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The Cricket All-Stars series is giving USA players a chance to learn from some of the best in the game and is also boosting their own profile among cricket followers in the country

Peter Della Penna11-Nov-2015Amid the fanfare of the Cricket All-Stars tour, virtually all of the attention has been placed on the legends taking the field on game-day, but the series has also given several USA players the opportunity to be a part of the festivities as net bowlers, while a select few have been chosen as “12th man”.Former USA captain Steve Massiah, current USA captain Muhammad Ghous and team-mates Alex Amsterdam, Adil Bhatti and Akeem Dodson were all in the dugout for Saturday’s first game, and got a chance to mingle with the All-Stars.While Shane Warne said prior to landing in New York that he was hoping this tour would inspire the first American cricketer to learn the game, the All-Stars have discovered that plenty already exist. During an indoor net session in New Jersey on November 3, USA Under-19 player Vivek Narayan, born in Connecticut and raised in New Jersey, caught Warne’s eye. As Sachin Tendulkar was batting, Narayan bowled a controlled series of balls to the Little Master while Warne enthusiastically shouted from the opposite end, “That’s an American, an American leggie!”A mostly new crop of players came to Minute Maid Park in Houston to bowl to the legends on Tuesday. Many are local to Texas but a few traveled quite a distance to make it, like USA allrounder Japen Patel who made a journey of 800 miles [1200kms] from Atlanta.A rare few have had the chance to bowl throughout the last week at the stars. Fast bowler Jasdeep Singh, who made his USA debut in May, was one of the first to interact with the All-Stars on tour. Jasdeep, 22, bowled at the indoor session in New Jersey before serving as a net bowler on the eve of the first match at Citi Field.Jasdeep’s sessions were so positive that he didn’t want New York to be the last one. He flew to Houston to continue training alongside the All-Stars, calling it “a lifetime experience”, which has given him a rare opportunity to not just bowl at but talk with the stars and pick their brains.”I had a good 10-15 minute talk with Sachin in New Jersey,” Jasdeep said. “I got great feedback and some valuable tips from him. As I was bowling to him, he was noticing what I was doing every single ball. Every time I did something different, he would point it out. I’ve never heard any other batsman tell me they saw that I was trying something different. So that was a valuable tip – whenever you change something, try not to give signals to the batsman that it’s going to be a different delivery.”I had a good 10-15 minute talk with Curtly Ambrose. I got to ask him questions on fitness. Courtney Walsh, obviously he’s looking after me because I had a good session with him in Indianapolis [at the ICC Combine in September]. Today he was checking me out to see if I had worked on the things that he taught me. It’s been pretty good.”The interactions have also served to show some of the All-Stars the vast talent toiling away in the USA, waiting to be noticed. Matthew Hayden, who was part of the Australia team that walloped an ageing USA team at the Champions Trophy in 2004 says the players he’s come across on this tour, like Jasdeep, have caught his eye.”Jessy would walk into a first-grade side in our domestic competition,” Hayden said. “I’m in Brisbane and he’d walk into a first-grade team there for sure. So that’s the sort of caliber of player you’re dealing with, the athletic ability that he has. It’s just a matter of spending those years as I did, spending years of playing and playing to get to understand the game.”Jessy, I spent a bit of time with in the nets over the last little bit. He’s a fine player. He bowls a pretty heavy ball. It’s just experience and it’s experience having someone like Courtney Walsh or Curtly Ambrose talking to him about, ‘Your length is this’ or as an opening batsman saying ‘Jess, the higher up you get, you know that if you bowl short you’re going to get murdered or if you bowl on the pads, that’s easy pickings for us. So get your line to fourth stump.’ Those are simple coaching things but it’s good for those guys to hear it.”Jasdeep has also started to get noticed by autograph hunters, who have run up to him with pen and pad just like the touring stars. A note posted on Facebook last week told the story of a young boy who attended the All-Stars clinic at Citi Field in New York. When asked by his mother who is favourite player during the interaction was, he responded by saying “Jessy Singh.”Jasdeep says he has been humbled by his newfound support and is grateful for the opportunities that he and his team-mates have had over the last week to showcase their skills.”It’s definitely something I never expected,” Jasdeep said. “When I saw that post on social media I was quite surprised by that but it’s motivational for me to work hard and get better. I can see kids are looking up to me, to follow me so it motivates me to work harder.”What the legends are doing to bring cricket to the USA, we can do nothing but appreciate it. It’s a great step to promote cricket in the USA. I think they are noticing the youngsters and watching closely. Hopefully most of us young players in the future will gain some better opportunities after bowling to these legends.”

Kraigg Brathwaite scored 94 in West Indies’ 148 in Hobart. A look at the top five instances where a batsman scored the highest percentage of a team’s runs in a Test innings

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Dec-2015Batsman: Michael Slater (Australia) Percentage: 66.85
Individual score: 123 Team score: 184
Match: v England, Sydney, 1999
Result: Australia won by 98 runs•William West/Getty ImagesBatsman: VVS Laxman (India) Percentage: 63.99
Individual score: 167 Team score: 261
Match: v Australia, Sydney, 2000
Result: Australia won by an innings and 141 runs•Hamish Blair/Getty ImagesBatsman: Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies) Percentage: 63.51
Individual score: 94 Team score: 148
Match: v Australia, Hobart, 2015
Result: Australia won by an innings and 212 runs•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesBatsman: Gordon Greenidge (West Indies) Percentage: 63.51
Individual score: 134 Team score: 211
Match: v England, Manchester, 1976
Result: West Indies won by 425 runs•Getty Images

Tonked, walloped, steam-engined… A record-breaking innings as described by our commentators

Andrew Miller and Andrew McGlashan04-Jan-201660.2 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, on the pads, flicked firmly through the vacant midwicket. Sweet timing and good patience62.5 Piedt to Stokes, FOUR, tossed up and walloped. A rank loopy full toss and Stokes dropped to one knee to smoke it through midwicket64.6 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, spanked. Stokes treats that ball with the disdain that his detractors deserve. Butchered into the midwicket stands!69.4 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, thumping drive, Perfect weight transfer, and that travelled… all along the ground with minimal followthrough. Timing69.6 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, more bat behind the ball, another boundary. Timing and placement, through the covers this time72.6 van Zyl to Stokes, FOUR, that’s lovely, brings his bottom hand through the shot as he whips this from outside off wide of mid-on80.1 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, what a way to greet the new ball! Full outside off and Stokes responds with a textbook-perfect on-drive80.2 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, and now he flashes one over the slip cordon…all action. Some width outside off, Stokes threw his hands through a cut shot and it skimmed over the catchers to third man. Fifty for Stokes from 70 balls80.5 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, another edge, another boundary! Just the two slips in place now, Stokes drives at a full delivery outside off and the edge races through where a wide(ish) third slip would have been and beats third man82.1 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, he’s not slowing down, he tried to do this last over, this time picks up a delivery that was a touch short outside off and pulls it wide of mid-on84.1 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, another short ball, Stokes pulls it fine of long leg…was in the air for quite some time but well wide of the fielder87.3 Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, no loitering from Stokes! A touch of width and despite the change of angle, no compunction about flogging it to the fence!Stokes’ innings was replete with powerful strokeplay•AFP87.5 Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, width again and Stokes flings his hands through the line, pierces the cover field and brings up the hundred stand. He’s in a busy mood this morning…88.2 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, too wide, too full, too tempting for Stokes not to cash in. Another confident stride onto the front foot, and battered through the covers. Three fine shots88.3 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, he’s done it again! This was even wider, still nice and full for the drive. And Stokes just reached it and timed it. Dreadful start from South Africa, and Stokes is motoring88.6 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, short, wide, uppercut through third man! What on earth is going orf out there?! Stokes is one blow from a hundred and we’ve had just 12 balls this morning …90.4 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, dabbed through backward point but just look at the timing on that! Nothing more than a steer but Bavuma at third man merely ends up in a tangle of boundary sponges90.5 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, short, spanked through backward square leg. Dreadful bowling but what outstanding asset-stripping from Stokes91.4 Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, … but this time he offers just a modicum of width from a fuller length, and Stokes has nine-ironed him to the fence at long-off!92.3 Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, short … no, no, no, no, no, you can’t bowl there to a man in this sort of a mood. Battered through wide mid-on94.6 Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, whoomph! Just a modicum too short, and Stokes leans back and flogs this one violently through midwicket. Fetch that!98.2 Piedt to Stokes, FOUR, reverse swept, and superbly so! Turned full circle at the crease to deposit the ball through third man. Shot98.3 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, walloped, high and tantalising, over long off … there’s a man on the rope, backpedalling, will he get there ..? Will he heck! All the way, with the wind helping it over the line100.2 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, he just keeps going, this a wonderful lofted straight drive and what a way to reach 150 off 135 deliveries…takes a few steps down the pitch and drills him perfectly straight102.2 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, brute force! Took a stride down the pitch on a line outside leg stump and plundered through the line…wasn’t even that close to the ball. Over wide long off, with a little wind assist104.4 Piedt to Stokes, FOUR, down the pitch, heaved into the leg side and splits the gap between deep midwicket and deep square…neither moved very quickly. Stokes nowhere near the pitch again. It doesn’t matter104.5 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, this is into the crowd! Extraordinary batting from Stokes. Down on one knee and slog-sweeps into the stands at deep midwicket…100 runs in the session for him104.6 Piedt to Stokes, SIX, and now it’s straight down the ground! Brilliant stuff, skips towards the bowler and just effortlessly deposits Piedt into the stand behind him105.6 Rabada to Stokes, SIX, into the stands again! Running out of words to describe this innings, picks up a short delivery from outside off and pulls it over deep square legStokes celebrates his third Test hundred – but he wasn’t finished there•AFP107.1 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, plundered by Stokes! It’s a full ball outside off which he dismisses from his presence with a crunching drive over mid-off107.3 Morris to Stokes, FOUR, he didn’t really get hold of this but that hardly matters, a short delivery is butchered from outside off over mid-on108.6 Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, there it is! What a double hundred. The second fastest in Test cricket. He hammers a short delivery wide of mid-on, a trademark of the innings, and he jumps for joy for the second this morning. We have seen something incredible today114.2 Morkel to Stokes, SIX, utterly pumped into the stands at long-on! A decent full length, but Stokes extended his levers and powered through the line of the ball!114.3 Morkel to Stokes, FOUR, on the hip, and sweetly placed in the gap at square leg – two fielders converge but the timing is too true. That is, incredibly, the 300-run partnership!116.6 Elgar to Stokes, FOUR, down on one knee, one bounce through the gap at midwicket. The runs just keep on pouring120.2 van Zyl to Stokes, SIX, up, up, up, up, up and away! Tonked from outside off way over wide long-on, with the sweetest of followthroughs!121.4 Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, steam-engined through midwicket! Not a desperately bad length, but Stokes has forearms like pistons and that choo-chooed into the distance121.6 Rabada to Stokes, FOUR, outside off, climbing further from the bat, so Stokes leans back and wafts it through third man to bring up the 350 partnership!125.1 Rabada to Stokes, SIX, that’s 250…a short ball is pulled over deep square leg, that’s now the highest score by a No. 6 in Test cricket125.2 Rabada to Stokes, SIX, that’s humongous! He has thundered this length delivery almost out of the ground over long on with a golf-style swing of the bat125.3 Rabada to Stokes, OUT, chaos! Another catch is dropped but Stokes is run out as he’s ball-watching! He mowed this miles into the air, de Villiers, of all people, shelled the chance coming in from mid-on but then had the presence of mind to throw down the non-striker’s stumpsBA Stokes run out 258 (338m 198b 30×4 11×6) SR: 130.30

Pakistan will be looking to overcome recent distractions regarding their participation, and convert promise into performance at the Women’s World T20

Shashank Kishore16-Mar-2016Pakistan Women managed to do in their first attempt what their male counterparts haven’t been able to ten previous attempts: beat India at a global event. They achieved the feat in 2012 in Sri Lanka, defending a modest 98 to record their first-ever win at the Women’s World T20.The PCB also managed to do in 2011, what even bigger boards like Australia and England did much later. Nineteen top cricketers were awarded central contracts in a bid to promote the game following their Asian Games gold medal winning performance in Guangzhou. So there is enough to suggest potential, even though it hasn’t always translated into performances.This time around, Sana Mir and her side have a tougher challenge if they are to seek a repeat of their 2012 heroics, and progress past the group stages. The biggest hindrance, though, is match practice. They last played a series against West Indies in November, and have had to mostly rely on training camps back home to gear up for the tournament.While most of the other sides arrived in India a week early to prepare, Pakistan were caught in a political crossfire over security. It was only after assurances from the Indian government, did the PCB send their men’s and women’s team for the tournament. While the men sneaked in a warm-up game, the women had to make do with just one net session ahead of their tournament opener against West Indies, three-time semi-finalists at the Women’s World T20, in Chennai.The situation isn’t something Pakistan is unfamiliar with. Simmering political tension meant their matches at the 2013 Women’s World Cup had to be shifted out of Mumbai. Further protests and heightened security forced the team to be restricted to the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, where they were lodged.Mir, who is one of the more recognisable faces of women’s cricket in Pakistan, agreed an air of uncertainty wasn’t ideal, but insisted the team did whatever they could to gear up for the tournament. “Things have been difficult in the past too, from when I took over in 2009. Then from 2010 to 2012, we didn’t play a single international game,” she explained. “Things like that come in your way as a player, and it can get tough to stay motivated. You don’t get an idea of how much you need to improve as a player, but the support we have received from friends, family and support staff has been brilliant.”When you are a leader of the team, you have to ensure you focus on the job when there are other things happening around you. Everyone expects you to manage it. That is why we are professionals. This is what you sign up for when you want to wear the jersey for the country. On the days when we were waiting for our go-ahead, we arranged matches against Under-19 boys in Karachi. We had day-night games; three of our games are under lights here, so we are well prepared.”Mir also formally announced her decision to step down as captain after the tournament, to culminate a journey that lasted seven years, but was quick to state she was doing so only because it was important to groom a younger captain leading into their next global event. “I’ve been honoured to have captained Pakistan for this long, but now the time is right for the next captain to come and settle in,” she said. “We are two years away from the next World T20 and the Asian Games, where we would defend our gold medal. That’s the trend I would like to set in our country.”It’s important that the leadership passes on smoothly. I’ll continue as a player and will be there for the team till they need me. Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara have shown that you can continue to play even after your time as captain; they have been wonderful ambassadors. Alex Blackwell has done that too for Australia. I will be available as a player.”Mir also said that the game has helped ease the challenges faced by sports persons, particularly women in Pakistan. From receiving threats for playing a sport that was considered “male-dominated,” the country has come a long way towards embracing a culture that allows women to fit in to the system.”A lot has changed, but a lot more needs to be done,” Mir said. “This team has managed to change perceptions. There were difficult times for women cricketers in Pakistan. Now parents often come up to me and tell me they would like to see their daughters become like one of us. That is the impact these girls have had on the country and society. I see cricket as a medium for women empowerment in Pakistan. Because of the success of the women’s cricket team, other teams like badminton, football, squash – they are all being supported by the media and public. We recently had a mountaineer who climbed Mount Everest. It’s wonderful that cricket has done a lot of good for women in Pakistan.”

The cricketing fraternity paid tribute on the passing of a legendary voice of the game

ESPNcricinfo staff11-May-2016

How desperately sad. Tony Cozier was a brilliant commentator & a truly great man. West Indies cricket has lost a man it will never replace.

— Henry Blofeld (@blowersh) May 11, 2016

Tony Cozier was only commentator able to walk seamlessly & brilliantly from the TV to the radio com box – two vastly different disciplines.

— Henry Blofeld (@blowersh) May 11, 2016

What a sad day for cricket, especially WI cricket, and the fans. RIP Mr Cozier. Gone but you will never be forgotten

— Dwayne DJ Bravo (@DJBravo47) May 11, 2016

His voice will echo in my mind forever! Condolences to the Cozier family https://t.co/8bbVOJ7gds

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) May 11, 2016

Condolences go out to the families and friends of #TonyCozier That voice will forever be in my head #RIPTonyCozier

— Darren Sammy (@darrensammy88) May 11, 2016

I'm really upset about the passing of Tony Cozier. He was one of the finest the comm box has ever been blessed with and a good friend. RIP

— Graeme Swann (@Swannyg66) May 11, 2016

To say Cozier loved cricket would be shallow: it was his life. He gave to the game as much as he got from it.

— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) May 11, 2016

His lilting accent, his passion, his knowledge. I’ll treasure the memories of working with Tony Cozier on TMS & his advice. One of the best.

— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) May 11, 2016

Go well Tony Cozier. You adorned our game. You loved it like a child and a parent. You had respect. You had dignity. And you had love.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 11, 2016

So so Sad … Forget all the Great players .. Tony Cozier was the reason I loved West Indian Cricket … #RIPTony

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 11, 2016

John Arlott, Brian Johnston, Richie Benaud, Tony Cozier: a commentary team that will convert even gods into cricket loonies

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 11, 2016

Deeply saddened that one of my favourite person in the world of cricket media has passed away. RIP Tony Cozier.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 11, 2016

I remember how Tony Cozier would finish his commentary stint & go straight to the press box. Perhaps felt, that's where he truly belonged.

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 11, 2016

Condolences to @YeahCozier and all the Cozier family on the tragic loss of Tony Cozier from our lives. A man whose voice was like no other.

— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) May 11, 2016

Desperate to report the passing of great family friend, Tony Cozier. Not enough room here to pay sufficient tribute. Will miss him hugely

— Jonathan Agnew (@Aggerscricket) May 11, 2016

So shocked and saddened by the news of Tony Cozier passing, a wonderful man and distinguished broadcaster. #RIP

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) May 11, 2016

Cricket has lost one of its most trusted and endearing voice…watching cricket from the WI will never be same again. R.I.P. Tony Cozier

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 11, 2016

Sincere condolences to the friends & family of Tony Cozier. Brilliant commentator & tremendous knowledge of the game of cricket

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) May 11, 2016

So sorry to hear the great Tony Cozier has passed away. Peerless commentator and observer of the game. Much missed. Love to family. RIP TC

— mike selvey (@selvecricket) May 11, 2016

Tony Cozier for me you were champagne on air .. #SmoothVoiceRIP #TonyCozier pic.twitter.com/cD9XURRsN0

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 11, 2016

Rest in peace Mr. Tony Cozier. You taught many of us young cricket obsessed kids the basics of sporting and gentlemanly commentary. #Class

— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) May 11, 2016

RIP Tony Cozier — a voice I grew up listening to. And reading. Gentle, informed, funny, generous. https://t.co/G6CXJWO3v1

— Prem Panicker (@prempanicker) May 11, 2016

I'm devastated to say that the incredible, funny, kind, talented and thoughtful Tony Cozier has passed away

— Gemma Wright (@onewickedmaiden) May 11, 2016

Does anyone love and cherish cricket as much as Tony Cozier did? We doubt it. Rest in peace Tony, the true voice of West Indies cricket

— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) May 11, 2016

Very sad to hear of the passing of the voice of West Indian cricket, Tony Cozier. The cricketing world will miss you, sir! #RIPTony

— Mohammad Kaif (@KaifSays) May 11, 2016

Tony Cozier – kind & generous man, loved life, his beach party was highlight of any Caribbean tour & one of the all-time voices of cricket

— John Etheridge (@JohnSunCricket) May 11, 2016

Sad to hear of the death of legendary West Indian cricket commentator Tony Cozier. Wonderful voice & total authority through so many years.

— Phil McNulty (@philmcnulty) May 11, 2016

Truly sad to hear about Tony Cozier. An inspirational broadcaster and voice. A privilege to have met him @cpl Thoughts with his family

— Isa Guha (@isaguha) May 11, 2016

Devastated to hear of the death of Tony Cozier, the finest man ever to inhabit a commentary box. A true gent

— simon hughes (@theanalyst) May 11, 2016

Sorry to hear about the the passing of tony cozier,lovely personality and a wonderful commentator! Rip

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) May 11, 2016

West Indies opened the four-Test series in Antigua with a not-so-fast bowling attack ground down by India’s batsmen, but the promising debuts of Miguel Cummins in Jamaica and Alzarri Joseph in St Lucia have them riding a new wave out of that early trough

Karthik Krishnaswamy in St Lucia 10-Aug-20162:46

Manjrekar: Very good selection moves from West Indies

A kicking, screaming short ball, too fast and too close to the batsman for a proper response. Was he cutting, punching, or defending? It seemed an awkward and only partially intentional combination of all three, and before he knew it Virat Kohli was gone, caught at first slip.Two genuine quicks sharing the new ball, another waiting to bowl. A fast, bouncy pitch, and a picturesque backdrop, in this case the Beausejour Hills with a manually operated scoreboard in front of it, saying 19 for 2. This, belatedly, was an echo of the West Indies that cricket fans have known and loved.Miguel Cummins had been in the squad since the first Test, but had only been part of their attack since the second. Alzarri Joseph had been in the squad since the second Test, but was only now making his debut, and was only now getting to bounce out India’s captain and best batsman. On the final day of the Sabina Park Test, West Indies had glimpsed a middle order with the potential to serve them for a long time. Now they were seeing, possibly, a pace attack take shape.Shannon Gabriel had struck first getting Shikhar Dhawan caught down the leg side, experiencing the stroke of luck his bowling has deserved all series. At the other end, Joseph gave the world a first glimpse – at senior level – of the effortless pace his lanky, loose-limbed frame could generate. He greeted Kohli with a bouncer that left him on his backside, foreshadowing the dismissal that was to come.Later, Cummins would come on and bowl just as quick, almost none of his pace coming from his shuffling run-up and almost all of it generated by the final thrust of shoulder and arm, and attack the throats of KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane. They popped three balls in the general direction of short leg. There was no fielder in place the first time, and the ball eluded him narrowly the next two times. India, playing with only five batsmen for the third time in the series – and on this occasion shuffling two of them out of position – were being seriously tested for the first time, from both ends, with little respite.It wasn’t all short and brutal. In the second session, West Indies’ seamers came out with an entirely different plan, and tested India’s patience in the corridor. Jason Holder, who has done this all series, was expected to bowl this way, but perhaps not Joseph in his first Test. He bowled eleven straight dot balls to Rohit Sharma after lunch, the bulk of them outside off stump, on a good length or just short of it, and bat came feeling for ball against the 12th ball, which straightened just enough to take the edge.West Indies had three genuine fast bowlers and a medium-paced fourth seamer, and all of them were doing their bit. They were bowling on the quickest surface of the series. Yet, by the end of the day, their busiest bowler was their offspinner, Roston Chase. At stumps, his figures read 23-8-38-2.Shortly before lunch, Chase had dismissed Rahul against the run of play. His best work, however, came between lunch and tea, when he sent down an eight-over spell that only cost his side nine runs and built enough frustration to pry out India’s last specialist batsman, Rahane.In that spell, Chase bowled quickish offbreaks on a stump-to-stump line, with the leg side heavily guarded. The six leg-side fielders were, typically, a short leg, a mid-on who would occasionally drop back to long-on, two midwickets – one straighter and close to the bat, the other squarer and slightly deeper – square leg and short fine leg. The only fielders on the off side were mid-off, extra cover and slip.Given the situation they were in, and Chase’s line, India couldn’t risk the sweep, particularly on a bouncy pitch with short fine leg waiting for the top edge. This allowed West Indies to suffocate India further with square leg saving the single rather than stationed on the boundary.Alzarri Joseph let loose with the short ball on debut and used it to claim Virat Kohli for his maiden Test wicket•AFPOf the 39 balls Chase bowled to Rahane and R Ashwin between lunch and tea, the batsmen played 20 into the leg side, for five runs, and 18 into the off side – 15 of them either towards mid-off or cover – for four runs. Chase hardly overpitched, and almost never dropped short enough to cut through the vacant region stretching from point to third man, or to pull over square leg.Something had to give and it was Rahane’s patience. Over the course of Chase’s spell, he had gone from 32 off 96 balls to 35 off 132. Out came the sweep, against a slow, loopy delivery that was a full toss if he hit it and a yorker if he missed. It was either the wrong ball for the sweep – its steep downward trajectory minimising the horizontal bat’s margin for error – or just poor execution. The ball dipped, eluded Rahane’s bat, and bowled him. India were 126 for 5.On a first-day pitch with little help for his offspin, Chase had done far more than anyone may have expected. He gave nothing away, bowled more overs than anyone else, and allowed the quicks to bowl shorter, sharper spells.West Indies may have found a group of promising fast bowlers, though no one at this stage would be silly enough to compare any of them to the greats of the 1980s. But they may just have unearthed a tall, restrictive offspinner not unlike Roger Harper. In the West Indies side he played for, Harper only needed to bowl around 15 overs an innings, but performed that task admirably, ending up as his team’s most economical bowler of the 80s while maintaining a sub-30 bowling average.On Tuesday’s evidence, Chase could do a similar job with the ball while offering far more with the bat. If West Indies build on the promise of their fast bowlers, they might yet assemble a consistently dangerous Test-match attack.

Stats highlights of a historical second day of the day-night Test in Dubai between West Indies and Pakistan

Bharath Seervi14-Oct-20164 Triple-centuries by Pakistan batsmen in Tests. Before Azhar Ali’s unbeaten 302, Hanif Mohammad had scored 337 against the same oppositions in Bridgetown in 1957-58, Inzamam-ul-Haq made 329 against New Zealand in Lahore in 2002 and Younis Khan struck 313 in Karachi in 2008-09.1958 Last time a batsman scored a triple-century against West Indies, also by a Pakistan batsman – Hanif Mohammad’s 337. The other triple-hundred was the first in Test cricket, by Andy Sandham in Kingston in 1929-30.0 Bigger totals for Pakistan in UAE than the 579 runs in this match. Their previous highest total in the country was 570 for 6 against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014-15. This is Pakistan’s first 500-plus total in Dubai.278* Previous highest individual score in Tests in UAE, by AB de Villiers in Abu Dhabi in 2010-11. Azhar Ali became the first triple-centurion in UAE. The previous highest score by a Pakistan batsman in Tests in UAE was Shoaib Malik’s 245 against England in Abu Dhabi last year.579 Runs scored by Pakistan’s first-four wickets – second most for them in a Test innings. The highest was 581 runs against India in Hyderabad in 1982-83.4 Instances of Pakistan having century partnerships for each of the first three wickets in a Test innings. The last such instance was at Old Trafford in 1992.528 Runs scored by Pakistan’s top-four batsmen in this innings, their third-highest in any innings. The highest is 535 runs against India in Hyderabad in 1982-83. In Bridgetown in 1957-58, which included Hanif’s 337, the top four had aggregated 530 runs.3 Pakistan batsmen to score a 50-plus score on their Test debut batting at No. 4. Babar Azam became the third to do so after Saeed Ahmed (65) in 1957-58 and Saleem Malik (100*) in 1981-82.2 Pakistan players to complete 4000 runs in their first 50 Tests – Younis Khan and Azhar. Younis had 4065 runs in his first 50 Tests. Azhar is on 4024 runs in – this – his 50th Test. Miandad had 3860 runs at the same stage and Saeed Anwar 3808.3 Instances of Pakistan’s top-four batsmen all scoring 50 or more in the first innings of a Test. Azhar, Sami Aslam, Asad Shafiq and Babar Azam all made 50-plus in this innings. The previous two instances were: against England at Old Trafford in 1992 and against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in 2014-15.

After taking 5 for 88 to keep West Indies’ lead down to 56, Wahab Riaz said he was happy with his progress as a Test bowler despite his numbers not reflecting the effort he has often put in on unforgiving Asian pitches

Umar Farooq in Sharjah01-Nov-2016Wahab Riaz comes from a privileged background. He studied at Aitchinson College, the prestigious, 129-year-old all-boys school located in Lahore, where the motto is “Perseverance Commands Success”. He was an enthusiastic swimmer and hockey player at school, and has grown into one of the world’s fastest bowlers, defying many barren pitches with his fury and adding a layer of raw menace to Pakistan’s bowling attack.His numbers – he averaged 34.66 before the Sharjah Test – don’t quite do justice to his ability, and ever so often – such as during the Trent Bridge ODI in August, when he conceded 110 in his 10 overs – he can have a horror day. But while all that inconsistency might prevent him from being a great bowler, he is undoubtedly a bowler of great spells.On day three in Sharjah, he sparked another Test match to life just when it was drifting sleepily along, and just when the contest was slipping from Pakistan’s grasp. When he began his second spell of the day, West Indies were 311 for 7, leading by 30, and Kraigg Brathwaite and Devendra Bishoo had added 48 for the eighth wicket. Brathwaite was batting on 129.Brathwaite and the lower order could have extended the lead into truly uncomfortable territory for Pakistan, but that didn’t happen. Wahab pinged Bishoo on the helmet with a bouncer before getting him caught behind in the fourth over of his spell. Then, in the space of 17 more reverse-swinging balls, he dismissed Alzarri Joseph and Shannon Gabriel as well, leaving Brathwaite stranded on 142 and limiting West Indies’ lead to 56.Wahab finished with figures of 5 for 88. It was only the second time he had taken a Test-match five-for.”It’s a good batting track, and obviously ball wasn’t doing that much so we had to make plans for specific batsmen, but it didn’t work,” Wahab said at the end of the day. “So we had to return to basics, and thankfully I finally got the reward.”Yes, the five-wicket haul came after a long gap, but if you look, my debut match was in England and since then I have played major chunk of cricket in Asia. Pitches here aren’t sporting for the bowlers and you have do something unusual to take wickets, so I am happy with my progress and satisfied for fulfilling the team’s plan.”Wahab was returning to Pakistan’s attack after the team management rested him and Mohammad Amir for the second Test in Abu Dhabi in a bid to manage their workloads. Wahab said he had no issue going flat-out in the heat of the UAE, since it was his job to try and and coax life out of the slowest pitches.”As far as workload is concerned, I know it’s really hard and I might be putting extra strain on my body,” he said. “But see, this is why I am representing Pakistan, as I am meant to give it all I have. I have a role to defy the pitch when other bowlers are not able to get something out of it. I am working hard even though it takes a lot out of me, but I am fit enough for this and I am happy playing such a role.”Wahab said he was developing a good chemistry with Amir, his partner in left-arm pace.”Obviously there is self-belief, and the trust has started to build up and we both communicate with each other regularly,” Wahab said. “Sometimes we as bowlers get frustrated and the other bowler comes to you and gives better advice. So we are sharing thoughts and applying each other’s tactical advice against batsmen, and it’s a good thing as a bowling unit.”In the last hour of the day, Pakistan’s batting wobbled; they lost three wickets in the space of 17 balls to Jason Holder before their captain Misbah-ul-Haq fell playing an aggressive shot against the offspinner Roston Chase. It left them four down while still trailing by eight runs, before Azhar Ali and Sarfraz Ahmed saw them through to stumps with an unbroken stand of 39.Wahab said such things were part of cricket and it wouldn’t be fair to blame the batsmen.”It’s cricket and it happens sometimes,” he said. “We are all working hard to win this Test match. I think somehow as batsmen and bowlers we lost our concentration for a while, maybe thinking that we will take back control and manage the situation. But we didn’t execute well and we didn’t capitalise, and lost our way. So I admit we made mistakes and it happens in cricket.”

The frequency with which the Pakistan fast bowler has overstepped in recent Tests is almost alarming, and, at the MCG against Australia, it marred what was otherwise a sensational spell

Osman Samiuddin in Melbourne28-Dec-20164:24

Samiuddin: Schizoid performance by Pakistan

Pakistan trained hard in the days running into the Boxing Day Test. They really did. The batsmen did all those boring things they often get praised for – they buckled down, they applied themselves. They switched between spin, fast-bowling and the marble slab nets, sorted out their stances.Azhar Ali on…

The feeling of an MCG double
It was a great moment for me. Getting a double hundred at the MCG is a big occasion in my life. Obviously coming on an Australia tour as a subcontinent batsman you really wish to perform really well. Getting a double ton here I will remember for a very, very long time.
Batting long
You have to see what lines bowlers are bowling and what their strengths are, so I really concentrated quite hard on which balls to play and which areas to score in. The good thing was my feet were moving and I was judging the ball really well.
I was very comfortable on the crease and I was really feeling confident about my decision-making, so that really helped me to concentrate longer. Because of the rain it did a little bit off the seam. Especially when the second new ball came, that period was a little tough. But I got through that.. You could have a batting collapse right then. Those 8-10 overs were quite crucial. So very happy that period went well for me and the team.
His best innings?
Hard to say. But certainly it’s a big achievement. As I said earlier this is a big, big tour for me and all of our team-mates. We’re really focused on this tour and we really want to do well here.

Yasir Shah bowled like a diamond in those days, beating batsmen like leggies are supposed to beat batsmen, and bowling lines a leggie who wins Tests is supposed to bowl; practising, in fact, exactly the opposite of what he has bowled so far in this Test series (and more on that elsewhere).Meanwhile, the fast bowlers worked themselves into Test-match mode, building up their pace, settling upon a rhythm gradually over the days. They bowled as the batsmen wanted, and they bowled as they wanted, practising with the new ball as well as an old one. It was warm in the days leading up to this Test, but it seemed not to matter.For the most part, there was great discipline and a tangible sense of process in how they went about their work. For the most part. On one of the days, Wahab Riaz was constantly over-stepping, sometimes by a lot, sometimes by not so much, but each time to a degree that it was clearly visible to any observer.For a while, this continued unchecked. Eventually, the bowling coach asked a member of the support staff to stand to the side of the stumps (and not behind, where the umpire would stand) and asked him to call no-balls when they occurred.This member of the staff had a number of other duties to fulfill and, as he would scan around the nets, he would miss some no-balls Wahab bowled, and call some others that he spotted. It was not dedicated observation and it wasn’t the staff member’s fault.Ian Gould arrived, for a little bit of practice himself. Wahab overstepped a couple of times under his watch, and when told, was bemused by having done so, as if he wasn’t a habitual over-stepper. Even by an approximate count, Wahab’s count dwarfed the combined transgressions of the other bowlers. Maybe let’s put it down to one bad day, shall we?Well, given Wahab’s record, maybe it isn’t outrageous to assume that Pakistan have days like this in the nets often, because that record is horrific: in 16 Tests since he became a regular in the side in August 2014, he has bowled 98 no-balls. Ninety-eight (and since his debut in August 2010, only Ishant Sharma has bowled more than his 132).A no-ball by Wahab Riaz meant David Warner got a reprieve early in his innings•Cricket AustraliaA cursory count through the last 16 Tests he has played throw up four instances where he has dismissed batsmen only to be called for over-stepping. There have been three in the last six months: Jonny Bairstow at The Oval, Shane Dowrich in Sharjah, and, today, David Warner. In New Zealand, he dismissed Ross Taylor, only for the review to overturn the decision once replays showed he had over-stepped (it hardly matters that replays also showed the decision would have been overturned had it been a legal delivery). With greater scrutiny others may find more but it hardly matters because even if four doesn’t sound like a big number, it is incalculable what it does to a side and what it must do to Wahab each time it happens.No bowler is alike. Each exploits his body in subtly different ways to get out of it however much he can. Wahab is a seriously quick bowler and, moreover, he is one who can maintain that seriously quick pace. He doesn’t build up to it – he gets there straight away. He strains and stretches for every yard of pace. In that pursuit, the very occasional no-ball can just about be explained away. But he is not the only really quick bowler in the world. Who else bowls as many as he does?And how to explain the spell he had today, where he bowled five no-balls in 12 balls at one stage and has 10 for the innings so far? There was a strong wind behind him during it, no doubt, and these things play havoc with run-ups that are, by necessity, finely-tuned and prone to falling out of sync at the slightest distraction. But at some point there had to be a recalibration of the run-up, an effort to get a step or two behind where he was landing.It was more infuriating because what he was delivering at the other end, at the batsmen, was sensational. It was one of those red-blooded Wahab spells to which you cannot fail to be sucked into – serious heat and serious reverse. Other than a Wasim Akram spell here and there – another serial over-stepper – it is difficult to recall something so thrillingly ill-disciplined.This tour has been especially bad – he bowled seven at the Gabba. Mull over this: in eight Tests when Waqar Younis was coach, Wahab bowled 40 no-balls, while he has bowled 58 under Mickey Arthur. On an average, he was bowling a no-ball every 41.4 balls under Waqar. Under Arthur, he has done so every 25.4 balls. That isn’t a coincidence, is it, that his discipline was tangibly better under a coach who, we can presume given he was a bowler himself, might have paid greater attention to these things?Forget that. How can it be that, in over two years, a succession of coaches and assistant coaches have failed to work with him to iron out what is clearly an inherent flaw? How and why has he not worked it out himself? How has it happened under Misbah’s captaincy, in which unusual attention to detail has been paid, and which has thrived on discipline in precisely such matters? This year, he has also repeatedly been warned for running onto danger areas in his follow-through and yet, as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, he continues doing so every innings he bowls in. Are these unfixable kinks?”Lot of work has been done, but today, obviously, was not ideal,” Azhar Ali explained later. “He bowled a lot of no-balls, but he works with the bowling coach. But today, maybe he wanted to push very hard.”I think he wanted to bowl very quick and was trying to get some reverse swing. The wicket was very good, so maybe he was pushing too hard and the foot was going over the line too much. I know it was not ideal, but, hopefully, he can turn it around because he does not normally bowl that many no-balls.”Azhar is not the person to answer this best, but his attempt to do so, to say that this is unusual suggests that Pakistan are operating under a considerable sense of delusion. He does bowl them a lot. They are a problem. And because of it, a serious, legitimate weapon is being blunted.

ESPNcricinfo picks out five talking points from the inaugural Desert T20 which was won by Afghanistan

Peter Della Penna22-Jan-20171. No Papua New Guinea, No ProblemOf the Division One Associate countries, only Papua New Guinea declined an invitation to participate as the dates conflicted with most of their first-choice players appearing in the East Asia-Pacific squad at the Australian Country Championship. Those plans had been arranged well in advance while the Desert T20 was arranged at relatively short notice.However, given the opportunity to participate in a future edition, it’s doubtful that PNG would voluntarily skip it again. Though Namibia went winless, they provided stiff competition in their first two games, taking UAE down the last ball and Ireland into the final over. More than that, every team more or less brought their first choice squad and played at a high intensity level throughout regardless of there not being an ICC qualification or tournament spot up for grabs. The tipping point was Scotland’s seven-run win over Netherlands as the Scots showed a total desperation to win. Scotland have been more vocal than most Associates about wanting more playing opportunities and were taking advantage of the current one on offer.2. A Full Member or Two Wouldn’t Hurt ThoughThe only carrot left to dangle in front of Associates that would make them even keener to come back would be the inclusion of Zimbabwe and one lower-ranked Full Members. Afghanistan are currently ranked ninth in the ICC’s T20I rankings, ahead of both Zimbabwe and Bangladesh and though Bangladesh have traditionally been bunched together when discussing Full Member sides who aren’t pulling their weight competing with the other Test nations, that is shifting thanks to Bangladesh’s vast improvements in recent times.Bangladesh qualified ahead of West Indies for the 2017 Champions Trophy and currently are in line for an automatic qualification spot for the 2019 World Cup too. T20 is a different kettle of fish but it wouldn’t hurt for another team, whether it is Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh to throw their hat into the ring.3. The transformation of the Afghanistan fan baseAt the 2010 World T20 Qualifier final in Dubai, more than 10,000 fans filled up Dubai International Stadium to be a part of history, getting a chance to witness Afghanistan win the tournament and move on to the 2010 World T20 in West Indies. The crowd that night seemed more there to support Afghanistan the country than Afghanistan the cricket team, with many seemingly first time fans cheering at awkward moments not entirely sure of what was happening.Seven years later, the fan base has swelled in size and in knowledge. Those turning up throughout the tournament still have a peerless passion, literally seen walking through open stretches of desert without a form of transportation to get them to the stadium venues but determined to see their team play. But there is no doubting that they now also have a keen appreciation for the nuances of the game. It is best seen through the way they cheered Rashid Khan’s spells, for even the wicketless moments were sensed for their excellence due to the impact he was having by building pressure. Afghanistan doesn’t just have rabid cricket fanatics, but aficionados too.4. Short and sweetFifteen games in seven days was a lot of cricket to squeeze into a week, but the ICC could learn a thing or two from how smoothly this tournament came off when the cricket is put first. Yes, it would have been great if these matches were televised, but commercial interests are the main reason why the World Cup is so bloated, extending to seven weeks despite having only two more teams.Even the World T20 has morphed into a mini-marathon. The first one in 2007 lasted just two weeks while the most recent one in India was stretched into nearly twice that time at 27 days to squeeze out every last dollar possible from TV rights revenue. The only changes to the Desert T20 schedule that could have made the knockout stage better would be to have an off day, after the end of the group stage, and splitting the semis and final up by 24 hours rather than cramming them all into one day, something Afghanistan coach Lalchand Rajput said he hoped for regardless of his team’s ability to go undefeated. Otherwise, it was a well-run event.5. This tournament matteredThe reactions after the final told of how much winning the tournament meant to the Afghanistan players. It wasn’t just about the Nawroz Mangal’s farewell. When the seventh over began in the chase and only eight runs were needed to win, the entire team lined up on the boundary edge ready to sprint onto the field. When Mohammad Shahzad hit the winning runs, they hared out to the middle as if they had just won a major tournament title.It would have been easy for Afghanistan to casually pooh-pooh the win as just another title for them because they were expected to win it from the start based on their ranking and the form entering the tournament of their nearest traditional rival, Ireland. But they wanted it badly. The other teams did too, especially Oman, Scotland and Ireland judging on their reactions upon losing the semi-final and final respectively. Even Hong Kong, with almost nothing to play for against Netherlands, not only upended them from making the semis but did so with enough oomph to give themselves an outside chance of progressing as well. Everyone wanted it badly and the intensity level from beginning to end legitimised the event as a quality tournament.