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Showing posts from March, 2020

James Anderson on virtual bike races & bowling in the kitchen

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England bowler James Anderson says competing against his team-mates in virtual cycling races is the new way of keeping fit as players try to combat the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Anderson raced fellow seamers Stuart Broad and Mark Wood, with Broad winning and Anderson finishing "a close second". "Generally when we're training we always have a goal in mind and without that, it can be quite difficult to find a drive," he said . Anderson said he is in 15 WhatsApp groups with England and Lancashire players, staff and coaches to stay connected during the lockdown - and he has yet to mute any of them. "Pushing each other along is another good thing. That sort of thing helps with the mental side of it," he said. "We always know there is an ear there." Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker , has not played since January when he injured a rib in South Africa. The 37-year-old said he had been doing work

Smith’s slips clinic, debut magic and THAT Kohli wicket: Best Aussie catches ranked

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With cricket news coming to a grinding halt due to the coronavirus pandemic, there’s little live action to look forward to in the coming weeks.  The good news, however, is that it gives us a chance to look back on some glorious moments truly worth reliving.  There really is light in the darkest places. So without any further ado, here are our favourite Aussie catches of the past two Test summers. 6. STEVE SMITH TO DISMISS AZHAR ALI  vs Pakistan, second Test at Adelaide Oval, 2019  The fact is, Steve Smith made this catch look far easier than it was.  The ball flew off Pakistan captain Azhar Ali’s edge at lightning pace towards second slip, it was low, and was well to Smith’s right.  But making the catch even harder was that it was absolutely hosing down with rain at Adelaide Oval at the time.  Smith still made no mistake, handing Mitchell Starc a wicket and allowing Australia to leave the field in a commanding position. 5. PETER HANDSCOMB TO DISMISS RISHABH P

‘Playing international cricket is never easy’ – Former India selector Venkatapathy Raju reveals if he would select MS Dhoni now

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Venkatapathy Raju , the former India selector, hinted that he might not have selected MS Dhoni now. Dhoni hasn’t played international cricket since the 2019 World Cup in July 2019 and Raju feels that one has been in the scheme of things to pave way back into the national team. Raju, who’s also a former Indian cricketer, was the one who appointed MS Dhoni as the captain . Dhoni has been on a sabbatical since the mega event and hasn’t played any competitive cricket since the event in England and Wales. Martin Guptill ran him out in the semi-final at the Old Trafford and that was the last time the fans got to witness the Jharkhand-born. Raju feels that one needs to understand whether he/she belongs there or not. It demands a different level of fitness and skills “Any player has to keep playing and performing to be in the contention. Be it domestic, India-A series or any other competitive cricket. You don’t have to prove to others, but prove to yourself that you belong there,” Ra

James Anderson admits he is anxious over uncertainty caused by coronavirus

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England bowler James Anderson says he is feeling "a bit anxious" because of the impact coronavirus could have on his professional and personal life. A possible rescheduling of the cricket season will be discussed on Thursday. The 2020 County Championship is due to begin on 12 April, while England is set to play West Indies in a three-Test series starting on 4 June. "Cricket and sport is not the be-all and end-all but it is my livelihood, it's all I know," Anderson, 37, said. "There's a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer." The England and Wales Cricket Board has said all options are being looked at, including postponements and playing games behind closed doors. England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off last week , while England and Nottinghamshire batsman Alex Hales and six Surrey men's players are all self-isolating. Hampshire chairman Rod Bransgrove said one contingency may be "playing no cricket at a

New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson tests negative for coronavirus

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"New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson has been cleared off coronavirus after testing negative." Ferguson had complained of soar throat after the first Australia vs New Zealand ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and was sent on a 24-hour quarantine by New Zealand Cricket. Ferguson bagged two wickets in the match which New Zealand lost by 71 runs. The match was played in front of empty stands. The 28-year-old cricketer will fly to New Zealand on Sunday. The rest of the New Zealand squad, meanwhile will leave from Australia on Saturday night after the New Zealand government imposed a lockdown due to the outbreak of coronavirus. As a result, the remaining matches on March 15 and March 20 of the ODI series have now been postponed until further notice. The decision from new Zealand government also meant Australia returned tour to New Zealand for a three-match T20I series later this month was also postponed and will be started soon. To know about the exact date vi