Let us take a look at the cricket news headlines from Tuesday, 6 July.
Ben Stokes to lead new England squad in Pakistan series
Ben Stokes will lead England's new-look squad against Pakistan after the first-string players were all ruled out due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the camp. Three players and four support staff tested positive for the virus.
Ben Stokes, not a part of that contingent, will be making his international comeback after recovering from a fracture in his left index finger.
There are nine uncapped players in the squad. Dawid Malan, who missed the ODI series against Sri Lanka, will return to the side. Alex Hales, however, failed to make a cut.
England ODI squad: Ben Stokes (c),Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, Phil Salt, John Simpson, James Vince, Ben Duckett, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton
Raj reclaims top spot
Although India lost the series against England by 1-2, Mithali Raj impressed with a typically consistent performance. With 206 runs in three games, she topped the run-scoring charts for the series.
Raj notched up three half-centuries in as many matches, and climbed to the top of the Women’s ODI rankings for batters. Before the series, she was eighth in the rankings.
Raj’s 72 in the first game went in vain. She even received flak for the sluggish pace of the innings. Undeterred by the criticisms, she kept putting up a show with the bat, and helped India avoid a clean sweep with her unbeaten 75 in the last game.
Rashid Khan named T20I captain
Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has appointed Rashid Khan as the captain for their T20I side. With the ICC T20I World Cup to be staged in the UAE, the board took the decision considering Rashid’s expertise and familiarity of playing under such conditions.
Interestingly, Rashid had publicly acknowledged in the past that he preferred to stay away from any leadership role. He earlier led the team for a short stint in 2019.
I’m a great believer that a captain is as good as his team. It is Afghanistan 🇦🇫 that gave me the name RASHID KHAN & it is my duty now to serve my country & my team. Thank you @ACBofficials for the trust & believing in me. It is a dream journey & my fans support will be the key.
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) July 6, 2021
Indian Test squad set to get second dose of vaccine
The Indian cricketers are likely to get the second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, administered by the health department of the UK, this week. They are currently on a 20-day break before regrouping in Durham on 14 July for a mandatory quarantine.
The players have already taken the first dose before departing for the UK. Following a six-day quarantine in Durham, they are likely to play a practice game.
‘The second dosage has been planned for the cricketers and they will be vaccinated on Wednesday and Friday,’ the source told ANI.