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Rahul Dravid on why India have lost from winning positions

Tarkesh Jha
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Rahul Dravid on why India have lost from winning positions

Cricket News: Rahul Dravid on why India have lost from winning positions | Why are India struggling in the 2nd innings?

Indian head coach Rahul Dravid addressed concerns on the team’s inability to close out Test matches on the backdrop of the crushing defeat against England at Edgbaston.

Dravid insisted upon reflecting on the two defeats in South Africa along with this particular game as he implied that the contributing factors behind the three losses were similar.

“We have been very good at that over the last few years, in terms of taking wickets and winning those Test matches. But, yeah, we haven’t been able to do that over the last few months. It could be a variety of factors: it could be maybe we just need to maintain that intensity, maintain that level of fitness, or maintain that level of performance right through a Test match,” the 49-year-old was quoted in a report by ESPNCricinfo.

India’s batting in the second innings of the game too left a lot to be desired. From 153/3, India collapsed in similar fashion to the South Africa series to finish with 245. So, while a 377-run lead looked strong, it kept the door slightly open for an England side that have adopted an incredible approach whilst chasing significantly high targets under the stewardship of Brendon McCullum.

Our second innings batting is hurting us – Rahul Dravid

India must have observed England’s recent series against New Zealand and would have liked to put forth a greater target on the back of a first-innings lead of 132 runs. However, a mini-collapse of sorts meant that the target of 378 was well below the 450-run mark that the team was originally touted to set.

“In the second innings, we have not batted as well. If you look at all the third innings of these two Test matches overseas [vs South Africa at Johannesburg and Cape Town] and this one, the batting has also probably not been up to scratch. In both areas, we have sort of started the Test matches well but we haven’t been able to finish well and yeah we need to get better at that and certainly need to improve,” Dravid further opened up on the batting performance.

Felt it was the right call to play extra seamer – Dravid

Joe Root (142*) and Jonny Bairstow (114*) struck an incredible unbeaten partnership of 269 runs over 52.3 overs to take the game away from India. The bowling unit’s ineffectiveness with respect to breaking this partnership raised questions over the exclusion of Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing XI. The seasoned off-spinner didn’t feature in any of the four Tests of the series last year either and was overlooked in favour of Shardul Thakur for this game.

However, Dravid explained that there was assistance in offer on the deck for pacers on the opening day of the Test. He pointed at the performances by Jack Leach and Ravindra Jadeja to reiterate that there wasn’t enough help from the track to justify the potential selection of two spinners in the team.

“In hindsight, you can always look at things and look at the combination of your team. Shardul has done a good job for us in these games. It is always not easy to leave someone like Ash out in a Test match. But having said that, when we looked at the wicket on the first day, it had a pretty good even covering of grass. We felt that there was enough in it for the fast bowlers,” Dravid explained.

He added, “And even going into the last day the wicket hasn’t really spun – whether it’s for Jack Leach, whether it’s for Ravindra Jadeja who bowled through the Test match.

“If anything, because maybe the weather played a part over the first days, and there weren’t long phases of sun, the wicket didn’t break up as much as we expected it to, or didn’t spin as much as we expected it to. It’s easy to look back on the fifth day and say it would have been nice to have a second spinner in the fourth innings, but again it didn’t really turn to justify that.”

However, Dravid refrained from making any excuses for the team’s loss. He admitted that India was on a roll during this series last year and that England’s perspective towards the red-ball game has undergone a change recently.

The head coach seemed to hint that Ben Stokes’ men benefitted from the three recent Tests they played and won against the Kiwis. But, Dravid yet again asserted that there’s no place for hiding behind these justifications.

Equal pay in cricket: New Zealand announce same pay for women

Tarkesh Jha
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Equal pay in cricket: New Zealand announce same pay for women

Cricket News: Equal pay in cricket: New Zealand announce same pay for women | New Zealand has introduced the same pay for men’s and women’s cricketers

In a landmark moment for women’s sport, New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) and the six major associations have come to an agreement for the country’s professional men and women cricketers to obtain the same match fees across all formats and competitions.

Gender pay expert Yolanda Beattie mediated the negotiations between the concerned organisations to bring about this pay equity framework. In total, the Kiwi cricketers will receive around 29.5 per cent (approx. $104 million) of NZC’s revenue forecast in the coming five years (approx. $349 million).

Accordingly, the top-ranked, ninth-ranked and 17th-ranked female cricketers from the country will be receiving $163,246, $148,946 and $142,346 annually respectively. These amounts are up from the previous figures of $83,432, $66,266 and $62,833 respectively.

Similarly, the top-ranked, 10th-ranked and 20th-ranked men’s cricketers will be getting a maximum sum of $523,396, $444,196 and $367,196 each per year. Their revenues will thus shoot up from the previous figures of $459,574, $377,981 and $305,453 respectively.

The total remuneration for cricketers across both genders comprises of retainers, match fees, trust IP payments, insurance and retirement fund contributions. The players will continue to hold their rights of participating in the overseas T20 leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Equal pay in cricket: Amelia Kerr is one of the stars of the women’s game.

Equal pay in cricket: NZC announces huge news

The number of women’s domestic contracts in New Zealand have increased to 72 from the previous count of 54 due to this agreement. All these pacts will be restricted obligations so that the players can carry on with their other full-time or academic-related commitments.

The new contract will pave the way for greater equity between the male and the female cricketers in terms of travel, accommodation along with the associated playing and the overall playing and training environment. The already existing provisions for pregnancy and childcare will continue in these brand new agreements as well.

“I want to thank and congratulate the players and the Major Associations for their part in reaching such a significant agreement,” NZC chief executive David White was quoted in an official report by the cricket association.

White added, “This is the most important agreement in our sport, as it binds NZC, the Major Associations, and our players at the hip, and sets the foundation to fund, grow and develop cricket. It’s been a collaborative yet very robust negotiation. Importantly, it represents a significant step forward as we continue to grow our investment in women’s cricket.”

It’s great for women to be recognised alongside the men – Sophie Devine

“It’s great for the international and domestic women players to be recognised in the same agreement, alongside the men. It’s a massive step forward and will be a huge drawcard for young women and girls,” Kiwi women’s national team captain Sophie Devine told the aforementioned website.

Cricket News: Equal pay in cricket: New Zealand announce same pay for women | New Zealand has introduced the same pay for men's and women's cricketers
Equal pay in cricket: New Zealand captain Sophie Devine.

“It’s really important for the current players to build on the legacy of those who have gone before us, and to support tomorrow’s players, both men and women, at all levels. This agreement goes a long way towards achieving that,” men’s team skipper Kane Williamson further opened up on this latest development.   

Following are the details of match fees for all Kiwi cricketers from 1st August, 2022 onwards -:

FormatFees Per Game
Tests$10,250
ODIs$4,000
T20Is$2,500
Plunket Shield$1,750
Ford Trophy/Hallyburton Johnstone Shield$800
Super Smash$575

Twitter reactions: England achieve stunning 378 chase vs India

Charbel Coorey
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Twitter reactions: England achieve stunning 378 chase vs India

Cricket News: Twitter reactions: England achieve stunning 378 chase vs India | Reactions as England complete stunning run chase vs India

The runs flowed, and the records tumbled. In the same Test where Jasprit Bumrah became the unlikeliest holder of the most runs scored in a single over, England broke records of their own in an unbelievable run chase of 378.

Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow combined for an incredible 269-run stand in what seemed like the blink of an eye. In the process, England completed their greatest ever run chase in Test cricket, going past their memorable 362 against Australia in 2019 of which their current captain – Ben Stokes – was the architect of.

READ: Highest run chases by England in Test cricket

Just over a year ago, England refused to try and chase 273 runs in 73 overs against New Zealand. Now, Stokes desires to bowl first so they can bat last, and it’s working a treat as England achieved their fourth successive run chase of 250+.

Bairstow scored his fourth ton in his past three Tests. Root notched up his 28th Test ton in another batting masterclass. It was carnage, and India’s bowling attack, rightly considered one of the best in the world, had no answers.

READ: List of highest run chases at Edgbaston

Twitter reactions after England chase 378 vs India

India’s wait for a series win in England since 2007 will continue. It is their third straight defeat away from home, all by the margin of seven wickets. Worryingly for India, they were in a good position after the first innings of all of those Tests, dating back to the Johannesburg Test against South Africa in January.

Here are some of the best Twitter reactions from England’s unbelievable win.

Highest run chases by England in Tests

Tarkesh Jha
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Highest run chases by England in Tests

Cricket News: Highest run chases by England in Tests | List of highest run chases by England in Tests

England have pulled off their highest successful run chase in Tests, making a mockery of the 378-run target set by India in the fifth and final Test.

The duo of Joe Root and Johnny Bairstow piled up an unbeaten 269 runs in just 52.3 overs to lead England home from a shaky position of 109/3. After playing their first Test way back in 1877, this England team has now created history.

List of highest run chases in Tests by England

On that backdrop, let us take a look at their highest fourth-innings feats in this article.

1. 378/3 vs India at Edgbaston, 2022

“When you go at 4.5 an over regularly, it’s very hard for the bowling attack to come back at you,” said Joe Root after another sublime hundred for England. He and Jonny Bairstow, who scored four centuries in three consecutive Tests, have written themselves into English folklore by knocking 269 of the 378 in an incredible partnership.

The chase of 378 marks the fourth successive successful run chase by England in their summer. They had chased 250+ in each of their three Tests against New Zealand.

2. 362/9 vs Australia at Headingley Leeds, 2019

With the Ashes on the line, Ben Stokes produced a cult classic on the final day of the Headingley Test in August 2019 in a knock that will forever be recorded in the history books in golden letters.

Chasing 359, England was reduced to 286-9 at one point in time. But Stokes, who had bided his time until then, partnered with Jack Leach to pile up 76 runs for the final wicket. Leach scored a solitary run in that partnership as Stokes assumed total responsibility to launch an all-out attack that absolutely dismantled the Aussie bowling attack en route his 135* and helped England win the game against all odds.

3. 332/7 vs Australia at Melbourne, 1928

The mere fact that England can potentially surpass a record that it created over 94 years ago makes Wednesday even more special. Under the captaincy of Percy Chapman, England had chased down 332 at the loss of seven wickets in the third Test of the Ashes in 1928/29.

Opener Herbert Sutcliffe had toiled hard for his 135 off 462 deliveries and departed with the team requiring only 14 runs to get to the target. Sir Jack Hobbs and Patsy Hendren played fine supporting hands with 49 and 45 runs respectively but Sutcliffe was the original architect behind this monumental chase.

4. 315/4 vs Australia at Leeds, 2001

Significant fourth-inning chases require at least one batsman from to play out of his skin to secure a victory for the side. Mark Butcher’s unbeaten 173 off 227 deliveries at the Leeds Test in 2001 in a prime example of the same.

Australia’s incredible bowling unit of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee and Shane Warne were unable to unsettle England’s cruising moment due to the sheer defiance and temperament put forth by Butcher. Nasser Hussain had played a fine knock of 55 runs to support Butcher’s effort and get England from 33/2 to 214/3. However, it was Butcher who held his ground until the very end to bring off a run-chase for the ages!

5. 307/6 vs New Zealand at Christchurch, 1997

The Christchurch coup is even more remarkable given that England managed to pull this one off in a foreign land. A then-newbie Daniel Vettori had taken four wickets to break the back of the English batting line-up in a challenging chase of 307 runs.

However, Mike Atherton’s 118 runs set the foundation for the lower-order duo of John Crawley and Dominic Cork to steer the visitors to a victory eventually. Crawley and Cork put up 40 and 39 runs in 113 and 123 deliveries respectively take England from 231/6 to the target quite seamlessly.

6. 299/5 vs New Zealand at Trent Bridge Nottingham, 2022

Brendon McCullum found quite a style to introduce the English fans to BazBall against his own country. The very same English batting unit that looked to be in tatters under the previous regime discovered its own charisma and mojo under the new head coach.

Their chase of 299 in only 50 overs on the final day of the Nottingham Test was a testament to the brand of cricket that they are set to adopt in the coming times. Jonny Bairstow notched 136 runs in only 92 deliveries whereas Stokes scored 75 off 70 balls to carry off a chase much similar to their numerous such acts in limited-overs cricket since 2015.

Australia focused: Can they beat India in India?

Tarkesh Jha
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Australia focused: Can they beat India in India?

Cricket News: Can Australia beat India in India? | Australia preparing for India tour with solid performances in Pakistan and Sri Lanka

Australia is already eyeing the Test series in India next year as the team looks to build up its credentials with its latest subcontinental tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pat Cummins’ men decimated the Lankan side at Galle in the first game and are now aiming to secure a series victory in the upcoming match. If they are successful in doing so, it will mark Australia’s second-straight Test series victory in Asia after having beaten Pakistan 1-0 in their own backyard earlier this year.

Australia eyeing success in 2023 India tour

Now, the Aussie coaching staff has set its sights on the series in India in 2023 following their encouraging start to the Sri Lankan challenge.

“In a lot of ways, it’s been nice to have a subcontinent tour of Pakistan, then here [in Sri Lanka] and build towards India. Conditions will be very different. We will get a lot of variation from venue to venue,” Australia’s assistant coach Daniel Vettori was quoted in a report by ESPNCricinfo.

He added, “You could get anything in between [the pitches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka]. If you play at Mohali it is going to be flat, if you play at Wankhede [in Mumbai] it could turn square like here. You can’t just have one plan.”

Australia have discovered a newfound willingness to sweep against spinners. 45.6 per cent of their boundaries were via sweeps or reverse-sweeps in their victory in Galle as the batsmen are gradually trying to be busier in the crease in order to unsettle the rhythm of the opposition spinners. The Aussies had employed this shot for merely 20.8 per cent of their boundaries during their 3-0 loss against Sri Lanka back in 2016.

“In a lot of ways sweeps can be blocks over here. There have been plans for individuals to use whatever they feel comfortable with, and to be as proactive and brave as they could with it,” Vettori explained in his assessment of the team’s playing style.

Australia have not emerged victorious in a Test series in India since 2004. India last lost a series in the longest format of the game at home way back in 2012. The two sides played out an enthralling 2-1 series that rounded up in India’s favour in early-2017.

“You could get anything in between [the pitches in Pakistan and Sri Lanka]. If you play at Mohali it is going to be flat, if you play at Wankhede [in Mumbai] it could turn square like here. You can’t just have one plan.”

Daniel Vettori, Australia spin coach

The next Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be the last series before the scheduled World Test Championship (WTC) finale in 2023. Naturally, a lot is expected to be at stake by then with Australia and India occupying the first and third rankings in the WTC standings currently.

Highest successful run chases in Tests at Edgbaston

Charbel Coorey
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Highest successful run chases in Tests at Edgbaston

Cricket News: Highest successful run chases in Tests at Edgbaston | What is the highest successful run chase in Tests at Edgbaston Birmingham?

England have achieved their highest run chase Tests with a magnificent effort in the fourth innings of the fifth Test vs India at Edgbaston in 2022. Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow both scored unbeaten centuries and combined for an incredible 269-run stand to make a mockery of the 378-run target.

In the process, England smashed the previous Edgbaston record of 281, achieved by South Africa in 2008.

List of highest successful run chases in Tests at Edgbaston

England has moved atop this list as they did at Trent Bridge recently. And quite comfortably, too.

1. 378/3 by England vs India, 2022

Only twice had a team previously chased down a target of 200 or more on this ground. England, under new management, wrote another chapter in their wonderful story that is the Summer of 2022, smashing 378/3 to level the series 2-2 against India.

Jonny Bairstow was outstanding. He struck two centuries and won player of the match. He combined with Joe Root, who finished with 700+ runs in the India series, to achieve a remarkable victory.

2. 283/5 by South Africa vs England, 2008

South Africa between 2006 and 2015 were a team to behold. Their away record in that period was a hallmark of a great team, and one such great victory was at Edgbaston in 2008. Graeme Smith’s magnificent 154* was too good for an England attack that included James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff.

3. 282/5 by Australia vs England, 2023

In 2005, Australia suffered heartbreak at Edgbaston, losing by two runs in pursuit of 282. 18 years later, Pat Cummins hit the winning runs to seal a remarkable chase of 281, with the Australian captain and Nathan Lyon combining for an unbeaten 55-run stand.

Australia looked in serious trouble after the dismissals of Cameron Green, Usman Khawaja and Alex Carey post-tea on the final day of a riveting Test match. However, true to the ebbs and flows in the entire game, Cummins and Lyon ensured Australia was the team to finish on top.

4. 211/3 by England vs New Zealand, 1999

England enjoyed some wonderful run chases against New Zealand at Lord’s, Trent Bridge and Headingley in 2022. They also enjoyed a solid run chase way back in 1999, which remains one of two occasions a team tracked down 200+ to win a Test on this ground.

Alex Tudor, usually a lower order player, produced a blinder of 99* batting as a nightwatchman at three. This victory was a welcome relief for a struggling England side, but New Zealand ended up winning the series 2-1.

5. 157/3 by West Indies vs England, 1991

West Indies were reduced to 24/3 in a chase of 152 in the decider of the 1991 series. However, when Viv Richards is on your side, anything is possible. The great batsman finished on 73* off 97 balls in partnership with Carl Hooper (55* off 101 balls) to see the Windies home.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul named head coach of USA women’s national & U19 teams

Tarkesh Jha
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Shivnarine Chanderpaul named head coach of USA women’s national & U19 teams

Cricket News: Shivnarine Chanderpaul named head coach of USA women’s national & U19 teams | Chanderpaul named head coach of USA’s womens teams

West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul has been named as the head coach of the senior and U-19 women’s national teams of United States of America (USA).

The 47-year-old will immediately get on the job as the U-19 side is set to participate in the Cricket West Indies U-19 Rising Stars T20 Championship that will be held in the Caribbean. He has signed a contract lasting for the coming one-and-a-half-years.

Excited to be appointed as head coach – Shivnarine Chanderpaul

“I am excited to have been appointed as the Head Coach of the USA National Women’s Team and Women’s Under 19 Team. The Women’s game is something I am a huge advocate of, and I have followed the progress of the USA Women’s National team with keen interest,” the veteran of 164 Tests was quoted in a report by Sportstar.

He added, “I have enjoyed being involved in American cricket over the years as a resident of Orlando, so to be given this opportunity to become the Head Coach for USA Cricket is an incredible one. I am really looking forward to using my 20+ years of international cricket and my recent coaching experiences, to help the women’s teams progress to World Cups in years to come, particularly the inaugural Under 19 Cricket World Cup in January.”

The 47-year-old hung his boots from international cricket in 2016. He has been based in Orlando in Florida since 2005 and has furthered his coaching credentials following the conclusion of his playing career.

As of now, Chanderpaul is the Head Coach of the Jamaica Tallawahs for the upcoming season of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) that will commence from 30th August, 2022. The former ICC Cricketer of the Year had also donned the role of the batting consultant of the U-19 men’s team of the Cricket West Indies recently. 

Chanderpaul is ranked sixth (164) and eighth (11867) in the list of most Test matches and runs in international cricket in the longest format of the game. The seasoned southpaw is all set to enter a full-fledged coaching career after engaging in first-class cricket for Lancashire post-retirement.

Will Mitchell Starc play in BBL 12?

Tarkesh Jha
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Will Mitchell Starc play in BBL 12?

Cricket News: Will Mitchell Starc play in BBL 12? | Mitchell Starc reveals whether he will be available to play in BBL 12

Mitchell Starc has opted out of the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) despite Cricket Australia (CA) being adamant on its top players featuring more regularly in the tournament. Starc last played for the Sydney Sixers way back in 2014-15 and opted out of salaries worth nearly $10 million since then.

The likely cancellation of Australia’s ODI series vs Sri Lanka in January has paved the way for several frontline Aussie international players to turn up for their respective franchises in BBL 12. However, Starc has asserted that his viewpoint of prioritising international cricket is unlikely to change anytime soon.

“I have always enjoyed the BBL when I have played it, but my approach with all franchise cricket hasn’t changed over the last seven years. My approach to the IPL, BBL, I have looked at the Australian schedule and wanting to be as fit and well-performed for that as I can,” the 32-year-old was quoted in a report by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

He further added, “And franchise cricket has taken a back seat. The schedule in the next 18 months is ridiculous. I will always keep Australian cricket front of mind, and then franchise cricket (second).”

Mitchell Starc opts out of BBL 12, others may follow due to Australia’s big schedule

However, the apprehension of Australian players to participate in the BBL might face a challenge in the coming times. There will be an insistence on getting players contracted to one of the franchises and compelling them to participate in the tournament when they are not injured or engaged in national team duties.

A mechanism of this kind could come into force with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as early as next summer, i.e., 2023. CA has been trying to vehemently defend the league irrespective of complaints over its dropping standards and with Seven Network attempting to break away from its broadcast deal.

However, Starc’s standpoint about a packed international schedule has merit in it as well. Australia is nearing the end of a full-blown tour of Sri Lanka. It has scheduled assignments against Zimbabwe, New Zealand, India, England and West Indies prior to the World T20 later on this year. There will be Test series’ against both the Caribbeans and South Africa as well before the commencement of the BBL window.

ALSO READ: Australia cricket schedule for 2022-23: Bumper tours, World Cup and more

Currently, Mitchell Swepson (Brisbane Heat), Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers), Nathan Lyon (Sydney Sixers) and Usman Khawaja (Brisbane Heat) are contracted for the upcoming summer. Meanwhile, the CA is trying to add more glitter to the league with the overseas player draft. Faf du Plessis along with Rilee Rossouw, David Wiese and Merchant de Lange have been confirmed as the first four nominees for the process.

Why Australia must select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad

Vaibhav Tripathi
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Why Australia must select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad

Cricket News: Can Australia select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad? | Will Australia pick Tim David for the 2022 T20 World Cup?

Finishing is considered as the toughest job in cricket. But, there’s one player who has made finishing look easy and has earned the tag of the Best Finisher in T20 Cricket among a current lot of players.

Tim David.

Why is Finishing a tough art in T20 Cricket?

It has been proven time and again that playing the finisher role is as tough as it gets. Evaluating the impact of finishers is not a straightforward job. Volatility is inherent in the role, unlike openers, who face the same situation when they walk out to bat.

Conversely, finishers can be tasked with reconstructing an innings after an early collapse, hauling a team towards a target at the death, or hitting out from the first ball they face. The role requires batters to play selflessly, generally playing aggressively from the outset for the team’s benefit.

In T20 leagues around the world, as well as for Singapore in international cricket, the 26-year-old Tim David has demonstrated his power-hitting abilities. Because he has played for Singapore, David has played only 14 T20Is in his international career, which is far too low for a player of his talent.

Cricket News: Can Australia select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad? | Will Australia pick Tim David for the 2022 T20 World Cup?

Is Tim David eligible to play for Australia in the T20 World Cup?

Tim David has dual nationality of both Singapore and Australia. There are talks that he should be included in Australia’s squad for the 2022 T20 World Cup. Australia’s World Cup-winning skipper Aaron Finch and wicketkeeper batter Matthew Wade are in support of David’s inclusion in the Australian team, even though the 26-year-old is yet to represent Australia at the highest level.

Does Australia need Tim David in their playing XI?

To find out the answer to the question in detail, let’s get into some statistical data. Since 2020, Australia has had the third-worst scoring rate among the top ten playing nations – 125.53. They’re above only Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Adding to that, Australian batting has the third-worst average as well – 22.71. In the last two years, the Aussies have scored at a run rate of 7.98. They have the fourth-worst rate of 7.98 in the powerplay overs, which goes down to 7.61 in the middle and then 9.18 at the death.

In the same time period, the Singapore-born cricketer has scored the most number of runs for any player in the T20 format as a finisher since 2021. Tim David has scored 219 runs in the middle overs at a strike rate of 150 while averaging 73 and in the last six overs, David has a strike rate of 188 and average of 30.39 after facing 660 balls.

The numbers well and truly support the inclusion of the ‘Tim David’ factor in the Australian team.

Where will Australia fit David in their playing XI?

With Finch being the captain and Warner being the man of the tournament of the last World Cup, there’s no question about who’s going to open the innings for Australia in the T20 World Cup 2022.

Giving emphasis on the current form, no one else but Australia’s stalwart Steve Smith has to make way for Tim David as he’s been struggling to find his mojo in T20 Cricket. Supporting this statement is a fact that Smith hasn’t scored a fifty in T20Is since the start of 2020. David should be used as a floater in the playing eleven and he’ll bat around the likes of other power hitters like Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, and Matthew Wade. Since 2020, while batting at number five and number six, David has scored 1422 runs at a strike rate close to 165.

Smith was given license to move away from the ‘anchor’ role in the Sri Lanka series, but his position remains under the most threat. In IPL 2022, David smashed 186 runs at a blistering strike rate of 216.28 in eight matches for Mumbai Indians.

Cricket News: Can Australia select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad? | Will Australia pick Tim David for the 2022 T20 World Cup?
Why Australia must select Tim David in their T20 World Cup squad: Smith is under the most pressure.

What’s stopping Australia to get David in the team?

Cricket Australia (CA) contract norms suggest that if a player is not contracted with a first-class state team then he cannot represent Australia at the highest level. Unfortunately, David doesn’t have that contract and management will have to find a way to fast-track David into the national team like the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) did with Jofra Archer prior to the 2019 ODI World Cup.

Australia have lots of bases covered before the World Cup; a strong and reliable top order, quality spinners, and fast bowlers. But if they really need to bolster their chances of reclaiming the title then they’ll need to find a way to get in the power-hitting sensation in their playing XI.

(Stats Updates before the start of Australia vs Sri Lanka T20I series)

Should India pick Sanju Samson in their T20 World Cup XI?

Tarkesh Jha
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Should India pick Sanju Samson in their T20 World Cup XI?

Cricket News: Should India pick Sanju Samson in their T20 World Cup XI? | Will India pick Sanju Samson in 2022 T20 World Cup squad?

Conditions tend to define a team’s ideal playing XI across the cricketing world. No matter the indispensability of a certain player, the side’s combination varies according to what the concerned track has to offer.

That is why the seasoned duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli straightaway walk into the Indian playing XI for the T20 World Cup in Australia this year regardless of their recent indifferent form in the shortest format of the game.

In that backdrop, a strong case is currently being made to rope in Sanju Samson to the Indian squad as the mega-tournament nears. Samson’s exclusion from the squad for the South Africa series had raised many eyebrows. However, the Rajasthan Royals (RR) skipper made significant amends as he struck 77 runs off 42 deliveries in the second T20I vs Ireland at the backend of June 2022.

Possible Team Combination for India in the 2022 T20 World Cup

Barring any major surprises, the Indian playing XI appears to be well-settled for the Australian tourney. The top-three of Rohit, KL Rahul and Kohli select themselves. Concerns were raised over Rishabh Pant’s form but the southpaw has put them to rest with his maverick knock of 146 at Edgbaston in the fifth Test against England.

Pant will continue as India’s frontline wicket-keeper in Australia. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja offer balance to the lower-middle order and Dinesh Karthik will most likely complement them with his finishing duties.

In such a scenario, India might have to compromise their bowling depth to fit two amongst the likes of Karthik, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer and Samson into the XI. Suryakumar was a part of the starting XI in the previous World T20 and Iyer averages 64.60 with a strike rate of 154.55 in nine T20Is in 2022.

Head coach Rahul Dravid has very publicly talked up the unique finishing skillsets that Karthik brings into the XI. So, where does that leave Samson in the mix? 

Should India pick Samson in their T20 World Cup team? A look at what separates him of his competition

“That guy has got talent, man,” Indian skipper Rohit Sharma had said of Samson ahead of India’s T20I series vs Sri Lanka earlier this year.

Rohit added, “We see a lot of potential, we see a lot of match-winning ability in that individual. I hope we give him confidence whenever he gets the opportunity to play for us. His back-foot play is superb. Some of the shots you might have seen in the IPL… the pick-up pull, cut, standing and delivering. They are not easy to play, when you go to Australia, you need that kind of shot-making ability.”

Samson put up a great show of the aforementioned abilities in that series. He got to bat only twice but scored 57 runs at a strike rate of 154.05. For someone who has played nine T20Is in Australia, Rohit undoubtedly understands the specific abilities required to succeed in the hostile playing conditions Down Under.

In an interview with CricBlog during IPL 2022, New Zealand all-rounder and Rajasthan Royals teammate Jimmy Neesham labelled Samson as “one hell of a cricketer.” If he gets on the plane and is backed by a supportive team environment, he has the talent to deliver in spades.

Sanju Samson stats in the middle overs since IPL 2020

The pitches in Australia offer additional bounce, square boundaries are longer than usual and bowlers hit the deck hard in the middle overs to plug the flow of runs. A common factor that unites almost all successful T20 teams in recent times is their ability to adopt a proactive approach in the middle overs. They keep the run-rate upbeat and manage to hold on to their wickets to double up the scoring pace towards the backend of the innings.

Data from the 12th Khiladi reveals that Samson struck runs at a strike rate of 141.4 and 173.6 respectively between overs 8-12 and 12-16 respectively in phase two of IPL 2021 and all of IPL 2022. His strong base and foundation against express pacers in rare to find amongst many Indian batters. He is at ease whilst dealing with the shorter deliveries and has both the power and timing to send the ball sailing over the square boundaries. 

According to Cricket.com, in IPL 2020 and 2021 combined, no non-opener recorded a better strike rate (150) than Samson in the middle overs (7-15) of the innings. During the same period, he struck runs at an average of 54.6 and strike rate of 138.6 against spinners in the league. This is in addition to his exemplary scoring rate of 165.1 vs pace bowlers in the aforementioned phase of the innings in those two IPL seasons.

Samson has hit 69 sixes in the last three IPL seasons, which roughly translates to a six in every 13th delivery that he faces. He has notched a four in every 8.27 balls in the previous three IPL campaigns. Overall, he has bagged a boundary after a gap of 5.06 deliveries whilst primarily batting in the middle-order.

These are extremely encouraging stats for any team in the lookout for a middle-order enforcer. In his own words, Samson has been eyeing to play knocks that are high on impact other than any other metric in limited-overs cricket. His proficiency against most kinds of dominant bowling types coupled with sublime timing and brute power to clear the ropes regularly make him an ideal suit to occupy a slot in the middle that glues the entire batting order together.   

Will Samson manage to topple competition from his arguably more fancied teammates to get a spot in the XI for the T20 World Cup? It’s largely uncertain currently. But he has been trying to make the most of his chances in recent times.

More importantly, he has not altered his approach whilst attempting to do so. Instead, the 27-year-old has stayed true to his brand of cricket and it is the team management that is moulding its style to follow that template.

Such are the changing times. Such is T20 cricket.

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