Cricket

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that the Afghanistan men's cricket team will face New Zealand in a one-off Test match from September 9-13 at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India. This historic encounter will mark the first time Afghanistan and New Zealand have met in the longest format of the game.Afghanistan has made significant strides in Test cricket since gaining full membership of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2017. They have won three Test matches to date, against Ireland (2019), Bangladesh (2019), and Zimbabwe (2021).ACB Chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his delight at hosting New Zealand for the first time in a Test match. He said, "We are delighted to host a quality New Zealand Test team for the first time in our cricketing history. This is a testament to the hard work we have put in through numerous discussions and meetings with different boards on the sidelines of the various ICC Board Meetings."Ashraf also expressed hope for future bilateral white-ball matches against New Zealand. "The Black Caps are an outstanding all-format team in world cricket, and we hope to reach an agreement with New Zealand Cricket for white-ball bilateral matches in the future," he said.The match will also mark Afghanistan's return to international cricket at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, which has been designated as one of the venues for Afghanistan's home games following an agreement with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).New Zealand will arrive in Greater Noida on September 5 for a three-day conditioning camp ahead of the Test match. They will then face India in a three-Test series starting on October 16 in Bengaluru.Meanwhile, Afghanistan will head to New Delhi in late August for a one-week training and preparation camp. In their two Tests played this year, Afghanistan lost to Sri Lanka and Ireland, with their last win in the longer format coming in 2021 over Zimbabwe in Abu Dhabi.

Zimbabwe will make history as the first country to receive a "touring fee" from the host board in bilateral cricket when they visit England for a two-Test series in the summer of 2025. This groundbreaking development was announced by ECB chief executive Richard Gould, who has been advocating for measures to address the financial disparities among Full Member nations and maintain the quality of Test cricket.Gould's proposal, which he initially presented in 2022, calls for host boards to compensate touring teams. He believes this will help offset the significant revenue gap between wealthier boards like the ECB, BCCI, and Cricket Australia, and those from smaller nations."There's a huge responsibility for the ECB and other financially strong boards to ensure Test cricket remains competitive," Gould stated. "The current revenue-sharing model is outdated and needs to be revised."The escalating costs of maintaining Test cricket in smaller countries, where broadcasting rights have become less valuable, have raised concerns about the sustainability of the format. CWI CEO Johnny Grave has criticized the ICC's revenue-sharing model, arguing that it has failed to support weaker boards.Gould expressed sympathy for boards like CWI and emphasized the need to find solutions to keep them competitive. "We've had conversations with the West Indies about providing assistance," he said. "It's not just about money; there are other ways to support them, such as organizing additional tours or providing opportunities for their players to gain experience in different conditions."ECB chair Richard Thompson has also highlighted the importance of ensuring a strong level of competition for both men's and women's teams. He noted that only 4% of the ECB's annual income comes from ICC revenue distribution, with the majority derived from bilateral cricket broadcast rights."We need to share the value that the game creates to keep Test cricket strong," Thompson said. "It's an accepted principle, and we're exploring different tactics to achieve it."The ECB's decision to pay a touring fee to Zimbabwe is a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges faced by smaller cricket nations. It sets a precedent that could lead to a more equitable distribution of resources and help maintain the health and competitiveness of Test cricket worldwide.

Zimbabwe's erratic bowling and fielding gifted Ireland a 40-run lead in the first Test in Belfast. Peter Moor, a former Zimbabwean, tormented his former team with a record-breaking 79, the highest Test score by an Ireland opener.Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to contain Moor and his opening partner Andrew Balbirnie, who set a new Ireland record for the highest opening partnership of 71. Moor's innings was characterized by his aggressive square drives, helping Ireland reach 115 for 2 at lunch.However, Zimbabwe's fortunes turned after the break. Tanaka Chivanga and Blessing Muzarabani claimed three wickets each, including the prized scalp of Moor. Paul Stirling survived a no-ball but failed to capitalize, as Muzarabani triggered a collapse with two wickets in two balls.Ireland's middle order crumbled, with Sean Williams and Victor Nyauchi also contributing to the wickets. Zimbabwe seemed poised to take a first-innings lead, but a defiant tenth-wicket partnership between Andy McBrine and debutant Matthew Humphreys denied them.The pair counterattacked after a rain break, smashing 47 runs in 44 balls. Zimbabwe's wicketkeeper Clive Madande endured a challenging day, dropping catches and conceding a record-breaking 59 extras, the most in Test history.Despite their poor bowling and fielding, Zimbabwe's openers, Kevin Kasuza and Takudzwanashe Kaitano, showed resilience in the final session, adding 12 runs before stumps. Ireland's lead remains a modest 28 runs, but Zimbabwe will need to improve their discipline and execution to avoid a deficit.

Jonny Bairstow, the England wicketkeeper-batter, has acknowledged the toll that an extended period of international cricket has taken on him. After losing his place in the Test team, Bairstow expressed his desire to continue playing for England but admitted that the demands of playing all three formats and the IPL had necessitated sacrifices.Bairstow emphasized the importance of the break he has taken since returning from the T20 World Cup. "It was a much-needed break," he said. "It was nice to spend time at home, get away from cricket, and catch up with family."Bairstow was the only England player to participate in all four major tournaments this year: the 50-over World Cup, the Test series in India, the IPL, and the T20 World Cup. While he scored a century for Punjab Kings in the IPL, his form in other competitions was inconsistent."I had the best part of seven months away from home since January," Bairstow said. "That's the scheduling of the game. That's being lucky enough to be a part of all three formats, but it also means sacrificing time at home."Bairstow's absence from the Test squad for the West Indies series has raised questions about his future in the team. However, he remains determined to regain his place. "I think you know me well enough to know that all I want to do is play for England," he said.Despite his recent struggles, Bairstow believes he has a point to prove. "I've been around long enough," he said. "It's a case of just playing some cricket, scoring some runs, and winning the game."

Afghanistan, the rising stars of international cricket, are set to face the formidable New Zealand in a historic one-off Test match in September. This highly anticipated encounter will mark the first time these two nations have clashed in the longest format of the game.The match will be played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground in India, a venue that has previously served as Afghanistan's adopted home ground. This will be Afghanistan's 10th Test match, and their third in 2024, the most they have played in a single calendar year.The Test is scheduled to take place from September 9 to 13, approximately one month before New Zealand's three-Test tour of India. Prior to the Afghanistan Test, New Zealand will embark on a Test series in Sri Lanka, with dates yet to be announced.This encounter holds significant importance for Afghanistan, as it will provide them with an opportunity to test their mettle against one of the world's top cricketing nations. Afghanistan has a commendable 3-6 win-loss record in their first nine Tests, with their last victory coming against Zimbabwe in March 2021.In their two Tests so far in 2024, Afghanistan has faced defeats against Sri Lanka and Ireland. They also lost their one-off Test in Bangladesh last year. Despite these setbacks, Afghanistan remains a formidable opponent, eager to prove their worth on the international stage.Following the New Zealand Test, England, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa will be the only countries to have not yet played against Afghanistan in a Test match. Australia had previously withdrawn from hosting Afghanistan in a Test in 2021 due to humanitarian concerns.The Afghanistan-New Zealand Test match promises to be a captivating spectacle, showcasing the skills and determination of both teams. Afghanistan will be looking to make a statement against a world-class opponent, while New Zealand will be aiming to maintain their dominance in the Test arena.

South Africa's Test team embarks on a crucial period in their World Test Championship (WTC) campaign, traveling to the Caribbean for a series of four two-match series. Despite a disappointing start to their WTC journey, with only four Tests played and a single victory, the Proteas aim to turn their fortunes around.Captain Temba Bavuma, returning from injury, acknowledges the challenges facing the team, including a lack of consistent game time and player management issues. However, he remains optimistic, emphasizing the need to establish a clear philosophy and blueprint for success.The team's bowling attack has been depleted by the absence of Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee, leaving Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Dane Paterson with the responsibility of leading the charge. The batting lineup also features several inexperienced players, including Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and David Bedingham.Bavuma, who will bat at No. 4, recognizes the importance of anchoring the lineup and providing impetus. He believes the upcoming series provides an opportunity for younger players to establish themselves on the international stage.The Proteas will face a West Indies Invitational XI in a four-day warm-up match before the first Test begins on August 7. The series is crucial for South Africa's WTC aspirations, as they aim to secure victories and improve their position on the points table.

West Indies' resilience faces a stern test as they head to Edgbaston for the third Test against England. Despite a valiant effort at Trent Bridge, the visitors collapsed dramatically, losing ten wickets in 23.1 overs to hand England a resounding victory.The series has been marked by goodwill and a desire for a competitive contest, but the structural issues facing West Indies have become increasingly apparent. Their batting has struggled to produce substantial scores, with no player managing a half-century in their last three innings.England's aggressive approach to Test cricket has been met with mixed reactions. While it has brought excitement and unpredictability, it has also raised questions about the future of the traditional format. The scheduling of the Hundred during the Test season has further fueled concerns about the game's pre-eminence.Ollie Pope, despite scoring 229 runs in three innings, is still seeking to regain his composure after a recent form slump. Mikyle Louis, West Indies' first Test cricketer from St Kitts, has shown promise but is yet to make a significant contribution.England have named an unchanged squad and XI for the Edgbaston Test. Mark Wood, despite his impressive performance at Trent Bridge, will continue to lead the bowling attack. West Indies are expected to recall Gudakesh Motie to their spin attack.The pitch at Edgbaston is expected to be flat, with a par score of around 400. West Indies have a decent record at the venue, winning four of their ten previous Tests. However, they have lost their last two visits, in 2004 and 2017.Jayden Seales needs three more wickets to reach 50 in Tests, while Joe Root is 14 runs away from overtaking Brian Lara at No.7 in the all-time Test run-scorers list.

Australia's multi-format stars will have their most extensive red-ball preparation for a summer in five years, with up to four Sheffield Shield matches to hone their skills before the Test series against India.Cricket Australia's domestic summer schedule, announced on Thursday, includes a new women's T20 competition before the WBBL. The Sheffield Shield and men's one-day cup will each feature seven matches, as in recent seasons.However, for the first time in a while, multi-format players will have a prolonged stretch of Shield games to prepare for the Test team's bid to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Australia's last overseas white-ball commitment this year is on September 29 in England, giving players a week before the Shield season begins on October 8. Even if fast bowlers are rested from the first round, each state will play three more fixtures before players enter camp for the first Test against India starting November 22.Pat Cummins is skipping the entire limited-overs tour of the UK in September, while Mitchell Starc will only play in the ODI series against England. Josh Hazlewood is included in both formats.While Starc played for NSW during the 2020-21 bubble, Cummins and Hazlewood have not played Shield before the first Test since November 2019. Mitchell Marsh has only played two Shield matches since 2019.The availability of multi-format players for the Shield may be affected by Pakistan's limited-overs tour, with the ODI series starting on November 4. The proximity of the T20Is (November 14-18) to the start of the India series means only players not featuring in the Test will likely be selected.The glut of Shield matches will also provide opportunities for Matt Renshaw, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Bancroft to push their selection claims.While Australia's Test team is largely settled, they may consider taking a reserve batsman into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Chief selector George Bailey said in March that there was no longer a clear frontrunner to replace Steven Smith or Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, after Renshaw, Harris, and Bancroft missed out on national contracts.Bailey has indicated that a specialist opener will eventually replace Smith or Khawaja in the long term, after Smith moved into the role to replace David Warner last summer.Six Shield rounds will be played before the BBL break, followed by four more matches for each state in February and March. Shield fixtures will again be interwoven with the one-day cup, which starts on September 22, with Western Australia aiming for a fourth consecutive title in both competitions.The Shield final will take place between March 26-30, while the 50-over finals will be held on consecutive days - the Marsh Cup on March 1 and WNCL on March 2.The 50-over WNCL tournament, where Tasmania is bidding for a hat-trick of titles, again has 12 matches per team, while the newly introduced T20 series for women includes four games each due to the shortened WBBL.Each of the eight WBBL teams will participate, as well as the ACT Meteors, with the tournament running while Australia's big-name players and overseas stars are in Bangladesh for the T20 World Cup.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is on the road to recovery from an ankle injury that has kept him out of competitive cricket since the ODI World Cup 2023. The 33-year-old pacer has undergone surgery for Achilles tendon and has recently resumed bowling practice.Shami's return to fitness is a significant boost for Team India, who are preparing for a busy schedule of white-ball and Test matches. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar has confirmed that Shami has started bowling and is targeting a return to the Indian team for the first Test against Bangladesh on September 19."We more or less know who the guys are, there are some injuries at the moment and hope they will be back. Shami has started to bowl, which is a good sign. September 19 is the first Test (against Bangladesh) and that was always the goal. I don't know if that is his timeline for recovery, will have to ask the guys at the NCA about that," Agarkar said in a press conference.Agarkar also emphasized the importance of building depth in the Test team, especially with the upcoming series against Bangladesh and Australia. "There are so many Tests coming. We will need some depth. Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj have been around for a while, these are the obvious ones. But there will be some conversation around it. Got a lot of first-class cricket coming up so we can build guys up like that," he said.Shami's return will provide a much-needed boost to India's bowling attack, which has been weakened by injuries to Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The pacer's ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace will be crucial for India's success in the upcoming Test series.