Category Uncategorized

David Bedingham counterattacked for South Africa with 87 off 96 balls, but they folded for 247 in pursuit of 529

Ashish Pant07-Feb-20242:36

Bedingham: ‘It was quite gutsy of me to take on the short ball’

Kyle Jamieson’s four-wicket haul backed up by Mitchell Santner’s three-for helped New Zealand record a mammoth 281-run win over South Africa in the first Test in Mount Maunganui – their second highest in terms of runs. The margin of defeat would have been much more if not for David Bedingham’s counterattacking 87 off 96 balls, where he took on the short ball with some aplomb.Jamieson struck twice each after the lunch and tea breaks, breaking important stands as South Africa, who were chasing 529 for a win, folded for 247 in 80 overs. There were good partnerships built, but South Africa lost wickets in clusters way too often to go down. Aside from Bedingham, Zubayr Hamza, Raynard van Tonder and Keegan Petersen all got starts but none of them could go on and get a big one.Earlier, New Zealand expectedly declared their second innings overnight on 179 for 4, setting South Africa an improbable target. Their bowlers Matt Henry and Tim Southee immediately found assistance under overcast skies to leave South Africa at 5 for 2 in the fourth over. While Southee troubled Edward Moore in the first over by curling the ball both ways, Henry seemingly had Neil Brand caught behind with his second delivery, as Tom Blundell took a stunning catch to his left. The South Africa captain, however, was saved on review.Brand’s stay at the crease was short-lived though, as Southee breached his defence with an incoming beauty. He got the ball to jag in from the around-the-wicket angle, and Brand, unsure whether to play at the ball or leave it, was late and saw his stumps in a mess. At that point, with the ball hooping around and the batters unsure, a collapse was on the cards. But Hamza and van Tonder hung around.Hamza, who had looked solid in the first innings, got the first four of the innings in the 11th over – a firm punch through covers off Jamieson – before cutting Southee square soon after. Van Tonder, on a pair on debut, got his first runs in Tests with a push past mid-on. He had his nervous moments though, as an edge fell short of second slip to along with a number of plays and misses, but he kept going. The pair soon brought up the first 50-run stand for South Africa in the Test, and moved to lunch unscathed.2:40

Southee: ‘Test cricket is as exciting as it has ever been’

But having fought hard, debutant van Tonder’s 83-ball vigil ended three overs after lunch when he edged a full-length Jamieson delivery straight into the hands of Tom Latham, who was stationed a tad wide at slips. Two overs later, it was Hamza’s turn to depart when his meek attempt at a pull could only go as far as Southee at mid-on.Bedingham and Petersen joined forces in the 33rd over with the score at 73 for 4, and added 105 for the fifth wicket, with the former doing the bulk of the scoring. Bedingham started nervously, swishing and missing at a couple of balls and then twice edging Jamieson past the lone slip Latham, who was positioned wide. But Petersen, at the other end, looked more solid.For 11 overs from the 35th to the 46th, South Africa could only manage 16 runs, with a single boundary. There were chances created, but none that really went to hand. Then came Matt Henry with a short-ball plan, and Bedingham decided to cut loose. Having decided to take his name out of the SA20 draft in a bid to play this series, Bedingham showed off his T20 ware in this Test – and in style. Henry went short at him four times in four balls, but was carted for a boundary each time by making room and stepping towards the leg side, in an over that went for 19.Rachin Ravindra was then tonked for a four straight down the ground – one that got Bedingham to his second fifty in Tests, before he took a liking to Southee. The fast bowler went short, and Bedingham’s back-away-and-swing-for-the-hills plan was executed to perfection. In the last ten balls that he faced off Southee before tea, Bedingham carted him for 28. In all, South Africa scored 111 off 28 overs in the second session, with 71 coming off the last ten.New Zealand went short at Bedingham for 22 balls, of which he whacked 48 runs, but the shot also brought about his downfall post tea. Not willing to change his approach, he went after Jamieson first over after the interval, but his miscued pull was caught at deep midwicket, with Bedingham falling 13 short of what would have been a maiden Test ton.In his very next over, Jamieson had Peterson caught off a short ball down to deep-backward square leg, with Ravindra taking a good, low catch, and the end was nigh. Clyde Fortuin’s innings was cut short in an unfortunate manner when he pulled a Glenn Phillips long hop straight into the knee of Latham at short leg, with the ball popping up for wicketkeeper Blundell to complete the catch.Duanne Olivier then edged Santner to first slip, before the left-arm spinner ended Dane Paterson’s enterprising innings on 15 to close out the game for the hosts and helped them take a 1-0 lead.Ravindra, for his 240 in the first innings, was named Player of the Match.

Captain ends dogged stand between Petersen and van der Dussen as tourists collapse after tea

Andrew Miller27-Aug-2022England 415 for 9 dec (Foakes 113*, Stokes 103) beat South Africa 151 (Anderson 3-32, Broad 3-37) and 179 (Petersen 42, Robinson 4-43) by 123 runsTest centuries and all that, sure, they’re nice. But for Ben Stokes, you get the sense that nothing can beat the sensation of a job well done that accompanied his down-and-dirty exploits on the third afternoon at Emirates Old Trafford.After the highs of his game-changing stand with Ben Foakes on Friday, came the low, visually at least, of England’s captain bending for breath between balls during his gut-busting 14-over spell, either side of the tea break. And yet, his apparently everyman figures of 2 for 30 were best expressed by the events that bookended them.Before Stokes’ intervention, South Africa’s fourth-wicket pairing, Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen, had endured for a doughty stand of 87, spanning 42.2 overs including the entire afternoon session, to give their side hope of a miraculous turnaround.Straight after Stokes, however, came England’s second new ball, and the sight of James Anderson and Ollie Robinson completing the job they had started with such surety in the long-distant morning session. On their watch, England ripped out the remaining five wickets in 31 balls before stumps, to square the series with an innings-and-85-run victory that was no less crushing than the one they had themselves suffered at Lord’s last week.And, in between whiles, came the interventions that made the victory surge possible, two moments of raw inspiration that their captain dredged from within himself, to rip apart South Africa’s burgeoning resistance and lay bare their futile prospects.Van der Dussen, who was subsequently confirmed to have suffered a broken left index finger that will rule him out of next week’s third Test, battled with huge resolve after arriving at an uncompromising 54 for 3 in the 14th over of the day – often removing his top hand on impact as England probed his stumps and forced him to dig deep for the cause. But, after 20 minutes of cooling off during the interval, he was lured outside his eyeline as Stokes shaped one away at good pace, and Foakes behind the stumps plucked a priceless chance.One over later, and Stokes produced an even more awesome moment. Petersen had been bloodless in his resolve in the middle session, denying himself any attacking impetus as he set himself and his team for survival. But Stokes’ response was a sizzling lifter – fast, straight and climbing wickedly off the seam and into his gloves as he tried to rear out of harm’s way.At 151 for 5, with 2 for 19 in eight overs, Stokes could arguably have pulled himself out there and then, the glory moment secure, and handed the attack back to his frontline quicks. But with the ball now 68 overs old, he instead took it upon himself to shoulder the burden for the remainder of its 80-over life. Within 5.1 overs of the replacement, his instinct was proven to be spot on.The end came with startling speed. After a chastening match with the ball, Simon Harmer had got himself into line with determination throughout his 48-ball stay. But Anderson’s second delivery with the new ball was simply too good – full, straight, seaming, and decisive, as it burst through the gate into the top of the off stump.Robinson responded with equal authority – his fourth ball climbed at Keshav Maharaj for a sharp edge to Ollie Pope at fourth slip, and from there it was a race to the bottom. Anderson found Kagiso Rabada’s edge for Joe Root to stoop at first slip, before Robinson wrapped up the collapse by delivering back-to-back ducks on Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi, and seal impressive comeback figures of 4 for 43.And so ended another one-sided three-day Test, although it was a significantly more compelling day of action than might have been envisaged after the first hour of action.South Africa had fought hard on the second evening, following England’s first-innings declaration, to reach 23 for 0 at the close. But that resilience was unpicked with haste upon the resumption, with their captain and linchpin Dean Elgar falling within 15 minutes of the resumption – brilliantly outfoxed by Anderson, whose 662nd Test wicket took him to 949 in all internationals, bringing him level with Glenn McGrath as the most prolific seamer across formats. By the day’s end, of course, he was out on his own at the top.Opening up from his very own End, Anderson needed just four deliveries to line up Elgar and send him on his way for the sixth time in Test cricket. The third of those jagged wickedly from round the wicket and lifted past Elgar’s splice; the next, a fraction fuller, skidded straight past a now-crease-bound batter, to pluck out his off stump for 11.Sarel Erwee was similarly out-thought, as Robinson switched to round the wicket from over, and confounded his alignment with the perfect full length. And then came Broad – relegated to first-change status for this match but gagging for his slice of the action.Within five balls, Broad trimmed Aiden Markram’s bails with the ball of the Test so far, only for the third umpire to belatedly call no-ball. Nonplussed but undeterred, Broad settled for luring Markram outside off in his second over instead… but pointedly curbed his enthusiasm until he’d received word from umpire Chris Gaffeney that his front foot had been given a clean bill of health.And that could have been that, especially with van der Dussen visibly hampered. But, with watchfulness to the fore, he and Petersen set their sights on survival.However, England’s grip on the contest was not exactly loosened in a middle session that yielded just 53 runs, with 123 still needed for parity by tea. With his spinner, Jack Leach, bowling dry from the James Anderson End, conceding 19 runs in as many overs, Stokes was able to rotate his seamers with attacking fields, including close catchers at silly mid-off and mid-on, and keep them fresh for the new ball.Six of those pre-tea overs were from Stokes himself – a tight, channelled burst of aggression that yielded just eight runs and a constant threat of reverse-swing, including a thin snick off van der Dussen in the penultimate over of the session that England failed to notice. But it mattered not in the final analysis. After the break, everything came flooding out, as England squared the rubber in the style that their captain has ordained.

Visitors five down and just 39 ahead after Hannon-Dalby knocks over top order

George Dobell10-Apr-2021There was a time when, confronted by tricky conditions and a tight match situation, a batsman might be expected to buckle down for some dogged resistance.Take Alan Hill, for example. Hill is something of a folk hero among Derbyshire supporters for his obdurate batting. He holds the record for the highest first-class score (103, since you ask, made for Orange Free State v Griqualand West in 1976-77) without a boundary. He’s one of only three men to have made a first-class hundred without hitting a four or six. Once, when batting against Kent at Derby in 1977, he went 68 minutes before getting off the mark. He might not have had the spectators flocking in, but by God bowlers had to earn his wicket.Modern cricket isn’t like that. While there are one or two Hill-types out there – Dom Sibley isn’t a bad example – the default response to most situations these days appears to be to attempt to hit the ball harder and further. You couldn’t say the game was less skilful than it was previously; batters play shots of which Hill and co could never have dreamed. And you might argue the contemporary game is more entertaining than it has ever been. But maybe, somewhere along the way, some subtle skills – not least the will and ability to defend for long periods – has been lost.Related

• Lancashire on top after Dane Vilas 189 but weather gives Sussex a glimmer

• Jack Leach discipline, Tom Abell dash keep Somerset in the hunt

• Headingley snow prevents Glamorgan from turning up heat on Yorkshire

So it was that Derbyshire, starting their second innings with a deficit of 32 runs, seemed intent on thrashing their way into a match-winning position before a ball could come along to defeat them.It was a puzzling tactic. While the conditions were certainly offering some assistance to the seamers, evidence from the Warwickshire innings – and the success of Matt Lamb, Rob Yates and Tim Bresnan, in particular – suggested there was little benefit in pushing for the ball and more in waiting for it.Maybe Derbyshire’s batters simply wanted to return to the warmth of the dressing room? This match has been played in miserably cold conditions and was interrupted by sleet on the third afternoon. Even while play was in progress, the temperature was just under three degrees. It’s literally warmer in a fridge.The man beneficiary of Derbyshire’s loose approach to batting was Oliver Hannon-Dalby. Bowling, as ever really, an immaculate length, he probed around off stump with unrelenting accuracy. And while he is not especially quick – somewhere around 80mph, you would think – his height (6ft 8in) enables him to gain disconcerting bounce. Combined with an ability to hit the seam and gain swing and you have, in these conditions at least, a dangerous bowler.In taking all five wickets to fall so far in the second innings, he has sustained his outstanding recent performances. His overall career record may look modest – that average hovers just above 30 – but, since the start of 2017, he is taking his first-class wickets (and there have been 106 of them) at a cost of 22.36 apiece. He has developed into a fine operator and key member of this side.”It’s a good cricket wicket,” Hanon-Dalby said afterwards. “Yes, there’s something there for the bowlers. But if you don’t put the ball in the right place, there are runs to be scored. We did’t expect them to come as hard at us in their second innings as they did.”What am I doing differently over the last few years? I’ve sure I’ve matured a bit as a cricketer. But mainly it’s about opportunity. There were so many great bowlers ahead of me when I came to Warwickshire: Chris Woakes, Keith Barker, Rikki Clarke, Chris Wright, Boyd Rankin… the list goes on. I was coming on fourth change sometimes.”So, I’ve had to bide my time for a chance to take the new ball and show what I can do.”Here, Luis Reece, usually so disciplined, drove loosely at one angled across him, Anuj Dal played across a straight one and Leus du Plooy – maybe that should read “du Pl00y” – completed a pair when he was beaten by a fine delivery that nipped back into him. By the time Billy Godleman jabbed at one he could have left, Derbyshire were four down and only two ahead.Wayne Madsen could consider himself unfortunate, though: the ball that dismissed him pitched on middle, bounced and left him to take the edge. It might have been too good for anyone.That the match goes into the final day is largely due to the weather – there was no play after 2.40pm – and Matt Critchley. Critchley has enjoyed a fine game. His first-innings contribution of 64 remains the most fluent knock of the match, and he has top-scored so far in Derbyshire’s second innings, once again demonstrating some lovely timing off his legs and a pleasing pull for four when Liam Norwell dropped short.He also helped polish off the Warwickshire innings on the third morning. Yes, he’ll confront more testing batsmen in his career, but he ended Lamb’s worthy resistance with a legbreak, Madsen holding on to the sharpest of catches in front of his face at slip, almost defeated Danny Briggs with a first-ball googly, then trapped Norwell with one that skidded on.So that’s variety, control and an ability to bat he has demonstrated in this match. A career bowling average in the mid-40s suggests he is nowhere near international cricket. But, given England’s relatively meagre options and his relative youth at 24, he may be a cricketer to keep an eye upon.He has some work ahead of him on the fourth day. Perhaps, if Derbyshire can stretch this lead to 150 or so, they may yet put Warwickshire under pressure. You suspect, however, they will rue the frenetic way they went about their second innings.

R Ashwin, however, said it was ‘brave’ and ‘commendable’ that Bangladesh batted first on a pitch with a ‘bit of life’

Mohammad Isam14-Nov-20193:35

‘Brave’ of Bangladesh to bat first on a pitch with ‘life’ – Ashwin

Mominul Haque’s press conference at the end of the first day’s play in Indore could be interpreted in many different ways.The new Bangladesh captain seemed to be riled at the suggestion that his team isn’t used to playing fast bowling. Mominul then tried to delicately broach the idea that journalists’ questions sometimes put the players under more pressure. To be fair, the question was whether the Bangladesh batsmen were scared of India’s fast bowlers, to which no cricketer would ever answer in the affirmative.”You guys might find it funny but ahead of every series, even against Afghanistan, you [media] have a major role to play,” Mominul said. “This thing can go against me, so don’t take it otherwise, please. When we are playing against Afghanistan, the way you ask questions, by saying they have Rashid Khan, etc. Even if you don’t want to think about them, it will creep into your mind. I just think how you present it makes it difficult.”Later, when he was asked why he was feeling under pressure at a press conference when he and other cricketers are trained to avoid much more difficult situations in the middle, Mominul didn’t back down.”I am the one who has to answer your questions, of course, but sometimes we don’t think about a certain thing, and then when you ask us about it, we start thinking about it,” Mominul said. “This is how the mind works. But you’re right. Myself and the rest of the side have to be mentally stronger.”Throughout the press conference, it was clear that Mominul was relishing the captaincy, so much so that he let go of his usual introverted self and became a lot more outspoken. This was only his second interaction with the media after becoming captain.Mominul Haque plays a copybook forward defence•BCCI

But perhaps his inexperience at handling a prickly press conference got the better of him, after a tough day in the field. He perhaps didn’t need to admit that he was at fault for choosing to bat first after winning the toss. Initially, when asked about the toss, he said he would have to live with the burden of the decision since Bangladesh made a low score.”When you take this decision at the toss and things don’t go your way, these questions will definitely come up,” Mominul said. “Because we were bowled out cheaply, it was probably a bad decision on my part. It was totally my fault. I think if I had batted for longer with Mushfiq [Mushfiqur Rahim] , we would have posted a bigger total.”Another way to look at Mominul’s decision was that it was a positive one, showing his – and his team’s – willingness to meet the Indian attack head-on. The trust he placed in his batting line-up was remarkable, and perhaps a positive sign from a new captain.R Ashwin came out with the exact thought in his press conference.”I personally thought it was a very brave decision to bat first having won the toss,” Ashwin said. “We didn’t expect that. We thought they’ll bowl but they batted first which is very commendable on their part. I also thought some of their batsmen batted beautifully in the morning, it’s never easy to come and play on a wicket that’s got a bit of life. It was damp. And I thought Mominul Haque and some of the other batters batted beautifully.”It is not as if Mominul isn’t used to harder challenges but handling questions at the end of a long day in the field can get the better of many top players. In only his first day as captain, Mominul can be given some leeway, but this Test series will not just be a test of Mominul the cricketer and new captain of Bangladesh, but also of Mominul the communicator.

Visitors will have Mehidy Hasan Miraz back and could go with three spinners at SSC

Madushka Balasuriya24-Jun-2025

Big Picture: WTC points at stake for both sides

After a draw in the first Test in Galle, the action moves to Colombo with more World Test Championship (WTC) points on the line for a Test arguably more important for Sri Lanka than Bangladesh. As their remaining two home series in this cycle are against India and South Africa, two Tests without a win against a lower-ranked Bangladesh might leave the hosts feeling like they left points on the table.As for the visitors, they were the closer of the two sides to getting a positive result in Galle, and will be heading to Colombo with the belief that they can go one better. And with their remaining two away series this cycle against WTC 2025 finalists Australia and South Africa, the points might prove more valuable than most.It is also Sri Lanka’s first Test of the post-Angelo Mathews era, with the search for his replacement now moving into full gear. The first to get a go looks likely to be spin-bowling allrounder Sonal Dinusha, whose slow left-arm spin makes him a handy option – particularly in home conditions. With no Tests on Sri Lanka’s cards until next year, he’ll be itching to make this opportunity one to remember.Related

• Dhananjaya de Silva bets on pace in second Test against Bangladesh

• Focused Shanto regains form despite instability all around him

If Sri Lanka opt to throw all their spin eggs in the Prabath Jayasuriya basket, then one of Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara or even Oshada Fernando could come in.Bangladesh, meanwhile, welcome Mehidy Hasan Miraz back after he missed the first Test with fever. You would expect the No. 2-ranked allrounder in the world to be welcomed back with open arms. But his replacement Nayeem Hasan was arguably the best bowler on show in the first Test.With the SSC surface expected to be dry and batter-friendly, both teams will be trying to decipher the ideal combination. Dhananjaya de Silva hinted that three seamers were likely for Sri Lanka – which could potentially mean a debut for Isitha Wijesundara – but if Bangladesh were to follow suit, it might mean Nayeem misses out.Bangladesh, though, have the seam options to go with a three-pronged spin attack, with both Khaled Ahmed and Ebadot Hossain available for selection. With Ebadot just returning from an injury layoff, Khaled could get the nod, particularly owing to his proficiency with the new ball.

Form guide

Sri Lanka: DLLLL
Bangladesh: DWLWLLAnamul Haque fell for 0 and 4 in the Galle Test•Associated Press

In the spotlight: Dhananjaya de Silva and Anamul Haque

For most of his career, Dhananjaya de Silva has batted at No. 6 or lower. He was tried at No. 5 for the entire 2021 as well, and to some success. But with Mathews retired, Sri Lanka’s Test middle order is getting its first real shake-up in over a decade. The biggest beneficiary of that might be the Sri Lanka captain himself. Dhananjaya looks set to slot into that No. 4 role – at least initially – a position he has batted in on only six prior occasions, and one where he averages just 20.33. DDS, as he’s commonly known, has always been the man for a crisis in Sri Lanka’s lower order, and Sri Lanka will be hoping that crisis-management mode kicks in upon the retirement of one of the country’s stalwarts.Anamul Haque’s Test career hasn’t been one to write home about. Having made his Test debut back in 2013, he was in the wilderness from 2014 to 2022. Anamul’s return to the national team was brief, though, as he was dropped after a single Test for another three years. At 32 years of age, his return against Zimbabwe this April was less comeback, and more a reintroduction. He scored 39, his highest Test score, the only time he batted in that game. The Galle Test brought Anamul scores of 0 and 4, not ideal either. But on an SSC track that is expected to be as batter-friendly – if not, more – now, if ever, is the time to deliver.Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be back in action after a fever•AFP/Getty Images

Team news

Sri Lanka will be pondering Mathews’ replacement, as well as whether to play three seamers. Milan Rathnayake’s injury has left open a spot for a bowling allrounder, and Dinusha seems likely to fill that role. Tharindu Ratnayake will be the one to make way if Sri Lanka go for an extra seamer.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Lahiru Udara, 3 Dinesh Chandimal, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), 5 Kamindu Mendis, 6 Sonal Dinusha, 7 Kusal Mendis (wk), 8 Prabath Jayasuriya, 9 Vishwa Fernando, 10 Kasun Rajitha/Isitha Wijesundara, 11 Asitha FernandoBangladesh will have to decide how to slot in the returning Mehidy, while also pondering whether to go with three seamers or an extra spinner. It could be Nayeem who misses out if the extra seamer does come in. Skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto also picked up a finger injury at training, but it doesn’t look likely to rule him out.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Mominul Haque, 4 Najmul Hossain Shanto (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Jaker Ali (wk), 7 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 8 Nayeem Hasan/Khaled Ahmed/Ebadot Hossain, 9 Taijul Islam, 10 Nahid Rana, 11 Hasan MahmudOf active Sri Lanka players, Prabath Jayasuriya’s ten wickets are the most at SSC•AFP/Getty Images

Stats and trivia

• Sri Lanka have lost four of their last eight Tests at the SSC. Prior to that, they had gone 21 Tests without defeat at the venue.
• Of active Sri Lanka players, Jayasuriya’s ten wickets are the most at the SSC.
• Bangladesh have beaten Sri Lanka just once across 27 Tests.

Quotes

“Runs in the first innings is the key. Then we can try and take 20 wickets in the game. Toss will not be a major factor. Even in Galle, we were able to score the same number of runs as them.”
“To leave Naeem out is difficult. But we make sure everyone is on the same page, and if a decision has to be made, people understand that it’s what’s best for the team.”

New development deals for Mahika Gaur, Lauren Filer and Bess Heath

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Dec-2023Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been awarded ECB central contracts for the first time, while there were new development deals for teenager Mahika Gaur, Lauren Filer and Bess Heath, as part of the 2023-24 cycle for England Women.Top-order batter Bouchier, 24, has been in the England set-up for the last few years but announced herself with 95 from 65 balls in her third ODI against Sri Lanka in September. Gibson, the seam-bowling allrounder, made her full debut in the summer’s Ashes and hit the winning runs to seal the T20I series against Australia at Lord’s.Their elevation comes following the retirement of Katherine Sciver-Brunt after a 19-year England career, with seamer Freya Davies also missing from the 18-player list.Related

• Gaur hits her straps as England's next generation step up

• Jones credits youngsters' injection of energy for England turnaround

• Sciver-Brunt targets India bowling comeback after stellar batting form

• Beaumont, Brook named PCA Players of the Year

Left-armer Tash Farrant, who last played international cricket in 2021, was again retained, having suffered a recurrence of her back stress fracture, while Issy Wong also keeps her contract – evidence of the “scaffold of support” needed by the young fast bowler after a difficult summer in which she struggled for rhythm and was only picked once by England.The introduction of development contracts means extra support for the likes of 17-year-old left-arm swing bowler Gaur, following her switch to England after representing UAE since the age of 15, and the rapid Filer, whose extra pace was a notable feature of the women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.The contracts, which run until October 31, 2024, include an enhanced family provision entitlement, bonuses for success against higher-ranked opposition, increased retainers and the equalisation of match fees, announced earlier this year by the ECB.”The central contracts are awarded to the players we feel will play a significant role over the next 12 months and beyond,” Jonathan Finch, the ECB’s director of England Women’s cricket, said. “We are at the start of an unprecedented busy period of international cricket and the group reflects the requirements of the multi-format schedule we face.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“Maia Bouchier and Danielle Gibson have been part of our group over the summer, have performed well and will be important players for England moving forward.”The introduction of development contracts is a key step for us and allows us to support a wider group of players in their ongoing development and we will work closely with the regions to manage the players’ development and workloads.”After a record-breaking Ashes summer, we have a really exciting 12 months of cricket ahead and we feel this group of players will form the foundations of our side that will take us through various bilateral series, and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.”Our thanks as ever go to the England Women’s Player Partnership and the PCA who continue to play an important role.”England Women central contracts: Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kate Cross, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Danielle Gibson, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt
England Women development contracts: Bess Heath, Lauren Filer, Mahika Gaur

Hosts end Day 3 323 ahead after Pakistan fell 147 behind in the first innings, although they fought back with the ball

Andrew Fidel Fernando26-Jul-2022Stumps Pakistan removed Sri Lanka’s top five in a little over a session, but had given up so much ground in the first innings that they remain in a desperate situation. They are 323 runs back at the end of day three, with five Sri Lanka wickets still remaining.On a day curtailed by bad light, the hosts took the visitors’ last four wickets for 40 runs, obtaining a 147-run first innings lead thanks to Ramesh Mendis’ five-wicket haul. Pakistan’s bowlers then did their best to keep Sri Lanka in check by having the hosts 117 for 5 in the second innings, before a 59-run unbeaten stand between Dhananjaya de Silva and Dimuth Karunaratne re-established Sri Lanka’s dominance.Karunaratne was clearly struggling with a lower-back injury that had kept him off the field for much of Pakistan’s first innings and prevented him from coming in any earlier than at No. 6, where he was unbeaten – with de Silva at the other end – before the teams went off for bad light.Pakistan had begun the day well, though perhaps unambitiously. Yasir Shah and Hasan Ali batted out almost 14 overs, but struck only one boundary when Hasan came down the track to launch Prabath Jayasuriya over midwicket, and made just 30 runs together for the eighth wicket.Sri Lanka’s spinners had occasionally threatened with the old ball, but when they took the new one – just before the first hour of play was up – they were consistently menacing.Jayasuriya broke the stand, as Hasan could only get an under-edge on to the stumps as he tried to sweep. Soon after, Nauman Ali had his outside edge taken by a big-turning Ramesh delivery, before Yasir was trapped in front by the same bowler to wrap the innings up for 231. Ramesh got 5 for 47 – his third five-wicket haul in Tests – while Jayasuriya took 3 for 80.Agha Salman was intent on reviewing a decision against Angelo Mathews, and eventually had his way•AFP/Getty Images

As Karunaratne could no earlier than 2.20pm local time since he had been off the field too long, Niroshan Dickwella opened the innings for Sri Lanka, but without substantial success. He survived the five overs he and fellow opener Oshada Fernando faced before lunch, but was out in the first over of the afternoon, nicking a Naseem Shah ball that was angled across him on 15.Three other Pakistan bowlers took the three remaining wickets to fall in that session. Yasir had Oshada lbw less than five overs after Dickwella’s dismissal. Mohammad Nawaz got Kusal Mendis lbw trying to sweep very soon after that.Then came perhaps the most controversial decision of the day. Angelo Mathews, playing his 100th Test, was given not out edging a ball that ricocheted off the keeper’s gloves to slip. But the bowler Agha Salman was intent on reviewing that decision, and third umpire Marais Erasmus ruled Mathews out, despite Snicko having showed only the merest tremor. Mathews left the field shaking his head, having made 35.After tea, Naseem struck again. Dinesh Chandimal attempted a booming drive to a full, wide delivery, and ended up only edging it behind for 27 – his lowest score in his last three Tests.De Silva then made his presence felt with some early boundaries, and set about establishing a partnership with Karunaratne, who was clearly hampered in both his batting and his running between the wickets, by his back injury.De Silva was especially effective on the back foot – as he often is – pulling Naseem in front of square for four, while also cutting Yasir for three boundaries behind point. Karunaratne hit two boundaries in his 51-ball stay – a reverse sweep off Yasir, and a conventional sweep off Nawaz. He went to stumps on 27; de Silva on 30.

Coach Matthew Mott says they won’t rotate players for the sake of it on the tour of New Zealand

Andrew McGlashan10-Mar-2021Australia are determined not to be “caught out” at next year’s 50-over Women’s World Cup with memories of falling short in 2017 still often referred to by members of the current squad who took part.Four years ago, Australia were bundled out by Harmanpreet Kaur spectacular 171 at Derby. That became a watershed moment for the side who realised they had started to stagnate and it has been a key motivator behind their record since which has included two T20 World Cup titles and a record-equaling run of 22 ODI wins.They will use the upcoming tour of New Zealand, which includes three T20Is and three ODIs, as a chance to gather intel ahead of the tournament and also to keep challenging themselves to lift their own performance levels.”What we are trying achieve in T20 is also what we are trying achieve in one-day cricket which is try to take the game on, push the boundaries a little bit and see how far we can take it,” head coach Matthew Mott told ESPNcricinfo.Related

• Australia start to look beyond greatest generation with trans-Tasman tour

• Darlington: 'Every day I'm pinching myself that this is happening'

• Sutherland ruled out of New Zealand tour, Strano called up

“We learnt our lessons from the last World Cup, not evolving and probably thinking we could keep rolling along doing the same thing. We don’t want to be caught out this time, this is a perfect opportunity against good opposition – I know they’ve struggled against England but the Kiwis always give us a good run, in their home conditions we won’t be taking them lightly.”We are going over with a reasonably open mind, there’s a good mix of players, experience and some youth, so for us it’s about having a real dress rehearsal seeing what it will be like at that World Cup. We’ll play on a few of the same venues and getting some intel against New Zealand on those grounds will be great for us.”Australia are taking a 17-player squad across the Tasman – offspinner Molly Strano a late replacement for injured allrounder Annabel Sutherland – which includes the uncapped pace bowlers Darcie Brown and Hannah Darlington, but there won’t be caps handed out for sake of giving everyone a game.Australia beat New Zealand 3-0 at the start of the season•AFP via Getty Images

“Think our batting will stay the same, we’ve had a good run in our ODI cricket and style of cricket we’ve been playing we’ve been happy with,” Mott said. “In our one-day bowling attack there’s a lot of options. What we want to maintain is a bit of unpredictably so teams don’t know what to expect, so certainly different bowling combinations will happen. They’ll be subtle changes in there but our games are pretty similar and our best players are our best in both formats.”Players don’t generally want to give up their spot, either, so you have to manage that…but if there’s a close call to be made and there’s a player who has an opportunity and a senior player could do with a game off to refresh then those are the sorts of conversations we’ll have with the selectors.”Even just being the squad for a couple of people who haven’t been there is an enormous opportunity to understand our culture, how the team operates so there’s plenty of benefits even if they don’t get a game.”Mott has also been encouraged by the volume of runs being scored in the WNCL, highlighted by Elyse Villani’s prolific form which has brought 538 runs 134.50 including three hundreds. Of the squad heading to New Zealand, Rachael Haynes, Beth Mooney and Nicola Carey have scored centuries, Meg Lanning has a best of 96, Alyssa Healy 92 and Mott believes Ellyse Perry’s batting is heading back to its peak.”What’s been really exciting recently has been the number of players getting big hundreds,” he said. “That’s a trend that we like to see as a selection group – someone gets a hundred and the next day one of their team-mates is trying to get one as well. I’ve been inspired by players putting their hands up with those big hundreds.”The strength of Australia’s top order makes it a tough route back for Villani, who last played in March 2019, with the team generally only including three specialist batters in Haynes, Mooney and Lanning alongside wicketkeeper Healy and a plethora of allrounders.Elyse Villani has had an outstanding WNCL season•Getty Images

“It’s probably one of the best things you can see as a coach,” Mott said of Villani’s form. “I’ve been in regular contact with Elyse over the last couple of months to say keeping going, keep doing what you are doing, and she’s definitely playing with a lot of freedom at the moment. She looks self-assured, relaxed and if she can keep doing that then there’s obviously a future for her in Australian colours again.”She was in the team for a long time and by her own admission probably didn’t smash it out the park so all these runs and the way she’s doing about it is really exciting and shows how much depth we’ve got when we can leave a player of her class and caliber out.””It’s a bloody hard team to break into at the moment and all those other players in front of her have been scoring big runs as well. For Elyse she is competing in that team as a specialist batter. She’s doing all the right things it’s just unfortunate when you have good players in front of you.”The squad will depart for New Zealand on Saturday and then undergo two weeks managed isolation in Christchurch during which they will be able to train.

Imrul Kayes scored 202*, Jahurul batted for more than 10 hours against Dhaka Division and Taijul Islam took nine wickets

Mohammad Isam13-Oct-2019Defending champions Rajshahi Division drew with Dhaka Division – both sides finishing with 3.5 points each – in the opening round of the 2019-20 National Cricket League. All four matches in Fatullah, Khulna, Rajshahi and Dhaka were interrupted by rain, although it didn’t deter Barisal Division, who crushed Sylhet Division by an innings and 13 runs, from earning their first win in four years.Best batsmenImrul Kayes struck his second double-century during Khulna Division’s drawn game against Rangpur Division at home. Imrul was unbeaten on 202 off 319 balls, having spent more than six-and-a-half hours at the crease. He struck 19 fours and six sixes, as he ensured a 450-plus total for his side.Dhaka Division’s Taibur Rahman made two scores of 88, once not out, against Rajshahi. Taibur found little support in the first innings, but in the second innings, he added 95 runs for the fourth wicket with Raqibul Hasan who scored 65.Captain Jahurul Islam starred with the bat for Rajshahi, scoring 64 in the first innings, but it was his unbeaten 40 in more than four-and-a half hours at the crease that proved more valuable for his side. It ensured they didn’t suffer a collapse on the final day as they settled for a draw against Dhaka. Jahurul also lasted more than five hours for his 64 in the first innings.Elsewhere, there were fifties for Barisal’s Shahriar Nafees and captain Fazle Mahmud, as well as Tasamul Haque who made twin fifties for Chittagong Division. Pinak Ghosh and Masum Khan also reached half-centuries, and so did Dhaka Metropolis’ Shamsur Rahman, Mahmudullah, Zabid Hossain and No. 10 Shahidul Islam.Best bowlersKamrul Islam’s 6 for 24 decimated Sylhet as they were bowled out for just 86 in the first innings. This was Kamrul’s second five-wicket haul in first-class cricket, and the first in seven years. Another pace bowler, Sumon Khan, took 5 for 50 for Dhaka against Rajshahi. Taijul Islam finished with figures of 9 for 196 in the match, including a five-for in the second innings.Dhaka Metro’s Arafat Sunny took 6 for 87 against Chittagong, while debutant legspinner Minhajul Abedin Afridi finished with 3 for 103 in 30 overs for Chittagong.Meanwhile, experienced left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak moved to 585 first-class wickets aftar taking 4 for 81 against Rangpur.Best matchThe roaring start from Barisal – after they crushed Sylhet inside two-and-a-half days – will offer real encouragement for supporters of first-class cricket in Bangladesh. The match was shortened to three days after rain washed out the entire first day in Rajshahi, but Kamrul’s six-wicket haul skittled Sylhet in 43.1 overs, before left-arm spinners Tanvir Islam and Monir Hossain shared seven wickets in the second innings to bowl them out for 132 runs.Barisal also batted smartly, as they declared on 231 for 8 in 58.3 overs, in a bid to push for the result on the fourth day.Points to noteKhulna have taken an early lead with 4.01 points in Tier 1 but it is Barisal’s 9.5 points against Sylhet that puts them in pole position in Tier 2.Players to watchWith the India tour coming up next month and a Bangladesh Test side devoid of a confidence, the selectors will be relieved to see Jahurul’s game clicking. The batsman remained at the crease for more than 10 hours in the season’s first game. Afridi’s first-class debut should also be encouraging.

South African league announces windows for next three seasons going into 2028

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Feb-2025The next edition of the SA20, season four, is set to kick off on Boxing Day 2025. This was announced on Monday, with the league firming up windows for the next three editions ahead of this season’s playoffs. Bringing the start of the league forward to Christmas week – prime time in the South African cricket calendar – was possible because South Africa do not have any home Tests scheduled over the 2025-26 summer.Seasons five and six will revert to second-week-of-January starts, likely beginning on January 9 in both 2027 and 2028, with the season stretching five to six days longer than the ongoing one. CSA confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that the dates announced were not specific start and end dates, but windows within which the league will be played.In 2025-26, South Africa travel to India for an all-format tour in November-December before returning home for the SA20, which will conclude by January 26. Then, South Africa host West Indies for a T20I series.Related

• Started from the bottom now they're here – the MI Cape Town story

• Batters find life tougher in the SA20, but is it all the pitches?

• Root: 'T20 is about problem-solving, just on a much quicker scale'

Starting the SA20 on Boxing Day would have an impact on player availability, with the Ashes on in Australia, running till January 8. Joe Root for one, who was on the podium this season for most runs ahead of the playoffs, will be one of the players to almost surely to miss the start next time.Bringing next season up should ease the competition for players with the ILT20 a bit – for their first three seasons, both tournaments ran concurrently almost from start to final – but there will still be a significant clash with the Big Bash League in Australia and the Bangladesh Premier League, both of which usually begin in December.”Confirming the Betway SA20 window for a three-year period allows the League to bring certainty to all stakeholders and assists in securing our place when planning the global calendar,” SA20 commissioner Graeme Smith said. “We know fans respond particularly well to weekend and holiday fixtures, and with the ICC T20 World Cup in early February next year, our Season 4 dates provide the unique opportunity to capitalise on South Africa’s peak cricket season and key public holidays.”Early planning has also meant that we are able to look at an extended window from 2026-27 and this will optimise scheduling, logistics and the fan experience.”Spacing the games out more would be welcome by most players and support staff. Robin Peterson, MI Cape Town’s head coach, said on Sunday night after his team gave their bench game time in a dead rubber against Pretoria Capitals: “Definitely more space should be helpful, to be honest with you. It feels as though we play, we’re on a plane and then next day we play again. That’s one of the challenges of this tournament.”It’s not only that it’s tough cricket on the field; it’s the scheduling, the planning, who needs to take a break, how you put your squad together that adds an extra dimension to the thought process. I do feel that a little bit more downtime would be helpful.”A SA20 media release said decisions on the windows were taken into account by “a working group made up of representatives from both the League and Cricket South Africa”.

SA20 windows for the next three seasons

SA20 season four: December 26, 2025, to January 26, 2026
SA20 season five: January 9 to February 14, 2027
SA20 season six: January 9 to February 13, 2028