Latest news with #NewYearTest
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Wiaan Mulder 'technically good enough' to bat at No 3 in World Test final, says Proteas legend Hashim Amla
Proteas legend Hashim Amla was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in London on Monday evening. Picture: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Image: Zaahier Adams/Independent Media Proteas legend Hashim Amla has backed allrounder Wiaan Mulder for the crucial No 3 spot for the World Test Championship final against Australia, starting on Wednesday at Lord's. Amla, who was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in London on Monday evening, walked to the crease in the crucial first drop position in 107 of his 124 Tests. He formed the bedrock of the Proteas batting line-up during their most successful era, scoring 7993 runs at an average of 49.35, including a record unbeaten 311 from No 3. The Proteas currently though have been in a state of flux, having utilised Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder, at No 3 in their last four Tests. But with Rickelton having been promoted to the top of order, and successfully banked the opening berth after a double century in the New Year Test against Pakistan at Newlands, and Stubbs now seemingly preferred to slot in the middle-order, it has left Mulder and Tony de Zorzi to battle it out for the vacancy at Lord's. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ De Zorzi is the more accomplished batter, having opened the batting for the Proteas prior to the New Year Test, but it is well-known that Proteas coach Shukri Conrad is keen to get a fifth bowler into the starting XI to support his four-pronged attack. It certainly will be a risk, who has failed in all his three previous starts at No 3, whilst only recently striking his maiden Test century from No 7 against Bangladesh last year. Amla, though, believes Mulder does have the ability to fulfill the role in the WTC final, especially in regards to the Proteas' overall gameplan. 'When I started at No 3, I wasn't a No 3 batter. I actually preferred the Nos 4 and 5, but batting at No 3 for South Africa was the only gap at the time,' Amla said. 'They asked me, and I did it. I had a season doing it for the Dolphins and then got into the national team. 'In this current team, there may not be guys who've batted at No 3 domestically. But there is a time for them to start. Proteas allrounder Wiaan Mulder is being touted to bat at No 3 in the WTC final against Australia. Picture: AFP Image: Tanvin Tamin / AFP 'So, if Wiaan bats at No 3, it might be his time. You need time to learn the position, and although it's a big final, and it's tough to be in the deep end like, but he can make it work. 'Technically, you have some really good players. Wiaan and Stubbs are technically good enough. 'Also the style of cricket South Africa seem to be playing, it's a little bit more attacking, so in many ways your technique is not tested as much because you are playing a bit more shots than normal, so it might work into the way South Africa are playing.' Amla, though, stressed that the essential requirements for long-term success remain the same. 'You have to be able to handle the new ball, because most of the time, you end up coming in pretty early,' he said. 'You're always prepping for that. You have to have good technique. You have to have the experience of batting in the top order for a long time. That makes the quality of a good No 3 batter for a long period of time.' Independent Media's Zaahier Adams will be at Lord's covering the ICC World Test Championship final. Picture: Independent Media Image: Independent Media
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder are 'jewels' in Proteas' crown, says Sydney hero Fanie de Villiers
South Africa's Marco Jansen could be an ace at Lord's in the WTC final, says Fanie de Villiers. Picture: AFP Image: Picture: AFP Former South African bowler Fanie de Villiers believes the Proteas possess 'two jewels' in allrounders Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder who have the potential to swing the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's next month in Shukri Conrad team's favour. 'I think they can play a massive role when they need to support (Temba) Bavuma and (Aiden) Markram on the batting side and in the bowling side to support the likes of a (Kagiso) Rabada that's the spearhead in our system,' De Villiers told Independent Media. 'We've got two jewels there, guys that can really lift their game. And especially if one of our boys struggles, they can come to the party and help us out. 'So if you would ask me what's going to happen in this Test match, if we're not going to play at 120% of our ability, it's going to be difficult to beat the Australians. 'But the one good thing is it's a neutral ground. That might play to our benefit. And you know, the little bit of luck that one gets in Test cricket, if you play and miss once or twice, you might nick the third one.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading De Villiers, 60, enjoyed many gripping battles with the Australians during his hey day, none more so than the epic New Year Test in Sydney back in 1994. He claimed match-figures of 10/123, which included 6/43 in the second innings that helped bowl the Australians out for just 111, to help the Proteas script a memorable five-run victory. 'Yeah, we fought a lot of battles in the early 90s,' De Villiers said. 'I remember arriving in Melbourne a week or so before for the first Test match, which was rained out. We couldn't get a result there. 'A lot of photographs were taken exactly the same as the photographs that were taken 20 years before. When Graeme Pollock, as a youngster, played cricket in Australia. And it was quite a hype getting back into international cricket. 'Australia were No 1 in the world at that stage. They were leading the pack when it came to their fast bowlers. (Craig) McDermott and quite a few guys. Shane Warne obviously made a big impact. The Allan Borders, the Waugh Brothers, Damien Martyns. There's so many of them that were really top-class cricketers. Fanie de Villiers and his bowling partner Allan Donald celebrate a Proteas' Test victory. Picture: AFP Image: Picture: AFP 'I ended up bowling 16 overs on the trot the next morning without even having a rest. It was tough, but we managed to do it. And I think it's the reason this week there's an article that I was part of where I say Test cricket is not for sissies. 'You need to be fit, you need to be strong, you need to be effective enough. And you need to play enough cricket, long four or five-day cricket to be fit enough.' De Villiers is, therefore, concerned with miles in the Proteas' legs ahead of the WTC final with the majority of the squad returning from playing T20s in the IPL. Only Kyle Verreynne (Nottinghamshire), David Bedingham (Durham) and Dane Paterson (Middlesex) have played red-ball cricket recently in the English County Championship, whereas Australia have Matthew Kuhnemann (Glamorgan), Beau Webster (Warwickshire), Cameron Green (Gloucestershire), Marnus Labuschagne (Glamorgan) and travelling reserve Brendan Doggett (Durham). The Proteas have scheduled a warm-up game against Zimbabwe in Arundel, starting on June 3 next week.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
IND vs ENG: Bumrah not to lead India in absence of captain Rohit
India's pace lynchpin, Jasprit Bumrah, will not lead in the five-match Test series against England if captain Rohit Sharma gets injured during the tour, which starts on June 20 in Leeds. India are set to tour England for a five-match Test series after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League 2025. According to an Indian Express report, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) won't assign a leadership role to Bumrah during the India vs England Test series as he is not expected to play all five matches due to workload management. While speaking in the iCC review, former India head coach Ravi Shastri highlighted the importance of managing his workload wisely during the series. 'I would handle him very carefully,' Shastri said on the ICC Review. 'I'd let him (Bumrah) play two Tests at a stretch and then reassess based on how he feels.' Shastri added that while the team might be inclined to play Bumrah in all five Tests if he begins well, the decision should depend on his physical response. "Ideally, he should play four. If he says he's starting to feel a bit of a niggle, give him a break. Let him decide when he needs one," he said. Meanwhile, the report also stated that the senior team's selection committee wants to nominate a young player as Rohit's deputy. In that case, Shubman Gill is expected to take on the vice-captaincy role despite being junior to Rishabh Pant in the team. Pant's form has been a cause for concern for Team India ahead of the England tour as he failed to perform in the IPL while representing Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah. Photo: Sportzpics for BCCI Bumrah's Test captaincy record Bumrah has led India in two Test matches so far. His maiden Test as captain was against England in Manchester, in which he ended on the losing side. In his second Test as captain, Bumrah produced a spirited bowling performance along with Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana to secure a victory against Australia on the world's fastest pitch in Perth. Bumrah's injury issues The board remains cautious about Jasprit Bumrah's history with injuries. A back issue during the New Year Test in Sydney sidelined him for three months, causing him to miss the Champions Trophy and the opening phase of the IPL. Bumrah has had recurring back problems in the past as well. In 2022, he underwent surgery that kept him out of action for almost 11 months, including the T20 World Cup in Australia. India vs England Test series schedule and venue The final Test between India and England will begin on July 31. IND vs ENG Test series live broadcast in India Sony Sports Network will live broadcast India vs England Test series in India. Live streaming of IND vs ENG five-match Test series will be available on Sony LIV app and website.
Indian Express
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Workload, eye on future: no leadership role for Jasprit Bumrah on England tour
India's fast bowling figurehead and vice captain Jasprit Bumrah is unlikely to be given a leadership role on the Test tour to England starting June-end, sources in the BCCI told The Indian Express. The ace seamer had led India to their sole win on the Australia tour at the turn of the year, apart from leading in two other Tests. But since Bumrah is unlikely to feature in all the five Tests in England as part of his workload management, the selectors are likely to seek a player who will play through the tour. 'We want a player who will be available for all five Test matches, and he should be given the vice-captain's role. Bumrah won't be playing all five matches, so we don't want to appoint different deputies for different games. It will be better that the captain and vice-captain be certain and play all five Tests,' the sources said. It's also learnt that the selectors want a young face, who could be groomed as a future leader, as vice-captain. From the nucleus of the current team, only two fit the category, Shubman Gill (25) and Rishabh Pant (27). Most of the other regulars, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and K L Rahul, are in their 30s while Yashasvi Jaiswal is seen as too young at 23. The board is wary of Bumrah's injury record, too. He suffered a back injury during the New Year Test in Sydney Test, which ruled him out for three months and forced him to miss the Champions Trophy. He also missed the first half of the IPL. The back had hurt Bumrah in the past, too. He missed nearly 11 months of cricket including the T20 World Cup in Australia after undergoing a surgery in 2022. In fact, lower back stress injury, abdominal strain and injuries to his finger have all cost him matches in the past. India's Test series against England is scheduled to kick off from June 20 with the fifth and final Test starting July 31. Former coach Ravi Shastri, under whom Bumrah blossomed in Tests, has stressed on giving him adequate time for recovery during the series. 'I would be very, very careful (with Bumrah). I would give him two Test matches at a time and then wait for the break,' he told the ICC Review. 'Ideally, make him play four (Tests). You'll be tempted to make him play five if he starts off in a great manner, but it's how his body pulls up. He should be given the first opportunity to say, 'Yes, a little, (I am) feeling the niggle. A break would help'. Give him that break,' he said.
