The fourth Test between India and Australia will kick off on December 26 at MCG.
–IANS
hs/ab
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BGT: ‘Feels pretty random’, says Hazlewood on series-ending injury
New Delhi, Dec 19 (IANS) Australia fast-bowler Josh Hazlewood said the calf injury that has ended his participation in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy feels like a pretty random one, and stated he wishes to be fit in time for next year’s tour of Sri Lanka.
After missing the Adelaide Test due to a side strain, Hazlewood returned for the third Test at the Gabba in Brisbane but picked up a calf strain ahead of day four’s play. He bowled just one over before going for scans, which confirmed his series-ending injury.
“Just frustrating really. Ticked every box heading into the Test; I can understand if it’s my side again and a little bit underdone, but it’s just a random calf strain. Obviously (we’ll) do a deep dive into it and see what we can come up with, but it feels a pretty random sort of injury,” said Hazlewood to Channel Seven on Thursday.
Between 2021 and 2023, Hazlewood has played just four Tests in a two-year period, largely due to injuries – either side strain or achilles. With him being forced on the sidelines again, Hazlewood talked about how frustrating it’s for him to miss big matches in the last few years.
“I’ve had a little history of sides and calves; they are probably the two things that have kept me out for the majority of the last four years, but I (can) sort of just keep adding another layer to the defence hopefully and get back in the gym.
“I’ve ticked a lot of boxes in the last 12 months, and it’s just the timing again – they are only little two or three-week injuries, it’s just the timing of it and missing big games, so that’s probably the frustrating thing.”
Australia will tour Sri Lanka for two Tests in February next year, and Hazlewood is hopeful of being a part of it. “That’s probably the goal. So just take it as it comes next few weeks no real rush to get anything in a hurry, it’s just (about) getting everything right. Probably taking a few extra days here and there and ticking things off and getting everything right.”
–IANS
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Jayasuriya presents ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award to Kamindu Mendis
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya presented the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 award to Kamindu Mendis.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday shared the post on social media in which Mendis can be seen receiving the award from head coach Jayasuriya.
“From one great to the next. Kamindu Mendis receives the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024 award from Sri Lanka legend Sanath Jayasuriya,” ICC wrote on X.
Mendis scored a total of 1451 runs across all formats in 2024, averaging just over 50. He was also the joint-third quickest to score 1000 runs in Men’s Tests, matching Sir Don Bradman’s 13-innings milestone.
In the Test arena, Mendis was a standout. He accumulated 1049 runs in just nine Tests at an average of 74.92, making him one of only six players to score over 1000 runs in the calendar year. His tally included five centuries and three fifties, and his ability to convert starts into big scores was vital for Sri Lanka’s success.
Mendis’ most memorable performance came in Sri Lanka’s second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he scored a career-best 182 in the first innings. This brilliant knock, which included 16 boundaries and four sixes, helped Sri Lanka post a formidable total of 602/5. His efforts played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series sweep and earned him the Player of the Match award. His contributions were not limited to home soil.
He also excelled on tours, finishing as Sri Lanka’s top scorer during a series in England, where his efforts contributed to their first Test victory in the country in a decade.
The flamboyant left-handed batter had made just a solitary Test appearance for Sri Lanka before 2024, but ended the year having not only cemented his place as an all-format resource for Sri Lanka but also becoming their go-to-player in moments of crises and when the stakes were high. This was on the show during Sri Lanka’s push for a maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot as the 26-year-old delivered a streak of big scores in the whites.
–IANS
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IPL 2025: MI’s Suryakumar, Tilak, Deepak seek blessings at Ram Mandir ahead of LSG clash
New Delhi, April 3 (IANS) Ahead of their next match against Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2025 season, Mumbai Indians players including Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Deepak Chahar and Karn Sharma visited the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.
In a picture shared by the franchise on social media on Thursday, Suryakumar and Deepak were seen along with their wives Devisha and Jaya, respectively.
In their previous match against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians registered a dominating eight-wicket win and ended their two-game losing streak in their first home fixture at Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday.
Ryan Rickelton struck an unbeaten half-century after young debutant pacer Ashwani Kumar destroyed KKR with his four-wicket haul to lead MI to their first points at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday evening.
Ashwani first stole the show with a sensational 4-24, the best figures by an Indian bowler on his IPL debut, as KKR were bowled out for 116 in 16.2 overs. Later, Rickelton’s unbeaten 62 off 41 balls ensured MI chased down 117 with ease in just 12.5 overs.
After securing their first win of the season, Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya expressed his satisfaction and credited franchise scouts for picking talent like Ashwani.
“Very satisfying to win, especially at home. The way we did it, as a group, everyone chipped in – can’t be happier. It’s always a challenge of picking one guy here and there. With our team, it’s pretty sorted with the players who we are backing. This wicket just offered a bit more and we thought Ashwani can come in and bowl the way he bowled,” the all-rounder had said after the match.
“First of all, it’s all because of the scouts. All MI scouts have gone all the places and picked these young kids. We played a practice game and it looked like he had that zip and late swing, had a different action and plus he is a lefty. The way he took that wicket of Russell was a very crucial wicket. And especially, how he started with that catch of Quinton. Was great to see a fast bowler jumping that high. As I mentioned earlier, it’s a great sign for everyone to chip in and kick of the tournament for us,” he added.
Before the clash against Kolkata, Mumbai suffered consecutive defeats against Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans respectively.
–IANS
ab/bc