Cricket news round-up – August 21: Smith ruled out of Headingley Test with concussion

Australia suffered a big blow as Steven Smith, who was concussed during the second Ashes Test, at Lord’s, failed to recover in time for the third Test. Meanwhile, S Sreesanth had long-awaited good news on his ban, Akila Dananjaya risks suspension, and Tim Southee will lead the New Zealand T20I side in Sri Lanka.

Smith ruled out of third Test

Steven Smith has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test after failing to recover from concussion suffered from a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s.

Australia lead the series 1-0 after winning the Edgbaston Test, but they will miss their star batsman, who scored 142 and 144 in the first Test, and 92 at Lord’s.

“It was pretty simple really, when we followed the protocols, he was probably a couple of days off being fit to be selected,” Justin Langer, the Australia coach, said on the development. “There’s been a lot of work go into this concussion substitute, the concussion policy, over many years”

Sreesanth’s life ban reduced

S Sreesanth, the former India paceman who was given a lifetime ban for alleged spot-fixing in 2013, has had his ban reduced to a term of seven years by the Supreme Court.

This means Sreesanth will technically be available for selection for India duties from September 13, 2020.

Supreme Court asked the BCCI to set aside the ban, saying they had not “advert to the aggravating and mitigating factors” listed under its code.

Dananjaya, Williamson reported for suspect action

Sri Lanka spinner Akila Dananjaya has risked suspension from the ICC after being reported for suspect action for a second time in ten months. He will have to undergo biomechanic assessment in the next 12 days, and if he fails that, he faces a 12-month suspension from bowling.

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, was also reported for suspect action after bowling three overs in the first Test between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Galle.

Southee to lead New Zealand in T20Is

Tim Southee will lead New Zealand in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, after Kane Williamson and Trent Boult were rested for the three-match series.

“Kane and Trent played an enormous role in our recent World Cup campaign and with a big summer ahead, we see it as a good opportunity to give them a rest,” Gavin Larsen, the selector, said.

Tim Seifert has returned to the side, after missing the World Cup with a finger injury, while Seth Rance also got a call-up. There was no place for Doug Bracewell, though.