IPL 2021: In a first, England all-format stars to stay for full season

Jofra Archer might miss T20I series vs India

England fast bowler Jofra Archer might miss out the T20I series against India due to elbow issues. The right-arm bowler missed the fourth and final Test because of the same reason. England head coach Chris Silverwood has Sid that the medical staff will be monitoring Archer’s situation. "Jofra's elbow did flare up a little bit and the medical staff are managing that at the moment," Silverwood said. "Obviously we'll monitor his progress. The medical staff are talking about how we deal with this long term.” "He's trained today with the white-ball squad. We'll be monitoring his situation." Talking about Archer’s workload, Silverwood said that he does want the fast bowler to be fit for all the formats. “I want Jofra to be fit for all forms of cricket. I want him to have a long, successful Test career.” "Could we limit the number of overs he bowls? It's not something I would go out and predict but we'll find out in the course of time. The important thing for me at the moment is that Jofra gets every resource we can provide to make sure he does have a long and successful Test career.” "I'm not sure surgery has come up yet. I'll be guided by the medics on that. I wouldn't say I'm concerned, no." The T20I series between India and England begins on Friday in Ahmedabad. The five-match series will be followed ODI fixtures.

Fabien Allen stars as Windies win low scoring thriller against Sri Lanka to win T20I series

An all-round masterclass from Fabian Allen proved too good for the Sri Lankan side to stage a comeback. The left-hander hit 21 in just one over of Akila Dhananjaya and lifted the team that seemed struggling at 112/7 at the end of 18 overs, chasing 132. With this win at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, the Windies won the three-match series 2-1. West Indies started the chase in a positive manner, scoring 37 in just the fifth over. However, Wanidu Hasaranaga changed the momentum, getting both the openers out in quick succession. Dushmanatha Chameera, the only speedster in the team then bowled Windies skipper Kieron Pollard for a duck and started building pressure on the chasing side. Lakshan Sandakan, the chinaman bowler in the Sri Lankan side increased that pressure, removing two top batsmen in Rovman Powell and Dwayne Bravo in successive deliveries, having bowled Chris Gayle before that. But just when things seemed to be getting away from West Indies and they required 20 from two overs with Jason Holder struggling, Allen walked in. The Jamaican then bashed Dhananjaya left, right and centre, hitting three gigantic sixes in the over and finishing the game off. Earlier in the evening, Angelo Mathews after winning the toss decided to bat first, but couldn’t get the start they were looking for. The openers got out early and so did Mathews. But after the fall of the first four wickets off 46 in the 10th over, Dinesh Chandimal and Ashen Bandara put together an unbeaten 85 in 63 balls to get Sri Lanka to 131. Chandimal was the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka with 54 from 46 balls. Allen was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies, finishing off with figures of 1-13 in four overs. Apart from his batting and bowling, Allen also took a blinder to remove Gunathalika off his own bowling.

Member of PSL team allowed to take flight despite testing positive for COVID-19

A non-playing member of a Pakistani Super League (PSL) team, who had tested positive for COVID-19, was allowed to leave the bio-bubble and fly back to Lahore. The official had tested positive before the start of the tournament and had flown back to Lahore from Karachi on the second day after the result of the test, ESPNCricinfo reported. The PSL was postponed for an indefinite time on 4th March after a rapid spike in positive cases in the league. The official, who tested positive, wasn’t a part of the coaching staff and joined the franchise before the start of the tournament. He entered the bubble after having returned a couple of negative tests. But on the day, the tournament began (February 20), the member tested positive and was put in isolation. He was then asked to leave the bubble of the hotel on February 22. The official then took another test on February 24 that came out to be negative. It is not yet clear whether the security team was told about the member’s positive test and him leaving the bubble. The medical panel’s head Dr Sohail Saleem has already offered his resignation from the post. Officially, Fawad Ahmed, the Australian cricketer representing Islamabad United, was the first person to test positive in PSL. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hasn’t commented on the matter so far.

South Africa women rout Indian eves in their first international assignment post Covid-19 lockdown

South Africa women Lizelle Lee and her opening partner Laura Wolvaardt led the team to a comfortable eight-wicket win over hosts India women in the opening match of the five-match ODI series at the Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Chasing a target of 178, the two women put together an opening stand of 169 runs and killed the game for India with that partnership. Although the Women in Blue eventually managed to break the partnership, getting Wolvaardt out for 80. Jhulan Goswami then also sent back the Rainbow nation’s skipper Sune Luus for a duck. But it was never going to be enough as Lee completed the formalities, chasing down the total with eight wickets remaining and 59 balls yet to be bowled. Earlier in the day, South Africa won the toss and decided to bowl first. Playing in her 100th game, Harmanpreet Kaur partnered skipper Mithali Raj in the recovery after the fall of early wickets. From 40-3 in 14 overs, the two took India to 100 in 25 overs. However, once Harmanpreet got out, the flood gates of the Indian team opened as the last six wickets fell for 73 runs as India could manage to get to 177 in 50 overs. Mithali was the highest run-scorer for India, making 50 off 85 balls. Shabnim Ismail was the pick of the bowlers for the South Africa women, taking three wickets for 28 runs in her 20 overs. Ismail was adjudged Man of the Match for her brilliant bowling performance. Indian eves would get a chance to make comeback in the second game on 9th March at the same venue.