All posts by n8rngtd.top

The surface did not deteriorate much, contrary to its roughed-up appearance, but it was still a tough one, according to R Ashwin and Tom Latham

Sidharth Monga in Indore10-Oct-20162:32

‘In rhythm, I can beat any batsman in the world’ – Ashwin

Even if you don’t go looking for it, you get comments on pitches in India. Before this Test began, in response to a photo of the pitch tweeted by the BCCI, Harbhajan Singh, India’s most successful offspinner, tweeted it looked like a two-day-old pitch already, and predicted a finish in three-and-a-half days. With India batting for almost two days, people on Twitter began to ridicule Harbhajan. His response was to wait and watch for the turn, and that he got such turners only twice – Kanpur 2008 and Mumbai 2004 – in his whole career in India. He reckoned his and Anil Kumble’s wicket tally would have been “something else” if they got the pitches India have been playing on in the last “four” years.If this was unsolicited, R Ashwin’s first answer at a press conference after completing his 20th five-wicket haul, which bowled New Zealand out for 299, was to mention how difficult a pitch it was. He was asked how important the other bowlers were – Ashwin got six, he ran two batsmen out, and Ravindra Jadeja got two wickets – and he looked bemused. He seemed to stop himself from answering sarcastically lest it be misconstrued, and said, “It was very important. It was a very, very difficult wicket to bowl on. The way Shami and Umesh bowled in the morning, they never let go of the steam. Especially Umesh bowled very quick through the day. Hopefully they can get some good returns in the second innings.”Tom Latham, the only man besides Rohit Sharma to have scored a half-century in each of the Tests, was presented a similar sentiment by a journalist. He was asked if he agreed the pitch didn’t offer much turn or didn’t crack up. Latham’s response was sharp too. “Not sure what game you’re watching,” Latham retorted. “Certainly starting to turn. Lot of footmarks there. Might not be cracking up so much but there are dust and a lot of footmarks for bowlers to work with. They’ll be targeting those in the second innings so got to find a way of rectifying that.”The truth about the pitch might be somewhere in between. It is not the classic Indian pitches that Harbhajan bowled a lot on during his day, but it hasn’t turned out to be like Nagpur last year or even Kanpur this year. At the outset this looked a lot like the Kanpur pitch with a lot of cracks and expected to turn sharply from day two. It certainly hasn’t because India have now been officially warned for two players – not in the act of bowling – running on the danger zone despite cautionary warnings from the umpires. Latham said it was not something they could worry.”Out of our hands as players,” Latham said. “We’ve got nothing to do with it, it’s up to the umpires. They make the call.”1:15

‘A very hard wicket to start on’ – Latham

However, it was wicketkeeper BJ Watling, who alerted the umpires just before M Vijay was officially warned for running on the danger area when batting on the third evening. On the second evening, Jadeja’s transgression after three warnings – two informal and one official – had resulted in a five-run penalty for India and three demerit points for Jadeja. India didn’t contest the charge, and Jadeja stands one demerit point short of being suspended for a Test or two limited-overs internationals.Latham chose to not get involved when asked if he felt it was deliberate. “It’s cricket,” he said. “Guys are going to walk on the wicket. We’ve got a big job to do in the second innings. Going to focus on that.”India clearly feel the pitch needs to deteriorate more, which is one of the reasons why they didn’t enforce the follow-on. Let there be more overs on it, let it bake more in the sun, and then give New Zealand somewhere around five sessions to bat to save this Test. Ashwin said they were going to take a call on when to make the declaration in the middle session on day four. He felt the pitch could do with some more wear and tear.”We’re just giving it every chance to wear over the time that we bat on over the next session or two,” Ashwin said. “And see how it turns out. But from one side, from the Pavilion End, there is a lot of rough. From the other end it’s not spinning a lot. Hopefully it will deteriorate.”

Former Sri Lanka cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake, who coached Nepal from 2011 to 2015, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the job of USA’s head coach

Peter Della Penna29-Jul-2016Former Sri Lanka cricketer Pubudu Dassanayake, who coached Nepal from 2011 to 2015, has been shortlisted as a finalist for the job of USA’s head coach. Dassanayake, who lives close to Toronto, said he is looking for a challenge close to home after spending several years away with the Nepal side.”Nepal, they were from Division Four to Division One and played a World Cup and I want to do the same for USA,” Dassanayake told ESPNcricinfo in Florida where he is participating in an ICC coaching seminar. “I think it’s a great place. There are great opportunities, a lot of talent in this country. I’d really like to see them come up the ranks and be in that World Cup setup.”Prior to his success with Nepal, Dassanayake coached Canada from 2007 to 2011, and helped them to the 2011 ODI World Cup in the sub-continent, Canada’s last major ICC event. Dassanayake also played for Canada after migrating from Sri Lanka following the end of his Test career and played in the 2005 World Cup Qualifier in Ireland.His ties to North American cricket make him a strong contender for the role. While coach of Nepal, Dassanayake racked up an impressive record against USA in ICC competitions, losing just once – at the 2013 ICC WCL Division Three in Bermuda – in six meetings.Anand Tummala, former USA and Ranji Trophy representative, is also in contention for the post. Tummala played briefly for Delhi before migrating to Atlanta in 2007. He made his only tour with USA in 2011, playing three T20s, including games against Canada and Afghanistan. Tummala, who is a Level Three Cricket Australia certified coach, also served as a guest coaching evaluator at last year’s ICC Americas Combine in Indianapolis. Tummala has also been in Florida this week as part of the ICC coaching seminar.Both Tummala and Dassanayake attended USA’s first training session in their week-long camp which began on Thursday, and will also be present at an exhibition match on Friday between a USA XI and a CPL Invitational XI in Lauderhill.Although the ICC wouldn’t comment on the applications, there are believed to be at least two more finalists with interviews beginning on Friday. USA will play three 50-over intra-squad trial matches in Florida next week among a 30-man squad, after which 14 will be selected for ICC WCL Division Four in Los Angeles from October 29 to November 5.

The Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match between Abahani Limited and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club has been postponed and any further decision on the game will now be taken by the BCB, said league coordinator Amin Khan

Mohammad Isam13-Jun-2016The Dhaka Premier League match between Abahani Limited and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club has been postponed and any further decision on the game will now be taken by the BCB, according to league coordinator Amin Khan. The rest of the Dhaka Premier League is to proceed as scheduled.On Sunday, during the match at the BKSP-3 ground, umpires Gazi Sohel and Tanvir Ahmed cited “illness” for walking off the field, after they were abused by Abahani players and supporters angrily protesting a stumping decision during Doleshwar’s innings. The match did not continue on Monday, the reserve day.”We have informed all the [Dhaka Premier League] clubs that the league will continue as it is, with this match being postponed,” Khan said. “The match referee left the decision with us [Cricket Committee of Dhaka Metropolis], and we referred it to the board. We have referred this game to the board, who will now take the decision. They will also decide on the umpires. We informed them that the two teams were ready to play, but the match couldn’t be held due to the umpires’ refusal to officiate.”The match referee wrote in his report that the umpires are sick and not in a position to run the game. He doubted whether they could officiate even today, the reserve day. The match referee wrote that, as a result, the match couldn’t take place.”Several newspapers in Bangladesh showed photos of arguments between umpire Sohel and Abahani captain Tamim Iqbal, while TV channels also showed the Abahani supporters hurling abuse from near the boundary rope.Tamim was apologetic of his outburst, but said he did not expect the umpires to walk out. “It was very crucial if the decision went in favour of my team as they would have been three wickets down,” Tamim told . “I queried the umpire regarding the decision. I should have been more polite to the umpire. But every point in the Super League stage means a lot, and being a captain I can query the umpire.”But one thing is sure, I should have behaved better. It was just an emotional outburst which we all go through in tight games. But at the same time I never thought the umpires would walk away and refuse to continue the game. I feel sorry whatever happened that day.”However, Khan said that the match referee didn’t mention anything about abusive language or threats to the umpires: “I wouldn’t be referring to any incidents that came out in the media. I will only see what’s in the match referee’s report. It didn’t contain anything about any team, player or supporters creating chaos. He only wrote that the umpires were sick.”Prime Doleshwar were 59 for 2 off 17 overs, in pursuit of Abahani’s 191, when the incident occurred.

Second ODI in July included in UK government’s Event Research Programme

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Jun-2021England will play a home international in front of a full-capacity crowd for the first time since September 2019 next Saturday, after the second ODI against Pakistan at Lord’s was included in the UK government’s Event Research Programme (ERP).Fans have started to return to international cricket in the UK over the last month, with around 17,000 fans attending the first three days of the second Test against New Zealand at Edgbaston and capacities of around 20-25% elsewhere, subject to government regulations.The ECB announced last week that limited-overs fixtures against Sri Lanka and Pakistan would be included in the ERP as the UK continues to work towards the total lifting of Covid-related restrictions, scheduled for July 19, and on Monday, Warwickshire announced that they would stage the third ODI against Pakistan in front of an 80% full Edgbaston.Ticket-holders over the age of 11 will be required to provide either proof of a recent negative lateral flow test, proof of full vaccination, or proof of natural immunity via a positive PCR test result taken in the last 180 days.There will be no social-distancing requirements within the ground, though fans will be encouraged to wear masks while moving around. Under-16s were not allowed to attend the first pilot event of the cricketing summer at Edgbaston, but no such restrictions will apply at Lord’s.

His stint will run till the end of the 2022 T20 World Cup, in October-November in Australia

Firdose Moonda12-Aug-2021Ashwell Prince has resigned as head coach of South Africa’s Western Province to take up a permanent role as batting coach of the Bangladesh men’s national team. His present stint will be till the end of the 2022 men’s T20I World Cup, to be played in Australia in October-November.Prince was in charge of the Cobras – the franchise which has now dissolved into Western Province, Boland and South Western Districts – from the 2016-17 season and has been with Bangladesh in a temporary capacity since their tour of Zimbabwe last month. He remained with them during their historic T20I series win over Australia more recently, and will now be part of the set-up for the T20I World Cup later in the year.Related

• Ashwell Prince quits as Bangladesh batting coach

• Prince: Not looking to change Bangladesh batters

• BCB wants Prince to stay on until T20 World Cup

• Prince on being a player of colour: 'It was a lonely place'

Assistant coach Faiek Davids will take over Prince’s role in an acting capacity at Western Province when the South African domestic season starts in September.Prince, who played 66 Tests, 52 ODIs and a solitary T20I for South Africa between 2002 and 2011, began his coaching career at the Cobras, first as an assistant to Paul Adams and then taking over full time later in the same season. Under Prince, the Cobras did not win any trophies but produced several players for the national side, including the Malan brothers, Zubayr Hamza, Kyle Verreynne and George Linde.”What I will treasure most about my stint as head coach of the Cobras is, along with my coaching staff, assisting six young players to make their international debut for the Proteas,” Prince said in a statement.Prince joins a strong South African component in Bangladesh’s coaching staff, which includes two former South Africa men’s national head coaches: Russell Domingo, who was in charge of South Africa between 2013 and 2017 is Bangladesh’s head coach, while Ottis Gibson, who took over from Domingo between 2017 and 2019, is Bangladesh’s bowling coach.

“It’s an encouraging sign because it could lead to an influx of money and more sponsor interest”

Annesha Ghosh27-Dec-2020The 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge (WT20C) logged 5.34 billion minutes in viewership in India. That’s a 2.45-times rise from the 2.20 billion minutes the 2019 edition recorded, with as many as 105 million unique viewers tuning into the three-team competition as opposed to last season’s 71 million viewers.Broadcast data obtained by ESPNcricinfo from Broadcast Audience Research Council India and Star, the media-rights holders of the BCCI, revealed that this year’s tournament, played alongside the playoffs of the IPL in the UAE, recorded a 147% increase in viewing minutes and 47% rise in unique viewers in India from 2019. The three-team tournament, held from November 4 to 9, was aired across 11 Star Sports channels as opposed to eight last year.Related

• An identity crisis, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow

• Women's IPL would be 'amazing for the game' – Heather Knight

• Diana Edulji: Women's IPL 'ambitious', but T20 Challenge should 'definitely have a fourth team'

• Army recruitment drive forces India Women's series against South Africa to move out of Kerala

• From brink of elimination to lifting the crown, 'The Record' powerfully captures the champions' journey

“The record-breaking viewership for the Women’s T20 challenge is a testament to the love for women’s cricket in India,” Sanjog Gupta, Head of Sports at Star India, said. “At Star India, we amplified the reach and engagement through a mega cast in five language-feeds [Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada] across 11 channels, giving it an unprecedented reach, similar to that of IPL.”In November, the BCCI had labelled the tournament “financially independent”, the 2020 edition having earned a title sponsor and multiple official sponsors. As such, the plan was to make it a four-team event this year, but it was played with three because of – although never officially explained – the uncertainty around the Covid-19 situation and the clash in scheduling with the Women’s Big Bash League.”I am delighted with the way the tournament has been received by TV-watching people in India in such a challenging year,” Jhulan Goswami, the veteran India pacer and member of this year’s winning team, Trailblazers, told ESPNcricinfo.”Women’s cricket, especially Indian women’s cricket, has been dealt a severe blow by the pandemic, and nothing seems to be on the horizon to get the ball rolling. This news [of the numbers] could help motivate not just those of us (who participated in the tournament) but also young girls in India dreaming to be professional cricketers despite seemingly insurmountable odds.”Goswami, who has been part of all three editions of the WT20C, said the increase in viewership made a “case for giving every chance to increase the visibility” of India’s “established and up-and-coming female cricketers”, whose performances in recent world tournaments “have expanded the team’s and their own fanbase.””The shift in the Indian public’s perception of the women cricketers began in the 2017 [ODI] World Cup [where India finished runners-up],” Goswami, who on Sunday was named in the ICC’s Women’s ODI Team of the Decade, said. “Since then, our T20I team played a World Cup semi-final [in 2018] and this year, in Australia, the final for the first time. That World Cup also had a massive following. Why? Because we beat strong opponents like Australia, New Zealand on our road to the final, we played fearless cricket.”An ICC release from earlier in the year vindicated Goswami’s argument.”India’s success in making it to the final,” read the statement issued in June, “boosted audience interest” in the 2020 T20 World Cup, making it the “most watched ICC women’s T20 event in history”. “India live viewing hours were 86.15m which is 152% higher than the 2018 tournament, driven by India’s success and the broadcast of select India matches by Star Sports…,” the statement read.Jhulan Goswami – “These numbers prove that the average cricket-watcher in India will turn the TV on and watch us play”•PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP

But what does all this mean in real terms? Could the spike in numbers have a direct bearing on the marketability of women’s cricket in the country?”To have that kind of a jump [in viewership], a two-and-a-half-times increase in a single year, is significant, extremely significant,” brand specialist Santosh Desai explained. “Even if it was from a relative-response base, [it] doesn’t matter… It’s an encouraging sign because it could lead to an influx of money and more sponsor interest which can catapult the game to higher levels. We are potentially at a point of inflection here. If it sustains and continues over next year, we could see it become a significant part of the annual calendar [in the near future].”How spectacle-worthy a sport is becomes an important determinant of viewership. Tuning into women’s sport is the first barrier in India because of prevailing stereotypes. But several factors, including the pandemic, the Indian team’s performance in recent years, improved skill-sets, individual distinction and style of some players – could have accelerated that process.”Goswami, meanwhile, hoped that the sustained growth in viewership of the WT20C, considered a precursor to an IPL-style league in India for women, could lead to better investment at the foundational rung of the women’s game in the country.”These numbers prove that if the average cricket-watcher in India is given the opportunity to see Indian women cricketers play, it’s likely they will turn the TV on and watch us play,” she said. “The Indian team’s players had not played any cricket since the T20 World Cup in March, and then came the T20 Challenge [about eight months later], so when people got a chance to watch us again, they did. Hope it translates in to more investment at the grassroots.”ESPNcricinfo and Star are part of the Walt Disney Company

Much of their threat – explosive hitters throughout the batting-order and solid bowling resources – come from their overseas players

Alagappan Muthu08-Apr-20164:51

‘Gujarat seem to have most bases covered’

Big Picture

“Hehehehe,” comes an amused voice. It belongs to Dale Steyn and he becomes the epicentre of a crowd of people. There are cries of “please, please, selfie, selfie!” They couldn’t let him go just yet. “One minute, wait please.” Eventually, it is just noise, and a lot of jostling. The policemen can barely maintain a perimeter, but Steyn doesn’t mind. The video ends with him grinning from ear to ear. Both he, and the Indian Premier League, have finally arrived in Rajkot.

Gujarat Lions squad

Suresh Raina (capt), Ravindra Jadeja, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Bravo, James Faulkner, Dale Steyn, Aaron Finch, Dwayne Smith, Amit Mishra, Praveen Kumar, Pravin Tambe, Dinesh Karthik, Dhawal Kulkarni, Eklavya Dwivedi, Andrew Tye, Ishan Kishan, Shadab Jakati, Jaydev Shah, Pradeep Sangwan, Akshdeep Nath, Paras Dogra, Umang Sharma, Shivil Kaushik, Sarabjit Ladda.

Fans in Rajkot have only seen six international matches in a decade. They can now expect almost as many IPL matches, featuring some of the best cricketers in the world, in a single season. Fostering cricket in smaller centres has been one of the tournament’s aims since its inception – hosting matches in Dharamsala, Raipur, and the fan-park venture last year are fine examples – and after eight years, with Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals suspended, there is a franchise based in one of these smaller centres.It is unclear if Gujarat Lions will persist when Super Kings and Royals’ suspensions lapse. But the team that the owners Intex – a Delhi-based electronics company – has cultivated from a player draft in December and the full auction in February does seem formidable, if a little dependent on overseas talent.Brendon McCullum, two-time world champion Dwayne Bravo, and James Faulkner will not be fazed by responsibility though. Tagging along are the uncapped Indians, most of whom hail from Uttar Pradesh, the state that captain Suresh Raina is from. Local boy Ravindra Jadeja should help in rounding up good crowds as much as he would in knocking off oppositions.Lions have ticked most boxes necessary to be a good T20 team. They have explosive batsmen, and they can disperse them through the order. Some of them – like Raina and Bravo – can anchor or attack. All-round options are aplenty – Bravo, along with Faulkner, is a high-quality, end-overs bowler as well.

Burning questions

“No matter how much love you get in this new family, how can you let go of all the love you received over the last eight years from the Chennai family? The city had become a second home to all of us,” Raina told . Coping with a new team and new roles, not to mention fronting up against old friends, might feel strange. Lions have had a couple of days to practice and gel, but will that be enough ahead of a two-month tournament?How will they handle the 12 uncapped Indians in the squad? Some of them like Pravin Tambe and Shadab Jakati have IPL experience, Ishan Kishan led India in the Under-19 World Cup in February, Paras Dogra’s contract with the Himachal Pradesh Ranji Trophy probably has a line that says “hit double-centuries, or else”. Others like chinaman Shivil Kaushik, Akshdeep Nath (a former U-19 WC winner) and Umang Sharma (over 1000 runs in the 2015-16 season) are still finding themselves in the Indian domestic circuit.Barring Steyn – who may not find a place among the four overseas players allowed in an XI – Lions are made up of medium-pacers, who may become cannon fodder if the Rajkot pitch reverts to its old, road-like tendencies.

The go-to men

Lions seem to be obsessed with failsafes. McCullum is one of the fiercest openers, but if he goes kaput, out comes the highest run-getter in IPL history, Raina. That combination would also be working overtime on captaincy matters. Then there is Bravo to keep things tight in the middle and end overs but if he can’t, Faulkner’s around for back-up. Those two could probably invent a new slower ball by the time this season ends. And finally Jadeja, who owned any team that set foot in Rajkot in the Ranji Trophy and won his place back in the Indian team.

Bargain buy

Shivil Kaushik will be paid INR 10 lakh for two months’ work. While that may be a lot of money for a 20-year-old, it is near negligible for an IPL franchise. Lions may well get a lot of bang for their buck considering Kaushik is a chinaman in the mould of South Africa’s Paul Adams. He took five wickets in seven matches at the Karnataka Premier League, which was his first taste of competitive cricket, and his coach at Hubli Tigers, Anutosh Poll, said, “He’s a back-of-the-hand bowler. He himself confesses that he doesn’t know which one will turn which way.”

Availability

No known injuries at this time.

Coaches

Head coach – Brad Hodge, bowling coach – Heath Streak, Performance coach – Monty Desai

Quotes

“We’ve already started being diplomatic with each other while discussing IPL. I’ve been looking at ways to ask him about his team’s preparations, he’s been doing the same. At dinner tables, at the nets, during practice, both of us are asking each other a lot of things but not revealing anything to each other.”

Jordan Clark smashed an unbeaten 31 off 12 balls as Lancashire’s stuttering start to the defence of their Natwest T20 blast title got back on track with a rain-affected victory over Leicestershire at a sodden Old Trafford

ECB Reporters Network10-Jun-2016
ScorecardJordan Clark came out firing after the last rain delay to secure victory•PA Photos

Jordan Clark smashed an unbeaten 31 off 12 balls as Lancashire’s stuttering start to the defence of their Natwest T20 blast title got back on track with a rain-affected victory over Leicestershire at a sodden Old Trafford.Clark and Jos Buttler hit 35 runs off 11 balls to clinch the game with five deliveries to spare, after Lancashire were set a revised Duckworth Lewis target of 74 to win off seven overs in reply to Leicetershire’s 131 for 3 off 14 overs.Leicestershire openers Mark Cosgrove and Mark Pettini had initially put on 63 for the first wicket in just 6.5 overs after being put into bat by Steven Croft whose Lancashire side struggled with a wet ball and a soaking out field.On a humid night in Manchester, a heavy shower just as the players took the field caused a delay of 75 minutes before Cosgrove and Pettini took an instant liking for Neil Wagner’s bowling with the New Zealander going for 40 runs off his three overs.Pettini was the first to fall for 23 when he managed to scoop a delivery from Arron Lilley onto his helmet with Buttler diving athletically to catch the rebound.Umar Akmal joined Cosgrove at the crease and the Pakistani hit a quick fire 17 off 15 balls including a huge six off Lilley before he was bowled by Croft.Cosgrove, who finished unbeaten on 63, continued to lead a charmed life and he took full advantage of dropped catches by Croft, Karl Brown and Wagner to help take Leicestershire to a competitive total with Cameron Delport also unbeaten on six after Kevin O’Brien was caught in the deep by Lilley off Jordan Clark for 12.Only eight balls of the Lancashire reply were possible before the rain came again with the score 11 without loss and a further delay left the hosts requiring 63 more runs off 5.4 overs.Clark smashed Ben Raine’s first ball after the resumption for six and together with Alviro Petersen the opening pair put on 42 off 4.2 overs before the South African slapped a square cut straight to Tom Wells at point for 23.Two boundaries from Buttler left Lancashire requiring 23 to win off 12 balls before 20 runs off Clint McKay’s penultimate over saw the home side reach the target with five balls to spare as Clark hoisted a huge six over square leg to win the game and register Lancashire’s second win of the competition.

The captain’s unbeaten 88 against Nepal led Scotland into the Super Sixes stage of the World Cup Qualifier and one step closer to the showpiece event in England in 2019

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Mar-2018
ScorecardScotland celebrate progress into Super Sixes•IDI via Getty Images

Kyle Coetzer might well remember his 27th List A fifty with a great amount of fondness. His unbeaten 88 against Nepal led Scotland into the Super Sixes stage of the World Cup Qualifier and one step closer to the showpiece event in England in 2019.Considering he only had to chase 150, the bowlers deserve a lot of credit as well. Stuart Whittingham and Safyaan Sharif ran through Nepal’s top order with the new ball, taking four wickets in the first five overs. With Nepal struggling at 14 for 4, captain Paras Khadka (63) did his best to keep the scoreboard ticking along. He helped Nepal reach 100 in the 29th over, but fell soon after and the tail was left with too much to do.Opening batsmen Matthew Cross (14) and the captain Coetzer were watchful at the start of Scotland’s chase. They added 33 at the top before Cross fell to Sandeep Lamichhane’s legspin. Basant Regmi, too, took two wickets as Scotland’s middle order wobbled just a bit, but Coetzer’s half-century ensured they could overcome it and seal victory with four wickets and 51 balls to spare.

Selectors opt for additional cover while medical team assesses fast-bowling group

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Dec-2021Australia have added fast-bowling cover to their squad for the third Ashes Test, with Scott Boland called up.Boland had been training with the Australian team in Adelaide, being brought into the squad after Pat Cummins’ close contact with a Covid-19 positive person. Australia were captained by Steven Smith during the second Test with Cummins forced to be ruled out. They also missed Josh Hazlewood, out with a side strain, as Jhye Richardson and Michael Neser got a go. Additionally, Mitchell Starc also appeared to twinge his back while batting in the second innings at Adelaide.Related

• Starc expected to be fit for Boxing Day but Hazlewood remains unlikely

• Cummins out of second Test after Covid close contact

• Ashes bolter: Scott Boland strengthens his case for Australia call-up

• Richardson relieved with comeback five-for after 'tough' first innings

Australia won the Test by 275 runs to go 2-0 up in the series, and while both Cummins and Hazlewood were part of the squad for the third Test, Boland has been added “while the medical team assesses the fast bowling group”.Boland has been in good form for Victoria this year in the Sheffield Shield, picking up 15 wickets in two matches – both against New South Wales – at an average of just 10.80.Boland also played for Australia A against the England Lions side this month, taking 1 for 16 and 1 for 64 in Brisbane, before joining the Australia squad in Adelaide.The third Ashes Test will begin at the MCG in Melbourne on Boxing Day.Australia squad for third Ashes Test: Pat Cummins (capt), Steve Smith (vice-capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.