T20 World Cup: Australia wicketkeeper-batter Wade tests positive for COVID-19

By Sports Desk October 27, 2022

Matthew Wade has tested positive for coronavirus but is expected to play in Australia's huge T20 World Cup showdown with England on Friday.

The wicketkeeper-batter returned a positive test on Wednesday evening, but only has minor symptoms.

Wade is set to feature at the MCG, provided his symptoms remain only minor, while spinner Adam Zampa is poised to play his first match of the tournament after he was sidelined by COVID-19.

Australia do not have a recognised back-up keeper in their squad after Josh Inglis suffered a hand injury prior to the tournament and was replaced by all-rounder Cameron Green.

Glenn Maxwell took the gloves in training on Thursday, but it would seem he will not be required to step in behind the stumps in a crucial Group 1 showdown.

The hosts are fifth in Group 1, two places behind England after they suffered a stunning five-run loss to Ireland by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in a rainy Melbourne on Wednesday.

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    Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted an official Induction Ceremony for the third cohort of the Men’s Academy on Monday.

    The ceremony, held on 11 October 2024 at CWI Headquarters at Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua & Barbuda, marked a significant milestone as this cohort is the first to be based in Antigua & Barbuda full-time for their year of training and development.

    The 18 young men in attendance were addressed by West Indies cricket legend Courtney Walsh, an esteemed group of technical staff, cricket professionals, including CWI Director Enoch Lewis and CWI Chief Operating Officer Lynford Inverary.

    In his opening remarks, Inverary emphasized the importance of the academy in developing the next generation of West Indies cricketers, saying,

    “CWI has invested in you because we believe you are worth the investment. You are the future of West Indies cricket. This is not a one-off investment; it’s part of our long-term commitment to creating a high-performance system that ensures West Indies cricket thrives on the global stage.”

    He encouraged the players to rise to the challenge and remember that they are not just representing themselves but their families, countries, and the entire region.

    Cricket legend Walsh was greeted with a standing ovation by the enthusiastic players, who were bowled over by his record-breaking accomplishments on the pitch.

    Walsh, who still holds the West Indies record for highest Test wicket-taker (519), shared his unique perspective as a former player and left the young men with thirteen key points to consider.

    Of those points, he emphasised fitness, which allowed him to once bowl an extraordinary 45 consecutive overs in one innings; the importance of constantly learning about the game, which he does to this day; striving for excellence in Test cricket as a foundation for mastering all formats of the game; and finally, to always enjoy themselves and this unique journey.

    Enoch Lewis, CWI Board Member and Chairman of the Cricket Performance and Development Committee, also delivered a powerful address, highlighting the pride and responsibility of wearing the West Indies crest. He reminded the young players that they are part of a legacy that extends beyond the field.

    Ramesh Subasinghe, Head Coach of the West Indies Men’s Academy, and CWI Director of Cricket Miles Bascombe, outlined the year’s curriculum which, in addition to on-the-field training, focuses on skill development, personal growth, and leadership training.

    Men’s Academy

    The Men’s Academy continues to play a vital role in developing young cricketers, with three graduates from the previous cohort already securing franchise contracts. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes on-field skill enhancement and off-field elements like leadership training and media engagement.

    In addition to the Men’s Academy, CWI also operates a Women’s Academy, with training camps being held in Antigua & Barbuda and across other territories. This parallel programme is part of CWI’s broader commitment to youth development and aims to prepare the next generation of women cricketers for success on the international stage. Both programmes reflect CWI's dedication to building a legacy of excellence in West Indies cricket, for both men and women.

    2024/25 Men’s Academy Players:

    1. Ackeem Auguste
    2. Jediah Blades
    3. Joshua Bishop
    4. Teddy Bishop
    5. McKenny Clarke
    6. Rivaldo Clarke
    7. Mavendra Dindyal
    8. Nathan Edward
    9. Justin Jaggersar
    10. Johan Layne
    11. Zishan Motara
    12. Michael Palmer
    13. Kelvin Pitman
    14. Renico Smith
    15. Carlon Tuckett

     

  • Pope's exposure to captaincy will help England, says returning Stokes Pope's exposure to captaincy will help England, says returning Stokes

    Ben Stokes believes Ollie Pope's brief foray into Test captaincy will be beneficial for England in the future ahead of his return to the fold against Pakistan.

    Pope captained England in the absence of Stokes, leading his side to three victories from four matches, which included their 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka last month. 

    The 21-year-old also helped England seal a record-breaking innings and 47-run triumph over Pakistan in the first of their three-match series in Multan. 

    Stokes injured his hamstring while playing for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred in August, but replaces Chris Woakes for the second Test after fully recovering. 

    Matthew Potts comes in for Gus Atkinson, though Stokes is confident that Pope's time being a top-order batter alongside the captaincy will stand him in good stead in the future.

    "Authority, just that word in itself, can come across a bit like a dictator. No one in that dressing room certainly is that," Stokes told Sky Sports.

    "I said it before when asked about this, being stand-in captain is harder than being captain because you know you are only doing it for a certain amount of games, and you are trying to still push forward what the current captain is doing.

    "Popey has been involved under my captaincy from day one, so there was a lot of easy and natural ways to continue doing that, but what he also did was put his own stamp on things which were massively encouraged by myself and Baz [McCullum].

    "For such a young player who has got quite a lot of experience now, having that exposure to being a top-order batter, but also captain will be really, really good for him in the long-term and I think he has done a great job.

    "His winning percentage is better than mine. I think - winning three out of four Tests - he has done a great job and should be very proud of what he has achieved while I have been injured."

    While Stokes allowed Pope to take the reins, he was in and around the camp throughout his recovery, ensuring his influence was still heard in the dressing room. 

    He watched on as Joe Root, who overtook Alastair Cook as England's highest Test run-scorer of all time, and Harry Brook led their revival against Pakistan on day four.

    Root's knock of 262 was his sixth double-century, and in the same innings, shared an England record stand of 454 with Brook - breaking Peter May and Colin Cowdrey's 67-year record of 411 at Edgbaston in 1957.

    Despite watching on the sidelines during the home series against Sri Lanka and the first Test against Pakistan, Stokes is sure the England players are buying into the message he and head coach Brendon McCullum are trying to convey.

    "When you are out in the middle, there are a few things you don't get the chance to see or observe because you are thinking about other things," Stokes said.

    "But when you are actually sitting on the sidelines, you realise how committed everyone out on the field is to the very small things that me and Baz ask of everyone.

    "Running after the ball to the boundary, backing the bowlers up, all the small things that in the bigger picture mean a hell of a lot.

    "When the bowlers are bowling in this heat and see the ball hit through the field and someone sprinting chasing after it to stop a boundary, pulling out a dive.

    "They don't always get there, but it is that sense that we are all in it together which is one of the most notable things for me, especially when you are the person trying to deliver those words."

  • Fowler-Nembhard to lead strong Sunshine Girls squad for Horizon home and away series against England Fowler-Nembhard to lead strong Sunshine Girls squad for Horizon home and away series against England

    Netball Jamaica has announced a powerful 15-member Sunshine Girls squad for the upcoming Horizon Home and Away Series, set to be contested over four games between Jamaica and England. The series, which will begin in Manchester, England, on November 16 and 17, before shifting to Kingston for the final two matches on November 25 and 26, promises to be an intense showdown between two of the world’s top netball teams.

     Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, Jamaica’s ace shooter and captain, will once again lead the Sunshine Girls as they prepare to take on England, the number 3 ranked team in the world. Fowler-Nembhard, who played a pivotal role in the team’s bronze medal performance at the 2023 Netball World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa, will be at the helm of a squad that blends seasoned international stars with emerging talents.

     The 12-member squad traveling to England includes a mix of attacking powerhouses and defensive stalwarts. Alongside Fowler-Nembhard, Shanice Beckford, Mischa Creary, and Rhea Dixon will lead the attack, while the center court will be commanded by Abigale Sutherland, Khadijah Williams, Crystal Plummer, and Theresa Beckford. On the defensive end, Shamera Sterling Humphrey, Kadie-Ann Dehaney, Latanya Wilson, and Jody-Ann Ward will provide the backbone for the Sunshine Girls.

     Three members of the current Fast 5 squad—Zaudi Green, Kimone Shaw, and Simone Gordon—will join the team for the Kingston leg of the series, further strengthening the squad as they face England in front of their home crowd.

     Newly appointed head coach Sasher-Gaye Henry expressed confidence in her team’s ability to rise to the occasion. "It will be two weeks of high-intensity, top-quality netball action at home and away. We just want all netball fans to come out and support the girls for the games in Kingston," Henry said. "We are happy that our full senior squad is fit and ready for action, and that the new members of the team will have a chance to be fully integrated."

     The Sunshine Girls, ranked 4th in the world, are looking forward to an exciting series. Captain Fowler-Nembhard shared her enthusiasm, noting the significance of the rivalry between Jamaica and England. "We are always happy to be on court, and England and Jamaica are the number 3 and number 4 ranked teams in the world. We are expecting the usual high-energy support from the Jamaican fans in England and hoping this series will help us to improve our ranking," said Fowler-Nembhard.

     The Horizon Home and Away Series kicks off at the AO Arena in Manchester on November 16 and 17 before concluding at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) in Kingston on November 25 and 26. Tickets for the series will go on sale next week.

    The Sunshine Girls squad will be supported by specialist coach Rob Wright, performance analyst Kyle Hendricks, and team managers Roxan Long and Lydia Wilks. Team doctor Dr. Michelle Holt and physiotherapists Nicole Reid and Orianna Blackwood will also be on hand to ensure the team is in peak condition. Simone Forbes will serve as head of delegation.

     Netball fans can expect an exhilarating series as Jamaica aims to shine on both home and foreign soil against one of their fiercest rivals.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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