Cricket News Today: India might take precautions against Coronavirus, Brian Lara reveals his favourite batsman and more - 11th March 2020

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup of all the major happenings dominating the world of cricket on the 11th of March 2020.

Amid growing concerns around the Coronavirus, Bhuvneshwar Kumar hinted that the Indian team might follow extensive precautions whereas West Indian legend, Brian Lara also opened up on his favourite current cricketer.

Elsewhere, the ICC decided to include reserve days for the knock-out fixtures of the 2021 Women’s World Cup while Jonty Rhodes also pitched in on the ongoing debate surrounding AB de Villiers’ place in the South African set-up.

Also see – IPL 2020 schedule

Here is a look at those in further detail.

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#1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar hints at India taking increased precautions due to Coronavirus

Bhuvneshwar (L) would be returning to action against South Africa

The outbreak of the Coronavirus has affected the sporting fraternity greatly, with several events being postponed or halted indefinitely. Even in the cricketing circuit, the threat has forced England to abandon handshakes on their tour to Sri Lanka while South African head coach, Mark Boucher, also reiterated that health protocols would remain paramount on the Proteas’ Indian tour.

On Wednesday, India fast bowler, Bhuvneshwar Kumar also opened up on the dangers Coronavirus presents and how it occupied a major part of the team management’s discussions, just a day prior to the commencement of the three-match ODI series against South Africa. He told PTI,

We have thought about this thing (not using saliva) but I can’t say right now we will not use saliva because if we don’t use saliva then how will we shine the ball. Then we will get hit and you people will say you are not bowling well.

It would be interesting to see how the Men In Blue approach the upcoming series and how Bhuvneshwar marks his return to the international fold after missing the series against Australia and New Zealand.

Read the full article here: India vs South Africa 2020: Men in Blue might take precautionary measures amidst Coronavirus threat, hints Bhuvneshwar Kumar

#2 Brian Lara reveals his admiration for KL Rahul

Lara picked KL Rahul as his favourite batsman

During his stint as an international cricketer, Brian Lara drew countless collective gasps courtesy his range of stroke-play and the effortlessness of it. Unsurprisingly, not many batsmen have been able to rival the West Indian legend in terms of the sheer artistry he brought to the table.

On Wednesday, Lara was asked about which current cricketer he liked watching most and the Trinidadian was quick to name Indian batsman, KL Rahul. He quipped,

He’s just class. I mean, when you are watching a player, you want to see him play, you want to see great technique, a good aggressive spirit as well. He is a great entertainer, he's a great person to watch bat. This is as simple as that. He's no better batsman than Virat Kohli. Virat is the best batsmen in the world, but it's just the preference of who I like to see bat. No disrespect to anybody else.

On the personal front, Rahul has enjoyed a renaissance over the past few months and is now regarded as perhaps one of India’s most vital white-ball cogs. Thus, it would be interesting to see how he fares against South Africa in the ODI series, which begins on the 12th of March at Dharamsala.

Read the full article here: Prefer watching KL Rahul bat over Virat Kohli, says Brian Lara

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#3 2021 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to have reserve days for knockout matches

Australia emerged victorious in the recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup

In the recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup, there was an enormous amount of uproar when England were denied a spot in the final, despite not having taken the field.

The Three Lionesses’ semi-final fixture against India was abandoned and the lack of a reserved day meant that the latter progressed courtesy their superior group position and points tally.

However, rather encouragingly, the ICC have swiftly rectified the situation and have earmarked reserve days for the knockout fixtures of the upcoming Women’s World Cup, which is slated to be held in New Zealand in 2021.

The tournament is scheduled to take place during February and March, with the semi-finals to be played on the 3rd and 4th of March while the final is set to take place on the 7th of March at the Hagley Oval.

Read the full article here: 2021 Women’s World Cup to have reserve day for knockout games

#4 Jonty Rhodes wants AB de Villiers in South Africa’s T20 squad

Jonty Rhodes

A couple of years ago, AB de Villiers took the cricketing world by storm when he announced his retirement from international cricket. Post that, the South African has participated in numerous T20 leagues across the globe and has largely given an exceptional account of himself.

Inevitably, his brilliant form has led many to ask the batsman to return to the Proteas’ fold, although that looked only a distinct possibility, especially after he was denied during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.

However, a changing of the administrative and coaching guard has again left the door open for de Villiers, with Mark Boucher recently stating that the former had time till the 1st of June 2020 to confirm his availability for the T20 World Cup.

On Tuesday, Jonty Rhodes weighed in on the debate and explicitly mentioned how he would love to have de Villiers back in the mix, considering the quality and the pedigree that he would bring to the fore. He commented,

I'm a big fan of AB de Villiers. I'm just not sure of the precedent. If you want to win a T20 World Cup, you should do anything to win it.

He further added,

You are not breaking any rules, you are setting a slight precedent and you are going to be upsetting a few players who are going to miss out. But a team without AB de Villiers or a team with AB de Villiers... I'd love to see that guy play.

Read the full article here: Jonty Rhodes wants AB de Villiers back in the South Africa team for the T20 World Cup