Let us look at some of the most discussed cricket stories on the news on 31 May.
IPL 2021: Crowds likely to be allowed in UAE-leg
As per a report in Cricbuzz, the UAE government may permit the entry of spectators for the remainder of IPL 2021. The BCCI and the Emirates Cricket Board have no objection to allowing the vaccinated spectators to fill up to 50 per cent stadium capacity.
Several officials of the BCCI, including Secretary Jay Shah, have already left for the UAE to discuss logistics and other pressing issues for IPL 2021. The tournament is likely to resume on 19 September.
Cricket Australia appoints Hockley as CEO
Cricket Australia (CA) has appointed Nick Hockley as CEO. Hockley had been serving as interim CEO since June last year following the resignation of Kevin Roberts.
Hockley has previously worked as the head of commercial negotiations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Hockley headed as general manager, commercial and marketing for CA.
Asghar Afghan removed as Afghanistan captain
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has sacked Asghar Afghan as national team skipper across all formats. The ACB explained that some of the tactics in Afghan’s captaincy, which lasted for 15 months in his second stint, were ‘questionable’ against Zimbabwe in March.
In Afghanistan’s latest split-captaincy model, Hashmatullah Shahidi will be their new Test and ODI captain, whereas the decision to appoint the new T20I captain ‘will be taken soon.’
‘It was almost a shock’: Bracey on Foakes injury
James Bracey, 24, has admitted he was shocked to hear about Ben Foakes’ injury. ‘When I heard about Ben it was almost a shock – I didn’t really have it on my radar to be there as a keeper. I knew that Ben was highly likely to take those gloves, and when I got that call it didn’t really sink in straight away,’ Bracey told ESPNCricinfo.
However, Foakes’s injury is likely to be a blessing in disguise for Bracey, who spent almost 20 weeks in bio-secure bubbles as England’s standby batting option last summer. In the absence of Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow and Foakes, Bracey is now the frontrunner to take the gloves against the upcoming two-match Test series against New Zealand, starting 2 June.