BCCI announces appointment of various committees

He fights a lot: Sourav Ganguly on Virat Kohli’s attitude

Board of Control for Cricket in India President might have earlier said that BCCI will deal with the Virat Kohli issue later on and in an appropriate manner, but he couldn’t resist making a comment on India’s Test captain. He said that he likes Kohli’s attitude the most, but also has a problem with his anger issues. “I like Virat Kohli’s attitude but he fights a lot,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times at an event in Gurugram. The comments gained a lot of importance in the context that Kohli, before departing with the Indian unit to South Africa, in a press conference quashed all of Ganguly's claims about the whole captaincy issue. Earlier, Ganguly had said in an interview that Kohli was asked not to leave the T20I captaincy and then when he did, the board had no other option to give the ODI captaincy to Rohit Sharma because they wanted just one white ball captain. Ganguly had also said that Kohli was duly informed about the board’s decision. With two contrasting sets of claims being made by arguably two of the most prominent names currently in Indian cricket, the media was naturally eager to know BCCI’s stand on Kohli, but the former India skipper Ganguly ducked the question saying that the matter will be dealt with appropriately.

The Ashes | Journalist who interviewed Dawid Malan tests positive for Covid-19

The day-night Ashes Test in Adelaide was impacted by the Covid-19 even before it started. Australian captain Pat Cummins was ruled out of the pink ball fixture after coming in close contact with a Covid positive person right ahead of the game. And it has now been revealed that the journalist who had interviewed England batsman Dawid Malan after the end of the third day’s play has also tested positive. “The Australian’s Peter Lalor reported a BBC staff member, who has not been identified, tested positive, creating chaos and uncertainty for attending media on Sunday," Foxsports said. The sources further added that there is no issue with Malan. “Sources said that as the journalist was wearing a mask and that there is no issue with Malan," the report added. In a statement, the venue said: "SA Health are aware and we have begun to trace and notify this person’s close contact. In accordance with our pre-planning we undertaking a deep clean of the relevant areas and are facilitating alternative facilities for relevant officials as required.” Malan has been in good touch in the series so far after he notched up 80 in the first innings for his side while England saw a middle-order collapse yet again. The visiting team was bowled out for 236 in reply to Australia’s 473/9 (D). Though England bowlers tried to make a comeback in the first session of the penultimate day as they scalped three wickets in quick succession but Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head steadied the ship for the side and got the hosts back on track.

The Ashes | Ollie Robinson tries a hand at spin bowling; watch video

England pacer Ollie Robinson tried a hand at spin bowling during the fourth day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide. Australia who had been in cruise control in this encounter before getting some hiccups in the first session of the penultimate day as they lost three wickets during the course. James Anderson provided England with the first breakthrough as he castled Michael Nesser for 3. Later, Stuart Broad joined the show as he scalped the wicket of Marcus Harris for 23 while Ollie Robinson had the priced wicket of Steve Smith for 6, leaving Australia at 55/4. But it was Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head who scripted a fine comeback for the side as the two stitched an unbeaten stand of 79 runs before the conclusion of first session. Labuschagne was at 31* while Head was not out for 45 with Australia at 134/4, leading by 371 when the Dinner Break was taken. Earlier, England were bowled out for 236 in reply to Australia’s 473/9 (D) in the first innings.

The Ashes | 2nd Test | Day 4: England pick early wickets before Labuschagne, Head provide resistance

England bowlers had a brilliant start to the proceedings on the fourth day of the second Ashes Test in Adelaide as they scalped early wickets in the first session. Beginning the day at 45/1, the home side was in cruise control after having a lead of 282 but the England bowling unit and especially James Anderson and Stuart Broad troubled the batsmen early. Anderson provided the visitors with the first breakthrough of the day after he cleaned up Michael Nesser for 3 and Broad joined the party with the wicket of Marcus Harris in the very next over. Harris was undone for 23 after Jos Buttler held on to a fine catch. Later, Marnus Labuschagne and stand-in captain Steve Smith tried to steady the ship as the two batters almost played 10 overs before Ollie Robinson bagged the priced wicket of Smith for just 6 runs. The right-hander was caught by Buttler, leaving Australia at 55/4. Labuschagne was then joined by Travis Head in the middle and the two batsmen provided the much-needed resistance to the side. At the time of writing, they had already stitched a stand of over 50 runs for the fifth wicket.