#pakistan tour to new zealand

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Brit here and there was DEFINITELY Press just before Meghan and Harry married saying that in future William & Kate would focus more on the UK as heirs to the throne and that Harry & Meghan would 'get' the Commonwealth. I remember thinking it a good idea at the time (when I still liked Meghan). William & Kate wouldn't have to travel so much with their young family; it would allow the BRF to provide 'coverage' of both UK & Commonwealth; it would give Harry (who so famously loved Africa etc.) a proper job and of course Meghan's bi-racial heritage was seen as a massive advantage. Everything points to this being official BRF policy rather than M&H PR. They were given their meaningful Commonwealth titles, Meghan was told enough about the role to have the Commonwealth flowers on her veil, there is a documentary about the Queen and the Commonwealth where Meghan is highlighted (K&W are absent) and they were sent almost immediately to Australia and New Zealand. They may also have been told that the Duchy of Cornwall would fund them on these tours. This is my theory about what happened next.

As we now know that tour was a disaster behind the scenes due to Meghan's attitude. My take is that they were soundly chastised and given one last chance to prove themselves with the South Africa tour. This was also a bit of a disaster, culminating in Meghan's tearful interview. I believe they were then told they were a diplomatic disaster and not ready to take on the Commonwealth. It's about this time that there was a lot of Press about them moving to Africa or elsewhere in the Commonwealth for a long stint and to focus on their young family. I believe this was the BRF's plan to give Meghan a chance to ease into royalling and keep the Commonwealth connection before coming back at a later date. It was at this time that Megxit was planned. Meghan had been told in no uncertain terms that she wasn't as good as Kate (who had stepped perfectly into the royal role almost immediately). I think Harry tried initially to stick to the script with the move to Canada but Meghan was having none of it and made the move to LA. I think it's significant that their final planned engagements included the Commonwealth Day service (this was probably why they got so stroppy about their diminished roles there). After it became obvious after Megxit that they wouldn't be getting their roles back, M&H went scorched earth and wanted to destroy any possible Commonwealth roles for the rest of the family. That's why they went all out to scupper the Caribbean tour, wove all their vague racist allegations about the entire family, followed by more substantive subsequent allegations about Kate and Charles (who could be expected to take on the bulk of Commonwealth roles going forward) and dissed the C'wealth in 'Spare'. TL:DR this whole sorry saga is Meghan's revenge for being told she and Harry weren't good enough for the Commonwealth roles planned for them.

Allegedly the Sussexes were sent on vacation after Remembrance Day 2019 because “it” wasn’t going well and upsetting a lot of people.

(Speculation for “it”: the South Africa tour being a PR disaster and the “no one asked me if I’m ok” interview, both of which overshadowed Charles’ trips and the Cambridges’ Pakistan trip; general bullying/rude behaviors; BP finding out about negotiations with Quibi, Netflix, and Oprah; complaints from Frogmore neighbors; issues with The SussexRoyal Foundation relating to financials and/or how it was set up (Bower talks a bit about this in Revenge); and having cameras for their event at the Field of Remembrance in Nov 2019 (Camilla was supposed to join them but she bowed out at the last second and Meghan was overly glam with her makeup for the event).)

So allegedly after the Remembrance Day 2019 events concluded, the Sussexes were sent to Canada on holiday for a punishment and then the Sussexes, furious about being sidelined, devised their Megxit plans.

And also allegedly, Harry and Meghan didn’t expect the hard “no” they got from The Queen. They thought they’d be able to present it at fait accompli since they were both so fully delusional over the strength of Meghan’s race card and Harry’s “status” as The Favorite.

Regarding the Queen of the World documentary that highlighted Meghan, allegedly she completely took it over. She wasn’t supposed to feature as much as she did. And allegedly, Meghan bailed on an artsy engagement with Charles that she had already committed to to film and “direct” the documentary.

[celticcrossanon]

Hi Celta, how sure are we that Meghan graduated with an International Relations degree? The way she dresses in this faux royal tour of Nigeria shows she lacks cultural awareness. She's so inappropriately dressed, showing open shoulders, peekaboo tummy, and slits up to there. Plus, she's wearing block colours whereas the Nigerian women are multi-colourfully bright in their traditional clothing; our late Queen would have fit right in with them with her bright colours and floral dresses!

UK royal ladies, when they visit other countries, always wear clothing that respect the culture of those countries. Just look at how Princess Catherine dresses when they visited Pakistan or Malaysia or even non-conservative countries like Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

I guess this is the difference between class and crass. Meghan just doesn't seem to care to present herself appropriately. How can you be a royal like this? Thank God she's no longer one.

I saw a short clip of video when they were offered food on a plate by a little girl (who was part of the welcoming party I think) and Meghan didn't even acknowledge the girl or the food; she simply turned away while still holding Harry's hand, and pulling him away with her. How rude! She just does not have manners. Again, did she really have an International Relations degree? If I were Northwestern University, I would be so embarrassed to see my alumni behaving this way.

Hi Aran Pandora,

I do not know if Meghan a) graduated, and b) what her degree was. I have heard so many conflicting stories that I now need solid proof (eg an academic transcript) before I believe anything about her university education. If she did graduate with that degree, then I think we can all agree that she learnt nothing from the course.

I think saying that Meghan lacks cultural awareness is very kind of you. I agree, I just would have phrased it as 'Meghan does not care about her host country and its customs/culture/food and has no interest in learning about them'. Your way is much nicer than mine. :)

Meghan clothing and behaviour was revolting on that tour. It was clearly a trip that was all about her and how much flesh she could flash, and not an iota about Nigeria. As you said, other people on visits (royals and diplomats etc) manage to dress appropriately and behave politely, but that is obviously too much effort for Meghan.

At least the only person she embarrassed this time was herself, because, as you said, she is no longer a working royal.

[world-of-wales]

While King Charles will likely take on the major realms which include Australia, New Zealand and Canada, it is thought that The Prince and Princess of Wales are instrumental to the monarch's plans with rumours that the couple are set for a tour of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, as well as suggestions that they could head Down Under in Spring of this year.

[deserteveningsafari-blog]

5 Things You Don’t Know About the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

While seeking spiritual serenity in the heart of Abu Dhabi, you cannot dare to miss the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. With its breathtaking architecture and cultural significance this unique mosque is an attraction sight for millions of devotees visiting the UAE. With just a glance, you can perceive the outward beauty of this architectural marvel. But the fascinating facts behind building this mosque will enhance your excitement 10 times for visiting this place.

1. The Chandeliers Here Resemble Inverted Palm Trees

Upturned palm trees are regarded as a symbol of prosperity in the UAE. The crystal chandeliers of this Mosque, therefore, offer endless prosperity to the devotees worshipping here. German Faustig designed these exotic chandeliers in the name of the late Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE.

2. It Has Materials From all Over the World

Your Abu Dhabi City tour is incomplete without visiting this exotic mosque. There is a magnificent history behind the intricate designs and the core material of the mosque. It has the largest mosaic marble floor in the world and magnificent domes with gold leaves intricately mingling with each other, showing global unity. The exotic quality mosaics you will witness here were brought from Egypt, Turkey, Greece, New Zealand, Morocco, Pakistan, Italy, China, India, Austria, and Germany as well.

3. Mesmerizing Connection between the Mosque’s Lighting System and the Lunar Cycle

If you visit the Mosque at night, you will witness how the domes of this mosque perfectly blend with the soft glow of the moon. The 360-degree lighting system of the mosque is designed in a way that perfectly replicates the bright white full moon glow during a full moon as well as the light bluish tone as the moon slowly wanes towards the new moon. On the new moon or 14th day of the lunar cycle, the mosque is lit in a deep blue color, suggesting there is no moon in the sky.

This architectural marvel got its first founding stone back in 1996. Being the passionate project of the late founding father of the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, this intricately designed modern marvel takes around 11 years to form. Expert engineers and craftsmen from all over the world took part in building and designing this mosque, and on December 20, 2007, it finally opened for the general public.

5. It Is an Excellent Monument of Mughal, Persian, and Ottoman Architecture

You can witness how several arts and architectural forms beautifully mingle in this place. This awesome fusion of Mughal, Ottoman, and Persian traditional arts with modern engineering makes this mosque irresistible to witness during your Abu Dhabi tour.

Conclusion

Did you know these awesome facts about Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque? This place is not just a place of worship but a testament to traditional and modern architecture with engineering genius. So, you must visit this unique mosque during your Abu Dhabi tour.

Source: https://newsdusk.com/5-things-you-dont-know-about-the-sheikh-zayed-grand-mosque/

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Rohit Sharma in action in the nets (PC: Debasis Sen) For a cricket team, there are few dilemmas greater than when a captain is out of form. There have been rare exceptions in the game’s history, like England’s Mike Brearley, who were picked for their leadership nous alone, but by and large, a struggling captain can lead to an uncomfortable dressing room. In Rohit Sharma’s case, he wasn’t part of the epic Test win in Perth, one of the finest in India’s history. But now, as we head into the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, he will return. Where does he play, and can he break out of a lean trot that has seen him accumulate a miserable 133 runs in his last ten innings? Rohit has played more than half his innings, and scored nine of his 12 centuries, while opening the batting. But after Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul put on 201 in the second innings at the Optus Stadium to set the match up for India, it’s unthinkable that they will be separated in Adelaide. In the early part of his career, Rohit was a middle-order batter, and such is Australia’s wariness of Rishabh Pant’s game-changing qualities that it might make sense for Rohit to slot in at No. 6, behind the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter. He averages more at No. 6 (54.57) than at any other position, and has scored his other three hundreds there. Against a softening pink ball that has lost its sheen, he could well take a heavy toll. It certainly seems a more sensible option that exposing him to a new pink ball that will zip around, especially under lights. The worry for India is that Rohit has seldom excelled away from home. There was a marvellous 127 at The Oval in 2021 and a century in Dominica last year, but each of his other hundreds has come at home. An away average in the low 30s is indicative of his struggles. In 30 innings across Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, he has a highest score of 72. A comparison with a Mumbai stalwart of another era is especially instructive. Ravi Shastri was Rohit’s coach when he established himself as India’s Test opener, and they have fairly similar numbers. Shastri’s average of 35.79 was lower, but he made 11 centuries in 121 innings. More importantly, he had a nose for the big occasion, scoring a double-century in Sydney and two hundreds apiece in Pakistan and West Indies, then the most forbidding tours of all. Anyone who has witnessed Rohit’s full repertoire of strokes knows that talent is not the issue. Application and discipline can be. Let’s not forget too that Rohit scored two Test hundreds earlier this year against England, in Rajkot and Dharamsala. The problem is that he has been dismissed for 20 or less in 12 of his 20 completed red-ball innings in 2024. After leading the team to a World Cup final and then to T20 World Cup glory, no one is about to quibble about Rohit’s leadership credentials. But with Shubman Gill to come back into the team and other talented youngsters on the periphery, the captain needs runs. A generation ago, Sourav Ganguly answered innumerable queries about his short-ball frailties with perhaps his finest Test innings of all, at the Gabba in Brisbane. Rohit needs to find a similar riposte in Adelaide, even if it doesn’t come at the top of the order.  Also read:  With Australia under pressure to make a comeback in the Adelaide Test, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head hit the nets on Monday#PinkBallTest #AustraliavsIndia @CricSubhayan https://t.co/lCHNPpJUlS — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 2, 2024 For more sports content : RevSportz The post Rohit Sharma needs to reprise Ganguly at the Gabba, for himself and the team appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Rohit Sharma in action in the nets (PC: Debasis Sen) For a cricket team, there are few dilemmas greater than when a captain is out of form. There have been rare exceptions in the game’s history, like England’s Mike Brearley, who were picked for their leadership nous alone, but by and large, a struggling captain can lead to an uncomfortable dressing room. In Rohit Sharma’s case, he wasn’t part of the epic Test win in Perth, one of the finest in India’s history. But now, as we head into the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, he will return. Where does he play, and can he break out of a lean trot that has seen him accumulate a miserable 133 runs in his last ten innings? Rohit has played more than half his innings, and scored nine of his 12 centuries, while opening the batting. But after Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul put on 201 in the second innings at the Optus Stadium to set the match up for India, it’s unthinkable that they will be separated in Adelaide. In the early part of his career, Rohit was a middle-order batter, and such is Australia’s wariness of Rishabh Pant’s game-changing qualities that it might make sense for Rohit to slot in at No. 6, behind the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter. He averages more at No. 6 (54.57) than at any other position, and has scored his other three hundreds there. Against a softening pink ball that has lost its sheen, he could well take a heavy toll. It certainly seems a more sensible option that exposing him to a new pink ball that will zip around, especially under lights. The worry for India is that Rohit has seldom excelled away from home. There was a marvellous 127 at The Oval in 2021 and a century in Dominica last year, but each of his other hundreds has come at home. An away average in the low 30s is indicative of his struggles. In 30 innings across Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, he has a highest score of 72. A comparison with a Mumbai stalwart of another era is especially instructive. Ravi Shastri was Rohit’s coach when he established himself as India’s Test opener, and they have fairly similar numbers. Shastri’s average of 35.79 was lower, but he made 11 centuries in 121 innings. More importantly, he had a nose for the big occasion, scoring a double-century in Sydney and two hundreds apiece in Pakistan and West Indies, then the most forbidding tours of all. Anyone who has witnessed Rohit’s full repertoire of strokes knows that talent is not the issue. Application and discipline can be. Let’s not forget too that Rohit scored two Test hundreds earlier this year against England, in Rajkot and Dharamsala. The problem is that he has been dismissed for 20 or less in 12 of his 20 completed red-ball innings in 2024. After leading the team to a World Cup final and then to T20 World Cup glory, no one is about to quibble about Rohit’s leadership credentials. But with Shubman Gill to come back into the team and other talented youngsters on the periphery, the captain needs runs. A generation ago, Sourav Ganguly answered innumerable queries about his short-ball frailties with perhaps his finest Test innings of all, at the Gabba in Brisbane. Rohit needs to find a similar riposte in Adelaide, even if it doesn’t come at the top of the order.  Also read:  With Australia under pressure to make a comeback in the Adelaide Test, Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and Travis Head hit the nets on Monday#PinkBallTest #AustraliavsIndia @CricSubhayan https://t.co/lCHNPpJUlS — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) December 2, 2024 For more sports content : RevSportz The post Rohit Sharma needs to reprise Ganguly at the Gabba, for himself and the team appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[betfair360]

For the New Zealand Test team, the past 12 months have been nothing short of a wild trip. Before the three Test matches in India, they had only won one of four series, against a weak South African team. The problems were made worse by Tim Southee resigning as captain following the 2-0 series loss in Sri Lanka. Nobody had given them a chance, either. All went well for New Zealand during the series, as they won crucial moments in all three games after bowling out India for 46 on the opening morning of play in Bengaluru. They accomplished the unimaginable by defeating India 3-0 in a series in India when they had nothing to lose. An accomplishment never before accomplished by a touring team on Indian soil, rendered the more significant by Kane Williamson's exclusion from the series.

With a spot in the World Test Championship final still up for grabs, if other outcomes go their way, New Zealand suddenly has everything on the line once more. If they do not make it to the final at Lord's, this will also be the final Test series for former captain and fast bowler Tim Southee, and the hosts will try to give him a spectacular send-off.

In contrast, England enters this series hoping to recover from their October 2-1 series loss to Pakistan under circumstances they would describe as extremely unfamiliar. On both of their subcontinental trips this year, their strategy of remaining aggressive even in challenging situations with "Bazball" has failed them, as wickets have fallen in clusters even when one batsman got his eye in.

The two-day warm-up game before the series demonstrated the same thing. None of the other batters were able to turn their starts into significant totals, with the exception of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Zak Crawley, who each reached a half-century. Tim Southee's Test debut coincided with England's most recent series victory in New Zealand, which came under Michael Vaughan in 2008. After 16 long years, the visitors will feel much more at home on New Zealand's faster courses and try to change the course of history.

When: November 28 to December 2, 2024; 11:00am Local Time | 10pm GMT (Nov 27) | 3:30am IST

Where: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

What to expect: Most days in Christchurch should be gloomy, but there should not be any rain that would stop play. Hagley Oval has historically favored bowlers on the first day, but as four of the top five chases in New Zealand have taken place here, including two in the past two years, it gradually becomes easier to bat on.

Team news

New Zealand: All-rounder Nathan Smith will make his Test debut, while Kane Williamson will take Will Young's spot as Player of the Series in India, according to a news conference held by Tom Latham prior to the match.

Devon Conway, Tom Latham (C), Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (WK), Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and Will O'Rourke are the likely starting lineup.

England: Two days prior to the game, the visitors revealed their starting lineup. Ollie Pope will take over after Jamie Smith is unable to play due to an injury sustained during practice, which prevented Jordan Cox from making his debut. Jacob Bethell, a batting all-rounder, will bat at the third position in his Test debut.

Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope (wk), Ben Stokes (C), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir, and Zak Crawley are the confirmed starting lineup.

What they said:

"I followed up after Steady (Gary Stead) spoke with Young regarding it. As previously stated, he is an excellent team player and did nothing improper. Although it was a difficult choice, Tom Latham said, "I suppose that when you are in a position to make difficult decisions, it shows your team is in a good spot, so yeah, obviously heartbroken for Young but thrilled with Kane coming back."

[itscarshub]

Depleted and against all logic, New Zealand is in Pakistan for a battle of un-equals

In an effort to appease its hosts, New Zealand was forced to publicly promise Pakistan compensation in May of last year. They would have to pay out of their own wallets to make up for canceling a tour to Pakistan on the day of the first game in September 2021, claiming a particular security concern. But because they wouldn't divulge it, the amount they would pay was pretty vague. The assurances persisted. As part of their preparation for the then-imminent T20 World Cup in Australia, they would also invite Pakistan to a triangular T20 International series. And they would make two further trips to Pakistan over the course of the following year. In December, they would play Tests, and in January, ODIs. Then, as though these two nations were neighbors, New Zealand would visit Pakistan once more in order to play 10 games of the white ball, five of each format. Mr. Raja, would that be acceptable? Despite the fact that Ramiz Raja may no longer be alive, New Zealand is still present. Despite the fact that it is already mid-April and the season in which it becomes uncomfortable hot has just about started. It doesn't matter that Ramadan has pushed the start of the T20Is to 9 p.m. local time, which means they won't end before midnight. Or that Pakistan will be playing cricket as the rest of the nation celebrates the end of Ramadan since the series will coincide with Eid. Don't worry about the fact that the majority of New Zealand's top athletes are now on the other side of the Attari-Wagah border. A New Zealand team that was so weakened by factors other than injury has not been to another nation since the team captained by Jamie How in England in April 2008. How was Frank at the moment while discussing the unavailable players as they competed in the first-ever IPL competition, which you may have heard of? He had stated, as if a whole tour of England wasn't one of the highlights of New Zealand's cricketing year, that "I think everyone wishes they were in India at some point." On the eve of the series in Lahore, Tom Latham—who was now filling in for Williamson—was acting with a little more reserve. The planning hasn't been great," he said. But as members of the international cricket team, we must adjust as fast as possible. Although we have only had one training session prior to this series, and if the circumstances are different, we must trust the work we have already completed at home. The group includes several young men as well as some more seasoned members. men with extensive international T20 cricket experience. These players were chosen based on their performances in New Zealand's domestic cricket, and this is a fantastic chance for them.

There are several first-choice players for Pakistan

Sethi has agreed to support me. In every series, we strive to deliver our best. I am unable to obtain a written guarantee that I will serve as captain. But I make an effort to use my power and uphold the norms I've established. I don't attempt to pay attention to what is being spoken, but things are happening in the background. If I did, the pressure would only rise. There is more to that final argument than simply that, but since Babar has stated that the two would bat first, there is little use in beating a dead horse. With the T20 World Cup 18 months away, Pakistan will have time on their side to put the Afghanistan series behind Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris. In addition, Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan get another chance, while Shaheen Shah Afridi is back to platoon over with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, so Pakistan should have no dearths in that area. Pakistan has top-notch quick bowlers who can snuff out fires and a strong top order. They have a formula that has worked for them in the past, and while they are looking to tweak it to help them advance, Babar believes there is no need to completely throw it out. We are strong enough to win this series, he declared. Our youthful athletes' performances in the PSL, both as bowlers and batsmen, have been outstanding. And some of our more experienced guys, like Haris Rauf, Naseem, and Shaheen, are singing. We've created a fantastic mix. You cannot, however, guarantee that it will be simple. Even though even their youngest players have plenty of form and experience, it is a misconception that this is New Zealand's B squad. The majority of their players are seasoned professionals.

Uncertainty surrounding Babar Azam's captaincy

Even if Pakistan's preparations went as well as they should have, they still managed to create some of their own. Unusually, it came from the nation's top cricket official, PCB chairman Najam Sethi, who used Twitter to issue a statement that was everything but a clear endorsement of the skipper. He acknowledged that he had sought the selection committee's opinion on the advantages of keeping Babar, and he stated that going forward, he would be guided by the selectors and head coach. He added that his choice will depend on whether the status quo was successful or unsuccessful. At Babar's pre-series briefing, Sethi, a former journalist, had nonchalantly dropped that bombshell only one day before current journalists sat down, placing the captain in the agonizingly hard position of defending himself while not appearing to contradict the person who had the authority to fire him. Babar added, very much with the attitude of a man walking a tightrope, "Sethi has given me his backing." In every series, we strive to deliver our best. I am unable to obtain a written guarantee that I will serve as captain. But I make an effort to use my power and uphold the norms I've established. I don't attempt to pay attention to what is being spoken, but things are happening in the background. If I did, the pressure would only rise. Babar is under pressure that he does not need and does not deserve. But the Gaddafi stadium may be in for some surprisingly exciting Ramzan cricket if it gives this series the extra edge and spice it so urgently needs.

Conclusion

The New Zealand cricket team is currently touring Pakistan for a 10-match white-ball series after canceling their last visit in 2002, citing security reasons. New Zealand's weakened squad, due to injuries and player withdrawals, faces a strong Pakistani team with top-quality fast bowlers and a formidable batting line-up. The series coincides with Ramadan, and the T20 matches will be played after midnight local time. The tour has caused some uncertainty regarding Babar Azam's captaincy after the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman made ambiguous comments about his future in the role. Read the full article

[global-newz]

Jordan Cox Poised to Step Up in New Zealand Tour Amid Smith's Absence

Jordan Cox, the young Essex cricketer, is likely to make his Test debut for England on the upcoming tour of New Zealand. Cox, who is currently serving as a backup wicketkeeper to Jamie Smith on the Pakistan tour, could step in as Smith is expected to miss part of the series for the birth of his first child.

The 24-year-old Cox, who made his international debut in the T20 series against Australia earlier this year, has impressed the England camp with his talent and versatility. England head coach Brendon McCullum confirmed that Smith might play only the first Test in New Zealand before returning home.

"At this stage, it looks like Jamie will probably play the first one and may miss the next two," McCullum stated. "It would be great to have a look at Jordan Cox as well. New Zealand is a comfortable place to keep wicket."

Smith, who has become England's first-choice wicketkeeper this summer, has won eight Test caps since his promotion. He will be behind the stumps for the final Test against Pakistan, starting in Rawalpindi this week. Cox, on the other hand, has been part of the England squad as a backup but hasn’t played in a Test match yet. He joined Essex from Kent for the 2024 season but hasn’t kept wicket in first-class cricket since a serious finger injury in mid-2023.

Despite his limited experience as a wicketkeeper, McCullum praised Cox's overall abilities. "His keeping is solid," McCullum said. "He’s one of those guys who seems to excel at everything, and he's got a high ceiling in terms of talent, especially with the bat. There’s a good chance he’ll get the opportunity in New Zealand."

With the tour of New Zealand on the horizon, England is expected to finalize their squad after the conclusion of the Pakistan series. The absence of Smith could necessitate the addition of extra batting cover, although McCullum has indicated that England might not need to bring in another wicketkeeper, as Ollie Pope has previously filled in behind the stumps.

The potential changes to the squad also include the removal of spinner Rehan Ahmed, as New Zealand's conditions are not expected to favor a third spinner. Fast bowlers such as Josh Hull, Dillon Pennington, and Jamie Overton are among the contenders for the extra seam-bowling spot.

Cox is set to be among the players released from the Pakistan tour to join England's white-ball squad for the West Indies series. Olly Stone, who returned home from Pakistan last week to get married, is also expected to be available for the West Indies tour.

With the New Zealand tour approaching, England faces key decisions on how to manage the transition while continuing their momentum from the Pakistan series. McCullum remains optimistic about the team’s chances in both series, saying, "We’ll come up with the right tactics to give ourselves the best chance of nabbing the series win

[truuther]

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan captain for the second time

[seoulworldupdate]

James Anderson Courted by Major League Cricket for 2025 Season

James Anderson, England's record-breaking Test wicket-taker, is emerging as an unexpected candidate for Major League Cricket's next season.

Sources have revealed that key figures from at least one Major League Cricket (MLC) team have taken notice of Anderson’s recent remarks about a potential comeback to limited-overs cricket. These discussions could see the 42-year-old veteran joining the league’s third edition in the U.S. next year.

Anderson might stand to earn approximately £135,000 for a brief stint in MLC, a league that attracted several prominent cricketers for its 2024 season. Notably, Australian captain Pat Cummins has a significant contract with the San Francisco Unicorns extending to 2027. Additionally, Australians Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, and Travis Head were integral to the Washington Freedom, who triumphed in this year’s tournament under the guidance of coach Ricky Ponting.

Anderson, who retired from international cricket after England's first Test against the West Indies at Lord's in July, has since joined the England backroom staff. His current contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) extends through September.

The seasoned fast bowler recently affirmed his commitment to continue mentoring England’s pace attack for their upcoming Test series against Pakistan in October, with plans to be part of the team’s tour to New Zealand later in the year.

Despite his last T20 appearance being in 2014, when he played in the Blast for Lancashire, Anderson’s dedication to Test cricket over the past decade has kept him away from franchise cricket. Nevertheless, he is confident in his fitness and ability to compete in the T20 format.

MLC, backed by influential figures including Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, is keen to draw more of England’s elite players. Previous participants in the league have included World Cup winners Liam Plunkett and Jason Roy, the latter of whom notably signed a £300,000 deal with the Los Angeles Knight Riders after leaving his ECB white-ball contract.

Launched in 2023, MLC will grow from 19 games to 34 by 2025 and has recently been awarded official List A status.

[starbiopic]

Mark Wood Ruled Out for the Year: Pakistan Breaths a Sigh of Relief

England’s fast bowler Mark Wood has been ruled out of action for the remainder of the year due to a bone stress injury in his right elbow. This unfortunate news comes as a big blow to the England cricket team ahead of their crucial tours of Pakistan and New Zealand. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the injury through an official press release, stating that the 34-year-old…

[sportsgr8]

Brian Masaba To Captain Uganda In Men’s T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup: Brian Masaba has been named to captain the 15-member Uganda team in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, set to happen in the USA and the West Indies from June 1. This will be Uganda’s first appearance in a senior men's World Cup in any format.Frank Nsubuga, the off-spin allrounder, is set to be the oldest player in the tournament at 43. Riazat Ali Shah, whose origins are from Gilgit in Pakistan, has been named vice-captain, taking over from Kenneth Waiswa. Ronald Lutaaya and Innocent Mwebaze are the two travelling reserve players. Other prominent players include spin-bowling all-rounder Alpesh Ramjani, who secured a nomination for 2023 ICC Men’s T20I cricketer of the Year due to taking 55 wickets in the format in the year, as well as Dinesh Nakrani, Roger Mukasa and Simon Ssesazi. Uganda and Namibia were the two teams who made it to the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup from the Africa leg of the qualifying tournament, ahead of Zimbabwe. Uganda will be becoming only the fifth African nation to feature in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Uganda will be coached by Abhay Sharma, who served as fielding coach of India Under-19, A and women's teams. The squad is currently on a 15-day tour of Sri Lanka to play matches against some Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) outfits. At the Men’s T20 World Cup, Uganda is placed alongside co-hosts and two-time winners West Indies, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Afghanistan in Group C. They begin their campaign against Afghanistan on June 3 at Providence, Guyana. Uganda squad: Brian Masaba (c), Simon Ssesazi, Roger Mukasa, Cosmas Kyewuta, Dinesh Nakrani, Fred Achelam, Kenneth Waiswa, Alpesh Ramjani, Frank Nsubuga, Henry Ssenyondo, Bilal Hassun, Robinson Obuya, Riazat Ali Shah (vc), Juma Miyaji, Ronak Patel. Travelling Reserves: Innocent Mwebaze, Ronald Lutaaya Read the full article

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T20I series

With Pakistan set to host New Zealand, the visitors reached Islamabad on Sunday to take part in the five-match T20I series against the national side. The series will see the Babar Azam-led Green Shirts’ taking on Michael Bracewell’s men from April 18 to April 27. The Black Caps’ tour will provide much important exposure to both teams and is likely to boost their preparations for the T20 World …

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Bangladesh’s cricketers are utilizing the facilities of the same hotel in Dhaka as the Australians, observing Alisa Healy closely, and gathering crucial information about how one of the world’s best conducts her business.

Australia is in town for three limited-overs One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 series starting Thursday, and their arrival has stirred excitement.

Bangladesh skipper Negar Sultana said, “They are icons of the game so our players are eager to meet them

“Our players are already heading to their table for breakfast. This communication is crucial for team building. We see them as role models, so playing with them is a huge gain.”

This is Australia’s women’s team’s first bilateral tour to Bangladesh, so there is extensive interest among fans and media starting from players. Hilli, the opposite number, said they also want to learn from Bangladeshi players, especially considering the conditions they may face on this tour and with the T20 World Cup scheduled here at the end of the year.

I am truly proud of this team, who take playing as a bigger responsibility,” said Hillis

“It doesn’t just go one way, but there’s an opportunity to learn from both sides. Let’s talk about the game in general. To gain some crucial experiences, and it’s not just for their side.”

I think it goes both ways. The girls are genuinely excited to be part of this series.” I hope those conversations will be there. I had a chat around the toaster at breakfast today, so much more to look forward to.”

Fatigue is something that has touched Hilli, as some Australian players are just coming off the back of the recently concluded WPL in India, where they were busy with national commitments. “I think there’s a different level of battery power around our group at the moment,” she said. “I think it’s part of modern cricket. That’s exactly what’s happening down the line. Managing playing around the globe for 12 months and managing those expectations is becoming a real challenge.”

We’ve got Tala Vlamink back in our squad after a long time. Sophie Molineux has returned to the group

There’s plenty to look forward to. If you feel a bit exhausted, there are some players here who are absolutely smashing it as Australians, ruining their interior straight away. The group is genuinely excited being here and excited to play as Australians again, which I think is the tip.”

In this regard, Sultana mentioned their bowling as their strength against Australia. She also highlighted the big picture of playing at home against Australia. In the last 12 months, Bangladesh has been quite competitive, particularly closing the series against India with two white-ball series victories. They won a T20 series and an ODI series against Pakistan and also won two matches in South Africa.

In Nottinghamshire, Ben Lister and Fazalhaq Farooqi have been signed to replace Shahin Shah Afridi

Nottinghamshire has signed New Zealand’s left-arm seamer Ben Lister and Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi for the T20 Blast group stage this season to ensure their availability for the success of Shahin Shah Afridi. Lister, who has won 13 limited-overs caps for his country, will not be seen in their World Cup plans, and it is believed that before Farooqi becomes established, they will join Notts in the first eight matches of the Blast group stage this season. And, given the uncertainty at the Afghanistan Cricket Board, Farooqi will make his county cricket debut before leading Afghanistan’s seam attack at the T20 World Cup.

Shahin, who took 22 wickets in 14 matches for Notts last season, including four in an over against Birmingham Bears, will be unavailable for the Blast this summer due to his commitments in leading Pakistan, leaving Notts with two alternatives

Notts head coach Peter Moores said in a press release, “The success Shahin had with us last year has made those overseas options available again.” “It creates a different challenge for the batsmen. Between Ben and Fazalhaq, we have shown that wicket-takers can make an impact at crucial moments in the game, which we still are.”

Ben is an exciting talent who has established himself on the world stage after consistent domestic performances

He has made a difference for the teams he has played for and there’s a possibility of doing the same with us. His presence in the group stage will be crucial amidst the run-in.”

Notts finished fourth in the North Group last year and were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Somerset. After the departure of Samit Patel (Durham) and Jack Brooks (Somerset), they will have a new-look Blast squad where Stephen Mulaney is expected to lead primarily for the second eleven.

After signing a lucrative deal to play for Galle Gladiators in the Lanka Premier League, Alex Hales will also be unavailable for the group stage, where Jack Haynes, Dillon Pennington, and Josh Tongue have all joined Worcestershire from the Orchids. New Zealand’s Will Young will be set up for T20 Internationals and Joe Clarke will lead the T20 captaincy.

When Western Australia (WA) makes historic hat-trick bids as Tasmania aims to break the 11-year drought

Western Australia’s skipper Sam Whiteman on Wednesday advanced for the media conference before the Sheffield Shield final, knowing full well that barriers of questions lay in his path.

On Tuesday, a bombshell exploded late when WA opener Cameron Bancroft withdrew from the final against Tasmania due to a bike accident leaving him unconscious. It marked a setback for WA, who have been striving for their first hat-trick of Shield triumphs since the late 1980s.

Even the iconic WA team of the 1990s, although Test greats, hadn’t managed this feat despite boasting several players. Victoria alone has clinched the Shield three times in the past 20 years from 2015-17

It’s evidently a rare and hard-earned achievement because WA may struggle to prove itself in an injury-hit season. Frontline quicks Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris, and Matt Kelly have only played a handful of Shield matches between them, none available for the final.

Turner’s career has turned on its head through surgery in December following an injury sustained while fielding.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Zaheer Abbas and Virat Kohli (Image: X) In 1989, during India’s tour of Pakistan, a distraught Mohammad Azharuddin had turned to Zaheer Abbas for advice. He was going through an elongated lean patch and was on the verge of losing his place in the Indian team. Zaheer told Azhar to change his grip and it changed the course of the latter’s career. After failing in the first Test in Karachi, Azhar bounced back with a match-saving 109 in the second Test in Faisalabad. He returned from the series with 312 runs in four Tests, including a hundred and two half-centuries. Cut to 2024, and from a distance Zaheer has a piece of advice for Virat Kohli – “concentrate harder”. The legendary former Pakistan batsman refused to believe that Kohli’s career has entered the twilight zone and he backed the former India captain to regain his mojo in Australia.  “Kohli doesn’t have any technical problem, just that he needs to concentrate harder,” Zaheer said, speaking to RevSportz. “When you are playing almost non-stop cricket, your mind can become jaded and you tend to lose concentration while batting. I think this is Kohli’s problem at the moment. He needs to be in the right frame of mind. He still has a few years of cricket left in him.” Somehow it feels like Kohli no longer remains the batsman he used to be. Over the last two years, he has scored 1,186 runs in 20 Tests at an average of 35.93. In the recently concluded Test series against New Zealand that India lost 3-0, Kohli made just 93 runs in six innings at an average of 15.50. His career average, which was above 55 at one stage, has now slid to 47.83. Against this backdrop, he is going to Australia for a five-Test series. Maybe, there’s no further room for a slip-up. “I back Kohli to score runs on true Australian pitches,” said Zaheer. “He would enjoy batting there. The ball will come on to the bat. There will not be much lateral movement, and he is a great player. If he can get into the right frame of mind, he should score a lot of runs.” A change of scenery could help, and Kohli has always enjoyed batting in Australia. In 13 Tests Down Under, he has 1,352 at an average of 54.08, including six hundreds. Meanwhile, the ex-Pakistan skipper chose not to read too much into Kohli’s travails against spin in the New Zealand series. “Batting sometimes can become a lottery on rank turners,” said Zaheer. “Anytime a ball might come with your name on it. Such pitches can make even average spinners look like world-class bowlers. I don’t think Kohli has any technical issues against spin. That said, he hasn’t been scoring runs for a while now and he has to get back to form in Australia. A lot will depend on how performs in the series.” India’s T20-style batting approach in Test cricket under Gautam Gambhir has become a cause celebre. Rewind to Kohli’s dismissal in the first innings of the second Test in Pune. A full-toss from Mitchell Santner went under the bat, as the star batsman tried to play it across the line. Ten times out of ten, Kohli would have put the delivery away if he were playing with a straight bat. It was clear that he was trying to innovate to be in sync with the team’s newly-adopted philosophy. It had happened to Joe Root as well, as he tried to adjust to the demands of Bazball. Several times he got out trying to manufacture shots – an attempted reverse-lap against Jasprit Bumrah earlier this year was a case in point. Returning to his natural game has reaped rich dividends for the England great. “Kohli must play his natural game,” said Zaheer. The post Kohli has cricket left in him, needs to concentrate harder: Zaheer Abbas appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link