Cricket

Leicestershire and Derbyshire's rain-affected Vitality County Championship match concluded in a tame draw, bringing the curtain down on the season at the Uptonsteel County Ground.Despite the weather interruptions, Derbyshire's veteran batsman Wayne Madsen stole the show with a masterful century, his sixth against Leicestershire. The 40-year-old's unbeaten 105, adorned with 11 fours and a six, propelled his career tally against the Foxes to an impressive 2,032 runs at an average of 63.50.Skipper David Lloyd contributed 73 as Derbyshire declared their first innings on 252 for three, responding to Leicestershire's 280 all out. Lloyd's three for 43 was Derbyshire's best bowling performance.Leicestershire, resuming on 264 for eight, added 16 runs before Zak Chappell dismissed Alex Green to end their innings. Ben Cox remained unbeaten on 42.With a minimum of 86 overs remaining, hopes emerged for a meaningful conclusion, but neither team forfeited an innings. Derbyshire emerged to accumulate batting bonus points, adding 79 runs for the loss of one wicket before lunch.Liam Trevaskis claimed the only wicket, dismissing Mitch Wagstaff. Against a depleted Leicestershire attack, runs flowed relatively easily, with Lloyd reaching his fourth half-century of the season. However, he fell short of a century, caught at slip after slashing at a delivery from Ben Mike.Madsen, in partnership with Brooke Guest, added 132 runs, reaching his 39th first-class century with an uppercut off Mike. The 40-year-old's innings provided entertainment for the spectators, showcasing his ability to capitalize on the docile conditions.

The upcoming Lord's Test between India and England has sparked controversy over its exorbitant ticket prices, despite a lukewarm response to the recent Test against Sri Lanka. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), owner of Lord's, has faced criticism for its pricing strategy, which has seen a significant increase compared to previous matches.The five-match Test series between India and England commences on June 20, with the third game scheduled at Lord's from July 10. The cheapest tickets for the Lord's Test are priced at £90, offering restricted views. For unrestricted views, fans will have to pay between £120 and £175, according to ESPNcricinfo.In contrast, tickets with restricted views for the Test against Sri Lanka last month ranged from £115 to £140. The match ended on day four with only 9,000 spectators in attendance, filling just one-third of the stadium's capacity.Former England cricketer David Lloyd has vehemently criticized the increased ticket prices. "No doubt Lord's will still be full, but increasing ticket prices to a whopping £175 for next July's third Test between England and India beggars belief," Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.Lloyd expressed concern that Test cricket is becoming an "elite showpiece," inaccessible to a wider cross-section of society. He questioned the decision-making process behind the pricing, asking, "Who actually sets the price? Name names. Who says: I think it should be X? And who responds: Aye, seems about right."Lloyd emphasized that the high ticket prices are out of reach for many fans. "I'm the voice of the everyday fan. So, the face value cost of attending a single day of a Lord's Test is utterly preposterous to me," he said.Social media has been flooded with comments from fans expressing their inability to afford the tickets. "Times are tough at the minute. I'm retired, and I can't justify £120-175 pound. That doesn't fit my priorities," Lloyd concluded.The MCC has yet to respond to the criticism, but the issue of ticket pricing is likely to continue to be a topic of debate as the Test series approaches.

Test Cricket's Future in Jeopardy as Ticket Prices SoarFormer England cricketer and commentator David Lloyd has raised concerns about the future of Test cricket, citing the exorbitant ticket prices for the upcoming third Test between England and India at Lord's next July.Ticket prices have skyrocketed, with the most expensive seats reaching an astonishing £175 (Rs 19,557). Even the most affordable seats available for the first three days come at a steep price of £90 (around Rs 10,000), and these seats offer limited visibility of the event.Lloyd expressed his dismay in a Daily Mail article, stating, "Paying that much for a seat where you can't see the entire field is ridiculous. What might you miss? The batsman? A catch down at fine leg?"He emphasized that Test cricket is in danger of becoming an event only for the elite, excluding regular fans who cannot afford such high prices. "Sure, it's fun to spot celebrities in the crowd, but cricket needs to cater to everyone, not just the rich," he said.Lloyd believes that Lord's is setting a trend for other cricket venues. If ticket prices at Lord's range from £120 – £175 (around Rs 13,000 -Rs 19,000), it could lead to similar pricing strategies being adopted by other grounds.He questioned the rationale behind the pricing, asking, "Who sets these prices? Who decides that £175 is fair? I'd love to know the answer."Lloyd highlighted the disparity between the luxurious experience at Lord's and the more affordable atmosphere at other grounds. "At Lord's, stewards collect champagne corks after every over. But, at places like Headingley, try throwing a can of Tetley's over the boundary and see what happens!"He concluded by expressing his concern for the everyday fan, who may be priced out of attending Test matches. "I'm speaking for the everyday fan. The kind who enjoys a football match with a pie and Bovril. For us, paying £120-£175 (for one day of cricket is outrageous. It feels like the MCC knows the price of everything, but the value of nothing. They're risking losing the connection between this great England team and the public."

Derbyshire Falcons' valiant efforts fell short of securing a Metro Bank One Day Cup quarter-final berth, despite a thrilling four-wicket victory over Durham at Chester-le-Street. The win was overshadowed by Hampshire's superior net run rate, which ultimately denied Derbyshire a knockout stage berth.Durham's innings was anchored by Scott Borthwick's maiden List A century (104), but a spirited fightback from Derbyshire's bowlers, led by teenager Harry Moore (3-45), restricted the hosts to 253 all out.Derbyshire's chase got off to a promising start, with David Lloyd (63) and Harry Came (45) putting the visitors in a strong position. However, Ben Raine's four-wicket haul gave Durham hope. Anuj Dal (25*) and Zak Chappell (22*) ultimately guided Derbyshire to victory with seven balls to spare.The match began with Derbyshire electing to bowl first. Moore made an early impact, dismissing Alex Lees, while Dal removed Michael Jones. Borthwick and Colin Ackermann steadied the Durham innings, but Chappell broke the partnership with Ackermann's wicket.Borthwick reached his century, but Patel's dismissal of the Durham captain left the hosts in trouble. Haydon Mustard's cameo helped Durham recover, but they were eventually bowled out for 253.Derbyshire's chase started cautiously, but Came and Reece looked comfortable. Raine's dismissal of Reece and Guest put Durham back in the game. Lloyd and Came rebuilt the innings, but Parkinson's wickets of Came and Lloyd gave Durham hope.Raine's fourth wicket, Patel, left Derbyshire needing 46 runs to win. Chappell and Dal calmly guided the visitors home, securing a victory that ultimately proved insufficient to secure a quarter-final berth.

Derbyshire's Anuj Dal played a pivotal role in their thrilling one-wicket victory over Somerset in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Taunton. Dal's brilliant century (115 off 75 balls) propelled Derbyshire to a hard-fought win, securing their position as Group A leaders.Somerset had set a challenging target of 316 for 5, with Sean Dickson (86), James Rew (88), Andy Umeed (58), and Josh Thomas (54*) contributing significant runs. Zak Chappell's 3 for 54 was the standout bowling performance for Derbyshire.In response, Derbyshire's chase was anchored by Dal and David Lloyd (71). The pair forged a crucial 145-run partnership, with Dal reaching his century off just 69 balls. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Derbyshire remained in contention thanks to Dal's explosive batting.After Dal's dismissal, 17-year-old Harry Moore played a match-winning cameo, scoring an unbeaten 36 off 20 balls. Moore's innings included five fours and a six, guiding Derbyshire to victory with ten balls to spare.George Thomas was the pick of Somerset's bowlers, claiming 3 for 41, including the crucial wicket of Lloyd. However, Derbyshire's resilience and determination proved too much for the hosts.The victory marks a significant achievement for Derbyshire, who have now taken over as Group A leaders. The team's performance was a testament to their depth and fighting spirit, with Dal and Moore emerging as key contributors.

As the T20 World Cup 2024 looms on the horizon, Team India embarks on a quest to break their ICC trophy drought. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, commences on June 1, with India aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2007.Despite impressive performances in recent years, India has endured disappointing exits in the past two editions of the T20 World Cup, crashing out in the league stage in 2021 and the semi-finals in 2022. Ahead of the upcoming event, former England cricketer David Lloyd has sparked controversy with his assessment of India's chances.Speaking to talkSPORT, Lloyd labeled India as a "predictable team" that lacks the necessary threat to challenge for the title. "The shackles are not off," he remarked. "I would think the opposition would accept the quality... But they ain't taking a risk with bat or ball."India's preparations for the tournament will begin with a warm-up match against Bangladesh in the USA on June 1. The venue and timing for this match are yet to be confirmed. The ICC has scheduled warm-up games from May 27 to June 1 across the USA and Trinidad and Tobago, involving 17 of the 20 participating teams. These matches will not carry T20I status, allowing teams to field all members of their 15-player squads. Teams can opt to play up to two warm-up matches, depending on their arrival schedule.India's path to the title will be a challenging one, with the tournament featuring some of the world's top T20 teams. The team will need to find a way to overcome their recent struggles in ICC events and play with the freedom and aggression that has characterized their best performances.

India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title faces a stern test as they prepare for the upcoming edition in the UAE and West Indies. The Rohit Sharma-led side has endured disappointing exits in the last two tournaments, raising concerns about their approach and tactics.Former England cricketer David Lloyd has added fuel to the fire, labeling India a "predictable team" that lacks the necessary risk-taking mentality. Lloyd believes that while India possesses talented players, they fail to fully unleash their potential due to a conservative mindset."The shackles are not off," Lloyd said. "I would think the opposition accept the quality... But they ain't taking a risk with bat or ball. So, you'd think of them as 'yeah, they will have their moments,' but they wouldn't be really threatening.'"Lloyd's comments have sparked debate among cricket pundits and fans alike. Some argue that India's cautious approach has hindered their success in recent tournaments, while others defend the team's strategy as a necessary balance between aggression and stability.India's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 includes a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli remain the cornerstones of the batting lineup, while Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant provide explosive firepower. The bowling attack boasts the experience of Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal, complemented by the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel.Despite Lloyd's skepticism, India will be determined to prove their worth on the global stage. They will face a tough challenge in a tournament that features some of the world's best T20 teams. However, with a talented squad and a burning desire to end their ICC trophy drought, India will be hoping to defy the odds and emerge victorious.

The eternal debate between Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, two of cricket's greatest legends, has once again ignited with former English cricketer David Lloyd's recent comments. Lloyd, known as 'Bumble', weighed in on the discussion during an interaction on talkSPORT Cricket, sparking a flurry of reactions.For a Test Playing XI, Lloyd unequivocally chose Tendulkar. "In Test cricket, Sachin," he declared. "The other guy is incredible, Virat Kohli. Dangerous. Would take the game away. Exciting player. But if I had a choice in a Test match between Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, I would have Lara. He could hit the ball in places that weren't even invented, and could do it all very naturally. A different animal, Lara."Lloyd's preference for Tendulkar in Test cricket stems from his consistent performance and unwavering temperament. "He was on an even keel all the time, Tendulkar. Didn't really take chances," Lloyd observed. "So in Test match, between him and Kohli, two fabulous players. It's not really an argument, Sachin."However, for an all-format XI, Lloyd's choice shifted to Kohli. "Virat Kohli," he stated. "Sachin was sublime. All is right with the world, but I like a bit of rock and roll. We're talking about two of the greatest players there's ever been. We're trying to look at T20s and ODIs, you could easily go for Kohli."Lloyd's reasoning for favoring Kohli in all formats lies in his versatility and adaptability. "Kohli's era, with its emphasis on T20 cricket and the rigorous schedule of modern tournaments like the IPL, showcased his versatility and adaptability," he explained.The debate between Tendulkar and Kohli is likely to continue for years to come, as both players have left an indelible mark on the game. Tendulkar, with his longevity, consistency, and unmatched records, remains a revered figure in cricket. Kohli, with his aggressive style, leadership qualities, and ability to perform across formats, has established himself as a modern-day great.