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Tag: Test Match

  • Bonner picks a bone with England: WI VS ENG, 1st Test, Day 3

    Nkrumah Bonner stitched stubborn partnerships with the tailenders to tire out the Englishmen and gain a lead of 62 runs as West Indies posts 373-9 with one wicket to spare.

    Bonner manufactured his second test hundred by showcasing a doughty spirit against the fatal bowling line-up of England. He received a reprieve at 73 when Zak Crawley dropped a dipping bat-pad catch on Leach’s bowling.

    A total of 171 runs for the loss of 5 wickets were scored in 90.1 overs bowled in the day’s play. West Indies will be the happier side as the match inches closer to the finish line.

    Here’s how the 3rd day panned out:

    West Indies started a bit rocky as their premier all-rounder Jason Holder was sent back to the pavilion in the 4th over of the day’s play.

    Holder contributed 45 off 199, including 4 fours and a maximum before edging one off Stokes to hand a simple catch to Foakes.

    With the Caribbeans being 105 runs still behind, Joe Root and his troops thought of securing a handsome lead.

    England captain took the 2nd new ball to bundle out the West Indian innings as soon as possible.

    However, Bonner and Joshua de Silva stood tall to prevent further setbacks and remained unbeaten before lunch. 69 runs were scored in the 26.1 overs bowled in the first session.

    Root & company seemed determined to get rid of West Indies tailenders in the second session. They successfully removed de Silva and Joseph within the span of 11 runs.

    However, Mark Wood sustained an injury, and Zak Crawley’s dropped catch didn’t help their cause in their bid to remove the set batsman Bonner.

    Kemar Roach complimented Bonner to the best of his capabilities in his gritty innings of 15 off 89.

    With Nkrumah Bonner on the verge of his second test ton, the session ended with West Indies securing an 11 runs lead with three batters to go.

    Post-tea-break, Roach fell due to a judgement of error in the running. Ollie Pope threw a flat throw at the stumps from a backward point to bring an end to the frustrating stand of Bonner and Roach.

    Meanwhile, Bonner (123 off 355) reached his second test hundred and continued his merry ways of scoring runs before departing on part-timer Dan Lawrence’s bowling.

    West Indies concluded the day on 373-9 and will undoubtedly want to strengthen their stranglehold in the match on the 4th day.

    Also read: Day/Night 2nd Test, India VS Sri Lanka: Preview

  • Preview of 2nd Test: Pakistan VS Australia

    Preview of the 2nd test match between Pakistan and Australia, which is scheduled to begin on 12th March, 10:30 IST at National Stadium, Karachi.

    The 1st test was a complete disappointment due to the highway track curated at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The three-match series hangs in the balance, and both sides will look to sway the momentum in their favour in the 2nd test match of the series.

    Expected Changes in Playing XI:

    Australia would be tempted to bring in leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson in place of Josh Hazelwood due to Karachi’s reputation of being a rank turner. Pakistan is expected to persist with the same playing XI; they fielded in the 1st test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Probable Playing XI:

    Australia: David Warner, Usman Khwaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson

    Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah

    Pitch Report:

    National Stadium, Karachi, is more suitable for the bowlers than the batters. The pitch is anticipated to be a first-day turner, which might tempt both teams to bowl first in the 2nd test match. In 43 test matches held at this venue so far, teams bowling first have won 18 games compared to the 7 games won by teams batting first.

    Prediction:

    Karachi is Pakistan’s fortress, and it seems unlikely for Australia to breach it. The way Pakistan batters are performing, Cricreads anticipate that Pakistan will trump the Kangaroos in the 2nd test match.

    Where to Stream:

    PTV Sports and Foxtel will broadcast the live match in Pakistan and Australia respectively. In India, Sony Sports will broadcast the game on TV, while Sony Liv will stream the live-action online on its platform.

     

     

  • Day/Night 2nd Test, India VS Sri Lanka: Preview

    Day/Night 2nd Test of the two-match test series between India and Sri Lanka will begin on 12th March at 2:00 PM IST in Chinnaswamy Stadium of Bangaluru.

    India won the first test match by an innings and 222 runs on the back of Jadeja and Pant’s heroics. Sri Lankan players will undoubtedly want to make amends for their mistakes in the 1st test.

    Expected Changes in Playing XI:

    Kuldeep Yadav is released from the Indian squad to make way for Axar Patel. He will likely replace Jayant Yadav in the playing XI for 2nd test. Dushmantha Chameera will undoubtedly be included in the Sri Lankan playing XI for the day/night 2nd test due to an injury suffered by Lahiru Kumara in the 1st test match.

    Probable Playing XI:

    India– Rohit Sharma (C), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah

    Sri Lanka- Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Lahiru Thrimanne, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera

    Pitch Report:

    The pitch at Chinnaswamy Stadium has always been a batters paradise. The pitch is not expected to deteriorate much before the 4th day’s play. Spinners will fancy their chances heavily in the 3rd and 4th innings of the match. The toss winning captain would most likely opt for batting to post a massive total in the 1st innings.

    Where to Stream:

    Indian fans can stream the day/night 2nd test on the star network channels on their televisions. While online streaming of the live action will be viewable on Disney+ Hotstar.

    Prediction:

    India is expected to clean sweep Sri Lanka in the Test Series as well. Lack of game-changers and experience in the Sri Lankan squad dismantles their chance of registering their first-ever test win in India.

    Also Read: 7 Players of Indian Cricket Who Will Dominate in 2030

  • Session-Wise Highlights: Eng VS WI, 1st Test, 2nd Day

    Here are the session-wise highlights of the 2nd day of the 1st test match between England and West Indies at Antigua.

    First Session:

    The morning belonged to the West Indian bowlers who wrapped up the English Innings quite early in the first session. England added only 43 runs to their tally of 268 at the end of 1st day’s play.

    Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales took two wickets each on the 2nd day for the Caribbean team. Joseph got the prized wicket of Johnny Bairstow in the 101st over of the English innings. England finished on 311 in 100.3 overs, with Bairstow being the last batsman to be dismissed.

    Brathwaite and Campbell got off to a brisk start as the duo collected 44 runs in the 10 overs, West Indies played in the first session. Overton and Woakes bowled too many looseners to the Caribbean openers; only Mark Wood posed a legit threat in the first session.

    Second Session:

    Overton managed to dismiss Campbell in the 10th over, followed by Wood dismissing Brathwaite in the span of 18 runs to open the doors for an English fightback with two new batters on the crease.

    Brookes and Bonner tried creating a substantial stand, but Brookes batting on 18 flashed a wide one against Stokes, only to get caught by Root in the slips. Mark Wood upped the ante with two new batters on the crease and produced a chance against Blackwood. However, a diving Foakes could not hang on to it.

    However, Blackwood’s stay on the crease did not last long. England reviewed successfully for a faint inside edge that popped up to the gully, where Overton efficiently managed to grab it. The captivating session finished with 83 runs and 4 wickets.

    Third Session:

    Jason Holder joined Bonner in the middle for the last session of 2nd day’s play. Wood and Overton heavily troubled Holder with the newfound reverse-swing on offer in the 3rd session. Nevertheless, Holder somehow weathered the early storms to develop a significant partnership.

    West Indies eclipsed the 150 run mark in the 45th over of the match when Bonner swivel-pulled Stokes into the deep mid-wicket for a single. Rain interrupted the play in the 47th over of the Caribbean innings for a short while.

    The play resumed under 10 minutes, as promised by the commentator, Ian Bishop, on air. However, the rain again intruded in the 56th over to cause another delay of around 20 minutes.

    The aftermath of rain witnessed a brilliant batting display by Bonner and Holder to propel West Indies beyond 200. The duo added an unbeaten 75* for the 5th wicket.

    At stumps, West Indies are 202 for the loss of 4 wickets, trailing England by 109 runs.

  • Bairstow Prevents Collapse: ENG VS WI, 1st Test, Day 1

    Bairstow Prevents Collapse: ENG VS WI, 1st Test, Day 1

    Jonny Bairstow prevents collapse against the West Indies in the 1st test at Antigua after England’s top order woes continues to haunt them.

    Bairstow Averts Collapse

    Joe Root, the English skipper, opted to bat first on a track that would most likely keep deteriorating over the course of the match. But his decision backfired when the top 4 of the English batting line-up went back to the pavilion at a measly score of 48.

    Entering at 48-4, Johnny Bairstow meticulously tried forging a partnership to strengthen the English batting core. Stokes and Bairstow’s vigilant approach against the seething West Indian attack prevented any further damage in the 1st session of the innings.

    The attacking combo of Johnny and Stokes combined together to put up a watchful 9 runs in the first 50 balls of their partnership. England finished on 57-4 at the end of the 1st session.

    Bairstow coupled with Stokesy to form a solid 92 run stand for the 5th wicket before the latter was cleaned up by Jayden Seales. From 48-4, England reached 130-5 at the end of 40th over.

    Ben Foakes, the wicketkeeper-batsman then entered the fray at Antigua and carried on from where the Stokes had left. He scored 42 runs filled with 8 glorious boundaries. Together with Bairstow, he moulded a significant 99 run partnership.

    Bairstow Realizes 8th Test Hundred

    Coming fresh on the back of Test hundred in his previous test match at Sydney Cricket Ground, Bairstow registered another hundred in the tests. His hard-fought, 8th ton rescued England from the depths of Abyss.

    He and Woakes stitched a rapid 54 run stand in the last session of the first day. At stumps, England is 268-4 in 86 overs.

    What’s Next

    At the end of the day’s play, Kemar Roach pointed out that the West Indies thought the pitch would deteriorate considerably more in the 2nd and 3rd sessions than it actually did. West Indies will look to bundle out the English batting pretty early on the 2nd day while England will look to pose a massive score with Johnny Bairstow in lead.

  • 1st Test Day 5: Aus vs Pak Culminates in A Draw

    1st test between Aus vs Pak culminated in a draw on the 5th day after the hosts denied the visitors any chance to bat again. Pakistani openers, Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique, put up an opening stand of 252* runs in 77 overs in the 2nd innings to register an end to the proceedings of the 1st test.

    Nauman Ali Shines:

    Carrying on from 449-7, the Australian batters surrendered against the class of Nauman Ali and Shaheen Afridi on a deck which is being heavily ridiculed in the press for being a highway track. Nauman partnered with Shaheen to swiftly bundle the Australians out in only 4 overs of the 1st session.

    Haq and Shafique Bull Dodge The Aussies:

    Haq brought his 2nd test century in the match in which he had brought his 1st test century a couple of days ago. On the other hand, Shafique completed his maiden test century in the 2nd test match of his career.

    Bowlers Abyss:

    The track at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium was an utter disappointment for cricket lovers. Fans of both teams must have hoped for an exciting game of cricket filled with jaw-dropping moments. However, the benign pitch at Rawalpindi demolished all the expectations for this historic test. Fast bowlers could only pick up 5 wickets in more than 150 overs they bowled in the 1st test.

    What’s Next:

    2nd Test between Australia and Pakistan will be played in Karachi from the 12th of March. Fans and cricketers will be hoping for a pitch that can actually produce a result.

  • Australia VS Pakistan: First Test Poised Evenly on The 4th Day

    Australia VS Pakistan: First Test Poised Evenly on The 4th Day

    Australia vs Pakistan hangs in equilibrium as the kangaroos post 449/7 at stumps on the 4th day of the first test.

    Rain ruins the first session:

    Rain washed out the first session of 4th day’s play in a match that is already heading towards a probable draw. The umpires settled on an early lunch and announced that 67 overs would be bowled on the 4th day in the remaining two sessions.

    A flicker of an enticing finish:

    The second session began with Marnus and Smith leading from the front. However, Pakistan’s decision to opt for the second new ball turned out to be fruitful as they dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, heading towards a deserved hundred. Shaheen tossed one wide, and Marnus went chasing after it, only to result in just nicking the ball. The left-arm orthodox spinner Nauman came to the party by picking up Travis Head wicket.

    Pakistan could not induce further damage because Smith and Cameron batted quite cautiously to offer them any chances. Smith crossed another fifty in the test cricket, his 34th in the purest format of the game. Smith has a registered score of fifty or above against ten different nations in test cricket.

    Australia added 93 runs to their tally in the second session and concluded on 365-4 at the end of the session.

    Also Read- Aus vs NZ Dream11 Prediction Today Match

    Bad light stops play:

    The third session began with Smith and Green forming a threatening partnership for the 5th wicket in the batter’s heaven at Rawalpindi. Nauman Ali, however, brought Pakistan back in the game with the scalps of Green, Smith and Carey in quick succession against the kangaroos. Australia ended up with 449/7 before the umpires decided that play could not be continued further on the 4th day due to bad lights in the stadium.

    What to expect

    First Test between Australia and Pakistan is most likely to be drawn on the 5tn day because there is not much on offer for the bowlers on the flat pitch in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

    Also Read:  7 Best Cricketers in Ashes Series of all time

     

  • Aussies in Command on the 3rd Day of the First Test against Pakistan

    Aussies in Command on the 3rd Day of the First Test against Pakistan

    Aussies are in command as they finish on 271-2 on the 3rd day against Pakistan, with Smith and Labuschagne on the crease.

    Khwaja and Warner’s Colossal Stand

    Khwaja and Warner stitched a 156 run stand for the first wicket to continue the run-fest at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Earlier in the day, Pakistani bowlers came to all guns blazing against the openers and left no stones unturned in their bid to get a breakthrough.

    Both Naseem Shah and Shaheen Afridi were steaming in from both the ends producing many false shorts and edges. At gully off Shaheen’s bowling, Khwaja was dropped in the 11th over by Fawad Alam. This drop proved too costly for the hosts as Khwaja scored 97 runs for the Kangaroos.

    David Warner was clean bowled at 68 by Sajid Khan in the 41st over when Aussies seemed to be cruising quite comfortably. Soon Khwaja followed his opening partner in the pavilion due to his attempt of playing a needless revere sweep off Nauman Ali’s bowling.

    Smith and Marnus Ensure Aussies’ Command

    At 203-2, Smith joined Labuschagne in the middle, and the duo batted cautiously to avoid any further damage for Australia on the 3rd day. Marnus brought up his 13th test fifty and remains not out on 69* while Smith is unbeaten on 24* as Australia and Pakistan heads into the 4th day of the first test.

    Australia finished on 271-2 in 73 overs as bad lights and rain prevented any further play on the 3rd day of the first test. The Aussies are still trailing by 205 runs, and it will be interesting to see how the duo of Smith and Marnus approach the innings on 4th day.

    If you like this, you can also read: India Clinches Victory in the First Test against Sri Lanka

  • Jadeja Annihilates Sri Lanka on Day 2 of 1st Test at Mohali

    Jadeja Annihilates Sri Lanka on Day 2 of 1st Test at Mohali

    Carrying on from yesterday, Jadeja showed no signs of slowing down as India posted 574-8 before declaring the innings.

    The Spin Duo Flattens Sri Lanka

    Jadeja and Ashwin stitched a 130 runs partnership to deny Sri Lanka any chance of coming back in the first match. Both started positively earlier in the day and kept collecting boundaries almost every other over. With Lahiru Kumara out of the equation, the Sri Lankan attack lacked the firepower to trouble Indian batters.

    Both Jadeja and Ashwin brought up their fifties and looked ominous for Lankans. It was only at the end of the first session that Lakmal decided to enforce a change of tactics. He started a barrage of short balls against Ashwin that ultimately got him the off-spinners wicket. However, it was already too late as India had crossed the 450 runs mark while scoring at a healthy strike rate. Jadeja also brought up his second test hundred before lunch and celebrated with his trademark sword celebration.

    The Rockstar, Jadeja Decimates Sri Lanka

    The second session began with Jaddu and Jayant Yadav on the crease. Yadav was soon dismissed off Fernando owing to a poke at the swinging ball on off stump. Mohammad Shami joined Jaddu in the middle as India seemed in no hurry to declare the innings. Together they formed yet another 100 run partnership in the Indian inning.

    Jadeja massacred the Sri Lankan bowling line and crossed the 150 run mark. Warnie’s rockstar perhaps paid tribute to him by scoring an unbeaten 175 before India declared on 574-8 in 129.2 overs. Trailing India’s mammoth total, Sri Lanka lost their opener Thrimanne early in the innings as Ashwin trapped him for lbw.

    India Continue to Pile on the Misery

    Jadeja once again came to the party when he dismissed the Sri Lankan captain Karunaratne in the 25th over of the Sri Lankan innings. At 59-2, Angelo Mathews joined Nissanka in the middle and tried forging a partnership with him. However, Bumrah cut Mathews’s stay at the crease very short by dismissing him at 22.

    The final wicket of the day came in the form of de Silva being deceived by the off-spinner, Ashwin. Sri Lanka is still trailing by 466 runs and finished the 2nd day on 108-4 in 43 overs.

    The action for the third day will start at 9:30 IST in the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. Stream it live on Disney+Hotstar.

  • Ali Dominates 2nd Day of 1st Test between Pakistan & Australia

    Ali Dominates 2nd Day of 1st Test between Pakistan & Australia

    Ali dominates the Kangaroos in his majestic 185, including fifteen fours and three sixes, to propel Pakistan to the score of 476/4 at the time of declaration.

    Pakistan and Australia observed a minute of silence to honour the life of Shane Warne and wore black armbands to show their gratitude towards the legend.

    Ali and Imam Make a Mockery of Australian Bowling Line-up

    Ali and Imam carried on from where they left yesterday and thwarted Australian bowlers all around the park to construct a massive 208 runs partnership for the second wicket on day 2 of the first Test March.

    Imam-ul-Haq completed his 150 before the lunch, and Azhar Ali was at 97, not out at the end of 1st session. Pakistan accumulated only 57 runs in 25 overs but did not lose even a single wicket against the already exhausted Kangaroos.

    Weakening Australian Spirits

    Azhar Ali, batting on 97 after lunch, miscued one on Lyo,n but it sailed into the boundary to complete his nineteenth test hundred. Pat Cummins was the only successful Australian bowler to get a wicket. He dismissed Imam-ul-Haq after his brilliant knock of 157.

    Next, Babar Azam joined Azhar Ali in the middle, and the duo tried to accelerate the Pakistani innings. They shared a brisk 101 run partnership cut short by a brilliant throw by Marnus Labuschagne to dismiss the Pakistani captain after tea.

    Pakistani Intent to Accelerate

    Labuschagne dismissed Azhar Ali at the score of 185. Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed have promoted the order to up the ante of Pakistan’s innings.

    Rizwan and Ahmed scored 29 and 13 respectively before Pakistan ultimately decided to declare the innings at 476 due to the deteriorating floodlights. Australian openers played only one over before umpires decided to call off the play.