CricClubs Blog

Ashes 2019: Smith out of Lord's Test; Labuschagne becomes first concussion sub

Steven Smith has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing Lord's Test against England as a result of the blow he sustained from a bouncer by Jofra Archer on day four. Marnus Labuschagne has been confirmed as his replacement for the game, thus becoming the first international cricketer to act as a concussion substitute who can entirely lawfully participate in the match.

Ravi Shashtri reappointed India head coach until 2021 World T20

Incumbent head coach Ravi Shastri has been confirmed to continue with his post with the Indian national side as the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) came to a conclusion today. Shastri will remain with the team until the 2021 T20 World Cup to be held in India.

WI vs India 2019: Shreyas Iyer's temperament gives India middle-order relief

That meant the remaining middle-order batsmen for India - both Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer - made it to the playing eleven in the ODIs against West Indies. Unfortunately, only Iyer could make a mark; but fortunately, that at least brought its share of smiles on the team management's faces.

India vs SA 2019: Multiple fresh faces in SA Test squad; de Kock to lead in T20s

Following a raft of retirements since 2018, South Africa's Test squad for the India tour this year includes multiple uncapped names. All of spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, fast bowler Anrich Nortje and wicketkeeper-batsman Rudi Second have been rewarded for consistent domestic performances, with the selectors not shying away from giving the T20 captaincy to Quinton de Kock for the tour.

WI vs India 2019: Hosts call up all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall for Tests

Uncapped spin-bowling all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall has been named in the West Indies squad for the two-match Test series against at home. The thirteen-man squad lacks fast bowler Alzarri Joseph - who is still recovering from injury sustained during the IPL this year - and Chris Gayle, who had expressed his desire to play a Test match, the last of which was in 2014.

Ashes 2019: Moeen Ali dropped for Lord's Test; Archer, Leach called up

After failing to deliver on a helpful track on days three and four of the Edgbaston Test, Moeen Ali has been dropped for the second Test against Australia at Lord's. Left-arm spinner Jack Leach is certain to take his place in the eleven after being named as the only spinner in the squad of twelve.

WI vs India 2019: The names in contention to fix India's ODI middle order

South Africa great Hashim Amla retires from international cricket

South Africa veteran Hashim Amla has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket a month after his side exited early in the World Cup. Amla played 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 24 T20s for his country in a career that started in 2004.

Ashes 2019: Runs continue to remain dry for battling Jonny Bairstow

After looking comfortable at 282 for 4 just two behind Australia's first innings total England suffered a mini collapse of 4 for 18. Ben Stokes edged behind after a fifty, Rory Burns' maiden Test hundred also ended with an outside edge and Moeen Ali's dreadful misjudgement of one from Nathan Lyon which straightened rattled his off-stump.

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand 2019: Four spinners in NZ Test squad

New Zealand have picked as many as four frontline spinners - Todd Astle, Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel and Will Somerville - in a squad of fifteen for the two Tests in Sri Lanka starting on August 14. That meant space could be found for only three fast bowlers in Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner, with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme providing the fourth seam-bowling option. The batting unit remains as expected, with an additional wicketkeeper in Tom Blundell being included as back-up to the regular BJ Watling.