Cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) is implementing a new role for a national pace-bowling coach to oversee the management of fast bowlers across international and domestic programs. This move aims to prevent the spate of injuries that have plagued Australia's quicks and ensure a more coordinated approach to their handling.The new role, based in Brisbane, was conceived before the recent limited-overs tour of the UK, where six fast bowlers were injured and six others were unavailable. It comes amid a debate within Australian cricket about the suitability of the current contracting model for top male cricketers in the era of franchise cricket, with the management of fast bowlers being a key concern.Daniel Vettori, Australia's current bowling coach, will continue in that position while traveling with the team. The new role will primarily focus on managing contracted fast bowlers, as well as Under-19 and Australia A quicks. However, the successful candidate will also tour with the men's international side at various stages.Australia's fast-bowling stocks have traditionally been a strength, but the reliance on Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in all formats, coupled with recent injuries to the next generation, has highlighted the need for effective management of the next generation.The injuries on the UK tour included side strains, soft tissue injuries, and back stress fractures, which have become common themes among Australia's fast bowlers. Cameron Green has become the fourth Australian fast bowler to undergo significant spine surgery to stabilize vertebrae in his back and prevent future stress fractures.The injuries led to the selection of West Australian youngster Mahli Beardman for the UK tour despite his limited experience, raising concerns among state associations. CA and the state associations have had friction over the management of fringe fast bowlers in recent years, as the demanding international schedule requires more players than ever before.The new pace-bowling role is designed to be a central point under head coach Andrew McDonald to coordinate an approach to managing Australia's current and next generation of quicks. It will involve performing a lead role in case management, load planning and monitoring, off-tour preparation, and individual skill development of CA-contracted pace bowlers and pace bowlers of national interest.CA currently has nine contracted fast bowlers among a list of 23, excluding pace-bowling all-rounders. However, there is a belief within Australian cricket that the current model of offering up to 24 central contracts is outdated. Some argue that the men's team would be better served by contracting 30-plus players initially each year and carefully tailoring their playing and preparation schedules to avoid injuries and situations like the one that arose in the UK.

Nick Hockley, the chief executive of Cricket Australia (CA), has announced his departure after five years in the role. He will step down in March 2023, following the conclusion of the current season.Hockley's departure comes after discussions with CA chair Mike Baird and other directors, who reportedly informed him that he was not considered a long-term option. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hockley was given the opportunity to leave on good terms."This was a difficult decision," Hockley said. "However, following what promises to be a blockbuster summer and with our five-year strategic plan well progressed, this is the right time to pursue another challenge, while giving the board plenty of time to find its next CEO to build on the strong foundations now in place."Hockley emphasized that he remains focused on the upcoming season, including the highly anticipated five-Test series against India. "This is not the time for goodbyes, as I remain completely focused on the season ahead and supporting the board on succession and a smooth transition."James Allsopp, the Head of Cricket at CA, is considered the front-runner to succeed Hockley. Other potential candidates include Australian Cricketers' Association CEO Todd Greenberg, former women's captain Belinda Clark, and former CA Head of Broadcast and Commercial Stephanie Beltrame.Hockley's departure marks the end of an era for CA. He has overseen a period of significant change, including the introduction of the Women's Big Bash League and the expansion of the Sheffield Shield. He has also navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent ball-tampering scandal.

Cricket Australia (CA) is taking its time in appointing Nick Hockley's successor, with the outgoing CEO's March exit date remaining flexible. Hockley addressed his final AGM as the sport's boss on Thursday, as CA reported a better-than-expected AU$31.9 million loss for the financial year.A global search is underway for Hockley's replacement, following his announcement of his impending departure last August. Players' union boss and former NRL CEO Todd Greenberg remains the frontrunner for the role, while other CA executives have also expressed interest.Hockley had initially indicated a March exit, but is open to staying beyond that if a suitable replacement is not found. "The process is under way," said CA chairman Mike Baird. "There is a huge amount of interest in the role. We will run through that in a considered way as a board, there is no rush."CA's annual loss was expected, given the absence of tours from England and India last summer. The deficit was also larger than in the previous year, which benefited from hosting the men's T20 World Cup. The annual result left CA with cash reserves of $25.7 million, despite an estimated $100 million hit from the COVID-19 pandemic."We expect to have reserves in excess of $70 million by the end of the next two years," said Baird. "We're very bullish about the next two summers and it's reflected in the forecast."Hockley emphasized that CA has taken steps to make its budget more resilient against summers without India or England, through new content, investments, cost-efficiency measures, and increased digital assets.Baird also indicated that Australia is pursuing plans for a Test fund with the ICC, aimed at supporting nations outside the "big three" and safeguarding the red-ball game.Meanwhile, CA directors Lachlan Henderson, Greg Rowell, and Clea Smith were re-elected at Thursday's meeting, while Paul Green announced his upcoming departure.

Cameron Green's Spine Injury Rules Him Out of India Test SeriesAustralian all-rounder Cameron Green will miss the upcoming five-Test series against India due to a spine injury that requires surgery this week. The 25-year-old experienced back pain during Australia's ODI tour of England in September and was immediately sent home for further evaluation.According to Cricket Australia, Green has a unique defect in an area adjacent to the fracture that is believed to be contributing to the injury. After thorough consultation, it was determined that surgery would be the best course of action to stabilize the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence.The recovery time for Green is expected to be around six months, which means he will not only miss the India series but also the Test tour of Sri Lanka in February and the ICC Champions Trophy tournament. Cricket Australia emphasized that the decision to proceed with surgery was made with Green's long-term future as an all-rounder in mind.Green's absence will be a significant loss for the Australian team, as he has been a valuable fifth bowling option alongside Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Nathan Lyon. In his 28 Test appearances, Green has taken 35 wickets and scored 1,377 runs, including a remarkable 174 not out against New Zealand in March, showcasing his abilities as a pure batsman.The injury to Green is a blow to Australia's hopes of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India. The all-rounder has been in excellent form in recent months, scoring a century in the first Test against the West Indies in Perth and taking five wickets in the second Test in Adelaide.Australia will now have to find a replacement for Green in their squad for the India series. The most likely candidate is all-rounder Mitchell Marsh, who has been in good form for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Glenn Maxwell, the enigmatic Australian all-rounder, is set to make his long-awaited return to red-ball cricket in Cricket Australia's Second XI four-day competition. Maxwell has been named in Victoria's 12-man squad for the match against Queensland at the Junction Oval, starting on Monday.This marks Maxwell's first four-day match in over 12 months as he gears up for a potential Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year. However, it is unlikely that he will feature in Victoria's next Sheffield Shield match, which begins just three days after the Second XI game.Maxwell's inclusion in the Second XI squad is part of a carefully managed workload, given his history of injuries. The 36-year-old has played only two first-class matches in the last five years.Despite his limited red-ball experience, Maxwell remains a serious contender for Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka. His experience in the subcontinent, where he played in the 2022 Sri Lanka tour, makes him a valuable asset.Maxwell's ability as a spin-bowling allrounder is seen as an advantage in the spinning conditions of Sri Lanka. All of his seven Test matches have been played on the subcontinent, with his last appearance coming in Bangladesh in 2017.While Shield cricket is not considered a direct indicator of Test performance in Sri Lanka, Maxwell's participation in the Second XI game is crucial for his physical conditioning.Victoria's Second XI squad also includes state captain Will Sutherland, who is returning from a serious back injury. Sutherland will bowl under restrictions in the match.

Cameron Green's participation in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India is in jeopardy due to a persistent back injury. The Australian allrounder has been experiencing back soreness since the third ODI against England in the UK, and scans have revealed a potential stress fracture.Cricket Australia's medical and high-performance team is currently evaluating Green's condition and considering various recovery options, including surgery. If surgery is deemed necessary, it would rule Green out of the entire summer, including the four-Test series against India.However, if a non-surgical recovery plan is adopted, there is a possibility that Green could still play as a batter only later in the summer. The timeframe for his potential return is yet to be determined.Green's absence from the series would have a significant impact on Australia's batting order. It could pave the way for Steven Smith to move back to his preferred position at No. 4, opening up a spot for an opener to be selected from Shield cricket.Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Matt Renshaw are all in contention for the opening slot. Harris has made a strong start to the Shield season with a century for Victoria, while Bancroft and Renshaw have had less impressive performances in the first innings of their respective matches.The decision on Green's availability and the batting order for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is expected to be made in the coming days. If Green is ruled out, it would be a major blow to Australia's hopes of retaining the trophy against India.

Cameron Green's availability for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India has been a subject of speculation, with the all-rounder expected to be available as a batter from the start of the series. However, his bowling status remains uncertain, with the possibility of him returning to the crease by the end of the five-Test showdown.Cricket Australia is set to provide an official update on Green's back injury later this week. According to reports, plans are underway to accommodate Green's limited bowling capacity during the Test summer. While he is ruled out of the opening Sheffield Shield round and unlikely to feature in the second, there is a chance he could play as a batter for Australia A against India A in early November.Despite his potential bowling limitations, the 25-year-old Green is considered a crucial member of Australia's top-six, especially after David Warner's retirement last summer. Steve Smith's move to opener was partly made to facilitate Green's inclusion.With five Tests scheduled within a short span of six weeks from late November, Mitchell Marsh may be required to step up as the primary bowler. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is also expected to shoulder a heavy workload, particularly in Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane, where the first three Tests will be played.Former Australian team doctor Peter Brukner believes that Green's back stress injury should not prevent him from batting or fielding once the initial pain subsides and the bone begins to heal. Green experienced discomfort after the third ODI against England and returned to Perth for scans."As soon as there's any hint of back pain, they whip them off for an MRI to see if there's any bone edema, which is the first sign there's some stress there," Brukner said. "That shows up fairly early in the process, so if you pick that up, it's an opportunity to back them off rather than pushing through it until it gets to a fracture."Green's Test debut in 2020 saw him restricted to bowling loads of about four overs per innings, and he may face a similar workload by the end of the India Tests. Melbourne and Sydney have traditionally been venues where Australia's selectors seek additional bowling options due to the slower pitches and the matches typically falling at the end of long series."The issue is the load, and as the bone recovers, you gradually increase the load through the bone," Brukner explained. "The load comes mainly from bowling – batting and fielding don't put a huge load on that part of the body, so it's feasible that once the pain settles down, you can bat and field without too many problems and feel fine."In Green's absence, Scott Boland and Michael Neser are likely to be considered as reserve options. Neser made an impressive start to the season for Queensland, dismissing Cameron Bancroft and Jayden Goodwin with the first two balls of the match and finding an edge from Marsh.

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Dulip Samaraweera has been handed a 20-year ban by Cricket Australia (CA) for "utterly reprehensible" conduct. The ban prohibits him from holding any position within CA, state associations, or Big Bash League (BBL) and Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) clubs during that period.Samaraweera, 52, was found to have breached CA's Code of Conduct during his tenure as a Cricket Victoria employee. An investigation by CA's Integrity Department was initiated following complaints about his behavior.The investigation revealed that Samaraweera had engaged in inappropriate behavior involving a player, violating section 2.23 of CA's Code of Conduct. The specific details of the behavior have not been disclosed.Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins strongly condemned Samaraweera's actions. "The conduct was utterly reprehensible and a betrayal of everything we stand for at Cricket Victoria," Cummins said. "The victim has shown incredible courage in speaking up, and we will continue to support her."CA emphasized its commitment to providing a safe environment for all players and employees. "The welfare of those subjected to mistreatment is paramount," CA stated.Samaraweera, who played seven Tests and five ODIs for Sri Lanka, had been a long-time assistant coach for the Victoria women's team and the Melbourne Stars WBBL franchise. He was promoted to the head coaching role for the Victoria women's team earlier this year but resigned after just two weeks due to a disagreement over staff appointments.The 20-year ban is a significant punishment for Samaraweera, effectively ending his coaching career in Australia. It sends a strong message that CA will not tolerate any form of misconduct or abuse within the sport.

The absence of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan has left fans yearning for the return of those thrilling encounters. The last such instance was in 2012-13, with the two teams only facing each other in multi-nation tournaments since then.Recently, Cricket Australia expressed interest in hosting an India-Pakistan series in Australia, but it didn't garner much interest from the two boards. In the 2024 T20 World Cup, India secured a narrow victory over Pakistan in the group stage, eventually winning the trophy.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has questioned the BCCI's reluctance to travel to Pakistan, highlighting that teams like Australia have done so. He emphasized the love and support Indian cricketers have received in Pakistan, and the mutual desire for a bilateral series.Akmal, who toured India several times, believes that political matters should be kept aside to allow cricket to flourish. He pointed out that Pakistan has worked hard to bring cricket back to the country, and that both governments should facilitate the resumption of bilateral series.The upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan is also in doubt due to political tensions. Akmal urged both governments to prioritize cricket over politics, allowing the tournament to take place in Pakistan.Regarding Pakistani players in the IPL, Akmal acknowledged the BCCI's rules but expressed that the debate would end if bilateral series resumed. He emphasized that Pakistan has its own PSL and is not dependent on the IPL.