Stokes opts out, Archer rested for SL Tests
London: Star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who is currently grieving the loss of his father, and pacer Jofra Archer were left out of the 16-member England squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. However, both Stokes and Archer are expected to be back for the high-octane series against India beginning in February. Veteran keeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow also features in the squad which also has Jos Buttler and Ben Foakes in its ranks. Essex youngster Dan Lawrence is the only rookie face in the squad and has been included after he garnered the experience of playing 74 first-class games.
de kock to lead sa against Sri lanka
Johannesburg: Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was named South African Test team captain for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. The 16-member squad includes rookie opener Sarel Erwee, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne and medium-pacer Glenton Stuurman, the trio receiving their maiden call-ups. Eight months after South Africa's director of cricket, Graeme Smith had ruled him out, limited over skipper De Kock was handed the reins of the Test squad for the 2020-21 season on a temporary basis with a permanent captain to be announced in the coming months.
Nicholls' 117 steadies NZ on day 1
Wellington: New Zealand's Henry Nicholls rode his luck to post a crucial century as the hosts, weakened by the loss of Kane Williamson, survived a shaky start to reach 294/6 on day one of the second Test against the West Indies on Friday. 29-year old Nicholls survived multiple dropped catches at Basin Reserve as he snapped a 21-month string of low scores with his sixth Test century. At stumps, he was 117 not out with Kyle Jamieson on one. From being on the ropes at 78/3, Nicholls said Kiwis now considered 400 would be “a good result”.
Clarke backs Cummins to succeed Paine
Sydney: Former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke is hopeful of pace spearhead Pat Cummins succeeding Tim Paine as the country's Test leader when the veteran's reign comes to an end. With the 36-year-old Paine reaching the fag end of his career, a fresh captaincy discussion has started. While there have been calls to reinstate Steve Smith as skipper, Clarke believes Cummins, who was recently appointed the sole vice-captain after previously sharing the role with Travis Head, should be handed the top job when it is time. “Patty's ready for it. I love that they've given him the full-time vice- captaincy,” Clarke told AAP. “Hopefully he gets an opportunity along the way to captain in certain games, whether it be Australia A or whether it be a tour game, whatever it is, which I'm sure he will,” he added.
Sociedad squeeze through europa k/o
Naples: Real Sociedad snatched qualification for the last 32 of the Europa League in the final seconds on Thursday after Willian Jose's late leveller in a 1-1 draw at Napoli and AZ Alkmaar's shock 2-1 defeat at Rijeka allowed the Spanish side to progress. Young Boys, Molde, Wolfsberg and Maccabi Tel-Aviv rounded off the group stage by making Monday's draw in Nyon, where they join the 18 already-qualified teams and will be met by eight drop-outs from the Champions League. Napoli finish top of the group on 11 points, two ahead of Sociedad in second who end the group stage a further point ahead of Alkmaar. Agencies