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Legends of the game: Williamson praises Broad and Anderson ahead of England Test series

New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson feels that England speedsters in James Anderson and Stuart Broad are legends of the game and that they are still playing is no short of great achievement. The Blackcap further went on to say that playing against England in English conditions is going to be a tough challenge, especially because of the talent pool they have at their display. 

Talking about England’s depth of the squad and how well they are managing it, Williamson said, “They have got a lot of Tests coming up. Starting with us and then there is India and Australia (Actually they play West Indies first and then go for Ashes down under, although Windies tour isn’t confirmed as of now). And when there is so much volume in cricket, you gt to manage it well.”

“Look, they have got world-class players and have a huge amount of depth in the squad. And the credit for this goes to the quality and amount of cricket being played in the UK. So we are going to be up against a tough challenge in the upcoming Test series,” added the 30-year-old about the two-match series beginning with the first Test in Lord’s from June 2. 

Both Broad and Anderson, who among them have more than 1100 Test wickets, have been picked for the series and Williamson couldn’t have enough praise for the duo. “Legends of the game aren’t they?’ he said. “They are still playing, still very fit and going as well as they have ever done. Naturally, they are world-class players and know these conditions better than anyone else. They are still going at the highest level of the game is just incredible,” said Williamson in a video uploaded by the official account of New Zealand cricket.

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I respect his reasons, let’s move forward now: Mark Boucher on de Villiers decision

South Africa Head Coach Mark Boucher, who was one of the most vocal voices asking former South Africa skipper and a T20 legend AB de Villiers to reconsider his retirement and join the national team, seems to have now made peace with it. Boucher feels that the 360-degree player has his reasons to not get back to international cricket and he respects that. "AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately, he’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he’s still one of the best – if not the best – T20 players in world cricket," Boucher was quoted as saying to The Citizen. In a recent development, Cricket South Africa, while announcing the squad for the upcoming West Indies tour, did not select de Villiers into the squad. Later on, the board confirmed that the 37-year old's retirement is the final call and there would be no coming back for the player. Boucher, who played alongside the RCB player at the national level, wanted him to come back after the latter announced a sudden retirement from all forms of international cricket. Boucher further delved on the topic saying that de Villiers wanted the up and coming players to serve the team, thus not becoming a hurdle in their way, he decided to stay put on his retirement decision. "He alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don’t think it sat well with him, which I understand," the former South Africa wicketkeeper explained. The 45-year-old finally said that all must come to realise that there would be no option of de Villiers for South Africa anymore and hence must move on. "As a coach, I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let’s move forward," he said.

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Andre Russell, Shimron Hetmyer return in West Indies provisional T20I squad for high-profile summer

The Cricket West Indies announced a 23 man provisional squad for the upcoming t20is series against three teams i.e. South Africa, Australia and Pakistan this summer. Andre Russell, who last played an international match in March 2020 has returned to fold after one year. Alongside him, hard-hitting middle-order batsman Shimron Hetmyer and bowlers Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, and Hayden Walsh Jr have also made a comeback in the side after not being picked for the Sri Lanka series in February this year. However, this is just the provisional squad from which the main squad will be picked ahead of each series. The squad member for the time being will quarantine and train in St. Lucia ahead. Their first assignment will be a match series against Proteas which would be played from June 26 at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium. Roger Harper the Lead Selector of CWI said that the team has been picked keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup to be held in India. He also confirmed that these 23 members will remain the core of the team going forward. “This Provisional T20I Squad gives us the opportunity to continue to build towards the upcoming World Cup and to determine our best squad and our ideal eleven,” Harper was quoted as saying by the West Indies cricket official website. Head coach Phil Simmons feel that this squad has got all the ingredients required to go on and defend their title won five years ago. “These upcoming T20Is are crucial in terms of our preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup. We have assembled a very solid squad — with experienced world-class match-winners and some exciting young talented players, ready to explode onto the global stage and do great things for West Indies cricket," he said. Captained by Trinidadian Kieron Pollard, this team still has many people including Dwayne Bravo, Chris Gayle and Lendl Simmons who were involved in their 2016 World Cup win against England. Windies Provisional Squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr

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CA announces Ashes 2021-22 schedule; New Zealand, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka to tour down under as well

Cricket Australia announced the upcoming cricketing summer’s schedule for both the men’s and women’s national teams. While Ashes remain the main attraction beginning with the traditional Brisbane Test from December 8, Afghanistan’s first bilateral visit down under is also a talking point. In fact, it is Afghanistan against whom Tim Paine would begin what could be his last summer as an Australia captain or for that matter Australia international. The one-off Test, scheduled to be played at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Paine's home town, begins on November 27, marking the start of the Summer for the Men’s team. Apart from the Gabba Test, the rest of the four Tests for the visiting Joe Root’s side are scheduled to be played at Adelaide Oval, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and Optus Stadium, Perth. While the Adelaide game would be a day-night affair, both SCG and MCG have retained their Boxing Day and New Year’s Test hosting tradition. The last Ashes game, traditionally held in Sydney would not be possible this time around as Optus, which would be hosting its first-ever Ashes has been awarded the last Test. Prior to Optus, WACA hosted the Perth Ashes Test. Along with the Ashes and Afghanistan Test, the Australian summer would also witness Aaron Finch’ men in action against both New Zealand and Sri Lanka. While the Blackcaps will play three ODIs and lone T20I, the Lankan Tigers will face the Kangaroos in a five-match T20I series starting February 11 to cape off the Australian summer. As far as the Southern Stars are concerned, they will be starting their summer with a multi-format tour by the India Women, the schedule for which has not yet been decided. It will be followed by the Women’s Ashes which would include a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is and would be played over the course of 23 days, starting with the Test at Manuka Oval from January 27.