Sri Lanka confirms South Africa tour after checking bio-bubble arrangements | Sri Lanka confirm tour of South Africa will go ahead as planned
Sri Lanka Cricket council’s medical staff confirmed the arrangements of the bio-secure bubble planned for the South Africa series is satisfactory. The Lankan team will visit SA after the conclusion of LPL on December 16. The bilateral series will comprise of two Tests in Johannesburg and Centurion respectively, and the team will return home on January 8.
Both the teams will be quarantined at the Irene Country Club in Centurion, which includes a golf course, six tennis courts, squash courts and a driving range so that players won’t leave the venue as it happened with England players.
“Cricket South Africa appreciates the ongoing support from Sri Lanka Cricket under the leadership of Ashley de Silva, who has never wavered in its willingness to engage us in important and open discussions around our plans and the state of our readiness for the tour,” CSA’s interim CEO Kugandrie Govender said.
SLC’s medical team held a meeting with CSA to discuss bio-security protocols. Especially after the Covid-19 scare during the England tour. “We are thankful that these discussions have allayed any trepidation around CSA’s ability to successfully host home tours in these unpredicted times”, said Silva.
In another meeting that SLC had with their ECB counterparts, the Lankan team took the latter’s opinion as well regarding the South Africa visit. It is understood that England board supported the tour even though they withdrew their ODI series midway.
“As always, we are excited to host the Sri Lankan team in this important, World Test Championship series that will yield crucial points towards the points table for the eventual winners. We are also certain that cricket fans around the world will tune in for another series of thrilling cricket on display”, Silva added.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
BBL 10 Match 2: STA vs HEA Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | MLS vs BRH Dream11 Prediction Today | Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat Key Players | Manuka Oval Canberra Pitch Report
The fancied Melbourne Stars lock horns with the Brisbane Heat, as the two teams hope to begin their campaign on a high. The Stars will take the field in search of the BBL Title which has eluded them for a long time now while the Heat will be hoping to add their second Title to the cabinet after a very disappointing season in BBL 09.
For the Stars, 2020 may well be their year as they will aim to go one better in this season. The Stars topped the standings previous season and even made it to the Final but succumbed to an agonising loss in a rain-curtailed Final against the Sydney Sixers.
They have retained their core from last season, although Jonny Bairstow’s withdrawal from the season, due to a call up to England’s Test squad, might hurt them. They have signed another destructive opener, Andre Fletcher, to replace the Englishman.
On the other hand, the Brisbane Heat have a lot of off-field reasons which have hampered their preparations as off-spinner Mujeeb ur-Rahman has tested positive for Covid-19 and won’t be available for the first few games.
Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars played twice last season, winning a game apiece against each other. Who will start off with a win here?
BBL 10 Match 2: STA vs HEA Preview Dream11 – Stoinis & Maxwell to fire?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Melbourne Stars:
Marcus Stoinis scored 705 runs in the previous season of the BBL which is the highest ever aggregate in the tournament’s history.
Ben Dunk had an ordinary BBL last season but was in good form in the PSL earlier this year as he scored 300 runs at a strike rate of 167 in 10 innings.
Glenn Maxwell scored 398 runs at a strike rate of 148 last season as he was a vital cog captaining the side to the Final. He was also in terrific form for Australia recently, hitting three 50+ scores in six white-ball matches against India.
Adam Zampa picked up 20 wickets in BBL 09.
Brisbane Heat:
Chris Lynn is the leading run-getter in BBL history with over 2200 runs. Also, Lynn is coming into this match with three consecutive T20 hundreds in the Bulls Masters First Grade competition.
Morne Morkel inclusion as a local player will benefit the Heat side. His last outing in T20 cricket was in the Mzansi Super League in 2019 where he picked 12 wickets.
Other than Lynn no other Heat player scored more than 350 runs in last season’s BBL.
Ben Laughlin was the leading wicket-taker of the Brisbane side in the previous season with 15 wickets.
Stoinis and Lynn are the leading run-getters between the matches of the two sides. Stoinis has 279 runs at an average of 31. Lynn has 256 runs at an average of 36.57.
Melbourne Stars have played once at the Manuka Oval but lost the game. Brisbane Heat will play their first game at the venue.
Possible Playing 11
Brisbane Heat: The Heat side will be without many of their star players due to quarantine regulations or national duties and hence, they will field a second-string side in their opening match of the tournament.
Possible Playing 11: 1. Chris Lynn (c), 2. Max Bryant, 3. Dan Lawrence, 4. Sam Heazlett, 5. Tom Cooper, 6. Jimmy Peirson (wk), 7. Simon Milenko, 8. Xavier Barlett, 9. Matthew Kuhnemann, 10. Mark Steketee, 11. Ben Laughlin
Melbourne Stars: Compared to their opponents, the Stars will not miss any of the players who are not available and their core of Zampa, Maxwell, Stoinis and Coulter-Nile are available for the first game.
Playing XI: 1. Marcus Stoinis, 2. Hilton Cartwright, 3. Nic Maddinson, 4. Glenn Maxwell (c), 5. Ben Dunk, 6. Seb Gotch (wk), 7. Clinton Hinchliffe, 8. Nathan Coulter-Nile, 9. Adam Zampa, 10. Lance Morris/Dilbar Hussain, 11. Billy Stanlake
Manuka Oval Canberra Pitch Report and Weather
The weather is expected to be clear in Canberra and there are absolutely no chances of rain. The average first innings score in the last 5 completed innings in Men’s T20s at the Manuka Oval is 162. The decks will be the same as the one on which the recently-concluded India-Australia T20I was played.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
BBL 10 Match 2: STA vs HEA Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
BBL 10 Match 2: STA vs HEA Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Considering that the Stars will be able to field a stronger XI and also their first-choice, they will have an upper hand over the Brisbane-based side ahead of this game.
NZ vs WI 2nd Test Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | NZ vs WI 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction Today | New Zealand vs West Indies 2nd Test Key Players | Wellington Pitch Report
Amidst all the news surrounding Kane Williamson’s absence from the 2nd Test due to the birth of his child, New Zealand lock horns with West Indies at Wellington as they will aim to whitewash their opponents. A lot of changes are expected in both sides due to injuries; some players have recovered while others have been ruled out.
Earlier in the week, the Kiwis took a 1-0 lead in a little over four days, even with rain interruptions, against the Jason Holder-led side which was no match to the home team. A win in this match will mean that the Kiwis will go on top of the table in World Test championship and raise their chances of reaching the WTC Final which is to be played in June 2021.
Kane Williamson’s career-best knock of 251 resulted in a mammoth first innings total of 519 and except for a brief fightback by Joseph and Blackwood as they put on a 155-run stand in the 2nd innings while following on, the West Indies were well and truly outplayed over the course of the first Test.
NZ vs WI 2nd Test Preview Dream11: Jason Holder will be crucial.
Key Players
BJ Watling has an average of 42since Jan 2019 which is impressive considering he has scored over 500 runs, only 3 keepers have surpassed the mark.
Tom Latham has scored most runs as an opener in the last three years,
Tim Southee has picked 46 wickets at home in the last 2 years, which is the 4th most by a pacer at home in the period.
Kyle Jamison has 40+ scores in his last three innings, to go with wickets with the ball.
Ross Taylor has a terrific record at the Basin Reserve. In fact, he has the most runs of any player on this ground (1,270, avg. 63.50).
In the last three years, only 4 all-rounders have scored over 500 runs and taken over 50 wickets. Jason Holder has the highest average difference of 19 among them. He has to perform in this game for the Windies.
Jeraime Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph’s half-centuries in the 2nd innings was the only bright spot for the West Indies in the 1st Test. The duo will hope to carry from that performance.
In the absence of Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel is expected to lead the West Indies bowling attack. He took three wickets in the first innings including Blundell, Taylor and Young.
Trent Boult has taken 46 wickets at the Basin Reserve at an average of 26.93. Neil Wagner, who has moved up to second in the Test bowling rankings, has taken 37 scalps at 28.83 on this ground.
Stats and Facts
In the past 10 years, West Indies have won only twice away from home against the Top 8 sides, against England in 2020 and 2016.
West Indies last Test win against New Zealand came way back in 2014 and the last Test win in New Zealand came back in 1995.
New Zealand are unbeaten in three of their last four Tests at the Basin Reserve in Wellington (three wins, one draw).
Possible Playing 11s
Will Young who opened the batting in the previous test will bat at three while Blundell will join Latham to open the batting. Watling, who was nursing an injury in the previous test will come in for skipper Williamson.
Probable NZ XI: 1. Tom Latham (c), 2. Tom Blundell, 3. Will Young, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling (wk), 7. Daryl Mitchell, 8. Kyle Jamieson, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Neil Wagner, 11. Trent Boult
With Roach and Dowrich ruled out due to injury, Windies have to make a couple of forced changes. It will be toss-up between De Silva and Hetmyer to replace the keeper-batsman while Chemar Holder will certainly replace Roach.
Probable WI XI: 1. John Campbell, 2. Kraigg Brathwaite, 3. Darren Bravo, 4. Shamarh Brooks, 5. Roston Chase, 6. Jermaine Blackwood, 7. Joshua da Silva (wk)/Shimron Hetmyer, 8. Jason Holder (c), 9. Alzarri Joseph, 10. Chemar Holder, 11. Shannon Gabriel
Basin Reserve Wellington Pitch Report and Weather
The wicket is expected to be on the greener side just like the one we saw at Seddon Park in the first test and the Kiwi bowlers will make merry on it. The weather is expected to be pleasant around 18 degrees with no rain expected over the next 5 days in Wellington.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
NZ vs WI 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
NZ vs WI 2nd Test Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Kane Williamson will be a huge miss for the Kiwis but West Indies are also missing two of their key players in Dowrich and Roach. The pitch is expected to be similar and the Carribean side need to punch way above their weight to draw the series. Anything other than a Kiwi win will come as a major surprise.
Parthiv Patel announces retirement from all forms of cricket | Indian keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel retires from cricket
Parthiv Patel declared his retirement from all forms of cricket on Twitter. The former wicket-keeper batsman made his debut in 2002 at the age of 17 in Test series against England and went on to play 25 matches in the longest format, and achieved an average of 31.13. He also played 38 50-over matches and two T20Is.
Patel took it to social media to announce his retirement.
“Today I announce my retirement from all forms of cricket, and as I bring down the curtains on this 18-year-old cricketing journey, I feel heavier with gratitude towards many. The BCCI showed a generous amount of confidence and faith in a 17-year-old boy to play for India. I have enormous gratitude towards them for being a guiding force and hand holding me, in the formative years of my young career,” Patel said in a heartfelt letter.
Patel rose to fame after his convincing domestic career, where he scored over 11,000 runs in 194 first-class games with 27 centuries and 67 50s. “I am full of gratitude to The Gujarat Cricket Association, my home, for solidly rallying around me throughout my journey, and the leadership role conferred upon me couldn’t have been more joyous and fulfilling than our team winning all formats of the game,” he added.
Patel also played in the IPL for Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, SunRisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He played 204 T20 matches for his state and various IPL franchises and scored 4,300 runs at a strike rate of 123.84, with the help of 23 half-centuries.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
Rashid Khan ‘Most Valuable Player’ in BBL history | Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been named MVP in BBL cricket by ESPNCricinfo
Rashid Khan has been producing power-packed performances in the last three seasons of the Big Bash League. Recently, ESPNcricinfo’s Smart Stats released that Khan has taken 56 wickets in 40 games at a strike rate of 16.6. His economy of 6.37 speaks volumes about his contribution to the league and also makes him BBL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), after playing just 40 matches.
The Afghanistan leg-spinner has been a devastating bowler for the Adelaide Strikers. He is the only player who has been ranked as MVP multiple times with back-to-back titles in seasons seven and eight.
The squad is IN for our opening clash against the @SixersBBL.?
D’arcy Short is next in line to impact the game with his performance. His batting in the seasons has been top-notch and unconventional bowling has helped Hurricanes score 53 points per match. According to Smart Stats, Short has been the best batsman with 1764 runs in his kitty in just 43 games. While his highest score is 122*, he has also taken 21 wickets in overall matches.
BBL 10 will kick off on December 10 between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers in Hobart. The Sixers are the defending champions, after beating Melbourne Stars in the BBL 09 Final earlier this year.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
David Warner out of 1st Test: Australia face decisions | Aussie opener David Warner has been ruled out of the 1st Test against India with injury
Due to a groin strain, David Warner has been officially ruled out of the first Test match between India and Australia. Australia’s selection team has chosen Joe Burns to practice in the day-night warm-up match at Sydney Cricket Ground and based on that they will take their final decision.
“Joe Burns, Cameron Green, Sean Abbott, and Mitchell Swepson will derive great benefit from playing high quality against the pink ball in the final tour match,” national selector Trevor Hohns said. “All have enjoyed an excellent preparation for the Vodafone Test series and the NSP believes a final hit-out against India’s bowlers under lights will round it out nicely.”
With Will Pucovsi’s latest concussion at Drummoyne Oval warm-up match, there has been a lot of names running around for the final squad selection. According to ESPNCricInfo reports, coach Justin Langer and selector Trevor Hohns and George Bailey might consider Usman Khawaja or Shaun Marsh for the final squad.
“I feel I have made great progress in a short amount of time and it’s best for me to stay here in Sydney to continue working on getting back to full fitness,” Warner said, according to ESPNCricInfo reports. “The injury feels a lot better, but I need to be able to satisfy in my own mind and to my team-mates that it is 100 percent ready for Test match conditions.
“That includes running between the wickets and being agile in the field. Right now I feel I am short of being able to play at peak fitness and another 10 days will make a difference.”
Langer assured that Warner’s contribution to the team is unmatched. “If there is one guy you know will go well above and beyond that’s Dave,” Langer said. “He has done an incredible job to get to where he is today and we hope to have a fully fit David Warner at his absolute best in Melbourne.”
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | HBH vs SS Dream11 Prediction Today | Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers Key Players | Hobart Pitch Report
In what has been a year where we haven’t had much cricket courtesy of the Covid-19 pandemic, and majority of the tours have been played at limited venues to maintain the biosecure bubble, the Big Bash League returns for its 10th season at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart.
The defending champions, Sydney Sixers, take on the Hobart Hurricanes in what promises to be an exciting inaugural encounter for all the fans. 2020 has been an absurd year from a global point of view and like the majority of the cricket played this year, the spotlight has been on rules and regulations rather than the game itself. BBL 10 has been no exception to this and building up to this glamorous tourney, the new gimmick of rules has attracted more attention. Cricket watchers from all over the world have their sights on the ‘Bash Boost, X-Factor and power surge’.
This is also the first T20 league which will be played in as many as nine venues and spectators will be allowed to witness action from the stands.
Sixers, who won the BBL 09 Title earlier this year, will start off without their regular skipper Moses Henriques who is a part of the Australia ‘A’ squad which will play India in the tour game. It will be interesting to see who dons the captaincy role in the absence of the all-rounder. They will also miss the services of pacers Jackson Bird and Sean Abbott, who are a part of the squad of the Australia ‘A’ and Australian national teams respectively. The side will miss the services of English all-rounder Tom Curran who was impressive in his seven outings last season as he picked 14 wickets. He also played the role of a finisher aptly scoring at a strike of 194 in the death overs, while averaging over 50.
The Sydney-based side will miss the majority of their big names in the initial round of matches, owing to quarantine regulations and international duties and hence it is important for them to get to a decent start so that the full strength side doesn’t have much work to do at the back-end of the tournament.
On the other hand are the Hobart Hurricanes who were knocked out of the tournament in the Eliminator in BBL 09. All the talk pre-season has been about coach Johan Botha who has come out of retirement to ply his trade for the Hurricanes in the upcoming season. The decision was influenced by the fact that Hurricanes will be without their lead spinner Sandeep Lamichhane, who is in quarantine as he had tested positive for Covid-19. The leg-spinner picked 15 wickets in 13 matches for the Melbourne Stars last season.
Just like their opponents, the two-time runners-up will be also be missing their key players Dawid Malan and Keemo Paul, who will be available post-Christmas. Matthew Wade will be unavailable as he is a part of the national Test squad and hence Faulkner, Short, Handscomb or Botha himself might be taking up leadership role for the home side.
When the two teams met last season, Hurricanes were victories over the eventual champions as they edged out the Sixers by 25 runs in what turned to be a low-scoring encounter as Qais Ahmed picked 4 wickets, while Faulkner and Milenko picked a couple of wickets apiece. D’Arcy Short was the only batsman among the runs scoring 40-ball half-century.
BBL 10 Match 1: HBH vs SS Preview Dream11 – What impact will Dan Christian have for the Sixers?
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Sydney Sixers:
Josh Phillipe was the third-leading run-getter in BBL last season with 487 runs (avg. 37.46, SR 129.86) and scored a match-winning half-century in the Final.
James Vince has struck 93 runs against Hobart Hurricanes, at an average of 46.50. This includes a score of 74.
Lloyd Pope picked 10 wickets in 8 games for the Sixers last season at an economy rate of 7.14.
Dan Christian will be facing his former side as the Sixers will hope that their star signing comes good in his first game of the 8-nation extravaganza. He has scored 241 runs at a strike rate of 161.74 (avg. 40.17) vs the Hurricanes in his BBL career.
Stephen O’Keefe picked seven wickets at a parsimonius rate of 6.92 in BBL 09, as he was instrumental part of the bowling attack which led the Sixers to their 2nd title.
Ben Dwarshuis was the second-highest wicket-taker for the Sydney-based side as he picked 16 wickets in as many games in BBL 09.
Hobart Hurricanes:
D’Arcy Short- The southpaw has a strike rate of 143 in what has been an illustrious BBL career so far and has scored 1209 runs in the past two BBL seasons. Also, Short has scored 250 runs at an average of 50 against the Sixers.
Johan Botha- The former Protea will be a local player for this edition. In his last BBL season in 2018-19, the off-spinner plied his trade for the Hurricanes. He has picked 39 wickets in 65 BBL games while bowling at an economy rate of 7.1 RPO.
Nathan Ellis picked 12 wickets in 15 BBL games last season as he bowled at an economy rate of just under 8 runs per over. He will be Hobart’s go-to man at the death.
Scott Boland bowled at an economy rate of 7.75 in the powerplay last season. He had an excellent tournament overall, taking 15 wickets in 10 matches.
Riley Meredith took 10 wickets in six matches in BBL 09.
Mac Wright scored a couple of half-centuries in the latter half of BBL 09 which helped Hurricanes reach the play-offs. The same will be expected from Wright this season as well.
Stats and Facts
Head-to-Head: Hurricanes 6 wins, Sixers 5 wins.
Hobart Hurricanes have won 4 out of their 5 last matches against the Sydney Sixers.
Sixers last won against the Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval way back in the 2014-15 BBL.
Johan Botha has the best economy rate in BBL history for the Hobart Hurricanes.
Possible Playing 11
The Hurricanes have confirmed their 14-man squad.
Hobart Hurricanes: Expectedly, there will be a lot of excitement over the participation of Johan Botha in this game. Also, there will be some curiosity which player captains the team. Ben McDermott will be with the Australia A squad.
Possible Playing XI: 1. Will Jacks, 2. D’Arcy Short, 3. Caleb Jewell, 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Colin Ingram, 6. Mac Wright, 7. James Faulkner, 8. Nathan Ellis, 9. Johan Botha, 10. Scott Boland, 11. Riley Meredith
Likely to be 12th, 13th and 14th men (and could be X-Factor players): Tim David, Charlie Wakim, Nick Winter
Sydney Sixers: Similar to the home side, Sixers also have the dilemma of choosing who be their captain in the first match of the tournament. Henriques, Bird, Malan and Abbott are players who will be missing out and it will be worth to keep an eye on who replaces them.
Possible Playing XI: 1. Josh Philippe, 2. James Vince, 3. Daniel Hughes, 4. Jordan Silk, 5. Justin Avendano, 6. Dan Christian, 7. Carlos Brathwaite, 8. Steve O’Keefe, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Gurinder Sandhu, 11. Lloyd Pope
Bellerive Oval Hobart Pitch and Weather Report
The ground has been a high-scoring venue in the recent past and the same will be expected when the two teams take the field on Thursday. There will be a bit of wind in the air but there no chances of rain.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Dream11 Prediction
Option 2:
BBL 10 Match 1: HUR vs SIX Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
Both the teams will be missing several big names but given that Hurricanes will field several players who were impressive last season, the home side will start as favourites although Sixers will give them a run for their money.
AUS vs IND: Twitter reactions to the shambolic fielding in the 3rd T20I | Twitter reacts to the horrible fielding during AUS vs IND 3rd T20I
Australia vs India will always deliver talking points, and it was no different in what was a competitive T20I series. Australia avoided being on the wrong end of a 3-0 clean sweep, which would have been harsh given the Australians were right in with a chance of winning both the first two T20Is.
However, the main talking points of the third T20I was the awful fielding, which would have been frowned upon even in a local park game. The fielding has been iffy throughout the white-ball matches in India’s tour of Australia so far, but the third T20I took the cake. Numerous dropped catches, misfields and overthrows were on the menu at the SCG, sending Twitter into a frenzy.
Easy job is blame it all on the fielding coach for the performance. When everyone out there in the park knows these are basic things you have been doing repeatedly from literally school cricket. Imagine coming to international level and pointing out a coach for this.
After all that, India claimed the T20I series 2-1, after Australia won the ODIs by the same margin.
Now, attention will turn to the Test matches, with the first Test kicking off in Adelaide on December 17. This will be a day/night Test, and both teams will want to ensure their fielding is on point for the big four-match series.
England blame “unacceptable” facilities amid COVID outbreak | COVID outbreak forces cancellation of South Africa-England ODI series
The South Africa vs England ODI series has been postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak. According to the investigations done by the England Cricket Board, there are chances that the net facility at Newlands could be the main source of the virus outbreak. The England team was using the nets facility which was adjoining a construction site at the Kelvin Grove End of the ground.
“England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have agreed to postpone the remaining matches in the current men’s ODI Series. The decision was taken jointly by the two Boards to ensure the mental and physical health and welfare of players from both teams. The ECB and CSA will now work together to determine when the three-match series, which forms part of the ICC Cricket Men’s Super League, can take place in the future”, said ECB in their official statement.
According to ESPNCricinfo, an email was exchanged between CSA, ECB and Charemont Police who managed the bio-secure bubble. “Please be advised that the England cricket team has not adhered to the arrangements as agreed by all in the ESSPC [Event Security and Safety Planning Committee] meetings,” the email read.
“The practice nets next to the construction site is not allowed to be used on practice days. Three cages of nets were set up on the square on the field. This serves to inform you that the England Cricket Team has accessed and used the nets today (3 December 2020) at their own risk. WPCA and the ESSPC will not be held liable or responsible for the safety and health of the England Cricket Team.”
In response to the allegation, an ECB spokesperson told ESPNCricinfo that “the session had arisen due to the “unacceptable” standard of the three practice pitches provided on the square at Newlands, and that CSA had accepted England’s request to put up a security cordon to facilitate the use of the nets as per similar arrangements during the T20I series on November 28.
Tom Harrison, ECB CEO, said in his statement, “We have always maintained that the welfare of our players and management is paramount. We were concerned about the potential impact that recent developments might have on the wellbeing of the touring party, and so after consultation with Cricket South Africa, we have jointly made the decision to postpone the remaining matches in this Series, in the best interest of the players’ welfare.”
When the England team arrived in SA, there were not satisfied by the net facility provided by CSA on the main pitch and the standards were not appropriate. “We requested with CSA that we would like to use the practice nets and that we would create a security cordon to ensure the players and coaches could enter the facility safely, as done previously on 28 November. This was confirmed by England’s Security Team, the Team Operations Manager, and the Team Doctor. We were satisfied with this outcome and we were able to practice in the net facility safely”, said ECB.
The series was reduced to two matches after the first was called off due to two separate batches of positive COVID-19 tests. However, the series has since been postponed after further cases.
Written by Anjali Jha. Follow Anjali on Twitter today.
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction Today | Australia vs India 3rd T20I Key Players | SCG Pitch Report
2015/16 vibes. After India lost the ODI series convincingly in their tour of Australia five years ago, they went on to sweep the three-match T20I series. This included a successful chase of 190+ at SCG, which was achieved again this time around, courtesy of Hardik Pandya’s MS Dhoni-like finishing.
Now, the Indians have the chance to repeat the 3-0 whitewash, and given their record in T20Is of late and Australia’s depleted state, one would be brave to pick against it. Virat Kohli’s team has now won each of their last 10 completed T20Is, and with a home World T20 less than a year away, the motivation will be there to continue the winning run.
The form of Hardik Pandya and emergence of T Natarajan has underpinned India’s three-match winning streak (3rd ODI, first two T20Is) on this tour. One feels that if the platform is set for these two to perform, India will be difficult to beat once again. So, eyes will be on the Indian top order, as well as the bowling attack, to work as a unit to keep Australia at bay.
For the home side, this series has been a story of frustration. Australia were well on top in many stages of the opening T20I in Canebrra, only to be undone by two players performing brilliantly in a substitution, as well as their own lack of composure. Death bowling was an issue at Canberra, and then again at Sydney, as a delicious buffet of slot deliveries were gobbled up by Pandya and co.
But, even though the series is gone, the opportunity remains for certain players to push their claim for regular T20 spots in the coming months, as preparations for the T20 World Cup will continue to ramp up.
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Preview Dream11: Australia have missed Finch and Warner
Key Players to Watch/Key Stats
Hardik Pandya, who was player of the match in the second T20I, has had a superb tour to date. He has struck 90 (76), 28 (31), 92* (76), 16 (15) and 42* (22) across the ODIs and T20Is.
Virat Kohli enjoys playing T20 cricket at the SCG. In three T20Is on this ground, Kohli has struck two half centuries and a score of 40 (24), which was two days ago.
Matthew Wade, who has been excellent in BBL cricket over the past two seasons (943 runs, average of 44.90 and SR 155.10), transferred that form in the T20I arena. His 58 (32) set the tone for Australia last game, before a calamitous run out. Can he produce again today?
There is a chance Steve Smith will be rested for this match ahead of the Test series starting in nine days. If he plays, he will be key once again, as he is enjoying a fine run of form at the SCG in recent matches.
Aaron Finch is a chance of returning from injury for this match. If he does, Australia will welcome back a player with the second-most runs in AUS-IND T20Is (440, avg. 31.42, SR 137.07).
KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, who were the top two run-scorers in IPL 2020, both have a half-century to their name in this series so far.
It has been a quiet series so far for Glenn Maxwell (scores of 2 & 22). As an experienced member in an inexperienced team, a lot will rest on Maxwell to perform. Overall, Maxwell has the third-most runs in AUS-IND T20Is (377 runs, avg. 31.41, SR 146.12).
Marcus Stoinis to open if Finch is out? Australia would be well-served sending Stoinis out in his preferred position in T20s. He struck 705 runs in 17 innings at opener in last year’s Big Bash, at an average of 54.23 and SR 136.62.
How impressive has T Natarajan been? He has taken five wickets in two matches so far this series (3/30 and 2/20) at an economy rate of just over six. His variety has been a key feature in his performances, as opposed to just having the yorker.
Adam Zampa will be key for Australia. The leg-spinner has taken 15 wickets in his last 13 T20Is, and will be the man to turn to for wickets in the middle overs.
Andrew Tye was expensive two nights ago (1/47). However, Australia will be hoping for wickets from him, as he has taken six scalps in four T20Is at the SCG – the most of any bowler.
Shardul Thakur has taken four wickets in his two matches so far on tour (3/51 in Canberra ODI, 1/39 in Sydney T20I).
Stats and Facts
Head-to-head: Matches 22, Australia 8, India 13, N/R 1.
India have won their last 10 completed T20Is. Also, India have won seven of their past eight completed T20Is against Australia in Australia.
Moises Henriques performed well in the opening T20I (3/22 and 30). Australia should utilise him more in this match, given that the SCG pitch often suits cutters into the surface.
Yuzvendra Chahal has struggled at the SCG this tour. In the ODIs, he took a combined 1/160 in 19 overs, followed by 1/51 in the second T20I. Can he bounce back today on this ground?
India have won all three T20Is they have played at the SCG (2016, 2018 and 2020).
Possible Playing 11
Justin Langer said that Aaron Finch is a chance of returning for the third T20I. In his last 11 T20 Internationals, D’Arcy Short has struck just 190 runs at an average of 17.27 and strike rate of 95.95. Australia could look at elevating Marcus Stoinis to opener if Aaron Finch isn’t fit.
Also, Australia could look at resting Steve Smith as he has played all five white-ball matches so far. Alex Carey is a chance of coming in.
Australia: 1. Aaron Finch/D’Arcy Short, 2. Matthew Wade, 3. Marcus Stoinis, 4. Steve Smith/Alex Carey, 5. Glenn Maxwell, 6. Moises Henriques, 7. Sean Abbott, 8. Daniel Sams, 9. Mitchell Swepson, 10. Adam Zampa, 11. AJ Tye
India could go in with an unchanged XI to ensure the likes of Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah get an extended break ahead of the Tests.
Another good batting surface is expected at the SCG, with good cutters and yorkers the need of the hour for bowlers throughout the innings. In terms of the wather, there is a chance of a southerly change which could bring a strong breeze. This may affect tactics throughout the match.
Dream11 Prediction
Option 1:
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction
Option 2 (if Finch plays & Smith is rested):
AUS vs IND 3rd T20I Dream11 Prediction
Match Prediction
India hold the aces and have a wider range of players who can influence the game. India to win.
