CricTown

Sunday, 11 September 2016

Former England bowler

Higgs, who played Test cricket for England between 1965 and 1968, took 71 scalps at an average of 20.74 from just 15 games.

Though he played only 15 Tests for England, Higgs was a stalwart at the domestic level for both Lancashire and Leicestershire, taking 1536 wickets from 511 matches at an average of 23.61.

In his brief international career, Higgs caused trouble for many accomplished batsmen of his time with accuracy and his ability to swing the ball.

After initially retiring from county cricket in 1969, Higgs made a comeback for Leicestershire and went on to play till 1986.

A widely respected bowler in all circles of the game, Higgs also took 355 List A wickets from 246 matches at an excellent average of 18.96.

Both Lancashire and Leicestershire expressed sadness at the passing away of Higgs and expressed their condolences.

A statement from Lancashire said, “We are very sad to hear of the passing of former Lancashire bowler Ken Higgs. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

“Leicestershire County Cricket Club is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of the great fast-medium opening bowler Ken Higgs,” read a statement from Leicestershire.

Chairman of Leicestershire, Paul Haywood offered condolences to Higgs’ family and recollected the times they played together.

“I had the great pleasure of playing alongside Ken, and he was a truly great bowler who had a wonderful career record.

“Ken was well respected by everyone at Leicestershire County Cricket Club, and we would like to offer our condolences and best wishes to his family.”

As a sign of respect for Higgs from Lancashire and Leicestershire flags at Grace Road and at Old Trafford were flying at half-mast.

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/former-england-bowler-ken-higgs-passes-away/46133.htm#sthash.tZxKfhhX.dpuf

Pakistan trounce England with nine-wicket victory

After a disciplined bowling performance from Pakistan restricted England to 135 for seven, fifties from Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif steered the visitors to a convincing nine-wicket victory in the only Twenty20 International between the two sides at Old Trafford.

England won the toss and elected to bat first. After a couple of quiet overs, Alex Hales (37) and Jason Roy (21) scored seven boundaries and a six combined to bring the 50-run opening stand at the end of the sixth over.

Imad Wasim (2-17) provided the initial breakthrough for Pakistan after he trapped Roy LBW in the seventh over and two overs later he castled Hales as well.

The wickets continued to tumble as Joe Root (6) steered a Hasan Ali (2-24) delivery to third man. At the half-way stage, England were 77 for three.

In the next five overs, England managed to score just 28 runs while losing the wickets of Jos Buttler (16) and Ben Stokes (4).

The late flourish England were hoping did not arrive and they were eventually restricted to 135 for seven with Wahab Riaz (3-18) being the pick of the bowlers.

Pakistan openers Khan (59) and Latif (59 not out) started the innings aggressively as they smashed 14 boundaries and a six between them to take the total to 73 for naught at the end of the powerplay. The onslaught from the opening pair also brought down the required-run-rate under five.

With a couple more sixes in the eighth over, Khan completed a 30-ball fifty and soon brought the 100-run stand with Latif in the 10th over.

Adil Rashid (1-29) deceived Khan in the 12th over after he was caught in the covers ending the 107-run opening stand which came in just 67 deliveries.

Just like his opening partner, Latif reached his half-century with a six as he along with Babar Azam (15 not out) ensured Pakistan reached the target with nine wickets in hand to win the lone T20I. Riaz was awarded the man of the match for his three-wicket haul.

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/pakistan-trounce-england-with-nine-wicket-victory/46129.htm#sthash.XMSMKi0I.dpuf

The England tour

Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Irfan is set to return home after suffering from cramps in the fourth One-Day International against England and will take no further part in the remainder of the series.

According to a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board, Irfan suffered cramps in his hamstring but they later spread to his calves and hence he is being sent back home to improve his fitness.

Irfan bowled a five-over spell at the start and accounted for both the England openers but had to spend time off the field.

When he returned in the 42nd over in an attempt to bowl a second spell, he managed to bowl just one wide and walked off the field.

Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood said that though the team management was unhappy with Irfan’s fitness, he acknowledged that the height of the 34-year-old posed a unique set of challenges.

“Definitely Mickey was unhappy and as bowling coach I was unhappy as well. We had a chance to win that game the other day,” Mahmood said.

“Unfortunately, everyone gets cramp. He is a big guy and his body is totally different to a normal human. But he got cramps.”

The Pakistan selectors have drafted fast bowler Hasan Ali to replace Irfan in the squad for the lone Twenty20 International to be played at Old Trafford on 7th September.

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/mohammad-irfan-ruled-out-of-remainder-of-england-tour/46097.htm#sthash.HzODTEWM.dpuf

England and Australia strengthen ODI rankings

England and Australia have increased their hold on their respective positions in the International Cricket Council (ICC) One-Day International Team Rankings after comprehensive wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka respectively.

Australia’s 4-1 series win has seen them gain one point and they are now placed on 124 rating points while Sri Lanka has lost one point but have maintained their sixth spot.

Sri Lanka currently have 101 points but their lead against the seventh-placed Bangladesh is only a slender margin of three points.

England, who also have secured a 4-1 series win against Pakistan, have gained one point and are now on 107 rating points, three adrift from South Africa (fourth spot) and India (third spot), who are tied on 110 points.

The series defeat against England has led to Pakistan falling to 86 points, which is their lowest ever since the rankings system was introduced in the year 2001.

Currently, Pakistan lag behind the eighth-placed West Indies by eight points, making it an uphill task for them to break into the top eight to secure a direct qualification for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

Given that Pakistan’s upcoming ODI contests are against West Indies and the top-ranked Australia, they have a tough task ahead of them to climb up the points table.

For the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, England and the other top seven ranked sides will qualify directly while the other two teams will take part in the 2018 Cricket World Cup qualifier.

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/england-and-australia-strengthen-odi-rankings-after-comprehensive-victories/46108.htm#sthash.jk1dxJtU.dpuf

called up to ODI squad against Pakistan

West Indies have called up opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite and fast bowler Alzarri Joseph to the One-Day International squad to face Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates later this month.

Both Brathwaite and Joseph are uncapped in the ODI format along with Evin Lewis, who is also named in the 15-man squad.

Missing out on selection for the ODIs are Andre Fletcher and Jerome Taylor, while players like Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy were ineligible for selection as they have not participated in the 50-over domestic tournament last season.

Meanwhile, West Indies have also named the Twenty20 International squad for their tour of the UAE and two uncapped players – Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell – are called up to the side.

Jerome Taylor and Chadwick Walton are also included while Chris Gayle misses out after making himself unavailable for selection.

Lendl Simmons was also unavailable due to medical reasons and former skipper Sammy continues to remain on the sidelines.

Walton and Powell impressed for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2016 edition of the Caribbean Premier League scoring 301 and 228 runs respectively.

In their tour of the UAE, West Indies will play three T20Is, three ODIs and as many Test matches between 23rd September and 3rd November.

West Indies ODI squad: Jason Holder (capt), Sulieman Benn, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Jonathan Carter, Johnson Charles, Shannon Gabriel, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Ashley Nurse, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin, Marlon Samuels

West Indies T20I squad: Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Jason Holder, Evin Lewis, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/kraigg-brathwaite-alzarri-joseph-called-up-to-odi-squad-against-pakistan/46113.htm#sthash.d3uzLJoo.dpuf

Pakistan to be presented with ICC Test Championship Mace in Lahore

The International Cricket Council (ICC) will present Pakistan with the Test Championship Mace on 21st September to the Test team captain Misbah-ul-Haq at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Recently after their 2-2 draw with England in the Test series, Pakistan ascended to the number two position in the ICC Test team rankings.

However, after India failed to win their series against West Indies 3-0, Pakistan ascended to the number one position for the first time since the rankings were introduced in 2003.

In a press release, the ICC announced that the chief executive of the global body, David Richardson, will hand over the mace to Misbah.

“The International Cricket Council (ICC) will present the ICC Test Championship mace to Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, 21 September, it was announced today.

“ICC Chief Executive David Richardson will make the presentation at 10h30 (PST), which will be followed by a media conference at 11h00 (PST).”

Currently, Pakistan have 111 rating points and have a slender one-point lead over the second placed India.

- See more at: http://www.cricketworld.com/pakistan-to-be-presented-with-icc-test-championship-mace-in-lahore/46153.htm#sthash.9eYWZWjT.dpuf

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