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Tag: South Africa

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‘Modern-day batters aren’t patient anymore if there’s…’: Jacques Kallis | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Jacques Kallis, a modern-day legend with 45 Test centuries, has expressed his observation that modern-day batters tend to lack patience, often opting to hit their way out of challenging situations on pitches that are not easy to bat on.Kallis, who stands second to Sachin Tendulkar in terms of Test centuries, questioned whether the approach of aggressive batting on challenging tracks is the right strategy.The recent Test match between India and South Africa in Cape Town ended in just over two days, raising discussions about the nature of pitches and the balance between batting and bowling.Kallis' comments suggest a concern about the growing trend of batsmen favoring aggressive strokes over patient shot selection, especially on surfaces that offer assistance to bowlers. The deb...
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Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar joins English county Essex | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former South African opener Dean Elgar has officially joined Essex, marking the next chapter of his cricket career after retiring from international cricket earlier this month. Elgar concluded his tenure with South Africa after playing 86 Tests and accumulating over 5,000 runs for the Proteas.His final international appearance saw him captaining the Proteas in a Test match against India in Cape Town, where they suffered a seven-wicket defeat in a game that lasted just 642 balls, making it the shortest completed Test match in history.Elgar, a left-handed batsman, has previously been part of Surrey, winning the English County Championship with them in 2018.He has also represented Somerset in the past. Elgar's move to Essex comes as a replacement for the retired former England c...
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Cape Town Test | Sport, like art, need not make sense; it can be enjoyed still

India attempt to flatten out a problem area on the pitch during the second day of the second Test match between South Africa and India in Cape Town, South Africa, on January 4, 2024. Suresh Menon writes that the idea of a dodgy pitch spreads quickly within a team – it becomes a self-fulfilling reality. | Photo Credit: AP There was a screen between me and the action in Cape Town. The television screen. Sometimes this can be an advantage, the presentation of the game from different angles. Often it is a disadvantage (even when the commentary is turned off) because, in effect, you are watching the game through someone else’s eyes.The 642-ball Test there must rate as one of the strangest played. It has inspired many theories and many might-have-beens from experts, players and viewers. It w...
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‘The experience of playing against India was incredible’, says South African pacer Nandre Burger | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: South African pacer Nandre Burger expressed his enthusiasm about the incredible experience of playing against India in the recently-concluded all-format home series. The 28-year-old pacer made his all-format debut during the series and made a notable impact with his bowling performance.Burger stood out by taking 11 wickets in two Tests, which included a four-wicket haul, five wickets in three T20Is, and one wicket in a solitary T20I, showcasing his effectiveness across formats. He also mentioned that he learned a lot during the course of the series, emphasising the valuable experience gained from playing against a strong team like India."The experience against India was obviously incredible. The overall experience was cool. I think I learned quite a lot, and I can take away a...
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South Africa batter Heinrich Klaasen announces retirement from Test cricket

Amidst the talk around T20 taking precendence over Test cricket in South Africa, swashbuckling batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from the longest format of the game. Klaasen, who was among the top run getters for South Africa in last year’s ODI World Cup, wasn’t a regular in the red ball setup. “After a few sleepless nights wondering if I am making the right decision, I have decided to retire from red-ball cricket. It’s a difficult decision that I have made because it is by far my favourite format of the game,” he said in a statement. “The battles that I faced on and off the field have made me the cricketer I am today. It has been a great journey and I am glad I could have represented my country. My baggy Test cap is the most precious cap I have ever been handed.” Ha...
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Rohit Sharma always tells us about areas to bowl in the nets, says Mukesh Kumar | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In a splendid turnaround during the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Mukesh Kumar, initially sidelined in the series opener, emerged as a pivotal force, contributing significantly to India's series-levelling triumph. The seasoned duo of Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah dominated the wicket column, but Mukesh's disciplined bowling secured four crucial dismissals, aiding India's comeback.Mukesh, known for his astute approach to the game, shared insights with reporters, expressing contentment with his performance in the critical encounter. Recognizing the unique challenges posed by South African conditions, Mukesh adjusted his lengths judiciously, avoiding the risk of bowling too full."In India, when you try to bowl a fuller length, the ball moves in the air, but h...
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2024 T20 World Cup schedule: India and Pakistan to lock horns in New York on June 9

India will play Pakistan, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA in the group stages of the 2024 T20 World Cup, confirmed the International Cricket Council (ICC), as they announced the schedule for the ninth edition of the tournament on Friday. While the first match will see USA play Canada on June, the final will be played on June 29 in Barbados. The high-voltage rivalry between India and Pakistan will see its latest chapter play out on June 9 in the city of New York. While India had clinched the title by pipping Pakistan in the inaugural edition in 2007, the latter would go on to lift the trophy in 2009. The last two winners of the competition – England and Australia – are in Group B alongside Scotland, Namibia and Oman. Having won the competition the last time it had been hosted by the Wes...
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Australia dethrone India to reclaim No. 1 spot in ICC Test Rankings | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test rankings, surpassing India after securing an unassailable 2-0 lead over Pakistan in their ongoing three-match series. Despite India's seven-wicket win at Cape Town to draw the two-match series against South Africa, Australia's impressive performance elevated them to the No. 1 position.The ICC noted that Australia's successful run at home, coupled with their victories in the ICC World Test Championship Final, contributed to their resurgence in the Test rankings. Pat Cummins, leading the side, played a pivotal role in Australia's recent achievements."In the previous update, India had more points in their kitty despite being tied with Australia at 118 rating points each. But the drawn series in South Africa meant India were leapfr...
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Sanjay Manjrekar defends Shardul Thakur, blames collective bowling failure for Centurion loss | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar defended Shardul Thakur, stating that the blame for India's loss in the first Test against South Africa should not be solely placed on the all-rounder. Manjrekar highlighted the collective failure of the Indian bowling unit as a significant factor in the defeat at Centurion.Thakur, who was dropped from the playing XI for the second Test at Cape Town, faced criticism for his performance in the first Test, where he took one wicket in 19 overs, conceding 101 runs. Mukesh Kumar replaced Thakur in the second Test and contributed with four wickets in the match, aiding India's seven-wicket victory."I understand why they wanted batting depth with Shardul, especially given that they have new players batting at 1, 3 & 5 and also Shardul's rec...
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Kagiso Rabada equals Jacques Kallis as sixth-highest wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has equaled the record of legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis to become the joint sixth-highest wicket-taker for the Proteas in Test cricket. Rabada achieved this feat during the second Test match between India and South Africa in Cape Town, which concluded in just two days. In the game, Rabada took three wickets for 38 runs in the first innings and one wicket for 34 in the second innings.With this, Rabada has now taken 291 wickets in just 62 Test matches at an impressive average of 22.05. His best bowling figures in a Test innings is 7/112.Comparatively, Jacques Kallis took the same number of wickets, 291, but in 165 Test matches, with an average of 32.63. Kallis' best bowling figures in a Test innings is 6/54. The highest wicket-take...
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From 1882 to 2024: Matches in Test cricket’s history that have ended inside two days | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India's seven-wicket win over South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town on Thursday was the 25th instance when a Test match ended inside two days, dating back to 1882.This was also the third time India were involved in a two-day Test, with the other two being their match against Afghanistan in Bengaluru in 2018 and against England at Ahmedabad in 2021.Here's the complete list of Tests that ended within two days previously:* England vs Australia, Oval, 1882It was the ninth Test match in history. Australia were bundled out for 63 but managed to limit England to 101 in their first innings with Fred 'Demon' Spofforth taking seven wickets. The Aussies could only muster 122 with Hugh Massie scoring a 55.England were again humbled by 'Demon' despite WG Grace's 32. Spofforth took ...
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South Africa’s hands tied over squad for New Zealand, says coach Shukri Conrad | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: South Africa is compelled to send a second-string squad to New Zealand for two Tests next month, and coach Shukri Conrad on Thursday defended the controversial decision, stating that criticism of the move is unfounded and unfair.Former Australia captain Steve Waugh suggested that New Zealand should consider refusing to play the series after South Africa named seven uncapped players in a 14-man squad for the matches starting on Feb.4. Several other commentators also criticised the move, expressing concerns about the quality and competitiveness of the series due to the inclusion of numerous inexperienced players.The fixtures clash with Cricket South Africa's domestic Twenty20 competition, which is considered crucial for the future financial health of an organisation that has be...
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‘We knew that it’s going to be a short game’, says Rohit Sharma after winning historic Cape Town Test | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India successfully chased down a modest victory target of 79 runs, securing a seven-wicket win over hosts South Africa in the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Thursday. This victory allowed India to level the two-match series 1-1.The game concluded within five sessions, making it the shortest completed game ever in the history of Test cricket.Skipper Rohit Sharma termed it a great feat and said that they were aware that it's going to be a short game.The Newlands pitch will likely face considerable scrutiny as the match concluded in 642 balls, making it the shortest-ever Test match with a winner. This record surpasses Australia's 656-ball victory over South Africa in 1932. The brevity of the match will undoubtedly draw attention to the playing conditions and the nature ...
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2nd Test: India lose 6 for 0 in 11 balls to be bowled out for 153 after South Africa dismissed for 55 on chaotic 23-wicket day one | Cricket News – Times of India

Let's do a search for synonyms of ridiculous. Even if we find the best matching word, it would be a struggle to describe the events that unfolded on Day One of the second Test at Cape Town on Wednesday.For the record, 23 wickets fell, and 270 runs were scored. Only four times have more wickets tumbled in a single day of Test cricket. Mohammed Siraj took 6-15 in an untiring, lung-bursting nine-over spell to blow away the hosts for 55 in 23.2 overs, their lowest score post readmission, after retiring skipper Dean Elgar won the toss and batted under sunny, blue skies.India, who seemed to be cruising at 153 for 4, with KL Rahul (8) and Virat Kohli (46) looking solid, despite the odd play and miss, lost six wickets for zero in 11 balls to be all out for 153, earning a lead of 98. But by stum...
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I bowled in one area which I didn’t in Centurion, says Mohammed Siraj | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj expressed delight at kicking off the 2024 cricket season with career-best figures in Test cricket. However, after the first day of the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town, the Indian pacer took even more satisfaction in addressing the mistakes he made during the series opener in Centurion. In the first Test, Siraj had figures of 2/91 in South Africa's only innings, but he made a strong comeback by claiming six wickets for just 15 runs from nine overs in the second Test, contributing to the hosts being bundled out for 55 in the first innings.The day witnessed a record total of 23 wickets falling, highlighting the bowlers' dominance.Did he think he will come out to bowl twice in a day? “Did you think so?” he chuckled with a counter question.“We didn't t...
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‘If someone went around the corner for a dump and came back…’: Ravi Shastri’s epic commentary after India lost six wickets in 11 balls | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Indian cricketer-turned commentator Ravi Shastri once again became talk of the town as he came up with a witty remark after India lost six wickets in 11 balls for no run on the opening day of the second and final Test in Cape Town on Wednesday.India collapsed to 153 all out in their first innings in the final session after skittling out South Africa for 55 on Day 1.It was the first time in history that a team lost 6 wickets without adding a run and as always Shastri stole the limelight with his on-air gem."If someone went around the corner for a dump, and has come back, India have been bowled out for 153," the former India coach Shastri said while commentating.After losing their fifth wicket at 153 in 33.1 overs, the next five Indian batters were dismissed without the ...
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Surprised that South African skipper Dean Elgar chose to bat first: Gavaskar | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former captain Sunil Gavaskar expressed astonishment on Wednesday at South African skipper Dean Elgar's choice to bat first in the second Test against India in Cape Town.Elgar's decision did not go as planned, resulting in South Africa being dismissed for 55 runs, their lowest total against India.Although India initially seemed on track for a substantial lead, they encountered a collapse, losing their last six wickets for no runs and getting all out for 153, thereby limiting their first-innings advantage to 98 runs.Gavaskar's surprise likely stems from the unexpected turn of events in the match."Well, I tell you what, I was a bit surprised by what happened," Gavaskar said in his match analysis on Star Sports."Because a lot of times, captains and coaches make a big deal about ...
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Virat Kohli back in top 10 of ICC Test Rankings | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli climbed four places in the latest ICC Test Rankings, securing the ninth position. His noteworthy performance in the Centurion Test against South Africa played a pivotal role in this ascent.Kohli, who had slipped out of the top 10 earlier in 2022, showcased his prowess with scores of 38 and 76 in the opening Test against South Africa last week, reclaiming his position among the top-ranked Test batsmen, according to ICC.Despite Kohli's rise in the ICC Test Rankings, he still remains 103 rating points behind the top-ranked batsman, Kane Williamson. Joe Root holds the second position, and Steve Smith is in the third spot.India's captain Rohit Sharma experienced a drop in the ICC Test Rankings, now positioned at 14th place. This decline is a result ...
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Pro-Palestine supporters raise slogans outside Newlands against SA U-19 skipper | Off the field News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pro-Palestine activists gathered outside Cape Town's Newlands Cricket Stadium ahead of the second Test between India and South Africa on Wednesday. They voiced anti-Israel sentiments and called for the dismissal of national U-19 skipper David Teeger due to his remarks supporting the Israeli Army.The small group of protestors displayed signs reading "Boycott, Apartheid Israel" and "Smash Apartheid Israel for a Six," while also chanting slogans advocating for an independent Palestine.The demonstration outside the stadium included expressions of discontent against Teeger, the U-19 national skipper.Israel launched a military offensive in the Gaza Strip after the Hamas militant group attacked the Jewish nation on October 7 last year, killing 1,200 people.The protestors outside the...
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How sizzling Siraj ripped apart South Africa’s batting line-up in second Test | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Seamer Mohammed Siraj delivered a career-defining performance, claiming an outstanding 6-15 as India capitalised on a lively wicket to dismantle South Africa's batting line-up.The visiting side successfully bowled out the hosts for a mere 55 runs, accomplishing the feat on the brink of lunch during the opening day of the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.Siraj, who did it in a straight spell of nine overs, was ably supported by Jasprit Bumrah (2-25) and Mukesh Kumar (2-0) as Indian pacers wreaked havoc after South African skipper Dean Elgar opted to bat in his swansong Test.Here is how the Indian pacers ripped apart South African batting in the first session of the second and final Test:SA 5/1 in 3.2 overs: Siraj quickly zeroed in on the perfect line, executin...