WI vs SA | 1st Test: Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne make Test debut for South Africa

WI vs SA | 1st Test: Jayden Seales makes debut, receives maiden cap from Curtly Ambrose

Jayden Seales became the 326th player to represent West Indies Test cricket in their 93-year-old history of the red ball game. The young fast bowler was presented his baggy maroon by West Indian legend Sir Curtly Ambrose, just ahead of the start of the first Test between the hosts and South Africa at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. Seales, a U-19 star for the team from the Caribbean was fats tracked into Test cricket having played only a single First-Class game in which he took only one wicket. Supposedly very quick off the pitch, Seales is considered to be a great boost to the Windies fast bowling unit. In the four List A and six T20s, the 19-year-old has picked a combined of 12 wickets. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Seales was given a rousing cheer and applaud by his teammates after Ambrose’ welcome speech. Ambrose in his address to Seales said, “Congratulations on making it into the team. I want to remind you, you are not doing it for yourself, you are not doing it for your family and friends, but you are doing it for West Indies and its millions of supporters.” “Always give your 100% for the team. Wish you a long and prosperous career ahead.” As far as the game is concerned, the West Indian skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, after winning the toss, decided to bat first. At the time of writing this, the men in maroon were 10 without loss after six overs.

England Women skipper Heather Knight calls for more 'inclusive' game, supports Ollie Robinson's ban

England Women captain Heather Knight said that the episode of Ollie Robinson’s ban due to ‘historic’ tweets is a ‘clear reminder’ of the responsibility role models such as cricketers have on their shoulders to keep the game in a ‘good light.’ She welcomed Robinson’s international ban saying that the punishment will teach lessons to an 18-year-old now that such sort of opinion is not acceptable. She also urged England cricketers to make the game more inclusive that will allow people from anywhere and everywhere to feel at h0me. “What’s gone on for the last week or so is a very clear reminder of the role models that we are, and the responsibility that we have as England cricketers to have a positive impact, and represent the sport, and what we want the sport to be, in a very good light,” Knight said on the eve of home series against India Women. “It shouldn’t really need saying that cricket should be a game for everyone and should be inclusive and welcoming, and everyone should feel like they’re able to take part. If there’s an 18-year-old boy now that realises that sort of opinion isn’t acceptable, then I think that can only be a positive.” She emphasized the inclusion of Sophia Dunkley, who will be the only second black woman to play for England Women after Ebony Rainford-Brent, in the central contract will be an ‘inspirational’ story. “I’m sure Sophia doesn’t see herself as a role model, but she massively is. That’s really important. We talk a lot in women’s sport about how you can’t be what you can’t see – that’s similar in Dunks’ situation. I’m absolutely chuffed for her: she’s a great girl, she works really hard and I hope she maximises this opportunity,’ Knight added. England Women will take on India Women in a one-off Test match scheduled to start on June 16 followed by an ODI series.

PSL 2021: Faheem Ashraf suffers injury, ruled out for at least three games

Islamabad United bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf suffered an injury to his left thumb and post a medical inspection, he has been declared unfit and would not be available for at least the next three games of the United in the Pakistan Super League 2021 Abu Dhabi leg. The injury occurred while he was field at fine leg in the fifth over of the Lahore Qalandars inning at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. "Faheem suffered a laceration to the base of the left thumb. Suturing was completed in the ER, he was given antibiotics and paracetamol and discharged into our care," United physio Jason Pilgrim was quoted as saying by Espncricinfo. Ashraf was one of the key players for the United as was shown in the very game he got injured. The right-arm bowler took the wicket of Fakhar Zaman and conceded only 31 runs in his four overs. 21 runs out of the 31 conceded came in two overs that he bowled after the injury, with five stitches on his thumb. He was also the top scorer for United with 27 from 24 balls. As far as the importance of Faheem is concerned, he is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the league with a tally of 51 wickets. He also holds the tournament's second-best bowling figures, of 6 for 19. His batting in the death overs is as indispensable as it gets, especially in a scenario when the red lions don’t have their first choice overseas players.

PSL 2021 Preview: Quetta Gladiators, Islamabad United hustle for revival

Islamabad United had a disappointing start to the proceedings of PSL after the tournament resumed on Wednesday (June 9, 2021). The United side suffered a defeat at the hands of Lahore Qalandars and are now placed at number four spot with three wins and two losses in five matches. On the other hand, Quetta Gladiators will play their first match after the PSL resumption. The Gladiators didn’t have a great run during the first leg and are presently placed at the bottom of the table with only one win in their kitty from five matches. To add to Islamabad’s misery was Faheem Ashraf’s injury (split webbing) that he sustained on his left hand during the match against Qalandars and needed stitches. Faheem’s injury would mean that Islamabad United will have a forced change in this encounter against Gladiators. Having said that, this is just the beginning of the tournament and the Shadab Khan-led side has some time to get back on track with few prominent overseas and domestic players in the ranks. Gladiators will be missing the services of some big guns like Tom Banton, Dale Steyn, Anwar Ali, Chris Gayle and Ben Cutting but they have some new recruits which include the hard-hitting West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell. The oppositions are well aware of Russell’s calibre both with bat and ball and how he can take away the game single-handedly on his day. While Russell brings a lot of balance in the side both with bat and ball, presence of experienced batsmen like Faf du Plessis and former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed can also bring some fruitful results for the team. Match Details Date: June 11, 2021 (Friday) Time: 8:00 PM LOCAL/ 9:30 PM IST Venue: Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi Weather Report The temperature in Abu Dhabi in the initial phase of the game will be around 33 degree celsius and not much of a change is expected. Pitch Report The track in Abu Dhabi was expected to produce some big scores but that didn’t really happen in the first match. However, the team chasing second did emerge victorious but had to fight really hard to get their way back in the match. It was certainly a nail-biting finish for the Qalandars against United, courtesy some aggressive stroke play from Rashid Khan. So, if you win the toss, elect to field first and try to restrict the opposition for a lesser total because chasing can become tricky if there are some early blows. Team News Islamabad United: Islamabad United will be without the services of Faheem Ashraf who got injured in the first match against Lahore. "Faheem suffered a laceration to the base of the left thumb. Suturing was completed in the ER, he was given antibiotics and paracetamol and discharged into our care," United physio Jason Pilgrim said in a statement. Islamabad would be seeking a replacement for him in the middle-order. Muhammad Musa or Akif Javed might be the option for Ashraf’s replacement. Quetta Gladiators: The Gladiators team might be missing some key players especially the T20 specialists but the addition of Russell brings a lot of stability and strength in the middle order. The presence of Faf du Plessis is also a boon for the side. He was in some terrific form in the now suspended IPL and would be looking to continue that in this clash. Predicted XIs Islamabad United: Usman Khawaja, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Akif Javed, Rohail Nazir, Hasan Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr Quetta Gladiators: Usman Khan, Faf du Plessis, Saim Ayub, Cameron Delport, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Azam Khan, Andre Russell, Jack Wildermuth, Mohammad Nawaz, Zahid Mahmood, Mohammad Hasnain Fantasy XI Usman Khawaja, Shadab Khan (VC), Sarfaraz Ahmed, Andre Russell (C), Faf du Plessis, Colin Munro, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Fawad Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Nawaz