Month: December 2017

4:35 AM ET Daniel Brettig in Perth Fresh allegations of spot-fixing in Australian cricket have arrived at the same time the ICC’s anti-corruption unit is making a major shift in focus to more directly target corruptors and their intermediaries as opposed to the players caught up in their web. As the governing body’s recently appointed anti-corruption general manager Alex Marshall sets out to investigate a wide assortment of claims made…

4:36 AM ET Colin Benjamin West Indies players will be offered more flexible and enhanced contracts, including exclusive retainers for Test and limited-overs cricket, according to a new Cricket West Indies policy. The highest-paid category will be for players who feature in all formats, with a maximum retainer of over US $300,000 including match fees. The three-man selection panel, led by Courtney Browne, has shortlisted players for every category, which…

Play 00:54 Dobell: Nothing but wind so far in spot-fixing claims Criminal charges may result from allegations of corruption in Australian cricket, the ICC has warned, as an investigation began in earnest in the wake of claims that the ongoing third Ashes Test at the WACA has been targeted by spot-fixers. According to a report in The Sun, two men asked the newspaper’s undercover reporters for up to £140,000 (USD187,000)…

3:22 AM ET Osman Samiuddin How often have you been left frustrated by a great Test series that ended too soon, and without a decisive result because there was no third Test? Well, be prepared to get used to that feeling because at least half of all Test series in cricket’s new calendar will likely consist of just two Tests. A copy of the incoming Future Tours Programme (FTP) obtained…

2:29 AM ET ESPNcricinfo staff Mark Stoneman was given a taste of the WACA of old during his half-century on the opening day before a controversial end to his innings. Here’s a recap of an innings that included a change of bat, a barrage of short balls and a blow on the head Getty Images 6.1 Starc to Stoneman, no run, dug in short, Stoneman takes his bottom hand off…

Dobell: Reward for tremendous spell from Hazlewood (0:50) George Dobell looks back at England’s progress and Josh Hazlewood’s impeccable bowling in the first session of the WACA Test (0:50) 3:00 AM ET Tea England 4 for 175 (Malan 42*, Bairstow 14*) v AustraliaLive scorecard and ball-by-ball details Mark Stoneman moved to his highest Test score but failed to capitalise on his start as Australia continued to chip away at England…

2:23 AM ET ESPNcricinfo staff Colin de Grandhomme has withdrawn from New Zealand’s ODI squad for the series against West Indies and has returned to Zimbabwe following the death of his father. Doug Bracewell has been picked as a replacement for the series which starts from December 20, with no timeline set for de Grandhomme’s return. “This is obviously extremely sad news for Colin and his family and we’re all…

1:53 AM ET Colin Benjamin The West Indies players will be offered more flexible and enhanced contracts including exclusive retainers for Test and limited-overs cricket. The highest-paid category would be for players who feature in all formats, with a maximum retainer of over USD 300,000 including match fees. The three-man selection panel lead by Courtney Browne has shortlisted players for every category, which is expected to be made public soon….

12:45 AM ET ESPNcricinfo staff Colin de Grandhomme has withdrawn from New Zealand’s ODI squad for the series against West Indies and has returned to Zimbabwe following the death of his father. Doug Bracewell has been picked as a replacement for the series which starts from December 20, with no timeline set for de Grandhomme’s return. “This is obviously extremely sad news for Colin and his family and we’re all…