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PCB chairman, who is also a senior ICC Board member, says event likely to be deferred by a year

Umar Farooq and Nagraj Gollapudi17-Jun-2020PCB chairman Ehsan Mani believes it is not “feasible” to host the men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in 2020, and that the tournament is likely to be “deferred” by a year. A final decision on the matter is likely
in the next “three-four” weeks.Mani becomes the second senior member sitting on the ICC Board in as many days this week to say that the T20 World Cup, scheduled between October 18 and November 16 in Australia, is unlikely to go ahead this year because of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. On Tuesday Earl Eddings, Cricket Australia chairman, said that it would be “unrealistic” and “very, very difficult” to expect the event to go ahead as planned, considering the number of infections were still “spiking” in some of the 16 participating countries.”The biggest challenge in Australia – although Australia and New Zealand they have controlled Covid-19 – their governments are very cautious,” Mani said at a virtual media briefing on Wednesday. “If it is played this year they will likely insist it happens in a bio-bubble. Like with the Pakistan team in England, teams come, stay in a hotel, with no crowds. This is okay for one or two teams but when 12-16 teams play in a T20 tournament, it becomes an impossible thing. I don’t think it is feasible today that there is any ICC event in 2020.”Apart from the ICC Board, Mani and Eddings also sit on the global cricket body’s second-most influential wing, the Finance & Commercial Affairs committee. Mani is the F&CA president while Eddings is one of six members on the panel, which also has ICC chairman Shashank Manohar and chief executive Manu Sawhney as ex-officio members.The F&CA committee decides and allocates budgets for each of the world events for both men’s and women’s cricket and also looks after the distribution of money that members get annually from world events,. That has been one of the main concerns for the ICC and has contributed to the body continuing to delay officially postponing the men’s T20 World Cup this year.With members needing clarity on the event in order to work on their own calendars, the ICC Board has already met virtually a few times over the last two months to discuss contingency planning for key world events which also includes the women’s ODI World Cup, scheduled in New Zealand for February-March next year. The Board met last week and is scheduled to do so again on June 25.The ICC is keen to utlise 2022 – in which no ICC event is currently scheduled – within the current events cycle that stretches until the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup. India is scheduled to host that event as well as the 2021 men’s Twenty20 World Cup.However, CA is keen to host the 2021 edition of the event, something Eddings noted in his communication to the F&CA, contents of which were reported in the Times of India. Eddings said that it would be “detrimental to cricket” in case Australia failed to host the T20 World Cup in October-November 2021. He also suggested India would be fit to host the event during the same period in 2022, since it was likely the country would have fully recovered from the pandemic by then.The BCCI is yet to make any public comment on the matter, although it is understood the Indian board is concerned about hosting two back-to-back world events in the space of six months if it were to host the men’s T20 World Cup in October-November 2022, followed by the ODI World Cup, in February-March, 2023.”In my opinion I think [this year’s event] will probably be deferred for a year,” Mani said. “The ICC has time because ICC events were supposed to happen in 2020, 2021 and 2023. The gap in the middle can be filled and this will be deferred. That is where the talk is headed towards. What event will happen first and where, those talks are happening.”It is a big risk that God forbid, in the middle of a big tournament, if a player gets an infection, the panic from that will be too much so we can’t take that risk.”A number of stakeholders, Mani said, need to be on board, which is why a decision hasn’t been taken in haste. “Cricket boards are one stakeholder,” he said. “Another stakeholder is the broadcaster – Star is the broadcaster, they will see their position, what is better for them. Other than Full Members, associates also get money from ICC events so discussions are on with as to what their priorities are.”But you’ll see that in the next three-four weeks a decision will be taken on this. There is a conference call next week. We’ve had four-five con calls on this in the last month. Obviously a decision will have to be made about where the first event will be. Right now it was to be Australia, then India and then a gap of one year and then India for the World Cup. Now we have to see whether it will be Australia first, or India, to see who will host in 2022.”

Baroda to decide in Apex Council meeting about Dav Whatmore, their 66-year-old director of cricket

Shamya Dasgupta03-Aug-2020Bengal head coach Arun Lal doesn’t want life to “grind to a halt” because of the Covid-19 situation, while the Baroda Cricket Association is getting ready to write to the BCCI to request that its director of cricket, Dav Whatmore, be allowed to continue in his job for the forthcoming domestic season.Lal is 65 and Whatmore 66, and the reactions are to the BCCI’s recommendation that state cricket associations “discourage” individuals above 60 to be a part of training camps in their respective centres for the foreseeable, Covid-19-affected future.”Generally, we will take it as it comes,” Lal told ESPNcricinfo. “Things are very uncertain, and we are all intelligent enough to know the pitfalls, but we can’t let our lives grind to a halt. We’ll take all precautions, be aware, be intelligent about it, but I am not going to die before my death by sitting at home.”In its missive, the BCCI has specifically mentioned that “those individuals with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, weakened immunity, etc” among the support staff (as well as umpires and groundstaff) are to be considered vulnerable, having a higher risk of contracting Covid-19. “All such individuals should be discouraged from participating in the camp activities until suitable guidelines” are issued by the government, the standard operating procedure (SOP) document sent out to the associations said.In many ways, Lal fits the BCCI’s criterion for people who should be kept away from team activities, whenever they begin, as he is a cancer survivor. Lal, however, stressed that he had been taking all possible precautions, training hard himself, and also keeping tabs on the activities of the Bengal players – the team typically connects over video conferencing once in a while to compare notes.Elsewhere, there’s Whatmore, who was signed up by Baroda earlier this year. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, the state association’s CEO and former Mumbai cricketer Shishir Hattangadi said, “These are, as of now, guidelines, given to us by the BCCI, preventive SOPs. The BCCI hasn’t barred anyone, they have only recommended. We will discuss the matter in our Apex Council meeting this week and then decide what to do, what to write to the BCCI.”Our coach is over 60, but he’s an international coach, he is fit. I’m sure there won’t be a problem.”The Covid-19 situation in India has continued to be serious, with government data at the time of filing this putting the number of active cases in the country at 579,357. A decision has been taken to shift the much-delayed IPL to the UAE – to be played from September 19 to November 10 – and the BCCI has expressed confidence than a truncated domestic season could still be hosted in the country.To put in place regulations and guidelines for conducting the domestic tournaments in these extraordinary times, the BCCI’s medical team had put together the SOPs, primarily meant for the players and coaching staff to resume training, help them understand how to operate in a sterile environment, the dos and don’ts of social distancing in a team environment, and what to do if someone tests positive.

The opener was dropped four times on the way to his second BBL hundred

Peter Della Penna05-Jan-2020D’Arcy Short made the hosts Perth Scorchers pay for a sloppy fielding display, making the most of a string of reprieves to post the slowest century in the history of the Big Bash, but one that served to set up victory for the Hobart Hurricanes by eight runs in front of more than 30,000 on Sunday night. Short was spilled on 21, 38, 53, and 68 in an explosive but charmed knock, striking seven sixes by the end of his innings as he brought up three figures on the final ball that served to produce a total which wound up being just out of reach of a valiant effort led by Mitchell Marsh in pursuit.The Hurricanes victory was all the more impressive in light of injuries to James Faulkner before the night began and Riley Meredith during the match itself as an understrength bowling unit withstood a late charge from the hosts. The Hurricanes moved up into fifth place with the win while the Scorchers sit in seventh on the BBL points table.Short’s record long stayThe Hurricanes opener set a new mark for the most deliveries spent at the crease to reach three figures in the history of the Big Bash League, taking 70 balls to do it for his second career ton in the BBL and first since an unbeaten 122 two seasons earlier against the Brisbane Heat. He had some help along the way though, including a pair of key assists from Tim David.Getty Images

The Singapore international David took four excellent catches and produced a runout in a brilliant fielding display to help knock off Scotland in a thriller at the T20 World Cup Qualifier in Dubai this past October, but his fielding on Sunday night was unrecognizable from that occasion. The easiest of the four chances offered by Short was the first one of the night put down by David, who charged in from the sweeper-cover boundary in the fifth over for a skied drive off the bowling of Matt Kelly. But David nearly overran the ball while covering the ground and as he slid to cushion the catching attempt, the ball wound up clanging off his chest instead of his hands and wound up going to ground.It was Short’s 14th delivery at the time and he continued to struggle for rhythm by the time he was dropped again. Three balls after Liam Livingstone broke the opening stand having Caleb Jewell caught at long-on, Livingstone could not hold onto a sharp one-handed return chance, which pushed Short to 39 off 38 balls.Short used his feet to strike Ashton Agar over long-on in the 13th for six and a single later in the over took him to a 44-ball fifty. Another tough return chance was put down by Jhye Richardson in his follow-through in the next over before Fawad Ahmed was the last bowler to miss out on claiming Short in the 16th. David could not clasp onto a top-edged sweep at deep backward square for what would have been another double-wicket over after Fawad claimed David Miller with a missed sweep. Short then struck three sixes in his final two overs, including a scoop over fine leg on the final ball of the innings to bring up his ton.Perth’s Rocky PowerplayThe Scorchers chase was blunted by three wickets in the first 15 balls. Having just struck two boundaries, Livingstone was overambitious in attempting a third in a failed attempt to go across his stumps to scoop Meredith’s 145 kph pace and was bowled for 13 in the second over. Cameron Bancroft’s waft outside off stump in the third gave Scott Boland a wicket. Boland then dropped Marsh on the first delivery to the Scorchers captain but the fumble caromed onto the non-striker’s stumps with Josh Inglis comfortably out of his crease.However, the Hurricanes early inroads were neutralized somewhat by an injury to Meredith in the fourth over. The fast bowler began clutching at the left side of his ribcage mid over and had to come off the field by the end of it. He never returned, leaving Hurricanes captain Ben McDermott pondering his options to fill in two overs later on.Mitchell Marsh is quite strong down the ground•Getty Images

Marshalling the FightbackScorchers captain Marsh kept his side in the hunt with a 75-run partnership alongside Cameron Green. He was content knocking singles while waiting for loose balls to hit for six that rarely came, however. The stand ended when Nathan Ellis pinned Green leg before missing a flick to midwicket for 33. Chris Jordan was promoted to No. 5 but fell three balls later swatting a half-tracker from legspinner Qais Ahmad to Short at long-on.After a few lusty blows from David, Boland struck in the 16th with a slower ball before Marsh’s stay finally came to an end for 48 with a skied flick to deep midwicket to make it 129 for 7. A late flurry from Richardson made the scorecard more flattering for the Scorchers, who entered the final over needing 29 to win with two wickets in hand and wound up eight runs short.

New Zealand’s lead-up to the World Cup has been besieged by distractions, but Ross Taylor maintains his single-minded focus towards “rectifying his poor form, and winning a lot more games for the team”

Nitin Sundar13-Feb-2011New Zealand’s lead-up to the World Cup may be besieged by distractions, but Ross Taylor’s says his primary concern before the start of the World Cup is, “rectifying his poor form, and winning a lot more games for the team”.In addition to the team’s recent barren run in one-day cricket in the subcontinent, New Zealand have also had to deal with off-field controversies, but Taylor said the team was not affected by issues around them.”Both the incidents [Jesse Ryder’s tweet and Tim Southee’s in-flight controversy] were blown out of proportion,” Taylor told ESPNcricinfo. “There are various distractions on and off the field, but you just have to get on and do what you do best, which is play the game of cricket. That’s what the team are doing, and these distractions won’t interfere with the way we play.”New Zealand had experimented with their batting order in the series against Pakistan, pushing Brendon McCullum down the order without much success. Taylor revealed that the plan had been shelved, and that New Zealand will begin the World Cup with the top six that faced Ireland in their warm-up game, with McCullum and Martin Guptill opening the batting, and Ryder slotting in at No. 3. “The top six won’t change,” he said. “That [the line-up that faced Ireland] is the order that we will be playing in the World Cup.”New Zealand were made to sweat before beating Ireland, after Guptill’s century lifted them to 311. Ireland got within 32 runs of the target, but Taylor chose to dwell on the positives. “Any time you score over 300, you are very happy with that,” he said. “We did not bowl as well as we would have liked. The wicket [at the VCA Stadium Nagpur] was very good. But we know there’s a long way to go.”Taylor admitted that the inability of the batsmen to convert starts was an area of concern, but indicated that the side was turning the corner in that regard.”We have shown in the last two games we played, we have scored two hundreds [Ryder scored a hundred in the final one-dayer against Pakistan, before Guptill’s ton in the warm-up game] and gone on to win the games. Going on to get those three-figures is going to be very important leading into the tournament. If we can get someone to score 100 in every match then we are going along well towards posting a good total, or chasing down a total as well.”The World Cup will be Daniel Vettori’s final assignment as the captain of the side. Taylor, who has led the side in Vettori’s absence, is widely tipped to take over the reins, but he is conscious not to look that far ahead. “After the World Cup, the selectors, and the NZC will choose who they think is fit to do the job, and that’s out of my hands,” he said. “I am not focussed on that at all, I am just looking forward to the World Cup and scoring runs.”New Zealand have traditionally punched above their weight in World Cups, having made the semi-finals three times in the last five editions. Taylor cautioned the more fancied teams to expect another strong show from his side, despite their indifferent lead-up to the event. “We have not been playing as well as we like in recent times,” he said. “We know that [after the first round], it is a knockout format and we enjoy it. We just need to get through the pool stage and then we are just two wins away from the final. So our focus is to do well in the pool stages and once you make the quarters anything can happen.”

Beuran Hendricks, Dane Peterson, Pieter Malan and Rudi Second also in line to make their Test debuts

Firdose Moonda16-Dec-2019South Africa have named six uncapped players in their squad for the first two Tests against England, the first of which begins on Boxing Day. Fast bowlers Beuran Hendricks and Dane Paterson, opening batsman Pieter Malan, allrounder Dwaine Pretorius, wicketkeeper-batsman Rudi Second and middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen are all in line for a debut.Aidem Markram has also been named in the squad after he had fractured his wrist while on tour on India and hasn’t played since, but Lungi Ngidi, who suffered a Grade 1 hamstring tear ahead of the Mzansi Super League (MSL) playoff, was not considered. The squad includes only a single specialist spinner in Keshav Maharaj, with Dane Piedt and Senuran Muthusamy both left out from the party that toured India. Theunis de Bruyn, the No. 3 batsman, was the biggest casualty from the India whitewash and has been dropped while allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo has been recalled.”The high number of uncapped players coming into the squad is a reflection of our policy to acknowledge players who do well at franchise level and have put their hands up for selection,” Linda Zondi, CSA’s recently reinstated independent selector, said.Paterson is the best example of that. He is second on the list of wicket-takers in the 4-Day Franchise Series, with 18 wickets at 21.55. The leading wicket-taker, Malusi Siboto, was not considered while the third-placed bowler, 19-year-old Gerald Coetzee, suffered a hamstring injury at the Mzansi Super League (MSL) and will play in the Under-19 World Cup instead. Paterson’s competition is likely to be Hendricks, who has only played in two first-class matches this summer and has taken three wickets at 32.33.”Paterson has been the second leading wicket-taker in four-day cricket this season, including a seven-wicket haul in an innings, and we want to go into the Test series with a full arsenal of fast bowlers who have always provided one of our traditional strengths. Beuran Hendricks is also part of this strategy and adds variety to the attack as a left-arm swing bowler,” Zondi said.This means South Africa’s first-choice attack is likely to be made up of familiar names: Rabada, Philander, Maharaj and the recently-capped Anrich Nortje. Paterson and Hendricks could come into the mix if an all-pace attack is considered, especially at the usually spicy Centurion wicket where the first Test will be played.South Africa may also consider a seam-bowling allrounder, which is where Pretorius and Phehlukwayo could be in contention. Pretorius has recovered from a broken hand he suffered during the MSL, and is fit for today’s final. Phehlukwayo, meanwhile, has been a regular white-ball player for South Africa. He has played just four Tests – two against Bangladesh, one against Zimbabwe and one against India – but scored 156 runs in six innings and took five wickets in his three matches for Dolphins this summer. Allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka in February, was not considered because of a back injury.South Africa’s bigger conundrum will be in the batting line-up, where everything from Elgar’s opening partner to the middle order is up for debate. Markram has not played any cricket since punching a wall in Pune, but will have a chance to prove his worth in a round of 4-day fixtures starting Thursday. If he doesn’t impress, Malan may come into the reckoning. He lies 10th on the list of run-getters, with 199 runs in six innings at an average of 33.10, identical figures to his younger brother Janneman, who has also been overlooked.At No.3, Zubayr Hamza has been preferred to de Bruyn, who scored 82 runs in five innings in India (one as a concussion substitute) before being dropped. De Bruyn has instead been picked in the South Africa A side that will play England in a warm-up match from Friday, and could make a case for selection during the second half of the Test series. Temba Bavuma will captain the A team, which also includes Reeza Hendricks and Kyle Verreynne, both of whom may consider themselves unlucky to have missed out on the Test squad.ESPNcricinfo Ltd

Verreynne sits fourth on the first-class run-charts and Hendricks ninth, but van der Dussen is the batsman the selectors have gone with for the first two Tests.Van der Dussen was South Africa’s second-highest run-scorer during the World Cup where he showed remarkable composure. He also hung around the Test squad for the first match in India before returning home to score 307 runs in three matches for the Lions at an average of 76.75, including one hundred and two fifties. Van der Dussen is currently 10th on the Franchise 4-day charts and third on the averages.The wicketkeeper position, which has been Quinton de Kock’s for most of his career, is also in competition. Second, who was included in the squad to tour India but withdrew after an injury, is back in contention. Second has scored 220 runs in four Franchise first-class matches this season at 31.42 and has been included in the squad, leaving no room for Heinrich Klaasen, who made his debut in India.The A team, meanwhile, will be coached by former Test opener Ashwell Prince, and includes MSL stars such as batsman Pite van Biljon and bowler Nandre Burger. Prince will be assisted by former national assistant coach Malinbongwe Maketa and former Warriors coach Piet Botha.”The selection of the A side to play England in a three-day tour match is confirmation of our policy to make this team our official South African second XI and it has a good mix of experienced and young players,” Zondi said.Squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Beuran Hendricks, Keshav Maharaj, Pieter Malan, Aiden Markram, Zubayr Hamza, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Vernon Philander, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second, Rassie van der DussenSouth Africa A squad: Temba Bavuma, Nandre Burger, Theunis de Bruyn, Reeza Hendricks, Pieter Malan, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dane Piedt, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Pite van Biljon, Kyle Verreynne

Dynamic swing bowling by Ryan Sidebottom against his former county led to Yorkshire dominating the first day’s play in their County Championship battle with title-holders Nottinghamshire at Headingley

20-Apr-2011Stumps
Scorecard
Rich Pyrah picked up a career-best 5 for 58 as Nottinghamshire were bowled out for 143 at Headingley•Getty Images

Dynamic swing bowling by Ryan Sidebottom against his former county led to Yorkshire dominating the first day’s play in their County Championship battle with title-holders Nottinghamshire at Headingley.The left-arm paceman, who returned to his native county at the end of last season, grabbed four wickets and Richard Pyrah a career-best five as Notts were fired out for 143, Yorkshire then replying with 213 for 5 by the close to give them a lead of 70.To rub salt into the visitors’ wounds, the debacle came after they had won the toss. Having chosen to bat, they were taken by surprise by the amount of swing Sidebottom obtained in a lethal new-ball spell which brought him three wickets for 15 runs in nine overs, five of which were maidens.Yorkshire made two changes from the side which lost to Durham by 143 runs last week, Oliver Hannon-Dalby and left-arm spinner David Wainwright replacing Steven Patterson and Moin Ashraf, and it was Hannon-Dalby who dealt the first blow by shattering Mark Wagh’s stumps in the fourth over with one which nipped back.The score was on seven and two more wickets fell without addition as Sidebottom struck with consecutive deliveries. Paul Franks edged to second slip where he was brilliantly caught by Anthony McGrath and Samit Patel was pinned back on his stumps, leaving Adam Voges to block the hat-trick ball.Pyrah replaced Hannon-Dalby and captured a wicket with his first ball thanks to another stunning catch, this time by Adam Lyth at first slip. Another fine inswinger from Sidebottom had Ali Brown lbw to leave Notts on 43 for 5 and it became 56 for 6 when captain Chris Read paid the penalty for an ungainly heave across the line at Pyrah and was caught behind by Jonathan Bairstow.Notts would have been in even deeper trouble but for some splendid batting from Alex Hales, who welcomed the introduction of spin by driving Wainwright for six and bringing up his 50 in the same over with his seventh four.But Notts were soon in trouble again after lunch, the second ball from Pyrah being tickled to Bairstow by Steven Mullaney, and Pyrah picked up a further wicket when Andre Adams had a swing and was bowled. Yorkshire’s catching continued to be of a high standard and Luke Fletcher’s thick edge was well held by Lyth at third slip to give Sidebottom final figures
of 4 for 30.With only Charlie Shreck remaining, Hales once more went on the attack by pulling Pyrah for four and six but in trying to repeat the shot he was caught on the midwicket boundary by Gerard Brophy for 85 from 89 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes. Pyrah’s figures of 5 for 58 meant it was the second time within a week that he had enjoyed a career-best return.There was an early shock for Yorkshire as Joe Root nicked his first delivery from Shreck into Read’s gloves, but Lyth and McGrath quickly settled into a second-wicket stand worth exactly 100 in 26 overs, aided early on by some indifferent work in the field. Franks should have cut off a boundary and Fletcher gave away four runs when he hurled back McGrath’s defensive push and
the ball sailed well over the top of Read’s head.Lyth played some crisp strokes in going to his first half-century of the season but Yorkshire suddenly loosened their grip on the match in the evening session, beginning when McGrath was lbw to Adams for 49.Having been lured into several mistimed pulls by Fletcher, Lyth went for the stroke once too often and played straight into the waiting hands of Franks at long leg, the left-hander’s 64 coming off 118 balls with eight fours. Incoming batsman Bairstow had little chance of keeping out a shooter from Fletcher which hit his off stump and half of Yorkshire’s wickets were down for
144 when Brophy cut at Fletcher and was caught at third slip by Patel.The slide was halted by captain Andrew Gale (47 not out) and Rashid (39 not out), who retrieved the situation by adding an unbroken 70 by the close.

Ireland’s coach Phil Simmons has joined the clamour of condemnation following the decision to limit the 2015 World Cup to just the ten Test-playing nations, describing the move as “despicable”

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Apr-2011Ireland’s coach Phil Simmons has joined the clamour of condemnation following the decision to limit the 2015 World Cup to just the ten Test-playing nations, describing the move as “despicable”, and adding that the announcement on Monday had been “a dark day for cricket but a great day for greed and fear”.Ireland’s players and administrators have reacted with undisguised disgust to the decision from the sport’s governing body, with the team captain William Porterfield and the chief executive Warren Deutrom leading the outcry. The team is currently ranked 10th in the world, above Zimbabwe, and lived up to their growing reputation by beating England in a thrilling run-chase at Bangalore during the recent World Cup.However, they have been given no opportunity to build on a series of performances that captured the public imagination during the recent tournament, despite confirming the progress of a close-knit team following their spectacular victory over Pakistan at the 2007 World Cup.”It is a dark day for cricket but a great day for greed and fear!” said Simmons, the former West Indies opening batsman. “It is hard to find words to describe this despicable decision made by some who want to keep things among themselves and some who fear us.””There can be no cricketing reasons for this decision, as we answered the cricket question, the television rating question, and we are 10th ranked nation in the world – so what else is needed?”I`m afraid the next World Cup will be like the American World Series – you are crowned World Champions but the world did not take part – congratulations to India on winning the last real World Cup.””Finally – congratulations to ICC for pulling the game we love back ten years!”A Cricket Ireland statement said it was currently in discussions with fellow associates and affiliates about the avenues of action left open to them following the ruling by ICC.Deutrom earlier described the decision as “an absolute black day for the sport”. “It’s nothing short of outrageous,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “All of the principles by which a decision should have been made in the first instance – which is what’s best for the sport and what’s acting in the best interests of all 105 members – have clearly been abandoned.”

Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, which starts on Friday, after returning home to attend the funeral of his father

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Jan-2011Saeed Ajmal, the Pakistan offspinner, is likely to miss the first Test against New Zealand in Hamilton, which starts on Friday, after returning home to attend the funeral of his father.The PCB said necessary arrangements had been made to facilitate Ajmal’s return to Pakistan after his father died on Tuesday. Ajmal played in Pakistan’s tour game against a New Zealand Cricket XI that ended on Tuesday, and did not bowl in the second innings of that game.”He is devastated by the sudden death of his father who expired after being taken to hospital, complaining of fever in the cold weather,” a board official said.Ajmal, who’s played nine of Pakistan’s 17 Tests since he made his debut in July 2009, was expected to be in the XI for the first match of the two-Test series. The only other spin option in the Pakistan squad is left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman.Pakistan have already made one change to their squad since they first announced it, bringing in seamer Sohail Tanvir after he was pronounced fit.The PCB also said it would announce the squad for the one-day series in New Zealand by next week.

Former Manchester United man Keith Gillespie has been impressed by the form of Mason Greenwood this season, telling Football FanCast that his improvement has been “incredible”.

The young striker was again among the goals last weekend, scoring twice as United beat Burnley 3-1 at Old Trafford.

The goals mean that he has scored five Premier League goals this season, adding up to nine in all competitions.

The 19-year-old remains remarkably young, and he has primarily played on the right wing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, instead of through the middle.

He has been in fine fettle in recent weeks, scoring four goals in three games, as he was also on the scoresheet against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.

Gillespie, a former winger himself, believes that Greenwood is a nightmare for defenders to deal with, and thinks that he is growing into a superb young player.

He told FFC in an exclusive interview prior to the Burnley game: “You can see with Greenwood, he can go either way when he cuts in from that right, you saw it the other day, he scores with his right foot, he is left-footed.

“It’s a great option to have because defenders just don’t know which way to send him.

“They know that he can shoot with both feet, he’s still very young and I think the improvement he’s made since a year, 18 months ago, has been incredible. It’s fantastic.”

Former Newcastle United star Keith Gillespie believes fans will be braced for the possibility of the club’s star players leaving this summer if they do suffer relegation, telling Football FanCast it is “virtually impossible” to keep them in that situation.

The Magpies were in trouble just a few weeks ago, but after taking seven points from a possible nine they are now in a more comfortable situation.

Still, Steve Bruce’s side face difficult run-in on paper that sees them Liverpool, Arsenal, Leicester City and Manchester City, which means there is no room for complacency. They end their season with games versus rock-bottom Sheffield United and, perhaps pivotally, Fulham.

Dropping through the trap door might encourage a firesale of assets this summer, with owner Mike Ashley looking to balance the books.

And Gillespie believes that supporters will expect that if the club do go down, with the big clubs swooping in to snaffle away a few bargains.

Newcastle were last relegated in the 2015/16 season and they subsequently saw Georginio Wijnaldum move to Liverpool, Moussa Sissoko to Tottenham Hotspur, and Andros Townsend to Crystal Palace, while Remy Cabella, Daryl Janmaat, Papiss Cisse, and Cheick Tiote also departed.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, Gillespie, who played for the club between 1995 and 1998, said: “I think fans are realistic that when a club does go down they’ve got to think, ‘well we’re going to lose our best players because all the clubs are going to want them.’

“When clubs do go down, it’s so difficult to hang on to your best players, it’s virtually impossible to hang on to them.

“You’ve got bids coming in, you’ve got to think about the money you’re losing from not being in the Premier League.

“They want to balance the books and if big offers come in for your players, you have to look at it and inevitably it does happen where the players do leave. As I say, fans are realistic, your best players are not going to be there if you’re not in the top division, that’s quite obvious.”