Somerset Crush Northamptonshire in Metro Bank One Day Cup

Somerset Crush Northamptonshire in Metro Bank One Day Cup

Somerset’s Andy Umeed led his team to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the Metro Bank One Day Cup at Wantage Road. Umeed’s commanding 63 off 66 balls, including six fours and two sixes, propelled Somerset to a comfortable chase of 156.

Northamptonshire’s innings was anchored by Saif Zaib’s lone hand of 57, but they were bundled out for 155 inside 38 overs. Josh Davey’s early double strike and Archie Vaughan’s maiden senior wicket contributed to the Steelbacks’ collapse.

Somerset’s chase got off to a blistering start as Umeed and George Thomas raced to 50 off just 31 balls. Thomas’ dismissal for 28 brought Lewis Goldsworthy to the crease, who continued the momentum with a fluent 20.

Umeed reached his half-century with a nonchalant pull for four and later launched a towering six over deep midwicket. However, he was eventually caught behind for 63, leaving James Rew and Sean Dickson to guide Somerset home.

Somerset’s victory will boost their confidence ahead of next month’s Vitality Blast T20 quarter-final against Northamptonshire. The match also marked a crucial early breakthrough for Somerset, who had been tormented by Prithvi Shaw in last season’s corresponding fixture. Shaw was dismissed for 12, giving Somerset a much-needed psychological edge.

West Indies Bowlers Dominate South Africa in Test Match

West Indies Bowlers Dominate South Africa in Test Match

West Indies’ Jayden Seales and Gudakesh Motie put on a bowling masterclass against South Africa’s Tony de Zorzi and Aiden Markram in the ongoing Test match. Seales, in particular, was exceptional, delivering a maiden over and consistently keeping the batters in check.

Seales’ first over was a testament to his accuracy and control. He bowled a series of full and on-middle deliveries, forcing de Zorzi to block them out. Motie, on the other hand, started off with a slightly fuller length, allowing de Zorzi to work the ball to mid-wicket for a single.

However, de Zorzi soon found his rhythm and hit a boundary off Motie’s overpitched delivery. Seales responded with a good-length ball that de Zorzi shouldered arms at. The left-hander then timed a perfect drive past cover for another boundary.

Motie continued to bowl full and into the stumps, but de Zorzi was able to defend solidly. Seales, meanwhile, kept the pressure on with a series of deliveries that angled into the left-hander and forced him to stab them down the deck.

In the ninth over, Motie bowled a full ball that de Zorzi flicked into the leg side. The following over, de Zorzi showed his attacking intent by lofting a full ball over long on for a maximum. He followed it up with another six, this time off a tossed-up delivery.

Kemar Roach, who had been economical in his previous overs, also joined the party with a peach of a delivery that beat de Zorzi’s defense. Roach continued to bowl a tight line and length, giving away only five runs in his four overs.

As the innings progressed, Seales and Motie continued to dominate the South African batters. Seales bowled a maiden over in the 12th over, while Motie kept the runs in check with his accurate spin bowling.

South Africa Opt for Batting Depth in Test Opener Against West Indies

South Africa Opt for Batting Depth in Test Opener Against West Indies

South Africa’s decision to bolster their batting lineup with Ryan Rickelton at No. 6 has resulted in a 7-4 split in their playing XI for the opening Test against West Indies in Trinidad. The move forced the Proteas to bench a bowler, with left-arm seamer Nandre Burger missing out.

Wiaan Mulder will operate as the third seamer alongside Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, while Keshav Maharaj will be the lone specialist spinner. West Indies, on the other hand, have handed a debut to batter Keacy Carty and opted for a twin spin combination of Gudakesh Motie and Jomel Warrican. Shamar Joseph has been omitted from the XI.

Kemar Roach returns to the West Indies side after missing the series against Australia earlier this year and will lead the attack in the absence of Alzarri Joseph. Both teams are eager to revive their World Test Championship campaigns, with South Africa currently seventh and West Indies ninth in the standings.

South Africa’s batting lineup boasts a mix of experience and youth, with Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, and Tristan Stubbs at the top of the order. Temba Bavuma will captain the side, while David Bedingham and Ryan Rickelton provide depth in the middle order. Kyle Verreynne will don the wicketkeeping gloves.

West Indies’ batting lineup will be led by Kraigg Brathwaite, who will open alongside Mikyle Louis. Keacy Carty will make his Test debut at No. 3, followed by Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, and Jason Holder. Joshua Da Silva will be responsible for the wicketkeeping duties.

The bowling attack for West Indies will be spearheaded by Kemar Roach, who has 253 Test wickets to his name. Jayden Seales, Gudakesh Motie, and Jomel Warrican will provide support.

The match marks the first Test between South Africa and West Indies in Trinidad since 2005. West Indies have not beaten South Africa in a home Test since 2001 and have not won a Test against them in 17 years.

ICC Bans Pune Devils Coach and Co-Owners for Corruption

ICC Bans Pune Devils Coach and Co-Owners for Corruption

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed bans on Ashar Zaidi, Parag Sanghavi, and Krishan Kumar Choudhary for their involvement in corrupt activities during the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 league.

Zaidi, the batting coach of the Pune Devils team, has been banned for five years from all cricket activities. Sanghavi and Choudhary, co-owners of the Devils, have received two-year bans.

The bans were imposed after the trio admitted to breaches of the Emirates Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code. Zaidi admitted to soliciting and facilitating corrupt conduct, while Sanghavi and Choudhary admitted to betting on matches and failing to cooperate with the investigation.

The ICC statement noted that the last 12 months of each ban period have been suspended. This means that Sanghavi and Choudhary will be eligible to participate in cricket from September 19, 2024, while Zaidi will be eligible from September 19, 2027.

The bans are the latest in a series of actions taken by the ICC to combat corruption in cricket. In September 2023, the ICC charged eight individuals with corruption offenses related to the Abu Dhabi T10 league. Among those charged was Bangladesh allrounder Nasir Hossain, who received a two-year ban.

The ICC’s anti-corruption unit continues to investigate the matter, and further sanctions may be imposed in the future.

Pakistan Retains Senior Trio for Bangladesh Test Series

Pakistan Retains Senior Trio for Bangladesh Test Series

Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh has been announced, with senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi retained despite calls for a significant overhaul following a disappointing T20 World Cup performance.

The decision to retain the experienced trio was influenced by the advice of foreign head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, who recommended a more gradual approach to rebuilding the team. The PCB had initially indicated a need for “major surgery” after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, but has opted to avoid drastic measures for now.

Shan Masood will continue as captain for the red-ball format, with Saud Shakeel promoted to vice-captain in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi. The squad includes two uncapped players, Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam, who have been rewarded for their consistent performances in domestic cricket.

Kamran Ghulam, who was previously included in the Test squad but did not make his debut, has been recalled. Pacer Mohammad Ali, after playing only two Tests against England in 2022, has also been selected again. Most of the squad for Pakistan’s opening Test series of the 2024-25 season remains consistent with the 13 players involved in the last series against Australia at the end of 2023-24.

Players dropped from the previous Test series include opener Imam ul Haq, spinners Noman Ali, Muhammad Nawaz, and Sajid Khan, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, and pacer Hasan Ali. Mohammad Waseem junior is unavailable due to injury. All-rounder Aamir Jamal has been included in the squad, pending his clearance of fitness tests.

Pakistan will face Bangladesh in two Tests beginning August 21 as part of the ICC Test Championship schedule. In the upcoming season, the national team is set to play nine Tests, 14 T20 Internationals, and 17 One-Day Internationals at home and abroad.

Ranjan Madugalle Becomes First Match Referee to Officiate 400 ODIs

Ranjan Madugalle Becomes First Match Referee to Officiate 400 ODIs

Ranjan Madugalle, a veteran match referee, has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first to officiate 400 One-Day Internationals (ODIs). This milestone was achieved during the third ODI between India and Sri Lanka at Khettarama.

Madugalle’s illustrious career as a match referee spans over three decades, beginning in 1993. During this time, he has also officiated in more than 200 Test matches, another remarkable record. Notably, he served as the ICC’s chief match referee until the position was discontinued.

Simon Taufel, a former elite-panel umpire and the ICC’s former umpires performance and training manager, lauded Madugalle’s achievements. “Ranjan’s longevity is remarkable,” Taufel said. “He has served Sri Lanka, the ICC, and the game of cricket with distinction and integrity. This milestone highlights his commitment and dedication to the sport he loves.”

Before embarking on his officiating career, Madugalle was a respected cricketer, representing Sri Lanka in 21 Tests and 63 ODIs as a batter. His transition to match refereeing has been seamless, and he has consistently maintained the highest standards of professionalism and fairness.

Madugalle’s 400th ODI as a match referee is a testament to his unwavering passion for cricket and his dedication to ensuring the integrity of the game. His contributions to the sport have been invaluable, and he continues to inspire aspiring match officials and cricket enthusiasts alike.

Sri Lanka Bat First in Decisive ODI Against India, Aiming for Series Win

Sri Lanka Bat First in Decisive ODI Against India, Aiming for Series Win

Sri Lanka, led by Charith Asalanka, has opted to bat first in the decisive third ODI against India in Colombo. The hosts, who lead the series 1-0, are aiming to secure their first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 1997.

Asalanka expressed confidence in his decision to bat, citing the success of this strategy in the previous matches. Sri Lanka has made one change to their lineup, with Maheesh Theekshana replacing Akila Dhananjaya.

India, on the other hand, has made two changes. Riyan Parag, who impressed in the T20Is, makes his ODI debut in place of Arshdeep Singh, bolstering India’s batting and adding an extra spinner. Rishabh Pant, who has recovered from a car crash, replaces KL Rahul as wicketkeeper.

India’s lineup now features two seam bowlers and four spinners, while Sri Lanka will rely on a single seamer, Janith Liyanage, and five spinners. The dry pitch is expected to favor spin bowling as the match progresses.

Both teams have struggled to convert starts into substantial scores, and Asalanka hopes to see a century on this pitch. The weather forecast predicts clear skies at the start of the game, with a possibility of rain later in the afternoon.

India Faces Series Defeat Threat in Final ODI Against Sri Lanka

India Faces Series Defeat Threat in Final ODI Against Sri Lanka

The third and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka is set to commence, with the match referee Ranjan Madugalle officiating his 400th ODI. India, led by Rohit Sharma, has made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag for KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh. Sri Lanka, captained by Charith Asalanka, has opted to bat first after winning the toss.

The match is expected to be a low-scoring encounter, with assistance for spinners. In the previous ODI, a leggie who was not even in the original squad troubled the Indian batsmen, dismissing five batters LBW. India is facing the prospect of its first bilateral ODI series defeat against Sri Lanka in 27 years after losing the second ODI by 32 runs.

India’s batting performance has been lackluster, failing to tackle the Lankan spin attack. The team has addressed the need for improvement and is determined to perform better in the final match. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has been in good form and will look to continue their winning ways.

The match will be played under pleasant weather conditions, with slight cloudy cover. The outcome of the match will be crucial for both teams, as India seeks to avoid a series defeat and Sri Lanka aims to secure a series victory.

Ashleigh Gardner's WPL Contract: A Life-Changing Moment in Women's Cricket

Ashleigh Gardner’s WPL Contract: A Life-Changing Moment in Women’s Cricket

Ashleigh Gardner’s life took a dramatic turn after a FaceTime call during the T20 World Cup. The auction for the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) was underway, and Gardner watched in disbelief as her bid soared to INR 3.2 crore. This life-changing sum, equivalent to A$558,000 for three weeks’ work, marked a significant milestone in women’s cricket.

Gardner’s journey began with a modest state contract worth A$3,000 as a teenager. The WPL contract represented a paradigm shift, reflecting the growing interest and investment in women’s cricket. Gardner acknowledges the transformative power of the sport, stating, “People are buying into what the women’s game is, showcasing women in sport.”

However, Gardner has grappled with the pressure associated with her high-priced contract. Despite solid performances in the WPL, she admits to falling short of her own expectations. “The ridiculous price tag brought an expectation that I had to live up to,” she says. “It’s a perceived pressure thing that I’m putting on myself.”

Gardner’s current stint with the Trent Rockets in the Hundred provides a fresh perspective. Her contract, while significantly lower than her WPL salary, represents a 60% increase from previous years. The Hundred offers a valuable opportunity for Australian players to prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Gardner believes that Australian cricket could learn from the Hundred’s success. She suggests exploring double-headers and leveraging the popularity of men’s cricket to grow the women’s game. The WBBL’s recent schedule changes, including more matches at major stadiums, are seen as positive steps.

Gardner’s immediate focus is on helping the Rockets reach the knockout stages of the Hundred. She recognizes the expectations placed on international players and aims to contribute both on and off the field. With the T20 World Cup approaching, Gardner remains confident in her abilities and the team’s potential.

Australia A Edge India A by Five Runs in Thrilling T20 Opener

Australia A Edge India A by Five Runs in Thrilling T20 Opener

Australia A emerged victorious in the first T20 match of India A’s multiformat tour, securing a hard-fought five-run victory at Allan Border Field.

Tahlia Wilson’s blistering half-century (50 off 33) laid the foundation for Australia A’s innings. She shared a 74-run opening stand with Katie Mack (39), but India A’s left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque triggered a collapse, claiming three wickets in quick succession.

Despite losing wickets, Nicole Faltum and Maddy Darke provided a late surge, adding 31 runs off the final two overs to propel Australia A to 163 for 5.

In response, India A’s chase was anchored by Priya Punia’s superb innings of 76 off 50 deliveries. She struck seven fours and three sixes, including two in three balls against Charli Knott. However, the required run rate proved elusive, and India A fell short by five runs.

Tanuja Kanwar (27) provided support to Punia, but her dismissal by Faltum proved crucial. Left-arm spinner Sophie Day impressed with her economical spell, conceding just 19 runs from her four overs.

With 28 runs coming off the 18th and 19th overs, India A entered the last over needing 16. Captain Tahlia McGrath defended the target despite conceding a boundary to Sayali Satghare.

The teams will face off again in the second T20 match on Friday at Allan Border Field, followed by the final T20 on Sunday. Three ODIs will then be played in Mackay next week, concluding with a four-day game on the Gold Coast.

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