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Young England batsman talks about his unique drag-flick six-hitting technique

Sreshth Shah27-Aug-2020

When Tom Banton first played the outrageous reverse-flick off his toes last year, many wondered how his wrists were so supple for him to pull that shot off. You look at the video below on repeat, and slowly realise it is reminiscent of Eoin Morgan, only right-handed, and there’s a reason for that.While Morgan spent his teenage years playing the Irish sport of hurling, Banton grew up playing field hockey, where flexible yet powerful wrists are vital for success. And his ability to play those 360-degree shots are part of some of the skills he transferred when he began taking cricket seriously.ALSO READ: McCullum: Gill will be ‘part of leadership group’ at KKR”I guess it probably comes from playing hockey,” Banton told . I was a drag-flicker and used to play reverse there quite often. My dad used to play hockey and I kind of followed his footsteps. I played hockey from three till about 17. I was 16 years old, when things were getting more serious and I had to pick one sport and that’s when I chose cricket.” Morgan’s shadow continues to follow Banton in the IPL as they’ll be team-mates at Knight Riders, and the youngster only has praises for the man under whose captaincy he made his England debut. Although Morgan will not be his captain at Knight Riders, Banton knows Morgan will be the perfect team man for the two-time champions. Morgan returns for a second stint at Knight Riders, having been bought at the 2011 auction too.”He is an extremely positive person, no matter what,” Banton said of England’s ODI World Cup-winning captain. “It’s nice to have him in the team, as he bats for his team. I remember my first match for England, I got out playing a shot. He came up to me and said ‘you don’t need to change what you are currently doing.’ It was really nice to hear that.”ALSO READ: Banton among 20 players to watch out for in 2020sMorgan, though, is far from being only familiar face he will see at Knight Riders. While playing for Brisbane Heat at the 2019-20 BBL, he caught up with Knight Riders’ head coach Brendon McCullum on the day after the IPL auction where he was bought for INR 1 crore. Having one of his childhood idols is ‘cool’, according to Banton, as is the prospect of playing with three Indians he played a lot against at the Under-19 level.”I actually went out on dinner with him during the BBL, and also with Chris Lynn, our former KKR player, just the day after the auction,” Banton said. “Growing up, McCullum was someone I looked up to.”I am particularly excited to play alongside Andre Russell and Pat Cummins. I watched Andre last year, and he played really well. Learning from someone like him will be really cool. There are a few guys of my age – Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shubman Gill – whom I have played against when I was younger.”Looking back, I remember the Indians were a lot better than all of us in the [2018 Under-19] World Cup. I look up to those guys even now, and I am still good friends with some of them. Playing alongside Shubman at KKR will be pretty nice and I am really looking forward to it.”Banton has usually been a wicketkeeper-batsman at the county level but now he sees himself switching into a batmsan-wicketkeeper in the long term instead. It’s a decision that makes sense as Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow perform that role for the national side and his Knight Riders captain Dinesh Karthik takes up the keeping duties in the IPL.”I would like to be reckoned as a batsman who has the wicketkeeping abilities as a second option,” Banton said. “I think this year, I wanted to focus a lot more on my batting. At the same time, I want to continue working on my keeping skills. It’s been tricky this year. This winter has been hectic and I didn’t really have the time to stop and think about what I really wanted to do.”Banton is a self-confessed IPL fanatic, having watched the tournament right from its early years, and it’s now time to live what he’s been “dreaming of since a very young age.” His game is built for the IPL, and with Knight Riders dropping Lynn from their squad, there might just be a spot in the top order for him.

Head coach also suggests Jos Buttler and Dom Bess will be given further chances

George Dobell21-Jul-2020Chris Silverwood faces an intriguing test of his management style this week as England pick a side they hope can win the third Test against West Indies.In many ways Silverwood, the England coach, is in an enviable position. As things stand, he is expected to have six or seven seamers with a strong case for selection available to him.But the downside of such luxury is that he will have to deal with some very disappointed players. And in a few cases, these are players with limited experience of selection disappointment. With all involved destined to spend the next week in their bio-secure bubble at Emirates Old Trafford, that could require some careful diplomacy from Silverwood and his team.ALSO READ: Stokes is England’s man for all sessionsWhile there has been talk of planning for the future in recent times, Silverwood was clear that his aim this week was more immediate: he simply wants to pick a side that can win the final Test. A draw would see West Indies retain the Wisden Trophy. It would also leave England with just one victory from their last five Test series (excluding the one-off Test against Ireland).That means that there can be no couching the decisions made about selection: the attack picked for Friday will be the attack seen as the best England have right now. Those who miss out will know their place in the pecking order.”We’ve got to put out the strongest attack out that’s available to us,” Silverwood said. “It’s very difficult to keep everybody happy all the time. But if you do things for the right reason, I think there’s an understanding there. It’s about being very honest and open with what we are trying to do and why.”Everyone wants to play all the time and I’d probably be more disappointed if they didn’t. When you’re leaving out world-class players, from my point of view it’s a very good place for English cricket to be. It’s never easy and you’re always going to get pushback. But you try to be as honest as possible.”While Silverwood was not in a position to name the team at this stage, he did provide a couple of clues. For one thing, he described James Anderson as “a world-class bowler and the best we’ve got,” while he also confirmed Jofra Archer’s recent error of judgement would not be held against him. As a result, it would be a surprise if either missed out. And that, realistically, leaves England picking between Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood and Sam Curran for one spot.Broad’s spell with the second new ball on the fourth day of the second Test might put him in pole position. Broad claimed 3 for 1 in a vital burst that kept England in the match just as it appeared to be slipping away from them.Ultimately, the decision will not be made until the full squad return to training on Wednesday – those who played in the second Test were given Tuesday off – and the management are able to ascertain if any of the bowlers requires a break. Ed Smith, the national selector who left Manchester bubble early in the second Test, will also be consulted while Joe Root is likely to be given the final say.It may be relevant that Silverwood expects the pitch – a couple of strips up the square from the one used in recent days – to provide just a little more pace. As a result, there may be a temptation to include Wood, although he claimed only two wickets in Southampton, while Woakes and Broad claimed five and six respectively in Manchester. Curran claimed three, too, and has seen England win all eight of the home Tests in which he has played. All have strong cases for inclusion. It may also prove relevant that the forecast for the second day, in particular, is uncompromisingly grim.Silverwood also hinted that both Dom Bess and Jos Buttler would keep their places for this match. In the case of the latter, though, there was perhaps something in the manner in which Silverwood replied “at the moment” to the query as to whether Buttler was first choice that hinted this was an important game for him.”I thought Bessy got better and better as the game went on,” Silverwood said. “He found his rhythm and the last few overs he came to the forefront. All the options are on the table but Dom is the spinner that’s in possession at the moment.”Jos Buttler is bowled by Alzarri Joseph•Getty ImagesWhile England have yet to confirm their plans, they are expected to allow their players to take a small break outside the bubble between this series and the start of the one against Pakistan. There would be various conditions attached, and Pakistan have confirmed they have no issues with such a plan. It might make sense if those players not utilised in this match were allowed to leave early and extend that break.Silverwood did also admit there would be some consideration about resting Ben Stokes, who had a particularly heavy workload in Manchester. Stokes faced more than 400 deliveries and bowled more than 20 overs – the first seam-bowling allrounder to do so since in Test cricket since Andrew Hall in 2004 – and actually pulled himself out of the attack midway through an over in West Indies’ second innings. He later suggested this was a precautionary reaction to stiffness and insisted he would be fine for Friday.In reality, England probably cannot do without Stokes at present. Even if he cannot bowl, there is an acceptance that he is more than worth selection as a specialist batsman. Of all the statistics to emerge after the second Test, including his rise to No. 3 in the Test batting rankings and No. 1 in the allrounder rankings, one was particularly revealing: after 65 Tests, Stokes has scored only 56 fewer runs than Jacques Kallis had at the same stage of his own career, while taking 20 more wickets.”We want him out there as much as we can; everyone can see how good he is,” Silverwood said. “But you know what, we’re going to consider rotating him. He’s been at the centre of the last couple of games and we’ve got to make sure he’s okay. But if he is fit and healthy, he’ll play.”Another allrounder achieved a memorable landmark in Manchester. Woakes reached the milestone of 100 wickets and 1000 runs in his 34th Test. That is quicker than Garry Sobers (48 Tests) Jason Holder (39 Tests) and Stokes (43 Tests). Woakes also has a lower bowling average in England than either Broad or Anderson.His figures at Old Trafford could have been even better, too, had England chosen to review an appeal for caught behind off Shamarh Brooks in the second innings that looked to have brushed the glove.The point of this? It’s hard to imagine one or two other members of this England squad not pushing a little harder for that review to be taken. Just as it’s hard to imagine Woakes going on TV midway through a Test to express his disappointment at missing out on selection. Maybe, at times, his good nature makes it just a little too easy to leave him out.

Arsenal stars Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard could inadvertently thwart the club's chances of signing a £60 million forward who the club really like.

Edu and Arteta planning to sign new attackers for Arsenal

The North Londoners, in their bid to win a first Premier League title in 20 years, have been imperious going forward, despite not having an out and out goalscorer leading the line.

Related £43 million star certain to move as Arsenal enter pole position for deal

The Gunners are “very impressed” by his ability.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini May 8, 2024

Indeed, no other team have racked up more goals in the top flight than Mikel Arteta's men so far this season, with strikes coming from all across the attacking areas courtesy of top scorers Saka (16), Kai Havertz (12) and Leandro Trossard (11).

However, it is still widely believed that Arsenal are planning to bring in an important new striker this summer, and reliable journalist Charles Watts has also claimed they could look to bring in yet another winger as well.

Arsenal's top scorers in the league this season

Goals

Bukayo Saka

16

Kai Havertz

12

Leandro Trossard

11

Martin Odegaard

8

Declan Rice

7

The Gunners are targeting number nines in big names like Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres. The latter has been in scintillating form over 2023/2024, scoring 41 goals in all competitions, and it is believed Arsenal are in pole position to sign Gyokeres for Arteta.

In terms of wingers who Arsenal could have their eyes on, Crystal Palace star Michael Olise is thought to be one of them.

The France youth international, barring his injury absences, has been a star player for Oliver Glasner and his predecessor. Scoring nine goals and assisting four others over 17 league appearances, he's displayed real cutting edge, and this has alerted Arsenal chiefs.

Arsenal really like Olise but Odegaard and Saka could thwart deal

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal are big fans of Olise but Saka and Odegaard could actually thwart a deal. This is because the prospect of regular game time for the 22-year-old is diminished, thanks to the latter pair cementing their roles in similar positions to Olise.

The Eagles star wants to join a team playing Champions League football next term but also wants to start week in week out, with Aston Villa now confident they can beat both Arteta and Man United in the race for Olise – who is rumoured to command a £60 million price tag.

“In the first-half we didn’t get enough out of him, and we couldn’t bring him into the game as much as we wanted," said former Palace boss Roy Hodgson when discussing Olise's future after a terrific 5-1 win away to Leeds last season.

“In the first-half he was a figure on the right but he wasn’t creating chances or showing aggression in his play. In the second-half he got it all right in both defence and attack and he showed what a wonderful player he is.

“I have seen him for 10 days less than I have seen the others. What I make of him is that I think he is an enormous talent – he has got a great possibility to have a wonderful career and a wonderful future. We can only hope we at Crystal Palace can give him that platform.”

Post by Fraser-McGurk invited comments from team-mates that seemingly mocked non-native English speakers

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jan-2020Cricket Australia will consider sanctions on a number of players from the Under-19 squad after a post on Instagram by batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk invited comments that seemingly mocked non-native English speakers.The image Fraser-McGurk posted of himself batting and captioned “Quarter Finals here we come” shortly after Australia’s victory over England prompted a series of replies from team-mates, which have subsequently been removed and commenting has been disabled.”Sir great player, big fan and will play for India one day,” wrote Oliver Davies.”Sir, give me WhatsApp number, I want to be friend,” commented Liam Scott.Lachlan Hearne, Tanveer Sangha and Sam Fanning also posted similar comments.Sean Carroll, the board’s integrity chief, said in a statement provided to ESPNcricinfo that “some of the language could be interpreted as ridiculing non-native English language speakers”.”We are extremely disappointed that some of the Australia under-19 squad members have used inappropriate language in posts on social media, which we reported to the ICC as soon as it came to our attention,” Carroll said.”I have spoken to the players this morning and have expressed in no uncertain terms that such language has no place in society and falls well short of the standards we expect as Australian cricketers. The players have apologised for the language and taken down the posts.”Cricket Australia will consider sanctions upon their return from South Africa, which will include but not be limited to education and cultural sensitivity training. Most of the players do not have their parents present with them in South Africa and some of them are minors. Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to consider their sanction upon their return home.”Fraser-McGurk, one of the players involved, has already flown home to receive treatment after being scratched by a monkey at a nature reserve during a team outing in Kimberley.

Rumana Ahmed and Panna Ghosh have been included in the Bangladesh squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins on February 21 in Australia. The experienced duo replaces Rabeya Khan and Suraiya Azmin, who were part of the side for the India tour earlier this month.Rumana, the legspin-bowling allrounder, has recovered from a knee injury, which kept her out of action for several months last year including the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Panna, who has taken 31 wickets in 37 T20Is, is a seam bowler.The rest of the squad bears a familiar look. Salma Khatun leads the side that includes seamer Jahanara Alam, who played in the Women’s T20 Challenge in India last year, and Nigar Sultana, who has made 309 runs at 44.14 in the last 12 months.Bangladesh will reach Brisbane on February 3, after which they will play three tour matches on February 7, 10 and 12 at the Gold Coast District Cricket Club ground. Their official warm-up matches are against Thailand (February 16) and Pakistan (February 20), before their tournament opener against India on February 24.Squad: Salma Khatun (capt), Rumana Ahmed, Jahanara Alam, Shamima Sultana, Murshida Khatun, Ayesha Rahman, Nigar Sultana, Sanjida Islam, Khadija Tul Kubra, Panna Ghosh, Fargana Haque, Nahida Akhtar, Fahima Khatun, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary

Big Picture

Lasith Malinga has a problem. He has captained Sri Lanka to a World T20 title, but that was way back in 2014. Now, almost six years later, there are serious doubts over his leadership. Since he took over as captain again, in 2019, Sri Lanka have lost nine matches under him, and won only once. There’s no doubt he’s the best player in the side – that one victory came in the match in which he took four wickets in four balls for the second time in his limited-overs career. But can he get the best out of the ten remaining players in the side? Sri Lanka are a relatively young team. Malinga has as much T20 nous as anybody. But is he a competent manager of inexperienced players?Malinga has another problem. Lately, India haven’t lost many series to Sri Lanka. In fact, India have not lost a bilateral series to Sri Lanka – in any format – in more than ten years. In T20Is, Sri Lanka at least have the bragging rights of having defeated India in a World T20 final in 2014. But where Sri Lanka were serious rivals in the 90s and the aughts, India have more recently begun considering Sri Lanka matches a low-profile fixture. Often, they rest their regular captain. This time, they have rested their batsman of 2019, Rohit Sharma.Can the visitors turn the tables in 2020? Their young batsmen were glorious in Pakistan in September, and awful in the Australia series that followed. Young legspinner Wanindu Hasaranga was similarly a revelation in Lahore, but not so great in Adelaide and Brisbane.India, however, are not as difficult to beat in this format as they are in others. They have not been quite as dominant in this format as they would like to be either, They lost T20I series in New Zealand and Australia in 2019, and also lost matches at home to West Indies, Bangladesh and South Africa (though India didn’t lose any of those series).

Form guide

India WLWWW (completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWW

In the spotlight

Remember the Nidahas Trophy? That tournament won by India in a whirl of Dinesh Karthik sixes? The hero of that final is not in the India squad, but one of the heroes of the round robin, Washington Sundar, is. While maintaining an economy rate of under six, he took eight wickets in five matches in that tournament, five of those coming against Sri Lanka. Washington hasn’t had much fortune since the Nidahas Trophy, though, taking only six wickets in 12 matches. Can a favoured opposition prod him back into wicket-taking form?Lasith Malinga and Isuru Udana celebrate•Associated Press

Angelo Mathews hasn’t played a T20I since August 2018. The reason? Well, his batting isn’t particularly devastating anymore, and injuries have dictated that he can’t bowl much. He has been bowling in the nets in the approach to this series, however, and that may explain why he has been picked in the squad again, after such a long hiatus. If he does bowl, he could offer that crucial control with the new ball that Sri Lanka have been yearning for, while letting Malinga save his overs until late in the innings. If he only bats, Sri Lanka will hope he captures his best hitting form from years gone by. Malinga described Mathews as Sri Lanka’s “best finisher” ahead of the first match.

Team news

Malinga has suggested that Niroshan Dickwella and Kusal Mendis may not play.Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Danushka Gunathilaka, 2 Oshada Fernando, 3 Avishka Fernando, 4 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 5 Kusal Perera (wk), 6 Angelo Mathews, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Isuru Udana, 9 Wanindu Hasaranga, 10 Lasith Malinga (capt), 11 Lahiru Kumara/Kasun RajithaJasprit Bumrah is likely to slot right back into the XI as he returns after recovering from a stress fracture. With India prioritising batting depth of late, both spin-bowling allrounders could play, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal having to battle it out for the lone wristspinner’s slot.India: 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 KL Rahul, 3 Virat Kohli (capt), 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant (wk), 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav/ Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, 11 Jasprit Bumrah

Pitch and conditions

In the peak of winter, Indore is likely to be pleasant on the skin. The pitch generally leans towards the batting side too, and it is a small ground, which could mean exciting strokeplay if the spinners don’t get a chance to call some shots.

Stats and trivia

• Washington Sundar averages 14.20 and has an economy rate of 5.91 against Sri Lanka.
• Mathews averages 78.00 in India with the bat, in T20Is. This is largely thanks to his four not outs in six innings. He strikes at 130.00.
• In the only T20I played so far in Indore, Rohit Sharma made everyone dream of a T20 double-century against Sri Lanka with his 118 off 43 balls. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal were the most effective bowlers across teams that night – they took a combined 7 for 104 in eight overs

Quotes

“Akila [Dananjaya]’s bowling action isn’t great at the moment, and he might be cleared before the World Cup, but we don’t know what’s after that. Still we have young spinners and we need to give opportunities to them.”

حسم التعادل الإيجابي نتيجة مباراة الريان والأهلي بنتيجة 2-2، وذلك خلال المباراة التي جرت بينهما ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري القطري.

ويلعب الريان مع الأهلي، على استاد أحمد بن علي المونديالي، في إطار مواجهات الأسبوع الثامن من عمر بطولة الدوري.

وتقدم سيكو عمر يانسان بالهدف الأول للأهلي في الدقيقة الرابعة، بعد خطأ فادح من حارس المرمى استغله جويديس ووضع الكرة داخل الشباك.

طالع أيضاً.. مران الأهلي | كولر يحاضر اللاعبين.. وتدريبات استشفائية استعدادًا لـ العين

وأدرك الريان التعادل في الدقيقة 28 عن طريق روجر جويديس، من تصويبة صاروخية من خارج منطقة الجزاء سكنت الشباك مباشرةً.

وأحرز إيريك أليكسندر إكسبوسيتو هدف الأهلي الثاني في الدقيقة 37 بتصويبة متقنة من خارج منطقة الجزاء سكنت الزاوية اليسرى.

وسجل روجر جويديس هدف التعادل للريان في الدقيقة 65، بعد تمريرة من أشرف بن شرقي وصلت إلى روجر ووضعها داخل الشباك.

بهذا التعادل، يحتل الأهلي المركز الثاني في جدول ترتيب الدوري القطري برصيد 15 نقطة، بينما يأتي الريان بالمركز الثامن، ويمتلك 10 نقاط. أهداف مباراة الأهلي والريان اليوم في الدوري القطري

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has come out in support of returning batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal after their loss to Sri Lanka in the first T20I.Shehzad and Umar have had a rocky past with the national team, for various reasons, and the revival of their careers in Lahore at the expense of Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail drew surprise in some corners.Umar last played a T20I three years ago, while Shehzad featured in T20Is last year before he was banned for a positive dope test. Both of them made their debuts ten years ago, and though they have made several comebacks, it seemed Pakistan had closed the door on them after they were dropped by not just one head coach but two – Waqar Younis and Mickey Arthur.On Saturday, in the T20I against Sri Lanka, Shehzad had a couple of close calls before he was bowled for 4 off nine balls. Umar bagged a golden duck, his ninth – the most by a Pakistan cricketer.ALSO READ: Should Pakistan worry about Sarfaraz Ahmed’s form?“If you talk about previous two [domestic] seasons, they were performers and they were again performers in the PSL,” Sarfaraz said after Pakistan’s 64-run defeat. “We are trying our fullest to give a complete chance to those who are brought back. There is nothing to worry. Both are experienced players and once they settle in, they will perform. So [I give] my full backing for them as a captain.”Fakhar and Haris both have been part of the team for some time now. When we brought back Ahmed and Umar, we intended to make them play in their own positions. Had we played Fakhar, then Ahmed would have been made to play at one down. Me and Misbah[-ul-Haq, the coach] decided to try Ahmed as an opener. With our eyes on the [T20] World Cup, if Ahmed is able to settle himself at this [opening] number, we can never find a better player than him.”Similar with Umar Akmal. We wanted to play him in his number and hence had to drop Haris, who we have seen and have no doubt about his ability. We played six new players in the side without thinking about winning or losing. We wanted to play them and give them confidence because for any player, making a comeback isn’t really easy. You do come with performance in domestic but at the international level you take a few innings to get going.”In 2018, Pakistan had won 17 of the 19 T20Is they played, including two massive winning streaks – nine matches between July and November and eight matches between January and July. The ICC rates them as the No. 1 side in the shortest format but they haven’t quite shown it in 2019 with four losses in five games, including the latest to a second-string Sri Lankan side.”No team in T20 format is considered weak and we knew that on the day their team is strong and they have potential,” Sarfaraz said. “They played better than us. They should be given credit. But I still back my team. It was a bad day for us and we didn’t play good cricket. We will come back and it’s going to be more exciting for the spectators as they will get to see more tough cricket.”Plus it isn’t really easy to win all games but we did win 11 [nine] games in a row. This is a different time. Some players are making a comeback and it is tough. And there are few who are in the team but trying to get settled. We have all players who are match winners and on their day they can win the game for the team single-handedly.”

Gil Langley, the Australian Test wicketkeeper who also represented his state at football before becoming Speaker of the House in state parliament, died on Monday night in an Adelaide nursing home at the age of 81 following a long illness

Rick Eyre14-Sep-2019Gil Langley, the Australian Test wicketkeeper who also represented his state at football before becoming Speaker of the House in state parliament, died on Monday night in an Adelaide nursing home at the age of 81 following a long illness.Langley played 26 Tests for Australia from 1951-52 to 1956, in which he held 83 catches and made 15 stumpings. He made his first-class debut for South Australia as a specialist batsman in 1945-46, immediately after the conclusion of the Second World War. He donned the gloves during the 1947-48 Sheffield Shield season, and by 1949-50 was chosen as deputy wicketkeeper to Ron Saggers for the Australian tour of South Africa.Both Saggers and Langley remained in the shadow of the great Queenslander Don Tallon whenever he was available for Australia, but following the retirement of his two peers, Langley received his first call-up to the Test side in the 1951-52 series against the West Indies. On his debut, at the Gabba, Brisbane, he took three catches and four stumpings in Australia’s three-wicket victory, going on to claim 21 victims for the series.He remained Australia’s first choice wicketkeeper until 1956, playing his last Test match against India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. In addition to his 98 dismissals, and scored 374 runs in Tests at 14.96 with a top score of 53.Despite being part of a well-beaten Australian side in England in 1956, and missing two Tests because of injury, he was recognised by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack as one of its five cricketers of the year in its 1957 edition. In the Lord’s Test of 1956 he completed nine dismissals – at the time a world Test record – in Australia’s only win of the series.In all first-class cricket he made 122 appearances, taking 292 catches and 77 stumpings. He scored 3236 runs at an average of 25.68 and a top score of 160 not out. The last of his four centuries was achieved in his final game for South Australia, against New South Wales at Adelaide Oval in December 1956. Given three cheers by his opponents as he came to the crease in the second innings, Langley made exactly 100, scoring a boundary after 6pm on the final day before being stumped next ball off the bowling of Richie Benaud.Langley was also a successful Australian Rules footballer, who played for the Sturt club in the SANFL (South Australian National Football League) and went on to captain South Australia in interstate football competition. While transferred to Melbourne in the munitions department during the Second World War, he played for Essendon in the Victorian Football League, making four first team appearances and sitting on the reserve bench in the losing grand final side of 1943.Langley achieved a rare double, equalled only by Victor Richardson, of captaining Sturt in both cricket and football.A popular identity in Adelaide, Langley later entered politics and became the Member for Unley in the state House of Assembly, representing the Australian Labor Party. During his 20 year parliamentary career he became Speaker of the House.Gilbert Roche Andrews Langley was born on September 14, 1919 in North Adelaide. He is survived by four children. His nephew, Jeff Langley, played cricket for South Australia and Queensland between 1969-70 and 1979-80.

Southern Vipers made it two wins from two in the Kia Super League after narrowly prevailing over Loughborough Lightning at the Haslegrave Ground.Needing just 24 more with six wickets in hand in the 17th over, Vipers contrived to lose four wickets in the space of 16 deliveries as Lightning mounted a determined bid to deny them. But wicketkeeper Carla Rudd got them over the line by hitting offspinner Hayley Matthews for two on the leg side to complete a two-wicket win with just three balls to spare, chasing 136.England’s Danni Wyatt had earlier hit 40 off 33 balls with seven fours and West Indies star Stafanie Taylor 38 from 29 to put the Vipers chase on track.Lightning, for whom skipper Georgia Elwiss top-scored with 37, gave themselves a chance when England left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon removed Suzie Bates and Tammy Beaumont in her first three deliveries after coming on in the eighth over with Vipers 48 without loss. But seven boundaries in the next three overs put Vipers back on course with 57 runs needed off the final nine overs.Earlier, openers Matthews and Amy Jones had given the Lightning innings a solid platform after Elwiss had won the toss and opted to bat first.With Jones in confident form after launching her KSL campaign with a half-century against Western Storm on Tuesday, and Matthews showing off her powerful hitting on the off side, the two put on 42 in the Powerplay overs before they were parted in the seventh over when Matthews was bowled behind her legs by Australian legspinner Amanda-Jade Wellington for 21.Thereafter, Lightning lost some momentum, as Jones was bowled off a bottom edge by Paige Scholfield for 24 and five overs passed without a boundary.Sri Lankan batsman Chamari Atapattu struggled to find gaps in the field and was leg before to Taylor’s offspin for 9 and the innings did not pick up again until the final six overs, as Mignon du Preez – dropped twice – helped Elwiss put on 29 in four overs, and some lusty hitting from Jenny Gunn saw the total swell by 27 off the final 13 deliveries, Gunn pulling Taylor for six over wide long-on.With a required run-rate of 6.8, Vipers knew they had no need to force the pace and at 48 without loss after seven overs, they were firmly in control.Two wickets in her first three balls by Gordon after drawing a blank in the opening match then dealt the Vipers a setback. She broke the Wyatt-Bates opening partnership via a catch at deep midwicket to remove the New Zealander and then combined brilliantly with wicketkeeper Jones to have England’s always-dangerous Beaumont out stumped without scoring.But Wyatt and Taylor then added 31 in four overs to keep the scoreboard moving.Atapattu had Wyatt well caught by Sarah Glenn at deep backward square-leg and Glenn herself trapped Taylor leg before with her legspin.Excellent ground fielding by Lucy Higham and Elwiss saw Thea Brookes and Scholfield run out as Vipers made things difficult for themselves towards the end before two more wickets fell in the penultimate over. But a six by Scholfield over long-on at the start of that over had swung the balance back in Vipers’ favour and Wellington began the final over, with seven needed, by sweeping Matthews for four.