July 19, 2017 issue
Cricket
By Lekhraj Nimraj
Teenager Trushil Patel has been making a name for himself in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite division this season. At 17 years old, Patel is demonstrating the makings of a talented compact cricketer with the temperament to play at the national level.
Patel plays for Superstars Sports Club in the Second and Elite divisions and has scored centuries in both. In the Second division Superstars team, he averages a respectable 55.33 at a strike rate of 112, his highest score being 101 in a losing match against Toronto Braves at Toronto’s Thackery Park.
It is however in the Elite division that he is making the most impact. Displaying patience and temperament beyond his young age, Patel’s resilience to quality bowling and his appetite for runs has seen him sitting at the top of the player rankings. In this division he averages a shocking 82 with a strike rate of 126 with his highest score being 105.
During his century against Toronto Cricketers, while his teammates fell at regular intervals, Patel soldiered on, rarely giving any chances. With ease and perfect timing, he caressed the ball all over Terry Fox Park, taking the fight to the bowlers. His steady concentration and sharp focus enabled him to see the ball well and it is this talent that underscores the potential that he possesses.
In 2016 Patel captained the SCA under-19 team against the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council in the Ontario Cricket Association under-19 final where he scored a scintillating 74 off 56 balls and then returned on the field to take 5 wickets for 11 runs.
Usually coming in at number 3, Patel considers himself as part of the bedrock of the young dynamic group of cricketers playing for Superstars Sports Club. At this tender age, displaying a character you would expect from a seasoned campaigner, he sets about his business on the pitch with tenacity and determination. Observing his batting, one gets the sense that he becomes immersed with the cricket ball, focusing on placement and playing on merit. All that matters to him is what is happening on the cricket field. It is evident that he is destined to play for Canada if he is able to maintain his focus and commitment.
Under the tutelage of Coach Frank Persaud, Patel knows the hard work that has to be done. “I know that to be successful, to get to represent my country, I need to remain focused, to work hard during the winter months. In Canada we are at a bit of disadvantage during the winter as there is no cricket. But I see this not as a roadblock but as a challenge. Coach and Abigail (Abigail Rajkumar – Superstar club administrator) are always pushing me harder and harder. Coach is always there guiding and advising me and I have been able to flourish under his direction. There is no lack of encouragement from my teammates as we push each other to do well” he explained. When asked what it is that makes him work hard, he simply stated “It is a dream of mine to play for Canada”.
Cricket Canada has also begun to notice Patel. He was selected to represent Ontario Southern in Cricket Canada Central T20 during the Canada Day weekend. With his determination and focus, it is only time before he is called up for trials at the national level.
Teenager Trushil Patel has been making a name for himself in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Elite division this season. At 17 years old, Patel is demonstrating the makings of a talented compact cricketer with the temperament to play at the national level.
Patel plays for Superstars Sports Club in the Second and Elite divisions and has scored centuries in both. In the Second division Superstars team, he averages a respectable 55.33 at a strike rate of 112, his highest score being 101 in a losing match against Toronto Braves at Toronto’s Thackery Park.
It is however in the Elite division that he is making the most impact. Displaying patience and temperament beyond his young age, Patel’s resilience to quality bowling and his appetite for runs has seen him sitting at the top of the player rankings. In this division he averages a shocking 82 with a strike rate of 126 with his highest score being 105.
During his century against Toronto Cricketers, while his teammates fell at regular intervals, Patel soldiered on, rarely giving any chances. With ease and perfect timing, he caressed the ball all over Terry Fox Park, taking the fight to the bowlers. His steady concentration and sharp focus enabled him to see the ball well and it is this talent that underscores the potential that he possesses.
In 2016 Patel captained the SCA under-19 team against the Ottawa Valley Cricket Council in the Ontario Cricket Association under-19 final where he scored a scintillating 74 off 56 balls and then returned on the field to take 5 wickets for 11 runs.
Usually coming in at number 3, Patel considers himself as part of the bedrock of the young dynamic group of cricketers playing for Superstars Sports Club. At this tender age, displaying a character you would expect from a seasoned campaigner, he sets about his business on the pitch with tenacity and determination. Observing his batting, one gets the sense that he becomes immersed with the cricket ball, focusing on placement and playing on merit. All that matters to him is what is happening on the cricket field. It is evident that he is destined to play for Canada if he is able to maintain his focus and commitment.
Under the tutelage of Coach Frank Persaud, Patel knows the hard work that has to be done. “I know that to be successful, to get to represent my country, I need to remain focused, to work hard during the winter months. In Canada we are at a bit of disadvantage during the winter as there is no cricket. But I see this not as a roadblock but as a challenge. Coach and Abigail (Abigail Rajkumar – Superstar club administrator) are always pushing me harder and harder. Coach is always there guiding and advising me and I have been able to flourish under his direction. There is no lack of encouragement from my teammates as we push each other to do well” he explained. When asked what it is that makes him work hard, he simply stated “It is a dream of mine to play for Canada”.
Cricket Canada has also begun to notice Patel. He was selected to represent Ontario Southern in Cricket Canada Central T20 during the Canada Day weekend. With his determination and focus, it is only time before he is called up for trials at the national level.
England might have talked a good game about batting out six sessions to avoid defeat in the second Test, but the deed proved well beyond them as they managed less than a quarter of that. South Africa needed just 40.2 overs to claim the 10 wickets required to level the series on the fourth day, achieving their goal by 3pm to complete a 340-run victory at Trent Bridge.
In the same way that South Africa folded on the fourth day of the first Test, England were bowled out for 133 in their second innings – though they had fewer excuses for doing so. While the Lord's pitch turned square in the fourth innings, the sun was out in Nottingham for the first time on Monday (July 17) and there were few demons in the pitch. Only one wicket-taking delivery misbehaved, with Vernon Philander getting one to shoot through Gary Ballance's defences. The rest of the wickets fell due to South Africa's often brutish skill and England's misadventure.
South Africa will enjoy the 10-day break to the third Test after proving to themselves and everyone else that if they play at something approaching their best, they have England's beating. Barring any unexpected injuries, they will also go to The Oval with a clear idea of their best team, while England look further away from that now than they did at the start of the series. Much as they won't want to return to the bad old days of selection when they chopped and changed too readily, the concerns around several players might force them into drastic action midway through the series.
The real damage on day four was done not by South Africa's opening bowlers, who exposed the known shortcomings of Keaton Jennings and Ballance, but Chris Morris, who removed England's two best batsmen with contrasting snorters. In the process he completed his transformation, from the questionable first-change bowler that he looked in his opening spell of the match, to a key cog that had balanced South Africa's side. With Kagiso Rabada set to return for the largely ineffectual Duanne Olivier in the next match, the visitors can feel that they have all of their bases covered.
By contrast, England were left with many more questions than answers. Jennings offered nothing like an opening batsman's defence as he was bowled through the gate by Philander, and Ballance's troubles against the full delivery continued as he was hit on the pad twice in two balls. Both appeals were turned down by the umpires with the decisions reviewed by South Africa. The second one showed that Philander's scuttling delivery had pitched in line with leg stump – the only basis for doubt – and so Ballance was on his way.
The question was whether Morris and Olivier could maintain the intensity, and the former provided an emphatic answer. The seventh ball he bowled to Joe Root was a searing yorker that shaped away late to uproot the off-stump, while it was the short ball that accounted for Alastair Cook (42) as he gloved through to the keeper whilst defending his face. At 72 for four inside the opening session, it was simply a matter of how much longer England would hold out.
The answer was not long at all. In the second over after lunch, Jonny Bairstow played a filthy shot, hitting Keshav Maharaj straight to mid-on when he had no business trying to clear the fielder. Maharaj went on to pick up two more wickets as Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad both swept to fielders, while Philander had Ben Stokes caught and bowled.
With England falling in a heap, and quickly, Faf du Plessis even had the space to bring on Olivier for some sympathy wickets. England were eight down, and Olivier finished the job in two deliveries as both Mark Wood and James Anderson were caught behind the wicket. Philander nevertheless finished with the best figures, taking 3 for 24, though Morris' 2 for 7 in six brisk overs had caught the eye and Maharaj ended the game with six scalps overall.
Brief scores: South Africa 335 & 343/9 decl (Dean Elgar 80, Hashim Amla 87; Moeen Ali 4-78) beat England 205 & 133 (Alastair Cook 42; Keshav Maharaj 3-42, Vernon Philander 3-24) by 340 runs.
In the same way that South Africa folded on the fourth day of the first Test, England were bowled out for 133 in their second innings – though they had fewer excuses for doing so. While the Lord's pitch turned square in the fourth innings, the sun was out in Nottingham for the first time on Monday (July 17) and there were few demons in the pitch. Only one wicket-taking delivery misbehaved, with Vernon Philander getting one to shoot through Gary Ballance's defences. The rest of the wickets fell due to South Africa's often brutish skill and England's misadventure.
South Africa will enjoy the 10-day break to the third Test after proving to themselves and everyone else that if they play at something approaching their best, they have England's beating. Barring any unexpected injuries, they will also go to The Oval with a clear idea of their best team, while England look further away from that now than they did at the start of the series. Much as they won't want to return to the bad old days of selection when they chopped and changed too readily, the concerns around several players might force them into drastic action midway through the series.
The real damage on day four was done not by South Africa's opening bowlers, who exposed the known shortcomings of Keaton Jennings and Ballance, but Chris Morris, who removed England's two best batsmen with contrasting snorters. In the process he completed his transformation, from the questionable first-change bowler that he looked in his opening spell of the match, to a key cog that had balanced South Africa's side. With Kagiso Rabada set to return for the largely ineffectual Duanne Olivier in the next match, the visitors can feel that they have all of their bases covered.
By contrast, England were left with many more questions than answers. Jennings offered nothing like an opening batsman's defence as he was bowled through the gate by Philander, and Ballance's troubles against the full delivery continued as he was hit on the pad twice in two balls. Both appeals were turned down by the umpires with the decisions reviewed by South Africa. The second one showed that Philander's scuttling delivery had pitched in line with leg stump – the only basis for doubt – and so Ballance was on his way.
The question was whether Morris and Olivier could maintain the intensity, and the former provided an emphatic answer. The seventh ball he bowled to Joe Root was a searing yorker that shaped away late to uproot the off-stump, while it was the short ball that accounted for Alastair Cook (42) as he gloved through to the keeper whilst defending his face. At 72 for four inside the opening session, it was simply a matter of how much longer England would hold out.
The answer was not long at all. In the second over after lunch, Jonny Bairstow played a filthy shot, hitting Keshav Maharaj straight to mid-on when he had no business trying to clear the fielder. Maharaj went on to pick up two more wickets as Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad both swept to fielders, while Philander had Ben Stokes caught and bowled.
With England falling in a heap, and quickly, Faf du Plessis even had the space to bring on Olivier for some sympathy wickets. England were eight down, and Olivier finished the job in two deliveries as both Mark Wood and James Anderson were caught behind the wicket. Philander nevertheless finished with the best figures, taking 3 for 24, though Morris' 2 for 7 in six brisk overs had caught the eye and Maharaj ended the game with six scalps overall.
Brief scores: South Africa 335 & 343/9 decl (Dean Elgar 80, Hashim Amla 87; Moeen Ali 4-78) beat England 205 & 133 (Alastair Cook 42; Keshav Maharaj 3-42, Vernon Philander 3-24) by 340 runs.
match-winning performance
Sri Lanka's Asela Gunaratne cherished his maiden Man of the Match award in Test cricket following his team's stunning four wicket win over Zimbabwe at R. Premadasa Stadium on Monday. Sri Lanka were involved in Test cricket's fifth highest run-chase as they stunned Zimbabwe, with Gunaratne scoring 80 not out.
"It's a huge total that we had to chase although it was a good wicket to bat. There were lot of messages from the dressing room telling us not to panic. There was quite a bit of planning and I am thrilled with this effort. Great win for us," noted Gunaratne.
"We never spoke about losing the game. We have lot of bitter memories of losing. Even when we were having dinner last night, the talk was about how the run chase should go and we are very happy right now," Gunaratne said.
The turning point in the game was the 121 run sixth-wicket partnership between Gunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella, who top-scored with 81 runs.
"The moment I went out to bat, Dickwella said; "Talk to me all the time, and make me score runs." I think what he meant was that he hadn't scored a big one in
Tests, whereas I have. He just wanted me to tell him how to handle situations. Sometimes when the game was going a certain way, he wanted me to keep advising him. Occasionally I'd tell him not to go for certain shots. In the end, he stuck around and played a crucial role," Gunaratne said.
Gunaratne's spin also came in handy in the first innings as he broke two partnerhsps. Hamsitring injury prevented him from bowling in the second innings. "I will do whatever the captain requires of me. In this Test, for example, when our main bowlers Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera weren't getting wickets, sometimes a wicket was required of me. I might not need to be a main bowler, but I could be a breakthrough bowler."
"I bowl a lot at nets and I bowl different varieties of spin as well. I'm hoping to be a useful bowler," Gunaratne said.
"It's not a big injury. I felt that my hamstring was tight. The physiotherapist also said it hasn't been torn. But I was ready to bat. I had it plastered and didn't bowl any overs or field. My one goal was to rest and somehow take the team to victory."
"It's a huge total that we had to chase although it was a good wicket to bat. There were lot of messages from the dressing room telling us not to panic. There was quite a bit of planning and I am thrilled with this effort. Great win for us," noted Gunaratne.
"We never spoke about losing the game. We have lot of bitter memories of losing. Even when we were having dinner last night, the talk was about how the run chase should go and we are very happy right now," Gunaratne said.
The turning point in the game was the 121 run sixth-wicket partnership between Gunaratne and Niroshan Dickwella, who top-scored with 81 runs.
"The moment I went out to bat, Dickwella said; "Talk to me all the time, and make me score runs." I think what he meant was that he hadn't scored a big one in
Tests, whereas I have. He just wanted me to tell him how to handle situations. Sometimes when the game was going a certain way, he wanted me to keep advising him. Occasionally I'd tell him not to go for certain shots. In the end, he stuck around and played a crucial role," Gunaratne said.
Gunaratne's spin also came in handy in the first innings as he broke two partnerhsps. Hamsitring injury prevented him from bowling in the second innings. "I will do whatever the captain requires of me. In this Test, for example, when our main bowlers Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera weren't getting wickets, sometimes a wicket was required of me. I might not need to be a main bowler, but I could be a breakthrough bowler."
"I bowl a lot at nets and I bowl different varieties of spin as well. I'm hoping to be a useful bowler," Gunaratne said.
"It's not a big injury. I felt that my hamstring was tight. The physiotherapist also said it hasn't been torn. But I was ready to bat. I had it plastered and didn't bowl any overs or field. My one goal was to rest and somehow take the team to victory."
in all formats
Angelo Mathews has stepped down as Sri Lanka captain in all three formats of the game after his team’s shocking loss in the One-day International series at home against the lowly-ranked Zimbabwe side.
Sri Lanka lost the series to Zimbabwe 3-2 on Monday of last week. Zimbabwe pulled off a major upset by winning the fifth and final ODI by three wickets at Hambantota.
Terming it as “one of the lowest points” of his career, the 30-year old Mathews had earlier stated in a press conference that he will decide his future with the Sri Lankan Cricket.
Angelo was quoted as saying, “Everything went against us, from the toss to misreading the wicket. There are no excuses. At the end of the day, we were not good enough to beat them. They played better cricket.”
Media reports suggest that Dinesh Chandimal is the front-runner to take over from Mathews. It was only recently that Graham Ford stepped down as Sri Lankan head coach after Sri Lanka’s weak performance in the ICC Champions Trophy staged in England last month.
Mathews captained Sri Lanka in 34 Tests, of which the team won 13 and lost 15. In ODIs, he won 47 and lost 46 while in T20Is he won four and lost seven.
Sri Lanka defeated Ireland and West Indies under the former skipper Mathews but lost home series against Pakistan, Australia and now Zimbabwe.
Mathews earlier stated in a press conference on Tuesday last week that he would seek consultation from the national selectors before making a firm decision on his captaincy future.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday named former captain Ravi Shastri the new head coach of India, ending weeks of speculation over the high-profile job after Anil Kumble's dramatic exit.
The BCCI also appointed ex-paceman Zaheer Khan as the bowling coach and Rahul Dravid as the batting consultant for overseas tours.
“The term of the appointments will be till the World Cup 2019,” the BCCI said in a release.
Shastri, 55, was among five high-profile candidates interviewed on Monday for the post left vacant by ex-Test captain Anil Kumble, who resigned amid difficulties over his relationship with Kohli which he described as “untenable”.
An advisory committee of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had been tasked with selecting the new coach to head the Test team.
Earlier, speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as India's team director between 2014 and 2016, is on friendly terms with Kohli and would therefore get the nod.
The BCCI also appointed ex-paceman Zaheer Khan as the bowling coach and Rahul Dravid as the batting consultant for overseas tours.
“The term of the appointments will be till the World Cup 2019,” the BCCI said in a release.
Shastri, 55, was among five high-profile candidates interviewed on Monday for the post left vacant by ex-Test captain Anil Kumble, who resigned amid difficulties over his relationship with Kohli which he described as “untenable”.
An advisory committee of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman had been tasked with selecting the new coach to head the Test team.
Earlier, speculation had been rife that Shastri, who served as India's team director between 2014 and 2016, is on friendly terms with Kohli and would therefore get the nod.
India captain Mithali Raj scored her sixth One-day International hundred as she led her side into the last four of the ICC Women’s World Cup during a crushing 186-run win over New Zealand in Derby on Saturday.
Raj made 109 in an India total of 265-7 that also featured Veda Krishnamurthy’s 70 off just 45 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 60.
New Zealand, one of the pre-tournament favourites, then collapsed spectacularly to 79 all out – their lowest ever Women’s World Cup completed total – with left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking five for 15 in her first match of the tournament.
This was a virtual quarter-final between the two sides, with tournament hosts England, reigning champions Australia and South Africa already into the semi-finals ahead of Saturday’s final group matches.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Raj. “For a couple of us, this will be our last World Cup, so our first aim was to enter the semi-finals. I’ve always dreamt of getting runs for my country — that hunger never dies.”
Dejected New Zealand captain Suzie Bates admitted: “We were nowhere near as good as we needed to be. That’s how it’s been in pressure games this tournament – we haven’t turned up when we needed to.
“There’s going to be lot of reviews of our team because we were expected to make the semi-finals,” added Bates after the White Ferns failed to make the top four for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1973.
India’s win saw them book a place in the second semi-final against Australia in Derby on Thursday.
Raj made 109 in an India total of 265-7 that also featured Veda Krishnamurthy’s 70 off just 45 balls and Harmanpreet Kaur’s 60.
New Zealand, one of the pre-tournament favourites, then collapsed spectacularly to 79 all out – their lowest ever Women’s World Cup completed total – with left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad taking five for 15 in her first match of the tournament.
This was a virtual quarter-final between the two sides, with tournament hosts England, reigning champions Australia and South Africa already into the semi-finals ahead of Saturday’s final group matches.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Raj. “For a couple of us, this will be our last World Cup, so our first aim was to enter the semi-finals. I’ve always dreamt of getting runs for my country — that hunger never dies.”
Dejected New Zealand captain Suzie Bates admitted: “We were nowhere near as good as we needed to be. That’s how it’s been in pressure games this tournament – we haven’t turned up when we needed to.
“There’s going to be lot of reviews of our team because we were expected to make the semi-finals,” added Bates after the White Ferns failed to make the top four for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 1973.
India’s win saw them book a place in the second semi-final against Australia in Derby on Thursday.
Hosts England reached the Women's World Cup final following a nerve-racking two-wicket win over South Africa in Bristol.
Anya Shrubsole steered a tense England over the line with just two balls to spare after they lost six wickets for 78 runs.
Heather Knight's side were chasing South Africa's 218-6, built on Mignon du Preez's unbeaten 76.
They will face Australia or India in Sunday's final at Lord's.
England required a boundary from number 10 Shrubsole to seal the win after they appeared to be cruising towards victory.
Sarah Taylor - arguably their best player - scored a typically classy half-century in a stand of 78 with captain Knight (30) to take them to within 80 runs of victory.
However, both players fell in quick succession - Knight to a wonderful catch from Laura Wolvaardt at square leg - and a collapse followed.
Nat Sciver (3) was bowled round her legs and Katherine Brunt (12) was dismissed charging the seamer, but Fran Wilson (30) and the experienced Gunn, with a run-a-ball 27, held their nerve.
Taking singles initially before being more expansive in the closing overs, they inched England towards victory.
There was still time for brief alarm when both Wilson and Laura Marsh fell in quick succession, but Shrubsole drove her first ball for four to spark wild celebrations in the England camp and reduce a number of South Africa players to tears.
Anya Shrubsole steered a tense England over the line with just two balls to spare after they lost six wickets for 78 runs.
Heather Knight's side were chasing South Africa's 218-6, built on Mignon du Preez's unbeaten 76.
They will face Australia or India in Sunday's final at Lord's.
England required a boundary from number 10 Shrubsole to seal the win after they appeared to be cruising towards victory.
Sarah Taylor - arguably their best player - scored a typically classy half-century in a stand of 78 with captain Knight (30) to take them to within 80 runs of victory.
However, both players fell in quick succession - Knight to a wonderful catch from Laura Wolvaardt at square leg - and a collapse followed.
Nat Sciver (3) was bowled round her legs and Katherine Brunt (12) was dismissed charging the seamer, but Fran Wilson (30) and the experienced Gunn, with a run-a-ball 27, held their nerve.
Taking singles initially before being more expansive in the closing overs, they inched England towards victory.
There was still time for brief alarm when both Wilson and Laura Marsh fell in quick succession, but Shrubsole drove her first ball for four to spark wild celebrations in the England camp and reduce a number of South Africa players to tears.