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Ben Stokes has been ruled out the ongoing four-day practice match in Sri Lanka, with an abdominal strain. There is no news yet about whether his availability for the Test series is affected.”England all-rounder Ben Stokes will not be at the ground today and is having abdominal investigations,” the ECB said. “Full reports are awaited from London. He will remain at the team hotel.”To be clear, this is not a viral issue or linked to COVID-19.”Stokes was originally named in the XI for the ongoing game but did not come out to bat at his usual No. 5 position on the first afternoon, ceding his place to Ollie Pope instead. Overnight, he has been replaced in the XI by legspinner Matt Parkinson.If Stokes is ruled out of the series, he would be the third high-profile England player to be unavailable due to injury, after Mark Wood and Jofra Archer. The potential loss of Stokes may be the biggest blow of all, with the allrounder in outstanding form over the past year, averaging 47.39 with the bat since the start of 2019, as well as 32.60 with the ball.Stokes had also been excellent in the previous tour of Sri Lanka in 2018-19, when he contributed significantly with the ball to a 3-0 whitewash.There is doubt over whether this series can go ahead – even behind closed doors – in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, however. The first Test is scheduled to start on March 19, in Galle.

Police have confirmed three arrests following the stabbing of Barcelona star Lamine Yamal’s father, with a health update also being issued.

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• Attack took place in Rocafonda neighbourhood
• Teenager winger's father undergoing treatment
• Wounds are not considered to be life-threatening

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Mounir Nasraoui was rushed to hospital on Wednesday evening following an attack in the Rocafonda neighbourhood in the north of Barcelona – where 17-year-old Blaugrana sensation Yamal grew up. The 32-year-old was involved in car park confrontation that resulted in him being knifed in the chest and ribs.

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  Nasraoui, who was wearing a shirt bearing the name of his son at the time of the incident, is now undergoing medical treatment as the Mossos d'Esquadra police force continue with investigations into what happened.

• WHAT LOCAL POLICE SAID

  A spokesman for the regional force has said: “I can confirm three people have been arrested following the stabbing of a man in the neighbourhood of Rocafonda in Mataro. The investigation is still open and officers are still trying to establish the level of implication of those detained. More arrests may take place later today. We're not in a position to offer any more details at this stage about the arrested men’s ages and nationalities. What we can say is that the stabbing occurred at 9.10pm in a car park and the arrests took place a couple of hours later and the three people arrested were in custody by 11pm.

  “The arrests occurred in the neighbourhood of Rocafonda in Mataro. The victim was taken to hospital in Barcelona. There was a previous incident involving the men believed to have been involved in the stabbing, shortly after midday yesterday. That incident and the circumstances surrounding the subsequent stabbing and whether the men allegedly involved bumped into each other or the suspects laid in wait for the victim is still under investigation and is an important part of the probe because it will determine the charges the arrested men could face.”

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• WHAT NEXT?

  A fourth suspect is reportedly being hunted, with Nasraoui being admitted to the intensive care unit at Germans Trias i Pujol Hospital. A police source added on the 32-year-old’s condition: “The knife wounds the victim suffered haven't affected any vital organ and his life is not in danger.” Barcelona president Joan Laporta is among those to have visited Yamal’s father, with it expected that he will be transferred to a normal ward on Thursday.

Tammy Abraham could still make a summer transfer to AC Milan in a deal that would see him reunite with ex-Chelsea team-mate Christian Pulisic.

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AC Milan still interested in AbrahamStriker also wanted in Premier LeagueWants Pulisic & Loftus-Cheek reunionWHAT HAPPENED?

Milan have been flirting with the potential signing of the English attacker from Roma for weeks, though the clubs have not been in contact for some time, according to in Italy. New Rossoneri boss Paulo Fonseca is eager to bring Abraham to San Siro this summer, though, and sees him as a top priority as he looks to strengthen the team's attack even further after signing Alvaro Morata from Atletico Madrid.

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The 26-year-old is eager to make the move to Milan, having endured a difficult time at Roma as an anterior cruciate ligament injury saw him miss the majority of last season. He has also been linked with a return to the Premier League with Everton and West Ham reportedly interested, but he would much rather remain in Italy and link up with his former Stamford Bridge co-stars Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori at Milan, according to the report.

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Despite the ongoing links to Milan and reports that Roma are prepared to sell him, coach Daniele De Rossi insisted recently that Abraham still has a future at the capital club, saying that he is "banking" on the forward for next season. Roma have lost another former Chelsea striker in Romelu Lukaku, who won't be returning on loan.

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After three seasons at his current club, the 11-time England international appears ready to embark on a new adventure by swapping Roma for Milan in the current transfer window.

Moeen Ali insists that his time away from the England set-up could prolong his Test career rather than spell an early end to it, after responding to criticism of his decision to sit out the forthcoming tour of South Africa.Writing in his column in The Guardian, Moeen acknowledged that he had been tempted to make an early return to the Test squad for the four-Test series that gets underway at Centurion on Boxing Day, having had conversations with the England management in the wake of their 1-0 series loss in New Zealand.Ultimately, however, he decided that the tour, for which England depart from Heathrow on Friday, “just felt too soon”.Moeen added that his time away from international action – which has included stints in the Mzansi Super League in South Africa and the Abu Dhabi T10, and will continue in the new year when he joins Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League – has felt “quite liberating”, and had given him chance to take stock after an intense five years of England cricket in which he has played as an allrounder in all three formats of the game.”Representing England has always been a privilege and my decision to take a break from Test cricket at the end of the home summer was made to ensure that, hopefully, I can do it for a lot longer,” Moeen wrote.”The past few years have been so full-on and the plan behind my break from Test cricket was to freshen up, enjoy some new environments and get my game back in good order,” he added. “That is something that people perhaps don’t realise is hard to do when you play all three international formats and particularly so when you are an allrounder.”ALSO READ: ‘I don’t want to be pigeon-holed’ – Parkinson on Test hopesMoeen’s decision to step away from Test cricket, even if temporarily, attracted stern judgment from a number of former England captains, including Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan, who wrote in the Daily Telegraph that “England must cut Test ties with Moeen for good”.Moeen, however, described the media reaction as “slightly strange” and defended both his overall Test record of 181 wickets and five centuries in 60 matches, as well as his performances in a 2019 summer from which he emerged with a World Cup winner’s medal, but was dropped for the latter stages of that competition as well as the bulk of England’s subsequent Ashes campaign.”As well as becoming a dad for the second time, I look back on the past 12 months in cricket with a huge amount of pride and satisfaction,” he wrote.”To be part of a World Cup winning squad was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There was no resentment or sadness from missing the later games. The tournament became seamer-heavy in terms of conditions and I had full faith that Eoin Morgan was picking the right team to win. He always explained his decisions to me. So this was anything but a hard time.”No time frame has been set for Moeen Ali’s return to Test cricket•Getty Images

He acknowledged that his solitary appearance in the Ashes – a 251-run defeat at Edgbaston – had been “disappointing”, but pointed out that in the 12 months prior to that match he had been the leading Test wicket-taker in the world, claiming 45 wickets at 23.13 in nine matches, including a nine-wicket display against India at Southampton, and 18 wickets in England’s 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka.”In the past week I have read that I don’t take wickets overseas, when I felt I was making progress in this department,” he wrote. “Sometimes it can feel like my bad days in Test cricket get amplified or singled out more than other players, while my good ones can fly under the radar. I’m not making excuses but over time this can get to you a little bit.”The time away has felt quite liberating. Since my international debut in 2014 the miles on the clock have probably crept up and Test cricket is the level where the pressure and scrutiny are greatest. Combining it all had become a bit draining and rushing back now might have seen nothing change in this regard.”I have put no timeframe on things. I just want to get that buzz back – a feeling of making my debut again – and ultimately become a better player for it.”

Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar impressed against Sri Lanka in a reshaped Australia T20 attack

Alex Malcolm02-Nov-2019Twelve months ago, Australia went into a home T20I against South Africa without a specialist spinner.It was a rain-shortened 10-over game but it was the second time since the 2016 T20 World Cup that they had opted not to pick a frontline spinner in home conditions, having only once picked two in a side at home in that time.Yet 12 months out from a home World Cup, it’s looking increasingly likely that Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar could be key pillars in Australia’s specifically designed five-man attack in home conditions, following their success as a pair in the 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka.Agar and Zampa were Australia’s two most economical bowlers for the series, conceding just 5.33 runs per over each, and taking eight wickets between them. At the MCG on Friday night, they bowled five overs straight in tandem without conceding a boundary to restrict Sri Lanka as they attempted to make a competitive total. Agar conceded just one boundary for the series, Zampa only three.Both came in for special praise from player of the series David Warner post-match. “The two spinners for me have been the stand-out,” he said. “Their lengths have been great, they haven’t been hit for many boundaries and they’re getting in and out of their over very well. So that’s very pleasing for us on a bowling front.”They have benefitted greatly from the work done by the quicks in the powerplay – Sri Lanka were 3 for 29, 2 for 36, and 2 for 41 after six overs each time they came on to bowl – and they will need to be tested under tougher circumstances, but it seems Australia may have stumbled on a combination after so many years of trial error with their spin department.Both Zampa and Agar have found themselves in and out of favour at different times. Mitch Swepson played a T20I in England last year before Agar filled the role on his own in Zimbabwe with the part-time support of Glenn Maxwell and D’Arcy Short. Zampa returned in the UAE in favour of Agar and had Nathan Lyon join him in one game. It was felt that Australia’s Test offspinner, who made his name in T20 cricket and has a better career economy rate than both Zampa and Agar, could fill a permanent role.No spinner was used in the first game at home against South Africa last summer before Zampa was the solo frontliner for Australia’s next five T20Is against India.Adam Zampa was excellent against Sri Lanka•Getty ImagesBut with a rethink in Australia’s batting strategy, with no Short or Marcus Stoinis present in the top order thanks to Warner and Steve Smith’s return, Australia have got creative with the pivotal No. 7 role, opting for the specialist spinner in Agar who can hit if required, rather than the specialist bat who can share four overs with Maxwell.They have discovered on the huge grounds in Australia, that it could prove a winning formula.”I think it’s important to have those options especially when you have a left-arm and a leg-spinner,” Australia captain Aaron Finch said. “When Maxi [Maxwell] is playing he offers that off-spinning role as well which can give someone a chop if they’re not having their best day. The two spinners, all the stats suggest the runs per over from spinners are lower in this country than quicks and I think that’s based off ground size, how true the wickets are too.”It’s not a non-negotiable but structuring up for these two series we’ve felt that it was our best five bowlers going forward. Agar offers that brilliance in the field, very good with bat when he’s playing well, he just hasn’t had the opportunity yet, which is also a good thing that our No. 7 and No. 6 haven’t had a hit. At some stage, he’ll no doubt get his opportunity with the bat and do really well.”Finch was also really pleased with Zampa’s form. There was some pressure on the legspinner following an underwhelming World Cup where much was expected from him. Cameron Boyce’s name continues to be thrown up given his equally good overall T20 record, but Zampa has answered any critics thus far.”His length has been really important,” Finch said. “I think everyone, I know I did in particular, overplayed how big an impact spin would have in the World Cup. Everyone felt at that time of the year with a lot of matches being played on surfaces that spin would play a huge part. England grounds are bloody small. If you get it slightly wrong you get hurt, especially as a spinner. That was one thing we overplayed slightly.”He’s bowling beautifully at the moment. His length is great, he’s not giving batsmen width, he’s defending his overs really well. To get in and out of your overs is so crucial in T20 cricket and he’s doing that really well and having that experience playing at the MCG which is very short straight over the last few years in the Big Bash think that’s helped him a lot in his T20 cricket.”It’s taken Australia longer than most to embrace the importance of spin in T20 but now it’s looking like a key element of their bid for a home world title.

T20I squad includes several fresh faces including Tom Banton and Pat Brown

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Sep-2019England have dropped Jonny Bairstow from the Test squad for New Zealand, while handing first call-ups to Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley. Bairstow, who averaged 19.45 in Tests this summer, was named in the T20I squad, along with a host of new faces that includes Somerset opener Tom Banton and Pat Brown, the Worcestershire slower-ball specialist.With Ben Foakes overlooked for the New Zealand tour as well, the decision to leave out Bairstow means Jos Buttler is set to take over as England’s first-choice Test wicketkeeper on a tour that falls outside the World Test Championship but which has been earmarked as an important stepping stone for England ahead of their trip to South Africa in December.ALSO READ: Who are England’s new faces?”This feels like an opportunity for Jonny to reset,” Ed Smith, England’s national selector, said. “I think he’ll come back stronger from this. He does drop out of the Test squad for these two Tests in New Zealand, which are not part of the World Test Championship, and I predict he’ll come back stronger for having had a bit of time away from the Test set-up.”The New Zealand series comes too soon for James Anderson, who recently confirmed his desire to play on despite a calf injury limiting his Ashes involvement. England instead looked to one of Anderson’s younger Lancashire team-mates as a seam-bowling option, with Saqib Mahmood included for both legs of the tour.Of the XI that beat Australia at The Oval earlier this month to secure a 2-2 series draw, Bairstow is the only omission. Jason Roy, who opened the batting in three Tests against Australia before moving down to No. 4 and then being left out to accommodate another allrounder, also misses out, with Surrey team-mate Ollie Pope preferred as a middle-order batting option.Jonny Bairstow throws his head back in disappointment•Getty ImagesSibley is rewarded for a breakthrough season in which he has scored 1324 Championship runs – more than anyone else in the country – for Warwickshire, while Crawley, 21, has risen quickly to prominence since his Kent debut at the end of 2017. Jack Leach continues as the lead spin option for the two Tests at the end of November, and with Moeen Ali having confirmed his break from the format, Lancashire legspinner Matt Parkinson is called up for the first time.Parkinson is also in the T20I squad, from which several regular white-ball picks have been rested in the wake of England’s draining World Cup summer. Buttler, Roy, Moeen, Joe Root and Ben Stokes were all overlooked for the five-match series, as the selectors look to candidates from the next generation ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.Alongside 20-year-old Banton, who finished second in the Vitality Blast run charts and who has attracted global franchise interest for his talent, Brown, whose 31 wickets helped Worcestershire to lift the title last year, and the Lancashire pair of Parkinson and Mahmood, England have called up Somerset allrounder Lewis Gregory for the first time. There is also a return for Sam Billings, who missed the World Cup with a shoulder dislocation.Sam Curran, uncapped in T20Is, was preferred to David Willey as a left-arm option, while there was no place for Liam Plunkett, who last week expressed his unhappiness at missing out on a central contract.England T20I squad: Eoin Morgan (capt), Jonny Bairstow, Tom Banton, Sam Billings, Pat Brown, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Joe Denly, Lewis Gregory, Chris Jordan, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Matt Parkinson, Adil Rashid, James VinceEngland Test squad: Joe Root (capt), Jofra Archer, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Joe Denly, Jack Leach, Saqib Mahmood, Matthew Parkinson, Ollie Pope, Dominic Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes

Twenty-six wickets fell on the third day in Canterbury as Essex recovered a first-innings 114 to secure a vital win

Daniel Norcross at Canterbury20-Aug-2019

Running a casual eye over the scorecard from this chaotic match you would be forgiven for assuming that the pitch was a snake pit on which batting was impossible.Let us begin with the raw facts from day three: 275 runs scored for the loss of 26 wickets. Kent bowled out for the fourth-lowest County Championship total in their history. Two top-order Essex batsmen dismissed for a pair in a day. Twelve batsmen adjudged lbw. No one reaching double-figures in Kent’s innings despite the country’s leading wicket-taker, Simon Harmer, not even coming on to bowl. Even Jamie Porter was required to deliver only 13 balls, which was enough for him to pick up Kent’s last wicket.These facts tell a part of the story, but not all of it by any means. Some of the batting was shambolic. Dan Lawrence shuffled across his stumps twice, was correctly given out and twice looked bemused at his perceived misfortune. Twice Ravi Bopara decided attack was the best form of defence. Twice he got a nick, plunging his side into disarray.That Essex survived to register a vital win that keeps them top of the Division One and places enormous pressure on Somerset to chase down 258 runs to beat Warwickshire at Edgbaston on the final day was down in no small part to Adam Wheater and Harmer. Their partnership of 57 was the highest of the day and it rescued Essex from the depths of 84 for 6 to bring them within 12 runs of victory.A feature of this match-winning effort was Harmer’s willingness to bat out of his crease, advancing on the trio of Kent seamers and negating what was on offer from the pitch. It came as something of a huge surprise when he was trapped lbw as, unlike his more garlanded team mates, he actually seemed to have a plan, and the technique to pull it off.The more worrying story of the day was the almost complete absence of nous on show from any of the other batsmen, Alastair Cook and Wheater excepted. All too often batsmen shuffled across their stumps pushing at deliveries that either shaped ever so slightly away from groping bats on to the edge and into the grateful hands of slips and wicketkeeper, or cut ever so slightly back past the inside edge on to pads placed demonstrably in front of stumps.One former Test cricketer was beside himself with frustration as front-foot defensive qualities appeared almost entirely absent from the day’s proceedings.Credit must be given to Sam Cook, whose 7 for 23 in Kent’s second innings was a model of remorselessly consistent line and length bowling. He was ably and poignantly assisted by Mohammed Amir, playing in perhaps his last first-class match. He produced the ball of the day, a true snorter that lifted on Sam Billings, giving the Kent captain no chance as he feathered an edge through to Wheater.The match had resumed with Essex on 32 for 1 in their first innings and most people were expecting a tight finish late on day four. Kent confounded those expectations the moment evergreen veteran Darren Stevens, 43, trapped Cook bang in front with the score on 40. Thereafter it was a procession. Stevens sent down 15 overs for his three wickets, conceding just 17 runs, while Harry Podmore was an able foil bowling down the hill. That they were both made to strap on their bowling boots again two hours and 20 minutes after dismissing Essex – which included the 40-minute break for lunch – didn’t help Kent’s cause as the match went deep into the final session.Perhaps that lead of 112 that Kent took into their second innings encouraged a approach; each batsman expecting someone else to score the 30 or 40 runs that would have been enough to build an impregnable position. If so, this would be uncharacteristic from a side that has shown great resolve this season, and largely refused to be rolled over. Perhaps there was more in the pitch than any of us could see up in the commentary box, but it would be hugely surprising if Kent get sanctioned for this surface.Rather, we might best dwell on Essex’s extraordinary resilience. Since their return to Division One three seasons ago they have played 38 matches (not counting the total washout at Headingley last season). They have won 25 of them. Somerset are going to have to respond strongly or the title will likely be heading back to Chelmsford for the second time in three years.

Acting Director of Cricket Corrie van Zyl says the bowler “still wants to play for South Africa” and negotiations for a new contract will start after the India tour

Liam Brickhill14-Aug-2019Chris Morris will not be part of South Africa’s T20I side in India in September, but he remains in Cricket South Africa’s plans for the future. “He still wants to play cricket for South Africa,” CSA’s acting Director of Cricket Corrie van Zyl said of Morris’ status after the 32-year-old allrounder did not make himself available for selection for the India tour, which includes three T20Is and three Tests.Morris’ national contract expired after the World Cup in England, and he has spent the last month playing for Hampshire in the Vitality Blast, alongside former Proteas Rilee Rossouw and Kyle Abbott. Morris has taken eight wickets and scored 84 runs so far in his time with Hampshire, but they are currently nestled at No. 6 in the South Group points table, with five defeats from nine games. ESPNcricinfo understands that Hampshire are not pursuing a Kolpak deal for Morris.”It is well known that Chris’ national contract was not renewed beyond the World Cup,” van Zyl explained to Sport24. “Then, following his super performance at the World Cup, negotiations began on awarding him a new national contract but by then he had already made other commitments.”Those commitments could well include the Caribbean Premier League, which starts on September 4. Morris has previously been contracted to the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the competition. The Euro T20 Slam also takes at the same time as the T20 leg of South Africa’s trip to India, starting on 30 August and ending on 22 September, the same day as the third T20I between South Africa and India.”It absolutely does not mean that the door is closed, and we will start negotiations on a new contract again after the tour,” Van Zyl added.Morris should be in the frame for what will be a busy home summer, with England and Australia both visiting before South Africa return to India in March next year.

Manchester United reportedly held talks with Fulham boss Marco Silva before deciding to stick with Erik ten Hag ahead of the 2024-25 season.

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United were uncertain over Ten Hag's futureHeld talks with multiple managersFulham boss consideredWHAT HAPPENED?

United endured a period of uncertainty after winning the FA Cup, as it was unclear if Ten Hag would stay on as manager. It was confirmed by multiple reports on Tuesday that the Dutchman would be remaining with the club, and could even sign a new contract, but it has now emerged that United held talks with a shock name before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.

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As INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe attempted to gauge interest from potential successors, the reports that United spoke to Silva. The Fulham boss guided his side to a 13th-placed finish last season and discussions were held over him potentially making a stunning move to Old Trafford.

In a chaotic period, United also held talks with former Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino following his Chelsea exit. Gareth Southgate was also seen as a frontrunner if he were to leave England after Euro 2024.

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Silva guided Fulham to a 2-1 win over United at Old Trafford earlier this season, something that may well have figured prominently in their thinking. However, reports that most candidates were disappointed both with the wages on offer, and a meagre reported £35 million ($44m) transfer budget.

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Ten Hag appears to be in talks over extending his contract at United, although that has yet to be announced. In the meantime, Silva will continue to prepare for 2024-25 with Fulham.

The South African Cricketers Association (SACA) has threatened legal action against Cricket South Africa (CSA) over alleged breaches of agreement related to CSA’s decision to radically restructure domestic cricket.From 2021, CSA is planning to scrap the franchise system, reverting to the provincial model in domestic cricket as part of austerity measures designed to offset projected losses of R 654 million (USD 45 million approx) over the next four years. But SACA has repeatedly expressed concerns over the plan, insisting that it had not been properly consulted or given the relevant financial information regarding the challenges CSA is facing.SACA, through its lawyers, addressed a letter to CSA on Friday detailing its grievances, with SACA saying its concerns over the restructuring exercise “have simply been ignored by CSA”.ALSO READ: Explainer on CSA’s austerity measures“We reiterate our concerns around the financial position and around a decision, which has significant consequences both for the game and the players, taken without regard to our agreements and without following the consultation process specifically provided for in our Recognition Agreement,” SACA president Omphile Ramela said.”SACA cares about the financial sustainability of the game, and this is not only about what happens next year but also about the years to come. Our concerns relating to this have simply been ignored by CSA.”We also care about ensuring the best possible domestic structure for the players and the game and believe that this should be the subject of proper consultation and agreement instead of there being a decision, which will have significant consequences, forced on us and the players.”SACA’s statement marks the latest episode in a spat that has rumbled on since CSA announced the restructuring plan in early April.The relationship between the two organisations hit a new low when SACA claimed that its chief executive Tony Irish had been barred from attending a meeting at which the changes to domestic cricket were discussed. While SACA’s latest move has made clear its willingness to take legal action against CSA, Irish said the organisation is still open to engaging CSA on the relevant issues.”Our lawyers have made it clear to CSA that its failure to comply with our agreements may well lead to legal action,” Irish said. “At the same time, we are open to finding responsible solutions to the financial challenges facing cricket and to ensuring the best outcomes from a cricket point of view. We have invited CSA to engage in mediation on the issues. If CSA fails to comply and does not accept our invitation to mediate, SACA will be compelled to take the legal route.”A CSA spokesperson, meanwhile, told ESPNcricinfo it was “unfortunate that SACA chose to issue a press release as a means of communicating with CSA.” The spokesperson added that no letter had yet been received as of Friday evening. “We have noted the same this Friday evening and will respond shortly.”