Cricket news roundup – 21st March 2019: Ngidi, Nortje ruled out of IPL 12

Cricket news roundup – 21st March 2019: Ngidi, Nortje ruled out of IPL 12

cricket news Lungi Ngidi Anrich Nortje IPL 2019 CSK KKR Australia Pakistan Kuldeep Yadav Stephen Fleming

Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje have both been ruled out of IPL 2019 due to injuries; Stephen Fleming has resigned as Melbourne Stars coach; Kuldeep Yadav has marked out India, England, and Pakistan as World Cup favourites; and Glenn Maxwell has picked up an injury just ahead of the ODIs against Pakistan.

Major blows for CSK, KKR

Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders suffered major blows ahead of IPL 2019. They will now be going into the tournament without the services of Lungi Ngidi (to a side strain) and Anrich Nortje (shoulder injury) respectively. Neither side has named a replacement yet.

While CSK still remain a strong unit, the KKR pace attack now looks seriously thin, what with the injuries of Shivam Mavi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, and now Nortje. The inexperienced trio of Lockie Ferguson, Sandeep Warrier, and Prasidh Krishna will have to bear the burden.

Fleming not a Star anymore

Stephen Fleming has stepped down as Melbourne Stars coach. Fleming had been with the Stars for four BBL seasons, during which they had qualified for the final twice. This includes the most recent edition, where, chasing 146 against Melbourne Renegades, the Stars collapsed from 93 for no loss to 112/7 and eventually lost by 13 runs.

Kuldeep names India’s competition

“We definitely have the chance to bring the World Cup home,” announced Kuldeep Yadav in an interview with Sports Tak. However, Kuldeep also named England and Pakistan as India’s potential threats.

“I feel England has a strong batting lineup as compared to the other teams. They will be playing in home conditions,” said Kuldeep. “I think Pakistan will also perform well in the World Cup looking at the way they have been performing,” he added.

Maxwell uncertain for first ODI

Glenn Maxwell is unlikely to feature in the first ODI the 5-ODI series against Pakistan, at Sharjah. An “illness” has kept him out of two days’ worth of net sessions.

Nathan Lyon has also skipped nets due to an illness, though Pat Cummins finally attended the session after missing a day.