Cricket

Former Ranji player Baburao Yadav, arrested in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scandal, was in constant touch with a bookie for two years and had introduced one of the accused Rajasthan Royals players to him, said police here...
Former Ranji player Baburao Yadav, arrested in the Indian Premier League (IPL) spot fixing scandal, was in constant touch with a bookie for two years and had introduced one of the accused Rajasthan Royals players to him, said police here Tuesday.
17 minutes ago
Tainted cricketer S. Sreesanth went on a shopping spree with the money he earned from spot-fixing, buying apparel worth Rs.1.95 lakh for himself and a mobile phone costing over Rs.40,000 for his girlfriend, Delhi Police said Tuesday.
Tainted cricketer S. Sreesanth went on a shopping spree with the money he earned from spot-fixing, buying apparel worth Rs.1.95 lakh for himself and a mobile phone costing over Rs.40,000 for his girlfriend, Delhi Police said Tuesday.
24 minutes ago
Chennai Super Kings won comprehensively against the Mumbai Indians by 48 runs in the 1st Qualifier. Hussey and Raina set up the match by putting up 140 run stand together. Dhoni said that if he had to pick the better innings of the two, ...
Chennai Super Kings won comprehensively against the Mumbai Indians by 48 runs in the 1st Qualifier. Hussey and Raina set up the match by putting up 140 run stand together. Dhoni said that if he had to pick the better innings of the two, he would pick Raina’s. “Hussey gave us a good start but [...] Related posts: IPL 2013 playoffs live: The fight to the finish Dhoni continues to recuperate from injury, Raina leads MS Dhoni injured, but plays against Mumbai Indians
40 minutes ago
​The Rajasthan - Hyderabad game today will be the second time these two teams play each other within a week. That previous game was won by the Hyderabad team despite not putting up a big total, and
​The Rajasthan - Hyderabad game today will be the second time these two teams play each other within a week. That previous game was won by the Hyderabad team despite not putting up a big total, and
about 1 hour ago
Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, insists he is innocent.
Indian fast bowler S Sreesanth, arrested over allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League, insists he is innocent.
about 1 hour ago
The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday announced that the Dhaka Premier League, the country's most popular one-day domestic competition, would begin on July 1
The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Tuesday announced that the Dhaka Premier League, the country's most popular one-day domestic competition, would begin on July 1
about 1 hour ago
Former Vidarbha seamer Baburao Yadav has become the fifth cricketer to be arrested, by the Delhi Police, in connection with the alleged spot-fixing in the IPL
Former Vidarbha seamer Baburao Yadav has become the fifth cricketer to be arrested, by the Delhi Police, in connection with the alleged spot-fixing in the IPL
about 1 hour ago
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) coming to an end and the New Zealand tour to England well underway, the next big clash prior to the 2013 Ashes is the final addition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament will no longer be h...
With the Indian Premier League (IPL) coming to an end and the New Zealand tour to England well underway, the next big clash prior to the 2013 Ashes is the final addition of the ICC Champions Trophy. The tournament will no longer be hosted come the conclusion of it in England. We are the reigning champions with two titles to our name. Most eyes will be on the Ashes squad, which I have reviewed, but I'd like to turn some attention to our limited overs squad that will be playing to ensure we hold onto the trophy. The majority of the Australian cricketers playing in the Champions Trophy or Ashes series will be leaving Australia today to get prepared for some action packed cricket in England over the next few months. Below is our 15 man-squad for the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. Michael Clarke (Captain)George Bailey (Vice Captain)David Warner Phillip HughesShane WatsonAdam Voges Glenn MaxwellMitchell MarshMatthew Wade (Wicket keeper)Mitchell StarcClint McKayJames Faulkner Mitchell Johnson Nathan Coulter-NileXavier DohertyMy mate Baiju at Cricket Talks wrote a nice summary of our squad, sharing his outlook on our chances and also who he identifies to be our key players. Give his article a read via the following link. I will be looking at a SWOT analysis regarding our team culture heading into this event and the individual players.Strengths: We go into the Champions Trophy as the title holders (2006 and 2009). Having said this, our limited overs side has seen dull patches over the last handful of seasons and a slip down the ranks since the limited overs series post the 2009 Ashes series, although we still have a good victory margin of 64% from 104 matches. Fortunately we do still have some outstanding players and I'd like to identify these players as they stack up our strengths. Shane Watson has hit form at the Indian Premier League (IPL) with 513 runs at 42.75, showing an improvement in his focus since dropping the vice-captaincy after the dreadful Border-Gavaskar series. Watto was instrumental in our 2009 Champions Trophy victory as he scored centuries in both the semi-final and final, with a total of 266 runs from 5 matches at 88.33. A great turn around after a golden duck in the opening match against the West Indies.With his bowling duties slowly but surely returning he will take to the field as an all-rounder with runs behind him in a format of the limited overs nature. Confidence is key for him.Adam Voges is set to play for Middlesex when Chris Rogers puts his Baggy Green cap back on for the Ashes. With experience in English conditions and a bizarre turn of fortune with his international opportunities after an excellent peak in form for the Western Warriors, Adam may end up being the glue in the squad, a role in void after Michael Hussey retired. Huss has scored 732 runs at 56.30, clocking in 6 half-centuries from 16 innings in the IPL with a game to go. If you still miss seeing his name in our side, this may just add to it.Alongside Adam, George Bailey will need to assist him in the middle order department, in order to ensure the strike is rotated and aggression can be brought to the front lines if needs be. It's something Huss could do on his lonesome, but together Bailey and Voges have the hitting power and experience to keep the core in tact whilst adapting to the game situation.Phillip Hughes has made a reasonably steady start to his ODI career with 416 runs at 52.00 and two centuries to his name. Like a few of our other players, he has played limited overs cricket in England. A good start here will line up his self-belief for the Ashes. Outside of this category is Michael Clarke. Although Clarkey's sublime form has been best kept for Test cricket in recent times, he never been a pushover in ODI cricket. He missed out on the last Champions Trophy as a result of injury, something he is trying to keep at bay. He's our best batsman and is likely to continue his job in the number four role. Given his experience, abili
about 2 hours ago
After analysing England's difficulties against New Zealand, JONATHAN HOWCROFT nominates an unfamiliar bowling attack to win back the Ashes. Peter Siddle is comfortably one of the top four most likeable Australian cricketers. He would ...
After analysing England's difficulties against New Zealand, JONATHAN HOWCROFT nominates an unfamiliar bowling attack to win back the Ashes. Peter Siddle is comfortably one of the top four most likeable Australian cricketers. He would also earn a place in the top four of a list of hardest working Australian cricketers. As admirable as these, and many of Siddle's other qualities are, I can't find space for him as one of Australia's top four bowlers for the first Ashes Test in July. Why? Because swing looks set to be the most crucial weapon this winter and Australia's touring party contains better exponents of the art than the wholehearted Victorian. Australia's best chance of taking home the Ashes is by out-bowling England. Both squads have fragile batting orders but both have deep stocks of top quality bowlers. Australia must look to exploit England's weaknesses as best they can, and that may require an unfamiliar attack based on executing the task in hand, rather than rewarding seniority. England's form since thrashing Australia in 2010-11 has been patchy, particularly with the bat. In 2010 England averaged 40 runs per wicket, in 2011 this rose to 59, but has since plummeted to 33 in 2012 and just 31 so far in 2013. Touring difficulties in the subcontinent can account for part of last year's figure, but New Zealand has provided the only opposition so far this season. In seven innings against New Zealand since the beginning of March England has been dismissed for 232 or less on four occasions. The attack that has caused England such trouble doesn't appear especially threatening, but beneath this benign exterior lies a skilful unit – one that can offer Australia plenty of clues for how to win back the urn. Trent Boult is the standout. A left-armer, Boult delivers at a reasonable pace without being rapid, but has the ability to move the ball both ways, with excellent control of line and length. Interestingly, Boult has the wood over England's two key batsmen, Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott. Cook has fallen four times in seven innings to the Kiwi, Trott on three occasions. If Australia is to regain the Ashes, these are the key scalps. Boult's dismissals of Cook and Trott in England's first innings at Lord's are classic examples of subtle control of line and length, exploiting the natural variation offered by English conditions and Duke balls. Neil Wagner took the most English wickets during the series in New Zealand. Another left-armer, Wagner is of a similar pace to Boult but has a greater capacity to move the ball in the air. A fierce competitor, Wagner is the kind of bowler who makes things happen through force of will, bowling a slightly wider line than Boult, always tempting the batsman into playing a shot. The touring bowler who most resembles Boult and Wagner is James Faulkner. Selected to compete with Shane Watson, the Tasmanian's suitability for English conditions suggests he could offer both an alternative to the former vice captain, and justify inclusion in the bowling attack alone. Considering Watson's poor Test batting form, lack of recent Test bowling and susceptibility to injury, Faulkner offers plenty of upside for a captain looking to take 20 English wickets. Another factor to gain prominence in recent months is England's overly cautious approach. In the previous Ashes, England rattled along at 3.5 runs per over, in New Zealand that dropped to 2.6 rpo and a torpid 2.46 rpo at Lord's. If Australia's attack can remain patient and disciplined, runs will dry up and England's batsmen will find themselves under increasing pressure. Cook and Trott are not naturally aggressive strokeplayers and have the temperament to work though such mini-droughts, but the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Matt Prior are more likely to try to play their way out of trouble, resulting in chances for the fielding side. It is also worth noting, though probably of little surprise, that most of England's wickets fell at
about 3 hours ago
Hey guys, met Seb from 100 things yesterday. Click Here to check out his bucket list – it’s pretty awesome.
Hey guys, met Seb from 100 things yesterday. Click Here to check out his bucket list – it’s pretty awesome.
about 5 hours ago