Cricket

The International League T20 (ILT20) is set to face scheduling conflicts with the Big Bash League (BBL) and potentially the SA20 in 2025. The ILT20, a five-team franchise-based tournament in the UAE, has announced its schedule for 2025, running from January 11 to February 9.The BBL's dates have not been officially announced, but it is expected to run until January 26. The SA20 is likely to start shortly after the New Year's Test between Pakistan and South Africa in Cape Town, which ends on January 7.Another potential overlap is South Africa's ODI series in Pakistan, scheduled for mid-February, as preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan.The ILT20 may also clash with the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), although the ILT20 has been more lucrative for top players. These scheduling conflicts have led to a high turnover of players in the ILT20, with teams signing players for specific windows as they move between competitions.The BBL experienced a mass exodus of overseas players for the finals series last season when the ILT20 began on January 19. However, some overseas players were able to play most of the regular season before leaving for the UAE. This will not be the case next summer for players contracted to the ILT20.The BBL hoped to mitigate potential clashes by having Australia's Test stars available after the Sydney Test against India on January 7. However, Australia has a two-Test tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for late January to early February, and it is understood that the Test players may only be available for three BBL games, if at all, depending on rest requirements after five Tests against India in seven weeks.The scheduling conflicts highlight the challenges of coordinating international cricket calendars, particularly with the proliferation of franchise-based leagues. It remains to be seen how the ILT20, BBL, and SA20 will adjust their schedules to avoid overlaps and ensure the availability of top players.

Nikhil Chaudhary, a player recently acquitted of rape charges, is expected to return to the Hobart Hurricanes in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season. However, Cricket Tasmania, the franchise's governing body, was unaware of the criminal proceedings against Chaudhary until after the verdict.Chaudhary joined the Hurricanes in late 2023 and had his contract extended to 2027 in February, just a month before his trial. Cricket Tasmania's high performance general manager, Salliann Beams, expressed disappointment that Chaudhary had not disclosed the charges or court proceedings to the organization."It's not so much the incident because we know that nothing happened ... legally not guilty and everything," Beams said. "It's just the disclosure of information. We want to know where we sit on that because we were completely in the dark."Beams acknowledged the legal complexities surrounding the situation, noting that Chaudhary was advised not to discuss the matter. However, she emphasized the importance of transparency and the potential impact on the franchise's reputation."You have to deal with the organization's point of view and the impact that it could potentially have on that," she said. "Because you don't really want to associate yourself with ... that type of investigation."Despite the concerns, Beams indicated that Chaudhary is likely to play in the upcoming BBL season. "There are some legalities through that process," she said. "But at the same time, you can understand from the players' point of view is that, you know, they've done nothing wrong and it's a scary place."Chaudhary played nine games for the Hurricanes in the previous BBL season, averaging 26 with the bat and taking five wickets. The team missed out on the finals.

Melbourne Renegades are set to part ways with BBL coach David Saker after a disappointing season that saw them finish second last. Saker, who was contracted until the end of the 2024-25 season, will leave the club with a year remaining on his deal.The Renegades have been the worst-performing team in the BBL since winning the inaugural title in 2018-19 under Andrew McDonald. Since then, they have had three different coaches in Michael Klinger, Saker, and now an impending new appointment.Saker's tenure began with a last-place finish in 2021-22, followed by a third-place finish in 2022-23. However, the 2023-24 season proved to be a step backward, with the Renegades winning just two of their 14 games.The Renegades have already made some changes to their squad for the upcoming season, signing Brisbane Heat opener Josh Brown. They are also seeking a new high-performance manager to oversee the cricket program.The Renegades' struggles have been attributed to a number of factors, including a high turnover of players and a lack of consistency. The club has also been criticized for its lack of connection to the Victoria men's program.The Renegades will be hoping that a new coach and a new high-performance manager can help them turn things around and challenge for the BBL title in the future.

Wes Agar, a seasoned left-arm spinner, has made history as the first player to be traded in the BBL's overseas draft. The move sees Agar depart the Adelaide Strikers, where he spent eight seasons, for the Sydney Thunder. In exchange, the Strikers have improved their draft position in the second round.Agar's departure from the Strikers marks a significant shift for the franchise. He was an integral part of their attack in previous seasons, particularly in 2020-21 when he claimed 22 wickets at an impressive average of 20.77. However, his playing time diminished last season, with Henry Thornton emerging as the preferred pace option and the Strikers opting for two legspinners.Despite his limited appearances, Agar remains highly regarded by Australian selectors. He was called up as squad cover for Australia's final T20I against West Indies in February. His move to the Thunder presents a fresh opportunity for the 27-year-old to showcase his skills.The Thunder, under the guidance of new General Manager Trent Copeland, are looking to bolster their attack after a disappointing season where they struggled to make an impact with the ball. Copeland expressed his excitement about Agar's arrival, describing him as "a proven performer in this format and one of the Big Bash's most likeable guys."The Strikers, while understanding Agar's desire for a change, are pleased to have improved their draft position. Interim General Manager Shaun Williams said, "We are pleased we were able to improve our draft position as part of this trade ahead of the BBL|14 draft later this year."The trade between the Strikers and Thunder highlights the evolving landscape of the BBL. As teams look to optimize their rosters, player movement is becoming increasingly common. Agar's move to Sydney is a testament to his talent and the Thunder's ambition to challenge for the title.

Afghanistan's star all-rounder Rashid Khan has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to indefinitely postpone their three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, which was scheduled for August at a neutral venue. CA cited concerns over the "marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan as the reason for their withdrawal.Rashid, who is currently playing for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL), said he was "really hurt" by CA's decision. "It does hurt you. You do want to play against the best teams and that's where your cricket is going to improve more and more. You only get the opportunity playing against them [Australia] in the World Cups, but not in bilateral series," Rashid told ESPNcricinfo.Rashid believes that the series would have been a valuable learning experience for Afghanistan, as playing against top-ranked teams like Australia is crucial for the growth of the sport in the country. "Recently, we played three T20s against India, and it helped us a lot. We nearly chased 200 [212] against India. Imagine if you wouldn't have played that, where would the confidence come from? Playing against big teams is huge for us," he added.Rashid also questioned CA's decision to exclude him from the BBL, while allowing other Afghan players to participate. "You don't want to play with my colleagues and you want to play with me. So what's the difference? It means I'm putting my colleagues down as well. My country down as well," he said.This is the third time CA has chosen not to honor a bilateral engagement with Afghanistan. In 2021, the first Test match between Australia and Afghanistan was postponed, and last year, an ODI series was called off.

Melbourne Renegades have bolstered their batting lineup with the acquisition of Josh Brown, a BBL-winning batter from Brisbane Heat. The 30-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Renegades, replacing the retired Aaron Finch.Brown emerged as a late bloomer in the BBL, dominating Brisbane grade cricket before making his mark in the professional league. In his first 23 matches, he has amassed 624 runs at an average of 27.13 and a strike rate of 149.64.His breakout performance came in last season's BBL finals, where he smashed a record-breaking 140 runs off 71 balls against Adelaide Strikers in the Challenger. He followed that up with a match-winning 53 in the final against Sydney Sixers, helping Heat secure the title.Brown's impressive form attracted attention from overseas T20 franchises, and he played in the Bangladesh Premier League with Chattogram Challengers. He also made his List A debut for Queensland upon his return from Bangladesh.Renegades general manager James Rosengarten expressed excitement about Brown's addition to the squad. "We've identified a clear role for Josh in our batting order which will have a new look this year," Rosengarten said. "Josh possesses a good balance of aggression and composure, which we all witnessed in the recent BBL finals series."Brown is expected to form a formidable opening partnership with Jake Fraser-McGurk. He expressed gratitude to Heat for giving him the opportunity to play in the BBL but is eager for a new challenge with the Renegades."I've enjoyed my time with the Heat, they gave me my opportunity, for which I'll always be grateful and have cherished memories including winning a BBL Championship last season," Brown said. "But I am extremely excited for a new challenge and hopefully achieve the same success with the Renegades."

Jason Gillespie, a legendary figure in South Australian cricket, has announced his departure from his roles as head coach of both the South Australia Redbacks and the Adelaide Strikers. This decision marks the end of a remarkable era for Gillespie, who has played an integral role in shaping the state's cricketing landscape.Gillespie's tenure with the Redbacks began in 2020-21, and despite a disappointing season this year, he has left an indelible mark on the team. Under his guidance, the Redbacks have shown signs of improvement, and he has been instrumental in developing young talent.Gillespie's success with the Adelaide Strikers has been even more pronounced. He took over as head coach in 2015-16 and led the team to their maiden BBL title in 2017-18. The Strikers have consistently performed under Gillespie's leadership, reaching the playoffs on multiple occasions.Gillespie's departure comes at a time of transition for South Australian cricket. Tim Nielsen, the general manager of cricket, is also stepping down at the end of the season. These changes present an opportunity for the SACA to reassess its cricketing strategy and identify new leaders to guide the state's teams to future success.Gillespie's legacy in South Australian cricket is secure. As both a player and a coach, he has represented the state with distinction and passion. His contributions have been invaluable, and he will be remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of the game in South Australia.