Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 24 August.
Allen tests positive for Covid-19
Finn Allen has tested positive for Covid-19 two days after arriving in Dhaka, as confirmed by New Zealand Cricket. Fully vaccinated, Allen is experiencing moderate symptoms, NZC further added in the statement.
Allen had cleared his pre-departure tests in England after completing his stint in the Men’s Hundred.
New Zealand will play five T20Is against Bangladesh in Dhaka, starting 1 September.
Ervine named Zimbabwe captain for Ireland, Scotland tours
Craig Ervine will captain Zimbabwe for their limited-overs tours of Ireland and Scotland. He will be the fifth player to lead Zimbabwe in white-ball cricket since 2020. They have tried Chamu Chibhabha, Brendan Taylor, Sikandar Raza, and Sean Williams during this period.
Last week, Zimbabwe picked an 18-member squad for these tours, but had not named their captain.
Ervine only captained Zimbabwe once, that too in a Test match against Bangladesh in 2020, in Dhaka.
Zimbabwe will play five T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland, from 27 August. After that, they will travel to Scotland for three T20Is.
Zimbabwe squad for Ireland and Scotland tours: Craig Ervine (c), Regis Chakabva (wk), Ryan Burl,Tendai Chatara, Luke Jongwe, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Wesley Madhevere, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tarisai Musakanda, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava, Sikandar Raza, Milton Shumba, Brendan Taylor, Donald Tiripano, Sean Williams.
Bouchier, Dean earn maiden England call-ups for New Zealand T20Is
England Women have called up two uncapped players – Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean – for the T20I series against New Zealand, starting 1 September in Chelmsford. They are the only additions to the team that defeated India 2-1 last month.
Both Bouchier and Dean played for Southern Brave in the recently concluded Women’s Hundred. Bouchier aggregated 92 in seven innings at a strike rate of 144, while Dean took a wicket and scored 22 for the England A side that beat New Zealand by four wickets in a 50-over warm-up match on 22 August.
England Women squad for the New Zealand T20Is: Heather Knight (c), Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Katherine Brunt, Freya Davies, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Tash Farrant, Sarah Glenn, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Danni Wyatt.
Pakistan to host England Women for the first time
England Women will tour Pakistan for the first time to play two T20Is and three ODIs in Rawalpindi, in October.
Pakistan Women will play 33 matches – combining domestic and international – over the jam-packed upcoming season.
Pakistan’s home season will begin on 9 September in Karachi, with the Pakistan Cup One-Day tournament. England Women will tour next. They will then play in the Women's ODI World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.
The National T20 Cup will be played next June and July, following which then they will travel to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games.