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Former Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan has reversed his retirement from Tests and T20Is, and has said that he wishes to play all three formats. Shakib has not played international cricket in over a year and had announced his retirement from Tests and T20Is last year.”I am officially not retired from all formats,” Shakib said on the podcast, which features Moeen Ali, on Sunday. “This is the first time I’ll be revealing that. My plan is to go back to Bangladesh, play one full series of ODI, Test, and T20, and retire.”I mean, [I can] retire from all formats in a series. So it can start from T20I, ODI and Test, or Test, ODI, T20I. Either way, I’m fine, but I want to play a whole series and retire. That’s what I want.”Related

• BCB says door still open for Shakib to play for Bangladesh

• Bangladesh sports advisor won't 'allow Shakib to wear Bangladesh jersey' again

• Shakib on his illegal action: 'I was doing it a little bit intentionally'

Shakib hasn’t returned to Bangladesh since May 2024, once the Awami League government was dethroned on August 5. Shakib was an MP for that party. He was named in an FIR in an alleged murder case, although he was not in the country at the time. He then went on to play Tests in Pakistan and India. The second Test against India in Kanpur was his last international game.When asked whether he will return to Bangladesh, Shakib said, “I am hopeful. That’s why I’m playing [T20 leagues]. I think it will happen.”Shakib further said that he will not be burdened by results and he wants to “give something back to the fans” for years of support in a home series.”I think when a player says something, they try to stick to their words,” he said. “They normally don’t change it all of a sudden. It doesn’t matter if I play well or not. I might play a bad series after that, if I want to play. But I don’t need to do that.”I think this is enough. It’s just a nicer way to say bye to the fans that they supported me always, give something back to them, playing a home series.”Shakib Al Hasan last played a Test in late 2024•AFP/Getty Images

Ahead of the Kanpur Test in September last year, Shakib announced he wasn’t going to play T20Is anymore, while expressing his desire to play his last Test in the home South Africa series that was scheduled for October.There were some protests and clashes around the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka ahead of the Test series, after which Shakib issued an apology for his silence during the students-led protest which led to hundreds of deaths in July and August.The BCB then dropped Shakib for the Tests against South Africa, mainly because Bangladesh’s interim government couldn’t guarantee his safe exit from the country.Earlier this year, a BCB official said that Shakib was welcome to return to the Bangladesh team. In September, Bangladesh’s sports adviser Asif Mahmud declared that Shakib would not be allowed to play for the country after Shakib wished former prime minister Sheikh Hasina on her birthday.Shakib, who was elected as an MP from his hometown Magura in January 2024, also suggested that he wasn’t done with his political career when he was asked what legacy he wants to leave. “[I have] done my cricketing part. Maybe political side is left,” he said. “It’s something I want to do for the people of Bangladesh and people of Magura. That was my intention, and it is still my intention. Let’s see where Allah takes me.”

Worcestershire were celebrating their first victory of the season in the LV= Insurance County Championship after overpowering Derbyshire by an innings and 23 runs at New Road. Derbyshire resumed on 112 for 6 and lost their last four wickets in just 8.2 overs as they were dismissed for 128.Dillon Pennington completed the first five-wicket haul of his career and finished with figures of 14-4-32-5. It enabled him to enjoy a career-best performance for the second day running after his 4 for 44 in Derbyshire innings.He ended with match figures of 33.4-8-76-9 as Worcestershire claimed 23 points to reignite their hopes of finishing in the top two. They dominated the game in all departments with solid batting contributions down the order in topping 400, disciplined bowling and excellent catching behind the wicket.It was the perfect response to heavy defeats away to Durham and Nottinghamshire.Derbyshire remain rock bottom after a third heavy setback in the last four matches, a 310 run setback and two innings defeats. They paid the penalty for dropped catches on the opening day, including Jack Haynes who went onto make 97.Their young and promising bowling attack bowled too many four balls while the batting, with the exception of Matt Critchley and Wayne Madsen, crumbled.Worcestershire captain Joe Leach picked up the prized wicket of Madsen who had resumed on 43. He had looked set to complete his 11th 50-plus score in 19 innings against Worcestershire. But Madsen added only two more before edging a fine delivery and was caught by keeper Ben Cox.Pennington opened the attack from the New Road End and in the next over he accounted for new batsman Ben Aitchison before he had scored. Pennington found the thinnest of edges but it was sufficient to provide Cox with another straightforward catch.The game quickly came to a conclusion with Sam Conners playing on to Pennington and Dustin Melton edging Alzarri Joseph to Daryl Mitchell at slip.

CA – Cricket Australia contract, R – Rookie contract

ACT

Women Angela Reakes, Katie Mack, Kayla Burton, Gabrielle Sutcliffe, Chloe Rafferty, Carly Leeson, Matilda Lugg, Olivia Porter, Rebecca Carter, Amy Yates, Zoe Cooke, Holly Ferling, Alisha Bates, Angelina Genford, Annie WikmanIn Holly Ferling (Queensland), Alisha Bates, Annie Wikman, Angelina Genford | Out Erin Osborne (retired), Madeline Penna (South Australia), Nicola Hancock, Erica Kershaw

New South Wales

Men Sean Abbott, Trent Copeland, Pat Cummins (CA), Oliver Davies, Liam Doddrell (R), Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Mickey Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Ryan Hackney, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Josh Hazlewood (CA), Lachlan Hearne, Moises Henriques, Baxter Holt, Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Nathan Lyon (CA), Blake Nikitaras (R), Jack Nisbet (R), Kurtis Patterson, Will Salzmann (R), Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha, Lachlan Shaw (R), Steven Smith (CA), Mitchell Starc (CA), Chris Tremain, Hunar Verma (R), David Warner (CA), Adam Zampa (CA)In Liam Doddrell, Ryan Hadley, Hayden Kerr, Blake Nikitaras, Lachlan Shaw, Will Salzmann | Out Josh Baraba, Harry Conway (SA), Peter Nevill (retired)Women Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner (CA), Rachael Haynes (CA), Alyssa Healy (CA), Saskia Horley, Emma Hughes, Sammy Jo-Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Lauren Smith, Tahlia WilsonIn Saskia Horley | Out Rachel Trenaman (Tasmania)

Queensland

Men Usman Khawaja (CA), Marnus Labuschagne (CA), Mitchell Swepson (CA),Joe Burns, Michael Neser, Sam Heazlett, Jack Wildermuth, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett, Bryce Street, James Bazley, Gurinder Sandhu, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jack Clayton, Kane Richardson, Max Bryant, Liam Guthrie, Sam Truloff, Connor Sully, Blake Edwards, Hugo Burdon (R), William Prestwidge (R), Jackson Sinfield (R), Matthew Willans (R)In Kane Richardson (SA), Liam Guthrie (WA), Hugo Burdon, Jackson Sinfield | Out Billy Stanlake (Tas), Jack Wood, Lachlan PfefferWomen Jess Jonassen (CA), Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Ellie Johnston, Ruth Johnston, Charli Knott, Caitlin Mair, Grace Parsons, Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll

South Australia

Men Wes Agar, Jordan Buckingham, Kyle Brazell (R), Aiden Cahill (R), Alex Carey (CA), Bailey Capel (R), Jake Carder, Harry Conway, Brendan Doggett, Daniel Drew, David Grant, Travis Head (CA), Isaac Higgins (R), Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Ryan King (R), Jake Lehmann, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Ben Manenti, Harry Mathias (R), Harry Nielsen, Lloyd Pope, Liam Scott, Henry Thornton, Jake Weatherald, Nick WinterIn Harry Conway (NSW), Spencer Johnson, Thomas Kelly, Ben Manenti, Henry Thornton | Out Ryan Gibson, Corey Kelly, Sam Kerber, Joe Mennie, Kane Richardson (Queensland), Daniel Worrall (Surrey).Women Jemma Barsby, Sam Betts, Darcie Brown (CA), Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Paris Hall, Brooke Harris, Tahlia McGrath (CA), Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Kate Peterson, Megan Schutt (CA), Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella WilsonIn Madeline Penna, Ella Wilson, Paris Hall | Out Tegan McPharlin (retired), Alex Price, Eliza Doddridge

Tasmania

Men Tom Andrews, Gabe Bell, Jackson Bird, Iain Carlisle, Jake Doran, Nathan Ellis, Brad Hope, Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Lawrence Neil-Smith, Sam Rainbird, Peter Siddle, Jordan Silk, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Charlie Wakim, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Mac Wright, Nick Davis (R), Jarrod Freeman (R), Mitch Owen (R), Nivethan Radhakrishnan (R)In Nick Davis, Billy Stanlake | Out Tim PaineWomen Nicola Carey (CA), Julia Cavanough, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Emma Manix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney, Clare Scott, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Emma Thompson, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Callie WilsonIn Rachel Trenaman (New South Wales), Clare Scott, Callie Wilson, Julia Cavanough | Out Corinne Hall (retired), Chloe Abel, Rachel Priest, Emily Smith, Belinda Vakarewa.

Victoria

Men Peter Handscomb, Scott Boland (CA), Travis Dean, Zak Evans, Aaron Finch (CA), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sam Harper, Marcus Harris, Mackenzie Harvey, Jon Holland, Nic Maddinson, Cameron McClure, Glenn Maxwell (CA), Jono Merlo, Todd Murphy, Tom O’Connell, Wil Parker, James Pattinson, Mitchell Perry, Will Pucovski, Matt Short, Will Sutherland, Ashley Chandrasinghe (R), Brody Couch (R), Sam Elliott (R), Campbell Kellaway (R), Fergus O’Neill (R)In Ashley Chandrasinghe, Campbell Kellaway | Out Xavier Crone, Seb Gotch (retired), James Seymour, Tom JacksonWomen Tiana Atkinson, Sam Bates, Makinley Blows, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Ella Hayward, Olivia Henry, Meg Lanning (CA), Rhys McKenna, Sophie Molineux, Rhiann O’Donnell, Ellyse Perry (CA), Sophie Reid, Annabel Sutherland (CA), Tayla Vlaeminck (CA), Georgia Wareham (CA)In Olivia Henry, Sophie Reid | Out Anna Lanning, Lara Shannon, Amy Vine

Western Australia

Men Ashton Agar (CA), Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Hilton Cartwright, Cooper Connolly (R), Sam Fanning, Cameron Gannon, Jayden Goodwin (R), Cameron Green (CA), Sam Greer (R), Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (CA), Bryce Jackson, Matthew Kelly, Hamish Mckenzie (R), Mitchell Marsh (CA), Shaun Marsh, David Moody, Lance Morris, Joel Paris, Josh Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Corey Rocchiccioli, D’Arcy Short, Charlie Stobo, Marcus Stoinis (CA), Ashton Turner, Sam Whiteman, Teague Wyllie.In Sam Fanning, Bryce Jackson, Sam Greer, Hamish Mckenzie, Teague Wyllie | Out Liam Guthrie (Queensland)Women Charis Bekker, Zoe Britcliffe, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sheldyn Cooper, Maddy Darke, Ashley Day, Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Alana King (CA), Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney (CA), Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Poppy Stockwell, Georgia WyllieIn Beth Mooney (Queensland), Lilly Mills (Queensland), Piepa Cleary

Bangladesh’s batting coach Ashwell Prince found the batters to be “too aggressive” when chasing New Zealand’s 129 target in the third T20I in Dhaka. He said that they could have chased down the total had they been a bit more circumspect, rather than going all guns blazing to get bowled out for 76 in 19.4 overs.”I think we could have been a little bit more composed in our run-chase,” Prince said. “We had a beautiful start. The openers [Mohammad] Naim and Liton [Das] hit about five boundaries, getting us to 20-odd in two overs. We were ahead of the run rate at that stage. But we lost too many wickets too quickly in the next three-four overs.”Possibly we were being too aggressive early on. I don’t think the pitch changed much. I think 129 was a competitive target, which we would have reached if we were a little bit calmer in the run-chase.”Related

• Pocknall: New Zealand 'are going to fight fire with fire'

• Batting in focus as Bangladesh eye another T20I series victory

Prince said that rotating the strike could have got them to a stronger position in the game. Bangladesh struck five fours by 2.3 overs, but then hit just one more four in the rest of the match. Their attempted aggressive shots got them either bowled or ended up in the hands of the New Zealand fielders.”Obviously it is not a fast-scoring pitch,” Prince said. “There won’t be a lot of boundaries. I think when you are chasing 130-140, [you need to] rotate the strike, get a single, get off strike, get a rhythm in the batting line-up [and] getting the team’s run rate up to six an over. It would have made sure the asking run rate didn’t get too far.”Opener Liton also admitted on Monday that he should have played more carefully. He struck three fours quickly, but then got out trying to hit another one off offspinner Cole McConchie in the third over.”Batting has been challenging in these conditions,” Liton said. “The last three matches have been low scoring. Both sets of batters are suffering. The general mindset in T20s is to make big scores, maintain a strike rate.”Since these are not happening, we are having to change our game accordingly. It is tough to make the change, to manage yourself in T20s in these type of wickets. Batsmen are usually in aggressive mode.”Prince said that Bangladesh have all that’s needed in a batting line-up, but they need to assess the conditions properly “There were good run-chases against Zimbabwe and Australia. Particularly, Afif [Hossain] and Sohan against Australia. You need to have a combination of batsmen in the team.”You have guys who can rotate the strike, can hit boundaries, and then you have a group of guys at the end of the innings, who can chase nine-ten runs an over when necessary and pitches are conducive. I think we have a good combination, but it is important to read the pitches on the day, and adapting your game according to the surface.”

Big picture

If you’d given South Africa a 2-0 Test series sweep and an opportunity to win the T20I rubber with a game to spare before they’d set off for West Indies, they would have taken it in a heartbeat. This team landed in the Caribbean low on confidence, positive results and trophies but they could leave having turned around all three.South Africa can wrap up the series on Thursday and take an unassailable lead into the final match on Saturday, a result that will give Temba Bavuma and Mark Boucher their first series successes in T20I cricket as captain and coach and some breathing room to play with team balance. So far, it seems South Africa have yet to get it exactly right, with a middle-order that appears a batter short and an attack that lacks sixth and seventh bowling options.The only way to change that is to include more allrounders, but South Africa are reistsing that and want to see this combination play together a little longer. If it works, who can argue? Especially if it gives them their first T20I series win in seven series. Yes, it’s been that long. Since September 2019, South Africa have drawn a series against India and lost to England (twice), Australia and Pakistan (twice). While they have had a tough 18 months in all formats, the shortest one is what they most urgently need to get right, ahead of the T20 World Cup.West Indies, the defending champions, also have one eye on the tournament and packed their squad with superstars. For the most part, they have not really come off. Chris Gayle and Andre Russell have not had any stand-out moments in the series so far, Kieron Pollard’s form is a concern and while Dwayne Bravo has been excellent with the ball, he is batting too low in the line-up to make an impact. The flip side of all that is that it has allowed the younger players to blossom.Obed McCoy and Kevin Sinclair and Fabian Allen have shown the depth in the West Indies ranks. If the big-names can fire alongside them, West Indies will be even more difficult to beat.Obed McCoy’s versatility means he can bowl at any stage of a T20I•AFP/Getty Images

Form guide

(last five completed matches, most recent first)
West Indies LLWWL
South Africa WWLLL

In the spotlight

Left-arm seamer Obed McCoy is the leading wicket-taker (seven) in the series so far and is displaying the kind of skill that South Africa’s attack has lacked. Not only does McCoy have the advantage of a different angle (South Africa have Beuran Hendricks in reserve if they want to try that) but he has also mastered variations of pace. His back-of-the-hand slower ball has had the better of the opposition batters and he poses a threat throughout the innings, making him a versatile option for captain Pollard. McCoy is certain to feature in West Indies’ major tournament plans and would want to do his bit in helping them in pressure situations like the next two matches.It’s worth remembering that Imran Tahir has not retired from T20I cricket and South Africa could still call on him for the T20 World Cup if they want to, but Tabraiz Shamsi has given them enough reasons not to. Shamsi has established himself as the first-choice white-ball spinner with the dual ability to strike and hold an end. Shamsi put in his most economical performance in Tuesday’s match, which set South Africa on course for victory, and his overall numbers make him the most miserly bowler in the series. In 12 overs so far, Shamsi has conceded at a rate of 4.66 to the over and is the only bowler from both sides to give away less than six runs an over.It’ll all be on the line on Thursday as far as this series is concerned•AFP/Getty Images

Team news

Jason Holder, who was used at No. 3 in the previous game, has been rested as part of his workload management which could create room for the return of Chris Gayle and the retention of Shimron Hetmyer. Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein replaces Sinclair in the squad as the selectors assess various options.Lendl Simmons and Evin Lewis formed a relatively good pairing at the top of the order but the experiment of promoting Jason Holder to No.3 and using Shimron Hetmeyer at No.4 in the last game did not work. Gayle may find his way back in the team for this must-win game and more will be expected of Pollard and Nicholas Pooran.West Indies (probable): 1 Lendl Simmons, 2 Evin Lewis, 3 Chris Gayle, 4 Shimron Hetmeyer, 5 Kieron Pollard (capt), 6 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 7 Andre Russell, 8 Dwayne Bravo, 9 Fabian Allen, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Obed McCoySouth African benefitted from having an extra bowling option in their XI even though Aiden Markram’s primary focus should be adding impetus to the middle-order. Apart from finding a spot for Kyle Verreynne, there’s not much else South Africa can do to try and get more batters in but they may still want to consider a seam-bowling allrounder in place of one of the specialist quicks.South Africa (probable): 1 Quinton de Kock (wk), 2 Reeza Hendricks, 3 Temba Bavuma (capt), 4 Rassie van der Dussen, 5 Aiden Markram, 6 David Miller, 7 George Linde, 8 Kagiso Rabada, 9 Anrich Nortje, 10 Lungi Ngidi, 11 Tabraiz Shamsi

Pitch and conditions

After blue skies and sunshine on Tuesday, the wet weather is back with rain predicted throughout Wednesday and Thursday. That may mean a more sluggish outfield, as we saw in the first two matches, and a little less in it for the spinners. The first-innings scores in all three matches so far have been under 170, though both teams seem to think 180 would be par so if the line-ups can get their middle-orders firing, we may see more runs.

Stats and trivia

• The last time South Africa won a T20I series was against Sri Lanka in March 2019.
• West Indies have won two of the last three T20I series, both against Sri Lanka.

Quotes

We went death from the 10th over to the 20th over, so that was really good. And there are positives with our batting. We started well in the Powerplay. We lost that game for ourselves. It’s not like we are being beaten badly. We need to stay confident and positive.
We play way too much cricket for me to keep up with everything. Probably at a point in my life when I am closer towards the end of my career, maybe then (I will count milestones).
The article was updated with West Indies team news

Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey doesn’t subscribe to the theory that a small group of players and staff were key to Justin Langer’s departure as head coach while Usman Khawaja believes Test captain Pat Cummins or limited-overs captain Aaron Finch needs to answer some questions to end the speculation.The current Australian players and staff have been conspicuous in their collective silence in the days following Langer’s resignation on Saturday morning.Related

• Cummins: 'Don't think Langer should be surprised' with players asking for coaching change

• Agar named as third spinner in Australia squad to tour Pak

• Langer apologises for being 'too intense' in resignation letter

• Langer resigns as Australia coach after rejecting short-term extension

Alex Carey and Khawaja were the first players to do any media appearances, with both men speaking in the lead-up to the restart of the Sheffield Shield season on Friday, while Bailey spoke following the announcement of Australia’s 18-man Test squad to tour Pakistan.Bailey said he was consulted by Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley and head of national teams Ben Oliver about Langer’s position but he did not believe the accusations that a “faceless few” individuals had been key to the coach not getting a long-term contract were accurate.”I was consulted,” Bailey said. “I’m led to believe that it was a very, very broad consultation. It went wide. Again, I’ve been consulted back since the middle of last year,” Bailey said.”I don’t subscribe to the fact that there was individuals that were key to making the decision.”Bailey also thought Langer’s apology in his letter of resignation was unnecessary.”In JL’s letter that he apologised for being too intense, I mean, I don’t think that’s something he had to apologise for,” Bailey said. “One if he felt that way, but two, I don’t think he was too intense.”A number of ex-Australia players, many of them Langer’s former teammates, have rebuked the current playing group in the media following the coach’s resignation. Bailey encouraged many of them to reach out if they had any concerns about the inner workings of the Australian team.”It’s hard as a past player to keep your finger completely on the pulse of what’s going on within the team,” Bailey said. “A lot of their opinions can be based on hearsay and second and third-hand information. So I would always encourage those players to reach out and get a good understanding of what’s happening.”Khawaja said he wasn’t consulted on the coach’s contract and noted he had not been around the team during the India Test series last summer and the West Indies and Bangladesh limited-overs tours last winter where issues between Langer and the players had bubbled to the surface. But he urged Cummins and Finch to address the issue.”I think at some stage one of the captains, probably Finchy or Patty will probably have to stand up and answer some questions just to get rid of all the speculation that’s going around and to just put an end to it all,” Khawaja said.Both Khawaja and Bailey said they had contacted Langer since his resignation. Both praised the departed coach for bringing humility back to Australia’s men’s cricket team.”One thing that I do love JL for, what I feel he bought back into Australia was humility,” Khawaja said. “I felt like he brought humility back in the Australian cricket team. You talk about legacy, for me, that’s one thing that he’s left behind. Because I know what we were playing like before he was coach, and I know what we were playing like after he became coach. So I haven’t said that to him yet. So I’m saying it to you guys.”Bailey added a similar sentiment recalling Langer’s first day on the job.”Funnily enough through a bit of a quirk of fate, and I can’t remember why it was, but I was actually present in Brisbane the day that JL first spoke to the Australian group when he took on the role,” Bailey said.”I sort of feel like I was there for day one of the journey despite coming on in this role halfway through. But I vividly remember his two points that day. He wanted the team to earn respect with Australians and he wanted to develop great cricketers and great people. And I think he has absolutely done that. I think the team have done that. JL has done that. The staff around the team have done that.”

Former Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak has been banned for eight years after being charged with – and admitting to – five breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code, including accepting a payment in bitcoins from a potential corruptor.Streak, Zimbabwe’s greatest fast bowler, had been under investigation for an extensive list of games through 2017 and 2018, during his post-playing career as a coach, from his time in international cricket – with Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2018 – as well as stints in T20 leagues including the IPL, the BPL and the Afghanistan Premier League (APL).The charges paint a picture of Streak as a facilitator of approaches by a corruptor to people within teams he was a part of. But they also include one charge of disclosing inside information pertaining to matches during a 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a Zimbabwe-Afghanistan series in 2018, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.Streak was also charged with facilitating or attempting to introduce four players – including a national captain – to a potential corruptor. The three other charges revolve around his failure to disclose receiving gifts or payment in lieu of this facilitation, the failure to disclose potentially corrupt approaches in the 2017 BPL, and, in 2018, the PSL, IPL and the APL. Those gifts include accepting two bitcoins – converted eventually into US$ 35,000 – from the potential corruptor identified in the ICC’s investigation as Mr X. At the APL, Streak was also gifted a new iPhone for this wife, both of which he failed to disclose to ICC anti-corruption investigators.Although he is believed to initially have contested the allegations, Streak eventually admitted to the charges and agreed to the sanctions. He is now banned from all cricket activities and would be free to resume his involvement again on March 28, 2029.”Heath Streak is an experienced former international cricketer and national team coach, who had participated in numerous anti-corruption education sessions and was fully aware of his responsibilities under the Code,” the ICC’s anti-corruption head Alex Marshall said in a statement. “As a former captain and coach, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game. He breached the Code on several occasions, including facilitating the approach of four other players. At times, he also sought to obstruct and delay our investigation.”The offences did not affect the outcomes of any relevant matches and Mr Streak has agreed to assist the ICC anti-corruption education programme for which we are grateful. He has also expressed his remorse and contrition and entered this agreed sanction decision to avoid the need for a full disciplinary process. The sanction reflects this cooperation.”Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, members of the Zimbabwe cricket-playing community expressed their shock and sadness at the update, with reactions ranging from “I’m blown away” and “I am genuinely shocked”, to “It’s a kick in the teeth for Zimbabwe cricket and the current crop of players – not only that, but now to regain trust is lengthy process.”David Coltart, the former Zimbabwe sports minister, also expressed his anguish on Twitter, saying “there can be no excuses for this type of behaviour”. ‘Darkest day in Zimbabwe cricket’Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), meanwhile, welcomed and endorsed the ICC decision, calling it a “very sad and shameful episode that might well go down in history as the darkest day in Zimbabwean cricket”.”Streak was a powerful figure adored by many and held up as an idol for future generations of cricketers. In doing this, he held a position of trust and owed a duty to uphold the integrity of the game,” a statement, signed by ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani, said. “But, as we and the rest of the world now know, Streak was also a corrupt, greedy and selfish character who regrettably abused his status and position in pursuit of dirty benefits.”He has let cricket down. He has let down the teams and players he coached. He has let the nation down. He has let down the fans – including impressionable children – who loved and idolised him.”While we have been left to pick up the pieces from the damage, it is our hope that the punishment meted out on Streak will help to reinforce the measures that the ICC and ZC have been taking to root out any wrongdoing in cricket. The integrity of ZC and the sport itself is of paramount importance and, therefore, the need to maintain high levels of honesty and professionalism at leadership and all levels of the game cannot be overemphasised.”Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s sports and recreation commission has requested the country’s national prosecuting authority to “ascertain whether any of the criminal laws in Zimbabwe, particularly those relating to corruption, have been breached by Heath Streak in order that appropriate action is also taken locally”. Saying that the body has zero-tolerance for corruption in sport, the commission has “fully supported and endorsed” the action on the part of the ICC.The sanctions will come as a shock to many given his status as one of the greatest players Zimbabwe has produced. He was a major figure in the national sides of the mid-to-late 90s, a period in which they enjoyed their greatest successes. He remains the only Zimbabwean bowler with more than 100 Test wickets (he has 216) and the only Zimbabwean with over 200 ODI wickets (237). Streak captained Zimbabwe as well in the 2000s, during a difficult period when a number of players withdrew from the national side and as relations between the board and team hit rock bottom.He has since remained in cricket as a coach, with stints as bowling coach of Bangladesh and multiple stints with Zimbabwe. He was also bowling coach for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.One of Zimbabwe’s greatest cricketers, Heath Streak ended with 216 wickets in Tests and 239 in ODIs•EMPICS via Getty Images

The charges

• 2.3.2 – disclosing inside information under both the ICC code and various domestic codes, in circumstances where he knew or should have known that such information may be used for betting purposes. In particular, he disclosed inside information in relation to matches in the 2018 tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan series in 2018, the IPL 2018 and the APL 2018.
• 2.3.3 – directly or indirectly soliciting, inducing, enticing, persuading, encouraging or intentionally facilitating any participant to breach the code. In particular, he facilitated or attempted to facilitate the introduction of four different players, including a national captain, to someone he knew, or should have known, may have wanted to approach them to provide inside information for betting purposes.
• 2.4.2 – failing to disclose the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that the participant knew or should have known was given to them to procure a breach of the code or that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.
• 2.4.4 – failing to disclose to the ACU full details of any approaches or invitations received to engage in corrupt conduct under the code including in relation to international matches, matches in the 2017 BPL, the 2018 PSL, the 2018 IPL and the 2018 APL.
• 2.4.7 – obstructing or delaying an investigation, including concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of corrupt conduct under the ICC Anti-Corruption code.

Jofra Archer, England’s strike bowler, has been ruled out of the second Test in Chennai after receiving an injection in his right elbow.Archer was instrumental in England’s 227-run victory in last week’s first Test, claiming three wickets in the match including both of India’s openers in a fiery new-ball spell in the first innings.But he was unable to train on Thursday after reporting pain in his right elbow and has subsequently undergone a painkilling injection.The England camp do not believe the issue is serious and hope Archer will have recovered to play in the third Test, in Ahmedabad, which starts on February 24.Archer suffered a stress fracture in the same elbow around a year ago, though a statement from the England camp insisted “the issue is not related to any previous injury”.The statement continued: “It is hoped the treatment will allow the condition to settle down quickly, allowing the player to return to action in time for the third Test in Ahmedabad.”However, the injury is a major loss to England as they seek to build on the efforts in the first Test. As a bowler capable of generating 90mph pace, Archer had the means to transcend the conditions while the surface was still true in the first half of the game.England were already set to make at least one change with Ben Foakes replacing Jos Buttler, who has returned to the UK for a rest. With Mark Wood also at home – though expected back in India with Jonny Bairstow on Friday – the closest like-for-like replacement England have for Archer is Olly Stone.Stone made a decent impression in his only Test to date, against Ireland at Lord’s in 2019. But he has managed only one first-class game since due to injury and England might be reluctant to bring him in for such a high-profile game on a surface which is expected to be slow and offer turn from an early stage.England have already indicated that Stuart Broad will be recalled in Archer’s place, having originally been earmarked to rotate into James Anderson’s senior-bowler role, but there is now an increased chance that both could play. Chris Woakes, who might also strengthen the batting, is another option.England also have a choice to make about their spin bowling. While Dom Bess claimed four first-innings wickets, he bowled 19 full tosses across the match and looked oddly out of sorts by the end of it. Moeen Ali, who has endured a miserable trip so far, could replace him. Moeen spent the first two weeks of the Sri Lanka tour in isolation after being diagnosed with Covid-19.Related

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Writing in his column in the Daily Mail, Archer reflected on his pride at playing a role in a famous win in the first Test, but revealed that his celebrations had already been muted by a stomach complaint, before the extent of his elbow problem was revealed.”I’m not a big beer drinker and I would normally have a spirit to celebrate,” Archer wrote. “But I didn’t partake because I wasn’t feeling well. I had a serious tummy ache, which might have been food poisoning, so I just slept. Stuart Broad didn’t feel too good, either.”Nevertheless, because of the quality of the opposition, our win felt like a serious achievement.”Winning by 227 runs against that India team in their own conditions makes it that bit more special. It needs to be put into perspective, of course. It’s only the first game and it would be dangerous to get giddy. We mustn’t do that.”Archer also acknowledged that his experience of playing in the IPL had helped him to come to terms with the conditions in the first Test, but added that the extent of the pitch deterioration in the course of the game had taken him aback.”On the fifth day it was probably the worst surface I’ve seen — its orange colour, bits missing, rough patches for the bowlers to aim at,” Archer wrote.”When we walked out in search of nine wickets on the fifth day, I was very hopeful we would complete the job — although these India players have big reputations and are at home, so should be able to cope with conditions better than anyone.”So, I didn’t expect us to skittle them. Equally, I didn’t expect it to finish not long after afternoon drinks.”I’ve played in tournaments around the world, and had success, but winning a Test is one of those indescribable feelings, especially against a really good team. Nothing compares.”

South Africa never ever give up a Test match. They were, not so long ago, the greatest travelling team in the whole world. They remain experts of the blockathon. And when you have the courage – the audacity – to dead bat entire days of cricket, a target of 212 in a home game is nothing to worry about.India fought hard. They began the fourth day with four dots. Two of them were plays and misses. One was an almost fatal piece of misjudgment where the batter allowed an uninterrupted path for the ball to strike his person.Jasprit Bumrah went for his yorkers early. Mohammed Shami got it to seam away at will. Shardul Thakur got the only wicket to fall on the day. This is an attack not to be trifled with. And South Africa knew it. They respected the fact that the 111 runs they still needed for victory would require them to put their body, mind and spirit on the line. And that’s what they did.Related

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Keegan Petersen, oh boy. South Africa finally have their own KP.There is a kind of easy grace to him. It’s hard to explain but picture Rohit Sharma and the shots he plays. Gloriously minimalist.There was one in the 33rd over. It was only a single but if anyone managed to take a picture of the positions Petersen got into to play his on-drive, the makers of the cricket manual might be interested in it.Shami was swinging into him, trying to cramp him. He saw it early. So he had the time to plant his front foot forward – but not too far – and angle it away so that it wouldn’t impede the flow of a straight bat coming down on the ball.There was no anger in the shot. He seems to reserve that for his off side play. Especially when he decides to go on the back foot. The cuts through point and punches through cover really do leave a mark.Members of the two sides shake hands at the end of a hard-fought series•AFP/Getty Images

Assisting Petersen were Rassie van der Dussen, with his low backlift expressly designed to protect his stumps, and Temba Bavuma, the first Black African batter to score a Test match century for South Africa. That was back in January 2016. He’s come close a few times – a seventy here, an eighty there – but it’s been six years and he hasn’t added to that count. He’s still only got one century in 47 Test matches.South Africa have kept the faith in him though. They’re a side in transition. They need senior players to guide them through it. And on Friday, Bavuma was the steadying hand that repelled one of the fiercest sides in international cricket. He struck two outstanding boundaries in one Bumrah over to end a spell where South Africa made just six runs in 48 deliveries.India were feeling it back then. “Just the keeper and the bowlers left, boys” Virat Kohli said. All of them were averaging around 15 in Test cricket. All of them could put their feet up and relax thanks to Bavuma.That first Test defeat in Centurion now looks like an anomaly. South Africa went into it after six months in the red-ball wilderness. The rust they were still shaking off was deeply obvious on opening day. Since then, they have rallied and rallied hard. It was Lungi Ngidi who made a lot of this possible. He was the one who picked up Kohli’s wicket here and triggered a fatal India collapse of 6 for 46 in the second innings. Then he came into the press conference and said this wasn’t a team of superstars. He won’t be able to keep saying that if they keep playing like this.

Cricket Australia has been urged to commit to governance reform by its most powerful shareholder amid a backdrop of disgruntled and divergent state associations, half of which toppled Earl Eddings.Eddings resigned as CA chair on Wednesday, having lost the support of NSW, Queensland and Western Australia. The power shake-up, on the eve of the governing body’s annual general meeting and a tick under two months out from the men’s Ashes, means the sport is in a state of flux yet again.CA’s interim chairman Richard Freudenstein fronted Thursday’s virtual AGM, insisting his organisation had listened to its states’ concerns and will engage “more consistently and more deeply”.”I will commit that there will be more chair and ACC [Australian Cricket Council] meetings in the near future,” Freudenstein told Cricket NSW equivalent John Knox.Knox, who led the charge to oust Eddings and predecessor David Peever, called for improved consultation and communication, tweaks to CA’s nomination process for new directors and better succession planning.The former Credit Suisse Australia chief executive also requested a review of the role of chair and its responsibilities, noting Eddings’ income created an environment where “the chair needs to act like an executive to justify the compensation”.”It is highly unusual in any business or sporting environment that the chair of any organisation would be paid such a significant multiple of what other directors are,” Knox said.Freudenstein pushed back regarding that issue while speaking with reporters, claiming “there are very good reasons why the chair’s pay is what it is”.”The role of chair is different to the role in many other sports bodies and that’s because of the international aspect that comes with it,” he said. “There are significant responsibilities with the ICC, as well as all the bilateral relationships. As well as managing a complicated federated system in Australia, and you’ve seen the level of complication that can cause.”CA reported a $151,000 loss for 2020-21; a significantly better outcome than what was forecast during last year’s cost-cutting mission that so deeply frustrated NSW and Queensland.The AGM was not nearly as tense as it might have been if Eddings was present, with Freudenstein, CA chief executive Nick Hockley and even Knox thanking the deposed Victorian for his service.But as CA starts searching for its third chair in a tick over three years, the state of its strained relationship with shareholders was clear.”It is crucial the shareholders and board of Cricket Australia work closely together over the next few months to learn from the past and put in place the necessary changes,” Knox said.Cricket Victoria chair David Maddocks lamented the rolling of Eddings, saying many people had expressed “sadness and disappointment” about it and the nature in which it occurred.