Latest news with #Test-match
Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Shubman Gill blamed for ‘letting England off the hook': ‘None of your pacers can bowl at 145 kmph'
Former India and England cricketers blamed India captain Shubman Gill for "allowing" Harry Brook and Jamie Smith to counterattack and get back into the contest. Mohammed Siraj gave India a dream start on Day 3 of the second Test by dismissing Joe Root (22) and Ben Stokes (0) off successive balls in the second over of the day. England were tottering at 83 for 5, trailing India by a mammoth 510 runs. From there, Brook and Smith launched an outstanding counterattack aided by some unusually defensive tactics from India to take England past the 300-run mark. India's Shubman Gill looks on(Action Images via Reuters) Smith smashed the fastest century by an England keeper and the third-fastest by an English batter off just 80 balls, while Harry Brook got to his 9th Test century as the duo put on more than 200 runs in no time. Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron said India got carried away after the wicket of Ben Stokes. They tried to overattack with the bouncer tactic, which got them away from the Test-match length. 'I think India allowed this counterpunch by the English batsmen. If you see what worked really well for India last evening and even this morning, it was bowling at the right length. But the moment India got Stokes' wicket, they got a bit too aggressive on a flat wicket," Aaron said on JioHotstar. Aaron said there was no point in bowling this many bouncers, which were largely dealt with by brutal pull shots by Smith and Brook when they did not have a bowler who could bowl at 145 km/h. "Too many bouncers, too many short balls. On a slow pitch, when none of your bowlers are consistently pushing the 145 kph mark, you cannot afford to bowl that many short deliveries. Indian bowlers have the skill to keep it on that ideal length — keep hitting the stumps. Sustained pressure is what gets you wickets. You can't expect things to happen immediately all the time," he added. Shubman Gill 'let England off the hook': Trott Former England batter Jonathan Trott too accused India's young captain, Shubman Gill, of "letting off the hook" After getting off to such a brilliant start on Friday. 'That partnership at the start was very much under pressure, but as soon as India switched to the short-ball tactic, it actually let the English batsmen off the hook. They're always going to take the short ball on. And once the runs started flowing — as anyone who's watched cricket knows — that's when the pressure starts to ease, and they can play their natural game. Even if one of them gets caught on the boundary, it's not a big deal. The next guy will come in and likely do the same thing," Trott said. Aaron, however, was all praise for Jamie Smith for his blistering century, which marked the second of his career. 'Jamie Smith is a gifted and very brave batter. He's not hesitating to take on the challenge at all. With almost six to seven fielders packed on the leg side, it takes real courage to play those shots — it shows how much belief he has in his ability and the trust the team has placed in him. He's a talented player, not just in red-ball cricket but in the white-ball format too. Bright days ahead — but he'll need to convert this into a daddy hundred.'
Observer
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Stokes makes Jaiswal breakthrough in second Test
BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom: England captain Ben Stokes again proved his worth as a Test-match partnership-breaker at Edgbaston on Wednesday by denying India dangerman Yashasvi Jaiswal his second hundred of the series. India were 182-3 at tea on the first day of the second Test after Jaiswal had fallen for 87, with the tourists looking to level the five-match series at 1-1 after last week's five-wicket loss at Headingley. India captain Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who between them scored three of the team's five hundreds at Headingley — something no other losing side had achieved in more than 60,000 games of first-class cricket — were 42 and 14 not out respectively. Jaiswal was closing in on a century after another dazzling display of stroke-play when the left-handed opener cut flat-footedly at a short and wide ball from all-rounder Stokes, bowling from around the wicket, only to edge a poor delivery straight to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. It was a tame end and meant Jaiswal was unable to match his excellent 101 at Headingley — a game England won as they made light of chasing 371 for victory. The 23-year-old's exit also saw the end of a third wicket partnership of 66 with India captain Shubman Gill that had taken the tourists to 161-3. New batsman Pant, fresh from becoming just the second wicketkeeper in Test history to score hundreds in both innings of a match with 134 and 118 in Leeds, waited a relatively restrained 23 balls until he scored his first boundary Wednesday — a six over midwicket against off-spinner Shoaib Bashir. Earlier Stokes, as he had done at Headingley, opted to field after winning the toss, with England having achieved their all-time record fourth innings victory chase of 378 at Edgbaston, against India three years ago. KL Rahul, fresh from a second-innings hundred at Headingley, rarely looked comfortable Wednesday as he took 26 balls to score two in an innings that ended when he played on to Chris Woakes, on his Warwickshire home ground. Brydon Carse kept things tight at the other end as India were held to 37-1 off 13 overs in the first hour of play. But there was a release of pressure when he was replaced by Tongue. Jaiswal went to his fifty with consecutive boundaries off Tongue, a hook followed by a rasping cut. It took him a mere 59 balls to reach the landmark, with 40 of his runs coming in fours. But shortly before lunch, Karun Nair (31) was undone by a lifting ball from the admirable Carse that lobbed gently to second slip. The most eye-catching of the three changes made by India saw Jasprit Bumrah rested after it was announced before the series he would only feature in three of the five Tests in order to protect his fitness following a back injury. The third Test at Lord's starts just four days after the scheduled end of the game in Birmingham. Akash Deep was given the unenviable task of replacing Bumrah, the world's number one-ranked Test bowler. India have yet to win a Test at Edgbaston following seven defeats and a draw at the Birmingham ground. They are also bidding for just a fourth series win in England following triumphs in 1971, 1986 and 2007. — AFP
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The doctor is in: Human and Springboks step up to full Test mode for set-piece battle against Italy
After bashing the ill-prepared Barbarians last week in a friendly, the Springboks have switched into full Test-match mode, and scrum coach Daan Human says it will be a different ball game against the Azzurri in Pretoria on Saturday. The scary thing is that Human believes the Boks will go up a level from their 54-7 romp in the rain last week. 'The big difference is that the Baabaas don't play regularly," said Human on Monday in Johannesburg, "so we had to look at them as individuals. "This week we play a proper Test match team and we can do much more homework. That is the big difference, and having had our opening match, there is now stuff we can work on.'
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Fantastic to play with Cheslin and Kurt-Lee, says Springbok fullback Aphelele Fassi ahead of Barbarians showdown
Aphelele Fassi will look to run the show for the Springboks at fullback against the Barbarians on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Sharks superstar Aphelele Fassi is known for his sparkling rugby and being able to create something from almost nothing when given an inch or two of space on the rugby field. While they are encouraged to back their skills within the Springbok set-up, this Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town (5.10pm kick-off), the world champions will approach the game with a Test-match intensity. That means a more structured game plan will be followed and with the predicted weather conditions, an open game will play right into the hands of the Baabaas. However, while the Boks will box clever in their first match of the year, there should be enough opportunities for the likes of Fassi, and wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse to run with the ball in hand. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'The freedom that the coaches give us is immense, but I will focus on what I have to deliver on Saturday within the team's structure,' Fassi said on Wednesday in a rainy Cape Town. 'It is fantastic playing with Cheslin and Kurt-Lee. I learn a lot from them as well in terms of communication. Things that they like (to do) and what they need (on the field). 'I am building a good relationship with them, and I am just excited to see what we can deliver on Saturday. 'We won't be approaching the game any differently, even if the weather plays a role,' the fullback added. Jean-Luc du Preez can't wait for his first #Springboks start since 2018, and who can blame him? 🫡#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) June 25, 2025 'Maybe for them (the Barbarians) it would be quite different. They are an entertaining team, and they will want to entertain the Cape Town fans. 'We will implement our physical game and how we want to play. I think the weather won't have a huge impact for us.' The fullback highlighted his work-rate, communication and will to learn as areas of his game where he has seen growth over the last year. He has also put an emphasis on improving his kicking game. He hopes the match will indicate to him what level he is at heading into the international season where the world champions will play 13 other confirmed Tests.
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springboks take calculated risk against Baabaas as Lood de Jager finally makes his international return
Lock Lood de Jager will make his return to the Springbok team on Saturday after nearly two years out when they face the Barbarians in Caep Town. Image: BackpagePix Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus sprung a few surprises with the uncapped players for the clash with the Barbarians on Saturday but selected an experienced side to try and lay a strong season-opening platform in Cape Town. While they will approach the game at the DHL Stadium (5.10pm start) with a Test-match mentality, four uncapped players — two in the starting XV and two off the bench — will make their debut. The team also consists of four other players with less than 10 caps. However, the rest of the side is stacked with World Cup winners. Judging by the experience they've gone with, the world champions should have no trouble putting the Baabaas away. The invitational side, finally to an almost full complement, assembled in Cape Town on Tuesday ahead of the duel. Although not an official test, Sharks loose forward Vincent Tshituka and Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye will experience the Green-and-Gold for the first time. Replacement tighthead Neethling Fouché and replacement hooker Marnus van der Merwe are the uncapped guys on the bench. Erasmus explained on Thursday that they opted to bleed some new players, but with the strong blend of experience, they want to ensure they have a foundation as they head into the 2025 Test season in July. Regular captain Siya Kolisi will lead the team in the opener. 'It's a calculated risk in the sense that we know what guys like Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu), Krappies (Morné van den Berg, scrumhalf) and Fassi (Aphelele, fullback) can do when they are on song, but we need those experienced heads around them,' Erasmus said. 'The Barbarians came here to entertain. Sometimes you need a little bit of control on the side for that. With that inexperience at 9, 10 and 15, we felt that it was a calculated decision because we do have calm heads around them. 'We last played eight months ago and we've seen what happened to the British and Irish Lions recently against Argentina when they put a team together. Credit, though, must go to Argentina for that victory. Selecting just an experienced side to win this game would've been beside the point. We know we could've selected our most in-form side, but what happens in 12 months then (if they do not select inexperienced guys).' 'We want a good start and that is why we selected this side. We would love to entertain, but we won't fuel their fire.' Erasmus is excited for the uncapped players to make their mark, while the return of Lood de Jager is another good sign for the Springboks.
