9:11 AM ET ESPNcricinfo staff The England & Wales Cricket Board has pledged a funding boost for women’s cricket of £20 million over two years, and plans to invest £50 million in the next five years, in a bid to make cricket into a gender-balanced sport. The challenge of transforming women’s and girls’ cricket was one of six priorities within the ECB’s ‘Inspiring Generations’ strategy for 2020-2024, and part of…
7:17 AM ET ESPNcricinfo staff India women’s opener Smriti Mandhana has been ruled out of the ODI series against South Africa after fracturing her right toe. A BCCI spokesperson confirmed that she had picked up the injury at a practice session following reports that said she was struck by a ball while batting in the nets. Pooja Vastrakar, the 20-year old seam-bowling allrounder, has now been added to the team….
6:35 AM ET Alex Malcolm Melbourne Stars have signed South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn for a six-game stint at the start of the upcoming Big Bash League season. Steyn had long been on the Stars wishlist and he joins fellow South Africans AB de Villiers and Chris Morris in the BBL, after de Villiers signed with the Brisbane Heat and Morris with the Sydney Thunder. Steyn joins Nepal legspinner…
The majority of counties now provide a live stream for their non-televised home games 5:32 AM ET Matt Roller Close Matt Roller is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets at @mroller98 The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is reviewing its anti-corruption codes and policies in light of the growth of live streaming in county cricket. The ECB’s existing anti-corruption codes involve a clear split between regulations for televised…
Misbah-ul-Haq has a fair bit to do after back-to-back defeats against Sri Lanka © Getty Images Misbah-ul-Haq cited deficiencies in practically all departments of the Pakistan T20I outfit following their back-to-back defeats to a second-string Sri Lanka side in Lahore, but defended the decision to bring back Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal. Over the last two years, Pakistan have won 21 of out the 28 T20Is and lost seven, five…
Joe Burns kisses the badge on reaching his century against Sri Lanka © Getty Images Not much fazes Joe Burns. He’s not worried about Test selection. Nor is he concerned about his health after battling post-viral fatigue last season. So what is Joe Burns concerned about on the eve of the new Sheffield Shield season? Missing a great NBA game on television. “It’s a great season to be an NBA…
A dejected Marcus Stoinis walks off after his duck © Getty Images Marcus Stoinis has been dropped from Australia’s T20I squad following his disappointing 50-over World Cup with Ben McDermott and Billy Stanlake among those recalled to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan as plans are formed ahead of next year’s men’s T20 World Cup. Just seven of the squad that faced India in two T20Is in February – and won…
9:33 PM ET Alex Malcolm Australia fast bowler Jason Behrendorff has confirmed he will undergo the same lower spine surgery as James Pattinson in order to solve his ongoing back issues and help prolong his career. Behrendorff, 29, met with New Zealand-based surgeon Rowan Schouten in Sydney last week for an initial consultation and has been given the green light to undergo the procedure. He will head to New Zealand…
8:35 PM ET Alex Malcolm Western Australia Last season Third (League stage: 5 wins, 3 defeats, 2 draws)Captain Mitchell MarshCoach Adam Voges 2018-19 stats Overview Western Australia won five games last season but two defeats at the hands of New South Wales ultimately cost them a place in the final. The second was the most disappointing, suffering two huge collapses on a spinning surface at Bankstown Oval despite Cameron Bancroft…
3:00 AM ET Toss Sri Lanka elected to bat v Pakistan Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first in the second T20 against Pakistan, in Lahore. There is the threat of dew later in the evening, but it had not proved to be a major obstacle for their bowlers two nights ago, when they won the first match. Pakistan have made two changes to their side, dropping…