After the white-ball leg of India tour of South Africa, the action now shifts to the two-match Test series, which is scheduled to commence on December 26 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Apart from India, Pakistan is currently touring Australia for a three-match Test series, which currently stands 1-0 in the hosts favour, while Bangladesh are touring New Zealand for the white-ball series. On the other hand, the India Women are hosting Australia Women in one-off Test match at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The host currently lead by 157 runs at the end of Day 2.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Friday, December 22, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
BBL 2023-24:
- Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunde r: The bottom-placed, Melbourne Stars are scheduled to square off against Chris Green-led Syndey Thunder in Match 12 of the Big Bash League 2023-24 on Saturday. The match is scheduled to take place at the Lavington Sports Oval in Albury at 10:00 a.m. IST. While the Stars are reeling at the bottom of the points table, having lost both its games, the Thunder are sixth in the points table, with a similar result.
- Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades: The seventh-placed Hobart Hurricane will take on Melbourne Renegades in Match 13 of the BBL 2023-24 in Saturday's double-header. The match is scheduled to take place at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart at 1:45 p.m. IST. While the Hurricanes are seventh in the table having lot both their games so far in the tournament, Renegades are fifth, having lost two game and one ending with no result.
Major cricket events that happened on December 22
BBL 2023-24: Strikers fall short of a run as they register their first loss of the season
Sydney Sixers registered their third win on the trot of the season, beating Adelaide Strikers by a margin of just one run in Match 11 of the Big Bash League 2023-24. After inviting the Moises Henriques-led side to put the score first on the board, Jordan Silk's unbeaten 66 helped the side post 155/7 in 20 overs. While the Strikers were cruising in the first ten over as the scoreboard read 84/3, they stuck thereafter with no boundary in the next four over and Jamie Overton struggling with the bat.
Also WATCH: Sai Sudharsan gets impact fielder medal after India’s 2-1 series win against South Africa
Bangladesh register their first ODI win in New Zealand; beat the hosts by 9 wickets
After 18 straight defeats, Bangladesh finally managed to end their drought in New Zealand in ODIs against the host as they put on a stunning show in the final ODI of the series. The hosts already secured the series coming into the game but put on a shocking display with the bat, getting shot out for just 98 as Bangladesh won the contest by nine wickets with ease.
Virat Kohli returns home ahead of 1st Test against SA: Reports
Former India captain, Virat Kohli has reportedly returned home just days ahead of the first Test. The batting stalwart returned to India citing family emergency and will miss the intra-squad game. Moreover, Kohli is expected to join the squad ahead of the first Test. Additionally, Ruturaj Gaikwad is also likely to miss the two-match Test series with finger injury.
Dean Elgar to retire from international cricket after India series
Veteran South Africa batter Dean Elgar has announced retirement from international cricket. Elgar had communicated his decision to Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday, 21 December, ahead of the Test series against India. Notably, the two-match Test series, which is scheduled to kickstart from December 26 in Centurion will be his last in the Protean colours.
Shaheen Afridi likely to be rested for Sydney Test against Australia
Pakistan, who are currently taking on Australia in a three-match Test series are likely to rest Shaheen Shah Afridi in the final SCG Test. A source close to the team management has added that the team will rest Afridi if Pakistan loses the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, which is set to be played from December 26 to 30. " It is in the pipeline that if Shaheen doesn’t do well in the Melbourne Test and the team ends up on the losing side, he will be rested for the final Test so that he is fresh for the T20I series in New Zealand,” the source was quoted by Hindustan Times.
NZC withdraws Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson from T20I squad
New Zealand Cricket on 22 December announced the withdrawal of skipper Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson from the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The decision by NZ Cricket comes after a medical advice and consideration of the team’s upcoming schedule with a focus on summer Test series. Notably, New Zealand Cricket has named opener Rachin Ravindra and seamer Jacob Duffy as their replacement.
Zimbabwe Cricket suspends Wesley Madhevere, Brandon Mavuta for breaching anti-doping rules
Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has with immediate effect suspended two Zimbabwe international players from all cricket activities, pending a hearing, for allegedly breaching anti-doping rules. The concerned players, Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, both tested positive for a banned recreational drug in an out-of-competition case recorded during a recent in-house doping test.
Sydney Sixers to challenge Tom Curran’s four-match ban
BBL franchise Sydney Sixers have decided to challenge the decision of Tom Curran’s four-match ban. The franchise late on Thursday confirmed that they will lodge an appeal as “Tom did not knowingly or intentionally intimidate a match official”. The England all-rounder was sanctioned a four-match suspension under Level 3 breach of CA Code of Conduct.
Electra Stumps make debut in BBL 2023-24
After the Electra Stumps made its debut in the Women's Big Bash League in October this year, the light-flashing stumps are set to appear for the first time in the Big Bash League 2023-24. The tech-rich stumps have a unique way of indicating various decisions in cricket as they flash different shades and combinations of colours to indicate a decision.