NZ vs Ban | Kyle Jamieson close to getting a ban

ACA chief to travel with squad in Pakistan tour

Australian Cricketers Association chief Todd Greenberg has given personal guarantee that Australian cricketers would find absolutely no problems in their tour of Pakistan. Greenberg has gone as far as to guarantee his own presence stating that he believes it is important to be their alongside the players. "I've made an assurance to the players that they won't go alone. If they're going to Pakistan, I'll be going with them and I think that's important. It's an opportunity to show the players that we're in this together," Greenberg told The Sydney Morning Herald. The comments are in the backdrop of two recent pull outs by New Zealand and England from Pakistan citing security concerns right ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, Greenberg has confirmed that the Australian Cricket Association maintains that the tour is safe for the players and the families. "But we'll continue to take the advice of DFAT and other government organisations, as we need to be able to satisfy not just the players, but their families, that it's safe to tour."

SA vs IND | 3rd Test | Day 1: Pujara, Kohli provide resistance after openers falter in first session

India Test skipper Virat Kohli and mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara performed a rebuilding job for the visitors against South Africa in the first session of the third Test in Cape Town. Kohli after winning the toss, elected to bat first and openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal began the proceedings in a cautious manner. The two batters were looking steady when Duanne Olivier got into the act and provided the hosts with the first breakthrough. Olivier sent back India’s vice-captain for this series, Rahul for 12 after he was caught by Verreynne. The openers could only manage to put 31 for the first wicket on the board. Later, Kagiso Rabada didn’t take much time to send Agarwal packing as he was caught by Aiden Markram after edging one from the pacer to get dismissed for 15. India were reduced to 33/2 quickly but Pujara and Kohli steadied the ship and made sure that there were no further fall of wickets in the session. While Pujara looked to attack the bad deliveries or the ones that were in his slot, Kohli on the other side, took his time to get settled in the middle. India were 75/2 with Pujara at 26* and Kohli at 15* when lunch was called. The three-match series is presently levelled at 1-1.

Washington Sundar tests positive for Covid-19

India all-rounder Washington Sundar has tested positive for Covid-19 and the right-arm bowler is doubtful for the upcoming ODI series against South Africa. He was to travel to Cape Town with other members of the ODI team. "I have nothing to comment, I will come back to you soon," the Chennai-based spinner told Cricbuzz on Tuesday (January 11). More to follow…

BBL 2021-22: Perth Scorchers' thorough dominance against Melbourne Stars keeps them on top

Perth Scorchers were on a roll against Melbourne Stars in Geelong on Tuesday after they clinched a thumping 47-run win. Chasing a mammoth 197 in 20 overs, the Stars were restricted to 149/9. The Melbourne side lost an early wicket after opener Nick Larkin was trapped in front of the stumps by Kelly but Beau Webster and Joe Burns steadied the ship with a 58-run stand between them. Burns eventually departed for a 17-ball 20 which certainly broke the shackles as the Stars began to lose wickets at regular intervals to get reduced to 121/5. Webster notched up a fifty during the course but no other batsman really got into the groove and the side eventually lost the match. Kelly scalped a four-wicket haul for his side. Earlier, the Scorchers lost Patterson for 8 off 5 while the team score read 22/1 but Nick Hobson and Laurie Evans thoroughly dominated the Melbourne Stars’ bowlers first as the two batters put a partnership of 83 runs. While Hobson struck 46 off 36, Evans scored 69 in 46 deliveries. Apart from these two, Turner also notched up with crucial runs as he remained unbeaten at 47 off 26. On the other side, Aaron Hardie chipped in with a later surge as he scored 15* off 7. The Perth team eventually posted 196/3 in 20 overs.