England's Stokes returns to pitch but in different conditions

England's Ben Stokes, pictured in action in the first Test, returns to Newlands where he produced a spectacular batting performance in 2016. AFP/Marco Longari/Files

CAPE TOWN: Ben Stokes returns to the scene of one of his most spectacular performances but the circumstances are different going into the second Test between England and South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Four years ago, Stokes thrashed 258 off 198 balls in a brutal display of power-hitting, collecting 11 sixes and sharing in a world Test record sixth wicket partnership of 399 with Jonny Bairstow, whose 150 not out from 191 balls was scarcely pedestrian.

England went into that match 1-0 up in a four-Test series which they went on to win. This time they are the team needing to catch up after losing the opening encounter in Centurion.

South Africa were captained by Hashim Amla, who effectively acknowledged his lack of aptitude for the job by resigning from it after the match despite making a double century of his own to ensure a high-scoring draw.

On this occasion it is England's captain, Joe Root, who is under pressure because of his team's poor recent record away from home.

Stokes then was on his way to becoming England's talisman, a status which he cemented during 2019, which ended with him being awarded an OBE in Britain's New Year honours list.

Bairstow, though, has gone backwards. He seems unlikely to play at Newlands this time after failing with one and nine at Centurion, where he only played because of Ollie Pope's illness.

Bonanza for batters

Newlands in 2016 provided an unusually benign pitch for batters, with both teams scoring over 600 in a first innings which only ended late on the fourth day.

It is the only one of the most recent 11 Test matches at Newlands, going back to 2011, to have ended in a draw. South Africa have won nine of the other ten, losing once. Totals over 400 have been rare, with only four instances other than the 2016 run feast.

There is a new groundsman but it seems reasonable to expect a fair contest between bat and ball this time around.

After winning the first Test in Centurion by 107 runs, South Africa are likely to make one forced change with opening batter Pieter Malan expected to win his first cap in place of the injured Aiden Markram.

England opted to go into the first Test without a spinner but Newlands is a ground where spin bowlers are usually needed. It is a dilemma for England, with Jack Leach having been ill virtually since the team's arrival. Although he is now reportedly recovering and out of quarantine he is unlikely to be considered match fit.

Leg-spinner Matt Parkinson was unimpressive in two warm-up matches and off-spinner Dom Bess, flown out on standby because of the illness in the camp, could be selected, possibly ahead of veteran fast bowler James Anderson.

England's most potent fast bowler, Jofra Archer, did not bowl during net practice at Newlands on Wednesday because of a sore right elbow although he was able to bat and take part in fielding drills, according to a team spokesman.

Possible teamsSouth Africa

Faf du Plessis (captain), Dean Elgar, Pieter Malan, Zubayr Hamza, Rassie van der Dussen, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Dwaine Pretorius, Vernon Philander, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje

England

Joe Root (captain), Rory Burns, Dom Sibley, Joe Denly, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Jos Buttler (wkt), Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jofra Archer, and Stuart Broad

Umpires

Kumar Dharmasena (SRI), Paul Reiffel (AUS); TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney (NZL)

Match referee

Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

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Sri Lanka names Mathews in T20 squad to tour India

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka recalled former skipper Angelo Mathews to the T20 squad on Wednesday after a 16-month absence from the shortest form of the game for the upcoming India tour.

The cricket board said Mathews, 32, will be in the squad led by Lasith Malinga to play three matches in India.

The squad will leave Sri Lanka on Thursday, the board said in a statement.

Mathews played his last T20 international against South Africa in August 2018 when he led Sri Lanka to a three-wicket victory but failed to impress at the crease, scoring a duck after facing three balls.

Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan, and Kasun Rajitha.

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If team is given clearance to tour Pakistan, then I will go: Bangladesh head coach

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo. Photo: AFP

Bangladesh head coach Russell Domingo has said that he has no issues touring Pakistan, provided the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) agrees to send their national team.

"If the team is given clearance to go, then I will go. If the team isn’t given clearance, then I definitely won’t go," Domingo said in an interview with New Age.

Bangladesh were scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests later in January, however, doubts circulating around the tour came up when BCB President Nazmul Hassan said that certain members of the fraternity expressed their uncertainty to tour.

"I think we can only discuss the matter once the decision is made. We need to discuss with the cricket board and the board will decide what will happen next," he said.

In a bid to meet in the middle, the BCB had suggested to host to the Tests on a neutral ground while agreeing to host the T20Is in Pakistan however, the Pakistan Cricket Board have been adamant to host both formats on home ground, following the successful Sri Lanka series. 

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PSL 2020: schedule reveals four cities to host 34 matches

Four cities will host the 34 matches of the exciting league. Photo: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced the schedule of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 with all 34 matches to be played across four international venues of the country from 20 February to 22 March.

The 34 matches will be played in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. Of the 34 event matches, the National Stadium will stage nine matches while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will play host to 14 matches.

Reigning champions Quetta Gladiators will open the event at the back of an opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Karachi when they will go toe to toe with two-time winners Islamabad United.

The National Stadium will also play host to the Qualifier between the top two sides, whereas the Gaddafi Stadium will be the venue of the two Eliminators and the final.

According to the event schedule, defending champions Quetta Gladiators will play three matches in Lahore, four in Karachi, one in Multan and two in Rawalpindi; while Peshawar Zalmi, the 2017 winners and the 2019 losing finalists, will be in action in one match each in Lahore and Multan, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi.

Islamabad United will play three matches in Lahore, two in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi; Karachi Kings will play two matches in Lahore, five in Karachi, one in Multan and two in Rawalpindi; Multan Sultans will play five matches in Lahore, one in Karachi, three in Multan and one in Rawalpindi; and Lahore Qalandars will play eight matches in Lahore and one each in Karachi and Rawalpindi.

PCB Chairman Ehsan Mani expressed his contentment over the league being played on home ground and said it would allow Pakistan to be recognised as a safe country.

"After bringing Test cricket back to Pakistan, hosting of the entire Pakistan Super League is our other major achievement. I never had any doubts it was Pakistan’s league and should be played in front of home crowds. We had made this commitment to the people of Pakistan at the end of last year’s event," he said.

"Pakistan Super League 2020 will feature 36 foreign stars. It was gratifying that 425 overseas players from 22 countries registered their interest in playing in the tournament. This shows the confidence that players throughout the world have in playing in Pakistan," Mani added,

Event schedule

February 20 – Opening ceremony to be followed by Quetta Gladiators v Islamabad United, National Stadium

February 21 – Karachi Kings v Peshawar Zalmi, National Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium

February 22 – Quetta Gladiators v Peshawar Zalmi, National Stadium; Islamabad United v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium

February 23 – Karachi Kings v Quetta Gladiators, National Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Islamabad United, Gaddafi Stadium

February 26 – Multan Sultans v Peshawar Zalmi, Multan Cricket Stadium

February 27 – Islamabad United v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium

February 28 – Multan Sultans v Karachi Kings, Multan Cricket Stadium; Peshawar Zalmi v Lahore Qalandars, Pindi Cricket Stadium

February 29 – Multan Sultans v Quetta Gladiators, Multan Cricket Stadium; Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi, Pindi Cricket Stadium

March 1 – Islamabad United v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

March 2 – Peshawar Zalmi v Karachi Kings, Pindi Cricket Stadium

March 3 – Quetta Gladiators v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium

March 4 – Islamabad United v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium

March 5 – Peshawar Zalmi v Quetta Gladiators, Pindi Cricket Stadium

March 6 – Karachi Kings v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium

March 7 – Peshawar Zalmi v Islamabad United, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Quetta Gladiators, Gaddafi Stadium

March 8 – Multan Sultans v Islamabad United, Pindi Cricket Stadium; Lahore Qalandars v Karachi Kings, Gaddafi Stadium

March 10 – Lahore Qalandars v Peshawar Zalmi, Gaddafi Stadium

March 11 – Quetta Gladiators v Multan Sultans, Gaddafi Stadium

March 12 – Karachi Kings v Lahore Qalandars, National Stadium

March 13 – Peshawar Zalmi v Multan Sultans, National Stadium

March 14 – Karachi Kings v Islamabad United, National Stadium

March 15 – Multan Sultans v Lahore Qalandars, Gaddafi Stadium; Quetta Gladiators v Karachi Kings, National Stadium

March 17 – Qualifier (1 v 2), National Stadium

March 18 – Eliminator 1 (3 v 4), Gaddafi Stadium

March 20 – Eliminator 2 (loser Qualifier v winner Eliminator 1), Gaddafi Stadium

March 22 – Final, Gaddafi Stadium 

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PCB withdraws teen pace sensation Naseem Shah from U19 squad

The teen will be replaced by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohammad Wasim Junior. Photo: AFP

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to withdraw teen pace sensation Naseem Shah from next month’s U19 Cricket World Cup to be played in South Africa from January 17 to February 9.

The National Junior Selector Committee, which is headed by Saleem Jaffar, has named Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohammad Wasim Junior as Shah’s replacement.

Wasim Junior took three wickets each in the Asia Cup and on the tour of South Africa, while he bagged seven wickets during the tour of Sri Lanka. In the domestic circuit, Wasim has played one U19 one-day match in which he bagged three wickets, while he snapped up seven wickets in three U19 three-day matches.

PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan revealed that the reason behind the decision was to create more opportunities as the teen pacer "graduated" from the U19 fraternity through his skill.

"The ICC U19 Cricket World Cup is a stepping stone for future stars and a platform for budding youngsters to graduate to international cricket. Naseem [Shah] has recently broken that glass ceiling and has established his credentials as an international cricketer," he said.

"The PCB has decided to withdraw him from next year’s competition to provide this opportunity to another promising cricketer so that he can show his mettle and potential at a global stage," Khan added.

Khan added that the 16-year-old would be under the watchful eye of bowling coach Waqar Younis in order to hone his bowling action.

"Naseem will now remain in Pakistan and continue to work on his skills under the watchful eyes of bowling coach Waqar [Younis}. Furthermore, he will remain available for the home series against Bangladesh."

The Pakistan U19 cricket team’s preparation camp will commence at the National Cricket Academy from Wednesday, 1 January 2020. The team will depart for Johannesburg on January 10.

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New Zealand aim to recover pride in third smoke-marred Test

Australia's fast bowlers were unrelenting at the MCG, leaving New Zealand in danger of a big defeat in the second Test. Photo: AFP

Smoke haze could come into play as New Zealand look to salvage some pride from their miserable tour of Australia in the third and final Test in Sydney this week.

With bushfires raging across New South Wales state, day two of the match on Saturday shapes up as the biggest challenge with temperatures forecast to soar and smoggy conditions expected.

The issue of smoke is a difficult one for officials, who currently rely on a mix of air quality guidelines from the International Cricket Council, state governments and the Australian Institute of Sport.

But there are inconsistencies on what is considered "unsafe", with Cricket Australia and the players' association currently working to develop better protocols around visibility and air quality.

It follows a Big Bash League match in Canberra being abandoned this month because of toxic bushfire haze.

Currently, it is up to the umpires to decide whether conditions are safe, without any formal framework for that decision.

With the first two Tests at Perth and Melbourne ending in heavy defeats inside four days, New Zealand will need all the help they can get.

Coach Gary Stead admitted the Black Caps were "beaten up by Australia again" in their 247-run Melbourne thrashing and they have had to go back to the drawing board.

"We've got to find some areas where we can keep chipping away, make improvements and put Australia under pressure for longer," he said.

"When you get put under pressure for the periods Australia have put us under, then you have to question what we're doing.

"Australia have three bowlers at 145 kph and a spinner (Nathan Lyon) that's taken over 300 Test wickets so you're always up against it. You don't get a reprieve and that's the hard thing for us."

No let-up

The bright spot from Melbourne was makeshift opener Tom Blundell's gritty second innings century and he is set to retain the role alongside Tom Latham in Sydney.

But there is doubt over skipper Kane Williamson, who has had a poor tour.

The New Zealand Herald reported that he missed training Wednesday with flu-like symptoms, with batsman Henry Nicholls suffering similar problems.

Jeet Raval is the only specialist batsman waiting in the wings, but he has been out of form and was dropped for Melbourne.

Australian captain Tim Paine has made clear his team has no intention of easing up now the series has been won, with New Zealand potentially coming under a five-pronged attack in Sydney, starting Friday.

Depending on the pitch, they could play two specialist spinners alongside their fast-bowling machine of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson.

Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, championed by Shane Warne, has been called up to the squad and is keen to make his debut.

"The team's doing really well at the moment and it's going to be a tough team to crack into," he said. "But I'm here and going to be preparing to play. That's the only thing I can do."

New Zealand's task has been that much harder with strike bowler Trent Boult ruled out after a Starc bouncer in Melbourne fractured his non-bowling hand.

They have turned to off-spinner Will Somerville, who was raised in Australia, as his replacement.

"The fact he's played a lot of cricket in Sydney during his career for New South Wales will also be helpful as we prepare for this final Test," said Stead.

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I'd give up my summer's success for my father's well being: Ben Stokes

Stokes would give up his summer's success in a heartbeat for his father's well being. Photo: AFP

England's Ben Stokes has insisted he would trade all the personal success he has enjoyed in 2019 if it meant his father was no longer in hospital.

Stokes's participation in this month's first Test against South Africa, which saw several England players struggle on at Centurion following a bug that spread through the squad, was called into doubt when his father, Ged, who had travelled out to watch his son, was admitted to a Johannesburg hospital with what a team spokesman said was a serious illness.

The 64-year-old was admitted to intensive care but his condition improved sufficiently for his son to play in a match England lost by 107 runs to fall 1-0 behind in the four-Test series.

Ged Stokes remains in hospital, with wife Deborah at his side, while the rest of the Stokes family have moved to Cape Town — the scene of Ben's stunning career-best 258 four years ago — for Friday's start of the second Test.

This year has been a successful one for Stokes, who played a key role in England's thrilling World Cup final win over New Zealand before a remarkable unbeaten century secured a dramatic one-wicket win in the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley.

But writing in his column for Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper published Tuesday, England vice-captain Stokes, recently voted the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year in a public poll, said: "At the end of the most memorable of years I am finding it quite hard to sum up 2019 right now.

"There have been some unbelievable highs, and some real lows, but to see out the year with my dad in hospital has put things into perspective

"If someone could say 'I'll take everything away from you that happened this summer, but your dad is happy, healthy and watching you play cricket' then I'd say yeah, swap it."

'Cursed tour'

The 28-year-old Durham all-rounder added his father had undergone an "unbelievable turnaround" but still had a way to go as he thanked medical staff for their "fantastic care".

Meanwhile, opening batsman Dominic Sibley has become the latest victim of illness in the England camp, with a team spokesman said that 11 members of the playing squad, as well as six support staff, had been taken sick at some stage since the squad's arrival in South Africa earlier this month.

"We've nicknamed it 'The Cursed Tour' so far because it wasn't a great time for us in terms of the team trying to build up to an important Test series," said Stokes.

"It will never be an excuse, but I hope people can understand that physically and mentally it was a huge challenge, getting up in the night, not sleeping, not eating. It all has an effect and over the course of a match you really feel it."

Stokes, however, was now looking forward to playing again at the picturesque Newlands, "which is one of my favourite grounds in the world for obvious reasons".

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