Banned cricketer makes return after 9 months, Pant and Paine's banter continues, and more - Cricket News Today, December 29 2018

Welcome to Sportskeeda's Cricket News Today, a section that covers a summary of the trending news topics of the day in the world of cricket.

The Indian cricket team were made to work hard today and despite them being just 2 wickets away from victory, Pat Cummins' unbeaten half-century has delayed things. Australia are currently at 258-8 and need 141 runs for victory. While they might not achieve the victory, there is a possibility that rain might spoil India's chances tomorrow.

India had declared at 106-8 after Mayank Agarwal scored 42 and Rishabh Pant chipped in with a 33-run knock. The Indian bowlers performed well once again in the 2nd innings and did not allow any of Australia's top-order to settle down at the crease. However, it was Cummins who troubled them.

Meanwhile, New Zealand are just 4 wickets away from victory against Sri Lanka and will hope to finish things off tomorrow.

Having said that, let's take a look at the top news from today:

#1 Bharat Arun heaps praise on Jasprit Bumrah

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been a revelation in the Test format ever since he made his debut. In the ongoing Test against Australia as well, he has been India's best bowler, picking up 6 wickets in the first innings and 2 wickets in the second innings.

Indian bowling coach Bharat Arun had a lot to say about him after the day's play at the MCG.

"We were extremely confident of Bumrah doing well even before he started playing Tests because he was unique and most batsmen who played against him said it was difficult to pick him," said Arun after day four.

"What makes him so special is because he is so unique. Maybe the batsmen pick up his balls a little later than which they normally do from a clean action and that makes him so much more potent," he continued.

#2 Marais Erasmus pulls up Tim Paine for employing negative tactics

Tim Paine

Australian captain Tim Paine was called up for employing negative tactics to keep Rishabh Pant off strike during the ongoing Test against India in Melbourne.

Pant was on strike on the last ball of the 35th over which was being bowled by Pat Cummins. However, Paine had instructed his bowler to bowl on the leg-side so that it would be left alone by Pant, thus bringing Jadeja on strike for the next over.

However, umpire Marais Erasmus declared it as wide and then spoke to the Australian captain.

"If he had bowled a ball down leg and then you had then dived, I would not have deemed it to be deliberate,” the umpire told Paine on the field.

Test Match Playing Conditions law 2.2.1.4 states, “For bowlers whom umpires consider to be bowling down the leg side as a negative tactic, the strict limited over wide interpretation shall be applied.”

#3 Cameron Bancroft makes a return to cricket

Cameron Bancroft

Cameron Bancroft, who was one of the three cricketers banned in the Sandpaper Gate incident, has been named in the Perth Scorchers' squad for the rest of the Big Bash League as his nine-month suspension has come to an end.

Scorchers captain Adam Voges was happy to welcome Bancroft back into the squad.

"It's great to have Cam back in the squad again. It's been a long year for him and now he can move forward and get back to playing cricket at a high level," he said.

Bancroft also opened up about his return with a lengthy Instagram post.

#4 Rishabh Pant hilariously gives it back to Tim Paine

Pant and Paine

The sledging between Rishabh Pant and Tim Paine does not seem to stop. After Paine's comments on-field yesterday, Pant did not hold back when Paine came out to bat today.

He referred to Paine as the "temporary captain" and even went on to say that the only thing he knows how to do is talk.

It was Rishabh Pant's turn for some fun on the stump mic today... #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/RS8I6kI55f

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 29, 2018

"We have got a special guest here. Have you heard the word temporary captain ever?" Pant asked Mayank Agarwal while Paine was at the crease.

Shortly after that, he instructed the bowler Ravindra Jadeja as well on how to bowl to him.

"You don't need anything to get him out. Come on lads. He loves to talk, that's the only thing he can do. Only talking talking," said Pant.