Irani Cup 2023, where to watch live: TV channels and live streaming for Saurashtra v Rest of India

Saurashtra will host the Rest of India (ROI) in the 2023 Irani Cup between October 1 and 5. Here is all you need to know about the Irani Cup 2023 live coverage, including TV channels and live streaming details.

The Irani Cup is a first-class match, played between the Ranji Trophy champions and the Rest of India. Jaydev Unadkat will lead Ranji Trophy 2022/23 champions Saurashtra, while Hanuma Vihari will captain the ROI, which boasts of notable names like KS Bharat, Mayank Agarwal, Sarfaraz Khan, Navdeep Saini and Sai Sudarshan.

The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot will host the summit clash. ROI won the last edition, by 238 runs against Madhya Pradesh.

The schedule began in 1959/60 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ranji Trophy, and was named after Zal R Irani, BCCI President from 1966 to 1969.

Saurashtra squad: Jaydev Unadkat (c), Cheteshwar Pujara, Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, Harvik Desai, Dharmendrasinh Jadeja, Jay Gohil, Prerak Mankad, Chirag Jani, Parth Bhut, Vishvaraj Jadeja, Samarth Vyas, Yuvrajsinh Dodiya, Kushang Patel, Devang Karamta, Snell Patel.

Rest of India squad: Hanuma Vihari (c), KS Bharat, Mayank Agarwal, Yash Dhull, Shams Mulani, Sai Sudarshan, Sarfaraz Khan, Pulkit Narang, Saurabh Kumar, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Vidwath Kaverappa, Akash Deep, Rohan Kunnummal, Dhruv Jurel.

Saurashtra vs Rest of India: TV channels and live streaming for Irani Cup 2023

The Jio Cinema app and website will provide free live-streaming service for the match in India.

Viacom18 group, the owner of Jio Cinema, signed a five-year television and digital rights deal of matches organised by the BCCI, between the recently concluded Australia series, in September 2023, and March 2028.

Viacom18 pocketed the rights for a whopping 59.63 billion INR (721.2 million USD), and features coverage of both international and domestic cricket.

Sports 18 TV channel will televise the clashes during this period.

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CWC 2023: Six candidates who can be the leading wicket-taker at the World Cup

India will host the 2023 World Cup between October 5 and November 19. Despite the conditions traditionally aiding spin, seam will play an important role as well. Here is the list of the top six possible candidates who can be the leading wicket-taker at World Cup 2023.

Glenn McGrath is the leading wicket-taker in World Cup history, with 71 scalps from 39 matches at 18.19. He is closely followed by Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 68 wickets from 40 matches at 19.63, and is the only tweaker in the illustrious top five.

Let’s delve into the list of possible highest wicket-takers for this year’s edition.

Kuldeep Yadav

Having undergone some fine technical adjustments to his bowling after an injury layoff, Kuldeep Yadav 2.0 has been a revelation. He has straightened his run-up, ensuring his bowling arm moved towards the batter in the follow-through rather than falling away; he is bowling quicker, and has been able to extract more drift and turn.

He has the most wickets (33) this year among the participating nations at the World Cup, and can be India’s trump card in the middle overs since teams haven’t read him well from the hand lately. Recently, he bagged 5-25 against Pakistan at the Asia Cup to derail their chase of 357.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen is expected to shoulder the responsibility of Pakistan’s fast-bowling arsenal. Known for striking early in the innings with full-length swinging deliveries, he can also be lethal at the death with his pinpoint yorkers.

In a recent ICC video, Dale Steyn prophesied Shaheen to be the highest wicket-taker in the marquee event. It remains to be seen whether he lives up to the hype. Only 23, he has 86 wickets under his belt from 44 games at an average of 23.36.

Mitchell Starc

Though he has played only four ODIs this year, an ODI World Cup bowling prediction without Mitchell Starc would be a travesty.

Starc was the highest wicket-taker in the 2015 (jointly) and 2019 editions, with 22 and 27 scalps, respectively. With 47 scalps at 14.81 and an economy of 4.64, he is already on the top five World Cup wicket-takers list. His three five-wicket hauls are a World Cup record.

Jasprit Bumrah

India have been bolstered by the addition of Jasprit Bumrah, India’s highest wicket-taker in the 2019 edition, in their ranks.

After a career-best 6-19 against England in 2022, he spent 11 months on the sidelines because of a lower-back stress fracture. However, in his comeback series in Ireland this August, Bumrah started from where he had left, leading India to a win and claiming the Player of the Series award.

He has been bowling beautifully ever since then. The zip and pace in his bowling are back, and he is swinging the new ball as prodigiously as ever. He had a successful Asia Cup campaign, where India used him judiciously to keep him fresh ahead of the World Cup.

Trent Boult

Despite making it to the last two finals and the last two semi-finals, cliches like “punch above their weight” and “dark horses” are likely to accompany New Zealand at the World Cup.

If they are to change the narrative this time, Trent Boult will play a key role. Boult topped the wickets chart in the 2015 edition along with Starc. In 2019, he took 17 wickets, the second-most for his side.

Despite forgoing his national contract to ply his trade as a T20 globetrotter, Boult has returned to the World Cup squad. He had eight wickets in the recently concluded ODIs against England, the most in the series, including a five-for in the third match.

Mohammed Siraj

Another Indian quick is on the list – one needs no explanation to prove the force he has been for India with the new ball.

The second-highest wicket-taker for Rohit Sharma’s men this year, Siraj can swing the ball both ways at the start, with a lethal scrambled-seam delivery at his disposal. Now the top-ranked ODI bowler, he wreaked havoc in the Asia Cup final with four wickets in an over to reducing Sri Lanka to 12-6 in 5.4 overs; he finished with 6-21 as the hosts were bundled out for 50.

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Watch: Mitchell Starc takes fiery new-ball hat-trick in Netherlands World Cup warm-up game

Watch: Mitchell Starc took a hat-trick with the new ball against the Netherlands in Australia’s World Cup warm-up match today (September 30) sending an ominous message of his form ahead of the tournament.

The match in Thiruvananthapuram was heavily affected by rain and reduced to 23 overs per side. Australia managed 166-7 in their innings, thanks largely to a half-century from Steve Smith opening the innings. With the shortened game, Starc ensured the Netherlands’ chase got off to a nightmare start.

Opening up the bowling as ever, Starc sent down two dots from his first two balls before Vikramjit Singh found the boundary. A single off the fourth ball of his over brought Max O’Dowd on strike. Starc sent down a viciously swinging delivery to O’Dowd, which hooped through the air and nipped back in to rap his front pad. The ball would have crashed into leg stump, and O’Dowd departed for a golden duck.

New to the crease Wesley Barresi had to deal with a similarly unplayable ball first up. Starc again found huge swing and seam movement, pitching the ball on off stump before it cut back in and took out Barresi’s middle peg. He had to wait another over for his hat-trick ball.

Bas de Leede was on strike to face the delivery, and was faced with the best of the lot. Starc sent down a perfect yorker, swinging back in through the air and landing just short of the base of middle stump. His spell left the Netherlands reeling at 12-3.

Starc has 49 wickets at 14.81 in World Cups, and he looks in dangerous form for the upcoming tournament.

Watch: Mitchell Starc takes new-ball hat-trick against Netherlands in World Cup warm-up below

 

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Six breakout stars from the 2023 County Championship

The 2023 County Championship reached its conclusion yesterday (September 29), with Surrey clinching their second successive Division One title. Here are six breakout stars from this year’s competition.

These are the young players who had their first stand-out seasons in the Championship. While plenty of youngsters starred with bat and ball, these are the players who haven’t also shone to the same extent in previous seasons.

James Rew

14 matches, 1,086 runs at 57.15; five hundreds, HS: 221

No player has scored more centuries in the County Championship before their 20th birthday as Rew. He also became the youngest Somerset player ever to score a double-century this season with a sublime 221 against Hampshire in July. Even more impressive was that Rew came to the crease at 41-4 and took Somerset to a score of 500. Having made his first-class debut last year and scored his maiden ton, Rew properly announced himself this year as one of the most promising young batting prospects. He finished the season as the third-leading run scorer in Division One, with the second-highest average of anyone with more than 300 runs.

Tom Lawes

10 matches, 39 wickets at 19.76; two five-fors, BBI: 5-22

Lawes finished his season with back-to-back five wicket hauls, stabilising Surrey to help them cling on to the title. Only 20 years old and with plenty of senior bowlers in the attack, Lawes shone in the second half of the season, stepping up as a seamer generally brought on to bowl first or second change with the older ball. He signed a multi-year contract with Surrey in August having signed his first fully professional contract last year.

Rishi Patel

14 matches, 1,075 runs at 44.79; four hundreds, HS: 179

Patel scored his maiden first-class century in the opening round of Division Two, inspiring Leicestershire to their first Championship win at Headingley in over a century. They pulled off their third-highest successful chase in history, scoring 389 in 87 overs to reach their target with seven balls to spare. Patel’s 125 from 200 balls their biggest contribution. Patel went on to score another three hundreds in the season, including a career-best 179 against Glamorgan.

James Coles

12 matches, 849 runs at 42.45; three hundreds, HS: 180

19-year-old Coles finished the season with his third century, scoring 128 against Gloucestershire. His most impressive innings of the summer was 180 against Derbyshire, rescuing Sussex from 72-4 to set up a declaration in a tense draw. The youngest player ever to make his first-class debut for Sussex at 16 years old, this year was his first stand-out season with his maiden century in the competition and only second in the run-scoring charts to Fynn Hudson-Prentice among Sussex players.

Finlay Bean

13 matches, 983 runs at 46.80; three hundreds, HS: 135

Having made his first-class debut at the end of last season, Bean registered his maiden century on the first day of this year’s competition against Leicestershire. He finished the season just shy of 1,000 runs, his runs characterised by the quick rate they came at.

George Balderson

11 matches, 702 runs at 50.14; two hundreds, HS: 116*
23 wickets at 34.08; BBI: 4-69

Lancashire all-rounder Balderson finished the season with an average of over 50 in Division One. He scored his maiden first-class century in July and another against Northants towards the back-end of the season. A former England U19 captain, he finished the summer with a half century against Kent to go with a four-for with the ball.

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R Ashwin: If you told me before I would be playing in the World Cup I would have thought you were joking

R Ashwin has expressed his surprise at being picked in India’s squad for the 2023 World Cup and suggested that the upcoming tournament could be his last for India.

Speaking in a TV interview ahead of India’s warm-up match against England in Guwahati today (September 30), Ashwin said he “would have thought you were joking” if he had been told ahead of time that he would be playing in the World Cup.

“Massive credit to Rohit Sharma and the team management for showing faith in me,” continued Ashwin. “Life is full of surprises. I honestly wasn’t thinking I would be here. I’m happy with the trust the team management has shown and obviously, circumstances have ensured that I’m here today. But nevertheless, I’ve always maintained that enjoying my game is the prime motive for me over the last four or five years.”

The veteran off-spinner was added to India’s squad earlier this week to replace Axar Patel, who failed to recover from a quadricep strain in time for the tournament. Ashwin has only played four ODIs in the last six years after he was dropped from India’s regular squad in 2017. He played two games in the 2011 World Cup and was part of India’s side in the 2015 tournament, but played no part in the 2019 competition.

Former India teammate Dinesh Karthik was conducting the pre-play interview with Ashwin, and the off-spinner joked that his bond with Karthik was why he agreed to the interview.

“I told the media manager that he shouldn’t be putting me in front of the camera for a while now,” said Ashwin. “But this was one of those situations where he said Dinesh Karthik is interviewing you so I obliged the opportunity.”

Ashwin was included in two of the three ODIs India played against Australia ahead of their final run into the tournament. They were the first matches he played in the format for 18 months, having previously played two matches against South Africa in January 2022. He took three wickets in India’s win in the second ODI at Indore, dismissing David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis.

Related Story: India squad updates: Axar Patel ruled out of third ODI vs Australia; India rest Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur

“All you can do is turn the ball both ways and I think that I already have the ability to do that,” said Ashwin on what could make him successful at this World Cup. “It’s all about making subtle variations and also dealing with pressure in these sorts of tournaments. I think pressure is of paramount importance to most players in this tournament.

“How you deal with it will probably dictate how the tournament goes for yourself and for the team. As far as I’m concerned, like I said, being in a good space and trying to enjoy the game will hold me in good stead I reckon.

“I want to enjoy this tournament and I don’t know but I’ve kept saying this, this could be my last tournament playing a World Cup for India or something. There have been a lot of surprises over the last few years, so for me going all in and enjoying the tournament is of utmost importance.”

Shortly after Ashwin’s interview, rain started falling in Guwahati, delaying the start of the match after Rohit won the toss and elected to bat first.

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Middlesex relegated from Division One as Kent survive on dramatic final day

Kent maintained their Division One status in the LV= Insurance County Championship after a dramatic final day of the season which saw Middlesex relegated instead.

Kent had to settle for a draw from their game with Lancashire at Canterbury and then faced an agonising 80-minute wait for news from Trent Bridge, where a Middlesex win over Nottinghamshire would have consigned Jack Leaning’s side to Division Two.

There had looked to be only one outcome as Nottinghamshire, having been set a target of 207 in a generous 58 overs by Middlesex skipper Toby Roland-Jones, progressed to 64 without loss and then 106 for one.

Thank you for your outstanding support this season

We’ll see you back in Division One next year pic.twitter.com/YBMFTGCmU0

— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) September 29, 2023

But on a dry, turning pitch on a sunny afternoon, spinners Jayant Yadav, Josh De Caires and Sam Robson – who finished with a career-best four for 46 with his leg spin – reduced the home side to 157 for seven and suddenly a great escape looked on.

However, Matt Montgomery (34 not out) held the tail together to drag Nottinghamshire across the line at eight down, with 16 balls to spare, and left Kent celebrating survival despite being frustrated by dogged Lancashire resistance.

Third-placed Hampshire became just the second team to beat Surrey across their back-to-back title-winning campaigns.

Only Lancashire had beaten Surrey in 2022 and 2023 in red-ball cricket, winning once in either campaign.

But Liam Dawson took his season tally to 49 wickets by claiming two of the four scalps needed to secure victory at the Ageas Bowl, with Surrey only scoring 20 of the 73 required to lose by 52 runs before 11am.

Surrey captain Rory Burns leads the championship celebrations (Steven Paston/PA)

Despite the defeat, Surrey were presented with the Division One trophy by England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson.

Warwickshire and Somerset’s rain-hit clash ended in an expected draw.

The Division One contest was officially abandoned just after lunch on the final day when, with the sun shining, the umpires ruled that areas of the field remained unsafe.

Somerset had been 90 for two in the second innings, a lead of 32. The result saw Warwickshire end the campaign in fourth with Somerset seventh.

In Division Two, Shan Masood’s brilliant 123 helped Yorkshire chase down a final-day target of 360 to beat promoted Worcestershire at Headingley and avoid finishing bottom for only the second time in their history.

Yorkshire’s fourth-highest successful run chase was achieved with relative comfort in the end, with six wickets in hand and three overs of the allotted 70 remaining.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you to all our incredible members and supporters for every bit of support this season 🫶

It means the world pic.twitter.com/zynz0K2Jv2

— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 29, 2023

With the game meandering ahead of day four, both sides opted to contrive a finish, with Yorkshire risking the draw which would lift them off the bottom of Division Two.

As it was, they were able to achieve that by going for broke as captain Masood hit 15 fours in 131 balls.

Sussex took just 45 minutes to complete a 339-run victory that condemned Gloucestershire to a winless season and bottom spot.

The hosts took only 9.5 overs to achieve a third victory of the campaign after Gloucestershire resumed on 113 for five, needing another 400 runs.

Durham sealed an emphatic victory over Leicestershire by an innings and 141 runs to end their title-winning campaign on a high.

The home side required 10 wickets to secure their seventh victory of the campaign at Seat Unique Riverside and took only 42.5 overs to tear through the Leicestershire batting line-up.

Durham players celebrate after winning Division Two (Will Matthews/PA)

The Durham bowlers shared the wickets around as Vishwa Fernando and Matt Parkinson claimed three apiece, while Matthew Potts, Ben Raine and Jonathan Bushnell also struck.

The hosts took 24 points from the contest, ending the term with a mammoth total of 233.

Leus Du Plooy’s last game for Derbyshire ended in a draw despite another Luis Reece century as their side came up four wickets short after setting Glamorgan a target of 384 to win on the final day in 70 overs.

Derbyshire had eight fielders around the bat in the chase for wickets but eventually called time one over short at 5.37pm as the game petered out into a draw with Glamorgan on 135 for six. Derbyshire finished sixth in the table and Glamorgan fifth.

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Middlesex relegated from Division One as Kent survive on dramatic final day

Kent maintained their Division One status in the LV= Insurance County Championship after a dramatic final day of the season which saw Middlesex relegated instead.

Kent had to settle for a draw from their game with Lancashire at Canterbury and then faced an agonising 80-minute wait for news from Trent Bridge, where a Middlesex win over Nottinghamshire would have consigned Jack Leaning’s side to Division Two.

There had looked to be only one outcome as Nottinghamshire, having been set a target of 207 in a generous 58 overs by Middlesex skipper Toby Roland-Jones, progressed to 64 without loss and then 106 for one.

Thank you for your outstanding support this season 🤝

We’ll see you back in Division One next year 👊 pic.twitter.com/YBMFTGCmU0

— Kent Cricket (@KentCricket) September 29, 2023

But on a dry, turning pitch on a sunny afternoon, spinners Jayant Yadav, Josh De Caires and Sam Robson – who finished with a career-best four for 46 with his leg spin – reduced the home side to 157 for seven and suddenly a great escape looked on.

However, Matt Montgomery (34 not out) held the tail together to drag Nottinghamshire across the line at eight down, with 16 balls to spare, and left Kent celebrating survival despite being frustrated by dogged Lancashire resistance.

Third-placed Hampshire became just the second team to beat Surrey across their back-to-back title-winning campaigns.

Only Lancashire had beaten Surrey in 2022 and 2023 in red-ball cricket, winning once in either campaign.

But Liam Dawson took his season tally to 49 wickets by claiming two of the four scalps needed to secure victory at the Ageas Bowl, with Surrey only scoring 20 of the 73 required to lose by 52 runs before 11am.

Surrey captain Rory Burns leads the championship celebrations (Steven Paston/PA)

Despite the defeat, Surrey were presented with the Division One trophy by England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson.

Warwickshire and Somerset’s rain-hit clash ended in an expected draw.

The Division One contest was officially abandoned just after lunch on the final day when, with the sun shining, the umpires ruled that areas of the field remained unsafe.

Somerset had been 90 for two in the second innings, a lead of 32. The result saw Warwickshire end the campaign in fourth with Somerset seventh.

In Division Two, Shan Masood’s brilliant 123 helped Yorkshire chase down a final-day target of 360 to beat promoted Worcestershire at Headingley and avoid finishing bottom for only the second time in their history.

Yorkshire’s fourth-highest successful run chase was achieved with relative comfort in the end, with six wickets in hand and three overs of the allotted 70 remaining.

And that’s a wrap!

Thank you to all our incredible members and supporters for every bit of support this season 🫶

It means the world 💙 pic.twitter.com/zynz0K2Jv2

— Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) September 29, 2023

With the game meandering ahead of day four, both sides opted to contrive a finish, with Yorkshire risking the draw which would lift them off the bottom of Division Two.

As it was, they were able to achieve that by going for broke as captain Masood hit 15 fours in 131 balls.

Sussex took just 45 minutes to complete a 339-run victory that condemned Gloucestershire to a winless season and bottom spot.

The hosts took only 9.5 overs to achieve a third victory of the campaign after Gloucestershire resumed on 113 for five, needing another 400 runs.

Durham sealed an emphatic victory over Leicestershire by an innings and 141 runs to end their title-winning campaign on a high.

The home side required 10 wickets to secure their seventh victory of the campaign at Seat Unique Riverside and took only 42.5 overs to tear through the Leicestershire batting line-up.

Durham players celebrate after winning Division Two (Will Matthews/PA)

The Durham bowlers shared the wickets around as Vishwa Fernando and Matt Parkinson claimed three apiece, while Matthew Potts, Ben Raine and Jonathan Bushnell also struck.

The hosts took 24 points from the contest, ending the term with a mammoth total of 233.

Leus Du Plooy’s last game for Derbyshire ended in a draw despite another Luis Reece century as their side came up four wickets short after setting Glamorgan a target of 384 to win on the final day in 70 overs.

Derbyshire had eight fielders around the bat in the chase for wickets but eventually called time one over short at 5.37pm as the game petered out into a draw with Glamorgan on 135 for six. Derbyshire finished sixth in the table and Glamorgan fifth.

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Wisden’s 2023 County Championship team of the season

The 2023 County Championship comes to an end today (September 29), signalling the end of the English domestic summer. Here’s who made Wisden’s team of the season.

Players have been drawn from both divisions to form this XI, with performances in key games considered alongside raw numbers. Two players from Division One champions Surrey make the side, along with three from dominant Division Two winners Durham.

Alex Lees – Durham

14 matches, 1,347 runs at 70.89, 5 hundreds, HS: 195

The leading run scorer from Division Two and a crucial factor in Durham’s dominance. Four of Lees’ five centuries came within the space of three matches, with a century in each innings against Leicestershire in June. He also set the tone for Durham’s aggressive approach at the top of the order, with a strike rate of 73.76.

Jake Libby – Worcestershire

12 matches, 1,153 runs at 57.65, 4 hundreds, HS: 198

Libby played a near lone hand in Worcestershire’s batting line-up, scoring nearly double the runs of his next highest scoring teammate. He scored a crucial unbeaten century in the opening round of the season to get over the line with limited time to spare against Derbyshire, and made a combined 295 runs across both innings against Sussex. He fell two runs short of a double century in the first innings and three runs short of a hundred in the second.

Josh Bohannon – Lancashire

14 matches, 1,257 runs at 59.85, 4 hundreds, HS: 175

Division One’s leading run scorer, Bohannon signed off the season with his fourth hundred of the year against Kent. The bulk of his runs came before the end of May; having scored a century in the first round of the competition, he made 85 against Somerset two weeks later and a pair of half centuries in the following round.

Ollie Robinson – Durham

14 matches, 931 runs at 58.18, 3 hundreds, HS: 167*

Robinson was a devastating middle-order force for Durham this year. His runs came at a strike rate of 88.66, the highest rate of anyone who scored more than 300 runs in Division Two.

Related Story: Surrey set for title, Middlesex and Kent neck-and-neck in relegation race after pivotal County Championship round

Matt Critchley – Essex

14 matches, 990 runs at 39.60, 2 hundreds, HS: 121
23 wickets at 20.39, BBI: 3-33

Critchley was effective for Essex with both bat and ball. He finished the season ten runs short of four figures, his 99 in Essex’s penultimate match against Hampshire crucial in setting up a second-innings declaration. He also acted as a reliable spin partner for Simon Harmer, his leg breaks picking up 23 wickets across the season.

James Rew (wk) – Somerset

14 matches, 1,086 runs at 57.15, 5 hundreds, HS: 221

Somerset’s teenage sensation was the first to reach 1,000 runs in Division One this summer, in his first full season as a regular in the first XI. No one has ever scored more hundreds in the Championship before their 20th birthday than Rew and he’s secured himself a position as the most exciting young batting prospect on the circuit.

Liam Dawson – Hampshire

14 matches, 49 wickets at 20.00, 4 5WIs, BBI: 6-40
840 runs at 40.0, three hundreds, HS: 141

An exceptional summer for Dawson which could potentially put him back on England’s Test radar when they tour India early next year. His all-round ability usurps leading spin wicket-taker Harmer in this XI. His high point came against Middlesex, when he made 141 with the bat and took 12 wickets with the ball

Jordan Clark – Surrey

14 matches, 48 wickets at 21.35, 1 5WI, BBI: 5-79
427 runs at 26.68, one hundred, HS: 107

Clark was a consistent performer in Surrey’s title defence, taking four or more wickets in an innings six times. In tandem with Dan Worrall, he rattled through Warwickshire in Surrey’s final win of the season, taking four wickets in their second innings.

Matthew Potts – Durham

11 matches, 54 wickets at 22.22, 1 5WI, BBI: 5-65

Another season near the top of the Division Two wicket taking standings for Potts. Although he was slightly in and out of Durham’s set-up on England duty, he made an impact whenever he came back into the squad. He also played a crucial role in Durham’s one-wicket win over Yorkshire, taking eight wickets in the match and blocking out 78 balls to tick down the runs in the fourth innings.

Tom Lawes – Surrey

10 matches, 39 wickets at 19.76, 3 5WIs, BBI: 5-22

Lawes is the bolter in this side having played the least matches of anyone in the XI. He took five wickets as Surrey’s title run-in almost faltered against Northants, and signed the season off with another five against Hampshire.

Mohammad Abbas – Hampshire

14 matches, 53 wickets at 20.05, 2 5WIs, BBI: 6-49

There are few trickier seamers to face in the Championship than Abbas. He was fearsome early in the competition, taking six wickets against Surrey in his first innings before ripping through Northants the following week. He also took five wickets in Hampshire’s final match of the season to round out their campaign with a win against the champions.

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Mashrafe Mortaza calls for diplomacy amid Tamim Iqbal controversy

Mashrafe Mortaza has joined the controversy over Tamim Iqbal’s omission from Bangladesh’s World Cup squad, stating that the ongoing saga could have been avoided with better communication from all sides.

The former Bangladesh captain released a video statement on Facebook in which he commented on both the statement from Tamim yesterday (September 27) and the rebuttal interview from Shakib Al Hasan.

Mortaza addressed Tamim’s allegations of the circumstances surrounding his axing from the squad, saying: “A few days ago, someone from the BCB called Tamim. He lost his cool and announced that he did not want to be part of the Bangladesh team. That was another mistake on his part. Hasty decisions, driven by temper, often turn out to be wrong, as we have seen in our personal lives as well. He could have pondered over this.”

In his own statement, Tamim said that he had “lost his calm” after he was asked by a BCB official to bat down the order rather than open in the World Cup. Mortaza commented on this version of events and questioned why it was handled by an official rather than a member of playing staff, saying: “Tamim also mentioned in his video that the BCB official had asked him to sit out of the first match or bat down the order. If you ask me, this should have come from the coach, the captain, or the selector accompanying the team – and not a board official. It is also intriguing that they took a call on the strategy for the first match so far ahead.

“Every cricketer goes through an emotional turmoil when they retire from the sport. When he retired in July, after the ODI against Afghanistan at Chittagong, he was all teared up. He did not blame anyone but simply moved away from cricket. When the board officials could not convince him, the Prime Minister had to get involved. It took her a two-hour conversation to convince him. Once that happened, it was unnecessary for a board official to call him up before the World Cup squad announcement and tell him what he did. They could just have announced the squad.

“Man-management is important for everyone, even in our personal lives. Tamim has been in the side for years, and all of us know what he likes and what he does not. Everyone should know what they should tell Tamim and what they should not.”

Mortaza also commented on Shakib’s response to Tamim’s statement. In an interview with T-Sports yesterday (September 28), Shakib labelled Tamim “childish” and accused him of “playing for individual records, success, fame, and name – not for the team”. Shakib was named captain of Bangladesh’s ODI side after Tamim stepped down in August.

“It is totally childish.”

Shakib Al Hasan has responded to Tamim Iqbal’s statement on his omission from Bangladesh’s World Cup squad #CWC2023 pic.twitter.com/DUvS2CvdCy

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) September 28, 2023

“What Shakib said was logical,” said Mortaza. “He does not want to lead and I agree, there is nothing for him to gain out of leading Bangladesh. He simply wants to enjoy the game and be with the team. Yet, when Tamim resigned, Shakib was almost pushed into leadership. He agreed only for the sake of his country, and needs to be congratulated for that.”

Mortaza also condemned the suggestion that Tamim was only willing to play five matches in the World Cup, a rumour which Tamim also denied in his own statement, saying: “Whoever has spread these rumours to the media needs to be held accountable.”

However, while Mortaza was supporting of Shakib as captain of Bangladesh’s World Cup bid, he criticized his handling of the situation and ongoing rift with Tamim.

Related Story: CWC23: Tamim Iqbal left out of Bangladesh’s World Cup squad

“If Shakib had to take a call on team selection or batting orders, all he needed to do was text or call Tamim,” said Mortaza. “Had he done that, these circumstances would not have arisen. Even if they had disagreed, it would have stayed among the two of them. Shakib’s stature in Bangladesh cricket is such that if he wants something, I do not think any Bangladesh cricketer – past or present – would have refused. All he needed to do was talk to Tamim.

“Shakib wants anyone to be prepared to bat at any position for the sake of the team. In Tamim’s defence, it must be said that opening batting is a specialist’s role. Shakib mentioned Rohit Sharma going down the order, but Rohit (Sharma) had started out as a middle-order batter. Tamim has always opened.”

In true diplomatic fashion, Mortaza finished his statement with a plea for future similar circumstances to be dealt with before they reached boiling point.

“Shakib is a man of a strong character who can get over these incidents and look forward. If such incidents arise in the future, I hope the cricketers talk among themselves and sort out.”

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SA20 2024 auction: Full list of players bought and updated squads for each team

The SA20, South Africa’s T20 competition, will begin its second season in 2024 – here’s the full list of players and updated squads for all six teams.

Durban’s Super Giants

Keshav Maharaj (c), Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, Naveen-ul-Haq, Reece Topley, Heinrich Klaasen, Dwaine Pretorius, Keemo Paul, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dilshan Madushanka, Kyle Abbott, Junior Dala, JJ Smuts, Prenelan Subrayen, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder

Newly bought players

Nicholas Pooran, Jason Smith, Bryce Parsons (rookie)

Joburg Super Kings

Faf du Plessis, Gerald Coetzee, Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Zahir Khan, Sam Cook, Leus Du Plooy, Reeza Hendricks, Lizaad Williams, Nandre Burger, Donovan Ferreira, Aaron Phangiso, Bongumusa Makhanya, Kyle Simmonds

Newly bought players

Wayne Madsen, Dayyaan Galiem, Romario Shepherd, Imran Tahir, Ronan Hermann (rookie)

MI Cape Town

Rashid Khan – (Kieron Pollard to play first three games), Sam Curran, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Olly Stone, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks, Duan Jansen, Dewald Brevis, Ryan Rickleton, Grant Roelofsen, Delano Potgieter, Tom Banton

Newly bought players

Christopher Benjamin, Nealan van Hearden, Thomas Kaber, Connor Esterhuizen (rookie)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma, Ottniel Baartman, Tristan Stubbs, Sisanda Magala, Marco Jansen, Adam Rossington, Brydon Carse, Sarel Erwee, Ayabulela Gqamane, Tom Abell, Jordan Hermann, Liam Dawson, Simon Harmer, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton

Locked and loaded
Your #Betway #SA20 teams have been confirmed pic.twitter.com/4papusfo2V

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) September 28, 2023

Part 2: Locked and loaded
Your #Betway #SA20 teams have been confirmed pic.twitter.com/aLwcR6biIo

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) September 28, 2023

Newly bought players

Caleb Seleka, Beyers Swanepoel, Andile Simelane (rookie)

Pretoria Capitals

Will Jacks, Shane Dadswell, Theunis de Bruyn, James Neesham, Senuran Muthusamy, Colin Ingram, Corbin Bosch, Adil Rashid, Anrich Nortje, Eathan Bosch, Wayne Parnell, Migael Pretorius, Phil Salt, Rilee Rossouw

Newly bought players

Paul Stirling, Kyle Verreynne, Matthew Boast, Daryn Dupavillon, Steve Stolk (rookie)

Paarl Royals

David Miller, Evan Jones, Wihan Lubbe, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jason Roy, Ferisco Adams, Mitchell van Buuren, Dane Vilas, Jos Buttler, Bjorn Fortuin, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Obed McCoy, Tabraiz Shamsi

Newly bought players

Fabian Allen, John Turner, Lorcan Tucker, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (rookie)

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CWC23: Abdullah Shafique opens in place of Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan’s first World Cup warm-up match

Giving a major hint of their plans ahead of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Pakistan used Abdullah Shafique as an opener over Fakhar Zaman in their warm-up game against New Zealand on Friday (September 29).

Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss in Hyderabad, and made the surprise move sending out Shafique as opener along with Imam-ul-Haq. Shafique displaced Zaman at the top of the order following the latter’s prolonged poor form. Zaman has been unable to cross 35 in his last 10 ODI innings, with his form taking a dip after a blazing start to 2023.

Zaman made three successive hundreds along with a fifty in five innings at the start of the year, but averages 19 since then, with a high score of 33. The left-hander was set to be dropped from the last Asia Cup clash against Sri Lanka, but managed to find a place due to a number of players being unavailable due to injuries or illness. Pakistan’s XI had looked settled a few weeks ago, but a poor Asia Cup campaign, in which they finished bottom of the Super Fours stage, has led to calls for changes to the line-up.

The clamour to include Shafique, who made his ODI debut against the Netherlands last year, comes on the back of his stunning beginning to life in Test cricket. In 14 Tests, he has made four hundreds and four fifties at an average of 50.83.

Shafique has made 2, 7, 19 and 52 in four ODIs thus far, averaging 20 with a strike rate of 72.02.

On Friday, against New Zealand, he was dismissed for a 25-ball 14, stumped off the bowling of Mitchell Santner.

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England captain Jos Buttler believes India are favourites for World Cup

Jos Buttler believes the weight of history suggests India are clear-cut favourites to win the World Cup on home soil despite England’s considerable experience of the conditions.

Staging the showpiece in recent years has come with a distinct advantage as the last three editions – India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 – have all been won by the host nation.

England may be double world champions, but even a side that turbocharged the white-ball formats have fallen short in India, losing keenly contested ODI and T20 series both in early 2017 and spring 2021.

Jos Buttler has tipped India as World Cup favourites (Nigel French/PA)

While Buttler is bullish about England’s fortunes, he rates an India side that have won 14 of their last 16 ODI series on their own patch as well as the Asia Cup earlier this month as the team to beat.

“The clear favourites are India,” Buttler told the PA news agency. “You only have to look at the past few World Cups – England won in England, Australia won in Australia and India won in India before that.

“History tells you that it’s quite advantageous to be the home nation and they’re obviously a brilliant team. In their own conditions, India are fantastic. I certainly see them as favourites.

“We’re going out there to try to win a World Cup – we don’t see ourselves as defending champions. It’s very much a new tournament and we know it’s going to be tough because there are some top, top teams.

“But we know we’re a really good team, a dangerous team, we’ve got a lot of experience in the group and we back ourselves.”

Buttler, right, and Moeen Ali are regulars at the Indian Premier League (John Walton/PA)

England have arrived in Guwahati ahead of three warm-ups which will act as final preparation for the tournament opener against New Zealand – a rematch of the 2019 final – in Ahmedabad next Thursday.

Their 15-strong squad contains eight members of the side that went all the way four years ago, while Gus Atkinson is an outlier as the only one who has not featured in the Indian Premier League.

A number of others including Buttler, an IPL regular since 2016, have substantial knowledge of what to expect in India which England’s limited-overs captain hopes they can exploit.

Speaking to promote England’s official kit supplier Castore extending its ‘summer of sport’ campaign to highlight key occasions such as the World Cup, Buttler said: “It gives you a sense of familiarity.

England won the 2019 World Cup (Nick Potts/PA)

“A lot of the cricket grounds we’ll play at, guys will have played there and know the surroundings. They will understand the pitches and conditions, more so than if they’d not been there before.

“There’s a lot of other teams that have that advantage as well with guys playing a lot of IPL cricket, it’s been around for quite a few years now so everyone’s accustomed to playing in India in that sense.”

Jofra Archer will be England’s only travelling reserve as he completes his rehabilitation from the latest stress fracture in his right elbow that ruled him out of the entire summer schedule.

He will not be ready to make his return until at least the latter stages of the tournament, raising the prospect of him making a dramatic comeback if injury strikes one of England’s quick bowlers.

Jofra Archer is England’s only travelling reserve at the World Cup (John Walton/PA)

While England are cautious over rushing back the bowler who was entrusted with the super over that led to them being crowned world champions for the first time, Buttler is delighted to have Archer in tow.

“He’s someone who will go on and have so much impact for England,” Buttler added. “Everyone is hopeful this will be the end of his injuries and we can see him back on the park more consistently.

“He’s such a superstar, you want to see these guys perform, he’s someone who puts bums on seats.”

:: Jos Buttler was speaking to promote Castore, the official kit suppliers of the England cricket team, investing in an extension to its national brand marketing campaign. For more information, visit https://castore.com

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Geoffrey Boycott: Everybody in Newcastle hates Mike Ashley amid Headingley links

Geoffrey Boycott has warned “there will be trouble” if Yorkshire sell their Headingley home to Mike Ashley, and added: “Everybody in Newcastle hates him.”

Ashley owned Newcastle United Football Club until October 2021, when the Magpies were bought by a Saudi-led consortium.

The PA news agency understands the Frasers Group, where Ashley is chief executive, is one of the parties interested in purchasing Headingley and securing naming and sponsorship rights, with Yorkshire working to refinance their debts and obtain sufficient working capital to thrive rather than merely survive.

Former Yorkshire and England batter Boycott, 82, voiced his view on the club’s future direction at a heated extraordinary general meeting at the ground on Thursday morning and urged the club’s board to be transparent with members.

Headingley is the home of Yorkshire cricket (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Every week I pick up a paper and I hear you telling us ‘we’re near a deal’. That’s been going on for months and months,” he said to the club’s chief executive Stephen Vaughan.

“We know nothing more except (what’s in) the newspapers about that guy at Newcastle wanting to buy it, and the club near to selling to him.

“Everybody in Newcastle hates him. I don’t know him, but that doesn’t sound good for Yorkshire cricket if you’re going to sell to him and lease back. I don’t want to be leasing back Headingley, why the hell do I?

“So tell us something, for God’s sake! If you do try to sell and lease back, I’m telling you there will be trouble.”

Vaughan responded: “There are various offers with different connotations, but what I will say, if people genuinely think people have come forward with some sort of unicorn bid to buy the stadium, to keep it as a members’ club, all these things, then they’re kidding themselves.

Newcastle supporters were not a fan of Mike Ashley (Owen Humnphreys/PA)

“We would have taken something like that in a heartbeat. If anybody thinks there was some sort of miracle answer out there, they’re kidding themselves.

“If anybody thinks we aren’t taking certain offers seriously, personalities don’t come into it. The very best thing for our creditors, our members and other stakeholders will be accepted by the board, it’s as simple as that.”

The club have done a deal to defer any repayments of the GBP 14.9million owed to their major creditor, the Graves Trust, until 2025 which they hope will afford them the breathing space to secure the right refinancing deal and then pay that debt off.

The club are also trying to get back on an even keel following the financial and reputational costs of the racism scandal which engulfed them over the last three years.

Vaughan and chair-elect Harry Chathli both gave guarantees that whichever refinancing deal was ultimately accepted, Yorkshire remaining at Headingley in perpetuity would be a “red line”.

Asked in a separate interview with PA after the meeting whether Yorkshire remaining as a member’s club was also a red line, Vaughan said: “We’ve made it extremely clear to everybody that we’ve spoken to that we have no intention of Yorkshire becoming a non member’s club.

“Indeed, with anybody that’s approached us saying that they would like to explore that opportunity, we have gone one step further and said it’s not within our gift.

“We will have to get 50 per cent quorum to vote – which would be going some versus the numbers we’re getting at the moment – and then 75 per cent to vote in favour of Yorkshire becoming a non-member’s club. Other than the fact that would be challenging in the extreme, we have no say on that as a board.”

Chathli is set to become Yorkshire’s new permanent chair in succession to Lord Kamlesh Patel in the coming weeks, with special resolutions passed on Thursday which would allow his appointment outside of an annual general meeting.

Members voted in favour of Chathli’s appointment to the board as an independent non-executive director, and he will officially become chair once Financial Conduct Authority ratification of the appointment is received. That is expected by mid-October.

However, his election to the board was far from unanimous, with 108 of the 389 members who voted by proxy going against the motion to appoint him. A further eight of those 389 abstained.

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Surrey win 2023 County Championship to seal back-to-back Division One titles

Surrey have been crowned the winners of Division One of the 2023 County Championship, sealing their second title in as many years before the end of the final round of competition.

The defending champions went into the final round almost certain of victory at the top of the table. Their only possible rival for the trophy was Essex, who faced Northants away from home. Essex needed to pick up bonus points as well as win their match in order to have any chance of knocking Surrey off the top spot.

After Surrey were bowled out for less than 250 by Hampshire in their first innings at the Ageas Bowl, Essex needed to score at least 400 runs in the first 110 overs of their innings to secure enough bonus points to stay in the race. Their hopes of doing that were dented on day two when they were reduced to 125-4 at the close of play.

This morning (September 28), they collapsed to 211 all-out. That meant Surrey were secure as champions, with Essex no longer having enough points available to them to overtake Surrey’s tally. Essex were then bowled out for 119 after being asked to follow on, a 73 from Paul Walter the only contribution in excess of 11.

Surrey were informed of the news as while they were in the midst of their second bowling innings at the Ageas Bowl. The announcement that they were County Champions came over the tannoy speaker as Will Jacks was about to bowl to Nick Gubbins.

The moment @surreycricket found out they are the 2023 county champions#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/TZld9SCfnD

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 28, 2023

Surrey won eight of their 13 matches this season, drawing four and losing one. They will conclude their campaign tomorrow on the final day against Hampshire, where they need 73 runs to win with four wickets remaining overnight.

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Shakib Al Hasan lashes out at ‘childish’ Tamim Iqbal – I don’t think we need such a player

Shakib Al Hasan has hit out at Tamim Iqbal, calling his behaviour ‘childish’ and stating that he would not want a player who is not fully fit in Bangladesh’s World Cup squad.

Shakib’s comments come one day after Tamim put out a statement on social media claiming he was asked to bat in the middle order and that he never told anyone that he would be fit for only five matches at the World Cup. Current Bangladesh captain Shakib has countered the statement, saying that Tamim is not a team man.

Having resigned from ODI captaincy a couple of months back before reversing his retirement after an intervention from the Bangladesh Prime Minister, Tamim was unceremoniously left out of Bangladesh’s World Cup squad at the last minute despite having made a decent return to the side in the recently concluded series against New Zealand.

In a video statement released yesterday (September 27) on social media, Tamim put forth his perspective, making claims that he was asked to skip Bangladesh’s first match at the World Cup and to play in the middle order, something that was not acceptable to him.

Shakib, who replaced Tamim as the captain, spoke about the controversy in an interview with T-Sports. He said that even if a request to bat in the middle order was made to Tamim, there’s nothing wrong in that since that would have been for the benefit of the team.

“I am sure someone who is authorized had said this (to bat in the middle order, to Tamim). I am sure whoever has said it, he thought of the team. A lot of things go into building a combination for a match. So if someone has said this to him, was it wrong? Or we can’t make such a proposal? Is the team first or the individual?” said Shakib.

Related Story: CWC23: Tamim Iqbal left out of Bangladesh’s World Cup squad

He gave the example of how Rohit Sharma made the move from the middle order to the top, and yet he shifts down whenever required. “Someone like Rohit Sharma built his career from No. 7 to opener, scored 10,000-plus runs. If he sometimes bats at No 3 or 4, would it be a big problem? It is totally childish,” said Shakib.

“It is my bat, I will play. No one else can play. A player should bat at any position for the team. Team first. It doesn’t make any difference if you have made 100 or 200, and the team loses. What can you do with personal achievement? You want to make a name for yourself?”

Shakib didn’t mince any words as he took a dig at Tamim for being not dedicated to the team’s cause. “You are not thinking about the team at all. People don’t understand these things,” said Shakib. “Why was the proposal given to him? It was for the team. What is wrong in that? You are a team man when you agree to such a proposal. Unless you are thinking along those lines, you are not a team man. You are playing for individual records, success, fame, and name. Not for the team.”

Shakib also mentioned that if a player is not a 100 per cent fit and still playing, they would be cheating the team. Tamim has been plagued by a persistent back problem which he has had to manage and would have had to manage through the World Cup.

“People might doubt my capability or capacity but someone like MS Dhoni, who has won everything and has the knowledge and sense, once said that the unfit player who is playing is cheating his team and country. I think we should accept it, and not just Tamim but every player.

“Kane Williamson won’t play the first two matches [at the World Cup], but then he will start playing. If I knew something like this, I wouldn’t have any problems. But if I know that there’s uncertainty about him playing the seventh or the third or the first game, or that I will only know in the morning of the game, it will be difficult for me to select the team. I don’t think we need such a player.”

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Matthew Mott: Jofra Archer ‘desperate to play but realistic’ ahead of World Cup

Jofra Archer may be England’s only travelling reserve to India for the World Cup but Matthew Mott is aware another misstep with the fast bowler’s fitness could have “serious ramifications”.

The recurrence of a stress fracture in Archer’s right elbow sidelined him for the summer and ultimately kept him out of England’s 15-man squad for the defence of their title, which gets under way next week.

Archer is part of the touring party as cover and a tantalising option if injury strikes, even if it is anticipated he will not be ready to make his return until the tournament is close to a conclusion.

Jofra Archer, right, was instrumental in England’s 2019 World Cup win (Nick Potts/PA)

Given the repeated setbacks he has had since a breakout 2019, when he was entrusted with bowling the super over that led to England being crowned world champions, Mott will not take any risks with the 28-year-old.

“Jofra is not fit to play until the latter stages of the tournament,” England’s white-ball head coach said. “A lot of where he’s coming from is to get some intensive work with our medical staff.

“We have been very big on not rushing him back and that message has been clear to him.

“He understands – he’s desperate to play but he’s also realistic that if this thing happens again it could have serious ramifications.

“We’ll take him over there, work with him and if something happens at the back end, he’s someone who could come in.”

Jason Roy has declared himself available to be on standby for the World Cup (John Walton/PA)

England, who head to India on Wednesday night, are not flying out any more supplementary options, with Mott set to act only if and when injury does occur and bring in a like-for-like alternative.

Jason Roy, having been culled from the squad in favour of Harry Brook, has made himself available for reserve duty, while Mott has urged everyone who was part of the shadow England side that beat Ireland in a rain-affected ODI series – where Will Jacks and Ben Duckett impressed – to stay on their toes.

“We don’t need to declare where that’s at and we certainly don’t really want to speculate on it,” Mott said. “Everyone in this group here, and everyone on the periphery, should be maintaining their fitness.

“The flight to India is not that bad and the reality is (if) someone gets called up they are not going to get called straight into the XI. So they’ll have time to adjust and that’s where we arrived.

“Pulling people around India for eight weeks is not going to get the best out of them. Every player should be ready to go.”

Adil Rashid, pictured, and Mark Wood have had niggles recently (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mott revealed Adil Rashid and Mark Wood are both “fine” following niggles, adding he has a “rough idea” of England’s preferred XI ahead of the tournament opener against New Zealand in Ahmedabad on October 5.

England selected 12 players during their 2019 triumph but Mott envisages making more use of his squad given the variety of Indian pitches and conditions, with the defending champions also facing an extensive travel schedule as their nine group-stage matches will be played in eight cities.

“We don’t have any expectations,” Mott said. “A lot of teams are going to contest and expect to do well. We are one of them but I don’t look at it as defending champions.

“We go in with the same points as everyone else. India will be favourites in the minds of many people because of home advantage, but they can go either way as well.”

England’s summer programme finishing on Tuesday brings to an end former captain Andrew Flintoff’s stint, having joined the backroom staff for their ODI series against New Zealand and Ireland.

Andrew Flintoff joined England’s backroom team this month (John Walton/PA)

Flintoff returned to the public eye for the first time since a serious car accident while filming for Top Gear last December and Mott would welcome back the 45-year-old with open arms going forwards.

“He’s definitely going to join us again in future, we’ve loved having him around,” Mott added.

“He’s revered, he’s got an aura about him, he’s very special and what he’s gone through recently, the humility he’s displayed and the life experiences he can share have been immense.

“Even the seasoned Test veterans, they grew up idolising him and to see him in the flesh offering so much has been very special.”

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Marks out of 10: Player ratings for India in the ODI series win over Australia

Despite Australia winning the dead rubber on September 27, India clinched the ODI series 2-1. Both teams will now shift their focus to the ICC 2023 World Cup.

India looked a well-oiled machine during their triumphant Asia Cup 2023 campaign. The Australia series provided an opportunity to fine-tune the combinations before finalising the squad for the quadrennial event as per ICC’s deadline of September 28.

Here is how India’s 17 players fared across the series:

Shubman Gill: 9/10

178 runs @ 89; SR: 111.25, HS: 104

The highest run-scorer in the series despite getting a rest in the third ODI, Gill gave rapid starts to his team, reaching his fifty off just 37 deliveries in each outing, and converted the second into a ton.

Rohit Sharma: 7/10

81 runs @ 81; SR: 142.10, HS: 81

Returning to the side for the third ODI after a post-Asia Cup break, Rohit slammed a whirlwind 81 off just 57 deliveries, hitting five fours and six maximums. Looked in fine touch.

KL Rahul: 8.5/10

136 runs @ 68; SR: 103.81, HS: 58*

Rahul led India to wins in the first two ODIs in Rohit’s absence. He ensured they crossed the line in the first ODI with an unbeaten 58 off 63 balls, and fired all cylinders in the next game with a 38-ball 52, helping them post 399-5. His glovework was patchy at times.

Suryakumar Yadav: 9/10

130 runs @ 65; SR: 139.78, HS: 72*

Named in the World Cup squad on T20I reputation more than form, ‘SKY’ proved his naysayers wrong with twin fifties after recording three consecutive golden ducks in the last home series against Australia in early 2023. He belted the bowlers all over the park in the second ODI during the 37-ball-72 blitzkrieg.

Virat Kohli: 7/10

56 runs @ 56; SR: 91.80, HS: 56

Kohli knocked a fifty in the third ODI, his only match of the series. He looked in good touch before being dismissed trying to hit Glenn Maxwell for six.

Shreyas Iyer: 8/10

156 runs @ 52; SR: 110.63, HS: 105

Iyer came good after a long injury layoff, making the No. 4 batting position his own. He stroked a brilliant century in the second encounter and played a decent hand in the third.

Ruturaj Gaikwad: 7/10

78 runs @ 39.50; SR: 88.76, HS: 71

Opening in Rohit’s absence, Gaikwad scored a fine 71 off 77 balls while chasing 277 in Mohali, adding 142 with Gill to make the chase a one-sided one.

Ishan Kishan: 5/10

49 runs @ 24.50; SR: 111.36, HS: 31

Missed the inconsequential clash in Rajkot due to a viral fever. An 18-ball 31 in the second ODI was his only noteworthy contribution.

Ravindra Jadeja: 6.5/10

51 runs @ 51; SR: 100, HS: 35

4 wickets @ 38.50; ER: 6.07

Jadeja’s inflated average is due to his not-outs in the first two ODIs. He took three wickets in the second ODI playing as the second spinner.

Washington Sundar: 6/10

30 runs @ 18; SR: 60, HS: 18

No wickets; ER: 4.80

The most economical Indian bowler, Sundar also opened the innings for the first time in his only outing, the third ODI, and made a 30-ball 18.

Mohammed Shami: 9/10

6 wickets @ 15; ER: 5.62

Easily the best bowler from either side, Shami set the tone of the series with 5-51 in Mohali, and made a case to be the third seamer in India’s World Cup eleven.

R Ashwin: 8.5/10

4 wickets @ 22; ER: 5.17

Coming in as a wildcard entry as cover for an injured Axar Patel, Ashwin did not disappoint: he claimed 1-47 in the series opener, derailed Australia’s chase with 3-41 in the second. He is well on course for a World Cup call.

Jasprit Bumrah: 7.5/10

4 wickets @ 31; ER: 6.20

Figures of 1-43 does not reveal how brilliant Bumrah was in the first ODI. He missed the second due to family commitments, but picked 3-81 on return in the final clash.

Kuldeep Yadav: 7/10

2 wickets @ 24; ER: 8

Kuldeep, India’s ace spinner, featured in the last game after getting a break in the first two encounters and finished with 2-48 off six overs.

Prasidh Krishna: 7/10

3 wickets @ 33.66; ER: 9.18

Prasidh took out Matthew Short and Steve Smith early in the second match. Despite the economy rate being on the higher side, the twin blows immediately caused irreparable damage to the chasing team’s cause.

Mohammed Siraj: 5/10

1 wicket @ 68; ER: 7.55

In his first outing since the Asia Cup final heroics, Siraj went for runs in the last ODI, and had a solitary wicket to show in the last column.

Shardul Thakur: 3/10

No wickets; ER: 8.07

Went wicketless despite playing the first two matches.

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