Buttler needs to score or step aside: Farbrace
LONDON: Former England’s assistant coach Paul Farbrace has admitted he is concerned about wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler’s form. However, Farbrace still feels that England should stick with Buttler as their wicketkeeper for the Test Series in Sri Lanka. “I am worried about Jos. I think Jos should be England’s keeper and batter but he knows he can’t keep going long periods of time without making contributions,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Farbrace as saying.
“I would definitely keep him for the Sri Lanka series but he needs to score runs. If not, then he has to step aside,” he added.
The 29-year-old cricketer has made just one century in Test cricket, having played 41 games. He hasn’t reached 30 in his most recent eight innings.
“What should a player of his ability be averaging after 40 games? It should be 40-plus. It is a lot lower than he would want it to be,” said Farbrace.
The two match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). England currently stands in third place and will be looking to close in on India and Australia, who are currently leading the standings.
The first Test of the series against Sri Lanka will be played at Galle International Stadium from March 19
ACC MEET TO FINALISE ASIA CUP VENUE
NEW DELHI: Two days after the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said that Asia Cup 2020 will be held in Dubai and India and Pakistan will participate in it, an Asian Cricket Council (ACC) member on Sunday said the venue of this edition of the tournament is yet to be decided.
“ACC will be meeting soon. Once we meet, we will be in a position to make an official announcement where this edition of the Asia Cup will be held. Before that, I am not in a position to make any comment on it. I don’t want to say it is finalised or not but what I can tell you is that I am not in a position to make any comment on the Asia Cup,” the ACC member said.
KLAASEN TON SETS UP SOUTH AFRICA WIN
PAARL: A maiden international century by Heinrich Klaasen set up a 74-run win for South Africa in the first one-day international against Australia at Boland Park.
Klaasen hit 123 not out in a South African total of 291 for seven. Australia were on target midway through their reply but lost their last seven wickets for 43 runs to be bowled out for 217.
Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne put on 84 for Australia’s third wicket after the early loss of opening batsman Aaron Finch and David Warner, both dismissed by Lungi Ngidi, who finished with three for 30.
Smith (76) and Labuschagne (41) hit only three boundaries between them as scoring proved difficult on a slow pitch and a big outfield. When they tried to accelerate Labuschagne was caught at long-on off left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. Mitchell Marsh helped Smith add 41 for the fourth wicket but Marsh was bowled by Ngidi and three balls later Smith was trapped leg before wicket by Anrich Nortje.