England left-armer faces another spell on sidelines following further back discomfort

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jun-2023

Tash Farrant, England’s left-arm seamer, is to undergo surgery after suffering a recurrence of the lumbar spine stress fracture that ruled her out of the entire 2022 season.Farrant, 27, undertook an extensive rehab programme following the initial injury last May and returned to domestic action in April. However, she has played predominantly as a batter for South East Stars during this period, and will now miss the remainder of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, as well as her stint with Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.”Following surgery, she will begin rehabilitation working together with the England and South East Stars medical teams,” the ECB said in a statement.The setback is a cruel misfortune for Farrant, whose last appearance for England was a one-off ODI during the Women’s Ashes in Melbourne in February 2022. She was subsequently an unused squad member during the Women’s World Cup later that winter, in which England lost to Australia in the final.

Heat crumbled to 113 all out in 153 chase as Dwarshuis finished with his career-best T20 figures of 5 for 21

Tristan Lavalette19-Jan-2024Sydney Sixers secured a home BBL final after seamer Ben Dwarshuis tore into Brisbane Heat on a two-paced Gold Coast surface. Earlier, captain Moises Henriques and Daniel Hughes combined for a valuable partnership to take Sixers to 152 for 8.In the Qualifier between this season’s top two teams, Sixers were set up by a 94-run third-wicket partnership from Henriques and Hughes. The pair had inspired their team’s remarkable three-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers in the previous match that propelled Sixers into second spot.Sixers’ disciplined quicks were excellent in helpful bowling conditions with Dwarshuis claiming 5 for 21 while allrounder Jack Edwards took a stunning one-handed return catch to finish with two wickets. Sixers will host the final at the SCG on January 24 as they seek a fourth BBL title.Heat’s hopes to end an 11-year title drought goes on the line in the Challenger on Monday against the winner of Saturday’s knockout final between Scorchers and in-form Adelaide Strikers.Top-ranked Heat had lost just one regular season match but failed to ease concerns over their batting order which has been gutted after a number of withdrawals.There had been an unknown over the surface in the first match played on the Gold Coast this season after Heat shifted grounds due to the Gabba’s unavailability ahead of the second Test between Australia and West Indies.Heat elected to bowl in humid conditions and spearhead Michael Neser immediately produced menacing movement. Edwards, who made a golden duck against Scorchers, was moved up the order after the departure of opener James Vince to the UAE’s ILT20.Moises Henriques picked up speed after a slow start•Getty Images

He countered swing by effectively taking the aerial route to force Heat captain Nathan McSweeney to remove the lone slip. But Edwards holed out to Neser in the third over after Paul Walter took a fine catch running back.Heat were on top when left-arm quick Spencer Johnson nicked off Josh Philippe in a decision overturned on review to cap a wicket maiden in his first over. Reaching speeds of 147 kph, Johnson was unplayable early as Hughes and Henriques were forced to rebuild.In contrast to his late heroics against Scorchers, Henriques played sedately and scored just nine runs off his first 20 deliveries. But in trademark fashion, he remained calm and made his move just before drinks with a six down the ground off legspinner Mitchell Swepson and went on to add a boundary moments later.Heat were left to rue dropping Henriques twice after the resumption and he made them pay by dominating the power surge across overs 13 and 14. Seamer Xavier Bartlett has enjoyed a breakout BBL season by bowling an accurate hard length, but an adventurous Henriques rattled him by shuffling across his stumps to thump him over the legside. Bartlett leaked 25 runs as Sixers smashed a season-high 38 runs in the power surge. But Hughes was outfoxed by a slower short delivery from Walter in the 15th over to trigger a collapse.Sixers lost 5 for 23 with Henriques struggling to regain his earlier momentum and he fell in the 18th over to a relieved Bartlett, who again showed his death bowling specialty.In reply, Heat were tied up early with big-hitting opener Josh Brown struggling to handle the two-paced pitch. He scored just two off his first 13 balls before skipping down the wicket and smashing seamer Sean Abbott for six over mid-off. But Brown and Jimmy Peirson succumbed to accurate Sixers bowling as the run rate required soared to above 10 an over by the midpoint.The pressure fell on Matt Renshaw, who just two days earlier was released from Australia’s first Test squad to play in this match. Heat sought the power surge in the 12th over and Renshaw tried to turn the game by blasting two sixes.But he fell in the 13th over to Dwarshuis, who with his next delivery removed Walter and it was just a matter of time before Sixers reached their seventh BBL final.

The Hundred will clash with Major League Cricket (MLC) for the first time in 2024. The two leagues will be in direct competition for the world’s leading men’s players in late July, after narrowly avoiding an overlap last year.MLC, which launched last year and is backed by Indian and American investors, announced last month that its second season will launch on July 4 and conclude “by early August”, with dates and fixtures due to be finalised imminently. The ECB announced the Hundred’s fixture list on Tuesday, with The Oval hosting the opening men’s and women’s matches on July 23.The Hundred will also go up against an England men’s international in 2024, after a dedicated window last year. England’s third Test against West Indies starts on July 26, which will rule those involved out of at least the first week of the Hundred. There will not be a clash for England’s women, who finish a T20I series against New Zealand on July 17.ESPNcricinfo understands that the Hundred is unlikely to clash with the Caribbean Premier League in 2024. The men’s and women’s finals will again be held at Lord’s on August 18 and while CPL dates are yet to be finalised, a source said that it is unlikely to start until the final week of August as things stand.But the clash with MLC will pose a major challenge in terms of availability. Last year, the inaugural MLC final took place two days before the Hundred started and 19 players – including Tim David, Heinrich Klaasen and Sunil Narine – made at least one appearance in both leagues, highlighting the reliance on a similar player pool.Related

• Steven Smith joins Washington Freedom ahead of Major League Cricket's second season

• Narine and Asif Ali lead New York Strikers to Abu Dhabi T10 title

• Lure of MLC could see English players skip T20 Blast for US payday

• Heinrich Klaasen retires from Test cricket

• David heads to ILT20 but may be called back for Australia duty

The ECB have made clear their concern about the launch of a new lucrative franchise league during the northern hemisphere summer and told centrally-contracted players that they would not be given No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for MLC. Jason Roy was the only Englishman to feature last summer and is expected to return to LA Knight Riders for at least some of the 2024 season.The ICC voted last year to introduce a global limit of four overseas players per team in franchise leagues, which MLC currently exceeds – though the cap only applies to new leagues. Richard Thompson, the ECB’s chair, spoke to the this week about leagues which are “basically international tournaments masquerading as domestic competitions”, with reference to MLC.MLC paid its top earners around US$175,000 (£137,500) in its inaugural season to play a minimum of five games, while the Hundred’s highest men’s salary is £125,000 (US$159,000) for a minimum of eight games. Men’s Hundred salaries have been frozen for the 2024 season, with the ECB currently weighing up the merits of opening the tournament up to private investors from 2025.

“Didn’t you say before [the BPL] that Barishal is the ‘team of the old’?” Mushfiqur hits back after they make the final

Mohammad Isam29-Feb-2024

Mushfiqur Rahim has hit back at the criticism of Bangladesh’s senior cricketers, saying great team performances in T20 cricket require experienced hands as much they do the fearlessness of youth.Mushfiqur, 36, pointed towards the success of Fortune Barishal, who beat Rangpur Riders in the second Qualifier on Wednesday to make it to the final of BPL 2024. Apart from Mushfiqur (36), Barishal have two more players older than 35: Mahmudullah (37) and Shoaib Malik (41). All three have chipped in with important contributions during the season.”Didn’t you say before the tournament that Barishal is the ‘team of the old’?” Mushfiqur said. “Didn’t you say that T20s can’t be won with experience? I think this is a wrong concept. You need experience in every format. New players will come, the older ones will go, but they will combine well to build the team. We want to leave a legacy, and we want the likes of [Towhid] Hridoy and Tamim [Tanzid Hasan] to leave a legacy when they become senior players [for Bangladesh]. It is supposed to be smooth sailing.”Related

Fuller, Saifuddin and Mushfiqur put Barishal in final

Mushfiqur made a call for fitness and performance to be given preference over age when considering players.”It [the criticism] doesn’t motivate me,” he said. “It hurts me. I can guarantee you that I am better than most players in terms of fitness. I can write it down. More than age, I think the criteria should be fitness and performance. Age is just a number.”All three matches between Barishal and Rangpur this season were billed as Shakib Al Hasan vs Tamim Iqbal battles, with crowds booing both players on several occasions. The pair’s differences first came to light last year when BCB president Nazmul Hassan said Shakib and Tamim were not on speaking terms. When Tamim retired, unretired and then resigned from ODI captaincy, Shakib slammed Tamim in a TV interview.They both deserved better, Mushfiqur said. “To be honest, if the limelight is on the two players, then the rest of us can relax. They will have their ‘war’, and we will watch. They are both legends. They have given a lot to Bangladesh cricket. This [a form of booing in Bengali] chant, if they have to hear it, the rest of us should be buried in the ground.”Mushfiqur also added that he was pleased with Bangladeshi players dominating the BPL batting and bowling charts.”It is a positive sign. The top five run-getters and [four of the top five] wicket-takers are all from Bangladesh. Such consistency doesn’t happen by chance. If we can deliver in crunch moments, it means we have cool nerves. Such a thing is helpful for the cricketer and his team.”

Newcastle United have turned their attention to Brentford striker Yoane Wissa after ending their pursuit of Hugo Ekitike, with a deal for the DR Congo international now firmly in their sights. While talks with Brentford are yet to begin, the Magpies are expected to make a move soon and the potential transfer could also have a knock-on effect on Manchester United’s plans this summer.

• Newcastle target Wissa after ending Ekitike pursuit
• Wissa scored 19 goals in Premier League last term
• Man Utd’s Mbeumo chase affected if Wissa deal goes through

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Newcastle have cooled their interest in Ekitike after having an €80 million (£69m/$93m) bid rejected by Eintracht Frankfurt. The Athletic has reported that the Magpies are now exploring a move for Brentford's Wissa, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season. While no formal approach has been made, talks with the striker’s camp are expected soon.

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  Wissa is under contract until 2026, though Brentford retain an option to extend it by a year. Nottingham Forest have already had an offer turned down, showing Brentford’s reluctance to sell cheaply. With Wissa a key part of the Bees’ squad, Newcastle will likely have to pay a premium.

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  Brentford are already dealing with interest from Manchester United in Bryan Mbeumo. The west London club are unwilling to lose both their star forwards in one window. If Wissa departs for Newcastle, United could see their pursuit of Mbeumo hit a major roadblock.

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  Newcastle are expected to make formal contact with Brentford in the coming days, as per the report. Personal terms with Wissa must also be agreed upon before a deal can progress.

He had retired from international cricket in December 2020, but his return means he will be unavailable for Derbyshire at the start of the county season

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Mar-2024Mohammad Amir has made himself available for selection to Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup that starts on June 1 in the USA and the West Indies. Amir’s last match for Pakistan was a T20I against England in 2020, and he retired from international cricket in December that year, saying he felt mentally tortured.”I still dream to play for Pakistan!” Amir, 31, said in a post on social media. “Life brings us to the points where at times we have to reconsider our decisions. There have been a few positive discussions between myself and the PCB where they respectfully made me feel that I was needed and can still play for Pakistan, and after discussing with family and well wishers I declare that I am available to be considered for upcoming T20 WC.”I want do this for my country as it comes before my personal decisions. Donning the green jersey and serving my country has always been, and will continue to be, my greatest aspiration.”Amir most recently played the 2024 PSL, where he finished with 10 wickets in nine games with an economy of 8.41 for Quetta Gladiators. Amir’s announcement comes a day after allrounder Imad Wasim reversed his retirement and also made himself available for selection for the T20 World Cup.While Amir had an unremarkable PSL campaign, his performances in the CPL in recent seasons stand him in promising stead for a World Cup that will largely be held in the West Indies. He has taken 43 wickets at an average of 14.39 and an economy rate of just 6.50. With Shaheen not at full tilt since his injury return, Naseem only recently back from a lengthy layoff and Haris Rauf currently injured, Pakistan’s pace bowling stocks are depleted, potentially giving Amir the opportunity to elbow his way in.The decision also has ramifications for his county Derbyshire, whom he will not be linking up with when the season starts on April 5.New Zealand visit Pakistan for five T20Is from April 18-27, and Amir’s decision to make himself available for international cricket means he will be in Pakistan during this period. In a post on social media, he thanked the county, as well as head coach Mickey Arthur, for “being understanding”.

Roma are targeting striker Rasmus Hojlund as a potential replacement for Artem Dovbyk, who is set to leave the club this summer.

Roma are interested in Man Utd's HojlundDovbyk could leave Roma this summerJuventus and Milan interested in the Dane Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

reports that Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is eyeing a reunion with his former protege, Manchester United striker Hojlund, despite securing Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton. Roma see Hojlund as a potential replacement for Dovbyk, who is wanted by Besiktas and could join up with Tammy Abraham following his transfer from the Italian capital.

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Gasperini previously coached Hojlund at Atalanta, playing a key role in his development before the striker’s big-money move to United. During the pair's solitary season together at Bergamo, Hojlund scored 10 goals in 34 matches to convince the Premier League side to swoop in for him. However, he has struggled to get up and running in England despite scoring 10 goals in 30 league matches in his first season. The 22-year-old ended the 2024-25 campaign with four league goals and another six in the Europa League. A return to Serie A could be on the cards, but Roma are not alone in their interest, with Juventus and AC Milan also monitoring him.

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Dovbyk, 28, only joined Roma from Girona last summer after his impressive season at Girona in which he netted 24 times to top La Liga's goal chart in 2023-24. He netted 12 times in 32 Serie A games for Roma, with another two coming in the Europa League. Despite having four years left to run on his contract, he is up for sale again this year.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR HOJLUND AND ROMA ?

Roma are eager to sign Hojlund to satisfy new coach Gasperini but must first await updates on Dovbyk’s potential move to Besiktas. Hojlund, meanwhile, is seeking clarity on his future after a challenging spell at Old Trafford.

Zimbabwe captain and allrounder available for entirety of tournament’s group stage

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2024Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe’s captain and premier allrounder, has agreed to join Northamptonshire for the 2024 Vitality Blast.Raza, 37, is currently ranked as the fifth-best allrounder in T20I cricket, and recently became the first player in the format’s history to score five consecutive half-centuries. He has been nominated as the ICC Men’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.Raza has made more than 200 T20 appearances in his professional career, including appearances in the IPL, Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League and Lanka Premier League. This, however, will be his first appearance in England’s T20 competition.”I’m delighted to be coming to Northamptonshire.” Raza said. “This will be a different challenge for me but I’ve loved playing cricket in England in the past. It’s always been a wish to play in the Vitality Blast so I’m looking forward to fulfilling that.”John Sadler, Northamptonshire’s head coach, said: “We’re delighted with the signing of Sikandar for the Blast. He’s a very experienced, high performer on a global scale. He’s a three-dimensional cricketer who always has an impact in every game he plays, we know he’s also a fierce competitor which will be fantastic for us.”Raza will join the squad ahead of the tournament and is available for all 14 matches of the group stage.”I would like to entertain the fans and put a smile on their face with as many wins as possible,” he said.”Our first task is to secure a quarter-final spot and then take that momentum and belief into the latter stages and hopefully lift the trophy.”Looking at the side we have a decent squad and a lot of good players, I’m looking forward to using my experience to help us win as many games as possible and help the younger players as well.”

Rehan Ahmed’s tour of India has been cut short, with the England legspinner returning home for an urgent family matter. In a statement, the ECB also said Rehan will not be returning for the rest of the series, and neither will England seek a squad replacement.Rehan, the 19-year-old, featured in England’s first three Tests against India. He picked up 11 wickets at an average of 44, including a match-haul of 6 for 153 in Visakhapatnam. He was, however, left out of the England XI for the fourth Test beginning in Ranchi. It is understood Ben Stokes’ decision to omit Rehan was not related to him having to return home, which only emerged after the team had been announced at 1pm on Thursday. Rehan was present at England’s final training session that afternoon, helping out with various drills. He flies home on Friday, day one of the fourth Test.Earlier this month, England had to wait on Rehan’s availability for the third Test after learning of “paperwork discrepancies” with him on arrival from the UAE before the third Test. However, it was resolved, and Rehan picked up three wickets in England’s 434-run defeat in Rajkot.For the fourth Test, England are lining up with offspinner Shoaib Bashir replacing Rehan. The other spinner in the England XI is left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, their highest wicket-taker on the tour with 16.

The injury is probably not serious, but there is no update yet about his return

Nagraj Gollapudi05-Apr-2024

Kuldeep Yadav has picked up a groin niggle, which had ruled him out of Delhi Capitals’s previous two matches in IPL 2024. ESPNcricinfo has learned that Kuldeep has been advised rest as a precautionary move, but there is no confirmation yet on when he will be ready to play again.The injury is probably not serious, considering Kuldeep has been travelling with the Capitals squad and is currently in Mumbai where they play their next match – against Mumbai Indians on April 7.Kuldeep played Capital’s opening two matches this season – both away games, against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals – and picked up three wickets. But he missed their next games in Visakhapatnam, their second home venue: against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders. While the Capitals won against CSK, they sorely missed Kuldeep in their 106-run defeat against KKR, after which their head coach Ricky Ponting said he was “almost embarrassed”.The Indian selectors will be monitoring Kuldeep’s progress closely, given he is a frontrunner to take one of the spin slots in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup, which starts on June 1 in the West Indies and the USA.Kuldeep entered the IPL after a successful five-match Test series against England, where he bowled more than one match-turning spell. Kuldeep played from the second Test onwards and finished with 19 wickets, including a five-for in the final Test in Dharamsala, where he was named the Player of the Match.After Sunday’s game, Capitals’ next match is against Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow on April 12.