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The Sri Lankans’ bowlers let the NZC President’s XI’s eighth-wicket partnership plunder 124 runs, but batted marginally better than in the first innings to secure a draw in the three-day warm up game in Queenstown

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Dec-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Udara Jayasundera made a painstaking 63 off 153 balls for the Sri Lankans•WICB Media

The Sri Lankans’ bowlers let the NZC President’s XI’s eighth-wicket partnership plunder 124 runs, but batted marginally better than in the first innings to secure a draw in the three-day warm up game in Queenstown. The hosts took a 206-run lead before declaring and the Sri Lankans then moved to 226 for 6 by stumps.A 153-ball 63 from opener Udara Jayasundera led the Sri Lankans’ innings, and heightened his chances of a debut in the first Test against New Zealand next Thursday. He struck up a 108-run partnership with Kithuruwan Vithanage, who hit 61 off 109 himself. Angelo Mathews made an unbeaten 54, while Dinesh Chandimal collected 29. Kusal Perera and Kusal Mendis were dismissed for low scores for the second time in the match.The President’s XI bowlers shared the six wickets between them, Neil Wagner taking 1 for 31. Seamer James Baker picked up the innings’ best figures of 2 for 21.Earlier in the day, the Presidents’ XI’s resumed on 288 for 7, before hitting 111 runs in the next 15.3 overs. No. 9 batsman Tim Johnston hit 62 from 74 balls while Shawn Hicks finished with 79 not out from 85 deliveries. Sri Lanka lent their opposition a hand with 44 extras, including 21 no-balls. Dushmantha Chameera claimed his fourth wicket of the innings to end that eighth-wicket partnership and invite the declaration.

Surrey have confirmed the signing of JP Duminy, the South Africa batsman, for the last few weeks of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jun-2013Surrey have confirmed the signing of JP Duminy, the South Africa batsman, for the last few weeks of the season. Duminy will replace Ricky Ponting and is set to be available for six Championship fixtures, as Surrey attempt to secure their place in Division One for another season.Ponting had initially been signed as cover for Graeme Smith, the South Africa captain, who was ruled out for the season with an ankle problem that required surgery. Ponting, the former Australia batsman, has played in two Championship games, both draws, with Surrey second from bottom in Division One and still looking for their first win after seven matches.South Africa are scheduled to play five ODIs and three T20s in Sri Lanka between July 20 and August 6, after which Duminy will link up with Surrey. A member of the Champions Trophy squad currently attempting to qualify for the semi-finals, Duminy recently returned to action after six months out with an Achilles injury.”I am really chuffed to have signed with a great club like Surrey,” Duminy said. “After my long lay off I just want to play and Surrey is a great wicket. I love the UK and I really look forward to working with Chris Adams and the rest of the team.”Duminy, who could also be involved in three YB40 matches as well as FLt20 Finals Day, should Surrey qualify, averages 50.79 in first-class cricket and nearly 40 in List A. He has played more than 150 times across all three formats for South Africa and also bowls useful offbreaks in addition to his batting.Surrey’s team director, Chris Adams, said: “I am delighted that JP Duminy has agreed to join Surrey for what will no doubt be an exciting and important period of our season. We are happy to be welcoming him to the club and look forward to him making a big contribution during his time here.”

Afsar Zazai, 18, led Afghanistan to an improbable three-wicket win over Netherlands on his first-class debut

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Apr-2012
Scorecard Afsar Zazai, 18, led Afghanistan to an improbable three-wicket win over Netherlands on his first-class debut. Netherlands were favourites to win when they had reduced Afghanistan to 111 for 6 in their chase of 233 on the second day. But Zazai did not give up and along with Mohammad Nabi (25) and Samiullah Shenwari (20 not out) took Afghanistan to second position on the points table behind Ireland.Afghanistan needed another 122 to win at the start of the third day with only four wickets standing. Wicketkeeper Zazai added 76 with Nabi and an unbroken 46 for the eighth wicket with Shenwari. He hit 13 boundaries in his patient unbeaten innings of 84 from 156 deliveries. Though Nabi fell to Michael Swart with the score on 187, Shenwari supported Zazai as he carried Afghanistan to the target.

ESPNcricinfo previews the IPL match between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Rajasthan Royals in Indore

The Preview Siddhartha Talya14-May-2011

Match facts

Friday, May 15, Indore
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Shane Watson has yet to dominate•AFP

Big Picture

Both teams are still in it theoretically, but a defeat will certainly send them out of the IPL this season. With mixed returns in this campaign overall, and at least two successive defeats marring their recent run, both Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Rajasthan Royals have been left hanging by a thread.Rajasthan, in their previous game against the in-form Royal Challengers Bangalore, were humbled after posting 146, while Kochi will be disappointed they didn’t defend 176; they were outdone by an enterprising innings from Dinesh Karthik.Both have two games in hand, and need to win both to entertain hopes of staying. While those wins might not ensure qualification, given the teams’ low net run-rates and that the current top four look good to remain there, they’ll end their respective campaigns on a high. For Rajasthan, it’ll mark a satisfactory end to Shane Warne’s reign as player, coach and captain. Likewise for Kochi in their first season following a turbulent build-up.

Form guide (most recent first)

Kochi Tuskers Kerala: LLWWL (seventh on points table)
Rajasthan Royals: LLLWW (fifth on points table)

Team talk

It could be worth bringing Ranji star Deepak Chahar into the playing XI. He hasn’t got a game this season, and could be an option in place of Pankaj Singh, who was expensive in Rajasthan’s previous game.B Akhil has had just one game for Kochi this season and could be given a go. Jayawardene has said his team could go in with a four-pronged pace attack.Predict the playing XIs for this match. Play ESPNcricinfo Team Selector.

In the spotlight

Shane Watson: He’s had starts this season at the top of the order, but hasn’t really been dominating as he’s capable of being. He looked in good nick against Bangalore in his previous match, making 34, and needs to push on for more.Brendon McCullum: He’s had a better IPL than Watson, but in the last few games, like his opening rival, has not dug in after the early bursts. He made a quick 32 in Kochi’s previous game, 22 before that and smashed it around for 37 against Delhi Daredevils. He and Watson have similar goals to meet.

Prime numbers

• Rajasthan Royals have had the least number of team fifties this season, with just three in 12 games. Kochi Tuskers Kerala are second from bottom with four
• Rajasthan, as a team, have also struck the least fours and sixes – 128 and 32. Kochi have fared far better – 151 fours and 43 sixes until now

The chatter

“We’ve often been 20-odd runs short of where we should’ve been. McCullum plays the way he does and sometimes gets out early. If we have some partnerships in the middle overs, we could end with 15 or 20 more runs, which could make all the difference.”

Pakistan breezed to a 68-run win over Windward Islands in the first of their warm-up games at Gros Islet.

Cricinfo staff27-Apr-2010
Scorecard
Mohammad Hafeez scored 57 and took 1 for 16•Getty Images

Pakistan breezed to a 68-run win over Windward Islands in the first of their warm-up games at Gros Islet. Put in to bat by Windward Islands, the visitors reached 160 for 7 thanks mainly to Mohammad Hafeez’s enterprising half century. Windward Islands crawled to 92 for 4 in reply, with Mohammad Asif the only Pakistan bowler to go for more than four runs an over.Pakistan lost Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal early in their innings but Hafeez steadied the middle order and lead a late charge before he was bowled by Keron Cottoy for 57. Captain Shahid Afridi and Fawad Alam both reached the 20s before they were dismissed, and a late flurry by Misbah-ul-Haq, who smote two sixes in an eight-ball 17, boosted Pakistan’s score in the closing overs.Windward Islands’ reply never got going, and after captain Johnson Charles was caught by Hafeez off the bowling of Mohammad Aamer for 15 the fight seemed to go from the batsmen. Keddy Lesporis top-scored with 24, while the wickets were shared around by Pakistan’s bowlers, with Aamer, Hafeez, Afridi and Saeed Ajmal each picking up one.Pakistan’s next warm-up is against Zimbabwe on Thursday at the same venue.

Proceeds from selling stakes in teams to be split between counties and recreational game

Matt Roller30-May-2024The ECB’s leadership believe that private investment will take the Hundred “to the next level” and turn it into the world’s second-biggest franchise league after the IPL. The board has confirmed its financial advisors and legal counsel for the sale process, which it aims to complete by the end of this year ahead of a revamped competition in 2025.Earlier this month, the counties signalled their approval on the ECB’s proposed “direction of travel”. They all stand to benefit financially from the sale of stakes in the eight Hundred teams – who are all owned by the ECB – to private investors, which is likely to include IPL owners and private equity firms.There has been extensive discussions over the proposed model but there is now broad agreement over the mechanism by which the proceeds would be split. Initially, the ECB will hand 51% of the shares in the eight teams to the host counties (MCC in London Spirit’s case) for free. They will then decide whether to keep all, some, or none of their respective stakes.Related

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The ECB will then sell its 49% stake, with 10% given to the recreational game in England and Wales and the rest shared by the counties. The first £275 million would be shared 19 ways (between the 18 first-class counties and MCC). The next £150 million would then be shared between the 11 non-hosts only, and any proceeds beyond £425 million would be shared 19 ways again.Vikram Banerjee, the ECB’s director of business operations, has led the process. He said in an ECB press release – the first public communication by the board on the privatisation of the Hundred – that it would “unlock the future potential” of the Hundred while supporting the rest of the sport financially.”We have identified this moment as the opportunity to take the Hundred to the next level while capitalising on the global interest in the competition to underpin the structure of the whole domestic game,” Banerjee said. “The opportunity to engage new global strategic partners will help us unlock the future potential of the Hundred.”We will be looking to engage the very best in world sport to grow the Hundred into a competition which can benefit the whole of cricket for years to come. With proceeds from any investment going direct to the recreational and the county game, it will support the other parts of cricket which are so cherished by fans and players alike and play an important role in identifying and developing talent.”The ECB said that the Hundred will play “a vital role in the future of our sport” and that counties have been supportive of their plans. “The ambition is to seek partners with the expertise to help take the competition to the next level, while ensuring any investment benefits the whole of the game,” the board said.”The ECB will continue working closely and collaboratively with its members through the process, including finalising how proceeds will be distributed among the first-class counties, MCC and the recreational game.”The Raine Group, which worked on the recent sales processes at Premier League football clubs Chelsea and Manchester United, will be the lead advisor and has been tasked with sourcing partners and negotiating the terms of investment. Deloitte, one of the “big four” accounting firms, will provide strategic advice, while Latham & Watkins and Onside Law will act as legal co-counsel.The Hundred will run from July 23 until August 18 this year, and the ECB hopes to use this season as a shop window for prospective investors. The first six days of the season will clash with Major League Cricket, which could cause as many as half of the men’s overseas players to arrive late.

Spinner Jack Sinfield claimed three wickets on his Shield debut for Queensland

AAP21-Feb-2023Wicketkeeper Matthew Gilkes posted his highest Sheffield Shield score to lift NSW from a precarious position on day one of their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.NSW, who require victory at the Gabba to avoid a record winless run, were lurching before Gilkes’s innings helped them reach 9 for 311 at stumps.Gilkes, whose previous best in an 18-match first-class career was 83, reached his seventh half-century only to be dismissed minutes before stumps for 94.Gilkes struck 14 boundaries in a 160-ball knock before directing a Xavier Bartlett delivery into the hands of Joe Burns.NSW were struggling at 5 for 134 and with all five recognised batters back in the pavilion after Queensland elected to send the visitors in to bat.
Gilkes added 60 for the sixth wicket with Hayden Kerr (24).Chris Green followed up his maiden half century last week with 52 as he and Gilkes added another 91 for the eighth wicket.Queensland bowled a consistent line and length during the morning session to leave NSW 3 for 70 at lunch in a session that included the key scalp of heavy-scoring opener Daniel Hughes (21).Other batters failing to build on starts were Kurtis Patterson (31), Moises Henriques (23) and Jason Sangha (34).Queensland lined up with two debutants in the form of Aryan Jain and teenage offspinner Jackson Sinfield.The latter, who came into the side in place of Test call-up Matt Kuhnemann, picked up 3 for 70 with NSW skipper Patterson being his first Shield victim when he chipped to midwicket.

Josh Philippe and Daniel Hughes scored half-centuries as Sixers made up for a slow start

AAP15-Jan-2022Veteran spinner Steve O’Keefe has enjoyed a triumphant BBL comeback while star batter Josh Philippe returned to form as Sydney Sixers scored a thumping 60-run win over Sydney Thunder.The result at the SCG on Saturday moved Sixers into second place on the ladder on net run rate above Thunder, who have played one more game and suffered back-to-back losses.Sixers made 5 for 197 with Philippe (57 off 35 balls), Daniel Hughes (66 off 48) and captain Moises Henriques kept (47 not out off 27) lifting the tempo massively after their side scored a competition low of just eight from their opening four-over powerplay.Thunder tallied 28 more in the powerplay than Sixers, but 37-year-old O’Keefe, back after missing two matches with a hand injury, triggered a massive collapse. He took two wickets in both his first and third overs as the Thunder lost 7 for 38 before a ninth-wicket stand of 56 salvaged some pride. Captain Chris Green scored his first BBL half-century, with the visitors finishing on 9 for 137.Alex Hales got the Thunder off to a rapid start, taking three fours off Sean Abbott in the second over. But O’Keefe bowled Hales with his first delivery and had Alex Ross caught behind three balls later to alter the momentum.O’Keefe struck twice more when he had the dangerous Daniel Sams caught at long-on and Oliver Davies stumped. Thunder slumped to 5 for 61 in the 10th over and 8 for 80 in the 13th.Earlier Sixers took 28 balls to notch their first boundary but made the most of their chances. Coming off a lean run of three ducks in four innings, Philippe was dropped on 9 and made Thunder pay.Returning to his strong early season form, Philippe smashed five fours and two sixes, pulling off some well executed ramp shots and big leg-side hits.Australian T20 and ODI representative Philippe and Hughes picked up the pace, adding 82 in just under 10 overs. Hughes, who scored just two runs off his first 11 balls, brought up a record fifth half-century in Sydney Smash matches, a fixture in which he has scored more runs than any other player.Hughes and Henriques kept the pressure on the Thunder’s bowlers, putting on 77 in seven overs.Thunder were guilty of sloppy fielding and pacemen Mohammed Hasnain and Sams were left visibly agitated with the former exchanging words with Henriques — when Sixers captain seemed to cheekily suggest the Pakistan quick was throwing.Sams and fellow paceman Nathan McAndrew each took two wickets but Hasnain, who was playing his last match before returning home, was clearly Thunder’s most economical bowler.

Gaikwad was one of the two players who had tested positive for Covid-19 from the CSK contingent

Nagraj Gollapudi16-Sep-2020Ruturaj Gaikwad, the second player in the Chennai Super Kings contingent to test positive for Covid-19 last month, will not be available for selection for the team’s opening game, the IPL 2020 tournament opener against Mumbai Indians on September 19. Gaikwad has finished his two-week quarantine and is understood to be asymptomatic, but he is yet to clear the two mandatory Covid-19 tests put in place by the IPL for him to re-join the squad.”We are waiting for BCCI to give us a clearance on Gaikwad. He has to undergo the fitness tests [as well],” Kasi Viswanathan, Super Kings’ chief executive officer, told ESPNcricinfo. Viswanathan said it could take “another two days at least” to get a clear idea on when Gaikwad could return.Viswanathan said Gaikwad continues to remain in a separate isolation facility, outside the team hotel. Less than a week after landing in the UAE on August 21, 13 members of Super Kings’ set-up had tested positive for Covid-19 and were moved out of the team hotel immediately.As per the IPL’s medical guidelines, any player in the bubble testing positive first has to isolate for 14 days followed by testing negative twice. The two tests are carried out on consecutive days. After that, he has to undergo medical tests put in place by BCCI’s team before he can start training.India fast bowler Deepak Chahar, who was the other Super Kings player to test positive for Covid-19 last month, underwent a similar process. Chahar recovered in time to be ready for the opening match.ALSO READ: Ruturaj Gaikwad in power-packed band of uncapped Indian batsmenIn the wake of Super Kings stalwart Suresh Raina’s sudden withdrawal from the IPL last month, the franchise had said it was confident Gaikwad could fill in for Raina. Gaikwad has scored more List A runs than anyone for India A in the last two years – 843 runs in 15 innings. All those runs came while batting at No. 3, the position Raina mostly batted at for Super Kings.Gaikwad began the 2019-20 season with a below-par Vijay Hazare Trophy, the 50-over competition, but bounced back in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, the T20 tournament. His tally of 419 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 146.30 was only second to Devdutt Padikkal’s 580 runs in 12 innings.Hazlewood and Curran’s availability for first match remains unclear
Viswanthan also said that the IPL has not yet given its final word on whether players arriving from the England v Australia series, which concludes on Wednesday, will be exempt from the mandatory six-day quarantine.Super Kings have two players arriving from England series: Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and England bowling allrounder Sam Curran. Considering the players would be moving from one bubble (in England) to another (in the UAE), franchises have been requesting the IPL to reconsider the quarantine period to make them available for the teams’ first games.ALSO READ: David Warner, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Pat Cummins set to miss start of IPL 2020The IPL is understood to have told franchises that it needs to be absolutely certain about the commute from England to the UAE – which would be on a charter flight – being safe. Only then can it take a final call, in coordination with the local government authorities in the UAE.Viswanthan confirmed that all the players arriving from the Caribbean Premier League, including former South Africa legspinner Imran Tahir and West Indies allrounder Dwayne Bravo were fit and available for selection for the first match.Super Kings, who finished runners-up last season in the IPL, are schedule to play three matches in the first week of the tournament. After the opening match against Mumbai in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, Super Kings play Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah on September 22 and then travel to Dubai to take on Delhi Capitals on September 25.

Netherlands were 167 for 5. They had never chased a target as big as 291 in ODI cricket. Fast forward to the 49th over and they were gifted the winning run off a wide

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jun-2019
Zimbabwe came into this game after getting a proper beating. But nearly all of their key players stood up to change the narrative. Sikandar Raza played finisher to perfection, making 85 off only 68 balls and remaining unbeaten so that the effort of his team-mates higher up the order – Craig Ervine scored 84 and Brendan Taylor struck a fifty as well – yielded a solid total. At the innings break, 290 for 6 looked a winning score. And that perception only grew when Sean Williams too four wickets with his left-arm spin.Netherlands were 167 for 5 in the 33rd over. They had never chased a target as big as this in ODI cricket before. But fast forward to the 49th and they were gifted the winning run off a wide.Much of the recovery had already been done, with Roelof van der Merwe striking a composed 57 off 54 balls and the wicketkeeper Scott Edwards keeping pace despite scoring only three boundaries in his unbeaten 44. Eventually though that sixth-wicket partnership at nearly run a ball gave way to one that was pure mayhem.The Netherlands captain Pieter Seelaar came out with the equation reading 62 off 42 balls and completely broke the game. He faced only 15 deliveries but sent six of them to the boundary to ensure his team set a new national record.A big chase usually needs a good opening stand and Netherlands had that too. Tobias Visee, who will be opening the batting with Chris Gayle at the Global T20 Canada, batted in a matter befitting that as he whacked 41 off only 33 balls. His partner, Max O’Dowd who scored a half-century on debut on Wednesday followed it up with another, but when he fell to Williams, the game seemed to tilt towards Zimbabwe and the series was set to be shared 1-1.Then everything changed.