Cricket

Dwayne Bravo Announces Retirement from CPL After Ongoing SeasonDwayne Bravo, the legendary all-rounder and highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket, has announced his retirement from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) after the conclusion of the ongoing season. The 40-year-old made the announcement hours before Trinbago Knight Riders' opening game of CPL 2024 against St Kitts & Nevis Patriots in Basseterre."It's been a great journey and I'm looking forward to playing my final professional tournament in front of my Caribbean people," Bravo posted on Instagram. "TKR is the place where everything started for me and will end with my team."Bravo has been an integral part of the CPL since its inception in 2013, leading the Trinbago Knight Riders to four titles. He is also the tournament's all-time leading wicket-taker with 128 strikes in 103 games at an impressive average of 22.40 and an economical rate of 8.69.Beyond his CPL exploits, Bravo has enjoyed a remarkable career at the international level, representing the West Indies in 40 Tests, 164 ODIs, and 91 T20Is. He has taken over 500 wickets across all formats and is widely regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.Bravo's retirement from the CPL marks the end of an era for the tournament. His exceptional skills, leadership, and infectious enthusiasm have left an indelible mark on the competition. He will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most iconic players in CPL history.

England's stand-in Test captain Ollie Pope has signed a deal with the Adelaide Strikers for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. Pope, who is currently leading England against Sri Lanka in the absence of Ben Stokes, will join the Strikers after the Test tour of New Zealand, which concludes on December 18.Pope, a dynamic batsman and wicketkeeper, will be a valuable addition to the Strikers' squad. He boasts an impressive T20 record, having scored 1295 runs at an average of 28.77 and a strike rate of 132.82. However, he endured a lean spell in the recent Hundred tournament for London Spirit, managing only 35 runs in five innings.The 24-year-old will have the opportunity to team up with Ashes rivals Travis Head and Alex Carey, who recently signed a new four-year deal with the Strikers. Head and Carey will be available for a brief period during the BBL after the India Test series."Ollie Pope is an exceptional talent with a proven track record at the highest level," said Tim Paine, the Strikers' new head coach. "His dynamic batting style and wicket-keeping abilities are a fantastic addition to our squad."The Strikers had previously considered signing allrounder Jamie Overton as their pre-draft signing, but they will now have the option to use their retention option during the draft if they wish to bring back the England player, who made a significant impact last season.Meanwhile, Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has not nominated for the BBL draft, meaning he will miss the tournament for the second consecutive season. Khan has international commitments with Afghanistan during the early part of the BBL and has also signed a contract with the SA20 league.The BBL draft will take place on September 1, and the Strikers will be hoping to add further depth to their squad with some astute selections.

Delhi Premier League to Feature International Stars Pant and IshantNew Delhi is set to host its inaugural T20 league, the Delhi Premier League (DPL), starting August 17. The league will feature six men's teams and four women's teams, with international stars Rishabh Pant and Ishant Sharma expected to take the field.The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) unveiled the league on Tuesday, with former India opener Virender Sehwag as the ambassador. The draft was also conducted, with Pant and Ishant being picked up by Purani Delhi 6. Harshit Rana, currently with the Indian team in Sri Lanka, was selected by North Delhi Strikers.However, the availability of these India players is subject to their national team commitments. "The India players' eventual availability will depend on their commitments to the national team. However, Rishabh has given his consent to be placed in the draft for now," said DDCA president Rohan Jaitley.The DPL joins a growing number of state T20 leagues in India. Sehwag believes such platforms are crucial for the development of young players. "In our younger days, we used to only think of playing for India or Delhi. Now, the young generation wants to play T20. These leagues will help them get noticed," he said.Sehwag emphasized that the younger generation should not neglect longer formats. "This DPL will help you get noticed. But to grow as a player, you will have to play four-day cricket. Like IPL is a basis for selection for Indian team, DPL will also do the same for Delhi team," he added.Jaitley assured that the DDCA's primary focus remains on Delhi's long-format team. He also stated that the league has received BCCI approval after thorough checks and that there will be zero tolerance for any corrupt activities.

Virender Sehwag, the legendary Indian Test opener, has endorsed the idea of youngsters starting their cricket careers with T20 cricket, provided it helps them develop an aggressive mindset that can enhance their Test performances.Speaking at the launch of the inaugural Delhi Premier League (DPL), Sehwag acknowledged the allure and financial benefits of T20 cricket for young players. However, he emphasized that the evolving nature of Test cricket demands an attacking approach."The way England is playing Test cricket, scoring at five runs an over, shows that attacking play is crucial," Sehwag said. "In our time, Australia scored at four runs per over. I believe that if you can attack, you give your team more chances to win Test matches."Sehwag addressed concerns about T20 leagues diverting attention from red-ball cricket, citing his own son's experience. "My son has played three-day cricket for Delhi U16, but there are many boys waiting for that opportunity," he said. "When we were young, there was no IPL. Now, youngsters have the IPL and DPL as platforms."Sehwag believes that aggressive gameplay can benefit Test cricket. "If anyone develops an aggressive game that suits Test cricket, why not? We want people to come and watch Tests," he said.Sehwag's own aggressive style in Test cricket, even before the advent of the IPL, was evident in his triple century scored in just 270 balls. "Today's kids might score 400 if they play that many balls," he quipped.The DPL will feature six teams and notable players such as Rishabh Pant, Ishant Sharma, and Navdeep Saini. The league has implemented anti-corruption measures and will be aired live on a leading OTT platform with DRS technology.

Bangladesh XI, led by Dilara Akter, faced off against Malaysia XI, captained by Winifred Duraisingam, in a crucial match of the ongoing tournament. Bangladesh won the toss and elected to bat first.Malaysia's opening bowlers, Winifred Duraisingam and Suabika Manivannan, started off with a tight spell, restricting Bangladesh's scoring. However, Murshida Khatun broke the shackles in the second over, driving a glorious boundary through the covers.Bangladesh continued to build their innings steadily, with Khatun and Ishma Tanjim contributing valuable runs. Khatun, in particular, looked in fine touch, hitting another boundary in the fourth over.Malaysia's bowlers fought back in the middle overs, with Duraisingam and Manivannan bowling economically and picking up wickets. Bangladesh lost Dilara Akter and Ritu Moni in quick succession, leaving them at 45/2.Despite the setbacks, Bangladesh's middle order held firm. Rumana Ahmed and Nigar Sultana played sensible innings, rotating the strike and finding the occasional boundary.In the latter stages of the innings, Bangladesh accelerated their scoring rate. Jahanara Alam and Nahida Akter hit some lusty blows, taking Bangladesh to a respectable total of 125/5 in their allotted 20 overs.Malaysia's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Dilara Akter early on. However, Murshida Khatun and Ishma Tanjim steadied the ship with a solid partnership.Khatun, in particular, was in devastating form, hitting boundaries at will. She brought up her half-century in just 35 balls, guiding Malaysia towards victory.Malaysia's middle order chipped in with valuable contributions, with Nur Aishah Mohammed Iqbal and Mahirah Izzati Ismail playing cameos.In the end, Malaysia chased down the target with ease, reaching 126/3 in just 17.2 overs. Murshida Khatun remained unbeaten on 65, while Ishma Tanjim contributed 25.

Suryakumar Yadav Hints at Axar Patel's Inclusion in Playing XI for Sri Lanka T20I OpenerNewly appointed Indian T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav has dropped a strong indication that left-arm spinner Axar Patel will play a crucial role in the upcoming series opener against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.As India embarks on a new era under Yadav's leadership, the team's strategy and team selection will be closely scrutinized. Yadav, who previously captained India to a 4-1 series victory over Australia in 2023, will be eager to establish his authority and guide the team to success.During India's first training session in Sri Lanka, Yadav was captured on camera advising Patel to "take it easy" and that he would be "seen bowling in the third and fourth over." This comment suggests that Patel is likely to be included in the playing XI for the first T20I, especially considering the spin-friendly conditions expected in Pallekele.Patel's inclusion aligns with the strategy employed by former T20I captain Rohit Sharma, who frequently utilized Patel's skills during the powerplay overs. Patel's ability to control the run rate and pick up wickets early on could prove invaluable for India in the upcoming series.Yadav's decision to include Patel in the playing XI also highlights the importance of spin bowling in T20 cricket. With the advent of power-hitting and aggressive batting, spinners have become increasingly crucial in providing control and variation. Patel's left-arm orthodox bowling style and ability to generate turn and bounce could be a potent weapon for India in Sri Lanka.As India prepares for the first T20I against Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on Yadav's leadership and the team's performance. The inclusion of Patel in the playing XI is a clear indication that Yadav is keen on utilizing the spinner's skills and establishing a balanced and effective team.

Nottinghamshire's spirited performance at Headingley extinguished Yorkshire's Vitality Blast quarter-final hopes, as the Vikings fell short in their pursuit of 210. The Outlaws' impressive batting display, led by Jack Haynes' blistering 50, proved too much for Yorkshire, who despite a valiant effort, finished on 181 for 6.Nottinghamshire's innings got off to a shaky start with the early dismissal of captain Joe Clarke. However, Freddie McCann and Sammy King stepped up with a fearless 87-run partnership, showcasing their attacking prowess. McCann, making his first-team debut, impressed with successive sixes and a boundary, while King unleashed three consecutive sixes off Jafer Chohan's leg-spin.Haynes continued the momentum, reaching his half-century off just 20 deliveries, including two sixes off Dan Moriarty. Despite a late flurry of wickets, Nottinghamshire posted a challenging total of 209 for 9.Yorkshire's chase began disastrously, with openers Will Luxton, Adam Lyth, and Shan Masood all falling cheaply. Luke Fletcher's double strike in the fourth over left the Vikings reeling at 31 for 3. James Wharton attempted to salvage the innings with a determined 52, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.Donovan Ferreira provided brief respite with two sixes, but his dismissal left Yorkshire's hopes hanging by a thread. Wharton's departure in the 16th over effectively ended the contest, as Jordan Thompson's unbeaten 50 proved to be a mere consolation.Nottinghamshire's victory was a testament to their resilience and the contributions of their young players. Ben Cliff's career-best 4 for 31 and the wickets of Calvin Harrison and Luke Fletcher played a crucial role in restricting Yorkshire's chase.

Sussex Sharks secured a home quarter-final in the Vitality Blast after thrashing Middlesex by nine wickets in front of a sell-out crowd at Hove. The victory propelled Sussex into second place in the South Group, leapfrogging Somerset, who lost heavily to Glamorgan in Cardiff.The pitch at the 1st Central County Ground was being used for the third time, but Middlesex's 159 for 9 never looked like being enough. Sussex openers Harrison Ward and Daniel Hughes put on a dominant 141-run partnership in 15.1 overs, Sussex's fourth highest stand for any wicket in T20.Hughes, in his debut season in the Blast, is now the tournament's leading scorer with 560 runs. He remained unbeaten on 96, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. Ward, who had been drafted into the Hundred for the first time with Oval Invincibles earlier in the day, celebrated with his third half-century of the competition.Apart from a mix-up which nearly ended in Hughes being run out, the Sussex pair dominated the Middlesex bowling. Ward was eventually caught at deep mid-wicket for 56 (42 balls, 5 fours, 1 six).Hughes faced just 54 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. He hit the winning six with 22 deliveries to spare, equaling his T20 career-best with his fourth fifty.Sussex's disciplined bowling had set up the victory. They had reduced Middlesex to 22 for 3 by the third over, with Ollie Robinson picking up a wicket with the first ball of his first two overs. Leus du Plooy was superbly caught at short-cover by Hughes, and Danny Lamb produced an even better effort to remove Max Holden.Later in the same over, Lamb put down a chance to reprieve Jack Davies on nought and had to go off with an injury to his right shoulder. It left Sussex a bowler light, but slow left-armer James Coles (2 for 28) and off-spinner Jack Carson (2 for 23) strangled Middlesex's attempts to accelerate. Davies celebrated his reprieve by making 52, hitting four boundaries in an over off Scott Currie and three sixes. However, Carson got him in the 14th over courtesy of one of three catches on the mid-wicket boundary by Tom Clark.Luke Hollman made 28 at the end, but Hughes and Ward soon had Sussex's chase under control. Middlesex finished another disappointing campaign second from bottom after winning just three games.

Birmingham Bears secured a home quarter-final berth in the Vitality Blast with a dominant 44-run victory over Derbyshire Falcons at Edgbaston. The Bears' batting lineup showcased their prowess, amassing a formidable 198 for 2, powered by half-centuries from Dan Mousley (60*), Sam Hain (52*), and Moeen Ali (59).The Bears' innings began cautiously, but Moeen Ali's explosive batting ignited the momentum. He transformed his score from 25 to 50 in just five balls, unleashing four sixes in the process. Mousley and Hain continued the onslaught, forging an unbroken 111-run partnership to propel the Bears to their imposing total.In response, the Falcons' chase faltered under the pressure of the scoreboard. Despite a strong start, they succumbed to the spin wizardry of Danny Briggs and Jake Lintott. Briggs claimed three wickets for 24 runs, while Lintott chipped in with two. No Falcons batsman managed to surpass 30 runs, as the team was dismissed for 154 in 19.2 overs.The Bears' victory sets up a home quarter-final clash, where they will aim to break their recent quarter-final jinx. The Falcons, despite this setback, remain in contention for a playoff spot but face the pressure of winning their remaining two games.