Cricket

New Zealand Embarks on Sri Lanka Tour with Echoes of 2019As New Zealand prepares to tour Sri Lanka, parallels to their previous visit in 2019 emerge. Back then, the world was on the cusp of the COVID-19 pandemic, while Sri Lanka was recovering from Rangana Herath's retirement. Today, the pandemic has subsided, and Herath returns as New Zealand's spin-bowling coach.However, similarities abound. Sri Lanka enters the series buoyed by a historic Test win in England, mirroring their 2019 triumph in South Africa. Both tours also coincide with presidential election years.New Zealand's squad remains largely unchanged, with a few retirements and new faces. Despite their third-place ranking in the World Test Championship, they face a daunting task with two Tests in spin-friendly Galle, where they have never won.Sri Lanka has experienced a rollercoaster year, with strong performances against Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, followed by a disappointing T20 World Cup and a series win against India. Their recent victory in England has boosted their confidence ahead of this home series.Key Players to Watch:* Prabath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka): The left-arm spinner has an exceptional record at Galle, with 53 wickets in 12 innings.* Rachin Ravindra (New Zealand): The all-rounder has shown promise in white-ball cricket and is expected to play a crucial role in the subcontinent.Team News:Sri Lanka is likely to retain their winning combination, with Kusal Mendis taking the gloves and Dinesh Chandimal moving up the order. Ramesh Mendis will provide support to Jayasuriya in the spin department.New Zealand's playing XI is largely settled, with Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel leading the spin attack. The only question mark is the second seam option alongside Tim Southee.Pitch and Conditions:Rain is expected throughout the Test, making winning the toss and batting first crucial. The Galle surface typically deteriorates by days four and five.Stats and Trivia:* Only five teams have opted not to bat first after winning the toss in Galle, with two winning.* Lahiru Kumara is four wickets away from 100 Test wickets.* Henry Nicholls needs 27 runs to reach 3,000 Test runs.* New Zealand has lost all four Tests they have played in Galle.* Tim Southee has taken the most wickets (64) against Sri Lanka among active players.Quotes:"Chandimal took up the gloves and played in the middle order for the sake of the team, but he won't be keeping in this Test, which means he will move up to number three." - Sri Lanka interim head coach Sanath Jayasuriya"Having just his experience and knowledge of conditions here in this part of the world, and particularly a ground that he had a lot of success on, has been great." - New Zealand captain Tim Southee on Rangana Herath's expertise.

Three-time defending women's T20 World Cup champions Australia are gearing up for the upcoming tournament in the UAE with a warm-up series against New Zealand starting on Thursday in Mackay. The Aussies have had a lengthy break between international assignments, having not played since March and April.Despite the break, Australia's squad has been active in other competitions. Several players participated in the women's Hundred in the UK, while Tahlia McGrath played in the Australia A limited-overs series against India A.Australia is one of the few teams that hasn't played international cricket in recent months. Pakistan and South Africa have squared off, while England and Ireland have also locked horns. New Zealand, on the other hand, had a lengthy tour of England in June and July.Phoebe Litchfield, who played in the Hundred for the Northern Superchargers, believes the defending champions shouldn't be too rusty. However, she acknowledges the need for heat acclimation before the trip to the UAE."It's going to be hot. Not too dissimilar to Bangladesh," Litchfield said. "So our preparation continues the same, and we're probably going to do some heat acclimation over the next sort of week and a half to get ready."Litchfield expressed disappointment over the tournament being moved from Bangladesh due to security reasons. However, she believes Dubai offers a suitable alternative.Litchfield, who has not played in a World Cup, is unsure of her starting position in the upcoming series and the tournament. She expects to bat in the middle order if she plays.Both Australia and New Zealand arrived in Mackay on Monday. The first two matches of the series will be played on Thursday and Sunday before the teams move to Brisbane for the final game next Tuesday. Both squads will then fly straight to the UAE next Wednesday.

The one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was abandoned on Friday (September 13, 2024) without a ball being bowled, marking only the eighth time in Test cricket history that such a situation has occurred.The first two days of the game were canceled due to a wet outfield, raising significant concerns about the preparedness of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex. The remaining three days were then washed out due to persistent rain.Despite bright sunshine on the first two days, no play was possible as the umpires cited "players safety" as a concern. The midwicket area was a particular concern. To address the issue, groundsmen brought in dry sections of grass from the practice area to "transplant" in the midwicket zone.While the BCCI tried to assist by providing additional machinery and the Delhi Delhi & District Cricket Association and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association helping out, it was a little too late.Afghanistan, who were granted their Test status in 2017 and have played only nine international red-ball games before this fixture, were the hosts. It was the first time Afghanistan, who don't get to play too many Tests with big nations, was scheduled to take on New Zealand.This fixture was, however, not a part of the ICC's World Test Championship cycle. As for the stadium, match referee Javagal Srinath's report on the preparedness of the venue will go a long way in deciding its fate.

The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Stadium in Noida has faced severe criticism after the one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand was abandoned due to unplayable ground conditions. Despite four days of scheduled play, not a single ball was bowled, leaving both teams and fans disappointed.The ground's condition was a major concern, with wet patches and standing water in various areas. The groundstaff struggled to prepare the surface in time, and the covers proved insufficient to protect the entire ground from heavy rainfall.The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) expressed frustration over the infrastructure, while media reports highlighted the mismanagement and lack of preparedness. However, an alleged stadium manager, who remained anonymous, denied any wrongdoing.Speaking to 93.5 Red FM, the manager claimed that critics were not understanding the situation and that "people want content." He defended the pitch preparation, stating that it met the demands of Afghanistan's coach, Jonathan Trott.The manager also pointed to the heavy rainfall as the primary cause of the abandonment, emphasizing that even the nearby Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi had canceled matches due to the downpour. He argued that the Afghanistan team was aware of the ground's conditions and had trained in rainy conditions.Despite the manager's explanations, the stadium's reputation has been tarnished. The incident has raised questions about the quality of infrastructure and the ability of Indian stadiums to host international matches during the monsoon season.

India's Test cricket schedule for the next nine months is jam-packed, with a home series against Bangladesh, a tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in London.Currently, India leads the WTC standings with a win percentage of 68.52%, followed by Australia at 62.5%. New Zealand, the reigning WTC champions, are third with 50%.India's upcoming series against Bangladesh and New Zealand are crucial for their WTC aspirations. They need to win seven of their next 10 Tests to maintain their current win percentage. This is achievable if they sweep both series at home.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia will be a major test for India. They need to win at least two Tests Down Under to stay on top of the WTC table.According to calculations by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru website, India needs to add 63 points to their current tally of 74 to finish in the top two of the WTC. This means they need to win at least five Tests and draw one in their next 10 matches.Australia, who have seven Tests remaining, need 47 points to stay above 60% win percentage. They need four wins or three wins and a draw to achieve this.New Zealand, with five Tests remaining in Asia, need six wins or five wins and a draw to end up with a win percentage of above 60%.The WTC final will be played at Lord's Cricket Ground in London from June 11. The top two teams from the WTC points table will contest the final.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, faces a daunting task as the team embarks on a grueling Test season. The season kicks off with a match against Bangladesh on September 19, followed by a series of back-to-back matches against New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.Gambhir, who took charge after a brief tour of Sri Lanka last month, has a proven track record of success as a player and coach. He led the Kolkata Knight Riders to two Indian Premier League (IPL) titles and has a reputation for being a demanding and results-oriented coach.Ahead of the upcoming series, Gambhir participated in a fun interaction on the sidelines of the Delhi Premier League T20. He was asked to name cricketers based on one word, providing insights into his perceptions of some of the game's greatest players.Gambhir described Yuvraj Singh as "Badshah" (King), himself as "Angry Young Man," Sachin Tendulkar as "Dabang" (Fearless), Virat Kohli as "Shahenshah" (Emperor), Jasprit Bumrah as "Khiladi" (Player), Rahul Dravid as "Mr. Perfectionist," and Sourav Ganguly as "Tiger."South African cricket legend Jonty Rhodes, who is the fielding coach of the Lucknow Super Giants, expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to make an immediate impact on the Indian team. He praised Gambhir's hands-on approach and his ability to speak his mind.Rhodes also lauded the appointment of Zaheer Khan as mentor of the Lucknow Super Giants, highlighting his calm head and technical expertise. He believes that Zaheer's presence will help the team navigate tense situations during matches.With a challenging Test season ahead, Gambhir will be eager to prove his mettle as head coach. His ability to motivate and inspire the team, as well as his tactical acumen, will be put to the test as India faces some of the world's top cricketing nations.

Sun Interrupts Play in Bizarre ODI Between India and New ZealandIn an unprecedented turn of events, the first ODI between India and New Zealand at McLean Park on January 23, 2019, was halted due to sunlight. The bizarre incident occurred during the day-night match, leaving players and spectators alike bewildered.Normally, cricket pitches are positioned in the North-South direction to avoid direct sunlight in the batsmen's line of sight. However, at McLean Park, the pitch is East-West facing, exposing the batsmen to the sun's glare.As the sun began to set, its rays shone directly into the eyes of the batsmen, making it difficult for them to see the ball. After the dinner break, the umpires decided to halt play for approximately half an hour to ensure the safety of the players.This was not the first time that sunlight had caused interruptions at McLean Park. Similar incidents had occurred during domestic competitions and reportedly at some English grounds. However, this was the first time that a sun-induced stoppage had occurred in an international match.Indian captain Virat Kohli expressed his surprise at the unusual interruption. "Never in my life," he said when asked about the halt. "It was funny. In 2014, I got out once with the sun in my eyes and this rule wasn't there then."At the time of the stoppage, India was chasing 158 and had reached 44/1 in 10 overs. Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan were batting on 2 and 29 respectively. Play resumed after the sun had set, and India went on to win the match by six wickets.The incident highlights the importance of considering all potential factors that can affect the safety and fairness of a cricket match. While rain-related interruptions are common, sun-induced stoppages are a rare but not unheard-of occurrence. As cricket continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see more unusual and unexpected interruptions in the future.

The Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathak Cricket Stadium in Greater Noida is set to make history as it becomes the 124th venue and Noida the 95th city to host an international Test match. Afghanistan will face New Zealand in a one-off Test starting Monday, marking a significant milestone for international cricket.The stadium, managed by local authorities, is the 30th ground and Noida the 23rd city in India to host a Test match. Afghanistan has a strong familiarity with the venue, having played five One-Day Internationals (winning three) and six T20 Internationals (five wins) there since 2017.However, the Test match faces a potential challenge due to persistent rain in Greater Noida. The groundstaff has been forced to cover the playing area with tarpaulins, and the forecast predicts occasional thunderstorms throughout the five-day match. The stadium's drainage system is also a concern, with only one super-sopper being used to dry the ground.Despite the weather concerns, both Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and New Zealand skipper Tim Southee expressed their hope for clear weather and a playable match. The match referee will have the authority to assess the field conditions and determine if they are suitable for play.The Test match will be a test of the stadium's capabilities, as it lacks the advanced equipment and resources found in other international venues in India. The drainage system and the availability of super-soppers will be crucial factors in ensuring the match can proceed smoothly.

New Zealand will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test match starting on September 9, 2024, as part of their preparations for the upcoming World Test Championship challenges in the subcontinent. This will be New Zealand's first-ever Test against Afghanistan, who obtained Test status in 2017.New Zealand's recent subcontinent record has been underwhelming, with 40 losses in 90 matches. They will be keen to improve their performance in these conditions, especially with the marquee series against India approaching next month. Spin is expected to dominate proceedings, and New Zealand has come well-prepared with five slow bowling options.Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who returns to India for the first time since his 10-wicket haul in Mumbai in 2021, is expected to make the playing XI. Rachin Ravindra, who has been training in Chennai, is also likely to be included as an all-rounder. Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, and Michael Bracewell are vying for the remaining spinners' spots.Matt Henry is New Zealand's best seamer at the moment, but captain Tim Southee's dip in Test form is a concern. Will O'Rourke or express pacer Ben Sears may be given a go.Afghanistan, on the other hand, have played only nine Tests since gaining Test status. They have lost their last three Tests against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Ireland. However, they have managed to beat Ireland, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe in their brief Test journey.Afghanistan's squad for the Test includes experienced players like Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah. Seam-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai is likely to make his Test debut, while Zia-ur-Rehman, Zahir Khan, Khalil Ahmed, Qais Ahmad, Shahidullah Kamal, and Bahir Shah are the spin options.The match is likely to be affected by rain and thunderstorms throughout the week.