Kashvee Gautam replaces Renuka Singh for India’s Test vs Australia
Renuka Singh will not be part of India women’s Test squad for their one-off fixture against Australia that starts on Friday. Right-arm medium pacer Kashvee Gautam has been called up as Renuka’s replacement who will miss the Test due to workload management. The BCCI said in a statement, “The BCCI Medical Team will be closely monitoring Renuka’s fitness progress.”
Renuka has played three Tests- all at home and has picked two wickets. Gautam, meanwhile has played six ODIs for India but has not yet played Tests. In the most recent domestic multi-day tournament, Gautam picked four wickets from three games. Apart from Gautam, India’s other seam-bowling options are Gaud, Satghare and Amanjot Kaur. None of them have played Tests either.
India squad for only Test vs Australia
Harmanpreet Kaur (capt), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh (wk), Uma Chetry (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Sayali Satghare, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Kashvee Gautam, Vaishnavi Sharma
John Blain reinstated to Cricket Scotland’s Hall of Fame
John Blain, the former seam bowler, has been reinstated to Cricket Scotland’s Hall of Fame, four years after he was suspended from the honour. Blain represented Scotland in 118 matches over a 13-year career. He was first inducted into the Hall of Fame by Cricket Scotland in May 2019. However, in July 2022, Blain was “temporarily suspended” from the Hall of Fame following accusations by his former team-mates, Majid Haq and Qasim Sheikh.
The allegations concerned the use of a racist slur during a tour of Kenya in 2007 although Cricket Scotland refused to give any explanation for their action. He was also charged with racism by the England and Wales Cricket Board following revelations made by Azeem Rafiq regarding his experiences at Yorkshire County Cricket Club. In March 2023, Blain was one of six former players found guilty in connection with these charges.
In response to his reinstatement, Blain issued a statement, saying: “I am enormously grateful to the many, many people who have stood by me since I was falsely accused of racism.”
Multan Sultans return to PSL
Multan Sultans are returning to the Pakistan Super League after CD Ventures have acquired majority stake in the Sialkot Stallionz franchise. Multan Sultans who have been part of the Pakistan Super League, were banned by the board due to differences with the owner.
Addressing a press conference, the new team owner Hamza Majeed confirmed that Sialkot Stallionz have been rebranded as Multan Sultans. “Gohar Shah requested to change the franchise’s name after becoming CEO, and that request has been accepted. Sialkot Stallionz will now compete as Multan Sultans. With PCB and PSL’s approval, this strategic partnership has been finalised.”
