ICC World T20 2014: Australia still not on top of spin in subcontinental conditions

March 30, 2014
ICC_World_T20Mar 30: Australia need a miracle to qualify for the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 2014 in Bangladesh and the early exit that is likely is further indication the Australian batsmen are still incompetent in handling the spinning ball.
In the past 12 months, Australia have been humiliated in the Test series in India, lost a close fought One-Day International (ODI) on the best batting wickets the world has ever seen and now come up short in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) having been undone by the Pakistan and West Indies spinners.
But Darren Lehmann thinks otherwise and stated it was ‘match awareness” that the players needed to improve on. But losing 8/64 against Pakistan is also an issue of adjusting to the slow nature of the pitches.
Spooning catches to short mid-wickets is a result of being beaten in the air, leaving a gap between bat and pad, overbalancing to forward prod, trying to play the cut shot to balls too full are flaws in batting techniques.

It is even more of a concern when George Bailey admits “We have been undone by the lack of turn rather than the turn”. While few bowlers have spun the ball, it has certainly not turned according to Indian spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin. “The wicket has been slow. Can’t say the ball has been gripping and turning sharply.”
Ashwin who let the rout in the 4–0 whitewash refused to admit Australia have failed to improve against spin bowling but did have few wise words, “Mostly what is going on in world cricket now is that everybody play to their strengths and are not prepared to test others’ waters. They need to come out here and play more spinners, which is the way forward but in saying that I don’t want to comment on Australia’s planning. That is for their coaching staff to decide.”
Furthermore, it is certain opposition countries are likely to present wickets that will negate the strength of Australia’s bowling and expose the Australian batting. The Port Elizabeth Test match was a perfect example.
The T20 format was golden opportunity for Australia to overcome their spin bowling deficiencies. Stating reasons such as lack of awareness is fair enough but the issues are lot deeper than just awareness.
Even though the World T20 still hasn’t garnered the prestige Tests or ODI World Cups have over the years, still this tournament was a perfect platform for Australia to take another step to being on top of the cricketing world. Their next assignment is the Test series in UAE against Pakistan in October, so they have ample amount of time to get their game right. If they fail it will be back to square one.

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Agencies
April 12,2020

London, Apr 12: Former Formula 1 legendary driver Stirling Moss died at the age of 90 on Sunday.

"All at F1 send our heartfelt condolences to Lady Susie and Sir Stirling's family and friends," Formula 1 said in a statement.

Often referred to as the greatest driver never to win the world championship, Moss contested 66 Grands Prix from 1951 to 1961, driving for the likes of Vanwall, Maserati and Mercedes, where he famously formed a contented and ruthlessly effective partnership with lead driver Juan Manuel Fangio.

In his 10-year-long stint at the tracks, Moss took 16 wins, some of which rank among the truly iconic drives in the sport's history - his 1961 victories in Monaco and Germany in particular often held up as all-time classics.

Moss won the 1955 Mille Miglia on public roads for Mercedes at an average speed of close to 100mph, while he also competed in rallies and land-speed attempts.

Following an enforced retirement from racing (barring a brief comeback in saloon cars in the 1980s) after a major crash at Goodwood in 1962, Moss maintained a presence in Formula 1 as both a sports correspondent and an interested observer, before retiring from public life in January of 2018.

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News Network
June 13,2020

Islamabad, Jun 13: Pakistan cricket team’s former captain Shahid Afridi, who has tested positive for coronavirus,  appears to have contracted the virus during his recent visit to Muzaffarabad city of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) where Pakistan has been sending its corona positive patients.

The former Pakistan cricketer was seen attending gatherings in Muzaffarabad last month without wearing a mask and not maintaining social distancing. He spewed venom against India during his rallies. 

Afridi visited PoK to also express his solidarity with the people there who have been left to fend for themselves in combating COVID-19 as Pakistan has refused to provide any COVID fighting equipment like PPE kits and ventilators to the area’s handful of hospitals. 

In fact, Pakistan has been using the PoK as a “dumping ground” for COVID-19 affected persons from all across the country as authorities want to keep Punjab province free of corona positive persons. 

The locals held massive protests against Pakistan for setting up quarantine centres and shifting patients from parts of Pakistan to PoK. 

People are immensely suffering in Pakistan occupied Kashmir due to spread of coronavirus as the region lacks proper medical facilities and has a handful of COVID-19 testing labs. There is also lack of expert medical staff to conduct COVID-19 tests. 

A large number of people here are presumed asymptomatic and they are fast spreading the virus because of lack of medical care. 

Pakistan has reported over 1,25,000 coronavirus cases and 2,463 casualties. In Pakistan occupied Kashmir, the COVID-19 cases have increased to 534, whereas in Gilgit-Baltistan 1,030 have been  reported. 

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Agencies
June 8,2020

New Delhi, Jun 8: Indian pacer S Sreesanth has slammed England all-rounder Ben Stokes for questioning MS Dhoni's intent during a World Cup match, saying that the former captain will end Stokes' career.

Stokes in his book titled 'On Fire' had questioned Dhoni's intent during India's 31-run defeat at the hands of England in the premier tournament last year.

"For Ben Stokes, I will only say that you should pray that Dhoni does not play against you in the future. Dhoni does not forget things easily," Sreesanth said during a Live session on Helo.

"I wish Stokes all the best for whenever he faces Dhoni again, be it IPL or an England vs India match. You must be earning in millions now, Dhoni Bhai will end your career. Dhoni will strike the ball everywhere and he (Stokes) can never dismiss Dhoni. Before he (Stokes) opens his mouth, he should make sure to wear a helmet," he added.

Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding had also come out in support of Dhoni and said that the wicket-keeper batsman wanted to win the match against England.

"Well, people will write anything in books these days, because people are a lot more free with their opinions and when they are writing books, they need to be making headlines at times," Holding had said on his official YouTube channel.

"...It was not the game that India had to win, but I don't think anyone can say that was a team tactic to lose the game. I watched that game and it appeared to me as if India weren't putting up their 100 percent, but I realised it was not the case when the expression on MS Dhoni's face told me that he desperately wanted to win, so I do not think it was a team decision to not try to win," he had added.

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