Twenty20 World Cup scheduled

11:10 PM Cricket No Comments

Sep-2012
Tue 18 14:30 GMT, 19:30 local	1st Match, Group C - Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Wed 19 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	2nd Match, Group B - Australia v Ireland R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Wed 19 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	3rd Match, Group A - India v Afghanistan R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Thu 20 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	4th Match, Group C - South Africa v Zimbabwe Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Fri 21 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	5th Match, Group D - Bangladesh v New Zealand Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Fri 21 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	6th Match, Group A - England v Afghanistan R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sat 22 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	7th Match, Group C - Sri Lanka v South Africa Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Sat 22 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	8th Match, Group B - Australia v West Indies R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun 23 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	9th Match, Group D - New Zealand v Pakistan Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Sun 23 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	10th Match, Group A - India v England R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Mon 24 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	11th Match, Group B - West Indies v Ireland R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tue 25 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	12th Match, Group D - Pakistan v Bangladesh Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Thu 27 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	13th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - C1 v D2 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Thu 27 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	14th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - A1 v B2 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Fri 28 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	15th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - D1 v C2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri 28 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	16th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - B1 v A2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sat 29 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	17th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - C1 v B2 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Sat 29 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	18th Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - B1 v C2 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Sun 30 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	19th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - D1 v A2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun 30 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	20th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - B2 v D2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Oct-2012
Mon 01 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	21st Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - A1 v C1 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Mon 01 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	22nd Match, Super Eights, Group 1 - B1 v D1 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy
Tue 02 10:00 GMT, 15:30 local	23rd Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - A2 v C2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Tue 02 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	24th Match, Super Eights, Group 2 - A1 v D2 R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Thu 04 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	1st Semi-Final - TBC v TBC R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Fri 05 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	2nd Semi-Final - TBC v TBC R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sun 07 14:00 GMT, 19:30 local	Final - TBC v TBC R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Read More

England seek parity and progress

8:06 AM Cricket No Comments

It is dangerous to read too much into one match, but there did appear to be a significant gulf between England and South Africa during the first Twenty20. In reality though, not a huge amount new was learned: England struggle against spin, lack experience in the batting but have some good quick bowlers while South Africa, after their blip in the London ODIs, look overall a slick machine.

The way that Johan Botha and Robin Peterson tied down the batsmen on a slow turner - remember, this was Chester-le-Street not Colombo - was a concern but England have shown in the past that they can learn from their mistakes. Earlier this year they came from 1-0 down to beat Pakistan in the UAE (although, yes, Kevin Pietersen played a significant hand) while they also bounced back in the one-day series after a hammering in Southampton.

And the bottom line is that, barring injury-related changes, these are the players going to Sri Lanka so it is a rather fruitless exercise considering alternatives. On the whole, too, these are the best T20 cricketers in the country although, of course, there will always be debate about who else could get a go. As often after defeat, the players left out of the XI start to look better and it would be a surprise if Luke Wright, Michael Lumb and Danny Briggs - there are injury worries over Tim Bresnan - do not get a game in this series.

South Africa have fewer areas of concern but, like England, are not entirely convincing at the top of the order. Richard Levi is a fairly unsubtle batsman (it can sometimes be destructive, but often not) and Faf du Plessis is going through a run of form to match Ravi Bopara's nightmares. Significantly, though, their experienced players are in good touch. Jacques Kallis has slotted back in and Dale Steyn is bowling beautifully.

Form guide

(Most recent first, completed matches)

EnglandL WWWL
South Africa WWWWL

Read More

England batting dismantled by confident South Africa

4:09 AM Cricket No Comments

This was a flaccid England batting display which will fill them with misgivings ahead of World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Ravi Bopara's batting, at least, suggests that he remains scarred by his recent emotional upheavals and the ability of younger batsmen to succeed on turning pitches will be further doubted after the way they were dismantled by a confident South Africa.

South Africa's pursuit of 119 on northern England's version of a slow turner was a stroll in the park and, even though England's new-ball attack created some ersatz excitement by taking 3 for 29 in reply, it did not last long.

The one they needed was Jacques Kallis and, with a single to his name, he edged Steven Finn just short of Alex Hales at first slip. He never faltered again. Kallis and JP Duminy quietly assembled South Africa's highest fourth-wicket partnership in T20s against England in a stand of 90 at a run a ball and a seven-wicket win meandered into view in textbook fashion with an over to spare.

Kallis' timing of the chase was impeccable, one lazy despatching of Jade Dernbach's slower offcutter pronouncing: "I have logged your variations and have now programmed my response." Duminy, drawing confidence from Kallis' presence, ducked and carved alongside him. They won to barely a murmur.

South Africa rested Hashim Amla and his replacement Faf du Plessis, on debut, made only 4 before he was lbw to Finn. There were two wickets for Dernbach, too. But England were roundly outplayed. Whatever the rights and wrongs of the dispute involving Kevin Pietersen, and the issue has not been short of analysis, this England team is weaker for his absence.

If selecting Bopara in his current state is adamant, for him to bat at No. 3 looks increasingly delusional. He took time off last month as he was beset by relationship problems and since his return his batting has been clouded by self doubt. He does not look in a good place.

England are desperate for him to succeed as his bits-and-pieces bowling balances their side, but his troubled batting run continued as he managed only 6 from 11 balls. South Africa brought Dale Steyn into the attack added a slip and Bopara, with a lack of foot movement, edged to first slip. It was adventurous captaincy by AB de Villiers to bring in a slip outside the Powerplay overs, although as Bopara has been repeatedly edging it in this direction for weeks it was perhaps less daring than it appeared.

South Africa's domination did end at Bopara. Presented by a slow Chester-le-Street turner, not too far removed from the surfaces they may encounter in Sri Lanka, Robin Peterson and Johan Botha did not disappoint. They dared to bowl slowly, turned the ball and were backed up by solid fielding.

England's surfeit of one-day internationals against three different opponents this summer had attracted criticism for overkill, but a three-match T20 series had obvious relevance. South Africa are ranked No. 1; England are defending champions with a good recent record. Even the losers in this NatWest Series will feel happier than Australia who now find themselves ranked beneath Ireland.

Craig Kieswetter and Hales are beginning to have the feel of a settled opening partnership for an England side which once famously changed combinations on a whim, but they are still some way from an understanding between the wickets if Hales' run out in the fourth over is any guide.

His enthusiasm for a leg side single as Kieswetter got a thick inside edge was not shared by his partner and Jacques Kallis lumbered in to pick up and hit the non-striker's stumps direct. Hales left the field distraught in his last T20 international when he was dismissed for 99 against West Indies at Trent Bridge. On this occasion he was cursing.

There had been some spin in the preceding women's match - England beating West Indies by eight wickets - but Botha still spun his introductory delivery enough to surprise Kieswetter, who fell lbw.

Kieswetter's six over wide long on against Lonwabo Tsotsobe had been one of the few invigorating moments for England as they reached midway at 64 for 3 and Botha defused their most explosive batsman, Eoin Morgan, as he tried to sweep and dragged on one that kept a little low.

What followed smacked of naivety. England have great faith in Jos Buttler's potential but it is yet to be rewarded. He has had few opportunities and when they do come along, such as on this occasion when half the overs were still unused, he has flattered to deceive. Like Hales, he is unproven against spin and Peterson, bowling markedly slowly, drew him down the pitch and bowled him with ease. 10 England T20s have now brought 19 runs and that is no sort of preparation for a world cup.

Jonny Bairstow, needing to up the pace, plonked Albie Morkel into Botha's hands at deep midwicket and Samit Patel fell in similar fashion against Peterson as Kallis thundered in for a good, low catch at long-on. Only some spirited late forays by Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, as England took 34 from the last five overs, gave England anything to bowl at. As for Dale Steyn, his four overs conceded only 13.

The limited-overs matches mount up, but once again entertainment was in limited supply at the end of a long season. South Africa rested Hashim Amla and his replacement Faf du Plessis, on debut, made only 4 before he was lbw to Finn. There were two wickets for Dernbach, too, the straightforward approach of Richard Levi silenced at first slip and de Villiers, after two glorious boundaries, edging a little carelessly to the keeper.

Swann's offspin, delayed until the eighth over, at 50 for 3, was chipped around cautiously and the tyro slow left-armer, Danny Briggs, had not been selected. He may be more fortunate at Old Trafford.

Read More

Rain wipes out first Twenty20

9:20 AM Cricket No Comments

The thousands who thronged the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam to watch its first ever Twenty20, and Yuvraj Singh's long-awaited comeback from cancer, had to go home disappointed as rain had the final say. Persistent rain in the evening meant that the toss was itself a non-starter. The match was called off without a ball bowled nearly an hour and 30 minutes after the scheduled 7pm start.

There was some consolation for the crowd, though, as Yuvraj made an appearance to loud cheers when he was felicitated by the local association, despite the drizzle. The rain has been a continuing trend in this tour. The Tests at Hyderabad and Bangalore had weather interruptions, but India managed to secure wins in both. The teams will now head to Chennai for the second and final Twenty20 on Tuesday. From the teams' perspective, the rain couldn't have come at a worse time, given that the World Twenty20 is only a couple of weeks away. They will hope for better weather in Chennai, or risk going to Sri Lanka short on T20 practice.

Read More

Pakistan could boycott ICC awards over Ajmal omission

1:54 AM Cricket No Comments

PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has reopened the debate surrounding Saeed Ajmal's exclusion from the ICC awards shortlists by hinting that Pakistan's players could boycott the awards function, to be held in Colombo on September 15, as a "robust protest". The ICC, responding to the PCB's protest on Monday, had ruled out a rethink and the matter seemed to have ended there.

However, Ashraf's comments, made during an interview to ESPNcricinfo, suggest the issue is still alive for Pakistan. "We are facing a lot of pressure from the public and from our former players to push for his inclusion," Ashraf said. "I think the ICC should check whether the independent jury is coming up with the best name and they should not give away the due right of any player in the world.

"If anyone else has more wickets than Ajmal, then we are ready to withdraw our concern and instead we will support their pick. But this isn't reflecting well of the ICC and they should rectify it.

"Meanwhile we probably have to give a second thought to even boycott the function as a robust protest."

Ajmal was in the longlist for the Test Player of the Year award but missed out when an independent 32-member jury, which included former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail and Pakistan journalist Majid Bhatti, nominated Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara, South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander, Australia captain Michael Clarke and South Africa opener Hashim Amla in that category.

Ajmal, 34, took 72 Test wickets between August 4, 2011 and August 6, 2012 - the qualifying period for the award - including 24 at 14.70 as Pakistan swept aside England, the then No. 1 side in the world, 3-0 in January. He has climbed to No. 3 in the ICC Test bowling rankings and is the highest ranked spinner. On Thursday, he was revealed as the top bowler in the ODI rankings.

After the PCB lodged the protest, the ICC refused to reconsider Ajmal's case, saying it had no authority to change the results of the academy. The process was monitored by the independent auditor Ernst & Young, and the longlist was prepared by a five-member Selection Panel headed by Clive Lloyd and included Clare Connor (England), Tom Moody (Australia), Carl Hooper (West Indies) and Marvan Atapattu (Sri Lanka).

Read More