West Indies ODI squad against England

The Left-handed batsman John Campbell has been called up to the West Indies ODI squad for next week’s first two matches against England.

Carlos Brathwaite and Sheldon Cottrell have both also been included to the 14-man squad.

It is going to be Campbell’s first call-up for limited over cricket. The 25-year-old Jamaican born batsman made his test debut in the recent series against England, in which the Caribbean won 2-1.

Campbell has scored 176 runs at an average of 35.2.

Brathwaite has played 28 ODIs and 35 Twenty20 internationals for West Indies.

Cottrell, a left-arm seamer, has made six ODIs appearances and 10 Twenty20 internationals.

The first two ODIs of the four-match series will be held at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Wednesday and Friday.

Michael Klinger to hang up his boots from BBL

The veteran Australian cricketer Michael Klinger will retire from the Big Bash League (BBL) at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old, who is currently the second highest run-scorer in the history of BBL, will officially finish up with the Perth Scorchers at the end of the ongoing season.

Klinger has been an integral part of the Scorchers for a long time now. But the right-handed batsman endured his worst season this term, scoring just 115 runs in nine innings at a strike-rate of 83.33.

However, he will be playing for Gloucestershire in the T20 Blast this year. It will be his seventh season with the county and has also been appointed the captain of the team.

Klinger will be playing his last BBL game against the Melbourne Stars on Sunday night in front of a home crowd at Perth.

IPL 2019 Review

The 29th of March is when the current champions Chennai Super Kings start their defense of the IPL trophy against Sun Risers Hyderabad in the opening game. The opening game will take place in M.A Chidambaram Check Stadium, Tamil Nadu.

Will the Super Kings make it to the final again this year, if they are then they need to clear their diary for the 12th of May where it will be played at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai.

The Top 5 Contenders

Hyderabad Sunrisers are current favorites at 9/2 to go one better than the 2018 season where they were beaten by Chennai Super Kings who are 5/1 to hold onto to the IPL trophy.

Since 2015 Mumbai Indians have won the IPL twice and will be fast out the gates to make it 3 times in 6 years. Kolkata Knight Riders are 11/2 to add their name to the list of winners, with Royal Challengers Bangalore also in at 11/2.

• Hyderabad Sunrisers 9/2 
• Chennai Super Kings 5/1 
• Mumbai Indians 5/1 
• Kolkata Knight Riders 11/2 
• Royal Challengers Bangalore 11/2 

Betopin.com have more cricket betting views on their betting exchange site.

2019 Major Auction Signings

Kings XI Punjab were one of the most active teams at the auction with the signings of Indian all-rounder Varun Chakravarthy for a whopping £940,000. He will be joined by England all-rounder Sam Curran who went for £800,000.

Shortly after the auction, Sam Curran posted a short line on his Twitter account “What a year! Couldn’t be more excited to join the Kings XI Punjab at the IPL 2019.

Rajasthan Royal were also busy in the auction when winning the bidding way for the signature of Indian bowler Jaydev Unadkat for £940,000.

South African batsman Colin Ingram went for £715,000 to the Delhi Capital in what looks a good move for both parties.

After it was confirmed that Colin Ingram was on his way to Delhi Capitals, he put out a video on his Twitter account “The hype and buzz around cricket in India it is fantastic and it's going to be great to be part of it.”

“As for the Delhi Capitals, its look like a bunch of exciting players and I am looking forward to joining up with them and putting our best foot forward next season”

Another talented all-rounder, West Indies Carlos Brathwaite ended up signing for the Kings Raiders for £560,000.

Some notable players that went unsold are, English batsman Alex Hayles, Australian bowler James Patterson and Sri Lankan all-rounder Anglo Matthews.

The Last 5 Winners

Can Chennai Super Kings make it back to back wins or will the Mumbai Indians make it 3 IPL wins in the last 6 years? This is shaping up to be an exciting season. Let's have a quick reminder of the last 5 winners, but how will be the next to add their name to the list 

• 2018 Chennai Super Kings 
• 2017 Mumbai Indians 
• 2016 Sunrisers Hyderabad 
• 2015 Mumbai Indians 
• 2015 Kolkata Knight Riders 

Verdict

This seasons IPL season looks as completive as ever, but I would be willing to put up Hyderabad Sunrisers as my pick. They were beaten in 2018 final by 8 wickets when the Chennai Super Kings came out on top.

With most of last season’s squad back this season you will be sure that Kane Williamson and all of the Hyderabad Sunrisers players will be out for revenge and go one better than last season and lift the coveted IPL trophy.

South Africa's Albie Morkel retires from all forms of cricket

South African all-rounder Albie Morkel has brought his 19-year glittering career to an end after the hard-hitting batsman announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old, who made his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2004 - has played a single test, 58 ODIs and 50 Twenty20 matches for the Proteas.

He has a vast of T20 experience, having played for Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, Rising Pune Supergiants and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

Morkel also had spells in county cricket with Derbyshire, Durham and Somerset.

Australia's 14-man squad for ODI series against India

Australia have announced their 14-man squad for the three-match ODI series against India starting on January 12 in Sydney.

The 34-year-old seamer Peter Siddle has been included in the revamped 14-member squad. He made a comeback to the ODI squad for the first time since 2010, while Nathan Lyon and Usman Khawaja both were also recalled to the team, led by Aaron Finch.

Siddle played his last ODI against Sri Lanka in 2010 and his inclusion will allow Aussies to rest the pace trio Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood keeping the Test series against Sri Lanka in mind.

The remaining two matches of the three-ODI series will be held in Adelaide (on January 15) and Melbourne (January 18).

Squad: Aaron Finch (C), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (WK), Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Adam Zampa

Essex sign Cameron Delport for 2019 and 2020 season

Essex County Cricket Club have announced the signing of South African batsman Cameron Delport for the 2019 and 2020 T20 Blast seasons.

Delport, 29, will join the Eagles for a two-year spell starting from July 1 and will be available for the finals day at Edgbaston on September 21 - should the county club advance that far into the competition.

"I'm so happy to be joining Essex. The club has such an amazing history and tradition so I'm proud to be given the opportunity to get involved," the batsman told the county's website.

"There is a strong squad at Chelmsford and I hope to play my part in getting the Eagles to Finals Day come September. I can't wait to get started."

Delport has a vast of T20 experience from all around the world, including Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League and Paarl Rocks in the Mzansi Super League.

Sussex sign Jake Weatherald for 2019 season

Sussex have announced the signing of SA Redbacks and Adelaide Strikers batsman Jake Weatherald for their 2019 campaign.

The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the hottest batting prospects in Big Bash League. He scored a match-winning century (70-ball 115) in the BBL in February 2018.

The highly-rated opening batsman has been one of the most dominant batsmen in Australia since his debut 2015/16 season. In first-class cricket, he scored 270 runs at 38.57 (2015/16), 634 runs at 31.70 (2016/17), 765 runs at 38.25 (2017/18).

Weatherald follows in the footsteps of Sam Whiteman, Jeet Raval, Keshav Maharaj, SJ Erwee, Will Somerville and Jordan Silk, to name but a few of Cuckfield’s signings over the years.