Delhi Capitals assistant coach Ratra seeks fresh start in second part of IPL 2021

CPL 2021 Preview | GAW vs BR: Under pressure Guyana, depleted Barbados seek turnaround

Guyana Amazon Warriors will take on Barbados Royals in St Kitts on Sunday. Both the sides have suffered defeats in their last respective encounters and would be looking to get back on track. Royals though have had a pretty tough time in this competition so far after they lost four out of the five matches. Guyana on the other side, have won a couple of matches and suffered defeats in three out of the five games in which the side featured. The Royals would be under some pressure after the Patriots snatched a win from the jaws of defeat against them in a last-ball thriller. Chasing 163 in 20 overs, the Patriots were reduced to 98/6 but a late surge from Dominic Brakes and Sheldon Cottrell took the game away. Needing four off the last ball, Cottrell hammered one out of the park to etch a win while Barbados’ tough run in the tournament continued. While the batsmen put some runs on the board, the Barbados bowling attack failed to capitalise on the start they got and lost another encounter. Guyana were thumped by Saint Lucia Kings after they witnessed a huge batting failure to get bundled out for 98 while chasing a total of 150. The Kings managed to put a fighting total on the board, courtesy a 50-ball 85 from Roston Chase but what unleashed next was simply brilliant. The Saint Lucia bowlers thoroughly dominated the Guyana batting unit and never let the match get out of their control to eventually bowl them out. Match Details Match: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Barbados Royals, CPL 2021 Date: September 5, 2021 (Sunday) Time: 12:00 AM (IST) TV: Star Sports Network Live Streaming: Fancode Pitch Report The track to be a balanced one. The batsmen would need to spend some time at the crease, get their eyes in and can then accelerate. Spinners can play a key role in the middle overs to keep the scoring rate down. If the captain who wins the toss can opt to bat first. Probable XI Guyana Amazon Warriors: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Mohammad Hafeez, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Brandon King, Shoaib Malik, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Naveen-ul-Haq, Imran Tahir, Gudakesh Motie Barbados Royals: Johnson Charles, Shai Hope (wk), Glenn Phillips, Jason Holder (c), Azam Khan, Smit Patel, Ashley Nurse, Raymon Reifer, Jake Lintott, Nyeem Young, Oshane Thomas Fantasy XI S. Patel, C. Hemraj, G. Phillips, J. Charles, J. Holder, M. Hafeez (C), R. Reifer, I. Tahir (VC), J. Lintott, N. Ul-Haq, R. Shepherd

SL vs SA | 2nd ODI Preview: Hosts look to take unassailable lead, Proteas look for redemption

Sri Lanka and South Africa will be up against each other in the second ODI of the three-match series. While the home side look to take an unassailable lead in the series after they clinched a 14-run win in the first ODI in Colombo, the Proteas on the other side would be seeking a revival. Riding on some piece of batting from Avishka Fernando, the hosts posted 300/9 in 50 overs and then defended the target to go 1-0 up in the series. Apart from Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva and Asalanka also chipped in with some valuable runs. While De Silva scored 44, Asalanka notched up a half-century during the course. On the other side, Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma also looked in some good touch before Bavuma was retired hurt. Markram though continued with his form and scored a well-compiled 96. Rassie van der Dussen who came in at number four was also among some runs as he too struck a half-century but their efforts went in vain as the visiting side fell short of the target eventually. To add to the misery, Bavuma has now been ruled out of the series. Keshav Maharaj will now lead the side. "The timelines for return to play will be defined subsequent to that," the CSA official release said about Bavuma’s return. The right-handed batsman has been sent back to South Africa. The batsman got injured while completing a run in the first ODI after he was hit on the hand from a throw. Match Details Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 2nd ODI Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo Date & Time: September 4th, at 2:30 PM IST and Local Time Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network Pitch Report The track did have something on offer for the batsmen in the previous game. It has some pace and bounce and seems to be a good batting wicket. So, if you win the toss, elect to bat first. Probable XI Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama South Africa: Janneman Malan, Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen, Kyle Verreynne, Andile Phehlukwayo, Keshav Maharaj, Kagisa Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi Fantasy XI Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram (c), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (vc), Janneman Malan, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Keshav Maharaj, Kagisa Rabada

Ollie Pope hopeful of reseting 'stop-start career' after classy 81 against India

England batsman Ollie Pope was the pick of the batsmen on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India at Kennington Oval after he notched up a fine 81 to help his side take lead in the first innings. The visitors were in a spot of bother at one stage after they were reduced to 62/5 but an 89-run stand between Pope and Jonny Bairstow for the sixth wicket followed by a partnership of 71 between Pope and Moeen Ali helped them get back on track. Talking about his knock after the end of day’s play, Pope asserted that this innings can help him get the “good run” again. "I'm only 23 but I've got some good experience in the Test arena (20 Tests), so hopefully, I can build on today and start a good run again," Pope said at the press conference on Friday. Pope further talked about his career, his place in the side and how all this has been a learning curve for him. "It's been a stop-start career so far. I made my debut back probably nearly four years ago; I've been in and out and had shoulder operations. It's been a learning curve, to be honest,” he added. The right-handed batsman’s innings helped England take a substantial first innings lead in the match as they eventually put 290 on the board in reply to India’s 191. The visitors later finished the day at 43/0, trailing by 56 runs with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul still unbeaten at the crease. The five-match series is presently levelled at 1-1. While the first match at Nottingham ended in a draw, India clinched a comprehensive win in the second clash at Lord’s. The home side then made a comeback in the third encounter in Leeds to level the series.

Joe Root or Ollie Robinson, Umesh Yadav emphasizes more on picking wickets for his team

Fast bowler Umesh Yadav found a place for himself in the playing XI for the fourth Test against England at Kennington Oval. The right-arm bowler scalped a three-wicket haul which included the priced wicket of captain Joe Root in the first innings. Root was cleaned up by Umesh for 21. Yadav talked about Root’s wicket after the end of second day’s play while interacting with the media and said that as a fast bowler, he is always focusing on picking up wickets for the side. "This is a very common question I face whenever I get a big wicket. As a fast bowler wickets are important for me be it Joe Root or Robinson. So, I think as a fast bowler picking up a wicket is more important be it any player. That is it for me," said Umesh. The pacer also talked about his preparations and how he was in rhythm despite not playing in the first three Tests. "You will always be a part of the team and you are always practising or training in the nets so the rhythm is always there. Moreover the trainers and physios know that you might get an opportunity anytime so they make sure to keep you in that particular zone,” he said. The hosts put 290 in India’s reply to 191 in the first innings on Day 2. Later, India openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul compiled 43/0 before the end of day’s play in the second innings. The visitors though, still trail by 56 runs.