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Dominant England Thrashes Bangladesh

Chasing 365, Bangladesh had a dismal start as Topley showed top skill with the new ball to pick three crucial wickets in the Powerplay. …reports Asian Lite News

Reece Topley’s sensational bowling followed by Dawid Malan’s exceptional helped the defending champion England to secure a huge 137-run win over Bangladesh in their second 2023 ODI World Cup match here at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, on Tuesday.

After putting to bat first, England posted 364/9, their third-highest total in World Cup, thanks to Malan’s 140 runs from 107 balls, Joe Root’s 82 off 68.

In reply, Bangladesh’s batting fell apart, barring some brave batting from Litton Das (76) and Mushfiqur Rahim (51), as they were all-out 227 in 48.2 overs. Topley was the destroyer-in-chief with a fine 4/43 in his quota of overs.

Chasing 365, Bangladesh had a dismal start as Topley showed top skill with the new ball to pick three crucial wickets in the Powerplay. Tanzid Hasan was the first to go, caught behind. The left-arm pacer then had Najmul Hossain Shanto off the very next ball. In the sixth over, he cleaned up skipper Shakib Al Hasan for merely one to derail the chase.

Chris Woakes took out Mehidy Hasan, leaving Bangladesh four down within nine overs. Litton Das stood out, finding his rhythm and scoring a stylish 38-ball half-century by the 11th over, boosting Bangladesh’s scoring rate.

Das and Mushfiqur Rahim together pushed Bangladesh past 100 run mark. However, the former’s dismissal in the 21st over by Woakes marked a turning point, virtually ending Bangladesh’s chances in the chase.

Rahim (51) and Hridoy (39) battled for Bangladesh, but England’s target ultimately proved insurmountable.

Earlier, England showed aggression with Malan’s exceptional century leading the charge, well-backed by Joe Root (82 runs from 68 balls) and Jonny Bairstow (52 runs from 59 balls).

Bairstow, who was playing his 100th ODI, made a scintillating start alongside Malan, propelling England to 61/0 by the Powerplay’s end. Both the batters notched their fifties, guiding England past 100 without losing a wicket. However, Shakib disrupted Bairstow’s impressive run, dismissing him for 52.

Malan continued to punish the Bangladesh bowlers as Root joined him at the crease and their partnership pushed the defending champions to 149/1 at the halfway mark.

Malan, who hit 16 fours and five sixes during his impressive knock was eventually dismissed in the 38th over by Mahedi Hasan, while trying to push the scoring along but by then England were 266/2 and eyeing off a huge total.

However, the Bangladesh bowlers managed to pick a number of crucial wickets, picking six wickets for 66 runs in the final Powerplay. However, by this time England had managed to get to 364/9.

For Bangladesh, Mahedi Hasan’s 4/71 and Shoriful Islam’s 3/75 stood out.

ALSO READ: India Breaks Cycle Of Batting Meltdowns

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England Bridges Gender Pay Gap On Pitches

This implies that the equalisation of match fees will begin with England women’s upcoming white-ball home series against Sri Lanka…reports Asian Lite News

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Wednesday that it is increasing match fees for the women’s team to bring them in line with the men’s side match fees with immediate effect.

It means that the parity in match fees will take effect from England women’s upcoming white-ball home series against Sri Lanka. England also becomes the fourth cricketing nation after New Zealand, India and South Africa to equalise the match fees for its international men’s and women’s teams.

“The direction of travel for the women’s game has always been the most important thing, creating a sustainable product that people want to watch and play, and I’m sure this will make cricket an increasingly attractive sport to girls and young women as we continue to grow the game.”

“It’s really important that we continue to drive the women’s game forward and it’s fantastic to see equal match fees for England Women and England Men. I would also like to thank the PCA and England Women’s Player Partnership for their support in representing the players and the growth of the professional game,” said England skipper Heather Knight on the landmark move.

This development comes on the back of record-breaking crowds of 110,000 at this summer’s Women’s Ashes series in June and July. England set new women’s international attendance records at Edgbaston, the Kia Oval and Lord’s and sold out matches at Taunton, Bristol and Hampshire in their series against Australia, with Heather proclaiming the series as “the best there’s ever been in the history of the women’s game”.

ECB added that the additional investment follows increases to domestic salary pots this year and salaries for women’s players in The Hundred more than doubling last year. With increased earning opportunities in competitions around the world, the sport currently offers some of the best earning opportunities among female team sports.

Heather Knight. (Photo: Twitter/@ICC)

“This summer’s thrilling Metro Bank Women’s Ashes series demonstrated how women’s cricket is continuing to grow at pace in this country, with record attendances and TV viewing. Growing the women’s and girls’ game is a key priority for us, and in recent years we have considerably increased investment both in building a domestic women’s structure to produce the players of the future, and in increasing player rewards.”

“In the years ahead, we will continue to invest ahead of revenues. We are currently considering all the recommendations made by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket, but equalising match fees is one immediate step we are pleased to make now,” said Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer.

He added that ECB will continue to make strides in bringing equality in cricket in the country. “We all want cricket to be the team sport of choice for female athletes, and with the investments we are making – and increasingly lucrative opportunities around the world – we are seeing cricketers become some of the highest earning female athletes in UK team sports.”

“However, we know there is still much further to go as we ultimately strive for equality across the game. As we continue to grow women’s cricket, we will continue to focus on making considered investments that stretch far-and-wide across the women’s cricket structures, delivering a thriving, profitable and future-proofed game.”

ALSO READ-Babar’s 151 Propels Pakistan to 238-run Asia Cup Opener Win

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Ashes 2023: England lose two wickets on rain-hit third day

Seven wickets fell before rain curtailed day three on Sunday with England 28/2 and leading by 35 runs with two days of the first Ashes Test remaining…reports Asian Lite News

England gained a minuscule advantage in the opening Ashes Test against Australia by gaining a seven-run first-innings lead but the visitors edged ahead by grabbing two early wickets on a rain-truncated Sunday at Edgbaston.

Seven wickets fell before rain curtailed day three on Sunday with England 28/2 and leading by 35 runs with two days of the first Ashes Test remaining.

A mini-spell between rain delays saw Australia send back both the England openers to set the game up perfectly heading into Monday’s day four, with Joe Root and Ollie Pope set to resume with both yet to score.

Resuming at 311/5 on Sunday morning, Australia had hopes of building a first-innings lead, but James Anderson struck with the first blow of the morning, cleaning up Alex Carey for 66 as he claimed his first wicket of the match.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins and centurion Usman Khawaja bedded in as England opted for some unusual bowling tactics to slow the scoring.

And a particularly odd field helped unsettle Usman Khawaja when he was yorked by Ollie Robinson to depart for 141.

England wrapped up Australia’s tail quickly, with Robinson removing both Nathan Lyon (1) and Cummins (38), with Stuart Broad taking the other wicket to fall — Scott Boland for a duck.

The five wickets fell for just 75 runs, with Robinson ending up with the pick of the figures for England with 3-55, and Broad finishing with 3-68.

Hoping to build on the advantage, England steadily began their second innings, with Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett still there when the first shower of rain came.

But a dry period allowed a sharp 3.4 over session before the rain set in again, and Australia sent back both openers with the ball moving around, Cameron Green brilliantly catching Ben Duckett in the gully off Pat Cummins for 19, and Scott Boland dismissing Zak Crawley for 7.

Only 32.4 overs were possible on Sunday, thus depriving the fans of an engrossing day of cricket. umpires inspected the ground on a couple of occasions as the rain subsided, but could not find enough reasons to summon the players into the ground.

Brief scores:

England 393/8 decl & 28/3 in 10.3 overs (Ben Duckett 19; Pat Cummins 1-9, Scott Boland 1-1) lead Australia 386 all out in 116.1 overs (Usman Khawaja 141, Travis Head 50, Alex Carey 66; Stuart Broad 3-68, Ollie Robinson 3-55, Moeen Ali 2-147) by 35 runs.

ALSO READ: Moeen Ali back for Ashes series

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Indian maths, science teachers in demand in England

Here is how you can enjoy the King's Coronation ceremony

Such professionals are eligible for visas to work in Britain if they have a job offer and earn a minimum salary that depends on their role, usually around GBP 27,000 per annum…reports Asian Lite News

India is among the source countries for qualified mathematics and science teachers being lured with international relocation payments of GBP 10,000 as part of an overseas drive to fill classroom vacancies in England, according to a UK media report on Saturday.

Hundreds of maths, science and language teachers will be brought to the UK from countries such as India and Nigeria this year, with plans to expand recruitment schemes to other countries and subjects, The Times’ newspaper said.

The International Relocation Payments (IRP), being run as a pilot in the 2023 to 2024 academic year, is applicable to overseas teachers with a job offer in the UK and covers their cost of visas, immigration health surcharge and other relocation expenses.

UK officials reportedly expect between 300 and 400 teachers to get the IRPs in the coming academic year and if it proves a success in attracting overseas staff, the scheme could be extended to other subjects.

In an effort to boost the number of teachers, the government has begun an overseas recruitment initiative under which teachers of maths, science and language-teaching qualifications from India, Ghana, Singapore, Jamaica, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe are being recognised, the report said.

Eligible teachers must have a degree, recognised teacher-training qualifications, and at least a year’s experience and they need to speak English to the undergraduate level.

Such professionals are eligible for visas to work in Britain if they have a job offer and earn a minimum salary that depends on their role, usually around GBP 27,000 per annum.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the UK’s National Association of Head Teachers, told The Times’ that overseas recruitment is, at best, a temporary solution.

In March we launched a one-year trial offering no more than 400 of the best teachers from around the world the opportunity to teach in our schools. This is one of many options we are exploring to ensure there is an excellent teacher for every child, the Department for Education (DfE) said in a statement.

The move comes at a time when there is a raging debate over the UK’s record net migration figures released earlier this week, which British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak admitted were too high.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman has set out plans for a clampdown on family dependants on student visas being limited only to PhD level graduates.

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Bhardwaj becomes first Indian to bag Wiltshire High Sheriff seat

Pradeep Bhardwaj Esq is Senior Strategic Director, Head of Industry Standards at Carlyle Group’s portfolio company –Syniverse in the mobile industry has been appointed by His Majesty the King as the High Sheriff in the historic rural county of Wiltshire in England. Rahul Laud reports

Bhardwaj is the first person of Indian or Asian origin and the first Hindu to be appointed as the High Sheriff of Wiltshire, Pradeep brings in a huge honour not just for him but for the entire diaspora from the Indian sub-continent. With the presence of  Hindu Chaplain from New Castle Krishan Attri at the ceremony Bhardwaj wrote history as this happened for the first time at such a ceremony.

The High Sheriff is the Sovereign’s representative in the county for matters of law and order. It is a direct appointment of the Sovereign by Royal Warrant and is the oldest secular Office in the United Kingdom after the Crown, dating back to the Saxon times in the 10th century, more than 1,000 years ago. High Sheriffs play an active role in upholding the principal parts of the Constitution i.e. members of the Royal family when visiting the County; the Judiciary, Police, Prison service and other law enforcement agencies; the Emergency Services, Local Authorities, and all recognised faith groups. They also work closely with the voluntary sector in their wider role of helping maintain safe and stable communities.

So it is a huge honour not just for him but for the entire diaspora from the Indian sub-continent. And quite fittingly, the theme Pradeep has chosen for his High Sheriff term is INCLUSION whereby he would be promoting and celebrating equality, diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our society to bring a positive change. Although through the years, Pradeep has been working relentlessly to connect individuals and communities to increase societal inclusion and create opportunity for all, he aims to bring a sharper focus during his term to empower and promote social, political and economic inclusion for all by breaking down barriers for participation and involvement. In Pradeep’s own words, “Bringing People Together” is a Journey as well as the Beginning and the End. It is the Goal as well as the Means and Process.

Pradeep has been part of a few historical moments and actually creating them – India’s 1st Public Email service, India’s 1st Public Internet service, India’s 1st Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) service, one of India’s 1st International Digital Exchanges, setting up mobile and international telecom services in Seychelles, the Paradise on Earth, followed by a stint in Melbourne, Australia designing state-of-the-art high-speed data network for INMARSAT using a constellation of satellites, before settling in the UK. He is Deputy Chairman (Political) for Swindon Conservatives and also holds several positions – being Governor of Swindon College, Chairman of Swindon Hindu Temple, Trustee of 3 local charities, Parish Councillor, and avid Division-1 Table-tennis player and umpire. With a global outlook, having travelled extensively to well over 50 countries and lived in many countries, he considers himself a Community champion for the cause of Equality and Diversity, to bring people together and harness their collective power for a bigger vision.

PRADEEP BHARADWAJ WITH FAMILY

Pradeep has been conferred many awards but he takes more pride as a Social worker, as a Community champion for the cause of Equality and Diversity, with a passion to bring people together. The one accomplishment he cherishes the most is establishing the first Hindu Temple in Swindon and Wiltshire to enhance the lives of thousands of people.

Pradeep lives in Wroughton with his wife Neetu, 2 boys and a puppy.

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NZ edges England by 1 run in thriller

2nd Test: New Zealand beat England by just one run after follow-on in Wellington.(photo:ICC/Twitter)

Pacer Neil Wagner was the hero for the Kiwis as he had James Anderson caught behind down the leg side to clinch a famous victory for New Zealand…reports Asian Lite News

New Zealand scripted history in Wellington on Tuesday as they became the fourth team ever to win a Test match after being forced to follow on when they pulled off a thrilling one-run victory over England in a classic final-day contest in the second Test.

Pacer Neil Wagner (4/62) was the hero for the Kiwis as he had James Anderson caught behind down the leg side to clinch a famous victory for New Zealand at Basin Reserve. New Zealand were asked to follow on after being dismissed for just 209 in their first innings in reply to England’s 435/8 declared. Kane Williamson’s 26th Test century on the penultimate day of a topsy-turvy contest gave them some hope.

England had to chase down 258 for victory in the fourth innings and they looked to be in control when Joe Root (95) and Ben Stokes (33) were at the crease and less than 60 runs were required.

But Wagner and Tim Southee (3/45) dug deep during a tense finale to ensure New Zealand picked up a thrilling triumph to level the two-match series at one game apiece.

New Zealand join three other teams to have won a Test match after being forced to follow on, with the most recent prior to this clash coming back in 2001 when India clinched an unlikely win against Australia in Kolkata.

The Kiwis’ winning margin of one run is just the second time in the history of Test cricket that a match has been decided by that narrow margin, with the only other occurrence coming in 1993 when the West Indies pulled off a similar triumph over Australia in Adelaide.

“It’s a pretty special Test win. The character that we’ve shown in the last three days has been very impressive and I’m proud of the guys to be able to bounce back after a tough first couple of days. It was just a great Test match to be involved in, only four times in the history of the game, so it was a very pleasing Test to be part of,” Southee told reporters after the match.

The match was not part of the current World Test Championship period, with both New Zealand and England already out of contention for reaching June’s final.

The loss was just England’s second since Brendon McCullum took over as coach early last year, with their next five-day contest coming in a one-off Test against Ireland at the start of June.

England then embarks on a five-match series against arch-rival Australia as part of this year’s Ashes series on home soil.

New Zealand host Sri Lanka for a two-match series at home next month, with the Asian side still with an outside chance of reaching the World Test Championship final, should results fall their way. (ANI)

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England overcome India to stay atop Group 2 in Women’s T20

Mandhana’s 52 from 41 was the top score in the reply, with Richa Ghosh finishing unbeaten on 47* from 34…reports Asian Lite News

England produced a superb bowling performance to successfully defend 151/7 and beat India by 11 runs in the 14th match of the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, at St George’s Park here on Saturday.

Smriti Mandhana scored a sublime half-century to put India in a decent position in their attempted chase of 152. But the rate of scoring slowed through the middle overs as England’s spinners took control of the game, with Sophie Ecclestone the stand-out bowler once again, picking up 1/14 from her four overs and strangling India’s batters at a crucial point of the match.

Mandhana’s 52 from 41 was the top score in the reply, with Richa Ghosh finishing unbeaten on 47* from 34.

But only one other Indian batter reached double figures as they fell 11 runs short of the target.

For India the situation is that they now will likely have to beat Ireland in their final match to progress.

A defeat for India against Ireland would leave them vulnerable given their relatively low net run rate.

Should India win and Pakistan manage to beat both West Indies and England then it would come down to net run rate to decide who qualifies for the semis.

Earlier, it was India who won the toss and opted to bowl first. Renuka Thakur took her career-best figures and the best by an Indian bowler at a Women’s T20 World Cup.

Thakur finished with sensational figures of 5/15 – the best by an Indian bowler at a Women’s T20 World Cup.

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England’s Eoin Morgan retires from cricket

England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan.

Morgan remains England’s leading run-scorer – 6957 runs in 225 ODIs with 13 hundreds – and the most successful captain in ODIs…reports Asian Lite News

Eoin Morgan, who led England to their first-ever ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup title in 2019, on Monday announced his retirement from all the forms of professional cricket with immediate effect.

Morgan had retired from international cricket in July last year, following a 16-year-long career that had begun with Ireland, before he moved to England but he continued to play in global franchise leagues across the world.

“It is with great pride that I am announcing my retirement from all forms of cricket. After much deliberation, I believe that now is the right time to step away from the game that has given me so much over the years,” the 36-year-old said in his official statement.

“From moving to England in 2005 to join Middlesex, right up to the very end, playing for Paarl Royals in SA20, I have cherished every moment. As there are in every sportsperson’s career, there have been highs and lows, but my family and friends have been by my side throughout it all.

“Playing for franchise teams across the globe has given me so many memories that I will hold onto forever.

“Since my retirement from international cricket, I have been able to spend more time with my loved ones, and I look forward to being able to do so more and more in the future. Having said that, I will undoubtedly miss the adventure and challenges of playing professional cricket.

“Although I am calling time on my playing career, I will still be involved in the game, working alongside broadcasters at international and franchise tournaments as a commentator and pundit. I am sincerely looking forward to what the future holds.”

Morgan remains England’s leading run-scorer – 6957 runs in 225 ODIs with 13 hundreds – and the most successful captain in ODIs, with 76 wins from 126 matches he led in. In T20 Internationals, he aggregated 2458 runs in 115 matches at a strike-rate of 136.18 with 14 fifties.

An integral part of England’s first ICC Men’s T20 World Cup triumph in the West Indies in 2010, Morgan led the side to runners-up finish in the 2016 edition in India. Overall, he led England to 42 T20I wins from 72 matches.

ALSO READ: Women’s T20 WC: India begin campaign on a winning note

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Nat Sciver named women’s ODI cricketer of year

England women's all-rounder Nat Sciver to miss India series to focus on mental health, wellbeing. (Credit :ECB/Twitter)

Nat beat competition Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail and New Zealand’s leg-spin all-rounder Amelia Kerr to win the award…reports Asian Lite News

England’s seam-bowling all-rounder Nat Sciver was named as ICC women’s ODI cricketer of the year for 2022. She becomes the second cricketer from England to have won the coveted award after wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor won the honour in 2014.

Nat beat competition Australia wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail and New Zealand’s leg-spin all-rounder Amelia Kerr to win the award.

She had a 2022 to remember, amassing 833 runs at an average of 59.90 and at a strike-rate of 91.43, including smashing five half-centuries and two centuries to put further accolades on an already impressive playing resume.

The majority of those big scores came during the Women’s ODI World Cup, with Nat helping herself to a team-best 436 runs, including a career-best 148 not out off 121 balls in the final against Australia coming in a losing cause.

Nat walked in with England in a spot of bother at 38/2 and remained there until the end, unsettling the bowlers with her eye-catchy strokes. The all-rounder hit 15 fours and a six in her knock that could have led her side to World Cup glory if not for losing partners at the other end.

She finished third in the overall run charts for the tournament, behind Alyssa and Rachael Haynes, but recorded a better average than Australia duo.

If her exploits during the World Cup weren’t enough, Nat returned from a short break to manage her mental health in December to help England record a 3-0 series sweep over the West Indies in the Caribbean.

During that series she scored knocks of 90 and 85 to unsurprisingly finish as the leading run-scorer for the series with an eye-catching 180 runs at an average of 60. Nat will be next seen in the Women’s T20 World Cup, to be held in South Africa from February 10-26, which will mark her return as England’s vice-captain.

ALSO READ: India whitewash Black Caps in ODI series

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Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriages

Under the proposals, the Church of England’s stance that the sacrament of matrimony is restricted to unions between one man and one woman will not change….reports Asian Lite News

The Church of England said Wednesday it will allow blessings for same-sex, civil marriages for the first time but same-sex couples still will not be allowed to marry in its churches.

The decision followed five years of debate and consultation on the church’s position on sexuality. It is expected to be outlined in a report to the church’s national assembly, the General Synod, which meets in London next month.

Under the proposals, the Church of England’s stance that the sacrament of matrimony is restricted to unions between one man and one woman will not change.

However, same-sex couples would be able to have a church service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God’s blessing after they have a civil wedding or register a civil partnership.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in England and Wales since 2013, but the church did not change its teaching when the law changed.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church, acknowledged that the proposals “will appear to go too far for some and not nearly far enough for others.”

“This response reflects the diversity of views in the Church of England on questions of sexuality, relationships and marriage. I rejoice in that diversity and I welcome this way of reflecting it in the life of our church,” Welby said.

“I hope it can offer a way for the Church of England, publicly and unequivocally, to say to all Christians and especially LGBTQI+ people, that you are welcome and a valued and precious part of the body of Christ,” he added.

The church said bishops plan to issue a formal apology to LGBTQ people on Friday for the “rejection, exclusion and hostility” they have felt from within the church.

It said it would issue pastoral guidance to its ministers and congregations and urge them to welcome same-sex couples “unreservedly and joyfully.”

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell apologized for “the way LGBTQI+ people and those they love have been treated by the church which, most of all, ought to recognize everyone as precious and created in the image of God.”

“We are deeply sorry and ashamed and want to take this opportunity to begin again in the spirit of repentance which our faith teaches us,” he said. “This is not the end of that journey, but we have reached a milestone, and I hope that these prayers of love and faith can provide a way for us all to celebrate and affirm same-sex relationships.”

Cottrell said the proposals will not be “what everyone wants,” but further changes will require a legislative overhaul and there was currently no majority supporting such change.

Jayne Ozanne, a prominent campaigner for LGBTQ people in the church, said the bishops’ decision was “utterly despicable.”

“I cannot believe that five years of pain and trauma has got us here. We have had countless apologies over the years but no action to stop the harmful discrimination,” she tweeted.

The General Synod is expected to discuss the proposals in detail during its Feb. 6-Feb. 9 meeting.

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