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Daily Round up | Jan 13: Langer blames IPL, Vihari silences critics

Somya Kapoor∙ Jan 13 2021, 5:12 PM | timer 3 Min Read


Sri Lanka have announced the squad for the Test series against England at home while Justin Langer has blamed IPL for the injury concerns for both India and Australia. Here’s a look at the latest updates from the cricketing world. 

Justin Langer blames IPL

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Australia coach Justin Langer has said that the timing of the IPL 2020 has been a reason behind the players’ injuries. India have suffered several huge blows after the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Hanuma Vihari got ruled out of the deciding Test against Australia slated to take place in Brisbane from Thursday. “It is really interesting how many injuries (it) has been throughout this summer. I can’t help and think that the IPL this year (2020)...probably wasn’t (having) ideal timing for anyone, certainly for such a big series like this,” Langer said at a virtual press conference. Earlier, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, and Umesh Yadav were ruled out after sustaining individual injuries. 

Sri Lanka announces squad for England series

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The Sri Lankan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the two-match Test series against England at home. Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep have been included in the team. Mathews was a part of the Sri Lankan squad but had to withdraw his name after he suffered a hamstring injury in a domestic T20 competition. The two-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka begins on Thursday.

Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Asitha Fernando, Roshen Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Ramesh Mendis

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Ben Dunk leaves Melbourne Stars mid-way

The BBL franchise Melbourne Stars has decided to part ways from Ben Dunk. "My time with the Stars has come to an end and it's time for me to focus on other playing opportunities around the world," Dunk shared on social media today. It's been a great journey and there are so many people to thank.

Marcus Harris to open

Australia head coach Justin Langer has said that if Will Pucovski isn’t fully fit then Marcus Harris is going to open the innings with David Warner in Brisbane. Pucovski has dislocated his shoulder only partially earlier. "Will had a sore shoulder before he fell, he was actually going to have a scan after that day's play anyway, just to see what was happening," Langer was quoted as saying during a virtual press conference.

Hanuma Vihari’s witty response to critic

India batsman Hanuma Vihari came up with a witty reply to singer and Member of Parliament Babul Supriyo’s tweet. Supriyo, in a tweet, wrote, “Playing 109 balls to score 7 ! That is atrocious to say the least. Hanuma Bihari has not only killed any chance for India to achieve a historic win but has also murdered Cricket.. not keeping win an option, even if remotely, is criminal. 

PS: I know that I know nothing abt cricket.”

Vihari later reacted on the tweet and corrected Supriyo for the spelling error that he made in his name. “*Hanuma Vihari,” replied the Indian batsman. 


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Ricky Ponting says sending Rishabh Pant up the order was a master-stroke

Former Australia skipper and one of the greatest batsman to have graced the game, Ricky Ponting showered praises on the decision to send Rishabh Pant up the order during the final day of the 3rd Test and it was Pant’s stunning counter-attacking knock of 97 which gave India a glimmer of hope of registering a historic victory. "Very good proactive captaincy or coaching for sending Rishabh up. For India to stay in with a chance to win, they needed to do that. He had a little bit of luck with Paine putting him down a couple of times," Ponting said. It's not all crash and bangs with him, there is a lot of skill involved, and he is proper test match batsman to the point today where a lot of the commentators were saying can he play as a batsman in the middle order and have Saha keep." Ponting is the head coach of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and has seen Pant from very close quarters. He was impressed with Pant’s performance and said that consistent performance like this will help the southpaw cement his place in the longest format for several years to come. “It was a masterstroke to put him up there, but he still got to play that innings, and he did it. He does it in his own way; he does it with a bit of swagger and confidence," Ponting added. "Taking on Lyon like he did, even with fielders out says he backs himself and his skillset. I said at the start of the series that there is a chance for him to cement himself as India's keeper-batsman for the next 10-12 years and innings like today will go a long way in helping that." India needed in excess of 300 on the final day of the Test match with 8 wickets in hand. Captain Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed in the 2nd over of the day and in place of Vihari, Pant came out to take guard at No 5. He was patient for the first 30 deliveries but launched a stupendous all-out attack on the Australian bowlers which put some serious pressure on them. He took on Lyon with utter disdain and slammed him for 3 huge sixes even challenging the long-on fielder. His 150 odd partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara totally changed the complexion of the game. His counter-attacking knock was studded with 12 fours and 3 sixes and gave India a serious chance of chasing this humungous target down. Eventually, Vihari and Ashwin defied all the odds and battled the final session to eke out a historic draw for the visitors.

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Marcus Harris likely to open if Pucovski doesn't get fit in time says Langer

Australian head coach Justin Langer has stated that southpaw Marcus Harris could potentially replace Will Pucovski for the 4th and the final Test against India in Brisbane if the latter fails to recover in time. Pucovski has dislocated his shoulder only partially and an Australian spokesperson yesterday revealed that they will take a call on the opener before the match day. Pucovski who made his Test debut in Sydney sustained the injury during the 3rd Test while diving on the field. With the 4th Test slated to start on 15th January, it looks unlikely that Pucovski will be fit for the final Test but he is a young guy and the final call will be taken later. "Will had a sore shoulder before he fell, he was actually going to have a scan after that day's play anyway, just to see what was happening," Langer was quoted as saying during a virtual press conference. "We will see how he pulls up today, we are really hopeful that he will get up and if he doesn't, then the obvious thing would be Marcus Harris would come in as an opener," he added. Despite Pucovski being a doubtful starter for the final Test, Langer one of the prolific Test openers of his time is still optimistic about Pucovski’s availability for the final Test. "Will is a young guy, he has just played his first Test. So mentally he's going to be exhausted anyway. We will keep an eye on how he pulls up today. With shoulders, as long as he can bat OK and catch, it's not as big a deal in Test cricket, we're really hopeful he will get up, we will probably know by tonight," Langer added. An impressive young batsman, Pucovski has a history of suffering concussions and he has already been concussed for 9 times in his career so far. He has some clear problems while facing the short ball and after getting hit several times it has become more of a mental setback for the youngster. However, he looked in good shape during the 3rd Test against India and went onto score his maiden Test half-century. He was dropped twice and was troubled by the short deliveries but he still managed to fight through that situation and scored a pleasant half-century.

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Hanuma Vihari gives witty reply to Babul Supriyo

Singer and politician Babul Supriyo had taken a dig at India batsman Hanuma Vihari’s slow batting during the third Test against Australia in Sydney. Supriyo in a tweet wrote, “Playing 109 balls to score 7 !That is atrocious to say the least•Hanuma Bihari has not only killed any Chance for India to achieve a historic win but has also murdered Cricket.. not keeping win an option, even if remotely, is criminal. PS: I know that I know nothing abt cricket.” Vihari later reacted on the tweet and corrected Supriyo for the spelling error that he made in his name. “*Hanuma Vihari,” replied the Indian batsman. India managed to end the third Test in a draw after riding on some brilliant batting from Rishabh Pant, Chetehswar Pujara, R Ashwin and Vihari. While Pant scored 97, Pujara notched up 77 but Vihari and Ashwin steadied the ship for the side after losing a couple of wickets in quick succession. Vihari scored 23* off 161 balls while Ashwin remained unbeaten at 39 off 128. India were earlier handed a target of 407 in the second innings. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma started off well after stitching a stand of 71 for the first wicket but the both the openers departed in quick succession. Captain Ajinkya Rahane was the first wicket to go down on Day 5 of the Test but Pujara and Pant held the fort strong and built a partnership of 148 for the fourth wicket. India were 272/5 when Pujara departed but Ashwin and Vihari made sure that there were no more fall of wickets and the match eventually ended in a draw.

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The allegations levied against Steve Smith is a load of rubbish, says Langer

Australian head coach Justin Langer has quashed all the rumours surrounding Steve Smith’s questionable tactics during the 3rd Test in Sydney where he was accused of scuffing up Rishabh Pant’s guard with his boots where Pant was taking his guard. During the final day of the historic 3rd Test, the stump camera caught Smith shadow practising at the crease where Pant was to take strike and whether he did it intentionally or in his motion only Smith knows. However, Justin Langer is not happy with all the allegations levied against Smith following the incident and supported him by saying that it was ‘ludicrous and a load of rubbish.’ He further added that Smith does some unusual things on the field but he won’t do anything to tarnish the image of the game. "I literally cannot believe some of the rubbish I read about Steve Smith. Absolute load of rubbish. I mean, if anyone knows Steve Smith, he is a bit quirky and he does some weird (stuff) and we have laughed about it for the last couple of years," Langer said during a virtual press conference with Sony Six Network. I have spoken about it publicly, privately about how he is a bit quirky. What Steve Smith does at the crease, he does it probably most games, he is just thinking about the game." Smith was banned from all forms of cricket for a year following his involvement in the “sandpaper gate” during Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018. Along with teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the duo forged a plan of applying sandpaper on the ball to get some purchase from the ball as Australia was in the backfoot during that particular encounter. After serving a 12-month ban, Smith has looked a completely changed player, especially with his behaviour. Meanwhile, he clearly stated that it was spontaneous and he had no intentions of removing Pant’s guard and was marking his own guard. Langer further said that the allegations were atrocious, to say the least. "Anyone who suggests for one millisecond, he was trying to do something untoward, way out of line. On that wicket, it was that flat, it was like concrete, you need 15 inches spikes to make an intent on the crease and he went nowhere near the crease. Seriously, I thought that was absolutely ludicrous," Langer added. "In the last couple of years since he (Smith) has been back, he has been exemplary on and off the field, he has let his bat to the talking. He was abused like I have never seen anything through England and he just kept smiling and doing his bat do the talking. Give me a break," Langer concluded.