Cricket
National Selectors name English squad for T20 series
SB REPORT
ISLAMABAD (August 18, 2020):-England National Selectors have named a 14-strong squad for the men’s three Vitality IT20s against Pakistan starting on Friday 28 August at Emirates Old Trafford. The three-match series will be played behind closed doors, in a bio-secure environment at the Manchester venue.
England Men’s IT20 Squad:
Eoin Morgan (Middlesex) (captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Tom Banton (Somerset), Sam Billings (Kent), Tom Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Dawid Malan (Yorkshire), Adil Rashid (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), David Willey (Yorkshire).
Reserves:
Pat Brown (Worcestershire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Reece Topley (Surrey).
Commenting on the selection of the squad, National Selector Ed Smith, said:
“In this crowded international summer, players who are currently in the Test match bio-secure bubble for the Pakistan Test series are not included in this squad. (The IT20s begin three days after the scheduled last day of the final Test). We want to give multi-format players some opportunity to rest and refresh, while still selecting strong squads for every series. We will announce the squad for the Australia T20 series at a later date.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board have also confirmed the coaching team for the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan.
England assistant coach Graham Thorpe will assume the head coach role for the three-match series. He will be supported by assistant coach Paul Collingwood. Marcus Trescothick, who has been seconded from Somerset, has been appointed batting coach. England Young Lions coach Jon Lewis will be the bowling coach and is supported by former Pakistan international and bowling coach Azhar Mahmood. Former Essex wicketkeeper James Foster will take responsibility for the wicketkeepers.
Schedule (T-20):-
1st IT20 v Pakistan: Friday 28 August at Emirates Old Trafford (6.00pm start)
2nd IT20 v Pakistan: Sunday 30 August at Emirates Old Trafford (2.00pm start)
3rd IT20 v Pakistan: Tuesday 1 September at Emirates Old Trafford (6.00pm start)
ECB confirms Australia white-ball series
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (August 14, 2020):-The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has today announced that Hampshire’s The Ageas Bowl and Lancashire’s Emirates Old Trafford will host England Men’s white-ball international matches behind closed doors later this summer against Australia.
The Australian squad will arrive into the UK on 24 August, travelling to Derbyshire’s The Incora County Ground before transferring to The Ageas Bowl after England’s third Test match against Pakistan on 27 August. Australia will play a 50-over intra-squad practice game and three T20 practice matches before the start of the three-match Vitality IT20 series against England commencing on 4 September at The Ageas Bowl. The Southampton venue will host all three Vitality IT20s including matches on Sunday 6 September and Tuesday 8 September.
The three Royal London Internationals will take place at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday 11 September, Sunday 13 September and the final match of the tour on Wednesday 16 September. The three ODIs will form part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League.
ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said:
“We owe a significant debt of gratitude to the players, staff and administrators of Cricket Australia for their efforts in getting this tour underway. Their co-operation to ensure these matches are staged is crucial to cricket in this country. It will also provide much-needed financial aid at all levels of cricket in England and Wales as we work through the challenges in front of us.
“The rivalry between England and Australia is the pinnacle of sporting competition. The Vitality IT20s and the Royal London Series will be thrilling contests and a perfect way to culminate the men’s international season in this extraordinary summer.
“I want to congratulate my colleagues at the ECB and the various bio-secure venues working tirelessly in unprecedented circumstances, as we work to ensure that all England men’s international fixtures are fulfilled during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In total, 18 international fixtures including six Test matches, six IT20s and six ODIs have been organised across two bio-secure venues, Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, which is testament to our efficient planning both from an operational and medical point of view. I’m very proud of what our game has achieved, and that cricket is seen as the standard-bearers in developing bio-secure sporting events to the highest of standards.”
Cricket Australia interim Chief Executive Officer, Nick Hockley, added:
“We are very excited to be heading to England and to get back into the international fray. We congratulate the ECB on leading the resumption of the game in a way that places the health and safety of players and staff at its core.
“We would also like to thank the Australian Government for granting travel exemptions for the Australian men’s team, as well as all those who have worked tirelessly to put together a plan that allows for the tour to progress in a bio-secure way.”
Schedule (T20):
1st IT20 v Australia: Friday 4 September at The Ageas Bowl (6.00pm start)
2nd IT20 v Australia: Sunday 6 September The Ageas Bowl (2.00pm start)
3rd IT20 v Australia: Tuesday 8 September The Ageas Bowl (6.00pm start)
Royal London Series:
1st ODI v Australia: Friday 11 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start)
2nd ODI v Australia: Sunday 13 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start)
3rd ODI v Australia: Wednesday 16 September at Emirates Old Trafford (1.00pm start)
Mahela and Mahanama agree to submit report on school cricket
By:-BIPIN DANI
Sri Lanka's two former cricketers- Mahela Jayawardene and Roshan Mahanama- attended the 3-hour long meeting with few of the SLC officials to discuss the improvement of School cricket.
The two will be involved in improving the game of cricket at the grassroot level was first reported by us.
The meeting, which took place at the Hotel Hilton residences was attended by the SLC CEO Ashley de Silva and few members of the cricket committee. Former cricketer Anura Tennekoon is the chairman of the committee.
The meeting was also attended by Tim McCaskill, Head of National Cricket Development at Sri Lanka Cricket and Roger Wijesuriya, who looks after the structure of school cricket in Sri Lanka.
Giving few suggestions and recommendations, the two stalwarts-Mahela and Mahanama- in consultation with McCaskill will prepare a detailed report and submit it to the SLC.
"It will be an honorary service by Mahela and Mahanama", the source at the SLC revealed.
Modis hail Broad for fining Broad
By BIPIN DANI
ICC's match-referee Chris Broad's decision to dock a fine of 15% of the match-fee to his son Stuart Broad for using inappropriate language in the first Test against Pakistan has reminded the former Kenyan middle order batsman Hitesh Modi the incident, when his dad, Subhash Modi, officiating an an umpire also didn't show "mercy" at him.
Hiten and Subhash Modi are the unique pair of son/father to appear as batsman and umpire in the same One-day International. Against Bangladesh at Nairobi in August 2006, father gave son out lbw.
Reacting to the decision by sr. Broad, Hitesh Modi, now in England, says, "I think it’s very simple they (Chris and Stuart Broad) are both professionals who have been given a job to do and will act in the best interest of the game".
"He (Stuart) is a great cricketer, who recently completed 500 Test wickets. He shows his emotions on the field. All I can say is to keep cool and control his temper as he already has 3 demerit points within 24 months".
"No one is greater than the noble game of cricket and he must respect opponents. My advice to him is : "you are one of the finest cricketers in the world but you have to be a fine sportsman to be loved by your team and your fans all around the world'.
Hitesh Modi admitted he was little upset when his father declared him LBW out. "To be honest I was upset at first and then I saw on TV that I was plumb so I had no reason to be upset with dad, but myself", he added further.
Former ICC umpire Subhash Modi, when approached for his comments in Nairobi, also hailed Chris Broad's neutrality.
Hafeez breaches two-meter social distancing protocol
SB REPORT
ISLAMABAD (August 12, 2020):-Mohammad Hafeez went to a golf course, which is adjacent to the team hotel and part of the bio-secure bubble. During the golf round, he was photographed with a member of the public, which he subsequently posted on his social media account.
“As it was evident from the photograph that Hafeez had breached the two-metre social distancing protocol and following a consultation process with the team doctor, the team management has decided to isolate him until he returns a negative Covid-19 test.
“Hafeez underwent the Covid-19 test late Wednesday afternoon and the result is expected at some stage on Thursday. “The decision to put Hafeez in isolation has been taken for his and, the safety and security of everyone around him. The team management believes it was an inadvertent mistake, but a good reminder for everyone on the importance of following the bio-secure protocols, which have been designed for the health and safety of everyone involved in the series.
“The team management has updated the England and Wales Cricket Board of its decision.” Hafeez is not amongst the 20 players shortlisted for the ongoing three-match Test series against England.
England selectors name 14-man squad for second Test
SB NEWS
ISLAMABAD (August 12, 2020):-The England National Selectors have named a 14-strong squad for the second Test match against Pakistan starting on Thursday 13 August 2020 at The Ageas Bowl. England leads 1-0 in the three match series after winning first Test by three wickets in Manchester.
Sussex seamer Ollie Robinson is added to the squad for the first time replacing Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, who left the bio-secure bubble after the first Test for family reasons.
England Test Squad:
Joe Root (Yorkshire) Captain, James Anderson (Lancashire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Dominic Bess (Somerset), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Zak Crawley (Kent), Sam Curran (Surrey), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Ollie Robinson (Sussex), Dom Sibley (Warwickshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire), Mark Wood (Durham).
2nd Test: England v Pakistan, 13-17 August, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
3rd Test: England v Pakistan, 21-25 August, Ageas Bowl, Southampton
BROAD FINED FOR BREACHING ICC CODE OF CONDUCT
SPORTS DESK
ISLAMABAD (August 11, 2020):-England fast bowler Stuart Broad has been fined 15 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first Test against Pakistan in Manchester.
Broad was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Broad, for whom it was the third offence in a 24-month period, taking his cumulative demerit points to three.
Broad’s previous breaches were on 27 January this year during the fourth Test against South Africa at the Wanderers, and on 19 August 2018 in the third Test against India at Trent Bridge.
The incident occurred in the 46th over of Pakistan’s second innings on Saturday, when Broad used inappropriate language after dismissing Yasir Shah.
Broad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees and ratified by the ICC Cricket Operations department as per the COVID-19 interim playing regulations. There was no need for a formal hearing.
On-field umpires Richard Kettleborough and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Michael Gough and fourth official Steve O’Shaughnessy levelled the charge.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
?England men’s white-ball Tour to India postponed
SB REPORT
ISLAMABAD (August 10, 2020):-With the announcement that ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, due to take place across Australia in October and November 2020, has been postponed and the present COVID-19 situation in India, the BCCI and ECB have confirmed that England men’s white-ball tour to India, originally scheduled in the ICC Future Tours Programme for late September to early October 2020, will be postponed until early 2021.
BCCI and ECB are in consultation with a view to confirming the 2021 schedules for an all-formats England men’s tour to India to run from late January to late March and for India’s Test tour to England due in the summer of 2021.
ECB’s Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said:
“Now that we have clarity regarding the postponement of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, it enables us to work with other Boards to progress the vital task of optimising the international schedules in the challenging circumstances that we have all been having to address with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and we look forward to working with the BCCI to firm-up the schedules for these eagerly anticipated tours as soon as possible.”
Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI Secretary, added:
“The BCCI and ECB are working closely to finalise the schedule as we move towards the resumption of cricket. The India-England series is one of the most anticipated contests in world cricket. The two teams compete hard on the field and provide some riveting moments.
“I am pleased with the way BCCI and ECB have managed the situation. The rescheduled tour is also being redesigned in a way to accommodate both red and white-ball format and will now be a comprehensive one.”
PCB announces Lifebuoy as Pakistan team Official Hygiene Partner
SB REPORT
LAHORE (August 10, 2020):-Pakistan Cricket Board has joined hands with Lifebuoy, the world’s number one selling hygiene soap brand 1, for Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s ongoing tour of England.
Lifebuoy will be the Official Hygiene Partner of the team during the tour of England. The three-match Test series, part of ICC World Test Championship, between England and Pakistan started on Wednesday at Old Trafford, Manchester, and it will be followed by three T20Is.
During the England tour, Lifebuoy will be supporting the Pakistan team by providing hand hygiene products to the full touring party. Pakistan players will help promote better hygiene behaviours with exciting public service and behind-the-scenes-content.
While ensuring there is no compromise on health and safety of the players, team management and staff, the PCB has actively promoted Government of Pakistan’s SOPs on Covid-19.
The PCB headquarters in Lahore and offices in the rest of the country continue to practice social distancing while following all government prescribed SOPs.
Pakistan men’s national cricket team is in bio-secure environment in England since arriving in the country in the last week of June.
Global Vice President of Lifebuoy Kartik Chandrasekhar: “Lifebuoy has always been a brand that has looked to support people to have better personal hygiene. Following the success of our relationship with the West Indies, we are looking forward to working closely with the Pakistan cricket team to promote better hygiene practices.”
“Sports is an integral part of life, a passion point across countries bringing people together. We will work closely with the Pakistan cricket team to improve hygiene behaviours of all fans.”
PCB Director – Commercial, Babar Hamid: “We are delighted to partner with Lifebuoy as our Official Hygiene Partner for the tour of England. Under the newly revamped commercial strategy, Pakistan Cricket Board is keen to create sustainable and meaningful partnerships with leading brands and this partnership with Lifebuoy is a key milestone in our strategy.
“The tour of England is happening under very different circumstances and in a world that requires us to place a renewed focus on health and safety. Our objective, through this partnership, is to use the Pakistan men’s national cricket team’s outreach in order to influence attitudes towards hygiene and contribute towards a safer Pakistan for all of us.”
England umpires walk the distance equivalent from Lahore to Manchester
By BIPIN DANI
England's 33 first-class umpires have set themselves the target of walking to Lahore and back - virtually, at least - before the ongoing tour of Pakistan finishes.
"The total distance of 9,436 miles between Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore) to Old Trafford, Manchester is almost the distance that the umpires would, as a group, cover on field whilst umpiring during a domestic cricket season. The idea for the walk came during the Covid 19 lockdown, to not lose the miles that they would normally cover", Hassan Adnan, one of the participant First Class England umpires, whose parents are in Lahore, said exclusively over telephone.
After playing First class cricket for 16 years, Adnan moved to England.
"Monies raised will go to 3 worthy charities: PCA Benevolent Fund
Prostate Cancer and British Asian Trust".
Later, Paul Baldwin, another umpire provided more details about the initiative.
“The 33 of us were challenged to be ready for any potential season start and after being shown the data for our total mileage covered in 2015, of 10,000 miles on field we decided we should try and find somewhere appropriate to do a return journey from.”
“The group wanted to support the Professional Cricketer’s Trust because most of us are former professional players. The Trust has helped out a number of us over the years, not just financially, but mentally too, and it seemed only right that we gave back to a body that has been so supportive of us”, Baldwin signed off.
ICC's Elite Panel umpire Aleem Dar encouraged the umpire by sending a special video message.
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