Cricket

Zak Crawley, England's leading run-scorer in the recent Test series against India, believes that the team will not abandon their aggressive approach despite their shortcomings in the subcontinent. However, he acknowledges the need for refinement to capitalize on their dominant positions.Crawley emphasized that England's faith in their attacking methods remained unwavering throughout the series, despite their eventual 4-1 defeat. He pointed to the fourth Test in Ranchi, where England squandered a significant first-innings lead, as a missed opportunity."We never really lost faith and had the same attitude," Crawley said. "We genuinely believed in ourselves and thought we could win the series. We were in all the games."Crawley expressed satisfaction with his personal performances, having emerged as England's most consistent batter with 407 runs at an average of 40.70. He attributed his improved form to a more positive mindset and a focus on smothering the spin."I am trying to embrace failure more and accepting it is part of the game," Crawley said. "So, I'm trying to stick with that."Despite his success against India's spinners, Crawley admitted that he was unable to replicate his remarkable 189-run innings from the Ashes against their seamers. However, he emphasized his confidence against pace bowling and his willingness to engage with the opposition's best bowlers."I just thought, 'there are a couple of good balls in here, I just need to put them under pressure early'," Crawley said. "I feel like a bit more pace on the ball has always suited my game a little bit more."Crawley also revealed that he had undergone laser surgery to correct his short-sightedness, which had previously required him to wear contact lenses. He believes that this has improved his ability to pick up the ball.While Crawley's series record paled in comparison to India's Yashasvi Jaiswal, he insisted that he is not driven by a desire for big scores. Instead, he focuses on staying present and playing one ball at a time."Whenever I have looked too far ahead like that, that is how you get out straight away," Crawley said. "Actually, a couple of those occasions I was thinking, 'I need to get a big score' and I wasn't in the process."Crawley believes that England need to refine their approach to absorbing pressure and putting it back on the opposition. He emphasized that the team will not become more negative but will seek to identify the right moments to absorb pressure."We always talk about absorbing pressure and putting pressure back on," Crawley said. "The last couple of years we've done the putting back on pretty well, and we've spoken about maybe picking those moments to absorb at the right times as well."

Liam Dawson, the 34-year-old English spin-bowling all-rounder, has acknowledged that his Test cricket aspirations are over. Dawson, who last played a Test in 2017, was not selected for England's tour of India this winter, despite being the leading English spinner in last year's County Championship.Dawson had previously indicated that he would have to weigh up whether to accept an England call, having agreed a lucrative contract to play for Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20, a tournament that clashed directly with the start of the Test tour. He ultimately chose to prioritize his T20 commitments, a decision he does not regret."For me, probably Test cricket now is completely off the radar," Dawson said. "But it is what it is, I'm 34 and I want to enjoy my cricket and try to win trophies towards the end of my career."Dawson has won 20 England caps across three formats going back to 2016, as well as an ODI World Cup winners' medal in 2019. He was a travelling reserve for both the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups, but said he does not expect to be in the mix for this year's tournament in the Caribbean and USA."I think with my age, 34, realistically that's probably gone to be honest," Dawson said. "I'm looking forward to playing for Hampshire this season, and the Hundred with London Spirit."Dawson's decision to prioritize T20 cricket reflects the challenge for young English spinners to come through the system. With the rain teeming down in England for much of the year, it can be difficult for spinners to get enough game time to develop their skills."Without doubt, it's very, very difficult," Dawson said. "If you're an out-and-out spinner it's not easy to play in these conditions, the time of the year we play. There's no ideal scenario, what gives, what doesn't? When do you play Championship cricket? It's a tough thing to do."Despite the challenges, Dawson believes that England have two promising young spinners in Tom Hartley and Shoaib Bashir, who both impressed on the tour of India."They [Hartley and Bashir] did very well," Dawson said. "They're good bowlers. I faced Bashir last year here, I thought he was a really good bowler, and the same with Tom Hartley when we played them in Southport, very consistent. Hopefully they can continue to do well."

Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh's talismanic all-rounder, has made a triumphant return to the Test squad after a year-long absence. He has been included in the team for the second Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to commence on March 30 in Chattogram.Shakib's last Test appearance was in April 2023 against Ireland. An eye condition subsequently sidelined him from the longest format, although he has remained active in white-ball cricket. His return to the Test arena is a significant boost for Bangladesh, who are seeking to level the series after losing the first Test by a hefty margin.To accommodate Shakib, Towhid Hridoy has been omitted from the squad. Hridoy failed to make the playing XI for the first Test. Another change sees pace bowler Hasan Mahmud replace the injured Musfik Hasan. Mahmud, who has yet to make his Test debut, has featured in 39 white-ball internationals.Shakib's inclusion brings a wealth of experience to the Bangladesh Test side. He has played 66 Tests, amassing over 4000 runs and claiming 235 wickets. His last international outing was the ODI World Cup in India in late 2023. Since then, he has participated in the Bangladesh Premier League and the Dhaka Premier Division League.The eye condition that kept Shakib out of the ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka has now subsided. He is fully fit and eager to contribute to Bangladesh's Test fortunes.

Sri Lanka's emphatic 328-run victory over Bangladesh in the first Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium has propelled them up the World Test Championship (WTC) rankings. This triumph marks their eighth away Test win over Bangladesh, maintaining their undefeated record in the format against the hosts.Prior to this match, Sri Lanka languished at the bottom of the WTC standings with zero points, while Bangladesh occupied the fourth spot with 12 points and a points percentage of 50. However, Sri Lanka's resounding victory has earned them 12 points in three games, boosting their points percentage to 33.33. This surge has lifted them above South Africa (25%) and England (17.50%), tying them with Bangladesh in sixth place.The first Test result has triggered a reshuffle in the WTC table. The West Indies have ascended to fifth place with the same points percentage as Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but a superior points tally (16). Pakistan, with a points percentage of 36.66, has moved up to fourth place with 22 points.On Day 4 of the match, Mominul Haque displayed remarkable resilience against Sri Lanka's formidable bowling attack. His steadfast batting kept the Sri Lankan bowlers at bay and helped Bangladesh navigate the first session. However, wickets continued to fall at the other end, limiting Bangladesh to a score of 182 and sealing a 328-run defeat in the first Test.Sri Lanka's victory has not only bolstered their WTC standing but also instilled confidence within the team. They will be eager to maintain their momentum in the second and final Test of the series, which commences on May 23rd at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Sri Lanka's pace trio of Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha etched their names in history by capturing all 20 wickets in the first Test against Bangladesh in Sylhet. This feat, last achieved by Sri Lanka in 1986, was made possible by the green tinge of the pitch, which provided ample pace and bounce.Captain Dhananjaya de Silva's decision to field three pacers proved to be a masterstroke, as they exploited the conditions to the fullest. The visitors completed a comprehensive 328-run victory with a day and a half to spare, giving the pace trio much-needed rest ahead of the second Test in Chattogram.De Silva praised his bowlers for their exceptional use of the new ball and their ability to maintain their shape despite the pitch slowing down. He emphasized the importance of pace bowlers in extracting wickets, especially when the conditions favor them.The Test also marked a memorable milestone for De Silva himself, who became the first Sri Lankan captain to score twin hundreds in a Test. He and newcomer Kamindu Mendis formed crucial partnerships in both innings, showcasing their patience and skill.De Silva expressed his satisfaction with Mendis's performance, highlighting his determination and suitability for the No. 7 role. He also acknowledged the support he receives from experienced leaders in the team, which helps him navigate the challenges of captaincy.Despite Sri Lanka's impressive victory, De Silva remains focused on the present and is not preoccupied with the World Test Championship points table. He believes in taking one match at a time and addressing areas for improvement, such as the top-order batting, before the next Test.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test cricket series between India and Australia, is set to expand to five matches for the first time since the 1991-92 season. The announcement was made by Cricket Australia (CA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The extended series will be a highlight of the 2024-25 home summer schedule for Australia. The full schedule is expected to be released soon. The opening Test of the five-match series is scheduled to be played in Perth.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been a fiercely contested rivalry between India and Australia. India has won the last four series, including back-to-back away Test series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21. However, Australia, led by Pat Cummins, defeated India in the World Test Championship final in London last year.The extension of the series to five Tests is a testament to the intense rivalry between the two cricketing nations. It will provide more opportunities for both teams to showcase their skills and compete for the coveted trophy.The BCCI and CA have expressed their commitment to preserving the rich heritage of Test cricket. The extended series is seen as a way to elevate the significance of Test cricket and uphold its legacy.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar. The five-match series promises to deliver thrilling contests and unforgettable moments.

Bangladesh's hopes of salvaging a draw in the second Test against Sri Lanka dwindled on day three in Sylhet as they collapsed to 43 for 5, needing an improbable 464 runs to win.Sri Lanka's lower middle order had earlier extended their dominance, with Kamindu Mendis scoring 164 and Dhananjaya de Silva completing his second century of the match. Their 173-run partnership transformed Sri Lanka's position from a comfortable lead to an utterly dominant one.Bangladesh's quicks struggled to make an impact on a pitch that still rewarded high-quality seam bowling. Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha shared the wickets, but it was Vishwa who impressed with his movement through the air and late swing.Bangladesh's batting implosion began with captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's reckless dismissal, throwing his bat at a wide delivery. Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shahadat Hossain also fell cheaply to Vishwa's accurate bowling.Litton Das's dismissal was the most frustrating for Bangladesh. After keeping wicket all day, he ran down the track and hoicked a delivery from Kumara straight to cover.Sri Lanka's quicks maintained their discipline, bowling testing lines and exploiting the pitch's bounce and pace. Bangladesh's spinners were unable to find purchase off the wicket, and the hosts' batting lineup crumbled under the pressure.With just five wickets remaining and two scheduled days of play left, Sri Lanka are on the brink of a comprehensive victory. Rain is forecast for Monday afternoon, but the weather in Sylhet is otherwise conducive for cricket.

The Sylhet pitch has proven to be a refreshing change for Bangladesh, where fast bowlers have traditionally struggled. The presence of live grass on the surface has provided a rare opportunity for pacers to excel, while also allowing batters to play their shots freely.Sri Lanka's fast bowlers capitalized on these conditions, claiming all ten Bangladesh wickets in the first innings of the first Test. This marked the first time Sri Lanka's quicks had achieved this feat since Johannesburg 2021.Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha showcased their skills, consistently bowling on and outside the off stump. Fernando claimed four wickets, including the crucial dismissals of Zakir Hasan and Najmul Hossain Shanto. Rajitha removed Mominul Haque and Taijul Islam, while Kumara accounted for Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Shahadat Hossain.Sri Lanka's fast-bowling coach, Dharshana Gamage, praised his bowlers' discipline and execution. "They bowled really well to get all ten wickets," he said. "There was a bit of help from the wicket as well, but they stuck to their basics and bowled in the right areas."Gamage emphasized the importance of discipline and bowling partnerships. "Our basic plan was to bowl on top of off-stump all day," he said. "We developed good bowling partnerships from both ends, and that's what ultimately led to our success."Gamage also highlighted the efforts of Vishwa, who has been working hard to maintain his fitness and rhythm for Test cricket. "We've worked very hard to bring and keep him at this level," Gamage said. "He works extremely hard to stay sharp and keep his rhythm."Kumara, who was playing his first Test in 12 months, also impressed with his endurance and accuracy. "He has had some injuries in the last few years, but we've worked hard on his workload," Gamage said. "He is in good shape at the moment and showed that he could bowl consistently in the right areas."With Chris Silverwood at the helm, Sri Lanka's fast bowlers have shown a renewed focus on discipline and consistency. While Asitha Fernando is absent, Kumara has staked his claim for a place in the first-choice pace attack alongside Vishwa and Rajitha. The trio will need to continue their impressive performances to help Sri Lanka secure victory in the ongoing Test.

Sri Lanka's Test newcomers Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhananjaya de Silva defied Bangladesh's fast bowlers to forge a remarkable 200-run partnership, rescuing their team from a precarious position.After losing five wickets for just 57 runs, Sri Lanka's hopes seemed bleak. However, Mendis and de Silva stepped up to the plate, becoming only the second Sri Lanka pair to add a 200-run stand after losing five wickets for less than 60.Mendis, playing in just his second Test, showed maturity beyond his years. Despite being dropped on the first ball of his innings, he counter-attacked with a flurry of drives and sixes. De Silva, on the other hand, played a more measured innings, using the fast bowlers' pace and bounce to his advantage.Together, they weathered the storm and gradually rebuilt Sri Lanka's innings. Mendis reached his maiden Test century first, while de Silva followed suit in the same over. Their partnership not only stabilized Sri Lanka's position but also put Bangladesh's bowlers under immense pressure.Mendis's aggressive approach kept the scoreboard ticking over, while de Silva's experience and composure provided the necessary stability. They both played with a positive mindset, taking advantage of any loose deliveries.Mendis's performance was particularly impressive, as he replaced Sadeera Samarawickrama in the Sri Lanka XI and may have earned a permanent spot in the team. His ability to handle pressure and score quickly under difficult circumstances has caught the attention of the selectors.The 200-run partnership between Mendis and de Silva was a testament to their skill, determination, and resilience. It not only saved Sri Lanka from a potential collapse but also gave them a solid foundation to build on in the second innings.