Cricket

Ireland Set to Host Zimbabwe in Historic Test Debut at Civil Service Cricket GroundThe picturesque Civil Service Cricket Ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland, will make its Test debut on Thursday as Ireland welcomes Zimbabwe for the ninth Test match in their history. Ireland, who have won only one of their previous eight Tests, will be aiming to secure a second consecutive victory after their triumph over Afghanistan in March.However, Ireland will be without their star bowler Josh Little, who has been allowed to develop his skills in franchise leagues around the world. In his absence, Mark Adair and Barry McCarthy will lead the Irish attack. For Adair, a native of Northern Ireland, playing a Test in Belfast holds special significance.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, are facing one of their lowest points in international cricket. They have not participated in recent ODI and T20I World Cups and are not part of the World Test Championship. With only two Test wins since 2013, Zimbabwe will need to rely on the experience of captain Craig Ervine and Sean Williams.One player to watch for Zimbabwe is Blessing Muzarabani, a tall fast bowler who has impressed in white-ball cricket. His ability to generate movement in the air and off the pitch could pose a challenge to Ireland's batters.Ireland is expected to make one change from their victory against Afghanistan, with left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys likely to replace Theo van Woerkom. Zimbabwe, with ten new players in their squad, could include Brian Bennett and Johnathan Campbell in their XI.The weather forecast for Belfast predicts rain throughout the five-day Test, which could make batting conditions challenging. However, the venue has been a high-scoring ground in limited-overs matches.

Arshdeep Singh, the young Indian fast bowler who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph, has expressed his eagerness to make his Test debut. Speaking during a visit to Chandigarh University, where he was felicitated for his contributions to the team's victory, Arshdeep stated that he would give his all if given an opportunity to play in the longer format.Arshdeep emerged as India's leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup, claiming 17 wickets in eight matches with an impressive average of 12.64 and an economy rate of 7.16. His best bowling figures in a single match were 4/9.When asked about the possibility of making his Test debut in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series against Australia, Arshdeep said, "As a player, you want to give your 100 per cent no matter what format. This is my thinking too. I would give my best if given a chance."Arshdeep, who made his international debut in 2022, has played 52 T20Is and six ODIs for India. In the shortest format, he has claimed 79 wickets at an impressive average of 19.10, with his best bowling figures being 4/9. When it comes to ODIs, Arshdeep has picked up 10 wickets at an average of 18.40, with his best performance being 5/37.The young fast bowler, who graduated from Chandigarh University, expressed his gratitude towards the institution for their unwavering support and affection throughout his journey, which played a significant role in his rise as an international cricketer.When asked about his sources of inspiration, Arshdeep mentioned that he seeks motivation from various aspects of life, particularly from individuals who are excelling in their respective fields. "As a player, I look for inspiration in everyone, be it a daily wager, a student topping his classes, or a professor. I try getting inspired by the ones doing well in their lives," he added.Arshdeep also urged the youth of the country to work hard, saying that they would get the fruits of their labor. "The message to the youth is that they keep continuing to give their best, controlling what they can. Keep working hard. You will get the fruits of your hardwork," he concluded.India's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy finally came to an end as the Men in Blue emerged victorious against South Africa in a thrilling final at Barbados on June 29. The seven-run win was orchestrated by the brilliant performances of Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah.Kohli's masterful innings of 76 runs propelled India to a competitive total of 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The South African chase, which at one point seemed to be cruising towards victory thanks to a blistering 27-ball 52 by Klaasen, was derailed by the pace duo of Bumrah and Pandya. Their relentless bowling attack restricted the Proteas to 169/8, snatching the match from a losing position and securing a memorable triumph for India.

England's Test squad for the first match against West Indies at Lord's has undergone significant changes, with three debutants set to make their mark. Surrey's Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith will make their Test debuts, while offspinner Shoaib Bashir will play his first home Test.Atkinson, a promising pace bowler, has impressed with his speed and consistency for Surrey. He has been earmarked as a long-term option for England's pace attack, and his selection is a testament to his potential. Smith, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has been in excellent form for Surrey this season, scoring two centuries and averaging over 50 in the County Championship. He will take over the gloves from Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow, who have been dropped from the squad.Bashir, who made his Test debut in India earlier this year, has been rewarded for his impressive performances with a home debut. He has shown great control and accuracy with his offspin, and his selection ahead of Jack Leach indicates England's faith in his abilities.Chris Woakes also returns to the XI after missing the India series. His all-round abilities provide balance to the team, and he is expected to play a key role in England's transitional period with the impending retirement of James Anderson.The England XI for the first Test against West Indies is as follows:1. Zak Crawley2. Ben Duckett3. Ollie Pope4. Joe Root5. Harry Brook6. Ben Stokes (capt)7. Jamie Smith (wk)8. Chris Woakes9. Gus Atkinson10. Shoaib Bashir11. James Anderson

England's Test squad for the upcoming series against West Indies has undergone a significant overhaul, with debutant Jamie Smith set to take over the wicketkeeping duties. The 23-year-old Surrey player has impressed with his batting and wicketkeeping skills, earning him a call-up ahead of established incumbents Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow.The squad also features several other changes, including the omission of Jack Leach, Mark Wood, and Ollie Robinson. Dillon Pennington, another debutant, is likely to compete with Gus Atkinson for a place in the seam attack, while Matthew Potts returns to contention after a year-long absence.Shoaib Bashir has been preferred as the spin-bowling option, despite Somerset allowing Jack Leach to go out on loan. Dan Lawrence is the spare batter, having made an impressive start to the season with Surrey.Smith's selection as Test keeper marks a fresh start for England, who have struggled to find a consistent gloveman in recent years. Smith has averaged over 50 in the County Championship this season and is Surrey's leading run-scorer in the Blast.The absence of Ollie Robinson, who was once seen as the heir apparent to James Anderson and Stuart Broad, is also noteworthy. Robinson has been affected by fitness issues and has been in modest form in the Championship.Instead, Chris Woakes, England's Player of the Series during the 2023 Ashes, is likely to inherit the mantle of attack leader from Anderson. Woakes has the experience in English conditions to help bring through the next crop of seamers, which also includes Atkinson and Potts.Most intriguing is Pennington, who has moved from Worcestershire to Nottinghamshire with the aim of boosting his international prospects. He currently sits joint-second on the Division One wicket-takers' list with 29 at 23.03.England's managing director, Rob Key, said: "The first Test of the summer is always a special moment, but it will be extra poignant with it being Jimmy's last Test before he retires. We all would like to wish him well as he walks out at Lord's for the last time for England."

India's Historic Test Debut: A Journey into the Annals of CricketOn June 25, 1932, the Indian cricket team embarked on a momentous journey, making their Test debut against England at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. This historic match marked a watershed moment in Indian cricket, paving the way for the nation's rise as a formidable force in the sport.The Indian team, led by the legendary C.K. Nayudu, faced a formidable English side captained by Douglas Jardine. Despite the odds stacked against them, the Indian players displayed unwavering determination and resilience.The match was a hard-fought battle, with both teams showcasing their skills and tenacity. India's batting lineup, featuring the likes of Nazir Ali, Wazir Ali, and S.H. M. Colah, put up a valiant fight against England's formidable bowling attack. However, the English bowlers, led by Bill Bowes, proved too strong, dismissing India for 189 in their first innings.In response, England amassed a formidable 454 runs, with Walter Hammond scoring a magnificent century. India's bowlers, including Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh, fought back valiantly, but the English batsmen proved too dominant.In their second innings, India showed great resilience, scoring 275 runs. Nayudu led the charge with a gritty 81, while Nazir Ali and Wazir Ali also made valuable contributions. However, it was not enough to overcome England's lead, and India went down by 158 runs.Despite the defeat, India's performance in their first Test match was a testament to their talent and determination. The team's fighting spirit and unwavering belief in their abilities laid the foundation for India's future success in international cricket.The match also marked the beginning of a fierce rivalry between India and England, which has continued to captivate cricket fans around the world. The Lord's Test of 1932 remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a pivotal moment in the development of the sport in India.

David Johnson, Former Indian Fast Bowler, Passes Away at 52New Delhi, India - The Indian cricket community is mourning the loss of former fast bowler David Johnson, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 52. Johnson, affectionately known as "Benny," had a brief but memorable stint with the Indian cricket team, playing two Test matches in 1996.Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Johnson made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in 1993. He quickly gained recognition for his pace and swing, and was selected to represent India A in 1995. His impressive performances earned him a call-up to the national team for the Test series against South Africa in 1996.Johnson made his Test debut in the second match of the series at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. He bowled with pace and accuracy, taking 2 wickets in the match. He also played in the third Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi, where he claimed 3 wickets.Despite his promising start, Johnson's international career was cut short due to injuries. He retired from first-class cricket in 2000 and pursued a career in coaching. He served as the bowling coach for the Tamil Nadu cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings.Johnson's passing has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble expressed his condolences on Twitter, saying, "Saddened to hear the passing of my cricketing colleague David Johnson. Heartfelt condolences to his family. Gone too soon 'Benny'!"Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Jay Shah also paid tribute to Johnson, tweeting, "Deepest condolences to family and friends of our former Indian fast bowler David Johnson. His contributions to the game will always be remembered."David Johnson's legacy as a talented fast bowler and a dedicated coach will continue to inspire young cricketers in India. His untimely demise is a great loss to the cricketing fraternity.

Lungi Ngidi, the South African fast bowler, has established himself as a formidable force in international cricket since his Test debut in 2018. With 204 wickets across formats, he remains a key cog in the Proteas' bowling attack.Growing up, Ngidi idolized Makhaya Ntini, who coached him at a camp. He also admired Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Vernon Philander, and has had the privilege of playing alongside some of these legends.Ngidi's partnership with Kagiso Rabada has been a cornerstone of South Africa's bowling success. He describes Rabada as one of his best friends, and they have developed a strong on-field chemistry.Among Indian pacers, Ngidi has been impressed by Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav. He acknowledges the skill and consistency of these bowlers.Ngidi has faced some of the world's best batters, including Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Babar Azam, and David Warner. He considers these players to be the biggest challenges he has encountered.Reflecting on his Test debut against India, Ngidi recalls it as a cherished moment. He dismissed Kohli and K.L. Rahul, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.Ngidi's journey with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL has been a memorable one. He won the title in his first season and enjoyed playing alongside legends like M.S. Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Suresh Raina.Beyond cricket, Ngidi enjoys spending time with loved ones and exploring new interests. He plays the piano and is a fan of Kid Cudi.Despite being one of South Africa's strongest sides, they have not played many Tests in recent years. Ngidi expresses his desire to play more Test cricket, as he believes it is the toughest and most rewarding format.

Shoaib Bashir, the young English off-spinner, has had a whirlwind few months since making his Test debut for England in India earlier this year. After taking 17 wickets in his first three Tests, Bashir is now set to make his debut for Somerset in the County Championship.Bashir's journey to the international stage has been a remarkable one. He was released by Surrey as a teenager, but after working hard to improve his skills, he was picked up by Somerset. He made his Test debut in the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam, and took 17 wickets in his first three matches."It's been such a surreal couple of months," Bashir said. "I got picked up from pretty much nowhere -- Somerset came to me out of the blue and so has England as well. I'm just so grateful for the opportunity."Bashir's entry into India was delayed due to visa issues, but he eventually joined the team in the middle of the first Test at Hyderabad. He made his debut in Visakhapatnam, and took 4 wickets in the match."It was quite special," Bashir said. "I remember walking out there and I was shaking -- I was like, 'I'm walking out with Ben Stokes, Joe Root here, this is the experience'."Bashir is now keen to ace the challenge of bowling in England after doing well in India. "I'm still young, I'm still learning the game," he said. "I'm quite excited for what's to come. I know bowling in County Championship conditions in this rain is part of the experience as well. I'm still trying to develop my skills."Bashir is fine with moving to another side on loan to get game time for his development as a young spin bowler. "It's not easy being a young kid and then getting told you're not quite good enough to make it," he said. "Getting up from that and knowing if you want something that bad you want to put in work for it, that's sort of what I did. I really made an effort to improve myself as a cricketer and tried to prove a point."

Dhruv Jurel, the promising wicketkeeper-batter who made his Test debut for India against England, has drawn comparisons to the legendary MS Dhoni from none other than Sunil Gavaskar. However, Jurel remains humble and focused on his own path."Thank you so much Gavaskar sir for comparing me with Dhoni sir. But I want to say personally that no one can replicate what Dhoni sir has done," Jurel said at the 'India Today Conclave'.Jurel recently revealed a valuable piece of advice he received from Dhoni regarding finishing games. "Every wicketkeeper-batter has his designated batting position, and people often criticize players without understanding their job. Batting at No. 7 or No. 8 is always difficult," Jurel told Sportstar."I had a conversation with (MS) Dhoni bhaiya regarding this, and he told me that 'if you bat at No. 7 or No. 8, failures are certain. You need to cut out the noise and not think about what people say. If you manage to win two out of 10 games for your team, that's enough.'"Jurel admitted that Dhoni's words inspired him. "When you bat down the order in a high-pressure situation, you don't know what the bowlers are thinking, and you can't afford to waste time. People often consider wicketkeepers as additional batters, but it's not always easy to bat in tricky situations."Despite the comparisons to Dhoni, Jurel remains focused on his own game. "The competition will be there, but you just need to focus on your game and move on."When asked about his chances of breaking into the Indian team for the T20 World Cup, Jurel was honest and realistic. "I don't see myself anywhere. It has always been a dream of mine (to play in the World Cup for India). But, I won't think about it. If I get that opportunity, good. If I don't get it, fine. It's about scoring runs for me, play good cricket, help my team win. That's all I think, no matter what match is it."Jurel faces competition for the T20 World Cup squad not only from outside but also within his IPL team, Rajasthan Royals. Sanju Samson, one of India's finest wicket-keeper batters in white-ball cricket, will also be hoping to make a strong case for his inclusion.