Sports Bulletin For November 30: From Rain Spoils India’s Pink Ball Preparations to Australia Lose Key Bowler

The world of sports saw some new stories develop on Saturday (November 30) as India lost some ample preparation time for their pink-ball Test due to rain, while the hosts of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under also suffered a blow via injury to their key bowler.

Also, there were murmurs of a divide within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as they continue to tussle with BCCI over the hosting of Champions Trophy in hybrid mode. Plus, two Tests were headed for an early end. Here are some of the biggest developments in the World of Sports today.

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill miss out on much needed time in middle

Unrelenting rain forced the abandonment of the first-day's play of the two-day practice match between India and Prime Minister's XI in Canberra, robbing Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill of some much-needed Pink ball game time ahead of the day-night second Test against Australia at Adelaide.

India's pink-ball 2-day warm up forced into 50-over game after rain washes out day 1

After rain played a spoilsport on Day one, the two-day warm-up match between Prime Ministers XI and India will be a 50-over game on the second day. The practice match in Canberra was abandoned due to persistent rain.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) took to X and confirmed that the game will begin on Sunday at 9:10 am IST. The two-day warmup match between Prime Ministers XI and India will now be 50 overs per side.

PCB divided with respect to Champions Trophy hosting?

As the ICC is yet to make a final decision, there is a chance the entire tournament will be staged out of Pakistan after PCB has stood firm on their no hybrid mode response. According to a report, the Pakistan Cricket Board also seems divided as a portion of PCB want the entire Champions Trophy shifted out of Pakistan with Dubai being their ideal choice.

Play in Dubai allows the PCB to keep the 65 million USD cheque of hosting rights. Some members of the PCB fear that stadiums not being ready could open another corruption chapter. Plus, they also feel PTI riots haven't helped their cause.

Australia lose key pacer for Adelaide Test

Star Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the upcoming Adelaide Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India after he reportedly sustained a side strain.

Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett, who are yet to make their debut in the Test were added to the Australian squad for the second Test match. But, it is very likely that Scott Boland, who was already part of the squad, will take Hazlewood's place in Australia's playing 11 for the Adelaide Test.

Kane Williamson scripts history

Kane Williamson etched his name in the record book as he became the first New Zealand cricketer to score 9000 runs in Test cricket. He achieved the feat during the first Test match against England in Christchurch.

After returning from injury, Williamson displayed strong performance in the Christchurch Test. The 34-year-old played a 61-run knock from 86 balls in New Zealand's second inning. His knock came to an end after Chris Woakes got rid of him in the 36th over. Earlier in the first inning, the Kiwi batter scored 93 runs from 197 balls at a strike rate of 47.21.

England gain ascendancy in Christchurch Test

Pacers Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse helped England inch towards win against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch after the end of third day's play on Saturday. At the end of Day 3, New Zealand stood at 155/6 with a four-run lead, with Daryl Mitchell (31*) and Nathan Smith (1*) unbeaten on the crease.

South Africa Crush Sri Lanka in Durban Test

Marco Jansen starred with the ball in both innings, while skipper Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs scored centuries as South Africa registered a dominating 233-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Kingsmead in Durban on Saturday (November 30).