Little off to winning start making history in India
Josh Little made a winning start on his Indian Premier League debut in Ahmedabad where the Dubliner became the first Ireland international to compete in the prestigious Twenty20 tournament.
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Josh Little made a winning start on his Indian Premier League debut in Ahmedabad where the Dubliner became the first Ireland international to compete in the prestigious Twenty20 tournament.
Zimbabwe tailender Blessing Muzarabani inflicted an agonising one-wicket defeat on Ireland by claiming two decisive runs off the final ball in a dramatic opening T20 international in Harare. Having posted 147 for eight from their 20 overs, the tourists led by a single run ahead of the ultimate delivery of a nail-biting contest. Muzarabani, who had just come to the crease following Mark Adair's stunning catch to dismiss Richard Ngarava, delivered in fortuitous fashion as his unintentional inside edge off the bowling of Barry McCarthy deceived wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker to run to fine leg. Ireland were on the cusp of a famous victory after defying the heroics of Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza to take an engrossing match to the wire. All-rounder Raza hit 65 off 42 balls, having earlier taken three wickets for 28, including removing Ireland opener Andy Balbirnie for 32. Craig Young, Josh Little, Adair, who had man of the match Raza caught by skipper Paul Stirling in the penultimate over, and McCarthy claimed two wickets apiece for the away team on a remarkable evening. Yet Ireland go into Saturday's second T20 at the same venue behind in the series following the heartbreaking finish, which moved Zimbabwe on to a victorious 148 for nine.
Paul Stirling will captain Ireland and open the batting alongside former skipper Andrew Balbirnie for their upcoming three-match ODI series against England in September.
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah made a promising return to the Indian team after being sidelined for almost a year as he picked up two wickets in a two-run win over Ireland in the first T20 in Malahide that was cut short due to rain.
India had great start to their T20I campaign in Ireland as they romped home to victory in a rain-curtailed match. However, more than the victory, what was reassuring was the form of Jasprit Bumrah, who was making a comeback after 11 months. He had been sitting in the sidelines and rehabilitating for the major part of the last one year due to lower back stress fractures. However, Bumrah picked two wickets and also got the 'Man of the Match' award. The match had its strange moments too, which could have hurt India.
India captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and opted to field against Ireland in the first T20I in Malahide on Friday. Bumrah has been out of action since September last year. Earlier this year, Bumrah had undergone a surgery in New Zealand. Since then, he had been undergoing rehab at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Last month, the BCCI had announced that Bumrah would lead the team in Ireland, with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya rested.
Ben Duckett's dashing unbeaten fifty took England to within sight of a first-innings lead over Ireland on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up Test at Lord's on Thursday. England were 152-1 in reply to Ireland's 172 all out, a deficit of 30 runs, at stumps in a Test being played over four days rather than the standard five. Duckett, a left hander in his first Test innings in England, was 60 not out after a sunny afternoon at the 'Home of Cricket'.
Ben Duckett's dashing unbeaten fifty took England to within sight of a first-innings lead over Ireland on the opening day of their Ashes warm-up Test at Lord's on Thursday.
Ireland captain Andrew Balbirnie is hopeful Josh Little will play Test cricket in the future, but knows he could now be a player in demand after his Indian Premier League exploits.