Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 1 August.
Indian team reaches Nottingham
India Men has reached Nottingham ahead of the first Test against England, starting on 4 August at Trent Bridge. They had a three-week break after the World Test Championship final, against New Zealand, Southampton, before moving to Durham. There they played a three-day warm-up match against the County Select XI.
India have already begun their training session in Nottingham. Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, replacements for Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar, are yet to join. They are currently isolating after reaching the UK 24 hours ago.
Warne tests positive for Covid-19
Shane Warne, London Spirit Men’s head coach, has tested positive for Covid-19 after a lateral flow test. Warne missed Spirit’s Hundred fixture against Southern Brave at Lord’s, on 1 August. He is currently self-isolating and is awaiting a PCR test result.
Alongside Warne, another unnamed coaching staff of the Men’s Spirit side has been infected. Thankfully, no players have been tested positive for the virus.
Bailey appointed Australia Men’s chief selector
George Bailey has been appointed Australia Men’s chief cricket selector. Bailey, who played 90 ODIs, 30 T20Is, and five Tests for his country, will take over from the retiring Trevor Hohns.
Right after the appointment, Bailey will now have two big tasks for the national side – for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes at home.
Cricket Australia will soon announce a third panel member to join Bailey and Men’s head coach, Justin Langer.
T20 can take cricket to Olympics, didn’t need The Hundred: Chappell
Ian Chappell believes Twenty20 should be sufficient to take cricket to the Olympics. The Hundred, the newest format of cricket invented by the ECB, was not really needed.
Chappell wrote in his ESPNCricinfo column: ‘Apart from reducing the number of balls to obtain a terrestrial television deal, the reasoning behind the Hundred could well be that it improves the chances of cricket fulfilling the Olympic dream. Surely the T20 format could achieve that same outcome without yet another reduction.’