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Having drubbed Sri Lanka in the first two ODIs, New Zealand are primed to wrap up the ODI series against Sri Lanka, despite Brendon McCullum’s injury

Andrew Fidel Fernando30-Dec-2015

Match facts

December 31, 2015
Start time 1100 local (2200 GMT, previous day)

Big Picture

After Monday’s Hagley Oval drubbing, Sri Lanka’s interim coach called the match “humiliating” for his team. Of the many blows suffered by Sri Lanka so far in the ODI series, the fact that such a substantially depleted New Zealand side has still thrashed them, might be the most troubling. Tim Southee may return to the XI for this match, but Trent Boult remains unavailable. Kane Williamson and Adam Milne had also been left nursing injuries. Brendon McCullum, however, is unlikely to play the third ODI, having aggravated a back injury in the previous game.Matt Henry, Mitchell McClenaghan and Martin Guptill have so far been the hosts’ key performers, but matches have finished so quickly that the others have hardly had a chance to leave their mark. Henry Nicholls has not been put through a thorough test yet, and Ish Sodhi was needed only for three overs with the ball in the second match.Sri Lanka are being hit by bad news almost on a daily basis now. They had just learned overnight that Lasith Malinga will not make the trip to New Zealand at all, thanks to a bone-related knee condition. This means Nuwan Kulasekara may be charged with leading the attack in a tour where he himself is straining to rediscover the swing and subtlety that once envenomed his medium pace. Meanwhile, the others in the attack are having their inexperience exposed. Dushmantha Chameera’s short deliveries were a little predictable in Hamilton, and legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay was forced to bowl inside the Powerplay on debut, with a still-hard ball.The New Zealand bowlers have simply had to hit the seam on a good length and await mistakes, with which the opposition have been lavishly forthcoming. The hosts keep saying that the visitors are due a good score soon. Increasingly, it seems like only a good start from Tillakaratne Dilshan would dig the top order out of trouble and help Sri Lanka stay alive.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)


New Zealand: WWLWL
Sri Lanka: LLWWW

In the spotlight

Ross Taylor had been in terrific form during the mid-year ODI series in England and Zimbabwe, but Sri Lanka sometimes seems a bogey team for him. He has played 23 ODI innings against them, and averages only 24.71. His nemesis Rangana Herath is not in the ODI squad, so Taylor will hope he can make his first substantial score of the tour in Nelson. That is if he gets the chance to bat.Angelo Mathews‘s tactics have sometimes drawn criticism, but throughout his tenure at the helm, his batting has been exemplary. In the two years since taking the reins, he has been Sri Lanka’s rock in the middle order – as capable of providing bruising finishes, as he is of sober recoveries. On this tour, New Zealand have kept tugging at a leg-side loophole in his game. They send balls at his ribs or his pads, and Mathews keeps being caught down the legside. The seamers will probably try that plan again in Nelson. Mathews’ response will make for intriguing viewing.

Teams news

With Danushka Gunathilaka having perished cheaply in both matches (though he was far from alone in this), Sri Lanka may consider pushing Kithuruwan Vithanage into the middle order, and displacing Gunathilaka from the side by opening with Lahiru Thirimanne. Sri Lanka may also opt to play with only one spinner on a fresh Nelson pitch as well. Vandersay is likeliest to miss out.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Tillakaratne Dilshan, 2 Danushka Gunathilaka/ Kithuruwan Vithanage , 3 Lahiru Thirimanne, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 5 Angelo Mathews (capt.), 6 Milinda Siriwardana, 7 Chamara Kapugedara, 8 Nuwan Kulasekara, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Dushmantha Chameera, 11 Suranga LakmalHaving picked Matt Henry for only the first two ODIs, New Zealand have opted to keep to that original plan instead of allowing their best bowler of the series so far continue in the ODIs. Henry now finds himself playing for Canterbury. Kane Williamson is expected to play after missing the two previous games with a knee problem. In all likelihood, he will captain the side. Tim Southee comes back into contention, and Adam Milne appears to have sufficiently recovered from his bruised heel.New Zealand (probable): 1 Tom Latham 2 Martin Guptill, 3 Kane Williamson (capt.), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Henry Nicholls, 6 Mitchell Santner, 7 Luke Ronchi (wk), 8 Doug Bracewell, 9 Adam Milne, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Mitchell McClenaghan/Ish Sodhi

Pitch and conditions

The Saxton Oval pitch has been somewhat slower than the others in the country, but was still good for batting during the World Cup. The weather is expected to be fine, though a little cloudy. Temperatures are forecast to be in the low 20s.

Stats and trivia

• In the five ODIs at Saxton Oval so far, the team batting first has crossed 275 on every occasion.
• Milinda Siriwardana (78 runs) is the only batsman to have hit more runs for Sri Lanka than Nuwan Kulasekara (77 runs), so far in the series.
• Matt Henry had 8 wickets at an average of 10.25 in the two matches. Yet he is no longer in the squad

Quotes

“We’ve put the ball in demanding areas and made them have to make some tough decisions. We build up dots and pressure. Kudos goes to our fielders being able to build up that pressure; stopping ones and making the batsmen second guess that quick single.”

Jamie Overton’s call up for the England squad alongside brother Craig has raised hopes that England could be about to see the first twins ever play together in the international side

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jun-20153:06

Dobell: Overton twins’ selection not a huge surprise

England have called up Somerset fast bowler Jamie Overton to their ODI squad for the remaining two ODIs against New Zealand. Jamie joins his brother Craig in the squad and presents the prospect of England fielding twins in the same match for the first time.Jamie Overton, the 21-year-old from Devon, replaces Liam Plunkett who has been ruled out of the series with a thigh strain having played the first two matches of the series. Craig Overton replaced Chris Jordan who was also injured after the second ODI.These are selections based on future potential rather than performance, exciting in the recognition of might one day be achieved, but it would be possible to advance a case that they are illogical and lacking credibility if county statistics are to be given any credence. Perhaps England are just taking a development check. After all, building for the 2019 World Cup is the mantra.Somerset have rarely seen them in the same side together, partly because of injuries, partly because they remain inconsistent performers, although they did combine to devastating effect for the first time this season against Yorkshire last month. Even so, for them both to be called up by England in the same match before their county careers are barely established would be startling.Jamie is a bowler of genuine pace and imposing height at six-foot-five. He was first called up to the England squad against Australia in August 2013 but was not handed a debut. That winter he was picked for England Lions but was forced to pull out of the tour because of a knee injury.Jamie’s 2014 was also hampered by injury and when he did return could not win a place back in Somerset’s first XI and ended up back playing club cricket in Devon but he did spent time during the winter with the England Performance Programme and made a promising start to this season. But after a series of impressive spells, picked up another problem during the Middlesex Championship match at the end of April and was forced back on the sidelines.His ability with the white ball is less obvious. He has played only 14 List A matches and has taken 20 wickets at 27.00 with an economy rate of 6.27. He began the season with six wickets in three County Championship matches but with the white ball has proved expensive, conceding 128 runs in 12 overs from four matches.With Jamie missing from Somerset’s County Championship side, Craig, with better all-round ability, was brought in and played a key role in his side’s first victory of the season at Nottinghamshire, scoring a vital half-century and taking six wickets. But when both twins appeared against Yorkshire at the end of May they sent the cider pumps buzzing with a stand of 76 runs from only 5.5 overs – one of the few times they have both played together for Somerset.Craig himself has struggled with injuries, missing almost all of 2013 but bounced back to win a place on the England Lions tour to South Africa in January this year, only to have to come home early because of an ankle injury that eventually required surgery – something he says was actually a blessing in disguise. He has only appeared in the County Championship this summer yet could be in line for a one-day international debut this week, possibly alongside his twin.Their father Mark has played cricket for many years for North Devon CC, where they first knocked up on the outfield at Instow. When they began to play, it was Jamie who became the threatening fast bowler while Craig’s qualities seemed more rounded with both bat and ball. They were educated at West Buckland School, where one of the most iconic West Country cricketers, Harold Gimblett was also educated.If they ever play together, they might even one day outrank the Bedsers in English folkore. But only one of the Bedsers made it an international level, a reminder that sometimes achievement falls unevenly on twins. it was Alec who became one of England’s great bowling stalwarts in the post-war years, with his brother Eric only playing for England in a practice game against Tasmania on England’s 1950-51 tour of Australia.

He played 13 Tests, scoring his only century during the home series against India in 1961-62

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Feb-2022Easton McMorris, the former Jamaica captain and West Indies batter, has died at the age of 86. A right-hand opening batter, McMorris played 13 Tests between 1958 and 1966, scoring 564 runs at an average of 26.85.McMorris scored 13 and 16 on debut against Pakistan in 1957-58, lining up alongside Everton Weekes, Garry Sobers and Conrad Hunte. In his next match, against England in Bridgetown, he was run out at the non-striker’s end without facing a ball. He had to withdraw from the next Test after picking up an injury, but returned for the third and scored 73 in front of his home supporters.After missing out on West Indies’ tour of Australia in 1960-61, McMorris was recalled for the home series against India in 1961-62, where he hit the only Test century of his career, at Sabina Park. He followed that up with back-to-back fifties at Port of Spain.McMorris toured England in 1963 and 1966 but averaged just 13.38 in his four Test appearances, struggling to come to terms with the slower, greener pitches. He, however, continued to score heavily for Jamaica in the Shell Shield, in latter years as their captain, and ended his first-class career with 5906 runs from 95 matches, including 18 centuries.”I had the privilege to engage with Mr McMorris on a few occasions over the years. I found him to be an encouraging and selfless gentleman,” CWI president Ricky Skerritt said. “Easton was a true stalwart of the game and contributed significantly at all levels, on and off the field.”He was a leader at the Lucas Cricket Club, carrying on the legacy established by the great George Headley. After retirement from playing, he gave yeoman service as a board member of the Jamaica Cricket Association and manager of the Jamaica cricket team.”

The silver lining for Zimbabwe after Thursday’s thumping, and it’s a very slim lining indeed, is the batting form of Elton Chigumbura

Liam Brickhill at Queens Sports Club01-Aug-2013The silver lining for Zimbabwe after Thursday’s thumping, and it’s a very slim lining indeed, is the batting form of Elton Chigumbura. The allrounder, who was unbeaten on 50 as Zimbabwe disintegrated, is their leading run-scorer in the series with 142 runs at an average – boosted by two not-outs – of 71.Indeed, Chigumbura seems to have a thing for Indian bowlers: in six one-day innings against India, he’s been dismissed just twice in compiling 182 runs and has scored at close to a run a ball against them.”[India] always seem to come at a good time, when I’m playing well,” he said. “This is the second time I’ve played against them, and mostly that has been on wickets that are good to bat on.”It was expected that Zimbabwe would have an easier time of things at Queens Sports Club, where the pitch usually favours batting, but that proved – spectacularly – not to be the case. Chigumbura pointed to a lack of application by his side’s batsmen rather than any misreading of the pitch.”It was a good wicket to bat on. We all know when we play at Queens, it’s always a batter’s wicket and if you apply yourself then you can make runs. [A lack of application] been the problem for the last three games. Losing early wickets, it’s hard to come back, especially if you then keep losing wickets. Some of the batters are now coming in at different times that they are not used to. If we can have no early wickets, then the rest of the batters will end up batting in their natural position.”The guys are working hard, but I think it’s just a matter of being smart when we start our innings, especially our first ten overs when we’re losing two to three early wickets. Besides working hard, I think the guys just need to maybe take a little bit of time at the wicket. It all comes together when you stay out there.”A repeated mantra for Zimbabwe during this series has been that they’ve put in a lot of preparation, and now is the time to put it into action. Their failure hasn’t been for a lack of trying, but Chigumbura was at a loss as to how to explain the root cause of their inadequacies. With this series gone, it seems all that is left is to look forward to the next one, and hope it will be better.”We are all trying to improve in every game, but it’s unfortunate on this tour we haven’t done so. But if you look at our past history, playing at home we have done well. It’s just one of those tours, where things are not coming together on the batting side. We just need to finish well, and hopefully when Pakistan come our batting will gel.”

Late drop cannot detract from Gloucestershire talisman’s fine all-round performance

ECB Reporters Network10-Apr-2022Ryan Higgins missed a caught-and-bowled chance in the final over as a thrilling LV=Insurance County Championship clash between Gloucestershire and Northamptonshire ended in a draw.Higgins, who had earlier made 139 as Gloucestershire set the hosts 299 to win, struck in successive balls to remove first Lewis McManus and then Gareth Berg as a nail-biting chase came down to the final over.Prior to his double strike Gloucestershire had six fielders on the boundary in the wake of an onslaught led by Rob Keogh’s 74 and Josh Cobb’s 36, but they finished with five slips in a late quest for victory.However, Higgins spilt a drive by Tom Taylor with four balls left and Northamptonshire hung on to deny the visitors on their return to Division One for the first time since 2005.Northamptonshire must also wait for their first win at this level since 2004, despite Saif Zaib’s 65 and Keogh’s heroics for the second time in the match having left them 66 off as many balls ahead of the breathless finish.Earlier, Ben Sanderson took three wickets including that of Higgins, returning 5 for 66 to set up the thrilling run chase.Gloucestershire began on 326 for 6 with centurion Higgins still at the crease, but perhaps conscious they would be a bowler light due to Naseem Shah’s shoulder injury, they showed precious little sign of wanting to press on towards a declaration.Higgins struck one early boundary but was otherwise becalmed by Sanderson who trapped the allrounder lbw for 139, before having Taylor caught behind.Zafar Gohar struck a glorious on-drive to go to 50, but Nathan Buck pinned him in front and Sanderson had Naseem caught in the deep to complete his fifer.Northamptonshire skipper Ricardo Vasconcelos got the chase off to a flyer with a couple of glorious drives and it wasn’t long before Gloucestershire turned to Gohar in search of inspiration. Bowling into the rough outside left-hander Emilio Gay’s off stump, Gohar unsettled the academy graduate.Taylor then struck on the stroke of lunch finding the edge of Vasconcelos’s bat to give James Bracey his sixth catch of the game. On the resumption, Gohar and Taylor cranked up the pressure with 36 dot balls, Gay top-edging an attempted sweep off the spinner just beyond the clutches of a fielder in a bid to break the shackles.Pressure told when Gay nicked one through to give Bracey, while Curran took 22 balls to get of the mark, making a skittish 18 before Gohar trapped him lbw.Gloucestershire couldn’t seize the moment, Keogh’s presence bringing a new calmness to Zaib as the pair regrouped before unfurling a string of boundaries immediately after tea which brought 40 runs in six overs as they began to sense an unlikely win.An eighth four took Zaib to a seventh first-class 50, but Miles Hammond interrupted the carnage somehow clinging onto a skier to end the allrounder’s innings on 65.Keogh kept up the charge hoisting Gohar over square leg for six to reach a second 50 of the match before the spinner gave him a life on 57 failing to hold on to a sharp caught and bowled opportunity.The reprieve appeared decisive as he and Cobb rattled up a 50-stand, but with victory in sight Gohar got Keogh to play too soon and chip a catch to mid-off.Cobb assumed the mantle, clubbing Gohar over long-on, only to perish trying to repeat the shot before the dramatic finale unfolded.

The left-armer joins legspinner Georgia Wareham on the sidelines leaving the hosts needing further reinforcements

AAP07-Dec-2021Australia have suffered yet another blow ahead of this summer’s Women’s Ashes series after star spinner Sophie Molineux was struck down by a stress fracture in her right foot.Molineux suffered the injury during the last week of the WBBL, and has been ruled out of the entire multi-format series.Australian team doctor Pip Inge said Molineux is currently in a moon boot, but it’s hopeful the 23-year-old will be able to play in March’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand.”Sophie’s focus now shifts to her rehabilitation plan which means she’ll be unavailable for any upcoming domestic matches as well as the Ashes in January,” Inge said. “At this stage we are aiming to have Sophie available for the ICC Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in March.”Related

• Georgia Wareham ruled out of Ashes, World Cup and Commonwealth Games

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The injury to Molineux comes less than two months after legspinner Georgia Wareham ruptured the ACL in her left knee, ruling her out of the World Cup, Ashes, and Commonwealth Games campaigns.This summer’s Ashes series comprises of one Test, three one-dayers, and three T20s. The Test match starts on January 27 at Manuka Oval in Canberra.Molineux has excelled in her two Tests, nine ODIs, and 27 T20s for Australia, and her absence combined with that of Wareham is a big blow to the team’s spin stocks. But Australia still have Jess Jonassen, Amanda Jade-Wellington, and the uncapped Alana King to call upon in the spin department. Offspinner Molly Strano has also been part of recent squads.Molineux carried her injury into Melbourne Renegades’ Challenger final loss to the Adelaide Strikers late last month. She didn’t bat despite her team’s early collapse, and returned expensive figures of 0 for 22 from two overs with the ball. It was revealed during the match that Molineux had been in a moon boot in the lead-up to the clash.

Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand batsman, is in a critical condition in hospital after being assaulted late on Wednesday evening in Christchurch

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Mar-2013Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand batsman, is in an induced coma in hospital after being assaulted twice late on Wednesday evening in Christchurch. Ryder, 28, is in intensive care after suffering a fractured skull, which Christchurch Police believe happened in the second of the two attacks.The first assault took place at about 12.30am outside the Aikman’s Bar in a Christchurch suburb Merivale, where Ryder had been out with Wellington team-mates and friends following their loss to Canterbury to mark the end of the season. The second attack occurred minutes later at the entrance to the car park of a McDonald’s across the road, where the other Wellington players had gone to order food.”An altercation has taken place on the footpath outside Aikman’s involving Jesse and a group of at least two other males. The altercation was brief,” Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Archer told reporters in Christchurch. “Following that incident, Ryder and two other persons walked across the road towards McDonald’s, where his Wellington team-mates had been purchasing some food. A second altercation has taken place at the entrance to the McDonald’s car park, involving one of the males from the earlier group.”In that incident it appears Jesse has been the victim of a serious assault and has suffered head injuries as a result. Ambulance and police were called about at 12.44am. Jesse was taken to hospital where he remains in intensive care.”The hospital advise that Jesse is in a critical condition, he is in an induced coma as a result of suffering multiple injuries. He is still being assessed for a number of injuries and we are not prepared to discuss that any further.”Archer said that while police had “positive lines of inquiry”, they had not yet identified Ryder’s attackers. CCTV footage from Aikman’s and McDonald’s is being reviewed, he said. “We believe at least 10 or more people have witnessed some of the events, and we’ve been speaking to witnesses throughout the day. There are CCTV cameras in the area and we’re going through the process of downloading and reviewing that footage.”At the moment we have not identified the people involved in the incident, but we do have positive lines of inquiry, and we will be focusing on identifying and finding those people, and speaking to them.”Although the Wellington players had been at a licensed premises during the evening, at this stage there is no evidence that alcohol was a contributing factor to the assault. We are asking any witnesses to contact police and calling for people involved to come forward and speak to us about it.”Merivale McDonalds, where Jesse Ryder was found by police and taken to hospital•Getty Images

Ryder, who played 18 Tests for New Zealand before going into a self-imposed exile from international cricket for the last year, was due to leave for India on Friday to join the Delhi Daredevils ahead of the start of the IPL season on April 3. In January, he ruled out a return for New Zealand, despite his impressive domestic form.Before embarking on his sabbatical from international cricket, Ryder had been dropped from New Zealand’s ODI side after breaking team protocols concerning alcohol. In 2008, again in Christchurch, he injured his hand when putting it through a glass window after a drinking session.Peter Clinton, the Cricket Wellington chief executive, said Ryder was not in breach of his contract by being at the bar, and also that no team rules had been breached over the course of the night.”It was not a violation of his contract, no,” Clinton said. “There are some alcohol protocols around the team, as there are with other sports. My understanding of the events as described by the police was that those protocols were met last evening, so from that point of view we don’t have any direct concerns that Jesse was with his team-mates last night.”Heath Mills, chief executive of the New Zealand Players Association, said numerous cricketers around the country were in shock at the news of the assault, and Ryder’s serious condition.”Obviously the cricket community’s very shocked at what’s happened to Jesse. He’s obviously in a serious condition,” Mills said. “It’s a sad day for us, a number of players around the country are in shock, our focus now is on Jesse and his well-being.”The Daredevils’ team director, TA Sekar, called the incident “very unfortunate”. He had spoken to Ryder two days ago. “He was looking forward to come, and he was supposed to board the flight for Delhi tomorrow,” Sekar said. According to him, the franchise had bid for Ryder because he was a worthy batsman to replace Kevin Pietersen who, before he got injured, was contracted to play 11 matches in the season. Sekar said the franchise would seek a replacement soon.David White, the New Zealand Cricket chief executive, expressed his sorrow at events via a statement: “We are all shocked by what has occurred and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket’s thoughts are with him and his family.”New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor added: “Thinking of you mate [Jesse] Ryder.” Ryder’s manager, Aaron Klee, wrote on his Twitter page: “Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to [Christchurch] to see him.”

Progression to top division still in the balance for both teams after draw

George Dobell07-Jul-2021Warwickshire and Durham retained their hopes of qualifying for Division One in the LV= Insurance County Championship despite a frustrating final day at Edgbaston.The rain which had bedevilled this match throughout allowed just 28 overs on the final day. And while there was no lack of effort to get back on the pitch – quite the opposite, really – successive waves of rain rendered it all futile. Craig Miles, striking with the second delivery from the second new ball, completed a second five-for in successive Championship matches but David Bedingham was left eight short of a fourth century of the campaign.You could understand why everyone involved wanted to get back out there. With 20 overs left of Durham’s first innings in which both teams could earn bonus points (these are available in the first 110 overs of each first innings) and qualification for Division One looking tight, there was an obvious incentive.Both may yet come to rue dropped points here. Warwickshire, who took 11 points from this game (eight for the draw, one for their batting and two for their bowling) will feel that, from 195 for 3, they really should have made more than 237.Durham, meanwhile, let two points slip through their grasp due to a slow over-rate. So keen were they to make up that rate that it is understood that, from around mid-afternoon, they would have happily declared with Bedingham short of his century to have rushed through a few overs. It means they, too, took 11 points from the game.It all leaves Warwickshire the better placed of the teams going into the final round of games in the group. A high-scoring draw against Worcestershire at New Road should do it. Durham, meanwhile, probably need to beat Nottinghamshire. Both will have to watch out for Essex who, while someway off the pace at present, take on a weak Derbyshire team who are enduring a horrid season.If Warwickshire are to progress, though, they will do it with a squad stripped to the bones by injury and absence. Not only have they lost a coterie of seamers (Chris Woakes, Olly Stone, Olly Hannon-Dalby, Tim Bresnan, Carlos Brathwaite and Henry Brookes), but they are without their spinners, too, with Danny Briggs called up for England and Dan Mousley injured.It is understood they have enquired about various loan options – Surrey’s Dan Moriarty was one obvious lead – but with no luck. It is also understood they have had contact with various overseas players (including India’s Ravi Ashwin) but abandoned such plans as they felt it would be impossible to get a visa in time. Surrey’s plan to sign Ashwin may well stumble for the same reason. Kyle Mayers, who has been signed to play three T20 matches, could be drafted into the Championship side as a consequence.As a result, it seems likely that Jacob Bethell will win a first-class debut in their next game. He is only 17 and had a scan on a knee injury on Tuesday. But he is seen as an extravagant talent – albeit one whose primary skill is batting – and looked admirably calm in his two T20 appearances so far. Just as importantly, with Jake Lintott seen as a limited-overs specialist and the scan having cleared Bethell of serious issues, he is pretty much the only fit spinner available.Rob Yates may take issue with that description. He claimed his maiden first-class wicket in the final day of this game, luring Ned Eckersley into a chip to mid-wicket with one which dipped and turned a little. But it is Yates’ batting which is causing the excitement and you can understand why.After his first-innings dismissal here – his second shortly after completing a century this season – his coach, Mark Robinson, challenged him over whether he wanted to be a “good or great” batter. His point being, great batters go on and make double-hundreds. But given that Yates is 21, still a student and just recovering from an illness that kept him out of cricket for the best part of a month, and he is enjoying an outstanding season. Nobody in the land has made more centuries. A Lions call-up is starting to look like a possibility.The one man in this game whose batting impressed as much was Bedingham. He survived a chance on the third day and was fortunate, perhaps, to survive a leg before appeal on the fourth when he had 78. Liam Norwell was the unfortunate bowler.But he is clearly a class act. Like many of the best, he makes batting appear a simply business and, during the course of this innings, he extended his lead on top of the run-scoring chart to more than a hundred. Sooner or later, he will surely play international cricket with distinction.

Lancashire have signed New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan for their upcoming Friends Life t20 campaign

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jun-2013Lancashire have signed New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan for their Friends Life t20 campaign which gets underway later this month. McClenaghan will be Lancashire’s second overseas player for the tournament, after Australia’s Simon Katich.McClenaghan said he was excited to sign for Lancashire and is looking forward to county cricket.”I am delighted to be joining Lancashire for the Friends Life t20,” he said. “I have enjoyed being part of the New Zealand tour of the UK and Champions Trophy squad so far and the opportunity to broaden my cricket experience by playing county cricket was too good to turn down. Lancashire are a club with a great history and tradition and I hope to be able to help the club to T20 success this season.”McClenaghan has been in fine form off late in the ODIs in the UK, with figures of 4 for 65 in the washed out match against Australia and 4 for 43 against Sri Lanka which New Zealand won by one wicket. He was the highest wicket-taker in the three-match ODI series against England with eight wickets at an average of 17.25. He currently has 26 wickets in ODIs, the most for an ODI bowler after nine matches, including four four-wicket hauls.Lancashire coach Peter Moores said, “To have an international quality left-arm seamer joining us for the Friends Life t20 competition is very exciting and a real boost to the squad. The fact that Mitchell is coming straight out of international cricket in England means he will hit the ground running, and his competitive nature looks a perfect fit for how we go about our cricket.”Lancashire will play their opening Friends Life t20 match against Durham on June 28.

Adam Rossington’s 59* steers Northamptonshire to safety after hosts declare 62 runs adrift

ECB Reporters Network06-Jun-2021Kent have drawn their LV= Insurance County Championship match with Northamptonshire, despite an engrossing final day at Canterbury.An obdurate Adam Rossington eventually steered the visitors to safety with an unbeaten 59, but only after a brave declaration by the home side on their overnight score of 330 for 5, when they were still 62 runs behind.Nathan Gilchrist took 3 for 57 and Darren Stevens 2 for 42 as Kent scented an unlikely Group Three victory, only for the game to drift away in the final session, Northamptonshire finishing on 184 for 8 dec.With Northants reluctant to risk the eight points for the draw by contriving a finish, Kent gambled on declaring early in the hope of recording their first win of the season and they were rewarded with four wickets in the morning session.Stevens struck in the second over, removing Emilio Gay lbw for eight and he then had Ricardo Vasconcelos caught behind for nine. After three matches without a wicket, Miguel Cummins, on the last day of his stint with Kent, finally looked like the bowler they thought they were getting when they signed him, and a spell of serious menace saw him get Rob Keogh caught behind for 12.Jordan Cox then took a sharp catch at first slip off Gilchrist to remove Gareth Berg for 21, leaving Northants on 70 for 4 at lunch.Related

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The afternoon session was fascinatingly balanced: every time Northants seemed to be heading for safety, Kent took a wicket. Gilchrist struck again in his first over, getting Saif Zaib caught behind for six, but Cummings was denied a second wicket when Luke Procter, batting despite an injury, edged him to third slip, where he was put down by Marcus O’Riordan.After putting on 50 with Rossington, Procter was brilliantly run out for 17 by Daniel Bell-Drummond, after being sent back by his captain while attempting a single.Cox took another excellent slip catch off Gilchrist to dismiss Tom Taylor for 12 and when Nathan Buck was lbw for 6 to Joe Denly the lead was a gettable 212, with 45 overs remaining.However, the visitors had pushed on to 156 for 8 at tea and the only chance of a tepid evening session came when Simon Kerrigan was dropped at short leg by Tawanda Muyeye off Denly. The captains shook hands on the draw at 4.50pm, Kent taking 14 points and Northamptonshire 13.