A summary of the first round of games from Zimbabwe’s domestic Stanbic Bank Twenty20 series.

Cricinfo staff12-Feb-2010Mountaineers cruised to an easy victory over Mid West Rhinos in the opening match of Zimbabwe’s revamped domestic Twenty20 competition at Harare Sports Club. A typically bellicose innings of 76 by their captain Hamilton Masakadza swept them to an eight-wicket victory with more than four overs to spare.Mountaineers decided to field on winning the toss, and had the Rhinos five down for just 38 after nine overs of tight bowling and fielding. Brendan Taylor and Riki Wessels fell within the first 12 balls, and after the in-form Vusi Sibanda was dismissed for 7, the English imports, Darren Stevens and Ollie Rayner, were also disposed of for single figures. Malcolm Waller then found an able partner in Graeme Cremer, and with positive and judicious batting they put on 72 runs for the sixth wicket. Waller struck Shingi Masakadza for a superb six over extra cover and then lofted him straight for four on his way to 55 from 52 balls before skying a catch to mid on in the 19th over, while Cremer finished the innings unbeaten on 35.Despite their decent recovery, Rhinos were always going to struggle to defend 125 against a strong Mountaineers line-up. Bernard Mlambo hit the first three balls of the innings for four to grab the ascendancy, and Masakadza quickly hit his stride hitting sixes over extra cover and straight back past the bowler. Mountaineers stormed to 61 in five overs and never looked back, and although Masakadza was bowled by a full toss from Ed Rainsford on the verge of victory, Tatenda Taibu struck the winning boundary to finish on 27 not out.Mashonaland Eagles completed a five-wicket victory over Matabeleland Tuskers in the second match of the day. After an early stutter in their pursuit of 119, Elton Chigumbura, the Eagles captain, seized the initiative with an unbeaten 48 from just 34 balls to guide his side to a win.The Tuskers did themselves no favours in an innings containing four run-outs; the result of frenetic running and some fine fielding by the Eagles. Gavin Ewing ran himself out without facing a ball, and after Mark Vermeulen – who was the leading scorer in last year’s Twenty20 competition – departed for 7, Charles Coventry played a high-risk innings, hitting two fours and a six from the seven balls he faced. His dismissal, a catch driven straight to long-off, left Tuskers in trouble at 29 for 3. Then followed the only sizable stand of the innings – 40 between Sean Williams and Greg Strydom. Their partnership ended in another run out, and after that Williams played a lone hand in holding the innings together. But he is a strokeplayer in a competition that favours power hitters, and finished on 44 off 58 balls, hitting only two fours.The total of 118 for 7 was scarcely likely to test the Eagles. Tuskers began with a tactical surprise, opening the bowling with the part-time medium pacer Dion Ebrahim, who began with two wide balls to Doug Marillier, one of a group of former national players to return to the fold in recent weeks. After a slow start, and with the help of a brilliant leaping catch by Ewing in the covers to send Marillier back for 10, Tuskers reduced Eagles to 36 for 3. Chigumbura decided a change of policy was needed, and announced himself with a straight six off Ewing that hit the media centre. He lost Greg Lamb for single figures, and had a couple of lucky escapes, but hit another spectacular six and continued the assault. Forster Mutizwa was run out at 89, but Chigumbura was not to be denied, and another big six over long-off eventually saw the Eagles home.

Luke Pomersbach delivered first-innings points for Western Australia but Victoria have not given up on an outright win as they push for a home Sheffield Shield final

Cricinfo staff04-Mar-2010Victoria 199 and 2 for 80 lead Western Australia 274 (Pomersbach 74, Ronchi 55, Pattinson 3-70, Wright 3-72) by 5 runs
ScorecardLuke Pomersbach made 74 for the Warriors•Getty Images

Luke Pomersbach delivered first-innings points for Western Australia but Victoria have not given up on an outright win as they push for a home Sheffield Shield final. Half-centuries to Pomersbach and Ronchi gave the Warriors a 75-run advantage but by stumps Victoria had sneaked back into the lead with eight wickets in hand.The Bushrangers were 2 for 80, with Nick Jewell well set on 32 and the stand-in captain David Hussey unbeaten on 39. Chris Rogers and Aaron Finch had both fallen for single-figure scores to leave Victoria in a hole at 2 for 15 before the recovery, which was all the more important as their rivals for the hosting rights for the decider, Queensland, looked set for victory in Brisbane.They had the chance to snare first-innings points when the Warriors stumbled to 6 for 136 after Damien Wright picked up Michael Swart and Mitchell Marsh from consecutive balls, both lbw not playing a shot. But Pomersbach and Ronchi combined for a 103-run stand that pushed the home side past Victoria’s modest total.Darren Pattinson eventually removed both men, Pomersbach lbw for 74 and Ronchi bowled for 55, and the tail pushed Western Australia to 274. Wright finished with 3 for 72 from 28 overs and Pattinson collected 3 for 70.

A round-up of the ninth round of matches in the Plunket Shield

Cricinfo staff23-Mar-2010A comprehensive batting display, led by Gareth Hopkins’ double-hundred helped Auckland thrash Central Districts by an innings and 93 runs at the Colin Maiden Park.Central elected to bat, but little else went their way as seamer Dean Bartlett struck twice before they could open their account, removing Brad Patton and Timothy Weston in his first over. Mathew Sinclair followed soon after to leave Central in disarray. George Worker and Bevan Griggs struck fighting half-centuries to give their side a semblance of a competitive score, as offspinner Bhupinder Singh grabbed four wickets to end the innings at 269.When Central’s bowlers reduced Auckland to 128 for 3, the game was in the balance, but things went pear-shaped for the visitors from there. Opener Richard Jones and Hopkins added 135 to all but wipe out the deficit before Jones fell for a fine 123. Anaru Kitchen continued the dominance with his captain, the pair putting on a massive 206 runs to put the game out of Central’s reach. Kitchen struck 14 fours and three sixes in his sparkling innings of 116 before becoming Worker’s third wicket. Colin de Grandhomme then walked in to heap more misery on the tired attack, smashing an unbeaten 86-ball 106. Through it all, Hopkins batted with consummate assurance and style, picking up 23 boundaries on his way to 201.The declaration eventually came with a lead of 366 runs, and with little hope of survival for Central. The new-ball bowlers, Michael Bates and Bartlett, wreaked havoc once again, picking up eight wickets between them, while Sinclair fought hard with 129, but could not prevent the resounding defeat.Canterbury were made to scrap for their five-wicket win over Wellington in Rangiora. After winning the toss, the Canterbury seam attack had Wellington reeling at 66 for 6. Luke Woodcock’s rearguard 76 lifted them out of the morass, to an under-par score of 176, as Brandon Hinii grabbed four wickets.Canterbury’s batsmen then went about building a handy lead, anchored by Shanan Stewart’s ton and a useful contribution from Michael Papps. Ili Tugaga ran through the tail to finish with four wickets and keep the lead down to 142. Wellington put up a much-improved show in the second innings, with the openers Neal Parlane and Stephen Murdoch batting patiently to add 124 and bring their side back into the game. Todd Astle then delivered a twin strike to create a minor wobble, Murdoch departing for 59, and Cameron Merchant, soon after for a duck. But James Franklin and Parlane joined forces to ensure that there was no collapse.Parlane was the first to reach hundred, and eventually fell for a well-made 137 off 243 balls. Michael Pollard helped Franklin add 90 runs and raise visions of a spectacular comeback for Wellington, before both departed within ten runs of each other. Franklin struck 26 fours and a six in his 214-ball 162. Astle, who finished with a five-for, and Johann Myburgh, polished off the lower order to keep Wellington’s lead down to 305. At 85 for 4, it was anybody’s game and for the second time in the match, Stewart seized the moment in style. His 92 was supported well by Peter Fulton’s 77, and Dean Brownlie’s unbeaten 74, as Canterbury coasted home by five wickets.In the only non-decisive result of the ninth round, Northern Districts and Otago played out a high-scoring draw in Whangerei. Otago opted to field and but couldn’t make early inroads due to a solid opening stand from Michael Parlane and Daniel Flynn, who both struck 60s and added 113 runs. Nathan McCullum sparked a middle-order wobble before Brad Wilson’s 107 shepherded the side, in the company of the tail. Peter McGlashan contributed 71, while McCullum and Nick Beard took three wickets each before Northern declared at 465 for 9. Craig Cumming and Darren Broom led Otago’s reply with fine centuries and a 247-run stand for the second wicket. Cumming struck 27 fours in his 160, while Broom made 119. Greg Todd and McCullum then took over, with knocks of 91 and 88 respectively, as Otago went past Northern’s score. They eventually declared 111 runs ahead of Northern, with Graeme Aldridge picking four wickets. Northern had no problems in surviving 63 overs and proceeding to 212 for 7 before the match was called off.Auckland remained at the bottom of the table despite the win, while Northern maintained their top spot.

Yuvraj Singh and Preity Zinta have reacted strongly to media reports that the batsman had been deliberately underperforming after losing the captaincy to Kumar Sangakkara

Cricinfo staff02-Apr-2010Kings XI Punjab’s star batsman Yuvraj Singh and franchise owner Preity Zinta have reacted strongly to media reports that the batsman had been deliberately underperforming after losing the captaincy to Kumar Sangakkara.Yuvraj has had a lean trot in the tournament so far, scoring just 101 runs in seven games at 14.42. His performance has mirrored his team’s woeful showing, with just one win from seven games and a semi-final slot looking extremely unlikely. That has led to speculation that the poor form was due to an alleged rift between him and Sangakkara. An upset Yuvraj vented his feelings on his Twitter page.”I am disgusted and horrified that a news reporter can stoop down to such a level. I, in all my career, haven’t seen such a disgusting piece of news,” Yuvraj wrote. “Media has no right to fabricate stories, they just want eyeballs.”His views were shared by his team’s co-owner. “There is no truth to the speculative reportage that is being carried in various segments of the media and these get accentuated when the tide is not in our favour,” Zinta said. “We are focused on the game today (against Royal Challengers Bangalore) and by reporting such stories we are distracting the players hence we request the media not to resort to such speculative reporting.”Yuvraj stressed that his batting form was linked to his return from injury and nothing else. “To come out of injury is not easy and I’ve had three in a row and I hope to bounce back soon,” he wrote. “I always try to give my best no matter what the circumstance and right now am struggling with my form. It happens to every player.”There was also speculation that he wanted to transfer to another franchise and that Punjab had complained to the BCCI about the developments but the board denied receiving any such complaint. “There is no truth in such claims that a complaint was made to BCCI regarding Yuvraj,” BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told PTI. “Yuvraj is a great player but is currently out of form, which can happen to any cricketer. People should not read too much into the issue.”

Cricinfo previews the Super Eights match between Pakistan and South Africa in St Lucia

The Preview by Osman Samiuddin09-May-2010

Match facts

Monday, May 10, St Lucia
Start time 0930 (1330 GMT)Shahid Afridi hasn’t fired yet for Pakistan•Getty Images

The Big Picture

Two of the brightest sides of last year’s tournament have been two of the bigger disappointments this time. And yet, a win for either here could still see them through to the semi-finals, depending on what happens in the game between England and New Zealand.Pakistan do not require a mathematical miracle to get through. A win here, and an England win over New Zealand, remarkably, might guarantee them a spot in the semis, given that Pakistan’s net run-rate is superior to both New Zealand and South Africa. For Graeme Smith’s men to go through, a win coupled with an English win, will be enough.On most days South Africa would look the likelier bet, if only because Pakistan have been so timid and unsure through the tournament. But at spin-friendly St Lucia, with big stakes on the line, certainty is in short supply.In any case, South Africa have been strangely inconsistent, a malaise that stretches beyond just this tournament and format to last year. In the Caribbean they’ve relied heavily on their pace duo of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and both have been hot and cold; in particular, the latter’s no-ball problems are beginning to hurt. Little errors have crept in, the kind of untidiness you do not expect from them; catches have been dropped, edges have gone through slips, fumbles here and there. Their batting has been consistently weak.Pakistan have struggled with most things, their batting line, the make-up of their attack and their fielding. Shahid Afridi’s form has gone, they’ve picked and dropped Mohammad Sami at the wrong moments, Abdul Razzaq has been used strangely, either opening the bowling or not bowling at all. Of their batsmen, only Salman Butt has been a success and he was least expected to be one.Yet nobody, least of all South Africa, will forget that it is at these moments that they can be at their most dangerous.

Form guide (Most recent first)

Pakistan LLLWW
South Africa LWWLW

Watch out for

Abdur Rehman made a fine comeback against New Zealand, picking up two cheap wickets in his first T20I for over two years. He has always been a successful limited-overs left-arm option and his return comes after one of his best domestic seasons. South Africa still struggle to score quickly against spin and Rehman’s position, amid the spin of Afridi and Saeed Ajmal, may well be crucial if the surface is given to spin.Like India, Pakistan have also struggled against fast, short-pitched bowling, even in St Lucia, where Australia’s pace attack knocked them over. So Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn are likely to again be the central planks in their side’s plans to get through.

Team news

Pakistan are unlikely to tinker much with a line-up that did so well in the field against New Zealand. In fact, the right balance in their attack finally seems to have been struck, four games into the tournament. With few batting replacements, Afridi will desperately hope one of his batsmen other than Butt can kick on, though dropping Mohammad Hafeez and bringing in Khalid Latif may be an option.Pakistan (probable) 1 Salman Butt 2 Kamran Akmal (wk) 3 Mohammad Hafeez/Khalid Latif 4 Umar Akmal 5 Misbah-ul-Haq 6 Shahid Afridi (capt) 7 Abdul Razzaq 8 Mohammad Aamer 9 Mohammad Sami 10 Abdur Rehman 11 Saeed AjmalThough South Africa are still likelier to use pace to unsettle Pakistan’s batsmen, the nature of the pitch might warrant a return for Roelof van der Merwe, though he is wicketless thus far in the tournament. Their top order has struggled too, and whether or not the ageing, misfiring Herschelle Gibbs will continue to be persisted with is also open to question.South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt) 2 Jacques Kallis 3 Loots Bosman/Herschelle Gibbs 4 AB de Villiers 5 JP Duminy 6 JA Morkel 7 MV Boucher (wk) 8 J Botha 9 Dale Steyn 10 Morne Morkel 11 Charl Langeveldt

Pitch and conditions

There won’t be as much bounce or pace as in Barbados, though the express bowlers have still prospered in St Lucia.

Stats and trivia

Kevin Pietersen wants the inspiration from England’s Barbados victory over Australia in the World Twenty20 final to carry into the upcoming ODI series against Australia and the Ashes later this year

Cricinfo staff14-Jun-2010Kevin Pietersen wants the inspiration from England’s Barbados victory over Australia in the World Twenty20 final to carry into the upcoming ODI series against Australia as thoughts turn to the Ashes series later this year.England swept Australia aside to claim their first ICC title, with Pietersen finishing Player of the Tournament, and he believes the fact that the success came away from home will give England confidence that they can produce a repeat come the winter.”It’s a huge boost to beat Australia away from England and it’s something we haven’t done for a long time,” he told Sky Sports News. “They always beat us in Australia and they beat us in the semi-final of the Champions Trophy [in South Africa] too. Whenever I’ve played Australia away from home we’ve never really come up trumps but to win [the World Twenty20] the way we did – I think India were only team we didn’t get to beat on the big stage – that will give us a lot of confidence.”Pietersen’s only experience of an Ashes tour was the 5-0 routing in 2006-07. Back then an injury-ravaged side could not challenge a strong opposition but now, on the back of their home success against Australia last summer, Pietersen feels England have a deep enough squad to compete against the best teams.”A lot of our good players and experienced players are coming to the party and we’re all dovetailing with each other,” he said. “If one guy doesn’t do well another guy does. The key to beating Australia is for all 11 to dovetail together – or all 12, 13, 14 even 15 if they get an opportunity to come in.”Everyone talks about this word consistency but we’ve been doing it for a while and we have had some good results in the last 18 months so we want to continue that.”England play the first of five ODIs against Australia on Pietersen’s home ground, The Rose Bowl, on June 22 and Pietersen wants to use the opportunity to ram home the momentum they generated at Barbados. “It would have been nice only to play them again on November 25 after we beat them in Barbados but if we play the way we played in the Caribbean then we’re moving in the right direction.”

Javed Miandad’s nephew Faisal Iqbal has accused the PCB of unfairly targeting him after being left out of the team that will play six tests in England this summer

Cricinfo staff22-Jun-2010Javed Miandad’s nephew Faisal Iqbal has accused the PCB of unfairly targeting him after being left out of the team that will play six tests in England this summer. “I’m really disheartened,” Faisal told the . “They have given me the shock of my life by discarding me without any due reason. It’s pure victimisation and nothing else.”Faisal last played for Pakistan on the disastrous tour of Australia, where he averaged 24.25 in the first two Tests before being replaced for the third Test. His exclusion from the England tour has left him disheartened and he claimed his shabby treatment would serve as a deterrent to young players coming through the system.”I’ve played as a replacement player for the last nine years,” he said. “I’ve scored even in difficult conditions though the chances I was given were few and far between. I’m young and fit and have matured now but they have just discarded me without any fault of mine. Such treatment of players like me, who are loyal to their country, will dishearten the next generation of cricketers.”He also argued that he turned down lucrative contract offers from the ICL because of his love for his country, unlike some of the players named in the squad. “I just wanted to play for my country and give my best for it.” Faisal has played 26 Tests for Pakistan since making his debut in 2001 against New Zealand, averaging a tad under 27 with one century and eight half-centuries