Cricket News
Persistent rain in Rawalpindi meant no play was possible in the heavyweight Group B clash
“Just a heads up Rob...” begins Alistair Connor. “Check out weather.com , the rain’s only getting worse in Rawalpindi. Can’t see any sort of match happening. Or are you contractually or diplomatically obliged to avoid mentioning that?”
It’s more that I’m one of nature’s optimists you can’t always trust the weather apps.
As Pakistan departed Dubai and New Zealand readied itself for a visit to the Emirates, the absurdity of what is clearly a compromised Champions Trophy came into full view.
Australia and South Africa have never faced off in the Champions Trophy, and Pakistan’s weather gods have ensured that statistical anomaly remains intact for another four years.
Ellyse Perry’s stunning unbeaten 90 was not enough for the Royals Challengers Bengaluru to claim victory as they fell to the UP Warriorz in a super over in a thrilling Women’s Premier League clash.
Rachin Ravindra struck a superb 112 to lead New Zealand into the Champions Trophy semi-finals with a five-wicket win over Bangladesh, in turn dumping out hosts Pakistan who have been left to deal with an ugly fallout.
Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali have both withdrawn from this year’s Hundred. England’s Test captain has chosen to focus on his fitness and his duties with the red ball, and Moeen has decided to retire from county cricket so he can grasp the opportunities offered by global franchise leagues.
The competition has brought only bad luck to Stokes, who in five appearances has scored only 14 runs at an average of 3.50 and sustained one serious hamstring injury, while playing for Northern Superchargers last August. That pulled muscle kept him out of all cricket for two months and, after a recurrence while playing for England in New Zealand late last year, he required surgery from which he is recovering.
Continue reading...Josh Inglis’ stunning Champions Trophy century made England finally wake up and realise that a multi-format star slipped through their fingers.
Virat Kohli’s record-extending 51st one-day century secured a six-wicket win over Pakistan in Dubai that puts India on the verge of qualifying for the Champions Trophy semi-finals.
After Pakistan were bowled out for a disappointing 241 in 49.4 overs, Kohli took centre stage, ticking off 14,000 ODI runs en route to 100 not out off 111 balls – with a final cover drive sealing his century and India’s victory, which leaves their rivals on the brink of early elimination.
Continue reading...Victoria has won its way into the One Day Cup final after a clutch win on the final day of the season at Cricket Central, while Tasmanian sensation Mitch Owen blasted a wild 48-ball century.
Pakistan face arch-rivals India in a Champions Trophy blockbuster (tonight from 8pm AEDT) as they look to get their campaign back on track in front of a sell-out crowd in Dubai on an occasion described as “beyond a game”.
It only took 18 months, but Australia may have finally unearthed an ODI replacement for David Warner.
Australia produced one of the great run chases to start the Champions Trophy in sublime fashion on Sunday morning — but their English rivals can’t seem to accept it.
Josh Inglis’ unbeaten century in Australia’s record run-chase in their Champions Trophy opener against England in Lahore has been hailed as one of the great ODI innings.
Pakistan is hosting its first major ICC event in nearly three decades, but the national team has been forced to travel to another country for their second group stage match of the Champions Trophy.
Two players have copped massive bans after a wild brawl erupted during a club cricket match in Latrobe Valley last weekend.