Stoinis better than Hardik: Hayden
MUMBAI: Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden rates his countryman Marcus Stoinis above India all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Hayden, who turned out for his country in 103 Test matches, also feels that his compatriot and fast bowler Pat Cummins was likely to trouble India opener Shikhar Dhawan in the coming ODI and T20 between the two countries. “Marcus Stoinis is developing into a world-class all-rounder. He is unlucky not to be playing a little bit more Test cricket. He has quality in his play, although Hardik is also a fine player,” Hayden said.“Stoinis has adopted a wider approach to his game which is winning matches for his country. Hardik Pandya also has the same responsibility, but I think right now Stoinis is a better player. Pat Cummins will have the hold on Shikhar Dhawan. Dhawan loves pace and I think Pat holds the armoury with short ball, reverse swing and the variation with slow balls. I think Patty will be the baby-sitter,” said Hayden. On the expected Chahal vs Maxwell duel, Hayden said, “Maxwell is a player who has struggled when playing in Indian conditions. His IPL performances have not been quite impactful. In the perspective of ODIs and Test matches Maxwell has achieved one excellent 100. But Chahal is developing into a world-class spinner and possesses plenty of variation. Maxwell often comes in through the middle stages where he will really need to pump up the pace and Chahal has got variation, so I will get Chahal to babysit,” he said.
AFGHAN-IRELAND TIE
DEHRADUN: Afghanistan will host Ireland for a full series at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium here from February 21 to March 19. The series consists three T20 Internationals, five ODIs and a lone Test. It will be Ireland’s first overseas Test match, and the second for the two newest teams at the highest level. This would also be the second time when Afghanistan and Ireland play a series against each other.
MASAKADZA TO LEAD
HARARE: Hamilton Masakadza was on Tuesday named as captain of Zimbabwe for all three formats of international cricket for the next year, but a planned tour to India next month looks to have fallen through.