The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and West Indies are set to face each other in a three-match ODI series starting from Sunday, June 4. Notably, this series will be a perfect opportunity for the two sides as both teams did not secure direct qualification to the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India and will participate in the qualifiers starting mid-June.

In terms of their recent performances, West Indies are coming from a (2-1) T20I series win against South Africa. However, the Men in Maroon’s ODI series against the Proteas side ended in a tie (1-1). On the other hand, UAE’s most recent match was against Nepal in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Premier League final, which they lost by seven wickets.

Speaking of head-to-head between UAE and West Indies, the two teams have faced each other twice so far, with the Caribbean side emerging victorious in both encounters. It is also worth mentioning that Shai Hope will lead West Indies on their UAE tour, whereas Muhammad Waseem will captain the home side.

UAE vs West Indies ODI series schedule:

• First ODI: June 2 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 6:00 pm IST/ 12:30 pm GMT / 04:30 pm LOCAL
• Second ODI: June 6 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 6:00 pm IST/ 12:30 pm GMT / 04:30 pm LOCAL
• Third ODI: June 9 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, 6:00 pm IST/ 12:30 pm GMT / 04:30 pm LOCAL

Squads:

UAE: Muhammad Waseem (c), Vriitya Aravind, Basil Hameed, Ethan D’Souza, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Jonathan Figy, Muhammad Jawadullah, Aayan Afzal Khan, Asif Khan, Matiullah Khan, Zahoor Khan, Karthik Meiyappan, Rohan Mustafa, Ali Naseer, Fahad Nawaz, Rameez Shahzad, Junaid Siddique, Lovepreet Singh, Aryansh Sharma, Sanchit Sharma, Adhitya Shetty, Ansh Tandon.

West Indies: Shai Hope (c), Brandon King (vc), Alick Athanaze, Shamarh Brooks, Yannic Cariah, Keacy Carty, Roston Chase, Dominic Drakes, Kavem Hodge, Akeem Jordan, Kevin Sinclair, Keemo Paul, Raymon Reifer, Odean Smith, Johnson Charles.

Broadcast and live-streaming details

• India: Star Sports, FanCode
• Caribbean: Willow TV, Sportsmax
• USA: Willow TV, Sportsmax
• Canada: Willow TV, Sportsmax
• Mena Countries: Yupp Tv

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

For the much-anticipated Ashes 2023, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled a 16-member squad specifically chosen for the first two Tests. Staying consistent with their decision, the selection panel has opted to maintain an unchanged lineup from the ongoing One-off Test currently taking place at Lord’s in London against Ireland.

Notably, following the completion of the solitary Test against Ireland, the English team will make their way to Birmingham on Monday, June 12th. Upon arrival at the location, the team will commence their practice sessions at Edgbaston, starting from Tuesday, June 13th.

It is worth mentioning that James Anderson, the experienced fast bowler, has been included in the team despite recently suffering a ‘mild strain’ to his right groin. However, during the One-off Test against Ireland, the ECB made a conscious decision not to risk the seasoned paceman’s participation. Instead, he was given the opportunity to fully recover and prepare for the important English summer ahead. As a result, Anderson remained on the sidelines during the match.

Ben Stokes will continue to lead the side with Ollie Pope serving as the vice-captain. Josh Tongue, who recently made his international debut against Ireland, has been retained in the bowling lineup. He will join the likes of Stuart Broad, Matthew Potts, Anderson, Ollie Robinson, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and spinner Jack Leach. However, Ben Foakes has once again been overlooked by the selectors and will remain on the sidelines.

England squad for first two Ashes Tests: Ben Stokes (captain), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Josh Tongue.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

India’s 360-degree batter Suryakumar Yadav has revealed the origin behind his popular nickname ‘SKY’. Notably, Surya is currently preparing for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023 Final scheduled at the Oval in Kennington from Wednesday (June 7). The 32-year-old cricketer has been included as the reserve player in the Indian team’s squad alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and Mukesh Kumar.

On Friday (June 2), Surya indulged in a rapid-fire interview where he opened up about many things and even went on to reveal the identity of the person who gave him the famous nickname ‘SKY’. The video of the same was released by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) on their official Twitter handle.

In the clip, Surya disclosed that he got the nickname from former India opener Gautam Gambhir during his days with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) back in 2014-15.

“I think it came in 2014-15 when I was playing for my franchise KKR (Kolkata Knight Riders), that time Gauti (Gautam Gambhir) bhaiya gave this name because Surya Kumar Yadav, he said was too long for everyone to call, so SKY,” said Surya.

Further in the interview, Surya also named his favourite city in the United Kingdom (UK), favourite English breakfast, favourite teammate, the biggest prankster in the team and favourite sports movie. He even talked about his popular ‘Supla Shot’ and gave a piece of advice to the young cricketers as well.

Here’s the video:

The origin of nickname ‘SKY’ 😎
Favourite city in the UK 🏙️
Favourite English breakfast 🍴

This and a lot-more in Rapid-Fire ⚡️⚡️ with @surya_14kumar 😃👌🏻 – By @RajalArora #TeamIndia | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/AgKJN7oErg

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 2, 2023

Speaking of Surya’s recent performance, the right-handed batter ended the recently concluded IPL 2023 on a very high note and amassed 605 runs in 16 matches for Mumbai Indians (MI). He also became the fourth-highest non-opener player to score 600+ runs in a single IPL season. However, despite Surya’s exploit, MI failed to sail in the final of the event and were eliminated by Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Qualifier 2.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The devastating collision of three trains in Balasore, Odisha has resulted in nearly 300 fatalities and over 900 people sustaining injuries.

This tragic incident unfolded when the Coromandel Shalimar Express, a passenger train en route to Chennai, derailed and collided with a goods train, causing several coaches to overturn. Subsequently, the Yesvantpur-Howrah Superfast train crashed into the derailed coaches of the two aforementioned trains. Both trains were operating at high speeds at the time of the collisions. Regrettably, this has become one of the deadliest train accidents in Indian history, occurring around 7 pm in the evening when many passengers were asleep.

Former and current Indian cricketers sent their condolences to the families of those who suffered in the triple train accident.

“Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” tweeted former India captain Virat Kohli.

Saddened to hear about the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost their loved ones and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 3, 2023

“Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident,” wrote right-handed batter Shreyas Iyer.

Shocking visuals from Odisha. Praying for those affected by the tragic train accident 🙏

— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) June 3, 2023

Here’s how others reacted to the horrific accident:

I offer my deepest condolences to the families of all those who lost their life in the #Odisha train mishap 🙏🏻 my prayers for the quick recovery of the injured #CoromandelExpress

— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) June 2, 2023

Terribly shocked to hear about the train accident near Bahanaga railway station in Balasore, Odisha.

Kindly check the emergency control room numbers on the tweet! Kindly share it 🙏

My prayers & condolences to the concerned families. Om Shanti 🙏#TrainAccident pic.twitter.com/WLpODwfFfs

— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) June 2, 2023

Heartbroken by the devastating Odisha train accident. Sending prayers and condolences to the families of the victims, and wishing a swift recovery to the injured. #OdishaTrain 🙏

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) June 3, 2023

Extremely sad hearing about this tragic train accident involving Coromandel Express in Odisha.

Condolences to all families who have lost their loved ones and prayers for quick recovery of those injured. https://t.co/9foYqHybNa

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 3, 2023

Heart wrenching news coming from Odisha. My thoughts and prayers for the families who lost their lives in this horrific train accident. #OdishaTrainTragedy

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 3, 2023

My deepest condolences to the families affected by the tragic train accident in Odisha. My prayers are with the bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery to the injured.

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 2, 2023

Pained to know about railway accident in Odisha involving Coromandel express and another passenger train. Thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their near and dear ones. Appeal @RailMinIndia & Govt. of Odisha to rescue the passengers at the earliest.

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) June 2, 2023

Deeply saddened by the tragic train incident in Odisha. At this sorrowful time, my heartfelt sympathies go out to the grieving families. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. #Prayers 🙏🏼

— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) June 2, 2023

Devastated by the loss of lives in Odisha. May god give strength to the families of victims. Wishing speedy recovery to those injured. Nation stands with you.

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) June 3, 2023

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final between India and Australia, starting from June 7 at The Oval in London, the Board of Control for Cricket in India took to their social media accounts to unveil the Indian cricket team’s new kit.

The new Test, ODI and T20I jerseys of both men and women cricketers are sponsored by Adidas.

The promotional video featured the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Harmanpreet Kaur and Hardik Pandya. It also has a fiery background song with cameos from the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Renuka Singh, Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah.

“The jersey that makes you feel just one thing, Impossible Is Nothing!,” the BCCI captioned its post.

The jersey that makes you feel just one thing, Impossible Is Nothing!#OwnYourStripes #adidasXBCCI #adidasTeamIndiaJersey #ImpossibleIsNothing pic.twitter.com/vhahx4q1bV

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 3, 2023

Adidas and BCCI signed a contract in May that gave the sporting giant exclusive rights for manufacturing kits across all formats of the game. Adidas will be the sole supplier for all the kits, whether it is for the match, training or the travelling.

“This is our moment to present Cricket to the world with high-quality performance products for our athletes. We look forward to creating moments with our consumers through the most celebrated sport in India. Adidas truly believes in the potential of cricket in India and through this partnership with BCCI we will accelerate growth,” Neelendra Singh, GM of Adidas India said in his official statement.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

Cricket West Indies (CWI), on Friday, announced the match schedule and venue for the upcoming home limited-overs series against Ireland Women. The eagerly awaited series will comprise of three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and as many T20 Internationals (T20Is). All the matches will take place at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia, spanning from June 26 to July 9.

Notably, the ODIs in this series carry immense importance, as they play a vital role in earning valuable points for the ICC Women’s Championship. The outcomes of these matches will directly influence the qualification process for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, which is scheduled to take place in India.

Regarding the preparation for the upcoming series, CWI’s High-Performance Manager Graeme West emphasized the importance of thorough planning and clear game strategies, which aim to ensure that the team executes their plans effectively and plays winning cricket. He also highlighted the thrilling match between the two teams at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February, stating Ireland’s women’s cricket team has made significant progress in recent times.

“Ireland have shown great improvement in recent times and the game between the two sides in February at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa was a thriller. We will need to prepare well for both series with very clear game plans, the squad will get time in St Lucia prior to the first ODI to establish the key roles and focus areas that each player will be required to execute in order to play winning cricket,” said Graeme as quoted by Windies Cricket.

Graeme expressed his excitement about bringing international Women’s Cricket back to St. Lucia, mentioning the island is witnessing the emergence of several talented young female players and hoping the upcoming games will serve as an inspiration for more girls to get involved in cricket.

“It’s exciting to be taking international Women’s Cricket back to St Lucia, the island is developing a number of exciting young female players and we hope the Ireland games can inspire more girls to get involved and start their own cricket journeys,” added Graeme.

Complete schedule:

ODI series:

• First ODI: Monday, June 26, 7:00 PM (01:30 PM GMT / 09:30 AM LOCAL)
• Second ODI: Thursday, June 29, 7:00 PM (01:30 PM GMT / 09:30 AM LOCAL)
• Third ODI: Sunday, July 02, 7:00 PM (01:30 PM GMT / 09:30 AM LOCAL)

T20I series

• First T20I: Wednesday, July 05, 11:30 PM (06:00 PM GMT / 02:00 AM LOCAL)
• Second T20I: Friday, July 07, 11:30 PM (06:00 PM GMT / 02:00 AM LOCAL)
• Third T20I: Sunday, July 05, 11:30 PM (06:00 PM GMT / 02:00 AM LOCAL)

All matches at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet, St. Lucia

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

Team India will have their sights set on breaking a nearly decade-long drought for an ICC trophy as they compete in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia in London. The last time India secured an ICC trophy was in 2013, when they emerged victorious in the Champions Trophy under the leadership of MS Dhoni.

As the mega event is approaching, many former cricketers have started revealing their predictions and team combinations of both sides. Following the bandwagon, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif has picked his India playing XI for the summit clash.

Kaif went with Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as openers followed by Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, and Ajinkya Rahane to monitor the middle order. The cricketer-turned-commentator gave his views on the red-hot debate regarding who should keep for India between Ishan Kishan and KS Bharat.

Kaif reckoned Indian team needs some firepower at No. 6 in Rishabh Pant‘s absence and hence he picked Kishan over Bharat. Notably, Pant is not a part of the team as he continues to reover from the injuries he suffered in a car accident last year.

“For the World Test Championship, the openers should be Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, followed by Pujara who plays at number three and has experience there. At number four would be Virat Kohli followed by Rahane who makes his return to the team. I would play Ishan Kishan over KS Bharat because you would want someone to play attacking shots at number six. Rishabh Pant used to play that role once the ball got old,” said Kaif while speaking to Star Sports.

Kaif went with Ravindra Jadeja at seven and had a toss up between Ravichandran Ashwin and Shardul Thakur depending on the conditions. The Prayagraj-born cricketer opined if the pitch favours spin, he would opt for Ashwin as in such a scenario, Ashwin’s skills can be effectively utilized to target left-handed batters like David Warner, Travis Head, and Usman Khawaja.

“At seven, I will play Jadeja and at eight I would either play Ashwin or Shardul, depending on the pitch conditions, and if the pitch suits spin then Ashwin can target the left-handed batsmen like Warner, Travis Head and Khawaja, so it will be a good match up. I would take fast bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj followed by Umesh Yadav at number 11. This would be my preferred playing 11 because it’s early June, you will need three fast bowlers plus Jadeja and Ashwin or Shardul, depending on the forecast,” added Kaif.

Mohammad Kaif’s India playing XI for WTC Final: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin/Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umesh Yadav.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released the official promo for the highly anticipated World Test Championship 2023 (WTC) final between Australia and India, scheduled to be played at The Oval in London from June 7-to 11.

The Indian team will participate in the WTC final consecutively for the second time. In the inaugural edition of the prestigious tournament held from 2019-21, India squared off with New Zealand in the final. However, the result wasn’t in India’s favour as they lost to the summit clash at the Rose Bowl in Southampton on the reserve day.

In the second WTC cycle, Australia reached the final topping the points table with the win percentage of 66.67 in 19 matches followed by India at the second spot with 58.8% in 18 games.

The two teams met earlier this year in a four-match Test series, the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which hosts India won by 2-1 and confirmed their place to meet Australia once again in the final.

The 2023 WTC final will also witness the renewal of the rivalry between two exceptional Test batters, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Throughout their illustrious careers, these remarkable players have experienced a mix of triumphs and setbacks. Both the batting maestros are expected to display their formidable skills in the upcoming one-off Test.

Smith boasts an impressive record of 8792 runs from 169 innings in Test cricket, including four double centuries, 30 centuries, and 37 fifties. On the other hand, Kohli has accumulated 8416 runs from 183 innings, featuring seven double centuries, 28 centuries, and 28 fifties.

Meanwhile, the official promotional video by the ICC showcases snippets of the exceptional performances by both teams throughout the two-year cycle of the WTC. It captures the intensity and brilliance displayed by the players as they vie for one of the most esteemed titles in the longest format of the game.

Here’s the video:

🏏 🇦🇺 v 🇮🇳
🗓️ 7 to 11 June
📍 The Oval

Are you ready for The Ultimate Test?#WTC23 pic.twitter.com/ybFgXUq0fT

— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2023

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The Indian cricket team is currently in England preparing for the World Test Championship  (WTC) 2023 Final against Australia, commencing on June 7. All the members of the squad are sweating hard in the training sessions to work on their skills and shortcomings, with very little time left for the summit clash.

India’s star all-rounder Shardul Thakur is also part of the team for the ultimate battle and has been preparing rigorously for the marquee event. However, he took the time to chill amidst such a busy schedule and treated his followers with visual delight by sharing a couple of captivating photographs on his official Instagram handle.

The Mumbai cricketer posted a picturesque on his account that showcased his striking poses against the backdrop of a mesmerizing sea and sky.

“Let eternal forces back you instead #st54,” Shardul captioned his post.

The Indian team ODI and Test skipper Rohit Sharma’s wife, Ritika Sajdeh, who shares a great friendly bond with several cricketers from the current squad of the team was quick enough to leave a cheeky comment under Shardul’s post, which further led to a funny banter between the two.

“I can see you were trying to go for the smouldering look. Try harder, k thanks bye,” commented Ritika.

Shardul came up with a witty response to Ritika’s comment and replied: “@ritssajdeh no wonder there was fire without smoke.”

It is worth mentioning that Ritika and her husband Rohit are very close friends with Shardul, and they even attended his wedding function a few months back.

Speaking of Shardul’s role in the WTC 2023 final, the 31-year-old cricketer is most likely to be included in the playing eleven due to his all-round ability. Notably, Shardul has played eight Test matches in his career so far and picked 27 wickets, amassing impressive 254 runs with the bat comprising three fifties.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

After the fast-track Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the focus now shifts to the final of the 2021-23 World Test Championship (WTC). The runner-up of the inaugural edition, India, will take on the No. 1 Test side, Australia. The battle for the coveted trophy will take place from June 7 to 11 at The Oval, London. June 12 is marked as the reserve day amid rain prediction.

After a break of close to three months, Team India will be back in action and how. The top two Test sides last met in India for the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) in February-March. The home team defeated the tourists by 2-1 in the four-match series, with one Test ending in a draw.

Ahead of the upcoming WTC Final, Star Sports Network, the official broadcasters of the tournament in India, have announced an illustrious list of commentators to describe the action. In the commentary box, there will be renowned legends Harbhajan Singh, Sourav Ganguly, Deep Dasgupta, S. Sreesanth and Jatin Sapru for the Hindi feed.

The knowledgable team of commentators will elevate the viewing experience, adding depth and excitement to the WTC Final. They will provide comprehensive analysis, interesting anecdotes, and engaging discussions for the viewers. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has already announced the full list of English Commentators for the summit clash.

India and Australia have reached the UK and started their preparations for the final frontier. Australia will be the favourites considering they have almost a full-fit squad. Meanwhile, India have been struggling with injuries. Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul have been ruled out due to respective injuries.

Here’s the list of Hindi commentators for WTC final 2023:

Harbhajan Singh, Sourav Ganguly, Deep Dasgupta, S. Sreesanth, Jatin Sapru

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

Test cricket has witnessed numerous outstanding knocks over the years with some breathtaking quickfire knocks. A similar sort of batting display was seen during the second day of the ongoing one-off Test between England and Ireland when Ollie Pope smacked a sensational double century.

It was Pope’s maiden double hundred in the longest format. The right-handed batter reached the mark with a six and fell off the next delivery on 205 off 208 deliveries with 22 fours and three sixes. Pope’s century was the second-fastest by an England batter after captain Ben Stokes’ 163-ball double hundred against South Africa in 2016.

Notably, former New Zealand batter Nathan Astle still holds the record for the fastest double-century in the longest format. The Black Caps legend took only 153 deliveries to reach the benchmark against England in 2002 at Christchurch.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is ranked third on the list with a 168-ball 200 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009. Sehwag, who has twin triple centuries, also holds a 182-ball double hundred to his name.

Fastest 200s in Tests:

• 153 balls – Nathan Astle
• 163 balls – Ben Stokes
• 168 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 182 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 186 balls – Brendon McCullum
• 194 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 207 balls – Ollie Pope*

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Fastest Test double-century in England 💥

Proud of you, @OPope32 🫶

🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/gmfURRZszj

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 2, 2023

Double hundred by Ollie Pope in just 207 balls. What a stupendous knock by Pope, he's batting exceptionally.

Maiden double ton in Tests for Pope! pic.twitter.com/sBhXKehlV7

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 2, 2023

What a knock from @OPope32 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/sxviJd30pf

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 2, 2023

A fantastic double ton for @OPope32, will now hopefully carry this great form into the Ashes.

— AmerCric 🏏 ✍️ (@Amermalik12) June 2, 2023

So @OPope32 has gone from seeing the ball as a marble to a beach ball all in one innings. Some innings to watch this. Fair play. #engire

— Luke Crane (@Actrollvision) June 2, 2023

First double hundred in test cricket for Ollie Pope against Ireland in The Lords 🏏 pic.twitter.com/zal6SKjlLZ

— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) June 2, 2023

Ollie Pope’s Test batting average at No.3 is now above 50.

No other England cricketer in the last 50 years has achieved this (minimum 20 innings).#ENGvIRE

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 2, 2023

Double hundred for Ollie Pope.

205* from just 207 balls against Ireland in Lord's, What a knock it has been, total dominance. pic.twitter.com/HNaxu2UFHf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 2, 2023

Joe Root and Ollie Pope scored 61 runs in last 6 overs and their Run-rate 10.17 in Test cricket at Lord's. pic.twitter.com/QVcU5jGoS3

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

Joe Root and Ollie Pope scored 61 runs in last 6 overs and their Run-rate 10.17 in Test cricket at Lord's. pic.twitter.com/QVcU5jGoS3

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

In the first match of the three-match ODI series between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka in Hambantota on Friday (June 2), Afghanistan emerged victorious, defeating the hosts by 6 runs.

Afghanistan won the toss and chose to field on an overcast morning with a lively pitch. Fazalhaq Farooqi made an immediate impact by dismissing the comeback man Dimuth Karunaratne in the 3rd over. He also took the wicket of Kusal Mendis for 11, while Pathum Nissanka scored 38 but struggled to find fluency. Senior batter Angelo Mathews fell early, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman further dented Sri Lanka’s batting by getting Nissanka out in the 20th over.

With Sri Lanka reeling at 84 for 4, Charith Asalanka and Dhananjaya de Silva formed a crucial partnership of 99 runs for the 5th wicket. Dhananjaya dominated the partnership with a quick 51 off 59 balls but was dismissed in the 38th over, missing a straight delivery from Mohammad Nabi. After Dhananjaya’s dismissal, Sri Lanka failed to establish any significant partnerships. Captain Dasun Shanaka fell for 17, getting out to his Gujarat Titans teammate Noor Ahmad. However, Asalanka carried on and made 91 before getting run-out in the final over, missing a well-deserved century.

Despite Lahiru Kumara getting the early wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the 6th over, opener Ibrahim Zadran formed a strong second-wicket partnership of 146 runs with Rahmat Shah. This partnership put Afghanistan in a position of strength within the first 30 overs. Zadran was dismissed for 98 in the 30th over, but Rahmat continued to guide the team towards victory. However, he fell for 55, becoming Matheesha Pathirana’s first victim on his ODI debut. Pathirana, who had impressed for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023, had a forgettable ODI debut, conceding 66 runs in 8.5 overs.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

Afghanistan have absolutely dominated Sri Lanka. 🔥

The visitors chased down 269 in only 46.5 overs & with 6 wickets in hand. 🇦🇫👏🏻

Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98). @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/oeH3rsSlbC

— Saif Ahmed 🇧🇩 (@saifahmed75) June 2, 2023

What an incredible knock from Ibrahim Zadran! This young talent is shining bright and proving to be a rising star for Afghanistan cricket. 🏏🔥 Keep an eye on him, folks! #AfghanistanCricket #IbrahimZadran #FutureStar"@IZadran18 pic.twitter.com/ytQ7AhwOIP

— Pablo 🇯🇲 (@MiniEscobarr) June 2, 2023

What a run by Afghanistan.They beat Sri Lanka in the first ODI match by 6 wickets and taken 1-0 lead in this series.

Ibrahim Zadran the Hero for Afghanistan in this run chase. What a performance by Afghanistan! pic.twitter.com/IJCsg3F42U

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

What a remarkable run-chase by Afghanistan.

Chasing 269 runs, Ibrahim Zadran 98(98) & Rahmat Shah 55(80) helped Afghanistan to beat Sri Lanka by 6 wickets in the first ODI. pic.twitter.com/DXsNVLn0PY

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 2, 2023

Ibrahim zadran next big thing in Afghanistan🇦🇫 cricket #SLvAFG2023 98 runs from98 balls @IZadran18🙌 @rashidkhan_19 🐐 pic.twitter.com/LgbxH6JMP3

— 🇦🇫HIKMAT KHAN 🇦🇫 (@HikmatK81939960) June 2, 2023

Player of the Match: Ibrahim Zadran#cricket #SLvAFG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/1iO2NPwLIp

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 2, 2023

Miss his hundred by just 2 runs.. honestly Deserved a century 💯 here

but its okay.. played with exceptional strike rate 👏🏻🔥 VERY LONG CAREER AHEAD 👏🏻🔥🇦🇫

Well played ibrahim zadran 🔥🇦🇫 https://t.co/iGT8Xe7618 pic.twitter.com/Asrgrp6cZ1

— Umair (@umairrr_20) June 2, 2023

Well Played Ibrahim Zadran👍🏻#SLVSAFG pic.twitter.com/hqBPBaqu4u

— शुभेंदु पांडेय (@shubhendupk) June 2, 2023

What a knock by Ibrahim Zadran – 98 (98) against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. A fantastic effort by 21 year old Zadran pic.twitter.com/xdWlOPAsIZ

— Ashvini 420 (@420Ashvini) June 2, 2023

Feeling sad for Ibrahim Zadran, he smashed 98 off 98 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes, he prevoiusly scored couple of Hundred against Sri lanka in 2022, he scored this in chasing 269 runs.

Well played. #SLvAFG pic.twitter.com/gCobNd9Lvf

— Resanth. (@CricResanth) June 2, 2023

A superb innings by Ibrahim Zadran! @IZadran18 #SLvAFG2023
Photo Cr: @ACBofficials pic.twitter.com/bkwhXza474

— Zabihullah Saleem (@zabisaleem438) June 2, 2023

https://twitter.com/im_vishal_raj/status/1664643057445138433

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The Day 2 of the one-off Test between England and Ireland is currently underway at the Lords, with the hosts leading by a decent margin and eight wickets still in hand. After bundling out Ireland on 172 on the first day of the match, England started things well and were given a great start from their openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. The duo of Crawley and Duckett added 109 runs for the first wicket. However, Crawley couldn’t convert his start and was dismissed on 56 by Fionn Hand.

On the other hand, Duckett went on to score his second ton in the longest format off just 106 balls. The sensational knock of the 28-year-old batter was very well applauded by his teammates and spectators as they stood on their feet to show respect for Duckett. The English players spotted clapping for Duckett after his exploit included England skipper Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Harry Brook. Meanwhile, the team’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, also applauded the centurion alongside others.

Here’s the video:

💯

Ben Duckett in cruise control at Lord's 👏

🤝 @IGcom #EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/FZn0YyAvQ3

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023

Soon after completing his century, Duckett raced to 150, and he even edged past legendary Don Bradman in terms of quickest 150 at the Lord’s in the process. However, when it almost felt like Duckett might score his maiden double ton, he unfortunately fell victim to Graham Hume on 182.

It is also worth mentioning that this is Duckett’s first Test at home. Although the left-handed batter played eight matches before this, they were all out of England. This is also the first century by an opener in a home Test in the last two years.

Coming back to the match, apart from Duckett, Ollie Pope also scored a amazing hundred and is inching closer to a double ton, with England leading by over 300 runs until 75 overs.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

Australian superstar Steve Smith received an outpouring of well wishes from all corners of the cricketing world on his 34th birthday. Fans and fellow cricketers took the opportunity to express their heartfelt messages to the talented batter. However, a social media post by the Barmy Army, recognized as England Cricket’s official fan army, triggered Smith’s admirers.

On Friday, the Barmy Army came up with a tweet that was deemed distasteful, featuring a photo of Smith in tears along with the message, “Happy Birthday Steve Smith. See you soon.” However, upon facing the massive backlash, they deleted their tweet.

The photo of Smith was captured during his press conference at Sydney Airport, where the Australian cricketer openly confronted the ball-tampering scandal that transpired in 2018. During this emotionally charged moment, Smith shed tears as he addressed the controversy and its impact.

Shame on you . Making fun of someone's past and that too on his birthday .

— Aryan 🇮🇳 (@RealAryan29) June 2, 2023

that’s a bit harsh ..

— Varun Gandhi (@varunfrombeing) June 2, 2023

Barmy Army's Reaction after Steve Smith will hit double century in ashes pic.twitter.com/tbEbqdSLsB

— Ajax (@Ajaxjacksss) June 2, 2023

It is worth mentioning that Smith is presently in England, preparing for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against India on June 7, followed by the highly anticipated five-match Ashes series against England, commencing on June 16.

Smith made a remarkable comeback to Test cricket after serving a one-year ban due to his involvement in the ball-tampering scandal during the South Africa series in 2018. Displaying his exceptional skills, the right-handed batsman marked his return with a century in the first Ashes Test against England at Birmingham.

Smith’s extraordinary tally of 774 runs against England in the 2019 Ashes series, with an impressive average of 110.54, was hailed as the greatest batting performance ever witnessed in a series. His historic achievements throughout the 2019 Ashes series culminated in the finest-ever display of batting in the history of the sport. With just one failure in seven innings, Smith consistently scored crucial runs that aided Australia in securing a series draw. Notably, he delivered exceptional performances in both innings of two Tests, while also compiling excellent half-centuries in the remaining two Tests.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

On Thursday (June 1), Essex Eagles made it two wins out of two in the south group of the Vitality T20 Blast 2023 after defeating Sussex Sharks by 25 runs at the Hove. This victory led Essex to third place in the south group with 4 points, while it was the second defeat out of three for Sussex. They are now in sixth place with a net run rate going down to negative.

One of the most popular figures in England’s domestic circuit, Essex skipper Simon Harmer made an incredible impact against Sussex . The 34-year-old returned with excellent figures of 4/28 to help his side bundle out the opposition for 138 in 18.4 overs after setting the target of 164. Three of his four wickets came in his opening over, and more importantly, he got rid of all three batters on the first three balls of his spell, resulting in a hat- trick.

It was Essex’s first hat-trick in the format after Shaun Tait’s against Nottinghamshire in 2013 and the first against Sussex since Dimitri Mascarenhas for Hampshire back in 2004.

After a good start, Essex Eagles’ batting collapsed in the middle overs and they failed to get any momentum towards the backend of their innings. They managed to post 163-7 from their 20 overs. Opener Feroze Khushi (55 of 38 balls) and middle-order batter Robin Das (31 of 26 balls) did the bulk of the scoring for the Eagles.

Defending the target, the bowling duo of Sam Cook and Harmer didn’t allow Sussex batters to score freely. Off-spinner Harmer introduced himself into the attackto bowl the third over . His first victim was Tom Alsop, who tried to hit over the top and instead played straight into the hands of Cook. In coming batter Shadab Khan clipped the next ball to square leg, while Michael Burgess was adjuged lbw, sweeping the hat-trick delivery.

Here’s the video:

A hat-trick to start your spell! 😱

Simon Harmer, you magnificent man 😍#Blast23 https://t.co/zgpTXCDTjp pic.twitter.com/zBEQdlByYQ

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 1, 2023

Essex will play their next Vitality Blast match against Hampshire Hawks at the Cloud County Ground on Friday.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The star Australia cricketer Steve Smith is considered one of the greatest Test batters of modern times and enjoys a healthy fan following worldwide. The former Aussie captain has amassed 8729 runs in 96 Test matches at an exceptional average of 59.88 so far and is an inspiration and role model to many aspiring young cricketers.

Although Smith faced a big downfall in his career a few years back and was out of action due to a ball-tampering controversy, he bounced back strongly to reclaim the top spot in the longest format of the game. It is his passion and determination only that have earned him innumerable accolades throughout his career.

It is also worth mentioning that Smith, who started his career as a leg spinner, not only excelled as a batter in Tests but across formats. He even has won four Allan Border medals for his sensational performances. Notably, Allan Border is Australian cricket’s greatest individual honours. The most recent medal for Smith came in the 2021 Australian Awards.

Speaking of Smith’s ODI and T20I career, the right-handed batter has 4939 runs in the 50-over format and 1008 runs in the shortest format of the game. He was also part of Australia’s 2015 Cricket World Cup and 2021 T20 World Cup triumph.

Smith is currently practising for World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 against India in England, and his fan following was once again on display as he received so many wishes from his lovers across the world after turning 34 on Friday (June 2). While many fans hailed Smith as the greatest test batter on his birthday, many praised his unorthodox and unique batting.

Here’s how Twitter wished Smith:

The Greatest Test batter of Modern Era, 8792 runs at an average of 59.81 including 30 hundreds, fifty in World Cup Quarter, Hundred in World Cup Semi, Fifty in World Cup final, the man for big stages.

Happy birthday, Steve Smith. pic.twitter.com/oKg1UcWZfP

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 2, 2023

From vehement boos to adulation. From opprobrium to standing ovation. A redemption of it's kind, earned by showcasing exemplary batsmanship and organised temperament. The best test batsman of modern era. Happy birthday, Steve Smith. pic.twitter.com/VQqTBuPcEJ

— Rahul Sharma (@CricFnatic) June 2, 2023

Happy birthday to #Australia’s G.O.A.T! 🥳💯
May your day be as magical as your cricket skills! 💥 @stevesmith49#WTCFinalOnStar pic.twitter.com/SvTLzK1Net

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) June 2, 2023

Most 50+ scores in ODI WC Knockouts

4 – 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗵 (4 inngs)
4 – Sachin Tendulkar (7 inngs)
3 – Javed Miandad (5 inngs)
3 – Adam Gilchrist (6 inngs)
3 – MS Dhoni (6 inngs)

Happy Birthday Steve Smith 💙 pic.twitter.com/ExQ85likFn

— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) June 2, 2023

Steve Smith – One of the best batsman of this Era and one of the greatest test batter in the history. Almost 60 batting average with 9K runs in Tests. Incredible record in ODI WCs. Most days No.1 Test batter in rankings.

Wishing a very happy birthday to The GOAT Steve Smith. pic.twitter.com/i7Gj5KN3am

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

Test Batters with 3000+ Runs, 55+ Batting Average and 10+ Centuries against an Opposition:

▫️ Don Bradman vs England
▫️ Garry Sobers vs England
▫️ Steve Waugh vs England
▫️ Sachin Tendulkar vs Australia
▫️ Steve Smith vs England

Happy Birthday, Steve Smith pic.twitter.com/JGwSV96Xza

— Random Cricket Stats (@randomcricstat) June 2, 2023

On this special day I unveil the most adorable pic that is so close to my heart. This photo was taken in 1991 when he turned just 1.5 that time. Happy Birthday to my cricket idol Steve Smith!🎂 pic.twitter.com/eqe50v3JoL

— Cric Bug (@Smithian_here) June 1, 2023

8792 runs in 96 Tests
4939 runs in 142 ODIs

2015 World Cup winner
2021 WT20 winner

Cricketer of Year 2015
Test Cricketer of Decade

Fastest to 7000 & 8000 Test runs

11 Test 100s v ENG
8 Test 100s v IND

Captained AUS to ODI series wins in ENG & IND

Happy Birthday Steve Smith pic.twitter.com/SvO5J8N0QK

— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43) June 2, 2023

Wishing a very Happy Birthday to one of my all time favourites, an all time legendary test batter & a genius captain Steve Smith❤

•Fastest to 7K & 8K test runs
•Only player to win 2x ICC test player of the year
•Fastest to 14K Int runs for Australia
🏆2015 WC & 2021 T20WC pic.twitter.com/7CrrY0s3WV

— Ayesha⁶⁶ (@JoeRoot66Fan) June 2, 2023

Happy Birthday, Steve Smith 🎂#cricket #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/M1D2zQDSQz

— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 2, 2023

To the Greatest Test batsman of all time, Synonym for ODI knock outs clutch innings, The Man for big stages 💥

Happy birthday Legend Steve Smith 💛 pic.twitter.com/svGR7gzioK

— Gunturrrr kaarammmm 🌶️ (@Penuthoo7annnn) June 2, 2023

technically incorrect stance
incorrect bat lift
but somehow he rules the most technical format
happy birthday Steve smith, should be back as captainpic.twitter.com/GyTYYQwtB7

— ATHENA (@antigravity99) June 2, 2023

Happy Birthday GOAT of Test Cricket- Steve Smith,
Hope you not score so much in upcoming WTC Final 😝#SteveSmith #WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/1NlXllXyVA

— Divyansh khanna (@meme_lord2663) June 2, 2023

Steve Smith

Fastest to 8000 Test runs (151 inns)
Highest Test average with 8K+ runs (59.81)
4th Most Test runs for AUS
3rd Most Test 100s for AUS (30)
Most 50+ in CWC KOs (4 in 4 inns)
4th fastest AUS batter to 4K ODI runs

Happy birthday to a modern day giant Steve Smith 🎂🐐 pic.twitter.com/DilvBaZJI3

— 𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐘²² 🇺🇸🇮🇳 (@Sivy_KW578) June 2, 2023

Happy 34th Birthday to the greatest cricketer to ever exist, the God of Test cricket, the LEGEND, the man whom every single country fears: the one and only STEVEN “THE GOAT” SMITH.

I am honored and privileged to have been born in the era of Steve Smith.

Thank you, King. pic.twitter.com/W8eDEasm2M

— EliteRockers© (@EliteClubSOB) June 2, 2023

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

The Australian team is still determining whether Ravichandran Ashwin or Ravindra Jadeja will be picked to play for India in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final, scheduled at The Oval from June 7 to 11.

In the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, India utilized the services of three spinners, with both Ashwin (25 wickets) and Jadeja (22 wickets) delivering exceptional performances to help their team secure a 2-1 series victory.

However, during India’s tour of England in 2021, Jadeja was the sole spinner in the team, featuring in four Tests, while Ashwin remained on the sidelines. Furthermore, Ashwin was not included in the rescheduled fifth Test in 2022.

Speaking to the local media before Australia’s training session, assistant coach Daniel Vettori revealed that the team management had extensively discussed India’s probable bowling attack.

“We have been debating that. I think Jadeja will play because of the batting he brings to the table and how successful he has been at that No.6 position. Then the question will be around that fourth seamer and the all-rounder in (Shardul) Thakur and Ashwin, but they are (both) pretty good choices,” said Vettori.

The former New Zealand cricketer believed that Ashwin might miss out on a spot in India’s playing XI due to team composition, despite his impressive track record in England. The seasoned off-spinner has accumulated a total of 18 wickets at an average of 28.11 from seven matches in England, but he has only played a single Test at The Oval.

“Ashwin is an incredible bowler and he will be first choice in most teams, and just with their combinations it may lead to that (him missing selection). We expect The Oval to behave how it always behaves. It is a good wicket, but it can offer a lot to the spinners as the game goes on,” he added.

Neither India nor Australia will play any warm-up game ahead of the big final.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

MS Dhoni, a beloved figure in Indian cricket, has left an indelible mark on the sport. As captain, he played a pivotal role in Team India’s success, leading them to three ICC trophy victories, including the prestigious ODI World Cup in 2011. In addition to his contributions to the national team, Dhoni’s leadership and skills brought immense glory to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), leading them to five IPL titles, with the most recent triumph occurring in IPL 2023.

The bond between Dhoni and his wife Sakshi is truly heartwarming and always captures the admiration of fans across the country. Sakshi has consistently shown unwavering support for her husband and the CSK during the IPL.

A delightful video of Sakshi and Mahi has recently gone viral on social media, in which Sakshi playfully requests a hug from Dhoni for herself and their daughter Ziva. Mahi followed the instructions and the cute video is making waves on the internet.

Here’s the video:

👨‍👩‍👧💝 pic.twitter.com/jVmUBTC6lO

— 𝑴𝒂𝒉𝒊 & 𝑺𝑺𝑹 Fᴀɴɢɪʀʟ💫❣ (@msdian_ssrian) May 31, 2023

Dhoni gets special compliment from Tom Moody

Former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody has commended the leadership skills of Dhoni for effectively nurturing and harnessing the potential of young talents like Tushar Deshpande and Matheesha Pathirana during the team’s victorious IPL 2023 campaign. Moody expressed his admiration for the Indian cricket legend, stating that Dhoni possesses the exceptional ability to discover and refine promising talents.

Among the standout performers for CSK in their impressive campaign, pacers Deshpande and Pathirana shone brightly, claiming 21 and 19 wickets respectively.

“CSK have had many great campaigns, but this would have to be up there among their best. Given the circumstances of the squad they have – it’s not a squad that at the start of the season that you would think is bursting at the seams with a lot of experience and match-winning players. But, what it does have is a captain called MS Dhoni,” Moody was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.

“What he does is provides that stability, leadership and guidance better than anyone in this format of the game. He manages to draw the very best of whether it be a senior player like a [Ajinkya] Rahane or he helps develop a player like [Shivam] Dube to play above a level that he’s never been before. He manages to unearth and polish rough diamonds like Deshpande and Pathirana. MS Dhoni is the master at doing it,” added the cricketer-turned coach.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

In a thrilling IPL 2023 final held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched their fifth IPL title by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT). This victory allowed MS Dhoni & Co. to join Mumbai Indians (MI) as the only two franchises to have won the IPL title five times. Notably, all five of Chennai’s victories have come under the captaincy of Dhoni, who has a preference for experienced players in his squad.

Following the championship, one of Dhoni’s trusted teammates, Ambati Rayudu, made the decision to retire. Prior to the summit clash, Rayudu announced that he would retire after the conclusion of the tournament. Although it had been a disappointing season for Rayudu, he played a crucial cameo of 19 runs off 8 balls in the final, contributing to CSK’s path to victory. However, Rayudu will not be part of the Super Kings squad in the upcoming season, leaving a significant question mark regarding his replacement in the playing XI.

On that note, let’s have a look at three players who can replace Ambati Rayudu in CSK’s playing XI at IPL 2024:

1.) Shaik Rasheed

Considered as one of the most promising young batters in the country, Shaik Rasheed has gained significant recognition for his technical proficiency. Many experts, including former chief selector MSK Prasad, have identified him as a potential Test batsman for the future. Rasheed recently had his first taste of the IPL while representing the successful CSK in the recently concluded season.

At just 18 years old, he proved to be a valuable substitute fielder and frequently appeared as an impact substitute option throughout the IPL 2023. One of the standout moments was his sensational catch near the boundary rope against Punjab Kings (PBKS), grabbing headlines and reinforcing his potential as a future regular player. Despite being in the early stages of his career, Rasheed possesses a solid batting technique, particularly against spin, and as he further develops his power game, it is highly likely that he will become a household name and seamlessly fill the void left by Rayudu.

2.) Nishant Sindhu

Nishant Sindhu, the talented all-rounder, has the potential to succeed Ravindra Jadeja at CSK. However, his maturity and impressive ability to handle spin make him a viable option to replace Rayudu in the playing XI as well. Additionally, being a left-handed batter provides an added advantage that can be capitalized on. Although the current CSK lineup already boasts left-handed batters such as Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali and Jadeja, with the inclusion of Ben Stokes in their roster, Sindhu could still be considered for a middle-order role if circumstances align favorably.

Sindhu has shown promise in his early first-class career for Haryana, with three fifties and two centuries in 12 matches. As he continues to develop, his T20 statistics are expected to improve, and CSK could effectively harness his skills against spin, especially following their success in IPL 2023.

3.) Subhranshu Senapati

Subhranshu Senapati grabbed the spotlight during Qualifier 1 between CSK and GT in Chennai. Although he was on the field as a substitute fielder, a viral video captured MS Dhoni advising him to remain calm and composed, which was followed by an impressive direct hit that dismissed Darshan Nalkande.

Senapati has been a regular substitute fielder for the Super Kings over the past two seasons, despite not yet having the opportunity to feature in an actual game. However, with Rayudu’s retirement in IPL 2023, the right-handed middle-order batsman might finally have a chance to make his mark.

Although Senapati holds a healthy average of 30.25 in T20 cricket, his strike-rate is just below 120. It would be ideal for him to work on improving this aspect, considering the potential role he could be assigned following Rayudu’s departure.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.

England’s star fast bowler Stuart Broad kicked off the English summer in impressive fashion, delivering an outstanding performance with the ball on the first day of the ongoing one-off Test against Ireland at the historic Lord’s cricket ground.

In a display of sheer brilliance, the Nottinghamshire pacer showcased an electrifying performance, thoroughly dominating the Irish batting line-up and securing an impressive five-wicket haul. Notably, this achievement marked his first five-wicket haul at Lord’s in a span of ten years, and it also served as the 20th such achievement in Broad’s illustrious career in Test cricket.

Stepping up as the leader of England’s bowling attack in the absence of veteran James Anderson, Broad exhibited exceptional accuracy as he swiftly dismissed Peter Moor, Andrew Balbirnie, and Harry Tector within the span of just eight deliveries during the early morning session. The right-arm paceman then dismissed James McCollum and Mark Adair after lunch to complete his 20th five-wicket haul and third 5-fer at Lord’s.

Here is the video:

.@StuartBroad8 steamrolled the Irish batting line-up with magnificent figures of 5️⃣/5️⃣1️⃣ and put England on a driving seat 🔥🎯

If you missed it, here are the highlights of the scintillating performance 🏏#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvIRE #StuardBroad #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/pcIj0ZKfTW

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 2, 2023

‘Feels good to lead the attack’: Broad after an impressive show with the ball

Broad reflected on his impressive performance on the opening day and acknowledged the significance of being included on the honours board at Lord’s. However, he downplayed the difference between taking four wickets and five wickets, emphasizing that what truly matters is contributing to the team’s success.

The 36-year-old expressed his satisfaction in leading the bowling attack and credited the collective effort of the entire group for their success.

“It is obviously always nice when you get on the honours board at Lords but no major difference between four wickets and five wickets really. It feels good for me leading the attack this week to have taken a few poles and got us on the front foot as a team, but I thought we did really well as a whole group. It is almost the perfect start to a big summer,” said Broad as quoted by SkySports.

Riding on Broad’s scintillating performance, England packed Ireland for 172 before finishing the day at 152/1, trailing by only 20 runs. Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley showcased their aggressive ‘Bazball’ style effectively, both reaching their respective half-centuries during a remarkable century opening partnership.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.