BCCI postpones Cooch Behar Trophy 2021-22 due to Covid

SA vs IND | I am not near done: Rabada’s warning before landmark 50th Test appearance

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who would be appearing in his 50th Test when he takes to field against India in the third Test of the three-match Test series between the two sides, said that he is not done yet and this is just the beginning for a long career he aspires to have. Aged 26, Rabada became the youngest South African in history to reach 200 Test wickets when he did that two years ago. Currently, the right-arm fast bowler has 226 Test wickets to his name and is raring to add more to the list. “I think it’s quite special,” he said about the 50 Test landmark that he would achieve when he plays the Newlands Test starting Tuesday, January 11th. “I didn’t even know how many games I was on and only found out after the last Test match that this would be my 50th,” he added. “I’ve always wanted to represent my country, so this is a personal milestone and one that I’ll hold dear to my heart,” Rabada said before adding that reaching where he has so far has not been easy whatsoever. “It’s been tough navigating your way through the lows – I think that’s been quite difficult – and then also trying to get through the external pressures that can influence your game and also influence the team space. Those are things you have to get used to dealing and things you constantly learn how to deal with,” Rabada narrated. Asked what’s the biggest motivation for him to keep going, the Johannesburg born answered, “At the end of the day you almost have to remind yourself to keep enjoying it and remember yourself as this youngster who just wanted to represent your country and show the world what you’re about.” Currently, the leading wicket-taker in the series with 13 scalps to his name, Rabada, who made his Test debut in 2015 against India in India itself says that more than taking wickets, for him it’s about being the best version of himself. “It’s about being the best I can be and there’s no limit to that. I feel like I’m nowhere near done. You can never take international cricket for granted. For me, it’s about longevity and not doing it for just a short amount of time. It’s about doing it for a long time and that’s what keeps driving me,” he said. The Test series is currently tied at 1-1 and Rabada could play a decisive role in making sure that South Africa keep its record of not losing a Test series to India in South Africa.

Paul Stirling, Shane Getkate set to join Ireland squad in Jamaica

Ireland’s Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate will be travelling to Jamaica to join the rest of the squad after testing negative for Covid-19. The two players had earlier tested positive for the virus and had to isolate themselves at a hotel in Florida. “The pair had to isolate in Florida after testing positive for COVID. They are travelling to Jamaica today after testing negative yesterday,” a statement from Ireland Cricket said. Simi Singh and Ben White are likely to be out of the series against West Indies as they tested positive after taking a routine antigen test. They are awaiting the results of the RT-PCR tests. “While the team’s medical staff are still awaiting the results of their PCR tests after a service delay, it is likely both players will be out of the entire series after an antigen test on Friday night came back with a positive COVID result,” the statement added. The second ODI is slated to take place in Jamaica on Tuesday, January 11, 2022.

BBL 2021: Joe Clarke's responsible knock gives Melbourne Stars 5-wicket win vs Adelaide Strikers

There was a fair bit of excitement in the final moments of the Big Bash League clash between Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers when the Stars needed 7 off the final over and Qais Ahmed was on strike and Matthew Short had the ball in his hands. But Ahmed took just one delivery to bring the equation down to 1 required off 1 after he smashed a maximum on the very first ball of the final over and Short then bowled a wide delivery down the leg as the game finished in Melbourne Stars favour. They won by 5 wickets and with five balls to spare. Chasing 140 in 20 overs, the Stars lost wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 83/4 in 12 overs. But Joe Clarke held the fort from one end and notched up a 58-ball 83 during the course which included four maximums and three fours. He also stitched a stand of 50 runs with Beau Webster who returned unbeaten at 14 off 20. Rashid Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Adelaide Strikers after he returned with figures of 1/16 in 4 overs while Peter Siddle scalped a couple for 26 runs in his 4 overs. Earlier, the Strikers never really got into the groove barring Wells who scored 68 in 58 deliveries and were restricted to 139/9 in 20 overs. Haris Rauf, Qais and Adam Zampa picked up two wickets each for the side. Clarke, who was adjudged man of the match, acknowledged that it was nice to get a win at this moment. “It's nice to get a win after what we've been through in the last week or so having players missing out to COVID. It's nice to collect all four points tonight. I got out yesterday morning, had like ten minutes in the nets and the weather was good. It's not ideal, we've got a game tomorrow as well, so I'll have to make sure I am early to bed tonight. I spoke to our psychologist and said that I'll maybe lose a bit of rhythm staying in my hotel room for seven days,” he said after the match.

Big names withdraw from Big Bash’s bubble

Joining the list of withdrawers, James Pattinson, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan and Shadad Khan will no longer be seen playing for their respective clubs in the ongoing BBL season.