N. Sirinivasan confirmed his appointment as ICC’s new Chairman during the final week of June where Brendon McCullum led New Zealand to a famous & historically valued overseas Test series win against West Indies during an action-packed 4th Week of June.
India’s long summer tour in England started off poorly with hosts, Leicestershire taking major honours in their drawn tour game as another sporty month of June came to an end.
New Zealand’s first overseas Test series win against one of the top-eight teams in 12 years
3rd and final Test match between West Indies and New Zealand ended with New Zealand beating West Indies by 53 runs to win the series 2-1, taking a fitting revenge for their 0-2 defeat in 2012. It was after 12 years Kiwis recorded an away-series victory against a top-eight nation.
Kane Williamson, won both awards for player of the series and the player of the match award in the third Test was the pioneer in winning this Test series for New Zealand with his inspiring unbeaten knock of 161. Brendon McCullum’s captaincy was brilliant for New Zealand. Kemar Roach bowled fiercely for his company and he took an 8 wicket match bag. Chasing 308 runs to win, West Indies failed with New Zealand winning by 53 runs.
Leicestershire punish India
A week after his older brother Sam made his maiden Test hundred for England against Sri Lanka, Angus Robson showed centuries run in the family by reaching three figures for Leicestershire against India on 28th Saturday.
Shikhar Dhawan: India opener retired hurt after making 60
India’s bowlers were given the run-around by Robson (126) and Greg Smith (101) in a second-wicket stand of 221 before both retired at tea, that took Leicestershire to 349 for five before a draw was agreed on the final day of the first tour game for India. Indian batsmen too enjoyed batting at Leicester as they made 333 for the loss of 4 wickets at stumps on day 1. Rain washed out proceedings of day 2. Shikhar Dhawan, Gautham Gambhir and Chestheshwar Pujara made notable half-centuries while India’s leader of the pace-bowling battalion Ishanth Sharma was the most expensive bowler of the day.
N.Sirinivasan elected ICC Chairman
Narayanaswami Srinivasan was confirmed as the Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the 52-member full council approved amendments to the ICC’s Memorandum and Articles of Association at the Annual Conference in Melbourne on 26th June.
N Srinivasan has been nominated by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the top position and will assume charge following the conclusion of the ICC Annual Conference.
Day-night Test matches to become a reality
Australia and New Zealand cricket officials confirmed according to reports that their national teams will be likely to meet in the world’s first day-night Test match in November next year, either at Hobart or Adelaide.
New Zealand is scheduled to tour Australia from late 2015 and the venue for the historic match has been narrowed down to the Adelaide Oval or Hobart’s Blundstone Arena. Play would likely to begin at 2 p.m. each day and a pink ball will be used.
Jayantha Dharmadasa appointed ACC president
President of Sri Lanka Cricket, Mr. Jayantha Dharmadasa has been appointed as the president of Asian Cricket Council with immediate effect. Jayantha Dharmadasa takes over from N. Sirinivasan who held the Presidency from 2012. This is the second time that Dharmadasa has been appointed as the president of ACC.
India to host 6th Champions League T20 championship
The 6th edition of Champions League T20 tournament will be held in India during the month of September, 2014. The CLT20 governing council which met in Melbourne took the decision and ended rumors of the tournament being moved to United Arab Emirates.
Rahul Dravid appointed as India’s mentor in England
Legendary Indian batsman, Rahul Dravid who is also known as ‘The Wall’ will be mentoring the Indian team during their tour of England. Dravid, who retired from international cricket after the tour of Australia in 2011/12 will have the task of guiding a skilled but inexperienced set of batsmen in a series which is expected to be a tough test of endurance and temperament for India.
Nepal and Netherlands granted T20 International status
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has given T20 International status to the Netherlands and Nepal in its latest Board meeting at Melbourne held in the final week of June.
The decision comes after Nepal and Netherlands impressed at the recent ICC World T20. Though Nepal did not make it to the second round, they won hearts with a spirited performance, which saw them nearly knock Bangladesh out. They also managed a victory against Afghanistan. On the other hand, Netherlands edged out Ireland in a thrilling game and went on to beat England in the main round. They also gave South Africa a scare.
Gayle rested; Pollard returns
West Indies selectors have rested opening batsman Chris Gayle from the back-to-back T20 Internationals against New Zealand on July 5 and 6 at Windsor Park in Dominica.
34-year-old Jamaican has been troubled by a back injury and continues to receive treatment. Experienced all-rounder Dwayne Bravo was also unavailable for selection as he continues to recover from an injury sustained during the Indian Premier League T20 tournament in April. Kieron Pollard, who has missed international cricket since July last year with a knee injury, is set to make his return into International Cricket during this T20 series. Darren Sammy, who led the West Indies to the World T20 title in 2012, will captain the 13-man squad.
Full Squad: Darren Sammy (captain), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Andre Fletcher, Darren Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Christopher Barnwell, Denesh Ramdin, Krishmar Santokie, Sunil Narine, Sheldon Cottrell, Samuel Badree.
