Not a fool, Wasim Akaram couldn’t come to coach Pakistan because of fans’ ruly behaviour

Never felt I will play day-night Test ever: Smriti Mandhana

India’s most popular female cricketer right now, Smriti Mandhana was pleasantly surprised by BCCI’s announcement of the maiden day-night Test for the Women’s national team on their Australia tour. She believes that it is like something she would have never imagined in her playing career. "Frankly, when I used to watch day-night Tests of men, I actually never felt that I will be able to experience this moment - it's wrong to say 'I' at the moment - that the Indian team will be able to experience the moment," Mandhana was quoted as saying by Espncricinfo. "So, when it got declared, I was like, 'Oh, wow. That's going to be crazy,'" added the exciting left-hander. The match between India Women and Australia is scheduled to take place between September 30 to October 3 at the WACA Ground in Perth. But before that, the Indian Women’s team has England to deal with when they begin their muli format tour with the one-off Tests at Bristol. The four-day match will begin on June 16. "When we got to know of the first Test, against England, the whole team was really excited," said the 24-year-old. The opening batter then went on to share how eagerly the whole team and herself are looking forward to playing only their third Test in seven years. "We all were looking forward [to it]. The last Test match I was part of was in 2014, so it's been quite a long time, we haven't gone out in whites, so that excitement of playing a Test match [after nearly seven years] was on another level," Mandhana said. Having represented India in 54 WODIs, two Tests and 78 WT20Is, Mandhana who made her debut as a 17-year-old in 2013 has come a long way, but could still recount her first memories of being excited like a child while playing her first day-night game. "Now that we are going to play a day-night [Test] match, [we have] lots of things to work on but [there's a] lot of excitement…excitement about being part of a day-night Test match, and that too in Australia, against Australia; it's always a good challenge. It's going to be a great moment for the Indian women's cricket team," concluded the Mumbai born.

Sri Lanka pay dispute | Arvinda de Silva asks players to stop complaining, focus on 'winning games'

Former Sri Lanka great Arvinda de Silva, who heads the Cricket Committee has defended the new payment structure that has led to a dispute between players and the Sri Lanka Cricket board. Arvinda de Silva said that the committee ‘discussed’ all aspects of the ‘performance based’ system and created a ‘fair’ system where they will be guaranteed increased income based on performance. “The Committee has been very fair to them by infusing additional benefits than before, which is on a performance-based scheme. We discussed this matter in depth before we presented it to the players. Unlike in the past, we have increased the benefits three-fold (300%) than what it was but purely on the team’s performance,” de Silva told the Daily News yesterday. Instead, he asked players to give up on the attitude of complaining and focus on performing well for Sri Lanka which anyway would make the new payment structure worthwhile and the SLC too can take that ‘positive approach’ to consider offering more benefits than stipulated in the newly-introduced payment structure. “The most important fact is that they should get into the middle and play positive cricket and start winning games for the country rather than complaining. This positive approach will encourage us to consider offering them more benefits, like some of the other countries in our region,” he added. Detailing the up-gradation in payment for players, de Silva said that if Sri Lanka players have been offered payment three times more than their previous payment in case of good performances. “It has to be a collective effort by the whole team. If they win a Test series, we pay them US $ 150,000 which was earlier limited to US $ 50,000. Winning a limited overs series we have offered them US $75,000, which was earlier limited to US $25,000. We also introduced a slab for the T20 format, which also runs up to a maximum of US $ 50,000, which earlier didn't have any rewards at all. Therefore, it is very unfair that our players say that they are not agreeable to this scheme,” de Silva asserted. Sri Lanka are touring Bangladesh for a three-match long ODI series and they have tasted their first series defeat in the format against Bangladesh.

Australia will lose most sleep over wicket-keeper's slot: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has pointed out that the side would need to figure out an option for the wicket-keeper’s position before going into the World T20 slated to take place later this year. "The keeper-batsman is probably the slot they'd be losing the most sleep over right now," Ponting told cricket.com.au. "They've still got some questions to answer as far as what their overall squad looks like and I think the biggest one is 'Who is going to be standing behind the stumps with the gloves on?' Ponting further said that despite trying some players to take the responsibility behind the stumps, the Australian team hasn’t been able to find a permanent customer for the spot. Though, the two-time World Cup-winning captain suggested Josh Inglis’ name and added that he has been impressive during the BBL. "They have tried a few blokes – Wade has been there, Phillipe has just played as a batter, Alex Carey has been in and out and tried in a few different batting spots,” he said. "Josh Inglis' name could be thrown into the ring as well – I really liked what I saw from him batting in the middle order in last summer's BBL,” Ponting added, Australia have never lifted the World T20 but ended as the runner’s up in the 2010 edition after suffering a defeat against England in the final.

Rachin Ravindra not 'getting too far ahead' even with probable 'dream' debut at Lord's

New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra has earned his maiden call up to the senior side on the tour of England and the all-rounder is aware of the legacy and big things that the tour brings with it. New Zealand will play the first Test of the series at Lord’s and there is no shortage of fascination in Ravindra although he is not certain to get opportunities in the playing XI. Instead, he has chosen to enjoy the ‘incredible’ feeling of even staying around the Blackcaps side throughout the series against England. “I think that’s always my dream to play at Lord’s. Everything that greats have done lie scoring runs and looking at the honours board, and watching the cricket as growing up. MIght not get the opportunity (at Lord’s) but even being in and around the group will be incredible,” Ravindra said in a video posted by Spark Sport. He is also aware of the legacy and tradition that have been followed at Lord’s during a Test match and conceded that he has dreams about it. However, he has tried hard to not think too far ahead of the times and instead of living the day as it pases. “Definitely, there will be some dreams about it but no point getting too far ahead of myself. Getting day by day,” Ravindra added. Ravindra has burst onto the scene for his all-around abilities with the bat and ball. New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson also rated him an exciting player to come in the fold who will get opportunities with Blackcaps. Ravindra pushed his claim for a place in the playing XI for the first Test with two-wicket haul in the first innings of the intra-squad game being played in Southampton.