EVEN as the world deals with raging conflicts in different regions between nations, insurgents, terrorists and rebels, North Korean leader Mr. Kim Jong-un keeps rattling his threats in the form of different weapons. Latest addition to Mr. Kim’s threatening arsenal are the suicide drones which were tested on designated targets as part of“enhanced warpreparedness”. The North Korean leader has the habit of keeping the world on tenterhooks with his “preparedness for war” as his team keeps testing Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles, strategic torpedoes, underwater weapons systems and spy drones. His triggerhappy nature has the United States as target along with its allies including neighbouring South Korea. The two Koreas have been accusing each other of aggression as the zone is always hot with possibilities of a full-scale war. In the overall international system, North Korea has come up as an irritant with huge nuisance value. That it has backing of top powers inimical to the United States is an understatement. The North Korean weapon systems have always found stealthy passage to such countries and in zones of armed skirmishes . It is nothing but a self-destruction mode if the world sees another big war.

 

 

 

 

 ENGLAND have well and truly left the T w e n t y 2 0 World Cup loss behind as they are seeking investment for the future with uncapped players being included in the T20 Internationals against Australia. By naming as many as five uncapped players to play against the arch-rivals, England selectors have sent a clear message to the veterans that it is time to find players for the future. The shortest format is always billed as a game for youngsters. England had been steadily using newcomers in the T20s but the reliance on seniors was evident in each tournament. By excluding Moeen Ali and Johhny Bairstow from the Australia games theThree Lions have gone for another transition under new coach Marcus Trescothick. The uncapped players will not find it difficult to get into the culture of the team as the ‘Bazball’ strategy is still prevalent in the team’s thinking. It was seen in the Tests against Sri Lanka and the Twenty20 team is sure to replicate it against the Australians. What will be interesting to see is whether the newcomers have their own plans for the shortest format as they have been regulars in The Hundred tournament. All in all, these are exciting times for young English cricketers.