Sports
Leading New Zealand is a huge privilege, says Michael Bracewell ahead of T20Is against Pakistan
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) With less than two months for the Men’s T20 World Cup to begin in the West Indies and the USA from June 1-29, New Zealand’s upcoming tour of five T20Is in Pakistan will play an important part in the visitors’ finalising their squad for the mega event, where their best result has been runners-up finish in 2021 edition.
With most first-choice players plying their trade in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, it allows off-spin all-rounder Michael Bracewell to captain a youthful New Zealand mixed with experienced campaigners when they face Pakistan in a five-match T20I series starting on April 18 in Rawalpindi.
For Bracewell, it has been a long road to returning to international cricket after his last appearance for New Zealand came in March 2023. In June, while batting for Worcestershire in a T20 Blast match against Yorkshire, Bracewell ruptured his right Achilles and underwent surgery. With an estimated recovery period of six to eight months, he was ruled out of playing for New Zealand in the Men’s ODI World Cup in India.
After the slow grind of rehabilitation, Bracewell returned to action in January 2024, before breaking his finger while playing for Wellington, further delaying his international selection. Now on the threshold of international return, Bracewell speaks exclusively to IANS, in a chat facilitated by Sony Sports Network, on the T20I series against Pakistan, his recovery and rehab journey, banking on past leadership experiences and more.
Q. What are the emotions right now about you being on the verge of returning to playing international cricket, and that too as New Zealand captain?
A. First of all, I’m very excited to be named in the squad. It’s been a long layoff from playing international cricket, but I’m very excited to get back out on the field. To be able to play again and then to captain the country is something that I’ve dreamed about as a little boy. So, to be able to get the honour of leading the Black Caps is a huge privilege and it’s something that I’m really very excited about.
Q. It has been a long journey for you to be back from two injuries. What did those first steps towards beginning the recovery look like, especially after the Achilles surgery was done?
A. Firstly, there was a period when I wasn’t able to walk at all. I completely ruptured my Achilles. So, they stitched it back together and you have to give that time to heal. Then I was in a moon-boat for a couple of months and really restricting the movement of the Achilles there.
Then after that, it was a whole lot of rehab and things related to it. So, a lot of calf raises happened and then it was a very gradual process of learning to walk again and then being able to run and then slowly integrating back into the cricket-specific side of things as well. So, it was just over a six-month process of returning to domestic cricket. Then unfortunately after about six games, I ended up quite badly breaking my finger. So, then that was another stint on the sidelines while that recovered as well.
Q. Can you describe the steps of your recovery timeline for the public to understand what you went through?
A. As a cricketer and sportsman, there were little milestones that I wanted to tick off each week. I had a great program put in place by the medical staff at New Zealand Cricket that allowed me to just achieve those small, little milestones. So that first one was being able to walk again and weight bear on the affected leg. Then it was able to run on the anti-gravity machine, which is basically like a fancy treadmill. So with each of those little steps, it became a big step forward in recovery. It wasn’t as though I went from not being able to do anything to suddenly being able to do everything. So that little bit of gain was made in each week and then slowly you build up.
A couple of months pass by and suddenly you’re able to run again, which is very exciting. So those little milestones along the way made it a little bit easier. Watching on the sidelines is never fun, so you’ve always got that big carrot at the end of being back playing. So that was always the motivating factor in it all being able to get back out there and do what I love.
Q. Who were the key people with you in these tough days of recovery and rehab?
A. I have a huge support network in New Zealand. I’ve got my wife Lauren and my little boy Lennox, who I spent a lot more time with over the last seven or eight months, instead of being away playing cricket all the time. So, first of all, I am hugely grateful for that support. At times, you’ve got to look for the silver linings. So, getting to see him grow up and spend a lot more time with him has been amazing. Lauren has been amazing and super supportive too. She made sure that I was able to concentrate on just getting right back on the field.
Then the New Zealand cricket and Wellington cricket medical team, all of their medical staff, especially the S&C person Matt Long in Wellington, were hugely integral in helping me achieve the recovery goals in six months.
Q. What is the biggest takeaway that you’ve learned from this journey, something which will always stay with you?
A. You never really want to go through something as gruelling and painful big injury like that. But I guess the learning that I took from it is if you break it down into small little chunks and just keep trying to find a way to go forward, then you can get your way through the toughest of times. I look back proudly now to those times when you sort of doubt whether you can come back and play again. To look back now and that’s just a distant memory of the rehab that I was having to go through is pretty cool.
Knowing that you can come through something like that and be on the other side of it, I would say, being able to break little things down and just keep trying to find a way forward is something that I’ll take with me through the rest of my cricketing journey.
Q. Coming back to the T20I series against Pakistan, what have been the key learnings from your time of captaining Wellington over the years which will help you in going about captaining the New Zealand team?
A. As a captain, I just want to instill confidence in all of my players to just go out there and perform the role. Whether that’s domestically or internationally, it’s the same principle. You want players going out and believing in themselves and having the confidence to take the game on, particularly in T20 cricket, where it can be quite fickle – success and failure, there’s a fine line between the both of them. It’s also about having the vision of Kane (Williamson) and how he leads the Black Caps regularly. I also don’t want to make it too different from the way that he likes to lead things because it’s been very successful, and it will continue to be successful for the Black Caps with him at the helm. So, don’t really want to rock the boat too much and just try to keep things going as he’s sort of done that throughout his tenure.
Q. With the T20 World Cup around the corner, how much importance does this T20I series against Pakistan hold for you and for probably other Blackcaps players contesting for berths in the main 15-member squads?
A. For me, in particular, I haven’t played international cricket in a long time. I imagine it’ll be very important for me to put my best foot forward. I guess that’s the same for everyone. Every time you play for New Zealand, you want to play to your potential and put your best foot forward and perform for the team. Ultimately that puts you in a good space to be selected for these things that are potentially around the corner (like the Men’s T20 World Cup). So, I’m sure everyone will be in the same boat. It’s a great opportunity to get to play for New Zealand first and foremost.
For me, coming off a long injury layoff, you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself to perform. But you also know that it’s a high-performance environment and performances in the series are what will get you in going where you need to go.
Q. A word on two exciting young New Zealand cricketers – Will O’Rourke and Tim Robinson – who are part of this T20I series against Pakistan?
A. Both of them are immensely talented players, quite young and are a real nod to the future of New Zealand cricket. Tim Robison is a super powerful player and had a great campaign here in the Super Smash. He unfortunately got injured for a couple of games so didn’t manage to play the whole round, but he was one of the leading run scorers through six games. He had an amazing campaign and scored a brilliant 100 at the Basin Reserve which has massive boundaries and he’s clearing them with ease. He’s a powerful player and I’m sure he’s someone that will have a long and great career in the national colours.
Will O’Rourke made his international debut earlier in the season and got a really good taste of it. He’s just taken everything in his stride and done really well with all the opportunities that he’s got. So, this is just another step of progression in his career by playing T20 cricket and he’s got a great skill set.
He’s tall, fast and hits lovely areas with his deliveries. So, I’m sure he’ll be one to watch out for as well. He’s not that pleasant to face, so it’ll be nice to be on the other side of it and see the opposition batters jump around a little bit when facing him in the series.
Sony Sports Network has acquired the exclusive broadcast rights of New Zealand Cricket for seven years.
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games, woman boxer Lovlina Borgohain has expressed “confidence” in winning a gold medal in the upcoming Paris Olympics. Borgohain’s confidence is backed by a series of remarkable performances, including a gold medal at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.
In a conversation on JioCinema’s ‘The Dreamers,’ she expressed her aspirations to clinch gold at the upcoming edition of the Games. Borgohain’s transition from the Welterweight (69 kg) to the Middleweight (75 kg) category marked a turning point in her career.
“I used to consistently win bronze, but since switching to the 75 kg category, I’ve seen remarkable improvement. Despite initial skepticism about weight gain, it has proven beneficial. I’ve won four consecutive gold medals in the National Games, National Championships, World Championships, and Asian Championships. This success gives me the confidence to aim for Olympic gold,” she said.
Discussing her preparation for Paris 2024, Borgohain emphasised the importance of meticulous planning and dedication. “Every day and every session counts as we approach the Olympics. Setting a target and working diligently towards it motivates me. I structure my training to maximise productivity, ensuring each day brings me closer to my goal of winning gold.”
Reflecting on her journey, Borgohain shared a poignant childhood anecdote that ignited her passion for boxing.
“When I was young, I didn’t know much about boxing. My father, who worked in tea plantations, brought home sweets one Sunday wrapped in a newspaper with an article about Muhammad Ali. That moment sparked my interest in boxing. My journey began with martial arts, and then I moved directly to competing in national boxing, using my martial arts knowledge to guide me,” the pugilist said.
Offering advice to aspiring athletes, Borgohain highlighted the critical elements of success. “Discipline, focus, and sacrifice are essential. The journey is fraught with challenges, including injuries, but perseverance is key. Overcoming these obstacles is what makes a champion.”
Borgohain, an Arjuna Award winner and Khel Ratna awardee joins the ranks of Vijender Singh and Mary Kom as Indian boxers to win an Olympic medal. As she prepares to compete in the women’s 75kg event at Paris 2024, her recent victories at the 2023 World Boxing Championships and 2022 Asian Boxing Championships solidify her status as a top contender.
–IANS
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Sports
1st T20I: Abhishek, Jurel, Parag handed debuts as India elect to field first against Zimbabwe
Harare, July 6 (IANS) Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag have been handed India T20I debuts as captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe in the series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
The series holds huge importance from an Indian perspective, as it kickstarts their road to building a team for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by them and Sri Lanka. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, there are spots up for grabs in the national set-up which the youthful Gill-led squad would be keen to stake a claim for.
“I think it looks like a good surface. It won’t change much later. It has been a long coming. We won an ICC event after 11 years. Very satisfied, hope for many more to come. Don’t feel pressure, you have expectations but from yourself, not from outside,” said Gill, in his first assignment as an India captain, after winning the toss.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, Abhishek hit 42 sixes, the most by any batter in the competition, as he amassed 484 runs in 16 innings, including hitting three half-centuries. Hailing from Amritsar in Punjab, Abhishek is mentored by Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara. He was also the Player of the Tournament in Punjab’s triumph in the 2023/24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, for amassing 485 runs in ten innings in the competition.
Parag, Abhishek’s team-mate in the 2018 U19 World Cup triumph, had his coming-of-the-age season in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals, amassing 573 runs in 14 innings as a middle-order batter and striking 33 sixes while hitting four fifties. He was handed his T20I debut cap by his father Parag Das, a former first-class cricketer for Assam.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jurel, on the other hand, impressed in his debut Test series against England at home, picking up a Player of the Match award at Ranchi. In IPL 2024, Jurel amassed 195 runs in 11 innings while playing for Rajasthan Royals.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said, “I don’t mind batting first. The wicket looks good. Zimbabwe Cricket has trusted me with this transition phase. I look for young boys to come out and fight. It is humbling to lead this bunch. Sean (Williams) has retired. It is a young side. (Craig) Ervine will have a role in the future.”
Playing XIs:
India: Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The eighth meet of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League is set to take place on Sunday at the Charlety Stadium in Paris, France. The premier track-and-field meet will feature Paris 2024-qualified Kishore Jena and Avinash Sable. Kishore Jena will be competing in the men’s javelin throw against the likes of Anderson Peters (Grenada), Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Julian Weber (Germany), and Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan).
Avinash Sable will eye a strong finish in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase against a participating field of 17 runners, including the likes of Simon Kiprop Koech (Kenya), Abraham Kibiwot (Kenya), Ryuji Miura (Japan), and Daniel Arce (Spain).
The men’s pole vault event will feature Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis, who set a new world record (6.24m) at this season’s Xiamen event. Along with him, five Olympic champions, six world champions, and 12 reigning European champions are set to compete in Paris.
Earlier, reigning Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had clarified that the Paris Diamond League was not part of his calendar and he is focused on getting ready for the Paris Olympics.
Diamond Disciplines at Paris 2024:
Men: Pole vault, javelin throw, 110 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres, 3000m steeplechase
Women: High jump, discus throw, long jump, 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres steeplechase
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Diamond League 2024 – Paris live coverage and broadcast:
When: July 7, 2024
Where: Charlety Stadium, Paris, France
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Live streaming in India: JioCinema
TV broadcast in India: Sports18 – 3
–IANS
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Johor (Malaysia), July 6 (IANS) Top Indian star Abhay Singh will feature in two finals at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships in Johor, Malaysia, on Sunday. On Saturday, he and Velavan Senthilkumar, the top seeds, stormed into the Men’s Doubles title round with a commanding 11-9, 11-2 win over the Japanese pair of Tomotaka Endo and Naoki Hayashi in 23 minutes in the last-four stage.
Later, Asian Games medallist Abhay and the experienced Joshna Chinappa, the third seeds, defeated the Hong Kong pair of Cheng Nga Ching and Lai Cheuk Nam Matthew of Hong Kong 11-8, 11-10 in the Mixed Doubles semifinals.
“I’m very pleased to be in both finals, winning two gold medals was the goal before we came here so that’s what we are focused on tomorrow,” Abhay said.
“The men’s match was a comfortable 2-0 while the mixed match was a bit challenging, but still pleased to come through without dropping a game. Being in another final of an Asian Championship is an honour, looking forward to converting them both,” he added.
Abhay and Joshna will meet second seed Tong Tsz Wing and Tang Ming Hong of Hong Kong for the Mixed Doubles title and Abhay and Velavan will lock horns with second seed Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal of Malaysia in the men’s doubles final.
“Solid performances by both pairs to reach the finals. Once the Asian Championships were announced the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) along with our strategic partner HCL held the National Championships from where the pairs were selected,” SRFI secretary-general Cyrus Poncha said.
–IANS
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Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Head Coach Chaoba Devi announced a 23-member squad, who will travel to Myanmar for the two FIFA-friendly matches. The Blue Tigresses will play against hosts Myanmar on July 9 and 12, respectively.
“My team is a mix of senior and junior players. I am satisfied with the combination of the squad. After playing Uzbekistan last month, we started our National camp within the next 10 days. All the players are fit, which is a good sign. They didn’t want to relax, they were undergoing intense training at their respective clubs,” said coach Devi.
The Blue Tigresses were last seen in action during the tour of Uzbekistan for two friendly matches against the hosts on May 31 and June 4. They lost one match and drew the second one. Coach Chaoba is aware of the areas that needed more work and said, “As a coach, after Turkey and Uzbekistan, we were facing problems in defending aerial balls. We were trying to improve in this area in the camp.
“We trained at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata for two weeks and played two practice matches. Those matches proved to be good. We also used young players in the starting eleven. They gave their full efforts and fought to keep their positions. There are healthy competitions among the players to be in the starting XI. We need some youngsters who can run and face difficult situations, like Mousumi Murmur and Aruna Bag. I am happy they have improved a lot in a short time,” the coach said
“We played with Uzbekistan last month which was also a higher-ranked team. Playing against higher ranked teams benefits our players as they can have intense matches and get ready to play in big tournaments. In the first match, we lost badly. All of us found it unacceptable. The girls gave their hundred per cent, and we drew the second match. The girls have the potential, and we are trying to get the best out of them,” she said.
India are currently 67th in the FIFA Rankings, while Myanmar are 54th. The Indian women’s team played five matches between February to May.
India will naturally benefit from playing two higher-ranked teams in two months, the coach said, “Ranking does matter. The federation is also trying to arrange for more exposure tours. If we play more such games, the team will improve. We need to play quality games.”
“A well laid out plan should be there. We need to inform the girls well in time to keep them prepared. There is a lot of activity going on around Indian women’s football, and we need future players. We have scouted talents from IWL and IWL 2. We coaches can get the best of the talents and select the best ones,” Chaoba added.
Th 23-member squad for Myanmar friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi.
Defenders: Loitongbam Ashalata Devi,Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju,Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Aruna Bag.
Midfielders: Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Mousumi Murmu.
Forwards: Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, Rimpa Haldar.
–IANS
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