David Saker returns to Big Bash League as Melbourne Renegades coach

It’s difficult for players to stay motivated: Virat Kohli stresses on mental well being of players

India skipper Virat Kohli, who is well known for speaking about well being of players once again stressed the importance of witching off from the game as and when possible to keep the motivation level going. Kohli, who was speaking at a press meet before the team’s departure to Egland for a three-month sojourn said that the mental well being of players needs to become a norm much like physical fitness. "You don't have an outlet at all in today's day and age. You're literally going to the ground and coming back to the room, and you don't have space where you can just disconnect from the game and go out for a walk or a meal and a coffee and say, 'Let me refresh myself. Let me just get away from the game a little bit,’,” he said. “I think this is a huge factor, which should not be neglected. Because as much hard work as we've done to create this team, you don't want players falling out because of mental pressures and not having the capacity or space to express themselves," Kohli added. The Indian skipper also shed light on the competitiveness as well as the business of the schedule which is forcing players to stay in the game all the time and which in turn is affecting their game. "The kind of structure we're competing inside, for a long period of time it's difficult for players to stay motivated and find the right kind of mental space in one area and just do this stuff day in and day out, and [then] dealing with high-pressure situations," he said. Although BCCI is yet to appoint any psychological trainer or expert with the team, the captain believes that having an expert on the side will become a norm soon. "So this will definitely become a norm of the future, where apart from the workloads, the mental health side of things will also come into the picture big-time,” the 32-year-old said. The Indian team has been freed from bubble restrictions for the rest of their English tour after the World Test Championship. They would instead be living in environment-friendly conditions and can go out and visit the places they want to. Kohli feels that it is a welcome step. “I think it's absolutely fine. It'll give us time to regroup as a side and prepare again for a long series. That kind of setup is very important before you go into a lengthy series. We know that playing five Tests in England can be very challenging and daunting,” he said. The Indian team will first play the WTC Final against New Zealand at Southampton starting June 18. Then, after almost a 40-day break, start off their five-match Test series against England with the first Test on August 4.

Now you know how it feels bro: Conway greeted by skipper Williamson on historic debut hundred

Devon Conaway was the star of the day in the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s. He was not only the first non-English debutant in 25 years to score a century at Lord’s, but also went on to become the highest scorer in a debut innings at the iconic ground. The best part is he carried the bat to the dressing room and will come back again on Day two to continue from where he had left. It was when he went to the dressing room that he was greeted by his captain Kane Williamson in a manner, which the South Africa born might remember all his life. Describing the situation, Conway said, “It’s a pretty special feeling. When we arrived at Lord’s a couple of days ago, we walked into the change room and had an opportunity to have a look at the names of the legends on the honour’s board. Funny enough, I had a conversation with Kane and asked what it feels like to see his name up on that board.” “When I walked in the change room today, the first thing he said, ‘Now, you know what it feels like bro,’,” added the left-hander who is unbeaten at 136. Talking about his knock, Conway believes that it will take a day or two for him to let that special feeling sink in. “A special, special day you know. I don’t think I could have dreamt of something like that happening and it will certainly take a few days for me to let it sink in,” he said. New Zealand had a brilliant start to their first session, after having elected to bat first on a sunny day at the home of cricket. Conway, who put on a 58 run partnership with Tom Latham was grateful that a batting-friendly condition was available to him. “We started off in a beautiful sunny condition and a lot of the guys say that when it’s nice and sunny at the Lord’s, it’s a batting day. So I tried to make the most of it,” said the 29-year-old. However, for the first three overs, the Wellington Firebirds player didn’t get to strike thanks to Tom Latham who played all the deliveries. Conway was actually pleased that he did not take strike for that long. “I was actually pretty grateful. It gave me the opportunity to sort of watch from the non-striker’s end as to how the ball was holding and what it was doing off the wicket,” he said. “And I got a chance to have those conversations with him [Latham]. It git a bit nerve-wracking and we probably joked, ‘gee is it the longest that someone hasn’t faced a ball on Test debut?’,” added the man who has an average of more than 50 in all three formats so far.

BBL: Trevor Bayliss appointed head coach of Sydney Thunder for next three seasons

Word Cup-winning coach Trevor Bayliss has joined Sydney Thunder as their head coach for the next three season of the Big Bahs league, as announced in a press release by the team. The 58-year-old, who is already a life member of a Western Sydney club, the Penrith Cricket Club, is more than excited to be reunited with the team that represents his part of the city. “It’s great to be home and involved in New South Wales cricket,” said Bayliss. “The Thunder have done well over the last few years… Hopefully, we can go one or two steps further this summer. To win as many matches as possible and compete in the Final is my number one goal,” added the man who has taken England to ICC ODI World Cup victory in 2019, Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles and Thunder’s cross-town rival Sydney Sixers to their inaugural BBL title. Bayliss also feels that getting the crowds back in the stadium will push players to achieve more fruitful results performance-wise. “Hopefully this year we can get some crowds back into the matches and making plenty of noise,” he said. “My experience over the years is that these players are at their best when there is some good atmosphere around the match so hopefully, we can put on a good show for the fans,” he added. Bayliss, a New South Wales First-Class player himself, will replace Shane Bond, who had more than a decent season with Thunder, taking them to the Finals where they bowed out in Eliminator. Bayliss is also head coach of IPL side Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Watch: India Men’s and Women’s depart for England tour

The Indian Men’s and Women’s team departed for England at around 12 am Thursday, June 3 from Mumbai. The two teams will travel together in a chartered flight to the English shores. The Men’s team, which would be staying in England for more than three months has been allowed to take close family with them as well. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared the photos of the team’s departure on their official Twitter handle. While the Women’s team’s journey starts with the one-off Test at Bristol against England Women, the Men’s team under captain Virat Kohli would take on Kane Williamson’s men in the inaugural World Test Championship Final at Southampton starting June 18. Post the WTC the Men’s will have a long break before they return in action on August 4 for the first of the five Tests against England. The Women’s team however will play three ODIs and three T20Is against the English Women to end the tour in July itself. Five members of the Women’s side including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma will, however, stay put take part in the inaugural edition of The Hundred, a franchise-based 100 ball tournament envisaged by the England and Wales Cricket Board.