Cricket

Wicket-Keeper No-Ball: A Rare Occurrence in CricketIn a rare turn of events, Northamptonshire wicket-keeper Lewis McManus committed a no-ball in a Vitality T20 Blast match against Somerset. The incident occurred when Somerset's Tom Kohler-Cadmore was on strike and McManus appealed for a stumping. However, replays revealed that McManus' gloves had crossed the line of the stumps before he collected the ball, prompting the third umpire to call a no-ball.According to Law 27.3.1 and 27.3.2 set by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the wicket-keeper must remain wholly behind the wicket at the striker's end until the ball comes into play or until the striker attempts a run. In this case, McManus' gloves were ahead of the stumps before any of these conditions were met, resulting in the no-ball call.The no-ball proved costly for Northamptonshire, as Kohler-Cadmore slammed the free-hit into the stands for six. He went on to score 63 runs, helping Somerset post a total of 215 in 20 overs. Northamptonshire fell 17 runs short in their chase.This type of no-ball is uncommon in cricket, as wicket-keepers are typically careful to avoid crossing the line of the stumps. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to the laws of the game.

England's Jamie Smith etched his name into the history books on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester. The 24-year-old wicketkeeper became the youngest English wicketkeeper to score a Test century, breaking a record that had stood for over 90 years.Smith's magnificent ton came at a crucial time for England, who were struggling at 116/5 in their first innings. The Surrey star showed immense composure and skill, guiding his team to a respectable total of 362. His innings was a testament to his talent and determination, and it earned him widespread praise from both fans and pundits.Smith's century was not only a personal milestone but also a significant moment for English cricket. It marked the emergence of a new generation of wicketkeepers who are not only reliable behind the stumps but also capable of making significant contributions with the bat.After the match, Smith paid tribute to the influence of former England batsman Ian Bell, who is now working as a batting consultant for Sri Lanka. Bell, who played alongside Smith in the recent Hundred competition, provided valuable guidance and support to the young wicketkeeper."Belly has been a great help for me both in the Lions and with Birmingham Phoenix for the last couple of years," Smith said. "The knowledge that he passed on and his willingness to throw balls at me before games when I had an eye on the Test series is something I'm really grateful for."Smith's century was a major highlight in a match that was ultimately won by England by five wickets. The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, and it will be hoping to seal the series in the second Test at Durham.

Dinesh Karthik's All-Time India XI: A Mistake RectifiedFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has clarified his omission of legendary wicket-keeper and captain MS Dhoni from his all-time India XI across formats. Karthik initially left out Dhoni, sparking controversy among cricket enthusiasts.In a recent interview, Karthik admitted that the omission was an oversight. "I made a big mistake," he confessed. "I realized only when the episode came out." He explained that amidst various considerations, he forgot to include a wicketkeeper, leading to the assumption that Rahul Dravid would take on that role."Can you believe being a wicketkeeper, I forgot to have a wicketkeeper? It is a blunder," Karthik added.Karthik, who has played as a wicketkeeper for India, lavished praise on Dhoni, calling him "one of the greatest cricketers to have ever played the game." He clarified that if given the chance to redo his team, Dhoni would be his automatic choice for the No. 7 spot and would be the captain of any Indian team, irrespective of the format.Karthik's all-time India XI across formats features a mix of India's finest talents. The lineup includes Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma as openers, followed by Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the crucial No. 3 and No. 4 positions. Virat Kohli is at No. 5, adding further depth and firepower to the batting lineup.For the all-rounder slots, Karthik chose Yuvraj Singh and Ravindra Jadeja, both known for their match-winning abilities with both bat and ball. The spin department features Ravichandran Ashwin and Anil Kumble, two of India's most successful spinners, while the pace attack is led by Jasprit Bumrah and Zaheer Khan. Karthik also named Harbhajan Singh as the 12th man, recognizing his significant contributions to Indian cricket.Despite the initial mix-up, Karthik's selections underscore his respect for the greats of Indian cricket and highlight the depth of talent the country has produced over the years.

Ishan Kishan, the wicket-keeper batter, is making a strong comeback to red-ball cricket with impressive performances in the Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament. Having been included in the India C squad for the Duleep Trophy, Kishan is determined to regain his place in the Indian team.In the match against Madhya Pradesh, Kishan showcased his exceptional wicket-keeping skills, taking three well-timed catches. His final catch, a stunning diving effort to dismiss Ramveer Gurjar, was the highlight of the day. Kishan's other two catches, off the bowling of Chanchal Rathore and Aditya Singh, demonstrated his presence of mind and quick reflexes.Kishan's return to form is a welcome sign for the Indian selectors, who have been monitoring his progress closely. After a disappointing IPL season with Mumbai Indians, Kishan was left out of the BCCI's central contract list. However, his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad indicates that he is still in contention for a national call-up.The Duleep Trophy, a prestigious domestic tournament, will provide Kishan with an ideal platform to showcase his skills and prove his worth to the selectors. If he continues to perform at a high level, he could earn a recall to the Indian team for the upcoming series against Australia.Kishan's journey back to the Indian setup has been a challenging one. However, his determination and resilience have been evident throughout. With his impressive performances in the Buchi Babu Invitation Cricket Tournament, Kishan has taken a significant step towards achieving his goal of representing India once again.

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."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed the remarkable return of Rishabh Pant and the newfound consistency of Sanju Samson, bolstering India's wicketkeeping options for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pant's resilience in overcoming a harrowing accident was evident in his improved fitness and agility, particularly his wicketkeeping skills. Samson, on the other hand, showcased a remarkable transformation, leading the Rajasthan Royals with consistent performances.Starting with a match-winning 82 not out against Lucknow Super Giants, Samson maintained his momentum throughout the tournament, finishing with 531 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.27. His improved game awareness and leadership skills impressed selectors and team management alike.Samson's consistency earned him a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, pipping experienced wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. However, the debate remains over who will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman between Pant and Samson.Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that Samson's role in the team is as a batter at No. 3, while Pant's left-handedness gives him an edge in the lower order. However, Karim also acknowledges that both players could potentially play in the XI, given their different skill sets.Despite his impressive IPL form, Samson's international record remains modest. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad could be a game-changer for India, providing a reliable option at the top of the order.Whether Samson can cement his place as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Pant remains to be seen. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad is a testament to his newfound consistency and the belief that he can make a significant contribution to India's title aspirations.

Sanju Samson's stellar performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has propelled him to the forefront of India's wicket-keeping options for the T20 World Cup 2024. According to ESPNCricinfo, Samson has emerged as the selectors' preferred choice behind the stumps, surpassing Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul.Samson's consistent batting in the middle order has been a key factor in his selection. With the top four of Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav likely to be set, Samson is the leading contender for the No. 5 role.While Pant has also impressed with his batting, his wicket-keeping has been inconsistent. Rahul, on the other hand, has struggled with the bat, raising doubts about his place in the team.In the middle order, Rinku Singh and Shivam Dube are also in contention. However, Samson's form has given him a significant edge.Hardik Pandya remains a near-certain pick despite his underwhelming performance as Mumbai Indians captain. The lack of viable alternatives makes him an almost automatic selection.In terms of spin-bowling all-rounders, Axar Patel has impressed, but Ravindra Jadeja is still expected to be preferred.The T20 World Cup 2024 squad is expected to be announced in the coming months, and Samson's inclusion as the primary wicket-keeper is a strong possibility. His IPL form has demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest level, making him a valuable asset for the Indian team.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set May 1 as the deadline for teams to announce their squads for the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee is still deliberating over several key decisions, including the backup wicket-keeper, third opener, pace bowling unit, and power hitters.Backup Wicket-keeper:Rishabh Pant is expected to be the first-choice wicket-keeper, but the selectors are undecided between KL Rahul and Sanju Samson as his backup. Rahul has more experience, while Samson has been in excellent form in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Third Opener:Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are likely to open the batting for India, but the third opener's spot is up for grabs. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill have not been in good form, while Rahul and Samson could also be considered.Pace Bowling Unit:Jasprit Bumrah is the automatic choice as the lead pacer, with Mohammed Siraj likely to be his partner. However, Siraj's recent performances have been inconsistent, and Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, and Arshdeep Singh are also in contention.Power Hitters:Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja have struggled in the IPL this season, raising concerns about their form in the middle order. The selectors are considering Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, and Tilak Varma as potential replacements.The BCCI is facing a tough task in finalizing the squad, as there are several talented players vying for a limited number of spots. The team management is prioritizing players who have performed well in the IPL and have the potential to make an impact in the World Cup.

Sanju Samson Emerges as Frontrunner for Wicketkeeper Role in T20 World Cup Squad, Says Navjot Singh SidhuFormer Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has thrown his support behind Sanju Samson as the preferred choice for the wicketkeeper role in the upcoming T20 World Cup squad. Sidhu's endorsement comes after Samson's impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, where he led the Rajasthan Royals to victory over the Lucknow Super Giants.In a conversation with Star Sports, Sidhu praised Samson's exceptional form, stating, "No. 1 is Sanju Samson, on form. This is a different Samson." He highlighted Samson's unbeaten 71 off 33 balls, which overshadowed KL Rahul's impressive 76 off 48 balls.Sidhu acknowledged Rahul's versatility as a batsman, but emphasized that Samson's current form should be the deciding factor. "If India finds themselves in situations where they need a spare opener or No. 4 batter or at No. 6, then you have KL Rahul, who is also in form. But I will still prefer Samson, followed by Rishabh Pant," he said.Sidhu also mentioned Ishan Kishan as a potential contender for the wicketkeeper role, but noted that his absence from domestic games during his international duty had cost him a chance to impress the selectors.With the T20 World Cup squad announcement approaching, Sidhu's insights underscore the importance of form and performance in shaping the final lineup. Sanju Samson's scintillating performance in the IPL has made him the frontrunner for the wicketkeeper position, while KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant remain in contention.