The Cricket Bulletin: Major Talking Points

Charlie Dean ready to lead England in absence of Nat-Sciver Brunt

Charlie Dean is all set to embrace the opportunity to lead England ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup in absence of regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt. Dean has been handed the leadership responsibility for their ODI series against New Zealand. The all-rounder told Sky Sports Cricket, “It feels like a massive honour and it feels like really, really good, good timing for me. I feel like I am starting to bring a bit more confidence and assuredness about my own game.”

Dean also backed Nat Sciver-Brunt to return fully fit for the tournament. “I am probably in the best space that I have been to be able to captain the side. It is really exciting. Obviously, missing Nat is a huge detriment to our side. I guess having a bit of experience under my belt captaining will mean that if anything happens towards the World Cup when Nat should be perfectly ready and raring to go.”

Ben Stokes returns to competitive cricket, features in County

England captain Ben Stokes returned to competitive cricket during Durham’s County Championship game against Worcestershire on Friday. Stokes has not played at any level since England’s Ashes campaign in Australia after suffering from a fracture during a training session in February. Now he has returned to full training and look set to feature with both bat and ball during Durham’s four-day County clash in Worcestershire.

“He’ll be bowling for us, 100 percent,” Durham coach and former Australia international Ryan Campbell declared ahead of the match. “In one of the innings he might even go with the new ball, that’s in our thinking.” He continued, “We’ve made it very clear, Stokesy is here as a member of our team to help win a game of cricket for Durham, not to get ready for England. I’m sure every England fan is delighted to see him back but we’re just happy to see one of our mates again.”

BCCI issues advisory for IPL franchises

The BCCI secretary, Saikia, issued an eight-page directive to the 10 IPL franchises to make them aware of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed during the India Premier League. All ten franchises have been asked to exercise caution as per the advisory. “The advisory has been issued in light of certain incidents observed during the ongoing season and is intended to reinforce the standards of professionalism, discipline, security awareness and protocol compliance expected from all stakeholders associated with the IPL. The BCCI expects all the franchises to treat the matter with utmost seriousness and ensure complete compliance at all times in the larger interest of the league and the game,” Saikia wrote at the start of the advisory.

“It has come to the attention of the BCCI that certain incidents of misconduct and protocol violations have occurred involving players, support staff, and team officials during the course of the current IPL season. These incidents, if left unaddressed, carry the potential to cause significant reputational harm to the tournament, the Franchise concerned, and the BCCI as the Governing Body. They may further expose individuals and franchises to legal liability and security risks of serious nature,” Saikia wrote in the Preamble.