One of the greatest comebacks: Shastri lauds Team India after MCG victory

Daily Round-up | 29 Dec: India third Test venue confirmed

India's venue for the third Test match confirmed!

AUS vs IND: Cricket Australia confirms SCG as venue for 3rd Test

Amid the rising uncertainty about the venue of the third Test between Australia and India, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the New Year Test will take place on its traditional vene at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Notably, there were discussions in Cricket Australia ranks as Sydney was reporting a number of Covid-19 cases in the past week. Cricket Australia in its statement said that the decision to host the Test at the SCG has been taken after various rounds of consultations on the issue of Covid-19 outbreak in the Northern beaches of Sydney. Both sides will travel to Brisbane where the health guidelines as per the Queensland state government are in action and hence Cricket Australia had to weigh in various options after meetings with New South Wales and Queensland state health officials. “Despite the many challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, I am delighted to say Cricket Australia remains on track to deliver the men’s international series as scheduled. We have met regularly over the past week to assess the unfolding public health situation in Sydney and gauge its impact on border restrictions around the country. To date, we have been able to deliver a safe and successful summer thanks to our detailed biosecurity protocols and the amazing work of so many great people behind the scenes. To that end, we have made the decision to keep the New Year’s Test at the SCG, which has a wonderful recent history of hosting the Pink Test and Jane McGrath Day on the third day of play,” Cricket Australia’s Interim CEO, Nick Hockley said. The ongoing Border Gavaskar series is levelled at 1-1 after the touring Indian side bounced back strongly at the MCG to register an eight-wicket win after facing a humiliating defeat in Adelaide.

South Africa downs an injured and weakened Sri Lanka in centurion

The South African team aided by some inspiring bowling performance by the pacers, wrapped up the first Test against Sri Lanka, defeating the visitors by an innings and 45 runs at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. As soon as Kasun Rajitha was caught by Keshav Maharaj off Anrich Nortje, South Africa finally gave their fans some reason for joy after not so comprehensive results against England and Australia lately. For the Proteas, the pacers divided the eight wickets with four each for Nortje, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder. Kusal Perera was the only Sri Lankan that looked in some sort of control during the second innings of the islanders. The heroes of the previous innings Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella couldn’t really get going in these innings, while Sri Lanka was already devoid of the services of free-flowing Dhananjaya de Silva due to injury. Wanindu Hasarnaga also fought a lone battle at the end scoring his maiden Test fifty for the Lankan Tigers. He scored 59 of 53 balls with the help of 12 fours and one six. Earlier in the South Africa innings, the batsmen led by Faf du Plessis made full use of a depleted Sri Lankan bowling attack (injury to Rajitha and de Silva), scoring freely and getting to mammoth 621. The 34-year-old du Plessis got out in an antagonizing manner on 199, while Dean Elgar had got out 95 in the first innings. Keshav Maharaj, Temba Bavuma, and Aiden Markram were the other three who went past the 50 run barrier for South Africa. Faf was announced Man of the Match for his marathon innings. The next game would begin from 3rd January at the Wanderers.

Hurricanes look to turn the tables on revitalised and at-home Heat

Just three days after facing each other at Brisbane, Hobart Hurricanes and Brisbane Heat would be fighting it out again at the Gabba. The first round was won by Brisbane Heat, giving themselves their first win of the tournament. But the two sides are evenly matched and predicting the winner would be an excercise in speculation more than anything else. Heat are without their captain and best batsman Chris Lynn, out with an injury. Hurricanes, on the other hand, now boast of having the no. 1 ranked T20I batsman in their team - Dawid Malan. Heat Heating Up It has not been an easy season for the Brisbane side. They lost their first three matches and then, their captain Lynn just before the start of their third game. However, in that match itself, the stand-in captain Jimmy Peirson showed great character to almost take his team home from a position of certain defeat. But Lynn's absence isn't just harmful due to his captaincy. With him out, the batting order looks a bit shaky. Peirson has stepped up to the challenge but he needs more support from the top order which has been underwhelming. They will have big hopes from their openers Max Bryant and Sam Heazlett who batted really well against Hurricanes on Sunday. The middle order is yet to fully fire. Perhaps, it would be a good idea for Peirson to shift himself to the top-4. Among bowlers, Mujeeb Ur Rahman seems to be getting a hang of things. Lewis Gregory proved to be the surprise package in the last match with figures of 3/22. Frontline bowlers like Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth, and Mark Steketee have blown hot and cold. But they will have a good opportunity to pick up wickets if Mujeeb could apply some pressure. Hurricanes Seek Revenge The Hobart side was riding high at the start of the tournament and were even at the top of the points table. However, they have since falled behind the two teams from Sydney. The batting line-up is a little unstable with the opening partnership not certain. D'Arcy Short is a star player but he is yet to produce his best. In the previous match, Ben McDermott, who has been very impressive, was promoted to open the innings alongside him. That experiment should continue, not dropped after just one game. The position of captain Peter Handscomb is a little tricky. He is yet to play a decisive knock in this season. Not a big-hitter by inclination, Handscomb would like to be the pivot around which the batting line-up revolves. But for that, he'll need bigger scores. But the ace in the pack of the Hurricanes is Dawid Malan. The best batsman in T20I cricket is expected to make a splash. He could be the difference-maker for the team. Hopes would also be high from Colin Ingram and James Faulkner. Faulkner has also been the best bowler for the team. Scott Boland has given him good support. While the last match didn't go according to plan, the team would be confident about them. Riley Meredith is starting to show his quality. But the surprise package was Short in the last game with his three wickets. It would be interesting to see whether this was a flash in the pan or a harbinger of bigger things for the opening batsman. Heat vs Hurricanes: Match Details Venue: Gabba, Brisbane Date and Time: December 30, 1:45 PM IST, 6:15 PM Local, 8:15 AM GMT Broadcaster: Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV Pitch Report It seems like spin is proving to be the decisive factor at Gabba this year, at least in the Big Bash League. This is odd for a ground that was traditionally regarded as the most seamer-friendly in Australia. Perhaps the slowness of the wicket is making slower bowlers difficult to get away. Weather and Toss Rains are expected in the morning and the clouds are expected to hang around in the evening as well. This could assist the seamers but may also leave some moisture in the surface that the spinners will exploit. The captain winning the toss may think about bowling first as well since that may give his bowlers an opportunity to use the conditions. Probable XIs Heat: Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson (C, Wk), Dan Lawrence, Tom Cooper, Jack Wildermuth, Lewis Gregory, James Bazley, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mark Steketee, Xavier Bartlett Hurricanes: D'Arcy Short, Ben McDermott (Wk), Dawid Malan, Peter Handscomb (C), Colin Ingram, Tim David, James Faulkner, Nathan Ellis, Riley Meredith, Scott Boland, Wil Parker