Cricket

South Africa's relentless bowling attack and Keshav Maharaj's record-breaking performance propelled them to a hard-fought 40-run victory over West Indies in Guyana, securing their 10th consecutive Test series win against the Caribbean side.Maharaj, South Africa's leading spinner, claimed five wickets in the match and 13 in the series, surpassing the previous record of 170 wickets held by Hugh Tayfield. His exceptional bowling, coupled with Jayden Seales' career-best 6 for 61 in South Africa's second innings, highlighted the dominance of bowlers throughout the series.Despite a challenging surface for batters, South Africa managed to post a competitive 246 in their second innings, thanks to half-centuries from Kyle Verreynne and Aiden Markram. The 63-run tenth-wicket partnership between Dane Piedt and Nandre Burger in the first innings also proved crucial in setting a challenging target of 263 for West Indies.West Indies' chase began promisingly, but they collapsed to 104 for 6 before a 77-run stand between Gudakesh Motie and Joshua da Silva reignited their hopes. However, Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, South Africa's most reliable bowlers, stepped up to deny the hosts a historic victory.The series was characterized by tough batting conditions, with no centuries scored across the two matches. West Indies struggled to form substantial partnerships in their second innings, while South Africa managed three half-century stands.Overall, the series showcased the resilience and skill of both teams' bowling attacks, who exploited the challenging conditions to their advantage. South Africa's victory not only extended their dominance over West Indies but also earned them valuable points in the World Test Championship 2023-25.

Bangladesh Faces Uncertainty over Mahmudul Hasan Joy's Availability for Pakistan Test SeriesBangladesh's hopes of a strong start to their two-Test series in Pakistan have been dealt a blow with the news that opening batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy has suffered a groin injury. According to ESPNcricinfo, the injury is expected to take around two weeks to heal, putting Joy's participation in both the first and second Tests in doubt.Joy, who is already in Pakistan, played in a four-day game for Bangladesh A against Pakistan A in Islamabad earlier this week. He scored 65 in the first innings but did not bat in the second.The injury is a significant setback for Bangladesh, as Joy has formed a settled opening partnership with Zakir Hasan in recent Tests. Shadman Islam is likely to take Joy's place in the lineup if he is unavailable.Bangladesh's 16-member squad has been training in Lahore and is scheduled to travel to Islamabad on August 17. The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from August 21 to 25, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Karachi Test will be played without spectators due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium.

Jasprit Bumrah: An Advocate for Bowlers in India's Batting-Obsessed CultureIn the realm of cricket, the adage "bowlers win you matches" holds true, especially in the grueling format of Test cricket. India's fast bowling sensation, Jasprit Bumrah, has shattered the narrative that Indian bowlers are merely supporting cast to the team's batting prowess.Despite the country's unwavering adoration for its batsmen and their spectacular strokeplay, Bumrah remains an ardent advocate for the bowlers' role in driving the game. "I understand that our country loves big batsmen, but for me, bowlers drive the game," he asserted in an interview with The Indian Express.Bumrah's unwavering belief in the supremacy of Test cricket stems from his conviction that success in the red-ball format translates into excellence in all other formats. "If I do well in that [Test cricket], all other formats will take care of themselves," said the 30-year-old bowling spearhead, who has amassed 159 wickets in 36 Tests at an astonishing average of 20.69.Bumrah's advocacy for bowlers extends beyond mere words. He firmly believes that the no-ball free hit rule should be abolished. "That no-ball free hit should go away," he stated.Bumrah's unwavering support for bowlers and his exceptional performances on the field have earned him immense respect and admiration. His ability to consistently deliver match-winning spells has transformed the perception of Indian fast bowlers, proving that they can be just as lethal as their batting counterparts.

South Africa's dominance continued on day two of the second Test against West Indies in Guyana, as they extended their lead to 239 runs with five wickets remaining.After dismissing West Indies for 144 in the first innings, South Africa openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar put on a solid 79-run partnership. Markram went on to score 51 before being dismissed by Alzarri Joseph, while Elgar fell for 35 to Jayden Seales.Kyle Verreynne and Keegan Petersen then steadied the innings with a 45-run stand. Petersen was dismissed for 22 by Seales, but Verreynne continued to impress, reaching his half-century off 100 balls.Wiaan Mulder joined Verreynne at the crease and the pair put on an unbeaten 84-run partnership to further strengthen South Africa's position. Verreynne remained not out on 50, while Mulder was unbeaten on 44.For West Indies, Seales was the pick of the bowlers with 3-52, while Motie took 2-61.Earlier, West Indies had fought back in the first innings thanks to a defiant 54* from Jason Holder. The West Indies captain shared a 40-run partnership with Shamar Joseph for the last wicket, which helped them reduce the deficit to 16 runs.However, South Africa's bowlers, led by Lungi Ngidi (4-32) and Marco Jansen (3-49), proved too strong for the West Indies batting lineup.With a substantial lead and five wickets in hand, South Africa are in a commanding position heading into day three. However, West Indies will be hoping to make early inroads with the ball and give themselves a chance of chasing down a challenging target.

John Lever, the English pacer, made an unforgettable debut in the 1976-77 Test series against India. Despite the controversy surrounding the "Vaseline-ball" incident, Lever's performance on the field was remarkable.In his first Test match in New Delhi, Lever registered match figures of 10 for 70, including a half-century with the bat. The conditions were surprisingly cool, and the wickets were relatively flat. However, Lever's swing bowling proved to be effective, and he dismissed key Indian batsmen like Aunshuman Gaekwad and Sunil Gavaskar.Lever's batting performance was equally impressive. Coming in at number nine, he played a crucial role in England's first-innings total. His ability to keep the scoreboard ticking with boundaries to third-man was a testament to his all-round skills.The Vaseline incident, which occurred during the third Test in Chennai, overshadowed Lever's on-field achievements. Lever applied Vaseline to his forehead to prevent sweat from entering his eyes. However, the Indian team accused him of using it to enhance the ball's swing.Despite the controversy, Lever maintained his innocence. He argued that Vaseline does not significantly affect the ball's movement. The incident led to a heated exchange with Indian captain Bishan Bedi, but the two eventually reconciled years later.Lever's career spanned over a decade, and he made a comeback in 1986 to end his career with the Leeds Test against India. He was known for his swing bowling and his ability to bat effectively in the lower order.Over the years, Lever has expressed admiration for swing bowlers like Wasim Akram, James Anderson, and Jasprit Bumrah. He believes that these bowlers have mastered the art of swing and reverse swing, making them formidable opponents.

Gus Atkinson, the standout performer in England's recent ODI series against West Indies, will miss the final of the men's Hundred tournament due to his unavailability for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Atkinson, who claimed 22 wickets in his debut series and was named Player of the Series, has only featured once for Oval Invincibles this year.Invincibles' captain Sam Billings expressed disappointment over Atkinson's absence but acknowledged the ECB's cautious approach to player availability following Ben Stokes' hamstring injury. Saqib Mahmood, who has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, will replace Atkinson in the side.The Invincibles will also be without Spencer Johnson due to injury, but Tom Curran will return after being rested in the previous match. The ECB is taking a cautious approach to England players' availability, with Chris Woakes already withdrawn from the tournament. However, Jamie Smith, Ben Duckett, and Jordan Cox will be available for the weekend's matches ahead of the first Test.Billings emphasized the importance of playing in the Hundred final for young players like Cox, who will gain valuable experience in front of a packed Lord's crowd. Jofra Archer, who has been carefully managed due to previous injuries, is expected to be available for both the eliminator and final if Southern Brave qualify.In the women's Hundred, Chamari Athapaththu will be unavailable for the Invincibles in their eliminator against London Spirit due to her commitments with Sri Lanka's ODI squad in Ireland. Megan Schutt, the Invincibles' fourth overseas player, is likely to feature in her place.

Pakistan's cricket team is undergoing a strategic overhaul ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. The most notable change is the decision to have captain Babar Azam bat at the unfamiliar number four position. This move is part of a broader tactical adjustment by the team management, which aims to solidify the top order and provide stability to the middle order.Azam's usual batting position in limited-overs cricket has been in the top three, but he has experimented with the number four spot in Test cricket before. During Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka in 2022, he batted at number three, and he retained that position for the second Test against England later that year. However, his move to number four for the Bangladesh series suggests a more permanent shift in the team's long-term strategy.The decision to move Azam down the order has opened up opportunities for other players. Abdullah Shafiq's position as opener remains secure, while captain Shan Masood will take on the crucial number three role. This new batting order aims to provide a solid foundation for the team and allow Azam to play a more influential role in the middle order.The series against Bangladesh also presents an opportunity for new talent to emerge. Batsman Muhammad Huraira is a strong contender for a debut appearance, signalling the team management's intent to introduce fresh faces into the Test arena.On the bowling front, Pakistan are expected to capitalize on the anticipated bowler-friendly conditions at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. A three-pronged pace attack comprising Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza is likely to be deployed, with one spinner completing the bowling lineup.The two-match Test series, commencing on August 21st in Rawalpindi, holds added significance as it marks the first assignment for newly appointed Test coach, Jason Gillespie. Gillespie's arrival signals a new chapter for Pakistan's Test cricket, and his guidance will be crucial in shaping the team's approach against Bangladesh and beyond.The second Test, scheduled from August 30th to September 3rd in Karachi, will unfortunately be played without spectators due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium. While the absence of a home crowd might be a slight setback, the team remains focused on delivering a strong performance and securing a series victory against Bangladesh.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes England's Joe Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of Test runs, provided he maintains his current form and hunger for the next four years.Root recently crossed the 12,000-run mark during the Edgbaston Test against the West Indies, becoming the seventh batter to achieve this milestone in Test cricket. He has accumulated 12,027 runs in 143 Tests, with an average of 50.11, including 32 centuries and 63 fifties.Ponting believes that Root's age and current form make him a strong contender to break Tendulkar's record. "He (Root) could potentially do that. He is 33 years of age…(more than) 3000 runs behind," Ponting told The ICC Review."It depends how many Test matches they play, but if they're playing 10 to 14 Test matches a year and if you're scoring 800 to 1,000 runs a year, then that sort of says he's only three or four years off getting there. So that'll take him to 37 (years of age)," said the legendary Australian.Ponting emphasized that Root's hunger for runs and his ability to convert half-centuries into big scores will be crucial in his pursuit of the record. "If his hunger's still there, then there's every chance that he could do it. He is someone that in the last couple of years has got better and better," Ponting said."There's always talk around batters reaching their prime in their early 30s and he's certainly done that. It's been his conversion rates being the big thing," he said.Ponting noted that Root has overcome his previous struggles to convert half-centuries into big scores. "Four or five years ago, he was making a lot of 50s and struggling to go on and make hundreds and he's gone the other way recently," Ponting said."Almost every time he gets to 50 now, he goes on and makes a big hundred. So that's been the real turnaround for him," he added.If Root continues to perform at his current level, he could potentially surpass Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs. However, it will require him to maintain his hunger for runs and continue to convert his half-centuries into big scores.

Jimmy Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, has hinted at a potential return to white-ball cricket after retiring from international red-ball cricket last month. Anderson, who holds the record for most Test wickets for England with over 700 scalps, is considering playing in the Hundred, a 100-ball cricket tournament."I might be in a bit of denial because I'm well aware I won't play for England again, but I've still not made a decision on my actual cricket career," Anderson told the Press Association. "There's definitely a bit of intrigue with the shorter formats because I've not played any franchise stuff before."Anderson, who played 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England, became a Test-match specialist in 2015. However, he believes he still has the skills to compete in white-ball cricket. "Watching The Hundred this year, seeing the ball swing around, it makes me feel like I could do a job there," he said. "I know it's a while since I played it and my age will get brought up again, but I really feel I'll be good enough to play that form of cricket."Anderson's return to white-ball cricket would be a significant boost for the Hundred, which is entering its third season in 2023. The tournament has been praised for its innovative format and its ability to attract top players from around the world.In addition to his potential return to playing, Anderson is also being considered for a mentorship position with the England cricket team. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is keen to tap into Anderson's vast experience and knowledge to help develop the next generation of fast bowlers.Anderson's career has been one of the most successful in the history of cricket. He has taken over 1,000 wickets in all formats and has been a key member of England's Test team for over two decades. His return to white-ball cricket would be a fitting end to a remarkable career.