Cricket

West Indies Warm Up for England Test Series with Impressive Batting DisplayAhead of the first Test against England at Lord's on July 10, the West Indies Test squad faced off against the First Class Counties XI in a three-day warm-up match in Beckenham. Despite the absence of fast bowler Shamar Joseph and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie due to flight cancellations caused by Hurricane Beryl, the West Indies put up a strong batting performance.Kavem Hodge led the charge with a spirited 112, while Alick Athanaze (74), Kirk McKenzie (73), and Mikyle Louis (50) all contributed half-centuries. The West Indies posted an impressive 339 in their first innings, setting a solid foundation for the upcoming Test series.Joseph and Motie are expected to join the squad in time for the first Test, bolstering the West Indies' bowling attack. Joseph, who made headlines with his stunning spell against Australia in January, is expected to play a key role alongside Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales.Despite the overcast and windy conditions in Beckenham, the West Indies batsmen remained unfazed, showcasing their resilience and determination. The match provided a valuable opportunity for the team to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the highly anticipated Test series against England.

Legendary Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has expressed his astonishment at the impending retirement of England pace veteran James Anderson, hailing him as the "best ever" fast bowler to grace the sport.Ahead of his final international match on July 10 against West Indies, Anderson has sent out a warning with a devastating seven-wicket haul against Nottinghamshire in the County Championship. Lyon, speaking on the Lancashire Cricket Website, praised Anderson's class and skillset, particularly in English conditions."He showed his class. No disrespect to the other bowlers in this game, but you can see the class of Jimmy and the extra zip he gets off the wicket," Lyon said. "I have said this before, I am very much surprised that England have tapped him on the shoulder. He is class, he is world-class. He's probably the best to ever play the game as a fast bowler."Lyon also shared his unusual experience of encouraging Anderson, his former international rival, as a teammate in the County Championship. "I have obviously seen it on the other side. We had a little moment when we said it feels a bit sick for me to say 'Come on Jimmy' and him saying 'nice Garry'. That was a bit different, but it is the beauty of county cricket I guess and it is pretty special to play with arguably the greatest bowler to ever play the game."Anderson's dominance in the County Championship Division One game was evident as he dismissed six of Nottinghamshire's top seven batters for single-digit scores, reducing them to 40/6. His economy rate of 2.18 and three maiden overs showcased his authority and class.Despite his age, Anderson remains a vital part of the England setup. England men's managing director, Rob Key, confirmed that Anderson will continue as a mentor following his retirement from international cricket."Jimmy will continue in our set-up, and he will help as a bit more of a mentor," Key said. "We're trying to set up an elite coach development programme, which Jimmy wants to do, but we will have a look at the end of the summer."Anderson's final Test match will be played at The Lord's on July 10, marking the end of an illustrious career that has seen him take 700 wickets in 187 Tests.

The recently concluded one-off Test between India and South Africa in Lucknow highlighted the compelling case for more international Tests in the women's game. The match showcased a captivating blend of individual brilliance, gritty performances, and challenging conditions.India's batting prowess was on full display as Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana slammed a double century and a century, respectively, setting the tone for the game. Off-spinner Sneh Rana emerged as the match-winner, claiming a historic maiden ten-wicket haul (ten for 188). Her career-best figures of eight for 77 in the first innings included five of the last six wickets on the third morning.Despite India's comprehensive 10-wicket victory, the match was far from one-sided. The South Africans, despite not playing any multi-day games at home, showed remarkable resilience. After conceding a massive 337-run lead in the first innings, they fought back valiantly in the second.Skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus led the charge with valiant centuries. The Proteas adopted a patient approach, adjusting to the slow nature of the surface and playing on the backfoot. They managed to overhaul India's deficit by 36 runs, forcing the game into the final session on the last day.While India's dominance in Tests was underscored with their third win in seven months, South Africa's performance served as a reminder of the importance of investing in the longer format. The match provided a platform for both teams to showcase their skills and highlighted the need for more competitive opportunities in women's Test cricket.

Virat Kohli's decision to retire from Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) after India's triumph at the ICC T20 World Cup has been hailed as a wise move by his childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma.Sharma believes that Kohli's decision will allow him to focus more on Test cricket, a format he excels in. "He likes Test cricket and he desires to perform more in the Test format," Sharma said. "He has a very good mindset for Test cricket. I believe that he will be able to concentrate more on it and will do well for the country."Kohli's retirement from T20Is comes after a successful career in the shortest format. He has amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 half-tons. In T20 World Cups, he has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, including 15 half-centuries.Sharma believes that Kohli's decision to retire from T20Is is a sign of his maturity and understanding of his own game. "The decision Virat Kohli has taken is a big decision, and he has taken it on a very big occasion when India won the World Cup, and Virat Kohli won the Man of the Match award in the final," Sharma said. "That is the highest point for any player when he says goodbye to a format from such a big stage. So it is a very big decision. I appreciate his decision as he said that he wants to give a chance to the youngsters."Kohli's retirement from T20Is will open up opportunities for younger players to break into the Indian team. It will also allow Kohli to focus on his other commitments, including his role as captain of the Indian Test team.

Player-of-the-match Sneh Rana's unwavering belief and the team's resilience propelled India to a thrilling victory in the one-off Test against South Africa. Despite South Africa's spirited batting display, India remained steadfast in their conviction that they would emerge victorious."We always had positive vibes. There was not a single player who thought the match was slipping away from us. The match was always inclined towards India. Everyone believed we would take the wickets," Rana said after the match.The Indian team's unwavering belief extended beyond the players to the support staff, who shared the same conviction. Rana's satisfaction stemmed not only from the victory but also from the fact that it came against one of the best teams in the world."As far as satisfaction is concerned, there's a lot of satisfaction especially when you beat the best teams; when you give a performance against them at a time when it is needed the most. I think there is nothing more satisfactory than that," she added.Rana acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch, which favored batters more than bowlers. However, she emphasized the importance of adapting to different conditions and using variations in bowling. She also highlighted the need for more Test cricket, believing it to be one of the best formats for women's cricket."I think Test is one of the best formats of cricket. And the more it is played, the better it is for women's cricket. Thanks to the BCCI for organizing multi-day domestic competition. I think that will also help. According to me, there should be at least two Tests (in a series)," she said.

James Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, will join the team's backroom staff as a fast-bowling mentor upon his retirement from Test cricket after the upcoming series opener against the West Indies at Lord's. The 41-year-old is the first seamer and only third bowler to have taken 700 Test wickets, following spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.Anderson's decision to retire from Test cricket stems from England's desire to move on ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes. However, England managing director Rob Key has emphasized the value of Anderson's experience and expertise, stating that he will continue to play a role in the team's setup as a mentor.Key believes that Anderson has a wealth of knowledge to offer English cricket and is keen to retain his services. Anderson's future with Lancashire remains uncertain, but Key expects that his plans will become clearer after the Lord's Test.England have included three uncapped players in their squad for the first two matches of the three-Test series against the West Indies. Jamie Smith has been selected as the wicketkeeper ahead of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes. Smith, who averages over 50 in the County Championship this season, is seen as a promising prospect for the future.Key explained that Smith's selection is based on his potential and the belief that he can develop into a top-class international cricketer. He also consulted with former England wicketkeepers Chris Read, James Foster, and Alec Stewart to assess Smith's suitability for the role.Key acknowledged that Bairstow, who has struggled for form lately, needs to rediscover his previous level of performance. He expressed concerns about Bairstow's ability to withstand the demands of keeping wicket for extended periods in Test matches.Key also addressed the recent defeats in the T20 World Cup and the 50-over World Cup, which have raised questions about the future of England's white-ball captain Jos Buttler and coach Matthew Mott. He stated that he will take his time in making decisions regarding their positions and will assess the team's performance in the upcoming series against Australia.

England's managing director of men's cricket, Rob Key, has made bold selections for the upcoming Test series against West Indies, prioritizing potential over immediate performance. Jamie Smith, a 23-year-old wicketkeeper, and Shoaib Bashir, a 20-year-old spinner, have been handed their Test debuts despite not being first-choice options for their counties.Key defended the selections, emphasizing the need to identify players with high ceilings. He acknowledged the quality of Ben Foakes, Smith's predecessor as wicketkeeper, but expressed a desire for a more dynamic batsman. Foakes' batting on the recent India tour lacked the aggression expected of the current Test team.Similarly, Bashir's selection over Jack Leach, a veteran spinner, was based on his impressive performances in India. Key praised Bashir's character and potential, believing he has the attributes to become a top-class spinner.Key also addressed the absence of Ollie Robinson, a fast bowler who has struggled for form. He warned that Robinson must prove his worth in county cricket to earn a recall, given the abundance of fast-bowling options available.The Lord's Test will mark the retirement of James Anderson, but Key confirmed that the legendary bowler will remain with the squad as a mentor. Key believes Anderson has much to offer English cricket and wants to tap into his experience.

The Indian women's cricket team made history on the opening day of the Test match against South Africa, scoring a mammoth 525 for the loss of four wickets. This was the most runs scored by any team in a day's play in Test history, surpassing the previous record of 509 set by Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in 2022.Openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana led the charge for India, scoring 205 and 149 respectively. Verma's double century was the highest individual score by an Indian woman in Test cricket, while Mandhana's century was her second in the format.South African spinner Delmi Tucker was the most successful bowler for the Proteas, taking two wickets for 141 runs. However, she praised the Indian batters for their stunning performance."We will look back and refresh today, sit down and have discussions about tomorrow. Nothing taking away from their (Indian) batters today; they were phenomenal," Tucker said.The pitch was expected to be spin-friendly, but it played more like a batting paradise on Friday. Misfields and overthrows also added to South Africa's woes.Tucker admitted that the visitors could not execute their strategies well on the day, but she remained optimistic about their chances in the remaining days of the Test."We did try a few things when Smriti and Verma were batting. We switched to around the wicket and changed the field. We were happy with it for some time, but they took it away," she said."We could have definitely been better on the field. Yeah, it's hot out there. Also, overthrows and misfields are not the best of things. But, staying positive and sharp could help in avoiding those misfields."The South African women do not have a proper red-ball setup back home, which has made their task tougher. However, Tucker said they are still learning and improving."We (SA Women) are still young (in) Test cricket, so we are still getting used to it. It's tough unlike T20s and ODIs, but we are still learning," she said."I don't think we did too bad. We did our homework and we knew what was coming."

South Africa's sloppy fielding on the opening day of the one-off Test against India in Chennai on Friday highlighted the team's lack of preparation and attention to detail. The Proteas committed several uncharacteristic errors, including misfields, an unnecessary overthrow, and wayward deliveries down the leg side.The most glaring mistake came from Masabata Klaas, who threw a wild overthrow after Smriti Mandhana knocked a full delivery back to her. The ball sailed over the keeper's head and to the boundary, gifting India four extra runs.Other fielding lapses included a dropped catch by Laura Wolvaardt at slip and a misfield by Anneke Bosch at mid-off. These errors allowed India to build partnerships and put pressure on the South African bowlers.The Proteas' sloppy fielding was compounded by some wayward bowling. Shabnim Ismail, who is known for her accuracy, bowled several deliveries down the leg side, giving India's batters easy scoring opportunities.South Africa's fielding coach, Delmi Tucker, admitted that the team's performance in the field was below par. "It was really hot out there and tough," she said. "Definitely, we could be better on the field. Seeing an overthrow in most fields is not the best. But it's happening. I think with the overthrow, it's just staying positive, keeping everyone alive, just getting it back to the keeper. It just keeps you sharp. But yes, we can be better at it."The Proteas' fielding woes are a major concern, especially considering that they are playing in India, where the conditions are known to be challenging for fielders. If South Africa wants to compete in this Test match, they will need to improve their fielding significantly.