January 22, 2020 issue

Cricket

 
England win by an innings in
Port Elizabeth
Stuart Broad celebrates with his team-mates

England sealed their biggest away win in more than nine years in the third Test against South Africa to move 2-1 up with one match left in the series.
Needing four wickets on the fifth morning, the tourists bowled the Proteas out for 237 to seal victory by an innings and 53 runs.
From 102-6 overnight, still 188 short of making England bat again, South Africa's margin of defeat would have been even greater had it not been for Keshav Maharaj, who clubbed 71.
In a freewheeling 10th-wicket stand of 99 with Dane Paterson, Maharaj at one stage took 45 runs from 14 deliveries.
What started as Maharaj and Paterson trying their luck turned into genuine frustration for England, with the ball disappearing to all parts and fielders scattered all over Port Elizabeth.
It was eventually ended when Maharaj attempted a single to mid-on, failing to beat a Sam Curran throw that hit the non-striker's stumps.
England will win the series if they avoid defeat in the fourth Test in Johannesburg, which begins on Friday.
England were in such disarray at the beginning of this series that Ben Stokes revealed they were referring to their trip to South Africa as "The Cursed Tour".

Keshav Maharaj and Dane Paterson added 99 for the last wicket
Illness swept through the squad before and during the first-Test defeat in Centurion. Stokes' father was admitted to hospital with a serious illness and opener Rory Burns had to go home with an ankle injury sustained playing football.
Even though England have suffered injuries to bowlers James Anderson and Jofra Archer since then, they have turned their fortunes around to stand on the verge of only their second away series victory since they won in South Africa four years ago.
They have done so with experienced players like Broad, Stokes and Joe Root performing, but what is most encouraging is the development of the younger players. Dom Sibley, 24, struck his maiden century in the second-Test win, and in this match 22-year-olds Ollie Pope and Bess recorded a first hundred and first five-wicket haul respectively.
After an even first day, England utterly dominated this match on a flat, slow pitch, the kind of surface on which they have struggled so badly away from home in recent times.
The end result was their first innings win overseas since the famous 2010-11 Ashes triumph in Australia.
This match was hit by bad weather on days two, three and four, but any hope South Africa had of being saved by the elements was dashed by clear skies and sunshine on Monday.
Root, who took four wickets on Sunday, hunted his first 5-wicket haul in professional cricket by bowling unchanged for more than an hour.
He gave himself the second new ball, only to be hit for three fours and two sixes in an over by Maharaj. When the final delivery went for four byes, the 28 runs conceded equalled the record for the most expensive over in Test history.
That was the signal for Maharaj and Paterson to play shots at virtually every ball, with Wood and Curran also coming in for some harsh treatment.
By this point, England were somehow unable to hit the stumps when bowling and were only spared more toil by Curran's accurate throw.
Not only did the tourists ensure they will at least draw the series, but they strengthened their position in third place in the World Test Championship, albeit some distance adrift of India and Australia.
 
Tendulkar, Walsh to coach in
bushfire relief match

Legendary cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Courtney Walsh have been named coaches of the bushfire relief match featuring Ponting XI and Warne XI, Cricket Australia announced on Tuesday (January 21). The former Indian captain will coach the side led by Ponting and Walsh will be in charge of Warne's outfit.
Apart from those two former Australian greats, Cricket Australia also revealed that the likes of Justin Langer, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Watson, Alex Blackwell and Michael Clarke will be taking part in the contest that will be staged on February 8.
"We are absolutely honoured to be welcoming Sachin and Courtney back to Australia where they both enjoyed a lot of success as players, and we can't wait to have them involved in what is going to be a special day," Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Roberts, said.
"Both in the ICC Hall of Fame, Sachin is the greatest run-scorer of all time in international cricket, and we all remember what Courtney could do with the ball, taking more than 500 Test wickets. We're looking forward to our people at CA and the entire Australian cricket family coming together for the Big Appeal."
The proceedings from the match will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund in order to aid the ones who suffered as a result of the bushfires in Australia recently. Apart from this game, the tri-series women's T20I clash featuring Australia and India and the Big Bash League final will also be staged on the same day.

 
Simmons, Lewis smash Ireland
to draw series
Lendl Simmons in full flight
Lendl Simmons carted 10 sixes and five fours on his way to a jaw-dropping 91* off 40 balls as West Indies made mincemeat of Ireland's above average total of 138 in the series finale in St. Kitts. Having been stunned in the series opener – by the slightest of margins, West Indies' hopes of going into the last game on level terms was scuppered by rains.
Kieron Pollard had bowled his heart out, producing his career-best spell (4 for 25), only for showers to kill the game right at the start of their chase. Ireland went into the final fixture with a series lead, and the opportunity to create history with a series win, but their flight of fancy was brought down crashing to earth via West Indies' thorough all-round performance.
If the first three overs of the game was anything to go by, Ireland once again showed gumption to post a high, 200-plus total. They had 48 runs on the board by the end of the third, thanks largely to Kevin O'Brien who raced away to 35 off 15, which included a Sheldon Cottrell over riddled with five successive boundaries. But Ireland's march towards maximising the PowerPlay was cut short by the experience that Pollard and Dwayne Bravo brought to the West Indies side. They took out both openers – O'Brien and Paul Stirling - in the space of seven deliveries.
From 61 in 6 overs, captain Andrew Balbirnie set out to carry forward the consolidation job but was devoid of a stable batting partner at the other end. In less than five full overs since the PowerPlay, Ireland lost four more wickets – including that of Balbirnie – to put themselves en route to an underwhelming total. Pollard followed his 4 for 25 with another fine spell of bowling at the same venue, finishing with 3 for 17 while Bravo too accounted for three dismissals. The utter collapse in the middle-order – with five of the batsmen contributing single-digit scores – saw Ireland fold for 138 in the 20th over, giving West Indies a clear shot at series parity.
West Indies took it, and Simmons began the carnage against the medium pace of Barry McCarthy in the second over, hitting him for 15 runs and bettered that against Craig Young in the sixth, with 16 to the tally. Ireland fired blanks in their quest for early breakthroughs as West Indies waltzed to 57 for 0 in 6 overs. Simmons made up his mind to not offer any respite that generally accompanies the relaxation of the field restrictions, as he brought up a 28-ball half-century with a six.
There just was no restriction to Simmons's six-binge. At the halfway stage, West Indies had already polished off 123 runs, with Simmons smashing 85 off it – which included nine sixes. Though Lewis was dismissed in the 11th over – giving Simi Singh and his teammates something to cheer about – Simmons took his sixes tally to double digit and sealed the game in style.
 
Bangladesh to tour Pakistan but without Mushfiqur and others
Mushfiqur Rahim... I wish good luck to our team

Head coach Russell Domingo said Bangladesh would perform well in Pakistan despite security concerns overshadowing the tour starting later this month, with several players and coaching staff refusing to make the trip.
Bangladesh will tour Pakistan for three Twenty20 Internationals, a One-day International and two Tests spread across three visits.
International cricket has gradually returned to Pakistan in the last four years after it was suspended following a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009.
The players are expected to train amid heavy security, but Domingo said the situation would strengthen the bond between them rather than hamper preparations.
“I do not think it will be tough for the boys [to focus],” Domingo told reporters late on Sunday as the team started preparations for the tour.
“When you are facing a bowler there is nothing else to think about except a ball or when you are bowling there is nothing else to think except landing the ball in the right area. It [the heavy security] can galvanise the team as well. It can get the team working together and connecting well.”
Bangladesh agreed to the Pakistan tour after a long debate over security concerns that nearly led to the cancellation of the series.
The Tigers will play three T20Is in Lahore from Jan 24 to 27 before returning to Pakistan for the first Test from Feb 7 to 11 in Rawalpindi. They will visit again to play a One-day International in Karachi on April 3 and the second Test from April 5 to 9.
“Where we go and when we go is not our decision. Obviously it would be nice to go once and finish in three weeks but they think it’s best to do it in one-week blocks. I am fine with it,” Domingo added.
Senior batsman Mushfiqur Rahim and several members of the backroom staff, including batting coach Neil McKenzie, spin bowling coach Daniel Vettori and fielding coach Ryan Cook refused to join the tour.
Rahim said that while Pakistan is a "is a great place to play cricket", he had decided not to visit because "his family is worried" and does not want him to go.
"I have already said I wouldn't go to Pakistan. I have decided it long ago and informed the board. I have submitted a letter too. My family is worried, and they don't want me to go," Rahim was quoted as saying.
The batsman said that he had also turned down the offer to play in this year's Pakistan Super League (PSL) because the entire series was being held in Pakistan. He has played for the Karachi Kings in the past seasons of the series.
"There's no bigger sin for me than not playing for Bangladesh," he said. "But I had denied an offer to play in the PSL after knowing that the tournament will be entirely held in Pakistan. My family didn't agree with it."
Domingo said he did not share these safety concerns. “It was easy [to take decision of going to Pakistan]. I sign up to coach Bangladesh and that’s what I want to do,” Domingo said. “I am looking forward going to Pakistan. I have never been there, so I am seeing a good challenge, good learning and a good adventure on how cricket works in that country.”
But Domingo said he also respected the decision of players like Mushfiqur, whom he had spoken to. “He is a family man like me. If he feels that’s the best for his family we have to respect his decision,” he said.
Rahim's absence will be a blow for Bangladesh who are already without suspended all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan and lost their two recent Tests in India inside three days.
He, however, said that he would consider touring in future, once other teams start visiting.
"I wish good luck to our team," he said.

 
Rohit Sharma century leads to ODI series win vs Aussies
Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's century helped India secure a 2-1 series win over Australia with a seven-wicket victory in the third one-day international. Opener Rohit hit his 29th ODI ton to get India's chase of 287 off to a fine start before falling for 119.
Captain Virat Kohli made 89 before he was bowled but Shreyas Iyer's unbeaten 44 guided the hosts to 289-3 with 15 balls to spare in Bangalore.
Steve Smith earlier made 131 as Australia posted 286-9.
Victory capped a strong comeback from India in the series after they were thrashed by 10 wickets in the opening match.
An improved batting display helped them claim victory in the second ODI, while India's seam bowlers were also particularly impressive here. Mohammed Shami took 4-63 and Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless but conceded just 38 runs off his 10 overs as they prevented Australia from posting a total over 300 in the closing stages of their innings.
Smith made his first ODI ton in three years, striking 14 fours and one six in his 132-ball knock before he was dismissed by Shami.
Marnus Labuschagne was the only batsman to back up Smith's knock as he hit 54 before he was removed by Ravindra Jadeja (2-44), with the left-arm spinner also dismissing fast bowler Mitchell Starc, for a three-ball duck.
Australia's opening bowlers Starc and Pat Cummins were ineffective as Rohit smashed eight fours and six sixes before falling to leg-spinner Adam Zampa.
Kohli, who put on 137 with Rohit, looked on course for his 44th ODI ton before he was castled by Josh Hazlewood.
Yet the tourists could not rally as Iyer cracked 44 off 35 balls to wrap up the series win.

 
ICC Under-19 World Cup 2020 - Fixtures and Results
1st Match, Group D, at Kimberley, Jan 17 2020
South Africa Under-19s - 129;
Afghanistan Under-19s - 130/3 (25/50 ov, target 130)
Afghan U19 won by 7 wickets (with 150 balls remaining)
2nd Match, Group C, at Potchefstroom, Jan 18 2020
Zimbabwe Under-19s - 137/6 (28.1/28.1 ov)
Bangladesh Under-19s - 132/1 (11.2/22 ov, target 130)
B'desh U19 won by 9 wkts (with 64 balls remaining) (D/L method)
3rd Match, Group A, at Potchefstroom (Uni), Jan 18 2020
New Zealand Under-19s - 195/2 (28.5/50 ov)
Japan Under-19 – No result
4th Match, Group D, at Bloemfontein, Jan 18 2020
Canada Under-19s - 231/8
United Arab Emirates Under-19s - 232/2 (38.4/50 ov, target 232)
UAE U19 won by 8 wickets (with 68 balls remaining)
5th Match, Group B, at Kimberley, Jan 18 2020
Australia Under-19s - 179 (35.4/49 ov)
West Indies Under-19s - 180/7 (46/49 ov, target 180)
W Indies U19 won by 3 wickets (with 18 balls remaining)
6th Match, Group C, at Potchefstroom (Uni), Jan 19 2020
Scotland Under-19s - 75
Pakistan Under-19s - 77/3 (11.4/50 ov, target 76)
Pakistan U19 won by 7 wickets (with 230 balls remaining)
7th Match, Group A, at Bloemfontein, Jan 19 2020
India Under-19s - 297/4
Sri Lanka Under-19s - 207 (45.2/50 ov, target 298)
India U19 won by 90 runs
8th Match, Group B, at Kimberley, Jan 20 2020
West Indies Under-19s - 267/7
England Under-19s - 184/9 (43.4/43.4 ov, target 256)
W Indies U19 won by 71 runs (D/L method)
9th Match, Group B, at Kimberley, Jan 20 2020
Nigeria Under-19s - 61
Australia Under-19s - 62/0 (7.4/50 ov, target 62)
Aust U19 won by 10 wickets (with 254 balls remaining)
10th Match, Group C, at Potchefstroom, Jan 21 2020
Scotland Under-19s - 89
Bangladesh Under-19s - 93/3 (16.4/50 ov, target 90)
B'desh U19 won by 7 wickets (with 200 balls remaining)
11th Match, Group A, at Bloemfontein, Jan 21 2020
Japan Under-19s - 41
India Under-19s - 42/0 (4.5/50 ov, target 42)
India U19 won by 10 wickets (with 271 balls remaining)
12th Match, Group D, at Potchefstroom, Jan 22 2020
South Africa Under-19s vs Canada Under-19s
13th Match, Group D, at Potchefstroom (Uni), Jan 22 2020
Afghanistan Under-19s vs United Arab Emirates Under-19s
14th Match, Group B, at Potchefstroom, Jan 22 2020
Pakistan Under-19s vs Zimbabwe Under-19s
15th Match, Group A, at Bloemfontein, Jan 22 2020
New Zealand Under-19s vs Sri Lanka Under-19s
16th Match, Group B, at Kimberley, Jan 23 2020
Australia Under-19s vs England Under-19s
17th Match, Group B, at Kimberley, Jan 23 2020
Nigeria Under-19s vs West Indies Under-19s
18th Match, Group C, at Potchefstroom, Jan 24 2020
Bangladesh Under-19s vs Pakistan Under-19s
19th Match, Group D, at Potchefstroom (Uni 2), Jan 24 2020
Afghanistan Under-19s vs Canada Under-19s
20th Match, Group A, at Bloemfontein, Jan 24 2020
India Under-19s vs New Zealand Under-19s
21st Match, Group A, at Potchefstroom (Uni), Jan 25 2020
Japan Under-19s vs Sri Lanka Under-19s
22nd Match, Group C, at Potchefstroom, Jan 25 2020
Scotland Under-19s vs Zimbabwe Under-19s
23rd Match, Group D, at Bloemfontein, Jan 25 2020
South Africa Under-19s vs United Arab Emirates Under-19s
24th Match, Group C, at Kimberley, Jan 25 2020
England Under-19s vs Nigeria Under-19s
9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom (Uni 2),
Jan 27 2020: TBA vs TBA
9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom,
Jan 27 2020: TBA vs TBA
9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom (Uni 2),
Jan 28 2020: TBA vs TBA
9th Place Play-off Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom,
Jan 28 2020: TBA vs TBA
Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom, Jan 28 2020: TBA vs TBA
Quarter-Final, at Benoni, Jan 29 2020: TBA vs TBA
13th Place Play-off Semi-Final, at Potchefstroom (Uni 2),
Jan 30 2020: TBA vs TBA
13th Place Play-off Semi-Final, at Potchefstroom, Jan 30 2020
TBA vs TBA
9th Place Play-off Semi-Final, at Potchefstroom (Uni),
Jan 30 2020: TBA vs TBA
Quarter-Final, at Potchefstroom, Jan 30 2020: TBA vs TBA
9th Place Play-off Semi-Final, at Kimberley, Jan 31: TBA vs TBA
Quarter-Final, at Benoni, Jan 31 2020: TBA vs TBA
13th Place Play-off, at Potchefstroom, Feb 1 2020: TBA vs TBA
15th Place Play-off, at Potchefstroom (Uni 2), Feb 1 2020
TBA vs TBA
5th Place Play-off, at Potchefstroom, Feb 1 2020: TBA vs TBA
11th Place Play-off, at Kimberley, Feb 2 2020: TBA vs TBA
5th Place Play-off, at Potchefstroom (Uni), Feb 2: TBA vs TBA
Plate Final, at Benoni, Feb 3 2020: TBA vs TBA
Semi-Final, at Potchefstroom, Feb 4 2020: TBA vs TBA
7th Place Play-off, at Benoni, Feb 5 2020: TBA vs TBA
Semi-Final, at Potchefstroom, Feb 6 2020: TBA vs TBA
5th Place Play-off, at Benoni, Feb 7 2020: TBA vs TBA
3rd Place Play-off, at Benoni, Feb 8 2020: TBA vs TBA
Final, at Potchefstroom, Feb 9 2020: TBA vs TBA
 
WI to play three ODIs and two T20Is
in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Cricket announced the schedule for the forthcoming limited-overs series against West Indies in February and March. West Indies are scheduled to play three ODIs and two T20Is.
West Indies, who will arrive in Sri Lanka on February 10, will partake in a couple of warm-up games on February 17 and 20 respectively. The first warm-up game will be an unofficial encounter, with West Indies taking on a Board President's XI in the second match in Katunayake. The first ODI of the series will be played at the Colombo SSC on Feb 22. The second and third ODI of the rubber will be held in Hambantota and Kandy on Feb 26 and March 1. Only the first ODI will be a day game.
The visitors are also scheduled to play two T20Is on March 4 and 6. Both the games will be held in Kandy under floodlights. The last time the two teams played in a bilateral rubber was in 2018 when Sri Lanka played three Tests in West Indies. Meanwhile, the Caribbean side hasn't toured Sri Lanka since 2015, where they slipped to a 3-0 loss in ODIs and drew the T20Is 1-1.
 
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