Where are India’s 2007 T20 World Cup winning squad members now?

India won the first-ever men’s T20 World Cup, in 2007, defeating Pakistan in a nail-biter in the final. It marked the arrival of MS Dhoni the captain, and Indian cricket changed forever. We look back at the tournament and see how the cricketers fared after that event.

India lost one game in the entire edition, against New Zealand, before they went on a four-match winning streak. The entire competition had plenty of memorable moments for Indian fans, starting from Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes in an over off Stuart Broad or the bowl-out against Pakistan in the first round. The Men in Blue defeated Australia in the semifinal, before clinching the title a few days later, defeating Pakistan by five runs.

Gautam Gambhir

The top-scorer in the T20 World Cup final, making 75, Gambhir went on to play another match-winning knock in the 2011 World Cup final, hitting 97 in the successful run-chase. Gambhir enjoyed a successful outing for India after the event and ended with more than 10,000 international runs across formats. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL trophies and ended as one of the finest skippers, his persistence to bring Sunil Narine on board, being hailed as a masterstroke.

Gambhir last played for India in 2016, with his last professional game coming two years later. He is an elected Member of Parliament of a constituency in Delhi but has quit politics recently to focus on his cricket commitments.

Gambhir relinked with KKR as a mentor for IPL 2024 after being in that position for Lucknow Super Giants in 2022 and 2023, helping them to win their third title.

MS Dhoni

The wicketkeeper went on to become one of the greatest captains, helping India win the 2011 World Cup and the Champions Trophy two years later. He also left his mark as a skipper in the IPL, winning four titles, and helping Chennai Super Kings qualify for the top four in 11 of 13 editions.

Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020 after playing 535 games across formats. Nearing 43, Dhoni left Chennai Super Kings’ captaincy this year but still plays for the IPL franchise as a wicketkeeper-batter.

Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj played a part in the T20 format gaining spotlight after he hit Stuart Broad for six sixes in an over against England. He ended the tournament with the most sixes in the edition (12), striking at 194.73. No other player scored more runs at a better strike rate.

Yuvraj was the star of the 2011 World Cup, where he impressed with both bat and ball, picking up 15 wickets and scoring 362 runs. A few months after winning the Player of the Tournament award, Yuvraj was diagnosed with cancer. He did make three comebacks to the team, but the stints were short. He retired from all forms of cricket in 2019 and played in the One World One Family Cup this year.

Ajit Agarkar

Agarkar picked up one wicket in the tournament in two innings. He conceded 40 runs against New Zealand and did not play a T20I again. It was also his last match for India in any format. Agarkar continued playing in the IPL and for Mumbai for the next few years, before hanging up his boots in 2013. He was the assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals and a former commentator. He is currently the chairman of BCCI’s men’s selection committee.

Piyush Chawla

The spinner last played for India in 2012 at the age of 23 but went on to build a reputation in the Indian Premier League. He picked up 157 wickets in the competition at a strike rate of 21, remaining accurate and lethal throughout the innings. Piyush Chawla continues to play domestic cricket, having switched teams from Uttar Pradesh to Gujarat, although he did not play in the 2021/22 Ranji Trophy. Besides working as a cricket expert on television, Chawla was a part of Mumbai Indians’ 2024 IPL campaign.

Harbhajan Singh

The player who wore his heart on his sleeves scalped seven wickets in the T20 World Cup in 2007, but he had a start-stop career with India thereafter. He played one T20I in 2008 and 18 more from 2009 to 2016. His decline in other formats was also evident. Harbhajan averaged over 40 in his last 23 Tests and a little over 35 in ODIs from 2010. A part of the 2011 World Cup squad, he recently lashed out at Dhoni for mishandling him and a few other senior players. Harbhajan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last December and has now ventured into politics besides also doing commentary stints. He is currently an elected Member of Parliament.

Joginder Sharma

Joginder played only four T20Is but has gone down as a hero, bowling the famous delivery that got Misbah-ul-Haq’s wicket in the final that won India the T20 World Cup. It was his last delivery ever for India. He played 12 IPL games for Chennai Super Kings and is now serving as a police officer in Haryana.

Dinesh Karthik

One of the two players from the squad who will turn out for India in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Karthik’s career has been a topsy-turvy ride. He got a Test call-up after eight years, in 2018, for the series against England, and was constantly in and out of the side in ODIs as well. His 2018 Nidahas Trophy heroics, where he struck 29* in eight balls earned a place in the 2019 World Cup team, but a poor outing meant he was dropped. Karthik took up commentating for Sky Sports and got a surprise call-up in June 2022 after an impressive IPL. He recently called the curtains on his IPL career after Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playoff run in 2024. Karthik is also a part of a star-studded commentary panel for the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf made his T20I debut in the final against Pakistan but did not have the most fruitful career thereafter. He played 22 more games in the format, averaging just over 18 with a high score of 37*. He enjoyed more success in ODIs, where he played 57 games, including six in the 2011 World Cup. He was heavily backed by Shane Warne in the IPL, where he played for Rajasthan Royals, before moving to Kolkata Knight Riders. He announced his retirement last year.

Pathan is another player who has entered politics. He has contested the 2024 General Elections in India from one of the constituencies in West Bengal.

Irfan Pathan

Irfan was the Player of the Match in the final, and he ended the campaign with 10 wickets to his name. After a promising start, the left-hander’s career never really took off: he last played for India in 2012 at the age of 27. Following his international retirement, he has taken up commentary and even played in the Lanka Premier League.

Virender Sehwag

The dashing opener scored 133 runs in the T20 World Cup, but opportunities dried up thereafter for him. Since the event, he played 12 more matches in the format, with his last appearance coming in 2012. Sehwag was a Test regular despite his limited white-ball outings and played his last five-day game for India in 2013. He announced his retirement a few years later, and was associated with Punjab Kings as the mentor for three seasons. He has taken up commentary

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma made his debut during the 2007 World Cup, and after a few blips, managed to establish himself as one of the greats of the game. 15 years since, he had captained India in the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.  He will lead the side once again in the 2024 edition with a burning desire to end their trophy drought in ICC tournaments.

RP Singh

RP Singh was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2007 event, grabbing 12 scalps. He has an impressive CV, picking up five wickets at Lord’s, besides playing the memorable Test match at Perth in 2007/08. However, he last played for India before he turned 26. He did have a few impressive seasons in the IPL but lost consistency soon after.

S Sreesanth

A lethal bowler in his prime, Sreesanth was involved in the 2013 spot-fixing scandal in the IPL, which effectively ended his career. He was arrested with a life ban imposed by the BCCI. The Supreme Court overturned the ban to seven years, and Sreesanth made a return to professional cricket in 2021, having dabbled in acting. He announced his retirement in 2022.

Robin Uthappa

Uthappa went on to become an icon for Kolkata Knight Riders, playing with the team from 2014 to 2019, and forging a memorable partnership with Gambhir at the top of the order. The Kerala batter played for Rajasthan Royals in 2020 before being traded to Chennai Super Kings. He announced his retirement from all formats this year and was part of the commentary during IPL 2024

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Matt Parkinson hat-trick helps Kent to victory over Middlesex

Matt Parkinson’s hat-trick helped Kent rout Middlesex by 98 runs in their Vitality Blast opener at Chelmsford.

Parkinson removed Jack Davies, Tom Helm, and Henry Brookes in the third over on his way to figures of four for 25, with the hosts bowled out for just 107.

Kent had made 205 for eight from their 20 overs, with Joe Denly making 56 from 33 balls.

HAT-TRICK HEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! 🎩✨

📲 LIVE Match Centre: https://t.co/KmAe36dNZf pic.twitter.com/fchW3vjAnU

— Kent Spitfires (@KentCricket) May 31, 2024

Tom Abell and Lewis Gregory helped champions Somerset start the defence of their title with a four-wicket victory over Essex.

Abell made 55 from 36 balls and Gregory added 44 from 22 as Somerset reached their target of 194 with five balls to spare in a repeat of last year’s final.

Dean Elgar made 77 from 51 as Essex posted 193 for six.

David Willey powered Northamptonshire Steelbacks to their second win from two, crushing the Notts Outlaws by eight wickets.

Captain Willey hit seven sixes and seven fours in a 34-ball 79 as the Steelbacks made light work of reaching their target of 155, winning with 40 balls to spare.

Oh Skipper. 🤩

Seven 4s, seven 6s and a remarkable innings from David Willey. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ofjuMaZJPJ

— Northamptonshire Steelbacks (@NorthantsCCC) May 31, 2024

Joe Clarke and Jack Haynes shared a 95-run partnership as they reached 104 for one from 10 overs, only to collapse as they lost their last nine wickets for 50 in 9.2 overs, with left-arm spinner Saif Zaib taking a career-best three for 12 in three overs.

Jamie Smith smashed eight sixes in an explosive innings of 76 that set Surrey on their way to a 19-run victory over Glamorgan.

Smith helped Surrey to 200 for eight from their 20 overs, and that proved too much for Glamorgan despite half-centuries from Marnus Labuschagne and Colin Ingram.

Ingram was guilty of putting down Smith when he was on 20 off the bowling of Mason Crane – and was made to pay the price.

Sussex scrambled a bye off the final ball to take a three-wicket win over Gloucestershire at Hove.

Walking off with the W! 🦈🦈 pic.twitter.com/FLvpTtzGMN

— Sussex Cricket (@SussexCCC) May 31, 2024

Chasing 168, Sussex needed 10 off the final over. Fynn Hudson-Prentice, having led the charge, fell for 47 but Jack Carson then hit a six and nicked a single.

Nathan McAndrew failed to make contact on the final ball but James Bracey missed the stumps as Sussex snatched the win.

Brett D’Oliveira’s half-century helped Worcestershire Rapids to a five-wicket win over Lancashire Lightning at New Road.

Chasing 170 to win, D’Oliveira made 61, helping to steer the Rapids to within 22 runs of victory before Tom Taylor finished the job, hitting a six in the final over to win it.

Lancashire had been rocking when reduced to 13 for three in the early going, but captain Steven Croft made an unbeaten 52 to help them to 169 for five.

Getting that home W!#COYR 🌊 pic.twitter.com/E73TmJeVDp

— Worcestershire Rapids (@WorcsCCC) May 31, 2024

Leicestershire Foxes romped to a seven-wicket win over Yorkshire Vikings as Sol Budinger plundered 50 runs off 22 balls.

Josh Hull took three for 28 as the Foxes held Yorkshire to a modest 151 for seven, and the hosts wasted little time in chasing that down.

Budinger teamed up with Rishi Patel as the openers hit six sixes and six fours in the first five overs, making 79 off 36 balls to leave little doubt about the result.

Hasan Ali and Richard Gleeson led an outstanding performance from the Birmingham Bears’ attack as they beat Durham by six wickets at the Riverside.

The experienced seamers took five wickets between them as Durham were bowled out for just 101, continuing the batting woes seen at Lancashire on Thursday.

Sam Hain made an unbeaten 27 as Birmingham chased down their target in 16.1 overs.

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Liam Livingstone excited by ‘extra edge’ provided by Jofra Archer and Mark Wood

England all-rounder Liam Livingstone believes pace twins Jofra Archer and Mark Wood can help give them an “extra edge” when they begin their T20 World Cup defence in the Caribbean next week.

Archer and Wood played together for the first time in 15 months on Thursday and impressed at the Kia Oval to help England secure a seven-wicket win and a much-needed 2-0 Vitality T20 international series victory over Pakistan.

Wood clocked 96mph in his first spell before he returned to bounce out Azam Khan and Naseem Shah in devastating fashion, while Archer picked up the key scalp of Babar Azam.

It helped dismiss Pakistan for 157 in south London with Livingstone also in the wickets alongside fellow spinners Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali.

Absolute savagery from Mark Wood 🤯#EnglandCricket | #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/zrrksjNF95

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 30, 2024

With Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Will Jacks, Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook all able to get valuable time in the middle across the four-match series, despite washouts in Leeds and Cardiff, Livingstone is excited about their chances over the next month.

“A 2-0 victory going into the World Cup is great,” Livingstone reflected.

“I think what was better was what we actually got out of that, especially having Jof and Woody gives us that sort of extra edge that we haven’t had before, which is pretty cool.

“Maybe not for net sessions but certainly for games and it’s great to have both of them.

“I think the group’s in a really good place, ready to go.”

On Wood and Archer, Livingstone continued: “Any team that has them, before you even start the game you feel like you’re one step ahead.

“We know pace can work one of two ways: it can get you wickets and it can go for runs.

“They’re not always just going to blow teams away but I think having those two is a pretty big weapon and CJ (Chris Jordan) has been bowling beautifully as well.

“We feel like we’ve got pretty much all bases covered, which is what you want going into a World Cup.”

Mark Wood and Jofra Archer bring extra pace to England’s attack (Mike Egerton/PA)

It is a far cry from England’s dismal defence of their 50-over crown in India last winter, which sparked debate over the positions of captain Buttler and head coach Matthew Mott.

The duo received a strong vote of confidence, especially after they had guided England to victory in the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022 and Livingstone feels the group are in a much better place.

He added: “We won a World Cup in Australia, so I think we had a pretty strong side there but certainly we feel like we’ve got a very good team.

“I think we’re in a much better place than we were six months ago, which is pretty exciting for all of us.”

Livingstone was able to warm up for the World Cup in style at the Kia Oval with a rare double-wicket maiden and revealed he is finally pain-free again after a difficult period with a knee injury.

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“It’s not been the most enjoyable 18 months of trying to play with a niggle,” the 30-year-old explained.

“It kind of drains your spirit, drains your enjoyment of cricket. I was in a pretty crap place, shall we say, at the end of the IPL (Indian Premier League). It was kind of getting too much.

“Thankfully, the injection seems to have worked and just being able to play cricket pain-free for the first time in two years is the exciting part for me.

“This series, I came in a lot happier, enjoying my cricket a little bit more and being able to move my feet when I bat also really helps!

“It’s much better. I feel like I’ve got a smile on my face and that’s all that really matters to me.”

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Babar-Rizwan put on statement partnership after Pakistan call time on Saim Ayub experiment

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been reunited at the top of the Pakistan batting order, with Saim Ayub dropped for the final T20I against England at The Oval.

The move signals a change in direction for Pakistan, with this series their final prep before the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean and USA.

The make-up of Pakistan’s batting line-up has long been a point of debate. While the ultra-consistent Babar and Rizwan have scored the bulk of their side’s runs since the latter’s promotion to open in late 2020, there have been grumbles over their scoring rate, leading the Pakistan team management to trial the 22-year-old Ayub as an opener, with Babar and Rizwan both taking turns alongside him.

However, while Ayub and Babar formed a formidable opening partnership for Peshawar Zalmi in this year’s Pakistan Super League, the youngster has been unable to crack international cricket so far. After 21 T20Is he is yet to make a half-century and averages just 15.

The scrutiny over his position had increased. “I don’t think Saim Ayub gives you security,” Ramiz Raja said. “He shows flashes of brilliance, but you have to show sustainable flashes of brilliance. If you’re not scoring 50 off 30 balls these days, it means you opening and breaking a registered pair of Babar and Rizwan is not worth it.”

Opening together for the first time since April last year, Babar and Rizwan put on a brisk opening stand. The pair added 59 inside the powerplay before Babar fell to its final ball, nicking Jofra Archer to a wide slip for 22-ball 36. Rizwan was bowled by an Adil Rashid googly for 23 from 16 in the following over.

Jofra with the breakthrough! #EnglandCricket | @JofraArcher pic.twitter.com/vVnxX8HqNe

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 30, 2024

His axing means a recall to the side for Usman Khan, who switched allegiance from UAE to Pakistan following a stellar run in the PSL. He is also yet to make a statement score in international cricket, also averaging 15, albeit after only five games. Both Usman and Ayub are in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

Pakistan also made one forced change to their XI, with all-rounder Imad Wasim missing out due to rib discomfort. Naseem Shah has been called up in his absence, making this the first instance of Pakistan’s feared pace quartet, which also includes Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir, all featuring in the same side.

Pakistan are 1-0 down in the rain-hit series, defeated by 23 runs at Edgbaston. Their T20 World Cup campaign kicks off on Thursday, June 6 against hosts USA.

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Uganda forced to change T20 World Cup kit days before tournament due to ICC regulations

Uganda have been forced to change their kit for the T20 World Cup days before the start of the competition to satisfy ICC requirements.

The nation is playing in its first-ever men’s T20 World Cup, and will begin their campaign against Afghanistan on June 3 in Guyana. Ahead of the tournament, they ran a public competition to design their jersey, and narrowed down entrants to three finalists in February, before selecting the winning design in mid-March.

The winning design came from Elijah Mangeni, who drew inspiration from the grey-crowned crane, which is the country’s national bird. The design had a yellow base, with faint wing detailing on the sides of the chest, as well as red and black details on the sleeves in the shape of feathers. Mangeni described his work as: “Where elegance meets strength, mirroring Uganda’s resilient spirit. The bold blend of vibrant colours symbolises unity, echoing the national pride. The jersey, with its feather-inspired patterns, pays homage to the majestic crested crane capturing the essence of grace and power.”

 

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However, the ICC has stipulated that Uganda must remove the feathered pattern on the sleeves in order for sponsor logos to be more clearly visible. They are allowed to keep the faint wing outlines on the torso, but feather detailing on the trousers has also been largely removed.

The kit change was revealed before the team flew out to the Caribbean, in a ceremony for the players ahead of their trip. Uganda Cricket Association public relations officer, Musali Denis said: “The ICC asked for a change in the design but we didn’t have enough time to make the required changes and had to compromise on the winning design. We lost just about 20 per cent of the original design, but the rest of the design is the same.”

The T20 World Cup will begin this weekend on June 1, with the opening match between USA and Canada in New York.

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Sophie Ecclestone wants World Cup or Ashes win after another personal milestone

Sophie Ecclestone has targeted World Cup glory or an Ashes victory over the next 12 months after she reached her latest milestone in England’s emphatic one-day international win over Pakistan at Chelmsford on Wednesday.

England won by 178 runs in the third ODI in Essex to clinch the series by a 2-0 score with the hosts’ able to post 302 for five before Pakistan’s innings ended on 124.

After Nat Sciver-Brunt hit a superb unbeaten century, Ecclestone claimed three for 15, which included her 100th ODI scalp.

Sophie Ecclestone’s 100th ODI wicket! 🔥

She never stops amazing us 👏#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/GcX8VjyoTn

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2024

It made the spinner the fastest bowler to reach 100 ODI wickets after she achieved the feat in 63 innings to move top of a prestigious list that includes Cathryn Fitzpatrick (64), Megan Schutt (66) and Jess Jonassen (67) amongst others.

“It’s obviously really cool,” Ecclestone said.

“Obviously when I was younger, I used to watch them all on TV, so to overtake them and take 100 ODI wickets is very special.

“I think I just want to win a World Cup or an Ashes (next), to be honest. I’m not won one yet.

“Obviously if I keep taking wickets, hopefully that means the team is winning and we’re getting closer to a World Cup winners’ medal or being Ashes winners.”

The prospect of both accomplishments being completed are a possibility with England set for the T20 World Cup in October before they visit Australia at the start of 2025.

England’s victory in Essex made it five wins from six matches this summer after they also secured a 3-0 T20 series win over Pakistan.

Sciver-Brunt hit a superb unbeaten 124 at Chelmsford, her ninth ODI hundred, to lead England over the 300-mark with Maia Bouchier (34) and Danni Wyatt (44) also able to provide key contributions.

The recalled Lauren Bell ensured England made a strong start with the ball after she claimed a double early scalp before Sciver-Brunt followed up her ton with a two-wicket haul.

It was then over to Ecclestone and she brought up her 100th ODI wicket when Nashra Sandhu edged behind to Heather Knight to depart for a golden duck.

Ecclestone told Sky Sports: “I think the best thing for me is to keep enjoying it and I have got the best team around me to keep enjoying my cricket.

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“I feel like I play my best when I am enjoying it and having a laugh with the girls on the field, so hopefully I keep enjoying it and stay there.

“I think I have always got to try to be one step ahead of (batters), whether it’s my fields or what I am trying to bowl or trying to use my arm ball when I can.

“Yeah, obviously I have a great bowling attack around me, which means I can be really attacking with my fields.”

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World Cup agony and Ashes heroics: Nat Sciver-Brunt’s nine ODI centuries, ranked

Nat Sciver-Brunt scored her ninth ODI century today (May 29), drawing level with Tammy Beaumont and Charlotte Edwards for the most number of hundreds scored for England Women in the format. Here’s her nine ODI centuries ranked from ‘worst’ to best.

9. 100* vs PAK, Kuala Lumpur, 2019

In last place comes Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 2019 ton against Pakistan on neutral ground in Malaysia. Although in an anchoring effort, she played second-fiddle to Fran Wilson, with series a one-side affair. A now familiar partnership between Heather Knight and Sciver-Brunt totted for 84 off 99 balls before Knight was run out by Sidra Amin. With England quickly 181-4, Sciver-Brunt anchored the innings alongside an explosive 85 off 49 balls from Wilson to see them up past 300. Sciver-Brunt reached her century off the penultimate ball of the innings, before a six from Wilson off the last took them to 327-4.

8. 120 vs SL, Leicester, 2023

Capitaining in the absence of an ill Knight, Sciver-Brunt took England’s innings against Sri Lanka in the final ODI of the 2023 summer by the scruff of the neck. Coming in with her side 18-2, she combined with Maia Bouchier for a blistering partnership. The pair hit 193 off 121 balls, Sciver-Brunt scoring all round the wicket and walloping 18 fours in her 74-ball 120, dealing swiftly with some loose bowling from Sri Lanka’s spinners.

7. 124* vs PAK, Chelmsford, 2024

Sciver-Brunt’s latest masterclass came again against Pakistan. After a tricky powerplay, England found themselves 70-3 and in need of rebuilding. First with Danni Wyatt and then with Amy Jones, Sciver-Brunt went through the gears in a note-perfect innings. She ticked over at a run-a-ball, letting Wyatt attack at the other end, before unleashing once at the back end of the innings. Consecutive fours brought up her ninth ODI century, before she smashed Diana Bag for consecutive sixes down the ground, finishing with a four off the next ball. She ended the innings unbeaten on 124 off 117 balls. Another fine effort after coming back from injury, but against a mismatched Pakistan at the end of back-to-back series.

6. 137* vs PAK, Leicester, 2017

Fifth on the list is Sciver-Brunt’s first ODI century. Off the back of criticisms of her conversion rate and with a move up the order, her blistering 137 off 92 balls against Pakistan in the 2017 World Cup was timely for England, who had been beaten by India in the tournament opener. In another partnership with Knight, the first of the axis of England’s middle order, the pair put on 213 off 180 balls together. They ensured England scored well over 350, only missing out on their highest-ever women’s ODI total of 378-5 by one run.

5. 129 vs NZ, Derby, 2017

Two weeks after reaching her first ODI century, Sciver-Brunt converted once more, again salvaging an innings. After a blip to start their campaign, England had cruised through the gears against Pakistan and Sri Lanka before coming through sterner tests against South Africa and Australia with aplomb. The White Ferns presented another stiff challenge. England were 52-3 before Sciver-Brunt joined Tammy Beaumont at the crease. They put on 170 together, reaching 222-3 before Beaumont was dismissed by Amelia Kerr for 93. Sciver-Brunt continued on, with the next-highest scorer in England’s innings only able to make 11, but was also eventually dismissed by Kerr. However, England were able to set a target of 285, which was well beyond New Zealand’s reach. England qualified for the semi-finals as a result.

4. 129 vs AUS, Taunton, 2023

Days after a devastating loss in Southampton, Sciver-Brunt once again passed three figures but this time in a memorable win. Batting first at Taunton, England’s openers fell in the first four overs of the innings, leaving Sciver-Brunt and Knight at the crease in a familiar position of needing to stage a recovery. They put on a 147-run stand, Sciver-Brunt becoming only the second woman to score back-to-back ODI hundreds for England, with 129 off 149 balls. England set Australia 286 to win, and bowled them out for 199 to draw the multi-format series.

Related Story: Nat Sciver-Brunt named as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World (Women)

3. 111* vs AUS, Southampton, 2023

The top three of Sciver-Brunt’s ODI centuries all came in losses to Australia. In third position is the closest she came to getting England over the line. Defeat at Southampton in the 2023 Ashes meant a remarkable turnaround in the series was off the cards. Having lost the Test match and the first T20I, England went on to win the next three matches to bring the scoreline back to 6-6 with two to play. Losing one match to Australia would mean they retained the Ashes. In the second ODI at Southampton, chasing 283, England reached 123-3 before they collapsed. Once again anchoring the innings, Sciver-Brunt reached her century in the 49th over off 93 balls, still needing 17 runs to win and seven wickets down. Despite a four in the final over, England finished three runs short.

2. 109* vs AUS, Hamilton, 2022

In the group stages of the 2022 World Cup, Sciver-Brunt almost gave England back the perfect start to the competition, but her century couldn’t avert defeat to Australia. In Hamilton, Rachael Haynes put Australia on top with 130 in the first innings, setting England 311 to get. With 74 from Tammy Beaumont and a contribution from Heather Knight, England were 149-1 before Sciver-Brunt came to the crease. What followed was a dramatic collapse with Sciver-Brunt only able to watch. Beaumont, Amy Jones and Dani Wyatt were all out in the next five overs, leaving Sciver-Brunt to rebuild on her own. She took it to the last over with England six wickets down and needing 16, but an exceptional over from Jess Jonassen saw them fall 12 runs short.

1. 148* vs AUS, World Cup final, Christchurch, 2022

The knock at the top of the list was arguably the most devastating loss, in the 2022 World Cup final. England had turned over a horrific start to the World Cup in New Zealand, losing their first three games before reaching the final against Australia in Chrischurch. Alyssa Healy – dropped twice by Sciver-Brunt – made a record-breaking 170 in the first innings set up what looked to be an inevitable defeat. Sciver-Brunt, by her own high standards, had been unusually quiet since her century in the opening game, with just one fifty in the interim. She saved her best for last, ensuring England clung on with everything they had. A top-order collapse meant she had to anchor the innings alone. Unsurprisingly, she ran out of partners, finishing unbeaten on 148 off 121 balls, but ensured England’s run rate matched up to what they required for most of the innings. It’s a credit to her class that Australia were properly nervous, given how impossible the situation would have been for almost anyone else.

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Nat Sciver-Brunt steals the show as England beat Pakistan to seal ODI series win

Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with bat and ball as her eye-catching unbeaten century set England on the way to an emphatic one-day international win over Pakistan.

Having hit a fantastic 124 not out off just 117 balls, Sciver-Brunt then took two for 11 at Chelmsford to give the hosts a 2-0 series win.

Her knock was part of a mammoth total of 302 for five, with Maia Bouchier (34) and Dani Wyatt (44) also adding telling scores.

Sciver-Brunt stole the show with 14 fours and two sixes before helping to restrict the visitors to 124 as they fell well short of a record run-chase.

Nat Sciver-Brunt at her very best ✨

Match centre ➡️ https://t.co/jjcK0NxBaH#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/aX5ZYCVgYj

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 29, 2024

Spinner Sophie Ecclestone also starred, taking three for 15 to become the fastest woman to reach 100 ODI wickets.

Lauren Bell claimed the wickets of openers Sadaf Shamas and Sidra Ameen with Sciver-Brunt snaffling Muneeba Ali as she top-scored with 47.

Aliya Riaz (36) was the only other contribution of note for Pakistan, who failed to win any of their white-ball matches during the tour.

This was the best England display of the series, having won the opener by 37 runs before the second game at Taunton was rained off with less than seven overs played.

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‘No excuses’ from England despite disrupted World Cup preparations – Mark Wood

Mark Wood says there will be “no excuses” from England following a frustrating preparation period for the T20 World Cup.

Two of the first three Vitality Blast international series encounters against Pakistan – at Headingley and Cardiff – were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

England managed a 23-run victory at Edgbaston in the second game, and they will be hoping for a weather break in Thursday’s series finale at the Kia Oval.

Two of England’s first three T20 games against Pakistan were abandoned (Nick Potts/PA)

Wood and company then head to the West Indies ahead of their World Cup opener against Scotland in Barbados on June 4.

“Obviously, it’s not ideal when you schedule four games and we might only get one or two,” fast bowler Wood said.

“A few of the lads are keen to get a run out at the Oval, so that will help. It will give confidence to everyone in the group.

“It was a good game the other day against Pakistan. They looked like they were pushing us really close, and might have got there in the end if it wasn’t for such good bowling and shutting the game out from (Reece) Topley, (Chris) Jordan and (Jofra) Archer.

Things you 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 want to see… 🌧️

📍 Sophia Gardens, Wales pic.twitter.com/gHDXhXs1ac

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 28, 2024

“Yes, we have got experience, but warm-up games always give you a sense of different things you can tinker with. Who is in good form? Who needs to work on other things?

“Some lads have been playing at the IPL and they are match-ready. Other lads haven’t, and the lads that haven’t, is there a freshness?

“You want the games to practise stuff, but it is a fine balance. One or two of us might feel like we need a game or two to get going, but there will be no excuses.

“It is coming round thick and fast. Whatever preparation we get, that is what we are going to have to go with.”

Jofra Archer shone in his England comeback game against Pakistan (Bradley Collyer/PA)

England’s undoubted highlight of the Pakistan series has been Wood’s fellow quick Jofra Archer returning to international cricket.

Archer claimed two wickets at Edgbaston on his first international appearance for 14 months. He had not played for his country on English soil since 2020 after an injury-hit few years troubled by repeated issues with his right elbow.

Wood added: “The mark of Jofra is that he is always in the game, always at people. There is always a chance of wickets and him changing the game.

“He bowled that difficult over – that sixth over is a tough one, it is the last over of the powerplay where the batters are looking to score heavy, and I am sure he would have been nervous.

The smile we’ve been waiting to see! 😃

Live score/clips: https://t.co/Ad8Vmllvyb

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvPAK 🇵🇰@JofraArcher pic.twitter.com/seCMLmM3jB

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 25, 2024

“He is a pretty cool guy, and as soon as he got that over out of the way he would have settled into the game.

“To bowl those next three overs for next to nothing shows a great deal of resilience, which is something he has had to show over the past few years.”

Asked about potentially partnering Archer as part of England’s World Cup attack, Wood said: “I honestly have no idea. That’s a question for the management.

“But I have played with Jofra before, and I don’t see it’s like me or him. I don’t see why we can’t play together.

“We played together at the 2019 World Cup and things went pretty well. I don’t see why we can’t play in the same team, but maybe it is up to the management to manage our bodies and see how we get through the tournament.”

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Cardiff wash-out dents the World Cup preparations of England and Pakistan

England’s T20 World Cup preparations were again hit by the weather as their third Vitality international series clash against Pakistan was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

Miserable scenes in Cardiff followed a wash-out at Headingley in the series opener.

England managed a 23-run victory at Edgbaston, but the latest frustration at Sophia Gardens came just a week before their June 4 World Cup opener against Scotland in Barbados.

Rain began falling steadily in the Welsh capital an hour before the scheduled 6.30pm start after a dry afternoon.

❌ CALLED OFF ❌

Our third IT20 vs Pakistan has been abandoned due to wet weather.

See you at The Oval 👋 pic.twitter.com/WQfQSs63fA

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 28, 2024

A capacity 15,600 crowd had been expected, and a sizeable number braved the elements before play was called off just after 8.10pm.

The umpires walked out to the square and had a brief discussion with ground staff, and the game was abandoned less than five minutes later.

Both teams now head to The Kia Oval for the series finale on Thursday ahead of travelling to the World Cup.

Pakistan’s first game is against the United States in Texas on June 6.

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Englandwatch: Stokes stars with the ball again, Pope’s struggles continue

The last round of the County Championship before the start of the T20 Blast finished this week, the last chance for England’s incumbents and hopefuls to get some red-ball action for almost a month. Here’s how they all got on.

Ollie Pope

It was another disappointing outing for Ollie Pope in Surrey’s first loss of the season against Hampshire. Pope scored 15 and 21 at the Utilita Bowl, with Surrey bowled out for 127 in the first innings and then 203 in the second to lose by an innings and 278 runs. Since his 196-run epic in England’s first Test against India at Hyderabad, Pope has a high score of 63 from 17 professional first-class innings. It’s a worrying trend for England going into the summer given Pope’s normally dominant outings in the first part of the county season.

Ben Foakes

Ben Foakes was another of Surrey’s usually impenetrable batting lineup who succumbed to both spin and pace in Southampton. Foakes fell as one of Kyle Abbott’s five victims in the first innings but provided stubborn resistance in the second. He finished unbeaten having scored 19 off 107 balls, but his two and a half hour knock only prolonged an inevitable defeat. Foakes battled a back injury during the game and spent time off the field, giving a chance for Jamie Smith to don the gloves.

Dan Lawrence

Dan Lawrence returned a single figure score in Surrey’s first innings, another of Abbott’s five-for victims, but counter-attacked in the second to hit a 50-ball 42 before he was bowled by Felix Organ. He also played a part with the ball in Hampshire’s only innings, taking the wicket of Fletcha Middleton and getting through 33 overs.

Gus Atkinson

For the second fixture in a row, Atkinson took just one wicket across the match as Hampshire declared on 608-6. Atkinson returned figures of 105-1 off 27 overs, his only wicket being that of Michael Neser. He was also out for two and 12 in each of Surrey’s innings.

Jamie Smith

One of several young wicketkeepers touted for a potential Test debut this summer, Smith had a rare quiet outing as Surrey were thrashed by Hampshire. He fell for 18 and 9 across the two innings.

Zak Crawley

Following his double-century last week, Crawley’s run of low scores returned against Essex as Kent lost by an innings. The England opener was out for a 12-ball 16 in the first innings as Sam Cook’s only scalp, and out for one in the second over of the second innings for one to Shane Snater. Kent were bowled out for 101 in the second innings after following on.

Related Story: Englandwatch: Crawley’s struggles continue, Smith stands out

Jordan Cox

A hopeful challenger to England’s wicketkeeper spot, Jordan Cox followed-up his century in the previous round with a double. After Essex lost three wickets in the space of 48 runs having made a solid start, Cox took control with a blistering knock, striking 207 off 255 balls including 21 fours and five sixes. He shared a 193-run unbroken stand for the eighth wicket with Snater before Essex declared. The win leaves Essex just two points adrift of table-toppers Surrey as the T20 Blast takes over. Cox is yet to don the gloves in 2024 but is a highly rated prospect, and at 23 is tipped for a future in international cricket either as a specialist batter or a wicketkeeper. He is the highest-scoring Englishman in Division One at the halfway point in the season.

Ben Stokes

Stokes was again impressive with the ball during Durham’s thumping win over Somerset. He took four wickets in the first innings as Somerset were bowled out for 171, and another four in the second as they were bowled out for 88. He was, however, out for a six-ball duck in Durham’s only innings, the second of Jake Ball’s five wickets.

Ollie Robinson (Durham)

Another in the race for the gloves, Robinson scored a brisk 46 the aforementioned low-scoring game at Chester-le-Street.

Jack Leach

In his second match back for Somerset following the knee injury he sustained in India over the winter, Leach only bowled four overs in Durham’s only innings. He went for 20 runs without taking any wickets, in an extraordinary match where 265 was enough for Durham to only bat once.

Ollie Robinson (Sussex)

In a high scoring draw at Lord’s in which neither side were able to take ten wickets, Robinson returned figures of 1-77. His only wicket was that of Mark Stoneman early in Middlesex’s only innings, he even resorted to bowling spin at one point.

Alert. Sussex’s Ollie Robinson is bowling spin. pic.twitter.com/9hvV6lSW3q

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) May 27, 2024

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T20 World Cup 2024 USA schedule: Full fixtures list and match timings for USA team

Here is the schedule for the USA at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, including full fixtures, match timings, and venues.

Twenty teams will play a total of 55 matches at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The teams are divided into four groups for the first phase, to be held in the USA and the West Indies. The first round will be hosted by nine cities, making it the biggest edition in this aspect.

USA will play the curtain-raiser match against Canada in Dallas on June 1. They next play Pakistan on June 6 at the same venue, followed by their last two group-stage fixture against India on June 12 in New York and Ireland on June 14 in Lauderhill. The final will be played on June 29 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

USA kick off the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against their neighbors Canada on June 1st in Grand Prairie.

Matches against Pakistan, India and Ireland complete the teams group fixtures in what is certain to be an enthralling tournament!#WeAreUSACricket #t20cwc2024 #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/5fb6reERu6

— USA Cricket (@usacricket) January 5, 2024

They have announced their 15-member squad led by Monank Patel and deputised by top-order batter Aaron Jones. Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson’s inclusion is also a major boost for their side. The co-hosts will enter the competition high on confidence after beating Bangladesh 2-1 in a T20I series at home recently, which also saw their first-ever win against a Full Member.

USA schedule for ICC T20 World Cup 2024: Full fixtures list, match timings and venues for US

All timings local

Saturday, June 1, 2024: USA vs Canada in Dallas at 7:30 PM
Thursday, June 6, 2024: USA vs Pakistan in Dallas at 10:30 AM
Wednesday, June 12, 2024: USA vs India in New York at 2:30 PM
Friday, June 14, 2024: USA vs Ireland in Lauderhill at 10:30 AM

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Simon Harmer leads Essex victory charge against Kent at Canterbury

Essex moved just two points behind Vitality County Championship Division One leaders Surrey after crushing Kent at Canterbury.

Kent were skittled for just 101 in their second innings as Simon Harmer and Shane Snater led Essex’s victory charge.

Harmer took four for 32 and Snater finished with three for 15 as Essex triumphed by an innings and 96 runs.

🔐 21 more points in the bank. That’s the end of a successful first block of @CountyChamp cricket.

🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/187sffN2e4

— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) May 27, 2024

Kent were 197 behind going into the final day and they lost England opener Zak Crawley early when Snater trapped him lbw.

Harmer then began to inflict damage – dismissing Ben Compton and Marcus O’Riordan – and it was a steady fall of wickets after that as Kent fell away.

Hopes of an exciting climax to the final day between Lancashire and Warwickshire at Emirates Old Trafford were dashed by rain, with only 75 minutes’ play possible.

Warwickshire declared their second innings on 96 for three – a lead of 231 – and Lancashire finished on 89 for four from the 15 overs that were possible.

Match 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙬𝙣. ⛔️

🌧️ More showers have drowned out any chance of play on the final day here at New Road.

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/0R86WKJXlN #WORNOT pic.twitter.com/WyvmlCwwzu

— Nottinghamshire CCC (@TrentBridge) May 27, 2024

Nottinghamshire’s hopes of pushing for a last-day victory over Worcestershire also were wrecked by the weather as they too had to settle for a draw at New Road.

Despite two of the first three days being washed out, Nottinghamshire were strongly placed at 234 for three and leading by 154 runs, but heavy overnight rain and a steady stream of morning showers dashed any chance of play, with the visitors taking 11 points and Worcestershire nine.

In Division Two, promotion front-runners Middlesex and Sussex saw their match at Lord’s peter out into a draw.

A stalemate looked inevitable once the home side had avoided the follow-on early on the final day and they went on to post 613 for nine declared in reply to Sussex’s total of 554 for nine.

Vasconcelos finishes unbeaten on 129 and it ends as a draw. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/7laONsTdL1

— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) May 27, 2024

Nathan Fernandes missed out on a century by nine runs, while Jack Davies struck a career-best 68 and Henry Brookes registered his first half-century as a Middlesex player, with off-spinner Jack Carson taking four for 166.

Ricardo Vasconcelos hit an unbeaten 129 not out as he spearheaded Northamptonshire’s bid for an unlikely victory over Yorkshire, but the visitors’ bowling attack dug deep to ensure the Wantage Road clash ended in a draw.

Northamptonshire had been set a challenging target of 326 in a little over two sessions and when Vasconcelos warmed up for the T20 Blast with 17 boundaries all around the ground, a home triumph looked a possibility.

But a dramatic clatter of wickets as the Yorkshire attack – featuring Adam Lyth’s career-best figures of four for 56 – staged a late fightback to set nerves jangling in the home dressing room, meant Vasconcelos had to switch gears to ensure his side held out for the draw, eight wickets down.

Leicestershire made it seven draws from seven championship matches this season with a stalemate against visitors Glamorgan, who ended the day on 157 for four in the second innings, 201 runs ahead.

𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗗𝗥𝗔𝗪𝗡 🤝

Gloucestershire take 14 points from the match and remain in 4th place in the @CountyChamp Division Two table.#BecomeGlorious pic.twitter.com/yaheaIvotd

— Gloucestershire Cricket (@Gloscricket) May 27, 2024

And Beau Webster completed a Gloucestershire home debut to remember against Derbyshire in another drawn encounter.

The Australian all-rounder followed up his six-wicket haul in Derbyshire’s first innings of 526 by smashing 76 off just 79 balls as Gloucestershire extended their reply from an overnight 399 for four to 530 all out, with Zak Chappell claiming five for 58.

Too much time had been lost to the weather, though, and the players shook hands when Derbyshire declared their second innings on 166 for four.

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Watch: Ollie Robinson delivers an over of off-spin in the dying embers of County Championship bore draw

England seamer Ollie Robinson delivered an over of off-spin in the dying embers of Sussex’s high-scoring draw against Middlesex at Lord’s.

With the prospect of a result effectively out of the question, Robinson turned to off-spin for six deliveries. Just 18 wickets fell across the four days, following a similar pattern to the previous matches held at Lord’s this seaosn. This was the fourth County Championship match of the year at the Home of Cricket, three of which have seen fewer than 20 wickets fall across the match.

Robinson, who prior to the season described this summer as “make or break” for his international career, finished the match with figures of 1-77 from 30 overs. He was not the only international seamer to struggle to take wickets as his new-ball partner, West Indies quick Jayden Seales, finished with similar figures of 1-79 off 23 overs.

Robinson has had a decent start to the summer, averaging 27 with the ball in Division Two where results have been at a premium. On the most recent episode of the Wisden Cricket Weekly podcast, CricViz analyst Ben Jones explained that Robinson’s underlying data for the season has been impressive.

This is not the first time Robinson has bowled off-spin in professional match. He famously bowled a short spell of off-spin on England’s previous Ashes tour Down Under and he has previously claimed that his first-class record bowling off-spin is better than his numbers bowling seam. 

You can watch Ollie Robinson bowl off-spin below:

Alert. Sussex’s Ollie Robinson is bowling spin. pic.twitter.com/9hvV6lSW3q

— Vitality County Championship (@CountyChamp) May 27, 2024

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‘What a debacle’ – Big-hitting Sunrisers Hyderabad post lowest IPL final total against KKR

The power-packed Sunrisers Hyderabad line-up failed to get going in the final of the 2024 Indian Premier League and were all out for 113 in the first innings after skipper Pat Cummins opted to bat first, making it the lowest total in any IPL final.

KKR finished No.1 in the league stages and became the first team to make the final after defeating second-placed SRH in the first Qualifier. It was a rematch of the clash on Sunday (May 26) after Hyderabad advanced to the final by defeating Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 2.

Cummins won the toss and opted to bat first against Kolkata in Chennai on Sunday, but the decision did not work out for them with Mitchell Starc sending back dangerous opener Abhishek Sharma with a contender for the “ball of the season”. They could not recover thereafter, being reduced to 21-3, which later became 77-7. Hyderabad were all out for 113 in the end, the lowest score batting first in any of the previous 17 IPL finals. It was also the first time any side was all out in an IPL final.

Skipper Cummins top-scored for the side, making a 19-ball 24 batting at No.9 with two fours and a six. SRH could have been dismissed for even fewer runs if Starc had held on to an easy catch of Cummins in the 16th over.

Each of KKR’s six bowlers picked up at least one wicket.

SRH, who have the record of the top two highest totals in the IPL, both of which they posted this year, left viewers disappointed with their batting performance in the final. They had also historically chased down Lucknow Super Giants’ 165 in just 58 balls this season.

It was also Hyderabad’s joint-lowest total while batting first in any IPL season.

What a debacle this by SRH!! Top bowling from KKR!!

— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) May 26, 2024

SRH vs DC in the Powerplay : 125/0
SRH vs KKR in the finals : 113/10

— arfan (@Im__Arfan) May 26, 2024

How good a bowling unit this KKR side has been!
They have bowled out the opposition six times this season. All other teams have a combined tally of 11 such occasions!

And no other team has bowled out the opposition so often in a single edition of #IPL ever!!#KKRvSRH #SRHvKKR…

— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) May 26, 2024

SRH have defied all expectation this IPL.
Highest score in the IPL – twice.
Chasing 166 in 9 overs.
Lowest score in an IPL final.

Trend setters in all directions.

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) May 26, 2024

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Chris Jordan thrilled to see fit-again Jofra Archer back in an England shirt

Chris Jordan is thrilled to see England team-mate Jofra Archer fit again and believes a shift in mindset over the last six months was key to his eagerly-anticipated return.

Archer marked his first England appearance in 14 months and a first international outing on English soil since 2020 with two wickets in a 23-run T20 victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston on Saturday.

A spate of right elbow issues, alongside a stress fracture of the back two years ago, consigned the Barbados-born quick to endless months of rehabilitation over recent years.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 VICTORY! 🦁

A 23-run win @Edgbaston 🏏

We take a 1-0 series lead!

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #ENGvPAK 🇵🇰#EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/8H3pkmxws3

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 25, 2024

Jordan, who has described Archer as his “little brother” in the past, tried to regularly check in with the 29-year-old, but feels the credit for this comeback must go to the man himself.

“At times you can say too much. You can get a bit repetitive. Definitely because you care, you try to check in as much as possible,” Jordan reflected.

“Other times, he probably needed to do the journey himself, find his own way, find his own mentality and to be honest he’s done a lot of it on his own.

“Sometimes he was probably waking up some days and thinking it might not happen again. So, bless him, in the last six months I feel like I’ve seen a shift in his vibe and his mindset and everything.

“He seems really happy stepping on the field. He might not have looked it, but I bet he was quite nervous. He comes in with the bat, hits a six to get us up to a half-decent total and then does what he does with the ball.

“For England fans and everyone who is a fan of him, it’s great to have him back out there.

“It gives goosebumps to see him take that wicket (of Azam Khan). He probably didn’t take it with the best-possible delivery but he’ll take it.

“He’s phenomenal. To be out of international cricket for so long, to touch 90mph and just look like he never left is awesome. And he will keep getting better with games.”

Archer was hit for 15 runs from his first over but bounced back impressively in his next three one-over spells to finish with two for 28.

It helped England defend 183 for seven, which was inspired by a fine knock of 84 from captain Jos Buttler.

Spin-duo Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid picked up three wickets in Pakistan’s chase before the England seam attack took control.

Reece Topley claimed a three-fer and received support from Archer and Jordan, who was a surprise inclusion in England’s 15-man World Cup squad.

Jordan had only played one T20 for England over the past 12 months, but got the nod for his specialist death bowling.

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He added: “Not really (surprised). Throughout my career I’ve always made a promise to myself never to rest on my laurels.

“Coming back into the team, I’ve been given a clear role to bowl at the death, to bowl at difficult times. So, I’m trying to embrace it and backing my skill all the way.”

Even though Jordan featured in England’s T20 World Cup win in Australia in 2022, he admits Archer’s return gives the bowling attack a different dynamic.

“We know how good he is, how he can change a game in a minute,” Jordan acknowledged.

“Every batsman that came out, they were thinking about the bouncer straightaway. That in itself adds a different dynamic to the bowling attack and some good variety.

“I’m a bit shorter, skiddier. Toppers is tall, left-arm, Jofra’s tall, right-arm, Sam (Curran) is a bit different as well. I think we’ve got a good mix of guys. Hopefully we can keep building on it.”

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Harshit Rana interview: I have put pressure on myself to excel in various situations

Harshit Rana is KKR’s second-highest wicket-taker in the 2024 Indian Premier League, picking up 17 wickets at an average of 21.1. He talks exclusively with Sarah Waris ahead of the final about his journey with the team so far, the reasons for his success, and his ambitions of opening the batting.

“Main aisa hi hoon [I have always been like this]”.

One of the first glimpses of the 22-year-old Harshit Rana in this IPL was of him giving Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Mayank Agarwal a flying kiss after dismissing him during his side’s tournament opener at the Eden Gardens. Mayank tried to play a pull shot against Harshit’s well-directed bouncer but a top edge saw him pick out Rinku Singh at deep backward square leg. As Mayank headed back, Harshit celebrated by blowing a kiss at him. It was met with a stare from the batter, a few wise words from Sunil Gavaskar on air, who questioned the bowlers’ antics, and later, a reenactment from Rohit Sharma.

Harshit had played only six games last season but was touted as a player to watch out for due to his bagful of variations and his pace. This year was an opportunity for him to further build on that reputation by displaying his improvement, but the “unnecessary” gestures in the first game left many unimpressed. In a country where a strict unwritten code of morality for the cricketers exists, any trespass is scoffed at and seen as an easy means to gain popularity, especially if they are newcomers.

But Harshit clarifies and says that wearing his emotions on his sleeves tends to get the best out of him. “It’s not that I have started doing these actions only since I came into the IPL and to hog the limelight. I have been this way ever since I started playing cricket. If you look at my India A games or even state games, I have always played with aggression. I have always been like this. I never think before going to play that I will react a certain way and not react in another. Things just happen in the heat of the moment.”

A repeat of the offence saw him get banned for a game against Mumbai Indians. But, unlike the previous occasion, the conversation had shifted to how he would be a miss for KKR after arguably being their best bowler in the first half of the season. By the end of April, he was KKR’s joint-highest wicket-taker, despite having not played two games due to a shoulder injury.

It’s not just mere numbers that prompted viewers to sit up and take note. Harshit’s form glossed over the ineffectiveness of big buy Mitchell Starc at the other end. What particularly stood out was his sharp analysis of the conditions, mixing up deliveries according to the batter in front of him instead of just relying on bowling fast.

In KKR’s first game against SRH, the one headlined by Harshit’s air kiss, his last over helped the side through by four runs. Defending only 13 against the unstoppable Heinrich Klaasen, Harshit conceded a six off a quicker delivery first ball but reduced his pace thereafter. It got him instant rewards: He had Shahbaz Ahmed out on the third ball before sending back Klaasen with another pace-off delivery, which the batter looked to slog away.

Harshit went wicketless during Kolkata’s match against Lucknow Super Giants at Eden Gardens but his defensive skills were critical in the team’s win. His battle with Nicholas Pooran, in particular, was interesting. Harshit kept bowling wide lines to him from over the wicket, looking to bang the ball into the pitch, a ploy that was also aided by his good height. He conceded only 16 off 11 balls to Pooran, who had hit a six every seven balls in the IPL till then.

Throughout this season, Harshit has also shown his mastery of the inswinger and the off-cutters, especially at the death. He is KKR’s most successful bowler in the last five overs of the innings, taking eight wickets, and giving only 9.04 runs an over. Overall, it is the third-best economy rate in the death among bowlers with at least 75 deliveries, after Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Harshit’s control in pressure situations stands out in an edition where the run rates are at an unprecedented high.

He admits that having several options can be intimidating when bowling to power-hitters but preparing for those game situations in the nets helps: “The situations are extremely intense when we are playing on the ground. The earlier you assess the conditions and the wickets, the more advantageous it is for me. So, my first focus and priority are to find out what will work on this wicket.

“It is tough but I have been working hard on these. I keep working on these in the practice sessions, and it becomes easier for me to implement them during the game. It is tough but as I have worked hard on it during training, I know exactly what to bowl when – I have put that pressure on myself to excel in various situations.”

CV Varun: 20 wickets @ 19.6
Harshit Rana: 17 wickets @ 21.1
Andre Russell: 16 wickets @ 17.2
Sunil Narine: 16 wickets @ 22.0
Mitchell Starc: 15 wickets @ 28.6
Vaibhav Arora: 10 wickets @ 25.2#varunchakarvathy #SunilNarine #HarshitRana #AndreRussell #MitchellStarc #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/CdsWrZarJ8

— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) May 22, 2024

Another match where Harshit stood out was against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens. Defending 223, RCB were well-placed, needing 49 in the last five overs, but the trio of Harshit (two overs), Varun Chakravarthy and Andre Russell brought KKR back into the game, giving only 28 runs for two wickets in four overs. Starc then conceded 19 in the last over as KKR somehow scraped through by a run, bringing the contrasting game plans of the young Indian quick and the international star in focus.

After the game, Harshit said that he planned to bowl slower deliveries on a track that was holding up, which is what he proceeded to do in his last over, where he gave away six runs. The quick, who has touched 145 kph this season, bowled between 109-117 kph in the over, making run-scoring stiff. Starc, on the other hand, did not send down a ball below 135 kph in the over, with five balls over the 140 kph mark. Earlier in the game, Harshit had also dismissed Virat Kohli with a slower ball that dipped on the batter.

Harshit, though, refuses to be drawn into talks of overshadowing Starc. Instead, he has tremendous praise for former India bowling coach Bharat Arun, who has been with KKR since 2022. “He [Bharat Arun] keeps making plans for me during training, tells me what to focus on and perfect on a particular day. More importantly, he always asks me: What my aim is for the net session and then we move accordingly.”

Previously hailed as an “angel” by Siraj, Arun has played a massive role in Harshit’s growth over the last three seasons. It started by shortlisting him as a promising talent in 2022, when Harshit, on the insistence of his current KKR and Delhi teammate Nitish Rana, went for the KKR trials even before he had made his senior debut for Delhi. Harshit was then a net bowler for Gujarat Titans but a back injury to KKR’s Rasikh Salam prompted Nitish to coax Harshit into trying out for the side.

Rumour has it that the KKR management, led by Arun and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, were left impressed by Harshit on the very first day he turned up. The soft-spoken bowler, however, plays down the incident. “There’s nothing like that. The first day I came for the trials was also the first day I met them. They were also seeing me bowl for the first time. They liked my bowling and told me: You might play for KKR, just take care of yourself and your body.”

It is an advice he has now learnt to take seriously, after missing the recent domestic season in its entirety due to an injury.

Harshit is also a handy batter down the order, with former KKR mentor David Hussey joking that he could be as “good as AB de Villiers”. Predicting that Harshit was going to have a “long and successful” career for KKR in 2022, Hussey had said, “Not just bowling, he can also bat. With the bat, he’s Mr 360. So hopefully expecting him to be as good as AB de Villiers within a year. He’s a ripper.”

The right-hander, who made his first-class and List A debuts in 2022, has a high score of 122* in the Ranji Trophy, making 343 runs at an average of 49, to go with his 28 scalps with the ball in seven games. He also has 22 List A wickets in 14 games but is yet to leave a mark with the bat in the format. Harshit harbours dreams of opening the batting and sheepishly says, “I can bat. I focus on my batting a lot, but I am not at the level where I can open yet (laughs).”

A consistent all-round show has helped KKR reach the final and Harshit has played a massive role in the side’s run. Many might not believe when he says that staying calm is the reason he attributes to his success. “I think the reason for my success this year could be that I try to remain as calm as I can inside the ground. We all will have good and bad days and this is something I have learnt from my dad. He always tells me, ‘Son, whatever happens, you need to be careful on the ground.’”

His words might seem paradoxical, considering he remains the only player to be suspended for breaching the Code of Conduct twice this year, but there’s a thin line between using aggression as a means to fuel yourself up further while remaining composed enough to perfectly execute plans, and aimlessness. Harshit, only two years into professional cricket, seems to know the difference even if popular opinion suggests otherwise.

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