Tim Paine to feature in Ashes series without any First-Class matches under his belt

Watch: Indian players present funny headshots for photoshoot ahead of T20I series

The Indian team members were invited for a photoshoot with the new team ahead of the first T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand in Jaipur. The players assembled in front of the camera and gave out some funny poses for their headshots. Among the players were the new entrants in the team Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad as well as players making a return to the main squad such as Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar and Mohammad Siraj. The Indian team will begin its three-match series in Jaipur tonight, November 17 and then move to Ranchi and Kolkata for the remaining two matches. After the T20I series, New Zealand will begin its defence of the World Test Championship title against India in a two-match Test series, starting with the first Test at Kanpur from November 25. Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper along with Kyle Jameison their premier Test bowler have pulled out of the T20I series to get ready for the two Tests. On the other hand, India Test skipper Virat Kohli and T20I skipper Rohit Sharma will also not be part of the Test series. Virat is not playing the T20I series either.

Sourav Ganguly appointed as new chair of ICC men’s cricket committee

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the new chairperson of the ICC men’s cricket committee. The former India skipper will replace another former India player, Anil Kumble. Kumble had stepped down from the post after serving the maximum of three three-year terms. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay said that he was delighted to welcome Ganguly to the position and further added that his experience as the administrator will be helpful. "I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee," Barclay said. "His experience as one of the world's best players and latterly as an administrator will help us shape our cricketing decisions moving forward. I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years,” he added. The ICC also took some key decisions and one of this was forming a Working Group to see the cricketing status in Afghanistan. The group which includes Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja will be headed by Imran Khwaja. "The ICC Board is committed to continuing to support Afghanistan Cricket to develop both men's and women's cricket moving forward," Barclay said. "We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our Member in its efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government.”

IND vs NZ | Kyle Jamieson not available for T20I series, confirms Gary Stead

Ace Kiwi bowler Kyle Jamieson who can also handle the willow has been withdrawn from the T20I series against India to focus on the upcoming two-match Test series, which will be right after the end of the Test series. Jamieson is the second T20 World Cup 2021 squad member after skipper Kane Williamson to have withdrawn from the T20I series to focus on the Test series. In a video uploaded on the Blackcaps’ official Twitter handle, Stead said, “Kane and I have had a discussion and arrived at a conclusion that he would not be taking part in the T20 series. We just want him to get ready for the Tests and Kyle Jamieson is likely to be in the same boat as well.” Stead further said that the Test squad will be travelling with the limited pavers players and will train on the days the T20I matches take place in Jaipur, followed by Ranchi and Kolkata, before the first Test begins in Kanpur on November 25. The first T20I takes place on Wednesday, November 17 in Jaipur and in Williamson’s absence, Tim Southe will lead the Kiwi team.

Usman Khawaja forces his way into the Australian Ashes squad

Usman Khawaja, the left-handed batter has forced his way into the Australian side after a resounding domestic season this year in which he has hit two centuries and a fifty in six innings. However, he would not be competing for his usual opening position in the team, but would rather be opening for a middle-order spot vacated by Matthew Wade. Among other notable entrants in the Australian Ashes squad announced on November 17 are Marcus Harris, who will be opening the batting with David Warner and Jhye Richardson whose fast bowling form has finally given him an opportunity to finally get in tune with Test cricket in which he has played two games so far. The squad has been named for only the first two of the five Tests. The two Tests would be played at Gabba and Adelaide and the Test at Adelaide Oval would be a Day/Night Test. Australia's Ashes squad Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner Even without having played a single game this season, Tim Paine has remained the leader of this group and will be taking part in Tasmania second XI game as well as a Premier Cricket game to get back in touch before the Intrasquad games which will be played between Australia and Australia A The national selection panel have also named Australia A squad to take part in a three-day internal practice game against the Test squad in Brisbane from December 1. Post that the A squad will play a four-day game against England Lions from December 9. England Lions are touring Australia at the same time as England and will be playing against the English side to give them much needed practice. Australia A players Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Henry Hunt, Josh Inglis, Nic Maddinson, Mitchell Marsh, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Bryce Street "This group is well balanced to ensure we are prepared for the many challenges of an Ashes Series. It has a mix of experienced, proven performers and emerging, developing talent. We will take this 15-player squad into the opening Test in Brisbane and the pink ball match in Adelaide, after which we can reassess for the remaining matches,” George Bailey said in a media interaction after the announcement. Speaking about the inclusion of Khawaja, the former Australia captain said, "Usman Khawaja has been in great touch. He brings a calm, consistent and experienced component to the batting lineup and is a proven run-scorer at the Test level. He also has the ability to bat across a range of positions in the batting order."