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Avon and Somerset Police have reissued their appeal for two witnesses to come forward in the wake of the incident in Bristol last month that led to Ben Stokes’ arrest

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Oct-20171:20

Stokes promises to give his story

Avon and Somerset Police have reissued their appeal for two witnesses to come forward in the wake of the incident in Bristol last month that led to Ben Stokes’ arrest on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm.Stokes, 26, was last week withdrawn from England’s Ashes squad pending further police investigation into the events that took place outside Mbargo nightclub in the Clifton area of Bristol in the early hours of September 25.Video footage, released by The Sun, purported to show Stokes throwing punches at two men, one of whom appeared to be armed with a bottle. The kit supplier New Balance has since withdrawn its sponsorship of the player, which was believed to be worth approximately £200,000 per year.Stokes’ England team-mate, Alex Hales, who was present at the time of the incident, has also been made unavailable for selection by the ECB, although his lawyer last week said he would be “surprised” if he faced further action.Stokes last week issued a statement, through his agent Neil Fairbrother, in which he promised to give a full explanation of his actions “when the time is right”.It is understood Stokes has claimed, both to the police and to the ECB in their internal investigation, that he was coming to the aid of two men who had been subjected to homophobic abuse prior to the incident.And now, following a previous appeal on September 28 for two key witnesses to come forward, Somerset and Avon Police have reiterated their appeal in a follow-up post on their Twitter feed.The two men in question were seen leaving the nightclub at 2.19am, according to the police statement, and were walking in the direction of Queens Road with two other men.”One of the men is described as white, of slim build, 5ft 9in tall and aged in his early 20s. He had short dark brown hair, was clean shaven and wore a white T-shirt with a sleeveless jumper, jeans and trainers,” the statement continued.”The second man is also white, 5ft 9in tall and aged in his early 20s but is of a slightly larger build. He had short light brown hair, was also clean shaven and wore a long-sleeved round neck T-shirt, dark/black skinny jeans and trainers.”

Mason Crane marked his maiden England Test call-up with three wickets as Hampshire closed the gap on Glamorgan at the top of the NatWest T20 Blast South Group

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Aug-2017Hampshire 119 for 2 beat Glamorgan 118 for 6 by eight wicketsMason Crane marked his maiden England Test call-up with three wickets as Hampshire closed the gap on Glamorgan at the top of the NatWest T20 Blast South Group.Legspinner Crane was picked for the Test squad to face the West Indies later this month before leaving Glamorgan in a twist. James Vince then completed the thrashing with his 21st T20 fifty to ease Hampshire to an eight-wicket victory.Glamorgan won the toss and chose to bat on a slow pitch which had seen the Western Storm struggled to 70 in their Kia Super League defeat to Southern Vipers earlier in the day.Liam Dawson put aside his disappointment of failing to return to the England fold by bowling Aneurin Donald third ball of the match. And the left-arm spinner bagged the huge wicket of danger man Colin Ingram, who had smacked Gareth Berg over the fence, in the following over as Chris Wood held on at long-on.The visitors were struggling as they only reached 34 in the Powerplay and it was only going to get worse as Crane then came into the attack and proved why he has been called upon by the England selectors.The 20-year-old showed off his incredible googly to bowl opener Nicholas Selman to further pin Glamorgan.Crane then dragged Chris Cooke down the track to sky a top-edge to Gareth Berg at cover before snatching a third scalp a ball later on his dream day by having former South Africa Test star Jacques Rudolph stumped.The home grown leg-spinner ending with figures of 3 for 21, to boast a combined analysis of 5 for 36 with spin twin Dawson. Another Hampshire academy graduate, keeper Calvin Dickinson, again impressed with his quick hands on debut to stump Craig Meschede off the wily Shahid Afridi – leaving the visitors 65 for 6.Pakistan legend Afridi chalked up returns of 1 for 16 – although a dropped caught-and-bowled tainted his evening slightly.The Welsh side were heading for a sub-100 total before Andrew Salter crashed his highest T20 score of 37 – which included a huge six over long on – to help his side score 16 from the final over and set Hampshire 119 to win.Isle of Wight-raised Dickinson opened on his first professional appearance but departed in the first over as he was lbw to Ingram, while attempting a hoicked sweep.But from there Vince and Tom Alsop looked in fantastic nick pummelling the ball to all angles of the Ageas Bowl in a 68-run stand for the second wicket.Alsop in particular punched back-to-back powerful on-drives straight down the track.But after reaching 28 he picked out Marchant de Lange off Ingram on the long-on boundary to end an entertaining knock.At the other end, skipper Vince was caressing the ball through holes in the field with pure guile and appeared unstoppable as he reached a 32-ball fifty – eventually reaching an unbeaten 60.At the half way point Hampshire only required 26 – and they reached the target with 37 balls to spare to go second and within a point of Glamorgan.

David Willey, the left-arm seamer, has been ruled out of England’s ODI series against Pakistan after suffering a hand injury on T20 Blast Finals Day

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2016David Willey, the left-arm seamer, has been taken out of England’s squad for the ODI series against Pakistan after suffering a hand injury on T20 Blast Finals Day. He will be replaced by Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball, but Willey still hopes to play a part at some stage.*Willey was struck by a fierce return drive from Mark Stoneman in his second over of the semi-final against Durham. Although he completed his four overs, and then opened the batting, he was clearly in significant pain.An X-ray on Sunday “has not excluded a significant injury” an ECB statement said and he will undergo a further scan on Monday as well as being assessed by a consultant with the statement adding Willey had been “withdrawn from England’s ODI squad until a clear diagnosis has been established.”Willey later tweeted: “Not actually ruled out of this series yet, waiting for diagnosis on hand. Hopefully just a bruise!”Willey has become a central figure in England’s limited-overs team, making 18 ODI appearances and 11 in T20Is since making his international debut in May last year. He has 29 ODI wickets at 27.82 and has often provided early breakthroughs with his new-ball swing. In his most recent ODI, against Sri Lanka in Cardiff, he took a career-best 4 for 34.Ball, meanwhile, earns his first call-up to the one-day side having made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lord’s last month.The England squad meet up in Southampton on Monday ahead of the opening match of the series at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday.*20.30BST, August 21: This story was updated with David Willey’s comment

Misbah-ul-Haq’s team has another chance to live up to expectations, and he was clear about what they need to do

Firdose Moonda in Centurion21-Feb-2013Exactly a month ago, Misbah-ul-Haq addressed the South African media for the first time. There were a few rays of sunshine in his voice. He made eye contact with the home journalists, and appeared genuinely convinced that his side could achieve something special.Two Tests matches have passed since then. Pakistan have lost both, and the little sense of humour Misbah had, has gone with it. At his pre-match press conference, ahead of the Centurion Test, he spoke in ice blocks. His eyes were fixed on a point in the distance, and his tone defeated.The reason for the turnaround is obvious, but the seriousness of it is not. This is not his first series loss. He was in charge when they were beaten by Sri Lanka, although he did not play the match they were beaten in because he was suspended for a slow over-rate.But this is Pakistan’s second series loss in succession, and it is the most number of consecutive Test defeats that Misbah has led his side in. There is no shame in losing to the No.1 ranked Test team, and there is even less in going down to them in their own conditions, which are also widely acknowledged as the most difficult to bat in.That Misbah is so unhappy illustrates the disappointment that comes when expectations aren’t met. His team has another chance to live up to those expectations, and he was clear about what they need to do. “We need to improve our batting. We need some consistency,” Misbah said. “It’s not about one innings in Test cricket. You have to post big totals in every innings.”Pakistan’s biggest challenge is facing the new ball, and that may not ease on a seamer’s pitch in Centurion. With the quick turnaround between Tests, there has not been much time to work on that skill, and Misbah was resigned in his assessment of how they will front up to it this time. “Everybody is trying and working hard to cope with the new ball, especially in the first 10 overs. We can only hope they will get better.”Perhaps it’s something that can be shelved as a real concern because it is unlikely to trouble Pakistan until they tour South Africa again. Misbah noted that it is the only place his team have struggled this much to adapt. “These pitches have more pace and bounce whereas all over the world wickets are getting slower. Even in Australia nowadays. So it’s a matter of spending time and playing more cricket here. Lack of experience and lack of playing Test cricket is why we collapsed in the other matches. Once you play on a regular basis, you get better and better.”But the reverse applies as well. Pakistan’s bowling attack may not enjoy conditions elsewhere as much as they have in South Africa. With an attack that is as promising as it is potent, Graeme Smith believes Misbah has reason to be a little cheerful. “They are a much better team than what the results showed, especially because their bowling attack is really good,” Smith said. “With the seamers and Saeed Ajmal, it can be quite challenging.”For that reason, Smith is looking at the Centurion Test as a way for South Africa’s batsman to spend more time sizing up the Pakistan pack, before the return leg of the tour in October. Misbah is not even thinking that far. He only wants a positive result in this match so that he can take something out of the series, something that he can look back on with some satisfaction.”You have to get teams out twice, not get them out once, take an advantage and then let it slip. Everybody knows the importance of every game, and every team wants to win each game. It’s not about [winning] series all the the games.” Compartmentalising the Centurion Test is the best way for Pakistan to defrost the chill from Misbah’s voice.

Durham were frustrated by the weather on day three at Chester-le-Street, where only 12.2 overs were bowled in the Championship leaders’ Division One match against Nottinghamshire

04-Aug-2011
Scorecard
Durham were frustrated by the weather on day three at Chester-le-Street, where only 12.2 overs were bowled in the Championship leaders’ Division One match against Nottinghamshire. Durham go into the final day on 37 for 2 in their second innings, leading by
127 and are likely to find it difficult to set a target without risking defeat.After a delayed start only six overs were possible, Durham advancing from six
to 22 without loss, before another break. Play resumed at 2.50pm and in 6.2 overs they lost both openers. Will Smith was first to go when he hit a long hop from Charlie Shreck straight to Sam Kelsall at cover.Without further addition Gordon Muchall pushed forward and edged a good ball from Darren Pattinson to Chris Read. Paul Collingwood surprised Shreck by turning a straight ball behind square for four, then pulled Pattinson to the midwicket rope and top-edged an attempted
hook to fine leg for another boundary. He evidently intended to make up for some of the lost time, but was cut short by further rain, which proved terminal.Durham’s usual opener, Michael Di Venuto, is not expected to take any further part in the match because of a finger injury suffered in trying to take a slip catch. An X-ray has shown no break and the club remain hopeful he will be fit for Sunday’s Friends Life t20 quarter-final against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl.

Chris Gayle has joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the 2011 season as a replacement for injured Dirk Nannes, Vijay Mallya, the owner of the franchise has confirmed

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Apr-2011Chris Gayle, the West Indies opener, has joined the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for the 2011 season as a replacement for injured Dirk Nannes, Vijay Mallya, the owner of the franchise has confirmed. The development means that Gayle will not be available for the home limited-overs and Test series against Pakistan, which begins on Thursday.”It’s official now. The explosive Chris Gayle is now a part of the RCB squad after receiving clearance from the WICB,” Mallya said on Twitter.Gayle, along with Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, had refused the West Indies board’s central contracts so that he would be free to pursue his Twenty20 interests in the IPL. In a media release on April 4 regarding the participation of West Indies players in the IPL, WICB chief executive Ernest Hilaire had this to say about Gayle: “With Chris Gayle it has not been a productive discussion and therefore it is a little more difficult for me to make any pronouncements as it relates to Chris. But we are open to discussing with players what their plans and objectives are and how best we can accommodate them within the commitment that they must also play for country and to represent West Indies cricket.”In January, Gayle, who scored 463 at a strike-rate of 141.59 for Kolkata Knight Riders in the previous three IPL seasons, surprisingly went unsold at the player auction. His base price of $400,000 found no bidders over concerns that he would not be available for much of IPL 2011 because of international commitments.He has since been left out of West Indies’ ODI squad (for the first two matches) that will take on Pakistan from April 23, with the WICB deciding to focus on grooming youngsters after the quarter-final exit from the World Cup.Nannes, who was injured during Bangalore’s second match of the league, was bought for $650,000 at the auction. IPL rules prevent franchises from signing replacement players at a higher value than the player they are replacing. Bangalore made a poor start to the IPL, losing three of their first four matches, and are languishing at the bottom of the table.

Phillip Hughes said he was “hit pretty hard” by Ian Botham’s claim that he was cheating for appealing for a catch during the SCG Ashes Test

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2011Phillip Hughes, Australia’s opening batsman, said he was “hit pretty hard” by Ian Botham’s claim that he was cheating for appealing for a catch during the SCG Ashes Test. Hughes was fielding at short-leg when he took the ball off Alastair Cook and quickly expressed his uncertainty over whether the ball had carried – replays showed it hadn’t.But by then Botham, commentating on Sky Sports, had said: “Terrible. Cheating. How much do you want it to bounce into your hands? He knows he hasn’t caught it.”Hughes was defended by both Cook and Michael Clarke, the captain, and said he was “shocked” by the comments. “I remember [Clarke] came back into the sheds and said, ‘Botham’s called you a cheat’,” Hughes said in the Sunday Telegraph. “I said, ‘what’s he talking about? What’s going on here?'”If you saw the replay you could see I wasn’t sure, and I even said to Alastair Cook I wasn’t sure. People will look back on the incident and know I wasn’t sure. I was a bit shocked by the comments. It doesn’t matter when people say your technique isn’t great, but when you’re called a cheat, it hits you pretty hard.”Hughes struggled for runs after replacing the injured Simon Katich, managing only 97 in the final three Tests of the series. “I suppose when you lose everyone comes out and nails you, but if you score 50 or 100 and win the game, people don’t comment,” he said. “That’s part and parcel of professional cricket.”He was also in trouble during the series for attending pre-game breakfasts with Clarke in Sydney and Melbourne. James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, called the decision “a supreme error of judgment” that opened them up to criticism. “You learn through your journey,” Hughes said. “Everyone makes mistakes and this was a mistake.”

England’s 2019 World Cup-winning coach will not return in 2025

Matt Roller03-Dec-2024Trevor Bayliss has left his role at London Spirit in the Hundred after his men’s team finished bottom in 2024. Bayliss replaced the late Shane Warne as men’s coach ahead of the 2022 season, when Eoin Morgan captained them to the play-offs, but his team have won only three games and lost 11 in the last two years since Morgan’s retirement.Bayliss’ side were particularly poor in 2024, losing seven of their eight matches with a scrappy three-wicket win over Welsh Fire the only exception. Their top picks at the draft, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, managed 216 runs between them, and Dan Lawrence was unable to get them out of a rut as captain.The Spirit’s struggles in the men’s Hundred were only emphasised by the success of their women’s team, who won the title for the first time under Heather Knight and Ashley Noffke. Noffke has since signed an extension for the 2025 edition, though has lost assistant Ali Maiden to Birmingham Phoenix.”We’d all like to thank Trevor for his considerable efforts across the last three seasons,” Fraser Stewart, London Spirit’s general manager and the MCC’s head of cricket, said in a statement. “He initially joined us in difficult circumstances and led the side to a strong finish in 2022, but the team hasn’t been able to replicate that success since.”As a group, we’re desperate to see London Spirit competing at the right end of the table and we think a new approach may be of benefit to our chances. Trevor leaves Lord’s with our best wishes and our gratitude.”Related

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Bayliss’ stock has fallen as a coach of late, five years on from his England side’s triumph in the 2019 50-over World Cup. He was replaced as Punjab Kings coach by Ricky Ponting earlier this year, though has been retained as Sydney Thunder coach for the upcoming Big Bash League season despite overseeing their last-placed finish in 2023-24.London Spirit have already advertised for Bayliss’ replacement, with a first-round deadline of December 11. James Foster and Paul Collingwood are both potential contenders, having spent time working under Bayliss as assistant coaches, and an appointment appears likely to take place before the completion of the Hundred’s ongoing sales process.The second-round deadline for bids from private investors (for 49% stakes in the Hundred’s eight teams) is December 9, with London Spirit expected to attract the highest offers. Interested bidders for the Spirit are understood to include at least two IPL franchises in Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, as well as the Manchester United co-owner Avram Glazer.

Kiran Carlson, Chris Cooke add fifties as Cheltenham sees 432 runs, five wickets in the day

ECB Reporters NetworkBilly Root fell two short of a century as Glamorgan blitzed their way to maximum batting points on the second day of the LV= County Championship match with Gloucestershire at Cheltenham.Kiran Carlson (76), Root (98) and Chris Cooke (86 not out) smacked 41 fours and two sixes between them to help the visitors extend their first innings from an overnight 152 for 2 to 450 for 6 declared on the fast-scoring College Ground.Paul van Meekeren was the pick of a Gloucestershire attack, who found it hard to extract any help from the true batting surface. The Dutch seamer’s figures of 3 for 92 from 21 overs were reward for sustaining impressive pace on his first Championship appearance for the hosts.By the close, Gloucestershire had moved to 134 for 1 in their second innings, Chris Dent leading the way with 61 not out. With bad weather forecast tomorrow, the match already seems to be heading for a high-scoring draw.The day began well for the home side. With only a run added to the Glamorgan total, Colin Ingram edged the fourth ball of van Meekeren’s opening over to first slip where Ben Charlesworth took a waist-high catch.The lively van Meekeren struck again in the seventh over of the morning, squeezing a delivery through Sam Northeast’s defence to bowl him for 28. At 183 for 4, Glamorgan were in danger of undoing their first-day efforts with the bat.But Root had other ideas, getting off the mark with a sumptuous square driven four off van Meekeren. Soon Carlson was square cutting the same bowler for four before bringing the 200 up with a boundary through extra cover off Dom Goodman.It took the pair just 17 overs to complete a century stand, Carlson reaching a run-a-ball fifty with a lofted shot that almost saw him caught at mid-on off Josh Shaw. The partnership was worth 113 when he pulled van Meekeren to square leg where Dent took a smart low catch.Root also reached an entertaining half-century, off 63 balls, before lunch, which was taken at 311 for 5. Glamorgan had added 159 runs a session prolonged by ten minutes to help make up for overs lost to rain on day one.Cooke had also begun to enjoy himself on a pitch offering consistent bounce and a quick outfield providing full value for shots. He and Root put together a 50-stand in 69 balls before the second new ball was taken at 361 for five.On 29, Cooke appeared to survive a chance to Ollie Price at second slip off Tom Price, but it was a rare moment of alarm as he and Root progressed their partnership into three figures with a succession of well-timed strokes.Root had struck 14 fours and a six during a fluent innings when, on the verge of what would have been his eighth first-class ton, he edged left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar to Ollie Price at slip.Cooke had moved imperiously to fifty off 73 balls and was still there when a fifth batting point was secured, having taken his boundary count to 15 fours and a six. The declaration came immediately and by tea Gloucestershire had replied with 15 for no wicket.The final session saw runs continue to flow, this time for the home side. Dent and Charlesworth had put together an opening stand of 39 when the latter was bowled off an inside edge by leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson for 15.It was a first and last success of the day for the Glamorgan bowlers as Dent moved to a comfortable half-century off 113 balls, with seven fours, finding an equally assured partner in Ollie Price, who was unbeaten on 49 at stumps, having hit eight elegant boundaries.A decent sized Festival crowd, including a host of past players from around the counties attending a Professional Cricketers’ Association lunch, had witnessed 432 runs and only five wickets in the extended day’s play.

The left-arm seamer is currently recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru

Deivarayan Muthu25-Mar-2023Chennai Super Kings left-arm seamer Mukesh Choudhary is a doubtful starter for IPL 2023 as he is currently recovering from a back injury at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru.It could not be confirmed whether Choudhary will miss some part of the season or the entire tournament. The uncapped 26-year-old is understood to have joined Super Kings’ camp earlier this month in Chennai before heading to the NCA, but a timeframe for his return from injury could not be confirmed.Choudhary’s most recent competitive game was in the 50-over Vijay Hazare Trophy for Maharashtra in December 2022 in Ahmedabad.Related

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Choudhary’s injury is another blow to Super Kings’ seam attack that has already lost New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who is also down with a back injury. Deepak Chahar, the leader of the seam attack, is also working his way back from injury, as is opening batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. Allrounder Shivam Dube, too, is on the road back from an injury he sustained while bowling at the nets during the Vijay Hazare Trophy.Super Kings will also be without the Sri Lankan pair of Maheesh Theekshana and Matheesha Pathirana, who will link up with the franchise only after the end of Sri Lanka’s six-match white-ball series in New Zealand on April 8.If Choudhary doesn’t recover in time, it will leave Super Kings without a left-arm seamer in their squad. He was one of the finds of the last IPL season, emerging as the team’s joint-highest wicket-taker, with 16 strikes in 13 games at an economy rate of 9.31. Eleven of those wickets came in the powerplay, the joint-most by any bowler during this phase in the tournament.Delhi’s Simarjeet Singh and Mumbai’s Tushar Deshpande, who recently won the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, are the reserve pace-bowling options for Super Kings. Super Kings play the first game of the season against defending champions Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 31.