Ted Lasso fans have been told they are “gonna love” Season 4 of the hit show as the title character moves into coaching with a women’s team.
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Chennai, 20:00 IST (1430 GMT)
It was only last month that Faf du Plessis played a blinder to put Joburg Super Kings in the SA20 playoffs. And four months from now, he will be wearing yellow again for Texas Super Kings and teaming up with coach Stephen Fleming. Their history goes back to 2011, when Chennai Super Kings first signed du Plessis even before he had played international cricket for South Africa.But right now, for the duration of this IPL, du Plessis has shed his yellow second skin for the red and blue of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Once a crowd favourite at Chepauk, he will play his first game as RCB captain in Chennai on Friday. However, his counterpart will not be the man du Plessis would have expected to go up against.On the eve of the IPL 2024 season opener, du Plessis’ former opening partner Ruturaj Gaikwad was announced as CSK’s captain, replacing MS Dhoni, just hours before the teams arrived for training.Gaikwad has a proud record to defend because the odds are stacked against RCB in Chennai. The last time they beat CSK at Chepauk was back in the first IPL season, in 2008, when Fleming was still a player. RCB have lost seven on the trot since. In their most recent fixture there in 2019, they were spun out for 70 in 17.1 overs. That RCB made CSK work until the 18th over of the chase for victory was down to Yuzvendra Chahal and Moeen Ali.Chahal is now with Rajasthan Royals while Moeen could line up against RCB on Friday along with three other spinners – Maheesh Theekshana, Ravindra Jadeja and part-timer Rachin Ravindra – on what could be another slow pitch. In contrast, RCB don’t have a world-class spinner in their ranks: their options are Mayank Dagar (left-arm fingerspin), Himanshu Sharma (mystery spin), Karn Sharma (legspin) and Swapnil Singh (left-arm fingerspin). It seems like RCB have put all their eggs in the batting basket for both their home and away games this season.Virat Kohli marked his T20I comeback earlier this year with an aggressive cameo against Afghanistan•BCCI
Dhoni, 42, is set to return to action after nearly a year, having undergone knee surgery following the previous IPL season. CSK’s designated spin-hitter Shivam Dube is also fit after missing the Ranji Trophy knockouts with injury. However, they will be without their death-overs specialist, the Sri Lankan slinger Matheesha Pathirana, who will miss the initial stages of IPL 2024 with a hamstring injury.For RCB, Virat Kohli will also return to competitive cricket after a two-month break. He has played only two T20 games – against Afghanistan in January – since the previous IPL and this season will act as his runway to the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Kohli displayed an uncharacteristically aggressive approach early in those two innings against Afghanistan; will he bat the same way for RCB?
Chennai Super Kings
Considering Dube is working his way back from injury, CSK might play him as a batter alone and pick one of Mukesh Choudhary or Tushar Deshpande, last season’s highest wicket-taker for them, while bowling.Possible bat-first XI: 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Moeen Ali, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (wk), 9 Shardul Thakur, 10 Deepak Chahar, 11 Maheesh TheekshanaPossible bowl-first XI: 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 2 Rachin Ravindra, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Moeen Ali, 5 Daryl Mitchell, 6 Ravindra Jadeja, 7 MS Dhoni (wk), 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Mukesh Choudhary/Tushar DeshpandeRoyal Challengers Bengaluru
One of Anuj Rawat, Mahipal Lomror or Suyash Prabhudessai might be picked to lengthen RCB’s batting if they bat first, to be replaced by a spinner – Himanshu or Karn – in the second innings. Or vice versa.Possible bat-first XI: 1 Faf du Plessis (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Anuj Rawat/Mahipal Lomror/Suyash Prabhudessai, 7 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 8 Alzarri Joseph, 9 Mayank Dagar, 10 Akash Deep/Vyshak Vijaykumar, 11 Mohammed SirajPossible bowl-first XI: 1 Faf du Plessis (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rajat Patidar, 4 Glenn Maxwell, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 7 Alzarri Joseph, 8 Mayank Dagar, 9 Akash Deep/Vyshak Vijaykumar, 10 Himanshu Sharma/Karn Sharma, 11 Mohammed Siraj
The IPL 2024 opener will be played on the centre wicket at Chepauk, which traditionally is a spin-friendly one. It is different from the sharp turner that was used for the Ranji Trophy fixture between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka last month.
“I had the pleasure of working with Rachin of the New Zealand side last year in the UK. And watching him operate then, I had no doubt that he would fit in well. He’s very eager to learn. He’s very early in his international career. But with each hurdle, he’s clambered over pretty well.”
“He’s a proven international performer and a proven IPL performer. He has pace and bounce at a good release height. There’s a lot to like there and the same is true for our other overseas quicks. Faf knows Alzarri well [having worked with him at the CPL with Andy Flower]. So, that’s why he was a key target for us at the auction.”
Root and Brook make half-centuries to help set up final-day victory push
ECB Reporters Network14-Apr-2024
Adam Lyth has been in fine form for Yorkshire•Getty Images
An Adam Lyth hundred and fluent half-centuries from England’s Joe Root and Harry Brook strengthened Yorkshire’s grip on the third day of the Vitality County Championship match with Gloucestershire at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Starting the day on 57 without loss in their second innings, with a lead of 120, the visitors ran up 434 for six before declaring in the final session, setting their opponents a highly unlikely 498 to win. Lyth top-scored with 113, while Root contributed 51, Brook 68 and George Hill 58.By the close, Gloucestershire had slumped to 97 for four, Ollie Price unbeaten on 44. Heavy rain is forecast overnight, but may not be enough to save a team without a Championship win for 19 months.Lyth was unbeaten on 39 when play began and soon moved to a flawless fifty off 61 balls, with nine fours. Finlay Bean hooked Marchant de Lange for six over fine leg, demonstrating his team’s desire for quick runs.Bean went to a half-century off 78 balls before Lyth upped the tempo further by striking three fours through the off-side off consecutive deliveries from de Lange.Lyth had just one anxious moment, surviving a confident appeal for a catch behind off de Lange when on 93, before reaching a 120-ball hundred, compiled in seemingly effortless style with 18 fours.The opening partnership had reached 180 in the 38th over when Gloucestershire skipper Graeme van Buuren struck with only his fourth ball of the day. The left-arm spinner pinned Bean leg-before as he attempted a forcing shot off the back foot.It was 194 for one at lunch, with Yorkshire leading by 257, and the only question was how long they would choose to bat. It proved to be all through the afternoon session and beyond in bright sunshine.Lyth fell to a catch at short third-man off van Buuren, attempting a reverse-sweep and the Gloucestershire skipper claimed a third wicket when first-innings centurion Shan Masood, who had moved smoothly to 40 off 52 balls, was brilliantly stumped by James Bracey off a delivery that went between his legs, momentarily unsighting the wicketkeeper.By then Yorkshire were 272 for three, with Root well set. His only blemish was an attempted reverse-scoop off Josh Shaw that only made sufficient contact to score a single over Bracey’s head as he progressed serenely to fifty off 56 balls, with four fours and a six.With a single added to his score, Root fell to more Bracey brilliance as the keeper dived full-length to his left to hold a one-handed leg-side catch off Zaman Akhter. Brook went to a chanceless half-century and was unbeaten on 51 when tea was taken at 365 for four.He had faced 57 balls, striking nine fours and a six when caught at deep mid-wicket off de Lange. Still Yorkshire batted on, with their lead 456, and Hill joined in the array of attacking shots, hitting five fours and a six in his 54-ball fifty before being caught at wide long-on off Price.Gloucestershire were left with 26 overs to bat in the day when Masood made the declaration. Their second innings got off to a poor start when Chris Dent, on five, went to clip a ball from Ben Coad off his pads and directed it straight to Bean at leg-slip.Cameron Bancroft and Price added 41 without alarm until Bancroft, on eight, was caught behind aiming to drive Matt Milnes. Miles Hammond came in and immediately went on the attack.The left-hander smacked five fours and a six in racing to 35, but his approach was inappropriate for a side looking to save the game and he perished attempting another big hit, caught at mid-wicket by Brook off the left-arm spin of Dan Moriarty with less than three overs left in the day.Nightwatchman Josh Shaw lasted just six balls before falling lbw to Matt Fisher and Gloucestershire had thrown away a position which might have given them hope on the final day.
ECB escalate delay to BCCI and Indian government with 20-year-old stuck in UAE
Vithushan Ehantharajah22-Jan-2024England began their Test preparations in Hyderabad without Shoaib Bashir after visa issues left him stranded in the UAE.England arrived in India on Sunday ahead of Thursday’s opening Test following a training camp in Abu Dhabi, where Bashir remains after a delay in his paperwork left him unable to travel with the rest of the squad. The Somerset offspinner, whose parents are of Pakistani heritage, is being accompanied by Stuart Hooper, who recently joined the ECB as their new managing director of cricket operations.Brendon McCullum, England’s head coach, said that the ECB has escalated the matter with the relevant authorities, including the Indian government, and expects positive news in the next 24 hours. England are optimistic about a quick resolution and also expect to welcome Dan Lawrence on Monday evening.Related
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Lawrence was drafted into the 16-man squad after Harry Brook returned home following a family emergency. Brook flew back to the UK on Sunday, though Lawrence remained in the UAE to turn out for Desert Vipers in the ILT20 in their defeat to Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.Though Bashir is likely to miss two days of preparation – England will train on Tuesday morning at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium – McCullum insisted he will still be available for selection for the opening Test. Bashir, 20, was a bolter for the squad, selected on promise rather than performances, having taken just 10 first-class wickets at 67.Shoaib Bashir was a shock call-up for England’s tour to India•Getty Images
But he impressed on Lions duty and in the UAE with the full squad, where he has continued to make a strong impression with his high release point and ability to spin the ball sharply, which England regard as vital for the surfaces they expect to encounter in this series.”Bash will join us hopefully tomorrow as well,” McCullum said. “He’s got a couple of issues with his visa coming through. We’re confident on the back of the help from the BCCI and the Indian government that will sort itself out pretty quickly as well.”Things take time, don’t they? Everyone is doing what they can. It’s a process we need to go through. We’re pretty confident that we’re close. The time that Bash had with the squad over in Abu Dhabi, where he fitted in seamlessly, will serve him greatly.”We’ve also got a little bit of support out there for him so he’s not on his own. We’re hoping the news will come through today that his visa has been approved, then we’ll get him to sink his teeth into this series.”
KKR have been one of the form teams this season, while Punjab Kings, down in ninth place, have failed to bat at the speeds other teams have
S Sudarshanan25-Apr-20242:16
Moody: ‘KKR need to take a long-term view with Starc’
Match detailsKolkata Knight Riders (KKR; 2nd place) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS; 9th place)
Eden Gardens, Kolkata, 7:30pm IST (2pm GMT)Big picture – Best bowling side at batters’ paradisePunjab Kings (PBKS) have many issues to solve, but despite IPL 2024 being dominated by batters, bowling is not one of them.PBKS are the only side not to concede 200 or more in an innings yet – 199, twice, is the most scored against them. Their bowling average of 24.94 is the best among all the teams this season, with Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) 25.47 next in line. At the death (overs 17 to 20), PBKS have struck 23 times, the most by a team in IPL 2024, and their average in that phase (15.73) is again the best. They have been the third-most economical bowling team (8.98) this season too.Now they are at a venue – Eden Gardens – where 200 has been crossed in both innings in three of the four matches so far. It has been the venue with the third-highest scoring rate (10.43) this season, with Hyderabad (10.92) and Delhi (11.48) ahead.All of which brings the PBKS batters into sharp focus. They are the second-slowest scoring team (with a strike rate of 137.31) and also have the second-lowest batting average (23.84). None of their batters have totalled 200 yet, even though 24 batters have crossed the mark – Shashank Singh with 195 runs is their leading scorer.KKR have not been an easy side to either score against or bowl to this season. They are favourites here. So PBKS have to score bigger than they have so far and expect the bowlers to do what they have been doing, in KKR’s den. Not to forget, PBKS have only won three of their 12 games – only one in the last eight – at Eden Gardens.Form guideKKR WLWLW
PBKS LLLLW1:52
How can Jitesh Sharma find himself some form?
Team news and impact player strategyKolkata Knight Riders: KKR have subbed out a batter for a fast bowler or a spinner, depending on the conditions and the situation of the game, in each game. Usually, Rinku Singh has not been used in the fielding innings, with one of Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakravarthy and Suyash Sharma brought in. Expect them to continue with that.Probable XII: 1 Phil Salt (wk), 2 Sunil Narine, 3 Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 4 Venkatesh Iyer, 5 Shreyas Iyer (capt), , 7 Andre Russell, 8 Ramandeep Singh, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Varun Chakravarthy, 11 Harshit Rana, Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan will only be fit for PBKS’ next game, according to spin-bowling coach Sunil Joshi. Whether that means Sam Curran opens again or one of Rilee Rossouw and Jonny Bairstow partners Prabhsimran Singh is anybody’s guess.Probable XII: , 2 Rilee Rossouw/Jonny Bairstow, 3 Sam Curran (capt), 4 Jitesh Sharma (wk), 5 Liam Livingstone, 6 Shashank Singh, 7 Ashutosh Sharma, 8 Harpreet Brar, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Arshdeep Singh, In the spotlight – Mitchell Starc and Harshal PatelOf all the IPL grounds, the poorest economy rate (13.50) when fast bowlers bowl full under lights is at Eden Gardens. It’s the venue Mitchell Starc, who loves to swing the ball from fuller lengths, has to call home in IPL 2024, and his returns have mirrored those stats. His best performance this season – 3 for 28 against Lucknow Super Giants – came in Kolkata while bowling first in an afternoon game. Starc’s economy rate this season – 11.48 – is the poorest among bowlers who have bowled at least 25 overs, and is the poorest for any bowler to have bowled at least 20 overs in the first seven games of an IPL season. Most expensive in more ways than one, Starc has to live up to his reputation at some stage.Harshal Patel had a forgettable start to IPL 2024 – four wickets at an average of over 45 and an economy rate of 11.31 in the first four games. But since then, he has returned nine wickets – seven of those at the death – at an average of a shade under 11 and an economy of 7.46. He has been effective with his changes of pace as well as angles, and has bowled in each of the three phases in the last four matches. About 80% of his wickets are of right-hand batters, and KKR have plenty of them, including Andre Russell – Harshal has dismissed him twice in 26 balls in all T20s.Sunil Narine has been one of the star performers this IPL, with bat and with ball•BCCIPitch and conditionsThe KKR batters, especially the openers, have thrived on the high-scoring pitches in Kolkata. Expect a similar surface on Friday. Fast bowlers have had an economy of 10.74 in Kolkata as opposed to the spinners’ 9.31, and a lot of that has to do with the success of Sunil Narine (16 overs, six wickets, economy 6.25) and Varun Chakravarthy (16 overs, five wickets, economy 9.81).Stats that matter Narine’s 33 wickets against PBKS are the most for him against a single opponent in the IPL. He averages 19.90 against them and has an economy of 7.06 In the IPL, Shreyas Iyer has scored 12 off five balls against Kagiso Rabada, but in all T20s, it’s 19 off 21. However, Rabada has never dismissed Iyer Russell vs Curran is a proper cat-and-mouse game. Russell strikes at 221.4 against Curran for three dismissals in 28 balls in all T20s. Curran also gives it back: 39 runs in 21 balls for one dismissal against Russell in T20s.Quotes”I will get to bowl when the opportunity arises, I am working on my bowling. The Impact Player rule is such that the use of the allrounder is reduced. Every team wants to bowl with their main fast bowlers.”
“Jitesh is a quality batter, and we know that the time has come for him to fire. There are multiple players in the IPL, who are eager to be part of India’s T20 World Cup squad. For most of the players, making it to the Indian team will keep haunting them. So focus on the basics. You’ve got to perform and take it ball-by-ball, leave selection to the people who decide.”
The Herons were flat-footed, uninspiring and stagnant without Messi on the pitch, but still salvaged a point
Inter Miami and FC Cincinnati played to a scoreless 0-0 draw at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Saturday night, as each side shared the spoils and walked away with a point.
The hosts were severely shorthanded, missing Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Maxi Falcon due to suspension, and Allen Obando, Baltasar Rodriguez, Ian Fray, and Oscar Ustari due to injury.
Messi and Alba were suspended by MLS for skipping the All-Star Game midweek, while Falcon missed out due to yellow card accumulation.
With that, the were tasked with an uphill battle, and U.S. international Benjamin Cremaschi was even tasked with playing left back, despite being a natural midfielder. At the end of the day, they walked away with a point, but it was uninspiring.
Their attacking momentum fell flat without Messi on the pitch, and on the flank, they missed the forward progression that Alba would normally bring to wide areas and in the final-third. Their midfield put forth a top-tier performance to keep the likes of FCC's superstar Evander quiet and earn a point.
In the final minutes, chaos erupted as FC Cincinnati appeared to score the go-ahead winner off a header from U.S. international Miles Robinson. However, after a lengthy VAR review, it was determined he fouled a Miami player while leaping into the air by putting his hands to the face of the defender. Miami responded, nearly finding the back of the net, too, but it was cleared off the line by FCC, and the final whistle blew minutes later.
For the , they'll take the draw, considering FCC defeated them just last week 3-0. However, it was a missed opportunity to leap ahead of an Eastern Conference contender.
GOAL rates Inter Miami's players from Chase Stadium.
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Rasmus Hojlund has made it clear to Manchester United officials that he has no intention of leaving Old Trafford for RB Leipzig, according to reports from talkSPORT. Despite interest from the Bundesliga club, the Danish striker has informed the Red Devils that a move to Germany is not on his agenda.
Man Utd eager to offload HojlundWas tipped to join LeipzigThe Dane has no interest in the transfer Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Leipzig had been exploring the possibility of signing Hojlund, potentially as part of a deal that would see United bring Benjamin Sesko to the Premier League. However, the 21-year-old Dane’s refusal to consider the switch could complicate United's efforts to land the Slovenian frontman.
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A delegation from United was reportedly sent to Germany earlier this week to open discussions with RB Leipzig regarding Sesko. The striker had also attracted strong interest from Arsenal earlier in the window. However, the Gunners backed away after Leipzig stood firm on their valuation, which exceeded €80 million (£70m/$93m).
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Newcastle United have also entered the chase for Sesko and have reportedly tabled an offer of €75 million (£65m/$87m), with an additional €5m (£4.3 million) in potential bonuses. Despite the significant bid, it is understood that Sesko would prefer a move to Old Trafford over a switch to St James' Park. This preference could tilt the negotiation in United's favour, especially if they can reach a compromise on Leipzig’s asking price. Sources suggest that both clubs are hopeful that a deal could be struck closer to the €70m (£61m/$81m) mark.
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One of the proposals floated to facilitate the transfer was to offer Hojlund in exchange for Sesko, either as a direct swap or part of a package deal. This option was seen as a potential solution to help United manage their financial constraints under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
By offloading Hojlund and acquiring Sesko in return, United could theoretically balance the books and strengthen their squad at the same time. But with Hojlund now firmly opposing any move away from Manchester, the feasibility of that arrangement has been thrown into doubt.
Martin Williamson looks back on yet another wretched year for Zimbabwe
Martin Williamson28-Dec-2005
Tatenda Taibu – his retirement was the lowlight in a year of lows© Getty Images
So wretched was 2004 for Zimbabwe cricket that it was hard to envisage how 2005 could be any worse. That it was – and by some distance – underlined just how serious the problems had become. The year ended in virtual anarchy. The players were refusing to play while Peter Chingoka and Ozias Bvute, the unpopular Zimbabwe Cricket chairman and managing director, remained at the helm; allegations of widespread mismanagement and fraud were doing the rounds, and threats and intimidation appeared to have become the norm.Perhaps the saddest single event in a shameful 12 months was the resignation and retirement of Tatenda Taibu, Zimbabwe’s 22-year-old captain. Taibu represented the best hope for the future, and yet he and his family were threatened after he fronted the players’ opposition to Chingoka and Bvute. While the board claimed to have backed Taibu, it was noticeable that the source of the threats, an objectionable pro-Mugabe hardliner, was not censured. In fact, by the year end he had emerged as a new force in Zimbabwe cricket, heading up one of five new provinces created by ZC to keep the ruling faction in power. Other players gave up the struggle and sought to pursue their careers overseas, most noticeably Heath Streak, the man whose dismissal as captain in April 2004 triggered the whole crisis.On the field, Zimbabwe’s decline continued. They played eight Tests, and lost seven, all by massive margins. The one draw, against Bangladesh, owed much to Taibu, whose 85 and 153 dwarfed his colleagues’ contributions. The scale of their match-on-match humiliation can be judged by the fact that two of the losses came inside two days, and with the exception of the Bangladesh matches, the margin of the defeats would have been greater had opponents not declared early. The one-day performances were equally dire, although the year started with back-to-back wins in Bangladesh. But they went on to lose that series 3-2, and the remaining nine matches all ended in defeat, and again the margins were almost all large.In the autumn, the Under-23 side played in South Africa’s domestic competition and a President’s XI in India; both returned home without so much as a draw, and with few reputations enhanced. Perhaps the nadir came in October when Zimbabwe A were beaten three times at home by Kenya. So keen were Zimbabwe’s selectors to save face that they fielded a virtual full-strength side; it made no difference.The infrastructure had collapsed to such an extent that many who wanted to play the game had neither the equipment or the coaches. Money which should have gone to them was missing – stakeholders were asking where as much as $12 million had gone – while the board’s bloated administration grew by 800%.Throughout all this, the ICC remained on the sidelines, insisting that it could not involve itself in a “domestic matter”. But, as one senior administrator told me: “If you see someone drowning, do you stand and debate about whether to save them, or do you jump in?” The fear is that the damage done to Zimbabwe cricket might already be terminal.New man on the block Charles Coventry showed glimpses that he could be a useful batsman, but he needs to learn to build an innings; Colin de Grandhomme, who has been talked about as one of the best young batsmen, also impressed with the U-23 side in South Africa.Fading star None. The few stars there were have long since jumped ship, leaving enthusiastic but raw youngsters to face the music.High point Precious few. The two one-day wins against Bangladesh gave false hope, as did the opening session of the first Test against New Zealand when the visitors were reduced to 113 for 5; they still won by an innings inside two days.Low point Where do you start? On the field, the first day at Centurion when Zimbabwe were bowled out for 54 and South Africa closed on 340 for 3 (and went on to complete another two-day win); off the field, the circumstances which led to Taibu’s retirement.What does 2006 hold? Sadly, more of the same. With the ICC and its directors hiding behind their own rules, Zimbabwe’s decline is likely to continue. There is talent there, but it is hard to see how it can avoid being crushed by the weight of political indifference outside the country and mismanagement inside it. They are due to tour West Indies in April. If they do, then they face more humiliation; if they don’t, then they are likely to be kicked out of international cricket on a technicality, so sparing the ICC any less palatable decisions. A more cynical person might argue that would actually suit some people, easing the crush of the international merry-go-round and removing a constant thorn in the side.
Tests 8 0 71 ODIs 12 2 100
Over the last four years, Sourav Ganguly has been thoroughly exposed by short-pitched bowling
S Rajesh05-Sep-2005Over the last few years, fast bowlers around the world have worked out a simple plan to dismiss Sourav Ganguly: pitch it short, attack his body, make him hook or pull, and then watch as he either defends clumsily or attempts an ungainly hoick and gets himself out. The idea isn’t terribly original, but it has worked so often that Ganguly’s weakness against short deliveries has become an open secret among the fast-bowling fraternity. Ganguly has often tried to defend himself on that charge by arguing that it doesn’t matter how a batsman looks while playing a stroke; what counts is the number of runs he scores and the number of times he’s dismissed. Well, if that is Ganguly’s defence, then he will be pretty disappointed with the numbers below.In all one-day internationals since September 2001 (excluding the matches in the ongoing Videocon Cup tri-series), Ganguly’s stats against the short balls present a pretty dismal picture – 143 runs from 128 balls with 12 dismissals at an average of less than 12. Among the Indian top-order batsmen, his stats are easily the worst.
| Indian batsmen v short ball | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Batsman | Runs (Balls) | Dismissals | Average |
| Rahul Dravid | 143 (100) | 4 | 35.75 |
| Virender Sehwag | 219 (134) | 7 | 31.29 |
| Mohammad Kaif | 60 (56) | 2 | 30.00 |
| Yuvraj Singh | 79 (51) | 4 | 19.75 |
| Sourav Ganguly | 143 (128) | 12 | 11.92 |
Ganguly is clearly ill at ease when playing the short stuff, but what makes his case even worse is his insistence on playing the hook or pull, strokes which are clearly low percentage for him. Ganguly’s overall runs per dismissal when playing the hook or pull is 25.33 (304 runs, 12 outs), but most of those runs have come off back-of-a-length deliveries. When bowlers have dug it in short, Ganguly has been all at sea while attempting those strokes, lasting less than five balls per dismissal.
| Ganguly – Pull/ hook v short ball | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Runs (Balls) | Dismissals | Average | Balls per dismissal |
| 96 (44) | 9 | 10.67 | 4.89 |
Ganguly’s in-control factor – the number of times he has middled his stroke or left the ball alone – against the short deliveries is only 68.75% (88 out of 128), further indication of his discomfort against the short stuff. And with Shane Bond in the opposition line-up tomorrow, Ganguly can expect another severe examination in the Videocon Cup final.
How Ricky Ponting kept England at bay, and Andrew Flintoff’s domination of left-handers
On the ball with S Rajesh and Arun Gopalakrishnan15-Aug-2005Throughout the series, Ricky Ponting had been struggling for runs, but he put it all together under serious adversity to score what is easily his most significant Test innings to date. It wasn’t a typical Ponting effort – he began scratchily, taking 105 balls to reach his half-century, but from there, it kept getting better: his next 50 took just 64 balls, and he needed only 78 more to get to 150.Ponting’s problem so far on tour had been his footwork; here, it showed vast improvement. He wasn’t very dominant off the front foot, but he made the bowlers pay whenever they pitched short. And he was only caught on the crease 18 times, a sign that he is slowly regaining his best form.Ponting’s fantastic knock thwarted a wholehearted effort from England, led by Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff has been in devastating form with both bat and ball in this series, and what’s been especially impressive is the manner in which he has bowled to the left-handers in the Australian line-up. On the final day at Old Trafford, Flintoff proved once again that he had the measure of the left-handers, dismissing three of them – Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich and Adam Gilchrist – and conceding just 18 runs from the 60 balls he bowled at them.Flintoff’s confidence in his ability shone through in the manner in which he attacked the batsmen. He switched from over the wicket to round the wicket regularly, but seldom erred in direction while doing so, keeping it on a good length around off stump most of the time. The way he shackled Adam Gilchrist was quite outstanding – in 22 balls, Gilchrist managed only a single before eventually falling to him for the third time in the series. Flintoff’s effectiveness against left-handers can also be gauged by the number of false strokes he induced from them – 15 times the ball took the edge or beat the bat. Even Ponting did not take too many liberties against him, scoring only 19 from 49 deliveries.