Cricket news round-up – 29 October: Shakib’s India tour uncertain, Starc to miss second T20I

Shakib Al Hasan, in all likelihood, is going to miss the upcoming India tour. Mitchell Starc will not play the second T20I against Sri Lanka. Hamish Rutherford and Reece Topley join Worcestershire and Surrey respectively.

Shakib could skip India tour

In an interview with Bengali daily Prothom Alo, BCB president Nazmul Hassan mentioned that Shakib Al Hasan could skip the upcoming India tour. The team is scheduled to leave for India on Wednesday and the BCB will announce a new T20I squad on Tuesday. Mohammad Saifuddin following a back injury and Tamim Iqbal due to his wife’s pregnancy already opted out of the tour. After leading the players’ strike last week, the all-rounder and Test and T20 captain, Shakib attended only one net session during the four-day preparation camp that included two warm-up T20 matches.

Without much explaining about the whole scenario Akram Khan, the BCB’s cricket operations chairman said, ”We will announce the T20 team tomorrow [October 29] at noon. We need some more time to announce our Test team. We will announce it two to three days later.”

Starc to miss second T20I

After thumping Sri Lanka in the first T20I, Australia are set to head for the second fixture of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday but this time they will be without the service of Mitchell Starc. He will be busy attending his brother’s wedding and Billy Stanlake and Sean Abbott will be in a tussle to replace Starc at Gabba.

Stanlake made a comeback from injury after missing a T20 Blast stint with Derbyshire in July-August this year. Abbott, on the other hand, was last featured for Australia in 2014. He wasn’t picked initially but roped in as a replacement for the injured Andrew Tye.

Worcestershire signs Hamish Rutherford

Worcestershire signed Hamish Rutherford for the 2020 season following two separate stints at the New Road county last year. Hamish finished with 220 runs at an average of 44 in the County Championship and was part of the T20 side that finished second best to Essex.

Hamish said, “I am really excited to be returning to New Road for the 2020 season. I really enjoyed my two stints with the club last season and hopefully I can contribute to some success for the club next year. I look forward to catching up with my team-mates and support staff in April.”

The club chairman Paul Pridgeon said. “He did well for us and we thought trying to sign him for the entire summer was worth persevering with. He is available for all cricket. Hamish was very keen to come back, he is enthusiastic and has gelled with the rest of the lads in the dressing room.”

Reece Topley joins Surrey

Reece Topley joined Surrey on a two-year white-ball deal. The left-arm fast bowler will also be available for first-class cricket on a game by game basis. After recovering from a back injury, Topley made a successful return to professional cricket last season with Sussex. He took 17 wickets from 11 games in the T20 Blast and helped Sussex top the South Group. He was offered a new contract by Sussex but turned it down and eventually signed with Surrey. Topley was also picked up by the Oval Invincibles during last week’s draft for The Hundred.

After signing the contract, Topley said: “I am honoured to sign a contract at Surrey, and excited to play in front of the fans at the Kia Oval. The set-up here is renowned for being excellent and I can’t wait to work with the players and coaches and aim to win some silverware.”

Surrey’s Director of Cricket Alec Stewart added: “Being able to add an international bowler of Reece’s ability is a massive boost to the squad and we look forward to seeing all his skills on view next season and beyond.”