Cricket

South Africa's fast-bowling spearhead Lungi Ngidi has been sidelined for an extended period due to a groin injury, ruling him out of the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka and the all-format tour of Pakistan. The setback is a significant blow to the Proteas, who are set to embark on a crucial home summer.Ngidi's injury was detected during a medical assessment as part of his structured conditioning program. Scans revealed bilateral proximal adductor tendinopathy, a condition that affects the tendons in the groin area. The 26-year-old will now undergo a rehabilitation program and is expected to return to action in January.Meanwhile, South Africa's Test captain Temba Bavuma remains a doubt for the first Test against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on November 27 in Durban. Bavuma has been recovering from a left elbow injury sustained during the ODI series against Ireland last month. He will undergo a fitness test on November 18 to determine his availability.If Bavuma is unable to play, Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas. However, Markram's recent form has been underwhelming, with the batter failing to score more than 33 in his last six Test innings. Ryan Rickelton, who played in the Tests against Bangladesh, could retain Bavuma's spot in the batting order.Bavuma's injury is a concern for South Africa, who are aiming to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The Proteas need to win all four home Tests to secure their spot at Lord's, but three wins and other favorable results could also get them there.South Africa's Test schedule for the home summer is as follows:* 1st Test vs. Sri Lanka: November 27-December 1, Durban* 2nd Test vs. Sri Lanka: December 6-10, Centurion* 1st Test vs. Pakistan: December 26-30, Centurion* 2nd Test vs. Pakistan: January 3-7, Johannesburg* 3rd Test vs. Pakistan: January 11-15, Rawalpindi

With the Sri Lanka Test tour looming in January, Cricket Australia (CA) faces a dilemma regarding the preparation of its spin candidates. Former Test spinner Steve O'Keefe believes that pulling spin bowlers out of the Big Bash League (BBL) early is crucial for their success on the subcontinent.O'Keefe cites his own experience in India in 2017, where he opted out of the BBL to focus on red-ball preparation. This decision paid dividends, as he bagged 12 wickets in the first Test in Pune. He argues that the BBL's focus on cross-seam bowling and yorkers is not ideal for spinners preparing for the challenges of subcontinent pitches.CA had initially planned for a clear window for Test players to feature in the BBL between the India series and the Sri Lanka tour. However, concerns have emerged about the workload and physical preparation of Test players, especially given the grueling nature of the India series.The selectors are particularly keen on finding a left-arm orthodox spinner for the Sri Lanka tour, as such bowlers have been highly successful in subcontinent conditions. However, there are currently few domestic players who specialize in this skill.O'Keefe recommends that CA pull spin candidates out of the BBL as early as possible, allowing them to focus on red-ball bowling and adjust to the specific challenges of subcontinent pitches. He believes that a month of preparation is ideal, with a couple of weeks spent bowling consistently in the subcontinent.The selectors have not yet picked a specialist left-arm orthodox spinner for the Australia A matches against India A, but Cooper Connolly will play as an allrounder. CA's chair of selectors, George Bailey, has emphasized the importance of finding players with this skill set for future subcontinent tours.

West Indies' T20I and ODI squads for their upcoming tour of Sri Lanka have undergone significant changes, with several key players opting out and promising youngsters earning call-ups.In the T20I squad, Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, and Akeal Hosein have all withdrawn for personal reasons. Opening batter Evin Lewis, who last played a T20I during the 2022 World Cup, makes a welcome return. Brandon King also returns after recovering from injury.To fill the void left by Russell, West Indies have called up Trinbago Knight Riders teammate Terrance Hinds and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons' Shamar Springer. Both all-rounders impressed in the recent CPL season.Rovman Powell will continue to lead the T20I side, with Roston Chase as his deputy. Johnson Charles, who had a strong CPL campaign, missed the cut, while Andre Fletcher will serve as the reserve opener.In the ODI squad, 17-year-old Jewel Andrew has earned a surprise call-up. He could become the youngest West Indian to debut in ODI cricket. Andrew has shown promise in his limited appearances so far.Shai Hope will continue to captain the ODI team, with Alzarri Joseph as his deputy. Matthew Forde, who missed out on the T20I squad, has been included.The ODI squad also features two specialist spinners in Hayden Walsh Jr. and Gudakesh Motie. Batters Alick Athanaze and Keacy Carty retain their spots.West Indies' white-ball tour of Sri Lanka will begin on October 13 and will run until October 26.

Victoria captain Will Sutherland has confirmed that star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell will be available for a limited number of Sheffield Shield matches early in the upcoming season. Maxwell, who turns 36 in October, is currently in England with Australia's ODI team and has not played a Shield match for Victoria since February 2023.Maxwell's availability is a boost for Victoria, who are keen to have him play some red-ball cricket before Australia's Test tour to Sri Lanka in January and February next year. Maxwell was part of the Sri Lanka tour in 2022 and nearly played the first Test in Galle, with his ability as a spin-bowling allrounder seen as an asset in spinning conditions.However, Maxwell's availability will be limited due to his commitments to Australia's ODI and T20I series against Pakistan in November. He will also be unavailable for the first Shield game of the summer against Tasmania as he slowly builds up off a knee issue.Victoria are also unlikely to have Australia fast bowler Scott Boland available for the first Shield game, but he is set to be unleashed in the game against NSW at the MCG. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Steven Smith are all a chance to play for the Blues in that match.Sutherland himself will be on bowling restrictions during the start of the Shield season coming off a stress fracture in his back. He bowled six overs and made 36 not out in Victoria's opening One-Day Cup win over Tasmania on Monday in Melbourne and will bowl again in Friday's One-Day Cup game against Queensland.One man who won't be part of Victoria's Shield team at the start of the season is Will Pucovski. The one-Test opener has not been training with the group and is set to finish his playing career after a medical panel advised he not continue due to the repeated concussions that he has suffered.

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."

England's Joe Root, named Player of the Summer after the series win against Sri Lanka, expressed his delight at the team's progress and his own enjoyment of the game. Despite a loss in the third Test, Root praised the team's efforts and the emergence of new talent.Root's impressive performance in the Test summer, with 666 runs in six games, including three centuries and three fifties, earned him the Player of the Series honor. He also surpassed Alastair Cook's record of 33 Test centuries, becoming England's most successful batter in terms of centuries.In the third Test, Sri Lanka's fine century by Pathum Nissanka and inspired bowling effort secured an eight-wicket win. Nissanka's 127* and a 69-run partnership with Kusal Mendis helped Sri Lanka chase down the target of 219.Root acknowledged the challenges faced in the third Test but emphasized the team's commitment to finding ways to improve. He praised the contributions of new faces like Jamie Smith, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, and Josh Hull, highlighting the depth of talent in English cricket."It is what you pride yourself on as a senior player and as a batter. Great to see this team constantly finding new ways to look at the game and keep evolving and keep getting better," said Root. "To see some new faces come in and put their best foot forward shows the depth that we've got within this format in English cricket."Root's enthusiasm for the game and his belief in the team's potential are evident in his comments. He expressed his hope that the team's success will continue and that he will continue to enjoy playing for England.

Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell's recovery from a devastating leg injury in 2022 continues to pose challenges, affecting his ability to play cricket without discomfort. Maxwell sustained a fractured fibula, chipped tibia, and torn ankle ligaments during a celebration, forcing him to miss the Border-Gavaskar Trophy tour of India.Despite making the ODI World Cup squad, Maxwell's leg injury remains a concern, especially in light of Australia's upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. "It's still my leg. It's what is giving me the most grief since breaking it, so it's still a work in progress," Maxwell said.Maxwell's recovery requires extensive rehabilitation and gym work to strengthen his body and prevent setbacks. He has only played two first-class matches since 2019 and hasn't featured in a Test match since 2017.However, Maxwell has received assurances from selectors that an "outside the box" lineup will be considered for the Sri Lanka series. "They've been pretty open to selecting outside the box for players who do well in those conditions," he said.Maxwell acknowledges that Shield form may not be a significant factor in player selection for the Sri Lanka tour. "It's just completely different conditions, you've got to have a really solid game plan against spin and a really good idea of how you're going to tackle them in those conditions," he explained.Whether Maxwell's body will be ready for the Sri Lanka tour remains uncertain. "It would be great if I could get my body into a position where I can play over (in Sri Lanka). But as far as Shield cricket, I'm not sure how much they'll take that into consideration," he said.Maxwell's recovery journey highlights the challenges faced by athletes returning from serious injuries. His determination to overcome these obstacles and return to the highest level of cricket is a testament to his resilience and dedication to the sport.

England's Test series against Sri Lanka, commencing in Manchester on Wednesday, will be marked by a poignant tribute to the late Graham Thorpe. Thorpe, a legendary English batter and former coach, tragically took his own life at 55 due to severe depression and anxiety.Thorpe's impact on English cricket was profound. With an impressive Test average of 44.66, he was one of England's most accomplished batters. He later served as their batting coach and assistant coach, mentoring many current squad members, including Joe Root and Ben Stokes.Stokes, now England's captain, paid tribute to Thorpe by wearing a shirt bearing his name during his first Test as full-time captain. Ollie Pope, standing in for Stokes, expressed the team's deep sorrow: "He was a great man... He's such a sad loss to everyone."The teams will observe a moment of applause before the national anthems at Emirates Old Trafford, accompanied by a tribute video on the big screens. Sky Sports will also honor Thorpe, who was a close friend and former teammate to many of their commentators.Thorpe's death has been ruled as a result of traumatic injuries sustained after being struck by a train. An inquest into his death is ongoing.In addition to the Thorpe tribute, Lancashire will recognize James Anderson's illustrious career throughout the Test. Anderson will ring the bell before play and be celebrated during the lunch interval. The club has sold a significant number of advance tickets, with Friday's match already sold out.

Ollie Pope, the 82nd captain of England's Test team, will lead the side against Sri Lanka on Wednesday in the absence of injured skipper Ben Stokes. Pope, who has captained only once in first-class cricket, is determined to deliver "the same messages from a different voice" while acknowledging that "it's still Stokesy's team."Despite his limited captaincy experience, Pope has been England's vice-captain since last summer and has led Surrey in eight T20 Blast matches this season. He believes that his appointment as captain is a "great honor" and an opportunity for the team to "take a step forward."Stokes, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, will remain with the squad and provide support to Pope. Pope welcomes Stokes' presence, stating that he can "lean on him" if needed. He also appreciates Stokes' guidance on managing bowlers, an area where he seeks to improve.Pope's recent batting form has been inconsistent, but he is confident that his captaincy responsibilities will not hinder his performance. He emphasizes the importance of compartmentalizing his roles and relying on experienced teammates like Harry Brook and Joe Root for support.England will face a Sri Lankan team that recently defeated India in an ODI series. Pope is wary of Sri Lanka's experience but insists that England's focus is on their own performance. He aims for a 3-0 series whitewash but acknowledges that Sri Lanka poses a significant challenge.