Can take a bullet for MS Dhoni says KL Rahul

Didn't want to jeopardise my Test career: James Anderson on snubbing 'The Hundred'

Premier England fast bowler in the longest format, James Anderson wants to prolong his Test career and that was the reason behind his decision to not take part in the Hundred as a player. He did mention that he had thoughts surfacing in his mind to ply his trade in the 100 ball tournament but decided against it contemplating the fact that it is for the youngsters. "I did think about whether I should actually try and get a gig as a player," he said, "but in the end, I just felt it was probably for the younger guys to crack on with that. I didn't want to affect my Test availability by getting injured throwing myself around in the Hundred - it might not have been the best idea,” Anderson was quoted as saying during a BBC media launch for the Hundred. "I did explore it - I was interested, but I fell down on the side of prolonging my Test career. I didn't want to jeopardise that too much so I'll leave it to the young lads to throw themselves around in the field too much." Most successful fast bowler in the Test format, Anderson despite his limitations of playing in the competition to prolong his Test career doesn’t expect the likes of Sam Curran, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes to back out from giving their everything in order to avoid injuries ahead of a gruelling Test summer with a five-match series against India at home and five-match series against Australia away. He believes that the tournament will help the top order batsmen ahead of international outings. The inaugural edition of the competition kicks off on 21st July. "You can get injured at any point - that's just the nature of the game," Anderson said. "I don't think people are going to be careful because of a Test series: you've got to throw yourself into it and try to play at 100% every time you get the chance. Hopefully, nothing like that happens but there obviously is the chance because every time you go out on the field there is a chance of injury. "I think there's definitely no harm in playing the Hundred and playing some white-ball cricket, having that freedom to go out there and try and hit the ball. Test cricket does have a way of trying to stifle you at times and you can get a bit uncertain about your technique or movements and things like that. All the Hundred will do is encourage positivity: a positive moment of the feet, positive shots, and I think that can only be a good thing,” the speedster concluded.

SLC hits back at Ranatunga, says touring Indian team is not second string by any measures

Sri Lanka Cricket, the administrative body running the game in the island nation has hit back at its former captain for demeaning the touring Indian side by calling it a second-string side. “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that despite claims by various parties as reported in the Media, the National White-Ball team of India currently touring Sri Lanka is a strong squad,” the SLC said in a statement released on Friday, July 02nd. The board further enumerated the achievements of the team in various formats to counter the claims of various people calling it a low for Sri Lanka to invite a second-string team to play its national team. “Out of the 20-member India squad, 14 players have represented India across all formats or in some form. (Test, ODI, or T20i), and not a ‘second-string team,’ as claimed," the board said. The top players of the Indian team led by regular skipper Virat Kohli are in England for a Test series and the Sri Lankan board presented it as a fact of how things are going to go in this world ridden by the pandemic. “This is the latest norm in the cricketing world, especially the full ICC Member countries, as they maintain specialist squads and players for each format of the game. The aim of such arrangements is to be competitive in each format of the game by maintaining specialist players and squads,” the board reiterated. “Apart from it, maintaining separate squads enable cricketing boards to fulfil their international commitments unhindered, such as the ICC Future Tours Program,” it added. Earlier, Ranatunga, the former World Cup-winning skipper of Sri Lanka said, “This is a second-string Indian team and their coming here is an insult on our cricket. I blame the current administration for agreeing to play with them due to television marketing needs.” The series between India and Sri Lanka would begin with the first ODI at the R Premadasa on July 13th.

Lord's to host ENG vs PAK ODI will full capacity as a part of research study

Known as the “Mecca of Cricket”, the Lord’s cricket ground will be buzzing with full capacity when the home team takes on Pakistan in the second ODI of the three-match ODI series starting on 10th July. The decision to host the match with full capacity is due to the fact that the event will be monitored by the British Government under it’s ‘Event Research Programme’. In an order to gather evidence on how crowds can make their way back into stadiums after the pandemic subsides, the UK government is organising the match will full capacity. “The fixture falls before the planned relaxation of Government restrictions on 19 July and MCC has been working closely with ECB, DCMS, Public Health England and Westminster Citybehind Council on obtaining the green light to allow more supporters into the Home of Cricket for this match," read a press release. “The Government’s science-led Events Research Programme is conducting scientific research studies at all events to gather the evidence that will inform how crowds can be returned to live events as safely as possible. The results of studies will be used to help shape policy and future guidelines,” it further read. For spectators coming to watch the match, strict protocols are in place. They will need to produce proof of vaccination or negative RT-PCT test results at the time of entry. “We are heartened to be able to welcome full crowds into Lord’s for the forthcoming encounter between England and Pakistan. To have England men’s first ODI at the Home of Cricket in almost two years and in front of a capacity crowd, will be truly memorable,” Guy Lavender, Chief Executive and Secretary of MCC said. “There has been tremendous work going on behind the scenes and we are grateful to ECB, DCMS, Public Health England and Westminster City Council for their support and cooperation in achieving this outcome. We look forward to welcoming cricket fans back to the Home of Cricket, for what will be a full weekend of sport and most importantly with crowds,” he further added.

Kohli was just expressing his opinion on three match final, never demanded for it: Ravi Ashwin

New Zealand were crowned the inaugural world Test champions when they defeated India by 8 wickets in Southampton to lift the ICC Test Championship mace. Following India’s below-par performance in another knockout game, Indian skipper Virat Kohli expressed his views and said that he would have been happier had the final been a three-match affair as it gives both teams equal opportunities to stage a comeback even if they lose the opening Test. "I am not in absolute agreement of deciding the best Test side in the world over the course of one game," Kohli had said after his team's eight-wicket loss in Southampton. "If it is a Test series, it has to be a test of character over three Tests - which team has the ability to come back in the series or totally blow away the other team. It can't just be pressure applied over two days of good cricket and then you suddenly you are not a good Test side anymore. I don't believe in it,” he added. Several former cricketers have said that this is not a feasible option and big games are always one-off. Defending him, ace off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin who was one of the standout bowlers for India in the final said that Kohli only expressed his opinion and what he thinks is the best way going forward and never demanded the format to be changed. "I happened to hear people saying that Virat Kohli asked for three Tests to be played for the WTC final but it is ridiculous. After the match got over, (former England player and renowned cricket writer) Michael Atherton had asked what he could have done differently in the WTC. Virat replied in a particular context that if three matches are played, then adaptability and comeback for a team are possible. But he never demanded something," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. The Indian contingent who are currently in England are enjoying their time in the country away from the bio-bubble and will reassemble again on July 14 to start preparing for the five-match Test series against the home team beginning in Nottingham from 4th August. Ashwin who is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming series said that the break is very important for the entire team. "We were in the bubble throughout. So, after a long time, we are able to get some fresh air and step out,” Ashwin said. After their victory, New Zealand celebrated to their heart’s content till midnight and it was a pill difficult to swallow for the whole of the Indian team. "After the match, New Zealand have this custom of celebrating with the trophy and a few drinks in the dressing room. It was tough to see it. I think it is the flip side of having a room above the ground. They celebrated until 12. They even arrived at the pitch, and it sounded like a war cry to express their happiness. It was quite upsetting to see as we couldn't make it," Ashwin concluded.