Australia’s limited-overs tour sandwiched between South Africa and Pakistan long tours of Caribbean

The West Indies is ready to welcome what is going to be a heck of a cricketing summer starting June 2021. After the announcement of Pakistan and South Africa's Test and T20I tours to the Caribbean, Cricket West Indies also confirmed that the Kangaroos would be touring the group island for two limited-overs series, a five-match T20I series and three-match ODI series, starting July 9.

While the T20i fixtures will all take place at the Daren Sammy Stadium in St. Lucia, the same place where the Proteas would play their five-match T20I series against the Men in Maroon, Barbados’ Kensington Oval would be the venue for the three ODIs. The Day/ Night games would also be a part of the International Cricket Council's ODI Super League, which will determine automatic qualification for the top seven teams for the 2023 ODI World Cup to be held in India.

This would be Australia’s first visit to the Caribbean since the 2016 Tri-Series, which they won beating the West Indies in the final. South Africa was the other team. Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave was excited about the summer announcements. He said, "To host three international teams back-to-back in five territories is unprecedented, and putting these fixtures together was an enormous Covid-related logistical challenge."

Just after the end of these three series, the Caribbean Premier League would begin in St. Kitts and Nevis.

T20i Series Schedule

First T20: July 9, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia

Second T20: July 10, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia

Third T20: July 12, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia

Fourth T20: July 14, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia

Fifth T20: July 16, Daren Sammy Stadium, St Lucia

ODI Series Schedule

First ODI: July 20, Kensington Oval, Barbados,

Second ODI: July 22, Kensington Oval, Barbados

Third ODI: July 24, Kensington Oval, Barbados

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South Africa announce West Indies tour; 2 Tests, 5 T20Is on the menu

Cricket South Africa announced its Men’s team’s bilateral tour of West Indies for the first time in 11 years. The team would play a two-match Test series which would be followed by a five-match T20I series. Although the Proteas will arrive in St. Lucia on June o1, the Test series would begin with the first Test on June 10 at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground. For the T20I series, the teams would move to Grenada where they will play matches at the National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, beginning with the first one on June 26. Director of Cricket, CSA, Graeme Smith was delighted to announce the tour and thanked the Cricket West Indies and the respective governments for agreeing to host the team at the time when Covid-19’s second wave has been wreaking havoc in the world. “We are extremely pleased to have the men’s team’s tour to the West Indies officially confirmed. Covid-19 has played havoc with the ICC Future Tours Programme and we are thankful to Cricket West Indies and the governments of St. Lucia and Grenada for ensuring that the tour goes ahead as planned,” Smith said in a media release. The last time South Africa toured West indies, they clean swept the T20Is (2-0), ODIs (5-0) and won the three-match Test series 2-0. Test Series Schedule 10 – 14 June – 1st. Test, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia 18 – 22 June – 2nd. Test, Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, St Lucia T20I series schedule 26 June – 1st. T20I, National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada 27 June – 2nd. T20I, National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada 29 June – 3rd. T20I, National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada 01 July – 4th. T20I, National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada 03 July – 5th. T20I, National Cricket Stadium, St George’s, Grenada

Mumbai Indians pacers laud coach Shane Bond, Bumrah calls him a huge influence

Mumbai Indians bowling coach Shane Bond has been a great influence on him feels Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The two have been together at the Blue and Gold brigade since 2015, when Bumrah, who arrived at the franchise through a talent scouting by John Wright in 2013, was just two years old into the set-up. “I met him for the first time in 2015,” said Bumrah in a video uploaded on MI’s official Twitter handle. “As a child, I had seen him bowl and was always fascinated by the way he used to bowl and operate for New Zealand,” added the 27-year-old. Bumrah then went on to say that Bond has had a great influence on his bowling career. He further said that he talks to his IPL coach about his game, even when he is on India duty. “He helped me a lot to open my mind to different things that I could try on the field. That relationship grew from there and has gotten better by the day. Even when I am away with the Indian team, I keep in touch with him,” said Bumrah. Other pacers which included three from Bond’s home country New Zealand (Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham and Adam Milne) also felt that the 45-year-old has been a great addition to their respective careers. Milne, 29, who is considered as a prodigy of Bond and has played under his guidance at both Mumbai Indians and Sydney Thunder in BBL, says, “He‘s been huge for me in my career. Right from when I was a 17-year-old and had very limited knowledge of the game, he has given me little tips here and there without trying to control me.” Bond on his part called Jasprit Bumrah the best death bowler in the world right now.

Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma raise funds over Rs 11 Cr

India captain Virat Kohli and his better half Anushka Sharma have raised funds more than INR 11 Cr. Kohli took to Twitter and thanked everyone for the donations and their efforts. “Words fall short to express how overwhelmed we feel to have exceeded our target not once, but twice, thanks to each one of you. To everyone who has donated, shared, & helped in any way, I want to say a big thank you. We are #InThisTogether & we will overcome this together,” he wrote on Twitter. The couple had earlier announced that they have partnered with fundraising platform Ketto for the initiative #InThisTogether and will be raising money for the fight against Covid-19 in the country. They themselves made a donation worth Rs 2 Cr. Bollywood actress Anushka too hailed the spirit of solidarity shown by people."We are proud to announce that we have raised more than our initial target and it will go a long way to save lives. Thank you for your overwhelming support in helping the people of India. This wouldn’t be possible without you. Jai Hind,” she wrote. Kohli will be flying to England with the Indian team later this month. The team will be playing the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton which will be followed by a five-match Test series against England.

Archer not worried about getting into English Test side; waiting for marquee India series

English paceman Jofra Archer is not worried about getting into the Test team this summer, especially straightaway after recovering from his elbow injury. Playing for Sussex in the County Championship 2021, Archer thinks that he has still got time up his sleeves to try and force his way into the England side by the time the English home summer kicks in. “If I am in [the English Test side] I will be happy, if not I will just have to take that, no real reason to worry over spilt milk,” Archer said at an end of the day’s play interview to Sussex’s Youtube channel. Archer in his comeback game picked two crucial wickets of Kent in opener Daniel Bell-Drummond and fellow teammate from England Zak Crawley. “I have still got few more games to put into and have some confidence in the arm, so for me, everything is straight right now,” Archer said about his plans to get into the England team before the prized five-match series against India begins in August this year. Saying that it was a nice feeling to be back at Sussex, the 26-year-old confessed, “I would much rather have a game here after my injury than somewhere else.” Archer was given short spells of 3-4 overs at the Hove County Ground and he was lethal in them, bouncing people on the ground, nipping past the edges and even threatening with an odd yorker. He ended up with figures of 2/29 from his 13 overs. Asked if short spells are his thing, the Barbados born said, It’s all tactics wise.” “Somedays you might have four-seamers (Sussex in this game had three only) and then one of them can go for longer spells considering the fact that there are three other bowlers who will cover-up. And it also depends on the wicket. If it is a 400-500 wicket then longer spells become important,” he added.