World Cup Central - May 24 to June 5

June 11

Lasith Malinga will make a short trip back home in between Sri Lanka's World Cup 2019 matches due to the demise of his mother-in-law.

Sri Lanka Cricket said that Malinga would leave the team after their match against Bangladesh, which will take place on Tuesday in Bristol.

The funeral for the late Kanthi Perera will be on Thursday, in Colombo, and Malinga is expected to fly back in time for Sri Lanka's next engagement, against Australia at The Oval on Saturday.

Malinga was one of the stars of Sri Lanka's win against Afghanistan, taking 3 for 39 to hasten victory. Sri Lanka were thrashed by ten wickets in their World Cup opener, against New Zealand, before the win against Afghanistan. They haven't played a match since then, due to a washout against Pakistan in Bristol.

June 10

Gayle's 'Universe Boss' bat sticker got ICC thumbs down too

The ICC's equipment regulations might just have become the most widely read official document in the past week, thanks to MS Dhoni's glove affair. But before Dhoni had to get his equipment right, somebody else had to, too. The Universe Boss.

Chris Gayle wanted to emblazon his bat with the moniker he has coined for himself, but was told that he couldn't.

"ICC couldn't have made an exception for Dhoni as no personal messages are allowed on equipment. Gayle wanted it but when he was refused permission, he accepted it and moved on," PTI reported an ICC spokesperson as saying. "It is not about military symbolism. It is about a simple rule that no personal messages are allowed.

"If ICC did not make an exception for Gayle, then how come they would make it for Dhoni."

Jos Buttler on course after hip bruising

Jos Buttler is expected to resume training on Wednesday ahead of England's next World Cup fixture, against West Indies in Southampton on Friday, after sustaining "heavy bruising on his right hip" during England's victory over Bangladesh in Cardiff on Saturday.

Buttler, who was hobbling noticeably towards the end of his hard-hitting half-century, did not take the field during Bangladesh's innings, with the wicketkeeping duties passing to Jonny Bairstow. Initially it appeared that he had jarred his hip while hitting a back-foot drive for six off Mosaddek Hossain, but Eoin Morgan, England's captain, had played down any long-term concerns at the end of the match.

And now, after being monitored for 48 hours since the injury, the ECB have stated that he was "responding well to treatment and will be reassessed later this week".

"We anticipate he will train with the rest of the squad at the Hampshire Bowl on Wednesday ahead of the match against West Indies on Friday," added an ECB spokesman.

Hardik Pandya reminds Steve Waugh of Lance Klusener from the 1999 World Cup

The win over Australia "in the pressure cooker of a World Cup clash" will give India loads of confidence, but it's the innings from Hardik Pandya that "will send shivers down opposition spines", according to Steve Waugh.

Hardik slammed a 27-ball 48 at No. 4 with four fours and three sixes to provide India the late thrust as they put up 352 for 5, before bowling Australia out for 316.

"This guy might just be the equivalent of Lance Klusener in the 1999 World Cup," Waugh wrote in his column for the ICC. "He has the ability to begin his innings like most finish with clean hitting that no opposing captain can protect."

Unlike Hardik, Glenn Maxwell didn't get a promotion in the batting order, walking in at No. 5 with the scoreboard reading 202 for 3 in 36.4 overs, and scoring 28 in 14 balls. "The cameo of Glenn Maxwell will increase calls for his elevation up the batting order as he is a match-winner that can turn a game in a few overs," Waugh wrote.

'Had a point to prove' against Australia - Kohli

After India sealed a 36-run win over Australia in their second World Cup match, Virat Kohli said that the 3-2 home series defeat against the same opponents before the IPL was precisely the spur the team needed.

"After losing in India, we had a point to prove and that was our motivation," Kohli said.

India's World Cup campaign has begun brightly but New Zealand up next followed by Pakistan. That, according to Kohli, suits the team just fine, but thinking about the knockouts is best left for another day.

"We couldn't ask for a better start against two very strong sides and I like we've got the strongest sides in world cricket early on," he said. "It's far too early to talk about semi-finals, after six games we will be in a better position to think about that but it's not for now."

June 9

Dhawan sustains hand injury during century

India opener Shikhar Dhawan has picked up a hand injury while batting against Australia at The Oval on Sunday. The extent of the injury is not known yet, but Dhawan was seen with an ice pack on his left hand in the dressing room, and did not take the field during Australia's batting. The Indian team manager later said Dhawan would not take the field at all.

Dhawan, who scored a century to help India post 352, was hit on the left hand by a short ball from Pat Cummins off the first ball of the ninth over. Dhawan tried to defend the ball with a straight bat but the ball rose on him and struck his bottom hand before hitting his shoulder and helmet grille. Later in the over, India physio Patrick Farhart came out and used a spray on the opener's left thumb. Dhawan was on 24 off 26 balls then and finished with 117 off 109 balls.

June 8

Rashid Khan is being treated for concussion after taking a blow to the head in Afghanistan's game against New Zealand on Saturday.

He was struck on the helmet by quick bowler Lockie Ferguson, misjudging the length and ducking into a short of a length ball on off stump. The ball also ricocheted onto his stumps and bowled him.

Rashid walked off the field looking very dazed and when he failed two concussion tests, the team management asked him to sit out of the rest of the game as a precautionary measure. Afghanistan next play South Africa on June 15.

June 7

Sarfaraz hopes rain doesn't mess with Pakistan momentum

The forecast promised rain, and rain it did in Bristol, washing out Pakistan's - and Sri Lanka's - hopes of notching up a second win at the World Cup.

For Pakistan, the lost point from the abandonment might perhaps be more frustrating, favourites as they were to beat the Sri Lankans. Their captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, however, was more disappointed at how the team couldn't build on the momentum gained from beating England.

"As a team we really wanted to play this match especially after gaining momentum with the win against England," he said. "It is unfortunate that we were not able to play. We have great team spirit and our confidence is on a high after beating England. We would want to carry the momentum into the remaining games. We won't relax in our remaining six matches."

Pakistan next go up against Australia on June 12 in Taunton, while Sri Lanka's play Bangladesh on June 11, again in Bristol.

Zampa penalised for 'audible obscenity'

Adam Zampa picked up a demerit point, along with an official warning, after on-field umpires Marais Erasmus and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Ruchira Palliyaguruge and fourth official S Ravi reported him for "audible obscenity" during the Australia v West Indies game at Trent Bridge on June 6.

The incident took place in the 29th over of West Indies' chase of Australia's 288 - they fell short by 15 runs in the end - when Zampa was bowling to Shai Hope and Jason Holder.

Zampa, who sent back Nicholas Pooran on his way to figures of 1 for 58, admitted the offence and accepted the sanction handed out by match referee Jeff Crowe.

Defeat a 'tough pill to swallow' for West Indies

Shai Hope has admitted that defeat against Australia will be a "tough pill to swallow" but thinks that West Indies have sent out another reminder of what they are capable of at the World Cup.

Having rolled Pakistan for 105 in their opening match, West Indies had Australia 38 for 4 and 79 for 5 before they recovered to post 288 through impressive batting from Steven Smith (73) and Nathan Coulter-Nile (92). Still, in the chase West Indies were well placed on 190 for 4 in the 35th over before Hope's wicket shifted the game back to Australia.

"Obviously it's going to be a tough pill to swallow having basically been dominating the game for the majority of it then not being able to cross the line," he said. "When you get wickets with the new ball you always put a team under pressure, it's just unfortunate that we couldn't drive it home and get the tail in a bit earlier. Australia are a quality side and showed us they can rebuild to post a different score."

When asked if West Indies' short-ball tactics had shown a vulnerability in Australia's top order, Hope said: "I think so, yes, but regardless of what plan you throw at them sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't so you always have to be able to adapt to what they throw at you as well."

June 6

Dhoni's army gloves fall foul of ICC

The ICC has asked the BCCI to have the army logo removed off MS Dhoni's wicketkeeping gloves. It has been pointed out to the BCCI that the logo on the gloves contravenes the ICC clothing and equipment regulations, which allow only sponsor logos on them. ESPNcricinfo understands there is no fine or reprimand involved at the moment but the message has been made clear to the BCCI.

Dhoni is an honorary lieutenant colonel of the Parachute Regiment in the Indian territorial army. In India's World Cup opener, against South Africa, Dhoni was seen keeping in gloves that sported the dagger insignia of Dhoni's regiment of the Indian Para Special Forces. This particular insignia - "Balidaan", meaning sacrifice - can only be worn by paramilitary commandos.

During possibly his last international match at his home ground in Ranchi, India played against Australia in army camouflage caps to pay respect to those armymen who lost their lives in the Pulwama terror attacks. The players' earnings from the match went to the families of the martyrs. At that time the ICC cleared the jerseys "as part of charity fund-raising effort".

That India-Australia series was not an ICC event. The World Cup is.

Imran Khan not a fan of "stupid" cricket celebrations

Before they left for the World Cup, one of the farewell meetings the Pakistan team had was with their Prime Minister. He is, of course, the only Prime Minister from among the teams in this competition who has won any World Cups. Actually to be more accurate, he is the only head of state from CWC 2019 to have played a dash of international cricket. When Imran Khan addressed an awed Pakistan squad, among his other pearls of wisdom was this one - to refrain from what he referred to as "stupid" wicket-celebrations. Hasan Ali's starburst may have been the one that got his attention and unfortunately, there is no celebrato-meter to see if there ever was a dip in intensity following that particular remonstration. Not sure what the Wazir e Azam made of the madness at Trent Bridge.

Hendricks hopes to be South Africa's lucky charm

Beuran Hendricks was sitting on his couch, watching TV when he got the call telling him he would be part of South Africa's World Cup squad. He didn't know then he would be Dale Steyn's replacement, but admitted being overwhelmed on finding out that he was replacing arguably the greatest pacer his country had produced. Hendricks joined the squad a day prior to their clash against India, but didn't make the XI. Now, as South Africa fight to stay alive, Hendricks hopes he is the "good luck the team needs."

In December, Hendricks was part of the winning Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League. He also helped the Lions claim South Africa's franchise first-class and T20 tournaments. In April, he was a a late call-up to the Mumbai Indians, who went on to win the IPL. Hendricks hopes some of his good fortunes can rub off on South Africa.

"It's been a good year for me personally and for the teams I have been with this year so let's hope I can make it five (trophies) out of five," he said. "I am not going to say I can fill his shoes because its Dale. I come here with my own set of skills and my own ambition in this competition," he said. "It's just about making sure I can fight the good fight and contribute with the set of skills that I have."

'Faf's wicket most special' - Chahal after four-for

Yuzvendra Chahal's 4 for 51 against South Africa played a big role in India's first win of the World Cup. What was most impressive about Chahal's performance was the quality of the batsmen he dismissed: Rassie van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis, David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo.

After the match, Chahal was asked by his spin partner Kuldeep Yadav on bcci.tv on his favourite scalp of the night, to which he promptly replied: "Faf du Plessis."

"Faf was playing with small forward-steps and I was drifting the ball well," Chahal said. "The previous two balls, I had bowled the legbreak. So for the wicket ball, I chose to bowl on off stump with the ball drifting in sharply. He couldn't pick it, thinking I was bowling the legbreak, and that's why the ball hit the inside of his bat and broke the stumps."

Chahal also praised Rohit Sharma's century against a difficult bowling attack that includes Kagiso Rabada. "He showed the temperament that an experienced batsman has," Chahal said. "It wasn't easy batting there against the new ball, but he stayed and finished the match. That was huge."

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