SK News Point-Live Cricket News-1st December 2016

Alastair Cook predicts nature of Mumbai pitch

England captain Alastair Cook is visibly a disappointed man after his team could not take advantage of the winning the toss in Mohali. Cook, who himself did not look himself during the Test match has made predictions about the Mumbai pitch.

“Mumbai obviously can spin. Last time we were here, it did spin and bounce quite a lot, the spinners took a lot of wickets. Sometimes you like to see what four (seamers) and two (spinners) does but it would have been a big gamble on this wicket if it would have been turning like it did in Bangladesh. We will have a look but I imagine in Mumbai, it will be turning and bouncing, it normally does.”

The fourth Test is starting on December 8.

Mumbai batsman hits six sixes in an over

A new tournament record was created in the Times Shield, Mumbai Cricket Association’s ‘B’ division tournament, when Sagar Mishra, representing Western Railways, hit six sixes in an over.

In the last 11 deliveries that he faced, Mishra, who has played first-class for Railways, converted nine of them into maximums.

The Times Shield tournament, run by the MCA, has a total of six divisions, running from A through F. The first two divisions are played on a league basis, while the rest are in a knock-out format.

Those who are eligible to participate include employees from Private & Public business houses, Corporations, State & Central Government departments and Professional firms.

A quick recollection brings to mind two other Indians who have achieved the feat, albeit at a very different level. Yuvraj Singh is the only Indian to have hit six sixes at the international level in 2007, while Ravi Shastri did the same at the first-class level in 1985.

While speaking to The Times of India, Mishra said he had never imagined that he would be able to achieve a similar feat, having watched Yuvraj hit Stuart Broad for those sixes on television.

Herschelle Gibbs was the first cricketer to hit six sixes in an over at the international level, smashing Dutch bowler Daan van Bunge for six maximums during the 2007 World Cup, just months before Yuvraj Singh.

Don't need to pre-announce my retirement: Misbah

Pakistan Test captain Misbah-Ul-Haq has said that he need not announced his retirement before calling it quits and added that retirement is something that is a personal decision of his.

"I am at a certain stage of my career where I only think what I can give back to my team.I do believe these boys have the capability to take responsibility and can deliver. So I am actually thinking if it's a good to leave at this stage. But this is a decision I want to take on my own and I don't think I need to pre-announce it. I don't think that it is necessary for me to mark any series my last but I can take it any time without even having a farewell. I don't have to make my retirement plan a big issue by beating drums all over.

"I am thinking but haven't reached any conclusion, but my whole thought process is all about the team - if they can move on without me or not. And how I can do more as a senior to inspire and make this team stand on its own," he told ESPN Cricinfo.