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Fast bowler provides cutting edge on first appearance in seven months

Andrew Miller23-Sep-2022After nearly seven months on the sidelines, Mark Wood marked his return to international cricket with a searing display of matchwinning fast bowling in the third T20I at Karachi, but said that workload management remains his priority as England build towards the winter’s main event, next month’s T20 World Cup in Australia.England’s need for raw speed had been shown up in their chastening loss in the second T20I on Thursday night, in which Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan posted a world-record opening stand of 203 to seal the match for Pakistan by ten wickets. But even so, Wood was a surprise inclusion in England’s XI for the rematch 24 hours later, given that he underwent two bouts of elbow surgery this year, and had played a solitary club match for Ashington since withdrawing from England’s Test tour of the Caribbean in March.It was, however, a decisive selection, as Wood touched speeds close to 97mph/156kph in a display that impressed Pakistan’s own pace-bowling royalty, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, in the commentary box. His figures of 3 for 24 included the crucial early scalp of Babar, Thursday’s centurion, who was hurried by a savage bouncer in Wood’s first over before fencing his fourth ball to Reece Topley at deep third for 8.”You tend to be a bit fresh after seven months out,” Wood told Sky Sports afterwards. “It’s been a long time, and I felt very tired at the end. I know it’s only a T20, but it’s all the intensity of international cricket. But I’ll rest up and be good again, hopefully in the future. The challenge now is obviously to back it up. Can I keep those speeds going?”The revved-up atmosphere within the National Stadium was, Wood acknowledged, a big factor in his performance, as he charged to the crease with a real sense of occasion spurring him on. Haider Ali was blasted out by the first ball of his second over to leave Pakistan in disarray at 21 for 3, and when Haris Rauf flapped another short ball to cover at the death, he had proven the local adage “pace is pace yaar” remains a timeless one.”It was loud,” he said. “They are knowledgeable about their cricket here and very supportive. I don’t know if the cheers were for me or Babar or Rizwan, but they played really well the last game, so it was a big wicket to try and get them early doors. Toppers [Topley] bowled a fantastic over before I came on, and that allowed me to try and be a bit more attacking with my bowling.”I’ve got plenty to work on,” he added. “Today was a good day, but you know what it’s like when you haven’t played for a while, the adrenaline’s flying, it’s like you’re making your debut all over again. The crowd was flying. So the challenge for me is the next one, can I can I repeat that?”Babar Azam was given the hurry-up by Mark Wood•Getty Images

As to when Wood will repeat it, that remains to be seen. With England’s next match fast approaching on Sunday, it seems likely that he will sit that one out and continue his comeback in Lahore next week, given that the key date in his diary remains October 22, the start of England’s World Cup campaign, against Afghanistan in Perth, where his raw pace is sure to be a key asset in the attack.”My body feels okay,” he said. “I’ll probably live on an ice machine now. We’ll have a down day tomorrow, with not much on, and then get ready for the next game. I don’t know what the selection is going to be for the next game, or after that. What’s important for me is that I don’t want to go too hard now and then I’m not ready for Australia. I’ve got to peak at the right time, and then when it comes to that World Cup, I’m fit and firing.”I’m just a little bit tired,” Wood added. “It’s my first game in a while but actually I felt pretty good leading into it. I’ve done loads of time in the gym, lots of running, but nothing is the same as playing a game. So it was just a different intensity. But I’m absolutely fine.”Related

• Fast-bowling could be worry for Pakistan, England happy to continue experimenting

• Babar and Rizwan raise the volume to drown out the noise

• Stats – Babar, Rizwan rewrite record books with another massive stand

• Brook and Duckett sparkle before Wood fires England to big win

• More where that came from after Harry Brook makes his mark with maiden international fifty

It’s a much-changed team that Wood has walked back into, with Eoin Morgan retired, and a host of familiar team-mates missing for a variety of reasons, not least his fellow World Cup winners, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow. But, as Moeen Ali, England’s stand-in captain, said during the presentations, Wood remains a hugely valued member of the squad, both for his on-field impact and his presence in the dressing-room.And, given the stellar displays from Harry Brook and Ben Duckett on Friday, Wood was able to give the vibe within that dressing-room a vote of confidence, especially in the wake of such a crushing loss on Thursday.”I think it’s fantastic,” he said. “To be able to walk into a dressing-room, feel that freedom, speak your mind, it says a lot about the group, and culture of the group.”The other night, rather than being critical, we looked at what we thought we could do better. We just said ‘well played’ to those two guys, but I think we realised that maybe we could have bowled a few more short balls, or gone round the wicket with the left-armers. Just little things could we have done differently. It’s easy in hindsight, but that was the chat.”

Double-century stand with Luke Procter defies Lancashire attack at Old Trafford

Paul Edwards25-Jul-2023Sporting fashion is so contagious that every time a county has departed from cricket’s orthodoxy this season or sought to force the pace in a match, local commentators have sought to label it some variety of England’s current tactics. Lancashire have not been immune from this piffle – Chazball is a current favourite, even though Glen Chapple, their head coach, is about as funky as a saint’s sock-drawer. Nevertheless, even on a day when Northamptonshire enjoyed one of their best days of the Championship season, it should be noted that Jack Morley and Tom Hartley were bowling in tandem at 2.10pm this afternoon.It is rare enough for Lancashire to select two spinners for a first-class game but no one can remember the last time two twisters were operating together half an hour after lunch on the first day, certainly not at Old Trafford. That it should have been so was partly testament to the quality of a Test match wicket that was going to help the twirlers if anyone but today showed little deterioration on its fifth day of use and no ill-effects from 48 hours under cover. Principally, however, it showed how Lancashire’s marquee seamers, Tom Bailey and Will Williams, had been tamed by a slim opener from Bedford, Emilio Gay, whose classically correct strokeplay was to make our day memorable.By the time he was dismissed six overs before the close when attempting a tired drive at a ball from the excellent George Balderson, Gay had made 144, his fourth first-class century and one run short of his career-best. His languid drives between point and mid-on, mixed with secure defence, had also offered some confirmation of a talent that was blighted by a knee injury at the start of the season and then cursed by the worms of uncertainty that can slither into any cricketer’s head when he wonders if and when the next big innings is coming.So the impressive thing about Gay’s hundred today was that his batting reflected none of this self-doubt. Yes, he was to offer one chance, to Keaton Jennings at slip off Jack Morley when he’d made 60, but he took boundaries off both the new-ball bowlers and Balderson early in his innings and came into lunch unbeaten on 35 having played with the sort of care that threw the dismissals of his colleagues into shaming relief. Indeed, Gay had watched as Ricardo Vasconcelos and Justin Broad had both fallen to Balderson when they failed to execute well-chosen attacking strokes. Steven Croft at backward point and Morley at midwicket had gobbled up smart catches and Northamptonshire were 29 for 2. Ten overs later Sam Whiteman was stumped by Phil Salt off Morley when he came down the wicket to a ball that turned inside his drive. That left the visitors on 59 for 3 and we thought a familiar story was about to be told to travelling supporters tired of hearing the bloody tale.Instead, though, Gay was joined by his skipper, Luke Procter, who once plied his trade in these parts and has often reminded his old muckers of a talent they probably underestimated.True, Procter’s crouching stance at the wicket still recalls that of the ancient Private Godfrey in “The Test”, a cricket-themed episode of , and of course, Northamptonshire’s 35-year-old captain is becoming something of a veteran himself. Yet when his moons align, he remains a mightily effective cricketer, coming down the wicket to the spinners and transforming himself from an arthritic pensioner into a model of orthodoxyPerhaps more significantly here, however, he gave Gay precisely the sort of encouragement the 23-year-old needed as he progressed beyond fifty towards the century he would eventually dedicate to his recently deceased and much beloved Uncle Gladstone. The pair had put on 207 by the time Procter was pinned on the back foot for 75 by Will Williams, whose aggression and economy have been one of the features of a Lancashire season that has not been whelmed in triumph.All the same, elements of Gay and Procter’s achievement are unlikely to have prompted street parties in Wellingborough or Brackley. For example, this was only Northamptonshire’s third century partnership of the season and the pair’s achievement in batting through from lunch till tea gave the county their first wicketless session since May 2022. Jennings’ bowlers, meanwhile, can reflect that they allowed Northamptonshire to collect only their second and third batting bonus points of their year. But at least one more venerable and certainly more respectable landmark was reached. Gay and Procter’s 207-run stand is their county’s highest for the fourth wicket against Lancashire, beating the unbroken 158 put on by Mushtaq Mohammed and Jim Watts at Liverpool in 1972.But if this was an indifferent day for Lancashire’s cricketers, even less could be said for the county club or “Lancashire cricket” as some officials crassly like to compress it. All gates near the Metro station on Brian Statham Way were closed this morning, parking was limited and non-members were expected to sit square of the wicket, although this resulted in a group of splendidly stubborn souls invading A Stand and letting the devil take the consequences. Not for the first time, Lancashire’s arrangements for a first-class match at Emirates Old Trafford had been made with the Operations Team thinking what they could get away with rather than what supporters might reasonably require. An Ashes Test is a prized honour west of the Pennines but if the consequence of holding one is not giving a toss about the faithful folk who turn up through fat years and lean ones, loyal Lancastrians are entitled to be a tad thankful Australia will not play here again until 2031.

Scotland opener makes unbeaten half-century in straightforward chase

ECB Reporters Network02-Jun-2023Sarah Bryce starred with an unbeaten 67 as The Blaze booked their place in the Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-finals after easing past Northern Diamonds at Seat Unique Riverside by six wickets.The visitors required 130 to win after Nadine de Klerk and skipper Kirstie Gordon restricted the Diamonds with a fine bowling performance. Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored for the hosts, but their score was always under par on a ground with a quick outfield.Bryce took the attack to the Diamonds bowlers, using both power and guile to propel her team ahead of the required rate. She notched her first fifty of the competition and ended the contest unbeaten after scoring six four and three sixes. The Blaze can now prepare for their last four fixture, while Diamonds still have work ahead of them after suffering their first defeat.Diamonds won the toss and elected to bat in the bright sunshine at Chester-le-Street. The Blaze’s opening bowlers made life difficult for Winfield-Hill and Leah Dobson, restricting them to just one run off the first two overs as Grace Ballinger sent down a maiden.Winfield-Hill had trouble timing the ball in the early stages before finding her range in the fifth over, taking de Klerk for two boundaries. Dobson was given a life when she was dropped by Kathryn Bryce for 14 on the boundary, but the visitors still had control of the scoreboard as Diamonds mustered just 26 from the Powerplay.Gordon made the breakthrough as the drop proved costly as Dobson fell for 19. Hollie Armitage offered a semblance of power as she found the rope three times in a bid to up the run rate. Armitage provided the foundation of the innings with Winfield-Hill with a stand worth 47 before the Diamonds skipper was caught on the fence presenting Gordon with her second wicket.Related

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Winfield-Hill manoeuvred the hosts into a decent position after working her way to 40, but Sophie Munro ended her knock with her first ball of the innings. Bess Heath and Chloe Tryon added quick runs in the closing overs with 19 and 20 respectively, but de Klerk ensured the Diamonds couldn’t push towards 140 removing Heath before prising out Tryon and Lizzie Scott with the final two balls of the innings.The Blaze had no issues getting off to a strong start in their chase of 130. Marie Kelly put the pressure on the Diamonds bowlers from the off, scoring four boundaries to work herself to 19 before Scott produced an inswinger to prise out the opener.Sarah Bryce kept up the intensity and struck Katie Levick for the first two sixes of the game over long-on. She followed that with further sublime striking to take 16 off Scott’s third over, putting the visitors almost halfway to their victory target at the end of the powerplay. Bryce was in full flow at the crease, easily finding the gaps in the field.The 23-year-old notched her first fifty of the season from 30 deliveries, whittling down the required total. Abi Glen gave Diamonds a glimmer of hope by skittling Kathryn Bruce and Michaela Kirk in successive balls. De Klerk survived the hat-trick ball and with Bryce extinguished the hosts’ hope of a miraculous comeback. The Blaze cantered over the line, securing their win with 4.2 overs to spare.

Rain in Rawalpindi may impact the Test as well with the visitors leading 1-0

Danyal Rasool29-Aug-2024

Big picture: Pakistan in peril

Pakistan cricket, right now, isn’t exactly going through a golden era, but few expected the bloody nose Bangladesh gave them last week.For much of that Test match, Pakistan’s chief frustration appeared to be they would end up with a draw, a draw would inhibit their efforts, which captain Shan Masood bullishly talked up in the build-up, at having a real crack at reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Five days later, Pakistan would lose, and to add insult to injury, have half-a-dozen points docked for slow over rates, placing them ever so close to the bottom of the table. A home series defeat to Bangladesh would bring its own ignominy, which has little to do with whether they’re in the race to prove themselves the best Test side in the world. Bangladesh had, until last week, won just six away Tests in a quarter century of being Full Members, two against an enfeebled West Indies in 2009, and another two against Zimbabwe.Related

• Bangladesh's chance to build on Rawalpindi miracle

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• Are Shan Masood's days numbered?

• Nahid's rise gives Bangladesh a happy selection headache

• Shaheen Afridi left out of second Test against Bangladesh

Masood suddenly finds himself in a battle for the captaincy so soon after assuming it, having lost each of the four Tests he’s been in charge. While flashes of quality against Australia over the winter meant the overall result could potentially be overlooked in favour of a long-term plan, such forgiveness will not come if Pakistan drop a home series against Bangladesh. With a busy time ahead that includes the sterner challenges of England and South Africa, ensuring they avoid handing this Test trophy over next week remains the bare minimum for this red-ball side to retain credibility with its supporters.Bangladesh played the Rawalpindi Test at their own pace and won•Associated Press

That task is complicated by the weather in Rawalpindi once more. Rain forced the cancellation of practice sessions on the eve of the game, with more forecast for the first day. It has led Pakistan to hesitate before officially confirming a spinner for the Test, naming a 12-man squad with Abrar Ahmed and Mir Hamza both in contention. Masood pointed out Pakistan were the more proactive side last week, and with Bangladesh only needing a draw, his side will have to find a way to repeat that while also ensuring they get a better result.And what, really, can you say about the position Bangladesh have created for themselves? Najmul Hossain Shanto’s side outplayed as well as outthought the hosts, doing the basics right. Like making sure they had spinners in case they came in handy on the final day, which they did. Or not leaving runs out by declaring early owing to ultimately unrealised concerns it might rain, which it did not. They let Pakistan’s wobbles do the rest, and the ten-wicket win was as clinical as it was merited.There are more important things going on back home, but the uncomplicated joy of last week was as welcome as it was unexpected. This, remember, is not a vintage Bangladesh side, and did not come in saddled with high expectations. They came in last week, saw an opponent making unforced errors and didn’t interrupt them. They didn’t get sucked into playing fashionably aggressive cricket, or bullied into doing anything they didn’t want to do. They had no qualms about batting at under three runs an over for large parts of the first innings, and when Pakistan turned to declaration bowling, they simply didn’t decare.It secured Bangladesh arguably their greatest Test win, but they will know they need to hold off on wild celebrations for now. With one Test on the horizon and no clear signs Pakistan will be able to produce the pitch they want, all Bangladesh may need to do is pick up where they left off in the first Test. Pakistan must make all the moves, and as Bangladesh demonstrated, they are not going to be displaced too easily.Babar Azam’s recent form has been a big concern for Pakistan•Associated Press

Form guide

Pakistan: LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: WLLLW

In the spotlight: Babar Azam and Mushfiqur Rahim

Babar Azam’s slump aligning perfectly with the team’s nosediving Test form has been aggravating. Pakistan are used to dry patches and players out of form, but it isn’t quite obvious why this generation’s best batter is now struggling to achieve the big scores that came so easily to him. There isn’t a particular type of bowling or kind of shot that’s ailing him nor does he have other responsibilities now that he has been relieved of the armband. Babar fell to two basic unforced errors in the first Test, a squeeze down leg side and a drive without footwork doing for him. Home runs on flat surfaces against Bangladesh seemed like a no-brainer, and he now has one more Test to try and fix that.Mushfiqur Rahim played the role of the senior pro to a tee in the first Test. He used his strong defensive technique to good effect over the course of three partnerships that allowed the batters at the other end to operate with more freedom. Shadman Islam only opened up his repertoire in a 52-run stand with Mushfiqur, while Litton Das finally showed some form, after Mushfiqur allowed him to bat his way. Mehidy Hasan Miraz continued to shine with his batting mentor, playing out 178 balls in his innings. Mushfiqur continuing this role is bad news for Pakistan.

Team news: Taskin in, Nahid out?

Shaheen Afridi has been omitted from the squad for the second Test, with Abrar and Hamza part of the 12-member squad Pakistan have announced.Pakistan: 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Shan Masood (capt), 4 Babar Azam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Ali Agha, 8 Abrar Ahmed/Mir Hamza, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Mohammad Ali, 11 Khurram ShahzadMushfiqur Rahim tunes up for the second Test against Pakistan•PCB

Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is back fit, and should replace Nahid Rana. Having secured one of their greatest Test wins, Bangladesh are unlikely to make further changes.Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, 2 Zakir Hasan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 4 Mominul Haque, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Shakib Al Hasan, 7 Litton Das (wk), 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Shoriful Islam, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Taskin Ahmed

Pitch and conditions: Rain on the radar

Pakistan have made no secret of their desire for a pace-friendly wicket, though achieving it proved difficult in the first Test. There will be more than a tinge of grass on this new pitch, but monsoon rain lashed the city in the days since the end of the first Test. More rain is forecast during the game.

Stats and trivia: Babar’s slump

• Mushfiqur, who was named Player of the Match in the first Test, is the only Bangladesh player to have taken part in all seven of his nation’s away Test wins
• Since the start of 2023, Babar averages 21.15 in 13 Test innings with a highest score of 41

Quotes

“We’re loathe to make a decision [on who to play] purely on over rates. Our over rates were poor in the first Test and unacceptable. We need to be better and get through our overs quicker. Our opposition like to call for gloves and drinks at very regular intervals so we need to be mindful of that but we can’t control that. What we can control is our energy levels and making sure we’re getting through our overs as quickly as possible.”

Heat, who beat Sixers in last season’s final, moved up to fifth with their point

AAP03-Jan-2025Rain was the only winner as the BBL game in Coffs Harbour between top-of-the-table Sydney Sixers and defending champions Brisbane Heat was washed out without any play.The game was abandoned just over an hour after it was scheduled to start.The point apiece for the no result put Sixers three points ahead of second-placed Perth Scorchers, who were scheduled to play Sydney Thunder later on Friday.Heat, who beat Sixers in last season’s final but lost to them in Brisbane last week, moved up to fifth with their point.Rain had fallen over the north coast venue for several hours.At one stage, it appeared to have almost ceased, but it intensified and forced the abandonment of the game to the disappointment of the several thousand fans who arrived at the ground.Michael Neser had been scheduled to make his comeback from an hamstring injury suffered almost two months ago while playing for Australia A. Heat had also named wicketkeeper Tom Alsop in their squad, with the England Lions representative poised to make his season debut.Heat, who had lost three games straight before Friday’s washout, will next play Thunder in Brisbane on Monday. Sixers, who suffered their first loss in their last start after winning their first four, face Melbourne Stars at the MCG next Thursday.

Bangladesh still trail by 42 runs after their batting struggled again

Associated Press27-Jun-20223:41

Holding lauds Roach’s ‘great achievement’ of 250 Test wickets

Kemar Roach reached the landmark of 250 Test wickets as West Indies dominated the third day of the second test with Bangladesh fighting to avoid an innings defeat.Bangladesh was reduced to 132 for 6 in its second innings at stumps on Sunday and still trailed the hosts by 42 runs at Daren Sammy Stadium.Roach took the first three wickets to finish the day on 3 for 32 in 10 overs and move to 252 wickets in his 73rd test for West Indies. Bangladesh opener
Tamim Iqbal was caught behind to give Roach his 250th wicket.Roach is now the sixth-highest test wicket-taker for West Indies. Another quick, Courtney Walsh, tops that list with 519 wickets in 132 matches.Roach went on to dismiss opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Anamul Haque to leave Bangladesh struggling on 32 for 3.Najmul Hossain Shanto is the top scorer so far for Bangladesh in its innings with a 91-ball 42. He was also caught behind off Alzarri Joseph.West Indies earlier resumed on 340 for 5 – thanks to a chanceless and unbeaten 126 from allrounder Kyle Mayers – and extended its overnight lead of 106 to 174 after being dismissed for 408 in the first innings.Mayers was dismissed by Khaled Ahmed after moving on to 146, caught by Shoriful Islam. Mayers’ innings included 18 fours and two sixes. Khaled took 5 for 106.Play was called off for the day at 5.30 p.m. local time after heavy rain.Bangladesh scored a sub-par 234 in the first innings. West Indies won the first test in Antigua in just over three days, by seven wickets.

Injury-ravaged WA hope to overcome the loss of Cameron Bancroft while a settled Tasmania side are buoyed by their recent results at the WACA

Tristan Lavalette20-Mar-20241:21

Inglis: Finding it easier now to move between formats

As Western Australia captain Sam Whiteman stepped up for the media conference on Wednesday ahead of the Sheffield Shield final, he undoubtedly knew the barrage of questions headed his way.A bombshell broke late on Tuesday that WA opener Cameron Bancroft was ruled out of the final against Tasmania after a bike accident left him concussed. It continued a season of adversity for WA, who are striving for their first hat-trick of titles since the late 1980s.Not even the iconic WA team of the 1990s, filled with a slew of players who ended up being Test greats, managed the feat. Only Victoria from 2015-17 have won three in a row during the past 20 years.Related

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It’s obviously something rare and very difficult to achieve as WA can attest to in an injury-hit season. Frontline quicks Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris and Matt Kelly have only played five Shield matches between them and none of them will be available for the final.Having rejuvenated his red-ball career with a century in last season’s final, Ashton Turner has not been available since knee surgery in December.Cameron Green played only two matches, while Mitchell Marsh did not feature in domestic cricket at all this season given his heavy international workload across the formats.WA have often looked worn down and below their best – echoes of Perth Scorchers’ disappointing BBL season – but they found a way to overcome the obstacles and finished the season in peak form with a mishmash of players, unexpectedly clinching a home final with a victory over Victoria at the Junction Oval last week.Jordan Silk and Sam Whiteman pose with the Sheffield Shield trophy at King’s Park in Perth•Getty Images

“It’s been a challenge to get to this year’s final. Last year was pretty much in a straight line, but this year it’s been do or die the last three weeks,” Whiteman said on Wednesday.There’s a gag going around social media that a WA second XI might be the next-best team in the Shield. Of course, that can never be proven, but WA’s depth of talent and their fringe players stepping in seamlessly have them on the cusp of another title.”We’ve used 22 players this year, and I think every one of those players has done their role for the team,” Whiteman said. “You need to get a whole squad to win a Shield. I think that’s the strength of this group.”While WA broke a 23-year title drought in 2022, a triumph here would be the “most satisfying” for Whiteman, who is on the brink of becoming a three-time Shield-winning captain. WA would also become the first team to win a hat-trick of titles in the Shield and Marsh Cup concurrently.”If we get the job done this week, it’s something we can look back on and be really proud of, ” he said. “Leaves a really strong legacy for this group.”Before the media conference started at King’s Park, a popular place for tourists to take photos of Perth’s picturesque surroundings, the burly Shield trophy was already in position for the cameras. Those walking by barely gave it a second glance apart from a person purportedly the relative of a former Test player, who wandered by to take a photo of the trophy.Amid a cool morning breeze, a nod to the changing of seasons in Perth, it was a reminder that the final will be played in relative anonymity in the AFL-mad city.But in Tasmania interest in the match should be high as the Tigers look to end an 11-year drought. George Bailey and Ricky Ponting were their talismen the last time they lifted the trophy, but their star with the bat was Jordan Silk, who as a 20-year-old frustrated Queensland with 108 off 358 balls as Tasmania secured the draw needed at home to clinch their third title.James Faulkner, George Bailey and Ricky Ponting were playing the last time Tasmania won the Sheffield Shield•Getty Images

“I just reflected on it myself. It was really special,” said Silk, who is the only member of that XI playing in this final. “I was really only in the team for a couple of weeks and found myself winning.”So it certainly means a lot more if we win this week because of the journey that I’ve been on and also for a lot of our guys who have been around for quite a while.”With few international players in their squad, Tasmania have enjoyed continuity and were in the box seat of a home final until a final-round slip-up against South Australia at Bellerive Oval.It seemed a costly defeat, with Tasmania faced with the daunting task of the long journey to Perth and confronting WA, who have only lost three matches at the WACA since the start of 2021-22.But one of those defeats was to Tasmania, who also drew a high-scoring match earlier this season on an uncharacteristically flat WACA surface. The pitch in the final is expected to be bowler-friendly although perhaps not as spicy as seen at the WACA since that Tasmania match in October.”We’re really confident in our ability at the moment. I think we’ve strung together a really solid first-class season. The guys should take belief out of that,” Silk said. “We’ve beaten teams on the road this year, and we’ve got a good record in Perth, so we take a lot of confidence from that.”Tasmania will also have the added motivation of Matthew Wade’s red-ball retirement, while they might be able to ride the wave of a sports frenzy bubbling away in the island state. The JackJumpers, their basketball team, are in the NBL grand final while Tasmania’s first AFL team was launched earlier in the week.”It’s been a really good week for Tassie sports,” Silk said. “Hopefully we can add a little bit to that this week. That will be really special.”

Alex Lees, Michael Jones score half-centuries while Graham Clark hits six sixes in 47 off 52

ECB Reporters Network06-Apr-2023New coach Ryan Campbell has pledged that his Durham team would adopt a front-foot approach in the LV= Insurance County Championship and there was early evidence of their intent against Sussex. On a placid pitch at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove, they rattled along at five throughout an absorbing day after being put into bat, closing on 352 for 7 from 70 overs.Michael Jones and Alex Lees laid the foundations with 142 for the first wicket when play began at 1.30pm after morning rain. And although Sussex fought back with seven wickets after tea, Durham maintained their aggressive approach, not least when Ollie Robinson, on his debut following his winter move from Kent, and Graham Clark smashed 61 in eight overs for the fifth wicket.How Sussex could have done with their own Ollie Robinson leading the attack. Instead, Sean Hunt and Henry Crocombe, who took 33 wickets between them last season, shared the new ball and neither they nor the other four bowlers new captain Cheteshwar Pujara had employed by the 22nd over could make much headway against Lees and Jones.Lees may realise that his only way back into the England Test team will be through a more aggressive approach and he needed just 55 balls to bring up his half-century with a pull off Crocombe that brought him a ninth boundary. Jones was a bit more cautious, taking 90 balls for his fifty.So it was a surprise when left-armer George Garton, in his first Championship appearance since last May, found a gap between bat and pad to bowl Lees for 79 in the 29th over. There was little respite for the Sussex attack though, as 6ft 7in Championship debutant Ben McKinney shaped up well. The 18-year-old left-hander, who captained England Under-19s during the winter, found the boundary with his first three scoring shots before hoisting Hunt over long-on for six to bring up the 200 in the 40th over.McKinney (35) was foxed by Crocombe’s slower ball, which he drove to mid-off, and Durham lost their third wicket when David Bedingham was beaten by a lovely away-swinger from Australian Nathan McAndrew, who was making his Sussex debut.Jones had provided the ballast in the innings until he mistimed a pull off Crocombe and spliced a catch to Jack Carson, running round from midwicket, having hit 14 fours in a shade under four hours.Sussex tails were up, but Robinson and Clark counter-attacked with some eye-catching blows. Clark got off the mark by hooking Garton for six before depositing him onto the pavilion roof two balls later. Robinson uppercut Crocombe for six in the next over before Clark took two more sixes off Garton in his next over.Garton, still finding his way back with the red ball after two injury-ravaged seasons, was withdrawn and it proved a shrewd move by Pujara. Offspinner Carson did not get a lot of turn, but he did offer control and broke the stand with a low return catch off Robinson’s firmly-struck on drive.No one epitomised Durham’s approach more than Clark, who hit six sixes in his 47 before McAndrew, Sussex’s most effective seamer, returned down the slope and found enough late inswing to pin him lbw and then had Jonathan Bushnell caught on the boundary to claim his third wicket.Even Brydon Carse, who has only hit ten sixes in his first-class career, cleared the ropes before close, one of ten sixes in the innings so far.

“Just the ability to be together, the connections that you make with your older child, it’s amazing.”

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Mar-20242:11

Moody: Kohli showed all his gears

Virat Kohli, after his match-winning 77 against Punjab Kings at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, opened up about his two-month break when his wife Anushka Sharma gave birth to their second child. Kohli missed India’s home Test series against England as he and his family spent time away from the country.”We were not in the country. We were at a place where people were not recognising us. Just time together as a family, just to feel normal for two months,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “For me, for us as a family, it was a surreal experience.”Of course, having two kids, things become totally different from a family perspective. So just the ability to be together, the connections that you make with your older child, it’s amazing.”I mean, I couldn’t have been more grateful to God for the opportunity that I got to spend time with my family.”Kohli spoke about how he enjoyed not being treated like a celebrity.”And yeah, just the place that we were in, I was telling the guys that when we came back, the voices back home felt that much louder,” he said. “I couldn’t look up because I was just not used to being called my name for two months. And then immediately you hear these loud noises and then you’re back in it all again.”But it was beautiful. It’s an amazing experience to just be another person on the road and not be recognised and just carry on about life that normally people would on a daily basis,” he said.Kohli also spoke about the love he gets from the RCB fans, especially in Bengaluru, having played for the franchise since the inception of the IPL.”It’s been going on for years and you know, people talk about a lot of other things when you play sport. The achievements, the stats, the numbers. Look at the end of the day when you look back you’re not going to think of the numbers and the stats. It’s the memories that you create,” Kohli said, before citing the Indian team head coach Rahul Dravid. “Famously Rahul in the change room nowadays says exactly the same to us. When you play, you play your heart out because you’re going to miss these times when you’re with your friends in the change room playing in front of fans.”So the relationship that’s happened organically over so many years it’s something that I can never ever forget. Just the love and the appreciation and the backing I’ve received for so many years that’s been amazing.”Kohli, however, knows that he has to make changes to his game to keep up with the ever-evolving nature of T20 cricket.”Well I mean you have to [make additions to your game],” he said while speaking about stepping out to fast bowlers and hitting them over cover, as opposed to playing the grounded cover drive that he is so famous for.”People know I play the cover drive pretty well so they’re not going to allow me to hit gaps and with guys like KG [Kagiso Rabada] and Arshdeep [Singh] as well, he’s tall. So, I mean, if they’re hitting length, you have to create some momentum in the ball.”And once you’re closer to the ball, you kind of negate the bounce that’s going to happen. You meet it earlier.”So, I mean, you have to come up with a game plan here and there and try to keep improving your game,” Kohli said, before issuing a friendly reminder.”I know my name is nowadays quite attached to just promoting the game in many parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. But, I’ve still got it, I guess.”

Ameen top-scored for Pakistan with an unbeaten 84 but they could only finish with 166 for 9

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2023A record opening partnership for Bangladesh in women’s ODIs set up their series win in the final game of the tour against Pakistan. The right-left combination of Fargana Hoque and Murshida Khatun added 125 for the first wicket, setting Bangladesh on course for their 167-run chase at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.It took an unbeaten 84 from opener Sidra Ameen for Pakistan to crawl to 166 for 9 in their 50 overs. On a slow surface, Bangladesh employed only six overs of fast bowling from Marufa Akter, operating with spin for the rest of the overs to pin Pakistan down.Ameen hit only three fours in her knock and finished with a strike rate of 58.74. She added 65 for the opening wicket with Sadaf Shamas (31 off 61 balls) but Pakistan failed to string partnerships in the middle order. While the opening part took 116 balls for their stand, the second-wicket stand between Ameen and Muneeba Ali was worth 28 off 70 balls.From 93 for 1, Pakistan could never quite find the momentum and finished with a low total. All of the middle-order batters were out for single digits and only Diana Baig – batting at No. 9 and scoring 11 off 9 – scored at a strike rate in excess of 100. Nahida Akter once more was the tormenter-in-chief, finishing with 3 for 26 in ten overs.Bangladesh’s reply was a slow but steady one. Both Hoque and Murshida had strike rates in the fifties but they never let Pakistan in the game. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu then struck twice in two overs to dismiss the openers. But captain Nigar Sultana once again exuded calmness and finished the chase off in the company of Sobhana Mostary.It was the third ODI series win for Bangladesh over Pakistan, but the first time in a bilateral series of three matches. Pakistan had won the opening contest before Bangladesh got back with a Super Over win in the second ODI.Pakistan continue to be second on the ICC Women’s Championship table while Bangladesh are placed sixth. But only three points separate the two sides.