Leaked email on Kumble, No.1 Kohli under threat and more - Cricket News Today, 12th December 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.

Introduction aside, let's delve right into the news. Two days ahead of the second game between India and Australia, team combinations, pitch conditions and more are being discussed in detail by pundits and fans alike.

For fans, however, be it a match day or even a boring, non-match day, there's loads to catch up on the cricketing front with updates from around the world.

Here are some of the headlines from the world of cricket:

#1 Leaked email suggest Kohli's hand in Kumble's exit

Virat Kohli and Anil Kumble's public spat was the headline of every cricket daily for a good chunk of last year. As a unit, they gave India exceptional results, but issues between the coach and captain turned from crack to crevasse, ultimately leading to Kumble's exit.

A new leaked email, from CoA's Diana Edulji to co-member Vinod Rai reveals that Kohli had a big hand to play in pushing Kumble out. The mail went on to state that Kohli, unhappy with Kumble, even sent out messages to BCCI's CEO.

"Virat did not accede to Kumble continuing in spite of CAC saying so then why not these two players get what they feel is best for the team. They were truthful in expressing their views, unlike Virat who frequently sent SMS's to the CEO on which you acted and there was a change in the Coach", Edulji's mail read.

You can read the full story here.

#2 Williamson threat for No.1 ranked Kohli

Virat Kohli, the captain, has started the Test series with a record-breaking win in Adelaide. On a personal front though, the top-ranked Test batsman's returns of 3 and 34 in the first game have reduced the deficit between him and No.2 ranked Kane Williamson.

Kohli, who has been sitting on the numero uno spot since the Edgbaston Test earlier this year, gave up 15 ranking points after a sub-par performance from his lofty standards.

This year, Williamson has been averaging in the early 60s from five Tests, while Kohli has an exact average of 55 from 11 Tests.

#3 Johnson to Starc's rescue

The second Test is in Perth, but it's not the Perth surface we all know. Right across the river Swan, and minutes away from the pacy WACA pitch that has carved a reputation of its own, Australia will host India at the sparkling Optus Stadium.

While the pitch can't be expected to be a copy of the WACA wicket, the curator has assured that pacers will have a hearty time, with a green drop-in pitch ready to welcome the touring Indians, who have a reputation of floundering on bowling paradises.

In such a scenario, Mitchell Starc's return to form could boost the drooping fortunes of Australia. And, the 28-year-old is set to get a shot in the arm with Mitchell Johnson reaching out to help for help.

Johnson said that he texted Starc and could be meeting him in Perth.

"I’ve already sent him a couple of text messages to see if he wants to catch up and have a chat about things because I have worked with him in the past and you get to know people really well,” Johnson said on BBC’s Stumps podcast.

“It just looked like there was something on his mind, something’s not quite clicking (in the Adelaide Test). We’ll sit down hopefully before the Perth Test match starts,” he added.

#4 Maxwell gives up IPL for Tests

The hard-hitting Glenn Maxwell fits in the scheme of things for most IPL teams, but a determined quest to bag the Baggy Green has led him to withdraw himself from the 2019 auctions.

So, instead of grabbing a hefty paycheck for two months of T20 cricket, Maxwell is motivated to add more to his seven Test caps.

“This is a pretty clear sign I still want to play Test cricket,” Maxwell told Melbourne’s Herald Sun.

“To knock back a chance to play IPL was a big decision and a tough decision. It’s not something you make lightly, but the thought of playing Test cricket again still burns deep.

“I desperately want to get back out there and I still think I have a lot to offer the Australian Test team.”

Maxwell is set to play all three formats of English county with Lancashire.