Two all-time finishes as India, West Indies go 1-0 up
Audiences around the world were treated to two gripping Test matches last week, with plenty of drama coming from both England vs India and West Indies vs Pakistan. After breaking the record for youngest West Indian to take a Test five-wicket haul, teenager Jayden Seales was there at the end as he and veteran Kemar Roach put on 26 for the last wicket to get them over the line.
Pakistan were mostly brilliant in the field, in particular Imran Butt in the slips and Mohammad Rizwan with the gloves, but a dropped catch from Hasan Ali that would have dismissed match-winner Roach proved the difference. The match was mostly dominated by the pace-bowlers, and they will all be priming for the next chance to test out their opposing batsman in the next Test, which begins tonight.
Meanwhile at Lords, some questionable tactics from England and sizzling bowling from India saw the match turn dramatically on Day 5. An 89 run partnership between Indian tailenders Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah turned the game before they bowled England out for 120 to record an emphatic 151-run win.
India now lead 1-0, and with the injuries to England’s pace attack will be confident they can extend their lead in the next match. James Anderson’s first innings five wicket haul gave another exhibition of his brilliance, while KL Rahul’s 129 will live on forever as he etched himself onto the Honours Board. England’s batsmen still have plenty to think about, their capitulation to 120 on Day 5 giving a reminder of their own uncertainty and an exhibition of India’s prowess with the ball.
T20 World Cup Fixtures released, Australia and New Zealand name Squads
The ICC Men’s World T20 fixture has been released, with the tournament now less than two months away. Here is an explainer on how the tournament will work, and here are the squads that have been named so far. Previews for each group will be released in the weeks to come.
Malan in, Sibley, Crawley out as England look to bounce back
Top-order batsman Dawid Malan has been called into England’s Test squad following their loss to India in the second Test. Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley have been dropped and will rejoin their County sides to try and regain some much needed form. It is expected that Malan, who has 15 Test caps to his name but has not played in the format since 2018, will bat at number three, pushing Haseeb Hameed up to the top of the order, where he will partner incumbent opener Rory Burns. A shoulder injury to fast bowler Mark Wood means he is unlikely to feature in the next Test, meaning that Saqib Mahmood is in line for a potential debut. Craig Overton is also in line for a recall, with the injuries to Wood, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Jofra Archer and others causing England to use some of their fringe fast bowlers. India are expected to go in unchanged for the match, which begins next Wednesday at Headingley.
Ireland name squads for ODI, T20 series against Zimbabwe
Ireland have named their ODI and T20 squads as they prepare to host Zimbabwe, with the series beginning at the end of the month. Ireland have chosen to retain all but one of the players that were selected in their previous ODI series against South Africa, which they drew 1-1. That win was their first ever against the South Africans, and they will be hoping that this form can roll forward against Zimbabwe, who lost their last ODI series 3-0 at home against Bangladesh.
Andrew Balbirnie will lead the side in both formats, with veteran batsman William Porterfield recovering from a recent finger injury to boost their ODI squad. The teams will play 5 T20is and 3 ODIs, with the first match scheduled to be played on August 27.
Ireland T20I Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O’Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young.
Ireland ODI Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.
Russ Haylock Sportswriting 