Ben Stokes' injury, delay in India's squad selection and more - Cricket News Today, 22nd August 2018

During the fifth day's play at Trent Bridge, India needed just 17 balls to wrap up a resounding 203-run victory in the third Test against England. In the aftermath, Virat Kohli's troops continued to win hearts by dedicating their triumph to the victims of the Kerala flood.

While head coach Ravi Shastri underlined his ambitions for the Indian Test team, England were given an injury scare as Ben Stokes was ruled out of the Vitality T20 Blast quarter-final due a niggle.

In other news, all-rounder Grant Elliot announced his retirement from all cricket. Here are all the major developments from the day.

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Ben Stokes set to miss T20 Blast quarter-final

Stokes has been rested from Durham's T20 fixture due to a niggle

England all-rounder Ben Stokes will miss Durham's Vitality T20 Blast quarter-final against Sussex. Having sustained a knee injury during the third Test against India at Trent Bridge, he has been rested as a precautionary measure.

The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) described the injury as a 'niggle at the back of his left knee'. Considering the fact the fourth Test at the Rose Bowl in Southampton will begin only on the 30th, Stokes is expected to recover full fitness before the crucial clash.

Durham will have to make do without the star all-rounder's services for their quarter-final fixture on Friday. On the other hand, Jos Buttler and Keaton Jennings will be available for Lancashire's match against Kent on Thursday.

Kohli's team dedicate Trent Bridge win and donate match fees to Kerala flood victims

Kohli's evolution as a leader can be discerned from his maturing persona on and off the field

After completing victory in the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, Indian captain Virat Kohli dedicated the much needed triumph to those affected by the devastating flood situation in Kerala.

Upon receiving the Player of the Match award for his 200 runs in the match, Kohli attracted a generous round of applause from the Trent Bridge crowd during the presentation ceremony. He said, "We, as a team, want to dedicate this win to the flood victims in Kerala. This is our bit we can do as the Indian cricket team. A tough time there."

More great news emerged as all players in the Indian team donated their match fees to the Kerala flood relief fund. With numerous people in the beautiful state affected by the natural disaster, the gesture of their cricket-playing countrymen should offer significant support in these troubling times.

Grant Elliot announces retirement from all cricket

Elliot has played the final match of his memorable career

New Zealand all-rounder Grant Elliot has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 39-year old brought the curtains down on his memorable career after leading Birmingham Bears in the 2018 Vitality T20 Blast.

With the Bears not qualifying for the quarter-finals, Elliot revealed that the tournament will also see the end of his playing career. During March 2017, he had quit the New Zealand setup to pursue a Kolpak T20 deal with Warwickshire. Aside from the Vitality Blast, he had also participated in various T20 leagues across the globe during the last fifteen months.

Announcing his retirement through Instagram, Elliot wrote, "Started in Johannesburg finished in Birmingham. I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play county cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it. Thanks to all the memorable people I have met that have made this journey special."

Shastri wants India to become best team away from home

Ravi Shastri has termed the current pace bowling group as India's best ever attack

Indian team's head coach Ravi Shastri has declared his ambition of helping his troops become the best team away from home as well. In the aftermath of India's comprehensive 203-run victory at Trent Bridge, he extolled high praise on the seamers. Terming the pace attack as the best ever in Indian history, the 56-year old alluded to the variety in the unit.

Shastri asserted, "This is the best group of fast bowlers India have ever had by a mile, including the bench strength as well. The two potent fast bowlers for English conditions were Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah. They didn't play in the ODIs at all and in the first couple of Tests too. Then you have Ishant and Shami bowling beautifully with Umesh waiting in the wings."

The veteran affirmed, "It's a conscious effort from this side to be the best travelling side in the world. Not just at home. We know we thrash oppositions at home. They don't stand a chance, especially when we prepare spinning tracks. We want to win away from home. I think this side can be the best travelling side in the world. We have won a Test match, not yet won the series but we there are two Test matches to go. We'll be thinking in that fashion."

Administrative maelstrom results in Indian squad selection delay

The Indian squad for the next two Tests is expected to be named in the coming days

The Indian squad selection for the last two Tests of the England tour has been delayed due to the upheaval in the selection panel. The squad announcement has been postponed by a few days following the reappointment of Gagan Khoda and Jatin Paranjpe as senior national selectors.

"The meeting has been postponed by a few days, as we need to give time to Khoda and Paranjpe to be available to join the panel," TOI quoted a BCCI source.

Khoda and Paranjpe had earlier been removed from the selection panel for not fulfilling the Lodha Committee's requirement of being former Test cricketers. However, after the Supreme Court's intervention, the pair will now rejoin MSK Prasad, Devang Gandhi and Sarandeep Singh in the panel.