Cricket admirers across the world witnessed yet another absorbing day of fascinating contests. Wood fired England with the exhibition of their introduced “ Bazball Cricket “ is on the verge of levelling the 5 matches Ashes series 2-2. Formidable foes Pakistan and India earned yet another date for epic final in Sri Lanka for the Championship of Asian Emerging Cricket edging out Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. India continues to dominate West Indies at Port of Spain.
England On the Verge of Squaring the Ashes
Australia winning the first two tests of the current ashes series, was sitting pretty forging ahead 2-0. Few persons thought Australia will win the series easily. Some even though Australia may even whitewash England. It was not that Australia blew England away in the first two tests. Both the test went down to the wire and after mouth watering contests Australia prevailed over England. One of the key Australian bowler Nathan Lyon got injured after representing Australia for 100 consecutive matches.
England reintroduced blistering fast bowler Mark Wood and also brought in all-rounder Chris Woakes. These changed the complete complexion of England. The balance was dramatically changed. Winning the third test with a bang England roared back into the series. Despite of severe criticism England did not change playing Flamboyant brand of aggressive cricket. In the ongoing penultimate 4th test at Old Trafford Manchester England is now in the box seat. After restricting Australia to 317 in the first Innings England piled up massive 592 in only 107.4 overs. Zak Crawley blasted Aussies plundering 189 in 182 deliveries, Jony Bairstow coming to bat at 7 remained unbeaten producing 99 in 81 deliveries, Joe Root 84, Harry Brooks 61, Moeen Ali 54 and Ben Stokes 51 made significant contributions.
The otherwise formidable Australian attack was toyed around by the English batsmen. Australia batting second time with a huge 269 runs deficit could do no better as again all guns firing English attack spearheaded by fiery Wood reduced them to 113/4. Usman Khawaja, David Warner, Steve Smith and Travis Head all are back in the hut. Australia with 6 second innings wickets at hand still trail by 162 runs. Wood bowling 17 overs grabbed 3/17. It is to be seen whether Australia can avoid the ignominy of an innings defeat. The series looks poised for 2-2 levelling. The last test will be decider.
Pakistan -India Epic Contest Will Be Witnessed in Asian Emerging World Cup
These days India and Pakistan do not play in bilateral series. The players do not even appear against each other in IPL or PSL. Cricket admirers eagerly wait for their meetings in major ACC or ICC competition. Opportunity emerged yesterday in Sri Lanka with strong Pakistan A blowing out the host Sri Lanka A by 60 runs. Batting first Pakistan posted a very impressive 322. Home team trying their best could reach as far as 262. In the other match Bangladesh A the shadow of Bengal Tigers had wonderful opportunity for upstaging strong India . Having restricted them to 211 Bangladesh themselves got bundled out for 160. The stage is now set for a Pakistan India final.
Winning the toss Pakistan chose to bat. From the very outset Pakistan playing wonderful brand of aggressive cricket kept the impressive rate of runs going. Omar Yusuf produced a scintillating 88. Captain Mohammad Harris (51) and Mubasir Khan (42) also chipped in with useful contributions. Chasing 323 for a win is always a huge challenge. Moreover, Sri Lanka losing wickets at regular interval never looked in a hunt. Nevertheless, they kept plugging away and reached 262 in 45.4 overs. Pakistani Pacer Arshad Ayub grabbed 5 wickets for 37 caused the host to suffocate. For the home team Avishka Fernando and Shahan Archangel both scored 97. But wickets at regular interval against steady Pakistan bowling and too high a target to chase made the host lose the contest by 60 runs.
Bangladesh Lost a Golden Opportunity
Bangladesh A possessing several players either having experience of representing the country in Under 19 world cup or appearing for the senior team almost rocked formidable India. Putting them to bat Bangladesh bowlers bowling with discipline never gave India any liberty. 212 was not much difficult to chase for a place in the final. But their efforts got put paid for a major collapse in their batting after the fall of first wicket. Off course some Bangladeshis will raise questioning about few controversial umpiring decisions going against them but after restricting India to 211 and themselves getting bundled out for 160 Bangladesh has only themselves to blame. Yes Zakir and Soumya if given benefit of doubt could make a difference. But Bangladesh batting also collapsed after a brilliant first wicket partnership between Mohammad Naim (38) at 70. Between 130 -160 Bangladesh lost 5 wickets and lost the match by 51 runs. Teams may win or lose. But question arises when 50:50 umpiring decisions always go in favor of a particular team. Despite of all these one must say Bangladeshi teams usually suffer from a Jink in close matches against India. Indian Captain Yash Dhull scoring 66 gave some respectability to Indian total. The clear stumping decision against Nikin Jose was overturned in a dramatic manner. Bangladesh continues to suffer for umpiring decisions always going against while playing India.
King Kohli Achieved Yet Another Milestone
At Port of Spain West Indies performed marginally better, restricting formidable India to438 all out. One of the feature of the test so far is definitely one of the best ever test batsman Virat Kohli playing his 500th international match scoring his 29th test century 121 to be exact. When it comes to 29 test centuries cricket admirers off course remember Sir Donald Bradman achieving that feat playing only 69 test matches. Earlier Rohit scored 80 and rookie Jaiswal 57 on day one. Ravindra Jadeja contributed useful 61. For a change West Indies bowlers Jomel Warrican (3/89). Khemar Roach ( 3/104) and Jason Holder (2/57) bowled with a purpose. At the end of day two West Indies reaching 86/1 trail by 352 runs with 9 first innings wickets at hand. It seems that this test may not see India pulverizing West Indies like the first test. Caribbean batsmen must have a way to deal with prolific Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Better showing in this test may usher in a much awaited turning around of once all conquering Caribbeans.
Another win will take India to a comfortable position in the points table of ICC Test Championship version 3.
Cricket feast across the cricket world will continue tomorrow as well, with Australia struggling to avoid defeat at Old Trafford, West Indies will try to resurge at Port of Spain. Bangladesh eves will have another crack against Indian women in ODI series at SBNCS Dhaka.
BDST: 1018 HRS, JULY 22, 2023
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