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Windies Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite Concedes Batting Failure Issues Apology To Fans After Series Loss

Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite concedes batting failure, issues apology to fans after series loss

Losing the two-match home series 0-2 to South Africa, West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite did not offer any excuse behind dismal batting performances and rather admitted all of it upfront.

"We didn't bat well. Full stop,” Brathwaite said in the aftermath of loss at the hands of an impressive South Africa side led by Dean Elgar.

West Indies batsmen were blown away by the pace and seam of South African pacer bowlers in both the Tests while the spinner Keshav Maharaj chipped in as well with a hattrick in the final innings of the series.

Skipper Brathwaite conceded Windies batsmen did not show enough determination to fight out the strong bowling attack and vowed to come back better.

"We're very sorry. We were disappointing. We've got to come back and show that fight. You can't win it all but as batter you have to show fight, show determination, which we didn't. It's still a learning process with some young guys in there and some other guys coming back in. It still not an excuse. We've got to come back better,” Brathwaite said.

"Part of the plan obviously was to bat better and have consistent partnerships and big partnerships but we didn't have any. During the series, you can't work on anything technical and Test cricket is all mental. But you always have something to work on as a player. We have a couple of weeks and we could work on a few flaws that we have.”

The series loss to South Africa was Brathwaite’s first loss as the captain of the West Indies side since taking over from Jason Holder earlier this year.

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Younis Khan quits as Pakistan batting coach after 'discussions' with PCB

Former Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has quit as the side’s batting coach after he and the board mutually agreed on the decision. Younis was with the side during the England tour last year and was officially appointed as the batting coach for Pakistan last November for two years. The contract would have ended after the World T20 next year. "It is sad to lose an expert of the stature and experience of Younis Khan. Following a series of discussions, we both have reluctantly but mutually and amicably agreed that it was time to move in different directions,” PCB's chief executive Wasim Khan said. Wasim further thanked Younis for his contributions. "I want to thank Younis Khan for his contributions during his short stint as the Pakistan men's national cricket team's batting coach and hope he will remain available to assist the PCB by sharing his vast knowledge with the emerging cricketers," Wasim Khan added. The former right-handed batsman was a part of the coaching staff during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand where the side suffered a defeat in the three-match T20I series which was followed by a 0-2 loss in the Test series as well. The Test series was a part of the World Test Championship. The Pakistan side is slated to travel to England for three ODIs and as many T20Is scheduled to take place between July 8-20. The players will be boarding flight to the UK after the conclusion of the on-going PSL on June 25.

WTC Final | Day 5: Little rain expected but finally a full day on cards

The final of the inaugural World Test Championship between India and New Zealand in Southampton has been affected by rain. The first and the fourth day of the match was washed away due to the continuous rainfall. But the weather report for the fifth day has something positive for the fans. There is very little chance of rain in the first session but there will be cloud cover with 62-67 percent humidity in the morning. Earlier, New Zealand were 101/2, trailing India by 116 runs when the early stumps were called on Day 3 due to bad light. Devon Conway once again showed his class and struck a half-century during the course in the first innings. He was undone for 54 by Ishant Sharma. India on the other hand, were bundled out for 217 with Ajinkya Rahane top-scoring with 49 and captain Kohli scoring 44. Kyle Jamieson was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand after he returned with a fifer. The ICC has also kept a reserved day (June 23, 2021). But if the match ends in a draw, then both the sides will share the ICC Mace and prize money worth USD 2.4 million between them.

Jos Buttler picks England over IPL in case of clash in fixture

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Alastair Cook questions selection of 'unbalanced sides' after series loss against India, New Zealand

Former England captain Alastair Cook has expressed his disappointment at the team’s recent performances against India and New Zealand in Tests. Cook has questioned the team selection for picking up “an unbalanced side”. "Clearly it was disappointing," Cook said speaking at the launch of Yorkshire Tea's #NationalCricketWeek. "England have got themselves in a tough situation for the winter. It was going so well, winning in Sri Lanka and then they're 1-0 up against India. To then rest and rotate players, ever since that moment they've ended up chasing their tail - ending up with a fifth-choice wicketkeeper [James Bracey], an unbalanced side even though people were playing the [T20] Blast,” he added. "You've got a Test captain who hasn't been able to play his best side, yet we seem to be playing a full-strength side in the T20s against Sri Lanka," Cook further said. England had a dismal run against India away from home in the four-match series. The side won the first encounter but then suffered defeats in the next three matches and lost the series 1-3. The Joe Root-led side then hosted New Zealand for a two-match series earlier this month and once again stood at the losing end. The first match between the two sides at Lord’s ended in a draw while the Blackcaps won the second at Edgbaston by 8 wickets to seal the series.