‘I am open to taking up England’s vicecaptaincy’

ADELAIDE: James Anderson said he was open to replacing suspended Ben Stokes as England vice-captain for the coming Ashes Test series. Anderson told reporters assuming the vice-captaincy was “not something I have really thought about to be honest”. But when questioned on whether he would decline if asked to fill the role, he replied: “Of course not, I wouldn’t.” “Certainly over the past few years I have seen my role in the team as being a leader, especially with the young bowlers coming in, I try and help out where I can,” Anderson added. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The series tied 1-1, Colin Munro and Trent Boult the Kiwi knights in shining armour, Virat Kohli’s urge to win yet another series and chatter about MS Dhoni facing an inexplicable number of dot balls has provided the third and final Twenty20 between India and New Zealand all ingredients for a spicy encounter on Tuesday.

But wait, there’s a disclaimer: the possibility of not getting to see any action as the rain god looms large over Thiruvananthapuram, which can’t wait to get its first taste of international cricket in almost three decades.

Heavy showers were experienced for the fourth consecutive day on Monday. Both India and New Zealand skipped training at the venue.

The lush green Greenfield International Stadium though is set to become India’s 50th international cricket venue. And it is more than ready to host the match on what is expected to be a good batting track.

FIGHTING KIWIS

Keeping aside factors that can’t be controlled by the players, the deciding T20 is expected to be an exciting contest with the Kane Williamson-led New Zealand side giving a tough fight to the hosts, like in the third and final ODI, which they lost by a mere six runs.

Munro played well in the Kanpur ODI on October 29 for his 75, but the left-hander really came into his own on Saturday to become the only cricketer to hit two T20 centuries in a calendar year.

Indian batsmen will have to be wary of Boult, who has the knack of picking wickets each time he comes into the attack for the Black Caps.

From the Indian perspective, the spotlight will be on MS Dhoni. There was a lot criticism of the former India captain’s batting in