Bishoo spins West Indies to series win

Devendra Bishoo spearheaded West Indies’ victory march on the final day in Mirpur with his maiden five-for, to deliver a confidence-boosting series success ahead of a tougher assignment in India

The Report by Siddhartha Talya02-Nov-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib Al Hasan were dismissed after scoring half-centuries on the fifth morning•AFPDevendra Bishoo spearheaded West Indies’ victory march on the final day in Mirpur with his maiden five-for, to deliver a confidence-boosting series success ahead of a tougher assignment in India. Mushfiqur Rahim was Bangladesh’s big hope, calmly guiding his team in his first Test series as captain, but was let down by his experienced partners, who succumbed to their attacking instincts instead of controlling them. When Mushfiqur fell shortly before lunch, done in by a ripper of a legbreak from Bishoo, a West Indies win became a formality, and they wrapped it up quickly after the break.Smart stats

West Indies’ 229-run win is their fourth victory in eight Tests against Bangladesh. Their two losses came in 2009, when they fielded a weakened side in the home series.

The defeat is Bangladesh’s 29th in 35 home Tests. Their solitary win was against Zimbabwe in Chittagong in 2005.

Devendra Bishoo’s 8 for 152 is the best match figures by a West Indian spinner in an away or neutral Test since Lance Gibbs’ 9 for 143 against India in Mumbai in 1975.

Darren Bravo’s 195 is ninth on the list of top scores by West Indian batsmen in the subcontinent. Chris Gayle is on top, with his 333 against Sri Lanka in 2010.

Fidel Edwards’ 5 for 63 is his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests. He now has 149 wickets in 48 Tests at an average of 36.47.

The recklessness of Bangladesh’s top-order batsmen will continue to raise questions about their ability to bat for long durations. Their performances were characterised by bursts of attractive strokeplay, which brought quick runs but also betrayed a lack of responsibility and an inadequate grasp of the situation. Tamim had batted with caution on the fourth day after surviving two close calls and being reprimanded by Raqibul Hasan. In the third over on the fifth day, however, Tamim stepped out to Bishoo, who was turning the ball in from the rough, and tried to drive over extra cover; instead, he edged to slip. With a hundred there for the taking on a largely unthreatening track, and the prospect of a draw still alive, he threw away his wicket.In contrast, Mushfiqur seemed unshakeable at the other end. He worked the ball around, used his wrists, was committed to playing along the ground and was prompt in dispatching the bad deliveries. He reached forward to ease Fidel Edwards through the covers to bring up his half-century and drove a full ball from Bishoo elegantly past mid-off. But, in the dying moments of the morning session, Mushfiqur was bamboozled by Bishoo’s quicker legbreak, which was fired in and spat away to beat his defence and take off stump.West Indies bowled their fair share of tripe, and Shakib’s first three boundaries were all off long hops. But there was also risk in his approach. Too often Shakib tried to sweep from the rough outside off stump, almost holed out while trying to clear mid-off, and while he reached his half-century with a pull off Fidel Edwards, West Indies sensed an opportunity throughout his stay at the crease. It wasn’t too big a surprise then, when an attempt to paddle Darren Sammy produced a top edge and another wicket.Bishoo was expected to play a prominent role on the final day but the turn and bounce was by no means alarming. He managed to derive more turn and bite from the track than any of the other spinners in this game, and his variations in length and pace, together with the googly, proved too much for the lower order. Attacking with four close-in catchers after lunch, he trapped Nasir Hossain lbw with a wrong ‘un, Naeem Islam with a straighter one, and had Suhrawadi Shuvo caught at slip to complete his five-for. Kemar Roach then slipped one past Rubel Hossain’s defences to give West Indies their first away series win since 2003.The win was set up by some significant individual achievements – Kirk Edwards’ century and 86 in this game, Darren Bravo’s maiden hundred, Bishoo’s first five-for and an incisive spell from Fidel Edwards in the first innings. Bangladesh, meanwhile, were left to rue the lack of discipline in their batting, that cost them a Test and a series they could have saved.

'A flagship for all those who despised apartheid'

Tributes for the South Africa-born former England allrounder Basil D’Oliveira, who has died in England, aged 80

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Nov-2011’The story of Basil shows the courage and feistiness of people who were excluded during the aparthied era.’•Paul McGregor/ESPNcricinfo Ltd”It is a sad time for us as a family but after a long battle against Parkinson’s disease dad passed away peacefully. Although it is difficult we will celebrate a great life rather than mourn a death.”

“My memories are of a very good player, who was cheerful, friendly and unassuming. He was also quite brave. He was a shrewd cricketer, a good catcher and a very useful extra bowler who would swing the ball. Ray Illingworth used to use him as an extra bowler; he appealed to him because he filled in gaps and wouldn’t give too many runs away. I can remember reading a book of tours that Ray was captain of and how often he turned to Basil. I never saw him in any other way than as a friendly cricketing colleague who enjoyed the game.”
“He will always remain a giant in the transformation of South African sport. He showed conclusively that blacks in South Africa, given the same opportunity as whites, had that ability, talent and potential to become international stars. It is sad that he could never play for his country of birth. There is no question that in the 21st century he would have played for South Africa, which I’m sure would have been his first choice.”

“When I was growing up in South Africa, Basil was a revered personality in ‘non-white’ cricketing circles. At the time his influence and his legacy in a divided South Africa stretched way beyond the cricket field. While he never regarded himself as such, he was a hero to a generation of disenfranchised South Africans. Today I can recall with even greater respect how he served as a role model showing that despite the odds, underprivileged South Africans like myself can rise to the top.”

“He was a man of true dignity and a wonderful role model, somebody who overcame the most extreme prejudices and circumstances to take his rightful place on the world stage.”

“Basil D’Oliveira was more than just a cricketer. He personified the bravery and determination of the South African people’s struggle against apartheid, and his own remarkable achievements, starting a Test career at 34, an age when most players are considering retirement, showed the world just what he and his people could accomplish.”

“We are just finishing a book on our [Western Province’s] 121-year history and the story of Basil is central in that. It shows the huge waste of human potential that happened during the aparthied era and the courage and feistiness of people who were excluded at that time. They created rich cultures that we are benefiting from today.”

“A few Soweto Cricket Club players that have read his biography, in our small library at the Soweto Cricket Oval and marvel at Basil’s vision. He achieved great feats irrespective of the adversity he faced back in the 1950’s. During the historic first 1995 SCC tour of England, Ireland and Wales, the late great Khaya Majola broke down after reading a letter from Basil d’Oliviera to the touring party. In the letter Basil pointed out the plight of black cricketers, deprived of opportunity in South Africa and encouraged the players on tour not to give up on their dreams and hopes of playing first-class cricket.”

“It’s terrible news to me because Basil was one of the my best friends. I can remember saying ‘If he doesn’t go, I’m not going,’ because we were such great friends and he’d done everything to go and get back into the team, so it was politics I’m afraid. It was very sad.”
“From a county point of view, he was a massive part of the club’s history and his family name lives on through Damian and grandson Brett.”
“He became a flagship for all those who despised the whole concept of apartheid. Basil D’Oliveira’s influence helped to usher in a world where apartheid was consigned to the dustbin.”

“He was somebody who just carried himself in a very dignified way, despite all the pressures whirling around him. Somebody who became much loved in the English cricket world as a result and yet somebody who, in his own quiet, modest and unassuming way, became the symbol of what was wrong with apartheid South Africa.”

“His is the example I use when people tell me sport and politics should never mix. Sport can have huge political influence in the right situation.”
“History may well decide that the lives of millions of non-white South Africans would have been made wretched for even longer but for Basil d’Oliveira.”

Grandhomme leads Auckland past Northern Districts

Colin de Grandhomme made 35 from 25 balls to lift Aukland to a three-wicket win over Northern Districts with an over to spare

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Dec-2011Colin de Grandhomme made 35 from 25 balls to lift Aukland to a three-wicket win over Northern Districts with an over to spare in their HRV Cup match at Colin Maiden Park in Aukland. Grandhomme and Gareth Hopkins, who made 17, added 52 in just 5.5 overs as Aukland looked to have the match well in hand at 131 for 4 in the 16th over chasing 156.However, there were a few nervous moments for the home side as the pair fell within three deliveries of each other, allrounder Andre Adams had to retire hurt after being hit above the right eye by Tim Southee, and Ronnie Hira perished in the same in over to leave Aukland 135 for 7 with three overs remaining.But Colin Munro kept his head while Southee lost his, conceding 13 runs in the 19th over, which included three wides. Munro hit him wide of mid-on for four before repeating the stroke, this time for two, to take his side to victory. Left-arm spinner Anton Devcich was the best of the bowlers, taking 2 for 21.Opener Brad Wilson set up Nothern Districts total of 155 for 5 with a quickfire 46 from 27 balls, including eight fours. He added 65 with New Zealand batsman BJ Watling (18) in 7.4 overs as they appeared to lay the platform for a big total. But the innings sputtered after Wilson departed, bowled by Adams off his pads. It was left to captain Scott Styris, who made an unbeaten 31 from 22 balls, to inject some urgency at the end, with 24 coming off the final two overs. In the end, it was not enough.

Cricket Australia backs down on Man of the Match

Doug Bracewell’s snubbing as Man of the Match in Hobart has forced Cricket Australia to back down on its controversial viewer-voting system

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Dec-2011Doug Bracewell’s snubbing as Man of the Match in Hobart has forced Cricket Australia to back down on its controversial viewer-voting system. The decision on who should be the Man of the Match will revert to an expert panel after David Warner was given the award for his century at Bellerive Oval, despite Bracewell’s match-winning fourth-day spell.Cricket Australia used the New Zealand series to trial a system in which the public could vote for the official Man of the Match using a mobile phone application. James Pattinson’s win in Brisbane was not contentious, but the overwhelming support for Warner – he polled 58% in Hobart to Bracewell’s 27% – left the New Zealanders rightly affronted.”We were always running a bit of a trial for these two Tests with those Man of the Match awards but we will definitely revert back to an expert’s choice for that decision about man of the match,” Sutherland said on the Melbourne radio station 3AW. However, he was keen to see the continuation of the viewer’s choice application, which he called “ahead of its time”, in other waysBracewell finished with match figures of 9 for 60 and clearly altered the course of the match on the fourth day, when he collected three wickets in nine balls to demolish Australia’s middle order and set New Zealand on the path to their first Test win in Australia in 26 years. The New Zealand assistant coach, Trent Woodhill, said the decision was obviously wrong.”It’s embarrassing. David Warner had a fantastic innings. He batted all the way through the innings,” Woodhill told . “Doug Bracewell was the player of that match. He took nine wickets for 60, if it wasn’t for him we wouldn’t have won the match. To me that’s who the player of the match should be.”It was not surprising that the public-voting system was controversial – there was always the risk that Australian fans would vote overwhelmingly for Australian players regardless of the result of the game. The traditional method of selecting the Man of the Match, via expert opinion, will resume for the upcoming Test series against India.

'A dream come true' – Mohsin Khan

Mohsin Khan, the Pakistan coach, compared his team’s whitewash against England to the 1992 World Cup triumph after the 3-0 margin was sealed with a 71-run victory in Dubai

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Feb-2012Mohsin Khan, the Pakistan coach, compared his team’s whitewash against England to the 1992 World Cup triumph after the 3-0 margin was sealed with a 71-run victory in Dubai. It was the first time since 1907 that a team had won after being dismissed in double figures in the first innings of a Test and completed Pakistan’s first cleansweep over England.”Today is like a dream come true,” Mohsin told . “It’s not a very experienced team but it’s very talented. Today, the captain and all the players have proved they are one of the best in the world. It’s a great achievement for the Pakistan team.”Pakistan’s captain Misbah-ul-Haq always believed his team could fight back from their poor first innings which had seen them 44 for 7 before lunch on the opening day. The fightback started with the bowlers and was built on by Younis Khan and Azhar Ali who struck the only hundreds made in the series.”After being bowled out for 99 nobody thought we could come back,” Misbah said. “But that is what this Pakistan team has been doing for the last year and a half, coming back in pressure situations. Everybody performed well, especially the bowlers. Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman brought us back into the game then there was a wonderful batting performance from Younis Khan and Azhar Ali. I think that was the difference in this game.”As they have throughout the series, England struggled to combat Pakistan’s spinners. Ajmal took four wickets in the final innings to take his series tally to 24 at 14.70 which earned him the Man-of-the-Series award. But it wasn’t all spin that ended England’s hopes of a consolation victory as Umar Gul took out key middle-order scalps in another penetrative spell.First he struck with the old ball to extract Ian Bell and then Eoin Morgan with the new ball to ensure no lower-order heroics from Stuart Broad or Graeme Swann. Having also taken a four-wicket haul in the previous Test in Dubai at the start of the series Misbah was full of praise for his senior fast bowler.”He’s a wonderful bowler, whenever we need him he performs well,” he said. “Today he gave us four precious wickets. He’s a matchwinning bowler and he showed that again today.”For Andrew Strauss the defeat completed a chastening three weeks where England’s credentials as the leading Test team have been left in tatters. The bowlers couldn’t have done more to try and keep their side in the series but time and again the batting failed to respond and Strauss admitted the constant failures were unexpected.”I’m a little surprised we didn’t get bigger scores over the three matches,” he said. “That was a consistent failure on our part but you have to give credit to Pakistan. When they got their noses in front they didn’t let us back in. We have to learn lessons from this. I’m a great believer you don’t become a great team overnight or a bad team overnight.”

Will Tendulkar, Sehwag make Asia Cup?

Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag – the only two double centurions in ODI cricket – will provide the main points of discussion when the selectors assemble in Mumbai tomorrow, to pick a 15-man squad for the Asia Cup

Nagraj Gollapudi28-Feb-2012Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag – the only two double centurions in ODI cricket – will provide the main points of discussion when the selectors assemble in Mumbai tomorrow, to pick a 15-man squad for the Asia Cup. This meeting is touted to be the “toughest and the most pivotal” for the selection panel led by Kris Srikkanth, during which the selectors are likely to axe an underperforming Sehwag and consider the ODI future of Tendulkar.Tendulkar has yet to inform the board about his availability – or unavailability – for the Asia Cup. Previously, whenever Tendulkar had decided to opt out of a series, he had notified the board in advance, the situation with the veteran batsman being what one board official described as “an uncontrollable”.MS Dhoni is likely to lead the team – as opposed to being rested – to Dhaka for the tournament that begins on March 12. Zaheer Khan will be rested and a valuable cameo of 40 not out against Sri Lanka in Hobart may have given Suresh Raina a fresh lease of life following his disappointing tour of Australia.”It will be the most pivotal meeting,” a BCCI official told ESPNcricinfo. “It might set trends for future selections.” As far as Sehwag goes, there seems to be a growing impatience among the selectors with the way he has been getting out on the Australia tour – first during the Test series and in the last month in the Commonwealth Bank tri-series. In the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sehwag aggregated 198 runs at 24.75. In the CB Series, he has managed 65 runs in five matches so far.It has been an incredible slump in form for Sehwag, whose last international innings, before landing in Australia was his record-breaking 219 against West Indies. “He keeps getting out to shots that he should not be chasing at all. His case is turning out to be a little awkward,” the board official, who had supposedly had a word with the selectors, said. “Dropping him and asking him to take a break is an option.”Probable India squad for Asia Cup

MS Dhoni (capt), Sachin Tendulkar, Gautam Gambhir, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma/Manoj Tiwary, Irfan Pathan, R Ashwin, Rahul Sharma, Praveen Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Vinay Kumar, Ashok Dinda

The Tendulkar case is more complex and the selectors really do not have a straightforward solution. Tendulkar has been hanging on the precipice of hundred international hundreds for close to a year. “The pressure is evident,” the board official said. Though Tendulkar managed fluent starts in both the Tests series and the ongoing CB Series, he struggled to convert those into big score. In fifteen innings on the Australia trip till date – four Tests and seven ODIs – Tendulkar could manage only two fifties. But his quest for the record has started to mount pressure on the team, the board official pointed out.Dhoni had said at the beginning of the CB Series that playing all three of Tendulkar, Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in the XI would have a severe impact in the field, and India had initially employed a rotation policy for the three openers. Sehwag had subsequently denied having known that the trio’s fielding was one of Dhoni’s reasons for the rotation policy, sparking some speculation of a rift in the team. But it is understood that the selectors, in private, do agree that a youthful side is always a better option, especially in the field.”But the case of Tendulkar is unique. It is for him to decide when he wants to go out. He is an uncontrollable,” the official said. “The selectors will only take a call if the BCCI asks them to.”So, with no word from Tendulkar on skipping the Asia Cup, he is likely to figure as one of the many names Srikkanth and Co. will discuss while picking a squad with a probable break-up of eight batsmen, a wicketkeeper and six bowlers. In case the selectors decide to drop Sehwag, Ajinkya Rahane is a favourite to replace him. Rahane was part of the Test squad in Australia, but only warmed up the bench before returning to play for Mumbai in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy.As for the middle order, the board official pointed out there is a hint of pressure on Rohit Sharma but he could still retain his place.Meanwhile Zaheer is likely to be rested after he managed to finish his first complete tour of Australia in three attempts – he had picked up a calf injury at the backend of the trip and the selectors would not want to push him too hard. Ashok Dinda, second highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy this season, is likely to top the list of potential replacements. Praveen Kumar and Vinay Kumar are expected to retain their places in the four-man pace attack, which could also feature Munaf Patel. Munaf, who was part of the World Cup-winning squad, has recovered completely from the injury he picked during last year’s tour of England.In the spin department, the selectors are still not convinced about Harbhajan Singh, and are expected to retain R Ashwin and Rahul Sharma. Harbhajan returned to competitive cricket in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after recovering from a shin injury in the early part of Punjab’s Ranji campaign, but has struggled for wickets, thereby weakening his case. “He has not done anything much,” the board official said.Edited by Nikita Bastian

Peter Ingram retires from first-class cricket

Peter Ingram, the Central Districts batsman who also played for New Zealand, has retired from first-class cricket

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2012Peter Ingram, the Central Districts batsman who also played for New Zealand, has retired from first-class cricket, bringing to an end a career that began in 2001-02. Ingram, 33, suffered an Achilles tendon injury during the final round of the HRV Cup and said he was retiring to spend more time with his family.”After some weeks of deliberation I have decided that it was better to make the decision now so that the Stags can focus on the remaining rounds of the Plunket Shield knowing for certain who was available,” Ingram said. “The players that have come in have done a great job and it is in the best interests of the team to give them certainty around selection.”Ingram played two Tests, both at home, averaging 15.25. He also played eight ODIs, averaging 27.57 with a highest of 69. He had a more impressive first-class record, with 5623 runs in 82 games at 39.87; in List A cricket, he averaged 32.64 in 60 games with three centuries. He is the second-highest run-getter for Central Districts in first-class cricket, behind Matthew Sinclair.”I’m away from home for 90% of the time during the season and with two young boys your priorities start to change,” Ingram said. “I would have loved to have played more for New Zealand as well, but it became obvious this year that I was not in the selectors frame, so committing myself to my family becomes the most important thing.”I am proud of what I have achieved in the game and certainly don’t retire with any regrets.”Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson said: “His positive approach at the top of the innings often put us in a dominant position early on in games and that will be missed. He has real passion for the Stags as well and this is something that has definitely rubbed off on all of those that he has played with.”

Haddin not returning to West Indies

Matthew Wade is expected to make his Test debut against West Indies next month after Cricket Australia confirmed Brad Haddin would not return to the tour

Brydon Coverdale23-Mar-2012Matthew Wade is expected to make his Test debut against West Indies next month after Cricket Australia confirmed Brad Haddin would not return to the tour. In a statement, Cricket Australia cited “family reasons” for Haddin’s decision not to rejoin the squad after he flew home from the Caribbean ahead of the first ODI.Wade was Australia’s first-choice gloveman for the limited-overs portion of the tour but the selector Rod Marsh indicated last week that Haddin remained the No.1 wicketkeeper in the Test side. The following day, Haddin flew home for personal reasons.”Cricket Australia fully supports Brad’s decision to remain in Australia and sends its best wishes to him and his family at this time,” the general manager of team performance, Pat Howard, said after Haddin confirmed he would not return to the tour.The New South Wales wicketkeeper Peter Nevill will remain with the squad for the Test portion of the tour, having flown in to replace Haddin for the one-dayers. But having impressed during over the past two months in the shorter formats, Wade will be the clear first choice for the first Test, which begins on April 7 in Barbados.While the precise reason for Haddin’s decision to remain at home is unclear, it does raise serious doubts over whether his international career will continue. Australia’s next Test series is not until the 2012-13 home summer, when they face South Africa, by which time Haddin will be 35 and will no longer be the incumbent in any format.Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Michael Clarke has been ruled fit to join the squad for the Test series after being sidelined from the one-dayers due to a hamstring injury. Clarke will fly out of Sydney on Sunday ahead of the three-Test series.

'Harbhajan has ability to lead India some day' – Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, has said that offspinner Harbhajan Singh has the ability to lead the national team following his showing for his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Apr-2012Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain, has said that offspinner Harbhajan Singh has the ability to lead the national team following his showing for his IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians. Harbhajan has not featured in India’s Test or ODI squad since August 2011.He returned home mid-way through India’s 4-0 Test whitewash in England, after picking up an abdominal muscle strain, and was not picked for the home series against England and West Indies, the tour of Australia or the Asia Cup. However, during this period he had captained Mumbai Indians, in place of an injured Sachin Tendulkar, to the Champions League T20 title. Earlier this week, in wake of Tendulkar’s decision to stand down from the post just before the start of IPL V, he was named the franchise’s permanent captain.”Harbhajan’s captaincy was brilliant in the Champions League and yesterday too,” Ganguly told , referring to the opening game of the IPL, in which Mumbai Indians beat Chennai Super Kings by eight wickets. He said Harbhajan’s body language as captain had been “terrific”. “He has the ability to lead India some day. I have always said I will have Harbhajan in my side.”Ganguly also said Tendulkar was a “reluctant” leader. “We have seen in the past that he [Tendulkar] is a reluctant captain. It’s his personal decision. And also, it has got to do with Bhajji [Harbhajan] winning the Champions League.”As captain of the Pune Warriors IPL team, Ganguly will go up against Harbhajan when Warriors take on Mumbai Indians on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium.

Bairstow released to play for Yorkshire

Jonny Bairstow has been released by the ECB to play for Yorkshire in this week’s County Championship match against Northamptonshire

ESPNcricinfo staff29-May-2012Jonny Bairstow has been released by the ECB to play for Yorkshire in this week’s County Championship match against Northamptonshire after limited time at the crease during his first two Tests involving West Indies.Bairstow, who made his debut at Lord’s, was given a torrid working over by Kemar Roach in England’s first innings at Trent Bridge. He was struck on the body first ball before gloving a sharp bouncer short of the slips and eventually got a leading edge to mid-on off Roach. His performance began a debate about whether he has a significant issue against short-pitched bowling.It is high unlikely that England will drop him for the final Test at Edgbaston; now that the series is won it is an ideal opportunity to give him further exposure at the top level. However, with South Africa providing the next Test opponents his place is not secure. His outing in the Championship will allow him a less intense atmosphere to regain some confidence although he will not be facing anyone approaching Roach’s pace.Bairstow’s early-season runs for Yorkshire were one of the main reasons behind his call up for the first Test after Ravi Bopara was injured. He scored 182 against Leicestershire at Scarborough and an earlier hundred against Kent. Bairstow scored 16 in his first innings at Lord’s, as well as showing his prowess in the covers with a direct-hit run-out to remove Kirk Edwards, before a more uncomfortable outing in Nottingham.He made his international debut in September 2011 with a match-winning innings against India in the final ODI in Cardiff. He impressed for England Lions over the winter as well the main Twenty20 squad against Pakistan.The England No. 6 slot in Test cricket has been the only position of much change in recent seasons with England failing to find a regular replacement for Paul Collingwood, who retired at the end of the 2010-11 Ashes series. Eoin Morgan was given the first chance before his loss of form in the UAE saw him dropped for England’s tour of Sri Lanka. There, England opted to move Matt Prior to No. 6 and selected Samit Patel to bat at No. 7 as the second spinner.Bairstow is the only member of England’s side at Trent Bridge to be released for County Championship action this week although Steven Finn and Graham Onions, who were in the 13-man squad, will be available for Middlesex and Durham respectively. The pace-bowling could be vying for a place at Edgbaston if England decide to rest of their frontline quicks.

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