Shakib boost for Bangladesh in spin-friendly Chattogram against buoyant Sri Lanka

Big picture – Chattogram won’t be like Sylhet at all For the second Test series in a row between these teams, Sri Lanka’s seamers are defining the contest. In 2022, it had been Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha who claimed 24 wickets between them in the two-match series in Bangladesh. This time, Sri Lanka go to Chattogram with their quicks having taken all 20 wickets in Sylhet – the first…

Read More >>

Former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson named in USA squad for T20Is against Canada

USA have named former New Zealand allrounder Corey Anderson as part of their 15-man squad to face Canada in the upcoming five-match T20I series at home. Anderson, 33, last played for New Zealand in 2018, as he aimed to qualify for his adopted country. Monank Patel will continue to lead USA for the series, with the matches taking place in Houston, Texas from April 7 to 13. Aaron Jones has…

Read More >>

Steven Smith: 'Virat would know how Starc's trying to attack him'

When Royal Challengers Bengaluru host Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday night, the big sub-plot is the likely face-off between Virat Kohli and Mitchell Starc. Starc is playing his first IPL since 2015, when he was part of RCB, who were then led by Kohli. The two have never faced each other in the IPL, with Starc’s first season in 2014 also coming with RCB. “I quite like [Starc’s] match-up to…

Read More >>

All-round Sciver-Brunt, Ecclestone set up England's 4-1 series win over New Zealand

England 138 for 5 (Knight 35, Sciver-Brunt 31, A Kerr 3-30) beat New Zealand 136 for 6 (Gaze 51*, Ecclestone 3-30, Sciver-Brunt 2-24) by five wickets Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Ecclestone were devastating with the ball as England secured a clinical five-wicket win over New Zealand in their final T20I for a 4-1 series victory. The pair shared five wickets between them, with Sciver-Brunt making the early breakthroughs which had…

Read More >>

Pakistan to tour Ireland for three T20Is in May in teams' first meeting since 2018

The PCB has announced dates for Pakistan’s three-match T20I tour of Ireland. The games, which are scheduled for May 10, 12 and 14, will be taking place at Castle Avenue in Dublin. The series forms part of a 12-match run-in Pakistan have ahead of the T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. Before Pakistan leave for Ireland, New Zealand arrive in Pakistan in April to play five…

Read More >>

Parag comes of age to keep Capitals and away teams winless

Rajasthan Royals 185 for 5 (Parag 84, Ashwin 29, Axar 1-21, Khaleel 1-24) beat Delhi Capitals 173 for 5 (Warner 49, Stubbs 44*, Chahal 2-19, Burger 2-29) by 12 runs On a night that their big three batters managed 31 off 35 between them, Rajasthan Royals overcame a big conditions handicap through what many feel is the coming of age of Riyan Parag. When the ball seamed and swung, accounting…

Read More >>

Zak Crawley: England 'need to stay positive' despite defeat to India

Zak Crawley says that England will not allow their shortcomings in India to derail their positive approach to Test cricket but admits that a bit of “refinement” is needed to capitalise on their positions of dominance, such as the one that slipped through their fingers in the fourth Test in Ranchi last month. Speaking at the Kia Oval on the eve of the county season, Crawley insisted that England had…

Read More >>

Liam Dawson: 'I don't want to be running drinks for England at my age'

Liam Dawson has conceded that his ambitions as a Test cricketer are at an end after missing England’s tour of India this winter, saying that he was happy with his decision to prioritise commitments in overseas T20 leagues rather than potentially wind up running the drinks again as an unused squad member. Dawson, who won the last of his three Test caps in 2017, was the leading English spinner in…

Read More >>

RCB vs KKR – A clash of old foes with high-voltage history

Match details Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)Bengaluru, 1930 IST (1400 GMT) Big picture – RCB vs KKR, a fiery rivalry RCB vs KKR at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. That’s how it all started in 2008, when Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten 158 launched the IPL with a dream start. Over the years, the two teams have been involved in some of the iconic, and ugliest, moments in the…

Read More >>