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Likely to meet with NSW’s Lee Germon this week to work through questions raised about last week’s offer

Daniel Brettig21-Jul-2020Freed from uncertainty around the postponement of the T20 World Cup, Cricket Australia’s interim chief executive Nick Hockley is confident of resolving the financial impasse with the governing body’s state association owners that ultimately played a large part in costing predecessor Kevin Roberts his job.While the dissenting associations of New South Wales and Queensland last week rejected CA’s new proposal for pre-emptive cuts to be replaced by quarterly reductions based on any actual revenue shortfalls this summer, Hockley and the CA chairman Earl Eddings have remained in open dialogue with the states, a process that now has more time to play out now the status of the ICC tournament has been made clear.Hockley is believed to be meeting with his NSW counterpart Lee Germon this week to work through the questions raised about last week’s CA offer. The major sticking point is likely to have been that while the replacing of distribution cuts based on forecasts with reductions taking into account actual revenue was welcome to the states, the proposal also raised the level of risk for the states to the same as that being accepted by CA itself – a 25% reduction in grants if CA revenues were 25% down.The previous proposal only saw the states part with 25% of their annual distribution if CA’s revenue as down by 50%. Nevertheless, Hockley said the model proposed last week had not been couched as a fait accompli, discussions had been productive and a “sensible way out” was likely for both parties. “We certainly sought feedback,” Hockley said. “We are having some really constructive discussions and it’s a very different approach.”Previously what was proposed was, if you like, pre-emptive reductions ahead of what had actually happened. Whereas the model we are looking at now is very, very different. It’s a completely transparent model based on what actually does transpire this summer. Whilst we have been lucky that the virus has hit in our off season, there are still a whole range of outcomes. It’s going to be really complicated. What the model we are discussing at the moment is based on actuals and not forecasts.”It’s a flexible model that varies depending on how revenues are actually impacted in the future. On that basis, it’s really the whole of Australian cricket all working together.”Getty Images

Dizzying circumstances for Hockley, in which he took over from Roberts in June and had to deal with the T20 World Cup, preparations for next summer and disputes with the states and the Australian Cricketers Association, provide some mitigating factors in terms of the level of detail he has quickly had to get his head around. “We’ve got a lot more recent financial information. We will take a call on that information. I think there’s some further discussions to be had,” he said.”Certainly there’s a lot of good support from the majority of states and territories. What we’re trying to do is collectively work through the situation in a very transparent manner based on what actually happens and work through it as a team. I don’t think you can compare the previous situation, which was all about crystal-balling with the new model, where we will only take a hit if Australian cricket takes a hit. If we don’t, then in many ways, we would be exceptionally fortunate with our friends in the northern hemisphere but also our friends in the winter codes.”Certainly, there is relief at CA that the T20 World Cup rescheduling means there is one large agenda item that has been dealt with, allowing for greater focus on the states and the coming season.”We were all searching for clarity. When I talk to the team, I do talk about clarity and getting certainty in this environment is not always possible, but certainly being clear about what is certain and what isn’t is very important,” Hockley said. “There’s no doubt as we are working through the plans this summer and the contingency planning, it’s just massively, massively complex. We have been watching closely how the ECB have delivered their international series against West Indies. Everything has evolved in ensuring biosecurity around that.”Equally we are looking at and working very closely with and getting great knowledge sharing with the Australian sports, be it AFL, rugby league, netball, who’ve just moved their competitions. The complexity is not lost on us. What is different for cricket is, whereas some of the winter codes you have a singular league, we’ve got between now and through the summer, an overseas international tour outbound potentially to England. We’re then bringing international teams in, both women’s and men’s, we’ve got two domestic leagues in the WBBL and the BBL.”And then we’ve got all of the additional cricket competitions. Whereas the other sports are focused on a singular league, we’ve got this sort of portfolio of cricket across the different formats. That brings with it its own massive set of complexities.”

Young England spinner reveals lofty ambitions as 2020 season remains on hold for now

Valkerie Baynes25-May-2020She may be the youngest woman to take 50 T20I wickets, but Sophie Ecclestone holds loftier ambitions.Having just celebrated her 21st birthday – in socially distant fashion, of course – left-arm spinner Ecclestone has enjoyed spending time since the Covid-19 enforced lockdown working on a different aspect of her game, which she hopes will help her achieve her goals.Largely confined to a general fitness regime as opposed to batting and bowling, however, she does look forward to the time when England’s women can return to cricket training, as their male counterparts began to do last week, and playing for her country again.ALSO READ: England women could return to training within weeksEcclestone jumped to the top of the ICC’s T20 bowling ranks with her eight wickets at the World Cup earlier this year in Australia, where her average of 6.12 and economy rate of 3.23 were particularly eye catching. In taking 3 for 7 off 3.1 overs during England’s final group game against West Indies, she claimed her 50th international wicket in the format.”I didn’t really realise until one of the girls told me before the game,” Ecclestone told ESPNcricinfo. “It was a big achievement for me … the batters will go after you in T20 cricket and I think if you can get them out and win the battle then you’ve done really well as a spinner.”Ecclestone showed just how much she thrives on the battle with a nerveless display in bowling the Super Over as England defeated Australia in a T20 match in Canberra in February, in the lead-up to the World Cup, restricting Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner to just eight runs before Heather Knight and Danni Wyatt took their side over the line with the bat.Last year, Ecclestone became the first player to retain the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s Women’s Player of the Summer award, having topped England’s wicket-taking charts in both the white-ball series against West Indies, and in the Ashes. In 2018, she won the award after taking 20 wickets across six ODI and five T20 appearances for England.Asked to name her greatest ambition in cricket, having achieved so much since making her international debut at the age of just 17 in a T20 against Pakistan in Bristol, Ecclestone’s response makes it sound easy.”Just to become one of the best players that’s ever played women’s cricket really, and be one of the best spinners and be remembered by that,” she said.Keeping fit during lockdown has been helped by the energy required to look after her new 10-month-old puppy, Rex. But Ecclestone has also been in contact with Lisa Keightley, the England’s head coach, conducting reviews and setting goals, which include the aim of improving her batting.With England Women still hopeful of hosting India, who postponed their June-July tour when the coronavirus pandemic hit, and South Africa, who remain scheduled to visit in September, Ecclestone and her team-mates will be looking to test themselves ahead of their planned ODI World Cup defence, due to start in New Zealand in February.As a tailender, Ecclestone averages 9.60 with the bat in T20Is with a strike rate of 104.34 and has an ODI average of 6.90 with a strike rate of 64.95. While spin has been her first love since bowling in an Under-11s game, she saw no reason why, at her age, she couldn’t develop into more of an allrounder or, at the very least, force her way up the order a little.”It would be really nice to know that I can bat as well as bowl and give something else to the team, not just my bowling,” “Ecclestone said.”I definitely feel the England team are going in the right direction. As the years go by everyone’s getting fitter and stronger and everyone’s trying to improve different aspects of their game, so hopefully we can go to the World Cup in New Zealand and win it again. I hope we can get some international cricket in at the end of the summer.”

JP Duminy has been ruled out of the rest of the ongoing ODI series between South Africa and India after cutting his hand during the third match in Rajkot.

Firdose Moonda19-Oct-20151:07

Elgar named as Duminy replacement

JP Duminy has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing ODI series between South Africa and India after cutting his hand during the third match in Rajkot. Top-order batsman Dean Elgar has been called up as a replacement but Duminy, who will need between two and three weeks to recover, will remain with the squad in India to receive treatment. South Africa’s team management aims to have Duminy fit for the first Test, which starts on November 5.Duminy sustained the injury after a ball was hit back to him while he was bowling. He fielded in his follow-through and showed immediate signs of discomfort, but remained on the field. After the match, it was revealed that the injury was more serious than thought and that Duminy would not be able to play any further part in the series.The news comes as a blow to South Africa, who have used Duminy to share the fifth-bowler duties with Farhaan Behardien, and have relied on him to provide a strong finish with the bat. South Africa will hope his replacement, Elgar, can do the same.Elgar, the regular Test opener, has only played five ODIs for South Africa, all in 2012, but has been in good form in the domestic one-day competition which has just started. He scored 57 and 86 in the two innings he batted in, and has also been contributing with his left-arm spin, which South Africa may call on as well, especially if they stick to their strategy of playing only one specialist spinner in the starting XI.If Elgar plays, he would likely bat higher than Duminy’s No.6 or No.7 position, which could mean that David Miller, who opened the batting in the third ODI, is pushed back down the order to his regular finisher’s role. South Africa have another reserve batsman in the squad, uncapped player Khaya Zondo, who could make his debut in the next two games.While India have already been hit with one injury concern – R Ashwin was ruled out of the ODI series after one match with a side strain – Duminy’s injury is South Africa’s first serious worry. The visitors will also be monitoring Morne Morkel, who complained of a sore quad during the third ODI but was able to continue bowling.

The Test career of Crawley’s mentor, Rob Key, serves as a cautionary tale

George Dobell06-Jan-2021Zak Crawley isn’t really the sort to go in for tubthumping, nor would he ever claim to be the one and only. But he has insisted he doesn’t want to be remembered as a “one-hit wonder” as he heads into England’s series in Sri Lanka looking to build on his breakthrough as a Test cricketer.Crawley’s most recent Test innings was a monumental 267 against Pakistan, his maiden international hundred. It was an innings of both class and enormity that seemed to announce him, at 22, as a major new talent on the world stage, but while Crawley admitted he took confidence from the performance, he said that he still has a lot to do to secure a long-term place in the side.That’s understandable, for Crawley’s mentor is the former Kent batsman, Rob Key. And while Key looked to have secured his place in the England side for the foreseeable future when he scored 221 against West Indies at Lord’s in 2004, just six months and six Tests later, he was dropped and never recalled. It would prove to be his only Test hundred.Related

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“I took a lot of confidence from that,” Crawley said of his double hundred, speaking after England had trained for the first time since arriving in Sri Lanka. “You never really know you can score a Test hundred until you get one. It’s kind of a monkey on your back until you get it. Now I know I can, and hopefully I can build on that.”I’ve always had belief in my own ability and that I might be able to play for England and play at Test level one day. But I wouldn’t have thought it could happen this fast. I’ve loved every minute of it. I’m very happy.”But it is very early days and I don’t want to be a one-hit wonder, get a big score and then fade away. Hopefully I can secure my place and I’m not going to be living off that innings for too long. I’ve plenty more runs to score to secure my place in the side.”It’s more than one innings Crawley has to build upon, though. He also started the aborted Sri Lanka tour at the start of 2020 in impressive style, scoring a century in a warm-up match. While he played down the achievement – he said it was a very flat wicket – it surely bodes well that he was able to prosper in hot and humid conditions, in addition to the fact that he has a Test double century against an attack including the legspinner Yasir Shah.He also credited previous tours in helping him gain the required experience. “The pitches when we came here last year were very good for batting,” he said. “But I certainly enjoyed the two weeks here. I loved Sri Lanka – it’s a great country – and in cricket that is half the battle. When you’re in a good place like that it’s easier to play well.”I’ve been to India twice on Kent academy trips and Sri Lanka once before on an academy trip. And then obviously I came to Sri Lanka last March. So I’ve done quite a bit of work on playing spin.”It’s mainly been about working on my defence. The ball doesn’t spin as much in England and maybe spins differently, so our defences aren’t quite as tight as they need to be naturally. And that’s something we need to work on. A strong defence comes in handy and gives you a chance to attack later down the line.Zak Crawley heads for the nets as England train for the first time on their tour of Sri Lanka•ECB

“Yasir is a great bowler and I managed to play him quite well. That did give me quite a bit of confidence.”It seems Crawley will have to adapt to a slightly different position on this tour, though. Having started to settle in at No. 3, the absence of Rory Burns – on paternity leave – means it is likely Crawley will be promoted to open. Despite having spent much of his time at Kent as an opener, he admitted he would prefer to stay at No. 3.”I would say No. 3 is my favoured position,” he said. “When I was young I wanted to bat three and all my heroes batted three. Then I got a good score at three.”I quite like the way it worked. I had a little chance to think about the innings before I went in. But it means a lot to play for England and if they want me to open then I will open. I see the top four as all pretty similar roles, to be honest. I’m happy to bat in any of those positions. But if I get a choice then maybe I’d bat three.”Wherever he ends up batting, you suspect Crawley’s calm head, dedication to his craft and hunger for success will go a long way to assuring him a long career. There’s something of the eye of the tiger about him that suggests he’ll be no flash in the pan.

Michael Neser and Billy Stanlake reduced New South Wales to 5 for 53 as they chased 134

The Report by Andrew McGlashan13-Oct-2019Harry Conway took career-best match figures of 10 for 56 but New South Wales needed Daniel Hughes’ composed 66 to secure a hard-fought five-wicket win at the Gabba it what became a tricky chase.Conway’s second-innings haul of 5 for 39 – to follow 5 for 17 on the opening day – left New South Wales a target of 134. David Warner fell for a first-ball duck, edging low to third slip off Michael Neser, and after lunch the chase fell to 5 for 53.Steven Smith was caught behind off the impressive Neser, who added Moises Henriques in similar manner. Billy Stanlake then made an impression, removing Nick Larkin and Nick Bertus in the space of three balls, and with half the side out and 81 still needed, Queensland were sensing a notable turnaround.However, Hughes, who was in sparkling form during the Marsh Cup, played the testing situation nervelessly as he reached a 93-ball half-century alongside captain Peter Nevill, who was unbeaten on 31 in a match-winning stand of 81.Queensland had resumed on 5 for 186 and Trent Copeland made the breakthrough when he hooped one back at Jimmy Peirson, who shouldered arms. Ten runs later came the key wicket, when Mitchell Starc struck his only blow of the match by having Marnus Labuschagne caught behind shortly after he had passed fifty for the second time in the game.New South Wales were then frustrated by a 48-run stand for the eighth wicket between Neser and Cameron Gannon before Conway got into the act. Neser popped a leading edge to mid-off, Mark Steketee was sharply held at second slip by Smith, and Stanlake was yorked first ball.While Conway led his team-mates off the field with ten wickets to his name, Starc finished the match with figures of 39-10-129-1. With Copeland and Sean Abbott having also bowled well, New South Wales could face a tricky selection decision for their next match at the SCG if Nathan Lyon is available.

A list of signings and trades between BPL teams

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jul-2017Michael Klinger to Khulna Titans – The 37-year old Australia batsman is expected to be available for the entire season. He has been in good form in 2017, scoring a century and four fifties in 21 T20 innings, all at a healthy strike-rate of 132. Klinger has played three T20Is as well, with a top score of 62 against Sri Lanka. He has played for Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League and Gloucestershire in the NatWest T20 Blast.Brendon McCullum to Rangpur Riders – The explosive former New Zealand batsman was one of the eight international marquee players for the T20 Global League. The postponement of that tournament has allowed McCullum to sign up for his first BPL season. He will reportedly be available to play for Rangpur Riders from November 15, which means he is set to miss their first three matches.Kieron Pollard to Dhaka Dynamites – The hard-hitting allrounder becomes the first player to shift from the now-postponed T20 Global League to the BPL. Pollard was picked by Bloem City Blazers as the first overseas marquee player at the draft of the South African domestic competition on August 26. Given that the two tournaments were to run side-by-side, the postponement of the GLT20 has afforded BPL teams to dig into additional player reserves. Pollard was part of the Dhaka Gladiators that won the title in 2012 and 2013. Pollard is 13 matches short of becoming the first cricketer to play 400 T20s, but to do that, he has to remain fit for the entire tournament.Mushfiqur Rahim to Rajshahi Kings – The BPL’s highest overall run-getter has left Barisal Bulls for Rajshahi Kings. This is the third consecutive time that Mushfiqur has moved from one franchise to another, having previously played for Duranta Rajshahi (2012), Sylhet Royals (2013), Sylhet Superstars (2015) and Barisal Bulls (2016).Luke Wright to Rajshahi Kings – Having already scored a hundred in the NatWest T20 Blast, Wright will look to replicate his prolific returns for Kings. His only appearance in the BPL was in the 2013 edition, when he struck a half-century in his three innings for eventual champions Dhaka Gladiators.Lendl Simmons smashed three sixes in his 19-ball 32•Randy Brooks – CPL T20 / Getty

Malcolm Waller to Rajshahi Kings – The Zimbabwe allrounder is set to return to the BPL after scoring only 91 runs for Dhaka Dynamites in seven innings during the 2015 season. While his strike-rate will be an asset to Kings, who have looked to bulk up their middle order with big hitting allrounders, Waller’s offbreaks could also be handy in stemming the scoring of the oppositions.Mashrafe Mortaza to Rangpur Riders – Mashrafe Mortaza has moved to a third BPL franchise with the Riders acquiring him this year. Mashrafe had taken 13 wickets in 12 games for Comilla Victorians last year after having led them to a maiden title in 2015. Mashrafe had also led the Dhaka Gladiators to the 2012 and 2013 BPL titles, and was termed by the Riders CEO Ishtiaque Sadeque as a “lucky charm”.Chris Lynn to Khulna Titans – One of Australia’s biggest T20 names, he was set to head to the BPL for the first time this season, until shoulder surgery ruled him out.Seekkuge Prasanna to Khulna Titans – The Sri Lankan legspinner played for Dhaka Dynamites in last season’s Bangladesh Premier League. He had one six-filled innings though his bowling didn’t come off too well. Prasanna played for Barisal Bulls in BPL 2015.Kyle Abbott to Khulna Titans – The South African fast bowler will strengthen the Titans’ pace attack, which already has Junaid Khan. He hasn’t, however, had a lot of success in the format since the World T20 in 2016. This will be his first BPL campaign as well.Sarfraz Ahmed to Khulna Titans – Pakistan’s new Test captain was roped in by the Titans soon after he led his side to their maiden Champions Trophy triumph in England in June. He will certainly be a step-up after they experimented with Nicholas Pooran last season.Shadab Khan to Khulna Titans – The Pakistan spin sensation’s 16 wickets in four T20Is against West Indies put him on the map before he was involved in his side’s Champions Trophy winning campaign. He was signed alongside Sarfraz last month.Rilee Rossouw to Khulna Titans – The T20 veteran batted well for Quetta Gladiators in this year’s Pakistan Super League and will be an important addition to the Titans’ batting line-up.Lendl Simmons to Rajshahi Kings – He will return to the BPL after making 221 runs at 22.10 for Rangpur Riders in BPL 2015. Simmons’ IPL stint this year didn’t go too well after a promising start – he made 137 runs in seven innings.

Ricky Ponting was the man who asked for the reviews that preceded Mark Benson’s exit from the Adelaide Test

Brydon Coverdale at Adelaide Oval08-Dec-2009Ricky Ponting was the man who asked for the reviews that preceded Mark Benson’s exit from the Adelaide Test, and after the match finished he said he would ask the remaining officials for their thoughts on the system. Benson was expected to announce his retirement on Tuesday after returning to England, having officiated for only the first day of the Test.The ICC has denied that his departure was directly caused by his decisions being queried, including one caught-behind appeal that Ponting was convinced was out and was overturned by the third umpire Asad Rauf. Ponting said he still supported the review system and was keen to speak to Rauf and Ian Gould following the controversy.”The thing I want to do is to have a chat with the umpires and see what their views and opinions are on the whole system,” Ponting said. “That’s the important thing. Sometimes important people can be overlooked in some of these rule-changing decisions that are brought in. I’m going to speak to the umpires who were officiating in this game tonight and get their opinions on it all.”That’s what I want to find out from them. I want to see how they are going with it all. It’s one thing for the players to accept these changes and technology, but it’s another thing from the umpires. I want to get the overall feeling from them as to how they think it’s going.”Despite wasting both his reviews early in West Indies’ second innings and being left to rue his hastiness later on, Ponting said the system could still have a positive effect on Test cricket. However, he said it would take some time to get used to reviewing on-field decisions, just as it had been an ongoing learning process dealing with one-day changes like Powerplays.”Ideally with a lot of those rule changes and things that we’ve brought into 50-over cricket over the last couple of years you’d like to have trialled them elsewhere,” he said. “I think there’s still some refinement that can be done with the technology that’s used [in reviews].”That’s the big thing with it all. If you’re going to go into something like this you’ve got to go in 100% and use whatever you can to make the system work its best. We’re all still coming to terms with it and the more we play with it and learn about it and experience it the more we’ll probably appreciate it.”One man who doesn’t appreciate the system is the West Indies captain Chris Gayle. He was scathing of the review process after the Gabba Test, and remained unconvinced following the Adelaide draw. “I still stand firm,” Gayle said. “It’s just complicated.”

The outgoing chief selector says it was batting coach Grant Flower who first mooted the idea of including Imam in the international side

Umar Farooq17-Jul-2019For all that Inzamam-ul-Haq may have achieved during his stint as chief selector, there is one decision most persistently brought up. In the autumn of 2017, with Pakistan wrapping up a routine clean sweep over Sri Lanka in the UAE, 21-year old Imam-ul-Haq was brought into the side. He opened the batting, scored a century on debut – only the second Pakistani to do – en route to a routine chase. It might have looked like a masterstroke. So what was the problem?It turns out Imam is Inzamam’s nephew, and in Pakistan, be it cricket or any other institution, nepotism is so corrosively widespread that any whiff of it is enough to taint the one associated with it. And for some people, the inclusion of Imam at the alleged behest of the chief selector, who happened to be his uncle, was much too difficult to accept.Today, as Inzamam announced he would not be seeking an extension on his term as chief selector, disclosed he had never been the one to push for Imam’s selection, claiming batting coach Grant Flower had first brought up the possibility of bringing him into the international set-up. He also reminded people he hadn’t been part of the set-up when Imam was included in the Pakistan Under-19 squad in 2012, or when he went on to become the vice-captain of that side in 2014, deputising under Babar Azam.”When he was first picked up for the international team not many know this, that it was Grant Flower who first came up to me to say he had been watching Imam score runs in domestic cricket. Then, [head coach] Mickey Arthur took up his case with the selection committee. Many people raised questions about his selection but when his name came up in selection I kept quiet and let others decide about him. So when you say that his selection is because of me, that’s inappropriate, because the team is not made by me alone. It was by the head coach and captain so why not question them?”His selection for me and him has been very critical for each other,” Inzamam said. “But I want to remind people who had been making this an issue that when I wasn’t the part of PCB in any capacity in 2012, he was selected in Pakistan’s Under-19 squad. In 2014, he was named vice-captain for the Under-19 World Cup and this formed a pathway to international cricket. He has scored runs and earned his place in the team. He did well and in the 36 ODIs he’s played so far as opener, he averages over 50, which hasn’t been achieved by anyone yet. So I think he should be regarded the same as everyone else.”Inzamam would not be drawn on future contenders for the captaincy, though he notably stopped short of a ringing endorsement of Sarfaraz Ahmed, the current Pakistan captain. The PCB is understood to be evaluating the captain and coaches’ performances over the last three years before taking a decision, with split captaincy across formats an option they are open to. Head coach Mickey Arthur is understood be be presenting his case on July 29, when senior management at the PCB convene to discuss the way forward.”Since being made captain, Sarfaraz has done well but had mixed performances,” Inzamam said. “It’s not my decision to keep him or remove him; that question needs to be asked of the relevant decision-makers. But captaincy is about a leader who must be expected to have enough confidence to be able to pass it on to his team.”I personally believe this series-by-series captaincy isn’t a feasible option and I am all for long-term captaincy. Whoever you name as captain, it’s a hard choice. But then he should be supported 100 percent and given ample time and that’s very important. All successful captains in the world have had long-term roles to make a difference.”

There was a fifty for Moeen Ali, too, but Joe Denly and Keaton Jennings were less convincing in their stints at the crease

The Report by George Dobell in Colombo31-Oct-2018Moeen Ali congratulates Joe Root on his century•Getty Images

A sickening blow to the head to Pathum Nissanka overshadowed the final day of England’s warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Board side.Thankfully the player appears to have avoided serious injury, but play still was suspended for around 20 minutes after he was struck on the crown of his helmet by a fierce pull shot from Jos Buttler.The initial response to the incident was amusement – the ball ballooned into the air and was caught by Angelo Mathews at leg slip to end Buttler’s innings – but the mood soon changed as Nissanka fell to the ground clutching his head and the players realised the potential seriousness of the situation.Within moments the England team doctor, Moiz Moghal, ran on to the pitch to assess the situation. Nissanka remained motionless for around 20 minutes before he was taken, on a stretcher and in a neck brace, to a waiting ambulance. It is understood he did not lose consciousness but was complaining of pain in his neck. An MRI scan later confirmed that he was “out of danger” but he will be kept in hospital for 24 hours for observation.

Buttler relieved after short leg scare

Jos Buttler admitted he feared the worst after his thumping pull shot crashed into the head of Pathum Nissanka.
Buttler was dismissed in the incident as the ball rebounded off Nissanka’s helmet to Angelo Mathews at leg slip, but insisted that was of little consideration.
“You always fear the worst,” Buttler said. “I hit him very hard and straight in the middle of the helmet. I knew I had hit it pretty hard and straightaway you’re worried about the guy.
“Luckily the medics rushed straight on and treated him. We’ve got a great doctor and physio here and they did a good job. I’m glad to hear he’s doing better.
“You don’t really care about getting out. You just hope the lad is okay.
“You’re just worried. You don’t mean to cause injury. It was just a really unfortunate accident.”

England had an injury worry, too, albeit a far less serious one. Ben Stokes was obliged to retire hurt, on 10, having sustained a blow just above the elbow after missing an attempted pull shot off Lahiru Kumara. He was able to resume later, however, and is not thought to be a serious injury doubt ahead of the first Test in Galle that starts on Tuesday.The highlight of the day from an England perspective was a fluent century from their captain, Joe Root. Completely untroubled against pace or spin, Root showed his game was in fine order in reaching his hundred off 117 deliveries before retiring to allow other players an opportunity.Almost as impressive was the performance of Rory Burns. Having seen off the seamers without fuss or trouble, Burns then took to the spinners with encouraging success. Whether skipping down the pitch to drive or rocking back to cut, he looked both solid and fluent, while he also played the reverse-sweep effectively. There was also a half-century for Moeen Ali, who timed the ball beautifully, and an increasingly fluent 44 from Buttler before his freakish dismissal.Pathum Nissanka is taken off the field after being hit on the head•Getty Images

Joe Denly was less convincing. After surviving a leg before appeal first ball to the seamer Kasun Rajitha, he almost played on to his second, appearing hurried on both occasions despite the sedate pace of the wicket. He then edged one within an ace of leg slip before he missed a full, straight ball. He was also involved in the run-out of Burns as he called him through for an optimistic single. Suffice to say that, having had a tough day with the ball on Tuesday, he didn’t especially strengthen his claims for a Test debut next week.Keaton Jennings didn’t enjoy an especially good day, either. After getting on the mark with a thinly edged hook, he played on off the inside edge as he attempted to run one down to third man.There was slightly more encouraging news of Jonny Bairstow, too. Although it appears the first Test may come a bit soon for him, he was able to resume light training and was seen undertaking some keeping drills and batting in the nets. The fact that Ben Foakes came in to bat after Ollie Pope underlined the impression that England are more likely to give the gloves to Buttler if Bairstow is unable to play in Galle.Nishan Peiris, the offspinner, was probably the most impressive of the bowlers. He finished with three wickets having Stokes caught at slip as he attempted a reverse-sweep – Stokes’ reaction suggested he did not think it was much of a decision – before Moeen was beaten by a hint of turn and edged to the keeper.England start another two-day warm-up game on Thursday at the Cricket Club of Colombo’s ground just across the road from Nondescripts’ where this match has been played. While no team has yet been named, both Jack Leach and Olly Stone will play while it is possible Bairstow could be included at some stage. The match is again likely to see 13 or 14 players involved on the England side.

A complete turnaround – of fortune, form and result – was completed when Bangladesh beat West Indies by 19 runs to clinch the T20I series

The Report by Mohammad Isam06-Aug-2018Liton Das celebrates his fifty•AFP

A complete turnaround – of fortune, form and result – was completed when Bangladesh beat West Indies by 19 runs to clinch the T20I series 2-1, the same margin by which they had won the preceding ODI series. Victory was confirmed when the umpires called off play after a second rain interruption late on Sunday evening in front of a large Bangladeshi expat crowd in Florida’s Lauderhill. Liton Das’ rapid 32-ball 61 set up Bangladesh’s highest score of the series before Mustafizur Rahman took three key wickets, including that of a rampaging Andre Russell, to seal the game.

Nurse handed one demerit point

West Indies offspinner Ashley Nurse has received one demerit point and an official reprimand for using inappropriate language during the third T20I in Lauderhill. The incident occurred in the second over of Bangladesh’s innings, when Liton Das struck Nurse for a four on the last ball and the offspinner responded with an inappropriate remark, which was picked up by the stump mic. Nurse admitted to the offence after the match and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad and there was no need for a formal hearing.
He was found to have breached Article 2.1.4 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language or a gesture that is obscene, offensive or insulting during an International Match”. Nurse now has two demerit points, following the one he received during the first ODI against Afghanistan in June last year for showing dissent.

Russell posed the only serious threat to Bangladesh, walking in when West Indies needed 108 runs in 8.3 overs. His first five scoring shots were four sixes and a four. Three of the sixes were struck over midwicket while the fourth was a very high hit over long-on. Russell struck Abu Hider for two sixes on either side of Carlos Brathwaite’s dismissal in the 17th over, but refused Ashley Nurse a single off the final ball to keep the strike.The tactic backfired when Russell holed out to Ariful Haque, who was inches away from the boundary at long-off. He had struck six sixes and a four in his 21-ball 47, before the umpires took the players off, with rain getting heavier. Play was eventually called off 25 minutes later.At the start, Liton and Tamim Iqbal tore away with a 61-run opening stand coming in only 4.4 overs. After he swept the match’s first ball for four, Liton cracked Nurse over the leg-side for two sixes and a four in a second over that went for 17 runs. Tamim then swung Samuel Badree over midwicket for his first six, before the openers combined again to take 19 off the fourth over. Liton first flicked and top-edged a pull off Russell, before Tamim brought out his pull shot and a straight drive to round off the expensive over.Carlos Brathwaite broke the dangerous partnership when Tamim swept to short fine-leg. The opening pair had struck seven fours and four sixes. Soumya Sarkar fell in the next over for an 11th low score in a row, but Liton batted calmly in the immediate aftermath, reaching his first white-ball half-century off 24 balls, and his first 50-plus score in 17 innings. By then, West Indies had pulled things back with Mushfiqur Rahim’s wicket, who ended his tour with a fourth-consecutive low score. Liton followed him to the dugout four balls later, top-edging Kesrick Williams to long-off, but not before striking a total of six fours and three sixes.Keemo Paul removed Shakib Al Hasan in the 16th over after an unconvincing 24. Mahmudullah remained unbeaten on a 20-ball 32 that had four boundaries and a six, but Ariful Haque struggled during his 16-ball 18, hitting just one four as Bangladesh added 47 runs in the last five overs, which was interrupted by a 30-minute rain break.In reply, Chadwick Walton struck a four in each of the first three overs, but West Indies lost three wickets in the fourth, fifth and sixth overs. Mustafizur had Andre Fletcher caught at wide third-man, Sarkar had Walton holing out to long-on, and Shakib bowled Marlon Samuels with one that kept very low.Rovman Powell and Denesh Ramdin added 45 runs for the fourth wicket, but it still didn’t help West Indies’ push for fast runs. Rubel Hossain removed Ramdin in the 12th over, which brought Russell to the crease. While he did threaten something incredible, it was not to be.