Arthur says Sri Lanka back at match level

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“Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur (L, with Dimuth Karunaratne) says they are getting match ready after finishing their first post lockdown training session. ©AFP” /> Colombo (AFP) – Sri Lanka are raring to play international cricket again even though India have postponed a tour planned for this month because of the coronavirus, coach Mickey Arthur said Friday after his team completed a first post lockdown training session. The “return-to-play” programme begun at the start of this month had been a success, Arthur told reporters as he wrapped up the first…

Coronavirus may force IPL out of India, chairman says

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“South Africa hosted the IPL in 2009. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – The Indian Premier League could be moved out of the country if the coronavirus pandemic next month or two and then take a call accordingly,” said Patel, adding that options included staging the cash-rich tournament abroad. Pandemic cases have surged in the nation of 1.3 billion people.India now has the fourth highest caseload in the world, concentrated in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai which are cricket hubs. The world’s wealthiest Twenty20 tournament has twice been…

Qureshis star but Eagles soar

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BOCA RATON/FL: USA – The father/son combination of Zishawn Qureshi and Mahammad Qureshi both starred with the bat but could not save the Orlando Stars as they were beaten twice by the Pakistan Eagles as cricket returned to the United States. Cricket Council USA (CCUSA) decided to host the T10 cricket league four months after the COVID 19 pandemic began. On the opening day, there were two matches carded between Pakistan Eagles and Orlando Stars. After taking the first game by six wickets, the Eagles again were in top form…

Stokes does not need extra captaincy pressure, says Pietersen

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“England’s Ben Stokes. ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – Kevin Pietersen does not think Ben Stokes should captain England if Joe Root is forced to miss a game against the West Indies because it would heap too much pressure on the all-rounder. Root’s wife is due to give birth in July, meaning he risks missing one of the three behind-closed-doors Tests against the Caribbean side next month. Root has backed vice-captain Stokes to do a good job in his absence, but former England skipper Pietersen is wary about the all-rounder assuming…

Gower salutes Windies ‘spirit of co-operation’

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“Thank you West Indies – Former England captain David Gower (L, with Ian Botham). ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – David Gower has urged the rest of world cricket to follow the West Indies in demonstrating a “spirit of co-operation” as the global game looks to get back on its feet amid the coronavirus. The West Indies are due to arrive in England next week, ahead of a three-match Test series rescheduled for July even though the pandemic has claimed at least 48,000 lives in Britain, according to official figures. International…

Spinners have chance to shine during saliva ban: Kumble

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“Time for spinners to shine: Anil Kumble. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – Cricket chief Anil Kumble hopes a ban on using saliva to shine the ball after the coronavirus shutdown could see a resurgence of spin bowling in Test cricket. The International Cricket Council is expected to order a temporary ban next week on using spit as a shining agent, as part of measures to get the sport restarted. Fast bowlers could struggle to swing the ball under the new rules with Australian quick bowler Mitchell Starc saying the…

No saliva, no sweat, says India pace bowler Shami

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“India’s Mohammed Shami is known for his reverse swing. ©AFP” /> New Delhi (AFP) – India fast bowler Mohammed Shami says he will be able to reverse-swing the ball even if saliva is banned during the coronavirus pandemic. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to next week order a temporary ban on using saliva, as part of measures to get the sport started again while reducing the risk of spreading the virus. Bowlers traditionally get the ball to move in the air, deceiving the batsman, by shining one side…

No domestic cricket in England until August – ECB

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“Fresh delay — There will be no domestic cricket in England until August 1 at the earliest . ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – There will be no domestic cricket i ]]> <![CDATA[ n England until August 1 at the earliest, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Thursday. The start of the English season had already been twice delayed by the outbreak of the coronavirus, but the previous start date of July 1 has now been pushed back another month by the pandemic. England’s postponed Test series at home…

No home matches for Ireland as Pakistan and New Zealand postpone tours

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“Pakistan came to Dublin for Ireland’s first ever Test but their visit this ear has been cancelled . ©AFP” /> London (AFP) – Ireland will have no home internationals this season after it was announced Thursday that tours by Pakistan and New Zealand had been postponed due to the coronavirus. COVID-19 had already forced the postponement of Ireland’s early season games against Bangladesh and now a two-match Twenty20 international series against Pakistan has gone the same way. Meanwhile New Zealand’s tour of Europe has been postponed as well. The World…