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beardedmrbean · 10 months ago

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The future of the French international women’s cricket team is in doubt after 17 players called for an investigation into allegations that its governing body staged fake matches to secure funding from the International Cricket Council. With cricket set to become an Olympic sport after the 2024 Paris Games, FRANCE 24 looked at the reasons behind the team's collapse.

Tara Britton turned up to training, held every Thursday for the men’s and women’s French national cricket teams, last November 16 as scheduled. It wasn’t a big turnout for the women’s side, as she was one of only two who showed.

A day earlier, she had joined 16 of her national side teammates in signing an open letter calling for an official investigation into France Cricket following allegations published by FRANCE 24 in November, including that the governing body was staging fake women’s matches to access more funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“If the allegations are true, we condemn the actions as outrageous and, as players of the national Women’s team, we wish to strongly and firmly dissociate ourselves from the behaviour and actions of France Cricket,” the letter read.

France Cricket’s sporting director Saravana Durairaj arrived at the track in the 15th arrondissement (district) of Paris as they finished their session, Britton recounted.

Durairaj, who was recently made CEO of the association, had coached the women through the highs and lows of international tournaments since 2019. Their greatest success: promotion to Division One of the ICC 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, beating Sweden, Turkey, Jersey and Germany along the way.

That was the pinnacle of French women’s cricket, which has now arrived at its nadir.

“He told us, ‘You’re not welcome anymore’ – that we’re suspended,” said Britton, a wicket-keeper and right-handed batter who has played 29 matches for France. “He was visibly quite angry. He wouldn't let us say anything, wouldn’t let us explain our side. He was basically saying he was disappointed in us. He felt let down that – after all the time and effort he put into us – that we have treated him like this.”

It is against France Cricket rules for national team players to criticise the governing body publicly at risk of being “excluded from the French national team”, reads a code of conduct signed by players.

“We dared to say that we knew there were some problems within the federation,” said Lara Armas, a left-handed batter who, like Britton, debuted in 2021. “Can you really say that that is criticism? It’s factual.”

From 2019 to 2023, Armas was on France Cricket’s committee and was appointed head of their commission for the women’s game.

“We didn’t accuse anyone in particular. We didn’t name anyone, we simply asked for clarifications,” said Magali Marchello-Nizia, a right-arm bowler who made her debut in 2019.

The team made France Cricket aware they were going to publish the letter before they did so. “Some of us were even pressured by France Cricket not to publish anything. You could even qualify some of these as threats,” said Alix Brodin, a left-handed batter who debuted after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked what exactly was threatened, Armas recalled that Durairaj told one of the players, “If you do that, I can’t protect you anymore.”

Contacted by FRANCE 24, Durairaj said that a decision about the women’s team would be published in May. He did not respond to more detailed allegations.

‘No communication’

Without any further communication from their governing body, players were removed from WhatsApp groups involving them. On November 19, they found out – via social media – that they would no longer be participating in the inaugural Women’s European Cricket Championship, scheduled to begin less than a month later on December 17.

The organisers, the European Cricket Network (ECN), announced that a team from England would be replacing France at the tournament in Malaga involving the national sides of Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Austria.

“In a recent development, the French Cricket Federation, Association Française de Cricket, has unfortunately withdrawn their team’s participation,” read a press release. ECN declined to comment further.

“I’ve received no email, no communication from France Cricket explaining anything at all,” said Brodin.

Word spread in January that the women could only apply to be part of the national team this year if they apologised.

“We’ve done nothing wrong,” said Armas. “I’m not apologising for saying, ‘There’s an investigation going on, I want the truth’.”

To this day, the only written communication the women’s national team has received from France Cricket was an email sent on March 1 asking each of them to return their uniforms “for logistical reasons”.

Shut up and play cricket

FRANCE 24’s investigation last November raised questions over whether France was eligible to participate in ICC tournaments as it has done since 2021, given the difficulty of proving that the country has the requisite minimum of eight domestic women’s teams “competing in a minimum of five hard-ball matches for the previous two years”, as per ICC rules.

Players acknowledged having their suspicions.

“It’s always the same three or four clubs that provide women’s national team players,” said Brodin. “We know very well that what’s been written is true, we just never went looking for proof.”

Several said their decision to take part regardless came down to the lack of other opportunities to play cricket. Even for the women’s first division, for instance, only three match days were organised last season.

“The dilemma we’re faced with is absolutely unjust,” said all-rounder Poppy McGeown, who played 27 matches for France. “In France there are very few opportunities to play … either you shut your mouth and play cricket, or you decide to take a more ethical approach and speak up to condemn things that you find unfair or illegal, and that comes with being kicked out of the team.”

“You have to choose between the sport you love and the values you hold dear. So for two years I closed my eyes, and I’m not particularly proud of it,” she said.

Armas said she also turned a blind eye.

“I was egotistical,” she said. “I wanted to play, so yes, I did close my eyes on some things. I have to say thank you to all those girls who didn’t.”

More evidence of ‘ghost matches’

The women’s first- and second-division tournaments have disappeared from France Cricket’s plans for this year, replaced by a “France Women’s Cup” featuring 10 teams due to kick off this Saturday, April 13.

Out of the four first-division teams from last year, only Lille Cricket Club and Paris Université Club are slated to participate, with Nantes Cricket Club not renewing its affiliation with France Cricket in the wake of the scandal and Lisses Cricket Club planning to do the same for its women’s team.

The other eight clubs include seven from last year’s Division Two, which was the subject of November’s FRANCE 24 report.

Since its publication, more evidence of irregularities in this division has come to light.

On April 16, six Division Two matches were scheduled to take place on Chantilly cricket ground. All six were subsequently rubber-stamped as having taken place by France Cricket’s sporting commission.

Edward Hoyle, captain of Chantilly Cricket Club, said he arrived just before 2pm to renovate the wicket, only to be told a women’s match was about to start.

“That match did take place, but it was all over in 20 minutes. That’s 10 minutes an innings,” recalled Hoyle. “Whether that constitutes a match or not, I don’t know.”

Once the short match was over, Hoyle proceeded to strip and relay the wicket, a process that took several hours.

It is clear that the fourth, fifth and sixth matches did not happen at the time and place for which they were certified.

In its response to FRANCE 24’s November report on women’s ghost matches, France Cricket said “the results shown on its website are those communicated via the match reports handed in by the umpires at the end of each match”.

The chair of one of the clubs that was responsible for umpiring on April 16 denied his club was involved in matches that did not actually take place. He said he had delegated responsibility for the women’s team to the club captain and wasn’t aware of specific events that day.

When asked how his club planned to field a women's team this year, he acknowledged it would be a challenge. “We have women’s teams, but they’re students – you have to organise it during school holidays. It’s a bit difficult.”

France Cricket did not respond to a request for comment.

On November 16, Nantes Cricket Club sent a request to state prosecutors and police asking for an investigation into alleged fraudulent activity by the association.

In April 2022, the Versailles public prosecutor dismissed defamation charges brought by France Cricket against Hoyle, which he said were brought after he wrote a letter to clubs criticising the organisation.

“The ICC has investigated the allegations in relation to France Cricket and are satisfied that the issue is now closed,” a spokesperson for the sport's global administrator told Alison Mitchell of the BBC’s "Stumped" podcast. “Each Member is wholly responsible for the participation data that is submitted per the census and accuracy of these records remains of utmost importance and are audited by the ICC.”

From New Caledonia with cricketers

During a meeting with the France Cricket board while she was head of the women’s commission, Armas recalled pushing for a recognition of the reality on the ground. “Come on, among us we can admit it,” she said. “There are only four women’s teams in cricket. We know there are only four teams in Division One, and Division Two is fake.”

In response, she recalled, “I was almost insulted. Like, ‘How can you say this?’ I got shut down badly.”

She also remembered conversations with Durairaj in which he shared his conviction that the way to develop women’s cricket in France was not via domestic competitions, but “to have a strong national team”.

But now, France Cricket must assemble an entirely new one – notably ahead of another ECN tournament in December to which France has been invited, according to one source, but not confirmed by ECN.

The governing body emailed clubs on January 16 asking for candidates for both national teams, but none of the previous women’s squad who spoke to FRANCE 24 have put their names forward.

One avenue that France Cricket is exploring to bolster its women’s team lies far from the French mainland, in New Caledonia. A traditional form of cricket, played mostly by indigenous Kanak women, has been popular in the French overseas territory since the sport was introduced by English missionaries.

France Cricket chairman Prebagarane Balane visited the southwest Pacific islands in March, accompanied by Durairaj, where he signed an agreement with New Caledonia’s sports minister Mickaël Forrest and cricket committee head Jean-Marc Ihily. The deal obliges the committee to register all of its players with France Cricket by August 31, which could add some 3,000 to the 1,800 players that the association currently claims are on its books.

It also grants France Cricket the right to call up players in New Caledonia for the French national team, but not if they play the non-standard form of the game.

On March 30, at France Cricket’s annual general meeting at their office in Saint-Maurice near Paris, Balane was joined by Ihily in person to announce plans for a women’s tournament in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, this September. Balane stressed the importance of recruitment ahead of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India.

Marchello-Nizia said that two years ago, Durairaj told her about looking to New Caledonia for potential women’s national team players. “Things might have accelerated, given recent developments,” she said.

Death of a national team?

Asked if the current national team was dead, Britton was equivocal. “The team obviously doesn't stop with us. But as far as the players are concerned, I feel like we've been asked not to come back.”

McGeown lamented the state of French cricket. “When you have the honour and pride of playing for your country, no matter what the sport, it’s a huge motivator. And now we’ve lost it because we’re not ready to play as part of this system.”

#nunyas news

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sportwizbynavneetoberoi · 2 years ago

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BCCI’s Lollipop to the IOC - Turning Cricket into a Global Sport

Cricket, a sport with a staggering fan base of 2.5 billion people worldwide (According to Sport Pledge) is making significant strides towards Olympic inclusion. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been actively pushing for cricket's inclusion in the Olympic Games, with the ambition to debut at the LA28 Games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by Jay Shah, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor. The Sportwiz explores the journey of cricket towards becoming a global sport, driven by the aspirations of the ICC and the strategic efforts of the BCCI.

source - IOC

Cricket has been making notable appearances in various multi-sport events, such as the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and the upcoming 2023 edition in Hangzhou, Even this years African Games hosted in Ghana will consist of cricket where it will be played in the T20 format. These inclusions highlight the growing recognition and acceptance of cricket as a global sport.

source - ICC

The question arises: Does the Olympics need cricket, or does cricket need the Olympics? Cricket's immense popularity, with a fan base of 2.5 billion people and its status as the second most-watched sport globally, demonstrates the sport's strength and appeal. However, Olympic inclusion would provide an unparalleled platform for cricket to reach new audiences and further boost its global recognition.

source - business today

The ICC's bid for Olympic inclusion emphasized the massive viewership cricket attracts. The 2022 T20 World Cup garnered a staggering 1.2 billion unique viewers globally. Additionally, the 2020 Women's World Cup saw 89 million viewers tuning in, showcasing the increasing popularity of women's cricket. These statistics exemplify cricket's potential as a major draw for broadcasters, sponsors, and fans alike.

India's significance as a cricket powerhouse cannot be overlooked. The country accounts for a substantial portion of cricket's global viewership, with 76% of the 113.5 million viewing hours recorded during major tournaments coming from India. The BCCI, backed by India's massive cricket market, has offered the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a chance to tap into this unique viewership, potentially elevating the Olympic Games' viewership in the Indian subcontinent.

source - InsideSport.in

The BCCI's main revenue stream, broadcasting rights, presents a compelling proposition for the IOC. Currently held by JIO and Viacom 18 for $31 million, these rights contribute to the ongoing profits of the Olympics. If cricket is included in the Olympics, the ICC estimates potential revenue of $130-260 million. These figures highlight the financial gains that could be achieved through cricket's Olympic participation.

The number $31 million USD is larger than the previous years in terms of Olympics in India but if we compare it to a similar number showcasing the money that’s involved in cricket, in the next financial cycle of the BCCI the Pakistan Cricket board ( PCB ) who hold a share of 5.75% is approximately valued at $34.5 million USD.

PCB Chairperson Mr Najam Sethi

source - The Express Tribune

Cricket's economic value has witnessed a remarkable surge, as evidenced by the 300% increase in media rights value for ICC and IPL. The media rights for ICC and IPL soared from ₹16,347 crores to a staggering ₹48,390 crores. This exponential growth further solidifies cricket's position as a lucrative sporting asset.

source - Sportskeeda

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) now ranked as the second most valued sporting league globally, cricket's future looks promising. The IPL's substantial viewership of 380 million domestic TV viewers in the 2021 season and cumulative viewership of 383 billion minutes for the 2020 campaign across TV and digital platforms indicate cricket's enormous potential according to Jay Shah. As cricket continues to captivate audiences, its inclusion in the Olympics could propel the sport to new heights.

The bid to include cricket in the Olympics is anticipated to be decided in the final session of the IOC, scheduled to take place in Mumbai in October. Brisbane 2032 Olympics presents a realistic opportunity for cricket's inclusion, given Australia's cricketing heritage. Surprisingly, Los Angeles may also be a potential host, thanks to the approval of the bid by former Mayor Eric Garcetti, now the US Ambassador to India, fostering stronger relations between India and the USA.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah ( left ) with US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti ( right )

Source - @USAmbIndia/Twitter

Cricket's journey towards becoming a global sport is gaining momentum, with the ICC and BCCI leading the way. The sport's immense viewership, economic value, and potential for growth make it an attractive addition to the Olympic Games. As the IOC contemplates cricket's inclusion, the world awaits a decision that could redefine the sport and pave the way for a future where cricket becomes truly global.

By Navneet Oberoi

Sources -

ICC

The Economic Times

Espncricinfo

Sports Pro Media

The Guardian

Crictracker

Sawera Pasha

#cricket #bcci news #bcci #jay shah #olympics #sports journalism #sports #economics #los angeles #brisbane #mumbai #india #Spotify

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pct-zindabad · 2 years ago

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Pakistan’s Babar Azam in T20I

When Babar Azam takes the field on Friday, 14 April for the match against New Zealand, he will become the third Pakistan player to feature in 100 Men's T20Is

Shoaib Malik (123) and Mohammad Hafeez (119) are the two other Pakistan players to reach this milestone in men's T20Is.

The level-headed Pakistan captain is well known for his flamboyant batting style and along with Mohammad Rizwan forms an intimidating opening pair in T20Is.

As we celebrate his 100 T20Is, let's have a look at some of Babar's top innings in the format.

122 off 59 v South Africa, Centurion, 2021 — Babar and Rizwan are a force to reckon with. While Rizwan plays the role of an aggressor more often, there have been times when Babar has blown away the opposition with his explosive shots. The third T20I against South Africa in 2021 was one such example.

Chasing a formidable 204, Babar took the lead almost right from the start. After taking a couple of overs to adjust, he started pummelling the bowlers all over the park. His 50 came in just 27 balls and he accelerated after that with aplomb. He ended up with 122 off just 59 deliveries but unfortunately was dismissed with Pakistan needing just 7 to win, nevertheless having brought his side to the brink of victory. Pakistan then chased the total with two overs to spare. It was also Babar's first century in the format.

110* off 66 v England, Karachi, 2022 — Babar's second T20I century was no less impressive and this time it came at home. After losing the first T20I, Pakistan needed to hit back. England batted first and scored 199/5. Chasing another 200 score was not going to be easy but both Babar and Rizwan were in a different mood altogether. Babar, in particular, led the charge, smashing 110* off just 66 deliveries as Pakistan registered a 10-wicket victory over England. It was Babar who hit the winning runs, an inside-out four through covers celebrating a dominating win.

97* off 58 v West Indies, Karachi, 2018 — Babar's first Karachi masterclass came in 2018, four years before his hundred; an almost century innings against West Indies at home. Batting first, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early, who had opened the innings with Babar. The 24-year-old Babar Azam had only hit three fifty-plus scores in his career then and came close to scaling three figures when he took on the Windies bowling attack single-handedly. Pairing with Hussain Talat at No.3, Babar hit 13 fours and a six on his way to 97* off 58 deliveries. Pakistan put up a huge total of 205/3 and defended it easily with their strong bowling attack.

79* off 53 v New Zealand, Christchurch, 2022 — Babar's 79* was not in an high-scoring encounter but a low-scoring chase against New Zealand's celebrated bowling attack in their own backyard. The Pakistan bowlers had done their job keeping the Black Caps down to 147/8 in their 20 overs. But the hosts were not going down without a fight. They removed Rizwan early and crippled Pakistan further with a second wicket, leaving them at 37/2 in the sixth over. But Babar kept going. He rebuilt the Pakistan innings, first patiently stabilizing them, then pouncing on the bad balls to put them away. He formed crucial partnerships with the middle order and though New Zealand got a couple of more wickets, they had no answer to Babar. The Pakistan captain remained not out as the visitors claimed a six-wicket victory in the 19th over.

68* off 52 v India, Dubai, 2021 — The famous ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 match. While there were many heroes in the game, Babar's contribution to it cannot be forgotten. After India were restricted to 151/7, Pakistan went all out with the bat to bamboozle the Indian bowlers. Rizwan was sensational and Babar played the perfect fiddle for him. Both batters complemented each other and pummelled the Indian attack without any rest. Babar hit the winning runs helping Pakistan to their first victory over India in the history of the tournament.

#👑#📰🗞️

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news365timesindia · 3 days ago

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[ad_1] PC – BCCI. “A couple of years back, when he started to bowl the leg-spin, he picked up a couple of wickets in the IPL – Jitesh Sharma and [Liam] Livingstone. Jitesh was caught behind and Livingstone LBW. That is when we felt like our process was leading us to excellence.”In the recent past, Varun Chakaravarthy’s name has been in the headlines for all the right reasons. His notable feats include playing a major role in Kolkata Knight Riders’ memorable triumph in the 2024 IPL, to leaving quizzical looks on the faces of Bangladeshi, South African and English batters with his bagful of tricks. That he made a redoubtable comeback to the Indian set-up after a gap of three years is in itself a story to tell. So, what is the secret behind Varun’s success? Basically, it comes down to sticking to simple virtues. AC Prathiban, Varun’s spin-bowling coach, has an anecdote to narrate, which rams home the point: “We used to bowl two types of leg-spin,” he told RevSportz. “One is the conventional one and the other is the unconventional one. So, we were working on the unconventional leg-spin. “He went to a game, where at the top of his mind he felt like he had to bowl conventional leg-spin. At least a few players would say, ‘I have bowled both.’ But this guy would come back and honestly tell me, ‘I only bowled conventional leg-spin, I didn’t bowl even one unconventional leg-spin. I worked towards it, but only bowled this.’ So, he will say it directly to your face. Even if he is making some mistakes, he is ready to agree to it. And I have never seen him coming late to the sessions. I can vouch for him for anything, on the honesty part.” Varun’s work ethic also proved to be the essence of how he upgraded his fitness levels. For a moment, let’s transport ourselves back to 2021. In the T20 World Cup played in the UAE, he couldn’t pick up a single wicket over three games. Some of the criticism levelled at Varun was unnecessary as India had to bowl second in two of those three matches, with heavy dew coming into the equation during the second innings. The counterargument to that would be that Varun’s fitness wasn’t up to acceptable standards. The spinner took that criticism in the right spirit and, in his own training workshops, looked to work on his shortcomings. The resultant outcome made him a better cricketer. “He has worked a lot on his batting and fielding,” said Prathiban. “It is not only about his batting, but it is a net impact. That is the positive thing I see. Earlier, he might get a bit tired at the end of the innings. Now, you are very sure that he can come and bowl even the 20th over with solid intensity. “You know, as Varun is very good with his speeds, his speeds have always been on the higher side. So, to bowl 24 deliveries with solid intent is very difficult. What I feel is the speed of the run-up has been constant, it doesn’t decrease now. If you get tired, the speed of the run-up comes down, where your effectiveness with the ball is not there. Since he is strong enough, he is able to do that process for 24 deliveries. Earlier, there was a scenario, where he was running a bit slower. Now, he is stronger. That is helping him to give his 100 per cent for all those 24 deliveries.” There is one more salient feature to touch upon – The ever-evolving bowling smarts of Varun version 3.0. The mystery spinner’s bowling isn’t just related to his numerous variations, pace on the ball, not giving the batter room to free the arms or that little bit of bounce that he extracts. It is also about how he blends his variations with subtle changes in lines and lengths. The way he went about befuddling Harry Brook in the first two T20Is, with small tweaks in his lines and lengths, serves as an example of his enviable qualities. “Earlier, it was only side-spin, now he can bowl both over-spin and side-spin,” noted Prathiban. “Now, depending on the wicket, we have to see what kind of deliveries are going to suit that wicket. Also, depending on the batters.

It is not only the side-spin or overspin, we need to have the assessment of the wicket, what does it offer to us. If it is a red-soil wicket, where you get more bounce, bowling side-spin on those wickets won’t help us a lot. What he has developed over the years is the tactical part of it. Tactically, he is very strong now, to understand his strengths and the conditions in which he is going to play. “He doesn’t do the same things again and again, that is what makes him the mystery bowler. He has multiple options as well. I feel the credit should go to Abhishek Nayar of KKR as well for the way he has been helping him. I have also talked with those guys. Tactically, they speak about the game more often. Even for Harry Brook, he won’t pick the wickets in the same way, there would be multiple options. To do that, you need to have a higher percentage of execution of your deliveries. Your thought process and execution have to work together, so that when you tactically think about something, you get the result out of it.” Varun Chakaravarthy. Prathiban delves deeper to give us more insights into how Varun became a master of his own art. In this case, the IPL 2023 game between Punjab Kings and KKR acts as the foundation stone to prove the hypothesis. “A couple of years back, when he started to bowl the leg-spin, he picked up a couple of wickets in the IPL – Jitesh Sharma and [Liam] Livingstone. Jitesh was caught behind and Livingstone LBW. “That is when we felt like our process was leading us to excellence. That was the time when we started to bowl those leg-spinners. Those two wickets are very special to me. See, everybody knows Varun can pick wickets with the googly. Those two wickets will stay very high for me, Jitesh Sharma’s wicket was a leg-spinner. Liam Livingstone, it was a superb delivery, drifting in, pitching in line of the stumps and hitting the top of off stump.” In this context, it has to be remembered that Varun now possesses two types of leg-breaks. “It is just about the release points,” said Prathiban. “There are two types in which he can release the ball: One becomes the conventional one and the other unconventional one.” Varun has several variations. But his quest to upskill his bowling hasn’t stopped. He is trying to add a new variation to his quiver. “Yes, the flipper is in the pipeline, we are working towards it,” said his coach. “He will bowl those deliveries in a match where he would be 6/7 out of 10 (in terms of execution). He is getting closer to it. That ball is also due in the next one month or so. We won’t have much time for practice sessions because he will be going for the Champions Trophy. Post-Champions Trophy, they would have this IPL. So, the time for development hereafter would be very less. So, the minimal sessions we would do, it has to be very effective. “He is not the (kind of person) who needs to bowl too many deliveries to get the hang of it. He is a very intelligent guy who understands what is working and what is not working. He gets into the minute details of his bowling. If you have a word with him, you will understand what detailing he goes into. From the way he holds, from the way he runs… that guy is a person of process.” Varun has touched towering heights in the shortest format of the game. Yet, there are lingering doubts on whether he would translate that kind of success into ODIs. There is a school of thought that the batters would look to milk his bowling in the longer format. Varun, however, has a splendid record in List A cricket: 60 wickets at an average of 14.8, with 18 of them coming in the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also did an adequate job on his ODI debut, in some very good conditions for batting. Incidentally, Varun was a late addition to India’s squad for the Champions Trophy. A confident Prathiban signed off with the following words: “The Indian management has picked him for his wicket-taking ability. He is one bowler who can bowl to right-handers as well as left-handers.

He can turn the ball both sides. It gives the team an option to bowl against any batter, even against left-right combinations. The team’s combination will be a lot easier, when you have Varun in the team. He gives you that extra cushion. “Of course, batsmen might take a bit of time, but even then the intent that he is going to bowl with wouldn’t change. He has the same intensity when he is bowling in a 50-over or 20-over game.” The post Varun has same intensity when he is bowling in a 50-over or 20-over game: AC Prathiban appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

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news365times · 3 days ago

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itsicn · 13 days ago

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Champions Trophy: A Look at Its Glorious History

Cricket has witnessed numerous prestigious tournaments over the years, but few have had the impact and prestige of the Champions Trophy. Often regarded as the "mini World Cup," the tournament has provided fans with unforgettable moments, legendary performances, and thrilling matches. This blog takes a deep dive into the glorious history of the Champions Trophy, tracing its evolution, key moments, and its significance in world cricket.

The Birth of the Champions Trophy

The Champions Trophy was introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1998 as the ICC KnockOut Tournament. The idea was to create a fast-paced, high-stakes tournament that would showcase the best teams in the world. Unlike the Cricket World Cup, which spans several weeks, the Champions Trophy was designed to be a short and intense competition.

The inaugural edition was held in Bangladesh, making it the first ICC tournament hosted by the country. South Africa emerged victorious, defeating the West Indies in the final. This win marked South Africa's first major ICC trophy, a historic moment for the Proteas.

Check Out:- England vs Australia Dream11 Prediction CWC

Evolution of the Tournament Format

Over the years, the format of the Champions Trophy has undergone several changes:

1998 & 2000 – Knockout format, where a single loss meant elimination.

2002-2004 – Group stage followed by knockout rounds.

2006-2017 – Limited to the top eight teams, making it an elite competition.

One of the most significant changes came in 2002 when the tournament was renamed the ICC Champions Trophy and introduced a round-robin group stage, allowing teams to have more matches before elimination.

Memorable Champions Trophy Moments

1. India and Sri Lanka Share the Trophy (2002)

The 2002 final between India and Sri Lanka was one of the most unique moments in Champions Trophy history. After rain washed out play on both the scheduled day and the reserve day, the trophy was shared between both teams—something never seen before in ICC history.

2. Australia’s Dominance (2006 & 2009)

The mighty Australian team, known for their aggressive style and unmatched dominance in world cricket, clinched back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2009. Their victories reaffirmed their status as the best team in world cricket during that era.

3. India’s Thrilling Victory (2013)

Under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, India lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013, defeating England in a rain-shortened final. This win made Dhoni the first and only captain to have won all three major ICC trophies – the T20 World Cup (2007), Cricket World Cup (2011), and Champions Trophy (2013).

4. Pakistan’s Historic Triumph (2017)

The last edition of the Champions Trophy in 2017 saw Pakistan deliver a stunning performance against India in the final. Fakhar Zaman’s century and Mohammad Amir’s lethal spell helped Pakistan secure a massive victory, marking one of their most memorable wins in cricket history.

Significance of the Champions Trophy

Despite being shorter than the Cricket World Cup, the Champions Trophy has played a crucial role in shaping international cricket. Here’s why the tournament remains significant:

Elite Competition – Unlike the World Cup, which includes associate teams, the Champions Trophy was limited to the top-ranked teams, ensuring high-quality cricket.

Short & Exciting Format – The tournament lasted just a few weeks, making every match crucial.

Showcase of Talent – Several rising stars made their mark in Champions Trophy history, gaining recognition on the global stage.

Will the Champions Trophy Return?

After the 2017 edition, the ICC decided to replace the Champions Trophy with the ICC T20 World Cup to adapt to modern cricket’s growing preference for shorter formats. However, in 2021, the ICC announced that the Champions Trophy would return in 2025, with Pakistan as the host nation.

The return of the Champions Trophy has excited fans worldwide, as the tournament's unique charm and legacy make it a crucial part of cricket history.

Conclusion

The Champions Trophy has delivered some of the most thrilling matches and unforgettable moments in cricket history. From South Africa’s first triumph in 1998 to Pakistan’s emotional victory in 2017, the tournament has consistently been a spectacle of elite cricket. With its return scheduled for 2025, fans eagerly await another chapter in the glorious history of the Champions Trophy. One thing is certain—whenever the Champions Trophy is played, cricket fans are in for a treat!

Check Out:- England vs Bangladesh Dream11 Prediction CWC

#sports #news #cricket #icc

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icecricnews0 · 13 days ago

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Champions Trophy: A Look at Its Glorious History

The Birth of the Champions Trophy

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Evolution of the Tournament Format

Over the years, the format of the Champions Trophy has undergone several changes:

1998 & 2000 – Knockout format, where a single loss meant elimination.

2002-2004 – Group stage followed by knockout rounds.

2006-2017 – Limited to the top eight teams, making it an elite competition.

Memorable Champions Trophy Moments

1. India and Sri Lanka Share the Trophy (2002)

2. Australia’s Dominance (2006 & 2009)

3. India’s Thrilling Victory (2013)

4. Pakistan’s Historic Triumph (2017)

Significance of the Champions Trophy

Despite being shorter than the Cricket World Cup, the Champions Trophy has played a crucial role in shaping international cricket. Here’s why the tournament remains significant:

Elite Competition – Unlike the World Cup, which includes associate teams, the Champions Trophy was limited to the top-ranked teams, ensuring high-quality cricket.

Short & Exciting Format – The tournament lasted just a few weeks, making every match crucial.

Showcase of Talent – Several rising stars made their mark in Champions Trophy history, gaining recognition on the global stage.

Will the Champions Trophy Return?

The return of the Champions Trophy has excited fans worldwide, as the tournament's unique charm and legacy make it a crucial part of cricket history.

Conclusion

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#sports #cricketnews #cricket #news #football #sports news #sport

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therepublicreport · 13 days ago

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Team India To Make Champions Trophy 2025 Squad? R Ashiwn Believes Varun Chakaravarthy Should Be In ODI Squad As Well | Cricket News

Varun Chakaravarthy’s resurgence in international cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. From being sidelined after an underwhelming 2021 T20 World Cup to becoming India’s go-to spinner in T20Is, the 33-year-old has forced the selectors to reconsider his place in the upcoming Champions Trophy squad. With the deadline for final squad changes looming, veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin…

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oneturfnews · 18 days ago

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Will Hitman of Cricket be able to make a comeback again?

The world knows Rohit Sharma, the captain of the ODI and Test team of the Indian cricket team, as Hitman. Rohit got this title when he played the biggest ODI innings of 264 runs against Sri Lanka in the year 2013. Rohit Sharma has scored 3 double centuries in ODI cricket. His biggest specialty is that whenever he scores a century, the world starts expecting 200 and 300 runs directly. He scored 19,398 international runs including 48/100s & 107/50s.

His T20I & ODI stats are far better than his test stats. He is the leading run scorer in T20I whereas everyone knows about his ODI form. He has almost 11,000 runs in ODIs but in tests, he made 4,301 runs in 116 innings. Especially since the Bangladesh series, his bat has been completely silent till now.

He became the full-time captain of India in the year 2021. Under his captaincy, India won the T20 World Cup of the year 2024. While India reached the 2023 World Cup final undefeated. Apart from this, India also reached the final of the 2023 World Test Championship under Rohit's captaincy. But after winning the World Cup in the year 2024, it seems as if the magic of Rohit's captaincy has been lost somewhere. Under his captaincy, India lost 2–0 in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Then they lost the home Test series against New Zealand by 3–0, and recently they lost the Test series against Australia by 3–1. Now fans are criticizing him a lot. There is even a demand to remove him from captaincy.

The biggest problem is that his bat is completely silent at this time. He flopped badly in the Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia series that took place after the World Cup. He even had to drop himself from the team. Rohit Sharma is now looking to get back his form. The Indian team is known for its comeback. 2 years earlier, when India lost the 2022 Asia Cup and 2022 World Cup, then the Indian team made a great comeback against Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023 and Rohit was the first man to change his approach. Once again Rohit is facing the same problem, the team's morale is down. Now India will play against England and then upcoming matches in the ICC Champions Trophy.

So will the Hitman be able to make a comeback once again by showing a new path to his team?

#Rohit sharma #cricket news #cricket update #Hitman of cricket #icc champions trophy 2025

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stokesy55 · 21 days ago

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I was thinking about the omega bets, they start with Stu getting sent to the aus dressing room during the 2013/14 ashes, don't they? 😭 And they include major icc events, and bilateral test series, right?

So I was thinking, since VK is bonded so early in Omegaverse, he's obviously not available for the bets, since they begin properly after his marriage. Problem is though, India has lost a lot of ICC tournaments and bilaterals during that time 😫

2014 T20 WC- Lost the finals to Sri Lanka.

2017 Champions Trophy- Lost the finals to Pakistan

2021 World Test Championship- Lost the finals to New Zealand

2023 World Test Championship- Lost the finals to Australia.

2023 World Cup- Lost the finals to Australia.

And that's not counting all the test series we lost during that time 😭 Who do you think are the omegas who get bet here, especially after the ICC finals losses? Since VK is not there?

I’d honestly need to look at the squad lists and work out who the omegas are - it might be that the earlier stuff is still a staff member (if India don’t have another omega), but as soon as VK is bonded to Pat he’s seen as Pat’s property, so the BCCI would have no right to bet VK without Pat’s permission.

Whiiiich may come into play for the later series you’ve mentioned

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mohabbaat · 11 months ago

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Hold up, It's another world cup year???

Why does it feel like there's a world cup every year this is so stressful I am not emotionally ready for all of that so soon again (I say this and will proceed to watch every match, get way too invested and have an unhealthy number of panic episodes. 🙂)

yes!!! t20 world cup. the t20 world happens every two years. but it didn't take place in 2020 due to covid. so that edition got pushed to 2021. then the next edition happened as per schedule in 2022. and 2023 was the odi world cup. this year aka 2024 is the t20 cup again. 😭

they feel back to back cause covid fucked the schedule a little lmao. and also we keep losing. so the emotional trauma doesn't end and we keep reliving it (it's been 4 months and i am still not over the world cup final so 😭😭😭😭).

#before that we have the ipl.#and at least we know for a fact that india will win that!!!#virat kohli probably wont. but india will 😭#asks #cricket

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icnewss · 21 days ago

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Temba Bavuma Turns Savage, Destroys Accusations of SA Having Easy Path to WTC Final

WTC 2025: Temba Bavuma's South Africa had become the first team to seal a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final with a thrilling two-wicket win over Pakistan in Centurion last year. Later, Australia defeated India in the home Test series to join South Africa in the WTC Final 2025 in London.

After finishing fifth in the first WTC cycle, South Africa made a strong comeback in the 2021-2023 cycle, but they failed to make it to the summit clash, as their journey finished at the third spot.

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South Africa secures WTC Final 2025 spot with 7 straight wins

However, the Proteas have now earned a spot in the WTC Final 2025 with seven consecutive wins. But some fans and cricket experts, especially former England cricketers, have been questioning whether South Africa truly deserves to be in the final.

Actually, the South African side played a relatively low number of matches in the WTC 2023-25 cycle—just 11 Tests, while other teams like England (22), India (18), and Australia (16) have played more games.

Despite playing fewer Tests, South Africa still managed to top the table with a points percentage of 66.67%. But their qualification has sparked criticism, with many questioning the Proteas team’s place in the WTC Final 2025, while some felt they played a lower-ranked side, and it helped them to reach the summit clash.

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Temba Bavuma unfazed by criticism over South Africa's qualification for WTC Final 2025

However, Temba Bavuma remains unfazed despite the criticism. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said that their place in the final is the only and best answer, ignoring the naysayers. South Africa has proved their worth by securing a top spot, and Bavuma has noted that is all the response the critics are getting now.

Temba Bavuma was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times: “No, I wouldn't like to respond to it. We are in the final; that's the only response that I have.”

The South African captain has called for a more balanced and competitive series in the World Test Championship (WTC) format. Bavuma wants all teams to play at least a three-match series. Temba Bavuma noted, “Yes, please. We'd love to play more in South Africa. We'd love to be able to test our skills a lot more. We'd also like to be able to test our mettle a lot more.”

Read Also: BAN vs NED Dream11 Prediction T20 World Cup

Temba Bavuma calls for a three-match Test series to determine the best team

Reflecting on South Africa’s recent two-match series with India, he felt that it didn't determine the true better team. The skipper added, “I think of the India series we played here at home, which ended 1-1. It was only a two-match series, and I think the end of that series was a bit of an anticlimax. You know, you always play to know who's the best. And there, you kind of didn't know who that was or who the best was.”

Bavuma also highlighted the disparity in the number of Tests played by different teams, with England playing far more than South Africa, as he feels everyone deserves a chance to test with the best. He signed off by saying, “So yeah, maybe they can institute those minimum amounts of tests. I think England played about 22 Tests last year. We played 12; that's almost 50 percent. So, you know, hopefully, you don't really get those types of disparities.”

Read Also: BAN W vs ENG W Dream11 Prediction Womens T20 WC

#cricket #india #news #sports

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cricketbazaar · 28 days ago

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Top 5 Batsmen with Most Sixes in International Cricket History

In international cricket, there are a lot of players who are known for their ability to hit sixes. In different eras, we have seen different players. Viv Richards, Yuvraj Singh, Hershelle Gibbs, Andre Russell, MS Dhoni and many other players who hit a lot of sixes in their prime. But you know who hits Most Sixes in International Cricket History. Today we tell you the top 5 batsmen of the cricket world who have hit the most sixes.

5. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

The dashing opener of the Kiwi team who recently retired from international cricket has 383 international sixes. He played for almost 15 years for his nation. He has 13463 runs in international cricket including 23 hundreds, 65 half-centuries & a big double ton against westindies in 2015 ODI World Cup. In his career, he also smashed 383 international sixes -

187 sixes in ODIs, 173 sixes in T20Is & 23 sixes in tests.

4. Brendon Mccullum (New Zealand)

New Zealand’s former Captain Brendon Mccullum was one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history. He played 14 years for his nation(2002-2016). He scored 14476 runs in his international career including 19 hundreds, 76 half-centuries. His career best score of international cricket is 302* against India in 2014. In his career, he smashed 398 sixes - 200 6s in ODIs, 107 6s in tests & 91 sixes in T20Is.

3. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan)

In 1996, The world first became aware of the name of shahid afridi. Pakistan’s Former Captain Shahid Afridi was always known for his destructive batting and long sixes. He had a record of fastest century in ODI cricket for 18 years when he smashed a century in just 37 balls. He has a 22 year long international career for Pakistan (1996-2018). He scored 11196 international runs in his career including 11 100s & 51 50s. In his career, he smashed 476 sixes - 351 6s in ODIs, 73 sixes in T20Is & 52 6s in tests.

2. Chris Gayle (West Indies)

Chris Gayle is the most destructive batsman in the history of cricket. He is the name of fear for every bowler. Nowadays, the whole world calls this man “Universe Boss”. He had a capability to smash every ball out of the boundary line. He has a 22 year long international career where he scored 19593 runs including 42 100s & 105 50s. His career best innings was 333 runs against Sri Lanka in 2010. That's why he wears jersey number 333. In his career, he smashed 553 sixes - 331 sixes in ODIs, 124 sixes in T20I & 98 sixes in tests. He Played his last international match against Australia in T20 World Cup 2021.

1. Rohit Sharma (India)

The name of Rohit Sharma comes at the top of the list. In the current Era, No other batsman has the capability to hit 3-4 sixes in an over. If the right-hander is in his zone, then the bowler is sure to be in trouble. He is also the current captain of team India in test & ODI format. He has been playing for his nation since 2007. He has scored 19398 runs till now in all formats. His career best innings was 264 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014. In his career, he smashed 624 sixes - 331 sixes in ODIs, 205 sixes in T20I & 88 sixes in tests. In 2024, he said goodbye to the T20I format after winning the T20I World Cup. Rohit Sharma's next target will be to win the ICC upcoming matches where he can once again hit a lot of fours and sixes.

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