Cricket Australia seeks BCCI's clarification on Brisbane Test

Inside out | Mayank Agarwal’s technique is a mess, and so is Indian team management

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and by the looks of it, the sentence has come to bite the Indian opener Mayank Agarwal who has been shown the exit door before the third Test at the SCG. The development will surely come as a disappointing one for Agarwal, and rightly so, as he was touted as the number one opener for India in Tests before the tour of Australia started. Some experts went a step ahead and rated him as one of the few batsmen who tick all boxes to become an all-format opener for India. So what happened that left Agarwal on the edge before the MCG Test, and twin failures in the Test actually threw him off the clip before the SCG Test. Agarwal has undergone many transitions in his short international and long domestic career. He first burst onto the scenes with swashbuckling stroke playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, but he could never cement his position in the star-studded batting line up, but more due to his inability to convert explosive starts into substantive innings, and more often not than not was guilty of being over attacking. He was smart enough to understand his undoing, and he went old-school ways to conquer his frailties. He spent time with a personal coach to balance his mental game with stroke playing and paid special attention o not throwing his wicket away playing loose shots. The move paid dividends and Agarwal started rising through the ranks in the domestic circuit to stake a claim in the senior team. His batting temperament paved the way for his entry in the India A team where he kept on piling runs to bang the selection door down. Ironically, it was the same tour of Australia two years back when he was brought in as an emergency replacement after the first two Tests when the team management had enough of Murali Vijay and KL Rahul, and now he faces the axe after same two Tests on the tour of Australia. There are two aspects of Mayank Agarwal’s losing form in Tests and it includes the technical changes he brought in his game and how the team management handled his case. First thing first. On the technical aspect of his failures in the first two Tests, Agarwal has been found wanting on the balls that came back to him, and his lack of awareness about off stump while being worried about ball shaping back to him. In two of the four innings, he was been pinned in front of the stumps, and Cummins has gone through his gate once while Starc found him late on a ball that swung back considerably from the line outside the off stump. He also got a jaffa from Hazlewood on the third morning of the Adelaide Test, but he was caught back in the crease, and he clearly appeared late on the ball. Experts and close watchers of the game had pointed out his higher backlift, and wider stance as reasons behind him coming late towards the ball. A short analytical video on the host broadcaster of Cricket Australia- Channel 7 clearly emphasized the change Agarwal has brought in the game from his last series in Australia where he looked like the batsman who could do no wrong while in the four innings he batted on this tour, he has barely looked like the batsman he eas two years ago. For sure, Agarwal would have made the changes in his batting stance and backlift to bring power in his game to excel in the T20 format and specifically in the IPL. He had scored runs in the Test format, and as per the demands of the current era of cricket, he intended to own the T20 format as well. Notably, he had revealed his intentions of making a special effort to make the IPL 2020 count. One can’t blame Agarwal to be ambitious and trying to ace all formats, but his well-intended tactics to excel in the T20, has been the probable reason behind his downfall in the Tests. Now comes the point of how did the team management handle his case and was he taken care of in terms of giving proper backing and letting him know about the advantages and advantages of a changed batting stance. The management of the team is being done by professions and hence there should be no doubt about the latter, but questions must be raised on he has been handled by the team management in Australia. There are enough shreds of evidence available with respect to other players that establish the callousness of the team management in terms of managing players who start losing their shine after making a grand entry on the big stage. Prithvi Shaw was backed to come good against Pink ball in Adelaide but was dropped just after two failures against high-quality bowling. Yes, he was exposed by the quality of the Australian pacers, and should never have been picked, but the fact he got the backing to come good even with a loose technique in the first Test and then being given up just after one Test begs questions that if the team management is cutting down the length of ropes for players, especially the younger ones. Prithvi Shaw, Karun Nair and now Agarwal have faced this problem with the team management while on other hand the likes of KL Rahul has received a far linger rope from the team management and he was also included in the squad even without playing the domestic first-class cricket and earning his place back. Shaw was replaced by Shubman Gill, who by all means looked more assured in his footwork and looked solid in defence but so was Agarwal on the last tour. What if Shubman Gill loses his patience and keeps edging the ball to slip cordon while attempting to drive without moving his front foot like the way he got out in the first innings at the MCG after a good start. If the yardsticks that were followed to drop Agarwal and Shaw would be followed, Gill too will face the axe after few failures and it will leave the team management with a Frankenstein monster with too many contenders for the opener slot but not enough batsmen in a right frame of mind to bat freely and without the feeling of a cut-throat competition where one edge to slip will work as a sword a career built on the back of years of hard work in domestic cricket. What has happened with Agarwal was an inevitable event with Rohit Sharma returning to the team, but the team management needs to remind itself the story of Murali Vijay that how the policy of horse for courses and continuous chopping and changing ruined his game that once an opener who could leave the balls outside off stump for days kept on edging the ball to slip cordon in pursuit of driving balls so far away from his reach, in real uncharacteristic fashion showing nothing but mental brittleness.

Unstoppable Jamieson gives New Zealand clean sweep over Pakistan and no. 1 rank

New Zealand achieved a perfect ending to their Test home summer by bowling out Pakistan for just 186 and consigning them to an innings and 176-run defeat. The day was always expected to be a tough one for the visitors as Kyle Jamieson had looked threatening on day 3 itself and the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult were expected to have an impact at some stage. The first wicket, as expected, was of the night-watchman Mohammad Abbas who nicked one from Boult to wicketkeeper BJ Watling. Surprisingly, Abbas decided to review, only to find out that he indeed got an edge. Then came the most promising partnership of the day, between Abid Ali, the overnight batsman and Azhar Ali. The two played some delightful shots and resisted the Kiwi attack for 86 balls, scoring 29 runs together. But a magnificent one-handed catch from substitute Will Young ended that partnership. Young dived to his right and took a slightly aerial square drive by Abid with his right hand, giving Jamieson his second. He also dismissed Haris Sohail later and Pakistan were 4-down for just 79. However, Azhar Ali was playing really well and Pakistan’s hopes rested on him. Unfortunately, New Zealand, especially Jamieson, adopted a new strategy against him. The tall left-armer came round the wicket and started bowling at Azhar’s ribs. Eventually, the tactic worked as the former Pakistan captain moved towards the off side and fended a ball into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. With Azhar gone, Pakistan were pretty much done and dusted. Captain Mohammad Rizwan received a peach of a delivery as Jamieson got one ball to swing into the right-hander a long way and go through his defences to shatter the stumps. Jamieson eventually ended with 6/48 which, along with 5/69 in his first innings, gave him his first 10-wicket haul in a match. Some late fireworks were provided by Zafar Gohar but they were only dying flickers of a doomed flame. The match ended with him getting out for 37 as New Zealand achieved the top spot in ICC rankings, for the first time in their history. This also meant that they won all their home matches this season. Skipper Kane Williamson won the Man of the Series Award while Jamieson took home the Man of the Match trophy.

Match Report: Rising Scorchers burn Sixers in Perth's furnace

Perth Scorchers have definitely turned a corner in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League (BBL), winning their third match in a row, by beating Sydney Sixers, who are at the top of the table, by a big margin – 87 runs. The domination of Scorchers, playing on their home surface, can be gauged by the fact that they bowled out the Sixers for just 97. Andrew Tye bowled magnificently to pick up four wickets while Jhye Richardson took three. It were the Sixers that won the toss and decided to put the Scorchers in. The opening pair of Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone didn’t fire as expected. Livingstone was out in the fourth over while Roy took his time today. Colin Munro, batting at no. 3, though, was in full flow and batted in an attacking manner. Still, the run rate after the first 10 overs was just over 71. After the drinks break, Roy and Munro decided to speed up but both got out in the process. Munro scored a half century, 50 off 34, while Roy, surprisingly, took 31 balls for 27. At 99/3 in 14 overs, the situation looked a bit worrying for the home side. But then, local boy Mitchell Marsh stepped up to the challenge. His big hits provided just the impetus needed in the power surge, taken in the 15-17 overs. Overall, 30 runs were scored in these two overs. Marsh kept going and the bowlers were either missing the yorker length or pitching short without getting the extra bounce expected on the Perth pitch. Marsh ended up with 57 off just 27 balls, taking his team to a very impressive score of 183/4. In reply, the Sixers were never in the game. Early wickets prevented any momentum and they never regained it. Both Richardson and Andrew Tye were in great form. Tye, especially, was bowling with venom, getting good bounce of the wicket. Same was the case with Richardson. Mitchell Marsh also bowled well. He did get a little away swing but mixed it up with good bouncers. Even Fawad Ahmed, who has been underwhelming this season, bowled nicely today, flighting his deliveries nicely and bowling good googlies also. The first two wickets fell for the Sixers inside three overs, Josh Phillippe and James Vince, being dismissed by Jason Behrendorff and Richardson respectively. A partnership of sorts developed between Jack Edwards and Daniel Hughes but was broken by Tye when a shortish delivery was cut to the point fielder by Hughes. Then, wickets came like a torrent. Jordan Silk and Daniel Christian were both dismissed for a duck. Steve O’Keefe tried to fight back but was done in by a tremendous yorker by Tye. The collapse was unabated. Only Edwards offered some resistance, scoring 44. Eventually, the visitors were dismissed for 97 with Tye having figures of 4/20 and Richardson finishing with 3/15. Fawad’s figures of 1/17 in three overs are also very encouraging.

BBL10 Match Preview: Heat look to continue momentum against rhythm-searching Stars

Two teams that have found momentum late in the 10th edition of the BBL are Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers. While one of it continued by beating the table-toppers Sydney Sixers in their last game, the Chris Lynn led side too would be looking to take it forward when they faced Glenn Maxwell led Melbourne Stars at the Carrara Oval. Stars though on the other hand have found a little bit of a rhythm winning against Hurricanes, having lost three games in a row. Few things went right for them in that game which included the form of their star campaigners Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa along with Hilton Cartwright and the two blinders from the Specimen Andre Fletcher. The Joe Factor In their last game, it was Joe Burns, who joined the Heat team after getting released from the Australian Test squad due to poor form. The opener struggled in the game against the Sixers, however, he kind of found his ‘hands’ against the Thunder and the Heat unit would hope that the form continues. Along with him is the overseas signing Joe Denly who has been terrific in the two games that he has played so far, scoring a fifty in the last game. The two Joes would give enough confidence to skipper Lynn along with late order hitters in Lewis Gregory and Jimmy Pierson. With Mark Steketee and Mujeeb in the kind of form that they are, it shouldn’t really be a matter for the Heat to give the toughest of the fights to the Stars. Stoinis could be the shining 'Star' Stars are looking to find momentum and one win in the kitty would have done a tremendous amount of good for the team, especially in the way that victory came about. The usual suspects Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran did not fire and it was Stoinis and Cartwright that came to the rescue. Similarly in the bowling, even after being without Nathan Coulter-Nile, an unknown gun in Sam Rainbird delivered. It is these performances that would lift the spirits of the team. Among them, Stoinis finding form and hitting a brilliant 97 not out has been the biggest plays and the Stars team would like him to continue with this form and also contribute with a few overs in bowling to take the team balance a notch above. Heat vs Stars: Match Details Match Number- 32 Date and Time: 07th January 2021, 08.20 pm local, 03.50 pm IST, 10.20 am GMT Venue: Carrara Oval, Brisbane Broadcast: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The pitch at Carrara Oval has been generally good in this BBL season offering good pace and bounce. Good pace and bounce in Australia are actually batting friendly. However, that doesn't mean flat deck either as bowlers, if they try, can get purchase off the surface if they hit the right lengths. It is expected to behave the same in this game as well. Weather and Bat Flip The weather has been really put off in matches at the Carrara oval with rain intervals halting games. For this match, the forecast is that rain would disturb the proceedings this time as well. With 55% chances of rain in the night and 78% cloud cover, captains could do nothing but win the toss and field first. Heat Strongest XI Chris Lynn, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Joe Denly, Jack Wildermuth, Jimmy Peirson (c & wk), Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Stars Strongest XI Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Nicholas Pooran, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell (c), Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Sam Rainbird, Billy Stanlake