Cricket

Rashid Khan, Afghanistan's star leg-spinner, has been ruled out of the upcoming one-off Test against New Zealand due to a back injury. The injury occurred while Khan was playing for Speen Ghar Tigers in the Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL), Afghanistan's domestic T20 tournament.Khan played three consecutive matches in the SCL from August 18, taking six wickets at an impressive average of 9.33 and an economy rate of 5.09. However, during his third game, he experienced pain in his back and was forced to miss SGT's next match two days later.This is not the first time Khan has suffered a back injury. He underwent surgery after the World Cup in India last year, which sidelined him for four months. He also suffered a hamstring strain while representing Trent Rockets at the Hundred a week before his recent back trouble.Afghanistan have begun training in Noida for the Test against New Zealand, which will be the first time the two teams have faced each other in the format. The match will also be the first Test to be played at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground.After the Test against New Zealand, Afghanistan will fly to Sharjah to play a three-match ODI series against South Africa from September 18.

Jacob Oram, the former New Zealand all-rounder, has been appointed as the bowling coach for the New Zealand Men's cricket team. Oram will fill the role vacated by Shane Jurgensen, who stepped down after the T20 World Cup earlier this year.Oram has previously worked with the New Zealand team as bowling coach during last year's Test tour of Bangladesh, the T20I series against Australia, and the T20 World Cup. He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played 160 ODIs and 33 Tests for New Zealand."I'm really excited to have the opportunity to be involved with the Blackcaps again," Oram said. "To be back involved with a team that means so much to me and has been a big part of my life is a real honor."Oram will work with a New Zealand attack that includes some newer faces, including exciting pace duo Ben Sears and Will O'Rourke. He is eager to share his knowledge and experience to help prepare them for the challenges of international cricket."There's a fresh new wave of talent coming through in the Blackcaps bowling ranks and I hope that I can share my knowledge and experience to help best prepare them for the challenges of international cricket," Oram said.Oram began his coaching career in 2014 with New Zealand A and then worked with New Zealand Women as bowling coach from 2018. He was named head coach of Central Hinds last summer, leading the team to the Super Smash final. Oram has also been an assistant coach in the Abu Dhabi T10 and bowling coach of MI Cape Town in the SA20."Jake's a great operator," said head coach Gary Stead. "His career as a player and his experiences as a coach speak for themselves. He brings a deep understanding of the international game, but also experience in franchise cricket which will be worthwhile in understanding the modern player and the changing landscape of the modern game."Oram will begin his role on October 7, shortly before the start of New Zealand's three-Test series in India.

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced a preliminary squad of 20 players for the upcoming one-off Test match against New Zealand, scheduled to take place from September 9-13 in Greater Noida, India. The selected players will depart for India on August 28 for a week-long preparation camp.The final squad will be announced at the end of the camp, with the selection committee considering players' performance and fitness. Afghanistan suffered a six-wicket defeat in their most recent Test match against Ireland in Abu Dhabi earlier this year."20 players have been selected for the training camp and a 15-member squad will be selected to play the only Test match against New Zealand after observing their performance and fitness," said Afghanistan chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhel.ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf expressed his delight at the inclusion of young players who have performed well in domestic cricket. He emphasized the significance of this event, marking the first time the two nations will engage in a bilateral cricket series."It is worth mentioning that before the 9th edition of Shpageeza Cricket League, these players attended a full package preparation camp in Nangarhar province too that carries similar conditions to India," he added.The Afghanistan preliminary squad includes:* Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain)* Ibrahim Zadran* Riaz Hassan* Abdul Malik* Rahmat Shah* Baheer Shah Mahboob* Ikram Alikhel (wk)* Shahidullah Kamal* Gulbadin Naib* Afsar Zazai (wk)* Azmatullah Omarzai* Ziaurrahman Akbar* Shamsurrahman* Qais Ahmad* Zahir Khan* Nijat Masoud* Farid Ahmad Malik* Naveed Zadran* Khalil Ahmad* Yama Arab

Tim Southee, the New Zealand Test captain, has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the world's best all-format bowler, echoing the sentiments of Australian legend Ricky Ponting. Bumrah's remarkable return from an 11-month injury layoff has seen him excel in all three formats, earning him the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup.Southee praised Bumrah's ability to juggle multiple formats with ease, saying, "He's probably more experienced, understands his game a bit more... I think we've just seen a great version of Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats."Southee also acknowledged the challenges of playing in subcontinental conditions, where spin plays a significant role. He indicated that he may not play every Test match in India and Sri Lanka, but emphasized his desire to feature in as many as possible."I love Test cricket, but I understand there is a balance to the side... We have got nine Test matches in the next few months so there is a lot of Test cricket. So it is all about managing workloads," Southee said.Regarding the impact of T20 leagues on player availability for international cricket, Southee expressed uncertainty. He noted that New Zealand Cricket's decision to allow Devon Conway and Finn Allen to decline central contracts while remaining available for most Test matches was a step in the right direction."It would be nice to see the international and the leagues working together in some way because especially Test cricket, I think a lot of players, it's still the pinnacle of the format," Southee said.

New Zealand's explosive opener Finn Allen has made a bold decision to prioritize franchise cricket over a national contract, signing a two-year deal with the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL).Allen's decision comes as a surprise, as he was initially included in New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) central contract list. However, the Scorchers' recent interest has swayed him towards a lucrative franchise opportunity.Allen's T20 credentials are impeccable. With a strike rate of 168.60, he ranks second only to Andre Russell among batters with at least 3000 runs. His international performances have also been impressive, including two centuries and a blistering 42 off 16 balls against Australia in the 2022 T20 World Cup.The Scorchers have been searching for a reliable opener since Cameron Bancroft's departure last season. Allen's signing fills that void, bringing a wealth of experience and firepower to the Perth-based franchise.Allen's decision to join the BBL means he will miss New Zealand's white-ball series against Sri Lanka in December. However, he will join fellow Kiwis Colin Munro (Brisbane Heat) and Tim Seifert (Melbourne Renegades) in the Australian domestic competition.The Scorchers' signing of Allen ahead of the draft raises questions about the future of Laurie Evans, who had a stellar season with the franchise last year. Evans' availability is limited due to his ongoing commitments in the UAE's ILT20, making it uncertain whether he will return to Perth.The BBL draft will be held on September 1, and the Scorchers have picks 7, 15, 18, and 31. With Allen already secured, they may focus on bolstering their bowling attack or adding depth to their batting lineup.

Devon Conway and Finn Allen have become the latest New Zealand cricketers to decline central contracts, opting instead for greater flexibility and opportunities in franchise cricket. Conway, however, has signed a casual agreement with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), similar to Kane Williamson, making him available for all internationals except for the Sri Lanka white-ball matches in January, when he will honor his SA20 commitment.Allen, the hard-hitting white-ball opener, will pursue franchise opportunities and has not been offered the same agreement by NZC. He remains eligible for selection on a case-by-case basis. Both Conway and Allen were initially included in the contract list last month but will now be replaced.Conway, who has been named in the Test squad to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next month, is available for all of New Zealand's nine upcoming Tests. He has also committed to warm-up matches ahead of the Champions Trophy in February, including an ODI tri-series in Pakistan."The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn't one I've taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time," Conway said. "Playing for the Blackcaps is still the pinnacle for me, and I'm hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket."NZC chief executive Scott Weenink emphasized that casual contracts are only an option for a select number of leading players. He believes it is a prudent way to manage the evolving landscape of franchise cricket."We're delighted with Devon's decision to commit to the Blackcaps - he's a quality player who's made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years," Weenink said. "In the current environment, it's important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket."Conway and Allen join Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne in moving away from central contracts. However, Williamson, who will also play in the SA20 in January, has not ruled out taking one in the future.Under the NZC system, players must make themselves available for the domestic Super Smash tournament when they are not playing international cricket to be eligible for central contracts.

George Worker, the former New Zealand batter, has bid farewell to professional cricket at the age of 34. The decision marks the end of a 17-year journey in the sport, during which he represented Central Districts and Auckland.Worker's international career spanned from 2015 to 2018, with 10 ODIs and 2 T20Is to his name. He made his T20I debut in Zimbabwe, earning the Player-of-the-Match award for his 38-ball 62. His ODI debut came on the same tour of Africa, and he went on to score three half-centuries in the format.In domestic cricket, Worker was a prolific run-scorer. He amassed 6721 runs in 169 List A games, averaging 43.64 with 18 centuries and 37 half-centuries. His first-class record included 6400 runs at an average of 29.49, while he scored 3480 runs in T20s at a strike rate of 123.57.Worker's leadership and experience were highly valued by Auckland Aces, where he played a pivotal role in their Ford Trophy 2021-22 title win. He topped the overall run-scoring chart with 672 runs in ten innings, averaging 84.00 and hitting four centuries.As a part-time left-arm spinner, Worker claimed 58 first-class wickets, 60 in List A cricket, and 42 in T20s.Upon announcing his retirement, Worker expressed gratitude for the memories and friendships he forged during his career. He also revealed that he has accepted a "fantastic opportunity" with Forsyth Barr, an investment services firm.Auckland Cricket's head of performance and talent, Evan Jones, acknowledged Worker's contributions and wished him well in his future endeavors.

New Zealand's Test captain, Tim Southee, may find himself on the sidelines for some of the team's upcoming matches on the subcontinent. The Black Caps will embark on a challenging tour that includes a one-off Test against Afghanistan and two matches against Sri Lanka, both likely to be held in Galle.While Southee will lead a 15-player squad that boasts five spin bowling options, his inclusion in the starting XI is not guaranteed. The nature of the subcontinent's pitches, characterized by heat, humidity, and spin-friendly conditions, may necessitate a different balance to the team.Head coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenges facing pace bowlers on these tours and emphasized the need to manage their workloads. "Test tours to the subcontinent can ask some really tough questions of pace bowlers," Stead said. "We're going over with an open mind around conditions, but there is an understanding that all our bowling options may be needed across the different Tests."Should Southee be omitted from the XI, vice-captain Tom Latham would assume the captaincy role. The squad announced does not cover the subsequent three-Test series against India, but a similar group of players is expected to be involved.Kane Williamson's availability for the Afghanistan Test had been uncertain, but he has been included for the historic encounter. Offspin allrounder Michael Bracewell returns to the Test side after an 18-month absence, while Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner are also included. Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips are likely to play significant roles with the ball.Alongside Southee, the pace options include Matt Henry, Ben Sears, and Will O'Rourke. Henry impressed against Australia with 17 wickets in two matches, while Sears and O'Rourke made strong debuts last season. Kyle Jamieson remains sidelined due to a stress fracture of the back."It's always great when young guys force their way into squads through performance," Stead said of Sears and O'Rourke. "Michael's had to show plenty of resilience to rehabilitate his injuries and force his way back into the Blackcaps across all three formats."Saqlain Mushtaq will rejoin New Zealand as bowling coach for the three away Tests, while former England wicketkeeper James Foster returns as an assistant coach. The Afghanistan Test, not part of the World Test Championship, takes place from September 9-13, followed by the Sri Lanka matches from September 18-22 and 26-30.New Zealand faces a demanding schedule of nine Tests from September to December, including a home series against England starting in late November. They currently sit third in the World Test Championship standings, aiming to reach the final at Lord's next June.

Melbourne Renegades have bolstered their batting lineup with the acquisition of New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert on a two-year deal. The 29-year-old will be available for the entirety of the next two BBL seasons as the Renegades aim to improve upon their seventh-place finish last season.Seifert's signing means he will miss a portion of the Super Smash, New Zealand's domestic T20 tournament, and will not be available for the white-ball series against Pakistan over the Christmas and New Year period.With an impressive international record of three ODIs and 61 T20Is for New Zealand, Seifert brings a wealth of experience to the Renegades. He has also featured in T20 leagues worldwide, averaging 27.43 with a strike rate of 130.12 in the format, including three centuries.In the recent Lanka Premier League, Seifert emerged as the leading run-scorer with 400 runs at an average of 57.14 and a strike rate of 135.13.Seifert is expected to form a formidable top three for the Renegades alongside Josh Brown and Jake Fraser-McGurk. He is also a frontrunner to take over the wicketkeeping duties, a role shared by overseas signings Quinton de Kock and Jordan Cox last season."I'm thrilled to be here for the next two seasons," said Seifert. "I'll be able to enjoy the environment and get to know the club on a deeper level, which doesn't often happen in franchise cricket. I'm excited to call myself a Gade for the next couple of seasons at least."Renegades general manager James Rosengarten expressed his delight at Seifert's signing. "Tim gives us a double threat; we get a powerful and skilled batter plus an established international keeper and regular member of the Blackcaps program," said Rosengarten. "We're excited to welcome him into the club."The BBL draft will take place on September 1, with the Renegades holding pick numbers 2, 10, 23, and 26.