By Peakfan: 161 not out, 44, 62 and 104...That's the last four Word Cup innings played by Tillakaratne Dilshan. And he's coming to Derbyshire... One of the giants of the modern game, Dilshan will play all formats for the club in two stays during 2015, news that will doubtless excite all supporters. At 38, the player's recent scores suggest that he is still at the height of his considerable powers and his presence, especially in one-day cricket, will add considerably to the batting firepower. Dilshan has over a hundred centuries to his name in all cricket and has earned a reputation as one of the finest and most destructive opening batsmen in the world game. Anyone who saw him demolish Mitchell Johnson with six successive fours in an over a couple of weeks back will be well aware that this is not a star living off past glories, but a player who can make a big difference to our one-day ambitions, especially in T20. A typically wristy batsman from the east, blessed with the crucial gift of timing, he will be well worth the admission fee. Failure to fully utilise the early power plays in an innings has cost us dear in T20 and too often we have limped along at six an over. losing wickets in the process, while our opponents have raced away with ten an over or more. If we can find the 'death bowler' alluded to by Graeme Welch a month or two back, T20 afternoons and nights could be quite special down Derby way. Source: Derbyshire Cricket, Image, Read More: <<<<, Image: http://photobucket.com
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Virender Sehwag stars again in Delhi win (2015-03-26T19:32:00+05:30)
Virender Sehwag’s entertaining 39 and Vaibhav Rawal’s whirlwind 31 not out helped Delhi outplay Punjab by six wickets to register their second consecutive win in the North Zone leg of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy, here on Wednesday. Chasing 160 for a win at the Feroz Shah Kotla, the Delhi batsmen put up a concerted effort to achieve the target with three balls to spare. Sehwag was the top-scorer with his 35-ball knock, including three fours and three sixes, but was finally done in by a caught and bowled effort from opposition skipper Harbhajan Singh (1/25). Opener Unmukt Chand contributed a 17-ball 20 as captain Gautam Gambhir (4) once again failed to get going. Sehwag and Nitish Rana (35) then stitched a 42-run third wicket partnership to get behind the chase. But after the two batsmen departed, Delhi were in some trouble before an unbeaten 48-run fifth wicket stand between Milind Kumar (21 not out) and Rawal (31 not out, 13 balls, 2x4, 2x6) gave the team another four points. Punjab pace spearhead Brainder Sran, who accounted for Chand and Gambhir, bagged two wickets but could not help Punjab continue their winning run after they had beaten Haryana in their first game. Earlier put into bat, Punjab rode on Gurkeerat Singh’s 35-ball 42 and Gurinder Singh’s unbeaten 34 to post 159/7. Yuvraj Singh also contributed 25 runs before falling to medium-pacer Pranshu Vijayran, who bagged three wickets. Vikas Tokas and left-arm spinner Manan Sharma picked up two wickets each. Source: The Asian Age, Image: http://photobucket.com/
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World Cup 2015: Grant Elliott powers New Zealand to World Cup final (2015-03-25T22:46:00+05:30)
New Zealand’s Grant Elliott realised a childhood dream when he belted South African speedster Dale Steyn into the stand for six at Eden Park on Tuesday to get his adopted homeland into the World Cup final. South African-born Elliott gave a brief celebratory wave as the ball sailed into the crowd before running to comfort a distraught Steyn, who lay sprawled on the ground. Elliott said it was a nerve-wracking experience sealing a four-wicket victory with probably the best shot of his career, given what was at stake. “I guess it was. I really did feel the pressure,” said Elliott, who finished on 84 not out. “I had two balls to try and take us home. I knew that four runs would do it because a tie was as good as a win. “I think the chase, we probably left it a little bit late and it was stressful towards the end. It would have been nice to win with an over to go” Elliott said he had always wanted to play in a World Cup since 1992 when his mother let him stay home to watch Australia play SA in Sydney in what was the Proteas’ inaugural appearance at the tournament. “I got suspended from cricket and from school for a while because I did that, but it left a massive impression on me,” said Elliott, who turned 36 last weekend. “I thought that tournament, the coloured clothing and everything was what I wanted to do and it’s funny how life works. It’s amazing to be at Eden Park today to hit the winning run.” He said he still felt sorry for the Proteas, adding that was why he tried to console Steyn and helped him to his feet. “You have to feel compassion. Humble in victory, humble in defeat. I felt quite sorry for him. I felt quite sorry for a lot of the South African guys,” he said. Source: The Asian Age, Image: http://photobucket.com
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Australian Michael Cranmer impresses in seconds debut (2014-09-09T16:52:00+05:30)
If you were to look for a way to impress a county with a view to gaining a professional contract, then South Australian Michael Cranmer did just that for Derbyshire's second team against Lancashire second eleven today. Cranmer, a professional for Hoylandswaine Cricket Club in the Drakes Huddersfield Cricket League, made a stunning 171 from 221 balls as his side replied to Lancashire's 252 all out with 391-9. Tom Knight made 46 and Harvey Hosein 56. but it was all-rounder Cranmer, who bowls fast-medium, who caught the eye with a stunning display. 25 years old, he qualifies to play in the UK through an ancestral visa and, according to his club side's website, is assessing his future options at present after stunning success over three summers for them. In his first year he scored 667 runs at 33, as well as taking 70 wickets at 17 each. A shorter stint in 2012 saw him score 500 runs at 38, along with 26 wickets at 19, while 2013 saw 335 runs at 33 and 50 wickets at 13. This year he returned as captain and has been in spectacular form, taking his side to the allrounder.com T20 final last week with an extraordinary 138 from just 52 balls, with ten fours and fourteen sixes. His season highest score for the club is 186... Having played for South Australia and Australia Under-19s, the pedigree is there. Hat tricks, five-wicket hauls and centuries litter his career in A Grade and state second eleven cricket and he seems a player of genuine talent. Certainly, I would suggest - and not just on the basis of today's century, but on an excellent track record in two countries so far - he would be a very shrewd addition to the Derbyshire staff. I have no doubt that the Yorkshire connections on our coaching staff have been instrumental in getting him to Derby on trial, John Sadler having played for the same club. The next step would appear to get in for him quickly, before someone else does. A hard-hitting batsman and fast medium bowler. What's not to like? PS If anyone from Hoylandswaine Cricket Club comes across this piece, I'd love to hear from you! Source: Article
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KKR defeats Kings XI Punjab (2014-06-05T00:01:00+05:30)
It became another surprising final for the IPL history and also unexpected when the Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the trophy for the second time. Initially it was not in the race of the trophy but ultimately it proved that KKR deserve the trophy with pride for its King Khan. Certainly the three-wicket victory in the final also showed the unexpected heroes and Kolkata produced more than one in a humdinger of a contest. It was direct fight with Kolkata knight riders with Kings XI Punjab but Punjab lost the battle. However Kings have the chances to win the title for the first time in the IPL history but the KKR star team damaged their hope. KKR made total 200 for the loss of 7 wickets in 19.3 overs. Robin Uthappa lost his wicket early for only five runs individual, and Captain Gautam Gambhir also did not contribute satisfactory score to the team. But it was the day ofManish Pandey who made 94 for only 50 balls. Yusuf Pathan also made glorious 36 runs in only 22 balls. For Kings eleven, it was Wriddhiman Saha who made glorious 115 runs in only 55 balls. But the poor bowling from Kings side and the better batting from KKR decided the result of the game in favour of KKR. Source: www.newstrackindia.com, Images: photobucket.com......................................................................
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Virender Sehwag keeps his promise to son with a century (2014-06-02T03:15:00+05:30)
Virender Sehwag kept the promise he made to his son when he blasted his way to a terrific 58-ball 122 which powered Kings XI Punjab to a mammoth 226 for six in the second IPL Qualifier in Mumbai on Friday. Moments after hitting only the second century of IPL 7, Sehwag revealed that he had told his son he would score runs in the remaining matches while talking to him a few days back. "Other day my wife called up and my son (Aryaveer) took the phone and said 'Papa why are you getting out? My friends in school tease me that your papa is not scoring runs'. I told him beta (son) there are matches and I will score don't worry," Sehwag said. Sehwag, who had scored a hundred in the 2011 edition for Delhi Daredevils against Deccan Chargers, entertained the Wankhede crowd with eight sixes and 12 fours. Mumbai Indians' Lendl Simmons had scored the first century of this season when he scored an unbeaten 100 against Punjab. One of the most senior player in the team, Sehwag said he was not able to concentrate on his batting as he had to guide youngsters. "I told them that you play the way you like and let me focus on my game. I need to win at least one game for KXIP," he said. Sehwag has been struggling with his form for quite some time and last played for India during the India vs Australia match at Hyderabad in March last year. Despite making useful contribution for Kings XI Punjab this season, Sehwag was not getting big runs in the IPL this season. The Delhi batsman, who turns 36 later this year, didn't find a place in a second-string Indian side to tour Bangladesh. Source: Hindustan Times, Sehwag's stormy innings take Kings XI to IPL final: Mumbai, May 31 (IANS) VirenderSehwag Friday showed his class when it mattered the most as he struck a magnificent century to script Kings XI Punjab's 24-run win over Chennai Super Kings to make their maiden IPL final where they will face Kolkata Knight Riders. For Kings XI Punjab what made the win memorable was that it was their third consecutive win over Super Kings this season and defending a total of more that 200 on all the three
 ocassions. Kings XI Punjab looked like a determined lot after having lost the Qualifier 1 to Knight Riders. They put on a comprenshive bating display with Sehwag leading the way with a scntillating 122 off just 58 balls to take Kings XI to a mamoth 226 for six in 20 overs. It was a typical Sehwag innings without much footwork but crisp timing. Sehwag smashed 12 fours and eight sixes during his whirlwind knock. Sehwag, who highest so far was a 72 this season, and Manan Vohra (34) put on a 110-run stand for the first win. Vohra remained a mute spectator allowing Sehwag to all the scoring. Glenn Maxwell made (13) and David Miller came up with a cameo of 19-ball 38 hitting five fours and a six top push the score further. While chasing, Super Kings also put on a superb show but fell short of 24 runs as they manged 202 for seven in 20 overs. It was Suresh Raina's 25-ball 87 that raised hopes of Super Kings win. Super Kings made a poor start losing openers Dwayne Smith (7) and Faf du Plesis early but some powerful hitting by Raina saw the team's 100 coming up in just six overs. Raina looked in his elements hitting 12 fours and six sixes. He was severe on Parwinder Awana as the pacer leaked 33 runs from the sixth over. But all hopes of a Super Kings win were dashed as the southpaw lost his wicket while attempting a tight single and a direct hit from George Bailey found him short of crease. Dhoni tried the rescue act with an unbeaten 31-ball 42 hitting three fours and a three sixes, but it came too late. Dhoni admitted that the turning point was Raina's dismissal. "I think definitely it was something we could have achieved, the reason being suresh the way he batted, I think in the middle overs there was some very irresponsible cricket by some of the most experienced international cricketers, so I think definitely we need to have a look," he said. Dhoni, however, feels that the team did well this year. "One of the facts is one of our retained players, we lost at the start itself, but we still made the playoffs, we did really well in the tournament. I had belief in my bowling that they will," said Dhoni. Source: News Track India, Image: photobucket.com/ |