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Vijay Zol, the Maharashtra batsman and India Under-19 captain, has been asked to skip the Ranji Trophy final and instead train with the India U-19 squad ahead of the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup in the UAE

Amol Karhadkar21-Jan-2014Vijay Zol, the Maharashtra batsman and India Under-19 captain, has been asked to skip the Ranji Trophy final and instead train with the India U-19 squad ahead of the upcoming ICC U-19 World Cup in the UAE.The final preparatory camp of the U-19 squad started at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore on Tuesday. Since the Ranji Trophy semifinal overlapped with the preparatory camp, the Maharashtra Cricket Association had to seek BCCI’s permission for releasing Zol for the semifinal. But with Maharashtra beating Bengal by 10 wickets within three days, Zol reported at the NCA on the opening day of the camp.Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI’s general manager cricket operations, said the question of the BCCI allowing Zol to contest the final, starting in Hyderabad from January 29, didn’t even arise. “It was told to the Maharashtra Cricket Association that Zol will be released only for the semifinal,” Shetty told ESPNcricinfo.Maharashtra coach Surendra Bhave said it was unfortunate for the player to have missed out on an opportunity to play the Ranji final, that too in his debut first-class season. “I would say competing in the Ranji Trophy final is much better than going through monotonous drills in the nets, but we can’t do much about it,” Bhave said. “The team as a whole won’t suffer much since we have a ready replacement for him.”Zol, who scored an unbeaten double hundred on his Ranji debut in Maharashtra’s season-opener, missed their last two league matches due to the U-19 Asia Cup in the UAE. He scored a century in the final against Pakistan in the Under-19 Asia Cup and continued his form with a valuable 91 not out to help Maharashtra shock defending champions Mumbai in the quarterfinal.

A round-up of the third-round matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Jan-2013
ScorecardLahore Ravi got their first win of the season after Adnan Rasool took nine wickets in the match to inflict an innings defeat on Quetta at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Quetta were 213 for 7 in their first innings when they started the fourth day and needed another 51 to avoid follow-on. But their tail was wiped out for the next 23 runs and they had to bat again.In the second innings, the duo of Rasool and Mohammad Khalil ran through their batting to dismiss them for 106. This win was set up by Lahore Ravi’s batsmen, who scored 414 for 4 in the first innings after being put in to bat. Abid Ali was unbeaten with a double century, his highest first-class score which got them a huge first-innings lead.
ScorecardAbbottabad may not have chased their target of 176 on the last day, but their first-innings lead of 121 runs got them three points out of a drawn match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. After Bahawalpur started the last day on 96 for 3, Abbottabad did well to restrict them to 296, but fell short of time to chase the target. Ahmed Jamal followed his first innings figures of 6 for 80 with 5 for 96 in the second innings.When Bahawalpur were put in to bat on the first day, half-centuries from Moinuddin and Rehan Rafiq took them to a total of 216. Abbottabad, however, were led by captain Yasir Hameed, who scored 103, and ensured they got a first innings lead which leaves them at the fourth place in Group II.
ScorecardLahore Shalimar scored 458 to take three points from a huge first-innings lead against Faisalabad in a drawn match played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Umar Akmal scored a century, supported by half-centuries from Imran Butt and Mohammad Zohaib which helped them take a lead.When Faisalabad were put in to bat, Aizaz Cheema struck five times to keep them to 265 out of which Moazzam Hayat (47) and Mohammad Salman (76*)scored respectable scores. The three points take Shalimar’s total tally to 12, taking them to second position in Group II.
ScorecardA 214-run partnership between Israrullah and Mohammad Rizwan helped Peshawar draw the match with Multan at the Multan Cricket Stadium. After conceding a 146-run first-innings lead, Peshawar batted out the entire last day to secure a draw.Earlier, Peshawar were dismissed for 194 after being asked to bat which put them on the backfoot. This was followed by hundreds from Naved Yasin and Ahsan Nazir which gave Multan a first-innings lead and eventually three points. Peshawar were under pressure when they came out to bat but their top order ensured they were not dismissed again.

Nottinghamshire have extended David Hussey’s stay until the end of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2013Nottinghamshire have extended David Hussey’s stay until the end of the season. The former Australia batsman will lead Notts in the Friends Life t20, which begins next week, and had originally been signed until the end of August.Hussey, who will begin his eighth spell at Nottinghamshire in Friday’s Yorkshire Bank 40 game against Sussex, replaces Ed Cowan as the team’s overseas player. Cowan is due to join up with Australia’s Ashes squad, who take on Somerset in a tour match beginning on Wednesday.”I’m very lucky to enjoy a great reception from Nottinghamshire fans and there are a even couple of regulars in the front row of the pavilion who write to me throughout the winter to let me know what’s happening at the club,” Hussey said.”I’m very biased but for me, Trent Bridge is the best ground in England. The atmosphere here is second to none and my memories of playing international matches here are great ones even though I was on the losing side both times.”It’s a great honour to represent this club as captain but it gives Chris Read a bit of a break as well because he does the hard stuff in the Championship.”Hussey, 35, played the last of his 69 ODIs in January and has also been capped 39 times in T20. He was dropped for Australia’s home series against West Indies and was not part of their Champions Trophy squad but his availability has benefited Notts, for whom he has scored 5834 first-class runs at 64.82, as well as more than 3000 runs in limited-overs cricket.He was most recently in action for Kings XI Punjab at the IPL, where he deputised as captain for Adam Gilchrist.

The first two ODIs between West Indies and Pakistan will see international cricket return to Guyana, after the West Indies Cricket Board announced the schedule for Pakistan’s tour in July

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Jun-2013Guyana, St Lucia and St Vincent and Grenadines will host the five ODIs and two Twenty20 Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan in July, according to the schedule released by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) on Thursday.Pakistan will play the first two ODIs in Guyana on July 14 and 16, and the remaining ODIs will be played in St Lucia on July 19, 21 and 24. The two T20Is will be played at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground in St Vincent on July 27 and 28. The visitors will also play a 50-over warm-up game in Guyana before the start of the series.Pakistan were originally scheduled to play two Tests, five ODIs and two Twenty20s in the Caribbean in June and July, but West Indies planned a tri-series involving India and Sri Lanka, which shortened the window. The WICB had asked the PCB if their tour could be rescheduled to August. That, however, interfered with Pakistan’s plan to host India and to play out the Zimbabwe series that was postponed in 2012.Guyana will host an international match after a year’s gap. The Guyana National Stadium last hosted an ODI in 2011 between West Indies and Pakistan. Administrative disputes between the WICB, the Guyana Cricket Board and the Guyanese government had resulted in a Test against Australia in 2012 being shifted to another venue.

Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer struck a half-century on the third day as Northamptonshire’s Championship match against Hampshire at Wantage Road meandered towards a draw

31-May-2013
ScorecardScotland captain Kyle Coetzer struck a half-century on the third day as Northamptonshire’s Championship match against Hampshire at Wantage Road meandered towards a draw.Hampshire were bowled out for 206 before lunch, losing their last five wickets for only 27 runs, with Liam Dawson top-scoring with a composed 76 off 214 balls. Coetzer then made 59 off 142 deliveries as Division Two leaders Northants closed on 159 for 5, with the visitors’ attack sharing the spoils between them.Hampshire began the day on 149 for 5 with Dawson resuming his innings on 57 and Mike Roberts on 2. Roberts, however, only moved on to 12 before he was trapped lbw to give Mohammad Azharullah his first wicket on his Championship debut in the 74th over. Having batted so diligently, Dawson then threw his wicket away in the following over when he thrashed former South Africa allrounder Andrew Hall straight to David Sales at mid-on.The visitors then dropped a third wicket in just 14 deliveries when David Balcombe, who faced 11 balls without scoring, was taken by Sales at third slip off Azharullah. The Pakistani seamer then claimed his third victim when Chris Wood edged to Hall at first slip before David Willey finished off Hampshire’s innings by bowling Danny Briggs for 10.Northants lost Matthew Spriegel in the seventh over of their reply when he was pinned lbw by James Tomlinson after making just 3. Sales then walked for 15 when he edged Sean Ervine’s delivery down the leg side and was terrifically taken by Hampshire wicketkeeper Adam Wheater diving low to his left.James Vince was brought into the attack in the 32nd over and removed Northants captain Alex Wakely (7) four balls later when he was caught at first slip by former Zimbabwe international Ervine. Coetzer, however, completed his first half-century in the Championship this season off 102 balls as Northants reached tea on 88 for 3.But Coetzer was to perish after a hard-earned 59 when he nudged Briggs to Wheater to become the first victim of spin in the match. Rob Newton struggled to 21 before he succumbed to allow Wood into the act when he was easily taken by Briggs at gully after the ball looped off the shoulder of his bat.

The revolving-door nature of Australia’s ODI captaincy had not impacted the team too much, according to George Bailey, due to a collaborative approach

Daniel Brettig25-Jan-20151:48

‘Our depth and form has been pleasing this summer’ – Bailey

Before he began to answer questions about the Australia Day match against India, George Bailey joked about the revolving-door nature of the team’s ODI captaincy – you never know who’s going to walk through the door.Australia’s training session on Sunday brought this home, as the incumbent Bailey and his Hobart substitute Steven Smith played fluently in the nets while the rehabilitating Michael Clarke looked pensively on in his training shirt and shorts. It is the sort of “too many cooks” scenario that has brought many a cricket team down in the past, but for the moment it seems each leader is able to work with light enough hands to ensure their fingerprints are not too distracting for the next man.Clarke keen to continue as Test captain

Michael Clarke has no intention of standing aside as Test captain for Steven Smith, though he says he will not take part in the World Cup unless 100% fit to do so.
“As long as the selectors think I’m the right man for the job,” Clarke told the when asked if he wanted to remain captain for the rest of his playing days. “I think I’ve earned that respect, I think I’ve played some really good cricket and from the information I have the selectors are really happy with my performances – personally and also with my captaincy. I’ve heard no different at this stage.”
Clarked reported his rehabilitation was progressing smoothly, the deadline of the February 21 World Cup match against Bangladesh still in sight. “Things are going really well. I’ve rehabbed every day, plenty of training, I’m still ahead of schedule,” Clarke said. “Trying to get fit as soon as I possibly can with the realistic view of February 21 being the date I can be back on the park playing for Australia again.”
But Clarke will not put his hand up to play unless his readiness is proven. “I won’t do that to my teammates, I won’t let them down,” he said. “If I’m fit I’d love to be on the park, if I’m not I won’t do that to my team.”

“To Michael’s credit when he hasn’t played he’s certainly allowed it to be my team,” Bailey said. “A lot of the tours where it’s happened overseas and he’s still been there it’s probably difficult for him to step back, but that’s really helped me not to put my stamp on things because I don’t think I do things all that differently. I think I’m pretty collaborative in the way I try and approach things. I don’t think it’s Michael’s team or my team, I think it’s our team at the moment.”It helps that Bailey is a man of equable temperament and rare maturity among cricketers, able to see the wider picture more effectively than many others. Then there is the fact that the Australian team is these days run conclusively by Darren Lehmann, to the point that neither the captain nor the team manager Gavin Dovey can sign off on much at all without the coach’s input or approval.Lehmann’s deliberations will include Bailey’s place in the XI should Clarke prove his fitness in time to lead during the World Cup; with Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, Smith and Clarke there is something of a queue formed for middle-order spots after the opening combination of Aaron Finch and David Warner. Bailey is not allowing himself to be too wrapped up in the various scenarios that may unfold.”If Pup’s there one of the batsmen makes way, if it’s me or someone else that’s how it is,” he said. “I know you guys love writing about it but if I’m not scoring runs and they pick him, that’s fine, that’s the nature of the game. You’re scoring runs or you’re not scoring runs – you get picked or you don’t. It’s a really basic equation.”It’s a very enjoyable thing to do, to captain your country. Tomorrow will be fun, captaining on Australia Day, that will be a real buzz. I’ve always said it’s something I’ve enjoyed because it gives you a unique opportunity to share the success of others – talking to the bowlers about their plans and how they want to execute, seeing it come to fruition, talking to the batters about their different roles and how that’s going to pan out then seeing that happen. It’s an honour to have that role – a unique and special viewpoint to have.”How much longer Bailey can enjoy that viewpoint, or that of a middle-order batsman, will depend on whether he can regain the fluency and form of 2013, when his awareness of match scenarios and knack for power-hitting made him one of the world’s more effective ODI batsmen. His runs have faded more recently, something Bailey attributed partly to greater success being enjoyed further up the order.”It’ll sound a bit silly but I think we’ve been batting really well as a group, so in terms of my role I’ve been coming in a touch later than when I was scoring big runs,” he said. “So I feel like I’m batting as well as I ever have, it’s just a matter of getting some balls in the middle. But hopefully we continue batting as well as we are at the top of the order and that role continues to be a finishing role at the end.”Bailey does not expect to have Mitchell Johnson in harness on Monday, though he has bowled swiftly and well in sessions on both Saturday evening and Sunday morning. Having faced Johnson in the first of these stints, Bailey said Australia’s spearhead was likely to return to the team for the triangular series final in Perth in a week’s time. Watson is also to remain sidelined, while Warner, Xavier Doherty, Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood may all be in line to return to action. Maxwell and Pat Cummins are two who may have a spell.”What’s really pleasing at the moment, in all formats, is the depth of cricketers we’ve got and the way guys can seamlessly come in from outside the squad or within teams and immediately start performing,” Bailey said. “That’s been really pleasing. It just comes down to having really clear plans within that group.”It doesn’t matter if guys come in for their first game, or guys are coming back in the squad after time out, they’re able to slot into a role that’s well defined for them – with how the captain or team wants them to play. The way Boof and staff integrate guys when they come in, it’s been pretty easy in terms of welcoming the guys in.”For the time being, that also includes the identity of the captain.

The writing appears to be on the wall for Worcestershire at the end of a day in which their opening pair applied themselves with admirable diligence to overhaul Durham’s first innings lead of 114

Les Smith at Chester-le-Street22-Aug-2012
ScorecardPhillip Hughes continued his good form in a Worcestershire shirt but his team-mates could not match his contribution•Getty ImagesThe writing appears to be on the wall for Worcestershire at the end of a day in which their opening pair applied themselves with admirable diligence to overhaul Durham’s first innings lead of 114, and then some, only for the remaining nine wickets to fall for the addition of only 116. They were undone by the contrasting bowling partnership of Callum Thorp and Scott Borthwick and, in several cases, by their own recklessness.On either side of the lunch interval the game was dominated by Phillip Hughes. The young Australian, playing with all the off-side dash and flair that first brought him to notice in his homeland and led to selection in 17 Test matches so far, dominated a redemptive opening partnership with Daryl Mitchell.He struck 18 boundaries in scoring his second first-class century for Worcestershire this summer but flashed at a wide one shortly afterwards and top edged to Phil Mustard behind the stumps. That is Phil Hughes: his approach makes him a delight to watch, but nothing ever quite feels permanent about him. He had also been dropped in the covers by Ben Stokes off Graham Onions when on 68.When Hughes departed with the score on 148 he had scored 70% of his side’s runs and the onus was on his team-mates to build on the start he had given them, but once Thorp and Borthwick were in harness the game tipped back in Durham’s favour. The pair are separated by 15 years in age and by their bowling styles – medium pace and legspin – but they looked like a natural partnership as they chipped away at Worcestershire’s middle and lower order during the afternoon and evening.It was Stokes who removed both openers but from then on it was the Thorp and Borthwick show. Thorp ran in athletically from the Finchale End and exploited what movement still remained in a pitch that attracted the attention of pitch liaison officer Jack Birkenshaw on Tuesday. His first two wickets came in the space of two balls, the first when Vikram Solanki top-edged a pull shot which, in the context of the game, was somewhat reckless and the second when Joe Leach edged to slip.Neil Pinner played neither forward or back to a straight ball and was trapped in front of his stumps, Scott had his off stump comprehensively removed and the innings ended when Alan Richardson whacked a ball high over mid-on to give Mark Stoneman an excellent third catch of the innings, though it was not his best.Meanwhile Borthwick was wheeling out his nagging legspin at the Lumley End. Matthew Pardoe, who had top scored in Worcestershire’s first innings, survived a sharp chance to Will Smith at third slip off Stokes before he had scored, but then continued in the unfussy manner which had brought dividends. When he had reached 21, however, he became the first of two batsmen to fall to the combination of Borthwick’s spin and Stoneman’s accomplished hands.The second instance was the stand out moment of the day. Moeen Ali, who had scored 19 accomplished runs, turned a ball from in front of his pad and Stoneman swooped brilliantly to grab the ball with his left hand inches from the turf. Borthwick’s third victim was Gareth Andrew, who might reflect that while the ball did hurry on to him and into his pads, his selection of a pull shot to a straight delivery so early in his innings was not the wisest.Durham had four potentially tricky overs to negotiate at the end of the day, as they began what looked to be a comfortable pursuit of 151 to win. The day came to a conclusion when Smith, attempting to leave a ball from Chris Russell, played on for 2.Worcestershire will have to manage something special on Thursday to give themselves hope for the rest of the Championship season, however. If they are to go on and avoid relegation it will be without the assistance of James Cameron, who played his last game for the club against Lancashire at New Road last week. The 26-year-old Zimbabwean has decided to leave the professional game to pursue a career in financial services.

Left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar was included in an otherwise unchanged Pakistan side for the Under-19 Asia Cup in Australia

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2012Pakistan Under-19s World Cup squad

Babar Azam (capt), Umar Waheed (vice-capt), Sami Aslam, Imam-ul-Haq, Azizullah, Mir Hamza, Ehsan Adil, Salman Afridi (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faraz Ali, Zafar Gohar, Zia-ul-Haq, Shahid Ilyas, Usman Qadir, Saad Ali

Pakistan’s Under-19 World Cup squad is largely unchanged from the one that was joint-winner of the recently concluded U-19 Asia Cup in Kuala Lumpur. Seventeen-year old left-arm-spinner Zafar Gohar replaces legspinner Akhtar Waheed in the only change in the 15-man squad. Babar Azam will continue to the lead the side for the tournament to be played in August.Pakistan have been pooled in Group B in the 16-team competition along with New Zealand, Scotland and Afghanistan. They will reach Australia earlier to play the hosts in a series of three one-day matches to adapt to the conditions. They will then play warm-up matches against England and Papua New Guinea on August 7 and 8 respectively before their first group match on August 11 against Afghanistan.The squad also features Usman Qadir, son of former Pakistan legspinner Abdul Qadir, who is expected to return to action next week after picking up a finger injury in the Asia Cup.”We have decided to stick with the similar squad to avoid pressing panic button,” Haroon Rashid, youth development manger at NCA and team manager, told ESPNcricinfo. “With a similar squad we have been playing successfully and everyone is confident and in form.”We have a wonderful opportunity to play a series against the hosts before going into the World Cup games. Pitches and the outfield are generally harder in Australia so the matches (three one-dayers) will help our bowlers to adapt to the conditions in a better way.”The combination overall is balanced. They have produced good results since the South Africa tour earlier this year as each and every boy is responding and contributing to the team success.”

Misbah-ul-Haq laid the blame for Pakistan’s two-wicket loss in Dubai at the feet of his bowlers, although he admitted his team could perhaps have scored 15 more runs

Andrew Fidel Fernando21-Dec-2013Misbah-ul-Haq laid the blame for Pakistan’s two-wicket loss in Dubai at the feet of his bowlers, although he admitted his team could perhaps have scored 15 more runs. Pakistan’s 284 for 4 was the second-highest total at the stadium, but they conceded defeat with two balls to spare.”Looking at the pitch, it was a good total and they were still needing around 50 runs, seven wickets down. We should have won that if we bowled according to the field. We lost the game in a few bad overs.”The way the ball was coming on the pitch, it wasn’t like Sharjah – it was a bit slow. And their bowlers were good at the death, bowling yorkers. That maybe prevented 10-15 runs from us at the end.”Otherwise Misbah chose to focus on the positives in Pakistan’s performance. He had called for the top order to convert their starts ahead of the series, and in both matches so far, one of the top three has provided a hundred, while others in the top five have contributed significant scores. Ahmed Shehzad hit 124 in the second match.”The biggest positive is that the batting is going well. Ahmed, again, it was a really good knock. He played a good one in South Africa and today, it was a mature one. It was good to see our top order getting big scores – that has been much needed for our team. It’s normally the biggest problem for us, but I’m really happy with the way it’s been going.”While conceding Pakistan’s bowling and fielding was flawed, Misbah praised the efforts of Junaid Khan, whose three middle order wickets had brought Pakistan back into the match, and also said he was impressed with the run outs at the top of Sri Lanka’s innings.”Junaid is our outstanding bowler. In the last year and a half he’s really improving and today he was good. But we really need to improve our death bowling. It was a problem for us.”Our fielding was better. It brought us back into the game with the first two run outs. There were a few overthrows towards the end, but there were no lapses. Overall I think it was good.”

Harold Ghosh, the former Eastern Punjab, Northern Punjab and Railways batsman, has died in Jallandhar at the age of 75

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jan-2012Harold Ghosh, the former Eastern Punjab, Northern Punjab and Railways batsman, has died in Jalandhar at the age of 75. Ghosh played first-class cricket for 24 years between 1951 and 1975; he was a left-hand batsman and bowled left-arm spin. In 72 first-class games, Ghosh scored 2599 runs at 26.79 and hit four centuries. He also picked up 29 wickets at 30.68.M.P Pandove, the secretary of the Punjab Cricket Association, condoled Ghosh’s death.