Cricket

WTC Final: Marnus Labuschagne lauds test Format, urges all nations to take it seriously | Cricket News

Danijones1 week ago04 mins

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

Danijones1 week ago07 mins

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

Danijones1 week ago03 mins

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

England vs West Indies, ENG vs WI 2025, Today Match Prediction

Vann Hiso1 week ago1 week ago08 mins

𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 : England vs West Indies 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 : June 08,Sunday𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 : 15:30 PM IST𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐔𝐄 : The Cooper Associates County Ground, United Kingdom, United Kingdom 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 : 2nd T20 2025 England’s aim for a series win straight games England vs West Indies TV channels: The fans can watch the match live on Hotstar Live Streaming: Live streaming of the match will be available on the FAFA191 Cricket Exchange India and website. ENG vs WI Match Prediction & Analysis It is the second game in the three-match T20i series where England will aim for a series win as they take on the West Indies. England performed clinically in the opening game, defeating the visitors by 21 runs. They will look to build on the momentum. The West Indies must win this game to keep hopes alive in what is turning out to be a tough tour for them. England has a strong batting lineup and enjoys a good record against the West Indies. The players know the conditions well at this venue and shall look to take full advantage of it. The West Indies have won only once in the last nine games, and their players struggle with form. It will be interesting to see if West Indies can turn it around in this game. TEAMS PREVIEW England Preview Harry Brook will be confident after the team’s strong show in the last game. They put a big score on the board and kept the pressure on the visitors throughout with tight bowling. The side has been enjoying a good run at home in the last 12 months, and they will aim for another series win with a good performance. Jamie Smith and Ben Duckett are aggressive players, and the team expects them to make a strong start. Jos Buttler missed a well-deserved hundred in the last game and will look to add runs in the middle order with Harry Brook and Tom Banton. Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks, and Liam Dawson complete a strong batting lineup for the team. The bowling attack will be confident after the good show in the last game. The side will need Liam Dawson and Brydon Carse to deliver early blows as they did in the last game. Adil Rashid has bowled well and will look to keep a check on the scoring rate with Will Jacks. Matthew Potts and Jacob Bethell add variety to the attack. West Indies Preview Shai Hope and his team will be very worried. Despite having some of the best players in this format, the side has had extended losses. They failed to pace their run chase well in the last game and shall look to learn from their mistakes. Shai Hope must lead from the front in this game to win and take the series to the third game. Evin Lewis and Johnson Charles delivered a decent start in the last game, and the team expects runs from them. The middle order failed in the last game, along with the trio of Shai Hope, Roston Chase, and Sherfane Rutherford. Rovman Powell and Andre Russell are powerful strikers, and the team expects quick runs. The bowling attack looked scratchy in the last game, and the team needs tight spells from Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd. Alzarri Joseph and Gudakesh Motie are key bowlers in the team and must do well in the middle overs. Roston Chase and Russell must bowl tight spells in the supporting roles as the English batters will go after them. Weather Conditions There will be cloud cover over Bristol. It will be challenging for the batsmen here, and fast bowlers will do well. The average first-innings score is around 163 runs, and the side that bats first would like 190 runs on the board. ENG vs WI Pitch Report The Bristol County Ground is a typical English venue with assistance on the track for the fast bowlers. It is one of the smaller venues in the country, and batters have lots of opportunities to score runs. The surface’s true nature allows the batters to commit to the front foot and play their strokes. Toss: To Bowl The batting conditions shall be challenging early in the game. The ball will move off the surface, and fast bowlers will do well. Hence, the side winning the toss here shouldn’t hesitate to bowl first.

Lionel Messi coming to India? Kerala minister provides big update

Danijones1 week ago04 mins

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

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“The true definition of a son” – NBA legend Allen Iverson shares heartfelt post on his son days after making sweet gesture towards ex-wife | NBA News

Danijones1 week ago07 mins

“The true definition of a son” -NBA legend Allen Iverson shares heartfelt post on his son days after making sweet gesture towards ex-wife (Image source: Getty) Former NBA legend, Allen Iverson shares a heartwarming post for his son, Isaiah Rahsaan Iverson on his Instagram. The post contains photos from Isaiah’s childhood, teenage years, and graduation ceremony. Allen went on to praise him saying that he’s the true definition of what a son should be, and the way he always looks out for family is what makes him better than others. He goes on to say how proud of a father he is. However, this post came days after Allen dedicated an entire post for ex-wife, Tawanna Turner. Allen Iverson shares posts dedicated to son Isaiah Rahsaan Iverson and wife Tawanna Turner Allen Iverson talks profoundly about his son Isaiah on his recent Instagram post. He talks about Isaiah’s qualities and how he is a son that every father will be proud of. “The true definition of a son,” says Allen as he starts the post, showing how proud he is of Isaiah.Iverson further went on to say how Isaiah takes care of his mother and siblings, and never disrespects his parents. He also went on to say that Isaiah always puts family first and takes responsibility heads on. From his post it seems after Allen and Tawanna separated, it was Isaiah who put on the “head of the family” tag and took good care of the family. However, this post comes days after Allen dedicated an entire post to ex-wife Tawanna Turner, with whom he shares five children, Allen Iverson II, Isaiah Rahsaan Iverson, Dream Alijha, Tiaura, and Messiah Lauren. The post had a montage of the couple’s photos from prom, early court days, and as such. Allen captioned the photo as “HER” followed by heart and crossed fingers emoticons.Allen and Tawanna tied the knot in 2001, and had a happy marriage for quite some years. However, trouble entered their married life in the form of lavish expenditures, Iverson’s questionable parenting skills, and alcohol habits. In 2013, when Iverson retired from the world of NBA, his married life also came to an end. The couple called it quits in 2013 and agreed to co-parent their kids. Their divorce made headlines back in 2013 due to all the chaos it unraveled. With Iverson being officially bankrupt and declaring in the court that he doesn’t even have money for a cheeseburger to Tawanna literally pulling out $61 from her purse and giving it to the NBA legend, the couple has seen it all. Tawanna has been Iverson’s rock through all ups and down, and they still remained friends after the divorce. Iverson even gave a special shoutout to Tawanna in his Hall of Fame speech in 2016. However, it seems Allen’s life turned upside down soon after his lady luck left. After retirement, Allen spent all of his fortune on expensive cars, and lavish lifestyle. Due to this, he became bankrupt by 2015. Despite getting into the Hall of Fame in 2016, life was still in shambles for Iverson. The once NBA legend was back in square one, starting from scratch.Allen was at his top during his time with the Philadelphia 76ers, when he won the MVP of the year in 2001. He also went on to win the Rookie of the Year award in 1997. During the Game 1 of NBA Finals of 2001, Iverson scored 48 points against the Los Angeles Lakers, which was a record in itself. It was during this time that Iverson was the peak of his career, after which his life took a complete 180-degree turn.However, things have started taking turn for Iverson as he recently signed a deal with Reebok and agreed to be the Vice President of basketball division for the brand. He had earlier made a lifetime deal with Reebok back in 2001, which brought him $800,000 per year. The contract also had a clause that stated Iverson will get an additional $32 million at the age of 55. Will the new role help Iverson turn the course of events or will he fall back into old habits? It remains to be seen.Also Read: Carmelo Anthony spilled beans on weirdest reason why Larry Brown suspended LeBron James, Allen Iverson, and Amar’e Stoudemire just before Olympics

WTC Final: Josh Hazlewood confident ahead of Lord’s clash, eyes return after injury layoff | Cricket News

Danijones1 week ago04 mins

Josh Hazelwood (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood expressed confidence about bowling in England ahead of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on June 11. Having taken 52 wickets in 12 Tests in England at an average of 26.07, including five wickets in his recent Ashes appearance at Lord’s, Hazlewood plans to increase his pace before the crucial match.Hazlewood hasn’t played Test cricket since December 2024 at The Gabba against India due to a calf strain. Scott Boland, who replaced him, claimed a 10-wicket haul against India at Sydney, creating competition for the third seamer’s position at Lord’s.“Any time I bowl in England, I’m reasonably confident. I’ve had some good tours here over the last 10 years, and Lord’s in particular. I haven’t lost before at Lord’s yet as a player, certainly in red-ball cricket for sure, and we have had a couple of good wins there over the years.”“Today is sort of post-flight and just to get moving. I will probably nail down a few more overs tomorrow and then over the next few days, tick a lot of boxes,” Hazlewood told ICC on Saturday.Hazlewood’s recent participation in IPL 2025, where he won the title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, has helped him maintain his bowling rhythm despite a minor shoulder niggle. Gautam Gambhir sends stern message after Bengaluru tragedy “I ticked over some good overs just before the (IPL) Final in Ahmedabad in different weather than this, and it was quite a tough session. And then obviously, every time you play a game in the IPL, you’re probably going to get almost seven or eight overs in, if you really want to.”Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?“So in and around with warm-ups, and obviously the four overs in the game. And we bowled second a lot of the time in IPL, so that was sort of two warm-ups, so you can squeeze in overs here and there, and things are going pretty well.”“Everyone looks in good shape. We’ve all been in different parts of the world playing or training over the last couple of months, so it’s good to get everyone together and catch up with everyone yesterday and the day before and get all on the same page moving forward.”