The big news: Cook, Hameed showed grit

The second Test at Vizag is set for a blockbuster finish. India, who set England a target of 405 runs to win, have the upper hand as they enter the final day of the match on Monday. India were dismissed for 204 in their second innings with Stuart Broad (4/33) and Adil Rashid (4/82) getting the better of the Indian batsmen.

As England began their second innings, all eyes were on openers Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed. With over 150 overs to play, and over 400 runs to get, the duo decided to play out a draw rather than go for a kill. They blocked every delivery that came their way and did it constantly for more than 50 overs. The opening partnership reached 75/0 before Ravichandran Ashwin got Hameed (25) out leg-before-wicket On the last ball of the day, Ravindra Jadeja got the prized wicket of Cook (54), leaving England on 87/2. England need 318 runs and will look to continue their blockathon since a win looks unlikely.

Other top stories:

  1. The Indian women’s team lost their second Twenty20 International match against West Indies by 31 runs. Chasing a target of 138 runs, India were bowled out for 106 runs at Vijayawada. West Indies took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
  2. After pulling off a thrilling tie against West Indies, Zimbabwe will hope to get their act together and win a crucial match against Sri Lanka on Monday at Bulawayo. Sri Lanka are coming off a heavy loss against West Indies and will hope to get their act together. 
  3. There was a heavy shakeup as six changes were made by the Australian cricketers for the third Test against South Africa at Adelaide. Six changes were made to the side, while four players - Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson and Chadd Sayers – are on course of making their Test debut. 
  4. Demonetisation seems to have finally hit the England team as they are yet to receive their daily allowance. It has been 18 days since the team has arrived in India and the squad members are yet to receive daily allowances from the BCCI since the Memorandum of Understanding is yet to be signed by the two boards, reported the Indian Express. 
  5. They Hyderabad Cricket Association on Sunday accepted the recommendations of the Lodha Committee. With Board of Control for Cricket in India yet to even consider all the changes, the HCA approved of all the reforms suggested by the Supreme Court appointed Lodha Committee. According to HCA president Arshad Ayub, the decision was taken as a result of an order passed by the Hyderabad High Court asking the association to adopt the reforms, reported the Indian Express.