Thursday, July 10, 2014
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Get Your Own Cricket - Personalised Acrylic Clock
Click It to Get It!
- 1X 165Mm Circular Polished Edged Clear Acrylic Clock Base
- EZ Quartz Clock Movement With Gold Hands
- Gold Coloured Numbers On The Outside Edge Of The Clock Base
- Triple Layered Enhanced Image Of The Back Of The Home Jersey Displayed On The Clock Showing Your Choice Of Free Personalisation
Vijay century gives India opening honours
Murali Vijay carried his bat and was unbeaten on 122 at the end of the day. MS Dhoni too got to half-century in the last over of the day as India ended strongly at 259/4. The duo had put on an unbeaten 81-run stand for the 5th wicket that helped make it India's day. The second new ball did little to help the hosts and with that last challenge overcome, India finished with the day's honours.
Murali Vijay and MS Dhoni were not too circumspect and scored quite freely. Dhoni, in particular, looked very positive. Vijay went after the off-spin of Moeen Ali but was happy to play second fiddle in the stand. The duo added a brisk 50-plus stand take India to a decent total.
Murali Vijay and MS Dhoni were not too circumspect and scored quite freely. Dhoni, in particular, looked very positive. Vijay went after the off-spin of Moeen Ali but was happy to play second fiddle in the stand. The duo added a brisk 50-plus stand take India to a decent total.
Hafeez dropped for SL Tests, Younis recalled for ODIs
Mohammad Hafeez has been dropped from Pakistan's Test squad for the forthcoming tour to Sri Lanka. The selectors have recalled Younis Khan to the ODI squad.
Pakistan will play two Tests in Galle and Colombo from August 6 and 14 respectively before the teams play a three-match ODI series between August 23 and 30.
Test squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Khurram Manzoor, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Talha, Junaid Khan, Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz
ODI squad: Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Fawad Alam, Sohaib Maqsood, Shahid Afridi, Anwar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Talha, Wahab Riaz, Zulfiqar Babar
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Shorter home series for Pakistan against India
While Pakistan will play six series against India in the next Future Tours Programme (FTP) cycle, three of their home series will only consist of two Test matches each, according to an ESPNCricinforeport.
Pakistan will play a total of 6 Tests at home against India, while they are set to play 20 ODIs and 6 T20Is at home against their arch-rivals from January 2015 till January 2023.
While both boards have agreed to the series, which has also been drafted in the FTP, cricket between the two nations will be only possible after government clearances. Also, Pakistan's first home series against India next year is likely to be played in United Arab Emirates.
During the next FTP cycle, Pakistan will play a total of 77 Test matches, which include 14 against Australia and 16 against England.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Najam Sethi, on the sidelines of International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference in Melbourne last moth, had mentioned his country will earn 450 million dollars from the next eight-year cycle, and the bulk of the money will come from the home series against India.
Sethi was also included in the ICC Executive Committee (ExCo) for one year along with WICB chairman Alan Hurst, with India, Australia and England as the permanent members.
Pakistan's possible tours
England v India – Investec Test Series
The last time these two teams met in England in a Test series, it was billed as a marquee clash of titans, before it fizzled out as a one-sided contest. India rolled over like the wrestler who was battling a hangover before the bout. England seemed formidable, with a batting and bowling attack worthy of the No.1 team in the world. Things have changed drastically since. This time around, it is not two teams grappling for 'The mace'; it is two teams searching for an identity and a foothold back in the race. In a 5-Test series, they have as long as it takes, to slay their demons or cave in. In fact, this would be the first 5-Test match series for any of the Indian players, thus demanding quite a bit of fortitude.
Englands talismanic captain, once billed as Sachin Tendulkars potential heir in Test cricket, has gone 24 innings without reaching triple figures. Their blue-eyed boy, Kevin Pietersen, who thwarted India in its own backyard is not in the scheme of things anymore. A heavy drubbing in Australia and an even more painful, agonizingly torturous series loss to Sri Lanka leave England a side bereaving a quick decline. A fresh set of players and a new coach with much to prove hope this could be the start of a new era.
Alastair Cook who came back from the verge of being dropped to hit a purple patch once before, in an Ashes series will hope for a turnaround. A mentally fit captain needs runs and 17, 28, 17 and 16 were all Cook could notch up against Sri Lanka. The good news for Cook though, is that he has a batting line-up that is in reasonable nick. Moeen Alis gem almost saved the day for England against Sri Lanka. Sam Robson, Gary Ballance and Joe Root have also reached triple figures at least once in the two Test series, with Ian Bell and Matt Prior chipping in with sizeable knocks.
The bowling though doesnt have the fiery edge of before. Liam Plunkett and James Anderson have been amongst the wickets, but Indias batting machine wouldnt really be intimidated by the battery that also includes Chris Jordan, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes. Their lower order can definitely bat though and wrapping the tail has never been one of Indias strengths.
MS Dhoni meanwhile has gone three years without an overseas win. True, he won the Champions Trophy here last year, but the battle in whites has many more dimensions. His own personal form in the longer format is not awe-inspiring by any stretch of imagination. He has had starts in all 4 recent overseas matches (2 against NZ and 2 against SA) but managed a lone half century. His batting isnt the only conflict in his head. For the first time in years, India might field five bowlers, Stuart Binny eating up Rohit Sharmas place.
Only Bhuvanesh Kumar inspires any confidence in the bowling line-up that also features the lacklustre Ishant Sharma, the rookies Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey and the talented Mohammed Shami. Ravindra Jadeja in all probability will take the lone spinners slot ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin. Umesh Yadav with a natural out-swinger and genuine pace surprisingly lost out to an erratic Varun Aaron and that might come back to bite India.
There is a good chance India wouldnt play all 5 Tests with the same team. Gautam Gambhir will definitely put pressure on the standard openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay. There will also be a tussle between Rohit Sharma and Binny for the No.6 slot, with Ashwin getting a chance on a drier pitch. In fact, the only way Binny could stay out is if both Rohit and Rahane do very well and the 4 bowlers prove to be good enough, a highly unlikely situation. Even if Rohit Sharma gets to play in the first Test, it is understood his place is in serious scrutiny. In the pace department, it will be a surprise if Ishant Sharma wins a slot ahead of Ishwar Pandey.
India Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma/Stuart Binny, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvanesh Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishwar Pandey.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane could well be the stars of the series for India at No.4 and No.5. Stuart Binny with a good knock in the practice match could earn a cap if the pitch offers any assistance to seam bowling at all, giving India an extra bowling option at No.7.
England Alastair Cook, Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Matt Prior, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson
Alastair Cook who came back from the verge of being dropped to hit a purple patch once before, in an Ashes series will hope for a turnaround. A mentally fit captain needs runs and 17, 28, 17 and 16 were all Cook could notch up against Sri Lanka. The good news for Cook though, is that he has a batting line-up that is in reasonable nick. Moeen Alis gem almost saved the day for England against Sri Lanka. Sam Robson, Gary Ballance and Joe Root have also reached triple figures at least once in the two Test series, with Ian Bell and Matt Prior chipping in with sizeable knocks.
The bowling though doesnt have the fiery edge of before. Liam Plunkett and James Anderson have been amongst the wickets, but Indias batting machine wouldnt really be intimidated by the battery that also includes Chris Jordan, Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes. Their lower order can definitely bat though and wrapping the tail has never been one of Indias strengths.
MS Dhoni meanwhile has gone three years without an overseas win. True, he won the Champions Trophy here last year, but the battle in whites has many more dimensions. His own personal form in the longer format is not awe-inspiring by any stretch of imagination. He has had starts in all 4 recent overseas matches (2 against NZ and 2 against SA) but managed a lone half century. His batting isnt the only conflict in his head. For the first time in years, India might field five bowlers, Stuart Binny eating up Rohit Sharmas place.
Only Bhuvanesh Kumar inspires any confidence in the bowling line-up that also features the lacklustre Ishant Sharma, the rookies Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey and the talented Mohammed Shami. Ravindra Jadeja in all probability will take the lone spinners slot ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin. Umesh Yadav with a natural out-swinger and genuine pace surprisingly lost out to an erratic Varun Aaron and that might come back to bite India.
There is a good chance India wouldnt play all 5 Tests with the same team. Gautam Gambhir will definitely put pressure on the standard openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay. There will also be a tussle between Rohit Sharma and Binny for the No.6 slot, with Ashwin getting a chance on a drier pitch. In fact, the only way Binny could stay out is if both Rohit and Rahane do very well and the 4 bowlers prove to be good enough, a highly unlikely situation. Even if Rohit Sharma gets to play in the first Test, it is understood his place is in serious scrutiny. In the pace department, it will be a surprise if Ishant Sharma wins a slot ahead of Ishwar Pandey.
India Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma/Stuart Binny, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvanesh Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishwar Pandey.
Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane could well be the stars of the series for India at No.4 and No.5. Stuart Binny with a good knock in the practice match could earn a cap if the pitch offers any assistance to seam bowling at all, giving India an extra bowling option at No.7.
England Alastair Cook, Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, Matt Prior, Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Liam Plunkett, James Anderson
Joe Root, fresh off a double century will be the rooted wicket for the Indian bowlers, as he is capable of piling the daddy hundreds. Besides, without a frontline spinner, his clever and steady off-spin will come handy at times. Gary Ballance, who racked his maiden Test century in the Sri Lanka series and a 50+ first class average, is the other batsman Indians should be wary of. Ian Bell could once again prove to be a thorn like in the previous series.
Shakib Al Hasan suspended for six months by BCB
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) have taken strict action against all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was involved in an argument with coach Chandika Hathurusinghe over his participation in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
BCB have announced that Shakib has been banned from playing cricket for Bangladesh for six months while the all-rounder will not be given 'No Objection Certificates' (NOCs) to play in T20 leagues till the end of 2015.
"He has a severe attitude problem, which is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh cricket. We think that his behaviour is such that it's directly impacting the team," BCB president Nazmul Hassan told reporters.
The suspension came as Shakib reportedly threatened to quit international cricket after he was called back to Dhaka before a planned appearance in the CPL.
On Sunday Shakib returned to Dhaka and denied that he had made any threat to quit international cricket. However, he acknowledged that there was a spat between the coach and him and that everything was sorted now after he tendered an apology.
Hassan said Shakib was travelling to the Caribbean without any clearance from the BCB, and had also "misbehaved" with coach Hathurusinghe.
"This morning he called me. He thought that he had the NOC (No objection certificate). He did not have any. He admitted that he misbehaved with the coach. He apologised for the misbehaviour," Hassan said.
Hassan said Shakib had a history of disciplinary problems. "We want to give a clear message: if it is repeated, he might be banned for life. There will be no compromise when it comes to discipline," he said.
Shakib has had a few run-ins with the authorities in recent times. Last year, Shakib and Tamim Iqbal had shown dissent when they were asked to give the Indian Premier League (IPL) a miss as Bangladesh were scheduled to tour Zimbabwe during that period.
He was banned for three matches after his lewd gesture towards the camera during the ODI series against Sri Lanka. The all-rounder was also allegedly involved in a brawl with a spectator during the series against India last month.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
