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New Zealand Cricket has reiterated a statement made last year that no games played in the country or involving the national side are being investigated by anti-corruption officials

ESPNcricinfo staff15-May-2014Lou Vincent, the former New Zealand batsman, has reportedly given information to the ICC’s anti-corruption unit detailing attempted spot-fixing in several competitions around the world – including county cricket in England and the Champions League.New Zealand Cricket said on Thursday that some of Auckland Aces’ 2012 Champions League games were being reviewed but reiterated its statement that no matches played in the country or involving the national team were part of the investigation.According to the , Vincent has provided information on approaches made during his time with Sussex and Lancashire. Sussex have previously confirmed that a 40-over game against Kent, in which Vincent played, was subject to investigation by the anti-corruption and security unit (ACSU).The reports comes at a time when the role of the ACSU, which acts as an independent watchdog, has been under discussion. Proposals during the April round of ICC meetings suggested that the ACSU may be reviewed by the game’s big three nations, with the body potentially being asked to report directly to the chairman of the board rather than the chief executive of the ICC. The proposals could see the watchdog effectively controlled by three countries: Australia, England and India.Responding to reports of Vincent’s statements to anti-corruption police, David White, NZC’s CEO, stated that none of the current international New Zealand players were being investigated by the ACSU. The had reported Vincent has provided information on what it called “widespread fixing across cricket”, involving matches in at least five countries.”Firstly I want to make it clear that this is an ICC investigation and New Zealand Cricket is very limited in what it can say, but we can confirm the following. No games played in New Zealand are being investigated by the ICC. No current Black Caps are being investigated. No matches involving New Zealand national teams are being investigated,” White said.White, however, stated that a few games played by Auckland Aces in the 2012 Champions League T20 in South Africa were under investigation. Vincent had also reportedly told officials of fixing when he played for the Auckland Aces in New Zealand and during the tournament in 2012.”We have been informed by the ICC that some Auckland Aces matches in the Champions League in South Africa in 2012 are being investigated,” White said. “We would like to stress that we understand that this is very much an isolated incident. Match-fixing is a threat to cricket around the globe, and we remain 100% behind the ICC in their focus of fighting corruption.”In December, Vincent confirmed that he was involved in an ongoing ICC anti-corruption investigation and in February he admitted being approached by an illegal bookmaker during the 2013 Bangladesh Premier League season. However, the has reported that Vincent has provided the ICC’s anti-corruption unit with other information on matches targeted for spot-fixing and the names of players involved.The paper said Vincent had told anti-corruption police of attempted fixing in England’s Twenty20 Cup and CB40 competitions. The reported that Vincent had admitted trying to convince one Lancashire team-mate to participate in a fix, but the player reported the approach to authorities.It was also reported that Vincent had provided details of an approach by another player to a current international captain, who turned down the offer and also reported it to anti-corruption officials. The paper also reported that the ICC’s anti-corruption unit was close to charging a former Pakistan player based on Vincent’s evidence.The investigation, the said, is likely to take another 12 to 18 months to complete with Vincent, reportedly, having agreed to a plea bargain in an effort to avoid a criminal prosecution.The ICC would not offer any comment on the particulary ACSU investigation, which appears to revolve around domestic T20 leagues rather than international matches. In the last decade with the growth of domestic T20 leagues around the world, the ACSU has been called upon to work with several home boards, where its role is that of an information-gathering agency rather than an investigative body with powers.The ACSU personnel police the domestic T20 events and once it is done, they hand over information gathered around anti-corruption activities to the home boards. It is up to the home boards to take action or ask for further investigation to be carried out. So far only the Bangladesh Cricket Board has asked for an ACSU lead be turned into a full-fledged investigation into corruption in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). By the end of the investigation in February 2014, two cricketers were banned and one BPL team owner was found guilty of corruption.

Warwickshire welcome back Ian Bell and Chris Woakes for NatWest Blast T20 Finals Day, but there is no place in their 15-man squad for Jonathan Trott.

George Dobell22-Aug-2014Warwickshire welcome back Ian Bell and Chris Woakes for NatWest Blast T20 Finals Day, but there is no place in their 15-man squad for Jonathan Trott.Dougie Brown feels Jonathan Trott’s game is more suited to the longer formats than the modern T20•Getty ImagesWhile Trott set a T20 record aggregate for the most runs in a 10-match qualifying campaign in 2009, he has played very few games in the format since 2010. And while Warwickshire’s director of cricket, Dougie Brown, feels that Trott’s form is returning to somewhere near its best, he felt the shortest format of the game had moved on since the last time he played.”Trotty hasn’t played a lot of T20 cricket over the last five or six years,” Brown said. “And when he did play it was a dramatically different game.”His game is more suited to 50-over and four-day cricket, going towards ODI and Test cricket. Whether he would feature in a T20 side for England I would probably doubt, but clearly he has vast experience in all formats of the game but you can only pick XI and you’ve got to make that call.”Trott actually made his international debut in T20 cricket in 2007. But having played just one T20 match in 2011, he did not play again until June of this year when he was in the early days of his return from a stress-related illness. He struggled for fluency in the two matches he played – including a 38-ball innings of 39 against Worcestershire – and has since been restricted to List A and first-class cricket.Trott has scored three centuries – two in the Royal London Cup and one in the County Championship – since July 21 but, despite Warwickshire lacking one of their overseas players – Shoaib Malik – and reflecting on the news that their club captain, Jim Troughton, has been forced to retire with a back injury, Trott still missed out to younger men such as Scotland’s Freddie Coleman and 22-year-old Jonathon Webb.”T20 is a very skilful game,” Brown explained. “I’m not saying he’s not an extremely skilful player. But if you’re looking at having players who play 360 degrees – the likes of Laurie Evans and the new breed like Coleman and Webb, who can play all sorts of different, inventive shots – is that Trotty?”I think he’s happy playing four-day and 50-over cricket. He’s a great player. A proper player. He’s a world-class player when he’s at his best and I reckon he’s getting back to somewhere close to that.”Bell, meanwhile, has not represented Warwickshire in this format since 2010, and accepts he lacks match-practise in T20 cricket. But he is relishing the opportunity to represent the side he supported as a boy at Finals Day on his home ground.”It’s not always easy for us England players to come back and take the place of people who have been doing well for the club,” Bell admitted. “But we’re desperate to play as much as we can for Warwickshire.”Days like this are great. They are the ones you remember when you finish playing and the ones you want to be part of.”As an England player, you hardly get the chance to play T20. And if you don’t get picked by England in T20, you don’t play for anyone. I went through a period when I just didn’t play any. You need to play T20 regularly to know where you are and your game-plan.”At the start of the season, when it was announced the games would be on Friday nights, I thought I’d play more. But I’ve probably played less. It’s been hard to do.”Warwickshire also welcome back fast bowler Boyd Rankin from a hamstring injury, but are without Keith Barker, who has an elbow injury but is expected to play the next Championship game, and Chris Wright, who has a stress fracture and will not play again this season.

Sadio Mane, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Emre Can and Andrew Robertson make the cut after the Reds rolled to a 4-1 victory over the Hammers

Nick Pope | BurnleyPope made four saves against Southampton as Burnley were held to a 1-1 draw at Turf Moor.AdvertisementGetty ImagesAntonio Valencia | Manchester UnitedValencia produced two key passes and made six clearances against Chelsea — both joint-highs among Manchester United players.GettyShane Duffy | Brighton and Hove AlbionDuffy made more clearances (nine) and blocks (three) than any other player in Brighton's 4-1 win over Swansea.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyDavinson Sanchez | TottenhamThe Colombian defender completed 94% of his passes and made eight clearances in Spurs' 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Marcus Stoinis scored his maiden first-class century as Victoria took control on the second day of their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the MCG

ESPNcricinfo staff04-Mar-2014
ScorecardMarcus Stoinis scored his maiden first-class century as Victoria took control on the second day of their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the MCG. Stoinis finished unbeaten on 164 and at stumps was alongside Peter Handscomb on 43 as the Bushrangers moved along to 3 for 393, with a lead of 187 and plenty of time to push for victory.Stoinis shared a 190-run partnership for the third wicket with David Hussey, who made 88, and that was enough to secure first-innings points in the first day-night pink-ball match played in Melbourne. Rob Quiney and debutant Dean Russ put on 60 for the opening stand before Russ was lbw to Xavier Doherty for 18 and Quiney was caught behind off Luke Butterworth for 70.Stoinis played some classy strokes on his was to an unbeaten century and finished with 21 fours and three sixes, including two down the ground off Doherty. The partnership with Hussey ended only when Hussey was controversially given out lbw to Doherty – replays suggested the ball had not in fact struck Hussey on the body.

It is five years since Adil Rashid played for England and life has not always gone easily since, but no lesser luminary than Dickie Bird, Yorkshire’s president, is predicting his international days may come again

Ivo Tennant14-Apr-2014
ScorecardMarcus Trescothick’s wicket is still highly prized, as the bowler, Ryan Sidebottom indicates•Getty ImagesIt is five years since Adil Rashid last played for England, not in the five day game, as was predicted for him, but in instant cricket as well as in a drinks carrying role that was supposed to equate with gathering experience. No less a luminary than Dickie Bird is now predicting a resumption of his international career, and he made the ideal start by reaching a century against a county whose bowlers he has always relished facing.Three of Rashid’s first-class centuries have come against Somerset. Having made 84 overnight, he progressed to three figures with 17 fours off 167 balls without undue alarm. If anything, the pitch was easier to bat on than on the first day, emphasising the old adage that if wickets are not taken in the first hour of the match at Taunton, they might never be taken at all. Yorkshire will have been disappointed not to have finished with a larger total than 450, having resumed on 342 for five.Craig Overton, who had Rashid caught at the wicket and also dismissed the other overnight batsman, Andrew Hodd, well taken by Marcus Trescothick two handed above his head, could, and perhaps should, have been given the new ball ahead of Alfonso Thomas and Lewis Gregory. He and his twin brother, Jamie, who has not been selected for this match, very much represent the future for a county in transition.Hodd had reached a half century with ten fours off 81 balls and Liam Plunkett made useful runs besides. Two of the last three wickets were taken by Johann Myburgh, who finds himself the sole spinner in Somerset’s side – doubtless somewhat to his surprise. It is rather stating the obvious that it is hard to envisage him bowling out opponents this summer, even when the pitches are drier and firmer.Any remaining life in this pitch would be needed to be extracted by Ryan Sidebottom with the new ball when Somerset’s innings began. Marcus Trescothick began by taking two fours off his opening over and followed this with a further four, leg glanced, when he made to play a similar shot at the next ball, or at any rate close the face of the bat.Late movement across him resulted in the loss of his off stump. On the roof of the Old Pavilion, Jason Gillespie, Yorkshire’s coach, was thoroughly animated. So was Sidebottom. Whatever ghis form last season might indicate, this remains a wicket that is highly prized.Chris Jones, who played watchfully off the back foot in compiling a half century off 103 balls and, in making 75, his highest championship score. At the other end, Nick Compton, seeking some decent early season notches in an attempt to regain his England place – no-one can have worked harder towards this end in the winter, chiefly in the indoor school at Lord’s with Neil Burns, his mentor – fell back on accumulation.He did not find the boundary until the 86th ball of his innings, and had made 32 in all when Plunkett bowled him with what looked to be a good, honest straight delivery. Jones went before the close, by when Rashid had had a bowl. Modestly, he said that he feels he needs “another season or two with both bat and ball” of progression in order to come into selection for international cricket once again.

A masterful innings from Michael Klinger steered Adelaide Strikers to an important victory over Perth Scorchers.

Alex Malcolm 31-Dec-2013
ScorecardMichael Klinger continued his excellent form•Getty ImagesA masterful innings from Michael Klinger steered Adelaide Strikers to an important victory over Perth Scorchers. In front of a very vocal home crowd, Klinger produced an innings of supreme quality to guide his side to a tricky target of 160 with six balls to spare.For the third match in a row Klinger struck the first ball of the Strikers innings for four, a crisp cover drive off Michael Beer, to show how well he is hitting the ball.But unlike so many match-winning innings in this format, Klinger’s innings was not just a display of brutal power hitting. 44 of his unbeaten 86 came in boundaries as he manufactured nine twos on the unusual dimensions of the Adelaide Oval through pinpoint placement and hard running.Klinger had the perfect foil at the top of the order in Alex Hales. He blasted five fours and a six in his 20-ball 31 to get the chase off to a rollicking start. Klinger was just 9 not out when Hales miscued an on-drive to Simon Katich off Yasir Arafat.Klinger never panicked nor did he let the scoreboard stall at any point thereafter. Phil Hughes, Johan Botha, and Callum Ferguson scored just 24 runs between them from 28 deliveries through the middle of the innings but Klinger collected 46 from 36 at the other end without really taking a risk.Nathan Reardon joined Klinger with 44 required from 32 balls. They wisely saw off the spin of Brad Hogg, collecting just three singles and a two from his fourth over, before targeting the fast bowlers.Klinger crunched Nathan Coulter-Nile over cover for six to release the pressure. Reardon then bombed Alfonso Thomas into the midwicket stands to get the rate down to a run-a-ball. Klinger finished the job with two massive sixes off Arafat in the 19th over to close it out and send the Strikers to the top of the BBL table.Earlier their bowlers did a terrific job of containing the Scorchers batsmen after Katich won the toss.The innings got off to a disastrous start when Shaun Marsh took on the deadly arm of Johan Botha at mid-off and was run out in the second over.A mixture of spin and guile from Botha and Adam Zampa and raw pace from Shaun Tait saw the Scorchers slump to 5 for 96. Michael Neser then delivered a double-wicket maiden in the 16th over to cripple the innings further.But some late hitting from Nathan Coulter-Nile gave the Scorchers something to defend. His unbeaten 42 from just 25 balls reinforced his immeasurable talent.He struck three sixes and two fours from Ben Oakley’s last two overs. Coulter-Nile also claimed 2 for 28 with the ball to cap off an outstanding all-round display. But it was a lone hand in a losing cause as the finalists from the first two seasons slumped to their second loss of the tournament.

Batsman Alviro Petersen has stepped down as captain of Lions, due to what he perceived as interference by the Board and the convener of selectors, the franchise has said

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2014Batsman Alviro Petersen has stepped down as captain of Lions, due to what he perceived as interference by the Board and the convener of selectors, the franchise has said. The wicketkeeper Thami Tsolekile has taken over the captaincy for the remaining Ram Slam T20 games.A franchise press release said that prior to Lions’ match against Warriors in Cape Town on January 5, “several events within the team scenario” led to a situation where the chairman of Lions Cricket, Archie Pretorius, instructed the convener of selectors, Hussein Manack, to meet with the captain and the coach in order to clarify their roles and responsibilities. The franchise said that Petersen perceived this as “interference” by the board and selectors and decided to step down, despite efforts to convince him against it. Petersen told his team-mates on the morning of the match of his decision.Petersen, however, led the side for the match and scored 9. Tsolekile took over the captaincy from the next match against Knights at Bloemfontein. Lions, however, lost both games and now sit at the bottom of the points table.”It came as a bit unexpected but, as a professional, one must always be able to step up to the plate when your name is called,” said Tsolekile, who was appointed on Sunday morning. “I have led the team before and have always enjoyed this. I will try my best to carry on in the footsteps of Alviro.”Coach Geoff Toyana said Petersen’s presence as a senior in the team will still be invaluable. “I want to thank Alviro for his leadership and contribution as captain, on and off the field, over the past few years,” Toyana said. “Knowing Alviro as a professional, he will continue to be a great asset to the team as a senior player.”Greg Fredericks, Lions CEO, said Petersen’s decision was unexpected. “I also want to thank Alviro for his leadership over the past few years when the Lions achieved the most success in recent times. We do however have to look forward as we still have two competitions in which we want to do well. I also want to thank Thami for agreeing to take over the captaincy at such short notice.”

Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been cleared by a neurologist with “no restriction on physical activity or exertion” after he suffered a seizure during the Caribbean Premier League last month

Umar Farooq06-Sep-2013Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has been cleared by a neurologist with “no restriction on physical activity or exertion” after he suffered a seizure during the Caribbean Premier League last month.Akmal, 23, who was playing for Barbados Tridents in the CPL, suffered a seizure on a flight to Jamaica and had to spend a night in the hospital. The PCB asked Akmal to return to Pakistan immediately for an extensive medical examination by neurologist, Dr Nadir Ali Syed.Syed confirmed that the seizure was triggered due to sleep deprivation. The doctor also confirmed that Akmal did not need medication or any further medical tests at this time. The clean bill of health means that the wicketkeeper-batsman is now available for national selection.The PCB said: “According to him (Nadir), it was a one-off incident, a relatively common occurrence and does not necessitate any restrictions on Mr. Akmal, other than ensuring at least 6-7 hours of sleep every night.”Akmal expressed his gratitude for the support he got from the board. “I am really grateful to the PCB, in particular Chairman Sethi Sahib, for being extremely caring and providing me every possible support including great personal care and counselling,” he said.Despite asserting to the board that he was fully fit for national selection, Akmal was declared “medically unfit” by the PCB. He was replaced by wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed for the limited-overs leg of the Zimbabwe tour.Akmal, who had missed out on the South Africa tour and the Champions Trophy, was recently awarded a cash prize of Rs. 600,000 (USD $6000) for strong performances in the limited-overs series against West Indies. He was the second-highest run-getter on the tour, scoring 175 runs in 5 ODIs at an average of 58.33. Akmal’s run in the CPL, however, was disappointing as he scored 49 runs at an average of 8.16 in six matches.

The last five wickets belonging to Michael Clarke’s befuddled team tumbled for eight runs in 46 balls after lunch, rather summing up the gulf between the two sides in a series Australia had expected to win

The Report by Daniel Brettig03-Nov-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details7:02

‘Pakistan’s greatest series win’ – Ramiz

Twenty years of Pakistan defeats at Australian hands were erased in little more than 20 minutes. The last five wickets belonging to Michael Clarke’s befuddled team tumbled for eight runs in 46 balls after lunch, rather summing up the gulf between the two sides in a series Australia had expected to win.Instead it was Misbah-ul-Haq’s team that was triumphant, not just beating Australia but totally obliterating them. The Abu Dhabi result was Pakistan’s biggest ever victory margin by runs. In terms of average differential (batting average minus bowling average) this was Australia’s worst series of all time. Australia have the Ashes, but that’s all.The final spoils were rightly shared by Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah, the little-known spin duo which did not merely cover for Saeed Ajmal’s absence but took advantage of it. Australia spent most of the preceding six months preparing for mystery offspin and doosras, even hiring Muttiah Muralitharan. Instead they were flummoxed by classical left-arm orthodox and legspin.Pakistan up to No. 3 in Test rankings

Following their 2-0 thumping of Australia, Pakistan have moved up to No. 3 in the ICC’s Test ranking, leapfrogging England, Sri Lanka and India.
This is Pakistan’s best ranking since January 2007, when they had claimed third after winning a Test against South Africa in South Africa – the hosts won that series 2-1.
Australia have not dropped out of second place despite being whitewashed, but the gap to South Africa at No. 1 has widened.

Other garlands were rightfully saved for Younis Khan, the prolific and cultured runmaker who built the wall Australia’s bowlers were never anywhere near tearing down. Then there was the captain Misbah, who showed total composure throughout the series before giving free rein to his skills with the equal-fastest Test century of all time.Above all else, Australia’s display demonstrated how they will be illegitimate contenders for the title of best team in the world until they can find a way to thrive on the slow, low and turning pitches set-up to blunt their speedy brand of the game in Asia and elsewhere. Clarke in particular must wear a share of blame for the result, as he failed completely to set a batting example for less experienced team-mates.For most of the morning Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh at least showed some evidence of learning how to cope with these climes, too late to change the series but perhaps an attempt to salvage some vestige of self-respect.Smith used his feet smartly and also defended stoutly in a fine display, but he lost the assistance of Marsh when the allrounder glanced Mohammad Hafeez straight to leg slip. Marsh had played doggedly and well, but he will regret not either leaving or hitting out harder at a delivery that was short and down the leg side.That ended a stand of 107 over more than two hours, and brought the pained Brad Haddin to the middle, still favouring his right shoulder after jarring and bruising it heavily on the first day of the Test. Haddin winced repeatedly when playing the ball but showed great determination in doing so, and Smith cuffed a pair of boundaries in the final over of the morning to reach the cusp of a fighting century.But two balls into the afternoon he became yet another batsman to play presumptuously for spin where none existed, pinned in front by a Yasir delivery that skidded on. Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon melted away within minutes, allowing Pakistan to celebrate. It’s been a while.

Offspinner Mark Craig spearheaded an incisive bowling performance from Otago, as they comprehensively beat Canterbury by 47 runs in the HRV Cup in Christchurch

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Neil Wagner picked up two wickets for just 11 runs•AFPOffspinner Mark Craig spearheaded an incisive bowling performance from Otago, as they comprehensively beat Canterbury by 47 runs in the HRV Cup in Christchurch.Craig got the crucial wickets of the Rob Nicol, Bradley Cachopa and Andrew Ellis, and eventually finished with 3 for 29, as Canterbury struggled to produce a significant partnership. Nicol top-scored with 31, but James McMillan, Neil Wagner and Ryan ten Doeschate picked up two wickets each, to prevent any of the other batsmen from settling, as Canterbury were bundled out for 121 inside 18 overs.Otago, put in to bat, were earlier propelled by a 29-ball 46 from Derek de Boorder, and his 70-run third-wicket partnership with Aaron Redmond, that helped them overcome an early wobble at the top. Redmond and de Boorder both departed in quick succession, but ten Doeschate added a late surge by racing to 35 off just 26 balls, to help Otago to a competitive 168 for 9 from their 20 overs.