Bancroft wines new zealand

5:43 PM GMTAndrew McGlashanDeputy editor, ESPNcricinfo CloseDeputy Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England's batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.FacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintPart one of New Zealand's mission to secure a lasting legacy for this group of Test players has been achieved with victory over England. It may not have had Championship points attached but the 1-0 result maintained an impressive home record. That will be tested again when India visit in February, but now comes … [Read more...] about New Zealand’s great chance to defy history in Australia

India will take on Japan in the quarter-final on Thursday. © AP Hastings: Indian women's hockey team's dismal run continued as they suffered a narrow 1-2 loss against World No.5 China in their last Pool B match of the Hawke's Bay Cup in Hastings on Tuesday. (Indian Women's Hockey Team Loses to New Zealand in Hawke's Bay Cup) After a goalless first quarter, Rani gave India the lead in the 19th minute but Yu Qian scored the equaliser for China in the third quarter before Wang Mengyu sealed the match with another goal in the final quarter. (PR Sreejesh, Deepika win Hockey India Player of the Year awards) The match started slowly with most of the battles taking place in the midfield and both teams struggling to penetrate the circle. China had the best opportunity in the first quarter with a penalty corner which was well saved by Savita. India came to life in the second quarter early with Rani scoring off a swiftly-worked counter from the right, giving India the lead. China … [Read more...] about India Women Lose Thriller to China in Hawke’s Bay Cup

Dec 13, 2011Brydon Coverdale in HobartFacebookTwitterFacebook MessengerPinterestEmailprintDavid Warner's career is only two Tests old but already he has achieved something that eluded Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer: he has carried his bat through an innings. Australia emerged from the loss to New Zealand in Hobart with plenty of concerns, but the way Warner adapted from Twenty20 to the five-day game was not one of them.Warner nearly lifted Australia to an unlikely victory with his unbeaten 123, an innings of responsible strokeplay and impressive resilience. He survived into the 64th over, removing any lingering doubts about his suitability for the longer format, and joined Bill Lawry, Ian Redpath, David Boon, Mark Taylor and Simon Katich as the only Australians to carry their bat through a Test innings since World War II.It continued an outstanding 2011 for Warner. This year he has averaged 75.53 from his 15 first-class appearances. Only two of his innings have been scored at better … [Read more...] about Warner silences his Test doubters

Michael Clarke feels Tim Paine has a good team at his disposal for the upcoming Ashes 2019. © AFP Michael Clarke, the former Australia captain lavished praise on the upcoming World Test Championship that kicks off with the Ashes 2019, beginning August 1. Australia currently holds the Ashes urn, however, they have not beaten England in their own backyard since 2001. The 38-year-old Clarke believes that the upcoming five-match series will be extremely competitive between two good sides. Clarke opined that like in World Cup whoever wins is called the best team in the world, in Test cricket, whoever wins this championship will be the best team in the longest format."I think its great for Test cricket. The top two teams playing in something like the World Cup final at Lord's in 12 months (24 months) time. It's a little bit like the World Cup (in the way that) no matter where you are ranked in the ICC standings, the team that wins the World Cup is I think seen as the best … [Read more...] about Michael Clarke Full Of Praise For World Test Championship

Faf du Plessis will not be part of the South Africa squad for the final two T20Is vs Pakistan. © AFP Cricket South Africa has decided to rest skipper Faf du Plessis for the last two Twenty20 internationals against Pakistan while announcing David Miller as the stand-in captain. Seamers Kagiso Rabada and Dale Steyn have also been rested for the T20Is, while wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock and all-rounder Jean Paul Duminy will miss the games due to injury, according to an ICC statement."Giving David (Miller) a leadership role is another way that we are broadening our leadership resources within our respective squads," said South Africa national selector, Linda Zondi."David has a wealth of experience and is a well-respected figure within the Proteas environment. The last two matches will be an opportunity for us to grow potential leaders for the future."Du Plessis has been in a rich vein of form currently, notching scores of 78, 50 not out, 57 and 40 not out, in his last four … [Read more...] about South Africa Rest Faf du Plessis For Last 2 T20Is vs Pakistan