Test Headline

India coach Ravi Shastri saw in Prithvi Shaw's batting, glimpses of two of the greatest batsmen of modern era and a non-conformist who redefined batsmanship.&nbsp;

An overwhelmed Shastri on Sunday, in one breath, mentioned the names of three legends, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag, while trying to describe the 18-year-old Shaw who accumulated big runs in his first brush with top-flight international cricket.&nbsp;

"He (Shaw) is born to play cricket. He's been playing since the age of eight in the maidans of Mumbai. You can see all that hardwork showing. He's a spectator's delight.

There's a bit of Sachin there, a bit of Viru in him and when he walks - there's a bit of Lara as well," Shastri said.

"If he can keep his head on his shoulders and keep the work ethic, he has a bright future."

Shastri was speaking after India completed a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-beat-west-indies-to-sweep-test-series-171436">2-0 series sweep</a> over the West Indies with a 10-wicket victory here.

Opener Shaw flayed the Caribbean attack during his 52-ball-70 on the second day of the second Test to give India a flying start, days after hitting a century on debut.

Even skipper Virat Kohli gushed about the 18-year-old.&nbsp;

"The guy (has) grabbed his chance beautifully. He looks like someone who can get you off to a kind of start you require. Making a mark in the first series that you play, from that point of view, it is great to have a guy who is so fearless. And he is not reckless, he is very confident about his game," he said.&nbsp;

"You might feel that he will nick one now and then but he hardly nicks the ball. That we saw in England as well. He was batting in the nets, really attacking but was in control. But that kind of rare control against new ball is a great thing to have. Any of us weren't even 10 percent of what when he is at 18 or 19," added the captain.&nbsp;

India coach Ravi Shastri saw in Prithvi Shaw's batting, glimpses of two of the greatest batsmen of modern era and a non-conformist who redefined batsmanship. An overwhelmed Shastri on Sunday, in one breath, mentioned the names of three legends, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag, while trying to describe the 18-year-old Shaw who accumulated big runs in his first brush with top-flight international cricket.

India coach Ravi Shastri saw in Prithvi Shaw's batting, glimpses of two of the greatest batsmen of modern era and a non-conformist who redefined batsmanship. An overwhelmed Shastri on Sunday, in one breath, mentioned the names of three legends, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag, while trying to describe the 18-year-old Shaw who accumulated big runs in his first brush with top-flight international cricket. "He (Shaw) is born to play cricket. He's been playing since the age of eight in the maidans of Mumbai. You can see all that hardwork showing. He's a spectator's delight. There's a bit of Sachin there, a bit of Viru in him and when he walks - there's a bit of Lara as well," Shastri said. "If he can keep his head on his shoulders and keep the work ethic, he has a bright future." Shastri was speaking after India completed a 2-0 series sweep over the West Indies with a 10-wicket victory here. Opener Shaw flayed the Caribbean attack during his 52-ball-70 on the second day of the second Test to give India a flying start, days after hitting a century on debut. Even skipper Virat Kohli gushed about the 18-year-old. "The guy (has) grabbed his chance beautifully. He looks like someone who can get you off to a kind of start you require. Making a mark in the first series that you play, from that point of view, it is great to have a guy who is so fearless. And he is not reckless, he is very confident about his game," he said. "You might feel that he will nick one now and then but he hardly nicks the ball. That we saw in England as well. He was batting in the nets, really attacking but was in control. But that kind of rare control against new ball is a great thing to have. Any of us weren't even 10 percent of what when he is at 18 or 19," added the captain.

Ravi Shastri sees Tendulkar, Sehwag and Lara in Prithvi Shaw

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed faces some searching questions to answer for the second test against Australia over his bowling attack and batting lineup after Tim Paine's side produced a battling draw in the first test in Dubai.

Usman Khawaja defied pre-match predictions and a poor return on turning pitches in Asia to score a battling 141 and anchor his side's defiance as they survived 139.5 overs in stifling conditions to ensure a draw.

Sarfraz's bowlers were unable to put concerted pressure on the visitors with Khawaja reverse sweeping leg-spinner Yasir Shah seemingly at will on a pitch that was deteriorating and offering assistance to Pakistan's four slow bowlers.

Left-arm quick Wahab Riaz also failed to effectively exploit any reverse swing he was achieving with the older ball, forcing Sarfraz to continually change his tactics and fielding positions in an effort to manufacture a wicket.

The second test starts in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Sarfraz's side will be forced to make at least one change with opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq having surgery on a broken finger and ruled out of the match.

Imam scored an impressive 76 in a 205-run opening stand with Mohammed Hafeez that set up Pakistan's first innings of 482.

He added 48 in Pakistan's second innings of 181 for six declared but broke the little finger on his left hand while fielding on the fifth and final day and was forced from the ground.

The left-handed opener had surgery in Dubai on Saturday and would return home on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board said.

His absence will necessitate changes to the batting order with Fakhar Zaman the only other specialist opening batsman in the squad, although he is yet to make his test debut at the age of 28 and not played a first-class match in more than a year.

Azhar Ali, who scored just a total of 22 runs in the first test, could also be promoted up the order to open with Hafeez with leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan possibly coming into the squad to bolster the team's bowling stocks.

The 20-year-old Shadab, however, is battling a groin injury that ruled him out of the first test and which thwarted coach Mickey Arthur's plans of combining him with Yasir to attack Australia's inexperienced batting lineup.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed faces some searching questions to answer for the second test against Australia over his bowling attack and batting lineup after Tim Paine's side produced a battling draw in the first test in Dubai.

Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed faces some searching questions to answer for the second test against Australia over his bowling attack and batting lineup after Tim Paine's side produced a battling draw in the first test in Dubai. Usman Khawaja defied pre-match predictions and a poor return on turning pitches in Asia to score a battling 141 and anchor his side's defiance as they survived 139.5 overs in stifling conditions to ensure a draw. Sarfraz's bowlers were unable to put concerted pressure on the visitors with Khawaja reverse sweeping leg-spinner Yasir Shah seemingly at will on a pitch that was deteriorating and offering assistance to Pakistan's four slow bowlers. Left-arm quick Wahab Riaz also failed to effectively exploit any reverse swing he was achieving with the older ball, forcing Sarfraz to continually change his tactics and fielding positions in an effort to manufacture a wicket. The second test starts in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday and Sarfraz's side will be forced to make at least one change with opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq having surgery on a broken finger and ruled out of the match. Imam scored an impressive 76 in a 205-run opening stand with Mohammed Hafeez that set up Pakistan's first innings of 482. He added 48 in Pakistan's second innings of 181 for six declared but broke the little finger on his left hand while fielding on the fifth and final day and was forced from the ground. The left-handed opener had surgery in Dubai on Saturday and would return home on Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board said. His absence will necessitate changes to the batting order with Fakhar Zaman the only other specialist opening batsman in the squad, although he is yet to make his test debut at the age of 28 and not played a first-class match in more than a year. Azhar Ali, who scored just a total of 22 runs in the first test, could also be promoted up the order to open with Hafeez with leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan possibly coming into the squad to bolster the team's bowling stocks. The 20-year-old Shadab, however, is battling a groin injury that ruled him out of the first test and which thwarted coach Mickey Arthur's plans of combining him with Yasir to attack Australia's inexperienced batting lineup.

Sarfraz faces questions over second test tactics, team composition

India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja slammed his maiden international century on Friday against West Indies in his 218th international match and 169th international innings. In his Test career, he has completed nine half-centuries and this was his first-ever&nbsp;century in any format of international cricket.

Jadeja made his One-day debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka and Test debut against England in 2012.

The 29-year-old had to wait till his 38th Test to reach three figures, whose previous&nbsp;highest score was 90, scored in a Test match against England in 2016.

Batting alongside with No.11 Mohammad Shami, he experienced the nervous 90s before finally getting to the milestone in final over before tea.&nbsp;

It has been a good last 30 days for the southpaw, who scored a gritty 86 in the final Test in England before making an impressive ODI comeback with the Asia Cup in Dubai.

Jadeja enthralled the sparse crowd at SCA stadium with aerial hits which came mainly off the spinners. He ended up with five boundaries and as many sixes.&nbsp;

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Oh Ravi Jadeja! 
 
The India all-rounder brings up his maiden Test century! 💯 
 
Congratulations! 👏<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvWI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvWI</a> <a href="https://t.co/xh1HQ8PHSe">pic.twitter.com/xh1HQ8PHSe</a>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1048131091796819968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Recently, he proved his mettle in the 2018 Asia Cup triumph and could not have envisaged a better comeback on his return to international limited-overs cricket.

He shrugged off a 14-month absence by taking four wickets against Bangladesh in the final clash.

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📸📸 
 
Oh whatta feeling 😎<a href="https://twitter.com/Paytm?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Paytm</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvWI?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvWI</a> <a href="https://t.co/nszR1bhigQ">pic.twitter.com/nszR1bhigQ</a>
— BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1048134542106607617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 5, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The 29-year-old is a regular in the Test side, particularly on home soil, but last played a one-dayer against West Indies in July 2017 and had been overlooked for white-ball cricket since.

"During my earlier comebacks the gap was never so long. I will always remember this comeback because I returned to the team after a gap of almost 480 days," Jadeja said after being named man of the match following his 4-29 display.

India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja slammed his maiden international century on Friday against West Indies in his 218th international match and 169th international innings.

India's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja slammed his maiden international century on Friday against West Indies in his 218th international match and 169th international innings. In his Test career, he has completed nine half-centuries and this was his first-ever century in any format of international cricket. Jadeja made his One-day debut in 2009 against Sri Lanka and Test debut against England in 2012. The 29-year-old had to wait till his 38th Test to reach three figures, whose previous highest score was 90, scored in a Test match against England in 2016. Batting alongside with No.11 Mohammad Shami, he experienced the nervous 90s before finally getting to the milestone in final over before tea. It has been a good last 30 days for the southpaw, who scored a gritty 86 in the final Test in England before making an impressive ODI comeback with the Asia Cup in Dubai. Jadeja enthralled the sparse crowd at SCA stadium with aerial hits which came mainly off the spinners. He ended up with five boundaries and as many sixes. Oh Ravi Jadeja! The India all-rounder brings up his maiden Test century! 💯 Congratulations! 👏#INDvWI pic.twitter.com/xh1HQ8PHSe — ICC (@ICC) October 5, 2018 × Recently, he proved his mettle in the 2018 Asia Cup triumph and could not have envisaged a better comeback on his return to international limited-overs cricket. He shrugged off a 14-month absence by taking four wickets against Bangladesh in the final clash. 📸📸 Oh whatta feeling 😎@Paytm #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/nszR1bhigQ — BCCI (@BCCI) October 5, 2018 × The 29-year-old is a regular in the Test side, particularly on home soil, but last played a one-dayer against West Indies in July 2017 and had been overlooked for white-ball cricket since. "During my earlier comebacks the gap was never so long. I will always remember this comeback because I returned to the team after a gap of almost 480 days," Jadeja said after being named man of the match following his 4-29 display.

Ind vs WI, 1st Test: Ravindra Jadeja slams maiden international century

Cricket Australia (CA) will push for up to two day-night Tests at next year&#39;s Ashes series despite the misgivings of captain Steven Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook. 
 
Both skippers said they felt the game&#39;s most enduring series could survive without being played under lights but CA CEO James Sutherland said he felt it was a &quot;natural progression&quot;. &quot;I respect the views of Steven and Alastair,&quot; he told reporters in Melbourne today. 
 
&quot;The Ashes is a great contest and will no doubt attract a huge audience both at the grounds and on television, but the facts of the matter are by playing day-night Tests, we&#39;re going to get even bigger audiences at the game and on television.&nbsp;The Ashes series is still a long way off and we want to get through this summer first but we will play somewhere between zero and two day-night Tests during the Ashes in 18 months&#39; time.&quot; 
 
Australia played the maiden day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval last November and have just agreed another flood-lit match with South Africa at the same venue during the home summer. 
 
The hosts will also play their series-opener against Pakistan with the pink ball in Brisbane for the first time in December. 
 
Smith has backed day-night cricket repeatedly but said he did not feel it necessary for the Ashes, which reliably draws big crowds.&nbsp;&quot;I think it works pretty well with the red ball,&quot; he told media while on tour in the Caribbean.&nbsp;&quot;It&#39;s been around for years and I think playing against England we always get the viewers and the crowds out,&quot; added Smith. 
 
Cook echoed Smith&#39;s position. &quot;It&#39;s probably not a series where you need to do it exactly at this time,&quot; he said. 
 
England and Wales Cricket board chairman Colin Graves has also backed day-night cricket, saying it was only a matter of time that a match would be played in England.

Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland believes that day-night tests will draw bigger audiences to the game and on television

Cricket Australia (CA) will push for up to two day-night Tests at next year's Ashes series despite the misgivings of captain Steven Smith and his England counterpart Alastair Cook. Both skippers said they felt the game's most enduring series could survive without being played under lights but CA CEO James Sutherland said he felt it was a "natural progression". "I respect the views of Steven and Alastair," he told reporters in Melbourne today. "The Ashes is a great contest and will no doubt attract a huge audience both at the grounds and on television, but the facts of the matter are by playing day-night Tests, we're going to get even bigger audiences at the game and on television. The Ashes series is still a long way off and we want to get through this summer first but we will play somewhere between zero and two day-night Tests during the Ashes in 18 months' time." Australia played the maiden day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval last November and have just agreed another flood-lit match with South Africa at the same venue during the home summer. The hosts will also play their series-opener against Pakistan with the pink ball in Brisbane for the first time in December. Smith has backed day-night cricket repeatedly but said he did not feel it necessary for the Ashes, which reliably draws big crowds. "I think it works pretty well with the red ball," he told media while on tour in the Caribbean. "It's been around for years and I think playing against England we always get the viewers and the crowds out," added Smith. Cook echoed Smith's position. "It's probably not a series where you need to do it exactly at this time," he said. England and Wales Cricket board chairman Colin Graves has also backed day-night cricket, saying it was only a matter of time that a match would be played in England.

Cricket Australia pushing for two day-night Ashes Tests

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Test Headline

Ravi Shastri sees Tendulkar, Sehwag and Lara in Prithvi Shaw

Sarfraz faces questions over second test tactics, team composition

Ind vs WI, 1st Test: Ravindra Jadeja slams maiden international century

Cricket Australia pushing for two day-night Ashes Tests