The Ashes roadshow rolls into Old Trafford this week and while it will stoke memories of the late Shane Warne’s ball of the century, pundit Isa Guha holds more poignant recollections of the inspiration leg-spinner.
Warne announced himself to the world with a wickedly spinning leg-break to bowl England’s Mike Gatting in Manchester during the 1993 Ashes series and never looked back, finishing with 708 Test scalps and a trophy-laden CV before he was equally mesmerising in the commentary box.
Many tales will be shared about Warne – who died in March 2022 -during the fourth Ashes Test, which begins on Wednesday, but former England bowler Guha has reflected on the role the Australian had in installing belief in herself that she belonged in a male-dominated environment.
Guha, the first woman of South Asian origin to represent England, continued to be a trailblazer after retirement by working for ITV as co-presenter of its Indian Premier League coverage in 2012 before she turned her arm to commentary with Triple M radio team in Australia in 2016.
Work with Fox, Sky Sports and BBC has followed with Guha widely viewed as a role model in the broadcasting world, but it was Warne’s backing early on that played a key role.
“Shane was big for my commentary because I didn’t believe I could commentate. I knew I could present but he was massive for me believing in myself as a commentator,” Guha told the PA news agency.
“I started working at Triple M, then at Sky with Shane, then Fox and the way he would ask me questions about cricket, that made a huge difference.
“Not that I wasn’t respected by other male broadcasters and I always had support from others, but for some reason when I felt I had Shane’s respect, I felt I had everyone else’s. That was massive for me.
“Shane had always felt out of reach for me. I never imagined I would even have a conversation with him because I was so blown away by that 2005 series.
“Then I got the opportunity to work with him, become his friend and he was so good to me and my husband. He was such a huge influence on my commentary and my broadcasting.”
Guha and Warne would regularly talk cricket strategy and the 38-year-old can draw parallels between the Australian and England captain Ben Stokes, aiming this week to level the Ashes series at 2-2 with victory at Old Trafford.
World Cup-winner Guha added: “I loved talking cricket with Shane and he was a badger. He loved the game.
“I liked the way he used to gamble and the way he would create magic around him to take wickets.
“It was his aura, his personality and a bit like I see now with Ben actually in the decisions he takes on the field. Sometimes it looks like it is off the cuff but actually there is thought behind it.”
This thrill-a-minute Ashes has occurred against the backdrop of cricket’s struggle to rid the game of discrimination, after a report last month confirmed the sport was entrenched with racism, sexism and elitism.
The long-awaited Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket report contained 44 recommendations that the England and Wales Cricket Board will look to bring in, with its chair Richard Thompson pledging to use this moment to “reset” cricket.
Guha, whose parents immigrated to the UK from Calcutta, was not shocked by the ICEC findings, but feels only acceptance and collaboration will bring about change.
She said: “No, it didn’t come as a surprise to me. I think a lot of the issues cricket faces, society faces. It is a reflection of society and it is really important to uncover these things so people can see them in the cold light of day.
“Acceptance is really important. Denial will be a block for progress and once we can get past that, then that is where the real work will begin and action will be taken so we can create a better future for our sport.
“There is a lot of really powerful, amazing initiatives out there doing some positive work and taking action.
“We have some amazing leaders in our game, who I think will be really important to help guide us through this but collaboration, everyone working together, will be absolutely essential.”
While Guha was not always aware of her significance in being an Asian women part of a successful England team in the early 2000s, she knows what her presence as a broadcaster could do for the next generation.
She is not just content with being a role model though and last year launched Take Her Lead, which on Sunday gave young children the chance to play at the Ageas Bowl during the innings break of the second ODI between England and Australia.
View this post on Instagram“It is going well and we’re focused on mentoring,” Sage ambassador Guha reflected with the non-for-profit organisation set up in memory of her late mother Roma.
“It was born on the back of me wanting to do something in my mum’s honour.
“There were probably times when I might have left the game if it wasn’t for her backing and support. She was very encouraging and she was a teacher, so she used to encourage young people and help them build confidence.
“So, that is what we are trying to do, we are trying to ensure women and girls have the best possible experience in cricket.
“We are working with regional players on the pathway, we’ve set up a forward drive network for women and girls who are working or volunteering in cricket and on the back of the ICEC, we are reaching out to clubs to say we can help you support your women and girls programmes.
“Only I guess in the last few years have I understood the importance of representation and visibility and understanding my role with the platform I have to use my voice.
“It is amazing how far the journey has come and where women’s cricket is at but there is also still a way to go to achieve true equality.”
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Asalanka leads Sri Lanka to ODI series win over West Indies
Sri Lanka wrapped up the ODI series against the West Indies with a five-wicket victory in Pallekele.
The hosts successfully chased down their opponents' total of 189, giving them an unassailable 2-0 in the three-match series.
Sri Lanka controlled the early powerplay - Asitha Fernando (3-35) and Maheesh Theekshana (3-25) took two wickets apiece to leave the tourists at 31-4 in the ninth over.
Wanindu Hasaranga (4-40) then claimed three of his four wickets as Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Hayden Walsh and Alzarri Joseph were all dismissed in the space of 14 balls.
However, Sherfane Rutherford (80 off 82 balls) and Gudakesh Motie (50 not out) steadied the ship to take the Windies from 58-8 to 189.
Although Joseph claimed Avishka Fernando (9) in the fourth over, Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama both chipped in with contributions of 38 to get the hosts to 112-4.
Skipper Charith Asalanka (62 not out) led the charge thereon, while Kamindu Mendis (11) comfortably got them over the line with 34 balls remaining.
Data Debrief: Rutherford-Motie historic stand proves academic for tourists
West Indies were looking to level the series, but their hopes were not aided by Sri Lanka's impressive bowling.
Rutherford and Motie did their best. Their partnership brought 119 runs, which is their nation's highest ninth-wicket stand in ODI history, breaking the previous record of 85 between Yannic Cariah and Alzarri Joseph.
However, it ultimately proved in vain as the hosts secured the series with a game to spare.
'I was a tired, grumpy old man' - Stokes apologised to England team-mates after Pakistan defeat
Ben Stokes says he apologised to his England team-mates after his frustrations were evident during the second-Test defeat by Pakistan.
The hosts levelled the three-Test series on Thursday after wrapping up a 152-run win in Multan.
However, it could have been a different story but for fielding errors at crucial stages for the visitors, Jamie Smith and Joe Root notably dropping catches to dismiss Salman Agha, whose subsequent knock of 63 helped Pakistan seal victory with a day to spare.
Stokes, who returned to action following a hamstring injury, could not hide his frustration during a difficult day for England, but insisted he would not let his emotions get the better of him again.
"No one means to drop catches, but it just proves how important catches are in these subcontinent conditions, they don't come along that often," he told Sky Sports.
"I actually apologised to the group last night. It's the first time in my captaincy that I've let my emotions and how I was feeling with the way the game was unfolding show in my body language.
"I owned up to that and was very annoyed at myself for letting that out. It's something that I don't want to do or be seen to be doing, so I apologised to the group about that.
"Poor old me, I was a tired, grumpy old man last night! You won't see that happen again."
However, England coach Brendon McCullum defended the actions of his skipper.
"We all know how passionate Ben is, how much it means for him to play for England," he said.
"We've seen that through his bloody-mindedness to get back from injury, which was significant, and to do so in a nine-week timeframe and to have his first TM [Test match] in extreme conditions, 40 degrees, and be able to give what he gave to the side.
"I think, maybe, that's where some of that frustration led to - certainly, it wasn't directed at any of the players. It was more about trying to assess the rhythm of the game, and to impact on it."
Sri Lanka breeze to series win over West Indies
Sri Lanka cruised to a nine-wicket victory over West Indies to seal a T20I series triumph.
With the series delicately poised at 1-1 heading into the final match on Thursday, Sri Lanka started with intent in Dambulla.
Maheesh Theekshana (2-19) and Wanindu Hasaranga (2-24) led the charge as Sri Lanka skittled through the Windies' top order.
Rovman Powell's stubborn 37 and a contribution of 32 from Gudakesh Motie steered West Indies to a reasonable total of 162-8, but it was one well within reach of Sri Lanka.
Pathum Nissanka clipped seven fours and one six in a 22-ball 37 to get Sri Lanka's chase rolling at pace, before he was bowled by Gudakesh Mottie (1-31).
Yet the damage was mostly done, with Kusal Mendis powering his way to an unbeaten 68 and Kusal Perera plundering 55 from 36 balls to get the job done with the minimum of fuss.
Data Debrief: Perera closing in on Sri Lanka record
Perera is now just nine runs away from surpassing Tillakaratne Dilshan (1,889) as the leading scorer in Sri Lanka's T20I history.
His efforts, combined with those of Nissanka and Mendis, saw Sri Lanka win for a fourth time in their last six T20Is at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, although this is the first time they have won at the venue in that run when batting second.
The Windies' miserable record in Asia has continued, meanwhile. They have won only one of their last 11 T20Is in Asia (L10), with that victory coming in the first match of this series. They have now lost 33 T20Is on the continent in total, with only Ireland (35) having lost more.
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