Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali make it to Pakistan’s squad for 1st Test vs SA

IND vs ENG: BCCI keen on getting spectators in stands for T20Is, says report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pretty keen on getting the crowd in the stands for the T20Is between India and England. "We are trying to open the stadium for fans to witness what awaits to be a thrilling T20I series between India and England. While we are yet to decide on the numbers, the idea is to get close to 50 per cent of the seats filled. But the final decision lies with the government. Safety is a priority even as we adapt to the new normal," the official said, while speaking to ANI. The first two Test matches that scheduled to take place in Chennai will not see any spectators in the stands. "In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI has decided not to take any kind of risk with the safety of the players during the forthcoming India-England Test series. The players, officials will be undergoing strict quarantine and several rounds of COVID-19 tests before entering the bio-bubble," TNCA secretary Ramasaamy wrote in the circular. "As per BCCI directive, the first two Tests between February 5-17 being held at MA Chidambaram Stadium will take place behind closed doors. "TNCA will not be issuing tickets or sub-committee badges." The Test series begins from February 5 in Chennai. The first two Tests are slated to take place in Chennai and the teams will then move to Ahmedabad for the next two encounters. Captain Virat Kohli who missed the last three Tests against Australia as he had returned home for the birth of his first child is back to lead the team while all-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast bowler Ishant Sharma have also returned to the squad. In absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel has been called up to strengthen the spin bowling attack alongside R Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Out of Prithvi Shaw and left-arm seamer T. Natarajan have been dropped.

England bowlers need to be patient to be successful in India: Swann

Former England spinner Graeme Swann said that for the current English spinning crop to be successful in India, they must be patient with their line and length. Speaking on the Hussain and Key Cricket show, he said, “India are very, very patient but if you are willing to be patient and bowl all day you will take wickets," he observed.” “You might have to work very hard for them and you'll lose some timber, which isn't a bad thing," he added. Swann on his two tours to India has taken 28 wickets and feels that this Indian team is full of batsmen who don’t take bowlers head-on and therefore it could be beneficial for the England spinners. "If you bowl well enough, especially against India, they play you very respectfully. There is not a Virender Sehwag in that current team; Virat Kohli when he bats against spin waits for the bad ball,” said the 41-year-old. Picking his best spinner to bowl in India, Swann said that he would back left-arm orthodox spinner Jack Leach, who has picked up seven wickets in England’s last match against Sri Lanka. "Jack Leach is the one for me in India - he has to run up and be prepared to bowl nothing but straight deliveries, pitching middle stump and hitting the middle stump," Swann said. He also cast a doubt at the Indian team saying, "I do think this India team are getting better and better. I honestly was thinking until I saw the squad 'yes, India are good but are they that good?'"

BBL 10: Adelaide Strikers etch win in a close encounter vs Sydney Thunder

Adelaide Strikers beat Sydney Thunder by 6 runs in Adelaide on Sunday. Chasing 160, Thunder were restricted to 153/7 in 20 overs. Sydney lost opener Alex Hales early in the chase but Unman Khawaja and captain Callum Ferguson steadied the ship for the side as the two built a stand of 56 runs for the second wicket. The Ferguson-led team then lost the plot as there was a flurry of wickets. Thunder were left tottering at 114/7 when Ben Cutting along with Nathan McAndrew tried to get their side out of trouble. The two put an unbeaten partnership of 39 runs but failed to take their team over the line. Khawaja top-scored with 36 while Cutting remained not out at 24. For Strikers, it was Michael Neser and Liam O Connor who put a good show with the ball. Never returned with figures of 2/17 in 3 over while Connor with 1/22 in 3 overs. Earlier, Adelaide started off the proceedings well as Alex Carey and Weatherald put 42 for the first wicket while Weatherald. But the Carey’s departure saw fall of wickets for the Strikers at regular intervals and they only managed to score 159/6 in the allotted 20 overs. Milne bowled 4 overs for Thunder and returned with figures of 1/6 while Brendan Doggett gave just 22 runs in 4 overs and also picked up a couple of wickets. Peter Siddle was adjudged man of the match for his bowling figures of 2/22 in 4 overs. Adelaide Strikers are now placed at number three in the points table with 28 points from 13 matches while Thunder follow them at four with 27 points from 13 games.

Had taken two injections and sedatives before batting: Rishabh Pant

India rode on some fine batting performances from youngsters Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill to win the fourth and final Test against Australia in Brisbane by 3 wickets. Pant remained unbeaten at 89 while taking India home in the course of chasing 328 at Gabba. "Even when I got out for 97 on the last day in Sydney, I thought I could have won the match had I batted longer. It didn’t matter that I had to take two injections and sedatives before batting. I was in a zone and didn’t want to throw away opportunities. So I ensured I was there at the end in Brisbane," Pant was quoted as saying by Times of India. India were handed a target of 328 in the second innings by the hosts. Gill scored career-best 91 while Cheteshwa Pujara played more than 200 balls for his 56. Apart from them, Washington Sundar also played a crucial knock of 22 runs off 29 deliveries. Pant finished the Test series as the highest run-getter for Team India with 274 runs from 3 matches. India defended the Border-Gavaskar trophy after completing a 2-1 win in the series with the victory in Brisbane. The visiting team had faced a lot of injury concerns during the tour. Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami, KL Rahul, Hanuma Vihari and Ravindra Jadeja had been ruled out of the series while R Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah missed out the final Test after not being completely fit.