July 2023 - News Digest

Find all the news bytes that you may have otherwise missed.

July 10

BCCI to live stream Duleep final and Deodhar games

After some delays and indecision, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally taken steps to address the live telecast of domestic matches by deciding to live stream them on its website. The initiative will begin with the final of the Duleep Trophy, which starts on July 12. The BCCI will broadcast important games of the domestic fixtures until a new broadcaster is identified on bcci.tv.

Cricbuzz understands that the board has reached out to several commentators for both English and Hindi coverage and will start streaming the Duleep Trophy final between West Zone and South Zone from the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru from Wednesday. Furthermore, it is understood that this arrangement will continue for the upcoming Deodhar Trophy as well, and the significant matches of the one-day inter-zonal domestic games will be live-streamed from Puducherry. The Deodhar Trophy is scheduled to take place in the Union Territory from July 24 to August 3.

The BCCI has faced severe criticism on social media for not broadcasting the domestic matches. The season began on June 28 with Duleep Trophy games in Bengaluru and Alur. The main obstacle for the BCCI was the absence of a broadcaster after the previous deal with Disney Star ended in March. The BCCI intended to sign a new deal by July but unforeseen developments in the broadcast industry, including the continued delay in the Sony-Zee merger, forced them to postpone issuing the tender.

Nitish Rana named North Zone captain for Deodhar Trophy

Nitish Rana has been appointed North Zone captain for the upcoming Deodhar Trophy.

As many as four players of the 15-man squad are currently in Sri Lanka for the Emerging Asia Cup 2023 and can potentially be delayed by a day in linking up with the rest of the squad, depending on how India fair in the competition. The standby players, in which case, would be available for selection for the first game.

North Zone squad: Abhishek Sharma*, SG Rohilla, S Khajuria, Mandeep Singh, Himanshu Rana, Vivran Sharma, Prabhsimran Singh*, Nitish Rana (C), Nishant Sindhu*, Rishi Dhawan, Yudhvir Singh, Sandeep Sharma, Harshit Rana*, Vaibhav Arora, Mayank Markhande

Standbys: Mayank Dagar, Mayank Yadav, Arslan Khan, Shubham Arora, Yuvraj Singh, Manan Vohra, Aqib Nabi, Shivank Vashisht

* part of Emerging Asia Cup squad

ILT20 announces team retentions

The six franchises of ILT20 have confirmed a star-studded retention list ahead of the second season. Global T20 stars Andre Russell (Abu Dhabi Knight Riders), Kieron Pollard (MI Emirates), Wanindu Hasaranga (Desert Vipers), Chris Woakes (Sharjah Warriors), Nicholas Pooran (MI Emirates), Sikandar Raza (Dubai Capitals) are some of the major names returning for the second edition that kicks off in January 2024.

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders: Ali Khan, Andre Russell, Charith Asalanka, Joe Clarke, Sabir Ali, Sunil Narine, Marchant de Lange and Matiullah Khan.

Desert Vipers: Alex Hales, Ali Naseer, Colin Munro, Dinesh Chandimal, Gus Atkinson, Luke Wood, Matheesha Pathirana, Rohan Mustafa, Sheldon Cottrell, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Curran and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Dubai Capitals: Dushmantha Chameera, Joe Root, Raja Akif, Rovman Powell and Sikandar Raza.

Gulf Giants: Aayan Afzal Khan, Carlos Brathwaite, Chris Jordan, Chris Lynn, Gerhard Erasmus, James Vince, Jamie Overton, Rehan Ahmed, Richard Gleeson, Sanchit Sharma and Shimron Hetmyer.

MI Emirates: Andre Fletcher, Daniel Mousley, Dwayne Bravo, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Jordan Thompson, Kieron Pollard, McKenny Clarke, Muhammad Waseem, Nicholas Pooran, Trent Boult, Will Smeed and Zahoor Khan.

Sharjah Warriors: Chris Woakes, Joe Denly, Junaid Siddique, Mark Deyal, Muhammad Jawadullah and Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

ICC names Associate Member CEC representatives

The ICC has confirmed the three Associate Member representatives who have been elected to the Chief Executives' Committee (CEC) following a vote at the governing body's annual conference.

Rashpal Bajwa (Cricket Canada) and Mubashshir Usmani (Emirates Cricket Board) were re-elected to serve another two-year term, and will be joined by Umair Butt (Danish Cricket Association). The three candidates received the highest number of votes from the Associate Member electorate and will be part of the CEC and the ICC Development Committee from 14 July 2023 through to the end of the 2025 ICC Annual Conference.

Panchal to lead West Zone in Deodhar Trophy

Priyank Panchal of Gujarat will lead the West Zone side in the inter-zonal Deodhar Trophy competition. The squad was confirmed at a West Zone selection committee meeting on Monday (July 10).

Convened by Ajinkya Naik, the secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), the selection committee comprised Rajeev Kulkarni, Rishikesh Parab, Kirat Damani, Sangram Atitkar, and Rajesh Garsondia. The Deodhar Trophy will be held in Puducherry from July 24 to August 3.

Squad:Priyank Panchal (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Rahul Tripathi, Harvik Desai, Het Patel, Sarfaraz Khan, Ankit Bavne, Samarth Vyas, Shivam Dube, Ait Seth, Parth Bhut, Shams Mulani, Arzan Nagwaswala, Chintan Gaja and Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Stand byes: Chetan Sakariya, Tushar Deshpande, Yuvraj Dodhiya, Abu Kazi and Kathan Patel.

July 9

Ebadot ruled out of Afghanistan series

A knee injury has ruled Ebadot Hossain out of the remaining white-ball games at home against Afghanistan, the BCB confirmed. Ebadot injured his left knee during the second ODI against Afghanistan and didn't come out to bat as well."The MRI suggests that this is not a major injury. We expect him to recover in about two week's time. He will remain with the team as he does his rehab," Bangladesh team physio Muzadded Alpha Sany was quoted in a BCB statement. The pacer will now miss the final ODI and the two T20Is. Bangladesh will not be calling up a replacement.

Adil, Hammad announce retirements

Pacer Ehsan Adil and all-rounder Hammad Azam announced his retirements from cricket on Sunday.

The 30-year-old Adil, who was also a part of Pakistan's 2012 Under-19 world cup squad, played 3 Tests and 6 ODIs, with his last international appearance coming in July 2015, against Sri Lanka in Pallekele

Azam featured in 11 ODIs and 5 T20Is from 2011 to 2015. Azam was a part of Pakistan's 2010 Under-19 World Cup

July 8

Rayudu opts out of MLC 2023

Ambati Rayudu will not be available for the first season of Major League Cricket due to personal reasons. The 37-year-old had been roped in by the Texas Super Kings in June after his official retirement from Indian domestic cricket after the IPL final.

There is no specified reason for Rayudu's withdrawal. However, recent developments from BCCI's Apex Council Meeting about a policy for retired players participating in overseas leagues could have been a factor.

Naveen-ul-Haq ruled out of Bangladesh T20Is

Afghanistan fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq will not be available for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh due to a knee injury. Subsequently, he will fly to UK for a potential surgery. The 23-year-old has been replaced by rookie pacer Nijat Masoud who recently made his international debut in the one-off Test against Bangladesh. Masoud had joined the elite list of players to have gotten a five-wicket haul on debut. At this point, the expected recovery time for Naveen-ul-Haq is unclear as he prepares for surgery.

July 6

Tilak Varma not making a big deal out of India selection

"It (India selection) is a big thing but I've kept it aside because I have a match to win for the South Zone," Varma said on the sidelines of Duleep Trophy in Bengaluru. "I was just thinking about my process. I was not thinking about anything else. I was thinking about whatever matches which were coming my way and I was focusing on them. And when the selection came my way I was happy."

Tilak got to know about his maiden India call-up through a childhood friend. "I was playing the Duleep Trophy (so the mobile was switched off). Later my childhood friend called me and said you are selected, that is when I came to know about it... around 8 clock in the night.

"My mom and dad were literally crying yesterday. I did a video call to them and they were very emotional. My coach also had the same reaction, very emotional.

"Of course, I was confident (after the call) because I was thinking that now I am a capped player (smiles)."

Now that he will play on the biggest stage, Tilak looked back at all the lessons from domestic cricket and IPL. "I've learnt a lot from Sachin Sir, Rohit bhai and Virat bhai... They always tell me that you are in your room, always visualise how you'll bat tomorrow. Like it's a World Cup, your side is four or five wickets down for 40 or 50, then how you'll play the game from there. That is the sort of mindset I'm working so that it helps me going forward. It is getting easy for me by doing this."

July 5

Royals deny divestment plans with US investment firm

Rajasthan Royals have denied reports suggesting their plans for divestment. However, there have been strong rumours within the Indian cricket circle that the Indian Premier League (IPL) team is engaged in negotiations with an American private equity firm.

According to reports and sources within the IPL, the Royals have entered into talks with Tiger Global Management. Reportedly, Tiger Global Management has agreed to acquire a majority share in the Jaipur-based IPL team in a deal worth Rs 7000 crore. The deal will mean that the current owners, Emerging Media & Communications, will be reduced to a minority stake.

A Royals executive, however, has denied the plans of a sale.

Tiger Global, as stated on its website, is an investment firm focused on public and private companies in the global Internet, software, consumer, and financial technology industries. Headquartered in New York, it has assets worth over $100 billion, with a significant presence in the investment world.

Star Sports secures LPL rights for India, MENA regions

Star Sports has acquired the television rights for the upcoming Lanka Premier League (LPL). The tournament is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka from July 30 to August 21, with matches in Colombo and Kandy. Star Sports will have exclusive rights to telecast the live action in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and the MENA region, including the UAE.

The LPL 2023 will be the fourth edition of the tournament and will feature prominent international players such as Babar Azam, Shakib Al Hasan, David Miller, as well as popular Sri Lankan stars including Thisara Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Angelo Mathews, and Dasun Shanaka, among others.

July 4

Tharindu Perera appointed SL women's assistant coach

Sri Lanka Cricket have announced the appointment of Tharindu Perera as the assistant coach of the national women's side. Recipient of the ECB Level 4 Specialist Coach Award, Perera has prior experience with Warwickshire County Club, Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League, and West End Red Backs and more. His two-year stint with Sri Lanka Cricket commenced on July 1, 2023.

July 3

Shakib signs with Rangpur Riders

Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan has joined Rangpur Riders for the next two editions of the Bangladesh Premier League. "He is signed by Bashundhara (Rangpur Riders) for the upcoming BPL," BPL Governing Council Secretary Ismail Haider Mallick told Cricbuzz. Shakib decided to join Riders after parting ways with Fortune Barishal - a franchise that he represented in the last two editions. It is understood that Shakib has already spoken to the BCB regarding his decision to join Riders and sought permission from the board. The deal between Shakib and Rangpur was finalized after the confirmation. According to the tournament clause, a team can retain three local players and two foreign players for the next edition of the competition, which is expected to start immediately after the upcoming national polls, slated in January.

Shakib Al Hasan, Liton Das, Taskin Ahmed rewarded for skipping IPL

BCB have rewarded cash incentives to the trio for skipping IPL and prioritising national side commitment instead. The decision was taken during the last board meeting while BCB officials confirmed that they have already disbursed the money to the cricketers.

The trio received BDT 70, 51, 282 (USD 65,900) in total while it was learnt that Shakib will receive higher than Liton and Taskin, who are expected to receive the same amount as per the decision taken.

"They deserve this reward because we cannot give the amount of money they would have received from their respective franchises for playing the IPL. We just tried to show some respect for the sacrifice they made by opting to play for the country instead of IPL," said a BCB official.

Bangladesh Test and T20I skipper Shakib al Hasan opted not to play in the last edition of IPL despite being picked by Kolkata Knight Riders while his KKR team mate Liton could make himself available only for limited time span as he was busy performing national duty.

Taskin refused to play in the previous edition of IPL in order to fulfill national commitment after Lucknow SuperGiants approached him to be the replacement of Mark Wood.

Taskin claimed recently that he is hurt as he missed several occasion to play in foreign leagues.

July 2

Prithvi Shaw set for County stint with Northamptonshire

Prithvi Shaw is set for a maiden County Cricket stint with Northamptonshire at the end of his Duleep Trophy commitments with the West Zone team. The 23-year-old is likely to feature in both the remainder of Northants' county season (seven games left) as well as the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Shaw last played Test cricket for India in 2020 on the tour of Australia and has since fallen out of favour with the selectors. He has, however, remained prolific in domestic cricket and famously hit 379 against Assam last season - the highest score in an innings by a Mumbai batter. More recently, Shaw was in action in the IPL, where he had a season to forget with the Delhi Capitals, managing just 106 runs from eight innings at an average of 13.25.

Three former Indians captain - Bishen Singh Bedi, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble - have represented Northants, who feature in Division One of the County Championship this season.

Tushar Deshpande to replace injured Chetan Sakariya in West Zone squad

Fast bowler Tushar Deshpande has been added to the West Zone squad in the ongoing Duleep Trophy as an injury replacement for Chetan Sakariya. The specifics of Sakariya's injury is as yet unknown. Meanwhile, Deshpande was last in action just over a month back, playing for the Chennai Super Kings in their victorious IPL 2023 campaign. West Zone will meet Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy semi-final slated to begin on July 5.

July 1

Hasaranga cops fine, one demerit point

The ICC have pulled up Sri Lanka player Wanindu Hasaranga for for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the World Cup Qualifier match against Netherlands on Friday. He's also been handed demerit point; it was his second offence in a 24-month period, taking his number of demerit points to two.

"The incident occurred after Hasaranga was dismissed, when on return to the pavilion, he hit the boundary skirtings with his bat in an aggressive manner," the ICC said in a media release. "Hasaranga admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Shaid Wadvalla of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing."

Kumara ruled out of World Cup Qualifiers

Sri Lanka pacer Lahiru Kumara, who sustained a side strain suffered in Friday's match against the Netherlands, has been ruled out of the qualifiers in Zimbabwe. He's been replaced in the squad by Sahan Arachchige, who is a left-hand batter and right-arm off-spin bowler.

Allan Border battling Parkinson's disease

Legendary Australia captain Allan Border has revealed that he is battling Parkinson's disease, a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement.

The 67-year-old Border, the first player to get to 11,000 runs in Test cricket, revealed that he was diagnosed with the disease in 2016. "I walked into the neurosurgeon's and he said straight up, 'I'm sorry to tell you but you've got Parkinson's'," Border told Newscorp. "'Just the way you walked in. Your arms straight down by your side, hanging not swinging.' He could just tell."

"I'm a pretty private person and I didn't want people to feel sorry for me sort of thing. Whether people care you don't know. But I know there'll come a day when people will notice."

"I get the feeling I'm a hell of a lot better off than most. At the moment I'm not scared, not about the immediate future anyway. I'm 68. If I make 80, that'll be a miracle. I've got a doctor friend and I said if I make 80, that'll be a miracle, and he said, 'That will be a miracle.'"

Border played 156 Tests for Australia, 93 of them as captain. He finished with a stellar batting average of 50.56. He also featured in a further 273 ODI games and led Australia to their first World Cup triumph in 1987.

Bascombe appointed CWI Director

Miles Bascombe is all set to take over as the Director of Cricket West Indies (CWI) from Jimmy Adams, effective August 1. Bascombe, who had earlier served as a national selector from 2019-21, has been appointed for a three-year period. He had also been serving as a technical director for Windwards Island Cricket in recent times. Adams took charge as CWI Director back in 2017 and is leaving after a lengthy six-year tenure. CEO of CWI, Johnny Grave, was effusive in his praise of the incoming Director and appeared upbeat about the vision Bascambe would bring to West Indies cricket.