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Andrew Flintoff has agreed a new three-year deal to play one-day cricket for Lancashire, ending speculation over his future in the county game

Cricinfo staff05-Nov-2009Andrew Flintoff has agreed a new three-year deal to play one-day cricket for Lancashire, ending speculation over his future in the county game after he opted to become a freelance player following the decision to turn down an ECB incremental deal.Flintoff is currently recovering from the knee surgery he underwent following the Ashes series in August and is aiming to return to action in the one-day series against Bangladesh at the end of February. After calling time on his Test career, Flintoff said that he wanted to become “the best one-day player in the world” and is also being linked with a number of Twenty20 sides around the world.This new contract will replace the rolling one-year deal that would have come into place after Flintoff declined the England offer and was due to expire in 2010 and takes him up until the end of the 2012 season. The deal doesn’t include first-class cricket but Flintoff may still make the occasional four-day appearance if Lancashire needed his assistance.”This contract will also give me the flexibility to play other forms of one-day cricket around the world, which hopefully help me develop as a player and in turn, help Lancashire and England,” he said. “I have felt part of Lancashire ever since I first played here as a schoolboy and I want to help them achieve success. I am looking forward to being around the Lancashire dressing room more now I have retired from Test cricket”I have enjoyed many highs with England over the years, but I have not had the same success with Lancashire and that is something I want to address. I have a good relationship with Peter Moores and Glen Chapple and hopefully I can be of help to them both on the pitch and in the dressing room.”Head coach Peter Moores believes that Flintoff’s presence in the squad will a huge lift for the side. “Fred is a proven match-winner, and the type of player that lifts a dressing room with his sheer enthusiasm and will to win. It’s great that he is going to be with us, and I’m sure our supporters will be just as thrilled with the news.”

Stokes says Archer is “very interested” in Test comeback after long absence

Vithushan Ehantharajah04-Dec-2024Jofra Archer’s future as a Test cricketer received a boost after his central contract was extended past the 2025-26 Ashes, with England’s captain Ben Stokes confident that Archer is “very interested” in returning to the format despite a recent tug-of-war with the ECB over his IPL availability.Archer, who has not played Test cricket since February 2021, is one of three England quicks to have had their central contracts updated through to October 2026. Brydon Carse, who took 10 wickets in the match in the first Test against New Zealand last week, and Matthew Potts have also had their deals increased by a year.Jacob Bethell, fresh from a maiden half-century on Test debut in Christchurch, has been upgraded to a two-year central contract from the development contract he was awarded just last month. It caps a remarkable rise for Bethell, who made his ODI and T20I debuts at the end of the 2024 English summer, and has since earned an INR 2.6 crore (£245,000 approx.) IPL deal with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.For Archer, who is 29, the additional year highlights what has been a promising return to regular action. Since bursting onto the international scene in the 2019 season with the World Cup and Ashes, his progress has been stunted by a series of injuries, including stress fractures of the elbow and back.Related

• Jacob Bethell holds No. 3 spot as England name unchanged side for second Test vs NZ

• Stokes skipped IPL auction to 'prolong' England career

• Archer back on England's fast track

• Archer added back to IPL auction list

The ECB have stuck by the fast bowler, and are working meticulously with Archer. This year has been a success on that front; Archer made 20 appearances across the white-ball formats, including all eight of England’s matches at the T20 World Cup, where he was his team’s joint-leading wicket-taker with 10 dismissals at 19.00.The board’s ambition is to have him primed for a key role in Test cricket next year, ahead of five Tests against India at home followed by the visit to Australia in the winter. His initial two-year deal was set to expire in October 2025.Speaking in Wellington ahead of England’s second Test against New Zealand, Stokes said that Archer’s ambition to return to the red-ball set-up remains strong. He has even put himself forward for their one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge starting on May 22, though he appears unlikely to be available.England’s updated contract list•ESPNcricinfo Ltd

“The excitement is understandable around Jofra,” Stokes said. “The best thing is he is back on the field playing. I am sure he might have thought he might not have the chance to put on an England shirt again and the injuries and surgeries he has gone through could have ended other people’s careers so there is no rushing back for anything for Jofra.”He is being handled very well by the ECB and that will certainly continue. But Jof is a man of few words, even over WhatsApp. I had one a couple of months ago saying ‘Zimbabwe?’. That shows he is very interested in playing Test cricket for England.”Talk of Zimbabwe is far-fetched given Archer will be out at the IPL with Rajasthan Royals, who forked out INR 12.5 crore (£1.2m approx.) for his services for the tournament which is set to run until May 25. Given Archer will not have played any recent red-ball cricket before then, he is unlikely to be selected.If the ECB were to pull Archer out ahead of time, he would incur a ban for the next two editions under the tournament’s new regulations. Those same regulations would have also banned Archer had he and his representatives not convinced the ECB to let him enter the mega auction. The governing body initially blocked his entry on the grounds they want to continue to manage his workloads before a late change.As such, the earliest Test Archer could play would be during the India series, which begins at Lord’s on June 20. Given a lack of first-class cricket – his last match in the format came for Sussex against Kent in May 2021 – it is unlikely to be that first Test.Archer in action for Sussex Second XI in May 2024•PA Photos/Getty Images

A round of County Championship matches starting on June 22 (Sussex travel to Durham) could allow him a tune up. He could also play the next one on June 29 (Sussex vs Warwickshire) to refamiliarise himself to the rigors of bowling multiple spells across multiple days. In the event of the latter, he could still play a part in the final three matches of that series, provided he comes out unscathed.”When the decision gets made between him and the people who make those decisions around players, I am sure there will be conversations that he will have to get some different loading,” Stokes said.”You can come back and play a one-day game and get two or three different spells. But in Test cricket you have to do that over a long period of time and then another day to back it up. There is no doubt he is going so well at the moment, it is a case of he will have to build the body up to handle the extra pressure of a Test match.”

There was no Pakistani fan or media presence for their opening game against Netherlands in Hyderabad

PTI07-Oct-2023The BCCI is working hard on procuring visas for the Pakistani journalists waiting to travel to India for the World Cup, the ICC said after the PCB expressed its disappointment again over the delay in visa clearance for Pakistani fans and media.Around 60 Pakistani journalists are expected to make the trip for the World Cup. Pakistan had plenty of local support for their World Cup opener against Netherlands in Hyderabad on Friday but no member of their media contingent or fan was present.Karachi-born Mohammad Bashir, who is a US citizen, was seen rooting for Pakistan in the stands.”This (visa) is an obligation of our host (BCCI) and they are working hard on it with our full support. Every effort is being made to get this sorted,” an ICC spokesperson told PTI.Related

• Rizwan at his jovial best after Pakistan beat Netherlands

• Pakistan go Saud to find middle-order fix

With a large number of fans expected to travel across the border, the PCB is hoping the visas will come through before the game between India and Pakistan in Ahmedabad on October 14.”We have been reminding ICC about their obligations and members’ agreement on issuing visas for fans and journalists for the last three years and continue to raise concerns with all relevant authorities,” a PCB spokesperson said. “PCB is disappointed to see that Pakistani journalists and fans are facing uncertainty about obtaining an Indian visa to cover Pakistan’s opening game in the ICC World Cup. We understand the significant role that journalists and passionate fans play in enhancing the spirit and atmosphere of sports events.”Their presence not only adds vibrancy to the stadium but also contributes to the global coverage and appreciation of the game. We hope to see their presence soon.”It is to be noted that a visa application from a Pakistan passport holder needs to be vetted by multiple Indian ministries including home, external affairs and sports as the country is on India’s prior reference category (PRC) list.

Umpires in A+ and A category will be paid Rs 40,000 a day for a first-class game

PTI22-Jul-2022ICC Elite Panel member Nitin Menon is among ten officials grouped in the newly introduced A+ category of BCCI umpires. The others there include four international umpires: Anil Chaudhary, Madangopal Jayaraman, Virender Sharma and KN Ananthapadmanabhan.Rohan Pandit, Nikhil Patwardhan, Sadashiv Iyer, Ulhas Gandhe and Navdeep Singh Sidhu are also part of the A+ category.Twenty umpires – including C Shamshuddin – form the A group, while 60 are in Group B, 46 in Group C, and 11 in Group D, which falls in the 60-65 age bracket. The complete list was tabled at the Apex Council meeting on Thursday following the work done by former international umpires K Hariharan, Sudhir Asnani and Amiesh Saheba, and members of BCCI umpires’ sub-committee.Umpires in A+ and A category will be paid Rs 40,000 a day for a first-class game, while Rs 30,000 a day are paid in the B and C category. Though the list was presented as “gradation of umpires”, a BCCI official clarified to PTI that the board has created groups.”It is not grading. There are groups, with A+ being the new category,” the official said. “A+ and A, one can say, form the cream of Indian umpires. Umpires in B and C category are also good.”When it comes to assigning duties across domestic events starting at the top with Ranji Trophy, preference will be given group wise. The grouping has been done after reviewing the performances of the 2021-2022 season.”The board has not added to its umpires’ list since 2018. With the threat of Covid-19 reducing, the BCCI has decided to conduct a full-fledged domestic season in 2022-23 after two years.It plans to organise as many as 1832 games across age groups in men and women’s cricket, a massive exercise.The standard of Indian umpires is often criticised in the highly-watched IPL. Only one Indian, Menon, is currently part of the ICC elite panel.Asked about more umpires graduating to the highest level, the BCCI official added: “We put too much emphasis on the elite panel. Only England has three umpires in the elite panel, Australia has two and rest only one. You can only have so much there.”The focus should be on improving standard of umpiring at all levels.”

Allrounder eyes chance to fufil one of his career ambitions and win a series in India

George Dobell22-Feb-2021England’s seamers have been “licking their lips” at the thought of using a pink ball under floodlights in Ahmedabad, according to Ben Stokes.While England succumbed to a defeat by 317 runs in a second Test dominated by the spinning ball, Stokes believes the third could be “a completely different game” with the seamers expected to play a larger role.Indeed, Stokes claims the seamers’ net session under lights on Sunday had to be abandoned after conditions became “really dangerous” and “a few guys actually got hit”. Partially as a consequence, he feels England have a “great chance” to fulfil one of his career ambitions and establish a series-defining position in the coming days.”Stuart Broad, Jimmy Anderson and Jofra Archer have been licking their lips, I can tell you,” Stokes told talkSPORT. “It’s a completely different game.”It was funny in training yesterday, when the lights came on, the nets actually got really dangerous. The bowlers had to stop bowling in the nets because we were actually worried that some of the batters were going to get injured because the ball started jumping off a length and a few guys actually got hit.”We had to take the bowlers out into the middle to finish their spells. Whether that’s going to be similar in the middle we’re not sure. But you can tell the difference when bowling with a red ball in the normal times you see Tests played to bowling with a pink ball when the lights are on.”While England’s experience may turn out to reveal more about the quality of pitches in the nets rather than anything about the pink ball, it does strengthen the suspicion that England may revert to an attack including only one spinner in this Test. If that were the case, it would probably mean Joe Root operating as a second spinner to Jack Leach with no recall for Dom Bess.Anderson looks certain to return with the new ball, with Archer also likely to be recalled having overcome a minor elbow injury. That means Chris Woakes, whose batting could be crucial as England seek to avoid a long tail, could be vying with Broad for the final spot in the side.Archer, who missed the second Test through injury, revealed in a separate interview that he had had a cortisone injection to help settle an elbow complaint, adding that he had been expecting to sit out that contest anyway on account of England’s rest and rotation policy.James Anderson will be ‘licking his lips’ to use the pink ball, says Stokes•BCCI

“I tried to use the best of the two-week window,” Archer said. “I could have played the second Test if needed but I was going to be rested anyway so I just tried to get the cortisone injection then so I would have enough time to rebuild for the third Test”It’s always nice to be in competition for a spot,” he added. “If I don’t get it that’s fine. I would much rather win the Test series than try to play lots of games.”Stokes also admitted he had been inspired to make improvements in his own game by his captain. Such was Root’s hunger for self-improvement that Stokes said he had rethought his own game-plans and become a more consistent player as a result.”I look at Rooty,” Stokes said. “He’s one of the best players in the world. I’m going to say it now: he is England’s greatest batsman to play the game.”But he’s still looking at ways to improve as a player and a captain. It’s amazing to watch someone with his skill doing that. Even as a senior player, I look up to how he’s always trying to improve. That’s what I do: I always try and evolve and try to work things out to become a better player. No one is ever the finished article. There’s always room for improvement with every player.”I got rid of the ‘this is how I play’ excuse massively – in terms of always looking to be aggressive or attacking – when I realised that was just an excuse for when failures happen.”Every now and then the ‘that’s how I play’ mind-set would work and pay off ,and I’d do some decent things. But not as consistently as I can now. I expect a lot more of myself these days compared to back then.Related

• Pink ball in hand, India and England prepare for series-defining battle

• Anderson doesn't expect reverse swing

• Ishant Sharma ahead of 100th Test: Winning WTC will be the same feeling as winning the World Cup

• Thorpe: 'Adapting to pink ball will be key'

“Once I got rid of that mind-set, I had more understanding of the game situation. I understood when I needed to change the way I play in terms of being a little bit more defensive because, in the long term, that could be better for the team.”So, [I understood that], if I stay in longer and survive the tough bits, then I can go up into fourth or fifth gear.”While winning the Ashes in Australia remains one of Stokes’ key ambitions, he feels winning in India would represent just as big an achievement. And, with the series poised at 1-1 and the prospect of a match in which seamers could play a prominent role ahead, he feels the next couple of weeks presents “a great chance” for England to secure a rare series victory in India.”As a cricketer, if you can retire having won an ICC event, the Ashes at home, the Ashes away and this tour, for me, is one of those: beating India in India, it would be amazing,” he said. “It would be amazing to stay I’ve been able to accomplish all those things.”I still need to tick off another two: Australia in Australia and India here. But we’ve a great chance to do that over the next couple of weeks.”To follow the action from India, download the talkSPORT app, re-tune your DAB radio, listen at talkSPORT.com or tell your smart speaker to ‘play talkSPORT 2’. Coverage starts at 8am with live play from 9am.

Captain impressed with debutants, who have ‘raised the bar’ for returning regulars

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Nov-2019England’s fringe players have “raised the benchmark” for those rested from the T20I series in New Zealand, according to captain Eoin Morgan.At least five first-choice players were rested from the T20 leg of the tour, with Jason Roy, Jos Buttler, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer all likely to be in England’s first-choice XI come the T20 World Cup in Australia next year.With Mark Wood, David Willey and Joe Root also missing out, there were opportunities for six debutants in the T20 series, as well as those who have been in and out of the national team over the past four years, like James Vince, Sam Billings and Dawid Malan.And Morgan said that the new faces in the side had created a selection headache ahead of the three-match series in South Africa in February.”It creates a really good headache for us when it comes to selection,” Morgan said.”We are further ahead than we thought and the guys on this tour who will probably miss out on South Africa have raised that benchmark for guys who come back in.”They are now almost expected to score runs and expected to do well because of opportunities given and taken by these guys.”Morgan had the opportunity to see one of those fringe players up close in the fourth T20I, when he shared a 182-run partnership with former Middlesex team-mate Dawid Malan.ALSO READ: Will England dare to leave Malan out again?Malan struck an unbeaten 103 off 51 balls, meaning he has passed fifty in six of his nine T20I innings. That knock took his average in the format to 57.25, but he came in for thinly-veiled criticism in Morgan’s post-match press conference for failing to attempt to steal a bye off the final ball of the innings.Malan had been at the non-striker’s end for the last ball of the 20th over in Napier – a bouncer which Sam Billings missed – but decided against scrambling through for a run with wicketkeeper Tim Seifert stood back.”I think giving guys that common goal and watching them strive towards it is the biggest indicator,” Morgan said. “If we get guys that are not running off the last ball of the game because they want to get a not out, there’s something to address.”The debutant who pressed his case best in the series was Sam Curran, who took six wickets and bowled with control across all three phases of the game, while chipping in with the bat in the rain-reduced game in Auckland.The three new faces with the ball – Pat Brown, Matt Parkinson and Saqib Mahmood – had a mixed time. Brown’s slower balls was punished in Wellington, where he conceded 32 in his two overs, but his economy rate overall (9.84) was only just over the average runs-per-over for the series (9.49).Parkinson took five wickets in his six overs, though conceded 61 runs, and would have hoped for more of an opportunity to prove himself. Mahmood had a chastening time, leaking 115 runs in 10 overs, though was England’s tightest bowler at Eden Park.And with the bat, Tom Banton showed flashes of brilliance in his top-order cameos, while Lewis Gregory faced 19 balls and bowled four overs across his five games.

From a tearaway fast bowler to motor racing, Mitchell Johnson can’t quite free himself from his addiction for speed

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Sep-2018Mitchell Johnson made his name as a tearaway fast bowler in cricket, but he’s gearing up for a different kind of speed now. Having retired from all forms of cricket in August this year, the 36-year old former Australia quick is set to make his motor racing debut this weekend at the Barbagello Raceway in a Formula 1000 series event.”I’ve always loved my cars, I’ve always had that passion,” Johnson told the . “For me it’s that release – it’s not quite the same as what I got with cricket but it’s a great adrenaline rush for me to get my mind off things. You’re going pretty quick, you’ve got so many technical things to think about – when you’re going to turn into the corner, braking, feeling the car. It’s been a great process – I’m starting to really enjoy it.”Johnson took a liking to motorsport following a charity event, and since then he underwent a training and development programme with Arise Racing, an outfit based in Perth that helped prepare him for the race he’ll be a part of this weekend. For Johnson, though, it’s not too different from the thrill of fast bowling, whether he’s bounding into his delivery stride, or at the other end facing it.”I faced Shoaib Akhtar when I was playing for Queensland,” he said. “He’s got this massive run-up – the first ball, I was sort of shaking there. His first ball, hit for four, it was a full toss and I ran past and said ‘please don’t hit me’. It was almost the same as the first time I was driving out here.”Johnson had retired from all international cricket following a Test series against New Zealand in 2015, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker among Australia fast bowlers in Test cricket. With 313 wickets in 73 Tests, he’s behind only Glenn McGrath (563 wickets) and Dennis Lillee (355). He was a crucial part of the devastating 5-0 Ashes whitewash Australia inflicted on England in 2013-14, when he took 37 wickets at a stellar average of 13.97 and was named Player of the Series.It seems like his days in the fast lane aren’t quite done yet.

Zimbabwe must now win both remaining matches, if they are to avoid a series defeat, but a newly inspired Sri Lanka top order stands in their way

The Preview by Andrew Fidel Fernando07-Jul-2017

Match Facts

July 8, 2017
Start time: 0945 local (0415GMT)Can Graeme Cremer tighten up things on Saturday?•Peter Della Penna

Big Picture

Who would want to be a limited-overs bowler? For so long, Sri Lanka had been the home of the lower-scoring ODI, but in the past week, two totals of more than 300 have been mowed down, which suggests the island’s tracks are also beginning to conform to a global trend. As with so many of the pitches during the recent Champions Trophy, two of the three pitches in this series have afforded virtually no seam movement, and no menacing turn.While the bowlers have been defanged – Zimbabwe especially having failed to take more than five wickets in any of the three innings so far – Sri Lanka’s batsmen appear to be in a good rhythm. Chief among them is Upul Tharanga, who, batting in an unfamiliar no. 4 position, has scored 198 runs in the series without having been dismissed. The openers have been in strapping form, and virtually everyone else in the top six has contributed a score as well.Zimbabwe must now win both remaining matches, if they are to avoid a series defeat, but a newly inspired Sri Lanka top order stands in their way. The key, for them, is the discipline in their spin bowling; on Thursday, the hosts’ openers were fed too many wayward deliveries in the middle overs, and found it too easy to work the ball around.Both sides’ catching is under the microscope too. On batting-friendly surfaces, wicket-taking opportunities are at a premium, and bowlers need their team-mates to convert every chance that comes their way.

Form guide

Sri Lanka WWLLW (completed matches, most recent first)
Zimbabwe LLWWL

In the spotlight

While Asela Gunaratne‘s batting has been required only once in the series, he has contributed nonetheless with the ball, breaking substantial stands in each match. His presence in the attack is vital. While Sri Lanka wean young spinners at the top level, Gunaratne has been sort of an insurance policy – a bowler to fall back on when the front-liners are having an off day. Where Lakshan Sandakan went for 73 runs on Thursday, for example, Gunaratne returned 2 for 53 from his 10 overs, and prevented Zimbabwe’s total from getting completely out of hand.Graeme Cremer came into the series with some form from the Scotland tour, and also the Pro50 at home, but is yet to make a substantial contribution in this series. Partly this is down to indiscipline. On Thursday, there were five wides down the leg side in his first over, and errors of length in most of his overs after that. As Imran Tahir has repeatedly proved this year – this Sri Lanka top order does not enjoy accurate legspin. If Cremer can tighten up his bowling, he could find himself among the wickets. It might also help if he could win a toss on occasion – by his own count, he has lost nine on the trot so far.Nuwan Kulasekara might replace Nuwan Pradeep in the fourth ODI•AFP

Team news

Nuwan Pradeep, who had left the field with a thigh strain on Thursday, has been ruled out of the rest of the series. This means a spot may be open for either Nuwan Kulasekara, or 19-year-old quick Asitha Fernando, who have been drafted into the squad.* Lahiru Kumara is the other seamer in the squad. Sri Lanka may want to keep the top order and the spin attack intact.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Upul Tharanga, 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Asela Gunaratne, 7 Wanidu Hasaranga, 8 Dushmantha Chameera, 9 Lakshan Sandakan, 10 Nuwan Kulasekara/Lahiru Kumara/Asitha Fernando, 11 Lasith MalingaRyan Burl had been unavailable for the third ODI after being briefly admitted to hospital, having unwittingly consumed food he was allergic to. Though he comes back into contention for this game, Zimbabwe may be tempted to stick with his replacement Tarisai Musakanda, who hit 48 from no. 3. Tendai Chatara had an indifferent outing in the last match, but as he remains Zimbabwe’s top wicket taker in the series, will likely retain his place. Carl Mumba may also get another run as the second seamer, having returned an economy rate of 5.68 in 6.2 overs.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Solomon Mire, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Tarisai Musakanda, 4 Craig Ervine, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Malcolm Waller, 6 Sikander Raza, 8 Peter Moor (wk), 9 Graeme Cremer (capt.), 10 Tendai Chatara, 11 Carl Mumba

Pitch and conditions

There is likely to be more of the crosswind that was seen on Thursday, though apparently there is also some chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. The pitch may not be quite as batting friendly, but is expected to have plenty of runs in it.

Stats and trivia

• Thursday’s century was the fifth of Hamilton Masakadza’s ODI career. He now sits at fourth on Zimbabwe’s century-makers’ list, behind Brendon Taylor (8), Alistair Campbell (7) and Grant Flower (6).
• Since his return to ODI cricket following a 19-month layoff, Lasith Malinga has taken five wickets at an average of 63.60, with an economy rate of 6.25
• If Sri Lanka win either of their remaining games, this will be the first ODI trophy they have won since November last year, when they beat Zimbabwe and West Indies in a tri-series.

Quotes

“There’s not much you can change in one day. We will take the positives and try and and restrict them.”
“What we need is consistency. We can lose one or two games, but if we bat well every day that’s great. Some days we don’t do well. If we want to improve we need to be consistent.”
*13.57 GMT, July 7: The story has been updated to reflect the inclusion of Nuwan Kulasekara in Sri Lanka’s squad.

Richard Levi’s 28-ball half-century helped Northamptonshire to a second consecutive win in the NatWest T20 Blast and the highest successful chase at Wantage Road

ECB Reporters Network27-May-2016
ScorecardRichard Levi thrashed 58 off 37 balls•Getty Images

Richard Levi’s 28-ball half-century helped Northamptonshire to a second consecutive win in the NatWest T20 Blast and the highest successful chase at Wantage Road. Levi’s 58 gave Northants a quick start and Steven Crook smacked 33 in 24 balls finished the job.Requiring close to ten an over, Northants kept pace with the chase throughout with Jobb Cobb making 35 in 23 balls and Ben Duckett 29 in 15 balls. Only legspinner Matt Critchley found any control for Derbyshire, with 2 for 19 from his three overs.Levi was in belligerent mood once again after an opening-round 61 against Leicestershire. His second scoring stroke was a six – the trademark clip off the legs – and he added three more maximums, including a sweet straight lofted drive off Shiv Thakor before the Powerplay was complete. The first six overs were worth a healthy 77 for 1.Cobb found form in two second XI T20s earlier in the week and here began with a classic straight-drive before clearing his front leg to smear Alex Hughes over midwicket and pulling another wide of long-on.Duckett got his “duck-scoop” away to begin the 15th over that yielded 18 runs to bring the equation back to 46 required in 30 balls. But after an outrageous reverse sweep that flew straight into the burger van for six, he tried the same stroke and top-edged to Thakor at backward point.Crook helped reduce the target to 16 from 12 balls and then smashed Jimmy Neesham over extra-cover for four. Just five were needed from the final over but Rory Kleinveldt was caught at long-on trying to finish the game in style, before Andy Carter yorked Rob Keogh to still leave a single needed from two balls. But a no-ball from a high full toss sealed Northamptonshire’s victory.It was a mighty chase – the highest for Northamptonshire in T20s – after Derbyshire posted 195 for 7. Buoyed by an opening-round victory at champions Lancashire, the visitors were sent in and raced off to a great start thanks to Wes Durston. He took Crook’s first over for 19 – two heaved pulls flew towards the short boundary and a slammed uppercut for six over point to the long side of the ground.He helped the visitors to 65 off the Powerplay – Hamish Rutherford falling to a catch at extra cover for 10 – but they lost Durston on the cusp of a half-century before skipping down to Seekkuge Prasanna and being stumped for 47.It ended a stand of 74 for the second wicket in just 36 balls. Chesney Hughes played his part with 46 in 29 balls, having begun with three boundaries, all of them off the edge of the bat: two flashing past slip and a top-edge that Adam Rossington couldn’t take behind the stumps.But having been 110 for 3 after 11 overs, Northants hauled back the Derbyshire innings with four wickets in 11 balls. Cobb, the stand-in captain, was taken for four, six, four in successive balls by Wayne Madsen before gaining his revenge by trapping Madsen lbw trying to sweep. Hughes then missed a straight delivery and was bowled middle stump to give Cobb a second wicket in the over.Ollie Stone returned to have Neesham caught at first slip and when Graeme White claimed a return catch from Thakor, 140 for 3 had become 151 for 7. But Tom Poynton found two boundaries in the closing overs, coupled with some good running in his 37 in 21 balls, to put up a testing target. It proved not enough.

RCB batsman Mandeep Singh credited his improved performance in recent matches to AB de Villiers’ help with technical aspects of batting

ESPNcricinfo staff21-May-2015AB de Villiers and Mandeep Singh were the protagonists in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 71-run victory against Rajasthan Royals in Pune, adding 113 for the third wicket to keep their hopes of a maiden IPL title alive. Mandeep made his first half-century of the season, and said later that help from de Villiers on technical aspects of batting had drastically improved his batting.”I have learnt a lot from him already and whatever he has taught me, I have straightaway incorporated those things in my game,” Mandeep told . “Initially when I was playing my shots, the completion of the shot would end with my head leaning towards the off-stump. I asked him for suggestions to improve that aspect.”I initially used to think that the arms go wider while playing your shots and that’s the reason your head tends to fall. He cleared that cloud around me and asked me to have my head still around the middle stump after the completion of a shot. I think even modern-day cricketers consider him their idol. It is like a dream come true to be playing with him.”Mandeep walked in at 46 for 2 in the eighth over of the Eliminator against Royals, and as de Villiers struggled for his characteristic fluency early in his innings, Mandeep accelerated the run rate.”We just wanted to bat and try to build a partnership. We wanted to keep things simple and watch the ball closely and hit it,” Mandeep said. “I knew if de Villiers spent a little more time in the middle, he would get ruthless in the end. I had the confidence that he would see us through.”De Villiers was pleased he could contribute to Mandeep’s success, and said he feels he is achieving his goal of having a positive influence on the younger players in the team. “What would life be without having a good influence on other people? That is what it is all about,” de Villiers said. “I am trying to have a positive impact on some young players in the team and if Mandeep says I have, it makes me a very happy man.”De Villiers started slowly, scoring 16 runs off his first 20 balls, but kicked on to make 50 off his last 18. He praised Mandeep’s innings and said it had helped him get his momentum back.”A lot of credit should go to Mandeep. To be honest, I didn’t play very well,” de Villiers said. “It was not as fluent a knock as I wanted it to be but I guess it all comes with experience. I struggled in the first few overs but I fought through and I was lucky to be there in the end to express myself.”Royal Challengers were 60 for 2 at the end of the 10th over, but the innings gained momentum from there and 120 runs were scored in the last 10 overs. De Villiers said the initial target was 140 considering it wasn’t an easy pitch to bat on.”This wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on. I wouldn’t have been able to get those shots away in the slog overs had I just come in to bat. I was looking at 140 initially. But with that big 15th over against Ankit Sharma, the momentum changed and the target shifted to 150-160. We played even better towards the end and managed to get 180.”