Cricket

David Warner's illustrious 15-year international career came to a poignant end as Afghanistan's victory over Bangladesh in St Vincent on Monday night sealed Australia's elimination from the T20 World Cup at the Super Eight phase.Warner's departure from the international stage has been a gradual process. He played his final ODI in November's World Cup final triumph over India and his last Test against Pakistan in January. The T20 World Cup was widely anticipated to be his swansong, although he had hinted at a possible return for next year's Champions Trophy.His final appearance, against India, was a subdued affair. He scored a modest six runs off six balls before edging Arshdeep Singh to slip, where Suryakumar Yadav took a sharp low catch. Warner's frustration was evident as he punched his bat with his right hand and walked off the pitch with his head bowed.After the match, Warner was seen chatting with Virat Kohli on the outfield, while Josh Hazlewood indicated that the timing of Warner's send-off from his teammates would depend on the outcome of Afghanistan's game against Bangladesh."Nothing's been said yet," Hazlewood said. "It might be said after this [press conference] before the [evening] game, but I think we'll wait until after the game and then we'll [acknowledge] the career that's been. It's been unbelievable. We'll definitely miss him around the group, out in the field and off-field - an amazing all-format career."Hazlewood acknowledged that Warner's departure would mark a changing of the guard for Australia, with Cameron Green being the only player in the squad younger than 28. However, he suggested that it would not be a complete overhaul."They come around pretty quick, the T20 World Cups, every two years," he said. "There might be a couple of changes, but a lot of the guys still play in franchise cricket if they're not playing for Australia, so they're available to be picked. There's some class players in our 15, and we've got a couple on the bench as well. You'd think it'd be an actual slow change… I don't think there'd be anything drastic."Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. He has been a key figure in the team's success across all formats, and his absence will be keenly felt.

Barbados, a small island nation in the Caribbean, has a rich cricketing history that has produced some of the greatest players the game has ever seen. From the legendary trio of Everton Weekes, Frank Worrell, and Clyde Walcott, known as the "Three Ws," to the iconic Garfield Sobers, the island has been a breeding ground for cricketing excellence.In 2007, the Cricket Legends of Barbados museum was established to preserve and celebrate this legacy. Located across from the historic Kensington Oval, the museum houses a treasure trove of cricketing artifacts and memorabilia.Among the prized possessions is a bat autographed by the first West Indies team to tour England in 1928, marking the region's elevation to Test status. Life-size cutouts of cricketing legends like Sobers, Greenidge, and Hall greet visitors, creating an immersive experience.One of the highlights of the museum is the section dedicated to Garfield Sobers, widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history. His brilliance is showcased through a collection of his personal belongings, including his bat and gloves.The museum also features a bat used by Gordon Greenidge in his brutal 226 against Australia in 1991, a testament to the dominance of West Indies cricket during that era.The Cricket Legends of Barbados museum is a must-visit for any cricket enthusiast. It offers a glimpse into the rich history of the sport on the island and pays homage to the legendary players who have made Barbados a cricketing powerhouse.

India's 3-0 ODI series sweep against South Africa has provided a timely boost to the team's preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year. The series not only erased the bitter memories of the 0-3 loss to Australia earlier this year but also allowed the team to assess players' form, fitness, and overall fielding standards.Smriti Mandhana emerged as the star of the series, scoring a remarkable 117, 136, and 90 in her three outings. Her exceptional strokeplay and remarkable endurance, having spent 122.3 overs at the crease out of India's total of 140.4, were highly impressive.Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also returned to form, scoring a brilliant century in the second match, her first since September 2022. However, the form of Shafali Verma, who managed only 52 runs in three innings, raised concerns.India experimented with D. Hemalatha and Priya Punia at No. 3, a move that is likely to continue in the upcoming T20Is against South Africa. The series also witnessed promising ODI debuts for leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and pacer Arundhati Reddy.Asha, 33, made an immediate impact, taking a four-wicket haul in her first outing. Arundhati, 27, who has played 26 T20Is since her debut in 2018, also impressed with her bowling, particularly in the second ODI, where she bowled the penultimate over and helped India secure a narrow four-run victory.One of the most heartening aspects of the series was India's improved ground fielding. Jemimah Rodrigues was particularly impressive, saving more runs than the margin of victory in the second game. Coach Amol Muzumdar expressed his satisfaction with the team's fielding efforts, emphasizing the importance of saving runs.The 3-0 sweep has provided India with a solid foundation as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. The team will now play three T20Is against South Africa in Chennai before participating in the inter-zonal multi-day tournament. These matches will offer further opportunities to evaluate players and fine-tune their preparations for the global event.

Gloucestershire's spirited fightback with the ball on day two of their Vitality County Championship clash against Yorkshire at Scarborough was overshadowed by a late flurry of wickets that left the visitors trailing by 288 runs.Yorkshire, resuming on 348 for three, were bowled out for 456, with Ajeet Singh Dale claiming three for 70. However, Gloucestershire's response was hampered by a late collapse, as they slipped from 128 for two to 168 for seven at the close of play.Ben Charlesworth (45) and Ollie Price (47) had given Gloucestershire a solid start, but they lost wickets in quick succession to Matthew Revis (three for 26), who also removed Charlesworth with the final ball of the afternoon.Dom Bess triggered the collapse by bowling Miles Hammond, and Vishwa Fernando dismissed James Bracey. Revis then had Price caught behind and Beau Webster bowled for a golden duck. Jordan Thompson added to Gloucestershire's woes by removing Graeme van Buuren.Earlier, Gloucestershire had impressed with the ball, claiming seven wickets for 87 before lunch. Singh Dale and Dom Goodman struck twice each, while Webster bowled Revis to secure a second bowling bonus point. George Hill (45) and Thompson (44) fell just short of fifties for Yorkshire.Despite their late setbacks, Gloucestershire will be encouraged by their improved bowling performance. However, they face an uphill task to avoid defeat against a Yorkshire side desperate for a victory to boost their Division Two title hopes.

Rohit Sharma's Historic Milestone: First Player to Hit 200 Sixes in T20IsIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name in the annals of T20 cricket history by becoming the first player to smash 200 sixes in international matches. This remarkable feat was achieved during a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter against Australia in St Lucia.Rohit's achievement is a testament to his exceptional power-hitting abilities and his dominance in the shortest format of the game. He has consistently cleared the boundary with ease, leaving his opponents in awe and delighting fans worldwide.The closest to Rohit's record is New Zealand's Martin Guptill, who has 173 sixes to his name. Despite Guptill's impressive hitting prowess, Rohit's ability to hit sixes with such regularity sets him apart as a true master of the T20 format.Following Guptill, England's Jos Buttler has hit 137 sixes. Known for his innovative shots and aggressive batting style, Buttler's tally, while impressive, is still a significant distance from Rohit's unprecedented figure.Australia's Glenn Maxwell, renowned for his explosive batting and ability to turn a game on its head, has amassed 133 sixes. His unorthodox style and fearless approach have made him a key player in the T20 format. Close behind Maxwell is West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, a rising star in international cricket, with 132 sixes. Pooran's flair and talent promise a bright future, but he too has a long way to go to catch up with Rohit.Rohit's 200 sixes highlight not only his power but also his longevity and consistency in T20 cricket. He has been a mainstay in the Indian team for over a decade, consistently delivering match-winning performances and inspiring his teammates.As Rohit continues to push boundaries and set new records, fans worldwide eagerly await what the 'Hitman' will achieve next in his illustrious career. His ability to hit sixes with such ease and regularity has made him one of the most feared and respected batsmen in the world.

Indian cricket team's star batter Virat Kohli's dismal form at the T20 World Cup 2024 continued on Monday as he was dismissed for a duck during the Super 8 match against Australia. Kohli faced just five deliveries before he completely miscued a shot off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood and the catch was comfortably taken by Tim David at wide mid-on.Kohli's dismissal sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment and frustration. Some even called for him to be dropped from the team."Someone send him back to 3," tweeted Waqiullah Budye."TV Off," wrote Lokesh Saini."Pull is not everyone's cup of tea," added Jaunism.Kohli's poor form in the tournament has been a major concern for India. He has scored just 66 runs in six matches, with four single-digit scores.Earlier, Australia captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and opted to field."We are going to bowl first. Looks a belter, it looks lovely. It's a quarter final, looking forward to it, big challenge against India. We have had ourselves in this situation before, every game is a must-win now. We got an experienced group, a great staff. Starc comes in for Agar," Marsh said at the toss.India skipper Rohit Sharma said that he would have fielded if India won the toss."We would have fielded first as well, looks a bit sticky. We wanted to chase. We know what exactly we are doing, will try to do our best. I hope it doesn't change much. The overhead conditions also matter in this part of the world. We have adapted well, hopefully another game where we put up a show. Every game matters in this tournament, nothing changes. We are playing the same team," Rohit said.

India and Australia Clash in Crucial T20 World Cup MatchThe highly anticipated clash between India and Australia in the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup is set to take place at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St Lucia. With both teams vying for a spot in the semifinals, the stakes are incredibly high.India, led by Rohit Sharma, has been in impressive form, securing commanding wins over Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Their batting lineup has been firing on all cylinders, with Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav leading the charge. The bowling unit, anchored by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, has also been solid.Australia, on the other hand, has had a mixed tournament so far. After a disappointing loss to Afghanistan, they bounced back with a victory over Bangladesh. Captain Mitchell Marsh will be looking for his team to put in a complete performance and overcome the challenge posed by India.The pitch report suggests that there will be some assistance for both pacers and spinners. The dimensions of the square boundaries are 66 meters and 69 meters, with a 78-meter straight hit. The weather forecast is uncertain, but the hope is that the rain will stay away.India will be aiming to secure a win by any margin to guarantee their qualification for the semifinals. Australia, on the other hand, needs a big enough win to surpass India on NRR. If they fail to do so, they will be hoping for a favorable outcome in the match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the world's top cricket teams. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as both teams battle it out for a place in the semifinals.

Young Indian cricketers Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Nitish Reddy have earned their maiden call-ups to the national team for the upcoming white-ball tour of Zimbabwe. The trio impressed with their performances in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).Parag, a 21-year-old all-rounder from Assam, emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals in IPL-17. He amassed 573 runs, including four half-centuries, and claimed 18 wickets. His consistent batting and handy off-spin bowling earned him a place in the Indian squad.Sharma, a 22-year-old left-handed batter, was a standout performer for Punjab Kings. He scored 484 runs, including three half-centuries, and was one of the most consistent batters in the tournament. His ability to play spin and pace effectively impressed the selectors.Reddy, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, made a name for himself with his impressive performances for Gujarat Titans. He scored 289 runs and took 10 catches in the IPL. His solid batting and reliable glovework earned him a spot in the Indian team.The Zimbabwe tour, which begins on July 6, will comprise five T20 Internationals. The Indian team will be led by Shubman Gill, who was also part of the traveling reserves for the T20 World Cup in the Americas.Other IPL performers who have been included in the squad are Tushar Deshpande, Harshit Rana, Avesh Khan, and Rinku Singh. Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who were on the bench during the T20 World Cup, have also been recalled.The tour will provide an opportunity for the young players to showcase their skills at the international level. It will also serve as a preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup and T20 World Cup later this year.

India vs Australia: India Aims to Derail Australia's T20 World Cup HopesFollowing their unexpected loss to Afghanistan, Australia's fate in the T20 World Cup now rests on the outcome of Afghanistan's final match against Bangladesh. A third consecutive victory for India would not only secure their position as group leaders and a spot in the semifinals but also significantly jeopardize Australia's chances of advancing.India will be determined to disrupt Australia's World Cup campaign when they face off in their final Super 8 match on Monday. The Australians, reeling from their shock defeat, will be under immense pressure to perform.Australia's loss to Afghanistan has opened the door for India to potentially eliminate their arch-rivals from the tournament. A victory for India would leave Australia needing a significant win over Bangladesh in their final match to qualify for the semifinals.However, India will not be taking Australia lightly. The defending champions have a formidable lineup and will be eager to bounce back from their loss. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul will be key players for India, while Australia will rely on the likes of David Warner, Steve Smith, and Glenn Maxwell.The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the tournament favorites. India will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the semifinals, while Australia will be desperate to keep their World Cup hopes alive.