After Pyongyang sent a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into space on Sunday, the US issued a straightforward call to North Korea to join direct negotiations regarding its nuclear and missile programmes with no preconditions.&nbsp;

A senior Biden administration official told reporters, "We believe it is completely appropriate and completely correct to start having some serious discussions."

The US has frequently sought dialogue with North Korea under Joe Biden's leadership, but has been turned down.

Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, met with Donald Trump three times, but none of the meetings resulted in Kim's desire for the sanctions to be lifted.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-takes-toilet-with-him-even-abroad-and-anyone-using-it-will-be-killed-but-why-448133">Also read | North Korea's Kim takes toilet with him even abroad, and anyone using it will be killed. But why?</a>

According to a Biden official, the latest North Korean test is part of an "increasingly destabilising" pattern that is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and thus international law.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-7th-test-in-2022-north-korea-fires-longest-range-missile-since-2017-448864">Also read | In 7th test in 2022, North Korea fires longest-range missile since 2017</a>

A US official spoke out after North Korea's largest missile test since 2017.

The launch was viewed as a step forward in the process of resuming long-range testing.

"Of course, we're concerned," the US official said, that Pyongyang might do so and end a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-latest-missile-test-appears-to-be-its-boldest-in-years-449049">Also read | North Korea’s latest missile test appears to be its boldest in years</a>

"It requires a response," he said. "You will see us taking some steps that are designed to show our commitment to our allies … and at the same time we reiterate our call for diplomacy. We stand ready and we are very serious about trying to have discussions that address concerns on both sides."&nbsp;

Pyongyang's playbook of brinkmanship to gain concessions appears to have been revived with the missile fired on Sunday, which appeared to be the most powerful since Biden took office.

The missile was fired on a high trajectory, allegedly to avoid neighbouring countries' territorial territories, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles) and travelling 800 kilometres (497 miles) before landing in the sea, according to the Japanese and South Korean forces.

The flight details point to North Korea's longest-range missile since 2017, when it sent two ballistic missiles over Japan and three more that had the ability to strike deep into the United States.

This month, North Korea has launched seven missiles.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

After Pyongyang sent a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into space on Sunday, the US issued a straightforward call to North Korea to join direct negotiations regarding its nuclear and missile programmes with no preconditions.

After Pyongyang sent a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile into space on Sunday, the US issued a straightforward call to North Korea to join direct negotiations regarding its nuclear and missile programmes with no preconditions. A senior Biden administration official told reporters, "We believe it is completely appropriate and completely correct to start having some serious discussions." The US has frequently sought dialogue with North Korea under Joe Biden's leadership, but has been turned down. Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader, met with Donald Trump three times, but none of the meetings resulted in Kim's desire for the sanctions to be lifted. Also read | North Korea's Kim takes toilet with him even abroad, and anyone using it will be killed. But why? According to a Biden official, the latest North Korean test is part of an "increasingly destabilising" pattern that is in violation of UN Security Council resolutions and thus international law. Also read | In 7th test in 2022, North Korea fires longest-range missile since 2017 A US official spoke out after North Korea's largest missile test since 2017. The launch was viewed as a step forward in the process of resuming long-range testing. "Of course, we're concerned," the US official said, that Pyongyang might do so and end a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear testing. Also read | North Korea’s latest missile test appears to be its boldest in years "It requires a response," he said. "You will see us taking some steps that are designed to show our commitment to our allies … and at the same time we reiterate our call for diplomacy. We stand ready and we are very serious about trying to have discussions that address concerns on both sides." Pyongyang's playbook of brinkmanship to gain concessions appears to have been revived with the missile fired on Sunday, which appeared to be the most powerful since Biden took office. The missile was fired on a high trajectory, allegedly to avoid neighbouring countries' territorial territories, reaching a maximum altitude of 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles) and travelling 800 kilometres (497 miles) before landing in the sea, according to the Japanese and South Korean forces. The flight details point to North Korea's longest-range missile since 2017, when it sent two ballistic missiles over Japan and three more that had the ability to strike deep into the United States. This month, North Korea has launched seven missiles. (With inputs from agencies)

After latest missile test by Pyongyang, US urges North Korea to join direct talks 

North Korea on Sunday carried out what appeared to be its boldest ballistic missile test in years, raising the stakes in a flurry of launches that analysts said were meant to put pressure on President Joe Biden.

The missile was launched at 7:52 a.m. from the North Korean province of Jagang, which borders China, and flew across the North before falling into the sea off the country’s east coast, the South Korean military said. It was the North’s seventh missile test this month.

The office of South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, called the projectile an intermediate-range ballistic missile and condemned the test as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Flight data suggested it was the North’s most powerful launch since November 2017, when it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew much higher.

Moon warned that North Korea could soon end the self-imposed moratorium on long-range ballistic missile and nuclear tests that its leader, Kim Jong Un, announced in 2018. Last ​week, Kim ​suggested that his government might resume such tests.

“If it’s an intermediate-range ballistic missile that they launched, it means that North Korea has come close to abandoning its moratorium,” Moon said at a meeting of his National Security Council, which he convened in response to the Sunday launch, his office said.

“North Korea must stop raising tensions and pressure and accept offers from South Korea and the United States to restart dialogue,” he said.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch and urged the North “to refrain from further destabilizing acts,” though it said the test had posed no immediate threat to the United States or its allies. In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that Japan “strongly” protested the test.

North Korea appears to have carried out more missile tests in January than in any month since Kim came to power a decade ago. The launch Sunday was its third in the last week.

Kim has vowed to focus on expanding the North’s nuclear and missile capabilities since 2019, when his direct diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump collapsed. He has rebuffed the Biden administration’s repeated offers to resume talks “without preconditions”; instead, he has ordered his government to prepare for “long-term confrontation” with the United States.

Moon and South Korean analysts said the recent tests reminded them of 2017. That year, the first of Trump’s presidency, the North steadily escalated its weapons tests, from short-range missile launches to intermediate-range ballistic missile tests. Eventually, it tested three ICBMs and what it said was a hydrogen bomb.

Trump responded by persuading the U.N. Security Council to impose more sanctions on the North and by famously threatening the country with “fire and fury.” He went on to meet directly with Kim three times, but their personal diplomacy ended with no agreement on rolling back North Korea’s nuclear program or lifting the sanctions.

“It has been the same cycle repeating itself: North Korean provocations, followed by a round of negotiations and their collapse and a pause in diplomacy,” said Cheon Seong-whun, a former head of the Korea Institute for National Unification, a government-funded research institute in Seoul. “North Korea is now starting the cycle all over again, raising tensions with missile provocations.

“Its goal is to make the United States and its allies accept its nuclear arsenal as a fait accompli,” he said.

The last time North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile was in September 2017, when it tested its Hwasong-12 missile.

The missile launched Sunday was fired at a steep angle, reaching an altitude of 1,242 miles while covering a distance of 497 miles, South Korean defense officials said. When North Korea tests intermediate- and long-range missiles, it usually launches them at a steep angle.

That ensures that they don’t fly over Japan, which would be considered extremely provocative by Tokyo, Washington and their allies. Such missiles could cover much more distance if they were launched at normal ballistic missile trajectories.

The flight data from Sunday’s launch was comparable to that of a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile that North Korea launched in May 2017. That missile reached an altitude of 1,310 miles, landing in the sea 480 miles from the launch site.

But later that year, North Korea carried out more provocative tests of the same type of missile, launching them on trajectories that sent them over Japan. In those two tests, the missiles flew up to 2,300 miles before landing in the Pacific. That range would enable them to reach U.S. bases on Guam.

When the North last tested an ICBM, in 2017, it reached an altitude of 2,796 miles and covered a distance of 596 miles. After that test, North Korea claimed that its ballistic missiles could target parts or all of the continental United States with nuclear warheads.

Cheon and other analysts said they did not expect the North to test another ICBM immediately. They said it was likelier to raise tensions gradually, with a series of increasingly provocative moves.

Still, Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said it was only “a matter of time” before the North launched another ICBM. “North Korea thinks that Washington is ignoring it despite its recent tests of short-range missiles,” he said. “So it is upping its pressure on Washington, calculating the timing for an ICBM test based on how Washington will respond.”

The recent launches have surprised some analysts in the region, who had expected the North to refrain from such provocations before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, which start this week. China is the North’s only major ally.

The United States’ worsening relations with China and Russia may have given Kim an opening to test weapons with impunity. When Washington asked the UN&nbsp;Security Council to impose more sanctions on North Korea for the recent tests, both Beijing and Moscow vetoed the move.

The tests enable the North to upgrade its missile forces while putting more pressure on the Biden administration to come to the table with more favoruable terms, analysts said.

Analysts said Kim also hoped to boost morale at home as his government prepares for two major events — the 80th anniversary of the birth of his father, Kim Jong Il, in February, and the 110th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in April. Both preceded him as North Korea’s leaders.

On Friday, North Korea’s state media said Kim Jong Un had visited “a munitions factory producing a major weapon system” to encourage his weapons developers.

Yang said the North was likely to keep testing missiles at least through May, when whoever wins South Korea’s presidential election in March will take office. “It will create an extreme situation before switching to a new phase of diplomacy with Washington and the new government in Seoul,” he said.

North Korea on Sunday carried out what appeared to be its boldest ballistic missile test in years, raising the stakes in a flurry of launches that analysts said were meant to put pressure on President Joe Biden.

North Korea on Sunday carried out what appeared to be its boldest ballistic missile test in years, raising the stakes in a flurry of launches that analysts said were meant to put pressure on President Joe Biden. The missile was launched at 7:52 a.m. from the North Korean province of Jagang, which borders China, and flew across the North before falling into the sea off the country’s east coast, the South Korean military said. It was the North’s seventh missile test this month. The office of South Korea’s president, Moon Jae-in, called the projectile an intermediate-range ballistic missile and condemned the test as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Flight data suggested it was the North’s most powerful launch since November 2017, when it tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that flew much higher. Moon warned that North Korea could soon end the self-imposed moratorium on long-range ballistic missile and nuclear tests that its leader, Kim Jong Un, announced in 2018. Last week, Kim suggested that his government might resume such tests. “If it’s an intermediate-range ballistic missile that they launched, it means that North Korea has come close to abandoning its moratorium,” Moon said at a meeting of his National Security Council, which he convened in response to the Sunday launch, his office said. “North Korea must stop raising tensions and pressure and accept offers from South Korea and the United States to restart dialogue,” he said. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command condemned the launch and urged the North “to refrain from further destabilizing acts,” though it said the test had posed no immediate threat to the United States or its allies. In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters that Japan “strongly” protested the test. North Korea appears to have carried out more missile tests in January than in any month since Kim came to power a decade ago. The launch Sunday was its third in the last week. Kim has vowed to focus on expanding the North’s nuclear and missile capabilities since 2019, when his direct diplomacy with then-President Donald Trump collapsed. He has rebuffed the Biden administration’s repeated offers to resume talks “without preconditions”; instead, he has ordered his government to prepare for “long-term confrontation” with the United States. Moon and South Korean analysts said the recent tests reminded them of 2017. That year, the first of Trump’s presidency, the North steadily escalated its weapons tests, from short-range missile launches to intermediate-range ballistic missile tests. Eventually, it tested three ICBMs and what it said was a hydrogen bomb. Trump responded by persuading the U.N. Security Council to impose more sanctions on the North and by famously threatening the country with “fire and fury.” He went on to meet directly with Kim three times, but their personal diplomacy ended with no agreement on rolling back North Korea’s nuclear program or lifting the sanctions. “It has been the same cycle repeating itself: North Korean provocations, followed by a round of negotiations and their collapse and a pause in diplomacy,” said Cheon Seong-whun, a former head of the Korea Institute for National Unification, a government-funded research institute in Seoul. “North Korea is now starting the cycle all over again, raising tensions with missile provocations. “Its goal is to make the United States and its allies accept its nuclear arsenal as a fait accompli,” he said. The last time North Korea launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile was in September 2017, when it tested its Hwasong-12 missile. The missile launched Sunday was fired at a steep angle, reaching an altitude of 1,242 miles while covering a distance of 497 miles, South Korean defense officials said. When North Korea tests intermediate- and long-range missiles, it usually launches them at a steep angle. That ensures that they don’t fly over Japan, which would be considered extremely provocative by Tokyo, Washington and their allies. Such missiles could cover much more distance if they were launched at normal ballistic missile trajectories. The flight data from Sunday’s launch was comparable to that of a Hwasong-12 intermediate-range ballistic missile that North Korea launched in May 2017. That missile reached an altitude of 1,310 miles, landing in the sea 480 miles from the launch site. But later that year, North Korea carried out more provocative tests of the same type of missile, launching them on trajectories that sent them over Japan. In those two tests, the missiles flew up to 2,300 miles before landing in the Pacific. That range would enable them to reach U.S. bases on Guam. When the North last tested an ICBM, in 2017, it reached an altitude of 2,796 miles and covered a distance of 596 miles. After that test, North Korea claimed that its ballistic missiles could target parts or all of the continental United States with nuclear warheads. Cheon and other analysts said they did not expect the North to test another ICBM immediately. They said it was likelier to raise tensions gradually, with a series of increasingly provocative moves. Still, Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, said it was only “a matter of time” before the North launched another ICBM. “North Korea thinks that Washington is ignoring it despite its recent tests of short-range missiles,” he said. “So it is upping its pressure on Washington, calculating the timing for an ICBM test based on how Washington will respond.” The recent launches have surprised some analysts in the region, who had expected the North to refrain from such provocations before the Winter Olympics in Beijing, which start this week. China is the North’s only major ally. The United States’ worsening relations with China and Russia may have given Kim an opening to test weapons with impunity. When Washington asked the UN Security Council to impose more sanctions on North Korea for the recent tests, both Beijing and Moscow vetoed the move. The tests enable the North to upgrade its missile forces while putting more pressure on the Biden administration to come to the table with more favoruable terms, analysts said. Analysts said Kim also hoped to boost morale at home as his government prepares for two major events — the 80th anniversary of the birth of his father, Kim Jong Il, in February, and the 110th anniversary of the birth of his grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in April. Both preceded him as North Korea’s leaders. On Friday, North Korea’s state media said Kim Jong Un had visited “a munitions factory producing a major weapon system” to encourage his weapons developers. Yang said the North was likely to keep testing missiles at least through May, when whoever wins South Korea’s presidential election in March will take office. “It will create an extreme situation before switching to a new phase of diplomacy with Washington and the new government in Seoul,” he said.

North Korea’s latest missile test appears to be its boldest in years

A day after Kim Jong Un visited the munitions factory, North Korea tests the seventh missile this month. The latest missile is said to be the longest-range missile since 2017.

North Korea test-fires its longest-range missile since 2017

In a bid to boost its military might, North Korea on Friday confirmed that its latest rounds of weapons tests conducted this week were successful.

North Korea confirms latest weapons tests as leader Kim Jong Un visits munitions factory

In its sixth missile test, this month, North Korea has fired another unidentified projectile towards the waters of its east coast.

North Korea fires more suspected missiles as it continues to flex its muscles

North Korea conducts its sixth missile test this month with another unidentified projectile fired

Amid the ongoing tensions with the US, North Korea says that it has conducted the third Ballistic missile test of this month.

North Korea conducts third Ballistic missile test of this month amid rising tensions with the US

Google has announced that it will be mandating weekly Covid tests for all its employees and people entering its offices in the US. "To help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during this period of heightened risk, we’re implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone accessing our sites in the US," a Google spokesperson said.

The new policy has been implemented as cases in the US continue to surge. Recently, a health official said that the Omicron variant is so contagious that most people in the US will be infected.&nbsp;

To make it convenient for their employees, Google provides free at-home and in-person testing options.&nbsp;

Earlier, Google said that it was delaying its return-to-office plan globally from January as cases soared.

Google has also been very strict about its vaccination policy. The tech giant had told its employees that they would lose pay and eventually be fired if they do not follow its vaccination rules.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-a-natural-disaster-most-americans-will-get-covid-19-us-health-officials-444528">Also read |&nbsp;Omicron a natural disaster, most Americans will get COVID-19: US health officials</a>

Meanwhile, the authorities in the US have said that they are hoping that the surge will lessen rapidly, even as Omicron sets new records for new cases, and that the US should focus on ensuring that healthcare systems do not collapse as a result of the surge.&nbsp;

The Omicron variant, which has numerous key mutations, has spread swiftly over the world and shattered records for new daily cases in the US.

According to the CDC, the variant is currently responsible for more than 98 per cent of Covid cases in the US as it has now replaced the Delta variant in less than a month.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Google has announced that it will be mandating weekly Covid tests for all its employees and people entering its offices in the US. "To help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during this period of heightened risk, we’re implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone accessing our sites in the US," a Google spokesperson said.

Google has announced that it will be mandating weekly Covid tests for all its employees and people entering its offices in the US. "To help prevent the further spread of COVID-19 during this period of heightened risk, we’re implementing new temporary health and safety measures for anyone accessing our sites in the US," a Google spokesperson said. The new policy has been implemented as cases in the US continue to surge. Recently, a health official said that the Omicron variant is so contagious that most people in the US will be infected. To make it convenient for their employees, Google provides free at-home and in-person testing options. Earlier, Google said that it was delaying its return-to-office plan globally from January as cases soared. Google has also been very strict about its vaccination policy. The tech giant had told its employees that they would lose pay and eventually be fired if they do not follow its vaccination rules. Also read | Omicron a natural disaster, most Americans will get COVID-19: US health officials Meanwhile, the authorities in the US have said that they are hoping that the surge will lessen rapidly, even as Omicron sets new records for new cases, and that the US should focus on ensuring that healthcare systems do not collapse as a result of the surge. The Omicron variant, which has numerous key mutations, has spread swiftly over the world and shattered records for new daily cases in the US. According to the CDC, the variant is currently responsible for more than 98 per cent of Covid cases in the US as it has now replaced the Delta variant in less than a month. (With inputs from agencies)

Google mandates Covid testing for people entering its US offices

Just a week after North Korea launched what it claimed to be a hypersonic missile, North Korea has again conducted 2nd Hypersonic missile test.

North Korea conducts 2nd Hypersonic missile test in a week

Former England Spinner Monty Panesar breaks down England's capitulation in the Ashes series. Panesar speaks to WION about in-depth details.

Former England Spinner Monty Panesar breaks down England's capitulation in the Ashes series

Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the US, Anthony Fauci has highlighted the need to improve Covid testing all across the US. While speaking to ABC's News Week host Jonathan Karl, Fauci said, "We've&nbsp;got to do better. I mean, I think things will improve greatly as we get into January, but that doesn't help us today and tomorrow.“

He deemed the demand for high testing as a "good sign" as he said that "we should be using testing much more extensively than we have, even in a situation where you have people who are vaccinated or boosted.“

Fauci noted that the production of rapid tests has been increased in the US. He said, "We have a high demand because we should be using testing much more extensively than we have, even in a situation where you have people who are vaccinated or boosted."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-creates-record-in-booster-dose-campaign-amid-omicron-surge-440178">Also read |&nbsp;UK creates record in booster dose campaign amid Omicron surge</a>

The US is currently battling with a surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant. So far, the US has recorded over 800,000 deaths related due to the deadly coronavirus. The newly discovered Omicron has now become the dominant variant in the US.&nbsp;

Earlier, Fauci had said that it is “too premature” on part of the US to discuss a fourth Covid vaccine dose. He further highlighted that health officials must first study the “durability” of protection from three jabs.

As per data by the White House, over 60 million Americans have already received their booster shots. This includes 62 per cent of eligible seniors.

Fauci also urged people to go back to wearing face masks and practice social distancing. He said that if people do not pay attention to these warnings, the cases will double up.

(With inputs from agencies)

Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the US, Anthony Fauci has highlighted the need to improve Covid testing all across the US. While speaking to ABC's News Week host Jonathan Karl, Fauci said, "We've got to do better.

Chief Medical Advisor to the President of the US, Anthony Fauci has highlighted the need to improve Covid testing all across the US. While speaking to ABC's News Week host Jonathan Karl, Fauci said, "We've got to do better. I mean, I think things will improve greatly as we get into January, but that doesn't help us today and tomorrow.“ He deemed the demand for high testing as a "good sign" as he said that "we should be using testing much more extensively than we have, even in a situation where you have people who are vaccinated or boosted.“ Fauci noted that the production of rapid tests has been increased in the US. He said, "We have a high demand because we should be using testing much more extensively than we have, even in a situation where you have people who are vaccinated or boosted." Also read | UK creates record in booster dose campaign amid Omicron surge The US is currently battling with a surge in cases driven by the Omicron variant. So far, the US has recorded over 800,000 deaths related due to the deadly coronavirus. The newly discovered Omicron has now become the dominant variant in the US. Earlier, Fauci had said that it is “too premature” on part of the US to discuss a fourth Covid vaccine dose. He further highlighted that health officials must first study the “durability” of protection from three jabs. As per data by the White House, over 60 million Americans have already received their booster shots. This includes 62 per cent of eligible seniors. Fauci also urged people to go back to wearing face masks and practice social distancing. He said that if people do not pay attention to these warnings, the cases will double up. (With inputs from agencies)

Fauci speaks about improving Covid testing, says 'We've got to do better'

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The researchers have actually come up with an RT-PCR based assay for the detection of the new variant, said officials. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-case-of-omicron-variant-gets-confirmed-in-mainland-china-say-reports-436617" hreflang="en">First case of Omicron variant gets confirmed in mainland China, say reports</a>

At present, it takes over three days to detect Omicron variant worldwide as it is done using next-generation sequencing-based methods. &nbsp;

The rapid screening assay has been developed by Kusuma School of Biological Sciences of the institute. The application of the patent has also been filed. It is also in the process of holding discussions with potential industry partners. &nbsp;

A senior IIT Delhi official said, "The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-south-korea-to-test-facial-recognition-tech-to-track-covid-19-cases-436553">Now, South Korea to test facial recognition tech to track Covid-19 cases</a>

“Primer sets targeting these unique mutations in the S gene were designed for the specific amplification of either the Omicron variant or other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and tested using real time PCR," added the official. &nbsp;

"Using synthetic DNA fragments, the assays were optimised to distinguish the wild-type from the Omicron variant in a dynamic range,” the official further said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said.

When you can get a pizza in 30 minutes why should you wait for three days to identify a case of Omicron variant. Well, now no one will have to as a team of Indian researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a mechanism to detect Omicron variant of Covid in just 90 minutes, a report by PTI said. The researchers have actually come up with an RT-PCR based assay for the detection of the new variant, said officials. Also Read: First case of Omicron variant gets confirmed in mainland China, say reports At present, it takes over three days to detect Omicron variant worldwide as it is done using next-generation sequencing-based methods. The rapid screening assay has been developed by Kusuma School of Biological Sciences of the institute. The application of the patent has also been filed. It is also in the process of holding discussions with potential industry partners. A senior IIT Delhi official said, "The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2.” Also Read: Now, South Korea to test facial recognition tech to track Covid-19 cases “Primer sets targeting these unique mutations in the S gene were designed for the specific amplification of either the Omicron variant or other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and tested using real time PCR," added the official. "Using synthetic DNA fragments, the assays were optimised to distinguish the wild-type from the Omicron variant in a dynamic range,” the official further said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian researchers develop test to detect Omicron variant in just 90 min

In what can be called a major break from tradition for the top job in Australian cricket, Pat Cummins has been named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain. &nbsp;&nbsp;

After getting the job, Cummins paid tribute to the leadership of Tim Paine. &nbsp;

After Paine’s resignation last week, former captain Steve Smith will serve as Cummins’ deputy. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australia-mulling-diplomatic-boycott-of-beijing-2022-winter-olympics-431788" hreflang="en">Australia mulling diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics</a>

Cummins was one of the favourites to succeed Paine. He was made the sole vice-captain a year ago. &nbsp;

Since being stripped of the captaincy after the ball tampering scandal in 2018, this is Smith’s first official leadership position. He may also get to lead the team if Cummins misses a game. &nbsp;

The change of guard comes when the national men’s team is going through a delicate time. &nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer. I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim [Paine] has given the group in the past few years,” Cummins said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/australian-summer-of-tennis-2022-schedule-announced-australian-open-from-jan-17-431811" hreflang="en">Australian 'Summer of Tennis 2022' schedule announced, Australian Open from Jan 17</a>

“With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to,” added Cummins. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

In what can be called a major break from tradition for the top job in Australian cricket, Pat Cummins has been named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain. After getting the job, Cummins paid tribute to the leadership of Tim Paine.

In what can be called a major break from tradition for the top job in Australian cricket, Pat Cummins has been named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain. After getting the job, Cummins paid tribute to the leadership of Tim Paine. After Paine’s resignation last week, former captain Steve Smith will serve as Cummins’ deputy. Also Read: Australia mulling diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Cummins was one of the favourites to succeed Paine. He was made the sole vice-captain a year ago. Since being stripped of the captaincy after the ball tampering scandal in 2018, this is Smith’s first official leadership position. He may also get to lead the team if Cummins misses a game. The change of guard comes when the national men’s team is going through a delicate time. “I am honoured to accept this role ahead of what will be a massive Ashes summer. I hope I can provide the same leadership Tim [Paine] has given the group in the past few years,” Cummins said. Also Read: Australian 'Summer of Tennis 2022' schedule announced, Australian Open from Jan 17 “With Steve and I as captains, a number of very senior players in this squad and some great young talent coming through we are a strong and tightly-knit group. This is an unexpected privilege which I am very grateful for and am very much looking forward to,” added Cummins. (With inputs from agencies)

After Paine resigns amid scandal, Cummins gets named as Australia’s 47th male Test captain

Senior US envoy to North Korea, Sung Kim, has called on the country to halt missile tests and return to nuclear negotiations.&nbsp;

After a meeting with South Korean officials to discuss Pyongyang's recent missile tests, Kim told the Associated Press, "We call on the DPRK to cease these provocations and other destabilising activities, and instead, engage in dialogue."

“We remain ready to meet with the DPRK without preconditions and we have made clear that the United States harbours no hostile intent towards the DPRK,” added Kim.

Kim further said the tests were “concerning and counterproductive” to efforts to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula.&nbsp;

This comes a few days after North Korea confirmed that it “successfully” test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a day after South Korea reported the missile launch.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-confirms-test-of-new-submarine-launched-ballistic-missile-with-advance-guidance-technologies-422179">Also read |&nbsp;North Korea confirms test of new submarine-launched ballistic missile with ‘advance guidance technologies’</a>

State news outlet KCNA said the missile has advanced control guidance technologies, “which could make it harder to track”, adding that it was fired from the same vessel that the North used in its first SLBM test five years ago.

It said that the latest missile had new “controlling and homing” technology which allowed it to move laterally. It was also capable of “gliding and jumping movement”.

The latest launch comes as South Korea develops its own weapons, in what observers say has turned into an arms race on the Korean peninsula.

Senior US envoy to North Korea, Sung Kim, has called on the country to halt missile tests and return to nuclear negotiations. After a meeting with South Korean officials to discuss Pyongyang's recent missile tests, Kim told the Associated Press, "We call on the DPRK to cease these provocations and other destabilising activities, and instead, engage in dialogue.

Senior US envoy to North Korea, Sung Kim, has called on the country to halt missile tests and return to nuclear negotiations. After a meeting with South Korean officials to discuss Pyongyang's recent missile tests, Kim told the Associated Press, "We call on the DPRK to cease these provocations and other destabilising activities, and instead, engage in dialogue." “We remain ready to meet with the DPRK without preconditions and we have made clear that the United States harbours no hostile intent towards the DPRK,” added Kim. Kim further said the tests were “concerning and counterproductive” to efforts to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula. This comes a few days after North Korea confirmed that it “successfully” test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a day after South Korea reported the missile launch. Also read | North Korea confirms test of new submarine-launched ballistic missile with ‘advance guidance technologies’ State news outlet KCNA said the missile has advanced control guidance technologies, “which could make it harder to track”, adding that it was fired from the same vessel that the North used in its first SLBM test five years ago. It said that the latest missile had new “controlling and homing” technology which allowed it to move laterally. It was also capable of “gliding and jumping movement”. The latest launch comes as South Korea develops its own weapons, in what observers say has turned into an arms race on the Korean peninsula.

US urges North Korea to halt missile tests and resume talks

After the Chinese tested new space capability with a hypersonic missile, US intelligence officials were caught by surprise, a report said. &nbsp; &nbsp;

According to a Financial Times report on Saturday, China launched a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that circled the Earth at low orbit before descending towards its target. The hypersonic glide vehicle was carried by a Long March rocket. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The report cited multiple sources familiar with the test. Sources also said it missed by over 20 miles (32 kilometers). &nbsp;

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China had made "astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realised," the report cited sources as saying. &nbsp;&nbsp;

John Kirby, press secretary, Department of Defense, said the United States sees China as the No. 1 "pacing challenge" as the two countries work towards developing hypersonic weapons. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"We have made clear our concerns about the military capabilities China continues to pursue, capabilities that only increase tensions in the region and beyond," Kirby added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

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This missile can deliver nuclear weapons and fly at more than five times the speed of sound. It is maneuverable, which makes it harder to detect and defend against. Apart from China, some other countries are also working on this technology. &nbsp; &nbsp;

Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China, said the country has no global strategy or plans of military operations. &nbsp; &nbsp;

"We are not at all interested in having an arms race with other countries. In contrast, the US has in recent years been fabricating excuses like 'the China threat' to justify its arms expansion and development of hypersonic weapons. This has directly intensified the arms race in this category and severely undermined global strategic stability,” Liu said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After the Chinese tested new space capability with a hypersonic missile, US intelligence officials were caught by surprise, a report said. According to a Financial Times report on Saturday, China launched a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that circled the Earth at low orbit before descending towards its target.

After the Chinese tested new space capability with a hypersonic missile, US intelligence officials were caught by surprise, a report said. According to a Financial Times report on Saturday, China launched a nuclear-capable hypersonic missile in August that circled the Earth at low orbit before descending towards its target. The hypersonic glide vehicle was carried by a Long March rocket. The report cited multiple sources familiar with the test. Sources also said it missed by over 20 miles (32 kilometers). Also Read: Biden says he's open to shortening length of new programmes China had made "astounding progress on hypersonic weapons and was far more advanced than US officials realised," the report cited sources as saying. John Kirby, press secretary, Department of Defense, said the United States sees China as the No. 1 "pacing challenge" as the two countries work towards developing hypersonic weapons. "We have made clear our concerns about the military capabilities China continues to pursue, capabilities that only increase tensions in the region and beyond," Kirby added. Also Read | China’s latest craze: Scripted murders, with real tears and piracy This missile can deliver nuclear weapons and fly at more than five times the speed of sound. It is maneuverable, which makes it harder to detect and defend against. Apart from China, some other countries are also working on this technology. Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China, said the country has no global strategy or plans of military operations. "We are not at all interested in having an arms race with other countries. In contrast, the US has in recent years been fabricating excuses like 'the China threat' to justify its arms expansion and development of hypersonic weapons. This has directly intensified the arms race in this category and severely undermined global strategic stability,” Liu said. (With inputs from agencies)

With new hypersonic missile test in August, China surprised US officials

Indian skipper Virat Kohli opened up about the fifth Test against England being cancelled due to fears of COVID-19. Several Indian players, including Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah, &nbsp;have travelled to UAE for the upcoming IPL.&nbsp;

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“Unfortunate that we had to end up here early, but with COVID in place, things are very uncertain. Anything can happen at any time," Kohli said in the ‘RCB Bold Diaries’ series on RCB Digital Media Platforms.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Siraj arrived in UAE on Sunday after the IPL franchise&nbsp;arranged a chartered flight from Manchester to Dubai.&nbsp;

"Hopefully, we're able to maintain a good, strong, and secure environment, and have a quality IPL. It's going to be an exciting phase and a very important one for us at RCB and then for the Indian team at the T20 World Cup,” he said.&nbsp;

Kohli also spoke about the new additions to the team and said, "I've been in touch with everyone. We've had discussions over the last month or so, a little longer than that with the replacements, who's coming and who's not.

"Eventually, we ended up replacing our key players with some top-quality cricketers. Our key players will be missed, and they are a part of the family, but the people coming in as well have great skill sets, especially for these conditions. So, I'm very excited to see them, with the whole group at practice and certainly very excited to resume a very good season that started last time around."

Royal Challengers Bangalore will resume their IPL 2021 campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Abu Dhabi.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli opened up about the fifth Test against England being cancelled due to fears of COVID-19. Several Indian players, including Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah, have travelled to UAE for the upcoming IPL.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli opened up about the fifth Test against England being cancelled due to fears of COVID-19. Several Indian players, including Kohli, Rohit and Bumrah, have travelled to UAE for the upcoming IPL. ALSO READ: Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander join Pakistan team's coaching staff “Unfortunate that we had to end up here early, but with COVID in place, things are very uncertain. Anything can happen at any time," Kohli said in the ‘RCB Bold Diaries’ series on RCB Digital Media Platforms. RCB skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Siraj arrived in UAE on Sunday after the IPL franchise arranged a chartered flight from Manchester to Dubai. "Hopefully, we're able to maintain a good, strong, and secure environment, and have a quality IPL. It's going to be an exciting phase and a very important one for us at RCB and then for the Indian team at the T20 World Cup,” he said. Kohli also spoke about the new additions to the team and said, "I've been in touch with everyone. We've had discussions over the last month or so, a little longer than that with the replacements, who's coming and who's not. "Eventually, we ended up replacing our key players with some top-quality cricketers. Our key players will be missed, and they are a part of the family, but the people coming in as well have great skill sets, especially for these conditions. So, I'm very excited to see them, with the whole group at practice and certainly very excited to resume a very good season that started last time around." Royal Challengers Bangalore will resume their IPL 2021 campaign against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday, September 20, 2021, at Abu Dhabi.

'Anything can happen at any time': Virat Kohli opens up about fifth Test being cancelled

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison expressed his displeasure over the cancellation of the fifth Test between India and England and termed it as ‘the beginning of the end of Test cricket’.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dont-tell-me-test-was-cancelled-for-any-other-reason-but-ipl-says-michael-vaughan-412520" hreflang="en">'Don’t tell me Test was cancelled for any other reason but IPL', says Michael Vaughan</a>

He targeted IPL as the main reason behind the cancellation of the Test match. “It’s rubbish, it really is. My initial thoughts are that this is the beginning of the end for Test cricket,” Harmison told TalkSport.&nbsp;

"But this is all about the IPL. End of. As much as I’d want to sugarcoat it, I don’t think I can.

"The IPL starts in five days, and a month before the tour started India asked if they could move the last Test match forward or clear four days so they can fit the IPL in.

"All of a sudden this happens. It doesn’t sit well with me and I feel so sorry for the people of Manchester," he added.&nbsp;

"We don’t know the full facts, but when teams are pulling out like that, two hours before the match, this is down to players saying, 'if we contract COVID now we have to stay here for ten days and the IPL is starting'.

"It’s a short window there and money makes the world go round, but there’s a point where integrity comes into it.

“For me, this is India flexing their muscles and saying, 'we’re not interested in playing – my bat, my ball, see you later',” Harmison added.&nbsp;

However, he even added that England can't play the blame game as they did the same thing by pulling out from the South Africa limited-overs series last year.&nbsp;

“Let’s be fair before we start throwing stones, England did it to South Africa. Let’s get that straight from the very start,” he said.&nbsp;

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison expressed his displeasure over the cancellation of the fifth Test between India and England and termed it as ‘the beginning of the end of Test cricket’.

Former England fast bowler Steve Harmison expressed his displeasure over the cancellation of the fifth Test between India and England and termed it as ‘the beginning of the end of Test cricket’. ALSO READ: 'Don’t tell me Test was cancelled for any other reason but IPL', says Michael Vaughan He targeted IPL as the main reason behind the cancellation of the Test match. “It’s rubbish, it really is. My initial thoughts are that this is the beginning of the end for Test cricket,” Harmison told TalkSport. "But this is all about the IPL. End of. As much as I’d want to sugarcoat it, I don’t think I can. "The IPL starts in five days, and a month before the tour started India asked if they could move the last Test match forward or clear four days so they can fit the IPL in. "All of a sudden this happens. It doesn’t sit well with me and I feel so sorry for the people of Manchester," he added. "We don’t know the full facts, but when teams are pulling out like that, two hours before the match, this is down to players saying, 'if we contract COVID now we have to stay here for ten days and the IPL is starting'. "It’s a short window there and money makes the world go round, but there’s a point where integrity comes into it. “For me, this is India flexing their muscles and saying, 'we’re not interested in playing – my bat, my ball, see you later',” Harmison added. However, he even added that England can't play the blame game as they did the same thing by pulling out from the South Africa limited-overs series last year. “Let’s be fair before we start throwing stones, England did it to South Africa. Let’s get that straight from the very start,” he said.

'This is all about the IPL': Former England bowler on fifth Test being cancelled

Team India will high on confidence after taking an unassailable lead in the five-match series after thrashing hosts England in the fourth Test at the Oval. Virat and Co. will take on Joe Root's England in the fifth Test that will take place in Manchester.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-5th-test-another-member-of-indias-support-staff-tests-positive-for-covid-19-reports-411850">Another member of India's support staff tests positive for Covid-19: Reports</a>

England will be looking to bounce back and end the series levelled to spare the embarrassment, whereas, Team India will be placing its best playing XI for securing atleast a draw to take the Pataudi Trophy home and winning a crucial away win that will help them in the World Test Championship.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ms-dhoni-returns-all-you-need-to-know-about-captain-cools-new-role-as-team-indias-mentor-for-t20-world-cup-411808" hreflang="en">EXPLAINED | All about MS Dhoni's new role as Team India's mentor</a>

Team India might tweak their playing XI in order to take their in-form players forward. India's vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is struggling with the bat currently. Despite his knock of 61 runs at Lord's, Rahane has failed to score for the Men in Blue.&nbsp;

With options like Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, India could witness a change in its batting order. In the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin could feature in the fifth and final Test against England. With the pace department looking really strong, Ravindra Jadeja could lose his spot for Ravichandran Ashwin to come in.&nbsp;

India's Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane/Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

Team India will high on confidence after taking an unassailable lead in the five-match series after thrashing hosts England in the fourth Test at the Oval. Virat and Co.

Team India will high on confidence after taking an unassailable lead in the five-match series after thrashing hosts England in the fourth Test at the Oval. Virat and Co. will take on Joe Root's England in the fifth Test that will take place in Manchester. ALSO READ: Another member of India's support staff tests positive for Covid-19: Reports England will be looking to bounce back and end the series levelled to spare the embarrassment, whereas, Team India will be placing its best playing XI for securing atleast a draw to take the Pataudi Trophy home and winning a crucial away win that will help them in the World Test Championship. ALSO READ: EXPLAINED | All about MS Dhoni's new role as Team India's mentor Team India might tweak their playing XI in order to take their in-form players forward. India's vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane is struggling with the bat currently. Despite his knock of 61 runs at Lord's, Rahane has failed to score for the Men in Blue. With options like Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw, India could witness a change in its batting order. In the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin could feature in the fifth and final Test against England. With the pace department looking really strong, Ravindra Jadeja could lose his spot for Ravichandran Ashwin to come in. India's Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane/Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Virat and Co.'s predicted XI, will Ravichandran Ashwin return?

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara shut his critics down after a sensational knock on Day 3 of the third Test against England. The Test specialist is unbeaten at 91 runs and will be looking to score a massive ton to rescue India at the Headingly.&nbsp;

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During the post-day press conference, Rohit Sharma said that Pujara was never under pressure from the Indian dressing room.&nbsp;

"To be honest there hasn't been any talk about Pujara's batting," Rohit said when asked what kind of conversations he had had with Pujara, being a senior player himself. "I think the talks are only happening outside. Not a single conversation has happened with Pujara regarding his form inside the team dressing room. We know the quality he brings, we know the experience he brings. When you have a guy like that, I don't think there needs to be much discussion.

"If you talk about his recent performance, yes I mean he has not scored runs but we saw a crucial partnership between him and Ajinkya at Lord's. Not to forget what he did in Australia. Those were crucial innings for us winning that historic Test series in Australia. We tend to forget, our memories are a little bit short.

"We need to think about what the guy has done over the years. It is not about one or two innings or one or two series. It's about what he has done in his entire career. I understand current form, but the current form doesn't happen in one innings. Over a number of years he has done well, and that needs to be considered when we talk about someone like him."

Pujara showed his ruthless side to England as his career-reviving knock included 15 boundaries.&nbsp;

"With Pujara we have seen over the years that he is a very disciplined batter. Yes of late runs haven't come but that doesn't mean that quality of Pujara is gone missing, the quality is always there. You must have seen today the way he batted. Not the easiest situation to bat when you are 300 behind. The way he batted shows the character of the individual, and shows the mindset of an individual as well. Somebody who has gone everywhere and scored."

India are currently still trailing by 139 runs and will be looking to securing atleast a draw, with two days remaining. Virat and Pujara have the perfect opportunity to end their century drought.&nbsp;

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara shut his critics down after a sensational knock on Day 3 of the third Test against England. The Test specialist is unbeaten at 91 runs and will be looking to score a massive ton to rescue India at the Headingly.

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara shut his critics down after a sensational knock on Day 3 of the third Test against England. The Test specialist is unbeaten at 91 runs and will be looking to score a massive ton to rescue India at the Headingly. ALSO READ: BCCI AGM to be held post September 30 due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic During the post-day press conference, Rohit Sharma said that Pujara was never under pressure from the Indian dressing room. "To be honest there hasn't been any talk about Pujara's batting," Rohit said when asked what kind of conversations he had had with Pujara, being a senior player himself. "I think the talks are only happening outside. Not a single conversation has happened with Pujara regarding his form inside the team dressing room. We know the quality he brings, we know the experience he brings. When you have a guy like that, I don't think there needs to be much discussion. "If you talk about his recent performance, yes I mean he has not scored runs but we saw a crucial partnership between him and Ajinkya at Lord's. Not to forget what he did in Australia. Those were crucial innings for us winning that historic Test series in Australia. We tend to forget, our memories are a little bit short. "We need to think about what the guy has done over the years. It is not about one or two innings or one or two series. It's about what he has done in his entire career. I understand current form, but the current form doesn't happen in one innings. Over a number of years he has done well, and that needs to be considered when we talk about someone like him." Pujara showed his ruthless side to England as his career-reviving knock included 15 boundaries. "With Pujara we have seen over the years that he is a very disciplined batter. Yes of late runs haven't come but that doesn't mean that quality of Pujara is gone missing, the quality is always there. You must have seen today the way he batted. Not the easiest situation to bat when you are 300 behind. The way he batted shows the character of the individual, and shows the mindset of an individual as well. Somebody who has gone everywhere and scored." India are currently still trailing by 139 runs and will be looking to securing atleast a draw, with two days remaining. Virat and Pujara have the perfect opportunity to end their century drought.

'We know the quality he brings, we know the experience he brings': Rohit Sharma on Cheteshwar Pujara

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was known for his brute batting style and some mammoth scores in the game of cricket. The batsman smashed two triple centuries in his Test career. But he had an opportunity of getting another triple ton, this time against Sri Lanka in 2009, however, he got out on 293 while taking a run off Muttiah Muralitharan's over.&nbsp;

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Now, Lankan Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan revealed Sehwag's words after getting dismissed in the match. “I remember he was batting on 290 against us in Mumbai and I think it was Dravid who told him to hang on as he can get to his 300 the next day. The next morning, he tried to tap it but got out caught and bowled and told me ‘I should have never listened to Rahul and instead gone after you’,” Murali told ESPNCricinfo.

The incident took place in the third Test of the series between India and Sri Lanka. Sehwag was expected to get to his third triple ton quickly on Day 3 but he was out for 293 while trying to take a single off Muralitharan.

"Sehwag could understand and read what I was bowling. He says he didn’t read me but what I can say is that he played me in a different manner (than the rest). He was very dangerous. I’ve said this many times,” he added.

“For Sehwag, I would keep fielders because I knew he will take a chance. He thinks, on his day he can attack and take on anybody in the world. So, we would try and set a defensive field and wait for him to make a mistake and give us his wicket. But Sehwag’s attitude was like ‘I will give myself 2 hours and score 150 runs. If I bat the entire day, I will score 300.’ So he might get out after lunch but by then he would have scored more than a hundred runs. Most of the batsmen batting on 98-99 would look to complete the century by taking singles but Sehwag will go for a six. Sehwag didn’t care whether he got a century or not. He just went for his shots,” Murali, who has more than 1300 international wickets, said.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was known for his brute batting style and some mammoth scores in the game of cricket. The batsman smashed two triple centuries in his Test career.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag was known for his brute batting style and some mammoth scores in the game of cricket. The batsman smashed two triple centuries in his Test career. But he had an opportunity of getting another triple ton, this time against Sri Lanka in 2009, however, he got out on 293 while taking a run off Muttiah Muralitharan's over. ALSO READ: Watch: MS Dhoni announces return of IPL 2021 in a never-before-seen avatar Now, Lankan Spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan revealed Sehwag's words after getting dismissed in the match. “I remember he was batting on 290 against us in Mumbai and I think it was Dravid who told him to hang on as he can get to his 300 the next day. The next morning, he tried to tap it but got out caught and bowled and told me ‘I should have never listened to Rahul and instead gone after you’,” Murali told ESPNCricinfo. The incident took place in the third Test of the series between India and Sri Lanka. Sehwag was expected to get to his third triple ton quickly on Day 3 but he was out for 293 while trying to take a single off Muralitharan. "Sehwag could understand and read what I was bowling. He says he didn’t read me but what I can say is that he played me in a different manner (than the rest). He was very dangerous. I’ve said this many times,” he added. “For Sehwag, I would keep fielders because I knew he will take a chance. He thinks, on his day he can attack and take on anybody in the world. So, we would try and set a defensive field and wait for him to make a mistake and give us his wicket. But Sehwag’s attitude was like ‘I will give myself 2 hours and score 150 runs. If I bat the entire day, I will score 300.’ So he might get out after lunch but by then he would have scored more than a hundred runs. Most of the batsmen batting on 98-99 would look to complete the century by taking singles but Sehwag will go for a six. Sehwag didn’t care whether he got a century or not. He just went for his shots,” Murali, who has more than 1300 international wickets, said.

Muttiah Muralitharan reveals Virender Sehwag's words after missing 300

England will be looking to bounce back in the five-match Test series against India after suffering a crushing defeat in the second Test that was played in Lord's as they announced their squad for the third Test.&nbsp;

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Root and Co. have made significant changes to strengthen their batting lineup after suffering a collapse in the second innings of the second Test.&nbsp;

The hosts have called back Dawid Malan to the Test squad for the first time in three years as England announced their squad for the third match against India at Headingley, starting on August 25.&nbsp;

The English cricket board took to Twitter and announced their squad for the Headingley Test that will be played on August 25. Batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley were omitted from the list due to their poor show in the previous two matches. The duo will return to Kent and Warwickshire respectively.&nbsp;

<h2>England squad for third Test against India:</h2>

Joe Root (C), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton,Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood.

Virat Kohli-led team impressed with both bat and ball as the side thrashed England by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord's on Monday to go 1-0 lead in a five-match series after just their third win in 19 Tests at the 'home of cricket' followed a rain-marred draw at Trent Bridge. India are currently 1-0 up in the five-match Test series.&nbsp;

England will be looking to bounce back in the five-match Test series against India after suffering a crushing defeat in the second Test that was played in Lord's as they announced their squad for the third Test.

England will be looking to bounce back in the five-match Test series against India after suffering a crushing defeat in the second Test that was played in Lord's as they announced their squad for the third Test. ALSO READ: After Taliban takeover, can Afghan Cricket Board lose ICC's full membership? Root and Co. have made significant changes to strengthen their batting lineup after suffering a collapse in the second innings of the second Test. The hosts have called back Dawid Malan to the Test squad for the first time in three years as England announced their squad for the third match against India at Headingley, starting on August 25. The English cricket board took to Twitter and announced their squad for the Headingley Test that will be played on August 25. Batsmen Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley were omitted from the list due to their poor show in the previous two matches. The duo will return to Kent and Warwickshire respectively. England squad for third Test against India: Joe Root (C), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton,Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood. Virat Kohli-led team impressed with both bat and ball as the side thrashed England by 151 runs in the second Test at Lord's on Monday to go 1-0 lead in a five-match series after just their third win in 19 Tests at the 'home of cricket' followed a rain-marred draw at Trent Bridge. India are currently 1-0 up in the five-match Test series.

Cricket - England announce their squad for the third Test against India

The New York City mayor’s race plunged into chaos Tuesday night when the city Board of Elections released a new tally of votes in the Democratic mayoral primary and then removed the tabulations from its website after citing a “discrepancy.”

The results released earlier in the day had suggested that the race between Eric Adams and his two closest rivals had tightened significantly.

But just a few hours after releasing the preliminary results, the elections board issued a cryptic tweet revealing a “discrepancy” in the report, saying that it was working with its “technical staff to identify where the discrepancy occurred.”

By Tuesday evening, the tabulations had been taken down, replaced by a new advisory that the ranked-choice results would be available “starting on June 30.”

Then, around 10:30 p.m., the board finally released a statement, explaining that it had failed to remove sample ballot images used to test its ranked-choice voting software. When the board ran the program, it counted “both test and election night results, producing approximately 135,000 additional records,” the statement said. The ranked-choice numbers, it said, would be tabulated again.

The extraordinary sequence of events seeded further confusion about the outcome, and threw the closely watched contest into a new period of uncertainty at a consequential moment for the city.

For the Board of Elections, which has long been plagued by dysfunction and nepotism, this was its first try at implementing ranked-choice voting on a citywide scale. Skeptics had expressed doubts about the board’s ability to pull off the process, though it is used successfully in other cities.

Under ranked-choice voting, voters can list up to five candidates on their ballots in preferential order. If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes in the first round, the winner is decided by a process of elimination: As the lower-polling candidates are eliminated, their votes are reallocated to whichever candidate those voters ranked next, and the process continues until there is a winner.

The Board of Elections released preliminary, unofficial ranked-choice tabulations on Tuesday afternoon, showing that Adams — who had held a significant advantage on primary night — was narrowly ahead of Kathryn Garcia in the ballots cast in person during early voting or on Primary Day. Maya Wiley, who came in second place in the initial vote count, was close behind in third place. The board then took down the results and disclosed the discrepancy.

The results may well be scrambled again: Even after the Board of Elections sorts through the preliminary tally, it must count around 124,000 Democratic absentee ballots. Once they are tabulated, the board will take the new total that includes them and run a new set of ranked-choice elimination rounds, with a final result not expected until mid-July.

Some Democrats, bracing for an acrimonious new chapter in the race, are concerned that the incremental release of results by the Board of Elections — and the discovery of an error — may stir distrust of ranked-choice voting and of the city’s electoral system more broadly.

In a statement late Tuesday night, Wiley laced into the Board of Elections, calling the error “the result of generations of failures that have gone unaddressed,” and adding: “Sadly it is impossible to be surprised.”

“Today, we have once again seen the mismanagement that has resulted in a lack of confidence in results, not because there is a flaw in our election laws, but because those who implement it have failed too many times,” she said. “The BOE must now count the remainder of the votes transparently and ensure the integrity of the process moving forward.”

Garcia said the release of the inaccurate tally was “deeply troubling and requires a much more transparent and complete explanation.”

“Every ranked choice and absentee vote must be counted accurately so that all New Yorkers have faith in our democracy and our government,” she said. “I am confident that every candidate will accept the final results and support whomever the voters have elected.”

And Adams noted the “unfortunate” error by the Board of Elections and emphasized the importance of handling election results correctly.

“It is critical that New Yorkers are confident in their electoral system, especially as we rank votes in a citywide election for the first time,” he said in a statement released Tuesday night. “We appreciate the board’s transparency and acknowledgment of their error. We look forward to the release of an accurate, updated simulation, and the timely conclusion of this critical process.”

If elected, Adams would be the city’s second Black mayor, after David Dinkins. Some of Adams’ supporters have already cast the ranked-choice process as an attempt to disenfranchise voters of color, an argument that intensified among some backers on Tuesday afternoon as the race had appeared to tighten, and is virtually certain to escalate should he lose his primary night lead to Garcia, who is white.

Surrogates for Adams have suggested without evidence that an apparent ranked-choice alliance between Garcia and another rival, Andrew Yang, could amount to an attempt to suppress the votes of Black and Latino New Yorkers; Adams himself claimed that the alliance was aimed at preventing a Black or Latino candidate from winning the race.

In the final days of the race, Garcia and Yang campaigned together across the city, especially in neighborhoods that are home to sizable Asian American communities, and appeared together on campaign literature.

To advocates of ranked-choice voting, the round-by-round shuffling of outcomes is part of the process of electing a candidate with broad appeal. But if Garcia or Wiley were to prevail, the process — which was approved by voters in a 2019 ballot measure — would likely attract fresh scrutiny, with some of Adams’ backers and others already urging a new referendum on it.

By Tuesday night, though, it was the Board of Elections that was attracting ire from seemingly all corners.

Betsy Gotbaum, the city’s former public advocate who now runs Citizens Union, a good-government group, warned that “the entire country is watching” the Board of Elections. “New Yorkers deserve elections, and election administrators, that they can have the utmost faith in,” Gotbaum added.

A comparison between first-place vote totals released on primary night and those released Tuesday offered some insight into how the 135,000 erroneous votes were distributed. The bottom four candidates received a total of 42,000 new votes, roughly four times their actual vote total; the number of write-in ballots also skyrocketed to 17,516 from 1,336. Adams and Yang received the highest number of new votes.

It was not known, however, how the test votes were reallocated during the ranked-choice tabulations, making it impossible to determine how they affected the preliminary results that were released and then retracted.

When accurate vote counts are in place, it is difficult, but not unheard-of for a trailing candidate in a ranked-choice election to eventually win the race through later rounds of voting — that happened in Oakland, California, in 2010, and nearly occurred in San Francisco in 2018.

The winner of New York’s Democratic primary, who is almost certain to become the city’s next mayor, will face Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, who won the Republican primary.

According to the now-withdrawn tabulation released Tuesday, Wiley, a former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, nearly made it to the final round. She finished closely behind Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner, before being eliminated in the penultimate round of the preliminary exercise.

After the count of in-person ballots last week, Garcia trailed Wiley by about 2.8 percentage points. Asked if she had been in touch with Wiley’s team, Garcia suggested there had been staff-level conversations.

“The campaigns have been speaking to each other,” Garcia said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon, saying the two candidates had not yet spoken directly. “Hopefully we don’t have to step in with attorneys. But it is about really ensuring that New York City’s voices are heard.”

Wiley ran well to the left of Garcia on a number of vital policy matters, including around policing and on some education questions. Either candidate would be the first woman elected mayor of New York, and Wiley would be the city’s first Black female mayor.

Adams, a former police captain and a relative moderate on several key issues, was a non-starter for many progressive voters who may have preferred Garcia and her focus on competence over any especially ideological message.

But early results suggested that Adams had significant strength among working-class voters of color, and some traction among white voters with moderate views.

City Councilman I. Daneek Miller, an Adams supporter who is pressing for a new referendum on ranked-choice voting, suggested in a text message on Tuesday that the system had opened the door to “an attempt to eliminate the candidate of moderate working people and traditionally marginalized communities,” as he implicitly criticized the Yang-Garcia alliance.

“It is incumbent on us now to address the issue of ranked voting and how it is being weaponized against a wide portion of the public,” said Miller, co-chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus on the City Council.

Other close observers of the election separately expressed discomfort with the decision to release a ranked-choice tally without accounting for absentee ballots.

“There is real danger that voters will come to believe a set of facts about the race that will be disproven when all votes are in,” said Ben Greenfield, a senior survey data analyst at Change Research, which conducted polling for a pro-Garcia PAC. “The risk is that this could take a system that’s already new and confusing and increase people’s sense of mistrust.”

The New York City mayor’s race plunged into chaos Tuesday night when the city Board of Elections released a new tally of votes in the Democratic mayoral primary and then removed the tabulations from its website after citing a “discrepancy.

The New York City mayor’s race plunged into chaos Tuesday night when the city Board of Elections released a new tally of votes in the Democratic mayoral primary and then removed the tabulations from its website after citing a “discrepancy.” The results released earlier in the day had suggested that the race between Eric Adams and his two closest rivals had tightened significantly. But just a few hours after releasing the preliminary results, the elections board issued a cryptic tweet revealing a “discrepancy” in the report, saying that it was working with its “technical staff to identify where the discrepancy occurred.” By Tuesday evening, the tabulations had been taken down, replaced by a new advisory that the ranked-choice results would be available “starting on June 30.” Then, around 10:30 p.m., the board finally released a statement, explaining that it had failed to remove sample ballot images used to test its ranked-choice voting software. When the board ran the program, it counted “both test and election night results, producing approximately 135,000 additional records,” the statement said. The ranked-choice numbers, it said, would be tabulated again. The extraordinary sequence of events seeded further confusion about the outcome, and threw the closely watched contest into a new period of uncertainty at a consequential moment for the city. For the Board of Elections, which has long been plagued by dysfunction and nepotism, this was its first try at implementing ranked-choice voting on a citywide scale. Skeptics had expressed doubts about the board’s ability to pull off the process, though it is used successfully in other cities. Under ranked-choice voting, voters can list up to five candidates on their ballots in preferential order. If no candidate receives more than 50% of first-choice votes in the first round, the winner is decided by a process of elimination: As the lower-polling candidates are eliminated, their votes are reallocated to whichever candidate those voters ranked next, and the process continues until there is a winner. The Board of Elections released preliminary, unofficial ranked-choice tabulations on Tuesday afternoon, showing that Adams — who had held a significant advantage on primary night — was narrowly ahead of Kathryn Garcia in the ballots cast in person during early voting or on Primary Day. Maya Wiley, who came in second place in the initial vote count, was close behind in third place. The board then took down the results and disclosed the discrepancy. The results may well be scrambled again: Even after the Board of Elections sorts through the preliminary tally, it must count around 124,000 Democratic absentee ballots. Once they are tabulated, the board will take the new total that includes them and run a new set of ranked-choice elimination rounds, with a final result not expected until mid-July. Some Democrats, bracing for an acrimonious new chapter in the race, are concerned that the incremental release of results by the Board of Elections — and the discovery of an error — may stir distrust of ranked-choice voting and of the city’s electoral system more broadly. In a statement late Tuesday night, Wiley laced into the Board of Elections, calling the error “the result of generations of failures that have gone unaddressed,” and adding: “Sadly it is impossible to be surprised.” “Today, we have once again seen the mismanagement that has resulted in a lack of confidence in results, not because there is a flaw in our election laws, but because those who implement it have failed too many times,” she said. “The BOE must now count the remainder of the votes transparently and ensure the integrity of the process moving forward.” Garcia said the release of the inaccurate tally was “deeply troubling and requires a much more transparent and complete explanation.” “Every ranked choice and absentee vote must be counted accurately so that all New Yorkers have faith in our democracy and our government,” she said. “I am confident that every candidate will accept the final results and support whomever the voters have elected.” And Adams noted the “unfortunate” error by the Board of Elections and emphasized the importance of handling election results correctly. “It is critical that New Yorkers are confident in their electoral system, especially as we rank votes in a citywide election for the first time,” he said in a statement released Tuesday night. “We appreciate the board’s transparency and acknowledgment of their error. We look forward to the release of an accurate, updated simulation, and the timely conclusion of this critical process.” If elected, Adams would be the city’s second Black mayor, after David Dinkins. Some of Adams’ supporters have already cast the ranked-choice process as an attempt to disenfranchise voters of color, an argument that intensified among some backers on Tuesday afternoon as the race had appeared to tighten, and is virtually certain to escalate should he lose his primary night lead to Garcia, who is white. Surrogates for Adams have suggested without evidence that an apparent ranked-choice alliance between Garcia and another rival, Andrew Yang, could amount to an attempt to suppress the votes of Black and Latino New Yorkers; Adams himself claimed that the alliance was aimed at preventing a Black or Latino candidate from winning the race. In the final days of the race, Garcia and Yang campaigned together across the city, especially in neighborhoods that are home to sizable Asian American communities, and appeared together on campaign literature. To advocates of ranked-choice voting, the round-by-round shuffling of outcomes is part of the process of electing a candidate with broad appeal. But if Garcia or Wiley were to prevail, the process — which was approved by voters in a 2019 ballot measure — would likely attract fresh scrutiny, with some of Adams’ backers and others already urging a new referendum on it. By Tuesday night, though, it was the Board of Elections that was attracting ire from seemingly all corners. Betsy Gotbaum, the city’s former public advocate who now runs Citizens Union, a good-government group, warned that “the entire country is watching” the Board of Elections. “New Yorkers deserve elections, and election administrators, that they can have the utmost faith in,” Gotbaum added. A comparison between first-place vote totals released on primary night and those released Tuesday offered some insight into how the 135,000 erroneous votes were distributed. The bottom four candidates received a total of 42,000 new votes, roughly four times their actual vote total; the number of write-in ballots also skyrocketed to 17,516 from 1,336. Adams and Yang received the highest number of new votes. It was not known, however, how the test votes were reallocated during the ranked-choice tabulations, making it impossible to determine how they affected the preliminary results that were released and then retracted. When accurate vote counts are in place, it is difficult, but not unheard-of for a trailing candidate in a ranked-choice election to eventually win the race through later rounds of voting — that happened in Oakland, California, in 2010, and nearly occurred in San Francisco in 2018. The winner of New York’s Democratic primary, who is almost certain to become the city’s next mayor, will face Curtis Sliwa, the founder of the Guardian Angels, who won the Republican primary. According to the now-withdrawn tabulation released Tuesday, Wiley, a former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, nearly made it to the final round. She finished closely behind Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner, before being eliminated in the penultimate round of the preliminary exercise. After the count of in-person ballots last week, Garcia trailed Wiley by about 2.8 percentage points. Asked if she had been in touch with Wiley’s team, Garcia suggested there had been staff-level conversations. “The campaigns have been speaking to each other,” Garcia said in a phone call Tuesday afternoon, saying the two candidates had not yet spoken directly. “Hopefully we don’t have to step in with attorneys. But it is about really ensuring that New York City’s voices are heard.” Wiley ran well to the left of Garcia on a number of vital policy matters, including around policing and on some education questions. Either candidate would be the first woman elected mayor of New York, and Wiley would be the city’s first Black female mayor. Adams, a former police captain and a relative moderate on several key issues, was a non-starter for many progressive voters who may have preferred Garcia and her focus on competence over any especially ideological message. But early results suggested that Adams had significant strength among working-class voters of color, and some traction among white voters with moderate views. City Councilman I. Daneek Miller, an Adams supporter who is pressing for a new referendum on ranked-choice voting, suggested in a text message on Tuesday that the system had opened the door to “an attempt to eliminate the candidate of moderate working people and traditionally marginalized communities,” as he implicitly criticized the Yang-Garcia alliance. “It is incumbent on us now to address the issue of ranked voting and how it is being weaponized against a wide portion of the public,” said Miller, co-chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus on the City Council. Other close observers of the election separately expressed discomfort with the decision to release a ranked-choice tally without accounting for absentee ballots. “There is real danger that voters will come to believe a set of facts about the race that will be disproven when all votes are in,” said Ben Greenfield, a senior survey data analyst at Change Research, which conducted polling for a pro-Garcia PAC. “The risk is that this could take a system that’s already new and confusing and increase people’s sense of mistrust.”

New York mayor’s race in chaos after elections board counts 135,000 test ballots

Team India will take on Joe Root and Co. in a five-match Test series after the conclusion of the World Test Championship final in England. The Men in Blue thrashed England in the four-match Test series at home earlier this year.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wtc-final-tim-southee-stars-as-new-zealand-eye-victory-on-reserve-day-393317">WTC Final: Tim Southee stars as New Zealand eye victory on the reserve day</a>

Virat and Co. will be looking to build on the confidence and clinch India a win in a Test series on English soil for the first time since 2007. However, former England skipper Alastair Cook believes and beating the English cricket team in their own backyard is very hard.&nbsp;

“It will be a better side with the players coming back against India. They'll clearly be better balanced which, I think, is a massive issue for them and forced some strange selections against New Zealand, like no spinner on a dry wicket," Cook told ESPN Cricinfo

“India have shown how good they are at the moment because they're in the World Test Championship final but, over five Test matches in England, England are hard to beat at home, and I’m expecting a very tight battle,” Cook was quoted as saying.

“India would have been here for a long time as well so could get mentally fatigued by the end of the tour. India will start pretty well but, consistently over five games, to beat England at home is a monumental effort. So, I think if England hang in with India early on, there's no reason why they can't win,” he added.

Cook felt sorry for Root as he hasn't had the best players available due to ECB's rotation policy.

“You have to say it hasn't worked for Rooty, and I do genuinely feel sorry for him. When you're playing for England, or you're the captain, coach or selector, you get judged on end results most of the time and he hasn't had his best players available.

“You can't buy the experience of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali -- those kinds of players make a big difference,” Cook said.

Team India will take on Joe Root and Co. in a five-match Test series after the conclusion of the World Test Championship final in England. The Men in Blue thrashed England in the four-match Test series at home earlier this year.

Team India will take on Joe Root and Co. in a five-match Test series after the conclusion of the World Test Championship final in England. The Men in Blue thrashed England in the four-match Test series at home earlier this year. ALSO READ: WTC Final: Tim Southee stars as New Zealand eye victory on the reserve day Virat and Co. will be looking to build on the confidence and clinch India a win in a Test series on English soil for the first time since 2007. However, former England skipper Alastair Cook believes and beating the English cricket team in their own backyard is very hard. “It will be a better side with the players coming back against India. They'll clearly be better balanced which, I think, is a massive issue for them and forced some strange selections against New Zealand, like no spinner on a dry wicket," Cook told ESPN Cricinfo “India have shown how good they are at the moment because they're in the World Test Championship final but, over five Test matches in England, England are hard to beat at home, and I’m expecting a very tight battle,” Cook was quoted as saying. “India would have been here for a long time as well so could get mentally fatigued by the end of the tour. India will start pretty well but, consistently over five games, to beat England at home is a monumental effort. So, I think if England hang in with India early on, there's no reason why they can't win,” he added. Cook felt sorry for Root as he hasn't had the best players available due to ECB's rotation policy. “You have to say it hasn't worked for Rooty, and I do genuinely feel sorry for him. When you're playing for England, or you're the captain, coach or selector, you get judged on end results most of the time and he hasn't had his best players available. “You can't buy the experience of Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Moeen Ali -- those kinds of players make a big difference,” Cook said.

Cricket: 'England are hard to beat at home', reckons Alastair Cook ahead of India series

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track.&nbsp;

"It's standard practice in Australia to ensure fresh pitches are available for all men's and women's Test matches and this season will be no different," CA Head of Operations Peter Roach was quoted as saying by '7Cricket'.

The Women in Blue will tour Australia to play a day/night Test, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals in September-October.&nbsp;

"We have seen the women's game rise to a new level in recent times and it is important we provide the platform for that trend to continue."

The Test match will take place from September 30 to October 3.&nbsp;

"The WACA Ground and Manuka Oval are terrific venue for Test cricket and with first-class ground staff, we are extremely confident that the facilities for the two women's Tests will be of the highest standard."

The decision was taken after ECB was criticised for providing a used pitch to the women's team. England women's team captain Heather Knight had expressed her disappointment on playing on a used pitch.&nbsp;

ECB had apologised for providing a used pitch for the one-off Test between INDW vs ENGW.&nbsp;

"We are all disappointed that the wicket for the LV= Insurance Test match against India will have had 37 overs played on it. We know that England Women deserve a fresh wicket and we are sorry that we were unable to provide that in this instance.

"We accept that this issue shouldn't have arisen and we will make sure it doesn't happen in the future," a spokesperson from the ECB had said.

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track.

Cricket Australia on Saturday said that the Indian women team's Test against Australia will be played on a fresh pitch at the WACA Ground in Perth unlike ECB's decision of conducting the one-off match on the used track. "It's standard practice in Australia to ensure fresh pitches are available for all men's and women's Test matches and this season will be no different," CA Head of Operations Peter Roach was quoted as saying by '7Cricket'. The Women in Blue will tour Australia to play a day/night Test, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals in September-October. "We have seen the women's game rise to a new level in recent times and it is important we provide the platform for that trend to continue." The Test match will take place from September 30 to October 3. "The WACA Ground and Manuka Oval are terrific venue for Test cricket and with first-class ground staff, we are extremely confident that the facilities for the two women's Tests will be of the highest standard." The decision was taken after ECB was criticised for providing a used pitch to the women's team. England women's team captain Heather Knight had expressed her disappointment on playing on a used pitch. ECB had apologised for providing a used pitch for the one-off Test between INDW vs ENGW. "We are all disappointed that the wicket for the LV= Insurance Test match against India will have had 37 overs played on it. We know that England Women deserve a fresh wicket and we are sorry that we were unable to provide that in this instance. "We accept that this issue shouldn't have arisen and we will make sure it doesn't happen in the future," a spokesperson from the ECB had said.

Indian women's Test against Australia will be played on 'fresh' WACA pitch, says CA

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