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The two clubs involved in the ugly fracas at Queen’s Park have publicly apologised for the onfield brawl that sullied domestic cricket last weekend.Additionally, Super Centre Spartan and ICBL Empire will conduct internal investigations before determining if they will take disciplinary action against the players involved.In reacting to a confrontation that involved Spartan’s Sulieman Benn and Empire’s Robin Parris last week Saturday, the two clubs yesterday said they regretted the incident in a joint statement just prior to the start of the second day of the Banks Division 1 match.”As two respected clubs, we strive at all times for the highest standard of behaviour and sportsmanship from our players and will not compromise the very high standards which both clubs have exemplified at all times,” the clubs said in a statement that was signed by Empire’s secretary Michael Phillips and Spartan secretary Vincent Bullen.”We wish to assure the Barbados Cricket Association, Barbados Cricket Umpires Association, members, supporters and the public of Barbados, that we will individually carry out our investigation into this matter to prevent any recurrence.”The furore developed after left-arm spinner Benn delivered a beamer to Parris just prior to the tea interval. When Parris was attempting to run a single off the next ball, television cameras captured Benn gently kicking him. Parris showed his frustration by walking past the stumps at the bowler’s end and approached Benn in a face-to-face, glove-pointing, remonstration.Asked by the Sunday Sun if either club was considering taking any action against the players involved, both parties said it was too premature to make any announcement at this stage.”It is a case where an investigation would have to be done. All the facts would have to come before our committee of management and then a decision would be made,” Phillips said. “It would be premature of me to say anything about disciplinary action at this stage because the evidence has not fully come out. We’ve only seen footage. We have to get all parties involved.”Spartan manager Harold Eastmond followed a similar line. “Our committee of management has requested that the manager, the captain Corey Yearwood and the coach Dave Marshall send in reports,” Eastmond said. “A decision will be made based on those reports if it is to go before the disciplinary committee.”On Friday the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) indicated its intention to investigate the reports of indiscipline, and placed all clubs and schools on notice that the BCA would hold them responsible for the actions and behaviour of their members, players and spectators.

The squad to participate in the European 2nd Division Championships in Glasgow next month was anounced yesterday evening. The team has been grouped together with Jersey, Norway and France in Group 1, whilst Group 2 includes teams from Guernsey, Germany, Gibraltar and Greece.Hillel Awaskar (captain) – Ashdod A
Isaac Massil (vice captain) – Lions Lod
Raymond Aston – Young Ashdod
Shai Bangerra – Lions Lod
Sanjay Gupta – Tel Aviv
Shai Hayun – Ra’anana
Danny Hotz – Ra’anana
Perreira Lushenko – Tel Aviv
David Massil – Lions Lod
Dovi Myers – Tel Aviv
Yaniv Razpurker – Neve Yonatan
Eshkol Solomon – Lions Lod
Isaac Talkar – Ramle
Adrian Vard – Ra’ananaManager: George Sheader
Coach: Chris EllisonThe team was unanimously selected by the ICA selectors:Stanley Perlman
Ezra Ben Yehuda
Avner Wasker

Kevin Pietersen is eagerly awaiting selection © Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen has been cleared of any serious injury after a scan on his groin revealed only a minor strain. He was forced to sit out most of Australia’s innings during England’s loss in the third game of the NatWest Challenge, but has now been cleared and is available for selection for the first Test of the Ashes. The squad will be named on Thursday morning at Lord’s.Pietersen is fighting for a place with Graham Thorpe, and David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, told the BBC Today show that picking the squad would pose some problems. “I’m a big fan of both of them,” said Graveney, “It’s the young emerging player against the seasoned player who’s had a lot of experience.”Thorpe, who recently recovered from a back injury, staked his claim by scoring 73 for Surrey against Gloucestershire, on his return to county cricket. Pietersen replied with a defiant 74 against Australia at the Oval.Pietersen is hopeful that the innings will find him a place in the Test squad: “I think I have done enough and hopefully it goes my way when they pick the team,” he told AFP, “I just think I’ve ticked enough boxes in terms of what I had to do. I knew that this was a massive game at The Oval. I’ll be very disappointed if I’m not selected. I was disappointed to miss out against Bangladesh, but I knew these one-dayers would be instrumental in getting me involved in the squad that’s picked this week.And he says he has been given a taste of the sledging he will face if he does make the Test squad: “There were a lot of shouts from the fielders saying, ‘This is Test match cricket, can you hack it? Hopefully, I proved to them I’ll be a difficult wicket to get if selected.”Michael Vaughan, the England captain, welcomed the dilemma facing the selectors. “You want as many players as possible to pick from, and we are quite fortunate we have plenty to pick from for Test match cricket,” said Vaughan “I think Kevin has given the selectors a big headache, and that is all you can ever ask as selectors and a management team.”

Simon Katich was fine with avoiding a lop-sided affair© Getty Images

Simon Katich has said he would not have gained “any satisfaction” from playing a weakened Zimbabwe side, but Justin Langer is “very disappointed” about the cancellation of Australia’s two-Test series.The pair, both Test specialists, arrived home on Sunday with quite different feelings about the whole experience. “Personally, I’m very disappointed because I went there to play cricket,” said Langer.He did not accept the theory that Test cricket’s standards would have been sullied had the series gone ahead. “There’s been a lot of Test cricket played … and not all of it has been against Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh and Wasim Akram.”There’s been a lot of cricket over time that’s been against lesser oppositions, so I think you’ve still got to make runs. I don’t think you can ever say they’re cheapened runs in Test cricket.”Katich thought otherwise. “I don’t think I would have got any satisfaction out of playing a second-string side,” he said. “If their best players aren’t playing the meaning of Test cricket is reduced. You want to be challenged and, judging by the way the games went against Sri Lanka, it was pretty obvious that it was going to be a lopsided affair.”Cameron White, who described his maiden Test tour as a “bizarre stay” and an “eye-opening experience”, saw it as an opportunity lost.”I probably wouldn’t have played anyway because of Warnie,” he said. “But it would have been good for me to see how everything went and how an international Test match is played, even though the opposition mightn’t have been the best … I just wanted to learn as much as I could.”The non-one-day-playing trio all returned to Australia on Sunday, while Shane Warne was back playing for English county side Hampshire, thus ignoring the former England captain Tony Greig’s plea for them to hang around in Zimbabwe and help out.”Their threat to come straight home shouldn’t implemented,” Greig had said on Friday night. “Australian cricketers have a responsibility to make sure Zimbabwe cricket doesn’t disappear off the face of the earth. If they really do care about Zimbabwe cricket, as they say they do, they should take time out to stay there and see what they can do to help these younger cricketers get the idea of what the big time’s all about.”

Gloucestershire County Cricket Club will be holding a Press Call to welcomeJonty Rhodes to the Club at The County Ground in Bristol on Wednesday 9 April 2003 at 12.00pmIf you wish to interview Jonty please contact: Jon Fletcher, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, The Royal & Sunalliance County Ground, Nevil Road, Bristol. BS7 9EJTel: 0117 910 8046
Fax: 0117 924 1193Email: [email protected]

Surrey appear to be heading for an early return to the Second Division in the Norwich Union League after suffering a fifth consecutive defeat in their Edgbaston meeting with Warwickshire.Last year’s promotion winners endured another batting slump and an injury scare for England batsman Mark Butcher in struggling to 136 despite an unbeaten 52 by Ben Hollioake.Warwickshire also had problems at 55 for 4 but all-rounder Dougie Brown set up a three-wicket win with more than seven overs to spare by scoring 63 after a bowling stint of 3 for 14.The only good news for Surrey – and for England – was that a hospital scan revealed no serious damage to Butcher when he was struck on the left earguard by a short ball from Neil Carter.The left-hander retired after making three and his Test team-mates, Ian Ward and Alec Stewart, were quickly cleaned up in three deliveries from South African-born Carter.Mark Ramprakash did a little better by making 20 until edging Vasbert Drakes (3 for 35) high to Keith Piper’s right for the best of the wicket-keeper’s four catches in his benefit match.Saqlain Mushtaq held up Warwickshire in a stand of 49 with top scorer Hollioake, but Brown then applied a swift closure by taking the last two wickets.Recalled England paceman Alex Tudor landed an early blow for Surrey and Ed Giddins dismissed David Hemp and Michael Powell to quell the jeers from the crowd on his return to a former county.Brown negotiated these setbacks with a rapid 50 in 59 balls and Surrey were out of contention when the Scot was caught at mid-on after a partnership of 73 with Trevor Penney. The consolation wicket went to Adam Hollioake but the Surrey captain joined the injury list after bowling only one ball in his second over.Cricket manager Keith Medlycott came on as substitute and promptly held a slip catch from Penney as Ben Hollioake took two wickets in successive balls.

Everton have now set their sights on signing a midfield star who could replace James Garner if he leaves as a free agent in the summer, according to reports.

Man Utd and Newcastle interested in James Garner

Whilst much of the plaudits have been sent the way of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Garner has quietly been enjoying his best season yet in an Everton shirt. Unfortunately for the Toffees, however, that form is set to coincide with the end of his current contract in the summer.

The Friedkin Group should be desperate to agree fresh terms with their midfielder, but reported interest from former club Manchester United and Newcastle United may yet put a pin in those plans.

Having his say on Garner’s future, David Moyes claimed that the club will be doing everything to keep hold of Garner beyond this season and if it was up to him, he would not be heading for the exit door.

The one-year extension option should hand the Toffees the advantage in talks, but they’re not without a back-up plan if Garner does depart in the summer. According to TeamTalk, Everton have set their sights on signing Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.

Everton now eyeing Hayden Hackney move

The young midfielder has looked destined for the Premier League for some time now, even if that does not come courtesy of Championship promotion at Middlesbrough.

In previous years, he’s been content with staying put in Teesside, but reports are now claiming that Hackney is switching agents when January arrives in what could be a major hint about his club future.

League stats 25/26

Garner

Hackney

Minutes

1,433

1,821

Goals

1

3

Tackles Won

23

29

Ball Recoveries

66

124

Out of possession, Hackney is one of the best midfielders that the Championship has to offer. The 23-year-old is tireless off the ball and even has a knack for goals when given the chance. If anyone is ready for the Premier League in England’s second tier, it is the Middlesbrough star.

Subscribe to our newsletter for Premier League transfer insights Unlock deeper transfer analysis by subscribing to our newsletter. Dive into Everton’s potential targets, player profiles like Hayden Hackney, and informed context that helps you understand transfer decisions and squad building. Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter for Premier League transfer insights Unlock deeper transfer analysis by subscribing to our newsletter. Dive into Everton’s potential targets, player profiles like Hayden Hackney, and informed context that helps you understand transfer decisions and squad building.

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New Boro boss Kim Hellberg knows the extent of the talent that he has on his hands too, telling reporters: “Hayden is a fantastic player. He’s good at everything. He could play in every position there is on the pitch and do it brilliantly.

Related Everton join race to sign a "generational" talent in Jack Grealish repeat

The Toffees are eyeing a six-month loan deal…

Posts ByTom Cunningham

“He has all of that, but then he has also been the captain in these last two games and has been leading the squad so well. You could see his happiness when everyone else scored [at Hull].”

Everton line up move to sign "future £100m+" KDH replacement on loan

Sri Lanka will have no practice game ahead of the second Test in Port of Spain from April 3 after the cancellation of their scheduled fixture against West Indies A in Tobago. The match was to be a three-day affair, starting on March 29, but the West Indies board said “flight problems” had led to it being scrapped. The visitors will instead practice in the nets at Tobago’s Shaw Park.Sri Lanka lead the two-match series 1-0 after securing their first Test win in the West Indies at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Wednesday. It has been a disrupted trip for Sri Lanka after heavy rain led to the tourists’ opening practice game, against a Guyana President’s Select XI, being shifted from Bourda to the Providence Stadium.

Rosalie Birch – an eye on the captaincy © Getty Images

Rosalie Birch has been named as England’s captain in their Twenty20 curtain raisers later this month. The women will play an Invitational XI ahead of men’s domestic Twenty20s at Taunton on June 24, and then Taunton two days later. Charlotte Edwards, the usual captain, has been ruled out following a knee operation.It’s the second lead role Birch has taken in the last few weeks, after also being promoted to Super 4s captain of the Sapphires, replacing the retired Laura Newton. Is this a hint from the England selectors that she could be considered for the vice-captain vacancy, a position vacated by Newton?She certainly hopes so – and her goals stretch even further. “To lead my country is my greatest ambition,” she told Cricinfo, “and I hope to impress for the future.”The matches, then, are a big opportunity for her. “To be asked to captain the England side in our showcase Twenty 20 matches is a great honour.”It should be awesome to be part of a men’s Twenty20 day and I am very much looking forward to the challenge of captaincy. I am very excited to be skippering such a talented side in what should be two high profile games.”The other Super 4s captains are Gill Richards, a fringe England player, Nicki Shaw and Alexia Walker. Caroline Atkins was the England captain in their match against Hoddesdon men – and she rose to the occasion with a topscore of 53 in a losing cause.”I have captained The Braves (who became the Rubies) at Super 4s when Connie (Clare Connor) was injured, and I am currently Brighton and Hove captain,” Birch added. “Unfortunately in recent years I haven’t had a look in what with being in the same team as the captain Connor, but I have learnt a lot from her and Lottie (Edwards).”

Ramnaresh Sarwan has just found another reason to celebrate © AFP

India dropped two places in the ICC ODI rankings, following a 4-1 loss to the West Indies, a defeat that has also seen Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Irfan Pathan suffer in the player rankings following below-par individual performances.Before the series began, in third place, India had a chance to cut South Africa’s lead above them to a single point if they won all five matches. That wasn’t out of the question against a team ranked eighth and given India’s own excellent form (18 wins from 24 matches) before the series. Four consecutive defeats, though, have seen India drop to fifth, allowing Pakistan and New Zealand to benefit without having played recently.Dhoni began the series in second place for ODI batsmen, but 95 runs from five innings has seen him drop to fourth and his second place taken over by Ramnaresh Sarwan. Pathan also started the tour in second place in the bowling list, but six wickets in four matches has seen him slide to seventh, although there are relatively few rating points between many of the players in that top group.Rahul Dravid has dropped out of the top 10, to 12th, but Virender Sehwag has moved into the top 20, up six places to 18th, Yuvraj Singh remains in 10th place and Mohammad Kaif is up eight spots to 46th position.Ajit Agarkar, left out of the Test squad, has jumped back into the top 20 bowlers, rising eight places to 13th while Harbhajan Singh is also in that top 20, down one spot in joint 11th, with Makhaya Ntini.Sarwan’s 273 runs, including a hundred and two fifties, means he is closing the gap on Adam Gilchrist at the top and the jump follows his entry into the top 10 only last month, after a productive series against Zimbabwe. Chris Gayle is up three places to 11th position.Ian Bradshaw has broken into the bowling top 10 for the first time, up nine places to eighth spot, and he is the first West Indies bowler to reach the top 10 since Reon King five years ago. Bradshaw is not the only West Indian bowler moving up: Gayle is up eight spots to 30th, Fidel Edwards climbs 17 places to 42nd, Marlon Samuels is up 24 places to 64th and Jerome Taylor has climbed 10 spots to 81st position.The West Indies has not been able to improve, though, on its eighth position but have gained seven rating points because of the series win. They are now five points behind seventh-placed England in the table.