Cricket news round-up – August 9: India-West Indies first ODI abandoned, Hashim Amla retires

The first ODI between India and West Indies was washed out. Hashim Amla retired from all forms of international cricket. A double hundred from Shubman Gill put West Indies A in a troublesome situation. Vancouver Knights reached the final of the Global T20 Canada 2019.

First ODI washout after 13 overs

Bouts of rain and wet outfield ended the first one day between India and West Indies after 13 overs in the first innings. The toss was delayed and it started as a 43-overs per side game. India won the toss and elected to field. But more rain around 6^th over resulted in a long break; the game was resumed eventually as a 34-over contest.

Chris Gayle played his slowest ODI innings (cut off 25 balls) as he could not get going and laboured to 31-ball 4 before getting bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. This was the only wicket in the match as Evin Lewis and Shai Hope remained unbeaten when the rain interruption at the 13^th over finally abandoned the match. Lewis survived an LBW appeal and replayed showed that Indians made a mistake by not going for the DRS. He later showed some glimpses of his form with three sixes and scored 40 runs.

Amla retires from International cricket

Hashim Amla announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. He will continue to play domestic cricket and T20 leagues. Amla performed brilliantly in all formats of the game for South Africa. He was the first South African batsman to score a test triple hundred and played a number of long patient innings over the years. He was also the fastest player to reach 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs in one day cricket.

Announcing the retirement, in an official statement, Amla said, “I learnt many lessons during this incredible ride, made many friends and most importantly shared in the love of a brotherhood called #proteafire. I would like to thank my parents for their prayers, love and support, it is their shadow over me that enabled me to play for years under the Protea sun.”

Gill’s double hundred put West Indies A in a tricky chase

In the third unofficial test match between India A and West Indies A at Brian Lara Stadium, Trinidad, West Indies A require 336 runs on the last day for a consolation win. They ended day three with 37 for no loss after a huge partnership between the Indian duo Shubman Gill and Hanuma Vihari.

Starting the day with 23/3, Gill and night-watchman Shahbaz Nadeem added 27 runs before Nadeem was gone for 13. That was the last success for the West Indies A bowlers as Gill and Vihari put up a partnership of 315 runs in 73 overs. Gill was more attacking and scored his first Double century for India A. Vihari remained unbeaten on 118 and declared the innings once Gill reached his double.

Morgan and de Villiers help Middlesex to win

Middlesex completed the double over their London neighbours Surrey in this year’s Vitality Blast T20 thanks to a great partnership of 115 runs in 10 overs between AB de Villiers and Eoin Morgan. AB scored 64 off 40 whereas Morgan’s brutal hitting helped him to score 70 with five sixes. Middlesex finished with 210/8 as Tom Curran finished with 3/36.

Surrey started strongly as Aaron Finch and Sam Curran added 60 runs in 5.2 overs for the second wicket. But once Finch and Curran were gone it was a difficult task for Surrey. Steven Finn got the wicket of Curran and later ran through the lower order to finish with his best ever T20 bowling figure of 5/16 and Middlesex won by 64 runs.

Russell takes Vancouver to Global T20 Canada final

Vancouver Knights became the first team to reach the final of the Global T20 Canada with strong 77 run win over Brampton Wolves. Wolves will now play against Winnipeg Hawks who beat Toronto Nationals in Eliminator 1.

Vancouver innings was interrupted by rain and finally they scored 170/4 in allocated 16 overs. Tobias Visee gave them a good start with 40 off 22 balls and Russell ensured a challenging total as his 21-ball 43 had three boundaries and four sixes.

Brampton started well as Colin Munro powered his way to a 25-ball 62. But he did not get any support as all the other batsmen were dismissed in single digit and once he was out Wolves were folded for just 103 runs. Saad Bin Zafar and Daniel Sams finished with four and three wickets respectively.

In Eliminator 1, a century from Heinrich Klassen and 73 from Rodrigo Thomas took the Nationals to 238/5. However, Chris Lynn gave a good start to Hawks with his 21 off 13. JP Duminy and Sunny Sohal added 91 runs in 52 balls. Duminy was batting on 85 off 41 and captain Rayad Emrit was batting on 33 off 15 when the match was ended due to low light. Eventually, the Hawks were ahead in the DLS method which them a controversial place to the Eliminator 2.