England beat Australia to clinch ODI series, Buttler shins

SYDNEY: A scintillating century from Jos Buttler brought England a 16-run win and a one-day international series victory against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

The hosts, set 303 to win by England after winning the toss and electing to bowl, were always struggling in their chase and eventually managed only 286 for six.

The result gave England an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match ODI series, a remarkable turnaround after Australia had trounced the tourists 4-0 in the Ashes Tests.

Australia’s hopes largely rested with Steve Smith (45) and Mitchell Marsh (55), but both were dismissed at a crucial stage of the chase, with Smith falling to a contentious low-down catch by Buttler off the bowling of Mark Wood (2-46).

Marcus Stoinis made a late attempt to lift Australia with a punishing 56, but England managed to hold on despite losing pacemen Liam Plunkett to a leg injury early in the Australian innings.

Buttler, 27, was the only batsman from either team really to get to grips with a slightly slow pitch, and his late surge enabled England to reach a total which had seemed out of their reach until the final few overs.

Several English batsmen failed to capitalise on promising starts, but Buttler notched his fifth one-day international century from the last ball of the innings as England helped themselves to 38 off the final two overs.

Buttler himself took 28 runs from the last 11 balls he faced. He faced 83 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes, in a dashing innings that gathered momentum in the last 10 overs.

Just as England appeared to be struggling against a full-strength Australian attack, Buttler found a willing ally in Chris Woakes late in the innings, the seamer making 53 from 36 balls in a match-winning partnership of 113 in 11.5 overs.

Australia recalled pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood for the match, the first time in the one-day series that the trio of Cummins, Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who spearheaded the Ashes win, had been reunited.

The tactic appeared to be working until Buttler and Woakes came together and turned the match on its head. The English were aided by sloppy Australian fielding, with four missed catches and two botched run-out attempts.
The easiest of the catches to go to grass was a howler by Cameron White, who failed to get a hand to a skied chance from Moeen Ali when he was on one.
Marsh was the unlucky bowler, but had his revenge a few minutes later when he bowled Ali for six, continuing the all-rounder’s wretched tour.

Smith dropped Eoin Morgan (41) on 18 off spinner Adam Zampa, while Starc got his fingers to a tough caught-and-bowled chance.

2019 cricket World cup: Windies, Pakistan in danger zone

Dubai:

Former World Cup winners Pakistan and the West Indies are in danger of failing to automatically qualify for the 2019 edition of cricket’s showpiece 50-over tournament.

Following today’s release of the updated One-Day International team rankings by the International Cricket Council, eighth-placed Pakistan have opened up a nine-point gap on the West Indies, who sit a spot back on 79 points.

The top seven ranked ODI teams and England, as the host nation, will automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup which means the Windies, who won the first two World Cups in 1975 and 1979, need to perform strongly before the September 30 cut-off date or face the prospect of further qualification.

Between now and the deadline, the West Indies host 10th-placed Afghanistan for three ODIs in June (during the Champions Trophy which they failed to qualify for) before flying to the UK for a five-match series against England in September.

Pakistan’s only ODI assignment before the cut-off date is the Champions Trophy while seventh-placed Bangladesh, who are 12 points ahead of the Windies, have a tri-series against Ireland and New Zealand ahead of the Champions Tropy.

Those teams that do not automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup must earn a spot by going through the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in 2018, a 10-team tournament comprised of the bottom four ODI sides and six sides from the ICC World Cricket League, with the top two sides advancing.

The latest ODI rankings update takes into account results dating back to May 1, 2014, with the most recent results having the most significance.

South Africa remain in first place on 123 points, with Australia (118), India (117), New Zealand (115) and England (109) rounding out the top five.

Pakistan junior hockey team wins Australian National event

Sydney: Pakistan Junior hockey team coach ex Olympian Kamran Ashraf receiving souvenir after winning gold medal in Austria’s Junior championship 

Sydney:

Pakistan’s junior hockey team has won the Australia’s national junior hockey championship, beating the New South Wales state team 3-2 in the final.

According to the PHF statement, Pakistanis played according to a plan right from the start in the final.

Pakistan went ahead in the 13th minute through a field goal by Naveed Alam who ended up the tournament as Pakistan’s top scorer with five goals. Pakistani colts extend the lead 2-0 in the 24th minute when Ahmed Nadeem converted penalty corner into a goal for Pakistan.

Pakistan was leading 2-0 at the half time.

After resumption, Pakistani youngsters continued searching for the target and were rewarded in the 44th minute as the Sahiwal boy Ahmed Nadeem had his second of the evening this time via open play.

Down by three goals, New South Wales didn’t give up. Within four minutes, they were awarded a penalty stroke and their most prolific scorer Ehren Hazell cashed in on it. In the 65th minute, Daine Richards caused a stir when he converted a penalty corner to reduce Pakistan’s lead.

However, New South Wales couldn’t score the equaliser before the final whistle.

New South Wales were the only undefeated side in the 10-team competition and were also the side which had inflicted Pakistan their only loss of the tour; by the same score in the pool match.

Steve Smith Leads Australia to 68-Run Win Over New Zealand in first ODI

Sydney: Steve Smith hit a record-breaking century and took two superb catches as Australia beat New Zealand by 68 runs in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series opener in Sydney on Sunday.

The Australia skipper smashed 164, the highest one-day international score at the Sydney Cricket Ground, to lead Australia to 324 for eight.

Man of the match Smith struck 14 fours and four sixes in his seventh ODI century after winning the toss to give the Black Caps a tough target to chase down.

The Kiwis were dismissed for 256 in 44.2 overs.

Smith’s knock, the seventh highest by an Australian in a ODI, surpassed South Africa’s AB de Villers 162 at the same ground in last year’s World Cup.

It was also the joint-highest by an Australia captain. Ricky Ponting also made 164 against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2006.

Smith underlined his man-of-the-match qualities with two decisive catches in the Black Caps innings.

It was his throat-high catch at slip that got a big breakthrough, dispatching New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson for nine.

He later latched onto a flying one-handed screamer to dismiss BJ Watling for six off Mitchell Marsh, hurling himself to his left in the gully for a stunning catch.

Opener Martin Guptill raised his 11th ODI century with a six off Marsh over long-on off 93 balls and was his side’s major hope of reeling in Australia’s huge target.

But leg-spinner Adam Zampa coaxed Guptill into a false shot to find fielding substitute Glenn Maxwell at mid-wicket and was on his way for 114 off 102 balls in the 33rd over.

Jimmy Neesham put on 92 runs for the third stand with Guptill before he holed out to Hazlewood off Mitchell Starc in the 22nd over.

On the up

Smith’s top-ranked team suffered a 5-0 ODI series drubbing in South Africa in October and earlier looked shaky again when reduced to 92 for four in the 21st over.

But Smith, who could have been out three times, led a swashbuckling recovery and thwarted opposition bowlers to put his side in the ascendancy.

“I had a bit of luck, but you have to take that and make the most it,” Smith said after his innings.

“Nice to get a big score on my home ground. I love batting here, it’s a great place to play and great to play in front of my family.”

Smith was finally out three overs from the end when he skied Trent Boult to Colin Munro at midwicket.

Smith was supported by 52 from newcomer Travis Head, who was dropped by Matt Henry on nine, while wicketkeeper Matt Wade clobbered three sixes off a Jimmy Neesham over on his way to 38 off 22 balls.

Smith gave New Zealand two chances in Boult’s third over.

BJ Watling missed a leg-side catch on 13 and one run later Boult’s leg before wicket appeal was turned down by the umpire.

New Zealand inexplicably did not call for a review, which showed the Australian captain would have been out.

Smith had a third ‘life’ on 152 when Munro dropped him at square leg.

David Warner attacked debutant paceman Lockie Ferguson, smashing two boundaries off the youngster’s first over before he inside-edged on to his stumps for 24 off 29 balls.

Head put on 127 for the fifth wicket with Smith, before he was caught and bowled low down by Boult.

The second match in the series takes place at Canberra’s Manuka Oval on Tuesday.

Aussie jailed after he ran naked across a cricket field between Sri Lanka and Australia game

Kandy, Sri Lanka: July 28th 2016 A Brisbane man who rushed a cricket field before stripping off his clothes and sliding on a rain-drenched tarp cover will spend a week in jail for ‘indecent exposure.’

Alex James was watching the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Kandy, in central Sri Lanka, on Tuesday when he appeared to get bored during a rain delay and was seen running on the blue rain cover shielding the cricket-wicket area, according to The Australian.

Mr James was captured on video swinging his shirt above his head as he ran in the rain.

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Alex James, from Brisbane, was watching the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka and Australia in Kandy on Tuesday when he took off his clothes and slid across a blue rain cover (pictured)

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He was sentenced on Wednesday and was sentenced to seven days in jail for ‘indecent exposure’, despite a local Buddhist Monk’s arguments for charges to be pressed

He then throws his shirt and takes and pulls down his shorts but falls as he tries to kick them into the air.

Mr James bounces back to his feet and begins to run again before throwing himself onto the cover again and sliding on his stomach as his friends cheered him on.

He then grabs his clothes and puts his shorts on as police approach him.

He was let go by police but it was later reported that he had been arrested.

Mr James appeared in the Kandy Magistrates Court on Wednesday and was sentenced to seven days in jail and ordered to pay a $30 fine for being intoxicated, despite a local Buddhist Monk’s arguments for charges to be pressed.

 

Warne selects Anwar as best-ever Pakistani batsman he bowled to

London-Australian spin legend Shane Warne on Monday named former left-hand batsman Saeed Anwar as the best Pakistani willow wielder he ever bowled to.

Anwar — a veteran of 55 Tests and 247 ODIs for Pakistan — held the record for the highest score in ODIs (194 against India) which is now taken over by Indian batsman Rohit Sharma (264).

Anwar maintained an average of 45.52 in the five-day format, while in ODIs, he averaged 39.21 with the bat.

Against Warne, Anwar averaged 56.33 in six matches — second best in the list of other batsmen that the leggie named.

His best-ever pick to bowl to from India was Sachin Tendulkar and from West Indies he named Brian Lara.

Graham Gooch, meanwhile, was his pick from England who has an average of 66.16 from 11 matches against Warne.

Other players to make Warne’s list are

Bangladesh: Mohammad Ashraful

New Zealand: Martin Crowe

South Africa: Hansie Cronje/Jacques Kallis

Sri Lanka: Aravinda de Silva

Zimbabwe: David Houghton

 

Cricket Australia slaps three players with suspensions for betting

Melbourne, Australia 6th July 2016: Cricket Australia has banned two players and suspended a third for breaching its Anti-Corruption Code and betting on cricket.

Hayley Jensen and Corinne Hall, who play in the national women’s league and women’s domestic Twenty20 tournament, were both given two-year bans with 18 months suspended, Cricket Australia said in a media release on Wednesday.

The ban is part of Australian cricket board’s “zero tolerance” approach to gambling-related corruption.

Jensen had admitted placing one bet on the result of the men’s Test match between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane last November.

Hall had made two bets relating to two matches in the men’s domestic One-Day competition in 2015-16.

“Jensen and Hall are prohibited from participating in any form of cricket or cricket-related event for a period of six months until 21 October 2016,” the statement reads.

Joel Logan, who plays for South Australia in the men’s domestic competition, was sanctioned for placing two bets on the winner of the World T20 tournament.

Logan was also given a two-year ban which was wholly suspended due to “circumstances relating to his match contracts and the specific timing” of his bets.

All three players were required to participate in anti-corruption education programs, the board said.

World cricket has been rocked by a number of gambling-related scandals in recent years.

Earlier, three Pakistan players were banned from cricket and jailed in 2011 after they were convicted of criminal charges related to spot-fixing in a Test match during their 2010 tour of England.

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Test cricket is in danger of dying

Auckland, New Zealand, 3rd July 2016: The truth is finally being acknowledged; test cricket is in danger of dying.

Cue the purists, who hate shorter formats of the game which have come to dominate player movements and television screens.

They’ll say the five-day format is the way cricket is meant to be played.

But you only have to look at any test series around the world to see empty seats, meaningless results and a whole lot of unsustainable costs.

Heath Mills, the chief executive of the New Zealand Cricket Player’s Association, spoke to Newstalk ZB’s Tony Veitch and said the biggest problem is that test cricket lacks meaning.

“We lurch from month to month with different bilateral series between countries and they are all different in nature,” Mills said.

“There’ll be a test series between countries one year, then they’ll play short-form the next, then there’ll be three ODIs or seven ODIs or one test or three tests.

It just has no context or meaning in the greater sense.”

And it’s the rise of T20 cricket and the shorter forms of the game, bringing in all the cash, which are paying for the format we love, but that’s sucking all the money.

“Test cricket is the biggest cost to the sport at the moment,” Mills said. “I wouldn’t say the game is at a crisis point, but it’s nearing it.”

Broadcasters want numbers. And for that, they’ll turn to the T20 leagues and the ODI world cups which attract thousands of numbers.

In a way, Mills believes it’s the sheer amount of cricket which is transforming the game.

He said players who are now grabbing contracts in multiple domestic and international T20 leagues, are often playing 12 months of cricket and that wasn’t sustainable.

Similarly, he stated the fact that a player can earn more money playing three months of T20 cricket, than they can playing 12 months of international cricket.

So what’s the solution?

Mills is still optimistic. But he says the bilateral series must go.

“They lack context and meaning,” he said. “And now, there’s a greater understanding that bilateral series between countries are declining in value and broadcasters just aren’t prepare to pay what they have previously been playing.”

“We believe we can get an international model with context and meaning that works that provides balance for all three formats.”

Mills would rather see less test series played over the course of the year, but series that have more external value.

For example, a world competition that pits countries against each once over the course of a few years, with semifinals and finals, would make each test series as valuable as the next.

Similarly, viewers would tune in to other international games knowing that the result could influence their own countries standing.

“If everyone buys into it, it will happen,” Mills said.

“At the moment, we have the three world tables, but they are really difficult for people to get their heads around because each country plays a different amount of cricket against all different opposition.

“So do we really have indication of who is the number one team in cricket?”

It’s not all dead roses yet, but something needs to happen, and fast.

Courtesy- NZ Herald

Cricket-Australia remain on top in ICC ODI ranking

Dubai, 27th June 16: World champion Australia has retained its number-one ranking on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings following its 58 runs victory over the West Indies in the final of the tri-series in Barbados on Sunday, but South Africa has dropped behind India in fourth place after it failed to reach the final.

 

Australia had started the series on 124 points and has finished on 123 points, to lead second-ranked New Zealand by 10 points. However, South Africa’s three loses and one no-result has meant it has dropped two points to join India on 110 points, but behind Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side when the points are calculated beyond the decimal point.

 

The biggest gainer from the tri-series is the West Indies, which has retained its seventh ranking but more importantly it has gained six points to open up a seven-point advantage over eighth-ranked Pakistan. If this is read in the context that England plus seven highest-ranked sides on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings as on 30 September 2017 will qualify directly for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, then this is a significant improvement.

 

Sri Lanka and England, which are in the midst of their ODI series, have also swapped places after three matches with England moving ahead of Sri Lanka. The first game had ended in a thrilling tie, England won the second match by 10 wickets, while the third was abandoned due to rain. The final two matches of the series will be played on 29 June and 2 July, which means England has an opportunity to strengthen its fifth position while Sri Lanka has a chance to regain its fifth spot.

 

In the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, Josh Hazlewood of Australia and West Indies captain Jason Holder have achieved career-best rankings after impressive performances in the tri-series.

 

Rabada has jumped six places to join seventh-ranked compatriot Dale Steyn after he finished the series with seven wickets, 25-year-old Hazlewood has vaulted eight places to 15^th after he ended up as the third most successful bowler behind fourth-ranked Imran Tahir (13) and number-one ranked Sunil Narine (12) with 11 wickets, while Holder has broken into the top 20 in 20^th position after rising four places.

 

Mitchell Marsh, who was named player of the final for his contribution of 32 runs and figures of three for 32, has gained 12 places to break into the top 50 in 50^th position for the first time in his career.

 

After three matches in the series between England and Sri Lanka, the home side’s Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes and David Willey have also achieved career-high rankings. Rashid has moved up 21 places to 30^th, Woakes is in 33^rd spot after rising 15 places and Willey has rocketed 17 places to claim 44^th spot.

 

South Africa’s AB de Villiers has continued to lead the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for ODI Batsmen, which has seen Marsh gain six places to reach 28^th. Marsh scored 154 runs in the series, including a 79 not out against the West Indies in a league game at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

 

West Indies’ Marlon Samuels has gained two places to reach 27^th, stylish left-hander Darren Bravo has earned 10 places to claim 40^th spot after scoring 222 runs in the tournament, including 102 against South Africa in a must-win match against South Africa, Farhaan Behardien has jumped six places to 49^th spot and Kieron Pollard is now in 54^th spot after moving up six places.

 

There is some good news for England batsmen as well. Opener Alex Hales has lifted seven places to claim a career-high 24^th position, while Jason Roy has made a gain of 12 places and is now on a career-high 78^th position.

 

Sri Lanka batsmen making upward movements after three ODIs include Angelo Mathews 20^th (up by two places), Dinesh Chandimal 59^th (up by 11 places) and Upul Tharanga 98^th (up by five places).

 

In the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for ODI All-rounders, Marsh has gained three places to reach sixth. The list is headed by Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.

 

The ICC ODI Player Rankings will now be updated after the conclusion of England-Sri Lanka series on 3 July.

 

MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings (after the conclusion of the tri-series, and third ODI between England and Sri Lanka)

 

Rank   Team              Points

1          Australia         123 (-1)

2          New Zealand   113

3          India                110

4          South Africa   110 (-2)

5          England           104 (+1)

6          Sri Lanka        104 (-)

7          Bangladesh     98

8          West Indies     94 (+6)

9          Pakistan          87

10        Afghanistan    51

11        Zimbabwe       46

12        Ireland             41

 

(Developed by David Kendix)

 

MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings (after the conclusion of the tri-series, and third ODI between England and Sri Lanka)

 

Batsmen (top 20)

 

Rank     (+/-)       Player                  Team     Pts         Avge      HS Rating

1         ( – )        AB de Villiers     SA         887        53.63    902 v NZ at Auckland 2015

2         ( – )        Virat Kohli          Ind         813        51.51    886 v Ban at Fatullah 2014

3         ( – )        Hashim Amla      SA         778        51.97    901 v Eng at Trent Bridge 2012

4         ( – )        Kane Williamson NZ         752        47.00    798 v SA at Centurion 2015

5         (+1)       Martin Guptill     NZ         751!      43.25    751 v Aus at Hamilton 2016

6         (+1)       Rohit Sharma      Ind         750        42.08    761 v Aus at Sydney 2016

7         (-3)        T. Dilshan            SL          741        39.44    802 v Sco at Hobart 2015

8         (+2)       Shikhar Dhawan  Ind         737        43.97    794 v SA at Melbourne 2015

9         (-1)        Quinton de Kock SA         735        41.83    789 v Eng at Centurion 2016

10        (-1)        Joe Root               Eng        725        43.81    743 v SA at Johannesburg 2016

11        ( – )        Faf du Plessis      SA         716        40.56    730 v Aus at Barbados 2016

12        ( – )        David Warner      Aus        712        39.15    726 v SA at St Kitts 2016

13        ( – )        MS Dhoni            Ind         706        51.25    836 v Aus at Delhi 2009

14        ( – )        Ross Taylor         NZ         702        43.90    743 v Zim at Harare 2015

15        ( – )        Steve Smith         Aus        694        41.15    709 v Ind at Canberra 2016

16        ( – )        Aaron Finch         Aus        679        37.41    743 v Eng at Melbourne 2015

17        (+1)       Jos Buttler           Eng        678        36.36    706 v SA at Port Elizabeth 2016

18=      (+1)       Mushfiqur Rahim              Ban        661        31.61    671 v Zim at Mirpur 2015

(+1)       Soumya Sarkar    Ban        661*     49.42    671 v SA at Chittagong 2015

20        (+2)       Angelo Mathews SL          660        40.30    707 v Eng at Colombo (RPS) 2014

 

Bowlers (top 20)

 

Rank     (+/-)       Player                  Team     Pts         Avge      Eco.       HS Rating

   1         ( – )        Sunil Narine        WI         759        25.74    4.07      791 v SL at Jamaica 2013

   2         ( – )        Trent Boult          NZ         731*     22.96    4.81      745 v Aus at Auckland 2016

   3         (+1)       Shakib Al Hasan  Ban        699        27.89    4.30      717 v Zim at Chittagong 2009

   4         (-1)        Imran Tahir         SA         693        23.13    4.64      735 v SL at Sydney 2015

   5         ( – )        Mitchell Starc     Aus        681        19.79    4.82      783 v NZ at Melbourne 2015

   6         ( – )        Matt Henry          NZ         675*!    22.17    5.42      675 v Aus at Hamilton 2016

   7=       ( – )        Dale Steyn           SA         645        25.93    4.86      746 v Ind at Durban 2013

              (+6)       Kagiso Rabada    SA         645*!    21.45    4.78      645 v WI at Barbados 2016

   9         (-1)        Morne Morkel     SA         628        24.60    4.95      717 v SL at East London 2012

  10        (-1)        Mohammad Irfan Pak        616        31.14    4.91      641 v UAE at Napier 2015

  11        ( – )        R. Ashwin            Ind         606        31.73    4.85      691 v SL at Hambantota 2012

 12=      (+1)       Akshar Patel        Ind         603*!    28.09    4.40      603 v Zim at Harare 2016

              (-2)        Moeen Ali           Eng        603        39.66    4.96      610 v SA at Cape Town 2016

  14        (-3)        James Anderson  Eng        597        29.22    4.92      719 v SA at The Oval 2013

  15        (+8)       Josh Hazlewood  Aus        593*!    23.18    4.57      593 v WI at Barbados 2016

  16        (-1)        M. Shami             Ind         580        24.89    5.54      654 v Ban at Melbourne 2015

  17        (-1)        M. Mortaza          Ban        579        30.76    4.73      653 v Zim at Mirpur 2009

  18        (+1)       M. Hafeez            Pak        568        34.86    4.10      769 v Ind at Kolkata 2013

  19        (-2)        Steven Finn         Eng        567        28.96    5.09      755 v NZ at Auckland 2013

  20        (+4)       Jason Holder        WI         565        32.70    5.58      577 v Aus at St Kitts 2016

 

All-rounders (top five)

 

Rank     (+/-)       Player                  Team     Pts         HS Rating

1         ( – )        Shakib Al Hasan  Ban        416       453 v Zim at Chittagong 2009

2         ( – )        M. Hafeez            Pak        363       438 v Ind at Kolkata 2013

3         (+1)       Angelo Mathews SL          348       427 v Eng at Colombo (RPS) 2014

4         (-1)        T. Dilshan            SL          332       415 v Sco at Hobart 2015

5         ( – )        James Faulkner   Aus        315       361 v NZ at Melbourne 2015

Shane Warne denies relationship with 20 year old American college girl

Cricket star Shane Warne has denied a romance with a 20-year-old American student after the pair were pictured together in London.

 

New York: The 46-year-old, who was previously engaged to Liz Hurley, was pictured with foreign policy student Kathryn Long in Soho on Sunday night, sparking speculation of a romance.

Sources claimed, “They’ve had great nights out together in London” and “the age difference doesn’t bother them”, but Warne has denied a relationship with anyone, saying he’s still “very very single.”

“Ps Never complain or never explain, but FTR I am very very single & not seeing anyone. Facts straight please u silly reporters,” he wrote on Twitter.

 Shane Warne

Ps Never complain or never explain, but FTR I am very very single & not seeing anyone. Facts straight please u silly reporters !

Warne split with Hurley in 2013 after three years together.

He also shared a photo of him with Charlie Sheen, who was speaking at An Evening with Charlie Sheen hosted by Piers Morgan on Sunday night, when Sheen reportedly said he wished he had pursued Hurley.

 

Courtesy Independent