Sri Lanka investigates attempt to fix international cricket match

Sri Lankan authorities are investigating an attempt to fix an international cricket match involving the national team and the West Indies. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said a suspected bookmaker had approached two Sri Lankan players ahead of the match to try to convince them to under-perform and lose the match. Both players turned down the approach and the authorities were informed, Mr Jayasekara said. Sri Lanka went on to win the game. Wicketkeeper Kusal Perera and bowler Rangana Herath were approached shortly before the match in Galle, Sri Lanka, in October, the minister said.

'Sri Lanka minister suggests 'conspiracy' over doping charge'

Kusal Perera's failed drugs test could be part of a "conspiracy" against the wicketkeeper-batsman, according to Sri Lanka's sports minister. The 25-year-old tested positive for a banned substance and was sent home from the tour of New Zealand last week. Sports Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera told parliament that authorities will send a B sample to the International Cricket Council for testing. "We are doing all we can to defend him," said the minister. "We are wondering if this allegation is a conspiracy to keep him out of next year's T20 World Cup."

'Essex appoint head coach on full-time basis'

 Former England pace bowler Chris Silverwood has been appointed as head coach of Essex on a full-time basis. The 40-year-old lifted the county from sixth to a third-placed finish in Championship Division Two after standing in temporarily following Paul Grayson's departure in September. Silverwood had been Grayson's assistant since January 2014 and was "unanimously" chosen by a panel. "I passionately want to see Essex be successful," he said.

South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers to keep in first two Tests

AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England. The hosts have not named another keeper in their 13-man squad for the first Test in Durban on 26 December and the second in Cape Town on 2 January. De Villiers, 31, has kept in 23 of his 102 Tests, most recently against West Indies in January. Cricket South Africa said the move was to boost the side's batting depth after the recent 3-0 series defeat in India.

Craig Overton: ECB defends handling of disciplinary case

The England and Wales Cricket Board has defended its disciplinary process following a case involving Somerset bowler Craig Overton. In September he got a two-game ban for allegedly swearing at Pakistan-born Sussex batsman Ashar Zaidi and telling him to "get back to your own country". However, Yorkshire's Andrew Gale missed four games after a similar exchange with South African Ashwell Prince. Coach Jason Gillespie says Yorkshire will probably "seek clarification". New details of the Overton case emerged in a report in the Guardian. All ECB cases are handled by an independent body, the Cricket Discipline Commission.

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney.

Australia vs West Indies: Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh add 449 runs

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh fell two runs short of Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford's record stand of 451 for Australia on day two of the first Test against West Indies. Voges made 269 not out and Marsh 182 as they added 449 - the highest for the fourth wicket in Tests - in a total of 583-4 declared. Nathan Lyon took three wickets to reduce West Indies to 116-6 in Hobart. However, Darren Bravo's unbeaten 94 guided them to 207-6, trailing by 376. Bradman and Ponsford's record, made against England at The Oval, as stood since 1934.

South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers to keep in first two Tests

 

 AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England. The hosts have not named another keeper in their 13-man squad for the first Test in Durban on 26 December and the second in Cape Town on 2 January. De Villiers, 31, has kept in 23 of his 102 Tests, most recently against West Indies in January. Cricket South Africa said the move was to boost the side's batting depth after the recent 3-0 series defeat in India. De Villiers, who is third in the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has scored 7,864 runs at an average of 51.39. Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas has been dropped after his struggles with the bat and gloves in India, while Quinton de Kock also misses out. With seamer Vernon Philander still injured, Kyle Abbott retains his place in the pace attack alongside Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. Uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw is also included, with off-spinner Dane Piedt selected as the only specialist spinner ahead of Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir. England face the number one-ranked Test side in a four-Test series before five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals. South Africa squad for first two Tests: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers (wk), Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.

Australia vs West Indies: Adam Voges & Shaun Marsh add 449 runs

Adam Voges and Shaun Marsh fell two runs short of Donald Bradman and Bill Ponsford's record stand of 451 for Australia on day two of the first Test against West Indies. Voges made 269 not out and Marsh 182 as they added 449 - the highest for the fourth wicket in Tests - in a total of 583-4 declared. Nathan Lyon took three wickets to reduce West Indies to 116-6 in Hobart. However, Darren Bravo's unbeaten 94 guided them to 207-6, trailing by 376. Bradman and Ponsford's record, made against England at The Oval, as stood since 1934.

South Africa vs England: AB de Villiers to keep in first two Tests

 

 AB de Villiers kept wicket against England in 2012 AB de Villiers will keep wicket for South Africa in the first two Tests of the home series against England. The hosts have not named another keeper in their 13-man squad for the first Test in Durban on 26 December and the second in Cape Town on 2 January. De Villiers, 31, has kept in 23 of his 102 Tests, most recently against West Indies in January. Cricket South Africa said the move was to boost the side's batting depth after the recent 3-0 series defeat in India. De Villiers, who is third in the International Cricket Council Test batting rankings, has scored 7,864 runs at an average of 51.39. Wicketkeeper Dane Vilas has been dropped after his struggles with the bat and gloves in India, while Quinton de Kock also misses out. With seamer Vernon Philander still injured, Kyle Abbott retains his place in the pace attack alongside Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada. Uncapped batsman Rilee Rossouw is also included, with off-spinner Dane Piedt selected as the only specialist spinner ahead of Simon Harmer and Imran Tahir. England face the number one-ranked Test side in a four-Test series before five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 internationals. South Africa squad for first two Tests: Hashim Amla (capt), AB de Villiers (wk), Kyle Abbott, Temba Bavuma, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Morne Morkel, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Stiaan van Zyl.

Ireland to face Sri Lanka and Pakistan in 2016 one-day series

Ireland will play one-day series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Dublin in 2016. Malahide will host Sri Lanka on 16 and 18 June, and Pakistan on 18 and 20 August. Ireland have lost both their completed ODIs against Sri Lanka, while their only win in six attempts against Pakistan came in the 2007 World Cup. Ireland also face South Africa on 25 September and Australia on 27 September, with both games in Benoni.

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 the section Cricket James Pattinson celebrates with his ,s Australia's win was their second-largest victory over the West Indies in 114 Tests between the sides First Test, Hobart, day three Australia 583-4 dec: Voges 269*, S Marsh 182, Warner 64 West Indies 223 (Bravo 108, Lyon 3-43, Hazlewood 4-45) & 148 (Braithwaite 94, Pattinson 5-27) Australia win by an innings and 212 runs Full scorecard James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia captain Steve Smith chose to enforce the follow-on after Josh Hazelwood and Peter Siddle took just five overs to take the West Indies' remaining three first-innings wickets. There was time for Darren Bravo, 94 not out overnight, to complete his seventh Test century as West Indies posted a first-innings total of 223 in response to Australia's 583-4 declared.

World Twenty20 2016: Can England win the tournament?

An ignominious defeat by the Netherlands and a limp exit from a tournament they had won four years earlier, the 2014 World Twenty20 marked one of the lowest points in England cricket history. Thanks to a stunning change of approach, Eoin Morgan's side can now be considered serious contenders for the 2016 competition in India starting on 8 March. A historic 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan in the UAE in November extended England's winning T20 run to six games - and they have lost only once since their Dutch humiliation. After the draw for the World T20 was made on Friday, England batsman Joe Root and former spinner and 2010 winner Graeme Swann assess the reasons behind their resurgence and discuss whether they can become the first side t From the section Cricket England celebrate winning the T20 series against Pakistan in the UAE England have won seven and lost four T20s under Eoin Morgan's captaincy An ignominious defeat by the Netherlands and a limp exit from a tournament they had won four years earlier, the 2014 World Twenty20 marked one of the lowest points in England cricket history. Thanks to a stunning change of approach, Eoin Morgan's side can now be considered serious contenders for the 2016 competition in India starting on 8 March. A historic 3-0 series whitewash of Pakistan in the UAE in November extended England's winning T20 run to six games - and they have lost only once since their Dutch humiliation. After the draw for the World T20 was made on Friday, England batsman Joe Root and former spinner and 2010 winner Graeme Swann assess the reasons behind their resurgence and discuss whether they can become the first side to win the competition twice. A shift in focus Joe Root bats for England against Pakistan Joe Root averages 37.87 at a strike-rate of 132.31 in 12 T20s for England Andrew Strauss won only four T20 caps as a player, but the decision by England's director of cricket to concentrate more on limited-overs cricket this year was a vital factor in their T20 resurgence this year, according to Swann and Root. "The greatest thing that's happened is Strauss getting in charge and completely separating the Test and one-day cricket formats, getting specialists in, people who have grown up playing the game," says Swann, who played 39 T20s between 2008 and 2012. "In my time if you were a centrally contracted player you played ahead of guys that played a lot more T20 cricket. "I don't think it's any surprise that the upturn in results is due to guys who are just better at the game playing for England." Yet with separation has come a greater sense of unity between the ODI and T20 sides. "The way we've approached one-day cricket recently has definitely helped the T20 team with more consistency in the overlap between the sides," says Root. "You've got guys like Alex Hales and Jason Roy getting a lot more international experience. "Having that opening partnership go across both formats and that understanding of batting with one another, that's very important."o win the competition twice.