Australia's game against spin a 'work in progress': Rod Marsh

© Cricaction

Historically, not too many Australian sides have enjoyed much success playing on turning tracks. In order to improve their record in the sub-continent, Cricket Australia has taken various measures over the last few years. Among other things, a tour to India was organised for the Australia A side and specifically designed spin-pitches were set up in the National Cricket Centre. Even before going to Sri Lanka for the four-match Test series, select players were sent to Chennai for pre-tour acclimatisation, before a two-week build-up for the squad took place in Colombo.

However, none of it paid off as a Sri Lankan side, in transition, managed to beat the No 1 ranked Test team in the world by 106 runs in Pallekele on Saturday (July 30). Not only was it Sri Lanka's second win against Australia in Test cricket, it was also Steve Smith's first defeat in 12 matches as captain in the longest format.

Rod Marsh, Australia's chairman of selector, feels there is nothing much that they can do to help improve the side's Test record. "What else can we do really?" Marsh asked on Sunday (July 31). "We send them off to India, we send them to other parts of the world where the ball turns, we played an 'A' series in India last year and they batted well against good spin bowling.

"But it gets to a Test match and whether it's the extra pressure of it being a Test match, whether it's the fact that we historically haven't done well on turning pitches on the subcontinent - whether that plays on their minds, I'm not sure. But it's a work in progress," he added.

Despite getting bowled out for 161 in the first innings, Sri Lanka managed to stage a commanding comeback. While Kusal Mendis was the star with his knock of 176 - more than thrice of the second-highest scorer in the match (Steve Smith's 55) - it was the spin duo of veteran Rangana Herath (9-103) and new-comer Lakshan Sandakan (7-107) that rattled the Australian batsmen.

"People talk about the way we play spin bowling, well there's no doubt about the fact we don't play it as well as the way we play pace bowling in Australia. But that's something that's a work in progress. Everyone's had the preparation for this tour, we couldn't have done anymore. We had an opportunity after bowling them out for 117, and we only make 200 - unbelievable," Marsh said.

Australia have made only one change to the side for the second Test, with Jon Holland coming in for Steve O'Keefe, who injured his right hamstring while bowling in the second innings. "I don't think we can pick a better team. We've got all the people who deserve to be here on numbers."

The former Australian wicketkeeper even defended the selection of opener David Warner, who missed the practice games due to injury. He returned with scores of 0 and 1 in the first Test, the lowest by an Australian opener since Mark Taylor's pair against Pakistan in 1994.

"He wouldn't have played if he wasn't fit enough. You saw him field. His fielding was outstanding. He just missed out with the bat. That can happen," he concluded.

Australia's quest for a series-levelling victory over the hosts will begin on Thursday, when the two teams square off in Pallakele for the second Test.

Tallawahs, Zouks seek gains in dead rubber as playoffs loom

A victory will help Jamaica Tallawahs end the group stage on top of the points table

Top-ranked Jamaica Tallawahs and third-placed St Lucia Zouks will hope to walk into the playoffs at the back of a victory, when the two teams meet in dead-rubber cash at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday (July 31).

Both the teams have qualified for playoffs, and the result of the clash will not affect their fixtures for the next round. While the Zouks will play Trinbago Knight Riders in the Eliminator, the Tallawahs are scheduled to take on Guyana Amazon Warriors in Qualifier 1. A win for the Chris Gayle-led side will push them to top of the points table, and a result favourable for Zouks will cement Darren Sammy's team at the number three position. 

The Zouks, who are on an upward swing following a run of five wins in six matches after three consecutive defeats, managed to upset Tallawahs with a thumping 63-run win when the two sides met each other on Saturday. Led by quickfire half-centuries by Johnson Charles and Andre Fletcher, they managed to post 206, before a disciplined bowling attack restricted the Tallawahs to 143.

The batting and bowling has come together well for the Zouks - a team that has perpetually languished at the bottom of the points table through all the seasons of CPL - since their home leg began. Fletcher, who was their only weak-link in the batting, came out of a poor run of form with a match-winning knock of 74 against Tallawahs. 

Shane Watson and Sammy have done justice to their all-round skills and allowed Zouks to play to their potential. While Charles's good form at the top of the order and Sammy's late-order surges have covered up for the misfiring likes of David Miller and Michael Hussey, the duo's experience could hold them in good stead during the final stages of the tournament. 

Tallawahs wouldn't read much into the defeat against Zouks, which came at the back of their five-match unbeaten streak. They continue to remain the most dominant side in the tournament. 

Apart from the usual stars - Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Shakib Al Hasan and Andre Russell - they've also had their domestic players putting up a good show regularly. While Chadwick Walton has been consistent, Rovman Powell, Alex Ross and Timroy Allen too have had good days.

There might be a few changes to their line-up with Dale Steyn, possibly, coming in to beef up the bowling. Grant Elliot, who hasn't had much to do with either bat or ball, could make way for the South African pacer.

As the USA leg of CPL 2016 comes to an end, a strong side taking on a team in form in the last league match offers an exciting prospect for the crowds in Florida.

What: Jamaica Tallawahs vs St Lucia Zouks, 30th Match

When: July 31, 4:00 PM local time (August 1, 1:30 am IST).

Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Florida.

What they said:

"It's good to see that I can contribute and bat long. Happy to know that we are in the semi-finals and will hope to make the finals. We've been working very hard," Andre Fletcher, St Lucia Zouks opener, said after his match-winning 74 against Jamaica Tallawahs

"When you get 10 days off of cricket, this is what happens and you get rusty. Hopefully we can get a win tomorrow," Chris Gayle, Jamaica Talllwahs skipper, said after the loss against St Lucia Zouks.

Squads:

Jamaica Tallawahs: Chadwick Walton, Chris Gayle (c), Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Rovman Powell, Alex Ross, Shakib Al Hasan, Andre Russell, Imad Wasim, Timroy Allen, Jon-Russ Jaggesar, Kesrick Williams, Dale Steyn, Garey Mathurin, Jonathan Foo, Andre McCarthy, Oshane Thomas, Nkrumah Bonner, Dale Steyn, Garey Mathurin, Jonathan Foo, Andre McCarthy, Oshane Thomas, Nkrumah Bonner

St Lucia Zouks: Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher (wk), Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, David Miller, Grant Elliott, Gidron Pope, Darren Sammy (c), Delorn Johnson, Shane Shillingford, Jerome Taylor, Kyle Mayers, Keddy Lesporis, Derone Davis, Keron Cottoy, Nitish Kumar, Kristopher Ramsaran

Trinbago Knight Riders aim to recapture form ahead of playoffs

Trinbago Knight Riders lost their previous fixture - to St Kitts and Nevis Patriots (Photo credit: CPL)

With Guyana Amazon Warriors beating Barbados Tridents and eliminating them from the tournament, Dwayne Bravo's Trinbago Knight Riders are assured of a play-off berth before their last group-stage fixture against bottom-placed St Kitts and Nevis Patriots at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on Sunday (July 31). 

Knight Riders have made it through to the last-four, but there are a few flaws they need to iron out. Hashim Amla's return to the side may have bolstered the team, but Brendon McCullum's poor form continues to remain a worry. Having lost their previous encounter against the Patriots, Bravo's men will hope for a reversal before heading into the the eliminator clash against St Lucia Zouks. 

Having played with a side that doesn't bat deep, Knight Riders had drafted the experienced Ramnaresh Sarwan in the XI. Even though he had a forgetful outing against the Patriots in the previous encounter, he could continue to hold on to his place with Anton Devcich, who made a 19-ball 25 against Zouks, returning to the side in place of McCullum. While their batting has been reliant on a few players, their bowling - despite the presence of two of the best T20 bowlers in Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine - has failed to cause much damage. Devcich's inclusion will also beef up their options with the ball.

For Patriots, there is nothing but pride and consolation to play for. Having spent the entire tournament at the bottom of the points table, even a win against Knight Riders wouldn't push them any higher. Nonetheless, Patriots' captain Faf du Plessis, who grew frustrated, disappointed and helpless as the season progressed, would be happy to sign off with consecutive wins under his belt.

While Krishmar Santokie and Samuel Badree have been reliable with the ball throughout the tournament, Evin Lewis added some muscle to the side with the bat in the previous encounter against the Knight Riders. With the chances of qualifying for the play-offs long gone, the final match could be an ideal opportunity for the players to finish the season positively. 

As far as consolation is concerned, three wins in a season would always feel better than two, and du Plessis's men will be aware of that. 

What: St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Trinbago Knight Riders, 29th Match

When: July 31, 12:00 PM local time (9:30 pm IST).

Where: Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Florida.

What they said: 

"It's very strange, the winning feeling. I actually made a joke that we should move our home games to Miami. It's just about the basics. There's a lot of pride at stake. We didn't have a great season but we owe it to the owners and to our fans." - Faf du Plessis, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots captain, said after the win against Trinbago Knight Riders.

Squads:

Trinbago Knight Riders: Hashim Amla, Brendon McCullum, Colin Munro, Umar Akmal, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Dwayne Bravo(c), Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kevon Cooper, Sunil Narine, Nikita Miller, Ronsford Beaton, Sulieman Benn, Yannic Cariah, Anton Devcich, William Perkins, Hamza Tariq, Anderson Phillip, Javon Searles

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: JJ Smuts, Evin Lewis, Lendl Simmons, Faf du Plessis (c), Devon Thomas (wk), Jonathan Carter, Shamarh Brooks, Thisara Perera, Krishmar Santokie, Sheldon Cottrell, Samuel Badree, Brad Hodge, Tino Best, Nikhil Dutta, Jeremiah Louis, Kieran Powell, Tabraiz Shamsi

Australia drop Glenn Maxwell for ODI series in Sri Lanka

Maxwell said he was 'disappointed' to miss the squad © Cricaction

Glenn Maxwell, Australian all-rounder, has been stunningly dropped from Australia's 15-man squad for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka.

Cricket Australia (CA) announced the squad on Sunday (July 31), which features two changes from the 16-man contingent that toured the West Indies in June. Moises Henriques, the all-rounder, comes into the side, along with West Australian batsman Shaun Marsh who returns after the birth of his first child. Marsh and Henriques are currently in Sri Lanka with the Test squad. 

Maxwell, Australian cricket's reigning ODI Player of the Year, headlines the omissions, along with South Australian batsman Travis Head and Victorian fast bowler Scott Boland.

Rod Marsh, Australian chairman of selectors, issued a stern message to Maxwell. "We know Glenn can be a match winner for Australia but his current form doesn't warrant selection," Marsh said in a press release. "He is averaging less than 10 runs in Australia's last 10 one-day internationals, so the numbers speak for themselves.

"We've asked Glenn to go away and focus on consistent performances for Victoria and Australia A to earn his way back into the Australian side," he added.

Maxwell said he was 'disappointed' to miss the squad. "I got some really honest feedback which was good to hear but there are also things I need to work on," the 27-year-old told cricket.com.au. "It is hard; I'm going to be watching on TV and seeing Australia play in coloured clothing and I'm not going to be there, but it's one of those things where it'll probably only drive me to train harder and make sure I'm there for the next tour."

Henriques makes his return to the side having last played for Australia against England in Hobart in early 2015. "Moises comes off some great form in the Indian Premier League and we think he is well suited to these conditions," Marsh said. 

The five-match ODI series between Australia and Sri Lanka starts in Colombo on August 21. 

Squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), George Bailey, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, Adam Zampa

Two Australian hockey players seek cricketing switch with WBBL

"Cricket is an exciting sport, I think it is very similar to hockey which is a sport I obviously love, especially the hand-eye coordination," Kate Hollywood said. © Cricaction

Two Australian hockey stars are attempting a bold switch of sports in a determined bid to play in the Women's Big Bash League's (WBBL) second edition. Former Hockeyroos (Australian women's national team) star Kate Hollywood has confirmed she is trialing for a rookie contract with either the Sydney Sixers or Sydney Thunder, while Mathilda Carmichael, another ex-hockey player, has signed with Perth Scorchers.

Hollywood, a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist and 2008 Olympian, is part of a Cricket New South Wales initiative hoping to lure other leading female athletes to cricket. The 30-year-old said cricket and hockey shared common characteristics.

"Cricket is an exciting sport, I think it is very similar to hockey which is a sport I obviously love, especially the hand-eye coordination," she told News Limited on Sunday (July 31). "Since playing hockey, and being around that team environment, it is something that I've loved about the sport. I think cricket is very similar, it's a nice team feel, you always celebrate together and the team cohesion is important."

Carmichael caught the eye of the Scorchers after a dominant season at women's club cricket level in Perth. The 22-year-old all-rounder signed with the Scorchers after missing out on selection for the Rio Olympics with the Hockeyroos. 

"I definitely didn't go into (last) season with the aim of getting a go with the Scorchers, it all happened very quickly," Carmichael said. "With the success of the Big Bash last season for the women, I think WBBL02 will be another success. 

"If I get opportunities to play higher levels of hockey again for Australia, I'm definitely still striving for that," she added. "Hopefully along the way I balance both of them, but obviously I'm just focusing on one thing at a time."

Jason Mohammed, Chris Lynn fifties knock Barbados Tridents out of CPL 2016

Chris Lynn smashed 57 off 44 balls (Photo credit: CPL)

Jason Mohammed and Chris Lynn scored half-centuries to help Guyana Amazon Warriors usurp the highly-rated Jamaica Tallawahs to the top of the points table, with a resounding six-wicket victory over the Barbados Tridents, who were knocked out of the tournament in the process, at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday (July 30). 

A sound bowling performance, led by Sohail Tanvir (2 for 24), denied the Tridents the opportunity to post a total closer to 180 after Kieron Pollard opted to bat in a must-win fixture. Ahmed Shehzad's lacklustre form at the top of the order continued as he struggled to put bat on ball before perishing for a forgettable 13-ball 6. However, the top-order triumvirate of Steven Taylor, Shoaib Malik and Pollard steadied the ship with useful contributions. 

Taylor, Shehzad's opening partner, opted to play his strokes in order to keep his team from going into a rut following Shehzad's dismissal. In the final over of the powerplay, the 22-year-old batsman from the United States of America, carted Dwayne Smith for three successive boundaries to get a much-needed move on after an early dismissal. Soon after the powerplay overs, however, Australian leggie Adam Zampa managed to fox the aggressive right-hander by tossing one up and luring him to take the aerial route in futility. Taylor's attempted slog went down Lynn's throat at long off. In his 20-ball stay at the wicket, Taylor managed 37 runs, 28 of which came in fours. 

The experienced duo of Malik and Pollard added a crucial, essay-defining partnership for the third wicket, laying the platform to push the accelerator towards the end. The pair's intention of shifting gears became clear in the 14th over, when Pollard punished Zampa with back-to-back fours. An over later, they collected 17 off Christopher Barnwell, taking the team total past 100.

Rayad Emrit, who was mixing up his bowlers constantly in search of wicket, ended up being the one who brought about the breakthrough. Off the last ball of the 17th over, the right-arm pacer, took the pace of the ball on a length delivery that Malik decided to go after. The miscued hit went to Lynn at mid wicket. Tanvir returned to end Pollard's stay off the very first delivery of the 18th over, making a sizeable dent on Tridents hopes of posting a huge total. Pollard departed for a 36-ball 47. Tanvir doubled-up this crucial scalp with an excellent final over in which he conceded just seven runs and bagged a wicket to restrict Tridents to 158 for 5.

Dwayne Smith and Nic Maddinson, the half-centurions in Warriors' previous fixture, fell for a first-ball duck and a dodgy 19-ball 16 respectively, but Lynn and Mohammed mounted the team's chase in commendable fashion. Lynn wasted no time in making his aggressive intent clear to the opposition, as he carted Raymon Reifer for a four and a six in the first over, just a couple of deliveries after he had cleaned up Smith. He also scored three successive fours off Ravi Rampaul to give the team a rollicking start in chase. 

The Tridents bowlers tightened the noose after the powerplay overs as Lynn and Mohammed took their time to establish the foundation of their partnership. The Warriors went from 44 for 2 in 6 overs to 62 for 2 in 10, putting the side behind the eight ball. With 97 needed from the second half of the innings, the two decided to chance their arms. Lynn took the chance against medium-pacer David Wiese, hitting him for two sixes to begin the process of narrowing the deficit. 

If there was a moment when the chase swung violently in favour of the Warriors, it was in the 13th over. Emrit was left to rue his decision of throwing the ball to Marchant de Lange, as the two batsmen collected 20 runs off it to bring down the equation to 58 from 42 balls.

Pollard bowled a fine over to follow all the hitting to pile the pressure on the two batsmen, setting up Lynn's dismissal in the 15th over from Reifer. The Australian departed for a fine knock of 57 from 44 balls, with Warriors still needing 57 off 31 deliveries. Pollard unleashed another tight over that finished with the wicket of Anthony Bramble, trapped leg before. 

Barnwell and Mohammed managed four singles in five deliveries in the 17th over, allowing the asking rate to mount again. The former however, broke the shackles and sent a full length deliveries soaring into the stands. The task of killing the chase was in Pollard's hands but he couldn't replicate the success of his previous two overs as the 18th comprised a six and a four, bringing down the equation to just 16 off 12.

Rampaul couldn't do enough to keep his side in the hunt till the end as he conceded 12 off the penultimate over, during which Mohammed reached his first fifty of the season with a big six. Five balls later, another six from Mohammed, smashed over deep mid wicket, sealed the chase for the Warriors with three balls and six wickets to spare.

Batting first wasn't a wrong decision: Blackwood

Jermaine Blackwood rates the Indian bowling attack very highly © Cricaction

On the day he top scored for West Indies in the first innings of the second Test against India, Jermaine Blackwood addressed the press. Excerpts from the conference:

On his half century..

It is always good to play in front of my home crowd. This is the second time I am playing for West Indies in front of my home crowd. I was feeling confident but I was also a bit tentative at the start because you always want to make runs at your home ground. So it was a good feeling getting some runs today and I was happy that I was able to help the team's cause and score some runs, just happy to being back in this nick.

The ploy to counter-attack

That is just normally how I play, ever since I started playing. So that's my natural game. I try to score my first 20-25 runs quickly and tried to use the pace of the ball. So that is how Jermaine Blackwood plays his game.

Batting first..

Normally at Sabina park the wicket is going to have a little bit in it for the pace bowlers for a couple hours. This track is different and has some grass so they will get assistance right through the match for pace bowlers. It wasn't a wrong decision to bat first but we just didn't bat for a long period. I guess next time we will have to do that.

India on top..

We just need to worry about getting ten wickets. So the boys will go home and have a good night's rest and come back fresh tomorrow morning and have a go at them and build some pressure.

Attacking batting from team, were the batsmen in a hurry?

No we weren't in any hurry. But you cannot just go there and keep losing wickets and not score runs. So you have to go there with a positive mindset and any scoring opportunity that comes your way you need to take it. so that's what I did today.

The Indian bowling attack..

This attack is a world class attack and you have the Test No.1 bowler, Ashwin and he is very experienced and very good bowler. The seamers are very consistent with their line and length and they are bowling to a plan. So they are playing on our minds. So as batsmen we have to go and counter that and try to go against that plan, assess conditions and score runs at the same time. So this is a very, very good attack.

Partnership with Marlon Samuels..

When I went out he was just giving me a lot of advice about staying positive and running well between the wickets, try to score runs and wear down the bowlers. As scoring chances came I played my shots. If I had come back after lunch it would have been a different ball game because me and Marlon had a nice partnership. For me to get out, it set the team back and put the bowlers back on top. So I guess you have to learn from your mistakes.

Getting five-wicket hauls is a sort of hunger for me: Ashwin

Ashwin refers to KL Rahul as a 'batting machine' © Cricaction

R Ashwin addressed the media at the end of the first day's play of the second Test between India and West Indies, in Jamaica. Excerpts:

Turn or bounce that got batsmen out?

A little bit of bounce and speed variation, that was important I thought. Most of the dismissals were brought about by difference in speeds rather than much of spin, actually. It was initially damp and there was some turn, but after that it flattened out a bit and started going straight. This ball, once it gets older, it becomes easier to bat. There's a lot more time. I think it was more about bounce and speed variation that created the problem.

Decent breeze. Bowling from closer to the umpire?

Not really. I have been bowling close to the stumps a lot. There have been occasions in the limited overs formats when you use the crease much more. Effectively, because of the breeze and the amount of drift I am getting, going in straighter lines helps a bit because the batsman starts coming out and follows the ball. That gives me a good chance to take caught and bowleds. That's the whole idea, and also trying to get them to nick them off to slips.

18th five wicket haul...How does it feel?

Everybody wants to start playing cricket one day to achieve what no body else could achieve. I am happy to be there, at some stage of my career where I am better than everybody else who has played the game. It feels nice, but the only thing that is constant is trying to improve from wherever you are. I think change is very, very important. This is good, but tomorrow is a different day and you have to keep improving.

About KL Rahul

From what I think about Rahul, he's a fine fine player. We all know that he's a quality cricketer. He's made a lot of runs in First-Class cricket. He has pretty much arrived at this level.

Beforehand, when he made hundreds for us, it has been crucial knocks. He made one in Sri Lanka which is very very memorable. As a matter of fact, the way he played in the IPL, it's just an extension. Everybody wants Rahul to do well, which is a big tick for him.

I've nicknamed him batting machine. He keeps batting all the time and it's not a surprise that he's made runs and I'm very happy for him.

How do you carry on from good start?

I don't want to read too much into that fact. It's obviously put the team in a great position and a first day five wicket haul is something you should cherish. But I think I've done it a few times before and I'm pretty pleased at having achieved it again.

For starters, whenever I have started a tour or a series, my initial intention is to get a five-wicket haul. Like a batsman wants to go out there to get hundred, my intention is to get a five-wicket haul. Once I get that momentum, I try and capitalize on it through the tournament. I don't turn back. Once I pick up a couple of wickets, I'm looking always to hit the five-wicket mark. It's sort of psychological thing. It's sort of a hunger for me, nothing else.

Bowling as a unit and second day plans?

I think this wicket is very different to the one in Antigua. Antigua, I thought, had a lot more carry and bounce in it. I'm pretty surprised with how the wicket has behaved later on in the first day. It's started to slow down and it's starting to take a little more spin than it did in the morning. The way Pujara and Rahul batted, I think we just have to mount up more runs tomorrow. And if we get an opportunity to get more runs tomorrow, we just put your head down and try and make runs and probably look at the third day about what we can deliver with the ball.

Having said that, the fast bowlers have utilized the new ball really well. Today, Ishant broke twice, the other day Shami broke with the new ball. That's very important from a spinner's perspective and a team's point of view.

His dual role in the team..

In the past, and also from experiences and other people talking from the commentary box and the media people talking, there's one thing that's very clear in my career, that if you get wickets, it just makes your job easier to make runs. Especially if you're batting lower down the order. And vice-versa, if you make runs it just pulls a little bit pressure off you and you go out there and you enjoy your bowling and you take wickets. But, as of now, where I stand, I've got both my departments clearly demarked. I know what fetches results in which departments. Maybe the methodogies could differ, and it might work or might not, but I've definitely have kept it demarked so that I have process goal, and if I stick to it I have a better chance at succeeding.

West Indies batting..

I was pretty surprised that they won the toss and batted first today. Like Virat mentioned at the toss, there was a bit in it, it was a bit sticky. Maybe I would've batted as well. But with their strengths, I thought it was a bit surprising. They lost three wickets up front.

I was really taken aback by the counter attack that Blackwood did. It sort of put the game in the balance. And we had to break twice and brought the game back. It's clearly a game where the experienced side is seizing the more opportune moments, I would put it that way. With a little bit of experience and nailing the right moments, the game could get closer.

This game has a lot of uncertainties. We just saw one when Sri Lanka pulled it off against Australia. And they did the same against us in Galle, so we can't be lacklustre with that, we will have to keep doing our process properly.

Harder to deal with defensive batsmen or attacking ones?

I think a combination of both in a batting line up makes it difficult for a bowling line-up. It's not just one way of batting that will put pressure. Because at the end of the day, you've got a variety of bowlers who like and fancy themselves against a style of batting. So a combination in a batting line-up is very very important.

That's what they struck this morning - Samuels and Blackwood. It was a good partnership, and I thought the game plan at that particular time was bang-on. They took the game to us, and it was very important we broke, that makes me extra happy for what we did.

Statistical highlights: Ashwin the third-quickest to 18 fifers

R Ashwin picked up his 18th five-wicket haul © Cricaction

India's domination over West Indies extended into the first day of the second Test match at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica. West Indies were bundled out for 196 in 52.3 overs with only Jermaine Blackwood making a noteworthy contribution with 62 off 62 deliveries. R Ashwin once again proved to be the tormentor for West Indies as the off spinner claimed his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests. An opening stand of 87 between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul ensured that India were strongly placed at the end of the opening day's play.

Statistical highlights of day one of the second Test:

16.34 Average opening partnership for West Indies since the start of 2015, the lowest for any team with at least three stands. At home, they average even worse at 11.30 from 13 innings.

3 West Indies' number three batsmen getting dismissed for a golden duck against India - Alvin Kallicharan in Kolkata in 1974, Ramnaresh Sarwan in Gros islet in 2006 and Darren Bravo in this Test match.

7 Second-lowest score for which West Indies lost their first three wickets against India. The only lower score was when they lost the first three for just one run on the board in Port of Spain in 1983.

46 Runs scored in boundaries by Jermaine Blackwood when he reached his fifty (54). It is the joint second-most runs scored in boundaries for West Indies when the batsman crossed fifty.

4 Instances of the fourth-wicket pair putting up fifty or more for West Indies after losing the first three inside ten runs. The last such instance came when Brian Lara and Carl Hooper put together 124 against Australia in Bridgetown in 1995.

100 Strike rate for Jermaine Blackwood in this innings. It is the fourth-highest for West Indies against India where a batsman has scored at least 50 runs. The last time a West Indian batsman scored at a Strike Rate of 100 or more against India was in 1988 in Chennai, when Gus Logie scored 67 off 62 balls.

6 Number of times Marlon Samuels has been dismissed by R Ashwin in Tests. He has scored 68 runs off 127 balls against Ashwin. Only Muttiah Muralitharan has dismissed him more often in Tests - seven times. It is also the joint second-most Ashwin has dismissed someone in Tests, after Ed Cowan (7) and David Warner (6).

18 Five-wicket hauls for Ashwin after 33 Tests and one innings. Only Sydney Barnes (24) and Waqar Younis (31) have taken fewer Tests to take 18 five-fors.

24* by Miguel Cummins is the fourth-highest individual score for a West Indies number ten on debut. The highest is 45 by Denis Atkinson against India in Delhi in 1948.

52.3 overs batted by West Indies is the lowest they batted in the first innings of a Test against India after winning the toss. Their total of 196 is their fourth-lowest first-innings total against India in Tests.

Fewest overs batted by West Indies vs India after opting to bat

Overs	Score	Inns	Venue	Start Date
52.3	196	1	Kingston	30-Jul-16
72.5	214	1	Port of Spain	6-Mar-71
72.5	228	1	Chennai	12-Jan-79
73.5	190	2	Bridgetown	28-Jun-11
76.2	253	1	Kingston	13-Apr-62
77.5	245	2	Port of Spain	19-Apr-02
78	234	1	Kolkata	6-Nov-13
79.3	167	1	Chennai	17-Oct-02

196 is the third lowest first innings total for West Indies against India after winning the toss. The 167 in Chennai in 2002 and 190 in Bridgetown in 2011 are the other totals.

87-run partnership between Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul is the first fifty-plus stand for the first wicket for India in West Indies in the last ten innings. Their scores in this period read - 1, 1, 15, 0, 1, 26, 13, 0 and 14. The four stands prior to the beginning of this poor run read 72, 159, 61 and 109.

75* by KL Rahul is the third-highest for an Indian opener in his first innings in West Indies. Ajay Jadeja's 96 in St John's in 1997 and 84 by Shikhar Dhawan in the previous Test are the higher scores.

Where is the West Indies team really headed?

For a team bereft of confidence and match-changing performances, they have to draw inspiration from someplace © Cricaction

Ahead of the opening Test in Antigua, Phil Simmons towered over the gathered Indian journalists at the Andy Roberts end and said, in no uncertain terms, that he was not building a team for the future. This team and series will be about the results, he stressed, adding that building a team for the future indicated that they are not looking to win their games.

The very next day, West Indies captain, Jason Holder said to the same journalists that the team is a young one and that you cannot expect 'leaps and bounds'.

West Indies lost the first Test by an innings and 92 runs inside four days on a pitch that was near-perfect for batting.

A few days later, Marlon Samuels, the most experienced player in the West Indies line-up, once again underlined that saying 'We're a young team' was like trying to find excuses for not winning.

The next day, Jason Holder, addressing the press, said, "For us, it's just about getting accustomed to international cricket, familiarizing ourselves with the conditions and putting out some good performances."

The good performances were conspicuous by their absence, as West Indies were bowled out for 196 inside two sessions after opting to bat in Jamaica.

So what really do the West Indies hope to gain from this series? They have a young side, sure, but there haven't been any great performances of note. They haven't come close to winning for any part of the series thus far. The motivation to win seems nowhere in sight.

For a team bereft of confidence and match-changing performances, they have to draw inspiration from someplace.

It can come from the most uncommon of places.

In 1976, Tony Grieg's 'grovel' comments inspired the team to go all-out against the England side. They won the five-Test series 3-0, in England. Just a few months earlier, Darren Sammy had rallied his troops by saying it was 'them against the world'. They beat the world en route to their second World T20 title. Mark Nicholas's 'out of brains' comment had helped the team get together better and beat the odds.

They can pick up the confidence from their T20, Women's and under-19 teams, too. None of the teams was given a chance, but all three teams showed how good they can be. By the end of April, West Indies were World T20 champions, Women's World T20 Champions and under-19 World Champions.

The underdog narrative has worked brilliantly for the team, and it is perhaps something the Test team can take a leaf out of. Accepting reality now would mean for them to understand that they are not the team they were, and that any win would come as a massive upset.

In football, the likes of Italy (2006), Borussia Dortmund, Montpellier and most recently, Leicester City, have shown how playing the underdog has worked to their advantage. The teams take pride in beating the more-fancied, more-esteemed favourites and have eventually gone on to prove that they are better than the rest.

Maybe an approach where they take pride in challenging and winning against top opposition could provide them with the impetus to try and push themselves further.

Less than one year ago, Dinesh Chandimal scripted an epic knock against the Indians at Galle. This week in Pallekele, Mendis slammed a stunning hundred and helped Sri Lanka pull off another stunning win against Australia. Much like the West Indies, Sri Lanka are struggling to compete like they once did. But the brilliant individual knocks have helped them realize that they are only one great performance away from winning against the best.

Could a revival be sparked from such a performance? Maybe a revival is a little out of the league now, but it would definitely be a step in the right direction. West Indies would need one of their players to put his hand up and show the team what one knock or spell can do. When they have a win under their belts, the equation will definitely change.

In sport these days, there is no bigger motivation than money. The current West Indies stalwarts are all playing T20 cricket around the globe because the money is better and their performances are much more appreciated.

Manchester City's players were reportedly handed a massive incentive (more than seven million Pounds) if they could win the Premier League in 2011-12. The team almost lost the plot, but managed to cling on by the skin of their teeth. Maybe it was the money that helped them push through. The West Indies Cricket Board could very well be hard pressed for money, but big incentives for wins against big teams could well be the way for a team struggling to win.

Top teams will always find a way to draw inspiration from someplace. But West Indies are far from a top team, and they will need all the help they can get. It could come from a young tyro who's keen on making a mark, or an experienced campaigner who wants to show how it is done, or the board which wants to ensure things are shaken up, or the team itself wanting to stop embarrassing itself. What's more important is that it comes from someplace and that it makes the difference.

Building for the future might have a positive ring to it, but what is building for the future, if you're not winning? What's the use of players becoming established ones if the team is hardly developing? Does the West Indies Test team really have a future?

Ashwin stars in another day of Indian domination

Ashwin got his 18th five-wicket haul in Tests © Cricaction

The series was crying out for a good performance from the West Indies. They were thoroughly outplayed in Antigua, and needed a solid start at Jamaica to show they were no pushovers.

On a pitch that had a bit of juice for the bowlers, and boasting of three raw and quick pacers in their squad, the hosts were well placed to make their fightback.

When they won the toss early on Saturday (July 30), it seemed a more even contest would unfold. Jason Holder, surprisingly, opted to bat first and two sessions later, his side was bowled out for 196. R Ashwin was the destroyer in chief, picking up his 18th five-wicket haul. With the bat, India continued their dominance and ended the day at a commanding 126/1.

Having opted to bat first, West Indies suffered a terrible collapse to be struggling at seven for three. Two Jamaicans, however, stemmed the rot with a fine partnership that saw everything from dogged defence to massive sixes. Jermaine Blackwood was the main architect of the resurrection, slamming a quick-fire half century to lift his side out of trouble, while Marlon Samuels overcame a nervy start, taking 30 balls to open his account, and stood firm at the other end.

The opening session was dominated by the Indian bowlers, and sight-screen issues that stopped play as many as three times during the first 20 minutes. Ishant Sharma found the right line and length on a pitch that offered the bowlers some help, while Mohammad Shami pegged away at the other end.

Ishant eventually surprised Kraigg Brathwaite with a short delivery, and the batsman gloved the ball to Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg. Darren Bravo was undone by a superb delivery first up - a good length delivery that caught the left-hander in two minds. His half prod resulted in a thick edge, and Virat Kohli pounced a superb catch diving to his right.

Two became three soon after as Rajendra Chandrika edged Mohammad Shami to KL Rahul at third slip.

Virat Kohli continued with the opening bowlers for the first hour, and the ploy backfired as Blackwood slammed Ishant Sharma for two fours and a six just before the first drinks break. Blackwood got to his fifty not long after, taking full advantage of a pitched up Amit Mishra delivery and slamming it over the ropes. It was a timely knock for the right-hander, who bagged a pair in the previous Test, and was favourite for the drop prior to the game.

He could not, however, convert his start to a big knock and was out LBW to Ashwin on the stroke of Lunch.

In the second session, Ashwin came into his own, picking up four wickets and completing another five-wicket haul. There was stop-start beginning to this session with rain making an appearance. Soon after play resumed, India got the danger-man Marlon Samuels out for 37. One ball prior to the dismissal, the right-hander had slammed Ashwin over the head for six. But the off-spinner tossed the next ball up further, inviting Samuels to do an encore. Samuels took the bait, but only managed to inside-edge the ball to Rahul at forward short leg.

Shane Dowrich fell soon after, becoming Ashwin's third victim, feathering an edge through to the keeper. Shami ended Roston Chase's vigil by getting the right-hander to edge through to first slip.

Ashwin went on to pick up his second five-wicket haul in as many innings as he had Devendra Bishoo and Jason Holder out in quick succession. While Bishoo perished to a top-edge while trying the sweep, Holder was out in similar fashion to Samuels.

Shannon Gabriel and Miguel Cummins added some entertainment towards the end with a quick-fire, slog-studded 38-run stand before Mishra got Gabriel out caught for 15.

In reply, India got off to a solid start. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan got the team off to the perfect start by putting on a 50-run stand for the first wicket.

Rahul got things underway with a neat straight drive off Gabriel, but found himself in a spot when the bowler pitched it short. Miguel Cummins from the other end looked sharp, too, as West Indies pressed for an early wicket.

The opening pair saw off the initial burst safely and started to impose themselves on the bowlers. Rahul was the more assertive of the duo, scoring boundaries consistently. Dhawan was more circumspect but hardly missed out on any scoring opportunity. The pair was also very good with their running between the wickets, dropping the ball into empty spaces and haring across to get off strike.

Rahul was offered a reprieve on 46 when Darren Bravo dropped a chance at mid-wicket off Roston Chase. He brought up his fifty in the next over, slamming Bishoo to the leg side for four.

With the West Indies spinners bowling, Rahul and Dhawan looked to attack them. The ploy backfired as Dhawan was out caught off Chase for 27.

Rahul and Pujara saw off the remaining overs with an unbeaten 39-run stand as India ended the day at 125/1.

Mathews praises Mendis and spinners for comeback win

After a prolonged lean patch, the Sri Lankan skipper dedicated the victory to the cricket fans in the country. © Cricaction

Angelo Mathews, the Sri Lankan skipper, heaped praise on Kusal Mendis and Rangana Herath following his side's remarkable victory over Australia in the first Test on Saturday (July 30). Mendis struck 176 off 254 balls in Sri Lanka's second innings on a surface where the next best score was Steven Smith's 55 during Australia's failed chase. The whirlwind knock from the 21-year-old put the visitors on the backfoot despite them gaining a first innings lead of 86.

Mathews admitted that he hadn't heard a lot about Mendis before he was picked to make his Test debut late last year. "The selectors said he was really good, but I hadn't seen him much to be honest," Mathews said. "Once we went to New Zealand, I thought Kusal was pretty special as well. The way he handled himself at the top of the order - it was a couple of tough tours for him as well in New Zealand and England, where it was seaming around."

The fact that Mendis delivered in his first Test match, against an opponent whom Sri Lanka had beaten only once prior to this win, delighted Mathews. "You don't always have to have a lot of experience," he said. "There can be exceptional players like him who can walk into the international scene and start performing. Especially playing his first Test against Australia and their very good attack, Mendis showed a lot of class and a lot of temperament.

"It was not easy to bat on that wicket. It was turning rapidly and their bowlers were bowling well and fast as well. The way he played, he made it look so easy. Most of us were struggling to get runs. The way he batted, I'm very excited for the future."

The skipper was also pleased with the efforts of his spinners Rangana Herath and debutant Lakshan Sandakan. While Herath picked up nine wickets in the game, Sandakan endured a dream debut by picking up seven.

"When Rangana is bowling, he is attacking but he also contains," Mathews said. "We needed someone like Sandakan. Unfortunately, Dilruwan didn't bowl that well in the game, and I'm sure he'll come back strongly. But it was very pleasing to see Sandakan bowling his googlies, and also the batsmen were finding it very tough on this wicket. He will take the confidence of this performance forward."

The skipper admitted that his team badly needed a win after a dry spell over the last few months and went on to dedicate the victory to the fans. He also insisted that the team never lost hope despite the recent run of poor results and praised the youngsters for their inputs.

"After a rough, tough six to eight months, we needed that victory," Mathews said. "In that time, there was a situation where fans were turning away from us. As cricketers we feel that, because when we play well, everyone loves you. Even when you lose they may love you, but they are also disappointed. The best thing was to win this match for the fans.

"It's a great win for those who stayed with us, and we thank them because that support means a lot. In the past six months, we as a team got a lot of stick. But that's part and parcel of the game. When we do well we get praised. When we do badly we get a bit of stick. I think we as players need to understand that.

"The atmosphere in dressing room has changed a lot. Even though we lost in the recent past, we've not given up. We always had hopes. We always helped each other. Every team goes through this transition period, and once you click, you can go a long way. That's what we believed. We kept helping the youngsters and even the youngsters threw in their ideas. It was a collective effort from the whole team." he concluded.

BCCI calls for working committee meeting on August 2

Anurag Thakur is set to discuss the implementation recommendations with the Lodha panel © Cricaction

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has called for an emergency meeting of its working committee on August 2 in Mumbai, ahead of their Annual General Meeting in Delhi on August 5, in order to discuss the Supreme Court's order on implementing the Lodha panel's recommendations and India's proposed Twenty20 International series against West Indies in USA next. The court last week called for major changes in the structure and administration of the board and its affiliated state associations. BCCI was also given a six month deadline to implement the changes. The major issues surrounding the implementations are expected to be discussed during the SGM so that the concerns can be conveyed to the committee by the president and secretary.

A two-member bench of India's apex court, in its landmark July 18 verdict, ratified major changes in the structure and administration of BCCI and its affiliated state associations. The board was also given a six-month deadline to implement the changes. The major issues surrounding the implementations are expected to be discussed during the SGM so that the concerns can be conveyed to the committee by the president and secretary, who will then appear before the Lodha panel on August 9 to discuss the next steps of the implementation recommendation.

"A working committee meeting has been convened in Mumbai on August 2 to discuss the Supreme Court verdict on Justice Lodha Committee's reforms in the board," BCCI sources told PTI on Saturday (July 30). "It will also discuss the two-match T20 series between India and West Indies proposed to be held in Florida, USA after the conclusion of the current tour of West Indies by the Indian team."

The incumbent top brass of the board will also use the working committee meeting to discuss the feasibility of the proposed three-match Twenty20 International series against West Indies in Florida after the culmination of the Test series. BCCI is understood to be looking to finalise the final logistical details of the tour before giving their confirmation to the West Indies Cricket Board officials.

Sydney Thunder confirm Harmanpreet Kaur signing

Harmanpreet confirmed that she had three offers on the table and opted to sign for the defending champions © Cricaction

Harmanpreet Kaur will become the first Indian cricketer to join a Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) franchise, as defending champions Sydney Thunder confirmed the signing of the national team vice-captain on Sunday (July 31). After Board of Control for Cricket in India's landmark decision to allow its female cricketers to participate in foreign leagues came about early last month, Harmanpreet had confirmed back then to cricaction about picking the Thunder over two other franchise offers, and awaiting a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Indian board. 

Kaur will add a new dimension to the WBBL which enjoyed a successful opening edition last summer. The 27-year old has played 118 times for India across all formats, making her a highly-coveted commodity.

"I have watched clips online because this tournament is a huge platform for all women cricketers all around the world," she told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday (July 31). "I hope there will be a huge push for women's cricket in India after this. When an Indian cricketer is going to play in foreign leagues, there would definitely be an increase in support for women's cricket in India."

The all-rounder said she was excited to play alongside Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell and to be around the Thunder's franchise. "Playing with the best players against the best players is always a great feeling," Kaur said. "I would definitely learn a lot of things from them all. I have always respected them, watching them playing."

Nick Cummins, Sydney Thunder general manager, believed the participation of Indian players will be a boon for the WBBL. "We are delighted to secure a player of the calibre of Harmanpreet," he said. "She was on the top of our target list, and we are very pleased that the BCCI has released her to play in Australia."

Sydney Thunder will begin their title defence against Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval on December 10, which will be broadcast in prime time on Australian free-to-air television for the first time. 

Ben Stokes: England all-rounder to miss third Test against Pakistan with calf injury

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been ruled out of next week's third Test against Pakistan with a calf injury.

The 25-year-old was injured while bowling on day four of the second Test at Old Trafford, which England won by 330 runs to level the series at 1-1.

The Durham player will have further tests next week to determine the severity of the injury.

Seamer Jake Ball is in a 13-man squad for the third Test, with paceman Steven Finn and leg-spinner Adil Rashid.

This is Stokes' third notable injury in the past nine months. He damaged his shoulder in the third Test against Pakistan last October, and consequently missed the four-match one-day international series and three-match T20 series.

The all-rounder then injured his knee in the first Test against Sri Lanka in May, which resulted in a month on the sidelines.

Stokes made his competitive return in a T20 Blast fixture for Durham on 24 June and played five T20s and two first-class games, but was left out of England's squad for the first Test against Pakistan, which the visitors won by 75 runs.

He is walking unaided, but England will wait until next week to make an assessment.

England's 13-man squad for the third Test against Pakistan: Alastair Cook, Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Jake Ball, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, Alex Hales, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA TESTS Border laments Smith 'brain explosion'

Former skipper shocked by second-over stumping after current captain charged at first ball from the slow bowlers

  

Steve Smith's dismissal in the first Test left former captain Allan Border less than impressed with the current skipper’s approach on the second morning against Sri Lanka.

Having resumed at 2-66 at the Pallekele Stadium, Smith took two off the first over from seamer Nuwan Pradeep before facing up to his first ball from veteran left-arm spinner Rangana Herath with Australia still 48 runs in arrears.

A noted player of spin, Smith opted to charge down the wicket at Herath, but his powerful swing connected with nothing but air, leaving the skipper looking ungainly as Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal completed the easiest of stumpings.

As Smith slammed his bat into the turf in self-admonishment as he started the long walk back to the dressing room, Border took up the refrain for the host broadcaster, Ten Sports.

"Well this is a brain explosion from Steven Smith," Border said. "He has been using his feet very well but most of the time he's been very structured in the way's he played.

"But that's just a wild hack at the ball.

"That's a No.11's slog from a world-class player like Steven Smith."

Famous for his gritty determination and digging in to steer his side out of trouble on numerous occasions during a turbulent period for Australian cricket, Border was seemingly non-plussed.

The man who replaced Smith at the crease, Western Australian veteran Adam Voges, narrowly survived his first ball from Herath, an lbw shout that while clipping the leg stump, was an umpire's call of the marginal kind that would be unaffected by theimpending October changes to the DRS system.

SIMMONS PROMISES TEAM WILL BOUNCE BACK

West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons is positive that the team can bounce back from the innings and 92-run defeat in the opening Test match against India.

Both teams arrived in the island yesterday afternoon ahead of the second encounter of the four-Test series, scheduled for July 30 to August 3.

With the result of the first game still fresh on their minds, Simmonds acknowledged that the team “did not play well”, but was quick to add that they are not disheartened.

The slated five-day contest in North Sound, Antigua, ended on the fourth day after the West Indies, replying to India’s first-innings total of 566 declared, slumped to 243 and 231 after being asked to follow on.

“You can’t be demoralised with one Test out of four [because] there are still three Test matches to go,” he told journalists shortly after arriving at the Norman Manley International Airport.

He added: “We know we didn’t play well and I think that is the good thing about it. If we had played well and we got beaten like that, then something [would be] wrong. So, we didn’t play well and we just have to make sure that we hit our straps when we are here.

“You don’t look for excuses, you look for reasons why you do things wrong and the reason is that we didn’t bowl well and we didn’t bat well. So we have to do both of them well and we can’t ask for anything else.”

Simmons pointed out that the youthfulness of the squad, which possesses batsman Marlon Samuels as the most experienced in the line-up, is no excuse.

He argued that if the players were not talented enough “they wouldn’t be playing for the West Indies”.

“We can’t make any excuse about [a] youthful team. If you are there [in the team] you need to bat and you need to bowl, so we just didn’t bowl well and we didn’t put on enough partnerships when we batted. So it is a case of having to make sure that we do everything that matters in this match to make the series even,” he reasoned.

Simmons, when quizzed about the quality of the side fielding only one outright fast bowler in Shannon Gabriel, skilfully dodged the bouncer by responding: “You are going down the wrong line.”

He added: “Right now, all I can tell you is that this is what we have and we need to make use of what we have and perform. We have to work hard on what we didn’t do well. If we do things well then we can say it’s the best we have, but we have to do things well first. We need to play well and then we will see where we are as a unit,” he ended.

West Indies squad: Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Marlon Samuels, Leon Johnson, Miguel Cummins