Latest news with #CenturionTest
BBC News
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Sport's Strangest Crimes podcast from BBC 5 Live returns with the scandal that changed cricket forever
Sport's Strangest Crimes: Hansie Cronje - Fall from Grace is the latest gripping six-part podcast from BBC Radio 5 Live, delving into one of the biggest sporting scandals of the modern era. Hosted by former England cricketer Mark Butcher, this series retraces the rise and fall of Hansie Cronje - from his glory days on the pitch to the secret deals, damning confessions, and an untimely death that left more questions than answers. The series begins with the now-infamous Centurion Test match - a rain-ruined draw suddenly brought back to life by a puzzling decision from Cronje. What looked like bold sportsmanship was later exposed as something far more sinister when a wiretap in India revealed damning evidence of match-fixing. Mark guides listeners through the story's many twists: offshore accounts, secret phone calls, shady bookmakers, and a shocking televised inquiry. As the pressure mounts for a deeper investigation, Cronje is killed in a mysterious plane crash, officially blamed on pilot error, but still debated to this day. With testimony from former teammates, journalists, investigators, and those closest to the case, Mark uncovers a dark world of manipulation, power and money - and the real cost of betrayal in sport. Speaking about the podcast, Mark, said: 'I played in that Centurion Test, and none of us knew what was really going on. Hansie's story is both tragic and infuriating, and there's still a lot we don't understand. This series is about going back and asking the difficult questions. Who was the real Hansie Cronje? And how deep did this all go?' The series revisits a scandal that rocked international cricket and left an indelible mark on the game. Over two decades later, the echoes of Cronje's downfall still resonate. The entire series of Sport's Strangest Crimes: Hansie Cronje - Fall From Grace will be available on BBC Sounds from Wednesday 30 July 2025 Listen to Sport's Strangest Crimes on BBC Sounds AG / MCL Follow for more
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Prasidh not too worried about higher economy rate in return for wickets
Prasidh Krishna has had a tough initiation into Test cricket. Having made his debut 18 months ago in the Centurion Test against South Africa, he has had a stop-start career. He has played just four matches, secured 13 wickets, leaked runs at more than five an over and lost eight months to a quadriceps injury. Yet, there is a quiet confidence in the Indian thinktank that the 29-year-old who measures at 6'2' is a supremely viable option. The first Test against England in Leeds may not have been pretty for Prasidh, as he bowled 35 overs across two innings, conceded a whopping 220 runs and scalped five wickets. But he is the kind of hit-the-deck bowler India has long desired, one who can generate disconcerting bounce and threaten the top-half of the bat. With Ishant Sharma no longer involved, Prasidh is seen as that bowler who can extract more from the turf. One bad match, and that too at a ground that has historically helped those who have bowled fuller, is not going to change that. 'I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted,' Prasidh admitted after the five-wicket loss in Headingley. 'Not wanting to float it up is definitely one of the reasons. In the first innings, I was a little shorter than where I wanted to be. That six to eight [metre length] is ideal. 'The second innings got better because the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch slightly behind and then go fuller when I was trying to get a wicket.' In the past, India has sought control and discipline from the third pacer. But in Leeds, Prasidh literally 'bought' wickets by forcing batters into pulls and hooks, with captain Shubman Gill even coming up with customised fielding positions. The next four Tests, starting with Edgbaston from July 2, will offer more clarity on his role. 'Somebody in the team had to do it,' Prasidh said. 'If I sit back and say, 'I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is,' and not really look at the wickets... It cost me a four and a six, but Jamie Smith got out. If it means that I do that and get a wicket, I'm happy to do it.' But deep down, Prasidh is clear about his own expectations. 'Every time I bowl, I'm definitely looking to bowl a maiden,' he stated. 'The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect, and they took me on. 'Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers and ended up giving runs. I definitely would want to bring that [economy] down. I'm learning as well and it's my responsibility to get better.' It is imperative that this happens fast as India will be significantly weakened by Jasprit Bumrah's absence in two of the four remaining Tests. 'We are learning off each other,' the lanky speedster said. 'He's [Bumrah] been talking to all of us all even before coming here. [Mohammed] Siraj has played a lot of games, and he's going to continue. 'One thing you cannot get is experience. That you have to earn yourself, and all of us are excited. Whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's [going to be] an opportunity for us.'
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
IND vs ENG: Hunting for wickets comes first for Prasidh Krishna
Prasidh Krishna has had a tough initiation into Test cricket. Having made his debut 18 months ago in the Centurion Test against South Africa, he has had a stop-start career. He has played just four matches, secured 13 wickets, leaked runs at more than five an over and lost eight months to a quadriceps injury. Yet, there is a quiet confidence in the Indian thinktank that the 29-year-old who measures at 6'2' is a supremely viable option. The first Test against England in Leeds may not have been pretty for Prasidh, as he bowled 35 overs across two innings, conceded a whopping 210 runs and scalped five wickets. But he is the kind of hit-the-deck bowler India has long desired, one who can generate disconcerting bounce and threaten the top-half of the bat. With Ishant Sharma no longer involved, Prasidh is seen as that bowler who can extract more from the turf. One bad match, and that too at a ground that has historically helped those who have bowled fuller, is not going to change that. 'I definitely did not bowl the lengths that I wanted,' Prasidh admitted after the five-wicket loss in Headingley. 'Not wanting to float it up is definitely one of the reasons. In the first innings, I was a little shorter than where I wanted to be. That six to eight [metre length] is ideal. 'The second innings got better because the wicket was slightly slower. I had to pitch slightly behind and then go fuller when I was trying to get a wicket.' In the past, India has sought control and discipline from the third pacer. But in Leeds, Prasidh literally bought wickets by forcing batters into pulls and hooks, with captain Shubman Gill even coming up with customised fielding positions. The next four Tests, starting with Edgbaston from July 2, will offer more clarity on his role. 'Somebody in the team had to do it,' Prasidh said. 'If I sit back and say, 'I want to look at my numbers, what my economy is,' and not really look at the wickets... It cost me a four and a six, but Jamie Smith got out. If it means that I do that and get a wicket, I'm happy to do it.' But deep down, Prasidh is clear about his own expectations. 'Every time I bowl, I'm definitely looking to bowl a maiden,' he stated. 'The outfield [at Headingley] was fast, the lengths, lines that I bowled were not perfect, and they took me on. 'Some of them were edges, some of them I tried bowling bouncers and ended up giving runs. I definitely would want to bring that [economy] down. I'm learning as well and it's my responsibility to get better.' It is imperative that this happens fast as India will be significantly weakened by Jasprit Bumrah's absence in two of the four remaining Tests. 'We are learning off each other,' the lanky speedster said. 'He's [Bumrah] been talking to all of us all even before coming here. Siraj has played a lot of games, and he's going to continue. 'One thing you cannot get is experience. That you have to earn yourself, and all of us are excited. Whoever comes in, or whatever happens later, it's [going to be] an opportunity for us.'
Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Suniel Shetty, Athiya Shetty turn cheerleaders for KL Rahul as he hits memorable ton in India vs England Test
Cricketer KL Rahul's outstanding performance at Headingley, where he scored a century in the second innings against England, didn't go unnoticed by his loved ones. His wife, Athiya Shetty, beamed with pride, while his father-in-law, Suniel Shetty, couldn't help but praise his skills. Suniel Shetty's daughter Athiya Shetty married KL Rahul in 2023. After KL Rahul's century in the second innings gave India the upper hand in the first Test of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Athiya took to Instagram to congratulate her husband. She shared a photo of him celebrating the milestone on the field, captioning it "This one is special". She shared the note with a heart emoji. Athiya beamed with pride at KL Rahul's performance. Suniel, meanwhile, showered praise on his son-in-law KL Rahul, saying, 'A knock that spoke less, but said everything. Proud of you son @klrahul'. He also shared a picture of KL Rahul from the field. Actor Arjun Kapoor also shared a bunch of pictures from the match and wrote in the caption, "Stunning off drives while scoring his beautiful century in Headingley inspiring me in Bandra'. Suniel Shetty said he is proud of KL Rahul. More about the India vs Eng Test KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant hit contrasting centuries on the fourth day to set England 371 to win the first Test at Headingley, Leeds. In reply, England batted out six overs for 21/0, setting up this Test for all four results on Tuesday, where they have 90 overs to score 350 runs. This is KL Rahul's first Test ton in almost 18 months. He had last scored a century against South Africa in the Centurion Test in December 2023. Out of his nine Test hundreds, eight have been as an opener for Rahul. Upon reaching the milestone, Rahul took his helmet off and soaked in the applause of the Headingley crowd. This is KL Rahul's third hundred in England. He is the only Indian opening batter to have three centuries in the UK. He now averages close to 40 in the country.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Manjrekar rips into post-Kohli panic as Rahul, Pant slam second innings tons: 'What after Virat is irrational'
Ever since the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from Tests, there were fears regarding how an Indian playing XI will fare in the five-match series against England on overseas shores. The Shubman Gill-led side is without their three most senior pros - Virat, Rohit and Ravichandran Ashwin, hence the fear of fans was warranted. However, the young lineup has put all the outside talk to rest. Shubman Gill and the rest of his team are bossing the ongoing first Test against England and are favourites to walk away with a favourable result. Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a brutal take on 'what after Virat Kohli' fear(AP) Looking at how a young Indian lineup has been performing in the first Test, former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar had a brutal take on 'what after Virat Kohli' fear as he lauded Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul for their tons against England. KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant slammed centuries in the second innings to propel India's position in the Headingley Test. The left-handed Pant is just the second wicketkeeper in the history of the game to score centuries in both innings of a Test. Ever since Kohli retired from the longest format, having played 123 Tests, fans have been panicking about the health of Test cricket. Virat Kohli has long supported Tests, often saying that the longest format is the 'toughest.' Even after RCB's maiden IPL triumph, Virat Kohli famously said that this victory ranks 'five levels' below Test cricket. Also Read: IND vs ENG Live Score: KL Rahul, Karun Nair gear up to push India into winning position However, Manjrekar said that cricket will always remain the top sport in the country as several youngsters are waiting to represent the country. 'Cricket is a by far the no 1 sport in India. There is tremendous incentive for young kids to take up cricket. Hence 'What after Fab 4, or what after Virat' is an irrational fear,' Manjrekar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). India on top in the Headingley Test England got off to the perfect start possible on Day 4 of the Headingley Test as Brydon Carse dismissed Shubman Gill in the first over. However, from then on, Pant and Rahul kept the England attack at bay. Pant and Rahul both slammed centuries in the second innings, and the duo put on 195 runs for the fourth wicket. KL Rahul smashed his first century in 18 months in Test cricket. He had last scored a ton against South Africa in the Centurion Test in 2023. Earlier, India had gained a lead of six runs in the first innings after Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul helped India bundle out England for 465. In India's first innings with the bat, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill, and Pant scored centuries, and India posted 471 runs on the board.
