Hanuma Vihari gives witty reply to Babul Supriyo

The allegations levied against Steve Smith is a load of rubbish, says Langer

Australian head coach Justin Langer has quashed all the rumours surrounding Steve Smith’s questionable tactics during the 3rd Test in Sydney where he was accused of scuffing up Rishabh Pant’s guard with his boots where Pant was taking his guard. During the final day of the historic 3rd Test, the stump camera caught Smith shadow practising at the crease where Pant was to take strike and whether he did it intentionally or in his motion only Smith knows. However, Justin Langer is not happy with all the allegations levied against Smith following the incident and supported him by saying that it was ‘ludicrous and a load of rubbish.’ He further added that Smith does some unusual things on the field but he won’t do anything to tarnish the image of the game. "I literally cannot believe some of the rubbish I read about Steve Smith. Absolute load of rubbish. I mean, if anyone knows Steve Smith, he is a bit quirky and he does some weird (stuff) and we have laughed about it for the last couple of years," Langer said during a virtual press conference with Sony Six Network. I have spoken about it publicly, privately about how he is a bit quirky. What Steve Smith does at the crease, he does it probably most games, he is just thinking about the game." Smith was banned from all forms of cricket for a year following his involvement in the “sandpaper gate” during Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2018. Along with teammates David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, the duo forged a plan of applying sandpaper on the ball to get some purchase from the ball as Australia was in the backfoot during that particular encounter. After serving a 12-month ban, Smith has looked a completely changed player, especially with his behaviour. Meanwhile, he clearly stated that it was spontaneous and he had no intentions of removing Pant’s guard and was marking his own guard. Langer further said that the allegations were atrocious, to say the least. "Anyone who suggests for one millisecond, he was trying to do something untoward, way out of line. On that wicket, it was that flat, it was like concrete, you need 15 inches spikes to make an intent on the crease and he went nowhere near the crease. Seriously, I thought that was absolutely ludicrous," Langer added. "In the last couple of years since he (Smith) has been back, he has been exemplary on and off the field, he has let his bat to the talking. He was abused like I have never seen anything through England and he just kept smiling and doing his bat do the talking. Give me a break," Langer concluded.

BBL 10: Melbourne Stars part ways with Ben Dunk midway through the season

In an unforeseen turn of events, the Melbourne Stas have decided to part ways with explosive batsman Ben Dunk midway through the KFC Big Bash League 10. Releasing a statement on that behalf, the Melbourne Stars quoted that the decision to release Dunk midway through the season was “mutually agreed”. His contract was slated to expire at the end of the next season. Before returning to his hometown Hobart, Dunk informed about the same to his teammates. Dunk stated that his time with the Melbourne Stars comes to an end as he looks forward to new opportunities across the world. "My time with the Stars has come to an end and it's time for me to focus on other playing opportunities around the world," Dunk shared on social media today. It's been a great journey and there are so many people to thank. "Eddie (McGuire), Clint (Cooper), Stephen (Fleming) and Trent (Woodhill) gave me a wonderful opportunity to play for a great club for a long period of time. Unfortunately, I haven't made the most of those opportunities but that is cricket. "To the fans of the Stars, you guys are amazing and I'm sure in time, you will get the ultimate success you deserve. To my teammates from over the years, I thank you, and I look forward to seeing you all at some point in the near future,” he further added. The southpaw was roped in by the Melbourne Stars in 2017 after he had a sensational time with the bat for the Adelaide Strikers in the previous season. He had scored 364 runs in the tournament at an impressive average of 52. Meanwhile, he was also a star performer for the Hobart Hurricanes in the 3rd season of the BBL where he was named as the Player of the Tournament before he was traded to the Strikers ahead of the 2016 season.

Angelo Mathews returns to Sri Lanka Test squad

Sri Lanka have named the squad for the Test series against England at home. The team would be led by Dimuth Karunaratne while a major boost for the hosts has come with the inclusion of Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Pradeep. Apart from these, Roshen Silva, Lakshan Sandakan and Ramesh Silva are the other three to find a place for themselves. Dhananjaya de Silva and Kasun Rajitha have been dropped from the squad after sustaining individual injuries. Dhanajaya tore a ligament in his thigh while Rajitha injured his groin. The two-match Test series between England and Sri Lanka begins on Thursday. The matches will take place behind close doors in Galle. Sri Lanka are coming into the series after suffering a 0-2 loss at the hands of South Africa away from home. The England team on the other side has a big and busy schedule ahead of them with 17 Tests lined up. They will first play Sri Lanka and will then travel to India and then are likely to face New Zealand and India at home which would be followed by the Ashes series in Australia. Squad: Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Oshada Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Embuldeniya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Dasun Shanaka, Asitha Fernando, Roshen Silva, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Ramesh Mendis

It's still not an advantage for us: Nathan Lyon on India's injury woes

The Indian team will be missing some key players in the fourth Test against Australia in Brisbane but spinner Nathan Lyon feels that this isn’t an advantage for the home side. "I wouldn''t say that (Australia have the advantage). You look at the class throughout the Indian squad, yes they will be missing a couple of big players but they have got a talented squad they can pick from," Lyon said during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. The off-spinner further said that the Australian team needs to focus more on their on performance. "To be honest, we have to worry about our preparation. We can''t look too far at what they are doing. As bowlers, we are very well suited for the Gabba and hopefully we can put them into play nice and early when we have the ball in hand." India have some major injury concerns after Ravindra Jadeja and Hanuma Vihari were the latest additions to the list of injured Indian players. Both the players sustained injuries during the third Test in Sydney. The Indian team suffered another huge blow after pacer Jasprit Bumrah was also ruled out of the 4th Test after sustaining an abdominal strain. Off-spinner R Ashwin and Mayank Agarwal’s place in the XI is also under dark clouds as the two players too have sustained injuries. Agarwal was hit on the gloves and taken for scans while Ashwin has been suffering from back spasms. Earlier, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and KL Rahul were ruled out of the Test series due to respective injuries.