All posts by n8rngtd.top

Southern Vipers slip to comprehensive defeat as Lightning spinners weave web

ECB Reporters Network28-Aug-2019Amy Jones’ superlative 74 not out helped to land Loughborough Lightning a significant mental advantage over Southern Vipers in their Kia Super League semi-final dress rehearsal.England star Jones collected her second half-century in a row, while picking up her personal highest KSL score, in typically attractive style. Her innings, laden with a mixture of masterful drives, delicate flicks and pure power laid the platform for a 36-run victory at the Ageas Bowl, and a momentum-spinning sixth straight win.Spinners Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon and Chamari Atapattu then kept Vipers on a leash, with a combined analysis of 6 for 52 to complete the win.The two sides will go again at Finals Day, which takes place on Sunday at Hove – with the winner of their re-match set to face Western Storm in the KSL final.Lightning were given a rolling start, after being stuck in by Tammy Beaumont, with Tash Farrant and Issy Wong gifting seven wides in the first two overs. Openers Jones and Atapattu took the free runs and added explosive hitting of their own to put on 75 – Loughborough’s highest opening partnership of the summer.Wicketkeeper Jones pumped two sixes, over midwicket and straight down the ground, with her Sri Lankan partner larruping Danni Wyatt over square leg. But Atapattu was bowled by Suzie Bates, attempting to guide the ball down to third man, before Georgia Adams followed soon after when she skied a bouncer to Beaumont at midwicket to hand teenage fast bowler Wong her maiden KSL wicket.Jones, who reached her fifty in 43 balls, had was joined by a free-scoring Georgia Elwiss, a powerful six over cow joined by three boundaries took her to 28 off 21 balls. She was well caught by Paige Scholfield while attempting a reverse sweep off Amanda-Jade Wellington before former Viper Mignon du Preez was lbw next ball.But Jones, along with Jenny Gunn, added an unbroken 38 runs to take Loughborough to a commanding 163 for 4, as he ended with seven boundaries and three sixes in her 53-ball 74.Wyatt had scored 267 in her last four KSL outings to lead the run rankings but hammered her first delivery straight at Gordon at point, after drizzle had slightly prolonged the innings break.Bates was dropped on 10 at mid-off, but her luck ran out as Jones produced quick hands to stump her off a leg-side wide from Gunn. Vipers slipped to 42 for three at the end of the Powerplay, as Beaumont also fell when she dragged a pull to midwicket.Lucy Higham spilt a difficult chance over her shoulder when Maia Bouchier was on 5 but redeemed herself was a brilliant pick-up and throw to run out the Hampshire batsman.Wellington was moved up the order but after three boundaries she was castled by Gordon before Thea Brookes followed in an action replay – the left-armer picking up figures of 2 for 18. Scholfield was caught, Farrant was lbw and Morris and Wong were bowled and as Lightning cruised to victory with an over to spare.

The events that triggered the player strike in Bangladesh and how it was all organised

Mohammad Isam22-Oct-2019At 12.45pm on Monday, Bangladesh’s cricketers decided to hold a press conference in Mirpur. They arrived near the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s indoor facilities around 2.30pm, and then walked around the back to reach the Academy ground. They lined up, and asked the reporters and cameramen to gather themselves quickly. They had a lot to say.This was the moment of truth that some of Bangladesh’s top cricketers had strenuously prepared for the past three weeks, and a press conference at least two decades in the making.Naeem Islam, who played eight Tests and 59 ODIs between 2008 and 2014 before becoming a domestic stalwart, began with the word “respect”.It is a big word, and it is something that every athlete craves, perhaps more than money or fame. But it has been in short supply in Bangladesh cricket for a very long time. This is common knowledge and it was the cause of, and the common thread in, their 11-point list of demandsThe BCB’s decision last month to do away with the BPL’s franchise-based model for the 2019-20 season meant that, automatically, the domestic players’ earnings from the T20 league was reduced drastically. The reason behind the decision was flimsy: Shakib Al Hasan’s move from Dhaka Dynamites, which is owned by the company which employs the BCB chief Nazmul Hassan, BPL secretary Ismail Haider Mallick and board director Khaled Mahmud, to Rangpur Riders.The decision also undid the transfers of Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim and Shane Watson and, with the reduction in pay, the axing of the franchise-model hugely affected domestic cricketers. Keep in mind, the BCB had already reduced their earning capacity by putting in place a draft for the Dhaka Premier League for the last several seasons.Then came the board’s decision to allow, in the NCL, only those cricketers who passed an enhanced fitness test – which, for good measure, was announced only two weeks before the league began. This upset the players – they felt it could have been communicated during the pre-season and perhaps they could have been given more facilities to reach the required fitness levels.So around two weeks ago, discussions began in earnest about how best to tackle their issues. The players’ outrage at the board’s treatment slowly gave way to more organised thinking, as they noted down the several points that needed to be addressed.Their initial plan to announce the strike on October 16 was postponed as Shakib had to play the CPL final, which delayed his return to Dhaka. Had the strike started that day, they would have boycotted the October 17 NCL matches and a no-show would have meant utter chaos.They used the three extra days to get more organised. Shakib meanwhile delivered stinging interviews to local newspapers that sent tongues wagging but didn’t really draw a reaction from the cricket board. It seemed they had no idea of what was coming.They planned the press conference to be a complete surprise, giving the media two hours to gather in Mirpur and, by the time the BCB officials got wind of something happening, the players were well on their way to the Academy ground as a group.The press conference lasted only 13 minutes, but it contained more truth than any other from the past. While the headline points were the demands for enhanced salaries, there was a wider one being made: the need for systemic changes.They wanted fresh elections in CWAB, the players’ body, which has been run by the same committee for the last ten years. Naimur Rahman is its president, Khaled Mahmud its vice-president and Debabrata Paul the general secretary. All of them are very much part of the BCB. Naimur and Mahmud are board directors while Paul is employed as the match referees’ coordinator.The players brought to attention the debilitating effects of biased umpiring in the lower rungs of the Dhaka league system. This is another open secret in Bangladesh cricket, but no one has dared to speak about it because many of these beneficiary clubs are run by powerful BCB directors. The players said such one-sided, pre-fixed matches would ruin the cricketers’ pipeline.They mentioned the need for improved facilities across the country, especially in venues where first-class sides are based. They also wanted increased money for food and travel. These are among the most basic things that a cricket board must do for its players.The players also said that women cricketers, groundsmen, local coaches, umpires, physios and trainers were also under their umbrella, making their call for strike even stronger.

Jatinder Singh’s rapid 48 helped Oman canter to a big win

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Oct-2019
Thirty seven-year-old Aamir Kaleem took 4 for 14 in his four overs to shoot out Nigeria for 71 and set up Oman’s third win in the T20 World Cup qualifier in the UAE.Bilal Khan(3 for 7) was also among the wickets as Oman dismissed Nigeria in 19.5 overs. Opener Jatinder Singh then hit 48 off 22 balls, helping his side knock off the target in seven overs.After batting first, Nigeria had a quiet start in the Powerplay, reaching 22 for 1. They moved to 34 for 1 in the eighth over before losing 9 for 37. Opener Daniel Ajekun was the only Nigeria batsman to pass 15; No. 3 Sulaimon Runsewe’s 14 was the second-highest score in the first inningsIn response, Jatinder cracked nine fours and six before he was dismissed in the last over of the Powerplay. At that point, Oman needed just six runs from 85 balls. Fittingly, it was Kaleem who was at the end, Oman winning by seven wickets and 78 balls to spare.

It has also launched a move to restructure the model of national academies and re-educate the local coaches

Umar Farooq09-Dec-2019The PCB has decided to trim the powers of its chief executive officer Wasim Khan, who had been working additionally as the head of the cricket committee. Wasim has resigned from the role as the head of the committee in order to help revamp it, making it an independent body, but retains the freedom to sit in the committee as an ex-officio member with a right to participate in discussions, but without the power to take decisions and vote.This change at the helm of the cricket committee is the third within 13 months. Earlier, only three meetings and eight months into the formation of the original committee, its head at time, Mohsin Khan, had to resign following differences with the PCB over statements made on public platforms, which had put the board in an awkward position. Wasim had replaced Mohsin, with his first order of business a review of the last three years following the conclusion of the 2019 World Cup. Before taking up the role of head coach and chief selector, Misbah-ul-Haq was also a member of the commitee.”Our main business is cricket, for which we have a structure and we are taking steps for improvement,” PCB chairman Ehsan Mani said in Lahore. “We got disruption in our cricket committee and we are revamping it, starting with Wasim stepping down as its head so that it should be an independent committee. He will be present in the meeting to coordinate with the PCB and the members but I want independent advice after critically assessing the affairs. They are cricketers and who else understands the game more than them?”I want honest feedback without any other interest. They can challenge the chief selectors, team management, selectors and other cricket support teams in PCB to give us a critical feedback for the betterment. What are the steps that need to be taken after a thorough independent assessment? The scope is wide; they can challenge the selector, coaches, team management and this will go down across to the entire cricketing structure from top to bottom. The proposal, however, is only recommendatory, and onus will be on me to accept or reject. I don’t think I will reject without any rationale.”The PCB has also launched an attempt to restructure the model of national academies and re-educate the local coaches. The state of pitches in the country for domestic cricket has been a major topic of debate for over a decade as it is considered a major hindrance in the development of players who are capable of adapting themselves in countries like Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa. Mani informed that the PCB is engaging Andy Atkinson, the ICC pitch consultant, to train PCB’s curators.Wasim hinted at a significant structural overhaul after an ongoing assessment by former ECB performance director David Parsons is completed.Elsewhere, Mudassar Nazar, the head of cricket academies, confirmed that he will not seek an extension after his contract ends next year in May. The remainder of his term is merely a formality as he is set to go on annual leave, with the PCB expected to look for a replacement in the interim. The importance of the National Cricket Academy for the progress of players is not lost on either Mani and Wasim, and with that in mind, head of coaching at NCA, Ali Zia, was also asked to resign last week.”I have serious doubts on the capacity of our coaches and we need to upgrade them,” Mani said. “Our boys do have passion for cricket, they have ability but until or unless their teachers aren’t good then we can not have our boys excel in the field. So expect a lot of changes in academies and the structure.”Me and Wasim both had concerns and we have been reviewing with the help of David. We are forming six centres of excellence working with the six association with one curriculum in place as in PCB’s national high performance centre. We need elevate the credibility of our development system and the pathway.”

Victoria trail by 89 runs with eight wickets in hand at the halfway stage of the match

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2019Victoria 2 for 205 (Pucovski 62*, Maddinson 59, Handscomb 44*) trail New South Wales 294 (Abbott 54, Nevill 50, Siddle 3-52, Pattinson 3-62) by 89 runsVictoria lost only two wickets in 69 overs as they razed 205 runs off New South Wales’ first-innings total of 294 on the second day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Will Pucovski, who had recently taken a mental health break, returned with an unbeaten 62 at stumps with Peter Handscomb for company. Victoria opener Nic Maddinson had earlier set the base with a fifty at the top.The day had begun with NSW’s batsmen in the middle. Restarting on 6 for 223, they were bowled out 71 runs later, but not before their overnight batsmen Peter Nevill (50) and Sean Abbott (54) earned their respective half-centuries. Their seventh-wicket stand of 93 helped NSW recover from 149 for 6, and although Steve O’Keefe and Trent Copeland chipped in with twenties, Victoria ensured they did not cross 300. Peter Siddle and James Pattinson took three wickets apiece.Victoria’s response began with a 72-run opening stand between Marcus Harris and Maddinson. Harris scored 23 with Maddinson making the bulk of the runs. After Harris was adjudged lbw to O’Keefe, Maddinson added another 38 runs with No. 3 Pucovski, but was dismissed on 59 by Abbott with the team’s score at 110. But that was all the success NSW had for the rest of the day. Pucovski motored on to a fifth first-class half-century while Nevill made 44 in 100 balls to put Victoria in the driver’s seat by stumps. They trail by only 89 with eight wickets in hand at the halfway stage of the match.

For more than a year, the spectre of retirement has hung over Mashrafe Mortaza’s head despite his assertions to the contrary

Mohammad Isam13-Jan-2020The Mashrafe Mortaza Retirement Speculation Circus™ has rolled into its 13th month. The end of his side Dhaka Platoon’s BPL campaign on Monday became the latest occasion on which to pitch the uncomfortably large tent. The press conference, which at times veered into terse and tense exchanges, ended with Mashrafe clearly stating that he has “no interest” in receiving a prepared send-off from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). A response, no doubt, to board president Nazmul Hassan saying they had offered Mashrafe a massive going away party, “the likes of which has never happened and never will”.In the Circus™ terms, Monday’s press conference was better than his Friday proclamation where he questioned his own selection in the ODI side based on his 2019 World Cup performance. It was certainly edgier, as he shot back at every question that either contained the word “retirement” or hinted at it.His appearance in the BPL’s eliminator match itself had piqued the Circus™. Mashrafe played with 14 stitches on his left hand. He batted and bowled without showing any discomfort, and then took a one-handed catch to dismiss Chris Gayle. His wife and kids were seen in the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s grandstand too. Surely this was it?In the face of several questions, Mashrafe was firm in his stance to keep playing as long as he is enjoying the game, and not retiring just because the BCB president has said that they would throw a big party.”Till yesterday, I was a centrally contracted cricketer with the cricket board but not anymore,” Mashrafe said. “I always believe the BCB is the cricketers’ guardian. I never took pride in going against them. I thank the BCB for considering me to give me a proper send-off, but I don’t have much interest in it.”I have always said that a cricketer’s entire career isn’t only about playing for the national team. I think I have the freedom to play as long as I want. I think we have had bigger cricketers who couldn’t retire from the field. Habibul Bashar, who always made runs in crisis situation, didn’t get to retire while still playing. I think only Sujon [Khaled Mahmud] did it, but otherwise it is a rare case. I even have thought of it at times, but it is not really necessary.”This Circus™ couldn’t be avoided given Bangladesh have not had occasion to play any ODI cricket since July 2019. If there had been something – anything – during the home season, Mashrafe might have got some clarity. Instead, he’s stuck in the Circus™On Friday after Dhaka’s defeat to Khulna Tigers, Mashrafe had said that he wouldn’t expect to be picked in the ODI squad based on his World Cup performance.”As far as I am concerned, I shouldn’t be selected based on my one wicket in eight games at the World Cup. If I am selected, I will give my best. But how can I say I will play for the national team after taking one wicket in eight games? Someone else in my place would have been axed much earlier.”Mashrafe said that he got a lifeline when the selectors picked him for the ODI series against Sri Lanka last July, but since then he is unaware of their position since they have not been in contact with him.”I was picked for the Sri Lanka series, which would have been an opportunity for me to get back in form. But there hasn’t been any playing opportunities. I don’t know what the selectors are thinking. I haven’t spoken to them. But if they decide to give me a chance, I will certainly welcome it. The board shall decide whether I should be the captain too,” he said.In an ideal world, Mashrafe should have been left alone long ago, at least after the last match in the World Cup, where he didn’t announce his retirement even though he was largely expected to. He made himself available for the Sri Lanka series that followed, but missed it due to injury. It is now January 2020, and he has gone through a full season of the BPL, just like he has done over the last seven seasons. Clearly there is fire in the belly.The Circus™, however, rolls on. Next, perhaps, the tent will be pitched at the selection panel’s meeting for the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in February or March. Nobody is paying attention to his repeated assertions that he wants to retire at his own discretion, never on anyone else’s, big party or no big party.

Pakistan preparing to take advantage of West Indies’ penchant for big hitting in their opening game

Andrew McGlashan in Canberra25-Feb-2020Allrounder Nida Dar has wasted no time in putting her experience of the WBBL to good use as Pakistan prepare to begin their T20 World Cup campaign.Dar became the first Pakistan player to appear in the competition as part of the Sydney Thunder side in this year’s tournament, where she had 11 matches, claiming 13 wickets at 16.92 – the best average in the team – and an economy rate 6.87.In a young Pakistan side, Dar was always going to be a vital component of their T20 World Cup campaign – a tournament where they have never got out of the first round – but that inside knowledge of Australian conditions has made her a go-to person as the squad gets ready to face West Indies in Canberra.”As a senior player I need to share everything I have,” she said. “All my team-mates are always asking me about the BBL experience and Australian conditions. I have given a lot of tips and things to try. The girls are very keen to learn everything because some of them are very new and it’s their first experience in Australia. What we need to do is gel as a unit.”As her team-mates are now doing, Dar spent the WBBL trying to take in as much as she could from the experience of mixing with some of the best players in the game and a group of elite coaches. However, despite the information collected during her stint early in the season, Dar believes conditions for the World Cup have altered after a long, hot summer followed by recent heavy rain – especially on the east coast – which also impacted a preparation camp Pakistan had in Queensland.”The main thing I focused on was what could I grab from here, the experience from different coaches and ideas from different people,” she said. “I had experienced players with me, Rachael Haynes, Shabnim Ismail, Rachel Priest so there were different ideas from different players and the experience I took from the BBL was very nice. But now after so much rain the conditions have changed.”Ultimately, West Indies were comfortable winners against Thailand in their opening game although they did have some nervous moments early the chase when they slipped to 27 for 3. Pakistan know what to expect from a side that likes to hit boundaries and will be preying on that eagerness to put bat to ball.”We know the strengths of West Indies, they are power hitters, and want to show their skills all the time, so we need to be very strong with our nerves,” Dar said. “Variation could be helpful for us and it’s these kinds of things that we can learn, maybe West Indies are trying to hit hard a lot, but maybe against us they will try to rotate the strike.”Pakistan are the last team to get their World Cup underway – Australia, India and Sri Lanka have already played twice – but have spent the time wisely trying to gain as much insight as they can from the early matches that have unfolded. Dar is confident Pakistan’s spin attack, of which she is a key element, will be able to have a significant say in the tournament.”It was nice to watch the matches, we were learning from them, we know the Australian pitches but the behaviour of the wickets has really changed. After watching the games we need to adapt, [the totals] are not big totals, they are very chaseable, but some teams are defending them. The spinners are working really hard over here and are good on these types of pitches.”We know our strengths, the girls are very skilful. We have a bunch of very talented players. They want to play against the best teams. We just want to show our skills.”