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Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
IND vs ENG: England recycle Liam Dawson, the allrounder who had binned Test cricket
The second ball Liam Dawson faced in Test cricket crashed onto the front of his helmet. He recovered from Ishant Sharma's blow at Chepauk in the final Test of a dead rubber in 2016, he rallied, registered an unbeaten 66, and was taking questions from the media at the end of the day. 'Test cricket moves really fast,' he said about his composed knock after the helmet-crasher. In the subsequent years, the left-arm spin bowling allrounder would learn that Test cricket moved slowly for him. In the next eight months, he played two Tests. But for a cruel late twist of fate, he would play his fourth in Old Trafford on Wednesday, eight years post his last Test, after missing a century of Tests in the interlude, hoping, losing hope, waiting and once giving up the wait. The story of Dawson is what happened between Nottingham 2017 and Old Trafford 2025. Last year, ECB managing director Robert Key sought his availability for the five-Test tour to India. He refused because Key could not confirm him an automatic spot in the side, and he said he was too tired of carrying drinks. In England's golden era of white-ball cricket, the period from 2019 to 2022 when they raised both the short-form World Cups, he was the most familiar drinks-man. He did not bowl a single ball in the 2019 World Cup, but has a medal, which he gifted his son. He has souvenirs and memories of the 2021 T20 World Cup triumph too, where he was a reserve. He has World Cup winning medals in his attic but not a game to show for. He was not merely tired of ferrying drinks and being the nearly man, but he was earning more from the franchise league circuit. Sixteen franchises nudge each other on his resume, from Chittagong Viking to Sunrisers Eastern Cape and Peshawar Stars to Dhanmondi Sports Club. 'I am 33 now. I am very realistic that I am not always going to play for England. The game is changing massively and everybody that is involved in the game understands that. Financially it is something at my age that I will have to consider,' he contextualised his franchise-allegiances when turning down England's offers at a press conference soon after. The tour had coincided with South Africa's SA20, worth around £150,000, which he would have to relinquish. He was a non-contracted player with England, so would have mustered a maximum of £120,000, if he played every game. It was simple financial prioritisation. Besides, he felt liberated, binning the Test dream. 'I don't think about playing for England at all now. I think that does help and that's how I'll continue to play my cricket,' he would say. He had earlier snubbed a white-ball tour to Pakistan for the Dhaka League. He had reconciled to the wretched fate of his international career that had more stops than starts. But runs kept flowing from his bat (956 at 59.75 60 last season) and wickets (54 at 25.14) kept tumbling from his deliveries that England could no longer ignore him. When the call came, he could not refuse England either. He reciprocated what would potentially be his last shot at Test redemption, a sizzle before the sunset, a month after his T20 comeback in June. He was so impressive in his white-ball return that former captain Nasser Hussain wanted him to be the first choice spinner in the T20 World Cup. Before the subcontinent adventure next year, he has business at Old Trafford and Oval, historically two spin-friendliest venues in England. He is different from Bashir in every way. He is shorter, standing at five eight, and the coaches at Hampshire remodelled him from a left-arm seamer to spinner. He walks to the wicket, much like his idol and the man he took over the spin-bowling mantle from, Shane Warne, for his county. Resultantly, he releases from a modest height, as compared to Bashir, who was six feet four inches. The action is more round-arm, and at release his bowling arm is beyond perpendicular, which takes batsmen some getting used-to. He doesn't purchase as much bounce as Bashir, but generates over-spin and is unflinchingly accurate, whereas the off-spinner sprayed an occasional gift ball. For much of his career, Dawson seldom produced extravagant side spin and relied on change of pace, angle and release points. But in the last three years he has been extracting turn and fizz as well. 'He's started beating right-handers much more consistently on the outside edge and that makes his arm ball and the one that undercuts that much more dangerous as well,' Hampshire wicketkeeper Ben Brown told The Times recently. He would be a different bowler to the nervous debutant India pulverised 196 runs, nine years ago. The vein of attrition in his bowling reflects on his batting too, the polestar that has fetched him 18 first-class hundreds. His addition, invariably, deepens England's batting. Bashir's first class batting average is 8.27; Dawson's is 35.29. England would need both dimensions to shine, as Test cricket has finally begun to move fast for him.
News24
09-07-2025
- Sport
- News24
No Test cricket... but SA20 blockbusters confirmed for Boxing Day, New Year's eve
The SA20 has announced its fixtures for the fourth edition of the T20 tournament to be held from 26 December to 25 January. With no international cricket scheduled for the Proteas in December and January, the SA20 set to be the major cricket attraction over the South African summer. The fourth season, which has been brought forward, opens with reigning champions MI Cape Town against Durban's Super Giants on 26 December at Newlands. Fans will have the opportunity to ring in the New Year in style with a cracking double-header set for Gqeberha and Cape Town on 31 December. Two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will welcome the Paarl Royals at an always jovial St George's Park in the afternoon (13:00), with 2025 ending at Newlands with MI Cape Town hosting the Pretoria Capitals (17:30). READ | Conrad believes 'conversation has changed' over Mulder, impressed by Proteas newbies SA20 commissioner, former Proteas captain Graeme Smith hopes the league can capitalise on the holiday season festivities during the South African summer. 'Season 4 of SA20 will be unique,' said league commissioner Smith. 'We've carefully planned the fixtures to make the most of the festive season and school holidays. We want SA20 to be a part of the holiday season festivities in our once-off window for this year. 'With the early part of the fixtures weighted towards our coastal venues, holidaymakers from around the country will have a fantastic entertainment option fit for the entire family. 'We're also excited to host New Year's Eve and New Year's Day fixtures for the first time; we can't wait to be a part of the New Year's celebrations with the fans.' SA20/Supplied The Tweede Nuwe Jaar will be celebrated in style at Boland Park with a Cape derby between Paarl Royals and neighbours MI Cape Town on 2 January 2026. 'Announcing the fixtures is always a major milestone for us and signals that we are well on our way to another incredible season,' said Smith. 'The franchises are hard at work behind the scenes strategising around their squads, which will be confirmed at the auction on 9 September. It's all systems go to welcome the best international and local players to our stage.' The final of the competition will take place on 25 January, with Qualifier 1 scheduled for 21 January, the Eliminator on 22 January and Qualifier 2 on 23 January. Venues for the final and the playoffs will be confirmed on a later date. The Proteas then play a five-match T20I series against the West Indies from 27 January to 6 February, before Aiden Markram's charges head to the subcontinent for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Tickets for all the SA20 group stage matches, as well as the playoffs and final will be available during the pre-sale window, which will open on 17 September and close on 9 October.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
SA20: MI Cape Town to face Durban's Super Giants in opener on December 26; final on January 25
MI Cape Town defeated Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the final to lift 2025 SA20 title. The fourth edition of the SA20 league is set to begin with a Boxing Day opener between defending champions MI Cape Town and Durban's Super Giants at Newlands, Cape Town, on December 26. The final is scheduled for January 25, organisers announced on Wednesday. The excitement continues the very next day, December 27, with the season's first double-header. Centurion will host a high-octane derby between Pretoria Capitals and Joburg Super Kings, while Paarl Royals take on Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Boland Park in Paarl. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Kingsmead in Durban, home ground of the Super Giants, will witness a flurry of activity in the final week of 2024. The venue will host MI Cape Town on December 28 and Joburg Super Kings on December 30. "Fans will have the opportunity to toast in the New Year in style with another cracking double-header set for Gqeberha and Cape Town on December 31," the organisers said. What's the reason behind South African cricket's renaissance? SA20's Graeme Smith answers That day, two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape will host Paarl Royals at St. George's Park, followed by MI Cape Town squaring off against Pretoria Capitals at Newlands in the evening. New Year's Day will keep the momentum going, as Joburg Super Kings take on Durban's Super Giants at the Wanderers. 'Announcing the fixtures is always a major milestone for us and signals that we are well on our way to another incredible season. Season 4 of the SA20 will be unique. We have carefully planned the fixtures to make the most of the festive season and school holidays. 'We want SA20 to be a part of the holiday season festivities in our once-off window for this year. We're also excited to host New Year's Eve and New Year's Day fixtures for the first time, we can't wait to be a part of the New Year's celebrations with the fans,' said League Commissioner Graeme Smith . Speaking about the league's popularity in India, Smith added: 'It's been phenomenal to witness how SA20 has struck a chord with fans in a vibrant cricket market like India. AB de Villiers answers why SA20 survived while other South Africa T20 leagues failed 'What's truly heart-warming is seeing Indian fans follow emerging SA20 talents like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, and many others who've honed their skills in the competition. India remains a key market for SA20, and we'd love to see more fans travel to South Africa for the matches. They certainly won't be disappointed.' The SA20 auction is set for September 9. Action resumes on January 2 with a Cape derby at Boland Park between Paarl Royals and MI Cape Town. Both teams will look to extend their unbeaten home records from last season — each won all five of their respective home matches. The league then shifts to the Highveld for a Super Saturday on January 3. Joburg Super Kings face Sunrisers Eastern Cape at the Wanderers, while Pretoria Capitals lock horns with Durban's Super Giants at Centurion. The playoffs will begin with Qualifier 1 on January 21, followed by the Eliminator on January 22 and Qualifier 2 on January 23. The final is slated for January 25, with venues for the playoffs and final to be announced later. Catch Manika Batra's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 3. Watch Here!
India Gazette
09-06-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
From Stubbs to Jansen, how South Africa's 'Generation Next' fared in WTC 2023-25 cycle
New Delhi [India], June 9 (ANI): South Africa will be aiming for their first-ever world title in international cricket history, as they take on Australia in the final of the ICC World Test Championship at Lord's from June 11. The ongoing cycle has witnessed plenty of youngsters rise to the occasion and make a name for themselves with some standout performances. Batting stars like Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi, all-rounders Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder represent the next generation of Proteas cricket. -Ryan Rickelton During this cycle, the 28-year-old Rickelton has played six Tests, scoring 451 runs in nine innings at an average of 56.37, with two centuries. His standout knock came against Pakistan, a masterclass of 259 of 343 balls, with 30 fours and three sixes at Cape Town in January, which earned him a 'Player of the Match' award. He could be opening the batting with Aiden Markram. -Tristan Stubbs This 24-year-old is an epitome of versatility. A fiery finisher in T20 cricket for Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in the SA20 and Indian Premier League (IPL), Stubbs is showing signs of being a future top-order great at number three. In this cycle, he has made 500 runs in nine Tests and 16 innings, averaging 33.33. While he has thrown away his wicket after solid starts sometimes, Stubbs has still displayed flashes of temperament required to succeed in Tests, having made two centuries and a fifty, with his best score of 122. He has scored centuries against Bangladesh (away) and Sri Lanka (at home). -Tony De Zorzi The 27-year-old is still in his early days as a Test cricketer, and his career so far has been a mix of a few big scores, plenty of promising but unfulfilled starts and some low scores. In nine Tests this cycle, he has made 486 runs in 16 innings across nine matches at an average of 30.37, with a century and fifty each. His best knock is a commanding 177 against Bangladesh in 269 balls, laced with 12 fours and four sixes at Chattogram last year. This earned him a 'Player of the Match' honour in a winning effort. -Marco Jansen The lanky, pace-bowling all-rounder is next in line for all-round greatness after years of brilliant service by Shaun Pollock and Jacques Kallis. In six matches and nine innings during this cycle, he has made 200 runs at an average of 28.57, with a strike rate of almost 70, with two half-centuries. His best score is 84 against India at Centurion. This knock in 147 balls left him as the last man standing against Asian giants, setting them up for an innings defeat. He also took 29 scalps at an average of 20.82, with an economy rate of 3.76, best figures of 7/13. These seven wickets came against Sri Lanka at Durban last year, bundling them out for just 42 runs. In the same match, he took 4/73 in the second innings to guide the Proteas to a 233 win, walking out with 11 wickets and POTM honours. -Wiaan Mulder Mulder, 27, has established himself as a cricketer of great utility for the Proteas during these six Tests of the WTC cycle 2023-25, scoring 263 runs at an average of 52.60 in eight innings, with a century and fifty each, while also taking 11 wickets at an average of 24.00 with best figures of 4/32. His defining moment was a 105* run knock in 150 balls against Bangladesh at Chattogram, which came in a winning effort. Another career-defining performance came against West Indies at Providence, sealing the series win for his side with six wickets in the match, including a spell of 4/32 to leave WI short of a lead and also scoring a resilient 34 in an 85-run stand with Kyle Verreynne to set the hosts a target of 263 runs which was going to be tough on a testing surface. He got the POTM award for this. South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy. (ANI)
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Business Standard
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
SA20 Season 3 sets record growth in stadium attendance, global broadcast
The third edition of the SA20 has delivered its most successful season yet, breaking multiple records across live attendance, television viewership, and digital reach. With more than 400,000 fans attending matches across six venues, Season 3 was officially the best-attended in the league's history. A 70 per cent rise in sold-out fixtures, including a packed house for the Final for a third consecutive year, highlighted the competition's growing popularity. MI Cape Town, crowned champions this season, added to the historic tone by selling out all five home games at Newlands — a league first. The SA20 also hit a major milestone, selling its one-millionth ticket during a clash between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Wanderers. Television and digital reach break new ground The league's broadcast success was equally staggering. According to Nielsen Sports SA, SuperSport's viewership figures soared by 47 per cent, reflecting the collaboration between the broadcaster and the league to attract new fans. The opening game of the season — MI Cape Town vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape — was the most-watched opener ever. Viewership of the Final jumped by 72 per cent from Season 2, as fans tuned in to see MI Cape Town lift the trophy. International audiences across India, the UK, the US, and Africa grew by 37 per cent, solidifying SA20's stature as a top-tier global T20 league. Digital, media and fan engagement soar Digital engagement also witnessed a boom. The league reported a 62 per cent rise in total social media followers, while video views grew by 93 per cent. Franchise pages gained 87 per cent more followers, and web traffic spiked by 233 per cent from last year. Media presence expanded as well, with media value increasing 30 per cent in South Africa and a massive 96 per cent in India. Commissioner Graeme Smith called the growth 'game-changing' and credited the fans, franchises, and partners for their shared passion. Strong social impact and youth focus Season 3 also highlighted SA20's commitment to social upliftment. Through its learnership programme, 26 young professionals gained hands-on experience, while a total of R630,000 was raised for the Laureus Sports for Good Foundation. The inaugural Schools SA20, featuring over 600 schools, concluded with Steyn City and Bishops Diocesan College winning the girls' and boys' finals. The league also awarded full scholarships to two standout Grade 7 cricketers. Looking ahead to Season 4 Planning is already under way for Season 4, which begins on December 26, 2025. Smith said fans can expect fresh announcements on player auctions and fixtures soon, promising another memorable season for one of the world's fastest-growing T20 leagues.
