Cricket

Tom Latham, New Zealand's newly appointed Test captain, is eagerly anticipating his maiden tour as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has previously led the team in nine matches, but this will mark his first series as a permanent captain.Latham and a 15-member squad, including veteran Tim Southee, will embark on a three-match series against India starting October 16. The matches will be played in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai.In a video released by New Zealand Cricket, Latham expressed his excitement and gratitude for the opportunity. "It's a special feeling to be named full-time captain," he said. "It's a massive honor and a huge privilege."Latham acknowledged the team's past successes and emphasized the importance of maintaining their unique style of play. "As a Test team, we have done a huge amount of good things," he said. "We have been successful playing a brand of cricket that is true to us as Kiwis."He also highlighted the team's blend of experience and youth. "It's a great group, a bunch of leaders, a bunch of older guys, and also some amazing talent coming through," Latham said. "It's an exciting time, and it will be a great challenge."Latham's appointment as full-time captain is a testament to his leadership qualities and the respect he commands within the team. He will be tasked with guiding New Zealand through a challenging tour of India and continuing the team's success in the Test format.

New Zealand's left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel is determined to make a significant impact in the upcoming three-Test series against India, starting on October 16 in Bengaluru. Patel, who was born in Mumbai and has family ties to the city, recently trained at the MIG Cricket Club to prepare for the series.Patel, 35, has a remarkable connection to Mumbai. In December 2021, he became only the third bowler in Test history to achieve a "perfect 10," taking 10 wickets for 119 runs in India's first innings at the Wankhede Stadium.Ahead of the India tour, Patel reached out to Datta Mithbavkar, the local manager of the Afghanistan team during the washed-out Test against New Zealand in Greater Noida. Patel requested a training facility in Mumbai, where he could practice on a spin-friendly wicket.With the help of Nilesh Bhosle, an Apex Council member of the Mumbai Cricket Association, Patel secured a practice session at the MIG Club. He bowled for approximately 90 minutes, facing former India U-19 allrounder Vaibhav Ankolekar. Patel was impressed with Ankolekar's batting and shared valuable bowling tips with him.Patel also interacted with young local players, including left-arm spinners from Mithbavkar's academy, providing them with guidance and advice.Patel's determination to excel in the India series is evident in his meticulous preparation. He is eager to make a mark on the Indian pitches and contribute to New Zealand's success.

Kane Williamson's absence from the opening Test against India in Bengaluru has dealt a significant blow to New Zealand's hopes. The skipper's groin strain, sustained during the Sri Lanka series, has delayed his departure from New Zealand.In Williamson's stead, Tom Latham will lead the Black Caps, who have added Mark Chapman to their squad for the three-Test tour. Chapman, a left-handed batter, has played 78 white-ball matches for New Zealand but is yet to make his Test debut.The rest of the squad remains unchanged from the disappointing Sri Lanka tour, with Michael Bracewell available only for the first Test before departing for the birth of his second child. Ish Sodhi will join the squad as Bracewell's replacement for the second and third Tests.Williamson's injury is a major setback for New Zealand, given his experience in India and the team's struggles for runs in Sri Lanka. The Black Caps selector, Sam Wells, expressed hope that Williamson could play a part later in the series but confirmed his absence from the first Test."The advice we've received is that the best course of action is for Kane to rest and rehabilitate now rather than risk aggravating the injury," Wells said. "We're hopeful that if the rehabilitation goes to plan, Kane will be available for the latter part of the tour."While Williamson's absence is a disappointment, it presents an opportunity for someone else to step up in an important series. Chapman, who has scored a century against India A in 2020, could make his Test debut.Former Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath will also travel to India with the Black Caps as part of the coaching staff, continuing his role as a spin-bowling coach.

New Zealand's Test cricket schedule is set to intensify as they embark on a packed itinerary to conclude the World Test Championship cycle. After a break since March, the Black Caps will face Sri Lanka in a two-Test series in September, followed by a three-Test tour of India in October and November. They will then return home to host England for three more Tests in November and December.These eight matches will determine New Zealand's fate in the World Test Championship, with the team needing to win at least five to have a chance of reaching the final at Lord's. While the one-off Test against Afghanistan was canceled due to rain, the Black Caps have been preparing diligently for the subcontinental conditions.Captain Tim Southee emphasized the importance of the upcoming Tests, saying, "We've got an important part in terms of the Test championship cycle. We've got eight games between now and December, so it's an exciting time for us as a Test side."New Zealand's strength lies in their diverse bowling attack, with spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath providing valuable insights. The team boasts three left-arm spinners in Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel, and Rachin Ravindra, as well as seam bowlers Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke.Southee acknowledged the historical significance of the upcoming matches, as he is just 20 wickets away from becoming the 18th player to reach 400 Test wickets. "Every game you're going out and trying to do your role and take some wickets for your side," he said. "It'd be nice if you do achieve those milestones along the way."

Bangladesh's upcoming tour of India presents a unique challenge for the team as they prepare to face the SG ball, a significant departure from the Kookaburra ball they are accustomed to. Litton Das, a key figure in Bangladesh's recent Test victory over Pakistan, has emphasized the need to adapt to the different characteristics of the SG ball."The ball will be a different one in India," Das said. "It is a little harder to play against the SG ball. The Kookaburra ball is easier to play when it gets old. It is the opposite with the SG ball. It is harder to get away against the old ball when it's the SG."To prepare for the challenge, Bangladesh's white-ball players are reportedly training with Kookaburra balls, as the T20Is that follow the Tests in India will be played with that brand.Despite their historic series win over Pakistan, Das urged the team to remain focused on the present. "We played good cricket against Pakistan but it is already in the past," he said. "It is important for us to look forward. We will need your (media's) help. It would be helpful if you don't talk about the Pakistan series. As a player, it is already in the past for me."The upcoming series against India and Pakistan has generated significant anticipation among Bangladesh fans. However, Das refused to view it as a burden. "It is inspiring that people will know you if you do well," he said. "There's nothing better than that. I don't think it is pressure. We are improving in Tests, so we have to become more consistent in the format. That's the main challenge."Das's role as a lower-middle-order batter suits his natural game, where he often finds himself batting with the tail and has no choice but to go for his shots. However, he has also shown his ability to adapt, batting for nearly six hours to rescue Bangladesh in Rawalpindi."I have to take responsibility now," he said. "It is the right time. I have been playing for ten years, so there has been some experience. I try to score off deliveries that I believe are there to hit. Scoring runs is more important these days. I think I bat in the same way that most batters approach the game."Das acknowledges the risks associated with his aggressive style of play, but he believes it is the key to his success. "If it gives me more chance to get out, it also gives me a lot of opportunities to score runs," he said. "I usually get to bat with (Mehidy Hasan) Miraz. Sometimes I bat with Shakib bhai (Shakib Al Hasan) or Mushfiq bhai (Mushfiqur Rahim). If I don't play my shots, the team score won't go anywhere. I want to play like this. I try to play the way I bat in training."Bangladesh will depart for India on September 15 to play two Tests in Chennai and Kanpur, both part of the World Test Championship. The three T20Is that follow will be held in Gwalior, Delhi, and Hyderabad.

Shakib Al Hasan, the star all-rounder from Bangladesh, is set to make a brief appearance in the English County Championship for Surrey before joining his national team for their upcoming tour of India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has granted Shakib a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the match against Somerset, scheduled for September 9 in Taunton.Surrey will be without their England players during that round due to the ongoing Sri Lanka Test series and the start of the Australia white-ball series. Shakib's inclusion will provide a much-needed boost to Surrey's squad.After his stint with Surrey, Shakib will fly to Chennai to join the Bangladesh team for their first Test against India, starting on September 19. The tour will also include two more Tests and three T20Is before Bangladesh returns home for a series against South Africa in October.Shakib's participation in the County Championship comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings in Bangladesh. He is among 147 people charged in connection with an alleged murder during protests in early August. However, the BCB has stated that Shakib can continue playing for Bangladesh as the investigation is still in its early stages.The ECB has the authority to withhold Shakib's registration to play in England even if he is granted a UK visa. However, Bangladesh's Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs adviser, Asif Nazrul, has expressed confidence that Shakib will not be arrested.Shakib's recent performances for Bangladesh have been impressive. He played a crucial role in their historic Test victory over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, taking three important wickets on the fifth day. He is also part of the ongoing second Test, which has been affected by rain.

Dunith Wellalage, a rising star in Sri Lankan cricket, showcased his exceptional all-round abilities in the first ODI against India at Khettarama. Batting at number seven, the 21-year-old played a crucial innings of 67 not out off 65 deliveries, guiding Sri Lanka to a respectable total of 230 for 8.Wellalage's innings was a beacon of composure on a challenging pitch where no other batter looked entirely settled. He displayed a wide range of shots, including powerful boundaries, and drew inspiration from his teammate Pathum Nissanka, who has been in impressive form throughout the tour."I was watching Pathum Nissanka bat quite a lot," Wellalage said. "I put his batting in my mind as I came up with a plan. If you take the pitch, it was one that supported spin bowling. I tried to put as much pressure on the bowler and build partnerships."With the ball, Wellalage proved equally effective, claiming two crucial wickets for 39 runs in nine overs. He dismissed India's top scorer, Rohit Sharma, with a well-flighted delivery that beat the batsman in flight and struck him in front of the stumps.Wellalage's dismissal of Shubman Gill was equally impressive, as he deceived the opener with another flighted delivery that Gill top-edged to the keeper."We knew that the wicket was spinning," Wellalage explained. "So Charith Asalanka had told me that I would be bowling in the powerplay. I had good support from the wicket too.""With Rohit at the time, I was trying just to bowl wicket-to-wicket, because I knew how much assistance there was from the pitch."Wellalage's contributions with both bat and ball played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka's ability to tie the match. His performance is a testament to his growing maturity and versatility as a cricketer.

Sri Lanka's ODI squad against India has been further depleted by injuries, with fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka ruled out. The duo joins Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara on the sidelines, leaving the hosts with a depleted bowling attack.Pathirana, who impressed in the recent T20 World Cup, suffered a shoulder complaint while fielding in the third T20I against India. The injury is a recurrence of the issue that plagued him during last year's World Cup, prompting the team management to err on the side of caution.Madushanka, on the other hand, sustained a hamstring injury during training. He played only one match in the T20I series, but was expected to feature in the ODI squad.Sri Lanka have called up uncapped right-arm seamer Mohamed Shiraz as a replacement for Pathirana. The team is also expected to announce the inclusion of another seamer later on Thursday.The injuries have come as a major blow to Sri Lanka, who have lost their last 10 matches across formats against India. The hosts will be desperate to break their losing streak in the upcoming ODI series, but they will need to find a way to compensate for the absence of their key bowlers.

The Sri Lankan cricket team has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International (ODI) series against India, set to commence on August 2. This squad, approved by Harin Fernando, the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, will take on India at the Premadasa Stadium, with subsequent matches scheduled for August 4 and 7.Among the selected players, senior all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne, alongside young batsmen Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka, has been called up to represent the national team in this series.Chamika Karunaratne, known for his versatility and experience, brings a wealth of skill to the team, potentially offering both batting and bowling solutions. On the other hand, Janith Liyanage and Nishan Madushka, despite being relatively new to the international scene, have shown promise in their previous outings. Liyanage has appeared in nine ODIs, while Madushka has participated in eight Tests, indicating their growing experience at the international level.The squad for the series is led by Charith Asalanka, with Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Sadeera Samarawickrama being notable inclusions, suggesting a blend of youth and experience. The team also features all-rounders such as Wanindu Hasaranga and Kamindu Mendis, who are expected to play crucial roles with both bat and ball.The bowling department includes Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, and Asitha Fernando, offering a mix of spin and pace options.The inclusion of Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, and Nishan Madushka in the squad highlights the selectors' confidence in their abilities to perform at the highest level.