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Player of the Series against West Indies, Sarah Glenn, takes next step alongside Sophie Ecclestone and Mady Villiers

Valkerie Baynes01-Oct-2020Sarah Glenn knows she’s part of something “special” so while she appreciates what she has from within, team-mates and fans can marvel at an exciting era in England women’s cricket.Named Player of the Series after England’s 5-0 sweep of their T20I series against West Indies on Wednesday night, Glenn is one element in a three-pronged spin attack that looks set to feature internationally for years to come.The variety offered by left-armer Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s No.1 T20I bowler, Glenn’s legspin and the offspin of Mady Villiers gives England a raft of options. Plus, Ecclestone and Glenn are just 21 and Villiers 22.”It’s really special,” Glenn said of being part of the close-knit trio. “I absolutely love it. We click really well together on and off the field and I feel like I can just go and talk to them about anything.”We help each other on the pitch, talk about what the pitch is doing, how they’re playing, what’s the best ball and then time off the pitch is great, we all have a great laugh. We’re just really happy for each other, seeing each other do well, it’s really exciting to see.”Sophie Ecclestone and Sarah Glenn arrive for the final T20I vs West Indies•Getty Images

She echoed similar sentiments at this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia from Ecclestone, who spoke of their “spin companionship”.”They are some of my best friends now, and it’s really nice to have them performing well and winning games for England,” Ecclestone said in March. “It’s a dream come true really.”Heather Knight, the England captain knows she’s been dealt an exceptional hand.”It’s great to have,” Knight says. “We’ve obviously got a lot of experience in our seam department and those spinners just give us a few different options so we can match up against different batters. In T20, that’s very important. They can take wickets, control other teams’ batters in different conditions. It’s really pleasing.”ALSO READ: Knight, five others head to WBBLWhat struck Knight most about her spinning youth brigade during the series against West Indies was their courage, epitomised in Glenn’s lbw dismissal of Deandra Dottin in the second T20I, a full, looping legbreak that Dottin aimed to sweep and missed.”Sophie and Sarah have been consistently in the side for a long time now and really done well for us,” Knight said “To see Mady take her opportunity like that – she obviously didn’t bowl in the first game due to a few tactical bits, but yeah really delighted for them.”They’ve been really brave as well, you saw Sarah Glenn get Deandra out the other day by tossing the ball up, and if you don’t quite get that right you know it’s going to go the distance.”It’s been really pleasing to see them be really brave in how they go about things in looking to take wickets which is something we want to keep on doing as a side – something we’ve addressed since the World Cup that we want to get better at, taking wickets particularly through that middle period – and those spinners are a massive part of that.”Glenn’s seven wickets for the series against West Indies came at an average of 12.00 and an economy rate of 5.60. Her 46 runs included a valuable 26 from 19 balls which rescued England from 96 for 6 and carried them to a what proved to be a winning total in a Player-of-the-Match performance in the second fixture.While Ecclestone played her first T20I as a 17-year-old in 2016, Glenn only made her international debut last December, against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, and she went on to impress in four matches at the global tournament, claiming six wickets.Villiers also truly came into the reckoning for England during that warm-up series in Malaysia having played just one international match, a T20I against Australia during the Ashes the previous July. She had to wait until the last group match against West Indies to feature at the T20 World Cup, but she dismissed Shemaine Campbelle with her fourth ball, a sharp return catch in a wicket maiden.Villiers’ fielding is seen as a huge asset and there are several observers keen to see her given more of a chance with the bat as well as the ball. Ecclestone has the ability to hit big and Glenn’s innings in the second match against West Indies prompted her to declare her ambition to become a genuine allrounder.Mady Villiers forms part of England’s formidable spin trio•Getty Images

It is a prospect Charlotte Edwards, the former England captain and now Sky Sports commentator, sees in the future for all three England spinners.”They’re so exciting as a three,” Edwards said. “All very different, so young, but in many ways quite experienced now. It’s unbelievable really to think how good they are and how good they can be.”I think with the three of them it’s their batting that’s the exciting element for me as well, not only are they going to be world-class bowlers but I think they’re going to be really handy allrounders.”To have to have some hard-hitting batters coming in down the lower order as well as world-class bowlers, that’s so exciting. The sky’s the limit for them all, I think.”Laura MacLeod, the former England international who is now Director of West Midlands Women’s Cricket – one of the eight regional hubs for the domestic women’s game – played against a teenage Ecclestone at club level. She saw then that Ecclestone was on the right path to the England team. McLeod has also been impressed by Glenn, who played two matches for her Central Sparks outfit in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, and by what she has seen of Villiers.”It’s really exciting,” McLeod said. “It’s just a coach’s dream to have a left-armer, to have a leggy and an offie that have all got talent and they’re not just talented with the ball they can all bat as well. The future for England, from a spin point of view is certainly bright.”

Tent set up over outdoor training facilities comes in handy in wet conditions

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jul-2020Trent Boult did not train on day two of New Zealand’s camp in Mount Maunganui; Boult, it is understood, was feeling unwell and stayed away as precaution. Ross Taylor said he was hopeful the pacer would be fit to go on the third day of the camp, which is running from July 19 to 24 at Bay Oval with cricketers from the national men’s and women’s teams based in the North Island.”I think he’s just tired from his eight overs bowling at us yesterday,” Taylor joked, adding, “Obviously, with what’s going around, you’ve got to be a bit smart around things like that. Hopefully he’s fine and raring to go tomorrow.”Taylor and Boult were two of eight men’s players to attend the first half of the North camp, alongside Colin de Grandhomme, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner. The second half of the six-day camp will have Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Will Somerville and Will Young taking part.The camp will give the two groups of men’s players, as well as seven women’s players – Anna Peterson, Katie Perkins, Lauren Down, Holly Huddleston, Hannah Rowe, Rosemary Mair and Natalie Dodd – the chance to get a feel of the turf again, even while being protected from the elements in the New Zealand winter. A marquee tent has been set up at Bay Oval, over the outdoor nets, meaning the players could train despite it raining on Monday.New Zealand’s bowling coach Shane Jurgensen, who is part of the support staff present at the camp, explained the men’s camp had been split in two to limit the number of players present. “Geographically, with the way things are set out, we’ve got more [players training] on the North Island. We split this camp into two for that reason,” he said. “For now it’s a temporary [tented] structure, we’ve got two nets. The bigger structure will come in next year.”We want to make sure we maximise our time with the guys, give them every opportunity over three days, and then we have the second group coming in later in the week.”Jurgensen, who was part of the camp in Lincoln for players from the South Island last week as well, said that from a skills point of view, work has begun on tweaking bowling plans and habits to meet the new playing conditions – such as the ban on saliva to polish the ball – in the era of Covid-19. “We’re trying to adjust to potential new rules, in my department, with the bowling,” Jurgensen said. “We’ve got to look after the ball in a different way now, we’ve got to come up with some new deliveries. So this week’s been a good starting point.”Rowe, the seamer, said it was good to get back on turf, and to pick the brains of the men’s players. “We’ve all been training indoors. It’s really good to get that opportunity to get back on grass. If we didn’t have the marquee up here, we’d be back indoors [due to the rain],” she said. “Also, to share facilities and obviously to learn off [the men’s players] as well… I know the girls down South [Lincoln] had really good conversations with the boys regarding different ways to play the game, so, yeah, it’s awesome to be able to share that with them.”In all, New Zealand have six national camps scheduled this winter, three each in the north and south islands, in their bid to shake off the effects of the pandemic-induced lockdown.

Aaron Phangiso, the left-arm spinner who has played 16 ODIs and nine T20s for South Africa, has apologised after being prevented from boarding a flight for being drunk and unruly

Firdose Moonda19-Jan-2016Aaron Phangiso, the left-arm spinner who has played 16 ODIs and nine T20s for South Africa, has apologised after being prevented from boarding a flight for being drunk and unruly.The incident took place on October 26 last year, after South Africa beat India in an ODI series and the squad was on their way home, but news of Phangiso’s behaviour only broke on Sunday, in Afrikaans newspaper . CSA has confirmed Phangiso was sanctioned in late November but did not reveal the nature of the punishment.”We confirm that Aaron pleaded guilty to contravening our player code of conduct and has been sanctioned,” CSA said in a statement. “The punishment for that incident was handed out last year, and that issue is now in the past.”It is unclear whether the sanction meted out to Phangiso involved a fine or match ban but he was the only player from the victorious series in India who was left out of the squad to play England.Linda Zondi, South Africa’s convener of selectors, said he was not aware of the airline incident, having previously explained the decision as being based on conditions. “Imran [Tahir] is our No. 1 limited-overs spinner and in India we were trying to see who we could use with him, whether that was Aaron or Eddie [Leie],” Zondi said. “But in home conditions, we don’t need more than one specialist spinner and we also have JP [Duminy] in the squad, who can do a job.”Phangiso revealed what took place after the victory in his apology. “We were celebrating a one-day series win in one of the toughest places to play, and I obviously had one too many drinks,” he said.He “behaved poorly” by insulting flight attendants and other passengers on the flight from Mumbai to Dubai and was prevented from boarding the second flight from Dubai to Johannesburg. “The Emirates staff in Dubai explained that I had to stay behind and sober up, and I completely understand their reasons,” Phangiso said. He then caught a later flight back to Johannesburg.Phangiso has vowed to try and earn back his place in the national squad, with a view to playing in the World T20 in March.

Australia did very little wrong on the opening day of the Test series in Wellington, taking advantage of the earlier moisture in the pitch with the ball to dismiss New Zealand for 183

The Report by Daniel Brettig11-Feb-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details2:00

Farrell: Australia spoil McCullum’s party

With a grim determination to right a few of last year’s Ashes wrongs, Australia took command of the first Test against New Zealand to rain on Brendon McCullum’s 100th Test parade and subdue a packed house at the Basin Reserve.Starting with Steven Smith’s correct call at the toss, the visitors did very little wrong on the opening day of the series, taking advantage of the earlier moisture in the pitch with the ball, then settling in at the crease after Tim Southee claimed Joe Burns and David Warner.Smith was out just before the close, but Usman Khawaja remained in ominous touch as he maintains his ascent to truly rarified batting territory. He will be joined on the second morning by Adam Voges, who shouldered arms in the last over to Doug Bracewell and was bowled, only to be reprieved by Richard Illingworth’s no-ball call. Replays indicated Bracewell may not have overstepped – a likely source of tension after the Mitchell Marsh episode in Hamilton.Day one was always going to be an important time to set a marker for a contest spanning only two Tests, and it was Australia’s seam attack that did the job. In doing so they put on the sort of bowling display that was too seldom seen in England despite helpful conditions. They have already gone some distance towards claiming the game’s No. 1 ranking.While Jackson Bird struggled on his return to Test cricket after a three-year absence, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle bowled exemplary lengths to probe for the outside and inside edges of the bat. Peter Nevill claimed four catches, the second a stunner when Siddle found Kane Williamson’s inside edge. Nathan Lyon chimed in usefully after lunch to help round up the tail.McCullum had enjoyed a proud morning, receiving a commemorative 100th Test cap, but he could only last a handful of balls before squeezing Hazlewood to the slip cordon. His bowlers were then unable to capitalise on the opening offered by Burns and Warner on a surface that eased for batting with every afternoon over.The inclusions of Bird and Siddle indicated Australia’s opinion of the pitch, and there was unmistakable relief on Smith’s face when he sent McCullum in. Tom Latham and Martin Guptill began in a positive vein, but Hazlewood was extracting seam movement in both directions and it was a ball zipping away that coaxed a feather-edge from the left-hander – DRS was required to confirm it.Hazlewood found an even better delivery for Guptill, who did little wrong in statuesque defence but could do nothing about the subtle seam movement that delivered a catch at head height to Smith. Bird was withdrawn from the attack after his first three overs cost 25, and Williamson punched his first ball down the ground.But Siddle was not dissuaded from pursuing a full length, and second ball Williamson played slightly outside the line to snick past the stumps. Nevill re-transferred his weight and timed his lunge to perfection, the ball plopping softly into his left glove in a catch every wicketkeeper would be proud to claim.The Australians, now surging, had another source of joy when McCullum could do nothing about a Hazlewood ball that seamed back and lobbed off bat and pad to David Warner. Henry Nicholls was drawn into pushing at Siddle and presented Nevill with his third catch of the morning on the stroke of drinks.Corey Anderson and BJ Watling thus had a moment to compose themselves, and resolved to dig in. They managed to do so for the remainder of the session, Watling surviving a couple of close calls when he miscued a Mitchell Marsh delivery close to his own body, and when an LBW appeal and referral by Bird was found to have struck him marginally around the line of the off stump.Watling could only last until the second over of the afternoon, done in by a Hazlewood delivery that bounced on a tight line and provided Nevill with another catch. Anderson’s stern occupation was ended with an uncharacteristically half-hearted attempt to loft Lyon, before Southee sliced an attempted slog.Mark Craig and Trent Boult added some pesky runs, but Khawaja completed a neat step-over routine near the boundary to dismiss the latter. There was some rum luck for Burns fourth ball of the innings, when his glove grazed a Southee delivery down the leg side and he was given out on referral, but Warner had only himself to blame for an intemperate swish in the bowler’s next over.It was telling for both sides that these wickets arrived as the result of misjudgments rather than unplayable deliveries. Southee and Doug Bracewell found a modicum of swing but there was no curve for Boult, who was unable to threaten in the way he would have wished despite the pace and bounce on offer.Khawaja looked comfortable immediately, but Smith took some time to find the right rhythm for the occasion after a surfeit of limited-overs fixtures. Boundaries flowed regularly but there was also the occasional miscue – Smith skied one hook shot out of reach of the fielders, and was fortunate again when Craig grassed a low chance in the slips.The runs, however, flowed steadily and the batsmen’s security grew, allowing the partnership to develop into a significant one for the match. Craig made amends for his drop with a teasing spell in the final hour, beating Khawaja in flight and having the No. 3 edge past the stumps and Watling, before he claimed a low return catch from Smith. But if Australia’s captain walked off annoyed at his dismissal, he could be more than satisfied with the day’s work.

Fourth Test against England at the Wanderers will be Philander’s last before he retires from international cricket

Firdose Moonda in Johannesburg23-Jan-2020Faf du Plessis: “A banker”“With Vern, it’s great to know as a captain you can give the ball to someone with control. Test cricket is all about control, run-rate, putting guys under pressure through either spells where you feel you can get a lot of wickets – with Vern sometimes that is the case, when the ball is moving around, it feels like he can get a guy out at any stage or with the control factor. If the wicket is a bit slower, I know I am going to get control out of him.”In Test cricket you don’t want to be throwing the ball to someone and hope that he keeps the run-rate under 4.5, it releases a lot of pressure. I know that Vern gives me that control. He is a banker, most certainly always. Later in his career, it has been about managing his workload. This is a four-Test series. He didn’t bowl as much in the previous game as a bowler like him can bowl but had the foresight and understanding that we will need him here at Wanderers and if necessary push himself a little bit more, which he will be because it’s last.”Graeme Smith: “The last cog in the wheel”“Under my captaincy Vern was like the last cog in the wheel. He was an incredible guy who came in and added to our bowling attack. His skill against left-handed batsmen was a huge thing. Being able to be effective and get us into games, allowing other people to be more aggressive and attack more because we always knew Vern was going to be reliable and give us what we needed.”I think the one thing that always gets missed about him is that he’s a fantastic competitor. He’s got the bit between his teeth and he gets into contests. And his ability to front up. We are all put under pressure in the international game. It’s how you regroup and front up again. Vern was fantastic from that perspective. An element of that needs to come back into our national side – how guys front up under pressure and perform when needed; when the moments are right.”He was outstanding. I would have loved to see him progress more in the short formats. My argument with Vern has always been has he always got to that level of talent that he’s had? Has he worked hard enough, at times, to get there. Certainly what he’s produced in the Test format for us, his record speaks for itself. He can be proud.”Now the conversation is how do we keep him in the system, because his knowledge on bowling and his skill is something we cannot afford to lose. As CSA we lose too much intellectual property all the time. Even post my 11 years of captaincy no-one sat down and said, ‘Look here, what did you learn? What are the systems?’ It’s an area we’re not very good at. So we’ve got to try and keep all this knowledge of international cricket and quality players in the system to hopefully develop the next heroes.”Quinton de Kock: “His own person”“Vern’s his own person. He brings a lot, not just with his skills with the ball and the bat, but with his attitude towards the game. We’re going to miss that. I hope he can have a good goodbye.”Beuran Hendricks: “Special””With Vernon and me, there’s always that senior player versus younger player. I am always turning to Vern and making sure I get enough info out of him. It’s a special one for me to play with Vern even though it’s his last Test. I started my career with Patto [Dane Paterson] and Vern and it was special to share the new ball with Vern. “