Ian Chappell praises Ajinkya Rahane for his captaincy skills

Ajinkya Rahane earned lots of accolades from cricketing fraternity around the world as he guided India to a victory over Australia at Dharamsala in the last test match, thus completing a series win and helping India regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

©BCCI

India were without Virat Kohli who suffered a shoulder injury in the previous test at Ranchi and was not fully fit for the last test. 

So, Rahane was given the opportunity and he displayed remarkable trait of captaincy with his cool yet aggressive instinct.

He took India across the finishing line.

Former Australian skipper, Ian Chappell was pretty impressed  and full of praises for the stand-in captain of Indian Cricket Team.

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo the legend shared his views.

India are very very lucky to have a stand in captain like Rahane. I thought he did a fantastic job," the former Australian captain told ESPNcricinfo.

"It is not easy to do the job of a fill in because you know the actual captain has a got a certain style. So (in that situation), you think 'what do I do? Do I try to copy that style or do I just be myself', and Rahane did the right thing. He captained in his own way," said Chappell.

Rahane performed the duties in his own quiet way, a contrast to the usually animated Kohli on the field.

"I would say Rahane is aggressive in his own quiet way.

You know you don't have to be a gung ho captain to have the whole team behind you. You just need to do a good job and have the guys have faith in what you are doing.

"And if you are making the right moves, the aggressive field placing moves that Rahane was making, that sort of ting brings the right behind the captain.

"They (Kohli and Rahane) do it totally different. But I thought Rahane did a good job and had the team right behind him because of the way he captained," added Chappell.

Rahane surely has shown the character and maturity needed for the job of captaincy. Hopefully he can captain Team India in future.

©sportskafun.blogsot.com

India level the series with the help of magical Ashwin

Series back to level pegging as India pulled off a memorable victory in Bengaluru test.

India gave a target of 188 runs to Australia, which the visitors knew won't be an easy task. Indian bowlers put up a fine performance with the ball to bring India back into the series.

When India were reduced to 246-8 from 238-4 in the space of 3 overs, Australia thought they had done enough to sense a victory in this test. But Saha and Ishant Sharma added some valuable runs for the last wicket to build some confidence in the team and make them believe that Aussies will not reach the total easily.

When Australia came out to bat, every member in Team India kept the belief in themselves. Captain, Kohli knew how the pitch would behave so he used his bowlers sensibly. Australia needed a good start to back themselves up but Indian bowlers had different ideas.

Every bowler stepped up to the task but the pick of the bowler was R. Ashwin. Ashwin completed his 25th five wicket haul and also completed 200 test wickets on Indian soil. He also surpassed Bishan Sing Bedi's 266 test wickets in the process.

Team India looked like a team on the mission as they were desperate to get this vital win and come back in the series.

The four match series is now tied at 1-1 and the next test will be played in Ranchi from 16th March. 

 

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Lethal Australia do the damage with the second new ball

The Bengaluru pitch played it's part quite remarkably in the 1st session of the 4th day.

Credits : The Indian Express

India, who ended the 3rd day on a high without losing any wickets in the final session of the play, began the 4th day comfortably with Pujara and Rahane on the crease.

Rahane completed his half-century, while Pujara was sensing another century after spending more than 5 hours in the middle.

From 238-4 to 246-8

Australia needed something to put the pressure back on the Indians and the second new ball did exactly that.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood ran through the Indian middle order after knocking down 4 wickets in the 3 overs.

Starc started the destruction by first picking Rahane leg before wicket (with the help of DRS) and then on the very next ball Karun Nair on a duck. It looked almost inevitable to fend off Starc with the new ball. He was absolutely lethal.

In the next over, Hazlewood completed his 5-wicket haul by dismissing the set batsman Cheteshwar Pujara and then R. Ashwin. Hazlewood later got Umesh Yadav out on the edge of the circle.

This bowling performance by Aussie seamers shows how India needs to put their foot ahead when they come out to defend the target, whichever they set.

Wriddhiman Saha is showing some resilience after the stumble.

He, with Ishant Sharma, is the last pair on the crease as India still look to add some valuable runs to defend.

India trail by 1-0 in the series.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Australia complete 3-0 whitewash of the Kiwis

David Warner once again proved to be a task too much for the kiwis at the MCG today.

©CricketAustralia

In the final ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series, New Zealand were playing for their pride as they had already lost the 3 match series.

Australia won the toss on a sunny day in Melbourne and Steve Smith chose to bat. The decision seemed to backfire as the Aussies lost two early wickets, opener Aaron Finch's(3) poor run of form continued, while Steve Smith(0) could not even open his account. Trent Boult took both the wickets.

©AFP

George Bailey and David Warner steadily continued the innings to build a partnership in order to recover from the early losses, they managed to add 62 runs.


After Trent Boult, it was the turn of Colin de Grandhomme, who struck twice in a single over to remove George Bailey(23) and Mitchell Marsh(0). With the two wickets in quick succession, New Zealand felt like they can restrict Australia to a low total but David Warner was still there in the middle.

©CricketAustralia

Warner and Travis Head, took Australia out of the trouble and added 105 runs for the 5th wicket, meanwhile David Warner completed his century. His 7th in calendar year 2016. The menace of Warner didn't let New Zealand bowlers escape as he hit them all over the park.

Wickets fell on the other side at regular intervals but Warner stood tall, he went on to cross 150 mark with the help of 13 fours and 4 sixes.
Warner could have finished the innings on unbeaten 156 only to get run-out by Trent Boult on the last ball of the innings.

Australia scored 264/8 in 50 overs.

New Zealand started there innings confidently as the openers, Guptill and Latham, added 44 runs for the first wicket. Latham(28) was the first one to depart, on a Pat Cummins delivery. Captain Williamson and Guptill took the responsibility on their shoulders to score some runs, but Williamson(13) couldn't do much as he got out LBW on James Faulkner delivery. Williamson even challenged the decision but it was turned down as the three reds stopped his innings there.

©CricketAustralia

Guptill(34) was the next one to go. New Zealand were 79/3 when Guptill was dismissed. After his wicket, New Zealand added just 68 runs and lost 7 wickets as Australia bowled them out for just 147 runs.

Trent Boult was the last one to bite the dust as Australia claimed a 117 run victory.

Australia completely dominated the Kiwis in the Chappell-Hadlee series as they completed the clean sweep.

David Warner was awarded Man of the Match and Man of the Series.

His words after the match - "It's a team performance. Credit to the bowlers for coming out and executing the plans. Us as batsmen, we had to relay the message and they did extremely well. My first coach of cricket until I was about 16 or 17 passed away, my condolences to his family. I would like to hope my form is getting better, but I need to keep hitting the nets and work harder."


©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Faf du Plessis' appeal to be heard by ICC on December 19

This means that he could miss the first test against Sri Lanka.

It's been reported that the International Cricket Council(ICC) will hear his appeal on December 19.

The ICC will hear his appeal at their headquarters in Dubai and Michael Beloff will be present as the Judicial Commissioner.

The hearing will take place in ICC's headquarters here. Legal counsel for both the ICC and Cricket South Africa will attend the hearing. Du Plessis will join the hearing via a telephone link, an ICC statement said.

"The ICC will publish the result of the hearing through its usual channels and will not be making any further comment until that time," the ICC said.

du Plessis was found guilty of breaching the ICC's code of conduct for "applying an artificial substance on the ball" in November.

In the second test of the 3 match Test series against Australia, Du Plessis was caught on camera putting saliva on the ball's surface while sucking on a sweet.

Although an appeal was made against him, he was cleared to play the third test match. In wake of the incident he was fined his entire match fees from the second test, but he avoided the ban.

South Africa won the series 2-1. 

Australia beat New Zealand by 116 runs to clinch Chappell-Hadlee trophy

Australia posted a huge total of 378, courtesy David Warner(119) and quick fire  76 by Mitchell Marsh at the end.

Steve Smith(72) and Travis Head(57) too dented the Kiwis bowling attack as Australia scored plethora of runs.

Apart from toss, which was delayed by 30 minutes due to rain, nothing went New Zealand's way at Maluka Oval, Canberra.

Australia started their innings firmly and didn't allow Kiwis any early breakthroughs.

David Warner hit his 11th ODI ton, 6th in 2016 and 1st vs New Zealand. He had a partnership of 145 runs with skipper Steve Smith for the 2nd wicket.
David Warner was dismissed by C Grandhomme.

After his dismissal Steve Smith and Travis Head progressed the innings without any fall in run rate. They hit respective half centuries in the meantime.

In the later stages, Mitchell Marsh made a brutal attack on the Kiwis as he hit 7 sixes in his 40 balls 76 runs and helped Australia cross 350 runs. 

Australia scored 78 runs in last 33 balls.

For New Zealand, only Mitchell Santner had an economy of less than 6. He picked up one wicket. 

Tim Southee had 2 dismissals to his name.

New Zealand began their innings with an aggressive batting from Martin Guptill, but lost their first wicket at 40 runs when other opener Tom Latham was caught and bowled by Josh Hazlewood. Guptill too managed to score only 45(33). He was caught behind the wickets off a beautiful Pat Cummins delivery. 

Captain Kane Williamson and Jimmy Neesham tried to take the team out of the trouble as they added 125 runs for the 3rd wicket. 

Neesham got out when the score was 177 runs. Kane Williamson fought at the other end but the soaring runrate pressure didn't help Kiwis to really challenge Australia.

Kane Williamson was the 6th one to depart and after his wicket, New Zealand just added 26 runs and were all-out for 262 runs in 47.2 overs.

David Warner won the Man of the Match and with this victory Australia clinched the Chappell-Hadlee trophy.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Cricket Updates

Centurion Smith leads Australia to victory

Australia beat New Zealand by 68 runs in the first ODI of Chappell-Hadlee series

Captain Steve Smith had a great match, as along with the century he also picked up two good cathches.

Australia won the toss and elected to bat, they put up a huge total of 324 for the loss of 8 wickets. 

In reply New Zealand fell 68 runs short, despite Martin Guptill heroics.

Man of the Match Smith, scored 164 runs with the help of 14 fours and 4 sixes. He dismantled the Kiwis bowling attack single handedly.

However Australia didn't make a positive start as opener Aaron Finch got out on duck off Matt Henry's delivery. Henry had bowling figures of 2/74.

Smith had two lifelines in Trent Boult's over and he didn't fail to punish the Kiwis. Smith was dropped on 13 by wicketkeeper Watling and on the next ball an LBW appeal was turned down by the umpire. 

New Zealand made a blunder by not reviewing the decision, had the decision been reviewed, he would have been back in the pavilion.

Smith got a 3rd lifeline too, this time on the score of 152 when Colin Munro dropped his catch. David Warner(24) dragged the ball onto his wickets off debutant Ferguson's delivery. 

George Bailey(17) was caught behind the wickets off James Neesham bowl and Mitchell Marsh(01) got run-out.

Smith and Travis Head(52) helped Australia reach a big score.

New Zealand didn't start well and lost some early wickets.
Martin Guptill held onto one end and scored his 11th ODI century. But no other kiwi batsmen partnered him.

Only Munro(49), Neesham (34) and Matt Henry(27) were the only three to reach double figures.

Indian Women Cricket team won Asia Cup T20

India defeated Pakistan by 17 runs in the final to put their hands on the trophy for 6th time

India won the toss and elected to bat. Mitali Raj, the star batsmen, with her innings of 73 not-out helped India reach 121 runs in 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets. 

Apart from Mitali only Jhulan Goswami(17)  managed to reach double figures.
Anam Ameen was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan with the figures of 2/24.

Indian bowlers put up a brilliant display as they restricted Pakistan for 104/6 in their 20 overs. 5 batsmen reached the double figures in Pakistan innings but nobody managed to cross 25 runs.

Bismah Maruf was the top scorer for Pakistan with 25 runs.

Mitali Raj won both, Player of the Match for her 73 runs and Player of the Tournament for scoring 220 runs in 4 matches.

BCCI President Anurag Thakur congratulated the team on their achievement.

No matches for MS Dhoni until New Year

Dhoni last played on 29th October against New Zealand in Vizag 

Indian ODI and T-20 skipper will play an international match in two and half months when he will step on the field against England in January

The first match of the series will be played in Pune on 15th January

There is a protocol for injured players that when they have to prove themselves fit for selection they must have played in at least one first class match. But Dhoni is exempted from this protocol as he has already retired from the test format.

Dhoni played Vijay Hazare trophy for his preparation of ODI and T20 series against Australia in 2015. However this time the Tournament starts from 25 February, almost one month after the beginning of series against England.

The Superintendent of Senior Selection Committee MSK Prasad said on Sunday, "We don't have any information whether Dhoni will play any Ranji trophy match or not. It's notable that he has already retired from test cricket. We have information that Dhoni is practicing consistently with Jharkhand team."

Secretary of Jharkhand Cricket Association, Rajesh Verma has made it clear that 'Dhoni is mentoring Jharkhand team and will play Vijay Hazare trophy with them.'

Well MS Dhoni fans are eager to watch the cricketer on the field in an International match.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Omar Abdulrahman and Caitlin Foord walk away with AFC Footballer of the Year Awards

AFC Annual Awards 2016 were held in Abu Dhabi on Dec 01.

AFC Footballer of the year - Men

Omar Abdulrahman has been named Asian player of the year to become the second successive Emirati to win the award.

Omar has been widely considered as one of the best talents in Asian Football.

The UAE and Al Ain playmaker, 25, was confirmed as the continent’s finest footballer at the Asian Football Confederation’s Annual Awards, which took place on Thursday night at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.

In receiving the prize, Abdulrahman succeeds compatriot Ahmed Khalil, who made history 12 months ago by becoming the first Emirati to be awarded Asian club football’s lead individual honour. 

Abdulrahman clinched the trophy ahead of China’s Wu Lei and Iraq’s Hammadi Ali.

Abdulrahman has enjoyed a stellar 2016 personally, playing an integral role in Al Ain’s run to the Asian Champions League final, where the UAE side were denied the title last Saturday by South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. In 14 appearances in the competition, Abdulrahman was named man of the match eight times.

He has also starred for the UAE national team as they progressed to the third and final stage of qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Currently, the UAE sit fourth in Group B at the halfway stage.

AFC Footballer of the year- Women

Matildas star Caitlin Foord has been awarded Asia’s top accolade for an individual player, the AFC player of the year at the Asian confederation’s awards in Abu Dhabi.

Foord becomes the third Australian woman to win the award in recent years after Katrina Gorry (2014) and Kate Gill in (2010), but the first to win both the senior and youth accolades, after winning the young player of the year in 2011.

Foord was one of a three-woman shortlist that also included Matildas co-captain Lisa De Vanna and China’s Tan Ruyin. It’s the first time two Australians have been nominated for an individual award, drawing praise from head coach Alen Stajcic.

“To have two out of three nominations in such a strong confederation where we have some of the best players and football countries in the world is a real testament of how well our team performed in 2016,” Stajcic said.

Foord battled back from a broken collarbone to play a central role in Australia’s Rio Olympics campaign, scoring against eventual gold medallists Germany to help the Matildas to the quarter-finals.

She has won 50 international caps since debuting at the age of 16.

“I wasn’t expecting this ... I accept the award on behalf of all the Matildas,” Foord said.

“It’s obviously a massive achievement. Looking back at the young player award, I was so young and just took the award. I didn’t really expect it, or think too much of it.

“Now when I look back, I’m privileged to have done so well and I will do the same when I look back on this trophy and combine the two.”

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Australia holding a upper hand after end of Day 2 in Adelaide

South Africa declared for 259/9 on Day 1 and Australia resumed their batting from 14/0 on Day 2.

Despite losing two wickets under a score of 50 runs, Australia fought back with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith.

Usman Khawaja was the star player of the day with his unbeaten 138.
Steve Smith added 59 runs before getting run-out in a silly fashion.

Australia are 2-0 down in the series and their batting display was at stake in this match.

Debutant Peter Handscombe had a busy debut thanks to his 54 runs. He along with Khawaja added 99 runs for the 4 the wicket.

After Handscombe got out it looked like another debacle was on the cards as they lost 2 more in quick succession in form of Maddison and Wade.

But Khawaja stood tall and finished the day at unbeaten 138 with Mitchell Starc 16 on the other end.

Australia ended day 2 on 307/6 with a lead of 48 runs.
Kyle Abbott had the best figures for Proteas with 3/38.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Cricket Updates

Skipper du Plessis hits century on Day 1, South Africa declared at 259/9 

Faf du Plessis left the ball tampering controversy behind him and produced a solid batting display against Australia in the 3rd test at Adelaide Oval.

It is a day-night test and du Plessis hits century on the first day. He remained not-out at 118 runs. 

With the help of his century South Africa declared their innings at 259/9.

Australia, in their 1st innings, scored 14 runs in 12 overs till the end of day's play.
Openers Matt Renshaw (8*) and Usman Khawaja (3*) were at the crease.

At a time Steve Smith reduced South Africa to 95/4, but du Plessis stood firm and played a brilliant innings to overcome early fall of wickets.

du Plessis was heavily booed when he came out to bat. He was found guilty of ball tampering and was fined for the same but he made it to the test.

After early fall of wickets du Plessis had a partner in Steve Cook (40) to some extent. However Mitchell Starc caught his leg before wicket in the 3rd over but replay showed Starc foot went over the line and was termed as a no ball so Cook was called back.

Cook was then dismissed by Starc in the 2nd session.
The star man of South Africa in the series Quinton de Kock failed to emulate his performance from the previous test and got out for just 24 runs.

Faf du Plessis completed his century in the 3rd session, after taking two runs off a Josh Hazlewood delivery.
It was his 6th Test century.

In reply, David Warner could not come out to bat as he was termed unfit to bat and was receiving treatment. And there was also not much time left after Proteas declared their innings.

Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers for Australia with figures of 4/68. Mitchell Starc got 2 for 78 runs.

'The accusations of ball tampering on Virat Kohli are false' - Anil Kumble

It was earlier reported by a British tabloid that Virat Kohli has tampered with the ball in the Rajkot test.

A pic of Virat Kohli surfaced where he was seen applying spit on the ball. 

But Coach Anil Kumble has denied all this accusation and said he does not believe in giving wind to such kind of stories.

It's been in rules of ICC that if a player does tamper with the ball, the opposition team or the ICC match referee had to report such incident to ICC within 5 days but as the pic came out after the Vizag test it had no point.

ICC also made it clear that according to rules there is no such case.

Yuvraj Singh reaches Parliament

Yuvraj Singh, who is set to marry his fiancé Hazel Keech, this December, reached the Parliament to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his wedding.

Yuvraj was seen outside the Parliament in a cool look with the invitation cards in his hand.

Mohali Test begins tomorrow

India are 1-0 up in the series and with the third test match starting tomorrow India will be hoping to win it to put pressure on England and take the series away from their reach.

England will also be hoping for a comeback just like they did in 2012.

Last test in Mohali just ended in 3 days when India played South Africa.
It will be interesting to see how the pitch performs this time.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Top 15 all time lowest totals in ODI

Cricket has always been an unpredictable game.

Sometimes teams can amass huge totals on board while the other day they can crumble down in pieces.

As it is said batsmen always have an advantage. But sometimes bowlers also prove to be match winners.

Some new records are created and broken every other match but there are some records which no team would like to touch.

Here we look at one record which caused embarrassment to batsmen and bowlers had their share of joy.

Have a look at the 15 all time lowest team totals in limited overs cricket:-

These are the instances when bowlers really gave a tough time to the batsmen. 

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

'Australia in search of a solid partner for David Warner' Sunil Gavaskar

'After winning comprehensively in Hobart, South Africa have maintained their dominance against a struggling Australia.

Before tests, they whitewashed Australia on their home ground in ODI series.'

'In the ongoing test series, there is a match left and South Africa would be hoping to whitewash Steven Smith & co.'

'Australia thought without Dale Steyn, who is out due to a shoulder injury, things would be easy for them. He is out for six months means he won't be able to play cricket this season. But his replacement Kyle Abbott has performed exceptionally well.

Vernon Philander took full advantage of conditions in Hobart and troubled the Aussies with his swing. Australia once again, were bowled out under 100. South Africa batted with full commitment and made sure they take a big lead. However they too struggled at the start and their half of the side were dismissed at low score.'

'But they have found an excellent wicketkeeper in the form of Quinton de Kock. He played beautiful shots to score a century and made a partnership with Buvama, which helped the Proteas take some valuable lead. They took some extra runs which forced Australia to keep fielders close to the batsmen.'

'Buvama and De Kock have studied in the same school, that's why they have a great understanding when batting together.
They can assess the situation of the game and are good between the wickets as well.

Australia, since last season, are struggling to find a partner for David Warner. Whenever Warner gets out early, Aussies are in trouble.'

'In the first innings of Hobart test, Australia were all-out for a mere 85 runs and only Steve Smith managed to get some runs. He remained not out at 48 runs, but his effort was not enough.
Smith had a partnership with Usman Khwaja, but next morning, when Khwaja got out, Australia's batting were spilled like a deck of cards.'

Australia and South Africa will play the last match of the series from 24 November in Adelaide.

©sportskafum.blogspot.com

'It is extremely special for us' - Faf du Plessis

Remember the time when it was almost impossible for any team to beat Australia, not just in Australia but also anywhere else in the world. Well, time has changed a lot since and South Africa's victory over Australia in the Hobart test delightfully approves it.

This is the third consecutive series win for South Africa against Australia. Australia, who were whitewashed (5-0) by the Proteas in the ODI series had no answers in Tests as well. Eight years ago in the captaincy of Graeme Smith, South Africa won the test series in Australia 2-1, four years later they won another 3 match test series 1-0. But now, the skipper Faf du Plessis has made it quite clear that they will not rest for anything less than a 3-0 complete whitewash.

Australia were bowled out for 161 and South Africa won the test by an innings and 80 runs.

Excerpts from his post match conference in which Du Plessis lauded his team's effort :-

"This team has been very close to exceptional. There haven't been many things we've done wrong. We have been very consistent in the way we perform. We are not relying on one or two players. All XI are putting our hands up at different times and that's what you want from your team."

"We came across here with a lot of confidence." South Africa dismissed Australia for just 85 runs in the first innings of the test. They exploited the weakness of the Australian team.

Vernon Philander celebrating with his teammates after picking up a wicket

"When you're a team that's under the pump and under pressure and not playing the way as well as you like, confidence will fade away. It's hard to fake it. We didn't give them the opportunity to do it. It was important to keep the important guys in the team quiet - David Warner and Steve Smith. If you can put a lot of pressure on them, younger guys won't have that same punch. We made sure those guys have been relatively quiet in the series. Even guys like [Mitchell] Starc, he bowled well in that one spell but if you're on top, that's when you get a five-for and you clean the tail up. We were just really good in making sure we stopped that."

Quinton de Kock during his century in 2nd test against Australia

South Africa cleaned up Australia's batting lineup on the fourth morning in just 95 minutes.

"I didn't expect it to happen that quickly. Yesterday our bowling was exceptional. The last hour and a half we were so good in our areas and relentless. We didn't get the results we wanted but we knew today if we came back, it would change for us. This is one of those sessions we will always remember as a team, that won us the series and it was unbelievable."

Faf du Plessis has made it very clear that this dominant South African team will not be complacent and will take everything all they can in this trip to Australia.

"This is the mission for us now. We want to do that very badly. We won't rest on our laurels and be happy with 2-0 or 2-1. We've got Australia in a position where they are under pressure and we don't want to let that go. It's hard enough to get them in this position so we will do everything we can to make it 3-0."

Scores 

Australia 1st Innings - 85/10 (32.5 Overs)

South Africa 1st Innings - 326/10 (100.1 Overs)

Australia 2nd Innings - 161/10 (60.1 Overs)

South Africa won by an innings and 80 runs.

The final test will be their first day-night test in Adelaide which starts on 24 Nov.



©sportskafun.blogspot.com