Bengal skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran tests positive ahead of Ranji season

Three South African players put under isolation after player tests positive

Yet again COVID-19 has affected international cricket as one South African cricketer has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. While the name of the South African player has not been disclosed, he has been put in isolation along with two other players who might have come in close proximity with him. “One player has returned a positive test result and two players were considered close contacts based on the risk assessment undertaken by the medical team. All three players have been placed in immediate isolation in Cape Town as part of the COVID-19 protocols. While all players are asymptomatic, CSA’s medical team will monitor them to ensure their health and well-being,” Cricket South Africa was quoted as saying in an official statement. “CSA can confirm that approximately 50 COVID-19 PCR tests were performed on players and support staff prior to entering the bio-safe environment in Cape Town for their upcoming limited-overs tour against England. The testing is in line with fulfilling the organisation’s obligation and commitment to its duty of care to its team and to the broader public in controlling the spread of the virus.” CSA has confirmed that two replacement players will be included in the limited-overs squad for the series against England but the players put under isolation won’t be replaced for the series. Before getting into the bio-secure bubble in Cape Town which is the venue for the opening T20I, almost 50 tests were conducted. Meanwhile, the Newlands in Cape Town and the Boland Park in Paarl will host all these 6 limited-overs matches. It must also be noted here that all the visiting English cricketers have tested negative after landing in the Rainbow Nation. The opening T20I will be played on 27 November at Newlands Cape Town followed by the next two on 29 November and 1 December. The ODI series will commence on December 4 followed by the next two matches on December 6 and December 9. While 4 out of the 6 matches will be played at the Newlands in Cape Town, two will be hosted by the Boland Park in Paarl.

Babar Azam remembers Dean Jones after Karachi Kings win PSL 2020

Late Dean Jones, the former Australian batsman, and coach of the Karachi Kings outfit in the Pakistan Super League were remembered by the team’s players led by their captain on its historic title win. Babar Azam, the Kings’ captain posted an emotional tweet with Jones’ photo alongside a victorious Karachi Kings, saying that the job has been finally done. “Deano, job done coach! #Champions #KarachiKings,” Babar tweeted after Kings’ historic five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars. But it was not the first time that the newly appointed all formats captain of Pakistan had shown gratitude towards their deceased coach through tweets. Earlier after Karachi reached their first-ever PSL finals in the history of the tournament by beating Multan Sultans in the Super Over, he had tweeted, “This is for you Deano - the first final for #KarachiKings! #GoneButNeverForgotten #DoItForDeano.” In the finals of the PSL, which was hosted in November in Karachi after the pandemic forced its postponement from March, Kings chased down a mellow total of 135 set up by Qalandars in the nineteenth over itself with 8 balls to spare. The 25-year-old Babar Azam was awarded Man of the Match for his composed innings of 63 not out. Imad Wasim the spin-bowling all-rounder too thanked and remembered Dean Jones in his tweet after the victory. Imad wrote, “To the people of Karachi and supporters of @KarachiKingsARY: we did it! To @ProfDeano: your Kings miss you. We hope you can see the trophy shine from Karachi all the way up there Red heart @Salman_ARY @wasimakramlive.” Jones, coach of Karachi Kings and a former coach of Islamabad United in PSL had passed away in September due to cardiac arrest while he was in Mumbai on commentary duties for the Indian Premier League.

Josh Hazlewood suggests alternate venue for opening Test vs India

When the limited-overs series ends between Australia and India on 8th December, all the players would move to Adelaide for the first Test. But the recent rise in covid-19 cases in the city has cast doubts over the hosting of the first Test of the Australian summer, a day/ night affair. Josh Hazlewood, the Australian quick believes that if the Test could not be hosted in Adelaide due to any reason, then it should be relocated to the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia’s historical opening Test venue. "The longer we wait the hotter it gets up there (Brisbane), so the quicks would all be happy to get that game done in December," Hazlewood was quoted as saying to cricket.com.au. "We obviously have a really good record up there and it's a great place to start," he added. The 32-year old further went on to say that the first Test could be converted into a red ball affair because any other pitch apart from Adelaide is not conducive for Pink Ball Test. "[It] Could be a red ball (first Test in) Melbourne or Brisbane or somewhere, then we head back to Adelaide later on in the summer. He (curator Damian Hough) has got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test," he said. "A few grounds around Australia are too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth. Those wickets are too hard for a pink ball, it goes quite soft after a certain amount of time,” the Tamworth born reasoned about why the Pink Ball Test should only be held in Adelaide. However, the perfectionist of ‘Line and Length’ was still hopeful that the Test would eventually happen in Adelaide and even if it did not, the Australian team had no problem in adapting. “From all reports, we're still good for Adelaide but it can always change. Hopefully, they can get on top of it in the next week or two," He said. "We're adapting pretty quickly to whatever is being thrown in front of us," the New South Wales pacer added.

Aus vs Ind: Andrew Tye replaces Kane Richardson in the Aussie squad

As Kane Richardson, the original choice bowler decided to stay away from cricket and spend time with his family, especially the newborn son, Australian selectors have called on Andrew Tye as his replacement. "It was a difficult decision for Kane to make but one which has the complete support of the selectors and the entire playing squad," national selector Trevor Hohns said about Richardson’s decision. Richardson, 29, who has taken 61 wickets in 46 limited-overs game for Australia wanted to remain in Adelaide and was hence allowed by the Australian selectors to opt-out of the tournament as all the players had been removed from Adelaide or the states bordering South Australia to a safe place in New South Wales, due to fresh cases being reported in the city. "Kane wanted to remain in Adelaide with Nyki and their newborn son. We will always support our players and their families; even more so given the challenging environment, we are in. We will miss what he brings to the team but completely understand and support his decision," added Hohns. Although not even having a state contract from Western Australia, Tye is still being preferred by the Australian selection committee over the likes of James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter Nile. This showcases how highly rated the 33-year-old, who has 49 wickets in just 33 games for Australia is. "AJ is incredibly skilled in both forms of the short game. He impressed in the UK with his high work ethic and his positive energy around the squad. He is a great player to be able to call on," said Hohns.