Stokes gets new lease of life, AB de Villiers in new avatar and more - Cricket News Today, 14th August 2018

Like every other day, the influx of cricket news has been constant today as well. While most of the attention has been on Ben Stokes's trial for charges of affray, we touch upon some other important issues as well.

BCCI announced a new head coach for India Women's Team whereas Australia's suspended stars David Warner and Steve Smith are expected to make a return to Australian club cricket next month. AB de Villiers has been announced as the ambassador of a T20 league and India's premier fast bowler has been deemed fit to play in the third Test against England.

Without further ado, we'll go through five of the most important cricket news of the day.

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AB de Villiers to play the role of ambassador for UAE T20x tournament

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers is set to don the role of ambassador for the UAE T20x tournament. The batsman retired from international cricket earlier this year, however, he will continue to take part in the Indian Premier League and South Africa's T20 league.

Though he will not feature as a player in the UAE T20 league, ABD said, "I'll be sharing my experience around some of the guys who want to become some of the best players in the world.

“The main thing that attracted me the most to this tournament is what it will do for young, emerging players. It will give them a great opportunity to play alongside some of the world’s best players.

“Not long ago, I was a youngster when I started playing cricket. I made my IPL (Indian Premier League) debut 10 or 11 years ago. One of my fondest memories of the tournament was spending time with guys like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne – some legends of the game – who I did not have a reach-out to, you know.”

Say hello to Mr. 360!Cricket legend and #UAET20x global ambassador @ABdeVilliers17 has a message to cricket fans in the UAE and across the world.Follow us to find out more about the UAE's first international T20 league. pic.twitter.com/8U2CGQouN6

— UAE T20X (@UAET20X) August 14, 2018

Ramesh Powar appointed women's team head coach

ICC Headshots - India

Former Indian spinner Ramesh Powar has been named the head coach of Indian Women's Cricket Team. Powar has been appointed till the Women's World T20 which is scheduled to be held in November later this year.

"The BCCI has appointed Mr. Ramesh Powar as Head Coach of the Indian Women's Team. Mr. Powar has now been handed over full time duties till 30th November 2018," the Board's secretary Amitabh Choudhary said in a statement.

He was appointed the interim coach of the side after full-time coach Tushar Arothe resigned from his position last month.

Powar's term will include a tour to Sri Lanka, a bilateral series in the West Indies in October followed by the ICC Women's World T20 in West Indies in November.

Smith & Warner set to resume playing cricket on Australian soil

Australia v England - Fifth Test: Day 5

Suspended Australian cricketers Steve Smith and David Warner are set to resume playing cricket on Australian soil. They are almost set to line up for their respective club sides in Sydney Grade Cricket on September 22.

Former skipper Smith will line up for Sutherland for whom he last featured in 2009, while Warner will play for Randwick-Petersham. The former's team will be facing Mosman in a one-day match and then Manly-Warringah in a two-day match at the Glenn McGrath Oval whereas the latter's club will begin their Premier Cricket Season with a match against St George and then UNSW at Coogee Oval.

Ben Stokes cleared of charges of affray

Cricketer Ben Stokes Appears In Court Charged With Affray

English all-rounder Ben Stokes has been found not guilty of the charges of affray which were slammed on him after a trial at Bristol Crown Court. A 12-person jury found Stokes and co-defendant Ryan Ali not guilty by unanimous verdict on Tuesday.

Though Stokes was not named in the English squad for the third Test, the English Cricket Board said they "will make an assessment of Ben Stokes's availability after the trial in Bristol has concluded".

Therefore, there are still chances that he might make the side as he has been cleared of the charges.

Jasprit Bumrah declared fit for third Test against England

1st Sunfoil Test: South Africa v India, Day Four

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been declared fit to play in the third Test between India and England which starts in Nottingham on Saturday (18th August). Bumrah was named in the Indian squad for the first three Tests but wasn't fit enough to make the playing XI in either of the Tests.

Bumrah's return will be a big boost for the Indian team who have been battered by the hosts and trail 2-0 in the five-match series.

The pacer had injured his left hand in the first match of the tour, India's first T20I against Ireland back in June, and did not feature in any of the matches on the tour post that. Bumrah then underwent a surgery in Leeds on July 4 and went back to India for rehabilitation before being called back for the Test series.