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

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.

CPL 2021 | SKNP vs SLK: Inconsistent Kings run into red-hot Patriots at halfway stage

The St Kits and Navis Patriots have been the team to beat in the ongoing edition of the Caribbean Premier League and they have always found a way to come back in the game and win it. No wonder they have had a 100 per cent win record this year from five matches and when all seemed to be over in the last game, it was Sheldon Cottrell of all people who smashed the ball over the fence to earn an unlikely win for the Patriots. On the other hand, their opponent in the next game, the St Lucia Kings have had an on and off-season having won just two games out of the four and losing as many as winning. Unlike Patriots, the Kings have not been clinical in their approach and have also missed the match-winning contributions to turn the tide in their favour. The Patriots will rely on Evin Lewis to provide a blitzkrieg start at the top of the order while the job of stopping the Kings batsmen will fall on the old and experienced shoulders of the skipper Dwayne Bravo. The men in form Sherfane Rutherford and Dominic Drakes will hope to continue their dream run of form they have found this season. The universe boss Chris Gayle has not come to the party yet and Bravo would bank on him to win some matches this year as well. If he gets going the unbeatne streak for the Patriots is more than likely to continue against the Kings. For the Kings, Roston Chase and Andre Fletcher will be the most experienced players going around and the team will expect a lot from them if they have to win more matches than losing this year. The presence of Faf du Plessis in the Kings camp enriches the side with a lot of experience but it has not translated into substantial performances and the side will be hoping to fix things from here on. St Kitts and Nevis Patriots vs Barbados Royals Match Number: 15 Date and Time: September 04, 2021, 07:30 PM IST, 2:30 pm GMT Venue: Warner Park, Basseterre Broadcast: Star Sports Live Stream: Fancode Pitch and weather All the matches of the CPL 2021 were scheduled to take place at the same venue Warner Park and the pitch has started to show signs of overuse. The pace in the pitch is starting to die down and it provided bowlers such as Bravo, who relies on variation in pace magnificent opportunity. The weather at Warner Park will be humid and will test players’ endurance. There is little to no chance of rain and it should be a cracker of a contest. Probable XI St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Devon Thomas (wk), Ravi Bopara, Sherfane Rutherford, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo (c), Dominic Drakes, Paul van Meekeren, Naseem Shah/Fawad Ahmed, Sheldon Cottrell. St Lucia Kings Andre Fletcher (wk), Faf du Plessis (c), Roston Chase, Mark Deyal, Tim David, Samit Patel, Keron Cottoy/Rakheem Cornwall, Alzarri Joseph, Jeavor Royal, Obed McCoy, Kesrick Williams. Fantasy XI Andre Fletcher (WK), Roston Chase, Faf du Plessis, Sherfane Rutherford, Evin Lewis (C), DJ Bravo(VC), Fabian Allen, Obed McCoy, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Kesrick Williams