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Home / Tagged "T20Blast" (Page 2)

Tag: T20Blast

Jos Buttler Targets Lancashire Return in T20 Blast Quarter-Final

Jos Buttler Targets Lancashire Return in T20 Blast Quarter-Final

By August 25, 2024 0

Jos Buttler, England’s white-ball captain, is targeting a return to action in Lancashire’s T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex on September 4. Buttler has been sidelined since the T20 World Cup due to a calf injury but has been working diligently to regain fitness.

Buttler’s return is a major boost for Lancashire, who are battling to avoid relegation in the County Championship and have struggled in the Metro Bank Cup. The T20 Blast represents their best chance of salvaging their season and reaching Finals Day.

Lancashire coach Dale Benkenstein is optimistic about Buttler’s availability, stating that he has been “doing a lot of rehab” and is “very keen to play.” A fitness test on the day of the match will determine his participation.

Buttler’s return will also be a welcome sight for England, who face Australia in a T20I and ODI series in September. Buttler has been backed to continue as England’s white-ball captain despite the departure of head coach Matthew Mott. He will work alongside interim coach Marcus Trescothick during the series.

Lancashire will also be bolstered by the return of Saqib Mahmood and Phil Salt, who were rested for the Championship defeat to Surrey. Liam Livingstone and George Dockrell are also expected to be available.

Mahmood’s workload is being carefully managed after two injury-plagued summers, while Salt has been nursing a back injury. Benkenstein believes that having a full-strength team for the knockout stages gives Lancashire a “best chance” of reaching Finals Day.

However, Buttler and other England players named in the T20 squad will not be available for Finals Day on September 14, which clashes with the second and third T20Is against Australia.

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County Cricket Schedule Remains Unchanged Despite Player Concerns

County Cricket Schedule Remains Unchanged Despite Player Concerns

By August 22, 2024 0

Despite concerns raised by players about the demanding schedule, the volume of men’s county cricket in England will remain largely unchanged in 2025. A survey conducted by the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) revealed that over 80% of players expressed concerns about their physical well-being due to the packed schedule.

However, the only modifications for the upcoming season will be minor adjustments. Each county will continue to play a minimum of 14 County Championship matches, eight Metro Bank Cup matches, and 14 Vitality T20 Blast matches.

The PCA continues to advocate for gradual changes, such as spreading out T20 fixtures throughout the week to reduce tight turnarounds and implementing uniform three-day gaps between Championship matches.

“There’s definitely room for improvement in 2025 compared to 2024,” said Daryl Mitchell, the PCA’s interim chief executive. “The schedule can definitely be managed better.”

The main point of contention for the 2025 schedule revolves around the T20 Blast and the timing of the knockout stages. In 2023, the knockout stages were held immediately after the group stages in July, allowing counties to retain their overseas players. This year, they will be held in September, giving clubs more time to sell tickets for home quarter-finals.

Kent’s T20 captain Sam Billings criticized this year’s Blast schedule as “ridiculous,” arguing that holding the final two months after the group stages “just does not make sense.” However, it is understood that T20 Finals Day is likely to remain in September next year, potentially overlapping with England’s white-ball series against South Africa.

“Everyone’s in agreement that the schedule isn’t perfect, is it?” Mitchell said. “The ECB and the counties – particularly the directors of cricket that I’ve spoken to – are on board with what we’ve said. I don’t think players in general would actually want a significant reduction in cricket, maybe just a few days here and there… we’re looking for small, incremental change.”

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the international fixtures for the 2025 summer, including incoming men’s tours from Zimbabwe, India, West Indies, and South Africa, as well as women’s tours from West Indies and India. The Hundred will be played in August, starting immediately after the fifth Test against India and running until the end of the month.

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Peter Handscomb to Captain Leicestershire in T20 Blast

Peter Handscomb to Captain Leicestershire in T20 Blast

By May 8, 2024 0

Peter Handscomb, the experienced Australian batsman, has been appointed as the captain of Leicestershire for the upcoming T20 Blast season. Despite his limited recent exposure to the format, Leicestershire’s director of cricket, Claude Henderson, believes Handscomb possesses the necessary qualities to lead the team.

Handscomb has only played six matches in the Big Bash League over the past two seasons, but his extensive experience in other formats has convinced Leicestershire that he is the right man for the job. The Foxes are aiming to qualify for T20 Finals Day for the first time since 2011, when they won their third title.

“I’m very excited to lead this team,” said Handscomb. “The balance of the side looks good and hopefully we can perform to the standards we’ve set ourselves.”

Handscomb initially joined Leicestershire for six County Championship fixtures last year, but his deal was extended, and he ended up playing five times in the Blast, including three as captain. He signed a two-year extension to cover 2024 and 2025 at the end of last season and is their leading Championship run-scorer this season.

Leicestershire won the Metro Bank Cup last year and hope to replicate that success in the T20 Blast. “We showed in the One Day Cup last year what we can do in white-ball cricket, so it’s an exciting prospect to try and replicate that in the T20s this year,” said Handscomb. “We want to entertain and play a fun brand of cricket.”

Henderson said: “Pete holds all the necessary qualities we are looking for in a captain. Not only does he possess extensive leadership experience, but he is also an incredibly calm head on the field and a highly respected voice in the changing room.”

Leicestershire finished bottom of the North Group last summer with two wins from 14 games, but they have added several new players to their squad in the off-season, including Ben Mike, Liam Trevaskis, Scott Currie, and Ben Cox. Wiaan Mulder will also return to the club as their other overseas player, alongside Handscomb. Rehan Ahmed should be available throughout after he was left out of England’s T20 World Cup squad.

Leicestershire’s first Blast fixture is against Yorkshire on May 31. The tournament’s group stage runs until July 19, with the quarter-finals and Finals Day due to take place in September.

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Warwickshire Signs Pakistani All-Rounder Aamer Jamal

Warwickshire Signs Pakistani All-Rounder Aamer Jamal

By April 25, 2024 0

Warwickshire has bolstered its squad with the acquisition of Pakistani all-rounder Aamer Jamal on a multi-format contract until the end of July. Jamal’s signing comes amidst his omission from Pakistan’s ongoing T20I series against New Zealand.

Jamal made a remarkable debut in Test cricket, claiming 18 wickets in three matches against Australia late last year. He has also featured in six T20Is for Pakistan. Despite attending a training camp at the Pakistan Military Academy earlier this month, he was not selected for the T20 World Cup squad.

Warwickshire’s performance director, Gavin Larsen, expressed excitement about Jamal’s arrival, stating that he is eager to make an immediate impact. Coach Mark Robinson will make a late decision on Jamal’s inclusion in the team for their County Championship match against Nottinghamshire on Friday.

Larsen praised Jamal’s impressive performance in Australia, highlighting his pace, bounce, and combative approach. He believes Jamal could have been a strong contender for the player of the series award, which was ultimately given to Pat Cummins.

Jamal joins fellow Pakistani Hasan Ali in Warwickshire’s squad. Ali was also left out of the New Zealand series and will fill one of the team’s two permitted overseas spots until the end of July. His contract includes an option to extend into September.

Warwickshire will be without T20 captain Moeen Ali for the first half of the Blast due to his expected inclusion in England’s provisional T20 World Cup squad. The club has strengthened its T20 bowling attack with the additions of George Garton and Richard Gleeson, although Gleeson’s availability for the start of the Blast is uncertain due to his involvement in the IPL playoffs.

Elsewhere, Sam Cook will lead Essex for the first time against Durham, while Ollie Pope and Gus Atkinson are included in Surrey’s squad to face Hampshire. In Division Two, Rehan Ahmed returns to Leicestershire’s squad after a pilgrimage, and Josh Hull makes his comeback from a side strain.

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Ravi Bopara Signs with Northamptonshire for 22nd Consecutive T20 Blast Season

Ravi Bopara Signs with Northamptonshire for 22nd Consecutive T20 Blast Season

By March 26, 2024 0

Ravi Bopara, the seasoned English all-rounder, has inked a deal with Northamptonshire, ensuring his participation in the T20 Blast for the 22nd consecutive season. At 39 years of age, Bopara remains an integral figure in the tournament, having played more than 200 matches and featuring in every edition since its inception.

Bopara’s decision to join Northamptonshire comes after his release by Sussex last summer. He has been in talks with several counties and ultimately chose the Steelbacks for the upcoming season. He has signed a one-year, T20-only contract and will celebrate his 39th birthday just weeks before Northants’ Blast campaign begins on May 30.

Despite his age, Bopara insists he still feels “like a young man in the game.” He had a productive season with Sussex last year, scoring 408 runs with a strike rate of 146.23 and taking eight wickets. However, Sussex missed out on the quarter-finals, and Bopara was not offered a new contract.

“I’m really happy to have joined Northamptonshire for the T20s this year,” Bopara said. “I felt great in the Blast last year and my game is in a really good place at the moment. I’m looking forward to joining the Steelbacks and putting on a show for the fans at Wantage Road.”

Northamptonshire, who won the Blast in 2013 and 2016, have struggled in recent seasons, reaching the quarter-finals only once in the last seven years. They have made several signings over the winter, including George Bartlett, George Scrimshaw, and Sikandar Raza.

“We have a really exciting squad: there’s a lot of quality in that list and I’m hoping to play a big part in bringing a third Blast trophy to the club,” Bopara said. “I’m still learning a great deal about this game at my age. I have a burning desire and hunger to up-skill my game to new heights and I still feel like a young man in the game. There’s so much more for me to achieve in the T20 space.”

Northants’ head coach, John Sadler, hailed Bopara’s signing as “phenomenal.” “He’s been an incredible performer across all formats for many years and brings a huge presence on and off the field,” Sadler said.

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