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After ending the three-match T20I series 1-1, Team India and South Africa are squaring off against each other in the three-match ODI series. While the visitors currently stand 1-0 up in the ODI series after winning the first ODI by eight wickets at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. On the other hand, BCCI is all set to host the IPL 2024 mini-auction, which will be held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on 19th December.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Monday, December 18, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
South Africa vs India 2nd OD I:
South Africa will compete against India in the second ODI of the three-match series at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. After losing the first ODI in a drubbing to the Indian cricket team by eight wickets and 200 balls remaining, the Proteas need to bounce back quickly if they want to take the series to a decider. For the Men in Blue, it is going to be important to try and keep their standards from the previous match going, which would put them in the box seat to clinch the ODI series against South Africa on December 19.
West Indies vs England 4th T20I:
The Rovman Powell-led West Indies will take on Jos Buttler's England in the fourth of the five-match T20I series on Tuesday, 19th December. The match will take place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad at 1:30 a.m. IST (20 Dec). The Caribbeans currently lead the series 2-1 after winning the first two games, however, the visitors came back from behind to register a convincing win by seven wickets in the third T20I.
Big Bash League 2023-24:
- Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder: Adelaide Strikers are scheduled to square off against the Sydney Thunder in Match 8 of the Big Bash League 2023-24 on Tuesday. The match is scheduled to take place at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide at 01:45 p.m. IST. While the Strikers are fourth in the points table with their only match so far going in a no result, the Thunder are reeling at the seventh place, losing their only match so far in the BBL 2023-2 4.
Major cricket events that happened on December 18
Australia move 1-0 up in the three-match Test series; beat Pakistan by 360 runs
The Pat Cummins-led Australia thumped their authority over the Men in Green at the Optus Stadium in Perth. The Aussies put up an all-round show to win the match by 360 runs and go 1-0 up in the three-match Test series. After winning the toss and opting to bat, Warner and Khawaja stitched a 126-run opening stand and set the tone for the hosts. Pakistan were on the back foot but their openers responded well. Imam and Shafique showed good resolve. But, once the opening partnership was breached, Australia kept chipping away at the wickets. All the bowlers were among the wickets.
Pakistan slip to No. 2 in WTC 2023-25 standings after penalty in 1st Test against Australia
Pakistan were penalised for maintaining a slow over-rate against Australia in the first Test in Perth. The visitors were fined 10% of their match fee and two ICC World Test Championship points were deducted from their total. Pakistan had slipped to No.2 position on the WTC 2023-25 standings after a massive 360-run loss in the first Test and the penalty means that their percentage points have dropped from 66.67 to 61.11.
AUS, NZ, SA, WI, SL, and IRE players to be available for entire IPL 2024
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 mini-auction is set to take place on December 19 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Ahead of the auction, the players' shortlist to go under the hammer has been revealed. Additionally, international players from countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa among others will be available for the entire 2024 season.
Josh Hazlewood to miss first half of IPL 2024
Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will miss the first half of the 2024 season of the Indian Premier League. Hazlewood is set to be away as he is expecting the birth of his child in March. Hazlewood has been included in Set 4 of the IPL auction at a base price of INR 2 Crore. The development about Hazlewood's unavailability has been shared with all IPL franchises.
England leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed withdraws from IPL 2024 auction
England spin-bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed has withdrawn his name from the Indian Premier League 2024 auction. The development was confirmed via multiple media reports which also revealed that all England players be available for the entire IPL 2024 season subject to international commitments.
Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed set to be unavailable for IPL 2024
Bangladesh fast bowlers Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed will not be available for IPL 2024. Unlike, Shoriful Islam and Taskin Ahmed, Bangladesh's left-arm fast bowler Mustafizur Rahman will be available between March 22 and May 1 in the IPL. Last year, only one Bangladeshi player, Litton Das, took part in the IPL. Das played just one game for the KKR where he scored four runs.
Naveen-ul-Haq gets 20-month ban from ILT20 for breaching contract
Naveen-ul-Haq has been banned for 20 months from the UAE’s International League T20 tournament, also known as ILT20, for breaching his contract with Sharjah Warriors. The 24-year-old, who had played nine matches for the Sharjah Warriors in the ILT20 2023, refused to sign the retention notice for 2024 season, which led to his suspension from the tournament.
LSG to bid for Pat Cummins in IPL 2024 auction: Sources
Lucknow Super Giants is set to bid for Australian World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins in the IPL 2024 auction. SportsTiger understands that the KL Rahul-led Lucknow Super Giants have made Pat Cummins one of their key targets. Pat Cummins has enrolled himself at a base price of INR 2 Crore and will be part of Set 2 which includes capped all-rounders.
Mallika Sagar set to become first female auctioneer in IPL history
Indian auctioneer Mallika Sagar, who recently served in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 auction, is all set to become the first female auctioneer in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. Sagar will replace British international fine art, classic car, and charity auctioneer, Hugh Edmeades for the IPL 2024 mini-auction on December 19.
