Cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) has defended its decision to rest key players for the series-deciding ODI against Pakistan, citing the need to prioritize player fitness and performance in the upcoming Test series. However, CA CEO Nick Hockley acknowledged that the organization is reviewing the travel schedule for next summer's white-ball series against India to ensure Australia can field its strongest XI more consistently.The decision to rest Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith, and Marnus Labuschagne from the third ODI in Perth drew criticism, as Australia suffered a series loss to Pakistan. However, CA explained that the plan to rest the fast bowlers had been in place since the schedule was announced, considering the demanding summer schedule that includes seven Tests and the Champions Trophy.Medical and strength and conditioning data indicate that fast bowlers are at a high risk of injury when given only a one-day break with a long flight, as was the case with the third ODI in Perth. Australia's recent experience in the UK, where they lost six fast bowlers to injury, reinforced this concern.Hockley emphasized the extensive planning and preparation involved in squad selection and player management. He stated that the decision to rest the Test players was made to ensure their fitness for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series and the Champions Trophy.However, Hockley acknowledged the lessons learned from the ODI series loss and indicated that CA will review the schedule for next summer's white-ball series against India, which precedes the Ashes. The goal is to optimize the travel schedule to minimize player fatigue and maximize the availability of the best possible XI.The challenge lies in balancing commercial needs with player welfare. Ideally, Australia would prefer to field its full-strength XI in all three games of an ODI series, but such a scenario would conflict with optimal broadcast and attendance schedules.Pakistan, on the other hand, played the same XI in all three ODIs, demonstrating the challenges all countries face in fielding full-strength teams for every international game. Hockley emphasized that CA has been criticized in the past for not providing opportunities to new players, and the ODI series loss provided a chance to expose young talent to the pressures of international cricket.

Pakistan cricket is navigating a period of upheaval, marked by coaching departures, leadership changes, and player dynamics. Amidst this turmoil, former captain Babar Azam has emerged as a beacon of hope, receiving a warm welcome upon his arrival in Australia for the upcoming white-ball series.Despite a recent dip in form, fans eagerly awaited Azam's arrival at the airport, eager to take selfies and offer words of encouragement. The viral video of his reception underscores his enduring popularity.Azam returns to international cricket after being rested for the final two Tests against England. Relieved of the captaincy burden, he can now focus solely on his batting. He will feature in three ODIs and three T20Is against Australia before sitting out the Zimbabwe series to prepare for future challenges.Off the field, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is grappling with turbulence following Gary Kirsten's abrupt resignation as white-ball coach. Kirsten, who signed a two-year deal in April, departed after just six months, citing internal disagreements. The PCB's decision to remove voting powers from coaches in team selection reportedly contributed to the friction.With Kirsten's departure, Test coach Jason Gillespie will guide the team on the Australia tour. Pakistan will begin training in Melbourne on November 1, with the first ODI scheduled for November 4.As the squad seeks stability under new captain Mohammad Rizwan, all eyes will be on Babar Azam to rediscover his form and anchor the team through these crucial matches. His batting prowess and leadership qualities will be vital as Pakistan navigates this challenging period.

Pakistan's cricket team is set to welcome back key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia. The trio had been rested for the two-Test series against England.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) matches in Australia and Zimbabwe, which begin next month. New faces have been included in the squads, while senior players Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan are notable absentees.Fakhar Zaman is under investigation by the PCB for a tweet he posted in support of Babar Azam before the England Tests, which led to his exclusion. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is expected to announce the new captains for the limited-overs formats at a media conference later today.Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha are anticipated to be named the new white-ball captains. The selectors aim to use the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to evaluate new players.The main players will participate in the three ODIs and T20Is each in Australia. Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, who were sidelined after the first Test against England, are back for the Australian leg of the tour. They will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour.The Australia tour is scheduled from November 4 to 18. The three-match ODI and T20I series in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will take place from November 24 to December 5.Pakistan is also set to tour South Africa for three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in December and January.

Sri Lanka and West Indies will face off in the second ODI of a three-match series in Pallekele on Wednesday, with the hosts aiming to secure a white-ball series double. Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the rain-hit ODI opener on Monday, while West Indies will be determined to force a decider in the final match on Saturday.Sri Lanka's squad boasts a blend of experience and youth, with Kusal Mendis leading the charge as captain. Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka provide stability in the batting lineup, while Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana offer spin options.West Indies, on the other hand, will rely on the experience of Shai Hope, who will captain the side. Brandon King, Keacy Carty, and Sherfane Rutherford form a formidable batting unit, while Alzarri Joseph and Hayden Walsh provide pace and spin, respectively.The first ODI was a closely contested affair, with Sri Lanka ultimately prevailing by 1 wicket. West Indies will be eager to level the series and force a decider, while Sri Lanka will be determined to seal the series victory.The match will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, which has hosted numerous memorable matches in the past. The pitch is expected to be conducive to both batting and bowling, promising an exciting contest.

Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head Coach: A Catalyst for Fresh Energy and PerformanceFormer Sri Lankan batter Russel Arnold has lauded the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of Team India, succeeding Rahul Dravid. Arnold believes that Gambhir's leadership will infuse the team with fresh energy and prevent complacency among players.Gambhir's debut as head coach will be in the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, commencing on Saturday. Arnold praised Gambhir's managerial skills and his ability to deliver results. "Gautam Gambhir has shown that he can get a message across and get others to perform," Arnold said in an interview with News 18.Arnold emphasized the importance of change in maintaining a competitive edge. He believes that Gambhir's distinct approach will positively jolt the team. "There'll be a bit of adjustment for people to come to terms with Gautam Gambhir, but I think the change is also good because then you become too familiar with one system and hence they'll be shaken up, maybe even woken up that you still need to get better and you still need to perform a lot more," Arnold explained.The India vs Sri Lanka series, beginning with the first T20I at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, marks the start of a new era for Team India under Gambhir's guidance. Arnold expressed confidence in Gambhir's ability to bring about positive changes and inspire the team to greater heights.

Sri Lanka Appoints Charith Asalanka as New T20 Captain Ahead of India SeriesSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has appointed Charith Asalanka as the new captain of the national Twenty20 team. The 27-year-old middle-order batsman takes over from Wanindu Hasaranga, who resigned after Sri Lanka's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup in June.Asalanka's appointment comes ahead of a white-ball series against visiting India, which begins with three T20 matches on Saturday in Pallekele. The three-match ODI series will follow, starting on August 2 in Colombo.Dhananjaya de Silva remains the Test captain, while the board has not yet announced any changes to the ODI team, currently led by Kusal Mendis.Asalanka has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka in recent years, averaging over 30 in T20 internationals. He has also shown leadership qualities, having captained the Sri Lanka A team and the Colombo Stars in the Lanka Premier League.The Indian team arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday and will be looking to continue their recent dominance over their hosts. India has won the last five T20 series between the two sides, including a 3-0 sweep in February 2022.Sri Lanka will be hoping to use the home advantage to their benefit and put up a strong challenge against a formidable Indian team. Asalanka's appointment as captain is a sign of the board's confidence in his ability to lead the team to success.

Team India embarked on their journey to Sri Lanka on Monday for the upcoming white-ball series, commencing on July 27. The tour features three T20Is and three ODIs, with Suryakumar Yadav leading the T20I squad and Rohit Sharma captaining the ODI team.The appointment of Shubman Gill as vice-captain in both formats raised eyebrows, as many expected Hardik Pandya to assume the role. However, chairman of the selection committee Ajit Agarkar explained the decision, citing Gill's all-format capabilities and leadership qualities."Shubman is a three-format player who has shown quality over the last year or so," Agarkar said. "We want someone who can learn from senior players like Surya and Rohit, so we don't face challenges in finding a captain in case of injuries or loss of form."The series marks the return of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, who were overlooked in recent series. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant also made the squad, despite his recent injury layoff.Agarkar emphasized that the door remains open for former deputies like Rahul, Pant, and Pandya to assume leadership roles in the future. "We need to get Pant playing again," he said. "KL has not been part of T20s for a while, so we'll see what he can do."The Indian team will be eager to perform well in Sri Lanka, as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. The series will provide valuable experience and help the team fine-tune their strategies.

Former Indian leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule has been appointed as Team India's bowling coach for the upcoming six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Bahutule, who has served as a bowling coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for the past three years, will join the Indian team in Colombo on Monday.Bahutule, who played two Tests and eight ODIs for India between 1997 and 2003, has a wealth of experience in domestic cricket. He has played 188 first-class matches, taking 630 wickets at an average of 26.00 and scoring 6176 runs at an average of 31.83.Bahutule's appointment is seen as a positive move for India's young spinners. He has a proven track record of working with young players and has been credited with helping to develop some of India's most promising spinners, including Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar.Bahutule's presence in the Indian team is expected to be particularly beneficial for the team's spinners in the T20I series. India's spin attack in the T20Is will be led by Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, and Washington Sundar, all of whom have worked with Bahutule in the past.Bahutule's appointment is also seen as a sign of the BCCI's commitment to developing young players. The BCCI has been criticized in the past for not giving enough opportunities to young players, but the appointment of Bahutule suggests that the board is now taking a more proactive approach to player development.Bahutule's appointment is a temporary one, as the BCCI is still in the process of finalizing a permanent bowling coach for the Indian team. However, Bahutule's experience and expertise make him a valuable addition to the Indian team for the Sri Lanka series.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has requested the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) to postpone the upcoming white-ball series scheduled for late July in Greater Noida, India. The BCB has cited concerns over the weather conditions during that time of year, which is typically the monsoon season in the subcontinent.The ACB had initially proposed a schedule of three ODIs and three T20Is between July 25 and August 6. However, the BCB believes that the weather in Greater Noida during that period would not be suitable for international cricket.The BCB had previously postponed the series due to concerns over player workload management. Bangladesh's next assignment is a two-Test series in Pakistan from mid-August, followed by a tour of India in September and October. The team will also play two Tests against South Africa at home and a full tour of the West Indies later in the year.The BCB has requested that the series against Afghanistan be rescheduled to a time when both boards can find a suitable window. The ACB has yet to respond to the request.The postponement of the Afghanistan series is part of the BCB's efforts to manage the workload of its players. The team has a busy schedule in the coming months, including the World Test Championship cycle, which concludes in December 2024.