Back at MCG, Carey will look to end year of up-and-down fortunes on a high

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Carey isn’t focusing on red-ball cricket alone, but opportunities in the Australia white-ball teams might not be too frequent

Andrew McGlashan23-Dec-2023It’s been quite the year for Alex Carey. He began 2023 fresh from the high of a maiden Test century at the MCG, then a short while later was confronted with challenges in front of and behind the stumps in India, where his glovework went to a new level.Then there was a telling contribution to the World Test Championship final victory, followed by the drama of the Ashes where his fortunes pivoted around the stumping of Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s. He then lost what had appeared a pretty secure ODI position when a form slump coincided with the start of the World Cup.Now it’s the MCG again, holding memories of that hundred against South Africa, with Australia flexing their muscles on home soil as they do so often and Carey himself hoping to cap a year of fluctuating fortunes with a strong performance to lift a 2023 average of 23.76.Related

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He had shaped up well in Perth, forming a sixth-wicket stand of 90 with Mitchell Marsh on the second morning, which took the game away from Pakistan, before receiving a virtually unplayable ball from around the wicket by Aamer Jamal.”The situation I came out in [last year against South Africa], the top order did a great job. I feel like that is batting, some ups and downs,” Carey said. “That’s going to happen at certain times but I felt like the last few weeks [I’ve been] training, preparing well, [and had] some time out in the middle and a Shield game as well.”He also kept tidily with seven dismissals – although the crucial edge off Babar Azam in the first innings nearly squeezed out – and in the process brought up a century behind the stumps in Test cricket.”My job is to do the best I can behind the stumps to try to support our amazing bowlers,” he said. “Hopefully a few more out here against Pakistan on Boxing Day. It’s been a lot of fun. Lots of different conditions from India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England. It’s been pretty cool.”For Australia, the Melbourne Test brings to a close a year that presented them with a series of major prizes on offer in the format. They came away with two – the World Test Championship title and the retention of the Ashes – while falling to a 2-1 defeat in India and missing out on winning outright in England for the first time since 2001.”India unfortunately we didn’t win that series but to win a Test match over there is hard and we were able to do that [in Indore],” Carey reflected. “Retaining the Ashes, [we] would have liked to have won them, but to retain them again on their home soil was a great achievement. A World Cup victory and now a pretty successful start to the summer. Some players getting pretty big IPL contracts as well, so good on them. It’s been a successful year. For this group, it’s not over yet. There is no sort of end goal for this group. It’s a journey at the moment. It’s a lot of fun.”For Carey, the major personal disappointment was the World Cup omission after the opening match against India, when he was replaced by Josh Inglis. It would now seem tough for him to retain his spot in that format, at least in the short term, but he has clarity from the selectors on their decision and the reasons behind it.”With our selection panel, they’ve been really honest with every decision that they make,” Carey said. “Basically you can ask any question you want. Don’t leave any stone unturned – it’s your career, ask the questions, they’re really open to it. They’ve been honest with it the whole time.”It never makes it easier though to hear you’re going to be left out. You get time to reflect and then sit down and speak to each and every one of them to find out the reasons. And then all you can do is go to work and try to improve in certain areas.A form slump coincided with the start of the ODI World Cup and Alex Carey lost his place in the side to Josh Inglis•Associated Press

“I think you want to be able to have a panel that can have those honest conversations. You don’t want to be going to bed at night wondering why – and I didn’t. Although you still don’t like to hear it you’re able to talk through it, move on and try to help the team win the World Cup.”Carey has no intention on focusing purely on red-ball cricket and is keen to try and get more T20 experience during the off season. Australia do not play Test cricket from mid-March to late November, while Carey would seem unlikely to feature in the T20 World Cup squad.”I still feel like I’ve had some pretty solid performances the last 12 months in one-day cricket,” he said. “The timings of the leaner trot led to that decision from the selection panel. But absolutely I feel like I’ve got a lot of one-day cricket and T20 cricket still left in me.”I haven’t been able to play a lot of T20 cricket – which has been good, of course, you’re playing Test cricket – but would love to get the opportunity to play some more T20 cricket during the winter wherever that may be.”

Fernando, Dananjaya, Vandersay back in Sri Lanka ODI squad for Zimbabwe series

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Dhananjaya de Silva has been dropped, while Wanindu Hasaranga’s availability will be subject to fitness

Madushka Balasuriya03-Jan-2024Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay and Akila Dananjaya have been recalled to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad for the three-match series against Zimbabwe. Kusal Mendis will lead the side, his first series since being appointed full-time ODI captain.Sri Lanka’s new selection committee, in their first assignment since being appointed, have made eight changes to the side that finished second-last at the ODI World Cup, with Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando and Sahan Arachchige also coming into the squad. Making way are Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha. There was also no room for Chamika Karunaratne, who had been named as a travelling reserve at the World Cup, and Angelo Mathews who had been drafted into the side midway through the tournament.Of those, de Silva’s exclusion was the one the selectors were compelled to address. De Silva has an average of 25.90 in 82 innings but it’s long been argued that he was being wasted lower down the order, with 43 of his 81 ODI innings having come at either six or seven – in efforts to shoe-horn him into the side. The selectors therefore felt his inclusion would only be warranted if a position opened up higher up the order.Related

  • Top-order batters and finishers in focus as SL, Zimbabwe aim to turn fortunes around

  • Tharanga, Ajantha Mendis named on five-man Sri Lanka selection panel

  • Mendis replaces Shanaka as Sri Lanka's ODI captain

  • Ervine returns to Zimbabwe squads for the tour of Sri Lanka

“We feel Dhananjaya de Silva can perform better in the top three, where he has time to bat longer,” chief selector Upul Tharanga said. “We’ve spoken to him about this as well and told him that even in club matches he should aim to bat in the top order. So if he is to make it back into the side it’ll be in the top three.”Hasaranga’s availability meanwhile is subject to fitness with the spin-bowling allrounder still recovering from hamstring surgery. He is expected to miss the first two ODIs at least. In his absence, Maheesh Theekshana will lead a spin-bowling unit that also includes Vandersay, Dananjaya and Dunith Wellalage.While Vandersay last played an ODI in January 2023, Dananjaya hasn’t turned out for Sri Lanka in any capacity since 2021. According to the selectors, both players’ inclusion in the side is a means of bolstering Sri Lanka’s spin-bowling stocks. Of the two, it is Dananjaya’s inclusion though that’s more curious.Dananjaya was an ever-present force in Sri Lanka’s attack, but following the remodelling of his bowling action he seemed to have lost some of his potency, which eventually led to his removal from the side. He has however been impressing in domestic cricket lately, but with spinners difficult to handle on Sri Lanka wickets, the selectors are hoping some international game-time will offer better insight into his current standing.”In the last couple of seasons Akila Dananjaya has been picking up wickets, and we also need a backup plan for the likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga,” selector and former Sri Lanka spinner Ajantha Mendis said. “With the next ODI World Cup in 2027 we need to find a way to give players on the fringes more game time. In domestic cricket the opportunity just isn’t there to see him tested like he would be internationally.”In terms of the batting unit, Avishka’s inclusion adds some much-needed firepower to the line-up and it is likely he will slot in at the top of the order alongside Pathum Nissanka. The middle order too picks itself with Mendis heading a trio that includes Sadeera Samarawickrama and new vice captain Charith Asalanka. It is for the sixth and seventh positions though that spots will be up for grabs.Sri Lanka have long struggled for consistent power-hitting lower down the order. Dasun Shanaka was meant to resolve that issue, but his form has been lacking over the past year. In Arachchige, Nuwanidu and Liyanage Sri Lanka hope they have three players capable of filling that hole, with all three having impressed domestically and in the Lanka Premier League in recent years.Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka, the latter fresh off his 21 World Cup scalps, will head up the fast-bowling unit with Pramod Madushan in as back-up.Sri Lanka ODI squad: Kusal Mendis (capt.), Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness)

Mitchell ruled out of second South Africa Test and Australia T20Is

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The top-order batter has been carrying a long-term foot injury and will now aim to be fit for the Australia Test series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Feb-20242:15

Stead: Williamson unlikely for Australia T20Is, Boult is available

Daryl Mitchell has been ruled out of the second Test against South Africa and the T20I series against Australia in an attempt to recover from a long-standing foot injury.Mitchell, who averages 53.46 in Tests, has been carrying the problem for around six or seven months and was rested from the final T20I against Pakistan in January, but it has been decided he needs a longer period on the sidelines to give himself the best chance of being fit for the two-Test series against Australia.Related

  • Uncapped O'Rourke likely to play ahead of Wagner in Hamilton Test

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  • Jamieson, Santner bowl NZ to victory after Williamson's twin centuries and Ravindra's 240

“We took the opportunity to rest him a little earlier but after seeking medical advice on this as well it’s likely that he needs a longer period of time,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. “It’s really tough, because there’s not a lot breaks coming up in the next wee while so thought this gives us nearly three weeks to try and give him the chance of the best recuperation from it.”There’s no guarantees this will still work in that period of time but we are very hopeful that it will improve his chances of getting through a longer stint with us.”New Zealand have not called up a replacement for Mitchell with Will Young the spare batter in the squad and he could come in as a like-for-like swap. However, there remains a chance the side may be rebalanced with Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner moving up the order and another pace bowler brought in with Stead confirming the uncapped Will O’Rourke remained in contention for a debut.”[Will Young] is definitely one of the options,” Stead said. “Will’s there as back up [and] Glenn Phillips has shown he’s more than useful and it could be shaped differently. We are very happy with the squad we have. Daryl’s obviously a huge loss, though, he’s been instrumental in a number of outstanding batting performances but it’s important for him and us that we get this right long term.”Meanwhile, Kane Williamson is unlikely to be available for the T20Is against Australia – a format where he is captain – as his wife is expecting their third child. However, Trent Boult could come into consideration for those matches with the left-arm quick not having any franchise commitments at that time.”Trent’s available if we want to select him,” Stead said. “Him and I are still having conversations…hopefully in the next couple of days to nail down what that looks like.”

Taylor on Wagner: 'I think it's a forced retirement'

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Finch says New Zealand could have used Wagner in Wellington where Australia pulled ahead thanks to a century 10th wicket partnership

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Mar-20242:04

Taylor on Wagner: ‘I think it’s a forced retirement’

New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner announced his retirement after learning that he would not be part of the ongoing Test series against Australia and his former team-mate Ross Taylor feels the decision was “forced”.Responding to a question on ESPN’s Around The Wicket podcast about Wagner’s finger-on-the-mouth celebration after dismissing Zubayr Hamza in his final Test appearance, against South Africa in Hamilton, and a visual of him showing someone the middle finger as the team got in a huddle to celebrate another wicket, Taylor said, “I think it all makes sense a little bit now. There’s no sugarcoating it: I think it’s a forced retirement. If you listen to Wagner’s press conference, he was retiring, but it was after this last Test match [against Australia]. So he did make himself available.”Related

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  • Sears called up for O'Rourke, Conway to miss start of IPL due to thumb surgery

Wagner was to be released from the squad after the first Test in Wellington. But an injury to William O’Rourke sparked talk of a potential recall for the second Test in Christchurch. New Zealand haven’t gone down that road though, picking the uncapped fast bowler Ben Sears instead.”And to see that he isn’t selected… I think you do need to plan for the future, but a one-off Test against Australia in a must-win situation, I wouldn’t be looking much further than Neil Wagner. And I’m sure the Australian batters are sleeping easy that he’s not in the side,” Taylor said.Aaron Finch, also on the podcast, said Wagner would have likely stopped Australia from posting as big a total as they did in their first innings at the Basin Reserve, which laid down the platform for their 172-run win.

“I couldn’t believe Neil Wagner wasn’t in the XI. I just genuinely thought that he must have been out through a niggle,” Finch said. “The success he’s had against Australia, particularly [against] Steven Smith over a period of time, you can guarantee that the last wicket partnership wouldn’t have happened if Wagner was there.”Because he would have intimidated Josh Hazlewood at least. He might have stopped Cameron Green from scoring as well. I thought that was a really interesting decision,” Finch said.Green and Hazlewood put on a record 116-run partnership – the highest 10th-wicket stand for Australia against New Zealand – to take Australia from 267 for 9 to an imposing total of 383.”It’s not only his experience and the way he goes about it, but you know, the opposition, you heard [Pat] Cummins talking about the plans that they had for him,” Taylor said.”Experience plays a lot, but no, I agree with Finchy. If he comes around the wicket to Hazlewood, he might have got him away for a couple of boundaries or even a six. But I think for the prolonged time he would have attacked him for, I don’t think they would have got a 100-run partnership.”

Monank and Gous among the runs again as USA win big

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USA’s top three all fired fifties to take the team to 230, and Canada could only muster 199 in reply

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Apr-2024USA’s top three batters – Steven Taylor, Andries Gous and the captain Monank Patel – all raised half-centuries, as the team made 230, paving the way for a comfortable 31-run win in Prairie View.USA, after being inserted, began strongly, as the openers Taylor and Monank added 104 in 8.3 overs. Taylor initially played the more aggressive foil, striking seven fours and three sixes during his 25-ball 54, before getting dismissed by Parveen Kumar. USA, however, did not slow down, as Gous and Monank both produced fifties for a second consecutive game. Monank blasted 10 fours and two sixes for his 68 off 35 balls, while Gous’ 35-ball 57 featured three fours and four sixes. The carnage did not stop there though, as Aaron Jones provided a late flourish, smashing four sixes during a 20-ball 34 to take the total past 200. Canada used seven different bowlers, and five of them went at 11 and above an over.Canada, in reply, lost their opener Srimantha Wijeyeratne for a first-ball duck, but Aaron Johnson and Pargat Singh led a recovery with a 95-run partnership. At 112 for 1 inside 11 overs, Canada had a glimmer of hope, but both Johnson (74) and Pargat (27) were dismissed in quick succession, giving USA the firm advantage. A few other batters made quick starts – including Harsh Thaker with an unbeaten 34 – but USA were never really threatened, as Canada eventually folded for 199.Seven different USA bowlers were among the wickets, with Saurabh Netravalkar, Shadley van Schalkwyk and Harmeet Singh scalping two apiece.

Kohli vs Titans' spinners the subplot (again) in rainy Bengaluru

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Titans, meanwhile, will be looking to revise their plans at a ground that’s been a graveyard for spinners

Abhimanyu Bose03-May-20241:22

McClenaghan: Patidar’s form lets Kohli take a few more risks

Match details

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (tenth, P10, W3, L7) vs Gujarat Titans (eighth, P10, W4, L6)
Bengaluru, 1930 IST (1400 GMT)

Big picture – Will Kohli boss Titans spinners again?

Spin has been Virat Kohli’s nemesis in T20s for a few years now, but he produced a masterclass against one of the IPL’s best spin attacks in their last match to keep RCB’s hopes alive in the season, albeit barely so. On Saturday, he will go up against the same attack again when Gujarat Titans visit the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.Before the first match against GT, Kohli was striking at 123.57 against spin this season, and in IPL 2023, his strike rate against spin was 112.8. But in Ahmedabad, Kohli scored 61 of his 70 runs against spin, at 179.41. In fact, Kohli’s last innings was one of the most dominant performances against spinners by an opener in IPL history, with no other opener getting a higher proportion of their runs against the slower bowlers while scoring 50 or more.And Kohli looks ready to bring on more of the same, having had an extended session against the spinners on the eve of the match, focusing on his range-hitting against them.Kohli’s takedown of GT’s spinners, and later Jacks’ incredible acceleration, meant RCB cruised in their chase of 201 without their two designated spin hitters – Rajat Patidar and Glenn Maxwell – having to go out to bat.R Sai Kishore, Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad all went for more than 10 runs an over, and now they will face the same opponents at a ground that’s been a graveyard for spinners. With GT being a bowling-heavy team, they will need to revise their plans and come up with a way to stop RCB from making it three wins in a row.

Form guide

RCB – WWLLL (last five matches, most recent first)
GT – LLWLW

Previous meeting

An 86-run stand between Sai Sudharsan and Shahrukh Khan took Titans to 200 for 3 after openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha were dismissed within the first six overs. Despite Faf du Plessis falling to R Sai Kishore in the fourth over, the chase turned out to be an easy one in the end for RCB. Will Jacks struggled early on, but Virat Kohli ensured the visitors did not lose the momentum. At 16 off 16 at one point, Jacks suddenly exploded, smashing 84 runs off his next 25 deliveries. That included going 6, 6, 4, 6, 6 against Rashid to bring up his maiden IPL century and seal an NRR-boosting win in the 16th over.

Team news and impact player strategy

Royal Challengers BengaluruWith back-to-back wins behind them, RCB will likely stick to the same combination they used last time, with the option of bringing in Mahipal Lomror or an extra bowler in Vyshak Vijaykumar or Akash Deep.Probable XII: Faf du Plessis (capt), Virat Kohli, Will Jacks, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Yash Dayal, , Gujarat TitansGT are unlikely to tinker with their team, although they may be tempted to play an extra pacer in Josh Little or Spencer Johnson ahead of Noor Ahmad in Bengaluru.Probable XII: Shubman Gill (capt), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), , Shahrukh Khan, David Miller, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad/Josh Little,

In the spotlight – Glenn Maxwell and Shubman Gill

One of RCB’s batting mainstays in recent years, Glenn Maxwell has been uncharacteristically off-colour in IPL 2024, scoring just 32 runs in six innings, 28 of which came in one knock. He was out of the XI after being asked to drop, and after a break, he was back in action against GT last Sunday. While he did not get a chance to bat in Ahmedabad, he got the wicket of the opposition captain Shubman Gill. With Patidar and Jacks hitting form for RCB, Maxwell will have a reduced burden in that middle order, and could benefit from being able to play with more freedom.Will Shubman Gill get back in form at the Chinnaswamy?•BCCI

Shubman Gill, captaining in the IPL for the first time in his career and coming into this season on the back of scoring almost 900 runs in the last edition, has not quite had a tournament to remember. He has made just 320 runs in 10 matches so far, and scored just the two half-centuries. A return to the Chinnaswamy might just be the spark he needs to return to his form from last year – he scored his third century of IPL 2023 on his previous visit to the venue.

Stats that matter

  • Kohli loves playing against Gujarat Titans. In four innings, his lowest score against GT is 58 and he averages 151 against them
  • GT’s Afghan spinners may be key against RCB skipper Faf du Plessis. He has got out to Rashid twice in 13 innings and twice to Noor in two innings
  • Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan are the only batters in IPL 2024 to face 100 balls or more in the powerplay and strike lower than 140. This has resulted in GT being the slowest scorers in the powerplay this season

Pitch and conditions

There was plenty of rain in Bengaluru on Friday afternoon, although it subsided in the evening. The forecast is the same for Saturday, so while it is expected to be cloudy, rain should not interrupt play.

Quotes

“We are moving along in the right direction. It is a shame it didn’t happen a few games earlier but there is still a chance for us. We have four games left. We are going to try and give our best, one by one. We will try and win this and one by one after that and it [getting into the playoffs] can happen if we perform in the next four games.” Will Jacks “It’s not a huge concern for us. Having Wriddhi [Wriddhiman Saha], we all know the kind of player he is. I don’t really, especially you guys, need to educate Shubman, we all know what his abilities are. It’s just a matter of us really playing that pace we’re looking for. Hopefully, we’ll make 300 as everybody is taking about. But we’ll be there and thereabouts on a ground like this.” GT assistant coach Naeem Amin on their top order not firing

Davinia Perrin 79* steers Central Sparks in comfortable chase

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Sunrisers struggle to post testing target despite Alice Macleod fifty

ECB Reporters Network19-May-2024Central Sparks launched their Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign with an emphatic victory as they defeated Sunrisers by seven wickets at New Road, Worcester.In a season-opener between the teams that finished in the bottom two slots last season, Sparks started in style this time round thanks principally to a dazzling unbeaten 79 from just 48 balls by Davina Perrin.Sunrisers batted first and were lifted to 138 for 6 by Alice MacLeod’s 39-ball 54 against an attack led by Hannah Baker and Emily Arlott.It looked a slightly under par total and so it proved as Perrin, who hit two sixes and 13 fours, and Australian overseas player Courtney Webb made short work of the chase with an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 83 in 47 balls. Mady Villiers took 2 for 36 but Sparks cruised to 142 for three with 36 balls remaining.Put in on a glorious day at New Road, Sunrisers were given a bright start by Joanne Gardner who dominated an opening stand of 40 in 35 balls with Grace Scrivens but then both fell in three balls. Scrivens hesitated over a very tight single and was beaten by Perrin’s throw and Gardner was bamboozled by the flight of Baker’s first delivery and bowled. When Arlott bowled Villiers through a slog and Baker also bowled Cordelia Griffith, Sunrisers had slumped from 40 without loss to 50 for 4 in 19 balls.MacLeod and Jodi Grewcock batted with composure to add 50 in six overs and the former ensured her side had something to bowl at before missing an attempted sweep at Arlott and falling lbw to the penultimate ball of the innings.Sunrisers, who lost all seven games in the Charlotte Edwards Cup last year, needed to strike early with the ball and they did. They removed both openers in the first 13 balls as Ami Campbell hammered Eva Gray to point and Abi Freeborn was lbw through a failed sweep at Villiers.When Sparks skipper Eve Jones chipped Villiers to mid-off, it was 59 for 3 and the visitors still had a chink of hope but Perrin’s cleanly-hit onslaught, with measured and positive support from Webb, soon extinguished it and Sparks eased to victory.

SA women begin new era in India with focus on ODI World Cup qualification

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India will be aiming to rediscover their ODI form after drawing the series in Bangladesh and losing to Australia

Firdose Moonda14-Jun-2024As one World Cup – the men’s T20 tournament – enters its next phase, preparation for another – the women’s ODI event next year – is taking shape as South Africa look to secure automatic qualification and gain experience by playing the hosts, India.It’s an all-format tour that kicks off with three ODIs in Bengaluru, before a one-off Test in Chennai, and a T20I series in preparation for another World Cup: the women’s T20 tournament this October. Provided the weather holds – there’s plenty to look forward to.

ODI World Cup qualification: India and top five teams in women’s championship

As hosts, India automatically qualify for the World Cup (that is probably the reason they have played just nine matches in this championship cycle) so there’s no concern for them there, but their ODI form could be. After sweeping both Sri Lanka and England 3-0 in 2022, they tied a series in Bangladesh – actually tied, because with the teams locked 1-1, scores were level in the decided and there was not enough time for a Super Over – and then lost 3-0 to Australia at home. There’s more than a year to go before the ODI World Cup though, and plenty of time to get themselves into a consistent flow.The bigger spotlight will be on South Africa, who are currently third in the championship table, a point behind England and five adrift of Australia. All three of those teams have six matches remaining, including a series between South Africa and England this summer. An early analysis suggests that if South Africa win four of their remaining six matches, they will be out of reach of New Zealand and Sri Lanka (who also have six matches left) and can be certain of automatic qualification. If they win fewer games, they could still qualify but will have to rely on some other results and will want to avoid that.

South Africa begin life after Moreeng

South Africa are also embarking on this journey to the World Cup without their most familiar face: former coach Hilton Moreeng.”Hilton (Moreeng) was on every single tour for the past 11 years. So to not have him here is a bit weird,” captain Laura Wolvaardt said at South Africa’s arrival press conference.She did not go on to say it is what several senior members of the squad wanted because they felt the need for new ideas in the set up.Last year, ESPNcricnfo revealed a group of players had written to Cricket South Africa expressing their desire for a change in management after the home T20 World Cup. CSA did not plan on giving them that until 2025, and hoped Moreeng would continue until the ODI World Cup. It took a change of heart from Moreeng himself to end his tenure in May.The timing meant the only replacement option was assistant coach Dillon du Preez, who offers consistency from the Moreeng era and may see this as an opportunity to audition for the job full-time. So far, he has the buy-in from the dressing room despite their earlier assertion of wanting something new.”Dillon was in the set-up and the environment for about four or five years. So nothing has really changed too much from sort of an operational point of view,” Wolvaardt said. “I think we still try to keep things as much as the same as before, just so that it’s not completely new and completely fresh. But then at the same time, I think the new additions that we have in the group have brought a lot of outside energy and some outside knowledge as well. So it’s been good. I’ve really enjoyed the new, fresh people.”The other additions to the coaching staff are batting coach Baakier Abrahams, who was the assistant coach of the Warriors’ men’s provincial team, and Bongani Ndaba, the new fielding coach from the Lions.South Africa’s squad is filled with regulars, and there is much anticipation for the return of Tazmin Brits, who has recovered from a knee-ligament tear in time of the tour. Brits will partner Wolvaardt, the leading run-scorer in ODIs this year, at the top of the order and also provides much-needed experience in the absence of the injured vice-captain Chloe Tryon.Harmanpreet Kaur had a poor ODI series against Australia•BCCI

India’s combinations

Jemimah Rodrigues’ availability was the big talking point of the build-up after she missed the Bangladesh series with a back niggle but she was named in the squad and captained the Board President’s XI against South Africa A in the warm-ups. The news on Pooja Vastrakar is less clear-cut. There has been no information on her injury but she was included in the squad subject to fitness. However, she was not part of the practice match and if she doesn’t make the team, Arundhati Reddy – who got her call-up after impressive performances in WPL – might be the second seamer in support of Renuka Singh.Perhaps more important was what actually happened in the warm-up game: only 14 overs were possible before it was washed out. Rain could end up impacting the series as well: there have been showers every evening over the past week and more are forecast for Sunday’s opener and next week as well.Should play be severely interrupted, it would be a disappointment for the Bengaluru crowd, who showed their support for the women’s game during the WPL and last saw the national women’s team play at their stadium nine years ago. Then, India beat New Zealand 3-2 in 2015 with a squad that included an 18-year old Smriti Mandhana and only one other player who is still part of the current squad: Harmanpreet Kaur. There will be a lot of focus on both of them in this series after disappointing showings against Australia. Mandhana made scores of 34 and 29 but Harmanpreet was dismissed in single figures in all three matches.While India will want to see more from their experienced players, they will also put some attention on the youngsters. Shafali Verma was dropped after the first ODI against Australia after failing to get into double figures in five successive innings and will have to demonstrate an ability to translate her T20 hitting to the 50-over format. And Richa Ghosh has been moved from the finishing role to No.3, where coach Amol Muzumdar feels she is best suited. Her 96 in the second ODI against Australia makes a good case and she will want to build on that.

India vs South Africa at the T20 World Cup final: all you need to know

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Who have these teams beaten on their way to Barbados, when was the last time they won a global title, and, most importantly, what’s the weather forecast for the final? This and more in ESPNcricinfo’s FAQs

Abhimanyu Bose28-Jun-20241:28

What type of conditions will Barbados offer?

So India and South Africa it is. How many times have they met in ICC finals? Or a knockout match?

This will be the first time that the two teams meet in the final of a men’s ICC tournament. India and South Africa did meet in the 2014 T20 World Cup semi-final, which India won.

Can they be called the two best teams in this tournament?

Well, one can say that the two most in-form teams have made it to the final. Both India and South Africa are unbeaten in the tournament, and both teams topped their respective groups in the group stage and the Super Eight, although South Africa have an extra win under their belt given India’s washout against Canada.Whoever wins the final will be the first team to win a men’s T20 World Cup unbeaten.

Which team has taken the tougher route?

South Africa registered wins over Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Netherlands and Nepal in the group stage before beating USA and England in the Super Eight. They faced West Indies in their final Super Eight match, knowing that a defeat would knock them out, but eked out a three-wicket win in a tight contest that was shortened by rain.Related

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After a string of narrow victories, South Africa hammered Afghanistan by nine wickets in the semi-final to march into the final.India, meanwhile, began their campaign with wins over Ireland, Pakistan and USA. Their perfect record in the group stage was marred by rain, as their game against Canada in Lauderhill was washed out. India started the Super Eight stage with big wins against Afghanistan and Bangladesh and capped it off by beating Australia.In the semi-final, India put in another comprehensive performance to down England by 68 runs.In terms of opposition, it could be argued that India faced tougher teams, having to overcome Pakistan, Australia and then England in the semi-final, but South Africa were seriously tested in most games but still found a way.

Okay, so why is this final a big deal for South Africa?

Well, it is a historic occasion for South Africa because it is the first time they will be competing in the final of a men’s World Cup, ODI or T20. In fact, apart from winning the inaugural Champions Trophy in 1998, South Africa have not made the final of any ICC men’s tournament.They have come close on many occasions, reaching the semi-finals in five ODI World Cups (1992, 1999, 2007, 2015, 2023) and two T20 World Cups (2009 and 2014) before this year, but for the first time they have got to within one win of the title.

And why is it important for India?

While India won the first ever T20 World Cup, in 2007, they are without a World Cup title since 2011 and their last ICC silverware was the 2013 Champions Trophy. They have come close since, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup in 2014, and the semi-finals in 2016 and 2022, as well as the semi-finals of the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups. They also finished runners-up in the two World Test Championship finals – in 2021 and 2023. Last year, they were unbeaten en route to the final in a home ODI World Cup, but faced heartbreak in the final. Less than 12 months later, they have a chance to heal some of those wounds and end their barren run in global events.

When was the last time a World Cup was held in the West Indies?

The 2010 T20 World Cup was the last one hosted by the West Indies. That year’s final, between England and Australia, was also played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

So what do we know about the pitch and conditions?

Well, this will be the ninth match of the tournament at the venue. The first game here went to a Super Over, but there haven’t been any close contests here since.The teams batting first won three of the next four completed matches at the venue, and Scotland had raced to 90 for no loss in 10 overs against England before that game was called off. The last two matches in Bridgetown had West Indies and England bowling USA out cheaply and completing comfortable chases.South Africa haven’t played here this tournament, but India have had one game here – a 47-run win over Afghanistan.

Wind, is that going to be a factor?

It could be windy, with wind gusts predicted at 35 kmph from the east, going up to 45 kmph. But it probably won’t have as much of an influence as it did in Gros Islet when India took on Australia.

The India-England semi-final was affected by rain. What’s the Barbados weather forecast looking like for the final?

According to AccuWeather, there are some showers expected, so we may face interruptions. There is a roughly 50% chance of precipitation in the morning between 4am and 9am, but that comes down to roughly 30% between 10am (the scheduled toss time) and 1pm, when it goes up again to roughly 50%. There will be 190 minutes of extra time allotted on Saturday to try and complete the game. Both teams need to bat at least 10 overs for a winner to be declared.

So there is a reserve day?

Yes, the final does have a reserve day. The match will only go into Sunday if at least 10 overs each is not possible on Saturday even with extra time. The game, if already underway, will pick up from where it left off on Saturday, not start from scratch.Like match day, the scheduled start of play on the reserve day is 10.30am local time. There are some showers forecast for Sunday too, though the forecast for match hours is relatively better (about 20% chance of rain) than what’s expected overnight and later in the day.

What happens if we can’t get a result even after the reserve day?

If the weather prevents the match from being completed even on the reserve day, both teams shall be declared joint-winners.

And what happens if it’s a tie?

A Super Over will decide the result, and if that also ends in a tie, there will be another Super Over and so on until a result is achieved.If the Super Over is abandoned because of poor weather after a tied game, the two teams will be declared joint winners.

Dean three-for, Redmayne fifty lift Spirit into first final

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Invincibles choked by spin as Heather Knight oversees knockout victory at The Oval

ECB Reporters Network17-Aug-2024London Spirit secured a place in the Women’s Hundred final against Welsh Fire at Lord’s with an eight-wicket win over Oval Invincibles.A disciplined bowling performance followed by a Georgia Redmayne half-century took the side to their first final since the competition’s inception – and ensured that across both men’s and women’s competitions, all eight teams will have featured in the Hundred final.Spirit won the toss and elected to bowl. Winfield-Hill hit Danielle Gibson for three boundaries in the second set to take the Invincibles to 21 for 0 after 10 balls before Charlie Dean trapped Paige Scholfield lbw for 5.The introduction of Sarah Glenn saw the back of Winfield-Hill, the Invincibles skipper slapping a return catch back to make the score 37 for 2.At the halfway point of their innings, Invincibles had moved on to 54 for 2, the Spirit spinners bowling tightly, Dean, Glenn and Deepti Sharma with the combined figures of 2 for 25 from 30 balls.Gibson, who had previously dropped Alice Capsey twice, eventually removed her for 30 before Kapp fell to Glenn for a run-a-ball 26.Dean then combined twice with Gibson in the deep to dismiss Mady Villiers and Laura Harris to finish with figures of 3 for 24 – Gibson’s full-length heroics to snare Villiers one of the catches of the tournament.Gray returned for the final five, dismissing MacDonald-Gay first ball and having Smale stumped as the Invincibles closed their innings on 113 for 9.Chasing 114 to win, opening batter Redmayne made an unbeaten 53 from 47 balls and was well supported by captain Heather Knight who made a classy 36 not out.Spirit had reached 33 for 0 after the powerplay, Meg Lanning going well on 21 from 14, both she and Redmayne surviving tough chances to Villiers and Harris.Marizanne Kapp returned to the attack to have Lanning caught behind for 22 and Amanda-Jade Wellington had Cordelia Griffith stumped to leave the Spirit on 42 for 2 after 40 to bring Knight to the crease.From there on, Spirit cruised to their target, Redmayne and Knight sharing an unbroken stand of 74.Meerkat Match Hero, Redmayne, said: “It’s really special, we came into this game in really good spirits.”Oval have probably got the best of us in the games we’ve played against them previously. We knew if we did the simple things right that we’ve got the team to be able to win the game and get to a Lord’s final at home which is going to be incredible.”On her innings she said: “It’s nice knowing what kind of intent you’ve got to go in with. Sometimes when you’re facing some really good bowling upfront you can get caught up in that a bit, but it helps having kept for a hundred balls beforehand.”

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