The Ashes | 4th Test, Day 5: Rain takes over after entertaining first session

BBL 2021-22: Ben McDermott's another scintillating knock hands Hobart easy win

Hobart Hurricanes defeated Brisbane Heat convincingly by 8 wickets on Saturday in Brisbane. Chasing a target of 145 in 20 overs, Hurricanes lost an early wicket but Ben McDermott held the fort at one end and stitched a stand of 117 runs for the second wicket with captain Peter Handscomb. Dermott was eventually undone for 93 off 61. Handscomb who remained unbeaten at 33-ball 27 took the side over the line along with D Arcy Short (12* off 5) in the 18th over. Will Prestwidge scalped both the wickets for the side. Earlier, in the day, the Brisbane Heat too didn’t really have a great start to the proceedings and lost wickets at regular intervals to get reduced to 106/6 to eventually get restricted to 144/8 in 20 overs. Lachlan Pfeffer top-scored with 69 in 51 deliveries while Will Prestwidge chipped in with a 7-ball 21. Lamichhane and Mitchell Owen bagged a couple of wickets apiece for the team. McDermott was adjudged man of the match for his batting performance during the course of the match. Hurricanes have 5 wins and as many defeats under their belt in the 10 games that they have played while Brisbane have lost 7 out of the 10 matches that they have featured in.

Craig Ervine retained as skipper as Zimbabwe announce 15-man squad for Sri Lanka tour

Zimbabwe announced a 15-man squad for its tour to Sri Lanka starting this January. Veteran batter Craig Ervine has been retained as the captain of the Chevrons as they will take on the Lankan Lions in a three-match one-day international series which will be part of the CWC Super League. The Super League will determine seven teams alongside hosts India on the basis of points to enter directly into the 2023 ODI World Cup. All three matches will be day-night affairs and are scheduled for 16, 18 and 21 January 2022 respectively at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The 15 man squad that has been selected for the tour includes two uncapped batters Takudzwanashe Kaitano and wicketkeeper Clive Madande. Alongside them, all-rounder Tino Mutombodzi has returned to the national side as well. While these new players have been rewarded for their great showing in the Pro-50 domestic championship held in Harare this week, old guns like Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza and Regis Chakabva has been retained in the side as well. The Zimbabwe team will leave for the tour this Saturday. Squad Ervine Craig (captain), Burl Ryan, Chakabva Regis, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Masakadza Wellington, Mutombodzi Tinotenda, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton, Williams Sean

The Ashes | Moeen Ali, Alastair Cook indulge in an awkward on-air spat

For the unversed, both the stars were involved in a heated exchange earlier as Moeen compared Cook's captaincy with the current Test skipper of England Joe Root. The all-rounder felt more comfortable playing under Root.

NZ vs BAN | 2nd Test | Preview: Golden opportunity for Bangladesh to script history

Bangladesh created history against New Zealand after clinching a win in the first Test to go 1-0 up in the series against the world champions. The visitors’ batting unit was on song in the first clash with the top and middle-order making valuable contributions while Ebadot Hossain emerged to be the pick of the bowlers with his six wickets in the second innings. The action now moves to Christchurch where the two sides will lock horns with each other. While the Kiwis will have to go all guns blazing as the series is on stake. Bangladesh on the other side, just need a draw to add icing on the cake and clinch a series win in New Zealand. Match Details: New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch Date & Time: January 9th-13th, at 3:30 AM IST and 11:00 AM Local Time Live Streaming: Amazon Prime Video Pitch Report The pacers are likely to get assistance from the track. Moreover, the home side has had a good run at this particular venue. Having said that, the batters would be required to get their eye in and try to stitch partnerships to help the side put a decent total on the board. If you win the toss, elect to bat first. Team News New Zealand: The hosts are without the services of their regular skipper Kane Williamson as he was ruled out of the series earlier due to elbow injury. Tom Latham is leading the side in his absence. While New Zealand lost the first match, there was some good news for them as Devon Conway, Will Young and Henry Nicholls were among some runs during the course of the match. Bangladesh: Bangladesh are riding high on confidence after the win in the first match of the two-match series. A win or a draw in this second clash will help them clinch the series. The Bangla tigers’ batting line up was among runs in the first match while Hossain played an important role in the bowling department. The team management would expect them to replicate the performances from the players in this second Test. Probable XI New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Will Young, Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult Bangladesh: Shadman Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mominul Haque (c), Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wk), Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Ebadot Hossain Fantasy XI Tom Latham, Liton Das, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Mushfiqur Rahim, Will Young, Devon Conway (VC), Rachin Ravindra, Tim Southee (C), Taskin Ahmed, Ebadot Hossain