In today’s cricket sports news, learn more about Ben Stokes in the T20 World Cup, is set to bat fourth for England. However, his position may be in jeopardy. Stokes “hasn’t played much T20 for a time, but it is a big event, and he is a big-game player with a big-game attitude,” said Michael Atherton. Meanwhile, Michael Clarke has intensified his criticism of Australia’s cricket selectors, urging them to recall Steve Smith soon and pressing that he be included in the World Cup roster. Lastly, Australian batter Usman Khawaja feels that test cricket remains the apex of the sport, while ODIs are rapidly declining in popularity and T20Is are already gaining traction.
Ben Stokes in England’s T20 World Cup XI?
Original Source: T20 World Cup: Is Ben Stokes a shoo-in for England’s XI in Australia?
It seems sacrilegious to question a man who led England’s Test comeback, played at Headingley and Lord’s in 2019, and can win with bat and ball.
But Stokes hasn’t scored a half-century in 29 T20 international innings due to injuries, a hiatus from the game, and Test commitments.
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Stokes’ role – he’ll bat No 4 in Australia – was discussed on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast by Ian Ward, Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton, and CricViz’s Freddie Wilde.
Play the podcast above or wherever you get podcasts.
Former England captain Atherton: “Is Stokes a lock? He hasn’t played much T20 lately, but it’s a big event and he’s a big-game guy.”
Added Wilde: “I think England will start Stokes for the reasons Athers indicated, and his pace and bounce suit Australian conditions. But if he has a few quiet games and Sam Curran is on the bench, the topic will gain traction.
Will Stokes open for England?”
Stokes hasn’t played much T20 in the last 18 months, while Curran has played across the world and done well. It’s live.
“If I could go back in time, I might have employed Stokes at the top of the order, where he played alongside Jos Buttler in the IPL. Stokes and Buttler’s left-right combo solved difficulties.
Stokes opened for Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 Indian Premier League.
Stokes opened for Rajasthan Royals in the 2020 Indian Premier League.
“England didn’t go that path, so they’re attempting to move Stokes up the order, where he’s more effective. Buttler, Alex Hales, and Dawid Malan are in the top three, thus Stokes can only be fourth.
“He will still do well in this World Cup because he appreciates pace and bounce as a batsman, but it’s a difficult task in the middle order and will test his credentials.”
Will England pick Livingstone?
Liam Livingstone hopes to be healthy for England’s final warm-up game on October 17 before the World Cup begins on October 22.
Livingstone has been out with an ankle injury since August, while Harry Brook led the tourists in runs in the 4-3 series win.
Liam Livingstone hopes to be fit for England’s final T20 World Cup warm-up on Oct. 17.
Liam Livingstone hopes to be fit for England’s final T20 World Cup warm-up on Oct. 17.
Husayn said of Livingstone: “I think he needs to play more cricket, but he’s on my team because he’s batting lower.
“When we started T20, everyone said, ‘Don’t worry about your No. 7, they just face seven deliveries, you might as well play an extra bowler.’
“But a No. 7 like Kieron Pollard, Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Stokes or whoever provides you extra batting depth and lets the top six go for it.”
Clarke Blasts Star’s Exclusion, Calls World Cup Selection ‘strange’
Original Source: ‘A mistake’: Clarke blows up at star’s omission and says selection ‘strange’ ahead of World Cup
Michael Clarke urged Australia’s cricket selectors to recall Steve Smith quickly and include him in the World Cup.
The 2015 World Cup-winning captain is baffled by Australia’s selections after returning from India.
Clarke branded the choice to open with Cameron Green a “mistake” because he is not in Australia’s World Cup roster. He claimed Aaron Finch should have opened all along, with tinkering minimized so close to the event.
Clarke claimed on the Big Sports Breakfast that they should have picked Cameron Green. “That’s it.
“My main problem is they’ve given Cameron Green every chance, but not Steve Smith.
Steve Smith can open in T20. Cameron Green is in the squad and has a good possibility of playing in the World Cup, therefore you need him batting, making runs, and in form. That’s bizarre.”
Smith scored runs against Zimbabwe and New Zealand before making a century.
He scored 35 from 24 against India in the first T20 away encounter, but he hasn’t passed 20 in his last three innings.
His rhythm may have been affected by missing the first T20 against the West Indies last week and the match against England in Perth, despite traveling there.
Clarke blasted Smith’s treatment, saying the 33-year-old still had more to provide as a traditional batter surrounded by all-rounders.
“They sent Steve Smith to WA. Clarke: “Flying him to Perth to be 12th man is wrong.”
“Don’t tell me Steve Smith must bat third or fourth.”
If he opens, he’ll be the T20 World Cup’s top scorer. He’s that good.
Clarke, who won two ODI World Cups and opened the batting, lost the 2010 T20 World Cup final.
The former Australian captain urged selectors not to overlook Smith, saying T20 cricket requires more than great hitters. He claimed Smith’s ability to shepherd the side out of difficulty might pay rewards when they lose early wickets.
Clarke asked, “Who’s batting at four?”
“Give Smitty cricket if it’s him. As excellent as he is, I’d rather him enter the first World Cup game in good form.
“I think they’re unsure of that position, and it will come down to style.
“If we lose two for not many, you have one of the world’s top batsmen coming in,” he remarked.
Steve Smith can help you reach 170 and have a total to defend instead of 100.
In T20 cricket, you need one of these batsmen in your top six.
‘F***** nice to know!’ | 01:04
Laurie Daley said some players galvanize others and eliminating Smith might be destabilizing.
“I’ve spoken about this in footy, and I assume cricket is the same, when you look around the dressing shed or during a game, and you might have Steve Smith, Warner… you’re still confident, but if you don’t have that type of player in your team, you’re sitting back wondering if you can still win,” he said.
World explodes after star’s cunning move
Clarke was shocked Finch hadn’t opened in recent games, giving Green more chances.
“Why is Finchy batting fourth if he’ll open in the World Cup?” Clarke: “That’s stupid.”
Five games out from the World Cup, you must stabilize.
After Sunday’s 8-run loss to England, Finch said Fox Cricket he’ll likely bat at the top for the rest of the series.
Usman Khawaja’s ‘sole Objection’ to ODIs, Adam Zampa Agrees
Original Source: Australia Batsman Usman Khawaja Reveals His ‘only Objection’ To ODI Cricket, Adam Zampa Agrees
Usman Khawaja thinks the 50-over format should be lowered to 40-overs-a-side to make it more entertaining in light of T20 cricket’s success.
Test cricket remains the apex of the sport, although ODIs are losing appeal to T20Is.
Khawaja is opposed eliminating the 50-over format, but he and colleague Adam Zampa have offered some fixes to ODIs.
Khawaja enjoyed 40-over games in the ECB’s 40 league and favors a reduction.
“50 overs is too many. Take out the middle piece, you’d get to 25 overs and think, “Oh crap, there’s just 15 left, let’s go again,” “said ABC Sport.
“So no lull. That’s my main issue with ODIs.”
Leg-spinner Zampa agreed with Khawaja, saying a few tweaks might make 50-over cricket relevant again with the ODI World Cup in India next year.
“They must be scrapped or used,” stated Zampa.
“Add bonuses or free hits to make it more engaging,” he said.
Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar felt 50 overs was “just enough time.”
“10 overs is a nice amount of bowling time, 50 overs is a good period to bat; it provides guys down the order a little of time if a few wickets have fallen,” said Agar, who represented Australia in 46 T20Is and 18 ODIs.
“I think people become frustrated because it takes too long, but that’s because to T20 cricket. Like ODI cricket.”
Wicketkeeper Alex Carey remarked “one-day cricket still has a lot of room.”
Australia Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon suggested deploying one ball from each ends to level the playing field.
Lyon: “I’d love to see one ball in.”
“One ball from each end, cease feeding batters new balls. I want reverse swing and spin back.”
Summary of today’s Cricket/Sport News
Overall, it is sacrilegious to doubt a man who led England’s Test comeback, played at Headingley and Lord’s in 2019, and can win with bat and ball. Stokes hasn’t scored a half-century in 29 T20 international innings because of injuries, time off, and Test commitments. Atherton, a former England captain, stated: “Is Stokes a lock to win? He hasn’t played much Twenty20 recently, but this is a major competition and he is a big-game player with a big-game mindset.”
On the other hand, Michael Clarke urged Australia’s cricket selectors to recall Steve Smith quickly and include him in the World Cup. Australia has been tinkering with their XI since returning from India, which has left the 2015 World Cup-winning captain bewildered over the previous two weeks. Particularly, Clarke deemed the decision to open with Cameron Green a “mistake,” considering that he is not currently in Australia’s World Cup roster, and stated that captain Aaron Finch should have been opening from the beginning, with tinkering being minimized thus close to the event.
Finally, ODIs are losing favor to T20Is, while Test cricket remains the apex. Usman Khawaja, an Australian batsman, believes that the 50-over format should be lowered to 40-overs-a-side to make the game more entertaining in light of the rising popularity of Twenty20 cricket. His teammate Adam Zampa also agreed and suggested some corrective measures to infuse a new life into ODIs.