CENTURION: South Africa will be eyeing a place in the World Test Championship final with an all-seam attack against Pakistan in the first test, starting Thursday.
The Proteas need to win one of its remaining two test matches in this WTC cycle to guarantee a place at the Lord’s final next year and captain Temba Bavuma believes expectations have risen in his team to do well in the two-test series.
“There’ll be pressure that comes with that,” Bavuma said. “But to be honest with you, we’re coming into the series to win the series 2-0. We understand that for us to do that, there’s certain things that we need to do as a team: keep things simple, keep doing the small things right, and allow the results to take care of itself.”
South Africa has included four fast bowlers in the lineup with Corbin Bosch, who consistently bowls above 140 kph, set to play his first test at his hometown.
Seasoned fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen will team up with Dane Paterson and Bosch to challenge Pakistan's batters on an expected pacey Centurion pitch where fast bowlers have a clear advantage over the last six years, picking up 227 wickets with spinners dismissing only 16 batters.
Heading into the tests, South Africa's top-order batters did struggle against Pakistan in a rare 3-0 ODI whitewash with Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs all failing to read the offspin bowling of Salman Ali Agha in the opening game of the series.
“Whether it’s easy, whether it’s hard, we’ve got to find a way to do it,” Bavuma said. “Whatever, I don’t know, trauma that was there ... guys will have to deal with it.”
Pakistan have long been struggling in test matches in South Africa, losing 12 and winning just two of the 15 test matches since it first toured the country in 1995. Pakistan's below-par show in South Africa includes its lowest test score of 49 at the Wanderers in 2013.
Pakistan are lying at No. 7 in the WTC points table and Aaqib Javed is its fourth head coach in this WTC cycle with Mickey Arthur and Mohammad Hafeez quitting after one series. Jason Gillespie resigned just two weeks before Thursday’s test.
Gillespie, who was hired by the Pakistan Cricket Board in April, had a horror start to his two-year contract when Bangladesh swept Pakistan in Pakistan 2-0 in the test series before England won the first test at Multan.
Gillespie was removed from the selection panel and Javed masterminded Pakistan’s back-to-back wins against England on two engineered spinning pitches where Noman Ali and Sajid Khan bagged 39 wickets.
But Pakistan has brought in only Noman Ali for the two-test series in South Africa and is still contemplating whether to follow South Africa and go with an all-out pace attack.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who played in the preceding white-ball series in South Africa, has been surprisingly left out for the test matches.
Naseem Shah and Babar Azam return to the test fold after missing the last two home tests against England while selectors have recalled seamer Mohammad Abbas after three years with the left-arm seam option of Mir Hamza in the squad.
Abbas took 90 wickets in 25 test matches from 2017 to 21 before he ran out of selectors’ favor despite his consistent performances for Hampshire in England and in domestic first-class cricket.
South Africa aim to seal its place in WTC final in test series against Pakistan
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South Africa aim to seal its place in WTC final in test series against Pakistan
- The Proteas need to win one of its remaining two test matches in this WTC cycle to guarantee a place at the Lord’s final next year
- Pakistan have long been struggling in test matches in South Africa, losing 12 and winning two of 15 test matches since first tour in 1995
Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for a match after 3 years in exile due to Taliban ban
- Since fleeing Afghanistan where women cricketers are banned from playing, they have been based in Canberra and Melbourne
- Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side
MELBOURNE: Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday.
An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.
Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers. banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.
Amiri and Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women’s sport.
“It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again,” Amiri said this week.
Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban took control. She and her family first traveled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.
“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support us. Your support means the world to us,” Sapan said. “Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.
“This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.”
Sapan told the BBC in 2023 that her family received death threats from government officials after the Taliban re-took power. The threatening messages included: “If we find you, we will not let you live.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.
“To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them,” Hockley said. “I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game.”
Hockley said CA would continue to “advocate” for change at a global level through discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said Thursday’s game represented an important first step.
“This match shines the light on the fact that in places around the world, not every woman and girl has the chance to play,” Hockley said. “We continue to advocate at the ICC and continue to engage with the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board).
“It’s such a complex situation. It’s bigger than cricket.”
Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women’s team because the country’s laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court.
Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side.
England and Australia are refusing to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against it in ICC events, such as next month’s Champions Trophy global event in Pakistan.
England cricket captain Jos Buttler said last week that his side should not boycott a match against the Afghanistan men’s team when they are scheduled to play in the Champions Trophy on Feb. 26 in Lahore. South Africa’s sport minister, however, has urged the Proteas to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the same tournament.
Asked why Australia was prepared to play a men’s game against Afghanistan in an ICC event, but not in a bilateral series, Hockley said CA was “duty-bound” to play all its scheduled fixtures at ICC events.
“We’re really trying to do everything we can in our power to make a difference,” Hockley said. “We’ve played Afghanistan in other ICC events. You have to draw a line somewhere and I think we’ve made our stance pretty clear.”
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan’s men’s national cricket team have posted support of women’s education on social media after the Taliban closed training institutes for nursing and midwives.
Hockley said he hoped Thursday’s match, the format for which was not announced, would become an annual one and that it would “promote lots of conversations.”
“You need moments like this to prompt real change. The first piece is awareness,” Hockley said. “Hopefully this game just raises awareness. I think it’s a real beacon of hope.”
Afghanistan’s female cricketers reunite for a match after 3 years in exile due to Taliban ban
- An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval
- Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions
MELBOURNE: Cricketer Firooza Amiri says her team will “represent millions of women in Afghanistan who are denied their rights” when the side reunites after more than three years for an exhibition game in Australia on Thursday.
An Afghanistan Women’s XI will play a Cricket Without Borders XI in the match at Melbourne’s Junction Oval. It will bring together 21 female players who were formerly contracted by the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) before the Taliban regime re-took control in August 2021.
Since fleeing Afghanistan, the women cricketers, banned from playing in their home country, have been based in Canberra and Melbourne and playing for various club teams in local competitions.
Amiri and Nahida Sapan, who will captain the Afghanistan Women’s XI, thanked the Australian government and Cricket Australia for their support in promoting women’s sport.
“It’s very special for all of us to get back together after three years, leaving everything and losing everything back home in Afghanistan and come together again,” Amiri said this week.
Amiri was forced to flee her home country when the Taliban took control. She and her family first traveled to Pakistan and then were evacuated to Australia.
“I also want to express deepest gratitude for everyone who support us. Your support means the world to us,” Sapan said. “Together we are building not just a team. We are building a movement for change and improvement.
“This is a very historic moment for all of Afghan women. This match can open doors for Afghan women for education, sport and our future.”
Sapan told the BBC in 2023 that her family received death threats from government officials after the Taliban re-took power. The threatening messages included: “If we find you, we will not let you live.”
Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley praised the resilience of the players. He said it was a powerful moment when they were presented with their team shirts for the exhibition match.
“To see their playing shirts for the first time with their names and numbers on the back, you can see how much it means to them,” Hockley said. “I’m just inspired by their resilience, their love for the game.”
Hockley said CA would continue to “advocate” for change at a global level through discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC). He said Thursday’s game represented an important first step.
“This match shines the light on the fact that in places around the world, not every woman and girl has the chance to play,” Hockley said. “We continue to advocate at the ICC and continue to engage with the ACB (Afghanistan Cricket Board).
“It’s such a complex situation. It’s bigger than cricket.”
Under Taliban rule, the Afghanistan Cricket Board cannot field a national women’s team because the country’s laws forbid women from playing sport, studying and medical education, moves that have been criticized by world groups including the International Criminal Court.
Afghanistan is a full member of the ICC and a condition of that status should require it to have a women’s side.
England and Australia are refusing to participate in direct series against Afghanistan in protest, but continue to play against it in ICC events, such as next month’s Champions Trophy global event in Pakistan.
England cricket captain Jos Buttler said last week that his side should not boycott a match against the Afghanistan men’s team when they are scheduled to play in the Champions Trophy on Feb. 26 in Lahore. South Africa’s sport minister, however, has urged the Proteas to boycott their match against Afghanistan in the same tournament.
Asked why Australia was prepared to play a men’s game against Afghanistan in an ICC event, but not in a bilateral series, Hockley said CA was “duty-bound” to play all its scheduled fixtures at ICC events.
“We’re really trying to do everything we can in our power to make a difference,” Hockley said. “We’ve played Afghanistan in other ICC events. You have to draw a line somewhere and I think we’ve made our stance pretty clear.”
Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan from Afghanistan’s men’s national cricket team have posted support of women’s education on social media after the Taliban closed training institutes for nursing and midwives.
Hockley said he hoped Thursday’s match, the format for which was not announced, would become an annual one and that it would “promote lots of conversations.”
“You need moments like this to prompt real change. The first piece is awareness,” Hockley said. “Hopefully this game just raises awareness. I think it’s a real beacon of hope.”
India’s Bumrah named cricketer of the year after stellar 2024
- Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body
- New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
NEW DELHI: India pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been named men’s cricketer of the year for 2024, the International Cricket Council announced Tuesday, a day after he won the Test award.
Bumrah, 31, ended last year as the top wicket-taker in Tests with 71 wickets and inspired India to the T20 World Cup title in June.
“The year 2024 was incredibly special — winning the men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados and also contributing as much as I could across all three formats of the game,” said Bumrah.
“I dedicate this award to everyone who has believed in me, the power of hard work and dreams, and to bowlers worldwide who continue to inspire and strive for excellence.”
Bumrah beat England batters Harry Brook and Joe Root as well as Australia’s Travis Head to the award — the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, given by the sport’s governing body.
He is fifth Indian to receive the award after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016) and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).
Bumrah has claimed 443 wickets in 204 international matches since his debut for India in 2016.
New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr was voted women’s cricketer of the year to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, after she won the T20 cricketer of the year on Saturday.
Kerr becomes the first New Zealander to win the trophy after she inspired the White Ferns to their women’s T20 World Cup victory in October last year.
The 24-year-old overcame South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland to win the award.
Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others
- The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16
- manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will give some star players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk a rest for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16, so manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands.
Along with Salah and Van Dijk, the other players who were left in Merseyside were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool are in first place and can finish no lower than second in the league phase of the Champions League.
On Tuesday, Slot said with the packed schedule it was a chance for players to “get some freshness back.”
The Premier League leaders play at seventh-place Bournemouth on Saturday.
ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announces rookie free practice session at Jeddah E-Prix
- ‘It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent,’ says chief championship officer
- Teams must nominate driver, allocate race car number 7 days prior to event
JEDDAH: The ABB FIA Formula E World Championship announced on Tuesday a rookie free practice session designed for drivers who have never raced in the championship, as part of the Jeddah E-Prix.
Scheduled for Feb. 13, the 40-minute session will provide experienced racing talent from other motorsport championships valuable track time to discover the new, groundbreaking technology of the Formula E GEN3 Evo car.
Alberto Longo, Formula E’s co-founder and chief championship officer, said: “Following on from the success of our official women’s test in November, we’re thrilled to introduce this dedicated rookie free practice session at the Jeddah E-Prix.
“It’s a crucial next step in fulfilling our commitment to nurturing the next generation of racing talent, including young women.”
The opportunity to drive the cutting-edge GEN3 Evo car will, according to Longo, provide invaluable experience for young drivers, and “we believe it will significantly contribute to developing the future stars of Formula E and motorsport as a whole.”
Pablo Martino, the head of the Formula E Championship, said: “It’s crucial for the FIA to allow drivers to develop their careers through FIA world championships, and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship has one of the most competitive grids around.”
Teams must nominate a driver and allocate a race car number seven days prior to the event, meaning the lineup will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The initiative follows the successful inaugural women’s test in Madrid, and further emphasizes the dedication of Formula E and the FIA to creating diverse and inclusive pathways for the next generation of racing drivers.
