Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 21 June.
WTC Final, Day 4: Weather frustrates both camps
Weather frustrated India and New Zealand once again as Day 4 of the World Test Championship (WTC) final was completely washed out by rain. Persistent rain hung around throughout the entire day in Southampton until the umpires called off at 1500 local time.
Only 141.1 overs have been being bowled so far in the Test match. New Zealand are 101/2, with Kane Williamson (12*) and Ross Taylor (0*) in the middle. They trail India by 116 runs.
Maharaj takes hat-trick, South Africa sweep series
South Africa won the second Test match, at Gros Islet, St Lucia, by 158 runs to beat West Indies 2-0 in the series. Chasing 324, West Indies were 90/2 at one point, with Kieran Powell (51) and Kyle Mayers (34) looking solid at the crease.
However, Mayers fell to Kagiso Rabada (3-44). And, on 107, Keshav Maharaj (5-36) became the second South African to take a hat-trick in Test cricket. His victims were Powell, Jason Holder, and Joshua Da Silva.
Jermaine Blackwood (25) and Kemar Roach (27) added another 40, but once that partnership was broke, West Indies folded for 165. Rabada was named Player of the Match and Quinton de Kock Player of the Series.
Buttler rules himself out of the remainder of IPL
Jos Buttler said he will play for England rather than taking part in the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The tournament, which was suspended in May, will resume in mid-September in the UAE. At that time, England will travelling to Bangladesh and Pakistan, just ahead of the T20 World Cup.
‘Usually, the IPL doesn’t clash with any international cricket,’ Buttler told the BBC. ‘When it does clash, probably England will take precedence.’ He plays for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL.
Earlier, Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, mentioned the national team will take priority over the rescheduled IPL.
Javeria to lead Pakistan in West Indies
PCB announced a 26-member Pakistan Women squad for the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Javeria Khan, Pakistan’s leading ODI run-scorer, will captain the side. Rameen Shamim will lead the ‘A’ side in three ODIs, while wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz will lead the ‘A’ side in the three T20s.
The first three T20Is will take place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on 30 June, 2 July and 4 July, with the ‘A’ team T20 games will be played at the same venue on the same dates.
The first two ODIs will be played on 7 and 9 July at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, and the next two will be on 12 July and 15 July at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. The final ODI will be on 18 July at Coolidge.
Multan Sultans secure maiden PSL final berth
Multan Sultans stormed into their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) final with a 31-run win over Islamabad United in the Qualifier 1 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi.
Riding on Sohaib Maqsood’s 41-ball 59, Johnson Charles’ 21-ball 41 and Khushdil Shah’s 22-ball 42 not out, Multan piled 180/5 after opting to bat first.
In reply, Usman Khawaja’s valiant 40-ball 70 went in vain as Islamabad were bowled out for 149 in 19 overs. Sohail Tanvir was adjudged Player of the Match for figures of 3-17.