'Struggled At 5th Spot': Ex-ENG Star Points Out Flaw In Jadeja's Batting

Former England captain Alastair Cook criticised the batting of India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja after the player failed to play a noticeable knock in the Ranchi Test. Jadeja, who batted at number 5 ahead of Sarfaraz Khan and Dhruv Jurel in both innings against England, failed to help the team's cause by returning scores of run-a-ball 12 and 4 off 33. Cook opined that the India star finds it hard to maintain a balance between attack and defence whenever he bats at the number 5 spot.

"Jadeja in particular showed probably why he should be batting a little bit lower." Cook told TNT Sports.

"Yes he can score runs but the ability, under pressure, to find that balance between attack and defence under pressure - pressure does funny thing to you.

"Jadeja is a world-class all-rounder, but batting at five there he struggled in terms of taking no risks because he didn't want to get out or trying to put a bit of pressure back on as a batter."

On the other hand, Cook was all praise for Jurel, who was playing only his second Test match. 

In the first innings of the Ranchi Test, Jurel scored 90 runs off 149 balls to keep India alive in the game while in the second innings he remained unbeaten at the score of 39 off 77 balls.

"But Jurel found that balance perfectly with his feet movement and sharpness of mind," said Cook.

Shubman Gill and Jurel kept calm to lead India to a series-clinching five-wicket win over England. The hosts won the fourth Test by 5 wickets, taking an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series after they lost the first game.

Chasing 192 for victory, India slipped to 120 for 5 but Gill, who scored 52, and Jurel stitched unbeaten 72-run partnership to guide India to victory.

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"Stick A Camera, Microphone": Vaughan's 'Simple Solution' Over DRS Row

Amid the controversy surrounding the Decision Review System (DRS) in the ongoing Test series between India and England, former cricketer Michael Vaughan has come up with a "simple solution" to tackle the challenges of the technology. England, who won the opening game in Hyderabad, have expressed their disappointment regarding some of the decions that have gone against them, pertaining to DRS and the umpire's call. After being hammered by India in the third Test in Rajkot (434 runs), England captain Ben Stokes had urged the officials to get rid of the umpire's call.

Stokes' comments came after opener Zak Crawley found himself on the wrong end of the umpire's call. The umpire had declared Crawley out, a decision that was upheld by the DRS.

However, upon zooming the DRS footage, it was shown that the ball was missing the top of the leg stump, leaving Stokes and the visitors fuming.

England found themselves in a similar situation in the fourth Test, this time the decision had gone against Joe Root in the second innings on Day 3.

In Root's case, the ball tracking showed that more than half of the ball was pitching outside the line before going on to hit the leg stump.

Amid the growing concerns regarding the credibility of the technology, Vaughan has urged the ICC to put up a camera and a mic in the DRS room.

"It only takes one look at social media to see that a lot of people don't trust it. There is so much anger and suspicion about decisions that go for or against certain teams. There's suspicion about host broadcasters and who is in the truck. That is despite the technology companies not actually being from the same country as the host broadcaster. For instance, Hawk-Eye is a company from the UK but is being used in this series. They are just brought in by the host broadcaster," Vaughan wrote in his column for the Telegraph.

"So here's a simple solution to help improve transparency and accountability: stick a camera and microphone in the truck so as a decision is being made, we all know exactly what is going on, and how much humans are involved. And if you stick an ICC official in there as well we'd know that the integrity - something we talk so much about in the game - is intact. You could argue that those running the technology in the truck are as important as the two standing umpires," he added.

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New Zealand vs Australia Live Score Updates 1st Test Day 1

NZ vs AUS, 1st Test Day 1 Live Updates: New Zealand will take on Australia in the first Test of a two-match series at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Australia have confirmed their playing XI for the series opener, while the hosts will make a late call on their final spot due to Devon Conway's injury. Conway was ruled out of the series with Henry Nicholls replacing him in the squad. There has been rain in the lead up to the match, but clear and cool conditions in Wellington are expected. (Live Scorecard)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/new-zealand-vs-australia-live-score-updates-1st-test-day-1-5145004 live cricket streaming

Watch: Dravid's Emotional Celebration Says It All After Series Win vs ENG

India defeated England by five wickets in the fourth Test and gained an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series. Chasing 192 on Day 4, India lost five wickets with 120 runs on the board. However, Shubman Gill (52*) and Dhruv Jurel (39*) struck an important 84-run partnership and took the hosts across the line. The victory marked India's 17th consecutive Test series win at home while it was England's first series loss in the tenure of their head coach Brendon McCullum.

After the win, a very heartfelt moment got captured as India head coach Rahul Dravid did not shy away from displaying his emotions and joyously celebrated the team's victory. 

In a video shared by BCCI on X (formerly Twitter), Dravid was seen  jumping and sharing hugs with Jurel and Gill after the duo sealed the series for India. 

No words just pure emotions ?

A series win to remember #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/AtyB7tJq4c

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 26, 2024

"I play according to the demands of the situation. The 1st innings, we needed to get runs as well, we knew we had to bat last and so any runs would be vital. I was involved in some partnerships, so credit does go to all those who stayed and added runs. I just saw the ball and then reacted to it, not thinking too far ahead. The conversation was good (with Shubman Gill in the 2nd innings), we just broke it into 10-run sets and started developing the partnership," said Jurel after the win. 

There were some jitters after Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal in close succession followed by Rajat Patidar and Ravindra Jadeja's dismissal but Shubman Gill (52 not out) and Dhruv Jurel (39 not out) guided the side past the finishing line with an unbeaten 72-run partnership.

Left-arm spinner Tom Hartley (1/64) took the prized scalp of Rohit, while Shoaib Bashir was the most successful English bowler, scalping 3/79 in the second innings for a match haul of eight wickets.

India lead 3-1 in the series with the last game scheduled in Dharamsala from March 7. The team's last home series loss was a 1-2 defeat to an Alastair Cook-led England in 2012-13. Since then, India have won 39 out of 50 Tests at home.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Injured New Zealand Batter Devon Conway Misses Opening Australia Test

Black Caps opening batsman Devon Conway has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia with a thumb injury, New Zealand Cricket said Wednesday on the eve of the game.

Conway will miss the match, starting in Wellington on Thursday, after hurting his thumb in a Twenty20 defeat to Australia last Friday in Auckland. New Zealand went on to lose the T20 series 3-0.

He has been sidelined for the first Test after scans showed damage to his left thumb, New Zealand Cricket said. Experienced batsman Henry Nicholls has been called up as cover.

"It's disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match," said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead.

"He's a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series."

But Stead welcomed the return of Nicholls, who was originally left out of the squad.

"It's nice to have a player of Henry's calibre to call on," Stead said.

"He has plenty of Test experience and covers a number of positions in our batting order."

The Black Caps are waiting to know whether Conway will be able to play in the second and final Test, which starts in Christchurch on March 8.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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"Hardik Will Enjoy Having Rohit As 'Captain'": Gavaskar's Big IPL Verdict

Legendary Indian cricket team batter Sunil Gavaskar believes that Mumbai Indians will benefit from the change in captaincy and said that it will allow Rohit Sharma to play more freely in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Hardik Pandya completed a sensational trade from Gujarat Titans to MI ahead of the new season and he ended Rohit's ten-year tenure as skipper. There has been a lot of chatter around the decision but Gavaskar said that it has been a busy season for Rohit with the Cricket World Cup campaign and with Hardik looking after the captaincy, the star batter will be able concentrate on his own game.

"To allow Rohit to play purely as a batter... it has been a busy season for him, first the World Cup, and now this series. This will give him the freedom to play without worrying about other players. My feeling is that it will work very well for Mumbai Indians. For Hardik to have someone like Rohit to turn to would be invaluable. Hardik will enjoy having Rohit as 'captain'," he said during a during a Star Sports event.

Gavaskar further stated that Hardik will benefit from having an experienced captain like Rohit by his side during the season and that can turn out to be 'invaluable' for the Mumbai Indians.

Gavaskar also said wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel, who plays for Rajasthan Royals, could be the superstar of this IPL.

Playing in only his second Test, Jurel won the Man of the Match award for his splendid batting efforts of 90 and 39 not out in India's series-clinching five-wicket win over England.

"He could be promoted up the order. Jurel could be the superstar after this performance in the Test matches. Even Akash Deep could get more exposure in RCB and play the role of the death over specialist which they were missing last season."

(With PTI inputs)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/hardik-pandya-will-enjoy-having-rohit-sharma-as-captain-sunil-gavaskars-big-ipl-2024-verdict-5135053

'Bazball Or Whatever Ball You Call It': India Great's Dig At Misfiring ENG

The Indian cricket team sealed a memorable series win against England with a five-wicket victory in Ranchi in the fourth Test. Despite top stars like Jasprit Bumrah missing from action, the young guns under Rohit Sharma galvanised into a pack of powerful performers. Though England looked in control in phases of the game, India were able wrest control with youngsters like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel stepping up in the series. India's performance has put a question mark on England's Bazball strategy, as they have now lost the first series since the ultra-aggressive approach by coach Brendon McCullum.  

Anil Kumble, JioCinema and Sports18 expert, opened up on whether Bazball did not serve England well: “The challenge when England came here was obvious. Bazball or whatever ball you want to call it, playing in India and beating India here was never going to be easy. India have never lost a series at home in the last decade. They (England) knew that they had to be different but their bowling attack wasn't something that they believed would be able to penetrate India's batting line-up.”

“England's senior batters including Ben Stokes, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root, other than the Ranchi Test, didn't contribute consistently. There were some key moments that they grabbed on a couple of occasions but other key moments they let go. It's all nice to say that ‘this is the way I bat', but you can't bat like that all the time. You have to hold back. In Test match cricket, that's what it is. It's about situations and that's what Root did in this (Ranchi) match. No wonder he was successful, something that England will have to discuss and look at.”

Aakash Chopra, JioCinema and Sports18 expert, also gave his ingihht on the impact of Bazball in the series: “The first match took everyone by surprise. We had heard of Bazball, but had not seen it. That you are behind by 190 runs on a turning pitch and then you employ sweep, reverse sweep, reverse hit and suddenly you react, ‘wow, cricket can be played in such a way.' That was our introduction to Bazball. After that, England found themselves in many situations from where they could have closed matches. I remember Joe Root's shot from the Rajkot match. England had completely dominated the last session of the previous day's play. They needed to just consolidate after that, but they didn't do that.”

“So I feel, if England do an honest assessment, they would feel, Root should play the way he has all his career. There are some basic principles of cricket that have not changed. Bazball should not be used as a cop-up, saying that this is the way we play. If that's the way you are going to play, then score a century and not 25. If you can't score that ton, then please play some other way. This logic applies to Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes. Please score runs on good batting surfaces, and give it whatever name you want.”

“The series certainly proved that England played an entertaining brand of cricket. But the success that their most successful batsman got in the end was through playing orthodox, conventional Test cricket that's being played for over 150 years.”

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NZ Pacer Neil Wagner Announces Retirement From International Cricket

New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner on Tuesday called time on his illustrious 64-Test career for the Blackcaps, announcing his retirement from international cricket. The left-armer finishes his Test career fifth overall on the list of New Zealand Test wicket-takers. The 37-year-old pacer took the emotional choice after a difficult chat with coach Gary Stead last week when it was clear that he was not in New Zealand's top XI for the forthcoming series against Australia. The pacer was named to New Zealand's team to face Australia, but he was not picked for the first Test in Wellington and will be dropped from the squad for the second Test in Christchurch.

Wagner admitted that the choice to retire was difficult, but it was evident that the time had come to move on.

"It's been an emotional week. It's not easy to step away from something you've given so much to and got so much out of, but it's now time for others to step up and take this team forward. I've enjoyed every single moment of playing Test cricket for the Black Caps and am proud of everything we've been able to achieve as a team. The friendships and bonds built over my career are what I'll cherish the most and I want to thank everyone who's played a part in where I am today," Wagner said in an official statement.

"My teammates have always meant the world to me and all I've ever wanted to do was what was best for the team - I hope that's the legacy I will leave. I'd like to thank my wife Lana for her support in helping me be the man I am today and for helping bring our two little girls Olivia and Zahli, and our boy Josh into the world. I'm looking forward to one final week in camp and will be doing everything I can to help prepare and support the boys," he added.

Wagner retires as New Zealand's fifth-highest wicket-taker, after only Sir Richard Hadlee (431), Tim Southee (376), Daniel Vettori (361) and Trent Boult (317).

The 37-year-old pace-bowler will not be in the starting XI for the first Test at the Cello Basin Reserve and will be released from the squad ahead of the second Test in Christchurch.

Wagner will finish his career fifth on the list of New Zealand's top Test wicket-takers with 260 wickets, at an average of 27.

His strike rate of 52 is only bettered by the great Sir Richard Hadlee (50) of New Zealanders to have taken more than 100 Test wickets.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said Wagner's impact went beyond statistics and commended the pacer's selfless style throughout his career.

"Neil's numbers are phenomenal, but I don't think we can underestimate his contributions to the team when the chips were down and he found a way to create a wicket. His accuracy, execution and tenacity have been instrumental in many of our great Test victories and he will always be remembered for his lion-hearted nature," Stead said

"Neil gave absolutely everything to the BLACKCAPS and we are certainly going to miss his energy and 'never give in' attitude," he added.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/new-zealand-pacer-neil-wagner-announces-retirement-from-international-cricket-5134599

Injured India Fast Bowler Mohammed Shami Undergoes Successful Heel Surgery

Indian cricket team star pacer Mohammed Shami provided a huge update on Monday and disclosed that he has undergone an operation on his Achilles tendon. The right-arm pacer took to X (formerly Twitter) to share the news with his fans. "Just had a successful heel operation on my achilles tendon! Recovery is going to take some time, but looking forward to getting back on my feet. #AchillesRecovery #HeelSurgery #RoadToRecovery," Shami posted on X. Shami missed the home T20I series against Australia following the ICC event, and he was ruled out of the entire South Africa tour. He also missed the Afghanistan series and is not participating in the ongoing Test series against England.

The 33-year-old, who is not playing in the current five-match Test series against England, last represented India in the ODI World Cup final against Australia in November. The senior pacer finished as the tournament's highest wicket-taker and dismissed 24 batters in only 7 matches.

Just had a successful heel operation on my achilles tendon! ? Recovery is going to take some time, but looking forward to getting back on my feet. #AchillesRecovery #HeelSurgery #RoadToRecovery pic.twitter.com/LYpzCNyKjS

— ???????? ????? (@MdShami11) February 26, 2024

Shami, who took 24 wickets in India's spectacular World Cup campaign, played with agony due to landing issues but did not allow it to hinder his performance.

The latest update has reportedly ruled him out of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This comes as a significant blow to the franchise, as Shami was the leader of the Gujarat Titans' pace attack.

Shami contributed significantly to GT's success in both seasons. The 33-year-old bowler picked up 20 wickets in 2022 and followed it up with an even stronger performance in IPL 2023, taking 28 wickets at an average of 18.64. Shami was especially devastating with the new ball.

source https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/injured-indias-star-pacer-mohammed-shami-undergoes-heel-surgery-5134535

"Maybe Kohli Will Miss IPL Too," Gavaskar Gives Rise To Speculation

With Virat Kohli ation they both will make is going to be very crucial. If they click then KKR can become a very, very strong contender for the title." 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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