Robert Haynes takes over as interim chairman as new CWI president hints at return of exiled star players

George Dobell11-Apr-2019Floyd Reifer has replaced Richard Pybus as West Indies’ coach just weeks ahead of the World Cup.Reifer, who was briefly captain of West Indies in 2009, has been appointed to the role in an interim capacity following a review of West Indies’ coaching and selection policies led by newly-elected Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt.The entire West Indies selection panel has also been dismissed. Courtney Browne, who had been a selector since 2013 and head selector since 2016, has been sacked with Robert Haynes, who played eight ODIs for West Indies between 1989 and 1991, appointed as interim head selector in his place.”We have found it necessary to immediately adjust our selection policy to become more open, inclusive, and player-centric,” Skerritt said. “I am therefore pleased to confirm that we have terminated the old embedded selection policy which secretly, but actively, victimized some players and banished them from selection consideration.”While Pybus was only appointed to the role of interim head coach in January and was at the helm when West Indies recently defeated England in a Test series, his dismissal is no surprise. He had ruffled many feathers during his time as West Indies’ director of cricket – University of West Indies vice-chancellor Sir Hilary Beckles recently described Pybus’ decision to shut down the West Indies’ high-performance centre in Barbados as “deeply troubling” and “an act of vandalism” – and was seen as closely aligned to former CWI president, Dave Cameron.Indeed, it is understood that despite Jimmy Adams, West Indies’ director of cricket, not including Pybus’ name among a not so shortlist of 11 suitable candidates for the interim position in December, Cameron decided to appoint him anyway.Pybus had also been party to the decision to consider for selection only those players who made themselves available for selection in the Caribbean’s regional tournaments. As a result, many of the West Indies’ best T20 players were squeezed out of selection contention. It is possible his departure may encourage one or two more players who have previously announced their international retirement to reconsider.Lockhart Sebastien, Travis Dowlin and Eldine Baptiste are the other selectors to be dismissed. Adams and Reifer will assist Haynes with team selection for now. The team captain, Jason Holder, will also be involved in selection of the World Cup squad. Pybus will return to the role of High Performance Director.”Robert Haynes will be in place for three months or until the selection system review is completed,” Adams said. “Following this, full-time two-year appointments will be made. The Head Coach will also have selector status to ensure he or she has meaningful input into the selection process which is such a big factor for team success.”Reifer has enjoyed a previous stint of as interim head coach during which West Indies won a T20 series in Bangladesh. He has also coached the West Indies A side, including to victory over England, and the Combined Campuses and Colleges side to victory in the regional 50 over tournament in 2018.Skerritt explained that his appointment was reflective of the board’s new “West Indian first policy” designed to promote and encourage regional talent whenever possible.”Floyd Reifer had been identified as the outstanding emerging local coach,” Skerritt said. “Our landmark decision to immediately introduce a well suited young West Indian professional as our men’s team coach is therefore a clear indicator of the seriousness of our West Indian first policy and represents our commitment to celebrate the best of what it means to be West Indian. This decision also underscores the need for fresh thinking, and an even more urgent need to embrace the new inclusive selection policy.”We believe very strongly in localising the expertise that we put behind our teams and we believe in bringing in non-Caribbean expertise only where it is not available across the region. We want to be sure that the team does well at all times with the possible resources but we also have to make sure that they have a Caribbean support team around them.”Our performance record overseas under international coaches has been dismal at best. All of our victories in ICC tournaments have been with the help of local coaches. That is also why we have decided to give the opportunity to a young but seasoned professional, who lives among us, and who has dedicated his life to developing our young people and teaching them our cricket culture.”The changes we have triggered this week are more than a change in personnel or a shake-up in the ranks. This is a calculated strategic move designed to reignite the passion for a culture, where our cricket is being put back where it belongs: at the very centre.”West Indies depart for Ireland in less than three weeks for a tri-series ODI tournament also involving Bangladesh.

Andrew McGlashan in Brisbane06-May-2019The Australians, including Steven Smith and David Warner for the first time in more than a year, had to scramble for a one-wicket victory against a New Zealand XI including just five of the World Cup squad after suffering a batting collapse on the first of three practice matches at Allan Border Field.Having earlier restricted the New Zealanders to 215 they stumbled from 2 for 122 to 9 for 205 leaving the final pair of Jason Behrendorff and Adam Zampa to edge them across the line as darkness fell and save the blushes of a middle order that produced some poor shot selection.For all the excitement at the end, the result of this match won’t be hugely significant in the bigger picture but it was the latest milestone in the comeback story of Warner and Smith, pulling on the Australian colours for the first time since the Newlands ball-tampering scandal. They are likely to face more hostile crowds over the next few months than the 1000-plus of friendly local support that gathered on a public holiday. “Welcome back, Smithy” came a lone voice as the Australians took the field in the morning and both were greeted by warm applause as they walked to the crease. In England, however, things are expected to be a bit different.One of the more intriguing aspects of the day was a small message in how Warner was used: it doesn’t matter how good your form is, you may have to take on a new position in the team as he was slotted in at No. 3 despite only once in 104 ODI innings having not opened.As it was, Warner arrived at the crease in the first over of the chase when Usman Khawaja was bowled by Matt Henry playing an expansive drive and, after an iffy start where he was dropped at gully before scoring, cantered his way to 39 off 43. Smith, who earlier took a terrific one-handed diving catch that will have given the troublesome elbow a good test, got himself settled before falling for 22 and the innings stuttered.Marcus Stoinis was caught behind from a loose drive, Shaun Marsh slashed to gully and Alex Carey nicked a wild shot to leave it to the bowlers. Nathan Coulter-Nile tried to muscle the Australians over the line but was lbw to Todd Astle with 11 still needed.David Warner takes the field•Getty ImagesIn the weeks leading up to Warner and Smith returning, Australia strung together eight consecutive ODI wins. One of the key parts of that was the success Khawaja and Aaron Finch had together at the top of the order. What the top order looks like at the World Cup remains one of the questions Australia need to answer. In all likelihood various combinations will be used during the three matches against New Zealand, and the odds still favour Warner opening come the tournament, but the fact he didn’t get first crack was a reminder that nothing can be taken for granted.Warner didn’t quite middle everything from the off, perhaps still adjusting to the change in conditions from the IPL to Brisbane. He almost spooned his first ball close to backward point then nearly offered a return catch to Henry, who should have had him in his next over when Daryl Mitchell spilled a chance at gully, but was soon dispatching deliveries to the boundary. He took a particularly liking to anything Doug Bracewell dropped short before trying something a little too inventive off Astle and top edged a reverse sweep.Smith had been given a tough net session by the Australian quicks yesterday but looked reasonably assured in the middle, one straight in particular standing out, until he was caught behind off Henry as Australia’s collapse was set in motion.The player who was a shining light for the men’s team during a difficult home summer, Pat Cummins, had got the day off to a lively start when he struck twice in the opening over to send back George Worker and Henry Nicholls.From there, the New Zealanders recovered impressively through a third-wicket stand of 137 between Will Young and Tom Blundell. Young, recently handed a central contract, is the next in line behind the incumbent batsmen while Blundell earned the final spot in the World Cup squad when he was preferred ahead of Tim Seifert as back-up wicketkeeper.After laying a foundation following the early losses both started to expand their strokeplay; Blundell launched Behrendorff into the grandstand over deep square and Young later peppered the same area. However, when Young clubbed Coulter-Nile to deep midwicket and Blundell fell four overs later and the innings went into a nosedive as the New Zealanders lost 8 for 78.Cummins, Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile each finished with three wickets while Adam Zampa nipped out Mitchell with a stumping. Kane Richardson, who is one of the standby pacemen for the World Cup along with Josh Hazlewood, and would be in line for a call-up if Jhye Richardson doesn’t recover from his dislocated shoulder, went wicketless and will hope for another chance in the next two matches. Australia will hope to bat better.

Hugh Morris wants a “much stronger Welsh core” at Glamorgan but that is a tough ask – just as it was for the home side bowling to James Bracey

Richard Hobson at Spytty Park14-May-2019. Welcome to Wales. The friendly words beneath the red dragon greet M4 drivers after they cross the Severn Bridge immediately before the lanes narrow and average speed checks of 50mph take force. There are two parts to the message and while few ever question the warmth of said welcome at Glamorgan, the cricket has not always felt particularly Welsh.A cynic might have thought as much again en route to the club’s newest Championship ground, Spytty Park, in Newport. The vowel-shy name is authentically, even evocatively Welsh. But it is actually closer to the land border with England than the Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, which is preparing for the World Cup later this month.In fact, the ambiguous status of Monmouthshire as Welsh was only legally clarified in the Local Government Act of 1972, and even then, boundaries could be blurred. Mike Knight, the chairman of Newport CC, bumped into a number of visiting Gloucestershire supporters as he lapped the ground who recalled playing here in the nineties when the club featured in a league in England.Knight smiles at the historical nuances. His greater emotion is one of pride at seeing around 1000 people enjoy the weather and the cricket almost three decades after Newport’s previous ground, Rodney Parade, was sold off after nearly a century to leave the club’s future in jeopardy. It is now the sight of a school, and, yes, Maindee Primary does offer cricket of a sort to its boys and girls.”There are people here from Newport and Gwent,” Knight says, pointing to the ring of spectators. “We are not far from Cardiff [around 12 miles], but it is an opportunity for people to see cricket in their local area and possibly they are not comfortable going to Cardiff for whatever reason. Also, there are people here because they want to see a new venue. I understand Glamorgan’s commitment to Cardiff, but varying grounds does widen interest.”Rodney Parade hosted its final Championship match in 1965. Glamorgan included seven Welsh-born players on that occasion. Here the total was only three: David Lloyd, from Denbigh, Jeremy Lawlor (Cardiff) and Kieran Bull (Haverfordwest). Five of the current side are not even from the same hemisphere. Some more stats: In 1965, Glamorgan used seven home venues, this season four – though the fact that they played away at Leyton, Weston-Super-Mare and Nuneaton reminds that they are hardly alone in centralising their home.Robert Croft was sacked as head coach last year after a third poor finish in a row having tried (partly for budgetary reasons) to give young talent its head. It worked, but not often and then in fits and starts. In fact, poor results long pre-date Croft’s appointment to that post. Since 2000 when the Championship split into two divisions, Glamorgan have spent only two years in the top flight – and been relegated both times.In his 2017 notes, Edward Bevan, the doyen and great optimist of the Glamorgan press scene, said that more local players emerged in 2016 than for many seasons. He cited Aneurin Donald, Kiran Carlson, Lukas Carey and Owen Morgan. Carlson would be playing here but for exams, while Carey is twelfth man. But Morgan is back in the second team and Donald, a prolific and exciting schoolboy batsman, was playing for Hampshire having left last season, he said, to further England ambitions.Knight describes the Welsh representation as “a sore point” and talked about the game well below first-class level. “We are seeing the demise of cricket in schools,” he says. “If we didn’t do as a club what we do for the junior cricketers there would be no cricket in Newport, or almost nothing.”Our next step is to try to develop an indoor cricket school here to safeguard things. We have the building. We just need some help. Our junior kids have to go to Ebbw Vale for a training session indoors in winter for their coaching. That can be impossible in the evenings and I am sure it is contributing massively to the demise of cricket in Gwent. Cardiff is nearer, but that caters for the South Glamorgan area.”Another problem is the relatively small sector of Welsh independent schools. Hugh Morris, Glamorgan’s chief executive, estimates that only 1% of Welsh children attend private establishments compared to 7% in England. Here, at least, cricket has facilities and budgets to thrive. In June, Glamorgan are hosting a 20-over competition involving Monmouth School, Christ College in Brecon and Cardiff’s Cathedral School along with a number of Colleges to try to identify talent.Morris played in the last Glamorgan team to win the Championship, in 1997. Bristling at suggestions the county is insufficiently Welsh he delivers a register of current officials. There is Gerard Elias, the president, who replaced the man Morris describes as “Mr Welsh Cricket,” Alan Jones. The roll continues: Gareth Williams, a Welsh-speaking chairman, Matthew Maynard, interim head coach, with fellow coaches Steve Watkin, Adrian Shaw and David Harrison.”Do we want to get more Welsh talent in the side?” Morris answers his own question. “Yes, absolutely. Last season, we did that, we were in a position where we had to play too many youngsters and it was too early for them. But we do want to get more talent through.” Talks are ongoing with Cricket Wales over the pathway through junior levels up to the age of 17. “The will is there to have a much stronger Welsh core in the team.”Just as the World Cup has opened opportunities for out-grounds this season, so The Hundred will force eight county sides to move 50-over fixtures from their headquarters next year. Newport want more of the action and can only hope the metaphorical sun shines on them as brightly as the real one against Gloucestershire, although it was hot work for the bowlers as James Bracey compiled 152. Glamorgan are also looking at an array of grounds with their second team this year. One of them, Pontypridd hosted Surrey on Tuesday.As Morris spoke, Lloyd was bowling his medium pace from the opposite side of the ground, a rare example of a Welshman established in the side. His steady, all-round progress gained due reward in a ceremony in front of the pavilion before lunch when he received his County Cap. Andrew Hignell, the club historian, suggested he thus became the first North Walian by birth to be capped since the formidable Wilf Wooller, captain of the 1948 title-winning side. Well played David Lloyd, but that fact has to be an indictment of something.

Jorginho revealed Mikel Arteta had been a huge admirer of him for nearly a decade and tried to get him since he was in Napoli in the mid 2010s.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Jorginho signed an extension with ArsenalSet to stay until 2025Believes Arteta will sign an extension as wellWHAT HAPPENED?

As his contract approached its conclusion this summer, Jorginho opted to prolong his stay, penning a short-term deal believed to span 12 months, with the possibility of an additional year. The 32-year-old midfield maestro has become a mainstay in Arteta's squad as the Gunners challenge for the top crown in England. Notably, Arteta's interest in the Italian dates back to his time at Napoli between 2014 and 2018, with the Arsenal manager making multiple attempts in the past to secure his signature.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT JORGINHO SAID

"When he (Arteta) was at City and I was in Naples, that was the first time (he tried signing me) and then he tried twice when he was here and it didn't happen," Jorginho said after signing the new deal.

"But now fortunately it happened. I am here, happy, having the opportunity to work together with him and learning a lot from him."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

With one year remaining on Arteta's contract, speculation surrounding his future has been rife. However, Jorginho remains confident in Arteta's commitment to Arsenal, citing the transformative impact the coach has had on the club.

"I feel that he could stay way longer," he said.

"I feel he feels good here and I honestly don't see him going. It is really important for the club for him to stay because him with Edu and the board, the whole club, they created something special. I don't believe he wants to go as well."

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR JORGINHO?

As Arsenal prepare for a crucial fixture against Manchester United on Sunday, Jorginho will aim to maintain the momentum garnered from recent successes. A victory against their rivals would bolster Arsenal's position at the top of the table, leaving Manchester City no room for error against Tottenham on Tuesday night.

The cannon returns for Arsenal in 2024-25, with the Gunners’ new home kit featuring a retro crest that offers a nod to legends of the past.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

• Gunners looking for title-winning inspiration
• Slick new design from manufacturers
• Men's & women's teams embrace fresh look

Shop Arsenal kits at adidasBuy now

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Adidas are delivering a “timeless look” for the north London heavyweights that incorporates “traditional colours of red and white with a slick navy addition”. The new jersey sees the club’s famous cannon figure outside the badge on a home shirt for the first time since 1989-90.

Advertisement

• Arsenal/adidas
  

  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It is been used on away and third kits since then, but Arsenal are now turning the clock back to an era when they were top-flight champions. The Gunners were title holders in 89-90, following Michael Thomas’ Anfield heroics against Liverpool, and they will be desperate to restore domestic dominance in their new threads.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  An iconic look is back with a bang, with the latest design using “a unique structured fabric throughout that creates a textured feel and adds intrigue to the design when viewed up close”. The historic crest will be used on all three Arsenal kits in 2024-25, by the men’s and women’s teams.

• Arsenal/adidas
  

  WHAT ARSENAL STARS SAID

  Lionesses forward Alessia Russo, who now plies her trade at Emirates Stadium – as the women’s team join the men in making that venue home – has said: “I love the simplicity of this new kit – giving the cannon space to shine. We know how much it means to the supporters – so to have it front and centre of our home kit will fill us with confidence every time we step foot on the pitch.”

  Brazil international Gabriel Martinelli added: “Since joining Arsenal, it has been clear to me how important the cannon is, to this great club and our supporters. It epitomises our spirit and we’re excited to wear it on the pitch with pride next season.”

Offspinner Tom Sole and pace bowler Brad Wheal are in line to make their first appearances for Scotland since the 2018 World Cup Qualifier after being named in a 14-man squad to take on Afghanistan in a two-ODI series, beginning on Wednesday in Edinburgh.The 22-year-old Sole was part of the Northamptonshire line-up that took on the touring Pakistan side in a 50-over match on April 29, scoring 22 at No. 8 and returning figures of 0 for 28 in six overs. He was a key member of the World Cup Qualifying campaign last year, taking career-best figures of 4 for 15 against Hong Kong in just his second ODI.Wheal was similarly instrumental for Scotland in Zimbabwe, taking a career-best 3 for 34 in the controversial five-run loss, on DLS method, to West Indies that eliminated Scotland from a place in England for 2019. However, he hasn’t played for Scotland since due to commitments with Hampshire.The Durham-based pair of Michael Jones and Gavin Main have also been recalled into Scotland’s squad for the pair of matches. Like Wheal and Sole, the 21-year-old batsman Jones has not appeared for Scotland since last year’s World Cup Qualifier.Medium pacer Main has spent a bit longer out of the side, having not appeared in an official match for Scotland since the 2016 T20 World Cup in India when he was in the XI for Scotland’s win over Hong Kong. However, he did play for Scotland in an unofficial 50-over match against Sri Lanka ahead of the 2017 Champions Trophy in which Scotland lost by nine wickets.Four bowlers have been left out from the Scotland side that defeated Oman 2-1 in a three-match 50-over series as well as won the T20I Quadrangular series in February, featuring Oman, Netherlands and Ireland, in Muscat. Medium-pace bowlers Ruaidhri Smith and Adrian Neill as well as left-arm spinner Hamza Tahir and legspinner Chris Greaves have all been omitted.Smith took career-best List A figures of 4 for 7 in a historic rout of Oman in which Scotland bowled them out for 24, in Muscat. But he only bowled three overs in the following match after sustaining a pectoral-muscle strain and has not bowled thus far in 2019 for Glamorgan in the County Championship. Neill, similarly, took 4 for 7 on that occasion against Oman but suffered a lower-back injury later in the tour and is continuing his rehabilitation with the Gloucestershire second XI.Tahir played only one match on tour in Oman and is yet to play any ODIs for Scotland after making his T20I debut last summer, against Pakistan. Greaves is yet to play for Scotland in any format.The two ODIs are Afghanistan’s first visit to Edinburgh since claiming a rain-affected 1-0 series win in the summer of 2016. The fixtures are also Scotland’s first ODIs since defeating England last June at the Grange.On the management side, Wednesday’s series-opener will be the first assignment of new head coach Shane Burger. The Afghanistan series are his first ODIs in charge of Scotland since arriving from South Africa in March, having taken over from interim coach Toby Bailey following Scotland’s tour of Oman.Scotland squad: Kyle Coetzer (capt.), Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross (wk), Alasdair Evans, Michael Jones, Michael Leask, Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main, George Munsey, Safyaan Sharif, Tom Sole, Craig Wallace, Mark Watt, Brad Wheal.

The allrounder limped heavily after the match with his left knee hampering his movement

Melinda Farrell at Trent Bridge31-May-2019West Indies allrounder Andre Russell is confident he will be fit for the side’s second World Cup match against Australia on June 6, despite limping heavily after his match-turning spell in the thumping seven-wicket win over Pakistan.ALSO READ: INTERVIEW – ‘Sometimes the ball goes for six even if I’ve not timed it, because of the work I’ve put in’Russell has a history of knee injuries and bowled just three overs in West Indies’ opening match but his spell was the stunning blow from which Pakistan never recovered. A barrage of short-pitched deliveries earned Russell figures of 2 for 4 and he was not required to bat as his side cruised to victory.But after the match Russell was hobbling gingerly, his left knee clearly hampering his movement. The West Indies medical team now have five days to work on his rehabilitation.”I’ve been playing for years with these knee injuries,” Russell said after the match. “And sometimes it feels worse than some days but, at the end of the day, I’m a professional. I know what to do to get back. I think I have five days before the next game so that is more than enough time to get my knee back to normal and get it settled.”Let’s just see what happens. I have a good physio team, massage team, here so they’re going to be working with me closely for the next couple of days.”This was Russell’s third ODI appearance since the 2015 World Cup. He has mostly bowled in short spells at various T20 competitions around his one-year anti-doping ban and, on the evidence of this match, he will need careful management throughout the tournament. But while he was included in the squad primarily for his batting, Russell desperately wants to contribute as a bowler.”Well that’s the plan,” Russell said. “I want to make sure that my knee is 100 percent or if it’s not 100, 80 percent. I’m still ready to bowl. I’m ready, this is the World Cup. So I don’t mind resting for a month or two months after the World Cup but I want to leave everything here for the World Cup.”There were also concerns when Chris Gayle called for the physio after appearing to injure his back pulling a short ball from Wahab Riaz. He limped initially and held his back, but went onto bring up a 33-ball half-century before falling to Mohammad Amir.”He sent the physio back off the field so that’s a positive sign for us,” captain Jason Holder said. “So again, we’ve got five days. So we’ll see how he goes the next couple of days.”

Arsenal legend Paul Merson says he will get a Tottenham tattoo if Spurs beat Manchester City to help the Gunners win the Premier League.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Arsenal top of Premier League after Man Utd winManchester City face Tottenham in midweekMerson to get Spurs tattoo if City drop pointsWHAT HAPPENED?

City went top of the Premier League on Saturday after thrashing Fulham 4-0, only for Arsenal to leapfrog them again after beating Manchester United 1-0 on Sunday. The Gunners have one match left but Pep Guardiola's men have a game in hand, a trip to Tottenham in midweek. Ahead of that clash, Merson made a wild bet, insisting that Spurs have little chance of getting a result that would essentially hand the title to their bitter rivals.

AdvertisementWHAT PAUL MERSON SAID

He said on Sky Sports: "Arsenal are probably going to finish second. If you're relying on Tottenham to win or draw a football match… yeah… no. If they win that, I will have a Tottenham tattoo. I will. I'll put it where you can't see it!"

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Arsenal are looking to win their first Premier League title since 2004 whereas City are aiming to win a fourth straight crown. For the former to come out on top, they will need Guardiola's side to slip up but whether that happens remains to be seen.

Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

City finish off their league season away to Tottenham on Tuesday, before hosting West Ham next Sunday. Arsenal, on the other hand, host Everton on the same day – looking to pip their rivals to the trophy.

Discarded England batsman says he is targeting a return to international competition in time for the 2020 T20 World Cup

Andrew Miller and Nagraj Gollapudi22-May-2019Alex Hales has said he is targeting the T20 World Cup in Australia next year for a potential England comeback, but declined to offer either an apology or an explanation for his actions, after speaking for the first time since his deselection from the World Cup squad for recreational drug use.Hales was attending the Caribbean Premier League draft in London, where he was picked up by Barbados Tridents for this year’s competition. He said that he remained an England fan at heart and would be “watching and cheering” his former team-mates as they seek to live up to their No. 1 ODI status, and win the World Cup for the first time in their history.But when asked if he had found it difficult to look on from the sidelines while England completed their preparations for the World Cup, a tournament for which he would have been an automatic squad pick, Hales twice declined to comment.”I’m not here to comment on that, sorry … I’m not here to talk about that,” Hales said, before the CPL press officer stepped in to change the line of questioning. He later conceded he “probably won’t go” to any World Cup matches, which include England’s fixture against Pakistan at his home ground of Trent Bridge on June 3, but added “I’m not really here to talk about that”.Instead, Hales insisted he was looking forward to enjoying some downtime in the coming weeks – as a white-ball specialist, he will not be involved in Nottinghamshire’s extensive period of Championship cricket – before throwing himself into action in the T20 Blast, which gets underway with Worcestershire’s visit to Trent Bridge on July 18, four days after the final of the World Cup.Then, if Nottinghamshire fail to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Blast, which take place in the first week of September, Hales will head straight to the Caribbean at the end of August and compete in the remaining month of the CPL – although his stint with Nottinghamshire will still take precedence if they qualify for Finals Day on September 21.Alex Hales hits high down the ground•Getty Images

Beyond that, he has been retained for a second year by Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League, and remains hopeful of earning a contract in Australia’s Big Bash. “I would love to play in that,” he said. “I’ve not got the ball rolling but, fingers crossed, it’s a good tournament.”I’m just playing white-ball cricket now, so any chance I get to play a pretty high profile with some good players is a good opportunity.”I just want to get back playing what I love most, and that’s cricket,” he added. “This is such a good opportunity to go and play at the Kensington Oval, a ground where I’ve got such good memories, and play in such a big tournament in some different conditions.”His ultimate aim, however, is to get himself back into the England frame – a prospect that Ashley Giles, England’s director of cricket, did not rule out when announcing his removal from the England reckoning earlier this month.However, Hales’ initial reaction to his ejection, a strongly worded statement issued through his management company, allied to Eoin Morgan’s subsequent statement that he had shown “complete disregard” for the team’s values, means that he would appear to have a considerable amount of ground to make up if he is to be back in England’s plans in time for the trip to Australia in October next year.”I hope the door is not closed, that’s one of my aims, that T20 World Cup,” Hales said. “I’m going to go through the process, hopefully score some runs in these tournaments and see how we go. I want to enjoy my cricket.”I think it’s a good opportunity,” he said of his status as a white-ball specialist. “These tournaments now are well respected all around the world, particularly by the selectors and ECB. I’d love to use these tournaments to hopefully get back into the frame for next year.”Addressing his plans for the coming months, Hales added: “I’ve got a few things to do with the ECB, there’s obviously a process to go through, and then start training, I guess. Once I start playing again, the next 12 months will be really busy, so I will enjoy a mixture of some downtime, and then start getting prepared for the Blast by playing some second-team games for Notts.”In spite of his deselection, Hales has retained his ECB contract so still has the gym programme and nutritional support that came with his England employment, and with Trent Bridge just two minutes down the road from his Nottingham home, he will continue to be supported by his county, as had been made clear by the ECB in addressing the implications of his drugs ban.”I’m blessed to play there,” he said. “Peter Moores is a wonderful coach, respected round the world. He keeps in regular touch with me to see how I’m doing, and if I ever want to practice, he’s there to chuck balls all day, he loves it.”I enjoy the responsibility of having my own choice of when to train, and when to go to the gym,” he added, insisting that there was no temptation to return to four-day cricket to keep up his on-field appearances.”I found it difficult going from red-ball to white-ball, so being able to focus on one thing, I find it easier. A lot of county guys go six months all winter without playing, it’s something we’re used to, but I’ve got some downtime now and so I’ll work on a few things leading into a big 12 months.”Reflecting on the World Cup, which begins with England’s clash with South Africa at The Oval on May 30, Hales said he still backed his team-mates to win in his absence.”I will [be watching],” he said. “I am still a fan and I wish the boys the best. What we’ve done over the last few years is unbelievable, the guys deserve to win it, and I will be sat there watching and cheering.”Apart from England, I’d say India [are favourites to win], but the way all teams are playing at the moment, you never know. It’s a really open tournament, I’m really looking forward to watching it.”On the subject of England’s explosive batting power, Hales said: “It’s everyone’s natural game, everyone has natural ways to be aggressive. We have got matchwinners all the way down to Adil Rashid at No. 11, It’s just hitters and hitters that keep coming at you. If one person doesn’t come off, another person will. It’s a really good, exciting line-up.”

When asked what was going on, Ashwin’s response was: “I just play with passion, so does he”

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Apr-20190:18

We just play with passion – Ashwin on Kohli send-off

Did Virat Kohli mock R Ashwin’s controversial mankading of Jos Buttler earlier in the season after he caught his Test team-mate at the long-on boundary? Paul Collingwood, former England captain and a staunch critic of the Buttler run-out, certainly thought so.

Love @imVkohli reaction catching @ashwinravi99 Great entertainment @RCBTweets and @IPL !! Mother cricket always gets you!! #mankad

— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) April 24, 2019

With 27 required off the last over against Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kings XI Punjab captain Ashwin hit the first ball for a six. The next only made it as far as Kohli at the long-on boundary. Kohli gesticulated after catching the ball before moving his right hand – which held the ball – behind his body, an action not too dissimilar to flicking the bails off behind you when you effect the mankad.Virat Kohli is over the moon as a Kings XI Punjab wicket falls•BCCIAshwin walked off, and proceeded to fling his gloves in anger upon reaching the dugout, which may or may not have been a reaction to Kohli’s antics. He was later asked about what had been going on between him and Kohli – Ashwin has been animated whenever his side has got Kohli out – and replied, “I just play with passion, so does he. That’s it. As simple as that.”No current India cricketer has openly come out in support of Ashwin – or made any comment one way or another – on the run-out debate, whereas current England cricketers – and others – have taken to Twitter to criticise him. The support for Ashwin has only come from former Indian cricketers.Ashwin did pull out of his delivery during his match against Delhi Capitals with Shikhar Dhawan, the non-striker, not leaving the crease. When Ashwin ran in to bowl the next ball, Dhawan danced outside the crease but with the bat inside it. Kohli reacted similarly when Sunil Narine pulled out of his delivery stride in another match, but that wasn’t with the intention of running the non-striker out. Kohli squatted low to send the message that he was doing all he could to keep his bat inside the crease.