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It’s been a dozen years since his debut, but the Australia captain admits he’s still coming to grips with the format

Firdose Moonda11-Oct-20231:39

Cummins: ‘It’s a clash of two very similar teams’

The strategies involved in structuring a spell in ODIs still present Pat Cummins with a conundrum he is keen to conquer, 12 years after making his debut in the format. That may seem a strange takeaway from an engagement with an Australian captain under some pressure after his team’s defeat to India and their struggles against spin, but it’s a small example of a bigger picture that we will be talking about all tournament: the future of this format.We don’t even need to go through the proposals to scrap bilateral ODIs and confine the format to World Cups only, because in Cummins, we have a ready example. He had only played 19 matches between the last World Cup and this one; and including Australia’s defeat to India in their World Cup opener this time, he has played only three this year, and just 78 across a dozen years. The consequence is that it has taken him longer than it may otherwise have to feel confident in his tactical approach to ODIs.”Early in my career, I found it a hard balance between Test cricket and T20, and I was getting too funky,” Cummins said at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, the day before Australia prepared to play South Africa. “With one-day cricket, your roles can be very different – from being an opening bowler with a ball that swings, to coming on first change and maybe bowling cross-seamers where you are trying to defend and get your wickets through pressure. It’s a different kind of challenge to the other formats.”Related

• De Kock's relationship with ODIs is complicated, but it's clear he cares

• Storied World Cup rivals joust again but it is Australia under pressure

• Maxwell: Australia ready for 'unknown' from relaid Lucknow surface

• Defensive Australia burnt by India's spin trio in Chepauk furnace

It is also what Cummins called “the most physically taxing” of the three formats, because as we know from the ICC slogan – it really, truly takes one day. One. Whole. Day. Although the duration of a Test and the intensity of an T20 can’t be matched in an ODI, the amount of time spent on the feet and the kilometres run in the legs will be more than both the other versions of the game.”The biggest challenge is that you’ve got ten overs [to bowl]. It’s quite a physical format,” Cummins said of ODIs. “I find it the most physically taxing if you are doing two or three games in a week. We are doing 15k (kilometres) in a 50-over match.”And then there’s the trade-off between consistency and creativity that must come into play in one-day cricket, where some level of patience is required alongside a touch of all-out attack.”In T20, if you bowl one really good over that can be match-winning. But in one-day cricket, it’s not normally the case,” Cummins said. “And it’s rare that conditions are in the bowlers’ favour, which is fine. It’s just a challenge you’ve got to try and deal with. It’s tough but I do enjoy it.”Cummins expects at least one of those things will get easier on Thursday, when he thinks there will be pace and bounce on offer on a surface that remains something of a mystery. Only four ODIs have been played at the Ekana Stadium so far, with the highest score batting first being 249 in a full 50-over innings. Three of those ODIs were played in 2019, with one held last October, but the pitches have since been dug up and relaid.On Thursday, Australia play South Africa in Lucknow, where the pitches have been dug up and relaid•Getty Images

Cummins also feels his own form is “in as good a place as it’s ever been”, and backs himself to be “almost be prepared for anything”, including maybe “death bowling”. Against a South Africa line-up that is in good form, he also expects that he may have to try “to create a wicket out of nothing”, even as unorthodoxy is also something he has been working on.All that does not take away from his inexperience as ODI captain – since being named ODI captain in October last year, he has played only five out of Australia’s 15 ODIs – and the problems Australia have to solve in the middle overs. That’s where they lost the game against India, after they slipped from 110 for 2 in the 28th over to 199 all out.It’s something the batting group, under the guidance of Andy Flower, who has also been Lucknow Super Giants’ coach – the IPL team whose home ground is the Ekana Stadium – have been discussing, and much like Cummins’ own conclusions about bowling, it’s a balance between formats they’re seeking.”It’s no secret that the [middle-overs] period of the game seems to be the most important in one-day cricket,” Cummins said. “How do we create partnerships? If they’re bowling well, how do we shift the pressure back on to their bowlers, and try and force their hand to make some changes? It’s a real delicate balance in one-day cricket of not taking huge risks, but it’s not like Test cricket where you can wait it out. You have to keep the run rate ticking over.”The middle overs are also thought to be the hill on which ODI cricket may die, unless the narrative that unfolds in that passage is captivating even if nuanced. As Cummins hinted, those overs are the Goldilocks of the game where players are required to not do too much of one thing or too little of another, and for Australia, it’s about finding out how much is just right.

A consummate team effort took Zimbabwe past PNG, while Bas de Leede starred with bat and ball as Netherlands swept USA aside

Peter Della Penna15-Jul-2022Tournament hosts Zimbabwe and reigning tournament champions Netherlands continued their undefeated runs at the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Bulawayo, both sides winning their respective semifinals on Friday to clinch the final two available berths at the T20 World Cup in Australia this October. It will be Zimbabwe’s sixth trip to the T20 World Cup and their first since 2016, while Netherlands make their fifth appearance in the T20 World Cup.Zimbabwe and Netherlands will face off on Sunday in the final of the T20 World Cup Qualifier to determine the final group assignments for the opening round in Australia. The winner of the final will spend the opening round in Hobart in Group B, with Ireland, Scotland and West Indies. The loser of the final will head to Geelong, where they will be paired against Namibia, Sri Lanka and United Arab Emirates.Zimbabwe’s 27-run victory over Papua New Guinea at Queen’s Sports Club was a consummate team effort as they compiled a first-innings total of 199 after choosing to bat first, despite nobody making more than Wessly Madhevere’s 42 off 29 balls. But the rest of the top six batters scored at least 22, including 38 off 30 from captain Craig Ervine.PNG’s reply got off to a disastrous start when Lega Siaka was run out by Sean Williams off the first ball of the chase and they slipped to 34 for 3 inside of five overs. But Tony Ura’s superlative tournament continued with a 22-ball half-century to keep PNG in the hunt for a second straight trip to the T20 World Cup. However, he slowed down considerably afterward before a heave across the line resulted in him being bowled by Williams for 66 off 35 balls making the score 139 for 5 after 15. PNG needed 61 off the final 30 balls, but with Ura gone lacked the firepower to get within striking distance before eventually ending on 172 for 8.File photo – Bas de Leede picked up two wickets, took a catch, effected a run-out, and scored an unbeaten 67-ball 91•Getty Images

Bas de Leede put in an all-time great performance in the annals of Dutch cricket history to see the Netherlands past USA by seven wickets with an over to spare in their semifinal at Bulawayo Athletic Club. USA were 51 for 0 after five overs after choosing to bat, but de Leede’s spell of medium-pace helped turn the tide as he took 2 for 23 in three overs while also taking a catch and effecting a run-out to help bowl USA out for 138 in 19.4 overs.Paul van Meekeren made the first breakthrough to end USA’s opening stand by getting Steven Taylor to chip a full ball to Max O’Dowd at midwicket for 26 off the first ball of the sixth over. USA captain Monank Patel then fell to a half-tracker from legspinner Shariz Ahmad, picking out Logan van Been at deep midwicket for 32 off 15 balls to make it 68 for 2. It opened the door for de Leede to pounce with a tremendous athletic diving effort off his own bowling to bounce out the dangerous Gajanand Singh for a second-ball duck, then later cleaned up Marty Kain with a slower-ball yorker for a golden duck. Nisarg Patel tried to stretch out the USA innings with 28 off 23 balls at No. 8 before de Leede ran him out with a sharp relay from deep midwicket to deny a second run.USA held a brief glimmer of hope in the first over of the Dutch reply when Saurabh Netravalkar induced a chipped catch by Stephan Myburgh to extra-cover for a third-ball duck. de Leede entered at No. 3 and, after negotiating a tricky next few overs, opened up against Netravalkar in the fifth, driving him inside-out over-extra cover for six. He cleared the rope twice more off Rusty Theron in the following over to take the Netherlands to 53 for 1 at the end of the powerplay.Netherlands suffered two more hiccups just after, when Max O’Dowd fell for 16 in the seventh over, driving a low return catch to Nisarg’s left-arm spin before Tom Cooper flicked Cameron Stevenson’s medium-pace to Jaskaran Malhotra at deep midwicket to make it 62 for 3 after eight. But captain Scott Edwards arrived and rotated the strike well to keep the required run rate comfortable. De Leede brought up his fifty off 33 balls with a single in the 10th.The pair finally put the game out of USA’s reach by attacking the part-time legspin of Aaron Jones in the 12th over. A day after Jones conceded 26 runs off the final over of the first innings to Zimbabwe, including three sixes to Sikandar Raza, USA captain Monank tossed him the ball only to see Edwards sweep him repeatedly in a 12-run over that took the required run rate under a run a ball for the rest of the chase. A single off the final ball of the 19th by de Leede secured victory.

ESPNcricinfo understands that match officials did not find the keeper in breach of Law 41.5.1 on fake fielding

Firdose Moonda05-Apr-20212:23

Fakhar Zaman on his run-out: ‘Fault was mine as I was busy looking out for Haris Rauf’

Quinton de Kock did not intend to deceive Fakhar Zaman when the batsman was run out in the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa, and is not in breach of Law 41.5.1 on fake fielding. That is the conclusion match officials are believed to have come to after reviewing footage of Sunday’s match, in which Zaman was dismissed on 193 in the final over, with Pakistan 30 runs away from victory.Related

• The de Kock-Fakhar affair: MCC says 'up to the umpires to decide' if act was wilful

• Fakhar Zaman: 'Don't regret not getting the double, regret losing the match'

• 'Quite clever' – de Kock gets pat on the back from Bavuma for Fakhar run-out

At the time, Zaman was pushing for a second run to keep strike and de Kock gestured towards the bowler’s end, but a direct hit from Aiden Markram at long-off caught Zaman short of his ground at the striker’s end.ESPNcricinfo understands that in a post-match meeting, which officials regularly have to discuss the game, match officials re-looked at the dismissal and on studying all frames, were happy that de Kock called “bowler’s end,” even before the first run was complete. Although the law states that “it is unfair for any fielder willfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball,” de Kock’s actions were not deemed to have been a trick, with officials satisfied that he was indicating for the throw to go to the bowler’s end even as it came in at his end. Tabraiz Shamsi tweeted that de Kock was calling for a fielder to back up the throw at the non-striker’s end.Quinton de Kock is congratulated by his team-mates after the Fakhar Zaman run-out•Gallo Images/Getty Images

In the immediate aftermath of the game, Zaman agreed with that assessment and said it was his “own fault,” that he slowed down in completing the second run, because he looked back to see whether his partner, Haris Rauf, was safe. South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma called de Kock’s actions “clever,” and said, “I don’t think he broke the rules in any kind of way.”Pakistan management is believed to have spoken to Andy Pycroft immediately after the incident, and drew his attention to the relevant law. That, it is believed, was not an official complaint as much as a reminder about the law and there appears to be an acceptance that the law is there for match officials to interpret and implement.

Stuart Broad has positive advice for England’s “disappointed” pace-bowling tyro

George Dobell in Hamilton30-Nov-2019Jofra Archer has been encouraged to keep a sense of perspective after a dispiriting tour of New Zealand. Archer finished with 1 for 75 in the first innings at Hamilton, taking his series tally to two wickets at 91.00 apiece.Archer arrived in the country with a big reputation having enjoyed an outstanding start to his international career, but he has found the combination of the docile pitches and unresponsive ball hard to overcome.But Stuart Broad, his vastly experienced colleague, urged him to reflect on what he has already achieved in his international career and look forward to the prospect of more helpful surfaces in South Africa, where England play their next Test series.”Jofra has been a bit disappointed because he’s used to making things happen in cricket,” Broad said. “Sometimes, away from home, the game isn’t played at the speed we’re used to in England. The excitement’s not there, the pace isn’t there and the nip’s not there. These pitches are tough work to get wickets on. You can’t expect to come and get five for 30 on pitches like this. I don’t think the Kookaburra ball is his best friend at the minute.”But it will be when he realises that not every away pitch is like this. I’m just encouraging him to look forward to South Africa. That’s a better place to bowl.”Archer’s impact at international level has been so dramatic that it is possible people forget how inexperienced he is. Before this tour, for example, he had played only 32 first-class games and he had never bowled with a Kookaburra ball. His first four Tests came in England, on relatively helpful surfaces and with a Dukes ball, and saw him claim 22 wickets at a cost of 20.27 apiece.Now Broad hopes to remind him of everything he has achieved in such a short space of time and persuade him to accept that such barren patches are inevitable.”He’s never experienced anything like it,” Broad said. “He’s played a lot of first-class Division Two cricket with the games in fast-forward. He said at Mount Maunganui that he’d never gone through a day without taking a wicket, but he’s still so new to this level of cricket.”He still judges himself on the wickets he takes but once he gets past 50 Tests he won’t do that, he’ll play on too many flat ones. His economy rate has been really good. His areas have been great.”I said to him today when he had a none-for, you’d take your World Cup and Ashes for a couple of games without wickets. You can’t get a six-for every time you step on the field. Just lower your expectations, enjoy being here and speak to someone in England who is cold in November. You’re playing cricket in New Zealand – it’s good.”

Zimbabwe’s batting has let them down on the tour so far, while the home side have gained valuable insights into their bench strength

The Preview by Liam Brickhill13-Oct-2018

Big Picture

South Africa have gained significant insights into their bench strength in the last two weeks of white-ball experimentation. They have had a look at 22 players, four opening pairs, umpteen seam options and both of their frontline wristspinners, while also managing to win every match.That they have done so even when several of the pitches played on have been unsuitable for South Africa’s push towards increased aggression with the bat in limited-overs cricket, speaks to the gulf between these two teams. Zimbabwe have been good enough to put themselves in strong positions, but have lacked the ability to land the killer blow with the ball, or counterattack effectively with the bat.That might not have been the case had Zimbabwe been able to draw fully from the reserves of talent that the country has produced. How would South Africa have dealt with Blessing Muzarabani’s height and pace on capricious early season pitches? Might Sikandar Raza have added a little more backbone to the middle order?Those questions are, perhaps, academic. This is the hand Zimbabwe have been dealt, and while Raza will be back in action in their next tour to Bangladesh later this month, it will be years before Muzarabani plays international cricket again, if ever, having signed a three-year deal with Northamptonshire.That’s not to say there have been no positives for the visitors on this tour in the absence of those two. Brandon Mavuta has emerged as a player of great promise, and the bowling has generally been good throughout. But it’s never all clicked at once, and Zimbabwe’s batting has repeatedly let the team down.South Africa will face sterner challenges from Australia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka this summer, but this series has given them the freedom to chop and change, and by then they will have a better idea of which combinations suit them. Zimbabwe, too, have learned a little about their own strengths and weaknesses, and they have one more chance to get it right.

Form guide

South Africa: WWLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)Zimbabwe: LLLLL

In the spotlight

Quinton de Kock‘s keeping over the last two games has been virtually flawless, but his batting has been a little off, with scores of 5 and 26. While he remains South Africa’s first-choice keeper, there will inevitably be a little pressure on him with Heinrich Klaasen in the squad and hitting the ball cleanly in the middle order. A commanding knock in the final T20I would certainly help de Kock cement his place ahead of South Africa’s trip to Australia at the end of the month.Hamilton Masakadza has made four scores in the 20s on this tour, repeatedly getting himself in and then getting himself out before he can make the sort of contribution that his team so sorely needs. He admitted as such in his post-match interview on Friday, and as Zimbabwe’s leading run-scorer in this format, the team needs more from their captain.

Team news

South Africa’s plan was to give every player in their squad at least two matches over this series, and after the last match captain Faf du Plessis suggested that he might be the player to miss out in the final game to ensure they’re able to do that. Without du Plessis, JP Duminy will captain and South Africa will have a little more space to tinker with their middle order.South Africa (possible): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Gihahn Cloete, 3 Heinrich Klaasen, 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 JP Duminy (capt), 6 Christiaan Jonker, 7 Robbie Frylinck, 8 Andile Phehlukwayo, 9 Junior Dala, 10 Dane Paterson, 11 Tabraiz ShamsiNeville Madziva is the only member of Zimbabwe’s T20I squad not to have got a game on this tour, and he could slot into their lower middle order in place of Elton Chigumbura, who seems horribly out of form with the bat. Zimbabwe may also look to swap Wellington Masakadza for Tendai Chisoro, who failed to take a wicket in either of the first two games.Zimbabwe (possible): 1 Solomon Mire, 2 Hamilton Masakadza (capt), 3 Brendan Taylor (wk), 4 Tarisai Musakanda, 5 Sean Williams, 6 Peter Moor, 7 Neville Madziva, 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Brandon Mavuta, 10 Kyle Jarvis, 11 Chris Mpofu

Pitch and conditions

It’s very early in the season, and while this ground is traditionally thought of as one where plenty of runs can be scored, the two provincial games played here last week suggest that there could be a good battle between bat and ball. Both Easterns and Boland were bowled out in the 50-over game, while neither side reached 300 in the three-day match. Come Sunday, there should be something in it for the bowlers.The weather may also have an impact. It’s expected to be cloudy and cool, with the possibility of a thunderstorm in the afternoon.

Stats and trivia

• This will be the first T20I between Full Members to be played at Willowmoore Park.
• The last time South Africa and Zimbabwe played here, in an ODI in 2010, South Africa soared to 399 for 6 and then bowled Zimbabwe out for 127 to secure their biggest ever win in the format.
• Hamilton Masakadza became the first Zimbabwean to score 1,500 runs in T20I cricket on Friday. No other Zimbabwean has yet reached 1000 T20I runs, and Masakadza also has the most fifties for his country in this format.

Quotes

“Guys are getting starts, but it’s about building on those starts. We’ve continued to lose wickets at the wrong times.”
“If you look at the all round batting unit, there are seven or eight batters in the mix for the World Cup and all the guys have done well at different times.”

High-quality centuries from two high-quality India batsmen have put them in command of the Colombo Test

The Report by Alagappan Muthu03-Aug-2017Stumps 3:03