Jason Roy smashed an unbeaten 122 off 64 balls, in front of a more than 20,000 at the Kia Oval, to keep alive Surrey’s hopes of reaching the NatWest Blast quarter-finals and oust Somerset in the process

ECB/PA17-Jul-2015
ScorecardJason Roy is back in form – and Surrey are feeling the benefit•Getty Images

Jason Roy smashed an unbeaten 122 off 64 balls, in front of a near sell-out crowd of more than 20,000 at the Kia Oval, to condemn Somerset to their fourth successive defeat in the NatWest T20 Blast and keep alive Surrey’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.Roy took centre stage as the hosts racked up 208 for one after winning the toss, and the 24-year-old’s spectacular second hundred in this format included six sixes and eight fours.Such was the savagery of Roy’s onslaught that it overshadowed Rory Burns’s unbeaten 46 off 33 balls in an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 124 in eleven overs.Somerset could only manage 170 for seven off their 20 overs in reply, with James Hildreth contributing 51 from 43 deliveries, as Surrey won by 38 runs.Kumar Sangakkara also helped to set the tone for Surrey by joining forces with Roy in an opening stand of 84 in nine overs. Other than when Roy, on 18, was dropped by Jamie Overton on the straight boundary, the Surrey openers raced along without undue risk.Sangakkara brought the fifty up for Surrey in the sixth over, with a pulled four off Alfonso Thomas. The Sri Lankan survived a difficult chance at extra cover, on 28, off Lewis Gregory, though not before being caught at mid-on off a delivery that was no-balled for being above waist height.

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T20, perhaps more than other format, is about momentum. If a team has been winning then those pivotal moments upon which matches swing are seized and won. Mumbai Indians won the IPL having lost five of their first six matches this season, Surrey had just one win in their first seven matches this season but now having won four of their last five they are peaking at just the right time and could well make it through to the quarter-finals. An in-form Jason Roy would be a huge asset.

Sangakkara was stumped off Max Waller for 31, after which Roy, who faced just 32 balls for his fifty, slammed his foot on the accelerator by launching Jim Allenby over long off for six.The 14th over of Surrey’s innings proved to be eventful with Burns swinging Allenby over wide long on for a maximum, Roy taking full advantage of a free hit and Jamie Overton spilling another catch in the deep, this time to the relief of Burns.Roy went to a 56-ball hundred with his fourth six, straight down the ground off Overton and, just for good measure, swung two of the last three balls of the Surrey innings into the crowd at mid wicket.Somerset’s reply got off to the worst start possible when Johann Myburgh, attempting to profit from a mis-field at mid-off, was run out by Sam Curran without scoring.Zafar Ansari, at extra cover, then parried at fierce shot from Allenby to cling on at the second attempt before Peter Trego, having just thumped a straight six, was caught at short fine leg for 26.If they did not know it before, Ansari confirmed it was not to be Somerset’s night by running in fully 40 yards from the mid wicket boundary to pull off an astonishing one-handed catch to see the back of Tom Cooper for 29.Like Trego, Luke Ronchi (21 off 13 balls) threatened briefly to defy the odds by swinging both Azhar Mahmood and Tom Curran over long on for sixes, but when the New Zealand international holed-out to long off the visitors’ already slim chances went with him.

Declarations by both sides set up a potentially exciting finish, but bad light forced an early close with Gloucestershire, chasing 302 to win, still 90 runs short with five wickets

ECB/PA04-Sep-2015
ScorecardChris Dent gave Gloucestershire a handy start to their chase•Getty Images

Declarations by both sides set up a potentially exciting finish, but bad light forced an early close with Gloucestershire, chasing 302 to win, still 90 runs short with five wickets and just under nine overs of their match against Leicestershire at Grace Road remaining.Resuming on the final day with their first innings on 249 for 8, Gloucestershire captain Will Tavare called his batsmen in as soon as the follow-on had been saved, with the visitors still 146 runs adrift of Leicestershire’s first innings score.With the Leicestershire batsmen looking to score quickly, Tavare’s bowlers then took four wickets before lunch. Liam Norwell had Ned Eckersley caught off a top edge, a fine effort from David Payne running back from midwicket, and Angus Robson caught behind with a delivery that bounced and left him.Mark Cosgrove hit a swift 21 before trying to hit Benny Howell over midwicket and being given leg before, and Aadil Ali, looking to drive, gave Kieran Noema-Barnett a straightforward return catch.Wickets continued to tumble after lunch, with Niall O’Brien, Wayne White, Ben Raine and Clint McKay all falling cheaply, but Dan Redfern hit his highest score of an injury-hit season, allowing Cosgrove to declare in turn.Tavare and Chris Dent gave Gloucestershire the ideal start, compiling an opening partnership of 108 at over four an over, but left-arm seamer Rob Taylor picked up Dent caught and bowled off a leading edge.Tavare gloved an attempted hook at Ben Raine behind the wicket to Niall O’Brien behind the stumps, but Peter Handscomb and Neema-Barnett had added 40 for the sixth wicket to reignite the chase when the light became unplayable.

Fifties from Jiwanjot Singh and Mandeep Singh frustrated Mumbai, but the hosts managed to pick up four key scalps in their pursuit to victory

The Report by Amol Karhadkar in Mumbai10-Oct-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Jiwanjot Singh scored an important 91, was run out towards the end of the day•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

All the facets of an intense day of first-class cricket were on display on the penultimate day of Mumbai’s Ranji encounter against Punjab.
The quality of the game may not have been the best, but the manner in which both sides applied themselves, that too in scorching heat, deserved to be complimented.It was such an intense day that after Punjab made 244 for 4 in their second innings, still 171 runs behind to avoid an innings defeat, neither side was completely satisfied. While Mumbai captain Aditya Tare felt “one more wicket” would have made it a perfect day for them, Punjab coach Arun Sharma thought the visitors lost “two wickets too many” in the last session.Once Tare, after helping his team’s lead cross the 400-run mark, declared the innings, Punjab knew they had to bat out almost for two days to avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat.As an element of surprise, and taking a cue from Ankeet Chavan’s second innings nine-wicket haul against the same opponents at the same venue three years ago, Mumbai started the innings with Harmeet Singh’s left-arm spin along with Shardul Thakur’s raw pace. While Harmeet could not provide the breakthrough, a wicket did eventually come from the other end.Manan Vohra was adjudged caught behind down the leg side while attempting a flick off Thakur in the fifth over of the innings. While the bowler along with Mumbai’s slip cordon went up immediately after the ball had rested in Tare’s gloves, the batsman was taken aback with the decision of umpire K Srinivasan and made his displeasure known.Vohra’s wicket brought together Jiwanjot Singh and Uday Kaul. With the wicket hardly asking any questions of them, the duo – considered to be Punjab’s stayers – did not really appear to be in trouble. While they kept the scoreboard moving before the break, Balwinder Singh Sandhu and Harmeet pulled things back after the break.The first six overs of the second session saw just two runs being added. The tightness of the bowlers eventually forced a mistake from Kaul in the next over. Kaul’s defensive prod off Harmeet resulted in an inside edge to Shrideep Mangela at forward short leg.The rest of the session then belonged to Jiwanjot and Mandeep Singh, both of whom batted with discipline. Thakur, who had headed to the dressing room after feeling discomfort in his right leg in his fifth over, returned to bowl another spell, but none of the batsmen played a false stroke. Mandeep was fortunate for having seen two false strokes in a Harmeet over – a heave against the spin and an extravagant drive – dropping in no man’s land. Barring that rush of blood, the duo saw out the session with little discomfort.After doing the hard work in the first two sessions, it was up to both the batsmen to capitalise in the last session and reduce the deficit going into the last day. Instead, Jiwanjot threw his wicket away just after entering the 90s in the manner of a run out. After flicking Thakur through midwicket, Jiwanjot called Mandeep for a second run. Jiwanjot was a tad slow to turn back and Harmeet got such a perfect throw in from the deep that Tare only had to whip the bails in time. Even a desperate dive from the batsman was not enough to save his wicket.Half an hour later, Mumbai got the bonus wicket of Yuvraj Singh. The Punjab captain got off the blocks quickly with a flick off Dhawal Kulkarni but he tried a paddled sweep off part-time offie Akhil Herwadkar, only to bottom-edge the ball on to the stumps.Mandeep and Himanshu Chawla then looked in no trouble with the old ball as Mumbai hurried the over rate to use the new ball as early as possible on the last morning.

Logan van Beek, who played for Netherlands in the 2014 World T20, produced the best performance of a young career to spearhead Canterbury’s 304-run victory against Otago

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2015
Peter Fulton made 155 off 144 balls in Canterbury’s second innings•Getty Images

Allrounder Logan van Beek, who played for Netherlands in the 2014 World T20, produced the best performance of a young career to spearhead Canterbury’s 304-run victory against Otago in Christchurch. Van Beek scored his maiden first-class hundred to rescue Canterbury’s first innings and then took career-best match figures of 8 for 70 – six in the final innings – to bowl out Otago on the fourth day.Having lost the toss, Canterbury were in deep trouble when 20-year old fast bowler Jack Hunter, playing his second first-class game, dismissed both openers for ducks in the first over of the match. Hunter, who finished with figures of 4 for 47, along with Michael Rae and Sam Wells, cut through the line-up and reduced the hosts to 130 for 8.Van Beek, the grandson of former West Indies and New Zealand Test cricketer Sammy Guillen, rallied the lower order during an aggressive hundred from No. 9. He made an unbeaten 111 off 125 balls, adding 59 for the ninth wicket and 104 for the tenth, before Canterbury were dismissed for 293.”It was one of those situations where the team was in trouble, I’ve been in that situation a lot of times before and I’d get 20, 30 or get [out] early and we’d just fall over,” van Beek told stuff.co.nz. “We went five runs at a time and next thing you know I was on 40. When Will came out it was five runs at a time. I threw a bit of caution to the wind and next thing I know I’m on 90.”I’ve had a few coaches and players ask why did I take the single the first ball. I thought Will was playing it so well. I was quite relaxed, I thought if it’s going to happen it’s going to happen,” van Beek said of his decision to not farm the strike. “He took this big flay at a short and wide one. My heart just went …. (gasps). He looked at me and kind of winked.”I’ve been in the gym preparing my body. I had a goal to be ready for the first game of the season, I ticked that off. All the hard work’s paid off.”Otago began the second day on 5 for 0 but the wickets column quickly filled up. Only three batsmen made it past single figures, with No. 8 Nick Beard top scoring with 22, as the visitors were routed for 91 in 36.3 overs. New-ball bowlers Ryan McCone and Will Williams took three wickets apiece, while van Beek had figures of 2 for 13, to give Canterbury a lead of 202.Their top order did not fail a second time. Openers Leo Carter and Ronnie Hira made half-centuries, and though they fell in quick succession to leave the score 134 for 2, Peter Fulton and Ken McClure built on that platform. At stumps on the second day, Fulton was 97, McClure 47, and Canterbury were 272 for 2. They declared on 350 for 2 on the third day with Fulton unbeaten on 155 off 144 balls, having hit five sixes, and McClure on 66 not out.Chasing a target of 553, Otago opener Brad Wilson held up one end, but wickets fell at the other. After two half-century stands for the first three wickets, and Sean Eathorne retiring hurt, Otago began to lose batsmen regularly. They slipped from 159 for 2 to 213 for 6 by stumps on the third day, with van Beek picking up three wickets. Losing Wilson for 100 just before stumps was a severe blow to Otago.Though there was rain on the fourth day, Canterbury needed only 12.4 overs to wrap up the victory. Van Beek took the last three wickets to finish with a career-best innings haul of 6 for 57. Otago were dismissed for 248 in 97.1 overs.

India legspinner Amit Mishra has been arrested in Bangalore in connection with the case of assault filed against him by a woman on October 20

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Oct-2015India legspinner Amit Mishra has been arrested, and subsequently released on bail, in Bangalore in connection with the case of assault filed against him by a woman on October 20. Mishra, who had been asked to report to the police within seven days, was charged with sexual harassment, criminal intimidation and causing injury, among other offences, under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.”It is a bailable offence. A chargesheet will be prepared and submitted in the court,” Bangalore’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, central division, Sandeep Patil, said. He said Mishra, who had been interrogated for two hours, was free to travel outside Bangalore.Patil had last week said the woman who had pressed charges was known to Mishra and the alleged incident occurred in end-September, when the Indian team was in Bangalore for a training camp ahead of the South Africa tour.Mishra is part of the India Test squad that will play South Africa in a four-match series beginning on November 5 in Mohali; the squad is due to assemble on November 2.The BCCI is yet to formally react to the matter but IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla said it had “taken note” of it. “We are trying to find out the details of the case,” Shukla said in New Delhi. “The moment we get details, we will look into it. We will find out whether (Mishra) is responsible for the crime or not. When we get the exact details, then only will a decision be made.”He also said Mishra would be eligible for selection until the BCCI took a decision. “The question (of eligibility) arises only when BCCI takes a decision,” Shukla said.

Another interrupted day allowed only 24.3 overs to be bowled in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at the SCG

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2015
ScorecardRyan Carters bats on the second day at the SCG•Getty Images

Another interrupted day allowed only 24.3 overs to be bowled in the Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Victoria at the SCG, though this time the lack of play had more to do with the aftermath of Friday’s storm than any rain on the day itself.Due to the dampness of the outfield play did not begin until around 2pm, and the Test 12th man Peter Siddle soon claimed the wicket of Ryan Carters to break his stand with Ed Cowan.Kurtis Patterson and Cowan then carried on for 45 runs, the latter reaching the cusp of another half century to follow his hundred against South Australia in Adelaide last week.However Victorian concerns about still-slippery areas of the outfield did not abate, and play was ultimately abandoned in mid-afternoon due to these issues.

A record century partnership between Moises Henriques and Michael Lumb engineered Sydney Sixers’ successful run chase to inflict Melbourne Renegades’ first loss of the BBL at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne

The Report by Tristan Lavalette23-Dec-2015
ScorecardMichael Lumb’s onslaught set the base for Sydney Sixers’ highest ever successful run chase•Getty Images

A record century partnership between Moises Henriques and Michael Lumb engineered Sydney Sixers’ successful run chase to inflict Melbourne Renegades’ first loss of the BBL at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.Chasing a daunting total of 173 on a two-paced pitch conjuring inconsistent bounce, Sixers’ chances of victory looked forlorn when they lost dangerous duo of Brad Haddin (caught behind for a golden duck) and Nic Maddison (17) early to slump to 2 for 21 in the 4th over. But Sixers captain Henriques (62 off 38 balls) and English import Lumb (63 from 35 balls) combined for a 101-run partnership off 57 balls to drastically alter the match’s complexion. It was the highest third-wicket partnership in Sixers history.Henriques’ dismissal with just 20 runs needed triggered a Sixers collapse, as they lost 4 for 12 in a dramatic 12 balls to be delicately positioned at 7 for 165 with two overs remaining. But Trent Lawford and Sean Abbott calmly guided the Sixers to victory with seven balls to spare in the team’s highest ever successful run chase.Renegades paceman Nathan Rimmington tried valiantly and finished with 4 for 26. But the match-winners proved to be Lumb and Henriques, who scored a staggering 50 runs from three overs in the middle overs to turn the game on its head. Lumb looked especially menacing throughout, hitting five sixes in his innings, including three off one Xavier Doherty over.Henriques played the anchor role during the partnership but shifted gears when Lumb was dismissed. He struck the ball cleanly and seemed likely to guide his team to victory before throwing his wicket away with a heave.The successful chase was what Henriques envisioned when he won the toss and elected to bowl. No Renegades batsman made a half-century but an even spread ensured they mustered an imposing 4 for 172 amid somewhat favourable bowling conditions. Tom Beaton and Dwayne Bravo provided the late fireworks in a devastating 40-ball 78 run partnership, blasting 68 runs off the final five overs to regain the initiative after Sixers dominated the middle overs through tight and disciplined bowling.Beaton was particularly impressive in his late cameo of 41 from 23 balls, which included two sixes. Bravo started slowly and struggled with his timing before finding his rhythm towards the end, punctuated by a huge six over midwicket off Sixers paceman Doug Bollinger in the last over of the innings.It was a highly impressive comeback after the Renegades had earlier slumped to 4 for 94 in the 14th over when Matthew Wade was bowled playing on to a Sean Abbott delivery. Renegades lost 3 for 20 in the middle overs after starting briskly as dynamic West Indian opener Chris Gayle threatened to produce a trademark assault. Looking uncertain against hostile bowling from Bollinger, Gayle started slowly scoring just six from 11 balls and was lucky to survive a skied miscued pull shot that somehow landed between two fielders.Renowned for his brutish batting, Gayle was content nudging the ball around for singles early in his innings before bludgeoning pacemen Sean Abbott for consecutive towering sixes in the eighth over, with the latter smashing into the second tier over long-on.Gayle dominated a 56-run second-wicket partnership with Cameron White (15), and seemed intent on a big score that alluded him in the Renegades’ opening match against the Heat. Despite teasing, Gayle could not produce a substantial score falling for a 33-ball 46 in Johan Botha’s first over, the 11th of the innings.Left-armer Steve O’Keefe, who has played Test cricket for Australia, was not used, while Botha only bowled two overs. The Sixers missed Nathan Lyon, who returned to the Test squad fresh from his five-wicket haul against Hurricanes in the last game, but were still able to produce a thrilling victory.