Browsing: spinner

Cricket

Sophie Ecclestone: England to monitor spinner for World Cup semi-final after shoulder injury

England will monitor the fitness of key spin bowler Sophie Ecclestone before Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against South Africa, after she sustained a shoulder injury in Sunday’s victory over New Zealand.

The 26-year-old came off the field in the first over at Visakhapatnam after diving awkwardly over the boundary rope.

She returned later in the innings to bowl, dismissing Brooke Halliday with her fourth delivery, but immediately walked off the field and did not return as England completed the group stage with a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

“I don’t know anything further but it was definitely precautionary,” said England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

“We’ve got a huge match coming up against South Africa so we wouldn’t want to risk anything now. We’ll know more in a few days.”

Ecclestone, the number one-ranked bowler in the world in 50-over cricket, has taken 12 wickets in six matches at the World Cup at an average of 15.33.

She dislocated her right shoulder during The Hundred in 2023, but her new injury is to her left bowling arm.

“She is the world’s best and England need her for the semi-final,” said former England spinner Alex Hartley on BBC Test Match special.

“They have done the right thing to protect her and take her off. She was physically bowling slower and you could see she was in discomfort.

“You can pinch your ligaments and they are never nice. They can be career ‘knocking’ and they will figure out what is wrong with her. Ice, rest and keep it moving is what you need.”

England face South Africa in the tournament’s first semi-final at Guwahati on Wednesday (09:30 GMT).

Source link

‘Shaheen Afridi treated like a net-ball spinner’: Sunil Gavaskar hails India’s new match-winner | Cricket News

blankPakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls a delivery during the Asia Cup match against India. (AP/PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar reserved the highest praise for young Tilak Varma after Indiaâ€s emphatic six-wicket victory over Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash in Dubai on Sunday. The batting great declared that Tilak “treated Pakistanâ€s premier bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, like a net-ball spinner†with the audacious strokes that sealed Indiaâ€s win.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Coming in at No.4, Tilak initially looked measured, reaching 20 off 17 deliveries before cutting loose in the 19th over. Facing Afridi, Pakistanâ€s strike weapon, the 22-year-old finished the contest with a towering six followed by a crisp boundary. Tilak stayed unbeaten on 30 off 19 balls, leaving Gavaskar in awe of his composure and fearlessness.“In the end, another super-talented batter, Tilak Varma, treated Pakistanâ€s premier bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, like a net-ball spinner and smashed him around to wrap a win with deliveries to spare,†Gavaskar wrote in his column for The Sportstar.

Poll

What do you think of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s performance in the Asia Cup against India?

The Indian legend also lauded the teamâ€s collective dominance, starting with the 105-run opening stand between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill. “India breezed to a win after a delightful opening partnership between Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill that took the breath away and crushed any hopes the Pakistanis had of winning the game,†Gavaskar observed.

‘They complement each other perfectly,†Suryakumar Kumar on Abhishek Sharma-Shubman Gill stand vs Pakistan

Afridi has now gone wicketless in both encounters against India in this yearâ€s Asia Cup, compounding Pakistanâ€s woes. Despite a late flourish with the bat, their total fell 20 runs short of a challenging score, leaving India in complete control.With the victory, India joined Bangladesh at the top of the Super 4 standings with two points each, but a superior net run rate keeps them ahead. The defending champions are firmly on course for another final appearance, with their young stars like Tilak Varma stepping up to complement the established names.For Pakistan, the equation is simple but unforgiving: win both remaining matches to keep their campaign alive, or risk watching India face Bangladesh in the summit clash.

Source link