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Indore, Oct 5 (IANS) India head coach Rahul Dravid on Tuesday said that team will definitely miss the services of Jasprit Bumrah in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 but added that it's an opportunity for someone else to stand up in the absence of premier pacer in Australia.

India were dealt a massive blow going into the T20 World Cup with Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of the tournament with a back injury on Monday. The decision was taken following a detailed assessment after he was ruled out of the South Africa T20Is.

"Bumrah's absence is a big loss, he's been a great player but it happens, it's an opportunity for someone else to stand up. We will miss him, we will miss his personality around the group for sure," said Dravid in the post-match presentation after the third T20I, which India lost by 49 runs against South Africa.

Asked about the promotion of Dinesh Karthik and Rishabh Pant in the batting order, Dravid said that it was an opportunity to give these guys some time in the middle.

"I think today was an opportunity to give these guys some batting. It is tough on guys like Dinesh and Rishabh who don't get too many hits in the middle. I felt they were batting really well at one moment, had they played longer we might have got closer," he said.

"I feel batting at 6, it's always tough when you have to bat just 5-10 balls, so it's always nice to get a few balls under their belt like they did today. I feel the way Harshal and the rest of the lower order batted was also really good," he added.

The coach was pleased with the overall result in the back to back home T20I series against Australia and South Africa.

"I think it's good to get the right results in both these home series wins. In this format of the game, you need to have the rub of the green go our way, which didn't happen in the Asia Cup," he added.

Talking about India's aggressive batting approach, the 49-year old said it was a conscious decision after the last T20 World Cup.

"We've made a decision after the last T20 World Cup where we sat down as a group and decided to play more positively. We believe we have the quality as a group to play more aggressively, we've been able to do that without being bowled out too often," he said.

The former India captain also had a message for fans ahead of the World Cup.

"We are going to do our best, we've really worked hard and we can just hope for the best. In tournaments like those, you need to play really well but we need a bit of luck as well," he said.

"We hope to bring smiles to people's faces. I think since crowds have been allowed into stadiums, we've got great support everywhere we've gone and the boys are really encouraged by that support. We'll have that in Australia as well, we'll try our best," he added.

--IANS
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Indore, Oct 4 (IANS) A scintillating maiden T20I century from Rilee Rossouw led South Africa to a convincing 49 run win over India in the third and final T20I and helped them avoid a clean sweep in the three-match series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, here on Tuesday.

With the win in the first two T20Is, India won the three-match series 2-1. On the other hand, the win in the last game will give the Proteas momentum heading into the upcoming ODI series and also some confidence ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia.

A brilliant century from Rossouw (100 not out off 48) and a fine fifty by Quinton de Kock (68 off 43) powered South Africa to 227/3 in 20 overs, after being invited to bat first. Apart from Rossouw and De Kock, Tristan Stubbs (23 off 18) and David Miller (19 not out off 5) also played valuable knocks for South Africa, who were also helped by India's sloppy fielding.

Chasing a mammoth total, India were off to a poor start, losing the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer early. Rohit, while trying to drive off the back foot, got out for a duck on the second ball of the innings to Rabada. On the other hand, Iyer was trapped in front of the wicket by left-armer Parnell.

Despite the wickets, Pant, who opened the innings and Karthik, who came to bat at No 4, dealt in regular boundaries to get India going in the chase. Pant slammed two sixes and two fours off Ngidi in the fifth over but got out soon after, handing a catch to Stubbs at cover-point to depart for a 14-ball 27.

However, Karthik ensured that India had a profitable powerplay. He hit six, four, six off Parnell in the sixth over as India managed 39 off the last two powerplay overs and reached 64/3 after six overs.

Veteran Karthik also struck two sixes off Maharaj in the seventh over, but he got out to the spinner bowled for a 21-ball 46 after failing to execute a reverse shot. Suryakumar Yadav, couldn't do much and got out to Pretorius after striking a six, with Stubbs taking an excellent diving catch running in from deep extra cover, leaving India in deep trouble at 86/5 after 8 overs.

Thereafter, Harshal Patel (17) and Axar Patel (9) had a brief partnership of 22 runs for the sixth wicket but they too got out in quick succession. Having struck two fours and a six, Harshal got out to Ngidi as he found Miller at long-off while Axar got out for 9 off 8, getting an under edge off Parnell to hand wicket-keeper a catch. Ravichandran Ashwin (2) also couldn't do much and got out to Keshav Maharaj as India slipped further to 120/8 in the 13th over.

It was Deepak Chahar, who did some good hitting, smashing two fours and two sixes and helped India to the 150 mark in the 16th over while Umesh also scored a couple of boundaries during their partnership.

The 48-run stand for the ninth wicket came to an end when Chahar, after striking a six off Pretorius, fell in his attempt to score another, departing for 31 off 17, leaving India at 168/9 in the 17th over. Siraj was the last to depart, getting out to Pretorius as India were bowled out for 178 in 18.3 overs. Dwaine Pretorius 3/26, Keshav Maharaj 2/34) were the most successful bowlers for Proteas.

Earlier, put into bat first, De Kock gave Sri Lanka a flying start, smashing all India pacers Siraj and Chahar for boundaries and sixes. However, skipper Temba Bavuma was struggling at the other end. Umesh, introduced into the attack in the fourth over, struck off his first ball to end Bavuma's struggle, leaving South Africa to 30/1 after 4.1 overs.

Rilee Rossouw, who came to bat next, started his innings on a positive note, hitting a four to leg side boundary off Umesh and followed it up with another four a little finer. He then went over deep midwicket off Ashwin for his first six as South Africa ended the powerplay at 48/1.

Even after the end of powerplay, both South African batters continued their aggressive intent. De Kock reverse-sweeped Ashwin for a six and in the same over, Siraj put down a catch to give Rossouw a reprieve and a six. Soon, De Kock brought up his fifty in 33-balls with a six off Umesh. In the same over, Rossouw went past fine leg for a four as South Africa moved to 96/1 after 10 overs.

Both Rossouw and De Kock were holding the South Africa innings firm and Indian bowlers had no answers. It was eventually Shreyas Iyer's bullet throw which brought some respite for India, when De Kock attempted a quick second but got run out, leaving South Africa to 120/2 in 12.1 overs.

De Kock's wicket didn't affect South Africa much as a barrage of fours and sixes continued, with Umesh and Axar taken to the cleaners. With a six off Axar, Rossouw brought up a 27-ball fifty and then hit six off Harshal as South Africa moved to 154/2 after 15 overs.

Young Tristan Stubbs was also complementing Rossouw well from the other hand with timely boundaries as South Africa were racing towards a strong finish. Rossouw got to his maiden T20I ton - off 48 deliveries - with a single off Chahar in the first ball of the last over. The pacer then dismissed Stubbs in the next ball, which brought dangerous David Miller to the crease.

Miller then hit three sixes off Chahar as South Africa got 24 off the final over to finish with a mammoth total of 227-3 in 20 overs. Umesh Yadav (1/34) and Deepak Chahar (1/48) were the wicket-takers for India.

Brief scores: South Africa 227-3 in 20 Overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not out, Quinton de Kock 68; Umesh Yadav 1/34) beat India 178-10 in 18.3 Overs (Dinesh Karthik 46, Deepak Chahar 31; Dwaine Pretorius 3/26, Keshav Maharaj 2/34) by 49 runs

--IANS
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Berlin (Germany), Oct 4 (IANS) Good news currently seems a rare commodity when it comes to the German football club Borussia Dortmund.

Ahead of the Champions League group encounter against Sevilla this Wednesday, the 2012 German champion find themselves exposed to stiff headwinds.

Disappointments about three league defeats are accompanied by an unpleasant debate about the team's mentality problem, triggered by coach Edin Terzic.

"The lack of determination has been following us over the past years," Terzic complained.

Crucial duels against Sevilla (twice) and national issues against Bayern Munich and Bundesliga leader Union Berlin, therefore, turn into do-or-die tasks as the club's future seems at stake.

Plans to challenge the national leagues' dominant stag Bayern Munich seem already shattered early in the 2022-2023 season, reports Xinhua.

In the Champions League, a significant upswing is required to help survive a challenging group containing Manchester City next to resilient Sevilla.

An inevitable generational change is also burdening the side, including the expiring contracts of several aged leaders such as Mats Hummels and Marco Reus, who had to quit for Sevilla due to injuries.

Next to established forces, super-talent Youssoufa Moukoko is said to consider leaving due to a lack of playing minutes, while midfield conductor Jude Bellingham has become a serious target of potent clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Liverpool.

Efforts to replace sickened box-striker Sebastien Haller failed as new arrival Anthony Modeste is performing far from expectations, not to speak of comparisons to departed Erling Haaland.

Terzic hopes for a turnaround following his team's roasting. "We need to develop more seriousness and robustness when defending our goal. We need to make these decisive meters in the games crunch time," he said.

Despite the currently damaged mood, Dortmund's coach is talking about the opportunity to come back in the league and set a mark in the Champions League before football faces a mid-season break due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

--IANS

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Tokyo, Oct 4 (IANS) India's Ramkumar Ramanathan, who came through the qualifying rounds, stumbled at the first hurdle in the main draw, losing to Japan's Rio Noguchi in a hard-fought three-setter in the first round here on Tuesday.

Ramkumar fought back superbly after losing the first set and won the third and took the matters to the tiebreaker in the decider but lost steam and went down 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(1).

The Indian star fired 9 aces as compared to one by the Japanese but overall could manage to fire in only 52 per cent first serve as compared to 71 per cent by Noguchi. He saved four out of six break points while the Japanese saved five out of seven.

The 27-year-old Chennai-born Ramkumar, ranked 297 in the World Rankings, could not capitalise on his chances as he went down to the 23-year-old Noguchi, who is ranked 291.

Ramkumar had qualified for the main draw by beating Elias Yiner of Sweden 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in the second qualifying round. He had overcome Japan's Ryota Tanuma in straight sets in the first qualifying round.

Ramkumar is still in the fray in the doubles competition as he will partner Australia's Alexei Popyrin in the main draw. They will take on second seeds Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the first round.

--IANS

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Lausanne (Switzerland) The International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Tuesday announced that India's Mumtaz Khan and Timothee Clement of France have been named the FIH Rising Stars of the Year 2021-22 in the women's and men's category respectively.

Mumtaz Khan burst on to the international hockey scene almost out of nowhere in the FIH Junior Women's World Cup 2022, thrilling hockey fans with her incredible style of play and an eye for scoring goals that cannot be taught!

Mumtaz was the best performer for India in the Junior World Cup, scoring 8 times in 6 games. She finished in the third place on the list of top scorers in the World Cup, as India missed out on a bronze medal by a whisker finishing in the 4th place. She failed to score in just one game throughout the tournament, against Netherlands. Mumtaz scored both the goals for India in the crucial 2-2 tie in the bronze medal match against England, but the team couldn't get over the line in the ensuing shoot-out.

Hailing from the city of Lucknow, in the north of India, Mumtaz started off her sporting career as a track athlete and it can be seen in her game as once she finds any semblance of space behind the opposition's defense, she is impossible to catch. Most of her goals in the World Cup came about in similar fashion as quick counters by the Indian team left opponents playing catch-up as Mumtaz burst through the ranks to go through on the goal.

Mumtaz was also a part of the Indian team that played in the Hero FIH Hockey5s Lausanne 2022 and showcased her improving skills scoring 5 goals in 4 games, in very different conditions that limited her ability to exploit open spaces, as she instead relied on her shooting skills to find the back of the goal.

The field was closely packed at the top of FIH Rising Star of the Year category, as Mumtaz edged Belgium's Charlotte Englebert by a margin of just 3 points. Mumtaz finished with a total of 32.9 points with Englebert coming in second with 29.9 points. Luna Fokke from the Netherlands finished third with 16.9 points.

Timothee Clement had a stunning breakout season over the past year, emerging as a new hockey superstar with breathtaking performances in the FIH Odisha Men's Junior Hockey World Cup 2021 as well as the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22, that led to many impressive wins for France, who continue to impress with each passing event.

Clement's showing at the Junior World Cup was nothing short of extraordinary as France proved themselves to be the surprise package of the tournament, making it all the way to the semi-finals, and then taking down hosts India in the Bronze medal match to take a well-deserved spot on the podium. As the captain, Clement led his team from the front, as France demonstrated a relentless attacking style of play that resulted in goals galore.

Opposing defenses found Clement impossible to stop as he slotted in 15 goals at the Junior World Cup in just 6 games. Those 15 goals included 4 hat-tricks, one of which came in the quarter-finals against Malaysia, and he scored another hat-trick in the 3-1 win over India in the bronze medal match.

Clement was also a big part of the French team in their debut campaign in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2021-22, featuring in all 16 games and starting in 15 of them. He scored 6 goals in the Pro League games for France, as they produced some great team performances throughout the season, which included a draw against eventual champions Netherlands, and convincing victories over India, Argentina and South Africa.

Clement dominated the voting in the FIH Rising Star of the Year (men) category, scoring 38.8 points. Sanjay from India finished second with 23.7 points, and Miles Bukkens of Netherlands finished third with 19.1 points.

--IANS
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Indore, Oct 4 (IANS) A scintillating maiden T20I hundred century from Rilee Rossouw (100 not out off 48) and a fine fifty by Quinton de Kock (68 off 43) powered South Africa to 227/3 against India in the third and final T20I of the three match series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, here on Tuesday.

Apart from Rossouw and De Kock, Tristan Stubbs (23 off 18) and David Miller (19 not out off 5) also played valuable knocks for South Africa, who dominated the whole innings.

Put into bat first, De Kock gave Sri Lanka a flying start, smashing all India pacers Siraj and Chahar for boundaries and sixes. However, skipper Temba Bavuma was struggling at the other end. Umesh, introduced into the attack in the fourth over, struck off his first ball to end Bavuma's struggle, leaving South Africa to 30/1 after 4.1 overs.

Rilee Rossouw, who came to bat next, started his innings on a positive note, hitting a four to leg side boundary off Umesh and followed it up with another four a little finer. He then went over deep midwicket off Ashwin for his first six as South Africa ended the powerplay at 48/1.

Even after the end of powerplay, both South African batters continued their aggressive intent. De Kock reverse-sweeped Ashwin for a six and in the same over, Siraj put down a catch to give Rossouw a reprieve and a six. Soon, De Kock brought up his fifty in 33-balls with a six off Umesh. In the same over, Rossouw went past fine leg for a four as South Africa moved to 96/1 after 10 overs.

Both Rossouw and De Kock were holding the South Africa innings firm and Indian bowlers had no answers. It was eventually Shreyas Iyer' bullet throw which brought some respite for India, when De Kock attempted a quick second but got run out, leaving South Africa to 120/2 in 12.1 overs.

De Kock's wicket didn't affect South Africa much as a barrage of fours and sixes continued, with Umesh and Axar taken to the cleaners. With a six off Axar, Rossouw brought up a 27-ball fifty and then hit six off Harshal as South Africa moved to 154/2 after 15 overs.

Young Tristan Stubbs was also complementing Rossouw well from the other hand with timely boundaries as South Africa were racing towards a strong finish. Rossouw got to his maiden T20I ton - off 48 deliveries - with a single off Chahar in the first ball of the last over. The pacer then dismissed Stubbs in the next ball, which brought dangerous David Miller to the crease.

Miller then hit three sixes off Chahar as South Africa got 24 off the final over to finish with a mammoth total of 227-3 in 20 overs. Umesh Yadav (1/34) and Deepak Chahar (1/48) were the wicket-takers for India.

Brief scores: South Africa 227-3 in 20 Overs (Rilee Rossouw 100 not out, Quinton de Kock 68; Umesh Yadav 1/34) vs India

--IANS
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Jaipur, Oct 4 (IANS) The champion team will be awarded with Rs 2 crore prize money as the Legends League on Tuesday revealed the prize pool for the on-going season, hosted in India for the first time.

The announcement was made during the press conference in Jaipur ahead of the grand finale which was attended by India Capitals' skipper Gautam Gambhir and Bhilwara King's captain Irfan Pathan along with Raman Raheja, CEO and Co-Founder, Legends League Cricket.

A 15-days of exciting action, with the participation world's greatest cricketers, will be concluded with India Capitals taking on Bhilwara Kings in the final at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur tomorrow.

"It's been great to see these cricketing greats in action and giving their all with competitive spirit in each match. Both Bhilwara Kings and India Capitals are strong teams and It's going to be a blockbuster final tomorrow. The league has a total prize pool of 4 crore wherein runners-up will be awarded with 1 crore while second runners-up, Gujarat Giants, will receive 50 lakh," Raheja said while addressing the media.

Pathan-led side have league's leading run-getter William Porterfield as well as the highest wicket-taker Fidel Edwards in their line-up. Former Ireland skipper Porterfield has scored 255 runs from six matches at the strike-rate of 144 while Edwards has taken 10 wickets from seven games. Aussie great Shane Watson and former India all-rounder Yusuf Pathan are also in great form and have contributed to the team's success.

"We have played very competitive cricket and look forward to playing with the same aggressive approach tomorrow. Win or loss is part of the game. India Capitals was the first team to enter the final. Gautam Gambhir is a mastermind captain. It will be challenging to play against him," Pathan said.

India Capitals, on the other hand, finished on top of the points table. Hamilton Masakadza, with 255 runs from six games, and leg-spinner Pravin Tambe are the most successful players so far for them. Tambe has dismissed nine batsmen in six matches. Former New Zealand captain Ross Taylor and Ashley Nurse will come into the match after their exceptional knocks in the qualifier.

Gambhir added: "Bhilwara Kings is the most dangerous and balanced side. We play all matches with the same motivation be it first match or final. I will also try to score some runs which help the team win. When players like Yusuf [Pathan] and Irfan are in rhythm, bowlers have less margin of error and you have to deliver your best ball. Hopefully we do that."

With the final starting at 7.30pm, the action will be broadcasted live on Star Sports Network and also streamed live on Disney+Hotstar. Besides the Indian subcontinent, Willow TV will broadcast the match live in US while Kayo Sports, Fox Cricket in Australia.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, Oct 4 (IANS) India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is "gutted" at not being able to lead the bowling attack for India in the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 which gets underway on October 16.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Medical team on Monday ruled out Bumrah from the mega event.

"The decision was taken following a detailed assessment and in consultation with the specialists. The BCCI will be naming a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah in the squad for the marquee tournament soon," the apex body of cricket in India said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Bumrah thanked his friends and family for the wishes and said he will be cheering for Team India during the T20 World Cup.

"I am gutted that I won't be a part of the T20 World Cup this time, but thankful for the wishes, care and support I've received from my loved ones. As I recover, I'll be cheering on the team through their campaign in Australia," Bumrah tweeted.

Bumrah, was initially ruled out from the ongoing 3-match T20I series against South Africa due to a back injury.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2022 winning team on November 13 in Melbourne, will take home a cheque of $1.6 million.

The total prize pot of $5.6m will see the runners-up assured of $800,000 and the losing semifinalists will receive $400,000 each at the end of the 45-match tournament being played across seven venues in Australia from 16 October, as per ICC.

Following the same structure as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021, the eight teams that exit at the Super 12 stage will receive $70,000 each, with a victory in each of the 30 games in that phase worth $40,000.

Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa are confirmed to start their tournament at the Super 12 stage.

Teams whose campaigns begin in the first round are Namibia, the Netherlands, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Ireland, Scotland, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.

--IANS

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London, Oct 4 (IANS) England's charismatic all-format batter Jonny Bairstow has confirmed he will not play for the rest of the year, thought the outlook on the freak leg injury he suffered on the golf course is quite positive.

The 33-year-old Bairstow, who has been pivotal to England's Test resurgence this summer, broke his leg while walking to a tee box in an golf accident last month and was ruled out of the seven-match T20I series against Pakistan and the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

He has since successfully undergone surgery on his lower leg and is three weeks into rehabilitation with a view to returning to playing some time next year. Bairstow took to social media on Monday night to provide an update on his injury.

He posted some images of the affected limb on Instagram and wrote, "I am just writing this to give you all an update on my injury and progress. The actual injury was as such... a broken fibula in 3 places which required a plate, I dislocated my ankle which in turn meant I did my syndesmosis joint and lateral ligament along with a couple more bits. All in all I have done a proper job on it!

"Anyway... on the positive side the operation went well and I am now 3 weeks post-surgery and my staples have been removed. It's now all about swelling prevention and getting my ankle moving once again. These next few weeks/couple of months are the key to the recovery.

"As for a time scale on return to play I'm afraid it is too early to say, the first targets in mind are getting me back on my 2 feet again and making sure it's right. One thing is for sure and that is I shall not be partaking in anything more during 2022... however I cannot wait for what 2023 holds!! Thanks for your support as always!! JMB," wrote Bairstow.

The Instagram update means Bairstow will miss England's historic Test tour of Pakistan in December and will be in doubt for the two-Test tour of New Zealand in February 2023.

The cricketer should be fit for the next year's Ashes at home as it will be part of the next ICC World Test Championship cycle.

Bairstow had been in sublime form before he was laid low by the freak injury. The right-hand stalwart has already made six centuries from 10 Tests prior to the injury.

--IANS

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St. John's (Antigua), Oct 4 (IANS) Charismatic left-hand batter Shimron Hetmyer has been replaced in the West Indies squad for the ICC T20 World Cup beginning on October 16 after he missed the flight to Australia from Guyana.

The 25-year-old has been replaced by Shamarh Brooks and Cricket West Indies (CWI) has informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) about the change. Hetmyer reportedly missed his re-scheduled flight to Australia, which had been changed from October 1 to October 3 at his request, due to family reasons.

He was booked on another flight two days later from Guyana via New York. But on the morning of his scheduled departure, Hetmyer informed CWI director of cricket Jimmy Adams that he would not be able to reach the airport in time.

CWI took a stringent view and decided to replace Hetmyer.

"The decision by the CWI Selection Panel was made as Shimron Hetmyer missed his re-scheduled flight to Australia, which had been changed from Saturday (October 1) at his request, due to family reasons. With flight availability a real challenge, a seat was found for him to leave Guyana today (Monday, October 3), meaning he would unfortunately miss the 1st T20 International against Australia on Wednesday (October 5) at the Metricon Stadium," said a CWI statement.

"This morning (October 3), Mr. Hetmyer, informed the Director of Cricket (Jimmy Adams) that he would not be able to get to the airport in time for his flight this afternoon to New York," added the CWI statement.

"This afternoon we informed the CWI Board of Directors that the selection panel had unanimously decided to replace Shimron Hetmyer with Shamarh Brooks in our T20 World Cup squad. Whilst we changed Shimron's flight from Saturday to Monday due to family reasons, it was made clear to him that if there were any further delays and issues with his travel to Australia then we would have no choice but to replace him in the squad, as we are not prepared to compromise the team's ability to prepare for this extremely important global event," said Adams.

Hetmyer's replacement Brooks is no stranger to the West Indies team, playing for the side in all three international formats, including 11 T20Is, all in the last one year.

"Shamarh has been a part of our recent T20 International squads and delivered strong performances in the latter stages of the recently concluded CPL. He will fly out as soon as possible this week to Australia and I wish him and all the squad all the very best for the tournament (T20 World Cup)," added Adams.

West Indies are drawn in Group B of the first round at the T20 World Cup and have matches against Scotland, Zimbabwe and Ireland before a possible place in the Super 12 stage of the tournament.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, West Indies will also play a two-match T20I series against Australia beginning on October 5.

--IANS

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