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Australia vs Proteas 1st test preview

  The 1st test of Australia vs Proteas test series starts tomorrow. Australia have revealed their playing eleven for the match. This is going to be a very high-stakes series will the World test Championships final position up for grabs.   Australia will be looking to continue their momentum by beating West Indies 2-0. The Australians will definitely be the favourites to start off. Proteas won't be an easy opponent as they have, the best record against Australia in tests in the recent past winning three back-to-back test series in Australia.  Proteas Squad this time only consists of 4 players who have toured Australia before, they are Elgar, Bavuma, Rabada and Maharaj. The rest are on their 1st tour of Australia and will be looking to make the most of this opportunity as this could be their 1st and last tour of Australia. A player like De Bruyn and Klassen will look to make the most of this opportunity as this series marks their return to the Proteas test squad. Prote...

England crowned T20 world Champions for the 2nd time.

Congratulations to England on becoming T20 world champions for the second time.  England has become only the second team to win the T20 world cup more than once after winning the 2022 T20 world cup. England is currently the best team in white ball cricket. The brand of cricket they play is just admirable. England's aggressive brand of cricket has made them one of the most dangerous teams in the world and they transition this bold brand into their test game. Going forward, they will be one of the most hazardous sides across all three formats.  The final was mostly dominated by England as they won the toss and chose to bowl 1st. Pakistan had a decent start and looked good until the 11th over and then fell away as England's bowlers squeezed the run flow Pakistan's middle order was not up to the task as they could only manage to post 137-8 in their 20 overs. Overall Pakistan's batting was poor today as they struggled to get away from the England bowlers. The turning point i...

T20 world cup semifinals and final

  The T20 world cup is in its closing stages as we have only one semifinal and the final left before a new champion is crowned. Pakistan has qualified for the final. India and England play the second semifinal tomorrow to decide who will join Pakistan in the final.  Pakistan made a tremendous comeback in the tournament after it looked like they were the first team out in the super twelves at one stage.  They are now in the final of the 2022 T20 world cup. Pakistan has peaked at the right time, and it looks like it will be tough to stop them in the final.  India and England will not be concentrating on Pakistan, yet they will be looking to first win tomorrow's semifinal and make their place in the final alongside Pakistan before shifting their focus to the final.  England goes into the semifinal with 2 injury concerns as Mark Wood and Dawid Malan are both not guaranteed to be fit in time for the semifinal encounter. This could see Phil Salt come in for Dawid Mala...

T20 World Cup Race to Semifinals

  The T20 world cup 2022 has been one of the most exciting tournaments in a long time. Teams played excellent cricket in this tournament. Rain has spoiled a few encounters, but the matches have been full of entertainment this year. The 2 groups are wide open, and anyone can make the semifinals, not only the semifinals but direct qualification to the next T20 world cup in 2024 is also up for grabs. Twelve teams will gain direct qualification for the 2024 T20 world cup. The top 8 teams from the Super 12 alongside host West Indies and USA will gain qualifications for the 2024 event. Rankings will decide the last 2 spots. The teams that fail to make this cut will go into regional qualifications and play a qualifier to qualify for the 2024 event.  New Zealand is currently top group 1 and looks favourite to seal one semifinal spot. The other spot is open, and England/Ireland/Australia can claim that spot as Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have fallen behind in the race due to their net ru...

T20 world cup 2022 first 9 matches review

The T20 world cup in Australia has gotten on the way and there have been quite a few surprises with the biggest one being West Indies getting eliminated in the qualifier round. Ireland and Sri Lanka joined Group 1 from the qualifiers, while the Netherlands and Zimbabwe joined Group 2.  The Super 12 has seen New Zealand thrash host Australia in the opening match. In the second match, Afghanistan stretched England to a close encounter, but they didn't have enough runs on the board and England won in the end.  The third match saw Sri Lanka beat Ireland in a low-scoring encounter.  The 4th match was the biggest rivalry in Cricket India vs Pakistan. This match is going to go down as the match of the tournament as it was Kohli one man show assisted by Pandya that helped India win the game.   The 5th match saw Bangladesh beat the Netherlands in a very close encounter and the 6th match was a no result due to rain. There was a 9-over game played but not enough overs were...

World T20 qualifier round review

  The T20 world cup Starts this Sunday will the qualifying round matches as 8 teams battle it out for the last 4 spots in the Super 12. Today we look at Group A and B from the qualifiers round and see who is the favourite in the top 2 of each group. The Netherlands in my opinion is one of the 2 favourites to make the top 2 in Group A. This Netherlands side is experienced and also has players who are familiar with the conditions in Australia as they have played domestic or club cricket in Australia. The most experienced will be Tom Cooper who plays for South Australia in the Australian domestic circuit. The Netherlands will also count on the experience of Van der Merwe who has played a lot of his cricket in South Africa whose conditions are very similar to Australian conditions. The Netherlands will also be boosted by the return of Klaasen and Van der Gugten to the bowling department. In the batting, the return of Colin Ackermann and Steve Myburgh will give them a more dangerous l...

Asia cup post review

  The Asia cup has come to an end and Sri Lanka have deservedly become champions of Asia for the 6th time. This Asia cup was entertaining as a lot of games went down to the wire and we got to see so good hard-fought cricket.  Sri Lanka pulled off the greatest of comebacks as they fought back after being thrashed by Afghanistan in the opening game of the Asia cup to win all their remaining matches and secure their 6th Asia cup title. This will be a big confidence boost for Sri Lanka as they still have to qualify for the World T20.   The favourites to win Pakistan and India have disappointed at different stages as they failed to capitalize on crucial moments during the tournament this ended in India crashing out in the super 4 and Pakistan falling 1step short as they ended the tournament as runners-up.  Afghanistan who were given more of a chance to win the tournament than Sri Lanka failed to capitalize on the early momentum they built as they lost all three super...

Proteas vs England Post series review

  England won the test series 2-1 after an excellent performance in the last test at the oval to win the final test by nine wickets.  Well done to England, who played better cricket throughout the series and came out on top at the end of the series. a well-deserved series win for them.  Proteas have a lot of questions regarding their batting department and players from the test squad who are not part of white ball teams in the next few months should use this break to go away and refresh their minds and look to use the SA domestic first class to gain some confidence before the tour to Australia.  Proteas have a lot of work to do when it comes to batting and hope to see them working on those problems and improving before the next series.  The series for Proteas was lost due to lack of runs on the board as the bowlers were superb throughout the series but the batsman never played their part apart from the first test where proteas scored 326 that too with assistance...

Proteas vs England 3rd test preview

  The last test of the 3-match series between the Proteas and England starts tomorrow. The series is squared at 1-1 and sets this match up nicely as a result for either team would mean a series win and in the bigger picture a boost in the world test championship standings. Rassie Van der Dussan and Jonny Bairstow have been ruled out of this test and world T20, both are crucial to their respective teams, and this will be a massive setback for Proteas and England as both are mainstays across the three formats of the game. The replacements for both players are just as suitable so hopefully, their absence won't be felt.  England have brought Harry Brook into the side for the final test in Bairstow's place as the only change from the previous test. England will want to continue from where they left off in the last test. They will hope their top order will contribute to putting runs on the board as they have struggled, especially the two openers who have struggled throughout the sum...

Asia Cup post-match Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka and Pakistan vs India

The Asia cup got on the way on Sunday, so far 2 matches have taken place one was a last-over thriller and the other a one-sided thrashing. The 2 matches to take place were Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka and Pakistan vs India.  Match 1 Saturday 27th August 2022 was Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka which Afghanistan won comprehensively as they dominated the match from the start. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bowl first. The Afghanistan bowlers backed their captain's decision and bowled the Sri Lankans out for 105 before they chased the total in 10.1 overs to win by eight wickets.  Afghanistan bowlers were exceptionally good with their line and lengths as the took advantage of the seam movement on offer to reduce Sri Lanka to 5-3 in the first 3 overs. Then Gunathilaka and Rajapaksa put together a partnership of 44 that looked like it would bring back Sri Lanka into the game, but Afghanistan bowlers didn't let them take advantage of the plat form set and took wickets at regular interval...

England vs Proteas post-match review

England won the 2nd test match by an innings and 85 runs after their bowlers put in an excellent performance on day 3 of the 2nd test as the series heads for a decider at the Oval in London starting 8th September. England bowlers led by charismatic Anderson bowled excellently throughout this test as they troubled the Proteas batsman with swing, seam movement and reverse swing in both innings.  England played excellent cricket during this match and did it without using their Bazzball approach. They did play positively but weren't over-attacking and played each bowler on merit, putting the bad balls away and transferring pressure to the opposition when it was required. They were on top from the get-go and the Proteas never got back into the game at any stage.  Day 3 Started steadily for the Proteas as Elgar and Erwee were tested by a moving ball, and this proved to be the undoing of Elgar as he miss-judged one that seamed in from Anderson to be bowled for 11 and he was followed ...

Proteas vs England 2nd test Day 2 Review

  England have taken firm control of the 2nd test after captain Stokes and Foakes both scored magnificent centuries to help England post 415-9 declared a lead of 264.   The Morning session resumed with England on 111-3 and Bairstow and Crawley Started off Steadily as Proteas bowlers got some movement off the pitch in the first couple of overs. Nortje got the first wicket of the day as he had Bairstow out for 49 and caught Erwee in the slips and soon after Nortje got the wicket of Crawley caught behind for 38.  This is when Stokes and Foakes got together and put up a partnership of 173 as they put England in total control of the test match. Stokes was out for a well-played 103 shortly after Tea. Stuart Broad, Ollie Robinson and Jack Leach all stuck around to support Foakes to get to his hundred. Shortly after Foakes got to his well-deserved century Leach was out bowled by Maharaj and England declared their innings to give Proteas 9 overs to bat before the close of pla...

Proteas vs England 2nd test Day 1 Review: England edge ahead

  England have their noses ahead of the 2nd test after day 1 came to a close. Proteas won the toss and chose to bat, and their batsman failed to back their captain's decision as they were bowled out just after tea for 151.  The morning started with an early strike for England as veteran Anderson got the wicket of Erwee for 3 caught behind. England seamers continued their good work as Broad got the wicket of Elgar for 12 caught by Bairstow in the slips, soon after Keegan Petersen was out caught by Root in slips bowled by Broad. Markram and Van der Dussen had just got a partnership going when Makram played a loose shot to sky one straight up in the air as he was caught by Foakes of the bowling of Stokes. Van der Dussen followed 2 overs later as he was out LBW to Stokes to send the Proteas into Lunch on 77-5.  In the afternoon session, Proteas' lower order and wicketkeeper Batsman Verreynne showed some resistance as they got Proteas to 151 runs. The first wicket to fall in t...

England vs Proteas 2nd Test Preview

  The second test match between England and South Africa gets on the way tomorrow morning at Old Trafford Manchester and the I'm excited to see some good test cricket being played tomorrow. I will be supporting Proteas. Who will you be supporting? England will be out to prove their new approach to test cricket is sustainable and that it can bring them long-term success. The England openers will want to put some big scores on the board as they are running out of opportunities to stay in the team. The rest of the England batting order will be hoping Lords was a once-off and they can return to the form they have shown throughout the English summer.  England have announced their starting 11 for tomorrow making one change bringing in Ollie Robinson in place of Potts. Proteas will be looking to continue from where they left off in the first test and put in another winning performance to seal the series 2-0. Proteas hope their middle order will contribute significantly and help them ...

Proteas vs England 1st Test post-match review

  Proteas wrapped up a dominating innings and 12-run win in two and half days against England to go 1-0 up in the 3-match series.  This match was won by an excellent performance from Proteas' bowling attack as they didn't give England batsmen a chance to dictate terms during both innings. The match was set up after an excellent effort by Proteas lower order who gave them a 161-run first-inning lead.   This Morning Proteas resumed on 289-7 and lost the wicket of Rabada very quickly but Jansen and Nortje managed to frustrate the England bowlers as their partnership was worth 29 runs before Jansen was out 2 runs short of his maiden half-century. The last pair of Nortje and Ngidi add a further 8 runs before Ngidi was the last man out for a 6-ball duck as Proteas were bowled out for 326 a lead of 161. England to play 12 overs before lunch and lost the wickets of Crawley and Pope as Elgar bringing Maharaj on to bowl in the 7th over proved to be the undoing of both Crawley ...

Proteas vs England Day 2 review

  Day 2 ended with the Proteas in control of the test match as they have taken a first innings lead of 124 runs after an excellent performance today.  The day started with Proteas finishing off the England lower order and bowling them out for 165. The star of the Proteas bowling effort was spearhead of the attack Rabada with a fifer putting him on the honours board at the home of cricket Lords. The Proteas openers then batted out a short new ball spell from Anderson and Broad to go to Lunch on 27-0.  The openers resumed after Lunch and continued their good work and put up an opening partnership of 85 before captain Elgar was unluckily bowled by Anderson for 47.  Erwee and Keegan then put together a partnership of 53 before Keegan Petersen was out caught by Bairstow bowled Potts. Erwee and Markram then added a further 20 runs taking the score to 158-2 at tea.  The last session was a tough one for Proteas as they lost 5 wickets but managed to score a further 131 r...

Proteas vs England day 1 review

  Day 1 of the first test between Proteas and England was a rain-interrupted affair as most of the day got washed out.  Today saw only the morning session played and a few overs after lunch before the rain came down and washed out the rest of the day.    The day belonged to the Proteas who managed to pick up six wickets. Proteas won the toss and chose to bowl first, and the bowlers repaid their captain's decision by picking up 5 wickets in the morning session as England went to Lunch on a 100-5.   The big wickets of Root, Bairstow and Stokes all fell in the morning session, Root was LBW to Jansen and Bairstow was bowled by Nortje. Stokes was out on the last ball of the morning session caught Keegan Petersen in the slips bowled Nortje.  Rabada got the wickets of the two openers early in the day to set up the Proteas bowling performance nicely. Nortje struck once more after lunch as he bowled Foakes out.  England ended the Day 116-6 as Proteas took ...

Proteas vs England 1st Test Preview

The first test of the 3-match series between Proteas and England starts tomorrow. England will be the favourites to win with their new refreshed approach under McCullum and Stokes leadership. Proteas will be up for the challenge at the home of cricket.  England have announced their starting eleven today. They look set to continue with their winning combination from their previous four test wins.  Proteas will be happy that Rabada is fit and ready to go for the first test. This is a very important series for the Proteas as winning this series will help them most likely secure a spot in the final of the World Test Championship. Proteas have been doing very well in test cricket this year and are in good form in the longest format of the game.  The most interesting thing will be how the Proteas do against the dukes' ball compared to the kookaburra that they usually play with. Some Proteas players have been playing county cricket, which should have helped in getting used to pl...

Proteas vs Ireland 2nd T20 Preview

  Proteas will take on Ireland in their final T20 of their UK tour tonight at 7:30pm. Proteas have so far played very good and smart cricket. They have adapted to conditions very well on different grounds and used the playing surface very well in putting together very good performances. Tonight's T20 will be the last chance for Proteas players with an outside chance of making the T20 world cup to show the selectors what they are capable of. Proteas will want to end this limited-overs leg of the UK tour on a winning note and will go all out looking to put in another clinical performance. Ireland will be looking to finally get a win against a top nation as they have come close on numerous occasions this UK summer but have fallen short. Ireland will want to put in a much better performance as a batting unit and look to make sure everyone contributes and not just get starts and throw away their wickets.  This match is taking place at Bristol again so both teams will look to take a...

Proteas vs Ireland 1st T20 preview

Proteas take on Ireland in a two-match T20 series. The first match is tomorrow and the second on Friday.  The Proteas will continue to experiment will different combinations as they look at the different options available to them for the T20 world cup.  Rabada, who has picked up an ankle injury, will be rested for this series and be monitored by the medical team as they look to get him fit in time for the test series against England.  This short series will help Proteas assess their backup options further as the depth of the Proteas side continues to strengthen across all three formats. The Proteas will look to give more opportunities to players on the bench during these two matches as they continue their preparation for the T20 World Cup.  Proteas will be expected to win these 2 matches with ease as Ireland has been struggling a lot recently. They have put in some good performances but have been unable to put together a good enough performance to win any games. The ...