Cricket

New Zealand and West Indies Set for Thrilling Semi-Final Clash in Women's T20 World CupSharjah, United Arab Emirates - The stage is set for a captivating semi-final encounter between New Zealand and West Indies in the Women's T20 World Cup. Both teams have showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament, earning their place among the final four.New Zealand, led by skipper Sophie Devine, began their campaign with a resounding victory over India. Despite a setback against Australia, they bounced back with consecutive wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan to secure a semi-final berth for the first time since 2016.West Indies, captained by Hayley Matthews, faced an early setback but rallied with three consecutive victories. Their triumph over tournament favorites England in their final group-stage match propelled them into the semi-finals.The two teams have a history of competitive matches, with West Indies holding a slight edge with five wins in 23 T20Is. However, New Zealand has emerged victorious in the last two T20 World Cup semi-finals, in 2012 and 2016.Key Players to Watch:Deandra Dottin (West Indies): Known for her explosive batting, Dottin boasts the highest strike rate (167.30) and most sixes (6) in the tournament. Her quick-fire knocks have been instrumental in West Indies' success.Georgia Plimmer (New Zealand): The 20-year-old opener has made significant contributions at the top of the order for New Zealand. Her quick starts have set the tone for their chases, including a crucial 53 against Sri Lanka.Tournament Dynamics:The average first-innings total in Sharjah has been a modest 119, highlighting the importance of a strong start. Both New Zealand and West Indies possess the firepower to post competitive totals.West Indies will be without Stafanie Taylor, who missed the England game due to a knee injury. Her absence could impact their batting depth. New Zealand, on the other hand, brought in left-arm spinner Fran Jonas for Leigh Kasperek against Pakistan, adding variety to their bowling attack.Prediction:This semi-final promises to be a close and exciting contest. New Zealand's experience and recent form make them slight favorites. However, West Indies' explosive batting and their history of success against New Zealand cannot be overlooked.

Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder for Bangladesh, has expressed his reluctance to travel to Dhaka for the upcoming first Test against South Africa due to ongoing protests against him in the city. Shakib's inclusion in the Bangladesh squad for the Test, which was set to be his final appearance in the format, has sparked controversy.Shakib's concerns stem from the recent arrests of several Awami League leaders, including himself, who was named in an FIR for an alleged murder during unrest in his hometown of Magura. The all-rounder had previously expressed fears for his safety if he returned to Bangladesh.Despite assurances from selectors that he would be granted safe passage, students began protesting Shakib's imminent arrival on Wednesday evening. A group known as "Mirpur Chhatro Janata" informed the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) of their intention to protest Shakib's appearance at the stadium.As a result, Shakib was reportedly advised to remain in Dubai, where he was transiting from New York. Although his flight to Dhaka is scheduled for Thursday evening, it is highly unlikely that he will make the trip.Shakib's absence from the first Test would be a significant blow to Bangladesh's hopes of a positive start to the series. The all-rounder is one of the team's most experienced and influential players, and his presence would have been crucial in the absence of several other senior players.The BCB is facing a difficult situation, as they must balance the safety of their players with the demands of the protesters. It remains to be seen whether Shakib will eventually travel to Dhaka or if he will be forced to miss the Test altogether.

Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket continued in 2024, as he was dismissed for a duck in the first innings against New Zealand. Despite his poor form, Kohli's decision to promote himself to No. 3 in the batting order due to Shubman Gill's absence drew praise from former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.Manjrekar hailed Kohli's willingness to sacrifice his usual No. 4 slot, claiming that it set him apart from legendary players like Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. According to Manjrekar, Tendulkar and Ganguly were reluctant to move up the order in Tests, unlike Kohli."Hats off to Virat Kohli!" Manjrekar posted on social media. "Coming out to bat at no. 3 because the team needed it. Ganguly, Tendulkar were very keen to open in white ball cricket, but never wanted to go up the order in Tests. That's a true champion right there for you!"However, Manjrekar also criticized Kohli's aggressive approach from the first ball, which he believes has contributed to his recent struggles."Have said this before will say it again," Manjrekar tweeted. "Virat has compounded his problems by wanting to be on the front foot to every ball. No matter the length. Today's dismissal ball could have been comfortably tackled off the back foot."Manjrekar's comments sparked a debate about the batting positions of Tendulkar and Ganguly. While Tendulkar primarily batted at No. 4 in Tests, Ganguly had a significant number of innings at No. 3 earlier in his career.Tendulkar scored the vast majority of his Test runs at No. 4, with only 15 runs coming from the top three positions. Ganguly, on the other hand, scored 752 of his 7,212 Test runs at No. 3, while only 11 runs came as an opener.Ultimately, the decision of whether to move up the order in Tests is a personal one for each player. While some, like Kohli, are willing to sacrifice their preferred position for the benefit of the team, others may prefer to stay in their comfort zone.

India's Slip-Up: Missed Chance Haunts Bowlers in Bengaluru TestIndia's bowlers were dealt a cruel blow on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru when a glaring fielding error allowed New Zealand captain Tom Latham to escape unscathed.With India reeling from a dismal 46-run first innings total, their bowlers desperately needed early wickets to claw their way back into the match. In the 13th over, Mohammed Siraj delivered a short-of-length delivery that induced an edge from Latham's bat. The ball flew towards the slips, where Virat Kohli and KL Rahul were stationed at first and second slip, respectively.To the astonishment of everyone, both fielders hesitated and the ball slipped through their grasp, racing to the third man fence. The catch was a routine one at the international level, and the lapse in concentration proved costly for India.Rahul, who had earlier scored a duck with the bat, later suggested that he had not spotted the ball well. However, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was commentating on the match, suggested that the revamped slip cordon, due to the absence of Shubman Gill, may have contributed to the missed chance.India captain Rohit Sharma, already facing criticism for his decision to bat first after winning the toss, was visibly frustrated by the fielding error. He threw his arms in disgust, expressing his disappointment with the team's performance in the field.The missed chance proved to be a turning point in the match, as Latham went on to score a crucial 95 runs, helping New Zealand build a substantial lead. India's bowlers toiled hard but were unable to make further inroads into the New Zealand batting lineup, and the visitors eventually declared their innings at 348/10.India's fielding woes continued throughout the match, with several other dropped catches and misfields. The team's poor fielding performance added to their batting woes, leaving them in a precarious position as they head into the second innings.

With Cameron Green's back injury and Steven Smith's return to the middle order, Australia's Test selection plans for the summer have undergone significant changes. Several players are vying for a spot in the squad, with a combination of Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches providing opportunities to impress.Top-Order Contenders:Marcus Harris, despite a strong start to the season, faces competition from Cameron Bancroft, who has consistently performed in the Shield. Sam Konstas, a promising 19-year-old, has also emerged as a potential candidate. Matt Renshaw, a former Test player, remains in contention despite being overlooked for the Australia A squad.Allrounder Options:With Green's absence, the search for a like-for-like replacement is unlikely. Beau Webster, a Tasmanian allrounder, has impressive batting and bowling numbers. Aaron Hardie, another emerging allrounder, will have opportunities to showcase his skills in the ODI and T20I series against Pakistan.Reserve Batter:Nathan McSweeney, the South Australia captain, is highly regarded for his run-scoring and leadership. He could be considered as a reserve batter, potentially opening up the possibility of an incumbent moving up the order.Bowlers:Scott Boland and Michael Neser are the frontrunners to provide backup to the established pace trio. Sean Abbott, who has previous Test experience, could also be in contention due to his batting depth.Upcoming Matches:The Sheffield Shield and Australia A matches will provide crucial opportunities for players to stake their claim. Harris will face a stern test against New South Wales, while Konstas will take on Scott Boland at the MCG. Webster and Hardie will feature in the Australia A series, where strong performances could enhance their chances of a Test call-up.

Anil Kumble's Broken Jaw: A Testament to Cricket's ResilienceCricket, a sport that demands both physical and mental fortitude, has witnessed countless instances of players exhibiting extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity. One such iconic moment occurred during the 2002 India tour of the West Indies, when legendary spinner Anil Kumble played through a broken jaw.On October 17, 2002, during the second Test match at Antigua, Kumble was struck by a bouncer from Mervyn Dillon while batting. The impact fractured his jaw, causing immense pain and discomfort. Despite the excruciating injury, Kumble's determination to contribute to his team remained unwavering.With his face heavily bandaged, Kumble returned to bowl in the second innings. His grit and determination were evident as he bowled 14 consecutive overs, showcasing his unwavering spirit. The highlight of his heroic effort came when he dismissed West Indies legend Brian Lara, a testament to his skill and resilience.Kumble's courageous act was widely praised by the cricketing fraternity and beyond. It exemplified the toughness and fighting spirit that cricketers bring to the game, often putting their bodies on the line for their teams. Despite the match ending in a draw, Kumble's actions left a lasting impression as a symbol of resilience and dedication.After this heroic effort, Kumble was flown back to India for surgery. The incident solidified his legacy as one of cricket's fiercest competitors, a player who never shied away from adversity. His broken jaw became a symbol of the indomitable spirit that drives cricketers to push their limits and perform at their best.

The Hundred, England's new 100-ball cricket competition, has attracted a wider range of potential investors than anticipated ahead of Friday's first-round deadline for bids. The ECB's senior leadership team expressed confidence in the Hundred's projected valuations, particularly the overseas broadcast rights, which are expected to jump from £2 million per year to £33 million by 2030.The ECB sent investment prospectuses to around 100 interested parties last month, who were given until October 18 to register their initial interest in buying a stake in one of the eight Hundred teams. The teams are currently owned by the ECB but will become franchises run as joint-ventures with host counties once the sale process is complete.ECB chief executive Richard Gould and chair Richard Thompson defended the projected increase in revenue from Indian broadcast rights, despite concerns raised by some prospective investors. Gould emphasized that the ECB is not assuming that Indian men's players will be released to participate in the Hundred, but remains confident in the product's appeal."We are confident in our product, in terms of the window we occupy and the players we've got available," Gould said. "There are loads of T20 and short-format franchise competitions out there at the moment, and I don't think they are all going to last, in truth."Gould revealed that "about 100 or so" interested parties had requested access to the ECB's "data room," including significant interest from India, America, and other sports and investment houses. He added that the ECB is aiming to maximize the value of the franchises while ensuring that the game's interests are protected."We're getting towards the end of stage one this week… at the moment, they can express an interest in all eight clubs," Gould said. "We'll have a better indication over the next week or two. Thereafter, we'll spend a month or so going through those. At the end of that process, they will be able to go and meet the county clubs and see where their relationships work best."Thompson emphasized that the investment base for the Hundred is "way broader and bigger" than expected, with Raine Group initially estimating three to four bidders per team. However, the ECB is not rushing the sale process and may consider a "hybrid" model in 2025, with some teams still owned by the ECB and others by private investors.

India's Humiliating Collapse: Lowest Test Total at HomeThe Indian cricket team endured a catastrophic collapse on Thursday, registering their lowest-ever Test total at home against New Zealand in Bengaluru. After rain washed out the opening day, India opted to bat first in overcast conditions, a decision that proved disastrous.The Indian batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure of New Zealand's pace attack. Five batters—Virat Kohli, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and R Ashwin—were dismissed for ducks, while openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal managed only 2 and 13 runs, respectively.Rishabh Pant emerged as the top-scorer with a meager 20 runs, highlighting the team's abysmal performance. The collapse sparked widespread criticism on social media, with fans and pundits calling for the return of veteran batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara.At lunch, India was reeling at 34 for 6, and their slide continued after the break. R Ashwin and Pant fell in quick succession, followed by Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, who contributed only 1 and 2 runs, respectively.The humiliating collapse has raised serious questions about India's batting depth and the team's ability to perform under pressure. The selectors' decision to move on from Rahane and Pujara has come under scrutiny, as the younger players have failed to live up to expectations.

Anil Kumble's Commentary Anecdote: A Close Call Before 300th Test WicketIndian bowling legend Anil Kumble, celebrating his 53rd birthday today, shared a captivating anecdote from his playing days while commentating on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Kumble, who hails from Karnataka, recalled an incident that nearly prevented him from reaching a significant milestone on his home ground. In December 2001, he was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in the nets ahead of a Test match against England."I was at 299 wickets and on the verge of reaching a milestone on my home ground," said Kumble. "A day before the match, I was bowling to Sachin in the nets. We generally don't go to pick up the ball until the other bowler has delivered, but somehow I went in after Sachin had played a shot off my last delivery."What happened next was a moment of panic for Kumble. "While I was picking up the ball, Harbhajan (Singh) had bowled a delivery to Sachin, which he drove fiercely and the shot ended up hitting me smack in the ribs. Sachin was like 'yeh maine kya kar diya, iska to home ground hai, iska 300 to gaya (what have I done; it's his home ground, his 300th wicket is surely gone now)," narrated Kumble."Luckily, nothing happened. I played the match and went on to complete my 300 wickets at my home venue (M Chinnaswamy Stadium)."Kumble became the first Indian spinner to take 300 Test wickets. He ended his career with 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs.One of Kumble's most memorable achievements was taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999. This feat, known as a "perfect 10," is considered one of the greatest bowling performances in cricket history.Kumble's commentary anecdote not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit that existed within the Indian team during his playing days.