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Upbeat Royal Challengers target smarting Lions

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Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to build momentum when they run into Gujarat Lions on Sunday

The Preview by Arun Venugopal in Rajkot23-Apr-2016

Match facts

Sunday, April 24, 2016
Start time 1600 local (1030 GMT)

Big picture

Royal Challengers Bangalore have more than one reason to be happy with their 13-run win over Rising Pune Supergiants on Friday. They successfully defended a total for the second time this season and their replacement player – South African chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi – impressed on IPL debut. Shane Watson and Kane Richardson held their own in the end overs even as Thisara Perera caused panic.

Locals outfit attempts to dig up pitch

Four members of a local outfit attempted to dig up the pitch at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Friday to protest against IPL matches being held in Rajkot in view of the water crisis in the region.
“They tried to sabotage the wicket, but our security officials made a timely intervention and handed them over to the police,” Niranjan Shah, president of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, told ESPNcricinfo.
Shah called it “sports terrorism” and said the same group of people had come to organise a demonstration inside the stadium a few days ago. “We have our security in place. After this incident, the security will be more tight,” Shah said.

Royal Challengers’ batting line-up has been in red-hot form, with AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli firing with astonishing regularity. Should they fail, they have enough insurance in the form of Watson, Sarfaraz Khan and Mandeep Singh in the middle order. Having lost in Mumbai and won in Pune, Royal Challengers would look to finish their last match in the western region on a high before heading to Hyderabad.Gujarat Lions, meanwhile, produced polished performances in their first three matches before faltering against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday night. Aaron Finch has led the batting line-up with three fifties and three Man-of-the-Match awards in three successful chases but his only failure coincided with a big Lions defeat.Captain Suresh Raina’s return to form was a silver lining in their 10-wicket loss, and their bowling, save for the Sunrisers game, has been consistently good. Lions, though, will want more runs from their allrounder-heavy middle order. Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja have only managed a combined tally of 60 runs in seven innings.Lions had an intense fielding session on Saturday with funky drills based on relay-throws and backing-up. Lions performance coach Monty Desai said the team used such sessions to build energy. They would want that to rub on to their batting.

Form guide

Gujarat Lions LWWW (most recent matches first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WLLW

In the spotlight

Dinesh Karthik was expected to be one of the leaders of the Lions batting group. But after his unbeaten 41 against Kings XI Punjab in the opening game, he has managed only 17 runs in two innings. Karthik’s wicketkeeping has also been patchy at times, and at practice, he seemed to place special emphasis on leg-side takes.Tabraiz Shamsi, who came in as replacement for the injured Samuel Badree, had Ajinkya Rahane stumped at a critical period, despite finishing with an economy rate of nine. Shamsi’s ability to spin the ball either way will come in handy on a surface that has traditionally been kind to spinners. Ask Jadeja.

Team news

James Faulkner had a long net with both bat and ball, and he is likely to return to the XI in place of Dale Steyn, who conceded 17 runs in two overs against Sunrisers. The hosts may also toy with the idea of playing an extra spinner in place of Praveen Kumar, who leaked 31 runs in two overs on Thursday.Gujarat Lions (probable) 1 Aaron Finch, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Suresh Raina (c), 4 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 5 Dwayne Bravo, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 Akshdeep Nath, 8 James Faulkner/Dale Steyn, 9 Praveen Kumar/Sarabjit Ladda/Shadab Jakati, 10 Dhawal Kulkarni, 11 Pravin TambeChris Gayle, according to a Royal Challengers source, is yet to join the squad, having returned to Jamaica on paternity leave. Also, going by Kohli’s post-match interview on Friday night, Shamsi is likely to get an extended run. Should Royal Challengers need another spinner, they may consider bringing in Yuzvendra Chahal for Harshal Patel, who leaked 25 runs in one over against Supergiants.Royal Challengers (probable) 1 Virat Kohli (c), 2 KL Rahul (wk), 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Shane Watson, 5 Sarfaraz Khan, 6 Mandeep Singh, 7 Stuart Binny, 8 Harshal Patel/Yuzvendra Chahal, 9 Tabraiz Shamsi, 10 Kane Richardson, 11 Iqbal Abdulla

Pitch and conditions

The game will be played on the same pitch that was used for the last two matches. It is learnt that one of the two adjoining surfaces was considered, but with the broadcasters having trouble in re-positioning their equipment, the same track will be used. It is an afternoon game and the temperature is pushing north of 36 degrees. The pitch is likely to have consistent bounce, while assisting batting throughout.

Stats and trivia

  • Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers have scored 516 of the 773 runs (66.75 %) scored by Royal Challengers in the tournament.
  • Dinesh Karthik has gone 21 innings without a T20 fifty.

Quote

“The best thing about him is that he treats everyone equally. The way he treats the likes of Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch, he treats everyone else as well the same way. He might seem calm, but there is a lot of fighting spirit in him. He will look to win the match till the last ball.”

Ponting shows staunch support for Watson

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Ricky Ponting has mounted a staunch defence of Shane Watson’s qualities as a team player

Daniel Brettig and Brydon Coverdale14-Mar-2013Ricky Ponting has mounted a staunch defence of Shane Watson’s qualities as a team player and also said that Cricket Australia’s team performance manager Pat Howard would regret his implication that the national team’s vice-captain was anything otherwise.Speaking after he made his third Sheffield Shield century of the season for Tasmania against Victoria in Hobart, Ponting was adamant that he had never found fault with Watson’s actions in the past, though he described the decision to suspend four players from the third Test in Mohali as “drastic” but merited in the circumstances.”Shane worked as hard as anybody around his cricket, there’s no doubt about that,” Ponting told reporters at Bellerive Oval. “He’s obviously made a blue here – I don’t like to refer to it as homework because it wasn’t homework – not getting his tasks done that were given to him by the coach.”I’ve never known him to be anything other than a very good team player and a great bloke to have around your team.”Howard’s words that he felt Watson worked in the best interests of the Australian team “sometimes” were hurtful, and the accused quickly asserted that those he had played the game with knew him better than the man who has been in charge of CA’s team performance wing for a little more than 12 months. Ponting concurred.”I think he’d regret saying that as well, but people are going to make judgments,” Ponting said. “I think Shane said this on the way home. Pat’s known Shane for 12 months and Michael [Clarke] and Shane have known each other for the best part of 20 years.”
Watson’s strongest phase as a Test allrounder took place while he played under Ponting, and the former captain provided a useful insight into how he extracted the best from a talented cricketer who fought injuries and plenty of critics to be a consistent performer between 2009 and 2011.”I loved every moment that I played with Watto,” Ponting said. “To tell the truth I think I understood him and his personality as well as anyone that I ever played with. I tried to get as close to him as I could. I tried to know him as well as I could both on and off the field and I actually felt by doing that I got as much out of him as I could as a player.”Watson’s chances of returning to India in time for the fourth Test in Delhi rose after his wife Lee gave birth to a baby boy, Will, on Thursday. Watson flew home from Chandigarh on Monday in the hope of being present for the birth after being told by his wife the baby was likely to be born earlier than expected.His departure also coincided with being told by the team management that he would not be part of the third Test in Mohali due to his suspension. When he left India, Watson said the punishment was “very harsh” and he intended to use his time at home to weigh up his cricket future.”I am going to spend the next few weeks with my family and weigh up my options as to exactly which direction I want to go,” Watson said on Monday. “There are a lot more important things in life. I do love playing cricket and that passion is still there and I feel I am in the prime years of my cricket career.”His words indicated that at the time, Watson did not intend to return to the tour and it remains to be seen whether the early birth of his son will alter his plans. Clarke said on Wednesday that the best-case scenario for the team would be if Watson was able to return as vice-captain for the final Test, which starts in Delhi on Friday next week.

A Test series that cricket needs

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The Test series between England and South Africa features six of the world’s top 10 Test bowlers and eight of the top 17 Test batsmen

George Dobell at The Oval18-Jul-2012In an age of hyperbole and a time of superlatives, it is gratifying to come across a sporting contest that requires neither sensationalism nor propaganda. The Test series between England and South Africa features six of the world’s top 10 Test bowlers and eight of the top 17 Test batsmen. It will decide which team is ranked No 1 in the world. As Tony Blair so nearly said, now is not the time for soundbites, but the hand of history is upon our shoulders.This is the series that world cricket required. At a time when the lure of the longest format has been compromised and questioned, the global game should rejoice at the sight of two fine sides contesting a meaningful series in front of packed houses. Cricket has many issues, of course, but this encounter should remind us all that, at its best, Test cricket remains as entertaining, as captivating and as rewarding as ever.That it is squeezed in between ODI series and forced to fight for media space alongside the Olympics, The Open golf championship and a multitude of other sporting events tells you much about cricket’s current challenges. This series deserves better. But, in a sport which has grown so used to compromises that it would pawn its soul if only a buyer could be found, it is telling that such a contest has been condensed and pushed to the margins.Plenty of fine teams have toured England over the years. Sometimes, as was the case with West Indies and Australia for many years, they succeeded with dispiriting ease. But, arguably anyway, you have to go back to 2005 to find a time when an England team has taken on such good-quality opposition in such an open series. With skilful bowlers of all types, eye-catching batsmen, at least one great all-rounder and some of the toughest batsmen currently playing the game, spectators will not require cheerleaders, fireworks or music to enhance their enjoyment. This series is about cricket, not marketing.The only problem with such a high-profile clash is that the result may be seen as all important. There is a bigger picture here, though, as the supporters of South Africa and England will understand. South Africa were barred from international competition from 1970 to 1991; England supporters became inured to embarrassment after some grim years in the 1980s and 90s. For both teams, these are golden days that many feared might never have returned. Win lose or draw over the coming few weeks, that is worth remembering.That is not to say that the result does not matter. It matters plenty. While England may have been able to dismiss the reverse in the UAE as an aberration – they will have another opportunity to answer the questions about their ability in Asian conditions soon enough – their long-term hopes of creating a legacy by which other England sides will be judged may be fatally wounded if their proud home record is also tarnished. As things stand, they have won just one of their last three Test series. If that becomes one in four, any claims of supremacy will ring hollow. The rankings state they are No. 1; now is the time to prove their worth.England do not, perhaps, have the flair of their South African rivals. But they make few mistakes. They are professional. They are well drilled, well led and able to prey on any weakness of their opponents. In England, at least, they also have an excellent record. They have won seven successive series and lost only two since 2001; one to India in 2007 and one to South Africa in 2008.Led by the eminently calm and sensible Andrew Strauss, England have done nothing different in recent days. They always want to win. They always prepare professionally.”There will be an extra bit of spice because it’s the two best teams in the world,” Andrew Strauss, England’s captain, said. “But every series I’ve played against South Africa has always been keenly contested and I don’t think this will be any different.”It will be a good gauge for us. The rankings say we are No.1 and we have to go out and prove that now. It is going to be a stern challenge, but we always expect the opposition to be hard to overcome.”We have had our normal preparations. Everything on the surface looks fine. Our preparation has been solid and now it’s a case of moving from preparation mode to game mode.”England’s only selection decision will be the decision over whether to pick Tim Bresnan or Steven Finn. Graham Onions, who has a minor hamstring strain, is most unlikely to be risked and did not train on Wednesday. Whoever they select, Strauss was quick to credit the attack as one of England’s key strengths.”I am very comfortable with our bowling attack,” Strauss said. “It’s a match for any side in the world. They have proved that continuously over the last three or four years.”Their record speaks for itself. We haven’t needed that fifth bowler while taking 20 wickets pretty much continuously over the last 24 months or so. In some ways Ravi Bopara coming into the side gives you opportunity for a fourth seamer although he’s not an out-and-out bowler clearly. But our three seamers and Swanny have always done a good job for us.”England do have two potential weaknesses, though. The first is their catching which, in the slips and gully region, has been distinctly fallible over recent times. In a series which could be decided by small margins, that could prove crucial.The other issue is the on-going distraction caused by the fall-out between Pietersen and the ECB. Omitted from England’s World Twenty20 preliminary squad despite his insistence that he is available for all three formats – albeit it not on a permanent basis – there is legitimate concern that Pietersen’s dissatisfaction could cause discomfort in a dressing room that has been stable and focused for several years.But, while some of his team-mates are biting their tongues hard to avoid losing their tempers with Pietersen’s vacillating moods, Strauss insisted that he had no concerns and said he remained hopeful that a compromise – a controversial word in itself in this situation – could be reached whereby Pietersen’s return to all formats could be brokered.”The conversations that Kevin has been having have been between himself, his representatives and the board,” Strauss said. “The players haven’t been involved, the management haven’t been involved and that’s the way we’d like it to remain. It hasn’t been a distraction for us. It hasn’t entered our thinking and that’s enabled us to concentrate on preparing properly for this game. Kevin is determined to do well in this series. I haven’t seen any signs in his preparations to suggest he is anyway distracted.”

Match abandoned with England ahead

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England Women’s bowlers, led by Laura Marsh, performed impressively to restrict South Africa Women to 110 for 8 before rain forced the second Twenty20 to be abandoned

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2011Match abandoned
ScorecardEngland Women’s bowlers, led by Laura Marsh, performed impressively to restrict South Africa Women to 110 for 8 before rain forced the second Twenty20 to be abandoned shortly after the chase began in Potchefstroom.Only two South African batsmen made double-digit scores after they chose to bat. Dane van Niekerk scored 27 and Cri-zelda Brits a run-a-ball 36. van Niekerk and Brits were dismissed in the space of two runs off successive overs as South Africa were reduced to 84 for 4. They lost three more wickets quickly thereafter as the innings ended poorly. Marsh finished with 3 for 19 while Isa Guha took 2 for 24.England’s openers, Charlotte Edwards and Marsh, had scored 15 off 2.2 overs before the match was abandoned.

'Still good enough to play all three formats' – Vihari after signing with Tripura for 2025-26 season

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India batter keen to score “heaps of runs” and help an upcoming team flourish

Shashank Kishore26-Aug-2025India batter Hanuma Vihari has signed with Tripura as one of their three professionals ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season. Vihari, who finished as Player of the Tournament at the recently concluded Andhra Premier League, has been granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) by the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA).ESPNcricinfo understands Vihari’s contract is for a season to begin with, and is extendable by mutual consent. It’s a decision, he says, that stemmed from a desire to play all formats, something Andhra couldn’t promise him.”I was keen on other opportunities since I believe I’m good enough to play all three formats,” Vihari told ESPNcricinfo. “Andhra made it clear they were looking at youngsters for the T20 format. That was why I decided it didn’t make sense playing even the 50-over format, so I sat out of the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well. I also wanted to play in a new environment.”Related

  • BCCI introduces 'serious injury replacement substitute' rule in multi-day competitions

  • Rahane steps down as Mumbai's Ranji Trophy captain

  • IPL star Priyansh Arya sets sights on Ranji Trophy

Vihari’s signing marks closure to a slightly tumultuous past few years with Andhra. A full-blown public spat after their 2023-24 Ranji campaign had left him “humiliated and embarrassed” at the treatment meted out to him by certain factions within the ACA. At the time, Vihari alleged “political interference” as one of the reasons for him stepping down as captain at the start of that season.Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Vihari was in talks to move to Madhya Pradesh (for a second year in a row) but was talked out of it by Nara Lokesh, general secretary of Andhra’s ruling party, TDP. Vihari’s u-turn had left the MPCA upset.”For the last two seasons, I’d been talking of going out [he’d been in talks with Madhya Pradesh], but I stayed back,” Vihari said of the previous season. “I felt given the circumstances around me, and also where my own cricket is at, this was the best time to sign with an upcoming team. This year they approached me first, and I felt it’ll be a challenge worth taking up.”

Vihari hasn’t been guaranteed leadership just yet, but he’s likely to be a key member of the leadership group. “As a senior player, I’ll contribute whatever the team expects of me, from a leadership standpoint whether I’m captain or not,” he said. “They’ve got some decent players. I wanted to play in a team where I can build [the squad], and be part of a setup that is hungry to challenge the bigger teams.”It’s been three years since Vihari played a Test, but he believes he’s still got the hunger to score runs “by the truckloads” without wanting to think of the prospect of a comeback.In the time away, he pivoted to regional commentary and coaching [he was part of Madurai Panthers in TNPL 2024]. As he moves states in search of new direction, Vihari wants to keep things simple and not think of a comeback just yet, like Karun Nair achieved after barging the door down in domestic cricket.”My challenge is to take the team through. After 14-15 years of first-class cricket, I’ve certainly got that experience that I want to pass on. But I’m not thinking of a comeback just yet. It’s too far away. I want to score runs, important runs and then take the team through. More than anything, I just want to enjoy my cricket and score lots of runs.”

Dunkley, Filer star as England keep series alive in thriller

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Harmanpreet fell with six needed off final ball as hosts clinched error-strewn win

Valkerie Baynes04-Jul-2025England overcame an astounding collapse and a rash of fielding errors to defeat India by five runs and keep their T20I series alive in a last-ball thriller at the Kia Oval.England squandered the most promising of starts at 137 without loss in the 16th over – built on excellent half-centuries by Sophia Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge – by losing nine wickets for 31 runs in the space of 25 balls. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy claimed three wickets apiece and N. Shree Charani two.After an 85-run opening stand between Smriti Mandhana, who scored a classy half-century, and Shafali Verma, India looked like overhauling the target with ease, especially after being gifted several lives by the home side’s poor fielding. Lauren Filer bowled with searing pace, particularly in her final over – the 16th of the run-chase, in which she prised out Mandhana – and finished with 2 for 30 as England’s only multiple wicket-taker. Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Bell and Issy Wong took one each.India needed six off the last ball of the match, bowled by Bell, but Harmanpreet Kaur picked out Ecclestone at mid-off, allowing the hosts to claw their way to a 1-2 series scoreline with two matches to play.Dunkley’s 75 off 53 balls was her first innings of note since the start of the international summer when she scored an unbeaten 81 in the first T20I against West Indies. For Wyatt-Hodge, her 66 off 42 ended a run of 17, 17, 0, 0, 0, and 1 since her previous T20I fifty, which came during the second match of the series in Australia on England’s ill-fated Ashes tour.Whether such a rousing win – under the leadership of Tammy Beaumont, who was standing in for injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt – can turn the series around remains to be seen, especially given that England were outplayed in the first two games. But they have given themselves a chance and rekindled a series in which India will be looking to turn things back in their favour in the fourth match in Manchester on Wednesday.

England’s openers set the stage

With Sciver-Brunt sidelined by a groin injury, England needed a big stand from their openers and they delivered. Dunkley’s shot selection was top-notch throughout and she cashed in on a second life when she was dropped on 43 to reach fifty off 35 balls. Importantly she pulled her batting partner with her as Wyatt-Hodge finally settled from a scratchy start with 11 off 15 balls at the end of the seventh over to 30 off 25 at the halfway point of the innings, then 50 off 34. Wyatt-Hodge’s second six went a long way beyond the rope when she slammed a Reddy delivery back over the bowler’s head, the ball dropping just shy of the first row of spectators. She raised her half-century in the next over – Sneh Rana’s second – with consecutive fours, driven through the covers and flicked over midwicket.

India hit backCharani’s flippant shrug and flicker of a smile said it all when she had Wong caught behind attempting to cut a wide ball outside off. England were in the midst of the most dramatic of meltdowns and Charani, the 20-year-old left-arm spinner who made her T20I debut in the first match of this series, was in the thick of it with two wickets in as many deliveries. She had just lured Paige Scholfield down the pitch, her swing in vain as Richa Ghosh whipped off the bails with the batter well out of her ground.Sophie Dunkley and Danni Wyatt-Hodge put on a century stand•Getty Images

There was to be no hat-trick for Charani, or Deepti, who removed Ecclestone and Filer with the first and second deliveries of the final over of England’s innings, which had gone from promising to pitiful at breath-taking speed. Dunkley’s innings had come undone when she skied a Deepti full-toss and the bowler wheeled round to take the ball neatly over her shoulder. Alice Capsey failed to pass 5 for the third time in this series when she attempted to ramp Arundhati and was well caught by Charani at short backward square leg.Arundhati struck twice more in the same over, the 17th, first with a slower ball which Wyatt-Hodge struck straight to Harmanpreet at deep cover to end her redemptive knock, then pinned Amy Jones lbw next ball, although it took an India review to overturn Jacqueline Wilson’s decision. Beaumont needed to steady things but she missed an attempted sweep off Radha Yadav and was bowled for just 2, setting the stage for Charani to add to her leading wicket-taker’s tally of eight for the series so far and match figures of 2 for 43.

Fielding woes abound

India had made their share of fielding errors in this match. Charani saw two chances put down off her second over. Wyatt-Hodge was on 17 when Jemimah Rodrigues dropped a sitter at deep midwicket and she evaded the same fielder’s fingertips next ball as Rodrigues leapt in vain trying to pull the ball down before it cleared the rope. Dunkley was then handed a life when she chipped to cover and Harmanpreet failed to hold on.Then it was England’s turn. Bell looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her up when she fumbled a chance right in front of a full stand at deep third, the ball dribbling into the rope for Shafali’s second four in as many balls from Filer – her first scoring shots of the match. There was no consolation when Bell, standing in the same place, plucked Shafali’s ramp out of the air and held on for the most spectacular of takes, but landed sprawled across the boundary, her arms and the ball well over.Capsey shelled a chance off Harmanpreet’s top-edged pull to midwicket in Filer’s final over, but Filer made the crucial breakthrough with her next delivery as Mandhana picked out Ecclestone at mid-on. She didn’t let up, striking Richa Ghosh on the helmet with her very next ball as Charlie Dean did well to collect at point. She briefly thought she’d put Filer on a hat-trick until replays showed no contact with the bat.

Mandhana all class

Shafali and Mandhana set India’s run-chase off to an excellent start with their opening stand. Mandhana had led their reunion at Trent Bridge with a maiden T20I century as Shafali felt her way back into the side with a laboured 20, which she then followed up with just 3 in the second match in Bristol. However, her 25-ball 47 in London included seven fours and marked another encouraging step in her comeback before she was bowled by Ecclestone. Mandhana’s innings was another classy one as she raised her fifty in 38 balls.England found a real sense of hope when Filer had Rodrigues caught behind off a faint edge and in her next over accounted for Mandhana. Ghosh was put down by Bell at short backward square, but fell to Dean’s outstanding catch in the deep off Wong, the fielder roaring and pumping her fists to thunderous cheers from the crowd.The home side’s fielding woes weren’t done though. India needed 12 off the last over and when Scholfield dropped Amanjot Kaur off the third ball, bowled by Bell, they needed eight. A dot ball followed and then Harmanpreet cleared mid-off but could only manage two form the penultimate delivery. As she attempted to clear the rope for the winning runs, Harmanpreet picked out Ecclestone at mid-off and England sealed an unlikely victory.

Rahane, Pujara near tons; Tamil Nadu's season on the line

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Elsewhere, Padikkal and Rahul failed to make impact for Karnataka while Siraj had a cold return for Hyderabad

Shashank Kishore30-Jan-2025Kohli frenzy sweeps Kotla
More than 12,000 fans on a Thursday caused pandemonium at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in anticipation of watching Virat Kohli bat. They had to settle for simply being able to watch him on the field, but that didn’t see to have dimmed their enthusiasm.They’ll go home knowing Kohli’s likely to be batting early on Friday as Delhi will resume on 41 for 1 after Railways posted 241. Kohli’s presence led to a minor security breach when a fan rushed in to the ground to greet his hero, but was whisked away by the security personnel. As the day progressed, the DDCA summoned extra police personnel apart from their own private security to help manage the large gathering.Shardul’s hat-trick, Rahane’s first fifty
At 2 for 6 inside the first four overs, Meghalaya were in danger of being bowled out for the lowest-ever total in Ranji history, but they eventually surpassed Hyderabad’s 21 comfortably. But it didn’t help their position as far as the match is concerned; Shardul Thakur, who picked up a hat-trick in his second over, finished with 4 for 43 as Meghalaya were bundled out for 86 against Mumbai.A maiden half-century of the season for Ajinkya Rahane (83 not out) and his unbeaten partnership of 180 with Siddhesh Lad (89*) helped them open up a lead of 127 by stumps with eight wickets remaining.File Photo: KL Rahul could not convert a good start against Haryana•Cricket Australia via Getty Images

Rahul, Padikkal make little impact
KL Rahul missed out despite getting off to a start in Bengaluru. Rahul, who batted at No. 3 against Haryana, made 26 before he was out nicking an Anshul Kamboj peach. During his stay, Rahul was largely solid and looking to score, instead of simply occupying the crease.He had a minor flutter on 9 when an attempted glide to deep third landed to slip on the half-volley. However, when he was dismissed, there was a sense that he had missed out on an opportunity to bat Karnataka into a strong position in what is a must-win game. They ended the day on 267 for 5, with Mayank Agarawal, the captain, top scoring with 91. Devdutt Padikkal too missed out, lbw playing back to a sharp, turning delivery after making 43.Pujara eyes 67th first-class hundred
Saurashtra’s decision to bat first on a turner, in a game they need to win with a bonus point, left them with no option but to try and bat big against Assam. And the top order walked the talk, beginning with openers Harvik Desai (130) and Chirag Jani (80) who put together 146 inside 30 overs.Related

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  • Ranji blog – J&K through to knockouts, Vidarbha bag another win

  • Kohli hits the nets as Delhi stadium gears up for his Ranji return

Then Cheteshwar Pujara, who had endured a lean season outside of the 234 he made against Chhattisgarh, was steadfast against the Assam attack. He remained unbeaten five short of what would be his 67th first-class century as Saurashtra ended on a commanding 361 for 3.Siraj’s cold return
Mohammed Siraj’s return to the Ranji setup was far from memorable, even though Hyderabad ended the day in a commanding position. Siraj managed just one wicket in the 18 overs he bowled, but Hyderabad managed to whittle down their deficit to just 100 after bowling Vidarbha out for 190. Siraj’s lone scalp – off Harsh Dubey, who top scored with 65 off 46 balls – was a crucial wicket. It came after Dubey hit him for three sixes in an attempt to pocket some crucial lower-order runs. Vidarbha are the only team assured of a quarter-final berth as things stand.Tamil Nadu’s stunning collapse
Tamil Nadu came into their game against Jharkhand knowing even a draw would be enough to make the knockouts, but even that is shaping towards being a herculean task after a frenetic opening day in which 20 wickets fell in Jamshedpur. TN handed the advantage to Jharkhand after being bowled out for 106 to conceding a 79-run lead. Their misery was further compounded by a calf injury to Baba Indrajith that has ruled him out of the rest of the fixture. The day began well as the left-arm spinning duo of Sai Kishore and Ajith Ram picked up six wickets between them to skittle Jharkhand for 185, but there was a major collapse in store as TN lost 8 for 40. Late in the day, they managed to pick up one wicket in the second innings as Jharkhand effectively ended on 84 for 1.

Chris Cooke century allows Glamorgan to pull in front in tight tussle with Derbyshire

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Visitors face stiff final day of batting after being set a target in excess of 400

ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2024Glamorgan pulled in front on day three of their Vitality County Championship match against Derbyshire after they posted 361 for seven declared to set a target of 401 for the visitors.The mainstay for Glamorgan was Chris Cooke who finished on 126 not out, by far the highest score of this match so far. He was well supported by 61 not out from James Harris and a well made 32 from Dan Douthwaite.In the 12 overs that were bowled before the close Derbyshire reached 40 for one with David Lloyd and Luis Reece undefeated.With Derbyshire still 361 runs away from their victory target a Glamorgan victory is the most likely outcome as the match heads into a final day with a mixed weather forecast.Mason Crane had come into bat as a nightwatchman late on day two and he did a good job of supporting Colin Ingram in a 45-run stand for the fifth wicket. Crane was trapped lbw by Thomson for 19 to bring the experienced pair of Ingram and Cooke together. For the first time in this match, batting started looking straightforward.Ingram was batting with great rhythm as he passed fifty from 76 balls. Shortly after reaching the milestone, he called Cooke through for a single and was sent back too late and was run out by a throw from Sam Conners.In the first two innings of the match, it was at this point that wickets had come in a hurry. Here Cooke and Douthwaite put together a partnership worth 109, the highest of the match up to that point. Cooke missed out on a chance to bat during the record-breaking efforts at Lord’s last week and he made the most of his chance in the middle in this game as he made the 13th hundred of his first-class career.After seeing the ball spin appreciably throughout the first two days, it was a lot easier going on day three, but Thomson continued to be a threat. He bowled the first 33 overs of the Glamorgan innings from the River Taff end and sent down 44 overs in total as he finished with career-best match figures of 12 for 201.Cooke was joined by Harris after Douthwaite was dismissed by Thomson to complete his second five-wicket haul of the match and Glamorgan continued to turn the screw with a second hundred-run stand in succession, eclipsing the stand by Cooke and Douthwaite as they made 116 undefeated for the eighth wicket. When the declaration came it set Derbyshire a target of 401.Harris was the man to make the one breakthrough on the third evening when he had Harry Came trapped lbw for three. As the clouds came over Sophia Gardens in the early evening it became too dark for play to continue and the players left the field with three overs unbowled.With the ball still turning on this pitch much will depend on how well Crane bowls on the final day with Glamorgan still needing nine wickets for victory.

Joe Clarke goes from Melbourne Stars to Renegades

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The wicketkeeper-batter will join forces with Quinton de Kock at the top of the order

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Oct-2023Melbourne Renegades have pulled off a significant BBL signing by luring English wicketkeeper-batter Joe Clarke from cross-town rivals Stars.Clarke, who briefly played for Perth Scorchers in the 2020-21 season, has been an integral part of Stars over the last two seasons with 800 runs 30.76 and a strike-rate of 136.98.But he now becomes Renegades’ third overseas signing alongside Quinton de Kock and Mujeeb Ur Rahman having not been taken in the draft last month. A mechanism exists which allows clubs to sign their third name after the draft has taken place.Related

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Clarke is set to open the batting alongside de Kock, but it will be the South African who will initially take the gloves before handing them to Clarke when he returns home for the SA20.However, Renegades will need to secure another wicketkeeping option with Clarke due to leave for ILT20 towards the backend of the BBL. They lost Sam Harper when he was traded to Stars in return for Adam Zampa.”Joe was an active part of our overseas draft strategy this year,” Melbourne Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said. “While we were limited in how we could use our picks at the overseas player draft, we had a plan to secure Joe as quickly as we could and it came off which is great for our Club.”To have secured three overseas players that were listed in the platinum overseas player group is a super result for the Renegades and our members and fans.”Whilst Quinton will take the gloves as our primary wicketkeeper, Joe is also a strong keeper who will be able to keep when Quinton is unavailable, giving us greater flexibility with our overseas replacement player options.””We really like the way Joe plays the game,” he added. “He’s an attacking player from the top who can set up a game quickly and we think he’ll a perfect fit with our other top order batters.”Renegades will also lose Mujeeb late in the season as he, too, holds an ILT20 deal.Melbourne Renegades squad Nic Maddinson (capt), Joe Clarke, Quinton de Kock, Harry Dixon, Aaron Finch, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Mackenzie Harvey, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson, Tom Rogers, Peter Siddle, Will Sutherland, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jon Wells, Adam Zampa

Mathews, uncapped Jayawickrama, Madushanka in SL squad for Bangladesh Tests

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Kusal Mendis continues to be omitted; injured Kusal Perera also out of the two-match series

Andrew Fidel Fernando20-Apr-2021Uncapped left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama and left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka have been named in Sri Lanka’s squad to play Bangladesh in the two-Test series that starts on Wednesday.

Sri Lanka squad

Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Roshen Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando

Kusal Mendis was omitted again, while Kusal Perera was out through injury. The batting group, otherwise, largely comprised the players that toured the West Indies last month. Angelo Mathews returned to the squad after having left the West Indies tour for personal reasons. Offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis was picked again.In what may be an indication of the pitches that could be expected in Pallekele, no fewer than five quicks were selected. Not among them was Dushmantha Chameera, who is on personal leave with his wife expecting a child. Returning to the squad, though, was Lahiru Kumara, who had missed the West Indies tour after testing positive for Covid-19. Kasun Rajitha continued to be unavailable through injury.Related

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Surprisingly for a home series, only one specialist spinner was named. Legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga was in the squad, but left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan was not. Ramesh Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva – who are both primarily batters – are on hand to provide support with their offspin.Twenty-two-year-old Jayawickrama’s selection was due to the absence of Lasith Embuldeniya, who picked up a serious soft-tissue injury while fielding in the second West Indies Test. The selectors are understood to have considered two other left-arm spinners to replace him, but both were ruled out; Duvindu Tillakaratne was injured, while Prabath Jayasuriya failed to pass a fitness test.Madushanka, 20, meanwhile, was selected largely based on potential. He had played for Sri Lanka at Under-19 level, but has only three first-class matches on his record.Both Tests will be played in Pallekele. When Bangladesh last visited for an assignment in the longest format, they drew the series 1-1, recording their first win on Sri Lankan soil in Colombo.

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