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The five-match ODI series that starts in Dambulla is a chance for both Sri Lanka and South Africa to strap in, and start building some form

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando28-Jul-2018

Big Picture

The last time these two sides met in bilateral ODIs, South Africa stomped to a 5-0 victory. Sri Lanka were at the start of their shambolic 2017, and South Africa still had AB de Villiers, while Imran Tahir only needed to stare at a Sri Lanka batsman in order to get his wicket.Things are a little different now – mainly for South Africa. They are without de Villiers, who is retired, and are missing Tahir on this trip – the selectors having chosen to give him a break. The core of their batting group has also twice failed against spin over the last few months. Once, in the just-concluded Tests, where Sri Lanka’s spinners uprooted them for embarrassing totals on three different occasions. And also a few months ago, when India’s wristspinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal shared 33 wickets between them in an ODI series that South Africa lost 5-1.Sri Lanka, meanwhile, are yet to convince anyone that they are a capable ODI side. They won a tri-series featuring Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in January, but were unconvincing in that campaign, and have not played ODIs since. There is also substantial flux in their side, because almost no one contributes consistently, series after series. The trend has been for players to burn hot for a few games, before fading dramatically away. The uncertainty over what the best XI might be is not helped by the suspensions – Dinesh Chandimal and Danushka Gunathilaka are effectively ruled out of the series.If you were to pick favourites for next year’s World Cup, these two teams are unlikely to feature. Others, such as India and England, have already started fine-tuning. Pakistan are running hot. Both South Africa and Sri Lanka, however, have serious catching up to do if they are to launch formidable campaigns in England next year. This series kicks off their World Cup preparation, in earnest; it is a chance for two meandering teams to strap in, and start building some form.

Form guide

Sri Lanka WWWLL (completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa LLWLL

In the spotlight

For so long the most frustrating cricketer in Sri Lanka (and this is a crowded field), coaches say Thisara Perera is now a brand-new, self-motivated man. His performances have been better in the last 10 months than in the previous few years, with his batting in particular coming good. That the think tank persisted with him through all those lean series is because Sri Lanka’s selectors know a seam-bowling, big-hitting allrounder will be invaluable in England next year. Given his recent form, big performances are now expected from Thisara.Although he never got past 50, Faf du Plessis appeared the most capable South Africa batsman against spin for the first three innings of the Test series. Despite having missed most of the ODIs against India at home, he had also hit 120 off 112 balls in the only match he played. South Africa’s batting coach has hinted that his team would use this series to trial new players, with the likes of Willem Mulder, Heinrich Klaasen and Reeza Hendricks among those who may get an opportunity. But while that experimenting goes on, South Africa will depend on runs from the senior men – du Plessis and Hashim Amla in particular, who have been part of an ODI series victory in Sri Lanka before.

Team news

Heinrich Klaasen picked up a groin strain and sat out the tour match, but is expected to be fit for the first ODI. He may be overlooked in favour of Mulder, however, who was good with bat and ball in the practice game. South Africa may opt for two spinners in Dambulla, in which case Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi may both play.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Hashim Amla, 3 Faf du Plessis (capt.), 4 Aiden Markram, 5 JP Duminy, 6 David Miller, 7 Willem Mulder, 8 Keshav Maharaj, 9 Andile Phehlukwayo, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiSri Lanka’s XI is difficult to predict, given the flux. Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella are likely to form the four, although it is hard to say in which order. If they go with double-spin, Akila Dananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan are the likeliest to play. Kasun Rajitha may also be in the mix for an ODI debut.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 3 Upul Tharanga, 4 Kusal Mendis, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Akila Dananjaya, 9 Suranga Lakmal, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Kasun Rajitha

Pitch and conditions

The tracks in Dambulla have seemingly become more batting friendly over the last couple of years. Chasing teams also appear to have done well, though the sample size is too small for this to be called a trend. There is no rain forecast.

Stats and trivia

• In four ODI innings during that January tri-series in Bangladesh, Thisara struck 134 runs at a strike rate of 154, and an average of 44.66.
• Of all the places Hashim Amla has batted, it is in Sri Lanka that he has the best average of 70.60, with two centuries to his name.
• South Africa have won nine of the last 10 ODIs between these sides, having beaten Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy last year, and having won the 2014 bilateral series in Sri Lanka 2-1.

Quotes

“We’ll trial a few combinations which we think will be suitable for the World Cup, but it’s a process. It depends on the conditions also and you have to keep winning as well.”
“I’d look at the next year leading up to the World Cup as how we can give guys opportunities, who we think will be in that 15-man squad, and as well as equipping them with the skillsets required to win the trophy in England.”

It has been 17 years since New Zealand last won an ICC trophy. They came close in the 2015 World Cup, but will it be the Champions Trophy in 2017 that adds a second trophy to their cabinet?

Andrew McGlashan28-May-20171:14

How crucial will Trent Boult be in New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign?

Overview

Fifty-over cricket has delivered New Zealand only one global trophy – the 2000 edition of this tournament, when it was called the ICC Knockout Trophy – and almost gave them the greatest success in their history in 2015. Riding on a surge of home support and home advantage, they reached the World Cup final that year, unbeaten, only to be overpowered (and overawed) at the MCG.

Squad

Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Gradhomme, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Jeetan Patel, Luke Ronchi (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor

In some ways, the team has been regenerated since then. The talismanic Brendon McCullum, the wily Daniel Vettori and the heroic Grant Elliott have retired. However, within this squad, there is an element of trying to rekindling that 2015 spirit: Corey Anderson, Mitchell McClenaghan and Adam Milne have been recalled after lengthy periods on the sidelines, while in Mitchell Santner they also have someone doing a very fine impression of Vettori.This is, though, a side in Kane Williamson’s image; a little less gung-ho and a touch more considered than the McCullum model, much like his batting. Since taking over full-time, Williamson has had two series against Australia and one apiece against India, Bangladesh and South Africa. The toughest of those – India away, Australia away and South Africa at home – have been lost, and while there is no disgrace in any of that, there is a sense that this New Zealand team is a notch below the side of 2015.There is also a lingering concern about burnout among some key figures, notably the captain and coach. With a smaller pool of resources to call on than some nations, Williamson – who did not travel to Ireland but was still active at the IPL – and Mike Hesson are involved in virtually every aspect of New Zealand’s cricket, and it’s been almost non-stop cricket for them since August 2016. After this tournament, they do have a significant break until October, thereby giving them a chance to take stock at the mid-point cycle to another World Cup.

Champions Trophy history

1998 – Quarter-final
2000 – Winners
2002 – Group stage
2004 – Group stage
2006 – Semi-final
2009 – Runner’s up
2013 – Group stage

Form guide

Half the members of the Champions Trophy squad have been warming up with a tri-series in Ireland, while key figures completed their IPL campaigns. It all went swimmingly until the final match when they slipped up against Bangladesh, but it could yet prove a useful exercise for New Zealand’s fringe players – should they be needed as reinforcements. In their previous home season, New Zealand lost 2-3 against South Africa, having cleaned up Bangladesh and Australia, although they lost the away Chappell-Hadlee series.

Strength

As has been touched upon, a core of senior players remain from the 2015 side – each of them in their prime and looking to make it to the World Cup in 2019. There is the big three in the top four – Martin Guptill, Williamson and Ross Taylor – while Trent Boult and Tim Southee are impressive white-ball bowlers. They are all among the finest one-day cricketers in the world. Guptill’s unbeaten 180 off 138 balls against South Africa earlier this year was a stunning innings, Taylor had a resurgent home season with two match-winning hundreds in his last eight matches, and Williamson is rightly bracketed alongside Virat Kohli, Steven Smith and Joe Root as this generation’s outstanding batsmen across formats.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Weakness

New Zealand have got themselves into a bit of pickle over the wicketkeeping situation, and it has had a knock-on effect. They are keen to balance their side by having the gloveman open the innings. It led them to giving Tom Latham a chance behind the wicket during the home season, but that – whether as a result or a coincidence – saw Latham’s runs dry up so much that he was briefly dropped. They have now gone back to Luke Ronchi, and signs suggest that he will open the batting – having had that role in the tri-series. There remains huge faith in Latham, who captained the side in Ireland and also churned out the runs. That could make it difficult to fit Ronchi into the full-strength XI – he has not scored an ODI half-century since January 2015, when he made 170 not out against Sri Lanka. However, his runs in Ireland came at a strike-rate of 113.48, and he could be used with the licence to cut loose.

Key stats

• Since the beginning of the 2015 World Cup, Martin Guptill is the second highest run-scorer in ODIs with 2222, just behind David Warner (2244).
• Kane Williamson has the highest average (45.90) of any New Zealand batsman to have played 50 ODIs. If the qualification is trimmed to 40 matches, Glenn Turner (47.00) sneaks ahead.
• Of players to have bowled 100 ODI overs since the start of 2016, Mitchell Santner has the lowest economy rate (4.59) of anyone who will appear in the Champions Trophy.

Promotion and relegation could be introduced into Test cricket as early as 2019, if ICC chief executive David Richardson has his way

George Dobell01-Jun-2016Promotion and relegation could be introduced into Test cricket as early as 2019, if ICC chief executive David Richardson has his way. Richardson admitted that Test cricket required added “meaning and context” if it is to survive and revealed that the ICC hopes to unveil plans for the introduction of two divisions and, potentially, a number of new Test nations within the next few weeks.Speaking to promote the 2017 Champions Trophy, Richardson also confirmed an intention to stage an extra World T20 tournament in 2018. The event would, he said, involve “a minimum of 16 teams” and be staged in either South Africa, Sri Lanka or the UAE. The final decision over the event’s go-ahead will be made by the ICC’s broadcasting partner, Star.But it was the plans to reinvigorate Test cricket that were the most eye-catching and radical. Accepting the diminishing returns of current bilateral series, Richardson offered the prospect of Test status to the likes of Nepal, Ireland and Afghanistan, but warned more established nations – notably West Indies – that they could find themselves playing Division Two cricket if they are unable to improve their red-ball form.”There’s a general realisation now that, if we’re going to keep Test cricket going well into the future, we can’t just say it’s going to survive on its own,” Richardson said. “Unless we can give some meaning to these series beyond the rankings and a trophy, then interest in Test cricket will continue to waver. The same applies if we allow uncompetitive Test cricket to take place too often.”If we really want Test cricket to survive, we can’t have the number of Test teams diminishing. We have to create a proper competition structure which provides promotion and relegation and opportunities to get to the top.”A number of member countries are finding that they’re not getting as much from their TV rights for bilateral cricket and they see the need to change and introduce some meaningful context.”The beauty of leagues is that, in theory, you will have a more competitive competition and teams playing each other that are of a more equal standard.”They will all be striving for something. There’s something at stake. They will be thinking ‘We could end up in the Intercontinental Cup if we’re not careful here.’ Hopefully that will inspire performance and make the matches more competitive.”While the details of the plan remain open to debate – Richardson hopes they will be agreed by the end of this month – there is a favoured option, involving the introduction of a top division of seven teams and a second division of five teams. It is likely that the plan would see one team promoted and relegated in each two-year cycle, though it remains possible that a second team could be promoted if the ICC embraced a play-off model with the sixth team in Division One playing the second team in Division Two.Richardson hopes that each qualifying Test series would consist of a minimum of three Tests, though he acknowledged that the growth of domestic T20 leagues might render that impractical. The Ashes series would still consist of five games, with every Test carrying ranking points but the overall number of points in the series not exceeding those available in a three-Test series.”The feeling is that if you want to sustain interest in a competition, you probably can’t go longer than two years with it,” Richardson said. “If you had a top division of seven teams, you’d have six tours – three home, three away – over a two-year period. It works well mathematically.”We could probably make it work in 2019 because hopefully whatever we implement will be better than the current arrangement. It’s the sooner the better as far as we’re concerned. We might need to have some negotiations with broadcasters who have deals in place, but they might be willing to change. This is a marvellous opportunity for the game.”There are two catalysts to the changing mood of an ICC board who, only a few months ago, appeared to have little concern for any interests beyond their own. The first is the election of the new chairman, Shashank Manohar, who seems genuinely committed to growing cricket as a global game and running the ICC as a governing body for the good of all 105 members rather than a favoured few.The second is the diminishing financial value of bilateral series to the Full Member boards, which has allowed Manohar fertile ground on which to plant his ideas.The combination has offered the prospect of unprecedented opportunities for Associate nations in the next few years.Ireland and Afghanistan have ambitions to play Test cricket•ICC/Saleem Sanghati

“The new chairman has gone out of his way to reverse the sense that the ‘Big Three’ are in control,” Richardson said. “There is a bigger desire to regard the ICC as an organisation with 105 members, not just 10 Full Members who are a select, secluded club with no one else allowed in. We want to be more encompassing and allow opportunities for Associate Members to graduate.”We have 105 members at the moment and we want 105 members to be able to play T20 internationals. Obviously not all against each other at the same time but everybody should want to play the T20 format and it will appeal to all of our members. Then the better ones, the top 30 to 35, would graduate to the 50-over game and be involved in global competitions catering to approximately that number of teams.”And then Test cricket is towards the other end of the spectrum, where the top 18 teams perhaps are playing a multi-day format of the game, be it the Intercontinental Cup or part of a Test league.”Countries that you never thought would have ambitions to play multi-day cricket actually have got the potential. Countries like Nepal, Afghanistan and Ireland are keen. But Ireland and Nepal aren’t getting any opportunities. Zimbabwe hardly play. West Indies are focusing more on T20 cricket. Creating a competition and a financial model that underpins it, it will allow them the resources to fund a team and provide incentives for their players to be available to play Test cricket for them.”Richardson also suggested that membership rules could be changed, to decouple Test status and Full Membership.”We’re reviewing the criteria for Full Membership, which will enable countries like Ireland and Afghanistan to become Full Members. But we don’t want to link it to Test cricket. The competition structure is set separate to membership status. It’s about voting or funding opportunities.”As the ICC’s original broadcast deal did not include plans for a global tournament in 2018, it will have to gain permission from its broadcast partner, Star, before confirming the World T20 for 2018.”We’re having discussions now with broadcasters about having a second World T20 in a four-year cycle,” Richardson said. “If they agree – and the board agrees – it would be in 2018 and the venue needs to be decided. The broadcasting agreement says we can’t hold another event without them agreeing to it. So they will have a say in where the event will be held.”The broadcasters obviously want the matches to be played at times which are good for the broadcast market in India. But it probably won’t be India as we’ve just been there. And the timing issue rules out West Indies, Australia and New Zealand. We’re currently unable to play in Pakistan, so that leaves Sri Lanka, South Africa or the UAE as the only options probably. It is too early for America.”It also emerged that England, the hosts of the 2017 Champions Trophy and the 2019 World Cup, retain hopes of hosting a possible World T20 in 2022, and the World Cup qualifiers in 2018. Those qualifiers are currently scheduled to be played in Bangladesh but if Bangladesh qualify automatically – they are currently ranked seventh and on target to do so – it is likely the qualifiers would be moved to the country where the main tournament will be played the following year.

Kent opening batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond struck his second County Championship century in five days to give his winless, Division Two basement side, a solid start to their four-day clash with Glamorgan.

Press Association10-May-2015
ScorecardMichael Hogan was the pick of Glamorgan’s attack and kept them in the match•PA Photos

Kent opening batsman Daniel Bell-Drummond struck his second County Championship century in five days to give his winless, Division Two basement side, a solid start to their four-day clash with Glamorgan.The 21-year-old, fresh from his 103 against Leicestershire in Canterbury on Wednesday, mastered a very different pitch to post a season’s best 123 in Kent’s first-day total of 330 for 8 from 95.1 overs.Batting first on an unusually green pitch that had been cut to 5mm, rather than the 3mm norm here, Bell-Drummond soon looked at home on the surface to feature in a season’s best opening stand with Joe Denly.The pair added 68 before Denly became the sole casualty of the first session. Fencing at a Michael Hogan leg-cutter, he edged to third slip to be caught low down by Jacques Rudolph.Bell-Drummond joined forces with Brendan Nash to add a further 66 either side of lunch before Nash perished during an excellent seven-over stint of 1 for 12 from the Nackington Road End. Aiming to drive on the up at a length ball, the left-hander edged to the keeper and trudged off castigating his own shot selection.Sam Northeast, Kent’s acting captain in the absence of Rob Key who asked to be omitted following a run of poor form stretching back to last summer, followed soon after for 8. Having hit half-centuries in Kent’s opening three fixtures, Northeast played around a Craig Meschede off-cutter and went lbw to make it 145 for 3.Fabian Cowdrey, Key’s replacement in the home batting order, had 14 to his name when he drove loosely against David Lloyd and feathered a regulation catch into the gloves of Mark Wallace.The hosts re-grouped either side of the tea break through Bell-Drummond and Darren Stevens, with a fifth-wicket stand worth 85. Bell Drummond pulled a loose one from Meschede for four to the ropes at midwicket for a 16th boundary that hoisted his 249-ball century.He jumped for joy and then removed his helmet to accept the acclaim from the crowd and players’ balcony, but was soon removing his helmet for a very different reason after being hit on the head by an accidental beamer from Lloyd.Though the delivery was called a no-ball by umpire Nick Cook, Bell-Drummond was clearly shaken by events and only continued after treatment and with a replacement helmet. He was out soon after, leg before when half-forward in defence to the second delivery with the second new ball from Hogan.Glamorgan continued their fightback with gusto thereafter by picking up three more Kent scalps in the final 12 overs of the day.
Stevens, having just recorded a breezy, chanceless 50 from 75 balls, fell into Rudolph’s leg theory trap by glancing one off his hip from Graham Wagg into the hands of the Glamorgan captain who had just stationed himself at backward short leg.Sam Billings’ cameo stay for 26 ended when he skied a Meschede bouncer to Chris Cooke at gully, then, in the day’s final over, Calum Haggett fenced at one from the excellent Hogan to again pick out Rudolph in the cordon. Hogan, the pick of Glamorgan’s attack, finished the day with 4 for 53.

ESPNcricinfo previews the qualifying match of the Champions League T20 between Auckland and Hampshire

The Preview by Kanishkaa Balachandran09-Oct-2012

Match facts

October 10, 2012
Start time 1330 (1130 GMT)Hampshire are coming off a sparking limited-overs season in England•Getty Images

How they qualified

Hampshire won the Friends Life t20 by beating Yorkshire by 10 runs in the final at Cardiff.

Big Picture

Hampshire are making their Champions League debut and on paper are a force to reckon with thanks to their limited-overs form this season, winning the Friends Life t20 and the CB40 competition. Led by Dimitri Mascarenhas, the county doesn’t have any England stars, but have a couple of exciting overseas picks like Shahid Afridi – although not in the best of form – and Glenn Maxwell. This will be their only chance to make an impression here since English teams are likely to be absent from the next season. They didn’t get off to a good start in the warm-ups, losing to Uva Next by six wickets.One thing that will be in their favour is that their opponents Auckland played the late game on Tuesday, and will have to turn up for the first game on Wednesday. Auckland’s new-ball bowlers were in top form against Sialkot Stallions, strangling the top order – No. 3 Haris Sohail took 13 deliveries to get off the mark as Kyle Mills bowled his way to the most economical figures in CLT20 history. Their batsmen were also canny in playing out the dangerous left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, while taking on some of the less threatening bowlers. The big win over Sialkot also means auckalnd’s net run-rate gets a healthy boost, which could prove pivotal in deciding who qualifies for the tournament proper.

Players to watch

Dimitri Mascarenhas was Hampshire’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 competition in England with 15 wickets in 11 games and fifth best overall. What made his performance more commendable was the fact that he battled the pain of twice tearing tendons in his shoulder. He played a vital role in the knockouts, taking 2 for 11 in the semi-final and 2 for 20 in the final. His big hitting will be a plus for Hampshire.Martin Guptill didn’t have a productive World T20 for New Zealand, scoring 75 runs in four games. However, Auckland will need him to provide strong starts at the top of the order. Guptill was in spectacular form in the domestic HRV Cup 2011-12, scoring 504 runs in ten games, including a century. He found his touch against Sialkot as well, top scoring with a fluent 70 before picking out deep square leg with a powerful pull.

Quotes

“We haven’t yet had a team from New Zealand go into the main tournament in the CLT20. So, that’s something we want to prove to the world and to ourselves that we can do”
.”We’re not expecting a whole lot from him with the bat, whatever we get is a bonus but we know he can do it if he has to. We will use him more as a bowler who can bat a bit.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the semi-finals of the the Faysal Bank T20 in Karachi

The Preview by Umar Farooq01-Oct-2011

Match facts

Lahore Eagles v Sialkot Stallions, October 1, 1st semi-final, Karachi

Start time 1600 (1100 GMT)
Peshawar Panthers v Rawalpindi Rams, October 1, 2nd semi-final, Karachi

Start time 2000 (1500 GMT)
Peshawar’s Umar Gul has a point to prove to win back his place in the national side•Associated Press

Big Picture

The 2011 Faysal Bank T20 Cup has thrown up a few surprises in the group stage of the competition, with pre-tournament favourites, Karachi Dolphins, and defending champions, Lahore Lions, both falling by the wayside before the semi-finals.The draw had seemed to favour Karachi, who were in the same group as depleted teams such as Islamabad Leopards and Peshawar Panthers, but Twenty20 is the most fickle form of the game. Sialkot Stallions, the five-time-champions, are finally back in the spotlight after thumping Lahore Lions and Quetta Bears, while Rawalpindi Rams beat Faisalabad Wolves to extend their winning streak and ease into the semi-finals.Most of the games have been played in front of just a few thousand spectators at the National Stadium in Karachi, but a couple of contests that involved the home team, led by Shahid Afridi, had close to overflowing stands. Karachi, though, did not make the semi-finals, and it remains to be seen how many fans turn up to watch the final few matches.

Watch out for …

Sialkot’s 18-year-old Raza Hasan, a left-arm spinner who last appeared for Rawalpindi, has consistently been called up for the national side but has never been handed the opportunity to kick-start his international career. A good showing here could help his chances.Out of favour Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, who is captaining Peshawar, also has a point to prove to win back his place in the national side.

Team news

In the absence of seasoned campaigners Naved-ul-Hasan and Abdul Rehman, Sialkot lost their way in 2010, but the pair are back this year and the team, led by Shoaib Malik, have set their sights on re-establishing their dominance in the format. “We were missing several key players for the last couple of events, but particularly with Rana [Naved-ul-Hasan] making his way back into the squad, and Raza [Hasan, who has shifted to Sialkot from Rawalpindi], we have good additions to our squad this year,” captain Shoaib Malik told ESPNcricinfo. “We definitely have our sights on regaining our lost glory as former champions, but [right now] our focus is currently on the semi-final.”Rawalpindi are the defending champions and have responded well to the pressure of trying to retain their title, winning all three of their league games. Though they are a young side, they have not been overawed by the occasion and their strength in depth makes them a definite threat to repeat.

Stats and trivia

• Rawalpindi Rams and Lahore Eagles are the only teams with two batsmen aggregating over 100 runs so far in the tournament
• Sialkot Stallions’ Sarfraz Ahmed’s 4 for 13 against Hyderabad Hawks is the best bowling figures in the tournament

Quotes

“It’s all about the right combination. The Twenty20 format is a unique form of game that requires being on your toes all the way while batting or fielding and [the right] combination means a lot. You can’t afford to be complacent with even a single ball.”
“We weren’t one of the fancied teams going into this tournament, but we have shown that we are a match for any team in this competition.”

Defeats for Guyana and Mumbai tomorrow will knock them out, making the Bangalore-Lions game a sudden death. The opposite result, however, will, theoretically, keep all four teams in contention

The Preview by Siddhartha Talya18-Sep-2010

Match facts

Sunday, September 19
Start time 1730 (1530 GMT)

Big Picture

Will Jacques Kallis return?•AFP

The clash between these two IPL heavyweights is the biggest draw in Group A and the stakes have increased with South Australia Redbacks sealing their place in the semis after three straight wins. Mumbai Indians face a must-win clash while Royal Challengers Bangalore have a bit more breathing space, given they’ll be facing the Lions in their final league game after the results of Sunday’s fixtures will have either intensified or narrowed down the race for the final four. Defeats for Guyana and Mumbai tomorrow will knock them out, making the Bangalore-Lions game a sudden death. The opposite results, however, will theoretically keep all four teams in contention.Mumbai and Bangalore brushed aside Guyana and their defeats to South Australia were also similar. Both fielded terribly and were beaten by South Australia’s century-opening stands but the difference lay in the batting. While Mumbai’s innings was laced with several important contributions, a feat repeated against Guyana, Bangalore had just three batsmen reach double-figures en route to 154, which included 13 extras. Each of the front line Indian batsmen fell cheaply and though Bangalore were rescued by the counterattack led by Ross Taylor and Dillon du Preez, it’s a failure they can ill-afford to repeat against an equally power-packed Mumbai batting line-up. The loss of Jacques Kallis due to a sore back had its impact at the top of the order and with the ball. A return could prove a timely boost to a side slightly behind on momentum.

Team news

Bangalore may have a few tough calls to make in the event of Kallis’ return. du Preez was his replacement against South Australia and he smashed a 25-ball 46. Bangalore could be made to choose between him and Cameron White. They tried out Vinay Kumar in place of B Akhil but without much success; Abhimanyu Mithun remains an extra pace option.Royal Challengers Bangalore (possible): 1 Jacques Kallis/Manish Pandey, 2 Rahul Dravid, 3 Robin Uthappa, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Virat Kohli, 6 Dillon du Preez/Cameron White, 7 Praveen Kumar, 8 Abhimanyu Mithun/Vinay Kumar, 9 Dale Steyn, 10 Anil Kumble, 11 Nayan Doshi.Mumbai got most things right against Guyana, and could go in with the same team. Abhishek Nayar, who came in as a replacement for Dhawal Kulkarni in the squad has himself been replaced due to a flu and respiratory infection. Assam seamer Abu Nechim takes his place.Mumbai Indians (possible): 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 Sachin Tendulkar, 3 Kieron Pollard, 4 Saurabh Tiwary, 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 JP Duminy, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Ali Murtaza.

Watch out for …

Rahul Dravid was far from comfortable against South Australia, scoring 4 off 11 and, not for the first time, got out trying to overcome his frustration by attempting the paddle. He took his time while chasing a paltry target against Guyana in Bangalore’s first game. Under pressure, however, his position in the batting order could be reconsidered given the presence of several explosive batsmen in the line-up.In each of this three appearances this tournament, Kieron Pollard has reaffirmed the reputation that won him a bumper bid at the IPL auction. He’s struck 14 sixes, entertained the crowd with his brute power and raised the price-bar for the next auction. And he’s enjoying it, jiving to the music on the pitch with Dwayne Bravo after he sent Shaun Tait over cow corner. In a do-or-die encounter, Mumbai have the game-changer they need to stay alive.

Key contests

Opening stands: Both teams possess plenty of ammunition in the middle order and solid batsmen making up the opening partnerships. Shikhar Dhawan and Sachin Tendulkar have been productive at the top while Bangalore’s results have been mixed thus far. In the battle of the bats, against pace bowlers who’re adept with their skills and variations, the start to each innings involves a keen contest.

Stats and trivia

• Dwayne Bravo is one of seven bowlers to have grabbed a four-wicket haul in the Champions League Twenty20, but for Trinidad and Tobago against Somerset in 2009.
• Kallis, with an average of 8.66 for his six wickets, has the best average for anyone who has bowled three overs or more in the competition.

ECB confirms England captain set to miss SA20 but should be fit for Zimbabwe Test in May

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Dec-2024Ben Stokes, England’s Test captain, has vowed he has “blood, sweat and tears” left to give to the team, after being ruled out of all cricket for three months following a recurrence of his torn left hamstring during the third Test against New Zealand last month.Stokes, 33, was forced to leave the field during day three of England’s 423-run defeat at Seddon Park earlier this month. He pulled up after the second ball of the 56th over of New Zealand’s second innings – his 13th, and third of the day – immediately feeling the back of his left thigh after delivering a bouncer that Rachin Ravindra pulled for four.It was the same hamstring he tore in August while batting for Northern Superchargers against Manchester Originals in the men’s Hundred, which kept him out for two months. After undergoing a scan on his return to England, the recurrence of the tear was confirmed by the ECB on Monday afternoon, with Stokes set to undergo surgery in January.The extent of Stokes’ injury was flagged earlier this week when it was confirmed he had been omitted from England’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy in February. The ECB said he had not been considered on medical grounds, having not played for England’s ODI team since their elimination from the 50-over World Cup in India in November 2023.