Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 7 July.
West Indies announce 15-member squad for Australia ODIs
West Indies Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, starting 20 July in Barbados.
They have recalled Shimron Hetmyer, Sheldon Cottrell and Roston Chase. However, Kyle Mayers and Kevin Sinclair, who were part of the West Indies’ last ODI series, against Sri Lanka, have been left out.
West Indies will also play a five-match T20I series against Australia in St Lucia, from 10 to 17 July before the ODI assignment. This is Australia’s first visit to the Caribbean since 2016.
West Indies squad for Australia ODIs: Kieron Pollard (c), Shai Hope (vc), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Roston Chase, Sheldon Cottrell, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Anderson Philip, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd.
Umar Akmal apologises for ‘corrupt’ mistake
Umar Akmal has apologised to the world for not reporting approaches related to fixing in February 2020, before the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League. He was banned for three years due to that.
‘Seventeen months ago, I made a mistake which caused damage to my cricket and career. I learnt a lot during this time and due to that mistake, Pakistan cricket’s reputation suffered badly. I ask for forgiveness from the PCB and from cricket fans around the world,’ Akmal said in a video released by PCB. He also admitted that it had been ‘very difficult for him’ since then.
However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced Akmal’s ban to 12 months. His fine, earlier PKR 12 million, went down to PKR 4.5 million.
Mathews considers retirement after being ignored: Report
Angelo Mathews hinted at retirement after not being offered a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket ahead of the limited-overs’ series against India, starting 13 July in Colombo, ESPNCricinfo reported. Mathews has written to the SLC administration to express his desire and will make an official announcement in a few days.
After receiving his letter, SLC had offered Mathews a new contract, worth USD 50,000 less than his old contract. Mathews refused to sign and pulled out from the India series due to ‘personal reasons’.
SLC terminates Jaffna Stallions from LPL
Sri Lanka Cricket has terminated the contract of defending champions Jaffna Stallions from the Lanka Premier League, Cricbuzz reported. Jaffna become the third team to have faced this fate after Colombo Kings and Dambulla Viking.
The LPL organizers want new owners whose KYCs are with the ICC. A total of eight new franchises have expressed interest to fill three slots available.