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Club expect to confirm signing early next year with paperwork yet to be completed

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Dec-2019Somerset have confirmed that they have agreed personal terms with South Africa seamer Vernon Philander ahead of his signing as a Kolpak player, although the club do not expect to complete the signing until the new year.It had been widely reported that Philander would move to the county following news of his international retirement at the end of the ongoing Test series against England, and the seamer mentioned in a post-match press conference on Friday that he was on the cusp of joining on a “year-by-year basis”.Somerset confirmed in a club statement that they are on the verge of signing Philander, and that they will be “working through all of the necessary processes with the ECB in order to be able to register him as a Kolpak player” following this series. “The official paperwork required to complete the deal is being finalised with the ECB,” the club said. “[We are] working towards the full procedure being completed successfully in the New Year.”ALSO READ: The stats stack up as Philander approaches his endgamePhilander played five games for Somerset as an overseas player back in 2012, taking 23 wickets at 21.43.It remains unclear what will happen to players on Kolpak registrations after the UK leaves the European Union, but it is highly likely that counties will be unable to register new players via that loophole after January 31, 2020. Kolpak players will continue to be eligible to play as local players throughout next season, but may only be available as overseas players thereafter – though the ECB is understood to be considering allowing teams to field two overseas players, rather than one, in the County Championship to compensate.Andy Hurry, Somerset’s director of cricket, said: “Vernon is undoubtedly a genuinely world-class performer and we are delighted to have agreed terms with such a talented player. When the possibility of signing him presented itself, and considering the challenges that we feel lie ahead of us with regards to achieving our aspirations, we felt that it was too good an opportunity to miss.”To put it simply, he is one of the very best bowlers in the game and he would add quality to any team in the world. His experience and knowledge of the game will also be of huge benefit to our bowling group, especially the young players looking to break in to the first XI.”The signing of Philander may seem to block first-team opportunities for some of Somerset’s seamers, with Lewis Gregory, Craig and Jamie Overton, Josh Davey and Jack Brooks already competing for places in the Championship side. But Hurry suggested that with the several bowlers – including spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess – in international reckoning, another signing was needed to ensure the squad was deep enough to compete on three fronts.”When we consider the development that a number of our senior bowlers have made in recent years, and the number of those bowlers who are now playing international cricket or on the cusp of playing international cricket, it is vital for us as a club to ensure that we have the quality and depth in our squad to fulfill our aims of winning silverware in all three formats,” he said.”The addition of Vernon to our bowling unit will enable us to continue to manage the workloads of all of our quality seamers through the demands of a full and demanding season even more effectively.”Philander said: “I’m really pleased to have agreed personal terms with Somerset. It’s a great club and I really enjoyed my time there a few years ago.”I know that they won the 50-over cup last year and came close in the Championship and hopefully I’ll be able to help them to another successful year in 2020. Right now, I am 100% focused on the series against England and then my focus will turn to my next chapter.”

A record-breaking innings from Mark Pettini helped Leicestershire to a crushing 103-run victory over Warwickshire at Grace Road.

George Dobell at Grace Road02-May-2017
ScorecardMark Pettini plundered Warwickshire’s attack•Getty Images

A record-breaking innings from Mark Pettini helped Leicestershire to a crushing 103-run victory over Warwickshire at Grace Road.Pettini thrashed the highest score by a Leicestershire batsman against a first-class county in the club’s List A history. It was also Leicestershire’s highest score against a first-class county and the second-highest score ever conceded by Warwickshire in List A cricket.Pettini won excellent support from the home-grown pair of Tom Wells, who registered his maiden one-day half-century and finished with career-best bowling figures, and Aadil Ali, who made his second half-century in succession. Both took full advantage of a fine batting surface – the same one used for Sunday’s defeat against Worcestershire in which 680 were scored – and a jaded attack, suggesting they had the ability to carve out successful careers at this level.Sam Hain made a polished 103 in reply. But from the moment Dieter Klein trapped William Porterfield, beaten by a ball that swung from leg to middle and hit him on the boot, and Jonathan Trott, edging one that swung the other way to take his outside edge, in his first spell there was only going to be one winner.Ian Bell drove to cover and though Tim Ambrose helped Hain add 118 for the fourth wicket, when the pair fell within a couple of overs of one another – Hain courtesy of an outrageously good diving catch from Ali – Warwickshire’s reply fell away. They lost their last six wickets for the addition of only 14 runs and their last five in the space of 15 balls. It was their second chastening defeat in two days and means their defence of their title is already hanging by a thread.On paper, this should hardly have been a contest. It featured, after all, last year’s champions against a team who finished eighth in their group. Not only that, but it featured a side containing six players with international experience at the highest level against a side which featured one man who had played international cricket and was missing its two first-choice seamers (Ben Raine and Clint McKay) due to injury.And it’s true, it was hardly a contest. From the moment Leicestershire’s openers plundered 72 from the first seven overs of the game, Warwickshire looked just a little slow, just a little tired, just a little old. In the field, with the ball and with the bat, they failed to match the athleticism of their unheralded rivals. You could easily be forgiven for mistaking which was the team from the Test-hosting ground and which was the unfancied small club with only two List A wins in the whole of 2016.Pettini, fed over-pitched deliveries at the start of his innings, drove gloriously and, when Warwickshire pulled back their length, cut savagely. Able to hit anything of good length over the top and on a surface offering no assistance to the spinners, Warwickshire had no answer.It was, in fairness, the sort of pitch that makes a bowler wish they’d become a plumber, a butcher or a Big Issue seller. But it was noticeable that, while Warwickshire’s medium-paced attack could get nothing out of the surface, Leicestershire’s extra pace asked a few more questions of the batsmen. Gavin Griffiths finished with career-best bowling figures.So while it’s true that Pettini’s timing was beautiful and the pitch was merciless, this was not a performance that many of the Warwickshire bowlers – or fielders – will look back on with any joy. Bereft of the pace to force the batsmen onto the back foot – anything short was dispatched – and reluctant to rely on the yorker with the straight boundaries much shorter than the square ones, they instead relied upon slower deliveries. But when the stock delivery is slow, the effect is diluted. Really, Leicestershire’s batsmen just waited and plundered.It is hardly surprising then that Warwickshire have recently made the first of their 28-day approaches to players coming out of contract at other clubs by the end of the season. Tom Kohler-Cadmore, of Worcestershire, is one target but they require bowlers as well as batsmen. They have the money to recruit, but attracting players to Edgbaston has not, historically, been easy. They have also announced a new partnership with Staffordshire Cricket, hoping to attract their best young players into their development system.As for Leicestershire, they seem to be finding a pleasing mix of youth and experience in their side this season. Whereas last year the balance veered too much towards experience, the new coach, Pierre de Bruyn, has seen the importance of creating opportunities for home-grown youngsters alongside a few experienced pros.Zak Chappell finished wicketless, but he has pace and potential that any club would relish, while the catch taken by Ali to end Hain’s innings was the highlight of the match. Running every bit of 30 yards from mid-on to long-on, somehow keeping his eye on the ball despite the floodlights and the proximity of the boundary, he clung on to an almost impossible, diving chance. If there’s a better catch taken this season, it will be quite some spectacle.It was not a perfect day for Leicestershire. Staging this as a day-night match in response to feedback from potential spectators who suggested they could be attracted to come after work, they were unfortunate to find the evening bitterly cold. Few, if any, of the 450 schoolchildren offered free tickets stayed until for the late ending (it is a school night, after all) and few of working age took advantage of the cheap – or even free – tickets available for the second innings. Leicestershire remains a club fighting for relevance in its community.But if they play like this, if they field a team that represents the community and offers hope to young local players, if they continue to reach out to potential spectators, they have a chance. This was a heartening evening that suggested, for the huge amount of ground they have to make-up, they are heading in the right direction.

It remains to be seen whether Usman Khawaja’s comment that he was made a “scapegoat” on the tour of Sri Lanka, will affect his selection chances but coach Darren Lehmann said the batsman was not “on the back foot”

Brydon Coverdale25-Oct-2016Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann has said Usman Khawaja is not out of favour with selectors, despite the batsman’s recent comments that he and Joe Burns had been made “scapegoats” on the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Khawaja also labeled the selectors “fickle” for dropping the pair after two Tests in Sri Lanka, given both men were coming off excellent form in the previous few Test series.Lehmann said that he would have a private conversation with Khawaja concerning his public comments, preferring such matters to stay behind closed doors. However, it remains to be seen whether Khawaja will pay the price for his statements when the squad for the first Test against South Africa is chosen later this week.”We have the GOAT,” Lehmann told reporters in Brisbane on Tuesday, referring to Nathan Lyon’s nickname as the Greatest Of All Time. “And now we have the Scapegoat. I love these nicknames … He is not on the back foot. [But] I will chat to him privately. We would rather have these things played out between selectors and players.”Khawaja and Burns were axed for the third Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo, although Burns had been Man of the Match in Australia’s last Test before the tour – against New Zealand in Christchurch in February – and Khawaja had made four consecutive first-innings hundreds during the summer. Shaun Marsh and Moises Henriques came in at the expense of Khawaja and Burns.”Being on the selection panel for the Test match, it was warranted,” Lehmann said. “At the end of the day, there were different conditions and those two guys weren’t playing well enough – they averaged eight or seven in two Test matches.”We had to change something, but that doesn’t affect the summer at home. We have to work out what we think the best batting line-up is for the summer.”Khawaja and Burns are in action for Queensland against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield match that started at the Gabba on Tuesday, although they will have to wait until later in the game to bat as Khawaja won the toss and sent the Blues in. At the WACA, Shaun Marsh, hoping to prove to the selectors that he had recovered from a hamstring injury, was batting early on day one.And at the MCG, Peter Siddle and Jackson Bird were potentially competing for the final bowling position in Australia’s Test squad, to be announced on Friday – assuming Mitchell Starc proves his fitness at the Gabba. Lehmann said Bird and Siddle both had the chance to bowl themselves into the side for the first Test against South Africa at the WACA.”They certainly can over the next few days I would think,” Lehmann said. “[Siddle] looked really good in the Matador Cup and by all reports he’s got some zing and zip back. He’s playing the Shield game so hopefully he’ll perform well and pull up well, and then we’ll see what we do.”His record is exceptional – he bowls good line and length and can complement Mitchell, but so can Jackson Bird.”

A round up of Ranji Trophy Group A matches on November 17, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Nov-2015
ScorecardFile photo: Arun Karthik is at the crease for Assam, with the side 95 runs away from a third win in six games•PTI

Assam drew with defending champions Karnataka, beat former back-to-back winners Rajasthan by an innings, toppled Haryana at home in Lahli and are now on the cusp of beating Delhi. Ninety-five runs separate the newly-promoted team from registering their third win in six matches and consolidate their place at the top half of the Ranji Trophy points table in Group B. They still have seven wickets in hand, with opener Rahul Hazarika and KB Arun Karthik are at the crease in the final innings in Guwahati.Much of their position has been down to the bowlers who dismissed Delhi for totals under 200 both times. Spinners Amit Verma and J Syed Mohammad took six wickets between them. Unmukt Chand made 44 yesterday and that remained the top-score of the innings. Pulkit Narang tried to delay the inevitable with 26 off 133 balls and remained not out even as Delhi were all out for 172.
ScorecardHaryana crumpled to 216 all out in their first innings, which well short of Odisha’s 529 for 6 declared and were made to follow-on in Lahli. Seamers Basant Mohanty and Suryakant Pradhan picked up three wickets each whilst the only substantial resistance came from opener Nitin Saini and his 51 off 146 balls.Haryana, resuming on 38 for 0, were bundled out soon after tea. Although there wasn’t a startling collapse, none of the batsmen could put up a substantial score. Besides Saini, Jayant Yadav made 46 but the remaining eight batsmen could not push past 30. A definite problem when there is a batsman among the opposition who made 255. Natraj Behera, the Odisha captain, appears all but certain to have helped his team to their second win of the season.
ScorecardAditya Sarwate struck a combative fifty from No. 8 and then nipped out four wickets to keep Vidarbha’s hopes of an outright win. The match had been petering towards a draw with Rajasthan on 150 for 2 when he, Akshay Wakhare and Ravi Jangid orchestrated a collapse. Seven wickets fell for 69 runs and Rajasthan ended the day on 226 for 9, leading by 195 with one day left to play in Nagpur.Ashok Menaria and Vineet Saxena had picked up a half-century each during a 110-run partnership for the third wicket, but as soon as it was broken, Rajasthan’s stability was lost. Jangid provided those vital wickets, having both men caught by Wasim Jaffer for 76 and 54 runs respectively. That opening was enough for Sarwate who got rid of Rajat Bhatia for 3 and then ran through the tail to finish the day on 4 for 58.
ScorecardMaharashtra made a solid reply to Bengal, who had declared overnight at 528 for 8, with Rahul Tripathi’s third first-class century. He was unbeaten on 116 at stumps in Pune with Ankit Bawne on 59 not out keeping him good company. The hosts had put on 296 runs on the board, but were still 232 runs behind.An early wicket is not what teams going in to bat after conceding 500 runs want, but Maharashtra had to contend with opener Harshad Khadiwale falling for only 5. But his partner Swapnil Gugale made 35 off 68 balls after which Sangram Atitkar breezed to 69 off 118 balls as Maharashtra recovered nicely and gave themselves an outside chance of taking a first-innings lead.

Mid West Rhinos made the highest total of the match at Kwekwe Sports Club but still lost to Matabeleland Tuskers because of a shambolic first innings

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2012
ScorecardMid West Rhinos, riding on a double-century from Malcolm Waller and a hundred from Brendan Taylor, made the highest total of the match at Kwekwe Sports Club but still lost to Matabeleland Tuskers because of a shambolic first innings, in which they were shot out for 65. Chasing a target of 341, Tuskers also improved significantly on their first-innings effort, and centuries from Sean Williams and Charles Coventry secured a three-wicket victory.Rhinos had decided to bat on the first day but they were bowling very soon after play began. Keegan Meth claimed 4 for 24 and Glen Querl took 5 for 24 as Rhinos were shot out for 65 in 31.3 overs. Only Jake Mickleburgh and Remembrance Nyathi made it past single figures.In response, Tuskers lost their first three wickets for 21 runs but took the lead without further loss, before slipping to 96 for 6. Several of their middle-order batsmen got starts but failed to convert them. Querl, batting at No. 9, scored 40 off 36 balls and was supported by No. 11 Njabulo Ncube, who made 28 off 20. Richard Muzhange took 4 for 73 for Rhinos, as Tuskers were dismissed for 216 in 49.1 overs, leading by 151 runs.Rhinos then lost three wickets for 31 runs in the second innings, but Taylor and Waller rescued the innings with a monumental fourth-wicket stand. They added 257 before Taylor was dismissed for 140 off 163 balls, and Waller went on to add 139 for the fifth wicket with Simon Mugava, who made 58. The lower order folded cheaply but Waller held one end up, finishing unbeaten on 208 as Rhinos ended on 491 in 147.2 overs.The target of 341 in about four sessions was a stiff one and Tuskers stumbled, losing three wickets for four runs to the new ball. They lost another one before stumps on the third day and resumed the final morning on 91 for 4. Overnight batsman Sean Ervine had scored quickly the previous evening but was out early on the fourth day, for 55 off 67 balls. Williams was then joined by Coventry and they began what was ultimately a match-winning stand. Williams made 118 off 153, while Coventry made 106 off 133. They added 186 for the sixth wicket and Coventry stayed the course to secure victory by three wickets. Tuskers had scored at 4.46 runs per over.

Mitchell Johnson’s difficulties on his return from a long-term foot injury epitomised the struggles of Australia’s bowlers against England

Daniel Brettig at The Oval01-Jul-2012Given that it was Mitchell Johnson’s first game for Australia since November 2011, and in a country where he has suffered more than the usual share of bowling misadventure, Michael Clarke was careful not to criticise his wayward fast bowler. Yet Johnson’s difficulties on his return from a long-term foot injury epitomised the struggles of Australia’s bowlers against a highly organised England, and scripted another unhappy chapter in his enigmatic career.Called into the side to replace the injured Pat Cummins, and chosen ahead of James Pattinson and Ben Hilfenhaus, Johnson’s first two overs cost 20 and he finished the day wicketless, having also delivered four no-balls and two wides in seven overs that leaked 43 runs. He demonstrated an adjusted approach to the bowling crease and a slightly higher action and gained some swing with the new ball, but overall it was an unpleasant return.Clarke spoke of the indiscipline of the bowling attack generally, but would offer only praise for Johnson. “He’s been very good, he’s been high on confidence, he’s been bowling really well in the nets,” Clarke said. “It’s his first game back as well so it’s going to take a bit of time, but Mitch was really looking forward to his opportunity today. It was unfortunate we couldn’t get a win up, but it is great to have him back around the group.”You need to be able to control the ball. I think our bowling in general we didn’t control the ball enough against good opposition, good batters, on a pretty good wicket. We bowled too many wides and no-balls as well – they’re so costly, not only is it a no-ball but you get a free-hit afterwards. So we’ve got areas we need to improve very quickly, not only with the bat but also with the ball.”Clarke explained that Johnson was considered a more explosive bowling option than either Pattinson or Hilfenhaus and also favoured his left-arm variety to pose different questions for England’s batsmen. However the obstacle of facing a team he has had more difficult days against than strong ones, in a country where he is only likely to be ridiculed rather than revered by crowds, did not help Johnson’s cause.”Mitch has been bowling very well in the nets, he’s got good pace, as Pat Cummins does,” Clarke said. “Pat Cummins has got that x-factor, and we thought Mitch does as well, he’s left-arm so he brought something different, and as you’ve seen today he’s swinging the ball.”Cummins meanwhile will fly home tomorrow, after the latest injury in his brief career. Clarke said the decision to send Cummins home was as much about prevention of further injury as cure of the current side strain, but could not hide his irritation at losing another fast bowler.”He’s obviously very disappointed, I don’t know how severe it is,” Clarke said. “He’s going home tomorrow but there’s a bit of precaution there as well, we want to make sure we look after him. It’s a big loss, not only for the team but for him as well, he was looking forward to spending some time in England and getting some cricket under his belt, so it’s frustrating.”Between Johnson’s struggles, Cummins’ injury and the juggling of six pacemen on a brief tour, it has all added up to a testing job trial for the interim bowling coach Ali de Winter, who has indicated his intention to apply for the fulltime job at the conclusion of the trip. Waqar Younis, the former Pakistan captain and coach, is another contender.

Tim Nielsen has stood down as Australia’s coach after helping the side to a series victory in Sri Lanka

Daniel Brettig and Brydon Coverdale20-Sep-2011Tim Nielsen has stood down as Australia’s coach after helping the side to a series victory in Sri Lanka. Nielsen, who took over from John Buchanan in 2007, made the announcement after Australia played out a draw in the final Test at the SSC in Colombo, saying he accepted it was time to go as part of the fall-out from last summer’s 3-1 Ashes defeat.His decision means Australia will have an interim head coach – possibly one of the assistants, Justin Langer or Steve Rixon – for their upcoming tour of South Africa. Nielsen faced the prospect of having to reapply for the job as head coach after the Argus review recommended a more wide-ranging brief for the team’s mentor.Nielsen said the past month since the release of the review had been exceptionally taxing, and felt hurt that he was asked to re-apply for the job given how closely CA had seen him work over the past four years.”It has been a tough month,” Nielsen said. “I feel as though through something totally independent and external to what I do, I feel as though my role has been changed and my job has been spilt to other applicants. I understand that, I can understand where they’re coming from, we are trying to improve our sport.”The only thing I’m a little disappointed in is that my role as Australian cricket coach doesn’t just cover Test match cricket. We’ve maintained our No. 1 ranking in one day cricket over the last four years while I’ve been here, we’ve improved our T20 cricket and made some dramatic changes there to play in the last World Cup final. I feel as though we’re on the right track.”All of this has been brought to a head by the fact we played a very good cricket side in England last year and they outplayed us and beat us, and that happens sometimes. For 15 years before it was Australia doing it to other teams, and they had to lick their wounds. Now we’ve had a look at how we’re going to improve and move forward, and the result is this.”I feel as though whoever is given the opportunity is going to get a group of players who are in form, who have had some success, and I hope by it happening now, the place is in a better position than it was, maybe three or four months ago when it all happened.”Criticism of Australia’s coaching process seemed to reflect directly on Nielsen, though this was fervently denied by CA after the review was released. Nielsen also noted that many of the recommended changes to the structure were those that he had pushed for himself as coach.”There’s that personal side to it, no doubt. That’s the hard part, and that has played a little bit of a part in my thinking,” Nielsen said. “I feel like I’m doing an interview for the job every day for the last four years. Because they’ve changed some structural things, and things I can honestly say I’ve been talking about and championing for a while.”I would’ve appreciated an opportunity to work in the new system and the new role moving forward, but when you get beaten like we did by England, a very good cricket side, there is always fall-out, and we had to make some changes, and they’ve done that. I don’t hold any grudges about that, but I also would’ve backed myself to do the job, given the opportunity. Because of those things it is just the right time I believe.”The new position will be a more senior role, and will involve setting the direction of all coaching at elite levels within Australia. Nielsen, 43, has decided not to put himself forward for the new job, despite Cricket Australia’s chief executive James Sutherland saying less than a fortnight ago that he hoped Nielsen would be “a front-line applicant”.”Tim has been national coach during a period in which we have had a long list of great champions leave the game and has been a strong support for new players coming into the side over that period,” Sutherland said. “I was delighted when he agreed to renew his contract last year and had encouraged him to apply for the new, expanded and redesigned head coach role that the CA board approved last month after the tabling of the Australian Team Performance Review.”However, I have spoken to Tim and understand and respect his decision to now begin a new chapter in his professional life. He has contributed greatly to Australian international cricket in roles as assistant national coach, head coach at the Centre of Excellence and during four years as national coach. We all wish him well in the future.”Nielsen, a former South Australia wicketkeeper, took on the head coach role after spending three years as an assistant with the national team under Buchanan, and then becoming head coach at the Centre of Excellence. He guided Australia through 15 Test series, nine of which the team won.He now intends to move into another, yet to be announced cricket role, though it will not be with CA.”I’m a cricket coach, I’m a cricket person,” Nielsen said. “I wasn’t good enough to play cricket for Australia so I’ve been living the dream as players talk about, as coaches talk about, this has been the greatest job I could do and I’m very proud of the fact I’ve been able to do it for four years, which I feel is a long time in international sport. I certainly will be looking at other opportunities and considering anything that’s out there to use my skills and maintain contact with the sport I love.”We’ve had some tremendous times, some really positive wins as a group, and we’ve had some tough times. That’s the nature of international sport, that’s the nature of what I do. It’s basically got to a stage where we’ve sat down as a family and said are we willing to put ourselves in these positions, are we willing to put ourselves under this sort of pressure.”In the end I thought it was best for myself and for the team that I move on now to give whoever takes over the role to start in a really positive environment, which I believe we’ve set up over the past two to three months and been displayed here over the past six or seven weeks.”

Slovenia will host the ICC European Division Three Championship from May 11 to 14

ESPNcricinfo staff09-May-2011With a new European structure in place this year, Slovenia will host the ICC European Division Three Championship from May 11 to 14. The squads for the six teams taking part – Slovenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Sweden and Turkey – have been finalised and success will bring the prize of a place in the ICC European Division Two tournament in Belgium in June. Beyond that, teams will look to the theoretical prospect of progress to Division One, the global qualifier in the UAE next March, and the World Twenty20 championship itself, to be held in Sri Lanka in 2012.Hosts Slovenia are unquestionably the most experienced side in the tournament, having taken part in European competitions since 2000. Most recently, they played in the ICC European Division Four of the 50-over championship in Cyprus in 2009, where they finished without a win.Batsman Tom Furness takes over the captaincy from Mark Oman, and the side will be reinforced by the return of Stephen Mayland, who missed out on the Cyprus event. The squad includes seven Slovenian-born players, including newcomers Blaz Praper and Primoz Pustoslemsek.Of the remaining sides, Sweden have the best credentials, having finished second to hosts Hellas in the Division Five tournament in Corfu two years ago. Seven of that squad will be in Slovenia, including the leading wicket-taker in Corfu, Afghan-born Azam Khalil, who took 16 wickets at an average of 6.31.A new-look Czech Republic team contains only four of the side from Corfu, including captain Scott Page. The squad includes three Czech-born 17-year-olds, in Adam Holub, Damian Kysely and Alexander Storek.The remaining three sides, Estonia, Turkey and Bulgaria, all made their international debuts in Corfu, each winning one match. Murali Obili, who was the leading allrounder from that event with 146 runs and 13 wickets at 9.62, will be a key member of the Estonia team, which also includes another 17-year-old, the Estonian-born Marten Kundla.Turkey will field seven new players, with Huseyin Sen again the only Turkish-born member of the squad. The captaincy has been assumed by wicketkeeper Muhammad Aasim.There are two venues for the tournament, Ljublijana Cricket Club in Valburga and Velden Cricket Club.Bulgaria Saif-ur Rehman (capt), Stuart Clarkson, Ivan Dimitrov, Ivaylo Dunchev, Mohamad Hanif, Amal John, Ivaylo Katzarski, Mushtaq Lone, Prakash Mishra, Vladimir Ruskov, Danail Trenev, Georgi Velinov, Lyubomir Zanev, Leven Kortel, Lyudmil TrenevCzech Republic Scott Page (capt), Sunil Ambar, Hugo Banks, John Corness, Sivagnanam Gnanatheeswaran, Adam Holub, Vojtech Hasa, Damian Kesely, Jobi Samuel, Brigmam Smith, Benjamin Soucek , Mikulas Stary, Alexander Arthur Storek.Estonia Sivalingham Arunachalam, Andres Burget, Vineeth Govind, Timothy Heath, Peter van Buuren , Marten Kundla, Murali Obili, Anil Puri, Moshiur Rahman, Nand Lal Riar, Oliver Slobodetsky, Mart Tammoja, Marko Vaik, Kalle VilslapuuSlovenia Tom Furness (capt), Urban Blaznik, Domen Bohinc, Rok Bohinc, Robert Crawford, Bradley Eve, Lalantha Karunatilake, Simon Kaučič, Stephen Mayland, Mark Oman, Blaž Praper, Primož Pustoslemšek, Nejc ZupanSweden Imran Amjad, Serge Conein, Sanaullah Habibzai, Azam Khalil, Maqsood Khawaja, Azam Mohammad, Shahid Mustafa, Ewan Prezens, Piyal Rahman, Sunny Sharma, Sadat Sidiqi, Bilal Zaigham, Hassan Zaigham, Ahmad Zadran, Aman Khan Zahid, Sandeep SharmaTurkey Muhammad Aasim (capt), Muneer Ahmed, Salman Ali, Sajjad Haider, Mubashir Khan, Nabeel Munir, Abdullah Numan, Mohammad Razak, Huseyin Sen, Imran Sharif, Ali Turkmen, Mecit Turkmenoglu, Hammad Ul Haq

Hampshire swept Leeward Islands aside with ease, while Trinidad & Tobago took the hard route against Canada and won off the final ball

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2011Johann Myburgh smashed half a dozen sixes in his half-century that boosted Hampshire to a match-winning total against Leeward Islands in Antigua. Myburgh, who shared an opening partnership of 63 in 7.3 overs with Jimmy Adams, scored 76 off 57 balls and batted nearly the whole innings. Hampshire’s middle order failed, though, until Benny Howell came to the crease and provided an aggressive finishing touch to the innings, ransacking 29 off 12 balls at the death. They reached a total of 156 for 5, with offspinner Justin Athanaze taking 3 for 24 for Leeward.Leeward made a steady start to the chase before Hamza Riazuddin struck in the fifth and seventh overs to reduce them to 38 for 2, after they had been 35 for 0. They then lost Kieran Powell for 29 before Simon Jones ripped out three more wickets, leaving Leeward in tatters at 67 for 6. Danny Briggs and Chris Wood also took two wickets apiece as Hampshire bowled out Leeward for 110 to secure a 46-run victory. It was Leeward’s third consecutive defeat and they have only pride to play for in their final league game.Trinidad & Tobago won a low-scoring contest against Canada off the final ball in Antigua. Chasing a target of 129, T&T had made a rapid start, passing 30 in just over three overs, when they lost Adrian Barath, who was bowled by Parth Desai. The run-rate dropped dramatically thereafter as Darren Bravo batted with a Test like strike-rate of 38 during his 8 off 21 balls. And after Lendl Simmons was dismissed for 29, Daren Ganga took charge of anchoring the innings and seeing T&T through to the finish. He too took 31 balls for his unbeaten 27 but ensured that wickets did not fall even though the scoring was slow. With the lower-order batsmen for company, Ganga secured T&T’s five-wicket win.Canada had also batted slowly after they lost opener Hiral Patel for 7 in their innings. Ruvindu Gunasekara made 39 off 40 balls, while Zubin Surkari contributed 42 off 49. They added 63 in ten overs for the second wicket, a sound platform but the innings desperately needed momentum. Sherwin Ganga dismissed two middle-order batsmen and ran out another to ensure that Canada would not be able to finish their innings on a strong note. They ended up with only 128 even though they had five wickets in hand.

Prospect of full houses at height of summer, including India Tests and first season of the Hundred

George Dobell22-Feb-2021Relief and cautious optimism appear to be the dominant reactions from around the English game, after Boris Johnson announced the UK’s intended roadmap out of lockdown.With Prime Minister Johnson outlining his intention to lift all restrictions on social contact from June 21, English cricket can look forward to the realistic prospect of full-house crowds for the Test series against India (which starts in August) and the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan (which get underway on June 23). Recreational cricket should also be able to resume from March 29, boosting hopes of an uninterrupted season for club and school cricket.There are various caveats in place should a new wave of Covid-19 take hold. However, it currently seems likely that grounds will be able to welcome crowds to the inaugural season of The Hundred (which starts in mid-July) and the majority of The T20 Blast (which starts in mid-June).”It seems like good news for cricket fans,” Surrey’s chief executive, Richard Gould, said.The changes would appear to come too late to allow full houses for England’s Test series against New Zealand, however. The first Test gets underway at Lord’s on June 2 with the second Test following at Edgbaston on June 10. Government guidelines currently state that outdoor seated events will be able to operate with 25 percent capacity from May 17. There will also be constraints on indoor hospitality, which is generally a crucial source of revenue at such events.It is possible, however, that Lord’s and Edgbaston will argue their Tests should be viewed as pilot events for the return of full crowds and, as such, request that 50 percent capacity is permitted. It is likely that discussion on the subject will take place between the game’s representatives and The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) in the coming weeks.There could be a similar request in regard to County Championship spectators. Although the competition generally attracts a modest number of spectators – a maximum of 3,000 might be expected for a typical day’s play at an early-season match – attendance is probably disproportionately important to many county members, whose fees continue to play a crucial part in the survival of some clubs. News that they will not, at present, be able to attend matches before May 17 will therefore result in frustration.At present, shops, outdoor zoos and theme parks will be permitted to open from April 12. Cricket is sure to argue that it seems illogical to allow shoppers indoors but prevent a modest number of county cricket spectators watching a match while sitting outdoors. As a result, the ECB may request permission to hold trial events during this period which could result in a limited number of spectators attending Championship games before May 17. The County Championship season is scheduled to start on April 8.”With outdoor leisure attractions like Thorpe Park, London Zoo and pub beer gardens all allowed to reopen on Monday April 12th, we very much hope that we will be permitted to open up the Kia Oval to some Surrey Members for our first home game of the season, three days later,” Gould said.”After this, we will continue with a phased reopening of the ground, working towards the government’s subsequent key dates of Monday May 17th and Monday June 21st, when we host a T20 match against Essex.”Related

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The chances of a major reworking of the schedule have diminished, however. There had been talk, in recent weeks, that the counties might seek to amend the domestic schedule to increase the chances of welcoming spectators to the T20 Blast competition which plays such a key role in their cashflow. But with the Blast starting on June 9, less than two weeks ahead of the proposed date for the lifting of regulations, the initial reaction to Johnson’s announcement was that most want to stick to the domestic schedule which has already been published.There is, however, one other option. It could be that the two rounds of Championship cricket scheduled for the weeks beginning July 4 and July 11 are swapped with rounds of T20 fixtures planned for the weeks starting June 7 and June 14 respectively to optimise the number of spectators at T20 games. This option will be discussed in the coming days.”The ECB welcomes the Government’s decision to permit grassroots cricket to return across England in time for the start of the 2021 season,” the ECB said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with the Welsh Government on the return of recreational cricket in Wales.”We are also very pleased to see the return of spectators to grounds from mid-May. Our leading venues strongly believe they have the technology and know-how to return capacity crowds and we look forward to working in close partnership with the Government to identify ways in which this can be achieved in a safe and controlled manner this season.”There was also relief around the counties at the prospect of being able to renew the conferencing and events strands of their businesses which make up such an important part of the finances at many of the first-class counties. There will, however, be hopes that the government furlough scheme is extended until June 21, at least, so that staff costs can be minimised until clubs are able to open fully again.So, there are complications and there is room for improvement. But, after a grim few months, the game can look to the future with more optimism than for some time.