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He hopes to cap off the milestone with a series-squaring victory in the second Test

Vithushan Ehantharajah27-Feb-2023Kane Williamson says he is honoured to lead a list of greats after becoming New Zealand’s leading Test run-scorer and hopes to cap off the milestone with a series-squaring victory in the second Test against England.Upon passing 28 early in the morning on day four, Williamson overtook Ross Taylor’s tally of 7,683 runs in his 161st innings. He went on to register his 26th Test century, allowing the Blackcaps to turn the tables on England in their follow-on innings.Related

• Stats – Kane Williamson's fab fourth-innings feats

• New Zealand collapse after Kane Williamson hundred to open door for England

• Stats – Williamson at the top of the Test charts for New Zealand

The 32-year-old’s 132 held together a response of 483, giving Ben Stokes’ side a chase of 258 to secure the series 2-0. Tim Southee, who took over as Test captain when Williamson stepped down last December, removed Zak Crawley to leave the tourists 48 for 1 overnight.”It’s not something I’ve thought a whole lot about,” said Williamson after the day’s play. “But it is an honour. You look at that list, and I’ve admired all of those players over those years, whether that’s watching from afar growing up or playing alongside a number of them as well. Like I say, it’s not a focus point but it’s special to be amongst that company.”It would be pretty special for sure,” he said on the prospect of becoming only the fourth team to win a Test after following-on. “It’s exciting going in to day five. As a bowling attack and a team, we want to make sure we’re on come tomorrow. There’s still some assistance there and some assistance for the slower bowlers as well. All to play for, which is exciting.”Harry Brook picked up the key wicket of Kane Williamson•AFP/Getty Images

Williamson, however, was frustrated with his dismissal. Not just because it was the start of a collapse of five for 28 from a commanding position of 455 for 5, but that the bowler who dismissed him was not a bowler at all. Harry Brook, whose exploits have been exclusively with the bat, was brought on in the 148th over to give James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Ollie Robinson a rest ahead of a potential third new ball.With the final delivery of his third of seven overs of medium pace off the wrong foot, Brook fired a delivery down the leg side which Williamson tickled into the gloves of Ben Foakes, who was standing up to the stumps. Even as he shook his head contemplating the dismissal in his post-match press conference, he was able to see the funny side.”He didn’t miss his length at all, ey? He was immaculate.”He was on point. Maybe that (the wicket-taking delivery) was the worst ball he bowled, actually.”Initially given not out on the field, Ben Stokes reluctantly called for a review on the insistence of Joe Root who thought he heard something. A noise was picked up as the ball passed the face of the bat, leading to an overturned decision. While it was not a big spike, Williamson is satisfied the technology worked.”In my instance, it was,” he said when asked if UltraEdge had worked correctly. “But I think at times you see some shakes in the lone. Whether that’s accurate or now, I don’t really know. We had a few dismissals in Pakistan.”

Scorchers overhauled Heat’s 155 with eight balls to spare highlighted by Marsh’s brutal 59 off 34 balls

Tristan Lavalette17-Jan-2022Mitchell Marsh made a spectacular return to the BBL as minor premiers Perth Scorchers tuned up for the playoffs with a six-wicket victory over Brisbane Heat.In their regular season finale, a reloaded Scorchers overhauled Heat’s 7 for 155 with eight balls to spare highlighted by Marsh’s brutal 59 off 34 balls.The match played at almost empty Marvel Stadium lost its edge before a ball was bowled when Sydney Sixers’ earlier defeat to Adelaide Strikers locked up top spot for Scorchers and a place in the Qualifier on Saturday between the top two teams on the ladder.Seventh-placed Heat, whose campaign had been derailed by Covid-19, were out of playoff contention and their season ends against Sixers on Wednesday.Marsh returns with a bangMarsh lit up the BBL before being called up for Australia’s Ashes squad and he has clearly not lost his form after destroying the Heat. After the early wickets of Josh Inglis and Kurtis Patterson, Marsh returned to his favoured ground where he twice bludgeoned Melbourne Renegades last month.He started slowly by knocking the ball around before launching a slog sweep for six off left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann in the 11th over.
Marsh then put the foot down in a remarkable power surge with 35 runs from 12 balls as he muscled the ball to all corners to pulverise a deflated Heat. He fell shortly after but the damage had been done in an ominous warning ahead of the playoffs. He combined well with Colin Munro, who returned after recovering from Covid-19.Inglis, who like Marsh had been part of Australia’s Ashes squad, missed out on invaluable time in the middle making just 18 in his first BBL match since December 28. He has scored just 45 from six innings this season after being locked in a running battle with Alex Carey for Australia’s vacant wicket-keeping position ahead of the Ashes.Swepson shines for Heat Heat’s bowling has looked formidable after the recent inclusions of Michael Neser and Mitchell Swepson, who were both part of Australia’s Ashes squad. They have missed most of the BBL but showed their prowess with three wickets between them but there wasn’t much Heat could do when a red-hot Marsh started teeing off.In an encouragement for Australian cricket, legspinner Swepson bowled well and tied down Scorchers mid-innings in a notable improvement from his ragged performance against Melbourne Stars a day earlier.He picked up the wickets of Patterson and Marsh to stand out for Heat, who would have wished he was available for much more of the season.Peter Hatzoglou picked up two wickets and conceded just 17 runs in his four overs•Getty Images

Hatzoglou and Agar restrict HeatWith the match essentially a dead rubber, Scorchers appeared to go through the motions with a flat effort early before clawing back control in trademark fashion after the powerplay. In his return, Marsh made an immediate impact with the wicket of Chris Lynn in his first over as Scorchers’ spin duo of Peter Hatzoglou and Ashton Agar took over with a strangulation in the middle overs.Legspinner Hatzoglou has proven a good recruit having crossed over from Renegades and he bowled miserly while claiming the wickets of Ben Duckett and Nathan McSweeney. He was well supported by Agar, who returned from a shoulder injury, in what has become an important tandem for Scorchers’ attack.It wasn’t all rosy though with seamer Andrew Tye, who has had a stellar season, unusually wayward leaking 37 runs from three overs while speedster Lance Morris was also expensive.Bryant rediscovers big-hitting exploits In his first match since January 1, Max Bryant returned in style in his best knock in a difficult season, where he had made double figures just three times in eight previous innings.Bryant dominated the strike early and regulated Lynn to an onlooker as he smashed 34 of Heat’s 39 runs in the four-over powerplay. But he lacked support with wickets tumbling regularly as Heat lost their momentum. They finally used the power surge in the 16th over and it provided the necessary tonic with Bryant smashing a six off Marsh over midwicket while skipper Jimmy Peirson also swung lustily.Having posted his highest BBL score, Bryant eyed his maiden century but fell short after holing out in the 18th over. A six off the last ball from Peirson, who finished 31 not out off 19 balls, pushed them past 150 but it was another mishmash of a batting effort from Heat who have long frustrated their supporters.

De Klerk will join New Zealand duo Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green with the defending champions

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Aug-2020South Africa allrounder Nadine de Klerk, who impressed in the T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia, has signed for the Brisbane Heat ahead of this season’s WBBL with Cricket South Africa confirming their players will be allowed to travel to Australia for the tournament.De Klerk, who competed nationally as a javelin thrower before being selected for the 2017 World Cup as a 17-year-old, took 3 for 19 at the SCG in March but was unable to help South Africa into the T20 World Cup final as Australia won by five runs amid the drama of the rain. She will join New Zealand duo Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green as the Heat’s overseas contingent for the WBBL.”I’m pretty excited, it’s always been a dream and that’s what you work for,” de Klerk said. “It’s a really great opportunity and I’m really excited to play against some of my team-mates and alongside some legends.”Earlier this year was my first time in Australia but I loved every bit of it and there’s no better tournament than the WBBL. Hopefully I can perform well for the Heat.”Heat coach Ashley Noffke said: “Anyone who saw Nadine charge in and bowl without fear against the best team in the world would have been impressed. She’s got very good skills and is certainly a player who likes to lead by example. We’re very confident she will complement the squad we are assembling, and it will be exciting for our fans to see her in action when we get underway.”On Tuesday, CSA confirmed that individual athletes are able to get exemptions from the government to travel while South Africa’s borders are shut due to Covid-19. The national side had to cancel their tour to England in September due to the restictions.”National teams are restricted from travelling but individual players competing in events deemed as work are permitted to travel subject to them being COVID-19 compliant in the country they are travelling to and upon their return to South Africa,” the statement said.”This means that several Proteas will have opportunity to feature in this year’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) from 17 October until 29 November.”There are expected to be changes to the WBBL schedule due to various Covid-19 travel and border restrictions with the possibility that the tournament will be staged entirely in one state.”Everyone is quite eager to get out on the park, four months is a long time and we haven’t played any cricket,” de Klerk said. “It’s a great opportunity with the England tour being cancelled.”

Durham pulled off a comfortable DLS chase after restricting Warwickshire in the field

ECB Reporters Network26-Apr-2019Durham returned to winning ways in the Royal London Cup with a comfortable seven-wicket Duckworth-Lewis-Stern victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston.A solid all-round display saw Durham bounce back from their North Group defeat at Worcester two days earlier. They restricted Warwickshire to 244 for 8 with tidy bowling, led by Ben Raine and Liam Trevaskis, supported by excellent fielding.Tim Ambrose, Chris Woakes and Sam Hain made half-centuries but the scoring-rate was slowed for too long by the need to shore up the innings after the loss of early wickets. The home side’s total looked under-par and even more so when, after an hour’s rain delay, the DLS equation left Durham requiring 211 in 36 overs.Alex Lees, Graham Clark and Gareth Harte eased Durham to victory with 14 balls to spare to ensure they remain right in the heart of the qualification race.Warwickshire, meanwhile, without a win after four games, desperately need victory in the derby against Worcestershire at New Road on Sunday. Added to their problems is yet another injury concern as Ambrose did not keep wicket after suffering some hip discomfort between innings.Put in, the home side received a perky start from Ed Pollock who collected 22 in fours and sixes but was then smartly caught by Scott Steel, running round the midwicket boundary, off Brydon Carse. Steel then showed safe hands again, at deep extra cover, to remove Dom Sibley off Trevaskis.Ambrose and Hain added 69 in 15 overs before the latter was bowled behind his legs by Gareth Harte. That was the first of three wickets in 23 balls as Will Rhodes chipped Carse to midwicket and Liam Banks lifted Raine to long off to leave the Bears 142 for 5.Woakes injected some momentum with a 43-ball half-century but Durham fielded tigerishly, turning a number of apparent boundary hits into ones or twos. They also caught like cats, with Harte pouching Ambrose at midwicket, Steel pouncing like a panther for a third time when Alex Thomson skied Carse, and Clark making no mistake when Woakes lifted Matty Potts to long-on.The DLS calculation left Warwickshire badly needing early wickets but they took only one, when Steel was brilliantly caught at cover by a diving Sibley off Olly Hannon-Dalby.Clark and Lees were little troubled in a stand of 93 in 14 overs, the former reaching his second List A half-century, from 47 balls, in the grand manner with a six hoisted into the Hollies Stand off George Panayi. He then pulled a Thomson long-hop to midwicket and Woakes swiftly had Cameron Bancroft caught by sub keeper Alex Mellor but Lees skilfully shepherded his side to victory in an unbroken partnership of 79 with Harte.

Starc misses out on hat-trick but South Africa’s resistance lasts 22 balls on the fifth and final day at Durban

The Report by Brydon Coverdale05-Mar-20182:47

Holding: Markram will get better and better

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsMitchell Starc missed out on a hat-trick but Australia had little trouble in wrapping up a 118-run win on the fifth morning in Durban, where they took a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Bad light had halted Australia’s march to victory on the fourth evening with just one wicket required, so it was possible that it could have taken just a single ball to end the game on day five. In the end, it took 22 deliveries.Josh Hazlewood confirmed the result by trapping Quinton de Kock lbw for 83 in the fourth over of the day, as South Africa were dismissed for 298. Morne Morkel finished not out on 3. Starc had been denied the chance to bowl for a hat-trick late on day four after he bowled Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada with what became his last two balls of the day, as the umpires declared that the light was sufficient only for spin bowling. He instead bowled for his hat-trick with the first ball of the fifth day and rapped de Kock on the pads, but the ball was sliding down leg.The result gives Australia a good start as they aim to maintain their remarkable record of having not lost a Test series in South Africa since readmission. The teams now move on to Port Elizabeth for the second Test, which begins on Friday.

Andre Russell is praying and hoping that the independent anti-doping tribunal does not ban him for missing out on filing his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2017Andre Russell is praying and hoping that the independent anti-doping tribunal does not ban him for missing out on filing his whereabouts on three occasions in 2015. The three-member tribunal will deliver the verdict in Kingston on Tuesday.If found guilty, Russell could face a maximum ban of up to two years under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. Missing three tests in 12-month period amounts to a failed dope test under the WADA guidelines.”It’s been stressing and hard playing cricket and all that’s in the back of your head. But at the end of the day you have to do what you have to do,” Russell told . “It’s like a big cloud over my head. If I get a ban then definitely I’m out of cricket [during the period of the suspension]; I mean all formats. So I’d just love to know I’m back and I can represent Jamaica Tallawahs, West Indies, and all the other teams I play for in the world.”Honestly, I’m being positive and I haven’t been thinking about anything else that I want to do apart from playing cricket; doing what I love. I have so many fans out there and they would be disappointed, just as I would be. I just want to remain positive at the moment. I think I can [avoid a suspension] with the help of God; I think it’s out of my control, so I just have to wait on what happens on Tuesday.”In March 2016, Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) pressed a legal charge against Russell for failing to provide his whereabouts between January and July 2015. According to JADCO Russell had failed to file his whereabouts on January 1, July 1 and July 25 that year despite several reminders over email, phone and letters.In his defence, Russell told the tribunal that he had not been properly trained to file the whereabouts, and that he had authorised his agent and travel agent to file his whereabouts since he was busy with cricket commitments.The three-member tribunal comprising Hugh Faulkner, Dr Marjorie Vassell and Dixeth Palmer, a former Jamaica cricketer, has been deliberating on the case for a long time and even delayed the original verdict date last December.Russell, who is recovering from a left hamstring injury which forced him out midway through the Big Bash League in Australia earlier this month, tested his fitness last Saturday when he turned to play a league game for St Catherine’s Cricket Club. He ended up with three wickets which played a role in his team’s victory.Last July, while playing for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the Caribbean Premier League, Russell had said it had been “depressing” for him to carry on playing while the hearings were on. Ahead of the hearing, he hoped his prayers would be answered.”As I said in the team meeting to the guys, I just would love for them to say a prayer for me, and I’ve been praying for myself as well,” he said. “I have faith (in) the work that my lawyers put out… I think they summed up things very well.”

Sri Lanka were cost the wicket of Udara Jayasundera after third umpire Richard Kettleborough wrongfully adjudged him out due to an optical illusion in the DRS replays he saw

Andrew Fidel Fernando in Hamilton20-Dec-2015Sri Lanka bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake said the DRS system had “a lot of errors”, in the wake of what seemed to be an incorrect DRS call which cost Sri Lanka a wicket.Third umpire Richard Kettleborough had overturned Paul Reiffel’s not-out decision on a caught-behind call on batsman Udara Jayasundera in the 23rd over of Sri Lanka’s second innings. There appeared to be no conclusive evidence that the batsman had gloved the ball on snicko or hotspot, but Kettleborough may have instead relied on a seeming deviation from the glove. This deviation, seen from a rear camera angle, was later shown to be an optical illusion.”What I saw on the TV – it looked like not out,” Ramanayake said. “I can’t talk about the umpiring. We haven’t spoken to anyone. Whatever the decision is made we have to take it. We have to have a real serious think about this DRS system. There are a lot of errors.”The short ball from Doug Bracewell did not leave a distinctive hotspot mark. Snicko showed no conclusive spike either.The rear angle initially showed a significant deviation, but importantly, the glove did not appear to move when the ball seemed to brush it. Kettleborough had not seen a split-screen before making his decision. The broadcaster later put up a side-angle view of the dismissal, simultaneous with that rear angle, which seemed to show that the deviation seen on the rear angle came well before the ball had reached the glove.
In any case, both umpire Reiffel and batsman Jayasundera appeared unhappy with the eventual outcome.New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner, who had only seen the original review on the big screen at the ground, acknowledged that there was little evidence on hotspot or snicko. However, he thought the correct decision had been arrived at, due to the seeming deviation seen in that rear-angle shot.

Jyotiraditya Scindia has said N Srinivasan must step down in the wake of his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan’s alleged involvement in betting, for which he has been arrested

ESPNcricinfo staff28-May-2013Jyotiraditya Scindia, a member of the BCCI and of its disciplinary committee, has said board president N Srinivasan must step down following the arrest of his son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings official Gurunath Meiyappan on charges of betting. Early this week, Punjab Cricket Association president IS Bindra publicly called for Srinivasan’s resignation, undermining the latter’s assertion that the entire board was united behind him.”Let me say this that I am not assuming or saying that anyone is guilty. But considering the environment that is around cricket today, considering the fact that we do need to cleanse the sport in every single meaning of the word, I do believe that it would be in the fitness of things if Mr. Srinivasan did step aside until this matter reached a conclusive end in terms of an inquiry,” Scindia, president of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association and a federal minister, told the television channel .”If he and his family members, or rather his son-in-law, is absolved then surely he can come back. But considering the environment that cricket is in today, I do think that if you combine the fact of a conflict of interest and his own family member being involved in an ongoing investigation, it is in the fitness of things and more from a spirit point of view and propriety point of view, I do believe that he should step aside.”Scindia’s statement was the first from any of the politicians – including some of the country’s most high-profile leaders – who sit on the BCCI to criticize Srinivasan’s stand. It came amid growing public outrage over silence within the BCCI leadership over questions relating to Srinivasan’s apparently conflicted position on the issue. It came on a day when Kirti Azad, a BJP member of parliament, and a senior official of the Communist Party both criticized the board’s silence. Scindia is also the president of the state association to which Sanjay Jagdale, the BCCI secretary, belongs.Scindia said the issue of Gurunath’s exact role in Super Kings wasn’t relevant to the issue of his father-in-law’s continuance in office. “There’s a committee that’s going to be set up that’s going to look into this, I don’t believe that the nitty-gritty is important at this point of time. I believe propriety is important and, in the sense of propriety, I do believe that he should step down. I do believe he should step down, not only for himself but also for Chennai Super Kings and for the spirit of cricket per se.”Asked whether the BCCI was planning to follow an alternative route to convince Srinivasan to step down, Scindia replied by saying it’s what he would have done if he were in that situation. “The fact that he has not done so, I think it is time now for BCCI as a collective to see what the future course of action should be. In the fitness of things one should step aside, whether or not we believe we are guilty or not. If we are not guilty, then we will surely be reinstated. That example has to come from the top.”On a similar theme, he said that “a fair share” of the responsibility to clean up cricket lay with the BCCI. “I believe we must take the assistance of other stakeholders on board to ensure that such incidents don’t recur, and there is a very strict – and strictly enforced – due process.”On Sunday, Bindra, a former BCCI president himself, was unambiguous in his stand.”I demand that he should step down from the BCCI President’s position forthwith and not cause anymore damage to Indian cricket,” Bindra said. “His statement in Mumbai is shocking. It shows that he has not learnt anything from this episode. He continues to remain defiant as if nothing has happened.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings in Dharamsala

The Preview by Devashish Fuloria16-May-2012

Match facts

Thursday, May 17, Dharamsala
Start time 1600 (1030 GMT)Ben Hilfenhaus has added spark to Chennai Super Kings’ bowling•Associated Press

Big Picture

Chennai Super Kings are placed fourth on the points table with 17 points and need to win their last league game against Kings XI Punjab to put themselves in a strong position to qualify for the playoffs. A loss, however, would put them at the mercy of the others. Kings XI are also on the brink of elimination after their loss to Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday and would need two wins in two matches plus other favourable results to push them through to the top four.The task for Kings XI is difficult as they face two in-form teams, Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, and both matches will be played in Dharamsala, negating any home advantage that was available in Mohali. But Kings XI have fought well this season and surprised big teams, including Super Kings in Chennai. If their batting and bowling complement each other, Kings XI have the firepower to down any team. However, they would have to avoid the distraction of losing two of their players to the spot-fixing controversy.Two years ago, Super Kings had arrived in Dharamsala under similar circumstances for their last league match. That day, MS Dhoni had launched an attack on Irfan Pathan’s last over, and from there on, the team went on to win the IPL title. This year, Super Kings have been in must-win situations in the last few games and their batting, which has always been their strength, has finally started to come together while Ben Hilfenhaus has added spark to their bowling.There is a chance of rain in Dharamsala, but both teams would hope that it stays away because in case of a washout, Kings XI will be knocked out while Super Kings’ chances will get trickier.

Form guide

(most recent first, completed games)
Kings XI Punjab : LWWLW
Chennai Super Kings: WWWLW

Players to watch

David Hussey has said that Parwinder Awana has been Kings XI’s find of the season. Awana has continued to impress with the pace he generates off the pitch. He bowled another incisive spell in Delhi where he picked up three important wickets to give Kings XI a chance against Daredevils’ strong batting.Three matches ago, Ben Hilfenhaus was taken apart by Dwayne Smith in Mumbai. Since then, Hilfenhaus has won two back-to-back Man-of-the-Match awards and his pace and late swing has caused problems for all batsmen. The highlight of his last week’s exploits was the wicket of Virender Sehwag, who was beaten by the late outswing and lost his off stump.

Stats and trivia

• In Super Kings’ last three games, Ben Hilfenhaus’ figures read 11-1-61-6.
• Super Kings’ batsmen have scored five half-centuries in IPL 2012, which is the lowest for a team along with Pune Warriors. Royal Challengers Bangalore have 15 half-centuries – the most by a team this season.
  

  Quotes

  “We will take one game at a time and won’t think for the playoffs now. We have to win our next match.”

  “Delhi are a very talented team. But we have shown the fans that we fight till the end and can still chase the finals.”

Japan’s captain Masaomi Kobayshi looks ahead to the Pepsi ICC World Cricket League Division 7 that begins in Botswana next week

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Apr-2011How has the side been preparing for WCL Div. 7?
We have been looking forward to this tournament since the completion of our previous tournament in Guernsey in 2009. We have undergone regular camps and established high standard domestic competitions to develop the players as a group and as individuals. The squad was narrowed down in January, and we have had two camps a month and individual training on other weekends. Unfortunately, as a result of the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11 this year, we were not able to have our scheduled camps or overseas tour that month. However, in April, we have been able to hold our scheduled camps and I believe that this is the best prepared that we have been for an international tournament. I’m delighted that we will compete at the tournament at our best. We have improved individually and as a group in fitness, technique, and tactically and we are all very much looking forward to the tournament.What do you know about the conditions in Gaborone and do you think your side will be well suited to those conditions?
We understand the pitches are permanent hard wickets, which is what we are used to playing on in Japan. We also understand that the altitude is extremely high which is why we have been working hard on our fitness levels. We will be learning more about the conditions when we arrive, but this will not change how we want to play. Whatever the conditions, we will just believe in ourselves, express ourselves and play to the best of our abilities.There are only four expatriate players in the Japan side while the rest are all native Japanese – how does your development programme work to have such a strong native Japanese element?
In the last 10 years, Japanese cricket has come a long way. New grounds, sponsors, junior development initiatives, and better coaches have all contributed to the development of cricket in Japan. The JCA has worked very hard for its fantastic achievements and that has inspired the players to work hard at training and performing well at tournaments. Encouraging youngsters to take up the sport as well as excellent coaches and improved facilities have contributed to our development and we are seeing players such as Raheel Kano who is amongst the first generation of players coming through the whole participation pathway established 10 years ago. The new generation of young talented players have created a dynamic team environment and we are all very excited get out onto the field and play.Who are the players to watch in your side for this event? We`ve heard good things about Raheel Kano from the U19s, what does he bring to the side?
Yes Raheel is an exciting young leg spinner who has come through the participation programme. Like the other youngsters in the team he plays the game in an exciting way and expresses himself out on the field which is great. A number of youngsters have come into the side in recent times and have gelled really well with the experienced players. However, I believe that we are a well balanced team where everyone contributes, all 14 players and team management. Team work has been an essential weapon for us. Japan is not a team of one star player, but of a great group of players who are proud to represent their country, play as hard as they can, and bring the best out of each other.You`ve obviously faced Nigeria before but what is your knowledge of the other sides in the tournament and have you played any of them recently?
We played Norway and Nigeria in the World Cricket League Division 5 in 2008. Our match against Botswana in that tournament was washed out, but we did see them play. We have heard about Germany and Kuwait from the Vanuatu players who played them in Division 8. All countries have good teams, but we will concentrate on our game plan and do our best.Finally, the JCA have set up `Cricket for Smiles` – can you tell us a little bit about this initiative and also about what it means to you as a captain of the national cricket team and its importance?
As a group we were all upset and touched by the events of 11 March. Some of our players had family in the area and it was a very emotional time for them. We wanted to do something as a group and as an organisation to contribute to the people of the Sendai region in a positive way. A lot of schools have been wiped out and the kids involved have nothing. The idea of the initiative is to introduce cricket to over 200 schools that have been badly affected and provide them with cricket equipment.It is upsetting to watch your county men struggle at a time like this and if we can help in anyway and use cricket to allow the children to smile again then I think it is great! We are looking for sponsorship for `Cricket for Smiles` and your support would be greatly appreciated. For more information of how to donate to this worthy cause log in online www.cricket.or.jp/cricketforsmilesAll sports people dream to represent their country in their chosen sport and I was no different. The fact that I am now seen as a leader is even better. I am lucky enough to have done it before and every time I walk out onto the field as captain of Japan is a special moment for me.