Cricket news round-up – October 18: Markram ruled out of Ranchi Test, first female staff of IPL recruited

Aiden Markram has been ruled out of third Test against India. Bangladesh T20I squad for India tour has been announced. Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in Australia has been announced. Navnita Gautam has been hired as Sports Massage Therapist of RCB.

Markram out of Ranchi Test

Aiden Markram will not be playing the third Test against India following an injury in his right wrist. Post the dismissal in the second innings of Pune Test Markram lashed out at solid object out of frustration. This resulted in a fracture in his right wrist.

The team doctor Hashendra Ramjee said in a Cricket South Africa press release, “A CT scan of Aiden Markram’s wrist showed a fracture involving the wrist bones. The medical team has, therefore, ruled him out of the next Test match against India. Arrangements have been made for him to see a specialist on his return to South Africa for further management of the injury.”

Markram, on the other hand, said, “We understand in sport that emotions run high and sometimes the frustration gets the better of you as it did for me, but like I said, it’s no excuse. I’ve taken full responsibility for it, I have apologised to the team and hopefully I can make it up to them and the people of South Africa soon.”

Bangladesh T20I squad for India tour announced

Bangladesh announced their T20I squad that would be playing a 3-match series in India starting from November 3. They will also play two Test matches after the three T20Is matches right after the T20I series and the squad for which will be announced in due course.

Arafat Sunny, left-arm spinner and Al-Amin Hossain, the pacer have been recalled into Bangladesh’s T20I squad for their upcoming T20I series against India next month. Both bowlers were featured in a T20 match back in 2016. Tamim Iqbal will also make a comeback from his break along with Soumya Sarkar, who was dropped midway during the T20I tri-series at home last month.

Sabbir Rahman, Taijul Islam, Rubel Hossain, and Najmul Hossain Shanto, who were part of the squad for the T20I tri-series against Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, are not a part of the squad. For Najmul this could be a warning call as this is the second time in the past 12 months he has been dropped.

The squad: Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammad Naim, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain, Mosaddek Hossain, Aminul Islam, Arafat Sunny, Mohammad Saifuddin, Al-Amin Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Shafiul Islam

Malinga to lead Sri Lanka in T20I against Australia

Sri Lanka welcome Lasith Malinga back in their T20I squad for the tour in Australia. Sri Lanka will play 3-match T20I series in Australia starting on October 27. Players opted out of recently concluded the Pakistan tour following security concerns returned for the Australia tour.

Lasith Malinga returned to captain the side and his inclusion to the playing XI is certain. Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Niroshan Dickwella are the other names to reclaim their position. They may not get preference at their old spots because of the brilliant showcase of young players in Pakistan.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Oshada Fernando have been retained in Sri Lanka’s squad for the tour who went to Pakistan because of the unavailability of the senior members. Both utilized the opportunity well to cement their places in the next series.

The squad: Lasith Malinga (capt.), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha

RCB recruit first female employee of IPL

Navnita Gautam became the first female staff to be recruited by Royal Challengers Bangalore for Indian Premier League. Gautam will be working as their Sports Massage Therapist alongside Evan Speechly, the head physiotherapist, and Shanker Basu, the strength & conditioning coach. According to a statement released by the franchise, she will be performing specialized techniques pertaining to the preparation, motivation, overall supervision and all individual physical ailments relating to the team.

On her association, Chairman Sanjeev Churiwala said, “Sport is a great enabler, but it is important to ensure that the principles of equity in participation also extends to its staffing bodies. Increasing participation and success by women in all sporting arenas have made this possible and we at RCB are very thrilled to have found great talent in Navnita.”