Prithvi Shaw's injury update, Nature of the pitch for second Test and more - Cricket News Today, 8th December 2018

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West Indies beat Bangladesh by four wickets to level the three-match series 1-1, thanks to an unbeaten 146 from Shai Hope in a chase of 256. Apart from this, both India and Australia travelled from Adelaide to Perth ahead of the second Test.

For fans, however, be it a match day or even a boring, non-match day, there are loads to catch up on the cricketing front with updates from around the world.

Here are some of the headlines from the world of cricket.

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Prithvi Shaw's injury update

Indian batsman Prithvi Shaw, who injured his ankle during the warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI, is on the road to recovery ahead of the second Test match between Australia and India at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

The Mumbai teenager was seen wearing a protective brace on his left ankle while jogging around the Adelaide Oval on Monday ahead of the final day's play of the first Test.

However, the Indian camp is still uncertain about his availability for the second Test which begins in a couple of days' time with a return in the boxing Test (December 26) at MCG more likely.

Coach Ravi Shastri told cricket.com.au, "With youth on his side there might just be a case where he might recover quicker. We'll make a call as and when we get closer to Perth."

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma give up their business seats for Indian pacers

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan, who is in Australia right now commentating for the host broadcasters, has revealed a sweet gesture by the Indian captain Virat Kohli.

The Indian team was on their way from Adelaide to Perth for the next Test which begins on December 14 and the Indian captain, along with his wife, Anushka Sharma, gave their business class seats on the flight to the Indian pacers in a bid to help them recover from the workload in the first Test.

Vaughan tweeted: “Witnessed @imVkohli & his wife give up their Business class seats to allow the Quicks more comfort & space on the trip from Adelaide - Perth !! Danger Australia .. Not only are the quicks more relaxed .. The Skipper is managing his troops with great human touches #AUSvIND”.

Complete list of players with base price released

With the 2019 IPL auction set to take place next week, the IPL Governing Council have released the list of players who will go under the hammer on December 18.

From the initial list of 1003 players, the GC has shortlisted 346 players, including 227 Indians, out of which a maximum of 70 can be bought by the franchises.

Amongst the players in the auction, there are quite a few who are in the Rs. 2 crore category. Amongst the foreigners, England's Sam Curran and Chris Woakes, South Africa's Colin Ingram, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga, Australia's Shaun Marsh and D'Arcy Short, and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum and Corey Anderson are all in the top category.

Amongst the Indians, Jaydev Unadkat, who was released by the Rajasthan Royals, will enter the auction at a base price of Rs. 1.5 crore.

Download the PDF of the complete list of players available for the IPL Auction

Pitch for the second Test to assist the pacers

With the second Test between India and Australia just a couple of days away, the pitch curator at the Optus Stadium in Perth has warned both the teams that the match may not go the distance as a green and bouncy drop-in wicket will be given to the teams.

He is expecting the fast bowlers to gain significant seam, swing and bounce and has urged the team winning the toss to bowl first.

"For us it’s been more about there’s no Gabba in this Test series. So the only other ground that’s got the potential to be that fiery, bouncy pitch is our one.

Length of time hasn’t been discussed at all. It’s just try and make it quick, try and make it bouncy. I would think you would probably want to (bowl first).

We’d think they probably would. At the moment the forecast is looking like low 30s right through the game, so if there’s anything in it it’s going to be early. But it may quicken up on day two as it dries out a little bit and gets a bit harder too," curator Brett Sipthorpe said.