In today’s cricket sports news, learn more about Mark Wood withdrawing from training in Adelaide two days before England’s T20 World Cup semi-final match against India, posing an injury concern. Meanwhile, in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup against New Zealand in Sydney on Wednesday, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam will overcome his poor run of form and create “something very exceptional.” Lastly, Danushka Gunathilaka, who was a member of Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad in Australia, has been arrested on sexual assault accusations.
Mark Wood Injury Scares England Before India Semi-final
Original Source: T20 World Cup: Mark Wood gives England injury scare before India semi-final
England revealed that fast bowler Wood, 32, was suffering from overall body stiffness after he pulled up during a gentle jog on the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday.
Wood has taken nine wickets in four World Cup matches since returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the summer.
If Wood misses the game against India, Sussex left-armer Tymal Mills would be the closest match.
As they await a decision on Dawid Malan, who injured his left groin while fielding in last Saturday’s triumph over Sri Lanka, England could do without Wood’s worry.
The left-hander was thought to be quietly optimistic of being featured against India, but England will be unwilling to take any risks given the huge stakes.
Phil Salt, who would replace Malan if he was unavailable, appeared to catch on the boundary while he moved around the outfield on Tuesday.
Rohit fit after scare; game on used pitch.
India’s skipper Rohit Sharma was smacked on the wrist while batting in the nets, but he returned to training and is not considered a doubt.
On Tuesday, England learned they will play on the same pitch as last Friday’s New Zealand-Ireland and Australia-Afghanistan doubleheader.
England have defeated New Zealand and Sri Lanka on used wickets, therefore it is not considered a weakness.
For any match in an ICC event, the ICC does not prohibit the usage of fresh-only or used pitches. Every match must have the best possible playing surface. A “fresh” pitch may not be better than a previous one. Used pitches: ICC spokesperson
Sky Sports Cricket’s Michael Atherton said: “I commented on the New Zealand vs. Ireland game in Adelaide, which had the greatest pitch in the tournament.
“It looked excellent and had an even grass cover. The groundsman will have sprinkled and rolled it since that was five days ago, so I expect a decent pitch.”
Ben Stokes thinks England will have to get used to Adelaide’s longer straight and shorter square ground.
Saying: “The wicket’s performance on Thursday will be interesting. It’s about analysing and adapting to your surroundings.
“But we’ve been playing on huge, square boundaries and wanting to try to get the batters to hit to them, but here we’re probably going to have to seek to adjust our tactics.”
Stokes: We are incredibly difficult to beat.
“The essential thing is that we’re here and playing in a World Cup semi-final.
“We can learn from all the games before this one, but now we’re at the tournament’s climax. It’s about showing up and outperforming the opposing squad.
“India is a great squad, but we prefer to concentrate on ourselves. We believe we can beat anyone if we play to our potential.”
Stokes’ 42 not out off 36 balls helped England beat Sri Lanka on Saturday after a middle-order batting collapse.
The versatile player added: “I’d rather impact the game than watch it.
“I knew early on that my role in that chase was to be there at the end because we all know how essential an in-batter is in the last few overs.
“It helps to have been in similar situations. If you’re under pressure, look at the scoreboard and know you’re one run, ball, or boundary away from taking it away from them.”
Pakistani Babar Azam Expected to Do “Something Extremely Exceptional” Against New Zealand in Semi-final
Original Source: Pakistan captain Babar Azam backed to produce ‘something very special’ in T20 World Cup semi-final vs New Zealand
According to Pakistan team mentor Matthew Hayden, Babar averaged 7.80 in the Super 12 stage, scoring 39 runs and falling for singles four times.
In his T20I career, Babar has scored over 3,200 runs and 31 fifty-plus scores. India’s Suryakumar Yadav is currently the world’s top T20I hitter.
Before a semi-final on Sky Sports Cricket (7.30am build-up, 8am start), former Australia batter Hayden said: “In any given career, you have big moments of ups and downs, and the trials and the humps along the way, they cement you and your brilliance, how you achieve under adversity.”
It’s clear that Babar has struggled. He’ll be even better. You can’t keep punching hundreds and 50s at 140-plus strike rates.
We all know that after a lull, a storm usually follows. I think Babar’s ready to do something extraordinary, so watch out, world.”
After starting their Super 12 campaign with successive last-ball defeats to India and Zimbabwe, Pakistan’s chances of reaching the semi-finals looked slim, but wins over Netherlands, South Africa, and Bangladesh, along with South Africa’s shock loss to Netherlands, propelled Babar’s men into the last four.
After winning in England in 2009, they are two wins away from a second T20 World Cup title.
Pakistan cricket, welcome!
Pakistan’s progress in Australia has been compared to Imran Khan’s 1992 “cornered tigers,” who went on to win the 50-over World Cup after being on the brink of elimination.
Hayden remarked, “That was a memorable one for Pakistan cricket.” There was no dominant performance due to Pakistan cricket’s intricacies.
“There’s a performance that gets challenged and then Pakistan suddenly turn up and they’re dangerous and formidable.” That tournament was that.
All-rounder Pakistan When we played our last match, Shadab Khan said, “welcome to Pakistan cricket.”
“This has been a wonderful experience, a rollercoaster journey that I wouldn’t have any other way.”
Williamson: A handful of players have stood up New Zealand are hoping to reach their third World Cup final in four years and win the trophy after losing to England in the 50-over final at Lord’s in 2019 and Australia in the 2021 T20 final in the UAE.
Black Caps captain Kane Williamson stated, “The fickle nature of T20 and the competitive character of the competition, with all teams beating one other, means there’s not a dependence on one or two players.”
“There have been several guys who have stood up, and everybody has put their hand up. It’s about teamwork and focus.
Our struggle is our priority. Pakistan is strong.”
Danushka Gunathilaka Arrested in Sydney for Sexual Assault
Original Source: Sri Lanka cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka arrested in Sydney for sexual assault
On Sunday, team sources stated Sri Lankan cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, who played in the T20 World Cup in Australia, was detained for sexual assault.
Gunathilaka, 31, was detained and transferred to Sydney City police station in the early hours of Sunday after an investigation into the sexual assault of a lady on November 2.
“Daushka Gunathilaka was arrested for rape.” “The Sri Lankan team left Australia without him,” a source told PTI.
Sri Lanka was eliminated from the tournament after losing to England on Sunday.
In the T20 World Cup’s opening round, the left-handed batter was out for a duck against Namibia.
He got injured and missed the Super 12 stage. Lanka finished fourth in Group 1.
An unknown Sri Lankan national was arrested by the New South Wales police, according to their website.
The news stated, “Sex Crimes Squad police have charged a Sri Lankan national following an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a lady in Sydney’s east last week.”
The website reported that a 29-year-old lady was sexually assaulted at a Rose Bay apartment earlier this week.
“The woman met with the man after chatting with him for several days via an online dating program; it’s alleged he sexually attacked her on the evening of Wednesday 2 November 2022.”
Yesterday, specialist police examined a Rose Bay house as part of continuing investigations. The report stated, “A 31-year-old man was detained at a hotel on Sussex Street, Sydney, shortly before 1am today (Sunday 6 November 2022) following further inquiries.”
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to comment.
Summary of today’s Cricket/Sports News
Overall, England stated that fast bowler Wood, 32, was experiencing general body stiffness, which may explain why he stopped participating in an optional drill including a light jog on the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. Mark Wood may not be 100 percent, but England is still confident he can play against India in the semi-finals.
On the other hand, Matthew Hayden, the team mentor of the Pakistan national cricket team, predicts that the struggling team’s captain, Babar Azam, would soon turn things around and come up with “something very exceptional.” Even though Babar scored only 39 runs and was dismissed for under 10 runs on four of the five occasions it happened during the Super 12 stage. Babar was once the best Twenty20 International batsman in the world. In an interview, Hayden expressed his continued optimism for Babar by saying: “As we all know about the weather, once there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows. So look out, rest of the world, because I think you’re about to see something very special from Babar.”
Finally, an inquiry into a woman’s alleged sexual assault on November 2 led to the arrest of 31-year-old Danushka Gunathilaka, who was escorted to the Sydney City police station in the early hours of Sunday morning. The website claims that a 29-year-old lady was sexually abused at a Rose Bay home earlier this week. The Rose Bay address was the site of a crime scene inspection yesterday as part of ongoing investigations. The investigation led to the arrest of a 31-year-old male at a hotel on Sussex Street in Sydney at around 1am on Sunday, 6 November 2022. There has been no official word from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) regarding this issue.