Virat Kohli's back problem, Mandhana leading her side to finals' day, and more - and more - Cricket News Today, August 12, 2018

The Indians who came into the Specsavers' series as the No. 1 Test side and a decent touring history from recent games are now in real trouble as England remains the elusive land, offering very little for the visitors. They are in real trouble now at 59-for-4 in their second innings, needing 230 runs more to avoid an innings defeat after the English wrapped up their first innings at 396-for-7 declared. Both the Indian openers have continued what they have done so far in the series - making quick departures into the pavilion after helpless stints at the popping crease.

The hosts look menacing, meanwhile, and it probably remains just a matter of time before the game draws to a close. As the game progresses, we have brought you the best out of today's cricketing stories. Tune in right here.

#5 Malinga still a part of Lanka's cricketing plans, says coach

As of now, three main players are currently out of favour with the Sri Lanka board - Jeffrey Vandersay, Dhanushka Gunathilaka and Lasith Malinga. Out of them, the two former guys are banned for disciplinary reasons, while Malinga's decision to work as Mumbai bowling consultant in the IPL resulted in him not being able to play provincial ODI tournament, thereby putting himself out of the selection criteria. It even looked like Malinga may never play again for the Lankans, but coach Chandika Hathurusingha believes otherwise.

He believes Sri Lanka are yet to identify the "combination" of players that will take them into the World Cup in 2019, and the World T20 the following year, and has said spots remain open for Malinga, as long as he "sharpens up".

In August, another provincial tournament will begin in Sri Lanka, and provided Malinga plays and does well in it, he will be available for selection once again.

"As long as what the selectors want is fulfilled, Malinga is in our plans as he is a quality player," Hathurusingha said, before adding: "He needs to come and play domestic cricket and we are not going to make exceptions for anybody. The team is number one. The team culture has to be protected."

"There's a good opportunity for him to come and play the domestic T20 tournament if he is willing to play. If he is performing he is in our plans."

#4 Vijay Shankar injured; ruled out of upcoming quadrangular series

Vijay Shankar up against an LBW appeal in the recent Lions' fixture

India's and Tamil Nadu's middle order batting talent and useful pacer Vijay Shankar was supposed to feature for the India B side in the upcoming quadrangular series also involving India A, Australia A and South Africa A, but latest reports suggest that the right-hander will be missing out on the tournament owing to a hamstring injury.

The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) announced the news of Vijay's injury and subsequent ruling-out via a press release on Sunday morning (August 12), with the series slated to begin five days later. Vijay is currently at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore, where he is seeking the help of medication and the available physios to recuperate from the injury.

The series will begin on 17th August 2018, with India B's first match being against India A on August 19th. All the matches of the tournament will be held at the Mulapadu twin grounds near Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

So far, the BCCI selectors have chosen not to name any replacement for the injured Vijay, and it is expected that they will field eleven players from the remaining 14-men side captained by Manish Pandey.

#3 Sohail Tanvir fined for controversial celebration

Pakistani pacer Sohail Tanvir has been fined 15% of his match fee for making an obscene gesture during his team's Caribbean Premier League (CPL) home game against St Kitts and Nevis Patriots on Thursday. The purple-cap holder from the first ever IPL season beat Ben Cutting with an inswinging yorker that dislodged the stumps and then orchestrated a send-off by giving him a double-finger. The incident occurred during the 17th over of the Patriots' innings and was probably in retaliation to the six that Cutting had smacked right in his previous ball.

The celebration shook the social media world by storm as the likes of Chris Lynn deeply criticized Tanvir's actions. The use of such gestures is against the spirit of the game, and punishable by ICC norms, as Virat Kohli discovered back in January 2012.

Tanvir was the highest wicket-taker in the previous season of the CPL and was subsequently retained by the Warriors, for the maximum price of US$160,000.

#2 Mandhana-starring-Western Storms and Loughborough Lightning ease into the KSL 2018 Finals' day

In their eighth group-stage game of the Kia Super League (KSL), Loughborough Lightning easily chased Lancashire Thunder's 137-run target, thereby clinching their sixth win altogether. It also meant that the side will cruise on to the events' finals' day.

Rachael Haynes and Amy Ellen Jones put together an unbeaten 110-run stand for the second wicket to secure the win by nine wickets. Opting to bat first, Thunder got off to a steady start, but it ended soon, with Nicole Bolton (19), Georgie Boyce (38) and Amy Satterthwaite (47) getting out to reckless shots. Harmanpreet Kaur (4) failed to create any impact as well. Things soon went downhill, as the side finished at 136-for-7. In reply, Sophie Devine fell after a quick 12-ball-22, but Rachael (40*) and Amy (66*) completed the quest, with five overs remaining.

A washout in the subsequent Western Storms - Southern Vipers game after just 8.5 overs of play, confirmed Western Storm's advancement to the finals' day as well. The lack of a result in the game gave them two points, which they used to emerge table-toppers. With just two games each for every team in the KSL group stage, it is impossible for either Storms or Loughborough to be removed from the top-two spots.

#1 Virat Kohli's absence on-field due to strained back; India in further trouble

Just a helpless spectator right now

India scored 107 in total the first innings. Chris Woakes alone scored 137 runs in reply, as England stretched their lead to 289 runs before declaring with three wickets still left to fall.

The match is effectively out of India's grasp, and the players are just out there, fighting for survival right now. And for a greater part of today's game, captain Virat Kohli did not take to the field due to a suspected back strain. Virat has been plagued by injuries since his time in South Africa in March, and many feel that it's not a good sign.

In the absence of the captain, who is also the man with the biggest fighting instincts among his teammates, the visitors looked real low as they allowed Woakes and Sam Curran to get the better of them for a long time.

Virat, however, came in to bat at No. 5 in India's second innings, when Vijay, Rahul and Pujara departed to the stands without making an impact. He batted with pain, before getting out to Broad, as evident from his face while attempting shots, but India has no other alternative as Rahane had also departed since.

As we speak, it is just a matter of time until England emerges winners.