The Hundred: David Payne looks to turn around Welsh Fire's fortunes
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T20 Blast 2022 | Yorkshire rout Nottinghamshire despite Dan Christian's finishing fury
The Hundred: Jake Ball ruled out of the tournament with back injury
Welsh Fire’s Jake Ball has been ruled out of the on-going The Hundred tournament with a back injury. The Welsh team was without the services of three key players, Liam Plunkett (injured), Lungi Ngidi (personal reasons) and Jonny Bairstow (national duty). Ball will now be replaced by Luke Fletcher in the squad, who will be available for selection against Trent Rockets on Friday. The fast bowler has been suffering from back injuries for over three years now. He had limped off during Fire's match against Manchester Originals on Saturday while missed out on playing the fixture against Oval Invincibles. The right-handed bowler has played three matches for Fire and has managed to pick a couple of wickets during the course. Fletcher was picked up by Trent Rockets in the October 2019 draft for £30,000 but he was later released ahead of the 2021 re-draft. Fire will now take on Trent Rockets on Friday in Cardiff. They are presently sitting at the seventh position in the points table. They have won two matches while have suffered defeats in two in the four matches that they have played. Rockets on the other side, have played four matches and have won three.
England announce ODI squad for India series; Jofra Archer to miss early part of IPL 2021
England have named a 14-men squad for the three-match ODI series against India starting March 23 in Pune. Three more players namely Jack Ball, Dawid Malan and Chris Jordan who were part of the squad for the T20 series concluded yesterday will also travel with the team. As the skipper Eoin Morgan had hinted yesterday that Jofra Archer’s injury has become too worse for him to be playing, the pacer has been excluded from the ODI series and will return to the UK for ‘investigation and management of his right elbow. “Archer's elbow issue has deteriorated over the course of the Twenty20 International series and made it increasingly challenging for him to maintain performance levels. He has been deemed unfit for selection for the ODI series that features matches on 23, 26 and 28 March.,” ECB said in its squad-announcing statement. The ECB gave a detailed explanation that Archer will return only after an assessment by the medical team and hence he will miss the initial stage of the Indian Premier League starting April 09. England Men’s ODI Squad Eoin Morgan(captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Liam Livingstone, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, Mark Wood. Backups: Jake Ball, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan.
BBL 10 Match Preview: Resurgent Scorchers take on top of the table Sixers
Perth Scorchers have just managed to avoid being at the bottom of the Big Bash League (BBL) table at this stage of the tournament. And for that, they have to thank the miserable performance of Melbourne Renegades than anything else. Now, they go into their next match with the uphill task of facing the table-toppers, as of now, Sydney Sixers. The Sixers are ruling the roost at the moment because of a balanced side and good performances from their players, regardless of their profile. The Sydney-based side is a prime example of substance over style as they don’t have that many big stars in their ranks but still, have managed to make an impression thanks to the contributions of several players. Scorchers Need More Relief The Scorchers were also in a rut like Renegades until their last two games where things finally started to fall in place. Also, they are now playing on their home soil, which is a bigger advantage for this team than any other due to the unique nature of the Perth surface. They have also been boosted hugely by the arrival of Jason Roy. His contribution to England’s World Cup-winning campaign is a testament to the impact he can make. With Scorchers too, he has brought about a turnaround, and it’s not entirely a co-incidence. A good start is extremely crucial for a T20 team and Roy’s performances in his first two matches have been commendable. He is also receiving good support from the middle order. Colin Munro has finally found form and Mitchell Marsh is too hitting the ball well. Captain Ashton Turner has been striking the ball cleanly too in recent games. In the bowling department, the fact that Fawad Ahmed got good figures in the last game would be a huge relief. Granted, he bowled mostly at the tailenders, still, wickets and tight overs will help his confidence. The four-pronged pace attack of Jason Behrendorff, Andrew Tye, Jhye Richardson, and Aaron Hardie will get more help from the pitch at Optus Stadium. Hardie, especially, has provided great support to the frontline bowlers. Sixers Hitting it out of the Park While Scorchers are looking better, they will face an in-form Sixers with the flow of form behind them. The batting line up of the table-toppers is getting better and better. The opening combine of Josh Phillippe and Jack Edwards are providing decent starts, though not spectacular, and the middle order is building on the foundation laid by them. The likes of Jordan Silk, Daniel Hughes, and James Vince are highly-capable batsmen. They have all contributed to the team’s efforts so far in this season. Daniel Christian and Carlos Brathwaite provide great firepower down the order, though the former hasn’t been very successful with the ball. There is some concern though, in the bowling department. With Jason Holder gone, there is a danger of a weak link there. Despite not having a high-profile spinner in their line-up, the Sixers have managed to restrict other sides. Ben Manenti has done a laudable job for his team and Steve O’Keefe can be useful if he comes in. The new arrival Jake Ball is yet to get going. A lot is riding on his form. His performance will be watched closely. Ben Dwarshuis has been leading the attack and he will need Ball to provide assistance on the Perth wicket. Scorchers vs Sixers: Match Details Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth Date and Time: January 6, 1:45 PM IST, 4:15 PM Local, 8:15 GMT Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The pitch at Optus Stadium shares many of the characteristics of the famed WACA. There is ample bounce for the seamers. But this bounce can also turn against the pacers if they err in length. The batsmen can use this bounce to clear the boundaries, something the likes of Mitchell Marsh are very good at. Weather and Toss Perth is known for its hot weather in the summer and the heat would be on during this match as well. Due to the early start, players will have to bear the high temperatures before the evening brings some respite. Batting first may be an ideal choice. Probable XIs Scorchers: Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Josh Inglis (Wk), Colin Munro, Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (C), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed Sixers: Josh Phillippe (Wk), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes (C), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Benjamin Manenti, Jake Ball, Steve O’Keefe
Heat look to regain momentum on home soil against high-flying Sixers
Brisbane Heat would be looking to get back to winning ways after falling short by a solitary run against the Hobart Hurricanes in their year ending clash. In the new year though, they would like to move on, make use of the home conditions and crush probably the best team in the league-Sydney Sixers. On the other hand, Sixers, with four wins in a row would look to maximize on their form and the form of their star players like Josh Philippe and Daniel Hughes. Now that Holder is not available, the two other all-rounders in Carlos Brathwaite and Dan Christian would have to pull up their socks and fill in for him. Denly and Burns to turn the tides for Heat The Brisbane team has looked a depleted side much due to the pullouts from the likes of Tom Banton. Also Chris Lynn the captain has not been able to play in the last two games and won’t be available for this one either. Morne Morkel has so far been missing the action, even after being a local player now. It is due to these problems that the inclusion of experienced guys like Joe Burns, who has been released from the Aussie Test squad, and Joe Denly, who is finally fit and raring to strike hard would give Heat some confidence ahead of the game. Along with this, they would be looking to get a fine balance among their foreign stars who can all bowl, especially Mujeeb Ur Rehaman and Lewis Gregory to get the team early and timely strikes. Mujeeb showed what he is capable of with the five for in the last game, while Gregory was at the top of his game in the match prior to that. Sixers won't mind another one Having won two fiercely close games against two Melbourne sides, the Sydney Sixers won’t mind winning another close one against the Heat. They have been buoyed by the comeback of Jackson Bird and the overseas replacement of Holder, T20 Blast’s highest wicket-taker Jake Ball. The England star will be looking to make an impact right with the word go. While these factors form part of an important consideration, what is even more noticeable is the fact that the Sixers have always found an unlikely hero in every game. They wouldn’t mind one in this game either and Bir or Ball could be that hero as well. Heat vs Sixers: Match Details Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane Date and Time: January 2, 02:45 PM IST, 07:15 PM Local, 09:15 AM GMT Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The pitch at Brisbane has been a bit on the slower side, helping spinners with grip and turn, and also those who are ready to get slowness off the surface with their cutters. This phenomenon is more seen in the second innings, although Gabba is considered to be one of the fastest squares in Australia. No team in the three matches played here so far, have been able to get past 150 in the first innings, and the chasing team, Heat all the three times have struggled to get to that total, losing twice with close margins ( by two runs vs Strikers and by one run vs Hurricanes) and winning one with a great seventh-wicket partnership. Hence expecting a high score game would be too much for tomorrow Weather and Bat Flip The weather in Brisbane would remain a bit chilly with partly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of rain. Even in the last BBL game at the Carrara in Brisbane, it had to be decided through Duckworth Lewis, hence teams winning the flip would look to field first. Heat Probable XI Joe Bruns, Sam Heazlett, Jack Wildermuth, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Jimmy Peirson(w/c), James Bazley, Simon Milenko, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Sixers Probable XI Josh Philippe(w), Jack Edwards, James Vince, Daniel Hughes(c), Jordan Silk, Daniel Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Ben Dwarshuis, Ben Manenti, Steve OKeefe, Jake Ball