Daavik

Ian Chappell is part of TMS coverage of the Ashes. Has commented for a few shifts on the first day of the first test already. Voice doesn’t quite sound the same as I remember when watching channel nine commentary in the nineties, but seems okay and clearly well enough to commit to commentating duties for the summer. Also, no Michael Vaughan, can’t imagine why … but my ears are greatful.

Imran Khan, 68, current Prime Minister of Pakistan, and former international cricketer for his country, tests positive for Covid-19 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-56468183

TomTomTelekom posted this in the Coronavirus thread but I feel it should also be in the cricket thread here Chetan Chauhan, former India opener, dies aged 73 from multiple organ failure after contracting COVID-19. Played 40 tests from 1969 to 1981, majority of them in the late seventies as the opening partner to batting legend Sunil Gavaskar. Chauhan was the first test cricketer to finish his career with over 2000 runs without a test century, with only Shane Warne having a similar record. After retirement from cricket he entered politics, twice being elected to India’s lower House of Parliament in the nineties and also served as a cabinet minister in his home state of Uttar Pradesh. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53798327

Hays Travel to cut nearly 900 jobs They had taken on many of the former Thomas Cook staff when that firm collapsed in October 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-53642130

A notable absence from the notable crew section is director Robert Zemeckis, born 14 May 1952, and alive. Might want to edit him into the list.

Haider Ail, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan showed no symptoms before testing positive on Sunday. They have now been joined by Fakhar Zaman, Imran Khan, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan and Wahab Riaz, along with team masseur Malang Ali, after further tests were carried out on Monday. The tour is in August but they were due to fly out end of 28 June Maybe in Hindsight the team masseur was a bad idea... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/53149897

Sir Geoffrey Boycott, 79, has left as a commentator on Test Match Special after 14 years, citing Covid-19 pandemic and his 2018 heart operation as making the decision to not renew his contract that had expired easy. Not ruled out occasional appearances as a guest. His on air banter with Jonathan ‘Aggers’ Agnew on TMS could be quite amusing at times. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/52944158

Former Australia batsmen and coach Darren Lehmann to have heart bypass surgery on Saturday Fell ill on Wednesday, his 50th birthday https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/51384089

Reynhard Sinaga: 'Evil sexual predator' jailed for life for 136 rapes The CPS described him as the most prolific rapist in British legal history" and possibly "in the world". Only 36, but could be another Richard Huckle. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50987823

Former South Africa international and 1995 World Cup winner Chester Williams has died at the age of 49. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49615522

Pakistan leg spinner Abdul Qadir dead at aged 63, played 67 test matches, and took 236 wickets. https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27552552/pakistan-abdul-qadir-dies-aged-63 Edit for bbc link https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/49615587

Alec Holowka, Canadian indie game developer, co-creator of the Night in the Woods video game, has died aged 35 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49555707