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Bhanuka Rajapaksa Retires From International Cricket Citing Familial Obligations

Bhanuka Rajapaksa retires from international cricket citing 'familial obligations'

Sri Lanka’s batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa has announced retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. He has cited “familial obligations” behind the decision to cut short his journey at the top level in a letter to the Sri Lanka Cricket board.

"I have very carefully considered my position as a player, husband and am taking this decision looking forward to fatherhood and associated familial obligations," he wrote.

Rajapaksa made his T20I debut against Pakistan in the year 2019 while his opportunity in the ODI came against India earlier last year. He went on to play five ODIs and 18 T20Is for Sri Lanka in a limited international carer.

He was one of the most successful batsmen for Sri Lanka in the last year’s T20 World Cup in UAE and had played a match-winning half-century in a Super 12 game against Bangladesh.

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Bhanuka Rajapaksa

BBL 2021-22: Glenn Maxwell tests positive for Covid-19

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has tested positive for Covid-19. Maxwell is the 13th player from the Melbourne Stars franchise to test positive for the virus. The right-hander had taken a rapid antigen test and was confirmed positive on Monday. “Maxwell returned a positive rapid antigen test after the game against the Melbourne Renegades and has since undertaken a PCR test and is currently isolating,” the Melbourne Stars said in a statement. “Melbourne Stars will provide an update once the result of the PCR test is known and ask everyone to respect Glenn's privacy at this time,” it added. The BBL has been affected by the Covid-19.In fact, the fixture between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers which was slated to take place on January 5, 2022 was called off after there was a rise in cases within the league. "In this instance, the decision to postpone tonight's match was the only option available given the number of cases within the Heat squad and the inability to secure the required number of players fit to take the field," Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash League, said.

SA vs IND | 2nd Test, Day 3: Rabada brings Proteas back in game with wickets of Pujara, Rahane, Pant

Kagiso Rabada picked the three big wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant to lead a strong comeback from South Africa in the second hour of the first session. India slipped to a dominant position of 155/2 to 188/6 at the lunch interval on the third day of the Test. Before the collapse, Rahane and Pujara put on a counterattacking partnership of 111 runs from the late period of the second day to the first hour of the third day. Both reached their individual fifties and put South Africa under real pressure. After looking completely off-colour on the second day, Rabada hit the good length that was the trouble zone for the batsmen and extracted extra bounce to catch the edge of Rahane’s bat while getting one to jagg back towards Pujara to trap him in front of the stumps. Rishabh Pant was challenged both around off stump and around his throat before he ran out of patience and tried to shift the pressure back on the pacer in his trademark style. The move, however, proved to be counterproductive and he edged to the wicketkeeper in what appeared as an ugly dismissal when the game was poised at equilibrium stage. India have taken a lead of 161 runs by the lunch on the third day and they would hope the remaining batsmen, especially Hanuma Vihari and Shardul Thakur will bring their best with the bat and extend the lead beyond the 200-run mark.

NZ vs BAN | 1st Test: Needed the win to keep the legacy of Test cricket alive in our country, says Mominul

Bangladesh Test skipper Mominul Haque has expressed his delight after clinching victory in the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday and admitted that the win keeps a lot of importance to keep the legacy of Test cricket alive in the country. ''I cannot express my feelings in words as it is unbelievable. To be honest, I could not sleep last night thinking what will happen today. We needed to win this Test match to keep the legacy of Test cricket (alive in our country),'' Mominul told reporters after the match. ''I think this is an indication that we are improving as a Test nation. After the Pakistan series, everyone was eager to do well in Tests and it was reflected in all three departments,” he added. Bangladesh were handed a target of 40 runs in the second innings by the Kiwis which they chased down by 8 wickets. Earlier, Ebadot Hossain ripped through the New Zealand batting line up as the hosts were bundled out for 169 in the second innings. Hossain picked up a six-for during the course.

Ashley Giles expresses regret over England's Ashes rout

Giving details of what will follow after the series defeat, Giles mentioned that they will review the tour and send a report to the board as he spoke to the reporters in Sydney ahead of the dead rubber.