Cricket News Today: Brian Lara signs up for Bushfire Bash, Graeme Swann impressed with Ravindra Jadeja and more - 31st January 2020

Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja

Hello and welcome to the daily round-up of all the major stories happening in the cricketing world today.

First up is Brian Lara confirming his participation in Bushfire Bash, followed by Graeme Swann's comments on Ravindra Jadeja. Diana Edulji had something to say about Virat Kohli while the Indian Women got off to a winning start against England in the T20I tri-nation series featuring hosts Australia.


Here is a look at those stories in detail.


#1 Lara confirms his participation in Bushfire Bash

Brian Lara
Brian Lara

One of cricket's greatest batsmen, Brian Lara confirmed his participation in the Bushfire Cricket Bash slated to be held just before the BBL09 final on February 8.

Following the footsteps of former Indian star all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and many other legends, Lara confirmed his involvement in the exhibition match. Sachin Tendulkar and Courtney Walsh will mentor one team each while Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting have been named as the captains.

Current playing squad for the Bushfire Cricket Bash Shane Warne (capt), Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, Shane Watson, Wasim Akram, Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara.

Full article: After Yuvraj Singh, Brian Lara confirms participation in Bushfire Cricket Bash

#2 Graeme Swann highlights the importance of Jadeja's inclusion in India's World T20 squad

Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja

In a post-match segment on Star Sports, former England spinner Graeme Swann stressed on the importance of Ravindra Jadeja's importance in India's squad heading into the T20 World Cup slated to be held in October later this year.

Swann stated that no team would want to play against Jadeja, and that the all-rounder was a prized asset to the Indian team given his ability to contribute with bat, ball and on the field.

“All the other teams in the world do not want Jadeja to be playing in that India team. He’s very very important player. From an English point of view, we’d very happy (if he doesn’t play).”
“He’s doing well in New Zealand conditions on smaller grounds, in Australia, it’ll be the exact opposite, those are big grounds. If you as a spinner can bowl well on smaller grounds then you can do better on the big one."

Full article: Graeme Swann explains why he thinks Ravindra Jadeja will be crucial for India in T20 World Cup

#3 "Kohli approved packed schedule", says Diana Edulji

Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli

According to Diana Edulji, who was at the helm of India’s cricket administration until last October, Virat Kohli was part of the discussion that approved the future tours and programs and therefore she was puzzled by Kohli's criticism of the Indian team's packed schedule.

She revealed that Virat Kohli and the entire team management knew that they would be landing three days before the NZ tour begins and the move was approved by the Indian captain during the meeting last year.

“virat complaining now is definitely strange, I feel that he is playing so much of cricket that he forgot that he has given OK for such a schedule. We didn’t force this on the players. They knew that they would be landing in New Zealand three days before. It’s written in the minutes. Only after they (players) gave their consent was it approved.”
“We had asked if the players wanted to change anything. We passed the FTP only after the players and the coach okayed it,” Edulji added.

Full article: Strange that Virat Kohli is complaining about crammed schedule, he had approved it: Diana Edulji

#4 India Women beat England Women by five wickets

Harmanpreet Kaur was the star of the show for India
Harmanpreet Kaur was the star of the show for India

Indian women's cricket team captain Harmanpreet Kaur led her side to an important victory against England women in the opening match of the tri-nation T20I series hosted by Australia at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Set a target of 148 to chase after England captain Heather Knight essayed a scintillating knock of 67 runs, India got off to a decent start but soon lost the wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma in quick succession.

At 107-4 from 14.1 overs, the Indian women were in a precarious position but Kaur took up the onus of getting her side home as she threaded the gaps and collected the occasional boundaries and with 4 runs needed off the last 4 balls, Kaur smashed a six to seal a thrilling win for her side.

Brief scores

England Women: 147/7 (20 overs)

Heather Knight 67 (44), Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2/19 (4 overs)

India Women: 150/5 (19.3 overs)

Harmanpreet Kaur 42*(34), Katherine Brunt 2/33 (3.3 overs)

India beat England by 5 wickets with three balls remaining

Full article: India Women vs England Women 2020 | Captain Harmanpreet Kaur takes India over the line in a last over thriller

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Edited by Prasen Moudgal