All posts by n8rngtd.top

Opening stand makes light work of Sussex to extend 100% record

ECB Reporters Network08-Jun-2022Surrey 147 for 3 (Jacks 57, Roy 50) beat Sussex 146 for 7 (Hudson-Prentice 49*) by seven wickets Will Jacks and Jason Roy both hit sparkling half-centuries as South Group leaders Surrey stretched their unbeaten start to the Vitality Blast campaign to six matches by crushing Sussex Sharks by seven wickets at the Kia Oval.A crowd of 15,000 saw Jacks add a 37-ball 57 to an earlier wicket and astonishing boundary catch as Surrey easily chased down Sussex’s 146 for 7, in which Fynn Hudson-Prentice top-scored for the visitors with a 49 not out from 44 balls that anchored the innings but provided no real forward thrust.There were still 3.3 overs remaining when Surrey reached 147 for 3 in reply, completing their total outclassing of a Sharks side who have now lost four of their opening seven Blast fixtures.Surrey’s mastery was summed up by Chris Jordan, their captain, bowling a double-wicket maiden in Sussex’s 18th over, and with five wins only a no result wash-out against Glamorgan at Cardiff denies them a 100 per cent record.Jacks and Roy reeled off a stream of magnificent and powerful strokes in an opening partnership of 110 in just 12.3 overs as the Sharks attack was taken apart in ruthless fashion.Both hit sixes as Delray Rawlins’s left-arm spin was plundered for 19 in the first over of Surrey’s reply, and Jacks then extra cover drove and swung Tymal Mills for four and six in a third over costing 18.Steven Finn’s second over went for 15 and Roy then merely punched Obed McCoy’s left-arm pace straight for a purely-timed four and Jacks thrashed Mills high over extra cover as the six-over powerplay ended with Surrey 72 without loss.Roy eventually sliced McCoy to cover to go for 50 from 41 balls, with two sixes and four fours, and three wickets in six balls momentarily slowed Surrey’s progress as Sam Curran (1) played McCoy on to his stumps and Jacks skied to deep extra cover after hitting two sixes and six fours.Kieron Pollard, though, sauntered in to launch both Archie Lenham and Mills for sixes in an unbeaten cameo of 23 and Laurie Evans also thrashed a cover four off the suffering Mills in his 10 not out.Sunil Narine, meanwhile, again Surrey’s outstanding bowler, conceded no fours off the bat in his 4-0-21-1 and – remarkably – the former West Indies mystery spinner has been struck for just three in the 20 overs he has so far sent down in this season’s competition.It was Narine, indeed, who ended Harrison Ward’s 23-ball 31 after the young left-hander had at least offered some lusty blows, including a six over long off against Worrall, in a fifth-wicket stand of 51 in seven overs with Hudson-Prentice.But the Sussex innings always struggled to get going, despite Tom Alsop clubbing Reece Topley for successive legside sixes in the fourth over – an over that ended, however, with Topley bowling Tim Seifert for 4 through an ugly slog.That left the Sharks 35 for 2 and they had lost their first wicket when Jacks pulled off a sensational, leaping one-handed catch on the deep square leg ropes to dismiss Ravi Bopara for 6 off Dan Worrall.Rawlins, trying to force off the back foot, then succeeded only in edging a simple catch to Topley at short third man off Jacks’ third ball, in the fifth over.Topley dived full length to his right, in the same position, to cling on brilliantly to a reverse slap from Alsop six overs later as the left-hander, who scored 38 off 28 balls, tried in vain to break the shackles imposed by Narine.Jordan’s double-strike in the 18th over removed both Ward, carving to deep point, and Oli Carter, leg-before for a duck, and McCoy was run out for 2 in the final over when Hudson-Prentice attempted to pinch a bye when the tailender heaved and missed at Jordan.Mills did manage to thump Jordan past mid off for four in that last over and the innings ended with four leg byes to fine leg off Hudson-Prentice’s pads – but there had simply not been enough boundaries for the Sharks against a talented and varied Surrey attack.

Incident took place during a One-Day Cup Division 2 match between KwaZulu-Natal Inland and Northern Cape on December 8 last year

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2023Northern Cape Heat’s Andrew Rasemene and KwaZulu-Natal Inland’s Malcolm Nofal have both been suspended for short periods from first-class cricket by CSA following a physical altercation during their One-Day Cup Division 2 match, played in Kimberley on December 8 last year.Video footage of the incident, accessed by ESPNcricinfo, shows Rasemene, the non-striker at the time, striding towards the celebrating Tuskers players after the dismissal of Grant Thompson. The umpires then rush towards Rasemene, and there appears to be a scuffle between Rasemene and some of the opposition players.While the footage, taken from one static camera, doesn’t provide more details, the umpires’ report, also accessed by ESPNcricinfo, mentions that Rasemene “grabbed him [Nofal] by the throat”.A CSA statement confirmed that the decision to suspend the two players was taken “as a result of a disciplinary report lodged by the umpires, Jurie Sadler and Roderick Ellis, for an alleged breach of clause 6.3.1 and clause 6.5.1 of the Code of Conduct, respectively”. Clause 6.3.1, which relates to Nofal’s offence, is for “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play”, while Rasemene’s offence, 6.5.1, relates to “physical assault of another participant or spectator”.Nofal will now be ineligible for the upcoming 4-Day Series match against Eastern Cape Iinyathi, scheduled for February 9 to 12, and Rasemene will be ineligible for the forthcoming CSA Division 2 4-Day Series matches against Eastern Storm, from February 23 to 26, and against Garden Route Badgers, from March 2 to 5.

Extra day vital as Australia wrap up points on back of Ashleigh Gardner eight-for

Andrew Miller26-Jun-2023Australia’s hard-fought 89-run victory in the Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge was a vindication of the decision to stretch the contest over a full five days, according to Alyssa Healy and Heather Knight, the opposing captains, as well as the Player of the Match, Ashleigh Gardner, whose 12 wickets included the outstanding second-innings figures of 8 for 66.Australia duly wrapped up victory shortly before lunch on the final morning, as Gardner claimed each of the final five wickets to fall for the addition of 62 more runs, and have now taken a huge leap towards retaining the Ashes for fifth series in a row, with England potentially needing to win five of the remaining six matches, starting with the first of three T20Is at Edgbaston on Saturday.”It just shows having five days in the Test match to actually get a result is super-important,” Gardner said at the post-match presentations, having played out draws in each of her previous three appearances in the format.Related

• MCG to host historic women's Ashes Test to mark 90-year anniversary of format

• Ashleigh Gardner eight-for, 12 in the match, as Australia claim Ashes advantage

• Healy shows fighting spirit as Australia dig themselves back into ascendancy

• Gardner senses Australia victory push despite tough day in the field

• Ecclestone the 'benchmark' but Gardner turns Test towards Australia

“We obviously need to celebrate this because it’s super-special,” Gardner added. “This is the first time that I’ve been involved in a Test match where we’ve got a result, but then we also turn our attention pretty quickly onto the T20s. We know how good England are at T20 cricket, so we need to be ready for that first match in Birmingham.”For Healy, captaining Australia in the absence of Meg Lanning, there was pride at overseeing a famous result, but also relief – both at ending her own barren run of form in Ashes Tests with a vital second-innings fifty, and in not messing up in her stand-in role.”It was stressful,” she joked. “I’ve got a few more grey hairs. But I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity and I’m really honoured to have been able to do it in Test match, and obviously win one as well. I’m pretty chuffed standing here, but I really thoroughly enjoyed the experience.She added: “First and foremost, how good is it to have a result, and I’m pleased to be on the right end of it. I guess, when you take the pressure off the captains and the teams to try and manipulate a result, it probably makes a little bit easier, but we’ll have to wait and see how [five days for women’s Tests] pans out. Even if it’s just a potential of a reserve day, if there is rain, that wouldn’t be such a bad idea.”Knight, meanwhile, has been one of the loudest advocates for a fifth day in women’s Tests – not least since her brilliant performance in the last Ashes Test at Canberra in January 2022, where her first-innings century set up the game, only for England to have to settle for a draw, nine wickets down, after a thrilling fourth-innings chase.”I’ve been quite vocal about having five days and I think today – and the whole five days, actually – showed why that was,” she said. “Credit to Australia. They were outstanding, but our girls went toe to toe with them for a hell of a long time. And that was really impressive.”In particular, Knight called out the efforts of Tammy Beaumont, whose England-best 208 carried the fight after Australia had posted a daunting 473, and their star spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who picked up a brace of five-fors in each innings, and carried the bowling for a total of 77.1 overs after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s involvement with the ball was hampered by a knee injury.”Sophie, we called her Merlin [like the bowling machine], she just kept going from one end,” Knight said. “Obviously with the loss of a bowler to a niggle, we had to have bowlers that stepped up and really take the job on and they’ve really grafted hard there.”She’s a captain’s dream, I’ve been able to get the ball to her and just for her to hold up an end, she’s so consistent. And, on that pitch, she was a real wicket-taking threat. I did wonder whether I was over-bowling her at one point, but she came back and again and again, and hardly bowled a loose ball all Test match.”She’s pretty tired but she’s done an amazing job for the team. She’s really dug deep and done a real job for us.”The final word, however, went to Australia’s own star spinner, as Gardner took confidence from Ecclestone’s success and ripped the contest her team’s way at the crucial moments.”I couldn’t have dreamt of it, to be honest,” she said after her 12-wicket haul. “There was a little bit of luck involved with the conditions out there, but I think as a whole bowling unit we bowled really well throughout and just tried to bowl in partnerships. I guess I was the lucky one to come away with wickets.”We just said to keep the stumps in play as often as possible, to keep all modes of dismissal in play. Thankfully for me some kept low, some turned – most of mine didn’t turn – but it was just awesome to be able to put a performance on for the team.”

Third-wicket stand of 141 with Haseeb Hameed overhauls Glamorgan with ease

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay17-Aug-2025Nottinghamshire 282 for 3 (Haynes 124, Hameed 58*) beat Glamorgan 278 for 9 (Byrom 62, Root 56) by seven wicketsJack Haynes starred with a century as Notts Outlaws kept their qualification chances at arm’s length with a comfortable run chase against winless defending champions Glamorgan.The 24-year-old Haynes struck a well-timed 124 with some late acceleration to chase the sub-par 278 for 9 set by the hosts.Ben Slater and Haseeb Hameed played supporting roles in the seven-wicket win, the latter combining with Haynes for a 141-run third-wicket stand.

Eddie Byrom notched up back-to-back half-centuries with 62 while Billy Root also passed 50 to hold together the Glamorgan innings. One positive for the winless side was 18-year-old Romano Franco picking up a first professional wicket at the third time of asking.After being inserted, Glamorgan got off to a racing start, as has tended to be their way in this competition. Byrom and Asa Tribe’s 71-run opening stand left Notts’ bowling attack – hit by the absence of players in the Hundred – with cause for concern before Tribe’s fun was ended by 18-year-old debutant Byron Hatton-Lowe.Byrom, the steadier of the two openers in terms of strike rate, continued calmly as he watched on for Henry Hurle, playing a first Glamorgan game of 2025, to be dismissed.Kiran Carlson was unable to kick on, as was Will Smale who suffered a ball-watching run out to leave the hosts with just five wickets in hand with more than 20 overs to bat, a theme too common in their campaign.Root held the fort in a knock of few boundaries for 56 before Dan Douthwaite’s blistering cameo added some impetus, the hosts still left short.Zain Ul Hassan was able to contain in a seven-over new-ball spell while Ned Leonard leaked at the other end, Slater enjoying a rather comfortable start.After Ben Martindale was dismissed, a period of experience was due with Slater and Haynes adding 75 before Hameed struck an unbeaten 58 to ice the run chase.Franco impressed in his 10 overs but poor fielding, including a drop by Andy Gorvin with Haynes on 68 proved costly.Tribe followed as the third player in the game to take a first wicket for his club, after Hatton-Lowe and Franco, although the damage was done.

Match-defining 97, two wickets and a crucial catch make for triumphant return to Trent Bridge

David Hopps17-Sep-2022Out with the old, in with the new. In a match billed as Darren Stevens’ farewell, Kent claimed a 21-run victory in the final of the Royal London Cup as the player best placed to take up Stevens’ mantle, Joey Evison, took the plaudits with a memorable all-round display.Evison, who was loaned out to Kent by Nottinghamshire for the Royal London Cup ahead of a three-year deal, made a triumphant return to Trent Bridge. He followed up a composed innings of 97 with an outfield catch at a crucial period and a yorker to finish it in a nerveless penultimate over to stymie Lancashire’s pursuit of 307.Peter Moores, Nottinghamshire’s coach, was frustrated by Evison’s departure, but the advent of The Hundred, and the current status of the 50-over tournament as a developmental competition has created conditions in which talented young players are more ambitious than ever to quicken their careers.In the frantic closing overs, two alternative paragraphs were vying to be written – and they both involved Derbyshire being well beaten in a List A final. The relevant one turned out to be Kent’s first List A triumph since 1978, a prosaic, low-scoring affair even for those times in which Derbyshire made only 147 – four wickets for John Shepherd – and Bob Woolmer’s sedate 79 completed a six-wicket win.Crucially, Kent’s outfielding was vastly superior to Lancashire’s in the second half of their innings with Alex Blake, Evison and Nathan Gilchrist all holding sharp catches, a contrast to some slipshod moments in the field that left regular Lancashire observers aghast. Evison was denied the best catch of all, a one-handed affair off Grant Stewart to dismiss Liam Hurt for nought, but the ball brushed the ground and further tension ensued before Evison yorked Hurt eight balls from the end and Kent could claim victory.Related

• Joey Evison braced for his accession as Kent prepare to bid Darren Stevens farewell

• Darren Stevens puts Kent 'hurt' to one side in pursuit of farewell silverware

• Keaton Jennings hails development of young talent as Lancashire eye final product

T20 Finals Day has long usurped the 50-over final as county cricket’s one-day jamboree, but more than 9,000 turned out to watch the culmination of a diminished competition which at least was back in its rightful place in early September as the Championship also reaches its climax.Thirteen players involved in The Hundred were absent. Kent omitted their septet as a deliberate show of faith to those who had taken them to the final. Lancashire had no such compunction, but lost three to England, Liam Livingstone to injury and omitted their spinners Matt Parkinson and Tom Hartley.Keaton Jennings batted with such comfort that a match-defining innings appeared to be on the cards, but he fell for 71 (64) in the softest manner as he patted the legspinner Hamidullah Qadri to short extra and stood motionless in disbelief for several seconds.Jennings has led Lancashire ably over 50 overs this summer. It is nearly four years since he played the last of his 17 Tests, but 30 or not he is a capable cricketer and responsive leader and there would be far worse choices as a back-up opener in Pakistan.Keaton Jennings led the chase with a brisk onslaught•ECB via Getty Images

At 126 for 3 in the 22nd over, and 181 more needed at 6.3 an over, the match was keenly balanced, and Lancashire lost a second batter of equable temperament in pressure situations when Dane Vilas dragged on trying to pull Evison. Fourteen overs passed without a boundary as Evison and Qadri took control.Steven Croft then broke free, taking four boundaries off successive overs from Evison and Qadri to sweep past his 50. It appeared that, after all, the story would be about a veteran player anxious for a new contract, however it would not be about the man who had attracted all the headlines, Darren Stevens, but Croft, a mere stripling at 37. But the match swung again as Croft hauled Gilchrist to mid on; George Lavelle, aiming for deep midwicket, picked out the diving Evison; and Gilchrist held another thrilling diving catch at deep backward square to remove Rob Jones.Lancashire’s bowling attack had been short on options compared to Kent’s with sixth-bowler duties left to Croft, a redoubtable professional over many seasons, but someone who had bowled only 15 overs of offspin in the competition and whose staccato round-arm delivery suggested a prescription of beneficial stretches might be in order.Kent had lost a wicket after four balls and the identity of the batter determined the nature of their progress. It was Ben Compton, an opener of prudence, who steered a wide delivery from Tom Bailey to backward point, leaving Ollie Robinson to fulsomely carry the fight. Robinson’s future at Kent will not be determined until the end of the season – as well as this cup final he might well be drafted into a relegation scrap – with Durham prominent among his suitors. He took a liking to Will Williams, unafraid to loft him over mid-off, but he was silenced on 43 when the wicketkeeper Lavelle held an excellent, one-handed diving catch off an inside edge. His 534 runs at 66.75 is a runs tally outdone only by Stephen Eskinazi and Cheteshwar Pujara. The player of the tournament, though, went to Leicestershire’s South African Wiaan Mulder.Evison played with great discernment for his 97, most of his 14 fours and one six struck down the ground – a favourite area – and his one uncertain moment coming on 47 when Lancashire’s review for an lbw verdict for Liam Hurt narrowly failed.As Moores doubtless gnashed his teeth in anticipation of an Evison century, he was dismissed three runs short, courtesy perhaps of some well-judged Lancashire professionalism. Lancashire’s review for a glove down the leg side off Danny Lamb was predictably overturned when replays showed the ball had brushed Evison’s hip, but as the seconds ticked by Lancashire had time to grab a drink and regroup and Evison had more time for reflection than was good for him. Lamb’s next ball, a slower inswinger, rattled into middle stump as he missed it by a distance. Joe Denly’s 78 from 69 balls carried Kent through the middle overs, freed from an uncertain start by some canny forays down the pitch.There was to be no flamboyant finale for Stevens, whose memorable match-winning exploits, at 46, had carried Kent into the final and won him many headlines. “Stevo is God” proclaimed a Flag of St George banner in the Fox Road stand, but as much as Godlike status at Kent is not to be sniffed at, he hankers more after a player-coach deal wherever he can get one. He managed only eight overs of his spell before leaving the field with a damaged groin.His unbeaten 32 from 31 had been a bit of a mercy because his touch largely escaped him. He was twice the beneficiary as Lancashire’s fielding fell apart in the final hour. His first cloth down the ground was fumbled by Luke Wells at long on; Jennings drop of a skier to cover was much more culpable. He was also the guilty party in the run out of Stewart, eager to regain the strike after Stewart pushed the ball straight to Croft at point. A flawed legend on this occasion then, but a legend all the same.

Australia’s counter-punching Indore victory confirms their spot in the WTC final this June

Hemant Brar03-Mar-20231:46

Chappell: Australia saw the error of their ways after Head’s non-selection

Australia sealed their place in the final of the World Test Championship with an emphatic nine-wicket win over India in the third Test in Indore. India still have their destiny in their own hands; if they win the fourth Test in Ahmedabad, they will be through as well. But anything less than a win means they rely on New Zealand not losing 2-0 to Sri Lanka.After Nathan Lyon’s 8 for 64 bowled out India out for 163 on the second evening, Australia needed 76 to register their first win in the series. It’s not often a fielding side, on the third morning of a Test, has as much hope as India had of defending such a low target.R Ashwin duly had Usman Khawaja caught behind with the second ball of the day, but Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne made sure India’s hope never really transformed into belief. The two defended well and, once they had their eye in, didn’t hesitate to attack either, taking their side over the line in just 18.5 overs.While Australia now have a chance to draw this series 2-2, India would still retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having won the previous series between these two teams.Travis Head went after India’s spinners•Getty Images

Australia had lost their last six wickets in 11 runs in their first innings. So Khawaja’s wicket early this morning might have made them a little bit nervous, even if momentarily, with both Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja finding turn, extracting bounce, beating the bat, and hitting the pads.During that phase, Head and Labuschagne focused on survival; runs were an afterthought. In the first ten overs, Australia scored only 13.Then came the momentum-shifting moment, or at least it looked like one in hindsight. The umpires noticed that a part of the seam of the ball had come off, and asked for it to be replaced. In the first over with the replacement ball, Head hit Ashwin for a four and six. From the other end, Jadeja leaked two boundaries, one each to Head and Labuschagne. That was enough to deflate India’s hopes.Four more boundaries came in the next three overs as Australia raced to 56 in 15 overs. Rohit Sharma introduced Umesh Yadav into the attack after the drinks break but by then the result was a foregone conclusion. There was more interest in seeing if Head could bring up his fifty. He couldn’t, staying unbeaten on 49 off 53 balls as Labuschagne wrapped up the game with a four.Before this Test, Rohit had hinted that India could request a green pitch in Ahmedabad if they win in Indore. They might have to revisit that now.

After new coach Walter handed him a lifeline, Sodhi became the third men’s player to 150 T20I wickets and committed to keep playing for NZ

Deivarayan Muthu25-Jul-2025A fairly low-profile tri-series in Zimbabwe continues to bring a number of high moments for Ish Sodhi. In New Zealand’s opening game, he made his 200th international appearance and then he marked his 201st appearance by becoming the third player to 150 wickets in men’s T20Is after Tim Southee and Rashid Khan. Along the way, Sodhi, 32, bagged his career-best T20I figures of 4 for 12 against Zimbabwe in the lead-up to the final against South Africa.Sodhi is uncontracted – young legspinner Adithya Ashok pipped him and earned his maiden deal – but he certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by new coach Rob Walter. In the final, Sodhi is set to tick off another landmark: New Zealand’s most capped T20I player. He’s currently level with Southee on 126 T20Is.Related

• Bracewell replaces Phillips for NZ's first Test against Zimbabwe

A numbers man, Sodhi is savouring every high. “It’s really nice. I’m really proud of the achievement. To get 150 wickets in a format for your country, obviously you have to play for a long period of time to be able to do that. It’s something I’m really proud of and hopefully there’s a lot more on the bank.”On Thursday, Sodhi also took a moment to reflect on his early years. Born in India, Sodhi moved to Auckland with his parents when he was a child. After impressing Daniel Vettori during an Auckland playing trial he broke into the New Zealand squad when he was 20. He has since become a key player for New Zealand, especially in white-ball cricket.”It has been an incredible journey,” Sodhi said. “I think something came out of the other, I think I debuted in 2013. I think my first ODI was here in Harare. It’s nice to be here and still being able to perform for New Zealand. Hopefully it’s something I can still do for a time to come.”Contracted or not, Sodhi is eager to play for New Zealand and win games for them. Having been thrown a lifeline by Walter, Sodhi could form a potent partnership with captain Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell as New Zealand tune up for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.”There’s always incentive to win games for your country, I like playing international cricket,” Sodhi said. “Growing up, it’s the only thing I ever wanted to do and I think it’s probably the same for all the guys that are in there now. International cricket is really special. You pop the fern on, certainly things you dreamed of in the backyard growing up playing. Any game for New Zealand, there’s always motivation out there to be playing your best.”ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The 2024 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean was a forgettable one for Sodhi and New Zealand. In spin-friendly conditions, Sodhi sat out three of New Zealand’s four games, but in the lead-up to the next World Cup, he’s trying to reinvent himself. On Thursday, he fronted up to bowl in the powerplay – after Zimbabwe had run away to 21 for 0 – and claimed figures of 2-0-5-3 during this phase. Sodhi had also operated in the powerplay against South Africa in New Zealand’s series opener. This tri-series is the first time since 2021 that Sodhi has bowled in the powerplay in T20Is and it’s a role he relishes playing for the Black Caps.”It’s quite a new role for me and I haven’t bowled a lot in the powerplay in my career,” Sodhi said. “So, this is a really strong New Zealand side nowadays, so trying to get into the side and almost have to learn to be able to bowl in the powerplay. So, it’s really nice it could come off as it is relatively a new role. I’m trying to play for New Zealand and yeah to get some wickets was quite pleasing and it shows me I can do it at this level and yeah something I want to keep building.”Sodhi also delivered a glowing appraisal of Tim Seifert, who is currently the leading run-getter in the tri-series, with 166 runs in four innings at a strike rate of 145.61. Sodhi believes that Seifert has become a more versatile and dangerous batter after playing franchise T20 cricket around the world. In the lead-up to the tri-series, Seifert was part of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL and San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC, and his next franchise assignment is with CPL champions St Lucia Kings.”Yeah, look Seife is incredible,” Sodhi said. “I’ve sort of seen him come through when he was 18 years old playing cricket in all the districts he came through. A lot of talent, hit the ball really nice and cleanly. But I think the product of franchise cricket that’s made him such a good player is that he’s been able to play on surfaces that aren’t actually that great for batting.”If you look at that surface out there, it wasn’t the truest of surfaces but to score at the rate that he did shows great growth in his game. It shows that he’s rallied around a lot of great players all around the world in the franchise tournaments that he’s played and it’s making him a lot better player. It’s a huge asset for New Zealand cricket the way that he’s playing and he’s still so young.”The way he’s batting is showing a lot of leadership. He’s leading from the front and it’s great to see him being in my shoes having seen him come through when he was an 18, 19-year-old. It’s brilliant to see.”

Litton has been called up by Bangladesh to face Ireland in a three-match ODI series between May 9 and 14

ESPNcricinfo staff04-May-2023Two-time T20 World Cup champion Johnson Charles has joined Kolkata Knight Riders for the remainder of IPL 2023 as a replacement player for Litton Das.Charles, a member of the West Indies team that was crowned champions in 2012 and 2016, brings with him extensive experience at the top of the batting order. He has opened in 179 of his 219 T20 innings, averaging 25.47 and striking at 125.72. He is, however, only just reacquainting himself with international cricket.Charles spent six years out of the West Indies set up, returning in October 2022 and playing seven T20Is since. He made a 39-ball century against South Africa in March. This will be the 34 year-old’s first stint in the IPL, having previously been part of franchise leagues in the Caribbean, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.Litton had left the Knight Riders camp earlier this month to attend to a medical emergency in his family. He played only one game in IPL 2023 having been bought for INR 50 lakh (approx USD 60,000) at the auction in December last year. Litton had also been called up to play for Bangladesh in an ODI series against Ireland starting next week. He would have missed three of the Knight Riders’ four remaining matches as they continue to fight for a place in the playoffs.KKR have been struggling for stability at the top this season, having gone through six opening combinations in nine games. Their first wicket partnership averages 21.33 – only Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals fare worse – and has crossed fifty just once.Charles, brought in for INR 50 lakh (approx USD 60,000), does have some experience batting in the middle order as well. He’s hit two of his three T20 centuries from Nos. 3 and 4, which may come in handy given KKR have two other players who present an attractive package as opening batters.Rahmanullah Gurbaz was in top form in thelr last game – a loss to Gujarat Titans – and Jason Roy showcased excellent skill, especially against spin, in two of his three innings so far. If these two keep their spots, Charles may not get a lot of game time considering Andre Russell and Sunil Narine walk into the XI every time they’re fit. IPL teams can only pick four overseas players for each game.Knight Riders, currently eighth on the points table, face Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday and have matches scheduled with Punjab Kings (May 8), Rajasthan Royals (May 11), Chennai Super Kings (May 14) and Lucknow Super Giants (May 20).

The former Australia batter has previously been the head coach for Bangladesh and West Indies

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Apr-2024Former Australia batter Stuart Law has been appointed as the new head coach of the USA men’s team. His first assignment in charge will be the three-match T20I series at home against Bangladesh before the T20 World Cup in June, for which the USA are co-hosts along with West Indies.”It is an exciting opportunity to join USA cricket at this time. USA is one of the strongest Associate nations in the sport, and I believe that we can mold a formidable squad going ahead,” Law said. “The first task will be to prepare the team for the series against Bangladesh and then set our sights on our home World Cup, which will be huge.””Stuart is one of the most accomplished coaches in the sport. He brings a lot of experience to USA Cricket with his varied assignments, particularly in developing international sides over the years,” USA Cricket chairman Venu Pisike said. “His appointment will only help the team grow to their full potential. We are excited to have Stuart on board just before the World Cup and look forward to lots of successes together.”Law has previously been the head coach for Bangladesh and West Indies, and Sri Lanka and Afghanistan on an interim basis in the past. He has also coached Bangladesh Under-19s. He had led Bangladesh to their first Asia Cup final in 2012.He also had a number of roles in Australia, including batting coach to the national team, a job with CA’s Centre of Excellence, and coaching the Under-19 team.USA will play the three matches against Bangladesh at Prairie View, where they recently beat Canada 4-0 in a T20I series.

For CSK, this game comes with barely any time to prepare and against one of the most consistent teams of recent years

Alagappan Muthu11-May-20243:33

Aaron: ‘Ruturaj should open; he shouldn’t be batting at No. 3 at all’

Match details

Chennai Super Kings (4th; W6, L6) vs Rajasthan Royals (2nd; W8, L3)
Chennai, 3.30pm IST (10am GMT)

Big picture: CSK in a spin

Will this be MS Dhoni’s final home game in the IPL? He played through a severe knee injury last year. He has been pushing through side strains and other discomforts this year. Even under that duress, he has produced some vintage moments, but CSK are suddenly in a bit of a fight to make the playoffs.They would ideally want to win both of their two remaining games but this one comes with barely any time to prepare and against one of the most well-rounded teams of recent years. RR don’t have a title to back the claim but they have been the most consistent unit since 2022. Plus, they have won each of the last four meetings against CSK. Central to that is the performance of their spinners, particularly R Ashwin, who has intimate knowledge of how Chepauk behaves. With this being an afternoon game, there is every chance that spin will dictate terms.

Form guide

Chennai Super Kings LWLWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals LLWWW

Team news and Impact Player strategy

Chennai Super KingsCSK have carried Ajinkya Rahane all through this campaign and now at the pointy end, they are stuck with a batter who is out of form. Dropping him now and having a youngster take on a role as important as opener might be just as big a risk but they could potentially use Daryl Mitchell up there and make room for Sameer Rizvi down the order as a ten-ball hitter.Likely XII: 1 Rachin Ravindra, , 3 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 4 Daryl Mitchell, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Moeen Ali, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (wk), 9 Mitchell Santner, 10 Shardul Thakur, 11 Tushar Deshpande, 12 Rajasthan RoyalsDonovan Ferreira attended the pre-match press conference, which suggests he might once again make the XI, which in turn suggests Shimron Hetmyer isn’t quite up to speed yet (and there might be a degree of caution in play here since he is part of the West Indies squad for the T20 World Cup in June). The other question RR face is between choosing Rovman Powell, who will have it tough on a spinning pitch, and Keshav Maharaj, who is an excellent weapon to have as a bowler, but shortens the batting line-up.Likely XII: , 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Sanju Samson (capt & wk), 4 Riyan Parag, 5 Shubham Dubey, 6 Donovan Ferreira, 7 Rovman Powell/Keshav Maharaj, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Avesh Khan, 10 Trent Boult, 11 Sandeep Sharma,

In the spotlight: Shivam Dube and Yuzvendra Chahal

Given the expectation of a slow pitch, batters capable of coping with that become instant difference-makers. That is Shivam Dube to a T. With his long reach and incredible power, he has the ability to send good balls soaring over the boundary. Most teams have tried to hide their spinners when he is at the crease – he has faced only 40 balls from them – but RR won’t shrink like that. They have quality in their attack.The Chepauk pitch should suit Yuzvendra Chahal more•AFP/Getty Images

Yuzvendra Chahal has broken back into India’s T20I team through sheer weight of wickets. This is a time when even wristspinners are asked to be quick through the air and Chahal has understood that, occasionally getting the speed gun up to 95kph, but in between those, he still trusts the old, loopy legbreaks that seem like they could go the distance before they end up as catches on the boundary. He has lost some of his form over the last few games – 1 for 48, 0 for 62, 0 for 48, 1 for 41, 0 for 54 – but three of those took place in Delhi, Kolkata and Hyderabad, which have been extremely high-scoring venues. In Chennai, he might have better luck.

Stats that matter

• The MA Chidambaram stadium is the toughest challenge for a visiting team, with a win percentage of only 27.3%. Therein lies solace for CSK. In a crunch match, against a big team, they will be happy to draw on the strengths of their home crowd and familiar conditions. The only thing is, their fortress has been breached twice already this year.
• Jos Buttler has unfavourable T20 match-ups with Mitchell Santner (80 runs off 70 balls, one dismissal), Moeen Ali (74 off 51, with five dismissals) and even Maheesh Theekshana (51 off 45, no dismissals) if CSK consider bringing him in.
• But if CSK go all in on spin, that brings Yashasvi Jaiswal into the fray. He is a left-hand batter, and Ravindra Jadeja and Santner’s stock ball will be turning into his hitting arc. Jaiswal, in the IPL, averages 67 against spin with a strike rate of 144.
• Sanju Samson vs Jadeja is an all-action match-up with 73 runs in 52 balls and three dismissals.
• Dhoni might not be spending too much time at the crease but it is all by design. He is fulfilling his cameo role perfectly, to the extent that he has the highest strike rate (227) by any batter during the first five balls of their innings this season.
• Ashwin has won eight of the 11 matches he has played against CSK. He has 13 wickets against them at an economy rate of 7.75.

Pitch and conditions

There have only been four day games in Chennai since the end of 2019. Three of them went in favour of the chasing team. Two of them produced sub-140 totals by the team batting first. That’s when the ball holds in the pitch, and when the evening comes, it gets better to hit through the line. The problem with chasing, though, is that team will have to spend a lot of time melting away in 40°C heat.

Quotes

“I don’t think really that you can be 100% prepared because this heat and this humidity is crazy. But hopefully we’ve been training in this heat and this humidity the last two days so that should condition us to be ready for the game