All posts by h716a5.icu

Australia face a must-win against New Zealand in order to keep their tournament hopes alive in this trans-Tasman clash

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale11-Jun-2013Match factsWednesday, June 12, Edgbaston
Start time 1030 (0930 GMT)Big PictureAt the last Champions Trophy, Australia beat New Zealand in the final to secure their second consecutive title. This year, the two teams meet with Australia’s tournament all but on the line. A loss in their opening match against England has left the Australians vulnerable and should they lose to New Zealand, they would not only have to beat Sri Lanka next Monday but they would also need England to lose their remaining two matches to have any hope of scraping through to the semi-finals. Even then, it would come down to net run-rate. Should New Zealand win their progression is not certain, although it would take a similarly intricate series of results for them to miss out to England and Sri Lanka on net run-rate. An Australian victory would keep things fairly even throughout the group.However, the Australians will need to overcome New Zealand without their captain Michael Clarke, who has been ruled out due to a back injury that has plagued him since he arrived in England. The more significant long-term worry will be his availability for the Ashes which follow after. David Warner is a real concern as well, having scored ducks in the two warm-up matches, followed by 9 against England. New Zealand’s cordon will be well advised to be on high alert early in Warner’s innings, given the way he has been slashing and edging of late.New Zealand also have an injury concern around a senior player, with Daniel Vettori likely to miss out having had a saline injection in his troublesome left Achilles tendon. “You only have to look at him. He’s limping and is a bit ginger walking around the field,” the New Zealand fast bowler, Kyle Mills, said on Monday. “He’s been doing it since his teenage years at this level and his body is tired. He shows tremendous toughness and hopefully he can rise to the occasion for these next games to get us over the line. He looked jovial getting his toast and cereal at breakfast this morning, but there’s obviously a lot of discomfort.”Form guide(most recent first, last five completed games)
New Zealand: WLWWL
Australia: LWWWW
Watch out for…Less than five years ago, Luke Ronchi made his debut for Australia against West Indies. During that series he scored a 22-ball half-century, the fourth fastest ODI fifty by an Australia player. Now he is about to line up against his former country for the first time, having qualified for his birth nation of New Zealand earlier this year. Ronchi’s initial forays into the New Zealand side have brought few runs, but against familiar Australian bowlers, he will be keen to prove that he can be a long-term force at the top of the order.Since George Bailey made his ODI debut in March last year, only Ian Bell and Tillakaratne Dilshan have scored more one-day international runs than his 819 at an average of 45.50. During the one-day series in England last year, Bailey was the one shining light in Australia’s batting order and again during their loss to Alastair Cook’s men on Saturday he was the top scorer with 55. Bailey is a capable stand-in captain and a reliable presence in the middle order, but he needs significantly greater support if Australia are to progress to the next stage of this tournament.Team newsIf Vettori is put on ice, New Zealand would likely bring in Colin Munro or Grant Elliott, although Elliott’s availability would also depend on how well he has recovered from a calf injury.New Zealand (possible) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Luke Ronchi (wk), 3 Kane Williamson, 4 Ross Taylor, 5 James Franklin, 6 Brendon McCullum (capt), 7 Colin Munro / Grant Elliott, 8 Nathan McCullum, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Mitchell McClenaghan.
Clarke will again miss out, but Australia have a few backup options in the batting department, unless they want to give Glenn Maxwell a go in place of fellow allrounder Mitchell Marsh. Xavier Doherty might also come under consideration, although the potential for rain on Wednesday could discourage the selectors from bringing him in.Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 David Warner, 3 Phillip Hughes, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Adam Voges, 6 Mitchell Marsh / Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 James Faulkner, 9 Mitchell Johnson, 10 Mitchell Starc / Xavier Doherty, 11 Clint McKay.Pitch and conditionsBoth matches at Edgbaston so far have been won with relative comfort by the team batting first, for scoring appears to become tougher as the matches wear on. There is some rain expected around the Birmingham region on Wednesday and the forecast is for a high of 17°C.Stats and trivia Kyle Mills will be the outright leading wicket-taker in Champions Trophy history if he claims one more victim. Prior to this match, he stands equal with Muttiah Muralitharan on 24 wickets New Zealand and Australia have not met in a one-day international since the 2011 World Cup Australia have not lost to New Zealand in a world tournament since the 1999 World CupQuotes”All their top order will be feeling the heat a little bit to not only win the game but also hold their spot in the team. If we can take advantage of that I’m sure it will bode well for us in those pressure situations.”
“If it continues to be dry, we need to consider a spinner. We need to get the balance right. We need to get partnerships going.”

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Mar-2013
ScorecardA storming final day lifted Tasmania from the bottom rungs of the Sheffield Shield table to the top, their victory over a free-falling Victoria handing the Tigers a third consecutive appearance in the final and the priceless advantage of hosting it.Set 337 to win and host the final themselves after leading the table for much of the summer, the Bushrangers lost their wickets in two clumps either side of an 80-run stand between David Hussey and Peter Handscomb. James Faulkner again showed his knack for vital wickets, claiming five as Tasmania maintained their standing as the most consistent domestic side in the country.Tasmania had a stiff task ahead of them at the start of the day to achieve a result on a good pitch, but bold innings by the youngster Jordan Silk – a century in only his second Shield appearance – and Ricky Ponting allowed captain George Bailey to declare for the second time in the match.They ultimately won with more than 10 overs to spare, before Queensland’s win over Western Australia in Perth ensured the final would be played between the Tigers and the Bulls for the second season in a row, only this time in Hobart rather than Brisbane.

Durham stumbled to 92 for 8 – a lead of 210 – in their second innings after Chris Rushworth’s best figures had helped blow Somerset away

Les Smith at Chester-le-Street11-Apr-2013
ScorecardAlfonso Thomas took three cheap wickets in Durham’s second innings as Somerset fought back with the ball•PA PhotosThis was the kind of day that gives county cricket a good name. Strokeplay might have been in short supply, but almost every one of the 18 wickets to fall was the result of excellent seam bowling and fielding; only one player could be said to have given his wicket away and the battle between ball and bat was engrossing. Durham’s collapse to 92 for 8 – still a lead of 210 – in the latter half of day loosened their grip on proceedings but Somerset had already been undermined by then.Somerset finished their first innings 118 runs behind but Durham’s second knock was similarly afflicted, as controlled, lively seam bowling accounted for the top four batsmen for 20 runs by the 12th over. The role Graham Onions had played in the morning was replicated in the afternoon by Peter Trego. The allrounder bowled Keaton Jennings and Will Smith, and had Mark Stoneman caught behind before Alfonso Thomas wheedled out three of Durham’s middle order, including the dangerous Ben Stokes and Paul Collingwood on either side of tea.That Durham are still just about in control of the match is down to their first innings, which gained lustre overnight. They were all out off the last ball of the first day and might now reflect that 250 was not too bad a first-innings score on the opening day of the season.The inroads into the Somerset order on Thursday morning were made by Graham Onions, the leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket last summer. He last played in a Test match in June – and suffered on England’s tour of New Zealand – so will have been pleased to take the first three wickets of Durham’s season with selector James Whittaker looking on. He bowled with pace, accuracy and some hostility, and his wickets included the crucial one of Marcus Trescothick, in his third over. The majority of his peers consider Trescothick to be the best player in county cricket, and there was much jubilation when he was out.Onions’ new-ball partner was Chris Rushworth, who was wicketless in his first spell but returned before lunch and soon had Craig Kieswetter caught at first slip. He went on to take five further wickets in the afternoon session including top-scorer Jos Buttler, who, one ball after smacking a six over midwicket, played all around a straight one. Rushworth finished with career-best figures of 6 for 58 to leave Somerset 132 all out. The accuracy with which Onions and Rushworth exploited helpful conditions was indicated by six slip catches, an lbw, and a bowled.Rushworth’s career has been a curious one, the sporting equivalent of snakes and ladders. A modest ascent occurred early on when, after impressing in minor counties cricket for Northumberland, he was given a one-day debut by Durham at the age of 19. He spent the next five years back playing league cricket for his home town club in Sunderland, and in Australia during the winter. Durham kept an eye on him, though, and by 2010 had seen enough to offer him an extended opportunity at first-class level. His most significant climb came in the 2012 season, by the end of which he had taken 38 wickets and established himself as first choice to partner Onions at the start of the innings. He climbed another ladder here.

Graeme Smith’s side completed their summer of dominance with an innings victory over Pakistan

The Report by Siddarth Ravindran24-Feb-2013
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Dale Steyn was among the wickets yet again•Getty ImagesFor the two decades since their return from sporting isolation, South Africa have been among the top teams in the world, without ever having a sustained run as the undisputed No. 1. Even in the recent successes, an element of ruthlessness was missing, highlighted by the lack of consecutive Test victories over a four-year span ending with the hard-fought series victory over Australia.Graeme Smith’s men have been unrelenting in correcting that anomaly over the home summer. Not only have they won all five Tests, they have utterly dominated almost all of them, as the margins suggest: innings and 27 runs, innings and 193 runs, 211 runs, four wickets and today at Centurion, innings and 18 runs. None of those matches went to the fifth day, the opposition was outclassed in the batting, bowling and fielding, and the near-perfect summer silenced any debate over which was the best side in the world – South Africa now enjoy a 10-point lead over second-placed England. It also quelled murmurs over South Africa’s less than impressive record at home in recent years.Smart stats

South Africa won all five Tests in their home season. For only the third time since their readmission, they won three or more Tests in a series. The previous two such series came against West Indies in 1998 and 2003-04.

Pakistan suffered a whitewash in a series of three or more matches for the fourth time since 2000. Their three previous series whitewashes came against Australia.

Dale Steyn became the third-highest wicket-taker for South Africa after going past Allan Donald. Only Shaun Pollock (421) and Makhaya Ntini (390) are ahead of Steyn.

Kyle Abbott’s match haul of 9 for 68 is the third best by a South African bowler on Test debut and the best for South Africa since their readmission.

Abbott’s 9 for 68 is also the third best performance by a South African bowler against Pakistan. Abbott’s performance is also the best by a bowler on debut against Pakistan.

South Africa improved on their outstanding record in Centurion (14 wins and one defeat). The win-loss ratio of 14 is the best for a venue since South Africa’s readmission (min 15 Tests played).

It has been all one-way traffic over the past couple of months, and it looked like that would be the case on Sunday as well. There were plenty of cracks in the Centurion pitch making the odd ball swerve dramatically, and there was a bit of unpredictable bounce as well. And Dale Steyn removed Pakistan’s man for a crisis, Younis Khan, early with another of his typical have-to-poke-at outswingers.Azhar Ali and Imran Farhat, however, kept the South African pace battery at bay for a couple of hours. Ali, who had only one substantial score in five previous innings, capitalised on the deliveries on his pads, and was happy to otherwise push around for the singles. He looked to leave as many deliveries as he could, and defended solidly as he patiently made his way to an unbeaten 27 by lunch.Farhat, who couldn’t open the innings after having been struck on the hand yesterday, continued to show the confidence he had at the start of the first innings, crashing the ball past point repeatedly. He was not shy of the pull shot either when South Africa’s quicks pitched it short.Still, despite their defiance, as has been the case all summer, a Pakistan batting collapse never seemed far away. What will hurt them is that this time the slide began due to a run-out. Soon after lunch, there was confusion whether to go for the second or not, and by the time Ali was sent back, a bullet throw from Steyn at fine leg had arrived, and the dogged partnership was over.That opened the gates for a slew of wickets. Debutant Kyle Abbott got yet another wicket behind the stumps as Farhat edged through to the keeper, before Rory Kleinveldt finally had reward for his persistence. Misbah-ul-Haq nicked one through to AB de Villiers, and soon after Asad Shafiq gave away his wicket by punching a catch to Vernon Philander at mid-off.With an hour still left till tea, and Pakistan’s tail notoriously fragile, there was a genuine chance that the match would finish before the session was scheduled to. Sarfraz Ahmed, who has been hopeless with the bat all the series, and Saeed Ajmal, who put up some resistance in Newlands as well, made sure the collapse didn’t extend beyond four wickets, playing out the 13 overs till the break.Steyn returned to whip out two wickets, to go past the great Allan Donald’s Test haul of 330 wickets, and was one away from yet another five-for. Abbott got his ninth wicket of the match when he got the other debutant Ehsan Adil to steer a catch to third man.That left Steyn and Abbott chasing the final wicket for personal milestones, and though Pakistan’s last pair, Rahat Ali and Mohammad Irfan, attempted many an agricultural swipe, the final strike just didn’t arrive. The frustration increased for South Africa as despite a bunch of chances, Rahat and Irfan batted out eight overs. Smith finally tossed the ball to his spinner, Robin Peterson, who finished off the game in his first over, getting Rahat lbw.It completed a miserable series for Pakistan, whose batting has consistently let them down on the testing surfaces in South Africa. In this match, no batsman made a half-century, and in the series no batsman aggregated 200 runs.For the home side, it was only the third time since their return that they have won three or more Tests in the series. And there was another record for Smith to savour as he became the first captain to win 50 Tests.Not only have the results been magnificent for South Africa, they have been achieved through a eye-catching brand of cricket that combines aggression, grace and efficiency. South Africa fans, lap it up.

Sanath Jayasuriya may be a late nominee to the new selection panel, which is due to be named by the end of January, according to Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ajit Jayasekara

Andrew Fernando24-Jan-2013Sanath Jayasuriya could be nominated for a place in the new selection panel, which is due to be named by the end of January, according to Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive Ajit Jayasekara.SLC had already sent a list of 11 names to the sports minister who appoints the panel likely to comprise five selectors, but Jayasekara confirmed that more names will be added to that list. Jayasuriya is also an MP for the ruling United People’s Freedom Alliance, of which sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage is also a member.Jayasekara was unwilling to release the names of the additional nominees nor confirm their number, but said the names may be forwarded to the minister as early as Thursday evening. He also said that the sports minister had not asked SLC to provide more names, and that it was the board that had decided to expand the list of nominees. He did not explain what had prompted that decision saying, “not every decision needs a reason.”Jayasuriya played 110 Tests for Sri Lanka and led the side in both formats from 1999 to 2003. He retired officially from international cricket in June 2011, but had only regained his place in the team in 2008 after the then-sports minister intervened to have him included in the squad.The present selectors’ term ends at the end of January, and the new panel will first be tasked with naming Sri Lanka’s Test and ODI captains for Bangladesh’s tour of Sri Lanka in March.

Rob Nicol, the New Zealand batsman, has agreed to join Gloucestershire for the final two months of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-2012Rob Nicol, the New Zealand batsman, has agreed to join Gloucestershire for the final two months of the season. He will replace compatriot Kane Williamson, who leaves the club at the end of next week to join New Zealand’s tour of the West Indies.Nicol is on standby for that tour so he won’t arrive in the UK until the second week of the Cheltenham festival; Gloucestershire’s second Championship match at the outground begins on July 18 against Leicestershire. His late arrival means that Gloucestershire will only have one overseas player – Muttiah Muralitharan – for the final six matches of their FLt20 campaign.Nicol, 29, is an opening batsman who made his Test debut against South Africa in the first Test at in Dunedin in March. He played the second Test at Hamilton before being dropped for the third Test. He has fared better in nine one-day internationals, scoring 391 runs in nine matches, including a best of 146, albeit versus Zimbabwe, against whom he has made five other appearances.”He would be a like-for-like replacement for Kane Williamson and has a very good first-class record,” John Bracewell, Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, said. Nicol has scored 4,537 first-class runs at 34.37 with 10 centuries. He began his career with Auckland before moving to Canterbury in 2009.The deal to sign Nicol is part of the relationship Bracewell, the former New Zealand Test player and coach, has developed with New Zealand Cricket. As part of the agreement, Gloucestershire receive promising young New Zealand players to provide them with experience and grounding in English conditions, as well as bolstering the county’s squad.Williamson was the first player to join Gloucestershire under the arrangement. He scored 831 runs at 36.13 in 13 matches last season but has been in fine form in four matches this year, with two centuries in his 366 runs at 52.28. Gloucestershire will be hoping Nicol can produce similar form in their final seven matches of the season.

Manoj Tiwary speaks about how he stayed motivated during a long spell on the bench

Abhishek Purohit in Pallekele06-Aug-2012No one expected Manoj Tiwary to walk in for the pre-match press conference ahead of the solitary Twenty20 international. Once he arrived, it was to be expected that he would be asked more questions about how he handled his long spell on the bench than about tomorrow’s game. Tiwary did not disappoint. He spoke frankly but not bitterly, clearly but not with hurt. He spoke about how difficult a time it was, how he had kept himself motivated by watching videos of other sportspersons, and how, on getting two chances after 14 games, he had made them count with a half-century in the fifth ODI.”It was not very easy when I got an opportunity to play after sitting out for so many days,” Tiwary said. “My focus was on how I can improve my game during practice sessions and be ready since I knew that someday I will get a chance to play. The effort was to maintain a good mindset. It is not always easy [to do that].”Tiwary used the word “mindset” a lot, saying that his focus was on being in the proper frame of mind. He could have easily lost his confidence after being ignored in favour of Rohit Sharma, despite the latter’s lack of runs, despite the former’s century in his previous ODI before this series.”Those who play in the first XI get more practice during the practice sessions so at that time it is a bit difficult to maintain your mindset,” Tiwary said, and got a surprised stare from the team’s media manager, as if he had let out a state secret. “It is important to be ready because these days the competition is so much that the moment you get an opportunity you have to grab it. I used to always focus on maintaining the right frame of mind and not lose my self-confidence and self-belief during that process. That was the preparation and the self-belief that helped me perform.”Whenever I think about all these things like not playing, not getting an opportunity despite scoring a hundred I just analyse myself [and] as the days pass by you tend to improve mentally and you get experienced. When you look around, when you travel with the Indian team, sit with them, when you follow so much of cricket with so many things happening in front of you, you know how to deal with situations each day.”Tiwary had to keep himself motivated through each day of practice, through each day spent travelling around the globe without knowing when he would get a game. “My family has been supportive of me and my coach and some friends as well. I watch a lot of motivational videos from all sports and by looking at them I do get pumped up at times and it keeps my mind in the right frame. I always wanted to contribute to the team in the way other athletes around the world have in tough situations.”When the opportunity finally came, he found himself walking into tough situations as well. India were 60 for 3 and 87 for 3 when Tiwary came in, and on both occasions, he did not let the innings meander, making 21 off 38 and 65 off 68. He could not have been faulted had he batted for his place in the XI, but, to his credit, he didn’t.”The mindset was to stay positive. When a player is playing after a long time there is pressure to perform and plus the situation on the ground and the conditions [have to be taken into account] so you have to build the innings accordingly. I had it at the back of my mind that no matter what, I have to play according to the situation and if I get out while playing positively then no problem. The team and its requirement come first.”

Adam Hollioake, the former England allrounder, has made an emotional appeal for the return of stolen cricket kit belonging to his late brother, Ben

David Hopps18-Apr-2012Adam Hollioake, the former England allrounder, has made an emotional appeal for the return of stolen cricket kit belonging to his late brother, Ben.Ben Hollioake’s cricket kit was stolen from his parents’ home in Perth, Western Australia and was among their most treasured possessions following his death in a car accident ten years ago.Adam Hollioake told ESPNcricinfo that, by Wednesday night in Perth, Western Australia police had recovered “two small bags” of kit, but that much remains missing, to the revulsion of cricket figures in both England and Australia who have launched a mass campaign on social media to recover all of it.The newspaper has reported: “It is understood the secure parking area of the apartment building where Ben’s parents Daria and John reside was broken into sometime between 6.30pm on Tuesday and 8.45am today.”Police said a storeroom within the First Avenue address in Applecross had been forced open and boxes searched. The thieves then removed Ben’s cricket bag before fleeing with their loot. Just before 6pm police said they had executed a search warrant and as a result had recovered some of the items.”Adam Hollioake sounded distraught when he took to Twitter in a plea for help to recover Ben’s old England gear, including sweaters, shirts, helmets and bats.”I need all my Facebook friends & twitter followers to trawl eBay & any other site where these little maggots might be trying to sell his stuff,” Hollioake tweeted. “Let’s make sure they have stolen a ticking time bomb!! I am a fair dude and if someone comes to me & wants food or drink they can sit at my table & eat with me…But you upset my Mumma and I will f*** your s*** up!!!The appeal brought an immediate response with a host of cricket figures expressing their anger.Stuart Broad, the England allrounder, tweeted: “His old playing shirts and stuff must mean so much to his family. To think that someone could have the nerve to rob them is sick.”Broad’s England bowling colleague, James Anderson, said: “Can’t believe someone would steal Ben Hollioake’s England kit from his parents house. Please help get it back.”

Can’t believe someone would steal Ben Hollioake’s England kit from his parents house. Please help get it back. #findbenskit @adamhollioake

— James Anderson (@JimmyAnderson9) April 18, 2012

Ben Hollioake, before his death at 24, promised to be one of the most charismatic England cricketers of the age, briefly drawing comparisons with Ian Botham after a thrilling debut, at 19, in a one-day international against Australia at Lord’s in 1997. He was killed in a car accident in South Perth in March 2002.After some of the equipment was discovered, Adam Hollioake tweeted his thanks. “Can’t thank you all and the media for the amazing response to my bro’s stolen kit,” he said. “Without u there is doubt we would have retrieved any of his kit back.”You are all truly amazing & on behalf of my family i would like to thank you all. Don’t mess with my friends on twitter…they r all badass ;-)”

I cant thank you all & the media for the amazing response to my bro’s stolen kit…without u (cont) tl.gd/h1dh89

— Adam Hollioake (@adamhollioake) April 18, 2012

Kings XI Punjab kept themselves in contention for a place in the playoffs with a comfortable victory set up by their seamers in Dharamsala

The Report by Siddhartha Talya17-May-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Praveen Kumar dismissed Chennai Super Kings’ openers during an economical spell•AFPKings XI Punjab kept themselves in contention for a place in the playoffs with a comfortable victory set up by their seamers in Dharamsala. In conditions conducive to swing and movement, Praveen Kumar and Parvinder Awana stymied Chennai Super Kings, who finished their league campaign on a disappointing note. Super Kings are still hanging by a thread in this IPL though, and are at the mercy of other results.Kings XI’s decision to go in with a four-pronged pace attack paid off and despite a Super Kings fightback led by Dwayne Bravo, a target of 121 proved easy to scale down. Adam Gilchrist, returning to lead his side after a lay-off of nearly a month due to a hamstring injury, smashed an unbeaten half-century to see his team home in front of a full house at the picturesque HPCA Stadium.Gilchrist, after winning the toss, had no doubts about putting Super Kings in and Praveen went about justifying that decision. Several IPL venues around the country have supported movement off the pitch but here there was genuine swing on offer. The Super Kings openers were confident when the ball was pitched up but indecisive when the length was just held back a touch. Praveen sensed that early and beat M Vijay, before having him caught behind when he tried to play an expansive shot.Michael Hussey faced a tough time against Ryan Harris, pushing and prodding at away-going deliveries before nicking one to the keeper off Praveen. Suresh Raina was dropped on 2 at slip by Piyush Chawla and he went on to strike two sixes off Azhar Mahmood – one launched over long-off, the other top-edged over fine leg. But Raina chased a wide one that same over, and was snapped up by Gilchrist. Super Kings were in trouble when a nippy Parvinder Awana, who also got excellent carry, dismissed MS Dhoni to make it 46 for 4, but Bravo fought back.Bravo waited for an opening, provided by the spin of Piyush Chawla, dispatching a long hop over midwicket and creaming him through point. He then went after David Hussey, smashing his offspinners for consecutive sixes towards cow corner. Though Awana continued to be miserly, going for just 12 in his four-over spell and picking up two wickets, Mahmood faced an assault at the death. Albie Morkel hammered him for a six and a four, and Bravo was able to put together stands of 32 and 34 with Ravindra Jadeja and Morkel. His 48 gave Super Kings something to defend but Kings XI were the happier bunch at the halfway mark.Gilchrist ensured the advantage remained with Kings XI. Though Ben Hilfenhaus and Morkel found some assistance under overcast skies, it wasn’t as much as the first innings. Kings XI approached the chase positively and an early burst prevented Super Kings from applying any serious pressure. Mandeep Singh, albeit a little fortuitously, slashed Hilfenhaus for a couple of boundaries in the first over and Gilchrist drove Morkel powerfully twice in the second. When R Ashwin was brought on in the sixth, he was pulled and swept by Gilchrist for two fours.Mandeep fell after a half-century stand, and Nitin Saini and David Hussey lost their wickets playing avoidable shots but Kings XI were always on track while Gilchrist stayed. He was determined to see his team through, was cautious when the need arose and ruthless when an opportunity came. He slashed Bravo over point, and then tore into Yo Mahesh, whose generous dose of short balls and length deliveries were promptly dispatched. He was thrashed for two sixes over square leg and two more fours in an over that fetched 22, and the result from there on was a foregone conclusion.

Sushil Nadkarni will captain USA at the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from March 13-24 in the UAE

Peter Della Penna24-Jan-2012Sushil Nadkarni, the left-handed batsman, will captain USA at the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier from March 13 to 24 in the UAE. The USA Cricket Association (USACA) also announced an 18-man preliminary squad for the tournament, which will be trimmed to 14 in February.Nadkarni, 35, had previously represented India Under-19s and also played first-class cricket for Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy before migrating to the USA.Nadkarni’s vice-captain will be Aditya Mishra, 30, who has made a rapid ascent into a leadership position since playing his first match for USA in 2010. USA will be relying on both men for major contributions if they are to gain one of the two available berths for the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 from September 18 to October 7 in Sri Lanka.The two senior batsmen will lead a young and inexperienced squad in the UAE. Only three players – Nadkarni, Orlando Baker and Usman Shuja – remain from the squad that participated in the same event two years ago. Seven players among the 18 are under the age of 25.The squad includes six players who have yet to make their senior debuts for USA. At least two are guaranteed of making the final 14 that will go to Dubai in early March and Elmore Hutchinson appears almost certain to be one of them. According to multiple sources, the left-arm seamer turned in a string of impressive performances during four trial matches that were held at a USACA training camp in Florida last weekend for the initial list of probables.A surprise omission from the squad is Bhim George, who was the leading wicket-taker at the ICC Americas Division One Twenty20 tournament in July with 13 scalps in five games. George, 38, and Samarth Shah, 34, were beaten out by fellow left-arm orthodox spinner Asif Khan, 32. Khan was harshly dropped after a solid debut series for USA at ICC World Cricket League Division Three in Hong Kong last January but now appears set for a recall.USA is in Group B at the qualifier along with Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Oman, Scotland and Uganda. Their first match is on March 13 against Uganda in Sharjah.USA preliminary squad: Sushil Nadkarni (capt), Aditya Mishra (vice-capt), Orlando Baker, Adil Bhatti, Ryan Corns, Akeem Dodson (wk), Muhammad Ghous, Elmore Hutchinson, Naseer Jamali, Asif Khan, Andy Mohammed, Nauman Mustafa (wk), Japen Patel, Abhimanyu Rajp, Gowkaran Roopnarine (wk), Usman Shuja, Timothy Surujbally, Steven Taylor (wk).