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Sri Lanka have had a difficult time in ODIs of late, and go into this tournament as clear underdogs. But, with this liberating sense of freedom, will they surprise the world?

Andrew Fidel Fernando29-May-20170:58

The wristspinning trump card?

Overview

The high-intensity training camp has been attended, a foreign bowling coach hired, blessings have been sought, declarations of confidence made, and the press has been conferenced, but will any of that help Sri Lanka leave an impact on the Champions Trophy?

Squad

Angelo Mathews (capt), Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Nuwan Pradeep, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Lakshan Sandakan

Their reality is stark. Sri Lanka’s first game of the tournament is against South Africa, who whitewashed them 5-0 earlier in the year. Their second match is against India, who have beaten them 12 times in their last 15 meetings. Even Pakistan – Sri Lanka’s third opponent – whose own ODI form has been modest, defeated Sri Lanka at home in the most-recent bilateral series between them. Never in this century, perhaps, has a Sri Lanka side approached a global tournament with expectations so low.Yet, along with the low expectations, comes a sense of freedom, Sri Lanka say. There is the hope someone in their top order will take the tournament by the collar – perhaps Kusal Mendis, who has already made his mark in the Test format, or Niroshan Dickwella, whose heroics so far, have been in T20s. There is the belief someone like Lakshan Sandakan, the left-arm wristspinner, can make his presence felt during the opposition’s middle overs.Most of all, Sri Lanka are desperate for a roaring return to ODIs for their longtime match-winner, Lasith Malinga. Though he hasn’t played an ODI since 2015, largely due to injury, Malinga’s form did appear to improve through the recent IPL. Earlier in the year, Malinga’s return to T20s also showcased just how much his experience can lift the attack – not only is he an expert end-overs operator, even the other bowlers appear to lift their performance when Malinga takes the tough roles off their hands.But even with Malinga, it is as yet unclear whether he will be fit enough to deliver 10 overs at full intensity. Where other teams have form, runs and wickets behind them, Sri Lanka have only hope.

Champions Trophy history

1998 – Semi-finalists
2000 – Knocked out at first stage
2002 – Joint-champions
2004 – Knocked out at group stage
2006 – Knocked out at group stage
2009 – Knocked out at group stage
2013 – Semi-finalists

Form guide

This does not make for pretty reading. Sri Lanka drew a home series 1-1 against Bangladesh this year, but had been pulverized in South Africa, and have been regularly walloped by New Zealand over the past few years. Sri Lanka have not beaten a Champions Trophy side in a bilateral series since late 2014, when they defeated England in a seven-match series at home.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Strengths

The least of Sri Lanka’s weaknesses appears to be their top order. Their likely top six will feature Upul Tharanga, who provides experience, and has prospered in this tournament before. Also on show are Dinesh Chandimal and Angelo Mathews – senior men with a history of consistent output, even if the latter is coming back to the side following a long layoff.But perhaps the most-watched players will be Mendis and Dickwella, both of whom are blinding talents, but for whom the most significant hurdle will be the moving ball. Though Mendis had been the player of the tournament in last year’s ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe, and has more recently hit a maiden ODI ton at home, he had made a string of modest scores during Sri Lanka’s tour of South Africa, where the ball behaved roughly the same way it is expected to in England. Dickwella’s game, meanwhile, remains a little raw, and perhaps he is over-reliant on the areas behind square for his runs. If both these batsmen can find form however, Sri Lanka’s totals are likely to be healthy.

Weaknesses

There is plenty to choose from here, but it is difficult to look past Sri Lanka’s fielding, which in addition to having cost the team plenty of matches, has also been one of the world’s great recent sources of slapstick comedy. Over the past few years Sri Lankan fielders have routinely dived over the ball, kicked it to the boundary, fist-bumped it, chest-bumped it, groin-bumped it and occasionally used it as a blunt object to hurt themselves with. The quality of Sri Lanka’s fielding has also often been inversely proportional to the temperature, so if London or Cardiff sees an especially cold day, spectators could be in for a few laughs.

Key stats

• Over the past three years, Sri Lanka have lost twice as many matches (36) as they have won (18) against Champions Trophy oppositions
• Sri Lanka have also conceded an average of 57.9 runs in the last 10 overs of an opposition innings – the worst for any side participating in this Champions Trophy
• Upul Tharanga has 14 ODI centuries. The remaining batsmen in Sri Lanka’s squad have 10 combined
• Lasith Malinga last played an ODI on November 7, 2015

Jonathan Trott’s masterful double century stirred memories of his England heyday before exhaustion and anxiety took its toll

George Dobell at Lord's19-Apr-2016
ScorecardJonathan Trott revived memories of when he was indispensible to England•Getty Images

For a few hours, as Jonathan Trott brought calm to the chaos at Lord’s, it could have been 2010.That was the year that Trott followed a career-changing innings of 226 against Bangladesh here with an innings of 184 against Pakistan. On each occasion, without fuss or extravagance, Trott subdued a threatening attack and made batting look as if it were the most natural pastime in the world. He was the eye of the storm.The intervening years have not always been kind. A combination of mental exhaustion and situational anxiety eroded “England’s rock” – as both Andy Flower and Kevin Pietersen have described Trott; and those two don’t always agree on everything, you know – and brought to a premature end an international career that briefly flirted with greatness.He had memories of having played a key role in a side that went to the top of the world rankings to console him – and the ICC’s international player of the year award for 2011 – but the ending and the stigma that went with it brought a sour taste to a career that deserved better.For a while it seemed those demons would defeat him. Struggling for motivation and equilibrium following an ill-fated return to Test cricket 12-months ago, he pondered retirement throughout the 2015 season and ended it without a century and averaging just 25.05. There were whispers around the club that, should he struggle over the first few games of this season, Laurie Evans would replace him in the side.But here, with his side in trouble and against one of England’s most hostile fast bowlers, he produced an innings that was both masterful and fluent and evoked memories of a time when you could set your watch by his reliability.As the sun came out on Tuesday afternoon and Middlesex turned to two part-time spinners and a gentle seamer in an attempt to improve a flagging over rate (they were minus four at one stage) batting became a relatively straightforward business.It will be noted that there have already been four Championship double-centuries this season; there have never been so many before the end of April. Perhaps the tinkering made to the regulations designed to improve pitches has produced the desired results.But such luxury has to be earned. And Trott, by seeing off Steven Finn at his most hostile on Monday night and by demonstrating a strong defensive technique, earned it for sure. He also earned his side, at one stage teetering on 173 for 6 and facing the prospect of the follow-on, full batting bonus points and an outside chance of pushing for victory.And he did it – or most of it – in one of the new-style, ECB approved batting helmets. With the ECB alerted to his use of the non-compliant one on the previous day – and in the previous match in Southampton – they contacted Warwickshire overnight and insisted that Trott adopt the new one. So, when he resumed on 62 on Tuesday morning, it was – for the first time – in the new design.If there was any visual disturbance, it was not obvious. He began the day with a series of flowing cover drives and then produced some sublime straight drives – a sure sign that his game is in top order – as it appeared as if he were batting on a different surface to his colleagues. While Tim Ambrose and Rikki Clarke were undone by deliveries that appeared to keep low, Trott produced those familiar clips through the leg side and pulled with assurance. It’s been a long time since he has batted with such class.Keith Barker was a beneficiary of Trott’s groundwork. After surviving a testing first half-hour or so, Barker was able to capitalise against some modest support bowling that surrendered Middlesex’s dominance to a degree that they will surely look back upon with regret. By the time he played across a straight one, a weary attack was unable to stem the tide. The vision of Warwickshire’s No. 11, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, pulling Finn for six in front of square is not one the fast bowler will want to savour.It was noticeable that, as Trott’s innings progressed and his calm deepened, his movement at the crease became less pronounced. He still tends to walk at bowlers as a trigger movement these days, but this was an increasingly assured performance and will surely provide confidence for the rest of the season.He had broken Middlesex long before he reached the fifth double-century of his first-class career and his first in the Championship since 2005. This chanceless innings was his highest for Warwickshire.The mischievous might suggest that, such was his gratitude towards his new headgear, he kissed it upon reaching the landmark. The more honest version is that he was kissing the Warwickshire badge on the helmet. It will have pleased him enormously to have contributed to the team’s success.”The new helmets fit slightly differently on your head, so it’s about fit and vision,” he said afterwards. “But I don’t have a problem with the new rules. As a kid you get used to using a certain type and you become attached to it, but it’s fine. It didn’t feel that different.”Middlesex, with a first innings deficit of 16, were soon two down in their second innings. Barker’s swing accounted for both left-handers – he is a desperately tough proposition for them – but with Sam Robson and Nick Compton as proficient as most at seeing off the new ball, Middlesex made it to stumps without further loss.A victory for either side remains possible, but Middlesex may reflect their best chance has gone. Their team selection – without a frontline spinner – renders over-rate issues inevitable and will see a repeat of the session where part-time bowlers release the pressure on batsmen in their attempt to avoid penalties.Perhaps Trott’s success will be celebrated beyond the confines of Warwickshire. While his England days are clearly over – he has no appetite for a return – nobody would begrudge a key figure in one of the best England teams in living memory finishing his career with the sun on his back and a smile on his face. This was a vintage performance.

Shane Jurgensen, the Bangladesh coach, wants most of his players to get accustomed to conditions in Australia and New Zealand well before the 2015 World Cup

Mohammad Isam10-Sep-2013Shane Jurgensen, the Bangladesh coach, wants most of his players to get accustomed to conditions in Australia and New Zealand well before the 2015 World Cup. He believes that players like Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal will be at their physical peak during the tournament, which would help the team try and make it to the second round.Apart from an A team tour to the region, Jurgensen would like groups of players to take part in training sessions and tournaments in his native country. Bangladesh last visited New Zealand in 2010 for one Test, three ODIs and a Twenty20 while their previous trip to Australia in 2008 had only three ODIs. They have never won in either country in 20 games.Bangladesh will play four matches in Australia and two in New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup. Jurgensen believes the conditions in those places won’t be too hard. “The boys will be more evolved, have more experience in the next 18 months,” Jurgensen told the Bengali newspaper . “Most of them will be 26-27 or 28. They will also be at their physical peak. The venues won’t be a big obstacle too. Wickets are good at the Gabba, in Canberra, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hamilton and Nelson.”We will try to send an A team to Australia, and send players to play different tournaments there. Tamim and Shakib can easily play in the Big Bash, while some can play club or grade cricket. We could send four or five pace bowlers to train in Queensland. We have former Bangladesh coach Stuart Law, who is now at the Centre of Excellence. We also have [trainer] Stuart Karpinnen and [academy head coach] Richard McInnes working here in Bangladesh, so we can work something out.”Jurgensen put particular significance on Bangladesh’s performance in global events like the 50-over World Cup, because it is in these tournaments that the world fully notices the country’s progress in the game. Apart from that, he would like to end his two-year stint with discernible improvement on the field as well as in the numbers.”Their improvement should be visible on the field, and in their rankings. I would like to see them rise in the ODI and Twenty20 rankings. Draw and win Tests and do well in global events. The cricketing world will see our improvement. So it is very important that we cross the group stages of the 2015 World Cup. I think we can.”The 37-year-old Jurgensen said he was a supporter of keeping things calm in the dressing room rather than flying off the handle after the team loses. “There’s already a lot of pressure in international cricket so I don’t want to be an angry headmaster and put more pressure on them. I have always wanted to create an environment or pass on the message to the guys that at least before, during and just after the match, there will be no anger in the dressing-room.”It is important that there is consistency in behaviour, similar to on-field consistency. I like to be tough with them for a reason, so that they realise it is not a personal attack.”Having been the head coach since November 2012, Jurgensen said the Bangladesh players have faith in him. He was handed a two-year deal earlier this year, having held a temporary position after Richard Pybus’ abrupt departure last year.”I think I have gained their trust. It is important to understand them, because sometimes they can have a bad mood, have a bad day. Maybe their morning hasn’t started too well or (they’ve) had some family problems. So the coach has to be a spy, a guru and sometimes a psychologist.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the Group D match between Bangladesh and Pakistan in Pallekele

The Preview by Mohammad Isam24-Sep-2012

Match facts

September 25, 2012
Start time 1930 local (1400 GMT/1500 BST)Mushfiqur Rahim’s side has a shot at qualification, but it’s a difficult one•ICC

Big Picture

Pakistan began their World Twenty20 campaign with success, after being made to wait for five days, beating New Zealand by 13 runs. But they looked a better side than the margin suggested; it was narrowed thanks to a late, and failed, onslaught by Ross Taylor.Their opponents, Bangladesh, who were beaten convincingly by New Zealand in their first game, can only hope to qualify for the Super Eights if they beat Pakistan by a sizeable margin. Bangladesh need to win by more than 36 runs to finish with a higher net run-rate than Pakistan. In the event that they win by exactly 36 runs, thus finishing with the same net run-rate as Pakistan’s, they will still go through by the virtue of having won the head-to-head contest. Should Bangladesh be chasing, their net run-rate requirement will depend on the target set. For instance, if they’re chasing 150, they’ll have to score those runs in 15.4 overs or quicker. On current form, it seems like a struggle for Bangladesh.Pakistan have the best bowling line-up and their fielding is in good shape with Shoaib Malik and Umar Akmal patrolling the hitting zones. Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez are a threat to Bangladesh’s left-handers at the top of the order. Both Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan are good players and will be expected to bounce back strongly. The middle order is a capable one, comprising Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah and Nasir Hossain.Bangladesh’s bowling remains a worry, with Shakib and Tamim having said after the game against New Zealand that spinners would require some help from the conditions. Mushfiqur’s captaincy will also be tested in a game in which his team is the underdog, but is expected to produce a much-improved performance.

Form guide

(completed matches, most recent first)Bangladesh LLWLW
Pakistan WLWWW

Watch out for

Nasir Jamshed has already made a mark, but he also knows the Bangladesh team well, having played in the Dhaka Premier League for three seasons, including the most recent one. He played in the Bangladesh Premier League for Chittagong Kings, and his performance for them contributed to his selection in the Pakistan side. The shot that stood out during his half-century against New Zealand was the lofted drive over extra cover. He did it twice against Nathan McCullum, and it’s something Bangladesh’s spinners will watch out for.Shakib Al Hasan will be one of them. His four overs will again be crucial for Bangladesh, as will his role with the bat at No 3. New Zealand was a bad outing for Shakib, who has the ability to fight back in the only way he knows: runs and wickets.

Team news

Pakistan left out Mohammad Sami and Abdul Razzaq for the opening game. It’ll be interesting to see if one of them gets a go, with qualification not yet secured.Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Imran Nazir, 3 Nasir Jamshed, 4 Kamran Akmal (wk), 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Shoaib Malik, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Yasir Arafat, 9 Sohail Tanvir, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Saeed Ajmal.Mashrafe Mortaza injured his shin during practice, but is confident of recovering for the game. Having been clobbered for 117 runs in 12 overs, the Bangladesh spinners would, presumably, not be very high on confidence. Mushfiqur and coach Richard Pybus have a decision to make about who, if at all, to leave out. Mushfiqur said at the pre-match conference that Bangladesh could consider going in with an extra seamer.There is a possibility that Abul Hasan could replace left-arm spinner Elias Sunny or fellow seamer Shafiul Islam, depending on what the team management believes is the right bowling combination. However, any tweaks in the batting line-up are unlikely.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Mohammad Ashraful, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Mahmudullah, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Ziaur Rahman, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Elias Sunny/Abul Hasan, 11 Shafiul Islam.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch is again likely to favour batting but the seamers can expect some movement after sunset. Group D has been unaffected by rain so far. On Tuesday, the forecast is for clear skies.

Stats and trivia

• Sohail Tanvir still hasn’t been dismissed for a duck in his T20 international career, having played 10 innings in 24 games so far.
• Nasir Hossain, Tamim Iqbal and Mohammad Ashraful are the only batsmen in the Bangladesh team to have scored two half-centuries in T20 internationals.

Quotes

“Pakistan are world class in all sectors and they have a Twenty20 pedigree in abundance. However, no team is unbeatable in this format. We have to be at our best and hope that best is good enough on the day.”
“We are not thinking as if we have already qualified [for the Super Eights]. We have to play well against Bangladesh. On certain days in T20, anybody can win. We are not going to take any one easy.”

Ajantha Mendis turned tricks beyond the grasp of six Australian batsmen as Sri Lanka completed an eight-run victory for a 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 internationals against Australia at Pallekele

The Report by Daniel Brettig08-Aug-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThere was no stopping Ajantha Mendis today•Associated Press

Ajantha Mendis turned tricks beyond the grasp of six Australian batsmen as Sri Lanka completed an eight-run victory for a 2-0 sweep of the Twenty20 series at Pallekele.Playing his first, but surely not last, match against the Australians on this tour, Mendis plucked 6 for 16, the best figures in international T20 history, including three of the four wickets to fall for four runs in a frenzied 16-ball phase in the middle overs. All this after Shane Watson’s belligerent 57 from 24 balls seemed to have set the visitors up for a series-levelling victory.The pivotal moment of the evening came thanks to Angelo Mathews’ remarkable feat of athleticism, when he collected a David Warner heave on the edge of the midwicket boundary, and then threw the ball back into play for Mahela Jayawardene to complete the catch.Watson was close to lbw in the first over of the chase, the umpire ruling that Nuwan Kulasekara’s extravagant inswing would have taken the ball past leg stump. After three overs of pace, Australia were rolling nicely at 30-0, but their momentum would increase violently against the spinners.Dilruwan Perera’s first ball was reverse-punched past cover by Warner, before Watson began to target the arc between long-on and midwicket in much the same manner as he had done to record-breaking effect against Bangladesh in Dhaka in April. Five times he cleared the ropes, and by the time Mendis’ introduction brought a skier and a wicket, Australia needed a decidedly manageable 87 from 85 balls. Watson had not, however, done enough to put the result beyond question.The Sri Lankans sensed something when Warner followed, brilliantly pouched on the boundary by Mathews who then threw the ball – in the split-second he had before going over the rope – towards an alert Jayawardene. Shaun Marsh again looked all out of sorts against spin and was stumped for a duck wandering down the wicket to Mendis, who went on to complete a dual-wicket maiden.Next, David Hussey played around Rangana Herath to be bowled, leaving the visitors in dreadful trouble despite a manageable required-rate. Cameron White and Steven Smith tried to keep their heads from spinning, but were initially unable to do more than poke the slow bowlers around in the face of occasionally extravagant turn.A pair of sixes to White seemed to push the innings back into a state of health, but as if on cue Mendis returned to bowl a dancing Smith and a groping Brad Haddin off consecutive balls. Mitchell Johnson eluded the hat-trick, but eventually became Mendis’ sixth victim. White reached the final over needing 15 for victory, only to be bowled off an edge by Thisara Perera, and the task proved beyond Australia’s last pair.Earlier, Sri Lanka were unable to conjure the partnerships they managed in game one, but Jayawardene’s 86 provided a centrepiece to stand with Tillakaratne Dilshan’s effort on Saturday. Hampering the hosts’ batting was an outstanding spell by John Hastings, who returned 3 for 14 from his four overs. Brett Lee also nabbed a trio of victims.After enduring a couple of nervy moments, Jayawardene surged through the gears, driving through the covers and then playing an easy pitching wedge down the ground for boundaries. Two more Jayawardene strokes sent the new ball whistling through square leg and point before Lee won an lbw verdict against Dilshan with a delivery that might have flicked leg stump, but that did not stall Jayawardene’s flurry of shots.White used Steve O’Keefe for a solitary over before replacing him with Johnson, just as he had done in the first game, and the formulaic approach suited the Sri Lankans. Jayawardene punctured a packed offside field three balls in a row before White posted a deep cover.O’Keefe was recalled to the attack as the fielding restrictions ended, and after his over quelled some of the scoring, Smith’s introduction reaped Dinesh Chandimal’s wicket. Thisara Perera, promoted ahead of Kumar Sangakkara, collected one boundary from an O’Keefe misfield, before slicing Johnson to third man, and on 53 Jayawardene appeared rather more lbw than Dilshan had been. However Smith’s appeal was denied, and the next ball was swept for six. At times Jayawardene’s placement seemed so precise, he appeared to be mocking Australia’s fielders, and Sangakkara soon joined the attack.Their stand of 46 was broken by Hastings, who followed up a tidy first over by coaxing a miscalculation from Sangakkara. Jeevan Mendis did not last the over before cuffing on, and at 123 for 5 Australia had wrested the upper hand. In his next over, Hastings splayed the stumps of Angelo Mathews, sapping the innings of further momentum.Dilruwan Perera miscued O’Keefe down the ground, where Smith held an admirable catch diving forward, though Jayawardene remained for the final over. He was caught off a ball declared a no-ball for height, and picked up a boundary through the leg side before perishing off the third delivery.Lee’s finish was, however, spoiled by the concession of five wides from what should have been the final ball of the innings, and his error was made more significant by the closing margin of a rollicking match.

Pakistan need to thank Mohammad Aamer for putting those winning smiles across their faces

Nagraj Gollapudi at Headingley23-Jul-2010Pakistan need to thank Mohammad Aamer for putting those winning smiles on their faces. His promise, his talent, his skills and his dynamic mindset have splashed across this brief series like vibrant colours. Many a burning talent has emerged out of Pakistan and sparked briefly before extinguishing, but Aamer is not a flickering hope. Still only 10 Tests old, Aamer has all ingredients to become the next generation’s best fast bowler.Late on the second day Australia had clawed back into the contest after a gritty partnership between their senior pair of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke. Ponting had already notched a half-century and Clarke was on the verge of matching him. On the third morning Headingley was bathed in bright sunshine, often a portent for a fast-emerging Australian dominance.Equally promising were the dangers Aamer and his new-ball partner Mohammad Asif could pose. Already these two were instrumental in breaking the Australian knees on the first day when they collapsed for 88. Ponting and Clarke walked in doubly stubborn to stamp their authority in front of a 5,000-strong crowd, which had come to witness an imminent result.Their positive footwork and the eagerness to play forward indicated the Australians’ aggressive plan. Ponting was lucky to get away in Asif’s first over when he plunged forward against a late outswinger and the thick outside edge flew past the vacant third slip. But a couple of overs later Aamer smartly darted an angled delivery wide across Ponting and, like a magnet, the Australian captain chased it and was caught behind. It was no teaser by Aamer. His thinking mind had alerted him to cast a net that Ponting would fall for in his attempt to go for runs.Aamer had also understood Michael Hussey’s usual method to play as late as possible. So he sent a slower delivery, which pitched on the seam and jumped on Hussey, who was dumbfounded by the resultant edge, which was caught nicely by Umar Akmal at first slip. Perhaps Aamer’s uncanny knack to work out batsmen prompted Marcus North, under pressure, to play a straight and short delivery onto his stumps. Those three wickets immediately put Pakistan in a truly dominant position and underlined Aamer’s preternatural brilliance to grasp the situation and impose himself.It was the same on day one when he sensed the need to get rid of the lower order, which had frustrated Pakistan in the second innings at Lord’s and played a big hand in the eventual defeat. Immediately after tea he delivered successive unplayable deliveries to Steven Smith and Mitchell Johnson, knocking back the stumps on both occasions. Shane Warne called the Johnson dismissal the “ball of the series”. Johnson had lined up to clip the ball, sailing full at his legs, before it swung late and hit the bottom of off stump. It was a stunning delivery.Wasim Akram could manipulate such gems out of nowhere but mostly with the old ball. Aamer has the ability to dictate at all times in the contest. He gained seven wickets at Leeds, including his second-innings contribution of 4 for 86 off 27 overs.It is not just his pro-active attitude that stands out. Aamer has the hunger and drive to answer the call of his captain whenever required. An over before the second new ball was up, Salman Butt waved at Aamer, asking him which end he would like to bowl from. Asif was inclined to operate from the Kirkstall Lane End but still wanted to check with Aamer. The youngster did not care and pointed to both sides.On day two all of his nine overs came from the Kirkstall Lane End. This morning he turned the momentum Pakistan’s way from the old Football Stand End. He is not fussy, just hungry.When Waqar Younis joined the Pakistan team as the bowling consultant on the Australia tour last season he was apparently not happy at Aamer not getting the ball to swing into the batsman. He had not realised that the youngster had only made his international debut less than six months before at the World Twenty20 in England. Possibly the discerning eye in Waqar understood the amazing potential that Aamer has and was eager to let the youngster learn all the tricks quickly.It is no surprise that six months later Aamer can swerve the ball both ways and with confidence. It was a skill that came to Akram after years of hard work, but Aamer’s talent is innate. With time we will see more of his marvels. For now he has left Australia overwhelmed. England are next on the list.

Here’s all we know about the players who are set to be retained by their respective franchises

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Oct-202410:37

Who will RCB retain apart from Kohli?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK)MS Dhoni is one of five players set to be retained by CSK, along with captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube and Sri Lanka fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana. The amounts CSK are paying to each retained player is yet to be confirmed but they will lose at least INR 65 crore from their overall purse of INR 120 crore.
Gujarat Titans (GT)Gujarat Titans are likely to retain Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, B Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia and Shahrukh Khan, leaving them with one right-to-match card (RTM) option at the upcoming IPL mega auction.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)The franchise is set to retain Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Harshit Rana and Varun Chakravarthy. Their 2024 title-winning captain Shreyas Iyer and star allrounder Andre Russell are unlikely to be retained.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)Nicholas Pooran, Mayank Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi, along with the uncapped pair of Mohsin Khan and Ayush Badoni, are set to be retained by LSG for IPL 2025. KL Rahul, who has led the franchise since its inception in 2022, is unlikely to be retained.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Riyan Parag and Sandeep Sharma are the four players set to be retained by Rajasthan Royals. ESPNcricinfo has learned that England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler and India legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal are not part of the retention list.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)South Africa power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen is set to be the top retention for SRH and will get INR 23 crore (US$ 2.74 million approx.) as the first retained player. Pat Cummins, who was SRH captain in 2024, is set to be retained at INR 18 crore (US$ 2.14 million approx.), and India allrounder Abhishek Sharma at INR 14 crore (US$ 1.67 million approx). Travis Head and Nitish Kumar Reddy are also set to be retained as their final two capped retained players ahead of the auction.
Delhi Capitals (DC)Rishabh Pant is all set to go into the auction after not being retained by DC. ESPNcricinfo has learned that talks between DC’s ownership group and Pant failed after stretching over the past few months and Wednesday. The franchise has retained four players: the spin pair of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, South Africa batter Tristan Stubbs and uncapped Indian wicketkeeper-batter Abishek Porel.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)Punjab Kings are likely to retain only two uncapped players – batters Shashank Singh and Prabhsimran Singh – from their IPL 2024 squad. They will go into the upcoming mega auction with the largest purse, likely in excess of INR 100 crore, and also have four right-to-match options which can be used to buy back their players.
Mumbai Indians (MI)Mumbai Indians are set to retain their four major Indian players – Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Suryakumar Yadav – along with Tilak Varma ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.With those five capped players retained, MI can use their one right-to-match option only on an uncapped player at the auction. While the individual amounts for each of their retained player is yet to be ascertained, MI will lose at least INR 75 crore from their purse of INR 120 crore, or more if they have paid a higher aggregate amount to the five.

Hosts were in dire straits at 53 for 4 in response to Surrey’s 433 all out built on Jamie Smith’s first-day ton

ECB Reporters Network20-Jul-2023Middlesex 179 for 5 (Simpson 55*, Holden 55) trail Surrey 433 (Smith 138, Burns 79, Clark 78, Helm 6-110) by 254 runs John Simpson and Max Holden shared a century stand to give Middlesex hope of saving the follow-on against reigning champions Surrey on day two at Lord’s.The hosts, with only two batting bonus points all season were in dire straits at 53 for 4 in response to the visitors’ 433 all out, but former England U19 Holden and redoubtable wicket-keeper Simpson added 116 for the fifth wicket.Holden fell shortly before the close, but a defiant Simpson will take guard on day three 55 not out with Middlesex 179 for 5, Sean Abbot taking two of the wickets.Earlier Surrey passed 400 with day-one centurion Jamie Smith finishing on 138 and Jordan Clark 78, Tom Helm completing a career-best 6-110 for the hosts.Stand-in skipper Mark Stoneman briefly suggested a positive response to Surrey’s substantial first-innings total, creaming two early off drives through the covers, but it proved a false dawn as with only 11 against his name he feathered a good one from Clark through to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.It would be the ‘Brown Hats’ only success for some while, but a combination of tight seam bowling and a lack of intent from Pieter Malan and Sam Robson – the latter for some reason batting at three – meant the hosts crawled along at two runs per over.Perhaps that explains the rash cross-bat swish by South African Malan to an innocuous ball from Jamie Overton which took the under-edge, giving Foakes a second comfortable catch.As too often this season, the departure of one Middlesex batter led to three falling for the addition of 10 runs in 39 balls.Robson, a centurion last week at Merchant Taylors’ was undone by one from Sean Abbott which came back into him up the slope and went off the inside edge onto the stumps via the thigh pad.A torturous period of the afternoon for the hosts concluded with Jack Davies, in the side for the injured Stephen Eskinazi, taking 18 balls to get off the mark only to then fence at one from Tom Lawes, sending it into the hands of Dom Sibley at slip.The bell summoning the players back after tea sounded like a death knell for the beleaguered home side, but to their credit Holden and Simpson showed some intestinal fortitude.Holden, displayed some of the T20 form which earned a wildcard pick from the Manchester Originals for the upcoming Hundred, driving well off front and back foot, while Simpson played one delightful cut and acquired an all-run four courtesy of an overthrow.Overton tried some chin music, but Holden’s sixth four through third man took him to his second Championship half century of the season from 93 balls before Simpson too found the fence to raise the century stand.Simpson’s own half-century came in the grand manner with a six into the Mound Stand, but just as it looked as if Middlesex would reach the sanctity of stumps without further loss, Abbott found the edge of Holden’s bat and a diving Sibley did the rest.Surrey had resumed on 312 for 5, and save for a six over square leg by Clark off Ryan Higgins, made steady, unspectacular progress before Smith was castled by Helm from one which came back through the gate.Clark eased his way to a 91-ball 50 though he was later unsettled, not to say frustrated by Ethan Bamber beating him outside the off stump with five successive deliveries. The young seamer, who had somehow gone wicketless on day one, finally got reward when Abbott hoisted him into the hands of Malan at deep square.Clark’s fine effort ended when Tim Murtagh got one to bounce and take the edge which flew to Robson at slip and while a few lusty blows from Overton delayed the lunch interval, Helm cleaned up the tail for his first ever six-for in Championship cricket.

Nevill captained NSW in a record 43 Shield games and played 17 Tests and 9 T20Is for Australia

Alex Malcolm01-Apr-2022Former Australia Test and T20I wicketkeeper Peter Nevill has announced his retirement from all forms of professional cricket after 13 years at the top level.Nevill, 36, played 17 Tests and nine T20Is for Australia but last played international cricket in 2016. Since then, he has completed a distinguished and record-breaking career with New South Wales. He retires having captained the Blues in 43 Shield matches, more than any other player in history, and as one of just four men to have played more than 100 Shield matches for NSW.Nevill played the last of his 101 matches in February against Tasmania, with a shoulder injury ending his season prematurely. He also holds the record for the most catches for his state with 310, and is second on the Blues’ all-time dismissal list behind Phil Emery.Nevill played in two Shield titles and two Marsh Cup titles with New South Wales, leading them to their last Shield triumph in 2019-20 which was won in unusual circumstances.Nevill played 17 Tests for Australia during a transition period in 2015-16. He replaced Brad Haddin for the Lord’s Test on the 2015 Ashes tour when Haddin withdrew for personal reasons and kept his spot when he became available again which effectively ended Haddin’s distinguished international career.He played 17 consecutive matches and kept impressively throughout but averaged just 22.28 with the bat and made only three half-centuries, which belied his first-class batting record given he finished with 5927 runs at 36.81 and 10 first-class centuries. Nevill lost his place to Matthew Wade in the selection purge that followed Australia’s disastrous loss to South Africa in Hobart.Peter Nevill looks out over the SCG after announcing his retirement•Getty Images

His nine T20 internationals included the 2016 T20 World Cup, when he played as a specialist wicketkeeper batting as low as No.10 in one match.”I’d say [I was] someone who got the most out of the ingredients they had,” Nevill said. “I’ve been fortunate to have played for as long as I have. It is hard to condense [my career] into something short and sweet. However, there’s the opportunities I’ve had, the experiences, the people I’ve met, being able to travel the world, the ups and downs. Something that stands out is the very special people I’ve met, and there was no shortage of them at the Blues.”Nevill finishes a proud Blue despite having grown up in Victoria. He played underage state cricket for Victoria but was forced to move when Wade arrived from Tasmania to become Victoria’s wicketkeeper in all formats. Wade ironically had left Tasmania due to the presence of Tim Paine. All three traded places as Australia’s Test wicketkeeper in the period between 2015 and 2017.”What struck me is I was made to feel welcome by the group [in NSW],” Nevill said. “I was also impressed by how well the senior players communicated to the group what it means to play for NSW: the tradition, the history, and the pride people have in wearing the Baggy Blue.”Hopefully, we’ve continued to pass that message down the line, and that the young players understand the honour of what it means to be a Baggy Blue – representing yourself and those who’ve gone before you.”What stands out is the talent. Talent can sometimes be a dirty word, but we now have an incredibly talented bunch of young players. It is now up to them to take the next step and to really understand their games and how they’re going to be successful.”Thankfully, there’s a good group of senior players and coaches who will help them do that. Hopefully, they go on to dominate world cricket.”Nevill will spend time with his family but has expressed an interest in doing some coaching after a brief coaching/playing stint with Melbourne Stars during the recent BBL, although the experience was curtailed by the Covid outbreak that ravaged the tournament. He is also close to completing a Masters degree with a view towards a new career as a financial advisor.

Multan Sultans had roped in Mahmudullah in place of Moeen Ali, and he was supposed to leave Dhaka on November 9

Mohammad Isam08-Nov-2020Mahmudullah has become the latest Bangladesh cricketer to test positive for Covid-19, which rules him out for the PSL playoffs starting November 14. The Multan Sultans had roped in Mahmudullah in place of Moeen Ali, and he was supposed to leave Dhaka on November 9. That means Tamim Iqbal, who replaced Chris Lynn in the Lahore Qalandars squad, will be the only Bangladesh cricketer travelling to Pakistan.Mahmudullah, Bangladesh’s T20I captain, said that he got tested twice to be sure, but after two positive results, he has isolated himself in a separate room at his house.”I was surprised with a positive result from my Covid test, on November 6,” Mahmudullah told ESPNcricinfo. “I didn’t have fever or any other symptoms other than a bit of cold. Nothing more than that. I got tested for a second time yesterday, and that also came out as positive. I am now taking rest in a separate room. I am a little worried about my wife and kids. I am seeking everyone’s prayers for quick recovery and for my family’s well-being.”It is disappointing to miss the chance to play in the PSL. It is a competitive tournament. It was a good opportunity to play a couple of matches there. I am now looking forward to getting well soon and try to participate in our Bangabandhu T20 Cup.”Mahmudullah has been in all of BCB’s camps since September and has also been training individually. His team won the BCB President’s Cup last month. Yesterday, he was named in Grade A of the players’ draft for this month’s Bangabandhu T20 Cup tournament.Previously, Abu Jayed, Saif Hassan and Mashrafe Mortaza had tested positive and subsequently recovered. A few cricketers and coaching staff from the Under-19 camp had also tested positive last month.According to the official figures, there have been 418,764 Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh, with over 6000 deaths.