SMAT 2021: Assam shock Bengal by 13 runs

BBL 10: Josh Philippe anchors Sydney Sixers to comprehensive win over Perth Scorchers

Sydney Sixers beat Perth Scorchers by 7 wickets in Canberra after chasing down a target of 164 in 18.5 overs. Opener and wicket-keeper batsman Josh Philippe led the chase and smacked an unbeaten 84 off 52 deliveries that included 10 fours and a maximum. James Vince who came in at number too chipped in with a half-century. Earlier, Perth had a decent start to the innings with an opening stand of 76 runs between Jason Roy and Livingstone. Roy was the first one to depart after Christian cleaned him up for 21 while Livingstone was sent back in the hut by Jake Ball for 67. Livingstone’s departure was followed by a fall of wickets in quick succession and they were soon reduced to 121/5 to eventually end the innings at 163/7 in 20 overs. Ball, Brathwaite and Christian picked up a couple of wickets each. Philippe who was adjudged man of the match credited the bowlers to pull back things in their favour. “The plan was to take it on in the first four and then read the situation of the game. They got off to an absolute flier. We bowled well in the back end. Our bowlers have been fantastic. They got it to a total we thought we could chase and we ended up chasing it. I feel super relaxed at the moment, that's when I play my best cricket. There's always a few nerves, especially against Scorchers. I like to stay as calm as possible. He (Vince) is very calm. Nice to see him get back into some form,” he said after the match. Sixers are at the helm of the points table with 8 wins and 32 points from 11 matches while Scorchers are at three with 5 wins and 20 points.

Former cricketers slam Rohit Sharma for "irresponsible shot"

India opener Rohit Sharma has been facing some criticism for throwing away his wicket against Australia in the fourth Test in Brisbane. Sharma was on 44 when he tried to accelerate and gave a catch to Mitchell Stars in the deep off Nathan Lyon. Former India player Sanjay Manjrekar criticised Rohit for his shot selection. "Considering the experience missing in the team, that shot from an experienced Rohit Sharma was inexcusable," - Manjrekar wrote on Twitter. Earlier, former skipper Sunil Gavaskar slammed the right-handed batsman for his “unbelievable shot”. "Why? Why? Why? That's an unbelievable shot. That's an irresponsible shot. There is a fielder there at long oo, there is a fielder there at deep square leg," Sunil Gavaskar told Channel 7 on Saturday. "You have just hit a boundary a couple of deliveries earlier and why would you play that shot? You're a senior player, there is no excuse, absolutely no excuse for that shot. An unnecessary wicket, an unnecessary wicket gifted away. Totally unnecessary," Gavaskar added. India ended a rain-curtailed second day at 62/2 in reply to Australia’s 369 with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease. The home side hand concluded the proceedings on Day 1 at 279/5 with Tim Pain and Cameron Green at the crease. Paine scored an important fifty while Green missed out on a half-century by 3 runs to get out on 47. Earlier, Marnus Labuschange notched up a ton in the first innings. The Indian bowling attack produced some impressive performances with debutants T Natarajan and Washington Sundar bagging three wickets apiece. The four-match series is presently levelled at 1-1.

Adam Gilchrist lauds India's resilience, asks team to ponder reasons behind injuries

Former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist has asked the Indian team management to ponder hard on issues that led to so many injuries in the Indian camp. The wicketkeeper pointed out that some of the injuries were impactful in nature and inflicted by the Australian pacers but also asked the team management to assess if the soft tissue injuries that pacers have faced were under their control or not. "It's just been extraordinary the adversity they have faced on this tour. They'll need to work out why there have been so many injuries. A few have been inflicted by the Australian pace attack, but the soft tissue injuries they'll need to assess why they came about and whether it was something in or out of their control," Gilchrist told foxsports.com.au. However, the legendary batsman lauded the Indian team putting up strong performances throughout the series and putting up brave performances after every bit of adversities. He compared India’s journey to the fourth and final Test of the series to the performances of other teams who have just squandered in Australia against the pace attack and adversities. "But you can't question their resilience and their willingness to stay in the fight and not lie down. "There have been plenty of talented touring teams across all nations that have been here and succumbed to Test cricket in this country. It's amazing that they've got to the Gabba well and truly in the series with a chance to win it,” Gilchrist added. The four-match Test series played on the names of Allan Border and Sunil Gavaskar is levelled at 1--1 with the hosts taking the win in Adelaide and India bouncing back resoundingly in Melbourne. The third Test ended in a draw and if India can avoid a defeat in the ongoing Test at the Gabba, they will retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

BBL10 | Match Preview: Rejuvenated Stars face down and out Renegades in Melbourne Derby

A rejuvenated Melbourne Stars after their huge victory over the Adelaide Strikers on their coming to the MCG would be up against their cross-town rivals Renegades in what could be another walk in the park for Glenn Maxwell’s men, considering the form of the Aaron Finch led side in this edition of the Big Bash League. This game at the MCG would also be an opportunity for the Stars to make their way into the top four of the Points Table once again and thereby making their contention for a playoff spot even stronger. In-form batsmen biggest asset for Stars Andre Fletcher, who had been persisted with by the Stars for nine games without him actually getting into the act and giving the starts that the team needed from an opener, finally hit the best knock (89 not out off 49 balls) of his small career and won a much-needed game for the Men in Green. It is his form and that of the skipper Maxwell which going to be crucial for the Stars, not only in this game but for the remaining part of the tournament, as the Stars’ bowlers haven’t really got going, apart from the last game, where Strikers’ actually threw much of their wickets away in pressure. Along with them, Hilton Cartwright hitting clean sixes was also a good sign for the Stars. Cartwright, Marcus Stoinins, and Nic Maddinson would also be required to showcase their skills with the willow if the Stars want to go all the way. In this match, the batting would have to get a notch better also because they don't have the express Haris Rauf in the side as the Pakistani has got elected for the Test team to face South Africa in a historic series in Pakistan. Renegades have nothing to lose Finch, the renegade skipper in one of the in-match interactions with the broadcast commentators said that there was no going away from the bubble and that it has really got into the minds of the players. In such a situation, the best way to go about for the Red Machine would be to give everything that they have got in the last four games they have left this season. They did fight well versus the Heat, and there should be no doubt in the fact that they would be going all-out against their biggest rivals Stars too. Finch along with Beau Webster and Jake Fraser-McGurk wouldn’t mind showing their class at their Victoria home ground and if anything the fact that they have nothing to lose while the opposition has a lot of it might make them even more dangerous to face. Stars vs Renegades: Match Details Match Number-42 Date and Time: Jan 16, 2021, 1:45:00 pm IST, 06.40 pm Local, 08.15 am GMT Venue- Melbourne Cricket Ground Broadcast: Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network Pitch Report The MCG wicket as evident in the last game was a good wicket to bat if the batsmen spent some time on it. The ball came nicely and at a decent bounce too. It was only a matter of getting the eye in. And as a bowler if the right lengths were hit, there was something in it for them too, all in all, a perfect T20 wicket. A similar track would be expected in this game as well. Weather and Bat Flip There would be clouds in the evening but without a chance of rain. Captains winning the toss would look to field first for some initial assistance for their bowlers with overcast conditions. Chasing would also be preferred as the wicket would get better with the passage of time. Stars Strongest XI Marcus Stoinis, Andre Fletcher, Nick Larkin, Glenn Maxwell (c), Nic Maddinson, Hilton Cartwright, Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Sam Rainbird, Zahir Khan Renegades Strongest XI Mackenzie Harvey, Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch (c), Sam Harper (wk), Jack Prestwidge, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Beau Webster, Imad Wasim, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou, Jon Holland