All posts by h716a5.icu

New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan hit a last ball boundary to give Lancashire a dramatic tie with Leicestershire at Grace Road.

23-Jul-2013
ScorecardSteven Moore got Lancashire’s chase off to a good start•Getty ImagesNew Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan hit a last ball boundary to give Lancashire a dramatic tie with Leicestershire at Grace Road.Chasing a victory target of 140, Lancashire needed 13 to win off the final over bowled by left arm spinner Shakib Al Hassan. Eight runs came off the first four balls but Shakib had Gareth Cross caught off the penultimate delivery, leaving five runs off one ball.McClenagahan faced his first ball needing to hit a six for victory or a four to tie and he obliged by clipping the ball to the deep backward square leg boundary as Lancashire finished on 139 for 9, exactly the same score as the Foxes.It was Lanashire’s second tie in the competition this season and leaves them in second place behind Nottinghamshire in the North Group. The result means Leicestershire must now win their last three games to have even the slightest chance of reaching the quarter-finals.Put in to bat the hosts made a woeful start to their innings, scoring only eight runs in the first three overs for the loss of Josh Cobb, brilliantly caught by Ashwell Prince off Glen Chapple. But Greg Smith and Joe Burns added 40 for the second wicket before Burns was caught and bowled by Kabir Ali.After that it was a case of the Foxes battling to post a competitive total on a slow paced pitch. Smith top scored with 45 off 42 balls and Shakib hit a quick-fire 23 off 16 balls with four boundaries.But the crucial knock came from Rob Taylor who smashed three sixes – two of them off McClenaghan – in a 15-ball innings that gave the Foxes something to defend. McClenaghan took 2 for 29 and Kabir 3 for 23.Lancashire looked on course for their fifth win when they were 48 for 1 at the end of the power-play. But some tight bowling from Taylor, who finished with a competition best of 4 for 23, Shakib (1 for 22) and Shiv Thakor (1 for 31), saw Lancashire lose their way.Wickets fell in clusters and in the end Cross was the top scorer with 28 until he was ninth out in the last over caught in the deep by Taylor off Shakib. But McClenaghan kept Lancashire in sight of a place in the quarter-finals with his last ball boundary.

Thilan Samaraweera was on the brink of a first century for Worcestershire in the County Championship when rain wiped out nearly 60 overs on day two at New Road.

09-May-2013
ScorecardRain prevented Thilan Samaraweera bringing up his first ton for Worcestershire•AFPThilan Samaraweera was on the brink of a first century for Worcestershire in the County Championship when rain wiped out nearly 60 overs on day two at New Road.Samaraweera, the 36-year-old Sri Lankan, underlined his international pedigree by moving on to an unbeaten 92 before the weather closed in with his side on 294 for 7 and edging towards a promising position.After four floods at the ground during the winter, the first pitch of the season has helped all the bowlers, with inconsistent bounce for the seamers and some turn for Jigar Naik, who posted the fourth five-wicket return of his career.Naik’s offspin took the four wickets to fall on the shortened second day, giving him overall figures of 5 for 98.Having gone into the second day on 198 for 3, Worcestershire continued their steady progress with the third half-century stand of the innings before Naik made an impact in cold and windy conditions.Alexei Kervezee found some form for the first time this season in making 35 but clipped a catch to Matt Boyce at short-leg and when Neil Pinner found Michael Thornely at short midwicket, Naik had two wickets in seven balls.Michael Johnson held up Naik for a while but was bowled swinging across the line; Gareth Andrew followed him next ball, caught behind.Worcestershire avoided any further trouble in a short session after lunch. Shaaiq Choudhry reached 15 not out as Samaraweera’s marathon stretched towards five hours, featuring only eight boundaries.

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.

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.

A round-up of the Faysal Bank One-Day Cup matches on March 13, 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Mar-2013Group AIn Ghari Khuda Bakhsh, Karachi Dolphins crushed Bahawalpur Stags by ten wickets in a one-sided contest that lasted just 26.2 overs. The defeat left the Stags at the bottom of the points table.Batting first, the Stags couldn’t find any momentum in their innings. The openers put on 22 runs, which turned out to be the most productive partnership, and they kept losing wickets thereafter. There were only four other double-digit stands. They were bowled out for 91 in 20 overs, with offspinner Atif Maqbool being the chief destroyer, taking three wickets. All other bowlers, except seamer Mohammad Sami, were among the wickets.The Dolphins openers smashed six sixes and nine fours in reply to chase down the target quickly. They eventually reached it in the seventh over. Shahzaib Hasan was unbeaten on 53 off 22 deliveries.An unbeaten 98 off 74 deliveries from middle-order batsman Kashif Naved steered Multan Tigers to a six-wicket victory over Hyderabad Hawks in a high-scoring match at the Niaz Stadium. Despite the loss, the Hawks still topped the points table.Chasing 315 the Tigers lost their first wicket, that of Sohaib Maqsood, on 11. But a series of productive stands helped them stay on course. Besides Kashif, Zeeshan Ashraf, Rameez Alam and Saeed Anwar jnr scored half-centuries.Kashif had come in to bat at 163 for 3, and anchored the innings from there. He was involved in two partnerships of 89 and 63 runs, the second one unbroken, to guide his side to the target in the 48th over.The Hawks’ innings, after they were put in to bat, was built on a 149-run opening stand between Sharjeel Khan (86) and Azeem Ghumman (64), and a fourth-wicket stand of 88 runs. Rizwan Ahmed and Faisal Athar were the other chief contributors, scoring 77 and 47 respectively at more than a run a ball.Quetta Bears’ last-wicket pair added 26 runs to help them edge Sialkot Stallions by one wicket in a closely fought game in Mirpur Khas.After having been put in to bat, Sialkot Stallions started losing wickets from the outset. Seamer Faizullah and Shahzad Tareen took six wickets between them and reduced Stallions to 85 for 8. A 58-run stand between No. 8 Ali Khan, who scored 51 off 71 deliveries, and Bilawal Bhatti repaired the damage to an extent. Ali added another 33 runs with No. 11 Bilal Asif to take them 176.The Bears started positively in reply with a 53-run opening stand. Although they suffered a slight collapse, losing four wickets for 33 runs, they were still in control of their chase at 152 for 5. But then they lost four wickets for a single run and the advantage was lost. Their last pair of Nazar Hussain and Faizullah, however, took them to victory.Group BSix wickets between seamer Ikramullah Khan and legspinner Yasir Shah helped Abbottabad Falcons bowl Faisalabad Wolves out for 104, and set up an eight-wicket win in Mirpur.The pair destroyed the top half of the Wolves’ line-up, after the Falcons had put their opponents in to bat. Five of the batsmen scored in single digits, and no one scored more than 17. In reply, the Falcons raced to victory in the 15th over, led by a 46-ball 54 from opener Mir Azam. Seamer Samiullah Khan took both the wickets to fall.The other matches, between Lahore Lions and Islamabad Leopards in Islamabad, and Rawalpindi Rams and Karachi Zebras in Rawalpindi, were washed out.

While South Africa’s squad dispersed hours after completing their innings victory at Newlands, New Zealand are not taking any breaks before for the second Test

Firdose Moonda in Cape Town05-Jan-2013While South Africa’s squad dispersed hours after completing their innings victory at Newlands and will enjoy three days off, New Zealand are not taking any breaks before for the second Test. They have practices planned for both days of the weekend which would have spent playing Test cricket had the match not ended before tea on Friday.”It’s important to feel the pulse of the group and find out what’s required in terms of training because quite a mental toll gets taken on you when you play a Test match,” Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, said after defeat. “There are times when you need to get straight back on the horse and other times when you need to have a little bit of reflection.”Team management decided to put the emotion aside and concentrate on the former, despite a feeling of embarrassment and shock still running deep in their squad. McCullum used the word “hurt,” at least four times when discussing how his players felt. That is unsurprising given that they lost the match in an hour and 40 minutes on the first morning when they were bowled out for 45.New Zealand had seven sessions after that to digest what they had done and claw back respect. They managed to do a bit of both. McCullum is adamant that they cannot forget about being dismissed in less than 20 overs in a Test because the memory of that will help them avoid repeating it. But he also recognises that the team has to move on quickly because another challenge awaits.For them to do that, they have focus on how they improved as the match went on and how they can continue to perform at the level they did on days two and three. “The way we responded with the ball on the second day and then to get to 169 for 4 was a remarkable improvement from the previous day,” McCullum said. “We’ve seen some ways where we can be successful against South Africa if we do those hard yards upfront.”It helped that New Zealand’s bowlers were able to exploit the movement on offer on the second morning. They also adjusted their lengths accordingly after they were guilty of inconsistency as they chased the game on the first afternoon. McCullum hinted that there will be some changes to the attack.Chris Martin’s three-wicket return may not justify replacing him but the suggestion is that Neil Wagner, another left-arm quick, will play in Port Elizabeth. Only if New Zealand are feeling particularly brave will they gamble on the rookie left-armer, Mitchell McClenaghan. Their spinner is also a cause for concern. Jeetan Patel was ineffective with the ball and comically bad with the bat. Bruce Martin, a left-arm spinner, has been taking wickets domestically and could come into contention for that spot.One thing McCullum confirmed is that the batting, albeit the main problem, will not be tinkered with. That is partly because New Zealand do not have too many options. Colin Munro is the only reserve batsman on tour so the same top six will front up in the second Test. “They deserve an opportunity again especially since we can see some improvements,” McCullum said.In the second innings, New Zealand’s line-up, bar Martin Guptill, moved their feet better, chose their shots more selectively and showed better temperament which included more patience and less hot-headed, ill-thought out aggression. By doing that, they bored South Africa’s bowlers somewhat.The evening session on day two saw the South Africa quicks drift. They expected New Zealand to struggle against the short ball but they didn’t get the length exactly right and when they tried to go fuller and induce an edge, they gave away runs. According to McCullum that was how New Zealand transferred some of the pressure back to South Africa.”We were able to implement a better defensive strategy against them which helped us absorb the pressure a little better. Once we were able to do that, we were also able to put some pressure back on to them. There are some encouraging signs,” he said. “Those are some areas where we can walk away saying that if we continue to nail them that will give us a far better performance but we have to do that across the entire game rather than only the second innings.”New Zealand’s focus over the next two days will be on how to improve their consistency and play more like they did in the second innings more often. That may take longer than two days to perfect, but they have to start somewhere.Monday will be reserved for playing in a Jacques Kallis charity golf tournament, where the proceeds will go to his scholarship foundation. However, do not be surprised if New Zealand sneak in a net session too. They will travel to Port Elizabeth on Tuesday, as will the South African squad, who will meet up a day earlier than scheduled.

After watching India bat through 160 overs, England were plunged into huge trouble in the closing stages of the second day as they lost three late wickets to close on 41 for 3 in reply to the hosts’ imposing 521 for 8 dec

The Report by David Hopps16-Nov-2012
Scorecard and ball by ball detailsFile photo: On day two in Ahmedabad, Cheteshwar Pujara made his first Test double hundred (ESPNcricinfo is not carrying live pictures due to curbs on the media)•Associated PressAfter the certainty of Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbeaten double century for India, England’s fallibility against spin bowling was even more painful for them to bear. India have plotted turning pitches, they opened the bowling with a spinner and in 18 overs of gathering mayhem struck three times in the closing phase of the second day. Initial evidence at least suggests that England’s Asian nightmare is about to continue.One of those three wickets was a nightwatchman – Jimmy Anderson, who prodded the left-arm spinner, Pragyan Ojha to short leg – but that was small consolation for England. Nick Compton batted reasonably securely on debut until R Ashwin, who had opened the bowling, found sharp turn to bowl him through the gate. Jonathan Trott also fell to Ashwin for a fourth-ball duck, a cast-iron push forward and another catch at short leg off bat and pad.What a contrast this was with what had passed earlier. England knew little of Pujara before the series: a bit of a recce in a warm-up match, a few shots watched on a laptop, a provisional theory or two about how best to get him out and a worried expression or two from statisticians unable to deliver megabytes of data.England know lots more about Pujara now. When India declared, to leave England 18 overs before the close of the second day, Pujara had batted in accomplished fashion for more eight-and-a-half hours. But they still do not have much idea how to get him out. Not on low, ponderous surfaces like this, at any rate.When Jimmy Anderson took the first wicket by an England seamer, in the 158th over, there was an emotional argument for throwing the laptops in the skip, but England’s management stared into them with the staunch, glassy-eyed futility of a touring party under enormous pressure.The scorecard showed them that Graeme Swann, valiantly bearing an onerous responsibility as England’s only specialist spinner, had maintained an immaculate line, bowling in traditional offspinner’s style, to finish with 5 for 144. Swann added one more wicket on the second day, bowling MS Dhoni behind his legs, a deflection off a glove as he tried to sweep.Pujara’s progress will have had the connoisseurs purring. He played in stately and composed manner, producing a masterpiece of strategic thinking. Rahul Dravid has retired to England’s relief and they have walked straight into another India batsman with an insatiable appetite for batting. It is understandable how to an Indian eye he might occasionally resemble VVS Laxman, but his mindset is pure Dravid. He bats more elegantly but, like Dravid, has no need for flourish or frippery. The man himself, looking on from the commentary box, could not fail to be mightily impressed.Smart stats

Cheteshwar Pujara’s 206 is his highest Test score surpassing the 159 he made against New Zealand in Hyderabad in 2012. It is also the first double-century for India against England since Rahul Dravid’s 217 at The Oval in 2002.

India’s total of 521 is their tenth 500-plus total against England overall and their fourth against England in home Tests. The previous 500-plus total at home came in Mumbai in 1993.

The 130-run stand between Pujara and Yuvraj Singh is the fifth-highest fifth-wicket stand in Tests in Ahmedabad.

R Ashwin is now the joint fourth-fastest bowler to reach the 50-wicket mark in Tests (nine Tests) and the fastest Indian bowler to reach the mark going past Anil Kumble (ten Tests).

Graeme Swann’s five-wicket haul is his fifth in the subcontinent. His tally of 58 wickets in ten Tests is the second-highest for an England spinner in the subcontinent.

Swann apart, for England there was no encouragement. The ball refused to deviate, in the air or off the ground, for a hard-pressed seam attack as India’s first innings moved inexorably forward. After the Sehwag-fuelled start on the first day, India ground on, their rate slowing. By the declaration, they had added a further 198 at 2.82 runs per over. It was a day in which India’s domination was not expressed noisily but seeped into England’s consciousness.Pujara had rounded off the first day by driving Jimmy Anderson crisply through mid-off for four, a satisfying finale, but one which left him on 98 not out. England sensed an opportunity.Stuart Broad allowed him a comfortable leg-side single to move to 99, and hammed up a vociferous lbw appeal for a ball pitching outside leg; Swann bowled an intelligent maiden. But he picked off another single in Broad’s next over to reach his second Test hundred and celebrated with a quiet air of contentment. When he later reached 200 by steering Anderson past gully, the crowd were ecstatic at the success of one of Gujurat’s own, but Pujara struck you as the sort of level-headed man who does not dance easily in company.His innings, characterised by subtle placement and a sober mind, was a model of restraint and orthodoxy. How England must regret Anderson’s inexplicable misjudgement when Pujara was 8, dashing forward too far at mid-on as he misjudged the flight of Pujara’s leading edge against Tim Bresnan. The decline in England’s fielding has been marked for some time and, as Anderson showed again, it is afflicting both the best and the worst.The most romantic story of all failed to materialise. Yuvraj Singh made a successful return to Test cricket after treatment for cancer, but there was no comeback century, that hope ending when he was unhinged by a groin-high full toss which he whacked obligingly down to long on in the fourth over of the afternoon. Patel had the good grace to look sheepish.Yuvraj entertained, though. His skip down the pitch to strike Swann straight for six was the shot of the morning and was followed by a sweep that fell short of six by inches. Fifteen came from the over; if India broke Swann, England really were in trouble. They never did, but Yuvraj, as a left-hander, had an appetite for Patel, an inconsequential second spinner. His place at No. 6 is justified by his adroitness against spin but, in this Test, his own left-arm slows look slightly round-arm and unthreatening.

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.

Dean Minors, the Bermuda wicketkeeper, has announced his retirement from all cricket after being dropped from the squad for the World Twenty20 Qualifiers in UAE next month

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-2012Dean Minors, the Bermuda wicketkeeper, has announced his retirement from all cricket after being dropped from the squad for the World Twenty20 Qualifiers in UAE next month.Minors, 42, had earlier been lured out of retirement by Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) to bolster the national team ahead of last July’s Americas Division One Twenty20 Tournament in Florida. However, he had told the BCB that he couldn’t commit to training because of his day job as a teacher.”I explained to them that my first priority would be to my work commitments,” Minors told the . “And after giving the national team 20 years of service and then on top of that come out of retirement to assist I thought I would’ve been given a bit more flexibility.”In the last few weeks leading up to the tournament I was even trying to work overtime to allow myself to train extra so there was a lot of manoeuvring on my part to make time and make myself available because of the importance of this tour. But of course it was not meant to be and I just wish the team the best of luck in Dubai.”Minors said it was time for a new wicketkeeper to step into his role. “After the team (Twenty20 squad) was announced something came over me and I just thought it was time to retire. I can’t go on forever and I think it’s time for wicketkeepers like Jason [Anderson] and Jekon [Edness] to step up.”Minors is contemplating staying with cricket through umpiring. “The suggestion came from Clay (Smith). he was saying why not consider umpiring because of the shortage of umpires,” Minors said. “I just want to help raise the standard (of cricket) and if I can do that through umpiring then I am more than willing to stand in the middle and do what I have to do.”