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For three years, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) banned controversial former Indian cricketer S. Sreesanth from all state batting-related activities. The KCA said that his comments during a TV debate regarding Sanju Samson's exclusion from the Indian Champions Trophy selection, as well as his subsequent response to a KCA notification, were rude and unsuitable. At a general body meeting on April 30, the association made the decision. A few other people, including Samson's father, Samson Viswanath, had also received letters from the KCA for making similarly false statements. The KCA is currently considering its options about Samson's father's reaction. Though it is understood that his response was not as defiant as Sreesanth's, who seemed to blame the association for Samson's non-selection, the association is still unhappy with his attitude. Sreesanth shares ownership of the Kerala Cricket League team Kollam Aeries. The former India pacer, who received a life suspension by the BCCI until the Supreme Court of India cleared him of any role in the alleged 2013 IPL controversy, would not be allowed to participate in any cricket-related activities in the state for three years, according to KCA spokesman Vinod Kumar. However, he is still able to be a part of the KCA league team. In addition to being a member of the two World Cup-winning teams (2007 and 2011), the 42-year-old Sreesanth, who played for India in 27 Test matches, 53 ODIs, and 10 T20Is, made comments about Samson's lack of selection for the Champions Trophy on a Keralan local television channel that the association believed were incorrect. He received a show-cause letter, and the general body declared suspension based on his response. "His response was poor. In simple terms, he held us responsible for Sanju's eviction from the Indian team," Vinod remarked. "A few other people have also received notices from us. In actuality, we were also accused of not having Karun Nair play for Kerala. However, those

Fast bowler Ben Sears, who signed with Yorkshire for the 2025 campaign, will get there in time for the team's second County Championship match of the year at Headingley against Worcestershire. When Sears, 27, took five wickets at Christchurch in 2024 against Australia, including four for ninety in the second innings, he demonstrated his raw pace for New Zealand. This was his lone Test match yet. Previously, in 2021, he made his T20I debut against Bangladesh. The club has also drawn comparisons with his countryman and former Yorkshire foreign star Lockie Ferguson. He will be joined at Headingley by fellow New Zealand fast Will O'Rourke, who has signed for the T20 Blast. "I can't wait to get over to Headingley and start playing with the guys," commented Sears. "I hope I can add to the fantastic signings that have already been made. In any season, it's critical to establish the mood early. There are several important games in that first block, and I'll be prepared to start the team as strongly as possible. "Ben is a true talent who can get some extra bounce when he bowls," stated head coach Anthony McGrath. I'm eager to get him over and begin working with him because he'll be a real handful during the early part of the year when pitches can be slower or greener." Cricket General Manager Gavin Hamilton also said: "The club's ability to draw in such gifted bowlers as Ben is evidence of Yorkshire's appeal on a global scale. Ben is a talented player who will add something extra to the team that will be vital this season. We are overjoyed that he has committed, and we can't wait to have him visit Headingley in April.