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Despite an indifferent conclusion to England’s overseas winter in New Zealand, the selectors are unlikely to see the need for significant changes

Andrew McGlashan10-May-2013Despite an indifferent conclusion to England’s overseas winter in New Zealand, the selectors are unlikely to see the need for significant changes for the start of the home summer that will be dominated by the Ashes but firstly includes the return series against Australia’s close neighbours.One major figure will be missing, but another is set to return. Kevin Pietersen’s right knee, which forced him to miss the final Test in Auckland, continues to be a problem and he will not be available for England duty until at least the start of the Ashes and even that must be shrouded in doubt with the injury proving more problematic than had been envisaged in March.In New Zealand, where a drawn series was salvaged by Matt Prior’s hundred in Auckland, England were also without Graeme Swann and his absence left a hole equal to that of Pietersen’s. Swann’s elbow surgery in the USA has, so far, proved a success and his return for Nottinghamshire has been tentatively encouraging although there must be questions over whether his workload – one Championship game and two YB40 matches – has been enough to really test the recovery.Still, his return in place of Monty Panesar – always a bowler more comfortable operating in tandem rather than solo – appears a matter of course. The summer ahead will place a huge burden on Swann, and there do not appear many obvious gaps for a rest, so in every sense it is make or break for his right elbow.Pietersen’s absence from the middle order will be filled again by Jonny Bairstow, who was drafted into the final Test at Eden Park having played one first-class innings since last September. His twin failures were predictable, and understandable, but he has impressed at the start of this season for Yorkshire and should have done enough to ward off his nearest challengers, which include England Lions team-mates James Taylor (despite him not being named in the performance squad) and Ravi Bopara who is back in favour with the selectors in one-day cricket.Bairstow will also have fond memories of Lord’s, the scene of his Test debut against West Indies last year and also his most convincing Test performance, when he made 95 and 54 against South Africa after, again, being an understudy for Pietersen. His technique has, at times, been picked apart at Test level but that is a rite of passage for young player.Perhaps the most interesting names in the squad will be the extra pace bowlers included alongside the current trio of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn. The latter, according to reports from the County Championship, has not quite hit top form for Middlesex and following on from the tour of New Zealand he has now usurped Broad as the man under most pressure for his place.In New Zealand, questions started to be asked about the true depth of England’s back-up quicks. Graham Onions’ form fell apart in Queenstown while Chris Woakes did not convince that he was ready to be a third seamer for a Test match. Onions, as he was always likely to do, has returned to wicket-taking form for Durham (he is currently the leading wicket-taker in Division One) but whether that means he remains a viable Test option is another issue. The difference in level between Championship and Test cricket is distinct, as it should be.The odds favour Onions being retained in the squad and if England name 13 in the party for Lord’s it could open the way for a return for Tim Bresnan who, like Swann, underwent elbow surgery earlier this year. He has made an encouraging start to the season with Yorkshire, taking 11 wickets at 27.63, and while there may be a clamour for the selectors to go for a younger option – such as Woakes or Toby Roland-Jones – Bresnan has retained the support of the England management. While it is clearly true there were times in the last 12 months when Bresnan should not have played, it is also wide of the mark to suggest his earlier Test form was a fluke.Possible squad Alastair Cook, Nick Compton, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Steven Finn, Graham Onions/Tim Bresnan

David Saker, the England bowling coach, has said England’s bowling attack is “as good as” the great Australian attack that dominated world cricket for more than a decade

George Dobell29-May-2012David Saker, the England bowling coach, has said England’s bowling attack is “as good as” the great Australian attack that dominated world cricket for more than a decade.Saker, the 46-year-old Australian, was appointed to the England role in April 2010. Before that, however, he had played with and against some of Australia’s finest cricketers as a fast bowler with Victoria and Tasmania. He was also assistant coach of the Victoria side that lifted two Sheffield Shield titles and of the Delhi Daredevils side that played in the 2009 Champions League. He is, therefore, well placed to offer informed views on the subject.”We should be saying our group is as good as them,” Saker said. “You can compare them. The Australians were stand-out bowlers, a great group for a long time and they also had a world-class spinner. Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in tandem were amazing, but I have seen some spells from Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann that have been just as good or better at times. It’s important we don’t forget the ability of Swanny when he comes in around the three quicks. That’s really important.”McGrath was the stand-out in that group but they had Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and Andy Bichel, too: they were all fantastic bowlers. It’s a bit like when Jimmy and Swann bowl together – it is not unlike McGrath and Warne at times. There is so much pressure on the batsmen.Craig McDermott’s departure from Australia’s bowling coach role has created a vacancy back in Saker’s home country, but there appears little chance of him being persuaded to leave the England job such is his admiration for their talent.”In Sri Lanka, there were a couple of times, especially late on day four in the second Test, those two reminded me so much of McGrath and Warne. They put so much pressure on the Sri Lanka batting group and the wickets fell. They also have the back-up of some really good quicks as well, which is nice to have.”That ‘back-up’ may have an opportunity in the next Test. With England having secured a series-clinching victory over West Indies at Trent Bridge, England are considering resting James Anderson and, perhaps, Stuart Broad, and allowing Steven Finn and Graeme Onions an opportunity to adapt to Test cricket. While Saker understands that Anderson and Broad will be keen to play in Birmingham, he believes that England’s strength in depth is such that even if they missed the Test, the quality of the attack would hardly be diminished.”There’s no doubt that the likes of Anderson and Broad will want to play as it gives them more chance of taking Test wickets. But if they have a Test off here and there, in my opinion, it probably gives them the chance to play longer. Those wickets can be picked up later because their careers will be longer. So there are two ways of looking at it.”We have a lot of hard cricket ahead, Tests and one-dayers, and we need to make a decision for the good of English cricket. All our bowlers at Trent Bridge normally play in all three forms of the game so we have to be mindful of trying to give them a rest. But we also have to be mindful that nobody really wants to give up their place, which is fair enough, they are very proud of playing for their country. We have to assess that closely.

Two great attacks?

England

James Anderson: 267 Test wickets at 30.05

Stuart Broad: 161 at 30.42

Tim Bresnan: 52 at 25.46

Graeme Swann: 188 at 28.12

Australia

Glenn McGrath: 563 at 21.64

Brett Lee: 310 at 30.81

Jason Gillespie: 259 at 26.13

Shane Warne: 708 at 25.41

“If Finn and Onions were to play, I don’t think we would lose too much. That’s the beauty of it. Obviously, you would lose your top two bowlers, but the quality of the guys coming in is high. They will step up and do a great job. We showed that in Australia when we lost Broad and then Finn lost his spot. A lot of people were very dubious about whether we had the cover but we did. That proved the group of six or seven bowlers can all do a job if they get the opportunity.Steven Finn has made no secret of his frustration at not being able to force his way back into the line-up and Saker appreciates that waiting on the sidelines can be tough when a bowler feels in good form.”I’m sure Finn is very frustrated,” he said. “The selectors pick the best team to try to win a game but I’m sure Finn will get his chance. He is still young. He is very exciting and his one-day form over the last 12-18 months has been outstanding. He will have a lot of cricket ahead of him. In an ideal world, we would love to get him in. But we have three fast bowlers doing a really good job.”Saker has been particularly impressed with the bowlers’ ability to adapt to conditions as required. England were anticipating being able to utilise green wickets and conventional swing in the Test series against West Indies. Instead, however, they have been confronted with two slow, low wickets and conditions that have offered little assistance.”The wickets have probably been flatter than we are used to in England,” he said. “In that sense, it was really good that we took 20 wickets in each match. At times, it was really difficult because the batsmen dug in – particularly Chanderpaul and Samuels. We found it hard to dismiss them. I was really proud of the way the bowlers kept slogging away and got the breakthroughs. The reverse swing late on day three at Trent Bridge helped us out a bit as well. And the DRS helps as well with the lbws. The boys were outstanding. We applied a lot of pressure.”This group is very skilful. What they do really well is assess conditions quickly. They will see if it is swinging and, if so, they will stick to our original plans. If it is not doing that, they will come up with some other plan. They are very good at talking out in the middle. Stuart and Jimmy are very good at that and they pass on that message to the rest of the group. To be able to bowl conventional swing and they say ‘this is not going to work’ and then switch to reverse and attack in different ways – that is a huge weapon to have.”

Chris Gayle has said he had written off IPL 2011 and was getting ready to resume international duties before being dropped from the West Indies team for the series against Pakistan

Sharda Ugra25-Apr-2011Chris Gayle says he had written off IPL 2011 and was getting ready to resume international duties before being dropped from the West Indies team for the series against Pakistan. Gayle spoke to ESPNcricinfo on the eve of his second IPL game for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday.”It was to be international cricket for me. Had I been picked, that would have been what I would have done,” Gayle said. “I didn’t have any thoughts about IPL4. I had written off IPL4, rather I was looking forward to its next year. I should have been there (in the West Indies) playing with the national team, but I am here. It is unfortunate but that is how it is.”Gayle said he had never expected to be in this part of the world at this time. The offer to play for Bangalore came “out of the blue at 3 am. After a party.” Gayle’s IPL arrival was emphatic, with an unbeaten century that set up Bangalore’s win against Kolkata Knight Riders after they had gone four matches without a victory. Gayle hammered 102 in 55 balls against his old franchise, leading Bangalore to a nine-wicket win.He came in to bat at Eden Gardens after having spent the better part of a month without a hit in the nets, working entirely, he said, on physical strength work to recover from an abdominal strain. “An opportunity presented itself, so I am here now to actually do what I can. I have got a good welcome from each and everyone, the players, the owners, and management staff.” The abdominal strain? Gayle replied to the question with another one, “What did it look like during the match? That’s what it is like now.”In the January IPL auction, Gayle had remained unsold. “It was surprising to be honest when no one took up the bid but based on my knowledge, they said we (West Indies) have a window where we have international cricket at that particular time. So I guess that was the reason, unless there are other things that I don’t know about.”Gayle said he did have complaints against the West Indies Cricket Board that had not communicated with him before dropping him for the first two ODIs of the Pakistan series. “I was injured and no one bothered … haven’t I done enough (for the West Indies)? I have given my all and if that is not enough, what is? They left me to fend on my own and I have complaints.”He has followed the progress of West Indies against Pakistan by reading the scores, rather than watching the first of the five ODIs on TV. His interaction with his teammates has been through Blackberry messaging. “I say hi to the guys now and then and wish them well.”Gayle earlier also became one of three West Indian players who did not sign their WICB contracts, becoming freelance players in the several Twenty20 leagues around the world. “I had already pointed out my reasons (for not signing the contract). I thought the contract had too many restrictions and I explained to them (the board) and I explained to the public why I had not signed.”The decision by Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga to retire from Test cricket and choose the shorter format of the game, Gayle said, had little to do with his own situation. “Malinga and I are not in the same boat – so I don’t know what’s happening with Malinga.” The issues of club versus country, he said, could be easily sorted in most cases through communication. “It’s simple, they (boards) just have to work it out as much as possible with the individual and see how best we can all co-operate. At the end of the day everyone can be happy and then we can actually move on and we wouldn’t have anything dramatic like this.”A window for the IPL would be the next step to avoid what Gayle called cricket’s “confusion” between a lucrative Twenty20 league and international commitments. “You have a window for the IPL just like you have a World Cup window. I’m sure there wouldn’t be any fuss. That’s something they need to take seriously. I’m sure cricket can actually move ahead and everyone will be happy.”Gayle had earlier said that the WICB had left him with no choice. At the moment though, all he wanted to do was, “win the IPL, be on a winning team. That would be the ultimate at this point in time. To lift the IPL trophy and see what it’s like.”

Rodney Hartman, the South African journalist and author, died on Tuesday at the age of 61, after a long battle with cancer

Cricinfo staff19-May-2010Rodney Hartman, the South African journalist and author, died on Tuesday at the age of 61, after a long battle with cancer. Hartman worked as a journalist in South Africa and London for more than 30 years and authored books on Ali Bacher, Hansie Cronje and Brian Mitchell, the former world boxing champion.Hartman was an award-winning writer, a former sports editor of the and the founding sports editor of the . He also worked as the communications director of the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.Cricket South Africa paid its tribute to Hartman’s contribution to the field of sports journalism.”It is with much sadness and regret that we heard the news of the passing of Rodney Hartman, the doyen of South African sports writers,” Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa’s CEO, said. “Rodney was a man for all seasons and South African cricket was particularly fortunate that he devoted so much of his time, energy and skills to our sport.”He graced the South African sports scene for four decades as a writer and sports editor and he will be sorely missed.”

The fast bowler hopes some technical changes can put him on track to revive his Australia career

AAP15-Aug-2024Jhye Richardson has returned to the run up that earned him three Tests for Australia, with the hope that his horror run of hamstring woes are behind him.Richardson has made a successful return to competitive cricket this week, playing as part of a Perth Scorchers side in the Top End T20 series in Darwin.Related

• Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson set for domestic returns with WA

• Morris hopeful of early Shield return despite 'frustrating' injury issues

• Morris and Richardson backed for summer opportunities after injury challenges

• Jhye Richardson included for Perth Scorchers' Top End trip

• Sutherland, Boland and Josh Brown to feature in Top End T20 series

Held back by injuries since his Test debut in 2019, Richardson has suffered four separate hamstring setbacks since his most recent limited-overs international in June 2022.He was initially named to return to Australia’s white-ball squad last summer, before being ruled out when he suffered his latest hamstring injury in the BBL.In the months since, Richardson has been able to get a solid block of net bowling in while only playing one game in the IPL, before pre-season stints in Perth and Brisbane.”I’m trying to avoid problem areas and build that resilience that I haven’t had in the past couple of years,” Richardson told AAP. “I’ve played two games [in Darwin], the body has been good. It’s obviously a different intensity playing competitive cricket again.”Richardson had tinkered with his run up before his most recent hamstring injury, only reaching top speed closer to the crease in a bid to make it more efficient. But he has since returned to his more traditional style, which sees him sprinting in at speeds of close to 22.5kph from earlier in his run up.Jhye Richardson’s injury issues have limited him to three Tests•Getty Images

“We wanted to explore what that looked like, with the goal of getting back to red-ball cricket,” Richardson said. “But I am back to my old run up now, understanding that what I had done previously for 10 years had probably somewhat worked.”I probably just felt a bit rushed. I didn’t feel as balanced. Everyone speaks about rhythm and feeling balanced and strong at the crease. And the ultimate goal is to perform, right? I have put a lot of work into my hamstring, so everyone is comfortable with the fact I can go back to what has worked previously.”Richardson’s fitness comes as a big few years loom for the 27-year-old. Selectors have kept the faith in the West Australian, retaining him on the national contract list despite the long run of injuries.Change is also coming in the Test team, with all three frontline quicks over the age of 30 and back-up paceman Scott Boland 35. Richardson appears the most credentialed man to one day lead the attack, with 11 wickets at 22.09 in his three Tests to date.”I think [it is important to be fit then], but we are looking pretty far into the future there,” he said. “Taking it one step at a time, getting the body right and making sure everything is right on my end, and not worrying about what is happening externally.”We obviously know there will be a transition point at some stage. When that happens, I am not too sure. But ultimately being fit at any time is my goal. Regardless of when the transition happens. And to be able to play Test cricket regardless of who is in the team.”

Caleb Jewell and Beau Webster put Tasmania in a strong position

AAP14-Mar-2023Queensland’s decision to send Tasmania in to bat at Bellerive Oval failed to pay dividends thanks to half-centuries from Caleb Jewell and Beau Webster.The in-form Jewell seemed set for a third century is as many outings for Tasmania, only to fall for 98 after a 228-ball innings.Webster ended the day unbeaten on 91, having struck 11 boundaries in a 157-ball knock. He was joined at the crease by Tim Paine, on 41 not out.Queensland, who are in a tense battle with Victoria for a spot in next week’s Shield final, commenced the day disastrously with the loss of strike bowler Michael Neser.The Test paceman was ruled out minutes before the start after suffering an ankle injury during the warm-up, with Liam Guthrie coming into the side in his place. To compounded Queensland’s woes, Mark Steketee could only manage 10 overs before limping off with a hip problem.Jewell, having hit three figures in his last Shield and One-Day Cup outings, fell to the new ball after edging a Guthrie delivery to Joe Burns at first slip.The 25-year-old left-hander had shared in two century partnerships, putting on 104 with Jake Doran (58) for the second wicket, and then 120 with Webster for the fifth.Left-armer Guthrie made the most of his eleventh-hour inclusion and made a double breakthrough after lunch, with two wickets in three balls knocking over Mac Wright and captain Jordan Silk for a duck.Steketee, the Shield’s second-highest wicket-taker after Neser, struck in just the third over removing Tim Ward for 2, but had little further joy despite the green-tinged wicket.Second-placed Queensland must at least equal Victoria’s result against Western Australia in Perth if they are to secure a spot in the season decider.

The proximity of the ODI World Cup has added the complexity of the Ashes series

Andrew McGlashan12-Jan-2022Australia’s players are willing to do whatever it takes to ensure the Women’s Ashes runs safely and ensure no one misses the ODI World Cup amid the Covid-19 cases that have exploded over the last month.The squad will be back under tight biosecure restrictions during the multi-format contest – the schedule for which was recently amended – but there remains the risk that if a player catches Covid towards the end of the series that they would miss the World Cup, starting March 4, due there being only one opportunity for the group to travel to New Zealand.Australia’s players, who are split across 15 in the main Ashes squad and 15 in an Australia A group, will start arriving in Adelaide from Thursday with the whole group assembled by January 17 leaving just three days to prepare for the first T20I.Restrictions on what they can do are expected to be tighter than the men’s Ashes which has operated at Cricket Australia’s level four protocols with players largely confined to their hotel outside of matches.Related

• Women's Ashes: Tightrope walk for teams with 'scattered' preparations leaving them undercooked

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“In order to get the Ashes up and running we do need to follow some protocols and try and keep everyone as safe as possible,” captain Meg Lanning said. “We are certainly willing to do that and do whatever we need to to get the games up.”Heading into this bubble the risk of catching Covid is significantly increased than what it perhaps was even six months ago. That is a slight difference heading into this series and that World Cup on the back end is something everyone wants to be a part of and certainly doesn’t want to miss.”There is, I guess, that little bit of nervousness but having chatted to the medical staff and all the support staff they are putting everything in place that’s possible to keep the bubble very secure and minimise the risk of getting Covid. Very confident that everything is in place that needs to be and hopefully everyone can stay safe.”Already one player has been caught up in Covid with Katie Mack, who is part of the Australia A squad thanks to an outstanding season for Adelaide Strikers, isolating for seven days after her partner tested positive. Mack is currently awaiting her PCR result and if she remains negative during isolation is hopeful of still joining the squad for the T20s against England A with the worst case being she will only be able to play the ODIs next month.”I’d feel pretty lucky if I could still get there and play all the games, that’s the best-case scenario,” Mack said. “Worst-case scenario is I test positive in a couple of days and have to do [another] seven days isolation from there. It’s not ideal, but Covid’s not ideal in anyone’s life at the moment, so it would be pretty hard for me to say I’ve got it tough.”Australia’s selectors are planning for the possibility that Covid will hit the Ashes in some form with players in the A squad on notice that a call-up may come at any time. Still, on a day-to-day basis the squads will be kept separate to minimise the risk if a case emerges.Covid has had a significant impact on the women’s game in recent weeks with a raft of postponements in the WNCL which has limited players’ preparation ahead of the Ashes although Lanning believed it was a prudent measure not to carry on with those matches.Lanning herself opted to take a break after the WBBL knowing that this intense period of cricket with the Ashes and World Cup lay ahead. With a return to bubble life, which players had hoped was behind them, she is pleased she took the chance to step away.”I felt after WBBL that a break would benefit me a lot and having come back to training it has done wonders,” she said. “It’s not ideal to miss games but think the timing of that was perfect for me, to mentally more than anything switch off.”

Surrey, Warwickshire’s Willis Trophy fixtures opened up to members

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jul-2020Fans will be permitted to attend first-class cricket for the first time since March this weekend, with the first two days of Surrey and Warwickshire’s opening Bob Willis Trophy matches opened up to spectators.The fixtures are both part of the second phase of UK government pilot events, and each ground will be allowed to host up to 2,500 fans following trials at pre-season matches. 1,000 fans were permitted at The Oval for Surrey’s friendly against Middlesex on Sunday and Monday, with the same number allowed at Edgbaston for Warwickshire’s match against Worcestershire on Tuesday.ALSO READ: Cricket comes home as spectators make cautious return to The OvalFor the time being, tickets will be limited to members, with both counties releasing further details on their websites for those keen to attend. Social-distancing measures will remain in place, but the move will continue to raise hopes that fans will be able to attend T20 Blast games when the competition starts on August 27. Surrey’s opening match is also against Middlesex, while Warwickshire will host Northamptonshire.Neil Snowball, the ECB’s managing director of county cricket, said: “We’re all excited about the start of the county cricket season, and of course we all miss not being able to go and watch as we normally would. These two pilots are an important step in testing the Government guidance and ensuring we can safely open our grounds again.”The government is officially aiming for fans to be able to return to stadiums from October 1, but Surrey’s chief executive Richard Gould has suggested that date represents a target to be beaten.Speaking on Sunday during the Oval trial match, Gould also warned that the current social-distancing requirements that limit clubs to 30% capacity within any given area of seating is not sustainable in the long term.”We need to be back to normal next summer,” Gould said. “If we’re not back to normal next summer, the structure, not just of our sports but all sports will have to significantly change.”If we don’t get crowds back in at some stage then many more clubs will become part-time organisations and I just don’t think we can afford that as a sport or as a country in terms of cultural output.”

The fast bowler bowled at full tilt on the eve of the match in Bengaluru, easing concerns over the left shoulder injury he sustained against Delhi Daredevils

The Preview by Ankur Dhawan27-Mar-20193:31

Hodge: Shimron Hetmyer should bat at No. 3 for Bengaluru

Big Picture

How boringly predictable. Chennai Super Kings are on top, Delhi Capitals have exorcised the ‘Daredevils’ but not the inconsistency, and those two perennial poor starters, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, have played to their reputation by going down in their opening encounters. For Royal Challengers, that familiar feeling of here we go again lingers, and for Mumbai the loss could almost be seen as a good omen, given their history of dramatic comebacks. You may point out – correctly – that it’s too early to write eulogies or prophesy a come-from-behind title win. Perhaps Royal Challengers were done in by a dreadful pitch, and Mumbai by one man’s brilliance. Either way, it’s time to find out if there is more to the teams than first met the eye.In the literal sense of team combinations, that seems unlikely at this stage. There were concerns about Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness after he toppled over his shoulder in the last match and did not come out to bat later, but he bowled at full tilt on the eve of the match in Bengaluru and, according to the team management, has recovered sufficiently. Mumbai will also have the services of Lasith Malinga sooner than expected, with the Sri Lankan quick joining the team tonight, but he is likely to be considered for selection only for the next match. The only concern for Mumbai might be a seemingly ageing side – they fielded five players over the age of 30 last match – but Super Kings have already shown the worth of experience in this format.Royal Challengers, on the other hand, would be chuffed to be back home, at least as far as the pitch is concerned. Virat Kohli recently likened it to the “old”, batting-friendly Bengaluru surface, albeit before going on to lose that high-scoring match against Australia. Ironically, the XI that looked a spinner short in the crushing defeat in Chennai could be the ideal combination on a traditional Chinnaswamy pitch, with a good mix of quicks and spinners, in addition to a strong batting line-up.

Likely XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 1 Virat Kohli (capt), 2 Parthjv Patel (wk), 3 Moeen Ali, 4 AB de Villiers, 5 Shimron Hetmyer, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Navdeep Saini, 9 Yuzvendra Chahal, 10 Umesh Yadav, 11 Mohammed SirajMumbai Indians: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Quinton de Kock (wk), 3 Suryakumar Yadav, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 Kieron Pollard, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Ben Cutting, 9 Mitchell McClenaghan, 10 Rasikh Salam, 11 Jasprit BumrahA pensive RCB side wait to take the field•BCCI

Strategy punt

• Moeen Ali averages 27.75 and scores at a strike-rate of 148.56 as an opener. Those are his best returns in any batting position in T20s. Royal Chalengers have only tried him in that position once, against Delhi Daredevils last year. A quick swap with Virat Kohli could help Royal Challengers utilise Moeen best, besides giving the middle-order a more solid look, leaving Kohl to negotiate the tougher middle overs along with AB de Villiers.
• Krunal Pandya has had AB de Villiers’ number from the first time he bowled to him in the IPL. On that occasion he had him stumped off a beauty, which dragged de Villiers’ back heel out of the crease and spun away to leave Parthiv Patel to whip the bails off. If anyone thought it was a fluke, Krunal repeated the feat the next three times he bowled to de Villiers, dismissing him on all those occasions as well. Overall, his record against de Villiers is an impressive four dismissals in as many innings, while conceding 33 off 32 balls. Regardless of the situation, don’t be surprised if Krunal is thrown the ball as soon as de Villiers comes out to bat.

Stats that matter

• Before losing the away match against Royal Challengers last year, Mumbai had beaten them in five successive meetings, their second-best winning streak against any opposition in the IPL, after the ongoing eight-match run against Kolkata Knight Riders.
• In completed matches, Royal Challengers are marginally better chasing than batting first at home, having won 19 out of 35 matches when they’ve chased as opposed to losing 24 of the 42 times they have batted first. However, RCB have never beaten Mumbai batting second at home.
• AB de Villiers needs 38 runs to become the 10th player to score 4000-plus runs in the IPL.
• Virat Kohli needs 46 runs to become the second player after Suresh Raina to score 5000-plus runs in the IPL

Mark Chapman was left out of the 15-man squad, after he made himself unavailable for selection due to his commitments with Auckland in New Zealand’s domestic competitions

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Feb-2018Babar Hayat will lead Hong Kong at next month’s World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe, while batsman Mark Chapman was left out of the 15-man squad, after he made himself unavailable for selection due to his commitments with Auckland in New Zealand’s domestic competitions. Anshy Rath was named vice-captain.

Hong Kong squad

Babar Hayat (capt), Anshy Rath, Nizakat Khan, Scott McKechnie, Simandeep Singh, Ahsan Ali Abbasi, Ehsan Khan, Aizaz Khan, Tanwir Afzal, Ehsan Nawaz, Nadeem Ahmed, Tanveer Ahmed, Christopher Carter, Shahid Wasif, Waqas Barkat
Reserves: Haroon Arshad, Kyle Christie, Waqas Khan, Kinchit Shah, Raag Kapur

Chapman, who has not played for Hong Kong since the 2016 World T20 in India, recently missed out on selection for New Zealand’s T20I squad against Pakistan and Australia. After strong performances in the Super Smash T20 competition, Chapman smashed 117 off 104 balls on Sunday against Wellington in the Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s 50-overs competition.The squad leaves for South Africa next week, where they will play in a quadrangular tournament with Ireland, Netherlands and Scotland, starting on February 14. Thereafter, the team will proceed to Zimbabwe, where they play the tournament’s opening match against Scotland on March 6.Hong Kong coach Simon Cook said he was pleased with the squad’s “balance”, and that those selected were rewarded for their performances over the past 12 months. With four Test teams – Ireland, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and West Indies – playing in the World Cup qualifiers, Cook said that the team will look to embrace the challenge following their third-place finish in the recently-concluded World Cricket League championship.