Category: Games

Dubai, June 24, 2021 (PPI-OT):In a bid to restart pathway events in Europe, the International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the relocation of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier and the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier due to the pandemic.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 pathway

The first event to be relocated from Scotland to Spain is the Europe Qualifier to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup South Africa 2023. The Qualifier, which is two steps away from the World Cup, with unchanged dates of 26-30 August, will see France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scotland and Turkey all competing at La Manga, with France and Turkey taking part in an ICC women’s event for the first time ever.

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 pathway

The ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 Europe Qualifier is also being relocated from Scotland to Spain and will now take place between 19 and 25 September at La Manga. Ireland, Jersey, the Netherlands and Scotland will all compete for one U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup spot.

The decision to move the events to Spain was taken after a period of consultation with the participating countries and relevant governments, where it was determined that it was the best possible chance for the events to take place due to COVID-19 restrictions in Scotland.

Rescheduling the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Europe Qualifier to September was the only viable option to determine on the field of play, which team will qualify for the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022. The decision was taken in consultation with all participating Members, and consequently, Denmark and Guernsey will not be able to participate due to a clash with the European school calendar.

In Africa, the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Division 2 Qualifier involving Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Tanzania has been cancelled as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. With no opportunity to reschedule the event, Tanzania and Rwanda have now been promoted to the Africa Qualifier on the basis of their records in the previous five editions of the U19 Men’s CWC qualifiers. They will join Namibia, Nigeria and Uganda in competing for one of the remaining five U19 Men’s CWC spots.

ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 pathway

Finally, next month’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 series involving Scotland, Namibia and Nepal has been postponed due to the worsening situation in Namibia, where rising COVID-19 cases have impacted training preparations and the tightening of restrictions have reduced travel options. This series – which forms part of League 2 which is two steps away from the Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 – has been postponed to July 2022, after exploring options to also stage the event in Spain this summer which became infeasible.

For details of the World Cup Qualification pathways and a list of all 2021 ICC qualifying events, dates and their status please click here.

ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said: “Whilst it is disappointing that Denmark and Guernsey will not be able to participate in the U19 Regional Qualifier, we are grateful for the efforts of everyone involved to enable these events to be rescheduled and give us the best possible chance of restarting ICC pathway events in Europe. The relocation of both events from Scotland to Spain will hopefully provide us with the first ICC pathway events since February last year.

“Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Africa, we had no other option but to cancel the Division 2 Africa Qualifier in the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup pathway. In accordance with the principles approved by the ICC Board in November 2020, Tanzania and Rwanda will participate in the Africa U19 Regional Final in Nigeria from 25 September to 1 October.

“The sixth series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 between Scotland, Nepal and Namibia is now postponed to July 2022. We tried our best to play the series, but the tightening of restrictions in Namibia left us with no alternative but to postpone the event.”

Cricket Scotland Chief Executive, Gus Mackay said: “It is disappointing that the Men’s CWC League 2 series has not been able to go ahead. We know that it is possible to create safe environments where cricket can be played but moving teams around the world within the constantly changing landscape of COVID-19 travel restrictions is challenging.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the ICC, Nepal, Namibia, Cricket Espana and Cricket Scotland who have worked hard behind the scenes to give these matches the best chance of going ahead. I’m also grateful to Desert Springs which is a fantastic facility, for all their hard work in obtaining the required approvals from local authorities and we are looking forward to the events taking place in La Manga.

“While Scottish Government regulations on travel mean that we were unable to host any international ICC events in 2021, I hope that those regulations will be reviewed soon to allow international cricket to restart in this country.”

Cricked Espana Chief Executive John Howden said: “Cricket Espana are delighted to have the opportunity to host these two prestigious ICC pathway events.

“We feel the frustration of Cricket Scotland for not being able to host the matches, as also Cricket Finland and Cricket Belgium, who also have been denied Men’s T20 World Cup pathway event hosting opportunities this year through no fault of their own. Cricket Espana will endeavour to champion all their efforts to make both tournaments wonderful successes.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, June 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):New Zealand captain Kane Williamson credited his side’s heart and fighting spirit for helping them reach the pinnacle of Test cricket by winning the first-ever ICC World Test Championship Final.

On an entertaining final day’s cricket at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, New Zealand’s bowlers skittled India for 170 to leave them hunting 139 for victory.

This was no formality on a lively surface but despite both Black Caps openers falling to Ravichandran Ashwin, the experience of Williamson (52 not out) and Ross Taylor (47 not out) saw them battle home with eight wickets to spare.

It was just the second major international trophy won by New Zealand in their history, following their ICC Knock Out triumph back in 2000, leaving the skipper – who also praised the ICC’s provision of a reserve day that allowed a result to be reached on day six – ecstatic.

“It was the pinnacle – being involved in the Final against a formidable side like India,” said Williamson.

“They certainly showed their quality and for us, it was a lot of heart that allowed us to stay in the game for long periods.

“A lot of credit to the way our group adjusted and stayed in the battle because it was a battle. No-one with the bat got momentum at any point in time – the ball kept going past the outside edge and there were always opportunities.

“To have the sixth day as back-up due to weather was a good initiative and to see both teams have a real opportunity to win meant for a fantastic game.

“It’s a proud moment in our history and a proud moment as a team to stick to what we do well and come away with the win, which is a really great feeling.”

It was fitting that Williamson and Taylor – two of New Zealand’s most experienced batsmen who have played almost 200 Test matches between them – saw the Black Caps over the line with an unbeaten partnership of 96.

And the captain admits having such a veteran alongside him at the crease helped take the pressure off.

“It was fantastic to be part of a partnership and contribution like that,” added Williamson. “With Ross being our most experienced player and a leader in the group, it was nice to be able to soak up some of the pressure.

“Having an experienced head like Ross out there was helpful. It was a really special feeling to be there at the end together and to tick the runs off.

“Even though it was only 130-odd, on that surface you never felt comfortable.”

India struggled for runs on a seaming wicket throughout the contest but battled hard until the very end and made New Zealand work to reach their fourth innings target.

And skipper Virat Kohli paid tribute to the Black Caps’ pace bowlers, who restricted India’s formidable batting line-up – taking the final eight wickets for just 100 runs on day six.

“They were very consistent, they’re a very effective side, we’ve seen that over the years, and they’re a very structured side,” said Kohli.

“They like to play their cricket in a certain manner, so you have to find ways to disrupt that. If you don’t put their bowlers under pressure then they have the fitness and the consistency to keep bowling in the same areas and bowling all day.

“The more momentum you give them, invariably they get the breakthroughs they want. We need to focus on scoring runs and not worry about getting out in testing conditions.

“That’s the only way you can put the opposition under pressure, otherwise you’re just literally standing there, hoping you don’t get out and eventually you will because you’re not being optimistic enough.

“You have to take more risks, and calculated risks, and be confident about taking them.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

Dubai, June 23, 2021 (PPI-OT):A brilliant performance by New Zealand’s seamers and a composed run chase by Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor ensured the Black Caps made history by beating India to win the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

New Zealand entered the reserve day of the Final at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton eyeing victory and their bowlers delivered in style to skittle India for 170 before Williamson and Taylor steered a successful chase of 139 to secure a memorable eight-wicket win.

With India starting the day at 64 for two in their second innings, a lead of 32, all four results were still possible but the Black Caps’ pace quartet of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner combined to take the final eight wickets for the concession of just 106 more runs.

That gave them at least 53 overs to chase down 139 and, despite some early Ravichandran Ashwin-induced wobbles, their two most senior batsmen saw them over the line to become the first-ever winners of the ICC World Test Championship.

After rain had wiped out two of the first five days of this Test match, the ICC implemented the use of its reserve day to increase the chances of a result, with 98 overs due to be bowled on day six.

While both sides still had designs on securing the win, Jamieson quickly put New Zealand on the front foot in the morning session as he got India captain Virat Kohli to nick behind for 13 and forced Cheteshwar Pujara to bottom edge to Taylor at slip shortly after.

Although the dangerous Rishabh Pant, who was dropped by Southee on five, counter-attacked, a fifth Indian wicket fell before lunch when Ajinkya Rahane (15) was caught behind by BJ Watling off Boult.

The 35-year-old Watling – playing his final Test match of a distinguished international career – dislocated his right ring finger during the morning session but gamely battled on behind the stumps and took his third catch of the innings to remove Ravindra Jadeja after lunch and reduce India to 142 for six.

The unorthodox Pant had shown his class when whipping Jamieson through mid-on for four before charging down the pitch to Wagner and punching the ball through mid-off for another boundary, so him finally being dismissed for 41 felt like a huge moment for New Zealand.

Pant danced down the track once again, aiming to hit Boult over long-on but instead got under the ball and Henry Nicholls took a good catch over his shoulder with India still only on 156.

The Indian tail was then quickly dispatched as Boult had Ashwin caught by Taylor two balls later and Southee ended with innings-best figures of 4/48 by dismissing Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah, both caught by Tom Latham, as India were all out for just 170.

It was the first time since 2018 that no Indian batsman reached a half-century in either innings of a Test match and a target of 139 looked eminently chaseable for New Zealand.

A circumspect start by the Black Caps allowed openers Latham and Devon Conway to see out the eight overs before tea unscathed, as they reached 19-0 at the interval.

But scoring was slow and the pressure eventually told as Latham came down the wicket, saw Ashwin’s delivery beat the bat and Pant smartly stumped him to make the score 33 for one.

India thought they had the key wicket of Williamson for just one when he was given out LBW by umpire Michael Gough, again off Ashwin, only for the decision to be overturned on review.

Ashwin did trap Conway LBW shortly after to become the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship and reduce the Black Caps to 44/2 but Taylor (47 not out) and Williamson (52 not out) rebuilt by keeping the scoreboard ticking and punishing the bad balls.

Taylor in particular crunched a couple of wider balls through the off-side for four and when Pujara dropped him at slip off the bowling of Bumrah, with 55 runs still needed, the writing appeared to be on the wall.

And so it proved, as the two veteran New Zealanders hit another gear to reach the target inside 46 overs, despite a Williamson skier hitting the ground with the Black Caps approaching single figures needed.

Fittingly, the New Zealand skipper reached the half-century mark, bringing up his 50 with a boundary, while Taylor flicked the winning runs through the leg-side to win New Zealand’s second major international trophy, following their ICC Knock Out triumph back in 2000.

Scores in brief:

New Zealand beat India by eight wickets, at the Hampshire Bowl, Southampton.

India 217 in 92.1 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 49, Virat Kohli 44; Kyle Jamieson 5/31, Neil Wagner 2/40)

New Zealand 249 in 99.2 overs (Devon Conway 54, Kane Williamson 49, Tom Latham 30, Tim Southee 30; Mohammed Shami 4/76, Ishant Sharma 3/48)

India 170 in 73 overs (Rishabh Pant 41, Rohit Sharma 30; Tim Southee 4/48, Trent Boult 3/39, Kyle Jamieson 2/30)

New Zealand 140/2 in 45.5 overs (Kane Williamson 52 not out, Ross Taylor 47 not out; Ravichandran Ashwin 2/17)

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com