While the momentum is with the hosts, concerns remain, which could possibly deny them their first bilateral ODI series win in four years

The Preview by Mohammad Isam27-Jul-2018

Big Picture

Captain Jason Holder, who had given away nearly seven runs an over until then in the game, defended seven runs in the last over to hand West Indies a come-from-behind win over Bangladesh in the second ODI. While West Indies are riding high after the series-levelling contest, there are quite a few concerns that could possibly deny them their first bilateral ODI series win since 2014.Shimron Hetmyer’s 93-ball 125, and his 103-run fifth-wicket stand with Rovman Powell held the home side together for a long period after they stuttered in the first half of their innings. Ashley Nurse and Devendra Bishoo have been quite economical in the series so far although they haven’t taken a lot of wickets, and their death bowling duo Alzarri Joseph and Keemo Paul lacks experience.Bangladesh’s seamers had the same problem in both games, even though the likes of Rubel Hossain and Mustafizur Rahman are far more experienced. While they are particularly impressive in the middle-overs, Bangladesh have not rectified their bowling in the death overs yet. Bangladesh’s batting too has caused concern. They often find themselves stuck in the middle of the innings, and it had happened in both the matches with two of their prolific batsmen – Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal – at the crease. Mushfiqur Rahim getting out in the most crucial stage in the second game may have stuck out like a sore thumb, but it is hard to ignore that he has shown good form.Sabbir Rahman hasn’t shown form in both the games, but Bangladesh do not have a like-for-like replacement for him. The visitors have five young players on the bench, but, barring any last-minute injuries, none of Nazmul Islam, Nazmul Hossain Shanto, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed and Liton Das would be called up for such a crucial game.

Form guide

West Indies: WLLWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LWLLW

In the spotlight

Shimron Hetmyer has stood out among the West Indies batting line-up with his temperament and strokeplay. His 93-ball 125 was a match-winning effort, which would make him the big wicket for the Bangladesh bowlers in the series-decider.Anamul Haque‘s sudden attack in the second ODI didn’t last for too long but it is the first time in his stop-start five-year international career that he looked aggressive. A more sustained effort could see him become Tamim’s regular opening partner going into the 2019 World Cup.

Team news

Andre Russell has been ruled out of the match due to a knee injury; a Cricket West Indies release said he should be fit for selection for the three-match T20 series that follows. Sheldon Cottrell has been named his replacement for the ODI.West Indies (probable): 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Shai Hope (wk), 4 Jason Mohammed, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Jason Holder (capt), 7 Rovman Powell, 8 Ashley Nurse, 9 Devendra Bishoo, 10 Keemo Paul/Sheldon Cottrell, 11 Alzarri JosephSabbir Rahman is the only one with a questionable position in the side, having so far made just 15 runs in the two matches. But the reserve batsmen – Nazmul Hossain Shanto and Liton Das – are not prepared or seen as middle-order finishers. Unless the team management wants to risk picking Shanto, Sabbir will keep playing.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Sabbir Rahman, 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9 Mashrafe Mortaza (capt), 10 Rubel Hossain, 11 Mustafizur Rahman

Pitch and conditions

It will be the first international match in Warner Park after two years, and the first day ODI since 2012. Good weather is expected in Basseterre.

Stats and trivia

• Earlier in the series, Tamim Iqbal became the first Bangladeshi to score 3,000 runs in ODIs played at away and neutral venues.
• The three-run loss in the second ODI was Bangladesh’s closest margin of defeat in an away game. The previous closest was a five-run loss against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2011. Coincidentally, Mushfiqur Rahim also fell in the last over of that game.

The latest news as it happens in the build-up to Vitality Blast Finals Day

Paul Edwards and ESPNcricinfo staff14-Sep-2018Moeen Ali has paid tribute to his England colleague, Jos Buttler, as the pair prepare to go head to head in Worcestershire Rapids’ Vitality Blast semi-final against Lancashire Lightning at Edgbaston.”I’m not sure I want to bowl at him too much, the way he’s been playing this year,” said Moeen, as he looked forward to pitting his off-spin against Buttler’s explosive hitting. “He’s an incredible player but somehow we’ve going to have to get him out early and I hope he makes a mistake. He’s going to be a massive threat tomorrow but it only takes one mistake.”I’ve bowled at him plenty of times before and he’s hit me for many sixes in the nets but I’ve also got him out a few times. He’s played in quite a few of these days and he knows how to cope with the pressure. I can bowl at him but he can’t bowl at me.”Moeen also hopes that the experience of playing in their first Finals Day will inspire his Worcestershire team, many of whom have come through the county’s Academy together.”It’s very exciting obviously, It’s our first appearance and so the lads are pumped and excited and a bit nervous about the game tomorrow. Hopefully everyone will sleep well, turn up tomorrow and we’ll be fine.”Getting to Finals Day is something we’ve been trying to do for a while now but it never managed to happen, we always stumbled at the quarter-finals. Now we’ve got over that I think we’ll be fine, it almost like a monkey off our back and we are only two games away from lifting the trophy.”We have nothing to lose. Sometimes when you haven’t had anything for a while you want it more than anyone else and I’m hoping that’s the attitude we’ll come with tomorrow. We’ve finally got here and now it’s a question of moving Lancashire out of the way.”Moeen also disclosed that Worcestershire had been boosted by the availability of Joe Clarke and Brett D’Oliveira, both of who missed their county’s match against Surrey with back problems.”Both Brett and Joe have had stiff backs this week but they’re trained today and they are fine. Joe was a little bit sore this morning but hopefully the adrenalin will kick in and he’ll be fine.”

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Wright plays down Rashid absenceLuke Wright crunches through the leg side•Getty Images

Sussex captain Luke Wright has sought to downplay the absence of Rashid Khan at Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston.The Afghan leg-spinner has taken 17 wickets for the Sharks in this year’s competition but Wright praised the way in which Will Beer had filled the gap created by Rashid’s absence in recent games.”Spin’s been a big part of our game and it would have been nice to have Rashid here but Danny Briggs has been unbelievable and Will has stepped in and done a great job, especially in the quarter-final up at Durham. But when you get to this stage you only need a few players to come off and we’ve still got a really good team anyway.”

Finals day schedule

Semi-finals: 1100: Lancashire Lightning v Worcestershire Rapids; 1430: Somerset v Sussex Sharks
Final: 1845.

And Wright’s also believes that his team is not overly dependent on the batting of Laurie Evans, who has scored over 200 runs more than any other Sussex player in this year’s Blast.”Well, Phil Salt’s had three fifties, two of them very quick ones, and I’ve had four 70 pluses or something. But in any competition you need one batter who can be your glue and Laurie has done that for us. In semi-finals and finals, anyone can have their day out and if it’s Laurie again, then great.”Only Will Beer and Wright know what it is like to win the Blast but the Sussex skipper is encouraging his players to embrace the occasion, along with the ballyhoo.”It’s easy to put too much pressure on the day and I’ve told the lads to enjoy it. Jason Gillespie has helped us to do that and I think that why we’ve had so much success. The quarter-final was the most relaxed game I’ve ever played in really, Dizzy was so chilled in the build-up and he’s the same now.Wright also explained why he had taken back the captaincy having relinquished it last year when Mark Davis was the Sussex coach.”I’ve always enjoyed the on-field stuff but last year under a different coach it just didn’t work between us. We had different ideas and I stopped enjoying my cricket. It was an easy decision to stop being captain but it was also easy to take on the captaincy when Dizzy asked me to take it on again because we have the same ideas about how we set up a team.”That chilled fun side of it exactly how I want to play my cricket and I think when people are happy they seem to play better. In T20 you have to risk a lot and you have be brave enough to go out and have a go.”

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I’ve learned lessons – KerrSomerset’s head coach Jason Kerr believes the lessons learned by Somerset when they reached Finals Day four times in a row between 2009-12 but failed to win once will hold them in good stead at Edgbaston.Kerr, who was part of the coaching staff on all those occasions, told the : “I was involved in a different capacity and I’ve learned lessons in terms of how to approach the day. We’ve got some experienced guys in James Hildreth and Peter Trego who can feed from that.”For the rest it is fresh, they have no emotional baggage and they will be looking forward to making their mark on the day.”What’s been so pleasing through the group stage is how different people have stepped up – we are not relying on one person continually. It may have been Craig Kieswetter in years gone by – relying on that fantastic start he sometimes gave us – whereas here the guys have absolute trust in each other and know that contributions will come from 1-11. That’s the exciting thing about this team.”

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Laurie Evans struck three sixes in his 37•Getty Images

Three players press for Denly’s crownOnly three players in the PCA MVP Blast Rankings Top Ten take part in the Vitality Blast Finals Day and Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory, Sussex’s top order batsman Laurie Evans and Lancashire opener Alex Davies all have a chance to hunt down Joe Denly of Kent.Either Evans or Gregory will get at least two matches when Sussex and Somerset face each other in the second semi-final of the day. Davies has the first opportunity to press his claims when Lancashire face Worcestershire.Gregory, the Somerset captain, sits on 154 points, 64 off Denly, but has been instrumental in helping Somerset reach county cricket’s big day out. He smashed 44 off 15 to power his side to Finals Day and has been a consistent performer with bat and ball throughout the tournament, hitting 321 runs at an impressive strike-rate of 217, the highest in the top 50 run-scorers in the competition.Coupled with his 17 wickets, he is the highest placed Somerset player in the Blast MVP Rankings and is in third position in the Overall Rankings, behind Denly and Surrey’s Rikki Clarke, neither of whom are on show.

Talking T20 Podcast

Dan Norcross and Matt Roller discuss Vitality Blast Finals Day on our Talking T20 podcast

Evans has scored 554 runs in the competition and is 35 off Aaron Finch who is the current leading scorer and while it would take a monumental effort for him to pip Denly to the MVP of the Blast, he still has a great chance of overtaking the Australian as the leading run-scorer.Evans has scored his runs at an average of 79.14 and a phenomenal strike-rate of 138.5, a key factor in the MVP formula as players are attributed more points depending on the scenario of the game.Davies is likely to be joined in Lancashire’s top order by England’s Most Valuable Player of the summer, Jos Buttler.As for Worcestershire, their star has been Pat Brown with the 20-year-old going into Finals Day as the top wicket taker. His 27 scalps at an average of 14 only place him 19th however.It could be surprising to see Brown not firmly inside the top 10, but he has never scored a T20 run and has only faced six balls in his entire career – another reason for fast bowlers to grumble that despite all their hard work the world is stacked against them

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Attendances rise again
Taunton fans gather for autographs•Getty Images

Attendances in the Vitality Blast increased by 3% this season – the fifth time in the last six years that the competition has broken its own attendance record.Advance tickets for this season’s Finals Day also sold out in record time. although in controversial fashion as the four finalists were only allowed an allocation of 500 tickets each, forcing many would-be spectators to complain they would have to seek out ticket resale sites or risk travel on the day and hope for the best.

Allrounder is increasingly being thought of as a specialist batsman, and someone who can bat higher up the order.

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Pallekele16-Oct-2018With Angelo Mathews axed and Sri Lanka looking to firm up their top order for the World Cup, Dasun Shanaka has gone from being out of the side entirely a few months ago, to being saddled with some substantial and surprising batting responsibilities.Regarded as an allrounder when he first arrived in international cricket, Shanaka has more recently been thought of as a specialist batsman, and someone who can potentially bat higher up the order.Coming in at No. 5 – Mathews’ old haunt – on Saturday, Shanaka said the team had begun to look to him for innings of considerable heft, rather than the cameos he has sometimes provided.”I’ve been sent up to No. 5 because I had been consistent in the domestic T20 and limited-overs tournaments,” Shanaka said. “What the team needs is for me to bat as many overs as possible. The challenge is to get myself in then settle into my natural game. If I do that the runs will come.”Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha has publicly expressed faith in Shanaka the batsman, labelling him a “much improved cricketer” over the past year. Part of that faith, perhaps, was built upon the good performances in domestic competitions that Shanaka mentioned. He was the league’s second-highest scorer in the Provincial T20 tournament in August, having hit 312 runs at an average of 78. His last two innings in that tournament had yielded 105 not out off 52 balls, and 60 not out off 29.”The coach spoke to me and gave advice on how to prepare and how to bat for long,” Shanaka said. “Tactics is most important to improve that area of the game – I have been asked to play out the first 15-20 balls and then to go for my shots.”Sri Lanka’s top order has been in some flux over the past three years, with numerous combinations having been trialled, while batsmen have been moved up and down the order. There is expected to be another change on Saturday, with Sadeera Samarawickrama expected to replace Kusal Perera, who has been ruled out of the third match with a quad strain. However, beyond the injury-enforced changes, Sri Lanka would like to keep things as stable as possible, Shanaka said.”If we have a settled batting order it’s good for the team. We have talked a lot about it, and the captain and senior players have decided that from this series we should try and let players get used to their roles.”

Wade, Tim Paine and Jackson Bird have given Tasmania a chance to pull off a remarkable come-from-behind win over Victoria

Alex Malcolm19-Nov-2018Matthew Wade plays a flick during his half-century•Getty Images

A magnificent 137 from Matthew Wade has given Tasmania a chance to pull off a remarkable come-from-behind win over Victoria at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.Tasmania began the third day five runs behind Victoria with eight wickets in hand after a 170-run opening stand from Jordan Silk and Alex Doolan had all but erased the 201 first innings deficit.Silk moved to 90 but he and Jake Doran both fell with the score at 229 with a lead of just 28. Skipper George Bailey was out just three runs later with Peter Siddle nabbing two of the three.It left Wade and Test skipper Tim Paine to try and build some sort of lead for Tasmania to defend.Paine was the more fluent of the pair in their vital 73-run stand. Wade was 16 runs off 50 balls at one stage while Paine cruised to 40 off 76 with five boundaries. Paine edged the part-time off-spin of Matthew Short to slip. Gurinder Sandhu fell cheaply but Wade and Jackson Bird found another gear adding 88 for the eighth wicket.Bird made his maiden first-class half-century in his 100th innings. He also fell to Short with Wade stuck on 87.Wade farmed the strike to get to 99 before Gabe Bell was trapped infront by Holland to leave Tasmania nine down. But Riley Meredith did not need to face a ball before Wade got to his 13th first-class hundred.Victoria then had men on the fence to try and entice Wade to hand over the strike early in an over but he controlled the situation expertly and was able to add another 43 runs to the total with Meredith, before becoming Siddle’s fourth scalp.It left Victoria needing 276 to win and a tricky six-over period to negotiate before stumps on day three. Travis Dean and Marcus Harris got through without loss to set up a final day chase.

A severely rain-affected game fizzled out to a draw with only one of the four possible innings coming to completion – and that too because New Zealand A had declared

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Nov-2018
A severely rain-affected game fizzled out to a draw in Hamilton with only one of the four possible innings coming to completion – and that too because New Zealand A had declared.After the second day was washed out and only 17 overs were possible on the third, the weather seemed a little more forthcoming as India A’s openers Mayank Agarwal and Abhimanyu Easwaran put on 71 for the first wicket. And in quick time too. Only 18.4 overs had been bowled.New Zealand A’s bowlers received some respite as another spell of rain lashed the ground and play could only resume after lunch. Blair Tickner, the 25-year old seamer, broke the partnership soon after the break, which brought R Samarth to the crease and he became the game’s third man to score fifty-plus after Will Young’s 123 and Theo van Woerkom’s 54 at No. 8 for the hosts.In all, India A could bat for only 46 overs before the game came to its most likely conclusion. Both teams now head to Whangarei which will host the third unofficial Test on November 30.

Australia coach Justin Langer has hinted that the allrounder could get the nod ahead of Peter Handscomb on a slow MCG pitch

Melinda Farrell at the MCG24-Dec-20184:46

Langer hints at Mitchell Marsh’s inclusion for MCG Test

Australia’s Christmas Eve training shaped up as a No. 6 nets shootout between Mitchell Marsh and Peter Handscomb, with Marsh firming as the most likely option for the Boxing Day Test.The nature of the MCG pitch has been a huge talking point ahead of the third Test, nearly a year after the ICC had rated it “poor” for the Ashes Test draw, and the suggestion it may once again be slow over the five days could tip the scales in favour of the support Marsh’s bowling could provide to Australia’s quicks.”In a perfectly balanced side you have someone who can bowl some overs, so Mitch becomes an attractive commodity on a wicket, unlike Adelaide and Perth where we knew it would be an even contest, that although there’s some grass and moisture we also know the history of it,” coach Justin Langer said after Australia’s training session. “Our fast bowlers have been lucky, they have bowled less overs than the Indians at the moment, particularly [Jasprit] Bumrah, and the more we can look after those guys the better. It will come down to that decision.”Handscomb was given a tough audition in the nets facing Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins in quick succession but, while his strength batting against spin has often been a factor in his selection, Langer was quick to point out Marsh’s batting qualities. It’s an either-or situation that is overshadowing all thoughts of Christmas cheer.”We weigh up all those things,” Langer said. “Pete’s a very good player of spin bowling, Mitch is a pretty good player of spin too.”They are the hard decisions. You generally talk about one position and they are the ones that give you the most headaches. You have to tell someone they’re not playing which is tough and tell someone they are, it’s a nice Christmas present.”I spend my life thinking about all those things, it’s a bit sad, not what Christmas presents I buy for my kids but who plays spin better, whether we play the extra bowler.”Langer also acknowledged how difficult it can be for players like Handscomb and Marsh, who have both been the subject of widespread criticism, whether due to technique or form.He’s behind you: Peter Handscomb has taken Mitchell Marsh’s place•Getty Images

“We talked about that in our team meeting this morning,” Langer said. “There’s so much noise, so much opinion, but we have to keep trusting the path we are on whether it’s the individual players or the group.”We know there’s lots of criticism, that’s okay, it’s hard but it’s part of the business. Takes great strength and courage to eliminate it and perform.”Langer confirmed if Marsh plays he will definitely bat in the top six above Tim Paine, a decision made easier by the strength of Australia’s lower order. While Australia’s tail has made instrumental contributions with the bat and was particularly incisive with the ball in Perth, the coach believes they are yet to hit their straps with the ball.”All of them would admit they haven’t quite nailed it this series, so that’s exciting,” Langer said. “We saw it in the Ashes last year that there were times they were all over England.”Nathan Lyon is literally world class, he’s been so good. The other three, we’ve seen great signs, and there were times when they bowled worse and got more wickets but I’m really excited when those guys bowl as that unit – I can’t wait to see that.”

While Andile Phehlukwayo seemed to be the target of his comment, the Pakistan captain tweeted that it was not ‘directed towards anyone in particular’

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Jan-2019Sarfraz Ahmed, the Pakistan captain, has issued a general apology on Twitter for his controversial on-field taunt during the second ODI in Durban on Tuesday. But Sarfraz did not apologise to – or even mention – Andile Phehlukwayo, the South African allrounder at whom his comment, which included a racist epithet, seemed to be aimed. Instead, Sarfraz said his remark – which seemed to specifically reference the amount of fortune Phehlukwayo enjoyed while batting – was “not directed towards anyone in particular”.

During the 37th over of South Africa’s chase, Sarfraz was caught on the stump mics saying, in Urdu: Translated literally, that is: “Hey black guy, where’s your mother sitting today? What [prayer] have you got her to say for you today?”*On Wednesday night, the PCB issued a statement expressing its regret over Sarfraz’s comments, and said the incident “highlighted the importance and significance of player education and training at all levels”.”The PCB expresses regret over the remark made by their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and picked up by the stump mic during the second ODI against South Africa in Durban,” the statement said. “The PCB neither endorses nor supports any comments that have the potential to cause offence, and firmly reiterates their zero-tolerance approach towards racist comments made; in whatever context.”This incident has also highlighted the importance and significance of player education and training at all levels. The PCB endeavors to improve their player education programmes to ensure these types of incidents do not happen again.”Sarfaraz is one of the most respected cricketers in the world. However, captaining Pakistan is a massive honour and any hurtful remarks by any cricketer, let alone the captain, are not acceptable to the PCB.”The PCB is confident that this incident will not affect the series, which has been played in great spirit with some excellent performances from both side [sic]. The PCB is also hopeful that the crowds will continue to turn up in big numbers for the remaining matches to support cricket.”Until Sarfraz’s tweets and the PCB’s statement, only CSA of the involved parties had made any public comment on the matter. South Africa’s team manager Mohammed Moosajee confirmed that the ICC had taken note of the incident. It is believed that Ranjan Madugalle, the match referee, has met with Sarfraz to discuss the incident, but the ICC has not made a public statement yet.”The ICC and the match officials have noted the alleged incident,” Moosajee said. “They have started the necessary procedures to investigate the matter. We can only comment once we have received the results of the investigation. Any further clarification/updates have to go through the ICC.”In fact, nearly 24 hours after the incident, there is no clarity yet on whether the incident, if any action will be taken against it, is to be treated under the ICC’s code of conduct for player behaviour or the ICC’s anti-racism code. While insulting or obscene and offensive language falls under the code of conduct, language that is deemed “likely to offend another person on the basis of their race, religion, gender, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin” falls under the anti-racism code.Depending on what the code violation turns out to be, the window for reporting an offence can be anywhere between 48 hours to seven days.*GMT 1820 The story was updated to include the PCB’s statement.

Protocol required, says Tony Irish, to prevent host broadcasters from exploiting players’ comments

Nagraj Gollapudi14-Feb-2019The head of FICA, the international cricketers’ association, says that a protocol for the use of stump microphones must be introduced to avoid the “selective use” of incriminating audio by broadcasters.Tony Irish’s comments come after the West Indies fast bowler, Shannon Gabriel, and the Pakistan captain, Sarfaraz Ahmed, were both handed four-match bans by the ICC after being overheard making derogatory comments in separate on-field incidents.On Wednesday, Gabriel admitted to making homophobic comments in an altercation with the England captain, Joe Root, during last week’s third Test in St Lucia, while Sarfaraz was caught making a racist comment to the South Africa allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo during an ODI in Durban in January.The incidents are the first to cause controversy since the decision was taken, at the ICC annual conference in July, to broadcast stump microphone audio “at any time, including when the ball is dead”. That move came as part of the ICC’s drive to fight player misbehaviour, with new offences introduced such as personal abuse and audible obscenity.The ICC also factored in fan engagement as a big part of live sport, and the fact that cricket needs to embrace that. During the discussions involving the ICC and the various member boards’ chief executives, it was agreed that turning up the stump mic turns the focus not just on spirit of the game, but also allows for greater engagement for the fan watching at home. It brings them into the middle with the players.*While Irish, the executive chairman of FICA, believes that players will be willing to buy into the usage of stump mic audio, he says it is vital that broadcasters are consistent and universal in how they apply the technology.”The issue to be discussed is how they are used, including when they are turned up and when they are turned down,” Irish told ESPNcricinfo. “What I can say is that, when it comes to a matter such as this, players are generally in favour of consistency, which suggests to me that a protocol on how they are used is necessary.”Asked about the potential for a host broadcaster to exploit the feed captured on the stump mic, Irish said that was the players’ biggest fear. “When there is inconsistent use of the stump mic, then there is potential for selective use, which I think players naturally fear. That is not to say all broadcasters do that but the potential and opportunity is there.”The prospect of increased stump-microphone usage has already divided opinions among international teams. England’s head coach, Trevor Bayliss, is not in favour, arguing that “sometimes in the heat of battle things are said”, whereas Moeen Ali, the England allrounder, believes that the volume should be turned up at all times because “it’s time for people to behave themselves”.Irish recognised that there was a danger that some players could seek to use the stump mic to their advantage by setting up an opponent, but added that it remained the players’ responsibilities to ensure the line was never crossed.”Players have an obligation to play within the spirit and rules of the game, much of which relates to the way players treat each other on the field,” said Irish, “and I think a consistent protocol shouldn’t present opportunity for players to disregard that.”In a cricket match, and particularly a Test match, long periods are spent in the field, there are intense contests between bat and ball and a lot goes on. On-field characters have been a hallmark of cricket over the years and most of what goes on is within the rules and spirit of the game. It should stay that way.”

Peter Moor will lead Zimbabwe in the four home ODIs against UAE

Liam Brickhill08-Apr-2019Zimbabwe will be without the services of captain Hamilton Masakadza and premier batsman Brendan Taylor for the four-match ODI series at home against UAE, starting April 10. Both the players were ruled out because of injuries: Masakadza has a problem in his left thumb, while Taylor is recovering from a right-calf muscle tear. Peter Moor will lead Zimbabwe in Masakadza’s absence.

Zimbabwe squad

Peter Moor (capt), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura

Masakadza picked up his injury during a domestic game in February, while Taylor sustained tore his muscle during a stint with Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2019. Both had been named in the training squad of 27, but Zimbabwe Cricket said the two had “not recovered in time to play a part at least in the first two matches of the series”.Taylor told ESPNcricinfo that he was focused on recovering in time for the tours of Ireland and the Netherlands.”The calf injury is coming on well. It was a grade-two tear, but it’s been about seven weeks so I might have another one or two (weeks) to go,” Taylor said. “I haven’t put much strain on it. These things, I’m told, you don’t want to rush them because if it does happen again then it’s ten to 12 weeks.”The goal was to be ready for Afghanistan, but that didn’t happen and now there’s not a lot of pressure to be ready for this series. I’m probably going to be more focused on the Ireland and Netherlands series leading up to the (2020 T20 World Cup) qualifiers. So that’s it. Obviously I’d like to play, but I’ve been advised not to play. It’s a bit frustrating, but it is what it is.”Zimbabwe’s squad for their first international series since November 2018 includes uncapped left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu and offspinner Tony Munyonga. Also in the squad are Regis Chakabva and Timycen Maruma, who have not played ODIs since November 2015 and June 2016 respectively.All matches in the series will be played at Harare Sports Club with ticket proceeds from the third match, on April 14, going towards Cyclone Idai disaster relief efforts.

Glenn Maxwell was the standout player of the match, following up a barnstorming 70 off 33 balls with 1 for 45 in his ten overs

The Report by Danyal Rasool31-Mar-2019Once more, it was Pakistan who had the centurion, while Australia walked away with the victory. Haris Sohail’s career-best score of 130 went in vain as Australia secured what was in the end a fairly comfortable 20-run win, their eighth on the bounce. It was set up by the batsmen, the top four all registering half-centuries as Australia exploited Pakistan’s sloppy fielding and uninspired bowling performance to plunder 327, the biggest total of the series. Targets in excess of 300 have only ever been chased successfully once in 26 times in the UAE, and despite Pakistan’s valiant efforts, they would not be adding to that statistic today. From the moment Haris was dismissed, the result looked inevitable, with Pakistan eventually finishing up on 307.The chase began inauspiciously with Abid Ali, passed fit to open after a nasty shoulder injury had forced him off the field during Australia’s innings, nicked off for a first-ball duck. It was a sharp lesson that in Pakistan cricket, there’s very little space between extreme highs and crushing lows; in the fourth game, he had made Pakistan’s highest ever score on debut with 112.Shan Masood and Haris consolidated well, however, taking control of the innings during the Powerplay as they kept pace with Australia. It was only after Masood was trapped in front by Adam Zampa, breaking a superb 108-run partnership, that Pakistan struggled to find a reliable partner for Haris. Mohammad Rizwan fell early, thanks to a superb catch at mid-on from Nathan Lyon off Glenn Maxwell, who played nearly as important a role with the ball as he had with the bat.With Umar Akmal, Haris put on another century stand; this one tallied 102. Umar displayed a maturity that has been absent from his game for much of his career, rotating the strike and finding the odd boundary when the opportunity allowed. Haris appeared to be playing on another pitch altogether, so assured was his footwork and so extravagantly confident his strokes.Despite their pluck, however, it never looked sustainable, and the fact Pakistan have a long tail must have played heavy on the minds of the pair. Ultimately, Umar fell in predictable fashion, his patience finally deserting him. With the required rate approaching nine, he charged Nathan Lyon, who was experienced enough to drop the ball short. Nowhere near the pitch, he went for the heave anyway, sending it more up than away. Jason Behrendorff at long-on actually had to charge in from the boundary to complete the catch, and the clean sweep was looking ever more assured.Four balls later, Haris guided one from Kane Richardson straight into backward point’s hands, and from thereon it was just Imad Wasim thwacking a few to try and make it as tight as possible. It was an entertaining cameo, Pakistan’s stand-in captain scoring a breezy 34-ball 50 to keep Australia honest right to the end. But with support dwindling from the other side, the percentages were always in Australia’s favour, and all Pakistan could manage was the consolation of their highest total of the series.As has been a reliable pattern over the past four games, the tone of the game was set by Australia’s openers, a 134-run stand between Aaron Finch and Usman Khawaja paving the way for the big total.Just like Maxwell had done in the last game, Khawaja fell two runs shy of yet another ODI hundred. Even so, it was his fifth score of 88 or more in his past seven innings, and the supporting cast of Finch, Shaun Marsh and Maxwell did their jobs; all got half-centuries.Pakistan won the toss for the fourth time in five games, and seeing how close they had come previously, Imad opted to field again. To restrict Australia, however, they would need early wickets, and with the form both Finch and Khawaja are in, that was no easy feat.Pakistan’s lackadaisical fielding efforts didn’t exactly help build pressure, and the incoming Mohammad Abbas – brought in to regain the control Mohammad Hasnain had lacked – had the opposite effect. Once Khawaja got him away for a pair of boundaries in the fifth over, Australia were away, and Finch’s lofted six off Abbas’ following over indicated their fearlessness against Pakistan’s bowling attack.Imad began with a maiden, but so poor was Pakistan’s ground fielding it was hard to see how it would complement the bowling. Turning ones into twos is a good skill to have, with the proviso that you need to be the batting side. In the field, Pakistan were continuously guilty of this magnanimity, with Umar Akmal and Yasir Shah just two of the more notable repeat offenders. There weren’t any catches grassed, but then again, Finch and Khawaja didn’t so much as allow Pakistan a sniff for the first half of the innings.With time to seal a World Cup slot running out, Usman Shinwari could not have made a better final impression this series. He allowed just 14 runs in his first five overs, taking the wicket of Finch through nothing more than raw pace and a hint of seam movement, rushing him into a shot which never made contact. He was also the man to remove the other opener, again using his tearaway pace as the ball climbed onto Khawaja, who had become noticeably edgy as he approached his hundred. Bowling at the death might not have helped Shinwari’s figures, but he still finished with 4 for 49 in his ten overs.Maxwell was predictably explosive, given a perfect platform by the top order. Once more, however, he could have walked back early. Off the first ball of his innings, he helped Shinwari to fine leg, where a horrible misjudgement from the fielder saw the ball sail over his head and for a boundary. He would make Pakistan pay for it again, something Pakistan caught wind of when he smashed Yasir Shah for three fours in the following over. In what seemed like minutes, he had had brought up a 26-ball fifty.There was still time for a four and a six off Haris before Junaid Khan finally knocked back his off stump for a barnstorming 70 off 33. With ball in hand, he would return figures of 1-45, to finish far and away the standout player of the match. Pakistan may walk away from this series with a few positives; they will wish they were walking away with at least one win too.