Cricket News, 21 February: Avishka Fernando to miss T20Is versus India, more

Feb 21, 2022

Cricket News, 21 February: Avishka Fernando to miss T20Is versus India, more Image

Vanitha retires from all forms of cricket

Vanitha V.R. announced her retirement from all forms of cricket, on Monday, 21 February. Vanitha played six ODIs and T20Is for India. Her last appearance came way back in 2016. She played for both Karnataka and Bengal in domestic cricket. 

'19 years ago, when I started playing cricket, I was just a little girl who loved sport,' shared Vanitha in her social media retirement post. 'Even to this day, my love for cricket remains the same. What's changing is direction. My heart says continue playing, my body says stop and I've decided to listen to the latter. Time is ripe to hang my boots. I hereby announce my retirement from all forms of cricket.'

Bangladesh announce squad for Afghanistan T20Is

Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) named a 14-member squad for the upcoming T20Is versus Afghanistan. Munim Shahriar and Yasir Ali earned maiden call-ups, while Nurul Hasan, Saif Hasan, and Aminul Islam were dropped. Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium will host both T20Is on 3 and 5 March.

Squad: Mahmudullah (c), Liton Das, Munim Shahriar, Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim, Afif Hossain, Shak Mahedi Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nasum Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Md Naim Sheikh.

Avishka Fernando to miss T20Is versus India

Sri Lanka will miss the service of Avishka Fernando (knee injury), Nuwan Thusara (side strain), and Ramesh Mendis (fractured thumb) in the upcoming T20I series in India, starting 24 February. Waninidu Hasaranga is back in the squad after missing the last four T20Is against Australia due to Covid-19.

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel - Subjected to Ministerial approval

Boult to miss second South Africa Test

Trent Boult will miss the second Test match against South Africa, as New Zealand do not want to rush him into the playing XI. Boult made himself unavailable for the first Test to welcome his third child. Matt Henry stepped up to the occasion and finished with nine wickets to drive New Zealand to a massive win.

'Trent Boult isn't in a position to be available for this Test match with his loads and where he's at, at the moment,' said New Zealand coach Garry Stead. 'Since [he was on paternity leave] as well he's missed out on a lot of opportunities to play cricket and bowl. We just felt the risk of him playing was far too great at the moment to do that to him.'