Latest news with #GuyanaAmazonWarriors
Mint
2 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Chasing trophies in forties: 46-year-old Imran Tahir sets ultimate standard of longevity almost three decades as a professional
New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): Throughout cricket's rich history, several superstars of the game have redefined the concept of longevity at various times, whether through their level of activity at a certain age, trophies, records, or consistency. Be it the unmatched consistency offered by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar, a fiery 22 year run at the frontline for England by pacer James Anderson or the records and team accomplishments achieved by Mithali Raj for India during the back-end of her 23-year-old career, the sport is full of examples where the phrase "ageing like fine wine" could be used to perfection. The latest entrant to this club of cricketers with rare levels of longevity is the South African spinner Imran Tahir. At the age of 46, this Lahore-born spinner is still an active force in the T20 league circuit across the world, recently leading Guyana Amazon Warriors to the Global Super League in the second season as a captain. As a captain, Tahir led from the front. The veteran spinner, known for running all over the field while celebrating, still bustles with energy that even several youngsters would envy. Not only did he take two wickets in the final against Rangpur Riders, but he also emerged as the 'Player of the Tournament' as a leading wicket-taker, with 14 scalps in five matches at an average of 9.28 and best figures of 4/12. He took two four-wicket hauls in the tournament. After his 40th birthday, Tahir has still maintained the consistency that gave him 293 international wickets for South Africa in 165 matches at an average of over 25. Since turning 40, Tahir has played a massive 200 T20 matches, picking up 266 wickets at an average of 18.54, with an economy rate of 6.86. His best figures are 5/25, having produced five four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls after entering the fourth decade of his life. After his 40th birthday, he is the sixth-highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket worldwide. His bowling average and economy rate after turning 40 is better than his overall career stats in T20 cricket, with his overall bowling average being 19.69 and economy rate being 6.96. 200 of his 547 wickets in the format have come after the age of 40. His knockout stage statistics after turning 40 are solid, 28 wickets in 26 matches at an average of 25.57, with best figures of 3/7, making him one of the most reliable bowlers to turn to during a tough match, even at this age. In eight T20 competition finals after turning 40, he has picked up 11 wickets at an average of 18.00, at an economy rate of 6.71, with best figures of 3/33. The fourth decade of his life has been the one filled with championship titles and individual accomplishments, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Multan Sultans in 2021 (leading wicket taker for his team, overall fourth with 13 scalps at an average of 13.07, economy rate of 6.80), Caribbean Premier League 2023 title with Guyana Amazon Warriors (leading wicket-taker for his side and overall second-highest with 18 wickets at an average of 15.44 and economy rate of 6.22), the Indian Premier League (IPL) Purple Cap for most wickets in 2019 runners-up season with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) (26 wickets at an average of 16.57 and economy rate of 6.69), and the latest Global Super League. Three trophies, one of them as a captain and an IPL Purple Cap for one of the most successful franchises of the world after turning 40, seal Tahir's legacy as one of the greatest T20 cricketers ever. With his supreme fitness and dedication to his craft, he has opened up an avenue for cricketers to chase the adrenaline that comes with taking wickets, trophies, and awards, even after they slow down by international cricket standards. Having made his first-class cricket debut in 1996/97 and retiring from international cricket after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, Tahir's fitness and devotion to the art of spin bowling almost 30 years into the game are no doubt inspirational. (ANI)
NDTV
3 days ago
- Climate
- NDTV
West Indies Champions vs South Africa Champions Live Updates, World Championship Of Legends
! As we continue to wait for the skies to brighten up over Birmingham, here's a quick roundup from elsewhere in the cricketing world. In case you missed it, the Global Super League 2025 wrapped up with a thrilling final at Guyana's Providence Stadium, featuring defending champions Rangpur Riders and the Guyana Amazon Warriors. The Warriors emerged victorious with a commanding 32-run win. The Riders were in pursuit of 197 runs, but couldn't get through the final hurdle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz lit up the finale with a 66-run knock, earning the Player of the Match honours, and also finished as the tournament's top scorer with 139 runs. Meanwhile, their skipper and veteran leggie Imran Tahir, soon to link up with the South Africa Champions, claimed the Player of the Series award after scalping 14 wickets across five games. ! UPDATE - 4.59 pm IST (11.29 am GMT) - No positive news as the drizzle is quite persistent out there. In fact, some puddles have also been formed in some patches. It remains dark and grey overhead, and the hover cover is intact on the pitch, with the squares under white sheets. As of now, there's no movement on the ground. Stay tuned for more updates from Edgbaston. ! UPDATE - 4.36 pm IST (11.06 am GMT) - The toss would have happened by now and the teamsheets too would have flashed on the screens, but unfortunately, it's still raining in Birmingham. Hence, TOSS HAS BEEN DELAYED DUE TO RAIN. ! While rain continues to hold up proceedings here in Birmingham, it's a similar story miles down south in London. The toss and start of the second ODI between England Women and India Women at Lord's has also been delayed due to inclement weather. Currently, India Eves hold a 1-0 lead in that 3-match W-ODI series. England Eves did give tough competition to the tourists, but eventually, the visitors won the first W-ODI by 4 wickets, chasing 259 runs with ten balls to spare. ! UPDATE - 4.13 pm IST (10.43 am GMT) - Live visuals show that it's raining in Birmingham. Although it's a drizzle right now, the covers are firmly placed on the pitch and the squares. Nikhil Chopra on-air mentions that the rain is expected to ease up in about thirty minutes, according to the forecast. Stay tuned for further updates. ! When these two sides clashed last year, at the same Edgbaston Stadium, West Indies emerged victorious, but the Proteas gave them a good fight. They will be aiming to get going with a win and create early momentum. Of course, there would be sore and stiff bodies as many of them are taking the field after a fairly long time, but expect entertainment aplenty. However, the weather isn't looking that promising for the day in Birmingham with high chances of rain. Let's keep our fingers crossed that there's no interruption. Stick around for the toss and team updates. ! South Africa head into WCL 2025 with a sense of renewal, ready to build on the sparks of promise from last season. They chalked up a couple of wins but were edged out by net run rate, finishing second from the bottom. The side was then led by the evergreen Jacques Kallis. He's not part of the squad this time, and now, AB de Villiers takes over, bringing his trademark flair and vision to the leadership role. The squad may wear a slightly different look, but the pedigree is intact. Hashim Amla anchors the top with Richard Levi, while greats like Albie Morkel, JP Duminy, and JJ Smuts bring that all-round flexibility through the middle order. With Chris Morris and Wayne Parnell turning up the heat and Imran Tahir continuing his masterful deception through spin, South Africa arrive with purpose. ! Last season, West Indies found themselves on the brink. They were close enough to advance to the next stage, but just short of making the leap. They finished third with a couple of wins, leaving behind unfinished business. Now, they return with redemption on their minds and fire in their hearts. Chris Gayle leads a power-packed unit that oozes star quality. Dwayne Bravo brings the entertainment, Kieron Pollard arrives fresh off a championship run with MI New York in the MLC 2025, and the inclusion of Shivnarine Chanderpaul adds finesse and depth to the batting. With raw pace and precision, Shannon Gabriel, Sheldon Cottrell, and Fidel Edwards form a fearsome trio to round off a squad that means business. ! They say, the past is a lantern that lights the way, and in cricket, its glow is cast by the legends who turned moments into memories and games into folklore. It's because they lit up the grand stage with timeless brilliance that the sport stands tall today as a global spectacle. In celebration and honour of those trailblazers and the legacy they built with timeless classics of cricket, WCL 2025 charges ahead, bringing us Match 2, where the West Indies Champions face off against the South Africa Champions in the Birmingham leg of this thrilling second season. Not to forget, the weekend is here and it's a double-header Saturday with the fiery white-ball Ashes to follow in the evening after this. With that, a spirited welcome to our coverage. ... MATCH DAY ... ! The World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 gears up for its second match, a highly anticipated clash between the West Indies Champions and the South Africa Champions. This T20 encounter is set to electrify Edgbaston in Birmingham. The WCL, a tournament bringing together cricketing greats from six champion nations (India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and West Indies), promises a nostalgic yet competitive spectacle. While India Champions are the defending champions from the previous edition, both West Indies and South Africa will be looking to make a strong statement early in this year's tournament. Last season, these two teams met in the group stages, with the West Indies Champions emerging victorious. South Africa Champions, despite securing two wins in the group stages, narrowly missed out on the playoffs due to an inferior Net Run Rate. This history adds an extra layer of intrigue to this encounter, with South Africa eager to settle the score. Led by the dynamic Chris Gayle, the West Indies Champions boast a squad brimming with power-hitters and skilled all-rounders, reminiscent of their glory days. The likes of Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo bring explosive batting and crucial death-over bowling. Veterans like Lendl Simmons and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will provide stability and experience at the top. The bowling attack features pace from Sheldon Cottrell and Fidel Edwards, complemented by the spin of Ashley Nurse and Sulieman Benn. Their natural flair and aggressive approach make them a formidable opponent on any given day. Captain AB de Villiers leads a formidable South African contingent known for their all-round prowess and tactical acumen. The batting lineup is a blend of elegance and aggression, with Hashim Amla providing a classical touch and De Villiers himself capable of dismantling any bowling attack. All-rounders like Chris Morris, Albie Morkel, and JP Duminy offer significant contributions with both bat and ball. The spin department will be spearheaded by the wily Imran Tahir, with the pace coming from Wayne Parnell and Duanne Olivier. While both teams possess match-winners, the West Indies Champions, with their explosive batting lineup and a prior win against South Africa in the last season, might have a slight edge. However, South Africa's balanced squad, led by the astute AB de Villiers and featuring a top-class spinner in Imran Tahir, is more than capable of turning the tables. Expect a fiercely contested game where individual brilliance and tactical decisions will be paramount. Cricket fans are in for a treat as these legends roll back the years and showcase their enduring class.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Who is New Zealand explosive hitter Tim Robinson with a javelin past?
It's barely been 15 months since his international debut for New Zealand, but Tim Robinson has put behind the first impression of Shaheen Shah Afridi bowling him for a two ball duck. Midweek, he took on South Africa pacers in the T20 triseries in Zimbabwe and helped deliver a win after resurrecting a crumbling innings with his 57 ball 75 as NZ scored 173/5 and shot out SA for 152. The right-handed 23-year-old who's turned out for Northamptonshire, Wellington Firebirds, Guyana Amazon Warriors, might have struggled against Pakistan but has slowly picked up his average to 29.77 in 11 innings, striking at 131. What makes Robinson, an all-rounder, unique is his past as a javelin thrower. According to Robinson in addition to cricket was a leading javelin thrower, winning the intermediate title at the Secondary Schools Championship in 2017. He finished fifth in senior grade behind his brother Cam, who proceeded to study business agriculture at Massey University. His bowling might have needed managing with age old back problems that torment throwers, but his batting found a career top score in Zimbabwe against the Proteas. Robinson had thrown a 700 gm javelin to 54.43 for Wellington Amateur athletic club at 15, and 45.82 in 2021 for a 800gm javelin, before shifting to cricket. He replaced Finn Allen in the domestic franchise of Smash, as a rookalike batter, but the turning point was touring Pakistan in a Kiwi squad without IPL players, after he came to attention because of 139 off 64 balls with 10 sixes against Otago Volts. According to cricinfo, Robinson alongside Dean Foxcroft and Mitch Hay spent two weeks at the Super Kings academy in Chennai with old friend and Wellington coach Sriram Krishnamurthy to get used to red and black soil pitches last July. Learning to pick right deliveries to sweep was high on their agenda as per cricinfo. As New Zealand rebuilding their T20 side, Robinson will be key to their fortunes in the upcoming World Cup. In 2017 in his erstwhile avatar, with a javelin, Tim and Cam won junior and senior titles at Secondary School Championships,after which Cam had famously quipped to collegesportmedia, that, 'We've always been good at throwing things except tantrums.' Composed under fire – Tim Robinson, take a bow 🫡 With wickets tumbling around him, Robinson stood tall for NZ, crafting a classy 75* off 57, and steered them to 173 in a high-stakes tri-series clash.#SAvNZ #T20ITriSeries — FanCode (@FanCode) July 16, 2025 Tim's best throw of 54.99 had been 4th out of 6, though their spearing journey hadn't started too long before 2017. Winning at McEvedy shield athletics meet, an inter school, had piqued their interest in javelin. 'I gave up cricket because I thought I was fast, when I was not,' Cam had told At Wellington, they had been trained by coach Debbie Strange, coach of Olympian Stuart Farquhar. They spent their holidays shearing sheep at the family farm at Hunterville. Against Proteas, Robinson had a partnership of 103 in 63 balls with SA-born Bevon Jacobs (44 off 30) after all of Devon Conway, Daryll Mitchell, Mitchell Hay and Jimmy Neesham went for single digits as Proteas' Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi and Gerald Coetzee struck blows. Robinson later told New Zealand Cricket & CSA, 'We were obviously struggling when we lost those early wickets and it's something we discussed me & Bevon…during the innings and that's obviously… But I think the way we sort of thought about it was that longer we spent at crease easier runs would come and we couldn't afford to lose more wickets so we tried to take it as deep as we could and we had to run hard on long side but obviously we got lucky along the way. That's cricket.' On Jacobs, who moved to NZ at 3, Robinson said, 'You look at him and he's quite the big guy and will hit the ball long and he sure did. It's fantastic batting with him. What struck me was when he came out and seemed to enjoy it and looked comfortable out there and played a good knock. I think he's going to play a lot of cricket so it's a good sign.' Maphaka claiming wickets signalled arrival of new express pacer, and Robinson said, 'I think the Proteas balling is exceptional and their use of long side was exceptional. They bowled well with the new ball. It was hard when we continued to lose wickets. As we went deep we kept more wickets in the bank so we could capitalise in the end. As a batter that's one thing you do… Know where your feet are and play the ball that comes to you. For me, it's not about milestones, they are not on my radar but contributing to a win for your country is a great feeling and one I hope to replicate. Obviously it's nice you got to a 50 or something but it's about contributing to the win is rewarding.' He typified the NZ approach to adaptability. 'T20 cricket – When you lose wickets it's hard to keep momentum and it's about small moments. While getting the win gives us confidence which we hope to carry on to Friday. We pride ourselves in adapting as quickly as we can. But different game, different wickets, different bowlers,' he said. Robinson was enjoying playing in Zimbabwe. 'Zimbabwe's a great country to play in. Weather is fantastic, people are nice and accommodating. And I love steaks. Steaks are my favourite. They make it a little different,' he said. SA batting coach Ashwell Prince ceded the Robinson -Jacobs partnership had been costly. 'The target was gettable. It was a good pitch. We lost a few wickets early on and were up against it. But we got to get something going but kept losing wickets all the way through and fell short. We bowled well. Used the bouncers that got us some wickets. But their partnership towards the end gave them a competitive score,' he said. On their own batting he added, 'It's nature of T20 cricket. This is how we can go. They have a good side. We have a fairly young side. But we didn't get any batting rhythm going early on. And that's the key when chasing a score to get some rhythm and a partnership early on. We know we have power to catch up, and balance between runs required and how many we need to get.' The two teams rebuilding after some high profile retirements in T20 are trying out new names. Lhuandre Pretorius who scored a century in Tests was stuttering a bit in T20s, but Prince laughed off suggestions he was struggling. 'Lhuandre? Struggling? I don't think so. You gotta bear in mind he's 19. Not everytime he's going to walk out and smash 50, 100s. Against Zimbabwe he played a pull shot. Today against New Zealand he was playing well. Maybe he got a little cute with his shot and lost his wicket. He's a talented player but he's 19. He'll make errors that young players do. Against New Zealand today's lineup was also a bit experimental in terms of left right combination that you try to maximise the short boundary. Next time you play what's in front of you. But we are also beatable. We take it one game at a time.' When told none of Saffers had got to 50, he explained, 'It's not about getting to a 50. If it was that then he would've taken 6 more. It's not about that. It's about going out there and playing on the front foot – that is sticking to your style. If you are aggressive that's how you play. And what we encourage. It's not about getting to a 50. Brevis has played around the world, exposed to different leagues, teams and pressures. But at end of the day they have come to international cricket and its biggest stage at 18, 19. But we trust their abilities .'
India Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Shimron Hetmyer goes berserk, blasts 5 Sixes in an over in Global Super League
West Indies and Guyana Amazon Warriors batter Shimron Hetmyer wreaked havoc in the Global Super League as he whacked five sixes in an over. During Match nine of the season at Providence Stadium, Guyana, the southpaw took on Hobart Hurricanes' Fabian Allen and unleashed his wrath against the left-arm a target of 126, Warriors were lagging in the run rate, being 43/3 after the first nine overs. Seeing his team in trouble, Hetmyer took matters into his hands and began an onslaught against Allen. He started the over by smashing the left-arm spinner over long-on for a massive six. On the second delivery, Hetmyer could well have been on his way back to the pavilion as he found a man on the deep mid-wicket to his good fortune, the fielder failed to grab hold of the ball and sent the ball over the boundary for a maximum. Making full use of his reprieve, the third ball was sent over long off for a six, while the fourth one went sailing over the deep mid wicket. Allen saved himself from having the ignominious feat of being hit for six sixes in an over against his name as the fifth delivery just fetched two Shimron Hetmyer went BEAST MODE!5 maximums in an over! x #GSLT20 #GlobalSuperLeague #GAWvHH #BetCabana Global Super League (@gslt20) July 17, 2025 However, Hetmyer closed out the over with another maximum to get 32 runs of the over. In no time, the southpaw moved from 1 (2) to 33 (8) taking Guyana's score to 75/3 at the end of ten overs. Hetmyer was finally dismissed for 39 (10) after clobbering six sixes in his innings. Apart from him, contributions from Moeen Ali (30* off 36) and Gudakesh Motie (19 off 13) helped Guyana chase down 126 in 16.3 was adjudged Player of the Match for his quick-fire cameo and picking 3/9 with the ball, which helped to bundle out Hobart Hurricanes to 125. Meanwhile, following their four-wicket win, Guyana qualified for the final of the tournament, where they will take on Rangpur Riders on Friday, July 18.- EndsMust Watch
NDTV
5 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
'Not Fair': India Pacer's 'Workload' In Focus Ahead Of 4th Test. Not Jasprit Bumrah
Former Indian cricket team batter Aakash Chopra believes that no discussion over Mohammed Siraj 's workload management is 'not fair' ahead of the 4th Test encounter against England. There has been a lot of chatter surrounding Jasprit Bumrah 's workload with BCCI making it clear ahead of the Test series that he will no be playing all the matches. Chopra pointed out that although Siraj bowls a lot of overs but his workload management is hardly spoken about in contrast to his other teammates. "He works very hard. He bowls a lot of overs. Interestingly enough, no one is talking about him, and you feel it's not fair that you talk about everyone, but not about him. However, he gives his 100 percent. Whenever he comes to bowl, he bowls wholeheartedly and runs in fast," he said on YouTube. Meanwhile, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali sees shades of Virat Kohli in Shubman Gill's aggressive on-field demeanour, but feels the India batter's approach during the Lord's Test may have triggered a stronger response from the hosts. Gill has been quite aggressive during the series, and his conduct at Edgbaston mirrored Kohli's famous century celebration at the same venue in 2018. "My take is, it's fine. I think he's just trying to be competitive in front of a fight and very similar to Virat, I think it's fine," Moeen, currently featuring for the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League (GSL), said during an interaction on Wednesday. "But then, obviously the other team, what you've done is, I think you've actually brought out the best of England and the fight and that beast England can be. "And I think it's a different side of England. They've shown all the players that it's great for the series to win. I don't know why it's getting criticised."
