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Khawaja, Hughes, Smith and Ahmed failed collectively as Gloucestershire rounded up Australia A for 111 in their second innings, before a strong batting performance left them sniffing at an unlikely win

Daniel Brettig in Bristol22-Jun-2013
ScorecardPhil Hughes, after being promoted to open, managed only 11 runs•PA Photos

Driving to Bristol for a round of pre-Ashes preparatory talks with a strong overnight score in their minds, Australia’s coach Mickey Arthur and the team performance manager Pat Howard could have been forgiven for expecting more encouraging developments on their arrival. Instead the sunshine and good cheer of day one was to be replaced by far grimmer stuff – and not just because the weather in Bristol had turned from balmy to a chill wind and grey sky.Having rounded up the remainder of the Gloucestershire first innings for the addition of only 18 more runs, Australia A folded quite heedlessly for 111 in the second innings after declining to enforce the follow-on. This offered the hosts an unexpected window into the match, one left well and truly open by a stumps score of 162 for 3 in pursuit of 321.Arthur and Howard have a few issues in front of them, but the form of the batsmen to join the Ashes squad in Taunton on Monday is a mounting one. As far as Ashes preparations were concerned, this was a far from satisfactory day. Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes were unable to register scores of any note, while the likely first reserve batsman Steve Smith edged the seaming ball to be out for a duck. The trio had been promoted to Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the batting order in an effort to give them some quality batting time, but none was to be had by anyone.Even Nic Maddinson, so impudent during his first-day 181, was cut down to size, flicking a catch down the leg side to depart first ball. Maddinson was one of four wickets for Will Gidman, who capitalised on the more generous allocation of swing and seam provided by overcast skies and a pitch freshened by overnight moisture.Gloucestershire were also aided by a pair of run-outs, each a direct hit from James Fuller, who roamed the deep and caught, first Khawaja and then Jordan Silk, short of their ground. Such charity from the visitors will not have pleased the bowlers, who soon found themselves defending a smaller advantage than had seemed possible when Smith chose to have another bat.So poor was Australia A’s innings in fact that the top score went to Matthew Wade with 28, his runs scored either side of a painful blow to the groin that forced the wicketkeeper to his haunches for several minutes. Ashton Agar was next best with 27, demonstrating, albeit briefly, that his languid athletic talent is not limited to slow left-arm spin. Nonetheless, a scoreboard reading 88 for 8 and then concluding on “Nelson” does not bode well for numerologists nor Australian Ashes optimists.To be in the field again within 35.1 overs of dismissing Gloucestershire the first time did not appear to agree with several of the Australia A bowlers, who with few exceptions had been much sharper when the day began. Ryan Harris induced an outside edge from Gidman in the first over of the morning, before Fawad Ahmed offered evidence of his legspin’s bite by having Benny Howell pouched at slip, then fizzing his next ball past Tom Smith’s outside edge.Neither Harris nor Ahmed would be quite so compelling in the afternoon, which also provided a lesson for Chadd Sayers, the South Australian seam and swing operative. Having nipped out two wickets in his first over of the day to claim the handsome figures of 5 for 24, Sayers looked considerably short of rhythm and accuracy when he returned. He did improve later on and added the wickets of Chris Dent and Dan Housego, but Gloucestershire were by then growing in confidence.They reached the close with Gareth Roderick accompanied by Dan Christian, who appeared intent on getting the better of his countrymen while sprinting to 40 from 42 balls in the final hour. He took a particular liking to the spin of Ahmed, taking 35 runs from the 31 balls he faced. As they pondered whether to expand the size of the Ashes squad by one or two on Sunday, that was yet another reason for Arthur and Howard’s brows to furrow.

Middlesex built a big lead against Sussex and can push for victory on the final day

David Lloyd at Lord's01-Jun-2012
ScorecardOllie Rayner scored 69 to put his old county under pressure•Getty Images

The pitch was panned by some from south of the river when Surrey were pipped in early season while the victory over Worcestershire only came about after the captains had collaborated following some serious weather interference. But if Middlesex manage to engineer a third championship win from four games at Lord’s this season then it will be all down to their own hard work.Last year’s Division Two champions, tipped by many to make a quick return to the second tier, are currently looking up, rather than down, and success here tomorrow would leave them sitting comfortably in the higher reaches of Division One.A home victory is far from certain and Sussex ought to be able to bat their way out of difficulty, despite surrendering a first innings lead of 208, because there is no real pace or spite in this surface. But Middlesex have given themselves a chance – by doing significant damage with the new ball on the first morning and then, today, battling their way up to within touching distance of 500 despite no batsman reaching three figures.They had not totalled 400, home or away, before this game but when Toby Roland-Jones, batting at No 10, became the fifth member of the line-up to pass 50, Sussex were looking fairly bedraggled. Worse was to come for the visitors with Steve Finn having Ed Joyce caught in the gully shortly before bad light ended play a dozen overs early.Finn, who could resume his Test career next week if England’s selectors decide to rest a bowler or two for the final Test against West Indies, will be keen to put in a big performance tomorrow. But, as has been shown throughout this game, Middlesex are heavy on individuals ready, willing and able to make important contributions for the team.The script for today suggested that Chris Rogers and Eoin Morgan would be the batsmen to take charge. But, despite resuming on 93 and 52 respectively, neither made it to the hundred mark. Rogers was perhaps unlucky to lose a leg before decision to Luke Wright while the second new ball did for Morgan, who edged one from Steve Magoffin that was angled across him.At that stage, Sussex were well in the contest with the scores just about level. But John Simpson was then dropped in the slips by Mike Yardy off James Anyon, who bowled with real fire and precious little luck. That chance was one of five to go begging throughout the innings and Middlesex slowly but surely pulled away.Simpson made only moderate use of his good fortune – having two of his three stumps uprooted by a full, swinging delivery from Naved Arif. But, almost inevitably, Ollie Rayner made life painful for his old county by scoring 69. Rayner bats well (he made an unbeaten 143 against Notts last week after being forced into night-watchman duties), catches flies in the slips and now has the chance to develop as an off-spinner after being second in line at Sussex behind first Mushtaq Ahmed and then Monty Panesar.Here, Rayner and Gareth Berg plundered 41 off seven overs to earn Middlesex a fourth bating point. That was slowcoach stuff, though, compared to the 71 runs taken off 51 balls that made sure the innings finished with a real flourish.Rayner did his bit but it was Roland-Jones who seriously deflated Sussex by biffing 52 off 63 deliveries. The visitors need to pick themselves up tomorrow but the force may be with Middlesex.

ESPNcricinfo previews the IPL 2011 final between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore

The Preview by Nitin Sundar27-May-2011

Match facts

Saturday, May 28, Chennai
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Chris Gayle could well be standing between MS Dhoni and another victorious campaign•AFP

Big Picture

It’s taken 73 games, but we’re finally here. . Chew on that number for a moment. The IPL has had 50% more games than World Cup 2011, which was faulted for being too long. It’s had 16 games more than the first three World Cups combined. The IPL has tested viewer appetite and player endurance to the limit, in the process turning the less-is-more norm on its head. The audience has spoken: there is only so much cricket India can take. The players have started breaking under the strain: several overseas signings flew home early, the India squad going to West Indies is severely depleted. Seventy-three is a big number.The verdict, though, can wait until No. 74 is out of the way. An exciting knockout phase is capable of glossing over all the faults of a bloated tournament, and IPL 2011 has been fortunate on that front – Bangalore’s hammering of Mumbai in the virtual semi-final notwithstanding. The impact of a good, well-contested final can be even more far-reaching. The success of the most recent World Cup, and the equally resounding failure of the one that preceded it, are quite closely linked to the manner in which the final moments of the respective events panned out. For three years running, the IPL final has been a closely fought game. Can 2011 continue the trend?Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore are opponents capable of producing that gripping denouement. Going by where they finished in the league table, they are the two best sides in the tournament. Both sides have been incredibly consistent, which is a considerable achievement in a tournament that goes on forever. Skeptics will point at Bangalore’s dependence on Chris Gayle, and Chennai’s dependence on home advantage. The former is a disservice to Virat Kohli and Bangalore’s well-rounded bowling attack, while the latter betrays a poor grasp of the roller-coaster ways of Twenty20 – winning seven games on the trot at the same venue in this format is no mean achievement, regardless of the conditions.Chennai and Bangalore have a storied Twenty20 history: in the one season when Chennai did not make the final (2009), it was Bangalore who stopped them in the semis. Chennai returned the favour in Champions League 2010, hustling their South-Indian neighbours out of contention. This year, they have traded blows three times already, with Chennai leading 2-1.IPL 2011 has thrown everything at us, and the feeling at the end of it all is one of gluttonous excess. A cracking final, witnessed by a full house, and featuring good cricket (and that doesn’t always mean scores of 200 from both sides) might be a good way to sign off. A Super Over finish will be “just what the doctor ordered”.

Form guide (most recent first)

Chennai Super Kings: WLWWW
Bangalore Royal Challengers: WLWLW

Team talk

If Chennai go into the final with an unchanged XI, they will set a new IPL record for the maximum number of successive games without a replacement (six). The only uncertainty is over R Ashwin’s availability, but indications are that he has fully recovered from the sickening blow he took on the head in the play-off. Chennai’s combination has worked well in the lead-up to the big game, and even the weakest link – Wriddhiman Saha – has pulled his weight. The presence of Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo provides the side with immense depth, both with bat and ball. The one area they will want to improve on is their batting in the first six overs, where they either lose too many wickets or score too slowly.Bangalore have looked under-strength in the lower-middle order right through the season, but it doesn’t seem to affect them. Instead of worrying about it, they actually chose to drop a batsman for Syed Mohammad’s left-arm spin against Mumbai, and it worked when he accounted for Sachin Tendulkar’s big wicket. Saurabh Tiwary is due a big performance, but both he and Bangalore will hope they don’t need it on Saturday.Predict the playing XIs for this match. Play ESPNcricinfo Team Selector.

In the spotlight

Zaheer Khan and big finals have an interesting relationship. In World Cup 2003, bad Zaheer turned up, bowled a horror opening over and India never recovered. In World Cup 2011, though, he cracked the game open with three exemplary opening overs – all maidens. Zaheer, who was playing for Mumbai in 2010, will remember messing up a crucial catch in that IPL final, allowing Suresh Raina to take Chennai to an eventually match-winning score. Will it be Dr Zaheer or Mr Khan turning up for revenge on Saturday?The final is a good time for Suresh Raina to take stock of his career. It was the IPL’s first edition that gave him a second chance at the India side, and he’s never looked back since. Raina’s IPL dominance is not founded upon any single watershed season. He has topped 400 runs in all four editions of the IPL; no one else has managed it even three times. Raina will, however, know that there is tougher work ahead. He will soon be leading a depleted ODI side in the West Indies, and after that might be required to stand up to the seaming and bouncing red ball. A strong finish to the IPL will set him up for the challenges to come.S Badrinath will march out on Saturday with his head held high, looking back with a smile and satisfaction at a season of toil that has borne fruit. He’s scored runs in every avenue available to an Indian domestic batsman, and in the IPL, he has been one of the few incentives for the purists tuning in. Before he leaves for the Caribbean, will he lean forward with assurance, drive through the line, brandish the high elbow, and end a memorable season in copybook style?

Prime numbers

• MS Dhoni has led teams to four major limited-overs titles – World Twenty20 2007, IPL 2010, Champions League 2010 and World Cup 2011. On each occasion, his campaign included one tied match. IPL 2011 has not had a single tie.
• Chris Gayle has picked up six Man-of-the-Match awards this season, the most in a single IPL. The stat is further embellished by the fact that he’s done so in just 11 games.
• S Badrinath has scored the most half-centuries (five) this year. Gayle has passed 50 five times too, including two centuries.
  

  The chatter

  “We have been playing well throughout and deserve to be in the final. Once we lost against Chennai, we were pumped up to see them in the finals.”
  “It is nice to be back at home. If we wanted to play final, it is certainly at home … Back-to-back games will be tough to play in Chennai.”

Bangladesh have called up batsman Mohammad Ashraful, allrounder Naeem Islam and wicketkeeper Saghir Hossain to their squad in England

Andrew Miller at Trent Bridge08-Jul-2010Bangladesh have called up batsman Mohammad Ashraful, allrounder Naeem Islam and wicketkeeper Saghir Hossain to their injury-hit squad in England. Their first-choice keeper Mushfiqur Rahim has been ruled out for a week after taking a blow in the face and their top-scorer in the first ODI at Trent Bridge, Raqibul Hasan, is out for the rest of the tour after fracturing his toe.Mushfiqur was struck in the face while standing up to the left-arm spinner Faisal Hossain and had to be stretchered off the field. X-rays showed there was no fracture, but he is being kept in hospital for observation. Raqibul, meanwhile, was struck on the boot by a James Anderson yorker and run out without facing another ball for 76 after his recall to the side following “retirement” earlier in the year.It is the loss of Mushfiqur that will be the biggest blow to Bangladesh’s hopes, however. He is one of the lynchpins of their side – reliable with the gloves and combative with the bat, as he showed with two big sixes off Anderson towards the end of the Bangladesh innings. With no reserve keeper in the squad, Bangladesh face the prospect of having to use Jahurul Islam, who missed the Trent Bridge match with illness, at Bristol if Saghir doesn’t arrive in time for Saturday’s game.”Ashraful left home this morning while Naeem will also fly out on the next available flight as Raqibul and Mushfiqur will not be available in the remaining two matches of the series,” chief selector Rafiqul Alam told . “Saghir will join the squad as soon as possible subject to visa approval. Until he reaches England, batsman Jahurul Islam will handle the job of wicketkeeper.”Bangladesh have not won a single international match in 2010, and morale in the squad is low, a fact that Mashrafe Mortaza did not try to disguise on his return to the captaincy for the first time in 12 months. “I think we need some belief, definitely,” he said. “Hopefully we will find it next game.”It’s very difficult to beat a team like England in England,” he added. “They beat Australia and they are in really good form. Also, we have lost two key players in the side so it’s not easy. Hopefully the boys that are are experienced will show some good batting. But the team is definitely under pressure now. We have lost 20 games in a row, and as a captain I have to lift the other 14 guys.”

Kane Richardson and Marcus Harris will also take part in the Darwin event which included eight teams

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Aug-2024Josh Brown and Will Sutherland have been included in the Melbourne Renegades Academy squad for the Top End T20 series in Darwin while Australia quick Scott Boland will be part of Melbourne Stars Academy.Sutherland, who made his ODI debut against West Indies last season, will captain Renegades. He has spent the winter recovering from another stress fracture of the back which ruled him out of a second consecutive county stint having lined up a deal with Somerset.Brown, meanwhile, was one of the big off-season moves after he was lured away from Brisbane Heat having lit up last season’s BBL with some spectacular innings include a stunning 140 off 57 balls against Adelaide Strikers. While the much-anticipated pairing with Jake Fraser-McGurk will have to wait for the BBL in December, the Top End tournament will be Brown’s first outing with his new club.Renegades have also included Kane Richardson and Victoria opener Marcus Harris who does not currently have a BBL deal. Harris made one appearance for Perth Scorchers last season, in the Eliminator final, having been signed as a late replacement.Meanwhile, Boland will have a dual role for Stars having been included in their academy squad for the tournament where he will also serve as a bowling coach. Should Boland play it will be his first competitive cricket since April when he had a county deal with Durham cut short by a heel injury.Stars have also included the experience of Hilton Cartwright who is part of their BBL squad.Alongside the Stars and Renegades academy sides, the Top End T20 features Northern Territory Strike, Adelaide Strikers, Perth Scorchers, Tasmania, ACT Comets, Pakistan A and a Bangladesh High Performance side.Jake Weatherald (Tasmania and Adelaide Strikers) and D’Arcy Short (Western Australia and Strikers) will play for NT Strike.

All the squads for the Top End T20 series

Northern Territory StrikeJacob Dickman, Lachlan Bangs, Harshtik Bimbral, Connor Carroll, Isaac Conway, Coby Edmonstone, Matt Hammond, Hamish Martin, Cadell McMahon, Tom Menzies, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Smith, Caelan Maladay, Jake WeatheraldMelbourne Stars AcademyAustin Anlezark, Max Birthisel, Scott Boland, Dylan Brasher, Liam Blackford, Ashley Chandrasinghe, Hilton Cartwright, Sam Elliott, Jaga Koduru, Reiley Mark, Joe Medew-Ewen, David Moody, Arjun Nair, Connor RutlandMelbourne Renegades AcademyWill Sutherland, Tom Brooks, Josh Brown, Xavier Crone, Harry Dixon, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Matt Hennig, Jai Lemire, Blake MacDonald, Fergus O’Neill, Tyler Pearson, Kane Richardson, Callum StowAdelaide StrikersLiam Scott, James Bazley, Jordan Buckingham, Hamish Case, Josh Kann, Ryan King, Harry Manenti, Harry Matthias, Tim Oakley, Tom O’Connell, Lloyd Pope, Sam Rahaley, Jake WinterPerth ScorchersSam Fanning, Keaton Critchell, Joel Curtis, Baxter Holt, Luke Holt, Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Lucas Martin, Declan Power, Jhye Richardson, Matthew Spoors, Josh Vernon, Corey Wasley, Teague WyllieTasmaniaGabe Bell, Lachlan Clark, Zac Curtain, Nick Davis, Jake Doran, Kieran Elliott. Rafael MacMillan, Jack Montgomery, Will Prestwidge, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, James Scott, Louis Smith, Charlie Wakim, Tim WardACT CometsTyler van Luin, Scott Murn, Nick Allen, Nic Broes, Kai Brunker, Tom Hogan, Zak Keogh, Tyler Hays, Hanno Jacobs, Zac Maron, Mikey McNamara, Esam Rahman, Jake Smith, Hayden WatlingPakistan AMohammad Haris, Abdul Faseeh, Arafat Minhas, Arif Yaqoob, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Imran, Mubasir Khan, Omair Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.Bangladesh High PerformanceTanzid Hasan, Jishan Alam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Afif Hossain, Shamim Hossain, Ariful Islam, Akbar Ali, Wasi Siddiquee, Rakibul Hasan, Al Islam, Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby, Abu Hider, Mukidul Islam, Ripon Mondol, Maruf Mridha

Gladiators have replaced him with Qais Ahmed thus far, but are open to finding other replacements

Umar Farooq21-Feb-2023Wanindu Hasaranga will not be joining Quetta Gladiators this PSL season as Sri Lanka look to manage his workload. Hasaranga was partially available, having been scheduled to play in six games before leaving on March 3, but the franchise confirmed he has been ruled out of the league altogether and they are now looking to find a replacement.Hasaranga was supposed to join the team at the start of the PSL and after his stint, Afghanistan legspinner Qais Ahmad was slated to take over. But Hasaranga’s absence has forced Gladiators to play Qais in two games, though they remain open to finding a replacement for Hasaranga with seven of their group stages games still remaining.SLC CEO Ashley de Silva told ESPNcricinfo that Hasaranga “wouldn’t ask” for a No-Objection Certificate, as he had domestic commitments with the National Super League, as well as international series to play in New Zealand. Even though neither SLC nor Hasaranga’s management mentioned it outright, there is also the IPL coming up, which given his success last year and the money he earns at the tournament, is likely to be a priority. Essentially, the issue comes down to workload: the IPL and national duties are an inevitability, and there is significant domestic pressure to play in SLC’s local tournaments, even the four-dayers, leaving the PSL lower down the priority list.Related

• Islamabad possess overwhelming batting firepower; Quetta are well-balanced

Gladiators came into this season in poor form, having lost six games last season. Over the last three seasons, they have the fewest number of wins (10) of all franchises, having not made it into the play-off since 2020. They were edged out last season on net run-rate (-0.708) by Islamabad United (-0.069). They have already lost two games out of the three they played this season.Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis – who was signed up to replace Jordan Cox by Lahore Qalandars – is also now unavailable. Mendis is part of Sri Lanka’s Test outfit, and as such has officially been part of Sri Lanka’s red and white-ball preparations for that tour. His not being part of the PSL despite having been picked by a franchise are clear cut – there is a clash with his international commitments.” Qalandars have found a replacement for Mendis in West Indies ODI captain Shai Hope.This is the second time that Hasaranga has been denied the opportunity to play in a franchise league in the last eight months, after he had to withdraw from his Hundred contract with Manchester Originals at short notice.

The captain says getting over jet lag and a quick turnaround after England T20Is will also be a challenge

Shashank Kishore05-Feb-20222:31

Who will be the key batters for West Indies?

It was only less than a week ago that West Indies were involved in back-to-back T20Is against England in Barbados with the series delicately poised. A few hours after wrapping up a morale-boosting series win, the Kieron Pollard-led side left for India. After a three-day quarantine in Ahmedabad, and negative Covid tests, they were allowed to train in groups of four on Friday.On Saturday, they held their first and only training session ahead of the series. And on Sunday, they will be thrown into the cauldron against a hurt Indian team looking to move on quickly from their 3-0 whitewash in South Africa. West Indies themselves are searching for answers, having lost the ODIs 2-1 at home to Ireland in January.”For us, we have to crack on,” Pollard said. “Today (Saturday) is the only full practice we had, and then we have to have our meetings and discussions, and stuff like that. Again, we know these are some of the things people don’t want to hear and understand because we need to perform on the cricket field, but these are some of the challenges we have to face as international cricketers. The most we can do in a short space of time is to try and be in the right mental space, have discussions about it, sort of visualise and plan as to how we want to go about it.Related

• Jason Holder, the batter, sets the benchmark for West Indies

• Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal spin India to comfortable victory

• Roach handed ODI recall as Haynes picks first WI squad

• Roach's return, spinners and other combination questions for WI

“From a physical point of view, we can do it. We have to get over jet lag. Some of us are still living in the Caribbean time [zone]. It’s night here in India but the guys have eyes wide open, but we have to get up early in the morning to play a day-night game. So, the challenges are there, but that’s why it’s international cricket, and we try and overcome it, and not use that as an excuse.”We’re doing what is necessary to try to take the field and perform at that optimum level. Hopefully, we can overcome these things and can make us better cricketers as well as individuals at the end of the day when we stick out and look out for one another.”The limited acclimatisation time has given West Indies little time to try and address the batting problem Pollard felt they had after the Ireland series. But the talk has revolved around three things: learn to adapt, take learnings from their series loss, and try to bat out 50 overs. Along the way, they want to draw inspiration from the fight they showed in their previous ODI series in India. They had taken a 1-0 lead before losing the next two games to concede the series. This time they want to better that.”We need to put our heads together and try to improve in every area of our game we fell short against Ireland”•Associated Press

“For this series against India, the learning we need to take forward is how we bat 50 overs,” he said. “We haven’t batted 50 overs in the last couple of series against Ireland and Australia, so that is something we need to look at. As a team, we need to follow the template and plans that are put out there so that we can go out there and be successful.”For us, it’s another opportunity to improve our skills, another opportunity to test where we are in international cricket against a formidable Indian team. The last time we were here, if my memory jogs me right, we did okay. We didn’t win the series, but we pushed them. So now we’re looking to push that one step further. Having said that, we need to put our heads together and try to improve in every area of our game we fell short against Ireland.”Pollard has been vocal about the team’s need to improve fitness standards. He hasn’t been shy of calling out issues in selection – like being categorical about how average returns in the Regional Super50, West Indies’ domestic 50-over competition, can’t become the basis for international call-ups. This appears to have ruffled a few feathers higher up in the West Indies cricket administration, but as captain, Pollard insists he is “in a good space” and isn’t going to allow off-field chatter to come in the way of his vision.”Obviously, I didn’t tour Pakistan [for the limited-overs series in December], so I got some much-needed time off to refresh the mind and body,” he said. “Coming back in the Ireland series, yes it was difficult. And the England series was another tough series, but these things happen. Once you have the intention of playing the sport, emotions, mental space, [and] physical capabilities – all these things get tested.”I’ve played my entire career with a lot of things riding on it, and I have come through it with a smile on my face. That is how I’m going to finish my career as well. For me personally, I’m in a good space and always looking forward to a challenge.”As captain, one of the things he is doing is wearing a bigger cape around his broad shoulders to shield his players from external noise and give them the security to perform. For this, Pollard said it was imperative for him to “continue his process and judgment”.”For me, it is just a matter of backing my skill, ability, back my cricketing acumen in terms of leading,” he said. “Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns. Sometimes you have to put guys in a situation where they can thrive with their confidence and stuff like that. For me, those are a couple of things coming out of it, just letting things happen and continuing my process and judgment.”

Cockbain steps up against Birmingham once more as Gloucestershire consolidate top spot

ECB Reporters Network15-Sep-2020Ian Cockbain proved the scourge of Birmingham Bears again as Gloucestershire sealed qualification for the Vitality Blast quarter-finals with a 50-run Central Group win in Bristol.Having smashed an unbeaten 84 in the corresponding game at Edgbaston, the 33-year-old Merseysider hit 44 off just 21 balls to boost his side’s total to 173 for 6 after winning the toss.Chris Dent and Miles Hammond had led the way with an opening stand of 88, but it was Cockbain’s blistering knock that ensured an above-par score. Olly Stone was the pick of the Birmingham attack with 2 for 31.In reply, the Bears could manage only 123 all out, Matt Taylor returning 3 for 29 and Graeme van Buuren 3 for 33. Only Sam Hain offered much resistance with 43 not out.It was the home side’s sixth successive group win and they are now assured of a place in the last eight, while the Bears have some work to do.Dent wasted no time signalling Gloucestershire’s intentions, with two fours off the opening over, bowled by Tim Bresnan. Hammond was quickly into his stride too, a couple of reverse-sweeps to the boundary off Jeetan Patel taking his side’s score to 21 off two overs.The two left-handers continued to score freely and by the end of the six-over Powerplay Gloucestershire’s total was a healthy 49 without loss.That became 86 for 0 after 11 overs. But Dent was then caught and bowled off a steepler by Patel, having hit five fours in his 34-ball innings. Hammond went in the following over, well caught on the run at deep midwicket by Dom Sibley off Stone. He had faced 41 balls and notched seven boundaries.The Bears began to put a brake on the scoring rate and the 16th over was reached without a six in the Gloucestershire innings. Cockbain put that right with two in succession off Patel and was looking in prime form when caught on the deep cover boundary off Henry Brookes, having hit four sixes and three fours.From 144 for 2, Gloucestershire lost four wickets for 28 runs, but their score still looked more than competitive. Ryan Higgins was unbeaten on 21 at the end.The Bears made a poor start to their chase, losing Dom Sibley lbw in the first over, sent down by van Buuren. Soon it was 24 for 2 as Rob Yates cut a catch to point off David Payne.Adam Hose hit the first six of the innings off Matt Taylor in the fifth over, but perished tamely two balls later, pulling a catch straight to Higgins at midwicket. The next over saw Rhodes bowled trying to drive van Buuren and the Bears were in disarray at 37 for 4.Gloucestershire lost skipper Jack Taylor to a hand injury when he tried to catch a fierce drive from Sam Hain in the eighth over, Cockbain taking over the captaincy.Michael Burgess holed out to long-off as Tom Smith began to weave his customary spell at the Ashley Down Road End. His first three overs cost just 11 runs. Smith bowling in tandem with fellow left-arm spinner van Burren has been one of Gloucestershire’s strengths in the competition and when the latter bowled Tim Bresnan to make it 83 for 6 the outcome was beyond doubt.Hain did his best, with little support, but it was another impressive success for a Gloucestershire side who will be no-one’s pushovers as the tournament moves to its climax.They were all but guaranteed a spot in the last eight after this win, with Northamptonshire’s defeat against Worcestershire later in the day confirming their progress.”To win six on the bounce in the Vitality Blast is a great effort by the lads,” Cockbain said. “What we want now is to earn a home quarter-final because we know the conditions here and play them well.”It’s just one of those things that I have been able to score big twice against the Bears. Sometimes you just feel it is your day and I’ve hit the ball sweetly in both games. Today I probably got out to my sweetest hit of the lot.”We rested Benny Howell because we didn’t want him playing back-to-back games after such a long injury lay-off and Jack Taylor’s hand should be fine, so both should be available for the next game.”

Max Walters has become the third state chief in a little more 12 months to resign, due to internal squabbles over club cricket in the state

Daniel Brettig03-Jun-2019Max Walters, Queensland Cricket’s chief executive, has become the third state supremo to resign in a little more than 12 months, joining the former Victoria chief Tony Dodemaide in quitting at a time of internal squabbles over club cricket in their state.The New South Wales chief executive Andrew Jones also vacated the field earlier this year, though Walters’ exit appears to share more in common with that of Dodemaide and the former Cricket Victoria chairman Russell Thomas in 2018.Having joined Queensland in 2016, after the CA Board director Michael Kasprowicz temporarily stepped in as caretaker CEO in place of Geoff Cockerill, Walters and his chairman Sal Vasta have run into difficulty over the task of dividing up money raised by the state association off the back of strategic funding handed over by CA’s Board in the recent past.It is an issue being debated at several levels of Australian cricket, also including the fund delivered by the Australian Cricketers’ Association following the hot-tempered 2017 pay dispute over the current MoU between the players and CA.There, as in Queensland, the debate centres on how the money will be distributed, whether on a strategic case-by-case basis – much as the money was handed from CA to Queensland – or via uniform grants applied to every club. With Vasta also believed to be under pressure, Walters informed QC staff of his decision to quit in an email on Sunday night.”The past three years working at Queensland Cricket have been extremely rewarding and enjoyable. I originally committed to a three-year contract at QC, and with that period nearing its conclusion, now is the right time for me to move on,” Walters said.”I hope people will agree that Queensland Cricket has made positive steps forward during my tenure. There is now a solid launching pad for success into the future, both on and off the field. I wish every good fortune to Queensland Cricket, and would like to thank the army of tireless volunteers in all the Clubs, big and small, across our great State that keep cricket moving.”Dodemaide and Thomas both departed Cricket Victoria in 2018 following a series of disagreements over the shape of Premier Cricket and the governance of clubs in the state – Dodemaide facing criticism from his own club, Footscray, amid the arguments.Walters, meanwhile, has overseen considerable work on Queensland’s sustainability, both in terms of infrastructure funding and sponsorship levels. It was during Walters’ tenure that the Gabba’s traditional standing as the venue for the opening Test of summer came under strain, missing out in both 2016 and 2018. Next summer it will host Pakistan and was recently confirmed as hosting the opening Ashes Test in 2021. However India’s 2020 visit remains shrouded in uncertainty after the BCCI preferred to commence last summer’s home series in Adelaide.”Max Walters returned to Queensland Cricket in 2016 with the objective to make QC the State’s leading sporting organisation and to ensure that our strategy revolved around delivering outstanding life experiences for Queensland communities anywhere, anytime,” Queensland’s chairman Vasta said. “He has delivered in spades.”Corporate entities such as CUA and Betta, all three levels of government and the Queensland community at large all recognise the professionalism and expertise of QC that has been achieved under Max’s stewardship.”Our strategic plan is the envy of other sporting organisations and clearly allows fans, sponsors and the Queensland Cricket family at large to see and understand our priorities. Max has been front and centre over the past three years and leaves QC well positioned to make even greater strides in the future.”

Ziaur Rahman and Irfan Sukkur put on fine batting performances to lead Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club and Mohammedan Sporting Club to their respective wins

Mohammad Isam19-Feb-2018Uday Kaul’s third List-A century helped Shinepukur Cricket Club to an 88-run win over Khelaghar Samaj Kallyan Samity at the BKSP-3 ground in the Dhaka Premier League. Kaul’s 137 came off 136 balls, and included 12 fours and three sixes.He added 65 runs for the third wicket with Towhid Hridoy and another 110 runs with Afif Hossain for the fourth wicket. Kaul fell in the 49th over, carrying Shinepukur to 294 for 7.Left-arm spinner Raihan Uddin then took three wickets while seam bowling allrounder Mohammad Saifuddin and Afif took two as Khelaghar were bowled out for 206 runs in 45.4 overs. Rafsan Al Mahmud was their top-scorer with 62 off 79 balls.Mohammedan Sporting Club crushed Agrani Bank by 159 runs to pick up their second win in the competition. Batting first at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mohammedan amassed 335 for 7, with the last 10 overs producing 103 runs. Irfan Sukkur’s 92 was the top score while Raqibul Hasan and Bipul Sharma contributed with 77 and 41 respectively.Mohammedan got off to a rollicking start thanks to the Talukdar brothers, Jony and Rony, who added 71 runs in the first 9.3 overs. Sukkur struck eight fours and two sixes in his 83-ball knock, while Bipul hit two fours and two sixes in his 29-ball cameo.Soumya Sarkar, one of several Bangladesh players to take the overnight train to Dhaka, fell for a duck in the first over as Agrani Bank struggled to put partnerships together. They were eventually bowled out for 176 in 37.4 overs with Subashis Roy, Qazi Onik, Enamul Haque and Bipul taking two wickets each.Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club picked up their third win by beating Prime Bank Cricket Club by five wickets. At the Fatullah Cricket Stadium, they chased down Prime Bank’s 228-run target in 44.4 overs.Ziaur Rahman top-scored with 67 off 76 balls. He added partnerships worth 70 and 65 runs for the first two wickets, with Shykat Ali and Rakin Ahmed respectively. Later, Nurul Hasan and Tanbir Hayder eased the chase with a 38-run unbroken sixth-wicket stand, in just 4.1 overs.Pace bowler Robiul Haque took three wickets as Prime Bank were bowled out for 227 runs in 50 overs. Captain Mehedi Maruf, who top-scored with 41, was one of many of their batsmen who couldn’t capitalise after a start. Abu Jayed and Elias Sunny took two wickets each for Dhanmondi Club.