ENG vs NZ | 1st Test: All three results still possible, says Tim Southee

Have written to BCCI to revoke my ban: Ankeet Chavan

Ankeet Chavan, one of the three players alongside Ajit Chandela and S Sreesanth from the Rajasthan Royals side to have been allegedly involved in a spot-fixing scandal, has now requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to have his life ban revoked and allow him to play the game again. Chavan, 35, wrote a letter to the MCA stating that the Ombudsman, in his order a month back (May 3) said that his punishment has been reduced to seven years which concluded in September 2020. "I have pleadingly requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) to help and support me as it has always done in the past and take my application forward. The Ombudsman, in his order a month back (May 3), said that my punishment is reduced to seven years which ends in September 2020," Chavan told Cricbuzz. "I have written to the BCCI to have my ban revoked and attached the Ombudsman order too. But I have not heard from the BCCI and hence I have requested the MCA to intervene," Chavan said. The MCA official said that the board will have a discussion on the matter. "We will discuss the matter but we will have to consult the legal department to see how we can help. The action was taken by the BCCI," he said. Chavan played a total of 13 matches before getting banned.

It’s difficult to make a comeback after injury when you don’t play many games: Umesh Yadav

India pacer Umesh Yadav has expressed disappointment on missing out on the opportunity to perform in absence of other senior bowlers in Australia. Umesh was one of the many players in the Indian lineup to get ruled out of the series due to injury. “It’s difficult. I got injured after the second Test in Australia. That was a big opportunity for me when the rest of the senior bowlers were not available. If I could do well in that situation, it would have been a big boost like it has done to the young boys who played in Australia,” he said in an interview with The Times of India. The right-arm bowler had sustained a calf injury. While he missed the Australia series away from home, Yadav was omitted from the squad that played against England on home soil. The former RCB fast bowler pointed out that not getting much match practice due to injury makes it a tough task for any player to get back into the groove quickly. “There was plenty of cricket after that. I didn’t get to play the Tests against England at home. I didn’t get matches in the IPL as well. It’s difficult to make a comeback after injury when you don’t play many games,” he added. Umesh,33, is with the Indian team in the UK as Virat Kohli-led side is slated to play the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against New Zealand in Southampton from June 18 and will then take on England in a five-match series away from home.

Dhaka Premier League: BCB initiates investigation for potential Bubble breach

A potential bio-security environment breach might have occurred during the practice session of Mohammedan Sporting Club on 04 May 2021 for the Bangabandhu Dhaka Premier Division T20 also called Dhaka Premier League. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and the Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis (CCDM) have initiated a joint investigation in this matter. CCDM Chairman Kazi Inam Ahmed said that it’s disappointing that such an incident has happened. He further added that the BCB and the CCDM have taken the matter very seriously. “We are disappointed to note this incident. Both the CCDM and the BCB have taken this very seriously. The health and safety of our teams, players and officials are most important to us. We have invested a significant amount of finances and efforts to make sure the BSE protocols are in place including the best possible accommodation and logistics. This incident is being looked into and necessary actions and further precautionary measures will be taken,” Ahmed said. The Mohammedan Sporting Club wasn’t scheduled to play a match on Friday (June 4, 2021) in the Dhaka Premier League. However, the team members had a practice session that particular day while the skipper of the side Shakib Al Hasan was practising at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.

Rory Burns delighted to score century in front of family after 'quite a good day'

England opener Rory Burns had a good day at the office against New Zealand at Lord’s on Saturday after he struck his third Test ton during the first innings. Burns’ 132 played a crucial role in helping the home side come out of a tricky situation as they were once reduced to 140/6 in reply to New Zealand’s 378. The hosts eventually finished off the first innings at 275, trailing the Blackcaps by 103 runs. The left-handed batsman talked about his performance after the day’s play and also praised the New Zealand bowling attack. “I think they bowled really well today, they dried it up quite a lot of the time, so it was a bit of a grind. To get to where we got to in the end made it quite a good day,” he said. The opener notched up the century in front of his family and mentioning about the same, Burns expressed his delight and said it’s pretty special to achieve the feat. “My wife and Cora were here today, and it’s pretty special to get a hundred in front of them,” Burns added. “Getting dropped is not a nice thing but doing well on the next opportunity you’re given is. I got some good balls in India but you try to stay level. Today, you nick one, get dropped and you end up getting a hundred. It’s the flipside of the game, a double-edged sword at times,” he further said. New Zealand later began the proceedings for the second innings and they were 62/2 before the stumps were called on Day 4, leading England by 165 runs. Ollie Robinson, who made his debut for England in this match picked up both the wickets. The two sides are up against each other in a two-match Test series with the second encounter scheduled to take place in Birmingham from June 10.