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The incident took place on an off-day at a nature reserve in Kimberley

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jan-2020Jake Fraser-McGurk will not take any further part at the Under-19 World Cup in South Africa and return home instead as a precautionary measure after being scratched on the face by a monkey at a nature reserve while on a team outing in Kimberley.Australia’s dreams of winning the title for a fourth time ended on Tuesday after they went down to India, and Fraser-McGurk had a particularly forgettable time of it, run-out first ball – without facing a ball – in Australia’s unsuccessful chase of 234.The incident at the nature park took place when the team took a break following their last-ball win over England on January 23, and after consultation with medical staff and family members, “it was deemed necessary for Fraser-McGurk to return to Australia for precautionary treatment within seven days of the accident”, a Cricket Australia statement said, adding that “Australia will consider calling in a replacement for Fraser-McGurk for the final two matches of the tournament”.Alex Kountouris, the CA sports science and sports medicine manager, was confident Fraser-McGurk would not suffer any ongoing issues after treatment. “We want to make sure that Jake doesn’t have any ongoing medical concerns as a result of the incident, so we have taken the best course of action,” he said. “This involves the player returning to Australia for the treatment required within the recommended seven days of the incident taking place.”We expect Jake will be available for selection shortly after he has completed the treatment.”Seventeen-year-old Fraser-McGurk, who made his first-class debut for Victoria in November last year, said “You never like to be leaving the boys with the tournament still in progress. But I’m confident we have the team to get the job done in the final two matches.”I guess it serves me right for getting too close to the animal enclosure. That’s a lesson learned. I look forward to completing the treatment and getting back on the field as soon as possible.”

A Pakistani TV channel has broadcast previously unseen video footage of Mazhar Majeed in which he takes the names of four more Pakistani players who, he claims, work with him

Osman Samiuddin30-Nov-2010A Pakistani TV channel has broadcast previously unseen video footage of Mazhar Majeed, the player agent allegedly at the centre of the spot-fixing scandal, in which he takes the names of four more Pakistani players who, he claims, work with him.The video footage, obtained and shown by the news channel, is part of the hidden camera recordings that formed the original sting operation in August. In those, an undercover reporter pretending to be a member of a betting syndicate was seen meeting with Majeed a number of times to allegedly orchestrate spot-fixing scams involving members of the Pakistan team.At the time the tabloid revealed the names of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir and claimed that there were four others involved but didn’t name them. Butt, Asif and Amir were provisionally suspended by the ICC; the tabloid claimed to have exposed their plan, with Majeed, to bowl deliberate, pre-arranged no-balls during the fourth Test between Pakistan and England at Lord’s.The footage, well-placed sources confirmed to ESPNcricinfo, was shown as an exhibit in the ICC’s provisional suspension hearings of Butt and Amir, held in October in Dubai, and was part of the evidence submitted by ICC against the three.The freshly aired footage takes place in Majeed’s house, where he is talking to a reporter with a hidden camera who asks him about the players who work with him: “What’s the latest situation?” Majeed replies: “I’ll tell you who we’ve got then. We’ve got Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif, Salman Butt, Wahab Riaz … that’s six, yeah? Imran Farhat … that’s seven out of 11 players.”Majeed goes on to explain how certain players are good for certain acts and how he targets younger players in particular. “It’s long-term thinking. These boys are going to be around years and I’ve got the best boys.” Senior players such as Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq and Saeed Ajmal, he says, do not interest him because they only have a few years left. Ajmal, he says, is “too religious.”Of the four players named in the claims aired on Tuesday, Umar and Riaz continue to very much be a part of the Pakistan side; both were selected today in Pakistan’s Twenty20 and Test squads for a tour to New Zealand. Riaz was questioned by Scotland Yard during the England tour, though he was released without any charge laid on him.The eldest Akmal, Kamran, has been frozen out, however, and has not been picked since the England tour. He was the subject of a notice sent by the ACSU after the World Twenty20 in May, but was recently told by the ICC that he is cleared to play for Pakistan.According to the PCB’s chief selector Mohsin Khan, Kamran wasn’t picked for the New Zealand series because the PCB didn’t clear him. Though his Test form has been poor, he would generally be considered an essential part of the limited-overs side given the balance his hard-hitting batting brings.Farhat was part of Pakistan’s squad in the series against South Africa but has also been dropped. His axing is likelier to be the result of poor performances, however, and the relative success of a new opening pair in Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez.The emergence of this footage is likely to increase concerns in the ICC – which has not commented publicly on any of the other four players – about the legal representation the suspended trio is getting. Earlier this month, the same channel broadcast text messages allegedly exchanged between Butt and Majeed. That led to the ICC asking the players’ lawyers to return the evidence given to them during the hearings, unhappy that it was being leaked to the media.Observers familiar with and, in some instances, involved in the case have repeatedly expressed concerns over the attitude of some of the lawyers and how it might affect the workings of the final hearings into the case, due to be held in January in Doha, Qatar. Sources who witnessed the provisional suspension hearings claim that the players’ lawyers signed a document agreeing not to discuss the hearing and the case publicly, something that has not happened.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has refuted claims that money been spent irresponsibly on the Caribbean Twenty20 tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Jan-2011The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has refuted claims that Hampshire and Somerset, who have accepted an invitation to take part in the Caribbean T20 tournament in January, could earn as much as $1 million from their participation, and that money has been spent irresponsibly on the competition.”Contrary to public attempts at misinformation the two English teams will not pocket $1million from the Caribbean Twenty20,” the board said in a statement. “WICB will spend less than $300,000 for all airfares and appearance fees for the two English teams to participate in the Caribbean Twenty20. All invited teams will share the same hotels and hotel arrangements as the regional teams.”Their press release came after the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) had made public its concerns over the tournament. “The spend from this year’s event would now be added to the $3 million which the WICB spent on last year’s tournament,” read a statement released by WIPA on Wednesday. “In all, the WICB would have spent over $6 million in the past seven months on the two tournaments and they are yet to find a sponsor for this and other regional and international tournaments despite WIPA’s willingness to assist.”WIPA also questioned WICB claims that the money represents an investment aimed at attracting foreign investors and broadcasters, building a tournament and improving the brand of West Indies Cricket.The Board responded by stating that “as the WICB’s identified marquee tournament, Caribbean T20 (complete with full television coverage done for the benefit of players, fans and West Indies cricket as a brand) requires a larger investment than other regional tournaments,” adding: “An increase from 8 to 10 teams and 16 to 24 matches from the CT20 2010 necessarily increase match operating and logistics costs, accommodation and travel expenses and television production costs.”Caribbean T20 is not yet a profit making venture and is still in the investment phase. WICB has put the necessary plans in place to ensure that the tournament shows a long term return on investment.”

The Champions Trophy could go the way of the dodo as part of the ICC’s push to reorganise the global cricket calendar

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Mar-2011The Champions Trophy could go the way of the dodo as part of the ICC’s push to reorganise the global cricket calendar. The next edition of the tournament is supposed to be held in 2013, but Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive, has said they were looking to have just one primary tournament in each of the three formats of the game”What we’re trying to work towards is a pinnacle event in each format,” Haroon Lorgat, the ICC chief executive said at a press conference in Chennai. “So if we’re looking to our next cycle, we might think definitely about [losing] the Champions Trophy.”Another potential problem for the tournament is fitting it into the new Future Tours Program. In October, the ICC approved the creation of a league-style Test Championship and redrew the lines of one-day cricket as part of an extensive restructuring of the international game. The first play-off in the newly constituted Test Championship is now scheduled to be held in 2013, the same year as the next Champions Trophy.A one-day cricket league – mirroring the existing team rankings – will also be part of the FTP, starting in April 2011 and running over four years to culminate in the crowning of the first ODI league champion in April 2014. The league will run separately from the World Cup, further crowding the calendar.The Champions Trophy was first played in 1998 and has typically been held every two years since. The first two tournaments were intended to raise the profile of the game in the host nations, Bangladesh and Kenya. Australia won the last tournament in 2009

Australia are looking for a new bowling coach with Troy Cooley leaving to head their Centre of Excellence, but Glenn McGrath won’t be applying

Peter English01-Jan-2011Australia are looking for a new bowling coach with Troy Cooley leaving to head their Centre of Excellence, but Glenn McGrath won’t be applying. While his former team-mate Justin Langer quickly traded life in the middle for a role as the team’s batting coach, McGrath is comfortable as an occasional adviser to the attack.McGrath, who took 563 wickets in 124 Tests, will be omnipresent at the SCG over the next week and will seek out the fast men to pass on some tips. “I’m always happy to give advice where I can,” he said at the SCG. “I’ll chat to the boys a fair bit during this Test match and see what I can do.” But he is not interested in an official role.Four years ago McGrath retired after the 5-0 Ashes whitewash, but the scenery has changed dramatically since then. “To play the Ashes here and lose is pretty disappointing but you know what? It amazes me how, when Australia was so dominant, everyone was saying it was bad for world cricket. All of a sudden, the boys have lost a few games and everyone is calling for their heads.”He maintains faith in the leadership of Ricky Ponting and is confident the team will again climb towards the Test peak. “I’ve got total faith the boys will bounce back and get back to the top of the tree,” he said.The main purpose of McGrath’s week is to raise money for the McGrath Foundation, which supports breast cancer sufferers, and the organisation’s major event of the year is the “Pink Test”. England want to finish the series with a 3-1 result while Australia are desperately hoping to fight back to secure a draw.McGrath was the master of the 5-0 pre-series prediction but he has had to revise his tip. “It’ll be 2-all,” he said, unprompted.

The left-arm quick faces an extended period on the sidelines as all options are considered as to the best way to tackle his ongoing back problems

Alex Malcolm21-Sep-2019Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff has been ruled out of action indefinitely due to ongoing back issues as he considers all options including the same lower spine surgery that James Pattinson underwent to prolong his career.Behrendorff, the 29-year-old left-armer from Western Australia, was forced home from a short stint with Sussex in the T20 Blast in England in late August after experiencing some back soreness and scans confirmed it was connected to the repeated stress fractures he has suffered in the past. He had been managing his back problems over the past couple of years, which included stepping away from first-class cricket completely to play limited-overs only.He will miss the Marsh One-Day Cup and the Western Australia and Cricket Australia medical staff are considering all options, which includes exploring surgery as well as just an extended rest before the BBL. ESPNcricinfo understands Behrendorff is set to speak to both Pattinson and former New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond about the spine surgery both men had to fix similar issues.If surgery is a more viable option Behrendorff could head to New Zealand soon to consult with Christchurch-based surgeon Grahame Inglis, who performed the surgery on both Bond and Pattinson, to see whether he can undergo the procedure that could help prolong his career and potentially get him back playing all three formats. The recovery time for such surgery would be between nine and 12 months and next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October 2020 would be factored into the equation as to whether surgery is the correct route.Bond, who was Behrendorff’s bowling coach at the Mumbai Indians during this year’s IPL, first had the surgery in New Zealand in 2004 and it extended his career by six years. The surgery involves fusing screws and a titanium cable into the lower spine to stabilise the stress fracture which would not heal conventionally.Pattinson had the same surgery in New Zealand in 2017, having also consulted with Bond, as a last resort after fears his career might end prematurely aged 27. He has made a remarkable recovery to play Test cricket again for Australia, featuring in the recent Ashes series having last played Test cricket in 2016.New Zealand paceman Matt Henry, who was a key contributor to New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, also had the same surgery in 2012.Behrendorff, who is the same age as Pattinson, has not played a first-class game since November 2017. After a lengthy recovery he made the decision to step away from long-form cricket to manage his workloads. After a successful time in Australia’s ODI and T20 teams last summer he was selected in the World Cup squad and took 5 for 44 against England at Lord’s.Behrendorff does have an excellent first-class record for Western Australia having taken 126 wickets at an average of 23.85. He took 40 wickets in the 2013-14 Sheffield Shield season and was named Australia’s domestic player of the year in January 2015. He claimed a career-best 14 for 89 against Victoria in 2017 including 9 for 37 in the first innings.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has claimed that their on-loan winger, Jack Harrison, would be a good squad player at his parent club Manchester City, but that he could be a “force” if he moved to Elland Road permanently.

Harrison signed for City from New York City in January 2018 and was immediately shipped out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough where he only made four appearances during the second half of the season.

After signing an initial two-year loan deal at Leeds in the summer of 2018, Harrison then signed another one-year loan deal last summer and it’s expected that the move will become permanent at the end of the season.

Speaking on why Harrison would be a good squad player at Man City but why it would be better for him to stay at Leeds, Norris told FFC exclusively:

“He would be a good squad player for them but I just don’t think he would get the game time, but I think he would suit City and he could be a capable squad player.

“At Leeds though I think he could be a big force and name so I would like to see him stick it out and see what happens over the next year or two.”

Since 2018, Harrison has made 124 appearances for Leeds, becoming a crucial player in Marcelo Bielsa’s incredibly attacking side.

It has been reported that Leeds will be able to sign Harrison for a bargain price of just £11 million this summer as Man City have no plans to include him into their side.

Leeds United are not believed to be interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore this summer, despite reports suggesting otherwise.

Marcelo Bielsa will likely be aiming to make key additions to strengthen his squad over the summer transfer window and show that Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League has been no fluke, with another strong campaign required in 2021/22.

[freshpress-quiz id=“351040″]

Leeds’ interest in Traore ‘dismissed’

One player who has been linked with a move to Elland Road is Traore, with the £31.5m-valued forward potentially leaving Wolves at the end of the season.

According to Football Insider, however, sources at Leeds have ‘dismissed’ those claims, with Bielsa not viewing him as an option moving forward.

Transfer Tavern take

When he is in full flow, Traore is a hugely exciting player to watch, as illustrated by some electric performances last season. However, given the money Leeds would have to spend on him, it would be a big risk.

The Spaniard ultimately flatters to deceive in the final third too often, scoring just one goal and registering two assists in 31 league appearances this season.

That level of inconsistency is unlikely to appeal to Bielsa, with wide men such as Raphinha and Jack Harrison delivering more regularly with 12 goal involvements apiece in the league. Therefore, Leeds are probably right to back away from a move for Traore.

In other news, Leeds are thought to be interested in signing an international full-back this summer – find out who it is here.

As Manchester City recover from what has been a torrid last week, losing the FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea followed by the European Super League saga, Pep Guardiola’s side are back to winning ways after a 2-1 victory against Aston Villa on Wednesday evening. 

Goals from Phil Foden and Rodrigo clinched a crucial three points from 1-0 down with City now on the way to a fifth Premier League title and third under Guardiola – coming just in time ahead of the Carabao Cup final this weekend.

John McGinn gave Villa a very early lead after John Stones failed to clear a pass in behind though, and the Englishman didn’t exactly have the best evening.

He has arguably been City’s most improved player this season, partnering summer signing Ruben Dias to superb effect, but at Villa Park he played a hand in the home side’s opener and later got sent off for a reckless challenge on Jacob Ramsey – with one fan calling him a ‘liability’ as a result.

Despite his incredible form this season, many Sky Blues weren’t impressed with last night’s showing – with the 26-year-old unsurprisingly managing a measly 5.0 rating on SofaScore.

Find all of their verdicts down below.

Man City fans slam Stones

“We all knew John Stones form was a fugazi, sell him in the summer and bring in Koundé”

Credit: @cxtizn

“Blatant red, Stones has been awful from the first minute”

Credit: @molmcfc

“Stones starting to become liability again. England, Chelsea and this”

Credit: @chrisSw31332053

“John Stones form since his England return has been woeful. Don’t get it”

Credit: @SiCurtis87

“Stones had a shocking game.. At fault for their goal as well..”

Credit: @MCFC_Vision

“Stones has been worryingly shocking recently

– Aston Villa red and cost goal

-BVB didn’t cover Haaland for the goal in the second goal

-England mistake

-Leeds should’ve gone in for the 1st goal and was pathetic slow for the 2nd

Laporte return”

Credit: @acacac2410

“100% a red btw. Stones had a shocking half”

Credit: @mcfctj_

“John Stones look awful today”

Credit: @mac_marb

In other news: Man City fans also flocked to a Romano claim, find out more here.

Alex McLeish believes John Kennedy could still be named Celtic’s new permanent manager.

Kennedy has been in interim charge of the Hoops following Neil Lennon’s resignation back in February.

The Scot, who prefers a 4-4-2 system (Transfermarkt), has been linked with the permanent role recently.

Reports suggested he could increase his chances of earning the job on a full-time basis with a win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup, but despite the loss to Steven Gerrard’s side, McLeish still thinks the 37-year-old has a chance.

McLeish 62, was speaking to Football Insider and dropped an inside claim by sharing what a mutual friend has told him.

“I always believed that the go-to guys for these kinds of decisions is the players.

“John has got a good reputation. A friend of mine up in Glasgow is very pally with him and he thinks that John could definitely step up. John’s got to be believing that as well.

“If the players were really vociferous in terms of saying: ‘John’s been superb…’ They have been very, very supportive of the interim manager.

“I think that Celtic will be looking for more experience in a coach than John has at this moment. Although, he has been in and around the first team for donkey’s years.

“I believe that the Celtic fans will be looking for the announcement of a big name.”

Transfer Tavern take

In our opinion, Kennedy shouldn’t be handed the managerial role on a permanent basis for exactly the reason McLeish states.

He may well still prove a handy assistant to any new boss that potentially comes in, but with no senior managerial experience under his belt prior to the interim Hoops role, it could prove too big of a challenge.

Celtic still have a few months to get a new boss in and settled ahead of the 2021/22 season and a busy transfer window, so they don’t have to rush things just yet.

However, should they remain without a manager when the transfer window opens, we may well see the club panic and hand Kennedy the reins.

In other news: Roy Keane to Celtic twist emerges following behind-the-scenes development, find out more here.