BCCI President Sourav Ganguly hospitalised with heart issue at Woodlands

BCCI rubbishes biosecurity bubble protocol breach

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rubbished of the claims of biosecurity bubble breach by the Indian players in Australia. "No, there has been no breach in bio-security protocols. Everyone associated with the Indian team is well aware of the protocols," the official said on conditions of anonymity. Earlier, the Indian cricket board was investigating a possible breach of a biosecurity bubble after few of the players from the Test side were filmed having food in a Melbourne restaurant. The visuals show Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Navdeep Saini and Prithvi Shaw dining out Chadstone Shopping Centre. The staff at the restaurant confirmed that the members of the team had dined out at the place, according to a report in The Sun-Herald and The Sunday Age . The controversy got the limelight after an Indian fan Navaldeep Singh had posted a footage on social media claiming that he had paid the bill of $118.69 for the players. He further went on to say that he even hugged Pant. But the fan later made the clarification that the social distancing was maintained. The BCCI is investigating the matter. The spokesperson of the board has resisted from making any further comments.

It is written as 17-18 years on paper, but the bowlers are actually 27-28 years old: Asif

Fast bowler Mohammad Asia has made a big revelation about age fraud in Pakistan cricket. Asia has said that the bowlers from Pakistan who are written as 17-18 years on paper are perhaps 27-28. “And they are so aged. It is written as 17-18 years on paper, but they are actually 27-28 years old because they don’t have the flexibility to bowl 20-25 overs. They don’t know how to bend the body; they become stiff. They are not able to stand on the field after bowling a 5-6 over spell,” he said on Akmal's YouTube channel. Asif also talked about the struggles that Pakistan bowlers face in the Test cricket and how there has been no seamer who has picked up a 10-fer in a match for 5-6 years. “I feel it might have been 5-6 years since a fast bowler took 10 wickets in a match. We used to salivate after seeing the pitches like the ones in New Zealand. There was no question of leaving the ball as a fast bowler. I never used to leave the ball before taking a five-wicket haul,” he stated. The right-handed fast bowler has played 23 Test matches for Pakistan where he has bagged 106 wickets at an average of 24.4 including 7 fifers. Asif has also been a part of the ODI and T20I teams for Pakistan. He has a total of 46 wickets in 38 ODIs while has picked 13 scalps in T20Is. Asia was found guilty in a spot-fixing scandal in February 2011 along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir.

Bottom of the table Renegades up against Scorchers with renewed confidence

Finally, Perth Scorchers registered their first win of the season when they got the better of Adelaide Strikers. Their next challenge is to take on Melbourne Renegades. The Renegades are in a miserable state themselves. They have now lost five games in a row. Playing on their home soil, Perth should have the advantage. However, since they themselves haven’t got going this season, there is no room for complacency. This match will also feature the clash of Marsh brothers. While both hail from Western Australia, Shaun will be wearing red for the Melbourne side in this contest. On the other hand, Mitchell would be the key player for the Scorchers. Scorchers off the Mark After much struggle, Scorchers are off the mark in the tournament. Jason Roy seems to have an uncanny ability to turn around the fortunes of the team he plays in. In 2019, he re-energised England’s campaign in the World Cup when he returned from an injury. His arrival in the Scorchers camp seems to be having a similar impact. The Perth side are also benefitting from the good efforts of Marsh and captain Ashton Turner. Even Aaron Hardie, lower in the order, is a handy bat. All these batsmen have great power-hitting ability which makes them very dangerous in this format. There is a little worry with the form of Colin Munro. The New Zealander hasn’t lived up to the expectations. The trio of Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, and Jason Behrendorff is a potent one. On most days, at least one of the three is likely to come good. They have got good support from Aaron Hardie who has the ability to bowl a heavy ball. Unfortunately, for the pacers, there hasn’t been much help from Fawad Ahmed. He has been underwhelming this season even though other leggies have made a big mark. Renegades in a Rut Shaun Marsh played a brilliant innings in the last game and could easily have got to a hundred. His partner Aaron Finch too is a proven commodity. The pair is among the best in the league this season. Even if they get their team to 50 in quick time, they would set up the game nicely. The arrival of Mohammad Nabi has been useful for the Renegades. He played a good supporting role in the last match to Marsh. The experience that the veteran Afghan player brings in strengthens the middle order. The decision to promote Sam Harper to no. 3 hasn’t worked yet. Still, he is an exciting talent to watch out for. Since leg-spinners have been in vogue this season, there will be pressure on Peter Hatzoglou to perform. He has been impressive this season but doesn’t have the consistency that a Rashid Khan or an Adam Zampa possess. Imad Wasim is a good addition to the team with his ability to bowl a tight line and length. But that may not be enough on a good Perth wicket. The pair of Kane Richardson and Will Sutherland will be under the spotlight. At Perth, they have to make a mark with the ball. Scorchers vs Renegades: Match Details Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth Date and Time: January 3, 10:35 AM IST, 1:05 PM Local, 5:05 AM GMT Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report Perth has traditionally been known as the home of the fastest pitch in the world. Even though the venue for cricket matches is now the Optus Stadium and not WACA, the pitch in the town remains fast and bouncy. This is expected to be the case for this match also. But, the true bounce may also favour the batsmen. Leg spinners may also profit from excess bounce. Weather and Toss Temperatures are usually higher in Western Australia but evenings are likely to be cool and calm. There is no chance of rain and a slight wind may also play a part in the game. Toss is not likely to be affected by the conditions in the sky. Probable XI Scorchers: Jason Roy, Liam Livingstone, Colin Munro, Josh Inglis (Wk), Mitchell Marsh, Ashton Turner (C), Aaron Hardie, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed Renegades: Aaron Finch (C), Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper (Wk), Rilee Rossouw, Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou, Mitchell Perry

Not sure if Natarajan can be consistent in Tests: David Warner

Left-arm pacer T Natarajan has been included in the Indian Test squad as a replacement for Umesh Yadav. Natarajan had been pretty impressive in the limited-overs format earlier on this tour and is likely to play in the longer format too for the side. Australia opener and Natarajan’s Sunrisers Hyderabad’s skipper David Warner has said that the left-arm seamer has the ability but isn’t sure whether he would be able to continue blowing at same line and length. “Good question but I am not too sure. You guys would be knowing his (Natarajan) Ranji Trophy stats and how he delivers day in and day out. I know he has line and lengths to do that, but obviously, back-to-back overs in a Test match? I am not a hundred percent sure,” Warner said during a virtual media interaction. Earlier, Natarajan was roped in place of Yadav who has sustained a calf injury during the second Test against Australia in Melbourne. While Natarajan replaced Yadav, fast bowler Shardul Thakur has been included in the side in place of Mohammed Shami who was injured during the first Test. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named T Natarajan as Yadav’s replacement. Ahead of the Boxing Day Test, Shardul Thakur was added to the Test squad as Mohd. Shami's replacement after the senior fast bowler suffered a hairline fracture in his right forearm. Both Shami and Umesh Yadav will head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further rehabilitation of their injuries,” BCCI said in its release. In other developments, Rohit Sharma has been handed over the vice-captaincy of the side. India and Australia begin the third Test on January 7 in Sydney.