NEW DELHI: England paceman Chris Woakes said Friday that Virat Kohli’s decision to play for Surrey will raise the standard of English county cricket, as the Indian skipper faces criticism for missing a landmark Test.
Kohli will skip Afghanistan’s first-ever Test, in Bangalore against India, to play county cricket in preparation for a high-profile England tour starting July — a decision India’s cricket board has defended.
Woakes, his teammate at the Royal Challengers Bangalore, also welcomed the star batsman’s decision to play in the English championship.
“It’s great he is going to be playing in England for Surrey. That will only make the competition stronger,” Woakes said ahead of Bangalore’s weekend Indian Premier League game against the Delhi Daredevils.
“Getting guys to play against world-class players like Virat is only good for the county game,” said Woakes, who plays for Warwickshire in England.
The 29-year-old bowler has been able to observe Kohli’s tactical style closely during the IPL, India’s cash-rich Twenty20 league.
“Having to share a dressing room with him has been a great experience,” said Woakes, who is playing in his second IPL season.
“He is passionate about playing cricket for RCB and India as well. Obviously we expect some good challenges ahead against him this summer back in England.”
India will play five Tests, three one-day internationals and three T20s against England.
Bangalore are seventh in the eight-team IPL table, with no standout performances from any of its players this season.
Woakes — signed on a $1.09-million deal — has picked up just eight wickets in five games.
Despite the low haul, the Englishman said playing in the tournament has helped boost his T20 game.
“I think the fact that we have 12 English players (in the IPL) is a great thing for English cricket,” he said.
“It’s great for us as individuals to have come out here and experience the IPL.”
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It would have been an injustice if the Sudanese club had snatched a draw, however, as they were outplayed by quicker, slicker Mouloudia for long periods of an often scrappy, foul-ridden match.
Despite losing for the first time in the group after two victories and two draws, Hilal retained first place with eight points.
Topping the table in the most competitive of the four groups is a remarkable achievement by Hilal given they have to stage home matches in Rwanda because of the ongoing Sudanese civil war.
Mouloudia had just one point after matchday three, but back-to-back home wins over Saint-Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Hilal have lifted them to second with seven points.
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa have five points, one more than Lupopo, ahead of their clash in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
A win for Lupopo would leave Sundowns in danger of missing the knockout stage of the premier African club competition for only the second time since winning the 2016 final against Zamalek of Egypt.
In the final round on February 14, Hilal host Lupopo and Sundowns will have home advantage over Mouloudia, whose South African coach, Rhulani Mokwena, was formerly in charge of the Pretoria club.
‘World class’ Virat Kohli will boost English county cricket, says Chris Woakes
‘World class’ Virat Kohli will boost English county cricket, says Chris Woakes
- Kohli to play for Surrey ahead of India's tour of England
- 'It will only make the competition stronger,' says RCB teammate Woakes
Ferhat stars as Mouloudia get CAF Champions League boost
- Muslim Anatouf scored after 15 minutes and a Ferhat thunderbolt on 44 minutes gave Mouloudia a two-goal half-time advantage
- It would have been an injustice if the Sudanese club had snatched a draw
JOHANNESBURG: Zinedine Ferhat created the first goal and scored the second for Mouloudia Alger of Algeria in a 2-1 win over Al Hilal of Sudan 2-1 on Friday that threw CAF Champions League Group C wide open.
Muslim Anatouf scored after 15 minutes and a Ferhat thunderbolt on 44 minutes gave Mouloudia a two-goal half-time advantage before a near-capacity crowd in the 45,000-seat Algiers stadium.
Hilal rarely threatened to reduce the deficit in a cauldron of cheering, singing and flag waving until Mauritanian Ahmed Salem M’Bareck netted with 13 minutes remaining.
Ghanaian substitute Kamaradini Mamudu had a late chance to bring Hilal level, but his header from a corner flew wide.
It would have been an injustice if the Sudanese club had snatched a draw, however, as they were outplayed by quicker, slicker Mouloudia for long periods of an often scrappy, foul-ridden match.
Despite losing for the first time in the group after two victories and two draws, Hilal retained first place with eight points.
Topping the table in the most competitive of the four groups is a remarkable achievement by Hilal given they have to stage home matches in Rwanda because of the ongoing Sudanese civil war.
Mouloudia had just one point after matchday three, but back-to-back home wins over Saint-Eloi Lupopo from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Hilal have lifted them to second with seven points.
Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa have five points, one more than Lupopo, ahead of their clash in Lubumbashi on Sunday.
A win for Lupopo would leave Sundowns in danger of missing the knockout stage of the premier African club competition for only the second time since winning the 2016 final against Zamalek of Egypt.
In the final round on February 14, Hilal host Lupopo and Sundowns will have home advantage over Mouloudia, whose South African coach, Rhulani Mokwena, was formerly in charge of the Pretoria club.
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