England’s future was revealed as they took to the field against Sri Lanka and it proved as expected to be a mixed bag

Andrew McGlashan13-Jun-2014The second day at Lord’s provided a picture of the future England face: the exciting parts and the potential problems.There was a double hundred from Joe Root, England’s first since the final Test of the 2011 season against India which signalled a drying up of the daddy hundreds. Then there was fun and frolics from the lower order as they batted without inhibition with England careering along at more five an over.Then it was all eyes on the new shape of England’s attack. With all due respect to James Anderson and Stuart Broad, two fine bowlers with 581 Test wickets between them, it was what followed them that provided most interest. There was a wicket in the first over of Chris Jordan’s Test career and there was pace from Liam Plunkett.With his third delivery, Jordan drew an outside edge from Dimuth Karunaratne which carried low to Matt Prior – a theme of the innings which was key to a the reprieve for Kaushal Silva. Jordan was afforded an eight-over opening spell by Alastair Cook and beat the outside edge enough, especially of Silva, to remark that a second scalp would not have flattered him. His first three overs went for 17, but the next five of the spell for just six runs.Stuart Broad was frustrated to lose the wicket of Kaushal Silva on review•Getty ImagesPlunkett was a little more of a mixed bag in his first Test outing since 2007, such a gap that the nerves are unlikely to have been any less than Jordan’s and may have been greater given that Jordan has recent experience of the limited-overs set-up.His first ball was way down the leg side, but he also hit 89mph in his opening over and later touched 90. There were a couple of wides and he also ended up on his backside twice after bowling bouncers. But until a final, short spell, when he seemed bothered by a leg ailment, he was quick, and that is what Cook wants.”Both of them were fantastic on a slow wicket,” Prior said. “It was good seeing the speed guns in the high 80s and Pudsey [Plunkett] got into the 90s at one stage. It was real good pace. CJ showed really good control as well in a nice spell.”And then there was the reality. There was no Graeme Swann. There was no frontline spinner. A failure of forward planning meant they were plunged into the mire the moment that Swann announced his retirement in Melbourne. This weakness had become a reality for the first time. A warm, sunny day and a flat surface meant that the reality was pressing.It is not that England do not have a spinner. There has, in fact, rarely been as much written and spoken about a new England spinner as there has been about Moeen Ali. Mostly that is because he has a doosra. And a little bit because he has a fantastic beard. But because of the greatness of who came before him the difference will be stark.He was introduced to the bowling crease for the 24th over, up against Kumar Sangakkar, who knows a thing or two about playing spin. Half an hour earlier, shortly after Sangakkara had walked in, Swann had tweeted: “England should get Moeen on now to Sanga. He’s vulnerable early on to off spin.”There was no dream start like Jordan but everything landed nicely for Moeen during a three-over spell from the Nursery End. There was nothing that will have the Sri Lankans overly worried about his further stints on Saturday, but Moeen can expect a decent workload to show his craft and, maybe, the doosra.England were quickly looking for reverse swing, an art form they used frequently while Swann was in the side but as a complimentary skill to his own. Now it will be become even more important to England.Something else that will be important – and it is not a new thing – is catching. England have become increasingly fallible in the slips and now have a new combination of Cook at first, Jordan at second (when he is not bowling) and Gary Ballance at third. One of the great advantages of a settled side is a settled slip cordon and England’s state of flux has added to the catching problems.There was a clear chance in the fourth over of the innings when Karunaratne’s edge flew between Jordan and Ballance. Understandings will have to be formed, players will have to get to know each other’s mannerisms. Karunaratne’s life, while not overly costly in runs, meant England were denied an early dart at Sangakkara.”We are very comfortable with our slip cordon,” Prior said. “CJ is one of the best catchers I’ve ever seen – I’ll put the mockers on him now – and he works hard. We know how important it is to take the chances and the half chances. On a wicket like this we have to be very close and sometimes the ball does flash through, but the reason we do all the hard work is so we do take that chance.”With a middle order that includes more than 22,000 Test runs between just two players, and on a surface that looks full of plenty more, England cannot afford to spurn opportunities that come along.

The Bangladesh team has been going down together all too often of late and needs to find a reliable solution to the issue; perhaps the biggest change needed to stall this worrying trend has to be made in the mind?

Mohammad Isam24-Aug-2014″Nervous, calm, sometimes angry, depending on the situation; but most of the time the players just go quiet.”This was what Shane Jurgensen, Bangladesh’s former coach, witnessed in the dressing room during the team’s frequent batting collapses. He was present during six of the eight this year, before resigning in April.Like any coach, Jurgensen asked tough questions later. “You would discuss it with the players individually, and [talk to] the team about what needed to happen right then.”Just ask questions really. ‘What happened’, but more importantly ‘what needs to happen now’. ‘Are we getting through the tough periods? Are we adapting to situations? Were there good partnerships?’ Then support, give them confidence and look to the future,” he said.Against West Indies in the second ODI on Friday, Bangladesh lost seven wickets for just 13 runs and there is no guarantee of a collapse being avoided on the next occasion. The players’ confidence is reaching new lows and their methods are getting stranger by the innings.Most of them have tried to hit their way out of a jam, but it has neither worked in familiar conditions back home, nor would it work in slightly bouncier conditions. While Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah were deceived by Sunil Narine, Sohag Gazi and Nasir Hossain decided to go for glory but it went to hand.Former Bangladesh captain Aminul Islam thinks that since many of these players have never been exposed to these scenarios during their formative years, they have a hard time deciding what to do.Bangladesh selector rubbishes Mushfiqur’s claim of worried batsmen

Bangladesh’s chief selector Faruque Ahmed has reacted strongly to a suggestion from Mushfiqur Rahim that some of the Bangladesh batsmen were fearful of “something bad happening” if they failed again. After the second ODI, Mushfiqur had hinted at thoughts of playing to secure their places distracting the batsmen.
“I don’t agree with what he has said,” Faruque told ESPNcricinfo. “I think the selection committee has given maximum chances to the players. Someone like Farhad Reza got to play T20s regularly but couldn’t nail down a place in the side. And if someone says that there was fear among the batsmen, I didn’t see that in their shots [in the second ODI].”
After the match, Mushfiqur had said: “Our main batsmen are not among the runs. They may have subconsciously thought that they have to do well in this series … After failing in the first match, they may have thought something bad would happen if they failed again. But I would still say it is hard to accept such a poor performance.”

“I don’t think any of the players have experienced such a situation before, playing international cricket,” Islam said. “There’s no pressure in domestic cricket, which means that they have a tough time understanding and overcoming a situation where they lose quick wickets and have to recover.”At the same time, there is lack of application. A batsman has to know what to do in a certain situation. Chris Gayle hit sixes but he was circumspect for most of his innings because the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat properly. They are professional cricketers at the elite level. There has to be a certain amount of self-assessment. Coaches can’t quite keep teaching you these things. It has to come automatically.”Chief selector Faruque Ahmed felt that the collapse this time was a result of the previous match where they had West Indies on 34 for 5 but ended up losing by three wickets.”I think the players become morally down after losing a close game,” Faruque said. “That’s what probably happened in these two games. I think we should have won the first game. It is now getting necessary that we win a match. It has been around eight months that we have drawn a Test and beaten only Afghanistan and Nepal in T20s.”Jurgensen believes that there is a way out, but it is all going to be in the players’ minds. He had seen the team perform decently in 2013, and wants the players to remember those highlights, and just do the small things properly.”As much as winning is a habit, unfortunately at the moment so is losing,” Jurgensen said. “However, this can also change very quickly with one big partnership, one big spell of bowling and a great catch. Remember Sri Lanka were 67 for 8 in the first ODI earlier this year, then they had a great lower-order partnership and that started their amazing run this year. Bangladesh can do exactly that.”International cricket can change quickly. Just remember Rubel Hossain’s spell against New Zealand last October, Mushy’s [Mushfiqur’s] 200 against Sri Lanka, Abdur Razzak’s five wickets in the third ODI in Sri Lank last year.”When one of the first collapses unfolded this year, in January against Sri Lanka, some of the players felt that the sudden question mark over Bangladesh’s international status at the time distracted them. After seven more collapses this year, players are running out of excuses.Essentially, collapses are a result of poor mindset that spreads in the dressing room. As Jurgensen has observed, the players remain quiet; maybe there should be a bit more noise in the dressing room? An old adage in dressing rooms is to slow down the play; so if a batsman takes his time going to the middle, it might sometimes break the fielding side’s momentum?The body language of the Bangladesh players will be key in these desperate times. They are already going down together, so it will not hurt to identify and try something different. As long as this too is done together.

The new faces on England’s central contracts list reflect the end of a period of great upheaval, as well as the punishing schedule over the next 12 months

Andrew McGlashan11-Sep-2014A year of controversy, upheaval, no little pain and then the shoots of a recovery is reflected in England’s significantly new-look central contracts list. Such is the yearly cycle of the deals that most of the changes could be seen from some way out, but the announcement of the new batch does act as something of a full stop on a period where stability has been in short supply.The six new faces – Gary Ballance, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Chris Jordan, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes – all made their Test debuts in the last months 12 months; their inclusions in the central contracts both highlights the influx of fresh blood that was needed and the fact that, in a difficult year, the selectors have made some shrewd decisions.Purely on results, you could argue that Jordan, Woakes and Stokes – plus the retention of Steven Finn, who has been through a traumatic rebuilding of his game – were borderline decisions, but in deciding who is offered contracts the selectors need to gaze somewhat into their crystal ball or, perhaps more prosaically, look at the daunting Future Tours Programme in front of them.England needed six fast bowlers this season to get through the seven Tests against Sri Lanka and India. The fact James Anderson and Stuart Broad, the latter with a dodgy knee, managed the full set shows the value of looking after your premier bowlers. The nine months of Test cricket they have from April 2015 to January 2016, on the back of a World Cup, could require even greater depth in the pace department. England’s management want to be able to have control over their most precious resources, even if some of them remain rough diamonds.The one of the summer sextet not to make the main contracts list is Liam Plunkett. He can count himself unfortunate after playing the first four Tests of the season before succumbing to an ankle injury. More significance has been placed on Finn, although that is likely to be because he is a bowler who the selectors envisage playing all three formats.The fact that Finn is among the frontline pack is huge credit to the man himself. He was broken, and nearly beaten, when he returned from Australia in early January. His game was stripped back to the bare bones; he was almost learning to bowl again. As was to be expected progress was not always smooth – and the job is not yet complete – but in his last couple of outings against India, the ODI at Headingley and T20 at Edgbaston, the pace he generated suggests all the elements are starting to click.The most obvious ‘situation vacant’ sign – Moeen has suggested he can perform the spin-bowling role adequately and there is still more to come – is a Test opening partner for Alastair Cook. Sam Robson has not found a place in either the central or, perhaps most instructively, incremental contract lists, whereas Alex Hales is included in the second batch (as is Ravi Bopara which indicates he will soon be back in the one-day side).Robson’s return from seven Tests – 336 runs at 30.54 with one hundred – was not enough to end debate about a position which has been a revolving door since Andrew Strauss’ retirement. On Wednesday, Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire director of cricket and England selector, said that Hales was some way off being a Test cricketer but then, earlier this season, Cook was not convinced that Buttler was ready for promotion before hands were forced by Matt Prior’s injury.Hales could yet change minds with a barnstorming six months in one-day cricket but Robson’s main challenger is shaping to be Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth. The Lions tour to South Africa should be a fascinating audition.The way the changes of personnel have happened means no county is likely to be especially worse off by having to accommodate a high-value player back on their books. Sussex take back Prior but hand over Jordan, Warwickshire swap Woakes for Jonathan Trott and for Yorkshire, Ballance goes to England’s payroll and Tim Bresnan is back on county wages.Worcestershire, Durham and Lancashire, meanwhile, may be able to redistribute the money that previously went towards Moeen, Stokes and Buttler. If England’s selectors have got their judgements right, and these young players become long-term members of the national teams, their counties will not see much of them over the next decade.

As much as the inexperienced legspinner needs the guidance from his teammates, the Bangladesh team need him to orient themselves to legspin

Mohammad Isam in Chittagong14-Nov-2014For someone who made his debut during the current Test series, and whose only exposure to international and representative cricket at the senior level has been against the Zimbabweans, Jubair Hossain had an idea of what to bowl at the Zimbabwe captain. So to use flight while bowling at Brendan Taylor was the expected ploy and it yielded immediate result.Jubair made his first-class debut in September this year against Zimbabwe A, picking up 11 wickets in the two-match series. His elevation has been one of the most dramatic among Bangladesh players in a very long time. As an Under-19 legspinner, he was asked to bowl in the Bangladesh nets several months ago as the senior cricketers prepared to play against India. Soon he was in the preliminary squad ahead of the West Indies tour, after which he made it to the 14-man squad to play the first Test against Zimbabwe in October.As the first specialist legspinner to play Test cricket for Bangladesh, the debut would seem quite hurried. But despite the lack of playing experience at any level, Jubair has held his own against Zimbabwe in Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong. His five-wicket haul was the evidence of his confidence.So when his captain asked him to keep tossing the ball at the Zimbabwe captain, he did just that. Taylor miscued a drive and was caught at mid-off by Taijul Islam, running back and latching on to the ball. Taylor was also his first Test wicket, when he had half-heartedly pushed a flighted delivery to, coincidentally, Taijul at mid-off.A ball later and just like his second Test wicket when he got Raza to push the ball to cover feebly, Jubair pounced on Raza. This time he got the ball to turn at him a bit more. Jubair said this was his best wicket, mainly because of how well the Zimbabwe opener was going at the time. Raza was close to a hundred when he edged to Mahmudullah on 82, his highest score in Tests. It was the second wicket in as many overs for Jubair, and he was on a roll.”I had dismissed Brendan Taylor before so I was trying to do the same thing here,” Jubair said. “He was trying to drive the ball when there’s a bit of flight. I thought that maybe if I toss the ball up, he might play a shot. I have seen that if someone is trying to hit the ball in Test cricket, a chance is always created.”Chigumbura too drives a lot. In his case too, I was trying to catch him on the drive,” he said. “I was trying to beat him a couple of times, so that he keeps driving. But I would say the wicket of Sikandar Raza was the best one. He is a good batsman. On any wicket, a legspinner tries to turn the ball more than other bowlers. I bowled it side arm, which made it turn a bit more.”Jubair said that it was captain Mushfiqur Rahim who guided him throughout this spell, especially what lengths to bowl at Zimbabwe’s main batsmen. After he had taken the fourth wicket, he was getting a bit jittery for the five-for. There too, Mushfiqur gave him the confidence and calmed him down.”Since Mushfiqur stands behind the wicket, he has a better idea of what fields to set for me,” he said. “I have told him a few times but generally he sets my fields and tells me where to bowl. I try to do as he tells me and today I was successful. When I was bowling to Chigumbura, he told me to make him drive and against Taylor, he asked me to flight the ball.”The captain and seniors like Shakib and Tamim give me advice,” he said. “They always tell me to be patient, not to think about taking wickets and bowl in the right areas. I lost my focus after taking four wickets today, but Mushfiqur told me that if I bowl well, I will pick up the wicket.”Bangladesh had to be patient after Jubair’s initial burst. He came back after lunch to beat Craig Ervine’s attempted sweep with a full-toss. He returned again to remove the dangerous Elton Chigumbura and followed it up with his fifth. He had a big smile but he kept looking at his captain, and they walked towards Mahmudullah who had taken a good catch at cover.Jubair is arguably the most inexperienced cricketer who has played for Bangladesh thus far, so he would need a lot of guidance on and off the field. He will also guide his teammates and the rest of the country in their orientation of legspin. As much as Jubair needs to learn about international cricket, the people around him also needs to quickly understand legspin.

One of the world’s most revered grounds, Adelaide Oval still clings to its old-world charm

Aaron Owen04-Nov-2014Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, with a population of over one million people, is known as the “City of Churches” in the “Festival State”. The city is ringed by vast parklands that, in summer, are host to many of Adelaide’s suburban cricket matches. Just north of Torrens Lake lies Adelaide Oval, the state’s premier cricket venue and one of the world’s most revered grounds.The venue
Now capable of accommodating more than 50,000 spectators, following the recent AUD$500 million redevelopment, the stadium combines its modern facelift with an old-world charm. The northern grassy mound, edged by giant fig trees, still makes for mostly shaded seating, and there’s also the manually operated Edwardian-era scoreboard. The ground held its first Test in 1884 (and has hosted 72 till date), and the first of 77 ODIs (as at the time of writing) in 1975.Ground page | FixturesGreat matches
England v Sri Lanka, 8th ODI, Carlton & United Series, 1999

Despite the possible distraction and frayed nerves caused by umpire Ross Emerson’s no-balling of Murali – prompting Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga to attempt to lead a team walk-off, which was thwarted only after the team management called the board back in Colombo for directions – Sri Lanka stayed strong and proceeded to a one-wicket victory. Hick’s undefeated century in England’s 302 for 3 was not enough to secure a win as Sri Lanka reached 303 for 9 with two balls remaining. Fittingly, Murali, the centre of controversy, hit the winning runs.India v Zimbabwe, 8th ODI, VB Series, 2004

It was VVS Laxman’s day. Starting his innings from the team position of 4 for 3, he scored 131 as India went on to post 280 for 7. After a shaky start, Zimbabwe fought back to a winnable position deep in the game. However, a vital late-innings catch by Laxman ensured India held on to win by three runs.Top performers in ODIs
Most runs Michael Clarke 618 at 56.18 | Top score Brian Lara 156 v Pakistan
Most wickets Brett Lee 23 | Best bowling Carl Rackeman 5 for 16 v PakistanMajor players
George Giffen | Joe Darling | Clem Hill | Vic Richardson | Don Bradman | Ian Chappell | Greg Chappell | Greg Blewett | Darren Lehmann | Jason GillespieHome team
The South Australian Cricket Association (the SACA) was formed in 1871 and is the body responsible for Adelaide Oval during cricket season. It plays men’s cricket as Southern Redbacks in domestic first-class and 50-over competitions, and as Adelaide Strikers in T20 cricket (the Big Bash League). In women’s cricket (50 and 20-over competitions), the SACA is represented by Southern Scorpions.

Amid indignation in South Australia over the moving of the Australia Day fixture to Sydney, Cricket Australia’s hopes of gaining a financial windfall in the biggest market in the country were washed away

Daniel Brettig at the SCG26-Jan-2015To paraphrase the journalist Laurie Oakes, when quoting an unnamed conservative politician about Tony Abbott’s decision to award Prince Philip a Knighthood in the Order of Australia, it is hard to bugger up Australia Day but the Sydney weather did its best.Near enough to 25,000 spectators at the SCG and around two million television viewers were kept waiting, frustrated and ultimately defeated by the stubborn showers that enveloped Sydney at precisely the wrong time for the showpiece ODI between Australia and India.The shared national day – Australia Day and India’s Republic Day – was reflected by the mix of the crowd. The Bill O’Reilly Stand was more or less packed with Indian supporters, and in the 16 overs that were possible, their noise and energy made for a vibrant atmosphere. When David Warner caught Ambati Rayudu in front of the stand, he ran towards the gathering to express his delight. He later signed autographs for the same group.But that brief moment was one of all too few opportunities for the crowds to do anything other than talk, drink and try to retain a sense of good humour. The time spent twiddling thumbs allowed thoughts to return to June, when it was announced that this fixture was to be played in Sydney rather than Adelaide, the home of Australia Day fixtures – with the exception of 2013 due to Adelaide Oval’s redevelopment – for more than 20 years.Spectators to get 50% refund

Cricket Australia and Cricket NSW have announced refunds for spectators who purchased tickets for the ODI between Australia and India at the SCG on Monday. Rain forced the abandonment of the match after only 16 overs had been bowled. On the basis of CA’s 2014-15 National Refund Policy, ticket buyers are eligible for a 50% refund, since 10 or more overs but less than 25 were bowled, with no result achieved.

This is, as Cricket Australia has never tired of reminding us, a unique summer, with the World Cup shrinking the time available for international fixtures and the number of home Test matches shrunk to as few as four for the first time since 1976-77, the last summer before the World Series Cricket split.Deals and trades between CA and the states were thus even more labyrinthine than usual. Perth was the major loser, missing out on a Test match, while Brisbane has been notably skimmed over for limited-overs and World Cup fixtures. Adelaide kept its showpiece Test but, apart from an early season T20 against South Africa, will not see the Australian team in coloured clothing until the quarter-finals of the Cup – should the hosts do as is widely expected and qualify comfortably.At the time these fixtures were announced – later than usual because CA negotiations with the BCCI over an India tour habitually take far longer and are resolved far closer to the summer than planning with any other touring side – plenty of angry voices were raised in South Australia about the loss of a day many in the state had come to regard as their own.”We have built the best stadium in Australia, it is disappointing,” the state’s minister for sport, Leon Bignell, fumed. “CA didn’t put one cent into the development. In an era of professionalism, cricket needs to grow up and get into the modern era, behave like a modern-day sporting organisation that allows us to capitalise on our $535 million expenditure and tourism potential that big games present at Adelaide Oval.”The public counter-argument raised by the CA chief executive James Sutherland was that in a summer of only four Test matches, other grounds needed to be better compensated in other formats. Perth in particular was bequeathed the final of the ODI triangular series, a fixture Adelaide has occasionally shared with Brisbane when it is not hosted by Sydney or Melbourne.Sutherland’s claim was rather hollowed out by the fact that the Australia Day fixture was not passed on to Perth but instead granted to Sydney, which in addition to the New Year’s Test hosted a T20 and ODI against South Africa and another ODI against England before Australia Day brought India to the ground.There have been rumours that the SCG, now that it has been furnished by a handsome new Bradman/Noble Stand, is a better corporate proposition for CA in terms of returns to be drawn from its boxes. It is also true that Adelaide’s place in the spectrum is now complicated by the infiltration of football into the redeveloped ground, with cricket forced to split the responsibility for its upkeep and the profits it can bring in under the Orwellian title of the Stadium Management Authority.So there was some irony in the fact that while on Saturday night Adelaide Oval was packed for a Big Bash League semi-final, proof of the new ground’s ability to attract a mighty crowd in the January holiday season, Australia Day brought a soggy Sydney day and an attendance of 22,692 – many others scared off by the rain and ultimately proved right in their reticence.The irony grew as indignant Adelaide residents relayed the fact that at the same time the SCG was shrouded in cloud and drizzle, the Oval was perfectly dry, and completely empty. Instead of gaining a financial windfall by taking the annual game on the national day to the biggest market in the country, CA has been left with the job of affording partial refunds to all those spectators who paid for the chance to watch the rain drops fall.If Adelaide Oval’s custodians had worried about the prospect of losing this fixture for future summers after a successful Sydney debut, they were quietly relieved. The weather ensured they have a better than even chance to regain the match in 2015-16 when the opponent will once again be – you guessed it – India.

Stats highlights from Sri Lanka’s close win against Afghanistan

S Rajesh22-Feb-20151075 Runs for Mahela Jayawardene in World Cup cricket. He is the fourth Sri Lankan in the 1000-run club, after Sanath Jayasuriya, Aravinda de Silva, and Kumar Sangakkara. His four hundreds is joint third in the all-time list; only Sachin Tendulkar (6) and Ricky Ponting (5) have more in the World Cup.56 Jayawardene’s World Cup average since the start of the 2007 tournament – he has scored 952 runs in 20 innings, with all nine 50-plus scores coming during this period. In 11 World Cup innings in his first two tournaments – 1999 and 2003 – he scored 123 runs at an average of 11.18.58* The partnership between Jeevan Mendis and Thisara Perera, Sri Lanka’s highest for the seventh wicket in World Cup matches.2 The number of times, in all ODIs, that both openers have been dismissed for first-ball ducks. The only previous such instance was in Guyana in 2006, when Zimbabwe lost both Piet Rinke and Terry Duffin for zeroes off their first ball.3 The number of instances of both Sri Lankan openers being dismissed for zeroes in an ODI. The two previous instances were against South Africa in Paarl, and against India in Sharjah in 1998.88 The partnership between Asghar Stanikzai and Samiullah Shenwari, the second highest for Afghanistan in an ODI against a Test team. The only higher one was 164, by the same pair, in the Asia Cup game against Bangladesh in 2014, which Afghanistan won by 32 runs.54 Stanikzai’s score in this game, which is the second best for Afghanistan in an ODI against one of the top eight teams. The highest is also by him – 66 against Australia in Sharjah in 2012. He has scored two of three 50-plus scores by Afghanistan batsmen against one of the top eight teams.86 Afghanistan’s score after 20 overs, which is their second best after 20 overs against a top eight team. They scored 95 against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2012.10 for 2 Afghanistan’s score in the batting Powerplay. They didn’t get any boundaries in these overs, and lost the wickets of Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran. Of the ten runs they scored, there were four wides and a leg bye, and only five runs scored off the bat in five overs. Sri Lanka scored 28 without losing a wicket in their batting Powerplay.1 Number of times Afghanistan’s top eight batsmen have all made at least 10. This was the first such instance.50 Wickets for Hamid Hassan in ODIs. He is the first Afghanistan bowler to get to that mark.16 Runs in wides conceded by Sri Lanka’s bowlers in the Afghanistan innings, the joint highest in the tournament so far.

De Villiers’ excellent batting let the Sunday crowd at Newlands party all day

Samantha Smith05-Jan-2015Choice of game
The sun’s out, it’s the weekend and South Africa’s middle order is batting in a Test match at picturesque Newlands. The average cricket supporter needs no further convincing!Team supported
South Africa. I’m an avid cricket lover and student of the game. However, it would be remiss of me to attempt to remain a neutral spectator. I’ve supported the Proteas since the age of 8 and the idea of cheering any other side is an uncomfortable thought.Key performer
AB de Villiers top-scored for the Proteas with 148. He produced a marvellous knock smashing 15 fours and a six during his 194-ball innings. He put on 97 for the fourth wicket with Hashim Amla and 96 for the sixth with Stiaan van Zyl. His efforts ensured South Africa achieved a helpful lead and, unlike several other batsmen in this Test, he managed to convert a good start into a big score.One thing I’d have changed about the match
Amla and de Villiers are without a doubt the batting pillars of South African cricket. The opportunity to watch this duo bat together in a Test at a venue like Newlands is an understated privilege. To this end, I would have loved to have seen Amla capitalise on an excellent start, if only to watch him bat longer.The interplay I enjoyed

While most batsmen nervously fumble as they near a century, de Villiers raced toward his 21st hundred. In the 99th over, he smashed Marlon Samuels for 16 runs, reaching his century with a reverse sweep off the final ball of the over. Fearless and authoritative, he continues to enthrall everyone who has the pleasure of watching him bat.Wow moment
Leon Johnson’s direct hit from cover to run out Dale Steyn was a simply brilliant piece of fielding which stunted South Africa’s chances of achieving a lead of 100 and generated many gasps from the partisan crowd.Close encounter
I was seated in Upper Block K of the President’s Pavilion, which is directly adjacent to the West Indies’ balcony. Pockets of enthusiastic fans seated in the area lined the steps leading up to the West Indies change room. Children adorning Protea shirts eagerly clutched their mini wooden bats and notebooks patiently waiting for autographs from whichever players would oblige.Shot of the day
De Villiers’ straight drive off the bowling of Jason Holder in the 70th over took the cake. But his sublimely executed on drive off the same bowler in the 100th over took the whole bakery!Crowd meter
A near-capacity crowd cruised into Newlands for the third day’s play. The Railway Stand and the upper tiers of the North Stand were choc-a-bloc. Unsurprisingly, the Oaks grass embankment and the Snake Pit were so full that a match stick would feel suffocated. The crowd became livelier as the morning wore on and South Africa piled on the runs. A Mexican wave made four circuits an hour before the tea break and the folks in the Railway Stand sang the national anthem with great applause from other sections of the ground. In appreciation of his bowling prowess, the Newlands faithful vociferously cheered on Steyn as he strode out to bat. If you don’t usually watch cricket you’d be excused for thinking Steyn was a prolific opening batsman.Fancy dress index
I spotted green afro wigs, a brigade of watermelon hats and hundreds of spectators decked out in the green and gold paraphernalia of the Proteas. Three gentlemen came as superheroes using SA flags as capes, and one lady wore a neon green bodysuit. A large group of lively, chanting supporters dressed up as Hashim Amla. They adorned Test whites, wide-brimmed hats and detachable beards. Their efforts were pleasantly recognised as they performed a lap of honour around the field during the lunch break.Entertainment
The PA system frequently blared the smooth reggae tunes of yesteryear interspersed with current fast-paced Dancehall tracks. No doubt a nod to the Calypso flavour of the West Indies team. During the lunch break, the crowd was entertained by the children from KFC Mini Cricket who excitedly accepted the opportunity to play cricket on the same field as their idols.Tests v limited-overs
Test cricket is the only format of the game which thoroughly tests a player’s skill, stamina and powers of concentration. There is very little you can get from a T20 which you cannot derive from a Test. From India’s miraculous victory over Australia at Eden Gardens in 2001 to South Africa’s nail-biting draw against India at the Wanderers in 2013, Test cricket is as exciting as the shorter formats of the game.Accessories
I opted to bring along a pair of binoculars, and it proved a good decision. The clarity and focus of the images were so crisp that I could see fragments of the pitch bounce up when a batsman marked his guard. I felt like a fly on the helmet of a wicketkeeper.Banner of the day
“South Africa, you inspire Protea Fire” emblazoned across a giant South Africa flag floating over a section of seats in an adjacent stand certainly caught my attention. Technically, it wasn’t a banner but it was arguably the most inspiring, and definitely the most eye-catching, non-verbal display of support.Marks out of 10
9. Great weather, an excellent atmosphere and a sublime century from AB de Villiers made for a brilliant day at the cricket.

While South Africa’s fast bowlers have posed the toughest challenge for India’s batsmen, South Africa’s batsmen have, largely, dominated the contests

Shiva Jayaraman21-Feb-20151 Number of teams that have never lost to India in the World Cup – South Africa. They have played each other three times. South Africa have done better in recent times too, winning seven of the last-ten ODIs played between the two teams.7-2 South Africa’s win-loss record at the MCG. Their win-loss ratio of 3.5 is the best for any visiting team at this venue, better than Australia’s too although the hosts have played 118 matches at the ground. India have eight wins in 18 ODIs at MCG. They have won only three of their last-ten ODIs here.25.31 Batting average of India’s top seven against South Africa when they play outside India, which is a near 15-run drop from their overall average in ODIs since 2010. India’s top-three batsmen and the middle-order show a proportionate decrease in their averages against South Africa. India’s top-order scores considerably slowly too: their strike rate which is 87.49 overall, comes down to 76.44.

India’s top seven v SA in away/neutral ODIs since 2010

Top seven
Top-order (No.1 to No. 3)Middle-order (No.4 to No. 7)MatsAveSR100s/50sMatsAveSR100s/50sMatsAveSR100s/50sOverall14139.9187.656/16814141.3987.439/8714138.2987.717/81v SA at neutral/away venues925.3180.72/6926.5276.41/3924.4184.51/32 Number of century opening stands by India against South Africa in 12 innings since 2010 (one of them was by India’s current opening pair – Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma in the Champions Trophy in Cardiff). However, the remaining ten innings have produced only 131 runs with a highest of 25 runs.

Indian openers v South Africa since 2010

Openers Inns Runs Ave SR Fifty-plus100 stands 2 269 134.5 114.95 2Rest 10 131 13.1 66.83 012 Number of fifty-plus scores hit by South Africa’s openers against India in 13 innings since 2010 – the most they have hit against any side. South Africa’s current openers haven’t had any problems like their Indian counterparts, scoring five hundreds and five fifties between them and collectively averaging 69.57 against India.60.54 AB de Villiers’ batting average against India in ODIs since 2010. He has hit three hundreds and four fifties in 13 innings. De Villiers’ and Amla’s seven fifty-plus scores against India in this period are the second highest by any batsman after Kumar Sangakkara’s 12. Quinton de Kock’s averages 114 against India with three centuries in consecutive innings – only the second player – after Zaheer Abbas, also against India – to hit three consecutive ODI hundreds against one team. Overall, de Villiers’ is the top scorer for South Africa against India with 891 runs at an average of 46.89.

Top SA batsmen v India

Batsman Inns Runs Ave SR 100s 50s AB de Villiers 22 891 46.89 105.31 3 5 Hashim Amla 12 632 57.45 90.67 2 5 JP Duminy 14 417 34.75 89.87 0 4 Quinton de Kock 3 342 114 95.26 3 0 Faf du Plessis 5 124 31 92.53 0 1 David Miller 6 97 24.25 124.35 0 120.52 South Africa fast bowlers’ average against India when playing them outside India in ODIs since 2010. No other team does better against India outside India. In these games, South Africa’s fast bowlers are nearly twice as effective against India’s batsmen.

South Africa fast bowlers v India

Mat Wkts BBI Ave Econ SR 4w/5woutside India 9 57 4/22 20.52 4.73 26 4/0in India 4 21 5/50 40.19 6.58 36.6 0/11 Centuries by India’s batsmen in the current squad against South Africa in ODIs. Shikhar Dhawan’s 114 in the Champions Trophy in Cardiff. MS Dhoni is the top runscorer for India agianst South Africa with 497 runs but his average of 27.61 against them is his worst against any team in ODIs.

India batsmen v South Africa

Batsman Inns Runs Ave SR 100s 50s MS Dhoni 21 497 27.61 84.81 0 3 Virat Kohli 11 344 34.4 77.47 0 3 Suresh Raina 11 281 25.54 87.26 0 1 Rohit Sharma 10 207 20.7 64.68 0 1 Ravindra Jadeja 5 160 40 108.1 0 0 Shikhar Dhawan 3 126 42 115.59 1 015.80 Dale Steyn’s bowling average against batsmen in the current India squad. He has an economy of 3.88 against them. Against India’s top-seven batsmen he averages 25.3 and has an economy of 4.10.

Dale Steyn v India’s top-seven

Batsman Runs Dis Balls Ave Eco SR Shikhar Dhawan 0 1 2 0 – 2 Virat Kohli 35 2 59 17.5 3.55 29.5 MS Dhoni 39 2 41 19.5 5.7 20.5 Suresh Raina 36 1 44 36 4.9 44 Ajinkya Rahane 3 0 8 – 2.25 – Ravindra Jadeja 10 0 10 – 6 – Rohit Sharma 29 0 58 – 3 -3 Number of times Hashim Amla has been dismissed by Mohammad Shami in 30 deliveries in ODIs. Amla averages 7.33 against the bowler; against the rest of the Indian bowling attack, Amla averages 100.5.

Hashim Amla v India bowlers

Runs dis bf Ave SRv Mohammad Shami 22 3 33 7.33 73.33v rest 201 2 225 100.5 89.334.00 De Villiers’ batting average against Umesh Yadav in ODIs – he has been dismissed twice by the bowler in 18 deliveries. Against the rest of the Indian attack he averages a more than healthy 69.25 per dismissal.

AB de Villiers v India bowlers

Runs dis bf Ave SRv Umesh Yadav 8 2 18 4 44.44v rest 277 4 235 69.25 117.871 Wickets taken by R Ashwin against South Africa in 38 overs in ODIs. He has given away 216 runs at an economy of 5.68 – easily his worst bowling record against team in ODIs.

Coming off a wretched 2014, the team defied pre-tournament expectations and achieved the goals they set out to

Mohammad Isam20-Mar-2015 How their tournament panned out Before Bangladesh left for Australia in January, the players and coaches routinely mentioned that the team’s primary target was to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. It was often followed by a reminder of the reality that Bangladesh would be playing in two countries they had not toured since 2010. Having embraced the reality of different pitches for two months, Bangladesh will return home having reached the World Cup knockouts for the very first time.Bangladesh’s campaign underwent plenty of mood swings, but their form curve did not waver too much. They lost all four of their pre-tournament practice matches, but started the World Cup soundly beating Afghanistan in Canberra. They gained a point after their match against Australia was washed out. It was a lucky break and the mood was lifted, only to be dampened by Al-Amin Hossain’s exit due to a discipline breach.Three dropped catches, balls slipping between legs, and fielders not keyed into the on-field action ensured Bangladesh took only one wicket in 50 overs against Sri Lanka at the MCG and were comprehensively beaten. In the next game, Scotland’s batsmen put up a formidable target, but Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan fought through to complete a big chase.While Bangladesh progressed to five points, England’s struggle meant that the March 9 contest between the two teams was a virtual knockout game. It was one of the best matches of the tournament, which Bangladesh prevailed mainly on the back of Mahmudullah’s maiden ODI hundred, and Rubel Hossain’s late burt. The momentum from this big win gave Bangladesh enough firepower to attack New Zealand for long periods in their next match, but they finished the group stage just as they had hoped: beat both the Associates and upset one of the Full Members.While the umpiring caused a lot of rage, Bangladesh will be disappointed at their meekness against India. Particularly, when they had some control over the ball and when Tamim had given them a rapid start to the chase. Regrets aside, this World Cup campaign rode a wave of emotions and ultimately can be deemed a success, especially for a team which expected only this much success in the first place.The high pointThe number of times Bangladesh fought back from difficult situations was admirable. They were 119 for 4 and going nowhere in their first match against Afghanistan when Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan drove them out of that prickly spot. Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar did a similar job from poorer starts against England and New Zealand. All three fight-backs were counterattacks and not rearguard jobs. The pace bowlers’ timely breakthroughs were a pleasant surprise, while the leadership of Mashrafe Mortaza was exemplary.And the lowBangladesh lost their quarter-final by 109 runs, but they would spend the next four years wondering what would have been had they contained Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina in the batting Powerplay. They would also rue the directionless batting of Imrul Kayes, and whether the Shakib-Mushfiqur fifth-wicket partnership could have batted swifter. The fielding against Sri Lanka and some selection decisions should go through a review, but these issues could be drowned by the umpiring rage and the moderate success of the team.Top of the classIf there was a team-specific Man-of-the-Tournament award, Bangladesh’s one would go to Mahmudullah. After eight years of languishing in the lower-order, he justified his promotion to No. 4 with two back-to-back hundreds which came under pressure situations. The fifty against Scotland too can’t be forgotten, too. Bangladesh’s pace bowlers were also impressive, particularly Rubel who overcame personal trouble. Mushfiqur once again displayed consistency while Soumya Sarkar promises an exciting future.What we learnt about BangladeshBangladesh bounced back after a poor previous 2014, but to do so in a World Cup was to their credit. Within their overall progress, the performances of Mahmudullah and Rubel Hossain mean that Bangladesh are more than just about Shakib and Tamim. Soumya Sarkar and Taskin Ahmed are examples of young talent coming to the top of the Bangladesh cricket system, while the pace bowlers’ regular involvement also showed how spin can sometimes take a backseat in the Bangladesh attack.What they learnt from the World CupBangladesh had a tendency of giving away small passages of play but in this World Cup, they made sure the smaller battles were won. Tamim and Imrul were forced into a corner by the New Zealand attack in Hamilton but they took the blows and survived until the swing and seam abated. When Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes were attacking towards the end of the England chase, Shakib’s control diverted the big hits to the other bowlers who created wicket-taking opportunities.The team also learned to better handle the pressure against both lower and higher-ranked sides. They have finally realised that playing against teams like Afghanistan and Scotland wouldn’t necessarily mean they should crumble under expectations. Bangladesh also have some more knowledge about playing in the main Australian venues after only being restricted to Darwin and Cairns in 2003 and 2008. Though they will play most of their cricket at home, the World Cup has been a successful enough campaign for BCB to finally ponder pitches with a bit more pace and bounce in domestic cricket.