All posts by n8rngtd.top

Three “women’s festival” matches to be played in Rawalpindi alongside ongoing men’s PSL

Umar Farooq04-Mar-2023Laura Wolvaardt, Lea Tahuhu, Danni Wyatt and Chamari Athapaththu are among the 10 overseas cricketers named to feature in three women’s exhibition games during ongoing PSL. They will help form two playing XIs, namely Amazons and Super Women, to compete next week in Rawalpindi.Bismah Maroof, who recently quit the national captaincy, will lead Amazons and Nida Dar will take the reins of Super Women. Three “women’s festival” games are slotted to be played midway through the PSL, involving local and overseas players, in what will be a case of the PCB testing the waters ahead of a full-fledged women’s T20 league in the future. The fixtures, to be played on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, are all day games at Pindi Stadium and part of double-headers, with men’s PSL games to follow in the evening.The women’s exhibition games will feature a roster of 36 cricketers equally divided into two squads, with the playing line-ups to include a maximum of four and minimum of three foreign players and a minimum of one emerging or Under-19 player. Bismah will have three England players to call on – Lauren Winfield-Hill, Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont – alongside Australia’s Tess Flintoff and Ireland captain Laura Delany. Dar will be leading Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu, England batter Wyatt, fast bowler Jahanara Alam from Bangladesh, South Africa’s Wolvaardt and Tahuhu of New Zealand.

Overseas players for ‘women’s festival’ games

• Chamari Athapaththu

• Danni Wyatt

• Jahanara Alam

• Laura Delany

• Laura Wolvaardt

• Lauren Winfield-Hill

• Lea Tahuhu

• Maia Bouchier

• Tammy Beaumont

• Tess Flintoff

“I am delighted to lead the Amazons team in the three exhibition matches of the women’s league,” Bismah said. “This is a great opportunity for our players to express their talent. The involvement of foreign players in the exhibition matches will provide a perfect opportunity to our players to learn from them.”Wolvaardt top-scored for her country in the final of recently completed Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, while Wyatt is the joint-second most-capped player in women’s T20Is, with 143 appearances. The 10 oversees players are from seven nationalities, with eight recently representing their country at the T20 World Cup.The opening game is slotted to celebrate International Women’s Day with the second exhibition match, on Friday, to create awareness about breast cancer in partnership with Pink Ribbon Pakistan.”I am thrilled and excited that the exhibition matches for the Women’s League are taking place,” PCB head of women’s cricket, Tania Mallick, said. “These exhibition matches provide an exposure to our players to exhibit their talent and play at their best. When you play a league with foreign players it provides the local players an opportunity to know about their skill level and it also motivate the players to improve their game. This will go a long way to empower our women, not only as cricketers but will provide them a platform and with an opportunity other than playing cricket.”The PCB had previously planned to have the inaugural women’s league run concurrently with the men’s PSL, but that was shelved. As things stand, the aim is to launch a standalone project later this year. The new league will have four teams and is expected to function as a separate entity, with a different name and identity to the men’s PSL.Amazons: Bismah Maroof (capt), Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Areesha Noor, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Khan, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Feroza, Kainat Imtiaz, Laura Delany (Ireland), Lauren Winfield-Hill (England), Maia Bouchier (England), Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Tammy Beaumont (England), Tess Flintoff (Australia), Umm-e-HaniSuper Women: Nida Dar (capt) Aimen Anwar, Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Danni Wyatt (England), Iram Javed, Jahanara Alam (Bangladesh), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand), Muneeba Ali, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Syeda Masooma Zahra, Tuba Hassan

Sri Lanka need their bowlers to step up in their quest to level the three-match series

Hemant Brar11-Jan-20234:13

Do India need a bowling allrounder? Who replaces Madushanka if he misses out?

Big picture: Can Sri Lanka stage a comeback?

The last time India and Sri Lanka played an ODI at Eden Gardens, in 2014, Rohit Sharma smashed a world-record 264. He looked set for a big hundred in Tuesday’s ODI in Guwahati as well before getting out for a 67-ball 83. Still, it was a big positive for India as Rohit was playing his first game after his hand injury in Bangladesh.Related

• Silverwood: 'Our discipline in first ten overs was lacking at times'

• Kohli, Rohit, Gill and India's dew diligence

• Kohli: 'Desperation doesn't get you anywhere'

Rohit’s decisions regarding the playing XI too proved to be right. Before the opening ODI, he had announced that Shubman Gill was ahead of Ishan Kishan in the pecking order despite the latter scoring the fastest double-century in ODI cricket in his previous match. There was a reason behind that.Going into the first game, Gill had been the most prolific run-getter in the world in ODIs since his comeback in July last year, with 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57. He carried on in the same vein in Guwahati, scoring 70 off 60 balls.

Watch on ESPN Player in the UK

WATCH the second India vs Sri Lanka ODI LIVE

The other important decision was the omission of Suryakumar Yadav, who has been making heads turn with his T20I performances. India stuck with Shreyas Iyer, and he chipped in with a handy cameo as the team looked for quick runs to guard against dew in the second innings.One concern for India is, with Axar Patel slotted at No. 7 and followed by four bowlers, the tail is too long. They have Washington Sundar on the bench, but the question is, whom do they drop to fit him in?Even though Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first ODI, there were some encouraging signs. Pathum Nissanka scored 72 at the top of the order, Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a 40-ball 47, and Dasun Shanaka continued his good form with an unbeaten hundred.Dilshan Madushanka hurt his shoulder while trying to make a stop•BCCI

Having said that, their bowlers need to put in a much-improved performance if they are to keep the series alive. However, it may not be easy given the lack of experience in the bowling unit. It’s also not clear if Dilshan Madushanka will be available for Thursday’s match. The left-arm seamer dislocated his right shoulder while fielding during the first ODI. He was sent for an X-ray and MRI, and the reports are awaited.

Form guide

India WWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLLW

In the spotlight: Umran Malik and Wanindu Hasaranga

In the absence of Prasidh Krishna, Umran Malik has been tasked with being the enforcer in the middle overs. After impressing during the T20I series, he picked up 3 for 57 from eight overs in the first ODI. At one point, he had figures of 6-0-32-3 before Shanaka took him on at the death. Having already improved his control, perhaps it’s time to incorporate some variations.Wanindu Hasaranga hasn’t been at his best in ODIs•Associated Press

From Sri Lanka’s side, the focus will be on Wanindu Hasaranga. While he is among the best spinners in T20I cricket, his ODI record is a bit underwhelming. In 35 ODIs, he has 39 wickets at an average of 36.51. But he is the leading wicket-taker in the squad, and his team requires him to step up.

Team news: Will India go unchanged?

Before the series, Rohit said India were not looking to chop and change. So expect them to go with an unchanged XI, especially after a win in the first game.India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Umran Malik, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra ChahalSri Lanka could bring in Lahiru Kumara if Madushanka is unavailable. No other changes are expected.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Chamika Karunaratne, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan Madushanka/Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and conditions: Haze at Eden Gardens?

Eden Gardens last hosted an ODI more than five years ago when India, batting first, were all out for 252. In response, Australia folded for just 202. There is no forecast of rain, but it could be hazy at times. During the daytime, the temperature will be around 25°C but could drop by more than 10° at night.

Stats and trivia

• Virat Kohli (12,584) needs 67 runs to go past Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI tally of 12650 and move to fifth position on the list of top run-getters in the format.
• Since the start of 2010, India have played 24 bilateral ODI series at home. Of those, they have lost only three – against Pakistan in 2012, South Africa in 2015 and Australia in 2019.
• Avishka Fernando is 31 short of 1000 runs in ODI cricket. If he reaches there on Thursday, in his 28th innings, he will be the joint second-fastest to the landmark from his country, along with Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis. Roy Dias holds the Sri Lankan record, getting there in 27 innings.

The two made short work of the 292-run chase against Rajasthan in Vadodara

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2025Unbeaten centuries from Karun Nair and Dhruv Shorey saw Vidarbha chase down their target of 292 in style against Rajasthan and march to the semi-finals of the Vijay Hazare Trophy.Vidarbha captain Nair notched up his fourth consecutive century and his fifth in the season and finished with an unbeaten 122. He tops the run charts this year with a whopping 664 runs, which is also his average as he has only been dismissed once in six innings.Nair and Shorey shared an unbroken 200-run stand for the second wicket as Vidarbha gunned down their target in 43.3 overs. Shorey first shared a 92-run opening stand with Yash Rathod before Nair joined him at the crease.The two then made short work of the chase, with Shorey hitting ten fours and three sixes to finish on 118* off 131 deliveries. Nair was more aggressive in his approach, taking just 82 balls for his 122, with 13 fours and five sixes.After being put in to bat, Rajasthan started slow and had only managed 15 runs when opener Abhijeet Tomar fell to Nachiket Bhute in the seventh over. One over later, his opening partner Manav Suthar was sent packing by Yash Thakur.Mahipal Lomror and Deepak Hooda then stitched a 71-run stand before the two fell in the space of four overs. Shubham Garhwal and Kartik Sharma then added 82 runs for the fifth wicket before Thakur struck again, removing Garhwal for 59. Kartik then shared a 50-run stand with wicketkeeper Samarpit Joshi but the two fell in consecutive overs, with Rajasthan’s score still under 250. Deepak Chahar smacked three sixes and two fours en route to a 14-ball 31 that helped Rajasthan get close to 300. Thakur was the pick of the bowlers for Vidarbha, with figures of 4 for 39.Vidarbha will play Maharashtra in the second semi-final in Vadodara on January 16.

MCC issues apology to Australia and suspends three members pending investigation

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Jul-20230:59

Cummins suggests MCC members may lose memberships over abuse

MCC has issued an unreserved apology to Australia after some of their players were abused when walking through the Long Room on day five of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s, following the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow, with Usman Khawaja describing what was said as “pretty disrespectful”.Khawaja and David Warner were shown on TV footage getting into a heated exchange with MCC members as the Australians went to their dressing room at lunch, with the stewards having to intervene. MCC said on Sunday evening that three members had been suspended pending investigation.”MCC can confirm it has suspended three Members identified from earlier today,” a spokesperson said. “They will not be permitted back to Lord’s whilst the investigation takes place and were informed of this by MCC Chief Executive, Guy Lavender, this evening.”We maintain that the behaviour of a small number of Members was completely unacceptable and whilst there was no suggestion by Pat Cummins in the post-match press conference that there was any physical altercation, it remains wholly unacceptable to behave in such a way, which goes against the values of the Club. MCC condemns the behaviour witnessed and once again we re-iterate our apology to Cricket Australia.Speaking afterwards to Channel Nine, Khawaja said that it was “really disappointing” and that he “wasn’t just going to stand by and cop” abuse. “It was really disappointing,” he said. “Lord’s is one of my favourite places to come. There’s always respect shown at Lord’s, particularly in the Members Pavilion in the Long Room, but there wasn’t today. It was very disappointing.Related

• Ashes: MCC bans one member, suspends two others over Long Room fracas

• MCC introduce stricter pavilion regulations after Long Room chaos

• Todd Murphy prepares for Ashes baptism-of-fire after Nathan Lyon injury

• Ollie Pope ruled out for rest of Ashes following shoulder dislocation

• James Anderson: Don't blame my age for off-colour Ashes display

“If anyone asked me where the best place is to play I always say Lord’s,” Khawaja added. “The crowd is great, particularly the members are great, and some of the stuff that was coming out of the members’ mouths is really disappointing and I wasn’t just going stand by and cop it. So I just talked to a few of them.”A few of them were throwing out some pretty big allegations and I just called them up on it and they kept going, and I was like, well, this is your membership here. So I’m just pointing them out. But it’s pretty disrespectful, to be honest. I just expect a lot better from the members.”Tempers flared at Lord’s after Bairstow was given out when Alex Carey threw down the stumps with the batter having left his crease for the end of the over – but without the ball having been called dead. Loud booing was heard around the ground, and continued for the rest of the game, though Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, said afterwards that the dismissal was within the laws and “totally fair play”.”MCC came and apologised for the behaviour of some of the members,” Cummins added in his post-match press conference. “I think some of them might lose their memberships over the way they behaved. Other than that one time, they were fantastic all week. I think they were just quite aggressive and abusive towards some of our players, which I know the MCC weren’t too happy with.”Tempers ran high at Lord’s as Australia went 2-0 up in the series•Getty Images

Asked about the Bairstow dismissal, Khawaja said: “It’s is what it is. We copped the same thing at Edgbaston. Obviously, it’s a little different here. It’s disappointing, to say the least. You know, we always try to play the cricket, in our best spirits, and we’ve said since Patty has taken over, since Andrew McDonald has taken over, winning is as important as how we win.”The decision again was in the umpire’s hands. If the umpire deemed it a dead ball today, it was a dead ball. Just like yesterday’s catch [by Mitchell Starc, which was ruled not out]. We don’t fully agree with it, but you have to accept the umpire’s decision.”That’s why the umpires are there. So I mean, there’s always grey areas in cricket. And the way it played out I guess in some respects, is kind of disappointing. I love Stuey [Stuart] Broad. I think he’s one of my favourite cricketers. The way he plays, the way he’s always got a smile on his face and he was pretty riled up out there, which you don’t want to see. But yeah, it is what it is.”Both Cricket Australia and MCC released statements in response to events in the Long Room. A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “Australian management has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club [MCC] investigate several incidents involving spectators in the members area during lunch on day five of the Lord’s Test.”It is alleged players and staff from the Australian team were verbally abused, with some being physically contacted, as they made their way to lunch through the members area.” Cummins clarified in his press conference that he was not aware of any physical altercations.MCC’s initial statement said: “The Long Room is unique in world cricket and the great privilege of players passing through the pavilion is very special. After this morning’s play, emotions were running high, and words were unfortunately exchanged with some of the Australian team, by a small number of members.”We have unreservedly apologised to the Australian team and will deal with any member who has not maintained the standard we expect through our disciplinary processes. It was not necessary to eject anyone from the ground and I am pleased to say that there was no repeat of this as the players resumed the field for this afternoon’s session.”

He also lauded openers David Warner and Travis Head for “putting the pressure straight back on South Africa” during the chase

Andrew Fidel Fernando16-Nov-20232:21

Starc on his form in the World Cup: ‘Nice to step up in a big game’

Australia’s new-ball bowling in unexpectedly helpful conditions, and the batting of their openers, made the difference in a tense semi-final. Mitchell Starc, who took the first wicket of the match, and finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 34, said this, having also been at the middle when the winning runs were hit.Though it’s been a difficult tournament for Starc the bowler, he and Josh Hazlewood reduced South Africa’s top order to 24 for 4 in the first 12 overs, and took five wickets between them. Although the match would have many dramatic moments later, this period likely proved the most definitive.”I think our powerplay was probably what got us on our way,” Starc said. “There were other key moments through the day with bat and ball, but to start the game like that with Joshie and I was great. Powerplay wickets have probably not been our strong suit through the tournament, so it’s nice to have a powerplay of what, 2 for 18 or something like that. The way Josh bowled throughout to finish two for 12 (from eight overs) was incredible.Related

• Australia's road to the final: Problematic preparation and early losses to winning eight in a row

• Australia are what Australia are, indefatigable and unyielding

• For South Africa, everything isn't enough

• Bavuma: 'Way we started with bat and ball was the turning point'

• Australia edge low-scoring thriller to book spot in eighth ODI World Cup final

“Looking at Josh’s pitch map – that’s what he does so well in Test match bowling. He was incredible today and the way we run off each other to have that powerplay that we did, and carry some momentum through to the middle overs was how we want to start matches. So it was nice to do it in a big game.”In the league match these teams had played, Quinton de Kock had made a century as opener, and South Africa hit 311 for 7, with Aiden Markram also adding a fast fifty. Neither de Kock nor Markram could make a serious impact with the bat in the semi-final, however.”We know that South Africa are very strong at the back end if they’ve got wickets in hand and if we can get David Miller and Heinrich Klaassen in early or within the first 20 overs, then we’re well on our way. It makes it a bit harder for them to back-end it. So, it went to plan with the ball today.”With the bat, later on, Australia raced to 60 in six overs, as David Warner struck 29 off 18 balls, and Travis Head went on to make 62 off 48, with Australia chasing 213.”I think the way not only Trav but also Davey batted put the pressure straight on South Africa there in the first 10 overs. We’ve seen throughout the tournament how tough the first 10 overs can be at certain times of the day, with the hard new balls. When you’re willing to take the game on like that and sometimes you take a little bit of luck with you, but the guys were fantastic in that opening partnership.”Head’s innings in particular, ensured that Australia had hit 106 runs – almost half the runs required – in the first 14 overs. South Africa’s spinners would then take wickets and make the game tight, but Australia’s middle and lower orders weren’t left with much to do.”Then Trav carried through a bit longer and he was probably looking a bit ominous there not to go further – closer to 100,” Starc said. “Certainly took some pressure off early with the way that the guys started. Those runs were much needed with how we saw the back end of the game. It gave ourselves a bit of extra time not to have to go so hard at the end.”

Middlesex stutter to 189 for 8 on truncated day at Emirates Old Trafford

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay16-Sep-2025Middlesex 189 for 8 (De Caires 52, Geddes 52, Bailey 4-60) vs Lancashire Tom Bailey took four wickets to ensure Lancashire reduced Middlesex’s already slim promotion hopes still further on a rain-affected second day of the Rothesay County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.After the first day of the game had been wiped out by rain, only 44 overs’ play was possible between the heavy showers on the second but the visitors ended a long and mostly sunlit evening session on 189 for 8 after Ben Geddes had been dismissed for 52 four overs before the close and Seb Morgan had fallen lbw to Bailey’s last ball of a truncated day.Having been asked to bat first in bowler-friendly conditions, the visitors were also indebted to opener Josh De Caires, who made 52 runs, many of them against the new ball at a time when the players were regularly forced off the field by rain.The match began at noon but barely 20 minutes’ play was possible before a heavy shower forced the players off again. In that time, however, Middlesex lost two wickets in five overs, Sam Robson being caught at second slip by Keaton Jennings off Bailey for 9, and the left-handed Luke Hollman being taken at first slip by Michael Jones for a four-ball nought when James Anderson slanted a ball across him and induced the edge.Two balls later – and probably to Hollman’s intense irritation – more showers blew in on the westerly wind and prevented play resuming for over two hours. An early lunch was taken and Middlesex resumed their innings on 13 for 2.On the bright side, the visitors then added 48 runs in six overs, De Caires hitting three successive fours off Tom Aspinwall and the visitors bringing up their fifty in the tenth over. However, only seven more balls were possible, though, before yet more heavy rain arrived from the direction of the Party Stand with Middlesex on 61 for 2.Play resumed at four o’clock and Middlesex immediately lost two wickets to successive deliveries from Aspinwall. Having put on 54 with de Caires, Leus du Plooy was caught behind for 22 when attempting to drive and Ryan Higgins departed first ball when he appeared surprised by Aspinwall’s pace and edged a catch to Jones at first slip.Geddes joined de Caires and the pair put on another 54 runs during the course of which the Middlesex opener was dropped by Bailey off his own bowling when on 46. De Caires reached his fifty off 65 balls when he nicked Bailey past third slip and to the boundary but the opener was caught behind for 52 three balls later when driving ambitiously at the same bowler.Josh Bohannon was introduced into the attack from the Statham End and struck with his first ball when he bowled Joe Cracknell for 6. By the close, however, Middlesex had recovered to near parity in the conditions with Geddes having reached his 50 off 80 balls with five fours and three sixes, all of the latter having been whacked over the short boundary on the Party Stand side of the ground.Nine balls after reaching that personal landmark, Geddes nicked Bailey high to Jennings’ left at second slip and the former Lancashire skipper took a fine two-handed catch. At the close, Zafar Gohar was 16 not out. Bailey finished the day with figures of 4 for 60 and Aspinwall with 2 for 48.

Northamptonshire piled up a huge total and only Rehan Ahmed responded with the bat

ECB Reporters Network23-Jun-2023A traumatic couple of days for Leicestershire predictably ended on another low note as the Foxes concluded their home fixtures in the Vitality Blast with a crushing 92-run defeat at the hands of neighbours Northamptonshire Steelbacks.Chris Lynn, who has hit Blast centuries against Foxes in each of the last two seasons, continued his assault with 62 from 35 balls, Saif Zaib hitting 55 off 25 as the two piled on 114 off 50 balls for the third wicket in a total of 210 for seven from their 20 overs. Mike Finan took two for 30 as the best of some modest bowling figures.Rehan Ahmed made a spirited 49 off 32 balls but the Foxes were bowled out for 118 in 16.4 overs in reply, Ben Sanderson taking three for 20, with two wickets each for David Willey, Andrew Tye and Justin Broad, with wicketkeeper Lewis McManus involved in a county record five dismissals.Related

• Buttler joins 10k club as Lancashire close in on quarter-finals

• Hampshire gun down 210 target to leapfrog Essex

• Blistering Bell-Drummond fires Kent to sixth straight win

• All-round Mousley drives Bears into Blast quarter-finals

• Rehan Ahmed added to England Ashes squad as cover for Moeen Ali

With Leicestershire’s head coach Paul Nixon placed “on leave” by the club on Thursday, bowling coach Alfonso Thomas and batting consultant James Taylor were in charge of the Foxes.The circumstances behind the decision to relieve Nixon of his duties after six years in the job remain shrouded in mystery. The club’s website belatedly carried a statement from chairman John Thorpe essentially explaining that he could say nothing for legal reasons.Chief executive Sean Jarvis was a little more forthcoming in an interview with BBC Radio Leicester, speaking of “comments” and “allegations” as he alluded to events over a period of months, suggesting Nixon’s departure was unrelated to the announcement – also made on Thursday – that senior players Colin Ackermann, Callum Parkinson and Chris Wright would be leaving at the end of the season.Ackermann and Parkinson were both selected to face the Steelbacks, although Ackermann handed captaincy duties to overseas player Peter Handscomb.The Australian won his first toss in the role, asking Northamptonshire to bat first. Steelbacks openers Ricardo Vasconcelos and Emilio Gay needed a couple of overs to get the measure of a slow pitch but still managed to rack up 49 runs in the powerplay.Checked by a tight over by Rehan, they were parted in an excellent over by Callum Parkinson, the eighth of the innings, when a top-edged pull by Vasconcelos dropped safely into the hands of Mike Finan behind square. Aussie Lynn signalled his intent with three boundaries from his first six balls but Gay (30 from 27 balls) holed out to long-on as the Steelbacks reached halfway at 77 for 2.The remainder of the innings was one of increasing carnage for the home bowlers, Lynn and Zaib taking the total to 129 for 2 after 15 overs, Lynn getting lucky on 37 when he was caught off a Finan no-ball, before the final five overs piled on another 81.The third-wicket pair took turns to clear the ropes as Tom Scriven and Matt Salisbury took the brunt of their assault, the former conceding 22 in one Salisbury’s worst over costing 23, including back-to-back sixes by Zaib, who followed his partner in being caught off a no-ball, on 54.After they were parted two balls into the 19th over as Lynn picked out long-on, four more wickets followed, Finan dismissing Tye with his next ball, before Zaib was caught on the boundary. Willey was run out and Broad found the fielder on the cover point boundary to give Scriven some consolation in the 20th, although Broad’s 10 off four balls had taken the total past 200.The Foxes had twice chased more than 211 to win in the Blast, including 219 against the Steelbacks in 2018, but on this season’s form it looked a tall order, more so after Handscomb was comprehensively bowled by Willey for three in the opening over.By the end of the powerplay, the home side were 30 for 4, Rishi Patel caught behind attempting to ramp Sanderson, who then bowled Ackermann first ball and had Wiaan Mulder edging behind. They might have been five down had a Sanderson direct hit been reviewed after Rehan, on six, was judged to have made his ground by the on-field umpire.Rehan, sent in to open the innings with Handscomb, made the most of his reprieve, clubbing Freddie Heldreich for three sixes in an over, but with Nick Welch also caught behind, at the halfway stage in the chase the Foxes at 74 for 5 were scoring at barely half the required rate of 13.4 runs per over.The young England allrounder – about to joins up with Ben Stokes’s squad ahead of the second Ashes Test – looked set to celebrate with a half-century only for his luck to run out on 49 as he miscued Broad to cover, the South Africa-born German international following up by bowling Scriven in the same over.Swindells, who had helped Rehan add 66 for the sixth wicket as the sole highlight in the Foxes innings, perished on 20 when he helped one into the gloves of McManus. Finan belted Heldreich for six but was stumped next ball as the ninth wicket fell in the 16th over before Salisbury was caught at midwicket to put the home crowd out of their misery in the 17th.

Dan Mousley puts seal on home side’s batting display as runs are racked up at Edgbaston

ECB Reporters Network13-Apr-2023Warwickshire 367 for 3 (Yates 128, Hain 124*, Mousley 72*) vs Kent
Rob Yates and Sam Hain punished Kent heavily for a miscalculation with the toss as Warwickshire amassed 367 for three on the opening day of their LV=Insurance County Championship match at Edgbaston.Yates struck 128 (217 balls) and Hain an unbeaten 124 (235) to enhance their England credentials at the expense of a Kent attack which toiled on a good batting surface after captain Sam Billings chose to field.That appeared a curious decision on a pitch which looked firm and true and so it proved as Yates and Hain added 166 for the third wicket before Dan Mousley added late impetus with a sparkling unbeaten 72 (78 balls).Kent’s seam attack, already missing the injured Nathan Gilchrist and Grant Stewart, was further hampered when Matt Quinn limped off just 22 balls into his new-ball spell. The New Zealander returned after lunch but was unable to prevent a bracing reality check for his side after their wining start to the season against Northamptonshire last week.For Warwickshire, who welcomed England star Chris Woakes back into the team, it was a strong day’s work to follow their impressive domination of Somerset in their rain-affected opening-round draw at Taunton.Yates in particular enjoyed a satisfying day as he celebrated his return to the top of the order following Dom Sibley’s return to Surrey. Bafflingly dropped to number three in the order last season, he lost form and confidence, but looked back to his best in his specialist position as he unfurled his eighth first-class century. It won’t take too many knocks like this one to re-establish him in the thoughts of England’s selectors.As the Edgbaston season opened in glorious sunshine but a biting wind, Kent’s bowlers endured a chastening start as Yates and Alex Davies opened aggressively. Davies moved crisply to 23 (34 balls) before playing on to Joey Evison’s third ball.Conor McKerr, playing the first instalment of a two-match loan from Surrey, soon added the wicket of Will Rhodes, who skied an ugly hoik to mid-on, but that was Kent’s last success for 51 overs. Yates reached his half-century from 69 balls with his tenth four, cut off McKerr, and celebrated with six ladled over long leg off Michael Hogan.Hain followed to a more circumspect fifty (122 balls) as the third-wicket pair advanced solidly throughout the afternoon. It was a compact, well-managed partnership for the team plan. With Woakes joining a seam-attack also including Olly Hannon-Dalby, Chris Rushworth and Hassan Ali, Warwickshire will fancy their chances of putting Kent under serious pressure if they can amass a total in excess of 479.Yates completed an accomplished century from 122 balls and it was a surprise when he perished, becoming Joe Denly’s 78th first class victim when he lifted the spinner to mid on.Any Kent hopes of inducing a clatter were quickly smothered by Mousley’s swaggering start. The 21-year-old lifted Evison and Denly for sixes in his first 20 balls and then sent the new ball, propelled by Quinn, far into the seats at long on.The implacable Hain – his England chance will surely arrive one day – reached his 16th first class century from 198 balls, Mousley motored to 50 in 55 and the fourth-wicket pair added an unbroken 132 up to the close to complete an excellent day for Warwickshire and leave Kent reflecting upon an early candidate for toss clanger of the season.

Joey Evison, the successor to “Stevo”, also impresses as Leicestershire fall well short

David Hopps26-Aug-2022Put those Darren Stevens retirement stories away for a moment because he is not quite finished yet. A return to Leicestershire, the county where his career began, felt like a fairytale ending – only he has no intention to end. Influential contributions with bat and ball helped give Kent an 82-run win in this Royal London Cup play-off and now takes them to a semi-final tie against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl on Tuesday.If Stevens’ intervention with the bat felt entirely predictable – 41 from 24 balls with The Meet Café & Bar at deep midwicket fearing partial demolition from his wrecking ball – his bowling spell was a bonus. Ten overs in mid-innings for 37 runs felt as if Leicestershire had taken their largesse too far as he was met conservatively throughout. It was canny stuff but perhaps not that canny. He had a towel down before his final over, as if determined to see the job through, and suitably somebody should have brought him out a little stool to sit on while they did it.Grace Road is one of the quieter grounds on the circuit, even in their first home knockout tie for 11 years, but sporadic cries of “Stevo” punctuated the day, often for no specific reason. Perhaps some of them came from Leicestershire supporters who would like him to return for a final year. Coincidentally that knockout tie was also against Kent when Paul Nixon, now their head coach, made 31 in a three-wicket win. Considering the ECB’s machinations, it’s a toss-up who is most likely still to be around another 11 years from now – Leicestershire or Stevens.His last ball should have been the perfect finish. Scott Steel, who fulfilled the anchor role for Leicestershire much as Ben Compton had done previously for Kent, risked a leg-side pick-up, but it fell to the 12th man, James Logan, on the half volley and trundled for four. By the time Logan left the field, his duties complete, Stevens’ hands were still on hips in mild-mannered exasperation, but his job had been done.Leicestershire still needed 196 from 21 at 9.33 an over at that point and even though they had seven wickets left they never really made contact with it. A flurry of runs and then Steel swung rather mindlessly at a short ball from Nathan Gilchrist to sky one straight up in the air and fall for 65 from 94 balls.The batter who might have turned the tie for Leicestershire was Wiaan Mulder, their South African allrounder, one of the driving forces behind their play-offs place. Mulder made 81 from 71, his innings ending when he was bowled by a delivery that jagged back substantially, and low, from Joey Evison, who suitably is the young allrounder positioned to fill Stevens’ shoes. Nobody sang “Joey” in homage, even though he had earlier made an excellent half-century, but as Stevens has already recognised, he is a player of considerable promise and can write his own tunes.Related

• Steven Croft lights the way in Blackpool as Lancashire scale Notts' tall target

• Strauss review proposes smaller Championship top tier

• Stevens vows to play on next season after 'gutting' release aged 46

• Stevens' white-ball Canterbury swansong takes Kent into play-offs

Kent’s early incursions came through Harry Podmore, whose career has been so curtailed by injury that a decade after his county debut for Middlesex he was playing only his 99th match across all formats. That he was fit and firing after recovering from severe side and knee injuries was a considerable bonus. His first wicket was a bit of a gimme as Nicky Welch slapped him to point, but he bowled Rishi Patel and Lous Kimber with excellent deliveries that seamed back through the gate. Grant Stewart made short shrift of the tail to finish with 4 for 42. Kent had been helped a little by the fact that the surface died a little as the game progressed, but as Nixon agreed, Leicestershire did not lift their game when most needed.Stevens’ innings had been marked by a succession of flat bats with Ed Barnes conceding three of his four sixes, enough for Barnes to finish with undistinguished figures of 2 for 75 in eight overs, his mood uplifted by two good wickets. Leicestershire set two short thirds to him and appeared to have a theory, but it didn’t come off. Predictably, he eventually fell short at deep midwicket and a repair bill for The Meet was avoided after all. It was another South African who carried Leicestershire’s fight with the ball, Beuran Hendricks, a lithe left-armer who is more slippery than he looks, was the bwler who silenced Stevens and he was the pick of their attack with 2 for 35.Half-centuries from Evison and Compton in an opening stand of 95 in 18 overs handed Kent an initiative that they never relinquished. Evison drove Kimber from the attack with three sixes in two overs between straight and long-on before he was dismissed trying to sweep Steel; Compton, his off stump clipped by Mulder as he played defensively, made 56 from 80 balls with only four boundaries and was probably out at a perfect time, although he loves batting so might not think so. A third Kent half-century, this time from Joe Denly, kept Leicestershire at bay.

Rohit Sharma, Josh Hazlewood also move up the charts following recent exploits

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jan-2023Virat Kohli has moved up two spots to go sixth in the ICC men’s ODI batters’ rankings after scoring his 45th century in the format in the first game against Sri Lanka. Kohli’s 113 saw him overtake Jonny Bairstow and Steven Smith in the rankings.India captain Rohit Sharma, who scored 83 off 67 in the same match, also moved up a spot to eighth rank.Babar Azam, who scored back-to-back half-centuries in the ongoing series against New Zealand, continues to top the batting charts in ODIs, with 891 ranking points.

Test rankings: Khawaja moves up, Hazlewood back in top 10

Usman Khawaja jumped four spots to break back into the top 10. His unbeaten 195 in the drawn Sydney Test against South Africa saw him jump to eighth place in the rankings.Khawaja is currently one of four Australians in the top 10 in the Test batting charts, along with Marnus Labuschagne at the top, Smith at No. 2 and Travis Head ranked fourth.Josh Hazlewood returned to the Australia XI in the third Test, after a side strain kept him out of action, and grabbed five wickets to move up six spots to No. 10 among the bowlers.All of Australia’s premier pace trio of Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are now in the top 10 in the Test rankings.

Rashid Khan returns as No. 1 T20I bowler

Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan replaced Wanindu Hasaranga on top of the T20I bowlers’ rankings after the Sri Lanka star failed to fire in the three-match series in India. Hasaranga took three wickets while conceding 99 runs in the series at an economy rate of 9.00 an over. Rashid, meanwhile, hasn’t played a T20I in over two months since the World Cup in Australia in November.