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Fawad Ahmed pull off a stunning piece of fielding during Australia A’s tight win over Gloucestershire, but his bowling did not make a huge statement

Daniel Brettig in Bristol23-Jun-2013
ScorecardFawad Ahmed had a difficult match with the ball•Associated Press

Fawad Ahmed provided the single most thrilling moment of Australia A’s tighter-than-it-should-have-been victory over Gloucestershire when he clasped a blinding catch at mid-on to account for a stubborn Gareth Roderick. Unfortunately for Ahmed, it was also the most telling contribution he made to the last match before Australia’s selectors decided whether or not to add him to the Ashes squad that assembles in Taunton on Monday.Match figures of 31.2-9-100-1 for Ahmed told a story almost as barren as the tourists’ second innings fade for 111, against a Division Two team that their captain Michael Klinger conceded was still learning how to play “hard first-class cricket”. There were mitigating factors against the success of legspin in the match, cold temperatures keeping hands cold and an icy wind testing Ahmed’s command of length and pace.Ashton Agar’s left-arm spin fared rather better, though their relative tallies of overs suggested the 19-year-old was not being quite so closely observed by the selectors John Inverarity, Rod Marsh and Mickey Arthur. Ahmed’s best was eye-catching, several leg breaks fizzing past groping bats and some googlies misread as comprehensively by Matthew Wade as they were by the Gloucestershire batsmen.But a tally of two wickets from as many matches on the Australia A tour is the first significant reverse Ahmed has suffered since making his state debut for Victoria last summer and quickly factoring into the calculations of selectors, administrators, marketeers and ultimately Federal politicians, who passed legislation to expedite his application for citizenship last week.Questions about Ahmed’s readiness for an Ashes promotion were chief among those raised by the first long-form match played by an Australian team in England this year. Steve Smith, the stand-in captain while Brad Haddin rested, could thank his pace bowling triumvirate of Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird and the fast-rising Chadd Sayers for ensuring the tour would conclude with three victories out of three, but the tourists were placed under considerable pressure before getting there.On the second evening Dan Christian had taken the initiative well away from the bowlers, inflicting particular punishment on Ahmed. He would only add another six runs to his overnight total before the persisting Harris coaxed an outside edge behind, but after Benny Howell was pinned lbw first ball, a series of partnerships down the order had Gloucestershire creeping alarmingly close to their target, Ahmed’s catch notwithstanding.The last pair of Liam Norwell and Tom Smith had scrounged 36 together by the time Sayers claimed a deserved eighth wicket for the match, granting Wade his fifth catch among 23 byes, the morning session extended by an extra half hour for the taking of the final wicket proving a nervous 30 minutes for a team that had seemed in such command on the first day, declaring after a mere 58 overs then rounding up five early wickets.From there they had to fight the match out. Gloucestershire’s ability to fight toe-to-toe with a conglomerate of Australia’s best young players plus a sprinkling of Ashes tourists provided some disquieting evidence to back up the observation of the former England captain Andrew Strauss about what his side had witnessed down under in 2010-11.”We were surprised at the quality of some of the state sides,” Strauss told the . “Australia used to have a conveyor belt of talent but it was noticeable they were a long way behind where they had been four years previously.”On the evidence of this match there is still a lot of catching up to do, for Ahmed and Australia.

Notts were put in trouble after another top order collapse left Chris Read having to rebuild the innings

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge18-Jul-2012
ScorecardNottinghamshire do not care much for flat pitches that lead to dull draws. Their winning philosophy involves surfaces prepared with a more than even chance of a result, one way or another, the reasoning being that to chalk up enough victories to win the County Championship you have to risk the odd defeat.Not that they lose too many on their Trent Bridge pitches, even when they have been five wickets down before lunch on the opening day. Recoveries engineered by their under-appreciated captain, Chris Read, are as common as top-order collapses. There is another under way in this match.The signing of quality recruits such as Michael Lumb and James Taylor was supposed to bring stability to the batting, or at least limit the frequency of mishaps, but the pitch prepared for this match was revealed to have variable bounce as well as surface grass and Read must have feared it would be another day for his well-honed experience as soon as Surrey’s latest captain, Zander de Bruyn, won the toss and chose to field.De Bruyn was leading the side here, in the continuing absence, on indefinite compassionate leave, of Rory Hamilton-Brown, after the previous stand-in, Gareth Batty, was left out in favour of an extra seamer, which is an indication of how Surrey assessed the conditions.There was no Chris Tremlett, recovering from back surgery, who played against Lancashire in a four-day match last week but was rested from this one, nor Jade Dernbach, who is still missing with the side strain that forced him out of England’s one-day series against Australia.But the seam quartet that was wheeled out – with Tim Linley and Chris Jordan added – took the first five wickets for 84 in 23 overs nonetheless, although it might be argued that they could have done so at a smaller cost, given that only Jordan conceded runs at fewer than four an over, giving the Nottinghamshire batsmen width to play with on both sides of the wicket.They were helped by the vagaries of the bounce. Lumb’s dismissal leg before owed something to the ball keeping low, Taylor edged one that climbed on him more than he foresaw and Alex Hales, trying to defend on the back foot to Jon Lewis, misread the ball sufficiently to inside edge it on to the ground and into his stumps.In between, Samit Patel played a poor leg-side shot that had him caught behind off a thin edge as Nottinghamshire slipped from 35 without loss after five overs to 59 for 4 in the space of 11 more overs.This followed an extraordinary opening in which Hales and Riki Wessels, who had shared an opening stand of 89 in 9.4 overs in a CB40 match against Hampshire on Tuesday evening, seemed intent on continuing in that vein, Wessels taking three fours in Lewis’s first over before Hales took two more boundaries as Linley opened at the other end. Not surprisingly, this bold approach ran into trouble as Wessels, having rushed to 23 off 23 balls, edged Linley to first slip.Taylor’s dismissal ushered in Read to join Voges and what followed was the familiar story. Voges was missed on 5 without further addition to the score, which was a significant moment given that this Nottinghamshire side has a lengthy tail, but thereafter the pair took their chances without risking too much and added 34 in five overs up to lunch without further scares.In the afternoon, they had to negotiate two stoppages for rain before the last one proved terminal — limiting play to 42 overs – but maintained their concentration admirably and the partnership so far is worth 94 runs, which could prove invaluable if this match is a low scoring one.They have rattled along, in keeping with the pace of the innings overall, scoring their runs off 108 balls. Read has 49 from 63 balls with eight fours. The Notts skipper clocked up 11,000 first-class runs for the county during the match against Middlesex at Uxbridge last week. He has compiled 63 first-class half-centuries in 225 matches for the county, turning 19 of them into centuries, and more often than not it has been in circumstances similar to these.

Chris Gayle is prepared to apologise if he can’t substantiate some of the charges he made in his controversial radio interview in April, according to Wavell Hinds

Sriram Veera22-Jun-2011Chris Gayle is prepared to apologise if he can’t substantiate some of the charges he made in his controversial radio interview in April, according to Wavell Hinds, the vice-president of the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).”He is prepared to answer the charges as honestly as he can and if there is a need to say sorry, I think he will say sorry,” Hinds told ESPNcricinfo. “Where he [Gayle] feels firm and has strong substance to back up his claims he will stand by them. If there are claims he has made where he has been a little excessive he is prepared to put his hand up and say sorry. In no shape or form does Chris think he is above West Indies cricket and he has stated that quite clearly to me … Where there are claims that he can substantiate totally, he can put to the board that he has been unfairly done or been disrespected, he will stand by them.””I have known Chris for many years, I know him like a brother and as a friend. He is a very humble guy and he is prepared to do what is necessary to play.”The WICB has expressed their displeasure with Gayle’s statements on that radio show in which he alleged the board had mismanaged his injury, West Indies coach Gibson had damaged Ramnaresh Sarwan’s confidence, and the board mishandled his contract talks in October 2010. It is feared that if the stalemate continues West Indies cricket might lose Gayle.Hinds, however, believes the issue will be resolved. “In my capacity as a director of the Jamaican board I had the opportunity to meet the executive of the West Indies board and we are trying to get some more answers from them on how they plan to tackle the Gayle issue. I am pretty confident we will have further discussions between the boards and also between the board and WIPA.”I am confident that Gayle will get justice. I support WIPA’s position to help players’ causes. Having said that I have to make sure I am fair and balanced. I will ensure that whatever decisions we make as WIPA impacts West Indies cricket in a positive way.”Chris Gayle was not included in the team for the first Test against India•AFP

Hinds said the WICB needed to be calm while resolving the issue. “They are the parent body and Chris is one of their charges. They have to have the father figure kind of approach. If Chris has stepped out of line in their eyes they can ask him to answer their charges but they should also be prepared to accept his side of the story. Once Gayle is prepared to accept his responsibilities as a player, they should have some form of rehabilitation that will bring Chris to where he should be given his status as a cricketing icon in West Indies cricket. We are prepared to have discussions which are pretty cordial and thrash through the issues in an open and fair platform.”The WICB and WIPA had a heated meeting on June 14, with Gayle present, which ended inconclusively, and reportedly featured an argument between WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine and WICB chief-executive Ernest Hilaire. The board have since said they will not deal with Ramnarine, which has drawn a strong response from WIPA, who said in a release, “WICB cannot tell us who should represent the players at meetings with the WICB.” WIPA also said Ramnarine may sue Hilaire for defamation after Hilaire said Ramnarine had threatened him during the June 14 meeting.Hinds too backed Ramnarine but added that both parties should be prepared to alter their positions so that they serve cricket in the best way. “I respect Ramnarine for his position and what he has done. He is pretty knowledgeable about the issues at hand and has the skills to carry his office in the most efficient manner. He has had a few difficulties with the officers of the board; we will try to quell those differences and we can co-exist.”Of course none of us are bigger than the game of cricket. If there are any alterations to be made by any individual, be it Ramnarine or from the board, that individual should be prepared to make the necessary steps to make sure they are serving cricket in the best way.”

Kyle McCallan, the Ireland allrounder, who retired in December last year after a 13-year career, has been awarded the MBE

Cricinfo staff12-Jun-2010Kyle McCallan, the Ireland allrounder, who retired in December last year after a 13-year career, has been awarded the MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).McCallan played 226 matches, captaining in a record 54 games. He captured 256 wickets with his offspinners, third on the all-time list behind Dermott Montieth and Jimmy Boucher. He’s also scored 3616 runs at 23.33, again No.3 in the list of highest run-getters from his country behind Stephen Warke and Ivan Anderson. McCallan was part of the Ireland team that reached the Super Eights of the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies after beating Pakistan in the preliminary stage.”It’s a great honour for me personally, but also my wife and parents. I was privileged to have worn the Irish jersey for over 13 years, and I had some fantastic experiences. I’ve been fortunate to have made some wonderful friends through cricket, and have memories which I’ll cherish. It was quite
simply a golden age for Irish cricket,” McCallan said.Ireland team manager Roy Torrens, who himself was honoured in the
Queen’s Birthday List in 2009, said: “I cannot think of another person who is more deserving of the award. He was a magnificent ambassador for
Irish cricket, both on and off the field. I’m delighted for him and
his family circle – they were wonderful supporters for him
throughout his Irish career, and I know just how proud they must feel.”Cricket Ireland Chairman David Williams added: “The award of the MBE to Kyle McCallan is a well deserved honour for one of our most distinguished cricketers. Kyle McCallan served Irish cricket in an exemplary fashion during his 13 year career, and was a perfect role model to both his team-mates and supporters of cricket in Ireland. It’s a great honour for both him and Irish cricket.”

Archie Vaughan run out without facing a ball on senior debut in Taunton

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Jul-2024Somerset 270 for 7 (Umeed 114*, Rew 71) beat Kent 267 (Evison 55, Stewart 51, Goldsworthy 4-44) by three wicketsAndy Umeed continued his love affair with the Metro Bank One-Day Cup as Somerset launched their Group A campaign with a three-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The opener, who averaged 87.57 in last season’s competition, hit an unbeaten 114 off 121 balls to help his side chase down a target of 268 with 3.3 overs to spare. James Rew contributed 71 off 69 balls.The Spitfires had posted 267 all out off 49 overs after winning the toss, Joey Evison and Grant Stewart making half-centuries, while Hamidullah Qadri contributed a rapid 43. Left-armer spinner Lewis Goldsworthy, back from a loan spell with Leicestershire, claimed career-best List A figures of 4 for 44 and seamer Alfie Ogborne 3 for 58.Kent were given a solid start by Evison and Beyers Swanepoel, who skied a return catch to Ogborne off a leading edge with the total on 31 in the eighth over.Eighteen-year-old Ekansh Singh marked his debut with a six over midwicket off Kasey Aldridge before falling for 16, bowled aiming to launch another maximum off Jack Leach. Skipper Jack Leaning then helped Evison add 37, but was undone by a reverse sweep, bottom-edging a ball from Goldsworthy onto his stumps.Goldsworthy followed up with the wickets of Evison, whose 55 occupied 69 balls, Harry Finch and Jaydn Denly as Kent became bogged down against a spin attack also featuring Leach, Josh Thomas and another 18-year-old debutant in Archie Vaughan, son of former England captain Michael Vaughan, who bowled six tidy overs of offspin for just 16 runs.With ten overs for their innings remaining, the Spitfires were struggling on 177 for 6. But after Charlie Stobo had fallen to Ogborne, Stewart and Qadri delivered some overdue momentum, sharing five sixes and seven fours in a stand of 58 off 5.1 overs as Stewart went to fifty off 32 deliveries.Somerset’s response had reached 32 in the fifth over when George Thomas miscued a pull shot off Swanepoel to be caught at midwicket. Goldsworthy made only 7 before edging a catch behind off Stobo. But Umeed and Rew then assumed control, batting with increasing confidence.Archie Vaughan receives his Somerset cap from Steve Kirby•Getty Images

Rew was first to his half-century, off 47 balls, with seven fours and a big six off legspinner Matt Parkinson, drilled over long-off. Umeed soon followed, off 62 deliveries, having struck three boundaries.Rew had greeted Leaning’s introduction to the attack with a six over midwicket. When Somerset’s young wicketkeeper deposited a short ball from Evison through mid-on for four the partnership overtook Somerset’s List A record for the third wicket against Kent, previously 108, put together by Peter Trego and Dean Elgar at Taunton in 2017.Soon afterwards, Rew was bowled by Nathan Gilchrist, swinging to leg. Vaughan was run out backing up without facing a ball as Stobo fingertipped a Umeed drive onto the stumps and suddenly Somerset were 165 for four.Umeed responded with a straight six off Stobo and was joined by skipper Sean Dickson, who cleared the ropes off Stewart as the pair added 40 before he carelessly pulled a catch to midwicket off the same bowler and fell for 23.Josh Thomas was bowled off an inside edge by Parkinson and Aldridge also fell cheaply. But Leach thumped a six off Parkinson and Umeed repeated the dose before going to a 119-ball hundred with another maximum off Stobo as Somerset finished with a flourish on 270 for 7.

He is expected to join the squad before their second game against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on April 5

PTI and ESPNcricinfo staff29-Mar-2023England’s power-hitter Liam Livingstone will miss Punjab Kings’ opening game of IPL 2023 as he is yet to get a fitness clearance from the ECB after recovering from a knee injury he suffered in December.Kings open their IPL campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in Mohali on April 1.Livingstone, who is a key member of the Kings squad for his all-round abilities, has not played competitive cricket since picking up the knee injury on his Test debut in Pakistan.Related

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He had also suffered an ankle injury during the Hundred competition at home last year.”He is out of the first game at least as the ECB is conducting scans to determine his fitness status,” an IPL source told PTI. “He should be available from the second game onwards.” Kings’ second game is against Rajasthan Royals on April 5 in Guwahati.Having spent around a week in Dubai on Lancashire’s pre-season tour, Livingstone was at Old Trafford on Wednesday and even posted a video on social media where he is seen batting in the indoor nets.