Darren Gough claims current England attack their best since 2005 | Former fast bowler Gough thinks current England attack best since 2005
Former England fast bowler Darren Gough believes that England’s current crop of bowlers is the country’s best since the triumphant Ashes series of 2005.
Speaking to ESPNCricinfo ahead of England’s Test series vs West Indies, Gough said that the attack has everything needed to succeed in the demanding environment that is Test cricket.
“It’s as good as they’ve had since 2005. It’s got everything. They’ve got a great chance of winning in Australia [in 2021-22], they really have,” said Gough.
In terms of the pace attack, the two stalwarts, James Anderson and Stuart Broad, enter the backend of their careers. However, Gough remains optimistic about England’s prospects, and has singled out Chris Woakes as the next leader of the attack.
Gough, who was bowling consultant for England during their tour of New Zealand in late 2019, was particularly impressed with Woakes’ commitment and desire to improve overseas. It is well-known that the difference between Woakes home and away bowling averages is significant (23.45 vs 51.68), but Gough sees something in Woakes, so much so that he sat him down for a one-on-one chat.
“I sat him down in New Zealand and I said to him: ‘Do you want to be known as a bowler that’s good in England? Or do you want to be in the team all year round? And how much do you want it?’ And he wants it, he really does.”
Darren Gough backs Chris Woakes to be the “figurehead” in the next 18 months
Gough noticed Woakes’ speeds were up. “I was impressed. In New Zealand and in South Africa, he bowled quicker. He can afford to bowl at 90% in England on most pitches, because they’ll always do a bit and every bowler will be in the game.”
“But when they go abroad, they try and do the same thing and they wonder why they’re not in the game. For Woakes, he can bowl quickly. I’d like to think it’s clicked now with him. This summer, now he’s in England, he’ll be able to step off the pedal and rest the body.”
Gough is also optimistic about England’s pace stocks, which comprises of Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, Mark Wood and Saqib Mahmood. Also, with Jack Leach and Dom Bess showing some good signs so far in Test cricket, he believes the spinner(s) chosen in the Test side will complement the seamers well. This is particularly important as use of saliva has been banned.
“They’ll look to play a spinner, because good ones will play a part. [England] have got options in spin now too: they’ve got Moeen Ali – he’s not a world-class spinner, but he’s a performer and he bowls oppositions out. You’ve got Jack Leach as the left-arm option, you’ve got Dom Bess, the youngster.”
England’s Test series against West Indies begins on July 8.
7 Australian cricketers to watch out for in the next decade | Tim Paine praises Cameron Green | Tim Paine says Australia can get very excited about Cameron Green
Australian captain Tim Paine believes Australia can “get excited” about all-rounder Cameron Green.
21-year old Western Australian Green has eye-catching First Class numbers so far. He averages 43.84 with the bat and 21.53 with the ball after 15 matches, and skipper Paine is understandably excited.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but I think all Australian cricket fans can get very excited about the prospect of Cam Green,” said Paine.
“I’ve played a few Shield games against him and the first one all the senior guys noticed him bowling first and we thought ‘geez he’s a bit quicker and a bit better than I thought he’d be’ and all the young blokes are saying ‘just wait until you see him bat’, and we thought ‘there’s no way he’s going to be able to bat like he bowls’ and then he came out and hit a hundred.”
So, with this in mind, I will go through my seven Australian cricketers to keep a close eye on in the next decade.
1. Cameron Green
Cameron Green, of course. However, the opening wasn’t enough to describe just how talented he is.
Sure, his batting average is double that of his bowling, but the manner in which he scored his runs during the 2019/20 season was most pleasing. He scored three centuries, often rescuing Western Australia from positions of distress. A stress fracture in his back limited the amount of bowling he could do last season, but he can deliver with the bat when needed. After all, 699 runs at 63.54 last season is some return.
Green has the potential to be the dream all-rounder Australia have been looking for in Test cricket for some time. Indeed, with three hundreds and two five-wicket hauls before the age of 21 (just the second player after Doug Walter to achieve this feat), Green has what it takes to live up to his potential.
5 Australian cricketers to watch out for in the next decade: Cameron Green has all the makings to be a great cricketer for Australia.
2. Jake Fraser-McGurk
Displaying maturity beyond his young years, Jake Fraser-McGurk’s debut fifties on both List A and FC debut as a 17-year old looks to be the start of a very special career.
Having recently turned 18, Fraser-McGurk has a huge season and future ahead of him. His strokeplay is audacious yet pleasing on the eye in equal manner, and has already shown in his very brief state career so far that he is one to rely on to give his team a chance in close matches.
McGurk’s authoritative and confident approach has caught the eye of pundits and fans. His dream is to play Test cricket for Australia, and if he can build on such a promising start, there is little doubt he’ll get there.
23-year old Josh Philippe, who very closely resembled Steve Smith when he burst onto the scene in 2017, is living his dream.
Philippe was brought up in a cricketing family, as his mother played for Western Australia and his father for the 2nd XI. He fell in love with the game at a young age, and is now going from strength-to-strength, particularly in white-ball cricket. The most recent BBL season (2019/20) was Philippe’s best, and won him an IPL contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
With all the shots in the book, he has what it takes to become Australia’s mainstay in white-ball cricket over the next decade. However, experts believe he also has potential in red-ball cricket, and while an average of 28.22 after 19 FC games isn’t much to write home about, Philippe has the talent and belief to bump this up significantly over the next few years.
5 Australian cricketers to watch out for in decade 2020-2029: Josh Philippe is one to watch
4. Jack Edwards
20-year old Jack Edwards has been on the state scene for a couple of years, and has made an impression.
In 2018, he became the youngest player to score an Australian domestic one-day century, hitting a classy 116 off 112 balls vs Queensland. He also has a FC century to his name, and given the time and talent on his side, he is more than capable of improving on his current average of 26.63 after 13 matches. One to watch as Australia seek to build their batting stocks over the next 5-10 years.
5. Nathan Ellis
Nathan Ellis’ story is quite remarkable. Despite a superb run of form over four years in grade cricket in New South Wales (160 wickets at 22), Ellis felt that a move south to Tasmania would provide him with more opportunities. So, he ditched his commerce degree and focused on cricket, and started working as a labourer to ensure he would have enough money to get by.
Then, when he got his crack in the Australian 2019/2020 season, he made it count. He took 12 wickets in seven matches in the Marsh Cup (domestic one-day competition), became Hobart Hurricanes’ go to man at the death in the BBL and took 18 wickets in his first two FC matches, showcasing his ability to take the ball away from the right-hander.
However, his biggest highlight was his five-for on Marsh Cup debut. He outbowled a New South Wales side featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who took four wickets between them. One to watch.
Nathan Ellis is all effort, with skill to boot.
6. Riley Meredith
Riley Meredith has sent waves throughout domestic one-day cricket over the past couple of years, impressing the likes of Shane Warne, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee.
Meredith’s pace, which exceeds 140km/h, is his most obvious attribute, but his terrific slower ball and understanding of a match situation has him touted as a future white-ball cricketer for Australia. If he can continue to develop his skills and execute when it matters, he will be challenging for a green and gold shirt soon.
7. Liam Hatcher
23-year old Liam Hatcher is part of Australia’s next line of fast bowlers.
Australia have been blessed with magnificent fast bowlers over the years, and Hatcher has all the attributes to have a successful career. With a rythmical run-up and pace exceeding 140km/h, Hatcher has made a very promising start to his FC career, with 11 wickets in four matches at an average under 30.
He has proven to be a very capable player for New South Wales when the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are on national duty. So, his development will be one to keep an eye on as he plays more top level cricket.
Pakistan tour of England under microscope after 10 players test positive to COVID-19 | Mohammad Hafeez and 9 others test positive | 10 Pakistan players test positive to COVID-19
Pakistan’s tour of England, scheduled to begin on July 30, has been thrown into chaos.
An additional seven players, plus one support staff member, have tested positive to COVID-19 in the past 24-48 hours, after Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Haider Ali. The seven new players to test positive are Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hasnain and Fakhar Zaman.
Ashley Giles, managing director of England men’s cricket, says that the positive tests are a concern.
“It is a concern,” Giles said. “Obviously I’m most concerned about those players who tested positive and their welfare.”
However, Giles was optimistic about the tour going ahead as scheduled, given the time between now and the and start of the Test series on July 28.
“At the moment, I don’t think the series is in doubt. We are far enough away from the start of the Test series to not worry about that too much at the moment. There are some more test results coming out later from the rest of the group so we will see what those say, but we are still hopefully that the Pakistan team will be arriving in the country fairly soon.”
Ashley Giles speaking
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) CEO Wasim Khan also maintained optimism about the tour, as most red-ball players, bar Mohammad Rizwan have tested negative.
“The tour to England is very much on track and the side will depart as per schedule on 28 June,” Wasim Khan said. “Fortunately, all the first-choice red-ball squad, barring Mohammad Rizwan, are negative, which means they can start training and practicing immediately after they have been tested and given the all clear when they arrive in England.”
In regards to plans, all those who tested negative will be tested again before boarding a chartered flight from Lahore to Manchester on June 28. Upon arrival in England, all squad members will be tested again, before starting preparations for the Test series.
For those who have tested positive, a tour of England is still possible.
“As regards the players who have tested positive, we will continue to monitor and support them, including conducting antibody tests. And, as soon as they test negative, they will be flown to join the squad in England. At the moment, they have been advised to go into self-isolation so that they not only recover quickly but also prevent their other family members from being infected,” said the PCB CEO.
This news comes after PCB director of medicine, Dr Sohail Saleem, stated that the tour is a “big risk”. Now, the situation will be monitored even more closely, as international cricket grasps with the challenges of COVID-19.
New Zealand’s tour of Bangladesh, comprising of two Tests in August as part of the World Test Championship, has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although international cricket is taking its first steps to recovery after it came to a standstill in March, creating a bio-secure environment in Bangladesh is a challenge. The Shere Bangla Stadium in Mirpur is located in a virus “red zone”. Also, the number of cases has crossed 100,000 in Bangladesh, and given the dense population, staging international cricket there is a risky proposition.
New Zealand tour of Bangladesh has been postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
BCB’s chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said that the health of the players is paramount, which led to the decision.
“In the present COVID-19 pandemic scenario, hosting a full cricket series in August 2020 will be a challenge in terms of preparations and we cannot take chances with the safety and health of players, support staff and related stakeholders,” Chowdhury said.
“Under these circumstances, the BCB and NZC have felt that the best way forward would be to defer the series. We realise that this will be hugely disappointing for the players and officials of both teams, not to mention the fans of the two nations but I must thank NZC for its understanding and for recognising the rationale behind such a decision.”
Bangladesh and New Zealand have had some Test competitive battles in Bangladesh. Shakib Al Hasan and Daniel Vettori went toe-to-toe in Chittagong in 2008, before Bangladesh held New Zealand to a 0-0 draw in 2013.
Pakistan tour of England in doubt as three players test positive to COVID-19 | Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Haider Ali test positive to COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to run rife throughout the globe, cricket, by its international nature, must always be alert to the dangers.
That is the case for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director of sports medicine, Dr Sohail Saleem, who has labelled Pakistan’s tour of England as “a big risk”. Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Haider Ali all tested positive to COVID-19 in the past 48 hours, which has led to comprehensive measures to ensure the risk is minimised as much as possible.
“We can’t really say it’s not a risk”, said Dr Saleem.
“We are trying to build a new normal, redefining etiquette – respiratory marks, hand washing… It is a combination of many thing to make sure that we are keeping safe or reducing the risk factor to the minimum.”
Saleem then went on to point out the positives of cricket. “Cricket isn’t a contact sport. The only source (of contact) is the cricket ball. Two different analyses confirmed that the chances of transmitting the virus through sweat are less, while you cannot use saliva at all.”
Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Haider Ali have tested positive to COVID-19
COVID-19 testing for Pakistan’s players and support staff
Pakistan players and support staff will need to undergo three rounds of COVID-19 testing before departing for the England tour, which begins in August. Once in England, all members of the touring party will be tested every five days.
The bio-secure environment, which will be in place for the upcoming England vs West Indies series, does provide some peace-of-mind that players and support staff will remain safe.
“Going forward, everyone will eventually have to adapt to the new procedures”, said Saleem. “I am told the West Indies team were also uncertain at the start, but the moment they got in the routine with training, they were fine.”
Pakistan COVID-19 testing details
28 players and 12 support staff were tested for COVID-19 between Sunday and Monday (except for Shoaib Malik, who will be travelling at a later date).
All who have tested negative will remain in isolation in a five-star hotel in Lahore. Those tested positive will also be in isolation, but with medical assistance.
Second round of testing on June 25. Those testing negative will board a chartered flight from Lahore to Manchester. Those who test positive can still join the squad, provided they fully recover 14 days later.
All squad members will be tested on arrival to England, and then every five days.
These are unprecedented circumstances. However, the resumption of sport, including the English Premier League, is cause for optimism.
“We have been monitoring the football in Europe, baseball in South Korea and now even the English Premier League has also started. So this is a big step for the resumption of cricket. People have been confined at home for over three months, the level of anxiety is increasing. Sport at least provides entertainment and can reduce anxiety. Like doctors fighting on the frontline, these sportsmen in a way are also serving the people”, said Saleem.
Pakistan’s tour of England, which contains three Tests and three T20Is, begins on July 30.
Smith, speaking on Star Sports Cricket Connected, has referenced to Kohli as a “terrific guy”, even though emotions can spill on the cricket field.
“I’ve known Virat for a long time; you know even since 2007 I reckon, he went up to the academy in Brisbane. I actually wasn’t part of the intake then, but I was up there doing a bit of bowling and stuff, and he was there,” Smith said.
“We’ve had some nice chats off the field. We’ve also had a couple of run-ins in the early days on the field. Those things happen when you’re playing for your team; your emotions sometimes can get out of control.
But, you know, he’s a terrific guy. As I said, he’s done terrific things with India as an ambassador of the game. He’s getting better and better, which is the scary thing.”
Steve Smith admires the things Virat Kohli has achieved
Smith’s comments come as excitement builds a few months out from the huge Australia-India Test series later this year.
The Australian star was full of praise for the Indian attack, claiming that this series has the potential to be an all-time great series.
“I’m so excited”, said Smith. “It’s got the potential to be one of the all-time great series, really.”
Steve Smith: Australia vs India could be an all-time great series | Steve Smith excited about Australia vs India Test series last year
Steve Smith, the world’s top-ranked Test batsman, said that the Australia vs India series has the potential to be an all-time great series.
“I’m so excited”, said Smith, speaking on Star Sports Cricket Connected along with Indian legend VVS Laxman. “It’s got the potential to be one of the all-time great series, really.”
Steve Smith was full of praise when asked about India’s pace revolution, including when India were last in Australia.
“You see guys like Jasprit Bumrah, who’s just come on in leaps and bounds, and is an incredible bowler. I think Mohammed Shami has just got better and better. Ishant Sharma; just you know the experience that he’s had, and plenty of other Indian bowlers who could probably just as well get over here, to go with some quality spinners in both lineups.”
Smith mirrored VVS Laxman, who said that this series won’t only be about the batting, as has been the case in the past.
“It’s definitely going to be an entertaining and exciting series”, said Laxman. “And, it’s not only about the batting. We focus too much about the batting. But, both the sides have got amazing talent in the bowling department. Both the sides have got world class fast bowlers, so it’s going to be really exciting.”
Steve Smith had an incredible Ashes 2019 campaign
Australia aim for revenge
India currently hold the Border-Gavaskar trophy, after a historic 2-1 series win in Australia in 2018/19. However, with David Warner, Steve Smith and now the much-improved Marnus Labuschagne in the side, Australia will be confident of regaining the trophy against a quality Indian side.
However, Indian captain Virat Kohli is ready for the challenge. Speaking in January, Kohli was confident about his team being able to do well in the blockbuster series.
“Whether it is the Gabba or Perth, it doesn’t matter to us,” Kohli said.
“We have the skillsets as a team to compete against anyone in the world anywhere, whether it is white ball, pink ball or red ball.
Ellyse Perry willing to miss start of season to fully recover from injury | Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry willing to take as much time as possible to recover from hamstring injury
Ellyse Perry, Australia’s star all-rounder, is willing to miss the start of Australia’s home season if it means getting her hamstring in the best shape possible.
Perry seriously injured her hamstring during the T20 World Cup earlier this year, resulting in heartbreak as she missed Australia’s triumphant Semi Final and Final.
She is on track to be fit for Australia’s series against New Zealand in late September. However, Perry is looking at the bigger picture with nine weeks remaining in her recovery from hamstring surgery.
“From a timeframe point of view, it’d be lovely to be fit for the New Zealand series and available for selection,” Perry said.
“I think at this stage it’s tracking that way, but there’s a little bit to go. It’s a nice goal to have. Coming back from injury, there’s a really clear distinction in my mind between being fit to play and fit to perform.”
Ellyse Perry is crucial to Australia’s ODI World Cup campaign in 2021
Selector Shawn Flegler and skipper Meg Lanning are on the same page, stating their desire to take care regarding Perry’s return, as the Women’s ODI World Cup is scheduled for early 2021 in New Zealand.
Flegler in particular believes that whoever should be chosen to replace her will have a great opportunity to impress. Allrounders Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland were both awarded national contracts for the first time, and are highly rated.
“If Pez doesn’t get back in time to play some games for Australia, then Tahlia is certainly an option to either bat in the middle order and also she can bowl through the middle overs as well,” Flegler said in April.
“We see her as a genuine allrounder and we think that with Ellyse having a long-term injury that Tahlia comes into that mix as a bowling allrounder.”
Mashrafe Mortaza tests positive for COVID-19 | Bangladesh cricket legend Mashrafe Mortaza tests positive to COVID-19
Bangladesh cricket stalwart, Mashrafe Mortaza, tested positive for Coronavirus on Saturday. His brother Morsalin Mortaza told Cricbuzz after the former captain had high fever and was tested on Friday.
Mortaza was engaged in humanitarian activities to help the needy and even did a lot of charity for his native place, Narayanganj, which is one of the worst-hit areas of Bangladesh.
“My brother has had a fever for two days. He did the test last night. Today came the test positive. He is at home in isolation,” Mashrafe’s brother told Cricbuzz.
Mashrafe is one of the legends of Bangladesh cricket. He took over as captain of the limited overs sides back in 2014; a time where Bangladesh were struggling. He then led them to the Quarter Finals of the 2015 World Cup, as well as ODI series wins against Pakistan, India and South Africa, before leading the Tigers to the Semi Final of the 2017 Champions Trophy.
Other Bangladesh cricketers, both past and present, have also contracted the virus. Former opener Nafees Iqbal, who represented Bangladesh in 27 internationals, has tested positive but remains in good spirits. “I had the first symptom ten days ago. I had a fever and had aches and pains in the body but had recovered by the third day. But I still took the COVID-19 test just to be sure and the result came back positive. I am doing fine at the moment,” he added.
Left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam has also tested positive, and will remain in isolation. In addition to the Bangladeshi cricketers, Shahid Afridi announced last week that he tested positive for the virus. Overall, sixcricketers, including the Bangladesh players, have been tested positive for coronavirus.
BCCI to review IPL sponsorship deals | BCCI calls for meeting to discussIPL sponsorship deals | BCCI to review deals ahead of possible IPL 2020
The Governing Council of the Indian Premier League has called for a meeting next week to review the various sponsorship deals of the Indian Premier League (IPL). With the ongoing tension along the LAC between India and China, the BCCI will decide whether to honour contracts or invoke the exit clause with the Chinese sponsors, VIVO, which are the title sponsors of the IPL.
The official handle of the IPL, tweeted on Friday. “Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals,” the tweet said.
Taking note of the border skirmish that resulted in the martyrdom of our brave jawans, the IPL Governing Council has convened a meeting next week to review IPL’s various sponsorship deals ??
Earlier, the BCCI treasurer, Arun Dhumal told PTI, that Chinese sponsorships helps the Indian economy and not the other way.
“When we are allowing Chinese companies to sell their products in India, whatever money they are taking from Indian consumers, they are paying part of it to the BCCI (as brand promotion) and the board is paying 42 per cent tax on that money to the Indian government. So, that is supporting India’s cause and not China’s,” the administrator said.
The news comes as the BCCI and IPL remain committed to staging the IPL this year, even if it means it goes ahead outside India.
