Category: Test Cricket

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”