Rohit and four other isolated Indian players to travel to Sydney

CSA holds on transformation plans

Cricket South Africa’s interim board has gone back on its promise of appointing black and brown consultants exclusively despite committing to the same to the government. The matter had emerged after Jacques Kallis was appointed as the England’s batting specialist after working with South Africa at the same post. "The entire [transformation targets] document adopted by the previous board has been put on hold," interim board member Judith February told reporters on Sunday. "We are taking legal advice [regarding] the document and whatever obligations CSA had in terms of it." On August 1, CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith said, "If you're asking me whether Jacques Kallis was one of the best batting coaches and batting cricketers we've ever had, I'd tell you yes. Do I feel he has a role to play in South African cricket? Jeez, it would be stupid of us not to involve our most successful cricketer, and the batting experiences he could bring to our young batters." The CSA on August 31 had told the South African sports minister Nathi Mthethwa that it would have only black and brown consultants unless none suitable could be found. But on September 10, CSA named Neil McKenzie as its high-performance batting lead and Dillon du Preez as assistant coach of the women's team.

India’s hosting rights for 2021 T20 WC in jeopardy over tax exemptions

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the International Cricket Council (ICC), and the Government of India are at loggerheads over tax exemption issues at the international cricketing authority has served up last warning to the BCCI regarding obtaining a full tax exemption certificate for the world event. The BCCI, if not granted full tax exemption by the Finance Ministry of Government of India, would have to pay 906 crores in taxes for hosting the T20 World Cup in the nation this year. However, a partial exemption could cut down the money to Rs 227 crore tax. AndIf the Indian board wishes not to pay the tax money, it would have to forgo the chances of hosting the tournament as ICC has kept UAE as a backup venue. The matter was discussed at the 24th AGM of the BCCI held recently. One member who attended the AGM told IANS on conditions of anonymity that the issue was discussed at length and most members were in favour of hosting the tournament even if it meant paying the taxes. The BCCI has sent an application for text exemption to the Indian govt. but hadn't really had any reply from them as it has missed the 2019 and 2020 deadlines of the ICC. "The matter was discussed for 10 to 15 minutes, after which the house authorized the BCCI office-bearers to deal with the issue. But what was evident was that all the office-bearers were not on the same page vis-a-vis the question of whether the BCCI should forgo the hosting rights if the government doesn't grant full tax exemption. Some members said it was a matter of prestige - izzat ka sawal hai -- that India should pay the tax and host the World Cup if it comes to that," the official told IANS. The matter is of grave importance as ICC has withheld $23.75 million from the share that the BCCI was entitled to receive from the 2016 T20 World Cup as the Indian board was unable to procure a full tax exemption from the Union Government and had got only 10% exemption from Modi govt. Experts believe that it would therefore not be easy for the board to get full tax exemption this time around too. Although in 2011, the Manmohan Singh govt. Had given a full exemption to the World Cup. "So, the question is simple: If the government had not given full tax exemption in 2016, how can it give it for the 2021 World Cup? And, if it grants a full exemption for 2021, it will have to, by the same token, give a full exemption for the 2016 tournament retrospectively," said one expert. The ICC and the host country usually sign an agreement in which the host country has to get a full tax exemption certificate from the government which is mainly for the broadcasters as in that way the broadcaster’s taxes are saved and it is able to pay the full amount to ICC. But this did not happen in 2016 and in the case of 2021 too, the conditions seem similar to the same govt. is in power.

We would go to Gabba regardless of quarantine: Matthew Wade

Australian batsman Matthew Wade has made it clear that the Australian team is keen on going to Brisbane for the last of the four-match series as opposed to the views expressed by the Indian management regarding staying back in Sydney and playing both the third and fourth Tests there. “We would obviously prefer not to. A schedule has been rolled out by Cricket Australia and we and CA would like to stick to it. There was also speculation about staying in Melbourne and CA has made it clear very firmly that we would be playing as per the schedule,” Wade said in a Press Conference ahead of the teams moving to Sydney for the third Test. “So I would expect this to go to the Gabba regardless of the fact that there might be a quarantine based hotel and we are only allowed movement from the ground to the hotel. We fully expect to go to Brisbane and play the Gabba Test,” added teh opening batsman. Australia has been brilliant at the Gabba in Brisbane in Test and usually, the Australian summer started with the Gabba Test, but the schedule was changed due to the Day/ Night Test as well as the pandemic’s impact and the Gabba Test has been scheduled to happen at the end of the tour. “There is no secret why we like starting the summer there and our record is good there. Indian have got a good bowling lineup and a great team. So we would obviously not take them for granted when we get there, but we would love to get there at the Gabba,” he said. Adding that it wouldn’t be Australia’s favour to play back to back games in Sydney, Wade said, “Two games at SCG is not something that we would prefer.” Earlier, Cricbuzz reported quoting an Indian management official that the team was not keen on traveling to Brisbane, mostly after the five players were placed in isolation. "We aren't keen on going to Brisbane if it means being stuck in the hotel again, except for going to the ground. Instead, we don't mind being in some other city, playing both Test matches there to complete the series and returning home," the official had been quoted as saying.

England arrive in Sri Lanka

The England cricket team has arrived in Sri Lanka for the two-Test series. The series in slated to begin from January 14 in Galle. The first test ends on January 18 while the second and final match will be played at the same venue between January 22-January 26.