujara told . “My way of hitting may be classical where you try and time the ball.”In Kings XI’s successful chase of 192 against Rajasthan Royals, Pujara batted through the innings to make 40 off 38 balls, while Maxwell and Miller batted at frenetic pace to achieve the target. Pujara made a relatively quicker 35 off 32 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday and the innings left him “satisfied”. When questioned about his strike rate, Pujara said the presence of big hitters in the team has allowed him to play within his limitations.”My role in the team is to stick at one end. I intend to rotate the strike and hit the boundaries as and when it is possible. I am opening the innings and I have to be ready to hit the ball from ball one or the very first over. The job becomes a bit difficult, but with time and few more matches, I will get better. I am getting better with each passing day.”Made too many mistakes against Maxwell – Moody
Sunrisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has said his team paid the price for letting Kings XI Punjab’s Glenn Maxwell off the hook as many as three times during his imposing 95 off 43 balls in Sharjah on Tuesday. Maxwell had offered two chances at long-on early in his innings. When on 4, a mis-hit fell short and later in the over, on 11, David Warner spilled a sitter in the same position. When on 62, Maxwell was caught at deep midwicket, but unfortunately for the Sunrisers, the bowler Darren Sammy had overstepped the crease.”It is the nature of the game that we make mistakes at times and, unfortunately, we made three against the wrong batsman and ended up chasing 40 runs extra which in these conditions, is unrealistic,” Moody said. “When a wonderful striker like Maxwell, who is in incredible form, is dropped twice in one over and is caught off a no ball, he is going to hurt you.”Moody said Sammy’s no ball was unfortunate because the plan was to bowl a back of a length slower ball to tempt Maxwell to slog, with a fielder in the deep. Sunrisers slumped to their second defeat in as many games after they collapsed to 121 in pursuit of 194. Moody however backed the top order comprising Warner, Aaron Finch and Shikhar Dhawan to fire.”It is not the ideal situation to be two down. We would rather be two up, but we have a world-class top-order who have proven themselves over time. I am absolutely confident that our top-order will fire and win us games.” Bailey looks to improve fielding Kings XI Punjab could not have begun the season any better, moving to the top of the table with three successive wins on the back of some powerful hitting from Glenn Maxwell and David Miller, but the captain George Bailey believes that the team are yet to peak and could do with improving their fielding.”I’m pleased with winning. I still don’t think we’ve played a real good strong all-round game as yet,” Bailey said. “We’ve batted well throughout and our bowling was good tonight but I don’t think we’ve fielded to our potential yet. Just want to be realistic, there is still a long way to go in the tournament and a lot can happen.””There have been quite a few dropped catches here (at Sharjah). The problem has been that whenever the ball goes high in the air in night games, there is no back drop. That makes it extremely hard to pick up the ball how it’s coming down. Plus, there is a bit of pressure of dropping the catches too. I’m sure things will pick up.”Bailey also saved special praise for his left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, who has picked up four wickets from three games.”For a young guy, he’s doing a fantastic job. Not to forget his fielding too, he took a sharp catch today,” he said. “He is only going to get more confident. We really back his batting abilities too. We see a fantastic cricketer coming out in him.”

A round-up of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy games that ended on November 9, 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Nov-2013Group IIPacer Mir Hamza’s maiden first-class ten-wicket haul ensured Karachi Whites held on to an innings and 140-run victory over Quetta in Karachi. The win cements their place at the top of the Group II table in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and gives them a 13-point lead over second-placed Multan.Karachi Whites batted first, and despite being at 76 for 3 at one point, were able to rally around through the efforts of captain Asif Zakir (85) and Wajid Ali (46). Karachi Whites eventually reached 250, despite pacer Faizullah’s maiden five-wicket haul of 5 for 49, which was ably supported by Gohar Faiz’s 3 for 74.Quetta’s innings started horribly, with Hamza in sensational form. Quetta were in all sorts of trouble at 13 for 5 as Hamza plucked out the first four batsmen, before adding No. 6 batsman Naushad Irshad to his tally to get 5 for 16 in just eight overs. Only Mohibullah crossed double figures as Quetta folded for just 45 within 19 overs.With a lead of 205, Karachi Whites asked Quetta to follow on, and with the first innings collapse still fresh on the batsmen’s minds, they were unable to supersede the effort in their second innings. Once again Hamza wreaked havoc, dismissing four of the top five batsmen in an almost eerie reflection of the previous innings. Taimur Ali and Taimur Khan were able to cross double figures, with Ali top-scoring with 31. But the Quetta failed to resist the Karachi White bowlers, specially Hamza, who finished with match figures of 16-5-25-10. Shahzaib Ahmed provided notable support with figures of 3 for 10 as Quetta were bundled for a paltry 65.Group IFast bowler Zohaib Shera’s maiden ten-wicket haul gave Karachi Blues’ an innings and 107-run victory over Lahore Ravi, which pushed them up to second place on 16 points in Group I, just behind group leaders, Rawalpindi, who are ahead by three points. After being put into bat, Karachi Blues were off to a shaky start, with the top three falling for insignificant scores.From 51 for 3, Abdul Jabbar and Ashraf Ali began to consolidate their position, adding 54 runs for the fourth wicket. A 64-run stand for the sixth wicket began to give Karachi Blues hope as their lower order posted meaningful contributions to take the side to 285. Bilawal Iqbal ended up with best figures of 4 for 62, ably supported by Aleem Yousuf’s 3 for 76.In reply, Lahore Ravi started off rather badly, with Karachi’s opening bowlers Zohaib Shera and Rajesh Ramesh running through the top and middle order to leave them at a precarious 39 for 6. Jahangir Mirza fashioned a captain’s knock scoring 55 off 82 balls, but the rest of the batsmen were unable to post significant scores. Lahore Ravi crashed to 115, with Shera finishing on 5 for 36, while Ramesh chipped in with 3 for 32.Lahore Ravi were asked to bat again, and their response was even starker than their first innings. Shera once again ran through the order, and picked up another five-wicket haul, with Waqar Anwar doing almost equal damage with 4 for 28. Lahore Ravi could only muster 63 as the batsmen folded meekly.

Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has branded the end of the Investec Ashes “totally unsatisfactory” and called upon the ICC chief executive to change the regulations regarding bad light

George Dobell at The Oval25-Aug-2013Giles Clarke, the chairman of the ECB, has branded the end of the Investec Ashes series at The Oval “totally unsatisfactory” and called upon the ICC chief executive, David Richardson, to change the regulations regarding bad light at the earliest opportunity.A full house crowd booed the umpires after they led the players from the pitch with England requiring 21 more runs from the final four overs of the match.It was a disappointing end to a dramatic final day that had seen 447 runs scored, 17 wickets taken and Kevin Pietersen score the fastest half-century by an England player in Ashes history after a bold declaration from Australia and a sustained run-chase from England.Set 227 to win in 44 overs, England appeared to be on the brink of the win that would have secured a record-breaking 4-0 victory – a score line they have never achieved in an Ashes series in England – before the umpires intervened.It left Clarke fuming. While he understood that the umpires had little choice but to end play – the ICC playing regulations state that they are obliged to take the players from the field once the light has dropped to the level it had been when deemed unfit for play earlier in the match – he felt there should be some flexibility to respect the requirements of a spectator sport.”It’s totally unsatisfactory the way the game ended,” Clarke said. “The rules are clearly unacceptable and I expect David Richardson to change it at the next ICC chief executives’ meeting.”Tempers also become frayed on the pitch. With Australia sensing that the game was slipping away from them and their fielders struggling to pick-up the ball, captain Michael Clarke brought his concerns to the attention of the umpires.When the umpires attempted to take light meter readings out of sight of Clarke, Aleem Dar seemed to gently push the Australian captain away. It left Clarke unimpressed.”I remember Aleem touching me and I asked him politely to not touch me because if I touched him I’d be suspended for three games,” Michael Clarke said. “That’s all I can really remember. I just know a player is not allowed to touch an umpire. But for me personally, I have absolutely no issue with it at all.”The umpires took the players off the pitch on the second day of the game due to bad light. At the time they took a reading on their light meters which, in accordance with ICC regulations, set a precedent for the rest of the game. Whether the light on either day could be considered to have suggested an “obvious and foreseeable risk to the safety of any player or umpire, so that it would be unreasonable or dangerous for play to take place”, as the regulations currently state, is debatable.Michael Clarke, at least, felt the light was considerably worse by the end of day five than it had been at the end of day two. He also felt it was worse than when the umpires had led the players from the pitch in Manchester when Australia were in the dominant position.”There was no comparison,” Clarke said. “I don’t think I’m going to get into the numbers but I remember seeing the reading when I got told we had to go off in Manchester and I stood in the middle of the wicket today and there was a big difference. But for us, we just have to go on the umpire’s call. If they think it’s safe to keep playing then we keep playing.”I just asked the question: why we haven’t got the meter out here? It took a few overs to get it out. Just going on what’s happened in the past through this Test series, you know around that time is generally when it’s getting close to when the umpires have consistently taken us off the field.”Alastair Cook, the England captain, also expressed his empathy with the umpires. While he was naturally disappointed to be denied a memorable win, he admitted it has become “pretty dark”. He also credited Australia for an enterprising declaration that had set-up a highly entertaining final day of the series.”It would have been nice to finish the game off,” Cook said. “But rules are there for a reason. It was pretty dark and the umpires have strict guidelines. If the boot had been on the other foot, we would have asked the same questions as the Australians.”Of course we understand the frustration. It’s a shame for an amazing crowd. But you can also see the other side of it. We understand the rules and regulations. The umpires have to take emotion out of the game and do their job. They have to be consistently fair to both sides.”It is disappointing to be sitting here when we felt we could have scored those runs in the final four overs, but I understand the umpires’ decision.”

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo are “happy” again in the United States with Inter Miami after enduring “hell” at Paris Saint-Germain.

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Argentine struggled to settle in FranceHas gone chasing the American dreamYoung family feeling settled in FloridaWHAT HAPPENED?

Brazil international Neymar has claimed that he endured a nightmare in the French capital alongside his former Barcelona and PSG team-mate. Messi walked away from that situation in the summer of 2023 when becoming a free agent, with the decision taken to go chasing the American dream.

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He has become a star attraction in the U.S., with his every move being followed closer than ever, but he is feeling settled in Florida alongside his wife and three children. The Sunshine State is considered to be a perfect fit for the Messis, as they embrace a more relaxed way of life in an area of the world with a large Spanish-speaking community.

WHAT CEA SAID ABOUT MESSI

Messi has been visiting the Prima Pasta restaurant in Miami for several years – helping to make that outlet famous – and owner Gerry Cea has told of why the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has his smile back: “Leo is always super cool. His family has been coming for the last 12 years. He’s always so relaxed, always smiling. Never a problem. Just a very cool person. It was a release to win the Copa America and the World Cup. Leo had so much pressure inside of him all of these years. And now he’s in Miami. The Messis love summer. I was talking to Antonela, and yes they’re new here, but being close to Argentina and the summer weather in Miami…that’s why they’re happy.”

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

Messi helped Argentina to Copa America glory in 2021, bringing his long wait for senior international silverware to a close, and he has gone on to lift the Finalissima trophy and World Cup at Qatar 2022. He inspired a historic Leagues Cup win for Inter Miami within weeks of his arrival in the States – making him the most-decorated player of all-time – and has more honours in his sights for 2024.

Warwickshire welcome back Ian Bell and Chris Woakes for NatWest Blast T20 Finals Day, but there is no place in their 15-man squad for Jonathan Trott.

George Dobell22-Aug-2014Warwickshire welcome back Ian Bell and Chris Woakes for NatWest Blast T20 Finals Day, but there is no place in their 15-man squad for Jonathan Trott.Dougie Brown feels Jonathan Trott’s game is more suited to the longer formats than the modern T20•Getty ImagesWhile Trott set a T20 record aggregate for the most runs in a 10-match qualifying campaign in 2009, he has played very few games in the format since 2010. And while Warwickshire’s director of cricket, Dougie Brown, feels that Trott’s form is returning to somewhere near its best, he felt the shortest format of the game had moved on since the last time he played.”Trotty hasn’t played a lot of T20 cricket over the last five or six years,” Brown said. “And when he did play it was a dramatically different game.”His game is more suited to 50-over and four-day cricket, going towards ODI and Test cricket. Whether he would feature in a T20 side for England I would probably doubt, but clearly he has vast experience in all formats of the game but you can only pick XI and you’ve got to make that call.”Trott actually made his international debut in T20 cricket in 2007. But having played just one T20 match in 2011, he did not play again until June of this year when he was in the early days of his return from a stress-related illness. He struggled for fluency in the two matches he played – including a 38-ball innings of 39 against Worcestershire – and has since been restricted to List A and first-class cricket.Trott has scored three centuries – two in the Royal London Cup and one in the County Championship – since July 21 but, despite Warwickshire lacking one of their overseas players – Shoaib Malik – and reflecting on the news that their club captain, Jim Troughton, has been forced to retire with a back injury, Trott still missed out to younger men such as Scotland’s Freddie Coleman and 22-year-old Jonathon Webb.”T20 is a very skilful game,” Brown explained. “I’m not saying he’s not an extremely skilful player. But if you’re looking at having players who play 360 degrees – the likes of Laurie Evans and the new breed like Coleman and Webb, who can play all sorts of different, inventive shots – is that Trotty?”I think he’s happy playing four-day and 50-over cricket. He’s a great player. A proper player. He’s a world-class player when he’s at his best and I reckon he’s getting back to somewhere close to that.”Bell, meanwhile, has not represented Warwickshire in this format since 2010, and accepts he lacks match-practise in T20 cricket. But he is relishing the opportunity to represent the side he supported as a boy at Finals Day on his home ground.”It’s not always easy for us England players to come back and take the place of people who have been doing well for the club,” Bell admitted. “But we’re desperate to play as much as we can for Warwickshire.”Days like this are great. They are the ones you remember when you finish playing and the ones you want to be part of.”As an England player, you hardly get the chance to play T20. And if you don’t get picked by England in T20, you don’t play for anyone. I went through a period when I just didn’t play any. You need to play T20 regularly to know where you are and your game-plan.”At the start of the season, when it was announced the games would be on Friday nights, I thought I’d play more. But I’ve probably played less. It’s been hard to do.”Warwickshire also welcome back fast bowler Boyd Rankin from a hamstring injury, but are without Keith Barker, who has an elbow injury but is expected to play the next Championship game, and Chris Wright, who has a stress fracture and will not play again this season.