Fit-again, de Grandhomme & Wagner among New Zealand players vaccinated ahead of England tour

The New Zealand national cricket team along with all the Olympic bound athletes will be vaccinated due to "reasons of national significance" in the Kiwi nation’s first vaccine drive against the deadly novel-coronavirus.

Colin de Grandhomme, who missed the whole home summer of Test cricket mainly due to not being able to bowl, has returned to the fire after successful ankle surgery. He is most likely to be included in the Blackcaps scheme of things on the England tour where the team plays two Tests against England before taking on India in the inaugural World Test Championship.

"Since I've had the surgery the ankle has felt really good and it seems to keep getting better and it feels normal again for a change," de Grandhomme, 34 said on the sidelines of his first practice session in Mount Maunganui. "Looks like I'm tracking well at the moment and should be ready to go for ball one if I'm needed," added Zimbabwe born.

With England making India a red list country, the four Kiwi Test squad members in skipper Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson, not getting vaccinated is a prime concern. The players from India would most likely require to undergo an extended period of quarantine in England.

Neil Wagner, who would be a lethal option in England has also started training with the duke ball and was seen warming up in Maunganui after being vaccinated alongside de Grandhomee. "It's got a little bit different characteristics to what a Kookaburra does so just trying to get used to it and adapting to the different things we'll come across in England," Wagner said about how he is going to adapt to the English duke ball and the conditions. "[It's about] not getting too far ahead of yourself with a Duke ball that tends to swing around a little bit and try too hard,” he added.

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Don't want to restrict my shots, says Sanju Samson after subpar performance in consecutive games

Rajasthan Royals new skipper Sanju Samson began the IPL 2021 campaign with a fine hundred against the Punjab Kings while chasing 222 in 20 overs. While the wicket-keeper batsman started off the tournament with a bang, Samson has lost his touch. He has scored only 5 runs in the last two outings for RR. Sanju failed to leave a mark in the clash against Chennai Super Kings after he was dismissed for just 1 by Sam Curran after miscuing a stroke and giving an easy catch to Dwayne Bravo stationed at mid on. But the right-hander is of the opinion that the IPL is all about risk-taking shots and the batsmen can succeed on some occasions while can fail on the others to execute them. "Yeah, actually it keeps on happening in this format of the game. I think IPL definitely demands a lot of risk-taking shots. And I said before when I succeeded, I took a lot of risks. That's why I scored a hundred. So, it depends actually on the day, the mindset you are coming with," Samson said at the post-match press conference. Samson further said that he would like to continue to bat in the same way and won’t resist himself from going for his strokes. "Actually, I don't want to restrict my shots, I want to keep on playing my shots and keep on batting the way I love to bat actually. So, I'm also accepting a lot of failures on the way,” he added. RR suffered a defeat against Chennai Super Kings on Monday by 45 runs after they failed to chase down a target of 189 runs and were restricted to 143/9 in 20 overs. Jos Buttler top-scored for RR with 49 off 35 while Moeen Ali was the pick of the bowlers for CSK after he returned with figures of 3/7 in 3 overs. RR will now face Royal Challengers Bangalore on Thursday in Mumbai.

IPL 2021 | MS Dhoni is and will remain an asset for Chennai Super Kings: CSK CEO

The Chennai Super Kings have bounced back strongly after facing a heavy loss in their first game of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. However, they have not seen their leader MS Dhoni coming to the party yet in this season. Dhoni had gone out cheaply in the game against the Delhi Capitals, whereas in the game against the Royals, he batted at the number six position. There have been calls from experts and forme players demanding Dhoni to bat higher up the order and also that he has become a liability for the team as runs have started to dry up. Replying to stern criticism of Dhoni, the CEO of the CSK franchise, Kashi Vishwanathan has said that Dhoni was and will continue to be an asset for the men in yellow. He also clarified that Dhoni’s decision to bat lower down the order has been taken in view of having other in-form players after consultation with the team management. “See, he plays for the team. To bat at the position he has preferred is something, MS has taken in consultation with the team management. He plays to the situation in the best interest of the game. I am sure if need be he and the team management might decide to play him up the order. But that is for them to decide. He has played only 2 innings so far & I am sure he will come up with big knock performances… CSK needs its captain more than ever before. He is an asset and will always remain so," says CSK CEO. The Super Kings have won two out of their games this season and have found new heroes in Moeen Ali, Sam Curran.

Gabba to get Billion dollar revamp for 2032 Olympics

Come July 2021 and Brisbane might be celebrating the win of hosting rights for the 2032 Olympics. As the city was already been chosen as a preferred bidder by the International Olympic Council (IOC) in February, the Australian authorities are planning for a rebuild worth a Billion Australian dollars (USD777 million) for the iconic cricket stadium, The Gabba. Situated in the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba, this Queensland stadium is the biggest in the state. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that the stadium would most likely see the capacity of the stadium boosted from 42,000 to 50,000 as part of a renovation to cost. Saying that every game needs a home, Palaszczuk went on to add, "The Gabba has been home to our sport since 1895. A home for the 2032 Olympic Games could be its crowning glory." The plans of refurbishing include connecting the stadium to a new railway station under construction via a pedestrian plaza. "The Gabba is one of the most important, iconic and historic cricket grounds in Australia and we are delighted that the Queensland Government has agreed to a major redevelopment should Brisbane win the right to host the 2032 Olympic Games," Nick Hockley, the interim CEO of Cricket Australia, said. The Gabba was the talk of the town in India as it was there that the Indian team defeated Australia for the first time in more than 30 years to win the Test series 3-1 with a second-string team. The ground is also most likely to host the first game of the upcoming Ashes. The 2020 Olympics, which has been deferred to July this year will take place in Japan. While the 2024 Games would take place in Paris, France, the 2028 Olympics, where Cricket might feature would be held in Los Angeles US.

South Africa captains apologise to sponsors for their board’s betrayal

What comes as a strong statement in the face of the ongoing turmoil in South Africa’s cricket administration, the South African Cricketers’ Association, the body representing all the players, men and women in the rainbow nation, has come out with an open letter to apologise to sponsors of the game. The letter is signed by SACA President Kyle Zondo and all three national captains including Dean Elgar, Dane Van Niekerk and Temba Bavuma. "As players, we wish to speak directly to the many sponsors of our beloved game ... [and] ... recognise and acknowledge that your involvement in the game supports our careers and provides funding for the development of the game throughout South Africa,” read the SACA letter. The players further went on to say, “We apologise for the actions of our administrators who have undermined and betrayed your commitment to the sport." Terming the decision taken by the Cricket South Africa’s board members to not honour their words of ratifying the constitution to make the board look more independent, as being taken in "bad faith”, the SACA said that it was "disrespectful not only to the Sports Minister’s office but to all cricketers and the public". Nathi Mthethwa, South Africa's sports minister, had given a warning and announced April 18 as the last date for board members to yield to the Ministry’s demands of setting up a more impartial and independent cricket board by adapting to a new constitution. But that wasn’t done. "Government intervention in the sport will have dire consequences, the full extent of which we do not yet know," SACA's release said. "These outcomes will in turn impact touring, broadcast rights and sponsorship deals. Ultimately the financial viability of the game will suffer and cricket at all levels will be severely prejudiced," the SACA wrote. Asking the public to "continue to support cricket” SACA, said, “It is the most wonderful game, and we are immensely proud to represent you on the field." The Association then lashed out at the Cricket Board’s member council for not keeping the games’ and player’s interest at the top, rather than its own mala fide motives. "The members’ council has now acted contrary to the wishes of the minister, the Nicholson recommendations, King IV governance principles, and international best practice - how can this be in the best interests of our game?"