Cricket

Worcestershire Retires Number 33 Shirt in Memory of Josh BakerWorcestershire County Cricket Club has paid a poignant tribute to their beloved left-arm spinner Josh Baker by retiring the number 33 shirt in his honor. Baker, a talented and dedicated homegrown player, tragically passed away earlier this year at the age of 26 due to a sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.Baker's impact on Worcestershire was profound. In 22 first-class matches, he claimed 43 wickets, including a memorable 5-for against Sussex in 2021. He also made significant contributions in white-ball cricket, taking 27 wickets in 25 appearances.Beyond his on-field achievements, Baker was an exceptional individual who left an indelible mark on the club. His infectious enthusiasm, unwavering determination, and kind-hearted nature endeared him to teammates, staff, and fans alike."Josh was not only an outstanding cricketer but an exceptional individual," said Worcestershire CEO Ashley Giles. "His passing has left an irreplaceable void at our club and in the hearts of all who knew him. Retiring the Number 33 shirt, for the first time in our club's history, ensures his memory and contributions are never forgotten. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations."As a testament to Baker's talent, he represented England at the under-19 level twice on their tour of Sri Lanka. His performances caught the attention of Ben Stokes, who sent him a motivational text message after striking him for 34 runs in an over shortly after being appointed England's Test captain in May 2022.In addition to retiring the number 33 shirt, Worcestershire will also display a framed Baker 33 shirt permanently in the Graeme Hick Pavilion. A metal bench with Josh's locker plaque will be installed at the training nets, serving as lasting memorials to his contributions to the club.Baker's parents, Paul and Lisa, have been awarded Life Memberships, ensuring they will forever be a part of the Worcestershire family. New Road will always remain a place of welcome and belonging for them.Josh Baker's legacy will live on through the memories of those who knew him and the impact he had on Worcestershire County Cricket Club. His number 33 shirt will serve as a constant reminder of his talent, dedication, and the profound void he has left behind.

South Africa has announced a 15-man squad for their upcoming two-Test tour of Bangladesh in October, featuring a trio of spinners to combat the expected conditions. Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Piedt, and Keshav Maharaj will lead the spin attack, while Matthew Breetzke is the sole uncapped player in the squad.The tour, part of the World Test Championship, had been in doubt due to political unrest in Bangladesh. However, Cricket South Africa (CSA) gave the green light after a security assessment team inspected the venues in Dhaka and Chattogram."Bangladesh is always a tough place to tour," said South Africa red-ball coach Shukri Conrad. "We have chosen a squad for the conditions we are expecting to greet us."The three spinners will be supported by a pace attack consisting of Kagiso Rabada, Nandre Burger, Dane Paterson, and allrounder Wiaan Mulder. Paterson and Piedt, both veterans, were part of South Africa's Test tour of New Zealand earlier this year.Breetzke, a highly rated top-order batter, has limited international experience with only eight T20Is to his name. However, he faces stiff competition for a Test debut with Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne all in the mix.Ashwell Prince, who previously served as Bangladesh's batting coach, will join the South Africa management team. His knowledge of the local conditions could prove invaluable.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket legend, has etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket. Kohli achieved this remarkable feat in just 594 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the milestone in 623 innings.Kohli's journey to 27,000 runs has been a testament to his consistency and dominance across all formats of the game. He has amassed an impressive 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, along with 8918 runs in Test cricket. In T20Is, he amassed 4,188 runs before announcing his retirement from the shortest format after India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.Kohli's achievement is even more remarkable when compared to other cricketing greats. Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record prior to Kohli, is regarded as one of the most complete batsmen to have ever played the game. His 27,000 runs came in a glittering career that spanned over 24 years, including 100 international centuries.Following Tendulkar on the list is Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who took 648 innings to reach the milestone. Sangakkara's elegance and precision with the bat made him one of the finest players of his generation.Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian captain and one of the fiercest competitors, completed his 27,000 runs in 650 innings, further proving that this feat is a hallmark of cricket's elite players.For Kohli, surpassing these greats is yet another reminder of his unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest. From his early days as a prodigy in Indian cricket to becoming one of the most celebrated figures globally, Kohli's journey has been one of discipline, fitness, and an uncompromising desire for excellence.This milestone comes at a time when Kohli is in the latter stages of his career, yet continues to be a key pillar for Team India. Fans and analysts alike believe that there are still several more records for Kohli to break, with the legendary cricketer showing no signs of slowing down.

Pakistan cricket legend Zaheer Abbas has dismissed comparisons between Virat Kohli and Babar Azam, asserting that Kohli's unmatched consistency sets him apart from the underperforming Pakistani batter.Abbas, once hailed as part of the "Fab Five" alongside Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson, expressed his disappointment with Babar's recent slump in form. "These comparisons are pointless," Abbas stated. "Virat Kohli scores in every match, while the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match. So how can you compare them? The person who scores is the bigger player."Kohli boasts an impressive 80 international centuries, while the younger Babar has scored 31 centuries across formats. Abbas also praised India's overall consistency, predicting that the Rohit Sharma-led team will be a strong contender for the upcoming Champions Trophy."The Indian team is very good," Abbas said. "Their batters are doing well, and the bowlers are both good. It's a very balanced team that plays thoughtfully.""They have a very good captain who understands cricket very well," he added. "When everything is going in your favor, it's smooth sailing. That's the case with India right now."Abbas believes that Test cricket remains the true test of a player's character, resilience, mental strength, technique, and consistency. "Test cricket is real cricket," he emphasized. "It's the real test of any player, bowler. At one point, India and Pakistan's Test teams used to be good. And now the boards are realizing that we can't go on without Test cricket.""How many T20s can you play? How many white-ball tournaments can the ICC organize? Maybe 2 or 3, but in the end, you have to return to ODI or Tests," Abbas said. "If you continue Test cricket, the cricket will last longer. I know people like to get results fast, but slowly they will get bored of T20s, and we need Tests and ODIs."Abbas expressed concern over the increasing number of players turning down central contracts to focus on T20 franchise leagues. "Test cricket is ultimate," he said. "Anyone can win in T20. Teams can win by fluke. But that's not the case in Test cricket as it has two innings. You have the scope to do well in one innings. Test cricket teaches you a lot.""I know a lot of the players don't want to play Test cricket and play T20 instead. That needs to be stopped," Abbas urged. "They need to come up with something... Something like you have to play at least 5 or 6 Test matches a year, then you can play ODI or T20s. Every year, a minimum number of Test matches need to be allotted."Pakistan's recent Test series loss to Bangladesh was a major setback, according to Abbas. "It was a huge setback that Pakistan lost to Bangladesh," he said. "We never thought that not only Pakistan will lose but it will lose so bad.""Pakistan cricket is not doing great," Abbas admitted. "The performance has dropped. I am hopeful that it will get better. The reasons behind this are many.""It happens, the West Indies used to be the best in the world, that's not the case now," Abbas said. "But I'm hopeful that Pakistan cricket returns to the top, the boys are working hard."Abbas also urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the growing rivalry between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi. "Yes, there have been rivalries in the Pakistan teams in the past, but the board should take note of the rivalry between Babar and Shaheen fast," he said. "The faster the better because it will keep on escalating.""Rivalry is good, but it should not become serious, if it does, it harms the team," Abbas warned.

A Canine Interruption and Sri Lanka's Triumph: Highlights from the Weekend in SportsOn Saturday, the Durham vs Kent County Championship match took an unexpected turn when a playful dog made its way onto the field. The adorable canine briefly halted play, leaving commentators and spectators alike in amusement. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.Meanwhile, on the international cricket scene, Sri Lanka celebrated a historic victory against New Zealand in the second Test in Galle. Debutant off-spinner Nishan Peiris emerged as the hero, claiming six wickets to seal Sri Lanka's first series win against the Kiwis in 15 years.Peiris and fellow spinner Prabath Jayasuriya wreaked havoc on New Zealand's batting lineup, sharing 18 wickets in the match. Jayasuriya's six-wicket haul in the first innings restricted New Zealand to a mere 88 runs, while Peiris's six wickets in the second innings proved decisive.Despite a valiant effort from New Zealand's lower order, Sri Lanka's bowlers remained relentless. Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips, and Mitchell Santner all scored half-centuries, but it was not enough to prevent Sri Lanka from securing an innings and 154-run victory.The win marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka, as it is their first series triumph against New Zealand since 2009. It also extends their unbeaten streak at Galle to six Tests, with New Zealand's 360-run total being their highest innings score at the venue.

South Africa's two-Test series in Bangladesh has been confirmed to proceed as scheduled, following a thorough security assessment by Cricket South Africa (CSA). The first Test will commence in Dhaka from October 21-25, while the second will take place in Chattogram from October 29 to November 2.CSA's decision to approve the tour stems from an "in-loco inspection" conducted by its operations manager, team security manager, safety and security consultant, and a representative of the South African Cricketers' Association. The delegation visited Bangladesh last week and submitted their recommendations to the board.South Africa's initial concerns regarding the security situation in Bangladesh arose from the anti-government protests that occurred in July-August. These protests led to the resignation of Sheikh Hasina's government and the relocation of the women's T20 World Cup to the UAE.However, CSA sources have since indicated that the situation in Bangladesh has "settled." The tour will proceed as planned unless any risks are identified in the ongoing security assessments.South Africa's participation in this series is crucial for their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship final at Lord's next year. With only six Test matches remaining in the current cycle, they need to win at least five of their remaining games.The Proteas have already played six Tests, winning two, losing three, and drawing one. They currently sit sixth on the points table. All six of their series in this cycle have been limited to two Tests, as CSA prioritized the launch of the SA20 domestic T20 franchise competition and cost-cutting measures.South Africa's last Test series against Bangladesh was held in South Africa in March-April 2022. The Proteas' white-ball squads are currently in the UAE for a series against Ireland.

India's Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal Blaze to Record-Breaking Start in Kanpur TestIn a bid to secure crucial World Test Championship points, India's openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal unleashed a blistering assault on Bangladesh's bowling attack on Day 4 of the second Test in Kanpur.With two days lost to rain, India's hopes of reaching the WTC final hinge on a positive result. Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket haul had earlier dismissed Bangladesh for 233 in their first innings.Sharma and Jaiswal wasted no time in setting the tone for India's response. Jaiswal opened his account with three consecutive boundaries off Hasan Mahmud, while Sharma smashed Khaled Ahmed for two sixes in the following over.Jaiswal continued his onslaught, hitting the last ball of Ahmed's over for four. Sharma then targeted Mahmud, sending the pacer for a six and forcing him to overstep for a no-ball.Jaiswal capped off the over with a six and two fours, propelling India to the fastest 50 in Test cricket history. The Indian duo's relentless attack marked the first time a team had scored 50 runs within the first three overs of a Test match.Sharma and Jaiswal's blistering start has put India in a commanding position as they seek to secure a victory that would boost their chances of reaching the WTC final.

VVS Laxman Emphasizes Patience and Mental Strength in Injury RehabilitationThe Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Centre of Excellence (CoE) chief, VVS Laxman, has stressed the importance of adhering to rehabilitation protocols and maintaining patience during the recovery process for injured cricketers. Laxman believes that prioritizing the well-being of players is paramount, even if it means extending the rehabilitation timeline.In recent years, several prominent Indian cricketers, including Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Prasidh Krishna, have undergone extensive rehabilitation at the CoE. Laxman highlighted that these players have returned to the field fully fit and with their skills intact, demonstrating the effectiveness of the CoE's approach.Laxman emphasized that players must avoid rushing through the rehabilitation process and instead focus on following the prescribed protocols diligently. He explained that recovery timelines can vary, and it is crucial to be patient and allow the body to heal properly."Having patience to follow the protocols is very, very critical," Laxman said. "We have seen Rishabh Pant's case and we have seen Jassie (Jasprit Bumrah) being here, along with Shreyas, KL, Prasidh...a lot of players. They have really worked hard, showed patience, and were rewarded."Laxman also highlighted the mental challenges associated with rehabilitation. He noted that elite athletes are accustomed to rigorous training and competition, and being confined to a rehabilitation room can be mentally taxing."The challenging part of the rehab is that the entire rehab will probably be for two-three hours in the whole day and the rest of the day they (players) have nothing to do," Laxman said. "Here we are talking about elite sportspersons who actually are busy playing or training six to eight hours, and suddenly they realize that they are confined to the rehab room."To address this, Laxman emphasized the importance of mental strength and resilience. He encouraged players to stay positive and avoid frustration during the rehabilitation process.Laxman also discussed the CoE's injury-prevention program, which aims to minimize the frequency of injuries. He explained that standardized fitness protocols have been implemented across all levels of Indian cricket, from the national team to state teams.Additionally, the CoE has expanded its rehabilitation facilities to domestic players. Through telemedicine and collaborative efforts with state associations, the CoE provides support and guidance to ensure that injured players receive the best possible care.

The Eden Gardens Test of 2001 between India and Australia remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian team. While the match is primarily remembered for the heroics of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, the bowling performance of Sachin Tendulkar played a pivotal role in India's historic victory.Australia, riding high on a record-breaking 16-match winning streak, seemed invincible. After enforcing the follow-on, they appeared to be cruising towards another triumph. However, Laxman and Dravid forged a monumental partnership, setting the stage for a thrilling final day.With Australia chasing a daunting target of 384, India needed quick wickets to seize the initiative. Captain Sourav Ganguly turned to Tendulkar, a part-time bowler known for his occasional breakthroughs.Tendulkar, justifying Ganguly's faith, delivered a remarkable spell. He dismissed the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for a duck, trapping him leg before wicket as he attempted a sweep. The in-form Matthew Hayden, another major threat, also fell victim to Tendulkar's leg-spin, going leg before wicket while attempting the same shot.Tendulkar's most significant scalp was that of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. With a cunning googly, he trapped Warne plumb in front of the wicket, giving Australia a taste of their own medicine.Tendulkar's bowling figures in the second innings were an impressive 3 wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs. His performance was instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor.India eventually bowled out Australia for 212, winning the match by 171 runs. This victory, considered one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history, marked only the third time a team had won after following on.Tendulkar's contribution with the ball, alongside the monumental batting performances of Laxman and Dravid, played a crucial role in breaking Australia's unbeaten streak and changing the momentum of the series, which India eventually won 2-1.