Rahul Dravid ends speculations of replacing Ravi Shastri, reapplies for for NCA's head post

Steve Smith will recover in time for World T20: George Bailey

Australia are confident that former captain Steve Smith who is recovering from an elbow injury will be fit for the upcoming World T20in October-November in the UAE and Oman and the Ashes series that follows the marquee tournament. Chairman of selectors George Bailey has given an update on Smith and said that the right-handed batsman is able to face more than 100 balls in one practice session quite comfortably. "He’s building up nicely. The latest update I had from him is he's facing up over 100 balls in a session pretty comfortably. That’s about a quarter of what he’d like to be facing for a Test match so he’s got a little bit of building up to go there," Bailey told reporters in a video call. Smith had earlier missed the tours to West Indies and Bangladesh but was included in the 15-man squad for the World T20 announced on Thursday. "There would obviously be a number where the risk would outweigh the benefit. We’ve got to place a little bit of trust in Steve as someone who knows his body and knows exactly what he needs to be able to perform at a level that’s required," Bailey added. Australia who have never lifted the World T20 in the past will begin their campaign against South Africa on October 23. The likes of Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, David Warner and Kane Richardson have also received the call-up despite opting out of the recent tours citing “bubble fatigue”. The World T20 will commence on October 17, two days after the competition of IPL 2021 where Oman will take on PNG in the opening encounter.

How good is it to see a global superstar so passionate about Test cricket: Pietersen on Kohli

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen has lavished praise on India captain Virat Kohli for his passion to play and perform in Test cricket, especially at the time when the longer format needs “global superstars” to focus on it. “Kohli knows that to be considered a legend of the game, he needs to deliver in this format as well as in T20,” Pietersen wrote in his blog post for Betway. “That’s why he puts so much importance on this format and at a time when Test cricket needs all the love it can get, how good is it to see a global superstar so passionate about it,” he added. During his purple patch between 2018-19, Kohli became the first Indian batsman to score seven double-centuries in Test cricket and then led India to its first series win against Australia Down Under. Moreover, India were one of the finalists in the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship apart from New Zealand. India though suffered a defeat in the title clash against the Blackcaps. Under Kohli, India started off the WTC 2 cycle with the tour of England and presently lead the five-match Test series by 1-0 after drafting England in a nerve-wracking victory at Lord's. The first match in Nottingham ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport on the final day of the encounter while the visitors clinched a 151-run win in the second to go 1-0 up in the series. Talking about the series, Pietersen lauded India and said that they would have taken 2-0 lead if the Nottingham Test hadn’t ended in a draw due to rain. “It’s very difficult for subcontinental teams to come to England and perform, but they would probably be 2-0 up after two matches if it weren’t for the rain at Trent Bridge,” Pietersen said. The two sides will now face each other in the third Test in Leeds scheduled to begin on August 25.

CA CEO supports Justin Langer to continue till Ashes 2021 for 'incredibe job' of raising 'values'

Amid mounting criticism over Australia’s recent performances under his watch and his controversial coaching methods that have earned direct confrontation with the players, coach Justin Langer has earned direct support from the top brass of Cricket Australia. Cricket Australia’s CEO, Nick Hockley has thrown his weight behind the former opener who took charge of the side in the aftermath of the Newlands saga that erupted chaos in the administration circle. Hockley has said that Langer has done an “incredible job” of restoring faith in Australian cricket by “raising the culture, values and behaviours of the Australian men’s team”. He ruled out any changes in the coaching staff and said that Langer will continue to oversee the development of the Australian team through the two most important events of the year—World T20 and The Ashes. “Justin has done an incredible job in raising the culture, values and behaviours of the Australian men’s team since he took on the role in 2018. His efforts have restored public faith in the national team, which is a side all Australian’s can be incredibly proud of,” Hockley said in a statement. “He is contracted as head coach through to the middle of next year, with the focus now on a successful T20 World Cup campaign followed by the home Ashes defence in what is one of the most anticipated series and summers of cricket in Australia for many years. “Justin, his coaching staff and the leaders within the team have an equally important part to play in ensuring a successful summer ahead for the Australian cricket team.” Australia have suffered massive defeats at the hands of the West Indies and Bangladesh in the last two months and the pressure is truly on the shoulders of Langer to turn things around once again for Australia leading up to the World T20 and the homes Ashes series.

Smith, Warner, Maxwell, Cummins return to Aaron Finch-led Australian side for World T20

Australia have announced the 15-man squad for the upcoming World T20 scheduled to take place in October-November in the UAE and Oman. The side would be led by Aaron Finch who is presently recovering from a knee injury while Pat Cummins has been named his deputy. Former captain Steve Smith has also been included. Smith had missed out Australia’s recent fixtures against West Indies and Bangladesh as he is also recovering from an elbow injury. The likes of Pat Cummins, David Warner, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Kane Richardson have made a return to the side after the players had missed out the tours to Caribbean islands and Bangladesh. "We have some of the best players in the world in their respective roles combined with the collective experience to succeed against the very best T20 sides in the world," chairman of selectors George Bailey said. Australia have had some disappointing run in the T20I format after suffering defeats in the recent series against West Indies and Bangladesh away from home. Apart from this, Nathan Ellis who bagged a hat trick on his T20I debut against Bangladesh, Dan Christian and Daniel Sams have been named as the reserve players. The Aaron Finch-led side will begin the campaign on October 23 against South Africa. Squad: Aaron Finch (C), Pat Cummins (VC), Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Swepson