Cricket

Ollie Pope's resurgence as England's captain continued on Friday as he notched his maiden century in the role during the first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.Pope, playing on his home ground, rediscovered his batting touch, scoring an unbeaten 103 off just 103 balls. His innings propelled England to a strong position of 221-3 at the close of play, despite poor light conditions forcing an early end to the day.Sri Lanka, who trail the three-match series 2-0, won the toss and opted to field first. However, they failed to capitalize on the overcast skies and green-tinged pitch, as England's openers made a solid start.Ben Duckett, who missed out on a century on Friday, struck consecutive fours off Milan Rathnayake's deliveries. However, Dan Lawrence, playing as a makeshift opener, struggled and was dismissed for just five runs.Pope, batting at number three, got off to a positive start, cutting a loose delivery from Rathnayake for four and later hooking a six off Lahiru Kumara. Duckett raced to a brisk fifty in just 48 balls, including seven boundaries.Despite the floodlights being on, the umpires deemed conditions too unsafe to continue and halted play due to bad light. Rain further delayed the match, which resumed at 1410 GMT.Duckett continued his aggressive approach, ramping Kumara for six over fine leg and then uppercutting him high over third man. However, he fell short of his fourth Test century when he mistimed a scoop off Rathnayake and was caught by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal.Pope, 26, had a stroke of luck when a top-edged six off Kumara went his way. He completed his seventh Test hundred - and his first at The Oval - when he elegantly square-drove Asitha Fernando for his 13th boundary.However, bad light once again forced the players off the field, and no further play was possible on Friday.England, who have already secured a 3-0 victory against the West Indies earlier in the season, are now aiming for their first clean sweep in a home Test campaign since 2004.

Pakistan's humiliating Test series defeat to Bangladesh has sparked widespread criticism, with former fast bowler Yasir Arafat launching a scathing attack on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Arafat slammed the PCB for prioritizing one-day matches over red-ball preparation ahead of the crucial Test series against England. He pointed out that Pakistan's bowlers were severely lacking in fitness and technique, and that the team had not played first-class cricket in over a year."This series is ending, and your grey areas have been highlighted," Arafat said. "Fitness issues, technique issues, and pitches. Today I heard Jason Gillespie and the high-performance coach are going back to Australia. You are conducting an ODI tournament. These decisions I don't understand. The PCB is a circus."Arafat's comments come as the PCB considers alternative venues for the Test series against England, with Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) being potential options. The original venue, Karachi National Stadium, is undergoing renovations for next year's Champions Trophy.The PCB's decision to shift the second Test to Rawalpindi was also met with criticism, as the pitch was deemed to be too flat and conducive to high-scoring draws.Pakistan's Test team has now lost four consecutive series, including a 3-0 whitewash against England last year. The team's poor form has put them almost out of contention for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

India's premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has extended his support to Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood amidst the team's recent struggles. Pakistan suffered a historic 2-0 series sweep against Bangladesh, marking the first time they have lost a Test series to their neighbors.Ashwin acknowledged the challenges facing Masood, particularly with the absence of star batter Babar Azam from the leadership group. "Handling a Pakistan team at this point, where somebody like Babar Azam is not the captain and he's the poster boy of Pakistan, it cannot be an easy dressing room," Ashwin said.Despite the criticism directed at Masood, Ashwin believes he possesses the qualities of a capable captain. "Shan Masood is a very smart cricketer. I know that guy. He speaks a lot of sense. He can be a really good captain for Pakistan," Ashwin stated.Ashwin also commended Bangladesh's impressive performance in the series. "Bangladesh have come a long way. I don't take anything away from them. They have got a lot of experience in Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hasan, and they have also got some good young talent," he said.Meanwhile, Ashwin has been rested for the ongoing Duleep Trophy alongside other top Indian players. He is expected to return to action later this month when Bangladesh tours India for a two-match Test series.

Afghanistan has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on March 9 in Greater Noida. The squad features three uncapped players: opening batter Riaz Hassan, offspin allrounder Shamsurrahman, and pacer Khalil Ahmed.In the absence of injured star spinner Rashid Khan, Zahir Khan and Zia-ur-Rehman will spearhead the spin attack. Fast bowler Naveed Zadran, who impressed with a five-wicket haul in the Test against Ireland, has been ruled out due to a side strain.The squad was finalized after a ten-day preparation camp in Greater Noida, where 19 players participated. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and the coaching staff consulted to select the final 16.Ikram Alikhil and Afsar Zazai will compete for the wicketkeeper's role. The squad also includes experienced players like Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, and Abdul Malik.Afghanistan will be eager to make a strong impression against New Zealand, who are ranked sixth in the ICC Test rankings. The match will be a crucial test for the Afghan team, which is aiming to improve its standing in the Test arena.

Ajaz Patel, New Zealand's left-arm spinner, has faced a unique career trajectory. Despite his historic 10-wicket haul in India in 2021, he has struggled to become a regular in the team's playing XI. However, he remains optimistic and is eager to make the most of his opportunities.Patel understands the challenges of being a spinner in a team known for its fast bowlers. He also acknowledges the team's preference for different combinations and conditions. Nevertheless, he admits to some disappointment at not playing more often outside of Asia."It's difficult for all New Zealand spinners," Patel said. "But it breeds more hunger when you come to conditions like this, and you know conditions that are spin-friendly."Despite the limited opportunities, Patel has remained focused on improving his game. He has remodeled his run-up and is constantly seeking ways to develop. He believes that his recent performances have earned him a chance to play more regularly."After the ten wickets, obviously, you're a little bit disappointed because you don't get as many opportunities," Patel said. "But it's still about growing your game and it's an opportunity to develop and grow."Patel is now set to play six Tests in Asia over the next two months. This is a significant opportunity for him to establish himself as a key member of the team. He is excited about the prospect and is eager to learn from Sri Lanka's former ace spinner Rangana Herath, who has joined the New Zealand team on a short-term basis."If you look at me and you look at Rangana, we're pretty similar in terms of our build and body types," Patel said. "So really, really special to have him here and for me, it's a great opportunity to spend some time with him and really understand how he crafted spin bowling."Patel's journey has been a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the challenges, he has remained focused on his goals and is now on the cusp of a major breakthrough.

England, riding high on a 2-0 lead, aims to seal a clean sweep against Sri Lanka in the third and final Test match of the series. The hosts have been in imperious form throughout the series, showcasing the depth of their squad with impressive performances from both established and emerging players.Joe Root has been the talisman for England, leading from the front with his prolific batting. However, the likes of Jamie Smith, Matthew Potts, and Gus Atkinson have also made significant contributions, proving their worth in the international arena.For Sri Lanka, the task ahead is daunting. They have struggled to match England's intensity and skill, and a turnaround in fortunes is imperative if they are to avoid a whitewash. The visitors will need their senior players, such as Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews, to step up and inspire the team.The third Test promises to be an intriguing contest, with England seeking to maintain their dominance and Sri Lanka desperate to salvage some pride. The match will be played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting on June 23.

Joe Root's remarkable form in Test cricket continues to soar, with the England batter etching his name into the history books. In the second Test against Sri Lanka, Root notched up two centuries, surpassing Alastair Cook as England's leading century-maker in the format. With 34 tons to his name, Root now stands as the most prolific English batter in Test cricket.Root's exceptional performance has sparked speculation about whether he can surpass the all-time run-scoring record held by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar amassed an astonishing 15,921 runs in Test cricket, a feat that has remained unmatched for over a decade.Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Root has the potential to break Tendulkar's record. "He has three and a half thousand runs to trail by. He has three years. Unless his back snaps, he is the most enthusiastic lover of the game," Vaughan said. "I don't think he is going to get away. He is no longer the captain and knows his game better than ever before. I'll be amazed if he doesn't."Vaughan also acknowledged the significance of Root's achievement for Test cricket. "If Joe goes past Sachin, it will be the best thing that would ever happen to Test cricket, because there's no way BCCI would want an England player at the top of the list. They'll want an Indian at the top so that will secure Test match cricket because it'll take forever for someone to get past him."Legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, however, expressed caution. "Don't know. How old is he? 33? He's a youngster. I have no idea when his appetite is going to slow down. He is clearly pretty hungry at the moment. But does he have the desire to go on? He is going to phase himself out of white ball completely. Sorry, I will answer that question about Joe after the Ashes next year."Root's journey to the top of England's batting charts has been marked by consistency and resilience. The 33-year-old has amassed over 12,000 Test runs, averaging over 50. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his unwavering determination have made him one of the most respected batters in the world.As Root continues to pile up runs, the debate over whether he can surpass Tendulkar's record will intensify. While the task is undoubtedly daunting, Root's unwavering focus and exceptional talent suggest that he has the potential to achieve the seemingly impossible.

New Zealand's Test squad has enlisted the expertise of Rangana Herath and Vikram Rathour for their upcoming six-Test tour of Asia. Herath, a renowned spin-bowling coach, will guide the team's spinners for the next three Tests, including one against Afghanistan and two in Sri Lanka. Rathour, a former Indian batsman, will join the squad for the Afghanistan Test only.New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating that both Herath and Rathour are highly respected in the cricket world. He emphasized the value of Herath's experience for the team's left-arm orthodox spinners, Ajaz Patel, Mitch Santner, and Rachin Ravindra, who will benefit from his insights on the subcontinent's pitches.Herath's knowledge of Galle, the venue for the two Sri Lanka Tests, will be particularly valuable, as he has taken over 100 Test wickets there. After the Sri Lanka tour, New Zealand will face India in three Tests in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. Only the Afghanistan Test will not count towards the World Test Championship.In addition to Patel, Santner, and Ravindra, New Zealand has offbreak spin options in Michael Bracewell and Glenn Phillips for the Afghanistan and Sri Lanka Tests. The squad for the India Tests has yet to be announced.Herath, with 433 Test wickets, replaces former Pakistan offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq as New Zealand's spin-bowling coach. Rathour, who played six Tests for India, was most recently India's batting coach and a national selector.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. The veteran opener has been spotted working out extensively at the newly renovated gym at the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) headquarters.Sharma, who was exempted from the ongoing Duleep Trophy by the BCCI, is focused on enhancing his fitness ahead of the crucial Test season. India is looking to make a strong start in their red-ball assignments, and Sharma's leadership will be vital in achieving this goal.The 37-year-old was last seen in action during India's three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka in August. Despite his consistent form, India lost the series 2-0, marking Sri Lanka's first ODI series win over India in 27 years.Sharma's focus on fitness underscores his determination to lead from the front in the upcoming Bangladesh series. The veteran opener is known for his class and experience, and his presence in the team will be a major boost for India.The Bangladesh series will be a crucial test for India, as they look to build momentum ahead of the World Test Championship final in June 2023. Sharma's leadership and fitness will be key factors in India's quest for success.