Ranji Trophy from 10 February
The 2022 Ranji Trophy will start on 10 February, and will be held over two phases in nine venues across India, confirmed BCCI secretary Jay Shah. While the first phase will be played until 15 March, the second phase will be held from 30 May to 26 June.
The first phase – the league – will feature 38 teams and 57 matches, and the knockouts will be held after IPL. Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Rajkot, Delhi, Guwahati, Cuttack, Trivandrum, Chennai and a Haryana centre have been named as venues.
India-Sri Lanka pink-ball Test in Bengaluru
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly confirmed that the one of the two Test matches between India and Sri Lanka will be a day-night affair, in Bengaluru. This will be the third pink-ball Test match hosted by India. They had earlier hosted Bangladesh in Kolkata in 2019/20 and England in Ahmedabad in 2020/21.
‘The pink-ball Test will be happening in Bengaluru. We have not decided on all the venues for the Sri Lanka series yet, but it will be announced shortly,’ Ganguly told Sportstar.
After the limited-overs series against the West Indies concludes in Kolkata on 20 February, India will host Sri Lanka for three T20Is and two Test matches, scheduled for late February and early March.
Australia beat England by 27 runs in 1st ODI, retain Ashes
The Australian bowlers, led by Darcie Brown (4-34), staged a clinical performance to help their side beat England by 27 runs in the first ODI at the Manuka Oval to retain the multi-format Women's Ashes. Despite posting a below-par 205/9, they knocked over England for 178 in 45 overs.
Brown got support from Megan Schutt (2-39) and Tahlia McGrath (2-34) to restrict England to a maegre total. Nat Sciver top-scored for England, with a 66-ball 45, while Katherine Brunt remained unbeaten on 32.
Derbyshire sign Lakmal on two-year deal
Derbyshire signed Suranga Lakmal on a two-year deal to play all formats. Lakmal, who has taken 168 Test wickets in 68 matches, will retire from international cricket after Sri Lanka's upcoming tour of India, starting 25 February.
Lakmal will join former Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur, who was appointed head of cricket at Derbyshire last November.