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Ahead of the second and final Test against South Africa, Rohit Sharma-led Team India have promised to give a fight back. Speaking of it, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have also added Avesh Khan in the Indian squad for the second Test, calling him as Mohammad Shami's replacement. On the contrary, Cricket South Africa have named Zubayr Hamza Temba Bavuma's replacement and Dean Elgar will continue to lead the side in his and the team's final Test.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Friday, December 29, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
India Women vs Australia Women - 2nd ODI
India women will take on Australia women in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. After succumbing to a six-wicket loss in the first ODI, the Indian cricket team needs to bounce back with a better performance to stay in the series. For Australia, it will be vital to keep the winning momentum going with yet another quality performance against a very formidable opposition away from home.
BBL 2023-24: Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers
Chris Green-led Sydney Thunder are scheduled to face Moises Henriques' Sydney Sixers in the 19th match of the BBL 2023-24. The match between the Thunder and the Sixers will take place at the Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney on Saturday at 01:45 p.m. IST. While the Thunder have won just one of their four games to manage the seventh spot in the standings, the Sixers have won three of their four matches and are placed third in the points table.
Major cricket events that happened on December 29
Jake Fraser McGurk's 70-run knock help Melbourne Renegades register their first win
The Will Sutherland-led Melbourne Renegades registered their maiden win of the season in the Big Bash League 2023-24. The Renegades registered the 178-run target posted by the Adelaide Strikers in 18.4 overs on the back of a 70-run knock from Jack Fraser McGurk and Shaun Marsh's 54 off 33 balls. With this win, the Renegade jumped to the sixth spot in the standings, while the Strikers are fifth in the points table.
Australia defeat Pakistan by 79 runs in 2nd Test match
On Friday, December 29, Australia defeated Pakistan by 79 runs on day four of the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Pat Cummins, the captain of Australia, picked up 10 wickets in the Test to get adjudicated as the player of the match.
Avesh Khan added to India's squad ahead of second Test vs SA
The Men’s Selection Committee has named Avesh Khan as a replacement for Mohammed Shami for the second Test against South Africa which is to be played from 3rd-7th January 2024 in Cape Town. Shami, whose participation was subject to fitness, was not cleared by the BCCI Medical Team, ruling him out of the two Tests.
Team India fined for maintaining slow overrate in first Test vs SA
India have been fined 10 per cent of their match fee and penalised two ICC World Test Championship points for maintaining a slow over-rate against South Africa in the first Test in Centurion. Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after India were ruled to be two overs short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
Wanindu Hasaranga to become new T20I captain of Sri Lanka: Reports
The Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga is reportedly set to become the new captain of the national team in the T20I format. The change in the leadership for Sri Lanka in limited overs cricket is expected to happen after a dismal showing from the national team during the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup in 2023.
Sandeep Lamichhane found guilty of raping a minor girl
Sandeep Lamichhane has been convicted by the Kathmandu District Court of raping a minor girl on Friday, December 29. A bench of Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal concluded its week-long hearing on Friday and confirmed that the girl was not a minor at the time of the rape in August 2022. The court will now announce his sentence on January 10, 2024, and the cricketer has reportedly been arrested.
Afghanistan announce T20I squad for UAE series; Ibrahim Zadran to lead
The Afghanistan Cricket Board early on Friday, 29 December announced 18-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against United Arab Emirates. Ibrahim Zadran will lead the side in the absence of Rashid Khan, who continues to nurse a back injury. The Afghans will travel to the UAE for a three-match T20I series, scheduled to be played at the Sharjah Cricket Ground in Sharjah, starting December 29.
PCB to impose USD 500 fine on “ill-disciplined” cricketers: Reports
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to impose a hefty $500 fine on cricketers who will be found 'sleeping' inside the dressing room during match hours. "The players have been warned and informed about the development. It is done on the instructions of Team Director Mohammad Hafeez," the source said.
Michael Vaughan labels India as most 'underachieving' team
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan labelled India as the most underachieving team following their Boxing Day Test defeat against South Africa. Vaughan, who was present in the commentary panel of the Australia-Pakistan Test match made remarks on India. The former cricketer said, "Here's a question for you - India, in terms of cricket, are they one of the most under-achieving sports team in the world?"
