First Test: Bangladesh 153 runs behind New Zealand after Day 2
Bangladesh rode on Mahmudul Hasan Joy’s unbeaten 70 and Najmul Hossain Shanto’s 64 starred to stage an impressive fightback against New Zealand on Day 2 of the first Test match against New Zealand at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. They first took five for 70 in the morning session to bowl out New Zealand for 328, and reached 175/2 at stumps. The deficit of the first innings is now 153.
Neil Wagner took both wickets for New Zealand, while the others bowled 51 wicketless overs.
Silverwood tests positive for Covid-19
England Men's head coach Chris Silverwood tested positive for Covid-19. He has been isolating in Melbourne since 30 December after a member of his family returned a positive test for Coronavirus. He is asymptomatic, and will now stay in isolation until 8 January.
Silverwood was already set to miss the fourth Ashes Test match, starting 5 January at the Sydney Cricket Ground. However, he is expected to return in the fifth and the last Test match in Hobart.
Thunder beat Strikers by 28 runs
Mohammad Hasnain took three wickets in his first four balls on his BBL debut to help Sydney Thunder beat Adelaide Strikers by 28 runs in Match 32 of the ongoing edition. Hasnain got Matthew Short, Jake Weatherald and Jonathan Wells to reduce the Strikers to 25/3 after they came to chase 173. They were eventually bundled out for 144 in 19.1 overs.
The Thunder had earlier posted 172/7 after opting to bat, thanks to Matthew Gilkes’ 57-ball 93.
Allahudien Paleker set for Test debut in Johannesburg after 15 years
Allahudien Paleker will end his 15-year long journey when he will walk out at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg to take charge of South Africa second Test match against India. He will become the 57th Test umpire from South Africa and 497th across the world.
‘I started umpiring 15 years ago, so it's been a long time coming. It took a lot of hard work, a lot of patience and you need strong support from family as well because of the time you sacrifice being away from home’, Paleker said in a statement. ‘I haven't attended a family function or wedding in summer for years because I'm just never available.’