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South Africa’s bench-strength got a chance to impress and an eye-catching debut from Aiden Markram condemned Bangladesh to another hefty defeat

The Report by Firdose Moonda22-Oct-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:24

‘We wanted to be ruthless’ – de Kock

South Africa strode to a clean sweep over Bangladesh with a third dominating performance marred only by an injury to Faf du Plessis. The captain suffered an acute lower-back strain after top-scoring with 91, had to retire hurt in the 41st over of the South African innings and could not take the field. He has been ruled out of next week’s T20 series.That disruption did not get in the way of South Africa bossing proceedings, even as they emptied the bench to provide younger players with opportunity. Three of the top four scored half-centuries, all the recognised batsmen had strike rates over 100 and they piled on their highest total at Buffalo Park and against Bangladesh, who were little more than spectators of their own performance.Bangladesh have suffered heftier defeats, but only twice. They were beaten by 233 runs by Pakistan 17 years ago, by 206 runs by South Africa at the 2011 World Cup and this, a 200-run thrashing, is their joint third heaviest loss in a series to forget. For the first time in their history, Bangladesh’s bowling conceded over 1000 runs in a three-match series and though their batting line-up did not rack up similarly bleak records, they were limp. In this match, only two of their batsmen got past 20 and only one, Shakib Al Hasan, scored more than fifty.Contrastingly, South Africa were in the runs. Temba Bavuma returned to the ODI side for the first time since his one-off appearance against Ireland last year and was tasked with opening the batting in Hashim Amla’s absence. He immediately showed what he is capable of when he spanked the first ball – a short, wide delivery from Mashrafe Mortaza – through cover point.With Quinton de Kock at his audacious best at the other end, South Africa’s 50 came up inside eight overs and 100 inside 15 as they treated every bowler with similar disdain.Mehidy Hasan, who not been part of the side since the first Test in Potchefstroom, was punished when he took the new ball but ended up as the most successful bowler, taking two wickets in three overs in an attempt to create pressure. He had Bavuma caught at long-on for 48 and de Kock skied one back to him on 73 but relief of removing the openers was shortlived.Aiden Markram, who had success against Bangladesh in the Tests, was sent in ahead of de Villiers on debut and wasted no time showing off his short-form ability. He danced down the track to the eighth ball he faced and sent Mehidy over long-on for six.Markram shared a 151-run third-wicket stand with du Plessis, which lasted only 18 overs. The pair scored an over eight runs an over while they were together and though they targeted everyone, Mahmudullah came in for the most punishment. His three overs cost 33.Du Plessis was well on his way to a ninth ODI century and was in a hurry to get there. He was on 89 when he flicked a ball to mid-wicket and pushed Markram to run a second but tweaked a muscle in his lower back, forcing him off the field. Markram, whose fifty came off 47 balls, paid the price for trying to steal a second when he was run-out trying to get AB de Villiers on strike.Bangladesh kept de Villiers relatively quiet and had him caught at extra cover for 20 then dismissed allrounders Wiaan Mulder, on debut, and Andile Phehlukwayo in the same over. South Africa lost 5 for 52 in the final 10 overs but had done more than enough.Bangladesh’s hopes of challenging South Africa were up by the fifth over of their innings. They had been reduced to 20 for 3 after Imrul Kayes gifted Dane Paterson a wicket when he scooped him to mid-off, Liton Das was trapped lbw and Soumya Sarkar edged Kagiso Rabada to slip.Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib were Bangladesh’s best chance of making a decent fist of things but Mushfiqur holed out off Phehlukwayo, leaving Shakib to try and salvage something with the middle order. His only assistance came from Sabbir Rahman, who shared in a 67-run sixth-wicket stand, during which Shakib brought up a hard-fought fifty.The rest of the line-up were easy picking for an inexperienced South African attack. Mulder dismissed Mahmudullah lbw to claim his first international wicket and Markram claimed the wickets of Shakib and Sabbir to become one of only four players to score fifty and take two wickets or more on debut.

Having lost his place in the squad for the first two Ashes Tests, Glenn Maxwell built a case for himself with a rapid double-century

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Nov-2017
ScorecardHaving missed out on a spot in the squad for the first two Ashes Tests, Glenn Maxwell made a statement with an unbeaten 213 off only 260 balls against New South Wales in Sydney, as Australia’s top order struggled against England at the Gabba. Maxwell’s innings took Victoria to 3 for 365 at stumps, with a significant contribution from Aaron Finch, who struck 76.In the first three rounds of the Sheffield Shield, which were considered a selection trial for the Ashes squad, Maxwell had two fifties and one knock of 45, scores that did not seem to impress Australia’s selectors, who decided to recall Shaun Marsh for the first two Tests. Maxwell was then called up to the Gabba as injury cover for David Warner and Marsh, and was released for Shield duty after both batsmen were declared fit for the first Test.In Sydney, Maxwell walked in to bat in the seventh over and dominated through the day, bringing up his century off 113 balls. His impact was evident in the fact that by the time Victoria lost their second wicket, with the score on 162, Maxwell had contributed 115. After that wicket, Maxwell and Finch added 148 runs in 29.5 overs at a run rate of nearly five an over. By stumps, Maxwell had hit 27 boundaries and three sixes, while his strike rate was 81.While the New South Wales attack was not as formidable as it was previously – when Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins had all featured – it still included the experienced Doug Bollinger, Steve O’Keefe and Sean Abbott. However, Maxwell’s charge meant they were without much success. Bollinger conceded 90 in his 20 overs for two wickets, while Abbott was also expensive.

Jonny Bairstow has indicated he would consider taking the matter of Australia’s sledging further if they “crossed the line” again later in the series

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2017Jonny Bairstow has said he wants to move on from the sledging episode that marred England’s defeat in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, but added he would consider taking the matter further if Australia “crossed the line” again later in the series.Writing in his column, Bairstow denied that Australia’s players bringing up his “headbutt” greeting of Cameron Bancroft earlier in the tour had contributed to his dismissal in the second innings at the Gabba, when he was caught at third man trying to ramp Mitchell Starc. Saying he had been “stitched up” by the episode, he admitted to being unsettled by Australia’s verbal attack but said it was not the reason for the shot.He also added that “some other things” were said at the time, which would stay in the middle. That followed Matt Prior’s claims to BBC 5 Live earlier in the week that the England players were upset by what had gone on in Brisbane.The unspoken implication is that, however much Steve Smith’s Australians insist they do not “cross the line”, England have reason to think that they did.Bairstow did not want to “make an issue” of what else was said while he was batting, beyond suggesting that relations between the two sides had improved.”Some other things, apart from the ‘headbutt’ business, were said by Australia in the middle but what they were is staying there. We move on. Hopefully it’s gone now. I’m not making an issue of it. Only if they are said again would the matter go further. We just need to get on with trying to get back in this series.”The second Test was played in a good spirit, tough but fair. There were some verbals from both teams but this time nothing crossed the line. Clashes like we saw in Adelaide are part of sport.”England’s ten-wicket defeat in the first Test was overshadowed by claims made on the fourth evening that Bairstow had headbutted Bancroft, which brought a renewed focus on team socialising. While confirming there was nothing malicious in what Bairstow had done, Andrew Strauss said the players needed to be smarter on tour and instigated a midnight curfew – something which has been relaxed while the squad is in Perth.”Did I feel as if I had been stitched up? Yes I did in many ways, but at the same time I honestly never thought of it as anything to worry about,” Bairstow wrote. “I knew I hadn’t done anything wrong and, more importantly, the team and management knew that too.”Australia, as they have admitted, were trying to use it to get under my skin. Realising what they were doing was important. I never said a thing back to them … It did get to me a bit when they started sledging me because I didn’t know what they were talking about. But I can honestly say the shot I got out to in the second innings had nothing to do with it.”I played a bad shot. You have to take a few risks when you’re batting with the tail and the truth is I had forgotten they had a third man.”Jonny Bairstow wore a dejected look as England stuttered just before tea•Getty Images

Bairstow’s dismissal came as England lost their last four wickets for 10 runs, with Australia subsequently chasing down a target of 170 for no loss. They extended their lead to 2-0 in Adelaide, with a 120-run win.Ahead of the Adelaide Test, Steven Smith was asked if Australia’s players had crossed the line of what was acceptable at any stage and he replied, “I think everything was fine”. England’s coach, Trevor Bayliss, said he was uncomfortable with the level of sledging and would prefer that stumps microphones were turned down.However, Prior, the former England wicketkeeper, claimed in a radio interview during the second Test that Australia had gone too far and the full story had yet to come out.”There’s a lot that’s gone on that I think the England players are quite upset about – and rightfully from what I’ve heard,” he said. “There’s been a lot of chat on the pitch that hasn’t got anything to do with cricket and frankly shouldn’t be on a cricket pitch – stuff that hasn’t come out, for various reasons.”

The entire third day of the Newlands Test was lost to rain, although there might not have been too many people complaining as a result considering Cape Town is in the middle of a severe drought

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-20184:57

Cullinan: Rain pushes out potentiality of an India win

Scorecard and ball-by-ball details (Viewers in the Indian subcontinent can watch highlights of the Test here)The entire third day of the Newlands Test was lost to rain, although there might not have been too many people complaining as a result considering Cape Town is in the middle of a severe drought. The showers began on Saturday night and returned in full force in the morning. There were a brief few moments after lunch when it seemed like play could have been possible, but even as the groundsmen were preparing to peel the covers off, the weather turned.Days four and five will now feature 98 overs each, but play will begin at the usual time of 1030 local. At present, South Africa are 65 for 2 – leading India by 142 runs – with Hashim Amla on 4 and nightwatchman Kagiso Rabada on 2 at the crease.

Mahmudullah will stand in for the injured Shakib Al Hasan as captain; uncapped left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam replaced Shakib in the squad

Mohammad Isam13-Feb-2018The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) named Mahmudullah as the T20 captain for the first game of the two-match series against Sri Lanka, starting February 15.Mahmudullah will stand in for Shakib Al Hasan as captain after the allrounder failed to sufficiently recover from his finger injury which he had sustained during the ODIs. Uncapped left-arm spinner Nazmul Islam replaced Shakib in the squad.Nazmul had been performing well in domestic cricket, particularly the BPL, through the last three seasons.Mahmudullah, meanwhile, pipped Tamim Iqbal to take over the T20 captaincy after BCB president Nazmul Hassan had named Tamim as vice-captain of the T20 team in December, while naming Shakib as new Test captain.In 2014, Tamim was bypassed for the T20 captaincy, also against Sri Lanka, when Mashrafe Mortaza took over from Mushfiqur Rahim despite Tamim being the designated deputy.Squad: Mahmudullah (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Sabbir Rahman, Mustafizur Rahman, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Abu Hider, Abu Jayed, Ariful Hoque, Mahedi Hasan, Zakir Hasan, Afif Hossain, Nazmul Ismail

Australia close fielders talk up virtues of rival ICC and CSA sponsors in a bid to silence the eavesdropping stump mics

Daniel Brettig at Kingsmead02-Mar-2018Having requested that stump microphones be turned down when the ball is dead – in accordance with ICC guidelines – during the Test series with South Africa, Australia’s players have sought to keep them down by using ambush marketing tactics on day two in Durban.At the start of the Proteas’ first innings, members of the Australian team were heard loudly talking up the virtues of competing sponsors Qantas and XXXX, with one player even asking the umpires “how good is Qantas?” as Mitchell Starc got ready to deliver the first ball. The two Australian sponsors are in competition with Emirates (sponsor of the ICC and its umpires) and the South African brewer Castle, which is an official supplier to Cricket South Africa.The ploy, devised to have the stump mic faders turned down, was heard by commentators though not broadcast. The host broadcaster SuperSport is not believed to have heard anything they would deem tantamount to “ambush marketing” and have not turned the stump mics off or down. The gambit was first used by another Australian player more than a decade ago – Adam Gilchrist.In a Test match in Bangladesh in 2006, immediately after another series in South Africa, Gilchrist was heard extolling the virtues of numerous Cricket Australia and personal sponsors. “Come on Bing – one for the boys at Travelex now,” Gilchrist had said. “Travelex Foreign Exchange boys! Plenty of energy from a Milo Energy Bar. Keep it well oiled with Castrol boys. Come on.”These words followed the South Africa series in which numerous Australian sledges were picked up and either heard by commentators or broadcast more widely, causing the former England captain Tony Greig to comment on their ferocity. “I have never heard anything like it,” Greig said in 2006. “I thought it might have something to do with the fact that we had a very, very good stump mic. We turned that stump mic up and we could hear every word out in the centre and it was unbelievable. It really was absolutely unbelievable. The Aussies love it.”It has long been a custom of South African broadcasters to keep stump mics turned up for large parts of a day’s play, not simply when the ball is live. Plenty of on-field dialogue was discernible during the recent matches between South Africa and India, far more than is generally the case in other parts of the world.In pre-series meetings, the Australian team commonly reminds the host board and broadcaster that ICC guidelines require the stump microphone faders to be turned down when the ball is not in play. This is widely regarded as being an attempt to hide extremes of “verbal intimidation”, but can also be interpreted as an effort to avoid code of conduct sanctions.Mitchell Marsh said the tactic was more of a joke than a protest, before repeating it in the press conference. “I wouldn’t say it was a protest, I’d say it was a great opportunity to give our sponsors a bit of a plug. Qantas, thank you for getting us here safely,” he said. “The stump mics really for us players on the field are irrelevant, it’s about us as a team getting the ball in the right areas and we don’t really worry about that, it was a bit of a joke to give the sponsors a bit of a plug.”AB de Villiers said that while plenty of words had been exchanged on the field, it was not at the same level of aggression he had witnessed in the corresponding series here in 2014. “It was quite nice today,” he said. “They were very friendly compared to last time.”It’s the usual stuff. we expect some verbal stuff out there when you’re playing cricket in general. It gets the juices flowing. I particularly enjoy it. And from the other side, we also get stuck in and try and unsettle the batters. It’s part of the game.”Last year, Kagiso Rabada was banned by the ICC for abusive language after stump microphones caught him giving a send-off during a Test match against England. In 2013, then Australian captain Michael Clarke was given a heavy fine after stump mics caught him telling the England tailender James Anderson to “get ready for a broken f****** arm” when about to face Mitchell Johnson in an Ashes match at the Gabba.Last year, after a portion of stump microphone audio in which Steven Smith and Matthew Wade were heard exchanging words with India’s Ravindra Jadeja was released on the BCCI’s website, Smith stated his annoyance at the practice of keeping the microphone faders up at high volume.”It annoyed me that they had to sieve back through the archives and find those moments, particularly painting a bad light on our team when both teams were guilty of doing the same things. That was disappointing,” Smith said. “I think the broadcasters are told over and over again that they need to turn the stump mics down but they keep putting a lot of pressure on and keeping the stump mics on, which is unfortunate.”

Sri Lanka coach Chandika Hathurusingha has not been shaken by Shakib Al Hasan’s surprise re-entry in to Bangladesh’s squad

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Colombo15-Mar-2018Chandika Hathurusingha has not been shaken by Shakib Al Hasan’s surprise re-entry in to Bangladesh’s squad, but he does have a warning for his old team – or is it a little psychological agitation? The Sri Lanka coach said playing Shakib would be a great move, if he is fully fit. But if he is not, it becomes a sign of desperation.Shakib had in fact been expected to recover from his finger injury weeks ago, with the allrounder himself suggesting he would be ready by the end of February. But although it had been announced he was also out of the Nidahas Trophy, Shakib has now arrived in Sri Lanka ahead of the virtual semi-final against the hosts.If his sudden arrival is a psychological ploy on Bangladesh’s part, Hathurusingha ventured his own gambit. And it comes one month after his suggesting his knowledge of Bangladesh had helped Sri Lanka beat them at home earlier this year.”I think it’s just fortunate for them that Shakib recovered before such an important game,” Hathurusingha said. “But if he is not fit and hasn’t trained, then I would have to agree with you [that it is desperation].”I don’t think there’s too much these two teams can do as far as psychological games or trump cards, because we have played each other so much recently. The only thing is that I can think of is that if Shakib is half-fit, I think it’s a desperate measure. If he’s fit they really have an advantage, because he is the world’s number one allrounder and we all know that he is a quality player.”Bangladesh’s own stand-in coach, Courtney Walsh, said Shakib would be put through a fitness test – the same as any other player – before his availability for Friday’s encounter is established. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, expect Bangladesh to field the strongest combination possible.”We have nothing else to do because he is a very good player and we prepare as if he will play,” Hathurusingha said. “I think it’s an advantage to them because he will enable them play different combinations, whether it’s an additional bowler or batsman.”

They join Afridi, Malik, Shakib, Tamim, Thisara and Rashid and will be taking on West Indies in a charity T20 on May 31

ESPNcricinfo staff03-May-2018India allrounder Hardik Pandya and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik have been named in a World XI squad that will take on West Indies in the Hurricane Relief Twenty20 Challenge on May 31 at Lord’s.Hardik and Karthik, who are currently playing in the IPL for Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively are among nine players who have been confirmed for the World XI squad. The team, led by the England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan, also includes Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik from Pakistan, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal from Bangladesh, Thisara Perera from Sri Lanka and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan.The charity fixture will mark Hardik’s debut at Lord’s while Karthik has already featured in an ODI and a Test at the venue.”This is a fantastic opportunity for fans of the Indian team to come out and watch these two flamboyant players, who bring both class and star value to what I’m sure will be a memorable match at Lord’s,” former ECB chief Giles Clarke, who is supporting the event, said.”People would remember Pandya’s valiant 43-ball 76 against Pakistan in the final of the ICC Champions Trophy last year while Karthik too has played Test cricket at Lord’s. He has been in terrific form and recently blasted 29 off eight deliveries and sealed victory over Bangladesh in the final of the Nidahas Trophy with a last-ball six.”The West Indies side will be captained by Carlos Brathwaite and will include Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Evin Lewis.The proceeds from the game will go towards the restoration of five cricket venues in the Caribbean that bore the brunt of the Category 5 hurricanes Irma and Maria.

West Indies internationals Kirk Edwards, Sheldon Cottrell and Odean Smith were among the high-profile picks in the 2018-19 Professional Cricket League draft

ESPNcricinfo staff24-May-2018West Indies internationals Kirk Edwards, Sheldon Cottrell and Odean Smith were among the high-profile picks in the 2018-19 Professional Cricket League draft held in the Cricket West Indies headquarters in Antigua.Smith, who made his international debut during West Indies’ tour of Pakistan earlier in the year, was one of two newcomers, along with Joshua Da Silva, to join the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Marlon Richards, Isaiah Rajah and Jeremy Solozano completed the five draft picks as T&T built up a squad seeking to put behind their bottom-place finish in the Four-Day Regional Tournament earlier this year.Cottrel, who was released by T&T, was snapped up by Leeward Islands. However, medium-pacer Roshon Primus, who was also released by T&T, found no takers. Primus, who announced his first-class arrival with 6 for 30 on debut, has played 14 first-class games and taken 33 wickets at 25.87. He has also proven to be a handy batsman, with three half-centuries and an average of 23.50. Primus was also signed up by Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2017 Caribbean Premier League. It’s unclear whether Primus’ name was present in the draft, and if it was why he was not picked. However, he is still eligible for selection, on a play-for-play contract. T&T also retained West Indies middle-order batsman Kyle Hope.Barbados Pride have welcomed the Jamaican fast bowler Marquino Mindley to their 15-man squad to “support the cast of younger bowlers in the team”. Mindley joins a strong pace attack comprising Chemar Holder, Keon Harding and Dominic Drakes, while Justin Greaves and Shamar Springer make up the allrounders list. Barbados also drafted in Kevin Stoute, who captained them in the early stages of the previous season’s first-class tournament. Kenroy Williams, who was released by Barbados, found a new home in Jamaica Scorpions.Windward Volcanoes retained the allrounder Kyle Mayers along with West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards.The assembled squads will take part in the Regional 4 Day Tournament and the Super50, both of which are scheduled to take place later this year. Guyana Jaguars are the current and four-time champions, having won all their titles in successive seasons.Full squads:Guyana Jaguars: Veerasammy Permaul, Leon Johnson, Vishaul Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Gudakesh Motie, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Keon Joseph, Anthony Bramble. Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. Draft picks – Ramaal Lewis, Christopher Barnwell, Tevin Imlach, Ashaya Persaud, Javier SpencerBarbados Pride: Anthony Alleyne, Shamarh Brooks, Jonathan Carter, Dominic Drakes, Justin Greaves, Keon Harding, Chemar Holder, Shayne Moseley, Shamar Springer, Haydn Walsh Jr. Draft picks – Marquino Mindley, Kevin Stoute, Aaron Jones, Tevyn Walcott, Mario RampersaudLeeward Islands Hurricanes: Rahkeem Cornwall, Montcin Hodge, Jahmar Hamilton, Keacy Carty, Jeremiah Louis, Devon Thomas, Terrance Warde, Sheeno Berridge, Akeem Saunders, Ross Powell. Draft Picks – Damion Jacobs, Sheldon Cotterell, Orlando Peters, Nelson Bolan, Jason PetersJamaica Scorpions: Nikita Miller, Assad Fudadin, Derval Green, Chadwick Walton, John Campbell, Brandon King, Paul Palmer Jr, Aldaine Thomas, Andre McCarthy, Fabian Allen. Draft Picks – Oshane Thomas, Reynard Leveridge, Kenroy Williams, Denis Bulli, Steven TaylorWindward Islands Volcanoes: Devon Smith, Shane Shillingford, Kyle Mayers, Obed McCoy, Tyron Theophile, Roland Cato, Audy Alexander, Sherman Lewis, Delorn Johnson, Alick Athanaze. Draft Picks – Kirk Edwards, Ray Jordon, Tarryck Gabriel, Denis Smith, Josh ThomasTrinidad and Tobago Red Force: Kyle Hope, Tion Webster, Yannic Cariah, Amir Jangoo, Denesh Ramdin, Imran Khan, Daniel St Clair, Bryan Charles, Khary Pierre, Jason Mohammed. Draft Picks – Odean Smith, Jeremy Solozano, Marlon Richards, Isaiah Rajah, Joshua Da Silva

The team had to postpone its journey from Harare to Bulawayo for the ODI series after it emerged that they wouldn’t have a hotel to stay in

Liam Brickhill10-Jul-2018The Pakistan team touring Zimbabwe had to delay plans to travel from Harare to Bulawayo after it emerged that they wouldn’t have a hotel to stay in.The team is in Harare at the moment, having triumphed in a T20I tri-series in which they beat the hosts and Australia to the title. They are scheduled to play a five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, starting on Friday.After winning the final on Sunday, Pakistan were originally scheduled to fly out on Monday evening but had to reschedule because the hotel they were due to stay in demanded payment upfront for the booking and Zimbabwe Cricket was initially unable to provide it, which resulted in the cancellation of the booking.ZC has been in a financial crisis for some time now, having had to postpone domestic tournaments and struggled to pay players and employees. They have at least the promise of some help from the ICC now.The situation with Pakistan’s hotel bookings has since been rectified and the tourists will now fly to Bulawayo – a journey of under an hour by air – on Thursday morning, when their rooms become available. They will train on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the first ODI.The Zimbabwe squad arrived in Bulawayo on Monday night and trained on Tuesday morning. The teams will play all five ODIs at Queens Sports Club from July 13 to 22.