Cricket news round-up – October 22: India two wickets away from whitewash, Bangladesh cricketers go on strike

With two days in hand at Ranchi, India are two wickets away from inflicting their first ever whitewash on South Africa; the entire Bangladesh team went on a strike; the draft for The Hundred, 2020, was completed; and four teams from each group in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier were left tied on 4 points apiece.

Bad light helps South Africa last another day

India claimed 16 wickets on Day 3 of the third Test against South Africa, at Ranchi. Resuming on 9/2, South Africa reached 107/3 thanks to debutant Zubayr Hamza (62) and Temba Bavuma (32). Unfortunately, debutant George Linde (37) was the only other batsman to put up any resistance as the tourists collapsed for 162 against Umesh Yadav (3/40), Ravindra Jadeja (2/19), Mohammed Shami (2/22), and debutant Shahbaz Nadeem (2/22).

India enforced the follow on with a 335-run lead, and Shami (3/10) and Umesh (2/35) quickly reduced South Africa to 36/5. Dean Elgar had to retire after Umesh hit him on his head. Theunis de Bruyn, his concussion substitute, top scored with 30 not out as the tourists finished on 132/8.

World T20 Qualifier battle gets intense

There is little to separate between the main contenders for next year’s World T20 after 18 matches. Papua New Guinea, Netherlands, Scotland, and Singapore are all on 4 points (Netherlands and Singapore have played a match fewer each) in Group A, as are UAE, Ireland, Oman, and Canada (with a match in hand) in Group B.

On Monday in Group A, Scotland (146/6) beat PNG (142/9) by 4 runs, while Kenya (138/4) thrashed Bermuda (93) by 45 runs. In Group B, UAE (118/2 in 15.1) overs beat Hong Kong (116/7) by 8 wickets, Ireland (183/3) beat Oman (148/9 in 20 overs) by 35 runs, and Canada (159/7) beat Nigeria (109/8) by 50 runs.

Bangladesh cricketers go on strike

All Bangladesh cricketers have gone on an indefinite strike, announcing their unavailability in any cricketing contest till their demands are met. This will include the ongoing National League, and may even the upcoming tour of India.

The 11-fold list of demands includes a 30% raise in match fees in First-Class cricket; one more List A and T20 domestic tournament; an increase in the pool of 30 centrally contracted cricketers; clearance of payments from the Dhaka Premier League; and more.

The Hundred gets its overseas players

A total of 96 cricketers was acquired by the eight franchises for The Hundred, 2020, out of a pool of 474 in the draft.

The highest bracket (£125,000) includes Rashid Khan, D’Arcy Short (both Trent Rockets), Andre Russell, David Warner (Southern Brave), Aaron Finch, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Northern Superchargers), Mitchell Starc, Steven Smith (Welsh Fire), Sunil Narine, Jason Roy (Oval Invincibles), Imran Tahir, Dane Vilas (Manchester Originals), Glenn Maxwell, Eoin Morgan (London Spirit), Liam Livingstone, and Moeen Ali (Birmingham Phoenix).

This is in addition to the centrally contracted Test players – Joe Root (Rockets), Jofra Archer (Brave), Ben Stokes (Superchargers), Jonny Bairstow (Fire), Sam Curran (Invincibles), Jos Buttler (Originals), Rory Burns (Spirit), and Chris Woakes (Phoenix).