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Luke Wright, the England allrounder, has undergone knee surgery in Sweden on the injury that curtailed his 2011 season

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Aug-2011Luke Wright, the England allrounder, has undergone knee surgery in Sweden on the injury that curtailed his 2011 season and his recovery will take until Christmas.He had been out of action since mid-July and after trying various methods, including injections, to recover it was decided that surgery was the only option. “He’s been around the ground, watching, but is missing cricket and is a bit bored and a bit frustrated,” Mark Robinson, the Sussex coach, told local radio.Wright played in England’s Twenty20 international against Sri Lanka, at Bristol, earlier in the season but had drifted out of the ODI side following the World Cup and it is unlikely he would have figured against India even if he’d been available.Meanwhile, Wright’s team-mate Monty Panesar has signed for Sydney grade team Randwick-Petersham who he will join in early October. The move will ensure Panesar continues to play cricket ahead of England’s winter tours of UAE and Sri Lanka where he will hope to be the second spinner selected.Panesar has had a solid season in the Championship with 56 wickets at 28.98 and has also been a regular in Sussex’s one-day side. He last played for England against Australia, at Cardiff, in 2009 when he helped secure the famous draw alongside James Anderson but was part of the Ashes tour last winter.

The proposal sent to CSA makes nine recommendations to restructure the board after its current crisis

Firdose Moonda09-Dec-2019Gary Kirsten could be approached to step in as a mentor to interim team director Enoch Nkwe for the upcoming England series if a proposal sent to CSA by a group of senior officials is approved.Nkwe was appointed interim team director ahead of South Africa’s tour to India, after only one season as a franchise coach. He had earlier worked with the South Africa A side and the Netherlands national side. He was provided with Vincent Barnes as bowling coach and Amol Muzumdar as a batting consultant for the games in India, but if permanently appointed, would be free to choose his own support staff. That, though, may not happen exactly as initially expected if the proposal to appoint Kirsten goes through.The document – compiled by former CSA president Norman Arendse, Dr Ali Bacher, soon-to-be director of cricket Graeme Smith, Kirsten himself, and senior officials (whose names were not communicated to ESPNcricinfo) from the old South African Cricket Board of Control, which governed cricket played by non-white players during apartheid – made nine recommendations to restructure CSA following the current crisis.ALSO READ: Crisis in South African cricket – full coverageSome of their suggestions are already in place, such as the appointment of Jacques Faul as acting CEO and a resolution for CSA to begin negotiations to smoothen its relationship with the South African Cricketers’ Association, which is currently strained by a court case over the proposed domestic restructure.Among the other suggestions are the immediate reinstatement of selection convener Linda Zondi and his panel as well as lifting the suspensions on six staff members: interim director of cricket till recently Corrie van Zyl, COO Naasei Appiah, head of sales and sponsorships Clive Eksteen, finance manager Ziyanda Ntuli, procurement manager Lundi Maja, and administrator Dalene Nolan. The capacity in which van Zyl may return has not been stipulated, but it will not be in the director of cricket role, which Smith is expected to be confirmed for next week. Van Zyl had previously worked as CSA’s general manager of cricket.Kirsten confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that he hadn’t yet held any talks with CSA, but that he would be interested in helping South African cricket get back on its feet provided there was a bigger picture in place.”I have not been approached by CSA but have been asked, by others, if I would be interested,” he said. “I would always be willing to help where people think I can add value. It would, however, have to be part of a bigger process to the commitment to rebuild a solid system.”Kirsten coached South Africa between October 2011 and July 2013, a period in which they became the No. 1 Test team in the world. He was in charge of a team that included Smith, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher, all of whom have been named among people that could be approached to assist the board this summer. ESPNcricinfo has been reliably informed that Kallis has shown an interest in a consulting role, while Boucher, who is the coach of the Centurion-based Titans franchise, could take on a bigger role at the national level. Jonty Rhodes is also being considered.ALSO READ: Time to make South African cricket ‘great again’ – Faf du PlessisAll this represents a return to South Africa’s old guard in a bid to bring stability to a system that has suffered a series of setbacks including the loss of a major sponsor in Standard Bank and the inability to sell television rights for its flagship T20 tournament, the Mzansi Super League, which will conclude on Monday. The competition has been broadcast on the free-to-air SABC, which only paid a token amount. CSA’s projected losses of Rand 654 million over the next four-year cycle has worried the likes of Bacher and Arendse, who fear the game may be damaged beyond repair.Bacher was involved in meetings between suspended CSA CEO Thabang Moroe and Smith over the director of cricket role, while Arendse penned an open letter recently calling on CSA’s board to step down. Three independent board members resigned last week but president Chris Nenzani, two other independent directors, and six provincial presidents remain in place.

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.

England skipper moved up to No. 3 for the recent drawn Ashes series but wants to drop back one place for good

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-20190:36

Butcher: Back Root to find batting form

Joe Root plans to drop back to his favoured No. 4 spot in the England batting order for the Test series against New Zealand – and stay there.Root moved up one place to No. 3 most recently during the drawn Ashes series over the English summer, scoring 325 runs at an average of 32.50. It was expected before the tour of New Zealand that Root would return to No. 4 and he batted there in the first warm-up match in Whangarei.ALSO READ: ‘Bloody Warner’ inspired Stokes at Headingley“I’d like to be consistent with it now, moving forward,” he told the BBC. “It doesn’t always work exactly how you want it to but it would be nice for that to be the case.”I just think it suits my game a little bit more. It definitely fits in with captaincy a little bit better for me.”I know previous captains have preferred to get out there early and just get amongst it but I quite like to split the two and to really focus on my batting. I’ve found over time that, generally, I’ve consistently played better in that position.”Root had batted at No. 3 previously, spending much of 2016 there before he was captain, although he reverted to No. 4 as soon as he took on the leadership. He returned to No. 3 during the English summer of 2018 but struggled for runs and dropped back down again. Overall, he averages 38.12 batting at first drop and 48.39 while batting at No. 4.The side selected for the second warm-up match, also in Whangarei, starting on Friday, is expected to mirror the first Test line-up.Root’s move back down the order would mean Joe Denly also moves down a spot to No. 3 after recovering from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the T20 series in New Zealand. Denly would likely replace Zak Crawley, who scored a century in his first innings as an England player during the tour match earlier this week, with Rory Burns set to open alongside debutant Dom Sibley.”We haven’t officially picked a team yet,” Root said of the side to face a New Zealand XI in the final warm-up fixture. “As you’d expect, the majority of that will go and play the first Test match.”Root suggested he felt in much improved form with the bat going into the Test series against New Zealand.”I’ve done quite a lot of work on my batting over the last month and feel there’s been quite a significant shift in certain areas of it,” Root said. “And when you’re not concerned about areas of your game that unlocks a lot of things as well. You have the clarity and clear mind to just go and play. So hopefully that’ll play a big part starting from this series and then I can go and get some big runs.”Meanwhile, Root also reiterated his determination to reclaim a place in England’s T20I team but he accepted that, if he cannot win selection, it probably reflects well on the strength of the side.Joe Root attempts to improvise•AFP

With Dawid Malan, rated No. 3 in the T20I rankings, and Tom Banton among those now vying for selection, Root’s place in the side is no longer guaranteed. And while his teammates benefit from playing in various T20 leagues, Root is not in the same demand and has a busy schedule that presents few such opportunities.But Root has no thoughts of shelving his T20 ambitions and remains committed to the T20 World Cup in a year’s time.”I know what I can offer the team,” Root said. “And if I’m not part of that best team I’ll drive myself to improve and get in it. So my goal is to try to make sure I’m in the best XI.”But I want to see England win. Ultimately it’s about us winning World Cups. And if there are guys coming in and performing, then that’s great for England cricket. You want competition for places going into a World Cup. One of the great things about the 50-over team is that there have, for a while, been a number of guys who could come into the team and there would be a seamless fit. You want that across the board.”

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, expects to bat at No.3 when the team led by Michael Clarke plays three Tests in Sri Lanka in August.

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jun-2011Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, expects to bat at No.3 when the team led by Michael Clarke plays three Tests in Sri Lanka in August.The day after Simon Katich was unceremoniously removed from the 25-man list of Cricket Australia contracted players, Ponting emerged to express the view that he would keep his place at the fall of the first wicket.The debutant Usman Khawaja batted in Ponting’s place during the final Test of the Ashes series at the SCG, but may now be looking at a middle order berth.”I will stay at where the captain wants me to bat, the last few years I have had the luxury of batting where I want because I was the captain – but I can’t do that anymore,” Ponting told the radio station . “Sri Lanka I will probably stay at three and see where we go after that, but I have not heard from the captain.”Not too much will change on the next tour, although Simon Katich received some bad news yesterday which opens the door for Phil Hughes to slot into the opening partnership there.”Though he batted there with some success early in his career, and significantly had an excellent series in Sri Lanka in the role in 1999, Ponting expressed some distaste for batting lower down the order now he has relinquished the captaincy.”I am not averse to it, but when I started my Test career at number six I found it really difficult being a top order batsmen my whole junior days,” Ponting said. “I did not know what to do with my time basically, waiting to go out to bat.”I quite often found myself more mentally tired waiting to go out bat rather – but if the captain wants me to bat at three or six then so be it.”

Essex’s England batsmen Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara both had poor days as Derbyshire paceman Tony Palladino wrecked his former county’s batting

ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2011
Scorecard
Essex’s England batsmen Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara both had poor days as Derbyshire paceman Tony Palladino wrecked his former county’s batting in their County Championship clash at Derby. Palladino had Cook caught behind for 4 before Bopara was out for a duck to a vicious lifter from Tim Groenewald.Palladino took three wickets to reduce Essex to 43 for 5 and although James Foster and Matt Walker replied with half centuries, the visitors collapsed again to be 179 all out. On-loan spinner Azeem Rafiq also claimed 3 for 24 in 16 overs. The visitors did fight back with the ball as David Masters took two wickets, including Australia Test batsman Usman Khawaja, as Derbyshire closed 115 behind on 64 for 2.Derbyshire’s decision to put Essex in on a greenish pitch was quickly rewarded as Palladino conjured some late movement to find Cook’s inside edge in the fourth over of the day. Jaik Mickleburgh became his second victim when he padded up four overs later
and Groenewald struck another big blow by ripping out Bopara.The allrounder had scored a match-winning century in the previous Championship
game but he could do nothing with a ball that took off to give Luke Sutton his second catch of the morning.Mark Pettini was bowled off his thigh pad as he moved across to Greg Smith’s medium pace and when Adam Wheater skied an ill-advised pull at Palladino, half the Essex side were back in the pavilion.The pitch was certainly providing some movement for the seamers but Foster and Walker put conditions into perspective with some watchful batting to repair the early damage. They added 109 in 41 overs before Walker top-edged a sweep at Rafiq and was caught by Sutton running to square leg for 56 off 157 balls.That was the start of another slide that saw the last five wickets fall for 27 although Tim Phillips was unlucky when he drove Rafiq into the thigh of Dan Redfern at silly point and Sutton plunged forward pouch the rebound.Masters had only himself to blame for the carve at a short ball from Groenewald which ended in the hands of third man before another lifter accounted for Chris Wright. After Lonwabo Tsotsobe groped hopefully at five balls from Smith, Foster launched a reverse sweep at Rafiq but picked out deep backward point to be last out for 62 off 146 balls.Essex struck quickly when Masters found some lift to have Chesney Hughes caught
behind for six in the fifth over but Wayne Madsen and Khawaja took the home side
past 50 before Masters made another breakthrough.Khawaja had survived a mistimed pull at Wright on 16 but he had no answer to a
rising ball from Masters which flew into Foster’s gloves to keep Essex in the
contest.

Fast bowler set to be sidelined for four to six weeks

ESPNcricinfo staff01-Sep-2019New Zealand fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of the ongoing T20 series against Sri Lanka with a fractured thumb. Ferguson sustained the injury at training on Friday, while fielding. X-rays revealed a “small fracture to the middle joint”, according to an official release.”It’s a shame for Lockie to have to miss this series, especially coming off the back of such an impressive World Cup campaign in England,” said head coach Gary Stead. Ferguson had been the second-highest wicket-taker in the series, with 21 dismissals.”The thumb has been put in a splint and is expected to take four to six weeks to recover; so we’re optimistic he’ll be available for the five-game T20 series against England, which starts on November 1.”While New Zealand don’t have a spare fast bowler on tour – Tim Southee, Seth Rance and Scott Kuggeleijn the only frontline quicks in the 14-man squad – the team will not name a replacement for Ferguson, Stead said.New Zealand play three T20s against Sri Lanka in all, on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday. There are no ODIs on this tour.

David Moyes has confirmed that Jesse Lingard will be available to start when West Ham United host Chelsea on Saturday evening.

The Manchester United loanee was a potential doubt for the visit of Thomas Tuchel’s Blues to the London Stadium, having been taken off with cramp against Newcastle last weekend.

Lingard opened the action at St. James’ Park but was unable to help the Irons avoid a 3-2 defeat, despite thumping home a second-half penalty to continue his incredible run of form in claret and blue.

No West Ham player has been involved in as many Premier League goals since Lingard’s arrival in east London, with the 28-year-old striking home a now joint team-high nine times in just 10 appearances while offering three assists.

Moyes would have feared facing top-four rivals Chelsea without Lingard as he strives to put West Ham back on track for a European berth, with Michail Antonio one of four players he is due to be without.

“Jesse had a bit of cramp at Newcastle, which at the time we didn’t see as being too big a problem and he’s fine,” Moyes said on Friday.

“I’m hoping that somewhere along the line we can get Micky, Declan [Rice], Aaron Cresswell and Arthur [Masuaku] back in amongst it because they’ve been important players for us throughout the year.

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“We’re aware that if we can get them back it would help us. Aaron is getting closer, we’ll monitor it, see how he feels tomorrow [Saturday] and see how we think.”

Lingard has only failed to feature once for West Ham since his arrival on a half-season loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, when eligible to face his parent side in the Hammers’ 1-0 loss at Old Trafford last month.

The 27-cap England international has also only failed to have a direct influence on the scoring twice, coming in the second and third of his Irons appearances as West Ham were held to a goalless draw with Fulham and a 3-0 win over Sheffield United when he won the penalty for the opener.

Moyes will no doubt be buzzing to have such an influential weapon available for Chelsea’s visit to the London Stadium, the team he has faced more than any other in his managerial career (41) but only beaten on six occasions – losing 23.

Lingard’s influence has also stemmed beyond his end product, with the £13.5m-rated maestro – who Glenn Hoddle believes has been “playing exceedingly well” – ranking first among the West Ham squad for shots taken per game with an average of three.

He exceeded that average at Newcastle last weekend with four efforts on Martin Dubravka’s net plus February’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City, hit six on debut against Aston Villa and five against Sheffield United, while matching it during the Irons’ 3-2 win over Leicester City and 2-0 win at home to Leeds United, per WhoScored.

With Antonio – who ranks second with 2.4 shots per game – unavailable due to his hamstring injury, Lingard will likely have to step up once again to potentially fire West Ham to victory in the London derby this Saturday.

AND in other news, a £34.5m West Ham target has confirmed clubs are in contact with his agent over a summer switch…

Crystal Palace have been handed a significant defensive injury boost, with left-back Tyrick Mitchell ready to return to action.

The young defender has not played a single minute of Premier League action since the 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion in late February.

However, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson revealed the news of his return in a press conference, stating that Mitchell is “fully fit and available to play”.

His return will certainly be welcomed by Palace as the season enters its final stretch. Since breaking into the first team at Selhurst Park, the 21-year-old has developed a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in the Premier League.

He has gone on to make 18 appearances for the Eagles, with his early performances being labelled as “excellent” by Hodgson.

The left-back has certainly been missed this season, too, having been absent for eight of Palace’s Premier League matches, whilst having been selected on the bench a further nine times (Transfermarkt). In matches where he has played, Hodgson’s troops have racked up a 38% win percentage in the Premier League and conceded on average 1.5 goals per game.

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Meanwhile, when Mitchell has been restricted to the sidelines, whether that be through injury or suspension, that win rate falls dramatically to 29%, with a further 1.6 goals conceded per game.

Even when comparing him to left-back rival and experienced campaigner Patrick van Aanholt, the youngster comes out on top. According to WhoScored, Mitchell produces far more tackles (3.6 to 1.6) and more clearances (2.5 to 1.6) per game in the Premier League this season than the Dutchman.

Judging by his statistics, the youngster’s return to fitness should be a big boost to Crystal Palace as the season enters the final stretch and the Eagles aim to secure a top ten finish.

AND in more news, take a look at which European giant has provided a big clue as to who the next Palace boss could be…

Steve Bruce has dropped an injury blow for Newcastle United ahead of their game at home to West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Speaking in his pre-game press conference ahead of the match against David Moyes’ team, the former Aston Villa and Sunderland boss confirmed: “Ryan’s not fit. He’s got a groin problem that he picked up when he was with Scotland. It’s been frustrating for him and we’ve never really got him up to speed. It’s been stop start and we’ve not seen the best of him with the problems he’s had.”

Newcastle will miss Fraser

The North East club will certainly miss Fraser when they take on the Hammers, who are chasing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the 2021/22 term, at St. James’ Park.

The pace and directness that the former AFC Bournemouth ace possessed could have caused the East London club a lot of trouble down the wing, and with his former Cherries teammate Callum Wilson back from injury, he would have been able to feed off of Fraser’s supply.

The Scotland international has averaged more key passes per game (1.4) than any of his teammates in the top flight so far in the 2020/21 season (Whoscored).

With Allan Saint-Maximin back as well along with Miguel Almiron, the link-up play with Fraser could have caused the Irons lots of problems, especially on the counter attack.

Nonetheless, the Tyneside club will have to try and find a way to get something out of the match without the 27-year-old.

In other news, find out what definitive relegation claim Liam Kennedy has dropped on the potential takeover here!