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Alex Hepburn’s new Worcestershire record could not stop Dan Christian sweeping Nottinghamshire into the quarter-finals

ECB Reporters Network13-Aug-2017Dan Christian’s commanding all-round show took Notts through•Getty Images

Notts Outlaws sealed a spot in the quarter-finals of the NatWest T20 Blast as they overcame Worcestershire Rapids by 11 runs in a low-scoring North Group encounter at New Road.Alex Hepburn returned the best ever bowling figures by a Worcestershire player in T20 cricket – 5 for 24 – as the Outlaws were bowled out for 145 in 19.3 overs.But the visitors struck back with a vengeance with the ball and skipper Dan Christian led from the front with 3 for 18 as the Rapids were restricted to 134 for 8.Harry Gurney bowled a superb final over in which he conceded just three runs to cap a disciplined performance by the entire Outlaws attack.Victory boosted the Outlaws hopes of also securing a home quarter-final while the second from bottom Rapids were left to contemplate yet another setback.The Outlaws were put into bat and Josh Tongue picked up the prized wicket of Alex Hales, on 9, as he flashed outside the off stump and nicked through to keeper Ben Cox.Riki Wessels (32) looked in good form before being trapped lbw by George Scrimshaw at 49 for 2 – and from that point the innings went into rapid decline. Tom Moores was caught and bowled by Tongue off a skier and Brendon Taylor holed out to Joe Clarke at long off.Hepburn made an instant impact with two wickets in three balls as Samit Patel flicked him to Joe Leach at square leg and Steven Mullaney was caught at cover by D’Oliveira.Outlaws skipper Dan Christian (22) and Billy Root (37) tried to repair the damage during a stand of 50 in seven overs, but the last four wickets fell in quick succession as the Outlaws were dismissed for 141 in 19.3 overs.Hepburn returned to account for Christian, who was taken at long off by Santner and Cox pulled off a fine catch as Root flicked at a Leach delivery. D’Oliveira then ran in from the deep square leg boundary to collect a mistimed pull from Ish Sodhi off Hepburn who completed his five-for as Jake Ball was safely pouched by Clarke at long off.It was the same scenario when the Rapids launched their reply as wickets tumbled.Leach promoted himself to open and perished in the first over from Patel as yet another player tried unsuccessfully to clear long off. Santner top edged Harry Gurney to backward point and Joe Clarke went for a pull and the ball ended up in the hands of extra cover. It became 35 for 4 as D’Oliveira went for an expansive drive and was bowled by Ball.Daryl Mitchell and Cox tried to effect a repair job for the Rapids and added 38 in careful fashion in six overs. But the game was back in the balance after Cox drove at Christian and was caught behind and then Mitchell went for a big hit off the same bowler and miscued to mid off.Christian then pulled off a stunning catch at mid off to dismiss Ed Barnard as he attempted to hit Ball over the top. Ross Whiteley was the Rapids last hope but after making 28 he was bowled in the final over by Gurney.

Chris Gayle struck his 18th T20 century, an unbeaten 54-ball 108 with six fours and 11 sixes, to help Jamaica Tallawahs hunt down their target of 192 against Trinbago Knight Riders in Port-of-Spain

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details1:13

T20 Records blown away by a Gayle Storm

Chris Gayle struck his 18th T20 century, an unbeaten 54-ball 108 with six fours and 11 sixes, to help Jamaica Tallawahs hunt down their target of 192 against Trinbago Knight Riders in Port-of-Spain. The win propelled Tallawahs to the top of the table, while Knight Riders slumped to their third loss in four games.Tallawahs’ chase began slowly, with openers Gayle and Chadwick Walton adding 29 in 35 balls. At the end of the Powerplay, Gayle was on a run-a-ball 17. Kumar Sangakkara brought the required impetus with a brisk 20, but his dismissal left Tallawahs needing 121 off the last 10 overs.However, Gayle laid into the bowlers thereafter, as Tallawahs plundered 71 off the next three overs. A 30-run 13th over from Sulieman Benn, which included four sixes by Gayle, brought Tallawahs within 50 of the target with seven overs left. Gayle and Andre Russell shared a 107-run third-wicket stand. Russell contributed an 18-ball 24 before he holed out to long-off in the 17th over, but Tallawahs cruised to the target with 10 balls to spare. Sunil Narine was the pick of the bowlers, with figures of 1 for 9 from four overs.After being asked to bat, Knight Riders were given a brisk start by Brendon McCullum and Hashim Amla, who anchored the innings with a brisk 74. Their 49-run stand was broken by a slider from Imad Wasim that got past McCullum’s cut to clatter into the off stump.Colin Munro, who had made the CPL’s first ton by an overseas player in the previous game, continued his impressive form with a quickfire 55. Knight Riders scored 53 off the last four overs to finish with 191 but came up short in the end.

Sri Lanka cricket have said that investigations into allegations of sexual harassment against the country’s women’s team have concluded that two male officials were guilty

ESPNcricinfo staff27-May-2015Two male officials have been found guilty of sexual harassment of members of the Sri Lanka’s women’s team, while another official has been found guilty of improper conduct but not sexual harassment. These were the findings of an inquiry committee set up by Sri Lanka’s sports ministry, which also concluded that there was no evidence of physical intimacy and consequently no grounds for criminal proceedings. All three members are no longer with the women’s team.The incidents had occurred in 2013 and 2014 and had prompted Sri Lanka’s sports ministry to carry out an inquiry of their own. A committee led by NE Dissanayake, a retired judge of the Supreme Court, public trustee Tharangani Dissanaike, and S Aloka Bandara from the Ministry of Public Administration was appointed in November last year to look into the matter.Their report, and the one filed by the SLC’s investigator Manoli Jinadasa, also noted the “unsatisfactory situation that prevailed in the selection and other aspects relating to women’s cricket and widely prevalent perceptions of favouritism and bias”.There was also a critique “on the failure to ensure that a female manager handles the Women’s Cricket Team.” Vanessa de Silva, a former Sri Lanka women’s captain, is the current manager and was appointed in April 2015.The release said SLC was “very concerned” by those observations, will study the reports further and take appropriate action.

Richard Pybus’ future as Bangladesh coach is expected to be decided upon at a BCB meeting on Friday

Mohammad Isam17-Oct-2012Richard Pybus’ future as Bangladesh coach is expected to be decided upon at a BCB meeting on Friday*. The outgoing board president, AHM Mustafa Kamal, said he was not very confident of Pybus returning to his job from his home in South Africa, where he has been for the past fortnight, though the board has asked him to return to Dhaka to discuss the impasse.”I am not too confident that we can work together any longer,” Kamal said. “The only time we weren’t on the same page was about him bringing his family here. He couldn’t convince them. He actually went to South Africa to do so this time. He wanted to go back home after every Bangladesh series but we can only let him do that one or two times.””His kids are studying over there and I know for a fact that he has tried to convince them a few times [to move] ever since he started working here. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t think it can work out.”We will decide on it at our October 18 meeting. We have already sent him a letter to come back and talk to us. But I don’t think he could convince his family. We understand each other’s situation.”If he doesn’t come, then also we will complete the formalities amicably. We have nothing against him and he also doesn’t have any problems with us.”A source close to Pybus, though, denied reports that that he had gone home to try and convince his family to move. He returned home after being away on tour in Trinidad and Sri Lanka, the source told ESPNcricinfo, adding that he had submitted a plan for the upcoming West Indies tour of Bangladesh.Pybus has been in charge of Bangladesh for four months during which the team has been involved in the build-up for the World Twenty20s. They played a series of unofficial matches in Zimbabwe and Trinidad, while also winning a three-match Twenty20 series against Ireland. They also lost to Scotland, won and lost to the Netherlands, and later crashed out of the World Twenty20s when they lost to New Zealand and Pakistan in the first round.*01:43pm, October 17: The story has been updated after the BCB postponed their board meeting by a day

Kemar Roach has become the latest West Indian signing in country cricket and will be joining Worcestershire for the remainder of the season

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Aug-2011Kemar Roach has become the latest West Indian signing in county cricket and will be joining Worcestershire for the remainder of the season as they scrap to stay in Division One of the County Championship. Roach will replace Worcestershire’s current overseas international Saeed Ajmal, who is returning to his national side earlier than scheduled next week, to participate in a training camp prior to embarking on Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe.”I am delighted to sign for Worcestershire and to be able to play county cricket for the first time,” said Roach. “Growing up in Barbados, every young cricketer aspired to play for the West Indies and to play county cricket. Many of my heroes like Lara, Walsh and Ambrose spent time in the county game and I view it as a huge challenge.”Even though I am only going to be joining for a short period, I believe this stint gives me the chance to make an impact on the club and on county cricket and hopefully be the start of a long relationship with Worcestershire.”Roach joins Worcestershire on the back of international duty in the Caribbean, having opened the bowling against India and Pakistan earlier this year. In his fledgling career, Roach has taken 40 Test wickets at an average of 29.90, and has a total of 87 first-class wickets in 31 matches.”To have one of the fastest bowlers in the world in our team for the last few games of the season can only be a huge plus factor,” said Worcestershire’s director of cricket, Steve Rhodes. “Albeit a short stint, I know that Kemar is determined to make an impact on the county scene.”Ajmal, who arrived at New Road in June, has claimed 36 wickets for the county across all forms of cricket. He leaves as their highest wicket taker in the Clydesdale Bank 40 this season, having taken 11 wickets. His most notable performance came in the recent match against Derbyshire, where he picked up 4 for 24.”We’ve enjoyed Saeed’s involvement with the team and he’s been a model professional both on and off the field,” said Rhodes. “We’d like to thank Saeed for the time he has spent with us, and also for his help in guiding and inspiring some of our younger bowlers. Obviously we were disappointed that he’s had to leave us early but in the hectic international schedule we recognise that international cricket comes first.”

Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal were approached by bookmakers during a home series against India in January 2010, the BCB has confirmed

Sriram Veera01-Sep-2010Shakib Al Hasan and Tamim Iqbal were approached by bookmakers ahead of an ODI series against Ireland in 2008, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed. The incidents were immediately reported to the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit, BCB media committee chairman Jalal Yunus told Cricinfo.During the recent tour of England, Shakib told reporters he’d been approached by a bookmaker in Dhaka. “I took the phone, and the way he spoke, he never exactly told me he wanted me to fix a match, he just told me he wanted to be my sponsor or something like that,” Shakib said then. “The way he was talking, I thought he might do something, so I told someone.”This development, and the spot-fixing controversy in England, have prompted the BCB to organise an “awareness program” for its national players on dealing with bookmakers and fixers.The board has also asked its top cricketers to furnish full details about their individual agents. “The players all have individual agents over whom we have no control,” Yunus told Cricinfo. “So we have asked them for information so that we can check their background and be more aware of the forces influencing our players.”The relatively low salary structure in some cricketing nations is seen as one factor that could encourage match-fixing. Yunus, though, said he was confident that this wouldn’t influence cricketers in Bangladesh, who earn far less than their counterparts in India or Australia. “It depends of course on the individual. As far as we know, every player is honest, sincere and committed to cricket. They know that it will tarnish the country’s reputation. Indian cricket is very rich and we can’t match their salaries but in our context – in our cost of living here in Bangladesh – what the boys get is not bad. I am not saying they are rich but they are pretty well-off.”

Pathum Nissanka is part of the squad but is racing to recover from a groin strain

Andrew Fidel Fernando24-Jan-2025Sonal Dinusha, a 24-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder, has been named in Sri Lanka’s Test squad for the two-match series against Australia, which begins in Galle on January 29.Opening batter Lahiru Udara has also been been included, potentially as cover for Pathum Nissanka, who is racing to be fit for the first Test, after picking up a groin strain while batting during the third ODI against New Zealand in Auckland on January 11.Related

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Captain Dhananjaya de Silva is nursing an injury as well, having retired hurt from a first-class game with a side strain less than two weeks ago.Legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay and offspinner Nishan Peiris make the squad too, with Prabath Jayasuriya to lead the spin attack. On the seam-bowling front, Sri Lanka have four options – Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Milan Rathnayake.The batting options are as expected, despite the underwhelming tour of South Africa in November and December. Dimuth Karunaratne is set to play his 100th Test in the second Test, with Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, de Silva, and Kusal Mendis likely to make up the remainder of the batting lineup. Sadeera Samarawickrama is in the squad, likely as the spare middle-order batter and keeper.Dinusha’s inclusion comes on the back of both an impressive domestic record and recent form. He’s been outstanding with the bat for Colombo Cricket Club over the past few weeks, hitting two first-class hundreds in the last month. He was also among the runs for the Sri Lanka A side in November, against Pakistan A. After 44 first-class matches, he averages 40.08 with the bat and 24.06 with the ball.Unlike Dinusha, who has never made a Sri Lanka senior squad before, Udara has been a domestic performer for years and has been on the fringes of the team. He is uncapped in Tests, however, though he has played 97 first-class games. He also makes the squad on the back of decent form, having made a 142 and a 65 in his last five innings.Sri Lanka have no serious hope of making the World Test Championship final, having lost six of the 11 matches they have played in this cycle so far. Australia have won 11 of their 17, with two draws. Australia have all but sealed a spot in the WTC final alongside South Africa, and can only lose it if they incur an unlikely number of over-rate penalty points during the Sri Lanka Tests.Both Tests will be played in Galle.

Sri Lanka squad for Australia Test series

Dhananjaya de Silva (capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka (subject to fitness), Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Udara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sonal Dinusha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Nishan Peiris, Asitha Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake.

No play possible with Somerset well placed in their first innings

ECB Reporters Network20-Sep-2023No play was possible on the second day of the LV= Insurance County Championship match between Somerset and Kent at Taunton.Somerset were due to resume their first innings on 214 for two, with Lewis Goldsworthy unbeaten on 70.But it was Kent who were more frustrated by the weather as they desperately need points to escape the threat of relegation from the Championship First Division.At present, they still need another wicket to pick up their first bowling point, with Middlesex currently ahead of them in the standings, despite having themselves missed out on batting points after being bowled out for 121 at Lord’s.Heavy rain during the night and morning left the outfield at the Cooper Associates County Ground saturated and there was never much prospect of the game resuming.Umpires Martin Saggers and Tom Lungley took the decision to abandon play for the day at shortly after 2pm.It was one of five abandonments on a rain-affected second day of the current round, with Lancashire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Worcestershire all hosting wash-outs.

At least six debutants are expected to feature in South Africa’s first Test in over seven years

Firdose Moonda17-Jun-2022Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee and Sinalo Jafta have all been included in South Africa women’s squad to play their first Test in more than seven years, against England later this month. The trio missed out on the white-ball tour to Ireland – Kapp after contracting Covid-19 for the fourth time – but have been named in both the Test and ODI squad for the England series. The T20 squad, along with the group for the Commonwealth Games, will be named next month.South Africa last played a Test against India in Mysore in 2014 and four of the members of that XI – Kapp, Trisha Chetty, Lizelle Lee and Chloe Tryon – are in the current squad. Only one other current South African player has featured in a Test – Shabnim Ismail in 2007 against Netherlands – which means South Africa will field at least six debutants against England in Taunton. Chetty is the only player to have two Test caps.Related

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Dane van Niekerk, the other current South African women’s player who has played a Test, remains unavailable for selection as she continues to recover from the ankle injury that has sidelined her since January. She has returned to training with the aim of being available for the T20Is and Commonwealth Games. Masabata Klaas, who injured her shoulder at the World Cup, is also unavailable. Tazmin Brits, Raisibe Ntozakhe, and Delmi Tucker, who are involved in the ongoing series against Ireland, will return home.South Africa will play a red-ball warm-up match next week, in preparation for the Test.”With the red ball, the main thing is to find our feet as a team again in the format and we take it one day at a time, then we can only progress into it and players can have an opportunity to go into a three-day prep,” coach Hilton Moreeng said. “Those that haven’t had the opportunity when we were back home can also start getting their aim of the red ball. Post that we know we are heading into ODI cricket and T20Is to build up into the Commonwealth Games.”South Africa beat Ireland 2-1 in the T20I series and lead the one-day series, which is part of the ICC Women’s Championship, 2-nil. Their matches against England do not form part of the Women’s Championship (South Africa are due to host England for Women’s Championship matches) but are an opportunity to solidify their strategy as a squad.”We are happy that we could come to Ireland and be able to play in these conditions which are similar to where we are going to. It has been very good and the exciting thing is that the crop of youngsters have started to put in the right performances. Now that we are going to England, we know that we are going to start with a format that most of them haven’t played in a while other than the preparation that we had, so it is exciting times, especially as a young cricketer in the squad,” Moreeng said.”We are up against a very competitive team, a team that plays well in their conditions. It’s going to be tough as we go along but at the end of the day, we are excited with the group that we have and we now have an opportunity against the hosts to be able to win a series in England.”South Africa squad for England tour (Test and ODIs): Anneke Bosch, Trisha Chetty (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Lizelle Lee, Sune Luus (capt), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloé Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt

Bess admits being dropped was ‘a tough pill to swallow’ after role in Chennai win

George Dobell03-Mar-2021Dom Bess has admitted that being dropped from the England team was “a tough pill to swallow” but said that he accepted, in retrospect, that it might have been the best thing for him.Bess claimed five wickets in the first Test of England’s series in India and said he did not see his omission from the next game coming. But while he said it has been “tough” to watch the last couple of Tests – in which spin bowling has played a prominent role – from the sidelines, he also admitted that the break has “freshened” him and was “probably the best option.”Although Bess claimed five wickets in the first Test, he also struggled with his length and delivered several full tosses. The England management subsequently concluded that, as an inexperienced 23-year-old who had played three Tests in the previous month, he was exhibiting signs of both mental and physical tiredness, and replaced him with Moeen Ali for the second Test.But with every chance of winning a recall, Bess insisted that he is “ready” and “in a great space right now” ahead of Thursday’s fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad.”It was certainly a tough pill to swallow,” Bess said about his omission ahead of the second Test. “I didn’t see it round the corner. Personally, I didn’t think I needed a break. But as time went on, it was probably the best option.”I do think a lot about the game. I’m always trying to get better, whether thinking about the game or doing it physically. The hardest part for me was getting away from it.”I guess the management sort of did it for me. It has freshened me up. I’ve thought about things and then had time to work on them. I look back over the period now and think it’s actually been a real success heading into this last game. I was happy with that break.”Related

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Joe Root, England’s captain, confirmed that Bess was being considered as a realistic option to return to the side. “He’s been training really well,” Root said. “He’s used time out of game for the last two Tests to work on few things and he looks very good. He’s practised hard and he’s a very good character. If he gets a chance to play, I’m sure he’ll be desperate to exploit the surface if it’s anything like the last two games.”Has his confidence been knocked? I don’t think so. When you do get taken out of the side, it’s really important you look to use the opportunity to evolve as a player and get better all the time. He’s done that; he’s used that time to work on his game and become a better player for it. I think that’s exactly what you want from your players: you want them to go away and try and improve themselves.”Despite his disappointment in missing the last couple of matches, Bess was positive about both Moeen, who replaced him in the side, and the team’s management.”It was actually really nice to see Moeen come back into it and perform the way he did,” Bess said. “He showed the qualities he has. He was quality with how he went about things. As a young spinner, learning from him was really important.”It was a shame to miss out but it’s part and parcel of sport. I had to look for opportunities to get better when I was out of the team. I had to come away from the main stage and look to improve. What was explained to me [was that the decision] was about looking ahead and things I could work on. I definitely took it in my stride in terms of opportunity.”It’s only little things I’ve been working on. It’s making sure I’m in the groove with my timings and making sure my action is running as smoothly as possible. There’s not been too much to search for. And having a bit of a break, as well. If you can, try to get away from it out here, which is hard to do. So, I could just freshen up and hopefully look forward to the last game.”Bess struggled for consistency in the first Test in Chennai•BCCI

While Bess said the tour, as a whole, has contained “positives and negatives”, he also said that he had learned a great deal from the experience.”It’s been, at times, really exciting,” he said. “It’s been a massive learning curve with positives and negatives. I’ve certainly enjoyed bowling on spinning wickets. Potentially, at times, I need to improve and there have been tough times out here. Overall I’ve been pretty happy with how it has come out. But as a youngster, aged 23, I’m always trying to keep striving forward.”Am I ready if I’m selected? I certainly am. I’m in a great space right now to come back in. We’re under a bit of pressure but it’s a great opportunity to perform. I know I’m ready. It’s very exciting if I get the chance to head out with 10 other blokes to try to draw the series.”To draw the series is so, so important. To come back from two heavy defeats would show a lot about our character. To potentially finish on a high and not lose a Test series out here would be a big achievement.”