Hello all, the Sport360 Team is in place, bringing you the latest news from the world of cricket on Monday.
We’ll be covering further fallout from the Asia Cup, as well as the upcoming October series including Pakistan v Australia and India v West Indies.
7:00pm – Virender Sehwag reveals Shoaib Akhtar fear
Former India opening batsman Virender Sehwag has revealed that there was only one bowler he was scared to face during his playing days – Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
Read what the India great had to say about facing up to the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ here.
Sehwag (l) and Akhtar had many fiery duels.
6:00pm – Senior India players have a point to prove against the West Indies
The upcoming Tests against the West Indies will provide a chance for India to overcome their blues from the tour of England where they were handed a 1-4 thrashing by the hosts.
While the series will be an opportunity for the newcomers to stamp their mark, it will also give several established players a chance to make amends for their performances in England.
We look at the three India seniors with a point to prove in the two Tests here.
Ajinkya Rahane (l) will be keen to make amends for the England tour.
5:00pm – Domestic coach to help Mohammad Amir rediscover his swing
Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) coach Atiq-uz-Zaman has said that his coaching staff will look to help pacer Mohammad Amir rediscover his swing.
The Pakistan pacer will return to domestic cricket after being dropped from the Test squad for the upcoming series against Australia in the UAE.
Read what the SSGC coach had to say about Amir’s domestic return here.
Mohammad Amir has been bereft of confidence lately.
4:00pm – Nathan Lyon observing Ashwin footage ahead of Pakistan test
Nathan Lyon warmed up for the Test series against Pakistan in perfect style with an eight-wicket haul in the first innings of Australia’s ongoing tour-game with Pakistan A in Dubai.
Following his excellent display with the ball, Lyon stated that he had been observing footage of spinners like India’s Ravichandran Ashwin bowling in the subcontinent to step up his game for the upcoming series.
Read what the Aussie spinner had to say here.
Lyon is looking in fine form ahead of the Test series against Pakistan.
2:30pm – Mohammad Hafeez handed Pakistan Test recall
Pakistan have added veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to the squad for the two-Test series against Australia.
The 37-year-old is a late addition to the 17-man squad announced by the Pakistan selectors previously and will fly out to Dubai in the earliest possible flight ahead of the first Test, which gets under way on October 7.
Read more on this breaking story here.
Mohammad Hafeez has been added to the 17-man Test squad.
2:00pm – Matt Renshaw a doubt for first Test against Pakistan
Australia batsman Matt Renshaw could be a doubt for the first Test against Pakistan after sustaining a head injury in his side’s ongoing warm-up game at Dubai.
Renshaw was struck on the head following a pull shot from Pakistan A batsman Abid Ali while fielding at short-leg on Sunday.
Read more on this breaking story here.
Renshaw has a history with concussions.
1:00pm – Jason Holder confident of West Indies’ good show in India
With the Asia Cup now over, India’s attentions shift to the two-Test series against the West Indies starting on Thursday.
The series will see No1 ranked India lock horns with a West Indies side ranked eighth in the format but that fact is not discouraging the skipper of the Caribbean side.
Read what Jason Holder had to say on the challenge ahead for the West Indies here.
Jason Holder and his men have been in good form in the Test format of late.
11:30am – West Indies capable of surprising India
The West Indies are currently placed eighth in the ICC Test rankings, just above Bangladesh. The Caribbean side are known more for their T20 flair than red-ball excellence.
And as they prepare for a two-Test series in India this week, cricket followers might expect a dominating performance by the world’s No1 team.
Our man Ajit Vijaykumar believes Jason Holder’s men are more than capable of surprising India. Read why here.
West Indies have been led well by Jason Holder (2nd, r).
11:00am – Nathan Lyon primed to shine in UAE
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon had a poor tour of the UAE in 2014. The Aussies lost the series 2-0 as their ace off spinner picked up just three wickets in the two Test at an astronomical average of 140.
Now, the Aussie returns to the UAE as a much-changed bowler at the top of his game. We look at why the off-spinner can make amends for his 2014 showing here.
Nathan Lyon.
10:00am – The baffling case of Karun Nair
Tamil Nadu batsman Karun Nair was given the cold shoulder by India’s selectors after being dropped from the Test squad for the upcoming series against the West Indies.
The latest setback for Nair comes on the heels of a prolonged exclusion from the squad. Read more on this baffling case of Nair here.
Indian batsman Karun Nair.
