Cricket

Andy Flower, the former Zimbabwean wicketkeeper-batsman and renowned coach, recently shared his insights on the T20 World Cup and the evolution of cricket in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.Flower, who led Zimbabwe to its first-ever Test victory in 1995, holds the record for the highest score by a wicketkeeper in Test cricket, with an unbeaten 232. He also guided England to the T20 World Cup triumph in 2010 and to the No. 1 ranking in Tests a year later.Reflecting on the recent T20 World Cup final, Flower praised India's bowling attack, particularly Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. He believes Bumrah's exceptional skills in white-ball cricket set him apart from other fast bowlers.Flower also commented on the ongoing debate surrounding Bumrah's status as the greatest seamer in white-ball cricket, comparing him to the legendary Wasim Akram. While acknowledging Akram's brilliance, Flower suggested that if Akram had played T20 cricket, he would have further enhanced his skills and added greater variety to his bowling.Flower's coaching career has been marked by significant achievements. He guided England to the T20 World Cup victory in 2010, instilling an attacking mindset and encouraging innovation in the team. He also played a pivotal role in England's rise to the No. 1 Test ranking, leading them to three Ashes victories.Flower's success as a coach stems from his deep understanding of the game, his attention to detail, and his ability to connect with players. He has worked with some of the most talented cricketers in the world, including Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Steve Waugh.When asked about the best batter and bowler he has encountered, Flower named Wasim Akram as the greatest bowler and Sachin Tendulkar as the most respected batter. He praised Tendulkar's exceptional skills, his ability to handle pressure, and his remarkable longevity in the game.Flower's insights into the world of cricket provide valuable lessons for aspiring players and coaches alike. His emphasis on innovation, adaptability, and a strong work ethic serves as a reminder of the qualities that lead to success in the sport.

England's Under-19 cricket team secured a resounding victory in the second Youth Men's Test against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham, triumphing by an innings and 53 runs. Resuming their second innings on 246 for 7, Sri Lanka faced an insurmountable task of saving the game.England's spinners, Farhan Ahmed and Charlie Barnard, proved instrumental in dismantling Sri Lanka's batting lineup. Ahmed, a Nottinghamshire off-spinner, claimed impressive figures of 4 for 59 from 26.5 overs, including seven maidens. Barnard, a Lancashire slow left-armer, contributed with 2 for 55 from 21 overs.Sri Lanka's resistance crumbled in the morning session as Vihas Thewmika fell for 18, offering a return catch to Barnard. Manuja Chanthuka was dismissed lbw to Ahmed for one, bringing England closer to victory. Ahmed sealed the deal by pinning last man Sheshan Marasinghe on the front foot.England's dominance in the match was evident throughout. They posted a mammoth 477 in their first innings, with centuries from Hamza Shaikh (107), Andrew Flintoff (106), Joe Denly (91), and Sachith Fonseka (76). Sri Lanka's response of 153 and 271 fell well short of England's total.This victory marked a complete turnaround for England after being held to a frustrating draw in the rain-affected first Test at Wormsley. The Young Lions stamped their authority on the series, showcasing their all-round strength and securing a well-deserved 1-0 series win.

The introduction of sign language commentary in TV broadcasts has revolutionized the cricket-viewing experience for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. During the T20 World Cup final, the thrilling narration of Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch and the enthusiastic shouts of "long-off, long-off...!" brought joy to millions of Indian viewers, including those who had previously been excluded from the full experience.Disney+ Hotstar, the official streaming platform, collaborated with Indian Sign Language to provide real-time updates through a translator on the live stream. This allowed deaf and hard of hearing viewers to follow the action and immerse themselves in the excitement. Additionally, the audio descriptive feed was enhanced with voice-over technology, converting text and images into speech output for visually impaired users.For deaf cricket players like Needa Shaikh, the captain of Mumbai's deaf cricket team, the sign language commentary was a game-changer. "Seeing Team India lift the trophy was an unforgettable moment, and the ISL feed made it even more special for us," she said. "We felt truly included in the celebration and enjoyed every match played by our team."Nikhil Chanchlani, another deaf cricket player, believes that the commentary has enhanced his skills on the field. "I have played in state level tournaments and deaf cricket championships, but our matches normally don't have any commentary," he said. "I feel like after knowing the technical details of international cricket, it has improved my understanding of professional cricket as a batsman."For fans like Yadnesh Maladkar, the sign language commentary brought the excitement of the final to life. "During the final, the famous catch from Surya Kumar Yadav, I could see the entire crowd making noise and the commentators' excitement only due to the interpretation and that doubled my excitement," he said.Mansi Shah, one of the interpreters, emphasized the importance of proper interpretation for the deaf community. "It was liberating to watch independently, without relying on someone to explain the action," said Mahesh, Mansi's father and a passionate deaf cricket enthusiast. "This step not only deepened my connection to the game but also gave me a sense of belonging and equality."The inclusion of sign language commentary in TV broadcasts has opened up a new world of cricket for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. It has allowed them to fully experience the excitement, drama, and technical nuances of the game, fostering a sense of inclusion and equality.

Suryakumar Yadav's appointment as India's T20I captain for the Sri Lanka tour has sparked debate, with former batsman Mohammad Kaif expressing his belief that Hardik Pandya should have retained the role.Kaif, in an interview with IANS, argued that Pandya's experience as T20I captain and his successful stint leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL made him the ideal choice. "Hardik has captained the Gujarat Titans for two years and in their first year itself, they made it to the final... Hardik has experience captaining the T20I side. He was also the vice-captain at the T20 World Cup," Kaif said.Kaif also questioned the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as vice-captain, replacing Pandya. "Gambhir is an experienced captain and coach...He understands cricket very well. I think 'Hardik ne aisa koi galat kaam nhi kia k unko captaincy na mile' (Hardik has not done anything wrong that he should not get the captaincy)," Kaif added.Pandya led India in 16 T20Is before suffering an injury during the ODI World Cup last year. He also guided the Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022 and the runners-up spot in 2023.Kaif believes Pandya's experience and success in both the IPL and international cricket made him the most suitable candidate for the T20I captaincy. "He has experience, has captained in the IPL; and leading a new team (Gujarat Titans) to trophy, with fresh and young faces, is a huge thing. He has made the Titans win by working from zero in the IPL...I think he was entitled to the captaincy," he said.Despite Kaif's reservations, Suryakumar Yadav remains a highly respected and experienced player. He is currently ranked as the world's No. 1 T20I batsman and has been a key member of India's T20I team for several years. It remains to be seen whether he can lead India to success in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and beyond.

Major League Cricket: Carmi le Roux Suffers Head Injury in Scary IncidentThe Major League Cricket (MLC) witnessed a chilling moment as San Francisco Unicorns fast-bowler Carmi le Roux was struck on the head by a powerful shot from Seattle Orcas batter Ryan Rickleton.During the second over of the match, Rickleton's shot caught le Roux off guard, slamming into his head with immense force. The impact left le Roux's face bloodied, but thankfully, he remained conscious and walked off the field without assistance.Medical staff rushed onto the ground, but to everyone's relief, le Roux was able to walk off on his own. Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson completed the over for the Unicorns.Despite missing le Roux, the Unicorns managed to restrict the Orcas to 142 runs, defending their total of 165. Former England pacer Liam Plunkett was the standout bowler, claiming 3/26 in four overs.The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with fast bowling in cricket. Le Roux's injury serves as a reminder of the importance of wearing protective gear and maintaining situational awareness on the field.The Seattle Orcas have endured a disappointing start to the MLC season, suffering two consecutive defeats. They currently sit at the bottom of the table, a stark contrast to their impressive performance last season when they topped the standings.The tournament, which commenced on July 5, 2024, will culminate in the final on July 28. Defending champions MI New York are also struggling, sitting outside the playoff spots.

Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux faces a race against time to recover from a fractured rib and be fit for the upcoming New Zealand series and T20 World Cup. The injury, sustained during training, will sideline her for up to eight weeks.Molineux's absence is a significant blow to Australia's preparations for the World Cup, which begins on October 3 in Bangladesh. The left-arm spinner and hard-hitting batter has been in impressive form since returning to the national team in February after a string of injuries.In her comeback Test against South Africa, Molineux took 3 for 10 in the first innings. She then starred in the T20I series against Bangladesh, claiming six wickets at an average of 8.33 and earning Player of the Series honors.Molineux's injury has also ruled her out of the Hundred, where she was set to join Manchester Originals. Grace Harris, another likely selection for the World Cup squad, will also miss the tournament due to a calf strain.Kim Garth will replace Molineux at Originals, while Megan Schutt has been added to the Spirit squad as a replacement player. These signings have necessitated adjustments to the Australia A squads that will face India A in Queensland next month.Maitlan Brown and Kate Peterson have been called up to the Australia A T20 squad, while Brown will also feature in the one-day matches.Despite the setbacks, Australia has a busy international schedule ahead. They will host India in early December before traveling to New Zealand for three ODIs. The multi-format Ashes, featuring a day-night Test at the MCG, will take place in January.Australia will then return to New Zealand in late March for another series. The WBBL will commence a week after the T20 World Cup, while the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) is expected to be held in early March.

Somerset's clinical performance at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, propelled them to a six-wicket victory over Sussex Sharks, securing their place in the Vitality Blast South Group quarter-finals.Sussex's batting faltered after winning the toss, posting a modest 158 for 9. Harrison Ward's rapid 39 provided a brief spark, but Ben Green's devastating spell of 4 for 17 stifled their progress.Somerset's chase was equally impressive, with George Thomas' blistering 42 and Tom Abell's unbeaten 47 leading the charge. Sean Dickson's 28 and Tymal Mills' 2 for 28 were notable contributions for Sussex.The Sharks' powerplay began promisingly with Daniel Hughes' three consecutive fours and Ward's first six of the match. However, Jack Leach's introduction proved pivotal, removing Ward and triggering a Sussex collapse.Green's double strike in his first over further weakened the visitors, and despite Tom Alsop's brief resistance, James Coles and Nathan McAndrew's run-outs compounded their woes. Green's fourth wicket sealed Sussex's fate.Somerset's openers, Tom Banton and Thomas, set the tone for their chase with a brisk 34-run stand. Thomas' departure for 42 was a minor setback, but Abell and Kohler-Cadmore continued the momentum.Abell's survival of a caught and bowled chance proved crucial, as he and Dickson cleared the ropes to bring Somerset within sight of victory. Dickson's three boundaries off McAndrew sealed the deal, despite his eventual run-out.Somerset's victory not only secured their quarter-final berth but also boosted their chances of hosting a home tie. The Sharks, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stages.

England Under-19s continued their dominance in the second Youth Men's Test against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham, thanks to a record-breaking performance by Rocky Flintoff. The 16-year-old became the youngest player to score a century for England Under-19s, hitting an impressive 106 to help the Young Lions post a mammoth 477 in their first innings.Flintoff, who recently signed his first professional contract with Lancashire, faced 181 balls and struck nine fours and two sixes. He added a crucial 78 for the sixth wicket with Jack Carney, ensuring England extended their lead to 324 runs.Sri Lanka's bowlers, led by Vihas Thewmika and Praveen Maneesha, stuck to their task but were unable to contain England's relentless batting.In their second innings, Sri Lanka showed more resilience but still face an uphill battle to save the game. Mahith Perera and Dinuru Kalupahana added 88 for the fifth wicket, but England's bowlers, led by Harry Moore and Farhan Ahmed, made crucial breakthroughs to leave the tourists 78 runs behind at the close of play.Moore, a 17-year-old Derbyshire prospect, played a key role with two wickets, while Ahmed also took two. Spinner Charlie Barnard chipped in with a wicket as England reasserted their superiority.Sri Lanka's bowlers, Thewmika and Maneesha, returned figures of 3 for 82 and 3 for 112 respectively in the first innings, but found conditions less favorable in the second innings.England's victory in this match will give them an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final match will be played at Lord's from August 17-20.

Harshit Rana, a 22-year-old fast bowler from Delhi, has finally earned his long-awaited call-up to the Indian ODI team. The journey to this moment has been filled with setbacks and disappointments, but Rana has never given up hope.Rana's exceptional performance in the IPL, where he claimed 19 wickets and played a crucial role in Kolkata Knight Riders' victorious campaign, finally earned him recognition on the national stage. Despite facing numerous setbacks and being overlooked during his journey from the junior levels, Rana's determination and hard work have paid off."Delhi mein dil tooth sakta hai par humne kabhi hausla nahi haraa (Delhi can break your heart but I never lost hope)," Rana said in an emotional statement.Rana credits his father, personal coach Amit Bhandari, and former India and Delhi pacer Gautam Gambhir for his success. Gambhir, in particular, has had a profound impact on Rana's mindset."If my outlook towards the game has changed, a lot of it has got to do with Gauti bhaiyya's presence in the KKR dressing room and how he changed my mindset. At the elite level, you require skills but more than skills you require the heart to handle the pressure," Rana said.Rana's performances in white ball cricket for Delhi have been exceptional. He has claimed 22 wickets in 14 games in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and 28 wickets in 25 T20 matches.Rana's ability to execute his arsenal of deliveries with precision under pressure has been key to his success. He consistently hits the blockhole, fires wide yorkers, and deceives batsmen with cleverly disguised slow bouncers."If you ask about the pressure part it is Gautam Gambhir's advice. He would say, 'what's the worst thing that will happen? You will get hit and we can lose the match. But if you don't face your fears, how will you overcome them'?" Rana said.Bhandari, Rana's personal coach, believes that the bowler possesses the necessary skills and abilities to excel in international competitions."In Delhi, you always hear about corruption, groupism, nepotism. Now look at the bonafide Delhi greats. Most have within two years of Delhi debut played for India. Viru (Sehwag), Gauti (Gambhir), Ishant (Sharma), Rishabh (Pant) all had talent and didn't hover around domestic cricket for long. If you are a talented Delhi cricketer, the system can't stop you. And if you aren't, then even in 15 years, you won't make it," Bhandari said.Rana's call-up to the Indian ODI team is a testament to his hard work, determination, and talent. He is now ready to take the next step in his career and represent his country at the highest level.