Nick Hockley expresses gratitude to BCCI for safe and quick return of Australian players

The IPL bound Australian cricketers who had jetted off to the Maldives after the suspension of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League returned home safely after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arranged a chartered flight for the Australian players to make them reach home safe and sound.

Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley on Monday expressed his gratitude to the BCCI for ensuring that the Australian players reached their homes safely and quickly from the island nation.

The 14th edition of the cash-rich league had to be suspended indefinitely on May 4 after several COVID cases were reported inside respective bio-bubbles. The entire Australian contingent had flown off to the Maldives after borders were shut for passengers coming from India.

The thirty-eight members of the Australian contingent which included players, support staffs and commentators were stranded in the Maldives owing to the travel ban. Meanwhile, CSK batting coach Michael Hussey who had contracted COVID is expected to reach Australia via a separate flight on Monday.

"We're delighted. We're really grateful to the BCCI for getting them home quickly and safely. I haven't spoken to them since they've landed, but obviously, we've been in text exchange and I'm sure they'll be very relieved and very appreciative to be home," Nick Hockley was quoted as saying by tbe Sydney Morning Herald.

Cricket Australia named a 23 member preliminary squad for the limited-overs series on the Caribbean shores in July. Australia will tour West Indies for a five-match T20I series and a three-match ODI series in July and Hockley is optimistic of their chances against the world champions in the shortest format.

"We plan each tour as we go. We've got a bit of time now before West Indies. International cricket will need to support each other, we've seen last summer, with India coming here, what a great series that was, and we're committed to supporting other cricketing nations around the world," said Hockley.

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Cricket Australia name 23 member preliminary squad for Caribbean tour, Labuschagne misses out

Cricket Australia announced a 23 member preliminary squad for the limited-overs tour of West Indies in July which will comprise of five T20Is and three ODIs. All eight matches will be played across St Lucia and Barbados. The squad also includes the IPL bound players who returned home on 17th May after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) arranged a chartered flight for the Aussies who had flown off to the Maldives after the 14th edition of the IPL was suspended indefinitely after COVID-19 breached through the team bio-bubbles. Stylish middle-order batsman Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t been included in the squad due to the constraints of travelling from the UK and following the quarantine protocols. The stylish batsman is currently plying his trade for Glamorgan in the County Championship "This preliminary list gives selectors a solid base from which to choose a final touring party in the coming weeks while allowing players to prepare," Trevor Hohns, the national selector, said in an official Cricket Australia release. He also lamented the fact at Labuschagne missing out on the tour. Hohns added that all possible options were explored but in the end, it was best for Labuschagne to remain in England owing to the travel restrictions. "The Australian men's T20 squad has the ability to match it with any team in the world and the competition for places will be fierce, which is exactly what we are looking for. "The West Indies men's team has won two of the six ICC T20 World Cups played, including the most recent tournament in India and 2016, and this series will provide us with excellent preparation ahead of the 2021 edition in October and November." Four frontline spinners were included in the squad given the fact that the T20 World Cup will be played in either India or UAE where the pitches will be conducive for spinners. Barring established spinners Azam Zampa and Ashton Agar, Mitchell Swepson and youngster Jason Sangha was also included in the squad. "Mitch Swepson has been in exceptional form across all three forms of the game. His Big Bash performances with the Heat have been superb, as was his bowling for Queensland," Hohns said. Tanveer Sanga was extremely impressive for the Thunder and we regard him very highly. While he didn't play in New Zealand it was a great opportunity for a young bowler to be around the group. Along with the class of Adam and Ashton, we are very fortunate to have four highly capable spinners on this list,” Hohns further added. Preliminary squad: Aaron Finch (c), Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Riley Meredith, Josh Philippe, Kane Richardson, Jhye Richardson, Tanveer Sangha, D'Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Sri Lanka players threaten to consider premature retirement if grading system is not transparent

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New Zealand players arriving in bunches for England Test series, WTC final against India

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Jofra Archer ruled out of New Zealand Tests after elbow injury resurfaces

In what comes as a huge setback for England and Jofra Archer, the right-arm fast bowler has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand. The news was confirmed by the English and Wales Cricket Board on Sunday. Archer who returned to action in the County Championship match for Sussex against Kent just bowled five overs in the second innings before complaining of pain in the right elbow. The elbow injury has kept him out of regular contention for quite some time now. Despite the injury, Archer played in the limited-overs series against England but hasn’t managed to return to the international circuit since. He underwent surgery to remove a piece of glass from his hand. It was followed by a rigorous rehabilitation process owing to the long-standing elbow injury. The injury also forced Archer to miss the IPL which was truncated midway. Archer had first suffered the elbow injury back in late 2019 during England’s tour to South Africa. He had sustained the injury owing to a stress fracture. He did recover in time to ply his trade in the 2020 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in UAE, the problem came back to haunt him again during the tour of India earlier this year. He was forced to miss the Test series and despite playing in the limited-overs series, he was far from his usual best. Archer came roaring into action bagging two quick wickets of Kent in the first innings before going back to the pavilion complaining of an elbow injury. He didn’t come out to bowl in the last two days of the match. "The England and Sussex medical teams will now seek guidance, and Archer will see a medical consultant later this week to determine the next course of action on the management of his elbow," said the ECB media release.