Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips two new faces in New Zealand’s Central Contracts list

UPCA provides financial assistance to former players

The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has decided to lend a helping hand to the former players amid the Covid-19 crisis. The association took to Twitter and made the announcement. “UPCA acknowledges the contribution of ex-Ranji cricketers. Hence, in order to provide financial assistance to such cricketers during the ongoing pandemic, it has decided to distribute one-time payment for ex-Ranji cricketers who have attained 50 years of age,” it said. “The assistance has been categorised as per number of matches played by the cricketer, i.e., 1 to 5 matches – Rs 50,000; 6 to 15 matches Rs 75,000; 16 to 24 matches Rs 1,00,000. The association has previously benefited many cricketers under the aforesaid scheme,” it further added. Earlier, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the IPL 2021 after there was a rise in Covid-19 cases within the franchise sides. SRH’s Wriddhiman Saha, DC’s Amit Mishra, KKR’s Sandeep Warrior and Varun Chakravarthy and CSK’s bowling coach L.Balaji and later batting coach Mike Hussey had tested positive. The tournament was suspended with immediate effect for an indefinite time. Though, the BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said that the league was suspended and not cancelled. The BCCI hasn’t made any announcement as to when will the cash-rich league resume.

T20 Blast: Kent sign Afghan leggie Qais Ahmad

Qais Ahmad became the fifth Afghan player to sign a contract for the upcoming Vitality Blast, England’s premium t20 tournament. Kent informed that the leggie would also be available for two County Championship matches for the side, subject to regulatory approval. “I’m excited to play in the Vitality Blast and I’m really looking forward to being a Kent Spitfire,” Ahmad was quoted as saying by Kent’s official website. “Having played alongside Daniel Bell-Drummond at Colombo Kings, I have heard good things about Kent and I will give it my all,” the Afghan added. Ahmad, who has taken 77 wickets in a T20 career of 67 matches with an average of 21.78, would be joined by his Afghan teammates, Rashid Khan (Sussex), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Middlesex), Mohammad Nabi (Northamptonshire) and Naveen-ul-Haq (Leicestershire) in the Blast 2021. The Nangarhar born might have played only one Test, but he has 68 wickets in 12 first-class matches so far at an average of 20.51. Kent’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, was pleased to have signed Ahamad as the lone leggie in the side as the previous year’s quarterfinalists were deprived of the spin options with only Imran Qayyum’s left-arm spin being available at disposal along with Joe Denly’s part-time leg-spin. “We’re delighted to welcome a leg-spinner of Qais Ahmad’s class to Kent as we look to bring some variety to our attack ahead of the Vitality Blast,” Downton said. “I am confident that his enthusiasm for the game will make him a firm favourite with our Members and supporters as we look to welcome crowds back to watching live cricket again,” he added.

Kusal Perera wants his team to play fearless brand of cricket in the Bangladesh tour

Newly appointed Sri Lankan limited overs skipper for the upcoming tour of West Indies wants his side to play a fearless brand of cricket and make sure that the young bunch are completely unafraid. Kusal Perera who has made a name for himself across formats courtesy his sublime hiting prowess was named the skipper of the limited overs side after several big names were dropped from the squad. The likes of Dinesh Chandimal, Angelow Mathews were dropped from the squad. The Islanders have slipped to 9th in the Latest T20I rankings and the team management has decided to refurbish the team and include some new faces. Given the aggressive approach he takes on most occasion Perera will also like his team to play aggressive and fearless cricket. "We have to fearless cricket to win matches," he said, a day after his appointment as a skipper was confirmed. "You can't be fearful about losing. If you're worried about your place, you aren't going to give 100%. What I'm going to tell the players is to go and give it everything. If we play fearlessly even when we are practicing, then you will be able to play the same way in a match. That's what I've told the team. If we are fearful, we will fall even further. I'm trying to build a culture where the players have a lot of confidence,” he further explained. The southpaw has lacked the consistency but has already smashed some of the greatest knocks in world cricket. His knock of 153 in the final innings of a Test match against South Africa is regarded as one of the finest knocks since the inception of the game. He also smashed the second-fastest half-century in ODI’s when he achieved the feat in a mere 17 deliveries against Pakistan in 2015. "I really like to play fearless cricket personally, and that's where my success has been. Whenever I've played with fear, it hasn't worked for me. I want everyone else to play like that. You can't guarantee that you will go right playing this way, but the chances of things going well are greater,” Perera said. "But you have to practice well to instill that fearlessness. Because if you are 100% certain about the shot you're playing, you can play without fear. You need to understand your strengths and weaknesses. Where does the ball need to be for me to hit it? Will I get myself in trouble by hitting there? You need to have that understanding. If you're a bowler, you need to know which ball can get you a wicket, and which will help you bowl a dot. These things help you play fearlessly. As a fielding unit, you have to carry that same ethos as well, and I have big hopes for the upcoming Bangladesh series about our fielding,” the wicket-keeper batsman further added.

Sangakkara lauds Sakariya, Parag; considers them as future India prospects

The Indian Premier League’s 2021 season, though suspended for the time being is still keeping Chetan Sakariya amongst the most discussed players. Kumar Sangakkara, his team director from the Rajasthan Royals praised the youngster calling him a revelation of the season. "Chetan Sakariya was a revelation," said the former Sri Lanka captain in a webinar organised by the Royals on May 13. "He's had a tough year since January so far and our love and prayers are with him. His attitude and ability to build pressure and of course his skill. It's wonderful to have him in the side,” added Sangakkara pointing out how the Saurashtra player first lost his bother early this year and then his father to Covid-19 just recently. Sakariya took seven wickets in seven games for the Royals and bowled both with the new ball and at the death. Talking about other youngsters from the Royals side, Sanga praised the trio of Anuj Rawa, Yashwshvi Jaiswal and Mahipal Lomror. “We have Anuj, Yash, Mahipal, three youngsters who have been with the franchise for a long time and I was very impressed by all three of them,” he said. The coach further emphasised that although the Under-19 star Jaiswal did get a lot of opportunities in the middle, Delhi wicket-keeper batsman Rawat could not get to bat, even when he made it to the XI against Sunrisers Hyderabad, which was the last game of the suspended season for the Royals. “Mahi worked really hard in the nets to put his hand up for selection. Those three boys were just outstanding for us,” added the former President of the MCC. Talking about another exciting prospect for the Royals team, Sangakkara, who himself represented Sri Lanka for a record 404 ODIs, 134 Tests and 56 T20Is felt that Assam’s Riyan Parag has it in him to get selected for Team India. "Riyan Parag is also a very, very special player. He's got a huge amount to contribute not just to Rajasthan Royals, but also Indian cricket in the future. He's a very special talent that needs care, nurturing and development,” the 43-year old said.