West Indies latest cricket team to commit to gender pay equity

Cricket West Indies (CWI) on Friday committed to gender pay equity among its players having signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA).

The MoU is for the period from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027 and covers all agreements in respect of player remuneration and updated terms and conditions across the West Indies system. “The MOU outlines plans to achieve parity in international and regional match fees, international captain’s allowances, international team prize money and regional individual prize money for all West Indies cricketers by 1 October 2027,” the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) said in a statement.

Just last year, the ICC announced prize money parity at ICC tournaments for men’s and women’s teams. WICB President Kishore Shallow said the announcement was a significant moment in the region and major step for all parties in reaching pay equity in the future.

“This is a historic day for West Indies cricket…we are taking a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and progressive cricket framework. This step reflects our unwavering commitment to gender equality and acknowledges the immense contributions of female players to West Indies cricket,” he said.

“In the preceding year, we undertook substantial enhancements to our travel policy, mandating that the West Indies Senior Women’s team travel business-class on all extended international flights and are accommodated in single rooms during international assignments. This aligns seamlessly with the established policy for West Indies Senior Men’s tours. Today, with the signing of this MOU, we take another significant stride in narrowing the gender gap within our cricketing community.”

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'May we continue to prosper': Indian sporting greats extend wishes on 75th Republic Day

India is celebrating its 75th Republic Day on 26 January 2024 (Friday). The Republic Day celebrations marks the day India’s Constitution came into effect. The national celebrated the special occasion with president Droupadi Murmu hoisting the national flag at 8 am at Kartavya Path. French president Emmanuel Macron is the chief guest for the event this year.

On the 75th Republic Day, sportspersons of India also shared their wishes on the social media platforms. Here are some of their posts from X (formerly Twitter).

Today, we complete 74 years as a republic. May we continue to prosper more every year. Happy Republic Day!

सभी देशवासियों को गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ।#HappyRepublicDay

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 26, 2024

Happy Republic Day everyone. More power to all out there to make a positive change around you. Jai Hind 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳#HappyRepublicDay #RepublicDay2024 pic.twitter.com/PmiucfQo3e

— Virat Kohli 🍥 (@imVKohji) January 26, 2024

Serving the spirit of the nation with every heartbeat. Happy Republic Day! 🏸🇮🇳 #HappyRepublicDay pic.twitter.com/aqtxIim3xB

— Saina Nehwal (@NSaina) January 26, 2024

आप सभी को गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएँ 🙏

जय हिन्द 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/qmJxY8pKNy

— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) January 26, 2024

Always an honour to represent our nation 🇮🇳#HappyRepublicDay ✨ pic.twitter.com/KGGpEySkqA

— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) January 26, 2024

Wishing you all a happy Republic Day filled with love, peace, and prosperity🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/Xr0rYObKU3

— Rishabh Pant (@RishabhPant17) January 26, 2024

Happy 75th Republic Day!

Today is the anniversary of India’s constitution coming into force, shaping a sovereign, secular, socialist, and democratic nation.

I’ve had the privilege of representing this incredible nation and seeing its flag fly high 🇮🇳 hoping I can continue… pic.twitter.com/VJuKhr4Eh8

— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) January 26, 2024

Happy Republic Day everyone. pic.twitter.com/fU1g8JDb9P

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) January 26, 2024

Happy 75th Republic Day, India 🇮🇳💙🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/1IIY2DcliU

— Igor Štimac (@stimac_igor) January 26, 2024

Jai Hind 🇮🇳 #HappyRepublicDay pic.twitter.com/4k77jysMZ9

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 26, 2024

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WATCH: COVID-positive Cameron Green shooed away by Josh Hazlewood during Gabba Test

Cameron Green is playing at the Gabba for Australia against West Indies despite testing positive for COVID-19 ahead of the second Test. Green is eligible due to Cricket Australia’s protocols which allow players to compete even if they do not return negative results in the next 24 hours, but they must be kept apart from the team.

An example of that was visible when Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood shooed away Green in a funny manner after dismissing Kraigg Brathwaite. After the fall of wicket, all the Australian players ran towards Hazlewood to congratulate the bowler including Green, but the pacer playfully shooed away the all-rounder.

Hazlewood shoos away the Covid-positive Green! 🤪 #AUSvWI pic.twitter.com/iQFbbKfpwV

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 25, 2024

Even at the time of the national anthem, Green was seen maintaining a distance form the play group.

Cameron Green who tested positive for COVID19 is playing the Test match against West Indies.

– He’s keeping distance with his teammates during the national anthem. (Daniel Cherny). pic.twitter.com/bLy6zQ2pzt

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 25, 2024

Australian camp was hit by the COVID storm ahead of the second Test match. Travis Head contracted the infection at the end of the first Test in Adelaide. A day ahead of the gabba Test, Green and head coach Andrew McDonald tested positive for COVID-19.

West India who lost the first Test by 10 wickets won the toss and opted to bat first in the second Test and were 123/5 at the time of publishing thsi report.

Joshua Da Silva and Kavem Hodge were batting, while Mitchell Starc has taken three wickets so far. Hazlewood and Pat Cummins got one wickets each.

Australia’s Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

West Indies Playing XI: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Kevin Sinclair, Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph

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'Got to own it': Pat Cummins on Glenn Maxwell drinking incident, investigation

Australia captain Pat Cummins said players have to “own it” over their decisions off the field after Glenn Maxwell’s alleged drunken incident in Adelaide.

Maxwell was hospitalised after attending the concert of Brett Lee’s band Six and Out with reports suggesting he was suffering from dehydration. In the aftermath, Cricket Australia (CA) have launched an investigation into the incident.

Ahead of the second Test against West Indies, Cummins was asked about the incident and whether Maxwell had a drinking problem.

Cummins revealed he was at the The Gov, the pub where Six and Out were performing, but had “left pretty early”. The Aussie skipper stated he and Maxwell didn’t meet at the venue.

“I knew he was in town but I didn’t see Maxi at all,” Cummins said.

The World Cup-winner added, “We’re all adults and part of being an adult is you make your own decisions.

“In terms of this incident he wasn’t on tour with Australia, he was over there for a private event, so he wasn’t with the cricket team. So it is a little bit different, but absolutely, any decision you make you’ve got to own it and be comfortable with it.”

When asked if Maxwell needed to consider his choices, Cummins said, “Potentially, I think only ‘Maxy’ can answer that one.”

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed his shock regarding the incident with the idea of an ambulance being needed made him “nervous.”

“To have to be put into an ambulance, that makes me nervous,” said Clarke on Fox Sports.

“With these sorts of things, with off-field stuff. I like to go, ‘Benefit of the doubt and innocent until proven guilty’.”

“One thing I know, Cricket Australia will get to the bottom of it. These days there’s cameras, there’s people, so the truth will be told. The other thing we need to do is make sure he’s OK. He didn’t end up spending the night there (in hospital).

“I can’t think of a time where I’ve had to call an ambulance or an ambulance had to be called for me, no matter how drunk I was.

So I’m worried there is more to this and I just hope he’s OK first and foremost.”

Maxwell was not named in the 13-man squad to face West Indies in a three-match ODI series between 2-6 February.

“It is not related to him being replaced in the ODI squad, a decision that was made following the BBL and based on his individual management plan.

Maxwell is expected to return for the T20 series. No further comment will be made at this time,” CA had said in a statement.

Maxwell has had a couple of absurd off-field injuries. At the ODI World Cup last year, he suffered a concussion when he fell off a golf cart. In 2022, he broke his leg while running at a friend’s birthday party.

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India vs England: Four spinners included as England announce playing XI for first Test

England have announced their playing XI for the first Test against India which will start on 25 December ay Hyderabad. The Three Lions have included four spinners in their team and only one specialist pacer. Lancashire’s Tom Hartley will be making his Test debut for England. Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed and Jack Leach are the players who enter the playing Xi after not being involved in England’s last Test against Australia at The Oval last summer.

England XI:

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Ollie Pope
4. Joe Root
5. Jonny Bairstow
6. Ben Stokes (C)
7. Ben Foakes
8. Rehan Ahmed
9. Tom Hartley
10. Mark Wood
11. Jack Leach

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Watch: Virender Sehwag and Shoaib Akhtar engage in a hilarious conversation about former pacer's run-up

Two fiercest rivals ever to play the game of cricket, Virender Sehwag and Shoaib Akhtar were recently involved in a playful banter. One of the most lethal fast bowlers of the game, former Pakistan cricketer Akhtar terrified opposition batters with his sublime pace and bounce. Sehwag, on the other hand, was known for his aggressive brand of batting. The duo were involved in a hilarious interaction recently. “Hamaray pyaray Viru bhai Virender Sehwag yeh batatay huay k mera lamba run up ko kitna intezar kerwata tha. And he feels it was a big distraction, [Our beloved Virender Sehwag shares how much my long run-up used to make him wait],” Akhtar wrote, sharing a video of his interaction with the ex-India batter on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

In the now-viral video, Sehwag can be heard saying, “I would keep looking down, knowing that it would take 10-15 seconds for him to finish his run-up”. Akhtar, in response, asked Sehwag if his long run-up used to distract him. The former India opening batter replied, “A lot of thoughts would run in mind. Will he hit my toes or a beamer on my head? He will hit somewhere.”

Hamaray pyaray Viru bhai @virendersehwag yeh batatay huay k mera lamba run up ko kitna intezar kerwata tha.
And he feels it was a big distraction. @ilt20official @ilt20onzee #dpworldilt20 #allinforcricket pic.twitter.com/xwzJFFpZdp

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 21, 2024

Previously, the two were involved in another hilarious conversation, where Akhtar was seen attempting to take a dig at Sehwag. Legendary Pakistan cricketers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were also present in the discussion. “I thought this interaction was only for bowlers. What is this gentle off-spinner doing here?” Akhtar asked in the Instagram session. Sehwag gave a witty response by saying, “Shoaib, it is my duty to hit first ball fours, not yours.”

Their hilarious exchange of words did not stop there with the Rawalpindi express replying, “Oh Viru, darna nahi. Last time jab hum teeno khel rahe the or tu apne chasme saaf kar raha tha [Don’t be afraid. Last time when we three were playing, you were wiping your glasses].”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by ILT20 On Zee (@ilt20onzee)

Sehwag promptly issued a cheeky reply by saying “Bawaal karna achhi baat hai, but control. Chasme saaf karke ab mein lenses pehenta hun tumahara khoobsurat chehera dekhne ke liye [It’s good to play mischief but in control. I have tuned to contact lenses to see your beautiful faces].”

After enjoying a stellar outing on the field of cricket, Sehwag and Akhtar are now part of the commentators’ panel for the International League T20 2024. The competition will come to an end with the final being played on February 17 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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England cricket team arrive in Hyderabad ahead of five-match Test series - watch video

The England cricket team arrived in Hyderabad on Sunday, 21 January. The English side will be involved in a five-match Test series, scheduled to start with the first match being played on 25 January at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Ahead of the series, the England team suffered a big setback as middle-order batter Harry Brook opted out owing to personal reasons and returned home. Dan Lawrence has been called up to replace him in the squad. The official social media handle of the England cricket team posted a video of their team’s arrival in India.

“Hello, Hyderabad! The City of Pearls,” read the post shared on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

Hello, Hyderabad! 👋

The City of Pearls ⚪

🇮🇳 #INDvENG 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 | #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/hJLQFWkIgp

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) January 21, 2024

Brook’s absence is a big jolt for England as they aim to become the first side to win a Test series in India in over a decade. Since making his debut in the final Test of the summer of 2022, Brook has been a regular performer with an average of 62.15, along with a strike rate of 91.76, across 12 appearances. Brook has four centuries to his name in these matches.

Now that Brook is no longer available, the England team management can deploy Jonny Bairstow as a specialist batter at the number five spot. Ben Foakes can take over the wicket-keeping duties, especially on tracks that are expected to assist the spinners a lot more.

In recent times, India have been the dominant side against England at home. India have maintained an unbeaten Test run against England on home soil since 2012. The last Test meeting between India and England in India was back in 2021 when the hosts came from behind to win 3-1. Remarkably, India have not lost any home Tests since 2012.

Rohit Sharma took part in a personal net session at the BKC Ground in Mumbai, while senior players such as Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja reached Hyderabad and were also seen training in the nets. The report went on to add that Rohit will join the Indian team in Hyderabad on Monday.

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