'Generational' talent Shimron Hetmyer can take West Indies cricket forward, says Kieron Pollard

CSK bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji calls recovery from Covid-19 an episode of Man vs Wild

The bowling coach of Chennai Super Kings, Lakshmipathy Balaji, who tested positive for Covid-19 while he was with the side in the IPL 2021 said that the isolation period after contracting the virus felt like going through an episode of Man vs Wild. He said that phase took both a mental and physical toll on him. “As I was isolating on my own having tested positive for Covid-19, a thought crossed my mind: recovering from Covid-19, both physically and mentally, is like experiencing an episode of Man vs Wild,” Balaji said ESPNcricinfo. Going back in time when he was infected with the virus, Balaji said that he had felt uneasiness and some covid-19 related symptoms such as body ache some six days after arriving in Delhi from Mumbai. He said that the positive result of Covid-19 left him in shock as he had not done anything to put both himself and his teammates at risk. “On May 2, I was feeling a bit of uneasiness. I had body ache and a mild nose block. I was tested the same day around mid-afternoon. By May 3 morning, I had tested positive. I was shocked. I had done nothing to breach the norms to endanger my and rest of the bubble's safety,” Balaji added. Three members of the Chennai Super Kings franchise including Balaji, bating coach Michael Hussey and CEO Kashi Vishwanathan had tested positive for Covid-19 before the tournament was abruptly postponed by the BCCI.

Varun Chakravarthy yet to recover fully despite testing negative, hopeful of starting training soon

Varun Chakravarthy who was the first player from the IPL bio-bubble to test positive for COVID-19 is yet to fully recover from the after-effects of the deadly virus and is not fit enough to resume his training duties. He is still feeling “weakness and diziness” and is currently recovering at home. Two days after Chakravarthy tested positive, the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League was suspended indefinitely after more cases started getting reported inside respective bio-bubbles. Having tested negative on May 11, the mystery spinner is currently at his Chennai residence trying to get back to full fitness. “I’m now doing well and recovering at home. I still haven’t been able to resume training full-tilt because of post-Covid-19 symptoms. Although I don’t have cough or fever, there is weakness and dizziness,” Chakravarthy was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. “The loss of smell and taste is still intermittent, but I’m confident of being able to resume training soon,” he further added. With the second wave of COVID-19 having created a ruckus all across the country, Chakravarthy’s first-hand message to his fellow athletes is to not take the virus lightly and give their body atleast a couple of weeks to recover after testing negative for the virus. He urged the other athletes to give their body time to cope with the after-effects of the virus. “The thing I’ve learnt and would like to tell other athletes and individuals recovering from Covid-19 is to give your body at least two weeks to fully recover after you test negative. Also, even after people test negative, my advice is for them to continue to mask up so that you keep others around you safe,” Chakravarthy said. While India had a tough time dealing with the first wave last year, things have worsened drastically this time around. With thousands of death being reported all across the country on a daily basis, it becomes a mental issue for a particular individual who tested positive for COVID-19. “The toughest thing about contracting Covid-19 is keeping your mind distracted, and away from all that was happening. Because you are alone, away from your family and team-mates. To keep myself occupied, I read books by Osho to give me a sense of calm.” The off-spinner who was an integral part of the Kolkata Knight Riders set-up in the 14th edition of the IPL first felt the symptoms back on 1st May when he got tired very early in the training session and felt that something was not right. He reported the issue directly and subsequently he was isolated from the rest of the group. “As to how it all started, I felt something was slightly off on May 1. I felt tired. There was no cough whatsoever, but I had little fever, so I didn’t attend our training session,”the spinner said. “I immediately informed the team management and they arranged for an RT-PCR test quickly. I was immediately quarantined and isolated, away from the rest of my KKR teammates, in a separate wing of the hotel. Soon, I found out that I’d tested positive,’ he further added. He felt a bit worried not only because he had contracted the virus but also for the whole country which has been going through such severe times. Even some of his family members were affected by the deadly virus. “My first reaction was feeling worried, not only for myself but also for what was happening around us in the country. Even a few of my family members were affected by Covid-19. It wasn’t easy, but as professionals, we had to find ways to go about our work in the best possible way,” Chakravarthy said.

Winning overseas is always special: Tim Southee ahead of England Tests

New Zealand speedster Tim Southee believes that the Kiwi team has grown as a side over the years and thus it has a good chance of standing up to the English challenge in the upcoming series against the hosts starting June 2 at Lord’s. ‘We have grown as a side,” Southee told the media in a virtual press conference. The 32-year-old further explained why it is a special feeling to win abroad. “We have been a lot more consistent over the years. Any international side has a goal to win away from home and this group is certainly striving to win more matches away from home,” he said. Although Southee is excited to face Joe Root’s team, he is aware of how strong teams have become at their home. “At the moment, every side is so good in their condition that it makes it such a good challenge to win abroad. And winning matches overseas is also a special feeling,” he said. The like of Rachin Ravindra, Will Young and Daryl Mitchell making it to the team after doing well at the domestic level, gives Southe the hope that the team will keep doing well for a long time. “Guys are now coming in from domestic cricket and are able to perform well at this level for New Zealand has been a great achievement,” said the Whangarei born who has 591 wickets for New Zealand in all formats combined.

Daryl Mitchell roped in by Middlesex for last nine match of Vitality T20 Blast

New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been roped in by Middlesex and he will ply his trade for the county team in the last nine group matches of the Vitality T20 Blast. Meanwhile, Irish opener Paul Stirling has been signed by Middlesex for only the first five matches. Middlesex have acquired the services of both these players as a replacement for Aussie all-rounder Mitchell Marsh who has been named in the national squad for their tour to the Caribbean shores. Mitchell expressed his delight after signing with Middlesex and will cherish the fact that he will be able to call Lord’s his home ground. "I am really honoured to have signed with Middlesex and to be able to call Lord's my home for the Vitality Blast," Mitchell was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz on Friday. "I'm looking forward to meeting up with the group after our Test Championship final versus India and getting stuck into winning some T20 cricket,” he further added. Having made his T20 debut way back in 2005, the 30 year old batting all-rounder has amassed 210 runs besides bagging 48 wickets in 108 games. He had started off his career with Northern Districts before moving to Canterbury. It was only in 2019 that his hard work paid off after he went onto make his international debut. Mitchell has so far played 15 T20Is and 3 ODIs for New Zealand. "It's great that Daryl has agreed to play for us in the T20 Blast this season," Middlesex head coach. He comes highly recommended by his New Zealand contemporaries and we have watched him force his way into that strong New Zealand team over the last few years,” Middlesex coach Stuart Law said. "He brings an all-round game, with a focus on power hitting, and good cricket intellect. We look forward to welcoming him into the Middlesex family and can't wait to start working with him during the Blast,” Law further added.