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The Hundred Smriti Mandhana Withdraws From Last Two Fixtures To Spend Time With Family

The Hundred: Smriti Mandhana withdraws from last two fixtures to spend time with family

India batter Smriti Mandhana, who is a part of Southern Brave in the ongoing edition of The Hundred, has withdrawn her name from the last two fixtures including the final to spend time with her family before the Australia tour. The Brave Women have called up Ireland’s Gaby Lewis as her replacement.

Southern Brave Women have won six out of the seven matches that they have played in the competition and are presently sitting at the top of the points table.

Mandhana struck a fine 52-ball 78 for Southern Brave in their last encounter against Welsh Fire as the side posted a mammoth 166/3 in the allotted 100 balls. The left-handed batter along with her opening partner Wyatt put 107 for the first wicket as both the players notched up individual half-centuries. In reply, the Welsh team were restricted to 127/4 as the Southern Brave side won the match by 39 runs.

They are now slated to play against the Oval Invincibles on Monday (August 16, 2021) in Southampton. Mandhana has scored 167 runs in the seven matches that she has played so far for the side at a strike rate of over 133.

The Indian women’s team will tour Australia in September-October where they will play three ODIs, one-off Test and three T20Is. The tour will begin on September 19, 2021, with the ODI series in Sydney.

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SL vs SA | Quinton de Kock, Ngidi to miss ODIs, injured David Miller included in T20I squad

South Africa have announced the T20I and ODI squads for the Sri Lanka tour. Fast bowler Dwaine Pretorius has made a return to both the squads while Junior Dala has found a place for himself in the ODI setup. Wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock has been rested for the ODI fixtures but will feature in the T20Is. Apart from this Lungi Ngidi is not included in the ODI squad due to personal reasons while David Miller’s injury is being monitored. The left-handed batsman sustained a hamstring injury during the final T20 against Ireland. Both the players though have been included in the T20I squad. The South African team would be led by Temba Bavuma. The Proteas are slated to play Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series and as many T20Is in Colombo. All the matches will be played at R.Premadasa Stadium. The ODI series commences on September 2, 2021 while the second and third ODI will be played on September 4 and September 7 respectively. The first T20I will take place on September 10 which will be followed by the second and third encounter on September 12 and September 14 respectively. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are yet to announce the squads. ODI Squad: Bavuma (c), Dala, B Hendricks, R Hendricks, Klaasen, Linde, J Malan, Maharaj, Markram, Mulder, Nortje, Phehlukwayo, D Pretorius, Rabada, Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Verreynne, Lizaad Williams T20I Squad: Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock, Fortuin, B Hendricks, R Hendricks, Klaasen, Linde, Maharaj, Magala, Markram, Miller, Mulder, Ngidi, Nortje, D Pretorius, Rabada, Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Williams

ENG vs IND | 2nd Test: Rain plays spoilsport at Lord's as well

India and England are all set to take on each other in the second Test of the five-match series at Lord’s. The first encounter between the two sides ended in a draw after rain played spoilsport during the game in Nottingham. But the weather conditions in London will allow the first day’s play to go ahead as scheduled as there is no prediction of rain. Both India and England suffered some blows ahead of the second Test. Shardul Thakur will miss the second Test due to hamstring injury while Stuart Broad has been ruled out of the series after pulling up with a calf problem. "England seamer Stuart Broad has tweaked his right calf in today's warm-up at Lord's. He was unable to train this afternoon with the rest of the England squad. Broad will have a scan tomorrow to determine the extent of his injury," the ECB said. Moreover, fast bowler James Anderson is also doubtful for the second Test as he is struggling with a thigh problem. Lancashire paceman Saqib Mahmood was earlier called-up as cover for Broad. The visitors were handed a target of 209 runs in the second innings of the first Test and the Virat Kohli-led side needed 157 to win on the last day. But the fifth day was washed away due to rain, ending the match in a draw.

Langer, team manager Gavin Dovey argue with staff members over 'inappropriate' Bangladesh video

Australia head coach Justin Langer and team manager Gavin Dovey were reportedly involved in a heated argument with one of the staff members of the team after a video was posted on Cricket Australia's website - cricket.com.au, according to ‘The Sydney Morning Herald’ report. The video that was posted had the Bangladesh players celebrating the T20I series win against the Aussie side at home. “Dovey had argued that it was inappropriate for the Bangladesh team song to be posted on a CA-operated website,” the report said. “…the incidents were witnessed by at least a dozen people and left some players taken aback and with a sense of unease about what had transpired,” it added. While Langer didn’t comment upon the incident, Dovey admitted that the discussion should have taken place in private. “There was a difference of opinion, and we agreed to disagree on a particular matter. In hindsight, it was one of those instances which should have taken place in private. I take full ownership of that,” he said. Australia suffered a thumping 4-1 defeat against Bangladesh in the five-match T20I series. They were bundled out for their lowest T20I total in the final encounter. Chasing a small target of 123, the Australian team was bowled out for 62 and lost the match by 60 runs. Australia have been through a rough patch in the T20Is as they also suffered a defeat in the series against the West Indies.

Jadeja credits Kohli's enthusiasm for raising fitness, fielding standards of Indian team

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has credited captain Virat Kohli for improving the fitness standards in the team. "Virat definitely has been very enthusiastic, proactive, and fit. He believes a lot in fitness as well, so everyone has to raise their fielding standards,” he said while talking to TimesofIndia.com. Jadeja is one of the finest fielders in the world currently and the left-hander also talked about his own regimes and how he maintains his fitness. “I do a lot of shoulder exercises and running for that, for instance. That’s how I maintain my fitness, which helps me on the field," he said. Jadeja had a decent run in the first Test against England in Nottingham where he struck an important half-century in the first innings and helped India take the lead. The visitors scored 278 in reply to England’s 183 in the first innings. The hosts then rode on a brilliant century from skipper Joe Root to put 303 on the board before getting bundled out and handing India a target of 209 runs. The Virat Kohli-side needed 157 runs to win the match on the last day but rain played spoilsport and the clash ended in a draw eventually. The two teams will now lock horns with each other in the second Test at Lord’s slated to commence on Thursday (August 12, 2021).