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New Zealand slumped to a fifth straight Test defeat in conditions far less lethal than their scoreline suggested

The Report by Siddhartha Talya19-Nov-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Doug Bracewell was one of Rangana Herath’s six victims•Associated Press

A day that began on even terms finished being one-sided. New Zealand’s fast-bowling stocks may be promising but their batting continued to be a serious worry and it let them down again, on a day when they had the rare chance of pressing ahead and aiming for a win. They slumped to a fifth straight Test defeat in conditions far less lethal than their scoreline suggested. The batsmen were largely victims of their own approach and lack of confidence against spin on a slow and low pitch.Rangana Herath was again the wrecker-in-chief, continuing his incredible run in Galle, and finished with 11 wickets in the match. Both his hauls of ten wickets or more in a Test have come in Galle, where he’s picked up 46 in eight games at 20.30, including five of his 12 five-fors. His achievement wasn’t a surprise, certainly not against an opposition whose performances against spin have been woeful in the recent past. In their last five Tests, all of them defeats, they’ve lost 62 wickets out of 100 to spin. Only one of those games went into the fifth day.Sri Lanka were disciplined and cut down drastically on the bad deliveries they had delivered on the opening day when Brendon McCullum and Daniel Flynn had managed to find some release after the loss of early wickets. There was hardly any swing or movement for the seamers, and the ball never carried to slip, though the spinners found a fair amount of turn. The overall result of their tight lines and variations in pace and length was a stagnating run-flow and an eventual collapse.At a time when New Zealand would have been aiming to begin solidly and lay a platform for a challenging lead, they were hit by a Nuwan Kulasekara double-strike. Martin Guptill was dismissed in a manner similar to the first innings, when he played down the wrong line, only this time he was bowled. Kane Williamson was a touch unfortunate to be caught down the leg side, when he tried to glide one down to fine leg and New Zealand were reduced to 46 for 3.Ross Taylor square-drove the seamers for two fours and looked comfortable against Herath while defending, and he and Flynn appeared to infuse a bit of urgency to an innings that badly needed a fillip. But there remained some uncertainty against the spinners. Herath got one to spit away and bounce past Taylor’s bat, and that may have played on the batsman’s mind when, shortly after, he misread an arm ball from Herath to be trapped in front.James Franklin had spent some time on the pitch before the start of play, standing on the crease and scanning the areas he could score off. He appeared to come out with a plan, as he stepped out to Herath, often to try working him on to the leg side. That prompted Mahela Jayawardene to employ two midwickets for him, but Franklin was undeterred. It did not pay, as he was beaten in flight to be stumped, albeit unconvincingly, by Prasanna Jayawardene – he failed to collect but the ball ricocheted off his chest and dislodged the bails.Flynn was the most confident and enterprising of New Zealand’s batsmen today, picking out midwicket as a favoured scoring area, fetching deliveries from outside off, piercing the field on either side of the wicket and trying his utmost to rotate the strike. But he was taken by surprise as Herath turned one in sharply and bowled him through the gate. When Doug Bracewell failed to pick an arm ball next ball, the end was nigh for New Zealand. The desperation to stretch the lead and give themselves something to bowl at was evident when Tim Southee and Trent Boult went over the top and struck three sixes between them, but they too succumbed to spin, only managing to extend the advantage to 92 runs.An early burst from the seamers was New Zealand’s only hope – somewhat dented from the outset by Tim Southee’s absence due to a niggle – but a presumably nervous Sri Lanka opening partnership, on a pair, ensured the chase was smooth. Tharanga Paranavitana had just one half-century in his previous 11 innings and would have been under pressure. He was subdued to begin with but eventually got going, using his feet well against Jeetan Patel to launch him for six, before smashing Bracewell over point towards the close. He stayed through to the end of the chase, but it’ll be interesting to see how the combination changes should Tillakaratne Dilshan return to the line-up in the next Test.Paranavitana could face competition for that opening slot from the debutant Dimuth Karunaratne, who did his own prospects no harm with an attractive half-century. He was edgy at the start but looked strong on the back foot, punching boundaries through midwicket and extra cover and even pulling in the direction of square leg. He also cashed in on some freebies on leg stump and eased to a maiden fifty.The day was a fulfilling one for Sri Lanka, and the hope of a closely-fought game raised by New Zealand proved deceptive in the end.

The uncapped Surrey fast bowler, Stuart Meaker, has been called into England’s one-day squad for their tour of India next month, after the selectors chose to rest their senior paceman, James Anderson, for the five-match ODI series

Andrew McGlashan26-Sep-2011The uncapped Surrey fast bowler, Stuart Meaker, has been called into England’s one-day squad for their tour of India next week, after the selectors chose to rest their senior paceman, James Anderson, for the five-match ODI series. Kevin Pietersen, who was rested for the home ODI series against India, as well as the two Twenty20s against West Indies at The Oval, has been recalled.Meaker is yet another player to have been born in South Africa, but like his fellow Surrey seamer, Jade Dernbach, he learnt his cricket in England, in his case at Cranleigh School in Surrey. He has spent the last two winters on the ECB’s Fast Bowling Programme, and made his debut for England Lions against Sri Lanka A this summer.The Warwickshire allrounder Chris Woakes has also been called into the squad, along with the Durham legspinner, Scott Borthwick, who impressed with a spell of 1 for 15 in his four overs against West Indies on Sunday. Anderson, who has had a heavy workload this summer, will be allowed a break from international cricket until the squad travels to the UAE in January for their Test and ODI series against Pakistan, while Durham’s Ben Stokes has not been selected so that he can undergo a rehabilitation programme on a finger injury.Two additional players, Jos Buttler (Somerset) and Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), will join the squad ahead of the Twenty20 fixture on 29 October, almost certainly to replace the ODI captain, Alastair Cook, and the Test and ODI No. 3, Jonathan Trott. Assuming he recovers from a shoulder injury, Stuart Broad, the Twenty20 captain, will link up with the squad in Kolkata ahead of the one-off fixture on October 29. Otherwise Graeme Swann will continue as captain.”This squad contains an exciting balance of experienced international cricketers along with some very talented younger players who can play the high quality limited-overs cricket needed to challenge India,” said the national selector, Geoff Miller. “A number of injuries and a decision to omit James Anderson in line with our policy of sensibly managing player workloads give opportunities for other very talented players to continue to develop as international cricketers.”We had a promising one-day series win over India earlier this month and this squad will be looking forward to the challenge of continuing that success in the sub-continent over the next four weeks,” added Miller. “The additions to the squad for the Twenty20 fixture will strengthen the squad and provide Jos Buttler and Alex Hales with valuable experience of playing in the subcontinent.”Stuart Broad is currently undergoing a period of rehabilitation for a shoulder injury, however he will join the squad in India if he completes his rehabilitation programme ahead of schedule,” said Miller. “Graeme Swann will once again lead the Twenty20 side if Stuart is unable to join the squad.”Regardless of how much significance was attached to England’s 25-run defeat in the second of those T20s on Sunday, their failure to chase 114 on a turning deck served to emphasise the challenge that confronts the squad in the coming series. Batting against spin bowling on dusty, slow surfaces will – if India are serious about exacting some measure of revenge for their humbling recent tour – be the regular formula during the five ODIs and Twenty20 match.With that in mind, the recall of Pietersen is significant, especially in light of reports that he was set to retire from the limited-overs format. However, a series against India on home soil isn’t the best place for complete experimentation, and with Eoin Morgan ruled out until January, England’s middle order does need a dose of experience.Cook and Trott will obviously be included – and the debate about the top three won’t be far behind – but without Pietersen the slots from No. 4 to No. 6 would have been a little light on proven ability, despite Ravi Bopara’s recent performances and Jonny Bairstow’s confident debut.Pietersen, though, is under some serious pressure. His ODI average over the last two years is 23.30 and his last hundred came against India, at Cuttack, shortly before he lost the captaincy. While his Test and Twenty20 form has recovered, that revival hasn’t transferred to 50 overs. Perhaps it’s a lack of motivation with ODIs not providing the fulsome challenge of Test cricket or instant thrill of 20 overs. This series could be his last chance to show he really has the hunger to play all three formats. The Pietersen of 2008 would clearly enhance a developing side, but the Pietersen of 2009-2011 is a spare part.A number of the younger players that were selected against West Indies will be heading to India. Borthwick impressed against West Indies, and has nudged in ahead of Danny Briggs, the Hampshire left-arm spinner, who didn’t get a game in those fixtures. It’s also an important tour for Samit Patel who needs to put in consistent all-round displays and prove his fitness levels in testing conditions.The pace attack will once again be without Broad or Anderson, which will give another opportunity to the improving Steven Finn after he regularly touched 90mph towards the end of the season. Bowling in the subcontinent will be another stage in his development but he’ll be able to tap into the knowledge of his debut Test series against Bangladesh.ODI squad Alastair Cook (capt), Jonathan Bairstow, Ian Bell,
Ravi Bopara, Scott Borthwick, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Steven Finn, Craig Kieswetter, Stuart Meaker, Samit Patel, Kevin Pietersen, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes*Jos Buttler and Alex Hales will join for Twenty20 international

Leaders Nottinghamshire produced a valiant fight back against Yorkshire but will still face an uphill task to avoid a defeat that will throw the County Championship Division One title race wide open

08-Sep-2010
ScorecardMark Wagh played a key role in helping give Nottinghamshire the lead but gave his innings away for 90•Getty Images

Leaders Nottinghamshire produced a valiant fight back against Yorkshire but will still face an uphill task to avoid a defeat that will throw the County Championship Division One title race wide open.After Andre Adams completed his third five-wicket haul in consecutive matches to bowl out Yorkshire for 264, half-centuries from Mark Wagh, Paul Franks and Adam Voges helped the hosts to reach 357 for 6 in their second innings.Makeshift opener Franks combined with Alex Hales to post Nottinghamshire’s first opening wicket partnership of 50 for the season on the way to 79, with Wagh hitting 90, including 14 fours and two sixes before falling to Adil Rashid (2 for 48). Ajmal Shahzad then removed Samit Patel and Ali Brown cheaply and the late wicket of Voges, caught behind off Oliver Hannon-Dalby for 72, could prove crucial, with Nottinghamshire 152 ahead at the close.After 18 wickets had fallen on day one, it only took 13 balls for Adams to wrap up the Yorkshire innings, trapping Hannon-Dalby lbw with the fourth ball of the day and then finding the edge of Moin Ashraf’s bat to be caught at third slip to finish with 6 for 82, leaving Yorkshire skipper Andrew Gale undefeated on 151.That left Nottinghamshire 205 behind but gutsy application from their top order meant they were able to go ahead of the visitors for the loss of only two wickets. While conditions did not offer the prodigious swing of day one, batting was far from easy in the early stages and both Hales and Franks had to dig deep to survive until lunch.Hales was eventually undone by the away-swing of Ashraf, offering a thin edge to wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy for 24. Franks and Wagh then added 131 in 36 overs before the arrival of Rashid’s leg-spin saw Franks caught at slip by Jacques Rudolph just before tea.With the pitch flattening out, Wagh and Voges pushed Nottinghamshire ahead with some excellent shots either side of the wicket until Wagh, in sight of his third hundred of the season, miscued a lofted drive off Rashid to mid-on, much to his disgust.Shahzad then produced a fiery spell to send Patel and Brown back to the pavilion, although both batsmen played loose shots outside off. When Voges fell four overs before the close to the new ball, Nottinghamshire had seen four wickets fall for 51, but Yorkshire may yet rue dropping Read on 7, with Brophy shelling the most straightforward of chances off Shahzad. Read will resume in the morning on 24, with nightwatchman Darren Pattinson on 20.

After five straight defeats, Stars posted five straight wins to book a knockout final against Sydney Thunder

Tristan Lavalette19-Jan-2025Glenn Maxwell may not be touring Sri Lanka, but in a silver lining he’ll be part of the BBL finals after Melbourne Stars’ remarkable regular season turnaround was complete with a comprehensive victory over Hobart Hurricanes at the MCG.Stars needed a win to leapfrog Perth Scorchers into fourth place and qualify for the finals. They took care of business against a Hurricanes team with little to play for.Maxwell continued his purple patch with 76 not out off 32 balls before quick Mark Steketee claimed three early wickets as Stars reached the finals for the first time since BBL 09.Related

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After a woeful start to the season with five straight defeats, Stars have gained significant momentum with five straight wins to book a knockout final against Sydney Thunder at the Showgrounds.The match was essentially a tune-up for Hurricanes, who had already locked up top spot and a home final in the Qualifier against Sydney Sixers.

Maxwell ignites again after Webster’s half-century

All eyes were on Maxwell. But the big crowd at the MCG had to wait for their hero as openers Sam Harper and Thomas Rogers laid a solid platform.Stars have badly struggled at the top of the order with Harper particularly out of form. But they peeled off 19 runs in the first two overs in the best opening stand of the season for Stars.Harper whacked four early boundaries, but Stars couldn’t get through the powerplay unblemished with Rogers succumbing to a clever change of pace from quick Nathan Ellis.Having ended a run of five straight single digit scores, Harper could not go on with it after he was trapped lbw by the spin of Nikhil Chaudhary.With Beau Webster struggling with his timing, Marcus Stoinis tried to regain Stars’ momentum with numerous powerful blows to race to 32 off 19 balls. But like countless times this season, Stoinis could not launch off the platform and his dismissal brought Maxwell to the crease.Maxwell, fresh off his extraordinary 90 against Renegades, started fast and smashed Chaudhary down the ground for six on his fourth delivery. His presence had a profound effect on Webster, who shook from his slumber to put the foot down.Webster hogged the strike, but didn’t cop the wrath of Maxwell’s legion of fans as he powered to his half-century with a six down the ground.Maxwell took over after Webster’s dismissal and had the crowd in the palm of his hands when he got under a slower short delivery from left-arm quick Marcus Bean and with a flick of the wrists whacked it over fine leg.He was unstoppable at the death, clubbing a six off quick Cameron Gannon to reach his half-century and then smashing two more into the crowd as Stars powered past 200.It brought some cheer for Maxwell, whose Test career looks over after he missed out on Australia’s squad to Sri Lanka.Mark Steketee took three wickets in his first two overs•Getty Images

Hurricanes experiment with their attack

With little to play for, Hurricanes decided to play it safe. Spearhead Riley Meredith did not play while Nathan Ellis only bowled one over with Ben McDermott on the broadcast saying he was managing a sore groin.Ellis used the match to experiment and seven bowlers were used. Tim David’s handy offspin opened the bowling, while Chris Jordan bowled in the backend in his return from a back injury but struggled amid Maxwell’s onslaught.With injured quick Billy Stanlake to miss the finals, his position is up for grabs and seemingly a race between Bean and Gannon, freshly signed as Stanlake’s replacement.Bean, plucked out of Tasmanian club cricket, impressed in his professional debut against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba. Sporting a change of hair colour, from gold to silver, Bean enjoyed the wicket of Stoinis with an awkward delivery that climbed and hurried the batter.But he suffered in the backend and so too did Gannon, who was playing in the BBL for the first time in three years. He’s been in outstanding Sheffield Shield form, but Gannon struggled with his lengths to finish with 0 for 48 off 4 overs. Bean took 1 for 45 off his 4.Hurricanes were also extremely sloppy in the field to cap a forgettable performance.

Steketee continues strong form

Veteran quick Steketee has been a key part of Stars’ revival with 15 wickets in five matches. He’s been impactful with the new ball and so was the case again. In the second over he dismissed opener Caleb Jewell after Stoinis took a blinder with a full-stretch dive running backwards at mid on.Steketee struck again two balls alter when Charlie Wakim drove straight to backward point. He trapped McDermott lbw in his next over before claiming Ellis at the end to finish with 4 for 24 off 3.3 overs.

Owen unleashes early but in vain

Mitchell Owen has been the breakout player this season with his move up the order being a considerable success for Hurricanes. Their hopes in the chase largely rested on Owen getting off to a flier and he tried his best by bludgeoning left-arm quick Joel Paris for a couple of big sixes in the opening over.He also took a liking to veteran quick Peter Siddle with several mighty blows, unleashing his considerable power, to motor to 34 off 10 balls. But he slowed down slightly before holing out on 38 as Hurricanes’ slim chances effectively ended.Ellis top-scored with a rapid 40 at the end until he holed out to – quite fittingly – Maxwell, who pumped his fist to the jubilant fans knowing Stars’ season will continue.

Pakistan don’t expect Naseem’s injury to affect his availability for the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Sep-2023Naseem Shah, who injured his bowling shoulder towards the end of Pakistan’s Asia Cup Super Four match against India, has been withdrawn from the squad, and has been replaced by Zaman Khan.The PCB said that Naseem “continues to be monitored by the team’s medical panel that is taking all necessary precautions” keeping in mind the ODI World Cup, which starts in less than a month’s time. Zaman has linked up with the Pakistan team already and has started training with them.ESPNcricinfo understands that, at this stage, Pakistan don’t expect Naseem’s injury to affect his availability for the World Cup.Related

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Meanwhile, Haris Rauf, who did not bowl on the reserve day of the India game after feeling “discomfort in his right flank” on the scheduled day of the match, “continues to recover well”, the PCB said.Team doctor Sohail Saleem said, “These two fast bowlers are our assets and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup.”Neither Rauf nor Naseem batted in Pakistan’s chase against India, which ended on 128 for a 228-run defeat, which affected Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the Asia Cup final. They must now beat Sri Lanka in their final Super Four game. In case the weather forces an abandonment, Sri Lanka will go through to the final against India because of their superior net run-rate.As reported by ESPNcricinfo on Monday, Pakistan had called up Zaman and Shahnawaz Dahani once Rauf and Naseem, two members of the three-pronged Pakistan pace attack of which Shaheen Afridi is the leader, picked up their injuries.At the time, the PCB had said that Rauf and Naseem had not been ruled out of the tournament and would remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The board called it “only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players” ahead of the World Cup.

Matt Milnes leads Kent attack as 170th Canterbury Festival gets underway

ECB Reporters Network11-Jul-2022Northamptonshire 303 (Gay 112, Rickelton 55) vs KentNorthamptonshire were all out for 303 against Kent, after a fluctuating first day in the LV= Insurance County Championship match at Canterbury.Emilio Gay hit 112 after the visitors lost Ricardo Vasconcelos to the first ball of the day and Ryan Rickelton was the next highest scorer with 55, but having reached 205 for two, they lost their next eight wickets for 98 runs.
Matt Milnes had Kent’s best bowling figures with three for 47, while Joe Denly took two for 31 and Matt Quinn two for 51.The 170th Canterbury Festival began with the temperature already over 25 degrees in the shade and in the day’s least surprising development, Northamptonshire chose to bat after winning the toss.The pitch, however, didn’t look benign early on. Vasconcelos went for a platinum duck when he was caught behind off Quinn and Rickelton and Gay then endured a torrid hour, during which they struggled to score at over two an over. Both survived, however, and as the session ground on, the runs came more freely, leaving the visitors on 95 for one at lunch.An elegant cover drive off Milnes took Rickelton to 50 just after the restart, but he then edged the same bowler behind.It was otherwise a session of few chances. Luke Procter was dropped at leg slip when on 12 off Linde and Gay reached his century with a glanced two off George Linde, but he fell in the penultimate over before tea. Kent skipper Sam Billings threw the ball to occasional red-ball spinner Denly and his second ball was pulled to Linde at midwicket, leaving Northants on 206 for three at the interval.Denly struck again soon after the resumption, getting Procter caught and bowled for 33 and Jack Leaning then bowled Rob Keogh for six.The new ball accounted for Josh Cobb who went for nine. He tried to cut Milnes and was caught by Ben Compton at point.Milnes then splayed Jimmy Neesham’s off and middle stumps, bowling him for 33, before Quinn bowled Lewis McManus for four.Ben Sanderson made 23 from 18 balls before he edged Grant Stewart and fell to a juggling catch by Billings and George Linde wrapped up the innings by bowling Simon Kerrigan for seven with the final ball of the day, leaving Jack White unbeaten on six.

“For me, it’s about how can I learn, how can I grow, and focusing on trying to do the job for the team at that time”

Deivarayan Muthu19-Feb-20213:28

Have RCB sorted their batting out?

Kyle Jamieson had originally planned to sleep through the IPL auction, like Jimmy Neesham, but then woke up at around midnight in Christchurch to watch the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings bid furiously for him. The 6’8″ quick ended up attracting the day’s second-highest winning bid, with Mike Hesson’s Royal Challengers signing him up for INR 15 crore (USD 2 million approx).”It was pretty surreal, really, and it’s such a unique experience to watch yourself go through an auction like that in the early hours of the morning,” Jamieson said. “And I think it’s probably still trying to sink in a little bit and try to take in…Related

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“Yeah, it was weird, there’s no textbook to say how to approach that sort of stuff – that’s probably how I’ve tried to take it. It’s such a unique experience and it’s trying to embrace the whole situation of it all as just try to, I guess, enjoy the moment.”Having watched the madness unfold, Jamieson first called up his partner and then his parents.”I actually called my partner and actually woke her up,” Jamieson said. “She was asleep, and that was a pretty cool moment. Kind of sit back and there wasn’t a whole lot of words to be spoken to be fair, but then called mum and dad – they were up as well. Did that and then turned the phone off and tried to get some sleep.”Jamieson was also pleased to share the moment with former New Zealand quick Shane Bond who incidentally will plot against Jamieson in the Mumbai Indians backroom in the forthcoming IPL.”I had a message from Shane Bond as it [auction] was going and he was sort of saying, ‘How good is this!’ I didn’t actually know what the amount of money was and how that translated to New Zealand dollars,” Jamieson said. “It was quite cool to share that moment with him and sort of ride that two or three minutes with him.”Having become the highest-paid New Zealander at an IPL auction – his senior fast-bowling partner Trent Boult had previously attracted a bid of INR 5 crore from the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2017 – Jamieson is now preparing to buy coffee and beer for his team-mates and also cop some friendly banter from them.”Yeah, I think there will be a bit [of banter] from Boult, [Tim] Southee etc. So, no, it’s all part of it, and there’s a lot of banter thrown around in this group anyway and it’s such an enjoyable place to be. It’s all harmless and just good fun.”‘I accept that there will be expectations but that’s been the case the whole time I’ve played’•Getty Images

Jamieson was looking forward to linking up with a star-studded RCB contingent, which also includes Australia allrounder Glenn Maxwell who was signed for INR 14.25 crore (USD 1.95 million approx).”I think it’s such a special experience and I think [I’m] so fortunate to go to a team with superstars of the game like that,” Jamieson said. “They’ve had success for such a long period of time – those guys…Just to rub shoulders with them and try to learn and grow as a cricketer is something that I’m relishing.”Jamieson has never played competitive cricket in India previously, and the hefty price tag could invite pressure, but he downplayed it and hoped to pick up new tricks. His maiden IPL stint could potentially tune him up for the T20 World Cup, which is also slated to be held in India later this year.”To be fair, I don’t think a whole lot changes to me,” Jamieson said. “I accept that there will be expectations but that’s been the case the whole time I’ve played. When you play your first one-day game, first Test, and different series, there’s always expectation, but it’s probably more externally than it is with me. For me, it’s about how can I learn, how can I grow, and focusing on trying to do the job for the team at that time.”Shane Jurgensen, the New Zealand bowling coach, also believed Jamieson wouldn’t be distracted by the price tag and backed him to succeed in India with his pace and bounce.”He won’t change,” Jurgensen said. “He will still do his thing, his preparation, and he works hard. Like all our guys, he will do what he does. I think he will take it and he’s a very level young man – he’s worked hard on a lot of areas in his game and as I said it’s [a] reward for all he’s done.”After Jamieson bagged 6 for 7 – the best figures by a New Zealander and the fifth-best overall in T20 cricket – in the Super Smash on New Year’s Day in 2019, Hesson had tweeted: “An impressive bowler who at 6ft 8in can swing it… another one to add to the @BLACKCAPS stable.” Jamieson has since broken into New Zealand’s side across formats, most notably playing a crucial hand in their run to the WTC final, and now Hesson has added Jamieson to the RCB stable as well.

Porterfield captained Ireland 253 times, spanning two 50-over World Cups and five World T20s

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2019William Porterfield has stepped down as Ireland’s captain after 11 years in the role. Andrew Balbirnie, the middle-order batsman, will replace him as Test and 50-over captain, while Gary Wilson will continue in the T20 job.Porterfield led Ireland in 253 games after taking over from Trent Johnston in 2008, captaining in two 50-over World Cups – which saw memorable wins over England and West Indies – and five World T20s, as well as their first-ever Test match, against Pakistan at Malahide in 2018. He intends to continue playing international cricket.”It has been an incredible journey, and a fantastic honour to have captained my country over the past 11-and-a-half years,” Porterfield said. “There have been many highs, along with a few lows along the way, but I can honestly say that it has been thoroughly enjoyable. To have been able to lead Ireland out at various World Cups, through to our first Test against Pakistan, and again at Lord’s in the summer, have been but a few of these highlights. I feel incredibly lucky and privileged to have done so.”I feel, and in consultation with Cricket Ireland, that now is the right time to hand over that mantle. With the ODI league starting in the summer it will allow ‘Balbo’ [Balbirnie] time to get into the swing of things. I feel that the selectors have made a great choice in appointing ‘Balbo’ and that it has come at a great time for him personally being on top of his game, and with more to come. Having spoken to him, I know how honoured and excited he is to get going. I’m looking forward to helping and supporting Balbo in any way I can, and seeing him lead Ireland forward.”Balbirnie, 28, becomes Ireland’s second Test captain and fifth ODI skipper. He has been capped 123 times since his debut in 2010, and has led the A team and Ireland Under-19s in the past.”To be asked to captain my country is an absolute honour and one that I am very excited about as we move into a busy new year,” Balbirnie said. “It’s a proud moment not just for me but also for my family and everyone who has been there on my cricket journey so far – especially my coaches, team-mates and friends at Pembroke Cricket Club.”Since 2008, William has been an amazing leader on and off the field, not just to me but anyone who has been lucky to represent Ireland. Taking over from our greatest captain will certainly be a hard act to follow but one I’m looking forward to getting into. William still has a huge role to play in this team going forward and I look forward to working with him over the next couple of years.”We are very lucky that we are entering arguably the most exciting period to be an Irish cricketer, so to be able to lead the guys into this will be a great honour and challenge, and one that I’m looking forward to immensely.”Andrew White, the chair of national men’s selectors, said: “William has been a remarkable captain, and we have been fortunate over such a long period to have his skills and experience to draw on. His leadership abilities on the field have been clear for all to see, but what is, and always has been, his greatest quality is his off-field leadership and support that has benefitted numerous coaches and players over a long period of time.”‘Porty’ has also been integral to the development of the national pathway system in Ireland, helping to shape and advise on what is now a comprehensive programme that is starting to bring through local talent and mould that next generation of Irish cricketer.””However, there comes a time when that baton is handed over, and in the Test and ODI formats we had identified the leadership potential in Andrew early on. Succession planning in international sport is so important these days, and Andrew has certainly developed and grown in confidence and stature over recent years. It is often said that the weight of captaincy can weigh heavy on some players, but we believe Andrew is someone who has the instincts and resolve to carry that weight and excel.”Over the past two years we have been on a process of transition, and with our new Test member status, entry into the Future Tours Programme, and combined with being on the cusp of entering the new ICC Cricket World Cup Super League in 2020, we believe this is a good time to for Andrew to begin his captaincy journey and we wish him well.”Balbirnie’s first outing as captain will come in the Caribbean, where Ireland play three ODIs and three T20Is at the start of next year.

Reports suggest prosecutors in South Africa will re-examine the circumstances of Peter Roebuck’s supposed suicide in 2011

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2018South African prosecutors are reportedly set to reopen the inquest into the death of Peter Roebuck, the former Somerset captain turned journalist who died in 2011. Roebuck fell to his death from a hotel room in Cape Town, with local police saying he had committed suicide.Roebuck’s family have previously expressed concern that they were not invited to be present at a closed hearing in 2013. Roebuck, who was in South Africa covering Australia’s Test tour, had been confronted by police while staying at the Southern Sun Hotel over allegations of sexual assault.South Africa’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Western Province, has been reviewing the case for a number of years. In 2016, the original inquest “docket” on the incident, which was believed to have been lost, was discovered and passed on to the DPP.Now, the has reported that the case will be re-examined “in the interests of justice”, although no date has been set for the inquest.David Hood, an English barrister representing the Roebuck family, said in a statement to the newspaper: “From the outset, the family and supporters of the late Peter Roebuck have put their faith in the legal system of South Africa. It is important to all internationally recognised systems of justice that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done.”That could never have been with the death of Peter Roebuck, unless and until the circumstances of his death were examined at a legally convened hearing held in public with witnesses called and questioned under oath.”The inquest is expected to examine a number of questions around Roebuck’s death, including the nature of the injuries he sustained after falling from the sixth floor and how he was able to jump through a window while a police office was supposedly present in the room.

The mother of South Africa coach Russell Domingo passed away overnight on Sunday following a car accident last month

Firdose Moonda09-Jul-2017The mother of South Africa coach Russell Domingo passed away overnight on Sunday following a car accident last month, shortly after Domingo had left the tour of England for a second time to return home.Domingo went home at the time of the incident – during the T20 series against England late last month – then traveled back to the UK during the tour-match in Worcester when his mother was discharged but he left again before the end of the first Test at Lord’s when her condition worsened again.Cricket South Africa confirmed her passing on Twitter. “Our deepest condolences go out to Russell Domingo and his family following the untimely passing of his mother late last night. #RIP.”CSA has not put a timeline on Domingo’s return and will allow the coach as much time as he needs with his family. It is likely he will not return for the start of the second Test at Trent Bridge on Friday.Earlier this week, Domingo confirmed he had reapplied for his post as South Africa’s head coach following weeks of uncertainty over whether he wanted to continue in the role. Domingo was interviewed by the five-man panel appointed to recommend a candidate for the coaching position to CSA’s board, which includes former national coaches Gary Kirsten and Eric Simons. The committee will meet with CSA’s board on July 21 and a decision on the new coach will be made shortly thereafter.South Africa’s backroom staff includes assistant coach Adrian Birrell, batting consultant Neil McKenzie, bowling coach Charl Langeveldt and spin bowling consultant Claude Henderson. The team will travel to Nottingham to prepare for the second Test on Tuesday.