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Category: Cricket

Vinod Kambli Assures Fans of Well-being After Health Concerns

Vinod Kambli Assures Fans of Well-being After Health Concerns

By September 5, 2024 0

Vinod Kambli Reassures Fans of Well-being After Concerning Video

Former Indian cricketer Vinod Kambli has addressed concerns about his health after a video emerged showing him struggling to walk. In a new clip, Kambli asserts that he is “fit and fine” and doing well.

The latest video, reportedly from a meeting with Kambli’s schoolmate Ricky Couto and First Class Umpire Marcus Couto, shows Kambli in good spirits. He gives a thumbs-up sign and says, “I’m good. By the grace of God, I’m surviving. I’m fit and fine. I’m ready to bat at No. 3 (jokingly). I’ll hit the spinners outside the ground like we used to play at Shivaji Park!”

This video comes as a relief to Kambli’s well-wishers, who were concerned after a previous video showed him struggling to walk. In that clip, Kambli appeared disoriented and had difficulty maintaining his balance. Some speculated that he was intoxicated, while others suggested he was suffering from health issues.

Kambli’s schoolmate, Ricky Couto, who spent five hours with him, confirmed that Kambli was in good spirits and spoke to several other friends.

Kambli, a talented left-hander, played over 100 ODIs and 17 Test matches for India. He scored nearly 10,000 runs in First Class cricket, with a best individual score of 262.

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Gambhir's India Dominates Sri Lanka, Iyer Returns for ODIs

Gambhir’s India Dominates Sri Lanka, Iyer Returns for ODIs

By September 5, 2024 0

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team has commenced with a resounding start, as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side has secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The two teams will face off in the series finale on Tuesday, followed by a three-match ODI series commencing on August 2.

India’s squad for the ODI series will witness the return of star batter Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped from the England Test squad earlier this year and subsequently omitted from the BCCI’s central contract list. However, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan remains absent from the team.

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has attributed Kishan’s prolonged absence to the player’s preoccupation with fashion. “Ishan Kishan has fallen down the pecking order. He got into fashion a bit,” Ali remarked on his YouTube channel.

Kishan’s last appearance for India was in the third T20I of a five-match series against Australia in November 2022. He was included in the subsequent tour of South Africa but withdrew from the Test series due to personal reasons. Kishan also opted out of Ranji Trophy matches, prompting the BCCI to remove him from the central contracts list.

Sources indicate that Kishan’s return to the team is contingent upon a full season of domestic cricket. His absence from the IPL is reportedly hindering his chances of selection. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson are currently the designated keepers in the two white-ball formats.

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England's McCullum Selects Raw Talent Hull for Test Debut

England’s McCullum Selects Raw Talent Hull for Test Debut

By September 5, 2024 0

Brendon McCullum’s bold selection of 20-year-old left-arm fast bowler Josh Hull for England’s Test debut against Sri Lanka has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. McCullum’s decision is a clear indication of his determination to break away from traditional English conventions and invest in players with high potential.

Hull, who has only taken two first-class wickets this season, is a raw talent with an impressive physique and a bowling speed ranging from 80 to 90 miles per hour. McCullum believes that Hull’s potential outweighs his lack of experience, and that he can provide England with a valuable weapon in various conditions.

The selection of Hull also raises questions about the future of England’s more established bowlers, such as Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, and Ben Foakes. These players, who were once considered the bedrock of the team, now seem to be out of favor with McCullum and Ben Stokes.

McCullum’s approach is a departure from the traditional English style of play, which has often favored experienced and reliable players. However, McCullum believes that England need to adapt to the modern game and recruit players who can challenge teams in all conditions.

The selection of Hull is a gamble, but it is a gamble that McCullum is willing to take. He believes that Hull has the potential to be a key player for England in the future, and that his selection will help the team to become more rounded and competitive.

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Sri Lanka's Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

Sri Lanka’s Batting Woes Continue, De Silva Emphasizes Top-Order Runs

By September 5, 2024 0

Sri Lanka’s batting woes have been a persistent issue throughout the ongoing Test series against England. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva has emphasized the crucial need for top-order runs, highlighting the team’s inability to reach 350 or have any of their top seven batsmen score a century.

In the first Test, Sri Lanka collapsed to 72 for 5 in the first innings, while in the second Test, they were dismissed for 83 for 5. De Silva believes these early setbacks have been detrimental to their chances of victory.

“Our batters have to score runs, and that’s the biggest issue we’ve had,” de Silva said. “Those who got starts didn’t turn them into hundreds and 150s. If you look at Joe Root on their side, he’s consistently made runs and it’s around him that others made runs. That’s what someone on our side needs to do as well, so we can get to 300 or 350. First-innings runs are what’s crucial to victory.”

Kamindu Mendis has been the only Sri Lankan batsman to make significant contributions on tour, scoring 113 in Manchester and 74 at Lord’s. Despite his impressive form, de Silva has opted to keep him at No. 7 in the batting order.

“I think if Kamindu plays well down there there’s no reason to change what he’s doing and put him in trouble,” de Silva explained. “If he’s scoring there, it’s good for his career as well. In the future, maybe we will talk to him, about his plans as well and see what changes we can make. But right now we’re thinking of him as a No. 7.”

The rest of the Sri Lankan batting order has struggled against England’s seamers, with de Silva attributing this to their discipline and control.

“They [England] have a lot of control in addition to their experience,” de Silva said. “They have great control of line and length and we don’t get many loose balls in England. We need to be prepared for that and our plans have to take that into account. That’s just what you get in England. In the two previous matches they didn’t let us execute our plans. That’s why they were successful.”

Joe Root’s exceptional batting has also contributed to Sri Lanka’s 2-0 deficit in the series. De Silva hopes that his team has devised a plan to surprise Root in the upcoming match.

“It’s not that our plans against him didn’t work – he just very quickly recognised what we were trying to do and countered it,” de Silva said. “That’s what world class players do, and that’s why he scored runs. We’ve hopefully come up with something now that he won’t expect.”

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McCullum Aims to Revive England's White-Ball Team by Uplifting Buttler

McCullum Aims to Revive England’s White-Ball Team by Uplifting Buttler

By September 5, 2024 0

Brendon McCullum, the newly appointed all-format head coach of England’s cricket team, has identified the need to revitalize the white-ball team by uplifting the spirits of captain Jos Buttler. McCullum believes that Buttler’s recent struggles with form and tactical errors have taken a toll on his demeanor, leading to a more negative disposition on and off the field.

McCullum, who has observed England’s decline from afar, believes that Buttler’s leadership is crucial to the team’s success. He aims to create an environment where players feel confident and supported, with Buttler providing the necessary encouragement and guidance. McCullum’s close friendship with Buttler, despite never having played alongside him, is seen as a key factor in fostering this positive atmosphere.

The former New Zealand captain is confident in his ability to help Buttler rediscover his former self, recognizing his exceptional talent and leadership qualities. McCullum believes that the final stages of Buttler’s career can be the most fulfilling, with the opportunity to enjoy the game and inspire his teammates.

McCullum also addressed the availability of Test captain Ben Stokes for limited-overs cricket. While Stokes has expressed his desire to focus on Test captaincy, McCullum hopes to persuade him to continue playing in white-ball formats. He believes that Stokes’ experience and leadership are invaluable, especially in major events and big series.

The coach emphasized the importance of managing player workloads, acknowledging that not all players can participate in every series. However, he stressed that the best players will be considered for major tournaments and high-profile matches.

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England Aim for Summer Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption at The Oval

England Aim for Summer Sweep as Sri Lanka Seek Redemption at The Oval

By September 5, 2024 0

England and Sri Lanka will face off in the final Test of the summer at The Oval, the traditional venue for the season’s finale. Despite the limited challenge posed by Sri Lanka, England has dominated the series, aiming to complete a first summer sweep since 2004.

Gus Atkinson has emerged as a star for England, taking 33 wickets in five appearances, while Jamie Smith has solidified his position as wicketkeeper. The hosts have also handed a debut to 6ft 7in left-armer Josh Hull, who impressed in the series warm-up.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has struggled to live up to expectations. Despite flashes of resistance from Asitha Fernando and Kamindu Mendis, two first-innings collapses have left them with too much to do. Dhananjaya de Silva’s decision to bowl at Lord’s also backfired, putting an inexperienced bowling attack under pressure.

The Oval Test will be a chance for Ollie Pope to improve his average as Test captain, while Sri Lanka will be determined to avoid a whitewash. The pitch is expected to favor pace, with Sri Lanka opting for a four-man pace attack.

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Women's Cricket in England Aligns with Men's Competitions

Women’s Cricket in England Aligns with Men’s Competitions

By September 5, 2024 0

England’s top women’s cricket teams will embark on a new era in 2025, with the introduction of the Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One-Day Cup, mirroring the competitions played by their male counterparts. This alignment aims to enhance the visibility and growth of women’s cricket in England.

The Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day will crown the T20 champions, while the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will feature semi-finals and a final. The eight teams competing in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup will represent Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Somerset, Surrey, Warwickshire, and The Blaze (representing Nottinghamshire and surrounds).

The Vitality Blast will feature eight teams: Birmingham Bears (Warwickshire), Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire Thunder, Somerset, Surrey, and The Blaze. Yorkshire will join the top flight in 2026, followed by Glamorgan in 2027.

A knockout cup competition will also be introduced in 2025, involving teams from all three tiers of the women’s domestic structure. This will provide opportunities for counties at all levels to compete against each other.

Beth Barrett-Wild, ECB director of the women’s professional game, emphasized the importance of aligning the men’s and women’s competitions: “By putting our men’s and women’s competitions and players on the same platform, we can exponentially increase the reach of the women’s domestic game and intensify the depth of feeling fans have for our women’s teams moving forwards.”

The new structure will see an investment of £8m per year into women’s domestic cricket by 2027, bringing the total annual investment to £19m. This funding is expected to increase the number of professional female players in England and Wales by 80% by 2029.

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Kamran Akmal Slams Pakistan Management for Lack of Faith in Spinners

Kamran Akmal Slams Pakistan Management for Lack of Faith in Spinners

By September 5, 2024 0

Pakistan’s former wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has launched a scathing attack on the national team management and captains for their lack of faith in spinners during home Test series. Akmal believes that spinners have been consistently marginalized and denied adequate opportunities to showcase their abilities over the past three years.

Akmal’s criticism comes in the wake of Pakistan’s 0-2 loss to Bangladesh in their recent home series. He pointed out that Pakistan has a strong track record of winning home matches when they employ a balanced attack of fast bowlers and spinners. However, he believes that the team has been overly reliant on pacers in recent years, which has led to their downfall.

Akmal expressed concern over the exclusion of experienced spinners from the team. He mentioned players like Yasir Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Bilal Asif, Zahid Mahmood, and Usman Qadir, who he believes should not have been overlooked without proper justification.

“When Babar (Azam) was captain, he kept some spinners in the squad but never bothered to play them regularly. Unless spinners get constant exposure, how will they come through?” Akmal said.

Akmal also highlighted the struggles of Pakistan’s batters against fast bowlers. He believes that the batters are comfortable facing pacers bowling at 130-140 kmph, but they struggle against bowlers who bowl at 140 kmph or more.

“Our batters are comfortable against pacers bowling at 130-140 kmph, but when they face a pace of 140 kmph or more, and they see that on the scoreboard during the match, their legs start to give way,” he said.

Akmal emphasized that players should prioritize domestic cricket rather than solely focusing on overseas leagues. He believes that the lack of commitment towards domestic cricket is leading to inconsistent performances at the international level.

“They prefer to go and play in useless foreign leagues to earn money and this is not helping them develop their skills. This lack of commitment towards domestic cricket is leading to inconsistent performances at the international level,” he said.

Akmal also commented on Babar Azam’s recent form slump. He believes that Azam is struggling due to some technical flaws.

“He is unsure of himself and his off-stump early on and has this tendency to leave his leg stump exposed. Balls that should be played towards cover are being played straight, and the bat doesn’t go towards the ball’s direction,” he said.

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Pakistan Considers Offshore Test for England Series Amid Stadium Renovations

Pakistan Considers Offshore Test for England Series Amid Stadium Renovations

By September 5, 2024 0

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is facing a dilemma as ongoing stadium renovations threaten to disrupt the upcoming Test series against England. With Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and Karachi’s National Stadium undergoing major overhauls, the PCB is considering moving one Test offshore.

Abu Dhabi, a former “home” venue for Pakistan during their exile, has emerged as a potential alternative. However, the city is hosting an Ireland-South Africa series until October 7, which could rule out the first Test.

Rawalpindi Stadium, which hosted the Bangladesh Tests, is also undergoing renovations in preparation for the Champions Trophy in February 2023. Hosting two Tests in Rawalpindi could delay the work, potentially impacting the tournament.

Multan and Rawalpindi remain the only viable venues in Pakistan for Tests. However, hosting two Tests in Rawalpindi could be problematic due to security and accommodation demands during the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) meeting from October 15-16.

The PCB is also considering Faisalabad’s Iqbal Cricket Stadium, which will host the Champions Cup in September. However, it has not hosted a Test since 2006.

The PCB is under pressure to finalize venues as England fans are expected to attend the series. England head coach Brendon McCullum has emphasized the need to know the venues in advance to select the appropriate squad.

The stadium upgrades coincide with Pakistan’s busiest home season in decades, with seven Tests, four white-ball internationals, the Champions Trophy, and an expanded domestic calendar. The upgrades are long overdue but have become essential as Pakistan prepares to host the Champions Trophy next year.

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Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Over Corruption and Nepotism

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Over Corruption and Nepotism

By September 5, 2024 0

Pakistan Cricket Coach Resigns Amidst Allegations of Corruption and Nepotism

Former fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed has resigned from his position as a regional coach at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), citing rampant political interference, favouritism, and nepotism in cricket affairs at the grassroots level.

In his resignation letter, Shabbir, who served as the head coach in the Dera Ghazi Khan region, expressed his frustration with the deplorable conditions prevalent in Pakistani cricket. He stated that merit was disregarded in player selection, with political connections and favouritism taking precedence.

“How can Pakistan cricket improve when there is no merit in selection of players at regional level and there is so much interference and nepotism and favouritism by cricket officials?” Shabbir said.

Shabbir had taken on the role of head coach in Dera Ghazi Khan with the aim of promoting and developing the game at the district and regional levels. However, he found the situation untenable and chose to distance himself from the current state of affairs.

“Unfortunately what I have experienced is very frustrating. A player who works hard throughout the year and is a good talent is overlooked in the final selection to pick a player who use political and other connections to get in,” he said.

Shabbir’s resignation comes amidst Pakistan’s recent 0-2 loss to Bangladesh, a result that has highlighted the decline of Pakistani cricket. Shabbir believes that the current system is hindering the development of talented players and contributing to the team’s poor performance.

“Even if coaches who are sincere want to do something they are helpless in the existing system,” Shabbir said.

The PCB has yet to comment on Shabbir’s resignation, but his allegations have raised serious concerns about the state of cricket in Pakistan. If the PCB fails to address these issues, it could have a detrimental impact on the future of the sport in the country.

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