Category Uncategorized

The home side were facing the prospect of a third defeat before Cartwright and Ashton Agar iced the chase

AAP13-Oct-2024Western Australia’s One-Day Cup title defence is back on track after Hilton Cartwright’s late heroics lifted them to a four-wicket victory over Queensland at the WACA Ground.Chasing 301, WA were looking shaky after stumbling to 349 for 6 in the 41st over of Sunday’s match But Cartwright’s unbeaten 66 off 49 balls, which featured five fours and three sixes, helped get WA over the line with six deliveries to spare.Ashton Agar (21* off 27) produced an important cameo in what turned out to be a match-winning 62-run partnership with Cartwright.WA’s bid for a fourth consecutive one-day title was on thin ice following losses to South Australia and NSW. Given each team plays only seven regular-season matches, a loss to Queensland could have ended WA’s hopes of reaching the March 1 final.But Cartwright’s knock has kept WA’s hopes of a four-peat alive, with Queensland (two losses, one no-result) facing an uphill battle to reach the decider.WA paceman Jhye Richardson was named player of the match after taking 3-36 in 9.3 overs in Queensland’s total of 300.Queensland were in all sorts of trouble at 51 for 4 in the 12th over following the departures of Ben McDermott, Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Jack Clayton.Usman Khawaja struck eight fours and a six as he combined with Lachlan Hearne to steady the ship.Bowling all-rounder Michael Neser then provided the late fireworks, cracking six fours and two sixes to give Queensland’s total a significant boost.Richardson was the pick of WA’s attack, bowling McDermott in the third over with a delivery that swung back in wildly. His dismissal of the dangerous Neser later in the innings ensured Queensland’s score wasn’t bigger.Cameron Bancroft entered the match desperate for runs after posting twin ducks in the recent Sheffield Shield draw with Queensland. Neser claimed Bancroft’s wicket in both Shield innings, but the WA opener managed to get through the early stages on Sunday before being trapped lbw by Labuschagne for 33.Sam Whiteman’s half-century ensured WA got off to a solid start, and Cooper Connolly’s 39 off 42 balls lifted WA closer to victory, before Cartwright and Agar finished the job.

Nissanka returns to the squad led by Karunaratne, whose fitness status is unclear

Madushka Balasuriya13-Jul-2023Dilshan Madushanka, the promising left-arm quick from Sri Lanka, will be eyeing a Test debut soon after being picked in the 16-member squad to play the first of two matches against Pakistan starting July 16. The 22-year-old was not initially slated to play but has been picked as a replacement for Asitha Fernando, who was ruled after contracting dengue.Madushanka’s stock though is on the rise, having already caused a stir in the white-ball circuit – he was the biggest buy at the Lanka Premier League auction last month and was considered good enough to be part of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup side in 2022 before injury forced him out of the tournament. And while he wasn’t originally picked for the World Cup Qualifier, with the selectors preferring to let him play against a touring South Africa A side, he was brought in as an injury replacement for Dushmantha Chameera, where in his four outings he managed to pick up eight wickets at an economy rate of 4 an over.Dimuth Karunaratne, who missed the final of the WCQ with a hamstring strain, will continue to captain Sri Lanka, even though he had expressed the desire to step down following the home Tests against Ireland, which the hosts won 2-0.Sri Lanka’s most recent exertions were all in the one-day arena where they went through tough competition in the qualifying tournament in Zimbabwe to book a ticket to India for the ODI World Cup in October. Some of those players – Pathum Nissanka and Kasun Rajitha – are part of this Test squad as well, alongside a new face – Lakshitha Manasinghe, a 23-year old offspin-bowling allrounder with 1111 runs and 124 wickets from 37 first-class matches.Manasinghe’s inclusion follows an impressive string of displays domestically and for Sri Lanka A against South Africa A, during which he picked up 12 wickets – inclusive of two five-fors – in two unofficial Tests. He also grabbed a four-for against Pakistan in the two-day warm-up game in Hambantota.Nissanka returns to the side after an absence of a year – his last Test against Australia in July last year – during which he’s missed Tests against Pakistan, New Zealand and Ireland. His exclusion from those games had raised eyebrows, considering that the Australia tour was the only time where he faced a real dip in form in his brief career thus far. Since making his debut he’s notched up five fifties and a century in 15 innings at an average of 38.35. He finds his way back in the side following a fruitful outing in the World Cup qualifiers, where he was the second-highest run-scorer with 417 runs at an average of 69.5 – including back-to-back tons.Rajitha, who had been omitted from the Tests against Ireland, returns to the fold to spearhead a fairly threadbare seam unit, alongside Madushanka and Vishwa Fernando.The spin department however is stacked – understandable considering both Tests will be in spin-friendly Galle. Left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama comes into the side at the expense of legspinner Dushan Hemantha. Fellow left-armer Prabath Jayasuriya will lead the attack, while there will be ample support if needed from the likes of Manasinghe, and allrounders Ramesh Mendis, Kamindu Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva.On the batting front, things are fairly settled with Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Sadeera Samarawickrama the most likely combination in the middle. The only uncertainty remains at the top, with Karunaratne’s match fitness still unclear. If he is cleared to play, it’s likely Nishan Madushka – who notched a double-ton against Ireland in his last Test innings – will be favoured over the returning Nissanka.Sri Lanka squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Nishan Madushka (wk), Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Ramesh Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Vishwa Fernando, Lakshitha Manasinghe

Concussion sub Kasun Rajitha strikes twice to give visitors some respite in Chattogram

Ashish Pant17-May-2022Stumps Tamim Iqbal had been dismissed in the nineties twice in his the last five innings against Sri Lanka, coming into the first Test. He had seven half-centuries against them in the format, but had not breached the three-figure mark even once. The 31-year-old made sure he set the records straight as he notched up his 10th Test century on the third day, helping the hosts take control of the first Test, in Chattogram.By stumps, Bangladesh had piled on 318 for 3 and were just 79 runs away from Sri Lanka’s first-innings score of 397. Mushfiqur Rahim, who is just 15 runs away from becoming the first Bangladesh player to reach 5000 runs in Test cricket, ended the day unbeaten on 53. Litton Das, who added 98 with Mushfiqur, was also unbeaten, on 54. Tamim, for the most part looked like reaching the 5000-run mark first, but was forced to retire hurt on 133 because of cramps. He is now 19 runs away from the landmark.The third day, though, firmly belonged to Tamim, who fought the weather, and some tight bowling. He was his usual aggressive self from the get-go and found boundaries at regular intervals in the morning session. Unbeaten on 35 overnight, Tamim raced to his fifty in the fifth over the morning and notched up his ton shortly after lunch. However, the humid conditions got the better of him and he could not come out to bat after tea.Resuming on 76 for 0, still 321 runs behind, Bangladesh’s batters quickly went about their job. In a near-perfect morning session, Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Tamim added 81 runs in 28 overs, as Bangladesh went to lunch unscathed on 157 for 0.Tamim brought up his fifty by cutting Ramesh Mendis wide of point for a four and it did not take long for the duo to bring up Bangladesh’s first century stand for the opening wicket in over five years.Mahmudul, too, raised his second half-century in just his fifth Test with a flick through midwicket but fell shortly after lunch. Having had a reprieve on 51, when Lasith Embuldeniya failed to hold on to a catch at the fine-leg, the 21-year-old finally fell for 58 to Asitha Fernando. Continuing with his ploy of bowling short from around the wicket, Asitha induced a faint tickle off Mahmudul’s bat and glove down leg through to the keeper, with the opening stand ending on 162.Tamim though continued on his merry ways, as he coasted through the nineties with a couple of fours before reaching his century by flicking Asitha to deep midwicket.However, having looked flat in the morning, Sri Lanka were much better with their control in the second session. Kasun Rajitha came in as concussion substitute for Vishwa Fernando, who suffered from dizziness after he was struck on the head late on day two by a Shoriful Islam bouncer. And it was Rajitha, who pulled Sri Lanka back in the game with two quick strikes.Concussion sub Kasun Rajitha picked up two quick wickets•Getty Images

The seamer accounted for Najmul Hossain Shanto for 1, in his very first over before sending back Mominul Haque for 2. Bowling from around the wicket, he first induced an outside edge off Najmul’s bat through to the keeper and then crept through the gap between Mominul’s bat and pad to clean him up.With the surface playing a few tricks, Sri Lanka had the chance to take control. Ramesh seemed to have Tamim caught behind on 102 but the decision was overturned on review. When the outside edge did arrive off Tamim’s blade a few overs later, Dhananjaya de Silva failed to hold to the chance at first slip, when the opener on 114.Mushfiqur and Tamim survived the 45 minutes or so before tea, but it was evident that the heat was getting to Tamim. Sri Lanka would have sensed a chance to stamp their dominance on the game in the final session. However, Litton and Mushfiqur had other ideas.Litton, in particular, showed maturity. He started off cautiously but made sure the loose deliveries did not go unpunished. Mushfiqur,too, held his end up well.Litton was the first to reach his fifty, his 12th in Test cricket, with an elegant flick wide of mid-on. He looked untroubled for the most part. Barring a chance at short leg, which the fielder failed to latch on to, Litton gave nothing away.Mushfiqur too reached his fifty soon after and will be hoping to break the 5000-run barrier early on day four. For Sri Lanka, their only bright spot was Rajitha, who wasn’t originally included in the starting XI.

Inexperienced West Indies will have atleast six debutants in the first ODI

Mohammad Isam19-Jan-2021

Big Picture

When the players finally take the Shere Bangla National Stadium’s green, it will end Bangladesh’s nine-month wait for international cricket.The frustration of watching every other team play will then give way to the usual nerves, excitement and reality of playing it themselves. Once West Indies confirmed that they would be keeping their commitment to tour, following a thorough inspection by CWI, it became a countdown for everyone involved with the Bangladesh team.They will play under a new captain, with Tamim Iqbal appointed last March. He has had to wait through the nine months of postponements, but now he has a full-strength side, especially with Shakib Al Hasan returning to the side following his one-year ban. But it’s almost as if Shakib was never sidelined – for failing to report a corrupt approach to the authorities – because there was very little cricket for the home team due to Covid-19 since the ICC announced the suspension in October 2019.Due to the strict protocols of the bio-secure bubble, the Bangladesh selectors have picked a squad of 18, including three newcomers in Shoriful Islam, Mahedi Hasan and Hasan Mahmud.Tamim has a settled top and middle-order, with only the bowling combination to be determined, but that would depend a lot on the conditions. There would, though, be a lot of attention to those players who have shown good form and fitness in two recent domestic competitions, unlike the visitors who are now the most travelled international team during the pandemic.Related

• Lloyd to WI: 'Opportunity to prove you're not second-class cricketers'

• Jason Mohammed eyes long-term WI berth

• Simmons' top priority: Don't take qualifier route to the World Cup

• Bangladesh confirm DRS despite difficulties

West Indies have played five Tests and three T20Is in the last nine months. It has taken a toll on their players, with several of them pulling out of this tour. It has resulted in their selection panel scrambling to find the next best players, among whom they have recalled Jason Mohammed, that too as captain, after a two-year gap.Rovman Powell, the big-hitting middle-order batsman, is their most experienced cricketer in the squad while the likes of captain Mohammed, Alzarri Joseph, vice-captain Sunil Ambris and batsman Raymon Reifer have also played this format. But the other nine cricketers haven’t played ODIs.A further blow was the last-minute pull-out of fast bowler Romario Shepherd and legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr, who both tested positive for Covid-19. Shepherd didn’t travel with the side, being replaced by Keon Harding while Walsh is currently in quarantine at the team hotel in Dhaka, awaiting a negative test result.There is interesting talent elsewhere in this squad, including Joshua da Silva, who made his Test debut against New Zealand last month. There’s also a lot of expectations from the likes of fast bowler Chemar Holder, allrounder Kyle Mayers and Akeal Hosein, the left-arm spinner who was instrumental in Trinbago Knight Riders’ CPL triumph last year.

Form guide

(last five completed matches)
Bangladesh (last five completed matches, most recent first): WWWLL

West Indies LLLWW

In the spotlight

Liton Das broke Bangladesh’s record for highest individual score in their last ODI, against Zimbabwe in Sylhet, a continuation of his fine form since the 2019 World Cup. Das’ free-flowing batting will be one of the more anticipated aspects of this ODI series.Only Jason Mohammed will know how to handle a West Indies team in the absence of their major stars since he has done the job before, in Pakistan. But this time he hasn’t been around the team for a long time either so the challenge is multifold for this talented middle-order batsman.

Team news

Hasan Mahmud could make his ODI debut as it looks like he may be picked ahead of Taskin Ahmed, Rubel Hossain and Shoriful Islam. The other position could go either to the allrounder Mahedi Hasan, another potential debutant, or Taijul Islam if the team management wants a second left-arm spinner in the attack.Bangladesh 1 Tamim Iqbal (capt), 2 Liton Das, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Shakib Al Hasan, 5 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 6 Mahmudullah, 7 Soumya Sarkar, 8 Mohammad Saifuddin, 9 Mahedi Hasan/Taijul Islam, 10 Hasan Mahmud, 11 Mustafizur RahmanWest Indies have to make at least nine changes to the side that played their last ODI, against Sri Lanka. It is likely that their ODI-experienced players will get preference. Captain Mohammed is himself returning to the squad after two years so the combination will depend heavily on Phil Simmons’ instinct after seeing four days of training.West Indies (possible): 1 Joshua da Silva (wk), 2 Sunil Ambris, 3 Jason Mohammed (capt), 4 Andre McCarthy, 5 Raymon Reifer, 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Kyle Mayers, 8 Nkrumah Bonner, 9 Chemar Holder, 10, Akeal Hosein, 11 Alzarri Joseph

Pitch and conditions

The last ODI at this venue was two years ago but Shere Bangla National Stadium is a busy cricket ground. The average first innings score of the last five List-A games here is 267 runs, higher than usual at this ground. It is still winter in Bangladesh, but the 11:30 am start would give some comfort to the players.

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh have won their last five consecutive ODIs against West Indies, their third longest winning streak against a top side. They have a chance to equal their second best streak, the six wins in a row against New Zealand from 2010 to 2013. Bangladesh’s longest winning streak is 16 matches against Zimbabwe, which is ongoing since 2014.
• West Indies’ total ODI caps stands at 105 before the start of this series, with five out of their 14 squad members having played in this format.

Quotes

“We have a solid pace bowing unit. They all deserve to play in the XI, as they are in good rhythm, having performed well recently. The battle among them to get into the side is a good thing for the team.”

Glamorgan dismissed for 138 on third day as their own promotion hopes take a hit

ECB Reporters Network20-Aug-2019Lancashire increased their lead at the top of Division Two with a comprehensive win in under three days against a Glamorgan team who were outclassed in every department, with the margin of victory – an innings and 150 runs – a clear indication of the difference between the two teams.While Lancashire, on their performances this season, will provide formidable opposition in Division One next year, Glamorgan, who were second before this game but are likely to move a few places lower after the current round of fixtures, will need to improve significantly if they are to gain promotion.Apart from Dane Vilas’ brilliant innings that enabled Lancashire take a lead of 288 on first innings, their seam attack probed incessantly in both innings, with the impressive Danny Lamb, in only his fifth first-class game claiming 6 for 89 in the match.Lancashire resumed on 544 for 8, but their innings lasted only four balls before Saqib Mahmood edged Samit Patel to slip after a single had been added. When Glamorgan began their second innings, Nick Selman was almost dismissed from the first ball of the innings when Tom Bailey failed to hold on to a return catch.Instead, the Glamorgan openers made it into the 15th over before being parted, Lamb removing Selman lbw to make it 28 for 1.Five runs later Charlie Hemphrey departed, also leg before to Lamb, who was quickly followed by Shaun Marsh, and when David Lloyd and Billy Root were dismissed by Richard Gleeson in successive deliveries, the home team had subsided to 40 for 4. Patel and Chris Cooke then shared an useful partnership of 42, before both were out leg before – Cooke the fifth lbw victim of the innings and the team’s top scorer with 41.The last four wickets fell for 15 runs, and at 3.30pm Lancashire were on their way home, with Glamorgan left to reflect on their two recent heavy Championship defeats – to Middlesex by 256 runs and here by an innings.

Ben Stokes brought his match haul to eight wickets but Mark Wood was unable to bowl as Gloucestershire set Durham 340 to win

ECB Reporters Network24-Jul-2018
ScorecardBen Stokes completed match figures of 8 for 118 as Gloucestershire set Durham 340 to win the Specsavers County Championship match at Cheltenham. The allrounder pressed claims for an England Test place against India with another lively contribution, looking in good rhythm as he finished with 3 for 66 in the home side’s second innings of 252 all out.Kieran Noema-Barnett hit an undefeated 69, while Ryan Higgins added 42 to his first-innings century and Benny Howell made 43 against an attack again deprived of Mark Wood because of a sore heel.Durham coach Jon Lewis was able to give a detailed update on Wood’s injury. “Mark has been for a scan today and we will know more when we get the results,” Lewis said. “It’s a strange one and it could be something and nothing.”Mark goes 12 months without injury through being carefully managed, then bowls six overs in this game with no apparent problem, only to start feeling something towards the area of his heel. It is nothing to do with his past ankle problems and the symptoms are not that of a bruised heel. We are hopeful it will settle down quickly.”Tom Latham had been last man out for 147 as Durham extended their first-innings total from an overnight 219 for 5 to 275 all out, but could not prevent his team trailing by 87. By the close the visitors had moved to 35 without loss in their second innings without undue alarm and required a further 305 for victory.Latham began the day on 120 and again looked solid as wickets tumbled around him. Gloucestershire took the second new ball with the total 227 for 5, and Stuart Poynter was soon bowled playing forward to Craig Miles for 32.A key moment came, with Durham 252 for 7, when Wood, on 11, called Latham for a suicidal single to Matt Taylor at mid-off and was run out well short of his ground by a direct hit at the bowler’s end.Matt Salisbury and George Harding fell to successive balls from Higgins and Latham’s vigil of six hours and 13 minutes finally came to an end in a bid to add quick runs before the final wicket went down. Durham’s stand-in skipper had faced 281 balls, hitting 22 fours, in energy-sapping heat when he lofted a catch to deep midwicket.Chris Rushworth then built on Latham’s efforts by striking two quick blows with the new ball at the start of Gloucestershire’s second innings, removing Miles Hammond and James Bracey cheaply as they reached lunch on 50 for 2, leading by 137.Howell and Chris Dent had steadied the ship and extended their stand to 70 after the interval before Howell was taken at second slip off Salisbury, having hit seven fours. From 85 for 2, Gloucestershire slipped to 86 for 5 as Stokes had Gareth Roderick caught behind for a duck with an example of the extra lift he extracted from the pitch and Dent, on 32, nicked Salisbury through to wicketkeeper Poynter.Noema-Barnett walked out at No. 7 to face two bowlers with their tails up. But in his own unflappable style he doused the fire and found an in-form partner in Higgins as they turned the tide with a partnership of 84.It took the introduction of Will Smith to break the stand. The offspinner held onto a sharp return catch to send back Higgins with the score on 170 for 6. Noema-Barnett pulled Stokes for six on his way to an invaluable 96-ball half-century and useful contributions from Miles and last man George Drissell helped Gloucestershire set a challenging target.

Dale Steyn has been named in the South Africa A four-day squad for the tour of England with a view to proving his fitness for the Test series which begins in July

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Apr-2017With a view to proving his fitness for the Tests against England which begin in July, Dale Steyn has been named in the South Africa A four-day squad that tours England before the series.Steyn has been out of action since November when he injured his shoulder in the first Test against Australia in Perth. He has been building up his rehabilitation programme in the early part of the year and the plan is for him to be available for two of the three four-day matches South Africa A play in June.If he comes through those matches he would put himself in the frame for a spot in the Test squad for the four-match series against England which begins on July 6 at Lord’s. Steyn is five wickets away from overtaking Shaun Pollock as South Africa’s leading Test wicket-taker.”The shoulder rehabilitation has been good. It feels stronger every week,” he told ahead of the squad being named. “I want to play cricket for South Africa. I am nearly ready.”The A squad for the four-day matches will be captained by the highly-rated Titans batsman Aiden Markram while Khaya Zondo, who captains Dolphins, will lead the one-day side. Temba Bavuma, who will be part of the full Test squad, is included in both the one-day and four-day squads along with the recently capped Duanne Olivier, Lungi Ngidi and Theunis de Bruyn.”The four-day series will give us an opportunity to see how some of the players who are on the fringes of the Test squad perform in England ahead of the four-test series,” Linda Zondi, the convener of selectors, said. “We still have time to finalise the Test team so that series can give us some pointers before we finalise the Test squad.”South Africa A one-day squad Khaya Zondo (capt), Reeza Hendricks, Jon Jon Smuts, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, , Heino Kuhn, Dwaine Pretorius, Mangaliso Mosehle, Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Junior Dala, Dane PatersonSouth Africa A four-day squad Heino Kuhn, Aiden Markram (capt), Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Khaya Zondo, Jason Smith, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Rudi Second, Dane Piedt, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Duanne Olivier, Junior Dala, Beuran Hendricks, Dale Steyn

Underachievers in major global tournaments, Zimbabwe will need to overcome injuries and a host of changes in order to make their bid for the main draw

Firdose Moonda07-Mar-2016

Big picture

Zimbabwe, as Full Members of the ICC, feel they should be part of major global tournaments. Their performances, though, do not always allow them that privilege.Ranked 12th in ODIs, Zimbabwe have no chance of playing the 2017 Champions Trophy and perhaps not even the 2019 World Cup, which will feature only 10 teams. They are ranked even lower in T20Is, in 13th position, which is why they have to qualify for this event.Ahead of them are Afghanistan, Scotland and Hong Kong, and Zimbabwe will possibly have to beat two of them to make it to the main draw. Still, the ask for Zimbabwe is tough and though they may not want to admit it, they will have to punch above their weight just to earn the right to play with the big boys.That’s not to say Zimbabwe have not been preparing. They have spent time in the UAE, warming up against the likes of West Indies and Ireland. Most of their players have just come off a long run of T20 cricket in the domestic tournament at home and some have been playing in competitions like the PSL. Zimbabwe have done their homework, now it’s about passing the test.They already faced the first hurdle when three members of their initial squad were ruled out with injury at the training camp in the UAE. Newly-appointed vice-captain Graeme Cremer, Neville Madziva and Luke Jongwe were all sent home while Donald Tiripano, Chamu Chibhabha and Tawanda Mupariwa were added to the squad. Those changes will not only affect the balance of the XI, but could also impact the morale of the side. Despite these setbacks, their focus needs to be on staying positive because too often, they have been tripped up by their own minds. Dav Whatmore is well aware of that and his gentle, caring approach could be what Zimbabwe need to overcome years of under-performance in this format.Zimbabwe’s T20 record is dismal. They have won just 10 of 48 matches and only three at a World T20, two of those were in the qualifying round. If ever there was a time to change that and prove they belong, it’s now.

At the helm

Little more than a month ago, Zimbabwe’s opening batsman Hamilton Masakadza was appointed captain in all three formats. In a set-up where the leadership has often seemed a revolving door, it was the first time Masakadza had been given the job permanently, after 12 appearances as a stand-in captain. His promotion came just a few months after he was dropped from the national squad, which may be why it took him by surprise. “I have been waiting my turn for such a long time. I never thought it was going to come. I thought it had evaded me,” he said at the time.Masakadza’s calm demeanor and dedication to his craft will make him an excellent off-field leader. His form will make a him a sterling on-field captain. He gives Zimbabwe certainty at the top of the innings and his new quick-scoring style could set them up for strong totals.

Key stat

318 runs at 63.60.That’s Hamilton Masakadza’s T20 record in 2016. A week before the World T20, Masakadza led this year’s run charts despite playing fewer matches than his four closest competitors. He was surpassed by Rohit Sharma, who has played 11 matches and Virat Kohli, who has played eight, after the Asia Cup but that will not take away from what seems to be a timely maturing of Masakadza.With Graeme Cremer missing, Sean Williams’ ability with the ball could come to the fore•AFP/Getty Images

Leading men

With the captaincy duties no longer weighing Elton Chigumbura down, there is no better time for him to prove his potential. As Zimbabwe’s premier allrounder, Chigumbura will be key to his team’s success. Although he is lurching through a lean patch – Chigumbura has not been able to get to double figures in his last six T20Is, which include three ducks – Zimbabwe’s selectors, justifiably, have showed faith in his ability to come good under pressure. Chigumbura scored a match-winning half-century in the last World T20, against UAE, and his desperation to prove himself may pay off.Graeme Cremer would have been Zimbabwe’s main spinner but his injury-enforced absence means the responsibility has been given to Sean Williams. The left-arm spinner is not as attacking as Cremer, but has proven himself as a shrewd operator, with a stifling economy. Williams is also a nuggety middle-order batsman whose big-match temperament and love of a scrap is crucial to keeping Zimbabwe competitive.Makhaya Ntini, South Africa’s effervescent former bowler, who was appointed Zimbabwe’s bowling coach, has already been an inspiration by example. Part of Ntini’s charm is his self-belief and his dedication to fitness. Ntini has been running the Zimbabwe players ragged and some reports even suggest he has caused Tinashe Panyangara to drop a few kilograms. But beyond the exercise regimen, Ntini is there for technical advice and he would no doubt offer much to the likes of Panyangara, Tendai Chatara and Tawanda Mupariwa.

Burning question

How will Zimbabwe handle spin?Perhaps it’s the placid pitches in their own country that have made Zimbabwe so susceptible to anything with a bit of bite, but they will have to be prepared to deal with plenty of turn in India. Although the surfaces used for T20 cricket are not the raging turners of Tests, they will still challenge a team that has not travelled to India since the 2011 World Cup. Not only will Zimbabwe have to come to terms with how to play spin when batting, but also how to use it with the ball. At least, they can take heart from their drawn series in Bangladesh earlier this year and their reasonably good efforts in the UAE during the warm-ups.

World T20 history

Zimbabwe pulled off an epic victory against Australia in the 2007 World T20 but have failed to build on that achievement. In three tournaments since then – Zimbabwe pulled out of the 2009 edition which was hosted in England – they have not beaten a Full Member. They exited the 2010 and 2012 events without any success in the group stage and in 2014, did not even make it to the main draw. They were victorious over Netherlands and United Arab Emirates but it was not enough to see them through.

In their own words

“[Makhaya Ntini] brings a lot of energy and a lot of goodwill and good spirits, apart from his coaching. He’s one of those guys who likes to do whatever he asks of the guys, he likes to do it with them, so he’s also leading by example quite a bit.”

Freddie Coleman, the Warwickshire and Scotland batsman, has pleaded guilty to ball tampering but has escaped an immediate suspension

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Aug-2013Freddie Coleman, the Warwickshire and Scotland batsman, has pleaded guilty to ball tampering during a 2nd XI Championship match against Glamorgan earlier this month but has escaped an immediate suspension.Warwickshire have been fined £5000 and the disciplinary panel said “the club did not provide sufficient discouragement regarding ball tampering.” They were also critical of the captain for the game in question, Paul Best, who they said allowed the tampering to continue with his knowledge.Coleman’s guilty plea and his age, 21, were noted by the panel although they stressed that this was not setting a precedent for any future ball-tampering cases. He was handed a two-match suspension but that was suspended for two years and will come into force if he breaks any further ECB regulations in that period.The panel’s statement said: “Frederick Coleman pleaded guilty to a charge that during a Second XI Championship match between Warwickshire CCC and Glamorgan CCC at Cardiff CC on 7th – 9th August, he knowingly and deliberately changed the condition of the ball in contravention of Law 42.3(b).”Warwickshire pleaded guilty to a charge that a player registered to and playing for them knowingly and deliberately changed the condition of the ball in contravention of Law 42.3(b).”The panel took into account that Mr Coleman pleaded guilty, that he is a young player and that he was allowed to act in this way with the knowledge of his captain. In light of these circumstances, the panel imposed a two match suspension on him. However, this penalty is suspended for a period of 24 months.”The panel wished to make it clear that the personal circumstances of Mr Coleman were taken into account and that the sanction is not to be seen as setting a precedent in any future cases of this kind.”The panel has imposed a fine of £5000 on Warwickshire CCC and the deduction of the points gained in this match. In the panel’s view, the club did not provide sufficient discouragement regarding ball tampering, all types of which are clearly inappropriate and in contravention of the Laws of the game.”Coleman has yet to make a first-class appearance for Warwickshire but has played in their Twenty20 side. He has played two ODIs and a Twenty20 for Scotland alongside two matches in the Intercontinental Cup and has been part of the YB40 campaign. His highest first-class score of 110 came for Oxford MCCU against Worcestershire in 2012.

New Zealand blasted through to the semi-finals and knocked West Indies out of the tournament in a dramatic finale to their quarter-final in Townsville

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIt was joy unbridled for New Zealand, after they took the 18 they needed off the last over•ICC/Getty

New Zealand blasted through to the semi-finals and knocked West Indies out of the tournament in a dramatic finale to their quarter-final in Townsville, where New Zealand needed four runs from the last ball of their chase and Ish Sodhi struck the winning boundary. New Zealand had to find 18 runs from the 50th over and at seven wickets down, West Indies were clear favourites to progress.But Sodhi managed a boundary and a single from the medium pace of Justin Greaves, and his partner Jacob Duffy picked up a leg bye to leave 12 runs required from three balls. Sodhi struck a six, a two and a four to complete the dramatic win as New Zealand overhauled the West Indies total of 237 and moved into the final four of the competition, along with India, Australia and South Africa.The day had started reasonably well for West Indies, who were sent in, as their openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Sunil Ambris put on 48 for the opening wicket. Brathwaite (53) and Akeal Hosain (54) both contributed half-centuries and despite three wickets to Matthew Quinn, West Indies were able to bat out their overs and posted a challenging 237 when the last batsman was run out from the final ball of the 50th over.Ronsford Beaton picked up two early wickets in the chase but Ben Horne steadied New Zealand with 59, and Robert O’Donnell (42) and Cam Fletcher (49) kept them in the contest through the middle of the innings. But with ten overs remaining, New Zealand still needed 89 runs, and it was only through the striking of Sodhi at the very end that they triumphed.