Category: International Cricket

India bowler Shami considered suicide before comeback

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“India’s Mohammed Shami re-established himself as a key player at last year’s World Cup. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – India fast bowler Mohammed Shami has revealed how he thought of committing suicide while struggling with personal problems before making a spectacular comeback to the national side. Shami battled weight issues, injury and a legal quarrel with his estranged wife before a stellar performance at the World Cup last year re-established the 29-year-old as a key player. With cricket and sports halted in the coronavirus lockdown, Shami opened up about…

England’s Roy desperate to return to cricket, even behind closed doors

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“England’s Jason Roy is missing playing cricket. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – England opener Jason Roy is desperate to get back to playing cricket, even if matches have to take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. Roy, who was part of England’s World-Cup winning team last year, had a taste of playing in an empty stadium in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year and said it was a bizarre experience. “No atmosphere,” said the 29-year-old.”Simple as that to be honest.It was a very strange feeling.…

Mitchell Marsh gets Australia contract, Khawaja among six axed

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“Dropped: Out of form batsman Usman Khawaja has not been awarded a new Australia contract. ©AFP” /> Sydney (AFP) – All-rounder Mitchell Marsh returned to Cricket Australia’s list of 20 nationally contracted players Thursday, but there was no room for his brother Shaun or struggling batsman Usman Khawaja. The older Marsh sibling and Khawaja were among six players axed from a group that selectors loaded with limited-overs talent to reflect Australia’s upcoming schedule, particularly the Twenty20 World Cup scheduled for October-November. “With many of the squad crossing into all three…

Taylor wins Kiwi cricket’s top gong, eyes World Cup exit in India

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“Veteran batsman Ross Taylor targets the 2023 World Cup in India after winning New Zealand cricket’s top award for the third time. ©AFP” /> Wellington (AFP) – Veteran batsman Ross Taylor won New Zealand Cricket’s top award for the third time Friday and vowed to bat on until the 2023 World Cup in India. The 36-year-old was awarded the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal in a virtual ceremony held online because of COVID-19 restrictions. Taylor was a key part of the Black Caps’ run to a second consecutive World Cup final…

England’s Roy says Hundred postponement a ‘huge shame’

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“Jason Roy kisses the World Cup trophy after England’s 2019 triumph. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – England batsman Jason Roy believes the coronavirus-enforced postponement of the Hundred is a missed opportunity for cricket to capitalise on the buzz from last year’s World Cup triumph. With a new tournament, a new format and new city-based franchises, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was aiming to attract a fresh audience to the game. England, with Roy in the side, defeated New Zealand last year in an unforgettable Lord’s final that captivated…

Australia knock India off top of Test rankings

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“Australia have shunted India off the top of the Test rankings. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – Australia have reclaimed the world number one Test ranking, shunting India off the top of the standings for the first time since 2016. Just two points separate Australia (116 points), New Zealand (115) and India (114), with cricket suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Virat Kohli’s India had held the number one spot since October 2016. Last year India claimed their first-ever Test series win in Australia after 71 years of trying. But…

Virus forces delay of English cricket’s Hundred until 2021

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“The Hundred has been delayed until 2021. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – English cricket’s controversial new Hundred competition has been delayed until 2021 after the coronavirus pandemic deprived it of star overseas names and bumper crowds. The new 100-balls-per-side format, to be played by eight franchises rather than the established 18 first-class counties, had been due to start in July. But with the English season delayed until at least July 1, with any matches likely to be played behind closed doors, the England and Wales Cricket Board has decide to…

Smith is ‘strange’ but a ‘genius’, says Stokes

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“Australia’s Steve Smith was the top-scorer during last year’s Ashes series in England. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – England’s Ben Stokes has said his Australian rival and IPL teammate Steve Smith is a “genius” as well as “strange” as he hailed the number one Test batsman. “He’s still strange to play against and he’s still strange to play with.And the best thing about it is that he admits it,” Stokes said in a podcast broadcast by their Indian Premier League side Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday. “But I feel to…

Australia’s Warner says England tour ‘highly unlikely’

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“Australia’s David Warner cast doubt on the tour in July. ©AFP” /> Sydney (AFP) – Veteran batsman David Warner believes Australia’s upcoming limited -overs tour of England will be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic.The Australians were scheduled to play three one-dayers and three Twenty20 matches against England in July. But last week the England and Wales Cricket Board delayed the start of their season until July 1 at the earliest and players may need some warm-up cricket before returning to the international arena. There has been speculation the tour…

England captain Root reveals Ellen DeGeneres sledges

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“Ellen lookalike? – England captain Joe Root . ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – England captain Joe Root said Tuesday he had been sledged during his cricket career for looking like American comedian and chat show host Ellen DeGeneres. Sledging, the practice where a fielding side verbally abuses a batsman to disturb his concentration, can take many forms. But Root said he understood what had led opponents to come up with the unusual jibe. “I’ve been called Ellen DeGeneres on a number of occasions over the course of my career,” Root…