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Cricket News: Inglis in doubt, Topley out of Cup, Players can boycott Saudi sponsor, Zampa's slippery ploy

19th October, 2022
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19th October, 2022
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Josh Inglis is being assessed by Australia’s medical staff after a freak golf accident handed the hosts another headache just days out from the Twenty20 World Cup.

Inglis was taken to hospital on Wednesday, with Cricket Australia confirming a golf club snapped and left him with a bloody hand while he was out playing with teammates in Sydney.

The incident is believed to have happened while Inglis was playing a shot, and left him in considerable pain and in need of medical attention.

The back-up wicketkeeper’s right hand was being assessed by medical staff on Wednesday evening, ahead of a decision on his availability for the tournament.

Under ICC rules, teams can carry 15 members in their squad, with replacements only available if they come in for the duration of a tournament.

Josh Inglis bats.

Josh Inglis bats during game four of the T20I series between Australia and Sri Lanka. (Photo by Daniel Pockett – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

Inglis was not expected to play in Australia’s opener against New Zealand on Saturday night but would be the first man to come into the side if Matthew Wade suffers an injury or requires a concussion substitute in a match.

The injury is the latest in a challenging build up for the defending champions.

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Ashton Agar only made his return from a side strain in Tuesday’s warm-up game against India, while Mitch Marsh is yet to bowl in earnest on his injured ankle.

Marcus Stoinis has also had to overcome a side strain in the lead up to the tournament.

Australia lost three of their four World Cup lead-in games, with the other washed out against England last week.

But legspinner Adam Zampa was insistent on Wednesday those defeats should not be considered as a fair representation of the team’s form.

“The intensity of the cricket we have played recently has probably dropped slightly due to the fact we know how close that World Cup is,” Zampa said.

“Nothing gets the juices flowing like having a trophy there for the taking. 

“We always want to perform our best when playing for Australia – you will see a few pumped boys for the World Cup.”

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If Inglis’ injury is considered too serious, Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey would loom as the most likely next pick given he still wears the gloves in the 50-over format.

Australia have been keen to get all-rounder Cameron Green into the squad as a late inclusion after his explosive efforts as an opener in India recently but it would be a gamble not to have another specialist keeper in the camp.

Topley out of Cup

Reece Topley has been ruled out of the T20 World Cup with an ankle injury, giving England a major selection headache just three days before the start of their campaign.

Topley rolled his left ankle after standing on a boundary advertisement cushion then landing awkwardly during some catching drills ahead of England’s six-wicket warm-up win over Pakistan in Brisbane.

While there has been no confirmation from the England and Wales Cricket Board, the PA news agency understands scans have shown significant damage and the 6ft 7in left-arm seamer’s tournament is over.

Any change to the 15-strong squads must be ratified by the International Cricket Council but England have two pace bowlers in their three travelling reserves in Tymal Mills and Richard Gleeson.

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Mills, another left-armer who bowls quicker than Topley, seems probable to be drafted in by England, who begin their bid to unify cricket’s two most coveted white-ball trophies when they face Afghanistan in Perth on Saturday.

Players can boycott Saudi oil sponsor awards

Cricket’s international players’ union will back any player who opts out of a sponsor engagement at the T20 World Cup amid questions over the ICC’s player-of-the-match award.

The issue of association between players and sponsors has risen to the fore in recent days, following Pat Cummins’s withdrawal from Alinta Energy ads and Netball Australia’s Hancock Prospecting deal.

The ICC has also announced Saudi Arabian state-owned oil company Aramco as a global partner and sponsor of player-of-the-match awards in World Cups, beginning with the men’s T20 event in Australia.

This has been met with some opposition given question marks over environmental sustainability and the Saudi government’s human rights record.

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It’s believed the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA) were consulted before the sponsorship announcement, but will back any player to express their views on it.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 29: Pat Cummins of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Mayank Agarwal of India during game two of the One Day International series between Australia and India at Sydney Cricket Ground on November 29, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

“Our focus at present is on agreeing the foundations of the relationship between players collectively and the ICC at a global level,” FICA CEO Tom Moffat said.

“That’s including on the various global employment and regulatory issues that impact players and ensure cricket aligns with the global best practice.

“Part of our proposal includes a framework for dialogue on how cricket approaches human rights responsibilities.

“In the meantime if individual players do not want to be associated with a particular sponsor, we would support that.”

Aramco is also a sponsor of the player-of-the-match award in the IPL, where several prominent players have accepted cheques with the company’s name on it.

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However there is a feeling the events of recent days, as well as the current spotlight on Aramco’s sponsorship, will prompt players to be more aware of individual sponsors’ backgrounds.

AAP has also been told that the ICC will not sanction players sitting out player-of-the-match award presentations if it went against their own beliefs.

ICC practice however dictates that beside an on-screen graphic and fan vote, there is no sponsor logo or name on the physical award.

Australia spinner Adam Zampa, who is one of cricket’s most progressive players through his vegan lifestyle, steered clear of saying if he would accept an Aramco award this World Cup when asked on Tuesday.

“It’s a good question … we don’t live in a perfect world,” Zampa said. “The fact there is some conversations starting about it already (is good), but it’s going to be a steep learning curve for everyone.”

Regardless, he said Cummins’ positioning had represented a step forward for the sport and the players’ desire to act as role models while balancing financials. 

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“There has to be a collaborative approach between players, CA and sponsors,” he said. “I have obviously got some personal views about some sponsors we have at the moment, but the fact Pat has started that conversation is great.”

The Aramco situation is likely to remain an issue at next year’s women’s T20 World Cup, while the sponsorship lasts until after the 2023 men’s 50-over tournament.

The ICC claim they can attempt to drive change through sponsorship partnerships and their own steps towards sustainability in cricket. Saudi Arabia fielded their first women’s cricket team in five T20s earlier this year, while the ICC has assisted in setting up female participation programs.

Zampa’s slippery approach

Adam Zampa will prepare for the Twenty20 World Cup by bowling with water-soaked cricket balls, hopeful the weather that threatens the tournament can end up helping his bowling.

Persistent rain is forecast for Australia’s opener against New Zealand on Saturday night in Sydney, with the wet weather a looming threat for several key Super 12 games.

Sunday’s sold-out blockbuster at the MCG between Pakistan and India is another match facing the threat of rain, with downpours forecast on the east coast for the next week.

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Traditionally, wet weather and slippery surfaces caused by dew are known to make life tricky for spinners by making the ball harder to grip.

But Zampa has long adopted the practice of dipping balls in buckets of water at training to ensure he is well-accustomed to bowling in wet conditions.

“It feels like every time we are at the SCG we’re looking for the rain to come because it always seems that way. It will be in the preparation for me,” Zampa said on Wednesday. 

Adam Zampa celebrates another Bangladesh wicket.

Adam Zampa. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

“I usually have a bucket or something I drop the ball into to prepare for that.

“I’ve been doing that for a long time. We play so much cricket now under lights, and a lot of the places we travel to as soon as you bowl second the dew really kicks in. 

“We saw it last year in the World Cup, so basically every time you bowl second in T20 cricket you are bowling with a wet ball. 

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“It’s really important to prepare for that.”

Zampa was hopeful that wet weather on Saturday could help his game, with so much rain in the lead up to the tournament ruining any chance of a dry, spinning SCG deck.

“If there is a bit of juice in the wicket it will help the spinners,” he said.

“We haven’t had a summer for a long time now where there has been so much sun that the wickets have been dry enough to spin. 

“So as a spinner, if there is a bit of juice in the deck you almost hope for that.”

The 30-year-old was arguably Australia’s best player in last year’s T20 World Cup success in the UAE, taking 13 wickets at 12.07 and going at less than six per over.

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He will adopt a different approach on Australian wickets, but remains confident his knowledge of ground sizes and pitches will give him an advantage over other turners.

“I understand where to try and get guys to hit,” Zampa said. 

“The difference in Dubai was to try and probably go under the bat a bit more. It’s a little bit slower and spins. 

“In Australia you can try and hit the top of the bat, bowl a lot of over-spin and try and get guys caught at long-on and long-off, because they have hit the top of the bat.”

Irish lower Scottish colours

George Dockrell and Curtis Campher have blasted Ireland out of trouble and to a memorable T20 World Cup win over Scotland, keeping alive their team’s chances of progressing to the next stage.

The pair shared an unbeaten 119-run partnership from 57 balls in Hobart, dragging Ireland from 4-61 in the 10th over past their target of 177 with six deliveries to spare.

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Campher whacked a career-best 72 from 32 balls, his maiden T20 international half-century, while Dockrell hit 39 from 27 balls.

The win keeps Ireland in the hunt to make the Super 12 stage of the competition after they lost their opening Group B match to Zimbabwe.

“I had a clear game plan, just take the game deep … and luckily it was my day,” Campher told broadcasters. “Probably after about the ninth, 10th over we were getting momentum and we just tried to take momentum as long as we could.”

Scotland, meanwhile, are 1-1 after their upset victory over the West Indies on Monday, with the top two teams of the group to progress.

The result appeared at long odds after Ireland’s sluggish start in which they lost both openers inside the power play.

The required run-rate had ballooned to more than 11 an over when Campher and Dockrell combined.

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The pair really got the chase rolling in the 13th over, taking 18 runs from spinner Mark Watt, who had previously bowled tightly.

Campher, who also picked up an economical 2-9 from two overs with the ball, sealed the six-wicket win with three straight fours through the off-side.

“It was pretty special. I can’t remember as an important partnership as that,” Ireland skipper Andy Balbirnie said.

“I was up in the viewing area upstairs and none of us were budging until we needed one to win.”

Earlier, Scotland won the toss and posted 5-176, headlined by an 86 from 55 balls from opener Michael Jones.

Renshaw key to Bulls’ hopes against Blues

Matt Renshaw has dropped anchor with a statement innings for Queensland as NSW’s bowlers toiled on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash.

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The former Test opener reminded selectors of the patience and shot selection that rocketed the teenager into the Test frame in late 2016, batting through the day to be unbeaten on 86 off 276 balls at stumps.

His grinding innings helped the Bulls to 4-219 on Wednesday, Queensland trailing by 27 runs with six wickets remaining at Drummoyne Oval.

Renshaw, now 26, has been returned to the top of the order by captain Usman Khawaja, who is batting four for the Bulls despite his own incumbency as Australia’s Test opener. Since losing his Test spot Renshaw has expanded his strokeplay, finding success in the middle-order after Khawaja had replaced him in a juggle designed to rekindle his own international prospects.

Wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson (33 not out) was energetic in the final hour in backing up his season-opening century. Khawaja (53 off 119) was in excellent touch before a loose sweep off Nathan Lyon (1-70) ended his innings early in the final session. 

Renshaw was perhaps lucky to survive the day, with the umpire’s benefit of the doubt saving him after replays suggested he should have been run-out at the bowler’s end by a firm Peirson straight drive.

Sean Abbott (2-45) had taken the scalps of Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne – the latter with a fine yorker – before lunch to give the Blues a sniff. But there was little on offer beyond that.

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“It’s hard work for the bowlers,” Lyon said of the conditions. “(I’m) trying to think a bit more on my feet, but it’s challenging.”

Handscomb boosts recall hopes with big ton

If Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb earns a dream Test recall this summer, he should send a few Western Australia players a big thank you.

In reply to WA’s 466, Handscomb (174no off 284 balls) and Marcus Harris (111 off 223 balls) posted tons to lift Victoria to 4-446 at stumps on day three of the Sheffield Shield clash at Junction Oval.

Handscomb hasn’t featured in the Test team since 2019, while Harris played the last of his 14 Tests in January this year.

Both players are in strong form and desperate to add to their Test careers.

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Handscomb’s century on Wednesday follows on from his ton against South Australia earlier this month, but it was aided by a fair chunk of luck.

The 31-year-old was on 41 when Cameron Bancroft dropped a tough chance low to the ground at backward square leg.

The star batter was lucky not to be stumped on 58 and next ball Handscomb was gifted another reprieve when Corey Rocchiccioli dropped an easy looping opportunity at mid-wicket.

Handscomb, the leading Shield run scorer from last season, made the most of the let-offs to post his 19th first-class century.

He brought up his 150 late in the day and was given another life shortly after when an air-borne Hilton Cartwright couldn’t hang on to what would have been one of the catches of the season.

Harris started the day on 67 and he brought up his century with a glorious drive in a ton that featured 14 fours and one six.

It continued a purple patch for the former Test opener, who posted scores of 85 and 42 in Victoria’s draw against South Australia earlier this month.

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WA paceman Joel Paris went off injured during his 19th over with a hip complaint and is no guarantee to bowl on day four.

Jhye Richardson (0-40 off 24 overs) worked hard all day without reward in his first Shield appearance of the season.

Tigers polish off Redbacks

Tim Paine was not needed with the bat as a Caleb Jewell-inspired Tasmania cruised to a seven-wicket victory in their Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

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The Tigers started the final day at 0-104 in their pursuit of 235, but the loss of Tim Ward (60), Jake Doran (21) and Ben McDermott (18) during the morning session on Wednesday saw the visitors slip to 3-164.

Jewell (108no off 213 balls) kept his cool to guide Tasmania over the line, with Jordan Silk (24no off 52 balls) there in support as the Tigers finished at 3-235.

Paine, who scored just two in the first innings, was due to come in next.

The former Test skipper has now played two Shield matches since his high-profile return to the Tasmanian set-up, for returns of six, 29no and two.

Ward fell on the sixth ball of day four when he edged Wes Agar (1-78) behind.

Jake Carder took an excellent diving catch while running with the flight of the ball to remove Doran, and McDermott fell a short time before lunch.

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Jewell dug in to ensure there would be no late wobbles, with the 25-year-old notching his century in fine style by pulling Agar for six.

Veteran paceman Peter Siddle was crucial in Tasmania’s victory, returning the excellent figures of 4-51 and 4-45.

Tasmania’s win marked a huge turn around from their season-opening flop, when they lost to Queensland by an innings and 172 runs.

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