IND vs ENG: ICC announces all Indian umpires to officiate in first two Tests

New Big Bash rules are here to stay say the organisers

The authorities supervising the Big Bash League, have on the basis of the reviews received so far said that the new Big Bash Rules are here to stay. The rules have received mix response but most of it has been positive only. Cricket Australia’s Head of the Big Bash Alistair Dobson and league consultant Trent Woodhill are happy with the reviews. "We couldn't be happier with how they've played out," Dobson was quoted as saying to SEN this week. Dobson further impressed upon the point that the rules will remain in the league but did not rule out the possibility of a change in them. "We'll do a thorough review at the end of the season and if those rules need to be tweaked further or further innovation is required. They've been a good addition to the competition, whether they stay in the same form, I'm not sure,” he said. Woodhill, who was one of the prominent faces behind bringing the new rules was delighted with the response that the league has received after the changes. "What I've been pleasantly surprised about is how it's been different for every team," Woodhill told cricket.com.au Saying that uncertainty and excitement was the main purpose behind setting up these rules, Woodhill believes that most of the target has been achieved. "It couldn't have gone any better. I think it's been unbelievably good with the way it's created a talking point and uncertainty with teams using it at different times,” he added. The new rules have indeed been a great addition in the league as power surges and bash boost have increased the competition especially in a tournament that was fought so closely, where two teams were the difference between the third-placed and the sixth-placed team was just three points and three teams finished with an equal number of wins and losses.

Ganguly’s surgery successful, two more stents implanted

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Sourav Ganguly has undergone another angioplasty and two more stents have been implanted in his artery successfully. PTI on the account of the Hospital sources said that he is doing fine after the successful surgery. Earlier today the senior doctors at the hospital said that various tests were needed to confirm whether another angioplasty was needed or not. On Wednesday the former India captain was rushed to the hospital after complaints of dizziness and mild chest pain, while he was at home in his Behala residence. A green corridor was created by the Kolkata Police to make sure that Ganguly reached the hospital quickly. Earlier this month, the 48-year-old had been diagnosed with three blocked coronary arteries and had a stent implanted in his right coronary artery. After the surgery, Ganguly spent five days at the hospital before being discharged on January 7.

Daily Round up | Jan 28: England contingent in India tests negative for COVID-19

All members of the England cricket team who have arrived in India for a four-match Test series starting February 05 have tested negative for the Covid-19 tests while Pakistan and South Africa fought well in Karachi to keep the first Test of the series in balance. Here are the important news from the cricketing world that deserves your attention England squad members test Covid-19 negative All members of the English touring contingent have returned negative for the Covid-19 testing upon their arrival in Chennai, IANs reported. The tourists will play two Tests at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, followed by the final two of the series scheduled to take place at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad. Read the full story here Tom Banton pondering opting out of IPL 2021 English explosive batsman Tom Banton is pondering opting out of the Indian Premier League this year as he is going for more and more game time on the field while the four overseas players rule has affected his chances in making the fist playing XI of the sides. In the last season of IPL, Banton represented the Kolkata Knight Riders, but could feature in only two games, and scored 18 runs. “Growing up as a kid the IPL was a tournament that I absolutely loved watching. But I feel like I'm at a stage now where I need to be playing cricket instead of sitting on the bench," Tom Banton told Sky sports. Read the full story here Rishabh Pant searching new house in Delhi-NCR Rishabh Pant is searching for a new house for himself as the Indian wicketkeeper-batsman announced on his Twitter timeline that his family members are urging him to buy a new house for the family. He suggested ‘Gurgaon’ as one of the locations in his mind, and asked his followers to suggest more options to him. Read the full story here Sourav Ganguly’s health update The health conditions of the BCCI President Sourav Ganguly is stable and the doctors attending him have said that the decision on stent insertion will be taken only after conducting several rounds of tests to assess various health parameters. “Mr Ganguly slept well all night. He had a light breakfast this morning. A series of tests will be conducted on him today to decide on the next course of treatment,” the senior doctor, part of the panel attending to Ganguly said. Read the full story here Markram, van der Dussen lead Proteas’ fightback in Karachi Test The top-order batsmen of South Africa have brought the team back in the opening Test of the series at the National Stadium in Karachi. Trailing by 158 runs, Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram provided a decent start before Rassie van der Dussen joined hands with Markram to lead Proteas fightback on the third day. As the end of the play neared, the spinning pair of Nauman Ali and Yasir Shah, stuck big wickets of Markram, Faf du Plessis and van der Dussen to keep the game in the balance. At the end of the third day’s play, South Africa were 187/4 and secured a lead of 29 runs going into the day four of the Test. Earlier, a flourish from the lower order batsmen carried Pakistan to a big lead of 158 runs while Kagiso Rabada reached the milestone of 200 Test wickets in his 44th Test. Check full scorecard

England players test negative for covid-19 in Chennai

All the players of the England contingent on India tour have tested negative for covid-19 in tests conducted in Chennai. IANS quoted an English official on account of anonymity saying, “All the tests of English players have returned negative results. The tests will be conducted every third day in the lead-up to the series.” The English, as well as the Indian team, is staying at Leela Palace Hotel in Chennai which will remain the home of both the teams for the first two Tests which are scheduled to take place in Chennai from o5th and 13th February respectively. The remaining two matches of the Test series would be played at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera in Ahmedabad. The Indian team have reached Chennai as well and both the teams would be allowed to practice from the 2nd February due to the covid-19 protocols. The 42-day long tour of England involves a series each in all three formats including a four-match Test series, a five-match T20I series and a three-match T20 series. The matches would be played at three venues with all three ODIs scheduled to be played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.