Greats of Indian cricket have pulled no punches after Rohit Sharma’s side’s historic whitewash on home soil at the hands of New Zealand.
New Zealand beat India again to romp to historic 3-0 Test series win
- Ajaz Patel claims 6-57 as hosts fail to chase 146 in Mumbai
- India slump to first home series defeat since 2012
New Zealand completed an unprecedented 3-0 series sweep in India as the Black Caps dismissed the hosts for 121 on a tricky wicket to secure a 25-run victory on day three of the third and final test in Mumbai on Sunday.
The last time India were blanked at home was in 2000, in a two-match series against South Africa, and Rohit Sharma’s side will be feeling the pressure ahead of a challenging five-match series against Australia starting later this month.
Continue reading...Black Caps secure historic Test series whitewash over India after Wankhede collapse
The Black Caps have created history in Mumbai, sealing a Test series whitewash over India after successfully defending a 147-run target at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
‘I’m ready’: Nathan McSweeney catapults himself into Test conversation … but one issue remains
Nathan McSweeney has catapulted himself into the Test conversation after top-scoring in both innings of Australia A’s win over India A in Mackay, but his lack of experience against the new ball stands in his way of a coveted baggy green.
Star’s 21-ball half-century steers Renegades home as Strikers lose final-ball thriller
Sophie Molineux hit the equal-third quickest WBBL half-century as she sparked a remarkable comeback for the Melbourne Renegades, landing a devastating blow on the Adelaide Strikers’ three-peat chances.
‘You scratch it, we change the ball’: Indians cleared of ball-tampering after ‘inappropriate’ altercation
India A has been cleared of ball-tampering following a verbal confrontation between wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and umpire Shawn Craig on day four of the trial match against Australia A in Mackay.
India A cleared of ball-tampering as Australia win tour game by seven wickets
- Umpires change ball before day four of match in Mackay
- Ishan Kishan also cleared after being put on report for dissent
India’s A team have been cleared of ball-tampering and will escape any sanction, after initially appearing to be accused of causing scratches on it against Australia A.
In an explosive start to the summer, the A-match in Mackay threatened to boil over on Sunday morning when umpires changed the ball before play on day four.
Continue reading...Jake Fraser-McGurk set to be unleashed in MCG blockbuster as Australian XI confirmed
Captain Pat Cummins has confirmed Australia’s starting XI for the ODI series opener against Pakistan at the MCG, with rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk earning a recall.
Captain Nathan McSweeney nails Test audition as rivals falter in Australia A victory over India A
Captain Nathan McSweeney and all-rounder Beau Webster cracked fifties to steer Australia A towards a seven-wicket victory over India A in Mackay.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s dream delivery sparks collapse as Black Caps hunt historic whitewash
New Zealand lead by 143 runs in their second innings, after Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin triggered an opposition collapse in a keenly fought third Test on Saturday.
Nathan McSweeney steals march on rivals in Australia’s Test opener audition
- South Australia captain closes on half century against India A
- Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft all out cheaply
Nathan McSweeney has the chance to assert himself as the favourite for the Test vacancy after closing in on a half-century in Australia A’s second innings against India A.
On day three in Mackay, Australia A captain McSweeney (47 not out from 98 balls) was by far the most impressive of the four leading candidates to open the batting for Australia alongside Usman Khawaja this summer.
Continue reading...The Spin | The magic of Mitch Santner and New Zealand’s historic series win in India
Bowler’s superb display to end India’s 12-year home dominance followed Kiwis’ glorious sporting weekend
Mitchell Santner bowls in his contact lenses but bats in his glasses. It feels like part of his cricketing personality. A bit of this, a bit of that, all of which adds up to a clear-eyed vision greater than the whole – a series-defining 13 for 157 greater than the whole as it turns out. Rather like New Zealand sport in fact, the small country with the big ambition, and one still rubbing its eyes after an eye-poppingly bonkers week of sporting success.
Firstly, that weekend, kicked off by Team New Zealand’s Taihoro, who regained the America’s Cup off the waters of Barcelona, sending Ben Ainslie back to the drawing board. Then the first Test win in India, guided by Rachin Ravindra; followed by the Silver Ferns snatching netball’s Constellation Cup from Australia’s Diamonds; the Paddle Ferns winning the Women’s Canoe Polo World Cup against Italy; and finally Sophie Devine’s New Zealand defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Dubai.
Continue reading...Pakistan v England report cards: grading every player after Test series
Top marks for Noman Ali and Sajid Khan who surprisingly impressed but a series to forget for Ben Stokes
By Gary Naylor for the 99.94 Cricket Blog
Ben Stokes (53 runs at 13.3; no wicket for 33 runs; three catches)
Continue reading...Australia rest first-choice Test players for Pakistan T20 series
- Josh Inglis only inclusion who is a chance of making Test squad
- Australia to host three ODIs before three T20s against Pakistan
Australia have opted to leave out all of their first-choice Test XI for the upcoming Twenty20 series against Pakistan so they can prepare for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
After facing Pakistan in three ODIs, starting on 4 November, Australia will then take on the same opposition in the shortest format of international cricket.
Continue reading...England need to reset after Pakistan’s dynamic spin duo offer reality check | Andy Bull
Ben Stokes’s side may need to go back to basics after spinners Noman Ali and Sajid Khan exposed a lack of focus
The sun was only just coming up in England when the last wicket went down in Pakistan. Jack Leach was deftly stumped by Mohammad Rizwan as he came galumphing down the pitch to swing and miss at a wide, of all things. Noman Ali had bowled the ball out there deliberately, fast and flat after he saw Leach coming.
It was a simple trick, like an uncle bewitching his nephew by pretending to tug off his thumb. England had a pyrrhic lead of 35 at the time, and on television Ramiz Raja lost the run of himself and prematurely called a famous victory for Pakistan.
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