Cricket

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has appointed former all-rounder and national selector Dion Nash to its board of directors. Nash's appointment fills the vacancy created by Martin Snedden, who stepped down after a distinguished career in cricket administration.Nash brings a wealth of experience to the NZC board, having played 32 Tests and 81 ODIs for New Zealand from 1992 to 2002. He was a key member of the title-winning squad in the 2000 ICC KnockOut, which was later renamed the Champions Trophy. In his fifth Test, Nash showcased his all-round abilities by scoring a half-century and taking ten wickets at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground.After retiring from international cricket, Nash served as a selector for the New Zealand men's team from 2005 to 2008. He has also pursued a successful career in business, gaining valuable experience in corporate governance and strategic planning.NZC chair Diana Pukepatu-Lyndon welcomed Nash's appointment, highlighting his expertise in both cricket and business. "It's good to have someone with Dion's cricket and business experience coming onto the board at a time when Martin is stepping down," she said. "Dion has a strong interest in not just the playing of the game but [also] the business of the game, and that should help stand us in good stead."Nash expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the NZC board. "I'm honored to be appointed to the NZC board and look forward to contributing to the ongoing success of New Zealand cricket," he said. "I believe my experience as a player, selector, and businessman will be valuable in helping NZC navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead."Nash's appointment is expected to strengthen NZC's leadership and governance, as the organization continues to navigate the evolving landscape of international cricket.

Ramandeep Singh, a 27-year-old cricketer from Punjab, India, has earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20 cricket team. The all-rounder was presented with his first Indian cap by Hardik Pandya and will join the team for the third and final match against South Africa.Singh's selection is a testament to his impressive performances in recent tournaments. In the ACC Men's T20 Asia Cup for India A, he showcased his batting prowess with a blistering 64 runs off 34 balls in the semi-final against Afghanistan. His consistent performances in first-class cricket have also caught the attention of the selectors.Singh has played for two Indian Premier League (IPL) teams: Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders. He is currently on the roster of Kolkata Knight Riders for the 2025 IPL season. During the 2024 IPL season, he played in nine games for Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring 125 runs at a strike rate of 201.61.Singh's inclusion in the Indian team comes as a replacement for Avesh Khan. He will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball, given his all-round abilities.In the recent Emerging Teams Asia Cup tournament, Singh represented India's A team in four matches, scoring 94 runs and taking three wickets. His quickfire 66 runs in the semi-final against Afghanistan was a standout performance. He also contributed with 13 runs against Oman and 17 runs against Shaheen. As a bowler, he claimed three wickets over three innings.Singh's selection is a recognition of his hard work and dedication. He has consistently performed at the domestic level and has now earned his chance to represent his country at the highest level.

Melie Kerr, the New Zealand all-rounder, has been crowned the ICC Women's Player of the Month for October, marking her second time receiving the prestigious honor. Her exceptional performances during the T20 World Cup and New Zealand's subsequent tour of India earned her the accolade.Kerr's brilliance shone brightest in the T20 World Cup final, where she was named Player of the Match. Her crucial 43 runs and three wickets played a pivotal role in New Zealand's historic victory. Throughout the tournament, she showcased her all-round prowess, amassing 135 runs and claiming a tournament-record 15 wickets, earning her the Player of the Tournament award.Continuing her impressive form, Kerr made an immediate impact in India. In the solitary ODI she played, she grabbed a four-wicket haul and contributed an unbeaten 25 runs with the bat. Her overall tally for October stands at 160 runs and 19 wickets from just seven appearances."It's an honor to receive this award," said Kerr. "There are so many world-class cricketers who deserve it. It's a special month with the World Cup win, and I'm grateful to my team, coaches, and family for their support."Kerr's consistent performances have solidified her status as one of the most formidable all-rounders in women's cricket. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her an invaluable asset to any team.

Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan's seasoned allrounder, has announced his intention to retire from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after the 2025 Champions Trophy. The 38-year-old revealed his plans following Afghanistan's 2-1 series victory over Bangladesh in the UAE, where he was named Player of the Series.Nabi's decision stems from his desire to focus on T20 Internationals (T20Is) and contribute to Afghanistan's continued growth in the shortest format. With 167 ODI appearances, Nabi is Afghanistan's most capped player in the format and currently holds the No. 1 ranking among ODI allrounders according to the ICC.Throughout his ODI career, Nabi has been a pivotal figure for Afghanistan. His 3600 runs place him second on the country's all-time run-getters list, while his 172 wickets make him the second-highest wicket-taker. His all-round abilities have been instrumental in Afghanistan's rise to prominence in international cricket.Nabi's retirement from ODIs will mark the end of an era for Afghanistan cricket. He has been a constant presence in the team since their ODI debut in 2009, captaining them in their maiden World Cup appearance in 2015. His experience and leadership will be sorely missed by the team.However, Nabi's decision to continue playing T20Is is a testament to his unwavering commitment to Afghanistan cricket. He remains a key player in the team's T20I setup and will continue to guide the younger generation of players.The 2025 Champions Trophy will be Afghanistan's first appearance at the prestigious event. Their qualification for the tournament is a testament to their progress in ODI cricket. Nabi's presence in the team for this tournament will provide invaluable experience and leadership.

India has consistently produced exceptional young talent in every U-19 World Cup, but Rajangad Bawa's all-round abilities have set him apart. Despite injuries hindering his progress, Bawa has shown immense promise as a seam-bowling all-rounder.After his stellar performance in the 2022 U-19 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Match in the final, Bawa made his Ranji Trophy debut for Chandigarh. However, injuries plagued him, limiting his playing time.Undeterred, Bawa underwent rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), where he received expert guidance and underwent corrections to his bowling action. The NCA's support has been instrumental in his recovery and return to form.In the ongoing Ranji Trophy season, Bawa has showcased his all-round skills, scoring 209 runs at an average of 52.25 and taking eight wickets. His performances have earned him a place in the elite list of players invited for high-performance camps at the NCA.Bawa's father and coach, Sukhwinder, has played a crucial role in his development, providing support and guidance. Bawa acknowledges the importance of staying relaxed and not putting undue pressure on himself.While comparisons to Hardik Pandya are inevitable, Bawa remains focused on his own journey. He recognizes the rise of other all-rounders, such as Nitish Kumar Reddy, as a challenge that motivates him to improve.Despite the setbacks he has faced, Bawa remains optimistic about his future. He is determined to prove his worth and earn a place in the Indian team. The NCA's continued support and his own unwavering determination make him a promising prospect for Indian cricket.

Allrounder Cooper Connolly's T20I aspirations have been dashed after he sustained a fractured left hand during the third ODI against Pakistan in Perth. The injury, which occurred when he was struck by a Mohammad Hasnain delivery, has ruled him out of the upcoming T20I series.Connolly, who made his international debut in September, was struck on the glove while attempting a pull shot in the 17th over. Despite facing one more delivery, he soon realized the severity of the injury and left the field for assessment. Subsequent scans confirmed the fracture to the fourth metacarpal of his left hand.The injury is a significant setback for the Australian selectors, who view Connolly as a promising all-rounder with potential for the 2026 T20 World Cup. His finishing skills with the bat and left-arm spin are highly valued in Australian cricket.Connolly's absence from the T20I series will also impact the Perth Scorchers, who are set to begin their BBL campaign on December 15. The Scorchers will closely monitor his recovery timeline, as he would have been a key player for them prior to the injury.The injury also affects Western Australia's Sheffield Shield campaign, as Connolly would have been available for their remaining two matches before the BBL.Connolly's debut tour of the UK in September saw him play two T20Is without batting or taking any wickets. He was part of the Australia A squad for the recent matches against India A, where he scored 37 in the first innings of the opening game.The Australian selectors will now need to find a replacement for Connolly in the T20I series against Pakistan. The injury highlights the importance of player depth and the challenges of managing workloads in a busy international schedule.

Kerala's seasoned all-rounder, Jalaj Saxena, has etched his name in the annals of Indian domestic cricket by becoming the first player to amass 6000 runs and claim 400 wickets in the prestigious Ranji Trophy. This remarkable feat was achieved during the Elite Group C fourth round match against Uttar Pradesh at St Xavier's College Ground.Saxena, who had crossed the 6000-run milestone in Kerala's previous match in Kolkata, reached the double landmark after dismissing left-hander Nitish Rana with a sharp off-spin delivery that resulted in a stumping. The 37-year-old became the 13th bowler in Ranji Trophy history to reach the 400-wicket mark, a testament to his exceptional bowling prowess.Saxena's journey in First-Class cricket began in 2005 with Madhya Pradesh, where he spent 11 years, claiming 159 wickets and scoring 4041 runs. In the 2016-17 season, he moved to Kerala and has since become the second-highest wicket-taker in First-Class cricket for the team, behind only KN Ananthapadmanabhan.Last season, Saxena joined the ranks of legends when he became only the fourth player in Indian domestic cricket history to achieve 9000 runs and 600 wickets across all formats, joining the exclusive company of Vinoo Mankad, Madan Lal, and Parvez Rasool.In the Ranji Trophy alone, Saxena's record is unparalleled among active all-rounders and stands in a league with Indian greats like Vijay Hazare, Madan Lal, and Sunil Joshi. His all-round abilities have been instrumental in Kerala's success in recent seasons, and he continues to be a vital cog in the team's quest for silverware.

Nitish Kumar Reddy's meteoric rise from the Indian Premier League (IPL) to the Indian Test squad has been a dream come true for the 21-year-old all-rounder. After making his T20I debut against Bangladesh in October, Reddy has now been selected for the Test squad for the upcoming tour of Australia.Reddy's all-round abilities, including his seam-up bowling and aggressive batting, have impressed the BCCI selectors. He is currently in Australia with the India 'A' side, where he has been showcasing his skills in four-day matches against the Australian 'A' team.Despite his impressive performances, Reddy admits that he was not expecting to be included in the Test squad before his performances for the 'A' side. "I was expecting my name to be announced, but not before India 'A' matches," he said. "I thought it might depend on my performance in these 'A' matches. But it seems I have been able to show some promise to them, so I guess they hope I'll do well."Reddy's debut T20I against Bangladesh was a nervous experience, but he was put at ease by skipper Suryakumar Yadav, who encouraged him to express himself on the field. "I was a bit nervous initially, but Surya bhai gave me a free hand regarding my approach on the field," Reddy said. "Only by scoring runs and taking wickets will you get that confidence, and I've experienced that already."If Reddy gets a chance to play in the five-Test Border Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia, he is determined to adapt to the situation and play his role effectively. "I will stick to my role," he said. "I'm just going to respond to the situation. If the situation demands me to play a big shot, I will play it. If the situation demands me to play till stumps, I’ll be ready for that too. I can do both."Reddy's impressive record in first-class cricket, with 708 runs and 55 wickets in 21 matches, is a testament to his all-round abilities. He believes that a tough mindset is essential for success in all forms of cricket. "You need to be tough, that's what I believe," he said. "You have to be very tough in the centre, not just in red-ball, but all forms of cricket. Only those with a tough mindset can survive and deal with whatever situations they face."

Harshit Rana, the promising all-rounder from Delhi, has been recalled to the Indian Test squad for the third Test against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on November 1 in Mumbai. Rana's inclusion comes after his impressive performance in the ongoing Ranji Trophy fixture between Delhi and Assam.Rana, who was part of the Indian squad for the first two Tests but was released to play the Ranji Trophy, has been a consistent performer for Delhi. In the match against Assam, he claimed a five-wicket haul in the first innings, followed by a crucial half-century and two more wickets in the second innings. His all-round contribution played a pivotal role in Delhi's comprehensive ten-wicket victory.The 22-year-old Rana has been on the radar of the Indian selectors for some time now. Despite his limited First Class experience, the selectors are impressed by his all-round abilities and believe he could be a valuable asset in Australian conditions. Rana's inclusion in the squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia next month is a testament to the selectors' confidence in his potential.Rana's recall to the Test squad is a significant development for the young all-rounder. It provides him with an opportunity to gain valuable experience at the highest level and potentially make his Test debut. With New Zealand having already clinched the series 2-0, the third Test could serve as a platform for Rana to showcase his skills and stake a claim for a place in the team for the upcoming series against Australia.The Indian squad for the third Test against New Zealand includes: Rohit Sharma (C), Jasprit Bumrah (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, and Harshit Rana.