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Ed Cowan has revealed that Australia captain Steven Smith was surprised at how the national selectors ignored Cricket Australia’s directive to choose younger players for the first Ashes Test

Daniel Brettig22-Nov-20172:43

Shaun Marsh is back. Yet again

Australia’s captain Steven Smith was surprised at how the national selectors abandoned Cricket Australia’s previous directive to focus on choosing younger players in their squad for the first Ashes Test, former opener Ed Cowan has revealed.In pleading for greater clarity and consistency in selection policies, Cowan said that Smith had not expected the panel to turn away from youth in dropping Matt Renshaw and choosing Shaun Marsh and Tim Paine for the Gabba. Those decisions arrived a matter of weeks after Smith had explained to Cowan that there was no room in the New South Wales team for Cowan due to the need to look at younger players, despite the left-hander’s standing as last season’s leading run-maker in the Sheffield Shield.”He (Smith) has had some open and honest conversations with me,” Cowan said ahead of his return to the NSW Shield side. “I think he was surprised – without revealing confidential conversations between us – he certainly had a view that that’s the way the board had indicated selections were going to go. And I think the selection panel, as directed by Pat Howard, has turned that on its head.”Once we got to the bottom of why it happened, I was comfortable with that [being dropped from NSW team]. The only sour element comes from the fact that three weeks ago, I was evidently too old, and then someone [Shaun Marsh] who I played youth cricket with gets picked in the Test team. The policy of the young guys playing, I’ve got no problem with, as long as it is a selection policy that sticks consistently.”The bottom line here is every player in the system wants it to be at its absolute maximum capacity. We love the Australian cricket team. We want it to win and we are wishing those guys all the very best. But from a systemic point of view, we just want a little more consistency and clarity around selection.”Speaking to ESPNcricinfo earlier this month, Smith said Cowan had been left out for the younger Daniel Hughes as a direct result of the board’s directive to think long-term, following a fifth successive Test defeat in Hobart last year. “There’s been a directive from the board last year to try to get younger guys into the Australian team,” Smith said. “Guys like Matt Renshaw and Pete Handscomb, who came in and did really well. That’s got to filter down, I think, into state cricket a bit. I know Ed doesn’t agree with it, but Hughesy’s been in terrific form.”Cowan, who was a longtime team-mate of Tim Paine for Tasmania before returning home to NSW, said that the Blues’ wicketkeeper had reason to be “shattered” by the decision to not recall him, and instead choose a gloveman who has not been the Tigers’ first choice behind the stumps for two years. Paine has only kept wicket in one first-class match this season, for a CA XI against the Englishmen in their tour match at Adelaide Oval.”While Tim Paine’s a friend and former team-mate, and someone whose cricket I admire a lot, I really do feel for Nev, and to a degree, I really feel for Matt Renshaw,” Cowan said. “So I think, generally, the goalposts moving around selection is pretty hard to take, and I’m sure that’s why someone like Pete probably feels very aggrieved and I think he has every right to. Whichever way you want to select the team, it needs to be consistent, and those goalposts of performance need to be set in stone.”I feel for those guys who are really pushing for Test selection and they really don’t know what is required. I can only imagine [Nevill] is shattered, but ever the professional, he’s getting on with what he needs to do to prepare for this next game. You’re talking about a guy who’s a seasoned professional, he’ll continue to be a high performer in our team. I wish Painey well and [hope] the Australian team’s winning, but hopefully we can get some clarity around selections.”

Craig White, the former Yorkshire and England allrounder, is to join Hampshire’s coaching set-up ahead of the new season

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2016Craig White, the former England allrounder, has been named as Hampshire’s new head coach, following the departure of Dale Benkenstein midway through the 2016 season.White, 46, made his name at Yorkshire in an 18-year first-class career that included more than 12,000 runs and 395 wickets, and played 30 Tests and 51 ODIs for England between 1994 and 2003.He joined Hampshire as assistant and bowling coach in 2012, and was handed the reins for the final six matches of their County Championship campaign in 2016. Although he was unable to prevent their relegation, the club was handed a reprieve when the ECB sanctioned Durham for receiving financial support, and sent them down to Division Two instead.”I’m flattered and honoured,” White told BBC Radio Solent. “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I can’t wait to get started in the job.””I was thrust into the job and I really enjoyed it. It was something I didn’t think I was quite ready for. Maybe another two or three years learning the trade might have been the right time.”But when [director of cricket] Giles White mentioned would I take on the job full-time, I said I would. I think some big names applied, so to be given the job permanently is a great honour.””Craig has been an integral part of the coaching set-up for a few years now,” said Giles White. “He has experience, a great understanding of the game and is respected by everyone here at Hampshire. For all those reasons he is the ideal person to take on this important role.”

England have embarked on what will be a hugely significant and demanding six months in the development of a free-spirited but still often raw side

Andrew McGlashan30-Sep-20151:46

England look to smooth rough edges

So England’s crammed year of international cricket moves to its next stage. With a young team, Ashes regained, the white ball not something to be feared and spirits lifted the squad embark on what will be a hugely significant and demanding six months in the development of a free-spirited but still often raw side.The UAE is the first destination: a neutral venue, but one in which Pakistan feel very much at home. Three years ago England arrived fresh from the triumph of reaching No. 1 in the world under Andrew Strauss’ leadership, only to come a cropper in the Test matches: whitewashed 3-0, defeats by 10 wickets, 72 runs (chasing 145) and 71 runs (despite bowling Pakistan out for 99). The next month will be about a challenge of the spinning ball – both playing it and bowling it – men around the bat and temperatures that could nudge the 40s.Alastair Cook was still Strauss’ lieutenant in 2012, now he is a captain with his authority and standing restored after a summer where he has shown immense character and fortitude – plus a willingness to adapt, a facet that will be tested again on this tour. He is one of just five survivors from the Test squad of the previous trip – alongside Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, James Anderson and Steven Finn (who did not play) – and in an era when overseas wins are tough to come by he is aware of what lies ahead.”It’s definitely going to be a tricky tour with their history in terms of how strong Pakistan are and their record in the UAE,” Cook said. “I think they’ve played six or seven series and haven’t lost a series. That shows what is in front of us. The great thing is in Test cricket is trying to win away from home. It’s getting harder and harder.”In 2012 it was the batting that cost England. They crossed 300 once in six innings and did not score an individual hundred in the three Tests. The bowling, led by Anderson and Broad then allied with the spin twins of Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar for the latter two matches, more than held its own (Pakistan only topped 300 twice) but the batting line-up proved hapless against Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman, who combined to take 43 wickets.Neither will be around this time, but they have been handsomely replaced by Yasir Shah, the legspinner who became the fastest Pakistan bowler to fifty Test wickets, and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar. New faces, same threat for England.”You do learn lessons but it happened quite a few years ago. And this is a very different side. Only four of us are going back,” Cook said. “I think also that the pitches have changed a little. The matches seem to be a lot higher scoring than they were in 2012.”Clearly, in the modern way of international cricket, we’ll do some homework on the bowlers and the Pakistan team in general. We haven’t faced many of them, it is quite a different bowling attack to what we have faced in the past. I certainly haven’t faced a couple of them. The legspinner clearly has done incredibly well so far in his short career.”England faced a trial by spin the last time they played Pakistan in the UAE•Getty Images

A point which Cook recalled from the previous series was the manner of dismissals. There were a combined 43 lbws across the three matches – the joint most for any Test series – with England batsman falling 22 times and Pakistan’s 21.”The one thing I remember is that skiddy, back-of-a-length spin that is difficult to face. Rehman and Ajmal bowled well, quick spin, I think there was a world record number of lbws. Trying to force yourself to go forward was quite hard. With DRS now, you can’t just get your pad in the way and say you’re a long way down. If it’s in line, you’re out. We’re going to have to make sure we defend using our bats.”Although Ajmal and Rehman proved the trump cards three years ago, England were not cast adrift when it came to bowling spin: Swann and Panesar shared 27 wickets, Panesar taking 14 in two matches. This time they cannot match such quality in the spin department. Moeen Ali, with 45 Test wickets at 36.04, is the lead man and is likely to be joined by the uncapped Adil Rashid. Samit Patel, a late addition to the squad, has four Test wickets while Joe Root is the other supplementary offering.”I’m confident they can take the wickets, but in a different way to Monty and Swanny,” Cook said. “Mo has had a fantastic start to his international career with his all-round contribution. He’s not an out-and-out spinner in the way that Swanny was, he provides a lot of all-round value. Same as Rash. Monty’s Test record when he played was fantastic but Rash can also bring runs. That’s a real string to his bow. So we have a different balance to the side this time.”The hints appear to be, therefore, that Moeen is favourite to open alongside Cook and Rashid will earn a Test debut, probably as part of a six-man attack alongside four quick bowlers. Anderson, Broad and Ben Stokes are certainties, leaving the final decision between Mark Wood’s skiddy pace and Finn’s height and bounce. The former’s qualities could be more suited to conditions.However, England only have two two-day matches in Sharjah, the first starting on October 5, to get their game back into sync and make final decisions on the composition of the XI for Abu Dhabi. “That’s what we’ve been given. Would we want more? Absolutely,” Cook said. “The guys have just finished the one-day stuff against Australia and we’re now going to the UAE. But that’s what modern cricket is and it’s up to the players to adapt. That’s why it is so hard to win away.”The first Test begins on October 13, followed by matches in Dubai and Sharjah – the first time England will have played a Test at that venue. A four-match ODI series and three T20s make up the tour.

The curator at the MA Chidambaram stadium has expressed satisfaction with the way the pitch for the Chennai Test, which was termed “ugly” by the two captains, behaved over the duration of the Test

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Feb-2013The curator at the MA Chidambaram stadium has expressed satisfaction with the way the pitch for the Chennai Test, which was termed “ugly”, behaved over the duration of the Test. The pitch took turn from the first day, but held together till the fifth.”I like to see a result in Test cricket, and the fact that the game went five days says to me that it’s a pretty good Test match wicket,” K Parthasarathy, the curator, told the .”We started by making the entire pitch firm. After that we watered it selectively. The areas on either side of the stumps were kept dry, and so turned out to be loose. The line of the stumps was watered and rolled, so it stayed firm through the Test.”Australia lost all their wickets in the Test to the spinners, with R Ashwin inflicting maximum damage. “Australia need Raffa Nadal here in Chennai on the clay,” Shane Warne had tweeted with a picture of the third-day pitch. But James Pattinson, with his extra pace, also managed a five-wicket haul in the first innings. Both the captains also said the pitch played better than expected.”If I had kept the entire pitch dry, people would have called it under-prepared. But now nobody is complaining,” the curator said.Parthasarathy had used the method of selective watering back in 1998 when Australia lost to India by 179 runs. Warne, who frequently bowled round-the-wicket line during that series, struggled to make an impact as Sachin Tendulkar took the attack to him.”I kept the square patches outside the leg stump, on either side of the wicket, really hard. It was difficult to get turn from that part as there would be no rough there.””After that game, Warne came to me and asked why he wasn’t getting the turn and others were. I told him it was because of his dodgy shoulder, that was to be operated later in the series.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the first Twenty20 between New Zealand and Zimbabwe in Auckland

Firdose Moonda10-Feb-2012

Match facts

February 11, Auckland
Start time 1900 (0600 GMT)Colin de Grandhomme could debut but will have to contest with Kane Williamson or one of the seamers for a spot•Getty Images

Big Picture

How does a boxer find motivation to keep throwing punches when his opponent is cowering, bleeding and just about begging for mercy? New Zealand may soon know the answer to that as they continue to hammer away at an already ground down Zimbabwe side.The series ends with two Twenty20 matches. In most years that would be only an afterthought, but with a World Twenty20 to be contested later in September, they do have some importance. As the best performing non-subcontinent team at the 2011 World Cup, New Zealand will want to repeat their strong showing in Sri Lanka in the 20-overs showcase event. They have a rather new look side and will use these matches to incorporate more uncapped players and complete their unit.Brendon McCullum spoke about the importance of keeping the intensity up. If the one-day series is anything to go by, New Zealand know how to do that. Not content with merely proving they are a better side than Zimbabwe, they have imposed their dominance brutally and seem to have their minds set on continuing to do that.Zimbabwe are an inexperienced and unsuccessful Twenty20 side. It’s not a format they have played in great quantities at any international level, but the popularity of their domestic tournament has meant that all of the national squad have some recent 20-overs game-time. Already the gulf between what they have been doing at local level and what is required to be done on the international stage has proven wide and deep. Perhaps too wide and too deep. While shorter formats are thought to increase the competitiveness between sides, it may not be true in this case.Demoralised and weary, Zimbabwe will have to feed off their desperation to do well. They certainly have the desire to prove themselves but they have to multiply that a few times to be able to compete with a rampant New Zealand side.

Form guide

New Zealand WWLWW (most recent first)
Zimbabwe LLLLL

In the spotlight

There’s always a bit of needle when a county plays against a team with one of their countrymen in it and Colin de Grandhomme can expect much of the same. The Harare-born New Zealand allrounder even played for Zimbabwe Under-19s but moved to New Zealand in 2006 and has now qualified for his adopted country. He has performed well in the domestic leagues and gets his chance at the highest level, but will have to brace for some hostility from a severely wounded Zimbabwe side.Twenty20 is Elton Chigumbura‘s format, the one where he has the freedom to pay in the carefree manner he appears most comfortable with. With Zimbabwe as down and out as it gets, they may as well give their players the liberty to enjoy the last two matches of the series and play without limitations. If there is one player who will enjoy this sort of approach, it will be Chigumbura. With absolutely nothing but another match to lose, if he decides to make it his day, it could well be.

Team news

New Zealand have two injury concerns – Martin Guptill has a slight groin strain and Jacob Oram experienced tightness in the calf. Both left the field in the last ODI in Napier but Brendon McCullum said he expects both to be fit to play. In particular, he hopes Guptill can continue because he has found a rich vein of form. Andrew Ellis was added to the squad after Dean Brownlie was ruled out with a finger injury and coach John Wright indicated that he would be given an opportunity. The other two uncapped players, Colin de Grandhomme and Ronnie Hira could debut but will have to contest with Kane Williamson and one of the seamers for a spot.New Zealand: (probable) 1 Martin Guptill, 2 Brendon McCullum, 3 Rob Nicol 4 Colin de Grandhomme 5 James Franklin/Kane Williamson 6 Andrew Ellis 7 Nathan McCullum, 8 Jacob Oram, 9 Tim Southee, 10 Doug Bracewell/Ronnie Hira, 11 Kyle MillsAfter axing Hamilton Masakadza for the third ODI, Zimbabwe will likely open with Stuart Matsikenyeri and Regis Chakabva. The last time they played Twenty20s Tatenda Taibu was injured, but he will play. It still allows Zimbabwe to accommodate three allrounders in Malcolm Waller, Elton Chigumbura and Keegan Meth. If both Prosper Utseya and Ray Price play, one of the three seamers will have to sit out.Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Stuart Matsikenyeri, 2 Regis Chakabva, 3 Brendan Taylor, 4 Tatenda Taibu, 5 Malcolm Waller, 6 Elton Chigumbura, 7 Keegan Meth 8 Prosper Utseya, 9 Ray Price, 10 and 11 Kyle Jarvis/Brian Vitori/Shingi Masakadza

Pitch and conditions

A fair strip, offering plenty for the batsmen is likely to be prepared. Weather in Auckland on Saturday evening should be clear and mild.

Stats and trivia

• Zimbabwe have only played 18 Twenty20s and have won just three, all away from home. Their last victory came in February 2010 against West Indies.
• Martin Guptill was the top scorer in New Zealand’s HRV Cup with 504 runs at an average of 72.00. Ronnie Hira and Michale Bates were the highest wicket-takers, with 14 scalps each.

Quotes

“The gap between two teams is always narrowed, the shorter the game. So it means we will have to be more efficient in all areas.”

South Africa’s World Cup ambitions could be damaged by the ongoing spat between CSA’s chief executive Gerald Majola and the body’s president, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, according to sports minister Fikile Mbalula

Firdose Moonda23-Jan-2011South Africa’s World Cup ambitions could be damaged by the ongoing spat between CSA’s chief executive Gerald Majola and the body’s president, Dr Mtutuzeli Nyoka, according to sports minister Fikile Mbalula. “Anything that has to do with internal politics will have a negative impact on our campaign,” he said at a press conference in Centurion on Sunday.The minister met with the CSA board sans Nyoka, who was invited but chose not to attend because he had other plans, during the fifth ODI between South Africa and India at SuperSport Park to flesh out recent developments in the tussle between the top brass, especially because of its timing. “Government is concerned and shocked that on the eve of the important ICC calendar event the sport of cricket in the country is thrown into disarray by personality issues,” Mbalula said.The row between Majola and Nyoka intensified last week when, on Wednesday, Nyoka was served notice of a motion of no confidence being tabled against him. The presidents of all 11 CSA affiliates signed the document which was delivered to Nyoka in the form of a letter. On Thursday, Nyoka called Majola a liar during an interview with Johannesburg-based TalkRadio702. Nyoka said Majola had deceived him about bonuses that were paid out after IPL2.”Gerald lied to me, he misled me,” Nyoka said on air. “He’s the only person who told me, ‘Listen, I know you might have doubts about when and whether I’ve taken money or not. I want to relieve you of that burden and show you this document I’ve signed with the IPL. There is nothing here that says anything about me receiving millions’.”Majola and 39 other CSA staff members collectively received R4.7 million (US $7671, 428) in bonuses paid out after the IPL in 2010 and the Champions Trophy in 2009. CSA’s auditors, Deloitte, found a discrepancy in their financial statements in August last year and a commission of inquiry was put in place to investigate. The commission was initially supposed to be an external one, chaired by former Chief Justice Pius Langa, but was moved internally, something Nyoka was not in favour of. The internal commission, chaired by vice-president AK Khan, cleared Majola of any wrongdoing.Nyoka has indicated that he believes the internal commission was a cover-up and lacked credibility and said so while on radio. “The issue is not going to go away,” he said. “They will never be able to bury the truth. Sport belongs to the public. Cricket is not a secret society. We are not in Stalin’s Russia.”Majola’s only response has been to say that he is consulting with his lawyer about the allegation made by Nyoka on radio. CSA have rallied behind their chief executive, issuing a release of “reassurance” on Thursday. South Africa captain Graeme Smith came out in praise of Majola on the same day. “Gerald Majola has always backed the team to the hilt in every possible way,” Smith said. “The players have great faith in him and he must take his share of the credit for the successes we have enjoyed over the last period of time.”It was this comment by Smith that attracted the attention of the sports ministry. A report in the said Mbalula told a commercial radio station that Smith should stay out of “politics” and concentrate on the cricket. Mbalula said at his press conference on Sunday that Smith made the statement in response to a “question that came directly to him” and that he was “simply stating his support for the leadership.” Despite being satisfied with Smith’s reasoning for answering the question, Mbalula said that “it is advisable that the players do not get involved.”Mbalula also cautioned against panic on the state of the game in the country, saying that the “house is not coming down” and the problems in CSA are “not insurmountable.” The ministry’s involvement in the matter is set to continue and they will meet with CSA again on February 12. “CSA will present the ministry with a report on the actions of the president as well as the commission of inquiry that looked into the bonus scandal,” Mbalula said. That is also the date set for CSA’s special general meeting to finalise the proposed motion of no confidence in Nyoka, who had earlier told the that if he received written notice of a vote of no confidence, he would step down in a “dignified manner”, but has shown any sign of resigning since getting the letter.

Victoria are the only team in this contest with something to play for but it was Western Australia who controlled the opening day

Cricinfo staff03-Mar-2010Western Australia 3 for 82 (Davis 42) trail Victoria 199 (Jewell 55, Knowles 3-66) by 117 runs

ScorecardBrad Knowles led the Warriors as they dismissed the visitors for 199•Getty Images

Victoria are the only team in this contest with something to play for but it was Western Australia who controlled the opening day. The Warriors, who are officially out of the race for the final, were 117 behind at stumps after dismissing the visitors for 199 in the first two sessions.Western Australia posted 3 for 82 after losing Wes Robinson (18), who offered no shot to Darren Pattinson, and the captain Marcus North. This is a crucial game for North as he is running out of chances to confirm his spot at No. 6 in the Test side, but he edged Andrew McDonald to first slip on 20. In the last over the opener Liam Davis (42) nicked Bryce McGain’s first ball while trying to cut, ensuring a tense session on the second morning.Victoria were docked a point for a slow over rate in their previous game, which cut their lead over Queensland to three, so they began the match desperate to re-seal their spot in the final. They were sent in and the situation looked bright when the opener Nick Jewell moved to a half-century.Jewell’s post-lunch exit to Brad Knowles on 55 started a costly collapse of 6 for 54 that dropped the Bushrangers to 8 for 155. Andrew McDonald (6) was run-out chasing a risky single before David Hussey was caught behind off Michael Hogan on 17. The wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi was also responsible for Matthew Wade’s exit and when Damien Wright was bowled by Steve Magoffin the home side was in command.John Hastings’ unbeaten 28 extended the innings, which finished when Knowles gained his third wicket by bowling McGain. Magoffin and Hogan provided useful support with two each.

Australian power-hitter belts five sixes before Welsh Fire mess up chase of 130

ECB Media20-Aug-2025A 19-ball half-century from Hilton Cartwright led Southern Brave to victory over Welsh Fire in a tight game in The Hundred.Cartwright made an unbeaten 51 to help Brave rally to 129 for 8, before Brave’s bowlers closed the game out with the ball in a topsy-turvy chase.Electing to bowl first in helpful conditions, Welsh Fire’s new-ball pairing of David Payne and Matt Henry were exceptional, bowling 20 of the first 25 deliveries.Henry in particular was relentless, dismissing Leus du Ploy and Jason Roy on the way to a remarkable return of 2 for 5 from 20 balls – the second-most economical figures in the short history of the Hundred.Brave skipper James Vince dug in, helping his side recover to 53 for 3 at halfway before eventually falling when he pulled a short ball from Chris Green straight down Saif Zaib’s throat at deep midwicket for 29.Enter Cartwright. The Aussie big-hitter went on the attack immediately, hitting five sixes, mixing power and innovation, as he reached a 19-ball half-century, finishing 51 not out as the Brave made 129 for 8.Jonny Bairstow’s lively start was not enough for the Fire•ECB/Getty Images

In the run chase, Jonny Bairstow came out swinging, hitting Craig Overton for two fours and a six in the first set. He then smashed Reece Topley for two fours as the Fire raced to 23 for 0 from the first 10 balls before he fell for 22, skying Overton to du Plooy in the ring.The chase ebbed backwards and forwards and with 20 balls left, Fire needed 27 to win with three wickets in hand and just the tail for company for Tom Kohler-Cadmore.Five wides from Jordan took some of the pressure off before four were taken from Jofra Archer’s final five, including Laurie Evans putting down David Payne behind the stumps to leave 16 required off 10.Kohler-Cadmore (25) then found Cartwright in the deep off Coles, leaving Payne and Henry – Fire’s heroes with the ball at the top of the day – to find the crucial 12 runs to take Fire to victory, from final five to be bowled by Jordan. He delivered a fine last five to ensure it was the Brave who got over the line.”That was an absolute thriller. It ebbed and flowed that whole second innings. The crowd got a bloody good game tonight,” Cartwright said. “I took the game on and it paid off, thankfully… It was an all-round team effort tonight. I thought the bowlers did an outstanding job to defend a small total.”

Tasmania were already assured of a place in the Shield final but faced losing hosting rights

AAP13-Mar-2024Tasmania’s hopes of hosting the Sheffield Shield were shattered after they suffered a shock 134-run loss to South Australia inside three days.Chasing 324 for victory  at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Tasmania were bowled out for 189 midway through play on Wednesday. Although ladder-leading Tasmania entered the match knowing their spot in the Shield final was already guaranteed, they needed a win to seal hosting rights.The loss meant defending champions Western Australia could snatch hosting rights if they beat Victoria which they duly did later in the day. The final will take place from March 21-25 at the WACA.Related

• McSweeney's ton and McAndrew's strikes put pressure on leaders Tasmania

• McAndrew and Doggett put spanner in the works of a Tasmania home final

South Australia produced a superb bowling display to secure just their third win of the season. Jordan Buckingham ripped through Tasmania’s top order, while Brendan Doggett and Nathan McAndrew were also crucial.Tasmania resumed play on Wednesday at 8 for 1 following Matthew Wade’s late dismissal at the hands of Buckingham on Tuesday. Buckingham struck again on the third ball on Wednesday to dismiss Caleb Jewell for 11, caught at third slip. Tasmania were reeling at 18 for 3 after Gabe Bell was trapped lbw by McAndrew for a duck.It was no laughing matter for Tasmania when Jordan Silk was dismissed for 14 by Doggett, but the dismissal itself brought about plenty of laughter. Doggett was initially left despondent after his appeal for lbw fell on deaf ears, but what the paceman didn’t realise was the ball had actually clipped and dislodged a bail.It wasn’t until a laughing team-mate dragged him to an unblocked view of the stumps that Doggett realised what had happened.All hope appeared lost when Buckingham induced an edge from Charlie Wakim to leave Tasmania floundering at 61 for 5.A 60-run partnership between Jake Doran and Beau Webster got Tasmania to lunch without further loss, but the wheels quickly fell off after the break.Doran was out when his attempted heave only managed to edge Doggett to slip. Webster continued to battle hard, but the loss of Bradley Hope and Jarrod Freeman reduced Tasmania to 158 for 8, still needing 166 more runs for victory.The contest was effectively over when Webster edged Doggett behind, with Buckingham securing a well-deserved five-wicket haul when he bowled Kieran Elliott to wrap up victory.

Dhaka Metropolis earn a promotion to tier 1 for the next season, while Chattogram Division slide to tier 2

Mohammad Isam17-Nov-2022Rangpur Division lifted their second NCL title after beating Sylhet Division by five wickets in the last round in Bogra. They wrapped up the win on the third morning of the game, after being set a target of 88 in the fourth innings of a low-scoring game. Rangpur last tasted NCL success in the 2014-15 season.Chattogram Division were at the other end of the tier 1 points table despite their 27-run win over Dhaka Division. They will be relegated to tier 2 in the next season.Dhaka Metropolis, meanwhile, earned a promotion to tier 1 after their seven-wicket win over Barishal Division.Best batters
Zakir Hasan, Sylhet’s captain and wicketkeeper, was the tournament’s highest run-getter with 442 runs that included a maiden double-hundred. Veteran Jahurul Islam and Towfiq Khan were the second and third highest scorers respectively, while newcomer Abdullah Al Mamun was adjudged Player of the Tournament for his 326 runs and 11 wickets for Rangpur.Rajshahi’s Tanzid Hasan was the only batter to score more than one century in the competition. He finished the NCL with an unbeaten 126 against Rajshahi in the last round. Imrul Kayes was the other batter to score a hundred in this round.Best bowlers
Sumon Khan of Dhaka was the highest wicket-taker this season, with 33 scalps at an average of 11.15. This is the lowest bowling average for any fast bowler who has taken a minimum of 30 wickets in a season in the tournament’s history.Sumon finished up with a seven-wicket match haul against Chattogram. His new-ball partner Salauddin Sakil also took 27 wickets, while Rajshahi’s Nahid Rana, who took a five-for against Khulna in the final round, was the second-highest wicket-taker with 32 victims.There were many left-arm spinners among the top wicket-takers but the fast bowlers vindicated the BCB’s decision of introducing the Dukes ball in the NCL, by bowling aggressively for most of the competition.Sumon Khan finished as the leading wicket-taker in the NCL•BCB

Best match
The Rangpur-Sylhet game would have decided the NCL title although Rangpur had a healthy lead going into the last round.Rangpur bowled out Sylhet for just 107 in the first innings with Shohel Rana taking three wickets. Musfik Hasan, Robiul Haque and Mamun took two wickets each.Rangpur took a first-innings lead of 81 despite Ebadot Hossain’s five-wicket haul. However, Sylhet once again struggled with the bat and were bowled out for 168 in their second innings. Rangpur needed only 89 to win the match, and the title. They knocked off those runs in just 23.3 overs despite losing five wickets.Points to ponder
Rangpur made a slow start but finished the tournament with four wins. Sylhet and Dhaka had the title in sight till the fourth round but floundered in their last two games. In tier 2, the plight of Rajshahi Division and Khulna Division is concerning as both are giants in the first-class circuit. Both sides will continue in tier 2 in the next season as well.Players to watch
Among the newcomers, the Rangpur duo of Musfik and Mamun was impressive, while Zakir and Sumon got the most runs and most wickets respectively. What would also please the Bangladesh team management was Mahmudul Hasan Joy scoring 73 against Dhaka, while Ebadot taking 5 for 38 against Rangpur. Both are expected to play an important role during Bangladesh’s home series against India next month.