ICC World Cup 2019: Variety in bowling makes India strong contender, says Chappell

Agencies
May 27, 2019

London, May 27: Former Australia skipper Ian Chappell believes the Virat Kohli-led India has variety in their bowling department, making them a strong contender to win the 2019 World Cup beginning May 30 in England and Wales.

Chappell said the team which has the ability to pick wickets at regular intervals, particularly in the middle overs, was likely to lift the coveted Cup.

"In an era where big bats and big scores, with occasional monumental battering, have proliferated ODIs, there are still some seriously good bowling attacks gearing up for 2019 World Cup," Chappell wrote in his column in ESPNcricinfo.

"Wicket-taking is going to play a crucial role in deciding this World Cup. Despite the modern gung-ho batting style, this is not an easy contract to fulfil when the tournament reaches the knockout stage. The team that consistently takes wickets -- particularly through the middle overs -- is the one most likely to lift the trophy," he added.

According to Chappell, India -- despite not possessing the "outright pace" like that of England and Australia -- do have great variety and a trio of fast bowlers who can be exceptional in favourable conditions.

"If there's any moisture in the pitches then Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are skilled enough to take full advantage. If, however, the pitches start to wear and the conditions are dry, then Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are a dangerous wicket-taking combination," said the 75-year-old.

"Throw in Hardik Pandya as a handy fast-bowling all-rounder and Virat Kohli has plenty of options," he added.

India though lost the first warm-up game against New Zealand by six wickets on May 25. The Indian batting line-up, which boasts of having Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Kohli and MS Dhoni, bundled out for a mere 179 at The Oval which the Black Caps easily chased down with around 13 overs to spare.

The Men in Blue will now take on Bangladesh in the second warm-up game on Tuesday before beginning their World Cup campaign against South Africa on June 5.

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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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Agencies
March 14,2020

Sydney, Mar 14: New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been placed under 24-hour isolation amid the fears of coronavirus after he reported a sore throat following the first ODI of the ongoing three-match series against Australia in Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) which the hosts won by 71 runs.

"In accordance with recommended health protocols, Lockie Ferguson has been placed in isolation at the team hotel for the next 24 hours after reporting a sore throat at the end of the first ODI," said New Zealand Cricket in a statement.

"Once the test results are received and diagnosed, his return to the team can be determined," it added.

The first ODI of the Chappell-Hadlee series was played in front of empty stands as the spectators were not allowed to be at SCG as a precautionary measure to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Earlier, Australian fast bowler, Kane Richardson was also tested for the coronavirus, after suffering from a sore throat on Thursday. That saw him left out of the squad for Friday's game but the test was negative.

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Agencies
April 25,2020

London, Apr 25: Former Australian cricketer Graeme Watson who was fighting cancer, has died at the age of 75.

Primarily a middle-order batsman and a medium-pace bowler, he featured in five Tests from 1967 to 1972 and two ODIs in 1972, ESPNcricinfo reported.

The all-rounder earned the national call during the 1966-67 tour of Rhodesia and South Africa. Watson slammed a half-century in the first innings of the second Test of the series.

However, the medium-pace bowler was ruled of the next test after suffering an ankle injury. He returned for the fourth Test in Johannesburg where scalped his career-best 2 for 67 but failed to leave a mark with the bat as Kangaroos lost the series.

In 1971-72 he moved to Western Australia and played a major role in their Sheffield-Shield win in 1971-72, 1972-73, and 1974-75 seasons.

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