Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Australia opener Beth Mooney has recaptured the number one spot for batters in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after losing it to her captain Meg Lanning just two weeks ago. Mooney capped a fine run in the Commonwealth Games with a 41-ball 61 against India in the final to finish as the top run-scorer of the tournament with 179 runs. With scores of 70 not out against Pakistan and 36 against New Zealand this past week, she is now 18 points ahead of Lanning with 743 rating points. The 28-year-old has grabbed top position for the third time in her career, having previously been No. 1 from 8 March 2020 to 21 March 2021 and from 9 October 2021 to 26 July 2022. Mooney’s team-mate Tahlia McGrath has continued her meteoric rise. After 14 matches, she boasts a batting average of 93.75 and a bowling average of 13.66, which ensures her a top-five position with the bat for the first time and 12th place in the all-rounders list. Jemimah Rodrigues’s return to form saw her score 146 runs in Birmingham, helping her gain seven spots and return into the top 10 batters for the first time since October 2021. England may have missed out on a medal, but their bowlers occupy the top three spots in the bowling rankings. Fast bowler Katherine Brunt has swapped places with Sarah Glenn and is up to second, her highest position for 11 years. Left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone continues to be at the top with a good lead of 34 rating points over Brunt. South Africa batters Anneke Bosch (up five places to 20th) and Tazmin Brits (up six places to 22nd) are others to gain big among batters while Pakistan’s Javeria Khan and India’s Deepti Sharma have gained two slots each to reach 32nd and 36th positions, respectively. The leading wicket-taker in the Commonwealth Games was Renuka Singh of India, and her 11 wickets have rewarded her with an entry into the top 20 for the first time. Fast bowlers Shabnim Ismail of South Africa and Megan Schutt of Australia have moved up two places each to grab fourth and fifth positions in the bowlers’ list. Left-arm spinners Nonkululeko Mlaba of South Africa and Radha Yadav of India are up to eighth and 14th places, respectively. In other movements, New Zealand’s Haley Jensen has galloped 31 slots to take 13th position while Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner (22nd) and South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk (28th) have also made significant movement. Gardner starred with both bat (96 runs at a strike rate of 137.14) and ball (five wickets at an economy rate of 4.20) and is up into second place among all-rounders, only behind Sophie Devine, who captained New Zealand to the bronze medal.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for July 2022 as Sri Lanka’s newest spin sensation Prabath Jayasuriya and England’s Emma Lamb, who starred atop the order in her side’s whitewash series victory over South Africa. Jayasuriya claims the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award on the back of an outstanding series of displays with the ball, where his remarkable haul of wickets sees him crowned ahead of rival contenders England’s Jonny Bairstow - who won the Men’s award back in June - and French youngster Gustav McKeon. During Sri Lanka’s three Test matches on home soil in July, Jayasuriya stepped into the squad for the first time in the longest format and made an immediate impact against formidable opponents. After his side was humbled in the first Test defeat to Australia, the spinner celebrated a prolific Test debut, taking six for 118 in the first innings, and following up with an even more impressive six for 59 in the second to claim the final Test and draw the series. Jayasuriya kept his momentum going into the two-Test showdown against Pakistan later in the month, taking seventeen wickets across the series and ending July with staggering figures of 29 wickets at an average of 20.37. Jayasuriya said: ‘’I am delighted with this announcement, and wish to thank the fans for voting me as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. Certainly it has been an incredible month for me, as I made the test debut, and also got the opportunity to contribute for my team to level the test series played against Australia and Pakistan.” ‘’I take this opportunity to thank my fans, teammates, coaches, family and friends for helping my journey, and thrilled with what I am experiencing at this moment in my life.” Irfan Pathan, former India international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member, said: “Being a newcomer to Test cricket and starting with two five-wicket hauls in your first match is extraordinary, and it’s all the more impressive against a team like Australia. A tally of 29 wickets in just three Tests is too good to be overlooked and for that, he is my ICC Men’s Player of the Month.” Emma Lamb was voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July following her thrilling start to life opening the batting in England’s victorious ODI series victory over South Africa. Lamb consistently laid the foundations for her side to claim victory in each of the three matches, with her most notable contribution coming in the first match in Northampton. Her outstanding 102 in which she displayed a wide array of classy strokeplay set her on course for a stellar month, and she followed up this milestone by posting two further half-centuries to strengthen her credentials as a supremely talented top order batter, with a very bright future ahead. On winning the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July, Lamb commented: “It's very exciting to have been awarded the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for July. I'm very happy to have earned my spot at the top of the order in the Test and ODI team and it's been brilliant to be able to score some runs and help the team win. “Everyone in the squad contributed to our multi-format series win against South Africa so I just want to keep scoring runs for the team - I feel very lucky that my performances across the last month have been rewarded and I hope to carry on my good form." Lamb secures the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award at the first time of asking, overcoming fellow nominees; England’s Nat Sciver and India’s Renuka Singh.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) congratulates Australia on winning the inaugural Commonwealth Games women’s cricket gold medal, beating India in a tense final at Birmingham 2022. The win continues Australia’s dominance in the women’s game and an incredibly tight game saw them beat India by nine runs, bowling them out for 152 with three deliveries left in their innings after they threatened to pull off a memorable run chase. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Congratulations to Australia on winning the first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal for women’s cricket. It has been a fantastic ten days of competition at Edgbaston with packed out crowds getting behind the world’s best players. Every game has felt like a home game with fans of all eight competing nations turning out in force to watch top quality cricket and some hard-fought games, including the final was a superb advert for the women’s game. “I’d like to thank the Commonwealth Games Federation and Birmingham 2022 for giving cricket the opportunity to be part of a multi-sport Games, the players and match officials have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK):-England fast bowler Katherine Brut has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Commonwealth Games Women’s T20I semi-final against India in Birmingham on Saturday. Brunt was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to use of an audible obscenity during an International Match.” In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Brunt’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the second offence in a 24-month period, taking her cumulative demerit points to two. The incident occurred in the 17th over of India’s innings, when Brunt used inappropriate language after a catch was dropped off India batter Deepti Sharma. Brunt admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Shandre Fritz of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Eloise Sheridan and Kim Cotton, third umpire Claire Polosak and fourth umpire Shivani Mishra levelled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-The ECB has welcomed Richard Thompson as the next Chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Thompson, 55, will take up the five-year post on September 1, moving from his current role of Chair at Surrey County Cricket Club and will bring deep experience from his career across sport and business. Following a rigorous selection process, chaired by Independent Director Brenda Trenowden CBE, the Nominations Committee unanimously recommended Thompson to the ECB Board and he will succeed Martin Darlow, who has been in post as Interim Chair since April. As Chair of Surrey County Cricket Club, Thompson has overseen a successful period for the County on the field, off the field and in the community. His stewardship saw Surrey launch the ACE Programme in 2020, which is now an independent charity designed to engage a new generation of children and young people from Black communities within the recreational game and talent pathway. Alongside this, Thompson’s business expertise has seen the county redevelop the Kia Oval, future proofing the stadium as one of the premier cricketing venues in the country, whilst his tenure also navigated the county through the pandemic. Outside of cricket, Thompson is the founder and chair of M&C Saatchi Merlin as well as Chair of the broader M&C Saatchi UK Group; chairman of Southshore Group (an ITV-owned production company) , an ambassador for the Alzheimer's Society and Chair & founder of Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD). Richard Thompson, said: “I am immensely proud to become Chair of the ECB at what is a hugely important time for cricket. “Cricket has given me the chance to meet an incredibly diverse range of amazing people. Their passion, endeavour and love for the game is what I want to harness, to take our game forward, to new heights across England & Wales. “Cricket should be the most inclusive sport in the country, welcoming people from all backgrounds, helping bring communities together. For those communities where we have fallen short, I will work tirelessly to restore their trust in the game. "With the Men’s & Women’s Ashes on the horizon, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in October and the recent successes in our red ball game, along with hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026 there is much ahead of us. "I am looking forward to using my experience and love for the game in taking this opportunity to give cricket a fresh start. Alongside the Board and senior leaders at the ECB, we will work with the counties and the recreational game. Collaboration and partnership will be the key to our sport’s future.” Brenda Trenowden, CBE, commented: “We are delighted to announce Richard’s arrival to the ECB as Chair. His blend of exceptional commercial and cricket administration experience supports our aims to grow and diversify the game whilst guiding the game as we face challenging financial headwinds. “I’d also like to say many thanks, on behalf of the ECB, to Martin Darlow, for his excellent stewardship in recent months. Cricket has faced many challenges in 2022 and Martin has helped steer the ship until Richard’s arrival, and I’m pleased that he’ll continue to provide his invaluable wisdom and insight through his role as Deputy Chair of the Board.”

Bipin Dani A special training squad for the Sri Lanka's women's cricket team will be hired soon. This was revealed by one of the SLC sources, who is also involved in the development of the game for women in Sri Lanka. The Chamari Athapaththu-led team has lost the first three key matches against England, New Zealand and South Africa in the ongoing Commonwealth Games Women's Cricket Competition. "Basically, several first-class tournaments have been organized internally. After the Asia Cup (for the men's team in the UAE), we have decided to call a special training squad for the women's team", the source, speaking exclusively over the telephone from Colombo, said on Friday. "Players' minds should be strengthened by increasing the number of training matches and trips. Players' skills alone are not enough. The tactics of the coach and the captain are also important in this situation. Let's try to correct the mistakes made today and win in the next matches". "I think our team's batting is lagging. The main reason for this is that our players do not get opportunities for the current first-class tournaments in the world. It is not enough to get such opportunities only in handfuls. The batting should be strengthened by giving such opportunities to a few more". "Also, by improving the fielding, our team should be adapted to the competitive pattern. I see it as the primary responsibility of the coaches. I believe that we will be able to correct all the shortcomings and march towards victory in the next tournament", the source further added.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed its sadness at the passing of former PCB Manager Media Khalid Butt and has sent a message of condolence to his family. Butt was a renowned journalist who had worked with Pakistan Times and APP. He also remained Resident Editor of Pakistan Observer. He joined Pakistan Cricket Board in January 2001 and worked as Media Manager till October 2002. In a message, PCB Chairman Mr Ramiz Raja said: “On behalf of the PCB, I want to express my deepest condolences on the sad demise of Mr Butt. “In these difficult times, the PCB stands together with Mr Butt’s family members and friends, and wish them the strength to cope with this sad loss.”

Sports Bulletin Report London (UK):-England Men's selection panel have named a 13-player squad for England Lions four-day match against South Africa starting on 9 August at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury. Mo Bobat, ECB Performance Director, said: "We are delighted that the Lions will have a competitive fixture against the South African tourists. The squad strongly represents some of the country's current, next best and future England players. For some players, this game will be important preparation going into the Test series. "These matches for the Lions are pivotal as we try to build the depth of players that can further enhance the way the Test team have been playing this summer. It is a reward for players who have scored runs and taken wickets this season in the LV= Insurance County Championship campaign and have caught our eye in how they've gone about their business. "I would also like to thank The Hundred teams and respective Head Coaches who have enabled the eight players who are playing in the competition the opportunity to play for the Lions. We are grateful for their support." England Men's Assistant Coach Paul Collingwood has been appointed Head Coach for the match. England Lions squad versus South Africa: Sam Billings (Kent-Captain), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Sam Cook (Essex), Sam Conners (Derbyshire), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Will Jacks (Surrey), Keaton Jennings (Lancashire), Dan Lawrence (Essex), Craig Overton (Somerset), Liam Patterson-White (Nottinghamshire), James Rew (Somerset), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire).

Bipin Dani Shyam Nath Singh, the Head Constable working in the police department in a historic city of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has taken a few-day leaves. The reason: to meet his cricket-mad son after a gap of 9 years and three months. Kumar Kartikeya had left home over nine years ago and had vowed to return home only after achieving something in life. The Madhya Pradesh and Mumbai Indians spinner returned home and met his parents on Wednesday.   "I don't say his work is finished. He has just climbed the first step of the ladder. Hope he plays for India", the father, speaking exclusively over the telephone, said. The 24-year-old returned from England, where his Mumbai Indians uncapped players had 3 three-week training sessions. He practiced there with Team India captain Rohit Sharma, who is also the captain of the Mumbai Indians IPL team. "Kartikeya's mother (Sunita Devi) is also very happy. He used to call us almost every day and parents would obviously be very happy to see their son after such a long period", the father said. "Kumar Kartikeya had left home on April 1, 2013. During this exiled period he must have worked very hard". He made his first-class debut in 2018 as a traditional left-arm spinner, but when hired by the Mumbai Indians team midway through IPL this season he switched to bowling left-arm wrist spin with a few variations. Kartikeya's confidence and skill gradually increased. It was his childhood coach Sanjay Bhardwaj who impressed upon Kartikeya the need to be different to stand out. That made him from left-arm orthodox to left-arm everything, especially in T20, the shortest format of the game. "The name Kartikeya was given by my elder brother, who is also a head constable. Kartikeya was also Lord Shiva's son and he also stayed far from his father and therefore I am not surprised with my son", the father says. "People in our village are very eager to meet my son. From there, we will move to Kumar's paternal uncle", the father added. After spending a week or so in their village Kuwasi (district Sultanpur), Kartikeya will be busy preparing for the Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy matches. "His cricket journey will resume again. I want my two sons to play for India and that is our dream", the father further added. Kartika's younger brother Binayak also plays cricket. He has represented the UP team at Uner-14 and Under-16.

Sports Bulletin Report LAHORE:-Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the panels of match officials for the 2022-23 men’s domestic cricket season, which will kicks-off with the National T20 on 30 August in Rawalpindi. The second leg of the event will run in Multan from 10-19 September. Former first-class cricketers Aaley Haider, who featured in 90 matches from 1993 to 2005, Mohammad Asif, who participated in 45 matches, Tariq Rasheed, who played 22 matches from 1996-2003, and Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi, who played five matches, have been promoted to the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires. The four have joined Ahsan Raza, Asif Yaqoob, Faisal Khan Afridi, Ghaffar Kazmi, Imran Jawed, Nasir Hussain Snr, Rashid Riaz, Saqib Khan, Shozab Raza, Syed Imtiaz Iqbal, Waleed Yaqub and Zameer Haider. There is no change in the PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees, which includes Ali Naqvi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Anees, Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh, Nadeem Arshad and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik. Apart from the National T20, the elite panelists will officiate in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (27 September-30 November) and the Pakistan Cup (10 December-3 January). Ghaffar Kazmi and Zameer Haider will retire during the year. Aftab Gilani and Qasier Waheed have slipped to the PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires, which includes few faces in Imranullah Aslam and Qaiser Khan. Other members of the panel are: Abdul Moqeet, Ahmed Shahab, Aslam Bareach, Farooq Ali Khan, Ghulam Sarwar, Kashif Sohail, Khalid Mehmood Snr, Majid Hussain, Mir Dad, Mohammad Imran and Zulfiqar Jan. There are two changes in the PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees. Former first-class cricketers Athar Laiq and Bilal Khilji have been added as Azizur Rehman and Tanveer Afzal will be retiring during the season. The match officials in the supplementary panel will be involved in the CA T20 (2-15 September), CA Championship (27 September-23 November) and CA Challenge (10-29 December). PCB Manager Umpires and Referees, Bilal Qureshi said: “We are pleased to confirm our match officials’ panels for the 2022-23 cricket season, which have been finalised following a robust appraisal and performance analysis process in which the match referees and captains reports from the last season were also considered. “I want to congratulate umpires Aaley Haider, Imranullah Aslam, Muhammad Asif, Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi, Tariq Rasheed, and Qaiser Khan, who have earned promotions as well as Athar Laiq and Bilal Khilji, who share 281 first-class matches between them, for breaking into the supplementary panel of match referees. “Azizur Rehman, Ghaffar Kazmi, Tanveer Afzal and Zameer Haider will be retiring during the season and we will give them proper send-offs, but is appropriate at this stage to thank them for their contributions to the game and their role in enhancing the match officials’ image and profile. “Officiating is a challenging and thankless job, but our match officials have recently made big progress in decision-making and player-management, which has contributed in improving the overall health and quality of our domestic cricket. In recognition of this and for the first time, we have decided to introduce monthly retainers for the supplementary panel. “I remain confident that all the match officials will play their integral part in the successful delivery of the 2022-23 domestic cricket and, in the process, will attract more former cricketers to take up this noble profession.” PCB Elite Panel of Match Referees Ali Naqvi (Lahore), Iftikhar Ahmed (Karachi), Mohammad Anees (Lahore), Muhammad Iqbal Sheikh (Hyderabad), Nadeem Arshad (Faisalabad) and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik (Multan) PCB Elite Panel of Umpires Aaley Haider (Karachi), Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha), Ghaffar Kazmi (Lahore), Imran Jawed (Karachi), Muhammad Asif (Lahore), Muhammad Sajid Khan Afridi (Charsadda), Nasir Hussain Snr (Lahore), Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore), Saqib Khan (Abbottabad), Shozab Raza (Lahore), Syed Imtiaz Iqbal (Karachi), Tariq Rasheed (Lahore), Waleed Yaqub (Lahore) and Zameer Haider (Lahore) PCB Supplementary Panel of Match Referees Ahmer Saeed (Karachi), Aleem Khan Moosa (Karachi), Ali Gohar (Karachi), Athar Laiq (Karachi), Aziz ur Rehman (Lahore), Bilal Moinul Haq Khiljee (Lahore), Kamran Chaudhry (Lahore), Khalid Jamshed (Lahore), Muhammad Aslam (Quetta) and Tanveer Afzal (Faisalabad) PCB Supplementary Panel of Umpires Abdul Moqeet (Lahore), Aftab Hussain Gillani (Bahawalpur), Ahmed Shahab (Lahore), Aslam Bareach (Quetta), Farooq Ali Khan (Abbottabad), Ghulam Sarwar (Sibi), Imranullah Aslam (Bahawalpur), Kashif Sohail (Khanewal), Khalid Mehmood Snr (Karachi), Majid Hussain (AJK), Mir Dad (Islamabad), Mohammad Imran (Sargodha), Qaiser Khan (Lahore), Qaiser Waheed (Lahore) and Zulfiqar Jan (Charsadda) PCB match officials on the ICC International Panel Ahsan Raza (Lahore), Asif Yaqoob (Islamabad), Faisal Khan Afridi (Sargodha) and Rashid Riaz Waqar (Lahore) (all umpires), Ali Naqvi (Lahore) and Prof Muhammad Javed Malik (Multan) (both match referees).