Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood lose England Test contract | Bairstow and Wood lose central contracts due to financial impact caused by COVID-19
The pandemic has impacted even the England cricket board due to which Jonny Bairstow and Mark Wood have lost their Test contracts. Bairstow didn’t feature England’s Test campaigns against the West Indies and Pakistan. Mark Wood played the first Test against West Indies and didn’t feature in any Test after that.
Bairstow and Wood played in England’s World Cup winning line up last year which helped them attain the white ball contracts. Ashley Giles, England’s director of men’s cricket says that Bairstow has taken the news very well. “It’s hard news to hear, especially as someone who’s played so much cricket for England across all forms. It’s a knock for him, I’m sure. But I think he truly still does have a desire to go on and play Test cricket. He’s taken it as well as you could expect — and I mean that genuinely”, he said.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has estimated an initial loss of 100 million pounds due to Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions that it has imposed including zero spectators. The quarantine norms also led to delay of matches but raises the budget of each tournament. The board has recently announced imminent job losses and reduced the value of contracts too.
Reportedly, during the lockdown the players voluntarily made donations to support the national game, “and that looks likely to evolve into a reduction on annual packages that were reported to have been worth 650,000 pounds ($830,000) for Test players and 275,000 pounds ($350,000) for limited-overs players in 2019-20” read the report.
“Although the players have been in a bubble for the majority of the summer, they are not blind to the reality of what is going on in the world. The players have done a huge amount this summer, saving a lot of money for cricket across the board and, in some aspects, keeping the lights on across the country in cricket. But we are mature and realistic about what is going on and revenues are likely to be less in future and that has impact on everyone I can’t over-emphasize that the players are aware of what is going on and that there is a part to play for them”, Giles said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
We are certainly missing the crowds, especially at the IPL: Jos Buttler | Jos Buttler says that he misses the atmosphere that the Indian fans provide
The Indian Premier League started off in the month of September due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Apart from the time period and location, there has been a bunch of changes that has formulated the new way of playing cricket. Right from following the bio-secure bubble to the restricted movement to no spectator at the venue, this year’s IPL is all new. Jos Buttler, who played in England’s home season, is well aware of the Covid-19 protocols that the players have to follow. Still, he misses the buzz that Indian viewers create during the match.
“We are certainly missing the crowds, especially at the IPL, where one thing you really associate with it is the noise and the crowd. So that’s taking a bit of getting used to for some of the players,” said Buttler.
The IPL committee reviewed all the sporting events happened post Covid-19 to plan the 13th edition of the league and give the audience watching in their televisions a power-packed full house experience, even though the players are playing in a quieter atmosphere. Buttler praised those efforts but also mentioned that it’s very different to play without the buzz that fans create in the stadiums in India during the tournament.
The Rajasthan Royals wicketkeeper-batsman says that his tournament experience in England was way different from what IPL is offering. In England all the players had to stay in hotel facilities available on the ground premises in Southampton and Manchester.
“In my opinion it’s nicer here [UAE] that we’re away from the ground. We don’t wake up and have a view of the cricket ground so it’s a bit easier to get away from the cricket. It’s great. I’ve managed to have my family with me here as well which is really nice, and the hotel is great. We’re being really well looked after, we’ve got a beach we can use, and we can use the pool at certain times, and the tennis court and stuff, so the two bubbles are a little bit different. The fact that we’re not staying at the ground makes it feel a little bit more normal as well,” he said.
Buttler also pointed out an interesting point about how the Indian crowds used to turn every ball into an event along with the fear factor that comes from playing against the ‘giants of the game’. “Every ball is such a massive event, so you just lose the reaction. The cricket is the same but you lose that reaction to an amazing shot or a wicket, or even when the ball goes into the outfield, it creates a massive amount of volume. So that’s certainly different and I wonder, over time, if the pressure is a little bit different. You think of playing against Dhoni or Kohli as they stride to the wicket and the crowd is going crazy”, he added.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia Women vs New Zealand Women 1st ODI Key Players | Allan Border Field Pitch Report
In a year where T20 was the talk of the town in women’s cricket – most notably the 84,000+ that witnessed Australia lift the World Cup – attention turns to ODI cricket, where there is the chance to equal a world record.
Australia have won 18 consecutive ODIs, with their last being against Sri Lanka last October. Should they win this series 3-0, they will equal the most consecutive wins in ODI history, which is currently held by Ricky Ponting’s great 2003 team. However, their defeat in the third and final T20I suggests that their opponents can’t be taken lightly, but their prowess and confidence holds them in good stead.
Indeed, New Zealand have a huge challenge ahead of them. They have not held the Rose Bowl ODI Trophy since 1999. In addition, they lost their last ODI assignment 3-0 against Australia, back in 2019. So, a good start and consistent performance is paramount in the first of three ODIs, after a T20I series where they showed positive signs. Most recently, the Kerr sisters showed “nerves of steel” to help New Zealand break a 13-match losing streak against Australia across formats. So, can they translate this into the ODI format?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Meg Lanning has an outstanding record vs New Zealand in ODIs: 18 matches, 959 runs, avg. 59.93. Considering she didn’t do too well in her last ODI series vs NZ (57 runs, avg. 19), the Aussie captain will be keen to deliver here.
Amy Satterthwaite enjoys playing Australia in ODis. In NZ’s ODI series in Australia in 2019, she was the leading run-scorer (178 runs, avg. 59.33), and is the highest run-scorer for NZ against Australia in ODIs among current players (39 matches, 1,262 runs, avg. 37.11).
Suzie Bates has been a consistent performer against Australia, and will be crucial for New Zealand. She has 1,086 runs in 30 ODIs vs Australia, at a strong average of 38.78.
Beth Mooney had an uncharacteristically quiet T20I series vs NZ. So, she will be keen to deliver at a ground she has performed well at in the past. In 10 ODIs vs New Zealand, Mooney has struck 422 runs at 46.88, with 3 50s and 1 100.
Surprisingly, Sophie Devine and Alyssa Healy have underwhelming head-to-head records in AUS-NZ ODIs. Devine has struck just 527 runs in 34 ODIs vs Australia at an average of 21.95. Healy has 251 runs in 17 ODIs against NZ, at an average of 22.81. Can these two produce significantly better-than-average performances in this match?
Rachael Haynes will likely open the batting for Australia. In the ODI series vs NZ last year, Haynes performed well, striking 129 runs in three ODIs at an average of 43.00.
Also, Haynes has been in good form recently, with 54 against New Zealand in the pre-T20I series 40-over match. Also, she struck a fluent 40* (31) in the recent second T20I.
Jess Jonassen has 28 wickets in 15 ODIs vs New Zealand (avg. 18.85, econ. 4.38). Key bowler.
Can Amelia Kerr build on her excellent performance in the third T20I (2/18 and 18 off 10 balls)? She took five wickets in three ODIs against Australia last year.
Megan Schutt has performed well against New Zealand in the past, with 17 wickets in 11 ODIs (avg. 26.94, econ. 4.66).
Can Lea Tahuhu lead from the front? She will be keen to improve on her bowling average of 37.00 vs Australia (16 wickets in 16 matches against them).
AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI Preview Dream11: Sophie Devine will be key.
Stats and Facts
Australia have not lost an ODI series vs New Zealand since 1999.
Ashleigh Gardner scored the most runs in the recent T20I series (90), at an average of 45.00 and SR 145.16.
Delissa Kimmince took the most wickets in the T20I series (6), at an average of 10.33 and SR 9. Georgia Wareham was next with 5 (avg. 12.00).
New Zealand’s last ODI assignment was a 3-0 loss to South Africa at home earlier this year. Australia’s last assignment was an easy 3-0 win over Sri Lanka last year.
New Zealand: 1. Lauren Down/Jess Watkin, 2. Sophie Devine (c), 3. Suzie Bates, 4. Amy Satterthwaite, 5. Katie Perkins, 6. Katey Martin (wk), 7. Amelia Kerr, 8. Hayley Jensen, 9. Holly Huddlestone/Rosemary Mair, 10. Lea Tahuhu, 11. Jess Kerr
Allan Border Field Brisbane Pitch and Weather Report
Spin in the middle overs will play a key role in deciding this match. The ground has had three T20Is played on it, so the ODI series begins with the square having a fair bit of action on it already. A slowish surface can be expected, after the T20I series delivered low scores. A score of 230 by the team batting first here could be a very challenging one to chase.
The weather forecast is a very pleasant 26 degrees and mostly sunny, which will bake the pitch even further. Bat first and runs on the board should be the tactic.
Dream11 Prediction
AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
AUS-W vs NZ-W 1st ODI Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Australia may have lost the last T20I, but they still look a confident and well-rounded side. Their ODI dominance over New Zealand should hold them in good stead. Australia to win.
After an anti-climatic Super Over against RCB, Mumbai Indians bounced back with full power-packed performance against Kings XI Punjab in Abu Dhabi. Kieron Pollard’s stunning 42 (20) helped MI set a target of 191 runs and bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Krunal Pandya’s tight overs pulled off the team beyond the finishing line.
Pollard, who became the Man of the match said, “Feels good. Obviously we were on the losing end last game so we wanted to come out and get over the line. After 15 overs we had 100 or so so we needed to step it up. Try to pick your match-ups, try to pick your bowlers. Try to analyse the game. We knew we had a couple of overs from spinners, and we were going to maximum against them. It is good to see Hardik Pandya striking well. You want him to come out and hit. Looking forward to Sharjah. But we need to bat the situation and not the ground.”
Hardik Pandya, who was the non-striker while Pollard played his big shots, praised the player for his consistent batting. “The number of times Pollard and I have done this, I’ve always enjoyed it. It was a clear message for me that I had to go and get some big runs at the end and get to a total that the Kings XI (would) find difficult. We didn’t aim for 192, but we were lucky enough that the big man (Pollard) has done it again”, he said in post-match interactions.
The team’s captain also showed satisfaction from the team’s performance, especially after losing the match to RCB due to a low spell in Super Over. “Was a great win. We didn’t start really well, but we knew, the kind of attack Punjab has, we wanted to capitalise on that towards the back end. Hardik and Pollard back themselves to get those runs in the end. They have done that on many occasions. It is nice to have them in form. Overall very happy with the batting performances. we knew it wasn’t going to be easy with the ball. We knew taking early wickets was crucial. We did that. The captain looks good when the bowlers execute plans well. Feels good to get to 5000 runs. I didn’t look much into it. Winning the game was more important”, he said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
IPL 2020 Match 14: CSK vs SRH Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | CSK vs SRH Dream11 Prediction | Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Key Players | Dubai Pitch Report
The IPL 2018 finalists do battle in what is a crucial early season encounter in 2020. A different venue, different circumstances and team changes have provided challenges for both sides so far this season, with both teams winning just one of their first three games to date.
But, as Mumbai Indians showed yesterday, you can shoot up the table in a hurry given how tight the tournament is. This is what Chennai Super Kings will be aiming for after a six-day break, which began with Stephen Fleming claiming they were a “bit muddled” in the early stages of the tournament. They will welcome back Ambati Rayudu, who performed brilliantly vs MI, and Dwayne Bravo is available for selection. So, can CSK prove that it has been their team selection that has held them back so far in IPL 2020?
Cometh the hour, cometh the Kane. The brilliance of Kane Williamson was immediately on show for Sunrisers Hyderabad last time out in their win against the previously unbeaten Delhi Capitals. The clear argument for Williamson’s inclusion was the extra cushion he provides to an otherwise fragile middle order. He did just that, scoring 41 off 26 balls on a slow Abu Dhabi track after Warner and Bairstow set the platform.
However, SRH have questions regarding their bowling attack. Can they persist with Abhishek Sharma as their fifth bowler? Is it time to bring in a replacement for Priyam Garg, whose role in this team is still undefined? The latter seems a good idea, given that another bowling option will be crucial for SRH both in this game and going forward.
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Even with Williamson’s inclusion, David Warner remains a very important cog in SRH’s team. The skipper has an excellent record for SRH vs CSK: 6 matches, 311 runs, avg. 50.83, SR 166.31. Also, Warner scored well vs CSK in 2019 (57 off 45 balls & 50 off 25 balls).
MS Dhoni has the most runs in CSK-SRH matches of any player in the current squads. His 313 runs come at a superb average of 82.75. Will this be the game where MSD fires?
Jonny Bairstow has two half centuries in three games in IPL 2020. Also, Bairstow scored a half century in his first game vs CSK last season (61* off 44 balls).
Ambati Rayudu is set to return. In an even bigger boost for CSK, Rayudu has scored 241 runs for CSK vs SRH at an average of 80.33, including a century.
Shane Watson has threatened to go big in 2020, but hasn’t done so. However, today could be the day as he boasts a superb record for CSK against SRH: 6 matches, 310 runs, avg. 62.00, SR 159.79. This includes 96 (53) in 2019 and 117* (57) in the 2018 Final.
Kane Williamson marked his return to IPL cricket in style last game, hitting an important 41 (26) vs DC. Against CSK, Williamson has scored 241 runs in 6 matches against them, at an average of 47.00 and SR 143.29.
Faf du Plessis is currently third in the Orange Cap race, with a game in hand on both KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. du Plessis has scored two fifties in three innings this season (SR 149.13), and hit 45 (31) against SRH last season.
Do CSK stick with Sam Curran or bring Dwayne Bravo in? Curran has taken five wickets in three games in IPL 2020, at an economy rate of just 7.37. Also, he has looked good with the bat, with his 36 runs so far coming in just 14 balls.
However, Dwayne Bravo has the most wickets in CSK-SRH matches (15, strike rate 15.60).
Deepak Chahar has the second-most wickets in CSK-SRH matches among players in the current squads (7, strike rate 19.71).
Bhuvneshwar Kumar was back in the wickets last game, performing well to take 2/25 vs DC. Can he build on his seven wickets in 10 matches vs CSK?
Rashid Khan was deservedly man of the match vs DC. His 3/14 was superb, and will be required to perform again against a CSK batting lineup that is a little out of touch. Rashid has six wickets in six games vs CSK.
IPL 2020 Match 14: CSK vs SRH Preview Dream11: Warner & Bairstow will be key.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 13, CSK 10, SRH 3.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar vs Shane Watson in the IPL: three dismissals, SR of just 94.
Both teams have won just one out of three games so far in IPL 2020.
Ravindra Jadeja averages 100.3 with the ball vs SRH (38.3 overs).
Possible Playing 11
Murali Vijay is struggling in IPL 2020, with just 32 runs in three games at a strike rate of 74.4. So, he could be left out in this game. CSK could look to stick with Sam Curran given the good impression he has made so far. Also, do CSK look to finally bring in Imran Tahir, or do both Dwayne Bravo and Curran play? Imran Tahir could be a good option, as SRH struggled against the wristspin of Yuzvendra Chahal earlier this season.
Chennai Super Kings: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3. Faf du Plessis, 4. Ambati Rayudu, 5. Sam Curran, 6. Kedar Jadhav, 7. MS Dhoni (c & wk), 8. Ravindra Jadeja, 9. Imran Tahir/Dwayne Bravo, 10. Deepak Chahar, 11. Piyush Chawla
SRH have a call to make regarding Priyam Garg. S Nadeem, Siddharth Kaul or Vijay Shankar (if fit) could come in for another bowling option.
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Jonny Bairstow (wk), 3. Manish Pandey, 4. Kane Williamson, 5. Abdul Samad, 6. Abhishek Sharma, 7. Priyam Garg/S Nadeem/Vijay Shankar, 8. Rashid Khan, 9. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. T Natarajan, 11. Khaleel Ahmed
Dubai Pitch and Weather Report
The team batting first has won 10 out of 13 games so far in IPL 2020. In Dubai, the team that has won the toss has chosen to bowl first every time, only to lose on each occasion. Here, despite the dew factor, the team who wins the toss may opt to bat first on a pitch that will still be good for batting as we are in the first quarter of the tournament.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
IPL 2020 Match 14: CSK vs SRH Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
IPL 2020 Match 14: CSK vs SRH Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
An important game for both teams. CSK have had an important six-day break, which has allowed them to reassess their approach. Their great record against SRH gives them the upper hand in this one. CSK to win.
The Kerr sisters have nerves of steel – Sophie Devine | Sophie Devine says that the Kerr sisters – Amelia and Jess – have nerves of steel
In the completed three-match T20I series between Australia and New Zealand, Amelia Kerr managed to get a compensatory win for her team by taking two wickets and hitting 18 not out. The tourists ended their 13-match losing streak against Australia by sealing the last T20 by five wickets at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane.
Kerr was awarded Player of the match, picking up two key dismissals of Beth Mooney and captain Meg Lanning. “Felt pretty good to get a win against a quality side, nice to get a bit of momentum going into the one-dayers. Awesome to see Jess [Amelia’s sister] out there and do so well with the ball”, she said in the post-match presentation.
Jess Kerr bowled a maiden over at the start of the match. Captain Sophie Devine complimented the Kerr women. “It must be something in the Kerr family, nerves of steel. It was great for her – that’s what you want from any player that comes into the team is to make an impact and she did it straightaway against one of the world’s best batters. Huge credit to her. We thought she was a great match-up against both their [opening] batters, and to start a T20 match with a maiden is pretty incredible. It’s a credit to her and Jacob Oram, the bowling coach, in terms of honing those skills and when she does come into games she can have a great impact for us”, she said.
The captain applauded Amelia for holding herself even in the toughest situations and connecting the ball well until the winning shot. “We all know how much talent Amelia has got; for us it’s about nurturing her. “She has a pretty calm head on her shoulders as we saw today and she’s done it before, not only for New Zealand but also in the WBBL. The world is her oyster; I know she wants to bat up the order in time but the great thing is she’s only 19 or something ridiculous, so she’s got all the time in the world to figure out where she wants to be”, Devine said.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
6 Players to Watch Out For in the South Africa Domestic Season | 6 players who can have a big impact on the upcoming SA Domestic Season
With the 2020/21 Cricket South Africa 4-day season set to begin in early November 2020, I have selected one player from each franchise who I will be following very closely. This season promises to be a memorable one with a number of Proteas players likely to come out for their respective franchises in the absence of any international duties until until late November/early December where the Proteas have three ODI’s and three T20’s against the mighty English.
Titans: Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is one to watch in the South Africa Domestic Season
Aiden Markram burst onto the international scene a 22-year old with a mountain of expectations on his shoulders after having steered the South African U19 side to a World Cup victory in 2014. Markram made light work of his time with the Northerns and Titans sides and was soon pairing Dean Elgar at the top of the order in the longer format of the game.
His first four innings, albeit against ‘soft’ opposition, produced two centuries and a 97 in 2017 – a dream start to his career with an average of 95.
South Africa had lacked a solid opening pair since the retirement of Graeme Smith in 2014. The likes of Heino Kuhn, Stephen Cook and Stiaan van Zyl all made brief but underwhelming appearances. Had South Africa finally filled that void?
Powerful Indian and Australian squads toured South Africa the following year and the question on everyone’s minds was whether Markram had the ability to produce the goods against top opposition. He handled himself fairly well against an Indian attack consisting of Jaspit Bumrah and Ravishandran Aswhin, scoring an impressive 94 at his home ground in Pretoria in the second Test.
Markram had done enough to convince selectors that he was the guy to take on the Aussies in what would turn out to be one of the most exciting and highly controversial Test series in recent memory.
I admit that I didn’t think Markram would be able to take on the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazelwood and Nathan Lyon. The Aussies are well known for playing a ‘hard’ brand of cricket, which, for a 23-year old, could easily become overwhelming.
I’m glad to admit that I was very wrong. Markram went on to score a couple of big hundreds, as well as a match-defining 84 in the sandpapergate Test match. He finished the series as the leading run scorer (480 at an average of 60) and was awarded man of the series in the process. We had found our opening batsman and a potential captain to take over from Faf du Plessis and South African cricket was well on its way to restore its former glory years.
However, since then, South Africa have been whitewashed by Sri Lanka, both home and away, whitewashed by India away, and convincingly beaten 1-3 by England in our own backyard. Markram’s form, along with the entire top order, has left a lot to be desired. Granted he has come across an injury or two along the way, but he has not quite developed into the player South Africa (almost unfairly) expected him to be at this point in his career.
Having said that, Markram still has a decade of Test cricket in him and I have no doubt in my mind that he is one of, if not the most talented batsman in South Africa. He has my full backing at the top of the order and I would go as far as to hand him the additional responsibility of captaincy when the Proteas take to the field in 2021. Some time with the Titans in the longer format (without the world watching him) will do wonders for him as a player.
He will likely partner Dean Elgar at the top of the order for the Tians, followed by Theunis de Bruyn and Heinrich Klaasen to form arguably the strongest top 4 in the competition.
When Jacques Kallis retired in 2013, he left a gaping hole in the South African side. His ability to operate as a 5th bowling option always allowed the selectors to play an extra batsman. Since then, South Africa have lacked a genuine batting all-rounder; someone who can bat in the top seven and contribute with the ball if needed.
South Africa have tried a number of combinations since his departure, each with mixed success. Without a genuine batting all rounder in the squad, the selectors are left with three options.
Pick five specialist bowlers: This may have worked during the Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers days, but since their departure, only six batsmen would leave the South African line up very exposed.
Pick a bowling all-rounder at seven: The likes of Ryan McLaren, Chris Morris, Dwaine Pretorius and Andile Phehluwayo come to mind. All very capable cricketers, but none of whom (in my opinion) have the ability to bat in the top seven in an international test side.
Pick four bowlers and seven batmen: In the absence of a genuine batting all rounder, I find this to be an attractive option and the option the Proteas adopted quite effectively in the post-Kallis era. Having said that, four bowlers seemed an attractive option when Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada were fit and available. As it stands, Steyn, Philander and Morkel have all retired leaving Rabada as the spearhead of a very young and inexperienced looking attack. An attack that I’d be hesitant expose without a fifth bowling option.
Who could be that player?
As is stands, I believe that there is only one player who is capable of playing as a batting all-rounder in the Proteas Test side. There are a number of players who have the potential to do so down the line (perhaps an article for another time) but, as it stands, I believe the Wiaan Mulder is the way to go.
At only 22 years of age, Mulder has a fantastic long format record for the Johannesburg based Lions franchise. With a batting average of 45 and a bowling average of 21.83, he is my ‘player to watch’ for the defending champions who, on paper, look to be the most formidable side in the competition.
Mulder will likely bat at five or six for the franchise with Dominic Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma and Nicky van den Bergh set to complete the batting arsenal.
Tony de Zorzi is one to watch in the South Africa Domestic Season
This may seem like a controversial selection given the fact that Pieter Malan, Janneman Malan and Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne and George Linde have all earned a call up to the national side in recent times. However, the former SA U19 captain and left-handed strokemaker Tony de Zorzi remains one of the brightest prospects on the local scene.
His recent move from the Titans to the Cape Town based Cobras was one of the biggest ‘transfers’ of the season after a very successful 2019/20 campaign (400 runs at 50.00) but it was his 213* against the Cobras at Newlands that really caught me eye. For someone who is better known for his white ball cricket, it was an innings of great patience and maturity (especially for a 23-year old).
Although de Zorzi tends to bat at the top of the order in the 50 and 20 over formats, he will likely shift down the order to number four after the aforementioned Malan brothers and Zubayr Hamza. The recent Protea debutant and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, batting all-rounder Jason Smith, and spin bowling all-rounder George Linde will complete a very resilient looking top seven.
Dolphins: Marques Ackerman
South Africa Domestic Season: Marques Ackerman has shown plenty of talent in the past.
The men from Natal had a fairly below par 2019/20 red ball season finishing second from the bottom after winning two of their eight games. Weather undoubtedly had a role to play but I still believe they underperformed relative to the talent they have on offer.
The two stand out men for the Dolphins were youngsters Grant Roelofsen and Marques Ackerman. Roelofsen is a top order wicketkeeper batsman who finished the Momentum One Day Cup season as the leading run scorer (588 at 65.33) and in the process earned himself the Dolphins player of the season award, the players player of the season award, the Momentum One Day Cup player of the season award as well as the Momentum One Day Cup players player of the season award.
Quite the resume for a 24-year-old and surely the logical choice for my ‘watchlist’? I would have agreed until a couple of days ago when the Dolphins named Marques Ackerman as their skipper for the 2020/21 4-day season.
The young stylish left hander was a rock in their middle order last season, scoring 660 runs in eight matches and went on to finish as the tournaments third highest run scorer, behind only Raynard van Tonder and Eddie Moore. As it stands, Marques Ackerman boasts a 4-day average of 48.17 and 11 scores of 50 or more in just 12 games, and is my player to watch out for.
The Dolphins will welcome the biggest signing of the season Keagan Petersen into their middle order after his surprise move from the Bloemfontein-based Knights. Petersen, who was recently called up to the Proteas Test squad for the series against England, will likely bat at three, with Ackerman and Zondo at four and five respectively.
Warriors: Eddie Moore
Eddie Moore has been a consistent performer and is one to watch in the South Africa domestic season
I believe that Eddie Moore is the most overlooked player in the South African domestic set up. The 27-year-old opening batsman has been playing first class cricket since 2012 and has accumulated 2924 runs for his franchise at an average of nearly 44.
As mentioned earlier, Moore finished the season as the second highest run scorer (705) at an average of 50.35 and was instrumental in the Warriors third place finish. He, along with veterans Rudi Second and Jon Jon Smuts, as well as the young keeper-batsman Sinethemba Qeshile, will likely contribute the bulk of the franchises run this upcoming season.
Looking at the current Proteas top order, Dean Elgar will be turning 34 in June next year and talks about his replacement will undoubtedly start to creep in. Eddie Moore, with his 15 half centuries and seven centuries, including a massive 228 last season is my pick to replace him. He will of course be in competition with a handful players such as, but not limited to the Cobras duo Pieter and Janneman Malan as well as Raynard van Tonder of the Knights.
Knights: Raynard van Tonder
Raynard van Tonder: One to watch in the South Africa Domestic Season
I have always been a big fan of the Knights franchise. In terms of school, University and Club infrastructure, they shouldn’t quite be able to compete with the likes of a Titans, Cobras or Lions franchise, but remain competitive season after season.
The Bloemfontein-based franchise will be looking to improve on their fourth place finish in the 2019/20 competition and will be looking to their former SA U19 Captain and 22-year-old opening batsman, Raynard van Tonder.
The youngster amassed 843 runs in just eight matches at an average of 70.25 including five half centuries and two centuries (including a mammoth 204).
Although only 12 games into his franchise career, the former Grey College boy has raced to 1103 runs at an average of 55.15 making him one of the most prized scalps on the domestic scene. He, along with run machine Pite van Biljon, the young but highly promising Wandile Makwetu, and veteran Farhaan Behardien form a middle order that is more than capable of competing with the best in the business.
The 2020/21 local CSA 4-day season will be vital for a Proteas side that is lacking in confidence, performance and support. The prospect of current and future stars batting out amongst each other is all a cricket fan can ask for and I for one will be following each and every game very closely for any sign of progress amongst the best that South African cricket has to offer.
KM Asif didn’t break bio-secure bubble norms – CSK CEO | KM Asif thought to have broken bio-secure bubble norms in what looked to be an innocuous event
The IPL 2020 started off with a major hiccup brought by Covid-19, as the venue was shifted from India to UAE along with a tight security norms imposed on the players. The yearly league matches that happen in the summer months has finally begun in Spetember. Along with shorter chew members and support staff, players are asked to stay in their respective bio-secure bubble which restricts their movement.
After noticing that the players are not following the required rules, the administration has announced a heavy fine amount. According to the reports in The Indian Express, the first offence would prompt a six-day re-quarantine without pay, the second will result in a one-match suspension after quarantine, while the third instance will lead to the player’s removal from the tournament without his team getting a replacement.
“The first offence – 6-day re-quarantine (without pay for the number of matches missed). Second offence – One-match suspension (without pay) to take effect after the completion of the 6-day re-quarantine (without pay). Third offence – removal from the registered squad for the rest of the season -no replacement allowed,” the notification reads.
It was believed that Chennai Super Kings player KM Asif became the first player to be fined due to breaking the bio-secure bubble and has been asked to undergo six day quarantine. It happened when Asif misplaced his room keys and went to the reception desk to get a replacement. However, CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan confirmed that there is a separate area in the lobby that caters to players.
“I don’t know if facts have been checked because while there is a reception in the lobby, the staff attending to the CSK unit is different. Asif obviously would not go and speak to the general staff. The boys know that there is a dedicated team working with the players. The fact he lost the key and went and asked for a replacement is true. But he didn’t go to the regular staff working and went to the designated desk. The matter has been blown out of proportion and facts need to be kept in mind,” he said while speaking to ANI.
CSK have endured a poor start to IPL 2020, as they sit in last place before their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Sachin Tendulkar could totally relate to Sanju Samson’s crashing fall while taking a catch as he had fallen the exact way during the 1992 World Cup. In the 18th over between Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders, Samson was fielding at deep backward square when Pat Cummins tried to clear the ground from a slow delivery by Tom Curran. But the timing wasn’t perfect, as Samson went for the catch and leaped backwards. In the process, Samson banged his head on the field and rolled after the fall.
The player was in pain but soon recovered from the fall. A similar incident had happened when Sachin was fielding in 1992 World Cup against West Indies, when he took the catch off Phil Simmons.
I know how much it hurts when you bang your head like this on the ground. I experienced it in the 1992 World Cup in our match against the WI when I took a catch. #IPL2020#RRvKKR
Tendulkar tweeted about the incident and praised the young player for his efforts. “Brilliant catch by @IamSanjuSamson! I know how much it hurts when you bang your head like this on the ground. I experienced it in the 1992 World Cup in our match against the WI when I took a catch”, he said.
In the match against KKR managed to defent a total of 174 and won the match. Steve Smith lead team fell short of 37 runs and managed to score only 137/9 in 20 overs. Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti’s bowling played a key role in the victory.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
In a BBC documentary Freddie Flintoff: Living With Bulimia, former cricketer Andrew Flintoff admitted about his discomfort regarding body image. The all-rounder suffered from bulimia right when his sports was at the peak during England’s iconic 2005 Ashes series against Australia. In the documentary, the 42-year-old said that he was diagnosed with an eating disorder during his playing career in 2014.
“I don’t want to be a statistic. I don’t want it to be read that something has happened to me. I became known as a fat cricketer. That was horrible. That was when I started doing it. That was when I started being sick after meals. Then things started happening for me as a player”, he said.
Andrew Flintoff recalls his struggles with bulimia
Flintoff said that everyone focused on his weight during the early days of her international career. He also explained how he used to feel sick all the time. “Everyone was happy with me. My weight was coming down. It was like: ‘I’m bossing this.’ It just carried on and I was doing it all the time.” : “I scored my first hundred in New Zealand in Christchurch. I came off at lunch and threw my lunch up”, he said.
He used to keep it a secret and vomit on the grounds so that his relationship with other players in the dressing room could not change. “I knew all the grounds and where it was easier [to throw up]. Lord’s was so much easier because the toilets were away from the dressing rooms.”
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
