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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Sport
- New Indian Express
Mooen, CSK, and Dhoni through the eyes of father Munir Ali
MANCHESTER: Moeen Ali represented Chennai Super Kings in four IPL seasons starting from 2021 winning two titles - one each in the first year and 2023. He was the third leading scorer for them in his maiden season scoring 357 runs from 15 matches. It was during that edition, he was given an opportunity to bat at No 3 and the English all-rounder made the most of it turning it to be his most successful IPL stint so far. Munir Ali, Moeen's father, said IPL played a big role in Moeen's growth as a cricketer and affirmed it was skipper MS Dhoni and CSK that used the all-rounder to the best of his potential. "Playing him at No 3 was the best thing that happened to him when he was with CSK. I always say Moeen as a batting all-rounder but hardly he was used in that capacity while playing for England. CSK rightly promoted him up the order and it augured well both for him and the team," father Munir told this daily. The 30-year-old all-rounder played his first three IPL seasons for Royal Challengers Bengaluru before being bought by five-time champions. Munir, who left no stone unturned to make sure Moeen makes it big at the international level, said his son learnt a lot from skipper Dhoni, which eventually helped him when he captained a few sides in England.
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Mulder makes history for Proteas, but should it have been more?
South Africa will win the second Test against Zimbabwe very easily, but Wiaan Mulder's selfless call to declare his side's innings at lunch will be debated for as long as the game is played. In that regard, this second Test match at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo that the Proteas have dominated and that otherwise would have had very little attention, will have its place in history. Mulder scored 367 not out, the fifth-highest score in a Test innings, in which the stand-in captain then declared at lunch on day two with South Africa on 626/5. However, given the outcome is inevitable and with so much time left in the match, the opportunity not to push on past Brian Lara's world record of 400 is one that already lit the fires on social media on Monday. Mulder had certainly earned the right surpass the great West Indies batter's landmark, even if this version of Zimbabwe have been poor and conditions in Bulawayo as batter-friendly as anywhere on earth. He played with style and aggression, and other than two instances on the first day, never looked uncomfortable. It was a remarkable display of mental fortitude and fitness, with Mulder batting for 10 minutes short of seven hours. He was still running quick singles on Monday morning, and when he accelerated after passing Hashim Amla's previous South African Test record of 311, his shot-making allied power with the elegance he'd shown throughout. Mulder's approach had created the time that allowed him the chance to chase an individual record. So why not do so? In looking back at Mulder's career, he's always questioned whether he truly was worth all the hype that there'd been around him as a schoolboy, which was still there when he was elevated into the professional ranks while still completing his matric. It's perhaps worth recalling that before this Test, Shukri Conrad in explaining the reasons he decided to make Mulder captain after Keshav Maharaj was forced out with an injury, also Said he hoped Mulder got 'the sense that we back him'. Temba Bavuma mentioned something similar after Mulder won his first player of the match award against the West Indies last year. Mulder's self-belief is something he has struggled with throughout his career and perhaps the decision to declare with an all-time record in sight is wrapped up in his own sense of where he stands as a cricketer. For one he is still coming to terms with batting at No 3 — a spot he's cemented after this series — and also as captain. He doesn't want to lose his first assignment in that role. Whatever the reasons, Mulder is firmly in the history books. After Amla, he sailed past legends, who've been knighted for their achievements — Don Bradman's 334, Len Hutton's 364 and Gary Sobers' 365* — now all lay in Mulder's shadow. Besides all that, his is the first triple hundred by a captain in their first Test in the role and when he reached 300, he did so off 297 balls, the second-fasted in balls faced behind Indian superstar Virender Sehwag, who needed 278 balls when he did so against South Africa in Chennai in 2008. Of the six batters to make 350, he also did so the quickest, needing just 324 balls, beating Matthew Hayden's mark of 402 in the Australian's innings of 380, also against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003. Mulder struck 49 fours and four sixes, the second most boundaries in a Test innings behind England's John Edrich, who hit 52 fours and five sixes while making 310 against New Zealand in 1965. Those categories all indicate the nature of the innings and will make those who felt he should have chased Lara's record even more incensed. That mood would not have been helped after Zimbabwe capitulated for 170 when it was their turn to bat. That first innings lasted just 43 overs. In total Zimbabwe's batters faced 74 balls less than Mulder managed throughout his innings. Debutant Prenalen Subrayen took 4/42, while Mulder also helped himself to two wickets and held a catch at slip.
Indian Express
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Wiaan Mulder becomes sixth South African Test captain in last two seasons; WTC champs widen Test pool
Wiaan Mulder – Pieter Willem Adriana Mulder – became the sixth Proteas Test captain in two years, and 18th overall of South Africa, after Keshav Maharaj had to opt out due to a groin injury. The World Test champions who cannot afford longer Test series on their calendars, have rotated players plenty in the last WTC cycle, and inadvertently developed a leadership cohort as some of the main players get rested, as they straddle multiple formats. Nicknamed Mr Cool due to his calm demeanour, the SRH batter looked ready for the responsibility. Temba Bavuma opted out of the Zimbabwe series, alongside other frontliners Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada as Keshav Maharaj was named captain. The Proteas smashed Zimbabwe in the first Test, and have called up ready replacements after injuries. Wiaan Mulder who starred with bat and ball, with a century at No 3, was named captain earlier this week. He became the 18th captain in the country's 34-year-old Test history post Apartheid re-entry. The juggling of personnel has also meant the WTC champs have had 6 captains since the last WTC cycle two years ago. Mulder follows Maharaj (1 Test, 2025), Temba Bavuma (10 Tests, 9 won, 2023-25), Neil Brand (2 Tests, 2024), Dean Elgar (18 Tests, 2017-2024) and Aiden Markram (2 Tests, 2024). Prior to that Quinton de Kock (4 Tests, 2020-21) and Faf du Plessis (36 Tests, 2016-20) led the Saffers. AB de Villiers captained in 3 Tests, and Hashim Amla in 14. Big Biff Graeme Smith led in 108 between 2003-14 and won 53, losing 28. Senuran Muthusamy replaced Maharaj on the spinner's spot for the Bulawayo Test. Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Friedel de Wet and Imraan Khan joined up the squad as Proteas Test caps bulged to 139. Mulder had a brilliant opening Test against Zimbabwe as he bagged 4 wickets and scored a ton, amongst other things, though youngster Lhu Andre Pretorius starred with a M-o-M show. Mulder after the match explained how things were coming together at No 3. 'To be honest I wanted to get some runs at No 3. I've had a couple of chances now. Very chuffed to put second innings hundred on board. Bowlers with new ball in that phase here is tricky. Something I'm trying to figure out how to go about it. I try to get more positive in innings. Put bad balls away consistently. And not worry too much about making too many mistakes up front because you are bound to get good balls. It's all about body language and what you trying to achieve. That's what Chips has been trying to push me towards,' he told Cricket SA Instagram. Mulder said he enjoyed batting at No 3, a position he had batted at since early years, which he reckoned brought both responsibility and reward. However coach Shukri Conrad has had to convince him to loosen up a little to not draw on extra pressure. 'I'm a pretty conservative person generally. So I think I always have to be perfect. He's trying to get me out of that box,' he said. On his batting process, he said, 'I'm trying to get my mental routine right. Consistently want to be in a place where I can perform at best. Right from WTC I'm feeling well. Right through to now, Like I've trained well, played well. Bat and ball. Have been catching-wise as well. My game is in a good place,' the new captain, 27, said. His form has been a fuschia pink in Zimbabwe. 'Put runs on board when you feeling good. Lot of times feeling and looking good doesn't translate to runs. I'm happy it worked out well that way. I put it down to mental routine and mental focus. Technically I'm pretty sound generally. On a wicket like this where there's so much for seamers. If you don't get it right, you will get Out,' he elaborated. 'In this team, it seems like because of how close we are, our character consistently shows on being on top. So far so good,' the new captain assured.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Proteas batting dilemma: Will Wiaan Mulder or Zubayr Hamza slot in at No 3 in Zimbabwe Tests?
TIME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE Proteas all-rounder Wiaan Mulder looks on after being dismissed by Australian captain Pat Cummins. Photo: AFP Image: AFP One of the key topics in the Proteas camp heading into the two-match Test series against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo later this week is whether Wiaan Mulder will continue to bat at No 3 for the foreseeable future. The 27-year-old did not look best suited for the position in the first innings of the World Test Championship final at Lord's earlier this month, despite having lasted 44 deliveries against one of the best bowling attacks Australia have ever had. However, batting at No 3 is not only about surviving, but also about being able to transfer pressure back to the bowling attack, a feat that Mulder executed well in the second innings in London, where he scored 27 off 50 balls. In the current Test squad, there is a specialist No 3 batter in Zubayr Hamza, who, despite having had his own run there previously, will most likely be considered for the position for Saturday's first day against Zimbabwe. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Mulder told the media that it is unclear where he will bat in the series, as coach Shukri Conrad has not informed the squad of his plans as yet. Moreover, Mulder highlighted that there is a chance he could take on the position once again at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. 'I wish I could tell you where I'm going to bat. I don't know. Shukri announces the team the day before. He doesn't speak to us in between. So, it's not just me that doesn't know,' said Mulder. 'I think I've got an idea from the recent past that there's a chance I can bat at three.' Technically, Mulder is without a doubt a top-order batter, but at the moment, he lacks experience. However, how else can anyone gather experience if they are not given an opportunity to do so? Mulder reckons he has got the game to bat in that position for the world Test champions. 'Batting at three, I think technically, I've worked really hard to get my game in a place to be able to manage with the new ball and score runs during the new ball phase of every innings,' he said. 'I think I learned a lot playing in the WTC final about batting at three. That was only the second time I batted at three in Test cricket without a broken hand. 'So, the way I want to go about it is be positive and have good intent from ball one. 'I think in the first innings in the WTC final, it taught me that the positions I need to get into to be able to transfer the pressure are more important than just surviving. 'Even though you can look at it however you want, that (second innings of WTC final) was an important phase of the game, not to lose wickets. That's history now. 'But I think the important thing about it is that we look to score all the time, and that's a mindset that, when I play that way, I play at my best. 'I think the second innings in the WTC final represented that a bit more about what I want to bring. It's been a conversation with Shuks from the beginning of batting at three. 'It's something I haven't done a lot before in first-class cricket. 'So, I'm going to have to figure it out, and sometimes people will say figuring it out on the job is the deep end.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Wilco Louw one of three reasons Bulls can upset Leinster in URC final
Wilco Louw has been in outstanding form for the Bulls, and has been rewarded with a Springbok call-up. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The Bulls are outright underdogs for Saturday's United Rugby Championship final against Leinster in Dublin (6pm SA time start) – but that doesn't mean that Jake White's team have no chance. In fact, here are three factors that are actually in the Bulls' favour to cause an almighty upset at Croke Park... 1 Andrea Piardi as the referee At first, you might think that Italian official Andrea Piardi's appointment as the final referee on Tuesday – his third title decider in a row – might work against the Bulls. The 32-year-old was the man in charge in last season's 21-16 victory for Glasgow Warriors at Loftus Versfeld – and Munster's win over the Stormers in Cape Town in 2023 – and White was unhappy with some of his decisions. 'It's twice in a row now where the referees (Piardi) let the away side win,' White said afterwards. 'In fact, it's three times – last year, Munster won in Cape Town, Glasgow won in Munster, we won in Leinster, and this referee let the away team win. So maybe, next year I'll ask when we play away, that I want him to try and ref us!' So, while match officials try to be objective, there is no doubt that the home crowd does have an influence in a match as big as a final. Normally the hosts would be on the right side of a few tight calls, but it seems it's the opposite with Piardi. White's words about last year's final defeat will surely be in the Italian's head, and he will be keen to ensure that it's a fair contest and that Leinster aren't getting any undue rewards. 2 Props with a point to prove Bulls props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Wilco Louw have been sensational this season. Louw has been so good that most SA fans – perhaps even a few Stormers ones – voiced their displeasure with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu being chosen as the SA URC Player of the Season last week instead of the Bulls No 3. The giant tighthead has been a destructive presence in the scrums, and gets around the field as well with his carries and tackles to emerge as the clear front-runner to start for the Springboks in 2025. Wessels hasn't been far behind, with his powerful surges around the fringes and outstanding work-rate on defence complementing his scrummaging work and versatility to fill in at hooker. In contrast, Leinster are missing injured Irish tighthead stalwart Tadhg Furlong, while loosehead prop Andrew Porter infamously said two years ago that 'It's about getting that fifth star (Champions Cup titles) on the jersey. You don't see many URC or PRO14s or whatever you have on the jersey'. With Leinster having tripped up at the Champions Cup semi-final hurdle once more this season, how motivated will Porter be for the URC final? 3 Hunger for glory The Bulls' loss to Glasgow in front of a packed 50,000-plus crowd at Loftus Versfeld really hurt them. They had roared into a 13-0 first-half lead, only to watch their advantage being whittled away by Franco Smith's band of Warriors. Bok World Cup-winning mentor Jake White even questioned himself and his approach in the aftermath, noting that 'I myself lost a Super Rugby final against the Chiefs (with the Brumbies), lost a Rainbow Cup in Benetton, lost two URC finals...' Despite not having a dynamic Bok wing Kurt-Lee Arendse available this time – as well as losing injured star No 8 Cameron Hanekom in the semi-final – the Bulls are undoubtedly a more well-rounded side this season. They have produced some outstanding performances away from home, most notably beating Munster and Glasgow in Europe. So, a packed Croke Park won't be a daunting environment for this group of Bulls. They will also enjoy being the underdogs in Dublin, despite winning the 2022 and 2024 semi-finals against Leinster. If they can avoid the unnecessary yellow cards from the semi-final and put their best foot forward, they have every chance of emerging victorious on Saturday – at long last putting to bed the defeats in the 2022 and 2024 finals.
