Tag: PONTING

TAIT RETIRES FROM CRICKET

Australia international Shaun Tait has retired from the game.


The 34-year old bowler played Tests against England in the 2005 Ashes, playing three Tests in his career. He is renowned for his exploits for Twnety20 in recent season.

Injuries are amongst the reasons he is retiring from the game, having suffered a spate of different injuries in his career. A chronic elbow problem has finally forced him out of the game.

“I wanted to play a couple of more years. The elbow has pretty much gone off a cliff now, it’s done and dusted.

“I’m 34 years old and I suppose when you’re not contributing on the field as much as you’d like to, it’s time to finish up. The game’s getting quicker and better and I’m getting slower and a bit older,” the player explained. Continue reading TAIT RETIRES FROM CRICKET

ADELAIDE STRIKERS CAN CART HOME THEIR FIRST BIG BASH TITLE

Two seasons so far, has seen the Adelaide Strikers finish in the semi-finalist position. However, it seems they can achieve the feat of lifting the Big Bash Trophy this time around.


Both at home and away in BBL05, the Strikers were in position to showcase a quite strong performance, which without, they would have to take some more beating.

The last season had seen them with a rare poor performance in a game that mattered the most, as they went on to lose the match to the final winners, Sydney Thunder in the semifinal of the BBL05.

So far, from the last summer, the Strikers have made no less than five changes to their squad. Chris Jordan, England’s Paceman and Ben Dunk, former Hurricanes batsman are the big additions made by the club for this season.

However, the loss of Adil Rashid, England’s wicket taker, who is currently on active duty for his country, could prove costly for the team. Continue reading ADELAIDE STRIKERS CAN CART HOME THEIR FIRST BIG BASH TITLE

Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in Knock out Asia Cup

Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in the national Stadium in Dhaka last night and was knocked out of the Asia Cup.

It was Pakistan’s second loss in the tournament as they had been toppled by India as well in their first game.

Now, they have to play Sri Lanka on Friday which will be a dead rubber.

The Pakistani team had come into the Asia Cup on the back of the Pakistan Super League and thus, had been considered as a strong contender, but, it was the same old story of irresponsible batting and lethargic fielding from them.

Their bowling was fast and furious as always or even more so with the arrival of Mohammad Amir, but, the rest two departments let them down.

The games against India and Bangladesh which they lost, they just didn’t put enough runs on the board.

83 and 129 are not the scores which give you the guarantee of winning matches especially when you have a fielding as inefficient and inconsistent as Pakistan’s is.
Pakistan’s selections have been a bit questionable too. They have played Khurram Manzoor three games in a row despite the fact that he is looking all out of sorts.

They could have been better off playing an extra bowler in the form of Wahab Riaz in the Bangladesh game and getting an all rounder, maybe Anwar Ali slightly up the batting order.

Riaz was dropped after just an off day against India which was bizarre because he has been Pakistan’s most successful bowler lately and on pitches with a little seam movement, he can make big impact.
Continue reading Pakistan lost to Bangladesh in Knock out Asia Cup

England lost the toss yet again

England lost the toss yet again, third time in a row, in the ongoing test series in the Emirates and had to bowl first on another hot day at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, but, this time around, they did not let Pakistan get away from them as they bundled them out for just 200 odd runs.

Now, they would like to make sure they bat big in the first innings and take a substantial lead so that they don’t have to chase down too big a total later on as the surface is surely going to be hard to bat on in the last innings of the test match.

It has already started to turn quite a bit and it would only get worse from here.

Earlier, England made a couple of expected changes in the playing XI.

James Taylor was drafted in on the place of a struggling Jos Buttler, while, the spinning all rounder Samit Patel made a comeback in test Cricket after a long, long time to replace Mark Wood.

Patel made an impact with his left arm spin on the first day as he took a couple of crucial wickets. The England team management would be expecting him to contribute with the bat as well. Continue reading England lost the toss yet again

Virat Kohli might have been given the test captaincy of India

Virat Kohli might have been given the test captaincy of India, but, the BCCI has kept him under consideration for his on and off field behaviour and any act of arrogance in future might cost him big.

According to the reports, the way the Delhi player abused a media person during the World Cup, it did not go well with some of the board officials and if India had any other solid option for Dhoni’s replacement in test matches, Virat might have been denied the captaincy.

But, the fact is that Virat is the only option at present.

He and Ajinkya Rahane are the only two players whose places in the test team are certain.

As far as Rahane is concerned, he does not have any experience of captaincy at all. He has not captained at any level and he is not a natural leader either.

Virat, on the other hand, has got that leadership quality. His enthusiasm on the field is fantastic and he can encourage anyone.

That’s why, he has always been seen as future captain, but, very often, he tends to cross the fine line between aggression and arrogance.

Virat led India in two test matches in the Border-Gavaskar series recently and he was alright with his field placements and bowling changes. Continue reading Virat Kohli might have been given the test captaincy of India