Opener Prithvi Shaw and middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav have been added to the Indian Test squad for the five-match series against England starting August 4 as replacements to injured players Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar. Bengal opener Abhimanyu Easwaran, who was in stand-bye has been added to the main squad with stand-bye pacer Avesh Khan also going back home with a fractured left thumb. Gill is out with shin splints while Sundar has an injury to his right-hand bowling finger. “The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav as replacements,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a release. Both Avesh and Washington sustained their injuries while turning up for County XI in the warm-up game against their own side. This was done after multiple players in the home team were ruled out either due to injury or because of Covid-19 isolation. There were reports that off-spinner Jayant Yadav was also supposed to go Washington’s replacement but it was learnt that he won’t be required as of now.
UK to make vaccine passports compulsory
The government is set to introduce vaccine passport a must to enter football stadiums. If you are not double-jabbed you will be barred from entry. The move would apply to all professional clubs in England, raising financial problems for lower down clubs. The move will affect 800,000 fans who attend the Premier League games each week. Taking out children, that leaves 704,000 and out of that 30 per cent are not double-jabbed. It means, 210,000 would be locked out- plus many more in the Second tier championship, League One and Two. Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawal said widening the passport scheme was the right thing to do. He said the venues could insist on proof of double vaccination. The announcement about the scheme would be made before the commencement of the season. Those who have had Covid will be able to provide proof of their positive test, which is then valid for six months as evidence of antibodies.
Priya wins gold at World Cadet Championships
Indian grappler Priya Malik clinched gold at the World Cadet Wrestling Championships in Budapest on Sunday. Priya defeated Kseniya Patapovich 5-0 in the summit clash and as a result, she won a gold medal at the World Cadet Championships in Hungary. Priya won in the women’s 73kg weight category and she has given the country another reason to smile.
England edge Pak to win T20I series
England won the three-match T20I series against Pakistan with a thrilling three-wicket victory at Old Trafford, Manchester. England who had won the second match at Leeds by 45 runs, took the series 2-1 with a mere two balls left. The home side were set a 155-run target by Pakistan. Brief scores: Pakistan 154-6 (Mohammad Rizwan 76*, Fakhar Zaman 24; Adil Rashid 4-35) lost to England 155-7, 19.4 overs (Jason Roy 64, Dawid Malan 31; Mohammad Hafeez 3-28)
Starc bowls Australia to victory
Mitchell Starc’s fierce bowling in the first ODI handed Australia a dominant win against West Indies at the Kensington Oval Barbados. The left-arm pacer took 5-48 while new-ball partner Josh Hazlewood had figures of 3-11 as the home team fell for 123, well short of their revised target of 257 for victory off 49 overs. Brief scores: Australia 252-9 (Josh Philippe 39, Ben McDermott 28, Mitchell Marsh 20, Alex Carey 67, Ashton Turner 49; Akeal Hosein 2-50, Hayden Walsh 5-39) West Indies 123 in 26.2 overs (Kieron Pollard 56, Hayden Walsh 20, Mitchell Starc 5-48, Josh Hazlewood 3-11).
