Afghanistan cricketer Rashid Khan thanked fans for their love and support after he won the ICC Men's T20I Player of the Decade award and was named in T20I Team of the Decade.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2LawvwG
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Christchurch: Fast bowler Matt Henry was on Friday named as replacement for the injured left-arm pacer Neil Wagner in the New Zealand squad for the second Test against Pakistan, starting on Sunday.
Wagner was struck by Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi yorker while batting on the second day of the first Test, sustaining undisplaced fractures in both the fourth and fifth toes of his right foot.
Wagner's recovery is expected to be approximately six weeks, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Coach Gary Stead said Henry brings Test experience and local knowledge to the squad.
"Matt has been in good form with the ball having recently taken 6-53 for New Zealand A against the Pakistan Shaheens (A side) in December," Stead said.
"We're still a couple of days out from the Test, so need to take a look at the surface while also assessing our options for best-possible team make-up," he added.
New Zealand won the first Test by 101 runs to take 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Squad: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, BJ Watling (wk), Will Young.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: The Indian bowlers, led by the crafty Ravichandran Ashwin, have successfully trapped Australian batsmen in the first two Tests, conceded Marnus Labuschagne but vehemently defended Steve Smith, who is currently going through a poor run of form.
Australia have been all out for 191, 195 and 200 in three out of four innings with Ashwin getting 10 wickets so far dismissing Smith twice and Labuschagne once.
"I've never faced Ashwin before until this series. You don't have the stats that Ravi has without being a great bowler and also a great thinker," the 26-year-old said during a virtual press conference.
"He's (Ashwin) obviously come in really prepared and they're being really crafty with their field and what they're trying to do. We have fallen into their trap a few times," he admitted Australia's inability to counter both pace and spin.
The Indian bowling attack, on the other hand, has executed its plans to perfection, leaving a heavy leg side field to cut down their run rate and not allowed them to cross 200-mark in both the Tests.
"They are very disciplined in their bowling and have come up with a plan in both spin and pace...They've held it that straight line and made us face a lot of balls," Labuschagne said.
He defended Smith for his underwhelming show.
"Call it what you want to call it, but not long ago he got two hundreds of 60-odd balls in ODIs (against India at Sydney)."
Asked what could be the reason for Smith's sudden bad patch, Labuschagne said: "He's not short of runs maybe, I mean, he has played a lot of white ball cricket and he probably hasn't had as much time against the red ball as he would have liked.
"That's the reality of cricket and of this COVID situation."
Labuschagne reminded everyone about Smith's staggering Test average and this current series could just be an aberration.
"He averages 60-plus after 80-odd games (75). He's shown he's consistent even from the start of his career to now. He just keeps putting the runs on the board.
In fact, Indians have created a leg-side field and blocked their run-scoring opportunities.
"They've certainly come in with a plan, making sure that they're really not leaving stamps and and having a really heavy leg side field....
"....It obviously slows the scoring rate down because you know those shots that you do get on your legs, go for one or four," he explained.
"And then they're always keeping those catches in the game. We also need to come up with ways to put them under pressure."
The Aussie No 3 had scored three centuries and a double at the SCG in the home series against Pakistan and New Zealand but he's not been able to cross a half-century from four innings so far in this series.
"We've just got to keep finding ways, keep hitting balls in the training and keep finding ways to get out there."
Another area that is ailing the home side are the number of dropped catches.
In the Boxing Day Test, they grassed as many as eight catches including two by Labuschagne.
"All of our fielders are working really hard on their exact position. If you are short leg, or leg slip or bat pad, or fielding in the slips, we are all working really hard.
"It's maybe a concentration thing, maybe a focus thing, but it's definitely not a work ethic thing," he concluded.
The third Test will be live and exclusive on Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 (Hindi) and Sony Ten 1 channels from Thursday 5am onwards.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
India vs Australia: Marnus Labuschagne said Australia need to be "very well prepared" for 3rd Test, admitting they have fallen into India's trap "a few times."
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2Mgyv76
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Karachi: Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq is not disappointed with the performance of his team on the ongoing tour of New Zealand, saying his players competed with fatigued body and mind.
Pakistan lost the T20 series before the 101-run defeat in the first Test.
"People have to understand that we have been through a very tough time in New Zealand. After 14-days of total quarantine for the players to still perform like they did in the T20 series and Test match with fatigued bodies and mindset," Misbah said in an interview.
"There are a lot of positives for us on this tour."
The former captain stressed that it had been very tough for the players to remain in total quarantine where they couldn't even exercise properly.
"But the players put all that behind them and had only six days to prepare for the T20 series including the travelling and all."
"I think we performed competitively in the T20 series and if not for some mistakes at crucial times like our fielding and top order failure we could even have won the T20 series."
He said injury issues to Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan had also hit the team but it remained competitive.
"The plus points for have been the performance of Rizwan the way he has taken responsibility even as captain and batsman. The way Fawad Alam has come to the front and played so well and the way Faheem Ashraf has come back strongly. These are all positives for us."
Misbah said he was happy that the team remained competitive and resilient throughout the first Test and unluckily lost the match in the final session with a few overs to go.
"If you remember we had also come close to winning a Test in England and now the way we lost the first Test in New Zealand, I think it is a matter of time before we can start winning consistently."
Misbah said the emergence of young players was a big plus for Pakistan cricket and they would all get better with exposure and grooming.
"Players like Abdullah Shafiq, Haider, Khushdil, Hasnain, Haris Rauf etc are a very good lot and some have already performed well but they will only get better with time."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Team India celebrated the arrival of New Year 2021 even as they continued their Australia sojourn. BCCI, KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan among others posted wishes on social media.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2L6nK6S
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Talismanic New Zealand captain Kane Williamson says it is "surprising and humbling" to leapfrog star Australia batsman Steve Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli to the top spot in the ICC Test rankings.
Williamson (890) gained 13 rating points for his player-of-the-match effort of 129 and 21 in New Zealand's 101-run win over Pakistan in the first Test to end the year at the top position on Thursday.
He dethroned Smith, who slipped to the third spot after managing scores of 0 and 8 in the two innings against India at the MCG. Kohli (879) is at second, 11 points behind Williamson and two more than Smith.
"Those two players (Virat Kohli and Steve Smith) are the best. For me, sneak up ahead of someone (like them) is very surprising and humbling," Williamson said in a video posted on the ICC's Twitter handle.
🗣️ "It was a great game to be involved in. We seem to have many tight finishes against Pakistan. The last three have gone to the last 25 minutes of the last day."
🎥 Kane Williamson reflects on the thrilling finish in the first #NZvPAK Test match at the Bay Oval ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FVpdzV2eZh
— ICC (@ICC) December 31, 2020
"Those are the two players year and year out in all formats moving the game forward, very fortunate to play against these guys," said the 30-year-old right handed batsman.
Williamson had briefly occupied the top spot towards the end of 2015 before Kohli and Smith soared ahead of him.
"It's about trying to do as much as you can for the team. If you can contribute as much as you can and it can be reflected on the rankings, that's really cool," he said.
Williamson said his focus was on helping New Zealand achieve success across all formats and personal milestones are just a byproduct of that process.
New Zealand clinched a last-session thriller in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Mount Maunganui after the visitors put up a valiant fight.
"It was a great game to be involved in. We seem to have many tight finishes against Pakistan. The last three have gone to the last 25 minutes of the last day. Both teams fought incredibly hard.
"I think we had moments although the resistance put up by Pakistan on the last day was incredibly strong. It is really exciting to cross the line and hunt for an opportunity for the World Test Championship," said Williamson.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Karachi: Pakistan will engage in 10 bilateral series next year apart from the World T20 Cup assignment, PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has said.
Mani said in a podcast that Pakistan had lined up 10 bilateral series in the new year and would play around nine Tests, 20 ODIs and 39 T20 matches as there would be no shortage of cricket for players.
"New Zealand are coming over before the World T20 Cup. Next in is England to play two T20 matches and both teams will then leave for the event in India," he said.
Mani said South Africa had sent their delegation to Pakistan to assess the Covid-19 protocols and security arrangements and they have agreed to send their team in January for two Tests and three T20 matches.
According to details, New Zealand will first come over in September-October to play three ODIs and three T20 internationals before leaving for the World Cup.
The day the New Zealand team leaves for India, England will reach Pakistan for their two T20 matches.
Mani said the board was totally behind the national team management of head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, coaches, Waqar Younis and Younis Khan and the support staff.
"I don't think we can have a better management and support staff."
"We have the best and it can't be better. We have also started inducting elite former players into our high performance centre and domestic cricket teams."
Mani also said that the board realised that Misbah could only work with the available resources and overall selection has been fair.
"Misbah is not alone; he has the support of Waqar and Younis Khan and all of them are people who have played and done well everywhere for Pakistan."
The PCB chief also made it clear that Pakistan had got no financial benefit from sending its team to England in the summer but it was a decision taken after much thought for the sake of world cricket in the pandemic.
He also said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had approached the PCB themselves for the short tour to Pakistan and the decision to hold the series later in the year was taken to ensure England's full strength side came to Pakistan.
"All these positive things happening are only possible when the management in the board is professional."
Mani also said that the Board was working on methods to slowly allow back crowds to matches in coming days.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: Will Pucovski's history of bouncing back strongly from concussion-induced breaks gives Australia assistant coach Andrew McDonald confidence that the young opener will not have trouble in scoring runs if drafted into playing XI.
Pucovski, who was primed to make debut in Adelaide, was ruled out of the first two Tests after being hit on the head in the first warm-up game. That was the 22-year-old's ninth concussion, not all from cricket.
He has now been included in the squad for the remainder of the series.
"We do know with the history that Will has had, and with my time with him at Victoria. He had a pretty good track record of performing when he has returned," McDonald was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press (AAP).
In 2018, Pucovski scored his maiden first-class hundred just months after suffering two concussions, with only minor hits in between for a Cricket Australia XI against England.
The right hander also notched up double-centuries in his last two returns from lengthy stints out with concussions.
"I think they (the selectors) will put a bit of trust put into the player around whether he's mentally ready. And clearly it will be up to the coach once he lays eyes on him to see where he's at in terms of being skill ready.
"But history would suggest that he says he's right to perform he's done it a few times and had a good return, so (I'll) suggest they'll put trust into the player," McDonald added.
Pucovski, who joins the Australian squad on Thursday night, will take part in two crucial net sessions at Melbourne before the team moves to Sydney for the third Test, starting on 7 January in Sydney.
Earlier this week, former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist had said Matthew Wade, who was elevated to the role of opener after the home side was struck by injuries, has made a strong case for himself and the management is likely to go with him at the top alongside David Warner.
However, McDonald opined that Wade's best batting position is in the middle order.
"Is Wade and Warner the best opening combination for us at this point in time? I think a lot of that will depend on how Will Pucovski is," McDonald said.
"I would suggest (Wade)'s best batting position is in the middle ... and that's probably where he's best suited."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Kane Williamson moved to No. 1 on the ICC rankings for Test batsmen in the final update of 2020, going past Virat Kohli and Steve Smith.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/381PQcD
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
BBL 2020: Adelaide Strikers captain Alex Carey stretched himself in the air before catching the ball in his glove-webbing to dismiss Liam Livingstone.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WZg1KI
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Ben Stokes found the ICC Test Team of the Decade cap a bit too similar to England's biggest rivals Australia's 'Baggy Green' caps.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WZO3hG
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Steve Smith was recently named the ICC Men's Test Cricketer of the Decade, beating the likes of Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, and the cricketer felt "humbled" at the honour.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3og00Mt
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
BBL 2020: Melbourne Stars spinner Adam Zampa was found guilty of a Level 1 offence under the Cricket Australia Code of Conduct and accepted a penalty of one suspension point and a 2500 dollars fine.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2L8fXp4
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
London: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has been sued by former umpires John Holder and Ismail Dawood for alleged racial discrimination during their time in the board's employment, a report said.
The duo had accused the ECB of insitutional racism and demanded an independent inquiry into the lack of match officials from ethnic minority groups in the country last month.
"Holder lodged his claim at the London central office of the employment tribunal two days before Christmas," according to a report in 'The Guardian'.
A former Hampshire cricketer, Holder has officiated in 11 Tests and 19 ODIs in a career spanning almost three decades.
"The legal action against the ECB relates to his employment as a first class umpire between 1983 and 2009.
"Holder was dropped from the ECB's Test match list in 1991, a few weeks after he reported an incident of alleged ball-tampering by an England player in a Test against West Indies at the Oval," the report said.
Holder and former U-19 cricketer Dawood "are seeking compensation and a recommendation on the ECB's future conduct under s.123 (3) (b) of the 2010 Equality Act."
Dawood, who has played for Northamptonshire, Worcestershire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire but could never make umpiring a career after failing to win promotion to the panel following the end of his playing career in 2005, said that there were "systematic failings."
"I was told I was going to get promoted one year in an appraisal, it was verbal. It didn't transpire," Dawood told 'Sky Sports News'.
"On six different occasions I was superseded in terms of getting promotion. My reports and statistical data by various different people who do the reports were all of a sound manner and I wasn't given the opportunities to gain promotion, which of course I felt aggrieved about.
"I still don't know why my career was cut short. We believe there has been systematic failings within, a type of bullying, harassment and cronyism which I was involved with in terms of the umpiring fraternity, was terrible," he added.
An ECB spokesperson, in response said: "We are not aware of the detail of this claim from John Holder and are therefore unable to comment upon it. The ECB is absolutely committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, of any kind, in our sport.
"As with all areas of our game, we want our match officials to represent and reflect everyone who supports and plays cricket.
"...we have been arranging to meet with John Holder and others to listen to their experiences so as to better inform our future approach to recruiting and developing umpires and match officials."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: Joining the Indian team after completing his mandatory 14-day quarantine, star batsman Rohit Sharma on Thursday went through his first practice session in Australia under the watchful eyes of batting coach Vikram Rathour.
The prolific opener is expected to play the third Test in Sydney from 7 January.
"The engine is just getting started and here is a quick glimpse of what lies ahead. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND," BCCI tweeted with two pictures of the batsman.
While he trained, the rest of the squad took a brief two-day break after India's fine win in the second Test at MCG.
The 33-year-old Mumbaikar, who had missed the limited-overs series as well as the first two Tests against Australia due to a hamstring injury that he sustained during the IPL, was seen taking catching practice in the photographs.
The engine is just getting started and here is a quick glimpse of what lies ahead. #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/3UdwpQO7KY
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 31, 2020
Three throwdown experts - Raghavindraa, popularly known as Raghu, Sri Lankan Nuwan Seneviratne and Dayananda Garani - were also there to assist Rohit.
Prior to meeting his teammates, Rohit had spent two weeks in quarantine in Sydney.
On Tuesday, head coach Ravi Shastri had said the medical team will look at how the player is physically before a call is taken on his inclusion in the playing XI for the third Test.
On 11 December, the BCCI had announced that the opener cleared an eagerly-watched fitness test at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, paving the way for his departure for Australia ahead of the four-Test series.
Rohit, along with the Indian team, is likely to leave for Sydney on January 4 after a change in schedule due to the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Rohit had sustained a hamstring injury during the IPL, which led to him missing the white-ball leg and the first two Tests of the ongoing tour. It remains to be seen who makes way for Rohit from the side that trounced Australia in the second Test.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has backed the swashbuckling Mumbaikar to open the batting with the young Shubman Gill in Sydney.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
The pictures shared by Yuzvendra Chahal also featured his India teammate Shikhar Dhawan and both of them were seen dancing together.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3ht32KC
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma "just got the engine started" after linking up with the Indian squad on Wednesday ahead of the third Test in Sydney.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3o4IwCj
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Nagpur: The Vidarbha Cricket Association has named Pritam Gandhe as the coach of its senior team for the upcoming domestic season after earlier coach Trevor Gonsalves tested positive for COVID-19.
With the 2020-21 domestic season beginning with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy from 10 January, Vidarbha had appointed Gonsalves as it's coach.
"Vidarbha Cricket Association appoints former captain & former coach Pritam Gandhe as coach for the Vidarbha senior team. The appointment was necessitated after the earlier coach Trevor Gonsalves tested positive for Covid-19," the cricket body said in a release.
"Gonsalves report came after one of the test being conducted by VCA for the VCA players & support staff, who will participate in the forthcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy. No other players have tested positive."
The VCA has also asked its selectors to select four more players after the BCCI decided to allow a total of 22 players in each team, the statement said.
Vidarbha, who have won back-to-back Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup titles in the past, are placed in Elite Group D and will play their league games in Indore.
The squad will be led by Ganesh Satish and the team will depart on 2 January.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
ICC Rankings: Kane Williamson gained 13 points and overtook contemporaries Steve Smith and Virat Kohli to become the No.1-ranked Test batsman in the world.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2MbrMv9
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Christchurch: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has overtaken Australia's Steve Smith and India captain Virat Kohli to be the number one Test batsman in the world in the latest ICC rankings released Thursday.
Williamson leaped from third to first after his player-of-the-match effort leading the Black Caps to a 101-run victory over Pakistan this week, scoring 129 in the first innings and a rapid 21 in the second when New Zealand were building a lead before declaring.
The New Zealand skipper described it as "humbling" to overtake Smith, who held the top spot for 313 days this year, and Kohli, who was number one for 51 days.
Smith slipped to third in the rankings behind Kohli following scores of nought and eight in Australia's second Test against India while Kohli was on paternity leave.
"They are incredible players of our generation," Williamson said as he arrived in Christchurch ahead of the second Pakistan Test which starts on Sunday.
"Those two players are the best so for me to sneak up perhaps in some way, is very surprising and humbling."
All three players were this week named in the International Cricket Council's team of the decade with Smith also named as the individual Test player of the decade. Kohli took the award for the best one-day player.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
New Delhi: The Indian team management is likely to prefer Shardul Thakur over left-arm pace sensation Thangarasu Natarajan in the third Test against Australia in place of injured Umesh Yadav.
According to sources, senior pacer Yadav, who had earlier missed the third Test due to a calf muscle tear, is heading home for rehabilitation after being ruled out of the fourth and final Test in Brisbane as well.
The third Test begins in Sydney from 7 January.
"While people are excited about the brilliant progress shown by T Natarajan, we mustn''t forget he has played only one first class match for Tamil Nadu. And Shardul has been a seasoned domestic red ball pacer for Mumbai," a BCCI source privy to developments in Australia told PTI on Thursday.
"Shardul was really unfortunate that his Test debut against West Indies ended abruptly due to injury even before he could bowl an over. He has been shaping up well and might replace Umesh in the playing XI," the source added.
The final call will be taken by the head coach Ravi Shastri, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharath Arun after reaching Sydney.
Shardul has so far played 62 first class games and has 206 wickets to show for his efforts.
Another aspect that India would like to address ahead of the Third Test is a long tail that has affected the team.
Shardul has six first class half centuries and during his stint with the national team in white ball games, he has proved to be a decent batsman.
"Obviously the next few training sessions will be important and that''s why the final call is likely to be taken in Sydney," the source said.
As far as Yadav is concerned, he is expected to head off to National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for extensive rehab programme.
The 33-year-old had hobbled off the field after suffering the injury during the third day of the Boxing Day Test.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: A struggling Australia are prepared to risk playing seasoned opener David Warner in the third Test against India even if he is not 100% fit, assistant coach Andrew McDonald said on Thursday.
The third Test is scheduled to be played in Sydney from 7-11 January.
In the absence of Warner, who was recovering from a groin muscle tear, Australia's batting failed miserably in the first two matches.
"That's a real, clear option. He may not be 100 per cent fit — who is coming off an injury? You never know until you get out there," McDonald said during a virtual press conference.
"Look, if he's 90-95% fit and the conversation is that he's fit enough to be able to go out there and perform his duties for the team, then I'm sure that'll be a conversation the coach has with the player.
"Most times Justin (Langer) is pretty open with the players in terms of giving them accountability around that."
Warner has been named in the squad along with Victorian young gun Will Pucovski for the third Test as Australia look to bounce back from the eight-wicket loss in the Boxing Day Test here.
McDonald said Warner is optimistic about making a comeback in Sydney.
"He's (Warner) very optimistic that he should be ready to go, which is a great news for us. We are really excited to have him back.
"I'm sure that he's excited to come back into the group as well. There's nothing worse than being injured when you are at the top of your game as David has been over a period of time."
Pucovski, too, is set for a potential debut after the youngster suffered a concussion in the first warm-up match against the Indians earlier this month.
"He will be put through tests whatever it needs to be put through to make himself available for selection to potentially open the batting. So it's good to have a little bit of depth out there."
One of the biggest setbacks for the Aussies so far has been a rare slump in form for batting mainstay Steve Smith, who has so far scored only 10 runs in four innings in the series.
"I wouldn't be too quick to be judging Steve Smith not looking good in the middle. He looks pretty solid and hitting the ball well at the nets," McDonald said.
Asked if life in a bio-bubble was affecting Smith, he said: "No, none whatsoever. Obviously we worked closely at UAE with the Rajasthan Royals and there's nothing to suggest that there's a link there.
"I'm sure ideally you would prefer to be with your family around Christmas time and Justin addressed that. Some players and staff members unfortunately are going to be disconnected from family during Christmas time, less than ideal there's no doubt.
"Yeah, it's a challenge to rebound. The world's best players usually rebound. He's (Smith) in a really good space to be honest, come Sydney Test."
The assistant coach had a similar opinion for Marnus Labuschagne, who missed out on fifties in both Adelaide and Melbourne.
"Technically they're ready to go. It's about how they score their runs and how they're going to combat these attacks from Indian bowlers. Yes, they want to make sure that they are technically in a good space but it's more about the method now."
The Australian batsmen were strangled down the leg-side with brilliant bowling strategy by the Indians.
"Probably the question for me at the moment is the technical or technically the way that India have prepared and able to probably control particularly with that sort of leg side theory, so to speak," he said.
In the second Test, India skipper Ajinkya Rahane introduced his star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as early as the 11th over, and he delivered by dismissing Matthew Wade and Smith in his first spell to help his team bowl out Australia for 195 in their first innings.
McDonald said they were surprised to see the bounce and turn on the MCG wicket.
"I think one of the things that really surprised everyone was the surface at the MCG on Boxing Day. It hasn't been what we've normally assumed to be flat strength.
"We weren't expecting the spin to play a significant role at MCG on day one in particular. It spun and bounced off the main part of the surface. So, to me the wicket probably surprised us a little bit.
"We probably weren't able to adapt quick enough during that period of time to combat Indian bowlers," McDonald concluded.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
The final call will be taken by the head coach Ravi Shastri, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and bowling coach Bharat Arun after reaching Sydney.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3n5wqrk
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
India vs Australia: Andrew McDonald, Australia assistant coach, said opening batsman David Warner may play the third Test even if "90-95%" fit.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WWe0P4
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
India vs Australia: Umesh Yadav sustained a calf muscle injury during the second Test in Melbourne and has now returned to India for rehabilitation, says an ANI report.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WZpxNS
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
The three-match ODI series, originally scheduled for January 2021 in Australia, has been moved to next season due to the coronavirus pandemic.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3rIHwpW
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Sydney: A three-match one-day international series between the Australia and India women's cricket teams has been postponed indefinitely and likely won't be played until 2022.
There have been new COVID-19 outbreaks in Sydney which have resulted in some states imposing travel restrictions. And international passengers arriving into Australia are required to quarantine for 14 days.
The matches were due to take place on 22 January 22 in Canberra, 25 January in Melbourne and 28 January in Hobart.
Cricket Australia said the matches will be postponed until "next season," which would likely be 2022, and that three Twenty20 matches would be added to the tour.
The development means India, runners-up in the last ODI and T20 World Cups, will be out of action for 10 months. The team's last match was in the T20 World Cup final on 8 March.
In that game, Australia beat India by 85 runs before more than 86,000 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the biggest attendance for any women's sporting event in Australia.
"We are very hopeful of delivering an expanded schedule between the Australian and Indian women's teams for next season, which would be an outstanding result for fans in both countries," Cricket Australia's interim CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement Thursday.
How does one justify this? Men’s cricket is happening right now but women can’t play. Gender equality, anyone? pic.twitter.com/78e3Fey1Ht
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 31, 2020
"We had initially hoped to play India this summer, however the impact of the global pandemic made it necessary to postpone until next season."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
New Zealand's first-Test hero Neil Wagner will miss the second Test against Pakistan and is expected to be out for more than five weeks as he recovers from breaking two toes during this week's dramatic victory, his coach said Thursday.
The world's third-ranked Test bowler suffered the injury while batting and needed pain-killing injections as he bowled 21 overs in Pakistan's first innings and 28 in the second to play a key role in New Zealand's win.
Wagner's four wickets included the crucial scalp of Fawad Alam for 102 during a marathon 11-over spell late on the fifth day, when it looked as if Pakistan could hold on for a draw. Their last wicket fell with less than five overs remaining on Wednesday.
"The injections he was getting were wearing off each time so he was getting less and less (pain-free) time and we can't have him going through that again for this Test match," Stead said as the team arrived in Christchurch ahead of Sunday's second Test.
"Everyone knows Neil plays with his heart on his sleeve and he just showed how tough he really is and how valuable he's been to New Zealand for a long, long time and we'll miss him enormously.
"We want to be sensible about it. He probably needs five or six weeks of healing now to be right for the end of the season."
Stead did not name a replacement but said he was considering "like-for-like", indicating another fast bowler ahead of all-rounder Daryl Mitchell, the 12th man in the first Test who fielded when Wagner was getting injections.
The Hagley Oval wicket in Christchurch is one of the fastest in New Zealand and traditionally offers pace and bounce.
New Zealand need to win the Pakistan series 2-0 to keep alive their chance of making the World Test Championship final at Lord's next June.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
New Zealand vs Pakistan: Neil Wagner fractured two toes in his right foot during the first Test against Pakistan and he is expected to be out of action for at least five weeks.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/34Zxmaz
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Kochi: Former India pacer S Sreesanth is all set to play in domestic cricket as he was included in the Kerala team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament scheduled for early January, ending his long wait after completing a seven-year-ban on charges of match-fixing.
Sreesanth, who was banned by the BCCI over his alleged involvement in spot-fixing in the IPL, features in the list of players for the Kerala cricket team announced by the state cricket board for the T20 event in Mumbai scheduled from 10 January.
This would be his first domestic event after his seven-year ban ended in September this year.
Earlier in December, he was included in the list of players for the local T20 event in Alappuzha.
But the inaugural KCA President's Cup T20 was deferred as the KCA did not get the government nod due to the spread of coronavirus.
A Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) official said Sanju Samson will lead the Kerala team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T/20 Tournament.
Sachin Baby is his deputy.
Besides, Sreesanth, Samson and Baby, the other players are Basil Thampi, Jalaj Saxena, Robin Uthappa, Vishnu Vinod, Salman Nizar, Nidheesh MD and Asif KM.
While Akshay Chandran, Abhishek Mohan SL,Vinoop S Manoharan, Mohammed Azharuddeen M, Rohan S Kunnummal and Midhun S also found place in the team, the KCA included four new faces—Vathsal Govind Sharma, Sreeroop M P, Midhun P K and Rojith KG in the team.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Fast bowler Neil Wagner was hailed as an "inspiration" on Wednesday after he shrugged off the pain of two broken toes to help bowl New Zealand to victory in the first Test.
A Shaheen Afridi yorker fractured two toes in Wagner's right foot during New Zealand's first innings but, surviving on painkilling injections and grit, he bowled 21 overs in Pakistan's first innings and 28 in the second for a match haul of four wickets.
Wagner crucially removed Fawad Alam for 102 during a marathon 11-over spell late on the fifth day to snuff out Pakistan's hopes of a surprise victory. New Zealand eventually won by 101 runs, 27 balls from the close.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said it was an incredible performance, although Wagner's heart was well known within the team.
Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan said: "I just told him he's mad. He's a different guy.
"His attitude is everything, his aggression is very beautiful."
Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali also said he had "huge respect" for Wagner.
"I said that to him — that's what it means to play for your nation," Azhar said.
"I think he's showing that and he's an inspiration, everyone knows he's got not one, but two, broken toes and he's fighting for his team.
"He was giving 100 percent and maybe more than that, so I have a huge respect for him."
Williamson said trying to get the most out of Wagner before the painkillers wore off was a unique situation.
"People talk about the size of his heart in terms of what he (normally) does on the cricket field but to have a couple of broken toes, and he's in a lot of pain and going off to get injections and numbing his foot, and we're trying to use him," Williamson said.
"It was very, very special from 'Wags', one the team appreciated. We needed him out there and he delivered."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Dubai: India kept themselves in contention of competing in the final of the ICC World Test Championship next year after winning the Melbourne Test that helped them retain their second spot in the updated points table, released on Wednesday.
India bagged 30 points for their eight-wicket win. They are placed second with 390 points and a 72.2 percentage of points (PCT).
Australia continues to occupy the top spot despite losing the Boxing Day Test and copping penalty for maintaining a slow over-rate against India. They now have 322 points with a 76.6 PCT.
New Zealand consolidated their third spot with a 101-run win over Pakistan in the first Test on Wednesday. The Black Caps earned 60 points for the win and now have a PCT of 66.7.
"New Zealand keep themselves in contention of making it to the final of the ICC World Test Championship," the International Cricket (ICC) tweeted on Wednesday.
England and Pakistan form the top five of the WTC points table.
The top two sides at the end of the league on percentage points will play the final. Each series of the league is worth 120 points, distributed evenly over the number of matches in a series, ranging from 60 in two-Test series to 24 for a five-Test series.
Although India leads on the number of points, the ICC last month altered the points system for the WTC owing to the disruption of international cricket due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The factor that determines the final placing is now percentage points.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: The Indian and Australian teams will continue to train in Melbourne for more days and travel to Sydney only three days prior to the third Test beginning at the SCG on 7 January.
Usually the teams land in Sydney on the eve of the New Year but due to steady coronavirus cases in the city, the players and officials will stay in Melbourne for a longer period this year.
"Last night's announcement is we're proceeding in Sydney and we're putting our plans in place to do that and to do that safely. Players will be in Melbourne for a few more days, training there and moving up to Sydney a couple of days ahead of the Test match," CA chief executive Nick Hockley said.
On Tuesday, Cricket Australia had decided to retain Sydney as the venue for the third Test, ending speculation that the game could move to Melbourne because of stringent COVID-19 border restrictions that would have affected the players' movement for the fourth match in Brisbane.
Hockley said the protocols put in place will ensure that broadcast crew can safely travel to Brisbane.
"That's precisely the reason why we have our biosecurity protocols, why we have the measures in place, why we're in a bubble in Sydney.
"And the arrangements that we're putting in place with the Queensland government are such that we can keep the playing cohort (and) the relevant broadcast crew all safe and move safely into Brisbane so that we can complete the full schedule whilst ensuring that we are being responsible and keeping the community safe," he said.
The four-Test series is currently locked 1-1 after India won the second game at the MCG, which was placed on standby in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney's northern beaches before Christmas.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Mount Maunganui: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs in the first Test which ended very late on the fifth day on Wednesday, achieving their third straight win in three home Tests this summer and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
At the same time, New Zealand overtook Australia to claim the No 1 world ranking in Tests for the first time in its history.
The victory wasn’t the emphatic one New Zealand likely had envisaged when they came to the fifth day of a Test match for the first time this season holding a sizeable advantage.
Having been set 373 to win, Pakistan were 71-3 — still 301 runs behind — and the New Zealand bowlers who had dismissed Pakistan for 239 in its first innings to give the home side a 192-run lead, still held the upper hand.
Pakistan were out for 271 at 6.36 pm local time with fewer than five overs left in the day's play.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner dismissed No 11 batsman Naseem Shah to clinch the win after Naseem and Shaheen Afridi had defied New Zealand for almost eight overs as the number of balls remaining in the day dwindled.
The final day didn’t unfold in quite the way New Zealand had hoped or even begun to expect when Trent Boult dismissed the overnight batsman Azhar Ali (38) in the second over of the day.
The early blow seemed to make a quick resolution more likely.
But Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, who came together when Azhar was out, took the script New Zealand had conceived for the day and almost turned it on its head.
Far from capitulating quickly, the fifth wicket pair established a magnificent partnership under pressure and led one of the finest acts of resistance a New Zealand Test has produced on its last day.
In conditions which were never congenial for batting — the ball still occasionally reared from a length or jagged from a crack in the Bay Oval pitch in Mount Maunganui — they batted through all of the first two sessions and into the last to fuel Pakistan’s hopes of a draw.
There were a minimum of 90 overs to be bowled when the day began, more than enough for New Zealand to achieve the seven wickets needed for a draw. For the batting side, a long day stretched ahead and an effort of enormous character would be required to survive the day.
A Pakistan win likely was off the table even at the start. With more than 300 runs needed for victory on a wearing day pitch, an attempt to reach the winning target likely would have wise.
Instead, Fawad and Rizwan put on 165 for Pakistan’s fifth wicket. More importantly, they defied the New Zealand bowlers for 285 minutes — almost five hours — taking Pakistan into the final session with six overs still intact.
At that point, the match seemed in the balance. New Zealand had taken only one wicket — Azhar’s — in the first two sessions and that had become a remote memory when the last session began.
Fawad and Rizwan’s stand had begun to seem impregnable.
They had assembled a 50 partnership from 132 balls, their century stand from 270, 150 runs together from 328. Throughout the day, there were moments of alarm or danger when the ball beat the edge or grazed the stumps. But the pair batted on and on and their endurance lifted Pakistan’s spirits.
Fawad, who bats out of an unorthodox full-frontal stance with his back to his stumps and almost directly facing the bowler, was still able to produce a full array of shots. He reached his half-century from 149 balls early in the second session, then his century — richly deserved — his 102 coming from 236 balls with 14 boundaries.
It was his second century in only his sixth Test.
Rizwan, whose 71 in the first innings helped Pakistan avoid the follow-on, posted his second half-century of the match, 60 runs from 156 deliveries.
New Zealand finally made the breakthrough and separated the pair near the middle of the final session when Kyle Jamieson trapped Rizwan lbw. His appeal was declined by the on-field umpire but upheld under review.
Fawad followed quickly for 102, caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling from the bowling of Neil Wagner, still labouring with two broken toes.
Jamieson removed Yahir Shah (0) and Wagner dismissed Faheem Ashraf (19), who had top-scored in the first innings with 91 and was the last recognized batsman. Santer trapped Mohammad Abbas (1) lbw.
Naseem and Shaheen rattled New Zealand’s nerves with their late partnership but Santner finally broke through, dismissing Naseem caught and bowled.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Rohit Sharma's daughter Samaira celebrated her second birthday on Wednesday and Ritika Sajdeh came up with a series of adorable pictures to wish their cookie monster.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WWrjiI
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
India vs Australia: Sunil Gavaskar wants Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal to open in the third Test with Hanuma Vihari making way for Rohit in the XI.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/38Lzrbh
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
India vs Australia: Ajinkya Rahane's name was engraved on the MCG Honours Board for the second time.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/37ZgoLC
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Melbourne: Opening batsman David Warner will return from injury to take his place in the Australia squad for the third Test against India beginning 7 January in Sydney while struggling fellow opener Joe Burns has been dropped.
Also in the squad is Will Pucovski, who is close to recovering from a concussion, and fast bowler Sean Abbott.
“David has made strong progress in his recovery from injury and will be given every chance to play in Sydney with another seven days until the match," national selector Trevor Hohns said Wednesday. “Sean (Abbott) has fully recovered from a calf strain and is also available for selection.
“Will is in the final stages of the graduated return-to-play protocols and has been symptom-free for some time. He will be fit to play in Sydney subject to completing the return to play protocols and an independent assessment."
Burns entered the series against India in poor form. He managed just 62 runs in nine first-class innings but kept his Test place due to Warner's groin injury. But Burns scored 0 and 4 in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground won by India by eight wickets and notched only 63 runs in two Tests.
“Joe Burns has been released from the squad. Unfortunately, Joe’s returns haven’t been what he or the selectors would like or what we consider he is capable of,” Hohns said.
Pucovski had been in line to make his Test debut in the first match of the series in Adelaide won by Australia by eight wickets before the ninth concussion of his young career ruled him out of the opening two games.
Australia squad: Tim Paine (captain), Sean Abbott, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Wade, David Warner.
Australia will train in Melbourne on 2 and 3 January before moving to Sydney on 4 January.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Mount Maunganui: New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs in the first Test which ended very late on the fifth day on Wednesday, achieving their third straight win in three home Tests this summer and taking a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
At the same time, New Zealand overtook Australia to claim the No 1 world ranking in Tests for the first time in its history.
The victory wasn’t the emphatic one New Zealand likely had envisaged when they came to the fifth day of a Test match for the first time this season holding a sizeable advantage.
Having been set 373 to win, Pakistan were 71-3 — still 301 runs behind — and the New Zealand bowlers who had dismissed Pakistan for 239 in its first innings to give the home side a 192-run lead, still held the upper hand.
Pakistan were out for 271 at 6.36 pm local time with fewer than five overs left in the day's play.
Left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner dismissed No 11 batsman Naseem Shah to clinch the win after Naseem and Shaheen Afridi had defied New Zealand for almost eight overs as the number of balls remaining in the day dwindled.
The final day didn’t unfold in quite the way New Zealand had hoped or even begun to expect when Trent Boult dismissed the overnight batsman Azhar Ali (38) in the second over of the day.
The early blow seemed to make a quick resolution more likely.
But Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan, who came together when Azhar was out, took the script New Zealand had conceived for the day and almost turned it on its head.
Far from capitulating quickly, the fifth wicket pair established a magnificent partnership under pressure and led one of the finest acts of resistance a New Zealand Test has produced on its last day.
In conditions which were never congenial for batting — the ball still occasionally reared from a length or jagged from a crack in the Bay Oval pitch in Mount Maunganui — they batted through all of the first two sessions and into the last to fuel Pakistan’s hopes of a draw.
There were a minimum of 90 overs to be bowled when the day began, more than enough for New Zealand to achieve the seven wickets needed for a draw. For the batting side, a long day stretched ahead and an effort of enormous character would be required to survive the day.
A Pakistan win likely was off the table even at the start. With more than 300 runs needed for victory on a wearing day pitch, an attempt to reach the winning target likely would have wise.
Instead, Fawad and Rizwan put on 165 for Pakistan’s fifth wicket. More importantly, they defied the New Zealand bowlers for 285 minutes — almost five hours — taking Pakistan into the final session with six overs still intact.
At that point, the match seemed in the balance. New Zealand had taken only one wicket — Azhar’s — in the first two sessions and that had become a remote memory when the last session began.
Fawad and Rizwan’s stand had begun to seem impregnable.
They had assembled a 50 partnership from 132 balls, their century stand from 270, 150 runs together from 328. Throughout the day, there were moments of alarm or danger when the ball beat the edge or grazed the stumps. But the pair batted on and on and their endurance lifted Pakistan’s spirits.
Fawad, who bats out of an unorthodox full-frontal stance with his back to his stumps and almost directly facing the bowler, was still able to produce a full array of shots. He reached his half-century from 149 balls early in the second session, then his century — richly deserved — his 102 coming from 236 balls with 14 boundaries.
It was his second century in only his sixth Test.
Rizwan, whose 71 in the first innings helped Pakistan avoid the follow-on, posted his second half-century of the match, 60 runs from 156 deliveries.
New Zealand finally made the breakthrough and separated the pair near the middle of the final session when Kyle Jamieson trapped Rizwan lbw. His appeal was declined by the on-field umpire but upheld under review.
Fawad followed quickly for 102, caught by wicketkeeper BJ Watling from the bowling of Neil Wagner, still labouring with two broken toes.
Jamieson removed Yahir Shah (0) and Wagner dismissed Faheem Ashraf (19), who had top-scored in the first innings with 91 and was the last recognized batsman. Santer trapped Mohammad Abbas (1) lbw.
Naseem and Shaheen rattled New Zealand’s nerves with their late partnership but Santner finally broke through, dismissing Naseem caught and bowled.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
India vs Australia: David Warner has returned to the Australia squad for the final two Tests. Will Pucovski, Sean Abbott have also been added to the squad.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3n5KUI0
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
On 23 December, former India spinner Bishan Singh Bedi wrote to DDCA, asking his name to be removed from one of the stands at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. Bedi’s point of contention was simple; he was miffed at DDCA’s decision to build a statue of their former president Arun Jaitley whose long tenure (1999-2013) was riddled with numerous corruption allegations and controversies.
Five days later, Home Minister Amit Shah, in the presence of BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, unveiled the six-foot, 800 kg statue of the late finance minister near the Virender Sehwag Gate. It was a moment of poignant shame and sorry disregard; a forgettable picture that said a thousand unfortunate words, and an apt reflection of the stifling conundrum that cricket administration in India has become.
Unveiled a statue of Shri Arun Jaitley ji at New Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium. His pioneering contribution in promoting cricket will never be forgotten. We will always miss him as an incredible person dedicated towards nation’s progress. My tributes to Arun ji on his jayanti. pic.twitter.com/DOIclIfrCM
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 28, 2020
Ganguly’s anointment as the BCCI president was seen by many as the beginning of the veritable golden age of India’s cricket administration. For far too long, strongmen and factions have held sway over country’s solitary common passion, and Ganguly’s tenure, it was believed, would rid BCCI of the coterie culture. If only.
Ganguly has since gone on a spree of sorts, signing endorsement deals with fantasy app My11Circle and Edtech startup Classplus, both of which are direct rivals of BCCI’s sponsors Dream 11 and BYJU’S. Legal intricacies aside, the sight of the board president, who happened to be a charismatic cricket captain, batting for fantasy apps is jarring. Add to it, the fact that Ganguly and board secretary Jay Shah (Amit Shah’s son) continue to hold on to their posts despite their tenure having technically ended, and you realise that the more things change in Indian officialdom, the more they remain the same.
It is in this context that the issue of Bedi versus DDCA needs to be looked at. This is not the first instance of a stadium being named after a politician/administrator, and by all accounts, it won’t be the last. Kotla itself was renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium last year. Two years back, Lucknow’s Ekana Cricket Stadium became Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium a day before the ground was to host a T20 game between India and West Indies. From Bengaluru to Mumbai to Chennai to Hyderabad — not to forget a clutch of stadiums within the capital — the country’s stadiums are named after people who have had precious little to do with sports.
It must be noted that none of this nomenclature has made things easier for the paying public. In fact, a majority of India’s sports stadiums are a spectator’s nightmare. From seating, parking, access, mobile and internet connectivity to things as basic as clean washrooms and drinking water, one has to go through hell to appreciate sporting excellence in flesh and blood.
For perspective, Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu – with its astonishing museum, high-end experience tunnels, atmospherics, and acoustics — is a veritable candy store for a football fan. The Lord’s library houses some of the rarest and finest cricket literature, the design engineers at Wanda Metropolitano have ensured that none of its 68,000-odd spectators feel too far away from the action, while the statues of Sir Donald Bradman and Shane Warne continue to inspire visitors at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. By contrast, the blaring music systems at an Indian Premier League (IPL) match are enough to put one off from sport watching itself. Stadiums are seen as white elephants, not cradles of excellence where skills meet the limit of endurance.
The urge to name sporting arenas after politicians or get their statues erected in stadiums is a typically Indian mix of narcissism and sycophancy, and in DDCA’s case, a concrete reminder of nepotism. Lest one forget, the decision to build Jaitley’s statue was taken at an apex council meeting attended by his son and newly-appointed president Rohan when the Association has issues of unpaid wages to support staff, cricket calendar, and pending litigation to deal with.
DDCA's decision, unfortunately, appears in line with country's ruling dispensation's proclivity for statues, event management, and renaming even as more important issues continue to rage. Their response to the crisis has been equally apathetic. Much like the government's tested recourse of ignore-discredit-retribute to any resistance, DDCA chose not to respond to Bedi, who wrote a second letter to the Association on 27 December, threatening legal action. Year 2021 promises to be an open season between a governing body that couldn't care less and a forthright former stalwart of the game.
The episode has served to further tarnish the image of DDCA, already considered among the worst-run sports bodies in a country teeming with badly-run sports bodies. Those in the know of things hint at age-fudging at junior levels while DDCA officials continue to cover themselves in disgrace. Earlier this year, DDCA secretary Vinod Tihara was arrested in Meerut over a GST evasion case. He is out on bail and back in the saddle. The ground itself is renowned for its ghastly design and dead pitch and has long been a laughing stock among journalists and irate fans. Former Delhi cricketers marvel at how the city continues to produce world-class players despite the system, and not because of it.
The Bedi-DDCA slugfest is not just about a statue or a name on the plaque, neither is it about the outspoken honesty of an upright man. It tells a lot about how the country looks at sports, and also the hushed silence of the galaxy of Delhi cricketers, one of who happens to be the captain of India's men's team. Perhaps it is too much to expect country's sports stars to speak on contentious issues, but in a year headlined by the rise of the athlete-resistor globally, one perhaps expected better.
The remit of a stadium goes beyond its primary, prosaic function of providing space for sports. These are breathing, living theatres where men and women sweat, simmer, sculpt, and soar. To subject such institutions to the nasty whims of a few is a monumental cultural disservice to the society perpetually bereft of inspiration. As for the sports culture in India, Twitter-savvy ministers can lead one into believing that such a thing actually exists when all we have are asinine hashtags and grotesque statues to show.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
New Zealand beat Pakistan by 101 runs on Wednesday after a thrilling finish to the first Test in Mount Maunganui, where the visitors were just 27 balls from pulling off a battling draw.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/37ZIqGF
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
KL Rahul was amused by a hilarious video posted by Shikhar Dhawan where he is seen dancing with his pet dogs.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2WWA6kM
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
New Delhi: The five-bowler strategy worked out perfectly for India in Melbourne but the Ajinkya Rahane-led side has some tough calls to make in the batting department, especially the opening slot, ahead of the third Test against Australia in Sydney with Rohit Sharma available for selection.
His elevation as a Test opener in the home series against South Africa last year was a huge success but lack of match practice and the circumstances in which he has arrived in Australia don't make Rohit a certain starter at the top of the order.
"We will have a chat with him to see where he is placed physically because he has been in quarantine for the last couple of weeks. Also got to see how he feels before we take the call," said head coach Ravi Shastri following the memorable eight-wicket win in the second Test on Tuesday.
Rohit joined the squad in Melbourne on Wednesday.
With Shubman Gill showing calmness and maturity beyond his age in his debut Test, the team is likely to fit in Rohit either at the expense of Mayank Agarwal at the top or Hanuma Vihari in the middle-order.
Agarwal's form has been rather poor in the ongoing series and he has managed to touch double figures just once. He hasn't looked the solid batsman that India discovered here in 2018. But it would nonetheless be a huge call if the team management decide to bench him.
The away series in New Zealand earlier this year would have been Rohit's first real test as an opener but he got injured in the middle of the tour. Considering he is coming back from another injury and his last game was the IPL final on 10 November, the challenge Down Under seems to be much tougher, irrespective of his batting position.
Former chief selector MSK Prasad feels dropping either Agarwal, who has struggled so far, and Vihari seems to be the only way to accommodate Rohit.
Though Rohit opened for the first time in his tenure, Prasad is not sure if the champion batsman would be wanting to open due to lack of match practice.
"It will be a toss up between Mayank and Vihari. Dropping Mayank will be a tough call since he has scored hundreds and double hundreds over the last 18 months.
"I am still not sure about Rohit opening because he is coming after a long break. Will he prefer to open or bat in the middle order? That is another question," Prasad told PTI.
"And what kind of role the team management is expecting from Rohit. That is also a factor. Whether they want Rohit to give the team a flying start or anchor the innings in the middle?" he added.
Another former India chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar believes both Agarwal and Vihari should be dropped and Rohit should go back to batting in the middle-order with an in-form KL Rahul joining Gill at the top.
"Shubman Gill was very impressive. He is a huge talent. He showed excellent skills and temperament in both the innings. In Agarwal's place, I would put Rahul in and Rohit in place of Vihari," said Vengsarkar.
"Rahul has to play as he is your in-form player and has been in Australia for a while. Agarwal is a good player but looks short on confidence.
"I would want Rohit to bat at four or five. Ajinkya Rahane is also back in form, suddenly India looks like a different team," he added.
With the series locked at 1-1, the game in Sydney would be an indicator whether this Indian team can do an encore of the 2018 series, which it won 2-1.
Rohit's entry certainly adds to the team's choices but whether it can help solve the opening conundrum is something that only time will tell.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
India vs Australia: Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley said the teams will stay in Melbourne to train for the Sydney Test before moving to the venue "a couple of days ahead of the test."
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3o0fK61
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Sydney: Australian fast bowler Pat Cummins said he had "every confidence" Australia's top batsmen would return to form following an underwhelming first two Tests against India.
With the series level at 1-1 heading into the third Test in Sydney, Cummins parried talk of crisis and said batters like Steve Smith — who was named Test player of the decade this week, but has managed just 10 runs in the first two games — would rediscover their touch.
"Absolutely no stress," Cummins said. "They'll come good."
"Steve's been champion for a dozen years or so, so absolutely no stress at all. Every batter, every player, goes through ups and downs and the great ones find a way to get back, so yeah absolutely no stress that they'll come good, I'm sure."
Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets after India suffered their worst ever Test collapse, scoring just 36 in their second innings.
But it was India who won by eight wickets in the second Test in Melbourne as their injury-depleted attack twice dismissed Australia cheaply.
With some commentators proposing wholesale changes to Australia's top order going into the Sydney Test, Cummins said there was no panic in the camp.
"It's only been two Test matches," he said. "It's too small a sample size to say people need to change the way they go about things."
"It was only 12 months ago that our batters absolutely dominated" against Pakistan and New Zealand, added Cummins.
He said the return of opener David Warner — who is back in training after missing the first two Tests with a groin injury — would be a "huge boost".
Despite a Covid-19 outbreak in Sydney, the next Test will start on 7 January as planned, with the teams facing some form of quarantine for the final Test in Brisbane from 15 January.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Day 4 report: Tim Southee claimed his 300th Test wicket as New Zealand edged closer to a win over Pakistan Tuesday on the fourth day of the first Test.
New Zealand set Pakistan 373 to win after leading by 192 on the first innings and declaring its second innings at 180-5, shortly before tea.
At stumps Pakistan was 71-3, still 202 runs behind, with Azhar Ali 34 not out and Fawad Alam 21. The unbroken 34-run partnership between Azhar and Fawad which occupied 89 minutes before stumps helped the tourists recover from a dreadful start which saw them two wickets down without a run on the board.
Southee took the first Pakistan wicket to fall Tuesday and finished the day with 2-15 from nine overs.
Southee became the third Kiwi after Richard Hadlee (431) and Daniel Vettori (361), the 34th bowler from all nations and only the fourth active player to achieve the 300 wicket milestone. His wickets have come in 76 Tests at an average of 28.48 and a strike rate of 56.8.
Those statistics compare favourably with the England pair James Anderson and Stuart Broad who have 600 and 514 wickets respectively but have played twice as many Tests as Southee. Anderson averages 26.7, Broad 27.6 and both have strike rates around 56.
Southee’s regular new ball partner, Trent Boult, is also closing on the 300 wicket mark. He currently has 275 wickets at an average of 28.
“It’s obviously a pretty cool moment (to reach 300 wickets),” Southee said. “You’re out there with your mates and some of them have obviously been there for a long time as well.
“I’ve enjoyed some great moments with these guys along the way and it’s just a great feeling to be out there with a great bunch of guys and a good crowd here on day four at a beautiful cricket ground.”
At 32, Southee still has many more wickets to come.
“I like Test cricket and I want to play it as long as I can,” he said. “I don’t like to put a number on it but you look at the likes of James Anderson, still doing a hell of a job at the age of 38.
“You’re a long time retired so as long as you can keep performing at the levels that a required I don’t see a reason to put a number on it.”
New Zealand began its second innings at the start of play Tuesday after bowling out Pakistan for 239 in reply to its first innings of 431 late on the third day.
Openers Tom Blundell and Tom Latham posted half centuries in a 111-run first wicket partnership which set New Zealand on course for the declaration. Blundell made 64, Latham 53 and the pair scored at more than three runs per over which allowed captain Kane Williamson to declare before tea, with about 136 overs remaining in the match.
Williamson made 21, Henry Nicholls 11, B.J. Watling 5, Ross Taylor 12 not out and Mitchell Santner 6 in brisk innings which allowed New Zealand to make an aggressive declaration.
The decision to pull out with five overs before lunch was vindicated when Boult and Southee each claimed a wicket before the break.
Boult had Abid Ali caught by wicketkeeper B.J. Watling from the second ball of his first over. It was Watling’s 250th Test catch. Southee removed Shan Masood in the next over caught by Ross Taylor at slip and leaving Pakistan 2-0.
Southee’s 300th wicket came when Haris Sohail was caught by Mitchell Santner at short extra cover after batting 69 minutes for 9 runs. Azhar and Fawad held out for the rest of the day.
Southee and Boult return Wednesday with the chance of finishing the job and giving New Zealand its third-straight Test win of the summer after its back-to-back innings victories over the West Indies. Neil Wagner continues to bowl despite suffering two broken toes while batting on the second day.
With inputs from AP
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
IND vs AUS: Cricket Australia on Tuesday confirmed that the third Test between Australia and India will remain at the Sydney Cricket Ground as scheduled.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/37UO9gW
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
IND vs AUS: With some commentators proposing wholesale changes to Australia's top order going into the Sydney Test, Pat Cummins said there was no panic in the camp.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3mSxVsY
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
The legendary Sunil Gavaskar on Tuesday said it was heartening to see Australian legends heaping praise on stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane for his leadership skills after he led India to a series-levelling eight-wicket win in the second Test.
Stepping into the shoes of regular skipper Virat Kohli, Rahane showed great character to inspire India to a memorable win at the MCG, just days after being dismissed for their lowest-ever score of 36 in the Adelaide Test, which the visitors lost by eight wickets.
"... you had to be around the Australian commentary boxes to understand the kind of admiration that was there for the way he (Rahane) lead the team amongst some of the Australian legends who were at the commentary box," Gavaskar told 'India Today'.
"So that was such a heartening thing to see that he was being praised for his leadership by these guys, someone like Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Mike Hussey, Shane Warne, they had nothing but praise for Rahane's captaincy."
However, Gavaskar made it clear that Virat Kohli was the Test captain and Rahane should make way for him once he returns from his paternity leave.
"Rahane is the stand-in captain and as a stand-in captain or as a stand-in batsman or a new-ball bowler or off-spinner, you try to do your best at that point of time but when the main guy is back again very fit, you make way for that guy," he said.
Asked if the pressure is now on the Australians, Gavaskar said: "Definitely! This is not something they are used to. Every time they have won the first Test match, they have gone on to win the series, they have gone on to grind the opposition.”
"Some of the former Australian cricketers were speaking about a 4-0 win… that India will be blown over, etc. Now you know what it is. This is not a team which will lie down and allow you to walk all over them. So it augurs well for the Indian team."
"The Australians have their own problems, finding a good opening pair, they need to find somebody who can get wickets when the fourth and fifth bowler is required. Even India has its own problems, they also have to think about opening batting position and in the middle order but in bowling they have nothing to worry about."
Gavaskar attributed the comeback to the contribution of the new ball bowlers, who according to him, didn't allow the Australian openers to form a partnership.
"The new ball bowlers made sure that Australia didn't get off to a 70 or 100 for no loss on Day 1, this is the main reason why this comeback was possible," he said.
"If Australia would have got off to a start, the (Indian) team would have started thinking 'look that this is not our tour because when we played in Adelaide everything we played was edged but these Australians were playing and missing, getting hit on the pads but still survived and got to 80-90 for no loss', so that sort of negative mindset can creep in.
"But because those early wickets were taken, that's the reason the Indian team could think that 'no we are still in the game, we did well for two days in Adelaide, we had a horrific one hour but we can still do it' and they have shown us how to do it."
Debutant Shubman Gill impressed with scores of 45 and 35 not out in his two innings.
Asked if Gill belongs to the big stage, Gavaskar said: "Certainly for the shots that he has played, from his defence and temperament, it appears that this is a long term prospect for India. I am not 100 per cent sure if he should be batting at the top of the order or at number 5.
"Because at the top of the order he takes a few chances and at the U-19 level he was not opening the batting, he was batting at 3 or 4, so may be, that is his real position. But no questions, if he keeps improving, India has a long term prospect in their hands."
Gavaskar also praised the Indian team management for including Ravindra Jadeja (57, 2/28) in the playing XI after he missed the opening Test due to concussion.
"That is one of the bold decisions that this captain or the team management took because to go with Jadeja as an all-rounder meant that India had the perfect balance," he said.
"In batting, it got little bit of depth and in bowling, they had an extra option which meant Bumrah, Umesh could take a bit of breather and also he is a fabulous fielder."
Opener Mayank Agarwal had a forgettable outing so far in the two Tests but Gavaskar said he should be given another chance.
"Mayank has shown good temperament over the last one-year-and-a-half. I would not be harsh on him. I will give him another go, let him and Rohit (Sharma) open in the third Test and it is upto him whether he tries to curtail that back lift and narrow that stance that he has and look to get better."
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Melbourne: India head coach Ravi Shastri on Tuesday described stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane as a "shrewd" leader, whose calm demeanour is in sharp contrast to regular skipper Virat Kohli's "passionate" approach.
Rahane has earned plaudits for not just his match-winning hundred in the second Test against Australia but for also displaying fine tactical acumen while handling the resources at his disposal.
"He is a very shrewd leader and a good reader of the game. I thought his calm composure out there helped the debutants as well as the bowlers. There was a calming influence out there inspite of losing Umesh," Shastri said after the eight-wicket triumph in the second Test that helped India draw level in the four-match series.
Shastri was also asked about the difference in captaincy style of Rahane and Kohli, who is currently on paternity leave.
"See, both are good readers of the game, Virat is very passionate, Ajinkya, on the other hand, is very calm and composed, and it's their characters.
"Virat is more in your face while Ajinkya is quite prepared to sit back in a very calm and composed manner, but deep inside he knows what he wants," he opined.
The former batsman declared Rahane's hundred as the turning point of the second Test, calling his knock a display of "unbelievable concentration".
A dogged 112 by Rahane helped India gain a crucial 131-run lead in the first innings. India then bundled out the hosts for 200 in their second essay and then chased the 70-run target with ease
"The discipline, you know on such a big stage...When he (Rahane) went out to bat, we were 2 down for 60, and then to bat six hours, on probably the toughest day to bat, because it was overcast all day and he batted for six hours, unbelievable concentration," he recalled.
"I thought that was the turning point. His innings was the turning point," he added at the post-match virtual press conference.
Rahane's knock in the first innings came in 223 balls and he hit 12 fours during it. The third Test of the series begins from 7 January.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Australia vs India: Tim Paine feels he got out at a crucial juncture in the game during the second Test match, and could have revived his side's innings as he was well settled.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/2JqGXQa
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
IND vs AUS: After India's capitulation in Adelaide, former England captain Michael Vaughan had tweeted that "India are going to get hammered in the Test Series" and predicted a 4-0 whitewash.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/38CVeSs
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Australia vs India: Australia skipper Tim Paine said David Warner "looks very good" and has "started running between the wickets," hinting at Warner's participation in the third Test after a long injury layoff.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3mZIZV4
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Melbourne: Australia captain Tim Paine on Tuesday hinted that opener David Warner could play the third Test against India while Will Pucovski is also not far from returning to competitive cricket.
Paine said Warner's recovery is on track and there is a strong possibility of him featuring in the third Test, starting on 7 January in Sydney.
"David looks very good. He has started running between the wickets, so early signs with him very good for the third Test, which is awesome for us," Paine said at the post-match press conference after Australia lost the second Test by eight wickets.
"Pucovski is not far away to return to play. He is pretty close to return," he added.
Warner missed the first two Tests and the preceding three T20 Internationals as well as one ODI game against India due to a groin injury. He sustained the injury during the second ODI.
His return would lend solidity to the Australian top-order as Joe Burns has not been consistent though he scored a half-century in the second innings of the Adelaide Test.
If Pucovski is also cleared to play, it will be interesting to see whether he will be asked to open alongside Warner or persist with Burns.
The 22-year-old Pucovski was tipped to make his Test debut in the first day/night match in Adelaide but it was delayed after he was hit on his helmet during the warm-up game.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Australia vs India: Ravi Shastri feels Ajinkya Rahane showed calm and composure as captain during the second Test match.
from Latest Cricket News, Cricket Info, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com https://ift.tt/3pwmn0d
Posted in Labels: Cricket Info, Latest Cricket News, Sports News Updates - NDTVSports.com
Melbourne: India head coach Ravi Shastri on Tuesday declared stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane's hundred as the turning point of the second Test against Australia which India won by eight wickets, calling his knock a display of "unbelievable concentration."
A dogged 112 by Rahane helped India gain a crucial 131-run lead in the first innings. India then bundled out the hosts for 200 in their second essay and then chased the 70-run target with ease to draw level in the four-match series.
Asked about the turning point of the match, Shastri said, "I think, it was the innings of Ajinkya Rahane."
Shastri said Rahane batted on probably the toughest day when the conditions were overcast.
"The discipline, you know on such a big stage...When he (Rahane) went out to bat, we were 2 down for 60, and then to bat six hours, on probably the toughest day to bat, because it was overcast all day and he batted for six hours, unbelievable concentration," the former batsman recalled.
"I thought that was the turning point. His innings was the turning point," he added at the post-match virtual press conference.
Rahane's knock in the first innings came in 223 balls and he hit 12 fours during it. The third Test of the series begins from 7 January.
Shastri was also asked about the difference in captaincy style of Rahane and regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is currently on paternity leave.
"See, both are good readers of the game, Virat is very passionate, Ajinkya, on the other hand, is very calm and composed, and it's their characters.
"Virat is more in your face while Ajinkya is quite prepared to sit back in a very calm and composed manner, but deep inside he knows what he wants," he opined.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand: Swing king Tim Southee snared his milestone 300th wicket as New Zealand sensed victory over Pakistan at stumps on day four of the first Test in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday.
New Zealand declared their second innings at 180 for five and Pakistan, set an unlikely target of 373, will go into the final day at 71 for three.
Azhar Ali will resume on 34 with Fawad Alam on 21.
The Black Caps need to sweep the two-Test series if they are to be in contention to make the World Test Championship final at Lords in June.
Although Pakistan are out of the running for the final they are keen to improve their world ranking of seven. But their cause was not helped when the wizardry of Southee and swing partner Trent Boult removed both openers for nought.
In New Zealand's second innings, the Pakistan quicks struggled to get any assistance from the fourth-day wicket, but Southee and Boult immediately had the ball dancing to their tune.
Abid Ali fended a rising Boult delivery and was caught behind, while Shan Masood was caught at first slip off Southee and Pakistan were two down for no runs after 14 deliveries.
Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail provided some resistance for 15 overs and 37 runs before Southee was back in action.
He broke the partnership with a full delivery to Sohail (9) which was chipped to Mitchell Santner at short cover — making Southee only the third New Zealander, after Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori, to take 300 Test wickets.
Southee has two for 15, and Boult one for 24. Neil Wagner, who was thought to have broken one toe while batting on Sunday, but has now been diagnosed with a second broken toe, sent down six overs to have none for four.
Wickets fall
New Zealand began their second innings at the start of the day with Tom Latham and Tom Blundell putting on 98 in the first session.
Mohammad Abbas briefly troubled Latham, who sent three edges towards the slips, while a loud lbw appeal against Blundell was turned down with the TV umpire unable to distinguish whether the ball hit bat or pad first.
Otherwise the batsmen were untroubled, with Yasir Shah getting six overs but unable to produce any turn of note.
After lunch it was clear the declaration was approaching as New Zealand dropped their risk-free approach and wickets fell as the total rose.
Blundell was bowled for 64 when trying to slog Abbas over midwicket and New Zealand were 111 for 1.
Eleven overs later they were five for 170 as Pakistan bought wickets with a short-ball approach.
Latham, who had feasted on ones and twos and ran on misfields to keep the scoreboard ticking over, opened up with a textbook cover drive to the boundary to reach his 20th half-century.
He was dismissed soon after for 53 when he mistimed a pull shot and was caught in the deep.
Kane Williamson's attempted pull shot was top edged to wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan and he was gone for 21, while Henry Nicholls went for 11 when his pull shot was caught by Abbas at fine leg.
For Pakistan, Naseem Shah was the most effective bowler with three for 55.
Posted in Labels: Firstpost Firstcricketnews Latest News
