England’s star all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss the remainder of the three-match Test series against Pakistan due to family reasons, the country’s cricket board announced on Sunday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), however, did not specify the exact reasons for his pullout.
Ben Stokes is a very important member of the England setup and has produced many match-winning performances in recent years. AP
“Stokes will leave the UK later this week and travel to New Zealand. He will miss England’s two Test matches against Pakistan at the Ageas Bowl starting on Thursday 13 August and Friday 21 August,” the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board, along with the Stokes family, requests that all media respects the family’s privacy at this time.”
The 29-year-old Christchurch-born Stokes is a very important member of the England team and has produced many match-winning performances in recent years, including his heroics in the 2019 World Cup final and the Ashes hundred.
Hosts England won the opening Test by three wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Ben Stokes Retains No.1 All-Rounder in Test:
England all-rounder Ben Stokes has dethroned Jason Holder to become the number one Test all-rounder, according to the latest ICC rankings that were released on Tuesday.
On ending the 18 months reign of the West Indies captain at the top, Stokes has become the first England cricketer to achieve the feat since Andrew Flintoff in May 2006.
Stokes was trailing Holder by 54 points ahead of the Old Trafford Test between England and the West Indies. But with his majestic performance, that helped England win the second Test of the ongoing three-match series, the 29-year-old has jumped to the top.
Stokes is leading Holder by 38 points after taking his tally to 497 points – the highest by an all-rounder since Jacques Kallis aggregated 517 points in April 2008.
Guitar and card games are choices former Australia speedster Brett Lee needs the IPL-bound cricketers to investigate so as to keep up the bio-secure air pocket during their long stay in the UAE.
Lee accepted players will act responsibly during the IPL this year and whenever exhausted in lodgings, they ought to figure out how to play the guitar.
Watch Brett Lee’s Talk in Cricket Connected:
“Firstly, for your health, the most important thing to do is to make sure you social distance and you adhere by the COVID standards, so I don’t reckon any player would want to go out and do the wrong thing,” Lee said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
“It’s also for their teams and their fans because if the IPL didn’t happen, it would be a catastrophe, wouldn’t it?
“Around the world, people want to see cricket, they are missing the sport. I believe that all sportsmen, certainly cricketers, will make sure that they do the right thing and that is playing by the rules, staying inside the bubble.”
Lee, who has over 300 wickets in both Tests and ODIs, is part of the rock band Six & Out and plays the bass guitar.
“Look, it’s an eight to nine-week tournament, they are getting paid really, really well, they are putting on a great show for the world, so embrace the eight weeks, learn the guitar.
“See, I love playing in my hotel room. I don’t need to go out and play golf, get the guitar out, play some cards, have some fun.”
Lee also felt Kings XI Punjab have the right head coach in Anil Kumble this season.
“Having someone like that (Anil Kumble) in terms of the mix of the team and certainly the squad will be invaluable. The knowledge, the experiences, will definitely help.
“Kings XI need to win, they have got a great squad, they have got a wonderful team that can definitely get close and close but they have not got over the line yet, so, I’m actually waiting for that to happen.
“A great franchise to play for, I put up my hand up and say that was a lot of fun to play for that franchise,” Lee, who has played for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders, said.
Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who is known for being one of the most savages of pacers on the world, in an ongoing on the web talk, reviewed the time he had intentionally tossed a beamer at Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Akhtar was talking with Aakash Chopra in a YouTube show called Aakash Vaani when he talked about a Test series against India held at Faisalabad in 2006.
The former Indian captain was in his peak form and had just hit Akhtar three boundaries in a single over. The pressure was developing and the fast bowler attempted to agitate him by bowling the beamer. The ball went for a wide eventually and the Pakistan cricketer has lamented the move from that point onwards.
“I think I had bowled an eight-nine over spell in Faisalabad. It was a quick spell and Dhoni scored a hundred. I purposely bowled a beamer to Dhoni and then apologised to him,” Akhtar said in Hindi.
Saying that it was the first time he had thrown a beamer “purposely”, Akhtar said, “I shouldn’t have done it. I regretted it a lot”.
Watch Aakash Chopra’s Chat With Shoaib Akhtar in Aakash Vaani Show:
Looking for reasons behind his action, the pacer recalled Dhoni “playing so well” and the wickets being slow. “However fast I was bowling, he kept on hitting. I think I got frustrated”.
Overall, Dhoni has had a truly decent professional chart while playing against Pakistan. In the said three-match Test series, Dhoni had scored 179 runs at a normal of 59.66, where he even hit his maiden Test century (148 runs).
Unexpectedly, Dhoni’s maiden one-day international ton likewise came against Pakistan. He had also scored the same 148 runs in that ODI too.
A large variety of cricket bats are manufactured in various sizes based on modern science and usage. Buying a proper cricket bat based on its size plays an important role in picking the best professional cricket bat. As far as cricket is concerned the Bat used by the player plays a vital role in the game.
The professional cricket bats are manufactured using the willow wood. The size of the cricket bat is an important factor to look after while buying a perfect willow wood striker.
Major Types of Cricket Bats
Cricket bats can be divided based on time such as Modern cricket bat and Traditional cricket bat.
Traditional cricket Bat
Traditional cricket bat has round toe bottom, round edge, concave back profile. Concaving is more evident in traditional bats and is done to reduce the bat’s weight while still providing thicker edges and deeper swells, thereby improving its pick-up. Cricket Bats with concave back profiles are those that have had wood scooped out from either side of the bat’s spine.
Modern cricket Bat
Modern cricket Bat has flat toe bottom, sharp edge and filled back profile. Some profiles have filled backs with little to no concaving. Modern bats still come with traditional profile as rounded toe, rounded edge and concave back profile. You can see the above image where both are examples of modern cricket bat profiles.
Square, Semi square and Round bottomed Cricket bats
How to buy a perfect cricket bat
Being in-the-know with cricket bat sizes and selecting the right one is one of the most important purchasing decisions when it comes to buying a cricket bat.
Choosing the correct cricket bat size is of paramount importance because it heavily impacts on the way you play, your freedom of movement and your range of shots. There are also some health and safety factors to take into account.
how to choose a perfect bat
It is important that the bat is not too long and more importantly not too heavy to hinder correct stroke play and good technique. Junior bats are scaled-down in size and weight to meet this important requirement. Below is an accurate guide to help you buy an accurate size for a junior cricketer.
Cricket bat size chart
BAT SIZE
APPROX. AGE
HEIGHT OF BATSMAN
BAT LENGTH
BAT WIDTH
1
4-5 Years Old
Up to 4ft 3inches
25 1/4 inches
3 1/2 inches
2
6-7 Years Old
4ft 3″ – 4ft 6″
27 3/4 inches
3 1/2 inches
3
8-9 Years Old
4ft 6″ – 4ft 9″
28 3/4 inches
3 3/4 inches
4
9-10 Years Old
4ft 9″ – 4ft 11″
29 3/4 inches
3 3/4 inches
5
10-11 Years Old
4ft 11″ – 5ft 2″
30 3/4 inches
4 inches
6
11-13 Years Old
5ft 2″ – 5ft 5″
31 3/4 inches
4 inches
HARROW
12-14 Years Old
5ft 5″ – 5ft 8″
32 3/4 inches
4 1/6 inches
FULL SIZE (Short Handle)
15+ Years Old
5ft 8″ – 6ft 3″
33 1/2 inches
4 1/4 inches
FULL SIZE (Long Handle/Blade)
15+Years Old
6ft 3″ and above
34 3/8 inches
4 1/4 inches
PLEASE NOTE – The above details are an approximation only.
Cricket Bat Height
This should be the primary consideration when buying a cricket bat. Cricket bats come in different sizes for obvious reasons. The most important factor while choosing a particular size is the age and height of the person using them. Buying the right bat is very important for a young player’s growth.
Similarly, a professional player should also buy an optimum bat according to his style and height. The sizes available in a cricket bat are size 0 to 6 for junior players. While for seniors and professional players bats categorized as Harrow, Short Handle, and Long Handle are available. A brief description of these is given below.
Recommended Cricket Bat sizes according to players height
Looking beyond cricket bat size, one should also focus on bat’s design in terms of dimensions and grip used in it. Times of Sports explained both the terms in-depth to buy the suitable cricket bat.
Cricket Bat Dimensions
Law 5 of the Laws of Cricket state that the length of the bat may be no more than 38 in (965 mm), the width no more than 4.25 in (108 mm), the overall depth no more than 2.64 in (67 mm) and edge no more than 1.56 in (40 mm). Bats typically weigh from 2 lb 7 oz to 3 lb (1.2 to 1.4 kg).
Choosing a suitable weight for the bat also plays an important role. You don’t want a bat which is too heavy or too light as this will ultimately affect how well you play. This is especially important for juniors.
Because the biggest bat won’t necessarily make you hit the ball further if you aren’t strong enough to play your shots correctly. Consequently, a bat which is too light may hinder your potential. This is why it’s better to focus on the pickup of a bat rather than weight.
Cricket Bat Grip Types
Bat Grips are found over the handle of the cricket bat. Cricket bat grips are made of rubber and composites. Cricket bat grips come in different varieties based on design patterns. Some of the cricket bat grips include chevron cricket bat grip, zigzag cricket bat grip, Plain cricket bat grip, dynamic bat grip, octopus cricket bat grip and fish scale cricket bat grip.
Cricket Bat Grips is essential for the overall feel of a cricket bat and allows the batsman to have full control of the blade. It allows the batsman to have full control of the blade. Therefore, it is important for a batsman to change his cricket bat grip from time to time when there are obvious signs of wear and tear.
Chevron or zigzag grip
This is probably the most go to Grip for any batsman when in doubt. A Chevron Grip Can Never Go Wrong For Any Batsman Whatever may be the Playing Style. Very Soft on the Hands and gives optimum manoeuvrability to smash it to all corners of the park.
Octopus grip
This type of grip is widely known for its gripping texture. The Pores in the Texture kind of create a Vacuum with the gloves and give unmatched gripping. It also increases the grip between glove and bat and reduces the chances of slipping from the bat. On the Other hand, some players complain that it’s a Bit Harsh on the Gloves as it slightly reduces the durability of gloves.
Fish scale grip
One of the most popular grips. Also known as half-moon grip. Provides excellent feel and grip.
Plain or Diamond grip
Diagonal gloves create a surface resembling thousands of diamonds. The texture is relatively flat and is the original cricket bat grip texture.
Aqua Wave
Alternating half-moons creates a texture that resembles wave ripples. Due to the dye construct, this is a good texture for three and four colour grips as there is little bleeding of colours (octopus still recommended if minimal bleeding is vital).
Times of Sports(TOS) has listed the top 10 best cricket bats used by professionals along with its specification details. Cricket bats are the choice of weapon for a batter to show his/her aggressiveness in the form of hitting the ball.
Picking a suitable professional cricket bat plays a key role in his/her cricket carrier. Cricket bats are chosen based on the size, weight, and also the material they made up.
The best professional cricket bats are manufactured using two types of willow wood namely English willow and Kashmir woods under cricket experts guidance.
In order to avoid mistakes, one should choose the right bat which matches their style of playing. There are various factors that describe how to Choose a perfect cricket bat for impressive shots on the pitch that all aimed at adults and juniors of varying styles and levels.
Following are the list of top 10 best and quality professional cricket bats along with its specification and review.
Top 10 Best Cricket Bats – Professional
Kookaburra Kahuna Pro Cricket Bat 2020
Best Cricket Bats List Starts with Kookaburra Kahuna Pro Cricket Bat, which holds 1st position on top 10 best professional cricket bats.
Ricky Ponting
Initially developed in 2001 in conjunction with Ricky Ponting, the 2020 Kookaburra Kahuna Pro Cricket Bat is made from specially selected, Grade One Player’s English Willow. Having stood the test of time, the Kahuna continues to meet the demands of the modern player in terms of profile, pick-up, and ultimate performance.
This bat is a top-of-the-range bat from the Kookaburra Kahuna series that comes with eye-catching graphics in shades of green.
Made from Grade 1 unbleached English willow, the bat has been designed to suit all types of players – those who like to pack a lot of power in their shots, and those who prefer playing accuracy and elegance.
With its clean, striking looks and traditional profile, the 2020 Kookaburra Ghost Pro Cricket Bat is a firm favourite amongst stylish players at all levels of the game. Made from the very best Grade 1 unbleached English willow, the Ghost range is designed to assist the elegant stroke maker.
The name of the bat speaks a lot about it – it is a big and powerful bat and yet its pickup is very smooth. The white and chrome graphics will help the wielder stand apart from the crowd.
This ultra-lightweight bat has a full profile which means that the player will not have to compromise on power. The bat’s large sweet spot and thick edges further make it easier for the players to pack a punch in their shots.
This Bat offers extreme power and all over blade performance whilst maintaining a light and perfectly balanced pick-up.
The bat is made of Super Grade I English willow and has its mid-profile with a full spine. The handle is made of cane and rubber and also provides great flexibility, control, and power. It has a flat face with a curvature.
Chris Gayle
It complements the maximum strike force of Chris Gayle as it is specially designed while keeping in mind his batting style. This one now holds third place in our list of the best professional cricket bats in the world.
Chris Gayle Bat Weight: 1.36 kg
If you play a lot of Twenty20 cricket or your team role is to up the tempo and increase the run-rate, the CG authority will give you the full power supply you desire – its powerful profile will quickly make enemies with the opposition’s bowling attack.
SS Gladiator is one of the top-notch cricket bats in the complete SS range. The Profile of this SS bat is low to mid sweet spot Spine. The bat is made up of super grade 1 English willow wood.
It is considered as Premium English Willow Cricket bat and the player will get around 9 to 12 straight grains in it. SS Manage moisture content in this bat very well and the player will get optimized moisture content in the bat which will offer the best durability and optimum performance.
The handle of any bat is a very important part and it should be rigid and durable enough to sustain the high impact caused by a ball hit. Moreover, it should transfer the maximum energy to the cricket ball. SS used a 12 piece cane handle to develop the bat.
12 piece can handle is laminated with cork lining so that it can provide the best possible combination of rigidity and durability. 12 Piece swark cane handle with cork lining is considered as best handle for top grade English willow bats.
SS Ton Gladiator specifications
Sweet Spot
Low to Mid
Edge Profile & Thickness
Concave edge Thickness(38-40)mm
Face Profile
Flat
Spine Profile
High Spine or Full Profile
Weight Range
1150-1200 grams
New Balance TC 1260 Cricket Bat
Endorsed by England captain Joe Root, the 2020 New Balance TC 1260 Cricket Bat is made from Grade One English Willow.
Containing a balanced middle and a consistent pick-up, The TC range has become iconic for cricketers around the world, giving you confidence in your strokeplay whether you need to play off the front or back foot.
Joe Root
It has a pronounced hitting area and thick edges for off-center shots. It is equipped with a large sweet spot and big edge which gives a better and effective playing area as required by modern cricket game requirements.
Its balance, willow performance, and effective weight distribution will help in performing well on the ground.
New Balance TC 1260 Specifications
Sweet Spot
Mid to Low (250mm from the toe of the bat)
Edge Profile & Thickness
Concave Edge- Thickness(39 – 41 mm)
Face Profile
Flat face
Weight Range
1140-1250 gms
Grains
9 to 12 straight grains
Watch New Balance TC 1260 bat review
Gunn & Moore GM Diamond DXM
This extraordinary bat has been made using Grade 3 English Willow which is made by England’s Best.
The Diamond range of products was made in conjunction with England’s superstar all-rounder Ben Stokes, using his preferred colour scheme.
The bat was designed with Ben in mind and features a shorter-than-traditional blade length at 540mm, boasting a large sweet spot that allows for unparalleled ball-striking confidence.
The shorter blade length also enables the Diamond to have fantastic balance, creating a perfect pick up and feel.
Ben Stokes
The traditional full blade profile and flowing contoured spine combine to show off a smooth and well-rounded bat profile, ideal for dynamic stroke-makers.
With availability in nine different grades, there’s a Diamond waiting for you whatever your budget. Made In England from Prime English Willow Prepared to ‘knocked in’ stage by the Gunn & Moore GM bat maker, with Gunn & Moore GM Now & ToeTek.
Buy England, all-rounder, Ben Stokes inspired Gunn & Moore GM Diamond Bat.
GM Diamond DXM Specifications
Sweet Spot
Mid to Low
Edge Profile & Thickness
Massive Edges around 39-40 mm
Face Profile
Semi-Flat
Spine Profile
Medium
Weight Range
1170-1220 grams.
Watch Gunn & Moore GM Diamond Ben Stokes Edition review
Sanspareils Greenlands(SG) Savage Xtreme
SG Savage Xtreme is made from the premium English willow. It is a light-weight cricket bat and is most suitable for all-rounders.
It is the choice of India’s premium all-rounder Hardik Pandya and many other international stars.
The sweet spot is mid to low which is very helpful to manage or control the weight of the bat. The SG uses a flat bat(no concavity) profile which gives extra paunch(belly) and more direction control on shots.
This is a unique combination of power and control. Its handle is made of 12 pieces of premium quality imported Sarawak cane with a rubber lamination technique to offer better rigidity and flexibility so that players can transfer maximum power on shots.
It has been endorsed by some of the greatest cricketers of all time, Suresh Raina, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and Wasim Jaffer.
SG Savage Xtreme Specification
Sweet Spot
Mid to low
Edge Profile & Thickness
Edge Thickness up to 40 mm
Face Profile
Flat
Weight Range
1180 to 1280 gms
Grains
6 to 8 straight and clear grains
Watch SG Hardik Pandya Savage Xtreme edition bat review
MRF Grand Edition Cricket Bat – Virat Kohli
It is made from premium English willow. Though it holds the lower order in the top 10 professional cricket bats take a bough to MRF cricket bat as this bat is the choice of the world’s best batsman, Virat Kohli.
MRF brand has always been associated with Indian cricketers. MRF bats have been used by Brian Lara & Sachin Tendulkar as well.
This bat is expertly shaped using the latest measurements of the bat for light weighted and excellent gripping for a master performance.
It is designed with the latest technology of f2 massive countered edges. MRF Virat Kholi Bat is developed with a high spine concept with top grade English willow to offer better ping and overall performance.
Virat Kohli
Overall, this bat is suitable for all-round type of players. The willow is so good that a batsman can use its maximum power easily to hit the ball.
The handle of this bat is designed with 9 pieces of swark cane and rubber lamination technology, so it can absorb the maximum shock produced due to a ball hit.
MRF Grand Edition Cricket Bat Specification
Sweet Spot
Mid to low
Edge Profile & Thickness
Very Big (38mm – 40mm)
Face Profile
Flat Face
Spine Profile
Big (64mm – 65mm)
Weight Range
1140 to 1210 Gms
Grains
7 to 11 straight grains
Watch MRF Grand Edition Cricket Bat Review
Gray Nicolls Powerbow Inferno Pro Performance Cricket Bat
Made from Grade 1 English willow and designed with a full profile a dynamic low swell and dramatically feathered toe. Combine this with the synonymous long exaggerated bow and you have a bat with a powerful blade and dramatically light pack up and balance.
A full profile accompanied by a low sweet spot makes the new Gray Nicolls Powerbow Inferno cricket bats ideal for players who are confident on the front and like to hit the ball with power.
In the same black and yellow colour scheme that made the Powerbow one of the most famous bats around. The new inferno graphics flow along the lines of the spine and accentuate the characteristics of the powerhouse of a bat.
Watch Gray-Nicolls Powerbow Inferno Players Cricket Bat Review
Gray Nicolls Oblivion Stealth Pro Players Cricket Bat
This bat containing Specially Selected, Grade One English Willow, the 2020 Gray Nicolls Oblivion Stealth Players Cricket Bat is designed for the explosive batter, looking to power his way through the opposition.
Alastair Cook
Whether you’re looking to clear the ropes, or pierce the infield, the explosive mid to low swell on the Oblivion Stealth will have you covered.
The bat comes with an Extratec finish, with a light coat of oil. The bat will require some additional knocking in. Featuring stunning chrome stickers that draw the eye down the blade, the blade’s profile is exaggerated and sure to strike fear into bowlers.
Though Gray Nicolls holds the last position in the best professional cricket bats many aggressive players play along with it. Players including Alastair Cook, David Warner, and Kane Williamson are some of the modern-day greats who use the Gray-Nicolls bat.
Watch Gray Nicolls Oblivion Stealth Pro Players Cricket Bat review
Simon Taufel, once upon a time, was generally viewed as the best umpire on the cricket world. In fact, he won ICC Umpire of the year for five sequential years from 2004 to 2008. Yet, he made a lot of mistakes, particularly against Sachin Tendulkar.
Taufel reviewed when Paul Collingwood bowled to Tendulkar, and the ball hit the shoulder of the batsman. However, the umpire figured it would proceed to hit the stumps. He said on 22 Yarns podcast hosted by Gaurav Kapur, “Well, I’m thinking, shouldered arms, so benefit of the doubt probably to the bowler, and I’ve given Sachin out after a bit of thought.”
“Now, of course, Sachin’s not happy with the decision. It’s unusual for him to stand around, and he did stand there for a little bit of time, and then he went. I could see that he wasn’t happy.
“[…] Later on Hawkeye showed that the ball was predicted to miss the off stump by maybe an inch. And I just knew what the response was going to be like from world cricket; so I didn’t open Cricinfo, I didn’t read any newspapers, I knew that I was going to be… not the flavour of the month in the media.
What Sachin Reply to Simon’s Apology:
“The following morning I happened to pass by Sachin on my normal morning walk out to the middle […] and I come across Sachin and I said, ‘look, yesterday I got it wrong, you know? I’ve looked at it, I got it wrong.’ He said, ‘look, Simon, I know.’ He said, ‘you’re a good umpire, you don’t often get many wrongs, it’s okay, don’t worry about it.’
“And out of that sort of exchange, which wasn’t an apology for the sake of making him feel better or me feel better, it was just an acknowledgment that we were both out there doing our best. This is a sport, and I wanted to acknowledge that I knew the fact that he was unhappy, and I was doing my best to make sure that that didn’t happen again. That was really the underlying message.
“[…] I’m a big believer that breakdowns lead to breakthroughs, and I think that was an example where Sachin and I had a moment that wasn’t particularly pleasant, and I wanted him to know that I took my job seriously and I was going to make sure that that didn’t happen again. And I think out of that exchange, that relationship bank account got a massive credit because I think that breakdown moment did lead to a breakthrough.
“We have ongoing mutual respect for each other and our abilities because I’ve got Sachin wrong a number of times, not just on that one occasion. I’ve got the best in the world wrong. And I’ve learned from all those examples, but one thing that will always be with me, apart from those mistakes, is the respect and the trust and the integrity of our relationships as we go forward.”
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar uncovered MS Dhoni had disclosed to him that he would think himself qualified for international cricket as long as he is “beating the fastest sprinter in the team”.
What Dhoni Reveals During Kohli’s Wedding:
Manjrekar, a notable analyst, said he stopped for a moment to talk with the two times World Cup-winning Indian team captain. Where he talked regarding his future in international cricket during India skipper Virat Kohli’s wedding in 2017.
“During Virat Kohli’s wedding, I had a little corner time with him and he said as long as ‘I am beating the fastest sprinter in the team, I am going to consider myself fit enough to be playing international cricket or playing high-level cricket”, Manjrekar said.
“People like Tendulkar, Dhoni, these are champion cricketers. Once they are on the public stage, you will never see Dhoni ever on a public stage, like a cricket field, looking slightly unfit or unable to sprint or run…,” he said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.
Manjrekar likewise figured Dhoni would come great in the IPL, saying the nearness of “just four-five” great bowlers in the team isn’t sufficient to inconvenience the prepared campaigner.
“He is going to be very good and one of the reasons he is so successful and consistent in IPL as a batsman as opposed to international is that he knows that there are about four to five bowlers to handle,” Manjrekar said.
“There are some good ones and there are some not so good ones in the IPL. In international, you have got five quality bowlers, so he’s so good at picking out those guys and going after them,” added Manjrekar.
“So, as a batter, with MS Dhoni in the IPL, I don’t see much difference.”
Dhoni, who has led the Chennai Super Kings to three IPL titles, has played 190 games in the cash-rich T20 league, scoring 4,432 runs.
Shakib Al Hasan expects to make his comeback to international cricket in perfect form after his ban end. His mentor Nazmul Abedeen reveals that Bangladesh allrounder is preparing to undergo a full-fledged training camp at his alma mater, the BKSP facility in Savar.
Shakib Al Hasan who currently under his one-year suspension by the ICC for failing to report a corrupt approach will become eligible to play cricket again for Bangladesh on October 29. But he plans to be in Dhaka at the end of August to get himself ready.
Reason for Shakib Al Hasan Ban:
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan from all cricket for two years, with one year of that suspended, after he accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code.
“Shakib will come to the BKSP next month where he will have coaches and trainers available,” Abedeen said. “We are functional as the coaches are all residing within the campus, so we can work with him well. Shakib will have everything at his disposal”.
Abedeen is one of Shakib’s earliest coaches and influences and is now the cricket advisor at the BKSP where he has worked for many years as the chief coach of cricket. Abedeen was also the BCB’s game development manager for many years, before taking on this new role at the BKSP.
Shakib, who is in the United States with his family, has often leaned on Abedeen and Mohammad Salahuddin, both of whom have been BKSP chief cricket coaches, and have been major influences in Shakib’s cricket career.
Shakib’s return to international cricket also coincides with Bangladesh’s likely tour of Sri Lanka where matches are probably going to start in mid-October which was postponed earlier due to coronavirus outbreak. There has however been no indication from the BCB whether Shakib will be part of that tour.
The comeback of Indian former skipper MS Dhoni gets faded as IPL 2020 has postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Dhoni played his last match in Semifinals of the 2019 World Cup where India lost to New Zealand.
Soon after this news, the Social media has set in fire with many rumours regarding Dhoni’s retirement. Giving life to fans hope Dhoni reached Chennai much earlier to start his practice session where he joins hand with his teammates and executes a massive net session along with Raina.
As the impact of Coronavirus made the situation even worse, the CSK franchise decided to close their training camp. After which MSD lays his hands in organic farming in his farmhouse in Ranchi.
According to a report in the New Indian Express, Dhoni has hit the nets in his hometown, Ranchi, for the preparation of the IPL from September 19. “Dhoni visited the JSCA International Stadium Complex last week. MSD practiced at the indoor facility using bowling machine,” a Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) office-bearer confirmed on condition of anonymity.
“He did batting practice for two days over the weekend, but has not returned since”. Given the hype that surrounds his every move and secrecy he maintains, it’s not a surprise that no one knows Dhoni’s schedule. “I honestly don’t know what are his plans or whether he will come back for training. We only know he has visited the facility for practice,” said the official.
Also, the report suggests that Dhoni might have a few more practice sessions at the JSCA complex to make up for the last time. As confirmed by team CSK CEO Kasi Viswanathan, the team will also assemble in Chennai before leaving for the UAE. The idea is to have at least three weeks of practice ahead of the mega event.
A true gentleman of the sport, Williamson is still hailed for his graceful acceptance of New Zealand’s heart-breaking defeat against England via boundary count in the final of last year’s 50-overs World Cup.
Williamson has 34 international centuries for New Zealand, a Test batting average of 50.99, and an ODI batting average of 47.48. He also led Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.
ICC’s Special Video on Williamson’s Special Day:
On Williamson’s birthday, ICC took to Twitter and shared a video of him showing off his skills with the strings while playing a ‘bat guitar’ – a guitar custom made which looks like a bat for him.
“Happy birthday, Kane Williamson – smooth with the bat, smooth with the bat guitar,” ICC wrote on Twitter.
Happy birthday, Kane Williamson – smooth with the bat, smooth with the bat guitar 🎸 😍 pic.twitter.com/cx1b7tTodt
The team’s Twitter handle shared a video to wish him on birthday day with the caption, “Always smiling Smiling face with open mouth and smiling eyes Loved by every cricket fan Orange heart Happy birthday to an extraordinary cricketer and human being, Kane Williamson!”
In June 2015, Williamson became the fifth-fastest batsmen and fastest New Zealander to score 3,000 runs, getting them in just 78 innings.
In December 2015 Williamson broke the record for the most Test runs scored in a calendar year by a New Zealander, with 1172 runs and he also ended 2015 with 2692 runs which are the highest score across all forms of international cricket for the year and third-highest totals in a single year.
Williamson managed to score a century against all the other Test-playing nations and became the thirteenth batsman the youngest player to achieve this feat.
Australian batsman Steve Smith has said he has “two big mountains” he still needs to climb in his career – winning the Ashes in England and series in India.
Australia verged on winning the Ashes in 2019 in the UK, however, the side lost the fifth Test at Oval, and accordingly, the series finished as 2-2 draw.
However, for the first time since 2001, Australia managed to retain the urn as the side had won previous Ashes which was played Under Smith’s captaincy.
At the point when Australia last visited India, the side figured out how to win the first Test at Pune, yet then they wound up losing matches at Bengaluru and Dharamsala, to wind up on the wrong side of the result in the four-match series.
“They’re the two big mountains to climb and if you can do that, it would be pretty special. Hopefully, I get another crack at it, we’ll see how we go. I’m getting a bit old now. You never know how long I’ve got left, and you never know what the future holds. But it’s certainly something to strive for, that’s for sure,” cricket.com.au quoted Smith as saying.
Smith was picked as the Player of the Series in the 2019 Ashes as the batsman had registered 774 runs.
Watch Steve Smith Strikes Stunning 211 in 2019 Ashes:
The batsman had played four matches and he missed out on the third Test due to concussion after being struck by Jofra Archer in the second match at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Watch Steve Smith Struck by Archer:
India and Australia are slated to face off against each other in a four-match Test series later this year, beginning December 4 at the Gabba, Brisbane. The 31-year-old Smith is currently the number one ranked ICC Test batsman with 911 points and is closely followed by India skipper Virat Kohli with 886 points.
Smith was last seen in action against New Zealand in the first ODI of the three-match series. After the first ODI, the series between the two sides was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A look at Rahul Dravid’s numbers is sufficient to legitimize is incredible status. Dravid was known as the ‘wall’ of Indian cricket. Each time he ventured out to the middle, the bowlers realized they will make some hard memories sending him back.
The 2001 Test against Australia at Eden Gardens is one of the significant features of Dravid’s carrier. The 1999 World Cup ODI against Sri Lanka where Dravid scored 153 is another of his memorable innings.
Former Pakistan batsman Ramiz Raja reviewed Rahul Dravid’s carrier and adulated him for staying it out and becoming famous despite the fact that his team had somebody like Sachin Tendulkar in it.
“Maybe Rahul Dravid wasn’t as gifted as Sachin Tendulkar but to survive and compete with a great cricketer takes a lot of you. You know you’ve tried your best which is still not good enough to be the best batsman in the team and that can put you down,” Ramiz Raja was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.
“But credit to Rahul Dravid, for at times outdoing Sachin Tendulkar. He was an extremely good batsman on a tough pitch because his defense was rock solid. And he had a great attitude as well at that pivotal No. 3 position and keeping as well,” Raja added.
“You’d always respect Rahul Dravid. The greatness of a player is judged in the dressing room. If the team feels he will not let them down in a tough situation, for a gritty 30 or a 50, that’s what matters,” Raja further said.
Watch VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid 376 run Partnership vs Australia Kolkata 2001:
As the impact of Coronavirus made the situation even worse, the CSK franchise decided to close their training camp. After which 
