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Tag: third Test

  • Sri Lanka bid to comb New Zealand and attain WTC remaining

    Sri Lanka will look to strike an early blow towards New Zealand in Christchurch this week and hope Australia can thwart India to maintain the World Test Championship (WTC) race alive.

    With Australia already confirmed within the WTC remaining, Sri Lanka can be part of them by sweeping New Zealand of their two-test collection if India are denied victory within the fourth take a look at within the subcontinent.

    The collection begins at Hagley Oval on Thursday, the identical day India and Australia begin their remaining take a look at on the mega-stadium in Ahmedabad.

    Sri Lanka has by far the tougher project, needing to create historical past to leapfrog their south Asian rivals.

    They have by no means gained greater than a single take a look at in New Zealand and their final victory was in 2006, when Mahela Jayawardene’s staff cut up a 1-1 collection with the Stephen Fleming-captained hosts.

    The two Captains pose for the shutterbugs forward of the #NZvSL two match Test collection. 📸

    Who do you reckon is taking this 🏆 dwelling ?

    Photo Credit: @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/RD0arOxAz6

    — Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) March 7, 2023

    “Beating New Zealand in New Zealand is certainly going to be a huge task but last time we played some good cricket over here,” veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews instructed reporters on Tuesday, referring to their 1-0 defeat on the 2019 tour.

    “We have to play fire with fire because they’re going to come hard at us.”

    Sri Lanka have left no stone unturned of their preparations and lately held a coaching camp at a brand new facility within the hills south of Kandy to attempt to simulate New Zealand’s cool situations and bouncy wickets.

    A staff extra accustomed to attacking with spin, Sri Lanka have introduced a full steady of tempo bowlers to New Zealand.

    They should be taught on the job as not one of the quicks has ever performed a take a look at in New Zealand, whereas Milan Priyanath and seam-bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne boast one take a look at between them.

    New Zealand, in the meantime, are in good spirits after pulling off a well-known one-run win over England in Wellington final week.

    That left the collection a 1-1 draw and preserved the Black Caps’ unbeaten report at dwelling relationship again to 2017.

    The staff’s prime batsman and former captain Kane Williamson might be a late arrival to Christchurch as he mourns the loss of life of his grandmother.

    The squad is in any other case “buzzing”, stated skipper Tim Southee.

    WATCH: Dimuth Karunaratne previews New Zealand Test collection – https://t.co/FafX5SqLH8 #NZvSL

    — Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) March 7, 2023

    “We haven’t felt that for a while and just to have that buzz around test cricket is great,” stated the quick bowler of the well-attended England collection.

    “Hopefully, that continues over the next few weeks.”

    With some rain forecast via the Christchurch take a look at, Dimuth Karunaratne’s Sri Lanka would possibly do nicely to comply with England’s attacking instance and search to maneuver the sport on rapidly in pursuit of victory.

    Anything lower than a win earlier than the second take a look at in Wellington will put India into the WTC remaining.

    Mathews stated Sri Lanka would persist with their type, having gained three of their final six collection and struggling their solely loss to India away.

    “Obviously, the English are playing a different brand of cricket,” he stated.

    “No strain in any respect. We know that we’ve acquired to win each the video games to be within the remaining and now we have to play actually good cricket.

    “It’s pretty straightforward.”

  • ‘I’m 100 per cent able to go’: Cameron Green all set to play in Indore Test

    Australian star all-rounder Cameron Green mentioned he’s 100 per cent match and can play the third towards India on the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore beginning on March 1.

    The 23-year-old mentioned, “I was so, so close last game but I think probably having an extra week has helped a lot, so I’m 100 per cent ready to go,”

    Green will give the required workforce stability for the Australian aspect who’ve been struggling to get their workforce composition proper and therefore are trailing within the four-match collection by 2-0. With Pat Cummins flown again to Sydney and can miss the third Test as a result of sickness to his mom Green’s availability for choice will improve the Australian suppose tank.

    The star all-rounder talking about his follow mentioned, “I reckon it’s just a few instances in the nets where I’d maybe go for a sweep and just jarred (the injured finger) on my bat.”

    “I went for a sweep to a pretty new ball, just caught the very end of it and had a bit of pain at the back of my finger, but apart from that it’s been really sweet the last two weeks, I’ve got a lot of confidence in it,” he added.

    Australian batters have been closely criticized for taking part in sweep photographs and getting out by former gamers and pundits through the second innings of the Delhi Test.

    Speaking about his bowling Green mentioned, “My bowling is actually going really well, I think we probably thought the ball on the back of the finger rolling off might be painful but that’s been completely fine.”

    “I had my first hit probably four or five days ago against the pace bowlers and felt completely fine,” he added.

    Green will keep in India after the collection for IPL the place he was introduced for 17.50 crores by 5-time champion Mumbai Indians.

  • Relentless strain crumbled India, first-innings collapse was weird: Virat Kohli

    India’s meek give up within the first innings of the third Test was “bizarre” for skipper Virat Kohli, who mentioned they crumbled within the face of relentless strain created by the England bowlers.
    India misplaced the Leeds Test by an innings and 76 runs as England levelled the five-match collection 1-1.
    Kohli admitted after being all out for 78, they have been at all times enjoying a catch-up sport.
    “Basically down to scoreboard pressure… Always up against it when you get out for under 80, and the opposition puts up such a big score,” Kohli mentioned on the post-match presentation.
    “But we did well to stay in the game yesterday, fight back as much as we could, and gave ourselves a chance. But the pressure today was outstanding from the England bowlers and eventually they got the results they wanted,” he mentioned.
    The India captain mentioned the batting collapse they suffered within the first innings was “quite bizarre” after their stupendous present within the Lord’s Test.
    “It can happen in this country, batting collapses. We thought the pitch was good to bat on, coming on nicely. But the discipline forced mistakes and the pressure was relentless. Difficult to cope when you’re not scoring runs. That caused the batting order to crumble,” he mentioned.
    Asked if, in hindsight, he would say that the choice to bat was a mistake, Kohli disagreed.
    “No, pitch looked good to bat on, when England batted it was a different ball game because we weren’t as good with the ball. The result is a reflection of how the teams played in this game, we expected them to bounce back.”
    Kohli mentioned they’ll’t at all times rely upon the lower-order batsmen to rescue them prefer it occurred in Lord’s the place Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah shocked England with their gritty batting.
    “Depth, it’s an argument you can have. The top order has to give enough runs for the lower middle order to step up. We did pretty well in the first two games, when you have a result like this you can’t take too much from it. As a batting group we need to stay close and confident, even after 36 all out (in Australia) we came back,” he mentioned.
    Kohli remained non-committal on if another spinner will probably be added within the subsequent Test, beginning September 2 on the Oval.
    “It relies on the pitch. We will assess the floor, how a lot moisture is there and our resolution will probably be primarily based on that. I believe this template works, the 4 seamers (in these situations). For certain, we set the template, you’re enjoying Test cricket and we’ve bounced again prior to now.
    “There are things we need to improve but we will take pride in trying to correct those errors, something we are looking forward to,” he mentioned.
    England skipper Joe Root chilly not cease smiling after his group’s “clinical performance.”
    “It was fantastic, clinical performance, the two big lads were exceptional, built pressure early on. Three maidens this morning, and we felt we were in a good place to take wickets. When chances came we took them,” he mentioned.
    “Look at the talent in the dressing room we know we’re capable, just have to be more consistent. Brilliant with the ball but the opening partnership with the bat was fantastic,” Root mentioned.

    We will give Pant all of the house that he wants, says Kohli
    India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday backed under-fire wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, saying the group administration will give him all of the house that he wants within the the rest of the five-Test collection towards England.
    The 23-year-old Pant, who has performed in all of the three Tests to date within the ongoing England collection, hasn’t been capable of get going with the bat, managing 25 at Nottingham, 37 and 22 at Lord’s, and a couple of and 1 at Leeds for a complete of solely 87 runs.
    “Well once more, as I mentioned, with one loss I can’t assess that or I can’t begin analysing that as a captain. Definitely the administration is just not going to begin analysing that as a result of we’re not failing as a group.
    “Consistently we are not losing, this is what I mean, when I say that, we failed this game as team definitely and we take responsibility for that,” Kohli mentioned on the digital post-match press convention when requested whether or not Pant’s lack of runs was creating issues for the decrease middle-order.
    “Similar conversations were being initiated about (Cheteshwar) Pujara as well, which seemed to have disappeared after yesterday, so we want to give, as I said in the past, Rishabh all the space to play his game and understand situations and take responsibility like it is expected of everyone else in the batting order,” mentioned Kohli.
    According to Kohli, cricketers can’t be judged on a regular basis on the premise of numbers.
    “You can’t decide folks on a regular basis on numbers, and whether or not they’re succeeding or failing, that’s not the way you make a group.
    “There is still time in this series. After two more Test matches, we can look back and reflect and analyse, okay these are the areas that were not quite right but at this moment, it’s not the time,” the skipper mentioned.

  • India vs England: No room for Chinaman Kuldeep Yadav

    Kuldeep Yadav’s “second Test debut”, because the left-arm wrist-spinner described his return after two years in Chennai, was not almost as gratifying as the primary one. There was no magic or thriller, neither sorcery nor conjuring. He was the sideshow somewhat than the star, which he was in Dharamsala 4 years in the past. His failings on a pitch the place the ball burst via the black top-soil have been cruelly uncovered. His lack of tempo was a curse, as was his lack of ability to supply drift within the air or fizz off the floor.
    Axar Patel sprinkled gloss on his debut with a five-for within the second innings, buying spitting flip by bowling at a brisker tempo than Kuldeep. Later, Axar defined the technique for achievement on such a wicket: “You had to vary the pace and bowl quicker on this wicket. The ball was not doing much when it was bowled slower through the air.”
    During the match, Rishabh Pant and Virat Kohli may very well be heard requesting, shouting, ordering after which imploring Kuldeep to bowl faster. “Thoda sa tez se daal, bhai…” Pant would repeatedly shriek.
    The common velocity of the spin triumvirate captured the story. Axar bowled at 91 kmph or thereabouts, Ravichandran Ashwin hovered round 85, deliciously shuffling his tempo, and Kuldeep operated at 80. The lack of tempo meant lack of chew. While the deliveries of Axar and Ashwin would explode off the floor like a vengeful landmine, Yadav’s would benignly cling within the air after pitching, affording time for batsmen to determine their response.
    Not that Kuldeep didn’t strive — within the second innings, he was deliberately faster and extra deadly — however his motion shouldn’t be hard-wired for a sudden upsurge of tempo by four-five yards. Finger-spinners can impart extra shoulder into the motion with out compromising on accuracy, undercut the ball to let it skid, however much less so wrist-spinners. The better of them, like Shane Warne, might modulate their tempo however Kuldeep remains to be uncut on the highest degree.

    What a superb stadium @GCAMotera Great work carried out by everybody related to constructing this facility. It can be an incredible expertise to play right here. 🏟️👌🏻 @JayShah @mpparimal @GCAMotera pic.twitter.com/RAk2D75KrR
    — Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) February 20, 2021
    No subsequent likelihood?
    Hence, Kuldeep’s second debut might effectively be over, because the sequence heads to Ahmedabad. That the subsequent Test can be performed with the pink ball harms his prospects additional. With the pink ball’s propensity to learn seamers, moreover the obligatory retention of 6mm grass on the floor for Day-Night Tests, a 3rd spinner is completely redundant. And on present type, if there’s a toss-up between Axar and Kuldeep for the second spinner’s slot, the latter is the likelier to overlook out.
    Nonetheless, how India would assemble for the must-win Test — a defeat would snuff their World Test Championship hopes — can be intriguing. It may very well be a straight swap between Kuldeep and Jasprit Bumrah, who was rested for the second Chennai Test as a part of workload administration. A 3-pronged tempo assault is a necessity somewhat than another.
    Even two spinners could also be inessential. In the one pink ball Test in India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja bowled a mixed seven overs. But England usually are not fairly as brittle as Bangladesh, and given the issue of a few of their batsmen to configure spin, using two spinners shouldn’t be an illogical ploy.

    It feels surreal to be out right here on the world’s largest cricket stadium, Motera.
    Absolutely magnificent 💙💙@JayShah @GCAMotera @mpparimal @DhanrajNathwani pic.twitter.com/EL8l7G4hFj
    — hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) February 19, 2021
    Pandya an possibility
    Then given the English bowlers’ experience with the pink ball, shoring up the batting by excluding a spinner shouldn’t be an insensible tactic. More so if the inclusion is Hardik Pandya. The latter’s return to the group is a formality as soon as he regains bowling health. But even simply as a pure batsman, he brings loads to the desk. In misery, his counterpunching utility may very well be extremely helpful. In occasions of lots, he might freewheel and hack some fast runs.
    And if the ball certainly is hemming round and the mainstream bowlers require a breather, Pandya can put in a four-five-over shift, as a change-bowler to interrupt partnerships. If the floor is sluggish, his cutters may very well be fairly helpful. Should Pandya return, it may very well be at Axar’s expense.
    Then there’s the distant chance of a fast-bowling quartet, now that Umesh Yadav has been declared match. Umesh has a stupendous document at dwelling, however his inclusion would elongate the tail.

    Snapshots from #CrewIndia‘s coaching session on the Motera forward of the pink-ball Test.@Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/RTWxUVVNla
    — BCCI (@BCCI) February 20, 2021
    Surface pressure
    Much is dependent upon the re-laid Motera sq.. Historically, it has been on the slower aspect — probably the most profitable bowler on the bottom has been Anil Kumble, which clearly highlights the reward of tempo modulation for spinners. Though the stadium has been revamped and boasts surfaces of three soil varieties (pink, black and their combine), the inherent attribute of the floor can’t be drastically altered. Neither can the climate. It’s pre-summer and the pitch might crack up as the sport progresses, regardless of the soil sort.
    So, it’s likelier that India would stick with their most popular three-pacer-two-spinner mixture. What is for certain although is that Kuldeep’s second debut doesn’t appear destined for longevity.

  • Rohit Sharma joins Team India in Melbourne

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    Star batsman Rohit Sharma on Wednesday joined the Indian group right here after finishing his two-week quarantine in Sydney, bolstering the vacationers who’re on a excessive after scripting an unbelievable comeback within the ongoing four-match Test collection towards Australia.
    Days after recording their lowest Test whole of 36 within the series-opener in Adelaide, the Indian group staged a outstanding turnaround to humble Australia by eights wickets and stage the rubber on the MCG.
    Rohit’s inclusion will strengthen the group that was going via one in every of its worst phases final week.
    “So how was your quarantine, my friend,” chief coach Ravi Shastri was heard asking Rohit in a video posted by BCCI.
    The batsman was heard saying he’s feeling youthful.
    Rohit exchanged greetings with the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, Umesh Yadav, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj and batting coach Vikram Rathour.

    Look who’s joined the squad in Melbourne 😀
    A heat welcome for @ImRo45 as he joins the group 🤗#TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/uw49uPkDvR
    — BCCI (@BCCI) December 30, 2020
    Shastri stated the medical group will take a look at how the participant is bodily after finishing his quarantine earlier than a name is taken on his inclusion within the taking part in XI for the third Test towards Australia in Sydney.
    The third Test is scheduled to be performed from January 7.
    “We will have a chat with him to see where he is placed physically because he has been in quarantine for the last couple of weeks. We’ll also see how he feels before we take the call,” Shastri had stated within the post-match press convention after India’s win on Tuesday.
    On December 11, the BCCI had introduced that the opener cleared the eagerly-watched health take a look at on the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, paving the way in which for his departure for Australia forward of the four-Test collection.
    Rohit had sustained a hamstring damage through the IPL, which led to him lacking the white-ball leg and the primary two Tests of the continuing tour.
    It stays to be seen who makes manner for Rohit from the facet that trounced Australia within the second Test.
    Batting nice Sunil Gavaskar has backed the swashbuckling Mumbaikar to open the batting with the younger Shubman Gill in Sydney.



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  • India and Australia to not journey to Sydney earlier than January 4

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    The Indian and Australian groups will proceed to coach in Melbourne for few extra days and journey to Sydney solely three days previous to the third Test starting on the SCG on January 7.
    Usually the groups land in Sydney on the eve of the New Year however as a consequence of regular coronavirus circumstances within the metropolis, the gamers and officers will keep in Melbourne for an extended interval this yr.
    “Last night’s announcement is we’re proceeding in Sydney and we’re putting our plans in place to do that and to do that safely. Players will be in Melbourne for a few more days, training there and moving up to Sydney a couple of days ahead of the Test match,” CA chief government Nick Hockley mentioned.
    On Tuesday, Cricket Australia had determined to retain Sydney because the venue for the third Test, ending hypothesis that the sport may transfer to Melbourne due to stringent COVID-19 border restrictions that will have affected the gamers’ motion for the fourth match in Brisbane.
    Hockley mentioned the protocols put in place will make sure that broadcast crew can safely journey to Brisbane.
    “That’s exactly the explanation why now we have our biosecurity protocols, why now we have the measures in place, why we’re in a bubble in Sydney.
    “And the arrangements that we’re putting in place with the Queensland government are such that we can keep the playing cohort (and) the relevant broadcast crew all safe and move safely into Brisbane so that we can complete the full schedule whilst ensuring that we are being responsible and keeping the community safe,” he mentioned.
    The four-Test sequence is at present locked 1-1 after India gained the second recreation on the MCG, which was positioned on standby within the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney’s northern seashores earlier than Christmas.

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  • Sydney Test: Where will Rohit bat? Who will get the axe between Agarwal and Vihari?

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    The five-bowler technique labored out completely for India in Melbourne however the Ajinkya Rahane-led aspect has some robust calls to make within the batting division, particularly the opening slot, forward of the third Test in opposition to Australia in Sydney with Rohit Sharma accessible for choice.
    His elevation as a Test opener within the residence sequence in opposition to South Africa final yr was an enormous success however lack of match follow and the circumstances by which he has arrived in Australia don’t make Rohit a sure starter on the high of the order.
    “We will have a chat with him to see where he is placed physically because he has been in quarantine for the last couple of weeks. Also got to see how he feels before we take the call,” mentioned head coach Ravi Shastri following the memorable eight-wicket win within the second Test on Tuesday.

    Rohit joined the squad in Melbourne on Wednesday.
    With Shubman Gill exhibiting calmness and maturity past his age in his debut Test, the workforce is probably going to slot in Rohit both on the expense of Mayank Agarwal on the high or Hanuma Vihari within the middle-order.
    Agarwal’s type has been quite poor within the ongoing sequence and he has managed to the touch double figures simply as soon as. He hasn’t appeared the strong batsman that India found right here in 2018. But it could nonetheless be an enormous name if the workforce administration decides to bench him.
    In this Indian workforce, not many batsmen have constantly overhauled their video games as a lot as Agarwal. (AP)
    The away sequence in New Zealand earlier this yr would have been Rohit’s first actual take a look at as an opener however he acquired injured in the course of the tour.
    Considering he’s getting back from one other harm and his final recreation was the IPL remaining on November 10, the problem Down Under appears to be a lot harder, no matter his batting place.
    Former chief selector MSK Prasad feels dropping both Agarwal, who has struggled up to now, and Vihari appears to be the one approach to accommodate Rohit.
    Though Rohit opened for the primary time in his tenure, Prasad isn’t certain if the champion batsman could be eager to open on account of lack of match follow.
    “It might be a toss up between Mayank and Vihari. Dropping Mayank might be a troublesome name since he has scored a whole bunch and double a whole bunch over the past 18 months.
    “I am still not sure about Rohit opening because he is coming after a long break. Will he prefer to open or bat in the middle order? That is another question,” Prasad informed PTI.
    “And what kind of role the team management is expecting from Rohit. That is also a factor. Whether they want to Rohit to give the team a flying start or anchor the innings in the middle?” he added.
    Vengsarkar is for dropping Agarwal and Vihari and backing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. (Screengrab)
    Another former India chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar believes each Agarwal and Vihari ought to be dropped and Rohit ought to return to batting within the middle-order with an in-form Okay L Rahul becoming a member of Gill on the high.
    “Shubman Gill was very impressive. He is a huge talent. He showed excellent skills and temperament in both the innings. In Agarwal’s place, I would put Rahul in and Rohit in place of Vihari,” mentioned Vengsarkar.
    “Rahul has to play as he’s your in-form participant and has been in Australia for some time. Agarwal is an effective participant however appears brief on confidence.
    “I would want Rohit to bat at four or five. Ajinkya Rahane is also back in form, suddenly India looks like a different team,” he added.
    With the sequence locked 1-1, the sport in Sydney could be an indicator whether or not this Indian workforce can do an encore of the 2018 sequence, which it received 2-1.
    Rohit’s entry definitely provides to the workforce’s selections however whether or not it may assist clear up the opening conundrum is one thing that solely time will inform.

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