Bond to assist New Zealand for T20 World Cup
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has roped in Shane Bond in their coaching setup, primarily for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Bond is currently the bowling coach of Mumbai Indians in the IPL. As the World Cup starts immediately after the completion of the IPL, Bond will directly join the national setup in the UAE.
Bond has served the Black Caps as bowling coach from 2012 to 2015. His inclusion will add great value to the Kiwi squad, he is quite familiar with conditions in the UAE.
New Zealand is placed alongside India, Pakistan and Afghanistan in Group 2. Two more teams will from the qualifying round are supposed to join them.
ICC announce T20 World Cup fixture
The International Cricket Council has announced the complete schedule for the upcoming T20 World Cup, slated to begin 17 October. The Super 12 will start on 23 October.
Eight teams, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, are pooled in two groups for the qualifying round. The top two teams from each group will qualify to Super 12. Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah will host all the matches of Super 12.
India's campaign starts with a clash against Pakistan in Dubai on 24 October. They will play their second match after six days, against New Zealand.
Van Niekerk returns for West Indies tour
Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced an 18-member squad for their tour of West Indies. The tour, starting on 31 August, will feature three T20Is and five ODIs.
Dane van Niekerk is back to lead the side after missing the series against Pakistan at home and the India tour. Van Niekerk is currently in the UK, leading the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred.
Squad: Dane Van Niekerk (c), Sune Luus, Ayabonga Khaka, Shabnim Ismail, Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty, Sinalo Jafta, Tasmin Britz, Marizanne Kapp, Nondu Shangase, Lizelle Lee, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Mignon du Preez, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Tumi Sekhukhune, Masabata Klaas.
Schutt, Jonassen to miss India series
Australia will be without two star bowlers, Megan Schutt and Jess Jonassen, for the series against India. Jonassen has a stress fracture, while Schutt withdrew due to personal reasons. However, they have included Tayla Vlaeminck, one of the quickest bowlers in women’s cricket.
Georgia Redmayne and Stella Campbell have earned their maiden international call-ups. Maitlan Brown and Annabel Sutherland will also be making comebacks after missing the New Zealand tour due to injuries. India will play three ODIs, one Test and three T20Is.
Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Stella Campbell, Nicola Carey, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Redmayne, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham.