All posts by n8rngtd.top

Morgan’s deputy endorsed as full-time successor following formidable form in recent months

Matt Roller30-Jun-2022Jos Buttler has been appointed captain of England’s men’s white-ball teams after Eoin Morgan’s retirement from international cricket earlier this week.Buttler, 31, regularly deputised as captain during Morgan’s seven-and-a-half-year tenure and has captained England in nine ODIs and five T20Is to date, most recently in the third ODI against the Netherlands in Amstelveen last week.His first assignment as captain will be the T20I series against India which starts on July 7 at the Ageas Bowl, for which England are due to name their squad on Friday lunchtime. That fixture marks the start of a packed schedule of 12 limited-overs internationals in 25 days, with three T20Is and three ODIs against both India and South Africa before the end of July.Working with new white-ball coach Matthew Mott, Buttler’s primary focus will be on the T20 World Cup in Australia later this year but England’s defence of their 50-over title is not far away: the next ODI World Cup is scheduled for October-November 2023 in India, with another T20 World Cup to follow in the Caribbean and the USA in 2024.Buttler was recommended for the role by Rob Key, England’s managing director of men’s cricket, and his appointment was ratified on Wednesday evening by the ECB’s interim chair, Martin Darlow, and chief executive, Clare Connor.”Jos Buttler was the perfect choice to succeed Eoin Morgan as our white-ball captain, and I had no hesitation in offering him the role,” Key said. “Jos has been part of our white-ball set-up for over a decade and was integral in the transformation of the way the team has played its attacking brand of cricket over the past seven years.”He is well-respected in the dressing room by all of his teammates and will relish leading his country. He is in the form of his life and is showcasing his talent against the best players and teams in the world.”I believe the extra responsibility will take his game to a new level and inspire those around him. I’m looking forward to seeing him take us forward. He thoroughly deserves the opportunity.”Related

• Passionate, driven and leading by example – Jos Buttler perfectly placed to step up

• Unburdened, unshackled, unbelievable: Jos Buttler channels AB de Villiers in record onslaught

• Multi-format player workloads top of agenda for England's new management

• Eoin Morgan set to stand down as England white-ball captain

• Eoin Morgan takes his leave as England captain with one final act of self-awareness

Buttler said it was a “great honour” to take over the captaincy from Morgan, offering him his “sincere thanks and gratitude” for his leadership. “It has been the most memorable period for everyone involved,” Buttler said. “He has been an inspirational leader, and it has been fantastic to play under him. There are lots of things that I have learnt from him that I’ll take into this role.”There is excellent strength in depth in the white-ball squads, and I’m looking forward to leading the teams out for the series that are coming up against India starting next week and later in July against South Africa. It is the greatest honour to captain your country, and when I have had the chance to step in the past, I have loved doing it. I can’t wait to take this team forward.”Connor said: “Jos is a fantastic role model who inspires through his performances on the pitch. He has been instrumental in setting new standards in men’s white-ball cricket, and is the perfect leader to build on the incredible legacy which Eoin has built for our men’s white-ball teams.”Buttler’s appointment as captain was widely anticipated after Morgan’s retirement, with Moeen Ali – the only other realistic contender – endorsing Buttler while working for the BBC’s during the third Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston. He has been vice-captain of the white-ball sides since February 2015 and despite limited captaincy experience, he has been viewed as Morgan’s heir apparent for a number of years.Buttler shut down questions about the prospect of a Test recall during the Netherlands tour and his promotion means it is increasingly hard to work out a route back into the set-up for him, despite his remarkable white-ball form. Sam Billings has been preferred as Ben Foakes’ deputy against India this week and Ben Stokes insisted on Thursday that he had “the Test team I want going forward” available to him.”When we sat down at the start of the summer and selected the squad, it was because those were the guys we wanted in every position and they were the best players to do that,” Stokes said. “At the moment, it’s about giving this team time to succeed and perform.”[Buttler] was the obvious choice once Morgs decided to retire,” Stokes added. “He’s been vice-captain for a number of years and nothing will change. Jos will continue the ethos and mindset that Morgs brought to us from 2015, so, honestly, I don’t think you’ll see anything change whatsoever. It is Jos’ time to take the team forward.”

Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, has claimed he was acting under “direct orders” from Chris Cairns, his captain at Chandigarh Lions, when he agreed to fix matches

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Oct-2015Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, has claimed he was acting under “direct orders” from Chris Cairns, his captain at Chandigarh Lions, when he agreed to fix matches during the now-defunct Indian Cricket League (ICL) in 2008.Vincent, who was last year banned for life from all cricket after admitting his involvement in match-fixing, claimed he was lured into the practice with offers including a cash bribe masquerading as an advance payment on a bat sponsorship, and subsequently earned US$50,000 (£32,000) for each of the games that he helped to manipulate.”I was under direct orders from Chris Cairns to be involved in match-fixing,” Vincent alleged under examination from Sasha Wass QC at Southwark Crown Court, where Cairns is on trial for perjury and perverting the course of justice, charges that relate to his successful libel action against Lalit Modi in 2012.”I looked up to Chris, he was a role model,” Vincent said. “All of a sudden I had been invited into this little world. There was talk of the tournament and how every game is going to be fixed.”

Dinesh Mongia’s reaction

“I was not involved in any match-fixing,” Dinesh Mongia told when contacted in Chandigarh. “I played for the Chandigarh Lions but I don’t know what the New Zealanders (Cairns, Tuffey and Vincent) were doing.”

Vincent told the court that his introduction to match-fixing had come via a bookmaker called Varun Gandhi, who offered him a bundle of cash during a meeting in a hotel room and told him that a woman who was also present was there to keep him company.”I was aware that she was available for sex … that was when the penny started to drop,” he said.Vincent initially reported the approach to his agent, Leanne McGoldrick, but claimed that Cairns’ subsequent response was to recruit him to his own match-fixing operation.”‘You have done the right thing’,” Vincent claimed Cairns had told him. “Right, you are working for me now, that will act as good cover’. That was how the whole introduction of being asked to match-fix for Chris Cairns happened.”Vincent, who had been suffering from depression since being dropped from the New Zealand team the previous year, described how he received instructions “either on the bus or at breakfast” in three or four of the matches that he played in the 2008 ICL tournament. However, he claimed to have struggled to “master the art of getting out”.”I was under instructions to fix,” he said. “When you are underperforming you just play dead-bat shots, play more defensive, you can control your scoring tempo but the actual art of getting out is actually quite hard.”One of the easiest ways is to get run out, hit the ball to a fielder and keep running. Try to get stumped. Miss a straight ball.”I didn’t master the art of getting out very well. Cairns suggested if I was playing club cricket in England I practise the art of getting out.”Vincent also alleged that, in addition to Cairns, the Indian batsman Dinesh Mongia and New Zealand fast bowler Daryl Tuffey were involved in match-fixing during their time at Chandigarh Lions.Cairns denies charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice. His former barrister, Andrew Fitch Holland, denies a charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.The trial continues.

James Taylor has described Mahela Jayawardene’s knowledge as “invaluable” as England prepare to put up a better fight in the UAE

Alan Gardner03-Oct-2015For the majority of England’s young squad, the upcoming series against Pakistan in the UAE is a step into the unknown. But while they attempt to adjust to the heat and conditions in the nets at the ICC academy in Dubai, there is another new face in the group with plenty of experience to draw upon.Mahela Jayawardene, the former Sri Lanka captain who is being employed as England’s batting consultant on tour, made more than 9000 of his 11814 Test runs in Asia. He is also familiar with the opposition, having played more Tests against Pakistan than any other country. Over the last four years alone, Jayawardene was involved in four Pakistan series, including two in the UAE.His appointment to a first coaching role by England was based upon his batting expertise in the subcontinent – England also have tours to India and Bangladesh in the next 18 months – and he has already been working closely with his charges. Only Alastair Cook and Ian Bell remain from the top order who were confounded by Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in 2012 and James Taylor described Jayawardene’s knowledge as “invaluable” as England prepare to put up a better fight this time.”He’s been outstanding,” Taylor said. “He’s very approachable. I’m fortunate enough to have played against him as well, so he knows me a little bit. That helps that relationship, he knows how I play.”His experience is invaluable. It’s brilliant to have him around – especially a guy who is a similar stature to me, that helps me personally as well playing spin. All the lads have spent plenty of time working on their game with him.”How England’s batsmen fare against slow bowling will be one of the key battlegrounds, with Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah lining up to emulate Ajmal and Rehman. Shah posted a timely reminder of his ability with 6 for 26 in an ODI in Harare shortly after England landed in the UAE and even Jayawardene, who retired before the legspinner’s Test debut last October, will only be able to help in general terms.Mahela Jayawardene will bring his vast experience of batting in Asia to help England’s cause•Getty Images

“I saw him in the World Cup briefly, but I haven’t seen him so much in red-ball cricket,” Taylor said of Shah, who recently became the fastest Pakistani to 50 Test wickets. “I know he’s obviously performed really well recently. It’s another challenge we’re all looking forward to.”It is three years since Taylor made his two Test appearances to date but he forced his way back into the squad via an impressive one-day series against Australia. Although it seems unlikely that he will find a route into a middle order that is set to comprise of Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes, his ability against spin could see him come into contention, starting with two warm-up games against Pakistan A scheduled for next week.Taylor first won a sustained run in an England shirt on the ODI tour of Sri Lanka last winter, battling the oppressive heat and slow surfaces. He has not yet had an extended opportunity to make a case with the Test side but nimble feet and a diminutive stature are useful attributes in this part of the world – as Jayawardene can attest.”I love playing spin. It’s something I really enjoy,” Taylor said. “Obviously, there’s potentially going to be quite a lot of spin bowled out here. So I hope I do what I have previously.”It’s going to be tough conditions, but it’s a chance for me to stake a claim and try to get back in the side. We have two opportunities in the warm-up games, so it’s up to me to pull my finger out and score some runs.”I’m delighted to be back in. It’s been a long few years … But I’ve worked really hard, and I’m definitely a better player than I was in 2012.”Winning away from home has become harder than ever and, as visiting teams have found over recent years, there are few tougher propositions than taking on Pakistan in the UAE. England’s recent success has come on the back of a high tempo game played since the start of their home season but they may have to find a lower cruising speed if they are to last the distance in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah.With temperatures rising to as high as 45C, the England players have taken to draping themselves in towels and wearing neckerchiefs to try and stay cool during practice. As Autumn begins to strengthen its grip back in England, it is another challenge that Taylor is willing to endure.”We’re giving it our best to get acclimatised as soon as possible,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of tough training sessions. But the boys are loving it – we’d prefer to be out here in 40 degrees than in the cold in England. Also, you get to work on your tan, which is perfect.”

Neil Wagner led the attack for New Zealand, breaking a fluent stand between Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal on the fifth morning, after which two more wickets fell

The Report by George Binoy13-Dec-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:06

Arnold: NZ quicks’ variety was the clincher

In conditions where the old ball did nothing and New Zealand’s three first-choice quicks produced innocuous medium-pace, Neil Wagner ran in relentlessly with tremendous stamina, sending down a barrage of short deliveries, harrying the batsmen at around 140 kph and broke Sri Lanka’s resistance. Until Wagner came on, Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews had been untroubled and scored freely, but once he broke through his one wicket quickly led to many, and New Zealand completed a 122-run victory after lunch on the final day in Dunedin.Before Brendon McCullum turned to Wagner, Sri Lanka made 45 runs in 15.5 overs, and Mitchell Santner and Doug Bracewell had just begun to control a previously brisk run rate. Wagner immediately resorted to a short-pitched attack from over the wicket – like he had done on the third day – targeting the right-hand batsman’s ribs with men catching close on the leg side.Chandimal had been cover-driving and cutting Trent Boult and Tim Southee, his fierce punishment of anything loose taking him swiftly to a half-century. Mathews had played with softer hands and a straighter bat, batting with calm. Wagner gave them no width, no opportunity to get on the front foot, hustling them with pace, forcing hurried evasive actions and awkward fends off the body.Wagner’s method of attack had become so ingrained in the batsman’s psyche that they expected little else from him. And so Mathews, after moving hurriedly towards the off side to let two consecutive short balls whizz past his ribs, began to play the third delivery in a similar manner. Except that this time Wagner bowled a full length. The ball crashed into the inside of his front pad, shot between his legs and flattened middle stump. Mathews had not even played a shot, and was the first Sri Lankan batsman to not be caught in this Test.Chandimal had to shelve his cavalier approach against Wagner. He had got to 50 off 90 balls – scoring 19 off 26 this morning – but made only eight off his next 41 deliveries. Subdued into a defensive mind-set, he padded up to a ball from the left-arm spinner Santner that went on with the arm, and was adjudged lbw not offering a shot. After a partnership of 56, Mathews and Chandimal had fallen with the score on 165.Wagner now went around the wicket to aim at the ribs of the two left-handers – Kithuruwan Vithanage and Milinda Siriwardana. He pinned them to the crease with his length, and then bowled a fast full-toss at Siriwardana, who was hit on the back pad as he squared up in his crease. The umpire Nigel Llong gave him lbw but Siriwardana successfully reviewed the decision, replays surprisingly suggesting the ball would have missed off stump, perhaps because Wagner had delivered from extremely wide of the crease.Wagner was given the second new ball for the last delivery of his first spell, which comprised eight overs at speeds that did not ebb.Southee took two deliveries to strike with the new ball, swinging it back into Vithanage from over the wicket, hitting the left-hander’s pads. Vithanage had played an enterprising innings, a run-a-ball 38 full of shots.The slide was swift after lunch. Boult struck in the third and fifth over of the second session – drawing an edge from Rangana Herath and having Siriwardana caught at short cover, both batsmen not bothering with defence.Sri Lanka went down swinging, and were bowled out for 282. However, the fact that an inexperienced batting line-up had lasted 95.2 overs after playing 117.1 in the first innings will be some consolation for a team rebuilding from the retirements of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

Mumbai came close with Tim David’s 18-ball 46, but fell short, and are now favourites to finish with the wooden spoon

Sidharth Monga17-May-20224:40

Shastri: Central contract straightaway for Malik

Sunrisers Hyderabad kept their campaign alive, but only just, with a three-run win over Mumbai Indians in a rollercoaster finish. Now joint-sixth with 12 points from 13 matches, Sunrisers are now left needing a win in their last game and a number of other results to go their way. Mumbai, meanwhile, are now the favourites to finish bottom of the table, two points behind Chennai Super Kings with a match each to go.On a five-match losing streak, Sunrisers finally dropped Kane Williamson down the order, which brought immediate dividends with Priyam Garg, his replacement at the top of the order, and Rahul Tripathi bossing the first 16 overs with help from Nicholas Pooran. Despite the sensational pace of Umran Malik, Mumbai’s inexperienced batting line-up stayed alive till the end of the 18th over, which went for four sixes from Tim David. With 19 required off 13, though, David ran himself out and Bhuvneshwar Kumar closed it out with a wicket-maiden in the 19th.A refreshing change at the top

Asked to bat first, Sunrisers came out with a new opening pair. Even though they lost Abhishek Sharma early, Tripathi and Garg counterattacked towards the end of the powerplay. It looked like a dry pitch, but the duo hit hard enough for even slight mis-hits to clear the small Wankhede boundaries. That said, they nailed their hitting almost all the time.It started with Tripathi taking on Jasprit Bumrah in the fifth over, hitting him for six, four and four, before Garg put a short ball from Daniel Sams on to the top tier of the stands at deep square-leg. Often teams maximise the powerplay and slow down as the field spreads, but these two kept going. Garg took the lead against the spinners, hitting a six off left-armer Sanjay Yadav before taking two fours in one Mayank Markande over. When Garg fell for 42 off 26 in the tenth over, he had made sure Sunrisers had their highest ten-over score this IPL: 97.Nicholas Pooran was all intent and big hits from the moment he walked out•BCCI

The wicket didn’t slow down Tripathi at all, and Pooran walked in as if coming from a net and used to the pace of the pitch. The second ball he faced, Pooran glanced Bumrah for four. He then lofted Riley Meredith for a six over long-off and then swept him for another over square leg. Tripathi wasn’t to be left behind, taking three fours off the 16th over, bowled by Sams.Mumbai survive death overs
At 164 in 16 overs, with eight wickets in hand and two set batters looking dangerous, Sunrisers looked set for a massive total. However, in the next two overs, every big shot they tried resulted in a wicket. Sams was too full for a flick from Pooran, and Ramandeep Singh too short for slogs from Tripathi and Aiden Markram. These wickets hurt Sunrisers as only two boundaries and 29 runs came off the last four overs.Rohit, Kishan set the platform

With Suryakumar Yadav out injured, Mumbai’s top order had some heavy lifting to do. They managed to mix aggression and pragmatism in the early exchanges, pouncing on their opportunities without taking wild risks. Rohit Sharma showed more intent, Ishan Kishan was more effective. But from 45 for no loss in five overs, they sort of slowed down to 61 in eight overs.Umran Malik was at it again, this time bouncing out Tilak Varma and Daniel Sams•BCCI

Umran Malik. Pace like fire

When Malik began the ninth over, familiar questions over his control started cropping up. However, even after three extra deliveries and 14 runs in his first over, Malik had clearly unsettled the batters. Rohit was hit flush in the helmet, which went for four leg-byes. Kishan was hit on the bat even before he could get into position to pull, the top-edge going for a six.However, it was Washington Sundar, who brought the first breakthrough. It was a match-up that has worked for Washington in the past. Before this match, he had bowled 19 balls to Rohit for 17 runs and two wickets. So Sunrisers were not shy of bowling him at Rohit. Eventually, he saw Rohit give him the charge, shortened the length, and had him caught at deep midwicket.The door ajar, Malik burst through. He made life difficult for Kishan, Tilak Verma and pinch-hitter Sams. Each of them was late on the ball, unable to come to terms with the pace and the bounce. Malik was now only three wickets behind the table-topper, but more tellingly, had conceded most not-in-control runs this IPL, drawing, on an average, a staggering ten false responses in each four-over spell. Malik’s burst left Mumbai needing 67 off the last five.Tim David hammered a flurry of fours and sixes in the last phase of the Mumbai innings•BCCI

David causes a flutter

In the closing stages of the match, Sunrisers preferred T Natarajan, who is having a nightmare tournament, to the inexperienced Malik. Natarajan frequently missed his yorker, bowling low full tosses that David hit for two fours and four sixes, including a 114-metre monster. Now they needed just 19 off 13. Off the last ball of the 18th over, David wanted a single off a deflection from Natarajan but didn’t see that the ball had hardly gone anywhere. He left himself no chance of making it, and the non-striker Sanjay Yadav was too stunned to hold his ground to keep the near end safe and sacrifice himself once David had made it to that end.The Bhuvneshwar show

Bhuvneshwar has been overshadowed of late by pacier, younger bowlers, but he has hardly missed a step himself. This 19th was a perfect example. He nailed the yorker again and again, mixing it up with a slower short ball that got Sanjay out. The wicket-maiden left Ramandeep too much to do in the final over, which Fazalhaq Farooqi closed out effectively.