Cricket

Sydney Sixers' Amelia Kerr and Ellyse Perry orchestrated a remarkable six-run victory over Melbourne Stars in a thrilling WBBL encounter at Junction Oval.Kerr, making her Sixers debut after recovering from a quad injury, played a pivotal role in the chase, scoring an unbeaten 46 from 41 deliveries. Her innings included five boundaries, providing crucial momentum for the Sixers. Perry, the Australian captain, remained unbeaten on 48 from 44 balls, hitting six boundaries to guide her team to victory.The Sixers' chase began with a setback as Kim Garth dismissed Sarah Bryce in the second over. However, Kerr's arrival at the crease sparked a resurgence. She formed a formidable partnership with Perry, taking the game away from the Stars.Kerr's all-round brilliance extended to the bowling department, where she claimed two wickets. She dismissed Stars' top-scorer Annabel Sutherland in the final over and also accounted for Tess Flintoff two balls later.English spinner Sophie Ecclestone was the standout performer for the Sixers with the ball, claiming 3 for 19 from four overs. Her economical spell played a significant role in restricting the Stars' total.The result leaves both Melbourne teams with losses heading into their Saturday derby at Junction Oval, while the Sixers improve to a 3-2 record.

Ravi Shastri Recalls Extravagant Eating and Drinking Habits During Playing DaysFormer India head coach Ravi Shastri has shared some amusing anecdotes from his playing days, revealing the excessive eating and drinking habits he and his teammate Sandeep Patil indulged in during international tours.At the launch event of Patil's autobiography, "Beyond Boundaries," Shastri reminisced about their voracious appetites. "We used to get much more money than any of the Test cricketers get today," he said. "We were one pair (Shastri and Sandip Patil) that never took home any money. We would eat like pigs."Shastri recalled an incident where the room service staff was astonished by the sheer quantity of food they had ordered. "We were never short of liquid as well," he added. "We were thirsty from a very young age. The game used to end at 5.30 and by 6.30 wet wicket would start."Despite their extravagant lifestyle, Shastri and Patil were highly successful cricketers. Shastri played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India, scoring close to 7000 runs and taking 280 wickets combined. Patil, known for his aggressive batting, played 25 Tests and 45 ODIs.After retiring from playing, Shastri embarked on a successful career as a commentator and later served as India team director and head coach. Under his leadership, India achieved two historic Test series wins in Australia.Shastri's candid nature and willingness to share his experiences have made him a popular figure in the cricket world. His anecdotes provide a glimpse into the camaraderie and excesses that characterized the golden era of Indian cricket.

Suryakumar Yadav's Culinary Debut: Introducing India's Newest T20I StarsAhead of India's T20I series opener against South Africa, captain Suryakumar Yadav donned the chef's hat to introduce two exciting new additions to the team: bowler Vyshak Vijaykumar and batsman Ramandeep Singh. In a novel and engaging video shared by the BCCI, Yadav, affectionately known as SKY, showcased the players as if they were ingredients in a culinary masterpiece."Captain & Chef SKY introduces two new faces/dishes to the team menu. Ready to serve," read the caption accompanying the video. "SKY like never seen before," it added.Both Vijaykumar and Singh are uncapped players eager to make their international debuts in the four-match T20I series. The series kicks off on Friday at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban, with the remaining matches scheduled for November 10 (Gqeberha), November 13 (Centurion), and November 15 (Johannesburg).Yadav's culinary analogy aptly captured the anticipation surrounding the debutants. Vijaykumar, a left-arm pacer, has impressed with his pace and accuracy in domestic cricket. Singh, on the other hand, is a hard-hitting batsman known for his aggressive style of play.The introduction of these young talents is a testament to India's commitment to nurturing and developing future stars. The T20I series against South Africa provides an ideal platform for Vijaykumar and Singh to showcase their skills and stake their claim for a permanent spot in the national team.As India embarks on this new chapter in its T20I journey, the culinary metaphor employed by Yadav serves as a reminder of the team's hunger for success and its willingness to experiment with new ingredients. The addition of Vijaykumar and Singh brings fresh energy and excitement to the squad, and fans can expect a tantalizing blend of experience and youthful exuberance on the field.

West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has been handed a two-match suspension for storming off the field during the series-clinching ODI win over England. The incident occurred during Wednesday's game at Kensington Oval in Barbados, shortly after Joseph took the wicket of Jordan Cox in the fourth over.Joseph's departure left West Indies briefly down to 10 players before he returned for the sixth over. Cricket West Indies (CWI) has since released a statement condemning Joseph's behavior, stating that it "fell short of CWI's standards of professionalism.""Alzarri's behavior did not align with the core values that Cricket West Indies upholds," said CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe. "Such conduct cannot be overlooked, and we have taken decisive action to ensure the gravity of the situation is fully acknowledged."Joseph has since apologized for his actions, saying that "my passion got the best of me.""I have personally apologized to captain Shai Hope and my teammates and management," said Joseph. "I also extend my sincerest apologies to the West Indies fans. I understand that even a brief lapse in judgment can have a far-reaching impact, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused."The suspension means that Joseph will miss the remaining two ODIs of the series against England. It is a significant blow to the West Indies, who are looking to build on their series win.Joseph's suspension is a reminder of the importance of maintaining professionalism on the field. Players are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the values of the sport and their team. Joseph's actions have not only let down his team but also the fans who support them.

Suryakumar Yadav, India's T20I captain, addressed the media ahead of the first T20I against South Africa on Thursday. One of the key questions he faced was regarding the absence of Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad from the Indian T20I side.Gaikwad has emerged as one of the finest batters in recent times, impressing with his performances in both red-ball and white-ball cricket. However, he continues to be overlooked for national selection.Suryakumar acknowledged Gaikwad's talent and consistent performances but emphasized the need to respect the team management's process. He highlighted that there are many deserving players who have been performing well and that the management has a specific routine or process for giving them opportunities."Rutu (Ruturaj) is a fantastic player. He has been performing consistently across all formats, wherever he plays. There are a lot of players who have been performing well even before him, so there is a routine or process that I think that the management has come up with, so it is important to follow that," Suryakumar said.He added, "He is young and is doing well. I feel, uska bhi number aayega. Uska bhi time aayega. (His time will also come)."Gaikwad has represented India in the T20I series against Zimbabwe this year, scoring 133 runs at an average of 66.50 and a strike-rate of 158.33. He is also the captain of CSK in the IPL and has led the India C team in the Duleep Trophy.Despite his impressive domestic record, Gaikwad seems to be missing something from a national selection perspective. It remains to be seen when he will finally get his chance to represent India at the highest level.

The Champions Trophy, scheduled for February 19 to March 9, 2025, has sparked speculation about India's participation due to political tensions between India and Pakistan, the designated host nation. However, former Pakistani batsman Basit Ali has claimed that it is "70% confirmed" that India will play their matches in Lahore, Pakistan.To facilitate India's participation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has proposed hosting all of India's matches in Lahore, allowing the team to travel via the Attari border near Amritsar. However, a recent report suggested that the PCB is considering a hybrid model, with India potentially playing their matches in the UAE.Basit Ali, in a video on his YouTube channel, urged Lahore residents to prepare for India's visit. He stated that the BCCI has had discussions and that the decision now rests with the Indian Prime Minister. He reiterated that it is "70% confirmed" that India will play in Lahore, with the schedule to be announced on November 11.Ali also appealed to Pakistani fans to be respectful and welcoming if India does participate. He emphasized the importance of appreciating the Indian players and avoiding any misbehavior.The Champions Trophy, which returns to the ICC calendar after a seven-year hiatus, is a prestigious tournament that brings together the top eight ODI teams. India's participation would add significant value to the event, and the possibility of them playing in Lahore has generated excitement among cricket fans.

Ian Botham's Crocodile Encounter: Saved by Ashes Rival Merv HughesLegendary English cricketer Ian Botham has had a close encounter with danger during a fishing trip in Australia. While fishing for barramundi on the Moyle River, Botham suffered a painful fall into crocodile-infested waters.The incident occurred as Botham was attempting to move from a smaller boat to another. His footwear became entangled in a rope, causing him to lose his balance and plunge into the water. The fall left him with severe bruising to the side of his torso.The situation was particularly perilous due to the presence of saltwater crocodiles in the river. However, Botham's former Ashes rival, Merv Hughes, was quick to react. Hughes, who was also on the fishing trip, swiftly pulled Botham out of the water, preventing any potential attack."At the end of the day, Crocodile Beefy survived," Botham joked, referring to his nickname. "I was out of the water quicker than I went in."Botham admitted that he was aware of the crocodiles in the water but had no time to dwell on the danger. "Quite a few sets of [crocodile] eyes were having a peep at me," he said. "Luckily I had no time to think about what was in the water."The accident occurred on a four-day fishing trip for barramundi, a popular sport fish in Australia. Botham and Hughes, who shared a fierce rivalry during the Ashes series in the 1980s, were enjoying a break from their usual cricketing pursuits.Despite the incident, Botham remained in good spirits and praised the quick thinking of his former opponent. "The guys were brilliant, it was just one of those accidents," he said. "It was all very quick and I'm OK now."The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers that can be encountered in the Australian wilderness. While fishing and other outdoor activities can be enjoyable, it is important to be aware of the risks and take appropriate precautions.

Former South African batting legend AB de Villiers has urged Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to prioritize acquiring world-class spinners in the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction. De Villiers, who played for RCB for 11 seasons, believes that re-signing Yuzvendra Chahal would be a crucial move for the franchise."I've always said that RCB needs a world-class spinner. Let's bring Yuzi back. He should never have left," De Villiers emphasized on his YouTube channel.De Villiers also identified four players who he believes RCB should target in the auction: Chahal, Kagiso Rabada, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar."I really like Ashwin. He brings a wealth of experience and can also contribute with the bat. Imagine having the twin spins from Rajasthan Royals at RCB," De Villiers said.He also advocated for his compatriot Rabada, stating, "Let's get Kagiso Rabada. If we get him, Chahal, and Ashwin, we'll have a tournament-winning bowling attack."De Villiers suggested that RCB should allocate a significant portion of their auction purse to these four players. "I'd spend almost my entire purse on them. If we can't get Rabada, we should go for Mohammed Shami or Arshdeep Singh," he added.RCB enters the auction with a purse of INR 83 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards, having retained Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal. The IPL 2025 mega auction will take place in Jeddah on November 24 and 25.

India's pace attack faces a daunting task in the upcoming Test series against Australia, with the absence of Mohammed Shami casting a shadow over the team's bowling plans. While Jasprit Bumrah remains the undisputed leader of the attack, the supporting cast of Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, and Harshit Rana lacks experience and consistency.During the previous tour of Australia in 2020-21, India's pace attack was a formidable force, with Bumrah, Shami, and Ishant Sharma leading the charge. However, this time around, the support cast appears undercooked, raising concerns about their ability to complement Bumrah effectively.Siraj, who emerged as India's next pace leader on the last tour, has struggled for form in recent times. His rhythm seems to be off, and he has been unable to find his consistency. The added pressure of leading the attack in Shami's absence could further affect his performance.Prasidh Krishna, another promising pacer, has the ability to generate bounce from a fuller length, but he needs to improve his control and consistency. Harshit Rana, a relatively inexperienced bowler, has been picked ahead of more experienced options like Mukesh Kumar, raising questions about the team management's decision-making.Former India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey believes that it takes time for pacers to mature and that patience is key. However, he acknowledges that the current crop of bowlers lacks the experience of the previous generation.With the series set to decide India's fate in the World Test Championship, the inexperienced pace attack will be under immense pressure to perform. If they can rise to the occasion and provide Bumrah with the support he needs, India has a chance of repeating their triumph from the last tour.