Consistency is our biggest strength: Eoin Morgan

JKCA accuses Parvez Rasool of stealing pitch roller, cricketer hits back calling it 'unfortunate'

There has been a war of words between the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association(JKCA) and cricketer Parvez Rasool over the issue of a missing pitch roller, as per a report by The Indian Express. The matter has gone so worse that the JKCA has threatened to file a police complaint against the cricketer if he does not hand ver the roller to the administrator. In his reply to the cricket governing body in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Rasool has asked if the treatment met out to him is the right way to treat an international cricketer who has given his “life and soul”. However, one of the three members of the sub-committee appointed by the BCCI to run JKCA, Brigadier (Retd) Anil Gupta, has said that the matter has been “hyped up” because Rasool was included in the email seeking the whereabouts of the roller sent to all administrators. He said that Rasool’s name was on the list of beneficiaries for the email as the JKCA register showed his name as an official from the Bijbehara region from where the all-rounder belongs. “We have not only written to Parvez Rasool but to all district associations and whosoever has taken JKCA machinery from Srinagar. Machinery was distributed at district associations without any vouchers. In many districts where we don’t have a mailing address, the letter was sent to the concerned person whose name was registered with us. He (Rasool) took offence to why the mail was written to him,” Gupta told The Indian Express.

Chris Cairns taken off life support

Former New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns has been taken off life support. Cairns had undergone second emergency surgery in Sydney for a heart problem and is now recovering. Cairns’ lawyer Aaron Lloyd said in a statement that the former cricketer has been taken off life support. "I'm pleased to advise that Chris is off life support and has been able to communicate with his family from hospital in Sydney," Aaron Lloyd, Cairns's lawyer, said in a statement. The right-handed cricketer had undergone a major heart surgery in Canberra earlier this month and was in the ICU under observation. "He and his family are thankful for all of the support and well wishes from everyone, and for the privacy they have been afforded. They request this continue as they focus on his recovery moving forward," Lloyd's statement read. Cairns was capped 62 times in Tests and 215 times in ODIs and also played a couple of T20Is for New Zealand. In 62 Test matches that Cairns played, he scored over 3000 runs and picked up 218 wickets while notching up 4950 runs in the ODIs along with 201 wickets. The right-hander was an integral part of the Blackcaps setup that won the ICC Knockout trophy after beating India in the final back in 2000. Cairns in fact scored a ton in that match to help his side chase down a target of 265 runs in Nairobi.

The Hundred | Eliminator, Southern Brave vs Trent Rockets: When & where to watch Live, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

It has been a fascinating introduction to a new format of cricket and as we get into the final few days of the Hundred, we should be thankful for the spectacle it has been for the fans across the globe. After a one month extravaganza, it’s the Southern Brave who will be playing the Trent Rockets in the Eliminator on Friday (August 20). Having started the tournament with a couple of losses, the Southern Brave has made an exceptional turnaround and is yet to lose a game as they face the Trent Rockets in the Eliminator clash. James Vince has been an inspirational character for the team after two losses in the first two games. They thrashed the Oval Invincibles by 6 wickets to ensure a smooth entry into the knockout stage, on the other hand, the Trent Rockets started off the tournament in a commanding fashion having won all of their first three matches. However, a couple of consecutive losses meant that their qualification became a touch of concern. in later stages, they picked themselves up. It was a commanding performance in their final group game against the Manchester Originals which made sure that they qualified for the Eliminator with 10 points. A loss would have ensured qualification for the Oval Invincibles. Southern Brave vs Trent Rockets Match Details Match Number- 33 Date and Time- August 20, 2021 (Friday), 11:00 PM (IST), 06:30 pm Local, 05: 30 GMT Venue: Kennington Oval, London Live Stream: FanCode Pitch Report It is expected to be a batting paradise like it has been during the course of the tournament. An average first innings score of 151 goes onto prove that it has been a bowler’s graveyard as far as this tournament is concerned. While chasing a target is always a good option in T20 cricket, batting first could be the way forward in the only knockout match of the tournament. Weather forecast It will be proper overcast conditions when the eliminator clash kicks off. However, there is hardly any chance of rain with the temperature expected to hover around the 21-degree mark. Like it has been the case in England, the humidity will be as low as the early 60s. Southern Brave predicted XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Paul Stirling, James Vince (c), Alex Davies, Colin de Grandhomme, Ross Whiteley, George Garton, Chris Jordan, Danny Briggs, Tymal Mills, Jake Lintott Trent Rockets predicted XI: D Arcy Short, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Lewis Gregory (c), Tom Moores (w), Rashid Khan, Matthew Carter, Marchant de Lange, Samuel Cook Fantasy XI Wicket-keeper- Quinton de Kock (vice-captain), Tom Moores Batsmen- Dawid Malan, Alex Hales, D’ Arcy Short, Steven Mullaney All-rounders- Lewis Gregory, Paul Stirling Bowlers- Rashid Khan (captain), Chris Jordan, Craig Overton

Ireland name ODI and T20 squad for Zimbabwe series, Curtis Campher returns

Ireland have named their squads for the upcoming ODI and T20I tour of Zimbabwe starting from August 27. Cricket Ireland has named a 16-member squad and will name a fifteen-member squad ahead of each game. Curtis Campher has been named in the T20I squad for the five-match series. Meanwhile, Ireland will be playing the qualifying tournament for the Super 12 stage in the T20 World Cup and has been drawn with Sri Lanka, the Netherlands and Namibia in Group A for the qualifying event. All the fifteen members of the squad which played against South Africa has been retained by the selectors. Campher who has been named in the T20I squad is yet to make his international debut in this format, having played 10 ODIs. The newcomer has played only 8 T20 games scoring 136 runs and taking five wickets. "For the T20I series, we have selected a squad of 16 for the five-match T20I series, of which it will be narrowed down to 15 each match day. Given the T20 World Cup starting in two months we want to provide as much playing time for the players in this format as possible," chief selector Andrew White was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on Thursday. (August 19) "While we have kept faith with the squad that played in the recent South Africa series, we have additionally brought Curtis Campher in for his first call-up for Ireland in the T20 format. Curtis is back bowling following his injury and will add a dynamic batting and bowling presence to the squad. His inclusion will provide Graham Ford and Andrew Balbirnie with increased flexibility as they look to finalise their plans ahead of the World Cup,” he added. The T20I series will be followed by three ODIs which will be part of the ODI World Cup Super League. Former skipper William Porterfield has recovered from his injury which he incurred during the series against South Africa. "As we are all aware, there are no longer any meaningless ODIs when it comes to the World Cup Super League, and we have selected a squad that recognises the good performances put in during the recent South Africa series. Again, we welcome the news that Curtis [Campher] is back bowling, having come through last week's training camp in Somerset with no concerns. "Uncapped Graham Kennedy continued to impress coaches in Somerset last week, and retains his place in the squad with his all-round ability,” White further added. T20I squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Shane Getkate, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, William McClintock, Kevin O'Brien, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young. ODI squad: Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Graham Kennedy, Josh Little, Andy McBrine, Barry McCarthy, William Porterfield, Neil Rock, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Craig Young.