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India tour of Bangladesh 2022: Schedule & squads

Tarkesh Jha
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India tour of Bangladesh 2022: Schedule & squads

Cricket News: India tour of Bangladesh: Schedule & squads | BAN vs IND tour details: schedule and squads

The Indian team will be touring Bangladesh for three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two Tests in a tour that will last from 3 December to 26 December. Most of the senior stars who sat out of the three-match T20I series in New Zealand are likely to return to the squad against Bangladesh.

The ODI leg will set in motion India’s preparations for the World Cup at home next year. The Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka will host the first couple of ODIs as well as the second Test. Meanwhile, the third ODI along with the first Test will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

Furthermore, the Tests are equally important as they will be a part of both the team’s campaigns in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23. India is currently placed at the fourth spot in the WTC standings and has to secure a good run of results; both in the series vs Bangladesh and also when Australia come visiting for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in February.

India tour of Bangladesh 2022 schedule

MatchDateTime (IST)Venue
1st ODI3rd December11:30 amDhaka
2nd ODI6th December11:30 amDhaka
3rd ODI9th December11:30 amChattogram
1st Test14th-18th December9:00 amChattogram
2nd Test22nd -26th December9:00 amDhaka

The All India Senior Selection Committee (Men’s), which was sacked in the aftermath of the T20 World Cup, had announced India’s squads for the ODI and Test series vs Bangladesh on 30th October itself.

Squads

India ODI Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), KL  Rahul (VC), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Shreyas Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shahbaz Ahmed, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Sen

On Thursday, the Indian team management replaced the duo of Ravindra Jadeja and left-arm pacer Yash Dayal from the original ODI squad with Bengal all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed and Rajasthan Royals (RR) express pacer Kuldeep Sen respectively.

Jadeja has not recovered from a knee injury that he suffered during the Asia Cup. He will continue his recovery under the supervision of the medical team of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Dayal, on the other hand, has suffered a lower back injury. 

Bangladesh ODI Squad: Tamim Iqbal (C), Liton Das, Anamul Haque, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim (WK), Afif Hossain, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud, Ebadot Hossain, Nasum Ahmed, Mahmudullah Riyad, Najmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan

From Bangladesh’s side, the key news is the return of Shakib Al Hasan to the ODI squad after sitting out of the team’s last two 50-overs series against West Indies and Zimbabwe respectively. Batsmen Yasir Ali and Najmul Hossain have also paved their way back to the ODI roster.

India Test Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), KL Rahul (VC), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav

Note: Bangladesh is yet to announce their squad for the Test series.

Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test

Charbel Coorey
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Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test

Cricket News: Fears of a record-low crowd for AUS vs WI Perth Test | Australia vs West Indies Perth Test expected to have low crowd

After a record-low MCG crowd for the third Australia-England ODI, crowd figures are not looking particularly promising for the upcoming Australia-West Indies Test at Perth. This is according to veteran cricket journalist John Townsend, who was The West Australian’s Chief Cricket writer for 27 years.

Speaking to Sportsday WA, Townsend said “I’m hearing that ticket pre-sales, it’s only a week before the match, are in the hundreds. Not the thousands, but in the hundreds of sales.”

“It could be a record-low West Australian Test,” he warned.

AUS vs WI Perth Test expected to see small crowd

Less than 8,000 fans attended day one of the Australia-Zimbabwe Test in October 2003. This remains the lowest figure for day one of a Perth Test. Townsend believes day one of the Australia-West Indies 2022 Test will hold the unwanted record.

“Remember when Zimbabwe came in October of 2003? It was one of the very few Tests played before November,” he said.

“For that game, crowds were in the low thousands and I think this could be replicated again next week. It’s very sad, at a stadium [Optus] that’s a fantastic place to play cricket.”

ALSO READ: Is cricket dying in Australia?

When providing reasons why this may be the case, Townsend pointed to the West Indies’ struggles plus the public’s disconnect with the Australia team. Former coach and Western Australian Justin Langer recently spoke of how “cowards”, i.e. players who leaked information to the media behind his back, played a role in his sacking earlier this year.

“I think there’s a lot of elements in Australian cricket and West Australian cricket at the moment that are working against the best interest of the game,” Townsend said.

“I think we’re going to see it, people will vote with their feet. Whether it’ll be embarrassing or not, that’s for the people to decide but I think it’s going to be very low.”

Australia vs West Indies Test series 2022 schedule

  • 1st Test, Optus Stadium, Perth, November 30-December 4.
  • 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, December 8-12.

ALSO READ: How Cricket Australia has lost touch with the public

Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant

Tarkesh Jha
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Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant

Cricket News: Jos Buttler: This series not the way to keep games relevant | Jos Buttler not bothered by 3-0 series loss

England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler has played down concerns over the team’s whitewash defeat in the One Day International (ODI) series against Australia. 

Buttler has hit out at the scheduling of this series that concluded merely nine days after the Englishmen lifted the T20 World Cup trophy by defeating Pakistan in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on 13th November. 

Not fussed by results in a series tough to consider relevant – Jos Buttler

The captain asserted that he is unfazed with the 3-0 loss and sympathised with the upcoming youngsters who wish to play all three formats but are unable to do so due to the tightly-packed schedule. 

“I’m not fussed at all about the results, to be honest. We’ve got exactly what we wanted from (the tour to) Australia,” Buttler was quoted in a report by Reuters. 

He added, “The landscape of cricket has changed dramatically over the last few years, and we’re in a different time. Lots of people are talking about how you keep bilateral cricket relevant and I think this series is a good example of how probably not to do it.”

ALSO READ: Is cricket dead in Australia?

Buttler acknowledged that players want to put in good performances whenever England faces off against Australia. However, he remarked that it has been tough to do so coming into this series straight on the back of an action-packed, victorious World Cup campaign.

To be fair, Buttler had already asserted prior to the commencement of this ODI series that it would be a challenge for the English team to be at their best across these three games. 

“There’s no point saying all the right things, that we’ll be at our best,” Buttler mentioned last week.

Australia defeated England by a mammoth 221 runs in the final ODI of the series at the MCG on Tuesday. David Warner was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Series’.

England will now head to Pakistan to play in a three-match Test series starting from 1st December.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction | Pallekele Pitch Report

After a riveting T20 World Cup and irrelevant ODI series, the ODI Super League returns. Hosts Sri Lanka are in need of points if they wish to qualify directly to next year’s World Cup. Their opponents, Afghanistan, have won ten out of 12, and can move far up the table with good performances in the Island nation.

This is the first ever bilateral ODI series between the teams. It promises to be an interesting one as Dasun Shanaka’s team will aim to build on their wonderful series win against Australia earlier this year, while Afghanistan have the bowling attack to cause the hosts problems on these pitches.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Possible Playing XIs

After a long wait, Sri Lanka finally named their squad.

They may open with Dinesh Chandimal as Danushka Gunathilaka is unavailable. Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s availability is unclear, with some reports he has withdrawn from the series. Also, Chamika Karunaratne has been banned for one year due to a disciplinary breach.

Sri Lanka: 1. Pathum Nissanka, 2. Dinesh Chandimal, 3. Kusal Mendis (wk), 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Dunith Wellalage, 9. Maheesh Theekshana, 10. Kasun Rajitha/Pramod Madushan, 11. Lahiru Kumara

Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead Afghanistan. Rahmat Shah is the vice-captain.

Afghanistan: 1. Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2. Ibrahim Zadran, 3. Rahmat Shah, 4. Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), 5. Najibullah Zadran, 6. Mohammad Nabi, 7. Azmatullah Omarzai/Gulbadin Naib, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, 10. Fazalhaq Farooqi, 11. Fareed Ahmad

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

  • Kusal Mendis struck scores of 86* and 36 on this ground against Australia earlier in 2022.
  • Pathum Nissanka has struck three half-centuries in five ODIs at Pallekele. In five matches, he has scored 216 runs at an average of 43.20 and strike rate of 87.80.
  • Dhananjaya de Silva will be expected to fill in with the ball in the absence of Chamika Karunaratne. The all-rounder has taken five wickets and scored 240 runs in eight ODIs at Pallekele.
  • Dhanajaya recently scored 66* and took 1/9 against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga recently took the most wickets in the T20 World Cup. This included 3/13. The legspinner will be keen to improve on his record at Pallekele: 8 inns, 5 wickets, avg. 37.40, SR 45.6.
  • Dunith Wellalage impressed against Australia earlier in 2022. The youngster took nine wickets in the five-match series, including four in two games at this ground.

Afghanistan:

  • Rahmat Shah is Afghanistan’s leading run scorer in ODIs this year. The right-hander has scored 484 runs at an average of 53.77 and strike rate of 68.36. This includes four fifties in nine innings.
  • Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi is Afghanistan’s second-leading run scorer this year. He has hit three fifties in nine knocks, part of 317 runs at an average of 39.62 and strike rate of 71.07.
  • Rahmanullah Gurbaz will be key at the top of the order. He is the only Afghan to hit two ODI centuries this year. Ibrahim Zadran is the other centurion.
  • Rashid Khan has taken four wickets in two ODIs against Sri Lanka at an average of 10.75 and superb economy of 2.83.
  • Also, Rashid has taken 18 wickets in nine ODIs overall this year at an average of 19.22 and economy of 4.07.
  • Fazalhaq Farooqi recently picked up a BBL deal and will be keen to show off his skills in the powerplay and death overs. The left-armer has taken 13 wickets in seven ODIs this year (avg. 21.23), with eight coming in the first ten overs (avg. 16.2, SR 24.8).

Other Stats and Facts

  • Head-to-head: Matches 4, Sri Lanka 3, Afghanistan 1.
  • Skipper Dasun Shanaka has smashed 332 runs in nine ODIs at Pallekele. He averages 41.50 with a strike rate of 111.03.
  • Mohammad Nabi took 4/30 in Afghanistan’s last ODI against Sri Lanka, back in the 2019 World Cup.
  • Fareed Ahmad in ODIs in 2022: 6 inns, 10 wickets, avg. 20.00, econ. 4.08.
  • Mujeeb Ur Rahman in ODIs in 2022: 9 inns, 9 wickets, avg. 34.22, econ. 4.01.

Pallekele Pitch Report and Weather

The Pallekele surface slowed down quickly in the Sri Lanka-Australia series earlier this year. The Lions scored 300/7 in the first ODI, with Glenn Maxwell’s 80* (51) taking Australia home by two wickets. In the next game, Sri Lanka defended 216, with Dhananjaya de Silva taking 2/16.

There is a chance of rain, but hopefully not enough to disrupt the game too much. Hot and humid conditons are forecast, with a top of about 30 degrees.

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today 25 November 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

SL vs AFG 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

  • Wicket-Keepers: Kusal Mendis
  • Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka, Ibrahim Zadran
  • All-Rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga
  • Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

SL vs AFG 1st ODI 2022 Match Prediction: Who will win?

Team batting first to win? Perhaps. It promises to be a closely contested battle.

What is the format of the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup?

Tarkesh Jha
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What is the format of the 2024 men’s T20 World Cup?

Cricket News: What is the format of the 2024 T20 World Cup? | T20 World Cup 2024 format in West Indies and USA

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revamped the format for the next edition of the T20 World Cup in 2024. From the coming campaign onwards, the 20 participating teams in the World Cup will be divided into four groups of five teams each.

Then, the top two sides from the four groups will progress to the Super 8. The eight teams will then be segregated into two groups of four teams each. The sides placed in the first two spots in these groups will then head to the semi-finals prior to the final.

T20 World Cup 2024: No more Super 12s

Accordingly, the ICC has decided to do away with the first round and the subsequent Super 12 format that existed in the previous two editions of the tournament in 2021 and 2020 respectively.

The T20 World Cup will be hosted in the Caribbean and the United States of America (USA) in 2024. So, the USA and West Indies have already made their way to the competition. Additionally, the likes of England, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have sealed their spots in the mega tournament.

The rest of the eight teams will be decided through the process of regional qualifiers. The African, Asian and European regions have been handed two qualification spots each. Further, one country each from the East Asia-Pacific and the American regions will be making it to the T20 World Cup in 2024.

So far, the tournament has taken place eight times. England (2010, 2022) and West Indies (2012, 2016) are the most successful teams of the T20 World Cup, having won the competition twice each. India (2007), Pakistan (2009), Sri Lanka (2014) and Australia (2021) have emerged victorious once each.

The tournament used to be take place a in a rather simpler, group-stage format where 12 teams were divided into four groups of three countries each in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2012 respectively. In 2014 and 2016, a preliminary round was followed by the Super 10 stage. The Super 12 version was implemented in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season

Tarkesh Jha
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Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season

Cricket News: Liam Livingstone opts out of BBL 12 season | Why did Liam Livingstone opt out of the BBL?

English middle-order swashbuckler Liam Livingstone has withdrawn from the upcoming 12th season of the Big Bash League (BBL) due to increasing international workload.

The 29-year-old was slated to turn up for the Melbourne Renegades for the first-half of the season. Then, he was supposed to head over to South Africa to represent MI Cape Town in the inaugural SA20 in January.

However, Livingstone has now opted out of the entirety of the BBL owing to his recent selection in the English Test squad for their series against Pakistan in December.

Melbourne Renegades lose platinum pick Liam Livingstone in BBL

The Melbourne Renegades had acquired him as their number one pick in the overseas players’ draft that was held in August. However, they made some contingency plans by signing Andre Russell on a four-game deal hoping that Livingstone will join them in the intervening period between the conclusion of the Test series vs Pakistan and the commencement of the SA20.

Renegades’ general manager James Rosengarten stated that they understood Livingstone’s decision. He explained that the club had been in regular contact with the player and his management in recent months to work out a plan that acts in the best interest of all the parties involved.

“We’ve already secured Andre Russell for the first four matches and know the match-winning ability he will add to our team,” Rosengarten was quoted in a report by ESPNcricinfo.

He added, “This news has allowed us to explore replacement options with greater availability beyond the first half of the tournament, and we look forward to being able to announce another big-name addition for the Renegades soon.”

Cricket Australia (CA) has made serious efforts to stimulate the BBL this year in the wake of the next TV rights negotiations that is set to conclude in 2024. However, the league is already suffering from an exodus of coveted overseas stars. Earlier, platinum pick all-rounder David Willey mutually terminated his contract with Sydney Thunder.

Glenn Maxwll’s leg injury has jeopardised his participation in the tournament as well whereas Perth Scorchers cancelled Englishman Laurie Evans’ deal after he tested positive for a banned ubstance following a routine anti-doping test in The Hundred this year.

Nicholas Pooran steps down from limited-overs captaincy after T20 World Cup debacle

Tarkesh Jha
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Nicholas Pooran steps down from limited-overs captaincy after T20 World Cup debacle

Cricket News: Nicholas Pooran steps down from limited-overs captaincy after T20 World Cup debacle | Pooran steps down as West Indies captain

Nicholas Pooran has stepped down from captaincy of West Indies for limited-overs cricket after the team’s first-round exit from the recently-held T20 World Cup in Australia.

The side played 15 ODIs and T20Is each under Pooran’s leadership since he took over the leadership role from Kieron Pollard in May this year. However, they emerged victorious in only four games each in both formats amidst suffering arguably shock losses against Scotland and Ireland in the T20 World Cup last month.

Still ambitious – Nicholas Pooran

“The T20 World Cup is something that must not define us and I will readily get involved in the upcoming reviews. And whilst it will be several months until we reconvene as a squad, I want to give Cricket West Indies (CWI) plenty of time to prepare for the matches against South Africa in March and beyond,” the southpaw was quoted in a report by ESPN Cricinfo.

He added, “This is not me giving up. I remain ambitious and still view the captaincy of West Indies cricket as an honour that is bestowed upon you. There is no doubt I remain fully committed to West Indies cricket and I look forward to providing my services as a senior player in a supportive role.”

The 27-year-old meanwhile added that he gave a great deal of thought to captaincy since the ‘enormous disappointment’ of the T20 World Cup. He acknowledged that he had given the leadership role absolutely everything in the past year. Pooran’s own batting form has taken a hit in recent times, having notched only 94 runs in his last 10 T20I innings.

He explained that he wished for the side to be successful very desperately and admitted that he can infuse optimum value to the setup by consistently turning up with the bat at crucial moments.

CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams said, “On behalf of CWI I want to thank Nicholas for his time leading our white ball teams. Having spoken with him I know he remains fully committed to West Indies cricket and I am convinced he has a big role to play in our future.”

West Indies’ next limited-overs assignment will be away from home in South Africa in March 2023. The men from the Caribbean will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and two T20Is against the Proteas. CWI is likely to name Pooran’s replacements in both the formats going ahead. As of now, Shai Hope and Rovman Powell are the team’s vice-captains in ODIs and T20Is respectively. 

List of biggest wins by Australia in ODIs

Charbel Coorey
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List of biggest wins by Australia in ODIs

Cricket News: Biggest ODI wins by Australia in ODIs | List of biggest wins by Australia in One Day Internationals (ODIs)

It was a record low crowd for an Australia ODI at the MCG, but the hosts achieved one of their biggest ever victories in the format. The 221-run win sealed a 3-0 series sweep over England, who themselves will travel home with their heads held high after winning the T20 World Cup.

Travis Head (152) and David Warner (106) smashed 269 for the opening wicket in just 38.1 overs after being sent in to bat at a cold and damp MCG. England were then never in the hunt for the mammoth target of 364, crumbling to 142 all-out in 190 deliveries.

Biggest wins in ODIs by Australia

The 221-run win now holds its place among Australia’s biggest by runs in ODIs. Here they are.

275 runs vs Afghanistan, Perth, 2015

Australia were an unstoppable force at home in the 2015 ODI World Cup. Afghanistan, who were playing in their first World Cup, couldn’t cope as Australia smashed 417/6 at the WACA, headlined by 178 (133) by David Warner, 96 (98) by Steve Smith and an incredible 39-ball 88 by Glenn Maxwell.

In response, Afghanistan could only muster 142. The 275-run win remains the second-highest margin of victory in the history of ODIs.

256 runs vs Namibia, Potchefstroom, 2003

The great Glenn McGrath got the better of many world class players over his amazing career. So, what chance did the part-timers of Namibia have against one of the all-time greats? Not much.

After Darren Lehmann hit 28 off the final over to get Australia to 301, McGrath took a World Cup record 7/15 to dismantle the Namibians for 45 in the 2003 World Cup.

232 runs vs Sri Lanka, Adelaide, 1985

A score of 232 was considered a fine total in the 1980s. In this match, Australia won by that very margin after Dean Jones (99* off 77) and Allan Border (118* off 88) took the Sri Lankan attack apart.

In response, only two Sri Lankan players reached double figures in their total of 91. Rod McCurdy took 3/19, while Geoff Lawson finished with incredible figures of 7-5-5-2.

229 runs vs Netherlands, St Kitts, 2007

Australia’s 2007 World Cup campaign is one of the most dominant showings in cricket history. On the run to the title, Ricky Ponting’s team swept aside the Netherlands by 229, headlined by Brad Hodge’s 89-ball 123 and Michael Clarke’s 93* off 85 balls.

Australia racked up 358/5. The Dutch were never in the hunt, succumbing to 129 in 26.5 overs.

224 runs vs Pakistan, Nairobi, 2002

Australia (332/5) embarrassed a strong Pakistan side by 224 runs in the second-match of the 2002 Kenya tri-series. Matthew Hayden (146 off 128 balls) played a blinder, with Pakistan then unable to deal with the opening duo of Glenn McGrath (6-0-11-2) and Jason Gillespie (10-2-22-5).

Waqar Younis’ team fell to 13/4 within seven overs, and were out of the game before they could even get going.

221 runs vs England (D/L method), Melbourne, 2022

It was a low key game, but the result ended with Australia achieving their sixth-biggest win in the history of ODIs. For England, it was their biggest ever defeat.

Australia’s 355/5 is the highest score ever in ODIs at the MCG. It is also their highest against England. David Warner and Travis Head, who put 269 for the opening wicket, became the equal-fastest pair to reach 1,000 partnership runs in ODIs (13 innings).

The other pair to reach the milestone in 13 innings was Roger Twose and Nathan Astle of New Zealand.

Low crowds for AUS vs ENG ODIs: Is cricket really dying in Australia?

Charbel Coorey
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Low crowds for AUS vs ENG ODIs: Is cricket really dying in Australia?

Cricket News: Low crowds for AUS vs ENG ODIs: Is cricket dying in Australia? | Reasons for low crowds in AUS vs ENG ODIs

Like many white-ball internationals, the Australia-England three-match ODI series has come, gone and no one will remember it next week. It is an issue plaguing the international game, with a concerted effort by administrators to squeeze in as many matches as humanly possible to rake in broadcaster money.

However, as evident in the situation in Australia, it is a ‘strategy’ that needs changing. Captains are being rotated to manage workloads, while fans pick and choose what matches they watch given the season is now filled with a glut of a white-ball matches.

After low crowds for Australia matches in the T20 World Cup, the hosts embarked on a contextless, meaningless set of friendlies against an England side who had lifted the showpiece T20 trophy just days earlier. Such matches do no favours to ODI cricket, especially considering the format is fighting hard for survival alongside Test cricket and continued rise of T20 leagues around the globe.

15,428 turned up at the 53,500-capacity Adelaide Oval for the first ODI. 16,993 walked through the gates at the 48,000-seat Sydney Cricket Ground two days later. The fact these crowds are considered not bad in some corners (rightly so) is a wake up call for Cricket Australia. The final ODI saw a record-low 10,406 attend at the MCG, where you could hear the echo of bat on ball in the coverage.

Low crowds for Australia-England ODIs: Is the game dying in Australia?

Does this mean cricket is dying (or dead) in Australia? Not quite. It is important to understand a few key factors before making judgements on the state of the game in this country.

1. Cricket is very seasonal in Australia

Australian fans are creatures of habit. Over the years, the international season would begin in mid-November with a Test match at the Gabba. There was always a build up to the new summer of cricket. The anticipation was rife, often met with a strong Brisbane crowd and high viewership on Channel 9.

But, since Cricket Australia’s damaging $1.2 billion rights deal in 2018, the schedule is all over the place. This year, the season kicked off with ODIs up north against Zimbabwe and New Zealand in August and September. Then, a T20 International against West Indies was played in front of empty stands on a Wednesday night on the Gold Coast. Many fans didn’t even know the game was on.

Instead of catering to the fans, CA’s long term vision of the game was blocked by the dollar signs in front of their eyes. Before the end of November, Australia have already played nine ODIs (against Zimbabwe, New Zealand, England) and eight T20Is (against West Indies, England, India), all stuck behind a paywall. This is in addition to a full T20 World Cup.

2. Unfair to compare crowds with years gone by

It is human nature to look forward to things that don’t happen as often. That is not the case with the cricketing calendar, which is packed to the rafters, consisting of many matches that don’t mean much.

In the past, i.e. 15-20 years ago, there would be 5-7 Tests and the famous ODI tri-series. Now, there is the desire to cram white-ball internationals in before the end of November (and in February, too), have 1-2 Test series and a huge, reduced-quality Big Bash League that takes up a big part of the season.

As a result, attendances are spread out over a far greater number of matches. For example, instead of a BBL game in Sydney, a fan may choose to go to a day of the Test, a one-dayer or T20 International at any point throughout the season. Supporters still turn up, but they are spread out over a higher number of games.

Couple this with the cost of living around Australia at the moment, and it is unrealistic to expect fans to turn out for every match.

“We’ve come off a T20 World Cup into a three-match one-day series into five Tests, the WBBL is heading into finals at the minute, then you’ve got BBL, we go to India for Tests and white-ball, the girls have got a T20 World Cup into IPL. There’s a game of cricket every day of the week,” said Mitchell Starc.

“I guess I can see both sides of it. How do you ask people to go spend 400-500 bucks at a day of cricket three days a week? It’s a busy schedule for players and staff and fans.”

Cricket News: Low crowds for AUS vs ENG ODIs: Is cricket dying in Australia? | Reasons for low crowds in AUS vs ENG ODIs
Low crowds for AUS vs ENG ODIs: Is cricket really dying in Australia?

3. Get matches back on Free-to-Air

According to Dan Brettig in his piece for Sydney Morning Herald, around 500,000 viewers tuned in across Kayo and Foxtel for the second Australia-England ODI. Such a number is quite significant for what is effectively an international friendly, especially when many fans are struggling to keep up with the schedule with matches stuck behind a paywall.

So, the key for Cricket Australia is to get white-ball internationals back on free-to-air television and drive the viewership numbers towards a million plus, as was the case pre-2018.

Three-pronged plan for Cricket Australia to resurrect the home season

The next broadcast deal is set for 2024 onwards. Who lands the rights and for how much is a whole different topic.

However, to resurrect the season and begin to drive engagement once again, CA needs to implement these three things:

  1. Move back to a short, sharp Big Bash League. The rise of other leagues around the world and jampacked international schedule means the best players will often be unavailable.
  2. Kick the season off with a Gabba Test match.
  3. Focus on a strong November to February window.

By implementing these three key changes, fans can begin to value the matches, and more importantly, know when the games are on.

ALSO READ:

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

Charbel Coorey
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0
NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs NZ 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Napier Pitch Report

Another day, another Suryakumar Yadav exhibition. India’s magnificent T20 batsman produced another memorable innings as every other player struggled for fluency in the second match at Mount Maunganui. He scored 111* off 51 balls, whereas the others huffed and puffed to 189 off 184 balls. Who knows what is in store in his final T20I of what has been a superb year.

Both India and New Zealand will be looking for a solid finish to T20Is in 2022. The two teams have had a solid year, but it promised so much more given their World Cup campaigns ended at the semi-final stage. Indeed, this may be an opportunity to hand caps to fringe players looking to build momentum at international level.

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Possible Playing XIs

Kane Williamson is out of this match as he has a medical appointment. Mark Chapman is likely to come in. Tim Southee will lead.

New Zealand: 1. Finn Allen, 2. Devon Conway (wk), 3. Mark Chapman, 4. Glenn Phillips, 5. Daryl Mitchell, 6. James Neesham/Michael Bracewell, 7. Mitchell Santner, 8. Tim Southee (c), 9. Ish Sodhi, 10. Adam Milne/Blair Tickner, 11. Lockie Ferguson

India may wish to give an opportunity to the likes of Sanju Samson and Shubman Gill. Also, Umran Malik may get a game.

India: 1. Ishan Kishan, 2. Rishabh Pant/Sanju Samson (wk), 3. Suryakumar Yadav, 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Deepak Hooda, 6. Hardik Pandya (c), 7. Washington Sundar, 8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9. Arshdeep Singh/Harshal Patel, 10. Mohammed Siraj/Umran Malik, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

NZ vs IND Head-to-Head Stats & Key Players/Numbers

New Zealand:

  • Devon Conway has struck 145 runs in three T20Is at Napier (avg. 48.33, SR 138.10). This includes two half-centuries.
  • Glenn Phillips has scored the most runs for NZ this year (662) at an average of 44.13 and strike rate of 155.76.
  • In two T20s at McLean Park, Phillips has made scores of 58 and 31 at a strike rate of 174.51.
  • Daryl Mitchell has scored 155 runs in six T20s at Napier at an average of 38.75 and superb strike rate of 166.67.
  • Ish Sodhi has the most wickets in IND-NZ T20Is (21) at an average of 20.00 and economy of 7.36. He has a poor record at Napier, however, with total figures of 2/116 in 11 overs.
  • Tim Southee is coming off a hat-trick in the first match, highlighting his versatility both in the powerplay and death overs. He now has taken 21 wickets in just 14 T20Is this year, striking every 15.2 balls.

India:

  • Suryakumar Yadav has smashed 1,151 runs this year at an unbelievable strike rate of 188.37. This includes 11 50+ scores (two centuries) in 30 innings.
  • Shreyas Iyer has an opportunity to make an impression. The right-hander has the third-best strike rate (141.59) among India players with at least 300 T20I runs this year.
  • Against New Zealand, Iyer has scored 225 runs in ten innings at an average of 28.12 and strike rate of 125.00. Can he improve on these numbers?
  • Ishan Kishan is striking at just 129.08 in 15 T20Is this year, which is below his usual best. How he fares against Ish Sodhi will be interesting to see, should he get past the powerplay.
  • Hardik Pandya averages 11.00 with the bat in eight innings vs NZ and 48.50 (econ. 10.77) with the ball. Expect Deepak Hooda (4/10 in the second T20I) to bowl once again.
  • Yuzvendra Chahal achieved his best bowling figures against New Zealand last match (2/26). So too Mohammed Siraj (2/24), who seems to have rediscovered his pace and swing.

Other Stats and Facts

  • India have won the last nine bilateral T20Is against New Zealand.
  • Suryakumar Yadav is striking at 263.3 between overs 17-20 in T20Is this year.
  • Tim Southee (132) is the all-time highest wicket-taker in T20Is. In all T20s at Napier, Southee has taken six wickets in four matches at a strike rate of 16.
  • Mitchell Santner has taken four wickets in as many matches at Napier at an economy of 6.13.
  • Blair Tickner has taken the fourth-most wickets of any bowler in T20s at McLean Park (11). But, he concedes an expensive 9.21 per over.

McLean Park Napier Pitch Report and Weather

A cloudy and warm evening is forecast in Napier. Any rain, hopefully, should fall after the game is complete.

Scores often fluctuate at this ground. In four T20Is, the lowest first innings score is 141 (by Bangladesh) in contrast to 241 (by England). Overall, the average total batting first is 182, with two wins each for the teams batting first and second.

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today 22 November 2022

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article as well as your own instincts to create your teams.

Option 1:

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs NZ 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Napier Pitch Report
NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction

Option 2:

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction & Fan2Play Possible 11 Pitch Report | IND vs NZ 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Napier Pitch Report
NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Dream11 Prediction

Fan2Play Prediction

Base Team:

  • Wicket-Keepers: Devon Conway
  • Batsmen: Suryakumar Yadav, Glenn Phillips
  • All-Rounders: Hardik Pandya
  • Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Tim Southee

NZ vs IND 3rd T20 Match Prediction: Who will win?

India to win.

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