Ricky Ponting Rules Out England Coaching Role, Eyes IPL Return

Ricky Ponting Rules Out England Coaching Role, Eyes IPL Return

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has ruled out the possibility of becoming England’s next men’s white-ball coach, citing time constraints and a desire to return to coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ponting’s decision comes after Matthew Mott’s departure as England’s white-ball coach, leaving a vacancy for a prominent figure in the cricketing world. Despite his seven-year stint with the Delhi Capitals ending this year, Ponting is not yet ready to commit to full-time coaching at the international level.

“International jobs for me right now are not really where my life is at,” Ponting said in an interview with The ICC Review show. “I’ve got other commitments, with my TV work and things that I do, and I’m trying to balance that out with having a decent amount of home time.”

Ponting, who also worked as Mumbai Indians head coach, recently led the Washington Freedom to victory in the second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC). He has another year on his contract with the team in the USA and is hopeful of securing an IPL coaching contract ahead of the 2025 season.

“I’d love to coach again in the IPL,” Ponting said. “I’ve had a great time every year that I’ve been involved, whether that was as a player or as a head coach.”

Ponting also revealed that the Delhi Capitals will likely appoint an Indian coach as their next head coach. “They made it pretty clear that they wanted to head in a different direction with someone that could give them a bit more time and availability through the off-season,” he said.

Despite his decision to decline the England coaching role, Ponting remains open to other coaching opportunities in the future. “There could be a few opportunities for me popping up in the next couple of months,” he said. “I’d love to be back coaching in the IPL again next season.”

Australia A Dominate India A with Debutant Stars

Australia A Dominate India A with Debutant Stars

Australia A’s depth was on full display as they clinched the T20 series against India A with an emphatic eight-wicket victory. Legspinner Grace Parsons and quick Nicola Hancock, both making their Australia A debuts, played pivotal roles in the triumph.

Parsons, a 20-year-old Brisbane Heat WBBL squad member, made a stunning T20 debut, claiming four wickets for just 30 runs in her eight overs. She dismissed India A’s top-scorer Priya Punia (29) and wrapped up her spell with two wickets in three balls.

Hancock, a late addition to the squad, also impressed, taking the first wicket and conceding only 14 runs from her three overs. Her dismissal of Shweta Sehrawat, caught by Nicole Faltum, set the tone for India A’s struggles.

India A’s batting faltered, losing wickets at regular intervals. They lost three wickets for just 10 runs between the 11th and 13th overs, failing to build any momentum.

Australia A’s chase was controlled by Tahlia Wilson, who scored her second consecutive half-century. Captain Tahlia McGrath, who had been dismissed for a duck in the first match, provided support with a flurry of boundaries. The pair put on an unbroken 69-run stand to seal the victory with ten deliveries to spare.

Parsons and Hancock’s impressive debuts highlight the depth of talent available to Australia A. Their performances, along with Wilson’s consistent batting, have given the team a strong foundation for the future.

Mohammed Shami Nears Return from Ankle Injury, Targets Bangladesh Test

Mohammed Shami Nears Return from Ankle Injury, Targets Bangladesh Test

Mohammed Shami, India’s premier fast bowler, is nearing a return to action after a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury. The injury, sustained shortly after the 2023 ODI World Cup, initially appeared minor, but subsequent swelling necessitated surgery.

Shami’s recovery has progressed steadily at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. He resumed bowling last month and has gradually increased his workload. The selectors are closely monitoring his progress and will soon decide if he should participate in the Duleep Trophy matches starting September 5 to prove his fitness.

The first Test against Bangladesh on September 19 in Chennai remains the target for Shami’s comeback. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that “September 19 is the first Test and that was always the goal.”

Even if Shami misses some or all of India’s home Tests, he has ample time to regain his rhythm before the tour of Australia. The Ranji Trophy begins in October, followed by two first-class games for India A in Australia from October 31.

Shami’s return will be a significant boost for India, who have relied heavily on Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Umesh Yadav in his absence. His experience and wicket-taking ability will be crucial in the upcoming Test series and the World Test Championship.

Bavuma's 86 Leads South Africa to 344-8 on Day 2 Against West Indies

Bavuma’s 86 Leads South Africa to 344-8 on Day 2 Against West Indies

South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, once again fell short of a century but emerged as the top scorer as the Proteas reached 344-8 at the end of the second day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Bavuma contributed a valuable 86 runs before being dismissed leg before wicket to a full toss from Jayden Seales that swung away. Opener Tony de Zorzi also made a significant contribution, scoring 76 runs.

At the close of play, Wiaan Mulder (37) and Kagiso Rabada (12) remained unbeaten and will resume batting on Friday. The hosts will be eager to dismiss the remaining batters quickly and gain an advantage in the match.

After South Africa resumed on 45-1, with most of the first day’s play lost due to rain, several batsmen made useful contributions. De Zorzi, who was 32 not out overnight, quickly reached his half-century off 78 balls.

However, his partner Tristan Stubbs was the first to be dismissed, caught at first slip off Kemar Roach for 20. De Zorzi followed soon after, gloving a reverse sweep off spinner Jomel Warrican to leg slip. David Bedingham was out for 29, caught at deep forward square leg off Seales.

Bavuma and Ryan Rickleton added 57 runs for the fifth wicket before Rickleton was trapped leg before wicket by Roach for 19, immediately after the new ball was taken. Bavuma’s dismissal highlighted his ongoing struggle to convert half-centuries into Test hundreds, having only two centuries in 57 matches for South Africa.

In the final 20 minutes of play, Warrican claimed two wickets in consecutive deliveries, both caught and bowled. Kyle Verreynne was out for 39, ending a 57-run partnership with Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Rabada survived the hat-trick ball but nearly edged Warrican’s next delivery to the slips.

The flat track made it a challenging day for the bowlers, with Warrican’s figures of 3-66 being the best among them. The Proteas will be hoping to build on their solid start and post a competitive total in the first innings.

India to Face Prime Minister's XI in Pink-Ball Warm-Up Ahead of Adelaide Test

India to Face Prime Minister’s XI in Pink-Ball Warm-Up Ahead of Adelaide Test

India’s upcoming tour of Australia will feature a crucial two-day pink-ball warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra. This fixture, scheduled for November 30 and December 1 at Manuka Oval, will serve as a vital preparation for the day-night Test against Australia in Adelaide.

In recent years, the Prime Minister’s XI match has been a four-day contest, but it has been shortened to two days for India’s visit. This change reflects the importance of the day-night Test in Adelaide, where India suffered a humiliating defeat in 2020-21. However, the team famously rallied to win the series 2-1, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.

India’s previous experience with day-night Tests is limited to four matches, including a recent encounter against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru. Australia, on the other hand, has played 12 day-night Tests, all on home soil. Despite their experience, Australia suffered their first defeat with the pink ball last season against West Indies in Brisbane.

The Prime Minister’s XI has emerged as a formidable side in recent seasons, effectively serving as an Australia A team. Matt Renshaw has been particularly impressive in the last two fixtures, scoring three centuries. However, the pitch at Manuka Oval has drawn criticism for being slow and low, raising concerns about its suitability for Test preparation.

Before facing the Prime Minister’s XI, India will engage in an intra-squad warm-up at the WACA from November 15-18. They will arrive in Australia after completing a three-match home Test series against New Zealand. Additionally, an India A squad will tour Australia from late October, playing two four-day matches in Mackay and Melbourne.

Oval Invincibles Triumph Over Southern Brave in Top-of-the-Table Clash

Oval Invincibles Triumph Over Southern Brave in Top-of-the-Table Clash

Oval Invincibles, the defending champions of The Hundred, secured a crucial victory over Southern Brave, the league leaders, in a top-of-the-table clash at The Kia Oval. The six-wicket triumph marked a significant scalp for the Invincibles in their quest to retain their title.

Tom Curran, the elder brother of Sam Curran, played a pivotal role in restricting Southern Brave to a modest total of 118 for eight. His four-wicket haul, coupled with two wickets from Sam Curran, stifled the Brave’s batting lineup. James Vince, with a valiant 52 from 39 balls, was the lone bright spot for the visitors.

The Invincibles’ chase got off to a peculiar start, with Dawid Malan facing 10 consecutive dot balls and Chris Jordan conceding no runs from his first 11 deliveries. However, Jordan Cox, England’s latest Test call-up, and Sam Curran broke the shackles with a 58-run partnership from 27 balls. Cox remained unbeaten on 46 from 29 balls, guiding the Invincibles to victory with 15 balls to spare.

Sam Curran, who has been instrumental in the Invincibles’ recent run of five wins in six games, was named the Meerkat Match Hero for the third consecutive time. He praised the team’s collective effort, particularly the bowling partnership with his brother Tom.

“We have complemented each other really well with the ball this season,” said Sam Curran. “We knew we had to win this to give us the best chance of going straight through to Lord’s (and reach the final).”

The victory strengthens the Invincibles’ position in the standings, moving them a step closer to securing a place in the knockout stages. Southern Brave, despite the setback, remain atop the table but face a stern test in their remaining fixtures.

Southern Brave Triumph with Wyatt's Heroics in Rain-Hit Clash

Southern Brave Triumph with Wyatt’s Heroics in Rain-Hit Clash

Southern Brave, the defending champions of The Hundred, secured their first victory of the 2023 season with a seven-wicket triumph over Oval Invincibles in a rain-affected encounter. England star Danni Wyatt played a pivotal role in the victory, guiding her team to the target with an unbeaten 46 from 37 deliveries.

Wyatt’s innings was characterized by resilience, as she twice survived being dropped by the Invincibles fielders. Her knock included four boundaries and a six, and she played a crucial role in anchoring the Brave’s chase.

The Invincibles, who were put into bat, struggled to gain momentum due to the impressive bowling of Lauren Cheatle and Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Cheatle dismissed Chamari Athapaththu for a duck and Alice Capsey for 16, while Corteen-Coleman accounted for Lauren Winfield-Hill and Paige Scholfield.

Marizanne Kapp provided some late resistance for the Invincibles, scoring an unbeaten 26 from 17 balls. However, the Brave’s bowlers kept the Invincibles in check, restricting them to a total of 79 for 4 from their allotted 65 balls.

With a revised target of 83 set by the DLS method, the Brave began their chase cautiously. Smriti Mandhana was run out cheaply, while Maia Bouchier was bowled by Ryana MacDonald-Gay.

Wyatt, however, remained unfazed and played a composed innings. She received support from Freya Kemp (14) and Chloe Tryon (10), but it was her experience and composure that ultimately guided the Brave to victory.

In the final over, Wyatt faced a tense situation with five runs needed from five balls. She calmly dispatched Sophia Smale over the leg side for the winning boundary, securing a much-needed victory for the Brave.

Leicestershire Foxes Triumph in Rain-Hit Clash Against Yorkshire Vikings

Leicestershire Foxes Triumph in Rain-Hit Clash Against Yorkshire Vikings

Leicestershire Foxes emerged victorious in their rain-affected Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash against Yorkshire Vikings at Scarborough, securing an eight-wicket win via the DLS method.

Ian Holland played a pivotal role for the champions, contributing with both bat and ball. As an opening bowler, he claimed two wickets for 39 runs from 10 overs, dismissing Fin Bean and Shan Masood. Later, as an opener, Holland smashed 42 runs off 25 balls, setting the tone for Leicestershire’s chase.

Yorkshire, after being inserted to bat, posted a competitive 236 for 7 from 50 overs. Dom Bess and Matthew Revis played crucial innings, scoring 60 and 55 not out respectively. The pair shared a 112-run partnership for the seventh wicket, rescuing Yorkshire from a precarious 118 for 6.

Leicestershire’s bowlers, led by Holland, Tom Scriven, and Alex Green, restricted Yorkshire’s scoring early on. They took four wickets in the first 25 overs, conceding only three boundaries during that period.

In response, Leicestershire chased down the revised target of 150 from 22 overs with ease. Holland and Lewis Hill formed a formidable opening partnership, putting on 62 runs before Holland departed. Hill remained unbeaten on 71 off 54 balls, hitting four sixes. Ajinkya Rahane contributed 28 runs as Leicestershire sealed victory with 2.2 overs to spare.

This win propelled Leicestershire into the top three places in Group B, while Yorkshire suffered their third loss in six fixtures.

Middlesex Beat Lancashire in One-Day Cup Thriller

Middlesex Beat Lancashire in One-Day Cup Thriller

Middlesex secured a crucial five-wicket victory over Lancashire in their Metro Bank One-Day Cup clash at Emirates Old Trafford, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Lancashire’s innings got off to a shaky start, losing two early wickets. However, 16-year-old debutant Kesh Fonseka (42) and Rocky Flintoff (88) steadied the ship with a 58-run partnership. Flintoff, playing his fifth innings for Lancashire, reached his maiden fifty for the county, hitting six fours and two sixes.

Despite Flintoff’s heroics, Middlesex’s bowlers kept the pressure on, with Henry Brookes (4-43) and Ethan Bamber (2-31) sharing seven wickets. Lancashire’s innings ended on 233 for 9 in the rain-reduced 48-over match.

In reply, Middlesex openers Joe Cracknell (98) and Sam Robson (87*) put on a dominant 175-run partnership for the second wicket. Cracknell reached his fifty off 71 balls, while Robson reached his half-century off 64 balls.

Lancashire fought back late in the innings, taking four wickets in quick succession. However, Robson remained unbeaten, guiding Middlesex to victory with eight balls to spare. Josh Boyden (2-35) and Jack Morley (3-48) were the pick of the Lancashire bowlers.

The victory keeps Middlesex in contention for a place in the knockout stages, while Lancashire’s hopes of qualification are fading.

Bangladesh Cricketers Grapple with Political Unrest and Personal Loss

Bangladesh Cricketers Grapple with Political Unrest and Personal Loss

Bangladesh’s recent political and social unrest has had a profound impact on its cricketers. Wicketkeeper-batter Nurul Hasan actively participated in the protests, facing police pursuit in Dhaka. Akbar Ali and Kamrul Islam Rabbi openly supported the student movement from its inception.

Anamul Haque, the Bangladesh batter, endured a personal tragedy when his close friend Akram was killed in the Dhaka student protests on July 25. Leading Bangladesh A in two four-day games against Pakistan A in Islamabad, Anamul shared his harrowing experience during the protests.

“Losing contact with my family during the protests was traumatizing, especially after my friend’s death,” Anamul said. “I was in Chattogram and couldn’t reach them in Dhaka. This tragedy affected everyone in some way.”

Like many in Dhaka, Anamul faced sleepless nights as uncertainty and chaos gripped the capital. “I was awake from 2am to 5am, taking care of my child,” he recalled. “I went out to see what was happening and witnessed people guarding their property. We don’t want to live like this. We deserve peace and fundamental rights.”

Anamul praised the students for managing Dhaka’s traffic in the absence of the police force. “They’re doing an extraordinary job, maintaining discipline,” he said. “This is the country we’ve always wanted.”

Regarding the silence of Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe Mortaza, two prominent Bangladesh cricketers and Awami League MPs, Anamul remained diplomatic. “It’s up to the individual whether they want to speak out,” he said. “I was focused on my family and my friend’s family. I wrote about him on social media, but others may have different perspectives.”

Anamul expressed hope that Bangladesh A’s tour of Pakistan would provide valuable preparation for the senior team’s upcoming Test series. “Cricket unites us,” he said. “This tour will help us, especially the Test series in Pakistan. We’re playing Tests after a long time, and we hope to bring some cheer to our fans during these challenging times.”

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