An analytical look at the important passages of play from the second day of the Kolkata Test between India and New Zealand

Aakash Chopra01-Oct-2016Matt Henry’s maintains his line
Matt Henry’s pitch map shows that he bowled a fifth-sixth stump line throughout and the beehive also suggests that majority of balls finished on the same line too. To constantly bowl a probing line outside off is likely to bring success. The reason for Henry’s consistency was his positioning on the crease close to the stumps and a strong, stable wrist.A beehive graphic shows the consistent line that Henry bowled•ESPNcricinfo LtdSaha fights with patience
The sight of batsmen battling tough sessions is becoming increasingly rare and therefore it was heartening to see the way Wriddhiman Saha fought through the tough phases on the first day and second morning. Saha is predominantly a front-foot player and scored only three times off balls that pitched shorter than the six-metre mark, which exemplified his patience more.A pitch map of seam deliveries faced by Wriddhiman Saha in his 54*•ESPNcricinfo LtdBhuvneshwar’s strong wrist
The first two balls that Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled showed the value of a strong wrist behind the ball for a swing bowler. The first ball came out of his hand with the seam tilted towards the first slip, and the second had the seam tilted towards fine-leg. To use these two variations in the first two balls of his first spell, on his return after missing the Kanpur Test, showed immense control and confidence.21.2 and 23.1 – The threat of low bounce
R Ashwin bowls a nicely flighted delivery pitched on a good-length spot that brings Luke Ronchi forward to offer a defensive shot. The ball takes a little piece off the pitch enroute, and finds the inside edge before thudding into Ronchi’s body. It could be the footmarks created by New Zealand’s left-arm seamers or possibly the first sign of the corners of the cracks disintegrating.A few deliveries later, the ball pitches at an almost identical spot but this time it goes through the pitch. The lack of bounce deceives not only the batsman but also the keeper. It is almost impossible to negotiate a ball that does not bounce even a few inches. Considering that it is only the second session of the second day, batting is likely to get tougher in the days to follow.The significance of Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s accuracy was magnified by a pitch that needed bowlers to be at the same spot consistently•Associated PressBhuvneshwar tweaks his length
The best part about Bhuvneshwar’s five-wicket haul was the way he adjusted his length. His natural length is to pitch the ball a lot fuller to induce edges or leg-before dismissals but on this Eden pitch, he needed to pull it back a yard. Whenever there is some uneven bounce in the pitch, one must bowl at a length that allows the ball to misbehave after pitching, which is a little bit on the shorter side. On dusty Indian pitches one must vary the length regularly but, on this pitch, Bhuvneshwar needed to be at the same spot ball after ball. His accuracy is his biggest strength and on this surface its significance was magnified.

The limp batting performances carried out so far by Sri Lanka in the first two Tests are threatening to limit future touring opportunities to South Africa

Andrew Fidel Fernando at Newlands04-Jan-2017For the first time in the Test, it feels like Sri Lanka have batsmen at the crease, instead of Colombo traffic policemen redirecting oncoming balls towards the slips. The most experienced men in the batting order are in the middle. Dinesh Chandimal leaps back and across to crack Vernon Philander through the covers. Angelo Mathews whip-sweeps Keshav Maharaj through backward square leg next over. For the first time, with the bat, they look like they have the will to fight.Newlands though, is paying them only the scantest attention. The stands are far from full. Even those watching know there is no tension in this fight.Around lunchtime, Cricket South Africa issues a press release confirming Australia will visit for four Tests in February and March next year. Bangladesh were already announced as the early summer tour. Sri Lanka were supposed to return to South Africa in between those tours, but it looks increasingly likely that they have been jilted. CSA are understood to be wooing India for that home series instead.

*****

In 1998, Sri Lanka won a Test at The Oval and Arjuna Ranatunga delivered one of cricket’s great boasts. Sri Lanka were World Champions by then, but had never won a Test in England. In fact, they had never even played a series – this having been a one-off game.But when Ranatunga strutted into the press conference, he crowed that the win had never really been in doubt. “The reason I put England into bat on a flat pitch,” he said, “is because otherwise, we would have bowled them out too quickly and enforced the follow-on – I wanted my spinner to have some rest.” You can imagine his voice ringing with condescension, can’t you? The smirk that must have been on his face?Sri Lanka’s subsequent tours to England have all been multi-match affairs. There are a couple of wonderful series among them: the 1-1 draw in 2006, for example, or the 1-0 victory in 2014 in which both matches went down to the last two balls.But few people outside the island really refer to these as classics. Just like few outsiders remember Ranatunga’s words as an all-time brag.This has always been the way Sri Lankan cricket is perceived overseas. Even when runs are made and wickets taken. Even when matches are won, and the finishes are riveting, there is no one much to care.

*****

The man who won Sri Lanka that Oval Test has lived the past two decades with a large chip upon his shoulder. He has taken 800 Test wickets, 534 ODI scalps, bamboozled a great Indian top order at the Feroz Shah Kotla, practically devoured them at home, won a World Cup, an IPL, Asia Cups, all while being one of the leading humanitarians in the sport, and yet, he finds his integrity constantly under siege.Along the way, there is almost nothing he hasn’t done to prove the legality of his action. He has passed the biomechanical tests and proved his doosra was within extension limits. He has paraded his variations on camera while wearing an inflexible plaster cast. To show off his double-jointed shoulder, he has lost his shirt more often than a frat boy at a keg party. In 2014, he even invited English journalists to his house and told them to play with his elbow, just to prove it was permanently bent.Can you imagine any other cricket debate in which evidence stacks up so monumentally on one side, only for doubts to remain? Even now, intelligent cricket voices say things like: “There will always be an asterisk over him,” or “they changed the law solely for his benefit”. To call this intellectual laziness is inadequate, because for it to be laziness, the information required to come upon informed conclusion must be widely available. It is more like intellectual apathy. Maybe he didn’t chuck, but who really cares?Overseas, much of Sri Lankan cricket is about this fight for acceptance. Sri Lanka are often the precursor guest before bigger series begin. They are the names commentators haven’t heard of, until they are the names they manglingly mispronounce.Their best player, who if rationality prevailed should unequivocally be remembered as one of the greatest in his generation, is instead distrusted. He is only grudgingly included in the best player lists. His defining performances often get only faint praise.

*****

In this Sri Lanka XI, there are no fewer than seven players who grew up and went to school in Basnahira (Western Province) where Colombo is. Two others are from Ruhuna (South), one more from Kandy (Central) and another from the bottom tip of Wayamba (Northwest). If you are unfamiliar with the geography, this may seem at first like a decent spread, but consider that in all, there are nine provinces.The formerly war-struck regions in the north and east are yet to produce a Test cricketer, which is understandable. But there have also been barely a handful of Test cricketers from centres like Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa or Badulla, which is not. Cricket is no less popular in those parts, but promising young players are often unwilling to ditch the remainder of their prospects. It is too great a risk to move to Colombo and join a big club.This should be a problem that Sri Lanka Cricket have found a solution to by now. It is one that has long been in stark evidence for at least two decades. But instead of taking cricket meaningfully into the provinces, a series of SLC boards has chosen to back an archaic club model, which is enshrined, in part, in the board’s constitution. Instead of having clearheaded cricket administrators, Sri Lanka is beset by political show ponies and corporate yes men.This puts the nation’s cricket in a difficult place, because although it is true Sri Lanka are without the population of India, or Pakistan, or Bangladesh, and do not have the financial stability of South Africa, England, or Australia, what slim resources they do command, they harness with comical inefficiency.

*****

Chandimal and Mathews knock gloves as they depart the field at stumps. They have forged Sri Lanka’s best partnership of the match, but their association has only yielded 61. To even dream of a win or draw from this position is ludicrous, and it would be a small miracle even to make it through the next three sessions. CSA will not be expecting gate earnings on day five.Every time Sri Lanka play overseas, they are not merely competing for runs and wickets, they fight for relevance, they fight to be thought of, they fight to matter, they fight for the right to play the next tour.But instead of a well-drilled professional outfit representative of the whole of their cricket-loving island, they have XI guys from roughly the southwest quarter, who have been picked from a woeful first-class system, and whose existence most South African locals were barely even aware of, and whom they now have little desire to see again next summer.In Port Elizabeth, and now at Newlands as well, Sri Lanka have continued to lose the fight.

From a seemingly impregnable position at tea to a stunning defeat by stumps, Pakistan’s fall was sudden and dramatic

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2016Set a target of 369, Pakistan had moved to 158 for 1 by tea on the final day, in prime position to save the match. But, after the interval, they lost 9 for 72 in 25.1 overs to slump to a 138-run defeat. Here is how it happened:67.4 Santner to Babar Azam, OUT, Azam drags on, much like Azhar. Slower through the air, and very full outside off. Azam drives hard with no feet. Plays it onto the off stump off a thick inside edge. Santner is smart with his variations in pace 159/272.3 Southee to Sami Aslam, OUT, Aslam holes out to Williamson at mid-off. Good chest-high grab. Good length and wide outside off, Aslam hacks at it with all his might, but can’t clear Williamson. Hits it hard and flat. He falls nine short of what could have been a maiden Test hundred 181/376.6 Henry to Sarfraz Ahmed, 1 run, OUT, Sarfraz presses on for the second. It was his call. He chances a suicidal second, and is caught short. He isn’t in the frame. He lies on the floor. Sarfraz, who wasn’t quick enough on the first run, knows he is gone. Short on middle stump, pulled away to the right of de Grandhomme at fine leg. He moves to his right, fumbles, then recovers, and quickly throws it to Watling, right on top of the stumps, who does the rest. Does this mean the chase is off? 199/481.1 Henry to Asad Shafiq, OUT, Henry and Henry get Shafiq. He falls for a ten-ball duck. Very full, angled in, and bends away. Shafiq closes his bat-face early, and aims to work it to the leg side, playing the incoming angle. The leading edge carries to Henry Nicholls at backward point, diving to his right and plucking a low catch. First wicket in this Test for Matt Henry after 34 overs 204/584.3 Southee to Younis Khan, OUT, follows the outswinger and bouncer with a length-ball inswinger from wide of the crease. Younis was leaving, expecting the one that goes away. Terrific bowling from Southee. Younis simply pads up to it. Not given by umpire Ravi. New Zealand go for a review. Struck on the flap of the front pad, above the knee-roll. No need for Hotspot and RTS. Impact does not matter, Younis wasn’t playing a shot. Height may have an issue? No, Younis has to go. Hitting top of off stump, according to projections. Umpire Ravi overturns his on-field call. Not a great birthday for Younis. This match tilting in the favour of New Zealand 218/689.5 de Grandhomme to Sohail Khan, OUT, spoons a simple catch to extra cover. Pakistan seven down and are staring at a defeat. Full and outside off, does not come onto the batsman. Sohail drives loosely, plays early, does not bother to keep it down. Picks out Nicholls to perfection. Like target practice. Still 11.1 overs remaining 229/790.2 Wagner to Mohammad Amir, OUT, Amir nicks behind. Pakistan eight down. Amir bags a two-ball duck. Back of a length and moves away outside off, rears up at the batsman. Amir hops, hangs his bat out. Takes the outside edge near the shoulder of the bat. Edged behind to Watling, who reverse-cups his hands around the ball 230/890.4 Wagner to Wahab Riaz, OUT, Two wickets in three balls for Wagner. New Zealand one away from 2-0. Wahab also bags a duck. Good length and leaves Wahab in the channel. He also has a waft, while on the move, and nicks it behind 230/992.1 Wagner to Imran Khan, OUT, Wagner rips out the tail quickly. Excellent catch from Latham to his right, behind the body. New Zealand secure the series 2-0. The celebrations begin in the NZ camp. It’s all over for Pakistan. Wagner seals the deal with the short ball. Banged in short on middle, Imran takes his eyes off the ball and fends it in the air. Latham snaps up a superb reflex catch, under the helmet at forward short leg. Debutant Rizwan is stranded. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have taken the single at the start of the 91st over and exposed the tail to Wagner 230/10

Stats highlights from the third ODI between New Zealand and Australia in Hamilton, which the hosts won to claim the Chappell-Hadlee Series

Bharath Seervi05-Feb-20176-33 Trent Boult’s figures at Seddon Park, his best in ODIs. Both his five-wicket hauls have come against Australia: Boult had taken 5 for 27 in the group match against them in the 2015 World Cup. In nine ODIs against Australia, Boult has 24 wickets at average of 18.41, the third best among 71 bowlers who have 20 or more wickets against Australia. Boult’s figures are the second best for New Zealand against Australia, after Shane Bond’s 6 for 23 in the 2003 World Cup.8 Number of successive bilateral ODI series won by New Zealand at home since 2015. Only one team has had a longer sequence: South Africa won 17 consecutive bilateral series from 2002 to 2009. West Indies also won eight between 1981 and 1990. In these eight series, New Zealand won 19 ODIs and lost four.7 Consecutive losses for Australia in completed ODIs away from home. They had lost seven in a row between September 1996 and March 1997 as well.16 Ross Taylor’s hundreds in ODIs; he drew level with Nathan Astle as the New Zealand batsman with the most centuries. The 107 in Hamilton was Taylor’s 14th century at No. 4, the most at that position along with AB de Villiers.4 ODI innings in which three of Australia’s top-seven batsmen made ducks. Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner were out for 0 in Hamilton. The only previous instance in the last ten years was against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa in 2011.16 Runs conceded by Mitchell Starc in the last over of New Zealand’s innings, his second most expensive in ODIs. He took wickets with the first two balls but Mitchell Santner hit two fours and a six off the last three to take the score past 280.

They haven’t come across each other much since their careers developed on opposing sides of the world, but it should be a feisty battle between New Zealand’s bouncer-happy quick and South Africa’s stubborn opener

Firdose Moonda in Dunedin06-Mar-20171:37

Moonda: South Africa’s quicks could heat up Dunedin

In an increasingly globalised sporting world, the story of the migrant player who has to face his former countrymen has been told too many times. But this one is a little different.New Zealand’s Neil Wagner, originally from Pretoria, not only has history with the likes of Faf du Plessis, who he went to school with, and Morne Morkel, who he played provincial cricket with, but also with Dean Elgar, a similarly fiery on-field character, who he played against.”I haven’t really had a lot of battles with him, but in school we did,” Elgar said. “He seems to have come on in leaps and bounds for New Zealand and it seems like he’s leading their attack with regards to aggression. There’s a bit of South African mentality coming out there. It’s working for them.”Wagner was from the famed Afrikaans Hoer Seunskool that produced AB de Villiers, du Plessis, Jacques Rudolph and Kruger van Wyk. Elgar is from the slightly less well-known establishment of St Dominic’s College in Welkom, the second largest city in the Free State, 130 kilometres away from Bloemfontein. Both schools breed their sportsmen to play the game hard and in Wagner and Elgar they produced two of the most determined players on the current circuit. Elgar was once referred to as a “staffie” by Morne Morkel for his stubbornness, a reference to the breed of dog, while Wagner has become an indefatigable short-ball specialist who will bounce his opposition all day.Despite many meetings as schoolboys, the pair only played one provincial match against each other, more than a decade ago, in November 2006. Elgar retired hurt on 27 in the first innings and returned to bat at No.7 in the second, where Wagner took five wickets, although none of them was Elgar. The match was drawn. But their history in South Africa is more than that.”Free State against Northerns – it used to be pretty feisty,” Elgar remembered. “There’s a lot of Afrikaans people in those two teams and it was pretty heated. It was all in good spirit and I guess we were all playing for careers we never thought we could have back then.”Both players learned to be patient as far as their international career was concerned. Elgar had to bide his time for a Test call-up, despite regularly being among the top run-scorers in South Africa’s first-class competition, then was asked to bat at No. 6 on debut and made a pair against Australia. By then, Wagner had long realised he would not crack it in South Africa, relocated to New Zealand, served his time until he qualified and had earned his first two Test appearances.In Wagner’s third Test he came across Elgar, seven years after they had met in that provincial fixture. It was also Elgar’s third match and he made the bigger impact scoring an unbeaten 103, the third century in a South African total of 525 for 8 declared. Wagner bowled 33 fairly expensive overs for 135 of which Elgar, de Villiers and du Plessis scored 95 between them. The memories of their school days may have flooded back.”We’ve had a lot of battles on the field as young boys, from school cricket going onwards, we hated playing against each other,” Wagner admitted. “But Dean is a great man. I do like sitting afterwards having a beer with him but, yeah, we hate playing against each other. I guess it is part and parcel of the job.”Since then, Elgar and Wagner have only faced each other one more time, in Durban last August , in a match that will be remembered more for what didn’t happen. South Africa battled their way to 263 then Dale Steyn took out New Zealand’s openers with the score 15. The heavens opened that day and although skies cleared in the subsequent ones, the newly-scarified outfield had taken too much water and no further play was possible. With heavy cloud over University Oval and a few spits of rain on Monday morning, at least both Elgar and Wagner agreed that the one thing neither of them wants for the rest of week is another damp squib.”We know Dunedin is very used to conditions like this, and we know what the weather’s going to be like this week,” Elgar said. But Wagner, who has made this city his home, suggested maybe South Africa will be surprised when things clear up as the Test approaches. “When that southerly wind cuts through those trees, it can be quite cold but when the sunny Dunedin shows itself off, it can be quite nice. You prepare yourself for all four seasons in one day.”

Players’ proof of patriotism, Mashrafe’s surprise announcement and Malinga’s yorkers feature in the plays from the 1st T20I between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in Colombo

Andrew Fidel Fernando04-Apr-2017The test of patriotismBefore the Bangladesh openers took guard, before Lasith Malinga plodded in to deliver the first delivery, the Premadasa Stadium put the players to a test of their respect for their nation – or at least their national anthem. The drizzle started after began, but by the time it ended, the light shower had become a downpour. Faithfully, and unflinchingly, though, the Sri Lanka side began singing , and were drenched in the rain even before they knew. However, they stuck it out manfully through both verses of the longish anthem, even though there was all likelihood of the players having to swim back to the dressing room by the time it got over.A historic first for MashrafeSome players do it via a statement, others do it at a press conference, and Mahela Jayawardene had once done it in a tweet. But perhaps no international cricketer has announced his retirement at the toss, as Mashrafe Mortaza did today. The announcement followed hours of speculation and, as is characteristic of the man, was made with minimal emotion and fanfare. Having elected to bat, Mashrafe hit an unbeaten nine off five balls, and then claimed two of the Sri Lanka wickets, to remind Bangladesh exactly what they are going to miss.The two-wheeled auto rickshawSabbir Rahman should have made his ground after pushing a ball towards cover and taking off for a quick single in the sixth over. However, instead of running his original line – which would have seen him cover the quickest route to the other crease and may have also brought in the benefit of blocking the throw into the equation – Sabbir appeared to have been spooked by the advancing fielder. He veered sharply to his left, like an auto-rickshaw that has lost one of its rear tyres, and was caught short by a few centimetres after Seekkuge Prasanna threw down the stumps with a sharp throw.Yorkers of yesteryearLasith Malinga might not quite have pace of his younger years, nor the physique, but twice in this match did he muster ripping renditions of the ball that had earned him the reputation a limited-overs specialist. His first ball swung in slightly towards Tamim Iqbal, but was wide of the stumps. The second ball curved back late and lavishly, beating Tamim for pace, as well as movement, and toppled his middle stump. Late in the innings, after a couple of less impressive overs, he gave Mahmudullah’s middle stump the same treatment.

Twitter reactions to the retirement of Australia fast bowler Shaun Tait

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2017A key member of Australia’s 2007 World Cup victory, part of Australia’s run to 2010 World T20 final, and bowler of some of the quickest deliveries ever sent down, Shaun Tait has plenty to look back on.At Lord’s in 2010, Shaun Tait fired in a delivery clocked at 161.1kph•Getty Images

My mate @shaun_tait32 has hung up his boots.
Mate, be very proud of what you have achieved.#topcareer #greatman

— Jason Gillespie (@dizzy259) March 27, 2017

A few batsmen sleeping easier with the retirement of @shaun_tait32 fastest I ever faced and for a period as good as any. Congrats #greatman

— Chris Rogers (@BuckRogers55) March 27, 2017

Congratulations @shaun_tait32 on a great career, I'm sure there're plenty of batsman out there relieved! #wildthing #genuinepace

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 27, 2017

Congrats @shaun_tait32. My fondest memory was you hitting me in the head at the AO and the ball being caught by mid off. Fun times.

— Theo Doropoulos (@TheoDrop) March 27, 2017

Congratulations @shaun_tait32 on a wonderful career. Very few will understand how much you put your body through over the years.

— Graham Manou (@GrahamManou) March 27, 2017

@shaun_tait32 well done on a fantastic career Taity. One of the nicest guys when he wasn't bowling 150k rockets. All the best

— Ryan ten Doeschate (@rtendo27) March 27, 2017

Retiring Shaun Tait bowled the two fastest overs I've seen since Jeff Thomson – T20 v NZ in Perth. Good fella without a ball in his hand!

— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) March 27, 2017

With Younis Khan retiring as Pakistan’s highest run-getter, we reopen the debate

ESPNcricinfo staff12-May-2017

Chris Woakes might not have his name in bright lights like some of his country’s superstars, but his true value may be realized as England pursues its maiden global ODI trophy without him

George Dobell02-Jun-2017Like a safety harness or parachute, there are some things you appreciate more in their absence. So it may prove with Chris Woakes. While he rarely gains the headlines of Ben Stokes or Joe Root, he has developed into a valuable – if slightly unsung – player in this England ODI side.The plan in this ICC Champions Trophy was for him to take the new ball and bowl at the death, perhaps the two most difficult requirements for bowlers in modern ODI cricket. While he is still learning his trade in both departments, his pace, skill and calm head under pressure render him a valuable player. Replacing him is far from easy.It’s not just the bowling either. Coming in at No. 8, Woakes offers reassuring stability in the lower middle-order. His unbeaten 95 against Sri Lanka 12 months ago was the highest score by a No. 8 in the history of ODI cricket. He did something similar when England subsided to 124 for 6 in Antigua in March by striking an unbeaten 68 to help his side to a four-wicket win. His absence increases pressure just a little on those above him. It’s as if their safety net has been removed and for a team encouraged to play fearless, aggressive cricket, that could be relevant.England have a few replacement options as seamers. While it looks as if they will resist the temptation of returning to Stuart Broad, whose role in the Test team renders him more valuable than ever, it means the strongest contenders are Steven Finn, Tom Curran and Toby Roland-Jones. Curran is uncapped at international level and Roland-Jones has one cap after making his debut on May 29 against South Africa. It means that Finn, who has already played 69 ODIs and was the third fastest England bowler to 100 ODI wickets, could be the most likely one to gain.Curran can probably count himself unfortunate if that is the case. He was seen as the next in line by the selectors a week or so ago. But when they were looking to change the side for the final ODI against South Africa, they noted that he had bowled heavily for Surrey in the preceding days and decided to opt for Roland-Jones instead. Reece Topley would have been an option, too, had he played a little more cricket since he returned from a shoulder injury sustained in January.It may well be that David Willey is the primary beneficiary of Woakes’ injury. If England are looking to replace Woakes’ all-round package, rather than just his bowling, it may well be that they draft Willey into the starting XI in the hope that he can show some of the batting ability that seen him hit two List A centuries and another in T20 cricket at domestic level.However, there has not been much sign of that form in Willey’s international career to date. His top score in ODI cricket, where he comes in much lower down the order, is just 26 and though there is a limited sample size to judge him as an international batsman, an ODI batting average of 15.75 and strike-rate of 69.61 compare poorly to Woakes’ 25.00 and 86.86 respectively.Willey may have a point to prove with the ball too. There have been times when, armed with a new ball and generating swing, he has looked a dangerous bowler in ODIs. At his best, he might be just the man to take those key early wickets than can shape games. But for that to be the case, he has to make the ball swing and in the limited evidence seen in this tournament to date – and in Willey’s performance in the ODI against South Africa at Lord’s – it seems unlikely to do so. Otherwise on these surfaces and at his pace, he could be in for some long afternoons.On the plus side though, Willey’s left-arm variation might be an asset. At present, the England pace attack appears to be an assembly line of right-arm seamers, with one replacing another.There have been mutterings from some – mainly on social media – that the injuries to Woakes and Stokes may have been partially attributable to their experience in the IPL. There’s no evidence to support that view, though. Injuries are part and parcel of a seamer’s life and both men may have been used more heavily had they remained in county cricket. It was noticeable in the press conference after Friday’s match between Australia and New Zealand that some journalists thought the rustiness of the Australian seamers might have been due to their absence from the IPL. Sometimes it seems team management cannot win whatever they do.England did receive some better injury news on Friday. They believe Root’s apparent calf injury in the victory over Bangladesh was nothing more than cramp and insist he is not a fitness concern going into the match against New Zealand on Tuesday.They won’t have Woakes, though. And that is a significant blow to their hopes of lifting a first global ODI trophy.

South Africa’s captain, Faf du Plessis, has a definite swagger, in a gum-chewing, cool-cat kind of way. But it is his grit, as a leader and batsman, that is helping him shape his own side

Melinda Farrell in Nottingham18-Jul-20171:22

How du Plessis turned South Africa around after Lord’s defeat

South Africa have lost the Test.Truly, madly, deeply.And in four days, to boot.Faf du Plessis walks into the press conference and faces the journalists, all eager to dissect the defeat, find reasons for the mistakes and grab the top news line. Du Plessis leans back in his chair and looks at the man to his right. Faf won’t be answering those questions today. That’s a job for stand-in captain, Dean Elgar.After fielding questions on no-balls, fielding errors and a bowler’s colourful language, Elgar jokingly mimes handing over the captain’s arm band to du Plessis with relief. While Elgar has taken the reigns under difficult circumstances, the deference in the action is clear.Faf’s back, baby. Faf’s back.Du Plessis knows what it’s like to be the bench warmer for a captain. For his first two series in charge, the prospect of AB de Villiers’ return to the Test team and the captaincy lingered all around the dressing room. It wasn’t until South Africa returned home from their successful tour of Australia that his temporary job became a full-time gig.In the 12 Tests during his tenure so far, South Africa have lost only one, a dead rubber: the day-night match in Adelaide against an Australian side which had been so overwhelmingly shattered in the second Test in Hobart that it sparked headlines screaming of a crisis and ended international careers.A sample size of 12 is hardly enough to make a definitive judgment on the strength of a captain but the change in South Africa from one week to the next suggests he brings focus and discipline to the side. Calm, according to Vernon Philander. After the Lord’s drubbing, du Plessis spoke of working on the basics: South Africa bowled 14 no-balls in the first Test – two of them costing wickets. At Trent Bridge, there were none.When du Plessis won the toss on a cloudy day in Nottingham and elected to bat, eyebrows waggled furiously and tongues tutted all around. What is he thinking? Doesn’t he know the conditions are tailor-made for James Anderson? Didn’t he see what Stuart Broad and Ben Stokes did to Australia here two years ago? Is he being naively brave or recklessly stupid?Du Plessis, however, wasn’t just making a tactical decision; he was also sending a message to his team-mates and to the opposition.Du Plessis has a definite swagger, in a gum-chewing, cool-cat kind of way. Come at us, he defied England, give it your best shot fellas. We’re not afraid. We bat on green wickets in South Africa, so what? To his own batsmen, some of whom have struggled for form in recent months, he offered unflinching support: I trust you to see off the new ball, to negotiate the best swing and seam they can throw at you. You’ve got this. Heino Kuhn and Hashim Amla duly obliged and, from there, South Africa never looked back.Before the second Test, after he’d made the decision to drop JP Duminy (the player, whose injury at the Gabba in 2012 handed du Plessis the opening to make his memorable Test debut), he approached Quinton de Kock and asked him where he’d prefer to bat. De Kock was unequivocal: he wanted to bat at four and be given the license to attack. Faf promptly moved him up the order; de Kock repaid the trust with interest and a flashing half-century. Philander, too, was promoted, and he responded with a fifty. The balance of the side was tweaked. Every move a winner.Chris Morris, playing in just his third Test match, saw his first two deliveries being carted to the boundary by Joe Root. Seduced by the swinging delights on offer, an overly excited Morris was searching, bowling too short and trying to force the movement. He was trying to keep the boundaries down, not wanting to go for runs. After three overs, he had figures of 0 for 20 and du Plessis withdrew him from the attack. Du Plessis could see that Morris’ mind was cluttered and spinning, overloaded with advice on how to best take advantage of the conditions, and took him aside as the players left the field for tea. Forget everything else, du Plessis said, just bowl bloody fast.Morris came back and bowled bloody fast. Four overs into his next spell, his mind freed and his speed up, he claimed two wickets. After Moeen Ali shoveled one to point, Stuart Broad marched to the crease. Everyone in cricket knows what happened to Stuart Broad in August 2014. How, in the third Test against India at Old Trafford, a short ball from Varun Aaron smashed into the grill of his helmet and broke his nose. How he had nightmares and sought counselling in the months after. How his batting has suffered ever since. How almost every side has tried to bounce him out. Feed those greedy demons.Of the 12 Tests in Faf du Plessis’ tenure so far, South Africa have lost only one•Getty ImagesElgar certainly knew. At Lord’s, Elgar had three men out on the leg-side boundary for Broad while Morne Morkel bowled short. Broad proceeded to pull with unbridled ferocity, twice depositing the ball over the fence on his way to a brutal half-century.What Elgar probably didn’t know is that since breaking his nose, according to CricViz, Broad has averaged 74 against bouncers and 9.8 against half volleys. Du Plessis probably didn’t know that either. South Africa didn’t have a pre-meditated plan for Broad but, as he came out to bat, du Plessis signalled a trap so loudly it almost perforated eardrums. He set fielders at deep forward square leg, fine leg and leg gully. Here you go, buddy. Mind the nose.Morris steamed in and fired the ball full and straight at the stumps, just as his captain desired. Leg before wicket. Bye bye Broady.In the second innings, Alastair Cook fell victim to the reverse trap. Cook is one of the best players of fast-bowling in the world. He has hardly ever been out hooking. But du Plessis brought Morris, now brimming with confidence and oozing with the menace of jungle drum and bass rhythm, back into the attack and set two fielders at square leg and deep square leg, one virtually behind the other. It seemed absurd. England were chasing a record fourth-innings total for victory and they needed wickets in hand, not runs. Why would Cook, that renowned nudger and nurdler, be aggressive now? Morris chuntered in and launched a searing bouncer. Cook, perhaps acutely aware of the two fielders in place, hesitantly flailed at the ball as it whistled past his ear and into the glove of a diving de Kock. Cook out a-hooking. Who’d a-thunk it? Faf, natch.Du Plessis is hardly omniscient or omnipotent, but obstinate and obdurate. He doesn’t set funky fields – on the contrary, at times, considering the match situation, his fields could perhaps be interpreted as somewhat defensive and conservative. His currency is in grit and determination rather than gimmick and innovation. In between every delivery, he claps and circles his arms, imparting energy, a human wind farm. With every wicket, he bounces in and showers his bowlers with all the affection of a Labrador deprived of its owner for a week.While he is clearly his own man, there is room for outside influence. In the over after Morkel had convinced du Plessis to review – unsuccessfully – an lbw appeal for Cook in the second innings, Philander was equally adamant when the ball cannoned in to Gary Ballance’s pad. One review down, du Plessis was not convinced. He questioned his bowler at length before turning to de Kock, who insisted the ball had pitched in line. Du Plessis likes to trust his own opinion on reviews but he estimates de Kock is right 70% of the time. Review taken. Ballance tipped.Du Plessis averages 44.78 in Tests but as captain this figure rises to a more impressive 55.06•Getty ImagesIt seems the only thing that could possibly put pressure on du Plessis is his relatively modest returns with the bat. He has scored two centuries in the 12 Tests of his captaincy, although he has finished not-out on five occasions. While he averages 44.78 in Tests (but a more impressive 55.06 since becoming captain), he isn’t exactly the most fluid and entertaining batsman to watch. Less swash and more buckle down, boys. The irony here is that du Plessis’ signature blockability is exactly what England so desperately needed with six sessions remaining to save the match. Australian cricket fans still shudder at the memory of a shattered Peter Siddle, in Adelaide, dropping to his haunches in utter exhaustion before schlepping back to his mark, again and again, breaking himself on a steely du Plessis with all the futility of a wave trying to smash a granite shore. Twice since taking over the captaincy, has du Plessis remained not out in salvaging a draw.At the close of play after levelling the series, du Plessis spoke of how he felt South Africa needed to rediscover the character and intensity he thought was missing at Lord’s. They found both, in joyful abundance, in Nottingham.But, perhaps, the most telling image that explains the early success of the du Plessis era isn’t to be found at Trent Bridge. And, ironically, it’s a picture that contains every player in the squad except for the skipper. In Melbourne, after charges of ball-tampering that were ultimately upheld, the entire South African team fronted a press conference and, led by Amla, affirmed their unswerving support for their captain while du Plessis quietly stood to one side. It was the players’ idea and desire to make a public display of unity: going in to bat for their captain off the field as well as on it.It provided a powerful image and a telling one. Du Plessis has won this dressing room.And South Africa have won the Test.Truly, madly, deeply.And in four days, to boot.Faf’s back, baby. Faf’s back.