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The red-ball players will leave Pakistan early to quarantine before the home series against Australia

Firdose Moonda22-Jan-2021Both the South African and Australian Test squads will quarantine ahead of their yet-to-be-confirmed three-Test series in March, in what will be the strictest biosecure bubble yet in South Africa. Unlike for the England and Sri Lanka series, where training could begin after the squads had taken their first Covid-19 tests – though social interaction was not allowed until after the third test – for the Australia series, players on both sides will be confined to their rooms for a longer period of time.For that reason, South Africa’s Test squad will leave Pakistan on February 9 to begin their quarantine period at home. A separate squad will play the three T20Is in Pakistan on February 11, 13, and 14 in what CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith sees as an inevitable consequence of the times and something member boards will have to work together to ensure the cricket calendar is as unaffected as possible.Related

• Boucher: 'Emphasis' on Australia Tests

• 'Australia's tour at this stage is going ahead' – CSA

“When you work on biosecure environment protocols for Covid-19, you work with other member nations and if member nations don’t support each other and play cricket, cricket’s going to find itself in a very challenging space,” Smith said. “Your objective is to find the protocols that work for both. In working with Cricket Australia (CA), we’ve come to a lot of those medical conclusions and how that’s going to look. There will be an initial quarantine period before that series. Unfortunately, we would have to play two different squads at the time.”While the dates for the Australia series are expected within the next week, ESPNcricinfo understands they are at an advanced stage and will see Australia playing Tests at SuperSport Park and the Wanderers in March. Although Smith told Australian media late last year that he would like to have fans at the grounds for the matches, with South Africa battling through a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, that is highly unlikely. Currently, the country is on Level 3 Lockdown (of five levels, with five being the strictest) and no spectators are allowed into stadiums, while all sports events have to finish by 8pm. The lockdown status will be reviewed before February 15 but even if it changes, it is unlikely to make provision for crowds. Insiders have confirmed that CA has already asked for more extreme measures than either the ECB or SLC required, and CSA is doing all it can to make it happen.The series is the marquee event of this South African summer which has already seen a T20 series against England (but the ODIs that were to follow were postponed following concerns about the bubble in Cape Town) and festive season Tests against Sri Lanka. The men’s team are currently on their first tour to Pakistan since 2007 while the women’s team are hosting Pakistan, with more fixtures in the pipeline. But for CSA, the Australia series is a money-making opportunity through television rights, and a key series because of the historic needle between the two sides.”We would love to get our home summer completed, and Australia are a big part of that home summer. Not only do we want to get it played, we want to compete in that series,” Smith said. “We saw from the Australia-India series the hype around Test cricket. I think it’s going to be a great test of where we are as a squad. We are motivated. The last time a Test series with Australia happened in South Africa it was very heated and we all know what went on. We are very excited to be able to host Australia, but that comes with certain restrictions and medical protocols.”The same is likely to apply to another other cricket played in South Africa this summer, and possibly beyond. The domestic franchise one-day cup is currently being played in a biobubble in Potchefstroom, which was organised late last year after it became clear that having teams travel to various venues around the country would not work. That was the case for the franchise first-class competition, in which two games were affected by Covid-19 in the penultimate round of 2020, and the final round was postponed.All indications are that any other domestic cricket that takes place, including the remaining first-class fixtures, a franchise T20 cup and semi-professional cricket, which has been dormant since before the pandemic hit, will have to take place in biosecure environments as well. “I’m quite positive that with all the Covid-19 issues we’ve been able to get cricket played. There’s going to be a focus on trying to get semi-pro underway,” Smith said.With South African domestic cricket’s impending restructure to 15 provincial teams and no franchises, this season’s semi-professional matches are important for players who are pushing to be contracted next season. At least 75 cricketers across the current franchise and provincial structures will find themselves out of a job, so competing for places is their work this summer.Just as it is for the national men’s team. After slipping as low as eighth on the Test rankings last summer, and winning just one of the five trophies on offer, they are in a period of rebuilding and although Smith would like to see results, he believes this season is one of patience instead. “We want our team to win as much as possible but I wouldn’t say that’s the defining thing for me this season. I would like to answer a few questions in my own head. I think the selectors and the coaching staff would want to do the same,” he said. “(Because of the pandemic) there are going to be more opportunities for players than in the past. I’m really excited to see who puts their hand up and who are the people we can back into the future.”

‘I was confident I would win this one,’ he says of not being allowed to contest the same elections in 2017

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Sep-2019″There are only three things on my mind right now – cricket, cricket, cricket,” Mohammad Azharuddin said after becoming the new Hyderabad Cricket Association president on Friday with a landslide victory, in which his team swept all six apex council seats on offer.The former India captain and member of parliament was not allowed to contest for the president’s post in January 2017 as his nomination papers were not accepted by the election officers, who were unsure about Azharuddin’s status because of the BCCI life ban that was imposed on him in 2000 for match-fixing (struck down by the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2012). This time, there was no stopping him.”We will have to restructure everything and turn things around,” Azharuddin told the newspaper. “Look at the state of Gymkhana ground, it’s left for the cows to graze. We need to get to the grassroots and unearth talent now.”The members have done their job, mine starts now. I know it won’t be easy but I will give my best to revive the game which has suffered a lot in the last three years. We will seek support from all the club secretaries and take the game forward. Their suggestions as well as those of cricket enthusiasts will be more than welcome.”Azharuddin had no involvement in cricket-related matters after the life ban and became a politician in 2009. His initial attempts of challenging the ban were unsuccessful but in 2012, a division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled the BCCI ban illegal. He recalled the beginning of his Test career, which saw him slam three centuries in his first three Tests in 1984-85.”Just a bit,” he said when asked if he was as nervous getting into cricket administration as he was when making his Test debut. “Back then I had worked very hard for close to 15 years to get into the Indian team and was very nervous when I played my first Test. Here, we worked as a team and campaigned hard and knew the result straightaway.”There are tense moments in any election, as I know anything can happen – having contested two general elections – but I was confident I would win this one. It’s a big victory though.Looking ahead in his new avatar, Azharuddin said, “I am really looking forward to BCCI meetings because I have so much to offer, having played the game for quite a while. I have represented the BCCI on teams but now to deal with the board as an administrator will be different – this should be much easier than playing.”

The fast bowler faces an uncertain future and remains out of contract with Hampshire at the end of the season

George Dobell28-Jul-2018Reece Topley is to undergo surgery on his back on Monday.Topley, who was diagnosed with a recurrence of a stress fracture earlier this month, will have a pin inserted in his lower back during the procedure at Wellington Hospital, just next to Lord’s. If his rehabilitation progresses well, he hopes to be fit to play not long after the start of the 2019 English domestic season.He faces an uncertain future, though. Not only is this the fifth stress fracture he has suffered in his lower back in six seasons as a professional cricketer, but he is out of contract at Hampshire at the end of this season and most unlikely to be offered a new deal. Any future county may require some persuasion before taking a chance on him in 2019.It is, however, the first time he has undergone surgery on his back. And while the procedure has been complicated a bit as the company that produced the screws preferred by surgeons in such situations has gone into receivership, it is thought he has a good chance of making a full recovery.While Topley has been plagued by back trouble throughout his career, he has represented England in 10 ODIs and six T20Is and remains highly-rated by the England management. Only a month ago, they considered recalling him as a replacement for the injured Tom Curran in the T20I squad facing India.

Several Irishmen had served as Associate representatives on ICC committees and these spots will open up as a result of Ireland’s change to Full Member status

Peter Della Penna23-Jun-2017Three new representatives were elected to represent Associate Member interests on the ICC’s Chief Executives Committee (CEC) at the ICC annual conference this week, part of several changes to take place as a result, to some degree, of Ireland’s application for Full Membership being accepted. Several Irishmen had served as Associate representatives on ICC committees but with their newfound Full Member status, they will maintain spots on the various meeting groups while opening up vacancies for fresh Associate representation.The expiration of Warren Deutrom’s two-year term as one of the three Associate representatives on the CEC coincided with Ireland’s elevation to Test status, allowing him to stay on the committee. Fellow members Greg Campbell of Papua New Guinea and John Cribbin of Hong Kong have been replaced by Bermuda’s Neil Speight and Botswana’s Sumod Damodar, while the other spot in the Associate trio has been filled by Betty Timmer of the Netherlands.Deutrom and Cribbin had both been on the CEC since at least 2007, while Campbell lasted just one term after replacing the UAE’s David East in 2015. Timmer has already been a part of the ICC’s Women’s Committee as the Europe representative.With the change in Ireland’s membership status, Kevin O’Brien could lose his spot as Associate representative on the ICC’s Cricket Committee•Getty Images/Sportsfile

Bermuda’s Speight had been a long-serving Associate representative on the main ICC Board before he was replaced by Ireland’s Ross McCollum in a vote taken at the 2016 ICC annual conference in Edinburgh. McCollum had been selected to a two-year term along with Namibia’s Francois Erasmus and Singapore’s Imran Khwaja. Ireland’s Full Membership, however, means a by-election for McCollum’s Associate seat will take place at some point later this year, likely at the next ICC board meeting in October.Like Deutrom, McCollum will still hold a place on the board by virtue of being the chairman of a Full Member country. But the Associate seat vacated by McCollum takes on increased significance after the ICC approved governance reforms in a new constitution, which now give each of the three Associate representatives voting rights. Prior to Thursday, Associate representatives attended board meetings in an observational capacity.The one other spot that may also come up for review is on the ICC Cricket Committee. Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien currently holds a place on the panel as the Associate representative, but may now be squeezed out due to his country’s change in membership status. It is unknown when a replacement would be decided, but most likely by October as is the case with McCollum’s vacancy.

A round-up of the Dhaka Premier League matches on May 10, 2016

Mohammad Isam10-May-2016Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club captain Mahmudullah celebrated his 200th List-A match with 130 against Cricket Coaching School, which paved the way for a 90-run win at the BKSP-3 ground.Mahmudullah added 203 runs for the third wicket in 39 overs with Marshall Ayub, who scored his maiden List-A century. He made 103 off 115 balls with 12 fours while Mahmudullah struck eight fours and five sixes during his career-best 130 off 139 balls. This meant that Dhanmondi Club surged to 290 for 5 in 50 overs.In reply, CCS had a good start, with Saif Hassan and Pinak Ghosh adding 60 for the first wicket. Captain Rajin Saleh built on it with 51 off 78 balls, but Jeevan Mendis and Shafiul Islam pierced through the middle order with two wickets each. Ayub picked up the last wicket to fall – Refatuzzaman – to cap off a memorable day. CCS were bowled out for 200 in 48.3 overs.Mohammedan Sporting Club went to the top of the points table in the Dhaka Premier League, after securing a four-wicket win over over Kalabagan Cricket Academy in Fatullah.Mohammedan and Prime Doleshwar Sporting Club are currently locked with eight points from five matches, but Mohammedan have a better net run rate.They chased down a revised target of 207, after rain interrupted the chase in the 21st over. Opener Ezaz Ahmed and No.3 Upul Tharanga put on 111 runs for the second wicket to set up the chase. Ezaz struck two fours and four sixes before being dismissed by allrounder Mahmudul Hasan for 60 off 68 balls. Tharanga stayed unbeaten on 90 off 114 balls, including eight fours and one six. Left-arm spinner Bishwanath Halder was the pick of the bowlers for KCA, taking 2 for 39.Having been sent in, KCA were bowled out for 231 with four balls to spare, with left-arm spinner Enamul Haque jnr claiming three wickets. Naeem Islam jnr and Naeem Islam pitched in with two wickets each. Jatin Saxena and Mehedi Hasan Miraz hit fifties, but the rest of the batsmen failed, the third-best score being opener Myshukur Rahaman’s 31 off 65 balls.Gazi Group Cricketers rode on a 155-run opening partnership between Shamsur Rahman and Anamul Haque to beat Kalabagan Kira Chakra by six wickets in Mirpur.Anamul, having kept wicket earlier, made 70 off 83 balls, including six fours and one six, before retiring hurt because of cramps. Shamsur hit nine fours and one six during his 91-ball 75. Though he, Mehedi Hasan, Faruque Hossain, and Farhad Hossain fell in quick succession, Alok Kapali, who had picked up three wickets, and Saeed Anwar jnr completed the 224 chase in the 46th over.Earlier, each of Kalabagan’s top four had starts, but none managed to convert it into a half-century. Tasamul Haque top-scored with 47 off 63, before he was the sixth batsman dismissed. Tanveer Haider and No.10 Abdur Razzak made late cameos to push Kalabagan past 200, but it wasn’t enough.

Making sound plans and sticking to them was how Pakistan overcame their fielding lapses and an unresponsive pitch in the first Test against Bangladesh

Umar Farooq in Khulna29-Apr-2015There are good days and there are bad days. Neither lasts forever. After spending 15 of the miserable variety in Bangladesh, Pakistan enjoyed a “flawless” one in Khulna according to spin coach Mushtaq Ahmed. The bowlers stuck to plans, catches were taken safely and batsmen chugged along at almost four runs an over. Mohammad Hafeez scored his eighth Test hundred and, with Azhar Ali, led Pakistan to finish 105 shy of Bangladesh’s 332 with nine wickets in hand.Four wickets. Pakistan’s yield after their bowlers had thrown everything at an unresponsive Khulna pitch all through the first day. But on the second, they wrapped up the Bangladesh line-up in a session. Six wickets for 96 runs because Pakistan decided not to let a flat track bog them down.Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah might have economy rates over three, but they shared five wickets between them. Fast bowler Wahab Riaz chipped in with the other three and captain Misbah-ul-Haq had contributed by having the right men patrolling important areas in the field.”It was really tough to get wickets here but quality bowler does adjust in any condition,” Mushtaq said. “Our bowlers knew exactly how to test the batsmen and when to attack and contain.”Pitch at times wasn’t even helping spinners as the batsmen had enough time to adjust and play with freedom. But we had a plan with our field placements for them today to help the bowlers to get wickets. We didn’t believe that Bangladesh would collapse this way as the pitch was slow but our bowlers bowled very well and the fielders today supported them to make it our day.”Yasir was injured during the ODI series and recovered only two days before the Test. Yet his control was admirable and dismissed Bangladesh’s in-form captain Mushfiqur Rahim. Zulfiqar conceded 99 in 32 overs, the most by a Pakistan bowler, but trapped Shakib Al Hasan in the fourth over of the morning.”I was expecting Yasir Shah and Zulfiqar Babar to take more wickets, they deserved it after the way they bowled. But then again we missed a lot of chances the other day and it didn’t go well. But I believe they did well and combined well with the fast bowlers. We have done great to execute the plan.”So what did Pakistan do to reverse a tour where nothing had gone right? “If you focus too much on the opposition strength then you may undermining your strength so we rather spend time to see what we can do better,” Mushtaq said. “What we did between yesterday and today was to motivate players to quickly make up from the mistakes and do their best.””To avoid repeating the fielding mistakes [on the first day], Waqar made a plan to get the right fielders at the right places. So we knew Asad Shafiq is a good fielder at leg-slip. He took another vital catch at midwicket, an outstanding take that repaired day one’s mistake. So despite fielding for 120 overs, players still had the spark.”More of Pakistan’s plans fell in place with the bat. “The idea today was to avoid losing wickets and get as many runs as we can,” Mushtaq said.” This wicket requires some caution, but if you are not positive as well and don’t attack the bowlers, there are limited scoring options. Full credit goes to Hafeez. He played an outstanding innings even with the slowness of the pitch and of the outfield.”

Australia wouldn’t be a pushover but would face a stern test by a strong West Indies when the two teams meet on Saturday

The Preview by Brydon Coverdale21-Sep-2012

Match facts

September 22, 2012
Start time 1930 local (1400 GMT)

Big Picture

Australia and West Indies entered this tournament with vastly different expectations placed upon them. Although the Australians were quietly confident, plenty of people saw their form, ranking and not-so-settled side as an indication they would struggle. West Indies came in as one of the tournament favourites, the first time in a long while that they have been considered such a strong chance. Australia have already overcome Ireland and should West Indies do so as well, both these sides will progress to the next stage. But West Indies don’t want to be placing themselves under any unnecessary pressure when they take on Ireland so victory in this, their first match, is important. Not that Australia will be a pushover – the teams drew 1-1 when they met for two T20s in the Caribbean earlier this year.Everywhere you look in the West Indies line-up there are men seemingly made for T20. Chris Gayle at the top of the order. Kieron Pollard in the middle. Dwayne Bravo, Darren Sammy and Andre Russell. The best player in the IPL this year, the offspinner Sunil Narine. And the highly under-rated legspinner Samuel Badree, who has the best economy rate of any bowler in T20 history (with a minimum qualification of 300 balls). Badree goes for 4.59 an over, on average. If every bowler in a team managed that, the opposition wouldn’t even rack up a hundred. But for all of their star power, West Indies haven’t really turned their potential into results. In the past year, they have won four T20s and lost four. Overall, they are the only ICC Full Member besides Bangladesh to have lost more T20s than they have won. Much greater consistency is what they will require to go all the way in this tournament.For Australia, the opening victory against Ireland has provided a handy bit of breathing space and they know that victory against West Indies will put them through to the Super Eights. There have been minor health worries for the veteran spinner Brad Hogg and the fast bowler Mitchell Starc over the past couple of days, but both are still in contention to take their places against West Indies.

Form guide (completed matches, most recent first)

Australia WWLLW
West Indies WWLWL

Watch out for

On the ICC’s rankings for T20 international allrounders, it is Shane Watson and then daylight. Against Ireland on Wednesday he showed why, with 3 for 26 and 51 from 30 deliveries, ensuring there were no nasty surprises for the Australians in their opening game. Notably, he also made important contributions in both T20s against West Indies earlier this year in the Caribbean, and his 69 in the first match was the highest score in the two-game series.Australia are aware of their potential weakness against high-class spinners with hard-to-read variations – Saeed Ajmal showed that in the UAE recently – and Sunil Narine fits that category. He baffled the Australians during the ODIs in the West Indies earlier this year, although they managed to survive against him in the T20s that followed. Australia’s coach Mickey Arthur believes attacking Narine might be the best approach. “He’s always going to be a factor, like Ajmal for Pakistan and [Ajantha] Mendis for Sri Lanka,” Arthur said. “I think if we can put him under just a little bit of pressure, that’s something we haven’t been able to do with the spinners, we’ve always been a couple of wickets down, so we haven’t been able to attack Ajmal, or Narine in the West Indies where it turned massively.”

Team news

Australia had a couple of minor concerns in the lead-up to the match, with the veteran spinner Brad Hogg having missed training on Thursday due to a headache and flu-like symptoms, while Mitchell Starc also sat out due to gastro. Xavier Doherty has rejoined the squad having made a quick dash home to be at the birth of his child, while Clint McKay and Ben Hilfenhaus are the backup fast men in the squad. However, the captain George Bailey on Thursday played down the possibility of Starc and Hogg missing the match.”They’re all right,” Bailey said. “Training is quiet without Hoggy, [but] he’s pretty good and from all reports Starcy was certainly on the mend. We’ll make a call.”Australia (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Michael Hussey, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Cameron White, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade (wk), 8 Daniel Christian, 9 Pat Cummins, 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Brad Hogg/Xavier Doherty.The West Indies selectors have plenty of options and their final decision will depend on how they believe the side should be balanced. Dwayne Smith and Chris Gayle appear likely to open and there is the possibility of a dual spin attack with Narine and Badree likely to enjoy working on the pitches in Sri Lanka.West Indies (squad) Chris Gayle, Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Johnson Charles, Darren Bravo, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Darren Sammy (capt), Denesh Ramdin, Andre Russell, Samuel Badree, Ravi Rampaul, Sunil Narine, Fidel Edwards.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch at the Premadasa was hard on the opening day of matches there on Wednesday, and there were runs available for the batsmen. It is expected to remain reasonably hard for the early stages of the tournament.

Stats and trivia

• West Indies could find themselves a little rusty if they are forced to chase in this match, for they have batted first in their past eight T20 internationals. The last time they chased was against India in Trinidad last year, the only time in the past two years West Indies have batted second
• Chris Gayle’s strike rate of 153.47 in the World T20 is the highest amongst players who have batted at least ten World T20 innings

Quotes

“It’s good to come into the tournament and have people show us the kind of respect and admiration to rate us among the top teams.”
“They are one of the best fielding sides around in the world and that counts for a lot in T20.”

Waqar Younis has resigned as Pakistan coach. The upcoming tour of Zimbabwe will be his last assignment with the national team

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Aug-2011Waqar Younis has resigned as Pakistan coach citing personal reasons that include his and his wife’s health. The upcoming tour of Zimbabwe will be his last assignment with the national team.”I have tendered my resignation to the [Pakistan Cricket] board last week and the tour to Zimbabwe will be my last,” Waqar Younis said at a press conference in Karachi. “I have taken this decision on personal grounds, including medical grounds, and have no differences with anyone and my resignation has been accepted by the board.

Timeline

• March 2010: Waqar Younis takes over as Pakistan coach from Intikhab Alam

• May 2010: Pakistan reach the semi-finals of the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean

• August 2010: The spot-fixing scandal breaks out during Pakistan’s tour of England

• November 2010: Zulqarnain Haider flees to London during the South Africa series in the UAE, after receiving death threats

• November 2010: Pakistan keep South Africa to a 0-0 draw in the Tests

• January 2011: Pakistan defeat New Zealand 1-0, winning their first Test series since 2006-07

• March 2011: Pakistan reach the semi-finals of the one-day World Cup, along the way bringing to an end Australia’s 34-match winning streak in the tournament

• May 2011: Pakistan win the one-day series against West Indies in the Caribbean 3-2

• May 2011: Cracks appear in captain Afridi and Waqar’s relationship following the Caribbean tour

“Had everything in my personal life — that is, my wife’s health and my own — been all right, I would not have taken this decision. But I do not want to fail to do the job justice because of the personal problems on my mind.”Waqar, 39, took over as coach of the national side in March 2010 in the aftermath of the disastrous tour of Australia on which Pakistan failed to win a single game. He replaced Intikhab Alam and his stint coincided with another turbulent phase for Pakistan cricket. The spot-fixing controversy erupted during the tour of England and the wicketkeeper, Zulqarnain Haider, fled to London while Pakistan was involved in a series against South Africa in the UAE. Prior to the World Cup, where his team reached the semi-final, Waqar oversaw a successful tour of New Zealand, where Pakistan won both the Test and ODI series.Waqar described his tenure as coach as a “rollercoaster” and claimed his side was shocked when told that he’ll be stepping down. “It was a roller coaster for me, with a lot of controversies including the spot-fixing scandal, but I am proud of the fact that all these young boys have carried on the good work despite these problems.”I only told the players on Saturday morning, and they were shocked because until today the matter was between me and the PCB, but I am sure that this young team will do well in future.”The PCB spokesman Nadeem Sarwar said: “”The PCB has accepted his resignation and understands his personal reasons. His tenure was good and we wish him the best in his future.”Waqar’s most recent major assignment was the tour of the West Indies where Pakistan drew the Test series and won the ODI series but it was marred by his differences with then limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi over discipline and team selection that ultimately led to Afridi’s retirement from international cricket. However, Waqar claimed his resignation had nothing to do with what transpired during the West Indies tour.Ijaz Ahmed, the former Pakistan captain, who took over as batting and fielding coach at the same time as Waqar was appointed head coach, was appointed assistant coach for the tour of Zimbabwe. The PCB are yet to name a replacement for Waqar.The tour of Zimbabwe begins on August 28 and includes one practice game, one Test, three ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals.

Half-centuries from Samit Patel and Chris Read helped Nottinghamshire Outlaws to a three-run victory over Durham Dynamos

30-Aug-2010

ScorecardHalf-centuries from Samit Patel and Chris Read helped Nottinghamshire Outlaws to a three-run victory over Durham Dynamos – a win which sets up a winner-takes-all clash with Warwickshire Bears for a semi-final place. Needing a victory to maintain their push for top spot in Group C, Patel hit 75 and Read an unbeaten 66 from 51 balls as Nottinghamshire posted 257 for 7 after batting first at Trent Bridge, with 85 runs coming in the last seven overs.A third-wicket partnership of 86 between Gordon Muchall (47) and Ben Harmison (46) set up a thrilling finish for the visitors, who needed 18 off the final over from Darren Pattinson and five off the final ball, but Chris Rushworth could only force a single to mid-off and they finished on 254 for 8. Pattinson finished with 3 for 70 but Ryan Sidebottom, with 3 for 45, and Steven Mullaney, with 2 for 24, were the stars with the ball for the hosts.Nottinghamshire will go to Edgbaston on Sunday knowing victory will continue the quest for their first one-day trophy since 1991.A Nottinghamshire win looked unlikely in the opening three overs as some appalling decision-making saw both Alex Hales and Adam Voges run out. Samit Patel then set about repairing the damage with younger brother Akhil and dominated a partnership of 95 in 18 overs.That pushed the score on to 98 before Akhil was caught at long-off off the bowling of Scott Borthwick for 38, with Samit driving to extra cover soon after. Scott Elstone produced a useful 30 before he was stumped off Ian Blackwell, at which point Nottinghamshire skipper Read combined with Mullaney to blast 57 runs in the batting powerplay, including 21 off one Mark Davies over, before Mullaney and Paul Franks fell in the penultimate over to Rushworth.Durham got off to a flying start, hitting 65 off their first 10 overs for the loss of Phil Mustard and Mark Stoneman to England seamer Sidebottom. Harmison and Muchall opted to bat safely through the middle overs but were unable to accelerate when required, both falling to catches in the deep.Ben Stokes clubbed three sixes in a 29-ball 39 to put the visitors back in the hunt, with Blackwell and Gareth Breese both caught on the boundary. When Will Smith was caught at point with four balls remaining, 16 more runs were needed, and although Borthwick paddle-swept the next delivery for four and Rushworth swatted a six over midwicket, he was unable to repeat the trick off the final ball.

A new state government was recently elected with Olympic plans set to be reassessed but a brand new venue is not part of the plan

AAP08-Nov-2024A frustrating wait over the Gabba’s future has prompted a joint plea for a new 2032 Olympic stadium from tenants Queensland Cricket and AFL club Brisbane Lions.A letter has been sent by the sporting bodies to Premier David Crisafulli urging him to reconsider his new stadium ban, backing a proposed AU$3.4 billion Victoria Park venue as the Brisbane Games centrepiece.They now want to meet with the premier to discuss the Gabba’s future, seeking assurances over a venue plan to ensure both sports will survive and “doesn’t send us broke”.Related

• Gabba to be demolished after 2032 Olympics, cricket to get new home in Brisbane

• Ashes 2025-26: CA schedules Brisbane day-night Test after Perth opener

• Is this the end for the Gabba?

Mr Crisafulli threw out Labor’s Olympic venue plan after winning the October 26 election, with an independent body set to launch a 100-day review and provide a new 2032 blueprint.However the Liberal National Party leader has repeatedly ruled out building a new Olympic stadium.Queensland Cricket and the Brisbane Lions are unfazed, saying they hope “common sense will prevail” when they speak with the premier after enduring an anxious wait over the Gabba’s future.”We’re hoping to meet with the new premier and his team over the next couple of weeks,” Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson told reporters on Friday.”[It is] just really to talk about what our expectations are but I guess more the frustrations that we have had over the last 18 months.”The Gabba was initially set to be knocked down and rebuilt for AU$2.7 billion under the Labor government for the 2032 Games before that was scrapped amid a backlash over rising costs.It was then set for a $600 million Olympic facelift under Labor before plans went back to square one under the new LNP government.Mr Svenson said “everything is on the table” for their government talks but backed the proposed 55,000-capacity Victoria Park stadium pitch.An independent Olympic venue review earlier this year claimed the Gabba would reach the end of its life in 2030 and was in “poor condition”.Uncertainty over the ageing facility’s future has ensured the Gabba is scrambling to host prestige international cricket matches as Australia’s No. 5 ranked Test venue.Mr Svenson said Queensland Cricket and the Lions wanted a decision on the Gabba’s fate sooner rather than later so they could plan for the future.Both sporting codes would need to find another home venue if the Gabba is revamped or replaced, with Queensland Cricket alone facing up to AU$40 million in displacement costs.”If displacement is back on the table we actually need to have that conversation with the government,” Mr Svenson said. “If this place gets knocked down and rebuilt where do the Lions play, where does Australian cricket play? It’s important for us to have certainty that it doesn’t send us broke.”Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on Friday said he had not seen the letter but was “happy to look into it”.However, he backed its 100-day review, sticking with the government’s “no new stadium” mantra.