Cricket Australia seeks BCCI's clarification on Brisbane Test

Onecricket


There's no end to the controversy surrounding the venue of the fourth Test match between Australia and India as various conflicting reports are emerging from the tourists' camp as well as from Cricket Australia (CA). As per the latest report by Fox Cricket, CA has sought clarifications from BCCI over the players' refusal to travel to Brisbane in wake of severe quarantine measures imposed by the Queensland state authorities.

Earlier, Indian players were quoted as saying that they were being treated like ‘animals in a zoo’ and that it was a tough time being under strict quarantine when the city outside their bubble lives a relatively free life. India captain Ajinkya Rahane, however, stressed on the fact that the team is not complaining about anything, and that all of their focus remains on the SCG Test. 

He also said that the decision to play or not in the fourth Test at the Gabba lies in the hands of administrators, and not players.

If the team really disagrees with travelling to Brisbane, CA will have to fix the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which is hosting the third Test, as the venue of the fourth Test as well.

Powered by Froala Editor

Powered by Froala Editor

Discover more

Top Stories
news

Unstoppable Jamieson gives New Zealand clean sweep over Pakistan and no. 1 rank

New Zealand achieved a perfect ending to their Test home summer by bowling out Pakistan for just 186 and consigning them to an innings and 176-run defeat. The day was always expected to be a tough one for the visitors as Kyle Jamieson had looked threatening on day 3 itself and the likes of Tim Southee and Trent Boult were expected to have an impact at some stage. The first wicket, as expected, was of the night-watchman Mohammad Abbas who nicked one from Boult to wicketkeeper BJ Watling. Surprisingly, Abbas decided to review, only to find out that he indeed got an edge. Then came the most promising partnership of the day, between Abid Ali, the overnight batsman and Azhar Ali. The two played some delightful shots and resisted the Kiwi attack for 86 balls, scoring 29 runs together. But a magnificent one-handed catch from substitute Will Young ended that partnership. Young dived to his right and took a slightly aerial square drive by Abid with his right hand, giving Jamieson his second. He also dismissed Haris Sohail later and Pakistan were 4-down for just 79. However, Azhar Ali was playing really well and Pakistan’s hopes rested on him. Unfortunately, New Zealand, especially Jamieson, adopted a new strategy against him. The tall left-armer came round the wicket and started bowling at Azhar’s ribs. Eventually, the tactic worked as the former Pakistan captain moved towards the off side and fended a ball into the wicketkeeper’s gloves. With Azhar gone, Pakistan were pretty much done and dusted. Captain Mohammad Rizwan received a peach of a delivery as Jamieson got one ball to swing into the right-hander a long way and go through his defences to shatter the stumps. Jamieson eventually ended with 6/48 which, along with 5/69 in his first innings, gave him his first 10-wicket haul in a match. Some late fireworks were provided by Zafar Gohar but they were only dying flickers of a doomed flame. The match ended with him getting out for 37 as New Zealand achieved the top spot in ICC rankings, for the first time in their history. This also meant that they won all their home matches this season. Skipper Kane Williamson won the Man of the Series Award while Jamieson took home the Man of the Match trophy.

news

Match Report: Rising Scorchers burn Sixers in Perth's furnace

Perth Scorchers have definitely turned a corner in the ongoing season of the Big Bash League (BBL), winning their third match in a row, by beating Sydney Sixers, who are at the top of the table, by a big margin – 87 runs. The domination of Scorchers, playing on their home surface, can be gauged by the fact that they bowled out the Sixers for just 97. Andrew Tye bowled magnificently to pick up four wickets while Jhye Richardson took three. It were the Sixers that won the toss and decided to put the Scorchers in. The opening pair of Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone didn’t fire as expected. Livingstone was out in the fourth over while Roy took his time today. Colin Munro, batting at no. 3, though, was in full flow and batted in an attacking manner. Still, the run rate after the first 10 overs was just over 71. After the drinks break, Roy and Munro decided to speed up but both got out in the process. Munro scored a half century, 50 off 34, while Roy, surprisingly, took 31 balls for 27. At 99/3 in 14 overs, the situation looked a bit worrying for the home side. But then, local boy Mitchell Marsh stepped up to the challenge. His big hits provided just the impetus needed in the power surge, taken in the 15-17 overs. Overall, 30 runs were scored in these two overs. Marsh kept going and the bowlers were either missing the yorker length or pitching short without getting the extra bounce expected on the Perth pitch. Marsh ended up with 57 off just 27 balls, taking his team to a very impressive score of 183/4. In reply, the Sixers were never in the game. Early wickets prevented any momentum and they never regained it. Both Richardson and Andrew Tye were in great form. Tye, especially, was bowling with venom, getting good bounce of the wicket. Same was the case with Richardson. Mitchell Marsh also bowled well. He did get a little away swing but mixed it up with good bouncers. Even Fawad Ahmed, who has been underwhelming this season, bowled nicely today, flighting his deliveries nicely and bowling good googlies also. The first two wickets fell for the Sixers inside three overs, Josh Phillippe and James Vince, being dismissed by Jason Behrendorff and Richardson respectively. A partnership of sorts developed between Jack Edwards and Daniel Hughes but was broken by Tye when a shortish delivery was cut to the point fielder by Hughes. Then, wickets came like a torrent. Jordan Silk and Daniel Christian were both dismissed for a duck. Steve O’Keefe tried to fight back but was done in by a tremendous yorker by Tye. The collapse was unabated. Only Edwards offered some resistance, scoring 44. Eventually, the visitors were dismissed for 97 with Tye having figures of 4/20 and Richardson finishing with 3/15. Fawad’s figures of 1/17 in three overs are also very encouraging.

news

BBL10 Match Preview: Heat look to continue momentum against rhythm-searching Stars

Two teams that have found momentum late in the 10th edition of the BBL are Brisbane Heat and Perth Scorchers. While one of it continued by beating the table-toppers Sydney Sixers in their last game, the Chris Lynn led side too would be looking to take it forward when they faced Glenn Maxwell led Melbourne Stars at the Carrara Oval. Stars though on the other hand have found a little bit of a rhythm winning against Hurricanes, having lost three games in a row. Few things went right for them in that game which included the form of their star campaigners Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa along with Hilton Cartwright and the two blinders from the Specimen Andre Fletcher. The Joe Factor In their last game, it was Joe Burns, who joined the Heat team after getting released from the Australian Test squad due to poor form. The opener struggled in the game against the Sixers, however, he kind of found his ‘hands’ against the Thunder and the Heat unit would hope that the form continues. Along with him is the overseas signing Joe Denly who has been terrific in the two games that he has played so far, scoring a fifty in the last game. The two Joes would give enough confidence to skipper Lynn along with late order hitters in Lewis Gregory and Jimmy Pierson. With Mark Steketee and Mujeeb in the kind of form that they are, it shouldn’t really be a matter for the Heat to give the toughest of the fights to the Stars. Stoinis could be the shining 'Star' Stars are looking to find momentum and one win in the kitty would have done a tremendous amount of good for the team, especially in the way that victory came about. The usual suspects Glenn Maxwell and Nicholas Pooran did not fire and it was Stoinis and Cartwright that came to the rescue. Similarly in the bowling, even after being without Nathan Coulter-Nile, an unknown gun in Sam Rainbird delivered. It is these performances that would lift the spirits of the team. Among them, Stoinis finding form and hitting a brilliant 97 not out has been the biggest plays and the Stars team would like him to continue with this form and also contribute with a few overs in bowling to take the team balance a notch above. Heat vs Stars: Match Details Match Number- 32 Date and Time: 07th January 2021, 08.20 pm local, 03.50 pm IST, 10.20 am GMT Venue: Carrara Oval, Brisbane Broadcast: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The pitch at Carrara Oval has been generally good in this BBL season offering good pace and bounce. Good pace and bounce in Australia are actually batting friendly. However, that doesn't mean flat deck either as bowlers, if they try, can get purchase off the surface if they hit the right lengths. It is expected to behave the same in this game as well. Weather and Bat Flip The weather has been really put off in matches at the Carrara oval with rain intervals halting games. For this match, the forecast is that rain would disturb the proceedings this time as well. With 55% chances of rain in the night and 78% cloud cover, captains could do nothing but win the toss and field first. Heat Strongest XI Chris Lynn, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Joe Denly, Jack Wildermuth, Jimmy Peirson (c & wk), Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Stars Strongest XI Marcus Stoinis, Nick Larkin, Hilton Cartwright, Nicholas Pooran, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell (c), Seb Gotch (wk), Adam Zampa, Liam Hatcher, Sam Rainbird, Billy Stanlake

news

Daily Round Up | Jan 6: Navdeep Saini set to make Test debut for India

India have announced the playing XI for the third Test against Australia in Sydney while New Zealand have attained the top spot in the ICC Test rankings. Here are the latest updates from the day. India announce playing XI for third Test The Indian team has made a couple of changes for the third Test against Australia slated to begin from Thursday in Sydney. Rohit Sharma who earlier named as the vice-captain of the side will be opening the innings with Shubman Gill. Apart from this, fast bowler Navdeep Saini is set to make his Test debut for India replacing injured Umesh Yadav. The four-match series is levelled at 1-1 with the third and fourth match scheduled to take place in Sydney and Brisbane respectively. Sourav Ganguly to be discharged on Thursday BCCI president Sourav Ganguly will be discharged from the hospital on Thursday. The former skipper was scheduled to be discharged on Wednesday but he had decided to stay back for one more day. "Ganguly will be discharged tomorrow as he wants to stay back one more day,” the hospital said on Wednesday. New Zealand move to number one spot New Zealand have attained the helm spot in the ICC Test rankings after completing a clean sweep in the two-match Test series against Pakistan at home. New Zealand defeated Pakistan an innings and 176 runs in the second encounter to seal the series. Kyle Jamieson followed his fifer in the first innings with a six-wicket haul in the second. Spectator at Boxing Day Test tests positive for COVID-19 A spectator at the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne has tested positive for COVID-19. “The Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC), as ground managers of the MCG, is aware that a person who attended Day 2 (Sunday, December 27, 2020) of the Boxing Day Test has since tested positive to COVID-19,” a statement said. “The MCG is being investigated as a potential source for the infection,” Victoria’s Department of Health said. “We’re encouraging anyone who was in The Great Southern Stand, zone 5 of the MCG between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm on 27 December, to get tested and isolate until they receive a negative result.” Pravin Amre appointed Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Are has been appointed as the assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals. “I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Pravin Amre back to the Delhi Capitals side,” said CEO Dhiraj Malhotra, on the latest development. Are thanked the franchise. “I am grateful to the Delhi Capitals management for having me on board. With the team having reached its very first IPL final in 2020, this is certainly an exciting time to be back there. I look forward to working with Ricky again, and all the players,” said Amre.