January 2024 - News Digest

January 2

Warner makes impassioned plea for return of his stolen Baggy Green

On the eve of his final Test match, David Warner found himself making an impassioned plea on social media for the return of his stolen Baggy Green.

"Hi all, this is my last resort," he wrote on Instagram, alongside a video, "but my backpack, which contained my Baggy Green, has been taken from my luggage, which was transported to Melbourne airport and flown on @qantas to Sydney a few days ago. @qantas have said they checked their cameras and have not seen anyone open our bags and take the backpack, however they do have blind spots.

"If you are the person, who was either working for the company driving it to and from the airport or working for @qantas and have, by chance, just wanted the backpack, I have one for. I would be grateful if this were returned asap. Thanks.

"Please reach out to Cricket Australia or myself via my social media and I'm happy to give this to you if you return my baggy greens," Warner added in the video.

The Baggy Green is a cap given to an Australian cricketer when he/she debuts in Test cricket. While it has been worn by the country's Test cricketers since the turn of the 20th century, it grew into becoming a symbol of cricketing pride in the late 90s during the captaincy tenures of Mark Taylor and Steve Waugh.

January 1

Jonathan Trott to continue as Afghanistan coach

Jonathan Trott will continue as the head coach of Afghanistan after the country's cricket board handed him a contract extension through to the end of 2024 following a string of impressive performances under his leadership.

The former England Test cricketer oversaw the team's impressive World Cup campaign in India last year where Afghanistan registered wins over England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Netherlands and ran eventual champions Australia close.

Under Trott, Afghanistan registered a maiden bilateral ODI series win over Bangladesh as well as a first-ever T20I series win over Pakistan.

They are currently engaged in a T20I assignment with UAE and will take on India later this month, continuing their build-up to this year's T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

Craig Ervine returns as captain for ODIs against Sri Lanka

Veteran Zimbabwe batter Craig Ervine will return to captain the ODI squad on the forthcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The 38-year-old missed the recent assignment against Ireland with injury but has been passed fit to return. Sean Williams, however, continues to miss out.

Zimbabwe's ODI squad sees the inclusion of 33-year-old offspinner Tapiwa Mufadza following a string of strong performances on the domestic circuit.

Pace bowler Faraz Akram has also been added to the squad and is in line to make his ODI bow. Besides Akram, four other players who came into the national side for the Ireland series - Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba and Tony Munyonga - have been retained for the ODIs in Sri Lanka.

However, there will be three changes to the squad for the T20I series to be led by Sikandar Raza. Brian Bennett, Ainsley Ndlovu and Carl Mumba come in to replace Kaitano, Mufudza and Akram.

ODI Squad: Ervine Craig (c), Akram Faraz, Burl Ryan, Gumbie Joylord, Jongwe Luke, Kaitano Takudzwanashe, Kamunhukamwe Tinashe, Madande Clive, Masakadza Wellington, Mufudza Tapiwa, Munyonga Tony, Muzarabani Blessing, Ngarava Richard, Raza Sikandar, Shumba Milton

T20I Squad:Raza Sikandar (c), Bennett Brian, Burl Ryan, Ervine Craig, Gumbie Joylord, Jongwe Luke, Kamunhukamwe Tinashe, Madande Clive, Masakadza Wellington, Mumba Carl, Munyonga Tony, Muzarabani Blessing, Ndlovu Ainsley, Ngarava Richard, Shumba Milton

Zimbabwe will face Sri Lanka in three ODIs and as many T20Is with all six games scheduled to be played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.