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Ahead Of South Africa Tour Pakistan Player Tests Positive For Covid 19

Ahead of South Africa tour, Pakistan player tests positive for COVID-19

A Pakistan player tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of their tour to South Africa. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a statement said that as many 35 tests were conducted out of which one player has tested positive.

“A total of 35 tests were conducted on the South Africa-bound Pakistan men’s national cricket team on Tuesday, 16 March. All squad members have tested negative, except for one player,” the statement said.

“Those who have tested negative will now assemble in Lahore on Thursday, 18 March, for the training camp, which will commence at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday,” the release added.

The player who has tested positive will undergo another test on Thursday and he will only be eligible to travel to Lahore if he tests negative. He would then remain in isolation for couple of more days before being retested.

“The player who has tested positive will undergo a repeat test on Thursday at his residence. If he tests negative, only then he will be eligible to travel to Lahore where he will remain in isolation for two more days before being retested.

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) was earlier got postponed with immediate effect due to rise in COVID-19 cases within the league. “The PCB, as an immediate step, will focus on the safe and secure passage of all participants, and arrange repeat PCR tests, vaccines and isolation facilities to the six participating sides,” PCB said in the press release.

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Suresh Raina postpones joining CSK camp

Chennai Super Kings and former India batsman Suresh Raina has further delayed joining the CSK training camp. Raina was earlier slated to join the camp on March 15, six days after his teammates but the left-handed batsman will now begin his training with the team after March 24. CSK CEO Kasi Vishwanathan while talking to InsideSport told that Raina had some ‘personal work’. “He has some personal work to attend. Once he finishes it he will join us. He has communicated to us that he will join the camp after March 24,” Kashi told InsideSport. “There is no problem. He has some personal commitments and taken permission from the team for joining a bit late. Let us respect every individual’s decision on this,” he further said. Raina missed the IPL 2020 citing personal reasons but has been a vital of the CSK side. "Suresh Raina has returned to India for personal reasons and will be unavailable for the remainder of the IPL season," said a statement from CSK's CEO on the IPL franchise's official Twitter handle. "Chennai Super Kings offers complete support to Suresh Raina and his family during this time," the statement added. Raina has played for CSK and Gujarat Lions in the IPL and has amassed over 5000 runs in 193 matches at an average of 33.34 and a strike rate of above 137. CSK have been crowned the IPL champions thrice but had a forgettable run in the last edition of the league when they were knocked out of the tournament in the league stage itself for the first time.

INDW vs SAW | India continue to struggle as SA win series 4-1

South Africa women’s team continued form against India after beating the Mithali Raj-led side by 5 wickets in the fifth and final ODI in Lucknow to wrap the series 4-1. The South African side were handed a target of 189 runs in 50 overs and the visitors chased down the target in the 49th over. Though, South Africa had early hiccups in the chase after Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up a couple of early wickets. The visitors were left tottering at 27/3 with Sune Luus, Laura Wolvaardt and Lara Goodall back in the hut. But Mignon du Preez and Anne Bosch then joined hands and stitched a partnership of 96 runs before Bosch departed for 58. Preez was the fifth batter to be dismissed for 57. Marizanne Kapp who remained not out at 36 along with Nadine de Klerk Made sure that the South African team didn’t lose any further wickets. The two anchored the Proteas side to win. Earlier, the Indian batting line up failed to leave a mark. Captain Mithali Raj though notched up a half-century to take India a total of 188/9 in 49.3 overs. Harmanpreet Kaur had to go back to the pavilion retired hurt. Klerk picked up three wickets for South Africa while Shangase and Sekhukhune scalped a couple of wickets each. The Indian team only managed to win the second ODI and will now lock horns with the South African team in the three-match T20I series scheduled to begin on March 20 in Lucknow.

Ross Taylor ruled out of first ODI against Bangladesh

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the first ODI against Bangladesh due to "a small tear in his left hamstring". All-rounder Mark Chapman has come in as the cover for Taylor. The right-handed batsman picked up the injury while fielding in a Plunket Shield match between Central Stags and Wellington Firebirds. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead expressed his disappointment about the same. “It’s a shame for Ross to have this happen on the eve of a series," Stead said. "It's a small tear and we're hopeful after some rest and rehabilitation we can get him fit for the second game in Christchurch.” "It's an exciting time for Mark who's come in and performed well recently for the T20 side, so we have full confidence he can do the job if called upon." The ODI series is slated to begin on Saturday in Dunedin. The second ODI will take place on March 23 in Christchurch while the third and final match will be played on March 26 in Wellington. The ODI series will be followed by three-match T20I. Earlier, skipper Kane Williamson was also ruled out of the ODI series after he had to rehabilitate from an elbow injury. "Kane's been managing the elbow injury to varying degrees this summer and unfortunately it hasn't improved," NZC medical manager Dayle Shackel said.

CSA drops Faf du Plessis from central contract; Heinrich Klaasen earns contract for 2021-22

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has not been awarded a central contract by Cricket South Africa for the 2021-22 season. His place in the 15 member squad of centrally contracted players has been taken by Heinrich Klaasen who led the Proteas in the last T20I series on the tour of Pakistan. Du Plessis will be available for selection in the ICC events, but at the same time, the absence of a contract from CSA will give him the freedom to chose his preference in terms of playing in the T20 leagues such as the IPL, PSL, Big Bash and CPL, or international cricket for the Proteas. The cricket board has also awarded a central contract to Lara Goodall from the Women’s team for his match-winning contributions on the tour of India. "On behalf of CSA, I would like to congratulate Lara Goodall and Heinrich Klaasen on their newly awarded contracts. Their performances on the field of play as well as the way they have carried themselves off the field has done the talking for them and we are pleased to reward the hard work that they have put in,” Pholetsi Moseki, CSA's acting chief executive, said in the CSA’S statement. South Africa are due to host Pakistan next month in a return series after touring the country earlier this year. CSA’s Men's contracted players Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen CSA’s Women's contracted players Dané van Niekerk, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Lizelle Lee, Suné Luus, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt