Cape Town to host third Test between India and South Africa

Azeem Rafiq's racism row: Michael Vaughan denies allegations, Naved-ul-Hasan contests his claims

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has come forward to admit that he is the former player named the report prepared by the Yorkshire County Cricket Club into the allegations of racism levied by the former leg spinner Azeem Rafiq. However, he has denied all the allegations against him that he was involved in hurling racist slurs to players of Asian origins such as Azeem. Reportedly, Vaughan has been blamed for saying "too many of you lot, we need to do something about it" to Azeem while they were playing together for Yorkshire in the year 2009. “I completely and categorically deny that I ever said those words. I have nothing to hide. The ‘you lot’ comment never happened. Anyone trying to recollect words said 10 years ago will be fallible but I am adamant those words were not used. If Rafiq believes something was said at the time to upset him then that is what he believes.” However, his claims of innocence have been contested by Rana Naved-ul-Hasan of Pakistan, who was playing with both of them at Trent Bridge at that time. He has confirmed to ESPNcricinfo about hearing “too many of you lot” comments from Vaughan and reiterated his commitment to providing evidence to inquiry if he is asked for. The racism saga is refusing to be brushed under the carpet and the gloves are off on sides for Yorkshire, who have been suspended from hosting major games such as the international ones and the Hundred games by the ECB. Earlier, Gary Ballance had come forward to admit that he is the player mentioned in the report who hurled words such as “P..i” to Azeem while their playing days at the club. However, he too claimed innocence and said that it was “inappropriate” words to exchange between friends who spend a lot of time together and that he was unaware of the impact those words had on Azeem’s life.

Yorkshire chairman quits, lambasts ECB for not giving prompt response to Azeem Rafiq's allegations

Just a day after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) banned Yorkshire county from hosting major matches due to its poor handling of the racism allegations levied by Azeem Rafiq, Roger Hutton has resigned as Yorkshire chairman with immediate effect. Notably, he joined the club in April last year, way after Azeem had left the club raising the issue of racism in the club, but Hutton has apologised to the leg spinner for not carrying out strong investigations into “serious allegations of racism” and making changes at the county. "Azeem left the club in August 2018, 18 months before I joined. I have never met Azeem. I know, however, that when someone makes claims as serious as his, they need to be investigated and changes need to be made. I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly to Azeem. The club should have recognised at the time the serious allegations of racism,” he said to ESPNcricinfo. As things stand now, the ECB has stepped into the racism row and reprimanded the Yorkshire club for not acting swiftly and botching up the response to Azeem’s allegations of racism. However, Hutton expressed his frustrations and said that the board, too, has to take a fair share of the blame after not providing him with enough assistance when he sought help to look into a “matter of great importance”. "I want to be clear that when I was made aware of Azeem Rafiq's allegations, I immediately reached out to the ECB to ask for their help and intervention to support a robust inquiry," Hutton said. "I was saddened when they declined to help as I felt it was a matter of great importance for the game as a whole. It is a matter of record that I have continually expressed my frustration at the ECB's reluctance to act."

Australia formally postpone only Test against Afghanistan citing uncertain situation

After months of threatening to postpone the only Test between Australia and Afghanistan scheduled towards the end of this month due to a ban on women’s cricket in the country in the wake of change in government in Afghanistan, Cricket Australia has now formally deferred the Test citing uncertainty. It also said that the game has not been cancelled and that it will take place in future when the “situation is clearer” while hoping that Australia will be able to host both men and women cricketers from Afghanistan in not too distant future. Australia has been a favourable cricketing ground for Afghanistan players as they have found reputation and traction among franchises in the Big Bash League. Cricket Australia said that it is looking forward to hosting Afghanistan players whom they called “great ambassadors” of the game. "CA is committed to support growing the game for women and men in Afghanistan and around the world, however, given the present uncertainty, CA felt it necessary to postpone the Test match until a later time when the situation is clearer," a statement said. "CA looks forward to hosting Afghanistan players in the BBL this season, who are great ambassadors for the game, and to hosting both the Afghanistan women's and men's team in the not too distant future." Afghanistan’s T20 captain and one of their biggest all-time stars, Mohammad Nabi expressed disappointment on the development but at the same time, he was “happy” at Australia not cancelling the Test altogether. Nabi said that he is aware of the decision-making process of Cricket Australia who is committed to the development of the game in Afghanistan and he will carry on having discussions over the issue. "It's disappointing the Test match isn't going ahead this year but I'm happy that the match is only postponed and not cancelled. My representative has been assured by Cricket Australia that they remain committed to the development of cricket in Afghanistan, so I look forward to hearing how we can work together in this regard,” Nabi said. Afghanistan suffered a regime change after the Taliban overthrew the civilian government and imposed a massive crackdown on cultural activities such as women’s sport and Cricket Australia has always maintained its stance over the issue. It threatened to cancel the Test against Afghanistan in order to safeguard women’s game in the country despite calls from former players and experts on that being not a good option to produce desired results.

ECB bans Yorkshire from hosting major matches, punishes Gary Ballance with indefinite ban in racism row

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has banned the Yorkshire County Cricket Club from hosting major matches such as international fixtures and the games of The Hundred as it deemed the county’s handling of the investigation into the racism allegations made by Azeem Rafiq “unacceptable” and causing “serious damage” to the reputation of the game. The county manage the Headingley ground and were to host a Test match against New Zealand and an ODI against South Africa next summer and the fate of all such games lie in limbo. “In the meantime, YCCC are suspended from hosting international or major matches until it has clearly demonstrated that it can meet the standards expected of an international venue, ECB member and First Class County,” the ECB said in its statement. The ECB has also taken cognisance of Garry Balanace’s admission of his role in the Yorkshire county in hurling racial abuse against Azeem Rafiq and said that the left-hander will be suspended indefinitely for selection into the England squad. The ECB strong reiterated that it stands for inclusivity and maintained its “unwavering commitment to ensuring that cricket is a game for everyone. Discrimination of any kind on the field of play, in the dressing room, in the stands, or in the boardroom is intolerable in sport or indeed, society. Cricket must work together to eradicate it.”