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Concocted news that Djokovic has applied for vaccine exemption to play in Australian Open: McNamee
The Australian Open commences at the Melbourne Park on January 17 and Djokovic, the defending champion here, has still not clarified to the tournament organisers about his Covid-19 vaccination status. What has fuelled speculation about the winner of nine Australian Open titles not competing this time around is the fact that his father, Srdjan, feels the tournament organisers' decision to not allow unvaccinated players -- or players who don't share their Covid-19 vaccination status -- amounts to "blackmail".
The Ashes: England keen to ruin Australia's perfect pink-ball record
Australia have a perfect record in day-night Tests, winning all eight they have played so far, while the tourists, by contrast, have won one and lost three of the four day-nighters they have played so far. To add to the uphill task for Root is the fact that England have not won a Test in Australia since 2010/11, losing 10 of their past 11 games in the format Down Under.
Virat Kohli contradicts BCCI, says never asked for rest in ODI series against South Africa
Virat Kohli said that he is available for the ODIs and that he has been very honest with his responsibilities in the press conference which came ahead of the three-Test series against South Africa scheduled to start on December 26. Rohit Sharma will miss the Test series against South Africa due to a hamstring injury.
Pakistan beat West Indies by 9 runs in second T20I, lead series 2-0
Pakistan posted a competitive 172 for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs thanks to vital contributions by opener Mohammad Rizwan (38 off 30 balls), 31 off 34 deliveries by Haider Ali, and quickfire 32 off 19 balls by Iftikhar Ahmed, and an unbeaten 28 off 12 deliveries by Shadab Khan. The bowlers then got into the act, putting West Indies under pressure as they chased the target. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-26, Mohammad Nawaz 2-36, Mohammad Wasim 2-30, and Haris Rauf 2-40 helped the hosts restrict West Indies for 163 all out off the last ball of the match as Pakistan won by nine runs.
ICC announces schedule for 2022 Women's World Cup, NZ face WI in opener
"A total of 31 games will be played across 31 days, with the eight teams clashing to get their hands on the coveted World Cup trophy. Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington will be the six cities that will host the tournament," the ICC said in a release. The first set of games will also see two massive rivalries take the centre stage, with Australia taking on England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on March 5 and India facing Pakistan in Tauranga the following day.
Honoured to be donning the team India jersey: Priyank Panchal
On Monday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) named 31-year-old Priyank as a replacement for an injured Rohit for the upcoming three-match Test series in South Africa. Panchal represents Gujarat in the domestic circuit and has been a regular for the India A side. He was even named the captain of India A for their two-match series against South Africa A. Taking to Twitter, Panchal thanked everyone for all the "good wishes".
South Africa cricket board revises bio-bubble norms for India tour
"Immediate contacts of anyone testing positive for Covid-19 in the bubble during the South Africa-India series will not need to isolate and leave the bubble, rather will be allowed to quarantine in the hotel room as long as they are clinically stable," the cricket board added. "Contacts will continue playing and training with non-medical interventions strictly observed, and tested daily," he added.
Virat Kohli to miss South Africa ODI series
While injured Rohit Sharma will miss the Tests in South Africa, the ODIs after that will see Kohli being unavailable for the Indian team. It is learnt that Kohli has already informed the BCCI about his decision. India and South Africa will play three ODIs after the Test series. As per a TOI report, "Kohli is going to miss the ODIs as he is taking time off to celebrate his daughter Vamika's first birthday.
Man United's game against Brentford postponed due to Covid-19 outbreak in team
Manchester United, who are currently fifth on the points table with 27 points, had on Monday decided to shut down their first team operations at the Carrington Training Complex for 24 hours, to minimise the risk of any further infection following Covid-positive tests among the first team staff and players. Earlier on Sunday (December 12), it was reported that there were a small number of positives cases within the squad that travelled to Norwich City.
La Liga giants have a lot at stake in Copa del Rey
Although the first round matches, which saw La Liga teams play rivals from the fifth and sixth tiers, didn't produce any upsets (although Rayo Vallecano needed a penalty shootout against fifth-tier side Guijuelo), the second round sees sides from the top-flight play mainly rivals from the third and fourth-tiers, and tends to produce at least two or three giant-killing acts, reports Xinhua.
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