AUS vs IND: Henriques replaces injured Sean Abbot for the Adelaide Test

West Indies fancy the path less trodden

In the talismanic tutelage of Jason Holder, West Indies are finally learning to unlearn the flawed education so deeply rooted in their conscience.

Cameron Green Concussion: Siraj receives accolades for sportsmanship spirit

People on social media and the Australian media heaped praises on Indian speedster Mohammed Siraj for his sportsmanship spirit that he showed in the Warm-Up day-night First-Class match against Australia A in Sydney. "Indian cricketer Mohd Siraj has been praised for his sportsmanship in helping young all-rounder Cameron Green after he suffered a blow to the head during the match," tweeted 9News Australia. The tweet was referring to the incident where Siraj, who was standing at the non-striker’s end rushed straight to Green instead of taking the run, which his on strike Batsman had started after hitting the ball. The ABC group also praised Mohammed Siraj, who, having recently lost his father, chose to stay back in Australia and fulfill his Dad’s wish of playing Test cricket for India instead of going back home for his funeral. "Non-striker Mohammed Siraj and umpire Gerard Abood rushed to check on the star all-rounder, who patted Bumrah on the leg to assure him he was OK," said abc.net.au. "Mohammed Siraj, at the non-striker's end, dropped his bat and immediately rushed to check on the injured bowler," the website added. In the game, which ended in a draw, India in the first innings was struggling badly when Number-10 Bumrah and number 11 Siraj put on 71 runs for the last wicket to take the total to 194. While Bumrah completed his first-ever first-class fifty (54 not out), Siraj made 22.

Time is gold: Rogers feels Pucovski can fight his short ball demons

Australia A Assistant coach Chris Rogers believes that rising Aussie star with the bat, Will Pucovski can fight his demons with the short ball as he has shown in the past. "Time is gold. From my own experience, you just need a bit of time to get over it [short ball fear], and then get back in the nets, almost go through your process again, face your fears down a little bit, and almost get back on the horse," Rogers told Sydney Morning Herald. Rogers, who played 25 Tests for Australia was also tested by short balls during his time and that’s why he believes that Pucovski with the time at his side could become the next big thing for Aussies. But for that to happen, the Victorian coach [Victoria is Pucovski’s home team] believes that the prodigy needs to utilize his time off the first game. "Every day is going to count for him. And now he has a bit more time to prepare for (the second Test in) Melbourne, that's going to help. He's been through it before and keeps coming out the other side, so he's definitely shown resilience around it," said the 43-year-old. Pucovski, 22, selected in Australia's squad for Tests against India got concussed while playing a game for Australia A against the visiting team in Sydney. He has thus been ruled out of the first Test. Saying that Pucovski has been playing short ball all through the Sheffield Shield this year, Rogers, who scored 2015 runs for Australia at an average of 42.87 said, "But what people might not know is he played a couple of Shield games and they tried to bounce him from almost the 10th over, for his whole innings, and he got two double hundreds.” While India play their first game against Australia in Adelaide, Pucovskvi might get to play at his home turf in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, which starts from 26th December.

England name Test squad for Sri Lanka series, Stokes and Archer rested

The England Cricket Team selectors have announced a 16 man strong squad for their tour of Sri Lanka which starts in January. Along with 16 main players, seven others have been named in the reserve list considering that the covid-19 is still a major issue for players' availability. Considering it as an acclimatizing tour before the India series begins in February, the selectors have thought of resting Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer. Jos Buttler, the main wicketkeeper part of this series, might be rested for some part of the India tour as well. "The way to think about this winter is in three blocks of two Tests: Sri Lanka, India 1 and 2, India 3 and 4," Ed Smith, the chief selector said. "We think that's the only way to make sure we balance having the right number of resources in each position, and also getting rest into those multi-format players like Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Ben Stokes, and also Sam Curran, Mark Wood, Chris Woakes, etc," he added. Talking about Ben Stokes’ absence from the series due to his father’s death, Ed said, “It is a very difficult time for Ben and all our thoughts are with him and his family," Smith said. "[In the circumstances], it made sense for Ben to take his rest for the Sri Lankan tour, and to get ready for India." Jonny Bairstow has found a place for the first time in the Test squad after last year’s South Africa series and he would like to make it count. "Jonny has a really great opportunity here to get back into the Test mix as a batter, and that's a really exciting possibility for him," Smith said. Dan Lawrence, an England Lions’ success story has also found a place in the senior side for the first time and in the absence of Ollie Pope from the main squad might get a chance as well. "This is a great opportunity for Dan Lawrence," Smith said. "He's a really talented cricketer, a confident player in good form, and he is absolutely delighted about being selected in the full squad,” added the English selector about Lawrence. The bowling unit has the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad along with three spinners in Jack Leach, Dom Bess, and Moeen Ali. Two express quicks in the form of Mark Wood and Ollie Stone have also found a place. The team is scheduled to play two Tests starting 14th January in Galle. England men's Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dom Sibley, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood. Reserves: James Bracey, Mason Crane, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, Ollie Robinson, Amar Virdi.