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Hazlewood deemed fit for WTC final, Ashes after injury scare

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Hazlewood deemed fit for WTC final, Ashes after injury scare

Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood is expected to be fit for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India and the Ashes despite cutting his Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign short.

Hazlewood returned to Australia after reporting “minor side soreness” following his most recent IPL match for Royal Challengers Bangalore two weeks ago, Cricket Australia said. The governing body said Hazlewood had returned to “high intensity bowling” after a brief and precautionary rest period.

He would continue to increase his bowling workloads in preparation for the WTC final and the Ashes series against England, CA said in a statement. “Hazlewood is considered fit and available for the WTC and Ashes series.”

Hazlewood has battled injuries over the past 18 months and had a four-month layoff from bowling to recover from an Achilles problem sustained in the Sydney test in January.

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The WTC final starts on June 7 at The Oval in London, with the Ashes kicking off at Edgbaston from June 16. England have had their own injury problems in the lead-up to the Ashes, with fast bowler Jofra Archer ruled out of the entire series and fellow quick James Anderson sidelined with a groin strain.

Paceman Ollie Robinson is also under an injury cloud after suffering an ankle problem for county side Sussex over the weekend. Australia hold the Ashes after retaining the urn with a 4-0 win over England at home in 2021-22.

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PCB meeting on June 12 will discuss new domestic cricket structure

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PCB meeting on June 12 will discuss new domestic cricket structure

The management committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called a meeting on June 12 to discuss the new domestic cricket structure. The role of the departments in the domestic cricket structure will also be discussed.

The important meeting is aimed at gathering key stakeholders and brief them with a comprehensive overview of the proposed reforms.

According to media reports, the committee is actively seeking the participation of individuals and organizations interested in development of cricket within Pakistan. The briefing will cover a range of important topics, with the goal of strengthening the domestic system. It will highlight key agenda points for discussion and reform.

The areas to be addressed include the domestic First Class cricket framework, the National One Day Cup, the Pakistan T20 Cup, and the role of departments in the new structure.
PCB is expected to introduce innovative measures to nurture talent, ensure transparency in national team selection, and elevate the competitiveness of domestic cricket.

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In the meeting, the procedure regarding the departments will also be decided while this year the domestic cricket structure will include regional teams along with departmental teams.

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Afghanistan bowled out for 116 after Chameera takes four

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Afghanistan bowled out for 116 after Chameera takes four

Dushmantha Chameera took four wickets in two fiery spells to help dismiss Afghanistan for just 116 runs inside 23 overs in Wednesday’s deciding third ODI against Sri Lanka.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga polished off the Afghan tail with 3-7 in Hambantota.The fast bowler Chameera, returning after ankle surgery that sidelined him for seven months, finished with figures of 4-63.

He was ably assisted by two wickets from fellow quick Lahiru Kumara, who withdrew from the first ODI with a hamstring strain. Mohammad Nabi’s 23 was the top score of the Afghan innings as the tourists failed to post a decent partnership, with Sri Lanka taking wickets at regular intervals.

Afghanistan, who had opted to bat first, won the first ODI by six wickets. Sri Lanka bounced back to win the second game by 132 runs.

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Sri Lanka will be heading to Zimbabwe straight after this series for World Cup qualifiers in a bid to secure one of the two remaining slots for the format’s showpiece event. Afghanistan are already through to the World Cup, to be held in India from October.

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England’s Moeen to come out of test retirement for Ashes

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England's Moeen to come out of test retirement for Ashes

England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who retired from test cricket in September 2021, has been added to the Ashes squad for the first two tests, the country’s cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday, after spinner Jack Leach was ruled out of the series.

The 35-year-old stepped away from the game’s longest format to focus on limited-overs cricket but reversed his decision following discussions with test captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and ECB men’s managing director Rob Key.

Moeen made his test debut in 2014 and played his last test against India at the Oval in September 2021. He scored 2,914 runs in 64 tests at an average of 28.29, and picked up 195 wickets with his off-spin.

“We reached out to ‘Mo’ early this week about returning to test cricket. Having had a couple of days to reflect, Mo is excited to join the squad and play test cricket again,” Key said.

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“His vast experience, along with his all-round ability, will benefit our Ashes campaign.” Leach, who took four wickets in England’s win over Ireland in their warm-up test, has been ruled out of the five-test series against Australia due to a stress fracture in his back.

His injury is the latest setback to England’s bowling department in the build-up to the series, with fast bowler Jofra Archer also ruled out. The Ashes gets under way at Edgbaston on June 16.

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