Siraj rips through Australia A, Vijay begins journey towards comeback and more - Cricket News Today, 2nd September 2018

Inching closer to breaking into the Test squad, Mohammed Siraj has come up with a remarkable spell for India 'A' in the opening day of their four-day match against Australia 'A' in Bengaluru. The right-arm seamer wrecked the visitors' fortunes by picking eight wickets.

Meanwhile, discarded Indian opener Murali Vijay has returned to action for the first time since his abysmal showing in the England series. Eager to stage a comeback to the Test team, the 34-year old began his long road to redemption with a breezy cameo for local club Jolly Rovers in Chennai.

Here are all of today's important news from the cricket world.

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#1 Afghanistan announce squad for Asia Cup

Rashid Khan will spearhead Afghanistan's menacing spin attack in the Asia Cup

Afghanistan have announced their squad for the upcoming edition of the Asia Cup. Asghar Afghan (formerly Stanikzai) leads a 17-member contingent featuring three uncapped ODI players. Pacer Dawlat Zadran does not find a place even as Sharafuddin Ashraf and Munir Ahmad have been added to the squad which beat Ireland 2-1.

Aside from the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Afghanistan can also unleash a left-arm option in Sharafuddin. All-rounder Mohammad Nabi offers a fourth dimension to the spin attack.

Afghanistan Squad: Asghar Afghan (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wicket-keeper), Ihsanullah Janat, Javed Ahmadi, Rahmat Shah, Hashmat Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Najibullah Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Aftab Alam, Samiullah Shinwari, Munir Ahmad Kakar (wicket-keeper), Sayed Ahmad Shirzad, Sharafudin Ashraf and Wafadar

#2 Bumrah has impressed me right from IPL days, affirms Johnson

Bumrah has proven naysayers wrong by successfully transitioning from T20s to Test cricket

Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson has attributed Jasprit Bumrah's rapid rise to his ability to keep things simple. Despite making his debut only earlier this year, he has evolved by leaps and bounds to become an integral part of India's bowling attack in Tests.

Johnson, who played alongside Bumrah for Mumbai Indians in the IPL, insists that the unconventional fast bowler has impressed him since the very beginning.

"Bumrah's pace, coupled with his accuracy, is impressive. He has impressed me from day one. I remember facing him in the (Mumbai Indians) nets and he hit me on the helmet with a short ball and I thought he was quick. He keeps things simple and doesn't try to over-complicate things", Johnson told TOI.

#3 Dean Jones warns against underestimating Kohli-less India

Dean Jones will be a part of Star Sports' commentary panel for the Asia Cup

Former Australian batsman Dean Jones has cautioned the Asia Cup participants against underestimating the Indian lineup without regular skipper and key man Virat Kohli. Whilst terming the run-machine as irreplaceable, the erstwhile right-hander sees the 29-year old's absence as an opportunity for the other middle-order batsmen to take center-stage.

India have rested captain Kohli for the upcoming ODI tournament which will take place in the UAE. Rohit Sharma will lead an otherwise strong contingent hoping to defend their continental title from 2016.

Jones asserted, "India are not a one-man team. No one's going to replace Kohli. But I'll tell you what, it is an unbelievable opportunity for (Manish) Pandey, Ambati Rayudu and these boys, and don't forget MS Dhoni."

#4 Murali Vijay embarks on long road to comeback

Vijay was axed from the Test squad following a poor start to the England series

Indian opener Murali Vijay has returned to action after being axed from the Test squad. Representing local club Jolly Rovers in a one-day game against MRC 'A' at the IIT-Chemplast ground in Chennai, the elegant right-hander scored a fluent 37 from 32 balls.

Vijay registered five boundaries and a six before getting out to a short delivery. At the end of the match, he opened up on his chances of coming back into the Indian lineup and exuded full support to his teammates battling against England at Southampton.

The 34-year old said, "I will make a comeback. It's a matter of time. This is not the first time I have faced such a thing. But first and foremost, I want India to win the series. That's what I want right now."

#5 Irrepressible Mohammed Siraj reduces Australia A to rubble

Mohammed Siraj picked eight wickets to demolish Australia A for 243

Promising seamer Mohammed Siraj headlined a strong start for India 'A' in their opening four-day match against the visiting Australia 'A' side at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Siraj scythed through the Australian lineup by picking career-best figures of 8/59. After winning the toss and opting to bat first, the visitors began on a positive note as opener Usman Khawaja pounced on the wayward lines of India 'A's new-ball bowlers.

However, Siraj turned the innings on its head by dismissing four of the top five in the space of just 15 balls. He returned later to wreck the lower-order in another high-impact spell. Khawaja's splendid 127 carried Australia 'A's total to 243. India 'A's opening duo of Mayank Agarwal and R Samarth added 41 to end the day without getting separated.