Gopal Subramanium has also asked if the three current BCCI office bearers should demit office since their tenure has expired

Nagraj Gollapudi16-May-2018

Who is an amicus curiae?

Amicus curiae means “a friend of the court”, tasked with assisting in a case. In his role Subramanium, a former solicitor general of India, is a neutral arbiter and does not represent any party involved in the case.

One state one vote

The issue: As per the Lodha Committee, and seconded by the CoA, each Indian state could have only one Full Member association that would have a vote at the BCCI table. In the case of Maharashtra and Gujarat, which have multiple state associations due to their cricket history, the vote would be rotated annually. These associations – the Mumbai Cricket Association, the Maharashtra Cricket Association and the Vidarbha Cricket Association in Maharashtra, and the Gujarat Cricket Association, the Saurashtra Cricket Association and the Baroda Cricket Association in Gujarat – have opposed such a move.Subramanium’s response: The amicus curiae said he approved the Lodha Committee’s reasoning to allocate a vote to each state on a “territorial” basis. He also said the court had “mandated” that each of the three associations within the state would get a vote on annual basis, which “brings parity and fairness”.Subramanium said the one-state-one-vote reform provided “democratic equality” which was essential. “Unless sufficient prejudice is shown that a member by annual rotation is not able to effectively participate in the affairs of the BCCI, the Amicus is unable to recommend deviation from the position adopted by the Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee, and as modified by the Principal Judgment.”

Railways can have a vote

The issue: The Lodha Committee and the CoA had also determined that the member associations that were either run by the government or had limited participation in BCCI events – such as the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Railway Sports Promotion Board (“Railways”) and the Services Sports Control Board (“Services”) along with the National Cricket Club (NCC), Kolkata, and the Cricket Club of India (CCI), Mumbai – would lose the vote they had enjoyed under the old BCCI constitution.Subramanium’s response: The amicus said Railways ought to be treated as an “exception” based on the fact that the institution provides “at least 90%” of the players who play for India women. “In view of the security of employment of the players from Railways as well as the ability to demonstrate playing skills and having regard to women’s cricket as an integral part of Indian Cricket, it appears necessary to consider this as an exception.”Subrmanium, though, said that the person from Railways casting the vote at the BCCI table would need to be a former player and not someone “nominated” by the government. “Such a decision must be undertaken by an association of former players who belong to the Railways.”The rest of the associations in this group – the AIU, Services, NCC and CCI – did not qualify for full membership criteria, Subramaniam said.

Selection Committee strength

The issue: The BCCI has argued that the vast volume of cricket it conducts and the number of teams and tournaments under its jurisdiction justify a five-member selection panel for all three categories: men’s, women’s and junior. The Lodha Committee and the CoA had instead felt three-member panels were good enough.Subramanium’s response: The amicus has recommended that the selection panel strength could be “increased” to five. He has also set a fresh set of criteria for to be a national selector: the candidate should have played a minimum of: a) seven Test Matches; or b) 30 first-class matches; or c) 10 ODIs and a minimum of 20 first-class matches.The amicus felt an enhanced selection committee was “imminent” to “relieve” the burden of the existing three-member panel. This enhanced committed, Subrmanium said, should be finalised by the CoA in consultation with the cricket advisory committee.AFP

Cooling-off period

The issue: The office bearers and administrators in both the BCCI and the state associations do not want a cooling-off period of three years after every three-year term as recommended by the Lodha Committee. The break, the administrators say, does not allow them enough time to advocate and execute plans and could hamper continuity.Subramanium’s response: Subramaniam noted that the thrust of the Lodha Committee – which was “distressed” by the continued presence of office bearers, some for decades – was to “militate against self-perpetuation.” Subrmanium said the court has allowed office bearers to serve nine years each at state and BCCI separately, which he found to be a “substantial “period. “A period of 18 years by any stretch of imagination is indeed a substantial period,” the amicus said. “It is necessary that the expression ‘cooling off’ must necessarily mean that after a period of 3 years, the person is not able to migrate to the other Association and occupy the position as an office bearer or occupy any other position in the same Association.”

Division of powers between general body and professional management

The issue: Under the existing system, the BCCI secretary informally carries out the role of the CEO and shares power with the board president. Under the Lodha Committee’s recommendations, and as part of the new constitution, the role of the office bearers would be diminished while the CEO would be granted significant independent decision-making powers. Many of the BCCI members are against ceding control.Subramanium’s response: According to the amicus the general body, which comprises the state associations, needs to be separate from the nine-person Apex Council through which the board’s chief executive officer directs the professional management of the BCCI. “It is necessary that this recommendation of the Hon’ble Justice Lodha Committee, as reflected in the Constitution, must be maintained and the professional management must be undertaken by the Apex Council through the CEO (who is also the custodian of the interests of players and fans), CFO and such other instrumentalities who are recruited on a totally transparent and professional basis.”Subramaniam also stated that it would be “appropriate’ for the Court to consider whether the current BCCI office bearers – acting president CK Khanna, acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry – be asked to demit office as they had completed their “legally valid tenures of office”.

Australia’s new T20 start reflects on his “whirlwind” rise from the fringes of the domestic scene to pushing for a World Cup spot

Andrew McGlashan05-Jun-20181:01

‘It’s been a whirlwind 12 months for me’ – Short

D’Arcy Short has reflected on a “whirlwind” rise from the fringes of the Australian domestic scene to pushing for a place in next year’s World Cup squad.Since the beginning of the last Australian season he has helped his state, Western Australia, win the JLT one-day cup, enjoyed a prolific Big Bash with Hobart Hurricanes, where he was the tournament’s leading scorer as they reached the final, made his T20I debut and earned an IPL deal.Now an ODI debut is on the horizon, with Short the favourite to take David Warner’s opening spot alongside Aaron Finch when the one-day series against England starts next week.All this for a player who, having first played state cricket in 2011 before drifting to the margins of the set-up over the next six years, almost packed it in.”I was probably close to giving it up for a while,” Short said after training at Lord’s on Tursday, his first experience of the famous ground. “It’s been quite a whirlwind experience in the last 12 months.”His BBL exploits earned him an Australia call-up for the T20 tri-series involving England and New Zealand plus an IPL contract Rajasthan Royals. Internationally he was an instant hit, making 196 runs in five innings, including 76 off 44 balls in the world-record run chase at Eden Park.The IPL proved somewhat less successful – a brace of 44s the peak of his seven outings – but he hopes to put the lessons to good use.”The IPL experience was quite a different one for me, I struggled a little bit at the start – got run out twice which wasn’t the greatest start for me – but it was definitely a good experience in the end and hopefully I’ve learnt a lot from it.”I faced a lot of spin over there so hopefully I can put that to use. Working on that and different parts of my game rather than being one-dimensional.”He spent time developing his left-arm wristspin by working with Shane Warne. “It’s come a long way in a short amount of time and I’m feeling pretty confident with it,” he said, a hint, perhaps, that it will be seen during the one-day series.One of the key figures in the revival of Short’s career has been the man now in charge of the Australia team – Justin Langer. It was Langer who implored Short to get fit and then brought him into the WA side for the JLT Cup. No wonder he’s comfortable around the new man in charge.”It’s definitely familiar, just feels like it’s different colours. I get along with him well,” Short said.Short’s story is significant for more than just the fact he has rejuvenated his career. He is also the first Indigenous Australian batsman to represent his country and just the sixth Indigenous cricketer overall after Dan Christian, Jason Gillespie, Scott Boland, Faith Thomas and Ash Gardner.Short was due to be part of the historic Indigenous tour of England, which is currently being undertaken by men’s and women’s teams, marking the 150-year anniversary of the first tour made in 1868.His full international call superseded that trip – which includes Christian, Boland and Gardner – but Short remains very aware of its significance. It was playing for an Australian Indigenous XI during a tournament in Brisbane last year that helped Short on his way back.”I think it puts a little bit of belief into them [Indigenous players] that they can go further,” Short said when asked about being a role model. “It certainly did for me, getting a go there then making my way into the state side and then the Aussie side. It’s certainly a good pathway for them.”It means a lot that they have the opportunity to come over here.”

Jos Buttler is a “devastating” batsman who ranks in the “top echelon” of players, according to the England coach

George Dobell25-Jun-20182:26

Social story: Buttler’s brilliance seals the whitewash

Jos Buttler is a “devastating” batsman who ranks in the “top echelon” of players, according to England coach, Trevor Bayliss.A day after Tim Paine, the Australia captain, said Buttler may be the best wicketkeeper batsman in the world in limited-overs cricket, Bayliss suggested “there can’t be too many better”. Praising his cool head and game awareness, Bayliss believes Buttler’s qualities can provide an example to other players in the squad.”How well is Jos playing? It’s unbelievable,” Bayliss said. “I can’t really describe how good it is. Red ball, white ball, T20 – there are not too many better in the world at the minute.”He’s right up there in the top echelon. He’s a bit different to some of the guys I’ve worked with before, but he’s devastating. He can play that role he did on Sunday, in smart fashion, but when he needs to, he can pull the power out and put the foot down.”And he’s a smart guy. One of those players who looks at the situation of the game. And he’s a winner. He doesn’t like losing, not even in the football matches before the start. He hates to lose. Hopefully that can rub off on some of the other guys higher up the order, who themselves have played some bloody good cricket this series.”Jos Buttler brought up his hundred as the target neared•Getty Images

Although Sunday’s century was Buttler’s slowest in ODI cricket – it was the first time he had faced more than 100 balls in an innings – it was also one of his best. Showing he was far more than the instinctive player who can improvise and thrash, he marshalled an unlikely run chase from a position of near impossibility at 114 for 8. But while Bayliss accepted England’s top-order had “stuffed up”, he felt Buttler’s contribution could provide them with an example of how to handle such situations in the future.”We obviously stuffed up in the beginning,” he said. “But I think for the first time one of the guys showed the rest how we should be doing it and how we should be approaching it in that situation.”If we are in that situation in the future, where we lose a few quick wickets, then hopefully that approach happens a bit earlier in the order so we are only a few down, not eight.”We still have work to do. If we didn’t have work to do, we wouldn’t have been 114 for 8. To me that’s a bit of a reminder that there are still some things to work on. In one way it’s a good reminder to the guys: don’t get too comfortable with where you are, because there will be other teams out there striving to get better, and it will be difficult to stay in the form we are in.”The good thing is we were able to win eventually from a poor position. Hopefully that sets a standard and an example to the rest of the team.”

Cricket Australia has confirmed the allegations relate to “historical matches from 2011”

Daniel Brettig28-Aug-20183:05

Watch – Alleged spot-fixing in the India-Australia Ranchi Test

Fresh allegations of spot-fixing against “current and former Australian players” are set to be aired by the television news network Al Jazeera in a follow-up to the investigative documentary aired earlier this year.Cricket Australia has confirmed the allegations relate to “historical matches from 2011″, a year in which the national team concluded an Ashes series, then took part in the 50-over World Cup, bilateral tours of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and South Africa, then home matches against New Zealand and India. The chief executive James Sutherland said a CA integrity unit investigation had been conducted into the claims.Acknowledgement of the allegations arrived on the same day the ICC requested information from the public about the identity of an individual filmed in the original documentary, named as Aneel Munawar and claiming to be the organiser of spot-fixing for illegal Indian betting syndicates. According to the ICC, the follow-up programme is set to air recorded conversations involving Munawar and illegal bookmakers about spot-fixing arrangements.”We are aware of the new investigative documentary by Al Jazeera into alleged corruption in cricket,” Sutherland said. “Since the broadcast of Al Jazeera’s first documentary, the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit has been conducting a thorough investigation into the claims made, however this has been hampered by a lack of cooperation from Al Jazeera.”Although not having been provided an opportunity to review any raw audio or footage, our long-standing position on these matters is that credible claims should be treated very seriously, and investigated. Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit have conducted a review of the latest claims by Al Jazeera, from a known criminal source, and, from the limited information provided by Al Jazeera, our team have not identified any issues of corruption relating to current or former Australian players.”We have handed all material over to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit to enable them to fully investigate and we will continue to cooperate with the ICC.”Alex Marshall, head of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit, said that attempts to properly identify Munawar had so far been unsuccessful. “We have identified every other person in the original documentary and have spoken to a number of them in connection with match fixing, including those who are not deemed to be participants under our Anti-Corruption Code,” Marshall said.”However the true identity of Aneel Munawar remains a mystery. He plays a significant role in the programme, yet enquiries with law enforcement and immigration sources have not identified or located him. As such we are appealing to the public or anyone from within the cricket family to contact us with any information that will lead us to identify and locate him. Police investigations often use such an appeal to locate people of interest and we are exercising the same approach.”The absence of any cooperation from the broadcaster has slowed the investigation, but to date we have made good progress in identifying people of significant interest including people already of interest to the ACU. We have been able to discount a number of claims made in the programme and continue to pursue other aspects. We will provide a full update at the conclusion of the investigation.”The ICC and Al Jazeera remain at odds over the network’s refusal to hand over to the governing body all raw footage recorded during their own investigations. One of the sticking points has been the fact that among Munawar’s allegations was the suggestion that the ICC’s anti-corruption unit itself had been compromised by financial links to illegal bookmakers and Indian crime figures.”We are aware that there is a second documentary in the offing, this time based on historical recordings between a fixer, suspected to be Munawar and bookies in India,” Marshall said. “As with the first programme, we will investigate any claims made in a full and thorough manner and we take any allegations of corruption, historical or contemporary, extremely seriously.”Based on what we already know, we have engaged the services of an independent betting analysis company to examine the claims made about particular matches. As with the first programme we have, and will continue to ask for the cooperation of the broadcaster. Access to the raw, unedited footage enables us to build a complete picture around the claims in the documentary and ensure our investigation is as fair and thorough as possible.”Sutherland outlined the significant education programmes undertaken by all players regarding their obligations to avoid corruption. “It is important to reiterate that Cricket Australia and the ICC take a zero-tolerance approach against anyone trying to compromise the integrity of the game,” he said. “We urge Al Jazeera to provide all un-edited materials and any other evidence to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit.”Australian cricket is proactive with its sports integrity management and Cricket Australia’s Integrity Unit oversees and maintains all domestic cricket in Australia, including BBL and WBBL matches. In addition to this, prior to the start of each Australian season, all professional cricketers are required to participate in thorough anti-corruption education sessions before being eligible to compete in CA’s domestic competitions.”The Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Alistair Nicholson, meanwhile, called for full information sharing from the news network to help bring the matter to a conclusion. “The players have zero tolerance for any behaviour that may impact upon the integrity of the game,” he said.”However, enough is enough when it comes to people making unsupported accusations that have the ability to unfairly tarnish players’ reputations. Whoever is making these allegations should provide all the information they purport to have to the ICC to allow them to assess it.”

Half-centuries from the duo lead Essex’s reply to India’s 395, even as Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma stood out with two wickets each on a blistering day in Chelmsford

The Report by Nagraj Gollapudi26-Jul-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsUmesh Yadav bowls•BCCI

A flat wicket, another scorching day with “abnormal” temperatures, and some stodgy batting from Essex made India’s bowlers work hard on the second day of their warm-up match in Chelmsford. India wouldn’t mind a day like this today rather than in the middle of a Test match, their fast bowlers having been put through a good test of both character and skills.Thursday was hot, with temperatures hovering around the mid-30 degrees centigrade, which the MCC called “abnormally high”, and led to them relaxing the imposition on members to wear jackets in the Pavilion. Having experienced much higher mercury back home, the Indians did not wilt easily.Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma were the pick of the five-man pace contingent, which also had Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur and Hardik Pandya. Umesh bowled his first spell form the Hayes’ End and attacked the bat relentlessly. He got the ball to swing and seam away consistently, and trapped Nick Browne with a ball that skidded into the pads.No other fast bowler in this Indian line-up has more overs clocked over the past few months than Umesh. Little wonder that he hardly took a ball to catch his rhythm. A first spell of 7-4-9-1 showed both his accuracy and steadfastness to stick to the plan.Ishant came in after the first hour in the afternoon. His first ball, fuller in length, seamed straight away into the other Essex opener, Varun Chopra, who was beaten by pace and movement. Chopra tried to slog the next ball and was lucky not to be bowled, getting a bottom edge that raced to fine leg. Having played for Sussex recently in the county championships, Ishant understood the lengths that work on England pitches.Off the first ball of his second over, Ishant opened up Chopra, who shuffled across to his off stump but was beaten by the delivery moving in to hit his pads. Ishant appealed strongly and the umpire raised his finger promptly. Chopra might have felt a little hard done by as the ball might have moved down leg.No such luck was in store for Shami, returning to the Indian fold after the South Africa tour. The team management was concerned about Shami’s readiness, considering he had not played much cricket in the last six months. He was injured during the IPL and failed a fitness test that ruled him out of the one-off Test against Afghanistan. He was also entangled in domestic issues as he faced various allegations from his wife.Still, Shami would be optimistic. He struggled with the right length and line with the new ball and gave away 26 runs in his first spell of 7 overs. However, when he returned late afternoon, he could reverse the ball while maintaining a fuller length. Also scratchy was Hardik Pandya, who gave a lot of width and room for the batsmen to take advantage of.There were only two overs of spin from the Indians, both by Ravindra Jadeja, who retreated to the dressing room around tea time and never came back. R Ashwin was hit on the index finger of the bowling hand while batting in the morning and did not take the field through the day. The team management confirmed that it was just a precautionary step. Ashwin did bowl in the nets during the lunch break.That explained why Ashwin had not come out to bat in the morning even as India tried all the available specialist batsmen, most of whom fumbled barring Rishabh Pant. Karun Nair, despite having played for over the past month in England while touring with the India A team, attempted a drive far from his body only to see a bottom edge roll on to knock off the bails.Pandya’s overnight struggles continued before he hit straight to cover, which exposed his impatience in addition to a false stroke. Dinesh Karthik, 18 short of a century overnight, was the first to depart, playing an upper cut into hands of deep point.

As two opening batsmen under scrutiny for England tour places flopped, Kent’s ageless 42-year-old Darren Stevens put in a bid for the old ‘uns

ECB Reporters Network10-Sep-20181:48

Surrey struggle as wickets tumble around the Championship

ScorecardJoe Denly and Nick Gubbins wasted England auditions as more unsung heroes came to the fore on a day when 19 wickets fell in the County Championship clash between Middlesex and Kent at Lord’s.Denly and Gubbins, touted as possible tourists for England’s winter trips to Sri Lanka and West Indies, both missed their cue under the watchful eye of selector James Taylor.Instead it was 42-year-old Darren Stevens who starred with ball (4-44) then bat (64) for the visitors, while James Fuller 37 not out and 3 for 47 underlined his all-round value to the Lord’s tenants. It all meant Kent closed 28 ahead with their last pair at the crease.In the era of the uncontested toss, being stuck in on a sporty September pitch against the country’s leading wicket-taker Matt Henry didn’t look to bode well for a Middlesex team who’d gleaned just nine batting points from 11 games this season – and so it proved.Henry made the initial incision aided by a poor shot from Gubbins (17) who swished one into the hands of Sean Dickson at first slip. Thereafter, it was the evergreen Stevens who took centre-stage, trapping Sam Robson lbw with his first delivery.Middlesex’s next wound was self-inflicted, Max Holden, promoted to No 3, throwing his wicket away setting off for a run which was never there, Henry running out the youngster with a direct hit from point.Stevens was then at it again dismissing Dawid Malan and Eoin Morgan in quick succession and there was still time for former Middlesex quick Harry Podmore (3 for 35) to strike two further blows, Stevie Eskinazi and debutant Martin Andersson the men to fall, leaving the hosts 80 for 7 at lunch.On the resumption Middlesex’s tail found the resistance which had eluded their top order, Fuller sharing stands of 39 with Ollie Rayner (19) and 41 with last man Steven Finn (27) allowing them to scramble up to 161 all out.Not for the first time this season Middlesex took the field with too few to defend and without leading wicket-takers, James Harris (groin) and Tim Murtagh (ill).Ethan Bamber made an early breakthrough pinning Dickson in front and Steven Finn, back from injury, cut short Denly’s chance to impress when he too had an LBW shout upheld.Then it was Fuller’s time to shine, the all-rounder emulating Stevens’s feat from earlier in the day trapping Zak Crawley lbw.Dander up the former Gloucestershire man then found the edge of Daniel Bell-Drummond’s bat, wicketkeeper Eskinazi pulling off a stunning one-handed catch away to his right.Skipper Sam Billings soon became Fuller’s third victim and when Anderson scattered Heino Kuhn’s stumps the visitors had crumbled to 53 for 6.Again, though an interval came to the batting side’s rescue as Stevens came out on the offensive producing a spate of boundaries as Middlesex bowled too short.Podmore didn’t last long playing a Finn long hop to Morgan at deep backward point, but Grant Stewart, who scored a maiden first-class century against Middlesex in the reverse fixture back in June, provided strong support.The 50-stand was raised before Steven’s ninth boundary via a top edge over the keeper took him to his half century in 62 balls. The fun ended at 64 when Anderson rearranged his furniture, but Stewart’s third first-class 50 steered Kent to a precious lead.

A selection of what the media are saying following the release of the reviews into Australian cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Oct-2018Greg Baum, The AgeThe individual could only dissemble and squirm. Peever said he had taken responsibility, “voluntarily” commissioning two “independent” reports and transparently and fully releasing their contents and findings. As if he had any choice to order up the reports. As if they could credibly have been anything other than independent… And yet still presiding is the man who sat atop the previous dispensation, the one that neglected the spirit of cricket, for which he says he accepts full responsibility while everyone else cleans out their lockers and desks. Even if only as a figurehead, it is an uncomfortable position for him, incongruous in the eyes of the cricket world; in a word, untenable.Tracey Holmes, ABCCricket has become a commodity, a business, where only numbers matter, and the human element — ethics, morals and personal values — has diminished to the point of hardly being recognised. Cricket Australia did not deliberately set out to get to this position but, the Ethics Centre report suggests, it was a foreseeable consequence of the way the governing body has gone about making the success of the men’s team the measure of its reputational standing.Patrick Smith, The AustralianPeever could not middle any delivery aimed at knowing why he is still in charge of the sport when even the most sympathetic interpretation of good governance would demand he step away. The review by The Ethics Centre identified what was essentially a cultural cesspool. Deaf to advice, irrational abhorrence to defeat, crass and offensive behaviour, barely a trace of respect between officials and players. Peever, as chairman, and others within Cricket Australia, had to accept responsibility because they failed hopelessly to show appropriate leadership.Gideon Haigh, The AustralianIn a corporate model, there are external agents, such as regulators, such as institutions, such as government. Chairs resign; boards reconstitute; executives get fired, and even have bonuses clawed back. At Jolimont, somehow, a small elite award themselves promotions, new terms, fat benefits, cheery farewells. Let’s not forget that the only reason we have been afforded this glimpse of the degree of cricket’s organisational dysfunction is because a vigilant cameraman spied a cricketer scratching a cricket ball; otherwise CA would still be stumbling along counting its millions, oblivious to the players’ discomfiture and the public’s discontent.Sam Perry, The GuardianIt is a wicked problem for the governing body. Already under pressure from a sceptical public to enact concrete change following Dr Longstaff’s findings, any decision to uphold the player bans without requisite and tangible leadership accountability would smack of the precise double-standards they stand accused of in the culture review. Should their executive survival instinct remain strong, another route would be to reduce the bans applied to the trio, though it would infer poor original judgment. But it takes special mental gymnastics to at once reform a “win at all costs” attitude, and to simultaneously conclude that Smith and Warner deserve an early return. Australia will of course win more games with these two in the side.Robert Craddock, News CorpAdministrators can pound the pulpit as much as they like but the success of any renewed push for the spirit of cricket rests squarely on the shoulders of the players. Passion tends to be at its strongest at the start of projects. If player commitment is patchy now, how will it be when the battle starts? The most significant part of the review is Australia is now a prisoner of its own improved standards. The bar has been lifted. The standard has been set. Now, can anybody bat?

England ended the longest winless streak in overseas Tests in their history with a crushing victory over Sri Lanka

The Report by George Dobell at Galle09-Nov-2018
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEngland ended the longest winless streak in overseas Tests in their history with a crushing victory over Sri Lanka. England’s win was not only their largest in terms of runs over Sri Lanka (though there have been innings victories) but their first in Galle. It was their first win in 14 overseas Tests stretching back to the 22-run victory over Bangladesh in Chittagong in October 2016.For all the talk of “risk taking” and “courage” ahead of this Test, the key difference in this game were two old-school innings played by English batsmen. Ben Foakes, in the first innings, and Keaton Jennings, in the second, made patient, disciplined centuries that put a distance between the sides that Sri Lanka never threatened to close.There were other valuable, if less eye-catching performances for England. Moeen Ali finished with match figures of 8 for 137 – his best in an overseas Test – while Jack Leach took three second-innings wickets. Ben Stokes followed his half-century in England’s second innings, a performance which took some pressure of the more sedate Jennings, with some hostile bowling on the fourth day which deserved rather more than the one wicket it gathered. He also took three smart chances in the slips.But Sri Lanka will surely rue an oddly ill-disciplined second innings that included several soft dismissals. While their openers survived the first hour of the day without undue alarm, the drinks break appeared to disturb that concentration. Kaushal Silva attempted to sweep a ball from Leach that pitched on middle stump and was adjudged leg before. To compound the error, Silva squandered a review in his attempt to have the decision overturned.A few minutes later Dimuth Karunaratne, one of the few men in this side with the temperament to bat for several sessions, skipped down the pitch and drilled a return catch to Moeen. Karunaratne’s intention, no doubt, was to push back the mid-on and mid-off fielders and, perhaps, put Moeen off his length. But with Sri Lanka chasing a notional target of 464 – or, more realistically, batting as long as they could in the hope that rain came to their rescue – it appeared an oddly aggressive stroke.Perhaps Moeen had earned the batsman’s lack of composure. He had almost dismissed Karunaratne with his second delivery of the day – a nicely flighted offbreak that demanded a stroke but then turned away to take the outside edge – only to see Stokes, at slip, put down a chance he would expect to take every time. Stokes was, perhaps, distracted by wicketkeeper Foakes making a move for the ball.But perhaps that indiscipline was best typified in the afternoon session when Kusal Mendis sliced to mid-off. Mendis had got away with a mis-hit drive the previous ball: spotting Moeen about 30 yards off the long-off boundary, he skipped down the pitch and drove Leach just over the fielder’s head. But in attempting a repeat to the next delivery, he gifted Moeen a simple catch.Jack Leach made two big breakthroughs in the afternoon•AFP

It was a nice piece of bowling to lure Mendis into the drive and spin the ball away from his stroke and a nice piece of captaincy to place the fielder in a position where the batsman felt he could clear him. But it really was an oddly obliging stroke for a man who should have been batting to save a Test.But if Mendis and co were, to an extent at least, the architects of their own downfall, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella were the victims of lovely pieces of bowling. Chandimal, perhaps incapacitated by the groin strain that must render him a doubt for the Kandy Test, was drawn forward by a delivery, bowled around the wicket, that drifted towards middle and leg and gripped off the pitch and clipped the top of off stump. Dickwella was dismissed the ball after tea: drawn forward by an offbreak that turned to kiss the outside edge.The frustration for Sri Lanka was that England were, for much of the day, not at their best. Anderson’s dropping of Angelo Mathews, on 17, at midwicket was scant reward for a terrifically sustained spell of hostile short bowling from Stokes that defied the docility of the surface, while Stokes’ drop of Karunaratne was as simple as it was out of character.Adil Rashid and Leach, initially at least, also struggled with their length with Moeen easily the most penetrative of the bowlers.While Mathews resisted to post his second half-century of the match – the first time he had done so since the Boxing Day Test in Christchurch in 2014 – when he was out, turning one that seemed to stop on him to midwicket, Sri Lanka’s last hopes departed with him. As if to rub in the hopelessness of the situation, the sun came out to banish any thought that the rain may come to Sri Lanka’s assistance.Play had began on time despite a torrential overnight downpour. England arrived slightly late at the ground in the expectation of a delay but, so well was the playing surface covered, that no time was lost. Perhaps Sri Lanka could count themselves unfortunate. Hardly a day on England’s tour has been unaffected by rain ahead of this match but not an over in this game was lost.Rangana Herath survived the indignity of being out first ball in his final match – he reviewed Marais Erasmus’ decision – but was soon run out as his legs failed him in attempting a second. He deserved a better ending, no doubt, but his reputation is assured. He leaves Sri Lanka cricket with great memories but, perhaps, some worrying days ahead.

D’Arcy Short is the only player with international experience, while only eight of the twelve named have played first-class cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2018Sam Whiteman, the Western Australia wicketkeeper-batsman, will lead the Cricket Australia XI that will take on India in a four-day tour match at the Sydney Cricket Ground.The match, scheduled from November 28 to December 1, will serve as a warm-up for the Indian team before the first Test in Adelaide that starts from December 6.D’Arcy Short is the only player with international experience in the twelve named, with the squad comprised mostly of younger players, including four members of the Under-19 team that finished runners up in the World Cup earlier this year. Only eight of the players selected have played first-class cricket previously.The team selected could also change, with Cricket Australia adding a rider that “The team is subject to players earning state selection for Round 5 of the JLT Sheffield Shield competition, commencing on 27 November.”Graeme Hick, the batting coach of the senior team, will be the head coach of this side with Sridharan Sriram, the national team’s spin consultant, appointed the assistant coach.Greg Chappell, the chairman of the Youth Selection Panel and the national talent manager, said the squad was one that offered plenty of options.”This is an excellent opportunity for these talented players to test themselves against India, the number one Test team in the world,” Chappell said. “It’s a versatile squad, with a number of players capable of contributing with bat and ball. D’Arcy Short and Param Uppal both offer valuable spin bowling, alongside their batting, with Aaron Hardie and Jonathan Merlo both capable middle-order batsmen who offer a seam-bowling option.”Many of the players in this squad have previously played in a Cricket Australia XI during their career, and eight have played Sheffield Shield cricket. We know this is a chance for our emerging players to display their skills against a world-class opponent, and we look forward to seeing what they can do against India.”Cricket Australia XI squad: Sam Whiteman (capt), Max Bryant, Jake Carder, Jackson Coleman, Harry Conway, Daniel Fallins, David Grant, Aaron Hardie, Jonathan Merlo, Harry Nielsen (wk), D’Arcy Short, Param Uppal

Dean Elgar says opening the batting in South Africa is the toughest job in Test cricket but that is also what makes it the most satisfying

Liam Brickhill28-Dec-2018Given arguably the hardest job in Test cricket – that of opener in South African conditions – Dean Elgar has forged a reputation as a batsman of extremely durable disposition. His fifty against a bristling Pakistan seam attack – albeit missing Mohammad Abbas’ wiles – on a variegated, helpful Centurion track was vital in setting up South Africa’s 1-0 series lead, but Elgar admitted that despite a target of 149, the chase “could have gone either way”.”Fortune was on our side,” he said after a 119-run stand with Hashim Amla that had to endure several moments of alarm. “We mentioned it yesterday, while we were fielding, that we need so much luck in this game actually. The wicket has obviously had a lot of favour for the bowlers, and as a batting unit you just needed something to go your way.Elgar was the recipient of the most opinion-splitting call of the game when he edged Shaheeh Afridi low to Azhar Ali’s right at first slip, only for the on-field umpire’s soft signal of ‘out’ to be overturned by TV umpire Joel Wilson when replays appeared to show the ball in contact with the ground. Or not, depending on your point of view.”You don’t see a lot when you turn around,” he said. “At first glance, you go on the [fielders’] reaction. The umpires obviously have the final say. Well, the third umpire did. It’s out of my hands. I don’t make any decisions. You’ve got to trust the people in power to make the right calls. And you need a bit of luck to go your way. Thankfully it went our way, and now we’re sitting here at 1-0 going to Cape Town.”Elgar eventually found his groove and even added a little adventure to his knock with a loft straight back over the bowler Hasan Ali’s head to move through the 40s. But it was never easy.”They need to triple my salary, and Aiden’s as well, because it’s hard work in South Africa.” he joked “It’s definitely the toughest place in the world to bat, I can vouch for that now. But that’s what makes the job so satisfying once you get through the tough times. You look back at those tough times and you really enjoy them. The beer tastes a lot better, I can tell you that. It’s very rewarding when you get through those tough times.”Faf du Plessis tosses the ball•Associated Press

As well as being tested outside off stump, Elgar was struck several times on the arm and body as he fended at rising deliveries from Pakistan’s quicks. After he was dismissed, he watched the proceedings with an ice-pack on his arm – though he may have swapped that for a cold drink once the game was won.”I might have an armguard for the next game. We’ll just have to see what the wicket’s going to play like. But it’s ok. I’ve been hit there many a time in my career, and it’s never pleasant. I know the guys in the changeroom appreciate the work I do, and that makes it heal a little easier. And it’s always nice to ice it with a nice cold beer knowing that we’ve won the game.”Elgar’s sentiments were echoed by captain Faf du Plessis, who argued that seam-friendly wickets ultimately suit a South African team richly blessed with fast bowlers. “We understand that home conditions are not perfect for batting,” he said. “The wickets that we want to play on are wickets that assist our seam bowling attack. We’ve got the best bowling attack, statistically, in the world, so it would be stupid not to try and make use of that. If that makes life tough for us as batters, and it’s a little harder to score runs, as long as we’re winning games I’ll definitely smile at the end of it.””I think I make it look a lot tougher,” Elgar added. “I think I give the bowlers a lot of false hope, and they’re like ‘I’m in here with Elgar, I can get him out’. Obviously I proved them wrong. But it was tough. Pakistan have really brought some very good seamers. It was hard work. It was right up there as another tough but satisfying and successful day for us. But yeah, it could be a lot easier for us if we go with better batting wickets, which I doubt is going to happen.”Despite his bruises, Elgar also managed a smile during a light-hearted post-match press conference. He has ended the year rather similar to the way he started it against India in January, when he carried his bat on a very testing track at the Wanderers. Elgar suggested that surviving that experience helped him here, but insisted “they’re all tough”, and that the final result made all the difference to him.”Either way, they’re all tough,” he said. “I’d rather bat on this wicket because we won, and that wicket at Wanderers we lost. Different scenarios, but all mightily challenging. But there’s always a rainbow somewhere. The Wanderers experience has potentially helped me through this one.”