9 days ago
Bengaluru: When batters are scoring at 11.46 runs an over, even quality bowling attacks can be made to look ordinary. India's T20I series against the West Indies has exposed the vulnerability of the hosts' pace unit, with flat pitches, dew and short boundaries proving a punishing combination for bowlers.
West Indies' stunning 250-run chase in Ranchi, completed with nine **** to spare, prompted a stern **** sment from India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else's bowlers. Their careers are at stake," he had said, underlining the scrutiny facing the attack.
With the exception of Indore, where India successfully defended 223, the bowlers struggled to contain a fearless West Indies batting line-up. While the absence of Jasprit **** rah and, to an extent, Hardik Pandya has been felt, the bigger concern for the team management is the inconsistency shown by Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
The two young quicks, Mayank and Prince, have alternated between brilliance and waywardness during the series, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to different match situations. The fourth T20I in Hyderabad offered a clear example. India conceded 18 extras, including 13 wides. Arshdeep accounted for six, while Mayank and Prince leaked two and one, respectively. Their attempts to execute wide yorkers and fuller deliveries repeatedly missed the mark, allowing the West Indies batters to maintain the pressure.
India's lack of proven T20 pace-bowling depth has consequently become a talking point. That has put renewed focus on the return of Bhuvneshwar **** ar, whose recall after nearly four years away from the national side could prove timely.
The experienced swing bowler has enjoyed a productive run in the IPL, taking 45 wickets across the last two seasons. More importantly, his success has been built on control and execution rather than sheer pace, qualities that India's younger quicks have often lacked in this series.
Conditions, however, have offered little respite to bowlers. High-scoring surfaces and heavy dew have meant that even small lapses have come at a significant cost.
As India prepare for a demanding tour of New Zealand, they know the challenges ahead will be very different. The pitches may offer more **** istance, but the key question remains whether the bowling group can quickly adapt and improve its consistency.
On the eve of the rain-affected series finale in Bengaluru, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel urged observers to consider the physical and mental demands placed on modern cricketers.
"We sometimes forget that mental fatigue plays a big part. We have to manage that and be smart with it. Some of the players went for the Asian Games and then straight into a full series against the West Indies. These guys are also human," Morkel said.
"Execution and skills become better when you've recovered, slept well and mentally refreshed. That's a challenge. We're going to N
West Indies' stunning 250-run chase in Ranchi, completed with nine **** to spare, prompted a stern **** sment from India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
"These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else's bowlers. Their careers are at stake," he had said, underlining the scrutiny facing the attack.
With the exception of Indore, where India successfully defended 223, the bowlers struggled to contain a fearless West Indies batting line-up. While the absence of Jasprit **** rah and, to an extent, Hardik Pandya has been felt, the bigger concern for the team management is the inconsistency shown by Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav and Prince Yadav.
The two young quicks, Mayank and Prince, have alternated between brilliance and waywardness during the series, highlighting the challenges of adjusting to different match situations. The fourth T20I in Hyderabad offered a clear example. India conceded 18 extras, including 13 wides. Arshdeep accounted for six, while Mayank and Prince leaked two and one, respectively. Their attempts to execute wide yorkers and fuller deliveries repeatedly missed the mark, allowing the West Indies batters to maintain the pressure.
India's lack of proven T20 pace-bowling depth has consequently become a talking point. That has put renewed focus on the return of Bhuvneshwar **** ar, whose recall after nearly four years away from the national side could prove timely.
The experienced swing bowler has enjoyed a productive run in the IPL, taking 45 wickets across the last two seasons. More importantly, his success has been built on control and execution rather than sheer pace, qualities that India's younger quicks have often lacked in this series.
Conditions, however, have offered little respite to bowlers. High-scoring surfaces and heavy dew have meant that even small lapses have come at a significant cost.
As India prepare for a demanding tour of New Zealand, they know the challenges ahead will be very different. The pitches may offer more **** istance, but the key question remains whether the bowling group can quickly adapt and improve its consistency.
On the eve of the rain-affected series finale in Bengaluru, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel urged observers to consider the physical and mental demands placed on modern cricketers.
"We sometimes forget that mental fatigue plays a big part. We have to manage that and be smart with it. Some of the players went for the Asian Games and then straight into a full series against the West Indies. These guys are also human," Morkel said.
"Execution and skills become better when you've recovered, slept well and mentally refreshed. That's a challenge. We're going to N
9 days ago
Wales head coach Steve Tandy names his Nations Championship squad on Tuesday, 20 October and was given some late food for thought by the Welsh clubs in European action.
Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets made winning starts in the Challenge Cup while Cardiff competed hard but lost at Northampton on their return to the top-tier Champions Cup.
Wales will face ****** an, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff before another fixture at Twickenham against a southern hemisphere opponent on finals weekend.
BBC Sport Wales looks at the players who grasped their last chance to make an impression on Tandy and his staff as opportunities run out before the 2027 World Cup.
Wales counting down the year until World Cup
#wales #tandy #championship #tuesday
Dragons, Ospreys and Scarlets made winning starts in the Challenge Cup while Cardiff competed hard but lost at Northampton on their return to the top-tier Champions Cup.
Wales will face ****** an, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff before another fixture at Twickenham against a southern hemisphere opponent on finals weekend.
BBC Sport Wales looks at the players who grasped their last chance to make an impression on Tandy and his staff as opportunities run out before the 2027 World Cup.
Wales counting down the year until World Cup
#wales #tandy #championship #tuesday
19 days ago
Alexander Skarsgård is letting his footwear do the talking.
The "Wicker" star attended the Oct. 8 London screening of his upcoming film in a shiny head-to-toe ensemble.
Skarsgård, who is never afraid to take fashion risks, looked like the epitome of the Hollywood golden boy in a gold metallic Saint Laurent suit, styling the jacket without a shirt, and topping it off with the brand's lucite elongated-toe derby shoes, which showed off the star's full feet. The actor stood out from his "Wicker" co-stars Peter ******* lage, Elizabeth Debicki and Olivia Colman, who chose simple all-black looks.
The viral shoes: YSL's latest in men's footwear may get a bit sweaty. Take a look
In June, the controversial clear shoes had the internet up in arms when they first debuted on the runway of the Saint Laurent's spring/summer 2027 menswear show. At the time, many took to social media to express their concerns with the amount of sweat the shoes might hold.
#skarsg #alexander #london #hollywood
The "Wicker" star attended the Oct. 8 London screening of his upcoming film in a shiny head-to-toe ensemble.
Skarsgård, who is never afraid to take fashion risks, looked like the epitome of the Hollywood golden boy in a gold metallic Saint Laurent suit, styling the jacket without a shirt, and topping it off with the brand's lucite elongated-toe derby shoes, which showed off the star's full feet. The actor stood out from his "Wicker" co-stars Peter ******* lage, Elizabeth Debicki and Olivia Colman, who chose simple all-black looks.
The viral shoes: YSL's latest in men's footwear may get a bit sweaty. Take a look
In June, the controversial clear shoes had the internet up in arms when they first debuted on the runway of the Saint Laurent's spring/summer 2027 menswear show. At the time, many took to social media to express their concerns with the amount of sweat the shoes might hold.
#skarsg #alexander #london #hollywood
19 days ago
Olivia Colman joined her Wicker co-star Alexander Skarsgård on the red carpet for the film's screening at the 2026 BFI London Film Festival this evening, returning to the festival after attending opening night yesterday.
Courtesy of Celine
Wearing her hair down this time, Olivia opted for a black Celine gown with asymmetrical draping that gives the otherwise simple design an interesting twist. The contrast between the matte upper half and the sheen of the skirt is another detail I appreciate, preventing the look from falling flat.
But I just can't ignore the length.
There's far too much fabric gathering at the bottom. The structured hemline only adds to the heaviness, making the skirt look unnecessarily bulky when the rest of the gown has such a beautiful flow.
#skirt #wicker
Courtesy of Celine
Wearing her hair down this time, Olivia opted for a black Celine gown with asymmetrical draping that gives the otherwise simple design an interesting twist. The contrast between the matte upper half and the sheen of the skirt is another detail I appreciate, preventing the look from falling flat.
But I just can't ignore the length.
There's far too much fabric gathering at the bottom. The structured hemline only adds to the heaviness, making the skirt look unnecessarily bulky when the rest of the gown has such a beautiful flow.
#skirt #wicker
19 days ago
When Idina Menzel should've been celebrating some of her career's biggest accomplishments, the singer and award-winning performer was dealing with a deeply personal struggle. However, Menzel, who originated Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway, said booking roles in "Frozen" and the 2014 musical "If/Then" actually "saved" her when she needed it most.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Idina Menzel Fans (idinahere)
On a Comic-Con panel, Menzel reflected on two of her career's biggest highlights: "Frozen" and "If/Then," both of which came around 2013. According to Menzel, 55, she was also going through a "really hard" split from Diggs, whom she married in 2003, during that time.
Amid the complicated split, though, Menzel found solace in her role as Elizabeth in the Broadway musical "If/Then," playing a woman who returned to New York City after a divorce. "The story of the show was so much about a woman who's making different choices in her life and finding her identity," she said.
#biggest #post
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Idina Menzel Fans (idinahere)
On a Comic-Con panel, Menzel reflected on two of her career's biggest highlights: "Frozen" and "If/Then," both of which came around 2013. According to Menzel, 55, she was also going through a "really hard" split from Diggs, whom she married in 2003, during that time.
Amid the complicated split, though, Menzel found solace in her role as Elizabeth in the Broadway musical "If/Then," playing a woman who returned to New York City after a divorce. "The story of the show was so much about a woman who's making different choices in her life and finding her identity," she said.
#biggest #post
19 days ago
Alexander Skarsgård attended the Wicker screening during the 2026 BFI London Film Festival this evening, delivering another red carpet look that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
You won't have forgotten the Saint Laurent thigh-wader boots he wore at Cannes, and I doubt you'll forget your first sight of these Saint Laurent PVC shoes either. We've seen all manner of unusual footwear this year, including Margaret Qualley's Chanel soleless shoes, but Alexander continues to find new ways to surprise us.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
If you thought he was going to return to safer style choices after his Pillion press tour, think again. He's clearly having far too much fun with fashion, and I love this for him.
#getty #images #saint #forgotten
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
You won't have forgotten the Saint Laurent thigh-wader boots he wore at Cannes, and I doubt you'll forget your first sight of these Saint Laurent PVC shoes either. We've seen all manner of unusual footwear this year, including Margaret Qualley's Chanel soleless shoes, but Alexander continues to find new ways to surprise us.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for BFI
If you thought he was going to return to safer style choices after his Pillion press tour, think again. He's clearly having far too much fun with fashion, and I love this for him.
#getty #images #saint #forgotten
22 days ago
Why did John Thune say there's no path forward for the bill?
What safety concerns did Roger Wicker raise about the bill?
Why was Christa Pike’s execution halted in Tennessee?
Full Summary
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in an Oct. 5 interview that "there’s no clear path forward" for legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.
#john #path #bill #Roger
What safety concerns did Roger Wicker raise about the bill?
Why was Christa Pike’s execution halted in Tennessee?
Full Summary
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said in an Oct. 5 interview that "there’s no clear path forward" for legislation that would make daylight saving time permanent.
#john #path #bill #Roger
1 month ago
India will look to seal the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan when the two teams meet in the second match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
India lead the series 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket win in the first T20I. Afghanistan will need a much better performance to keep the series alive.
Afghanistan were in trouble early in the first T20I after losing five wickets for 43 runs inside the Power-play. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi then put the innings back on track with an 83-run partnership.
Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 off 44 **** as Afghanistan finished with 156/8. However, the total was not enough against India's strong batting line-up.
Arshdeep Singh was India's best bowler, taking 3/9. Jasprit **** rah also made an impact on his return to international cricket by picking up an early wicket. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy also took wickets as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum.
India made the chase look easy thanks to an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma.
The left-handed opener smashed 82 off just 32 **** , hitting seven fours and seven sixes. Ishan Kishan also made a useful contribution with 42.
India reached 157/3 in only 13.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Afghanistan's biggest concern will be their top order.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the opening T20I. Afghanistan will need their top-order batters to give the team a stronger start and provide a platform for players such as Omarzai, Nabi and Rashid Khan.
The visitors have several match-winners in their squad, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Captain Ibrahim Zadran, who is leading Afghanistan in his first series as full-time T20I captain, will hope his team can turn its individual talent into a more disciplined performance.
India also have some selection decisions to make despite their comfortable win in the first T20I.
Abhishek's 82 has strengthened his position at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson scored only 10 runs.
Ishan Kishan also scored 42, giving India another option in the batting line-up. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could also be in contention after missing the first T20I.
India will also be without Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out after suffering a rectus femoris strain. Yash Thakur has joined the squad as his replacement.
A win on Tuesday will give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, need a victory to take the series into a decider.
#first #lead #seven #need
India lead the series 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket win in the first T20I. Afghanistan will need a much better performance to keep the series alive.
Afghanistan were in trouble early in the first T20I after losing five wickets for 43 runs inside the Power-play. Azmatullah Omarzai and Mohammad Nabi then put the innings back on track with an 83-run partnership.
Omarzai remained unbeaten on 64 off 44 **** as Afghanistan finished with 156/8. However, the total was not enough against India's strong batting line-up.
Arshdeep Singh was India's best bowler, taking 3/9. Jasprit **** rah also made an impact on his return to international cricket by picking up an early wicket. Axar Patel and Varun Chakaravarthy also took wickets as Afghanistan struggled to build momentum.
India made the chase look easy thanks to an explosive innings from Abhishek Sharma.
The left-handed opener smashed 82 off just 32 **** , hitting seven fours and seven sixes. Ishan Kishan also made a useful contribution with 42.
India reached 157/3 in only 13.4 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Afghanistan's biggest concern will be their top order.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz was dismissed for a duck in the first over of the opening T20I. Afghanistan will need their top-order batters to give the team a stronger start and provide a platform for players such as Omarzai, Nabi and Rashid Khan.
The visitors have several match-winners in their squad, including Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Captain Ibrahim Zadran, who is leading Afghanistan in his first series as full-time T20I captain, will hope his team can turn its individual talent into a more disciplined performance.
India also have some selection decisions to make despite their comfortable win in the first T20I.
Abhishek's 82 has strengthened his position at the top of the order, while Sanju Samson scored only 10 runs.
Ishan Kishan also scored 42, giving India another option in the batting line-up. Teenage batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi could also be in contention after missing the first T20I.
India will also be without Harshit Rana, who has been ruled out after suffering a rectus femoris strain. Yash Thakur has joined the squad as his replacement.
A win on Tuesday will give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, need a victory to take the series into a decider.
#first #lead #seven #need
1 month ago
The line-up for one of a city's biggest Christmas pantomimes has been announced.
Craig Revel Horwood, Andy Ford and BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Sims are all joining the cast for a rendition of Sleeping Beauty at the Bristol Hippodrome for the month of December.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Revel Horwood has been cast as this year's pantomime villain, Sleeping Beauty's wicked aunt Carabosse and is relishing the prospect.
"She's a wicked fairy, which is totally unlike me darling," said Revel Horwood.
Main Post Office branch to close in November
#christmas #craig
Craig Revel Horwood, Andy Ford and BBC Radio Bristol's Joe Sims are all joining the cast for a rendition of Sleeping Beauty at the Bristol Hippodrome for the month of December.
Strictly Come Dancing judge Revel Horwood has been cast as this year's pantomime villain, Sleeping Beauty's wicked aunt Carabosse and is relishing the prospect.
"She's a wicked fairy, which is totally unlike me darling," said Revel Horwood.
Main Post Office branch to close in November
#christmas #craig
1 month ago
Sept. 14 (UPI) -- The planned West End revival of Sunday in the Park with George has been delayed to 2028.
Empire Street Productions announced Monday that the musical "will no longer proceed as scheduled" in 2027, with the company to "retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028."
The news follows word that Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey have dropped out of the production. Grande announced in August that she "will be taking a step back from visibility" after the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour, with Bailey later confirming he has "decided to also step back" from the revival.
Sunday in the Park with George features music and lyrics by famed composer Stephen Sondheim. The musical, inspired by the Georges Seurat painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, debuted on Broadway in 1984 and on West End in 2006.
Marianne Elliot was to direct the West End revival, which was originally scheduled to open at London's Barbican Centre in summer 2027.
#grande #musical
Empire Street Productions announced Monday that the musical "will no longer proceed as scheduled" in 2027, with the company to "retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028."
The news follows word that Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey have dropped out of the production. Grande announced in August that she "will be taking a step back from visibility" after the conclusion of her Eternal Sunshine tour, with Bailey later confirming he has "decided to also step back" from the revival.
Sunday in the Park with George features music and lyrics by famed composer Stephen Sondheim. The musical, inspired by the Georges Seurat painting A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, debuted on Broadway in 1984 and on West End in 2006.
Marianne Elliot was to direct the West End revival, which was originally scheduled to open at London's Barbican Centre in summer 2027.
#grande #musical
1 month ago
Ariana Grande and Jonathan Bailey's planned reunion will no longer happen after their exits from a new project. The two stars previously appeared together in the blockbuster Wicked franchise, playing Glinda and Prince Fiyero Tigelaar, respectively.
The London revival of the popular musical Sunday in the Park With George has been canceled following Grande and Bailey's exits, according to Variety. The planned 2027 production will no longer proceed as previously thought.
"Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course."
The revival was set to take place at London's Barbican Centre next summer. Ariana Grande was supposed to play both Dot and Marie. Bailey was set to star opposite her as George Seurat.
Moving forward, Ariana Grande will be busy with her upcoming The Eternal Sunshine Tour. She will also appear on the big screen in a new movie. The 33-year-old will feature alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the comedy Focker-In-Law. It's set to hit theaters on November 25, 2026. Despite her plans to take a break, Grande will appear in the promotional events for the movie.
#planned #previously
The London revival of the popular musical Sunday in the Park With George has been canceled following Grande and Bailey's exits, according to Variety. The planned 2027 production will no longer proceed as previously thought.
"Empire Street Productions will retain the rights with a view to presenting the production in 2028. Further details will be announced in due course."
The revival was set to take place at London's Barbican Centre next summer. Ariana Grande was supposed to play both Dot and Marie. Bailey was set to star opposite her as George Seurat.
Moving forward, Ariana Grande will be busy with her upcoming The Eternal Sunshine Tour. She will also appear on the big screen in a new movie. The 33-year-old will feature alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller in the comedy Focker-In-Law. It's set to hit theaters on November 25, 2026. Despite her plans to take a break, Grande will appear in the promotional events for the movie.
#planned #previously
1 month ago
India will begin their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in New Delhi on Sunday, with the team facing a selection call between young sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson.
Sooryavanshi played in the first two T20Is during India's England tour before Samson returned to the playing XI for the final match. The team management now has another chance to ******* s both players ahead of the Asian Games in ******* an.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma have formed a more settled opening combination for India in T20Is. However, Sooryavanshi's attacking style gives the team another option at the top.
During Friday's net session, Samson appeared slightly more in control, while Sooryavanshi spent time facing Jasprit ******* rah and learning how to deal with movement off the surface.
The 15-year-old could enjoy the Afghanistan attack, with none of their bowlers matching ******* rah's quality. Afghanistan's pace could also suit Sooryavanshi's aggressive, stand-and-deliver style.
Samson's omission in England after three failures also raised questions, especially given his experience in the format.
India could also consider playing both Samson and Sooryavanshi if Ishan Kishan is ruled out.
Kishan had a back injury scare during Friday's net session. He comes into the series after a brilliant Duleep Trophy final, where he scored 270 and 80.
Kishan will be keen to play because T20Is remain the only format in which he is currently a regular for India.
The three-match series will give India's Asian Games-bound players valuable preparation against a strong Afghanistan side.
Afghanistan have a world-class spin attack featuring Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Facing them in three T20Is will be a major test for India's batters ahead of the Asian Games in ******* an.
When will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I be played?
The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Where will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I be played?
The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
What time will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I start?
The first T20I will start at 7 PM IST on Sunday.
When will the toss take place?
The toss is expected to take place at around 6:30 PM IST, 30 minutes before the scheduled start of play.
Where can fans watch the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I on TV?
The match will be telecast live in India on the Sony Sports Network.
#played
Sooryavanshi played in the first two T20Is during India's England tour before Samson returned to the playing XI for the final match. The team management now has another chance to ******* s both players ahead of the Asian Games in ******* an.
Samson and Abhishek Sharma have formed a more settled opening combination for India in T20Is. However, Sooryavanshi's attacking style gives the team another option at the top.
During Friday's net session, Samson appeared slightly more in control, while Sooryavanshi spent time facing Jasprit ******* rah and learning how to deal with movement off the surface.
The 15-year-old could enjoy the Afghanistan attack, with none of their bowlers matching ******* rah's quality. Afghanistan's pace could also suit Sooryavanshi's aggressive, stand-and-deliver style.
Samson's omission in England after three failures also raised questions, especially given his experience in the format.
India could also consider playing both Samson and Sooryavanshi if Ishan Kishan is ruled out.
Kishan had a back injury scare during Friday's net session. He comes into the series after a brilliant Duleep Trophy final, where he scored 270 and 80.
Kishan will be keen to play because T20Is remain the only format in which he is currently a regular for India.
The three-match series will give India's Asian Games-bound players valuable preparation against a strong Afghanistan side.
Afghanistan have a world-class spin attack featuring Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad and Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Facing them in three T20Is will be a major test for India's batters ahead of the Asian Games in ******* an.
When will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I be played?
The first T20I between India and Afghanistan will be played on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Where will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I be played?
The match will be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
What time will the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I start?
The first T20I will start at 7 PM IST on Sunday.
When will the toss take place?
The toss is expected to take place at around 6:30 PM IST, 30 minutes before the scheduled start of play.
Where can fans watch the India vs Afghanistan 1st T20I on TV?
The match will be telecast live in India on the Sony Sports Network.
#played
2 months ago
England and Canada set up a rematch of their Women's Rugby World Cup final from last year with crushing wins to begin the new WXV Global Series on Saturday.
The Red Roses overturned their first halftime deficit since 2020 and blew away Australia 48-15 with a seven-try second half in Salford.
Canada outclassed Scotland 64-26 in Edinburgh.
England will host Canada next Saturday in Exeter in their first matchup since the World Cup final a year ago at Twickenham, where England won 33-13.
In their first match since winning a record eighth straight Women's Six Nations ***** le in May, England was plagued by errors in the first half and thwarted by Australia's scrambling defense.
#england #canada #since #half
The Red Roses overturned their first halftime deficit since 2020 and blew away Australia 48-15 with a seven-try second half in Salford.
Canada outclassed Scotland 64-26 in Edinburgh.
England will host Canada next Saturday in Exeter in their first matchup since the World Cup final a year ago at Twickenham, where England won 33-13.
In their first match since winning a record eighth straight Women's Six Nations ***** le in May, England was plagued by errors in the first half and thwarted by Australia's scrambling defense.
#england #canada #since #half
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: England captain Joe Root went past Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar's record for most fifties in Test cricket during England's eight-wicket win over Pakistan in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday.
Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 ****** , hitting nine fours, as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash.
His unbeaten half-century took his tally of Test fifties to 69, moving him past Tendulkar's 68.
West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 fifties, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting has 62.
69* – Joe Root
68 – Sachin Tendulkar
66 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul
63 – Allan Border
#past
Root remained unbeaten on 62 off 69 ****** , hitting nine fours, as England chased down 130 to complete a 3-0 Test series whitewash.
His unbeaten half-century took his tally of Test fifties to 69, moving him past Tendulkar's 68.
West Indies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul is third on the list with 66 fifties, while Allan Border and Rahul Dravid have 63 each. Ricky Ponting has 62.
69* – Joe Root
68 – Sachin Tendulkar
66 – Shivnarine Chanderpaul
63 – Allan Border
#past
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: England completed a 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan at Edgbaston, but the series produced an unusual statistic.
It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.
England's batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan **** scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.
The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England's 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.
For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
England's chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.
But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.
It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Jordan **** provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.
Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England's dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.
Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England's fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England's pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.
The batting, however, was less convincing.
No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Pakistan's biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.
His thrilling 81 off 63 **** gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.
But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.
Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his **** istant
It was only the eighth three-match Test series in history to finish without a single individual century. It was also only the second such series in England, after the 1888 Ashes.
England's batting was led by Joe Root, who remained unbeaten on 62 in the third Test, while Jordan **** scored an unbeaten 59 as England chased down 130 with eight wickets in hand.
The result gave England their second 3-0 Test series clean sweep over Pakistan, after their success in the 2022/23 series. It was also England's 15th three-match Test series sweep overall.
For Pakistan, it was their 11th Test series defeat by a 3-0 margin.
England's chase got off to a shocking start when Ben Duckett was dismissed for a duck with the first ball. Emilio Gay then fell later in the same over bowled by Mohammad Abbas.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under serious pressure.
But Root settled things down. He survived a major scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball.
It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Root had another lucky escape when, on 38, he edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
The England batter made Pakistan pay for the missed opportunities. He went on to complete his 110th score of 50 or more in Test cricket, including 41 centuries.
Jordan **** provided excellent support for Root as the pair took control of the chase.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 and helped England reach the target in just 25 overs.
Pakistan had shown plenty of fight in the third Test after conceding a massive 320-run first-innings lead. But England's dominance in the first two Tests meant the series was already heavily tilted in their favour.
Had Pakistan shown the same fight earlier in the series, the contest could have been much closer.
England's fast bowlers were the biggest difference between the two sides.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets. Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles as England's pace attack made the most of helpful conditions.
The batting, however, was less convincing.
No England batter scored a century across the three Tests, making the series only the eighth three-match Test series without an individual hundred and just the second in England after the 1888 Ashes.
Pakistan's biggest positive came from debutant Razaullah, who produced an exciting counter-attack at Edgbaston.
His thrilling 81 off 63 **** gave Pakistan hope and briefly brought the third Test to life.
But it was too late to change the outcome of the series.
Pakistan have now lost 16 of their 21 Tests. Their difficult tour was followed by major changes, with seven players replaced in the squad after the second Test and coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and his **** istant
2 months ago
Joe Root led England to a 3-0 Test series whitewash over Pakistan after scoring an unbeaten 62 in the third Test at Edgbaston. England were chasing 130 for victory but got off to a poor start. Ben Duckett was dismissed by Mohammad Abbas with the first ball of the innings, while opener Emilio Gay also fell later in the same over.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under pressure. But Root and Jordan **** remained calm and slowly took control of the chase.
It was the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a home Test series.
Root survived a big scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Pakistan then missed another opportunity when Root, on 38, edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 was his 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as England reached the target in the 25th over with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan had shown more fight in the third Test after conceding a huge 320-run first-innings deficit.
Root said the difficult chase was useful for England after Pakistan had put them under pressure.
"Fair play to Pakistan, ?they threw some punches last night. They made it very difficult for us and in some ways it's a good thing to go through that," said Root.
"Test cricket is not always going to go your own way but to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that was good too. So ?in many ways we're better for it.
"Of course there's things we will want to improve on but we ?came into this ?series with a lot of question marks and a lot of noise around the team and we've walked away 3-0 winners so ?in that respect I'm quite ?pleased."
The series came after a difficult period for England, who had been looking to recover from their defeat to New Zealand following the Ashes loss.
Root's return to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket ended with a series whitewash.
Pakistan had one major positive in the third Test. Debutant Razaullah scored an impressive 81 off 63 **** , giving his team hope and bringing energy to the contest at Edgbaston.
England's fast bowlers were once again too strong for Pakistan on helpful surfaces.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets to be named England's player of the series.
"I'm a realist, I know it's not always going to be like this," said Robinson, England's player of the series.
"We know there's ?going to be tougher times ahead. We have some tough opposition coming up and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles in England's dominant series win.
England's batting was less convincing, with no batter managing to score a century in the three Tests.
At 2 for 2, Pakistan had a chance to put England under pressure. But Root and Jordan **** remained calm and slowly took control of the chase.
It was the first time England had whitewashed Pakistan in a home Test series.
Root survived a big scare when Mohammad Ali bowled him for 23, only for the delivery to be called a no-ball. It was Ali's 17th no-ball of the series.
Pakistan then missed another opportunity when Root, on 38, edged Abbas between first and second slip. Neither fielder went for the catch.
Root made Pakistan pay for the missed chances. His unbeaten 62 was his 110th Test innings of 50 or more, a tally that includes 41 centuries.
Cox remained unbeaten on 59 as England reached the target in the 25th over with eight wickets in hand.
Pakistan had shown more fight in the third Test after conceding a huge 320-run first-innings deficit.
Root said the difficult chase was useful for England after Pakistan had put them under pressure.
"Fair play to Pakistan, ?they threw some punches last night. They made it very difficult for us and in some ways it's a good thing to go through that," said Root.
"Test cricket is not always going to go your own way but to see us actually be quite clinical with the bat off the back of that was good too. So ?in many ways we're better for it.
"Of course there's things we will want to improve on but we ?came into this ?series with a lot of question marks and a lot of noise around the team and we've walked away 3-0 winners so ?in that respect I'm quite ?pleased."
The series came after a difficult period for England, who had been looking to recover from their defeat to New Zealand following the Ashes loss.
Root's return to the captaincy after Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket ended with a series whitewash.
Pakistan had one major positive in the third Test. Debutant Razaullah scored an impressive 81 off 63 **** , giving his team hope and bringing energy to the contest at Edgbaston.
England's fast bowlers were once again too strong for Pakistan on helpful surfaces.
Ollie Robinson led the attack and finished the series with 21 wickets to be named England's player of the series.
"I'm a realist, I know it's not always going to be like this," said Robinson, England's player of the series.
"We know there's ?going to be tougher times ahead. We have some tough opposition coming up and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Jofra Archer, Josh Tongue and Gus Atkinson also played important roles in England's dominant series win.
England's batting was less convincing, with no batter managing to score a century in the three Tests.
2 months ago
As the Colts begin their season with a home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who do the experts predict will win the game?
ESPN's Mike Clay, Benjamin Solak, Seth Wickersham, Jason Reid, Dan Graziano, Jeremy Fowler, Matt Bowen, Eric Moody, Pamela Maldonado, Kalyn Kahler, Lindsey Thiry: RAVENS
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, Colleen Wolfe, Nick Shook, Grant Gordon, Kevin Patra, Lance Zierlein, Tom Grossi, Brandon Perna: RAVENS
NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman, Brooke Cersosimo, Bobby Kownack, Dan Parr: RAVENS
NFL.com's Gennaro Filice: COLTS
#colts #jeremy #clay #solak
ESPN's Mike Clay, Benjamin Solak, Seth Wickersham, Jason Reid, Dan Graziano, Jeremy Fowler, Matt Bowen, Eric Moody, Pamela Maldonado, Kalyn Kahler, Lindsey Thiry: RAVENS
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks, Colleen Wolfe, Nick Shook, Grant Gordon, Kevin Patra, Lance Zierlein, Tom Grossi, Brandon Perna: RAVENS
NFL.com's Jeremy Bergman, Brooke Cersosimo, Bobby Kownack, Dan Parr: RAVENS
NFL.com's Gennaro Filice: COLTS
#colts #jeremy #clay #solak
2 months ago
England have wrapped up victory over Pakistan in the third Test by eight wickets to seal a 3-0 series win.
Here's how the players rated at Edgbaston.
Emilio Gay - 6 - A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series - 6)
Ben Duckett - 2 - A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series - 2)
Jordan **** - 7 - A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves - taking five dismissals - after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith's injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series - 7)
#england #edgbaston #south
Here's how the players rated at Edgbaston.
Emilio Gay - 6 - A gritty Test-best of 60 in tricky batting conditions in the first innings looked to have gone some way towards securing his place on the plane for a winter tour of South Africa, only for a duck next time round to bring back some uncertainty. (Series - 6)
Ben Duckett - 2 - A miserable end to the summer for the opener who will now come under some scrutiny. Made 11 and zero in this match and finishes this three-Test series well down the averages with a disappointing 44 runs at 8.8. (Series - 2)
Jordan **** - 7 - A cheap dismissal in the first innings but made a nerveless unbeaten 59 to take the sting out of Pakistan after a wobble in the chase. A particularly impressive effort with the gloves - taking five dismissals - after being called upon to keep following Jamie Smith's injury may have given the selectors food for thought in the role. (Series - 7)
#england #edgbaston #south
2 months ago
Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day four of five)
Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148) & 130-2 (Root 62*, ****** 59*)
England won by eight wickets, won series 3-0
Scorecard
#england #babar
Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59)
England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148) & 130-2 (Root 62*, ****** 59*)
England won by eight wickets, won series 3-0
Scorecard
#england #babar
2 months ago
India's next Test **** ignment will take them to New Zealand for a two-match series beginning November 19, and former Kiwi fast bowler Trent Boult believes KL Rahul will be one of the Indian batters worth watching closely.
The two Tests will form part of India's marathon New Zealand tour, which begins on October 22 and features 12 matches across the three formats. With India needing a strong result to remain in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the spotlight is expected to fall on several key players, including captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit **** rah.
Boult, however, has picked Rahul and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as the two Indian batters he is particularly looking forward to seeing in action.
"I'm always a big fan of KL Rahul and his style of batsmanship. So he's a big player at the top of the order for the Indian side. And yeah, I believe Jaiswal is there as well. Two classy batters to see bat. So yeah, be interesting to see," Boult said in an interview to PTI.
The timing of the series could make conditions particularly interesting. Unlike India's previous Test tours of New Zealand, which have often taken place in the February-March window, this series will be played in late October and November.
Boult feels the timing could bring colder weather into play, while he is hoping the New Zealand pitches retain some grass and offer **** istance to the home attack.
"It's always an exciting chance when the Indian team comes down to play Test cricket in New Zealand," Boult said.
"The only thing I can see happening is it's going to be late October. I believe, just coming out of winter. So it's going to be quite cold. Hopefully, there's a bit of greenness in the wickets for some of our bowlers. It's going to be a good series, I'm sure," the star former Kiwi pacer added.
Boult also backed the current New Zealand bowling unit to make an impact against India, pointing to the variety available to the team.
Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke bring different qualities to the attack, and Boult believes that gives New Zealand enough options to develop its own identity.
"I think the bowling is very well balanced. It's got bases covered in terms of a good pace, obviously, with Will O'Rourke. Obviously, a bit of swing and a bit of bounce from Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry with his accuracy.
"So yeah, I think the way me, Tim (Southee) and Wags (Neil Wagner) did it over the years was a unique way in itself. But there's other strengths and other game plans that our younger bowlers can follow," Boult further said.
134121390
#test
The two Tests will form part of India's marathon New Zealand tour, which begins on October 22 and features 12 matches across the three formats. With India needing a strong result to remain in contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, the spotlight is expected to fall on several key players, including captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit **** rah.
Boult, however, has picked Rahul and his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal as the two Indian batters he is particularly looking forward to seeing in action.
"I'm always a big fan of KL Rahul and his style of batsmanship. So he's a big player at the top of the order for the Indian side. And yeah, I believe Jaiswal is there as well. Two classy batters to see bat. So yeah, be interesting to see," Boult said in an interview to PTI.
The timing of the series could make conditions particularly interesting. Unlike India's previous Test tours of New Zealand, which have often taken place in the February-March window, this series will be played in late October and November.
Boult feels the timing could bring colder weather into play, while he is hoping the New Zealand pitches retain some grass and offer **** istance to the home attack.
"It's always an exciting chance when the Indian team comes down to play Test cricket in New Zealand," Boult said.
"The only thing I can see happening is it's going to be late October. I believe, just coming out of winter. So it's going to be quite cold. Hopefully, there's a bit of greenness in the wickets for some of our bowlers. It's going to be a good series, I'm sure," the star former Kiwi pacer added.
Boult also backed the current New Zealand bowling unit to make an impact against India, pointing to the variety available to the team.
Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry, Nathan Smith and Will O'Rourke bring different qualities to the attack, and Boult believes that gives New Zealand enough options to develop its own identity.
"I think the bowling is very well balanced. It's got bases covered in terms of a good pace, obviously, with Will O'Rourke. Obviously, a bit of swing and a bit of bounce from Kyle Jamieson and Matt Henry with his accuracy.
"So yeah, I think the way me, Tim (Southee) and Wags (Neil Wagner) did it over the years was a unique way in itself. But there's other strengths and other game plans that our younger bowlers can follow," Boult further said.
134121390
#test
2 months ago
'His time will come': Ajinkya Rahane wants India to drop Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to play Sanju Samson in Afghanistan T20Is originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Ajinkya Rahane wants India to reinstate the T20 World Cup top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the Afghanistan series.
Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play his natural game without overthinking, given how early this stage of his international career is.
Samson won the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament but has struggled for consistency in the UK series since that triumph.
Ajinkya Rahane has thrown his weight firmly behind Sanju Samson, and urged the Indian team management to reinstate the wicketkeeper-batter in the top three for the Afghanistan T20I series ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
#rahane #samson #ajinkya
Ajinkya Rahane wants India to reinstate the T20 World Cup top three of Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan for the Afghanistan series.
Rahane believes Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should play his natural game without overthinking, given how early this stage of his international career is.
Samson won the T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament but has struggled for consistency in the UK series since that triumph.
Ajinkya Rahane has thrown his weight firmly behind Sanju Samson, and urged the Indian team management to reinstate the wicketkeeper-batter in the top three for the Afghanistan T20I series ahead of teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
#rahane #samson #ajinkya
2 months ago
England had "no plan" and were "out of control" in the face of Razaullah's stunning hitting on the third day of the final Test against Pakistan, according to former captain Alastair Cook.
Razaullah, the 21-year-old batting at number nine on Test debut, clobbered 81 from 63 ****** at Edgbaston.
He shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 121 with Muhammad Abbas to drag the third Test into an unlikely fourth day, with England set 130 for victory.
Though England are heavy favourites to earn a 3-0 clean sweep, the carnage of the final session was an alarming spell as Joe Root begins his second spell as captain.
Root's tactics were often criticised in his first spell as skipper and there were further questions of the Yorkshireman when he stood in for former captain Ben Stokes earlier this summer.
#former
Razaullah, the 21-year-old batting at number nine on Test debut, clobbered 81 from 63 ****** at Edgbaston.
He shared a ninth-wicket partnership of 121 with Muhammad Abbas to drag the third Test into an unlikely fourth day, with England set 130 for victory.
Though England are heavy favourites to earn a 3-0 clean sweep, the carnage of the final session was an alarming spell as Joe Root begins his second spell as captain.
Root's tactics were often criticised in his first spell as skipper and there were further questions of the Yorkshireman when he stood in for former captain Ben Stokes earlier this summer.
#former
2 months ago
NEW DELHI: Mohammed Shami may be in the latter phase of his career, but the veteran pacer believes young Indian cricketers are arriving with a level of maturity that means they need less coaching and more timely guidance.
Shami, who has not played for India since March 2025 and last featured in a Test during the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in 2023, spoke about mentoring youngsters after helping East Zone win the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone.
Among those who caught his attention was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage batter who was part of the East Zone squad.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it. The kid in our team (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is literally as old as my career. He has that youthful innocence, loves to joke around, and absorbs things quickly," Shami said.
The 36-year-old believes the exposure young players receive today, particularly through the IPL and other high-pressure competitions, has accelerated their development.
"But most of these youngsters are already quite mature. With the level of cricket they play today—featuring in the IPL and other high-pressure tournaments—maturity comes early, so you don't need to over-coach them," he said.
"But yes, when the game gets tight and challenging, that's when you step in with tactical inputs and remind them to keep fighting," he added.
Shami's own motivation, meanwhile, remains undiminished despite his prolonged absence from India colours.
"There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. At this level, if you aren't self-motivated, your approach is wrong. No matter what stage you're playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level," he said.
Shami took two important wickets, dismissing Ravichandran Smaran and Sheikh Rasheed, as East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy ******* le on the basis of a first-innings lead. The triumph also coincided with his 100th first-class appearance.
"As far as satisfaction goes, achieving this in my 100th match—and that too in a winning Duleep Trophy final—is special. East Zone has won this after a very long time. You've seen how we performed.
"Every single boy put his heart and soul into this campaign to get us here. To achieve this in these conditions, in this heat, is outstanding. As for me, whether it's your first match or your 100th, it doesn't matter—the effort and the approach remain exactly the same," he said.
Shami also stressed that the level of cricket does not change his approach.
"When you wear that crest on your chest, the level of cricket doesn't matter. If you play for the badge, that hunger will naturally show. Your willingness to fight only grows when you play with that pride.
"My mindset is simple: whichever level I get an opportunity to play, I want to make it count and fulfil my responsibility toward the team," he said.
134048551
#shami #trophy #play #Cricket
Shami, who has not played for India since March 2025 and last featured in a Test during the World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in 2023, spoke about mentoring youngsters after helping East Zone win the Duleep Trophy final against South Zone.
Among those who caught his attention was Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the teenage batter who was part of the East Zone squad.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it. The kid in our team (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi) is literally as old as my career. He has that youthful innocence, loves to joke around, and absorbs things quickly," Shami said.
The 36-year-old believes the exposure young players receive today, particularly through the IPL and other high-pressure competitions, has accelerated their development.
"But most of these youngsters are already quite mature. With the level of cricket they play today—featuring in the IPL and other high-pressure tournaments—maturity comes early, so you don't need to over-coach them," he said.
"But yes, when the game gets tight and challenging, that's when you step in with tactical inputs and remind them to keep fighting," he added.
Shami's own motivation, meanwhile, remains undiminished despite his prolonged absence from India colours.
"There are plenty of reasons to stay motivated if you look for them. At this level, if you aren't self-motivated, your approach is wrong. No matter what stage you're playing at, your eyes must always be set on the next level," he said.
Shami took two important wickets, dismissing Ravichandran Smaran and Sheikh Rasheed, as East Zone secured the Duleep Trophy ******* le on the basis of a first-innings lead. The triumph also coincided with his 100th first-class appearance.
"As far as satisfaction goes, achieving this in my 100th match—and that too in a winning Duleep Trophy final—is special. East Zone has won this after a very long time. You've seen how we performed.
"Every single boy put his heart and soul into this campaign to get us here. To achieve this in these conditions, in this heat, is outstanding. As for me, whether it's your first match or your 100th, it doesn't matter—the effort and the approach remain exactly the same," he said.
Shami also stressed that the level of cricket does not change his approach.
"When you wear that crest on your chest, the level of cricket doesn't matter. If you play for the badge, that hunger will naturally show. Your willingness to fight only grows when you play with that pride.
"My mindset is simple: whichever level I get an opportunity to play, I want to make it count and fulfil my responsibility toward the team," he said.
134048551
#shami #trophy #play #Cricket
2 months ago
Rothesay County Championship, Division One, County Ground, Hove (day three)
Sussex 393: Tear 89, Simpson 61, Carter 59; Chahar 4-97, Worrall 2-60
Surrey 294-7: Lomror 58, Patel 55, Foakes 54; Hunt 3-65
Surrey (4 pts) trail Sussex (5 pts) by 99 runs with three wickets remaining
Match scorecard
#ground
Sussex 393: Tear 89, Simpson 61, Carter 59; Chahar 4-97, Worrall 2-60
Surrey 294-7: Lomror 58, Patel 55, Foakes 54; Hunt 3-65
Surrey (4 pts) trail Sussex (5 pts) by 99 runs with three wickets remaining
Match scorecard
#ground
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2 months ago
India continue to make their presence felt at the top of the Women's T20I bowling rankings, with Sree Charani holding on to the No. 1 spot and Deepti Sharma making a two-place jump to sixth following her strong showing at the Asia Cup 2026.
Deepti has been one of India's standout performers in the tournament, claiming eight wickets in three matches as the team booked its place in the semi-finals.
The right-arm spinner's consistent performances have earned her a significant rise in the latest rankings. Deepti, who had previously reached the top spot in December last year, is now within 60 rating points of Charani. Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Lauren Bell are the four bowlers positioned between the two Indian stars.
With Charani and Deepti occupying the top two positions, India continues to dominate the upper reaches of the T20I bowling rankings.
Several players also made significant gains in the latest T20I rankings after their performances at the Asia Cup. Bangladesh's Marufa Akter was among the biggest movers, climbing 19 places to 18th in the bowling rankings. Chamari Athapaththu moved up five spots to 28th, while Sultana Khatun gained nine places to share 37th.
Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong rose four places to 47th, while teammate Suleeporn Laomi jumped 10 spots to 53rd. There were also gains among Bangladesh's batters, with Sobhana Mostary moving up three places to 36th and Dilara Akter climbing five spots to 62nd.
The latest ODI rankings also saw notable movement following England's home series against Ireland. Stand-in England captain Charlie Dean moved up one place to jointly occupy ninth in the ODI all-rounders' rankings. She also climbed two spots to share 11th among ODI bowlers after taking three wickets in the three-match series.
England's Lauren Filer made an impressive 14-place jump to 39th, while Ireland's Cara Murray rose 16 places to 50th in the ODI bowling rankings.
Ireland youngster Amy Hunter emerged as the biggest winner among ODI batters, moving up nine places to 11th. England's Maia Bouchier climbed 13 spots to 42nd, while Sophia Dunkley made an even bigger leap of 26 places to reach 43rd.
#rankings #places #three #latest
Deepti has been one of India's standout performers in the tournament, claiming eight wickets in three matches as the team booked its place in the semi-finals.
The right-arm spinner's consistent performances have earned her a significant rise in the latest rankings. Deepti, who had previously reached the top spot in December last year, is now within 60 rating points of Charani. Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Nonkululeko Mlaba and Lauren Bell are the four bowlers positioned between the two Indian stars.
With Charani and Deepti occupying the top two positions, India continues to dominate the upper reaches of the T20I bowling rankings.
Several players also made significant gains in the latest T20I rankings after their performances at the Asia Cup. Bangladesh's Marufa Akter was among the biggest movers, climbing 19 places to 18th in the bowling rankings. Chamari Athapaththu moved up five spots to 28th, while Sultana Khatun gained nine places to share 37th.
Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong rose four places to 47th, while teammate Suleeporn Laomi jumped 10 spots to 53rd. There were also gains among Bangladesh's batters, with Sobhana Mostary moving up three places to 36th and Dilara Akter climbing five spots to 62nd.
The latest ODI rankings also saw notable movement following England's home series against Ireland. Stand-in England captain Charlie Dean moved up one place to jointly occupy ninth in the ODI all-rounders' rankings. She also climbed two spots to share 11th among ODI bowlers after taking three wickets in the three-match series.
England's Lauren Filer made an impressive 14-place jump to 39th, while Ireland's Cara Murray rose 16 places to 50th in the ODI bowling rankings.
Ireland youngster Amy Hunter emerged as the biggest winner among ODI batters, moving up nine places to 11th. England's Maia Bouchier climbed 13 spots to 42nd, while Sophia Dunkley made an even bigger leap of 26 places to reach 43rd.
#rankings #places #three #latest
2 months ago
CHENNAI: Ishan Kishan has developed a habit of saving his best for the big occasion. Last year, he led Jharkhand to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy ***** le and produced a match-winning century in the final, a performance that helped him earn his way back into India's T20I setup. After playing a matchwinning hand against Pakistan in Colombo in the T20 World Cup earlier in the year, Kishan delivered again in the Duleep final on Monday, leading East Zone against South at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Kishan smashed 270 off 334 ***** (30x4, 7x6), taking East to a mammoth 708 all out, ***** ar Kushagra chipping in with 101 as well. The double century, his second in first-class cricket, came after a gap of 10 years and has further strengthened his case for a return to India's red-ball setup.
A triple century seemed on the cards after he crossed 250, but Kishan said that personal landmarks never occupied his mind. Interestingly, he himself was unaware that it had been 10 years since he scored a first-class double century. "Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about 50, forget 300. I was only thinking about 50-run partnerships," Kishan said.
The double century came off 273 ***** . He then accelerated dramatically, reaching 250 in only 27 more ***** . But the intent, he said, was never to chase numbers. "I didn't change anything in my game plan. I was just batting normally. Once I got set, my thought was not to throw my wicket away. I have enough confidence in my shots to know that if I play well, I will either clear the field or find the gap," he said.
For Kishan, the most satisfying aspect of the innings was the temperament he showed. With East having won the toss and opted to bat, the priority was to build a total that would put South under pressure. "I would rate this innings very highly because I kept the team's goal ahead of my own runs. There were moments when I could have played more attacking shots, but the priority was to spend time in the middle, make good decisions and build a big total," he said.
That approach was shaped by a mindset Kishan believes has changed considerably during his time away from the Indian team. Having spent to two years grinding it out in domestic cricket, he said the experience taught him to simplify his game. "When you're playing for India regularly, sometimes you get into a flow and your growth can stagnate. Going back to domestic cricket makes you start from zero. You realise there are so many players scoring runs and that you have to perform better to get back," he said.
#year
Kishan smashed 270 off 334 ***** (30x4, 7x6), taking East to a mammoth 708 all out, ***** ar Kushagra chipping in with 101 as well. The double century, his second in first-class cricket, came after a gap of 10 years and has further strengthened his case for a return to India's red-ball setup.
A triple century seemed on the cards after he crossed 250, but Kishan said that personal landmarks never occupied his mind. Interestingly, he himself was unaware that it had been 10 years since he scored a first-class double century. "Honestly, I wasn't even thinking about 50, forget 300. I was only thinking about 50-run partnerships," Kishan said.
The double century came off 273 ***** . He then accelerated dramatically, reaching 250 in only 27 more ***** . But the intent, he said, was never to chase numbers. "I didn't change anything in my game plan. I was just batting normally. Once I got set, my thought was not to throw my wicket away. I have enough confidence in my shots to know that if I play well, I will either clear the field or find the gap," he said.
For Kishan, the most satisfying aspect of the innings was the temperament he showed. With East having won the toss and opted to bat, the priority was to build a total that would put South under pressure. "I would rate this innings very highly because I kept the team's goal ahead of my own runs. There were moments when I could have played more attacking shots, but the priority was to spend time in the middle, make good decisions and build a big total," he said.
That approach was shaped by a mindset Kishan believes has changed considerably during his time away from the Indian team. Having spent to two years grinding it out in domestic cricket, he said the experience taught him to simplify his game. "When you're playing for India regularly, sometimes you get into a flow and your growth can stagnate. Going back to domestic cricket makes you start from zero. You realise there are so many players scoring runs and that you have to perform better to get back," he said.
#year
2 months ago
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi may have been among the early contributors for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy final, but it was captain Ishan Kishan who eventually stole the show with a breathtaking double century against South Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Sooryavanshi opened the innings for East Zone and made a brisk 44 off 37 deliveries. During the match, former India cricketer and commentator Vivek Razdan used Kishan's remarkable innings to offer some advice to the teenage batter.
"Sooryavanshi sahab, now you have to learn from players like Ishan Kishan. Once you are set, you have to learn how to play a long innings," Razdan said on commentary.
The message came as Kishan continued to pile on the runs and turn the final into a one-sided contest.
Resuming on 385/4, East Zone's batters showed little sign of slowing down. South Zone turned to the new ball in search of wickets, but Mohammad Siraj and MD Nidheesh struggled to make an impact.
Kishan immediately put pressure on the bowlers, collecting consecutive boundaries against Siraj before taking on Nidheesh. ***** ar Kushagra also joined the ***** ault as South Zone rotated between pace and spin.
Kushagra eventually completed his sixth first-class century, scoring 101 from 132 ***** with eight fours and five sixes. His dismissal shortly before lunch finally gave South Zone a breakthrough.
Kishan, meanwhile, remained in complete control.
The East Zone captain repeatedly found gaps in the field and punished anything loose. Even when South Zone introduced part-timers Devdutt Padikkal and Shaikh Rasheed, the flow of runs did not stop.
Kishan brought up his double century from 270 ***** and continued attacking thereafter. He raced beyond 250 before fatigue briefly forced him to retire from the field.
East Zone continued marching towards a massive total, eventually crossing 600 and then 700. When Mohammed Shami was dismissed for a quick 28, Kishan returned to the crease with the possibility of reaching an extraordinary triple century.
Kishan's pursuit of 300 ultimately came to an end when he was caught near the long-on boundary. The left-hander departed for a monumental 270 from 334 ***** , having smashed 30 fours and seven sixes.
His innings was the eighth-highest individual score in Duleep Trophy history and formed the backbone of East Zone's mammoth 708 all out.
Razdan had earlier highlighted not just the quality of Kishan's batting but also the physical demands of staying at the crease for such an extended period.
"Every person who is present here at this time stood up and applauded this innings. Because this is not just technique, this is not just temperament, this is also match fitness. To stay out there for so long in such heat and play an innings like this. What an innings by Ishan Kishan."
Kishan's marathon effort, alongside Kushagra's century, ensured East Zone posted more than 700 for only the third time in first-class cricket history at Chepauk.
Sooryavanshi opened the innings for East Zone and made a brisk 44 off 37 deliveries. During the match, former India cricketer and commentator Vivek Razdan used Kishan's remarkable innings to offer some advice to the teenage batter.
"Sooryavanshi sahab, now you have to learn from players like Ishan Kishan. Once you are set, you have to learn how to play a long innings," Razdan said on commentary.
The message came as Kishan continued to pile on the runs and turn the final into a one-sided contest.
Resuming on 385/4, East Zone's batters showed little sign of slowing down. South Zone turned to the new ball in search of wickets, but Mohammad Siraj and MD Nidheesh struggled to make an impact.
Kishan immediately put pressure on the bowlers, collecting consecutive boundaries against Siraj before taking on Nidheesh. ***** ar Kushagra also joined the ***** ault as South Zone rotated between pace and spin.
Kushagra eventually completed his sixth first-class century, scoring 101 from 132 ***** with eight fours and five sixes. His dismissal shortly before lunch finally gave South Zone a breakthrough.
Kishan, meanwhile, remained in complete control.
The East Zone captain repeatedly found gaps in the field and punished anything loose. Even when South Zone introduced part-timers Devdutt Padikkal and Shaikh Rasheed, the flow of runs did not stop.
Kishan brought up his double century from 270 ***** and continued attacking thereafter. He raced beyond 250 before fatigue briefly forced him to retire from the field.
East Zone continued marching towards a massive total, eventually crossing 600 and then 700. When Mohammed Shami was dismissed for a quick 28, Kishan returned to the crease with the possibility of reaching an extraordinary triple century.
Kishan's pursuit of 300 ultimately came to an end when he was caught near the long-on boundary. The left-hander departed for a monumental 270 from 334 ***** , having smashed 30 fours and seven sixes.
His innings was the eighth-highest individual score in Duleep Trophy history and formed the backbone of East Zone's mammoth 708 all out.
Razdan had earlier highlighted not just the quality of Kishan's batting but also the physical demands of staying at the crease for such an extended period.
"Every person who is present here at this time stood up and applauded this innings. Because this is not just technique, this is not just temperament, this is also match fitness. To stay out there for so long in such heat and play an innings like this. What an innings by Ishan Kishan."
Kishan's marathon effort, alongside Kushagra's century, ensured East Zone posted more than 700 for only the third time in first-class cricket history at Chepauk.
2 months ago
Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has launched another scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), accusing the governing body of playing a major role in the national team's recent struggles.
Ajmal, who claimed 362 wickets across international cricket for Pakistan before his career was brought to an early end by an issue with his bowling action, has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the PCB. The former spinner has maintained that the board failed to support him during a difficult phase of his career.
His latest criticism comes after Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against England in the Lord's Test. Following the loss, the PCB made a series of sweeping changes, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul while also sending seven players back home.
Among those sent back was Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in either innings and was subsequently accused of faking his calf injury.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later attempted to defend the players and urged critics to stop demotivating the team. Ajmal, however, questioned the sincerity of that message and instead accused the board itself of undermining Pakistan's cricketers.
"The board itself has demotivated the players more than anyone else. The board is not letting any player stand. There are players who have done well, who have also been dropped. There are players who have been humiliated by the PCB," Ajmal said.
The former Pakistan spinner also directed his criticism towards Director High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
With Hesson also asked to take charge of the Test side for the third match against England, Ajmal claimed the pair have significant control over Pakistan cricket and held them responsible for the team's current situation.
"Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson (who has been asked to take over the Test team for the third Test) are a team. These two are controlling everything and are responsible for this whole mess. The whole issue is about egos," Ajmal said on Samaa TV.
Ajmal further criticised the PCB's long-term planning, claiming Pakistan's cricket structure had regressed considerably.
"Our team has gone back 10 years. We have not planned for the future," he added.
Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series against England and are now facing the prospect of a clean sweep. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Hesson set to take charge of the Test side.
Naqvi, meanwhile, had earlier attempted to explain the reasoning behind the PCB's decision to make such extensive changes after the Lord's defeat.
Speaking to Geo Network, the PCB chairman insisted that the decisions were not motivated by personal issues and said the board had little choice when players were not producing results.
"Every match of a series is important for us, and we are not left with any option if a player is not performing but to look for his replacement. The
Ajmal, who claimed 362 wickets across international cricket for Pakistan before his career was brought to an early end by an issue with his bowling action, has repeatedly expressed his frustration with the PCB. The former spinner has maintained that the board failed to support him during a difficult phase of his career.
His latest criticism comes after Pakistan suffered another heavy defeat against England in the Lord's Test. Following the loss, the PCB made a series of sweeping changes, sacking head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul while also sending seven players back home.
Among those sent back was Imam-ul-Haq, who did not bat in either innings and was subsequently accused of faking his calf injury.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi later attempted to defend the players and urged critics to stop demotivating the team. Ajmal, however, questioned the sincerity of that message and instead accused the board itself of undermining Pakistan's cricketers.
"The board itself has demotivated the players more than anyone else. The board is not letting any player stand. There are players who have done well, who have also been dropped. There are players who have been humiliated by the PCB," Ajmal said.
The former Pakistan spinner also directed his criticism towards Director High Performance and selector Aaqib Javed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
With Hesson also asked to take charge of the Test side for the third match against England, Ajmal claimed the pair have significant control over Pakistan cricket and held them responsible for the team's current situation.
"Aaqib Javed and Mike Hesson (who has been asked to take over the Test team for the third Test) are a team. These two are controlling everything and are responsible for this whole mess. The whole issue is about egos," Ajmal said on Samaa TV.
Ajmal further criticised the PCB's long-term planning, claiming Pakistan's cricket structure had regressed considerably.
"Our team has gone back 10 years. We have not planned for the future," he added.
Pakistan have already surrendered the Test series against England and are now facing the prospect of a clean sweep. The third and final Test is scheduled to begin at Edgbaston on Wednesday, with Hesson set to take charge of the Test side.
Naqvi, meanwhile, had earlier attempted to explain the reasoning behind the PCB's decision to make such extensive changes after the Lord's defeat.
Speaking to Geo Network, the PCB chairman insisted that the decisions were not motivated by personal issues and said the board had little choice when players were not producing results.
"Every match of a series is important for us, and we are not left with any option if a player is not performing but to look for his replacement. The
2 months ago
Shikhar Mohan, Jharkhand batter credited captain Ishan Kishan's constant guidance after making an impressive 85 on his Duleep Trophy debut against South Zone in the 2026/27 final.
Mohan, who came into the East Zone XI as a replacement for Jharkhand teammate Virat Singh, played a key role in rebuilding the innings after the early wickets. He added 94 runs for the third wicket with Kishan, helping East Zone recover and take control on the opening day.
Kishan remained unbeaten on 111 at stumps, while ******* ar Kushagra was not out on 63 as East Zone finished the day on 385/4 in 79 overs.
"Ishan bhaiya was giving me a lot of advice while batting. He was telling me what shot is on and what is not. Thanks to that, we had a great partnership," Mohan told reporters after play.
Mohan earned his place in the East Zone side after an outstanding debut Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 613 runs at an average of 55.72. Although primarily an opener, he had no issues adapting to the No. 3 position with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opening for East Zone.
"My journey has been very good so far. My first season in Ranji Trophy went very well, so coming into this match, I just wanted to carry that forward. I was looking to maintain that form from the Ranji Trophy," he said.
Mohan also accepted the challenge of facing South Zone's short-ball strategy, with five fielders stationed on the leg side. He showed patience before eventually falling to Chama Milind after an inside edge off a bouncer.
"The plan was that I would leave the ball first, and when they get tired, they will give me chances to score runs. I made a poor decision and got out," he admitted.
The youngster also felt his experience in the Jharkhand T20 League helped him handle the pressure of playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
"I think it helped a lot. The crowds there were also very good, so today when there was a big crowd, it felt normal to me," Mohan said.
#east #ranji
Mohan, who came into the East Zone XI as a replacement for Jharkhand teammate Virat Singh, played a key role in rebuilding the innings after the early wickets. He added 94 runs for the third wicket with Kishan, helping East Zone recover and take control on the opening day.
Kishan remained unbeaten on 111 at stumps, while ******* ar Kushagra was not out on 63 as East Zone finished the day on 385/4 in 79 overs.
"Ishan bhaiya was giving me a lot of advice while batting. He was telling me what shot is on and what is not. Thanks to that, we had a great partnership," Mohan told reporters after play.
Mohan earned his place in the East Zone side after an outstanding debut Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 613 runs at an average of 55.72. Although primarily an opener, he had no issues adapting to the No. 3 position with Abhimanyu Easwaran and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi opening for East Zone.
"My journey has been very good so far. My first season in Ranji Trophy went very well, so coming into this match, I just wanted to carry that forward. I was looking to maintain that form from the Ranji Trophy," he said.
Mohan also accepted the challenge of facing South Zone's short-ball strategy, with five fielders stationed on the leg side. He showed patience before eventually falling to Chama Milind after an inside edge off a bouncer.
"The plan was that I would leave the ball first, and when they get tired, they will give me chances to score runs. I made a poor decision and got out," he admitted.
The youngster also felt his experience in the Jharkhand T20 League helped him handle the pressure of playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
"I think it helped a lot. The crowds there were also very good, so today when there was a big crowd, it felt normal to me," Mohan said.
#east #ranji
