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Craig Wishart has been ruled out of the VB Series with a knee injury, and will be replaced by Dion Ebrahim. Wishart originally damaged his left knee while batting in last Sunday’s match against Western Australia at Perth, and after consultations with specialists in Adelaide and Sydney he is to return home for surgery.”The injury may have recovered with rest in a couple of weeks, but realistically Craig would not have been mobile enough to take a full part in a demanding one-day series,” said Brad Robinson, Zimbabwe’s physiotherapist. “In the long term he is best having an operation to affect a full recovery, rather than play on with an injury that could have recurred at a future point.”Wishart himself said, “It’s obviously a major disappointment not to be able to play in the VB Series. I feel that I’ve been in good form and I know my runs are important for the team.” He continued: “But, we have a lot of Test and one-day cricket ahead in the next few months so my immediate aim is to regain full fitness and return to the side as soon as possible.”Ebrahim will join up with the squad at Sydney on Saturday evening, where Zimbabwe play India and Australia in the space of two days. “It’s pretty unlikely he will play against Australia on Sunday,” Geoff Marsh, Zimbabwe’s coach, said, “but he will come into contention for the two games we have in Hobart next week.”On a better note for Zimbabwe, Stuart Carlisle, who picked up a slight thigh strain in the game against Australia A at Adelaide, is expected to be fit for their opening game, against Australia on Sunday.

Andrew Flintoff’s success for England during the winter tours has inspired Somerset all rounder Ian Blackwell to want to emulate the Lancashire player.Blackie told me, “He thoroughly deserves the success that he is having especially after he has taken so much stick about his weight. He has worked very hard and has got a lot to offer England.”He continued, “If he can stay fit he will be a very useful member of the test and one day side. He is a genuine all rounder.”Blackie played with Andrew Flintoff in the England side that took part in the Hong Kong Sixes back in the autumn, and was very impressed with his performances, and enjoyed his company.The Somerset player told me, “He is the same age as I am, and we came through the age groups together, and played against each other when I was at Derbyshire. Certain players you almost dread playing against and he was one. He was always the one who’d make it big time, and now he has.””Hong Kong was a taster for me, and I got to know him well over there. I hope that one day we will get to play in the same England one day side together,” Blackie told me,and concluded, “Seeing his success makes me more determined than ever in my fitness campaign.”

An unbroken last wicket partnership of 60 between Alfonso Thomas and Garth Roe carried the Dragons to the unexpected prosperity of 199 for nine when bad light forced an early close on the first day of their SuperSport Series match against Griquas at the De Beers Oval.The Dragons had been reduced to 49 for six in the morning session and were hardly a picture of health when Thomas and Roe were joined at 139 for nine.But circumspect batting and the softening of the ball on what had been a hard and bouncy wicket helped them ease their way to the close with Thomas undefeated on 36 and Roe on 29.The repair work had been started by top scorer Morne Strydom (43) and Ezra Pool (22) who had put on 57 for the eighth wicket having come together shortly before lunch.The Dragons’ decision to bat first had looked unwise as the Griquas seam attackof Wayne Kidwell and Zahir Abrahim took three wickets apiece in a devastating morning session.Wicketkeeper Wendell Bossenger snapped up four catches and another was offered to the slips as the Dragons batsmen were completely unable to deal with the bounce and movement.They went to lunch at 72 for seven but the home side’s hopes of wrapping up the innings before tea then began to go sour.Strydom and Pool were finally separated when Pool was lbw to Craig Tatton and although Strydom followed to a catch at the wicket by Deon Kruis, Griquas’ struggles had just begun.They took the extra half hour before tea to winkle out the last wicket, butThomas and Roe stuck limpet-like to the crease to leave the game wide openwhen play resumes half an hour early on Saturday.

An injury expert has now dropped some big Newcastle United news involving Federico Fernandez ahead of the clash with Everton.

The Lowdown: In training

The Shields Gazette journalist Dominic Scurr revealed on Tuesday afternoon that Fernandez, Joe Willock and Callum Wilson were ‘involved’ in training this week after missing their last few games through injury.

Fernandez has not actually featured at St. James’ Park since the 1-0 win at home to Burnley in the Premier League back in December, although he has been on the bench three times since (Transfermarkt).

The Latest: Will he be involved?

Taking to Twitter, Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries website, has claimed that Fernandez could now return to the squad for their match against the Merseyside club:

“Federico Fernandez has been training normally and could be part of the travelling squad to Everton.”

The Verdict: Boost

It would be a boost for Eddie Howe and his squad if Fernandez is able to travel, especially given doubts for some other players like Joelinton and Jonjo Shelvey.

He currently averages more blocks per game in the Premier League than any of his teammates, while he also ranks highly in terms of average clearances, passes and pass success rate per appearance (WhoScored).

Nonetheless, the 33-year-old also brings leadership qualities both off of the pitch as well as on it, and has even captained his team on a couple of occasions already this season.

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Even if he is left on the bench, he will no doubt be an influence from the touchline and in the dressing rom.

In other news, find out which huge injury blow NUFC have now received here!

	Brett Lee: “The IPL poses a brilliant opportunity for Australian and other world cricketers to play Twenty20” © Getty Images

Brett Lee is confident Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association will work out their sponsorship problems with the BCCI so their players can appear in the Indian Premier League if the tour of Pakistan is called off. CA has raised objections about its contract holders endorsing products that clash with the home board’s deals and Lalit Modi, the IPL chairman, has said he will not budge on CA’s demands about global protection of its partners.”We will listen closely to what CA and the ACA are saying,” Lee said in Melbourne. “It’s a matter now of waiting and seeing. They are confident of coming up with a plan which will make everybody happy”.The Pakistan tour is due to start next month but the Australians are waiting on a security visit to determine whether it goes ahead. If not, the players could be free to travel to India for the IPL before the tour of the West Indies in May.”It’s very hard for us because we are so focussed on what’s happening here in Australia, which is good,” Lee said. “We don’t have to focus on what is happening elsewhere, we have people who are doing it for us.”If the opportunity comes up, then great. The IPL poses a brilliant opportunity for Australian and other world cricketers to go out there and play in the Twenty20 format. I am sure it will all work out and people will be happy with the outcome.”

Scorecard

Adam Voges, who impressed Australia’s selectors with his domestic performances this summer, finished his season with a century © Getty Images

An Adam Voges century was unable to cover up a horrible start as Western Australia failed in their bid to reach the Pura Cup final. The Warriors had to beat South Australia, who recorded their first win with their last ball of the season, and they were given a strong chance when set a generous 292 by Darren Lehmann in 78 overs.However, their hopes quickly faded when they lost 4 for 14 before lunch and were terrorised by Ryan Harris and Jason Gillespie. Harris, who was swinging the ball menacingly, bowled Justin Langer and Marcus North and had Shaun Marsh caught behind while Gillespie chipped in with the wicket of Chris Rogers.Voges and David Bandy avoided further damage during a century partnership that re-floated the Warriors, but Gillespie swiftly regained the momentum for the Redbacks. Bandy had reached 58 when he edged trying to cut Gillespie and next ball the dangerous Luke Ronchi lost his off stump.Voges, who struck seven fours and a six in his unbeaten 103, was unaffected, but he was unable to drag the Warriors on his own and the spinners Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen made sure Lehmann’s gamble was successful. Lehmann had declared at 7 for 366 after Mark Cosgrove reached his half-century and Voges picked up personal-best figures of 4 for 92.

Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsOn the first day of the SAA Provincial Challenge final, Western Province dismissed Northerns for 267 before reaching six without loss. Province’s bowlers worked tirelessly throughout the day to restrict Northerns to what was only a par score.After choosing to bat, Northerns were soon in trouble at 24 for 2 thanks to a spell of controlled and hostile bowling from Western Province’s bowlers. Francois du Plessis was the first man out when he fended Quinton Friend to short-leg, before Johan Myburgh played onto his stumps off the same bowler.Maurice Aronstam and Allahudien Paleker set about rebuilding Northerns’ innings with a steady partnership of 104. However Palekar, settled on 48, misread Siraaj Conrad’s offspin and was bowled for 48. Aronstam brought up his 50 from from 136 balls, but he too failed to capitalise on a good start and was trapped in front by Vernon Philander.Gerald Dros dropped anchor to play a vital innings of 59 but lacked support from the lower-order who succumbed to Conrad and Philander. Conrad was particularly impressive, picking up 3 for 78 and bowling unchanged after lunch.Province moved to six without loss when bad light brought an end to the day’s pla

The rush to step in for Allan Border, who resigned on Wednesday, has started© Getty Images

Western Australia have nominated Tom Hogan, the former left-arm spinner, for the national selection panel following Allan Border’s departure. Hogan, 48, played seven Tests and 16 ODIs before joining Trevor Hohns on a South Africa rebel tour in 1985-86, and became a Warriors selector in 2003.Hogan told ABC Online he was thrilled to be given a chance to giveWestern Australia a voice on the panel. “The age of the Australian team is obviously getting up to that degree you would imagine that in the future there would be a changing of the guard, so there will be interesting times on selection,” Hogan said.Ray Bright, another Test spinner, is hopeful of getting Victoria’s nomination. “There’s a position up for grabs so I’d be only too happy to be the Victorian representative, if they see fit,” Bright, who played 25 Tests from 1977 to 1986, said. Border resigned from his position of seven years on Wednesday.

New Zealand once again had to overcome poor umpiring during a tough third day of their cricket Test with India’s women at Vapi. India have a 76-run lead on the first innings with New Zealand 9 for 1 in their second innings.The New Zealanders have been upset by the decisions of one umpire who has twice given Kate Pulford, the opening batsman, out caught behind when her bat has been nowhere near the ball. The fact the game is being televised and the evidence can be seen back in the dressing room has done nothing to impress the mood of the New Zealanders. They have not been helped either by several decisions against Indian batsmen going against them.New Zealand started the day looking to make a breakthrough when the new ball became available after eight overs. But nightwatchman Jhulan Goswami hanging around for 98 balls. She helped Hemlata Kala, the star batsman in the Indian innings, wrest the initiative from New Zealand. Kala went on to score 110 off 280 balls. While there were frustrations with the umpiring, the New Zealanders did not help themselves by dropping catches.Maia Lewis, the New Zealand captain, rotated the bowlers during the day, but the bulk of the bowling fell to Rebecca Steele, the highly-promising left-arm spinner who bowled 42 overs and ended with 5 for 79. Pulford also picked up two wickets. Unfortunately, Louise Milliken suffered a groin strain before lunch and did not bowl again in the day. New Zealand face a tough day to bat out for safety to save the match.

Hampshire County Cricket Club has recently appointed a new Cricket Development Office, Neil Rider, to replace Mark Garaway. He will take up his new position on 4 February 2002.Neil lives in Reading and has been the CDO for the Berkshire Cricket Board since July 2000 where, among his achievements, was the designing and implementing a Primary Schools Roadshow which led to over 10,000 boys and girls playing cricket.Initially from Suffolk, Neil has a degree in Recreation Management from Loughborough University. He is a Level III Coach and has been involved in coaching the Berkshire Minor Counties team, County youth squads in Berkshire, Leicestershire and Suffolk and the England Women and South West Region Womens teams.Neil played Minor Counties cricket for Suffolk and Berkshire and, last season, played for Hungerford in the Southern Electric Premier League.