Cricket

Former New Zealand captain Tim Southee faces an uncertain future in the Test team ahead of the upcoming series against India. Southee's recent form has been underwhelming, with only eight wickets at an average of 73.12 in Tests this year.With Southee stepping down as captain, New Zealand's bowling attack is up for debate. The team could opt for just two quicks, with Matt Henry and Will O'Rourke as the likely candidates. If they choose to play three quicks, Southee's experience would be weighed against the extra pace of Ben Sears.The balance of the attack also affects the lower-order batting. Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell are spin-bowling options, but Bengaluru's pitch favors fast bowlers. If three quicks are selected, Henry or Southee would need to contribute with the bat.Southee is working with bowling coach Jacob Oram to rediscover his wicket-taking form. He has been studying video from successful periods in his career, which has yielded 382 Test wickets.Head coach Gary Stead acknowledged that Southee's absence as captain allows for greater flexibility in selection. However, he emphasized that the team's priority is to field the best possible bowling attack.Stead also confirmed that Will Young is likely to bat at No. 3 in the first Test in the absence of Kane Williamson, who is recovering from a groin strain. Williamson's availability for the second Test remains uncertain.Despite India's injury to Mohammed Shami, Stead noted the depth of their bowling talent. He said, "If they have an injury it doesn't seem to effect them like other teams. There's someone else who can come in who is equally adept."

India's quest for an unprecedented third consecutive Test series triumph in Australia begins on November 22 with the first Test in Perth. After their historic victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21, Rohit Sharma's team faces a formidable challenge in a five-Test series, the first since 1991-92.India's bowling attack, boasting the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ravichandran Ashwin, is expected to play a pivotal role. Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson believes India has the firepower to conquer Australia once again."India's pace attack will be where they predominantly win that series," Watson said. "They've got the firepower to be able to do it, but to be able to do it five Test matches in a row in Australia, they'll have to rotate them as well."Watson acknowledged that India's spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja may not be as effective in Australia as they are in other parts of the world. However, he emphasized that their skill and experience will still pose a significant threat to the Australian batters.India's batting lineup, featuring Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and rising stars Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, is expected to provide a stern test for the hosts. Watson believes India's attacking approach could put pressure on the Australian bowlers."With the calibre of batters that India have got and the skill they've got, there's no reason why they can't combine that, putting pressure on the bowlers, score quickly but also not make mistakes," he said.Watson warned that Australia will need to be at their best to overcome India's formidable team. "The last time that they met in Australia, India played very, very well. They will have their confidence from that last tour," he said."But just knowing the firepower that India do have with the bat and the ball and how they continue to come together, Australia are going to have to be at their very, very best to be able to win that series."After the Perth opener, India will face Australia in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.

Chris Woakes, once known for his humble-brag about his impressive home record, now finds himself leading England's bowling attack in Pakistan. Despite his previous struggles overseas, Woakes has been recalled due to injuries and retirements.Woakes' selection is based on his strong performance in England's home summer and the belief that he has become a more complete bowler. His ability to open the bowling and bat at No. 7 provides balance to the team.England's coach, Brendon McCullum, believes Woakes can replicate James Anderson's control, which was crucial to England's success in Pakistan two years ago. Woakes' experience and leadership qualities also make him a valuable asset.Ollie Pope, who will captain in Ben Stokes' absence, expects Woakes to use his reverse swing and movement off the pitch to challenge Pakistan's batters. The conditions in Multan are expected to be different from England's previous tour, with higher temperatures and a grass-covered pitch.Woakes acknowledges that his overseas record is not flattering, but he is determined to prove his worth. If he succeeds, this tour could mark a late-career resurgence and lead to a place in next winter's Ashes squad.

Chris Woakes, England's experienced all-rounder, believes he can lead the team's bowling attack on their upcoming tours to Pakistan and New Zealand this winter. Despite his modest overseas Test record, Woakes is confident in his abilities and is eager to contribute to England's success.Woakes has a bowling average of 51.88 in 20 away Tests, compared to 21.88 in 32 at home. However, he insists that he will not shy away from touring this winter and beyond. He last featured in an overseas Test in Grenada in March 2022.This summer, Woakes has taken 14 wickets at 19.07, including 3 for 32 in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford. At 35, he has led England's attack since James Anderson and Stuart Broad retired earlier this summer."As you get older, you pick up new skills and have more experience to fall back on," Woakes said. "I haven't played an away Test for a while, but that might be a good thing. It gives you a fresh look on things."Woakes was not involved in England's only Test tour of the 2023-24 winter, instead playing for Sharjah Warriors at the ILT20. However, he has since insisted that he remains available for selection."I certainly wouldn't shy away from it," Woakes said. "I'll play for England where I'm picked to play. I'm certainly not ruling myself out."England will play six overseas Tests this winter, three each against Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December. Coach Brendon McCullum has said that it would be "hard to rub him out right now" from selection overseas, as he is perhaps England's only seamer capable of contributing regularly with the bat from No. 8.Woakes will bat one spot higher than that in this series, promoted to No. 7 in Ben Stokes' absence. "I've worked hard on my batting in my whole career," he said. "It's an extra string in the bow which allows you to potentially be selected ahead of someone else."Having spent most of his Test career as a change bowler behind Anderson and Broad, Woakes has thrived with the new ball this summer. "It's just a role which I'm taking on this summer as the opening bowler and the oldest to try and give options and communicate with the other bowlers as much as I can."Woakes struck twice in his fourth over on Wednesday, having Nishan Madushka caught at first slip and setting Angelo Mathews up to pin him lbw playing no shot. "It was a big wicket for myself, and it's always nice when you've moved a few away and then you get one to come back like that," Woakes said.In the afternoon session, Woakes had Kamindu Mendis caught behind to leave Sri Lanka 92 for 6. "We're really happy," he said. "To bowl a team out on day one of a Test match and to be none down at the close is a superb day."

Chris Woakes, now 35 years old, has emerged as the senior figure in England's bowling attack following the retirements of Stuart Broad and James Anderson. As he prepares for his 50th Test at Trent Bridge, Woakes reflects on his journey and the lessons he has learned from the legendary duo.Woakes acknowledges the impact Anderson has had on his career, particularly in terms of assessing conditions and pitch behavior. He credits Anderson with teaching him the art of bowling the "wobble-ball." As the most experienced bowler in the team, Woakes recognizes the need to pass on his knowledge to the younger generation of seamers.While his on-field demeanor will remain largely unchanged, Woakes acknowledges that he may need to adjust his role slightly, especially if he is given the new ball. He emphasizes the importance of giving 100% and fulfilling his role to the best of his ability.Off the field, Anderson's presence as a bowling mentor will provide continuity and support. Woakes believes that Anderson's experience and insights will be invaluable to the team.Despite his impressive home record, Woakes is realistic about his chances of being part of England's long-term plans, particularly for overseas tours. He remains focused on the present and is determined to make the most of every opportunity he gets.Woakes' return to the England set-up has been bittersweet, following the loss of his father and his omission from the T20 World Cup squad. However, he is grateful for the opportunity to represent his country and is determined to enjoy every moment.

India's formidable bowling attack, led by the spin trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja, is expected to give them an edge over England in the second semi-final of the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Former India all-rounder Robin Singh believes that India's current form and unbeaten record position them favorably against England, who have faced a challenging journey to the semi-finals.Singh highlights the depth and versatility of India's bowling attack, which suits the conditions at the Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana. He emphasizes the importance of countering England's key bowlers, Jofra Archer and Adil Rashid, to make inroads into their batting lineup.India's recent performance against Australia, where their spinners registered combined figures of 3-45, demonstrates the effectiveness of their spin attack. Kuldeep Yadav, initially excluded from the playing eleven, has excelled in the Super Eights, taking seven wickets in three games.Singh emphasizes the collective effort of the bowling unit, stating that it's not about individual bowlers but about putting pressure on the batsmen as a team. He also praises the fast-bowling pair of Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, who have been formidable throughout the tournament.As the teams prepare for their high-stakes encounter, the focus will be on how India's versatile bowling attack measures up against England's strong batting lineup. With a spot in the final on the line, the match promises to be a thrilling contest.

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign has been a tale of mixed fortunes. Despite two early defeats, they remain in contention for the next stage, thanks to the unpredictable nature of the pitches and the resilience of their bowling attack.The pitches in Group D have been notoriously low-scoring, with no team managing to score more than Sri Lanka's 124 batting first. This has made it difficult for batters to adapt, leading to a series of low-scoring thrillers.Sri Lanka's fast bowling coach, Aqib Javed, believes that the unpredictable pitches have played a significant role in their team's performances. "We were the first ones who'd gone through this process," he said. "Now the people are realizing what total to place, and what they're expecting when they're choosing even a small total."Despite the challenging conditions, Sri Lanka's bowlers have performed admirably. Against South Africa, they defended a meager 77, while against Bangladesh, they nearly pulled off a late victory with a flurry of wickets.Javed is particularly impressed with the variety of Sri Lanka's bowling attack. "You have the best legspinner in the world, you have a mystery bowler, and you have slingers which is very unique and very effective in T20 cricket," he said.While the bowling has been a bright spot, Sri Lanka's batting has been a concern. Javed acknowledges that their batters have not been up to scratch, but he believes they can improve. "The beauty of this World Cup is that you cannot take easy to anything," he said. "I think honestly if you look at the pitch, you have to be very careful, especially as a batter. How to adapt, what to leave out, and I think the best plan is to go out there and assess the situation and conditions."With two games remaining, Sri Lanka's fate is still in their own hands. If they can win their next two matches and Bangladesh and Netherlands both lose at least one of their next two, they will qualify for the next stage.

Former Australian captain Tim Paine has advocated for the inclusion of Nathan Ellis in Australia's first-choice attack for the 2024 T20 World Cup, alongside Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa. Paine believes Ellis' versatility and impressive performances in the powerplay and death overs make him a valuable asset to the team.Ellis, 29, has played 14 T20Is for Australia, but only one on home soil. Despite his limited opportunities, he has consistently delivered strong performances, including an outstanding international record. Paine believes Ellis' ability to bowl throughout the powerplay and his effective slower balls make him a perfect complement to the other quicks in the squad.While acknowledging the exceptional abilities of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Paine argues that Ellis' unique skillset and ability to provide variety in the attack will be crucial for Australia's success in the upcoming World Cup. He emphasizes that Ellis' economy rate in the powerplay and his dominance at the death make him a standout performer in these critical phases of the game.Ellis' impressive numbers in T20s since 2020 support Paine's assessment. He boasts the second-best powerplay economy among the selected World Cup squad, behind only Hazlewood. At the death, he is the most effective Australian quick, having bowled significantly more overs in that phase than any of his counterparts.Despite his limited playing time in the recent IPL, Ellis made a positive impact in Australia's warm-up match against Namibia, taking 1 for 17 from his four overs. With Starc and Cummins expected to join the squad later, there is a possibility that Australia will experiment with different bowling combinations during the group stage. However, Paine's strong endorsement of Ellis suggests that he is a serious contender for a starting role in the team's first-choice attack.

England's bowling attack faces a significant challenge following the retirement of veteran pacer James Anderson, according to former teammate Stuart Broad. Anderson, the highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers in Test cricket, announced his decision to step down after the first match against West Indies at Lord's in July.Broad expressed concerns about the inexperience of England's current bowling options, including Matthew Potts, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Gus Atkinson. He emphasized the need for these bowlers to gain exposure and experience to fill the void left by Anderson's departure."I think exposure for some bowlers now is really important, because there's talent out there," Broad said. "You've got the likes of Matthew Potts who has done well in Test cricket and on a Lions tour, Gus Atkinson has loads of great attributes, Josh Tongue who struggled a bit with injuries over the winter but bowled great against Ireland and Australia."Broad also highlighted the potential of Brydon Carse and Jamie Overton, but acknowledged that England could potentially field a very inexperienced bowling group in the near future. "England could easily go into a Test match this summer with a very, very inexperienced bowling group," he said. "That's quite scary as a Test captain I would have thought."Anderson's retirement will leave a significant hole in England's bowling attack, not only in terms of his wicket-taking ability but also his leadership and experience. Broad emphasized the importance of finding someone to step into Anderson's role and provide guidance to the younger bowlers."There's going to certainly be a huge hole left by Jimmy Anderson that someone is going to have to step into," Broad said. "And not just by swinging the new ball. But by communicating, by keeping calm if the boundaries are leaking, by tactically being aware of what field works at certain grounds, pitches and times of Test matches."Broad believes that continuous improvement is key to success in Test cricket, and he praised Anderson for his unwavering commitment to developing his game. "My thing was always continuous improvement," Broad said. "Jimmy's has always been that as well, and we drove each other forward a lot with that mindset."England will host West Indies in a three-match ICC World Test Championship series in July, starting with the first Test at Lord's. The series will provide an opportunity for the younger bowlers to gain experience and prove their worth in the absence of Anderson.