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Smith’s availability beyond May is not known but will be established by CSA in future

Firdose Moonda11-Dec-2019Graeme Smith has been announced as South Africa’s first director of cricket, albeit in a temporary role, after several months of negotiation. Smith has signed on for three months and will begin work immediately, with two weeks to go before South Africa play England in a four-Test series at home, starting on Boxing Day, followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is. The position was created in the aftermath of South Africa’s underwhelming 2019 World Cup campaign, and involves overseeing all cricket played under Cricket South Africa’s administration.The former captain could not take on the role for longer at this stage, because of his commitment to commentating in the IPL in 2020, a tournament which runs from March 23 to May 12. Smith’s availability beyond May is not known but will be established by CSA in future.The time frame means that Smith will only be able to work on the men’s national team for the England series and the limited-overs matches against Australia which conclude on March 7, and not take on all the responsibilities intended for the director of cricket. The position was intended to include the women’s, age-group and academy teams and to create an national strategy. However, given the limitations on Smith’s time, he will not be involved in the Under-19 World Cup (which starts in January 2020) or the Women’s T20 World Cup (which will be played in February-March 2020). Instead, Smith’s most urgent task will be to appoint a national selection panel and coaching staff for the men’s national side as they prepare to take on England.Speaking of his new role, Smith said: “I’ve publicly stated a number of times that I would love to assist CSA in this difficult time, particularly in developing this new role of director of cricket. I’m still as passionate about South African cricket as I ever was, and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the role. There is a lot of work to be done in the next few weeks and months and my objective will always be to make a positive impact during my tenure.”ALSO READ: 2019 South African cricket’s annus horribilisSmith was initially approached for the job on August 28, at a meeting mediated by former United Cricket Board (now CSA) managing director Ali Bacher and involving suspended CEO Thabang Moroe. On November 9, ESPNcricinfo revealed that Smith had been interviewed alongside suspended interim director of cricket Corrie van Zyl and former national selector Hussein Manack.Five days later, Smith posted on social media confirming that he had withdrawn his interest in the role and cited lack of confidence in CSA’s administration as his main reason.Since then, CSA has been through turbulent times which have resulted in the CEO being suspended over allegations of misconduct. However, president Chris Nenzani continued discussions with Smith over the role. Acting CEO Jacques Faul finalised the deal with Smith.Faul said of Smith’s appointement: “I am delighted that Graeme has agreed to assist Cricket South Africa up until the IPL next year. Obviously, Graeme has had his concerns during the course of the last few months, but I am pleased to say that we have overcome those concerns and I look forward to working with him to urgently address pressing cricketing matters in particular.”Graeme is … a natural leader and his knowledge of the game is second to none. To have him on board to work with the professional cricket arm of CSA, as well as the cricketing pipeline, which is so vital for our game, is a massive shot in the arm for CSA during this period.”With Smith set to appoint the national coaching staff, it remains to be seen if Enoch Nkwe stays on as team director – he was appointed in the role in an interim capacity in August.

Players’ association includes section on “good decision-making”, which offers guidelines on good communication in sexual relationships

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2018The New Zealand’s players’ handbook now includes guidelines relating to good communication when engaging in sexual relationships, with particular reference to consent.Amid growing concerns of harassment of women in the work place and by men in positions of power, brought to light through the #metoo campaign, the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA) included a section in the players’ handbook for the first time on the importance of consent in sexual relationships.The notes, under a section titled “good decision-making”, begin by saying: “Making good decisions is important in all aspects of life. This is particularly important when relating to sexual relationships, and especially around matters of consent. No matter the situation, sexual consent is crucial.”The notes go on to point out that consent is required by law and that “if they say no, it means no“. It also talks about not pressurising a person into giving their consent, and respecting a person’s freedom to withdraw consent even after sexual relations have started.

A programme on the potential risks a cricketer faces has been run by NZCPA for about seven years, according to a report in the , but this is the first time it has been included in the players’ handbook. Sexual relationships apart, the programme on “personal development” also deals with other potential risky situations, including doping and coping with life after cricket.NZCPA chief executive Heath Mills said the handbook was updated with this information simply to make it more accessible to players all over New Zealand.”If people are making good decisions they’re aware of the risks around being a professional cricketer and are aware of the importance of respect and responsibility, then they’re going to be skills and attributes they’re going to have for life no matter what career they’re involved in,” Mills told . “There’s a whole heap of pages in here, and they’re all aspects of the personal development programme that we run. Good decision-making is one aspect to it.”

The 56-year-old former South African first-class cricketer has signed a three-year deal with Cricket Ireland and will succeed John Bracewell in December

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2017Graham Ford is set to take over as Ireland’s head coach in December, when the incumbent John Bracewell’s contract comes to an end. Ford, the 56-year-old former South African first-class cricketer, has signed a three-year deal with Cricket Ireland.In June, Ford ended his second stint as Sri Lanka’s head coach, stepping down after 15 months of a tenure that was originally scheduled to stretch until the end of the 2019 World Cup. His first stint lasted from 2012 to 2014. Before that, he had served as South Africa’s head coach from 1999 to 2002. He has also worked with Dolphins (formerly Natal) in South African domestic cricket, and Kent and Surrey in England.”I am really excited to be a part of this new era in Irish cricket,” Ford said. “I have always enjoyed working with decent people and, in their attitude, character and camaraderie, the Irish cricketers have always come across as such.”With my knowledge and experience I believe I can genuinely make a difference. All my efforts will be dedicated to assisting the players to improve and achieve their full potential while playing an enjoyable brand of cricket.”

Injured spinner Steve O’Keefe has been fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia after being issued with a criminal infringement notice by New South Wales Police following an incident at a Sydney hotel on Saturday night

Brydon Coverdale08-Aug-2016Injured spinner Steve O’Keefe has been fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia after being issued with a criminal infringement notice by New South Wales Police following an incident at a Sydney hotel on Saturday night.O’Keefe, who played the first Test of Australia’s ongoing tour of Sri Lanka before being forced home due to a hamstring injury, accepted his penalty from Cricket Australia for breaching the CA Code of Behaviour.”Just before 11pm, on Saturday 6 August 2016, a 31-year-old man attempted to enter licensed premises at The Corso, Manly,” a New South Wales Police media statement said, as reported by the . “It will be alleged the man behaved offensively towards a security guard, who had refused the man entry.”The man allegedly verbally abused the security and management personnel, and refused to leave. Officers attached to Northern Beaches Local Area Command attended and the man was issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour, and excluded person remain in vicinity of licensed premises.”O’Keefe was charged by Cricket Australia with “conduct unbecoming of a player”. Cricket Australia executive general manager of team performance, Pat Howard, said CA was “extremely disappointed” by O’Keefe’s behaviour.”We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian cricket,” Howard said. “Steve understands our expectations and that we’re extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury.”Andrew Jones, the chief executive officer of Cricket New South Wales, said: “Steve has had a difficult couple of weeks but that is no excuse. We expect a high standard from our players on and off the field and in this case Steve failed to meet those high standards.”I have spoken to Steve and he is very disappointed with his behaviour. He has apologised to the management of The Steyne Hotel and accepts that he will be sanctioned.”O’Keefe had only recently returned from Sri Lanka, where he played the third Test of his career. He said in a statement that he took full responsibility for his actions.”I know I failed to uphold the high standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer and apologise to all concerned,” O’Keefe said. “I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia.”

England may feel they have rid themselves of one devil having informed Kevin Pietersen he will not be considered for selection this season but they will inherit another with Adam Lyth set to become the 666th Test cricketer for England having been named in

Alex Winter14-May-20151:14

England could field two debutants in 1st Test

England may feel they have rid themselves of one devil having informed Kevin Pietersen he will not be considered for selection this season but they will inherit another when the first Test begins against New Zealand next Thursday with Adam Lyth set to become the 666th Test cricketer for England.Mark Wood, the Durham fast bowler who toured West Indies, could also debut against New Zealand after being included in the 12-man squad for the first Test of the summer against New Zealand at Lord’s.Lyth, 27, was reduced to 12th man duty in the Caribbean as Jonathan Trott was given an opportunity to revive his international career but Lyth will now get his chance as Alastair Cook’s sixth opening partner since the retirement of Andrew Strauss in 2012. Lyth enjoyed an outstanding 2014 with 1489 Championship runs at an average of 67.68 as Yorkshire won their first title since 2001.

Lyth’s devil-may-care attitude

Adam Lyth has taken a devil-may-care attitude to the expectation that he will become England’s 666th Test debutant – a number normally associated with the devil or anti-Christ.
The ECB would be open to any request from Lyth to skip a number based on some religious or superstitious concern.
Lyth, however, presumably not an addict of horror movies, was unconcerned by such outlandish notions.
“Any Test number, I’m not bothered,” he told . “A Test debut at Lord’s, walking through the Long Room with Alastair Cook to open the batting for England – it doesn’t get much better than that, does it? It will be one of the proudest moments of my life, and the same for my family.”

With Trott having retired from international cricket, Lyth will be the latest batsman to try and forge a new partnership with Cook. None of the other five players tried – Nick Compton, Joe Root, Michael Carberry, Sam Robson and Trott – have lasted more than nine Tests. Having toured the Caribbean, Lyth has only played one match in the UK this season, making 53 and 23 against Hampshire at Headingley, but a lack of cricket having been with the England squad was naturally not held against him.”I’m over the moon,” Lyth said, “I’m looking forward to opening the batting next week. It’s very exciting, I’m sure there will be a lot of nerves next week but I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead. It will be one of the proudest moments of my life. It was great to get the experience in the West Indies but now I get my chance and there’s no better place to make your debut than at Lord’s. Hopefully I can be in the side for a long period now and would love to play an Ashes series.”Alex Hales, the Nottinghamshire batsman, staked his own claim for a call up with a double century against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge and 141 and 94 at the Ageas Bowl – he is the leading run-scorer after five rounds of the County Championship – but Lyth has been given first opportunity and Hales has been called up for the knockout stages of the IPL with Mumbai Indians.”Adam Lyth has waited patiently for an opportunity with England having performed consistently for Yorkshire and England Lions in the last year,” national selector, James Whitaker, said. “He fully deserves his chance to cement a place in the side at the top of the order. Mark Wood has also impressed and his pace and style of bowling ensure the coach and captain have options in the bowling attack.”There were some positive signs during the recent Test tour and it is key that this group of players learns from the instances when the opposition was put under pressure and we were in a position to press for victory but couldn’t quite manage it. New Zealand are a very talented side and I expect a very competitive series between the two teams to start what will be an incredibly exciting summer of cricket. Good luck to Alastair, Paul Farbrace and the rest of the squad.”Wood, who played in the washed-out ODI in Dublin last week, may be the second England debutant at Lord’s if England decide to make a change to the attack that played in the Caribbean. Ben Stokes, England’s seam-bowling allrounder, is likely to be persisted with despite just three wickets at 85.33 in three Tests against West Indies. He bowled some impressive spells and also made 79 in Antigua. Chris Jordan, who took six wickets at 42.66 in the Caribbean, could make way for Wood as third seamer.Mark Wood is in contention for a Test debut at Lord’s•Getty Images

Wood, the 25-year-old Durham bowler, was fast-tracked into the England set-up and could make his Test debut after just 24 first-class matches. He impressed for Durham in 2013 with 27 scalps at 24.07 in the county’s third Championship triumph. Injury reduced him to just one warm-up match on England Lions’ tour of Sri Lanka but this winter toured South Africa with the Lions. He was also in England’s party in the Caribbean.This is the first squad of Strauss’s reign as director of England cricket. He sat in on the selection meeting led by national selector James Whitaker, whose role is the latest to come under scrutiny after Strauss’s appointment. England go into the series without a permanent coach after Peter Moores’ sacking. Paul Farbrace, the assistant coach, takes temporary charge. Alastair Cook, who made his first Test century for almost two years in Barbados, continues as captain after Strauss offered his public backing at his unveiling on Tuesday.Liam Plunkett, who also toured the Caribbean and featured for England in Test matches last summer, might have been considered but he was left out of Yorkshire’s match at Headingley this week for disciplinary reasons.England squad for first Test against New Zealand
Alastair Cook (capt, Essex), Adam Lyth (Yorkshire), Gary Ballance (Yorkshire), Ian Bell (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Ben Stokes (Durham), Jos Buttler (wkt, Lancashire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), James Anderson (Lancashire), Mark Wood (Durham)

Incessant rain and drizzle forced abandonment in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Pallekele, without a ball being bowled

Andrew Fernando in Pallekele01-Nov-2012
ScorecardThe covers were never removed on Thursday in Pallekele•AFP

Incessant rain and drizzle forced abandonment in the first ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in Pallekele, without a ball being bowled. The covers were never removed, and match referee Andy Pycroft called off the match at 17.15 local time. The weather had also severely hampered both teams’ preparation in the lead-up to the match. Tuesday’s Twenty20 was also a washout, after only 16 overs were bowled.The action now heads to Colombo, which hosts the second and third ODIs of the five-match series. The monsoon rains have been no less prevalent there however, and more rain is forecast across the island over the next few days. The second ODI is scheduled to be played at the R Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.