Let us have a look at some of the most discussed cricket stories that were on the news on 16 May.
Jofra Archer ruled out of New Zealand Tests
Jofra Archer has been ruled out of England’s two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting on 2 June at Lord’s. Archer’s long-standing right elbow injury resurfaced during his recent outing in the County Championship.
Archer returned for Sussex this week, against Kent at Hove. In the first innings, he picked up two wickets with the new ball. Unfortunately, he did not bowl in the final two days following his complaint of a sore elbow.
In a media release, ECB said, ‘Archer will see a medical consultant later this week to determine the next course of action.’
India Women to tour Australia in mid-September
According to Megan Schutt, Australia Women will host a bilateral series against India Women in mid-September. The tour, comprising three ODIs, was slated for January this year but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A report from Cricket Australia (CA) has suggested the series could be expanded with three T20Is. However, neither of their board has made any official announcement yet.
India Women will travel to England next month for a Test match, three T20Is and three ODIs, starting 16 June.
Ex-Saurashtra player and BCCI referee Rajendrasinh Jadeja dies of Covid-19
Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) mourned the demise of former cricketer and BCCI referee Rajendrasinh ‘Raju’ Jadeja, who died of Covid-19 on the morning of 16 May. He was 66.
Between 1974/75 and 1986/87, Jadeja played 50 First-class matches and had a tally of 1,536 runs and 134 wickets. From 11 List A matches, the numbers read 104 and 14.
He also officiated in 53 First-class matches, 18 List A games and 34 T20Is, and served as selector, coach and team manager of Saurashtra.
Australian contingent to return home from Maldives on Monday
Thirty-eight members of the Australian contingent are currently undergoing quarantine in the Maldives since the postponement of IPL 2021. They will return home on a BCCI charter flight on Monday, as confirmed by Cricket Australia’s interim CEO Nick Hockley.
Hockley added that each of the members will undergo hotel quarantine upon reaching Australia. The contingent includes, among others, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, David Warner, and Michael Slater.
Rubel, Hasan ruled out of Sri Lanka ODIs
Seamers Rubel Hossain and Hasan Mahmud will not feature in Bangladesh’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting 23 May, as BCB Chief Selector Minhajul Abedin told Cricbuzz. Both men are currently going through rehabilitation due to back injuries.
However, Mohammad Saifuddin and Mosaddek Hossain have recovered and are likely to be in the 15-member Bangladesh squad for ODIs.
Meanwhile, the 18-member Sri Lanka squad, led by Kusal Perera, arrived in Dhaka on Sunday and will complete a three-day quarantine before starting their practice.