India replace Kuldeep with Axar
Axar Patel has replaced Kuldeep Yadav for the second Test match against Sri Lanka, starting from 12 March in Bengaluru. Kuldeep has been released from the squad. Having recovered from a shin injury and Covid-19, Axar is likely to replace Jayant Yadav in the playing XI if India persist with three spinners in Bengaluru.
'Axar was the first choice but had to undergo recovery and hence Kuldeep was a backup,' a BCCI source told PTI. 'Now Axar is fit and back so Kuldeep has been released'.
BCCI extends sponsorship contract with BYJU's
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has extended its jersey sponsorship agreement with ed-tech giant BYJU's for a year. BYJU's replaced OPPO in 2019. They pay INR 4.61 crores for every bilateral game. The deal was supposed to end after the Sri Lanka series.
'The agreement has been renewed for another year. It would have ended after the current series,' a BCCI source told Cricbuzz.
Robinson ruled out of first Test against West Indies
Ollie Robinson will miss the first Test match against West Indies due to a back injury that he sustained during the warm-up game. The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) named a 12-member squad for the Antigua Test that will mark the beginning of the Richards-Botham Trophy. Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and Craig Overton will lead the pace attack.
England 12-man squad: Joe Root (c), Jonny Bairstow, Zak Crawley, Ben Foakes (wk), Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Alex Lees, Saqib Mahmood, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
Australia finish Day 4 on 449/7
Australia finished Day 4 of the first Test match, at Rawalpindi, on 449/7 after the first session was washed out due to rain. Marnus Labuschagne missed out on a century by 10 runs, while Steven Smith made 78 before getting out to Nauman Ali. Cam Green (48) also chipped in with vital contributions. For Pakistan, Nauman Ali has picked up four wickets.
Australia still have a deficit of 27 runs, with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc at the crease.