Latest news with #BenDwarshuis
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rapids 'capable' of deep run in Blast
Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson says his squad head into this season's T20 Blast with "a lot of belief" they can go deep in the Pears, who play as the Worcestershire Rapids in white-ball cricket, start their campaign against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday (18:30 BST) on the opening night of the revamped club won the Blast in 2018, beating Sussex in the final, and were runners-up the following year to Essex, narrowly failing to become the first team to successfully defend the most recent of their six quarter-final appearances came in 2023 and Richardson is optimistic his squad can be in the mix for the knockout stage again."I'd like to think so," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "Worcestershire, over recent years, have shown that we can. "We've got to a few quarter-finals and obviously we had 2018 and 2019 when we got to Finals Day and the final."So we should go into the competition with a lot of belief." The Rapids have re-signed Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis for this year's competition after he took 15 wickets in his first spell at New Road in joins New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy who has been part of the County Championship side so far and will be available for the first eight Blast games."T20 cricket is the most volatile [format of the game] and you have to roll with the punches," Richardson said."This rollercoaster tends to be a lot quicker, and scarier at times, but the boys love it and enjoy it for what it is."It's a long competition, so there will be plenty of opportunity for us to get some momentum together and play an as exciting brand of cricket as we can."This season's Blast is split across two blocks, with eight games being played before the red-ball Championship returns for two rounds in late remaining six group games then take place in July. While Richardson accepts that changing formats is tough, he is embracing the challenge."I think [the fact that] these competitions keep coming in and out really energises the players and being in their own mini blocks is really good," he said."We'll have two Championship games in the middle, which brings its own challenges, but the idea that we have 14 T20 games in just under two months is something we really enjoy."We're practising new skill sets and thinking about the change in mindset and the language about how we go about our cricket."It's the same game but it feels like a completely different one at times and as a coach you have to see it positively as a challenge."We've got a squad that's capable of being competitive and get towards those knock-out stages."
Express Tribune
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Islamabad get major boost as Dwarshuis returns
Australian pacer Ben Dwarshuis is set to rejoin defending champions Islamabad United for the remaining matches of the upcoming HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, which is scheduled to begin on Saturday. The tournament, which was briefly suspended last week due to rising cross-border tensions with India, is set to resume on May 17 with Karachi Kings facing Peshawar Zalmi at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Dwarshuis was selected by Islamabad United in the Gold category during the PSL 10 draft. He made his debut in the marquee league this year and has taken four wickets in five matches so far. "We are delighted to announce that Australian all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis will be returning to Pakistan for the remainder of HBL PSL X," Islamabad United stated in a media release. "A familiar face in red, Ben's return adds further depth and balance to the star-studded lineup of the Pakistan Super League. We look forward to welcoming him back." Before Dwarshuis, South Africa's Rassie van der Dussen and England's Alex Hales had already confirmed their return to Islamabad United for the remaining matches. Lahore eye Shakib Former Bangladesh captain and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is expected to return to competitive cricket by joining Lahore Qalandars for the remaining matches. According to Bangladeshi media reports, a senior official from Lahore Qalandars has confirmed the franchise's interest in acquiring Shakib's services, although a final agreement has yet to be reached. "There is interest in him, but nothing is final. We will share updates about our overseas players once everything is confirmed," the official was quoted as saying. Shakib has previously featured in the PSL for Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings. It is pertinent to mention that the Bangladeshi all-rounder, who also briefly served as a lawmaker in his country, has not returned to Bangladesh since the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government last year. Shakib was participating in a domestic T20 tournament in Canada at the time of the political upheaval. A seasoned campaigner, the left-arm spinner has represented Bangladesh in 71 Tests, 247 ODIs, and 129 T20Is, amassing a remarkable 712 wickets across formats. His last competitive appearance came in November last year for the Bangla Tigers in the Abu Dhabi T10 League. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi will host three matches, including a double-header on Sunday, May 18. In the afternoon, Quetta Gladiators will face Multan Sultans, followed by Peshawar Zalmi taking on Lahore Qalandars in the evening. The final match at the venue will feature defending champions Islamabad United clashing with Karachi Kings on May 19. After that, the tournament will move to Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium for the business end of the competition. The Qualifier, Eliminator 1, and Eliminator 2 are scheduled for May 21, 22, and 23, respectively, with the grand final set for May 25.
Express Tribune
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
HBL PSL X to resume with international players as teams confirm overseas replacements
As the tenth edition of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) gears up to resume following a brief pause, franchises have confirmed the availability of their international players and unveiled a slate of overseas signings to replace injured squad members. Islamabad United have confirmed the availability of five overseas stars for the remainder of the season. The lineup includes English opener Alex Hales, South African batter Rassie van der Dussen, Australian all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis, New Zealand's Jimmy Neesham, and English pacer Tymal Mills. 🚨 @JimmyNeesh and @tmills15 join Islamabad United for the remainder of #HBLPSLX. They'll link up with Alex Hales, RVD and Ben Dwarshuis in Pakistan as the defending champions regroups for #4TheDream! Read more: #3xChampions — Islamabad United (@IsbUnited) May 15, 2025 'These high-calibre overseas players bring world-class experience from top T20 leagues, significantly boosting our campaign as we enter the decisive phase of the tournament,' the franchise said in an official statement. 'Islamabad United remains committed to delivering top-tier cricket to fans worldwide.' Lahore Qalandars have announced key changes to their squad following injuries to two international players. Sri Lankan power-hitter Bhanuka Rajapaksa replaces England's Tom Curran, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury. 🚨 Welcoming our newest Qalandar! Bangladesh's star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan joins Lahore Qalandars. He has replaced Daryl Mitchel, who was ruled out after sustaining an injury to his hand in our home game vs Karachi. @Sah75official — Lahore Qalandars (@lahoreqalandars) May 15, 2025 Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan joins the squad in place of New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell, who sustained a hand injury during a home game against Karachi. Currently topping the PSL 10 points table, Quetta Gladiators have bolstered their roster with several strategic signings. While confirming New Zealand's Finn Allen and South African veteran Rilee Rossouw are going to stay, the franchise also added three Asian power-hitters naming Sri Lanka's Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando, and Afghanistan's all-rounder Gulbadin Naib.
India Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Australian cricketers narrowly escape missile strike in Pakistan: Report
Australian and other international cricketers narrowly avoided a missile strike in Pakistan while fleeing on a charter flight to Dubai. The cricketers, who were being evacuated after the postponement of the Pakistan Super League, left Rawalpindi's Nur Khan base just hours before India's retaliatory fire on the military bases of the reports coming out of the Australian media are to be believed, then Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, and Mitch Owen were almost caught up in a potentially devastating incident. On Saturday morning, May 10, just hours after the overseas players left on their charter flight, India launched missile strikes targeting three Pakistani airbases, including the facility at Nur Khan – the airbase from which players, officials, and broadcasters had flown out to the UAE around three hours strike on Nur Khan, located near Pakistan's military headquarters and about 10 kilometres from Islamabad, caused multiple explosions and fires, according to local media reports. Witnesses described smoke and flames, with panic spreading in surrounding areas. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the postponement of the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League on Friday, hours after promising that they would play out the rest of the tournament in the United Arab announcement came amidst rising tensions at the India-Pakistan border, where India thwarted Pakistan's drone and missile attacks on May 8 and 9. The PCB stated in its release that they had to shut down the event amidst "worsening conditions at the LOC (Line of Control)".The escalation of events between the two countries came after Pakistan decided to shell heavy artillery in the Kashmir region following India's precision strikes on terror facilities. India was forced to strike nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after terrorists killed 26 civilians in Pahalgam last Watch
The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Some Australian players may skip IPL if it resumes
Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches. Some Australian players are seriously considering skipping the end of the Indian Premier League if the lucrative tournament does resume this month. Players from both the IPL and Pakistan Super League began trickling home on Sunday, after the border conflict between India and Pakistan prompted postponement of the leagues. There remains some chance the T20 tournaments could return as soon as this week, with players receiving mixed messages on the possibility of a resumption. Much of that would depend on the success of Saturday's ceasefire, with that already appearing shaky after explosions were reported in the Kashmir region. But even if the IPL does restart, with 12 regular-season matches plus finals still to play, it is highly unlikely all Australians will return. AAP has been told by multiple well-placed sources that several players have serious concerns over returning to the tournament so soon. Players were left shaken by the events of the past week, with several asking why a game in India's north in Dharamsala went ahead on Thursday. That match near the Pakistan border was ultimately abandoned 10 overs in because of air-raid warnings in the area, with the crowd removed from the ground. Players from the Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals were moved out of the area the following day via train. Those events prompted a push for the IPL to be postponed last Friday, with Indian authorities confirming concerns from players. Australia's players are now understood to have left India, most dealing with multi-leg flights to return home this weekend. It's believed at least some Australian coaching staff have remained behind in the country, while officials determine what to do with the rest of the season. Adding to the concerns is the situation in Pakistan, after players narrowly avoided being caught up in air strikes on Friday. Players were flown out of the country via an air base in Islamabad that was hours later the target of a missile strike. Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Ashton Turner, Mitch Owen, Max Bryant and Riley Meredith were the Australians playing in Pakistan, with David Warner having already left the country. Pakistan officials had initially planned on moving the tournament to the UAE, before it too was postponed. Meanwhile, if the IPL was to resume, shifting all games to southern parts of India, well away from the Pakistan border would appear the most likely option. Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings are already out of finals contention, with each only having one or two games left. Pat Cummins, Travis Head and Nathan Ellis are Australians playing for those three lower-ranked teams. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Mitch Marsh and Xavier Bartlett are among other Australians in squads still in finals contention. If players do not return or if the tournament doesn't resume, it is unclear what that would mean for lucrative playing contracts. The IPL window is meant to close on May 25, with Australia set to begin preparations for the World Test Championship final against South Africa starting on June 11. Another option for Indian officials would be to move games overseas, with South Africa and the UAE having previously hosted games. The English and Wales Cricket Board is also reported to be open to assisting by hosting matches.
