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New Zealand hope for middle-order revival

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Match facts

January 17, 2016
Start time 1900 local (0600 GMT)Colin Munro has made 106 runs off 41 balls across his last two T20 innings•Getty Images

Big Picture

Sri Lanka and Pakistan have become used to rubbing each others’ backs over the past few years, as their boards have buddied up and organised tours on an annual basis. In New Zealand, Sri Lanka have gone the extra mile to do Pakistan a favour: by scoring so few runs in the previous series that New Zealand did not need their middle order to defeat them. That middle order then turned up rusty against Pakistan, on Friday. Corey Anderson, Grant Elliott, Mitchell Santner and Luke Ronchi all fell for single figures, within 18 runs of each other. The hosts’ chase never recovered.It is the variety, quality and experience in Pakistan’s attack that appears the greatest threat to New Zealand this series. In Wahab Riaz, Umar Gul and Mohammad Amir, the visitors have three sharp quicks, each with his own particular mode of attack. Imad Wasim has delivered tight left-arm spin since his arrival at the top level last year, while Shahid Afridi’s legspin continues to prosper. They also have Shoaib Malik’s part-time offbreaks, should any of their frontline options falter.New Zealand were without their best bowler – Tim Southee – and most experienced batsman – Ross Taylor – for that first game, however, and Taylor’s likely return in Hamilton will bolster that middle order. The openers will be eager regain their tone-setting form as well. Kane Williamson was made to seem human in that first match, having dropped a catch, run his partner out, and made a stalling start to his own innings. Mistakes from him have been both rare and rarely repeated.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)

New Zealand: LWWWL
Pakistan: WLLLW

In the spotlight

In two Eden Park T20s, Colin Munro has struck 106 from 41 deliveries, sealing one game and keeping his team alive in the other. His clean striking has almost filled the firepower void left by Brendon McCullum’s absence. Munro has one foot in the World T20 squad. Another decent innings in either of the two coming matches will ensure he is on that flight to India.He may be approaching the end of his career, but Shahid Afridi is still the life of this Pakistan team’s party, cracking cameos from the middle order, striking star-man poses, and occasionally engaging teammates in animated on-field discussions. He hit a rapid 23, took two wickets and claimed three catches on Friday. Seddon Park is not quite as small as the ground in Auckland, but its dimensions will still suit Afridi’s manic hitting.

Team news

Taylor’s return after a one-match rest will probably force one of the frontline spinners out of the side. With New Zealand having seen plenty of Mitchell Santner over their summer, maybe they will give Todd Astle another run. Mitchell McClenaghan may also play, depending on whether he has recovered from the niggle that kept him out on Friday.New Zealand (probable): 1 Kane Williamson (capt.), 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Colin Munro 4 Corey Anderson, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Grant Elliott, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Todd Astle, 9 Adam Milne, 10 Matt Henry, 11 Trent BoultPakistan will probably keep an unchanged XI.Pakistan (probable): 1 Mohammad Hafeez, 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Sohaib Maqsood , 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Umar Akmal, 6 Shahid Afridi (capt), 7 Imad Wasim, 8 Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), 9 Wahab Riaz, 10 Umar Gul, 11 Mohammad Amir

Pitch and conditions

Limited-overs pitches in Hamilton have generally been conducive to high scores. The weather is expected to remain fine for the evening, with temperatures in the low 20-degrees Celsius range.

Stats and trivia

  • Imad Wasim’s economy rate after six T20s is 4.77.
  • New Zealand won the only other T20 these teams have played in Hamilton, in 2010.
  • Kane Williamson has led New Zealand in 10 T20s, with his team having won exactly half.

Quotes

“We have a come across Afridi a few times in T20 and have a number of plans for him, but if you don’t execute then he is able to take you apart with the bat. That cameo gave them some impetus. With the ball, we were able to take to him early but he came back really well. He is a fine cricketer and he has been around a while so he is a pretty wily campaigner.”

Wright could walk into job – Patel

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John Wright is yet to decide whether he will apply to replace John Bracewell as New Zealand’s coach © Getty Images
 

John Wright would almost certainly be appointed as New Zealand’s coach if he wanted the job, according to one of the other men keen to take on the role, Dipak Patel. Wright has not confirmed whether he will apply for the position, which will become available when the incumbent John Bracewell steps down next April.Patel, who coaches the New Zealand Under-19 team, is hoping to finally get a crack at the senior job but he knows his chances hinge on how much competition there is for the role. “It certainly interests me and though I’ve applied twice before the timing is better this time, so I’m pretty keen,” Patel told the . “I think I can do a good job but who knows who is going to apply? If John Wright applies, the job is his.”Wright is currently New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) acting high performance manager and Justin Vaughan, NZC’s chief executive, said despite Wright’s experience as an international coach with India it would be disappointing if they lost him from his existing role. “John came in to do a job at New Zealand Cricket and that is what he is doing,” Vaughan said. “He didn’t come in to be national coach in waiting.”He came in to develop our emerging talent from Under-17s through to the national A team. He has a big job and is doing a really good job. It will be up to him whether he wants to put his name in the hat and we would be actually really sad because he is doing a really good job what he is doing. John Wright knows all too well that international cricket is a very demanding job, so what I want him to do is take some time to think about it.”Either way, Wright is likely to have some input into who replaces Bracewell. Vaughan said he had no preconceived idea of whether the new coach should be home-grown or from another country.”In the end it is about who you believe can take the side on and win you games,” Vaughan said. “We’ll look internationally, it would be remiss not to. We’ll look at who is coaching and who has been coaching in high-standard competitions overseas. I’ll talk to John [Wright] about who is the type of coach who can take us forward and I’ll speak to some of the senior players.”Vaughan said the decision to announce Bracewell’s departure so far in advance was designed to end speculation and give them their best chance of securing the top replacement possible. “We both agreed it was the right time to announce it so it stops the whispering on where he is linked to,” Vaughan said. “It also allows New Zealand Cricket to approach people in an open way.”

Haddin critical of Bancroft selection

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Brad Haddin has questioned the selectors’ decision to expose the part-time wicketkeeper Cameron Bancroft by choosing him for the final Twenty20 match against India at the SCG. Bancroft had previously been in the Australian frame as an opening batsman, and his glove work at fault in a critical stumping chance offered by Suresh Raina.Cameron Boyce beat Raina through the air and off the pitch, but the ball rebounded hard off Bancroft’s gloves and eluded his grasp, allowing Raina to get back. Duly reprieved second ball, Raina played the match-winning hand for India, leaving Haddin to wonder why Bancroft had been chosen overs the likes of Tim Paine and Peter Nevill.”I’m a bit shocked with the decision to play Bancroft, because Tim Paine had a really good Big Bash, and Peter Nevill’s keeping has been outstanding,” Haddin told Sky Sports Radio on Monday. “His batting’s been faultless because he hasn’t had to bat all summer.”I think [Bancroft] is a tremendous character and a tremendous opening batter, I think it was a big call giving him the gloves, he only had a couple of games in the Big Bash, and last night there was a stumping missed by Raina early in his innings. My feeling’s that you should pick the best keeper, especially with the World Cup coming.”Haddin, who retired from international cricket after last year’s Ashes series in England, pointed out that Australia’s T20 plans seemed to feature the wicketkeeper batting down at Nos. 7 or 8 in the order, so wondered why the best pure gloveman was not being chosen. He had previously explained how his own comeback to the team in 2013 had been helped by the fact that Matthew Wade’s technique could not stand up to the challenge of keeping to spin in India.”Bancroft’s a part-time wicketkeeper, so I don’t know how Tim Paine and Peter Nevill are feeling this morning,” Haddin said. “My take’s always been is it’s a specialist position, the same as a spinner or an opening bowler, so you pick your best wicketkeeper.”By the looks of the Australian batting line-up the keeper’s going to bat down at seven and eight anyway, so you need them taking those half chances. I don’t really know the thinking behind playing Bancroft last night. But the chairman of selectors [Rod Marsh] is a wicketkeeper. I don’t really know his rationale behind it.”Australia’s acting captain Shane Watson had defended Bancroft, saying he should not be held responsible for the defeat. “I think Cameron Bancroft has done an excellent job for the Scorchers,” Watson said. “He had a good season and he batted very well against the Sydney Thunder out at Spotless Stadium, so in the end he performed and did a really good job.”I haven’t seen his ‘keeping that much, but he also saved some crucial balls as well. It’s a tough game. That ball also spun out of the rough. It was the first ball that really spun all night as well. You can’t just expose a guy on debut for missing a chance. That happens.”Even guys like Brad Haddin who played all the way through his career, it happens at times. So I would never expose a young guy. I think he’s done a great job to be able to get picked and he performed when he needed to. “With the gloves, he did a really good job outside of that (missed stumping).”In addition to taking the gloves for the Perth Scorchers due to an injury suffered by Sam Whiteman, Bancroft had also kept wicket in junior and club cricket, but never for Western Australia in first-class competition.

Langer shines with farewell century

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Scorecard

Justin Langer said goodbye to the WACA, and Western Australia, in style © Getty Images
 

Justin Langer gave Western Australia a farewell century while the next generation of Warriors’ batting stars showed their talent, piling on the runs on the first day in Perth. Western Australia rocketed to 372 from 81 overs before Tasmania faced a nervous nine-over period late in the day, reaching 1 for 29 with Michael Di Venuto on 17 and Travis Birt on 8.The day belonged to Langer, who emulated his former Australian team-mate Darren Lehmann by striking triple-figures in his final Pura Cup match. Langer’s 131 came from 162 balls and featured two sixes and 19 fours, and he brought up the milestone during a devastating over that cost Jason Krejza 17 runs.Langer had survived an enormous lbw shout from the first ball of the day and the bowler, Ben Hilfenhaus, had to wait 215 minutes to finally trap Langer in front. Shaun Marsh continued his excellent season with 63, Luke Pomersbach made 58 and Luke Ronchi belted a late 61 not out from 64 balls, including three consecutive sixes off Krejza.Tim Macdonald and Luke Butterworth each chipped in with three wickets for the Tigers, who will be hoping for a Langer-style farewell from the retiring Di Venuto on the second day. Although the match is the only one in the final round to have no bearing on the Pura Cup decider, it was the most entertaining game for spectators with more runs scored on the opening day at the WACA than in the MCG and SCG clashes combined.

Peshawar bowlers trample Lahore Qalandars

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Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsFile photo – Junaid Khan dismissed Chris Gayle off the first ball of the match•AFP

Peshawar Zalmi’s bowling attack had another fine night as they smothered Lahore Qalandars to 117 for 6 to set up a nine-wicket victory.With Chris Gayle, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Dwayne Bravo, Lahore have arguably the best batting line-up in the Pakistan Super League. But Peshawar had the upper hand right from the first ball – Junaid Khan went full and straight and Gayle’s stumps went for a toss. Two deliveries later, Cameron Delport was run out for a duck courtesy a direct hit from Shahid Yousuf at mid-on. Azhar (31), Akmal (21) and Bravo (32) helped Lahore last the full quota of overs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar picked up 2 for 11 and an economy rate of 2.75. Shahid Afridi, the captain, finished with 0 for 18 from his four overs.A required rate less than run-a-ball in the chase was never going to be a problem and it proved so as Peshawar openers Tamim Iqbal (55*) and Mohammad Hafeez (43) knocked off 80% of the target. They added 95 in 68 balls and the remaining 23 runs were secured with ease.

Anti-Corruption Unit probes Shoaib's match-fixing claims

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Shoaib Akhtar’s match-fixing claims have brought a team from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit to Pakistan © AFP
 

The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Security Unit (ACSU) has begun an investigationinto the claims of Shoaib Akhtar, who said last week he was offered moneyto under-perform in matches in South Africa and India.Sources close to the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed to Cricinfothat the team had arrived and investigations had begun, though thereconfusion remains over whether they have completed their task or are stillhere. One source close to the investigation said that the team had alreadyleft, having interviewed several players.Details of the visit are currently sketchy and the ICC has refused toconfirm or deny the development, maintaining that it does not comment onthe movement of the ACSU. A report in claimed that theinvestigators had spoken to Younis Khan, who was vice-captain and stand-incaptain on Pakistan’s last tour to India, and Umar Gul.The investigation comes after Shoaib told Geo TV last week, “A briefcasefull of money was placed before me and I was asked to under-bowl in amatch at Johannesburg but I refused. Then on tour to India I was offeredmoney but I again turned it down.” Dates were not specified on eitheroccasion but the ICC said subsequently the claims would be investigated.The claims came after Shoaib was handed a five-year ban over a series ofbreaches of the players’ code of conduct, including public criticism ofthe PCB. Under its own code of conduct the ICC can ban a player who failsto disclose any approaches for fixing to his captain or to his teammanager or to a senior board official or to the ICC’s officials from oneto five years.

Malhotra, George fifties set up India vs Pakistan final

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Vihaan Malhotra and Aaron George ‘s patient half-centuries helped India beat Sri Lanka in a rain-reduced game and set up an U-19 Asia Cup final with Pakistan.It was a game where the momentum kept changing hands. India had Sri Lanka at 28 for 3 after opting to bowl. Captain Vimath Dinsara and Chamika Heenatigala hit back with a 45-run stand, but Sri Lanka soon lost 3 for 11. A 62-run stand between Heenatigala and Sethmika Seneviratne followed, but India again turned it around in the final three overs.In reply, India were 25 for 2 as Sri Lanka sniffed a comeback. But Malhotra and George added an unbeaten 114 runs in a partnership of two halves: the first 62 runs they added took 51 balls, while the next 52 came off 36 deliveries. It was Malhotra who swung the game India’s way when he went 4, 4, 6 off Dulnith Sigera in the 13th over. Malhotra reached his fifty off 35 balls, while George took 43 balls.India’s win was set up after their bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 138. Kishan Singh and Deepesh Devendran struck early, while Vedant Trivedi’s direct hit ran Kavija Gamage out in the sixth over.But Kanishk Chouhan struck twice in the 12th over, and Khilan Patel in the 13th, to force Sri Lanka to rebuild again. That brought Heenatigala and Seneviratne together. Seneviratne was the attacking of the two while Heenatigala, limping a little, was more patient. At 118 for 6 with three overs left, and with Seneviratne connecting it cleanly, Sri Lanka may have hoped to post 150. But just 20 runs amid two wickets in the last three overs applied the brakes on their scoring.India will meet Pakistan in the final on Sunday.

Abbott, Pattinson in Australia A squad

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Fast bowlers Sean Abbott and James Pattinson have been included in the Australia A squad for the team’s upcoming tour of India next month. Both players were called as replacements for Pat Cummins, who was drafted into Australia’s Ashes squad following the retirement of Ryan Harris.Pattinson, whose already truncated 2014-15 season was ended by a hamstring injury in March, will replace Cummins in the one-day squad, while Abbott will take Cummins’ place for the two four-day games. Tasmania seamer Andrew Fekete, who was already a part of Australia A’s four-day squad, has also been placed on stand-by for the one-day matches.”This is an important part of James’ recovery from injury, which has been progressing nicely under the guidance of our medical staff,” national selector Rod Marsh said. “Sean and James are both quality young fast bowlers and we’re pleased to be giving them this opportunity in the challenging conditions of the sub-continent.”Sean is a promising quick and this series will give him further international experience following last year’s tour of the UAE when he made his Australian debut.”Constant injuries have meant that Pattinson, 25, has played just 13 Tests since making his debut in 2011. He last played for Australia in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2014, after which he spent time recovering from a serious back injury. Pattinson eventually made a return to competitive cricket with the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League last year, and also played three Sheffield Shield matches for Victoria in February and March. He is currently in Brisbane playing in a series of practice matches for the National Performance Squad against the National Indigenous Squad.Australia A will play two four-day matches against India A starting July 22 in Chennai, followed by a one-day tri-series also involving South Africa A.Australia A four-day squad: Usman Khawaja (capt), Matthew Wade, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Andrew Fekete, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Gurinder Sandhu, Marcus StoinisAustralia A one-day squad: Usman Khawaja, Matthew Wade, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Cameron Boyce, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Callum Ferguson, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, James Pattinson, Gurinder Sandhu, Adam Zampa. Stand-by: Andrew Fekete

Cairns gives evidence, denies match-fixing

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Chris Cairns, the former New Zealand allrounder, has told the jury in his perjury trial in London that there is “no truth” to allegations that he attempted to persuade his team-mate, Lou Vincent, to take part in match-fixing.Cairns, who was taking the stand at Southwark Crown Court for the first time in the trial after listening to three weeks of testimony, repeatedly denied any involvement in match-fixing.He denies two counts of perjury and perverting the course of justice, relating to his successful 2012 libel action against Lalit Modi, while his co-defendant and former attourney, Andrew Fitch-Holland, is accused of perverting the course of justice.Asked by Orlando Pownall, his barrister, whether at any stage he was involved in match-fixing, Cairns replied: “No.””Did you contemplate match-fixing?” Pownall continued.Cairns again replied: “No.”When it was put to Cairns that he had attempted to coerce his former team-mates into match-fixing, including Vincent and the current New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum, who testified last month, he repeated his denials.The court heard how, in 2008, Cairns had signed a three-year deal to captain Chandigarh Lions in the now-defunct Indian Cricket League. His contract was worth NZ$350,000 per year, a prospect that made him “very excited” in the latter years of his career, especially having had a “significant drop” since his final international appearances two years earlier.However, according to Vincent’s testimony, Cairns had ordered him to fix games by deliberately playing badly. When Vincent told Cairns how he had declined the offer of cash and a prostitute to get involved in fixing, Cairns had allegedly responded: “You did the right thing … that’s good cover. You’re working for me now.”Cairns denied all of these incidents, adding that, had Vincent told him of any approach, it would have been immediately reported to Howard Beer and Tony Greig, the administrators of the ICL.”Did you at any stage seek to persuade him, successfully or not, to underperform?” Pownell asked. Cairns replied: “No.”The trial continues.

Indians failed on two counts

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The match against Sri Lanka before the final was important on two countsfor the Indians. One was to establish a psychological dominance and otherwas to try and sort out Muralitharan. Unfortunately they failed on boththose counts and the Sri Lankans demolished them with panache. Thedifference between the sides was the mental strength and also the commonsense displayed by Marvin Atapattu and Mahela Jayawardene. The broke therecord for the third wicket partnership and in the process they exposed thelimitations of the Indian attack.It is sort of strange that Anil Kumble has been under scrutiny when oneconsiders that his absence yesterday showed what a big difference he makesto the side especially in the middle overs. Ajit Agarkar dismissedJayasurya and Kaluwitharana in successive overs after Zaheer Khan kept thempinned to the back foot with an aggressive opening spell. Agarkar looked abit like himself and he has to pick up wickets to make up for his ordinaryeconomy rate. The double strike by Agarkar brought Attapattu andJayawardene together and the way they controlled the major part of theinnings was as smooth as silk.They had to play themselves in initially almost like in a Test match andafter having done that they gradually took the game away from the Indiansin a clever and stealthy manner. The remarkable aspect of theAtapattu-Jayawardene partnership was that they orthodox cricket shots andmade batting look so easy. The pitch was firm to start off with but sloweddown considerably as the game progressed. Atapattu, the more experienced ofthe two, took on the role of a sheet anchor and he allowed Jayawardene toadopt his methods. Not that the youngster went berserk but he showed greatpoise and played some delectable shots all round the park. A couple of latecuts he played off Robin Singh were reminiscent of Gundappa Visvanath, theformer Indian legend.By the time the game reached the halfway stage, the Sri Lankans wereadroitly manipulating the Indians and the Indian skipper tried all thetricks up his sleeves but in vain. The left arm spinners Joshi, Sriram andYuvraj Singh were dealt with ease and even Joshi lost his way in the laterstages of the innings. Robin Singh looked rusty and the Sri Lankan pairworked him around comfortably for runs. Ganguly tried his hand as well butthe dominant third wicket pair helped themselves to runs at will.Jayawardene played what must go down as one of the best innings ever to beplayed at Sharjah. Arnold rubbed salt into the wounds of the Indians withsome quickfire batting and Atapattu reached his hundred just in time. TheLankans should be given the credit as they showed what batting out theopponents is all about.The Indian reply started off in the most unwanted fashion with Gangulydeparting early and Sriram following suit. The youngster might well rue hismode of dismissals as he may be dropped at least temporarily. It would be abit harsh if he were to be dropped as he has the talent to come good giventhe confidence. Tendulkar looked in good touch and it was a pleasure to seestrike the ball with the authority one expects of him. His rash shot to becaught off Muralitharan was brought about by his over enthusiasm to try andtake charge of the proceedings. If it took a pair to take away the gamefrom the Indians in the first half, Muralitharan drove the nails in thecoffin on his own when the Indians batted. It was almost that he had thebatsmen mesmerised as he ran through the side with an incredible spell. Theresistance from Dahiya and Badani was not enough for the side but it hasdone their reputation no harm at all.The Indians will start as underdogs in the final and it is good in a waythat there will no undue pressures on them. Moreover things may go wrongfor the Lankans on the day that matters. Still the Indians have to play outof their skins to put it across the Sri Lankans.