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Tim Paine To Feature In Ashes Series Without Any First Class Matches Under His Belt

Tim Paine to feature in Ashes series without any First-Class matches under his belt

Australia Test captain Tim Paine will go into the Ashes series without a First-Class match but the right-hander will feature in club cricket and second XI cricket for Tasmania in the coming week.

Paine had undergone neck surgery on 14 September and has been out of action since. Australia's chairman of selectors George Baileyisnt has said that the wicket-keeper batsman’s surgery has gone well.

"Just get some cricket under his belt, which we're really confident he's going to get back this weekend," Bailey said on Wednesday. "And I think from all reports, surgery has gone really well. He's feeling really, really confident. I think they've actually had to hold him back a little bit in the last couple of weeks to make sure the actual healing process has gone well,” he added.

Australia earlier announced the squad for the Ashes series. The side would be led by Tim Paine while Pat Cummins will be his deputy. Apart from this, left-handed batsman Usman Khawaja has been rewarded for his good form in the recent past and was also picked in the side.

The Ashes is set to begin on December 8 in Brisbane.

Australia's Ashes squad

Tim Paine (c), Pat Cummins (vc), Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner

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My dream is to win matches for the country: Venkatesh Iyer

India are all set to begin the T20I series against New Zealand on Wednesday in Jaipur. The selectors have given a chance to some new players and one of these is Venkatesh Iyer. In a video released by the BCCI, Iyer is seen talking about his journey and his close friend and new entrant in the Indian team Avesh Khan. “Avesh Khan broke the news to me. He came up to my room and told me that we both have been selected. I was obviously happy and called up my family and told them that I was selected. I was happier for Avesh more than me,” he said. Venky further revealed how Avesh has worked hard on himself and his game. “I have seen him grow not just as a player but as a person. We play for the same association and we share a good bond. I know him in and out and have seen the struggle that Avesh has gone through,” he added. Talking about his own plans, the all-rounder said that he dreams of winning matches and tournaments for the country. “My dream is to win matches and tournaments for the country.” Former India captain Rahul Dravid had been appointed as the new coach of the side while Rohit Sharma has taken up the captaincy responsibilities in the T20Is. Mentioning about both the coach and the skipper, Iyer said that he got a vey good welcome in the squad. “Everyone welcomed me with open arms and this shows the culture of the team that they are very good and welcoming to the new players. There is a lot to learn from Rahul sir and its about how we will pick up things,” he said.

Watch: Indian players present funny headshots for photoshoot ahead of T20I series

The Indian team members were invited for a photoshoot with the new team ahead of the first T20I of the three-match series against New Zealand in Jaipur. The players assembled in front of the camera and gave out some funny poses for their headshots. Among the players were the new entrants in the team Venkatesh Iyer, Avesh Khan and Ruturaj Gaikwad as well as players making a return to the main squad such as Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Deepak Chahar and Mohammad Siraj. The Indian team will begin its three-match series in Jaipur tonight, November 17 and then move to Ranchi and Kolkata for the remaining two matches. After the T20I series, New Zealand will begin its defence of the World Test Championship title against India in a two-match Test series, starting with the first Test at Kanpur from November 25. Kane Williamson, the New Zealand skipper along with Kyle Jameison their premier Test bowler have pulled out of the T20I series to get ready for the two Tests. On the other hand, India Test skipper Virat Kohli and T20I skipper Rohit Sharma will also not be part of the Test series. Virat is not playing the T20I series either.

Sourav Ganguly appointed as new chair of ICC men’s cricket committee

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the new chairperson of the ICC men’s cricket committee. The former India skipper will replace another former India player, Anil Kumble. Kumble had stepped down from the post after serving the maximum of three three-year terms. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay said that he was delighted to welcome Ganguly to the position and further added that his experience as the administrator will be helpful. "I am delighted to welcome Sourav to the position of Chair of the ICC Men's Cricket Committee," Barclay said. "His experience as one of the world's best players and latterly as an administrator will help us shape our cricketing decisions moving forward. I would also like to thank Anil for his outstanding leadership over the last nine years,” he added. The ICC also took some key decisions and one of this was forming a Working Group to see the cricketing status in Afghanistan. The group which includes Ross McCollum, Lawson Naidoo and Ramiz Raja will be headed by Imran Khwaja. "The ICC Board is committed to continuing to support Afghanistan Cricket to develop both men's and women's cricket moving forward," Barclay said. "We believe the most effective way for this to happen will be to support our Member in its efforts to achieve this through its relationship with the new government.”

IND vs NZ | Kyle Jamieson not available for T20I series, confirms Gary Stead

Ace Kiwi bowler Kyle Jamieson who can also handle the willow has been withdrawn from the T20I series against India to focus on the upcoming two-match Test series, which will be right after the end of the Test series. Jamieson is the second T20 World Cup 2021 squad member after skipper Kane Williamson to have withdrawn from the T20I series to focus on the Test series. In a video uploaded on the Blackcaps’ official Twitter handle, Stead said, “Kane and I have had a discussion and arrived at a conclusion that he would not be taking part in the T20 series. We just want him to get ready for the Tests and Kyle Jamieson is likely to be in the same boat as well.” Stead further said that the Test squad will be travelling with the limited pavers players and will train on the days the T20I matches take place in Jaipur, followed by Ranchi and Kolkata, before the first Test begins in Kanpur on November 25. The first T20I takes place on Wednesday, November 17 in Jaipur and in Williamson’s absence, Tim Southe will lead the Kiwi team.