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After subsiding to 56 for 6 in the face of an early Essex onslaught, Gloucestershire provided a late-order rally to keep themselves afloat

Ryan Bailey in Chelmsford29-Jun-2014
ScorecardReece Topley claimed a five-wicket haul but Gloucestershire recovered from a parlous position•Getty ImagesIt takes little more than a cursory wander through the Chelmsford pavilion to fully appreciate that Essex is a club steeped in a rich history. The names adorning the walls and the overflowing honours board provide a constant reminder of former glories but they are becoming increasingly distant. For Essex have become a piece of the Division Two furniture and have rarely hinted at requiring the movers in any time soon.This season, like many that have preceded it in recent years, is proving to be no different. For all their limited-overs pedigree, cracking the Championship nut continues to prove difficult for Paul Grayson, the head coach. One win from nine outings thus far hints at a side lacking the sort of clinical conviction and methodical approach required for promotion; that was underlined here.There has been little sign of lasting damage from the ignominious defeat to Hampshire a fortnight ago but that if anything demonstrates their erratic form. They wasted little time in banishing the demons of the Ageas Bowl by dishing out some punishment of their own against Gloucestershire but again failed to finish their prostrate opponents off.After subsiding to 56 for 6 in the face of an early Essex onslaught, Gloucestershire provided a late-order rally to keep themselves afloat and ensure this contest was not all one-way traffic.Yet, their backs remain firmly against the wall against an Essex side that, man-for-man, few can match. Admittingly, Grayson’s hand has been limited hitherto by injuries and the absence of several of notable players but he now has a full deck to choose from; too late some would say.Few would blame the Chelmsford faithful for wondering why their side lie in the lower reaches of the table with a team brimming with international experience, youthful exuberance and hardened campaigners. For much of the morning session, played under glorious blue skies, their perplexity would have swelled as the hosts tore through Gloucestershire with real purpose – in contrast to what has gone before this season.David Masters, bowling as shrewdly as ever, used all his experience to make hay on a surface that was conducive to straightforward, stick-it-on-a-length seam bowling. Will Tavare could only withstand two deliveries before fending behind to give James Foster one of six catches. It set the tone for the day.Essex’s hounding was incessant. From the Hayes Close End, Reece Topley used the angle created from his left-arm action to push one across Chris Dent and Hamish Marshall quickly followed suit, lashing one down Nick Browne’s throat at backward point. Gloucestershire disintegrated all too easily.As much as the conditions favoured bowling first – Foster had no hesitation in doing so upon winning the toss – and Essex’s seamers took full advantage, the visitors subsided without a whimper. Marshall’s shot was loose, Ian Cockbain pushed at a Masters delivery he ought to have left and captain Alex Gidman, having provided brief resistance, inexcusably flashed his blade at one that simply wasn’t there; the situation called for attrition but Gloucestershire lost their heads.They managed to halt Essex’s charge, however. Adam Rouse, playing without a number on his shirt as a short-term signing, briefly held the fort before lunch to stem the flow as he rode his luck on his way to 28. The momentum switched when Foster threw the ball to Jesse Ryder shortly before the interval. Unlike his team-mates, he failed to find any consistency and was swatted for four boundaries in his opening over. Rouse brought the hundred up with a classy cut that exhibited his potential but became part of the procession a couple of balls later with a naive waft at Topley.Topley finished with 5 for 53 but only Gloucestershire’s tail showed those above them how the job is done. Rain forced a two-hour delay after lunch and the interruption sucked the life out of Essex. Jack Taylor counterattacked admirably and along with David Payne put on 35 for the ninth wicket. Each over, the Essex groans of frustration grew louder.Gloucestershire propelling themselves past the 200 mark seemed improbable after their early slump but Payne’s unbeaten 48 helped them up to 224, with a 66-run stand for the final wicket alongside Matt Taylor, who matched his career best of 26.Yet, the duo couldn’t extract the same lateral movement Essex’s bowlers had managed earlier in the day as Tom Westley and Browne negotiated a tricky evening session to mitigate the frustration in the home dressing room. Until they can leave their foot on the pedal for a full day, a repeat of those bygone glories will have to wait.

It only took the morning session for Yorkshire to complete a comprehensive win over Middlesex, as they jumped to the top of County Championship

Vithushan Ehantharajah at Lord's14-Jun-2013
ScorecardAdil Rashid completed his first five-wicket haul of the season as Yorkshire wrapped up victory•Getty ImagesIt only took the morning session for Yorkshire to complete a comprehensive win over Middlesex, as they jumped to the top of County Championship. Taking the six wickets they needed on the final day for 82 runs, Yorkshire were just shy of an innings win, but their 10-wicket victory reflects the dominance they have enjoyed from start to finish.Certainly Jason Gillespie, the head coach who had to read extracts of the riot act to his side after they were dismissed for 96 against Sussex in their first game of the season, was buoyed by every aspect of Yorkshire’s first victory at Lord’s since 1987 (although the last time this fixture was played here was in 1998). He could even afford the grace to sympathise with the hosts.”It’s tough for Middlesex because they play at the home of cricket and every team wants to play here,” he said. “It’s always a challenge for them because teams lift their game and we were no different. Our boys have been excited all week and we’re absolutely chuffed to come out and beat a really strong team, who haven’t been beaten here in two years.”Adil Rashid claimed his first five-wicket haul of the summer with two wickets on the final day – Gillespie championing a “diligent and consistent” approach to training that has allowed Rashid to play more expressive cricket – while Steven Patterson and Liam Plunkett chipped in to cap off a supreme bowling performance overall. The four wickets taken on Thursday evening were all the more impressive given the amount of effort Patterson, Plunkett and Ryan Sidebottom had put in to take nine earlier in the day, as Middlesex followed on.The ho-humming in the press box before tea as to whether Andrew Gale would enforce the follow-on was based solely on the freshness of his bowlers. There was no hesitation from Gale, such is the high standard of fitness that physio Scott McAllister and strength and conditioning coach Tom Summers have been able to instil into their players. Even in the field – from chasing the ball to running across between overs to not allow Middlesex’s batsmen any relief – the energy throughout the team was clear to see.”Scott and Tom need to take a lot of credit for how they prepare the boys physically,” said Gillespie. “They’re in great shape, strong and fit – they can play big innings, they can bowl long spells. It’s exactly what you want from our team.”I might have the title of first-team coach but it really is a team effort with our support staff, starting with Martin Moxon who has been a wonderful for myself, Paul Farbrace, Ian Dews and Richard Damms. We all work really well together.”Asked whether this was one of Yorkshire’s best wins of the season based on their domination throughout, Gillespie was unsure. “We’ve had some really good victories this year and it’s hard to pinpoint one because they’ve all come in different circumstances; we’ve had chases, bowled sides out following on and so on. The most satisfying thing is that different guys have stood up in different games and got the job done. It really ties in with our strong squad – we want contributions from everyone.”Strong squad indeed, especially when you consider the players they did not have in this match. Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Tim Bresnan are away with England, while Jack Brooks – who spent the intervals in this match bowling on the Nursery Ground and doing laps of the outfield – has a scan on his left thumb early next week to see if he can return to action.John Simpson was the first to fall on the final day when he inexplicably placed his own feather in Gale’s cap – rewarding the Yorkshire captain for some innovation when he brought Richard Pyrah in at short mid-off. Patterson put the ball on a full, driveable length and Simpson obliged – Pyrah didn’t have to move an inch.When Sidebottom then took two of Neil Dexter’s stumps out of the ground, Gareth Berg took it upon himself, for the second time in this match, to inconvenience Yorkshire. His 38, scored with his usual punchiness, combined with 22 runs from the last three batsmen meant an innings defeat was avoided and Adam Lyth and Alex Lees had to “chase” five to win. Three maidens, three byes and a four later, they were there.For Middlesex, the defeat compounded their inability to finish off Sussex in the previous game – a win would have seen them go top – and the fact that they will be without their captain, Chris Rogers, for the next four Championship games as he reports for Ashes duty.This match showed just how valuable Rogers’ runs are to Middlesex’s cause. In his absence, they will need to find something from somewhere to get their season back on track. Adam Voges is expected to arrive once his participation in the Champions Trophy has ended, and the same goes for Eoin Morgan: two high-quality players who can add substance to the middle-order but will not remedy the vacant opener’s position. Joe Denly is the obvious choice, but his form is hardly reassuring.What they wouldn’t give for some Yorkshire depth.

Gary Putland was taken for 15 from the final over of the night as Brisbane Heat thrillingly overhauled the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL match at Adelaide Oval

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Dec-2012
ScorecardBrisbane Heat pulled off a thrilling last-ball win•Getty ImagesGary Putland was taken for 15 from the final over of the night as Brisbane Heat thrillingly overhauled the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL match at Adelaide Oval.The Heat had been given a strong chance at chasing down their target of 186 by a punchy 65 at the top of the order by Luke Pomersbach, before regular wickets through the middle of the innings slowed their progress.In the end four runs were needed from the final ball, the wicketkeeper Chris Hartley sealed the result by hitting to the cover boundary where Callum Ferguson narrowly failed to keep the ball from touching the rope. Peter Forrest had earlier creamed the third ball of the over for six, also, over cover to give the Heat a chance.The Strikers’ innings had made a halting start in the absence of Phillip Hughes on Test match duty, slipping to 3 for 34 before Ferguson and Nathan Reardon steadied things. After Reardon’s departure Kieron Pollard awed a sell-out crowd by clumping 48 from 23 balls, including a trio of sixes.Pomersbach’s early flourish and a composed 37 from Joe Burns then put the Heat well on course, only for the visitors to lose 6 for 65 through the middle of the innings. Tim Ludeman claimed a spectacular catch to dismiss Thisara Perera from Pollard’s medium pace, and a match of momentum swings would require one final twist when Forrest and Hartley set about Putland.

Wrexham co-owner Ryan Reynolds has sent out a transfer message after seeing the city move to the top of another table.

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Wrexham becomes UK's busiest rental locationInterest in city has surged since takeoverReynolds and McElhenney having big impactWHAT HAPPENED?

Reynolds has taken to social media after seeing Wrexham surge to the top of the UK’s home rentals league. Interest in the city has boomed since the takeover of the football club by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2021. The news has not gone unnoticed by Reynolds either. He has posted a copy of the report showing Wrexham leading the way in the UK rentals market on social media along with the message: "If you happen to be in a transfer window."

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Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson may be hoping more players can be tempted to the city in the January transfer window to boost his team's chances of promotion. The Red Dragons currently side third in the table after 21 games played, six point behind leaders Stockport but with a game in hand. Parkinson has already complained about the injuries his team have suffered this season, with Wrexham being tipped to spend again in January.

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Reynolds and McElhenney bought Wrexham in 2021 after making a £2 million investment in the club. The value of the club has since risen by over 300% following the duo's acquisition, according to research from investment platform Saxo.

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Wrexham still have three games to play before the January transfer window opens. Parkinson's team host Newport County next before a trip to Swindon on Boxing Day. The Red Dragons then sign off 2023 away at Walsall on December 29.

Aakash Chopra, the former India batsman, has said any player found guilty of spot-fixing should have his records expunged completely

ESPNcricinfo staff20-May-2013Aakash Chopra, the former India batsman, has said any player found guilty of spot-fixing should have his records expunged completely, an idea that is believed to have been raised at Sunday’s BCCI working committee meeting in Chennai where it received a favourable response.Speaking on ESPNcricinfo’s daily programme, the Huddle, to discuss the latest spot-fixing scandal plaguing the IPL, Chopra added such punishment should have been meted out in 2000. “It will probably be done now. Thats what I’ve been reading that if players are found guilty their records will be erased completely, as if they’ve never played cricket,” Chopra said.When asked if dismissing a player’s records on the basis of their actions in one tournament is justified, Chopra said, “What we get to know is what has been probed and proved. So if somebody has cheated once, I would err on the other side and say he has been a cheat all his life. And if he is not a cheat, I need to set a precedent because even if it was for one time, he has cheated the country, the fans and the game.””When you see players who’ve been found guilty and handed life bans or five-year bans coming back to mainstream cricket as television pundits or coaches or politicians, it seems like legitimacy lasts only for a few years and that’s wrong. India is very forgiving about corruption but hopefully with stronger punishment people will be deterred from participating in such acts.”The IPL runs a programme that focuses on educating the players to deter them from corruption, but Chopra said the same facilities should be made available at all levels of domestic cricket.”Not too long ago I was playing for a Ranji trophy side and a promising young crickter came up to me and said he was offered one crore as a minimum guarantee by an agent. That didn’t sound right. I told him you’re not playing for India, you haven’t played a single game in the IPL and somebody’s offering you one crore? I dont buy it. Dont talk to that person again. Its not the right kind of money that you deserve.”He didn’t speak to him, but there are young players being approached every day. They are not used to the glamour, the money or the fame and there are characters who are always there waiting for the opportune time to pounce on their prey, so its a difficult world out there. And you’re also interacting with people on social media and these are just names, no faces. Even the names might not be correct so that educational programme has to be there throughout the year and not just for the IPL”Chopra also advocated measures to educate the players of what awaits them if they indulged in fixing a cricket match. “If the person agrees, talk about sharing cells with hardcore criminals, making do with unclean lavatories, starving oneself so that you won’t have to use those lavatories – this is something the players need to know because that is what awaits them if they are found guilty.”

Boyd Rankin has admitted he thought about giving up cricket in the weeks following his chastening Test debut in Sydney

George Dobell26-May-2014Boyd Rankin has admitted he thought about giving up cricket in the weeks following his chastening Test debut in Sydney.Rankin, who took three wickets on his return to county duty with Warwickshire after five months on the sidelines, conceded that “I let myself and the rest of the team down” in that final Test of the Ashes series.The 29-year-old Rankin, who retired from representing Ireland to pursue his dream of playing Test cricket, managed 20 overs in the match, but was twice forced off the pitch with an attack of cramp brought on by nerves and never achieved the rhythm that had seen the likes of Ricky Ponting and Marcus Trescothick hail him as the most challenging fast bowler they experienced in county cricket over previous seasons.But Rankin has subsequently discovered that he went into the game carrying a serious shoulder injury and said he still hopes he can “show what I’m capable of doing” on the biggest stage.”I wasn’t anywhere near where I wanted to be in that Sydney game,” Rankin said in his first interview since the tour. “I had torn half the cartilage off my shoulder in a fielding session we had a couple of days before the Test. So I was struggling with that and I had a back spasm during the Test as well.”I felt I had to play. I had to take my chance, but I don’t suppose I did that, really. I tried to fight hard through that. It was still a special occasion for me, but I did feel I let myself and the rest of the team down. It’s been tough coming back from that.”I don’t feel I took my chance. I’m sure a lot of people weren’t impressed. Hopefully I can still show people what I’m capable of doing. I didn’t do that during the winter.”It was a tough period for me when I got back. There were a few days when I was thinking ‘should I still be playing cricket?’ There were quite a few questions asked. But I learned a lot from the experience and I believe it has made me a stronger person. All I can do now is put in some strong performances and see what happens. I know, deep down, what I can do.”Rankin’s shoulder injury was only diagnosed when he returned to county duty with Warwickshire. But the fact that he went into an Ashes match so palpably unprepared will raise more questions about the environment on the tour, with Rankin pointing out that the lack of match practice he had before the game left him struggling for confidence and rhythm. It might also raise questions about the wisdom of England forgoing a net session two days ahead of a Test to focus on fitness and fielding.”It wasn’t a great environment to be in,” Rankin said. “It was a really tough tour to be on. A lot of the lads were struggling. It wasn’t a great tour, but I hope I’ve learned a lot from the experience and if it comes again, I hope I can do a lot better.”I only found out about my injury a month ago. I asked for a scan and then had a call which said: ‘You might need an op. You could be out for four or five months.’ It’s still giving me some pain, but it’s calmed down quite a lot now.”We had a fitness and fielding session two days before the Test and I did something to it then. They didn’t pick it up at the time.”The hardest thing during in the tour was constantly bowling in the nets and not getting any game time. The only way you could work it better would be for the lads who are not playing to play some cricket in terms of matches. But it was difficult to be out of the side and then go straight into a Test. It would have been nice if there was some match practice away from that.”Despite the disappointment, Rankin said he has never regretted retiring from Ireland duty and that he would have no second thoughts should England select him for another tour.”I would never turn down a tour,” he said. “I still want to bowl fast and I still want to knock people over. If it is the only Test I play, then so be it. I would never change what I have done. I’ve always said I wanted to try and play at the highest level and that is Test cricket.”I’m trying not to look too far ahead. I just want to get back to enjoying playing cricket. It’s nice to be back playing with the Bears and I’ve felt in decent rhythm these past two days. It’s just nice to be back.”

Tamil Nadu’s campaign received a timely boost in the form of their first victory of the season, over Baroda in Chennai

Alagappan Muthu in Chennai09-Dec-2013
ScorecardMalolan Rangarajan picked up nine wickets in the match•ESPNcricinfo LtdTamil Nadu’s campaign received a timely boost in the form of their first victory of the season, over Baroda in Chennai. A career-best five-wicket haul from the 24-year-old offspinner Malolan Rangarajan swerved a match that was snailing towards a draw and helped the hosts climb to fourth place on the Group B table. With three games left in the preliminary stage, two of which would be at home, Tamil Nadu’s bid for the Ranji crown is back on track.A strong overnight position of 73 for 1 was squandered by a tame batting effort by the visitors, characterised by a reluctance to keep the score moving. Dhiren Mistry accumulated his second half-century of the match and looked rather comfortable for his 230 balls, but even he was unable to manoeuvre the spinners around.On a pitch that had lent assistance to the spinners since the first session of the game, Malolan and left-arm spinner Aushik Srinivas were allowed to settle into a rhythm and their impact was decisive. After the half-century partnership between Mistry and Aditya Waghmode, none of the Baroda batsmen were able to post a double-figure score. Tamil Nadu’s cause was helped by a change of ball in the 48th over, and the spinners seemed to extract better turn and bounce with the replacement.”The wicket was slower than [in] the first innings,” said Malolan, who was adjudged Man of the Match. “[It] wasn’t turning as much and the bounce was a little on the lower side. We had to work a bit harder and get our plans right. It was just a coincidence that the wickets came (after the ball-change).”Srinivas produced the match-turning over as he claimed two wickets in two balls. Abhimanyu Chauhan’s angled bat became his undoing as he steered a fullish ball to slip. Yusuf Pathan bagged a golden duck as he edged one that drifted in and turned away. Abhinav Mukund at first slip took a smart catch, diving to his left and Baroda slumped to 116 for 5.The tail flailed around and walked back, while at the other end Mistry, made little attempt to secure some quick runs. When he did decide to go for it, he chose the wrong ball and reached out to loft a turning ball and was caught at cover.”It wasn’t a conscious decision to bat cautiously,” Mistry said. “Our main goal in the morning was to see off the first session and build upon that from thereon. The major factor for our defeat was our shot selection.”Chasing a modest target of 59, the Tamil Nadu openers were markedly more aggressive in their approach. Arun Karthik employed the sweep shot early and to great effect en route to picking up five fours. The search for singles wasn’t troublesome either as the batsmen hit to the fielders at the 30-yard circle and took them on. Chugging along at nearly four-an-over, a 10-wicket win and seven points seemed only a matter of time, but Arun Karthik fell lbw to Ketul Patel. A small consolation for Baroda, who look all but out of the competition, with three losses in five games.

Essex’s hopes of winning promotion virtually came to an end when they could only draw their Championship Division Two match with Glamorgan at Chelmsford

20-Sep-2013
ScorecardOwais Shah was one of three Essex players to be awarded their county cap on the final day•Getty ImagesEssex’s hopes of winning promotion virtually came to an end when they could only draw their Championship Division Two match with Glamorgan at Chelmsford. They go into their final match against Hampshire next week 20 points adrift of Northamptonshire, who now need just five points from their battle against Worcestershire to ensure that they will join promoted Lancashire in the top flight next season.Despite Owais Shah’s first century of the season and a belligerent 89 from only 67 balls by Ravi Bopara, which helped Essex to a lunch time declaration of 424 for 6, the Welsh county had no difficulty denying the home side the victory they were desperately seeking. Going in a second time and trailing by 102, they had reached 181 for 2 when the teams shook hands at the start of the final hour.Needing to make early inroads into the innings, Essex failed to make an impact with the new ball as Gareth Rees and Will Bragg put together an opening stand of 82. By the time Bragg was caught behind off Graham Napier, the match was destinedto end in a draw, from which Essex claimed 11 points to Glamorgan’s eight points.The visitors were content to use the remainder of the game as a net ahead of Saturday’s Yorkshire Bank 40 final with Nottinghamshire at Lord’s, and Rees took advantage to help himself to 76 runs before cutting Graham Napier to Ben Foakes in the gully. Murray Goodwin also enjoyed himself by following up his first-innings half-century with an unbeaten 46 before the captains called it a day.Earlier, Essex supporters were at least treated to some fine strokeplay by Shah and Bopara after Jaik Mickleburgh was dismissed by Michael Hogan after adding just five runs to his overnight 124. The fourth-wicket pair tucked into Glamorgan’s attack with such relish that they added 130 in 20 overs during which Shah – who along with Mickleburgh and Reece Topley was awarded his county cap – moved to his century from 147 balls. He went on to make 120, adding another two boundaries before he drove Ruaidhri Smith into the hands of Rees at long-on.Bopara’s effort, which contained four sixes and seven fours, was brought to an end when Smith had him caught at deep extra cover, a success which he followed-up by removing Napier in the same over – caught on the deep square leg boundary by Ben Wright.The morning session saw Essex plunder 184 runs from 29 overs after they had resumed on 240 for 2, but such enterprising batting went unrewarded on a pitch and in conditions that increasingly favoured the batsmen as the game progressed.

Alphonso Davies' future at Bayern Munich has been put in doubt as the left-back is demanding a huge pay rise in negotiations over a new contract.

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Davies in talks over new contract at BayernFull-back is demanding big pay increaseReal Madrid said to be interested in himWHAT HAPPENED?

The Canada international's contract at Bayern expires in 2025 and the club are eager to sign him to a new deal. Negotiations initially started earlier this year, but the departure of director Hasan Salihamidzic disrupted the talks. Discussions resumed with new sporting director Christoph Freund, but reports Davies is demanding significantly more money than before.

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Davies was initially supposed to agree a contract that would see him earn around €12 million (£10m/$13m) per season at Bayern, a big increase on his current annual salary of around €9m (£8m/$10m). The 23-year-old, who joined Bayern from Vancouver in 2019, remains a pivotal figure for Thomas Tuchel's team, having played 19 games in all competitions this term.

DID YOU KNOW?

The full-back has been tipped to follow in the footsteps of ex-Bayern team-mate David Alaba in leaving the Bavarian side for Real Madrid. His agent, Nedal Househ, has flirted with the Spanish side regularly, saying in October: "There is interest from many teams. I’m sure Real Madrid could be one of the clubs that would like to sign Davies."

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While talks are likely to continue between Davies and Bayern, they will first turn their attention to their upcoming match against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Bayern are currently second in the German top-flight, three points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen.

Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of contention for the limited-overs series against New Zealand due to a wrist fracture he suffered while playing for Pakistan A last month

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Nov-2014Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of contention for the limited-overs series against New Zealand due to a wrist fracture he suffered while playing for Pakistan A last month. The PCB said Maqsood had suffered a wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of the wrist and has been advised three weeks of rest.”Sohaib Maqsood has been advised three weeks of relative rest after diagnostic investigations confirmed the initial suspicion of wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of wrist,” the PCB said in a press release. “Sohaib injured his wrist while playing for Pakistan ‘A’ against UAE last month. This injury will put him out of contention for selection in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.”The board also provided an update on opener Ahmed Shehzad who had been ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after suffering a minor skull fracture during the first Test in Abu Dhabi. Shehzad can commence physical workouts from next week but has been advised to avoid contact sports for six weeks. The opener does not need to undergo surgery and his fitness is expected to be assessed again on Monday.”Presently he has mild tenderness over the fracture site. Also his mouth opening has improved considerably from the previously limited state,” the PCB said. “He does not have any limitation of lateral excursion movement of lower jaw, which is expected following this injury. On inspection, there is no obvious asymmetry although there is mild swelling.”It has been decided that he will be treated conservatively for this injury as surgery is required only for cosmetic reasons in such cases. A review has been planned on Monday. He has been advised to avoid contact sports for a period of six weeks but he can start his physical workout from next week.”The PCB also said fast bowler Wahab Riaz had made a complete recovery while Junaid Khan was still on the mend. Both quicks had suffered knee injuries. Wahab bowled 68 overs in two Quaid-e-Azam league games for National Bank and will appear for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy next week, before being considered for selection. Junaid, meanwhile, will undergo an MRI review next week. Mohammad Hafeez, who was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury, is also recovering and had spent a few days at the National Cricket Academy on his rehabilitation. Hafeez had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test and will have his action tested in Loughborough next week.