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Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, believes that his bowlers can take plenty of positives out of the series against Pakistan despite the home team losing the final Test in St Kitts

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2011Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, believes that his bowlers can take plenty of positives out of the series against Pakistan despite the home team losing the final Test in St Kitts. Pakistan levelled the 1-1 with a comfortable 196-run victory, denying West Indies the chance to win a Test series for the first time in more than two years.”We did a great job getting the win in Guyana and we were looking for similar success here in St Kitts, but things did not go our way,” Sammy said. “Pakistan played some good cricket and you have to give them credit. Our bowlers did all that was asked of them all throughout the series. They bowled with heart and that is what we asked. This is one of the positives we could take out of the series.”We had momentum coming into the match, and we had them on the run in the first innings but the last-wicket stand switched the momentum a bit and took it away from us at that stage. When we batted we did not put enough runs on the board and we were always playing catch-up from that stage.”Especially impressive were Ravi Rampaul, who collected 11 wickets at 20.90 during the series, and Sammy himself, who took 10 at 17.90. The challenge for West Indies now is to regain their focus for the upcoming series against India, who will soon arrive for three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20.”It’s all about hard work and putting into play what we worked hard on during the training sessions,” Sammy said. “We have a full series against India coming up and it will be a tough series. We have to continue to put in the hard work and look to put totals on the board so the bowlers will have runs to work with. We are a confident group of young men and we will go into that series with the belief that we can win.”The first match against India is the Twenty20 in Trinidad on June 4.

Steve O’Keefe’s dramatic rise from New South Wales fringe player has continued with him replacing Nathan Hauritz in Australia’s Test squad for the two games against Pakistan

Cricinfo staff30-Jun-2010Steve O’Keefe’s dramatic rise from New South Wales fringe player has continued with him replacing Nathan Hauritz in Australia’s Test squad for the two games against Pakistan. O’Keefe, a left-arm spinner, impressed with nine wickets in Australia A’s two matches with Sri Lanka A over the past two weeks to gain an unexpected promotion.Nathan Hauritz was sent home with a foot injury suffered in the opening ODI against England, leaving the legspinner Steven Smith to eye a Test debut in the opening match at Lord’s from July 13. O’Keefe, 25, is also from New South Wales and he stood out in the opening “A” fixture this month by taking 7 for 35 and scoring 61 and 47.Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said O’Keefe deserved his chance. “Stephen has performed strongly in the recent Australia A series against Sri Lanka A in Queensland and is a good young all-round cricketer,” he said.However, he has played only eight first-class matches and was a surprise selection for Australia A, gaining a spot while Victoria’s Jon Holland and Tasmania’s Jason Krejza had off-season surgery. O’Keefe was born in Malaysia and spent two years there before his father, who worked for the Royal Australian Air Force, was posted back home.When he spoke to Cricinfo last week O’Keefe said he was hoping the “A” series would set him up for next summer at New South Wales, where he is one of seven slow bowlers fighting for a spot. “From my point of view I can’t really rest, knowing those guys are around,” he said. “A couple have played Test cricket, one will, there are some young guys, who knows how good they could be?” O’Keefe is now an outside chance to show his wares to the wider world.

Fast bowlers fill void left by James Anderson, while paying tribute to retired great

Alan Gardner30-Jul-2024What’s the one thing better than having a 90mph fast bowler at your disposal? Being able to call on two quick men, of course. England’s new-look Test attack gave a glimpse of what might be possible in overseas conditions that tend to drawn the sting of medium-pace seam and swing – although both Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson paid tribute to James Anderson for his input as the team’s bowling mentor following his retirement one match into the series with West Indies.Wood bowled three of the fastest overs ever delivered by an Englishman (since speeds start to be reliably recorded two decades ago) in the second Test, although he had to wait for his rewards. Having taken 2 for 88 in the match at Trent Bridge, followed by 2 for 52 in the first innings of the third Test, at Edgbaston, he went in at lunch on day three with 0 for 31 from eight overs and feeling despondent.A chat with Anderson helped Wood maintain focus on the skill of bowling, rather than the outcome – and his ensuing spell was one for the record books, as the 34-year-old claimed 5 for 9 in six overs of rapid reverse-swing to set England on course for a 10-wicket win.Related

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“I was probably thinking too much: ‘Why am I not getting wickets?’ But Jimmy was great with me,” Wood said. “So too was Jeetan Patel and some of the other staff – just thinking about the process and, when the ball was reversing, Jimmy put in my mind more about, like, tactically what I would try to do with the ball. Some here, some there, field placings – and it sort of took my mind off it a little bit and when you get the first wicket, then the confidence came back and I stopped thinking about other stuff and then I just bowled.”While Wood was named Player of the Match for his efforts, England’s Player of the Series went to Atkinson for his 22 wickets at 16.22. Atkinson claimed 12 on debut at Lord’s, bowling alongside Anderson, before graduating to taking the new ball in his absence – but still benefiting from the advice of England’s most-prolific bowler of all time as he settled into a new role in the dressing-room.”He doesn’t need to offer too much,” Atkinson said of Anderson’s input. “I think there’s small things, little questions where he gives you confidence in yourself. Getting that from someone like Jimmy means a lot and really helps. I am looking forward to working with Jimmy again in the future.”Atkinson impressed with both his pace and his ability to move the ball, largely using a scrambled seam. Although not as quick as Wood, who was regularly in the 93-97mph region, Atkinson said that he was working on delivering consistently higher speeds over longer spells. He also revealed that he had made changes to his run-up since the tour to of India in January-March, withdrawing from his IPL deal with Kolkata Knight Riders to focus on his technical work which involved – like Wood – making it longer.”I changed my run-up. That was something I felt I needed to do. I didn’t feel consistent at the crease, so improving my run-up has helped a lot. That is the reason why I pulled out of the IPL, to get ready for the Test summer. I feel playing for Surrey in the Championship was important. Equally playing in the Blast helped me get rhythm for the series. I have done anything too crazy but just a few changes with my run up – [straighter] and it’s about three metres longer as well.”Mark Wood and Gus Atkinson brought a different dynamic to England’s attack•Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

On matching Wood’s impact on the speed gun, he said: “It will be pretty tough to get up to that sort of pace, but I will always be looking to improve my pace. It’s my first time playing three games back-to-back, so physically it’s a good test. But that is something I will try to improve on, getting my pace higher and higher.”To back it up and take wickets in the last two Tests is great. On flat wickets I like to do what the captain says. I’ll bowl bouncers, or whatever. To back it up was fantastic and I’m looking forward to the future.”The quicker I can bowl the better. Definitely something I will focus on, and it’s just trying to get quicker for long periods of time.”Wood was also pleased to have been able to maintain his speeds over the course of back-to-back appearances – albeit with an extra day of rest after the second Test finished in four days. He said that his body was “pretty sore now” but he would be focusing on rest and recovery while the Hundred was on, in preparation for the series against Sri Lanka starting in late August.And while Wood has sharpened his ability to swing the Dukes now that he has hit his mid-30s, he was under no illusions about his primary utility to the team.”I’m mainly in the team to bowl fast and try to make something happen there,” he said. “At times maybe I don’t want to just be pigeonholed as an enforcer, maybe I can bowl a skill [role]. And hopefully in that little period I can show that I can do that. But first and foremost, my role in the team is to bowl fast.”The wickets in England tend not to be as quick but with the Dukes ball I’m trying to move the ball at pace, rather than just being a straight-up fast bowler, actually trying to move it in some sort of way makes it a bit more deadly.”The other thing is that I’ve gone from someone that would maybe bowl one or two quick spells to now consistently keeping my pace up, and that makes another big difference. And I’m really proud that I’ve managed to go back-to-back and managed to keep my speeds up. Looking at the screen and seeing it still coming in at over 90 mile an hour is pleasing for me.”

Sam Hain 165* sets platform before visitors lose last five wickets for 48 then follow on

ECB Reporters Network15-Apr-2023Kent 158 (Bell-Drummond 40, Hasan 3-36) and 27 for 1 f/o (Compton 15*, Rushworth 1-7) trail Warwickshire 453 for 4 declared (Hain 165*, Yates 128, Mousley 94) by 268 runsWarwickshire are scenting LV=Insurance County Championship victory over Kent at Edgbaston despite the loss of four sessions to the weather after excellent seam bowling forced the match forward on the third day.In reply to the home side’s 453 for 4 declared, with Sam Hain 165 not out from 269 balls and Dan Mousley scoring 94 from 93 balls, Kent were skittled for 158 before closing the third day on 27 for 1 following on.The visitors’ first innings was cut down by a superb collective effort by the Bears’ seam attack. All five seamers took wickets as Hasan Ali led the way with 3 for 36 and England’s Chris Woakes picked up two wickets in his first Championship match for 19 months.It remains a good batting pitch but Kent have a lot of work to do on the final day to deny Warwickshire what would be a remarkable win after the weather took out sessions four to seven of the match.After Warwickshire resumed on the third morning on 367 for 3, Hain and Mousley extended their partnership to 179 against ultra-defensive fields. With Kent a key bowler down, Matt Quinn off the field nursing the groin injury he collected on the first day, at times all nine outfielders were on the boundary.Runs still came freely and Mousley collected his fourth six with a breathtaking ramp over the keeper’s head off Conor McKerr before falling six short of a maiden first-class century when he hoisted spinner Jack Leaning to long on.Hain and Michael Burgess added a perky 39 from 31 balls to take Warwickshire to maximum bating points at which point they declared to make the earliest possible start on the pursuit of 20 Kent wickets. Chris Rushworth delivered the first two in a textbook new-ball spell as he trapped Zak Crawley lbw for a sixth-ball duck and then pinned Ben Compton in front.When Joe Denly nicked a Hasan outswinger to wicketkeeper Burgess, Kent were 63 for 3 and a good-sized Edgbaston crowd were getting some reward for their patience through hours waiting for the grass to dry.Daniel Bell-Drummond survived a nervous start to unfurl some attractive strokes on his way to 40 but perished just after tea when he sliced a steeply lifting Hasan delivery to gully. Ed Barnard then ousted Jack Leaning, caught at point.At 86 for 5, Kent needed serious shoring up and Jordan Cox and Sam Billings put down some roots in a stand of 24 but a lapse in judgement from Cox triggered another clatter. The 22-year-old left one from Olly Hannon-Dalby which hit off-stump to spark the loss of the last five wickets for 48.Kent’s implosion earned them the unwelcome prospect of an awkward 12 overs to bat second time round. Crawley’s unhappy day continued when he suffered an arguable lbw decision against Rushworth before, much to Kent’s relief, bad light lopped off the last four overs.

Strikers described it as “a difficult decision” after veteran middle-order player was their leading scorer last season

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Feb-2022Adelaide Strikers have parted ways with reliable middle-order batter Jon Wells citing a shift in list management strategy.Wells played 68 matches over five seasons with Strikers and was the club’s leading scorer in BBL 11 making 501 runs at a strike-rate of 128.79 with four half-centuries including 62 not out from 47 balls in the Striker’s Challenger loss to Sydney Sixers.Wells, 33, sits fourth on the list of all-time leading runscorers in the BBL behind Chris Lynn, Aaron Finch and, Glenn Maxwell, having begun his career at Hobart Hurricanes.”This is a difficult decision, however with the uncertain nature of overseas player recruitment in the current landscape, the depth of young talent and a need to consistently evolve as a team, the Strikers remain committed to doing everything possible to build a team contending for titles,” a Strikers statement said.Strikers coach Jason Gillespie paid tribute to Wells. “Wellsy is a brilliant cricketer and I cannot speak highly enough of what he has brought to the Strikers in his time here,” he said. “You know when he walks to the middle that he will give everything for the team, and more often than not he delivers exactly what is required.”We thank Wellsy for always being that calm head for us, and for being a leader both on and off the field. I know Wellsy will continue to succeed at any challenge thrown his way.”

Batsman Mark Chapman reported feeling ill on Monday and was awaiting results of a test

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Oct-2020Auckland seam bowler Ben Lister became the first Covid-19 substitute called into action as a replacement for batsman Mark Chapman before the start of the Plunket Shield match against Otago.Chapman reported feeling ill on Monday and underwent a Covid-19 test with Lister being designated his replacement until the result is known. The match started a day later than the other two first-round Plunket Shield games, so the switch was made before the toss rather than in-match.The ICC approved Covid-19 substitutes for Test cricket in June and various domestic competitions that have started since have followed similar guidelines. New Zealand coach Gary Stead, who was watching the match at Eden Park’s outer oval, said: “I wasn’t aware until I got here this morning, that Mark Chapman had been feeling ill and had to get a Covid test. But from my perspective, it’s great that he’s not penalised for doing the right thing in what is obviously different times we face in the world.”Just shows that we and cricket aren’t immune to that either, so following the right protocols is definitely the right thing to do.”Lister claimed Auckland’s first wicket of the season when he had Cam Hawkins caught behind, finishing with 1 for 40 from 12 overs as Otago were bowled out for 186 with Michael Rippon’s century lifting them from 33 for 6.

Can South Africa end New Zealand’s unbeaten run at the 2019 World Cup? Follow ESPNcricinfo’s Live Report to stay tuned in on all the action

Liam Brickhill19-Jun-2019

Medium pacer Yeasin Arafat became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take an eight-wicket haul in List-A cricket as Gazi Group Cricketers cantered to an eight-wicket win against DPL table-toppers Abahani Limited

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Mar-2018Medium pacer Yeasin Arafat became the first Bangladeshi bowler to take an eight-wicket haul in List-A cricket. Arafat’s incredible figures of 8 for 40 helped Gazi Group Cricketers canter to an eight-wicket win against Dhaka Premier League table-toppers Abahani Limited at the Fatullah Cricket Stadium.Playing only his third List-A game, Yeasin rocked Abahani in the third over by removing Saif Hassan and Nazmul Hossain Shanto in the space of three deliveries. He did an encore in his next over, producing another double-strike to dismiss Nasir Hossain and Mosaddek Hossain within three balls. By now, Abahani had slipped to 12 for 5, with Anamul Haque perishing to Tipu Sultan in between the two overs.Mohammad Mithun counter-attacked with 40 as Abahani recovered to 65, but Sultan got his wicket too. Arafat then returned for his second spell, and there was no let-up in intensity, as he took out Mashrafe Mortaza, Sunzamul Islam and Ariful Islam, all in the 23rd over.His eighth wicket arrived in the form of last man Manan Sharma, who had already top-scored with 46, in the 27th over, as Abahani were bowled out for 113. Arafat’s eight-for is the first in List-A matches since 2010, when West Indies A’s Kevin Stoute took 8 for 52 against Lancashire.Having earned the right to do so, Arafat then put his feet up as Jahurul Islam shepherded the chase with an unbeaten 52 off 78 balls. He lost Mahedi Hasan and Mominul Haque early, but Fawad Alam joined him to help complete the chase in 29.5 overs. The pair added 93 runs for the unbroken third-wicket stand.The win also lifted Gazi Group from the DPL’s relegation zone – occupied by the bottom three teams – as they now have 10 points after 10 games.

Jamshed has become the third player to be provisionally suspended by the PCB as the board continues its investigation into the corruption scandal that has hit the ongoing Pakistan Super League

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Feb-2017Nasir Jamshed, the out-of-favour Pakistan opener, has become the third player to be provisionally suspended by the PCB as it continues its investigation into the corruption scandal that hit the Pakistan Super League this weekend.”PCB has provisionally suspended Nasir Jamshed from all forms of cricket for violating its anti-corruption code,” said a statement issued by the board on Monday.Unlike Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif – the two Islamabad United players who have already been sent back from the league for alleged breaches of the anti-corruption code – Jamshed was not part of any PSL franchise.Jamshed’s name had cropped up initially in speculation surrounding the news of Latif and Sharjeel’s suspensions. But the exact nature of his involvement has not been made clear.The PCB named three other players who were questioned in the fallout: Islamabad United’s Mohammad Irfan, Quetta Gladiators’ Zulfiqar Babar and Shahzaib Hasan of the Karachi Kings. None of them, however, faced the prospect of immediate provisional suspension. Shahzaib’s questioning, according to his team Karachi Kings, was the result of his reporting an approach to the PCB and Quetta are understood to have volunteered Babar for questioning to clear his name as it had also emerged during speculation.Sharjeel, Latif and Jamshed will now be sent a show cause notice by the PCB according to board chairman Shaharyar Khan.”There is a legal way to move forward and first show cause notices are being sent to both players (Sharjeel and Latif) and they are likely to receive it tomorrow,” Khan said in Lahore, before the news about Jamshed emerged.”Two players Shahzaib and Zulfiqar were under the scanner but are cleared and free to play. Irfan, however, is still under observation but he hasn’t been issued any show cause notice so far.”But probably in a day or two he will also be served. Apart from these five players I confirm no other player playing in the PSL is related to this issue.”It is likely the PCB will then set up an inquiry committee involving one or more judges.Not that long ago, Jamshed was Pakistan’s first-choice opener in limited-overs cricket, and with three ODI hundreds against India between March 2012 and January 2013, one with a potentially long career ahead of him.Since then, however, a dip in form and confidence has pushed him to the periphery. Between the end of the India series in January 2013 and the start of the 2015 World Cup, Jamshed scored 458 runs at an average of 19.91 with only two fifties, featuring in 23 of Pakistan’s 50 ODIs in this period. Before this, he had averaged 50.26 in 22 ODIs since his debut, scoring 955 runs, with three centuries and six fifties.His last appearances for Pakistan were miserable ones at the World Cup: he made only five runs in three matches. An indicator of how far he has fallen was evident by his absence from the PSL in both seasons.Overall, Jamshed has played two Tests, both against South Africa in February 2013. In 48 ODIs between 2008 and 2015, he scored 1418 runs at 31.51. Jamshed played only 18 T20 internationals, scoring 363 runs.

Zimbabwe seamer Brian Vitori has been reported for a suspect action following the third T20 international against Bangladesh

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Jan-2016Zimbabwe left-arm seamer Brian Vitori has been reported for a suspect action following the third T20 international against Bangladesh. Vitori will have to undergo a test on his action at an ICC-accredited centre within 14 days but can continue bowling in international cricket until the results are out.The ICC said that the match officials’ report had been handed over to the Zimbabwe team management after their 31-run victory in Khulna.Vitori, 25, has played four Tests, 19 ODIs and 11 T20s for Zimbabwe after making his international debut in August 2011.The ICC also confirmed that Netherlands seamer Ahsan Malik had been cleared to bowl in international cricket following remedial work on his action and a retest.”Since being reported in July during last year’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Ahsan had remodeled his bowling action prior to applying to have his action re-tested,” the ICC said. “The result shows that the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.”