Sandeep Lamichhane COVID-19 positive; big setback for Hobart Hurricanes

Another Pakistan squad member tests COVID-19 positive in New Zealand; total tally at 7

The Pakistan touring party suffered yet another setback as another member of the contingent tested positive for Covid-19, taking the total number of infections to seven. As per the Covid-19 testing guidelines set by the New Zealand health departments, persons under isolation have to undergo testing on the third and 12th day of the isolation period and the seventh Covid positive member of the Pakistani contingent emerged in the test conducted on November 27. “One additional member of the Pakistan cricket squad has today tested positive during routine testing. The remainder of the results from the squad’s day 3 swab testing — apart from the six who have already returned a positive result — are negative,” the Ministry of Health said in a statement. The health departments in the country have already warned the Pakistan team one final time after they were caught flouting the quarantine norms in place in the country that has virtually eradicated coronavirus from its shores. Several members of the squad were caught ‘mingling without masks along with taking food from staff which are completely banned in quarantine period. The health ministry noted that the conduct of the Pakistan 53-member squad has improved significantly after a strict final warning was issued against flouting the norms. “We thank members of the team for their co-operation with the case investigations following the announcement of positive cases within the team. Co-operation and compliance are critical in ensuring New Zealand is kept safe from COVID-19,” the ministry added.

AUS vs IND: Marcus Stoinis suffers side strain; doubtful for second ODI

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has suffered a side strain and is likely to miss out from the second ODI of the series scheduled on November 29 at the Sydney Cricket Ground itself. He was in mid of his seventh over of India's chasing efforts when he pulled up in pain after bowling the second ball of the over and walked off the field in pain to never return on the field. Cricket.com.au quoted a Cricket Australia spokesperson saying that the all-rounder suffered a "left side pain" and his situation was to be assessed after a scan scheduled for the night of the matchday. Stoinis did not have a great day on the field and was dismissed for a first-ball duck with the bat and while bowling he could not get any Indian wicket before going off the field. Stoinis’ injury will open the selection doors for one of Moises Henriques and Cameron Green. Steve Smith, who batted India out of the game in the first ODI was unaware of the extent of Stoinis’ injury but said that he will back Cameron Green to take his place in case he fails to recover before the second ODI. “I don't know how Stoin is, I haven't seen him but fingers crossed he's OK. But if he's not then someone has to come in, and someone who's a bowler so perhaps Cameron. He's obviously started the Shield season really well, and he's a bright talent. I faced him for a couple of balls this afternoon in the nets before the game, it was the first time I've seen him bowl and he bowls a heavy ball. So he looks an impressive talent and if he gets an opportunity, hopefully, he can take it with both hands," Smith said in the post-match interaction. Australia will be bullish after a strong start into the cricket season while the Indian team will be looking to bounce back with a better performance in the bowling department and by mixing cautions with aggression while batting to challenge the home team going ahead in the series.

England in SA: The whims and fancies of Jonny Bairstow

South Africa were on course to pocket a victory on their return to the cricketing calendar but met an unshakeable force of nature in Jonny Bairstow.

England vs South Africa 1st T20I: What Experts said after Bairstow' heroics

The highly action-packed day for cricket that November 27 was ended with visitors England registering an impressive five-wicket win over South Africa at Cape Town in the first of a three-match T20I series. In a high-scoring affair, Jonny Bairstow's dashing knock of 86* from 48 balls proved too good for the Proteas as they failed to defend a target of 180. England had chosen to field first after winning the toss. Thanks to a quick 30 from their captain Quinton de Kock and a half-century (58) from Faf du Plessis, the hosts reached a score of 179/6 in their 20 overs. Rassie van der Dussen's 37 off 28 and Heinrich Klaasen's 20 off 12 gave an extra boost to SA's score. In reply, England recovered from 34/3 thanks to an 85-run partnership between Ben Stokes and Bairstow. After Stokes' dismissal - he scored 37 from 27 - Bairstow kept going and saw his team through to a 1-0 lead in the series. Captain's Take Ending up on the losing side, South Africa captain de Kock didn't sound too disappointed with his team. Instead, he gave credit to the England team for batting well. "We thought it was a good total, didn't come off tonight. I don't think it was that one over, Jonny and Ben built a partnership, Jonny batted really well, changed his gameplan to the pitch," the SA skipper explained. The one over he referred to was the one where England scored 28 off Beuran Hendricks. De Kock also thought that there wasn't much different that he could have done. "Small things in the field we could have done differently, match awareness. We didn't play badly, they played really well." Eoin Morgan, who must have enjoyed this victory after England's home ODI series loss to Australia some months ago, did not overlook the fact that his team's win came mainly thanks to a few great individual efforts. "(This win is) pleasing because we were average apart from two or three guys. Chasing was difficult, especially three-down, but Jonny and Ben set it up nicely, to win when you don't play your best is nice," Morgan said after the match. He further added that improvements are necessary in England's performance. "Collectively, regardless of the team and the time around each other, the more we play the more we will gel. Not doom and gloom, nice to start with a win, but we need to be doing the right things," the England captain asserted. Expert's Take Watching as a viewer, England pacer Tymal Mills expressed joy over his team's win. "An excellent win and a really good game of cricket to start the series. Bairstow was brilliant with the bat and Sam Curran brilliant with the ball. There's plenty to build on but an exciting start." Former South African spinner Robin Peterson expressed his admiration for Bairstow. "Jonny Bairstow is such a adaptable cricketer. Exceptional skill set at the top of the order and now showing middle order prowess too." Former England captain and cricket commentator Michael Atherton pointed out the value of this innings for Bairstow. "He would look back fondly on this innings because there was a lot of discussion...about his role in the side... There were some question marks as to whether he should be playing. He has answered them emphatically," Atherton said in a television interview.