Category: International Cricket

Ashwin reignites ‘Mankad’ run out controversy with sanctions call

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“Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler (left) exchanges words with Kings XI Punjab’s Ravichandran Ashwin after he was run out “Mankad” style by the spinner last year. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – India’s Ravichandran Ashwin has reignited the controversy over “Mankad” dismissals, calling for new sanctions against batsmen who back up too far. Ashwin caused an international debate last year about the spirit of cricket after he dismissed England’s Jos Buttler at the non-striker’s end in an Indian Premier League game. Ashwin said offenders could be deducted runs or the bowling team…

Pakistan’s Akmal has three-year cricket ban halved on appeal

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“Pakistan cricketer Umar Akmal (left) with his lawyer in Lahore. ©AFP” /> Lahore (Pakistan) (AFP) – Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal’s three-year ban from cricket for failing to report a match-fixing approach was on Wednesday reduced to 18 months on appeal, meaning he can resume playing in August next year. Former Pakistan supreme court judge and independent adjudicator Faqir Mohammad Khokhar announced the appeal result, which had been reserved two weeks ago, after a short hearing in Lahore attended by Akmal and his lawyer. Akmal pleaded guilty in April to a…

Pakistan pacer Haris cleared for England tour

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“Haris Rauf taking a catch during a Pakistan Twenty20 match in Lahore in March 2020. ©AFP” /> Karachi (AFP) – Twenty20 pace sensation Haris Rauf has been cleared to join Pakistan’s cricket squad in England after twice testing negative for coronavirus, officials said Thursday. Rauf was ordered into quarantine on June 22 after testing positive for the virus, and despite never showing any symptoms failed four more tests before finally being cleared. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the 26-year-old will join the squad over the weekend. “As per the protocols,…

Three things we learned from the England-West Indies series

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“England paceman Jofra Archer was forced to self-isolate after a breach of coronavirus protocols. ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – International cricket’s first major campaign since the coronavirus lockdown saw England triumph 2-1 in a three-Test series against the West Indies following a 269-run victory at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Below AFP Sport looks at three things we learned from a fascinating contest: – ‘Bubble cricket’ can work – Despite fears life in a bio-secure bubble, with teams holed up in onsite hotels and no spectators allowed into grounds…

England paceman Broad inspired by ‘idol’ Anderson

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“Magic moment: England’s Stuart Broad celebrates dismissing West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite for his 500th Test wicket. ©AFP” /> Manchester (Unit had been omitted from a home Test in eight years — which the West Indies won by four wickets at Southampton. During that match, Broad revealed how “angry” he felt at being on the sidelines but the Nottinghamshire seamer was included for the final two Tests of the series, both at Old Trafford. His 16 wickets, at under 11 apiece, were the most by a bowler on either side and…

England face pace dilemma after announcing unchanged squad for Pakistan Test

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“England’s James Anderson (left) and Stuart Broad have taken more than 1,000 Test wickets between them. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – England will once again face a selection dilemma over the make-up of their pace attack after an unchanged 14-man squad was named on Wednesday for next week’s first Test against Pakistan. Joe Root’s side rotated their frontline fast bowlers during the 2-1 series win over the West Indies, which ended on Tuesday, with the competition for places intense. Stuart Broad responded to being left out of the opener with…

Willey relishing England ‘second chance’

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“England’s David Willey . ©AFP” /> Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – David Willey said he was determined to make the most of a “second chance” with England after being recalled Monday into the squad for an upcoming one-day international series at home to Ireland. Left-arm paceman Willey, 30, missed out on England’s triumphant World Cup campaign last year after a change in qualification rules saw him make way for Barbados-born fast bowler Jofra Archer. Having long been a part of the England white-ball set-up, Willey could only watch as Archer…

English county giants Surrey feel the strain due to coronavirus

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“Surrey’s CEO Richard Gould. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – The coronavirus pandemic has had serious ramifications across English county cricket, with even giants Surrey facing “huge financial strains”, their CEO Richard Gould told AFP on Sunday. Gould said that having made around £45 million ($58 million) last year they would take a £30 million hit this year with cricket starting late due to the lockdown imposed in March. Gould was speaking as Surrey played bitter city rivals Middlesex on the first day of a two day friendly at the Kia…

Wickets, runs and socially distanced fans — cricket in the coronavirus era

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“Light at the end of the tunnel? Surrey welcomes the first members of the public to a live sporting event in England since the coronavirus pandemic swept through the country in mid March. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – Surrey cricketers Mark Stoneman and Ryan Patel on Sunday experienced something no other sportsmen in England have enjoyed since March when they strode to the wicket at The Oval – applause from a crowd desperate to witness live action in the flesh after the coronavirus lockdown. The Premier League football season has…

Cricket one-day Super League launched to determine World Cup spots

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“Captain Eoin Morgan lifts the World Cup as England celebrate winning the final a year ago at Lord’s. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – A new Super League to determine qualification for the 50-over World Cup will launch this week but the governing body warned Monday that the cost of staging international cricket will inevitably rise because of the coronavirus pandemic. World champions England and Ireland will hold the first match in the 13-nation league in Southampton on Thursday. The seven top-placed nations in the Super League will join hosts…