August 19, 2024

BCCI rejects ICC’s offer to host Women’s T20 World Cup

Secretary Jay Shah cites monsoon and their hosting of next year’s World Cup as the reasons.

The BCCI has firmly declined the ICC’s offer to host the Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for October. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah confirmed this decision: “We’re in the monsoon season, and with the Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled for next year, we don’t want to host consecutive World Cups.” The ICC is expected to make a final decision on August 20. With India out of the running, Sri Lanka and the UAE are now the leading alternatives for hosting the tournament, which will take place from October 3-20.

The ICC is considering a venue change due to recent violence and security issues in Bangladesh, which have arisen from anti-government protests resulting in deaths and the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina government.

An ICC official recently stated that the situation in Bangladesh is being carefully monitored, with all options being considered. The ICC is working closely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), local security agencies, and independent security consultants to ensure the safety of everyone involved. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of all participants,” the ICC said.

Despite efforts by Bangladesh’s new interim government to save the tournament, travel advisories from several teams, including England, Australia, and India, pose a significant challenge for the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). Additionally, the BCB faces internal difficulties, as President Nazmul Hassan and several board members with political ties have been sidelined since the Awami League government fell on August 5.

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh men’s Test team is in Pakistan for a two-match series. They arrived early due to protests disrupting their training in Bangladesh. Next month, they will tour India for two Tests and three T20Is.

“We’ve not spoken to them (the Bangladesh authorities),” Shah said. “A new government has taken charge there. They might reach out to us, or I will reach out to them. The Bangladesh series is essential to us.”

Spencer Johnson was ruled out of the UK tour, and Sean Abbott was called up.

Left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson has been ruled out of Australia’s T20I series against Scotland and England next month due to a sustained side strain while playing in the Hundred for Oval Invincibles. Johnson, who had a challenging Hundred campaign with just two wickets in six matches, showed promise in one game against Northern Superchargers, where he took 1 for 10 from 20 deliveries.

New South Wales allrounder Sean Abbott, initially selected only for the ODI squad, will replace Johnson in the T20I squad. Abbott has played 15 T20Is and is the leading wicket-taker in BBL history with 165 wickets. Despite his impressive record, Abbott has had limited opportunities for Australia. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc will sit out the T20Is but is set to play in the ODIs, while Pat Cummins will miss the entire tour. Josh Hazlewood is included in both squads.

Australia’s selectors keep the next T20 World Cup in mind, although they haven’t ruled out Starc or Cummins for future T20s. Johnson, who rapidly rose through the BBL with Brisbane Heat and debuted for Australia last year, is seen as a potential replacement for Starc in the T20 side. His focus now will be on recovering in time for the domestic season with South Australia. He may have another chance in Australia’s T20Is against Pakistan in mid-November. Test quicks won’t be available due to the upcoming series in Perth. After that, Australia’s next T20Is are scheduled for July in the West Indies.

Australia T20I squad vs Scotland and England

Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Cooper Connolly, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

VVS Laxman to Continue as Head of The National Cricket Academy

Former India batter VVS Laxman will extend his role as head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for at least another year. His initial three-year contract was set to end this September.

Laxman had been considered for a head coach position with an IPL franchise. Still, his ongoing commitments with the NCA will prevent him from taking on that role. He will continue to work alongside his coaching team, including Shitanshu Kotak, Sairaj Bahutule, and Hrishikesh Kanitkar, all respected figures in Indian domestic cricket.

The extension comes as the NCA prepares to open its new state-of-the-art campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Construction, which began in January 2022, is nearly complete. The new facility, built on land leased from the Karnataka government for 99 years, will feature over 100 pitches, indoor training areas with 45 pitches, three international-sized grounds, a modern rehab center, lodging, and Olympic-sized swimming pools. The campus is expected to start operations in early 2025.

One of Laxman’s challenges will be to build on an already comprehensive India A tour program that he has carried forward from Rahul Dravid’s tenure. However, a busy international calendar has hampered it lately.

During his first three-year term at the NCA, Laxman has built on the robust processes for injury management, player rehabilitation, coaching programs, and preparing roadmaps for the senior teams, age group, and women’s cricket.