ISHANT, ASHWIN FITNESS TESTS ON SEPTEMBER 29

NEW DELHI : Injured fast bowler Ishant Sharma and off-spinner R Ashwin will undergo a fitness test on Saturday before the selectors take a final call on their availability for the upcoming two-test series against the West Indies, starting at Rajkot on October 4. “Ashwin is already doing his rehabilitation at the NCA for groin injury. Even Ishant is expected to join him there. As of now, there is a fitness test scheduled on September 29,” a BCCI official said.

Zaheer bats for Pant’s inclusion in Cup squad

DUBAI: With India yet to sort out their middle order batting woes, specially the No.4 spot, fast bowling great Zaheer Khan believes Rishabh Pant’s attractive strokeplay makes him one of the contenders in the squad for the 2019 World Cup, to be held in England. “I think Rishabh Pant can claim his spot in the team with about 25 matches to go, it’s still a long way,” said Zaheer. “The team management has been very open trying different options which is something that they will keep an eye on, because he’s got the ability to change the tempo of the game and hit big sixes which will be required in those death overs.”

Overton, Trescothick combine for unique hattrick

LONDON: Craig Overton and Marcus Trescothick joined forces for a first-class hattrick the like of which had not been seen for more than a hundred years as Somerset completed an innings and 146-run win over Nottinghamshire in their final County Championship match of the season at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. Overton’s treble came just a day after Somerset captain Tom Abell had achieved the same feat and was remarkable in that all three of his dismissals were achieved via catches from Marcus Trescothick. In the process, Trescothick became the first outfielder since GJ Thompson of Northamptonshire in 1914 to be involved in three consecutive dismissals off as many balls. This was Overton’s second first-class hattrick, after he took one for

MCC against Middlesex last year.