The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed that it has offered to play two extra T20Is during the Indian team's tour of England in July 2022 to compensate for the losses suffered by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) due to cancellation of Manchester Test because of Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp. "It is correct that we have offered to play two extra T20Is when we visit England next July (only for the white-ball games). Instead of three T20Is, we will play five T20Is. Alternately, we will be willing to play a one-off Test as well. It is up to them to choose either of the offers," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
Indian women lose by 36 runs
Indian women’s team made a disappointing start to its tour of Australia as it suffered a 36-run loss in a 50-over warm-up match at Brisbane last week. Opener Rachael Haynes (65), Meg Lanning (59) and Beth Mooney (59) smashed individual fifties as Australia posted a challenging 278 for nine after batting first at the Ian Healy Oval. In reply, India could only manage 242 for seven in their 50 overs with Pooja Vastrakar (57) emerging as the top-scorer. For Australia, Ellyse Perry (2/38) made a successful return to new-ball duties as she, along with 19-year-old quick Stella Campbell (3/38), snapped two wickets each inside the first 15 overs to leave India reeling at 88 for four. Perry produced a disciplined performance, bowling a tight line and was rewarded with the wickets of opener Smriti Mandhana (14) and Mithali Raj (1). Campbell made her case for an international debut as she got rid of Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh (11) early. Yastika Bhatia (41) then gave ample display of her resilience as she negotiated a barrage of short balls from Darcie Brown, 18, before being dismissed by left-arm finger spinner Sophie Molineux (1/12).
Limited crowd alllowed at IPL matches
Limited spectators will be allowed into the stadiums for the Indian Premier League in the UAE, the event's organisers announced. “This match will be a momentous occasion as IPL will welcome the fans back to the stadiums after a brief hiatus owing to Covid-19 situation,” an IPL statement said. “Matches will be played at Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi with limited seating available keeping in mind the Covid protocols and UAE government regulations,” it added. It will be the first time since 2019 when the IPL will be played in front of an audience. Last year, the league was played behind closed doors in the UAE while the first half of the 2021 edition was also played inside a strict biobubble. Although the league organisers did not specify the exact number of fans who would be let in but sources said their presence would be 50 per cent of the stadium capacity.
Malinga retires from all forms of cricket
Sri Lanka pace veteran Lasith Malinga, who terrorised the world's best batsmen with his toe-crushing yorkers delivered from a low and sling-arm action, announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 38-year-old, who was captain of Sri Lanka's 2014 T20 World Cup winning team, posted a message on his social media account announcing his decision. “Hanging up my T20 shoes and retiring from all forms of cricket! Thankful to all those who supported me in my journey, and looking forward to sharing my experience with young cricketers in the years to come,” Malinga tweeted. Malinga had retired from Test and ODI cricket in January this year but was yet to call it quits from T20 internationals. Last year, he had expressed his desire to lead Sri Lanka in the T20 World Cup, which was originally scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November 2020 but will be held next month after a Covid forced postponement.
