All posts by h716a5.icu

Amol Karhadkar15-Oct-20158:18

‘Give me a reversing ball and I still get excited’ – Zaheer

How tough is it to finally give up on what you say is your life?
It was tougher than I thought, and that is summed up in my press release as well. For any cricketer it is the toughest decision you have to make. You always think that one last push is there. Especially with me, knowing that “Zak is Back” can happen, I thought that I can give that push. Somewhere during the training, as I was preparing for the season, I realised that it is the right time to walk away from international cricket. This is how the whole process happened. What happened post that was discussion with people and letting them know that this is what is going on in my mind.You wrote in your press release that your mother was happy with your journey. Are you satisfied with your career or are there any regrets?
Very, very satisfied. She summed it up very nicely. That kind of consolidated my decision. The decision was very clear post that discussion I had with my family members.Whom did you consult?
The decision was made, and then I went and spoke to everyone. I did go and meet Sachin [Tendulkar] also. I had a good word with Ashish Nehra, Ajit Agarkar. I had a good word with all my coaches. I spoke to Sudhir Naik sir, I spoke to TA Sekhar as well. Pretty much, they were all also happy. Pretty much everyone I have been talking to, they have been talking about the journey, too. That’s the highlight of it.Did anyone urge you to give another try?
Jokingly, my friends keep telling me that. They are pulling my leg till today, asking if I am going to take a U-turn. But, [Javagal] Srinath was the only one who said that I could have played for one more year easily. I told him, being a pace bowler yourself, you shouldn’t be telling me all this. You should relate to me, and not tell me to play another year.Considering that you played 15 years of international cricket, how much did you have to unlearn and learn new things to keep yourself fresh and relevant?
That process goes on throughout, and will continue as I am just watching the game. That thing never stops. As you see, cricket is evolving and batters are adapting new techniques. They are trying different tactics to counter what bowlers are throwing at them.Do you think injuries shortened your career or did they play a role in making you the player that you went on to become?
I have done well with all of it. That’s one thing I feel proud of, that whatever things which have been thrown at me at different situations, I have dealt with it well. That’s why “Zak is Back” is there. That’s one thing I have always looked at as a learning curve. Every experience has made me and changed me as a person in a better way.Have you counted the number of surgeries or injuries you had?
Surgeries I have had only two. That way I was lucky. Yeah, I did have niggles and stuff like that here and there.On his preparations for the 2011 World Cup final: “I was fully zoned out, focused only on the job on hand.”•Santosh Harhare/Getty ImagesFrom a schoolboy cricketer who traveled to play MLA Trophy with tennis-ball matches all over Ahmednagar district to winning a World Cup. Can you recall your journey on a day like this?
Since the time I have made my decision, I have been thinking about all of that. It’s been a special journey. At no point in Shrirampur did I think I would make it to Indian cricket. There are a series of events that happened and if one link was missing, I don’t think I would be sitting here and talking to you guys.
Leading up to international cricket, the journey was very critical. I started way back in 1996 and I came to National [Cricket Club]. Right from Sudhir Naik telling me to take cricket seriously to [Vidya] Paradkar [Naik’s assistant coach at National Cricket Club, Mumbai] spending a lot of time just working on my bowling, going to [MRF] Pace Foundation and working with Dennis [Lillee] and TA Sekhar that time, and also getting exposed to fitness training. Even physios and trainers, all have played their part. From Chennai, I landed up in Baroda to make my Ranji Trophy debut. So, from Shrirampur I have gone to many places to make it to the Indian team. That’s what I really feel proud of.You mastered the art of swing, both with the new and old ball. Was it a self-taught process?
As I was playing more and more, things were falling into place. I would think of approaching certain situations in a certain way, and then it kind of formed a pattern. If it’s 80 overs in a day, how different situations are played. If you are playing in Australia or South Africa, especially with the Kookaburra balls, batters would look to come at you between 60 to 80 overs, because that’s when the ball is not doing much. If it is a really flat wicket, they will start at 50. Initially they will be very watchful. When they are watchful, it’s your time of attacking. You have to force them. When they are attacking, it’s your time to be defensive.
These are the things you learn with experience, and also different balls react differently. [The] Kookaburra ball reacts differently to [the] SG ball. Later on, in Test cricket here in India, you would have seen that I did not bowl longer spells with the new ball, but saved myself for reverse-swing, so that I am fresh and I have enough strength because the wicket is not going to offer you much. Those kind of things happen with experience. That’s what the learning curve is all about. As I was playing more and more games, I started understanding these situations and helping speed up that process of understanding for the youngsters.Chaminda Vaas has said that he learnt reverse-swing by watching Wasim Akram on television, because no one shared the secret with him. How did you master it, especially when there was no tradition in India?
In Indian conditions, the ball would go reverse on most occasions. There is a particular way in which you can release the ball to get the maximum amount [out] of it. If you don’t do that and hide the ball appropriately, you won’t get that.I started hiding the ball and it just happened to me. I cannot really pinpoint any particular moment. I just started bowling it, and I started running in trying to hide the ball with the other hand, and it kind of amplified the effect of reverse-swing.The current crop of fast bowlers is not able to master that. Why is it [reverse-swing] dying?
In one-dayers, it is dying. In Test matches, it is still there.Zaheer Khan stated that his stint with Worcestershire helped him become a more attacking bowler•BCCIYou spoke about experience. Do you think the 2006 county stint with Worcestershire played a role in your transformation as a bowler?
It played a huge role, but I must tell you that leading up to it I had been advised to cut short my run-up. Just that I was just not able to do that because I was playing international cricket regularly, and those are things you just cannot go in the international game and change. So, when I was away from international cricket, I got an opportunity to work on that.Cutting my run-up short gave me more control. With technology and by asking people even you all will know the faults of the batters, but as a bowler you have got to be able to execute that. And to execute that you need control. That process happened in county as I bowled more and more with a short run-up. That kind of helped me become a more attacking bowler, in terms of exploiting a batsman’s weakness.In 2005, when India lost the ODI series to Pakistan 4-2 you were in an important phase of your career. Can you recall what happened in that phase, and the people who came up to you and gave you the idea of playing county cricket?
It just happened. Murali Kartik, who is good friends with Vikram Solanki and had played with him, called me. He said there is a place available and, honestly for me, there was no option. I didn’t think about it and just said that I want to play. I looked at the next six months and playing some kind of cricket. I just wanted to be on the field as it was the off season in India. Then, Vikram called me, and I spoke to Steve Rhodes, the coach, and Mark Newton, the [chief] executive, and that’s how Worcestershire happened. There was no thought process as such. I would just go and train. There was no cricket. I was just training in Mumbai in that phase, completely blank. I was not sure [of] what’s next.More than returning mentally and physically in tune after a county stint, was the idea of constantly picking up wickets more appealing?
The way I approached my bowling was to focus on the right areas and keep asking questions. If I knew a batsman’s weakness, then I would just keep bowling there or go according to the situation. If there is a partnership happening and someone is coming hard at you, then have a plan which is going to restrict him from achieving that. That, itself, is a victory in that particular phase. So, I used to approach that way.You were seen in a different light after returning from England. In the Wanderers Test against South Africa in 2006, Sreesanth took more wickets, but you were a different bowler. Was it because you were secure about your place in the Indian team?
I was just enjoying the game. I would say that’s what Worcestershire taught me. I was just there playing the game of cricket, and enjoying it. I just continued that mindset from thereon. Leading up to that, yes, there were a lot of things happening in India, which kind of put pressure on me. It was all about getting back into the team, doing this and that, or you have to show the wickets. Going to Worcestershire was an enjoyment factor.Very few players have managed to make the second part of their career far more impressive than the first one. What would you attribute your success to?
It all came back to knowing more about the game and understanding how the whole thing is going. If a particular team is doing a media conference in a certain way, then what’s the reason behind that. Those things do happen, right? Later on, I started using it to my advantage.So you secretly enjoyed it when the media started projecting Graeme Smith as your bunny?
Of course, yes. That’s the fun part of it. Aggression is important, but these things are also important. If you saying something as a bowler is going to affect his game, that’s what you want, right?Would you go and grin at Smith between deliveries?
I would say things. Sometimes, I did not say anything and just looked at him because he would not look at me on the field. That itself is enough at times. It was a good battle. I have been a part of many battles. Sometimes you are fielding for long, long days and you come back. That’s what I enjoyed about Test matches. The ability to make things happen is exciting and when your plan succeeds, it’s most satisfying.Zaheer on his rivalry with Graeme Smith: “Sometimes, I did not say anything and just looked at him because he would not look at me on the field.”•AFPHow much did you act up the jelly bean incident during the 2007 Test series in England?
I did act up a bit, and that’s what everyone does. I am happy about that. I didn’t act it up on the field, but post the match I did, because I thought there was an opportunity.What went into the making of your 2011 World Cup performance and did the memories of the 2003 World Cup final linger?
Actually, in a way it was a good learning for me. Obviously, I was disappointed when it happened to me. After the national anthem [in 2003], everyone was so charged up and I was about to bowl. That didn’t help and I was acting out of my character. That was not my natural way of approaching situations. I did go at the batters and in the process I lost control in those two overs. Then, it was hard for me to get back. Australia, of course, was playing good cricket at that time. They had not lost a single game in the World Cup, and had the edge and good players to put the pressure back on us.That experience did help in 2011. As I was standing for the national anthem, I was kind of zoned out and we happened to bowl again this time. The night before, I was saying that I have worked at it, I have got a second opportunity and I know what to do. I looked at it [2003] as an experience which is going to help me do better, and not as the pressure of not doing well.Considering what happened in 2003, did playing the 2011 final at the Wankhede Stadium add more pressure or was it good to have home support?
I was fully zoned out, focused only on the job on hand. It started with winning the Pakistan game (semi-final) in Mohali. We did celebrate our win, but we all were very aware that we will be playing the final in two days’ time. So, that was very clear with everyone, that we will mingle with people but not relax as it was not the end. The talks in the dressing room were like that and it was a great thing. Personally, I was saying that I have come this far and I know what’s going to come next.Were you relieved after that opening spell of five overs in the final?
I remember it was a very, very hot day. It was probably one of the hottest days in Mumbai. The conditions were tough and the first spell was critical, but I was not relaxed after that. I remember walking up to MS [Dhoni] and asking him to give me the final over. He wanted Munaf to bowl that. These are the decisions you take on the field, and I am glad we could win the match so easily.Between these two World Cups, there was the 2007 edition. Was it the worst India dressing-room you have been a part of?
It was tough (laughs). Everyone was planning the next thing, but we had to cut short the trip. It was a tough couple of weeks.Zaheer Khan and Kevin Pietersen exchange words during the 2007 Trent Bridge Test, famous for the jelly bean incident. “I did act up a bit, and that’s what everyone does,” Zaheer said about the incident.•Getty ImagesWhen you walked out of Lord’s in 2011 with 2 for 18 on the first morning, what was running through your mind?
The hamstring has always been a tricky thing with me, and I knew that it might not be an easy thing. With hamstrings, you never really know when it has healed fully. I did play the next practice match, but within three overs I knew I won’t be there for a while.In 2011, when you broke down in England, it came after a heavy international calendar and the IPL. You did not travel to the West Indies for the preceding tour, but do you think your career could have panned out differently if you had taken a break after the World Cup?
Not really. Before I took a decision on any niggles, I consulted enough guys. So, the call was right. It just happened. You don’t have any control over an injury. I was actually waiting for the tour to get over and go for an ankle surgery. That surgery was not mandatory. And, the injury I had was of the hamstring, and had nothing to do with the ankle. But, because I was missing the series, I went for the surgery at that point. Whatever calls you take, you take after discussing with experts.Talking about numbers, there were many four-wicket hauls but you could not convert them into five-fors. Is that a regret?
Not really. If I can create that impact in a spell by taking three-four wickets, then I am happy. I was always looking for the kind of situations where I could have an impact on the game, and I am happy that I have achieved it and changed the course of many games.You have been given a lot of compliments. Sachin Tendulkar said that you out-thought the batsmen. Kapil Dev said that he would have loved to share the new ball with you had you been his contemporary. How do you want to be remembered. What is Zaheer Khan’s legacy?
Someone who just kept trying, never gave up is what I look at. That’s the approach I carried on to the field every time. I think sometimes even when you are defensive, that’s also attacking. You got to know that.Kumar Sangakkara rates you among the toughest bowlers he has faced. Are you happy that some of the top batsmen have rated you the most difficult to play?
When I look back, these are the things which make you proud about yourself. Sanga is a top guy. He has his record to speak for itself. Someone like him, praising you, you tell yourself that you deserve a pat on your back. You have done well for yourself.Javagal Srinath told ESPNcricinfo that perhaps you could have managed your body better. Do you agree or do you think you understood your body better in the latter half of your career?
There are ifs and buts in every aspect of life. He told me this, and I told him that every time we used to restrict a team to 220 or 230, he used to say that we could have restricted them to 180. It’s all part and parcel of the whole process. When I look back, I am happy and proud with what I have achieved.Zaheer on his later battles with fitness: “You don’t have any control over an injury.”•Associated PressCan you recall one day or one spell you bowled with complete control?
I can’t pinpoint, but that 2006 phase is where I could just make it happen. Just land up at the ground, and do it right. That was the phase when I managed pretty well. If you guys were travelling, you would have seen that I hardly bowled in the nets. It was a phase where my rhythm was good until I got that plantar fascia injury [in 2007]. Injuries are a stop-gap and you rebuild again.Indian bowlers are unable to find the right combination between pace and swing. Pace bowlers try to go for swing, and swing bowlers go for pace. What is your suggestion?
You need both. If you can adapt your skill level to what the wicket is offering, to a certain extent, then you can create more impact. If you have to bowl on a dampish wicket, hit-the-deck bowlers usually lose that edge. If you can adapt your skill to releasing and kissing the deck, then you are going to get maximum number of wickets.There is a lot of talk that Bhuvneshwar Kumar has lost his swing in order to up his pace. What is your advice?
I don’t relate it to that. Bhuvi has never been an out-and-out pace bowler. I don’t think he is trying to bowling at 145kmph. He is still focussing on his skills and trying to swing the ball. That he is not able to swing it is a different story.What are you going to miss the most?
Going out there and trying to figure out batsmen. Going with the game on the field. I really enjoyed that part. Being outside [the team]and seeing things, you can’t do much really. But, being inside you always had a chance of doing something. That’s what I will miss the most.Are you going to miss mentoring or do you plan to become a bowling coach?
It depends. Yes, it comes naturally to me. So, I am always there if anyone needs any help. How exactly that is going to happen, I have not really given it a thought. I will right now focus on playing maybe play some club cricket just for the fun of it.

A combination of technical deficiencies, temperamental uncertainties, and India’s predatory instincts rolled South Africa over again but this time the visitors were also left mentally shot

Firdose Moonda in Delhi04-Dec-20151:13

‘India deserve credit for their bowling’ – Domingo

Regardless of the outcome, this Test was always going to present South Africa with a selection of what-ifs. What if South Africa had got to Delhi with something more than pride to play for? What if they had picked Dane Piedt earlier? But, after they were left deflated on another day, they had to face the one what-if they would have hoped to avoid: what if they were not good enough to compete in this contest at all?After Hashim Amla dropped three catches in the slips, India pushed on and punished South Africa. They later struggled to deal with the quicks, an area where South Africa have been usually unflappable. At the end of the day, the only conclusion South Africa could reach was that they were not up to the standard. Their coach Russell Domingo seemed to be resigned to that reality though he was perplexed about the reasons behind it.”It’s not through lack of trying or lack of effort or lack of commitment. It just hasn’t worked for us. Things just haven’t gone well for us,” Domingo said. “And you also need to make your own luck. Things have gone well for India and they have made their own luck.”It’s true that more things have gone well for India than they have for South Africa but it is also true that South Africa have not justified anything going right for them. India have won every toss and made the right decision every time, which has allowed them to make better use of the conditions. That, however, had nothing to do with South Africa’s fall this time. Confidence, or the lack of it, did.South Africa let it slip midway through the first day, when they actually had some measure of control, having reduced India to 139 for 6. The visitors operated essentially with three bowlers – Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott, and Dane Piedt – and they probably needed one more on the first day and perhaps two today, but they were hit by lack of resources.Even as Morkel and Piedt were inconsistent today, Abbott was exceptional as he kept it tight and found movement. But Ajinkya Rahane and R Ashwin combined well to keep the scorecard ticking, leaving South Africa drained. With every run conceded, South Africa seemed to take a step closer to the Emirates flight that will depart from Delhi at 4am on Tuesday morning. Domingo, though hoped that thoughts of home did not overwhelm the job that had to be done here.”It has been a long tour,” Domingo admitted. “But the talk before the game was all very good. We spoke about how important every Test is, how we know we haven’t played as well as we can so whether its subconscious that it’s one foot on the plane I can’t comment on.”Instead, he felt that Rahane and India’s lower order ground the attack and drained everything South Africa had in their tank. “We’ve been outplayed over two days. One guy scored a great hundred and their No.9 (Ashwin) had a lucky escape and went one to score fifty and then we capitulated under some good bowling, ” Domingo said. “Their batting was pretty average until Rahane’s 100 today. One guy has gone on and played a really good innings.”But it was more than that. While Rahane was the only one to get to three figures, he was part of three fifty-plus partnerships, the seventh and eight wicket stands yielding 157 runs together. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin proved as menacing with the bat as they have been with the ball. What that realisation sunk in, the real difference between South Africa and India was highlighted.Hashim Amla was hiked to No.3 but fell for a painstaking 3, after dropping three catches•Associated Press”They’ve managed to bat better at the back end of their innings than we have. Once we’ve been under pressure we’ve fallen away badly,” Domingo said. “And the Indian bowlers have have continuously kept us under pressure. Every time it looked like getting better, someone got out or someone got a good ball. There were a few dismissals that could be deemed as soft, they were a few down to good bowling so it was a bit of both. They deserved a lot of credit.”Not only have South Africa’s been bundled out because of technical deficiencies and temperamental uncertainties but also because India have been able to prey on those. Jadeja identified that Bavuma often hung back in the crease and nailed the batsman with a skiddy ball. Umesh Yadav, who knew that he was getting good movement, surprised JP Duminy from round the wicket with one that straightened. Virat Kohli was smart to cramp the out-of-form pair of Amla and Faf du Plessis with close-in fielders to force an error. Not even switching places – Amla came in at No.3 while du Plessis dropped to No.5 – could help South Africa turn things around.A combination of these have skittled South Africa again. This time, they looked as mentally shot as they were physically, but Domingo managed some optimism.With India set to hammer their home advantage, what were South Africa’s chances? “We’ve got to keep believing,” Domingo said. “You’d be foolish to put money on South Africa winning now but if we can do something special, bowl them out for 120, end up chasing 320….” If. What if.

Plus: identical scores by openers in ODIs, and prolific bowling pairs

Steven Lynch26-Jan-2016In the Johannesburg Test all South Africa’s batsmen made a lower score in the second innings than they had in the first. How rare is this? asked Julian Waghorn from England
As it turns out, it’s very rare indeed: what South Africa’s batsmen managed in the third Test in Johannesburg had only happened once before. The only other time all 11 batsmen did better in the first innings than the second was in Bangladesh’s inaugural Test, against India in Dhaka in 2000-01, when Bangladesh batted strongly to make 400 in the first innings, but collapsed for 91 in their second. There have been seven instances of ten people doing worse second time round – all since 1981-82. The most recent one was by West Indies against India in Mumbai in 2011-12 – the match which finished with India nine down and the scores level. All the West Indians scored more in the first innings than they did in the second – except skipper Darren Sammy, who ruined everything by making 3 and 10.I noticed that the Indian team in the recent one-day series had at least 500 caps more between them than their Australian opponents. What’s the greatest difference in experience between two teams in an ODI or a Test? asked Tobin Blathwayt from New Zealand
The list in one-day internationals is dominated by occasions when an experienced Full Member side took on an Associate country: the biggest difference came during the 2003 World Cup, when a Pakistan team whose combined experience amounted to 1881 caps took on Namibia, with 20. In the next World Cup, in 2007, India (1986 caps) opposed Bermuda (158, a difference of 1828). The biggest discrepancy between two Test-playing nations also came during the 2003 World Cup, in the match between Sri Lanka (1758) and Bangladesh (209). Also in that World Cup, a Pakistan team containing 2028 caps took on England with 657. Turning to Tests, the biggest differences are not, as you might expect, from early in a particular side’s history. By coincidence, the record was set in the 2011-12 match mentioned above in Mumbai, when India (737 Test caps) opposed West Indies (188). India occupy the next three places as well, both from matches during 2010: early in the year they took on Bangladesh, with a side containing 523 more caps (679-156), and later on faced New Zealand in successive matches with a difference of 509 (793-284, and 804-295). The biggest difference in T20Is was set in Dubai in November 2015, when Pakistan (426 appearances) took on England (125).Stephen Cook is the oldest South African to score a century on Test debut•Getty ImagesWas India’s 331 the highest successful chase in a one-day international at Sydney? asked David Ferrier from Austria
India’s 331 for 4 in Sydney last weekend, to win the final match of the run-soaked one-day series in Australia, was actually the second-highest successful chase at the SCG. In 2010-11, England started with 333 for 6 in Sydney, with Jonathan Trott scoring 137 – but Australia ran that down in the final over, finishing with 334 for 8. The next-best chase in Sydney is 275, by Australia against South Africa in 2014-15.Stephen Cook made a hundred on Test debut, but his father made a duck. Was this unique? asked Michael Dawson from England
The South African opener Stephen Cook’s 115 against England in Centurion last week made him the sixth (and oldest, at 33) to score a hundred on Test debut for South Africa, all since 1991-92. Cook’s father, Jimmy, another prolific opener, was dismissed by the very first ball of his debut Test, against India in Durban in 1992-93. This was only the second case of the son scoring a hundred and the father making a duck on Test debut: Hamish Rutherford scored 171 in his first match for New Zealand, against England at Dunedin in 2012-13, but his father Ken had a rather more chastening Test baptism – blown away for a pair by West Indies at Port-of-Spain in 1984-85, an experience that included being run out without facing in the second innings. There are also two instances of the reverse. Lala Amarnath made 118 in his first Test for India, against England in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1933-34, but his son Mohinder was out for 0 on his debut, against Australia in Madras in 1969-70. Another son, Surinder Amarnath, completed a unique family double by scoring 124 on his Test debut, against New Zealand in Auckland in 1975-76. Rodney Redmond started (and finished) his one-Test career with 107 for New Zealand against Pakistan in Auckland in 1972-73; his son Aaron – also an opener – made a duck on his debut, against England at Lord’s in 2008. Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh both made 71 at the Gabba. Is this the highest identical score by openers in an ODI? asked Mitch Wynd from Australia
That double by Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh for Australia against India in Brisbane in the second match of the recent one-day series comes in third on this particular list – but the record was broken quite recently. In November 2015, Tamim Iqbal and Imrul Kayes both scored 73 for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe in Mirpur. That broke the previous mark of 72, by Desmond Haynes (who was not out) and Richie Richardson for West Indies against India in Sharjah in 1985-86. The Test record is 88, by Shane Watson and Phillip Hughes for Australia against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2011-12.Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath shared 980 Test wickets between them•Getty ImagesAre James Anderson and Stuart Broad the most prolific bowling partnership in history? asked Ian Robins from England
Before the start of the fourth Test in Centurion, James Anderson and Stuart Broad had taken 620 wickets in Tests in which they both appeared. That’s easily an England record – beating 476 by Ian Botham and Bob Willis – but fourth on the overall list, behind Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh (757), Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas (879), and the runaway leaders Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne (980). Murali and Vaas hold the record for one-day internationals with 704 wickets in matches they played together; Murali and Sanath Jayasuriya are next with 633, ahead of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis on 581.And there’s an update to the recent question about the biggest Test totals without any no-balls:
Charles Davis, the indefatigable Melbourne statistician who has made an exhaustive study of old scorebooks, says: “The 790 by West Indies in 1957-58 did contain a no-ball, by Fazal Mahmood; Garry Sobers hit one run off it. The 729 by Australia in 1930 also had one no-ball, hit for four by Bill Woodfull off Frank Woolley, so the 708 by Pakistan at The Oval in 1987 does indeed stand as the highest Test innings without any no-balls at all.” Regarding the explanation later in the original answer, I got my wires crossed about the practice of adding the penalty for a no-ball to the runs scored – and crediting the runs separately to the batsman and extras – which started in 1998. Previously the bowler just bowled another delivery, and there was no run-penalty for the no-ball if it was scored from. What happened in the early 1980s was that it became common practice for no-balls and wides to be debited against the bowler, which they hadn’t been before.Send in your questions using our feedback form.

18-Apr-2016Parthiv Patel hung around for four overs, before he was bowled off a slower variation from Barinder Sran•BCCIThe situation soon worsened when Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma ran himself out•BCCIHowever, a 63-run fifth-wicket partnership between Ambati Rayudu and Krunal Pandya got the innings back on track•BCCIKrunal rode his luck, though. A top edge towards mid-off landed just in front of a diving Shikhar Dhawan when he was on 5•BCCIRayudu struck three fours and two sixes before slicing to point for a 49-ball 54•AFPHardik Pandya fell soon after, bowled by Mustafizur Rahman, as Sunrisers pulled the run rate back towards the end•BCCIBut Krunal stayed unbeaten on 49 off 28 balls to lift Mumbai to 142 for 6•BCCISunrisers’ bowlers conceded just 31 off the last five overs. Sran stood out with figures of 3 for 28•BCCIShikhar Dhawan’s lean patch continued with his third consecutive single-digit score. Mumbai had an early opening•BCCIBut Sunrisers were always a step ahead as David Warner held one end up•BCCITim Southee, though, kept Mumbai in the hunt with three wickets•BCCIWhen Eoin Morgan fell to a brilliant catch by Hardik off Southee, Sunrisers were 100 for 3 with 34 balls remaining•BCCIDeepak Hooda scored 17* off just nine balls, and shared an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 45 with Warner•BCCIWarner’s unbeaten, 59-ball 90 helped Sunrisers race to the target with 15 balls to spare, for their first win of the season•BCCI

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Aug-2016Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis then steadied the hosts with a 108-run partnership•Associated PressMendis was particularly fluent, stroking ten fours and two sixes as he continued his good form•AFPBut Nathan Lyon ended the stand when he had Perera caught at slip for 49•Associated PressMendis then shared a half-century stand with Angelo Mathews, who played an enterprising innings as well•AFPStarc returned to produce a beauty to have Mendis caught behind for 86 and bring up his 100th Test wicket•Associated PressTwenty balls later, Josh Hazlewood had Dinesh Chandimal caught at short midwicket to reduce Sri Lanka to 199 for 5•Associated PressMitchell Marsh also chipped in after tea, having Mathews caught behind for 54•Associated PressNo. 7 Dhananjaya de Silva hit six fours in his 37…•Associated Press… before becoming left-arm spinner Jon Holland’s maiden international victim•AFPStarc castled Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan to dismiss Sri Lanka for 281 in 73.1 overs•AFPHe ended with figures of 5 for 44, the best by a visiting seamer in Galle•Associated PressVishwa Fernando, who replaced Nuwan Pradeep in the XI, struck with his second ball in Test cricket when he had Joe Burns pulling to midwicket•AFPDavid Warner, however, led the charge with aggression and lashed seven fours…•AFP…before falling to Dilruwan Perera for 42 off 41 balls at the stroke of stumps. Australia still trailed by 227 runs•AFP

Stats highlights from the first Test between Zimbabwe and New Zealand in Bulawayo, where Neil Wagner took a career-best six-for on the opening day

Shiva Jayaraman28-Jul-20160 Previous instances when a pace bowler has returned better figures than Neil Wagner’s 6 for 41 in a Test innings at Queen Sports Club, Bulawayo. The previous best at this venue was also by a New Zealand bowler – Shane Bond’s 6 for 51 in 2005. Wagner’s six-for was the fourth instance of a bowler taking six wickets in a Test innings at Queens.1 Number of times a New Zealand bowler has returned better figures than Wagner’s in a Test against Zimbabwe. Chris Martin took 6 for 26 in Napier in 2012. Bond’s 6 for 51 in 2005 is the only other instance of New Zealand pace bowler taking a six-for in a Test innings against Zimbabwe.6/106 Wagner’s previous innings best in Tests, against Australia in Christchurch in February this year. This is the third time Wagner has taken five or more wickets in Tests. He has taken 80 wickets at 30.51.85 The partnership between Prince Masvaure and Donald Tiripano – the second-highest stand for Zimbabwe for the ninth wicket in Tests. Paul Strang and Bryan Strang added 87 runs against Pakistan in Sheikhupura in 1996, which is the highest.3 Number of larger ninth-wicket stands than the one in Zimbabwe’s innings when a team has lost eight wickets for a score of less than 100. Tiripano joined Masvaure when Zimbabwe were 72 for 8. It is the highest such partnership since Roger Binny and Madan Lal added 117 runs against West Indies in Kanpur in 1983 after India were 90 for 8.49* Runs scored by Donald Tiripano, the highest by a Zimbabwe batsman at No. 10 or 11 in Tests. Bryan Strang’s 42 against Pakistan in Sheikhupura in 1996 was the previous best.6 Instances when Zimbabwe have been dismissed for a score lower than the 164 they made in this innings in Tests by New Zealand. Their lowest all-out total at home against New Zealand is 59, which came in Harare in 2005.4 Wickets lost by Zimbabwe on the score of 72, their worst four-wicket collapse in a Test innings. Their previous worst was also against New Zealand in Harare in 2005, when they slid from 9/0 to 11/4 in their first innings.2009 The last time two players from opposing teams made their debut as captains in the same Test, before Graeme Cremer and Kane Williamson in this Test. West Indies’ Floyd Reifer and Bangladesh’s Mashrafe Mortaza captained their respective teams for the first time in their career in St Vincent on that occasion. Overall this was the 24th such instance since (and not including) the first ever Test.126 Internationals played by Chamu Chibhabha – 96 ODIs and 30 T20Is – before making his Test debut, in this match. This is the second-most international matches played by anyone before making his Test debut. Rohit Sharma had played 144 international games before making his debut in Tests, against West Indies in Kolkata in 2013-14.

Shashank Kishore05-Oct-2016Kuldeep YadavKuldeep first rose to prominence at the 2014 Under-19 World Cup with his left-arm wristspin, to finish as the joint second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament. One of few positives in a disappointing campaign, Kuldeep was expected to become a regular in Uttar Pradesh’s first-class set-up almost immediately. But two seasons on, opportunities continue to remain elusive, partly because conditions up north, where UP have played a bulk of their matches. The presence of Piyush Chawla, the captain and legspinner, has also somewhat stunted his progress. But his performances at IPL 2016, where he delivered at key moments for Kolkata Knight Riders, and his start to the season with the Duleep Trophy – he picked up 17 wickets in three matches – have resulted in some hope. With Anil Kumble impressing on the need to have a pool of match-ready back-ups, Kuldeep’s performances could be closely monitored should he earn the state selectors’ nod.Mayank Agarwal”It’s strange that I’m recognised as a Delhi Daredevils batsman than Karnataka opener,” Mayank Agarwal said last year after questions were raised over his batting style: more suited to the shorter formats. Those doubts may have been put on the back burner for the time being though. Agarwal came into his own during the season-opening Duleep Trophy, where he struck 420 runs in five innings, including a career-best 161.That he featured in just 19 first-class games since his debut in November 2013 was largely due to Karnataka’s top-heavy batting line-up. The presence of KL Rahul and Robin Uthappa coupled with Agarwal’s inability to build on starts led to him being left out at various stages during Karnataka’s treble-winning run in 2014 and 2015. With Rahul likely to slot back in to India’s Test line-up for the England series once he recovers from a hamstring injury, and Manish Pandey and Karun Nair in the mix for a middle-order berth, Agarwal will be one of the batting lynchpins. Having already represented India A in the limited-overs tri-series last year against Australia and South Africa, where he was the highest run-getter, consistent scores for Karnataka could further help him break into the national team.Shreyas IyerIf performances are the criterion for selection, Shreyas Iyer has done most things asked of him in his first two Ranji Trophy seasons. He followed up his debut season, where he made 809 runs, to become the highest run-getter last season (1321 runs), with four centuries, including a one from a dire situation in the final against Saurashtra in Pune. Only VVS Laxman’s tally of 1415 runs for Hyderabad in 1999-2000 is higher than Iyer’s. In his innings of 117 in the final, he also went past the Mumbai record for most runs in a season, held by Wasim Jaffer (1260 runs in 2008-09). Iyer scored those runs at an average of 73.78 and strike rate of 92.70. The impressive performances have earned him a call-up to the India A team. Another impressive Ranji Trophy season could make it hard for the selectors to ignore him.Jayant YadavThe tall offspinner from Haryana has been on the radar since 2014, and is currently part of India’s Test squad for the home series against New Zealand. That he finds himself on the fringes was largely due to his performances for India A in Australia, where he picked seven wickets in two outings. Prior to that, he was part of India’s squad for the limited-overs series in Zimbabwe.Swinging conditions in Lahli have somewhat prevented him from bowling long spells, but he has used those opportunities to channelise his batting too – his career best of 211 not out in his second first-class season against Karnataka in 2012 being an indication of his potential. His threat with the ball has surfaced when Haryana have played away. With matches set to be played at neutral venues this season, Jayant has an opportunity to further boost his claim.He first rose to prominence in 2014-15, when he began the season with a six-for and took 13 wickets against Saurashtra in Rajkot. He was rewarded with selection for the India A squad for the home series against South Africa A and Bangladesh A last year. Jayant earned a berth in the India A squad for the tour of Australia in July-August this year after his season-ending performance in March; he claimed eight wickets for Rest of India against Mumbai in the Irani Cup, and remained unbeaten on 19 when his side completed their historic chase of 480.Nathu SinghThe Rajasthan pace bowler is widely regarded as one of the fastest in India today, but apprehensions have been raised about him going a similar way to Munaf Patel. Perhaps this is why his second full first-class season could be crucial to his development. He impressed in the Duleep Trophy, picking up eight wickets including a six-wicket haul in the opener. The manner in which he hustled the batsmen for pace and swung the ball late earned praise from selectors and opposition captains. He was complimented for the same qualities when he played for the Board President’s XI in a tour game against South Africa in Mumbai last year. He will be key to Rajasthan’s bowling fortunes this season along with captain Pankaj Singh.

South Africa’s leadership conundrum has come full circle, with the Test captaincy now in the hands of Faf du Plessis, a man seemingly designed for it

Firdose Moonda15-Dec-2016A man and his dog were at Newlands on Wednesday afternoon but not to make up the proverbial crowd that usually attends domestic first-class matches here. The man was Faf du Plessis, who was making his first appearance as the new permanent Test captain. The dog was Giorgio, his nine-year old dachshund, who had a back operation earlier this year after becoming temporarily paralysed and now has his hind legs in a harness.Together they walked the outfield that is now du Plessis’ domain; the outfield on which South Africa’s captaincy conundrum has come full circle.It was on this ground that Hashim Amla announced he would not continue to captain, opening the door for AB de Villiers to do the job he always wanted. It was also on this ground that du Plessis, standing in for an injured de Villiers, led South Africa in completing a 5-nil ODI series whitewash over Australia to begin the conversation over whether the leadership role needed to be looked at again. And it was on this ground last Thursday that du Plessis played for the national cricket side against the national rugby side and afterwards found out that de Villiers had made the decision to give up the captaincy before anyone else could make it for him.”I got the call just after the Proteas game against the Boks that AB is going to stand down for the Test matches,” du Plessis said. “I spoke to him that evening and I phoned him the next day just to make sure. My policy will always be one of being really honest, so it was just speaking as friends would do about going forward.”

“AB has always been a guy that puts the team first, as you’ve seen by his making this decision. To be part of something like that says a lot about our culture but also shows a lot about AB as a person and how he values the team above himself”

De Villiers’ decision came on the back of his own injury problems. He has not yet recovered from an elbow problem and hasn’t played for South Africa in almost six months, since their triangular series in the Caribbean. In that time the team have found the drive they lacked last summer and they have started winning again. It is obvious that they have got a good thing going and de Villiers did not want to stand in the way of that developing.”AB has been amazing,” du Plessis said. “He has always been a guy that puts the team first, as you’ve seen by his making this decision. To be part of something like that says a lot about our culture but also shows a lot about AB as a person and how he values the team above himself.” Du Plessis stressed that having his old schoolmate’s backing is the crucial to his captaincy. “That’s something he said to me, that he will always be there no matter what and he will always back me. It was great to hear that from him. I got a call from Hashim as well, to say well done. Hashim passed it on to AB and then AB passed it on to me.”While Amla has completely relinquished armbands of any description – except when leading du Plessis’ defense against ball-tampering – de Villiers remains in charge in some capacity. He is the ODI captain and should return to that role mid-January, when South Africa play Sri Lanka as they start their planning for June’s ICC event. Du Plessis has promised to offer him reciprocal commitment. “AB is still captain in ODIs and I am really excited about that because he wants to win that Champions Trophy and I will be completely behind him,” du Plessis said.Little else could be expected from two men who knew each other before the world knew either of them, more than two decades ago. To outsiders it’s a bromance between school-friends turned international team-mates but to South Africa, it means adjusting between captains. Split leadership was in vogue a few years ago but more recent thinking – including Graeme Smith’s appreciation for “streamlining” the captaincy – has suggested it could be a curveball. Du Plessis played that down, saying the only difference between de Villiers and him is that his friend is the brightest star in South Africa’s sporting sky while du Plessis is just one of the troops – albeit one who has the team’s buy-in.Say woof: Faf du Plessis and his dog Giorgio pose for the cameras•Firdose Moonda/ESPNcricinfo”AB leads from performance – he is a guy that every time he steps onto the field, you want to be better as a player because he is that good. He is a freak when it comes to cricket. He always puts himself out there and he gives 150%, so it’s easy for a team to follow that,” du Plessis said. “My style is a little bit different to that. I am not as good as AB is, so I have to rely on other qualities. I try and challenge a team as much as I can. For me it’s harder work, I suppose.”But it’s also work that du Plessis loves. He has long said captaincy brings out the best in him and he has proved it with two hundreds in five Tests as stand-in captain. The longest format is his first love and leading in it gives him his greatest joy.”Being a Test captain is almost the first time when people really take you seriously. T20 is like fun, the X-factor of cricket. Test cricket is, for me the most enjoyable time to be a captain because you have to work on plans for a long period of time, you have to strategise how you are going to get guys out and continuously challenge guys over a long period of time,” du Plessis said. “It’s a huge honour and I will be taking it very seriously.”Just at that moment, things became completely un-serious. Giorgio grew restless, shifted between the cameras and the reporters, wandered towards the pitch and eventually sat at du Plessis’ feet, looking up with puppy eyes and whimpering. His wish was du Plessis’ command. Mid-interview, Giorgio was lifted off the floor and cuddled. Between this man and his dog, there’s no doubt who the real boss is.

We have seen some big innings and vital bowling spells in the latest season of the Big Bash League. Which of these do you think made the biggest difference?

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Feb-2017Do you think we have missed out on an impactful performance in our list? Tell us at [email protected].

Ravi Bopara talks about Essex’s prospects of winning limited-overs silverware this year, and his aspirations of playing for England again

Interview by Alan Gardner10-Apr-2017It’s the start of a new season, Essex back in Division One of the Championship. What are your expectations?
I don’t know, I don’t really set goals, but I’m going to take every day as it comes. Excited to play against some different teams as well – we haven’t played some other teams for years now, so that’ll be nice. New set of bowlers, new set of batters to bowl at as well. It’s exciting, should be a good season.Last year you were captain of the limited-overs sides but have decided to step down. Why was that?
I just want to concentrate on my own game. I think I’ve got a lot to give as a player. I’m still young, 31, and if I want to go back to captaincy, I can in the future. So I just want to focus on my own game, take some more time out to work on stuff that I want to work on rather than having that tired feeling of organisation and that sort of thing. I just want to play cricket.Was it about trying get your enjoyment of game back?
I’ve always enjoyed it, I’ve never stopped enjoying it. It’s just more time to myself, really, so I can fit everything in.

“We get asked this question a lot: what do we need to do? Nothing special: just win. Win as many games as you can. If you don’t, you go down. If you do, you stay up. Hopefully, if you win enough, you win the league”

You haven’t played for England since the 2015 World Cup. Since then, Eoin Morgan’s team has completely revitalised the way England approach the limited-overs game. Do you still think about getting back in the set-up?
It’s always in the back of my mind. It would be nice for me to have a good summer and to be knocking on that door. There’s a part of me that still thinks about it, yeah. It looks a good environment to play in. So hopefully I can have a good summer. Let’s see what happens.Have you spoken to Trevor Bayliss since he took over?
No, I haven’t. I haven’t spoken to anyone.England are one of the favourites for the Champions Trophy this year. Do you ever look back on the 2013 final as a missed opportunity?
No, I don’t regret it. We had a good time to get to the final. It’s a shame we couldn’t chase down 130. But that’s cricket for you – you win some, you lose some. We won many games we should have lost, so you’ve got to take everything as it comes. India deserved it, hats off.As you said, you’re still only 31. Do you see yourself still playing in six, seven, eight years’ time?
That’s the plan. I’ve definitely still got the hunger. The plan is to play as long as possible. We’re a long time retired as cricketers, so hopefully I can play many, many more years.”Every year we target a one-day trophy, we back ourselves as a one-day team. It would be nice to go further than the quarter-finals. It gets a bit annoying – quarter-finals, semi-finals, out”•PA PhotosThere are a few flecks of grey in the beard now – but you’re not feeling like one of the old boys?
No, not at all. I’m moving well, moving like a youngster. I’m feeling good – and I’m going to have a little trim as well, so you can’t see them!Essex are in Division One for the first time since 2010. What do you have to do to survive this season? It’s something Essex haven’t managed before.
We’ve just got to win games. It’s as simple as that. We get asked this question a lot: what do we need to do? Nothing special: just win. Win as many games as you can. If you don’t, you go down. If you do, you stay up. Hopefully, if you win enough, you win the league.Can Essex realistically challenge the other teams?
Yeah, why not. A lot of people question us, but our batting line-up is very strong. We can put runs on the board, I know that for a fact. When you’ve got runs on the board, you’ve got a chance. So let’s just focus on doing those basics first.Does the extra attention and focus on Division One give you an incentive to perform?
There is a part that does get you going a little bit. But I’ve played 16 seasons now and it’s another year and I just look forward to going out and playing cricket with some of my best friends up there on a green outfield. It’s the best job in the world and the sheer fact that I enjoy it that much and I love the job that much, I don’t think about Division One, runs count and runs don’t count. I don’t really care – just go out and play cricket.

“I’m still young, 31, and if I want to go back to captaincy, I can in the future. So I just want to focus on my own game”

Last year was the third season running that Essex lost in the quarter-finals of both limited-overs competitions. Is it about time you went all the way?
Every year we target a one-day trophy, we back ourselves as a one-day team. It would be nice to go further than the quarter-finals. It gets a bit annoying – quarter-finals, semi-finals, out. It’s getting to the boys now, so it would be nice to go all the way this year. It’s going to be tough, but that’s the best thing about it. We enjoy playing together, turning up to the ground pretty much every day. It’s good fun.You have played in several of the T20 leagues around the world – the IPL, and more recently, the Bangladesh Premier League and the Pakistan Super League. Can that help Essex win a trophy?
Yeah, I think so. The experience of playing in other conditions, as well. Sometimes you come up against similar conditions, dry pitches – and you think, ‘I’ve kind of played on these pitches, so I know what to do here’, know what we should do with the bowling and fields. And just playing that many games helps, I think. You’re a more rounded, experienced player.There has been a lot of talk about the ECB introducing a new T20 competition in this country, now slated for 2020 – although it could threaten smaller counties like Essex. What do you think of the plans?
In the big scheme of things it’s important for England to have that structure. It’s not about individual counties, it’s about the bigger picture. We’re falling behind. You can look at the stats of youngsters playing cricket in England – they are falling. Traditionally we are always the last ones to do something, I don’t know why.Although England did invent T20.
We invented it, but we do um and ah a lot when it comes to changing things. It’s good that we’ve brought the change in. It would be nice to start it next year but we can’t. Let’s just wait until 2020 and play it then, but yeah, it was a good decision. I’ll be very keen.