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Stats highlights from the second day of The Oval Test

S Rajesh10-Aug-2007

Anil Kumble had to wait 151 innings to finally get his first Test century © Getty Images
The story of the day was Anil Kumble’s unbeaten 110. In 117 previous Tests, his highest had been 88, against South Africa at Kolkata in 1996-97. In his 118th match, and his 151st innings, he wasn’t to be denied, though. It’s the most number of Tests any batsman has played to get to his first century. Chaminda Vaas held the earlier record – his unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh in Colombo earlier this year came in his 97th Test, while Jason Gillespie was playing in his 71st Test when he struck that memorable 201 not out against Bangladesh, again, at Chittagong in 2005-06. Kumble had only scored 79 runs in his 11 previous innings, and his innings is also his first 50-plus score overseas. (Click here for Kumble’s innings-by-innings list.) India’s total of 664 is their highest against England, and their fourth-highest against all teams. It’s also only the 11th time – and the fourth for India – that all 11 batsmen made double-digit scores. As at Trent Bridge, India’s top-order batting was characterised by contributions from every batsman. In all there were six 50-plus scores in the innings. Only twice previously have so many Indian batsmen scored so many in a single innings: at Kanpur against New Zealand in 1976-77, India managed 524 for 9 declared with six half-centuries but no hundreds – a total which remains, thanks to Kumble’s hundred, the highest without a century; against Australia at Kolkata in 1997-98, India scored 633 for 5 declared, with the top six all going past 50, and Mohammad Azharuddin scoring an unbeaten 163. So many significant scores from the batsmen meant there were partnerships for almost every wicket. In all India put together an astonishing eight 50-plus stands, which is a record in Test cricket. There are 25 instances of six 50-plus stands, but no team had managed seven in a single innings. The last-wicket stand between Kumble and Sreesanth yielded 73 at a rate of 5.47 per over. It’s the fourth-highest tenth-wicket partnership for India, and their highest against England. The 133 that Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan added against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2004-05 remains the highest. Not only did the lower contribute handily, they did so at a brisk pace: India’s last five wickets scored 310 runs in 68.4 overs, a scoring rate of 4.51. Much of that scoring rate was due to the 81-ball blitz by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. His 92 is now the highest by an Indian wicketkeeper in England, going past Farokh Engineer’s 87 at Headingley in 1967. In fact, Dhoni and Engineer share the top five scores by an Indian wicketkeeper in England: Engineer also scored 86 at Lord’s and 64 not out at Edgbaston in 1974, while Dhoni contributed a match-saving unbeaten 76 in the first Test of this series at Lord’s. England had a forgettable day in the field, and it’s hardly surprising that a few of them entered the record books for all the wrong reasons. Matt Prior had a terrible time behind the stumps, dropping a couple of catches and letting through 33 byes, which is the second-highest in a single Test innings. England leaked 37 against Australia at the same ground way back in 1934, but there was a good reason for that: Les Ames, the regular wicketkeeper, was forced to retire hurt while batting in England’s first innings, which forced frank Woolley to keep wicket in Australia second innings. Whereas Ames had conceded four byes in Australia’s first-innings score of 701, Woolley allowed 37 in the second-innings score of 327. Prior joins two other wicketkeepers who have conceded 33 byes: John Murray, against India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in 1960-61, and Jim Parks against West Indies at Kingston in 1968. In fact, the five highest number of byes conceded in an innings have all been by England. James Anderson and Monty Panesar became only the second and third England bowlers to concede more than 150 runs in an innings against India. Andrew Caddick was the first, going for exactly 150 in 40.1 overs at Headingley in 2002.

Edgbaston, as everyone in the cricket-playing world now knows, is England’s lucky ground

Andrew Miller04-Aug-2005

Andrew Strauss falls to Shane Warne as lunch approaches © Getty Images
Edgbaston, as everyone in the cricket-playing world knows, is England’s lucky ground, a reputation largely based on their one glimmer of glory in two decades of Ashes misery – in 1997, when Australia were squashed by nine wickets after slipping to 54 for 8 on the first morning of the series.Four years on from that match, however, in 2001, Australia gained their vengeance in no uncertain terms, rampaging to victory by an innings and 118 runs, to set up a 4-1 series win. And, until Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen turned England’s fortunes around with today’s century stand, the 2005 Test seemed to be following an ominously familiar pattern.Admittedly, Marcus Trescothick did rather better on this occasion than the first-ball duck that he managed against Jason Gillespie back then, but his failure in 2001 was amply glossed over by Michael Atherton and Mark Butcher, who responded with a partnership of 104 in 23 overs for the second wicket. In fact, they batted with the same ease and poise that England’s openers, 112 in 25.3 overs, managed today. But, on the stroke of lunch, both then and now, Shane Warne struck.Admittedly, Warne’s impact was more seismic then than now – he needed just two balls to remove Butcher, brilliantly caught by Ricky Ponting at silly point (although that was twice as many deliveries than he had needed on his first Ashes tour in 1993). But the impact was similar on both occasions, as England continued to lose wickets in the second session (136 for 4 then, 187 for 4 now).The big difference, however, was the absence of Warne’s partner-in-crime. Glenn McGrath would doubtless have scented blood today, as he did with his three middle-order breakthroughs back in 2001. But this time he was holed up in the dressing-room with an ice-pack on his ankle, and England managed to wriggle off the hook. For the moment, at least.

Such was the draw of WG Grace that after a public spat with Gloucestershire, who he had captained since its formation in 1870, he was able to move to London and help establish a side that within a year had been given first-class status

Martin Williamson27-Jan-200682 pp, hb

Much has been written about WG Grace – perhaps more than any other cricketer with the exception of Don Bradman. But while his 19th-century exploits are well documented, less is known about the twilight of his career, and in some ways that is one of the most interesting periods. Such was the draw of the man that after a public spat with Gloucestershire, who he had captained since its formation in 1870, he was able to move to London and help establish a side that within a year had been given first-class status.Brian Pearce’s Cricket At The Crystal Palace helps to fill in the gaps about the brief history of the London County Cricket Club (by 1905 it had lost its first-class status, a victim of financial troubles and poor attendances). But in those five seasons, it was jazz-hat cricket at its best. Led by Grace (he only missed one of their first-class matches), LCCC attracted some of the best players of the era and also took on a quasi-MCC role of nurturing and encouraging the best young cricketers. The club was dominated by the Old Man, and Pearce manages to convey the sense of what it must have been like to play with and under him.This book is not just about WG. It gives the story of the Crystal Palace, which dominated the whole enterprise and ultimately led to its demise, and of the LCCC. Pearce injects colour and life into the narrative, and the illustrations are copious and interesting.This is clearly a labour of love but Pearce has managed to produce a book well worth buying. It’s not long – 82 pages in all – and if there is a criticism it is the rather slapdash and poorly formatted statistics. But that is one minor gripe which does not really tarnish the overall product.

Lamine Yamal has signed a new contract at Barcelona until 2031, the club have confirmed.

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Yamal signs new dealHas become a superstar at BarcelonaCommits future to Catalan clubFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Spain international has committed his future to the Catalan giants, signing a deal until 2031 that will run until he is 23. He has already made 106 appearances for the club, scoring 25 goals and laying on 34 assists.

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Yamal had been linked with a potential move to Paris Saint-Germain but any doubts over his future have now been put completely to bed. The teenager is already a two-time La Liga champion, as well as a European champion, and will continue in the footsteps of Lionel Messi at Barcelona, as he bids to become equally legendary.

Getty Images SportDID YOU KNOW?

The Spain international has enjoyed a stunning season under Hansi Flick, scoring 18 goals and laying on 25 assists in 55 games. He has become a sensation since his first-team debut, so it is little surprise the Catalan giants are desperate for him to stay.

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WHAT NEXT?

Barca have yet to announce their pre-season plans but Yamal is currently enjoying a well-deserved break.

Grace Scrivens anchors chase with unbeaten 63 as Sunrisers start campaign with victory

ECB Reporters Network20-Apr-2024Jodi Grewcock and Nicola Hancock claimed three wickets apiece as Sunrisers launched their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Western Storm at Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens.Seamer Hancock took 3 for 15 in 5.4 overs and teenager Grewcock bowled unchanged for 10 overs to return impressive figures of 3 for 28 with her legbreaks as Storm were dismissed for a wholly inadequate 114 in 30.4 overs.Offspinner Mady Villiers weighed in with 2 for 36, while Esmae MacGregor took a wicket and contributed a run out as Sunrisers produced a disciplined performance in the field after winning the toss. Only Nat Wraith offered meaningful resistance with the bat, top-scoring with 42 as Storm opened this campaign as they finished the last, by suffering heavy defeat.Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens then led by example, compiling a composed innings of 63 and sharing in a reassuring partnership of 59 with Cordelia Griffith for the second wicket as the visitors comfortably overhauled their target with 16.2 overs to spare.Victorious in their final four matches of last season, Sunrisers have picked up where they left off and will go into their next match against Thunder at Sale in confident mood. For their part, Storm have now been beaten in their last five outings in the 50-over competition and will need to find improvement ahead of their trip to play Northern Diamonds at Headingley on Wednesday.Put into bat, Storm were unable to recover from the loss of early wickets and were shot out inside 31 overs, only three batters managing double-figures in an innings which the home side will no doubt want to forget in a hurry.Hancock produced a probing new-ball spell to remove Alex Griffiths for 2, but fellow opener Sophia Smale responded in positive fashion, helping herself to three leg-side boundaries to advance her score to 16. Calamity then struck, Smale clipping Villiers behind point and setting off for a quick single, only to collide with partner Sophie Luff halfway down the track and be run out by MacGregor while getting back to her feet.That unfortunate mishap sparked a dramatic collapse which saw five wickets fall in just 8.1 overs as Storm subsided to 64 for 6, their top and middle-order batting undermined by spin. Luff played and missed at a delivery from Grewcock that nipped back and was adjudged lbw for 7, while Dani Gibson was also undone by the England Under-19 legspinner, playing back to a ball that struck her on the pad and departing for 3.Plying her offbreaks at the other end, Villiers trapped Katie Jones in the crease and then struck a telling blow, inducing former England international Fran Wilson to drive straight to Jo Gardner at mid-on. Wilson had made 18 and with her went Storm’s best chance of posting a competitive total.Fearing she might run out of partners before she was able to do anything to remedy a parlous situation, Wraith adopted a forthright approach and dominated stands of 24 and 26 with Niamh Holland and Amanda-Jade Wellington for the seventh and eighth wickets respectively. But Holland eventually offered a return catch to MacGregor and Wellington miscued a drive to extra cover as Grewcock continued to deploy clever variation in flight to strike again in her final over.Attempting to take matters into her own hands, Wraith plundered half a dozen boundaries in carrying the fight to the Sunrisers bowlers, her luck finally running out when she hoisted a ball from the returning Hancock to deep midwicket. Her combative innings of 42 spanned 52 balls and at least enabled embattled Storm to realise three figures.Hancock required just four deliveries to wrap-up the innings, having Chloe Skelton caught at the wicket, the seventh Storm player to perish either in single figures or without scoring.Stuck between a rock and a hard place, Storm’s bowlers did their utmost to build pressure and new overseas recruit Wellington provided a silver lining when gaining an lbw decision to remove Ariana Dowse with the score on 21 in the eighth over. Making a good first impression on her debut, the Australian international spinner finished with 1 for 24 from nine overs and discomfited the top-order batters sufficiently to suggest she is going to make a positive impact in Storm colours this season.But the implacable Scrivens overcame all attempts to unseat her, playing a captain’s innings to ensure her team reached their target without enduring any undue dramas. She found the perfect partner in Griffith, who adopted the role of chief support in an innings of 28 that spanned 48 balls and included a quartet of fours before she holed out to Holland in the deep off the bowling of Skelton.Unperturbed by that setback, Scrivens went to 50 via 65 balls with her ninth four, a fluent cover drive plundered at the expense of Griffiths. Perhaps fittingly given her performance with the ball earlier, Grewcock hit the winning runs as she finished unbeaten on 15.

He also praised the team management for giving their players role clarity and job security

Deivarayan Muthu24-May-20231:11

Moody: ‘Gaikwad’s tempo and Conway’s perseverance made difference’

Chennai Super Kings’ pre-season camp at Chepauk in March-April has played a key role in their success in IPL 2023. This was Ruturaj Gaikwad’s assessment after CSK beat Gujarat Titans on a tricky Chennai pitch to make their tenth IPL final.Several CSK players, including Gaikwad himself, had never played an IPL game in Chennai before this season. The camp had begun on March 3, with captain MS Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu among the first batch of players to have arrived in the city. Gaikwad and pace spearhead Deepak Chahar then joined the side late after completing their rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.”[The camp was] very vital because a new surface was being laid over in Chennai,” Gaikwad said at the press conference. “Everyone was not sure how the wicket is going to be or how the wicket is going to play. But sometimes when you play on flat tracks, you need not have to think much on your shots and not much about the [opposition] bowling. Sometimes batsmen play good shots and hats off to him. Even while you’re batting, it’s about getting into the zone.Related

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“But in Chennai, it’s slightly different. You have to alter your game according to the pitch that is given that day. Sometimes, it’s slower and sometimes it’s good [for batting]. So, I think it was good to have an idea about how it was going to play. It definitely helped me a lot personally and everyone who was there in the camp. Tushar [Deshpande] was there from the first day and also someone like Raj [Rajvardhan Hangargekar] and all the youngsters were also there from the first day, so I think it helped.”Gaikwad credited the CSK team management for giving their players role clarity and job security. Sri Lanka mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana, for example, had picked up just one wicket in six games at Chepauk before the first qualifier, but he got another game and doubled the tally when CSK were under pressure. On Tuesday, Theekshana claimed the key wickets of Titans captain Hardik Pandya and finisher Rahul Tewatia to help CSK defend 172.Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have a chat•Getty Images”A lot of effort [goes into our success],” Gaikwad said. “[It] started from last year when we didn’t qualify [for playoffs]. Obviously, the management got something to work on and there were things which we needed to improve and put an effort on, or add someone. This year, right from the first game, I think we were clinical and sure about who is going to play and who is not going to play and what will be our probable XII or XIII or XIV.”I think right from the first game everyone knew about their roles. When the Sri Lankans came [late] – Theekshana and [Matheesha] Pathirana – I think they were up to the mark even from the first game. So, I think we were pretty much playing with the same team and just continued the momentum. And hats off to everyone – the support staff and the management as well.”The surfaces at Chepauk haven’t offered big turn like they often did in the past. So far, seamers (51) have picked up more wickets than spinners (45) this IPL. The bigger straight boundaries at the venue have also challenged batters. Gaikwad spoke of the adjustments he had to make along with his opening partner Devon Conway, who had also never played an IPL match at Chepauk before this season.”I think in the Delhi game, I’d say I had a slight advantage about the shorter boundary being there straight on both ends,” Gaikwad said. “So, after six overs, we [me and Devon Conway] personally felt 160-170 would be a good score, so just keep on batting until the 10th-11th over and then we thought one of us could just take some risks because we have Shivam Dube coming in, Mahi coming in, Jaddu [Ravindra Jadeja] coming in…a lot of big-hitters coming in.”So, there was a slightly different game there after 10-12 overs. But in Chennai, obviously big boundaries, so you have to find the gaps and manoeurve some shots and that’s what I feel Conway has been doing well. So that’s why he has been successful.”

Tector rode his luck in style to make it 1-0 in Sharjah

Himanshu Agrawal16-Mar-2024Ahead of the T20I series opener between Afghanistan and Ireland, all the hype had been about Rashid Khan. He was to return to action after four months out due to a back injury and then surgery. Now, straightaway, Rashid was back in high spirits, almost as if no pain could take his impact away. Except that on the night his efforts of 3 for 19 from four overs were overshadowed by those of Harry Tector, with whom rested a bigger force – luck.Dropped on 19 when Ireland were 90 for 5 in the 15th over, Tector went on to smash an unbeaten 56 off 34 balls to propel Ireland to 149. The ball followed him around on the field too, as he took four catches – the most by an Ireland fielder in a T20I.Ireland’s bowling effort was led by legspinner Ben White, who took 4 for 20, as Afghanistan folded for 111. That gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, even as the stadium in Sharjah seemed to empty only when Rashid fell as the ninth Afghanistan wicket.Tector drives Ireland’s inningsTector arrived at No. 4, and pulled his second ball for four to welcome Mohammad Nabi into the attack in the ninth over. But what was 54 for 1 in the eighth over soon became 72 for 5 in the 12th while he was stuck at one end. Rashid and his spin partner, debutant Nangeyalia Kharote, ran through the middle order after both of Ireland’s openers gave away starts.But Tector remained calm and patient. He gave a hint of the fun that was to come by crashing Kharote for his first six to start the 14th over. When Tector decided to go after Rashid, Fazalhaq Farooqi dropped a manageable catch moving to his left from short fine leg. That rang a warning bell, and Tector saw off Rashid before opening up the floodgates in the last three overs.Naveen-ul-Haq suffered the most. Tector drove a yorker and slashed another near-yorker for four, before chipping a slower ball over Naveen’s head to round off the 18th over with 14 runs. Naveen also bowled the last over, which went for 19, Tector clubbing the last four balls for 6, 4, 4, 4: over deep square, to deep extra cover, to deep point and to deep third. Tector’s last 11 balls fetched 30 runs.Rashid turns it onRashid turned the ball both ways on what was a slow and used pitch, applying the brakes after Ireland hit 48 in the powerplay. He bowled one over for five, and brought himself back for the 11th. A full and flat ball had Paul Stirling mistime a slog to long-on, while a googly turning in to hit middle and leg from outside off cleaned Curtis Campher up next ball. The Afghanistan fans, scattered throughout the stands, jumped at their hero’s skill.Rashid Khan celebrations were a feature on return•ACBRashid missed the hat-trick – the ball turned into left-hander Neil Rock, beating him, the wicketkeeper and first slip – but later dismissed Gareth Delany, who scored a useful 16 from No. 7, while adding 35 with Tector.White’s four-for punctures AfghanistanThree bowlers stood a chance to take a hat-trick on Friday evening. After Rashid, it was Josh Little, who had Sediqullah Atal chipping to mid-off and had Azmatullah Omarzai bowled in the second over of Afghanistan’s chase. The third of those was White, a bit later on.Little’s early blows – and one from Mark Adair – had reduced Afghanistan to 4 for 3, after which Mohammad Ishaq and Ibrahim Zadran staged a recovery. Ishaq had by far been the aggressor, but holed out to fine leg when he swept a full delivery dipping to a middle-stump line in the seventh over. That wicket punctured Afghanistan’s car.Then some controversy followed. White dismissed Nabi off a no-ball on what was to be the fourth ball of the 13th over. However, replays indicated that White’s heel had landed just behind the line, seeing which Stirling had a word with the umpire. But the decision stood, and Nabi got a life.With two balls left in the over, though, White had debutant Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai pulling a short ball to deep square leg and then Kharote, who he knocked over first ball, by tossing one up and getting it to dip, while drifting away to hit off stump. White finished with four, and took all attention away from the man whom the crowd had turned up to see.

Inter Miami officially announced the addition of De Paul, who will initially join the club on loan

Inter Miami add De Paul from Atletico on loanArgentina international joins Messi at South Beach clubMidfielder was on La Liga Team of the Year last seasonGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?

Inter Miami have officially added Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul from Atletico Madrid, signing the midfielder initially on loan with a purchase option in 2026 to make the deal permanent through 2029. Miami co-owner David Beckham acknowledged he's "excited" to bring in a player he's admired for years.

“Rodrigo is a player I've admired for many years," he said in a statement. "As a leader he has brought so much to the teams he has played for – especially with his national team Argentina. He brings experience, passion and quality to our team and to our city. I'm excited to welcome another World Cup-winning player not just to Inter Miami, but also to MLS."

The move was initially tipped by Atletico Madrid posting a farewell to their midfield star on social media hours before Miami officially announced the deal.

The 31-year-old spent four seasons at Atletico after joining from Serie A side Udinese. For Diego Simeone's side, he made 187 appearances for Atlético, scoring 14 goals and providing 26 assists.

"From our club, we wish Rodrigo de Paul the best of luck in his future personal and professional endeavors," the La Liga side said in a statement.

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At Miami, De Paul will join a midfield alongside U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi, former Barcelona star Sergio Busquets, and fellow Argentine Federico Redondo.

The 31-year-old will be viewed as one of the best midfielders in the league. It also ends months of speculation over Miami aiming to add another superstar. The team had previously been linked with Neymar and Kevin De Bruyne.

De Paul won't come cheap for The Herons, with reports suggesting a purchase option of $17 million for the midfielder. Still, it is a massive upgrade for the team overall.

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DID YOU KNOW?

Internationally, De Paul has been nicknamed "Messi's bodyguard" for his physical and aggressive play for

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WHAT JORGE MAS SAID

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas pointed to the move as a sign of the club's ambitions.

“Assembling a team that inspires our fans to dream continues to be one of our primary aspirations, so we’re thrilled to sign a player of Rodrigo’s caliber. He is a winner who has conquered the world stage; his ambitions match ours at Inter Miami, and we are hungry to achieve these goals together,” he said in a statement. “Several of the best players in global fútbol have already chosen Inter Miami as their home, and Rodrigo joining our roster is another landmark as we continue on this journey to change the trajectory of the sport in this country and make our fans proud.”

The Toronto Blue Jays had a game to forget on Tuesday, losing to the Boston Red Sox, 10–2.

But while the result was forgettable, the Blue Jays still delivered one play that fans will remember for quite some time.

In the top of the fourth inning, centerfielder Daulton Varsho turned a potential disaster into a career highlight.

After Red Sox leftfielder Jarren Duran smacked a ball to deep center, Varsho was in hot pursuit. So hot that he totally tripped and over himself while trying to position himself to make the catch.

But rather than be defeated by his own feet, Varsho battled to stick with the play, throwing his glove behind his back to reel in the catch while his face was staring at the wall.

The reactions from players on both sides tell the story of just how wild the grab was.

Fans also had plenty of Varsho’s mid-tumble adjustment.

The debate now begins on whether or not Varsho’s grab can be in contention for Catch of the Year. On one side, that is obviously one of the most unexpected, impressive catches we will see this season. On the other, can you really give yourself extra difficulty points by making the play harder on yourself because it started with a goof?

Opinions may vary, but for now, let’s throw it on the list of contenders just in case.

Ravindra’s knowledge of the conditions makes him as local as anyone can be, while Williamson, who’s working towards his comeback, is no stranger to these shores either

Shashank Kishore08-Oct-2023YH Chandrasekhar, the curator at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, has one final look at the square at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, seemingly happy with the work behind the scenes to get ready for the New Zealand vs Netherlands match on Monday. He suddenly gazes left, where Rachin Ravindra is training. He signals to him, but Ravindra is focused on the ball. The curator walks towards the centre nonetheless to exchange pleasantries. It dawns then that there’s a sense of familiarity between the two.In July, Ravindra was part of the Hutt Hawks, the Wellington-based club that his father runs, on an exchange programme to Hyderabad where they trained and played a series of 50-overs matches against the academy team run by MSK Prasad, the former India wicketkeeper and chief selector. Four of those matches were in Uppal, where Ravindra batted on three different centre strips, “training like mad” – according to Prasad – to fine-tune his game against pace and spin.He’d have a bowling session in the early morning, followed by breakfast. And then a 50-overs game until 4.30pm, followed by an hour’s rest and another indoor net session with the ball before calling it a day. It’s a routine he followed for the entire duration of his stay in Hyderabad, before he travelled to Anantapur, adjoining the Karnataka border, for more game time before returning home to Wellington.Related

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Ravindra comes of age with an innings for the dreamers

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All this cricket was packed into a two-week calendar that was originally meant for him to be off to rest and recuperate ahead of the long season. While New Zealand’s squad hadn’t entirely been firmed up yet, Ravindra had been sounded out to be ready as he was among the probables picked for the high-performance camp.It’s this sense of familiarity that Ravindra will bank on as he returns to Hyderabad to play Netherlands in their second World Cup fixture. He may not be a local, but his knowledge of conditions and pitches makes him as local as anyone can be. His return to the venue couldn’t have been more grand, given he’s coming off a memorable World Cup hundred on debut against England in a sensational takedown with his good mate Devon Conway.A little over a week ago in Hyderabad, Ravindra batted with composure and poise to make 97 against a high-quality Pakistan attack in a warm-up game. Yet, he may have not played the World Cup opener had Kane Williamson been fit and available. But with Williamson still recuperating from an ACL injury, Ravindra had his chance and he’s made the most of it, giving Williamson and the team management healthy selection headaches.Rachin Ravindra hit a fine century on World Cup debut•Associated PressWilliamson himself is no stranger to these shores, having played eight IPL seasons for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He’s Kane to the local staff and fans. , a salutation in the local language Telugu, is reserved for someone much admired as Williamson is. But merely playing for the local franchise doesn’t guarantee cult status. With David Warner and Williamson, to a lesser extent, the popularity stems from their embracing the local culture, making them as much a fan favourite as a Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma.If Warner did an imitation of the dance to send the small crowd into a tizzy during the warm-up game last week, Williamson has given them moments to cheer with his imitation of a dance gig from , an Oscar-winning chartbuster, during an ICC promotion. Beyond the familiarity and colour, the real reel fans, especially those back home, are interested in is from the nets, where they want to see if Williamson has managed to get back the whole range of his movements, if Tim Southee is bowling full tilt and if Lockie Ferguson brings his bristling energy to training.Williamson surveyed the ground, and pointed to the bright orange seating that hits your eye as the peak afternoon sun glows bright. It’s a humid day, he’s already guzzled quite a few bottles of water already, and is out to train. Williamson has been confirmed to sit out, but he’s the central focus of the team’s physio and trainers.He goes through a series of carefully orchestrated movements to test his full range of mobility. Like doing forward stretches to defend, playing the sweep to test his hamstring, rising onto his toes to tuck the ball, sprinting between the wickets, the trigger movement when he turns at full stretch – they were all carefully monitored and ticked off. The hope is he’ll be fit in time to play Bangladesh on Friday. And for him to get there, Williamson seems to have done most things in his capacity.Southee too bowled a fair bit, even if not full tilt, feeling his way back into full rhythm in an afternoon session where temperatures hovered over the mid-30s. Southee was carefully monitored by Trent Boult, whose late swing back in was quite a sight. Every now and then, there was laughter, banter and wholesome encouragement for each other as they pushed hard on match eve. Daryll Mitchell batted and batted, as did Will Young and Ravindra before they retired to the dressing room. Or so you thought as they all began to walk off.Williamson then nudged assistant coach Luke Ronchi as they walked right back into the nets again. Williamson wasn’t satisfied with the full range of his straight hitting. So, he tried to perfect hitting on length deliveries, asking Ronchi to chuck him balls in an area he circled out, focusing on holding his shape and then carefully feeling his side. Then to top off the session, Ronchi fed him full tosses which Williamson kept pulling until it got to a point where he couldn’t stay out any longer, with the sun going down.Watching Williamson train was watching a perfectionist practice his craft, oblivious to the world around him. The police sirens that marked the arrival of Netherlands, the chaos of the shutterbugs that followed to snap the team getting off the bus, the sound of the generator that was running full throttle behind him and smoke from the fumigation around the nets area – none of this seemed to cross his mind. He was simply, to quote the old cliche, seeing ball, hitting ball until the last lux of light allowed him to.