Dinesh Chandimal returns after ball-tampering ban, Big blow for Bangladesh and more - Cricket News Today, August 9, 2018

With the second Test between England and India set to get underway today at the Home of Cricket - Lords, the cricketing world could not be more excited.

Unfortunately, play has not begun yet with rain playing spoilsport so far. Constant drizzle in London has forced the players to wait in their respective dressing rooms. England announced a 12 member team for the Test, with both Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali included. However, only one of them would get a chance.

India, on the other hand, have not named their playing XI yet and the viewers will have to wait till the toss happens.

Despite the Test between England and India, there has been no shortage of news from other parts of the world.

So, let's take a look at the news of the day.

#5 Kohli has the best technique in International Cricket, says Steve Waugh

Former Australian cricket team captain Steve Waugh showered praise on Indian captain Virat Kohli.

Kohli, who became the no. 1 Test batsman of the world, surpassing Australia's Steve Smith, is all set to lead India in the 2nd Test of the five-match series against England.

Speaking to Cricket Australia, Waugh felt that Kohli has the best technique in international cricket.

“He (Kohli) has got the game to survive anywhere, I think he’s got the best technique of anyone in world cricket,” the former Australia international said.

“He and AB de Villiers have got the best techniques, and AB de Villiers is not playing Test cricket so that makes him (Kohli) the stand-out player. I think Steve Smith is probably the hungriest batsman but he’s obviously not playing for 12 months, so Kohli really is the premier batsman in world cricket,” he continued.

With India set to tour Australia at the end of the year, Waugh also felt that Kohli will be under pressure to deliver India their first series win down under.

#4 Sri Lanka defeat South Africa in thrilling ODI

In a rain-affected encounter in Kandy, Sri Lanka achieved their first win of the five-match series against South Africa.

After Sri Lanka posted 306 runs on the board in just 39 overs, South Africa required 191 runs to win in 21 overs. They were well on course to achieve victory with just 8 runs required off the final over and with David Miller on strike.

However, they failed to cross the line as Suranga Lakmal bowled an excellent final over.

The final ODI will now take place between the two sides on August 12.

#3 Shakib al Hasan likely to miss Asia Cup

Bangladesh could face a big blow as star all-rounder Shakib al Hasan is likely to miss the upcoming Asia Cup.

The T20I captain hinted that he might have to undergo surgery prior to the tournament.

“I don’t want to play without being fully fit. If I think that way, it should be done before the Asia Cup and that is normal. We all know that I have to have a surgery," he said while speaking to reporters in Dhaka after their side's series win in the West Indies

“But I feel the earlier it is done, the better, most probably before the Asia Cup,”

"He had been given anti-inflammatory injection as the pain recurred but once he returns back home we can take a better look at him and decide his next course of action".

#2 Dinesh Chandimal returns to T20 squad after serving ban

Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal will return to the international squad after serving a six-match ban along with coach Chandika Hathurusingha and manager Asanka Gurusinha for refusing to take to the field for two hours during the second Test against the West Indies in June.

Sri Lanka, who are currently 1-3 down against South Africa in the five-match ODI series, will play the fifth ODI in a couple of days. However, Chandimal will not be playing the final ODI.

He will, however, play the one-off T20I which is scheduled to take place after the ODI series.

#1 Starc returns, but Hazlewood and Cummins ruled out of Pakistan series

With Australia set to face Pakistan in UAE in October, they received some good news and bad news.

The good news is that Mitchell Starc will be fit and ready to play. The bad news, however, is that both Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will require a longer time to recover from their respective injuries.

According to Australia physio David Beakley, both Cummins and Hazlewood should be fit in time for the Test series against India.

"Pat and Josh are progressing well from their lumbar bone stress injuries but are not bowling, so unfortunately they will not be at the level required for Test match intensity come October.

"Barring any setbacks, we are hopeful that Pat and Josh will return via the back-end of the JLT One-Day Cup, with the aim of them being available for the ODI Series against South Africa in November as they build towards the Indian Test Series.

"On a positive note, Mitchell Starc is back to unrestricted training and remains on track for the Test Series against Pakistan."