Jhulan Goswami named Legends League Cricket ambassador
Legends League Cricket appointed Jhulan Goswami as an ambassador. LLC also announced an 'All Women Match Official Team' for the League, including ICC-empanelled female umpires and match referees from all across the world.
South Africa’s Shandre Fritz will be the match referee for the entire League, while Shubhda Bhosle Gaikwad, India’s youngest female umpire, South Africa’s Lauren Agenbag, Pakistan’s Humaira Farah, and Hong Kong’s Renee Montgomery will be on-field umpires.
‘This is amazing. I feel proud and elated to represent the fraternity for such a wonderful cause and initiative. It was long due actually. I am looking forward to the Legends of the game taking on to the field once again and putting in their best to play competitive cricket. My best wishes to the match officials, I am sure they will do a brilliant job. This is going to be historic and path-breaking for Cricket as a sport,’ Goswami was quoted saying by LLC organisers in a release.
SLC lift ban on Mendis, Gunathilaka, Dickwella
Sri Lanka Cricket lifted the one-year ban on international cricket on Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Niroshan Dickwella for breaching the Covid-19 protocols in Durban during last June's tour of England. They will now be able to play the three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, beginning on 16 January in Pallekele, if they achieve the fitness standards.
Gunatillake, meanwhile, announced his decision to retire from Test cricket to fully concentrate on the limited-overs cricket.
England reach 258/7 in Sydney
England were 258/7 at stumps on Day 3 of the ongoing fourth Ashes Test match against Australia, at the SCG. Jonny Bairstow (103*) and Jack Leach (4*) are in the middle. England still trail by 158 runs.
Ben Stokes (66) and Mark Wood (39) also chipped in with handy contributions after England were reduced to 36/4. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland claimed two wickets each.
ICC introduce fielder penalty for slow over-rates
The ICC announced a new penalty for slow over-rates will be introduced in T20Is. Fielding sides that do not begin the final over by the scheduled time will only be allowed to four fielder, instead of five, outside the 30-yard circle for the rest of the innings.
The new rule will take effect in both Men's and Women's T20Is. It was used in the inaugural season of The Hundred last year, and was first implemented in the 2019 T20 Blast. It has since expanded to all limited-overs competitions in England.