Cricket

Former England captain Michael Atherton has drawn comparisons between India's recent collapse to 46 all out against New Zealand and England's infamous 46 all out against West Indies in 1994. Atherton, now a respected pundit, highlighted the unique distinction held by Virat Kohli, who has been part of two of India's three lowest-ever scores.Atherton noted that India's collapse occurred in the first innings of a home Test, where they had won the toss and elected to bat. In contrast, England's 46 all out came in the final innings of an away Test, where they had lost the toss.Despite these differences, Atherton identified some similarities between the two innings. Both teams were bowled out by pace bowling, and both collapses featured a number of soft dismissals. Atherton also pointed out that both India and England had been in strong positions before their batting collapses.Atherton welcomed India captain Rohit Sharma to "his world," as he had also experienced the ignominy of captaining a side bowled out for 46. He emphasized the pain and embarrassment that follows such a collapse, despite the adulation from fans.Atherton's analysis highlights the fragility of batting in Test cricket, even for the world's best teams. It also raises questions about India's batting lineup, which has been under scrutiny in recent months.

England's swift victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Lord's has sparked concerns about the state of Test cricket. Former captain Nasser Hussain believes the match highlighted the challenges facing the longest format of the game.West Indies' lack of preparation, with only one three-day red-ball game before the Test, contributed to their poor performance. Hussain emphasized the importance of proper preparation, stating that "you've got to give Test matches the preparation that they deserve."The match also raised questions about the decline of West Indies cricket. England has not won in the Caribbean for two decades, and the West Indies hold the Richard-Botham Trophy. Hussain believes that the West Indies' struggles are part of a larger issue facing Test cricket."All it does is add to the fact that Test-match cricket is in a difficult place, and it is sort of self-perpetuating," Hussain said. "If you don't look after it, then sides turn up and put in a performance like that, and everyone goes, 'Told you, Test-match cricket is dying.'"Former England skipper Michael Atherton highlighted the passion of Jimmy Anderson for Test cricket. Anderson, who recently retired from international cricket, spoke about the transformative impact Test cricket has had on his life."Test cricket has literally made me the person I am," Anderson said. "All the lessons he's drawn from Test cricket -- the ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the coming back for that third spell at six o'clock in the evening and having to dig deep within yourself."Atherton believes that Anderson's experience and insights can help young players make informed career choices. "You'd like to feel Jimmy would say to them 'sometimes the easiest choices are not always the most rewarding or most fulfilling,'" Atherton said.The future of Test cricket remains uncertain, but Hussain and Atherton believe that it is essential to prioritize its preparation and development. By investing in the longest format of the game, cricket can ensure its continued relevance and appeal.

Jasprit Bumrah Shines in England Legends' T20 World Cup 'Team of the Tournament'In a surprising turn of events, Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the sole Indian representative in a 'Team of the Tournament' selected by renowned English cricket commentators Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain. The team, compiled based on performances in the group stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup, notably excluded star Indian players Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Arshdeep Singh.Atherton and Hussain, now respected commentators, meticulously analyzed and justified their choices on Sky Sports Cricket. Despite Virat Kohli's status as the all-time leading run-scorer in T20 World Cup history, his meager five runs in the tournament thus far have left him on the outside looking in."We had Bumrah, obviously. He had to be in," Hussain remarked. Bumrah's exceptional performance in India's first three matches, including two Player of the Match awards against Ireland and Pakistan, earned him a well-deserved spot.The English duo also recognized the contributions of several unsung heroes of the tournament. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Scotland's Brandon McMullen, and USA's Aaron Jones all made the cut.Gurbaz, fresh off his IPL 2024 triumph, has been a revelation, amassing 167 runs in four innings at a blistering strike rate of over 150. McMullen has been even more explosive, boasting a strike rate of 170.Australia's Marcus Stoinis was the lone all-rounder selected by Atherton and Hussain. Stoinis ranks third in the tournament's run-scoring charts with a remarkable strike rate of 190. His versatility extends to bowling, where he has claimed six wickets in four games at an economical rate of 5.77.The Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup commences on Wednesday, June 19, with hosts USA facing South Africa in Group II.