Pakistan batsman Haris Sohail has been ruled out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa with a persistent knee injury, which also kept him out of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion.
Sohail suffered the injury prior to the practice match, but remained with the squad to take part in rehabilitation sessions. He did not bat in the nets before the first Test and was declared unfit to play an hour or so before the scheduled start.
ICYMI: Pakistan batsman Haris Sohail has been ruled out of the ongoing Test series against South Africa with a persistent knee injury, which also kept him out of the Boxing Day Test at Centurion
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) January 2, 2019
Full story ?? https://t.co/E7RNaf4RRd#SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/srVwkv6OYP
Details: Haris Sohail ruled out of South Africa series with persistent knee injury
India's Smriti Mandhana was named women's cricketer of the year by the sport's world governing body, capping off a prolific run-scoring season for the opener.
The left-handed batswoman was also named ODI cricketer of the year for accumulating 669 runs off 12 one-day internationals. She scored 622 runs in 25 T20 matches this year.
And clearly, India have discovered a new star in @mandhana_smriti. More power to you Smriti, look forward to more.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 29, 2017
Details: Smriti Mandhana named ICC women's cricketer of the year
Ruth Strauss, whose cancer diagnosis prompted her husband Andrew Strauss to step down from his role as England's director of cricket, has died.
The statement said Ruth had died aged 46 of the rare form of lung cancer she suffered from in her home country of Australia.
As members of the global cricket family we must support Andrew Strauss in every way we can. Tragic that his lovely wife Ruth should have been taken away at such a young age @ICC @ECB_cricket #RestInPeace
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) December 29, 2018
After retiring from international cricket in September last year, former England captain Alastair Cook has been knighted in the New Year's Honours.
Cook, who has more Test centuries (33) and runs (12,472) than any other England player accrued during a record 161 Test matches, is the first cricketer to be knighted since legendary all-rounder Ian Botham in 2007.
Sir Garry Sobers.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 29, 2018
Sir Donald Bradman.
Sir Viv Richards.
Sir Ian Botham.
Shane Warne.
Sachin Tendulkar.
Brian Lara.
Sir Alastair Cook. ????????
Details: Sir Alastair Cook: Former England captain knighted
Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar paid a glowing tribute to Ramakant Achrekar, his childhood coach and lifelong mentor who passed away aged 87.
Achrekar, a club-level coach, discovered a 12-year-old Tendulkar's extraordinary talents in Mumbai and nurtured him on his way to becoming cricket's most prolific run-scorer of all time.
Achrekar died at his home in Mumbai last Wednesday.
You’ll always be in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/0UIJemo5oM
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 2, 2019
Read: Tendulkar pays tribute to childhood coach Ramakant Achrekar
Former World T20 champions Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have failed to secure themselves direct entry into the T20 World cup scheduled to take place in Australia in 2020. The qualification criteria dictates that hosts Australia and the 8 top-ranked sides earn automatic spots in the Super 12s.
Veterans Usman Khawaja, Peter Siddle, and Nathan Lyon have been recalled to a revamped Australian one-day squad to play India with an eye on the World Cup in England and Wales this year.
After a poor run in the limited overs format, selectors axed Travis Head, Chris Lynn, D'Arcy Short, Ben McDermott and all-rounder Ashton Agar.
8 years later. So happy to be back in the Aussie one day squad. What an honour. Bring on the series! ??????#AUSvIND #ODI #OneDayCricket https://t.co/DwFByXqNyw
— Peter Siddle (@petersiddle403) January 5, 2019
Read: Australia recall Khawaja, Siddle for India ODIs
Tim Southee is set to lead New Zealand in next week's one-off T20 match against Sri Lanka.
Regular skipper Kane Williamson is to be rested along with Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme.
Southee, who has captained New Zealand twice before, admitted that leading a side in cricket's shortest form can be a bit of a gamble.
West Indies announced the appointment of Richard Pybus as interim head coach ahead of the upcoming three-Test series against England.
The Englishman has previously served as a director of cricket for West Indies from 2013 to 2016. He will coach the side for the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the visit of India in July and August.
https://t.co/XQzuypXIb6 please tell me that's fake news.. somebody please. After the mess in 2014 he can't be back.. I refuse to believe that's true
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) January 4, 2019
Details: West Indies appoint Richard Pybus as interim head coach