New Zealand Cricket (NZC) named Mitchell Santner as the interim captain for the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. NZC confirmed that a new long-term ODI and T20I captain will be announced in the summer. The experienced spinner will lead a 15-man squad, which includes uncapped bowling all-rounder Nathan Smith and wicketkeeper-batter Mitchell Hay. In March, Smith was recently crowned the NZC's Men's Domestic Player of the Year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards. He went on to earn his first central contract last month. While featuring for Wellington last season, Smith scythed 24 scalps across all domestic white-ball competitions, including his career-best figures of 4/5 against Otago in the Super Smash. Hay made his debut for New Zealand A last year and was adjudged Canterbury's Male Player of the Year back in April. The batting department will feature Glenn Phillips, Will Young and Henry Nicholls. The trio will provide batting reinforcements, with Nicholls slamming an impressive campaign in the Ford Trophy last summer. He garnered 301 runs in six matches at 75.25. Tim Robinson received his second call-up after starring in his maiden international Pakistan tour in April. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? Michael Bracewell and Phillips will form a formidable spin-bowling all-rounder setup in the squad. The pace bowling lineup will be spearheaded by Lockie Ferguson, featuring Smith, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, and Josh Clarkson. Six players, who are featuring in New Zealand's ongoing Test series against India, have been included in the team. Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson have not been considered for selection as they have decided to prioritise the three Tests against England. The series will kick off in Christchurch on November 28. "This [Sri Lanka] tour is the beginning of the build-up towards the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, and we also have an eye towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Building depth is of critical importance due to the demands of the international schedule and the need to peak for pinnacle events. For that reason, it's particularly exciting to include a number of players that we believe represent the future of the Blackcaps," chief selector Sam Wells said, as quoted from a statement by NZC. The white-ball series will begin with two T20Is on November 9 and 10 in Dambulla. The three-match ODI series will be played on November 13, 17 and 19. The opening ODI will be played in Dambulla, while the final two ODIs will take place in Pallekelle. New Zealand's T20I and ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series: Mitchell Santner (c), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Zak Foulkes, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wk), Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Robinson, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Will Young. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 08:45 AM IST | Wellington | ANIFormer Mumbai head coaches Chandrakant Pandit and Pravin Amre reckon it will be tough for opener Prithvi Shaw, 24, to digest his omission from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team. Short-of-runs Shaw has been left out of the team that plays Tripura in Agartala in the Ranji Trophy. Pandit guided Mumbai when Shaw scored a match-winning 120 on his first-class debut (semi-final v Tamil Nadu at Rajkot in 2016-17). While Pandit wants Shaw to take his exclusion in the right spirit, the young batsman’s Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Amre feels it is a wake-up call. Chandrakant Pandit, Pravin Amre, Santosh Pingulkar “He [Shaw] is a talented cricketer. Mumbai legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Polly Umrigar, Vijay Manjrekar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Ashok Mankad and Sandeep Patil have set a certain benchmark for city cricketers. Though players are doing well, other things matter a lot and it is necessary to tell Prithvi that. He should take it [omission] in the right spirit because he is playing for Mumbai, not another state team. I am sure he will take it well and fulfil the expectations,” Pandit, now head coach of Madhya Pradesh, told mid-day from Indore on Tuesday. The former India wicketkeeper-batsman wants every Mumbai cricketer to emulate Test batsman Ajinkya Rahane’s commitment while playing for Mumbai. “Look at his decorum, discipline and approach to play and lead Mumbai. He has showcased that commitment. There is no question mark on any cricketer’s talent or ability, whether it is Prithvi or any other player. But every cricketer should maintain the decorum of Mumbai cricket. I think every Mumbai cricketer aims for two things—to play for India and win the Ranji Trophy. Hence, every cricketer should give importance to their fitness and discipline,” Pandit added. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Amre was present at the MCA-BKC ground during the Mumbai versus Maharashtra Ranji Trophy game in which Shaw scored one and 39 not out. When asked what is wrong with Shaw, Amre said: “He has the skill, no doubt about it, but for consistency it is so important to have fitness first. Once your body is not there [right], you lose focus. They [Mumbai Cricket Association] know he is an important player and it is so vital to be disciplined, focussed and fit. “It’s tough [for Shaw to digest that he is not in the team], but this I think is a wake-up call because his body needs to be 100 per cent fit. It happened to him in IPL [198 in eight games for DC in 2024 IPL] too and this is what MCA also feels — that he has to take cricket seriously. He is just 24 and has a lot of cricket [left] in him so he should take this positively, go there and give some more time to his cricket,” Amre remarked. Also Read: From prodigal talent to fitness issues: Prithvi Shaw’s rise and falling apart Meanwhile, Shaw’s first coach — Virar-based Santosh Pingulkar — feels Shaw needs to work on his mental preparation. “The mental aspect is quite important. He needs to work a lot on mental preparation. He should be watchful when he is off the field. If he gets mentally fit, he will automatically become a disciplined cricketer. A few months ago, we discussed achieving fitness and focusing on the game, but I don’t think he thinks about it,” Pingulkar said.
23 October,2024 07:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Subodh MayureKane Williamson has, in an oblique way, prevented New Zealand from grappling with a problem of plenty, but India find themselves with a tricky decision to make going into the second Test at the MCA International Stadium from Thursday. The former Kiwi skipper, who missed the eight-wicket win in Bangalore due to a groin strain, hasn’t made enough progress to link up with his colleagues yet, and will now at best be available only for the final Test, starting in Mumbai next week. India, on the other hand, have a full complement of 16 to choose from, Shubman Gill having recovered from the stiff neck that forced him to miss the first Test. Shubman Gill returns Gill will walk back into the side at No. 3, a position he has occupied since the tour of the Caribbean last year, while KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are vying for the remaining batting slot at No. 6. Since moving to the middle order in South Africa last December, Rahul has hardly put a foot wrong in his six appearances — he missed the last four Tests against England at home earlier this year with a hamstring injury — but two low scores in Bangalore coupled with Sarfaraz’s stunning 150 in the second innings mean Rohit Sharma and Gautam Gambhir have a difficult call to make. Since taking over as head coach in July, Gambhir has emphasised more than once that his philosophy revolves around not leaving anyone out, but selecting the best possible XI for every game. That will be scant consolation to whichever of Rahul or Sarfaraz misses out. Also Read: 'No point sugarcoating, there's fight for spot between Rahul and Sarfaraz': Ryan Rahul’s first outing in his second avatar in the middle order produced a stunning century in Centurion in December and he backed it up with half-centuries in Hyderabad against England in January and in Kanpur against Bangladesh last month. Sarfaraz has done everything and more than has been asked of him since his debut against England in Rahul’s absence. In four Tests, he has three half-centuries to go with his monumental hundred in the previous game. Those plumping for Sarfaraz will point out that after 53 Tests, Rahul averages only 33.87, and while statistics can’t be argued against, that will definitely not be the deciding factor when the think-tank deliberates long and hard on the Rahul v Sarfaraz conundrum. Also Read: Prithvi Shaw's omission from Mumbai squad involves factors beyond just fitness Sarfaraz’s birthday break While Rahul was among the 15 that took full part in the afternoon nets at the MCA Stadium on Tuesday, Sarfaraz celebrated his 27th birthday with his wife and new-born baby boy after becoming a first-time father on Monday. He will be back at training on Wednesday. KL Rahul in his last 4 Tests12, 0, DNB, 68, 22*, 12, 22, 86 Sarfaraz in his last 4 Tests150, 0, 56, 0, 14, 68*, 62
23 October,2024 07:11 AM IST | Pune | R KaushikDilip Vengsarkar Academy at Mahul, Chembur, will conduct selection trials for boys in the 13 to 19 age group. Also Read: 'Should take it in right spirit': Ex-Mumbai coach Pandit on Shaw's omission Those born between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2012 can join the trials from 3 pm to 6pm on October 23. Youngsters should attend the trials in full kit, cricketing whites and have their birth certificate with them. For more details, contact Amit Jadhav on 8655337885/ 7021147475.
23 October,2024 06:28 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentAustralian skipper Pat Cummins is determined to “make amends” against India in the upcoming five-match Test series, as he aims to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time in over a decade. The two teams will face off in a five-match series starting November 22 in Perth. India will come into the contest with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy firmly in their grasp, having held it for nearly a decade and winning two consecutive series in Australia. “We’ve had a bit of a break, so I’m excited for the five match Test series. Excited to get into it,” the 31-year-old said in Star Sports’ Press Room.India had won the last Border-Gavaskar series in Australia 2-1 in 2020-21. Rishabh Pant’s second innings heroics of unbeaten 89 in the final Test saw India chase down 328 to seal a historic three-wicket win at the Gabba. It came after enduring a humiliating collapse in the first Test in Adelaide, where they were shot out for 36 — their lowest-ever Test score. “The last two series were a long time ago, so I think we’ve gotten over it. But we have really high expectations when we play Test cricket in Australia,” Cummins said. “I think that’s from the fans and the media as well. So anytime we don’t win down here, of course, you look at those series a bit more closely. “The last series, in particular, was a really tough one. It went right down to that last session at the Gabba, and unfortunately, we couldn’t pull it off. A lot of the guys in the team are the same as those who played in that series, and we’re here to make amends,” he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 06:24 AM IST | Mumbai | PTIA dry pitch prepared with the help of industrial-sized fans and outdoor heaters has lured England to go with a three-pronged spin attack including Rehan Ahmed against Pakistan for the series-deciding third Test starting on Thursday. Ahmed hasn’t played in any international format since February. Gus Atkinson was the only specialist pacer. They replaced Matthew Potts and Brydon Carse, who made an impressive Test debut in the series and picked up nine wickets in the two Multan matches. Also Read: Bangladesh Cricket Board unable to provide safety for Shakib Left-armer Jack Leach and off-spinner Shoaib Bashir are the other England spinners. Ahmed was 18 when he debuted in Pakistan two years ago and took a five-wicket haul in Karachi. The ground staff have been using giant-sized, hot-air fans for the last three days to dry out the 22-yard strip. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 06:23 AM IST | Rawalpindi | AP | PTIKyle Verreynne’s century helped South Africa tighten their grip on Bangladesh in the opening Test on Tuesday. Verreynne’s 114, his second Test ton, pushed South Africa to 308 and a 202-run lead in the first innings. When bad light forced stumps on Day Two, Bangladesh were 101-3 and still needing 101 more runs to make South Africa bat a second time. Also Read: Bangladesh Cricket Board unable to provide safety for Shakib Opener Mahmudul Hasan was 38 not out and Mushfiqur Rahim was 31 in an unbeaten 42-run stand for the fourth wicket. Verreynne shared two vital partnerships — 119 with Wiaan Mulder for the seventh wicket and 66 with Dane Piedt for the ninth. He was the last batter out after hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 144-ball knock. Mulder made 54 off 112 and Piedt scored 32 off 87. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 06:22 AM IST | Mirpur | AP | PTIBangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan did not take part in the opening match of the two-Test series against South Africa as the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) couldn’t organise safety of the veteran all-rounder. The ongoing first Test against South Africa was set to be Shakib’s final game. The BCB informed him about their inability to provide adequate safety. Shakib, 37, had by then left his USA residence and reached Dubai. Learning this, he had to head back to USA, where he left his wife and children. Also Read: Cook weighs in on Joe Root's chances of eclipsing Sachin Tendulkar in Tests However, the left-handed batter and left-arm spinner, who has 4609 runs and 246 wickets in 71 Tests, is not quitting the game yet. He will play for Bangladesh in foreign countries like he did in the recent India series. BCB media manager Raneed Imam said, “we are hoping the situation will improve, which will help Shakib to come back to Bangladesh and play.”
23 October,2024 06:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Debasish DattaIndia assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Tuesday that while KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan are locked in a selection battle for the second Test v NZ here, head coach Gautam Gambhir is keen to give the former, a long rope. “Yeah, there’s no point in sugarcoating it, there’s a fight for a spot,” ten Doeschate told the media when asked if Rahul and Sarfaraz were battling for a place in the team. Also Read: India's middle order conundrum: Sarfaraz Khan vs KL Rahul - who fits the bill? “Sarfaraz [0 & 150] was obviously brilliant in the last Test. I went to KL [0 & 12] [and] said how many balls do you play at [and] miss at? He didn’t play at [and] miss at one ball. That happens when you’re not getting runs. There are no concerns about KL, he’s batting nicely, he’s in a good mental space. It’s not like we’re worried about his form. If you see the past three months since Gauti has been in here, he’s keen to give him [Rahul] as much rope as we can. We have a lot of faith in him,” added Ten Doeschate. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
23 October,2024 06:12 AM IST | Pune | PTIFormer Australia opening batsman David Warner said that he is willing to come out of retirement to play in the "Border-Gavaskar Trophy" if his side needs him in the opening slot. David Warner announced his retirement from international cricket earlier in the year after the Test match against Pakistan. While the hosts had won the clash, Warner scored 34 and 57 in both innings, respectively. "I'm always available, just got to pick up the phone. I'm always dead serious. Let's be honest, the guys have played one red ball game since their last Test matches in February, so I've almost had the same preparation," Warned told Code Sports. Australia's home outing against India will be crucial for their quest to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship. The five-Test series gets underway in Perth on November 22. Also Read: "... should sit out if Gill plays second Test against New Zealand": Sanjay Manjrekar While the Australian players are preparing hard by participating in the Sheffield Shield, David Warner will have to play some matches in the same to regain his fitness and impress the selectors again. "Honestly, if they really needed myself for this series, I'm more than happy to play the next Shield game and go out there and play." "I did retire for the right reasons to finish the game, and I wanted to finish (but) my hand is up if they desperately need someone. I'm not going to shy away from that", David Warner added. Australia currently has an opening conundrum, with Cameron Green being ruled out of the series as the all-rounder is set to undergo lower spine surgery and will miss at least six months of cricket. Steve Smith who had a little success while opening the innings, the Aussies will have to find a player who can fit in the opener's slot. Having played four Tests since David Warner's retirement, Smith and Usman Khawaja have handled the opening duties. Evidently, Khawaja has collected the most runs (227) than Smith (171) in this phase, with both having a fifty each and no centuries. Their highest score is 75 and an unbeaten 91, respectively, both coming versus the Windies. The Kangaroos will be desperate to regain the trophy from Rohit Sharma and Co., having lost it in the previous four instances. (With PTI Inputs)
22 October,2024 07:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer Team India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar feels that KL Rahul should sit out if Shubman Gill is fit to play the second Test match against New Zealand. Shubman Gill missed out on the first Test match against New Zealand due to neck stiffness. The hosts suffered a loss in the opening game which was also their first defeat against New Zealand in India since 1998. KL Rahul departed early in both the innings as he registered the scores of 0 and 12 runs, respectively. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Sanjay Manjrekar said that the team should have KL sit out if Gill turns out to be fit for Pune Test. He also said that in case Gill is not fit, Virat should be called at number four since it would be unfair to keep playing him at a position where he has not scored many runs. He also called for KL to be shifted to number three if Gill does not play, in order to "free him up a bit". "Yes. I think that could be the call the team management will take if Gill is not fit. It is a little unfair for somebody like Virat to keep batting at number three. Maybe because KL is looking so lost (in the middle-order), maybe push him to number three and just free up a little bit and let Virat play at number four," said Sanjay Manjrekar. Also Read: IND vs NZ 2nd Test: The fight for the slot? Virat has batted at number three in five Tests, scoring 167 runs in eight innings at an average of 23.85 with just one fifty and best score of 70, which came during the second innings of the Bengaluru Test. His statistics at number four are far better and he has made 7,355 runs in 91 Tests and 148 innings at an average of 52.53, with 25 centuries and 21 fifties. His best score here is 254*. A move back to number four could help Virat regain his consistency back again. KL Rahul has been struggling to score consistent runs in Test cricket since 2022. His average has been 25.70 in 12 Test matches where he accumulated 514 runs. He has scored a century and three fifties, with best score of 101. He has not had much success as a number three in Tests, having made 88 in four Tests in five innings with a fifty. The majority of KL's Test success has come as an opener. He made 2,551 runs in 49 Tests and 75 innings at an average of 34.94, with seven tons and 12 fifties and the best score of 199. In the first Test, contributions from Rachin Ravindra, Matt Henry and William O'Rourke shined in New Zealand's eight-wicket win over India at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswammy Stadium. Ahead of the second Test match, Team India has also included Washington Sundar in the mix. His inclusion comes following his outstanding performance in the Ranji Trophy match against Delhi. Sundar impressed with a remarkable 152 runs off 269 balls, featuring 19 fours and a six for Tamil Nadu. Batting at number three, a position different from his usual lower-middle-order slot, Sundar's innings was a pivotal moment in the match. Known for his all-round abilities, Sundar has proven his worth both as a spinner and a batter. In his Test career, he has scored 265 runs in four Tests and six innings, boasting an impressive average of 66.25. His achievements include three fifties, with a top score of 96 not out. India squad for second and third Test against NZ: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Washington Sundar. (With ANI Inputs)
22 October,2024 06:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
