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It was only a run-a-ball 27, but for Paul Collingwood it felt like riches and he hopes the innings at Adelaide will kick-start his search for career-saving form

Andrew McGlashan in Brisbane 27-Jan-2011It was only a run-a-ball 27, but for Paul Collingwood it felt like riches and he hopes the innings at Adelaide will kick-start his search for career-saving form. He has had an awful tour of Australia with the bat, making 83 runs in the Ashes before retiring from Test cricket, and lost his one-day place at the beginning of this series until Kevin Pietersen’s groin strain gave him an early return.When he came back into the line-up at Sydney he was bowled second ball by Xavier Doherty from a delivery that hardly spun, which confirmed the seriousness of his problems. It was his bowling that kept him in the team for the next match and he batted at No.7, but he at least managed to feel the ball on the bat during a vital 56-run stand with Michael Yardy.The fact England took the batting Powerplay also meant Collingwood had no choice but to try and free himself up rather than dwell on his troubles. “It was a nice situation for me to come in, I had to be positive,” he said. “It was just good to get past 20. I hadn’t done it for a while. It was a good feeling and obviously contributing with the ball later on. I was happy with my game.”I’m the first to admit that I haven’t been in great form and that’s my role in the side,” he added. “I’m trying everything possible to get back into good nick. I know from past experience that getting back into a good run of form can be pretty immediate. Maybe after an innings like yesterday when I hit a couple out of the middle of the bat it might just click. I’m really confident it is just around the corner.”There was one moment that reminded people of what Collingwood is capable of when he swung Brett Lee over midwicket for six. The strong bottom hand came in, as it has so often during his career, and Collingwood believes even just one shot can make a huge difference.”Things like that can click you back into form,” he said. “The mental side of the game is huge. David Boon, when he was at Durham back in 1998, he came out with a quote that international cricket is 90% mental and 10% technique and at the time I didn’t understand what he meant by it.”But the more I’ve played international cricket the more I understand that statement. Confidence is a huge factor, all the things that you take into your batting is very mental. Hopefully there will be less tension going out into the middle next time around and more confidence and that can do me the world of good.”Collingwood’s bowling, the main reason he was picked at Adelaide, was also vital to England’s 21-run victory as he bowled seven overs for 22 and claimed the wicket of Michael Clarke, who is struggling almost as badly as Collingwood. However, he doesn’t want his mixture of medium-pace and cutters to define the closing stages of his international career and is desperate to move himself back up the order to where he has scored most of his 5006 runs.”Hopefully I can get back into better form and gradually get back up the order. That would be the ideal team,” he said. “But whatever way you can contribute to England winning you go out there and do it. I guess I was just happy to be in the side, the way that the form has been going with that bat. I feel as though I can do a fifth bowler role, I have done in the past. I’m just happy to be in the side and contributing well.”

At the very last chance to test their combination before the World Cup, India will field their full-strength batting line-up in a 50-over game for the first time in 15 months

Siddarth Ravindran in Chennai15-Feb-2011At the very last chance to test their combination before the World Cup, India will field their full-strength batting line-up in a 50-over game for the first time in 15 months. The batsmen had faltered against Australia on Sunday but will be bolstered by the return of Sachin Tendulkar against New Zealand.Tendulkar had missed that warm-up game because of a niggle but will play on Wednesday, in what will be his third one-day match since his double-century against South Africa in Gwalior a year ago. He had a long batting session on Tuesday morning during India’s practice, and also spent time working on his fielding, showing no signs of the hamstring injury that forced him to return home midway through the one-day series in South Africa a month ago.Tendulkar will displace Gautam Gambhir from the top of the order to No. 3, the position at which Virat Kohli had much of his recent success. Kohli’s form swept him to second spot in the ICC one-day rankings, but even that hasn’t ensured him a place in the starting line-up. Wednesday’s game will give Kohli a chance to show his prowess lower down the order, perhaps at No .6, a position where another contender, Suresh Raina, is considered a better bet.The other player in India’s squad to miss the first warm-up, Zaheer Khan, will sit out of the sold-out game against New Zealand as well. MS Dhoni was quick to emphasise that Zaheer, who has been injury prone, would be fit in time for the World Cup opener against Bangladesh on February 19. “He has a very, very mild groin strain, nothing to worry about,” Dhoni said. “We can give him rest, so we are giving him rest, and will use him when the proper tournament starts.”Zaheer didn’t bowl in the nets on Tuesday, though he batted for 45-minutes and also tested himself with a series of short sprints under the supervision of physiotherapist Nitin Patel. Zaheer is the only fast bowler guaranteed a starting place, and his absence gives the others – Ashish Nehra, Sreesanth and Munaf Patel – who had little work against Australia another opportunity to audition for the World Cup.India had sneaked to victory two days ago despite the below-par score and the initial ineffectiveness of the seamers because their spinners demolished the Australian batting. Piyush Chawla, the legspinner who was the most debated selection in India’s World Cup squad, was the star, ripping out the middle-order during a spell of 5-0-9-4. Under Dhoni, India have generally played three-seamers and one-specialist spinner, with a spinning allrounder and part-timers combining for the remaining ten overs. Another strong performance from Chawla will leave Dhoni pondering the inclusion of two specialist slow bowlers, especially on turning tracks, and only two quicks.In the previous World Cup tune-up at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, South Africa had crushed Zimbabwe by eight wickets after bundling them out for 152. Their captain, Graeme Smith, had been critical of the pitch, terming it “slow and dead” and “under-prepared”, and called for better surfaces in the actual tournament. Dhoni wasn’t sure how the Chennai track would play but urged the Indian side to lift their performance. “We need to pick up a bit of intensity on the field,” he said. “This being the last warm-up game, the intensity should be a bit up on the field [compared to the game against Australia].”

On paper, this is a match between two lowly ranked sides in the ODI hierarchy, but it will have huge implications in terms of progress to the next round

The Preview by Sidharth Monga24-Feb-2011

Match Facts

February 25, Mirpur

Start time 14:30 local time (08:30 GMT)
Ed Joyce is back in the Ireland set-up after playing the 2007 World Cup for England•Associated Press

Big Picture

For the last week, it has been somewhat quiet in Dhaka, but come Friday it won’t be so. On paper, this is a match between two lowly ranked sides in the ODI hierarchy, but it will have huge implications in terms of progress to the next round. Bangladesh know it will be near impossible to make the quarter-finals, something the passionate fans and the team want desperately, if they fail to beat Ireland. Ireland also harbour ambitions of making the next round, and they know this is their best chance of beating a Test side. They also know they will need to beat at least two of them if they are to extend their stay in the event.The implications of this game, however, are deeper than that. On one side is a team many believe got Test status too early and too easily, and is still struggling to justify it 11 years on. On the other side is a team many believe has done enough to at least merit a full-time ODI status: Ireland have beaten Bangladesh in the two major events the teams have played each other in. With Ireland also rests the flag of the beleaguered Associate nations, because they have been the best Associate side over the last four years or so.Bangladesh might have lost to Ireland in the world events, but they will take heart from having beaten them 3-0 the only time they have met each other in Bangladesh. A similar trap – a low and slow pitch – is likely to be laid. Given the conditions will obviously suit the Bangladesh spin army, and the kind of crowd that this match will attract – something Ireland will never have encountered before – the hosts will start favourites. That said, it will be tough to keep a spirited side down, a side that gets one chance in four years to show the world what it is capable of. That is motivation enough.

Form guide

(Most recent first)
Bangladesh: LWWWL
Ireland: WLLWL

Pitch and conditions

Expect a surface that will assist the Bangladesh spinners. It might be difficult to prepare a square turner in Mirpur, but it is likely to stay low. The expected dew played a role in Shakib Al Hasan’s decision to put India in last week – a tactic that backfired – and Shakib says he isn’t expecting much dew now. He said there hasn’t been much dew around. William Porterfield, the Ireland captain, though, said there was a little bit of dew when the team practised under lights two nights before the match.

Watch out for…

Tamim Iqbal struggled against India while the other two left-hand batsmen in the top order got off to good starts. Tamim decided to fight, and didn’t hit out. One school of thought suggests that is just the kind of defeatist mentality Bangladesh need to get rid of – the tendency of batsmen going for batting practice when the target is big. The other school of thought, Bangladesh’s, suggests Tamim started hitting the ball well by the end of the innings. Tamim said he was feeling better about his form after that scratchy knock, and we can expect the real Tamim in the next game.Ed Joyce is back in green. After playing a crucial role in Ireland’s qualification for the 2007 World Cup, Joyce chose to play for England and pursue a Test career, which is not possible with Ireland. He didn’t savour the journey his home team embarked on in the Caribbean, nor has he managed to represent England in Tests. Now he is back, and is welcomed with open arms. “If I can bring something in terms of calmness in the middle of the innings where, perhaps, it wasn’t there before, that would be nice to offer,” he told last week.

Team news

Bangladesh have had injury scares coming into the match, but Imrul Kayes is fit despite getting hit in the forearm in the nets on Wednesday. He batted in the nets on match eve, and will open with Tamim. However, Shafiul Islam, who took a bad fall during fielding practice on Wednesday, is not a sure starter. That could prompt Bangladesh to think more of their traditional strength, and perhaps go with four spinners. There has also been talk that Mohammad Ashraful might be back, but at No. 7, as a Powerplay specialist.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Imrul Kayes, 3 Junaid Siddique, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 5 Shakib Al Hasan (capt), 6 Raqibul Hasan, 7 Mohammad Ashraful, 8 Mahmudullah, 9 Naeem Islam/Suhrawadi Shuvo, 10 Abdur Razzak, 11 Rubel Hossain.Ireland will be happy to welcome back Boyd Rankin (coming back from injury) and Joyce (coming back from England). That gives them real decisions to make when they sit to pick the XI, but expect two spinners in it.Ireland (probable): 1 William Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Andre Botha, 4 Ed Joyce, 5 Niall O’Brien (wk), 6 Kevin O’Brien, 7 Andrew White, 8 John Mooney, 9 Trent Johnston, 10 Boyd Rankin, 11 George Dockrell/Albert van der Merwe..

Stats and trivia

• Bangladesh lead the head-to-head against Ireland 4-2.
• In the 2007 World Cup, Ireland had only two professional cricketers; this time they have only two who don’t play cricket full time.
• Since August 2009, Tamim has averaged 37 as opposed to a career average of 30, and has gone at a strike-rate of 94, which is also a huge improvement over his career strike-rate of 79. Two of his three centuries have come in this period.
  

  Quotes

  “[Ireland might have beaten us at world events], but when they played at Mirpur in 2008, we beat them three games in a row. So we have the home advantage. I don’t think they like to play in these conditions.”
  .”Obviously 2007 was quite a while ago. We won on that occasion, but it’s going to be different in these conditions as opposed to what it was in the West Indies. Bangladesh are playing at home, they have got the home support, they have got the home conditions, so it is a completely different occasion.”

The Sri Lankan cricketers playing in the 2011 IPL have been asked to report to Colombo by May 5 to prepare for the tour of England

Sa'adi Thawfeeq13-Apr-2011The Sri Lankan cricketers playing in the 2011 IPL have been asked to report to Colombo by May 5 to prepare for the tour of England. The squad is due to depart for England on May 10 whereas the IPL goes on until May 28.”For the past two months or so they [the Sri Lankan players] have been playing one-day and T20 cricket and it is time they switched on to playing the longer game,” said Duleep Mendis, who replaced Aravinda de Silva as the new chairman of selectors after the World Cup. “The first half of the English summer is not going to be easy and we want the players to report for training and to concentrate on getting used to the change of playing white balls to red.”Eleven Sri Lankan cricketers are involved in the IPL, including Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is likely to lead Sri Lanka in England after Kumar Sangakkara resigned after the World Cup. Dilshan plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore along with fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep.Former captains Sangakkara (Deccan Chargers) and Mahela Jayawardene (Kochi Tuskers), Suraj Randiv and Nuwan Kulasekara (Chennai Super Kings), Dilhara Fernando and Lasith Mallinga (Mumbai Indians), Angelo Mathews (Pune Warriors) and Muttiah Muralitharan and Thisara Perera (Kochi Tuskers) are the other Sri Lankan players in IPL.Sri Lanka begin their tour of England on May 14 and play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 international.

An accomplished maiden half-century from Joe Root put Yorkshire in a strong position on day one against injury-hit County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire

04-May-2011
ScorecardJoe Root made sure Nottinghamshire’s bowlers had a tough day in the field•Getty Images

An accomplished maiden half-century from Joe Root put Yorkshire in a strong position on day one against injury-hit County Championship leaders Nottinghamshire.After Adam Lyth and Joe Sayers had both hit 50s in a century stand for the first wicket, former England Under-19 international Root built upon the solid foundations to compile 89 from 186 balls, hitting 13 fours. Root only offered one chance – dropped at gully off Steven Mullaney on 88 – as he put on 107 for the fourth wicket with Jonny Bairstow, who also made an unbeaten 50, as Yorkshire closed on 291 for 3.Nottinghamshore, missing four front-line seamers and with all-rounders Andre Adams and Paul Franks requiring injections to be fit for the match, face an uphill struggle to maintain their 100% start to the season.The hosts were forced to draft in former Somerset fast bowler Ben Phillips for Charlie Shreck after the seamer was ruled out overnight with a knee problem. Phillips had only recently recovered himself from an ankle injury, and the veteran was left to toil away as Yorkshire batted first on a glorious sunny day.Lyth and Sayers were both untroubled in the opening session and although the Notts attack bowled with discipline, they did not receive the usual assistance from the Trent Bridge wicket. The lunch interval prompted a change in fortune as both openers were dismissed in the space of three balls at the start of the afternoon, Sayers edging Luke Fletcher to first slip for 50 off 122 balls with six fours.Lyth then got in a tangle playing a rising delivery from Franks, spooning his attempted pull shot to mid-on for 57 in an 103-ball innings featuring 10 fours. And although Andrew Gale was brilliantly caught 20 overs later by Adam Voges, running around from slip in anticipation of a sweep off the spin of Samit Patel, the remainder of the day firmly belonged to Yorkshire.Root, playing only his sixth first-class match, batted with assurance from the off, hitting boundaries off front and back foot, while Bairstow was similarly confident in hitting seven fours and one straight six off Patel.Nottinghamshire had an opportunity to deny Root his maiden hundred late in the day when he pushed at a good length ball from Mullaney but the thick edge was dropped by Neil Edwards at gully, leaving Yorkshire perfectly placed to push on for a match-winning total.

Zaheer Khan, the Indian seamer, has singled out his stint with Worcestershire as the “turning point” in his career and encouraged young Indian bowlers to play county cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff25-May-2011Zaheer Khan, the Indian seamer, has singled out his stint with Worcestershire as the “turning point” in his career and encouraged young Indian bowlers to play county cricket to prepare themselves better for international cricket. Zaheer, who was the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2011 World Cup won by India, joined Worcestershire in 2006 after a phase in which he had struggled with injury and was left out of the national team. He topped the Division Two wickets list that season, picking up 78 in 16 games at 29.07.”In many ways it was [the turning point], Zaheer told the magazine . “The stint at Worcestershire helped me understand the game, why I am playing and other things in terms of preparations for matches and bowling on different kinds of wickets.”It was really important for me to play at the highest level, and to get back into the Indian side. I always knew I had the potential to perform but somehow I was not able to deliver. It was a great learning curve.”Upon his return to England in 2007, this time leading India’s pace attack, Zaheer topped the wickets list again, picking up 18 wickets in the Test series, including nine in India’s win in Trent Bridge.Zaheer said county experience helped players become more independent and professional and said he’d spoken to some of India’s younger bowlers, including Ishant Sharma, about playing county cricket. “I was advising all the young bowlers, like Ishant,” he said. “When you are at home, in many ways you are taken care of. But when you play a county season you have to do everything yourself and still be prepared for the game. That brings in a great sense of professionalism.”You also get a great understanding of cultures, and that definitely improves your social skills since you are out of your comfort zone. That itself is a great learning for any person, not just a cricketer.”Zaheer has been rested from India’s upcoming ODI series in the Caribbean. Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Munaf Patel and R Vinay Kumar comprise the pace attack.

Owais Shah earned a measure of revenge over former county Middlesex as he blazed a half-century to guide Essex to a five-wicket Friends Life t20 win at Lord’s

09-Jun-2011
ScorecardOwais Shah reminded his former team-mates what they are missing•Getty Images

Owais Shah earned a measure of revenge over former county Middlesex as he blazed a half-century to guide Essex to a five-wicket Friends Life t20 win at Lord’s. He hit an unbeaten 78 from 50 balls, including five sixes and five fours, to guide his team home with 11 balls to spare.Shah, who spent 15 years at Middlesex before he was surprising released last season, produced some sublime timing and footwork to ease Essex to their second win while his former county remain winless.Chasing 151 for victory, the Eagles made a disastrous start losing openers Ravi Bopara and Mark Pettini without scoring before Shah dictated matters. The 32-year-old initially found support from Matt Walker, in a stand of 33 for the third wicket, before he teamed with Ryan ten Doeschate in a brisk 44-run stand in five overs.When Ten Doeschate was trapped leg before to spinner Tom Smith for 17, the game was nicely poised with the Eagles 78 for 4 at the halfway stage. Scott Styris then departed cheaply, stumped off Smith, but captain James Foster joined Shah in a match-winning partnership of 67 from 34 balls. Foster finished unbeaten on 30 from 18 balls with four boundaries.Having completed their 20 overs with the scoreboard showing 148 for 5, the Panthers were credited with an additional two runs when coaches Angus Fraser and Paul Grayson agreed six had incorrectly been credited as just a four.Neil Dexter top-scored for the home side with a well-constructed 32 and was supported by 29 from John Simpson. Australian opener Chris Rogers also added 25 but none of the home batsmen could find the necessary impetus against an attack that maintained control throughout.New Zealander Tim Southee returned figures of 3 for 21 for the visitors whilst the competition’s leading bowler this season, left-arm spinner Tim Phillips claimed the wicket of Dexter to take his early tally into double figures.

Canterbury’s Michael Papps has quit the province after 12 seasons there and will play for Wellington in the 2011-12 New Zealand domestic season

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jul-2011Canterbury’s Michael Papps has quit the province after 13 seasons there and will play for Wellington in the 2011-12 domestic season. According to a report in , Papps, who has played eight Tests for New Zealand and is currently playing club cricket in the United Kingdom, approached Wellington regarding the move last month. Both provinces confirmed the move on Thursday.An opening batsman and wicketkeeper, Papps made his first-class debut in the 1998-99 season and has since scored 7457 runs in 119 matches with 20 centuries, passing Paul McEwan to become Canterbury’s top run-scorer.Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen said Papps would prop up their top order. “We are delighted to have signed a player of Papps’ calibre,” he said. “His domestic record is outstanding and he will add both experience and leadership to our top-order batting.”

A round-up of the first day of matches in the ICC Africa Region Division One Twenty20 2011

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jul-2011Namibia registered a comprehensive 132-run win over Nigeria in the opening match of the ICC Africa Region Division One Twenty20, 2011, at the Kyambogo Cricket Ground in Kampala. Choosing to bat, Namibia piled up an imposing 232 for 6 in their 20 overs, on the back of a blistering 92 from captain-opener Craig Williams. Inclusive of 11 fours and three sixes, Williams’ knock came off just 42 balls. Endurance Ofem was the only Nigeria bowler who went for less than ten an over, but only just, as he finished with 3 for 39 off his four. The chase was off to a very poor start, as Nigeria were reduced to 14 for 4. Only Kunle Adegbola put up any resistance, finishing with an unbeaten, run-a-ball 40, as Nigeria limped to 100 for 6 in their 20 overs.Uganda beat Ghana by four wickets in a low-scoring, close game at the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala. Uganda had the perfect start after being asked to bowl, knocking over Ghana’s top three cheaply to leave them tottering at 6 for 3 in 4.5 overs. A half-century stand between Julius Mensah and Obed Harvey followed, pushing the side to a respectable 101 for 8 in 20. Left-arm seamers Brian Masaba and Charles Waiswa were the pick of the bowlers, claiming five wickets between them in tight spells. Uganda’s chase was off to a similar start, as they were reduced to 10 for 2 before three cameos of 20-odd runs put them on course. A wicket in the 20th over gave Ghana a foot in the door, but Uganda managed to edge home with a ball to spare.Ghana finished day one without a win, losing to Kenya in their second game of the day at the Lugogo Cricket Oval by five wickets. After batting first again, Ghana got to a competitive 140 for 7, with Lawrence Ateak top-scoring with an unbeaten 36. Their innings was held in check by three run-outs, two of top-order batsmen – Francis Bakiweyem and Mensah – who had got off to starts. Kenya’s chase was built on double-digit contributions from all but one of their top seven batsmen, with opener Duncan Allan top-scoring with 37. Ghana managed wickets at regular intervals, but Kenya never looked in trouble, running down the target in the 20th over with half their wickets intact.Namibia, meanwhile, completed their second convincing win of the day, beating Uganda by 59 runs at the Kyambogo Cricket Ground. Batting first, Namibia were off to a quick start with openers Louis van der Westhuizen and Craig Williams putting on 33 in 3.1 overs. Cameos from Sarel Burger and Gerrie Snyman – Namibia’s top-scorer with 41 – followed, which made sure the side posted a sizeable total of 162 for 5. Uganda were always behind, the chase lacking momentum all through. The line-up managed just eight boundaries as they got to 103 for 8. Namibia’s bowlers shared the wickets around, with Louis Klazinga, Wian van Vuuren and Pikky Ya France claiming two each.

A five star performance from Chaminda Vaas gave Northamptonshire the upper hand
in the County Championship match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield

18-Aug-2011
Scorecard
A five star performance from Chaminda Vaas gave Northamptonshire the upper hand
in the County Championship match against Derbyshire at Chesterfield.The former Sri Lankan Test star bagged his sixth five-wicket Championship haul
of the season to bowl Derbyshire out for 190 and earn his side a lead of 77. Alex Wakely and David Sales then made half-centuries as the Division Two leaders ended day two on 285 for 6, 362 runs in front.The match had been in the balance at the start of the day with Derbyshire 151
runs behind with six wickets intact but Northants struck three times in the
first seven overs to seize the initiative.Lee Daggett set the tone with a brilliant diving return catch to remove
nightwatchman Tony Palladino for 16 before Vaas showed his international class
with a quality spell of swing bowling from the Pavilion End.Dan Redfern advanced to 21 before he played on and the last ball of that over
kept low to bowl Ross Whiteley for a duck. Daggett tempted Jon Clare to play at a widish ball which ended in the hands of second slip and the innings ended when Luke Sutton was caught behind sparring at Vaas who then knocked out Mark Footitt’s off stump.His figures of 5 for 65, which took his championship tally to 57, were his
second five-wicket return in three innings and put his team in a good position. But Derbyshire hit back before lunch when Niall O’Brien was lbw playing across the line at Tim Groenewald.Derbyshire needed a big afternoon session to get back in the game and Footitt
raised their hopes by striking twice in successive overs. He had Kyle Coetzer taken low at second slip and then got some lift to have Stephen Peters caught behind for 32.When Rob Newton slapped Clare to cover, Northants were 91 for four, still only
168 ahead, but Wakely and Sales turned the game with a century stand. Wakely had played soundly for 88 in the first innings and he again showed composure and good shot selection to pick off the bowling while Sales finally hit form with his first Championship fifty of the season.Derbyshire’s bowling lost discipline as the pair scored at five an over and
they had put on 122 when Sales slashed at Groenewald and was caught behind for
65.Wakely was denied a deserved century when he was lbw for 83 to a ball that kept
low from Palladino but Andrew Hall and Tony Middlebrook made sure Northants
closed in a commanding position by adding 60 in 20 overs.