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The seven final bidders comprise Disney Star, Sony, Viacom-Reliance, Zee, Fun Asia, Super Sport and Times Internet

Nagraj Gollapudi11-Jun-2022Amazon has pulled out of the race to own the media rights to the IPL for the next five years. ESPNcricinfo has learned the global e-commerce giant is not among the final list of seven bidders participating in the e-auction on Sunday to decide who will get to broadcast one of the most lucrative tournaments in the cricket calendar.Amazon has been a lead player in acquiring lucrative streaming rights across global sports and was expected to bid aggressively for the IPL’s digital rights packages. In 2021, the company struck a billion-dollar-a-year deal (for 10 years) to broadcast just 15 Thursday night matches in the National Football League in the USA. Their withdrawal will be a blow to the IPL.It is learned that the decision not to pursue the media rights was made by Amazon’s top brass in the US and that it was communicated to the IPL on Friday – the deadline for bidders to submit their paperwork.With Disney-Star, Sony, Viacom-Reliance, Zee, Fun Asia, Super Sport and Times Internet still in the running, the number of bidders this time is exactly half that of the previous auction, when 14 companies vied for the broadcast rights of the IPL from 2018 to 2022. Star India beat all comers with a record bid of $2.55 billion in the global consolidated category (TV and digital for India and rest of the world), making it the richest media rights deal in cricket.This time, though, the IPL has segregated the TV and digital rights into their own packages. Package A consists of TV rights for the Indian subcontinent. Package B caters to digital rights for the Indian subcontinent. Package C contains digital rights for a special bouquet of matches, including the playoffs, for the Indian subcontinent. And Package D, TV and digital rights for the Rest of the World, which is divided into two sub-categories: combined ROW or five individual regions.The auction will start at 11am IST on Sunday with the simultaneous sale of Packages A and B. Only once winners are decided for them will Packages C and D come up for bidding. Also, given there is a half hour interval between every bid, there is a strong chance the auction may spill over into a second day.Every bidder can compete for more than one category but will need to list their price on a per match basis. For Package A, the base price per match is INR 49 crore (USD 6.3 million approx.). For Package B, it is INR 33 crore (USD 4.2 million approx.). For Package C, it is INR 16 crore (USD 2.05 million approx.). For Package D, it is INR 3 crore (USD 390,000 approx.).The IPL has made one change to the e-auction though. The winner of Package A can enter into a contest for the digital rights with the winner of Package B. Originally, this contest was supposed to feature bid increments of at least 5% but now it’s become a direct face-off. No minimum bid increments. The same process would be repeated to determine the winners of Packages C and D.

Fast bowler hopes Windies can defend proud home record against England for ‘100 years’

Andrew Miller05-Mar-2022Kemar Roach, West Indies’ veteran attack leader, believes that the “quite surprising” omissions of James Anderson and Stuart Broad from England’s Test plans give his side a slight advantage going into Tuesday’s first Test, but says that the wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes are his team’s truest route to victory in the coming weeks.Roach, 33, was instrumental in West Indies’ triumph in their previous home campaign in 2019, when his five-wicket haul in the first Test in Barbados contributed to England’s catastrophic 77 all out. And given that England have just emerged from a 4-0 Ashes loss in which they failed to pass 300 in ten attempts, he recognises the frailties are once again there to be exploited.Asked if it was simply a case of dismissing Root to win the series, given that he made 1708 Test runs at 66.00 in 2021 when no other batter picked for this tour passed 500, Roach replied: “Joe Root and Ben Stokes. If we can put immense pressure on those both, I think we’re in for quite a good chance.”Stokes, who struggled for form during the Ashes after missing most of the 2021 season with a finger injury, has conceded that he “just wasn’t me” as he struggled to 236 runs at 23.60 in the five Tests. However, West Indies witnessed Stokes at his very best on their tour of England in 2020, particularly in the second Test at Old Trafford when he made 254 runs for once out.As for Roach, he is now closing in on 250 Test wickets – a mark that only five all-time great West Indians have previously surpassed – and he admits that the challenge of extending his side’s proud record of one home series loss to England since 1968 will spur him on in the course of these three Tests.”We take the English coming to the Caribbean very seriously,” he said. “Only losing once at home in 50 years is a long time. So the onus is on us as players to have that in the back of our minds, and play the best we can on the day to keep that record intact.”I don’t want to lose that record, so it would be great to win the series, and take that tradition and that record further and further forward. Hopefully we can hold it for 100 years. That’d be fantastic. But this is a stepping stone as we go ahead.”I always put my best foot forward for the West Indies,” Roach added. “For me, playing against England is definitely one of the hallmarks of your career, so it’s all about expressing yourself, being positive and taking it to the English.”At the age of 33, and having been a part of the West Indies Test set-up for 13 years, Roach recognises that he is entering the latter years of his career. Having proved insightful analysis during his commentary stints in the T20I series in January, he is keen to further his opportunities in the media.However, having signed a new deal last week to play Surrey for the start of the 2022 season, he’s in no mood to think about winding up just yet, and said that he would not have taken kindly to the sort of phone-call that Anderson and Broad received from Andrew Strauss last month, informing them that they were being omitted to give younger players a chance.”I definitely would not have taken it too well,” Roach said. “There may have been some breaking news coming for you guys, for sure.Related

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“It’s quite surprising,” he added. “I thought that both of them would still be involved, but the decisions have been made from that end, and I think it’s a slight advantage for us.”England’s seamers toiled for penetration on a flat deck at Coolidge this week, claiming a solitary first-innings wicket between them, and though they produced a sparkier display on the final day, a back spasm for Ollie Robinson, and concerns about Mark Wood’s health, meant that there’s some uncertainty in the ranks going into the first Test.”Obviously, those experienced players missing leaves a little bit a hole for England,” Roach said. “Robinson, Wood and [Chris] Woakes are still fantastic bowlers, we will still take them seriously, but once we get our plans right, we should be pretty good going into the series.”They have been good battles over the years, even before myself, so it’s all about continuing that tradition and obviously keep playing good cricket against the English cricketers. Just keep putting your name out there, to be that person to win a series, or be the defining player who takes West Indies over the line.”Following his stint at the Kia Oval last year, Roach may come up against some familiar faces in the coming weeks, most particularly Surrey’s wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who is in line for a recall. Ollie Pope is set to miss out in the first Test but may feature at a later date, and while there has been much criticism of county cricket since the Ashes loss, Roach believes the competition still offers plenty of vital experience.”I love playing for Surrey, I enjoyed a really fantastic stint last year,” Roach said, after making a lasting impression with 22 wickets at 20.54 in his five Championship appearances. “Hopefully I can use some of those great memories in this series.”I rate county cricket very highly,” he added. “It’s quick changeovers in different conditions. Sometimes it’s sunny, sometimes it’s cold, so it can be very challenging on your body as a fast bowler.”It’s pretty surprising to hear the comments coming in about the standard of cricket there, but I still rate it as probably one of the better first-class seasons going on around the world. It’s on the players to show the world their quality, but I have no issues with the county cricket season.”

The ECB has confirmed a deal to stream the Investec Ashes series live via YouTube for internet users on mainland Europe and in South America

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Jul-2013The ECB has confirmed a deal to stream the Investec Ashes series live via YouTube for internet users on mainland Europe and in South America. Although the ECB has made initial forays into providing highlights and video packages on its YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/ecbcricket – this will be the first time a match has been broadcast live.The service will begin at 11am on Wednesday, with the start of the first Test at Trent Bridge. As well as live streaming, a one-minute highlights package of each session will be produced.”This is the ECB’s first venture into live streaming of cricket online, so is ground-breaking territory for us,” David Collier, the ECB’s chief executive, said. “We receive numerous requests from cricket fans in regions where there is no broadcast TV offering, and therefore we are delighted that many will be able to enjoy this Investec Ashes Series.”It is also important that we play a role in the expansion of the game to countries that do not traditionally play nor watch the sport.”Steve Nuttall, Senior Director YouTube, said: “Our partnership with the ECB expands the reach of the Investec Ashes Series to new countries and to YouTube’s younger, connected audience. We’re delighted to see more top quality cricket on YouTube.”The arrangement covers 53 countries, including the majority of Europe (although not Ireland) and everywhere in South America other than Guyana and French Guiana. The service will be geo-blocked, making it available only to internet users in regions where there is no broadcast offering.

Ravi Bopara was bowling and seen running his fingers over the ball when the umpires stopped play to have the ball replaced

Mohammad Isam07-Feb-2022The umpires penalised Sylhet Sunrisers five runs for changing the condition of the ball during their BPL match against Khulna Tigers. It is the first time a side has been disciplined for such a matter in the BPL, whether during play or after.The incident took place in the ninth over, bowled by Ravi Bopara. The broadcasters showed a replay of the English allrounder running his fingers over the ball during the over, after which the on-field umpires Mahfuzur Rahman and Prageeth Rambukwella got hold of the ball.While looking at the condition of the seam, the umpires sent back wicketkeeper Anamul Haque who tried to speak to them. Bopara also approached the umpires and said something, but by then the umpires had ordered the fourth official to bring out the replacement balls.According to the playing conditions, clause 41.3.5, “if it is possible to identify the player(s) responsible for changing the condition of the ball, the umpires shall… change the ball forthwith. Additionally, the bowler’s end umpire shall award 5 Penalty runs to the opposing side.”The law also says that the umpires shall then report the matter to the match referee “who shall take such action as is considered appropriate against the player(s) concerned”.Bopara was named Sylhet captain from this match, replacing Mosaddek Hossain. It is the first time that Bopara is leading a BPL side, having played 65 previous matches in the tournament. He continued to bowl after the incident.

ESPNcricinfo previews the Champions League match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Brisbane Heat

The Preview by Alagappan Muthu29-Sep-2013

Match facts

September 30, 2013
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Sunrisers Hyderabad’s batting has been closely linked with their captain Shikhar Dhawan’s form•BCCI

Big Picture

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be a nervous lot before they take on Brisbane Heat in Ahmedabad, not because of the Big Bash champions’ menace, which is almost non-existent. Their concerns will revolve around the first game in Monday’s double-header: if Titans beat Trinidad & Tobago, Sunrisers’ semi-final hopes will end. Heat are already familiar with that after their loss against Chennai Super Kings.Adding to that are Sunrisers’ troubles during the middle overs. Though Shikhar Dhawan and Parthiv Patel have formed an effective union at the top of the order – they are the only opening pair to share two fifty-partnerships in the tournament proper, in addition to a century stand in the qualifiers – there’s been little impact from the other local batting talent available. Heat’s bowling, which has been their better discipline by far, would do well to exhibit patience against the Sunrisers openers and direct their short-pitched bowling at the middle order.Should T&T beat Titans, Sunrisers would need a big win against Heat, and for T&T to lose their final game, to leapfrog them on net run-rate. As such Dhawan’s captaincy, which has lacked in flexibility, comes into sharp focus. The only surprise he has put forth is how little he has used his spinners. Karn Sharma, who was an impressive find during the last IPL, has bowled only 6.2 overs in six matches. He has also persisted with Thisara Perera’s medium pace, without much reason to.Heat have endured spectacular batting malfunctions in the competition. They lost four wickets in three overs against T&T, three in three overs twice – against Titans and were 66 for 6 in the 13th over against Super Kings, when they handed a debut to Dom Michael, who was playing 2nd XI cricket until a month ago. He bagged a two-ball duck.

Players to watch

Amit Mishra has been utilised quite sparingly by his captain, not once completing his full quota in the main stage. But against a batting-line up packed with right-handers, which also floundered against spin in their last outing, Mishra might have a much bigger role to play. After all, R Ashwin’s lone wicket against Heat came off an orthodox legspinner.Brisbane Heat have been wanting a captain’s innings for quite a while now but James Hopes hasn’t delivered. He has lasted beyond the fourth over in only one game, when his strike-rate was below 85. He would hope to make an improvement in those statistics when he leads his team out to for their final match of the tournament.

Quotes

“Everyone’s trying as hard as they can and hitting as many balls as they can but we haven’t been able to do the same in the middle and score some runs”

Two BCB committees are at loggerheads over the 2013-14 domestic calendar after the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) was given a better time slot in place of a popular first-class competition

Mohammad Isam06-Aug-2013Two committees in the Bangladesh Cricket Board are at loggerheads following the scheduling of the Bangladesh Premier League in the 2013-14 domestic calendar. The BPL was given a better time slot in place of the Bangladesh Cricket League, a first-class competition, initially scheduled for December, that has now been pushed to June 2014.Former Bangladesh captain and BCB’s tournament committee chairman Naimur Rahman said that his idea to keep the two first-class tournaments together was overruled by the cricket operations committee.”I am against this domestic calendar personally as the preference of the BPL over the BCL cannot be justified,” Naimur told the Dhaka-based newspaper . “I think the BCL should have been given more preference instead of the BPL because, among the three formats, Bangladesh lacks most in Test cricket.””They [BCB’s cricket operations committee] argued that if the BPL is shifted to April, it won’t be a profitable venture. The international players will not be available because the IPL is scheduled to start at that time. Though there is logic behind it, we must try to understand where our priority lies and act accordingly,” Naimur added.Enayet Hossain Siraj, the BCB’s cricket operations committee chairman, however said that the BPL was given precedence to help prepare the Bangladesh players for the World Twenty20, which will begin in March 2014. “The BPL would be a 26-day affair, which will help our players prepare for the ICC World Twenty20,” Siraj said.The BCL was introduced last year as a first-class competition that was superior to the National Cricket League, which is played between seven divisions from the country and an additional team from Dhaka. The highest run-scorers and wicket-takers from the NCL are then selected to play for four zones in the BCL.Naimur believes that if the BCL is given more priority in the calendar, it will have an effect on domestic and international cricket in Bangladesh. He said that playing an extra first-class tournament will only benefit the Bangladesh players in Test cricket with more time spent playing four-day matches. In addition, since the BCL is a better tournament with better pay and a lot more competition, it will motivate the players to focus on the NCL, which acts as the BCL’s feeder.”When our standard of Test cricket is so low, I am of the opinion that it will be better to promote the BCL because that will allow our cricketers to develop their skill in the longer version,” Naimur said. “If we learn to promote the BCL, then the cricketers will naturally increase their focus on the NCL, because only 80 top-class performers of the NCL will participate in this franchise-based competition.”

Aggressive half-century sets tone for comfortable win

ECB Reporters' Network11-Jun-2021A blistering half-century and two wickets from Moeen Ali saw Worcestershire Rapids complete a 32-run victory over Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road.The England allrounder, who also effected a run-out, joined forces with Brett D’Oliveira in a partnership of 94 to set Worcestershire up for a big total in this Vitality Blast clash. Although Northamptonshire’s bowlers pegged things back once Moeen holed out for 52 from 30 deliveries, Worcestershire’s 185 for 7 proved too many.The Steelbacks played aggressively from the outset but never regained the momentum once skipper Josh Cobb and Adam Rossington were parted in successive overs at the end of the Powerplay.Earlier tight work from Northamptonshire’s bowlers restricted Rapids to a lacklustre 36 for 1 in the first six overs. D’Oliveira broke the shackles with two maximums over long-on before Moeen got in on the action with the ninth and tenth overs leaking 37 runs.Moeen brought up his half-century with his fourth six when he swung Graeme White over square leg before he attempted one big shot too many. He and D’Oliveira had more than doubled the total in the Powerplay in just 29 deliveries.Cobb pegged back the scoring with two tight overs before Tom Taylor enticed D’Oliveira to edge a wide one behind for 43. Late hitting from Ross Whiteley and Ben Cox threatened to push Rapids towards 200, but Sanderson and Taylor finished with three wickets apiece to stem the flow.The Steelbacks reply got off to a bad start when Richard Levi fell to the first ball of the innings, offering a sharp chance to D’Oliveira at backward point. Two overs later Ricardo Vasconcelos fell to a stunning diving catch in the deep by Whiteley.Cobb was not going to die wondering and took four boundaries of Ben Dwarshuis’s second over and sliced Charlie Morris for a huge six over cover in the final over of the Powerplay. But his aggression came to an end next ball when he picked out the fielder at mid-on. Rossington was then bowled playing for spin to a straight ball from Ish Sodhi.The wickets continued to fall. South African allrounder Wayne Parnell attempted a big heave across the line to Moeen and was stumped. Rob Keogh fell to a diving catch in the deep by Dwarshuis off Moeen to leave the Steelbacks in further trouble at 95 for 6. Saif Zaib mounted some late resistance with a flurry of boundaries but was left with too much to do.

Six centuries dominated the first unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and West Indies A as it ended in a draw

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2013
ScorecardFile photo: Kirk Edwards amassed 190 runs, with 26 fours and a six•WICB

Six centuries dominated the first unofficial Test between Sri Lanka A and West Indies A in St Kitts, which ended in a draw. Both captains dug into the runs on offer as West Indies’ Kirk Edwards fell 10 short of a maiden first-class double-century and Dimuth Karunaratne hit a near run-a-ball century for Sri Lanka to go with his century in the first innings.Karunatne was the first man to three figures after his side won the toss and batted. Finishing with 13 boundaries to his credit, he supported Udara Jayasundera in a 104-run partnership. Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, whose last two outings for Jamaica fetched match returns of 8 for 67 and 6 for 72, bore the lion’s share of the bowling with 51 overs and picked up six wickets. But allrounder Chaturanga de Silva ensured the foundation laid by the top order was not squandered, producing a solid century, which included three sixes. His 65-run stand with the No.10, Suranga Lakmal took Sri Lanka A to 472 in the first innings.West Indies replied strongly, upping Sri Lanka’s century count by one as Leon Johnson scored his maiden first-class ton. Assad Fudadin and Edwards were the other centurions, who participated in a mammoth 256-run partnership for the second wicket. Between the three of them, 67 boundaries were scored, including six sixes. Offspinner Tharindu Kaushal claimed five of the eight wickets to fall in his 58 overs. Miller’s third first-class fifty prompted West Indies A to declare at 636.With less than a day’s play left, Sri Lanka A held firm, anchored by Karunaratne’s unbeaten century, studded with nine fours and two sixes, which along with his fifty in the first innings earned him the Man-of-the-Match award.

The hosts will be without Tamim, Shakib and Mahmudullah while Pakistan will be keen to carry forward their T20I form into Tests

Mohammad Isam25-Nov-2021

Big Picture

Bangladesh will look to bridge the gap in experience, skills and temperament with Pakistan, who have so far looked to be in control on this tour, when the two teams meet for the first Test in Chattogram on Friday. The 3-0 series win in Dhaka didn’t just show the difference in the two teams’ T20 skillset, but also their overall moods. Pakistan seem more organised and clear in thinking while Bangladesh cricket is in disarray.The only saving grace for the home side is the change in format, although Pakistan too would be glad to take a break after a period of busy T20 cricket.Pakistan’s middle order has to be assertive as they struggle to put together an opening combination. Azhar Ali and captain Babar Azam lend class and experience while Mohammad Rizwan and Fawad Alam tend to consistently contribute valuable runs lower down the order. Babar and Rizwan’s success in opening in T20Is will need to be translated into middle-order dependency in Tests.Related

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Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali will be Pakistan’s opening pair – the Abid-Imran Butt opened in their last six Tests. The 22-year-old Abdullah Shafique, who has struck two centuries in three first-class matches, is an interesting inclusion in the 12-player squad that was announced on Thursday.Pakistan will have Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali to take up the new ball with Faheem Ashraf being considered the pace-bowling allround option at No 7. Left-arm spinner Nauman Ali and offspinner Sajid Khan, who made his debut earlier this year against Zimbabwe, will be the likely spinners.Bangladesh will look at captain Mominul Haque and the experienced Mushfiqur Rahim to do the heavy-lifting for the batting line-up. The hosts will be without the injured Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan, and the recently-retired Mahmudullah, which will be a huge void to fill in.Top-order batters Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto have to tackle Pakistan’s new-ball force before the experienced Mominul and Mushfiqur come in. There might be a debut on the offing for both Yasir Ali and Mahmudul Hasan Joy, with Liton Das coming in at No 7. Yasir has been warming the bench for some time now after being in all the squads for the Tests this year, while Joy, who has mostly batted at No 3, was picked on the back of a promising domestic return where he hit back-to-back first-class centuries recently.Bangladesh will mostly go with seven batters with Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz as the main spinners. Both have been in good form in domestic cricket lately and will be expected to bowl the bulk of the overs in Shakib’s absence.However, their pace attack seems to be lean as only Abu Jayed has been in some kind of rhythm. Rejaur Rahman Raja, the surprise pick in the Test squad, could be handed a debut after getting rave reviews from high-performance bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake.

Form guide

Bangladesh WLDLL

Pakistan WLWWW

In the spotlight

Pakistan will look at Shaheen Shah Afridi</a to lead the bowling attack and give early breakthroughs. Afridi may not find a lot of help from the Chattogram pitch which usually assists spinners, but he should use the breeze that blows across the ground.Najmul Hossain Shanto scored two hundreds in Bangladesh’s last three Tests, against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka respectively, and also made a first-class century recently. Despite being in form, Shanto could be troubled by Pakistan’s quality fast bowlers. His role at No. 3 will be crucial for Bangladesh.

Team news

Bangladesh are considering as many as three Test debutants in this game. Mominul has hinted that Joy may open while Yasir is a strong candidate at No 6. Rookie fast bowler Raja may also play ahead of Ebadot Hossain.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Shadman Islam 2 Mahmudul Hasan Joy, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Mominul Haque (capt), 5 Mushfiqur Rahim, 6 Yasir Ali, 7 Liton Das (wk), 8 Taijul Islam, 9 Mehidy Hasan Miraz, 10 Abu Jayed, 11 Ebadot Hossain/Rejaur Rahman RajaSajid Khan could partner Nauman Ali in the spin attack, which would leave batter Shafique out of Pakistan’s XI. They are without Imran Butt, who was dropped from the squad, and Mohammad Abbas, from their last Test against West Indies.Pakistan (probable): 1 Imam-ul-Haq, 2 Abid Ali, 3 Azhar Ali 4 Babar Azam (capt), 5 Fawad Alam, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Nauman Ali, 9 Hasan Ali, 10 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 11 Sajid Khan

Pitch and conditions

West Indies successfully chased 395 runs in the fourth innings in the last Chattogram Test, which suggests that the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury pitch will generally hold up for the entire five days. Temperatures are expected to be mild.

Stats and trivia

• Abbas is ten wickets short of completing 100 Test wickets.
• Yasir has already taken six catches as a substitute fielder before making his international debut.

Quotes

“It is a challenge for a young captain like me to head into the new WTC cycle with a young team. We have always required senior players on the Test side. Shakib , Tamim and Taskin are regular players. But it is a continuous process. We have to move on. We cannot be disappointed all the time. I firmly believe it is a huge opportunity for the younger players.”

Warwickshire left-arm spinner Chris Metters has suffered another injury setback and will miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery

George Dobell07-Mar-2013Warwickshire left-arm spinner Chris Metters has suffered another injury setback and will miss the start of the season after being forced to have further surgery on a shoulder problem.The 22-year-old made an excellent impression in his debut season of 2011 – he claimed 6 for 65 on debut and fulfilled the role of first-choice spinner for much of the time – but was unable to bowl in 2012 after undergoing shoulder surgery. Having returned to bowling in pre-season, he suffered a recurrence of the injury and his absence is likely to be measured in months rather than weeks.While Metters was unable to accompany Warwickshire on their pre-season trip to Barbados, the club did take Peter McKay. The 18-year-old wicketkeeper, who has developed through the club’s youth system, has the opportunity to stake a claim as deputy to Tim Ambrose, though the club have also contacted Jonathan Batty and Ben Scott, both of whom left the professional game at the end of last season, to ascertain their availability if required. Last season’s back-up, Richard Johnson, joined Derbyshire over the winter.Sam Hain, the 17-year-old who has represented Australia U19, is also on the tour though his future in the English game is subject to a registration hearing at Lord’s on April 4. He agreed a contract with Warwickshire last year but stayed in Australia to finish his schooling.