Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Netherlands all-rounder Bas de Leede has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the second ODI against Pakistan in Rotterdam. de Leede was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the use of an audible obscenity during an international match. In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to de Leede’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period. The incident occurred in the 17th over of the Netherlands’ innings. de Leede played the ball directly to a fielder and used inappropriate language which was heard through the stump microphone and on the live broadcast, necessitating an apology to the public by the commentators. de Leede admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee, Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees and, as such, there was no need for a formal hearing. On-field umpires Michael Gough and Nitin Bathi, third umpire Rizwan Akram and fourth official Adriaan van den Dries levelled the charges. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Afghanistan are scheduled to play four series against Ireland and three against Zimbabwe while also taking on top teams like Australia, India and New Zealand in the next cycle of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s Future Tours Programme that runs from 2023-27. The announcement of the FTP, a result of the collective effort of Full Members with ICC’s support, ensures certainty of cricket fixtures with the confirmation of all bilateral series across the three formats. The exact dates and venues of the series are for the Members to announce in due course. Afghanistan’s commitments commence with a full away tour of Bangladesh consisting of two Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is in June 2023 with Zimbabwe, Pakistan and the West Indies due to be hosted by them over the next few months. The maximum number of Tests for Afghanistan are pencilled against Zimbabwe, whom they will also play in 12 ODIs and 12 T20Is apart from five Tests. Ireland, who got Test status along with Afghanistan in 2017, will be their rivals in four Tests, 12 ODIs and 10 T20Is. The FTP announced today also confirms both home and away commitments against Australia, India and New Zealand. ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said: “I’d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish. “The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players.” Afghanistan Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan welcomed the announcement of the FTP. ACB CEO Naseeb Khan said: “Afghanistan Cricket Board is delighted to be a major part of the ICC’s Future Tours Program for the next cycle 2023-2027. The increased number of test matches will largely impact the growth of the game itself as well as the players, which is key in terms of our future plans. “We have always admired to be playing against the big nations and according to the new cycle, we are eagerly looking forward to playing some red-ball cricket against them. Bilateral cricket also plays an integral part in technical and financial growth, and we will work with our fellow boards to engage in more bilateral cricket. In addition to the cricket development part these matches will play a vital role in financial stability of ACB in future years.”

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed sadness at the death of former Board of Cricket Control India (BCCI) administrator and ICC Director Amitabh Chaudhary. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “It is sad to hear of the passing of Amitabh Chaudhary. On behalf of the ICC, I extend my deepest condolences to our colleagues at the BCCI as well as his family and friends.”

Bipin Dani The funeral of the former international umpire Rudi Koertzen, who passed away in a car crash on Tuesday will be held in South Africa on Saturday, the 20th August.  This was revealed by his son Rudi (junior). (It is common in South Africa where the father and son share the same name).   Koertzen was returning home from Cape Town after playing golf when the fatal accident happened. Three others were also killed in both crashes in the early morning hours in Riversdale. Speaking exclusively over the telephone, he said, "It will be a live telecast. Mike Gajjar of Cricket South Africa (CSA) will send the funeral information to all the cricket contacts and to the ICC to spread the word of the YouTuber link for the funeral. There will be a YouTube link sent out to watch the funeral".  Elaborating more about the accident, the son said, "my dad was sitting on the back seat in his white car and his friend (Wouter) was sitting next to the driver in the front seat. Both died at the spot and the driver survived. He is in the hospital and had surgery on Thursday".  "We are getting the body of my father on Saturday (13th August) and it will be kept at Avbob Funeral Home in Uitenhage".  Earlier, the umpire's daughter, Eumelda, speaking to this Reporter, said, "I miss my dad so much, it feels so unreal. He was my everything and now he has gone...I am asking God, Why ? Why ? Why my dad ?".    "The family can only take the consolation that Koertzen didn't have to suffer due to this accident and had immediately passed away. If he was in a wheelchair or something...". 

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its sorrow at the death of former Emirates ICC Elite Panel Umpire Rudi Koertzen. Koertzen, 73, who officiated in 331 international matches in a career stretching from 1992 to 2010, passed away in a car accident in South Africa on Tuesday. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice remembered him as a highly professional umpire who was respected by colleagues and players alike. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Rudi was among the best umpires of his generation and one players had utmost respect for. He officiated in international games for close to two decades and the ICC relied on him for some big matches during this period. “Rudi was also very popular among his contemporaries and always willing to help. His contribution to cricket will be remembered for years to come. We send our condolences to his family and friends at his tragic death.” Koertzen, one of the original members of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires when it was formed in 2002, is third in the list of Test umpires in terms of number of match appointments, having officiated in 108 matches. He is second in the list for ODIs with 209 matches and stood in 14 T20Is. Koertzen was the TV umpire for the finals of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cups of 2003 and 2007 and an on-field umpire for the finals of the ICC Champions Trophy tournaments in 2004 and 2006.  He was also the fourth umpire for the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2010 in Bridgetown. Koertzen was the first umpire to stand in 200 ODIs and the second after Steve Bucknor to stand in 100 Tests.

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for July 2022 as Sri Lanka’s newest spin sensation Prabath Jayasuriya and England’s Emma Lamb, who starred atop the order in her side’s whitewash series victory over South Africa. Jayasuriya claims the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award on the back of an outstanding series of displays with the ball, where his remarkable haul of wickets sees him crowned ahead of rival contenders England’s Jonny Bairstow - who won the Men’s award back in June - and French youngster Gustav McKeon. During Sri Lanka’s three Test matches on home soil in July, Jayasuriya stepped into the squad for the first time in the longest format and made an immediate impact against formidable opponents. After his side was humbled in the first Test defeat to Australia, the spinner celebrated a prolific Test debut, taking six for 118 in the first innings, and following up with an even more impressive six for 59 in the second to claim the final Test and draw the series. Jayasuriya kept his momentum going into the two-Test showdown against Pakistan later in the month, taking seventeen wickets across the series and ending July with staggering figures of 29 wickets at an average of 20.37. Jayasuriya said: ‘’I am delighted with this announcement, and wish to thank the fans for voting me as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. Certainly it has been an incredible month for me, as I made the test debut, and also got the opportunity to contribute for my team to level the test series played against Australia and Pakistan.” ‘’I take this opportunity to thank my fans, teammates, coaches, family and friends for helping my journey, and thrilled with what I am experiencing at this moment in my life.” Irfan Pathan, former India international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member, said: “Being a newcomer to Test cricket and starting with two five-wicket hauls in your first match is extraordinary, and it’s all the more impressive against a team like Australia. A tally of 29 wickets in just three Tests is too good to be overlooked and for that, he is my ICC Men’s Player of the Month.” Emma Lamb was voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July following her thrilling start to life opening the batting in England’s victorious ODI series victory over South Africa. Lamb consistently laid the foundations for her side to claim victory in each of the three matches, with her most notable contribution coming in the first match in Northampton. Her outstanding 102 in which she displayed a wide array of classy strokeplay set her on course for a stellar month, and she followed up this milestone by posting two further half-centuries to strengthen her credentials as a supremely talented top order batter, with a very bright future ahead. On winning the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July, Lamb commented: “It's very exciting to have been awarded the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for July. I'm very happy to have earned my spot at the top of the order in the Test and ODI team and it's been brilliant to be able to score some runs and help the team win. “Everyone in the squad contributed to our multi-format series win against South Africa so I just want to keep scoring runs for the team - I feel very lucky that my performances across the last month have been rewarded and I hope to carry on my good form." Lamb secures the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award at the first time of asking, overcoming fellow nominees; England’s Nat Sciver and India’s Renuka Singh.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-The International Cricket Council (ICC) congratulates Australia on winning the inaugural Commonwealth Games women’s cricket gold medal, beating India in a tense final at Birmingham 2022. The win continues Australia’s dominance in the women’s game and an incredibly tight game saw them beat India by nine runs, bowling them out for 152 with three deliveries left in their innings after they threatened to pull off a memorable run chase. ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said: “Congratulations to Australia on winning the first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal for women’s cricket. It has been a fantastic ten days of competition at Edgbaston with packed out crowds getting behind the world’s best players. Every game has felt like a home game with fans of all eight competing nations turning out in force to watch top quality cricket and some hard-fought games, including the final was a superb advert for the women’s game. “I’d like to thank the Commonwealth Games Federation and Birmingham 2022 for giving cricket the opportunity to be part of a multi-sport Games, the players and match officials have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai (UAE):-Stars from the ICC World Test Championship, the Commonwealth Games and ICC qualification pathway events make up the shortlists for the ICC Player of the Month awards for July. The ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June, Jonny Bairstow, is nominated once more following stellar performances at the crease for England, while Sri Lanka’s Test debutant and spin maestro Prabath Jayasuriya finds himself on the shortlist for the first time. Completing the men’s lineup for July is France’s record-breaking teenage star, Gustav McKeon. Nat Sciver is no stranger to being nominated for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, and her second successive appearance on the shortlist follows her outstanding performances across ODI and T20I series against South Africa. England’s Emma Lamb enjoyed a very successful month with the bat and ball and is named on the shortlist which is completed with the addition of dangerous India seamer Renuka Singh. An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered on icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Saturday. ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for July: Jonny Bairstow (ENG) The winner of the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for June, Bairstow continued where he left off with blistering performances in multiple formats in July. He reasserted his sublime form with the bat during his side’s final Test showdown with India at Edgbaston, scoring 106 and 114 to claim another historic Test victory and seal a 2-2 series draw against the odds during more final day drama. His notable exploits with the bat during his side’s white ball series against South Africa, including a 53-ball 90 in the first T20I, strengthens his claim to win a second successive award for July. Prabath Jayasuriya (SL) Sri Lanka’s Jayasuriya made a sensational start to his Test career in July, taking an extraordinary 29 wickets across three matches at an average of 20.37 against formidable opposition. Coming into the side following a humbling 10-wicket loss to Australia, Jayasuriya ripped through the touring line-up in the second Test, claiming six for 118 and six for 59 to secure an emphatic innings victory. This proved to be just the beginning of his prolific month, subsequently taking nine wickets and eight wickets in the following two Tests against Pakistan to build a strong case to be crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July. Gustav McKeon (FRANCE) Very few cricketers will enjoy as thrilling a start to their international careers as France’s teenage star McKeon. The 18-year-old set records tumbling during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 Sub Regional Europe B Qualifier in Finland, as he became the first player ever to register four successive half-centuries in his first four T20Is, converting two of those scores into centuries against Switzerland (109) and Norway (101). McKeon shone for France throughout, amassing 377 runs in five T20I matches at an average of 75.40 and with a hugely impressive strike rate of 164.62. ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for July: Emma Lamb (ENG) Leading the line for England at the top of the order, Lamb was instrumental in guiding her side to a 3-0 ODI series whitewash over South Africa in July. Registering a superb score of 102 in the first showdown at Northampton, Lamb followed up with two further half-centuries to finish the series as the leading run scorer. The England all-rounder also displayed her bowling credentials, taking the key wickets of opposition skipper Sune Luus and the ever-dangerous Marizanne Kapp in the third ODI at Leicester. Nat Sciver (ENG) Nominated for the second successive month, and the third time in four months, Sciver continues to be a driving force for England. Her significant contributions with both bat and ball enabled her side to record 3-0 series wins against South Africa in both the ODI and T20I series in July. Among her string of excellent performances was a haul of four for 59 in the first ODI that limited the tourists to a below-par score, before a powerful 55 from 36 balls laid the foundation for a momentum-building victory that set the tone for her side’s successful month. Renuka Singh (IND) Singh celebrates her first nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award thanks to a prolific month with the ball. Joint leading wicket-taker in her side’s ODI series in Sri Lanka with seven wickets at an excellent average of 12.85, she enjoyed a dazzling start to India’s pursuit for Commonwealth Games gold in Birmingham. Her standout individual display during the month was arguably the way she dismantled Australia’s top order in their opening match, claiming four wickets for 18 runs, only for her side to be thwarted in dramatic fashion by Australia’s lower order.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-Jersey player Harrison Carlyon has been found not guilty of a Level 1 offence of the ICC Code of Conduct following a hearing before ICC Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle. Carlyon was found not guilty of  breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.”  The incident in question occurred following Ehsan Khan’s dismissal in the 45th over of the ICC Challenge League B Round 2 match between Jersey and Hong Kong in Uganda on 24 June. The charge, which was laid by Cricket Hong Kong, was denied by Carlyon and consequently a remote hearing was held by Mr Madugalle. The hearing was attended by Carlyon, Jersey Cricket’s team manager, Cricket Hong Kong’s General Manager, and the tournament referee. Having considered all the evidence and heard from the respective parties, Madugalle was not comfortably satisfied that there was sufficient evidence available to find that the alleged offence had been committed and thus returned a not guilty finding.  Decisions made in relation to Level 1 offences are non-appealable.

Sports Bulletin Report Dubai (UAE):-India opener Smriti Mandhana has moved up one spot to a career best third position among batters in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings after cracking a stroke-filled half-century against Pakistan in the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Mandhana, who followed up a knock of 24 against Australia with an unbeaten 63 off 42 balls with eight fours and three sixes, has overtaken New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and reached within two rating points of Australia’s Beth Mooney. Meg Lanning continues to lead the rankings after regaining the top spot last week. Mandhana, a formerly top-ranked batter in ODIs, has been ranked third in T20Is in the past too, reaching that position for the first time in 2019 and having last held third position in October last year. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates has gained two slots to reach sixth position after smashing a superb 91 not out off 64 balls against South Africa while Tahlia McGrath (up one place to 12th), India captain Harmanpreet Kaur (up four places to 14th), Pakistan’s Nida Dar (up three places to 40th) and South Africa’s Chloe Tryon (up five places to 47th) have also made notable progress among batters. Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has moved up in all three lists after shining with the bat against India and with the ball against Barbados, who are representing the West Indies in the eight-team competition.  Gardner’s knock of 52 not out in the opening match has lifted her five places to 11th while her haul of two for six against Barbados has taken her from 45th to 26th.  She has reached a career-best third position among all-rounders. In the rankings for bowlers, Australia left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen, who took four for 22 against India, has moved up two slots to fourth position in the list led by England’s Sophie Ecclestone. Australia fast bowler Megan Schutt and New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr have moved up a slot each to take seventh and eighth positions while Barbados captain Hayley Matthews is up two places to ninth. Performances of those playing for Barbados and who have represented the West Indies in the past reflect in the latest rankings as all matches in the Commonwealth Games have T20I status. However, matches involving Barbados will be ignored for the team rankings since Barbados is not an ICC Member. All other matches other than those involving Barbados, will be rated in the usual way. Others to move up the bowlers’ rankings include South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba (up two places to 22nd), Sri Lanka spinners Oshadi Ranasinghe (up two places to 24th) and Inoka Ranaweera (up four places to 44th). Meanwhile, India medium-pace bowler Renuka Singh has galloped 48 places to 49th after grabbing a career-best four for 18 against Australia.