“I have no regrets,” he affirmed. “You’re saying this (acknowledging my game sense and performance) after I’ve played well; no one said that before,” he quipped.

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“I have one question to pose: Did I retire from T20Is of my own volition? Just reflect on the month prior to my T20 retirement, and I have nothing more to say,” he continued. Mushfiqur had indeed retired from T20Is on September 4, 2022, following the Asia Cup in the UAE, just ahead of the T20 World Cup in Australia. He faced significant criticism for his lack of form back then, and many questioned his inclusion for the Asia Cup.

Mushfiqur’s unbeaten 47 off 38 balls proved instrumental in Fortune Barisal securing their spot in the BPL final. Currently, he ranks as the fifth-highest run-getter in the BPL, accumulating 367 runs at a strike-rate of 123.56. Throughout the group phase, he delivered crucial innings, including a blistering 39-ball 68 against the Khulna Tigers and a composed 44-ball 63 against the Comilla Victorians. Responding to critics who doubted Fortune Barisal’s recruitment strategy, which included seasoned campaigners like Tamim Iqbal, Mahmudullah, and himself, Mushfiqur didn’t hold back.

“At the onset of the tournament, everyone claimed that Barisal comprised an aging squad incapable of excelling in T20 cricket. Yet here we are. This concept is fundamentally flawed; experience holds value in every format,” Mushfiqur emphasized.

“The criticism doesn’t motivate me (regarding my age); it disappoints me. Even today, if you compare me with many young players, I am confident they wouldn’t match my fitness level,” he asserted.

“How do you define fitness criteria, whether based on age or performance? I believe it should be determined by fitness and performance, as age is merely a number; otherwise, players like Jimmy Anderson would be anomalies.

“I don’t play to prove anything to anyone. I’m grateful to those who have selected me, such as Tamim and the owner of Barisal. I aim to repay their faith through my performances,” he concluded.

The post Exclusive: Mushfiqur Rahim reflecting on hasty T20 retirement; ‘no regrets’ appeared first on Cricket Country.

From the iconic red-brick pavilions to the vibrant hues of Indian culture, the England Cricket Team’s arrival promises a visual spectacle that sets the stage for an epic battle on the cricket field.

Our cameras capture every moment of their arrival – the warm welcomes, the cheers from fans, and the camaraderie among the players. Join us in soaking up the energy as the English squad gears up to take on the challenges that lie ahead.

Which players do you think will be the game-changers in the upcoming test series? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below! Let’s build up the excitement and support our teams in this clash of the cricketing titans.

Don’t forget to share with your fellow cricket enthusiasts, and subscribe for all the behind-the-scenes action as the England Cricket Team embraces the spirit of cricket in the heart of India.

The post IND vs ENG: England team arrives in India for five-match Test series appeared first on Cricket Country.

“So, at 7pm on Thursday when the announcement came from the ECB that the game was on, I said to Mrs Lloyd: ‘There will be a twist to this yet.’ What made me so sure? Well, when India didn’t turn up to practise earlier that day it showed their hand. It said to me: ‘We ain’t playing.’ You don’t play if you don’t practice as a team the day before,” wrote Lloyd for Daily Mail on Saturday.

Lloyd had a hunch about the fifth Test not taking place after head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for COVID-19 during the fourth Test at The Oval. “Rumours that the game wouldn’t take place have been circling since the end of the fourth Test and became more prevalent when India coach Ravi Shastri and members of the backroom staff tested positive for Covid. Should they have been telling somebody that they were intending to attend a book launch in London? Should they even have contemplated going in the first place?”

The cancellation of the Manchester Test may have denied the fans an enthralling climax to a hard-fought series, but Lloyd believes veteran pacer James Anderson may have missed the chance of playing his final Test in England at his home ground.

“It might be that India’s refusal to fulfil their commitment and play the final Test denied Jimmy Anderson a final hurrah on a ground which bears his name at one end. But the damage is much deeper than that and makes Jimmy’s personal situation incidental. He might not make another England appearance at his home of Emirates Old Trafford, although if you know Jimmy, you will realise there will be no fuss. The lad’s from Burnley – they don’t do fuss.”

The 39-year-old Anderson bagged 15 wickets, behind Jasprit Bumrah (18 wickets) and Ollie Robinson (21 wickets) for most wickets in the series. “They’re tough people from his neck of the woods and he won’t want a fanfare. In fact, it tells you something about him that I wouldn’t have expected him to play in this game because he will have been in the red zone,” said Lloyd.

“But he’s a warrior and would have pushed himself forward once again, just as he has all summer, bowling an excessive number of overs because England cannot bat. An almighty shemozzle – which means he won’t bowl any more this summer and denied thousands of spectators the chance to see the series finale – has been brewing up here all week,” concluded Lloyd.

The post IND vs ENG, 5th Test: David Lloyd Sensed a Twist in Tale appeared first on Cricket Country.

The video showed Ajinkya Rahane’s stumps go for a walk as Anderson produced yet another jaffa on a wicket that had little help for the seamers. The video was posted to counter the Indian fans calling Anderson as ‘Clouderson’ stressing on the fact that the England seamer can only move the ball in overcast conditions or with some help from the wicket.

To all the India fans in our mentions saying Jimmy ‘Clouderson’ pic.twitter.com/PPt5PkLSSr

England’s Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) May 10, 2021

The Indian fans didn’t hold back either and hit back by posting another video where Rishabh Pant was seen reverse sweeping Anderson over the top of slips.

pic.twitter.com/FwB5vnOj9m

(@Manav_Chawla_) May 10, 2021

Indian cricket fans: the saltiest in world sport…

Dan Snook (@dan_snook) May 10, 2021

Guess whoo hmmmmm?? pic.twitter.com/m98RP7FLE6

Nikhil (@CricNiks) May 10, 2021

England would look to avenge their loss against India a couple of months back while India having won two back to back series against Australia in Australia and England in India, will only look extend their dominance in world cricket at the moment.

With India set to play New Zealand in the ICC World Test championship in the middle of June, Virat Kohli’s men would get enough time to get acclimatised with the English conditions. According to former India captain Rahul Dravid, this is India’s best chance to win against England in England and also went on to predict a 3-2 series win for the visitors.

The post Jimmy Anderson Triggers Twitter War Between Indian Fans and Barmy Army appeared first on Cricket Country.

The post India vs England, 2nd Test, Day 2 In Pictures: James Anderson takes 5/20 as India collapse for a paltry 107 appeared first on Cricket Country.

It is not what we expected when the Ashes 2015 started in Cardiff nearly a month ago. Both teams have hardly whispered a word to each other. England had promised they were looking to follow in the footsteps of New Zealand and stick to a ‘Gentleman Game’ approach and eradicate the banter on the field. They have stuck by it.

Well, almost. On the second afternoon at Edgbaston, Jimmy Anderson started a barrage of verbals against Steve Smith and David Warner. Smith might have said a word, but Warner refused to cave in. The umpire stepped in and that was it. Anderson have wavered from pre-Test strategy of ‘not sledging’ the minute he stepped out of line it he needed to be punished. The cricketing gods must have been watching, because the next time he could come close to batsmen, his series was over with a side strain.

In midst of all the balls that have beaten the bat, there is bound to be frustration and fast bowlers on both side have released it all by saying few words. But it has been nothing like the ‘broken arm’ incident. At times Mitchell Johnson has given advice to the English batsmen on how to hook his bouncers. But led by Joe Root, they have retaliated with a cheeky smile or simply turned their backs.

Even a mischievous tactic of trying to disturb Ben Stokes’ habitual sliding of the bat over the crease at end of each over by Nathan Lyon has been dismissed with, ‘it was something stupid’. The Aussies even smiled about it and left it at that.

Warner, the chief instigator has acted like a choir boy. He has never trespassed into the opposition space, physically or verbally.  Even when his integrity was questioned in the press over not applauding Joe Root hundred, he responded in a pleasant manner with a logical reason. There was nothing submissive or aggressive in the response.

Stuart Broad, the non-walker, even trusted the word of fielder on a catch. Yes, he was called back, but only on umpire’s decision. Broad, the villain, has smiled even while facing the thunderbolts from Johnson.

After the summer of cricket that has past, it is nice change to read and focus only on the cricket. Last summer, there was more written and discussed on the verbal banters than the actual game. It was ridiculous. People had forgotten about contest with bat and ball.

Perhaps other teams can follow New Zealand’s heavenly path. Perhaps one team has to shy away from it for the sake of cricket.

Apart from Anderson, only other man oppose to such path was Brad Haddin. Before the series he had stated ‘we will play our way’. Just like Anderson, the cricket gods seem to have ended his Ashes campaign. Or perhaps that is core reason why majority of the current team members have opposed Haddin axing.

Whatever the reasons, it is simply nice to have engrossing cricket without all the baggage that we have become accustomed to in the recent times.  Behave, boys, and let the bat and the ball do all the talking. It is what we all want to see.

(Gaurav Joshi is an Indian-born Australian who played with Michael Clarke in his junior days. He coaches and reports for a Sydney radio station. Over the years he has freelanced for Australia Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and is a regular on ABC cricket show Cow Corner. He is the author of the book “Teen Thunder Down Under” – The inside story of India’s 2012 U19 World Cup Triumph)

More from this writer:

A technical dissection of the Australian batting travails

Tweaking pitches is hazardous

Captain Cook cannot be blamed for England’s travails; even Warne is in agreement!

The post Ashes 2015: Players in almost their best behaviour — so far appeared first on Cricket Country.