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Richie Benaud, the former Australia captain, journalist and legendary broadcaster, has died in Sydney aged 84

Daniel Brettig09-Apr-20152:25

Goodbye, voice of cricket

Richie Benaud, the former Australia captain, journalist and legendary broadcaster, has died in Sydney aged 84. He had fought a long battle with skin cancer and had also suffered from the after-effects of a serious car accident near his Coogee home in late 2013.A legspinner and aggressive batsman, Benaud’s 248 wickets made him Australia’s leading Test bowler of all time when he retired in 1964, having also never lost a series in which he was captain.His captaincy achievements included the return of the Ashes to Australia after a gap of seven years in 1958-59, a key role in the epic 1960-61 home series against the West Indies that featured the first tied Test in Brisbane, and the conjuring of a miraculous victory over England at Manchester in 1961.Melding flair and pragmatism in a way that would be emulated by successors including Ian Chappell, Mark Taylor and the incumbent captain Michael Clarke, Benaud helped breathe life back into Test cricket after a relatively moribund period for the game in the 1950s.But Benaud would have arguably as much impact on the game as a broadcaster in England and Australia, a trade he moved into having worked as a police reporter before his playing retirement. His spare, dry style and ability to add to the images on screen rather than talking over the top of them was distinctive.He also played a key role in the establishment of World Series Cricket as a key organiser of the breakaway competition for Kerry Packer and then the host of Channel Nine’s coverage in 1977. It was a role Benaud would hold for most of the next 48 years, while living an “endless summer” with his second wife Daphne that took in work for the BBC and then Channel Four in England during Australian winters.Taking strong note of his journalistic training, Benaud was seldom given to expressing fervent opinion nor to hark back to his playing days. A generation of Australian children grew up knowing him only as a television host and commentator, and he was often asked if he had ever been a player.A preference for cool detachment and observation meant that on the odd occasion he did raise his voice in critique it was extremely resonant – his closing broadcast remarks following Greg Chappell’s ordering of the under arm in a World Series final against New Zealand at the MCG in 1981 provided one such example.Wally Edwards, the Cricket Australia chairman, spoke of Benaud’s impact on the game. “Our country has lost a national treasure,” he said. “After Don Bradman, there has been no Australian player more famous or more influential than Richie Benaud.”Richie stood at the top of the game throughout his rich life, first as a record-breaking leg-spinner and captain, and then as cricket’s most famous broadcaster who became the iconic voice of our summer. He was an important influence in the formation of Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket in 1977, a climactic event at the time but one which has left a lasting, positive influence on the game.”Away from the camera he was a leader, mentor and positive influencer of an extraordinary number of cricketers. And despite his role as the treasured grandfather of the game, he remained deeply in touch with modern developments, embracing Twenty20 when others of older eras shunned it.”His passing today marks a profound loss to our nation. Australian cricket and the game’s legions of fans extend deepest sympathies to Richie’s wife Daphne, brother John and the entire Benaud family at this sad time.”Memorably, Benaud concluded his days as a commentator in England towards the end of the final day of the epic 2005 Ashes series, which also happened to be the last time Test cricket was broadcast on free to air television in Britain. He signed off to applause from around The Oval as England closed in on the Ashes.In Australia his hosting and commentary duties were gradually scaled back with advancing years, though Nine made every effort to keep him involved as much as possible. Only days before his November 2013 car accident he was glimpsed filming a promotional spot at North Sydney Oval, and after recovering enough to re-appear publicly he was a welcome presence at Nine’s season launch at the outset of last summer.That day, Benaud spoke of the difficult times he had encountered, while offering a poignant word of advice about the effects of skin cancer, which emerged following his years of playing the game under the Australian sun, typically with shirt open to the waist and hat seldom worn.”When I was a kid, we never, ever wore a cap. Not the flash ones,” he said at the launch. “‘Nugget’ Miller never wore a cap, so I didn’t. I wish I had. I recommend to anyone: they should have protection on their skin and on their heads. I can give you one good reason for that. Eighty-four-year-olds just don’t seem to mend as well as they used to.”A few weeks later, Benaud’s voice would be given most emotively to the narration of Nine’s tribute to Phillip Hughes. The fragility of his words suggested that Benaud himself did not have too much time left. He never did get the chance to say goodbye to the Australian television audience, leaving a gulf that Nine’s chief executive David Gyngell described.”Richie Benaud’s passing has robbed us not only of a national treasure, but a lovely man,” he said. “Richie earned the profound and lasting respect of everyone across the world of cricket and beyond – first as an outstanding player and captain, then as an incomparable commentator, and through it all as a wonderful human being.”Richie is a true legend not only to all the people who knew him, but to the many millions who didn’t. Which speaks volumes. He’s been part of the Australian psyche.”We shall miss him dearly, but we’ll forever treasure his indelible memory and all the marvellous values for which he stood. Cricket is very much the richer for Richie Benaud’s lifelong engagement. And so are we all. Our deepest sympathies go to Daphne and Richie’s family.”

Yorkshire began their defence of the title at Worcester and were repelled by a composed hundred by Tom Fell

Paul Edwards at New Road12-Apr-2015
ScorecardTom Fell repelled the champions, Yorkshire, with a composed century•Getty ImagesPerhaps it was only right that champions Yorkshire should have begun the defence of their title at Worcester. This, after all, is where the photographers come when newspapers wish to salute the opening of the English season; New Road was also where the ECB wisely decided to launch the 2015 County Championship; and this ground, lest we ever forget, saw a sweatered Richie Benaud lead out the Australians for the opening match of their tour one gelid April morning 54 years ago. Worcester does not just symbolise English county cricket; its gentle beauties encapsulate it.Yet what made the first day of this game special was not just a sense of occasion and topographical charm. There was hard cricket to be played before a good-sized and appreciative crowd. By the end of business Tom Fell had shown he might have what it takes to prosper in Division One with an assured century, while judgment on others in the top order must be reserved.When poor light prompted the umpires to take the players off 14 overs early, Worcestershire had reached 264 for 8, a decent enough effort, although coach Steve Rhodes may remind his charges that substantial first-innings are not generally achieved when only five of the top seven batsmen reach double figures. Yorkshire’s bowlers, most notably Jack Brooks and Tim Bresnan, will probably be happy with their efforts on what is presently a flat wicket.The home team’s total plainly owed most to 21-year-old Fell, whose crisp, assured strokeplay took him to a third Championship century in 174 balls. During his 118-run third-wicket partnership with Moeen Ali, who was dropped twice in making 62, the home side appeared on course for a score that would have emphatically justified Daryl Mitchell’s decision to bat first on a dry pitch which the skipper’s two spinners might enjoy later in his match.Fell and Moeen’s resistance took up the first half of the day and was all the more welcome given that things had not begun promisingly for the Worcestershire. Indeed, both openers were dismissed by Brooks inside the first eight overs. Richard Oliver edged a slash to Andrew Hodd behind the stumps and Mitchell nicked a lifting ball high to second slip where Jack Leaning took a fine two-handed catch above his head.Matters would have looked even better for Yorkshire had Hodd clung on to a chance offered by Moeen before he had scored, but the keeper’s faint touch merely deflected the ball to the boundary. The unfortunate bowler was Ryan Sidebottom, whose disappointment was as naught compared to his unbearable anguish when Jeff Evans had turned down his lbw appeal against Mitchell in the third over. At such moments King Lear on the heath has nothing on the gory-locked Yorkshire seamer.Maybe the dreadful tragedy of his rejected beseechment prompted an exhortation from Sidebottom that winds should blow and crack their cheeks. Certainly a sudden gust flattened a dozen advertising boards a few moments later, causing a five-minute delay.Fell, though, remained commendably unruffled by both human and climatic outbursts. Driving sweetly through the covers, clipping efficiently to leg and working the ball with professional accomplishment through the slips, Worcestershire’s No 3 was unbeaten on 40 at lunch, when Mitchell’s team were 77 for 2, a position they would have accepted with alacrity 90 minutes earlier, especially as Moeen had been spilled again, this time at short cover by Will Rhodes off Steve Patterson when only 21.The play immediately after lunch saw a flurry of boundaries and the warmest weather of the day. Yet just as it took no more than a cloud in front of the sun to have spectators delving for extra layers, so one felt that the fall of a wicket or two would pose problems for Mitchell’s batsmen against the best seam attack on the circuit.So it proved. Bresnan tempted Moeen into one too many drives and Hodd gratefully pouched the catch; less than half an hour later the same bowler trapped Worcestershire debutant Alex Gidman on the crease for seven; and when Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s unwise pull off Brooks only bottom-edged the ball onto his stumps, Worcestershire were 171 for 5 and a lot of good work had been undone.Fell was unbeaten on 99 at tea, by which interval he and Ben Cox had steered their team to 190 for 5, but wicketkeeper-batsman Cox edged a push off the tormented Sidebottom to Bresnan at third slip five balls after the resumption. Then Fell himself departed six overs later, his authentic leg glance being well caught by a diving Hodd.Worcestershire’s final resistance of the day was led by Gareth Andrew, who celebrated his recovery from a lumbar pedicle fracture with a very competent 42 not out. Playing his first Championship match since last May, Andrew has special reason to welcome this season.But, in truth, so did many others this bright Sunday when the cathedral bells summoned the faithful to New Road and when the grass stains on the fielders’ trousers as the players left the field were a welcome sign of verdant spring and the return of the precious Championship.

The batsmen haven’t been as productive, the bowlers have been struck by the same bug. Mumbai will need a swift turnaround to push for a playoff spot as they take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede stadium

The Preview by Alagappan Muthu30-Apr-2015Match factsThursday, May 1, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)Big PictureIf Mumbai Indians were hoping to pull off fashionably late, they might have overshot it a bit. Seventh place, with two wins and five losses, is the cost they have paid to determine their best combination. Yet, there is a feeling that most of the XI has to function at ideal levels to pose a threat.A top three of Lendl Simmons, Parthiv Patel and Unmukt Chand doesn’t appear reliable yet. Rohit Sharma and Kieron Pollard have been so far. But there’s very little thereafter to worry a bowling attack, as evidenced by Harbhajan Singh being the team’s fourth-highest scorer with 97 runs.Their bowling did manage to defend 157 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, but it was an exception rather than a rule with every bowler sporting an economy rate over 7.5. Considering the tournament is at the halfway stage, they cannot afford any more hiccups. Even trivial ones like a five-day gap from cricket.Rajasthan Royals have their own trivial challenges. They have played nine games, two more than every other team and it is that exact difference of matches that have been washed out. Prior to that they had lost two games, so they’ll want to regain some of the lost momentum. Their line-up has a good balance between accumulators and power hitters and a bowling attack has every resource, from swing bowlers to legspinners.Form guideMumbai Indians WLWLL (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Rajasthan Royals LLWWWWatch out for…Mitchell McClenaghan is a wicket-taker. He has played three matches in the IPL so far and he’s struck in every one of them. If you’re still not convinced, it only took 23 matches for him to take 50 ODI wickets – the joint second-fastest in history. He is also a rhythm bowler who gets extra zip to confound batsmen and Mumbai will hope he can that keep up.Rajasthan Royals pride themselves on their local talent and giving them important responsibilities as Dhawal Kulkarni would know. He is normally given the new ball and does have a healthy outswinger when conditions favour him. Early wickets are vital against any opposition, but if he can pull Rohit Sharma in early against the moving ballStats and trivia Royals’ economy rate of 11.50 in the last five overs this season has been the worst among teams Rohit Sharma needs 23 runs to complete 2000 runs for Mumbai in the IPL. He will be the second batsman after Sachin Tendulkar to the mark.

Only once has a side won both the eliminator and the second qualifier games in the IPL – Chennai Super Kings in 2012. Royal Challengers Bangalore will want to become the second side to do so, but find Super Kings in their way

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit21-May-2015Match factsFriday, May 22, 2015
Start time 2000 local (1430 GMT)Big pictureOnly once has a side won both the eliminator and the second qualifier games in the IPL. Chennai Super Kings did that in 2012, but went down to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final. Royal Challengers Bangalore will want to become the second side to do so, but find Super Kings in their way.Royal Challengers put in a complete performance in the eliminator to beat Rajasthan Royals by 71 runs. Led by AB de Villiers and Mandeep Singh, they took 86 off the last six overs. Super Kings will likely not be so accommodating at the death. MS Dhoni’s men have comfortably beaten Royal Challengers in both league games this season, in Bangalore and in Chennai.In both those games, Super Kings batted first. It will be an interesting decision for Virat Kohli to make if he wins the toss. Four out of six IPL games in Ranchi have been won by the chasing side, and the victory margin in the fifth was only seven runs. Royal Challengers prefer to chase, especially in batting-friendly conditions at home, but this is a larger outfield and not as high-scoring a venue as Chinnaswamy Stadium.Super Kings have played a lot more in Ranchi than Royal Challengers have – seven games against two – and will be more familiar with the conditions. What will have bothered them is how their chase unraveled against Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier.They were 86 for 2 at the halfway stage when Harbhajan Singh dismissed Suresh Raina and Dhoni off successive deliveries, blows from which Super Kings never recovered. Mumbai Indians were 86 for 0 at the halfway stage, and Kieron Pollard catapulted them to 187 for 6. Super Kings have struck consistently with the new ball this season, something they could not do in the first qualifier, and will want to in the second.Form guideChennai Super Kings LWLWL (last five matches, most recent first)
Royal Challengers Bangalore WWLWWHead-to-HeadSuper Kings lead Royal Challengers 11-7 in the head-to-head. Raina made 62 off 32 to lead Super Kings to 181 for 8 in Bangalore. Ashish Nehra’s 4 for 10 kept Royal Challengers to 154 for 8. Raina’s 52 off 46 took Super Kings to 148 for 9 in Chennai. Nehra claimed 3 for 19 as Royal Challengers were dismissed for 124.In the spotlightSuresh Raina is having his poorest IPL season, in terms of runs as well as strike-rate. His lowest season run-tally prior to this one was 421 in 2008, and his lowest season strike-rate was 135 in 2011. This time he has made 346 runs at 122. However, both his fifties have come against Royal Challengers.These are the two most productive attacks this season. Super Kings have taken 93 wickets at an economy-rate of 7.56 and a strike-rate of 18.9. Royal Challengers have 86 at 8.38 and 16.6. With so many power-hitters in both line-ups, it will come down to which set of bowlers holds up better under pressure.Team newsBarring last-minute surprises, both sides should go in with the same XIs.Chennai Super Kings (probable) 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Michael Hussey, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Faf du Plessis, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Pawan Negi, 7 Dwayne Bravo, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Ashish Nehra, 11 Mohit SharmaRoyal Challengers Bangalore (probable) 1 Chris Gayle, 2 Virat Kohli (capt), 3 AB de Villiers, 4 Mandeep Singh, 5 Dinesh Karthik (wk), 6 Sarfaraz Khan, 7 David Wiese, 8 Mitchell Starc, 9 Harshal Patel, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 S AravindPitch and conditionsThe pitch appeared pretty dry on the eve of the game. The average first-innings score in IPL games in Ranchi is 150, suggesting a surface more to Super Kings’ liking than Royal Challengers’. The city is expected to sizzle at a maximum of 41 degrees but conditions will not be so extreme in the night. No rain is forecast.Stats and trivia Royal Challengers beat Super Kings by five wickets in the only game between the two sides in Ranchi, in 2014 Virat Kohli has scored the most runs in IPL games between the two teams – 694 with six half-centuries at an average of 46.26 and a strike-rate of 126.87 Dinesh Karthik has 17 dismissals in IPL 2015. The season record is 19 by Kumar Sangakkara in 2011Quotes”The guys are getting pretty tired at this stage of the tournament. To get rid of a game and a bit of travel would have been good. But we are not afforded that luxury. We have to dig pretty deep. Happy that we have another opportunity… in Ranchi which has been good to us.”

Some fine overseas performances since India toured South Africa in November 2013 have locked M Vijay a place at the top of the order

Alagappan Muthu in Fatullah12-Jun-20151:49

‘Hopefully we can do something special in the last two days’ – Vijay

Some fine overseas performances since India toured South Africa in November 2013 have locked M Vijay a place at the top of the order. Amid that hard work, he has missed out on at least four centuries – 97 in Durban, 95 at Lord’s, 99 in Adelaide and 80 in Sydney. He can occasionally get out softly too. In Southampton, he was too casual while converting a quick single and was run out for 12. Ensuring such silly mistakes were kept away seemed paramount in the way he played. His wariness increased, perhaps, because he felt he wasn’t feeling perfectly comfortable in the middle.”To be honest, I was not batting at my best,” he said. “I just wanted to adjust to the surface and not give my wicket away. That was my priority. After a point, I knew the bowlers will get tired, and because they had four spinners, I wanted to cash in then.”Can’t do much about the weather – Vijay

Although India’s batsmen have asserted themselves and indicated that six of them will be enough more often than not in subcontinent conditions, the monsoons might have complicated their chances of victory. Should the Fatullah Test be drawn, they would slip a rung down from third to fourth in the ICC rankings. M Vijay, however, said things so peripheral do not figure in his calculations.
“We cannot do much about the weather, because it’s not in our hands,” Vijay said. “All we planned was to play positively and that’s what we wanted to do throughout the day. But unfortunately, play couldn’t take place on the whole day. I think we’re in a good position now and hopefully we can do something special in the last two days.
“It was sad that we couldn’t get a game yesterday, but that’s how it goes. But yes, I was just thinking that we could have pushed the score a bit more looking at the weather conditions. I thought we could have got to 260-270 on the first day, that would have been an ideal platform for us. But we are in a good position now.”

So far during the only Test against Bangladesh in Fatullah, Vijay was cooped up in the dressing room for half a day. Then at the hotel for a lot longer. You can’t do anything when rain hits. And not doing anything can be frustrating. On the third day, there were three delays, forcing teams to keep changing their plans. To amend tactics and targets. Through it all, Vijay’s concentration hardly ever faded. Since he returned to Test cricket in February 2013, he has been India’s leading run-scorer – 1729 in 20 matches with his 150 in Fatullah – and Vijay credited being in a “happy space” as the reason.”Being an opener, all you’ve got to do is go in with an open mind and stick to your basics and believe in yourself,” he said. “You’ve got to adjust your game according to the situation and the pitch, which is going to be crucial in my future. At the moment I’m in the right space, batting well and hitting the ball well. I’m in a happy space.”Test cricket is all about good starts and from there you build your partnerships. Initially, I never go in with a plan telling myself that ‘I have to play defensive or attacking cricket’. It’s just the situation, and I just go with the flow of the game.”Vijay also mentioned that having a quick-scoring batsman like Shikhar Dhawan at the other end helped.”If your partner is going well, you don’t have to take that many risks, especially in these kinds of situations,” he said. “The weather is playing a big role at the moment, so obviously when Shikhar was batting, all I wanted to do was play fewer shots and stabilise the innings so that he could be more comfortable doing whatever he was doing brilliantly”Vijay’s exploits in the Indian Premier League paint him as a strokemaker. But his priorities change as vividly as the uniform does. From blaring colour to serene white.

Peter Handscomb glided to an attractive ton as Victoria closed in on an outright victory over their nearest challenger South Australia on the penultimate night of the floodlit Sheffield Shield match

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Feb-2016
ScorecardFile photo – Peter Handscomb hit 17 fours during his 102•Cricket Australia/Getty ImagesVictoria closed in on an outright victory over their nearest challenger South Australia on the penultimate night of the floodlit Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval.Victoria saw off four South Australia batsmen before stumps, two falling to Fawad Ahmed in a spell of 2 for 10 that was both threatening and economical. The hosts’ captain Travis Head (35*) is left with an enormous task to pull his side out of the mire.There had been plenty of purpose to Victoria’s batting earlier in the day as they set up a declaration. Peter Handscomb glided to an attractive century while Glenn Maxwell contributed his second half century of the match, a nicely modulated 63 from 109 deliveries.Matthew Wade and Dan Christian then accelerated, adding 70 in 13.3 overs before Victoria’s captain decided he had a sufficient lead. Should the Bushrangers win, the prospect of a competition final played in Alice Springs will become a distinct possibility.

Matthew Cross (45*) and Richie Berrington (35*) lead Scotland to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kenya in their World T20 Qualifier Group B game at Edinburgh

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jul-2015
ScorecardIrfan Karim struck a 26-ball 46•ICC/Donald MacLeodMatthew Cross (45*) and Richie Berrington (34*) led Scotland to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Kenya in their World T20 Qualifier Group B game at Edinburgh after their bowlers had limited the opposition to 141 for 5.Kenya, who opted to bat first had a brisk start, reaching 30 in just under three overs, before they lost their first wicket. Alasdair Evans dismissed Narendra Kalyan, after the batsman had contributed 1 run to a stand of 30. Irfan Karim, who had scored most of the runs at the start struck up a useful 30-run partnership for the second wicket with Nehemiah Odhiembo.The pair scored at a brisk rate of over 13 runs but Kenya were robbed of their momentum in three overs – between the sixth and eighth of their innings. Odhiambo fell to Rob Taylor in the sixth over but it was Michael Leask’s twin strikes in the eighth over that inflicted heavy damage. Leask got rid of Karim and Collins Obuya in the space of three deliveries, and the 52-run, fourth-wicket partnership between captain Rakep Patel and Morris Ouma couldn’t make up for the lost momentum. Kenya eventually reached 141 for 5 off 20 overs, with Karim’s 26-ball 46 the highest score.Chasing 142, Scotland didn’t start well, losing Kyle Coetzer in the first over. However, Cross steadied the innings and was involved in a string of partnerships that kept Scotland on track. He added 36 for the second wicket with Calum MacLeod and 55 for the third wicket with George Munsey before an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 51 with Berrington guided Scotland home with 31 balls to spare.

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, writer, broadcaster and mentor, has died in Auckland at the age of 53

Daniel Brettig03-Mar-20164:29

Chappell: Martin put a lot back into the game

Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, writer, broadcaster and mentor, has died in Auckland at the age of 53.Crowe had suffered from lymphoma since 2012, and withdrew from public life in his final months.”It is with heavy hearts that the family of Martin Crowe, MBE advise his death,” his family said in a statement.”Diagnosed in September 2014 with terminal double hit lymphoma he passed away peacefully today, Thursday 3rd March in Auckland surrounded by family.”The family request privacy at this time.”Widely considered the finest batsman in New Zealand cricket’s history, Crowe debuted against Australia aged 19 in 1982, and quickly established a reputation as the most meticulous of batsmen, his technique widely admired.In all he would tally a New Zealand record 17 Test centuries, including an innings of 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington that also stood as the national record until Brendon McCullum overtook it, also at the Basin Reserve.Arguably Crowe’s finest month was his inventive and inspirational leadership of New Zealand during the 1992 World Cup, when he took an unfancied side to the top of the competition table before a narrow defeat to eventual champions Pakistan in the semi-final at Eden Park. This performance confounded many, not least the co-hosts Australia who were completely overshadowed by Crowe’s tactics and skill during the opening match of the tournament.Knee problems were to curtail Crowe thereafter, and he retired from the game in 1995, aged only 33. His post-playing life was to be equally rich and constructive.He worked often as a television commentator, and was also visionary in his invention of a third format for the game, Cricket Max, that served as a precursor to Twenty20.In 2011, Crowe made the bold decision to attempt a return to cricket at the age of 48, turning out for his local club side Cornwall with a view to playing again for Auckland. He was to be curtailed not by slowed reflexes but a series of soft tissue injuries.Most valuably he served as a mentor for several members of the New Zealand side, notably Ross Taylor. After his replacement as captain by McCullum in 2012, Taylor leaned heavily upon Crowe as he rebuilt his confidence and career, going on to play brilliantly for a Test double century against in Perth last year, the highest ever score by a visiting batsman in Australia. Michael Clarke, the former Australia captain, was another friend.Crowe’s influence was also seen in his writing, much of which appeared on ESPNcricinfo, where his advocacy of a more personable era of player behaviour was taken up by McCullum’s team. At the end of the recent Australia series, McCullum noted to team-mates that “we got our soul back”, and Crowe’s influence in this is not to be underestimated.Despite worsening health as he sought numerous remedies to his lymphoma, Crowe was a welcome presence at last year’s World Cup, where he watched McCullum’s team go one better than the 1992 team by making the final. Crowe was presented with ICC Hall of Fame status during the pool game between New Zealand and Australia in Auckland, and was also present for the final.One of his last public appearances would take place in April, when he delivered a typically articulate and heartfelt tribute to the retiring Daniel Vettori.Crowe is survived by his second wife Lorraine Downes, daughter Emma and step-children Hilton and Jasmine. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Worcestershire batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore gave another demonstration of his potential with a superb unbeaten century

ECB Reporters Network04-May-2016
ScorecardTom Kohler-Cadmore’s century took Worcestershire away from a tricky situation•Getty ImagesWorcestershire batsman Tom Kohler-Cadmore gave another demonstration of his potential with a superb unbeaten century in the drawn Specsavers County Championship clash with Division Two leaders Essex at New Road.Kohler-Cadmore completed his second century in the competition off 151 balls to help Worcestershire secure maximum batting points. He received staunch support from the lower order in ensuring a potentially tricky overnight situation never materialised.Worcestershire began the day on 226 for 5 – still needing 76 to avoid the follow on target of 302 and a second new ball due after eight overs play. But Kohler-Cadmore featured in three half-century partnerships with Ben Cox, Joe Leach and Matt Henry before skipper Daryl Mitchell declared on 411 for 8 – 40 adrift on first innings – early in the afternoon session.Essex then reached 95 for 2 by the early close with England Test captain Alastair Cook scoring an unbeaten 48 in his final Championship innings before the series against Sri Lanka to follow his first innings ton.Kohler-Cadmore, whose maiden Championship hundred was scored against Middlesex in the final game of last season, was unbeaten on 119 from 170 balls with two sixes and 17 fours.A draw was always favourite to be the likely outcome after the loss of 102 overs play on the opening two days to the weather. But Worcestershire still had work to do after the loss of five wickets for 43 runs during yesterday evening’s session.Cox had one slice of luck when he edged David Masters first delivery of the day to the boundary. But in general the Worcestershire keeper and Kohler-Cadmore were untroubled in adding 61 before the former on 24 drove Graham Napier straight to point.Kohler-Cadmore reeled off a series of impressive drives and found another willing ally in vice-captain Leach. Then in the final over before lunch he showed his hitting power with successive sixes over long-off against spinner Tom Westley.Leach was another willing ally in adding 70 in 14 overs before he edged the first ball after the interval from Jamie Porter to Alastair Cook at first slip.Kohler-Cadmore went to his hundred with a thick edge for four at Porter’s expense before he and the promoted Henry upped the run-rate to clinch their final batting point in the 109th over. Henry raced to 34 off 25 balls and his dismissal off Masters prompted the declaration.Essex opener Nick Browne fell cheaply for the second time in the game and then Moeen Ali enjoyed an elongated bowl in which he dismissed first innings century-maker Westley before the two teams shook hands.

With the finals just six months away and the January transfer window open, several big names are in need of regular football to earn a trip to Russia

Getty1Kevin GameiroGameiro's hopes of re-establishing himself in the Atletico Madrid team look faint, especially with the return of Diego Costa. And with Lacazette, Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe all far ahead of him in France's pecking order, only a strong end to 2017-18 – perhaps with a new team – would allow the striker to push himself back into contention.AdvertisementGetty Images2Theo WalcottCould a move back to boyhood club Southampton help salvage Walcott's World Cup dreams? What is certain is that the winger has seen his chances severely hampered by a lack of playing time at Arsenal, where he has become little more than a potential impact substitute. Getty Images3Dani CeballosThe Real Madrid midfielder has been chronically underused by Zinedine Zidane since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu during the summer from Betis after a sensational campaign with Spain at the Under-21 European Championship. Ceballos is yet another player being mentioned as a possible heir to Coutinho at Anfield.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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Getty Images4David LuizMiranda, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos all appear to be ahead of the Chelsea defender in Brazil's pecking order right now, while he has only appeared in eight Premier League games so far this season. Real Madrid have emerged as one possible buyer, which at the very least would allow Luiz maximum exposure as he hopes to break back into the Selecao.