All posts by n8rngtd.top

Teenager Kamlesh Nagarkoti took home half a million, while the experienced Parthiv Patel and Ishant Sharma were passed over

ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jan-20181:08

How the bids unfolded for Ben Stokes

Chris Gayle and Lasith Malinga, arguably the highest-profile overseas batsman and bowler in seasons past, went unsold on day one of the IPL 2018 auction in Bengaluru. Gayle had set his base price at INR 2 crore (USD 312,500 approx) and Malinga at INR 1 crore (USD 156,000 approx), numbers that were breached several times in the sale of other players during the day. (Gayle was eventually bought on day two of the auction, though.)England captain Joe Root, who has never been part of the IPL previously, also went unsold – there had been questions asked ahead of the auction on whether the England players would be bought at the auction, given their availability issues. Unsold players could be called back into the auction on day two, if requested by any franchise.Another England player had no problems going for big bucks, though. Allrounder Ben Stokes was the biggest buy in the first round of bidding, going from a base price of INR 2 crore to INR 12.5 crore (USD 1.95m approx) to Rajasthan Royals – back from their two-year suspension for their role in the spot-fixing scandal of 2013. Questions remain over whether he will play in the IPL at all, though, as he faces charges of affray – if he is ruled out before the tournament begins, the IPL will allow Royals a replacement player.Jofra Archer, the man from Barbados who is waiting to become eligible to play for England, attracted as much attention at the auction as he is doing on the field at the Big Bash League. Delhi Daredevils, Chennai Super Kings – also back from their suspension – Kings XI Punjab, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royals all bid for him, meaning his base price of INR 40 lakh ballooned 18 times to INR 7.2 crore (USD 1.13m approx) before he was secured by Royals. Archer has been “in the spotlight for his fiery pace and dead-eye fielding for Hobart Hurricanes down under.

Teenaged speedster Kamlesh Nagarkoti gets half a million

Kamlesh Nagarkoti, who turned 18 last month, was part of a bidding war that raised his price 16 times from INR 20 lakh to INR 3.2 crore (USD 500,000 approx). KKR made the winning bid. At the ongoing Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, Nagarkoti was clocked at 149 kph in an Indian win over Australia.
Another 18-year-old, batsman Shubman Gill, who is also at the World Cup, was picked up by KKR for INR 1.8 crore (USD 281,000 approx) – close to ten times his base price of INR 20 lakh. At the time of the bidding, Gill’s youth ODI average stood at 101.60, with 1016 runs from 14 games. In three innings so far at the World Cup, he has scores of 63, 90 not out and 86.
India’s captain at the World Cup, Prithvi Shaw, was also bought, by Daredevils for INR 1.2 crore (USD 187,000 approx).
Ishan Kishan, India’s captain at the previous edition of the U-19 World Cup, fetched a price just shy of a million – INR 6.2 crore, from Mumbai.

India opener Shikhar Dhawan was the first player bought at the auction, by Sunrisers, his old franchise using a RTM to snap him up after extensive bidding. He was sold for INR 5.2 crore (USD 812,500 approx) after Kings XI Punjab offered the first bid of the morning with INR 2 crore. That set the tone for a frenetic day of bidding from Kings XI, whom bid more than any other franchise as well as missed on more players than any other franchise due to the others’ RTMs. At one point during the day, Kings XI made the winning bid five times in a row.Offspinner R Ashwin became the day’s first million-dollar player, going for INR 7.6 crore (USD 1.1875 million approx) to Kings XI – Super Kings could not use a RTM on him given they had already retained three capped India players in MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Ravindra Jadeja before the auction.In all 16 RTMs were used on the day*, none more emphatically so than the one Mumbai used on left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Krunal Pandya. As expected, there was fierce and prolonged bidding for him, bumping up his base price a mind-boggling 22 times from INR 40 lakh to INR 8.8 crore. That winning bid was made by Royal Challengers Bangalore, but thwarted by Mumbai and their RTM. That meant Mumbai paid more for Krunal than they did for the third of their retained players, Jasprit Bumrah, whom they had kept on their roster for INR 7 crore before the auction.3:14

KKR buy Chris Lynn once again, this time for $1.5m

For the first time in 11 seasons of the IPL, offspinner Harbhajan Singh will not be turning out for Mumbai; he went to CSK at his base price of INR 2 crore (USD 312,000 approx).It was believed Daredevils and Kings XI would bid for Gautam Gambhir, in order to give themselves a solid captaincy option, and so it was. The two faced off before Daredevils picked him up for INR 2.8 crore (USD 437,000 approx).KL Rahul became the most expensive India player of the day, going for INR 11 crore (USD 1.7m approx) to – yet again – Kings XI. His opening partner in Tests, M Vijay, did not get any bid at all.Rahul was soon joined by his Karnataka team-mate Manish Pandey at the top of the Indian podium; Pandey became the joint-most-expensive Indian player as his base price of INR 1 crore swelled more than ten times, bought by Sunrisers for INR 11 crore (USD 1.7m approx).The afternoon session began with a big surprise, with India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel going unsold. Sanju Samson was a surprise topper in the wicketkeepers bracket – and the fourth-most-expensive India player overall behind Rahul, Pandey and Krunal – going to Royals for INR 8 crore (USD 1.25m approx). RCB snapped up South Africa’s Quinton de Kock for a relative steal: INR 2.8 crore (USD 437,000 approx).Malinga aside, there were several high-profile fast bowlers who went unsold in the afternoon: Ishant Sharma, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell McClenaghan, Josh Hazlewood and Tim Southee.The No. 1 ranked Twenty20 bowler in the world, New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi, went unsold. Afghanistan legspinner Rashid Khan more than doubled his 2017 price of INR 4 crore, getting offered INR 9 crore (USD 1.4m approx) from Kings XI only to be snapped up on a RTM by Sunrisers.As expected, RCB used a RTM on legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal – the league’s top-performing spinner in 2016 – taking him off Daredevils for INR 6 crore (USD 937,000 approx).None of the eight players CSK bought on the day were below 30 years old.*

A round-up of news from the Pakistan Super League

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2018Watson yet to make Pakistan decision
Quetta Gladiators allrounder Shane Watson hasn’t yet decided whether he will travel to Pakistan for the playoffs of the PSL. As of March 8, Watson is the leading run-getter this season, and Gladiators are second in a tight five-way race for a spot in the final four.”We still have a few more games to go, so there is some more cricket to be played before we get to Pakistan,” Watson told Sky Sports. “At this point in time, I am still undecided. Obviously, the decision point will come in a couple of weeks and that decision isn’t so much my own as it is my family’s – who are the most important part of my life.”Two playoff matches are scheduled in Lahore on March 20 and 21, with the PSL final in Karachi on the 25.

Red-hot Ronchi

After two ducks and a 3 in his first four PSL innings, Luke Ronchi may have worried about his place in the Islamabad United XI. He needn’t now, after slamming two of the fastest fifties in the PSL, both powering successful United chases and giving him two Man-of-the-Match awards.”Just carried on from the previous game,” he said after his 41-ball 77 against Lahore Qalandars on Thursday. “We weren’t trying to do anything different or make things up, just ‘see ball, hit ball’ and it worked out quite well.”I’m just trying to have a clear mind. If I get muddled up or have negative thoughts in my mind, my performances aren’t as good as they should be.”

Malik’s triple hundred
Shoaib Malik, the Multan Sultans captain, has become the first Pakistan cricketer to play 300 T20 matches. He reached the milestone at the PSL game against Quetta Gladiators on Wednesday, where he made an unbeaten 65 off 43 balls.Malik made his T20 debut back in 2005, and captained Pakistan in the maiden World T20 in 2007. Besides the PSL, he regularly plays in the Bangladesh Premier League and the Caribbean Premier League. The most experienced T20 player in the world is Malik’s Sultans team-mate, Kieron Pollard, with 410 matches as of March 8.

The 42-year old worked with his former national team-mate Daniel Vettori at Brisbane Heat and has also held roles with reigning IPL champions Mumbai Indians and the England Ashes side

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Mar-2018Former New Zealand quick Shane Bond has quit Brisbane Heat to take up the role of head coach with Sydney Thunder on a three-year contract. He has taken over the role from Paddy Upton, who ended his association with the team last month after four seasons.Bond, who worked with his former national team-mate Daniel Vettori at Heat, has held roles with reigning IPL champions Mumbai Indians since 2015. He was also England’s bowling consultant during the most recent Ashes series.”The chance to lead a programme at a club which is full of great people on and off the field was very appealing,” Bond said. “I want to win trophies and have a squad of players and coaches that other teams are envious of. There’s some exciting young players in the Thunder squad as well as some experienced old bulls, if we can blend that together we’ll have a successful team. I’m looking forward to getting to Western Sydney and meeting the players and everyone in the organisation.”The 42-year old represented New Zealand in 18 Tests, 82 ODIs and 20 T20Is before retiring in 2010.”It’ll be sad to say goodbye to the Brisbane Heat, they’re a great franchise who have been very good to me,” he said.”I’ve been a bowling and assistant coach for eight years, but you’re always thinking about how you’d do things yourself if you were leading a side. I love to coach, not just manage people and I enjoy making players better cricketers. The supporters are very passionate in Sydney and hopefully we can play some good cricket for them to get behind.”Thunder general manager Lee Germon said Bond was equipped to coach at the highest level.”Shane is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading bowling coaches and I have no doubt he is ready and equipped to be a head coach,” Germon said. “He has extensive T20 club and international experience and he has shown all the requirements for contemporary, world-leading, T20 coaching.”Thunder finished sixth in the recently-concluded season with four wins from ten games.

Franchise redeploys him as High Performance Coach after two trophy-less seasons; Enoch Nkwe, the current national women’s team assistant coach, believed to be in the running to take over

Firdose Moonda31-Mar-2018Geoffrey Toyana has been removed as Lions head coach and redeployed as High Performance Coach after two tough seasons in which the franchise won no silverware. Toyana, who was heavily touted to take over from Russell Domingo as national head coach earlier this summer, won four trophies in his first three seasons in charge, but the closet has been barren since, as Lions have faced immense pressure on and off the field.Their squad was torn apart by a match-fixing scandal in the 2015-16 summer, when seven players were found guilty of conspiring to fix matches in the domestic twenty-over competition. Five of those players – Alviro Petersen, Thami Tsolekile, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Jean Symes and Pumi Matshikwe – were Lions players. In addition to that, several international players, including Chris Morris, Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma moved to other franchises, making it difficult for the Lions to rebuild.The Lions finished last in the first-class competition and second-last in the one-day and T20 tournaments, failing to reach the semi-finals in both. Last summer, they were second-last in the first-class and List A competitions, and third in the T20 tournament. They last won a trophy in the 2015-16 summer, but Toyana has overseen several players’ pathway to national colours.Under his watch, de Kock, Morris, Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Stephen Cook, Aaron Phangiso, Dwaine Pretorius, Wiaan Mulder, Mangaliso Mosehle and Hardus Viljoen earned South African caps, which speaks of Toyana’s ability to see and nurture talent. For that reason, he will be retained at the Lions in a different capacity.”Whilst results have not been favourable in the past season, we remain confident as a board that this franchise is capable of becoming the stronghold in domestic cricket, given the players we have produced and considering the feeder system in Gauteng Cricket Board and North West Cricket. It is in this light that we have reached an agreement to use Geoffrey’s expertise in another area under the Lions Cricket umbrella,” Dr Monyane Nkagisang, chairman of Lions cricket, said.ESPNcricinfo understands that Toyana had applied for the position of head coach at the Warriors, but lost out to current stand-in coach Rivash Gobind, who took the Warriors to the final of the one-day and T20 tournaments. Toyana also missed out on being appointed Ottis Gibson’s assistant, after the job was given to Malibongwe Maketa, who was at the Warriors.This is the second time a South African franchise coach has been appointed in an umbrella role after underperformance. In late 2016, Paul Adams, who was Cobras coach, faced a player mutiny after complaints over his coaching style, and was made high performance manager. He was replaced by Ashwell Prince.The Lions have yet to advertise for a new head coach, but will do so in due course. Enoch Nkwe, a former Lions player who is currently the national women’s team assistant coach, is believed to be in the running.

Ireland achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the first team to have the opening day of their maiden Test washed out

The Report by Alan Gardner11-May-2018The first day in Test cricket for Ireland’s men fell foul of some thoroughly Irish weather as play at Malahide was abandoned without a single ball being bowled. After several inspections, umpires Nigel Llong and Richard Illingworth eventually called things off shortly after 3pm: Ireland thus achieved the dubious distinction of becoming the first team to have the opening day of their maiden Test washed out.The anticipation in north Dublin quickly gave way to the realities of the game in this part of the world in May, with rain throughout the day meaning the covers barely had a chance to be removed. A poor forecast was fully realised – hail fell at one point – but blue skies reappeared later in the afternoon and the outlook is better from day two onwards.It is understood that Cricket Ireland have spent Euro 1m to stage the country’s first men’s Test. Ticket-holders were due to receive a 100% refund – around 5000 of the 6300 capacity had been pre-sold – and, alongside the hit to food and drink sales, the washout is likely to come at a significant financial cost for Ireland, even accounting for insurance payouts.The miserable conditions did not allow time for a toss, with those in the ground retreating to covered marquees for an early opportunity to sample the Guinness while the players were left to kick their heels, some venturing out to speak to the fans. The abandonment meant Pakistan have now lost three full days out of nine to bad weather since arriving in England for the start of their tour (play was only possible on two days of their warm-up match in Canterbury).As puddles formed on the outfield, it became clear that Ireland’s big moment would be delayed and, after the issues with drainage that ruined an ODI against West Indies in Belfast last summer, they will be praying the rain does not upstage them any further over the coming days.

Andrew Hodd needed successive sixes off the last two balls to thwart Worcestershire: he could only manage one

ECB Reporters Network23-May-2018
ScorecardJoe Clarke, Travis Head, Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox hit half-centuries in Worcestershire’s imposing 350 for six before the Rapids held their nerve with the ball to beat Yorkshire in a thriller by four runs at Emerald Headingley and continue their winning start in the Royal London one-day Cup.Yorkshire wicketkeeper Andrew Hodd hit a six over long-on off the penultimate ball, from Charlie Morris, but needing a repeat from the final ball to rescue an unexpected victory aimed in the same direction and managed only a single.Clarke and Head, the latter who was Yorkshire’s overseas in 2016, laid the platform with 61 off 64 balls and 77 off 94. Whiteley, who hit six sixes in an over during last year’s T20 Blast fixture here, and wicketkeeper Cox then put the Vikings under late pressure with 66 not out off 41 balls and 50 off 33.They brilliantly scored the lion’s share of 122 off the last 10 overs before Yorkshire started their chase strongly through ex-Pear Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Indian centurion Cheteshwar Pujara, who made 101 off 94 balls.They took the score to 173 for one in the 30th over before sliding following the departure of opener Kohler-Cadmore for 89.From there, Yorkshire battled hard and even took the target to six off the last ball with one wicket in hand (Andrew Hodd on strike) having been 253 for five after 42 overs. But they finished on 346 for nine.Yorkshire conceded their second highest total in List A cricket, while Adil Rashid’s two for 86 from 10 overs was his most expensive career return.The Rapids, last season’s semi-finalists, backed up Saturday’s home win over Derbyshire. Yorkshire, meanwhile, have now won one and lost two.After being inserted under overcast skies, the visitors had to navigate some early assistance for the seamers, with Daryl Mitchell trapped lbw by Ben Coad – 14 for one.Clarke and Australian Head then shared 108 in 17 overs for the second wicket before the innings slowed up somewhat as they fell to 220 for five in the 39th, losing Clarke run out backing up and Head superbly caught and bowled by Rashid.But Whiteley strengthened an excellent recent limited overs record against Yorkshire with some blistering hitting, while Cox was equally dynamic.The runs then continued to flow at the start of the Yorkshire reply.Openers Kohler-Cadmore and Adam Lyth shared 72 inside 12 overs before Pujara joined the former to share 101 in 18 overs for the second wicket.While Kohler-Cadmore added to last Friday’s 164 in beating Durham, Pujara passed 50 for the third successive innings.But the chase faltered in the 30th over when leg-spinning all-rounder Brett D’Oliveira returned and had Kohler-Cadmore caught at long-on and pinch-hitter James Wainman caught behind in three balls.Yorkshire quickly slipped from 173 for one and reached 40 overs at 240 for four.Pujara reached his hundred shortly afterwards, but it was all but game up when he found deep mid-wicket off Ed Barnard’s seamers.Some exhilarating lower order hitting raised home hopes again, but it was to no avail as 16 off the last, and then six off the last ball, with one wicket left was a step too far.

England opener makes first hundred of the summer while Nick Gubbins gives selectors a nudge with 73

George Dobell at New Road16-Jul-2018England Lions 310 for 2 (Cook 154*, Gubbins 73, Malan 59*) v India A

ScorecardAlastair Cook warmed up for the Test series against India with a first century of the season at New Road.In a storyline that could have been written at almost any time over the last six years, Cook took his chance while other top-order contenders were not quite fully able to do so.On the sort of benign pitch that could convince bowlers they should give it all up and retrain as a plumber, Cook – playing his first innings for almost three weeks – showed the temperament and technique to suggest his game is in decent order going into the Test series. With Essex not playing in the next round of Championship matches – they have a game against India instead – it is quite possible this will be Cook’s only match before that series. It was also only his second match for England Lions (or the equivalent) since 2006; he played one in 2010.It has recently been suggested that Cook lacks the hunger to sustain an international career that is now almost a dozen years old. But here, despite the subdued atmosphere – there were a few hundred spectators in the ground – he showed enough desire to bat all day against a decent India A attack and record his first century since the double made in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. It was a chanceless affair studded with the strokes – the cuts, the clips and the odd drive – which are so familiar.”I spoke to Ed Smith [the National Selector] about playing in this game because we haven’t much red-ball cricket at Essex,” Cook said. “England would probably rather use these games to have a look at someone younger but I felt I needed the opportunity to play a bit of red-ball cricket so it worked really well.”It is sometimes best when you are refreshed. Sometimes you play a lot and you can get into bad habits.”In partnership with Nick Gubbins, Cook added 155 for the second wicket in 45 overs. While there was just a little help for the spinners – this is a dry surface and was used for the T20 match here on Sunday – the pair kept the scoreboard ticking over with Gubbins sweeping and Cook cutting regularly. Both also skipped down the pitch to loft over the top on occasions.But Gubbins, having endured one or two uncomfortable moments against the offspin of Jayant Yadav, failed to capitalise on the foundations he had built and edged to slip after he was drawn into what he later termed a “flashy drive”.A century here could have proved persuasive. Both Smith and James Taylor – two-thirds of the England selection panel – were here to watch and they could, perhaps, have been convinced to pick Gubbins in the Test squad to play India. While Keaton Jennings’ position at the top of the order is assured, it was possible that a strong showing here could convince the selectors to pick a third opener – either Gubbins or Rory Burns – at No. 3, move Joe Root back to No. 4 and drop Dawid Malan.That scenario looks less likely now. With Burns falling early – he, too, was drawn into a somewhat loose drive – and Malan making a patient half-century (it took him 118 balls to reach the milestone), it would be a surprise if there were any changes to England’s top-order at Edgbaston. “It was an annoying way to get out,” Gubbins admitted afterwards. But his time may well come: this was his first first-class innings for more than two months and while he didn’t exactly seize the day, he didn’t do himself any harm, either.He could, at least, learn from the masterclass provided at the other end. And he may reflect that the key difference between his innings and Cook’s, was that Cook was at no stage drawn into a loose drive. “He just keeps it very simple,” Gubbins said. “He does everything repetitively in a chanceless way and he has his scoring areas. And everyone knows about his powers of concentration.”Malan seemed more determined to take this opportunity. The fact that he is playing in this match – rather than having been called up to the ODI squad – suggests the selectors were keen to take another look at him before committing to his place in the Test squad. So it was probably understandable he took a largely risk-free approach to his innings.Some context is required. The attack, while respectable, largely lacked the weapons to make inroads on such a surface – at this stage of the match, at least – with hardly a delivery bouncing to shoulder height all day. The Lions bowlers may well also be in for some hard work in the coming days.Navdeep Saini might warrant some consideration in a selection meeting ahead of the announcement of India’s Test squad (an announcement that may well be made on Wednesday), while and Ankit Rajpoot have the build and pace to suggest they could be a handful on a more helpful surface. Yadav, too, is a fine bowler, but Cook will know life is going to get much tougher later in the summer.

The position has not been filled since 2017 when Giles Clarke, who held the role for two years, resigned

George Dobell29-Aug-2018The ECB is looking to improve its public image by reintroducing the role of president.The position was originally introduced in 2015 as an apparent attempt to accommodate Giles Clarke, who was in something of a power struggle for the position of chairman with Colin Graves, but is being reimagined in a far more ambassadorial fashion.The ideal candidate will, an ECB document states, have strong skills in “diplomacy” and “speaking in public” but will not be an official member of the board. Instead they will represent the ECB at selected matches and events but will have “no vote or other say within the decision-making structures of the ECB.”A document shared with the county boards also states the president “will not be permitted to talk to the media without express permission of the ECB Board” and “must avoid making any public or private comments or conducting himself/herself in a manner which would conflict with the policy of the ECB Board, would otherwise be regarded as controversial or which may bring or does bring the ECB into disrepute.”The role, described as “of ceremonial nature”, will take pressure off the ECB’s chief executive, Tom Harrison, who does not always look comfortable in the spotlight, and Graves, who has had a gaffe-laden reign as chairman. Nominations for the position have been invited from various “stakeholders” (members of the ECB board can also nominate candidates) and will be assessed by the ECB’s nominations committee who will, in turn, make a recommendation to the board. The candidate will then require the approval of at least 21 of the 41 ECB members.The term of office is a maximum of three years, though the board “may terminate the appointment at any time” and the incumbent will be expected to “liaise with the Chairman and/or CEO to agree what ambassadorial and ceremonial activity he/she undertakes.” The role is unpaid, though expenses will be reimbursed.Clarke, who remained a member of the ECB board while president, resigned in November 2017. The role has not been filled since.

Three wickets for Rashid Khan left Sussex needing to beat Middlesex at Hove on Friday night to reach the last eight

Matt Roller16-Aug-2018
ScorecardSussex’s quarter-final hopes were hanging by a thread going into this week. But after tonight’s four-wicket win against high-flying Gloucestershire, a win against the South Group’s whipping boys Middlesex tomorrow night will see them through to the knockout stages for the first time since 2015.Tipped by many as pre-tournament favourites, and boasting a star-studded bowling attack, their season has been blighted by four washouts and a misfiring middle order, and they realistically needed three wins from their last three games to reach the next round.But two impressive victories in three nights has left them with a simple task: beat Middlesex, and they are through. Gloucestershire’s hopes of a home quarter-final are now slim, but Surrey and Glamorgan were the big losers from tonight’s game; the pair meet tomorrow night in a must-win for both, but both sides will have to rely on other results to sneak through.But they will have to cope without their inspirational legspinner Rashid Khan. He will miss the Middlesex match, having been instructed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board to travel to Ireland on Friday ahead of a T20 series which starts on Monday.Sussex’s victory at Bristol saw their attack come to the fore again. Rashid, with three wickets, was predictably the standout, but no bowler went at more than nine-an-over, and stand-in skipper Danny Briggs shuffled his pack brilliantly throughout.Chasing a gettable 160, they got off to a flying start courtesy of Phil Salt’s top-order pyrotechnics.

Talking T20 podcast

Dan Norcross is joined by editor of Wisden Cricket Monthly, Phil Walker, to discuss the latest Blast happenings, including Durham’s rise from the ashes and the golden touch of Kieran Noema-Barnett
ESPN Radio: Listen here

One of the few Sussex batsmen whose reputation could be said to have improved over the course of this tournament, Salt peppered the short straight boundaries with a series of powerplay boundaries both down the ground and over fine leg and third man. When he was out for an enterprising 60 at the end of the ninth over, the required rate was just 6.8.The chase would not prove as straightforward as it might have been. Left-arm wrist-spin has not dominated the English summer in the way some thought it might after Kuldeep Yadav’s remarkable start to the white-ball leg of India’s tour, but it had a part to play here.While Kuldeep was taking 6 for 25 in the Trent Bridge ODI, Jake Lintott bowled 18 wicketless overs for Gloucestershire’s Seconds in a three-day friendly at Rockhampton. But on first-team debut here, he bamboozled Sussex’s top order, removing Laurie Evans and Delray Rawlins with the fifth and sixth balls of his first over to change the complexion of the run chase.Lintott is something of a journeyman for a man playing only his second professional game: he has had spells playing minor counties cricket, and turned out for a spate of county second teams. At 25, he will hope that showings like this can secure him a run in the first team and help him tie down a contract.”I only knew I was playing about an hour and a half before the game,” he said. “Tom Smith was not available so I got the call to take his place. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous when the skipper tossed me the ball and I just tried to get it to the other end as fast as possible.”I have played against Delray Rawlins a number of times and he usually hits me all over the park so it was good to bowl only one ball at him tonight.”David Wiese – picked ahead of Tom Bruce, the New Zealand international who has struggled to find any kind of form – came in and struck the ball cleanly from the outset. With Harry Finch holding up an end and rotating the strike, Wiese clubbed Lintott for two boundaries in succession, and when he repeated that trick in the 16th over, it looked like the game was won.It wasn’t; not quite. Looking for a third blow to the rope, Wiese heaved Benny Howell down the ground, but only as far as Jack Taylor at long-on. The batsmen had crossed, before Finch edged behind to Howell’s next ball. Again, the run chase looked to have lost impetus.But Jofra Archer calmed the jangling nerves in the Sussex dressing room with a pair of boundaries, and, even after he had strangled David Payne down the legside, the win was sealed with an over to spare.In truth, Gloucestershire always looked 15 runs short of a par score. Their 159 for 9 was the lowest total batting first at this ground this season, held together only by Michael Klinger’s restrained 59.After Miles Hammond’s initial flourish, no batsman ever looked set, and the boundaries dried up – there were only two between the end of the Powerplay and the start of the 14th over.Rashid Khan bowled with the unnerving accuracy and skill that it is easy to take for granted, and ended with 3-24 from his set of four. He now has 17 wickets in the tournament, an economy rate of 6.59, and is surely the world’s premier T20 spinner; if Sussex do make the quarters, he will be sorely missed while on international duty.Crucially, none of Gloucestershire’s engine room of Howell, Noema-Barnett, Higgins and Taylor got a score of note; their fast-scoring cameos have been a vital part of the side’s batting this season, but all struggled to find the ropes. Even Klinger, usually so fluent, failed to find his normal rhythm, and the game was always Sussex’s to lose.

Craig Miles is heading for Warwickshire but he is saying goodbye to his Gloucestershire team mates with a winning celebration

ECB Reporters Network26-Sep-2018
ScorecardCraig Miles signed off his Gloucestershire career by hitting the winning runs to secure a two-wicket victory on a pulsating third and final day of the Division Two match against Derbyshire at Derby.Miles, who is joining Warwickshire next season, danced down the pitch to strike the winning boundary as Gloucestershire survived a late collapse to reach their target of 179.Benny Howell looked to have won the game with 58 but four wickets went down for 20 runs before Miles settled the contest with boundaries off leg-spinner Matt Critchley.Derbyshire looked slight favourites at the start of another glorious early autumn morning but nightwatchman George Drissell set the tone for a determined batting display by surviving the first 10 overs.Drissell showed good judgement and temperament until he drove loosely at Tony Palladino and was lbw for 16 but the quick wickets Derbyshire needed would not come.The pitch appeared to have eased but Howell batted confidently from the start although Palladino should have removed Miles Hammond when the opener pulled him to midwicket where Lockie Ferguson spilled the chance.Hammond only made another four runs but crucially, it was eight more overs before Derbyshire removed him and by then, Howell was set and finding the gaps.He drove Palladino through the covers for four and on drove the seamer for another boundary and the target was below 100 when Hammond edged a drive at Hardus Viljoen to first slip.Gloucestershire needed only 64 at lunch and Howell started the afternoon session by twice driving Palladino straight to the boundary to reach 50 from 49 balls.Derbyshire finally turned to the leg-spin of Critchley and he made the breakthrough in his second over when Howell wedged a drive to point where Alex Hughes held a sprawling catch.Ben Charlesworth lofted Critchley over mid on for four but was lbw playing back to a leg break and Gloucestershire’s nerves were rattling when Ryan Higgins top-edged a pull at Lockie Ferguson and was caught and bowled.Jack Taylor clipped Ferguson to the midwicket boundary and steered him to third man for four but was brilliantly caught at cover by Billy Godleman with 10 needed.But Miles fittingly had the last word, pulling Critchley to fine leg for four before driving him back over head to complete a thrilling victory.