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

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.

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.

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.

BBL 10: Melbourne Stars part ways with Ben Dunk midway through the season

In an unforeseen turn of events, the Melbourne Stas have decided to part ways with explosive batsman Ben Dunk midway through the KFC Big Bash League 10. Releasing a statement on that behalf, the Melbourne Stars quoted that the decision to release Dunk midway through the season was “mutually agreed”. His contract was slated to expire at the end of the next season. Before returning to his hometown Hobart, Dunk informed about the same to his teammates. Dunk stated that his time with the Melbourne Stars comes to an end as he looks forward to new opportunities across the world. "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. "Eddie (McGuire), Clint (Cooper), Stephen (Fleming) and Trent (Woodhill) gave me a wonderful opportunity to play for a great club for a long period of time. Unfortunately, I haven't made the most of those opportunities but that is cricket. "To the fans of the Stars, you guys are amazing and I'm sure in time, you will get the ultimate success you deserve. To my teammates from over the years, I thank you, and I look forward to seeing you all at some point in the near future,” he further added. The southpaw was roped in by the Melbourne Stars in 2017 after he had a sensational time with the bat for the Adelaide Strikers in the previous season. He had scored 364 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 52. Meanwhile, he was also a star performer for the Hobart Hurricanes in the 3rd season of the BBL where he was named as the Player of the Tournament before he was traded to the Strikers ahead of the 2016 season.