Daily Round up | Jan 15: Dream debut for Natarjan, racism row strikes again

ECB dismisses concerns over Covid-19 outbreak in England team hotel in Galle

Two staff members of the Lighthouse Hotel in Galle where the touring England cricket team are staying while the first Test match of the series against Sri Lanka is going on, have tested positive for novel coronavirus infection. Reportedly, those two members work in the hotel’s kitchen as the development of two cases raises fears of the outbreak among the tourists’ camps. However, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has dismissed the fears surrounding the coronavirus cases emerging from the team hotel and said that the team is fully compliant of the protocols in place and that they are not in danger of this outbreak. "We are not concerned. Our protocols have been excellent and we continue to be vigilant. We are the most compliant team in world cricket. We are the only international team in any sport to have a COVID compliance officer. He is responsible for ensuring we meet the highest of standards across our COVID protocols. Notably, England’s Moeen Ali became the first case of the new variant of a novel coronavirus in the island nation after Englishmen arrived in the country for the series. After that, Ali has been under separate isolation for the last 12 days. Earlier in 2020, the ODI series between South Africa and England was abandoned in the middle of the series due to the emergence of cases in the staff members of the hotel where teams were staying.

Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar abused by crowd at the Gabba

India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and all-rounder Washington Sundar were targeted at the Gabba in Brisbane. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Siraj was called a “grub” by some spectators. “The guys behind me have been calling – shouting – both Washington and Siraj grubs,” a spectator named Kate was quoted as saying by the newspaper. “It started targeted at Siraj and it was a chant similar to the SCG one (in which fans sung to the tune of Que Sera, Sera but substituted the lyrics with Que Shiraz, Shiraz). “But this time it was Siraj. I suspect it’s not a coincidence that it’s Siraj being targeted post the SCG stuff.” “Siraj, give us a wave, give us a wave, give us a wave. Siraj, you bloody grub,” a man in the stands was heard yelling. This is the second instance when the Indian players have been racially abused. Earlier, Siraj and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah were targeted by the spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground during the third day’s play in the third Test between Australia and India, a Cricbuzz reported. Responding to the issue, the Indian team management led by the captain Ajinkya Rahane, and other senior players reported the case to the match officials including the match referee David Boon, umpires Paul Wilson, and Paul Rieffel, the report added. India and Australia are facing each other in the fourth and final Test in Brisbane. Australia ended the first day at 274/5.

BBL10: Melbourne Stars thump Adelaide Strikers by 111 runs

Melbourne Stars thumped Adelaide Strikers by 111 runs in Melbourne. Chasing a stiff target of 180, Adelaide were bundled out for 68 in the 15th over. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was on a roll as he scalped a five-wicket haul in 3.2 overs at the cost of 17 runs. The Strikers had a disappointing start to the chase as they lost a couple of early wickets but Matt Renshaw and Jonathan Wells tried to steady the ship for them but Renshw’s departure saw a flurry of wickets. They were soon reduced to 59/7 to eventually get out for 68. Earlier, Melbourne rode on Andre Fletcher’s brisk 49-ball 89* that included four maximums and 8 boundaries. Captain Glenn Maxwell scored 37 off 28 while Cartwright chipped in with an aggressive 30* off 17. The Stars now have three wins and 16 points from 9 games while Strikers have five wins and five defeats under their belt along with 20 points. Fletcher who was adjudged man of the match for his exceptional batting dedicated his half-century to his uncle who passed away few days back. “It means a lot. I got a call from Brian Lara a few days ago and he gave me advice. I decided to go into the game and apply myself. Thankful to everyone, thankful to god and I would like to dedicate my fifty to my uncle who passed away few days ago. Everyday our batting coach, Luke Wright, reminds me how good I am and it was just a matter of striking it right. It is my first time at the MCG and it is good to have a good score here. Looking forward to some more. When I get going I try and not do things that distract me (On his shoe superstition). My laces came off when I reached 40,” he said after the match.

SMAT 2021: Arjun Tendulkar makes debut for Mumbai

Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar’s son Arjun made his Syed Mushtaq Ali debut against Haryana. Chasing 144 in 20 overs, Haryana went over the line by 8 wickets and sparing over two overs. Arjun bowled three overs in the innings and gave away 34 runs picking up of the two wickets that went down. He removed Chaitanya Bishnoi for 4. The Mumbai bowlers had a tough time except for Atharva Ankolekar who bowled at a healthy economy. In his four overs, Atharva only gave away 16 runs. Apart from Tendulkar Shams Mulani scalped a wicket. He returned with figures of 1/40 in 4 overs. Himanshu Rana top-scored with 75 for Haryana while Shivam Chauhan remained unbeaten at 43. Earlier, Mumbai were bundled out for 143. Ankolekar top-scored with 37 while Yashasvi Jaiswal scored 35. The pick of the bowlers for Haryana was Jayant Yadav who bagged a four-for to eventually returned with figures of 4/22 in 4 overs. Arun Chaprana removed three Mumbai batsmen. Haryana are presently sitting at the helm of the table with 100% win percentage. They have so far won 3 matches and have 12 points under their belt while Mumbai have lost all their matches.