Cricket news round-up – 28 June: West Indies out of World Cup, Trescothick to retire

India stayed undefeated, eliminating West Indies from World Cup 2019. Sayed Ahmad Shirzad replaced Aftab Alam for the remaining World Cup campaign of Afghanistan. And Marcus Trescothick announced retirement after a 27-year long career.

World Cup ends for West Indies

India delivered another strong performance, especially with ball, that took them closer to the semi final spot. They are currently second in the table and their qualification is not guaranteed yet due to some mathematical possibilities. For West Indies it is the end of road as far their chance of qualification is concerned.

Batting first India put up 268/7 based on a 72 runs from Virat Kohli. There were still some uncomfortable moments during the middle overs, however MS Dhoni (56*) remained till the end and he along with Hardik Pandya (46) provided the required push at the death.

West Indies were on back foot from the very beginning as Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah bowled brilliantly with the new ball. Shami gave the first two breakthroughs and except a brief partnership between Sunil Ambrish (31) and Nicholas Pooran (28), they kept losing wickets at regular interval. The final victory margin for India was 125 runs as Shami finished with 4 for 16 in just 6.2 overs.

Shirzad replaces Alam

Afghanistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign took another twist when ICC allowed them to replace fast bowler Aftab Alam by Sayed Ahmad Shirzad “in exceptional circumstances” as mentioned in the official release.

Later Afghanistan Cricket Board clarified that there is some breach of ICC Code of Conduct without disclosing much. Alam played three matches in the tournament and took four wickets. His replacement Shirzad is a left-arm fast bowler who played a solitary rain-affected ODI in March this year.

Trescothick retires

Marcus Trescothick called time on his famed professional cricket career as he is going to retire after the end of the ongoing County Championship in September. This is his 27th year as a professional for Somerset.

A poor run of show in the ongoing County season which saw him getting dropped after scoring 88 runs in 8 innings could be a decider for him. But he will remain available till the end of the season and will be more than willing to help Somerset towards their maiden County championship.

Playing for Somerset since 1993, Trescothick was also an important England national team player during late 1990s and early 2000s playing 78 Tests and 123 ODIs. A stress related illness forced him to take retirement from international cricket in 2008. However he was a permanent fixture in County for last 11 years and helped Somerset to reach new heights.

Everton Weekes Hospitalised

West Indian legend Everton Weekes suffered a heart attack and is currently in an intensive care unit in the Queen Elizabeth hospital at Bridgetown, Barbados. However, his condition is improving, and he should be released in next few days. Weekes, 94, made his debut in 1947-48 season and played 48 Tests for his 4,455 runs at an average of 58.61.

A part of the famous three ‘W’s for West Indies, Weekes remains the only batsman to score centuries on 5 consecutive innings, in 1949.

County Championship updates

Durham got a 196-run win over Sussex in their Division two match at Hove. There were some resistance from Stiaan van Zyl and night watchman Ollie Robinson in the first session. However, a wicket in the last ball before lunch by Ben Raine triggered a collapse and Sussex finished on 240. Raine was the most successful of the bowlers, finishing with a career-best 22.3-13-27-6.

The match between Northamptonshire and Leicestershire resulted in an expected draw as the teams brought a close in the proceedings early in the post-tea session. The rain affected the first two days and there were not enough time to record a win for both sides.