Indian fans celebrate Mohammed Shami's brithday in style at The Oval

Keshav Maharaj to lead South Africa in remaining ODIs after Temba ruled out with injury

A freak injury that South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma received while batting in the first of the three ODIs against Sri Lanka has ruled him out of the rest of the series. Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been appointed as the captain of the side for the two ODIs while the National Selection Committee would discuss and decide about the T20I captain, who would lead the side in the three-match T20I series beginning September 10. "The timelines for return to play will be defined subsequent to that," the CSA official release said about Bavuma’s return as the right-hand batter has been sent back to South Africa to consult a specialist as soon as possible. Bavuma was hit on the hand from throw while completing a run in the 28th over and from there on didn’t bat any further after retiring hurt on a score of 38 when he and Aiden Markram were going great with a 106 run partnership between the two, chasing a target of 301. Maharaj, 31, who has now got the opportunity to lead the side has played only 12 ODIs before and has taken 15 wickets in them while in 26 Tests he has to his credit 129 wickets. South Africa eventually lost the game by 14 runs as Markram was dismissed soon after Bavuma’s departure. The second ODI would be played on September 05 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Some decisions are life-changing: Mortaza praises Tamim Iqbal for opting out of World Cup

Tamim Iqbal the swashbuckling Bangladesh opener decided to opt-out of the T20 World Cup 2021 which is to be held in UAE and Oman in October- November citing that other Bangladesh openers are better suited for the series having continuously played the format. Former Bangladesh captain, Mashrafe Mortaza has lauded Tamim for such bold and sacrificial decision making. Posting his thoughts on his official Facebook page, Mortaza said that the current openers Naim Sheikh, Liton Das and Somya Sarkar are good players and their worth shouldn’t be judged by how they have batted on the sluggish Dhaka pitches in the recent past. "They are playing on wickets where nobody except (Mahmudullah) Riyad has touched fifty. It would be unfair to judge Soumya, Naim and Liton before they get to play on true batting wickets. These boys have worked hard in the (home) series,” wrote the 37-year-old. Terming this decision by Tamim as life-changing not just for him but for junior openers as well, Mortaza, also an MP in Bangladesh Parliament said, "Some decisions change people's lives. After this decision, Soumya, Liton and Naim will give their all when they next play an ODI under Tamim. This is because whatever anyone else thought, Tamim valued their hard work.” "Tamim is well-liked in the dressing room but maybe he thought deeply about how he would be welcomed into the side after he missed 16 (sic 12) matches in the format," he added. BCB president Nazmul Hassan also commended the 32-year-old openers decision saying that it takes courage to give away playing a World Cup purely because you did not merit according to the situation. "He was our first choice. He was in the T20 World Cup squad. But after he informed us, he is no longer in the team. He will play more World Cups in the future. It was a brave decision, not an easy one,” Hassan said. "Everyone wants to play the World Cup, but he thought about it and then spoke to us. He thought it would be an injustice if he gets to play ahead of those playing now," added the BCB chief. Tamim Iqbal, after making his T20I debut in 2007 has played 78 matches for Bangladesh.

"Sticking a knife straight in my back": James Faulkner distraught at Hobart Hurricanes' attitude

Hobart Hurricanes all-rounder James Faulkner has lashed out at the Hurricanes management and head coach Adam Griffith for not treating him the way he should have been and offering him a one year contract for the BBL. He targeted in particular Griffith who in a press conference had said that the Hurricanes bowling attack was better off without Faulkner. "When you watch the news, and you see who I thought was one of my mates, as well as the head coach, say the bowling group and the team have performed well without me, first of all, and then secondly saying, we need to move on and that he didn't really care - that cuts deep," Faulkner was quoted as saying to SEN Hobart. "That's like sticking a knife straight in my back. That's not called for,” he added. Talking about the contract saga, which has now left Faulkner unsigned for this season, the 31-year-old said, "I found it pretty hard to take. I found it pretty disrespectful for what I've sort of given to Tasmanian cricket. I've put my heart and soul into it and to hear their initial offer, and that is what it all comes down to, it cut pretty deep.” Saying that he knows his worth and that he was also okay to take less money, the all-rounder said he was just shattered by the team’s approach towards him. "I know what I'm worth. I've signed enough contracts around the world for different teams. I didn't want more. I just wanted what was fair and what I thought I was worth and even maybe a little bit less. But it just comes back to that first offer. I didn't feel respected as a player or a person or a Tasmanian athlete. I'm just shattered how it has all played out,” said the man who was Man of the Match in the 2015 World Cup Final which Australia won at home. Faulkner, who last played an international game for Australia way back in 2017 and has been plagued by injuries ever since had come back to Hobart in 2018-19 after seven straight seasons at Melbourne Stars. The Hobart born wanted to finish his career playing at his home in front of his friends and family. "I wouldn't have wanted to play for any other franchise anyway. The whole reason I came to the Hurricanes was to finish here and play in front of my family and friends and play with some of my best teammates that I have great memories with and for that not to happen it's bloody disappointing,” said Faulkner who was injured after playing only six matches of the last season. He took eight wickets in those matches.

Oval Test, Day 2 Updates: Rohit, Rahul ensure India remain in the game after conceding 99 run lead

India started the day of the Oval Test by eliminating the nightwatchman Craig Overton who was sent back to the pavilion by Umesh Yadav. They were ecstatic to see the back of Joe Root late on the last day and the wicket of Overton would almost be the perfect start they would be hoping for at the start of the day.