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Sa Vs Ind 2Nd Test Day 3 Pujara Rahane Score Aggressive Fifties Extend Indias Lead Beyond 100

SA vs IND | 2nd Test, Day 3: Pujara, Rahane score aggressive fifties, extend India's lead beyond 100

Amid question marks over their place and a poor run of form on the tour so far, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane batted aggressively and scored rapid half-centuries to lead India’s fightback in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.

Both carried on with the same intent early on the third day to reach their fifties and extended their partnership beyond 100 runs to also take India’s lead over 100 runs in the second innings of the Test. Pujara took just 62 balls to reach his fifty while Rahane was a little slower and consumed 67 balls for the landmark.

Right since they walked out to bat late on the second day, they batted with supreme confidence and an aggressive approach to put the South Africa pace attack under pressure.

Pujara’s intent after the dismissal of the stand-in skipper KL Rahul set the tone for a strong India’s batting in the second innings and the tourists have extended their lead beyond the 100-run mark while having eight wickets in their hands.

South Africa had taken a lead of 27 runs on the second day despite a tremendous seven-wicket haul from Shardul Thakur and India are on their way to post a strong total in their second innings.

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The Ashes | 4th Test | Day 1: England get back on track before rain plays spoilsport

The first day of the fourth Ashes Test between Australia and England ended a bit early after rain played a spoilsport in Sydney on Wednesday. The rain has also put a halt earlier in the day. The visitors had a solid start to the proceedings as openers David Warner and Marcus Harris compiled 51 runs for the first wicket before Warner was caught by Zak Crawley off Stuart Broad for 30. Harris was then joined by Marnus Labuschagne and the two batters once again stitched a responsible stand of 50 runs but James Anderson got rid off Harris while he was on 38. Labuschagne too followed him back to the pavilion soon after he was caught by Jos Buttler off Mark Wood for 28 as the home side was reduced to 117/3. Australia were eventually 126/3 with Steve Smith (6*) and Usman Khawaja (4*) at the crease at Stumps. For England, James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood scalped a wicket apiece. The home side is presently leading the five-match series 3-0 and made one change after they included Khawaja in place of Travis Head while England included Stuart Broad as the pacer replaced Ollie Robinson in the XI. Robinson was ruled out of this penultimate Test with a shoulder niggle.

BBL 2021 | Brisbane Heat- Sydney Sixers contest called off as Covid-19 cluster emerges in Heat camp

The Big Bash League fixture between Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers rescheduled to take place today has been called off due to the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Heat camp. There have been as many as 12 cases in the Heat side and the match was called off right before the rescheduled start of the game on January 5. "In this instance, the decision to postpone tonight's match was the only option available given the number of cases within the Heat squad and the inability to secure the required number of players fit to take the field," Cricket Australia's General Manager of Big Bash League, Alistair Dobson said. The other BBL game between the Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes scheduled for today has also been pushed back by a few hours in wake of Covid-19 cases. There have been widespread emergence of Covid-19 cases in the Australian cricketing circle with it racing the top most brass of Cricket Australia. Their CEO Nick Hockley has also been infected with Covid-19 while the national side was also weakened with the disease to Travis Head.

BCCI postpones Ranji Trophy tournament due to rise in Covid-19 cases

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has postponed the Ranji Trophy tournament which was slated to begin on January 13, 2022, considering the rise in Covid-19 cases in the country. Apart from this, CK Nayudu Trophy and the senior Women's T20 League will not be held as well. "BCCI does not want to compromise the safety of the players, support staff, match officials and other participants involved and hence, has decided to put the three tournaments on hold till further notice. The BCCI will continue to assess the situation and take a call on the start of the tournaments accordingly," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a release. The Ranji trophy which wasn’t held last season was scheduled to take place this year in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Trivandrum. On the other hand, CK Nayudu Trophy was also slated to begin this month while the Women's league had to take place in February. The BCCI had earlier conducted the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Bangladesh create history, defeat world champions New Zealand in first Test

Bangladesh created history against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui on Wednesday after beating the Kiwis by 8 wickets in the first Test of the two-match series. Chasing a target of just 40 runs in the second innings, Bangladesh lost an early wicket after Shadman Islam was out for 3. But Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque first steadied the ship with a partnership of 31 runs and then the skipper along with Mushfiqur Rahim took the team over the line. Shanto was undone for 17 by Jamieson but his departure didn’t really put much impact as the visitors were in cruise control. Earlier, New Zealand began the day at 147/5 with Ross Taylor and Sachin Ravindra at the crease but the home side couldn’t really add much runs to the tally and were bowled out for 169 in the second innings. Taylor was the first batsman to be sent back in the pavilion for 40 and the hosts then witnessed a collapse to eventually get bowled out. Ebadot Hossain eventually returned with figures of 6/46 while Taskin Ahmed had three scalps to his name. Hossain who was adjudged man of the match for his performance and expressed his joy on the win. He also mentioned about the long wait that the Asian side had to see before this victory. “We have come here for the last 11 years and not won a game. When we came this time, we set a goal and we said to ourselves we can do it. New Zealand are Test Champions and if we beat them then it will inspire the next generation to do the same. I have been working hard with Ottis Gibson,” he said after the match. “The conditions are too flat in Bangladesh and we are still learning how to bowl away from home. I am a soldier of Bangladesh and know how to celebrate (after a wicket). My journey from volleyball to cricket is a long story. I am enjoying my cricket,” he added. The two sides will now lock horns in the second match slated to begin on January 9, 2022 in Christchurch.