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The Pakistan board is still searching for a coach to take over from Saqlain Mushtaq

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2023Mickey Arthur will not be returning to Pakistan cricket, after talks with the PCB failed to find a way to make any arrangement work. The PCB had been in discussions with Arthur for a new stint as head coach over the last few weeks. But the PCB announced on Tuesday that Arthur’s long-term contract with Derbyshire meant he couldn’t take the head coach role right away. Both sides had conversations over a looser, consultancy role but the PCB said that proved “difficult to materialise for various reasons on both sides.”The PCB said they would continue their search for a coach to replace the incumbent Saqlain Mushtaq, whose contract runs out at the end of February. Saqlain has been coach of the side since September 2021 and has seen Pakistan reach the semi-finals and then final of two successive T20 World Cups. But a poor home season, especially in Tests, has increased scrutiny on his impact. With a new board regime in charge under Najam Sethi and keen to stamp their authority on the team, Saqlain’s time is effectively up.An Arthur return would’ve been a popular one, at least within the team where a number of current players blossomed during his first stint from 2016 to 2019. It was Arthur’s faith in and work with current captain Babar Azam that proved instrumental in his subsequent rise. A number of other key players, including Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed all flourished during Arthur’s tenure. Under his charge Pakistan won the 2017 Champions Trophy and also reached the No. 1 position on ICC’s T20I rankings; in the first Test series he took charge in, Pakistan became the top-ranked Test side as well (though much of the work to that rise had occurred before he took over).But he was replaced by Misbah-ul-Haq, who had been captain under Arthur’s coaching, after Pakistan’s fifth-place finish at the 2019 ODI World Cup. They narrowly failed to make the semi-finals, despite a stirring turnaround after a heavy early loss.On December 27, ESPNcricinfo reported that Sethi, in effect the head of the current administration was in talks with Arthur over returning to his previous job. Arthur was previously coach during Sethi’s previous stint. Both sides, it is believed, tried hard to find a way through especially with a consultancy role, with a schedule drawn out as to how such a role might work around Arthur’s four-year deal with Derbyshire.The PCB said that “some top names are in consideration” as they continue their search.

First hundred at SA20 cements Durban at foot of table as JSK begin play-off push

Danyal Rasool24-Jan-2023A sensational century from Faf du Plessis saw Joburg Super Kings claim a much-needed eight-wicket win over Durban’s Super Giants. In a clash between the two sides at the bottom of the table, Super Kings timed their chase to perfection to move out of fifth, and further entrench DSG at rock bottom.JSK won the toss and opted to field first, but DSG’s fast start put them on the back foot. Kyle Mayers and Quinton de Kock ensured they took advantage of the first Powerplay before three quick strikes brought JSK back into it. Maheesh Theekshana and Gerald Coetzee split all of DSK’s wickets among them, and were also among JSK’s most economical bowlers.After that triple-strike had reduced them to 46 for 3, Heinrich Klaasen got DSK back on track and set them up for a big finish. He was complemented by Jason Holder, whose unbeaten 12-ball 28 ensured DSK stormed to 178, and carried the momentum with them to the break.DSK also started magnificently with the ball. The first three overs, bowled by Mayers, Keshav Maharaj and Reece Topley, conceded just eight runs. While du Plessis began to lay a platform, Hendricks continued to struggle. By the end of the 13th over, JSK had managed 97, with the run rate approaching 12.But from thereon du Plessis found a purple patch. The next three overs produced 55 runs, with du Plessis completing a 54-ball hundred. Even Hendricks found the fence on a few occasions, and by the time the asking rate was a run a ball. DSK struck twice to take the game into the final over, but by now, JSK had control, and in the end, yet another creamy drive over cover for six from du Plessis sealed the win.

Uncapped batters Lasith Croospulle and Sahan Arachchige have made the cut for the ODI and T20I series

Madushka Balasuriya17-Mar-2023Angelo Mathews returns to Sri Lanka’s white-ball set up after more than two years, while Kusal Perera is set to play for the first time in over a year. Both players were part of the ODI and T20I squads Sri Lanka Cricket have selected for the upcoming series in New Zealand.The squads also included uncapped batters Lasith Croospulle and Sahan Arachchige. Batter Nuwanidu Fernando is in line for a T20I debut, while seamer Matheesha Pathirana is looking for his maiden ODI cap.Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Nuwan Thushara and Jeffrey Vandersay missed out from the squad that toured India in January.Mathews and Perera’s inclusions follow an abysmal ODI tour of India earlier this year, following which there were calls to pick more seniors in a World Cup year.Perera’s recall comes despite him not having played much following 16 months of recovery from a shoulder injury. Even though Sri Lanka might consider him as a potential option for the ODI World Cup in India in October and November, he is only part of the T20 squad at present to manage his workload.Mathews has not turned out for the white-ball sides since Sri Lanka toured the West Indies in March 2021. His most recent limited-overs experience came in two games for Sri Lanka A against England Lions in which he scored a fifty, and the Lanka Premier League, where he struck 201 runs at an average of 40.20 for the Colombo Stars. While he has improved his fitness over the past year, he is not seen as a consistently reliable seam-bowling option.

Who are the new faces?

Croospulle, who opens the batting, struck two centuries against England Lions, as well as a fifty in a List-A game against them.Arachchige also had an impressive outing against the Lions, scoring important cameos from the lower order while also picking up wickets with his offbreaks. Nuwanidu too impressed against Lions, striking two 50-plus scores, while he also recorded a fifty against India to round off a solid run of form that started with the LPL. Croospulle and Nuwanidu are part of the T20I squad, while Arachchige will play in the ODIs.Among most high-profile exclusion is that of Avishka, who had recently returned to the national setup for the India tour on the back of an impressive LPL, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer. He also made 67 and 150 in the recent NSL 4-day tournament. However, a poor showing in India combined with sub-par outings against Lions – not to mention stiff competition for top-order places – means that the selectors were left with little choice but to omit him.Rajapaksa’s omission is less vexing, with the batter in recent months a shadow of the player that was voted Player of the Match in the 2022 Asia Cup final.

How the rest of the squads shape up

The rest of Sri Lanka’s squad looks relatively settled. Both sides will be captained by Dasun Shanaka, with the likes of Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Chamika Karunaratne making up a bulk of the batting in both white-ball teams.Karunaratne, who also bowls seam, is part of a pace unit that includes Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan and Pathirana – all of whom have been named in both squads. Dushmantha Chameera had initially been earmarked to play, but the selectors are managing his game time due to his history of injury issues.”The bowler will not be able to tour, as he is still undergoing his structured return-to-play program, a part of his rehabilitation program, following his left ankle surgery,” SLC said. Madushan has taken his place in the T20I side, while Pathirana replaces him in the ODI squad.Thushara, though, might count himself a unlucky, having not played a game against India despite a solid LPL. Sri Lanka are spoilt for choice in the seam-bowling department, and in Pathirana they already have another slinger who offers a bit more pace.There are no surprises among the spinners with Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana joined by the young allrounder Dunith Wellalage. Vandersay misses out by virtue of Sri Lanka not needing an extra spin option in New Zealand.Sri Lanka will play three ODIs and three T20Is against New Zealand, with the ODI leg starting on March 25 in Auckland. The T20Is will begin on April 2.T20 squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya De Silva, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Lasith Croospulle, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nuwanidu Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana, Pramod Madushan.ODI squad: Dasun Shanaka (capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya De Silva, Sahan Arachchige, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Matheesha Pathirana.

Jemimah Rodrigues will be her deputy, as Capitals’ campaign kicks off on March 5 at the Brabourne Stadium

Vishal Dikshit02-Mar-2023Australia captain Meg Lanning is set to lead the Delhi Capitals franchise in the inaugural edition of Women’s Premier League (WPL) that starts on March 4 in Mumbai. Lanning has won a record four T20 World Cups as captain for Australia, including the most recent one in South Africa last month having beaten the hosts in the final.Lanning, 30, arrived in Mumbai on Thursday for the WPL. She has played 132 T20Is, scoring 3405 runs with two centuries and 15 half-centuries at an average of 36.61 and strike rate of 116.37. She has led Australia in 100 T20Is, the most by any women’s player to captain a side in the format.Jemimah Rodrigues will be the vice-captain of Capitals, who begin their WPL campaign on March 5 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium.Lanning said of her appointment: “It’s a very proud moment for me, firstly to be involved with Delhi Capitals and then to lead them. It’s about enjoying yourself, getting the best out of yourself.”WPL is a massive moment for the sport, it’s the logical next step and makes a lot of sense. Cricket in India is people’s lives and the fact that WPL is up and running, and to be involved in something like this, is amazing. It’s only going to grow in the coming years.”Lanning is the third Australia player to lead a WPL side, after Beth Mooney was named Gujarat Giants’ captain and Alyssa Healy for UP Warriorz. Mumbai Indians will be led by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Royal Challengers by Smriti Mandhana.

Opener makes 170, his highest score for Kent but draw looms with bad weather lurking

ECB Reporters Network22-Apr-2023 Kent 342 for 7 (Crawley 170) trail Essex 451 for 5 dec ( Browne 159, Westley 148) by 109 runsA regal 170 from Zak Crawley helped Kent to 342 for seven on day three of their LV= Insurance County Championship game with Essex at Canterbury, a deficit of 109.The England man made his highest ever score for Kent, producing an innings of style and brutality as the hosts avoided following on, despite four for 141 from Simon Harmer.Earlier Nick Browne hit 159 before Essex declared on 451 for five. Tom Westley made 148 and Michael Pepper was unbeaten on 52, but with 118 overs lost to the weather on days one and two and the forecast for Sunday looking bleak, the draw now looks the most likely outcome.For the first time in the match the Spitfire Ground was bathed in sunshine when play began and Essex immediately went on the attack.Westley drove the first ball of the day through the covers for four but he subsequently perished to an astounding piece of fielding by Daniel Bell-Drummond.When he hooked Conor McKerr to the square leg boundary it looked almost certain to be a six, but Bell-Drummond managed to grab the ball in mid-air and flick it back over to the rope to Ben Compton. It was a moment of that rivalled Jordan Cox’s miraculous leap in the 2021 Vitality Blast final, the difference being that it wasn’t filmed and only a few hundred people in the ground were lucky enough to witness it.A mini-collapse ensued as Wes Agar had Paul Walter caught behind for eight, before McKerr took a sharp return catch to get Matt Critchley for one, but Blast mode quickly resumed, with Pepper ramping McKerr for six and Browne driving Jack Leaning through the covers to pass 150.Leaning eventually had Browne caught on the long off boundary by Jordan Cox, but Essex declared as soon as they’d secured the fifth bonus point.Openers Crawley and Ben Compton moved cautiously to 13 without loss at lunch, after which the former launched an aggressive counter-attack, driving, cutting and even reverse-sweeping his way to his fifth red-ball century for Kent and his first since his 105 against Hampshire in September 2020.He smashed Harmer back over his head for six to pass 50 and pulled the same bowler through mid-wicket to get to three figures, but an opening stand of 162 ended Harmer bowled Compton for 46 with a ball that trickled off the foot of his bat before hitting the stumps.Harmer nearly had Crawley when he was on 130, but Browne put him down at short leg. Harmer did trap Bell-Drummond lbw for 23 with the final ball of the afternoon session and then had Leaning caught by a tumbling Paul Walter at mid-wicket.Cox was on 21 when he was dropped by Ben Allison off Doug Bracewell, but he failed to cash in, driving the same bowler to Harmer at backward point having added just six more.Harmer then bowled Sam Billings middle stump for one and having passed his previous highest score for Kent, 168 vs Glamorgan in 2018, Crawley was finally caught behind off Jamie Porter, with Kent still 14 sort of the follow on target.Joey Evison subsequently edged one past gully to get the hosts within 150 and although Hamid Qadri was caught behind off Matt Critchley for 16, Evison and McKerr batted through to stumps.