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Somerset slump to 55 for 7 before salvo of late hitting takes them past west country rivals

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2022Roelof van der Merwe was the match-winner as Somerset recovered from a shock start to win a rain-affected Vitality Blast clash against arch-rivals Gloucestershire by three-wickets (DLS) at Bristol.After the visitors had won the toss, Miles Hammond smote four sixes off the opening over of the game, bowled by Tom Lammonby, on his way to making 29 off just 12 balls. By the time rain interrupted play after five overs, Gloucestershire had raced to 61 for 1. A resumption at 8.45pm saw the game reduced to ten overs per side and the hosts went on to post 101 for 5.Somerset’s revised target was 112. They slumped to 55 for 7 before van der Merwe hammered an unbeaten 48 from 15 balls, with four sixes and four fours, to see them to an unlikely victory with three balls to spare.It was an extraordinary end to a game Gloucestershire had dominated. With a very short boundary on one side of the ground, the last thing Somerset could afford was to bowl too straight from the Ashley Down Road End. Left-arm seamer Lammonby erred in that respect and saw his second, third, fifth and sixth deliveries effortless lofted over the leg side by left-hander Hammond.Hammond and James Bracey took the score to 46 off 3.5 overs before Josh Davey made a breakthrough, having Hammond caught at short third man off an edged drive. Bracey was undeterred, taking a boundary off Siddle’s opening delivery of the fifth over, which also saw new batsman Ian Cockbain strike two fours.When rain sent the players off, Bracey was unbeaten on 21 from 14 balls. He added only a single to his score before being caught at cover off a leading edge in the first over of the resumption, bowled by left-arm spinner van der Merwe.Somerset opted for spin at both ends. Lewis Goldsworthy’s first ball was dispatched for a straight six by Cockbain, who fell to the second, caught at deep cover to leave Gloucestershire 72 for 3.Jack Taylor hoisted Goldsworthy for another straight six. But van der Merwe completed two canny overs for 14 and when Glenn Phillips skied a catch to wicketkeeper Tom Banton off Lewis Gregory, Gloucestershire were 90 for 4. Gregory’s over cost just five runs. The final one was delivered by Ben Green, who sent back Taylor, caught at deep midwicket in conceding only a further six.Now it was Gloucestershire bowling with a wet ball. David Payne used it to good effect, having Banton caught a short third-man off his second delivery in an opening over costing eight. When Rilee Rossouw was caught in the deep attempting to pull Josh Shaw over the longer square boundary and Tom Abell tamely cut Zak Chappell to backward point, Somerset were 15 for 3 in the third over.Will Smeed skied a Shaw full toss to be caught on the leg side and Gregory drove Benny Howell to long-on where Hammond took a fine diving catch.Lammonby had quickly cleared the ropes twice, the second time with an audacious reverse scoop off Shaw. But when he tried to reverse sweep Tom Smith and guided the ball straight to extra cover it was 50 for 6. Smith accounted for Green in the same over. But van der Merwe kept things interesting by hitting the left-arm spinner for 6-6-4, in the eight over.Somerset needed 27 off the final two. That became 12 off the last when van der Merwe hit Payne for a six and a four.Ryan Higgins, bowling for the first time in the innings, saw his first ball swept for four by van der Merwe. The second, a slower delivery was dispatched over deep square for six and the third through the off side for four.

Fifties from Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah, and the all-round brilliance of Rashid Khan, consigned Zimbabwe to a 146-run loss

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAFP

Fifties from Javed Ahmadi and Rahmat Shah, and the all-round brilliance of Rashid Khan, powered Afghanistan to a 4-1 series win in Sharjah. Their margin of victory – 146 runs – was their second highest in ODI cricket. Their biggest had come in this series as well, in the first game.After opting to bat, Afghanistan had a steady start with Ahmadi and Rahmat putting on 129 for the second wicket following the early dismissal of Mohammad Shahzad. Their partnership contributed 54% of Afghanistan’s total. Ahmadi was particularly fluent against spin, scoring 55 runs off 53 balls. Rahmat hit Chisoro for 30 runs off 23 balls but Sikandar Raza had him slicing a catch to long-off for 59. Rahmat ended the series as the top-scorer with 272 runs in four innings at an average of 68. Three overs later, Ahmadi was run out for 76 off 87 balls. From 142 for 1, Afghanistan slumped to 177 for 7. Rashid’s 29-ball 43, though, hauled the team to 241 for 9.In reply, Zimbabwe collapsed to 95 all out in 32.1 overs with only two of their batsmen passing 20. Rashid took 3 for 13 to finish as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 16 wickets, at an outstanding average of 7.93.Brendan Taylor (27) and Craig Ervine (34) rebuilt the chase briefly with a 46-run stand, before Zimbabwe imploded. They lost their last eight wickets for 23 runs with 16-year old Mujeeb Zadran, Shapoor Zadran, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid sharing the spoils. Rashid took three wickets in six balls to wrap up the tail.

The full statement of the former Zimbabwe captain on how he was allegedly approached by corruptors in late 2019

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jan-2022″To my friends, family, supporters and wider public.”I’ve been carrying a burden for over 2 years now that has sadly taken me to some very dark places and had a profound effect on my mental health. And I’ve only recently managed to start sharing my story with close friends and family and receive the love and support I guess I was too ashamed and frightened to seek in the first place.”This may not make for comfortable reading but I would like to make a statement regarding a finding made by the ICC, which is soon to be released.”In late October 2019, I was approached by an Indian businessman requesting that I attend India to discuss sponsorships and the potential launch of a T20 competition in Zimbabwe and was advised that I would be paid USD 15,000 to make the journey.
I can’t deny I was a little wary. But the timing was such that we hadn’t been paid for 6 months by Zimbabwe cricket and it was questionable whether Zimbabwe would be able to continue playing in the international arena. So I made the journey. The discussions took place, as he had said, and on our last night in the hotel, the businessman and his colleagues took me for a celebratory dinner.”We had drinks and during the course of the evening they openly offered me cocaine, which they themselves engaged in, and I foolishly took the bait. I’ve gone over it a million times since and still feel sick to my stomach reliving that night and how they played me.”The following morning, the same men stormed into my hotel room and showed me a video taken of me the night before doing cocaine and told me that if I did not spot fix at international matches for them, the video would be released to the public.”I was cornered. And with 6 of these individuals in my hotel room, I was scared for my own safety. I’d fallen for it. I’d willingly walked into a situation that has changed my life forever.”I was handed the USD 15,000 but was told this was now a ‘deposit’ for spot fixing and that an additional USD 20,000 would be paid once the ‘job’ was complete. I took the money so I could get on a plane and leave India. I felt I had no choice at the time because saying no was clearly not an option. All I knew was I had to get out of there.”When I returned home, the stress of what had taken place severely impacted my mental and physical health. I was a mess. I was diagnosed with shingles and prescribed strong anti-psychotic medication – amitriptyline.Related

• 'I didn't know how to do life anymore': Brendan Taylor's biggest battle

• How Brendan Taylor got into a fix

• Brendan Taylor banned for three and a half years for failing to report approach without delay

• Brendon Taylor says he failed drug test after his final international game in September 2021

• Brendan Taylor says he faces ICC ban for delay in reporting approach

“The ‘businessman’ wanted a return on his investment which I could not and would not give. It took me 4 months to report this offence and interaction to the ICC. I acknowledge this was too long of a time but I thought I could protect everyone and in particular, my family. I approached the ICC on my own terms and | hoped that if I explained my predicament, my genuine fear for our safety and wellbeing, that they would understand the delay.”Unfortunately, they did not, but I cannot feign ignorance in this regard. I have attended many anti-corruption seminars over the years and we know that time is of the essence when making reports.”I would like to place on record that I have never been involved in any form of match-fixing. I may be many things but I am not a cheat. My love for the beautiful game of cricket far outweighs and surpasses any threats which could be thrown my way.”As a result of approaching the ICC I attended multiple interviews and engagements and was as honest and transparent as I could be during their investigations. Inside and outside I was beating myself up and I still wish I had sought support and advice earlier for a multitude of reasons.”That being said, the ICC are taking the decision to impose a multi-year ban on my international cricketing career. I humbly accept this decision and only hope that my story will be used as a means of encouragement for cricketers to report any approaches early.”I will admit that the past two years have been incredibly challenging, both personally and professionally, and it is from absolute rock bottom that I am trying to climb out of this mess I made.”My family and friends have been incredibly supportive of me and it is clear to me now that I have a much bigger problem which for some time has needed addressing.”And so, I would also like to let you know that on Tuesday the 25th of January I am checking into a rehabilitation centre to get clean and to get my life back on track. I have to tell my story now because I know people will want to hear from me. To try and understand what led to this point. But for many weeks I will be away and trying to get better.”l owe it to myself and to my family to get clean and to put them first. I have let a substance take control of me and impair my vision, my morals and my values and it is time that I prioritise what really matters.”I also hope my story inspires someone who hears it, to get the help that they need. I had not realised that coming forward and talking would give me so much relief from the hell I have found myself in for years. Drugs and narcotics do not discriminate and it took all that I have to admit that I have a problem.”To end I need to let you know I am sorry for those I have hurt. I am sorry for those I have let down.”I would like to thank my family, my friends and my supporters for always being there. I have learnt the true meaning of loyalty.
The greatest honour that can be bestowed, is to captain and represent ones country and for this, l am eternally grateful.”I am also grateful for what this experience has taught me. I am grateful for my four beautiful children, my loving and supportive wife, my health and the clarity I now have to want to be a better version of myself.”Brendan Taylor.”

Both sides were still mulling the balance of their attacks as rain hit the build-up

Alex Malcolm03-Mar-2022

Big Picture

Australia’s arrival in Pakistan for their first Test tour of the country in 24 years has been billed as a momentous occasion for world cricket and it is certainly important. However, they are the sixth nation to tour since 2019 and the fourth to play Test cricket behind Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and South Africa.It is perhaps just as significant that Australia have not played Tests overseas since mid-2019, due to the impact of Covid, prior to Pakistan’s first home Test in a decade against Sri Lanka. Since then, Australia have had 14 Tests at home while Pakistan have only played five at home and 12 away. Pakistan have won seven of their last eight Tests including two at home against South Africa early last year. Australia are coming off an Ashes series where they thumped England 4-0, with Sydney’s rain the only thing preventing a whitewash.Australia are at full strength but outside of Usman Khawaja, David Warner and Steven Smith, the rest of the batting group has very little first-class experience in Asia. Pakistan are missing some key contributors from the side that was very successful in 2021 with Abid Ali still recovering from a heart problem, while Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Haris Rauf are all absent at least for the first Test.Australia look stronger on paper but that could be neutralised in the conditions and with a very limited preparation. They only arriving in Pakistan at the start of the week and rain wiped out their last training session on Thursday.Related

• Australia, depleted Pakistan prepare for dive into the unknown

• A chance for Pakistan cricket to make the most powerful off-field statement

• Cameron Green's international education gets first overseas test

• Nathan Lyon: 'My mindset is to win 3-0 in Pakistan'

• Mohammad Wasim Jr in line for Test debut as Pakistan ponder five-man attack

Form guide

(Last five matches; most recent first)
Pakistan WWWLW
Australia WDWWW

In the spotlight

Shaheen Shah Afridi looms as one of the key men in this series and he will have to shoulder the load of leading the attack without Hasan alongside him. He was the leading quick bowler in Test cricket during 2021 with 47 wickets at 17.06 and has faced Australia before in two Tests in Australia where he bagged just five wickets for the series as Warner and Marnus Labuschagne plundered four scores of 150 plus between them in two Test matches, with Warner making 335 not out in Adelaide. But Shaheen is now far more experienced and Australia showed some vulnerability against the pace of Mark Wood in the Ashes. Late left-arm swing at high pace either with the new or old ball could rekindle memories of Wasim Akram.Steven Smith was Bradman-esque on Australia’s last overseas Test series in the 2019 Ashes and he also starred on the 2017 trip to India, scoring three centuries in a four-Test series. However, since facing England in 2019 he has averaged 36.86 from 14 Tests and is coming off a home Ashes series where he passed 30 just twice in eight innings and failed to make a century. The batting surfaces were challenging during that series and he will likely enjoy the pitches in Pakistan far more. But his latest concussion is also another concern having not faced fast bowling in the nets until two days ago since he knocked himself out in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. If Australia are to succeed in the subcontinent over the next 12 months they will need large contributions from Smith. He will want to make an early statement.Shaheen Shah Afridi will be vital to Pakistan’s attack•AFP/Getty Images

Team news

Pakistan have a lot to ponder. Firstly one of Shan Masood or Imam-ul-Haq will open alongside Abdullah Shafique in the absence of Abid Ali. The absence of Ashraf upsets the balance and the damp weather on Thursday has left them weighing up the extra bowler or extra batter. If they go for the former, it could mean a Test debut to Mohammad Wasim Jr.Pakistan (possible) 1 Shan Masood/Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Azhar Ali, 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Mohammad Wasim Jr, 8 Nauman Ali, 9 Sajid Khan, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Naseem ShahAustralia’s top seven is settled but Pat Cummins said they are debating whether to play three quicks or two spinners and will wait for the toss although the extra pace bowler would seem the likely option. There were some questions over which three quicks it would be, but Scott Boland is likely to miss out with the return of Josh Hazlewood. Australia did not confirm which of the two back-up spinners is in the frame. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson has long been the understudy to Lyon and the likely man to partner him but Ashton Agar’s left-arm orthodox is tempting for the selectors if the surface is slow.Australia (possible) 1 Usman Khawaja, 2 David Warner, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Pat Cummins (capt), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood

Pitch and conditions

The pitch was under covers on Thursday with rain preventing both sides from training but they got a good look at it on Wednesday and it appeared flat and excellent for batting. The cooler weather in Rawalpindi also means the surface is unlikely to break up. In the last three Tests played here since 2019, the fast bowlers have been very successful. The forecast is good for the opening day but rain could be a factor later in the game.

Stats and trivia

• Since Test cricket returned to Rawalpindi in 2019, Shaheen has the most wickets at the venue taking 12 at 19.83 just ahead of Hasan Ali with 10 at 11.40 in the only Test he played there.
• In seven Tests against Pakistan, David Warner has made 1084 runs at 108.40 with five centuries and two fifties. Only one of those centuries has come outside Australia though, in the UAE in 2014.
• Australia faced Pakistan in the UAE in 2018, but the last Test they played on the subcontinent was in September 2017 against Bangladesh. Darren Lehmann was the coach, Smith was captain and Australia played one fast bowler, three spinners and two allrounders.

Quotes

“There could be times when the scoreboard is only ticking over at two runs an over and for our batting group we’ve just got to be prepared to bat and bat and bat. If there are certain stages where you feel it will speed up be brave enough to take on those opportunities.”
Pat Cummins on Australia re-learning the rhythms of playing Test cricket on the subcontinent“We know the significance of Australia coming to Pakistan and we are excited about it. They are one of the best sides in the world and we can’t take them easy. They are quite an experienced side and we have planned accordingly so there will be good cricket.”

Sarel Erwee is the favourite to make his debut at No. 3 for the visitors

Firdose Moonda15-Feb-2022

Big picture

The biggest rivalry in global rugby – between All Blacks and Springboks – is not mirrored in world cricket but Dean Elgar and Tim Southee think it could be. Last week, they both spoke of the “great rivalry” that exists between their two cricket sides but you’d be forgiven for thinking they’re simply talking things up.Historically, the cricketing match-up between South Africa and New Zealand has been quite one-sided. South Africa have dominated these encounters – pre- and post-readmission – and won 13 of the 16 series they’ve played against New Zealand, who have not emerged victorious from any. All told, New Zealand have only beaten South Africa four times in 45 Tests but the teams meet so infrequently that perhaps these numbers don’t really matter.They last played against each other five years ago, in 2017, and South Africa could consider themselves fortunate to have got away with a 1-0 series win after the weather saved them in the third Test in Hamilton. Only four members of the current South African squad – Elgar, Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada – played in that series and they have since undergone an overhaul, mainly in administration but also in personnel, and can finally have the foundations of a rebuild.New Zealand may slowly find themselves in a similar position. Ross Taylor has retired, Kane Williamson’s elbow injury has sidelined him, Neil Wagner is in his mid-30s, and Southee and Trent Boult are not far behind. So far, their transition appears to be going smoother than South Africa’s did but that doesn’t mean they can capitalise too much on the schadenfreude.Related

• Four rare occasions when New Zealand won a Test against South Africa

• NZ call up Tickner, Fletcher for first South Africa Test; Rutherford, de Grandhomme recalled

• Covid-19 puts Keegan Petersen out of South Africa's Test tour of New Zealand

South Africa have won three of their last four Test series, including a come-from-behind win against India. There is depth in their squad and talent in the provincial pools, and despite head coach Mark Boucher’s disciplinary hearing hanging over the squad, they seem to be getting on with things in a clinical way. There was even little to no complaints about the ten-day quarantine they had to serve in New Zealand, though Rassie van der Dussen expressed hope it would be the last time they had had to travel under such strict restrictions. South Africa were allowed to train, which has given them more time to acclimatise to conditions, not least because both Tests will take place in Christchurch.If they thought batting would be easier than it has been at home, they’re probably wrong. This has been built up as a contest of the quicks with 14 seamers sprinkled across both squads. As was the case during South Africa’s series against India, it may not be about big runs as much as it is about crucial partnerships, strong temperaments and small margins.There are important incentives to do well for both teams though. New Zealand are the current holders of the Test mace and ranked No. 2, so beating them would arguably rank higher for South Africa than their recent success against India at home. It would also strengthen South Africa’s position on the World Test Championship points table. New Zealand, meanwhile, dropped points against Bangladesh and they visit England and Pakistan later this year, so they need to bank all the home points they can.

Form guide

New Zealand WLLDW (last five Tests, most recent first)
South Africa WWLWW

In the spotlight

This is the first time South African born batter Devon Conway will play against his former countrymen. Conway is from Johannesburg and played for teams in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, so he will be familiar to many in the current South Africa squad but should not expect things to be too friendly. Elgar said the team “doesn’t see him as South African anymore” and will treat him like any other member of the opposition. “Once you walk over that white line, it is all business, irrespective if he is your friend or not,” Elgar said. Still, South Africa would have been thinking about Conway and his “purple patch”, as Elgar called it, as they identify key players in the New Zealand side. Conway’s Test career is only five matches old but he has already scored three centuries, including a double-hundred at Lord’s, and averages close to 70.Aiden Markram averages 26.47 in his last 19 Tests•AFP/Getty Images

In six innings against India, Aiden Markram scored only 76 runs at an average of 12.66, which means he now averages 26.47 in his last 19 Tests. South Africa have opted to stick with him on reputation, talent and white-ball form, but Markram must know the pressure is on to perform. Sarel Erwee is in the squad and likely to bat at No. 3 in Keegan Petersen’s absence. A good series for him could force Markram into the margins unless he matches up with runs of his own. While Markram’s ability has never been in doubt, this series could be a decisive one in the immediate future of his Test career.

Team news

Coach Gary Stead confirmed New Zealand’s top five will see Conway continue to occupy the No. 3 spot and Henry Nicholls move up to No. 4 in place of the now-retired Taylor. That could create room for an allrounder at No. 7. Having gone for a four-pronged specialist pace attack at this venue in the past, Stead confirmed New Zealand will adopt the same strategy and Matt Henry will replace Trent Boult, who is on paternity leave.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Tom Latham (capt), 2 Will Young, 3 Devon Conway, 4 Henry Nicholls, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Tom Blundell (wk), 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Kyle Jamieson, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Neil Wagner, 11 Matt HenrySarel Erwee is the favourite to make his debut at No. 3 ahead of Zubayr Hamza or Ryan Rickelton. Though he is an opening batter, he has been travelling with the South African side over the last year and Elgar has thrown his weight behind giving Erwee an opportunity. Though Maharaj didn’t bowl much during the India series, South Africa are usually reluctant to go without a spinner, which could see him keep his place. Should South Africa dispense with Maharaj, they may look to Wiaan Mulder or one of Glenton Stuurman or Lutho Sipamla for an extra seam-bowling option.South Africa: (probable) 1 Dean Elgar (capt), 2 Aiden Markram, 3 Sarel Erwee 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Temba Bavuma, 6 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Kagiso Rabada 10 Duanne Olivier, 11 Lungi Ngidi

Pitch and conditions

Expect pace and bounce on green tops for this series with very little in it for the spinners. That’s the view of van der Dussen, who called the Hagley Oval surfaces similar to the ones at the Lincoln University, where South Africa have been training. “The wickets look very green and very grassy but the surface underneath is quite hard so it makes it quite consistent in terms of bounce and pace,” he said. New Zealand have assessed the pitch as similar to the one on which they played Bangladesh earlier this year, where New Zealand scored 521 for 6 and bowled Bangladesh out for 126 and 278.After persistent rain in the build-up, the weather mostly cleared in Christchurch. Days will be sunny and mild, with temperatures in the early 20s but there is a 90% chance of rain on the third day.

Stats and trivia

• The last time New Zealand were without both Taylor and Williamson was in January 2008, against Bangladesh. They have played 117 Tests since.
• Markram needs 100 runs to reach 2000 Test runs.

Quotes

“They’re a quality side. They’ve come off beating India in South Africa a couple of weeks ago. They’ve got classy players throughout. While they lack experience, they’re a different team from what we’ve seen in the past, we cannot underestimate them.”
“The teams of the past have been really successful over here. The conditions favour seam bowling, and that might be a reason for that. It’s a proud record to be part of. It’s different in this series. They’ve been really successful over the last two years. They’ve played a lot of cricket at home. They know their conditions well and they are quite suited to it.”

Sikandar Raza’s 31-ball 45, Ryan Burl’s three-wicket haul in vain for Zimbabwe

Firdose Moonda11-Jun-2022
Zimbabwe began their final preparations for next month’s T20 World Cup Qualifier with a six-wicket loss to Afghanistan, in the opening encounter of a three-match series. With only one partnership worth more than 30 runs, Zimbabwe posted a middling score of 159 for 8, but almost turned into something more competitive than it looked. Ryan Burl’s 3 for 14 gave them a chance of defending the total, but an 83-run opening stand and Najibullah Zadran’s unbeaten 44 secured victory for Afghanistan, with four balls to spare.In the absence of Sean Williams, Zimbabwe’s batting continued to look thin, with only two of their batters scoring more than 30. Wessley Madhevere, who was one of those, survived the loss of Innocent Kaia, his opening partner, to share a second-wicket stand of 30 with captain Craig Ervine. The pair was in a good position to lay a solid foundation for Zimbabwe but Ervine became debutant Nijat Masood’s first victim when he offered the medium-pacer a return catch off a leading edge.Madhevere and Regis Chakabva took Zimbabwe into the ninth over before Madhevere was bowled by Rashid Khan, to spark a collapse. Zimbabwe lost 3 for 33, which left it to Sikandar Raza and the lower order to finish strongly.Raza top-scored with 45 but gave Masood his third wicket when he cut him behind square where Hazratullah Zazai took a good catch at short third-man. Masood finished with 3 for 39, successful but expensive and it was Rashid Khan who was more economical with figures of 1 for 21 in his four overs.Related

• Madande, Muzarabani, Myers back in Zimbabwe squad

Afghanistan took control of the chase through their openers. Zazai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz put on 83 in the first ten overs, which included 44 runs in boundaries. They were stopped in successive balls when they tried to take on Burl. Gurbaz was caught off a leading edge and Zazai at long-on before Usman Ghani edged to the keeper, as he tried to sweep, to leave Afghanistan on 86 for 3 in 11 overs.Four boundary-less overs followed and as a result Afghanistan’s required run-rate crept above 12 an over. They needed 61 runs off the last five overs and 54 off the last four before Blessing Muzarabani’s penultimate over cost 26 runs as Zadran plundered 16 runs off the first three deliveries, which included a no-ball. Luke Jongwe pulled things back when he bowled Darwish Rasooli in the 18th over, which went for 10. Tendai Chatara delivered the 19th, which also cost 10 and set up a tense finish.Muzarabani returned to bowl the last over, and had seven runs to defend, but Zadran took two off his first ball and swung the second over square leg to seal the win with a six.

Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans will be among the bidders

Nagraj Gollapudi13-Jan-2023At least eight of the 10 men’s IPL franchises will be bidding to own teams in the Women’s IPL. The BCCI is set to announce the winning cities along with the franchises when it opens the sealed bids on January 25.ESPNcricinfo has confirmed that Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and defending IPL champions Gujarat Titans will be submitting bids. The two remaining IPL franchises – Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants – did not confirm whether they had bought the tender document and whether they would enter the bidding for the five-team Women’s IPL, which is scheduled to be launched in March.Related

• Healy – 'Women's IPL is going to change women's cricket for the better'

• Disney Star, Viacom 18, Zee among potential bidders for WIPL media rights

• Inaugural Women's IPL auction in February

• Women's IPL franchises to be unveiled on January 25

• BCCI invites 'reputed entities' to bid for women's IPL teams

The IPL teams are not the only entities to have bought the tender document, which the BCCI put on sale from January 3. Interested bidders have until January 13 to submit questions, with January 23 the deadline to submit the technical bids for evaluation, which the BCCI will conduct along with the Mumbai-based law firm Argus Partners.The BCCI has listed 10 Indian cities and the venues in the tender, which allows a single party to bid for more than one city. There is no base price set, and bids will be accepted for a 10-year period (2023-32).Among the eligibility criteria listed in the tender document, the BCCI has said the audited net worth of the bidder must be at least INR 1000 crore as of March 31, 2022. Consortiums or joint-ventures companies, the BCCI has said, are not eligible.How will the bids be evaluated?
The BCCI has included a key clause in the selection of the winning bid, saying it would not be “obliged to accept highest monetary offer”. This is similar to the clause the ICC had laid down when it sold media rights for women’s global events for the 2023-27 period last year. The BCCI has stated it will look at the vision bidders have towards enhancing the profile and accelerating the growth of women’s cricket in India.Listing the objectives it desired in a potential successful bidder, the BCCI said: “establishing a stable, successful, financially secure, long-term Franchise to participate in the League; ensuring the widest coverage and the widest possible audience for the League; assisting in the development of the game of women’s cricket in India at all levels; maximizing and enhancing exposure, wherever possible, for each of the official sponsors of the League; increasing and enhancing exposure for women’s cricket in India both within India and the rest of the world.”The BCCI has earmarked March as the window for the WIPL in the tender. While the BCCI has not formally announced the dates for the inaugural season, it is expected to start around March 5 and finish around March 23.

South Africa batsman Hashim Amla has called for ‘common sense to prevail’ in regard to allegations of ball tampering against Faf du Plessis

Firdose Moonda in Melbourne18-Nov-20164:27

‘Our captain did nothing wrong’ – Amla

South Africa consider the ball-tampering allegations against Faf du Plessis to be “ridiculous,” and “a joke,” and believe their stand-in captain has done “absolutely nothing wrong.” That was the message from the team’s senior-most batsman Hashim Amla, who addressed the media at the MCG on Friday afternoon, accompanied by the entire South African squad and support staff, who were present to “show solidarity”.Du Plessis was among the group but stood in the background and was not put up to answer any questions. Instead Amla, the designated player for Friday’s media opportunity, began in the unusual fashion of delivering a mini-speech to open proceedings.”Good afternoon everybody. As you can see we have the full team here behind us,” Amla said. “The reason everybody is here is to stand together and to show solidarity to what has been something we actually thought was a joke. It’s not April. But the allegations against Faf were really, for us, a ridiculous thing and as a team we are standing strong. For us it is basically a joke. The boys are here, standing strong.”At the time, Amla was not aware that the ICC was reviewing footage of du Plessis shining the ball after licking his fingers when there appeared to be a sweet in his mouth. “Is it?,” Amla asked when told about the governing body’s investigation. “Whether it is or not, we’ve done nothing wrong and Faf has done absolutely nothing wrong.”Part of South Africa’s defence is that players often have something in their mouths on the field, Amla included. “I chew bubblegum while I am fielding. Do you want me to brush my teeth after lunch every time I come out?” he said. “You’ve got to be logical about this, common sense surely should prevail. If I’ve got something in my mouth, guys are handing out red froggies at lunch time to give the kids, keep them hydrated, energise them and we are in the field for two hours. We eat nuts, biltong, that sort of thing. There was no malicious intent.”Amla said he was unaware that sugary sweets have been used to shine one side of the ball in order to get reverse swing, as Marcus Trescothick wrote in his autobiography. “Is that a tactic?” Amla asked. “Is it proven or what? That’s something that’s new to us. I’ve had sweets in my mouth, bubblegum in my mouth, biltong, nuts, I’m not sure what the big deal is. Are you sure it (an advantage) can be gained? We don’t know. I can only speak for what my captain has done.”Amla went as far as to say the reaction to the footage could be an attempted to discredit South Africa’s dominance in the series. “To me and to a lot of people, it is sounding like sour sweets for people in their heads that we’ve played really good cricket and the timing of it is that it’s a bit weird too,” he said.The visuals emerged the day after the Hobart Test, which South Africa won by an innings and 80 runs to take the series 2-0. Du Plessis had not been reported by the match officials and the ICC were only alerted to the alleged tampering through media reports and then chose to review it of their own volition.Amla maintained that the entire South African camp were convinced of du Plessis’ innocence. “I am just trying to clear what we think is an absolutely wrongful allegation made on our captain. We are standing in solidarity to our captain who has done absolutely nothing wrong. It’s pretty clear what we are trying to do you here. As I said, we’ve done nothing wrong. If there was any doubt whatsoever, you wouldn’t have the full team here. We’ve just basically done nothing wrong.”Less than two hours after Amla spoke, du Plessis was formally charged and pleaded not guilty. South Africa are awaiting legal counsel before a date for the hearing can be decided so it is uncertain whether it will take place before the Adelaide Test next Thursday. If found guilty, du Plessis could face a suspension of one Test.

Todd Greenberg assures players that he will travel to Pakistan with them; Nick Hockley is also expected to make the trip

PTI11-Jan-2022Todd Greenberg, the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) chief, has assured the country’s cricketers that he would travel to Pakistan with the squad if the tour gets the go-ahead, and would be fine with “one or two players” backing out of the trip.”I’ve made an assurance to the players that they won’t go alone,” Greenberg was quoted as saying by the . “If they’re going to Pakistan, I’ll be going with them and I think that’s important. It’s an opportunity to show the players that we’re in this together.”The ACA accompanied Cricket Australia on a pre-tour of Pakistan late last year, and the reports were all very positive. But we’ll continue to take the advice of DFAT [Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade] and other government organisations, as we need to be able to satisfy not just the players, but their families, that it’s safe to tour.”International teams have been reluctant to travel to Pakistan since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in 2009, though international cricket has taken place in fits and starts in the country recently. If Australia get the security clearance to travel, it would be Australia’s first tour to Pakistan since 1998, when Mark Taylor’s side won the three-Test series 1-0.”There may be one or two players who won’t be comfortable despite the best advice we give, and that’s OK, we need to respect that,” Greenberg said.He stressed that while Australia were keen to fulfil their international commitments, they would allow players to make their own choices. “We have to be kind and patient with each other, and there’ll be a player or two who say, ‘You know what, this is not for me at this particular point in my life and career, I’m not comfortable going’,” he told SEN Radio during the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney. “If that’s the case, we need to have great respect for that.”CA chief executive Nick Hockley is also planning to travel to Pakistan for at least a part of the tour, while the interim chair Richard Freudenstein may visit for a period to meet with his counterpart Ramiz Raja, unless a new permanent chair is chosen by then, according to the report in the newspaper.Pakistan are scheduled to host Australia in March-April for three Tests, three ODIs and one T20I, with the Tests in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore, which will also host all the limited-overs matches.

Veteran Paul Collingwood scored his maiden T20 century but was upstaged by a player nearly half his age in Joe Clarke as Worcestershire Rapids overpowered Durham Jets

ECB Reporters Network30-Jul-2017Joe Clarke is back to his scintillating best [file picture]•Getty Images

Veteran Paul Collingwood scored his maiden T20 century but was upstaged by a player nearly half his age in Joe Clarke as Worcestershire Rapids overpowered Durham Jets by eight wickets at New Road.Collingwood, 41, reached three figures in the final over of the Jets innings off 57 balls with four sixes and nine fours. It surpassed his previous best T20 score of 79 for England against the West Indies at the Oval a decade ago in June 2007.Collingwood also became the first Durham player to score a century in the short format of the game as they amassed 201-2 in their 20 overs after being put into bat.But England Lions batsman Clarke gave another demonstration of his considerable potential as the Rapids chased down their target with 11 balls to spare.The 21-year-old reached his first T20 ton off only 45 balls with six sixes and 10 fours and sparked a standing ovation as he helped to lift the gloom of a difficult start to the campaign. He finished unbeaten on 124 from 53 balls with eight sixes and 12 fours.Collingwood made the home side pay dearly for dropping him on four with the normally reliable Brett D’Oliveira spilling the chance at point off former Durham all-rounder John Hastings.Collingwood ended with 108 not out and his second and third wicket partnerships with Graham Clark – 106 in 10 overs – and skipper Paul Coughlin – an unbroken 92 in eight overs – were both records in matches against Worcestershire.It was another chastening experience for the Rapids attack despite the tonic of Hastings dismissing Cameron Steel (2) – caught at short fine leg – from his first delivery.The Rapids handed a T20 debut to paceman Josh Tongue who had taken four wickets on his first appearance for England Under-19s in the opening ‘Test’ v India Under-19s at Chesterfield.He bowled a tidy opening over but then Clark and Collingwood, profiting from his escape, cut loose to such an extent that the powerplay reaslised 63 runs.Clark completed his half century off just 26 balls with five sixes and then Collingwood lofted young paceman Pat Brown over long on to bring up the 100 in the 11th over.Clarke (52) holed out to long off attempting another big hit against D’Oliveira who was the only bowler to stem the tide of boundaries.He returned the excellent figures of 1-16 from his four overs but Collingwood found another able ally in Coughlin as 61 came from the final five overs.
The Rapids needed a quickfire start – and it was provided by Joe Clarke and Hastings. Clarke collected three fours and a six in an over from Coughlin costing 20 as the fifty came up in the fifth over.The Rapids reached 65-0 at the end of the powerplay but Collingwood came into the attack and his first ball accounted for Hastings (24) who perished at deep mid wicket.Clarke has been a revelation in the opening role after Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s departure to Yorkshire left a vancancy at the top of the order. He completed his third half century in the last five T20 innings with his third six – off spinner Ryan Pringle.Ben Cox was equally effective in helping Clarke plunder 97 off only eight overs for the second wicket before he was caught at long-off off ther bowling of Barry McCarthy for 43Clarke went to his 100 with six over long on off James Weighell and then sealed victory in double quick time