South Africa trail India by 206 in Cape Town
South Africa were 17/1 at stumps on Day 1, trailing India by 206 runs, in the third and final Test match of the series, in Cape Town. Aiden Markram (8*) and Keshav Maharaj (6*) were at the crease when stumps were called. They lost Dean Elgar (3) by Jasprit Bumrah.
Earlier, India were bowled out for 223 in their first innings after opting to bat. Virat Kohli (79) and Cheteshwar Pujara (43) starred with bat, while Kagiso Rabada was the pick of the South Africa bowler, with 4-73.
Sundar tests positive for Covid-19
Washington Sundar has tested positive for Covid-19, and is now doubtful for the three-match ODI series against South Africa, starting 19 January. Sundar is currently isolating himself in in Bengaluru, where he had been training at the NCA with other ODI squad members before being tested for the Coronavirus.
The BCCI has not decided whether Sundar can join the ODI squad in South Africa once he tests negative for Covid-19. They have not announced any replacement yet.
England add Brook as Billings cover for West Indies T20Is
England added Harry Brook as cover for Sam Billings for the upcoming T20I series in West Indies, starting 22 January. Billings has joined the Ashes squad following Jos Buttler’s injury, but has also been retained in the 17-member squad for the T20Is.
The first of the five-match series against West Indies will be played four days after the scheduled last day of the Ashes, which forced England to opt for cover.
Gloucestershire sign Naseem Shah
Gloucestershire have signed Naseem Shah for the ‘first few months’ of the 2022 season. He will be available to play in all formats in England’s domestic circuit until the end of the group stage of the T20 Blast. He became Gloucestershire’s fifth signing since the end of the 2021, after Marcus Harris, Ajeet Singh Dale, Paul van Meekeren and Zafar Gohar.
Naseem made his debut for Pakistan in 2019 and has played nine Tests so far. He became the second-youngest bowler in history to take a five-wicket haul in a Test innings against Sri Lanka in December that year.