ASHWIN SET TO PLAY SIX GAMES FOR NOTTS
NEW DELHI: R Ashwin will be tuning up for the inaugural World Test Championship against West Indies by playing in English County for Nottinghamshire. “Yes, Ashwin will be playing for the Notts this season. The COA had already made it clear that any centrally contracted cricketer will have automatic rights to play County cricket if that player gets an offer. Ashwin’s deal is almost final and only the CEO needs to sign his NOC,” said a senior BCCI official. After Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane signed up with Hampshire, Ashwin will play six Division 1 County games for the Nottinghamshire side that also has England fast bowler Stuart Broad. This will be Ashwin’s second stint in County, having played four games for Worcestershire in 2017. He took 20 wickets in four games and scored 214 runs.
Ngidi keen to set record right vs India in World Cup
DUBAI: South Africa fast bowler Lungi Ngidi wants to set the record straight against India in the World Cup, saying his team “owes one” to the Virat Kohli-led side following the ODI series loss at home. Visitors India had sealed a comprehensive 5-1 win over South Africa last year. The Proteas were missing some key players skipper Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock during that series and Ngidi believes a full-strength team will be able to return the favour when they clash with India on June 5 at Southampton. “I’m looking forward to India. When they came here, they had a good series against us. So in my mind, I believe we owe them one. It would be a very exciting game for me. I’m sure it will be for all the guys as well,” he said.
Woakes wrecks Pak as England win final ODI
LEEDS: Chris Woakes claimed five wickets and Joe Root and Eoin Morgan hit half-centuries as England beat Pakistan by 54 runs in the fifth and final ODI on Sunday, sealing the series 4-0. Root made 84 and skipper Morgan 76 to help score 351/9 in 50 overs. Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed (97) and Babar Azam (80) led the fightback but Pakistan were bowled out. One game was washed out.
Brief scores: England 351/9 in 50 overs (J Root 84, E Morgan 76, S Afridi 4/82, I Wasim 3/53); Pakistan 297 all out in 46.5 overs (S Ahmed 97, C Woakes 5/54, A Rashid 2/54).