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“Time is the biggest healer,” says batsman in newspaper interview

ESPNcricinfo staff09-May-2020Alex Hales has claimed he has “matured as a player” since his deselection from England’s 2019 World Cup squad after a failed recreational drugs test, and declared that the past six months have been “the best I’ve played in my career” as he presses his case for an international return.Hales has not played for England since it became public in the weeks before the World Cup that he had been serving a 21-day ban due to a second violation of the ECB’s recreational drugs policy, which caused the England limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan to publicly lambast his “lack of regard” for his international team-mates, citing a “complete breakdown of trust” for his omission from the World Cup squad.This week, Morgan said that the “door is still open” for Hales, but reiterated that the crucial element would be rebuilding that trust. “I don’t think you can put a time limit on gaining back that trust, and that’s not just with me; that’s with every member of the squad, the backroom staff, the selectors,” he said.ALSO READ: ‘Door not shut’ on Hales, says Morgan in T20 World Cup build-upIn an interview with the , Hales said that he has matured in the last 12 months, but admitted it would be difficult to address his relationship with the rest of the England squad while outside the squad. Since the start of the 2019/20 Big Bash League, Hales has averaged 42.89 in a combined 22 T20 innings for Sydney Thunder and Karachi Kings, and said that he has never played better across his career.”Like Morgs has said, I guess time is the biggest healer,” Hales said. “I just don’t know how long that is going to go on for, that’s the only thing. I honestly have no idea. Obviously, I’d love to get my place back. Playing international cricket is the highlight of any player’s career and I still think I’ve got a lot to offer, particularly in T20.”I certainly feel I have matured, as a player and away from the game, and hopefully I’ll get the chance to show that in the group environment again. It can be tough to rebuild that trust when you are not in the close-knit circles.”This is the best I’ve played in my career. My England career has been pretty good so far in T20 and that’s not even playing to the best of my ability. I’d love to get that chance again. I’ve moved on and grown from the mistakes I’ve made in my private life and, hopefully, people can forgive and forget. Hopefully, I get that chance again because I feel I’m in a good head space.”ALSO READ: Fines doubled but 21-day ban scrapped as ECB update recreational drugs policyThe fact that the reason behind Hales’ ban was kept confidential last year led to a change in the ECB’s recreational drugs policy ahead of the 2020 season, under which Hales’ fine would have been doubled for his second violation, but he would not have had to miss any games. Hales’ absence was explained by Nottinghamshire as a break for “personal reasons”, but the trail was laid for reporters, and the reasons became public after the broke the story.Under the new regulations, which the ECB said took into account “the important consideration of player welfare”, Hales’ fine would have been doubled but he would not have been banned, suggesting that the second failed test would have remained under wraps.Hales said that his involvement in the Bristol incident and the resulting trial and Cricket Disciplinary Commission hearing “took a lot out of me mentally”, and suggested that he had struggled to cope with the public spotlight surrounding the case.”Stuff like that, you maybe don’t appreciate at the time but it took an awful lot out of me mentally,” he said. “I’m not blaming that on some of the mistakes I made off the field, but it certainly didn’t help with how I felt away from the game. It was mentally exhausting. It put me in a really dark place.”I feel on top of everything and the chapter of Bristol and its aftermath is firmly closed now. I am just looking forward to enjoying the next few years of my career and, more importantly, my life, and just see where it takes me. If you speak to any coach I’ve played under in the last 12 months, I feel I’ve matured as a player.”Hales also said that while he never managed to get tested for Covid-19, he was “pretty sure” he had contracted the virus. Hales had told Pakistan Super League officials that he had developed symptoms upon his return to the UK, which led to the tournament’s semi-finals and final being postponed indefinitely.”There was a point when it was 5am and I was lying in bed, drenched with sweat, feeling sorry for myself. But I knew deep down it wasn’t enough to put me in hospital. I never managed to get a test but speaking to a couple of doctors, they were 99 per cent sure it was Covid.”

The Hobart Hurricanes legspinner already has an impressive list of batters in her wickets column

Andrew McGlashan08-Nov-2020Lizelle Lee, Ashleigh Gardner, Erin Burns, Rachael Haynes and Phoebe Litchfield.That’s not a WBBL top order (although it would be a pretty handy one) but rather the wickets that 15-year-old Amy Smith, the Hobart Hurricanes legspinner, has taken so far this season.The first of those, Lee, made her the second-youngest wicket-taker in the tournament’s history behind Hayley Silver-Holmes from the Sydney Sixers. In a competition known for its promotion of young players, Smith is the latest to join the list.However, her first professional wickets came at an even younger age: last season she made her debut for Tasmania in the WNCL as a 14-year-old. Her chance in the WBBL this year was opened up by an injury to fellow legspinner Maisy Gibson that ruled her out of the tournament and she is taking the opportunity with both hands.”I’m quite maternal, so I’m quite protective of her, but she doesn’t need that,” Hurricanes captain Corinne Hall, said. “She’s very composed, has bowled against the best batters in the league, the most destructive players in women’s cricket, and she’s kept her nerve each time. She’s shown remarkable maturity for a 15-year-old.”Facing the Sixers’ powerful top order, her first over went for just two against Gardner and Ellyse Perry. She was then brought back in the 16th, with the Sixers set to cut loose, and removed Gardner and Burns in the space four balls.Her third over, the 18th, went for just six runs and Hall conceded she had probably erred in not bowling her out although against the Thunder – where she had Haynes caught sweeping and defeated fellow teenager Litchfield for a stumping – she did not bowl her quota either.”It’s not a situation she’s been in before and that was going through my mind, whether bowling the last couple of overs would change the way she was bowling, but it didn’t,” Hall said after the match against Sixers. “She’s remarkably composed for a 15-year-old cricketer. She’s just trying to pick up everything she can as she goes. We can’t ask for anything more from her at the minute.”Smith immerses herself in any cricket that is on around the world and Hall revealed in the future that some of the mannerisms of her namesake, Steven, may be on display.”She’s quite a quiet person but I think she’s quietly confident of her skills – that’s one of her real solid traits that will hold her in good stead throughout her career. She’s very well planned, she loves cricket, she watches very match that is possibly going on in the world and she loves learning.”Steve Smith is one of her favourite players and you’ll probably see a few of her mannerisms replicating a few of his, she’s a student of the game and think she has a long career in cricket.”

Ness Wadia also hoped BCCI would look at compensating franchises if IPL 2020 was played in front of empty stands

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Jul-2020Ness Wadia, one of the co-owners of Kings XI Punjab, wants daily covid testing for players and support staff in the UAE, where IPL 2020 will be played between September 19 and November 10.”I would want as much testing as possible and preferably daily,” Wadia told . “If I was a cricketer, I would be very happy in getting myself tested everyday. There is no harm in it.””Strict safety protocols have to be put in place both for off-field and on-field activities to make the IPL safe and successful. They should not be compromised at all.”Currently, to travel to UAE, a passenger needs to test negative before flying and take another test upon landing, with entry permitted without a quarantine period should both tests return negative. A quarantine period is mandatory only for those landing in the country without prior testing.The logistical aspect of managing eight teams, three venues and their travel to the grounds and training facilities from their hotels poses a complex challenge in providing a bio-secure bubble, which Wadia hoped wouldn’t be compromised.”Bio-security is something that should be very seriously considered but don’t know if it can be implemented in an eight-team tournament,” Wadia said. “We are waiting for the SOPs from the BCCI.”UAE also has a very high testing rate (472,575 per million) and they have all the technology at their disposal. The BCCI will need the help of the local government in ensuring adequate testing is done.”The UAE has been host to part of the IPL, with 20 matches taking place in the country at the start of the 2014 season, due to India’s general elections taking place at the time.Wadia also hoped that the BCCI would compensate all teams suitably if the tournament is played in front of empty stands. Currently, teams earn a portion of their revenue from gate receipts.”The IPL will bring much needed optimism to the pessimism we live in today. Credit to the BCCI to have a found a window in the current scenario,” he said. “I do hope that the BCCI will look at compensating all teams (in case there is no gate money involved).”

While Sri Lanka have played six of their last eight Tests in Galle, Pakistan’s form in the longest format will be their biggest concern

Danyal Rasool15-Jul-2023

Big picture: Sri Lanka start as favourites

On July 16, Sri Lanka played Pakistan in Galle in the first of two Test matches, with the second Test starting on the 24th. That statement is true for both 2022 and 2023.It’s not clear why this series has been set up to perfectly mirror Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka last year, but it provides the opportunity to evaluate each side’s progress in the interceding 12 months. Sri Lanka begin as obvious favourites despite mixed results in the past 12 months primarily because of their level of familiarity with conditions; six of the hosts’ last eight Test matches have come at this venue, and four of those games have resulted in wins for them. A relatively settled Test side who recognise their best red-ball squad, Sri Lanka went on to challenge New Zealand away in the only other Test series they played, going down by two wickets in the first before being overpowered in the second.They come off pitch-perfect recent form – albeit in another format. The ignominy of being forced to qualify for the World Cup in India was more than made up for by Sri Lanka vanquishing all before them in Zimbabwe, winning all eight games and the trophy to book their place at the tournament in style. They are bolstered by the likely return of Dimuth Karunaratne, who missed the final of that competition with a hamstring injury. With two centuries and four fifties in his last seven Test innings, the availability of arguably the world’s best opener of the past five years adds some welcome heft against an opening attack comprising Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.Related

• Returning Shaheen Shah Afridi is dreaming about his 100th Test wicket

• Madushanka eyes Test debut after being picked to play Pakistan

• Shaheen Afridi returns to Galle after year of misery and joy

Add to that the quality Sri Lanka have in their spinning ranks – a recent area of particular famine for Pakistan – and their impregnability is further cemented. Prabath Jayasuriya and Ramesh Mendis were Pakistan’s chief tormentors on a dramatic final day of the series last year, and should play key roles. Pakistan, meanwhile, have struggled to appropriately replace Yasir Shah, with Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali – the two they turned to most frequently – struggling to have a similar impact. This series will see Abrar Ahmed get another run after impressing against England, but Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Ali Agha are expected to have significant bowling duties should Galle’s surfaces live up to their gripping reputation.But Pakistan’s underdog status comes just as much from their own track record as anything Sri Lanka can throw at them. They haven’t won a single Test in the year since their win at Galle in the corresponding fixture 12 months ago, and that was their only win of 2022. Since the start of last year, Babar Azam’s side have triumphed just once in ten matches, losing five of the other nine. A shaky top order will be put to the test once more in Sri Lanka, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, who retains his place as wicketkeeper, will need to back up excellent recent batting performances with ability with the gloves on testing surfaces.

Form guide

Sri Lanka WWLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Pakistan DDLLLShaheen Shah Afridi is set to play his first Test since the first game in Galle last year•AFP/Getty Images

In the spotlight: Prabath Jayasuriya and Shaheen Afridi

In five Test matches in Galle, Prabath Jayasuriya has taken 46 wickets, registering six five-fors and two match ten-wicket hauls. That included 17 wickets in two Test matches against Pakistan last year, famously skittling Pakistan out post-lunch on the final day of the series to level it up 1-1. Another world-class spinner of the Sri Lankan production line, the slow left armer was named the Player of the Series, and will be one of the key antagonists for the visitors this time around, too. Whether they’ve learned to cope with him any better might go a long way in determining the destination of the series trophy.You needn’t look past Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan, given all the baggage Galle at this time of year carries for him. Playing his first Test since a nasty injury in the corresponding Test last year, all eyes will be on his pace, rhythm and ability to withstand five days of a format he has had an extended break from. The surface is more likely to suit spin, and whether Afridi retains his bowling speed – something he has expressed recent scepticism about – could be a bellwether for his red-ball future. With Pakistan likely fielding just two fast bowlers, Babar’s workload management of Shaheen will also be under scrutiny, with in-game management an area the Pakistan captain has struggled with in the past.

Team news

If Karunaratne is available, he will lead the side as captain and opener, with Nishan Madushka likely to pip Pathum Nissanka to be his opening partner. Left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka is in line for a Test debut, while Sri Lanka are spoiled for spin choices.Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Dimuth Karunaratne (capt), 2 Nishan Madhushka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Angelo Mathews, 5 Dinesh Chandimal, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), 8 Ramesh Mendis, 9 Prabath Jayasuriya, 10 Dilshan Madushanka, 11 Vishwa Fernando/Praveen JayawickramaPakistan are likely to go with the extra spin allrounder and sacrifice a seamer in the process, which brings Nawaz into the frame.Pakistan (probable): 1 Abdullah Shafique, 2 Imam-ul-Haq, 3 Shan Masood, 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), 6 Saud Shakeel, 7 Agha Salman, 8 Mohammad Nawaz, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Abrar Ahmed, 11 Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pitch and conditions

There are showers forecast for every day of the Test, though persistent wet weather is unlikely, and Sri Lanka’s world-beating groundstaff should ensure delays are kept to a minimum. The wickets are likely to be slow and conducive to spin.

Stats and trivia

• Shaheen Afridi is one wicket away from becoming the 19th Pakistan bowler to 100 Test wickets, and the first since Mohammad Amir in 2018.
• In the last five years, Dimuth Karunaratne has scored more runs as opener than anyone else in Test cricket. His 3256 runs have come at 50.87, with Tom Latham (2711) a distant second.

Quotes

“Injuries are part of an athlete’s life, but it is good to be back. I enjoy red-ball cricket a lot, and I am one wicket away from a century of Test wickets, which would be a big achievement for me ” Shaheen Afridi is raring to be back after a year out of red-ball cricket

But he still believes there is a future for ODI cricket, and says players ‘still want to win 50-over World Cups’

Firdose Moonda24-Jul-2022Quinton de Kock’s retirement from Test cricket has not created space in his calendar because he has chosen to play in T20 leagues, but he has no regrets over his decision to give up the longest format. De Kock quit Tests late last year, shortly before becoming a father for the first time, citing a desire to spend more time at home, but that wish has not quite come true just yet.”It hasn’t freed up my calendar – at least not this year,” de Kock said, in his first press engagement since stepping away from Tests. “I’ve been roped in to play a couple of leagues but that’s my own consequence. I am happy to do it. It’s still a sacrifice but I’m slowly getting to an age where I need to think about where I want to be in my career. As long as I can do it at my own pace then I am happy.”Related

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After de Kock returned from paternity leave to play in South Africa’s white-ball matches against India in January, he had almost two months off before a series against Bangladesh but he has been on the go since then. He played for the Lucknow Super Giants at the IPL, for South Africa against India, is now in England, and will also play The Hundred and the CPL before another white-ball series in India followed by the T20 World Cup.And he acknowledged that it’s becoming more difficult to decide what to participate in and that for many players, dropping a format is the only option. “It’s going to start being tough for players – three formats is a lot and it looks like more games are happening over the calendar,” he said. “Players need to make decisions individually and if they feel they can do it [play all three formats], I am happy for them. But guys need to take decisions into their own hands. For me, I am happy where I am.”Despite many predicting a slow death for ODI cricket, de Kock still has faith in the format, hopes South Africa will play more 50-over cricket, and has indicated he will keep at it for now. “I want to say we need to play more games but I don’t see where,” he said. “The [ODI] game is doing well for itself with the way players are going about it and from a batting and bowling competitiveness. There’s a future for it and a lot of us still want to win 50-over World Cups. There’s a lot to play for.”de Kock encouraged newer players to continue pursuing all three formats and said that it only becomes difficult to fit all in as you age or your priorities change. “When you’re still young you need to play all three formats and get certain things done in your career,” he said. “It starts getting harder as you start getting older and the body doesn’t cooperate like it used to. It’s just a management thing.”

The BCCI has tentatively pencilled in a window between February 22 and March 17

Shashank Kishore and Nagraj Gollapudi12-Jan-2024The BCCI has shortlisted Bengaluru and Delhi as venues to host the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL). The BCCI has also tentatively pencilled in a window between February 22 and March 17 for the second season of the tournament.ESPNcricinfo has learned the first part of WPL 2024 will be played in Bengaluru while Delhi will host the second leg, including the knockouts. Splitting the five-team tournament, comprising 22 matches, across two venues will allow pitches at both venues to stay fresh for the 2024 IPL which is set to begin from March 22.The inaugural WPL was launched in 2023 and was played only in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. BCCI secretary Jay Shah had recently said the BCCI would want to host the second season of the WPL also in one state to offset the logistical challenges of conducting the tournament across venues within a small window.However, the BCCI decided that two venues was the better option. But with just one big venue in Bengaluru (M Chinnaswamy Stadium) and Delhi (Arun Jaitley Stadium), there will be matches over 10 consecutive days at each ground. So far neither the IPL nor the WPL has had consecutive matches at the same venue for more than two days.Mumbai Indians are the defending champions, having beaten Delhi Capitals in the final of the inaugural season last year.

Madhya Pradesh lost their remaining four wickets in 11.3 overs on day five

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2024Vidarhba’s bowlers made short work of Madhya Pradesh’s tail to confirm their spot in the final of the Ranji Trophy. Aditya Thakare and Yash Thakur started with a bang as Vidarbha took the four remaining wickets in 11.3 overs on the fifth morning in Nagpur to complete a 62-run win and join Mumbai as the finalists.MP started the day in strife, having already lost Yash Dubey, who top-scored with 94, before stumps last evening. They needed another 94 runs when Dubey departed, with Saransh Jain the last recognised batter.But Thakare’s double-strike dented MP’s hopes. He knocked over Kumar Kartikeya and Anubhav Agarwal in his first two overs of the day. Yash Thakur then landed the decisive blow by castling Jain.Avesh Khan and Kulwant Khejroliya, MP’s Nos. 10 and 11, showed some resistance with an 18-run stand, but Thakur completed the game by uprooting Khejroliya’s stumps.While Thakare helped take out the tail, Aditya Sarwate had dismissed both openers on the fourth day, and Akshay Wakhare ran through the middle order in the final innings to set up the victory.This will be Vidarbha’s third appearance in the Ranji final. They had reached their first final in the 2017-18 edition, which they went on to win, before also successfully defending their title in 2018-19.In this season’s final, Vidarbha will take on Mumbai, who trounced Tamil Nadu in a home semi-final in under three days. The match begins on March 10, and will be hosted by Mumbai.

The opener picked up a calf injury during the Ford Trophy earlier this month

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Jan-2022Martin Guptill faces a tight timeframe to be fit for New Zealand’s limited-overs tour of Australia after picking up a “moderate” calf strain during the Ford Trophy one-day competition.Guptill suffered the injury on January 3 and is targeting a return in the Super Smash for Auckland Aces on January 22, just a couple of days before the New Zealand squad is due to head across the Tasman for the tour that includes three ODIs and one T20I.An NZC statement said Guptill “was improving and that the injury would continue to be monitored during a period of rehabilitation”.Guptill, who averages 42.23 in ODIs and 32.66 in T20Is, would be a significant loss if unable to make the tour with New Zealand expected to be without their Test players due to the MIQ requirements on return home and proximity of the series against South Africa.The ODI series is currently set to start in Perth on January 30 but the schedule is expected to be changed because of Western Australia’s border restrictions that are not due to lift until February 5. Matches are also due to be held in Hobart and Sydney before the T20I in Canberra.The one-day series will form part of Ross Taylor’s farewell to international cricket as he closes out his career with the Australia series and home matches against Netherlands following his last Test against Bangladesh.

George Balderson half-century, Arav Shetty three-for help overcome Somerset

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Aug-2025Lancashire 254 for 8 (Harris 95, Balderson 65) beat Somerset 250 for 7 (Goldsworthy 63, Vaughan 59, Hill 57) by two wicketsMarcus Harris led the way with 95 as Lancashire recorded a nerve-jangling two-wicket Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.The home side posted 250 for seven after losing the toss, Lewis Goldsworthy top-scoring with 63, while Archie Vaughan contributed 59 and 19-year-old Devonian Fin Hill 57. Offspinner Arav Shetty marked his List A debut with 3 for 34 from ten overs.In reply, Lancashire reached 254 for eight with 8 balls to spare, Harris making his runs off 99 balls, with 7 fours and 2 sixes. George Balderson hit 65 and shared a match-winning fifth wicket stand of 101 with the former Australia Test player.A crowd of more than 5,000 at Somerset’s annual Family Fun Day saw the hosts suffer an early setback when Tom Lammonby was caught at backward point off George Balderson with the total on five.Goldsworthy and Vaughan had to exercise caution on a pitch lacking pace and were largely content to accumulate in ones and twos. Goldsworthy was first to fifty, off 70 balls, with 5 fours and the hundred partnership occupied 143 deliveries.Vaughan’s 81-ball half-century included only three boundaries and with 30 overs of their innings completed his side were becalmed on 129 for one.Goldsworthy provided 21-year-old Shetty with his maiden List A wicket, driving a catch to mid-off. With only
ten runs added, Vaughan was stumped advancing down the pitch to the graduate of the South Asian Cricket Academy, who quickly followed up by dismissing James Rew in similar fashion.Seamer Luke Hands claimed his maiden List A wicket on debut, Thomas Rew edging through to wicketkeeper George Bell to make the score 146 for five. Sixteen-year-old Hands ended the innings with a creditable one for 32 from eight overs.Somerset required another meaningful partnership and it came from rookies Hill and Josh Thomas, who added 66 in good style before Thomas holed out to deep square off Balderson for 32 at a run a ball. Hill then hit the first two sixes of the innings in the same over from Charlie Barnard, both launched over the leg side.The youngster’s maiden List A fifty came off 49 balls and enabled his side to post what appeared a below par total in bright sunshin.. Lancashire’s reply began with Michael Jones striking a straight six off Josh Davey in the fourth over, Somerset’s experienced seamer taking quick revenge by having him caught at deep cover with the score on 18.It was 42 for two in the ninth over when Bell, on 21, pulled a catch to deep square off Alfie Ogborne and 51 for three as Bohannon was caught and bowled by off-spinner Vaughan attempting a back-foot forcing shot
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Harris responded with a six off Somerset 18-year-old Cornish seamer Kian Roberts, a third player making his List A debut, but lost another partner when Harry Singh inside-edged a wide ball from Vaughan onto his stumps.Harris went to fifty off 61 balls and at the halfway point in their innings Lancashire were 111 for four. The Australian looked to be winning the game as he accelerated with a six over long-off off Goldsworthy in a century stand with Balderson that appeared perfectly paced.With a century in sight, Harris fell to the left-arm spin of Goldsworthy, driving a catch to Roberts at mid-off. Lancashire still required 71, but Balderson was going well and moved to a well-crafted half-century off 62 balls, with 4 fours. Shetty gloved a catch behind off JT Langridge with 25 needed and the left-arm seamer struck again when Balderson top-edged a pull shot.Hands was then yorked by Davey to set up a tense finish, which saw Sutton dropped at cover by Vaughan off Davey before seeing side over the line.

A ready reckoner of all the players who have suffered injuries so far in the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Sep-2020

Mumbai Indians

Nathan Coulter-Nile
What is the injury?
Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma stated at the toss during the IPL 2020 opener against Chennai Super Kings that the Australian fast-bowling allrounder had a “few niggles”. It has since emerged that he has a side strain.How does it impact the team?
Trent Boult and James Pattinson have been doing the job alongside Jasprit Bumrah, but along with what he can do with the ball, Coulter-Nile is a useful batsman down the order. Mumbai would want his momentum-changing cameos with the bat, to go with this formidable new-ball bowling skills, in their line-up.When is he likely to return?
Word is that Coulter-Nile will have to sit out Mumbai’s first few matches at least.Chris Morris bowls at the RCB nets•Royal Challengers Bangalore

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chris Morris
What is the injury?
Mike Hesson, the director of cricket operations, said in a franchise social media video that Morris had missed the opening game against Sunrisers Hyderabad because he had “picked up a slight side strain a few days ago”.What is the impact on the team?
Morris is a multi-faceted cricketer, and vastly experienced in the shortest format, and key to Royal Challengers’ team balance as a lower-middle order batsman and someone who can bowl at any stage of a T20 innings. As Hesson said, “He would have played a huge role through the middle and also at the death (with the ball), and obviously his batting would have had a huge impact as well.”When is he likely to return?
Nothing confirmed, but Hesson is hoping Morris will be available for selection within a game or two.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Kane Williamson
What is the injury?
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner said Williamson had a quadriceps injury. It is understood Williamson pulled a muscle while training.What is the impact on the team?
In their opening match of the tournament, against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday, Sunrisers were forced to play two young Indian batsmen in Abhishek Sharma and Priyam Garg. Williamson usually floats in the top order, and his absence left the middle order thin.When is he likely to return?
The team management has not provided any updates yet, but Williamson’s injury is understood to not be serious.Mitchell Marsh
Mitchell Marsh was ruled out of the tournament after twisting his right ankle in his very first over in his team’s first match while attempting to stop the ball in his follow through. He has been replaced by Jason Holder.Ishant Sharma sweats it out in the nets•Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals

Ishant Sharma What is the injury?

Back spasms. It is understood Sharma felt soreness in his back during the team’s training a day before the Kings XI match.What is the impact on the team?
His ability to generate pace upwards of 140kph, combined with his accuracy and experience, helped Sharma make an impact in his first year at the Capitals last season. Having added a knuckle ball to his arsenal, Sharma was utilised at various stages of the innings, including the death. On the pace-friendly grassy pitches that the initial phase of the IPL is likely to offer, Sharma could be a key weapon.When is he likely to return?
Sharma did not come to the ground for the Capitals’ match on Sunday and has not trained since he picked up the back niggle. No further information could be obtained from the franchise.R Ashwin
What is the injury?
Attempting to stop a single off the last ball of his first over in IPL 2020, also his debut for his new franchise Delhi Capitals, Ashwin dislocated his left shoulder on Sunday. He walked off immediately and did not return.What is the impact on the team?
Ashwin had made a telling impact against against the Kings XI Punjab in the six deliveries he bowled, picking up two wickets. In his absence, the Capitals were forced to rejig their bowling plans, asking pacers Mohit Sharma and Marcus Stoinis to bowl at the death, which allowed Kings XI to bounce back into the match which spilled into a Super Over.When is he likely to return?
Ashwin put out a tweet on Monday stating that the “scan reports are encouraging” and that his pain had subsided. The Capitals could, therefore, be optimistic about his return for their next match, on September 25 against the Super Kings.

Chennai Super Kings

Ambati Rayudu
What is the injury?
MS Dhoni initially said, before the Super Kings’ second game, that Rayudu was “not 100%”, but ESPNcricinfo has learnt that the batsman is suffering from a “hamstring niggle”.What is the impact on the team?
The Super Kings won their first game, against Mumbai, with Rayudu playing the lead role with the bat, and then lost to Rajasthan Royals when Rayudu didn’t play. Major reshuffling of the batting order was needed to make up for his absence, and his replacement, Ruturaj Gaikwad, fell for a first-ball duck.When is he likely to return?
Rayudu will sit out at least one more game.Dwayne Bravo
What is the injury?
Bravo picked a knee problem during the CPL, where he played for Trinbago Knight Riders. Bravo did not bowl in the CPL final, and arrived injured for the IPL.What is the impact on the team?
Bravo is an an allrounder, but his key role is to bowl in the second part of the innings for the Super Kings, especially in the death phase where he is one of the best. Luckily for the Super Kings, Sam Curran walked off the plane a day before the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians last Saturday, and never let the franchise feel the absence of Bravo with a brilliant all-round performance. Stephen Fleming, Super Kings’ head coach, said that both Curran and Bravo would be utilised in similar roles through the tournament.When is he likely to return?
Fleming indicated that Bravo would miss the first two matches including Tuesday’s contest against the Royals. Fleming also indicated that there was no necessity to rush back Bravo with Curran proving to be a catalyst in the first match.