Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 8 August.
Ronnie Irani to step down as ECC chair
Ronnie Irani will step down as chair of Essex’s cricket committee. Irani took the role in 2015, when Essex were playing in Division 2 in the English domestic circuit. Since his appointment, they have enjoyed great success, winning five trophies. This includes two County Championship titles (in 2017 and 2019) and the Bob Willis Trophy (in 2020).
Irani’s most notable decision was the appointment Chris Silverwood as the club’s head coach at the end of 2015. Silverwood was impressive during his stint, and was rewarded by receiving the job of England Men’s head coach, in October 2019.
Irani was one of the frontrunners for the role of the Director of Men’s cricket at the England and Wales Cricket Board before Ashley Giles took over in end-2018.
ICC POTM: Shakib, Marsh shortlisted for July
The ICC announced the July nominees for the Player of the Month awards. They listed Shakib Al Hasan, Mitchell Marsh and Hayden Walsh Jr among men, while Hayley Matthews, Fatima Sana and Stafanie Taylor have been selected among women.
Shakib starred with both bat and ball in Bangladesh’s all-format win over Zimbabwe last month. Mitchell Marsh was as impressive in Australia’s limited-overs tour of the West Indies tour, while Walsh Jr was in stupendous form, taking 19 wickets from eight games.
Matthews, Sana and Taylor were magnificent during Pakistan’s limited-overs tour in the West Indies.
CSK to award INR 1 crore to Neeraj Chopra
Chennai Super Kings will be honouring Neeraj Chopra with INR 1 crore for winning a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. They will also create a special jersey with the number 8758 as a mark of respect to Chopra, who threw the javelin 87.58m in the final in Tokyo.
Chopra is now the second Indian, after Abhinav Bindra, to win a gold medal in individual events.
Day 5 washed out in Trent Bridge
Persistent rain forced the abandonment of Day 5 of the first Test between England and India at Trent Bridge. Chasing 209, India were set to resume Day 5 on 52/1, and were favourites to win the contest.
India’s batting would have been tested after they lost K.L. Rahul on the final session of Day 4. But relentless rain then ensured that both teams will go to the second Test match without any lead in their favour.
The two sides will play the second Test of the five-match series from 12 August, at Lord’s.