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Worcestershire Legend Duncan Fearnley Passes Away at 83

Worcestershire Legend Duncan Fearnley Passes Away at 83

By March 8, 2024 0

Duncan Fearnley, the former Worcestershire player and administrator who became a renowned bat manufacturer, passed away at the age of 83.

Born in Pudsey, Fearnley began his cricketing journey in Yorkshire Seconds before moving to Worcestershire in 1960. As a left-handed batter, he made 97 appearances for the club over seven seasons, contributing 687 runs and four half-centuries. His most memorable achievement came in 1964 when Worcestershire won the County Championship.

After leaving the club in 1968, Fearnley returned in 1972 as the Second XI captain. By this time, his Worcester-based bat manufacturing business was flourishing. His bats were highly sought after by some of the greatest players of the era, including Sunil Gavaskar, Ian Botham, Graham Gooch, and Allan Border.

In 1986, Fearnley was appointed as Worcestershire’s chair. During his tenure, the club experienced a golden era, winning two County Championship titles, two Sunday League titles, the Refuge Assurance Cup, the Benson and Hedges Cup, and the NatWest Trophy within a span of twelve years.

Fearnley’s contributions extended beyond his role as chair. He served as Club President from 2011 to 2013 and was later elected as an Honorary Vice-President. His passion for Worcestershire CCC was evident in all his endeavors.

“Duncan’s passing is a tremendous loss,” said Paul Pridgeon, Worcestershire’s acting chair. “His contributions as a player, an administrator, and a passionate supporter of the club were immeasurable. He was the heart and soul of Worcestershire CCC, leaving an indelible mark on the club.”

Fearnley’s legacy as a bat-maker and his unwavering love for Worcestershire will be forever remembered. The cricketing world has lost a true legend.

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Shoaib Bashir's Resilience Earns Praise from England Spin Coach

Shoaib Bashir’s Resilience Earns Praise from England Spin Coach

By March 8, 2024 0

England’s spin coach, Jeetan Patel, has hailed the resilience and skill of Shoaib Bashir after the young spinner overcame illness to claim four first-innings wickets in the fifth Test against India. Bashir’s performance, despite being under the weather, has earned him Patel’s admiration and a promise of continued support in his career progression.

Bashir, along with Ollie Robinson, had missed the final training session before the Test due to illness. However, he showed remarkable determination to bowl 44 overs in India’s first innings, adding to the 70 overs he bowled in the previous Test. Despite a cut on his spinning finger, Bashir remained relentless, nearly claiming a five-wicket haul.

Patel praised Bashir’s efforts, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and hard work. He also commended the entire England bowling attack for their resilience in taking seven wickets on the second day. “It’s a hell of an effort,” Patel said of Bashir’s role. “He’s put in a hell of a shift for us.”

Patel’s optimistic approach to adversity has been a hallmark of the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum era. Despite India’s lead, Patel believes England can still fight back. “We’re going to have tough days in Test cricket,” he said. “And today was one of them. If you put enough hard yards in, eventually the circle turns and it comes back on you.”

Patel’s mentorship of Bashir and other young spinners is crucial for England’s future. He plans to continue supporting them even after the current tour. “My work continues when they are not with England,” he said. “I am not the sort of bloke who is going to leave them in the lurch.”

Bashir’s meteoric rise from obscurity has raised questions about his future playing time. Patel acknowledged that Bashir and Hartley may face limited opportunities in the coming weeks, but he believes they have something to offer England. “They have something to offer England, but we want to keep pushing that and advancing their learning,” he said.

Patel’s praise for Bashir’s development highlights the young spinner’s potential. “The spin he can access, over spin, side spin … he’s got some overs to bowl yet, he’s going to have to keep learning,” Patel said. “But what he’s done in his three Tests here has certainly shown that.”

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Gavaskar Slams Sarfaraz Khan's Shot Selection, Triggers Indian Collapse

Gavaskar Slams Sarfaraz Khan’s Shot Selection, Triggers Indian Collapse

By March 8, 2024 0

Sunil Gavaskar Slams Sarfaraz Khan’s Shot Selection, Triggers Indian Collapse

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his disappointment with the shot selection of young Sarfaraz Khan, which ultimately led to his dismissal on the first ball after tea during the second day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.

Sarfaraz, who was well settled at 56 and had forged a promising 97-run partnership with debutant Devdutt Padikkal, squandered a golden opportunity to transform his innings into a potential century. Unfortunately, his innings concluded in a somewhat anti-climactic fashion when a late cut, executed on the first ball after tea, led to his dismissal. He was caught at slip off Shoaib Bashir.

Gavaskar couldn’t stop himself from reacting as he instantly recalled cricketing great Sir Don Bradman’s million-dollar advice on never to get complacent even if you are batting on 200. “The ball was pitched up; it wasn’t short enough for that shot. Goes for it and pays the price. I mean you are playing the first ball after tea. Give yourself a little sighter. Don Bradman said to me ‘Every ball that I face, even if I am on 200, I think I am on 0.’ And here is [Sarfaraz] is… playing such a shot first ball of the session,” Gavaskar shared his opinion during the commentary.

Sarfaraz’s dismissal proved to be a turning point as it triggered a collapse for India. From a position of strength at 376/3, the team stumbled to 428/8, losing quick five wickets in a span of 54 runs, allowing England to make a significant comeback.

Both Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill struck their second hundred of the series to fetch India a handy first innings lead. Each of India’s top five batters, including debutant Devdutt Padikkal, managed 50-plus scores to power the hosts to a commanding 473-8 for a lead of 255.

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Sachin Tendulkar Hails Kane Williamson, Tim Southee as 'Torchbearers' of New Zealand Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar Hails Kane Williamson, Tim Southee as ‘Torchbearers’ of New Zealand Cricket

By March 8, 2024 0

Cricket legends Sachin Tendulkar has hailed Kane Williamson and Tim Southee as the “torchbearers” of New Zealand cricket after the Kiwi duo reached the milestone of playing 100 Test matches. Tendulkar, in a social media post, noted that it was “fitting” that both Williamson and Southee played their 100th Test match together, 16 years after they played in the 2008 U19 World Cup.

Southee and Williamson became just the fifth and sixth Black Caps players to reach the milestone of 100 Test matches. The two Blackcaps veterans were teammates at the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2008, where the team reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champions, India.

Southee had already made his senior international debut a few weeks before the U19 World Cup, in the T20I format. He would go on to make his Test debut within a year. Williamson, on the other hand, had to wait until 2010 to make his Test debut, but since made rapid strides across formats to evolve into one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever batters.

Williamson has 8675 runs in Tests, well ahead of Ross Taylor, the next best for New Zealand, and averages 55.25 in the format. No other active player has more Test hundreds than Williamson’s 32. Southee, meanwhile, has 378 Test wickets and is just over 50 wickets away from eclipsing Richard Hadlee’s tally for most Test wickets by a Kiwi bowler.

Tendulkar, in his social media post, praised Williamson and Southee for their contributions to New Zealand cricket. “Kane Williamson and Tim Southee have been the torchbearers of New Zealand cricket ever since they burst onto the scene at the 2008 U-19 World Cup,” Tendulkar wrote. “It is only fitting that they also play their 100th Test match together around 16 years later. All the very best to them for their landmark match against familiar foes Australia.”

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Kent to Bid for Professional Women's Cricket Team in England's Top Tier

Kent to Bid for Professional Women’s Cricket Team in England’s Top Tier

By March 8, 2024 0

Kent County Cricket Club has announced its intention to bid for one of eight professional women’s teams in England’s top domestic competition, set to launch in 2025. This move marks a departure from the current South East Stars regional side, which has represented Kent and Surrey in recent years.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has invited first-class counties to tender for Tier 1 women’s professional clubs, aiming to align teams more closely with existing counties and their men’s teams. This restructuring aims to address the identity crisis faced by some regional teams and expand marketing opportunities for the domestic women’s game.

Kent Women’s Captain Megan Belt expressed her excitement about the prospect of a professional team in Kent. She emphasized the transformative impact it would have on training, practice, and support staff, which would significantly enhance the team’s competitiveness.

Kent Women have a rich history of success, having won 10 league championships and five T20 titles. They last won the Women’s County Championship in 2019. The club has produced several international representatives, including Tammy Beaumont, Tash Farrant, Alice Davidson-Richards, and Lydia Greenway.

Kent’s Director of Cricket, Simon Cook, highlighted the club’s commitment to providing a professional future for aspiring female cricketers. He believes that a professional Kent Women side would continue to produce England players through the club’s talent identification and training programs.

The ECB is expected to announce the successful bids later this year. If Kent’s bid is successful, the county will join the ranks of professional women’s cricket teams in England, competing against the best domestic sides for silverware.

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Bangladesh Prepares for T20 World Cup with Focus on Unknown Pitches

Bangladesh Prepares for T20 World Cup with Focus on Unknown Pitches

By March 8, 2024 0

With the 2024 T20 World Cup approaching, Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe is meticulously gathering information about the pitches in the USA and Caribbean, particularly in Dallas. The team will also play in New York and Kingstown, where they have limited knowledge of the playing conditions.

To prepare for the tournament, Bangladesh has been playing on batting-friendly surfaces in Sylhet during the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka. Hathurusinghe expects the New York venue to have drop-in pitches similar to those in Adelaide, but there is uncertainty about the conditions in Dallas and Kingstown.

“We are looking at a combination for the World Cup, [especially] how the individuals are fitting in and understanding the game plan and be comfortable with that,” Hathurusinghe said. “We wanted to play on good wickets here. We don’t know about the wickets in America. We play two important games in America. Nobody has any clue [about the pitches]. There’s not much data behind it.”

Hathurusinghe emphasized the need for bowlers to adapt to the expected batting-friendly pitches. In the ongoing series, Sri Lanka scored over 200 runs in the first T20I, but Bangladesh’s bowlers have shown improvement in the second game.

“We know what we can do. We are continually working on [death bowling]. We are playing on different kinds of pitches now. There’s more grass and carry,” Hathurusinghe said. “We wanted to play on wickets that are conducive for high scoring, to get us to understand what areas we need to improve in bowling.”

Bangladesh’s batting has also been impressive, with Soumya Sarkar contributing despite his tendency to get out after getting starts. The Sarkar-Litton Das opening pairing has been Bangladesh’s 16th in T20Is since the start of 2022.

“We were 63 [68] for no loss. You don’t see how many hundreds you made in T20s. As long as they are playing for the team, that’s what we want,” Hathurusinghe said. “[Sarkar] is contributing at the moment. He got [Kusal] Mendis’ wicket. He was crucial for them in both games. [Litton and Sarkar] put their hands up after the first game, [saying that] their approach was wrong. They owned it, and went and played really good cricket.”

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IPL Transforms Cricket Landscape, Fosters Talent and Enhances Competitiveness

IPL Transforms Cricket Landscape, Fosters Talent and Enhances Competitiveness

By March 8, 2024 0

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionized the cricketing landscape, not only fostering talent identification but also enhancing the competitiveness of all three formats of the game, according to league chairman Arun Dhumal.

Since its inception in 2008, the IPL has witnessed an explosion in T20 cricket’s popularity. Players like Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh have earned India caps after impressive performances in the lucrative league.

“The IPL has been phenomenal in identifying new talent,” Dhumal said. “Every season, we see highly skilled youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rinku Singh emerge. They have gone on to represent India, demonstrating the IPL’s significance in nurturing young talent.”

The IPL has become the world’s second-richest sports league in terms of per-match value, trailing only the NFL. Dhumal believes the league has positively impacted Test and ODI cricket as well.

“The IPL has become the second most important league globally in the past 15 years,” Dhumal said. “It has significantly altered cricket. We have seen more results in Test matches and increased competitiveness in ODIs.”

“Two decades ago, 250-300 runs were considered a good score in ODIs. Now, we regularly witness scores of 400. The T20 format and the IPL have played a crucial role in this evolution,” he added.

The upcoming IPL season will commence on March 22 and will be held entirely in India despite the coinciding general elections. The schedule will be finalized once the election dates are announced.

“We have released the schedule for the first two weeks,” Dhumal said. “We are awaiting the election commission’s announcement. We will adjust the schedule accordingly and hope to host a significant number of matches in Dharamshala.”

The final Test of the India-England series is currently underway in Ahmedabad. It marks a milestone for Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow, who are playing their 100th Tests.

“This Test is historic,” Dhumal said. “It’s Ashwin’s 100th, Bairstow’s 100th, and Anderson is likely to take his 700th wicket. It also coincides with the anniversary of Sunil Gavaskar scoring 10,000 runs.”

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Shubman Gill's Resurgence Attributed to Aggressive Approach

Shubman Gill’s Resurgence Attributed to Aggressive Approach

By March 8, 2024 0

Shubman Gill’s recent resurgence in Test cricket has been attributed to his return to stepping out to bowlers, according to his father and first coach, Lakhwinder. Despite not agreeing with his son’s decision to bat at number three, Lakhwinder believes that Gill’s aggressive approach has been instrumental in his success.

After a disappointing series opener against England, Gill faced mounting pressure to perform. He had failed to score a fifty in 12 innings and was criticized for not playing his natural attacking game. However, his maiden Test century in the second innings of the Vizag Test silenced his critics.

Lakhwinder, who witnessed Gill’s second hundred of the series on Friday, highlighted the importance of his son’s aggressive approach. “Stepping out has made a big difference,” he said. “He had stopped doing that and that created pressure. Since his U-16 days, he has been stepping out to spinners and pacers to cut the movement.”

Gill’s willingness to take on both spinners and pacers was evident on Friday, as he charged down the track to hit James Anderson for a six. Lakhwinder also praised his son’s square cut and cover drive, which were on display at the HPCA Stadium.

Despite his admiration for Gill’s aggressive style, Lakhwinder believes that he should have continued to open the batting. “He should have continued to open,” he said. “It is not right at all I feel. When you sit in the dressing room for longer, the pressure tends to increase. Number 3 is not opening neither it is a middle-order spot.”

However, Lakhwinder respects his son’s decisions and is proud of his achievements. He also lauded the BCCI’s decision to make Ranji Trophy appearances mandatory for India players when they are not on national duty. “The calendar is so busy that he hardly trains for red ball,” he said. “It is good that BCCI has taken this step.”

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Matthew Wade to Miss Gujarat Titans' IPL Opener for Sheffield Shield Final

Matthew Wade to Miss Gujarat Titans’ IPL Opener for Sheffield Shield Final

By March 8, 2024 0

Matthew Wade, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, will miss the Gujarat Titans’ (GT) opening match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to participate in the Sheffield Shield final for Tasmania. The Sheffield Shield final will be held from March 21st to 25th, coinciding with GT’s first game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 25th.

Wade’s presence for GT’s second match against Chennai Super Kings on March 27th is uncertain, while his availability for their third game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 31st is also in doubt.

Tasmania head coach Jeff Vaughan confirmed that Wade has received permission from GT to play in the Sheffield Shield final. “He’s spoken with his IPL franchise and they’re happy to allow him to stay here, which probably equates to him potentially missing their first game,” Vaughan said.

Wade, who spent 10 years with Victoria, returned to Tasmania in the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield season and was part of the team that lost the final to Queensland.

GT will enter IPL 2024 without Hardik Pandya, who has rejoined Mumbai Indians as captain. Shubman Gill will lead the Gujarat Titans in Pandya’s absence.

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Shubman Gill Reaches 4000 International Runs Milestone

Shubman Gill Reaches 4000 International Runs Milestone

By March 8, 2024 0

Indian batter Shubman Gill has reached a significant milestone in his international cricket career, surpassing the 4000-run mark during the fifth Test match against England at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala.

Gill’s impressive knock of 110 runs in the first innings of the match marked his 4000th international run. The 24-year-old has established himself as a consistent performer across all formats, having made his India debut in 2019.

In the ongoing Test match, Gill and captain Rohit Sharma forged a solid partnership of 160 runs, giving India a strong start. Gill’s innings was characterized by 12 boundaries and 5 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style.

Gill’s international career has seen him accumulate 2271 runs in 44 ODIs, 1492 runs in 25 Tests, and 335 runs in 14 T20Is. His overall strike rate stands at 103.46, indicating his ability to score runs at a brisk pace.

The right-handed batter has played a crucial role in India’s recent successes, including their historic Test series win in Australia in 2020-21. His consistent performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most promising young batsmen in the world.

As India continues its pursuit of victory in the fifth Test against England, Gill will be looking to add to his impressive tally of runs and help his team secure a series win.

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