Happy birthday MS Dhoni: Twitter goes into a frenzy | Happy birthday MS Dhoni: Fans, pundits and players wish MSD a very happy birthday
If you need a reminder of the impact of MS Dhoni, just check social media on two particular dates. The first is April 2, the date of MS Dhoni’s famous six that sent all of India into delirium as he then raised his arms and the World Cup. The second is July 7, his birthday.
10 years ago, India snapped their 28-year World Cup drought. 40 years ago, a man who would impact the lives of millions was born. The common theme is that he made millions and millions believe, and that the fight was never over as long as he was on the field. His impact as a batsman, wicket-keeper and captain will always be remembered. Fans are quick to send their birthday wishes when July 7 comes around, and grow in anticipation as the date draws closer. Today is especially special, as Dhoni turns 40.
Here are some of the reactions of fans, players and pundits on Twitter, with numerous hashtags trending, including #HappyBirthdayMS, #HappyBirthdayDhoni, #HappyBirthdayMSD and #HappyBirthdayMahi. In these hashtags, the impact of one man can truly be seen.
Wishing you a very happy birthday @msdhoni You have been a friend, brother & a mentor to me, all one could ever ask for. May God bless you with good health & long life! Thank you for being an iconic player & a great leader.#HappyBirthdayDhoni ❤️? pic.twitter.com/qeLExrMonJ
MS Dhoni turns 40. What a fantastic career MSD has had. A true leader who gave people the power to believe in their abilities. Here's his journey & some unheard stories #HappyBirthdayDhoni
#HappyBirthdayDhoni@msdhoni – The man who made me a crazy fan of the game and got me addicted to it. Not a single day goes by without thinking of him and his creed. If there's one who can stay far away and still inspire big time, it's MS Dhoni. Happy birthday, legend ? pic.twitter.com/okYjw77a0r
One day I'll meet you, hug you, probably cry, and speak to you for the first time ever, until that day comes, I will keep making edits, keep rewatching your knocks, keep defending you, keep sending love. Until we meet favourite ❤ @msdhoni#HappyBirthdayDhonipic.twitter.com/1rKkKfj7rf
Read somewhere recently that you don't necessarily remember all the stats and numbers but you can never forget how a player made you feel. You were that, MS! Happy Birthday @msdhoni! ?
ICC Trophies, IPL trophies weren't the biggest gifts Dhoni gave to India. You know what it was? It was belief, expectations and faith. He made us believe that any game can be won from any situation, and then it became a habit.❤
If there is one word to define MS Dhoni, it has to be "belief". When he used to play for India, he was able to induce the belief in 1.3bn people that "yes! We can still win this game". Mentally, India never gave up until Dhoni gave up! ❤️? #HappyBirthdayDhoni
— Praveen Kumar Chanda (@urspraveenhere) July 7, 2021
Imagine the world of cricket without him.. yep.. you just can’t. Living legend. Birthday wishes to MS Dhoni. What an incredible career he’s had. #HappyBirthdayDhoni
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) July 6, 2021
ZIM vs BAN Test Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ZIM vs BAN 1st Test Dream11 Prediction Today | Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh Test Key Players | Harare Pitch Report
One of international cricket’s regular rivalries resumes in the closed doors of the Harare Sports Club, as Zimbabwe look for Test success against Bangladesh.
On paper, the Bangladeshis look favourites. However, it doesn’t seem as simple as that once you take a deeper look. The Zimbabweans have won two of three Tests at home against Bangladesh since their readmission to the game’s longest format in 2011, with the last meeting between the sides on Zimbabwean soil ending in a 1-all stalemate in 2013. However, Zimbabwe have been dealt a big blow as Craig Ervine and Sean Williams are both out of this Test as they came in close contact with a confirmed COVID case.
Things are still somewhat similar since 2013, with the home side’s administration continuing to struggle with the financial and political burdens, further amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. For Bangladesh, inconsistencies remain, but they will be hoping that the presence of Shakib Al Hasan, perhaps fortunately from a discipline point of view, provides them with the edge they need to achieve their first Test win away from Asia since Harare, 2013.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Zimbabwe:
Brendan Taylor will undoubtedly be key for Zimbabwe, particularly given that Williams and Ervine are out. He has a great record against Bangladesh (1,066 runs, avg. 59.22). At home, the numbers are just unbelievable: 3 matches, 495 runs, avg. 123.75.
Zimbabwe will also need Regis Chakabva at his solid best. He has a good record vs Bangladesh (459 runs, avg. 35.30), and scored 33 and 80 in his last Test, against Pakistan.
Blessing Muzarabani has a key role to play. The tall seamer has never played against Bangladesh, but many can expect him to do well given he is having a fine 2021 so far (4 Tests, 15 wickets, avg. 20.26).
Zimbabwe could be well served playing Tendai Chatara. He has a fine record at Harare, with 13 wickets at 23.69.
Bangladesh:
According to reports, Mushfiqur Rahim should be fit to play. He has a superb record vs Zimbabwe (846 runs, avg. 60.42), including two fifties in his last Test in Zimbabwe back in 2013.
Mominul Haque also has a superb record vs Zimbabwe. He has scored 687 runs in seven Tests at an average of 57.25, with three centuries and two half-centuries. He scored 29 and 23 in Zimbabwe in 2013.
As always, Shakib Al Hasan will be one to watch. His 26 wickets vs Zimbabwe overall come at an average of 23.29 (eight wickets at 34 in Zimbabwe), and has scored 474 runs at 39.50 (223 runs at 37.16 in Zimbabwe). Like Mushfiq, Shakib scored twin fifties in his last Test in Zimbabwe.
Can Abu Jayed make an impact in non-Asian conditions? The accurate seamer will be hoping to move the ball in these conditions and build on his five wickets in two Tests vs Zimbabwe.
Here is a big opportunity for Taskin Ahmed to improve on his career average of 63.13. If he can get the ball in the right areas, he will be a handful for the Zimbabwean batsmen.
Stats and Facts
Zimbabwe have not won a home Test since 2013, where they beat both Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Bangladesh have won just one Test out of seven in Zimbabwe. This was a 143-run victory in Harare in 2013, after they lost the first Test of that series by 335 runs.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz will be out to improve his away bowling record. He averages 22.29 at home, compared to 61.15 away. His batting will also be key – he scored a century vs West Indies earlier this year.
Possible Playing 11
Sean Williams and Craig Ervine are out of this match. Brendan Taylor will lead the side.
Zimbabwe: 1. Kevin Kasuza, 2. Takudzwanashe Kaitano, 3. Timycen Maruma, 4. Brendan Taylor (c), 5. Milton Shumba, 6. Regis Chakabva (wk), 7. Luke Jongwe, 8. Donald Tiripano, 9. Wellington Masakadza/Tendai Chisoro, 10. Blessing Muzarabani, 11. Tendai Chatara/Richard Ngavara
According to reports, Tamim Iqbal is in doubt for this Test due to a knee injury. If he misses out, then both Shadman Islam and Saif Hassan could play. Also, Bangladesh could look to leave Taijul Islam out given that Shakib provides the left-arm spin option.
Bangladesh: 1. Tamim Iqbal/Shadman Islam, 2. Saif Hassan, 3. Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4. Mominul Haque (c), 5. Shakib Al Hasan, 6. Mushfiqur Rahim, 7. Liton Das (wk), 8. Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 9. Taskin Ahmed, 10. Shoriful Islam/Ebadot Hossain, 11. Abu Jayed
Harare Sports Club Pitch Report
Pakistan made a 400 and 500+ score on this ground earlier this year. Harare can offer some nice batting conditions after the ball gets a little older. One feels the new ball will be key for both sides, where there can be some movement in winter conditions.
However, the forecast is pleasant right throughout the match, with temperatures in the low 20s in sunshine expected.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
ZIM vs BAN Test Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
ZIM vs BAN Test Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
A difficult one to predict, given Bangladesh always start very slowly in Tests in Zimbabwe. However, the sheer experience in their side should be enough to overcome Zimbabwe without experienced players in Sean Williams and Craig Ervine.
Two new teams set to be added for IPL 2022, BCCI to earn close to Rs 5800 Crores from deal | 2 new teams set to enter IPL 2022 next year
Indian Premier League (IPL) is known for the high-quality brand of cricket it brings to the table and the money it brings along with it. This is one of the most profitable leagues globally and is comparable with many of the global leagues of other sports like football, Basketball, etc, and there is so much interest from cricket bettors.
The IPL run by BCCI has also set a benchmark for the rest of the cricket boards to follow and roll out their leagues over the years. This will get only bigger and better as the IPL is set to add two new teams to the already existent eight.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, the two new IPL teams that will be most likely added to the fold will be valued at around Rs 1850 Crores. It is being said the final bidding cost will be ranging anywhere between USD 300-400 million (which roughly means Rs 2200 Crores to 2900 crores).
This means that the richest cricket board in the world, BCCI, could earn close to 5800 crores with the addition of two new teams.
Among the current teams in the IPL, the 5-time reigning champions Mumbai Indians are the most valued team at Rs 2800 crores to 2900 crores. It is followed by Chennai Super Kings, which has a valuation of INR 2200-2300 crores. One of the most popular sides, RCB’s franchise value at 1855 crore INR.
With that being said, it is natural that the valuation of the new teams will be more than that of the current ones. This is what N Santhosh, a managing partner of a Mumbai-based LLP D&P Advisory, has exactly conveyed. He said that if a lesser popular franchise like the Rajasthan Royals is valued at USD 250 million (1850 crores), it is happy news for the BCCI.
“We always knew that the new teams would be upwards of USD 300-400 million. Look, we are talking of RR, which is not one of the highest-ranked franchises, going by different IPL parameters. If its value is USD 250 million, it is only good news for the BCCI,” N Santosh, the managing partner of D&P Advisory, said.
“In that perspective, the BCCI would be looking between USD 300-400 million. We were anticipating that six months back. With RedBird, that estimation gets reaffirmed. An average team now should cost USD 300 million, so the new team should be around 400 million (about Rs 3000 crore). If we also factor in the Ahmedabad point, the largest stadium in the world, there could be a chance of a huge gap between the price of the two new teams – one may go for USD 400 million and another for USD 350 million,” he added.
Those involved in the finances of the sale of teams have said each franchisee will earn more than Rs 150 crores as profit each year. This includes the central revenue, media, sponsorships, and gate collection.
“He can recover around Rs 150-200 crore out of that in the first 10 years when some losses are inevitable. He will keep making the moolah after 10 years. The key to getting a good price is telling the world that more parties have an interest. If a potential bidder is made known that the biggest business houses have purchased the tender document, the price will automatically shoot up. The media plays a big role in creating the hype. How the BCCI will manage the sale and orchestrate the hype is important,” the source explained.
India’s apex cricket board, BCCI, is looking to auction for the new teams in July 2021. One of the new franchises could likely be based out of Ahmedabad. This could be to take advantage of the newly built Narendra Modi Stadium in the city, and that could serve the purpose. It has to be noted that Gujarat Lions represented the city earlier in the IPL. The other team could be from the city of Lucknow as per the sources.
It is learned that many of the corporates have already put their hands on buying the franchises. The interested business tycoons include Gautam Adani (Adani Group), Sanjeev Goenka (Goenka Group), and Manpreet Singh Chadha (Chadha Group). Apart from them, entrepreneur Ronnie Screwvala and actor Mohanlal could also be in line to bid for the new teams.
Twitter reactions: Mithali Raj becomes highest-ever women’s run-scorer | Twitter reactions as Mithali Raj becomes the highest-ever run-scorer in women’s cricket
India’s victory in the third ODI against England was extra sweet for one special reason. Mithali Raj, a great of Indian cricket, became the most prolific women’s batter in the history of the game. During her superb, match-winning knock of 75*, Raj went past the great Charlotte Edwards’ record of 10,273 international runs, much to the joy of millions of fans around the globe.
Also, Mithali joins Sachin Tendulkar as the most prolific run-scorers in women’s and men’s international cricket respectively. And, incredibly, both made their debuts at exactly the same age (16 years, 205 days). Like Tendulkar, Mithali has enjoyed a superb career spanning more than two decades, and she will hold the record for quite some time as the next-highest international run-scorer behind Edwards is New Zealand’s Suzie Bates with 7,849 runs.
The Indian skipper received deserved praise from all corners of the world, particularly her home country. Fans praised her longeivity and consistency in a career that has life in it yet. Here are some of the Twitter reactions to Mithali Raj reaching a terrific milestone, including Charlotte Edwards herself:
you’re happy. we’re proud of you #MithaliRaj! true inspiration for the next so many generations of young girls who want to make it big in the cricketing scene ?? pic.twitter.com/pbU7pUcbp9
ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | England vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Key Players | Bristol Pitch Report
England put on a show once again with bat and ball to swat Sri Lanka aside for the fifth time in a row on a harrowing tour for the tourists. As a result, Sri Lanka not only remained winless but also went on to lose the ODI series as well having already conceded the T20I series.
And now the final game of this entire tour is to be played at Bristol. Though it would be just a formality to complete the series, both teams will be looking to finish the tour with a win on Sunday.
The Lankans have had a disastrous campaign thus far, but have ODI Super League points to play for in the upcoming contest. Evading a series whitewash won’t be easy for them by any stretch of the imagination, but will want to put in a strong performance.
Match Details
Match: ENG vs SL, 3rd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of England, 2021
Date and Time: Sunday, July 04, 2021, 3:30 PM(IST) 11:00 PM Local Time
Venue: County Ground, Bristol
Key Players/Key Stats
England:
Johny Bairstow has been brilliant in this series scoring 72 runs so far with an amazing strike rate of 126.31. He has always tried to give a quick start to his team which led them to a couple of comfortable wins. He would love to continue this form.
Another english opener and aggressive batsman Jason Roy scored a beautiful fifty in the previous game after missing the 1st ODI due to injury. And he is now all set to play 3rd and final odi with very positive intent. Roy has scored 490 runs in 11 innings with an avg of 52.44 against SL so far. And he will be looking to increase it more.
Joe Root has been England’s standout batter in the series. Having scored 147 runs, the Test captain has shown the utility he brings to the fore in the 50-overs format. He is yet to get out in the series and the Lankans, somehow, have to find a way of getting rid of him. A strike rate of 84.48 shows that he hasn’t found run-scoring tough until now in the series.
Though Sam Curran picked up his maiden ODI fifer in the previous game, it’s David Willey who’s the top wicket-taker in the series. The left-arm fast bowler has picked up seven wickets from two matches at an economy rate of 5.40. After getting three wickets in the first ODI, he picked four scalps last time around. The Lankan batters need to play him with a lot of caution as he has always been a cause of worry for them (17 wickets in 7 innings in HTH).
Captain Morgan is back. And he is back in form with a stylish 75 (83) knock. We heard a lot of talk of his failure in some recent matches, but he has proved the man correct. The man once said, “Form is temporary, Class is Permanent”.
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lankan captain Kusal Perera looked good in the first ODI but had bad luck in the previous match as it was Sam’s day. Kusal got out on a duck and now he will be looking for revenge.
Sri Lanka’s crisis man Wanindu Hasaranga has been exceptional between all the Islanders. After scoring a fifty in 1st match he played a supporting role in 2nd match for some time over there. So if Sri Lanka wants to win the final game then this man has to do some magic.
Dhananjaya de Silva played really well in the previous game scoring a beautiful 91 runs which helped his team to get past 200. And again he will have the job to stabilize the middle order and look for more and more runs without losing a wicket.
After scoring a fifty in the T20I series, Dasun Shanaka looked good in the 2nd ODI with his 46 runs. Again, he must step up to balance his nation in these tough times for them.
Stats and Facts
Head to head: Matches 77, England 38, Sri Lanka 36, Tied 1, NR 2.
Last 5 matches: England 3, Sri Lanka 2
In England: Matches 34, ENG 18, SL 14, Tie 1, NR 1
England have won 50% (6/12) matches, and Sri Lanka have not been able to win a single match (played 3) at Bristol.
Eoin Morgan will equal Alastair Cook in terms of captaincy against SL. He will reach 16 matches by the end of the match.
Possible Playing 11
England could look at rotation given the series has been won.
England: 1. Tom Banton/ Jonny Bairstow (wk), 2. Jason Roy, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Sam Billings/Liam Livingstone, 6. Moeen Ali, 7. Sam Curran, 8. David Willey, 9. Chris Woakes/Tom Curran, 10. Adil Rashid/Liam Dawson, 11. George Garton/Mark Wood
Sri Lanka could also look at some other options in their squad.
Bowlers are expected to find life difficult in the final game, as this pitch has a history of being a good one for batting. Picking up wickets with the new ball will be crucial to get a foothold in the game.
This time, though, rain is set to impact the third ODI, with showers forecast for most of the day. The temperature will be a cool 17 degrees celsius.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
ENG vs SL 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction
(Tip: While selecting your fantasy team, make sure that you have selected all players who are part of playing 11’s. For that kindly edit it after the toss.)
Match Prediction
Sri Lanka put on a better display on Thursday but was still outclassed by England. Even if they rest some of their key players for this game, England will fancy their chances of pulling off a win if the rain doesn’t interrupt the match.
Steve Smith could miss T20 World Cup to be fresh for Ashes | Steve Smith aiming to fit and fresh for Ashes series; could miss the T20 World Cup
Steve Smith, Australia’s premier batsman, has hinted at the possibility that he may not be available for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The rescheduled tournament, moved from 2020 to 2021, will be held in Oman and UAE in October and November, and given the intense schedule and quarantining required of the players, there may be some sacrifice required to ensure priorities are being met.
For Steve Smith, that priority remains the Ashes. Smith, who withdrew from the limited overs tours of West Indies and Bangladesh owing to a left elbow injury, is aiming to be as fit as possible for the huge schedule which includes the second-half of IPL 2021, T20 World Cup and Ashes. As a result, if Australia do qualify for the T20 World Cup Final, it will mean that the Aussie Test players in the UAE will have no red-ball preparation ahead of the showpiece five-match series.
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Smith said, “There’s still a bit of time between now and (the T20 World Cup), and I’m tracking okay at the moment – it’s slow, but I’m going okay.”
“I’d love to be part of the World Cup, for sure, but from my point of view, Test cricket, that’s my main goal – to be right for the Ashes and try to emulate what I’ve done in the last few Ashes series I’ve been involved in.”
Smith has been impregnable in Ashes campaigns, with his last being an amazing redemption story, amassing 774 runs at a Bradmanesque average of 110.57. In the 2017/18 series in Australia, Smith also dominated, slamming 687 runs at 137.40.
Given such success, it is no surprise that Smith wants to continue that momentum and help Australia hold the urn for three straight campaigns – a feat Australia has not achieved since 2002/03.
“I want to put myself in a position where I can have that kind of impact,” he said.
“If that does mean not partaking in the World Cup, then we’ll have to go down that path, but hopefully we don’t have to go there.”
Steve Smith is open to missing the T20 World Cup if it means being fit for Ashes.
Smith also revealed that his elbow injury was affecting him during the first half of IPL 2021. Currently, he is working hard to ensure he returns to full comfort and fitness.
“I still wasn’t quite 100 per cent (during the IPL), it was still bothering me a bit, and I was playing over there medicated – taking some painkillers and anti-inflammatories every time I batted,” he said.
“It got to a point where it wasn’t really improving much, and it probably got a little bit worse while I was over there.”
Now, Smith is limiting himself to 15-minute batting sessions as a conditioning method to get his elbow up to speed. He also reiterated The Ashes as his main priority.
“Currently that’s where I’m at – 15 minutes – and I’ve got to build up to 45 to get myself to a point where the medicos believe I can be comfortable.
“I actually woke up a little bit sore after my last hit, so next hit, I’ll stay at 15, and that’s how it works.
“The Ashes is the primary focus from my point of view, (so) I need to be in a position where I can bat for long periods of time, and at the moment I can’t do that, which is annoying.”
WI vs SA 5th T20 Dream11 Prediction Today Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | WI vs SA 5th T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | West Indies vs South Africa 5th T20I Key Players | Grenada Pitch Report
Before the fourth T20I, South Africa had won two games batting first, where they held their nerve beautifully with the ball. So, was fielding first going to yield a similar result? The fourth T20I in Grenada on Thursday was that kind of crazy; part of a series that has been very much unpredictable when many thought the West Indies would win easily. The home side won by 21 runs to level the series with a match to play.
So we are here at the FINAL game of the series with 2-2 as scoreline. The fifth and final match of the series is set to take place on Saturday, July 3 at the same venue and an exciting match seems to be on the cards. The Proteas, somehow, will look to make a comeback after the defeat.
Barring Quinton de Kock, not many have been able to make an impact consistently for South Africa. WI come into the game on the back of a stunning win in the previous game, with captain Kieron Pollard striking form with the bat. However, both sides will need their middle-order to fire if they are to get past the opponents.
Both teams look evenly matched on paper, with nothing much separating them. With some of the best T20 cricketers taking center stage, a riveting contest beckons on Saturday.
Match Details
Match: West Indies vs South Africa T20I series 2021, 5th T20I.
Date and time: July 3, 02.00 PM (local time) , 11.30 PM IST.
Venue: National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada.
Key Players/Key Stats
West Indies:
Evin Lewis is one of the most important players for WI in the game. Lewis is currently the home team’s leading run-scorer with 126 runs at an average and strike rate of 31.50 and 163.63. So he is expected to give one more fine start and use the powerplay better. So is Lendl Simmons who has 69 runs thus far and has been able to give his team fast starts.
When it comes to big and important matches like this, all look at the big players like Chistopher Henry Gayle. On the 283rd day of his 42nd year, wearing a cap that hid his thinning hair but did nothing to disguise his greying dreads and beard, Chris Gayle lurched into a cartwheel. Regardless, with his first ball of the match, the seventh of the game, old man Gayle had Reeza Hendricks – 10 years his junior – stumped. And we all know about his batting (352 runs vs SA, avg. 39.11, SR 180.51). So the old man is important.
Kieron Pollard, who had looked like an imposter, much less a captain, in scoring two runs in the first three matches of the series, hit an unbeaten 51 off 25 balls in the previous game. Hence the inform power hitter is all set to play the final game of the series. And we all know how good his stats are in finals.
Andre Russell needs to be a little more consistent with bat and ball. Fabian Allen has been impressive with his left-arm spinners and he has played some handy knocks as well.
Dwayne Bravo (took 4-fer in last game) and Obed McCoy will be key with the ball. Bravo is now the top wicket taker (14 scalps in 13 innings) between WI vs SA HTH as far as T20I cricket is concerned. And McCoy is right behind him with 8 wickets in 4 innings.
South Africa:
For the Proteas, Quinton de Kock has simply been outstanding. He has scored 195 runs from four matches at an average and strike rate of 48.75 and 141.30. He has almost notched 100 runs more than Rassie van der Dussen, who is placed second with 96 runs. Both of them need to fire up if they and their team wants to finish the tour with the series win.
In the bowling, Tabraiz Shamsi has done wonderfully well. He has picked up six wickets and has bowled at a stupendous economy rate of 4.31. The number 1 T20I ranked bowler would again like to repeat the same doings from the last couple of matches.
George Linde and Kagiso Rabada have picked five wickets each. Both of them have to step up and take a few more without leaking many runs in the final match. Linde has to take care of power hitters like Gayle and Hetmyer whether Rabada should try to restrict the likes of Rusell, Lewis and Pollard. It is going to be an interesting battle.
Stats and Facts
Head to Head: Matches 13, West Indies 6, South Africa 8.
Last 5 matches : West Indies 3, South Africa 2
In West Indies : Matches 6, WI 2, SA 4.
David Miller now became the most capped player for SA in T20I with 85 matches.
In all the 4 matches this series so far, the team batting first has scored in 160’s. So we shall be looking at if it happens for the 5th time as well.
Possible Playing 11
West Indies: 1. Lendl Simmons, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Shimron Hetmyer, 5. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 6. Kieron Pollard (c), 7. Andre Russell, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Fabian Allen, 10. Fidel Edwards, 11. Obed McCoy
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Reeza Hendricks/Jannemann Malan, 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. David Miller, 7. George Linde, 8. Kagiso Rabada, 9. Lungi Ngidi, 10. Anrich Nortje, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Grenada Pitch Report and Weather
The pitch is slightly on the slower side, with the batsmen having to work for their runs. Although the ball should skid on nicely early, the bowlers will ideally revert to off-pace deliveries as the match progresses. The spinners will play a crucial role in the middle overs, with wickets in hand being key. Both teams will look to chase upon winning the toss, with 160 being an excellent total at the venue.
The weather should be clear for this game. The game will be completed without any interruption due to weather.
Dream 11 Prediction
Option 1:
WI vs SA 5th T20 Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
WI vs SA 5th T20 Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
A fascinating last game awaits. As the series has showed, it can go either way. West Indies, with their experience, might just come away with the win in a tight match. 160+ batting first will be key, however.
Top 5 magical moments of the first World Test Championship | What were the best moments in the first World Test Championship between 2019 and 2021?
The World Test Championship (WTC) finally came to an end with New Zealand emerging as the first ever winner of the championship defeating India convincingly in the final played at Southampton. The championship was played over two years and we saw some thrilling contests between various sides.
If we look back at the first ever WTC, there were some really great moments throughout the cycle. In this article, I am going to make you relive five such magical moments of the first WTC that will be etched in our memory forever. Here we go.
5. Kyle Mayers’ debut double ton to help West Indies chase 395 vs Bangladesh
Top 5 magical moments of the first World Test Championship: Kyle Mayers
It’s definitely not easy to defeat Bangladesh in their own backyard. But a young West Indies side, missing a number of key players including Jason Holder, were able to defeat the tigers in a convincing manner due to some heroic performances by their young players.
He was instrumental in his team’s win in the first Test at Chittagong, as he played a magnificent unbeaten knock of 210, helping West Indies chase down a mammoth total of 395 in the fourth innings. This victory was definitely one of the finest Test victories of the West Indies in recent years, and the winning moment was as magical as it could be.
4. The grand comeback of Steve Smith
The mental toughness of an individual is reflected from the way he bounces back after being placed under the pump. Steven Smith was handed a 1-year ban due to his involvement in the infamous ball tampering incident in the Cape Town Test back in 2018. When he returned to the Australian side to play the 2019 Ashes in England, there was so much psychological pressure on him and so much speculation regarding his form.
But, he silenced everyone in the very first game of the Ashes – also the first in WTC – by playing tremendous knocks of 144 and 142 at Edgbaston. Boos turned into standing ovations. He never looked back and amassed a huge 774 runs in the Ashes. Every time he went to bat, it seemed like he wanted to prove himself to the world. The hunger to score as many runs as possible was clearly visible in him. The world saw the vintage Steven Smith once again at his absolute best and this was definitely one of the finest moments of the first WTC.
3. Ben Stokes’ Headingley masterclass
Top 5 magical moments of the first World Test Championship: Ben Stokes
“Cut away. Cut away for four. What an innings. What a player. Take a bow, Ben Stokes. The Ashes are well and truly alive because of one cricketer.”
We can’t forget these legendary lines by Nasser Hussain after Ben Stokes scored the winning runs in the third Ashes Test at Headingley. England were on the verge of defeat as they were placed at 286 for 9 chasing 359. That epic partnership of 76 runs between Stokes and Jack Leach for the last wicket sealed England’s highest run-chase ever in their rich history. Ben Stokes was absolutely magnificent in the fourth innings as he played a glorious unbeaten knock of 135. The game had some nail-biting moments including the brain-fade moments from the Australian side as well; like wasting of a review and a missed run-out opportunity. The winning moment of the English side was purely magical and this game will forever be remembered as one of the greatest clashes between the arch-rivals Australia and England.
2. India breach the Gabba fortress
Top 5 magical moments of the first World Test Championship: India at The Gabba
The winning moment at the Gabba by the Indian side is the finest ever moment I have witnessed as an Indian fan in the first WTC. India were out for 36 in Adelaide, devoid of their best batsman Virat Kohli, players got injured one by one, and the players copped abuse by the SCG crowd. It was a completely inexperienced side to fight with the mighty Aussies in the 4th Test match at Gabba.
Added to these things, Australia hadn’t lost a single game there in 32 years. In such a critical period, Ajinkya Rahane led the team to perfection. The experienced Cheteshwar Pujara took many blows on his body and stood in the middle like a rock. More importantly, the young players like Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur stepped up big time, which made the victory even more special in the history of Indian Cricket. That boundary by Rishabh Pant towards the long off fence and the entire team running into the middle with joy was definitely the best moment for all of the Indian fans in the WTC.
1. New Zealand lift first ICC trophy in more than 20 years
Top 5 magical moments of the first World Test Championship: NZ’s winning moment
The Kiwis are known for their extraordinary consistency in ICC tournaments. However, they hadn’t managed to win a single trophy after their victory in the final of the ICC Knockout Trophy back in 2000. But, this time they managed to break the jinx and were able to lift the respectable WTC mace by winning the ultimate Test against India at Southampton.
The game was interrupted badly by rain and bad light, and therefore there was a slim chance of getting a single winner. But, on the reserve day, the Kiwi fast bowling unit led by Kyle Jamieson went through the Indian batting order and New Zealand managed to bundle India out for a mere 170. They were given a target of just 139 in 53 overs, which they chased down quite comfortably thanks to an outstanding partnership of 96 runs between the two pillars of their batting unit, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.
Williamson led his side in the most ideal manner and set the example of a true leader by batting his heart out in the middle in both innings. Their fast bowling unit comprising of Boult, Jamieson, Southee and Wagner was relentless and never let the Indian batsmen score easy runs. They were truly the deserving winners and the winning moment of New Zealand was definitely the finest moment of the WTC.
So, these are the 5 finest magical moments in the first ever WTC in my opinion. Do you agree? Have your say!
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South Africa are finding ways to win, be it easily in the second T20I or by the skin of their teeth in the last match. In the third T20I, they held their nerve well to win by just a run and are now remarkably leading the series with 2-1 with two matches to play in their T20I series against West Indies in Grenada.
The fourth and penultimate game of the series is scheduled to be played on Thursday, July 1. It’s a must-win affair for the Caribbean team. For South Africa, it’s a chance to wrap up the series with one match remaining, which is an incredible possibility given how badly they were beaten in the first T20I. South Africa are playing a different brand of white-ball cricket in this series compared to what they have previously shown the world, and it will be interesting to see if the Windies can overcome them under pressure.
Although both teams look evenly matched on paper, South Africa hold the edge confidence-wise, owing to two consecutive wins in the series. Can the Windies force an exciting decider?
Match Details
Match: West Indies vs South Africa T20I series 2021, 4th T20I.
Date and time: July 1, 02.00 PM (local time) , 11.30 PM IST.
Venue: National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada.
Key Players/Key Stats
South Africa:
In a line-up that featured five other frontline batters, Quinton de Kock’s 72 represented close to half the total. It showed QDK’s importance and dominance in his team. Quinton de Kock has been the standout batter from either side. The southpaw has scored 135 runs at an average and strike rate of 45 and 142.10. He will be looking to churn out another substantial knock and take the Proteas to an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
Rassie van der Dussen is having a solid series to date, with 90 runs at an average of 45.00 and strike rate of 136.36. Aiden Markram, who is having a good year in T20Is (202 runs, avg. 40.40, SR 174.13), looked good in the last game (23) before getting out to a full toss.
Tabraiz Shamsi again went on with his miserly bowling in terms of giving runs. The No.1 T20I ranked leggie scalped 2 wickets conceding just 13 runs in 3rd game and led his team to win. And surely he would love to repeat it against mighty power hitters.
Anrich Nortje bowled the penultimate over and continued to keep it full, and had Pooran trapped in front. And hence he set the stage for his mate Kagiso Rabada in the last over which led to win by a run. Nortje has scalped 3 wickets in the series so far and would be aiming to take a few more in this game to finish off the series.
West Indies:
In form Caribbean opener Evin Lewis has impressed a lot in this series by scoring 119 runs at a huge strike rate of 165. He was the major cause of West Indies’ only win in this series. And he has given better starts to his team in all 3 games so far, but will be looking to go on and make a big score compared to his last two games.
On Tuesday Lendl Simmons played for the first time in this series and provided good powerplay runs. He has the ability to take on the opposition bowlers at any moment and change the game. His numbers have been brilliant against South Africa. He has scored 148 runs in 3 innings against them which shows his dominance over Proteas.
Obed McCoy has been the standout bowler in the series without a doubt. The left-arm seamer couldn’t get a wicket in the first game, but he has, well and truly, made amends. In three matches, McCoy has churned out seven wickets at an economy rate of 6.41. In the previous match, he picked up a four-wicket haul and gave an account of the damage he can do.
Fabian Allen has been brilliant with his batting in the last 2 games, but failed to take his team to win. In both the games he was the hope for hosts. Though he did whatever he could, he has to contribute more in bowling as well.
Dwayne Bravo continues to be important for the Windies at the death. He took three wickets in the last match.
Stats and Facts
Head to Head: Matches 13, West Indies 5, South Africa 8.
Last 5 matches: West Indies 2, South Africa 3
In West Indies: Matches 5, WI 1, SA 4.
West Indies have won just a single T20I game (out of 4) at Grenada.
Possible Playing 11
Jason Holder has been rested for this game, and could be replaced with Fidel Edwards. Also, Akeal Hossain has come into the squad for Kevin Sinclair.
West Indies: 1. Andre Fletcher/Lendl Simmons, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Shimron Hetmyer, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Kieron Pollard (c), 6. Andre Russell, 7. Fabian Allen, 8. Dwayne Bravo, 9. Obed McCoy, 10. Fidel Edwards, 11. Akeal Hossain
South Africa: 1. Quinton de Kock (wk), 2. Jannemann Malan/Reeza Hendricks, 3. Temba Bavuma (c), 4. Aiden Markram, 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. David Miller, 7. George Linde, 8. Lungi Ngidi, 9. Kagiso Rabada, 10. Tabraiz Shamsi, 11. Anrich Nortje
Grenada Pitch Report and Weather
Although the pitch at the National Cricket Stadium has slowed down as the series progressed, it should still offer a lot of runs. While the pacers should get some swing early on, they will ideally revert to off-pace deliveries as the match progresses. The spinners should play a more significant role in this game, with wickets in hand being key for either side.
The Caribbean team might not want to chase keeping in mind the results of the previous two matches. There are chances of rain during the course of the match and hence, there could be delays.
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Sri Lanka didn’t have much to cheer for in their opening ODI against England at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. They lost the match by five wickets with an age to spare, and fell 0-1 down in the three-match series. And, to make matters worse, the bubble-breaking trio of Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella could be facing a ban of one year, further driving the bad news in Sri Lankan cricket right now.
The Eoin Morgan-captained England chased down the target of 186 with as many as 91 deliveries to spare. The second game is set to be played on Thursday at the Kennington Oval in London, and the home side will be aiming to drive home the advantage in what has been a very easy limited-overs campaign vs Sri Lanka to date.
The Lankans, who are depleted due to the absence of some players due to various reasons, need to be at their best to have any chance of drawing the series. The Brits, on the other hand, will be out to seal the series in what is an exciting time right now for English sport.
Match Details:
Match: ENG vs SL, 2nd ODI, Sri Lanka tour of England, 2021
Date and Time: Thursday, July 01, 2021, 5:30 PM(IST) 01:00 PM Local Time
Venue: Kennington Oval, London
Key Players/Key Stats:
England:
After a brilliant ODI series against India, Jonny Bairstow continued his form with a quickfire 43 in the first ODI. He played that cameo just like it was a T10 or T20 match. And no doubt he will be continuing that aggression and form throughout the series. Just like he took the game away from SL in the previous match he would like to continue that here.
In his 150th ODI appearance, Joe Root steered England home against Sri Lanka at the Emirates Riverside in Durham with minimum fuss on Tuesday (79*). He helped England make a recovery after the hosts were reduced to 80/4 in the 12th over. Keeping in mind his form, Root will be expected to play a similar hand next time. He also completed his 6000 ODI runs on Tuesday, and now has 1,107 runs vs Sri Lanka at an average of 61.50.
Chris Woakes was a hard nut to crack for the Lankans in the opening encounter. In his first spell, he picked up the wickets of Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka. Later, he came back to get rid of Dhananjaya Lakshan and Wanindu Hasaranga. Moreover, the speedster conceded only 18 runs at an incredible economy rate of 1.80 and churned out as many as five maidens. So he can be the threat for Lankans, provided Morgan plays him in back-to-back matches.
Moeen Ali got the chance to play in the previous match and he proved his importance once again. The attacking batsman and part time off spinner can be the cause of worry for Lanka. In ENG vs SL HTH, he has scored 341 runs in 14 innings and also scalped 12 wickets as of now.
David Willey has taken 3/27 and 3/44 in his last two matches vs Sri Lanka (T20I and ODI). Adil Rashid, who went wicketless in the first ODI, will be looking to bounce back at a ground he struggles at (six wickets, avg. 51.16).
Sri Lanka:
Lankan captain Kusal Parera scored a brilliant half century in 1st ODI even though he was under pressure. He led his team from the front but failed to take his team to par score. But he will be looking forward to restricting hosts from winning the series in the 2nd match itself.
Wanindu Hasaranga is the crisis man of Sri lanka. With his excellence in all-round performance, he has tried to bring his team to safety from mighty pressure several times. After scoring a brilliant fifty in 1st match, he proved his abilities again.
Dushmantha Chameera needs to step up and lead his young bowling unit. Again he has to be good enough to pick up early wickets in Powerplay otherwise it will be very much difficult for his team as opposition openers will destroy them. He has really good numbers against England as far as ODIs are concerned. He has taken six wickets in just two games at an avg of 11.66, and has taken nine wickets in four matches in this tour.
Stats and Facts
Head to head: Matches 76, England 37, Sri Lanka 36, Tied 1, NR 2.
Last 5 Matches : England 3, Sri Lanka 2.
The series is a part of the ICC Men’s Cricket WC Super League, which acts as a qualification scenario for the ICC World Cup 2023. England are topping the points table while Sri Lanka are languishing at the bottom.
At Kennington Oval, the chasing team has won 40 games out of 73. England has fine record at the venue (29wins /48) and Sri lanka (5wins /13).
Joe Root averages 60 in 10 ODIs at The Oval (480 runs).
Possible Playing 11
If Jason Roy is fit and available, he can slot in place of Billings or Ali.
England: 1. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 2. Liam Livingstone, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Sam Billings, 6. Moeen Ali, 7. Sam Curran, 8. Chris Woakes, 9. David Willey, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood
Dhananjaya de Silva will have tests on a sore back.
Kennington Oval offers something to both bowlers and batsmen, and rewards good performance. The hosts won’t mind bowling first again after their performance in the opener. There will be some clouds around, but the rain should stay away. The temperature will be around 19 degrees Celsius.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
ENG vs SL 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
ENG vs SL 2nd ODI Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Anything other than an England win will be a surprise. England to win.
