Tag: cricket

Steven Smith did not have a good time with the bat in his first series

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Steven Smith did not have a good time with the bat in his first series as Australian ODI skipper.

Although, he scored 70 in one of the games, but, it turned out to be a pretty mediocre series for him as a batsman.

However, he would be quite happy that he managed to guide the Kangaroos to a 3-2 series win.

It was quite a tough series for Smith. He had to take a lot of flak for appealing against Ben Stokes for obstructing the field dismissal and thereafter, denying the request of the England captain Eoin Morgan of withdrawing the appeal in the second match.

Many people were of the view that Stokes had not wilfully tried to touch the ball and stop it from going onto the stumps. Whatever he did was just for his self defence and thus, Smith should have understood the situation and withdrawn the appeal.

It was even said that Smith’s act was against the spirit of the game and he should regret it in a few years’ time.

But, Smith did not lose his calmness following that controversy and managed to make sure that Australia won one more game and get the series’ outcome in their favour. (more…)

Nathan Coulter-Nile is putting in some strong performances in IPL 8

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Nathan Coulter-Nile is putting in some strong performances in IPL 8 and he might find himself in selection frame for the limited-over leg of the tour of England.

Coulter-Nile has actually been one of the most successful Australian players this IPL.

In India, it has often been difficult for the overseas fast bowlers to come in and create an impression because of the lack of pace in the pitches, but, Coulter-Nile has taken great advantage of his height and has troubled a lot of players with the bounce.

And, he has got such a nice high arm action.

Coulter-Nile is not the speediest in the world. His pace is quite average. He is not someone whom you would see bowling 150 kilometres per hour. He will be nagging somewhere around 135, but, his areas are almost always spot-on and that’s why, the back of the length or the short deliveries that he bowls, they are so effective.

With the batting too, Coulter-Nile has impressed. He hasn’t played any big knock though, but, some of the shots that he has played coming lower down the order, it definitely seems that he has got a bit of potential with the bat.

He has already represented Australia in a few One day Internationals, 10 to be precise and this summer, he would definitely win more international caps if he keeps performing like this. (more…)

Mitchell Johnson is no longer the fastest bowler of the Australian Cricket Team

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Mitchell Johnson is no longer the fastest bowler of the Australian Cricket Team. It’s Mitchell Starc who has taken over from him.

Starc has come a long way over the last one year. He was quick before as well, but, he was pretty much a directionless bowler and that’s why, he would find himself in and out of the team all the time.

Six or seven months before the World Cup, he was not a certainty to be picked in the Australian squad.

But, not only did he get back into the frame with his hard work, he ended up winning the World Cup for Australia on his own, grabbing 23 wickets.

And, out of those 23, most were the top order wickets. In the final match against New Zealand, it was Starc who started it for Australia by cleaning up Brendan McCullum in the very first over with a swinging yorker.

McCullum could have tilted the game in favour of his team there with 10 overs of ferocious hitting, but, with him getting out; New Zealand fell behind and never recovered.

Starc’s speciality is that apart from being quick, he swings the ball as well and he swings it right through the innings. (more…)