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Legspinner admits it would be ‘a bit unfair’ for him to be included ahead of squad announcement on Monday

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2020Adil Rashid has appeared to rule himself out of England’s Test tour to Sri Lanka, suggesting that it would be “a bit unfair” to declare himself available for selection without earning his place in county cricket.Rashid was a key member of England’s side that won 3-0 on their last trip to Sri Lanka, taking 12 wickets at 28.16 as part of a spin trio with Jack Leach and Moeen Ali, but, following Sunday’s ODI in Johannesburg, told Sky Sports that he would “probably not” consider declaring himself available for their upcoming tour if asked.ALSO READ: Archer not ‘overbowled’ by England, says Root“That’s a long way off,” Rashid said. “At this moment in time, I’m concentrating on playing for England in T20 cricket coming up in a couple of days.”I don’t think I would [make myself available] at this moment in time. For me to get into Test cricket, I’ve got to earn that right and deserve my place. For me to get Test cricket, I’ve got to go back into county cricket, perform, do well, and then get selected.”It’s a bit unfair for me to just say ‘yeah, I’m available’. At this moment in time, I’m really concentrating on white-ball cricket. Maybe in the future [I’ll return to Test cricket].”It is over a year since Rashid’s last first-class appearance, which came in England’s 381-run defeat against West Indies in Barbados, and he is yet to sign a new contract with Yorkshire ahead of next season.His comments seem to jar with the circumstances surrounding his recall to the Test side in 2018, when he was recalled despite not having played a County Championship game since the end of the previous summer.But he has had to manage a persistent shoulder problem since the start of last summer: he had to take pain-killing injections to get through the World Cup, and missed the rest of the 2019 season following the final of that tournament in July.It now appears highly unlikely that Rashid will be named in England’s squad for their tour of Sri Lanka, which is expected to be named on Monday morning. Jack Leach is expected to be fit enough to travel alongside Somerset team-mate Dom Bess, while reports suggest that Moeen’s self-imposed absence from Test cricket is set to continue, meaning Liam Dawson is likely to be included as the third spinner.Rashid took 3 for 52 in Johannesburg on Sunday, including the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma, and was named player of the match for his efforts. He bowled at a quicker pace during his ten overs than he had in November’s T20I series in New Zealand, and revealed afterwards that his speed through the air was the result of hard work pushing himself to get back towards full fitness.”It’s nice to get back in this circle,” he said. “I love playing white-ball cricket, especially with England, so it’s nice to get out there and bowl some overs.”Once you have that shoulder injury, that niggle, then you feel it, especially as a legspinner – you might struggle to get that extra zip, extra pace. It’s [been] frustrating, but you’ve got to make do with it, you’ve got to find a way.”[Speed] is something I’ve been working on, especially with the shoulder, trying to get stronger and better. I’ve been trying to bowl a bit quicker, bit more in the run-up, in the action, trying to get more fizz. My mindset is pretty simple: go in the nets, work hard in the nets, try my best in the nets, and then try to deliver.”

Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland are also among the 15 names

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Apr-2020Allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been included among 15 contracts handed out for Australia’s women’s squad alongside the expected inclusions of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck and allrounder Annabel Sutherland.Top-order batters Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani lose their deals having dropped out of the reckoning over the last 12 months.Following their success in winning the T20 World Cup last month, the major focus for the women’s team over the next 12 months is the 50-over tournament in New Zealand scheduled for 2021 although that could yet be impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.McGrath’s name is the most notable among the inclusions for 2020-21 having last played for Australia in 2017 and it comes off the back of a strong season for Adelaide Strikers and South Australia. Shawn Flegler, the women’s national selector, explained that with Ellyse Perry and Vlaeminck recovering from injuries sustained during the T20 World Cup McGrath would add depth to the all-round resources.”Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland were upgraded to CA contracts last season and were members of Australia’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad. They have emerged as key figures in the team and deserve their place on the contract list,” Flegler said.”Tahlia McGrath had a brilliant season with the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia, winning the Andrea McCauley medal. She’s been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with bat and ball, including the five matches she played for Australia during the 2017 Ashes series.”With Tayla and Ellyse Perry coming back from long-term injuries, Tahlia will add extra depth to our all-rounders, especially with her bowling. We saw that depth come into play during the recent World Cup and we know that will be important with another World Cup scheduled this summer.”Flegler offered hope of a way back for both Bolton and Villani if they can dominate in domestic cricket while said that Erin Burns, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad, was unlucky to miss the cut.”The door is not closed on any of the players who did not receive a new CA contract,” he said. “There will be plenty of opportunities for Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani who both missed out to make their case once cricket resumes. Both are world-class when at their best, so hopefully they can dominate domestic cricket and put their hands up for selection.”Erin Burns was unlucky to miss out having been upgraded to a full contract this season but is highly rated by the selectors. She’s an adaptable player and is still in the mix for future selection. Molly Strano also misses out despite being drafted into Australia’s World Cup squad and playing an important role, but she too is highly rated and will be looked at for future opportunities.”Contract list Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

The ICC has asked its president Sharad Pawar to intervene in a growing controversy over the sale and distribution of tickets for the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Feb-2011The ICC has asked its president Sharad Pawar to intervene in a growing controversy over the sale and distribution of tickets for the World Cup. A letter written to Pawar by David Becker, the ICC’s legal head, and published by the Indian channel , warns of the growing discontent among the ICC’s commercial partners over tournament tickets due to them and the possible financial fallout.It has also recommended that the 4,000 general tickets for the World Cup final not be sold at the “box office” but instead “sold to defined cricket fans that are associated with the event and have requested purchase”. This, it said, was because the high demand for these tickets created the “potential for chaos and physical injury when the box office sales open”.Pawar is the chairman of the tournament’s Central Organising Committee and a former president of the BCCI, where he still enjoys considerable influence (He is also president of the Mumbai Cricket Association, which is responsible for the Wankhede stadium). As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the hosting agreement makes the national boards (the hosts) responsible for the distribution, stamping and printing of gate tickets and hospitality tickets; it also says the hosts “will exercise strict control” to conduct efficient orderly production and distribution and hospitality. “It is apparent that certain Hosts have failed to comply with this requirement,” the letter said.The sale and distribution of tickets among the public has become a matter of concern for two main reasons: the small number of tickets available for the final, and the poor distribution system, online and through snail mail, of tickets to buyers. Becker’s mail says the issues have been regularly highlighted at Board level in recent months.”We understand that Kyazoonga have been unable to distribute all of the tickets purchased online by customers some months ago for the reason that they have not as yet received all the physical tickets from the respective cricket venues/associations,” the letter said. “We have received many complaints from fans who purchased tickets but are yet to receive them despite having paid for these tickets more than six months ago and being informed at the time that these would be couriered to them by early February. Apart from the threat of claims for compensation from these customers, this is causing a significant public relations issue for the ICC.”We also know that the Kyazoonga website crashed on several occasions yesterday due to the massive demands placed on the system when tickets for the final were placed on sale.”The letter also deals with the supply of tickets to the ICC’s commercial partners. It said the ICC had not received any tickets for matches in the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai and had received complaints from its commercial partners, “who have paid millions of dollars to receive rights and benefits which include the timely provision of tickets and hospitality”. It notes the impact this could have on the relationships with these partners and says it is “highly likely that some or all of them” will seek compensation from the ICC and/or withhold payments. The letter quotes an ICC commercial partner writing to CEO Haroon Lorgat saying, “This is an $80m sponsorship and to say you are bound by the BCCI is inexcusable.””The ICC is awaiting a response from him [Pawar] to decide on further course of action,” Colin Gibson, the tournament media director, told .The problems with ticketing have arisen because the BCCI chose to print and distribute tickets through multiple state associations rather than one central ticketing agency. This has led to delays in the physical tickets being made available for those who have bought them online and the inability to forward the sponsors share of the tickets so they can invite their guests to games.For example, the tickets for Sunday’s India v England match which has been shifted to Bangalore were only received on Wednesday. Whenever it was brought into discussions over the course of the past year, the hosts had informed the ICC that matters were under control. As the tournament got underway, the lack of centralised control that has led to ticketing chaos. Organisers say that the official ticketing agency, Kyazoonga.com, has not been informed about how many tickets will made available for online sale and at what cost for the Mohali semi-final on their website. It says, however, that such claims for compensation from either disgruntled fans or unsatisfied commercial partners will be set off against any distributions due to the relevant hosts.ICC chief Pawar is in New Delhi today and will be at the Kotla match between West Indies and South Africa and is expected to discuss the issue with officials.

He powered Perth Scorchers to their highest BBL score with an unbeaten 93 as Brisbane Heat fell short by 34 runs

Tristan Lavalette11-Jan-2020A belligerent Mitchell Marsh powered Perth Scorchers to their highest BBL score and an important 34-run victory over Brisbane Heat at Perth Stadium.After electing to bat, the Scorchers captain took advantage of a batting paradise with an astounding 41-ball unbeaten 93 highlighted by eight sixes to energise the Scorchers faithful. Marsh, who notched his highest BBL score, dominated a 124-run partnership with Cameron Bancroft (41*) to lift the home side to a mighty 3 for 213.In reply, Tom Banton hit a rapid 55 but lacked support as the Scorchers easily won for just the fourth time from 12 attempts at Perth Stadium. It was their second straight victory over Heat in as many weeks.Pattinson struggles amid Scorchers flurryAustralian Test fast bowler James Pattinson had a tough BBL season debut when a pumped-up Josh Inglis cracked his first ball to the boundary in a sign of things to come. Pattinson’s struggles forced captain Chris Lynn to turn to in-form spinner Zahir Khan in the third over, but Inglis – who hit six boundaries in his first 12 deliveries – was unperturbed as he pounced on uncharacteristically loose bowling.Inglis looked unstoppable until he tamely chipped back to Josh Lalor. Inglis’ exit meant a return of Pattinson, but his horror start continued when Max Bryant dropped a sharp chance at backward point to reprieve Sam Whiteman in the fifth over.After a sedate start, Liam Livingstone found his groove and attacked Zahir in the sixth over to cap off an outstanding Powerplay for the Scorchers, where they amassed 63 runs.Ben Laughlin deceived Whiteman with a slower delivery as Heat dried the runs. But with big-hitters Livingstone and Marsh at the crease, Scorchers appeared well poised at 2 for 87 in ten overs.Marsh eviscerates HeatHeat clawed back when a frustrated Livingstone ungainly fell to a Zahir full toss, as the contest tightened in the middle overs. Scorchers failed to score a boundary for six overs with Marsh and Bancroft content on knocking the ball around on the wide expanses of Perth Stadium.Marsh ended the drought in the 14th over when he clubbed a Laughlin short delivery into the crowd to signal his intentions. He set his sights on a returning Pattinson in the 16th over with two sixes to further dent the big quick’s grim figures. He finished with figures of 0 for 52 from 4 overs.Bancroft joined the party with several lusty blows to expose Heat’s lack of bowling depth. Marsh was dropped by Banton on 54 and made them pay with an outrageous flick into the crowd off Lalor in the 19th over, followed by another six.Marsh then outdid himself with three successive sixes off Laughlin to complete the innings in style and ensure Scorchers easily beat their previous highest BBL score of 7 for 203.Heat lose wickets around aggressive BantonHeat needed a flyer and Banton got them rolling with a slew of boundaries off Scorchers’ fast bowlers. His most astounding shot was a premeditated ramp shot off Jhye Richardson in the fourth over to fuel hope. But his partner Bryant couldn’t get going and holed out moments later to bring Lynn to the crease.Marsh unsuccessfully tried Fawad Ahmed inside the Powerplay with the spinner leaking 19 runs, marked by a towering six from Lynn over long-off. The partnership menaced until Lynn holed out to a brilliant catch from a sliding Livingstone to put the onus on Banton.Straight after the Powerplay, Joel Paris, who replaced youngster Matthew Kelly in the team, claimed Matt Renshaw as Scorchers continued to chip away. Banton proved a thorn and brought up his half-century with a crunching straight drive off Marsh, but fell shortly after when he skied a return catch to Chris Jordan. His dismissal left Heat 4 for 89 at the halfway point with their faint hopes slipping away.Party time for ScorchersAfter his tough start, Ahmed bowled much better in the middle overs to shackle Heat, who did not score a boundary for five overs. Ben Cutting needed to hit top gear immediately but couldn’t get going.He had a reprieve in the 15th over when Cameron Green dropped a sitter and then smashed a six next ball. But Cutting’s luck ended when he hit straight to backward square leg to effectively end the contest.The back-end was party time for Scorchers on the disco themed night at Perth Stadium, as the Heat’s three-game winning streak ended.

Kumar Sangakkara rued not being able to give Muttiah Muralitharan the perfect send-off in what was his final international appearance for Sri Lanka

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Apr-2011Kumar Sangakkara rued not being able to give Muttiah Muralitharan the perfect send-off in what was his final international appearance for Sri Lanka and admitted the team would “miss him terribly.” Sri Lanka were beaten by six wickets in the World Cup final by India in Mumbai and Murali, on one of his rare off days, went wicketless in eight overs and conceded 39 runs.”It’s one of those rare days when he hasn’t really done the job for us, but it happens maybe once in a 100 games,” Sangakkara said. “We’re going to miss him terribly. Unfortunately we couldn’t give him a great send-off but that’s the way it goes. We were outplayed and we have to accept that.”Sri Lanka had done well after winning the toss, posting 274 thanks to a superlative century from Mahela Jayawardene. They were in command when Lasith Malinga dismissed India’s openers, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar, early in the chase. But the Indian middle order stepped up with Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni reviving the innings with match-winning half-centuries.Murali was dealt with easily by Gambhir and Dhoni, who hit him repeatedly to the extra-cover boundary. Murali had come into this game with a groin injury, and while it was considered a risk to play him, the game was just too big to leave him out. Sangakkara, however, said fitness didn’t affect Murali’s performance.”He’s our best bowler, even if half-fit,” Sangakkara said. “But he was fine, he was almost at full fitness when he played today. I don’t think it was an issue.”Murali had ended his Test career on a high, picking up a wicket with his final delivery to win Sri Lanka a game against India last year. And while that perfect ending eluded him this World Cup, Sangakkara summed up what he meant for Sri lanka. “Murali is the icon of Sri Lanka,” he said. “As a champion on the field and off the field. As a human being and a cricketer, I don’t think there is anyone to match him.”

A disappointed Michael Hussey has said he felt he deserved a chance to prove his fitness at the World Cup instead of being left out of the squad altogether

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Feb-2011A disappointed Michael Hussey has said he felt he deserved a chance to prove his fitness at the World Cup instead of being left out of the squad altogether. Hussey and Nathan Hauritz were told on Tuesday they would not be flying to India with the World Cup touring party due to their ongoing injuries, and would be replaced by Callum Ferguson and Jason Krejza.However, Hussey believed the selectors could have taken him despite his serious hamstring injury, in a similar move to the handling of Andrew Symonds in the 2007 World Cup. Symonds tore his biceps off the bone a month before the tournament in the Caribbean but remained with the squad, and regained his place in the side during the later stages of the triumph.”The precedent has sort of been set from the last time with Andrew Symonds,” Hussey told reporters. “He came in about the third or the fourth game in the previous World Cup and played a really big part in our team, he was an important part of the team.”I was hoping that would be the same sort of thing for me really – that they’d give me every chance to have a crack at it at least. I thought I could push for the second game and definitely be right for the third game.”The only way that Hussey will now be any part of the World Cup is if another player is ruled out due to injury once the tournament is under way. Hussey said he wished the selectors had given him some more leeway to recover.”I feel like I maybe deserved that chance to have a bit of a go at it, but they obviously saw differently so it’s disappointing,” he said. “It probably just shows that you can’t look too far ahead. You’ve just got to try and enjoy every opportunity you get to play for Australia – every tournament, every World Cup, every game that you get. You’ve got to enjoy every one because it can sort of all end pretty quickly.”The Australians fly out on Wednesday for their title defence, aiming for a fourth consecutive World Cup triumph. Hussey played all 11 games in Australia’s 2007 campaign but didn’t have much impact, batting only six times for 87 runs at 17.40, as the top order did most of the damage.

ESPNcricinfo previews the game between Kolkata Knight Riders and Deccan Chargers in Kolkata

The Preview by Abhishek Purohit10-Apr-2011

Match facts

Monday, April 11
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Kolkata will look to get over their choke in the opening game•AFP

Big picture

Both batting line-ups faltered in their opening games; Deccan Chargers never got going, and Kolkata Knight Riders choked. Kolkata definitely have more class and power in their batting, but until Brett Lee and Shakib Al Hasan return from national duty, their bowling looks thin. In their absence though, Kolkata’s bowling held up decently against Chennai Super Kings, but it was the star-studded batting line-up that failed to get them home in a modest chase, blowing away a winning position.
Deccan have a world-class bowling attack, but it was given too few runs to defend by a misfiring batting unit. They tried hard, but Pragyan Ojha had an off day. Their bowling relies on Dale Steyn for making maximum impact, and the way he was played out by Rajasthan Royals after they had conceded two wickets to him, could be one approach teams would look to use against Deccan. The rest of the bowlers will be targeted, but there is no reason why they cannot step up, given their pedigree.

Team talk

Gambhir said that he had come lower down the order against Chennai in order to hold the line-up together, as Jacques Kallis had got off to a good start. The move of sending Yusuf Pathan at No. 3 and demoting himself to No. 6 did not work, and Kolkata would look at rejigging the order.

In the spotlight

Gautam Gambhir has acquired a reputation for some brain fades of late, getting run-out, stumped and bowled after a blind charge in the three World Cup knockout games. He followed that up with another run-out in the IPL opener. He has been in fine touch otherwise, but will have to stay in the middle long enough to make the runs. And would also need to bat at his natural position, in the top order.
Rajasthan targeted Pragyan Ojha who went for 44 in 23 deliveries, blunting a bowling performance that had otherwise been largely on target in defending a small total. Ojha, the top wicket-taker in the previous IPL, will have to complement Steyn’s efforts with the ball.

Prime numbers

• Kolkata’s 67 against Mumbai Indians in 2008 is the second-lowest total in the IPL
• The longest losing streak in the IPL is eight matches by Kolkata in 2009

The chatter

“These things happen. If they did not happen, we wouldn’t call cricket an unpredictable game.”
Gautam Gambhir is not too worried over his run-outs