The Latest: ICC to India wicketkeeper Dhoni: Logo has to go

By Associated Press 08 June 2019, 12:00AM

LONDON (AP) — The Latest on Day 9 of the Cricket World Cup (all times local):

6 p.m.

MS Dhoni won't be allowed to wear to wear a military-style logo on his wicketkeeping gloves at the World Cup after the International Cricket Council rejected a request from India.

The Hindustan Times newspaper reported on the debate over Dhoni's appearance with the "Balidaan Badge" — an army insignia — on the back of his green gloves during India's opening World Cup win over South Africa in Southampton on Wednesday.

Critics said the logo is from an Indian special forces unit and is in breach of ICC regulations that prevent the display of military, religious or political symbols or uniforms or equipment during games.

Supporters said the 37-year-old Dhoni, who guided India to the 2011 World Cup title, is entitled to display the emblem as an honorary officer of the regiment.

The ICC issued a statement Friday saying it had advised Indian team officials that the logo was not permitted on Dhoni's gloves.

"The regulations for ICC events do not permit any individual message or logo to be displayed on any items of clothing or equipment," the statement said. "In addition to this, the logo also breaches the regulations in relation to what is permitted on wicketkeeper gloves."

India's next game is against defending champion Australia on Sunday in London.

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3:55 p.m.

The Cricket World Cup group match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka has been washed out without a ball being bowled.

The decision was announced shortly after 3:45 p.m. local time (1445 GMT) following persistent rain throughout the morning at Bristol's County Ground.

Rain eased around noon local time and conditions had improved at the time of a pitch inspection, with occasional sunshine, but umpires decided the ground was too wet.

Both teams went into the game with a win and a loss. They get a point each from the match, the first wash out of the tournament.

Sri Lanka's next game is against Bangladesh here Tuesday. Pakistan plays defending champion Australia in Taunton on Wednesday.

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1 p.m.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa has been given a formal warning by the International Cricket Council for using an audible obscenity during a World Cup win over West Indies.

The ICC issued a statement Friday saying the on-field umpires reported Zampa for a breach of the player code of conduct in the 29th over of the West Indies' innings at Nottingham.

Australia won the game by 15 runs, recovering after being in serious trouble at 38-4 to post a total of 288, and then restricting the West Indies to 273-9 from 50 overs.

Wrist spinner Zampa bowled the 29th over, conceding nine runs, as the West Indies moved to 160-4.

As well as the official reprimand, Zampa was received a demerit point against his disciplinary record.

Defending champion Australia has won its opening two games and next plays India on Sunday at The Oval.

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11:20 a.m.

Rain continues to fall at the County Ground in Bristol with Cricket World Cup organizers saying the latest time the group match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka can start is 4:15 p.m. local time (1515 GMT).

That would allow for 20 overs each side.

The game threatens to be the first washout of the tournament after 10 completed matches so far. Sri Lanka beat Afghanistan on Tuesday in a match reduced to 41-over innings because of rain.

Rain is forecast to ease around noon local time but with threats of thunderstorms after that.

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10:15 a.m.

Persistent rain has delayed the toss for the Cricket World Cup group match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

A few fans braved the weather at Bristol's County Ground, including a supporter waving a Pakistan flag amid the drizzle. The covers are still on the pitch with rain and possibly thunder forecast for the day. There has been no revised starting time for the match, which was scheduled to begin at 0930 GMT.

Both teams come into the game with one win and one loss.

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9:15 a.m.

Sri Lanka gets a chance Friday to do something it has never done before at any Cricket World Cup: Beat Pakistan.

The teams meet at the County Cricket Ground in Bristol in the only game on Day 9 of the tournament.

Pakistan has won all seven completed World Cup games against Sri Lanka, and has a 90-58 ODI win-loss overall record against the Sri Lankans with one tie.

Sixth-ranked Pakistan and ninth-ranked Sri Lanka each have one win and one (heavy) defeat so far in the 2019 edition of the World Cup, and both are likely to face a common threat on Friday — potentially heavy rain and thunderstorms in southwestern England.

Sri Lanka, the 1996 champion, beat Afghanistan in a rain-hit game to rebound after a 10-wicket thrashing by New Zealand. Kusal Perera is set to open again for Sri Lanka after hitting 78 against Afghanistan.

Pakistan, the 1992 champion, ended a run of 11 straight losses in one-day internationals with a 14-run win over top-ranked England at Trent Bridge on Monday. The win over pre-tournament favorite England was a dramatic turnaround from Pakistan's heavy opening loss to West Indies.

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More AP cricket: www.apnews.com/cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

By Associated Press 08 June 2019, 12:00AM

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