IPL '19 to move out of India, Indian cricketer misses County stint, and more - Cricket News Today, 11 September 2018

The fifth and final Test match of the Specsavers England-India series is going on at the Oval, and India is showing all hopes of a remarkable fight in the fourth innings while chasing 464 to win. Though the game still remains a losing cause, or at best, a draw, KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant are piling on runs, and hopes as well, amongst the Indian camp.

As the latest reports come from the venue, India is at 274/5, Rahul batting at 141 and Pant batting at 79. The duo has stitched a 153-run stand in the sixth wicket until now. India now needs 190 runs to win with five wickets in hand, and to avoid a draw they must chase the target within 39 more overs.

Meanwhile, here we bring you the top cricketing stories from elsewhere in the world. Read on to know more.

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#5 Stuart Broad playing on despite injury

Stuart Broad in jubilation after picking up Virat Kohli's wicket

As mentioned, the final Test of the England-India series is going on, and India is fighting a nearly lost cause. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that Stuart Broad has suffered an injury, but he is still playing on, as the game has just begun for its final day.

BBC correspondent Jonathan Agnew had tweeted out earlier, that England pacer Broad may have suffered a rib-injury while batting against Jasprit Bumrah in the third innings. Still, he continued, and even bowled five overs before the end of play on day four, also picking up the all-important scalp of Virat Kohli off the latter's very first ball. But later on, he apparently turned to watch television in his hotel room and subsequently caused an aggravation of his injury, as reported by various sources today morning.

But Broad is still playing, and television cameras have been able to pick up a blue taping on his side that can be seen through his shirt. He has also bowled a few overs so far, his total figures from the fourth innings being 11-1-35-1 until now.

#4 Aaron Finch likely to mark red-ball debut after call-up to Aussie Test squad against Pakistan

Aaron Finch in the County Championships

Australia has announced their squad for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan next month. As many as five uncapped players have been included in the 15-man squad, which also features a few notable comebacks and a few noted ommissions as well.

The squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Peter Siddle, and Mitchell Starc.

Aaron Finch tops the list of noted introductions into red-ball cricket, a list which also includes Travis Head, Brendan Doggett, Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser. The two-match series set to be played in the UAE will also see the comeback of pacer Peter Siddle and spinner Ashton Agar, whose last Tests for Australia were in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Attacking batsman Glenn Maxwell, along with Joe Burns and Peter Handscomb, does not make the cut.

Of Finch, chief selector Trevor Hohns said: "Aaron is in sensational form, and this is the right time to give him a chance to play Test cricket. He has performed well in the Sheffield Shield in recent seasons and brings added experience and leadership to this group."

#3 India A seals win against Australia A, draws series

Shreyas Iyer is the India-A captain

It was a thriller evening on Day 4 at the second unofficial Test between India A and Australia A, held at the KSCA Cricket Ground at Alur, Bengaluru. The eventual result stayed with the hosts, as they completed a memorable win and draw the series from the brink of defeat.

Batting first, Australia A posted 346, thanks to Mitchell Marsh's 113 and captain Travis Head's 68. India A replied brilliantly, as KS Bharath's 106 and half centuries from Easwaran, Samarth, Kuldeep, and Shubman helped the hosts post 505. In their second innings, the Aussies could get just 213, giving India a 55-run target, but very less time to chase it - just around 30 minutes.

Having lost the first game, it was essential that India win this game, so as to draw the series at best. Though they lost four wickets within just 25 runs, Ankit Bawne saw through the total with just a few minutes of time remaining.

India thus won the game by six wickets and tied the series 1-1.

#2 Ravichandran Ashwin ruled out of Worcestershire stint in the County

Ravi Ashwin during the fourth England-India Test

Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been ruled out of his expected return to County games following a prevailing hip injury.

The 31-year-old had aggravated the injury during the fourth Test of the England-India series, and was left out of the Oval game.

Speaking about Ashwin's injury, that will prevent him from playing two Championship games in September, Worcestershire's chief executive, Matt Rawnsley, said: "It’s a shame Ravichandran Ashwin will not be able to return to us because he made such a big impact here in 2017 and was keen to come back. He has gone on record about how much he enjoyed it here last summer. But the injury he has been struggling with in the Test series against England means that it is not possible and we wish him all the best and a speedy recovery. We are exploring our options for an overseas replacement for the final two Championship matches."

At the fifth Test's toss, Indian captain Virat Kohli had admitted that Ashwin had aggravated his injury, contradicting vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane and coach Ravi Shastri, who had earlier stated that the off-spinner was fit during the fourth Test.

#1 IPL 2019 to be shifted out of India

The Chennai Super Kings are the current winners of the IPL

With India getting ready for 2019 elections, IPL 2019 might be shifted partially or fully out of India. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is eagerly awaiting EC (Election Commission) for the announcement of the dates of the upcoming elections. In the past, the national general elections have been the cause for IPL to be moved out of India partially or fully - during 2009 in South Africa and 2014 in UAE (partially).

This time again, it is speculated that it can be held in either UAE or South Africa. As per a report in Mumbai Mirror, England could also be a probable option in the books. The Committee of Administrators (CoA) and the BCCI management directed by CEO Rahul Johri are responsible for the latest plans. IPL COO Hemang Amin is on the cabinet too.

The potential boards (UAE, South Africa, and England) have been informed informally about the options. Moreover, the franchises have also been acquainted with the preferred choices.

As per reports, the chances of IPL moving to England are very slim due to high costs and less conversion to revenue. That UAE has only three major grounds, makes IPL too big a league to be held. As a result, South Africa seems to be the most pragmatic option for BCCI if at all the IPL is to be moved out of India.