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The offspinner will be suspended if he’s reported again in the tournament

Nagraj Gollapudi12-Oct-2020Kolkata Knight Riders have expressed “surprise” about their premier offspinner Sunil Narine being reported for suspect action in the match against Kings XI Punjab on October 10. Narine was placed on a “warning list” by the IPL, which said the offspinner would be “suspended” in case he were to be reported again this tournament.According to the Knight Riders, even Narine was surprised at being reported at the halfway stage of the tournament because there were “no concerns” expressed by any match officials in the five previous outings prior to the Kings XI match.”This [Narine being reported for suspect action] came as a surprise to the franchise and Mr. Narine, considering he has played over 115 games in the IPL since 2012 and as many as 68 games since 2015, when he was last reported during the IPL season for a suspect action before being subsequently cleared completely by SRASSC, an ICC accredited facility,” the franchise said in a media statement on Monday. “Furthermore, he was playing his sixth game this season, with no concerns expressed formally or informally by the match officials so far.”The IPL said Narine’s suspect action was reported by the on-field umpires Chris Gaffeney and Ulhas Gandhe. However, the IPL did not specify which type of delivery/deliveries Narine was reported for.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

The franchise has not indicated whether Narine would feature in the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday evening.Narine, the most successful bowler for the Knight Riders in IPL, was one of the two players retained by the franchise in 2018 along with Andre Russell. So far this IPL, while his batting returns have diminished, Narine has been instrumental with the ball, particularly in the death overs.Narine played the winning hand in the two-run victory against Kings XI by defending 14 in the final over.As per IPL rules Narine’s bowling action for the type of delivery/deliveries reported would be reviewed and corrected if necessary. Narine can continue to bowl the type of delivery/deliveries he was pulled up for, but will be suspended if reported again. The Knight Riders, however, remain optimistic about resolving the issue soon.”We are respectful of the process that the IPL has put in place to have his action reviewed, and are working closely with the IPL in this matter. We are hopeful that there would be an appropriate resolution quickly. We appreciate the cooperation being extended by the IPL in expediting this matter.”

It’s a high-stakes match, especially for Sarfaraz Ahmed’s side, as another defeat will significantly diminish their chances of qualifying for the semi-final

The Preview by Danyal Rasool25-Jun-20193:11

Vettori all praise for ‘reliable’ Williamson and Taylor

Big Picture

The action shifts to Birmingham next, with New Zealand and Pakistan facing off in a game of very high stakes. It’s the seventh game for both sides. New Zealand have 11 points, and Pakistan five. That might feel like two ends of a spectrum, but New Zealand aren’t quite in the final four yet, and Pakistan aren’t out of the race either.Few things better illustrate the inexorable march of modernity in cricket and the benefits of embracing it – or the cost of falling behind – as a fixture between New Zealand and Pakistan. Little New Zealand, tucked away in a pretty little corner of the earth, the teacher’s pet; they were to the Spirit of Cricket award what Daniel Day Lewis is to the Oscars. Up against devious and more naturally gifted Pakistan throughout the last quarter of the last century, they would come up short. They did things by the book, understood their limitations, respected the opposition and won admirers. Pakistan managed none of those things, but time and again, they made sure they put it past New Zealand.Points tableBut New Zealand, among the first to embrace the possibilities that attacking, positive cricket held for their natural style of play, have seen the foundations they set turn that tide. Remember the experiment of moving Brendon McCullum to open the batting just before the 2007 World Cup? It resulted in a whitewash of Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy in February that year, still the only time they have pulled off a clean sweep. They made the semi-finals of that World Cup and at least that stage in each edition since. They have won 18 off their last 20 group stage games at World Cups, spanning four competitions. They have beaten Pakistan in 12 of their last 13 ODIs. There was a time when Pakistan were the bullies; now, when New Zealand show up, it’s Pakistan who have to look for a place to hide; they are running out of those too.In the time New Zealand have made these strides, Pakistan have stayed largely motionless, though the current coaching team have made some headway in trying to change that. Fitness is no longer the joke it was before Mickey Arthur and Steve Rixon got together, though it’s worth noting that New Zealand’s yo-yo test is the most challenging, while Pakistan’s ranks among the more forgiving ones. Fielding, an area which had seen standards soar in 2018, has slumped significantly once more; Pakistan have dropped more catches this tournament than any other side, including half a dozen in the game against South Africa.ALSO READ: The World Cup of Mohammad Amir, the nerdFor Pakistan, the old tales still hold sway. After every game, WhatsApp conversations and email threads circulate like digital clutter, cherry-picking numbers to show how spookily similar this World Cup is to the one in 1992 (uncannily so, in case you’re wondering). The ‘unpredictable’ tag still holds romance, as does the idea of squeezing into the semi-finals almost like the breathless dash after the train has left the station, rather than marching into it. Pakistan’s fans have acquired a taste of living in the brink, and this World Cup, they’re getting a full dose of that drug.The win against South Africa might have buoyed both fanbase and players alike; the demands for wholesome institutional and domestic reform have been shelved for one late push, with the belief that the dice is starting to roll in their favour. With games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan to close out the tournament, this remains Pakistan’s obstacle to a proper crack at the most unlikely semi-final berth. It is unlikely, it is low-percentage, it is perhaps even undeserved. Pakistan wouldn’t have it any other way.4:06

Misbah feels Birmingham conditions will suit Pakistan well

Form guide

New Zealand WWWWW (Last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan WLLWL

In the spotlight

It all went according to plan in the first game with a 137-run stand, but since then, New Zealand’s opening pair of Martin Guptill and Colin Munro hasn’t done the job their role demands. Guptill, who was the highest scorer at the 2015 World Cup, has scored 25, 0, 35 and 0 in the four innings that have followed. Against South Africa, the only game he appeared to have rediscovered his mojo, he found a way of swivelling on the crease for a pull shot, and then, like an ice skater who attempted one pirouette too many, lost his balance and trod on his stumps. Munro has been found similarly wanting, with 55 runs in four matches. Kane Williamson’s superlative form and Ross Taylor’s reliability have helped, particularly against West Indies where both openers were dismissed for golden ducks, but runs from the top two is a more sustainable way to a competitive batting score.After one senior player was dropped, probably for good, in Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez may feel the hot breath of Asif Ali on his neck when he next comes out to bat. With Pakistan having found a way of squeezing Imad Wasim into their side, Hafeez’s role as a bowler is somewhat diminished, so it is with the bat that he must continue to make a case for inclusion in the XI. With 175 runs in five innings, he hasn’t exactly been out of form, but the manner of his dismissals, and the frequency with which he throws away starts, can exasperate. Against Australia, he holed out to deep midwicket at a crucial moment in the chase off a knee-high Aaron Finch full toss, while Aiden Markram snared Hafeez in the last game. With Pakistan playing without the power-hitting that Asif can offer and Hafeez occupying the crucial No. 4 slot, the onus is on him to prove it is a responsibility he is the right man for.A semi-final spot looks unlikely for Pakistan; they wouldn’t have it any other way•Getty Images

Team news

New Zealand have not made a single change in the tournament so far, and Kane Williamson said after the thriller against West Indies that they had no plans to rest players. The only question hangs around Matt Henry, who endured a difficult day with the ball in the last game. Tim Southee will be itching for some game time.New Zealand (probable): 1 Colin Munro, 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson
(capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Tom Latham (wk), 6 Colin de Grandhomme, 7 Jimmy Neesham, 8 Mitchell Santner, 9 Matt Henry/Tim Southee, 10 Lockie Ferguson, 11 Trent BoultPakistan have found success with Haris Sohail at No. 5, and appear to have finally found a way of accommodating six genuine batsmen with five proper bowlers. It is unlikely, after their best ODI performance since January, that they will make changes to that combination.Pakistan (probable): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Fakhar Zaman, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Hafeez, 5 Haris Sohail, 6 Sarfaraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Shadab Khan, 9 Mohammad Amir, 10 Wahab Riaz, 11 Shaheen Afridi

Strategy punts

• Pakistan should bring on Shadab Khan when Colin de Grandhomme comes in to bat. He averages 53 against Pakistan, but has scored 0 and 3 in his last two innings against them. Both of those dismissals were effected by Shadab, against whom the allrounder averages a mere 7.
• Target Shaheen Afridi. While Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim have all kept things tight, Afridi’s diminishing form represents an opportunity for New Zealand. In his first ten ODI innings, he took 19 wickets at 19.4 and an economy rate of 4.6. In his last five innings, his average is 46.1 and his economy rate 7.7.

Pitch and conditions

Rain on Tuesday has meant the pitch remained under covers all day, so what it looks like on matchday is a bit of an uncertainty. No precipitation is expected tomorrow, though a significant cloud cover should give swing bowlers an added layer of potency.

Stats and trivia

• New Zealand’s Nos. 3 and 4 – Williamson and Taylor – have amassed a combined 573 runs between them, while their top two have scored just 246.
• Guptill is 58 runs away from becoming the second New Zealander to score 1000 runs in World Cup matches after Stephen Fleming.
• Mohammad Amir has taken two or more wickets in all five matches so far. Never before in his ODI career has he managed multiple wickets in more than three consecutive games.

The expelled USACA had announced plans earlier this month to host men’s and women’s series against a visiting ‘Cricket India’ squad

Peter Della Penna13-Mar-2018The ICC gave a stern rebuke to plans announced by USACA earlier this month to host men’s and women’s tours of a visiting “Cricket India” squad for what the expelled governing body had labeled a pair of T20 bilateral series, stating that neither event is recognized by either the ICC or the BCCI.”Two bilateral series being planned by former ICC Member United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) would constitute unsanctioned events within the ICC’s regulatory framework,” stated an ICC press release. The announcement is noteworthy considering that the ICC has not made similar determinations on events organized by Cricket Council USA and American Cricket Federation, two other governing bodies who had been contesting national-governing-body status prior to USACA’s expulsion.”In accordance with the ICC’s regulations on sanctioning events, no person affiliated to a National Cricket Federation is permitted to participate in any disapproved cricket. This prohibition applies to players, match officials, coaching or management staff affiliated to a National Cricket Federation or any team affiliated to a National Cricket Federation.”The announcement for the men’s matches stated a team would be picked by a selection panel chaired by former USA player and coach Clayton Lambert, who coached USA from 2008 to 2011 until he was dismissed in favour of Robin Singh following USA’s relegation from WCL Division Three. The other members of the USACA selection panel include two men regarded as long-time allies of president Gladstone Dainty, former captain Steve Massiah and former coach Charlie Javed, as well as former USA player John Reid.Javed was also named to the USACA women’s selection panel, headed by Dr Ahsanuddin Ali Khan, along with Shahnaz Rehmani and former USA women’s coach Linden Fraser. The women’s tour is being spearheaded by former USACA president Masood Chik Syed, another long-time ally of Dainty designated as the “USACA director of cricket operations” in the release, while former USACA tournament umpire Babu Venkatachalapathy has been appointed the USACA tournament director for both planned events.The women’s tour had been announced to take place in April and the men’s tour in May, though exact dates were not specified by USACA in either announcement with solicitations made for interested parties to host the matches. Both announcements ostensibly are targeted at drawing players away from the USA Cricket Combines which began earlier this month in North Carolina and run through June at eight regional sites organized by the ICC Americas caretaker administration.

Sreesanth had sought out the BCCI for a no-objection certificate to play league cricket in Scotland, but the board denied him their permission to do so

Arun Venugopal24-Jan-2017India fast bowler Sreesanth had been trying to play league cricket in Scotland this year but the BCCI, which had imposed a life ban on him following his alleged involvement in the IPL spot-fixing scandal of 2013, has refused to give him the necessary permission.Sreesanth had been hoping to play for Glenrothes CC and had asked the BCCI for a no-objection certificate, however a board official confirmed that they had not obliged his request. Sreesanth, though, claimed he has not received any word from the BCCI. “I don’t know… I still haven’t got any letter from BCCI,” he told ESPNcricinfo in a text message and revealed a similar request last year had gone unanswered.In May 2013, Sreesanth and two other Rajasthan Royals bowlers – Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila – were arrested for alleged fulfilling of promises made to bookmakers. All three players were later banned for life by the BCCI.In 2015, Sreesanth was cleared of spot-fixing charges by a Delhi trial court due to insufficient evidence under the MCOCA act, a special law passed by the Maharashtra state government to tackle organised crime syndicates and terrorism.”I will try to start training properly as soon as possible,” Sreesanth had said then. “I wasn’t allowed anything… Hopefully I can get permission from BCCI to use their facilities so that I can get fit and come into the selection process.”But the BCCI’s investigation in 2013, handled by the board’s then anti-corruption unit chief Ravi Sawani, only needed to focus on the conduct of the players and not their alleged connections to organised crime syndicates. The BCCI’s decisions were therefore “independent to any criminal proceeding” and “based on its independent disciplinary action, shall remain unaltered.”Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila were found guilty of match-fixing, seeking or offering a bribe as a reward for match-fixing, underperforming for a reward, ensuring the occurrence of an event during a match, knowing it is the subject of a bet, receiving payment or gift for the possibility of bringing cricket into disrepute, failing to report an approach by bookmakers to fix a match to the BCCI anti-corruption unit.

Leicestershire have been granted planning permission to install floodlights at Grace Road, a development that has been viewed as vital to the club’s survival

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2016Leicestershire have been granted planning permission to install floodlights at Grace Road, a development that has been viewed as vital to the club’s survival.Floodlit evening T20 matches have become increasingly important to driving gate revenue in the domestic game and Wasim Khan, Leicestershire’s chief executive, said the decision would help the club “retain and grow our audiences”. Khan had previously addressed residents’ concerns about light pollution by warning that, without floodlights, “we might not be here in five years’ time”.The path has now been cleared, with Leicester City Council unanimously approving the proposals. Leicestershire will begin work immediately and hope to have the floodlights in place in time for their opening NatWest Blast game in May.”It is fantastic news for Leicestershire County Cricket Club that planning permission was granted at the meeting,” Khan said. “Floodlights are an important aspect of supporting our sustainability strategy and we look forward to improving the match-day experience for our supporters.”We saw an average 48% increase in attendances at Grace Road for NatWest T20 Blast matches in 2015. The installation of floodlights will help us to both retain and grow our audiences. We can start our NatWest T20 Blast games later in the evening which will give more people the opportunity to attend after work.”Leicestershire are currently one of four counties without permanent floodlights. Gloucestershire have been granted planning permission, while Somerset are expected to draw up plans as part of their ground redevelopment, which would leave Worcestershire as the only county unable to play evening games.

IS Bindra, the former BCCI president, has asked the ICC to conduct an enquiry into the actions of N Srinivasan and to bar him from the activities of the ICC pending the completion of such an investigation

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jun-2013IS Bindra, the former BCCI president and principal advisor to the ICC president, has asked the ICC to conduct an enquiry into the actions of N Srinivasan to bar him from the activities of the ICC pending the completion of such an investigation.In an open letter to the ICC/ IDI (ICC Development International, the commercial arm of the International Cricket Council) boards, who began their annual conference in London on Tuesday, Bindra wrote: “If India, through its public, has rejected Mr Srinivasan’s presence in the BCCI, there is no reason why the ICC should acknowledge his position.” He asked the ICC to “hold an enquiry into all points raised above and disallow Mr Srinivasan from attending any meeting of the ICC till such time you reach a conclusion. I am aware that this request of mine is well within your rights and as per the ICC Code of Ethics, needs to be investigated.”Bindra, who along with Jagmohan Dalmiya turned cricket into a highly successful business property from a mere sport primarily through the sale of broadcast rights, has been a vocal critic of Srinivasan and was the first board member to demand his resignation during the recent crisis.He cited several instances of impropriety by Srinivasan.The arrest of his son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan in relation to betting allegations in the IPL, he said, meant Srinivasan was in breach of various codes that ICC directors, of which he is one, need to adhere to under the Code of Ethics.Srinivasan, Bindra claimed, was in direct intervention of the clause 2.1 which states: Directors shall act in an ethical manner and shall not engage in conduct that gives the appearance of impropriety.He was also allegedly in breach of clause 7 of the code, which deals with ‘Betting, Gaming and Gambling’, sub-section 7.2, sub-para (d) reads: “It is not permitted and a Director shall be in breach of this Code if a member of his immediate family (being a spouse, parent, sibling, son or daughter) has a controlling interest in a betting business, a substantial relationship with a betting business or is employed in the day to day operational control of a betting business.”While Meiyappan doesn’t run a betting business, the fact that he has been charged by the police with being involved in betting may result in the clause being applied in this instance.Bindra also pointed to a potential conflict of interest should Srinivasan attend the meeting of the finance and commercial affairs (F&CA) committee, of which he is an independent member, during the annual conference.”I must mention here that Star, the current official broadcast partner (of the ICC) is also through one of its channels [Life OK] a sponsor of none other than Chennai Super Kings, the IPL team owned by a company controlled by Mr Srinivasan,” Bindra wrote.Star Sports are broadcast partners for all ICC events till 2015, and the F&CA committee has been deliberating renewal of rights and will advise the ICC Board on future course of action.Bindra also wrote about another potential conflict of interest, the more publicised one involving Srinivasan owning an IPL franchise through his company India Cements despite being a BCCI office-bearer, and a member of the ICC Board thereby.”I have not heard of any declaration being made by Mr Srinivasan regarding his involvement with the Chennai Super Kings and this must surely contravene Clause 4.1 of the ICC Code of Ethics.”According to Clause 4.1, “Directors must be free from any influence which might interfere or appear to interfere with the proper and efficient discharge of their duties, or which might be inconsistent with their duty of loyalty to the ICC. It is also the duty of Directors not to use their position with the ICC for personal advantage or gain. To that end no Director shall have an undisclosed conflict of interest.”

Zimbabwe turned a series that was expected to be completely dominated by South Africa into a contest, with an unlikely but clinical victory over their neighbours

The Report by Firdose Moonda20-Jun-2012
ScorecardVusi Sibanda top scored for Zimbabwe with 58•AFP

So-called small-fry teams tend to up to their game when doing battle against their big brothers and Zimbabwe did it in a big way. They turned a series that was expected to be completely dominated by South Africa into a contest, with an unlikely but clinical victory over their neighbours.Zimbabwe seemed to surprise even themselves with an effort that started with a century stand between Vusi Sibanda and Hamilton Masakadza, and ended with superb bowling from the senior statesman Chris Mpofu, legspinner Graeme Cremer and new-comer Richard Muzhange. South Africa’s attack, as they were yesterday, failed to take early wickets or find the right lengths on a slow surface. Unlike the match against Bangladesh, their batting was also sub-standard. They succumbed in the chase to a bowling pack that understood their own conditions and were able to restrict runs, create pressure and bowl out a line-up that was expected to produce much more.After allowing Zimbabwe to reach an above-par score, South Africa’s batting line-up had a fairly tough task on a pitch that is known to get slower as the day goes on. Senior paceman Chris Mpofu immediately found the right tempo but Kyle Jarvis was unable to do the same from the other side. He bowled too wide of offstump, allowing both Hashim Amla and Richard Levi to find the boundary.Mpofu made up for Jarvis’ early blunders when he removed Amla with a slower ball that was mis-timed to Masakadza at mid-on. He would have had Colin Ingram out as well, but Vusi Sibanda spilled a catch at fine leg.Ingram went on to make Zimbabwe pay and was South Africa’s top-scorer with his 48, an innings that was built on the cut shot. While Levi was with him, South Africa seemed in control. Jarvis fed Levi sumptuous full tosses while Ingram moved his feet well against the spinners. Prosper Utseya put the brakes on their charge when he had Levi caught at deep midwicket by Craig Ervine, as the batsman attempted to clear the rope.South Africa’s middle-order was exposed and they did not cover themselves in glory. Justin Ontong gifted a catch to Utseya in the covers off Cremer, before the googly accounted for both Dane Vilas, who was bowled, and JP Duminy, who was stumped. South Africa teetered at 91 for 5 and it was up to Albie Morkel to haul them back.He clubbed a six of Cremer’s last over but again did not produce the expected fireworks. Muzhange removed Morkel by inviting him to chase a wide and having him caught behind. Robin Peterson and Ingram both skied desperate shots off Mpofu’s final over and all that was left for Zimbabwe to do was nip out the tail. Jarvis bowled Tsotsobe to earn some redemption and a memorable victory for his team, which excelled in all disciplines.With the bat, Masakadza and Sibanda gave Zimbabwe a dream start. Boundaries were not the hallmark of the duo’s stand, although when they found them, they found them well. Sibanda signalled their intent when he slog-swept Lonwabo Tsotsobe over backward-square leg at the end of the second over.The pair ran well between the wickets and did not allow the run-rate to stagnate when South Africa’s spinners came on after the Powerplay. Although JP Duminy and Peterson had more success in controlling proceedings, Zimbabwe’s rotation of strike ensured they continued to build. Once comfortable, they batsmen even took on the spinners. Sibanda hit Peterson onto the roof of Harare Sports Club while Masakadza brought up his 50 with a meaty blow over long-on off Justin Ontong.Masakadza was out shortly afterwards as South Africa’s first success came in the 14th over. He attempted the slog-sweep but top-edged to deep midwicket. Sibanda was dropped off the first ball of Parnell’s second over, when he swung to Richard Levi at long-on, but the mistake was not too costly. After one more pull shot, which went for four, Sibanda swung hard and offered Tsotsobe a catch at third man.Elton Chigumbura, who was moved up the order to No.3, holed out to the first ball he faced but Zimbabwe rebuilt well. Brendan Taylor withstood a barrage of slower bouncers from Morkel and eventually lashed out. His slog sweep to long-on and would have been caught had Ontong held on, but he palmed it over for six. Taylor launched an assault on Parnell and took 17 runs off the left-armer’s third over, which proved a major part of the difference between the two sides.

Sussex opened their Friends Life t20 campaign with a convincing 32-run win over Essex at Hove

02-Jun-2011
ScorecardSussex opened their Friends Life t20 campaign with a convincing 32-run win over Essex at Hove. Murray Goodwin, the county’s leading scorer in Twenty20 history, top-scored with 53 in a total of 173 for four and that proved enough when Rana Naved became the second Sussex player to take five wickets in a Twenty20 innings.Scott Styris, with 47 off 29 balls, and James Foster had given Essex a sniff of victory with a sixth-wicket stand of 71 from 35 balls. But Naved, who had earlier bowled Mark Pettini, returned to take three wickets in the 18th over, deceiving Styris and Foster with slower balls before trapping Graham Napier leg before wicket.Naved wrapped things up in the last over when he bowled Chris Wright for a duck to finish with career-best figures of 5 for 17 from 3.1 overs.A strong Essex side would have fancied overhauling their target in good batting conditions but they were always struggling after reaching 59 for 4 at halfway and the asking rate had climbed to 11 runs an over.Ravi Bopara opened the batting for Essex but was bowled by Wayne Parnell for two before Owais Shah was guilty of a terrible swipe to be bowled for 23 by Michael Yardy. Monty Panesar celebrated his competition debut for Sussex by opening the bowling and claiming two wickets, first seeing Ryan ten Doeschate held off a top-edged sweep before Matt Walker holed out.With the asking rate blowing out of control Rana then ripped through the rest of the Essex order as they were bowled out for 141 in 19.1 overs.Earlier, Goodwin had come to the crease in the third over after Luke Wright had been taken at short cover off a mistimed drive to give New Zealander Tim Southee his first wicket in Essex colours.Goodwin and Chris Nash took control in a second-wicket stand of 71 in 43 balls with Nash hitting Wright out of the attack when he smashed 17 off the fourth over. But, as is often the case at Hove, spin checked the scoring rate. Tim Phillips had Nash leg before sweeping for 43 off 29 balls and the slow left-armer finished with 3 for 31.Goodwin’s 53 came off 39 deliveries and contained seven fours, although he did survive one difficult chance on 32 when Bopara reprieved him at short cover off ten Doeschate, one of seven Essex bowlers used.Goodwin became Phillips’ second victim in the 16th over after putting on 61 in 46 balls with Lou Vincent. The Sharks hoped Vincent (35) would guide them to a bigger total but he holed out to long-on in the 18th over as Sussex could only added 20 runs off the last 21 balls.

Andrew Strauss missed out on a first hundred of the season as Middlesex lost ten wickets for 161 runs to surrender control of the match to Surrey at The Oval

19-May-2010
Scorecard
Steven Finn removed Laurie Evans early in the second innings, but the batsmen prospered thereafter•Getty Images

Andrew Strauss missed out on a first hundred of the season as Middlesex lost ten wickets for 161 runs to surrender control of the match to Surrey at The Oval. Surrey, who chose not to enforce the follow on when their visitors were all out for 324, reached 165 for 2 at the close on day three, a lead of 331, and will now aim to bowl Middlesex out again on the final day as they seek a first victory of their County Championship Division Two campaign.After Laurie Evans fell early today, Arun Harinath and Mark Ramprakash took the attack to Middlesex in a partnership of 130. Harinath was bowled just before stumps for 63 while Ramprakash, who survives on 86 not out, took his aggregate run tally against his former county to 1367 from 15 first-class innings.Strauss, who had earlier resumed on 54 with Middlesex 148 without loss, was dropped at slip by Rory Hamilton-Brown on 57 as offspinner Gareth Batty found some turn out of the bowlers’ rough at the start of a skilful spell from the Vauxhall Road End. But the England captain then moved comfortably enough to 92 – despite seeing the early losses of opening partner Scott Newman and Owais Shah – and a century looked likely.Fast bowler Jade Dernbach, however, denied him the feat at the start of a spell which could yet prove decisive. Strauss tried to drive him on the up but hit the ball straight at short extra cover after facing 167 balls and striking a six and 13 fours. The Middlesex innings declined alarmingly once both Strauss and Newman had departed.Surrey, however, deserve credit for their bowling and fielding. Hamilton-Brown, their young captain, set a fine example with a brilliant catch to dismiss John Simpson in the over before lunch, diving full length to his left to pluck a drive out of the air at short extra cover.Middlesex were 163 without loss when Newman, on 91, edged a lifting ball from Chris Tremlett to the keeper. Even at 220 for 3, when Strauss was out, it looked like Middlesex could get close to Surrey’s first-innings total of 490. But Dernbach, working up a decent head of steam from the pavilion end after initial bursts from Tremlett and Andre Nel, who sent back Shah cheaply with a ball which bounced and left the batsman, then also claimed the scalps of Neil Dexter and Simpson in a burst of 3 for 11 in 21 balls.Dawid Malan departed soon after lunch, gloving a sweep at Batty which sent the ball gently looping up to the slip fielder who trotted around behind the wicketkeeper to take the catch. Batty, who bowled unchanged for 22 overs either side of lunch at a cost of only 75 runs, and did a fine containing job while the quicker bowlers rotated at the other end, fully deserved that success and also the final wicket of Steven Finn following second new-ball successes for Dernbach and Nel.Gareth Berg and Shaun Udal held up Surrey for a while in a seventh-wicket stand of 44, but Dernbach won lbw shouts against Udal and Pedro Collins – trapping Udal with a near-yorker – while Murtagh was caught behind without scoring off Nel. Berg remained 45 not out, with a six and four fours from 66 balls, but Middlesex’s slide left them with a fight on their hands to rescue a draw on the final day.

Hardik and Natasa got married in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, and had a larger celebration in February 2023

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Jul-2024India allrounder Hardik Pandya and actor Natasa Stankovic have announced their separation, after being married for four years.”After four years of being together, Natasa and I have decided to mutually part ways,” they said via an Instagram post. “We tried our best together and gave it our all, and we believe this is in the best interest for both of us. This was a tough decision for us to make, given the joy, mutual respect and companionship we enjoyed together and as we grew as a family.”We are blessed with Agastya, who will continue to be at the centre of both our lives and we will co-parent to ensure that we give him everything that we can for his happiness.”Hardik and Natasa got married in May 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, and had a larger celebration in February 2023.They made the announcement of their separation on the same day that India’s limited-overs squads for the tour of Sri Lanka were announced, with Suryakumar Yadav appointed the T20I captain instead of Hardik. Hardik was part of the T20I squad as a player and rested from the ODI series.