Daily Round-up | January 4: Ganguly likely to be discharged

BAN vs WI: Shakib Al Hasan returns, Mashrafe Mortaza's international career nears end

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is set to be back on the filed for his country after serving a one year ban for failing to report a corrupt activity to the ICC anti-corruption unit. The all-rounder has been added in the 24-men preliminary squad to take on the West Indies in ODI series starting later this month. Shakib has returned from the United States and thanked the Windies for agreeing to come to Bangladesh for the series that will give him a ‘completely different comeback’ than previous ones he had. Shakib recognised the challenges from the Windies squad, but not putting extra pressure on himself. He said that it will be disappointing if he does not click against the men in maroon on his home grounds while conceding that dominating right from the outset will be a difficult task after such a big break. "I am happy that I am returning to international cricket and there is no pressure on me," said Shakib. "But it won't be easy for me and I will try to get back my old form. If we cannot do well against the West Indies, it will be disappointing,” Shakib said about his comeback. Meanwhile, former skipper Mashrafe Mortaza has been dropped from the preliminary squad, in a major sign of the team looking to move on from a highly successful captain over the past few years. The selection decisions for the upcoming series against West Indies have been taken with the ICC WOlrd Cup 2023 in mind, and hence Mortaza has gone out of favour of the selectors. ''We have full respect for him (Mortaza) as he had given a lot for us. It was a difficult decision but we have to accept reality. 'We have taken this decision talking with the team management and everyone concerned. It's a big opportunity for the player who will replace him in the team. I have spoken with him(Mortaza) and there is no sort of misunderstanding between us. He said he wants to continue playing domestic cricket,'' BCB chief selector Minhajul Abedin said. The touring party of West Indies will arrive in Bangladesh on January 10 and will go through quarantine before playing their first warm-up game on January 18, followed by a three-match ODI series starting January 20 in Dhaka.

Sourav Ganguly keeping well: Hospital

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly is likely to be discharged from the Woodlands Hospital informed MD & CEO Dr Rupali Basu on Monday. The doctor informed that the former skipper was keeping well so the medical board has decided angioplasty would be done for two damaged coronary arteries at a later date after consulting with Ganguly’s family. “Our nine-member medical board met today at 11.30 am with reputed specialists on zoom platform. The consensus of the board was that deferring the angioplasty for now is deemed to be a safer option since Mr Ganguly is stable, without any chest pain and is on optimal medical management,” Dr Basu said at the press conference. “The family members were present during the board meeting and were explained about the disease process and further therapeutic plan,” she added. Dr Basu further said that Ganguly is likely to be discharged on Wednesday. “Dr Devi Shetty is coming tomorrow. We will have another round of discussion. He is likely to be discharged on Wednesday.” Ganguly hospitalised after complaining of chest pain on Saturday morning. He later underwent angioplasty on Saturday. “Sourav Ganguly has undergone angioplasty. He is stable now. He will be monitored for 24 hours. He is completely conscious. There are two blockages in his heart for which he will be treated. As of now he is stable, we will have a meeting on Monday and then we will decide what needs to be done further, priority is to let him settle down after heart attack. He is risk-free and he is talking as well,” Dr. Aftab told reporters, according to news agency ANI.

BCCI hits back at Queensland's Health Minister for remarks against Team India

Although Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley has refuted the claims that the touring Indian team has not protested against travelling to Brisbane in light of stricter isolation, the controversy around the issue of the fourth Test is not ending any sooner. According to a new report by the news agency ANI, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly upset with the comments made yesterday by Queensland health shadow minister Ros Bates’ and is considering options as significant as trimming the ongoing Test series to a three-match Test series ending in Sydney. ANI has quoted a BCCI official as saying that the board is miffed with the comments made by Bates and it believes the remarks were really uncalled for and that it shows the touring Indian side which has been fully compliant of all the Covid-19 related guidelines in a poor light. "The statement made by the public representative portrays Indians in poor light and let me assure you, we do not want to do anything other than to abide by the rules, and Rohit Sharma's strict quarantine is a case in point. To try and propagate a view that we don't wish to follow the rules is unacceptable and the tone and tenor, in which it was said seemed rife with hostility and bordered on racism. It is, therefore, not a surprise that a rethink is on the cards,” ANI quoted an unnamed official as saying. However, the BCCI is recognising the love and support the team has received down under during the ongoing series, and hence it does not want to betray those fans by taking a radical decision or making the decision a tough one to handle for its counterpart—Cricket Australia.

BBL 10: Match Preview | Beleaguered Renegades take on Dangerous Strikers

Bottom of the table Melbourne Renegades will try and start resurrecting their campaign when they take on a very capable Adelaide Strikers team in the latter’s team home ground. Things have been getting from bad to worse for the team in Red. Their last match saw them getting bundled out for just 89 in what was their sixth loss in a row. The Strikers too suffered a loss in their last game but their problems don’t seem to be all that deep-rooted. Their batting and bowling departments are well-endowed and only a slip-up saw them going down to Sydney Sixers. Any Hope for Renegades? It is hard to figure out how a team that has Aaron Finch and Shaun Marsh opening the innings for itself can be so ineffective. Marsh has been in good form but Finch is yet to go all guns blazing this season. The impressive Sam Harper has been promoted up the order – he opened in place of Finch in the last game – but this move is yet to bring any rewards. Then the problems begin. Rilee Rossouw hasn’t done justice to the faith shown in him while the likes of Beau Webster and Jack Prestwidge haven’t set the stadiums alight yet. Mohammad Nabi’s presence in the batting line-up is useful due to his experience. Imad Wasim may get another go but he is yet to become a proven commodity. The bowling is also devoid of a big impact maker. Spinners are very crucial in this tournament and Renegades have pinned their hopes on the teenage sensation from Afghanistan Noor Ahmed. He has shown potential but, due to his age and being a leggie, he can go for runs as well. The other Afghan spinner – Mohammad Nabi – is an off-break bowler. His experience is valuable but would require weight of runs from his batsmen to be of greater impact. Peter Hatzoglou is another tweaker on whom the team has put the burden of expectations. Safe to say he is yet to join the league of the likes of Rashid Khan or even Tanveer Sangha. The pace attack is led by Kane Richardson, a bowler with great potential, but doesn’t have any big names to support him. Josh Lalor, Will Sutherland, and Zak Evans are all a roll of the dice. For the Renegades to succeed, the Finch-Marsh pair has to fire while the senior bowlers like Richardson and Nabi have to lead the way. Then, one of the less high-profile guys have to emerge as the x-factor. Only then can the Melbourne side get out of the rut they are in. Strikers Keen to Get Campaign Back on Track The biggest problem for Strikers in the last game was the lack of support for Rashid Khan. The Afghan spin maestro was in great form again in the last match but received no support from his fellow bowlers. The failure of Danny Briggs in the last match took hurt the strategy of the Adelaide side. Peter Siddle has mastered the yorker but he held himself back in the last match and missed the mark completely when he did come on. But a man with his experience should find a way back into rhythm. Wes Agar and Daniel Worrall too shouldn’t be deemed incompetent after just one match. Regarding the batting, there are concerns about the form of Matt Renshaw. But the last game brought Jonathan Wells back into form. Jake Weatherald also enjoyed a good time in the middle. This is a great development. The middle order now looks stronger. With Phil Salt and Alex Carey in the top order to set the stage, Strikers are in a good shape. Renegades vs Strikers: Match Details Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide Date and Time: January 5, 1:45 PM IST, 5:45 PM Local, 8:15 AM GMT Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report The two matches played in Adelaide so far has provided some help for pacers. Good bounce has been available for bowlers. This may continue in the upcoming matches, although the pitch at Adelaide can also become slow and allow spinners to come into play. Whether this happens in the next match remains to be seen. Weather and Toss Few clouds would be spotted in the sky on Tuesday evening but without much chance of rain. The weather will be cool in the evening. In other words, weather won’t play much of a part in the outcome of the match. Probable XIs Renegades: Sam Harper (Wk), Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch (C), Beau Webster, Mohammad Nabi, Rilee Rossouw, Jack Prestwidge, Kane Richardson, Will Sutherland, Peter Hatzoglou, Noor Ahmed, Strikers: Phil Salt, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (C, Wk), Jonathan Wells, Jake Weatherald, Ryan Gibson, Rashid Khan, Daniel Worrall, Danny Briggs, Wes Agar, Peter Siddle