Langer, team manager Gavin Dovey argue with staff members over 'inappropriate' Bangladesh video

Jadeja credits Kohli's enthusiasm for raising fitness, fielding standards of Indian team

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has credited captain Virat Kohli for improving the fitness standards in the team. "Virat definitely has been very enthusiastic, proactive, and fit. He believes a lot in fitness as well, so everyone has to raise their fielding standards,” he said while talking to TimesofIndia.com. Jadeja is one of the finest fielders in the world currently and the left-hander also talked about his own regimes and how he maintains his fitness. “I do a lot of shoulder exercises and running for that, for instance. That’s how I maintain my fitness, which helps me on the field," he said. Jadeja had a decent run in the first Test against England in Nottingham where he struck an important half-century in the first innings and helped India take the lead. The visitors scored 278 in reply to England’s 183 in the first innings. The hosts then rode on a brilliant century from skipper Joe Root to put 303 on the board before getting bundled out and handing India a target of 209 runs. The Virat Kohli-side needed 157 runs to win the match on the last day but rain played spoilsport and the clash ended in a draw eventually. The two teams will now lock horns with each other in the second Test at Lord’s slated to commence on Thursday (August 12, 2021).

Jamaican pitches provide a good challenge to batsmen: Babar Azam

Pakistan will be up against the West Indies in a two-match Test series beginning on Thursday (August 12, 2021) in Jamaica. The visitors had included experienced spinner Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas and Naseem Shah in the squad while Agha Salman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz and Tabish Khan had missed the bus for the Test fixtures. Captain Babar Azam has revealed that Nawaz and Rauf were released from the squad so that they can spend some time with their families before rejoining the team for the Afghanistan series. "Looking at the likely team composition for the two Tests and giving preference to the well-being of the players, it has been agreed to release Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz so that they can return to Pakistan and spend quality time with their families,” Babar said. “This will also give them a few extra days to relax, regroup and recharge for the commitments ahead, which commence with the series against Afghanistan,” he added. Talking about the track in Jamaica, the right-handed batsman said that the pitches at the venue are challenging for the batting units. “Jamaican pitches provide a good challenge to the batters hence our batters need to come to the party and display their true potential and calibre in the two Tests,” he said. The visiting team had earlier won the four-match T20I series 1-0 after three matches were washed away due to rain. Pakistan had last visited the West Indies for a Test series back in 2017 and etched a 2-1 win. Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (vc/wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah, Zahid Mahmood

The Hundred | Superchargers vs Originals: When & where to watch match Live, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

The match between Northern Superchargers and Manchester Originals is going to be a do or die one for both the teams and after getting under threat of cancellation because of two Superchargers players testing positive for Covid-19, it is great to see the match happening as both the teams require a win in this game to stay alive in the race of a top-three finish as only three teams at the end of the league stage get a shot at the inaugural title of The Hundred. In a statement it was confirmed that the match would go on, however, the two players (unnamed till now) would miss out. "Two Northern Superchargers men's players have tested positive for COVID-19 and will be unavailable for tomorrow night's fixture against Manchester Originals at Emerald Headingley," a statement from The Hundred, quoted by ESPNCricinfo confirmed. The two teams are mid of the table with the same points (five points), with Originals playing one game less (5) than the Superchargers in the tournament thus far. So for Superchargers, who are without their star players like Ben Stokes and Faf du Plessis, it is even more pertinent to win this game and then try and win the next one as well to finish in the top three. Will they be able to do it? Northern Superchargers vs Manchester Originals: Match Details Match Number- 26 Date and Time: August 12, 2021, 11:00 pm IST, 06:30 pm Local, 05:30pm GMT Venue: Headingley, Leeds Live Stream: FanCode Pitch Report The pitch at Headingley in the two games so far has been brilliant and has supported high scoring games, which is what people are thronging the stadiums for. Weather Forecast Apart from the enormous of the game for both the teams, the other good thing is the weather forecast for August 12 at Headingley, Leeds. It shows clear skies with hardly 2-3% chances of rainfall, which is almost negligent. Northern Superchargers Probable XI Adam Lyth, Chris Lynn, Harry Brook, David Willey (c), Dane Vilas, John Simpson (wk), Ben Raine, Brydon Carse, Matty Potts, Adil Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Manchester Originals Probable XI Philip Salt (wk), Joe Clarke, Colin Munro, Colin Ackermann, Tom Lammonby, Carlos Brathwaite (c), Calvin Harrison, Tom Hartley, Lockie Ferguson, Fred Klaassen, Matthew Parkinson Fantasy XI Philip Salt (wk), Colin Munro, Adam Lyth, Chris Lynn, Harry Brook, David Willey, Carlos Brathwaite, Adil Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Lockie Ferguson, Matthew Parkinson Captain David Willey Vice-Captain Carlos Brathwaite

Rain might play spoilsport in West Indies and Pakistan’s start to WTC 2021-23

Pakistan’s West Indies tour has so far been marred by rain and thunderstorms with the team being able to play only one of its previously scheduled T20Is. There seems to be no respite from the heavens as the first Test of the two-match Test series, which would also mark the beginning of the World Test Championship 2021-23 cycle for both the teams, seems to be draining under the water only. There is more than 50% rain forecasted for the four out of five days of the first Test with two days earmarked to receive heavy thunderstorms as well. It is in such conditions that the two sides, having not had great success in the previous WTC, look to start their new journey. While Pakistan finished six in the last edition of the WTC, West Indies finished eight, only above Bangladesh in a nine-team format. Thus improvement is on the minds of both sides, which are more known for their shorter format heroics rather than red-ball cricket. West Indies vs Pakistan: Match Details Match No.- 1st Test Date and Time: August 12, 2021, 08:30 pm IST, 10:00 am Local, 03:00 pm GMT Venue: Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica Livestream: Fancode Pitch Report Sabina Park, once known as holy grave due to fast bowlers picking wickets and injuring batsmen with bouncers at will, has somewhat gone into a shell as far as Test cricket is concerned with only eight Tests being played over the last 10 years. The pitch as slowed is just the tip of the iceberg of the problem that is facing Jamaica Cricket. However, getting back on the wicket, it would be slow and assisting spinner as and if the match progresses, but in the first few morning hours, the red cherry might swing. Weather Forecast There is a rain and thunderstorm prediction on all five days and hence to get a full game out of this is going to be a great struggle. Team News West Indies Daren Bravo has been sidelined from the Test side and it seems to be the end of the riad for the left-handed batter. In place of him, Sharah Brooks has been called in. Young Jayden Seales has been maintained in the side and will be aided by experienced Kemar Roach in the fast bowling department. However, with Shanon Gabriel, young guys like Alzarri Joseph and Chamar holder might get an opportunity and they need to encash it. Probable XI Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Kieran Powell, Shai Hope (wk), Kyle Mayers/Shamarh Brooks, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph, Chemar Holder. Pakistan Post the Zimbabwe series, Pakistan would be playing Test matches and it would be after four big months. However, since this is the start of the new season, the Babar Azam led team would be dying to start on a great note, that is if and when they get the chance to have that start. Picking a team would be challenging considering a lot of new names have been drafted into the squad and the balance between new old is necessary. However going by the looks of it, at least the PSL emerging player of the tournament, Shahnawaz Dahani looks like making the cut. Probable XI Imran Butt, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Hasan Ali, Yasir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Shahnawaz Dahani Fantasy XI Kraigg Brathwaite, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Jermaine Blackwood, Hasan Ali, Jason Holder, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Yasir Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani Captain Babar Azam Vice-Captain Jason Holder