World Cup winning captain Suryakumar sacked
Less than three months after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, captain Suryakumar Yadav has been sacked by selectors and omitted from the squad altogether. Suryakumar has struggled for form in recent months, prompting selectors to hand the captaincy to Shreyas Iyer.
India have also picked 15-year-old wonderkid Vaibhav Suryavanshi for the upcoming series in Ireland and England. He is set to become India’s youngest-ever international cricketer. Sachin Tendulkar was 16 years and 205 days old when he made his India debut.
Suryavanshi’s sensational IPL season saw him score more than 700 runs at a strike rate exceeding 230 as he single-handedly carried Rajasthan Royals into the playoffs. More than the runs, it was the disdain with which he treated some of the world’s finest bowlers, including Mitchell Starc and Jasprit Bumrah, that convinced selectors his time had come.
India record biggest Test win
Test cricket has moved away from the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali, a venue that hosted many iconic matches including the 1996 World Cup semi-final. A new venue, located half an hour away and boasting a capacity of nearly 40,000, hosted its first Test match as India took on Afghanistan. The hosts marked the occasion by recording their biggest-ever Test win by an innings and 300 runs.
India piled up 564 for eight declared and by the time Afghanistan came in to bat, the pitch had flattened out considerably. Yet the visitors failed to make an impression as debutant spinner Manav Sutha outsmarted the batters to finish with six wickets. It was the third-best bowling return by an Indian on Test debut.
The follow on was enforced and Afghanistan survived just over a session in their second innings before being bowled out for 112.
MCC express disappointment at Lord’s pitch
A dramatic Test match at Lord’s between England and New Zealand has sparked concerns over the state of the pitch after several deliveries kept low while others climbed alarmingly, making batting extremely difficult.
Of the 40 wickets to fall in the match, 24 were either bowled or lbw. Although England completed a 115 run victory, captain Ben Stokes voiced his concerns, saying extreme conditions would do little to help the future of Test cricket.
The MCC, owners of Lord’s, admitted their frustration and said the unusually hot weather during May followed by heavy rain had created significant challenges for the groundstaff.
Umpire who made tough call in tied Test dies
The tied Test between India and Australia in Madras 40 years ago remains etched in the memories of cricket fans. The umpire who made the decisive call in that match, V. Vikramraju, has passed away in the south Indian city of Mysore at the age of 92.
Set a target of 348, India were within touching distance of victory at 347 for nine when Australian spinner Greg Matthews appealed for lbw. Vikramraju ruled last man Maninder Singh out, resulting in only the second tied Test in cricket history.
At a time when umpiring standards in Asia were frequently criticised, Vikramraju’s courage in making such a high-pressure decision earned widespread respect across the cricketing world.
The other Jansen
Gloucestershire are enjoying a terrific run in the Vitality Blast T20 competition, having won five of their six matches so far. A major reason for their success has been the form of their overseas signing, South African Duan Jansen – the twin brother of the more famous Marco Jansen.
Everyone knows what Marco is capable of with his left-arm pace, steep bounce and all-round skills. Identical twin Duan has been doing much the same in the English summer.
On Sunday, Worcestershire were chasing 148 in Bristol but slumped to 28 for four with Jansen accounting for all four wickets. Like Marco, Duan bowls left-arm pace and has become a thorn in the opposition’s side.
South Africans remain highly sought after in county cricket and Gloucestershire have two of them. Marchant de Lange, who took a Kolpak deal several years ago, teamed up with Duan as Gloucestershire defeated Somerset by seven wickets on Friday. Duan is currently the leading wicket taker in the competition with 16 wickets from six matches.
Cricket Canada takes corrective measures to reinstate ICC membership
Since featuring in this year’s T20 World Cup, not much has gone right for Cricket Canada. The board’s membership was suspended last month amid concerns over governance and financial oversight. The suspension has resulted in ICC funding being cut off.
Canadian cricket authorities have now submitted a detailed plan outlining the corrective measures they intend to implement.
Cricket Canada is also set to appoint an independent committee to investigate the grievances highlighted by the ICC and work closely with the global governing body to establish stronger governance structures.
Pakistan secure series win over Australia
Pakistan recorded a series win over world champions Australia, although the ODI series, played on rank turners, did not receive universal approval.
Pakistan, however, were unconcerned by the criticism as remaining clear of the danger zone in the ICC rankings appeared their primary objective. Only ten teams will qualify automatically for next year’s World Cup, with co hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe already assured of places.
With the battle for automatic qualification intensifying, Pakistan, currently fifth in the standings, will be encouraged by their position with the cut-off date set for March 2027.
Australia struggled badly against spin in the final game, losing their last seven wickets for just 38 runs. Yet Pakistan’s chase of 158 was far from straightforward as they lost six wickets before sealing victory.
Australia could play 21 Tests in 12 months
Australia could play as many as 21 Test matches in a 12 month period beginning in August this year.
The schedule starts with a two Test home series against Bangladesh before tours of India, South Africa and England, where they will attempt to regain the Ashes.
In addition, Australia are scheduled to host New Zealand, take part in the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG and potentially feature in the World Test Championship final should they qualify.
