Cricket

Afghanistan's T20I captain, Rashid Khan, has expressed his disappointment over Cricket Australia's decision to not play Afghanistan bilaterally due to human rights concerns. While acknowledging that sports should bring people together, Rashid emphasized that cricket is not the solution to political issues."We are sportsmen, and we love sports," Rashid said. "Cricket is the only source of happiness back home. If we keep that source away from us, I don't know where Afghanistan will remain."Rashid stressed that Afghanistan's cricketers are eager to play against any side, but they have no control over political decisions. "Some things are not under the control of anyone in cricket," he said. "Wish we could do something, and wish that was a kind of solution for it, we would have been happy."Rashid's comments come after Cricket Australia postponed a scheduled three-match T20I series with Afghanistan earlier this year. The decision was made due to "a marked deterioration in human rights for women and girls" in Afghanistan.Rashid had initially threatened to withdraw from the Big Bash League in 2023 in protest, but he later softened his stance and put his name up in the drafts. However, he was forced to miss the tournament through injury.Despite the disappointment, Rashid reiterated that Afghanistan's cricketers are grateful for the support they have received from fans around the world. "I have received so much love from everyone," he said. "Whenever I go to Australia for Big Bash, I think I have got so much love and support from the fans there."Rashid emphasized that cricket should not be used as a political tool. "Cricket is not the solution for politics," he said. "If there is another solution, you can take that. But don't think cricket is the solution of politics and things like that."

Will Pucovski's cricketing future remains uncertain as Cricket Victoria (CV) has received a special exemption from Cricket Australia (CA) to delay his state contract decision. The 25-year-old has been suffering from extended symptoms following a concussion in March, prompting a medical panel assessment.Pucovski's latest concussion has raised concerns about his long-term health, given his history of head injuries. The assessment panel, comprising CV, CA, and independent experts, will evaluate his situation and determine his future playing prospects.Victoria has offered Pucovski a contract for 2024-25, but it is contingent on the panel's medical advice. If he is deemed unfit to continue playing, he will receive significant injury compensation and support services from CV and CA.Pucovski's symptoms have reportedly eased in recent weeks, but the panel's assessment was delayed due to their persistence. The decision on his future will be made once the panel has convened and provided its recommendations.Victoria's general manager of cricket performance, Graham Manou, emphasized the importance of Pucovski's health and well-being. "We'll take the advice from that panel on the appropriate way forward this season," he said.Pucovski has expressed optimism about his recovery and a potential return to form. However, he has also acknowledged the challenges he has faced with mental health issues linked to his concussions.Victoria's contract list for 2024-25 includes several new faces, including Josh Brown, Harry Dixon, and Dylan Brasher. The departures of Nic Maddinson, Travis Dean, and Wil Parker have created opportunities for these emerging players.

Cricket Australia (CA) has unveiled a comprehensive Women and Girls Action Plan, aiming to transform women's cricket in the country. The plan includes a reduction in the WBBL season to 40 games plus finals, aligning it with the BBL and creating a new state-based T20 competition to provide additional opportunities for domestic players.The WBBL season reduction was driven by the need to accommodate the T20 World Cup and a women's ODI series against India. However, CA has ensured that the number of games on free-to-air TV remains the same. To compensate for the reduced playing opportunities, CA has introduced a new state-based T20 competition that will run alongside the WNCL. This competition will serve as a warm-up for the WBBL and increase female domestic player salaries.Beyond the restructuring of the WBBL, CA has set ambitious goals for women's cricket. The organization aims to increase total revenue by AU$100 million in the next ten years, increase participation for girls aged 5-12 from 25,000 to 100,000, and invest AU$500 million in women's cricket infrastructure. CA also aims to have at least 40% female representation in key positions across Australian cricket.To enhance the visibility of women's cricket, CA has committed to scheduling more matches in major Australian stadiums. The women's Ashes Test at the MCG early next year will mark the 90th anniversary of women's Test cricket. Australia and England will also play women's T20Is at Adelaide Oval and the SCG during the multiformat series.Australian star allrounder Ellyse Perry welcomed the initiatives, stating that they will sustain and enhance the growth of women's cricket in Australia. She emphasized the importance of increased sponsorship and broadcast deals to reflect the growing interest in women's sport.

Marcus Stoinis, the 34-year-old Australian all-rounder, has expressed his desire to continue playing for Australia beyond the T20 World Cup, despite missing out on a Cricket Australia (CA) contract for 2024-25.Stoinis, who has been a key member of Australia's T20I side, has not been offered a CA contract for the upcoming season. However, he remains contracted with CA until June 30, 2023, and is expected to be part of Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup in October-November.Speaking after his match-winning century for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Tuesday, Stoinis said he understood the decision to omit him from the CA contract list. He believes it is an opportunity for younger players to step up and take his place."I've got a great relationship with the [Australia] coach [Andrew McDonald]," Stoinis said. "Me not getting a contract, I knew that a while ago. I think it is great to give younger kids a crack and let them take my spot. I'm absolutely fine with that on the contract list."However, Stoinis made it clear that he still has aspirations to play international cricket beyond the T20 World Cup. He has been in regular communication with McDonald and Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey about his future role in the team."But on the playing front, obviously want to make sure that I'm there and that's also why it's so lucky for us and for me particularly to have this competition [the IPL], that's why I love it so much," Stoinis said.Australia's next limited-overs assignment after the T20 World Cup is in September in England, which includes five ODIs and three T20Is. They only have one other T20I series in the 2024-25 contract period, against Pakistan at home in November. They also have three ODIs against Pakistan in November, which is their last ODI series before the Champions Trophy.Stoinis has opted not to seek a state contract with Western Australia, but he has not ruled out playing domestic cricket in the future. His availability will depend on his freelance schedule and WA's desire for continuity within their program.

Xavier Bartlett, the Australian fast bowler, will join Kent for the Vitality Blast after Cricket Australia (CA) initially blocked him from playing for the county in the County Championship. Bartlett was originally signed for Kent's first five Championship games, but CA denied him a No Objection Certificate (NOC) on the eve of the season, despite handing him a central contract a week earlier.Bartlett's absence was a blow to Kent, who swiftly replaced him with South African bowling allrounder Beyers Swanepoel on an all-format deal. However, Kent remained hopeful that Bartlett would be able to fulfill the white-ball element of his initial deal, which amounted to at least eight Blast games. That has now been confirmed.CA's caution with Bartlett's workload is understandable, particularly in first-class cricket. He played just three Sheffield Shield matches for Queensland after returning from a back stress fracture sustained during the previous English summer. He is also likely to land a deal in Major League Cricket, which begins on July 4.While Bartlett is unlikely to make Australia's T20 World Cup squad, he is firmly in the frame for their limited-overs tour of England in September. He will join Swanepoel and fellow Australian seamer Wes Agar as three overseas options for Kent's Blast campaign, which begins on May 31 against Middlesex at Chelmsford. Only two of them are permitted in any given playing XI.Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook, expressed his delight at securing Bartlett's services for the Blast: "We've been working extremely hard with Cricket Australia to ensure that Xavier can join us in some capacity this season, and we're really pleased to have secured his services for eight matches of our T20 campaign.""He is hot property at the moment and fully deserves his new central contract with Australia. I know that Spitfires supporters around the world will be extremely excited that the BBL's top wicket-taker this Winter will be pulling on a Kent shirt this June."

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.

Scott Boland's debut for Durham has been marred by a resurfacing heel injury, casting doubt over his availability for the county's upcoming fixtures. The Australian fast bowler, who is on a short-term contract with Durham, bowled 13 wicketless overs in the first innings of their draw against Warwickshire but did not take the field after the first day.Boland's injury has been identified as plantar fasciitis, a common heel condition among fast bowlers. It is the same issue that delayed his arrival in England and caused him to miss Durham's first game. The club is awaiting further clarity on his fitness and is exploring potential replacements if he is ruled out for an extended period.Boland's contract with Durham runs until the end of July and covers both the County Championship and the T20 Blast. However, as a centrally contracted player with Cricket Australia (CA), his workload will be closely monitored. CA's medical staff will collaborate with Durham on Boland's recovery, aiming to maximize his playing time while managing his fitness.Boland's injury highlights the ongoing challenges faced by CA in managing the workload of its centrally contracted bowlers. Despite not playing a Test since last year's Ashes, Boland was rested at the start of the Sheffield Shield season in anticipation of rest periods for Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc during Australia's international commitments. However, the trio played all seven Shield matches, leaving Boland with a relatively quiet summer.CA's approach to managing its bowlers has also been evident in the cases of Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Lyon. Bartlett was withdrawn from a stint with Kent just before the start of the Championship, while Lyon's initial agreement to play a full season with Lancashire was reduced to seven red-ball matches following discussions with Australia's selectors.Meanwhile, Ben Stokes spent two days with the Durham squad during their draw at Edgbaston, continuing his recovery from knee surgery. The England all-rounder is gradually increasing his bowling workload as he aims to return to full fitness.

Delhi Capitals' all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has returned to Australia to address a partial tear in his right hamstring. The injury has raised concerns about his availability for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he is expected to lead the Australian team.Marsh, who has been a key player for the Capitals, missed the team's last two matches against Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. His last appearance was on April 3 against Kolkata Knight Riders, where he was dismissed for a duck.According to ESPNcricinfo, Marsh's recall to Australia was coordinated between Cricket Australia (CA) and the Delhi Capitals franchise. The decision was made after careful consideration of the injury's severity and the potential impact on Marsh's World Cup preparations.CA has been closely monitoring Marsh's workload over the past year, as he has returned to playing in all three formats of the game. His impressive performances earned him the Allan Border Medal as Australia's best-performed player across all formats.Meanwhile, the Delhi Capitals are also dealing with an injury concern involving David Warner. The opener was hit on the finger while attempting a lap shot against Lucknow Super Giants. Warner underwent scans upon arriving in Ahmedabad, where the Capitals will face Gujarat Titans in their next match on April 17.The Capitals currently sit on four points after six games and will be hoping to have both Marsh and Warner available for their upcoming fixtures. However, the final decision on Marsh's IPL participation will be made after further assessment by CA and the franchise.

Nathan Lyon's County Championship stint with Lancashire has been capped at seven games by Cricket Australia (CA), a decision that has drawn criticism from former players and commentators. Lyon, 36, had initially signed to play the entire 2024 season across all three formats, but discussions with selectors reduced his stint to the first half of the season and red-ball cricket only.Lyon expressed disappointment at the restrictions, while Lancashire was further frustrated when the first game of the season was washed out, leaving Lyon with just two overs bowled. CA's high-performance team, led by selectors and the Sport Science Sport Medicine (SSSM) team, carefully monitors the total number of first-class matches senior players participate in to prevent injuries.Lyon played 12 first-class matches in the 2022-23 summer, including a tour of India where he had a heavy workload. After bowling 53 overs in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, he tore his calf badly in the first innings at Lord's, which changed the trajectory of the series. The selectors became acutely aware of Lyon's importance to the side as they did not win another Test in the series in his absence.Former Test captain Michael Clarke questioned CA's decision, saying it "doesn't make sense" for Lyon to return home for pre-season when Australia's next Test match is not until November 22. Clarke believes Lyon would benefit from playing more cricket rather than doing a pre-season that could lead to injuries.Former Australia batter Callum Ferguson also criticized the decision, saying he would like to see Lyon get the opportunity to play the full season if he thinks it's best for his career. Ferguson believes it would leave Lyon in better shape for the next Ashes series.CA's chair of selectors George Bailey said the decision was made with the next summer in mind, where Australia is set to play seven Tests in less than three months. Bailey emphasized that the decision is not necessarily made for every player.