Latest news with #T20WorldCup
NDTV
2 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Ricky Ponting Recalls Moment When Mitchell Starc's Delivery Left Sachin Tendulkar Startled
Former Australia captain and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting took a trip down memory lane and reminisced about the moment that served as the "reassurance" that there was something "extra special" for seasoned quick Mitchell Starc. There aren't many bowlers who play 100 Tests or take 400 wickets in the format, but Starc has added both accolades in his illustrious career in a destructive fashion. Earlier this week, Starc made the pink Dukes' ball dance to his tunes and blazed his way to the fastest five-wicket haul. He needed just 15 deliveries to accomplish the feat, becoming the second-fastest to 400 Test wickets and finishing with career-best figures of 6/9 as the West Indies packed on a historic low, 27 in Jamaica. When Starc was finding his feet at the pinnacle of cricket, Ponting was part of the dressing room during the speedster's early days. He vividly recalled Australia's encounter against India at WACA in 2012, which was just Starc's third Test. During the fiery contest, Starc unsettled the legendary 'Master Blaster' Sachin Tendulkar with pace and movement, exhibiting signs of his true potential. "I remember, he was bowling a spell to Sachin Tendulkar and was able to sort of bowl a short one, get up under Sachin's armpit and Sachin just sort of knocked one into short leg on the leg side," Ponting recalled on the ICC Review. "And when you could see that sort of pace and bounce and have someone like Sachin not be able to cope with it, I think that was the reassurance for all of us that there was probably something extra special there for Mitchell Starc," he added. Former Australia captain lavished praise on Starc's legacy, which spans over 16 years and 292 international matches. Ponting believes that even as a youngster, it wasn't hard to identify that Starc was destined for greatness. "He's really now stacking up an amazing career - over 400 Test match wickets. I think everyone who laid eyes on him as a youngster understood that there was every possibility that he could be a 100-Test match, 400 or 500-wicket fast bowler for Australia," he said. "He's got to be 6'5". He's always had pace on his side. He's always been sort of that high 140s and sometimes pushing that sort of 150 barrier. He's had the ability to swing the new ball back into the right-handers," he added. Starc arguably has all the accolades that a player dreams of achieving. The 35-year-old left-armer is a two-time 50-over World Cup winner, T20 World Cup champion, and World Test Championship winner. With 725 international wickets to his name, Starc etched his name as a modern-day great. For Ponting, there is an insatiable hunger in Starc, which keeps him wanting to evolve, improve and add new weapons in his heavily loaded artillery. "He's got better and better. Like skill-wise and mentally, I think he understands his body, understands his game probably better than ever, especially the last couple of years," Ponting said. "He's added a couple of different skills maybe the last two or three years that don't seem like massive things, but he's sort of incorporated that three-quarters seam, that wobble seam delivery that's just made his in-swing of that little bit more potent as well and has given him a little bit more variation," he added.
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
Retiring Russell cherishes WC semis vs India, two trophies as special moments
Ahead of his final days of playing international cricket, big-hitting all-rounder Andre Russell has highlighted his knock in the 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final against India and winning two trophies for his nation in the shortest format as his most important moments of being in the West Indies set-up. Russell, who was a member of West Indies' T20 World Cup winning squads in 2012 and 2016, will play his last two international matches on July 20 and 22 when the hosts' take on Australia in the first two T20I games at his homeground in Sabina Park. 'Definitely, the 2016 World Cup. That semi-final game against India where I took the team home, me and Lendl Simmons. Obviously, the start that we got from the other batters, chasing 190 plus in that semi-final in India with a crowd supporting India only. 'I think that was already a bit of pressure, but the wicket was a very good wicket. The confidence that we had in the changing room and the batters that were left to come, it gave me the confidence and the freedom to go out and play the role that I did. Obviously, two World Cups, it's just a different emotion.' 'You sleep, you wake up and you realise you've only been sleeping for two hours. But you feel well rested because you just want to see what's going on the internet. 'You want to see all of those memories and all of those good comments. I think those are the two most important moments (of me) playing for West Indies,' said Russell in a video by Cricket West Indies' (CWI) after the end of a training session. In 84 T20Is for the West Indies, Russell, 37, amassed 1078 runs and picked 61 wickets so far. 'It's a pretty good feeling. The first time I came to Sabina Park as a kid, and then to actually walk on the grass and feel the atmosphere and look in the stands and everything, and now I've achieved so much out of cricket for the last couple of years. 'I've done my best in every chance I got representing West Indies. I think it's the perfect ground and the perfect series against a good team like Australia to end my international career. 'By just seeing the posts and seeing stuff going around on the internet, I got a bit emotional to be honest. But decisions are already made and I think I've done well enough to actually say yes that's it for me towards international cricket,' he added. Once the Jamaica leg of T20Is will be over, Russell will follow Nicholas Pooran into becoming the second high-profile West Indies player to quit international cricket in a very short span. Amidst all this, Russell said his focus is still on making West Indies win in the two games at his home ground. 'First, I would say I want to make sure that we win these two games, and give the fans something good to celebrate. Especially, cricket hasn't been played here in a while. 'So I think whoever comes out to support, any series, any form of cricket which is played back in Jamaica, fans will want to come out.' 'I think once the last game that people watch, they tend to remember the good or the bad. So once we play two good games here and we finish on a high, definitely, who knows cricket can be back and the love and support in Jamaica will always be there.' 'Definitely, I want to see Sabina Park full with all the cricket fans around the country. When the team moves on to St. Kitts, definitely I want to see that support as well. 'I'll be watching and I want to make sure that we start off well here at Sabina Park. Fans, support whether you're watching us on the telly or you're here in the stands,' he elaborated. Agencies
News18
11 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
No India-Pakistan At Olympics 2028? Only 1 Asian Team To Directly Qualify
Only one team from Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa will directly qualify for the 2028 Olympics. With USA taking the fifth sport, the remaining will have to play a qualifier. Cricket has taken a major step towards increasing its global appeal by securing a ticket to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. However, only six teams will be able to make it to the final T20 matches to compete for the Gold, and that includes the host, the United States of America, leaving five other teams. According to a report in Forbes, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is set to use regional rankings to decide which teams will go ahead. This means only the top-ranked team in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa will automatically qualify for the tournament. The final pace will be decided by a qualifier. Earlier, there were concerns about finding a window in cricket's already packed calendars for the qualifiers and other logistical doubts. However, as per the report, the ICC is happy with hosting one qualifying tournament. Separately, the West Indies, which comprises several small islands and is not a recognised country, are likely to hold their individual tournament to determine which country will play the qualifier. Meanwhile, the T20 World Cup will determine the women's Olympic spots and there's uncertainty over the USA's participation. Cricket's return to the Olympics after over a century will take place at the Fairgrounds Stadium in the city of Pomona, about 50km from Los Angeles, starting on July 12, with the medal matches scheduled for July 20 and 29, 2028. 'When the world comes here for these Games, we will highlight every neighbourhood as we host a Games for all and work to ensure it leaves a monumental legacy. We are already delivering that legacy as we announce there have been more than one million enrollments in PlayLA. I want to thank LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for making these programs possible and for their continued work to host the greatest Games yet," said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a recent statement. USA cricket given more time Meanwhile, the report added, USA Cricket is set to avoid suspension of its ICC membership. The world body is set to give it three months to address its governance issues. The ICC had earlier asked the board to resign en masse, but faced resistance. The board is under increased scrutiny in light of the Olympics. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
12 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
BAN vs PAK: New-look Pakistan and Bangladesh face off in T20 series
Pakistan captain Salman Agha is confident his new-look side is shaping up well towards next year's World Cup as it takes on Bangladesh in a T20 series starting in Dhaka from Sunday. Agha has been leading the short format side with star batter Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan out since last year. Pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has been rested for the three-match series and seam bowlers Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim are also missing because of injuries. Agha said the missing players could still be considered for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. 'We have changed the way we want to play but we are confident of our build-up and direction,' said Agha on Saturday. 'We are going for this series with ample preparations as Bangladesh can be a challenging team in their home conditions.' New Zealander Mike Hesson is Pakistan's new white-ball coach. His first assignment was a 3-0 series win at home against Bangladesh 3-0 last month. Also read | Which teams have qualified for T20 World Cup 2026? With leg-spinner Shadab Khan also injured, Pakistan has picked two uncapped fast bowlers in Salman Mirza and Ahmed Daniyal. Bangladesh won a T20 series 2-1 in Sri Lanka last week. 'What happened in Sri Lanka is in the past,' said captain Litton Das. 'We have to face a new challenge starting tomorrow. We are ready for this challenge. 'We have the mentality to beat any team, but we have to play well on the particular day and not entirely bank on home conditions.' Bangladesh has kept the same squad that went to Sri Lanka The second and third matches are on Tuesday and Thursday, also in Dhaka. Related Topics Pakistan / Bangladesh
News18
12 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
ICC Mulls Expanding T20 World Cup To 32 Teams, ODI World Cup To Have...
The ICC is discussing expanding the men's T20 World Cup to 32 nations. The International Cricket Council (ICC) reportedly discussed expanding the men's T20 World Cup to 32 nations in its Annual General Meeting (AGM), ongoing in Singapore. According to a report in Forbes, a six-man 'working group' led by New Zealand's Roger Twose will discuss it among other key decisions. The latest edition, in 2024, which India won, saw 20 teams participate. That number will remain for the next edition, in 2026. However, the ICC has been buoyed by the recent qualification of Italy for the 2026 edition and feels that the sport has found roots beyond the traditional centres. Meanwhile, the report said, the ODI World Cup is unlikely to be expanded from fielding 12 teams in 2023. The ICC is also set to consider the idea to split Test cricket into two divisions with promotion and relegation, adopted from football leagues around the globe. Although it is far from being materialised, the reports about a two-tier system started coming in last year and immediately caused a stir and debate. Opinion split on division-based Tests While the likes of Ravi Shastri felt it would help the traditional format, others like Michael Holding and Clive Lloyd expressed their apprehensions. Under this, India, Australia and England will make the first division and play more matches among themselves over a period of time than they currently do, with the second division competing among itself to secure promotion to the first. 'I've always believed that if you want Test cricket to survive and thrive, this is the way to go. The top teams should play each other more often, creating a contest," Shastri said on SEN radio. 'I think it will be terrible for all those countries who worked so hard to achieve Test status. Now they'll be relegated to playing among themselves in the lower section. How will they reach the top? (Only) by playing against better teams," Lloyd said in a media interaction. Holding told The Telegraph: 'If there is no promotion and relegation, the top division will just keep on making all the money. The bottom division will get poorer and teams will disappear. Maybe that is what they want. I get the impression that a lot of these countries that have a lot of money and take all the money out of the game want to continue and perhaps make it worse." view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
