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The Rohit Sharma-led team India are grinding hard ahead of the second Test, set to be played from 3rd to 7th January at the Newlands in Cape Town. While they have added Avesh Khan as Mohammad Shami's replacement, tar Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is also likely to be fit and available for the second Test. On the contrary, Cricket South Africa on Saturday, 30th December confirmed that Gerald Coetzee will mis the second Test after having developed pelvic inflammation during the opening Test.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Saturday, December 30, but before that, let's check the matches scheduled for the day.
Today’s match preview:
BBL 2023-24: Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
Matthew Short-led Adelaide Strikers are scheduled to face Glenn Maxwell's Melbourne Stars in the 20th match of the BBL 2023-24. The match between the Strikers and the Stars will take place at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide on Sunday at 01:45 p.m. IST. While the Strikers have won just one of their four games to manage the fifth spot in the standings, the Stars have won two of their five matches and are placed fourth in the points table.
Major cricket events that happened on December 30
BBL 2023-24: Sydney derby ends in a no result as both teams share points
The match between Synder Thunder and Sydney Sixers ended in a no result after rain played a spoilsport in the second innings. Thunder after opting to bat first, posted 151/7 in 20 overs but Sixers innings was marred with rain as they could only add 34 runs in four overs before rain came into play. With rain coming in, both teams shared a point each.
Ghosh's 96 go in vain as Australia register thrilling 3-run win
Australia pulled off a thrilling three-run win to seal the series 2-0 after beating India. Batting first, the Aussies posted a tricky 259-run total with half-centuries from Phoebe Litchfield and Ellyse Perry while India dropped seven catches. Then with the ball, Aussies edged out the hosts by picking up regular wickets. For India, Richa Ghosh got out after a gritty 96 but fell short to take her team home.
Harleen Deol replaces Sneh Rana as concussion substitute in 2nd ODI
All-rounder Harleen Deol replaced Sneh Rana as a concussion substitute in the 2nd ODI against Australia. The BCCI shared the update and tweeted, “Sneh Rana complained of headache after a collision while fielding during the second ODI against Australia. She has been taken for scans and she will not take any further part in the ongoing ODI. Harleen Deol has been named as a concussion substitute.”
Ravindra Jadeja likely to feature in India XI for second Test vs SA
After India’s thrashing defeat against South Africa in the opening Test, star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja is likely to feature in the second Test. The news comes after the Indian star player was seen training. As reported by PTI, Jadeja was part of the warm-up session before the proceedings started on Day 3.
Gerald Coetzee ruled out of second Test against India
South Africa have been handed a massive blow as they will miss the services of Protean pacer Gerald Coetzee in the second Test. The 23-year-old star pacer, who was part of the hosts' mammoth innings and 32-run victory against India in Centurion this week, has been ruled out of second Test after developing pelvic inflammation.
Shardul Thakur gets hit on left shoulder in India's optional practice session
Shardul Thakur suffered a blow on his shoulder in Team India's optional practice session. Shardul Thakur was the first batter to take throwdowns in the nets as per PTI. Then about 15 minutes into the session, one of the balls had some extra bounce up which hit Thakur's left shoulder. After Thakur completed his batting, the physio put an ice pack sling on his shoulder.
Stuart Broad receives CBE award in the New Year's Honours list
Stuart Broad has been awarded a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Year's Honours list. Broad called it a career in July as England's second-highest wicket-taker. Broad concluded his storied career after the Ashes as England registered a thrilling 49-run win to level the series 2-2 and took the final wicket that sealed the victory.
Neil Brand to debut as South Africa Test captain in New Zealand
Neil Brand, the uncapped opening batter, is named as the captain of South Africa Test team for their two-match series in New Zealand in February next year. The Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced a makeshift 14-member squad for the New Zealand tour, which will have only three players from the ongoing two-match Test series at home against India.
Sri Lanka name preliminary squads for limited overs series against Zimbabwe
The Sri Lankan cricket team is set to face Zimbabwe in a three-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series next month. This will be the first time the 'Lankan Lions' will be in action since their tumultuous ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. Notably, 21 players have been named in the preliminary ODI squad, whereas 22 have been picked for the T20Is. SLC mentioned in a statement that the final squads will be picked from the players named in the preliminary ones. Kusal Mendis has been announced as the captain of the ODI squad while Wanindu Hasaranga will be in charge of the T20I setup. Charith Asalanka has been named as the vice-captain in both the formats.
