Cricket News - Cricket store - Cricketers Profile - shopping by star cricket

The Sri Lanka captain and his team failed to reach the last four of the inaugural edition of the tournament in South Africa in 2007 as Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s India went on to claim the title, which they are set to defend in England from June 5 to 21.

The growth of Twenty20 cricket, which has seen the advent of the Indian Premier League since the last contest, leads Jayawardene to believe the teams in England will be all the more competitive despite the conditions.

“We have learnt how to approach this game, so it will be much tougher this time,” said Jayawardene.

“Not every team knew how to approach the game in South Africa.

“But playing some Twenty20 cricket over the last two years has given us more experience. We have seen different tactics and how different people approach the game.

“Teams have scored 180 to 200 in a Twenty20 game, but it will not be easy in England as even 120 or 130 might be a winning total in those conditions.”

Far from agreeing with those who knock the newest innovation to the game, Jayawardene insists the format is benefiting world cricket.

“The batsmen need to be more innovative and bowlers have to find different options,” he added.

“I think the skill has improved after Twenty20 cricket. It is more aggressive. Big totals are being chased in one-dayers because batsmen have found different ways of scoring.

“It is a different challenge and cricketers like to challenge themselves differently.”

Jayawardene and his team are set to arrive in Karachi on Saturday, meanwhile, as they prepare for two Tests against Pakistan.

The first Test gets under way from February 21 with the second Test starting in Lahore from March 1.

The Karachi Test will be Pakistan’s first since December 2007 after heightened political tension prompted Australia and India to withdraw from their scheduled tours of the region.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Code of conduct, Pakistan Jayawardene, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Test Series, Twenty20

 Test series already having slipped out of Indias fingers ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday feels losing Sachin Tendulkar ahead of the one dayers against Sri Lanka could be crucial for the team. Losing Sachin Tendulkar at this point of time can be crucial. It is very difficult to fill the space when it comes to Sachin.

 He not only contributes with the bat and the ball his impact in the dressing room is great Dhoni told reporters on his arrival. Players look up to him and he always come up with brilliant suggestion and advices on the field as well. Talent wise and advice point of view it is very difficult to fill in his space he said. Tendulkar who jarred his left elbow while fielding in the third and final Test has been ruled out of the ODI series after he was prescribed three-week rest. Dhoni, however challenged his younger team members grab the opportunity to make a mark at this level.  At the same time cricket goes on. It is upto the guys who have been given a chance over here to perform and to prove that they are good enough for international cricket at times we have seen that when such a thing arises in the international scenario the youngsters come up they accept the responsibility and they take it as a challenge. Hopefully, it will be great to see someone who has just made his mark in the international level to really perform at the top he said. It is one of the toughest places to play cricket. It is not easy. You don’t really see loads of runs in the one-dayers because the wickets are quite slow. You have to work for your runs. It will be interesting.

Popularity: 10% [?]

News Dhoni, indian, sachin-tendulkar, sri-lanka, Test Series

Ahead of the 1^st Test against England at Lord’s starting on July 10 the South African team has two first class warm up games to get back in rhythm. This is welcome news for the visitors who could use the match practice to get into full flow as they have not played an international match for the last two months. Their 1^st warm-up game of the tour is currently being played against Somerset. After setting an imposing total of 515 for 3 declared in the first innings, in which all the Proteas batsmen except opener Neil McKenzie found form Somerset went in to bat and was bundled out for 249. Morne Morkel was the pick of the South African bowlers. Morkel is no novice to English conditions having played county cricket for Kent and Yorkshire before. But this was his first stint for the country in England and he picked up 3 wickets for 64 runs in his 13 overs. Bowling well within himself, Morkel surprised the Somerset batsmen with some unusual bounce on what was considered a flat and lifeless pitch. On the first day of the match Andy Caddick captain of the Somerset team commented that the wicket was too flat. But the South African bowlers who held back their full potential and were solely concentrating on hitting the right line and length seemed to make the best of a lifeless pitch. Apart from Morkel’s 3 wicket haul Makhaya Ntini and Paul Harris picked up two wickets a-piece while Andre Nel picked up the sole wicket of Somerset opener Neil Edwards. Morkel seemed happy with his 3 wickets haul and admitted to playing around with his lengths a little more in this match, as it was his first international outing since his injury earlier this year and after two days of play South Africa looks in a commanding position with a 322-run lead over Somerset and the team is currently batting at 56 for 1. The touring Proteas will play another first class warm-up game against Middlesex on Friday before taking on the English at Lords on July 10 for the first Test. Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla.

Popularity: 10% [?]

News England, Morne Morkel, South African, Test Series