Bob Woolmer wanted Labuschangne to play for SA when he was just four years old

Natarajan thanks people for support, wants to help Salem Cricket Association

T. Natarajan has said that he would like to help the Salem Cricket Association as much as he can after all that support that he got from the association and the people of Salem which pushed him to go through the ranks and achieve the ultimate dream of representing India at the international level. Speaking to the Press in his hometown of Salem in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil Nadu Premier League star said, “I always believe in my strength. I will support the Salem Cricket Association as much as possible. People know how I have reached here, it is because of people’s support only. One can achieve anything through hard work,” Natarajan was quoted as saying by the TOI. The 29-year-old then went on to thank the people and the media fr constantly supporting his struggle. “I know I could not meet you all when I returned. But I want to thank all of you and the media for their support,” he said. Natarajan, who played for the Dindigul Dragons in the TNPL was picked up by KXIP for the 2017 IPL before being traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. But it was the break in the 2020 edition of the IPL that changed things for the left-arm fast bowlers who bowled yorkers at will during the tournament.

Daily Round Up | Jan 24: Root continues form, Pak announce squad for 1st Test

England ride on Joe Root’s second ton of the series against Sri Lanka to steady the ship in first innings of the second Test in Galle while BCCI is keen on getting some crowd in the stands in the T20Is fixtures between India and England. Here are the daily updates from the cricketing world. Joe Root continues form England captain Joe Root continued his form after notching up yet another Test ton against Sri Lanka in the first innings of the second Test in Galle. England were in pursuit of Sri Lanka’s 381 and had lost a couple of early wickets when Root held the fort at one end and smashed 186 runs before getting runout. The visitors ended the Day 3 at 339/9. Lasith Embuldeniya bagged seven wickets for Sri Lanka. The hosts trail the series 0-1. BCCI keen on having spectators in stands for T20Is between India and England The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pretty keen on getting the crowd in the stands for the T20Is between India and England. "We are trying to open the stadium for fans to witness what awaits to be a thrilling T20I series between India and England. While we are yet to decide on the numbers, the idea is to get close to 50 per cent of the seats filled. But the final decision lies with the government. Safety is a priority even as we adapt to the new normal," the official said, while speaking to ANI. Pakistan announce squad The Pakistan selectors have announced the squad for the first Test against South Africa scheduled to begin on January 26 in Karachi. Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Afridi are some prominent names that have got a place in the side. Squad: Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, M Nawaz, M Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan Washington Sundar talks about opening innings for India India all-rounder Washington Sundar has said that it would be a great opportunity if he ever gets a chance to open the innings for India in Test cricket. “I think it will be a blessing for me if I ever get an opportunity to open the batting for India in Tests. I think I will accept the challenge just like our coach Ravi sir did during his playing days,” Washington told PTI during an interaction from his Chennai residence. Natarajan credits teammates for impressive performance India fast bowler T. Natarajan has credited the teammates for his brilliant performance in Australia. Other players supported me in the dressing room. Their motivation and support helped me. I was under pressure to perform when the opportunity was offered,” Natarajan, 29, told the Press during a conference in his home town of Salem in Tamil Nadu. The left-arm pacer made debut for India in all formats on this tour.

It will be a blessing for me if I open for India in Tests: Sundar

India all-rounder Washington Sundar played a massive role in India’s series win against Australia. The all-rounder made his Test debut during the tour and notched up his maiden fifty during the course. Sundar in an interview with PTI said it would be a blessing for him if he is asked to open the batting in Test cricket. “I think it will be a blessing for me if I ever get an opportunity to open the batting for India in Tests. I think I will accept the challenge just like our coach Ravi sir did during his playing days,” Washington told PTI during an interaction from his Chennai residence. Sundar scored a fine half-century in his first innings while played a responsible knock of 22 runs in the second. Talking about head coach Ravi Shastri, Sundar mentioned that the former cricketer’s stories have been “inspiring”. “Ravi sir tells us very inspiring stories from his playing days. Like how he made his debut as a specialist spinner, got four wickets and batted at number 10 against New Zealand on debut. “And how from there, he became a Test opener and played all those great fast bowlers. I would love to open batting in Tests like him,” said Washington, who enjoys a decent first-class batting average of 32 plus, which can only improve from hereon as he gets to play more games for India.” “And how from there, he became a Test opener and played all those great fast bowlers. I would love to open batting in Tests like him,” said Washington. The right-arm spin bowler revealed the players he looks up to in the Indian team. “As a youngster, when I look up for inspiration and motivation, I find so many role models in that dressing room. There is Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin who have been such great performers. “You look up to these players and they are always ready to guide you,” said the tall off-spinner. Sundar’s heroics in Australia have been rewarded as he has been picked in the Test squad for the England series at home. The first match begins on February 5 in Chennai.

Natarajan credits teammates for great performance

Indian pace bowler T Natarajan credited his fellow teammates for motivating him to achieve greater things on the Australia tour. “Other players supported me in the dressing room. Their motivation and support helped me. I was under pressure to perform when the opportunity was offered,” Natarajan, 29, told the Press during a conference in his home town of Salem in Tamil Nadu. The left-arm pacer further said that being a left-hander did prove to be advantageous to him in getting the chances that he got. “My only thought was to take wickets. The only reason for me playing all the formats was because coaches saw something in me. And I being a left-arm also worked as an advantage for me,” said the Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer. Natarajan, who was first picked as a net bowler in the squad, got an opportunity after Varun Chakravarthy got injured and then from one opportunity to the other he kept on going, making his India debuts in all three formats on the same tour. Reflecting on the surreal experience he said, “It was like a dream to take Australian wickets.” Natarajan also missed the birth of his child while in Australia, but he says that he and his wife were happy that he was able to make his India debut, even as he missed an important occasion. “More than the newborn, my wife and I were proud that I could play for my country. Hard work will never go to waste. It is always rewarding," said the Tamil Nadu born.