Category: Test Cricket

Jofra Archer could have key role to play in Ashes, says Stuart Broad

While a lot of the talk has been around whether or not Jofra Archer will be in England’s World Cup squad, veteran Stuart Broad has said that the 24 year old could also play a vital role in the Ashes later this year.

Archer, already a T20 superstar, impressed one and all with his bowling in England’s recent internationals. His pace was particularly eye-catching, with the Barbados born star comfortably hitting speeds of 90 mph+, and unlike some others in the modern game, he’s also got the control to go with it. Archer bowled only four overs in England’s rain-hit first ODI against Pakistan at the Oval, but his 4-2-6-1 spell was enough to make several veterans of the game gush about him.

Legendary all-rounder Andrew Flintoff has said that he would drop “anyone” for Archer, and added that he was impressed with the latter’s array of skills, saying that he had “to be in” the squad. Archer’s pace and ability to deliver yorkers, bouncers and slower balls at will impressed the Lancashire great. Continue reading “Jofra Archer could have key role to play in Ashes, says Stuart Broad”

Wiaan Mulder called up to Proteas squad for 2019 Sri Lanka Tests

South Africa have called up all rounder Wiaan Mulder to their squad for the two test series against Sri Lanka at home later this month. The 20 year old is the only addition to the squad that convincingly beat Pakistan 3-0 at home.

Against Pakistan, South Africa fielded a 4 man attack in the form of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Olivier and Keshav Maharaj in the opener at Centurion. Olivier, who only got into the XI because of Vernon Philander’s injury, effectively made himself undroppable with a 11fer at SuperSport Park. When Philander returned, they chose to go with an all pace attack in both Cape Town and Johannesburg, with Maharaj having to make way.

In the third test at the Wanderers, the Proteas were without skipper Faf du Plessis, which allowed Zubayr Hamza to make his debut. The Cobras batsman gave a decent account of himself on debut, and it could well be a shoot out between him and Theunis de Bruyn as to whom makes way when the captain comes back. Continue reading “Wiaan Mulder called up to Proteas squad for 2019 Sri Lanka Tests”

Zubayr Hamza impressive on Proteas debut but South Africa squander advantage at Wanderers- Day 1 Report

Zubayr Hamza scored an assured 41 on test debut for South Africa but the hosts squandered their advantage in a frenetic last session that saw them lose 7 wickets for 33 runs after being 229/3 at one stage on the opening day of the third test at the Wanderers.

Stand in skipper Dean Elgar won the toss and opted to bat first. The Proteas made only one change, with Hamza coming in for suspended regular captain Faf du Plessis. Pakistan however made three of them, with Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali coming in for Fakhar Zaman, Yasir Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Elgar was the first to go, edging an Abbas delivery to the keeper for just 5. His opening partner Aiden Markram, surprisingly dropped from the South Africa ODI squad against Pakistan, was impressive, hitting fours at will as Amla and he took control of the game. Just as it had been in Cape Town, Markram looked good for a century but fell at an inopportune moment. On 90, he attempted to flick an Ashraf delivery down the leg side, only for Sarfaraz Ahmed to take a good catch. Continue reading “Zubayr Hamza impressive on Proteas debut but South Africa squander advantage at Wanderers- Day 1 Report”

Australia’s Test Squad against Sri Lanka 2019- Will Pucovski Receives Maiden Test Call Up

Here is the 13 man roster announced by Australia’s selectors to do duty for the national team feature in the two test matches against Sri Lanka beginning January 24.

Stung by the poor performances of several players in the recent 2-1 loss to India (their first ever loss at home in the test format to the nation), the selectors have wielded the axe, with the likes of Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, his brother Mitchell, and Peter Handscomb all shown the door.

There is a maiden call up to the national squad for talented youngster Will Pucovski. The 20 year old has always been regarded as one for the future, despite his limited first class experience, but recently took a break from the game owing to mental health issues.

Joining Pucowski in the national squad are the Queensland pair of Joe Burns and Matt Renshaw. The bowling united has however remained unchanged, with Peter Siddle also retaining his spot in the squad.

The first of the two test matches will be played at Brisbane (Jan 24-28), with the other to be played in the Australian capital city of Canberra (Feb 1-5). Neither venue hosted a test during India’s tour Down Under. Continue reading “Australia’s Test Squad against Sri Lanka 2019- Will Pucovski Receives Maiden Test Call Up”

India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 4- Match Report January 6 2019

Kuldeep Yadav bagged his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket as Australia were asked to follow on at home for the first time since 1988 on a rain hit fourth day in Sydney on Sunday.

Play only started after the lunch break with the home side resuming on 236 for 6, and it began badly for the Aussies as Pat Cummins was bowled by Mohammed Shami without adding to his overnight score. Continue reading “India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 4- Match Report January 6 2019”

India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 3 Match Report January 5 2019

Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja combined and claimed five wickets between them as India moved into a dominating position at the end of Day 3 of the fourth test at Sydney on Saturday. Continue reading “India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 3 Match Report January 5 2019”

India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 2 Match Report-2019

Rishabh Pant became the first Indian wicket keeper to score a test century in Australia as the visitors took control of the fourth test at the end of Day 2 at the SCG.

Resuming at 303/4, the overnight pair of Hanuma Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara added 26 more runs before Nathan Lyon got the break through for Australia. Vihari’s attempted sweep didn’t come off and the ball hit his glove, giving close-in fielder Marnus Labuschagne an easy catch.

Pujara and Pant stitched together an 89 run association for the sixth wicket before the Saurashtra batsman was dismissed just seven short of what would’ve been a magnificent double century. Lyon was again the wicket taker, taking a sharp catch off his own bowling. Continue reading “India vs Australia Sydney Fourth Test Day 2 Match Report-2019”

India vs Australia Fourth Test Sydney Day 1 Match Report-2019

Cheteshwar Pujara scored a brilliant unbeaten 130 as India finished Day 1 of the fourth test at Sydney on a commanding score of 303/4.

India made 2 changes to the playing XI, bringing in Lokesh Rahul and Kuldeep Yadav in place of Rohit Sharma and the injured Ishant Sharma respectively, while the hosts dropped Mitchell Marsh and the out of form Aaron Finch and brought in Marnus Labuschagne and Peter Handscomb. Continue reading “India vs Australia Fourth Test Sydney Day 1 Match Report-2019”

Proteas vs Pakistan 2019 Second Test Preview | South Africa look to make it 2-0 at Newlands

South Africa will be looking to wrap up the series at Newlands when they take on Pakistan in the second test on Thursday. The Proteas had some stressful moments to endure in the first test at Centurion, but prevailed thanks to Duanne Olivier’s 11 wicket haul and Hashim Amla’s half century in the second innings.

Pakistan had their chances in Pretoria- they allowed the Proteas tail to wag in the first innings (after the hosts had been 43/4 in reply to Pakistan’s 181 all out) and take a valuable 42 run lead and then went from 101/1 to 190 all out in the second.

In South Africa’s tricky fourth innings chase, Amla was dropped early in the innings and Elgar had a reprieve via the third umpire despite the on field umpires ruling Azhar Ali’s catch to be clean. Had both decisions gone Pakistan’s way, the Proteas would’ve been 16/3, but they did not, and the hosts eventually coasted to a six wicket victory.

Vernon Philander missed the first test due to injury but has recovered for the second, and is a certainty in the XI given his fabulous record at Newlands. With Faf du Plessis also confirming that Duanne Olivier would play in Cape Town, the Proteas selectors have a headache as to how to fit in Philander. The options before them would be to Continue reading “Proteas vs Pakistan 2019 Second Test Preview | South Africa look to make it 2-0 at Newlands”

India vs Australia Fourth Test Sydney Match Preview-2018

Team India after an emphatic win at MCG, would be looking to create history for the first time when they square off against Australia in the fourth and final test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday. Continue reading “India vs Australia Fourth Test Sydney Match Preview-2018”