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A day after not selecting Ishant Sharma for the season’s first Ranji game as they could not reach him to check his availability, the Delhi selectors have selected him for it

Sidharth Monga24-Sep-20153:21

Aakash Chopra: More to the Ishant situation than meets the eye

A day after refusing to select Ishant Sharma, whom they couldn’t reach to check on his availability for the first Ranji Trophy match of the season, the Delhi selectors have intriguingly selected him for the first match even though Ishant has communicated to them he will be available for the second match. A Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) press release said: “Ishant Sharma has confirmed his availability for the second Ranji Trophy match but we are including him in the team right now.”This prompts a remarkable question that DDCA is not willing to answer clearly: if the reason to try to reach Ishant was to confirm his availability, why is it defeating the purpose by selecting Ishant now that he has expressed his desire to rest for the first match, which starts on October 1, three days after the end of India’s pre-season preparatory camp in Bangalore? Vinay Lamba, the chairman of selectors, said they would love for him to play in the first match too.Ishant, in the middle of some good Test-match form, was not selected for India’s limited-overs teams. Moreover, he has been banned by the ICC from playing the first Test against South Africa, which begins in the first week of November. That made him available for Ranji Trophy, but the Delhi selectors created a stir by not naming him in the squad of 15. The chairman of selectors said they did so because Ishant didn’t answer his phone or respond to his text. He said they were not sure of his availability. Now, they have gone ahead and selected him despite knowing he is not available.

Asked whether No. 6 was an ideal batting position for Dhoni going into the future, Virat Kohli said it “might be the trick that will work with the batting order for us”

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2013It is not often a Virat Kohli century can be outshone or overshadowed. At its best, it is usually an exquisite construction of beauty, timing, balance and precision. But given that his captain had taken ownership of an entire day with an innings of utter dominance, Kohli fittingly opened his media interaction with a statement before taking questions. “First I’ll speak on the captain’s innings,” he said.He called M S Dhoni’s 206 not out, “a great display of batting” in “temperament, hitting the ball cleanly and assessing the situation.” When asked whether No. 6 was an ideal batting position for Dhoni going into the future, he said it “might be the trick that will work with the batting order for us.”Kohli did say he had not seen him batting at No. 6 often. He said Dhoni at No. 7 spot doesn’t have enough time to get big runs. “People started doubting his Test batting, because he wasn’t getting ample opportunities. If the team is five down, you have to negotiate the pressure, then you expect the guy to get a hundred every four games. It’s pretty difficult.”The No. 6 position would give Dhoni, Kohli said, “ample opportunity to get settled and analyse the situation. Once he’s settled, he is one of the most experienced guys to play with the lower order, he knows how to play with the tail. So yes, that’s a huge difference he could make at No. 6 going ahead in Test matches.”Kohli said it was easier to maintain the tempo of an innings like today in ODIs where he had seen Dhoni score 183 against Sri Lanka batting at No. 3. “It’s very easy to go for your shots in one-dayers. You don’t have to think too much when you’re in that kind of flow. But [in Tests] to actually analyse the situation, to play with the tailender, to take strike when wanted, to defend when wanted, hit the ball when needed… in Test matches it’s not easy to bat with the lower order and to get a double hundred is a commendable thing.”Kohli said India had played the day much like they had planned it. They had expected Australia to use reverse swing with the old ball in the first session. “Pattinson was bowling really well with the old ball, reversing at pace. We decided to give respect to the bowlers bowing well. We knew if we batted the whole day, we’ll have a considerable lead and we’ll be in a great position in this Test. It was all about giving respect to good bowling and capitalising later on loose deliveries which MS and I were able to do.”Dhoni, he said had come out to bat with a clear idea about his approach. “He didn’t want to talk about the game, he didn’t want to talk about cricket. He said just talk about something else to me.” His instructions to Kohli were simple: “Don’t ask about how the wicket was, how the bowling was, nothing. He was pretty relaxed and calm so he didn’t want to talk a lot about the game. He was pretty sure what he wanted to do out in the middle.”Australia paid heavily going in with a single specialist spinner, Kohli said, as the wicket had begun to break on day three. After it had “evened out and eased up” on day two, he got one ball from Nathan Lyon shooting under his bat and the other hitting him on the chest. “I was pretty surprised with how quickly the wicket was coming off. If they [Australia] had more slow bowlers in the team you would have seen the difference of that wicket. The spinners are going to get a lot of turn and bounce tomorrow with the hard ball. That’s going to be the crucial thing – the wicket is getting roughed up by the day.”Speaking of his own batting, Kohli said he had been disappointed to get out soon after his hundred and called it, “this block I am facing – when I get 100 I get out.” He said, “As a batsman you would love to get big runs when you’ve scored century from a tough situation, you don’t want to throw it away.” His dismissal today – caught at mid-on by Mitchell Starc off Lyon – came because he got too close to the ball.”I was disappointed I got out. But I knew I wanted to go for that shot, so I went for it hundred percent. But I got too close to the ball and just didn’t get the elevation. But next time you can only learn from mistakes. I’ll try and erase all these errors that I have been doing after getting centuries.”Kohli said the century, the fourth of his Test career, had brought him extra pleasure as it followed a poor run against England and Pakistan. He had taken time away from the game to get ready for Australia. “Sometimes you just need to get away from the game and get your mind fresh and get back on track. I was feeling hungry for this series. I was eagerly waiting to get into the field and bat and feeling that is important for a cricketer.”

Michael Clarke has capped off his remarkable first year as Australia’s captain by taking home his third Allan Border Medal

Brydon Coverdale27-Feb-2012Michael Clarke has capped off his remarkable first year as Australia’s captain by taking home his third Allan Border Medal. Clarke was also named Test Player of the Year and in a fitting double for Australia’s new leadership team, his vice-captain Shane Watson won the ODI and Twenty20 international titles.Clarke finished the medal count with 231 votes, a clear winner from the second-placed Michael Hussey on 174 votes while Watson, who had won the past two Allan Border Medals, was third on 166. Clarke first claimed the medal in 2005 and in 2009 he tied for the award with Ricky Ponting, and again this year they could hardly be split in the Test arena.It was a terrific year for Clarke in Test cricket – he scored 1167 runs at 68.64 during the voting period, more than half of which came when he led from the front against India. He and Ponting both finished on nine votes, a tie that seemed appropriate after their two triple-century partnerships against India this summer, and Clarke won the Test award on a countback after securing more three-vote games than Ponting.Clarke took over the captaincy from Ponting after the World Cup last year and the extra responsibility brought out the best in him. He scored a century in each of the four Test series Australia player over the past year and was the team’s leading scorer in three of those series, against South Africa, New Zealand and India.He saved his best for the home summer against the Indians. Clarke’s unbeaten 329 at the SCG was the fourth highest score by an Australian player in a Test, behind Matthew Hayden’s 380, Mark Taylor’s 334 not out, and Don Bradman’s 334. When he followed that with 210 at Adelaide Oval to help his team complete a clean-sweep, Clarke became the first captain ever to score a double-hundred and a triple-century in one Test series.His captaincy did not officially figure in the votes, but Clarke’s leadership over the year was also impressive, and he is yet to lose a series as Australia’s skipper. His vice-captain also won both his awards after countbacks, taking the one-day prize ahead of Clarke and the T20 title over the newcomer Matthew Wade.Watson’s long injury lay-off – he missed almost the whole Australian summer due to hamstring and calf problems – did not hamper his chances in the 50-over format. He polled strongly enough in the World Cup and Australia’s tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa to secure 19 votes, and won the award by virtue of having more three-vote games than Clarke, who also finished on 19.The fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who might struggle to regain his position when he recovers from a long-term foot injury, came third with 17 votes. Watson was second to Clarke on Australia’s run tally during the voting period with 833 runs at 55.53, and he also collected 11 wickets.He was Player of the Series during the three-match tour of Bangladesh last April, a series in which he scored an unbeaten 185, the highest score ever by an Australian in an ODI. The prize makes it a hat-trick of one-day awards for Watson, who also won in 2010 and 2011, while Clarke has never taken home the ODI prize but has won the Test award and Allan Border Medal in past years.In the T20 category, Watson pipped Wade in a countback despite playing only half the matches in the voting period. Watson was Australia’s leading run scorer during the voting period and took home the award that was first handed out last year, when David Hussey was the inaugural recipient.Watson and Wade each finished with five votes and could not be split on a countback of who had scored the most three-vote games. According to the voting rules, that meant a second countback was required, in which each player was awarded points based on their runs, wickets, catches and run-out assists.Watson scored 119 runs compared to Wade’s 115 during the voting period, which ran from February 6, 2011 until February 24 this year. Watson also collected two wickets and took two catches, while Wade claimed one catch and one run-out assist, leaving him on 135 performance points compared to Watson’s 179.Next in line were David Warner, James Pattinson, John Hastings and Aaron Finch, who finished with three votes each. Australia played six matches during the voting period: two in Sri Lanka in August, two in South Africa in October and two at home against India earlier this month.

Jesse Ryder put behind his recent running woes and twitter travails to rattle a 82-ball hundred, and set up a consolation win for New Zealand

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar04-Feb-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe smile was back on Jesse Ryder’s face, while the fury was directed at Pakistan’s bowling•AFP

Jesse Ryder overcame his recent running woes and twitter travails to rattle an 82-ball hundred, and set up a consolation win, as Pakistan went a touch overboard with dead-rubber experimentation. Ryder’s belligerence set up a solid base for New Zealand, before Pakistan’s questionable choice of slog-over bowlers allowed Nathan McCullum and Scott Styris plunder 72 off the last five. It left Pakistan chasing 312, a target that proved too steep despite a couple of brief flutters.Ryder had been chastised earlier in the week for expressing his anger through a tweet following his run-out in a domestic game, but today he focused his fury on the opposition. Pakistan’s fast-bowling machinery has worked in perfect synchrony through the series, with the exception of Sohail Tanvir, and the trend continued today.Tanvir’s first four overs yielded 25, in addition to accounting for Brendon McCullum, but Ryder spanked him out of the attack with three bombastic sixes in his fifth. Tanvir over-pitched, Ryder went down on a knee to jab him beyond square leg; he dropped short and Ryder pulled over wide long-on. Tanvir then landed a slower ball on a length, and it was smoked down the ground. The template had been set for the innings: every time New Zealand needed release, they ran into Tanvir’s inviting lengths and friendly pace, which they duly plundered for 78 runs in eight overs of mayhem.The rest of the cast fared only marginally better. Mohammad Hafeez was driven inside out for a four and a six in the bowling Powerplay. Ryder raced past fifty by dragging Umar Gul to midwicket, and then cracked him square and hooked him beyond fine-leg. Martin Guptill held his own at the other end, focussing on feeding Ryder with the strike in a stand worth 123.With the field restrictions lifted, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq reined New Zealand in. From 108 for 1 in the 16th over, New Zealand could add only 33 in 9.3 overs before Guptill holed out. Razzaq promptly threw another punch, getting Ross Taylor to nick a subtle legcutter behind.A niggle forced Ryder to ask for a runner, but he ensured Brendon did not have much running to do, heaving Razzaq over fine leg, and swiping Shoaib Akhtar in the same direction. He brought up his ton with a glance in the 33rd over. However, with his mobility clearly hampered by the injury, he targeted the boundary exclusively, and was caught in the deep.Wary of their longish tail, New Zealand chose to conserve resources for the late surge. Tanvir’s return in the 43rd over signalled the end of the ceasefire, as Nathan tickled him to fine leg, before dumping Hafeez over long-on. Styris gorged as well, threading Tanvir through the covers as New Zealand warmed up for a tumultuous finish.Gul was looted for a six and a four in the 46th over – the first of the final Powerplay – and Nathan played the field smartly to carve boundaries over the infield off Afridi in the 47th. After fluffing a straightforward run-out chance earlier, and conceding 14 runs in his over, Afridi pressed Tanvir and Hafeez into operation. The result – Styris and Nathan plundered nine fours and three sixes and breezed to half-centuries as the innings ended in a blaze of big hits.Pakistan’s chase began with the same lack of intensity that characterised their bowling. Ahmed Shehzad survived after edging a Kyle Mills outswinger in the first over of the innings, but combusted in his next over, top-edging an ambitious pull. Hafeez was beginning to look ominous when he clipped Hamish Bennett straight to deep square-leg. Younis Khan struggled against the impressive Bennett, who got a delivery to thud into his box, cracking his protector and leaving him gasping. Younis eventually edged Bennett behind, Brendon taking a diving catch to his right.Kamran Akmal chose to knuckle down against seam and wait for the weaker bowlers. It was a good plan, since New Zealand were playing Luke Woodcock and Nathan on a pitch that didn’t aid spin. Having moved to 26 off 39 balls by the 18th over, Kamran sped to his half-century with aggressive hits against the spinners.The game changed when Asad Shafiq exited to a needless mix-up, after a stand of 74. Kamran kept attacking, launching Styris for his third six, but James Franklin removed him and Umar Akmal in an energetic spell as the chase sputtered. Afridi displayed rare restraint, while Tanvir slugged a few blows to keep Pakistan interested. They added 58 for the eight wicket and, with a batting Powerplay to come, New Zealand were becoming anxious for a wicket.It came in freak fashion, as Tim Southee ran down the track on his follow-through to catch Tanvir short of the crease, with his bat getting stuck in the turf before he could slide it in. It was the sort of moment that had eluded New Zealand through the series, and when it came it was greeted with relief.

Chris Gayle has been dismissed four times by Doug Bollinger this season and admits the left-arm fast man has his number

Cricinfo staff10-Feb-2010Chris Gayle has been dismissed four times by Doug Bollinger this season and admits the left-arm fast man has his number. Gayle, the West Indies captain, didn’t know who Bollinger was before the second Test in December, but has learned quickly and is still trying to find a way to deal with him.Gayle was lbw first ball in Adelaide on Tuesday as Australia raced to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. “He has my measure, definitely,” Gayle said in the Advertiser. “There is no doubt about that.”Despite his troubles, Gayle is looking forward to his next contest with Bollinger at the SCG in the third match on Friday. “These things are good for the game,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a good start in Sydney and we don’t expose our middle order again.”The Australians have talked about cramping Gayle for room and the move has been successful, with the batsman scoring seven runs in the opening two fixtures. Bollinger’s plan in Adelaide revolved around bowling as straight as possible.”It was great to get Chris Gayle again,” Bollinger said. “If he wants to be my bunny he can. I’ll be happy to get him again.”The West Indians currently need much more than a firing Gayle if they are to overcome the Australians in any of the final three matches. Interest in the series is dwindling and only 8358 spectators turned up in Adelaide in a record low attendance there for an ODI.”We can still win 3-2,” Gayle said. “If we can get to 2-1, we can get things happening for us. We need to make it more interesting so you can get some more ticket sales.”

Just one wicket falls to newly promoted side in one-sided onslaught at Edgbaston

ECB Reporters Network12-Apr-2024Durham endured a day of torment on their return to Vitality County Championship Division One as Warwickshire piled up 490 for one on the opening day at Edgbaston.The visitors chose to bowl but were pummelled by openers Rob Yates (191, 205 balls) and Alex Davies (226 not out, 274 balls) who added 343, the second-highest championship opening stand for Warwickshire.Their season-opener at home to Hampshire having been washed out last week, Durham must have wished the rain had stayed around as they toiled on a flat pitch with the Kookaburra ball.Yates took advantage with a stylish innings which included 25 fours and five sixes, while captain Davies posted an iron-willed maiden double-century with 25 fours and three sixes. In first class cricket, Durham have conceded only five partnerships of 300-plus – three of them by Warwickshire.This latest instalment of woe arrived despite the presence in the bowling attack of three debutants – Scott Boland, Callum Parkinson and Colin Ackermann. They ended the day with a combined one for 220.Durham’s decision to bowl appeared strange, bearing in mind the Kookaburra and the good batting pitch for the first game of the season at Edgbaston last week, and Yates and Davies duly rattled up 50 in 57 balls. Boland ended the Australian season in good form with 16 wickets in his last two games for Victoria but endured a joyless entry to county cricket. His first ball went for four and so did four others in his first three overs. Thirteen fours arrived in the first 12 overs as Davies raced to his 50 in 57 balls and Yates to his in 58.During the lunch interval, Warwickshire legend Dennis Amiss, speaking to club members, recalled his debut in 1960 when, as a 17-year-old, he did not get a bat as openers Norman Horner and Billy Ibadulla put on 377. That remains Warwickshire’s highest opening stand in first class cricket, but Yates and Davies had a real good go at it.They alternated in taking the initiative. Davies was first to his century (102 balls) but after Yates passed his ton (118), he accelerated. Successive sixes off Brydon Carse over the very short boundary took him in front of his partner and he struck Ackermann gloriously for 16 in three balls just before tea before perishing in pursuit of another six when Alex Lees held a swirling catch at long off.Yates left the field to a standing ovation and the spectators were soon back on their feet in acclaim for Davies’ maiden double century (249 balls). Never mind the propitious conditions, it was an innings of immense discipline and concentration from the captain and he has power to add tomorrow. In company with Will Rhodes (60 not out, 100 balls) he milked the melancholy Durham attack for 147 in the last 34 overs of the day.Warwickshire’s team includes Craig Miles, recalled from his loan spell at Glamorgan in light of injuries to Liam Nowell (torn pec muscle) and Michael Booth (side strain) and the delayed arrival of Hasan Ali who arrived in Birmingham today ready to make his debut away to Hampshire next week.

In the BBL a new batter must be ready to face up within 75 seconds of a wicket falling

AAP01-Jan-2023Adelaide Strikers overseas player Adam Hose believes Marcus Stoinis was too slow to face the first delivery of his matchwinning knock and the 75-second timed out rule should have been enforced.Stoinis blasted his way back to form on New Year’s Eve, crunching 74 off 35 deliveries in the Melbourne Stars’ eight-run win at Adelaide Oval. But according to Hose, Stoinis could have been sent packing first ball had the umpires upheld the Strikers’ appeal.The rule states that at the fall of a wicket, the incoming batter must be ready to face within 75 seconds. If the batter fails to arrive in time, they must stand to the side of the pitch for the first delivery of their innings and allow the bowler – in this case Wes Agar – a free ball at the stumps. If the ball strikes the wicket, the batter is out bowled.Related

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“To be honest, I was at cover for his first ball and I’m pretty certain he timed out – 75 seconds, he wasn’t ready,” Hose said. “I just hope that if it is the rule then we can play by it. That’s my only experience of the clock being run out.”We asked the question, we appealed, but nothing happened. I’m pretty certain his time was up.”Eleven days earlier, against Sydney Thunder, Hose, the incoming batter, was still scratching his guard and gardening when batting partner Matt Short yelled “Hosie, face up” as the 75-second countdown almost expired.”Umpires have been very hot on me the last couple of games getting to the crease,” Hose said. “I’ve been warned about it a few times and had to change my first-ball routine.”I guess that’s why my frustration came in, because they’ve been very hot on me. I just hope, moving forward into the rest of the tournament, if it’s going to be a rule then it has to be enforced.”Stoinis was aware of the ticking clock but rejected Hose’s claim, insisting Adelaide’s field was not set in time.”I checked centre [guard], then I was standing off because I could see the field moving,” he said. “I actually didn’t know that I had to stand there regardless.”Stoinis was also critical of the Strikers’ appeal for a timed out call against Hilton Cartwright in the 14th over.”The same thing happened with Hilts,” Stoinis said. “They [Strikers] appealed for that but the field was moving so it ended up being a dead ball. I wouldn’t appeal [for that]. The rule is in place if someone is trying to take advantage and slow the game down.”

Hosts win with 61 balls to spare, thanks to half-centuries from Nick Gubbins, Tom Alsop

ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2021A Kyle Abbott-inspired Hampshire cruised to a six-wicket Royal London Cup victory over high-flying Worcestershire in a one-sided contest at the Ageas Bowl.South African quick Abbott took 5 for 43 – his maiden List A five-wicket haul – as the hosts dismissed the Rapids for 176 in 39 overs before cruising to victory with 61 balls to spare thanks to 59 from Nick Gubbins to chalk up their second win of the season against the third-placed visitors.Worcestershire struggled with the bat following the dismissal of opener Brett D’Oliveira, who played well for his 40 before being bowled by Ian Holland, with skipper Joe Leach adding some respectability to the total with an unbeaten 34 after Abbott had taken two wickets in an over to reduce the visitors to 136 for 8.The Rapids’ total always looked well below par on a decent batting surface as they struggled to build any partnership of note with wickets falling at regular intervals.In-form opener Jack Haynes was out for just 15 with Tom Fell, Jake Libby and Gareth Roderick all departing cheaply before Ed Barnard fell to Abbott having looked in good touch for his 29.Young South African seamer John Turner continued his good form for Hampshire by mopping up the Worcestershire tail to finish with figures of 3 for 44.Tom Prest and Tom Alsop were given few early alarms from the Worcestershire attack with the pair putting on 43 for the first wicket before Adam Finch struck in the 12th over of the innings.Finch tempted Prest with a short-pitched delivery and the teenage opener took the bait only to mistime his hook shot and find the hands of D’Oliveira at mid-wicket to be dismissed for 12.But any hopes of a Hampshire collapse were allayed by the arrival at the crease of Gubbins who added 68 with Alsop before D’Oliveira had the opener caught by Leach at mid-off for 50 to reduce the Hawks to 111 for 2.Gubbins continued his good form since arriving on loan from Middlesex with his third half-century in four innings from just 51 balls but with his side 22 runs away from victory he handed D’Oliveira his second wicket when he edged behind to Roderick.Joe Weatherley departed for 33 when he was stumped by Roderick off Josh Baker with Lewis McManus smashing a six from the very next ball to seal an emphatic win.

Boris Johnson confirmed the UK government is “considering” banning sporting fixtures on Thursday

Matt Roller12-Mar-2020England’s Test series in Sri Lanka has been cancelled due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and their home series against West Indies in June – as well as the T20 Blast – is under threat, with both events scheduled for a period that the UK government has identified as the likely peak of the virus in the country.Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed at a press conference on Thursday afternoon that sporting fixtures will not be banned with immediate effect, but said that such a move is under consideration, which could wreak havoc with the English cricketing summer.England confirmed the series in Sri Lanka had been postponed on Friday, walking off the field on the second day of their tour match against a Board President’s XI moments after the decision was announced.”Due to the Covid-19 pandemic worsening globally, and after discussions with Sri Lanka Cricket, we have today made the decision to return our players to the UK and postpone the forthcoming Test series between Sri Lanka and England,” a statement read.”At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount. We will now look to bring them home to their families as soon as possible. These are completely unprecedented times, and decisions like this go beyond cricket.”We would like to thank our colleagues at Sri Lanka Cricket for their outstanding support and assistance throughout this situation. We look forward to returning to Sri Lanka in the very near future to fulfil this important Test series.”The global sporting calendar has already been thrown into chaos by the spread of the virus, with hundreds of events postponed, cancelled, or played behind closed doors. In England, four counties have cancelled their pre-season tours overseas, while at least two more are expected to return home early.ALSO READ: Newsfile – ICC Board to hold March meeting via conference callSir Patrick Vallance, the UK’s chief scientific adviser, said during the Prime Minister’s press conference that the peak is “10-14 weeks away, maybe slightly longer”, leaving the English cricket season in a nightmare situation which could result in a huge number of fixtures cancelled or played behind closed doors.England are scheduled to play three Tests against West Indies, with the series starting at The Oval on June 4. That date is currently 12 weeks away, in the middle of the expected peak period. The T20 Blast is scheduled to start on May 28, with the group stage running until July 12.”We are considering the question of banning major public events such as sporting fixtures,” Mr Johnson said, describing the virus as “the biggest public health crisis in a generation”.”The scientific advice, as we’ve said over the last couple of weeks, is that banning such events will have little effect on the spread,” he said.”But there is also the issue of the burden that such events can place on public services, so we’re discussing these issues with colleagues in all parts of the United Kingdom. We’ll have more to say shortly about further action in that respect. At all stages we have been guided by the science, and we will do the right thing at the right time.”The cancellation of a whole home Test series would be a significant financial blow for the ECB, while the T20 Blast generates a major proportion of most counties’ income. It is possible that the tournament could be pushed back further in the summer – possibly at the expense of the final rounds of County Championship fixtures – but there is precious little room in the schedule for change.More immediately, the County Championship is scheduled to start on April 12. While crowds are typically relatively low, they regularly exceed 2000 at certain grounds, and the main demographic of match-going fans is elderly, increasing their vulnerability to the virus.It is possible that games – almost all of which are streamed for free online – could be played behind closed doors, and the ECB is in close contact with government to discuss its options.Sir Patrick explained that the nature of the virus means that a blanket ban on sporting fixtures is unlikely to have a major impact on its spread. “On average one person infects two or three others,” he said. “You therefore have a very low probability of infecting a large number of people in a stadium, or a rather higher probability of infecting people very close to you.”And that means that most of the transmission tends to take place actually with friends and colleagues in close environments, not in the big environments. So, it is true, of course that any cancellation can have some effect.”But if you get a displacement activity where you end up with everyone congregating somewhere else, you may actually have perversely an increased risk, particularly in an indoors environment.”

Hard-fought half-centuries from Ollie Pope and Steven Mullaney ended up in vain during a match that also witnessed an attack by bees

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jan-2019
Rishabh Pant and Shardul Thakur were instrumental in India A securing a fourth successive victory over England Lions in their five-match unofficial ODI series in Thiruvananthapuram.Thakur picked up 4 for 49, his new-ball spell helping topple the visitors’ top order and leave them 55 for 4 in the 15th over. Half-centuries from Ollie Pope (65 off 103) and Steven Mullaney (58 off 54) helped resurrect the innings, but they still could only muster 221 for 8 at the end of 50 overs.Very few batsmen were able to show any kind of fluency in the game. Among those who faced at least 20 deliveries, only four men from either side were able to maintain a strike-rate above 65. One of them was Pant, who walloped 73 off 76 balls with six fours and three sixes. His unbeaten 120-run partnership with Deepak Hooda, who made a run-a-ball 47, took India to the target with 21 balls to spare.Pant and Hooda’s cool finish was much needed considering England Lions had removed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck and then posed enough menace through the middle overs that India A were 102 for 4 in the 28th over with KL Rahul falling for 42 off 77 balls. While the visitors may be pleased with their ability to fight back after losing early ground – Pope and Mullaney compensated for a top five that couldn’t get past 25 and later Mullaney and Will Jacks combined to pick up 3 for 61 runs in 20 overs – they struggled to deliver the finishing blow.And so the home crowd were able to enjoy another telling glimpse India’s next generation, their afternoon disrupted only when a swarm of bees decided to attack them.