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‘You are not going to get rid of chokers tag’: Mark Boucher, claims Temba Bavuma’s South Africa can transform Test cricket with WTC Final victory | Cricket News
Former South Africa cricket head coach Mark Boucher believes a victory for the Temba Bavuma-led South African team in the upcoming World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s on June 11 could revitalize Test cricket in South Africa. The team secured their first-ever WTC final appearance after winning seven consecutive Tests and topping the 2023-25 cycle points table with a 69.44 percentage.South Africa is currently preparing for the crucial one-off Test with a warm-up match against Zimbabwe at Arundel.“A lot of people have criticised South Africa, which is not really fair. You play what’s in front of you, and with all due respect, the sides that we’ve played against, we probably should have beaten, and we’ve done that. So we find ourselves in a final,” Boucher said.“But I wouldn’t say that it has got the crowds going in our country. Everyone’s very excited about it now, as the opportunity arises, a lot of people are going to travel over to London, spend all their Rands, and go watch what should be a good match. If we win it, I think that could be the turnaround for Test cricket in our country,” he added. Arshdeep Singh: The Poet Who Bowls Thunder | Stories from His Father & Coach The Lord’s clash marks the second ICC title match appearance for the men’s team following their runner-up finish in the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup. The women’s team has also finished as runners-up in consecutive T20 World Cups.“We’re playing for a trophy, so I guess a lot of people are saying no [we can’t win], but I think it’s a different feel in Test match cricket. It’s played over a longer period of time, and you’ve just got to win big moments in the game as well. Yes, there will be that tag [chokers] that gets thrown our way until we win a trophy,” Boucher stated.“You’re not going to get rid of the tag. Is it deserving of these youngsters coming through? No, it’s almost like they’re carrying the burden of what happened in previous years, which is always going to be tough on them, but they’re the ones in control of their futures at the moment,” he continued.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Boucher expressed confidence in opener Ryan Rickelton and batsman Tristan Stubbs for the upcoming final.“Ryan Rickelton has been playing nicely for Mumbai Indians (MI), and he was actually on the tour that we went to England (in 2022) as well. He’s actually played quite a few games in England as well, so he’ll know the conditions,” he remarked.“And Tristan Stubbs has come back and played a lot of domestic cricket and basically forced his way into the Test side because of the runs that he’s got. On paper, Australia will probably feel that they’ve got a better batting line-up than what we have, but have we got the attitude to go out there and, in a one-off game, just leave it all out there? Absolutely,” Boucher concluded.
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WTC Final: Marnus Labuschagne lauds test Format, urges all nations to take it seriously | Cricket News
Marnus Labuschagne of Australia (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images) Australian cricketer Marnus Labuschagne expressed his optimism about Test cricket’s future ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Wednesday. The 30-year-old, who was part of Australia’s maiden WTC victory against India in 2023, emphasized the importance of countries producing quality players to maintain the format’s tradition.Labuschagne shared his thoughts on the World Test Championship format and its impact on the game’s competitiveness.“It is an exciting tournament. It means every Test you play has something on it, it brings all the countries into play, and anyone can make the final. You’re playing for a trophy at the end of a two-year cycle. I think it has worked great. Two years ago, when we beat India, it was awesome. I’m looking at it from a player’s perspective, and it looks like the game is in a great place,” he said. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy The Australian batter highlighted the role of major cricket nations in sustaining Test cricket’s popularity.“Every time Test cricket is on, people want to watch it. India, Australia and England are probably carrying a bit of the load of Test cricket, but we really want to see all the countries keep producing great players and being part of upholding such an amazing tradition of Test cricket,” he added.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Labuschagne’s Test career began notably at Lord’s in 2019, where he became cricket’s first concussion substitute. His career flourished afterward, achieving an impressive average of 63.43 after 14 Tests and reaching the top spot in ICC Test rankings for six months starting December 2021.The South African-born cricketer also discussed his long-standing relationship with his club.“I love playing with the guys here; they are close friends, and I love the environment at the club. The benefit of having a relationship with the club for six years is that you have the perks of being able to call the director of cricket and say: This is what it looks like, is there a chance we can line this up?” he said.He further emphasized the advantages of his commitment to the club.“Without that relationship, there might be some hesitancy, or you might not get someone in for two games. But that’s the benefit of the long-term commitment I have shown over the last six years,” he added.
Surprising that Shastri has been omitted from list of names commemorated at Wankhede Stadium: Shishir Hattangadi | Cricket News
Mumbai: Former cricketer Ravi Shastri (PTI Photo/Shashank Parade) Mumbai: Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi has urged the Mumbai Cricket Association to name something at the iconic Wankhede Stadium after former India all-rounder, famous commentator and ex-Team India head coach Ravi Shastri.In a letter (TOI has a copy) to MCA president Ajinkya Naik on Saturday (June 7), Hattangadi, an ex-Mumbai opener, has expressed his “surprise and concern at the omission of Ravi Shastri, former India captain, all-rounder, and national coach, from the list of names commemorated at the stadium.” Hattangadi, a former Bombay opener, has written that “Shastri’s legacy is well known—not just the iconic feat of hitting six sixes in an over in a first-class game, following in the footsteps of Sir Gary Sobers—but also for his impactful career as a player and his significant role in shaping modern Indian cricket as a coach.”On May 16, the MCA had named stands at the Wankhede Stadium after India’s ODI captain Rohit Sharma, former India captain Ajit Wadekar and ex-BCCI president Sharad Pawar. The venue also has stands named after cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar (there’s also a special box for him), Sachin Tendulkar and former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar.In his letter (TOI has a copy), Hattangadi has written, “Dear president, I write to you not only as a former player but as someone who has proudly served Mumbai cricket for over a decade. Those of us who have emerged from this great city—be it from school, club, junior levels, Ranji Trophy, or eventually representing India—deeply cherish the legacy, tradition, and culture that Mumbai cricket has built over generations.““The contribution of Mumbai to Indian cricket is monumental. It is something we, as part of the cricketing fraternity, carry with immense pride. Every name etched on the stadium walls—be it senior or junior—stands as a testament to the rich history we are privileged to be part of. These honours are not merely symbolic but serve as permanent markers of inspiration and respect. Virat Kohli’s love for ‘dhaba’ food, priority for family & more | RCB bus driver shares stories “It is in this spirit that I must express my surprise and concern at the omission of Ravi Shastri, former India captain, all-rounder, and national coach, from the list of names commemorated at the stadium. His legacy is well known—not just the iconic feat of hitting six sixes in an over in a first-class game, following in the footsteps of Sir Gary Sobers—but also for his impactful career as a player and his significant role in shaping modern Indian cricket as a coach. This omission, intentional or not, overlooks a major chapter in Mumbai and Indian cricket’s story. I do not wish to delve into statistics, as Shastri’s legacy is not just in numbers but in the influence he has had on the game—both on and off the field.”Hattangadi concludes his letter by writing, “As someone who deeply respects the administration and its role in preserving the sport’s heritage, I urge the MCA to re-examine this oversight. A richer understanding of cricket’s history and the personalities that shaped it will only strengthen our future. With warm regards and continued respect.”“This is an observation and not a political statement,” he added.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?In Jan last year, Shastri was honored with the prestigious Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Awards 2024 in Hyderabad.Shastri played 80 Tests and 150 ODIs for India, scoring 6938 runs, including 15 hundreds, besides picking 280 wickets in international cricket. The left-arm spinner was part of India’s World Cup triumph in 1983 and the 1985 Champions of Champions triumph. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy Post his retirement, Shastri took over commentary duties and was the crisis man for the BCCI in terms of the senior national men’s team. He was roped in by the BCCI as the team director in 2014-15 and then became the side’s head coach. He enjoyed a second stint as India’s head coach from 2017-21. Shastri enjoyed a successful working relationship with former India captain Virat Kohli, as the two icons went on to shape India into one of the better travelling Test teams.As a TV commentator, Shastri has been one of the most sought-after men behind the microphone, and was famously on air when MS Dhoni hit the winning six in the 2011 World Cup final.
Sophie Ecclestone takes break from cricket for well-being before India series
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone has opted for a break from domestic cricket to prioritise her well-being before the series against India. The 26-year-old left-arm spinner was recently left out of the national squad for their ongoing white-ball series against the West Indies. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, said that Ecclestone remained available for selection for the series against India. Apart from focussing on her well-being, Ecclestone took time off from the game to manage a minor quad injury. Charlotte Edwards, who recently took charge as England women’s head coach after replacing Jon Lewis, backed Ecclestone’s decision to take a break. “Sophie has been managing a quad niggle over the past week but, more importantly, she wants to take a step back from cricket for a short period to look after herself,” Edwards said in a statement. “We’re totally behind that. We want to be able to select Sophie for the India series but the most important thing for her at the moment is that she feels in a better place. We all agree that a break now could be beneficial for her to achieve that,” Edwards added. On the very day when England’s squad for the West Indies were announced, Ecclestone represented Lancashire in the Women’s One-Day Cup. Since then, the youngster has 14 wickets from eight matches, including a four-wicket haul against Surrey in the T20 Women’s County Cup final. Ecclestone has been an effective spinner for England, having taken 297 wickets from 177 matches with seven four-wicket hauls and five five-wicket hauls. Ecclestone also plays for the UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). India’s tour of England starts on June 28 with the T20I series opener at The Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The T20I series will be followed by the ODI series, which is scheduled to get underway on July 16 in Southampton. Published By: sabyasachi chowdhury Published On: Jun 7, 2025
Lionel Messi coming to India? Kerala minister provides big update
Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman on Saturday, June 6, reaffirmed that the Argentina national football team, led by global icon Lionel Messi, will indeed visit the state. Kerala government had previously announced in 2024 that they are arranging a friendly game for Argentina. However, there was not update about the game even after 6 months. The minister on Saturday, confirmed that the event’s sponsor has now paid the required match fee, clearing the way for the highly anticipated visit. According to the minister, the team is expected to arrive between October and November this year. They will be treated as state guests, with the Kerala government providing for their security, accommodation, and other necessary arrangements. This announcement rekindles hope among football fans in the state, following earlier media reports that claimed Argentina had cancelled the tour due to alleged breaches of contract by the sponsor. Both Minister Abdurahiman and the sponsor, Reporter Broadcasting Company, had denied those claims, maintaining that the World Cup champions would play a friendly match in Kerala as planned. The minister reignited public excitement on Friday through a brief Facebook post stating, “Messi will come,” and thanked the sponsor for making the event possible. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Abdurahiman acknowledged there had been a delay in the payment of the match fee but said the issue had since been resolved. “The sponsor has now paid the amount. There are no remaining obstacles. As per the FIFA window, October-November is the ideal period for such international friendlies. So that timeframe is likely for us as well,” he said. According to the agreement between the sponsor and the Argentina Football Association (AFA), the team will confirm the tour and release further details in a joint statement once the payment is officially processed. Responding to questions, the minister clarified that the financial aspects of the deal are solely between the sponsor and AFA. “The government has no involvement in the financial dealings. The contract is entirely between the sponsor and the team management. We were informed by the sponsor that the match fee has been settled,” he explained. The friendly match is expected to be hosted at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, which meets global standards for such high-profile events. Abdurahiman emphasised that the state government’s main objective is to bring fresh energy to Kerala’s sports sector by hosting the world champions and inspiring the youth. Published By: Kingshuk Kusari Published On: Jun 7, 2025