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Highest scores by a number 9 on Test debut: Where does Milan Rathnayake sit?

Milan Rathnayake received his Test cap from Sri Lanka legend Kumar Sangakkara. A few hours later, Rathnakaye played an outstanding innings of 72 to rescue his team from a precarious position. At the end of day one, England finished on 22/0 in response to Sri Lanka’s 236 – a score they would have taken with both hands after falling to 6/3, 92/6 and 113/7.

Rathnayake combined with captain Dhananjaya de Silva (74) for a 63-run stand. The debutant wasn’t finished there, lifting the Sri Lankans to a respectable total on a Manchester pitch offering alarming variable bounce at times.

What is the highest score by a number 9 on Test debut? A look at the top 5

Where does Rathnayake’s effort stand among the highest scores by a number 9 batsman on Test debut? Here is a look at the top five such scores in history. 

5. Wilfred Ferguson 56* – WI vs ENG 1948

Way back in January 1948, Wilfred Ferguson struck an unbeaten 56 in the second innings against England. Walking in at 252/7 with the West Indies leading by 295, Ferguson helped lift his team to 351/9d to leave England needing 395 for victory.

The legspin bowler and right-handed batsman went on to take 34 wickets and score 200 runs in eight Tests.

4. Monde Zondeki 59 – SA vs ENG 2003

The talented Monde Zondeki made his first big impression in Tests with the bat. Against England at Headingley in 2003, Zondeki combined with Gary Kirsten to add 150 for the eighth wicket after the Proteas fell to 142/7.

James Anderson, who only retired in the summer of 2024, broke the partnership by dismissing Zondeki. Unfortunately for Zondeki, he picked up a side injury early in his bowling spell and was out for the remainder of the series. However, it did not stop the Proteas from winning the Test with Kirsten (130 and 60) named player of the match.

3. Darren Gough 65 – ENG vs NZ 1994

England were in trouble in the third Test of their 1994 home series against New Zealand. Leading 1-0 heading into the final match, England fell to 235/7 in the face of disciplined bowling by the Black Caps. With Mike Atherton (111) back in the pavilion, New Zealand could sense a quick finish.

However, debutant Darren Gough had other ideas. Gough dug deep for 65 off 126 balls in 157 minutes to keep New Zealand at bay. He combined for a 130-run stand with Phil DeFreitas (69), who also went on to take 3/61 and 3/60 to win player of the match.

The Test ended in a draw and England took the series 1-0.

2. Balwinder Sandhu 71 – IND vs PAK 1983

India were in all sorts of trouble when debutant Balwinder Sandhu walked in to bat on Test debut. Pakistan, led by Imran Khan, ripped through the Indian batting lineup to leave them 72/7 in response to a mammoth 581/3.

After bowling 33 overs in the first innings, Sandhu played an attacking innings with the bat, hitting 71 off just 88 balls. He and Mohinder Amarnath (61) were the only two players to cross 20, and they combined for a 59-run stand.

However, it wasn’t enough to spark a turnaround, with Pakistan going on to win the fourth Test by an innings and 119 runs. The six-match series ended 3-0 in Pakistan’s favour.

1. Milan Rathnayake 72 – SL vs ENG 2024

Sandhu’s record lasted more than 41 years until Milan Rathnayake turned up. The left-hander produced strokeplay any top order player would be proud of in an innings filled with grit and substance.

Along with solid defence, Rathnayake hit six fours and two sixes in his 135-ball stay on a tricky pitch and slow outfield. If that confidence can translate to his pace bowling, Sri Lanka could very well have a fine player on their hands.

World Test Championship WTC 2023-25 scenarios: Who will make the final?

WTC 2023-25 scenarios: The race for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final heated up after an action-packed last few months of Test cricket. South Africa confirmed their spot in the final, set to be played in England in mid-2025, after a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in Centurion.

In this article, we’ll look at the scenarios for each team in question, including the maximum percentage they can attain. First, here is the scoring system for the competition:

Points per matchPercentage
Win12100
Tie650
Draw433.33
Loss00
WTC 2023-25 scenarios: The points system.

WTC 2023-25 scenarios: South Africa reach final – who will join them?

Australia and India were considered the favourites to reach the final. However, South Africa’s strong run has sealed their qualification. Now, Australia and India fight it out to join the Proteas at Lord’s.

South Africa

  • QUALIFIED
  • Current points: 88
  • Current percentage: 66.67
  • Remaining fixtures: 1 Test vs Pakistan (H)

Australia

  • Current points: 106
  • Current percentage: 58.89
  • Remaining fixtures: 2 Tests vs India (H), 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka (A)

Australia face a tough fight to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They also travel to Sri Lanka in January for a tough two-match series in Galle. So, we can certainly expect Pat Cummins’ team to be tested against spin in early 2025.

If Australia win all four remaining Tests, they will finish with a percentage of 67.54. If they beat India 3-1 and draw 1-1 in Sri Lanka, they will end with a percentage of 62.28.

  • If the BGT ends 2-2, Australia’s win percentage will be 57.84 heading into the Sri Lanka series. India’s will finish at 55.26.
  • Afterwards, if Australia beat Sri Lanka 2-0, they will finish with a win percentage of 62.28.
  • A 2-2 draw in the BGT and 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka will see Australia finish with a win percentage of 57.02. This will be enough for qualification ahead of India’s 55.26.

India

  • Current points: 114
  • Current percentage: 55.89
  • Remaining fixtures: 2 Tests vs Australia (A)

India’s shock 3-0 loss to the Black Caps left them in a very difficult position. Victories in the final two Tests in Australia will take them to a win percentage of 60.53.

In such a scenario, Australia’s win percentage would drop to 51.96 before their series in Sri Lanka. A 2-0 win for Australia there will take them to 57.02, which would still see India qualify.

  • If India draw in Melbourne and win at the SCG, their win percentage will finish at 57.02. In that scenario, Australia’s percentage will drop to 53.92 before Sri Lanka and must win 2-0 to take them to a win percentage of 58.77 that will see them qualify ahead of India.
  • If India lose the BGT 3-1, their win percentage will drop to 50. Even if Australia lose 2-0 in Sri Lanka, Pat Cummins’ team will still qualify with 57.02 win percentage.
  • If the BGT ends 2-2, India will qualify if Sri Lanka beats Australia 2-0.

Australia more motivated than ever to regain Border Gavaskar Trophy

Australia captain Pat Cummins, along with Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood, have spoken of the importance of regaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy this upcoming summer. Australia have not held the trophy since 2014/15, where they won the series 2-0 at home. Incredibly, the Australians have won just four of their past 18 bilateral Tests against India, a record the team is desperate to overturn.

“It’s been ten years of unfinished business, it’s been a long time, and I know we’re extremely hungry to turn things around especially here at home,” Lyon said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. “Don’t get me wrong, India is an absolute superstar side and extremely challenging but I’m extremely hungry to turn things around and make sure we get that trophy back.”

Lyon then went on to say the team has come a fair way in the past couple of years. The offspinner believes the team is on the way to greatness, but a series win over India is an important piece of the puzzle.

“Feel like we are a different team to a couple of years ago, we are on a journey of becoming a great Australian cricket team. We’re definitely not there but we are along that journey and have been playing some decent cricket,” he said.

Astounding that quite a few Australia players have never won a Border Gavaskar Trophy series – Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood echoed Lyon’s thoughts. The pace bowler believes the lack of success against India is something the team needs to get right to confirm their status as one of Australia’s stronger teams.

“There are quite a few players who have never beaten India in a Test series. It’s quite astounding to say that,” Hazlewood said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Hazlewood also praised India’s depth, especially given how they bounced back after being bowled out for 36 in 2020/21. However, he believes no matter the opposition, Australia should win every series at home.

“It’s been ten years of unfinished business, it’s been a long time, and I know we’re extremely hungry to turn things around especially here at home”

Nathan Lyon.

“That’s [Border Gavaskar Trophy] one we need to tick off, definitely, in particular at home – we should pretty much win every series here at home,” Hazlewood said.

“That last series we obviously bowled them out for 36 in Adelaide and we thought here we go, [we are] back at home [and] confident on these grounds. People say we played India B in that last Test, but they can sometimes be stronger than the best team. They’ve got unbelievable depth in all formats and we are starting to see that now.”

Pat Cummins primed to be rested and ready for 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy

Pat Cummins is just as motivated. The captain will miss the white-ball tour of Scotland and England, and has been given two months off bowling by Cricket Australia to be primed for the five-match series.

“I’m just trying to fill up the bucket again after two years of non-stop bowling. (Hoping) come that first Test in as good of a position as I have been in for a few years,” Cummins said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Cummins is expected to feature in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan in November as well as one game for New South Wales.

“I’ve got those ODIs, aiming to absolutely be part of that series,” he said. “I would say at least a NSW one-day game, if not a Shield game, before the ODIs.”

The 2024/25 Border Gavaskar Trophy will begin on 22 November in Perth. Adelaide (D/N), Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney will host the remaining four Tests.

The huge contrast between the home and away averages of Aiden Markram in Tests

Aiden Markram scored an important second innings half-century to help propel South Africa to a series win over West Indies in Guyana. He combined for a 79-run opening stand with Tony de Zorzi, which proved crucial in a low-scoring game along with the contributions of Kyle Verreynne (59) and Wiaan Mulder (34).

Markram’s 51 is one of his standout knocks away from home. Before this knock, he was averaging just 21.8 after 25 innings outside South Africa, with a single century. At home, he averages 43.5 with 1,914 runs and six centuries in 45 innings, including one of the great centuries in the shortest result Test in history against India in Cape Town.

Aiden Markram in Tests: A contrast

HomeAway
45 innings26 innings
1,914 runs596 runs
Average: 43.50Average: 22.92
8 50s/6 100s3 50s/1 100s

Markram, who made his Test debut in 2017, is touted as one of South Africa’s great talents. However, the right-hander runs the risk of not fully realising his potential, particularly if he can’t sort out the numbers away from home to help elevate the Proteas to a more consistent batting lineup.

Out of his 596 runs away from home, 221 came in a single two-match series in Pakistan in 2021. If you remove that, his away average drops down to 14.42.

Of course, there are caveats. Markram alone isn’t responsible for South Africa’s batting performances, which have been inconsistent at best over the past five years. Also, the limited Test cricket South Africa play also makes it a challenge to find consistent form, evident in the fact that Markram has played just 39 Tests in seven years. Couple this with all the white-ball cricket on the calendar, and it’s a challenge for any South Africa player to find the groove.

However, Markram has the talent and still should deliver more than he has. He is a gifted player with a technique that can deliver great success, with refinement. With limited red-ball cricket opportunities, it is training – both physical and mental – that is crucial for a player like Aiden Markram to succeed consistently at Test level.

His half-century in Guyana was one where intent in attack and defence was the cornerstone of his innings. He ended up being dismissed to one that stayed low off the spin of Gudakesh Motie, but the Proteas were playing from in front from that point thanks to both the efforts of their bowlers and the crucial opening stand.

If South Africa are to make a miraculous run to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final – which is possible with Bangladesh (away), Sri Lanka (home) and Pakistan (home) to come – they’ll need runs at the top from Markram. If he delivers, anything is possible.

Who will host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been confirmed as the new location for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, the tournament was moved from Bangladesh due to political turmoil in the country. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will remain official hosts.

India ruled themselves out earlier. The key reason was due to the climate in the country at that time of year, with rain likely to play spoilsport.

“We’re in the monsoon and on top of that we will host the Women’s ODI World Cup next year,” said BCCI secretary Jay Shah to Times of India. “I don’t want to give any kind of signals that I want to hold consecutive World Cups.”

UAE beats Zimbabwe to host the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Zimbabwe was considered a good chance due to good weather and the chance for good crowds. However, the UAE was preferred due to the timezone in Asia.

The tournament had to be moved from Bangladesh due to anti-government protests that have resulted in violence across the country. Tragically, there are reports of fatalities continuing to emerge despite a new government taking over.

“I’d find it hard to fathom playing there [in Bangladesh] at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do,” Australia captain Alyssa Healy said earlier this month.

“(That would be) taking resources away from a country that is really struggling. They are needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying. There are obviously bigger factors at play than putting a cricket tournament on in Bangladesh at the moment … but I’ll leave it to the ICC to work out,” Healy said.

The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will kick off on October 3 and end on 21 October. Australia are the defending champions having sealed their sixth title in South Africa in 2023. They will begin their campaign against Sri Lanka in Sharjah.

Will Ben Stokes play in the Tests against Sri Lanka after his hamstring injury?

England captain Ben Stokes is in major doubt for the Sri Lanka Test series after injuring his hamstring playing for Northen Superchargers in the Hundred on Sunday. He ran through for a quick single early in the chase, but pulled up suddenly and clutched at his left hamstring. He had to be carried off the field and was then pictured wearing crutches.

Given the difficulty Stokes had in walking, one would suggest at least a grade two hamstring tear. Such an injury requires a recovery time of at least six to eight weeks. Should that be the case, Stokes will miss the entire three-match Test series, given the final match begins on September 6.

Ben Stokes hamstring injury “doesn’t look too good” – Harry Brook

Stokes will go for scans on Monday which will reveal the extent of the damage. “Ben Stokes is having his hamstring assessed. Further updates will be available from tomorrow [Monday],” said a Superchargers spokesperson, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Harry Brook, Stokes’s England and Superchargers teammate, said the injury doesn’t look good. “It doesn’t look great, unfortunately. I think he’ll be getting a scan tomorrow and we’ll see how he is,” he said.

Stokes is likely to join Zak Crawley as the first-team players out of the Sri Lanka series. Crawley is out with a fractured finger, and Dan Lawrence is set to open the batting. Ollie Pope, the vice-captain, is expected to lead should Stokes be ruled out.

The Sri Lanka series is squeezed into a short timeframe. The first Test begins on August 21, followed by the second and third Tests on August 29 and September 6 respectively. England then travel to Pakistan in early October for a three-match Test series that starts on October 7, which looks to be a much more realistic return to action for Stokes.

ENG vs SL Test series schedule:

  • 1st Test, Manchester, August 21-25.
  • 2nd Test, Lord’s, August 29-September 2.
  • 3rd Test, The Oval, September 6-10.

Former IPL Auctioneer Hugh Edmeades Interview: Kohli would get 30 crore in an IPL Auction

Hugh Edmeades interview: The Indian Premier League (IPL) has gone on to become the biggest T20 league – and one of the biggest sporting leagues – in the world since its inception in 2008. The build-up to each season is equally exciting, with the IPL auction adding to the frenzy and hype. Every auction has fans speculating and hoping for their teams to acquire top-class players who can help their team win the coveted trophy.

From 2018 to 2022, veteran auctioneer Hugh Edmeades conducted the IPL auctions. Over the years, the veteran sanctioned several legends of the game. It is to be noted that he has conducted more than 2,500 auctions, and has been an auctioneer for over three decades.

From the likes of Ben Stokes to Varun Chakaravarthy, Hugh has witnessed several intense bidding wars between several franchises during his five-year tenure as the auctioneer of the biggest T20 league in the world. Despite the massive responsibilities, he always ensured that he gave his absolute best for the event that his viewed by millions of cricket fans. As a matter of fact, he received a standing ovation when he came to conduct the final stage of the IPL auction in 2022.

During a recent interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan, Hugh Edmeades drew light on the fundamental aspects of an IPL auction and the events that unfold during the same. He also spoke about his experiences in this profession. While speaking to Arvind, Hugh also gave his opinion on a hypothetical scenario of Virat Kohli entering an IPL auction and what would happen according to him if the batting maestro were to ever put his name in an auction. Below is the entire interview with Hugh Edmeades.

Hugh Edmeades interview: “Virat Kohli would get upwards of 30 crore in an IPL auction”

Arvind: What would be your advice to sports management professionals and sports-based franchise representatives heading into an auction? What are the do’s and don’ts every sports management professional should know while participating in an auction?  

Hugh: My initial advice to the representatives would be not to presume that they will be successful in securing any player they have set their hearts on. In other words, make sure they have a Plan B, C and indeed D, in case Plan A fails.

If you have attended an IPL Auction, you will see a myriad of laptops with spreadsheets, setting out all sorts of scenarios, allowing for all contingencies. The job of the auctioneer is considerably easier than that of the franchises, as they have to take into account the various limitations that the BCCI have imposed (budget, number of overseas players, number of retained players etc).

I would also suggest that the franchise doesn’t make their enthusiasm for a particular player too obvious to the other franchises. They need to be good poker players (not showing their hand).

Arvind: You’ve been an auctioneer for the IPL auctions for several years. Over the years, have you noticed any auction tactic/strategy adopted by an IPL franchise? Any specific auction tactic/strategy that was so impressive you still remember it?

Hugh: No, nothing obvious anyway – but then, I am concentrating too hard on making sure that I don’t miss any bids and ensuring fair play to all the franchises in allowing them enough time to make up their minds as to whether they want to continue with the bidding or indeed to enter the bidding at the very end.

Arvind: Every IPL auction has witnessed an intensive bidding war for one or many players. Has there been a bidding war that was so intensive and heated that even you were confused/shocked for a moment and had to be at the top of your toes for it?

Hugh: It is always gratifying when a young Indian player attracts a bidding war. One such player was Varun Chakaravarthy in the 2019 auction. His base price was 20 lakh and he was finally bought for 840 lakh.

Arvind: Virat Kohli is probably one of the biggest names in the cricketing world. However, he’s yet to be a part of an IPL auction. According to you, how much would Virat Kohli go for if he were a part of an auction? Despite this being a hypothetical scenario, how do you see this unfolding if it does happen?

Hugh: Without being flippant – how long is a ball of string? It would be the most amazing honour to offer Virat in an auction. As to the price, I imagine he would achieve in excess of 3,000 lakh.


The IPL 2025 auction will be a “Mega Auction”. The time, date and location is still to be confirmed.

Graham Thorpe cause of death revealed

The cricketing community was in mourning last week after the shock passing of Graham Thorpe. The former England and Surrey batter tragically passed away aged 55, with tributes flowing from around the world for a player who oozed class.

Thorpe’s wife, Amanda, revealed he took his own life. Speaking to The Times, she opened up on his mental health and anxiety battles.

“Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better,” Amanda said, as quoted by The Sun UK.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him.”

“We are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life,” she said.

Graham Thorpe suffered from severe depression and anxiety – wife Amanda

Thorpe had been seriously ill back in 2022. He was named Afghanistan coach but was unable to take up the role due to health reasons.

“Despite glimpses of hope and of the old Graham, he continued to suffer from depression and anxiety, which at times got very severe,” Amanda said.

“We supported him as a family and he tried many, many treatments but unfortunately none of them really seemed to work.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health.

“But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.”

Officials and players held tributes for Thorpe during The Hundred. His First Class career began back in 1988, where he finished with a total of 21,937 runs at an average of 45.04. Out of those, 6,744 came in Test cricket, where he averaged a very solid 44.66.

A sign of Thorpe’s talent was his record around the world. He averaged above 40 in every country except South Africa and Zimbabwe, including 48.18 in Australia, 65.12 in New Zealand and 56.80 in Pakistan.

Thorpe also struck 10,871 List A runs, including 2,380 ODI runs with 21 fifties in 77 innings.

“It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Surrey and England legend Graham Thorpe, MBE,” read Surrey’s statement after Thorpe’s passing last week.

“He made outstanding contributions to the Club as a cricketer, and as a man, and he will be so sorely missed.”

Best cricket references to the Rachael “Raygun” Gunn breakdancing display at the 2024 Olympics

Australian Rachael Gunn – known as “Raygun” – went viral after her breakdancing performance at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Gunn’s moves raised eyebrows around the world, with social media littered with reactions and memes following the display that earned her no points.

Even cricket references made their way to social media. Apart from memes, the spotlight shone brighter on the merit of breakdancing as an Olympic sport, with cricket one of the sports not featured at this stage. Cricket will feature at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn breakdancing: The best cricket references

Fans hilariously compared Gunn’s attire to an Australian ODI kit. “Raygun out here looking like she’s about to play a cricket match against India,” one user wrote on X.

Raygun even reminded one fan of Nathan Bracken, one of Australia’s finest performers in limited overs cricket in the mid-late 2000s.

Other fans highlighted the need for cricket to be featured in the Olympics over breakdancing.

“Breakdance for Olympic is a mistake, I have nothing against breakdance, it has great dancing moves but not a real sports when compare to squash and cricket which are more deserving to be included,” one fan wrote.

Here are some of the best cricket references to the Raygun performance at the Olympics.

A look at the best cricket references after the breakdancing performance by Rachael Raygun Gunn at the 2024 Olympics in Paris
A look at the best cricket references after the breakdancing performance by Rachael Raygun Gunn at the 2024 Olympics in Paris
A look at the best cricket references after the breakdancing performance by Rachael Raygun Gunn at the 2024 Olympics in Paris

Port of Spain Trinidad weather forecast for WI vs SA Test

There is a lot riding on the current West Indies-South Africa Test series. Both teams must win to keep their slim hopes of a remarkable appearance in the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final alive.

However, the Port of Spain weather has had other ideas. Just 15 overs were possible on day one of the first Test. Conditions were kinder on day two where 98 overs were bowled, with the Proteas finishing on 344/8 at stumps.

The question is whether the conditions will provide the opportunity for either team to push for a win in the first Test. Here is a look at the weather forecast for the remaining three days.

Port of Spain Trinidad weather forecast for final 3 days of 1st WI vs SA Test

Reputable source AccuWeather forecasts “a passing shower or two” on Friday. While the 81% chance of precipitation doesn’t look too good, the hourly forecast suggests there should be play throughout the day.

There is a 51% chance of precipitation at 10am and 46% at 11am, with showers forecast. There could be showers at around 1pm and 3pm as well, with above a 50% chance of precipitation during these times.

Cloudy conditions forecast from 4pm onwards, which should enable an extended day’s play should light permit.

Cricket News: Port of Spain Trinidad weather forecast for the last 3 days of the first Test between West Indies and South Africa.
Port of Spain Trinidad weather forecast for day 3 of the 1st WI vs SA Test.

AccuWeather forecasts a stray afternoon thunderstorm on both days four (Saturday) and five (Sunday) with the chance of precipitation hovering around 50%.

Overall, there could be regular rain interruptions in the remaining three days. However, the hope is the rain stays away long enough to allow for extended periods of play.

The Proteas will start day three on 344/8, with their first innings characterised by a number of starts. Skipper Temba Bavuma top scored with 86 with Tony de Zorzi the other half-centurion (78).

Both South Africa and West Indies will be hoping for enough time to force a result. They both need to win to keep their faint WTC Final hopes alive. The Proteas can reach a maximum win percentage of 75%, while the West Indies can reach 56.4% if they win all their remaining Tests in this cycle.

India (68.51) and Australia (62.50) are the current leaders. Both teams will meet in a mouthwatering five-match series later this year.

Cricket News: Port of Spain Trinidad weather forecast for the last 3 days of the first Test between West Indies and South Africa.