Cricket News, 5 December: India five wickets away from win against New Zealand, Pollard out of Pakistan tour due to hamstring injury, more

Dec 06, 2021

Cricket News, 5 December: India five wickets away from win against New Zealand, Pollard out of Pakistan tour due to hamstring injury, more Image

India five wickets away from win against New Zealand

India are just five wickets away from winning the second Test match and the two-match series. They have reduced New Zealand to 140/5 at stumps on Day 3 at the Wankhede Stadium. New Zealand, on the other hand, need to score 400 more to pull off a memorable comeback.

Earlier, India declared their second innings on 276/7. Ajaz Patel returned 14-225, the best figures by any bowler against India in Test cricket.

Pollard out of Pakistan tour due to hamstring injury

Kieron Pollard will miss West Indies’ limited-overs tour of Pakistan after failing to recover from the hamstring injury he sustained at the Men's T20 World Cup. Cricket West Indies confirmed that Devon Thomas and Rovman Powell will be his replacements in the ODI and T20I squads respectively.

In Pollard’s absence, Shai Hope will captain in the ODIs, and Nicholas Pooran in the T20Is.

There will be three T20Is and as many ODIs between Pakistan and West Indies, starting 13 December at the National Stadium, Karachi. All six matches will be held at the same venue.

West Indies ODI squad: Shai Hope (c), Nicholas Pooran (vc), Roston Chase, Darren Bravo, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith,  Shamarh Brooks, Justin Greaves, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Raymon Reifer, Hayden Walsh Jr, Devon Thomas.

West Indies T20I squad: Nicholas Pooran (c), Shai Hope (vc), Dominic Drakes, Akeal Hosein,  Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd,  Sheldon Cottrell, Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Gudakesh Motie, Odean Smith, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr, Rovman Powell.

Sixers blow Stars away in BBL opener

Defending champions Sydney Sixers began this year's Big Bash League with a 152-run win against Melbourne Stars. They piled 213/4 – their highest score ever in the history of the tournament – with Josh Philippe scoring 47-ball 83 and Moises Henriques an unbeaten 38-ball 76.

In reply, the Stars crawled to 61 all out in just 11.1 overs, courtesy Steve O'Keefe’s 4-14 and Sean Abbott’s 3-14. Peter Nevill top-scored in the Stars total, with 14-ball 18.

Rain ruins Day 2 of Bangladesh-Pakistan second Test

Heavy rain and wet outfield ensured only 6.2 overs were possible on Day 2 of the second Test between Bangladesh and Pakistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, in Mirpur. Pakistan reached 188/2 in their first innings when play was called off early, with Babar Azam (71*) and Azhar Ali (52*) in the middle. They resumed the day on 161/2.