Alastair Cook's ton, stand with Prior give England hope in first Test

November 19, 2012

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Ahmedabad, November 19: Despite Umesh Yadav's two wickets in two balls and Pragyan Ojha's two wickets in a span of two overs, India couldn't press home the advantage, what with one Mr. Alastair Cook standing between the hosts and victory on Day 4 of the first Test.

England skipper Cook (batting on 168) and Matt Prior (batting on 84) taught their teammates a lesson in application as England finished the day at 340/5 - a lead of 10 runs - with Cook still at the crease after a marathon 505-minute vigil in which he faced 341 balls.

Cook's hundred was his third against India and the 21st of his career. He also became the only cricketer to score three hundreds in his first three Tests as skipper. His other two hundreds came against Bangladesh in Chittagong and Mirpur.

Cook also put on 141 runs in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with Prior, who has faced 190 balls so far and hit 10 fours, to help England sail towards respectability. India are still in a dominant position, though, setting up a tantalizing final day's play.

Cook and Prior's innings restored England's belief in their ability to handle India's spinners on turning tracks after the debacle in the first innings. No wonder batting coach Graham Gooch, who himself saw enough of India's spinners during his playing days, was all praise for Cook's efforts.

"This lad has had a great temperament from when he first started and made his debut here. He proved even then the priceless skill of knowing how to play in different situations.

From the outset he knew what he could do and what he couldn't do and he still has that skill today. He crafted a century today. It wasn't a flamboyant innings, he did the job that was necessary," said Gooch.

But before Cook and Prior took over, there were some tense moments in the English camp soon after play started on Sunday. Nick Compton tried his best to discipline himself but was lucky to survive a leg-before appeal and a sure-shot stumping in R Ashwin's second and third over of the day.

Aleem Dar turned down what looked like an easy chance when Compton was wrapped on the pad after playing slightly forward to one that was pitched outside off and turning just a bit. Then MS Dhoni failed to collect one that kept a little low than expected when Compton stepped out.

Compton was uncomfortable against spin and he also looked uncomfortable against Zaheer Khan's seam-up stuff. Zaheer was troubling him coming round the wicket and got one to come in with the angle to trap Compton in front and get the first breakthrough.

Ojha then got into the act, bowling a beauty to Jonathan Trott, who could only push his bat out and manage a faint edge. Then it was the turn of Pietersen, who is fast turning into Ojha's dummy.

For the second time in two days, KP was bowled around his legs, this time attempting a costly sweep to an overpitched delivery.

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News Network
July 21,2020

Jul 21: The tickets sold for the now-postponed ICC T20 World Cup will remain valid if Australia hosts the edition in 2021 instead of India.

In case the event is shifted to 2022, all ticket-holders will be entitled to a full refund, the ICC stated on its website on Monday night after postponing the mega-event this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament was to be held in October-November but will now be conducted later because of the pandemic.

The ICC has not yet announced which country will host which edition as there are operational issues that both the Indian and Australian cricket Boards need to sort out.

The world body had opened ticket booking through its ticketing partners and a significant number was already sold.

"Ticket holders are welcome to retain their tickets, noting, if Australia hosts in 2021, tickets will remain valid for fans who have already bought and will be automatically updated to reflect the new dates.

"If Australia hosts in 2022, for tickets already bought a full refund will be processed automatically," ICC stated in a series of FAQs.

Fans can retain their tickets until a date is confirmed for the event.

Refund requests can be made until December 15 and they will be processed within 30 days after an online submission.

The hospitality package will also remain valid for the 2021 fixtures.

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February 17,2020

Hamilton, Feb 17: Mayank Agarwal found form on his birthday and Rishabh Pant mixed caution with his customary aggression as India’s warm-up fixture against New Zealand XI ended in a draw here on Sunday.

The match was called off an hour after lunch with India reaching 252 for four just 48 overs into their second innings.

Agarwal, who had gone through a wretched period since the second Test against Bangladesh, retired on 81 off 99 balls with 10 fours and three sixes to his name.

To the relief of the Indian team management, Pant played in his customary manner to reach 70 off 65 balls, but also showed discretion when the opposition bowlers were in the midst of a good spell. There were four sixes -- two each off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and off-spinner Henry Cooper.

While Sodhi was hit down the ground, Cooper was dispatched over extra cover on a couple of occasions. He didn’t curb his aggression, though, there were times when he was ready defend the spinners and also leave some of the deliveries.

Even though Pant is considered a better batsman than Wriddhiman Saha, the innings might have come too late in the day considering that the latter is a better keeper and possibly a more responsible batsman in pressure situations.

The biggest positive to have emerged from the New Zealand second innings is Agarwal’s poor run coming to an end. The Seddon Park track easing out was definitely a factor but Agarwal’s footwork was more assured as he played some glorious on-drives and pull-shots off fast bowlers.

Before this game, Agarwal had played 10 competitive games including first-class, ODIs and List A matches and couldn’t cross the 40-run mark in 11 completed innings. He even bagged a pair against New Zealand A in an unofficial Test match.

Once he had got his form back, he didn’t come out to bat after lunch giving Saha an opportunity to score an unbeaten 30, his runs coming mostly against non-regular bowlers.

The Agarwal-Pant pair added 100 runs in 14.3 overs and it also helped that part-timers like Cooper was introduced into the action.

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May 6,2020

New Delhi, May 6: He has flattered to deceive on umpteen occasions but highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson says he has learnt to accept his failures in pursuit of the calm demeanour that former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni possesses.

The 25-year-old from Kerala has always been talked about by the likes of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir but it hasn't translated into international success with only four T20 Internationals in his kitty in the last five years.

"I have learnt to understand and focus more on my strengths and (be more) accepting (of) the failures. I try to contribute to the team's cause and try to take the team over the line. I am learning to focus and control my emotions while batting like MS Dhoni," Samson said during a podcast organised by Rajasthan Royals.

He recently made a comeback in India's T20 side and it was a worthy experience for him.

"It was great to be a part of the Indian team again. To be a part of one of the best teams in the world, surrounded by players like Virat bhai and Rohit bhai, it was a fantastic experience," Samson said.

In one of the games in New Zealand, Samson was sent to bat in the Super Over, something which made him feel wanted in the Indian set-up.

"It was a great feeling to be trusted by the players such as Virat bhai and Rohit bhai to go out there and bat in the crucial moments. It's a great feeling when the team and the players consider you to be a match winner."

On a lighter note, Samson revealed that he refers to Steve Smith as "chachu" (uncle) after Brad Hodge once started calling him by that name.

"I share a very good relationship with 'Chachu' Steve Smith. He is one of the best brains in world cricket and we all enjoy a lot playing under him."

Asked what's the back story of the nickname, Samson said: "It started with Brad Hodge, he used to call Smith 'Chachu', then when Hodgy left, I started calling Smith 'Chachu'. In return Smith also started calling me 'Chachu'. We both really enjoy and continue calling each other that."

While Dhoni is his idol, he also loves watching Jos Buttler in Royals and makes notes on how the star Englishman prepares for games.

"I observe Jos especially given he too is a wicketkeeper-batsman. He's always working on his skills and his game and never sits idle.

"He's either working on his keeping, batting in the nets or running around the park. I love to observe and know how he thinks and prepares as a keeper before a game.

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