Rare No-Ball in T20 Blast Highlights Wicket-Keeping Concerns

Rare No-Ball in T20 Blast Highlights Wicket-Keeping Concerns

Rare No-Ball in T20 Blast Quarter-Final Raises Questions About Wicket-Keeping Standards

During a T20 Blast quarter-final match between Somerset and Northamptonshire on September 5, a rare incident occurred that highlighted the importance of precise wicket-keeping. In the first innings, Somerset batter Lewis Gregory was deceived by Northamptonshire’s left-arm orthodox spinner, Saif Zaib. The ball beat Gregory’s outside edge, and wicketkeeper Lewis McManus attempted to stump him. However, upon review, it was determined that McManus had crossed the line of the stumps before collecting the ball, resulting in a no-ball.

This incident brought attention to Article 27.3.1 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Laws of Cricket, which states that the wicket-keeper must remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker’s end until the ball touches the bat or person of the striker, passes the wicket, or the striker attempts a run. McManus’s failure to adhere to this rule resulted in a reprieve for Gregory.

The incident also raised questions about the overall standards of wicket-keeping in the game. Some experts believe that the increasing emphasis on athleticism and agility in wicket-keepers may be compromising their ability to maintain their position behind the stumps.

Mills Frustrated by Archer’s Absence from Blast Finals Day

In other T20 Blast news, Sussex captain Tymal Mills expressed his frustration over the unavailability of star pacer Jofra Archer for the Blast Finals Day. The Finals Day will feature the two semi-finals and final played back-to-back at Edgbaston on September 14. However, England will be involved in a three-match home T20I series against Australia during that period.

Mills believes it is “pretty stupid” that England players will not be released for the Blast Finals Day, especially considering the importance of the tournament. He said, “Whoever comes in for him (Archer) will have big boots to fill.”

England Players to Miss Blast Finals Day

According to ESPNcricinfo, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is working through scenarios, but players will only be released if they are not needed for the final two matches of the T20I series against Australia.

Surrey will be the most affected team, with all-rounder Jamie Overton called up by England as injury cover. He will join Sam Curran, Will Jacks, and Reece Topley in the T20I squad. Surrey is also waiting for confirmation of the availability of their four-Test players, including Gus Atkinson, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope, and Jamie Smith.

Warwickshire will also miss the presence of uncapped all-rounders Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell, who are also in England’s T20I squad.

Yograj Singh Blasts MS Dhoni, Compares Arjun Tendulkar to Diamond in Coal Mine

Yograj Singh Blasts MS Dhoni, Compares Arjun Tendulkar to Diamond in Coal Mine

Yograj Singh, the former Indian cricketer and father of Yuvraj Singh, has recently made controversial statements about MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev. In an interview with the Switch YouTube channel, Yograj expressed his anger towards Dhoni, accusing him of mistreating his son.

“I won’t forgive MS Dhoni. He should look at his face in the mirror. He is a very big cricketer, but what he has done against my son, everything is coming out now; it can never be forgiven in life,” Yograj said.

Yuvraj and Dhoni were teammates for over a decade in India colors, with Yuvraj serving as vice-captain to Dhoni at one point. However, a point of contention has often arisen from the fact that Dhoni was given the captaincy after Rahul Dravid in 2007, despite Yuvraj being the vice-captain to Dravid as well.

Yograj Singh played a significant role in Yuvraj Singh’s development as a cricketer, training him from a young age. He also trained Sachin Tendulkar’s son, Arjun. When asked about Arjun’s future, Yograj compared him to a diamond in a coal mine.

“Have you seen diamond in a coal mine? Woh Koyla hi hai..nikalo patthar hi hai, kisi tarashgir ke haath me dalo to chamak ke duniya ko kohinoor ban jata hai (It is coal that is rock when taken out from a mine, but if it is given in proper hands, it goes on to become Kohinoor. It is priceless. But if that same diamond reaches a person who does not know its worth, he destroys it,” Yograj said.

Yograj also spoke about the criticism he faced for his strict training methods. “Earlier, I ws abused ‘Hitler, Dragon Singh, I hate my father’. Everybody hated me in my home. My relatives said, I should not have been a father,” he said.

Despite the criticism, Yograj’s methods have produced results, with Yuvraj Singh becoming one of India’s most successful cricketers. “But he walked his path. And by God’s Grace you got Yuvraj Singh,” Yograj said.

Suthar's Five-Wicket Haul Gives India C Edge in Duleep Trophy

Suthar’s Five-Wicket Haul Gives India C Edge in Duleep Trophy

Duleep Trophy 2024: India C Fights Back with Suthar’s Five-Wicket Haul

Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar emerged as the star performer for India C on Day Two of the Duleep Trophy first round match against India D. Suthar’s impressive five-wicket haul helped India C restrict their opponents to 206/8, extending their lead to 202 runs at stumps.

Earlier, India D had taken a 14-run first-innings lead thanks to half-centuries from captain Shreyas Iyer (62) and Devdutt Padikkal (57). However, Suthar’s brilliance turned the tide in India C’s favor.

Suthar, who has now claimed four five-wicket hauls in first-class cricket, exploited the rough patches on the pitch to his advantage. He dismissed Iyer, Padikkal, and three other batters to leave India D reeling at 134/6.

India C’s bowlers continued to dominate in the final session, with Suthar adding two more wickets to his tally. India D’s resistance was led by wicketkeeper-batter Kona Bharat, who remained unbeaten on 52.

Despite the setback, India D still holds a slender lead of 202 runs. However, India C will be confident of securing an outright victory on Day Three, especially with Suthar in their ranks.

Ashwin Reflects on Leadership Styles of Dhoni, Kohli, and Sharma

Ashwin Reflects on Leadership Styles of Dhoni, Kohli, and Sharma

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s legendary spinner, is gearing up for an intense schedule of 10 Test matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand, and Australia over the next five months. As he approaches the twilight of his illustrious career, Ashwin, who has played 100 Tests and claimed 516 wickets, shared his experiences and insights gained under the leadership of three iconic Indian captains: MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.

MS Dhoni: Stability and Trust

Ashwin praised Dhoni’s ability to provide stability and long-term opportunities to players. He cited the example of Ravindra Jadeja, whom Dhoni groomed into a successful finisher. “Dhoni backed someone after identifying their potential and provided stability,” Ashwin said. “I really like that about MS.”

Virat Kohli: Inspiration and Leadership

Ashwin described Kohli as an inspiring leader who sets an example through his own actions. “About Virat, he inspires,” Ashwin said. “He leads from the front. What he expects from the team, he shows it by doing it himself.”

Rohit Sharma: Tactical Acumen and Player Support

Ashwin highlighted Rohit Sharma’s focus on tactics and his unwavering support for his players. “He keeps the team environment very light and makes an effort to do that,” Ashwin said. “He is very balanced and tactically strong. He puts more focus on tactics. He backs his players 100 percent.”

Ashwin’s insights provide valuable lessons for aspiring cricketers and shed light on the leadership styles of three of India’s most successful captains. As he prepares for the upcoming Test matches, Ashwin’s experience and wisdom will be invaluable to the Indian team.

Virat Kohli’s Fiery Temperament: From “Middle Finger Incident” to On-Field Confrontations

Virat Kohli’s fiery temperament has been a defining characteristic throughout his illustrious international cricket career. His unwavering competitiveness and refusal to back down from any confrontation have often made headlines, both on and off the field.

One of the most infamous incidents highlighting Kohli’s fiery nature occurred during India’s 2012 tour of Australia, known as “Virat’s middle finger incident.” During the second Test in Sydney, Kohli was subjected to relentless verbal abuse from a section of Australian fans while fielding near the boundary.

Exasperated by the continuous taunts, Kohli responded by raising his middle finger towards the crowd. The gesture sparked immediate controversy, drawing widespread criticism and media attention. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently fined Kohli 50% of his match fee for breaching the Code of Conduct, citing unsportsmanlike behavior.

In an interview with Wisden, Kohli opened up about the controversy and recalled how he pleaded with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle to not ban him. “I’m so cool,” Kohli had said. “The match referee called me to his room the next day and I’m like, ‘What’s wrong?’. He said, ‘What happened at the boundary yesterday?’. I said, ‘Nothing, it was a bit of banter’.”

Madugalle reportedly asked Kohli to admit to his guilt, which he accepted, resulting in a 50% deduction of his match fee. “I got away with that one,” Kohli said. “He was a nice guy, he understood I was young and these things happen.”

Kohli’s fiery temperament has also been evident in his confrontations with opponents. In 2014, he engaged in a heated exchange with Australian batsman David Warner during a Test match in Adelaide. The incident led to both players being fined by the ICC.

Despite the occasional controversy, Kohli’s competitive spirit and unwavering determination have been instrumental in his success as a cricketer. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Mohammed Shami Names Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn as His Favorite Bowlers

Mohammed Shami Names Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn as His Favorite Bowlers

Mohammed Shami, India’s pace spearhead, has revealed his admiration for two legendary bowlers: Waqar Younis and Dale Steyn. In a recent interview with Star Sports, Shami named these two greats as his “favourite bowlers of all-time.”

Shami’s admiration for Younis and Steyn stems from their exceptional skills and achievements. Younis, a Pakistani fast bowler, was renowned for his devastating swing bowling and ability to generate reverse swing. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, having taken 373 Test wickets and 416 ODI wickets.

Steyn, a South African fast bowler, is another legend of the game. Known for his express pace, pinpoint accuracy, and lethal inswingers, Steyn has taken 439 Test wickets and 196 ODI wickets. He is considered one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of cricket.

Shami’s own bowling prowess has earned him a place among India’s top bowlers. Since his debut in 2013, he has established himself as a match-winner across all three formats. With 448 international wickets in 188 games, Shami is one of the most prolific pacers of the modern era.

His ability to deliver match-winning performances in big games has made him a fan favorite. In the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cups, Shami played a crucial role in India’s campaigns, taking key wickets and helping his team reach the semi-finals.

Shami’s partnership with Jasprit Bumrah has formed a formidable pace duo for India. Together, they have led India’s bowling attack to numerous victories. Shami’s experience and skill, combined with Bumrah’s pace and variations, make them one of the most dangerous bowling pairs in world cricket.

Gloucestershire Stun Birmingham Bears in Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

Gloucestershire Stun Birmingham Bears in Vitality Blast Quarter-Final

Gloucestershire’s stunning 14-run victory over Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast quarter-final at Edgbaston was a testament to their resilience and the Bears’ inability to handle pressure.

Despite scraping into the last eight on net run rate, Gloucestershire raced to 51 without loss in the powerplay. However, they collapsed to 138 all out, with Cameron Bancroft’s 43 and Miles Hammond’s 30 the only significant contributions.

Birmingham Bears, the North Group winners, were expected to cruise to victory. But David Payne’s 4 for 23 and Ollie Price’s 3 for 32 proved too much for the home side.

Bears’ chase was hampered by Payne’s early dismissal of Alex Davies and Moeen Ali. Despite Chris Benjamin’s 33, the Bears struggled to regain momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.

In the final over, Gloucestershire’s leading wicket-taker Payne conceded just three runs and took two wickets, sealing a memorable victory.

Gloucestershire’s triumph was built on their ability to defend a low total. Payne’s accurate bowling and Price’s clever spin variations proved too difficult for the Bears to handle.

The Bears, on the other hand, were guilty of poor shot selection and a lack of composure under pressure. Their inability to chase down a modest target exposed their vulnerability in high-pressure situations.

Gloucestershire will now face Sussex in the semi-final at Edgbaston on Saturday week, while the Bears will be left to rue their missed opportunity.

Mark Wood Ruled Out for Rest of Year with Elbow Injury

Mark Wood Ruled Out for Rest of Year with Elbow Injury

Mark Wood, England’s premier fast bowler, has been dealt a major setback as he has been ruled out for the remainder of the year due to a bone-stress injury to his right elbow. This unfortunate news means that Wood will miss England’s upcoming Test tours of Pakistan and New Zealand.

Wood’s injury woes began during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, where he suffered a right thigh strain while bowling. As a precautionary measure, he was withdrawn from the ongoing series. However, subsequent scans revealed a more concerning issue in his right elbow, which Wood had been experiencing discomfort in.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Wood expressed his disappointment and frustration: “During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow.”

This diagnosis has forced Wood to withdraw from England’s remaining six Tests of the year, three against Pakistan in October and three against New Zealand in December. The ECB medical team will continue to monitor Wood’s progress closely, with the aim of having him fully fit by early 2025. This would allow him to participate in England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, which is scheduled to begin in February 2025.

Wood’s absence is a significant blow to England’s bowling attack. His pace and aggression have been instrumental in England’s recent Test successes. His ability to generate reverse swing has also been a key factor in his effectiveness.

England will now have to find a suitable replacement for Wood in their Test squad. Potential candidates include Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, and Craig Overton. However, none of these bowlers possess the same combination of pace and swing as Wood.

Wood’s injury is a reminder of the physical demands of fast bowling. The constant stress on the body can lead to a variety of injuries, including bone stress fractures. It is important for bowlers to manage their workload carefully and to listen to their bodies when they are feeling pain.

Zim Afro T10 League: Warner, Neesham, Ali, Brathwaite Headline Direct Signings

Zim Afro T10 League: Warner, Neesham, Ali, Brathwaite Headline Direct Signings

The second season of the Zim Afro T10 league is set to commence from September 21 to 29 in Harare, Zimbabwe. Ahead of the draft scheduled for September 8, the six participating franchises have announced their direct signings, featuring a host of international superstars.

Bulawayo Braves Jaguars have secured the services of Australian opener David Warner and West Indian all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite as their icon and global superstar, respectively. Cape Town Samp Army has signed up England’s David Willey and Dawid Malan, Afghanistan’s Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmed.

Durban Wolves have acquired the services of New Zealand’s Colin Munro and Mark Chapman, along with Pakistan’s Yasir Shah. Zimbabwe’s Blessing Muzarabani has been signed by New York Strikers Lagos, while Bangladesh’s Rishad Hossain will join Harare Bolts alongside New Zealand’s James Neesham and Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka.

Harare Bolts also boasts the presence of George Munsey (Scotland), Shehan Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka), and Kennar Lewis (West Indies). Bulawayo Braves Jaguars have added Nick Hobson and Kobe Herft (both Australia) to their squad. Durban Wolves have signed Will Smeed (England), Sharjeel Khan (Pakistan), Muhammad Irfan (Pakistan), and Yasir Shah (Pakistan).

Cape Town Samp Army has secured the services of Haider Ali (Pakistan), Adam Rossington (England), and Shahnawaz Dahani (Pakistan). NYS Lagos has signed Asif Ali (Pakistan), Najibullah Zadran (Afghanistan), Binura Fernando (Sri Lanka), Akhilesh Bogudum (USA), and Oshane Thomas (West Indies).

Jo’Burg Bangla Tigers have acquired the services of Chris Lynn (Australia), Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka), Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka), Hazratullah Zazai (Afghanistan), Adam Milne (New Zealand), Luke Wood (England), and Karim Janat (Afghanistan).

The Zim Afro T10 league will be followed by the second season of the US Masters League, Abu Dhabi T10, and the inaugural Lanka T10, which will conclude the season in December.

Ollie Pope's Century Puts England in Command Against Sri Lanka

Ollie Pope’s Century Puts England in Command Against Sri Lanka

Ollie Pope’s resurgence as England’s captain continued on Friday as he notched his maiden century in the role during the first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

Pope, playing on his home ground, rediscovered his batting touch, scoring an unbeaten 103 off just 103 balls. His innings propelled England to a strong position of 221-3 at the close of play, despite poor light conditions forcing an early end to the day.

Sri Lanka, who trail the three-match series 2-0, won the toss and opted to field first. However, they failed to capitalize on the overcast skies and green-tinged pitch, as England’s openers made a solid start.

Ben Duckett, who missed out on a century on Friday, struck consecutive fours off Milan Rathnayake’s deliveries. However, Dan Lawrence, playing as a makeshift opener, struggled and was dismissed for just five runs.

Pope, batting at number three, got off to a positive start, cutting a loose delivery from Rathnayake for four and later hooking a six off Lahiru Kumara. Duckett raced to a brisk fifty in just 48 balls, including seven boundaries.

Despite the floodlights being on, the umpires deemed conditions too unsafe to continue and halted play due to bad light. Rain further delayed the match, which resumed at 1410 GMT.

Duckett continued his aggressive approach, ramping Kumara for six over fine leg and then uppercutting him high over third man. However, he fell short of his fourth Test century when he mistimed a scoop off Rathnayake and was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.

Pope, 26, had a stroke of luck when a top-edged six off Kumara went his way. He completed his seventh Test hundred – and his first at The Oval – when he elegantly square-drove Asitha Fernando for his 13th boundary.

However, bad light once again forced the players off the field, and no further play was possible on Friday.

England, who have already secured a 3-0 victory against the West Indies earlier in the season, are now aiming for their first clean sweep in a home Test campaign since 2004.

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