Cricket news round-up – 8 May: Mumbai into IPL 2019 final, World Cup injuries mount up, Seymour Nurse passes away

Mumbai Indians sealed their progress to the IPL 2019 final after seeing off Chennai Super Kings all too comfortably in their Qualifier 1 clash.

Meanwhile, Jhye Richardson and Anrich Nortje were ruled out from the World Cup through injuries, former West Indies batsman Seymour Nurse passed away, and Bangladesh opened their English summer with a fine win.

Mumbai seal IPL 2019 final berth

Mumbai Indians continued their imperious form to seal their place in the IPL 2019 final, seeing off Chennai Super Kings by a comfortable 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare in the first Qualifier.

On another turning track in Chepauk and for the second time this season, the Mumbai spinners contained Chennai to a low 131/4, with Rahul Chahar returning 2/14. It needed a 66-run stand between Ambati Rayudu (42 off 37) and MS Dhoni (37 off 29) to get them there.

However, that was no match for Mumbai. Despite losing Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock early, Mumbai rode of Suryakumar Yadav’s 54-ball 71* to secure their final berth.

Chennai will have one more shot at reaching the final, when they face the winner of the Eliminator between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Australia pacer Jhye Richardson out of World Cup

Jhye Richardson, the young Australian paceman, has been ruled out of the 2019 World Cup after failing to recover sufficiently from a dislocated shoulder. Kane Richardson has been called up as replacement.

Jhye sustained during Australia’s ODI series in the United Arab Emirates against Pakistan, and though he was subsequently included in the 15-man squad in the hope that he’d recover, his progress hasn’t been as swift as expected.

“After his most recent assessment and attempting to bowl in the nets, it was clear that Jhye was not progressing as fast as required and therefore, in consultation with selectors, we made the decision to withdraw him from the squad,” said David Beakley, the team physio.

Anrich Nortje ruled out, Morris gets call-up

South Africa’s injury worries deepened on Tuesday after Anrich Nortje’s fractured thumb ruled him out of the 2019 World Cup. South Africa have called up the all-rounder Chris Morris as replacement.

Nortje impressed after making his international debut in March, and was shooed in to the 15-man squad for the World Cup. However, he fractured his thumb during a South Africa net session, and Dr. Mohammad Moosajee, the South Africa team manager, confirmed the recovery would take at least six to eight weeks.

“Anrich sustained a fracture to his right thumb during a net session in Port Elizabeth on Monday,” he said. “He immediately consulted a hand surgeon and underwent surgery to stabilise the joint and will unfortunately be sidelined for up to eight weeks. This makes him unavailable for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.”

Seymour Nurse, former West Indies batsman, passes away

Seymour Nurse, the former West Indies batsman, passed away on Monday after a long bout of illness. He was 85.

Nurse played 29 Tests for West Indies between 1960 and 1969, scoring 2,523 runs at 47.60. He was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1967 after scoring 501 runs in 5 Tests against England in their tour in 1966. He also scored a brilliant 258 against New Zealand in his final Test innings.

Desmond Haynes shared the news on Facebook: “My coach my mentor, we all from the holders hill area love this man, we used to walk like Seymour bat like him and try to talk like him. Thanks for everything you have done for me. May he Rest In Peace and rise in glory.”

Top three score fifties as Bangladesh see off Windies

Half-centuries from Tamim Iqbal (80), Soumya Sarkar (73) and Shakib Al Hasan (61*) ensured Bangladesh opened their tri-series campaign flawlessly, despite Shai Hope scoring a fine 132-ball 109. Bangladesh won by 8 wickets, with 30 balls to spare.

Hope’s knock, along with Roston Chase’s 62-ball 51, helped West Indies to 261/9 – they could have had more had the rest of the batsmen done more. Apart from Sunil Ambris’ 38, there was no real score of note. Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh captain, was the pick among bowlers, returning 3/49.

The Bangladesh top order, meanwhile, put on partnerships to complete the chase comfortably with 5 overs to spare.