Cricket

Dan Mousley, the English cricketer, has made a remarkable debut in One Day Internationals (ODIs) with his unique "offspin" bowling style. Despite a three-year absence from List A cricket, Mousley's unconventional approach has caught the attention of the cricketing world.Mousley's journey to international cricket began in Sri Lanka's domestic competition in 2021, where he played for Burgher Recreation Club. His exceptional speed and accuracy with the ball earned him a call-up to the Warwickshire Academy.Mousley's signature move is a 116kph/72mph yorker bowled off three steps. This unorthodox delivery has proven effective, as evidenced by his first international wicket against Rovman Powell. According to CricViz, Mousley is the fastest spin bowler since ball tracking records began in 2006, averaging 109kph/68mph.Mousley's unique style has drawn praise from England captain Jos Buttler, who described him as "a point of difference" for the team. Mousley's ability to bowl at high speeds and deliver yorkers makes him a formidable opponent for batters.While Mousley's bowling may not conform to traditional aesthetics, it is effective in the modern T20 format. As scores continue to rise, bowlers are being challenged to innovate and find new ways to restrict batters. Mousley's fast spin/seamers present a unique challenge that batters are not accustomed to.Mousley's unconventional approach is a testament to his willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of the game. He is not a one-trick pony, as he also possesses traditional offspin skills. However, he recognizes that in T20 cricket, the ability to bowl the ball that is hardest to hit for six is paramount.Mousley's unique bowling style has sparked a debate about the future of spin bowling. Some believe that his approach is a glimpse into the future, while others argue that it is a fad that will eventually be countered by batters. Regardless, Mousley's emergence has undoubtedly shaken up the cricketing landscape and forced batters to rethink their strategies.

England's Woakes Bowls Off-Spin Due to Bad Light in Third Test Against Sri LankaIn an unusual turn of events, England pacer Chris Woakes was forced to bowl off-spin during the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Kennington Oval due to poor light conditions.With skies darkening and light fading rapidly in London on Saturday, Woakes was seen bowling off-spin against the Lankan batters. The incident occurred in the 7th over of Sri Lanka's first innings when the on-field umpires informed skipper Ollie Pope that the light was insufficient for fast bowlers to operate.Woakes, who had just dismissed Pathum Nissanka on the second ball of his fourth over, had four more deliveries to bowl when the umpires intervened. This forced him to complete his remaining balls by bowling off-spin, much to the amusement of England bowling coach Jeetan Patel and the players on the field.With a couple of slips, a leg slip, and a short-leg in place, Woakes bowled three off-spinning deliveries, one of which was dispatched to the boundary. He then completed the over with an arm ball.Earlier, bad light had also forced early stumps on the opening day of the Test. Riding on Pope's 154, England scored 325 before being bowled out in the 70th over. Already 2-0 up in the series, England are aiming for a whitewash against Sri Lanka.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selectors have raised eyebrows by opting for four spinners in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, but none of them are right-arm off-spin options. The chosen spinners include wrist spinners Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, and left-arm spinners Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.During a press conference at the BCCI headquarters, skipper Rohit Sharma was questioned about the absence of off-spinners in the squad. In a humorous response, Rohit gestured towards himself, indicating that he could fill that role. While Rohit has not bowled regularly in recent times, he did take a hat-trick in the 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL)."We discussed a lot. Unfortunately, Washington Sundar hasn't played much lately. It was then between Ashwin and Axar. We thought having two left-arm spinners would be beneficial, as Ashwin hasn't played the format lately. Axar was in good form when he played those five matches against Australia. He has been bowling well and gives us that left-handed option in the middle if we want to do something different," Rohit explained.BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar also hinted at the possibility of Rohit bowling off-spin. "Hopefully, the captain can roll his arm over," Agarkar said.Agarkar also shed light on the decision to appoint Hardik Pandya as the vice-captain for the World Cup. "Nothing was discussed with regards to vice-captaincy. We want all guys to be in good form. He has come after a longish year off. The good part that we have looked at is he has got through all the games so far for MI," Agarkar said."We have got another month and a little bit till the first game. We know he is doing that and the hope is that he keeps building on that form. As long as he stays fit, we know what he brings, how much balance he gives the team. I don't think there is a replacement for the things that he can do as a cricketer at the moment, especially when it comes to the way he bowls," Agarkar added.

Ravichandran Ashwin's exceptional bowling prowess has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, earning him accolades from renowned batters like Joe Root. The veteran Indian off-spinner's relentless pursuit of wickets and aggressive mindset have made him a constant threat to opposition batsmen.Ashwin's versatility is a key factor in his success. Unlike traditional off-spinners, he employs a wide range of deliveries, including over-spin, side-spin, and the deceptive carrom ball. This unpredictability keeps batters guessing and forces them to adapt constantly.Root, who has faced Ashwin on numerous occasions, highlighted the off-spinner's ability to bowl six different deliveries in an over. Ashwin's clever use of the crease and seam position allows him to exploit different angles and create wicket-taking opportunities.In contrast to Nathan Lyon, another premier off-spinner, Ashwin focuses on getting batters out rather than wearing them down. He uses his variations to disrupt the batter's rhythm and force them into mistakes.Despite England's struggles in the ongoing Test series against India, Root remains optimistic about the team's approach. He believes that the top order has shown consistency, and the team is committed to finding the best balance between attacking and pragmatic batting.Jonny Bairstow, who is set to play his 100th Test in Dharamsala, has faced some challenges with the bat. However, Root expressed confidence in his fellow Yorkshireman's ability to overcome these setbacks and make a significant contribution to the team.