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The city’s air quality has fallen to hazardous levels post-Diwali, calling to question the BCCI’s scheduling of fixtures

Sidharth Monga in Delhi01-Nov-2019Two days before the Delhi T20I between India and Bangladesh, the air quality in Delhi has plummeted to hazardous levels, and led to a public-health emergency. Schools have been shut, construction work stalled, and athletic activity advised against, but the two teams trained out in the middle and continued to shrug off the threat of playing in such poor air quality.This match is the first international fixture in India after Diwali, which raises severe questions over BCCI’s planning because it is well documented that the weeks immediately after Diwali are some of the most hazardous on public health. The BCCI has had first-hand experience with Ranji Trophy matches cancelled and a Test match interrupted in the past.The schedule was announced as early as June 2019. Match allocation in the BCCI works on rotation basis, but exchanging matches is not unheard of. However, the current BCCI office bearers took charge only last week, until when the board had been under the charge of the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators, who had been entrusted with ensuring the implementation of the Lodha Committee’s reforms and overseeing the running of the board while that happened. So direct responsibility for this scheduling is hard to pin down.Questions asked of CEO Rahul Johri, who was the chief executive even when the current BCCI was not in charge, went unanswered. New secretary Jay Shah didn’t respond either, but new president Sourav Ganguly said on Thursday that it was not possible to change the venue at such a short notice.The two camps, who are at possibly the biggest risk because they are undertaking strenuous athletic activity, tried to play the issue down. While the Bangladesh players privately complained of burning eyes, sore throats and their struggle to sleep, their coach Russell Domingo said they were not going to moan about it. In what might come across as an insensitive statement, he even said it is not like anybody has died on the field.”It’s not something you’d want, but there is nothing you can do about it,” Domingo said. “It is what it is. We have to make sure that we prepare as well as possible and deal with it as well as possible. Thus far, for sure have some scratchy eyes and some sore throat now and then, but it’s been okay. Nobody’s been sick or dying or anything like that. We’ve been okay with it.”Domingo, who was one of the members of the Bangladesh camp who wore a mask during training, was thankful the team was playing just a T20I and not a Test match or ODI. “Obviously you don’t want to be in it for six or seven hours,” Domingo said. “Three hours we’re playing and three hours practice sessions. It’s probably as long as you would want to be in it at the moment.”Domingo also said conditions back home might have helped the players ready themselves for this game. “There’s a bit of pollution in Bangladesh as well so it’s not a massive shock to the system as maybe some other countries can experience. The players have dealt with it really well – ‘It’s a bit smoky but let’s get on with it and practise.’ They haven’t made too much of an issue out of it. Coaches haven’t either. And we just have to go about our business as well normally would.”Bangladesh spin consultant Daniel Vettori wears an anti-pollution mask at training•PTI

India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour compared it with playing in extreme weather conditions. Rathour himself played a lot of cricket in north Indian winters, so he was asked how much worse the pollution has become over time. “I don’t think you even notice it,” Rathour said. “Playing cricket, you play sometimes in very hot weather… 45-46 degrees [Celsius]. Sometimes you play in extreme cold. Once you are in a game, I don’t think you notice these things. It’s when you are sitting out…”When told of the emergency conditions and the public-health advisory against athletic activity, Rathour said: “I understand that but we are here to play a game and can’t really do much about it. We are here to play and we will play.”That’s what the local hosting body, the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) said too. “As you must be aware that BCCI has said that it’s too late to change the venue at the last moment,” Rajat Sharma, the DDCA president, told ESPNcricinfo. “DDCA, however, is taking all possible measures in consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). A meeting was held by the representatives of DDCA with various other departments such as DPCC, Traffic Police, SDMC (South Delhi Municipal Corporation), PWD (Public Works Department) and others chaired by member secretary CPCB. The situation was reviewed and departments were advised to take certain measures to help reducing the pollution around Arun Jaitley Stadium.”DDCA was advised to wash the trees inside the stadium so that the dust doesn’t flow. DDCA was also asked to survey the area of about two kilometres around the stadium and if any polluting items such as construction material, burning garbage etc. is found it is to be reported to CPCB. They will ensure immediate action.”With the AQI (air quality index) reaching 471 on the afternoon two days before the match, these measures are not likely to make any significant impact on the air quality.

Ben Charlesworth, only 17, made a big impact for Glocestershire in his third first-class appearance

ECB Reporters Network05-Sep-2018
ScorecardUnheralded Ben Charlesworth played a starring role with bat and ball as Gloucestershire assumed the upper hand on day two of their Specsavers County Championship match against Second Division promotion hopefuls Middlesex at Bristol.Making only his third first-class appearance, the 17-year-old Academy product raised a career-best 77 not out to propel the hosts to 296 and then took 3-21 from eight overs as Middlesex limped to the close on 182 for 7, still 114 behind. Discarded England batsman Dawid Malan offered stubborn resistance in making 62, but the home side were firmly in the ascendant when Matt Taylor dismissed him in the penultimate over.Teenage rookie Charlesworth initially distinguished himself as Gloucestershire staged a notable recovery after resuming their first innings on 208 for 7. In danger of falling short, the hosts were indebted to the 17-year-old A-Level student, who registered his maiden first-class half-century to propel his team to a respectable total.Given permission to play by St Edward’s School in Oxford, Charlesworth batted for just under three-and-a-half hours, facing 161 balls and accruing seven fours and a six, hit straight back over Malan’s head, before finally running out of partners.Having demonstrated sound defence the previous evening, he displayed excellent shot selection and the strength of character needed to take charge of the lower order and retain the strike. Dropped behind on 29 off the bowling of Ethan Bamber, Charlesworth made good his escape to stage a meaningful partnership of 58 with Matt Taylor, a Gloucestershire record for the last wicket in matches against Middlesex. In so doing, they eclipsed the landmark set by Martyn Ball and Courtney Walsh at Lord’s in 1998.Fellow teenager and England Under-19 international Bamber also excelled, removing Craig Miles and David Payne in quick succession to return figures of 4 for 81, while James Harris pinned Matt Taylor lbw to wrap up the innings shortly before lunch.Requiring at least one partnership of major substance if they were to match Gloucestershire’s performance on a low and slow track, Middlesex lost batsmen at regular intervals during the afternoon. Openers Sam Robson and Nick Gubbins failed to establish themselves, falling to Miles and Ryan Higgins respectively as Gloucestershire made good use of the new ball.Stevie Eskinazi partially redressed the balance in scoring a patient 45, only to be pinned lbw in the crease by the ubiquitous Charlesworth with the score on 103. When England one-day captain Eoin Morgan was bowled by Matt Taylor for 16 and Charlsworth accounted for Max Holden and the experienced Paul Stirling in quick succession, the visitors were 161 for 6, under real pressure for the first time in the match and heavily dependent upon their captain.Although he lived a charmed life at times, Malan represented his team’s best chance of achieving the victory they needed to maintain pressure on second-placed Kent. He had been at large for three hours, faced 122 balls and helped himself to 11 fours when he pushed at a length ball from Matt Taylor and was held by Gareth Roderick shortly before the close.

Ben Duckett’s 72 helped champions Northamptonshire home by six wickets with four balls to spare in the repeat of last year’s NatWest T20 Blast final against Durham at Chester-le-Street

ECB Reporters Network09-Jul-2017
ScorecardBen Duckett had a major bearing on Northants’ victory•Getty Images

Ben Duckett’s 72 helped champions Northamptonshire home by six wickets with four balls to spare in the repeat of last year’s NatWest T20 Blast final against Durham at Chester-le-Street.There was also a vital contribution for Northants from South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi. While Durham were unable to find a late substitute for the injured Tom Latham, Shamsi has been brought in for three games until Sri Lankan Seekkuge Prasanna becomes available.Shamsi’s chinamen proved something of a mystery as he took 2 for 20 in four overs, which included having Paul Collingwood, one of the mainstays of Durham’s innings caught low down at extra cover.Chasing Durham’s 161 for 7, Duckett initially stuggled to find his timing, despite scooping Chris Rushworth to fine leg for his only six in the third over.But the left-hander always seemed to have things under control and it was a surprise when he reverse-swept to point with 29 needed off 3.2 overs. He made his runs off 56 balls and hit nine fours.Durham’s superior athleticism restricted their visitors’ ability to run twos. Nor could Northants clear the rope with ease as it was pushed well back and Josh Cobb, the matchwinner in last year’s final, was caught on the midwicket boundary.Skipper Alex Wakely was also caught just inside the rope at backward square for 27 in the 18th over, leaving Rob Keogh and Steven Crook to score 18 off two.Keogh collected two boundaries off Usman Arshad then hit James Weighell over mid-off for the winning four.Jack Burnham lacked support in the closing overs of Durham’s innings as he completed his maiden T20 half-century in the final over by stepping across to scoop Ben Sanderson to fine leg. That brought his third four and he added two big sixes in his unbeaten 53 off 41 balls.Durham had hopes of reaching 180 while he was putting on 57 in six overs with Paul Collingwood, who also hit two sixes in his 38 off 28 balls. But once he was out to Shamsi – caught low down at extra cover – three more wickets fell to Rory Kleinveldt and only 35 runs came off the last five overs.

New Zealand Cricket has announced a packed slate of fixtures for the following two home summers, which may include the country’s first day-night Test against England at Eden Park in 2018

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2016New Zealand Cricket has announced a packed slate of fixtures for the following two home summers, which may include the country’s first day-night Test against England at Eden Park in 2018. After going six years without hosting Australia for a bilateral tour, this summer will be the second of three consecutive seasons in which Australia will tour as a trio of Chappell-Hadlee ODIs will be held both in 2017 and 2018.

NZ’s 2016-17 and 2017-18 home series

2016-17
v Pakistan: Nov 17 onwards, 2 Tests (Christchurch, Hamilton)
v Bangladesh: Dec 26 onwards, 3 ODIs (Christchurch, Nelson x2), 3 T20s (Napier, Mt Maunganui x2), 2 Tests (Basin Reserve, Christchurch)
v Australia: January 30 onwards, 3 ODIs (Auckland, Napier, Hamilton)
v South Africa: February 17 onwards, 1 T20 (Auckland), 5 ODIs (Hamilton, Christchurch, Westpac Stadium, Napier, Auckland), 3 Tests (Dunedin, Basin Reserve, Hamilton)
2017-18*
v West Indies: 3 Tests (Christchurch, Basin Reserve, Hamilton), 5 ODIs (Whangarei, Christchurch x2, Nelson, Mt Maunganui), 1 T20 (Mt Maunganui)
v Pakistan: 3 T20s (Auckland, Hamilton, Westpac Stadium), 5 ODIs (Basin Reserve, Nelson, Dunedin, Napier, Mt Maunganui)
v Australia: 3 ODIs (Westpac Stadium, Hamilton, Auckland)
v England: 1 T20 (Auckland), 5 ODIs (Hamilton, Napier, Westpac Stadium, Dunedin, Christchurch), 2 Tests (Auckland, Christchurch)
*

“The last couple of years has seen a significant rise in interest in cricket and I think the schedule we’ve locked in will help that interest continue to grow,” NZC chief executive David White said. “There’s some obvious highlights, with two more Chappell-Hadlee series at home, a three-match Test series against South Africa and the probability of a day-night Test against England at Eden Park. While we can’t confirm it yet, it’s something we’re extremely interested in and working towards.”The entire 2016-17 home slate includes a total of seven Tests, 11 ODIS and four T20s against touring sides from Pakistan, Bangladesh and South Africa in addition to the Chappell-Hadlee series against Australia. The tour by South Africa to end the home season is the lengthiest with a total of nine fixtures starting with one T20I followed by five ODIs and three Test matches.The season begins with a two-Test tour by Pakistan in Christchurch and Hamilton beginning on November 17. Bangladesh then follows with the first of three ODIs to be played on Boxing Day in Christchurch, as well as three T20Is and two Tests. The Chappell-Hadlee series will take place from January 30 before South Africa kick off their series at Eden Park in Auckland on February 17.In addition to England and Australia, the 2017-18 season will also feature visits from West Indies and Pakistan. Three Tests, five ODIs and a T20I are scheduled against West Indies while Pakistan will follow their Test tour from this year by coming back in 2017 for a limited-overs tour with three T20Is and five ODIs scheduled.

ESPNcricinfo brings you the team news ahead of the third round of the NatWest T20 Blast

Freddie Wilde29-May-201513:33

The Blast: How to bowl a yorker

North Group

Worcestershire v Leicestershire, New Road, 5.30pm
Leicestershire appear to be striking some good form following comfortable back-to-back wins over Derbyshire and Durham. Worcestershire, who lost their first match of the season last week against Birmingham, have replaced Alex Gidman in their squad with overseas player Colin Munro, who has spent the last month in the Mumbai Indians dugout. Shaaiq Choudhry and Charlie Morris, who were not selected last week, have been left out of the 12-man squad. Leicestershire are sticking with the same 14 from Thursday.Northamptonshire v Birmingham, Northampton, 6.30pm
Northamptonshire have played just once this season, losing a rain-affected match against Durham. Birmingham, meanwhile, have played twice, winning once and losing once. The defending champions, Birmingham, who have won seven of the last ten encounters against Northants, have made one change to the 13-man squad that beat Worcestershire last week, leaving out Chris Wright and selecting Oliver Hannon-Dalby. Northamptonshire welcome Azharullah back into their squad. Shahid Afridi is set to make his home debut.Derbyshire v Lancashire, Derby, 7pm
Derbyshire and Lancashire are both looking to bounce back from defeats last week and welcome stellar overseas signings Tillakaratne Dilshan and James Faulkner respectively into their squads. Derbyshire, who have lost both their matches this season, have fast-tracked the arrival of Dilshan to replace the injured Nathan Rimmington as their second overseas player and he will likely open alongside Hashim Amla to form one of the most formidable opening partnerships in the North Group. Greg Cork and Mark Footitt have been left out after playing against Leicestershire, while Alex Hughes also misses out. Dilshan and Tony Palladino come into the 13-man squad. Lancashire, who have won their last three matches against Derbyshire, have named a 15-man squad, bringing in Faulkner, Paul Horton and Rob Jones. Tom Smith was initially included but, having played a four-day match for the 2nd XI, is rested and replaced by Nathan Buck.Durham v Yorkshire, Chester-le-Street, 7pm
A record crowd is expected at Chester-le-Street for the first match under the new floodlights. Durham were beaten convincingly by Leicestershire on Thursday and will hope the crowd can inspire them to a victory against a Yorkshire team who have won both their opening matches. Yorkshire have named a 13-man squad, leaving out Steve Patterson, who didn’t play in last week’s victory against Nottinghamshire. Durham have kept the same 16 men for consecutive fixtures.Chris Gayle has arrived from the IPL to don Somerset’s Blast colours•BCCI

South Group

Kent v Surrey, Beckenham, 5.30pm
Kent followed last week’s scintillating late heist against Hampshire with a tame defeat against Middlesex at Lord’s on Thursday. They return to less opulent surroundings in Beckenham – though the ground is newly developed – to face Surrey, looking to get their season back on track. Surrey have named Azhar Mahmood and Moises Henriques, both straight from the IPL, in their squad, leaving out Aneesh Kapil and Vikram Solanki. Kent, still without the injured James Tredwell, have named an unchanged 13-man squad for their back-to-back matches.Glamorgan v Hampshire, Cardiff, 6.30pm
Both Glamorgan and Hampshire have won one and lost one and this match represents an important early fixture in their seasons, given the strength of the South Group. Hampshire were stung by a late surge from Kent last week but have named an unchanged 13-man squad for the trip to Cardiff. Glamorgan have named overseas player Wayne Parnell in their squad for the first time this season now that he has recovered from injury. Other than the addition of Parnell, Glamorgan are unchanged.Essex v Somerset, Chelmsford, 7pm
Chris Gayle is set to make his highly anticipated Somerset debut against an Essex squad including Jesse Ryder, Ravi Bopara and Shaun Tait in front of what should be a big crowd at Chelmsford. Essex have already played four matches, while Somerset have played just one, but neither team has found the winning habit – Essex have lost three of their fixtures and Somerset were beaten by Sussex last Friday. Somerset have won their last two matches away to Essex, however. They have left out Craig Overton and Abdur Rehman and added Gayle, who will meet the squad for the first time when they arrive in Chelmsford. Essex, meanwhile, have added Tom Westley to last week’s 14-man squad.Sussex v Middlesex, Hove, 7pm
Sussex have won their last two matches and are second in the South Group and, although Middlesex are fresh off a huge victory against Kent at Lord’s, they have lost six of their last seven matches against Sussex. This is an intriguing match-up, with Sussex’s powerful top order of Chris Nash, Luke Wright and Mahela Jayawardene against Middlesex’s international pace trio of Kyle Abbott, Steven Finn and James Franklin. Middlesex have the same squad that defeated Kent while Sussex have made two changes to the squad that beat Somerset, leaving out Chris Jordan, who is in England’s Test squad, and Matthew Hobden, who wasn’t selected last week.