No evidence of Ashes match-fixing, says ICC

LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Thursday that it had found no evidence of match fixing in the third Ashes test between Australia and England last year.

An investigation was launched following allegations in The Sun newspaper that underground bookmakers from India had offered to sell undercover reporters information about spot-fixing ahead of the game in Perth.

Spot-fixing occurs when corrupt players agree to manipulate part of a match by, for example, bowling a wide on a particular delivery or ensuring a particular run rate.

“We have carried out an extensive global investigation with anti-corruption colleagues from Member countries based on the allegations in The Sun and the material they shared with us,” said Alex Marshall, general manager of the ICC’s anti-corruption unit in a statement on Thursday.

“I am satisfied that there is no evidence to suggest any match has been corrupted by the individuals in the investigation nor is there any indication that any international players, administrators or coaches have been in contact with the alleged fixers.”

source: news agency

Stokes named in England one-day squad

LONDON: England included all-rounder Ben Stokes in their squad for the five-match one-day international series against New Zealand starting later this month.

Stokes is due to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Feb. 13 to answer a charge of affray following an incident outside a nightclub in September.

England are scheduled to play New Zealand in a Twenty20 international in Wellington on the same day.

Stokes, who has not played for England since the incident in Bristol, was cleared for selection by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last month.

Fast bowler Jake Ball has been dropped from the squad along with batsman Dawid Malan who was called in as cover for Stokes during last month’s 4-1 one-day series victory over Australia.

“Our ODI side has made excellent progress over the last three years and it’s encouraging to see with the 2019 World Cup on the horizon,” chairman of selectors James Whitaker said in an ECB statement.

The first match in the one-day series against New Zealand is in Hamilton on Feb. 25.

England squad - Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.


source: news agency

Injured Finch out of fourth ODI vs England

Adelaide: In a massive jolt to Australia's chances of registering their first win in the five-match ODI series, in-form opener Aaron Finch was ruled out with a hamstring strain from Friday's fourth one-dayer against England here.

The right-hander scored centuries in each of the first two games and top-scored for Australia again in Sunday's loss in Sydney.

Finch, who posted 107 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the series opener, and added 106 in the second game before hammering 62 in the third game, will be assessed in the coming days before a decision on his availability for Sunday's fifth ODI in Perth is made.

Finch's absence will likely lead to the return of Travis Head, who was dropped for the third game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Head and David Warner shared a record-breaking opening stand in the Australia Day clash last year and could resume that partnership exactly 12 months later on Friday.

The form of Finch has been a rare bright spot for the Australians in what has been a horror series so far, with England holding an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match rubber.

England, on the other hand will hope to continue their winning run and bank on their top order's batting prowess to come good in the fourth match.

Squads:

Australia: Steve Smith (Captain), David Warner (vc), Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Cameron White, Adam Zampa.

England: Eoin Morgan (Captain), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, David Willey, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.


Source: News Agency

Stoke handed double Dutch injury boost ahead of Man Utd clash

London: Stoke City defenders Erik Pieters and Bruno Martins Indi have returned to training after injury layoffs and the Dutch duo could feature in Monday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United, assistant coach Kevin Russell has said.

Centre back Martins Indi has been sidelined with a groin strain since early December, while left back Pieters was substituted in the second half of the league defeat to Newcastle United on Jan. 1 with a hamstring problem.

“Erik and Bruno both joined in training today for the first time which was a positive for us,” Russell told a news conference on Thursday.

“Obviously, it is still too early to determine whether they will be available for Monday but the fact that they are back in training bodes well.”


Source: News Agency

England name Livingstone in squad for NZ tour

London: England named batsman Liam Livingstone in their squad for the two-test tour of New Zealand starting in March.

The 24-year-old Livingstone has not played test cricket but took part in two Twenty20 internationals against South Africa last year.

Fast bowler Mark Wood was also included after recovering from injury.

“Liam has been a player that we have been impressed with for quite some time, having performed well in the county system with Lancashire and over the past couple of years with the England Lions,” National Selector James Whitaker said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement on Wednesday.

“He is a very talented and tough cricketer who has the ideal qualities and character to be successful in the test arena.”

Wood, 27, was named in the squad for the first time since last year.

“After a frustrating period with injuries, Mark is now back to full fitness and is looking forward to being part of our test plans,” Whitaker said.

All-rounder Ben Stokes was included, although he is still suspended by England and missed the recent Ashes series after being arrested in September on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm in an incident outside a Bristol nightclub.

Batsman Gary Ballance, fast bowler Jake Ball and all-rounder Tom Curran, who were all in the squad for the Ashes series which England lost 4-0, were left out.

“All three players have worked hard on the recent Ashes tour,” Whitaker said.

“Unfortunately, they miss out on selection for New Zealand. They are talented players and I am sure their time will come again.”

England squad - Joe Root (captain), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Liam Livingstone, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood


Source: News Agencies

Australia recall Cameron White to replace Chris Lynn for England ODIs

Cameron White will fancy playing his first one-day international in three years after replacing the injured Chris Lynn in the Australia squad for the five-match series against England beginning on Sunday.

A calf injury to explosive batsman Lynn opened an unlikely door for 34-year-old White, who played the last of his 88 ODIs in 2015 and has since been critical of a pro-youth policy he felt did not reward the performance of senior players.

“Cameron’s in very good form, as his figures demonstrate. He’s playing very well,” selector Trevor Hohns said in a statement on Thursday, referring to White’s impressive displays for Melbourne Renegades in this year’s Big Bash League.

“He’s one of the leading run-scorers in this season’s BBL, he’s experienced, he’s a very smart cricketer and he’s a good fielder. He ticks all the boxes for what we need at this stage.”

White’s unexpected selection ahead of Glenn Maxwell follows Tim Paine’s shock and inspired inclusion in Australia’s Ashes-winning team despite the wicketkeeper not even being Tasmania’s number one choice.

Melbourne hosts the first one-dayer between the Ashes rivals, before the series moves on to Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth.

Source: News Agencies