Cricket

Brisbane Heat's Grace Parsons emerged as a star in her second WBBL match, leading her team to a historic 28-run victory over Melbourne Renegades. The 21-year-old legspinner claimed 3 for 22 in four overs, turning the tide after Renegades had started strongly in pursuit of Heat's 169 for 8.Parsons' heroics marked the first time in WBBL history that Heat had begun a season with consecutive wins. Renegades had made a blistering start thanks to Hayley Matthews' 35 off 28, but Parsons' double-wicket maiden in her opening over halted their momentum.The turning point came when Deandra Dottin was controversially given out lbw after the ball deflected off her glove onto her pad. Despite Dottin's call for a review, the absence of DRS in this match proved costly for Renegades.Courtney Webb's run-out and Sophie Molineux's dismissal in the 10th over further compounded Renegades' woes, leaving them reeling at 71 for 5. Shikha Pandey's excellent bowling continued to restrict Renegades, despite Naomi Stalenberg's quickfire 38.Parsons' performance was particularly impressive given her shoulder injury last year, which sidelined her for the entire WBBL season despite being Queensland's leading wicket-taker in the WNCL. Her talent has earned her a spot in Australia A against India, signaling a promising future.Parsons credits her development to former Heat legspinner Amelia Kerr and spin bowling coach Cameron Boyce. "Learning off Amelia the last three years has been really special," she said. "Our spin bowling coach at the Heat is amazing, and it's been cool to pick his brain."Earlier, Georgia Redmayne and Lauren Winfield-Hill had set the innings up with a 66-run partnership. Redmayne's stylish square drives and Winfield-Hill's strike rotation kept the scoreboard ticking. Charli Knott and Dottin's dismissals threatened to derail Heat, but Laura Harris' quickfire 31 during the power surge boosted the total.Jess Jonassen's unbeaten 25 helped Heat reach a competitive 169 for 8, which proved too much for Renegades despite Parsons' heroics.

Hardik Pandya, the Indian all-rounder, has been experimenting with leg-spin bowling during India's training session in Pallekele ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. Pandya's bowling action has drawn comparisons to legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble, with the Lucknow Super Giants franchise sharing an image of Pandya's delivery alongside a similar image of Kumble.Pandya's return to the field in Sri Lanka comes after his match-winning performance in the T20 World Cup last month and a break from the tour of Zimbabwe. However, he will not be the vice-captain of the side, a role he held during the T20 World Cup. The BCCI has appointed Suryakumar Yadav as captain and Shubman Gill as vice-captain in both T20Is and ODIs, following Rohit Sharma's retirement from T20Is.The decision to not make Pandya the T20I captain was based on his recent fitness concerns, according to BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar. Despite a successful return to form in the T20 World Cup, Pandya has faced personal challenges due to his separation from his wife, Natasa Stankovic.Despite these setbacks, Pandya has displayed enthusiasm in training on the tour of Sri Lanka. He will be eager to continue his impressive form from the T20 World Cup final, where his three wickets played a crucial role in India's victory over South Africa.The tour also marks the debut of Gautam Gambhir as India's head coach, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup. India will play three T20Is and three ODIs during the Sri Lanka tour.

Calvin Harrison's Unorthodox Bowling Action Captivates County CricketIn the ever-evolving landscape of cricket, where batsmen have mastered innovative shots, it's refreshing to witness a bowler who defies convention with a unique and enigmatic bowling action. Calvin Harrison, a young English cricketer, has emerged as a captivating figure in county cricket with his unorthodox leg-spin delivery.Harrison's bowling action is a sight to behold. He begins his run-up from the right of the umpire, then darts through the gap between the umpire and the stumps like a left-arm spinner. However, instead of delivering a traditional left-arm leg-break, he releases a deceptive leg-break googly.This unusual approach has caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. A video shared by Vitality County Championship on Twitter showcases Harrison's peculiar bowling style, leaving viewers both intrigued and amused.Born in South Africa, Harrison signed a three-month contract with Nottinghamshire in June 2021. His impressive performances earned him a contract with the Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred.Harrison made his Twenty20 debut for Hampshire in the 2020 T20 Blast. His unique bowling action has become a talking point in the cricketing world, with many speculating about its effectiveness and potential impact on the game.As cricket continues to evolve, it's encouraging to see young bowlers like Calvin Harrison pushing the boundaries of innovation. His unorthodox bowling action not only adds an element of surprise to the game but also serves as a reminder that creativity and experimentation can thrive even in the most traditional of sports.

Jasprit Bumrah's Versatility Shines as He Turns Leg-Spinner in Net SessionJasprit Bumrah, the Purple Cap holder of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, has showcased his exceptional bowling prowess with 13 wickets in just 7 matches. However, in a recent net session, Bumrah surprised everyone by donning the role of a leg-spinner and challenging one of T20 cricket's most feared hitters, Kieron Pollard.Despite the change in bowling style, Bumrah's skill and accuracy remained evident as he deceived Pollard with a well-executed leg-spin delivery. The video of this light-hearted battle, shared by Mumbai Indians on social media, has garnered much attention.Bumrah's versatility is a testament to his exceptional talent and adaptability. While he has primarily made his mark as a fast bowler, his ability to bowl spin effectively demonstrates his all-around capabilities.In the current IPL season, Bumrah has been a key contributor to Mumbai Indians' success. With an economy rate of under 6 runs per over, he has been the most economical bowler in the tournament. His ability to control the run rate and pick up crucial wickets has played a significant role in MI's three victories so far.As Mumbai Indians prepare for their upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals, Bumrah's versatility and match-winning abilities will be crucial. His ability to adapt to different situations and contribute in multiple ways makes him an invaluable asset to the team.

Faf du Plessis: The Unexpected Leg-Spin WizardAhead of their first home match of the IPL season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players were stumped by a trivia question: who was the first current RCB player to take two consecutive 5-wicket hauls in T20s?To everyone's surprise, the answer was none other than their captain, Faf du Plessis. Back in 2011 and 2012, du Plessis achieved this feat in the South African domestic circuit with his leg-spin skills.His second five-wicket haul was particularly impressive, as it included wickets of Quinton de Kock, Neil McKenzie, Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Morris, and Thami Tsolekile, all of whom represented South Africa.Du Plessis' bowling prowess extends beyond T20s. He has also picked up 2 ODI wickets and has a respectable bowling record across first-class, List A, and T20 cricket. In T20s, he has claimed 50 wickets at an average of 18.34 and an economy rate of 6.96.Despite his bowling abilities, du Plessis has opted to focus on his batting in recent years. However, his teammates were quick to express their surprise and admiration for his leg-spin skills."Who bowls leg-spin? Faf? What!" exclaimed Virat Kohli. "Faf, I never expected you to do that!" added Dinesh Karthik.As RCB prepares to take on Punjab in their first home game of the season, it remains to be seen whether du Plessis will showcase his bowling talents once again.