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Three days after a brilliant spell of bowling nearly shocked England in Malahide, Tim Murtagh delivered with the bat to serve a big blow to Scotland’s chances of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup.

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Sep-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsTim Murtagh’s late hitting stole the match for Ireland•Getty Images

Three days after a brilliant spell of bowling nearly shocked England in Malahide, Tim Murtagh delivered with the bat to serve a big blow to Scotland’s chances of qualifying for the 2015 World Cup.Murtagh slugged a six and a four when nine were needed from three balls to squeeze Ireland home for a one-wicket victory in Belfast. The defeat means Scotland cannot now finish in the top two of the World Cricket League Championship and must now wait for the qualifying tournament for the chance to book a place in Australia and New Zealand.Having made 269 for 7 against England earlier in the week, Ireland were fancied to chase 224 but their middle order stumbled badly after a bright start. Murtagh arrived at the wicket with 15 needed from nine balls but he and George Dockrell could only manage singles from the next six deliveries.But with boundaries required, Murtagh found his touch and blasted left-arm seamer Rob Taylor over long-off for six to leave three needed in two balls. He put the next delivery through point to seal victory.Ireland had been in big trouble. William Porterfield continued his excellent form with a half-century and added 95 for the first wicket with Paul Stirling to put the pursuit on course. But they then coughed up four wickets for 17 runs in six overs as Majid Haq’s offspin picked up three wickets.Finally Trent Johnston and Max Sorensen settled things and got the chase moving again with six boundaries between them but Johnston fell with 44 still remaining. Sorensen and Murtagh managed to bring the requirement down to 17 from the final two overs but Sorensen fell trying to swing Machan out of the ground. The requirement looked beyond Ireland until Murtagh’s late hitting.It was a bitter disappointment for Scotland who had looked on course to take the first game in the two-match series, which will be followed by a four-day Intercontinental Cup game. Preston Mommsen’s unbeaten 91 gave them a solid total.He was by far the standout performance of the Scotland innings. His 122-ball stay included 10 fours and held the innings together. The next highest score was 27 as they failed to find significant partnerships. Matt Machan made that second-top score from only 25 balls but more was asked of him in the absence of Kyle Coezter.George Dockrell tore through the middle order, finishing with 4 for 24 as Scotland were kept well within range. But Safyaan Sharif’s late burst of 26 in 25 balls bumped Scotland up to a competitive total.

Paul Collingwood, the former England batsman, will begin his coaching education by taking up a post with Scotland over the winter

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Oct-2013Paul Collingwood, the former England batsman, will begin his coaching education by taking up a post with Scotland over the winter.Collingwood recently led Durham to the Championship title and still has one year left on his contract but, rather than pursue T20 deals or media work in the off season, he will lend the experience of more than 200 limited-overs internationals to Scotland’s attempts to qualify for the World Twenty20 and World Cup.In addition to 68 Tests, Collingwood is England’s most-capped player in ODIs, with 197 appearances, and he also captained England to victory at the 2010 World T20. He could provide a valuable resource as the Associate nation tries to reach a global ICC tournament for the first time since 2009.The qualifier for the 2014 World T20 takes place in the UAE in November, with the qualifier for the 2015 World Cup following in New Zealand in January. Collingwood will play a full part in both the preparation and competition phases of both tournaments, working alongside Scotland’s head coach, Peter Steindl, and fielding coach/performance analyst Toby Bailey.In addition to Collingwood, Craig Wright, the current Under-19s coach and former Scotland captain, will join in the role of bowling coach.”Leading into two vital qualifying events, I was very keen to change things up a bit, add a couple of new voices to the coaching team and bring in coaches who had attained success at the very highest levels of the game,” Steindl said.”Paul has been part of successful teams as a player and a captain and it will be great to have his experience and knowledge on board. We identified Paul as a person we were very keen to secure and I am delighted he agreed to join us for the winter. I am sure he will be a hugely positive influence on the squad as we head into some really important cricket.”Collingwood, who has also played limited-overs cricket for teams in India, Australia and South Africa, added: ”I am very excited at the prospect of working with the Scotland squad over the coming months and look forward to helping the team qualify for both the World T20 and the 2015 World Cup.”Keith Oliver, chairman of Cricket Scotland said: ”Following discussions with Paul, we are convinced he will add real value to the coaching team and the playing squad. As a vastly experienced player and World Cup-winning captain , he will bring skills which will complement the existing team of coaches as we seek to qualify for two World Cups.”The Scotland team will leave for Sri Lanka on October 27 for a training camp before the World T20 qualifier starts, before arriving in Dubai on November 9. Scotland play two warm-up matches, against USA and Namibia before their first Group B game against Bermuda on November 15.

Middlesex have signed a short-term deal with the South African pace bowler Kyle Abbott

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2015Middlesex have signed a short-term deal with the South African pace bowler Kyle Abbott. He will join the club at the end of May, to feature in Middlesex’s 2015 NatWest T20 Blast campaign subject to formal Cricket South Africa clearance.Abbott, 27, who is playing for Chennai Super Kings at the IPL, will team up with Middlesex in time for the club’s opening Lord’s encounter against Kent Spitfires on May 28. He will be available for selection for seven of Middlesex’s NatWest T20 Blast matches this season, before joining up with South Africa at the end of June for their tour to Bangladesh.Abbott helped Hampshire to T20 finals day last season. Middlesex see an aggressive bowler with a knowledge of English conditions with him and an exceptional T20 economy rate of 7.43.Middlesex’s Managing Director of Cricket, Angus Fraser, was delighted by the end of the county’s long search. “During the winter the cricket department identified that our priority for a second T20 Blast player was a high quality fast bowler, and we believe in Kyle we have signed someone who will significantly strengthen our T20 side,” he said.”Kyle continues to highlight what a top bowler he is. He was exceptional during the recent World Cup, where he took nine wickets in four games at an average of 14 and conceded just over four runs per over. In a high-scoring tournament these were outstanding figures.”Everybody at Middlesex is looking forward to working with Kyle and I am sure he will enjoy playing in front of big crowds at Lord’s. It is unfortunate we cannot have him for the entire tournament but we are not the only county to have these issues. With this in mind we are already speaking to people about Kyle’s replacement for the final six group T20 Blast matches.”

Chris Gayle’s remarkable century on his home debut for Somerset was all in vain as Kent won by three runs in an extraordinary NatWest T20 Blast match at the County Ground.

ECB/PA31-May-2015
ScorecardAs seen in the IPL: Chris Gayle followed his 92 against Essex with something even more spectacular at Taunton, but in a losing cause•BCCI

Chris Gayle’s remarkable century on his home debut for Somerset was all in vain as Kent won by three runs in an extraordinary NatWest T20 Blast match at the County Ground.He struck 10 fours and 15 sixes in an unbeaten 151 off 62 balls. However, despite an innings that should have been good enough to win any game, Gayle finished on the losing side.The last over started with 17 needed, but Gayle did not have the strike; it took two balls to get it back as Sohail Tanvir was dismissed then Jamie Overton scampered a single. That left 17 off four – not impossible by Gayle standards – and it came down to 10 off two when Mitchell Claydon, who amid the carnage produced an outstanding four overs, found a priceless dot ball which meant the final-ball six, Gayle’s 15th, did not change the outcome.For the first half of the game it looked likely to be another name would be taking the headlines as Sam Northeast made a career-best 114 off 58 balls.Matthew Maynard, the Somerset coach, said: “I thought Sam Northeast played a sensational innings, but then the World boss came in and it’s different gravy. However, good Sam’s innings was it just pales a little bit. But that’s what Chris can do.”We saw him in Essex the other day and today was an even more incredible performance. Words can’t explain exactly what we have seen today. He makes it looks so easy and strikes the ball so cleanly. His knock almost brought off an incredible win today, but it just wasn’t to be.”Batting first, Kent lost Joe Denly in the second over, run out by Max Waller with the score on 10 for 1. After that, Northeast and Daniel Bell-Drummond put on a wonderful exhibition of batting.Bell-Drummond, who was dropped on 37, by Overton off Max Waller, reached his 50 in the 10th over but was snapped up by Lewis Gregory, off Waller, off the very next ball.Northeast continued to make hay as Somerset bowled too short and wide. He struck 14 fours and two sixes before passing three figures in the 18th over. Having led the home attack a merry-dance for the best part of 17 overs, he was one of four batsmen out in the final over as Kent finished on 227 for 7.Enter Gayle, who made 92 on his first appearance against Essex, and a few other batsmen who largely stood at the other end. The West Indian opener saw Marcus Trescothick hole out to cover off Matt Coles the first ball of the fourth over before watching Peter Trego play on, two balls later. At 22 for 2, Somerset appeared to be staring down the barrel of an inevitable defeat.Gayle, however, had slightly different ideas and when the Jamaican struck three giant sixes in eight balls, the host county were on their way.James Hildreth, whose form in four-day cricket has been exemplary so far this summer, refused to remain in the shadow of Gayle and played his part in a partnership of 113 in nine overs. However, the locals had come to the County Ground to see Gayle and they left with plenty over which to enthuse.The left hander struck five fours and four sixes in reaching 50 off 29 balls and continued to make light of a Kent attack that simply had no answer. He put three balls into the River Tone and as many into the St James’ churchyard.Hildreth departed in the 13th over, for 29, with Somerset still needing 93 to win and Jim Allenby followed off the second ball of the 16th over with 63 still required. However, Gayle went through three figures off just 45 balls and kept Somerset in with a chance until the penultimate ball. It was the sixth highest individual score in the history of Twenty20 cricket.Northeast, while delighted with victory, was left in awe. “I don’t know where to start. It was an incredible game and Chris’ innings was one of the best things I have ever seen. But special credit has to go to our bowlers who stuck to their plan and kept believing.”We were trying to get the other batters on strike, but you miss your length against him and it goes out of the park. When the opposition needs 15 an over, you kind of think it’s game over. But when Chris is out there and it went up to 20 needed off each over, you still know that he can do it. He is an incredible player.”

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke has emphatically denied ever instructing David Warner to sledge opponents, and stated that the coach Darren Lehmann has never done so either

Daniel Brettig21-Jun-20151:45

‘We respect there’s a line you can’t cross’ – Clarke

Australia’s captain Michael Clarke has emphatically denied ever instructing David Warner to sledge opponents, and stated that the coach Darren Lehmann has never done so either.Clarke was responding to Warner’s words in an interview with ESPNcricinfo on the recent Australian tour of the Caribbean, where Warner indicated a desire to pull back from being the central on-field “instigator” of confrontations with opposing players. Much of Australia’s recent success has been attributed to using a snarling, unsociable style to unsettle their competitors.Warner had said that “in the past I’ve been someone who’s been told to go out there and do this and do that”, but Clarke wanted to make it clear he had never instructed players to sledge. Instead, he said he advocated a team environment where players were free to choose their own path, whether it be loud or quiet.”That was the last article I’ve read actually. I probably won’t read too much while I’m in the UK. It was quite an interesting read to be honest,” Clarke said at the official opening press conference of Australia’s Ashes tour. “I didn’t hear what Davey said, but as captain of Davey I can guarantee I have certainly never asked him to go and sledge somebody, and I think I can speak for the coach as well, that he certainly has never done that.”The environment I try to create around this group is I want players to try to play the way they feel they play their best cricket. So for me, being sledged or sledging somebody else has never really impacted me. It’s never really affected me if I’ve copped it and it’s never really helped me if I’ve opened my big mouth. If that’s how I play my best cricket that’s what I want to do, if someone like Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden or Steve Waugh feel they get benefit out of talking to a batter when they’re fielding, or Warney when he’s bowling, that’s for them as well.”Warner’s intention to change his methods on the field and off it was made plain in the West Indies, and by the end of the tour he had gotten around to talking with team-mates about it also. Clarke said that if Warner wanted to change his approach as his best chance of maintaining the blistering form of the past two years, the captain would be fully supporting of his opening batsman.”Davey’s his own man, he’s a 28-year-old grown man, he’ll make his own choices – I want to see him perform as good as he possibly can,” Clarke said. “He’s a big part of this team, he’s in tremendous form, he’s batted beautifully in all formats of the game over the last 12 months, and we need him to be successful here. If he feels like he has said a lot through his career and he wants to say less, if that helps his game, I’m all for it.”Speaking more generally about the spirit in which he expected the Ashes series to be played, Clarke admitted both sides would probably “head-butt” the line of appropriate behaviour, but would do their best not to cross it outright. “I think that’s how we play our best,” he said. “I think it’s a big part of the Australian way, but I think you also need to keep in mind there’s a line and not overstep that.”As captain I’ll make sure I lead the way on that front and I’m sure the boys will certainly follow. I probably say this every series but we respect there’s a line you can’t cross. Both teams might head-butt that line, but I’m confident we won’t overstep the mark.”In a day-long training session at the Merchant Taylors’ School north of London, the sight of Chris Rogers striking the ball crisply after recovering from the concussion that kept him out of the West Indies series was a significant positive for the tourists. Rogers regained much of his old poise with a fluent 70 in an invitational match on the Isle of Wight, alongside Ryan Harris, Mitchell Marsh and Peter Nevill.”I think mentally as much as anything, for him to have the confidence to walk back out on that field and play with freedom,” Clarke said of Rogers. “I watched him bat today, he looked really good. Chris is a really experienced player, he’s had a lot of success in the UK and he’s going to play a big part throughout this series.”

A short-pitched barrage from an energised Netherlands bowling attack ran through Ireland’s struggling batting unit to dismiss them for 128, to set up a five-wicket win in Malahide

The Report by Peter Della Penna in Malahide25-Jul-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details3:28

‘Hitting the deck worked for us’ – Bukhari

A short-pitched barrage from an energised Netherlands bowling attack ran through Ireland’s struggling batting unit to dismiss them for 128, to set up a five-wicket win in Malahide. Mudassar Bukhari laid the foundation by removing the openers before coming back for two more wickets to finish with a career-best 4 for 28 which put Netherlands in the final, against Scotland, for the first time since 2008 when the tournament was also held in Ireland.The loss keeps Ireland out of the final for the first time in the tournament’s history. They split the 2008 title with Netherlands and were runners-up to Afghanistan in 2010 before back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Instead, Ireland now heads to the third-place match on Sunday against Hong Kong.Netherlands captain Peter Borren sent Ireland in and had them under pressure early. William Porterfield’s wicket was a harbinger of things to come as he skied an attempted pull off Bukhari for 4. Two overs later, Paul Stirling drove a full delivery from Bukhari straight to mid-on for 18, to make it 26 for 2 in the fifth over.Andy Balbirnie and Gary Wilson, promoted up to No. 4 ahead of Kevin O’Brien, added 44 for the third wicket, playing with relative freedom against the spin duo of Roelof van der Merwe and Pieter Seelaar. It took the intervention of Paul van Meekeren, recalled for his third game of the tournament in place of Michael Rippon, to break the stand and his 2 for 14 played a vital supporting role to Bukhari.Seeing Balbirnie walk down the pitch, van Meekeren dragged back the length and a pull was top-edged to wicketkeeper Wesley Barresi for a run-a-ball 31. Wilson was the only batsman to fall to spin on the day, going three overs later after walking through a flick against van der Merwe to have his stumps knocked back.Ireland still held reasonable hopes of getting past 140 with Kevin O’Brien at the crease. The allrounder smashed Seelaar out of the attack with back-to-back sixes in the 16th over, but six balls later he was hurried by van Meekeren trying to hook and was caught at long leg for 33. Netherlands made it two in two when John Mooney’s attempted glide off Timm van der Gugten went to short third man to start the 18th over on 112 for 6. It sparked a slide for the final six wickets for just 16 runs.Stuart Poynter fell in identical fashion to O’Brien, to give Bukhari his third wicket before Stuart Thompson smashed one to deep midwicket only three balls later.George Dockrell was dropped at the start of the last over bowled by van der Gugten as van der Merwe parried a chance for six at the midwicket boundary. But the short-ball strategy was successful later in the over as Dockrell skied a catch to Borren at mid-on. Alex Cusack was run out with one ball to go in the innings after a miscommunication with Craig Young, to round out the innings.Netherlands’ reply was shaky early on with Stephan Myburgh chopping Young onto his stumps in the second over before Barresi was dropped by Young at short fine leg, and then caught at mid-off on the following delivery to end the third over at 16 for 2. But Ben Cooper and Swart wrested back control for Netherlands with a 57-run stand in 8.1 overs.Ireland’s efforts to restrict Netherlands were hampered without Stirling, who aggravated a calf strain and was unable to field or bowl. Cooper and Swart milked singles in the middle overs where Stirling had been effective in tying down Namibia and Jersey during the group stage. Mooney’s Midas touch with the ball also went missing at a key time. The allrounder went wicketless for the first time in the tournament after entering the contest tied for the overall lead with 14 scalps.O’Brien continued his solid tournament with the ball by getting Swart to drive to long-on for 21 before Cooper lofted a full toss to Dockrell at the point boundary for 43, to make it 84 for 4 in the 14th over.Ireland may still have had hopes of an improbable turnaround at the start of the 17th over with the visitors needing 31 from 24, but Max O’Dowd and Borren stole 16 off Dockrell’s over. O’Dowd drove a six down the ground off the second ball before Borren finished the over with back-to-back sweeps over fine leg to bring the required rate under a run a ball.O’Brien got O’Dowd for his third wicket in the 18th over, caught for 17 with Dockrell running in from deep midwicket, but Netherlands’ victory was inevitable by that stage and Borren saw his team home clipping for his fourth four, through fine leg off Mooney to seal the win with 11 balls to spare.

The IPL governing council has finalised two options to decide on the future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – either invite bids for the two teams for two years or float fresh tenders for them for ten years

Amol Karhadkar27-Aug-2015The IPL governing council has finalised two options to decide on the future of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals – either invite bids for the two teams for two years or float fresh tenders for them for ten years and start preparing for a ten-team IPL from 2018. The two options are set to be presented to the BCCI working committee in Kolkata on Friday.The options were finalised on Thursday evening after the governing council dissected findings of the five-member working group appointed in the aftermath of the Lodha Committee suspending the owners of the two franchises for two years.With no new investor likely to invest in a brand like IPL for a term as short as two years, the working committee is likely to initiate the process of inducting two new teams on a long-term basis. However, with Super Kings’ plea against two-year suspension to be heard in the Madras High Court on September 23, it is unlikely that the tender documents will be floated before the next month’s BCCI annual general meeting.ESPNcricinfo understands the hour-long governing council meeting dissected various options presented by the working group. One of the options was of involving multi-national corporates to independently run the two teams for two years. But the IPL governing council, according to a member, found it “impractical, financially as well as legally.”After seeking legal advice, the meeting concluded that inviting fresh bids was the best possible option considering the peculiar state IPL finds itself in following the two-year suspension handed to the owners of the two teams.If the working committee decides on floating a 10-year tender, the governing council members were confident that there would be enough time to decide on their base price and the available cities that can be bid for as the additional franchises. Besides, with all stakeholders knowing about the expected expansion two years in advance, there would be enough time to plan for a ten-team IPL from 2018.The five-member working group was formed on July 20. It includes IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, BCCI treasurer Anirudh Chaudhry, former India captain and Cricket Association of Bengal joint secretary Sourav Ganguly and BCCI’s legal advisor Ushanath Banerjee.

Sikandar Raza produced a fine knock under pressure to guide Zimbabwe to a 1-0 series lead against Ireland in Harare

The Report by Liam Brickhill in Harare09-Oct-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:04

Raza, Ervine deny Ireland

It was expected that Ireland’s series in Zimbabwe would be a close one, and the first one-day international produced a thrilling finish as the hosts squeaked home by two wickets with just an over to spare. Zimbabwe’s pursuit of Ireland’s 219 for 8 was defined by a pair of half centuries from Craig Ervine and Sikandar Raza, but on a slow pitch that played ever slower as the afternoon wore on, it was Raza’s busy 60 that took Zimbabwe home.Just as Ireland had come unstuck against Zimbabwe’s spinners earlier in the day, so did the hosts as they stumbled in the middle of their chase, but Raza found just enough help from the tailenders to get the hosts over the line. He marshalled the second half of Zimbabwe’s chase, having arrived at the crease in the 27th over after Elton Chigumbura’s dismissal.At the time, Ireland’s spinners – and George Dockrell in particular – were keeping the Zimbabwe batsmen in check and the pressure quickly started to build. Ervine, who returned to the side after missing the ODI series against Pakistan with a hamstring strain, had helped to lay a platform with a characteristically languid knock. With Raza at the other end, he brought up a 65-ball fifty in the 28th over but was then caught behind off the bowling of offspinner Andrew McBrine as Ireland found another opening.A nervous innings from Malcolm Waller was ended when he picked out Stuart Thompson in the deep and when Luke Jongwe was run-out, Zimbabwe still needed 48 from the final ten overs with just three wickets in hand. Raza had only the tail for company, but he found a surprisingly able partner in debutant Wellington Masakadza. Together they pinched singles through the smallest of gaps, pushing for every run, and Raza kept Zimbabwe just in front with the odd boundary, bringing up his own fifty in the 46th over.With the match drawing to a nail-biting finish, the pair pushed for one run too many and Masakadza was run out for 10 to bring Tinashe Panyangara to the wicket. Zimbabwe needed 11 from the last three overs, and importantly Ireland had ran out of spin options. When the equation came down to single figures in the penultimate over, Ireland captain William Porterfield brought the field in with Panyangara on strike. The burly quick responded in brave fashion, stepping down the track to club Tim Murtagh down the ground, ending the match and sparking fevered celebrations from the modest crowd that had gathered to watch it.Though Raza’s knock sealed the result, the character of this game was decided by the spinners on both sides. Zimbabwe’s combination of John Nyumbu, Sean Williams and Masakadza took a combined 5 for 125 in 29 overs, while Dockrell was a handful in the afternoon and Ireland’s slow bowlers kept Zimbabwe to 117 for 4 in 30 overs.Ireland had relied upon a pair of fifties of their own to reach what proved to be a very challenging total in the conditions. Ed Joyce, accumulating busily, helped to keep the score ticking over after three early wickets had pegged back Ireland’s rollicking start against the new ball and he was soon joined at the crease by wicketkeeper Gary Wilson.Both men have the technique and temperament for these conditions, and they added 83 for the fourth wicket in 18.3 overs. Joyce perished for 53, slicing Nyumbu to Chigumbura in the covers, and Ireland then slipped to 176 for 8 in the 46th over as the lower order perished in the pursuit of quick runs.But Wilson remained, and with an adventurous Andrew McBrine he boosted the score with 28 runs in the last two overs. Wilson finished unbeaten on 70 at the close, but all his hard work in the stifling mid-day heat wasn’t quite enough to set up an Ireland win.

Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said that his team’s mentality has improved considerably over the last 12 months, especially since the start of last year’s series against Zimbabwe

Mohammad Isam04-Nov-2015Bangladesh coach Chandika Hathurusingha has said that his team’s mentality has improved considerably over the last 12 months, especially since the start of last year’s series against Zimbabwe. The home side was having a horrible 2014 until they beat Zimbabwe 3-0 and 5-0 in Tests and ODIs respectively, and have been a completely different side in 2015.”The mindset is the main difference from last time,” Hathurusingha said. “We were not sure of our ceiling. Now they have started to believe and they have proved themselves. Mindset is a huge thing in this game. We can see that it is different, in our performance.”Hathurusingha welcomed the approach of Shakib Al Hasan who said a couple of days ago that now they have to dominate Zimbabwe having thrashed them the last time. Bangladesh are currently 8-6 ahead in terms of ODI series wins over Zimbabwe.”It is a good mindset to have as a player, that is his confidence,” Hathurusingha said. “We played dominating cricket against ever team in the last three series. We beat them by seven or eight wickets or 80-odd runs. I think it is the way we play. If we play to our gameplan, we can beat any team with a big margin.”Hathurusingha also said that competition for places in the side has added to the new attitude of the players constantly pushing themselves. There have not been many times in Bangladesh’s cricket history that the senior team had players knocking on the doors for almost every position. A case in point is the inclusion of Al-Amin Hossain, a pace bowler who went through the grind of international cricket in 2014, and Kamrul Islam Rabbi, who has been tipped to be in the Bangladesh team for a while now, in place of the injured Taskin Ahmed and Rubel Hossain, both having been playing regularly for Bangladesh.Not many half-cooked players now get called up to the Bangladesh team. Hathurusingha expressed that it would now be dangerous for any player to take his place for granted.”Having an internal competition is a good thing. Players know they have to perform,” he said. “Sportsmen are driven by challenges. The guys coming in are capable of doing a job. We are in a good situation in that regard.”There’s no meter to see complacency and there’s no complacency in our team. They are playing for the national team. No one is taking things for granted. There’s a lot of competition for the places. Whoever is taking things lightly, it will be a very dangerous situation.”Bangladesh’s recent dependency on pace is also likely to give Hathurusingha and the rest of the team management some food for thought. Traditionally spin has been the main difference between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.But the emergence of Mustafizur Rahman and Taskin Ahmed, under Mashrafe Mortaza, means that the home side could choose either pace or spin to attack the visitors. Hathurusingha said that in most cases, Bangladesh would try to attack the opposition’s weakness.”We have been playing both ways according to the opposition’s limitation, I think we are equipped with both spin and pace,” he said. “We have enough spin to cause trouble for any opposition.”Don’t expect Mustafizur to come up every time we get someone, because he is unique. I am not putting any pressure on Rabbi. He is in the team on merit. He has been doing well in domestic cricket. He can do same thing if he is playing.”Hathurusingha brushed aside any concern regarding the form of Soumya Sarkar and Liton Das, who made 99 and 78 runs respectively in five innings for Bangladesh A in South Africa recently. Although Liton got two fifties for Bangladesh A in India in September, he still has only a single Test fifty so far. Soumya on the other hand was prolific against South Africa in July this year but has had his form taper off since then.”I don’t have any concern [about them]. Both of them are world-class players,” Hathurusingha said. “You have seen them performing at home really well. There’s no reason they can’t do it again. We are trying to give them as much opportunity and experience in different conditions. That’s why we sent them on A tours. They are young players with enough potential.”Form plays a part in a player’s mind, especially batters. When you come with a good score they have freedom. We always focus on the first 20 balls in any game. If you get into the game, they are equipped to play very well in international cricket. They know their roles better in the national team.”

A round-up of the Ranji Trophy Group C matches on November 2, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2015
ScorecardFile photo – Rishi Dhawan ended with second-innings figures of 2 for 59•Shailesh Bhatnagar

Tripura’s last-wicket pair of Nirupam Sen Chowdhary and Abhijit Sarkar held off Himachal Pradesh for nearly 20 overs, but could not prevent an innings defeat in Dharamsala. Tripura, who started at 88 for 3 following on, continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Udiyan Bose (60) the only top-order batsman to produce a score of note. Ankush Bedi and Akash Vasisht picked up three wickets apiece to reduce Tripura to 175 for 9, but had to wait for more than an hour for the last wicket, as Chowdhary and Sarkar strung together a 95-run partnership. Chowdhary remained unbeaten on 66, with 10 fours and a six, while Sarkar was finally run out for 48, with nine fours and a six. Paras Dogra was named the Man of the Match for his double-century in the first innings.
ScorecardRavindra Jadeja’s 57, along with half-centuries from Mohsin Ahmedbhai Dodia and Arpit Vasavada, helped Saurashtra chase down a target of 302 with four wickets to spare against Services in Palam. The win is Saurashtra’s fourth in a row and puts them on top of the Group C table. Services, who had built a lead of 301 on the third day, declared overnight. Saurashtra lost opener Avi Barot early but a 71-run partnership between Dodia and Sagar Jogiyani steadied them. Services fought back with three quick wickets but the 101-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Jadeja and Vasavada lifted Saurashtra closer to victory. Muzzaffaruddin Khalid, who picked up a five-for in Saurashtra’s first innings, managed to dismiss both batsmen within 11 runs of each other, before a 54-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Chirag Jani and Kamlesh Makvana guided Saurashtra home.
ScorecardGoa dismissed Jharkhand for 209 to claim three first-innings points on the final day of a rain-affected match in Jamshedpur. Goa declared their second innings at 102 for 5 and set Jharkhand a target of 196 late on the final day, but the hosts held out for a draw. Jharkhand, who had resumed on 159 for 4, lost their last six wickets for 50 runs, with left-arm spinner Shadab Jakati (5 for 72) and offspinner Amit Yadav (3 for 59) doing most of the damage. Yadav was among the wickets once again during Jharkhand’s chase, when the batting side slid from 49 for 1 to 62 for 5 before stumps were called.
ScorecardHalf-centuries from Hanuma Vihari, K Sumanth, Danny Dereck Prince and B Anirudh helped Hyderabad amass 329 after they were asked to follow-on on the third day. Set a target of 150, Jammu & Kashmir drew the match, ending the day at 56 for 2 in Uppal. The visitors had already taken first-innings points after they bowled Hyderabad out for 280 and gained a lead of 180 runs. Hyderabad’s response in their follow-on was better than the first innings, as their middle order responded with half-centuries. For J&K, Ram Dayal was the pick of the bowlers with 5 for 55, while Umar Nazir took 3 for 63.