World T20 2021 | AUS vs NZ Warm-up match: David Warner's struggle with bat continues

Fresh from historic win, Scotland eye big gains against PNG to confirm Super 12 entry

Scotland achieved a historic feat against Bangladesh in their first game after they defeated them by six runs and gained precious two points, That was the big game for the Scots as they would now have comparatively easier games against Papua New Guinea and Oman. The first of those games happen to take place on October 19. PNG looking to get past opening match horror While Scotland started with a win, PNG had a horrible showing in their maiden T20 World Cup appearance as they were thrashed by 10 wickets by hosts Oman. The entire batting order of the Barramundis fell like a deck of cards except for their skipper Assad Vala, who hit a historic maiden World cup fifty and all-rounder Charles Amini, who looked in good nick but got run out, unfortunately. The bowling of the PNG team was equally bad, as they were unable to pick a wicket. However, what disappointed me most was the fielding especially the catching by the players from the Pacific nation. While that might have been the big stage fright and hence when they face Scotland next, they might just be ready for the ultimate clash against a team which they have not beaten in their previous two T20I meetings. Scotland look to sharpen batting skills Scotland on the other hand also have a lot to change as far as their batting is concerned. The likes of skipper Coetzer, Richie Berrington, George Munsey and Callum McLeod would look to get back to form after being muddled by the spin of the Bangladeshi bowlers. The bowling of PNG will also be relatively better to face for the Scots who like pace on the ball. The match being a day game also help their cause. Scotland vs Papua New Guinea: Match Details Match Number- 05 Date and Time: October 19, 2021, 03:30 pm IST, 02:00 pm Local, 10:00 am GMT Venue: Oman Cricket Academy Ground, Al Amerat, Oman Broadcast and Livestream: Star Sports Network and Hotstar Pitch Report As far as the evidence from the first day of the tournament is concerned, the wicket at Oman Cricket Academy had no demons in it whatsoever. Oman’s Jatinder Singh and Aqib Ilyas showed that in the first game. In the second game too, it was disciplined bowling rather than the wicket that resulted in 140 being defended. Weather Forecast With plenty of sunshine and no chances of rain or any other disturbance in the offing, this day game wouldn’t have anything depending on the weather. Probable XI Scotland George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer (c), Matthew Cross (wk), Richie Berrington, Calum MacLeod, Michael Leask, Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Josh Davey, Safyaan Sharif, Bradley Wheal PNG Tony Ura, Assad Vala (c), Charles Amini, Lega Siaka, Norman Vanua, Sese Bau, Simon Atai, Kiplin Doriga (wk), Nosaina Pokana, Damien Ravu, Kabua Morea CE XI Fantasy team Wicketkeeper Matthew Cross Batters Sese Bau, George Munsey, Kyle Coetzer All-rounders Assad Vala, Charles Amini, Richie Berrington Bowlers Chris Greaves, Mark Watt, Bradley Wheal, Damien Ravu Vice-Captain Assad Vala Captain Richie Berrington

SMAT 2021: Vijay Shankar to captain Tamil Nadu in absence of injured Dinesh Karthik

All-rounder Vijay Shankar will captain Tamil Nadu in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy after in place of an injured Dinesh Karthik. T he Tamil Nadu Cricket Association made the announcement that Shankar has been handed over the captain’s baton while N Jagadeesan will be his deputy for the tournament. Karthik will be replaced by Adithya Ganesh in the squad. “Dinesh Karthik is said to be suffering from a knee injury,” Tamil Nadu selection committee chief S Vasudevan told PTI. “The state senior selection committee of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has replaced Adithya Ganesh in place of injured Dinesh Karthik, to play in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy for the Season 2021-2022,” TNCA said. Apart from Karthik, all-rounder Washington Sundar will also miss the fixtures as he is still recovering from a finger injury that he sustained on the England tour. The left-arm fast bowler T. Natarajan has been included in the squad that comprises 20 members. Tamil Nadu will play their first match of the competition against Maharashtra on November 4.

Virat Kohli relinquishes opening position, to bat at number three throughout World T20 2021

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed that he will now be batting at number three to accommodate KL Rahul at the opening position as it is ‘really hard’ to look beyond him considering his current form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. Kohli had decided to open the innings in T20Is at the start of the year against England and it was taught that he would continue to do so. But during the toss in India’s first warm-up match of the T20 World Cup against England, Kohli said, “Things were different when IPL started. It's very hard to look beyond KL Rahul now with the form he is in. I will be batting at number three in the World Cup is the news I can give you.” Talking about the goals that India would want to achieve in the warm-up matches, Kohli added, “Look everyone is trying to get something out of the game. The idea is to get together as a team and get the momentum. We want to create that energy on the field when eleven guys are together. Look this is paramount and everyone knows that.” In the warm-up game, taking place at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, India won the toss and chose to bowl first.

How Krunal is for me, Kieron Pollard is the same: Hardik Pandya

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has created a pretty friendly environment among the players from all around the globe. The friendships between cricketers from different nations have become prominent and an instance of this was given by India and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The right-handed all-rounder while talking to ESPNCricinfo said that he shares the same bond with Kieron Pollard as he does with Krunal. "How Krunal is for me, Pollard is the same. He has been part of the international circuit for a long time. I don't sometimes understand how it functions, but he has taught me to let it be. I am very upfront if I don't like something. There are lots of times when he has calmed me down, lots of times when he has given me life lessons," he said. Pandya further said that Pollard is a “Gujrati” by heart and is someone who believes in investments and buying properties. "We call him grandpa. He is from West Indies but he is actually a Gujarati at heart. He literally functions like an Indian: a guy who believes in property, a guy who believes in investments, a guy who believes: instead of buying a car, I'll buy property because it will grow, Ek rupiah Nahin waste karoonga [I won't waste a rupee]," said Pandya. While Hardik is with the Indian team now for the World T20 2021, Pollard would be leading the West Indies team in the tournament. The Caribbean side will be playing the competition to defend their title.