ICC on lookout for WTC Final broadcasters after Star retains only subcontinent rights

The International Cricket Council would be looking to get broadcasters for the one-off Test, also arguably the biggest Test event on a global scale- the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship Final. Star India, the official broadcast partner of the international cricket governing body decided to retain its rights only for the subcontinent, selling the remaining back to ICC.

"It made sense for Star not to worry about selling the rights of the one-off match in none-too major cricket markets where their team is not playing. Apart from India, Star will have the rights in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the biggest markets in world cricket," Cricbuzz quoted a source close to the deal between ICC and Star India.

Even though New Zealand is a finalist in the event, it is going to be a heck of a challenge for ICC to sell the rights for the Kiwi nation broadcast. The main reason behind such a situation is the timing issue as during the final the New Zealanders would be having chilly winter nights back home, not considered well enough for wholesome Test match viewing conditions.

In other nations, especially England, Australia and South Africa, ICC might find suitable buyers. Another interesting area of sale could be the UAE and US / Canada market as the Indian diaspora there might be interested in the Finals viewership.

The WTC Final between India and New Zealand at Southampton, England, will be played between 18 and 22 June.

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IPL 2021: Moeen Ali commends MS Dhoni's leadership, CSK's structure

One of the new entrants into the Chennai Super Kings Moeen Ali is all aware of the legacy of the franchise and commended the leadership of MS Dhoni for not creating a panicking atmosphere for players. Instead, he said, that the captain MSD takes responsibility and make life easier for the players with consistent policies. “It’s very important to have strong leadership and coaches who stay calm, who take the pressure off the players as much as they can and are consistent. We are very lucky we have that,” Moeen said to the CSK website. “I think what differentiates CSK from other teams is actually how they structure everything… from the squad they have to the way they do things. They look a very calm franchise that doesn’t panic.” Moeen said that he has had words with players who have played games and improved their games under the leadership of MS Dhoni. He added that players emphasized the clarity of roles MS Dhoni provides to his players which help them in shaping their gameplans. “I’ve spoken to players who have played under MS and they tell me how he improves their game. I believe a great captain does that,” he added. “I think it’s something on every player’s wish list to play under MS. I think it’s the confidence and the clarity he gives people. It’s exciting,” he concluded. However, Moeen Ali is not missing out on the main purpose of winning the IPL title in the upcoming seasons starting on April 9. Moeen Ali was bought by the Super Kings in the auction for Rs 7 crore for his all-around abilities. He is capable of providing them flourish with the bat both at the top and in the lower order as well as a bowling option with his accurate off-spin.

T20 Vitality Blast 2021: Leicestershire Foxes sign up Josh Inglis for upcoming edition

Australian batsman Josh Inglis, who impressed in the Big Bash League earlier this year has been signed up by the Leicestershire Foxes for England’s domestic tournament T20 Vitality Blast. Inglis played an instrumental role in helping his BBL side Perth Scorchers reaching the finals. He amassed 413 runs across 16 innings with an outstanding average-strike rate combination of 34.42 and 140 runs per 100 balls in the 10th edition of BBL. Inglis was born in Leeds in England and shared his excitement about getting an opportunity to play in England for the first time. "It will be my first time playing domestic cricket in England and I look forward to testing myself," he said. “Josh is a player who really fits the bill, a batsman who can slot into various positions, and somebody equally at home with the gloves or in the field. Foxes’ coach Paul Nixon outlined ‘traits’ such as ‘strokeplay, match-winning-ability and character’ behind the move to sign up the right-hander for the T20 competition. Nixon added that Inglis has shown his hunger for runs in domestic cricket by piling on the runs while for the Scorchers in the BBL, he has batted with ‘controlled aggression at the top of the order’ to set up games for his side. “He has showed his skill in making centuries batting at seven and eight in first-class cricket this year, and a player who looks equally comfortable batting higher up the order. In white ball cricket, Josh has batted at number four with a controlled aggression to take the game away from the opposition or get ahead in a run chase. “Josh also fits our mould in terms of being young, hungry and keen to keep developing his game. We have spoken to people who have worked with Josh and his strokeplay, match-winning ability and character are traits that have shone through.” The T20 Vitality blast will commence on June 9 at Canterbury while the Leicestershire Foxes will begin their campaign a day later at the Old Trafford in Manchester.

MS Dhoni was the reason RPS reached IPL 2017 final, not Steve Smith: Rajat Bhatia

Rising Pune Supergiant was one of the two teams apart from Gujarat Lions to feature in the IPL 2016 and 2017 respectively. While Pune was led by MS Dhoni in the 2016 season, the former India captain was removed from his post in the next edition and the captain’s armband was handed over to Steve Smith. RPS made it to the final of the IPL in 2017. While Smith was the captain of the side then, all-rounder Rajat Bhatia who was also a part of the setup has claimed that it was because of Dhoni that the team made it to the final. RPS ended the tournament as the runners up. Speaking on SportsTiger’s interview series – Interact. Personal. Laugh & Life (IPLL) – Bhatia said, “You can never compare Dhoni with Steve Smith. Smith doesn’t even feature in the top 10 captains for me. Dhoni was the reason we reached the IPL 2017 final.” Dhoni has been the second most successful captain in the IPL leading Chennai Super Kings to three titles. CSK along with Rajasthan Royals returned back to the IPL in 2018. The MS Dhoni-led team won the IPL in that season. The Chennai Super Kings will now begin the IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai on April 10. The 2020 IPL was the first ever season when CSK didn’t make it to the playoffs since the beginning of the league. With some new recruits, the franchise would seek to turn fortunes in their favour.

Jofra Archer undergoes surgery on his finger; unlikely to feature in first half of IPL

England pacer Jofra Archer has undergone surgery to remove broken pieces of glass that he carried in his finger over the entire tour of India. Now, he will undergo rehabilitation at least for 14 days and likely to miss the first half of the Indian Premier League where he represents the Rajasthan Royals. Notably, before the tour of India, Jofra Archer was cleaning a fish tank in his house in the UK and injured his finger in the process of cleaning the mess when that tank fell on the surface. ECB’s Director of Cricket Ashley Giles confirmed on BBC’s Tuffers and Vaughan Show that the extent of the injury was not serious and that the wound was also a closed one that did not hamper Archer’s chance in India. Archer has also been grappling with a recurrent stress fracture in his right elbow since the tour of South Africa in 2019-20 and it also forced him to miss two of the four-Test matches against India.