Shakib reclaims top all-rounder spot in T20Is; Bumrah in top 10 of Test rankings

Shreyas Iyer deemed fit to resume competitive cricket, expected to return to action in IPL

Delhi Capitals regular skipper Shreyas Iyer has been declared match fit by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). He can return to competitive action and in all likelihood, the second phase of IPL 14 will mark his return to competitive cricket. Iyer will rejoin the Delhi Capitals outfit for the second half of the tournament. Iyer led the Capitals to their first-ever final in the IPL back in 2020 but was forced to miss the first half of the 2021 edition as he dislocated his shoulder during the home limited-overs series. In his absence, Rishabh Pant led the Capitals and they are currently on the top of the points table. Iyer has completed an intense rehabilitation process and has proved his fitness during his week-long stay at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). As per reports, it is learnt that Iyer has been declared fit to resume his duties in competitive cricket. "Yes, NCA has issued a fit certificate to Shreyas. He stayed in Bengaluru at the NCA for a week and his final assessment has happened a few days back. Based on all medical and physical parameters, he is now ready to play matches. "This couldn't have happened at a better time with India's T20 World Cup campaign in two months' time," a senior BCCI source was quoted as saying by PTI on the condition of anonymity. Iyer completed his rehabilitation process at the MCA ground in the BKC complex. However, he can only be deemed match fit after undergoing an intense fitness examination and getting clearance from competent authorities.

Shakib Al Hasan, Stafanie Taylor win ICC Player of the Month Awards for July

Bangladesh’s all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has been voted as the International Cricket Council’s Men’s Player of the Month- July by fans. West Indies Women’s skipper Stafanie Taylor was chosen Women’s Player of the Month for July. Shakib, who was nominated alongside West Indies’ Hayden Walsh Jr and Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, had a stellar July scoring 145 runs and picking eight wickets in his team’s 3-0 whitewash of Zimbabwe at their home in the ODI series and followed it up with three wickets in the three-match T20I series which Bangladesh won 2-1 in Harare. In one-off Tests, the 34-year-old all-rounder took nine wickets including a five-wicket haul to lead his team to 220 run victory. Reacting to the award, Shakib, who recently became the first cricketer in history to complete the double of 100 wickets and 1000 runs in T20I cricket said, “It is very humbling to be voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2021. There have been many outstanding performances during the month and that is why this is special for me.” “I find most pleasure and satisfaction when I contribute to wins and therefore, I am very happy to have helped in Bangladesh’s successes over the last few weeks,” he added. Taylor was nominated alongside teammate Hayley Matthews and Pakistan’s Fatima Sana. The 30-year-old Jamaican scored 175 runs with a strike rate of 79.18, and also picked up three wickets in the frequently concluded four-match ODI series against Pakistan Women. Taylor, who is currently plying her trade for Southern Brave Women in The Hundred Women’s said, “This is a bit surprising to me, winning ICC Player of the Month award for July, but I’m happy. It shows that the hard work you put in, will pay off and it did, against Pakistan, to help us win that series. We played well in both formats.”

Massive setback for England; after Broad, James Anderson is doubtful for Lord's Test

After the injury to Stuart Broad, England have suffered another massive blow in the form of injury to James Anderson leading up to the second Test against India starting August 12 at Lord’s. The pacer has reported issues in his quad muscle and missed the training session on the morning of August 11 and might as well get ruled out of the second Test. If Anderson goes on to miss the Test, it will be the only first instance since 2007 that both Anderson and Broad will miss a home Test. Injury to Anderson will further weaken the hosts who are already plagued with the inexperienced and inconsistent batting order. They had formidable bowling attack to make up for the batting failures, but the absence of both of the senior pacemen will make them thin in the bowling department as well. England have already called up Saqib Mahmood in place of Stuart Broad and Mark Wood is most likely to play the Lord’s Test in place of him. It would interesting to see who does get a look in if England suffer a massive setback in the form of James Anderson. Anderson and Broad will join the long list of injured England pacers namely Chris Woakes, Olly Stone and Jofra Archer.

Andrew Strauss not in favour of Ashes postponement

Former English skipper and currently the chair of the England and the Wales Cricket Board, Andrew Strauss is not in favour of the Ashes slated to be played later this year in Australia getting postponed. Instead he wants both the cricket boards to work out a possible way to allow the English players to travel Down Under with their family members. Strauss feels the tour should go ahead despite several opinions being voiced by other former England skippers Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook. Both felt that the series should be cancelled if the English players are not allowed to travel with their family members. The English Test team is slated to travel to Australia in November for the first Test which is slated to be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from 8th December. However, in all likelihood, they won’t be allowed to be accompanied by their family members due to the stringent COVID-19 protocols in place in Australia. "No, I wouldn't want a postponement, I would want to make sure that the players' families can get there," Strauss was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo on Tuesday. "The last thing anyone wants is players having to make that choice between 'my family can't come and therefore I'm not going to go' or 'I'm going to go'. The solution to this is to find some sort of middle ground between the Australian Government, Cricket Australia, and the ECB, to make it as easy as possible for families to get out there and to have as few restrictions as possible when they are over there," Strauss further added Meanwhile, recent reports in the British media states that most of the English players are not happy with the protocols in place in Australia and expressed their apprehension on touring Australia if they are refused to accompany their families on the long tour. Strauss said that in these tumultuous times, it is practically not possible for the players to stay in Australia for such a long period of time without spending time with their families especially after what has happened in the last 18 months. Strauss wants everyone to work towards ensuring that the players are allowed to accompany their families on the tour rather than thinking of what will or may happen. "Of course we all understand, having been through the pandemic here for the last 18 months, that this stuff (quarantine protocols) isn't easy. [It requires] setting precedent and all that sort of stuff, but I do think it is unrealistic to expect players to go over there for months on end without their family seeing them, especially with what's gone on over the last 18 months and all the time they've had (to) spend away from their families in bubbles," said Strauss. "I think that's going to be asking them to go one step too far, and some sort of compromise needs to be reached. That's what everyone should be working towards at the moment, rather than worrying about something that may or may not happen,” the former ECB director concluded.