The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has named ex-USA Women's assistant sevens coach Warren Abrahams as Wales Women head coach.

Abrahams is the WRU's first black national coach, while Taylor is the first professional national female coach.

"This is an exciting time to be part of the Wales programme," said Abrahams.

The appointments begin work with immediate effect to put preparations in place for next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

South Africa-born Abrahams was also part of the England Men's Sevens coaching team for four years, while fulfilling roles at Harlequins as academy coach and Premiership sevens head coach prior to heading to America.

He will be responsible for the planning, implementation and delivery of the coaching programme for both the 15s and sevens international programmes on a three-year contract.

"We have an opportunity to do something very special in the next 12 months and beyond," said Abrahams.

"It's my first international 15s head coach role at this level, but I feel I've seen, experienced and learned enough to create a high-performance environment that provides memorable experiences.

"We have around 38 weeks before we're due to get on a plane to New Zealand [for the 2021 World Cup] which is not long, but in the current climate we have to cherish the time and resources we have as you never know what's in store.

"Mindset is key. Limitations are only what we put on ourselves. I realise that we all have obstacles and challenges to overcome and the current climate is a great example.

"Our players are balancing a number of aspects of their lives to ensure they perform to their optimum level.

"However, with all this in mind, if we take responsibility for our own actions we are already steps ahead."

'Planned investments'

Taylor has been appointed on a one-year development contract and follows in the footsteps of Liza Burgess and Amanda Bennett as female national coaches for Wales Women.

"I'm really looking forward to working within our international programme as I continue to develop as a coach," said Taylor.

"I believe my experience working with both the WRU community team and more recently the RGC performance team during the last five years will prove invaluable.

"It's given me the chance to watch and work with a variety of coaches plus support the development of male and female age grade and club players.

"I'm looking forward to developing those connections and supporting the transition of players into international athletes.

"Having been to three Rugby World Cups as a player, I saw how much the competition developed each time.

"It's the pinnacle of women's international rugby and for these players to have the chance to compete in New Zealand will be amazing on several levels.

"I'm excited to work with Warren. I know he will challenge me as a coach and I believe my experience and skills will help to support his aims too."

Abrahams and Taylor are taking a team that failed to win a game in the 2020 Six Nations and have seen caretaker coaches Chris Horsman and Darren Edwards guide the squad since Rowland Phillips left as head coach, while Ryan Jones has moved on as performance director.

"Warren and Rachel are key, strategic appointments for us, not only for women's rugby in Wales, but in terms of our standing in the global game," said WRU interim chief executive Steve Phillips.

"The current pandemic has impacted all areas of our organisation along with the rest of the sporting and entertainment world.

"However, it is vital women's sport isn't disproportionally affected and we took the important decision to continue with the planned investments into the women's game."

Monaco midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said he considers his former Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho a friend while he has no relationship with ex-Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.

Fabregas, 33, played one season under Guardiola at the Camp Nou before the manager left in the summer of 2012 to take a sabbatical.

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"No, no, with Pep nothing at all," Fabregas said when asked if he has been in contact with Guardiola since.

"I don't know if the disappointment with Pep is mutual. Things happened, but I prefer not to talk about it. Pep was my idol since I was a child. It is him I have learned the most, perhaps, since I was four until now."

Fabregas does remain in contact with Tottenham manager Mourinho.

He played under Mourinho for 19 months at Stamford Bridge before the manager was dismissed in December 2015.

"Mourinho inspired me the most when I left Barca," he said.

"He told me that we had had our issues on the pitch when he was at Chelsea and I was at Arsenal and then when he was coaching at Real Madrid and I was at Barcelona, but that for him, it all ended there. We turned the page.

"He told me about his project. I had to go where I thought I would do best, the decision was mine and it didn't depend on what people said. I prioritised the professional [aspect], and today I still write to him and I consider him a friend.

"He helped me a lot at a difficult time in my career and perhaps I played one of my best seasons with him."

Fabregas won the Copa del Rey with Barca under Guardiola while with Mourinho he claimed the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup during the 2014-15 season.

Ishant Sharma "is looking good", a BCCI observer said after the India quick, who is on the path to recovery after leaving IPL 2020 with an abdominal muscle tear, went through the first of two bowling spells at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning in the presence of Sunil Joshi, the chairman of selectors, and Rahul Dravid, the NCA chief.

Sharma was bowling on one of the side pitches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, during the lunch break of a 50-overs-a-side corporate cricket match. After his bowling stint, Sharma went through a few basic stretching routines, and then returned for a short fielding session, alternating between high and flat catches. When the club fixture was about to resume, he had a long chat with Joshi outside the boundary rope. Sharma, who is making his way to full fitness for India's Test series in Australia, has been named in the provisional squad, but has to be passed fit to make the trip. The signs on Wednesday were positive, with Sharma not appearing in any discomfort while bowling close to six overs overall.

Sharma has been at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), housed within the Chinnaswamy Stadium complex, since returning from his IPL stint with the Delhi Capitals. The injury came to light when he complained of acute pain in his rib cage during a training session in Dubai. He was officially ruled out of the IPL on October 9, after having featured in just one game.

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Sharma's session on Wednesday was supervised by Paras Mhambrey, the former India fast bowler who is also the head coach of India's Under-19 team, and lasted about 45 minutes. He is slated to bowl on the centre pitch once the day's corporate match ends.

He had started from a short run-up but then proceeded to mark his normal run-up with a measuring tape after just three deliveries. He bowled uninterrupted for the next 20 minutes, before taking a short break, stopping for chats with Mhambrey, who he has been working with since reaching the NCA last month, and the trainers. Then, he started his second spell from the other end.

He proceeded to run in full tilt and swung the ball both ways, peppering the lone stump placed at the batting end. He got a few deliveries to rear up from a length too, and got them to carry nicely to the man placed behind the stump with a baseball mitt on, getting thumbs-ups more than once from Mhambrey.

Should he be declared fit - recently the Dravid-helmed NCA had communicated to the BCCI that Sharma would be ready to start bowling from November 18, after which he would need to prove his match fitness - Sharma will travel separately to Australia to meet up with his team-mates.

Sharma has been hampered by a number of injuries this year. Having picked up a five-for in the first Test in New Zealand at the start of the year, he missed the second because of an ankle injury. He is currently three matches short of becoming only the second Indian fast bowler to play 100 Test matches after Kapil Dev.

India will play two practice games in Sydney (December 6-8 and December 11-13) before travelling to Adelaide for the series-opening pink-ball Test, India's first day-night Test overseas.

England men's home international schedule for 2021 will include a full five-Test series against India, as well as proposed visits from Sri Lanka and Pakistan in June and July, as the ECB lays out its plans for a return to normal service in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.

The provisional schedule, announced on Wednesday, also includes two multi-format women's series against South Africa and New Zealand, and a visually impaired series against Australia in August, although the arrangements remain provisional at this stage pending the status of the pandemic in the new year.

Having restructured their itinerary for 2020 at short notice, principally through the use of bio-secure bubbles at the Ageas Bowl and Emirates Old Trafford, the ECB have already demonstrated their ability to react to changing circumstances if needs be.

However, with the game having suffered losses in excess of £100 million for the 2020 summer, following the delayed start to the season and the absence of fans at venues throughout, the board has laid out a best-case scenario for 2021, including the launch of the ticket ballot on Wednesday morning, with a full refund promise in the event of further fan lock-outs in the new year.

"We had an amazing summer of international cricket this year with some memorable performances, and we know how much enjoyment it brought to people whilst staying at home," Tom Harrison, the ECB chief executive, said.

"Next year we've got another big international programme to look forward to, with the thrill of a five-Test series against India as the centre-piece, compelling white-ball series for our men and women, and an Ashes Series for our Visually Impaired team.

"It's an exciting prospect for England fans, and while Covid means there's still a great deal of uncertainty, we really hope to be able to welcome fans back into the grounds safely next year to bring that unique atmosphere to stadia across the country."

The centre-piece of the summer will be the five-Test series against India, whom England are set to play in an away series in February - possibly in the UAE depending on the status of the Covid outbreak. The series is due to get underway on August 4 at Trent Bridge, with further matches taking place at Lord's, Headingley and The Oval, before finishing up in Manchester on September 14.

Prior to that, Sri Lanka are due to play three ODIs from June 29 to July 4, with Pakistan arriving for three T20Is and three ODIs between July 8 and 20.

However, there are ongoing discussions about further fixtures for England's men pending the status of the ICC World Test Championship final, which had been due to take place at Lord's in June, but which may have to be shelved due to the Covid situation. That could involve a T20I series against Sri Lanka, or additional Test cricket, most likely against New Zealand or Ireland.

Hosts England and six other top-ranked teams on the ICC women's T20I rankings will gain automatic qualification for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. April 1, 2021 is the cut-off date for the rankings.

The final team taking part in the eight-team event will be decided via a Qualifier, for which the format and details are yet to be finalised. The deadline for the Qualifier is January 31, 2022.

If West Indies finish among the automatic qualifiers, a separate qualifying event will be held to determine which Caribbean nation takes part in the Games.

"Cricket at the Commonwealth Games is a fantastic opportunity for us to continue to grow the women's game globally," Manu Sawhney, the ICC's chief executive, said while announcing the qualifying pathway on Wednesday. "We are committed to accelerating this growth and maintaining the momentum we have created over the past few years, which most recently saw 86,174 fans packed into the MCG for the final of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2020.

"I thank the Commonwealth Games Federation for their support and for making this possible. We share with them the vision of greater equality, fairness and opportunity in sport and I am sure Birmingham 2022 will go a long way towards us achieving our common objectives."

The Commonwealth Games, which are set to be held in Birmingham from July 28 to August 8, 2022, will include women's cricket for the first time, and cricket for only the second time after a men's 50-over event at the 1998 CWG in Kuala Lumpur. South Africa, captained by Shaun Pollock, took home gold by beating the Steve-Waugh-led Australia in the final.

"We are absolutely delighted to have women's T20 cricket debut at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games," said Dame Louise Martin, the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) president. "Cricket has always been one of the Commonwealth's most popular sports and it is so special to have it back at our Games for the first time since the men's competition at Kuala Lumpur 1998, where true greats of the game including Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis and Sachin Tendulkar were on show.

"Now is the turn of the women and I can't wait to see the next generation of stars like Heather Knight, Harmanpreet Kaur and Meg Lanning take centre stage.

"Birmingham 2022 will be a fantastic showcase for the women's game and the unveiling of the qualification criteria today is an exciting and important milestone as we head towards what will be a spectacular competition at the iconic Edgbaston Stadium."

The South Australia (SA) government has imposed the harshest lockdown conditions seen across the country this year in an effort to contain a developing Covid-19 outbreak situation as well as preserve a narrowing window for the pink-ball Adelaide Oval Test against India scheduled from December 17.

On Wednesday, Cricket Australia continued to be optimistic that the first Test of the much-anticipated series between Australia and India would remain in Adelaide, a little more than two weeks after SA's health authorities are hoping they would be able to ease the restrictions. While only two new Covid-19 cases emerged on Wednesday, a six-day "pause" would limit all households to only one visit a day to buy essential household items. Even takeaway food and drinks have been banned for this period before a further eight days of somewhat relaxed conditions.

These decisions were reached only a day after CA successfully moved the Adelaide Strikers Big Bash League club and numerous other players out of SA, while also relocating players from Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania, to New South Wales. In their wake, they have left a state about to enter six days of minimal activity, even extending to prohibitions on exercise outside the home.

"I think you've got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test. I've never played one in Melbourne, but a few grounds around Australia I think are just too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth. I think those wickets are too hard for a pink ball, it goes quite soft after a certain amount of time." Josh Hazlewood

"It's too early to tell, but this is really the one chance we've got of going to having a normal Christmas. The virus doesn't understand our public holidays and it doesn't understand we have Christmas coming up," SA's chief health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier said. "For definitely these 14 days I do not want to be responsible for taking this virus to other states. I'd be asking SA to stay put, I'd like to see very limited movement."

The state's premier, Steven Marshall, added: "You don't get a second chance to stop a second wave, so we're throwing absolutely everything at this. We want to have six days [of] this circuit breaker so we don't have much more pain down the track. We know the consequence of getting this wrong."

CA is yet to have anything more than informal discussions with other potential venues for the first Test against India, which include the MCG in Melbourne and Canberra's Manuka Oval. However, Stuart Fox, the Melbourne Cricket Club chief executive, expressed hope that Adelaide would still be able to host the day-night Test.

"I would hate to see it moved - we lost the [AFL] Grand Final this year and it hurt us dearly. Hence I wouldn't want to be seen to be poaching an event out of Adelaide," Fox said on SEN Radio. "We're capable and willing if required. The G's available, we could host it, but I think it'd be a shame if Adelaide or Cricket Australia had to move their Test away.

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"I'm not picking up the phone to CA. They know we're available because we're clear right up until Christmas. The pitches are in, the place is looking magnificent, bar a bit of dust and we're ready to go. CA know we're available and I'm sure if they needed a backup venue, the MCG is a possibility."

After a year in which he has seen plenty of fixtures postponed, cancelled or relocated, Australia's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said that most members of the national squad have mentally adapted to this new and ever-changing reality.

"I think everyone's used to it, I think it maybe troubled a few guys going back a few months. But now guys are just going week to week and things change daily if not weekly. People aren't planning too far ahead, they're just taking it on the run," Hazlewood said. "CA have been fantastic getting messages through to us and our families and partners on what the summer would look like and things change all the time.

"We've played at all the different grounds before and in all different orders, so I don't think that'd have any impact. It's a pretty uncertain time, so we're adapting pretty quickly to whatever is being thrown in front of us and I think all the guys are coping well with it."

If the Adelaide Test had to be moved interstate, Hazlewood said that his personal preference would be for an opening Test at the Gabba. He also expressed doubt if the Kookaburra pink ball would stand up to conditions at the MCG - among other venues - that have not achieved Adelaide's fine balance between a well-grassed pitch and a lush but fast outfield.

"I think you've got the wicket perfect at Adelaide for a pink-ball Test," he said. "I've never played one in Melbourne, but a few grounds around Australia I think are just too abrasive or too hard, such as the Gabba or Perth. I think those wickets are too hard for a pink ball, it goes quite soft after a certain amount of time.

"I think Adelaide's got a great coverage of grass and it looks after the ball a little bit better throughout the 80 overs. It holds its hardness and I just think [the curator, Damian Hough] he's got it down pat, he's had the most opportunity to work on those wickets having so many pink-ball games in Adelaide, and he's got it down to a fine art. I think it could be red ball, Melbourne or Brisbane or somewhere, and then we head back to Adelaide later in the summer. But I think from all reports we're still all good for Adelaide, but it can always change."

Hazlewood also offered an insight into how the team would prepare for the Tests after a sextet of white-ball matches - three ODIs and T20Is each start India's tour - while looking to some hefty bowling sessions, possibly more than one a day, in the lead-up to the opening match of the long-form series.

"Most summers we get the one Shield game at least to bowl the red ball and get those overs under our belt, but this year's a little bit different," he said. "We're going to have to try to replicate that at training in the lead-up. We've got six white-ball games first - three one-dayers in a week is not far off a Test match, you're bowling 30 overs at good intensity and fielding for 150 potentially.

"So we're not far off there, then a lighter week with the T20Is and we'll head to Adelaide and really try and replicate a day or day and a half through centre wickets, bowling longer spells. Then coming back in the afternoon and bowling if that's an option. So I think we'll be fine."

England's men's team will make their first visit to Pakistan in 16 years when they play two T20Is in Karachi on October 14 and 15, 2021.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo earlier this week, England's plans for a short stop-over in January had to be shelved due to a lack of space in a crowded itinerary, with England also due to tour Sri Lanka and India in the first months of 2021, and with several players committed to T20I franchise deals during the same period.

But following talks between the ECB and PCB, it has now been agreed that England will fit in the visit as part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup in India next year. The squad will arrive in Karachi on October 12, and both teams will depart for India on October 16 for the start of a tournament that is expected to culminate in mid-November.

England last toured Pakistan in 2005 when they played three Tests and five ODIs. The subsequent series between the two sides in 2012 and 2015 were played in the United Arab Emirates.

Tom Harrison, the ECB's chief executive, said: "It's a real pleasure to announce that the England men's IT20 squad will be playing in Pakistan in October 2021. This will be the first time since 2005 that an England team has toured Pakistan and as such it represents a significant moment for both nations.

"As was demonstrated this summer, we have a strong relationship with PCB and ECB is delighted to be able to play our part in ensuring the safe return of international cricket to this wonderful nation of passionate cricket fans.

"As always, the safety and welfare of our players and staff will be paramount. We are working closely with the PCB to ensure all the necessary plans are in place, especially concerning the anticipated levels of security around the team, the proposed travel protocols and of course the situation regarding the fast-moving and ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic.

"The two-match series will serve as ideal preparation for the England team leading into an ICC Men's T20 World Cup taking place in India during October and November 2021."

England had already been scheduled to play a Test series in Pakistan in late 2022, but the PCB had expressed their desire for a visit sooner than that to show the ECB's support for the return of international cricket to the country.

With Pakistan's players having endured less than perfect conditions in helping England fulfil their international fixtures in 2020, there was a sense that the ECB owed Pakistan a reciprocal favour. The ECB subsequently confirmed that a white-ball tour of Bangladesh in the same period is expected to go ahead as planned.

Wasim Khan, PCB Chief Executive, added: "I am delighted to confirm that England will be touring Pakistan to play two T20s in October 2021. This will be their first visit to Pakistan for 16 years and will open the door for both Test and White Ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

"The full-strength England squad will arrive at the back-end of our home white-ball series against New Zealand. We also expect Australia to visit Pakistan for their FTP commitment in early 2022, with England returning for both Test and White Ball tours in the 2022-23 season.

"The October 2021 T20Is will allow the leading England cricketers to access and examine the world-class arrangements we will put together, which will give them further encouragement and confidence to not only return in 2022-23 but also express their interest in the Pakistan Super League, which has grown to become one of the top leagues in the world.

"England's visit to Pakistan for the 14 and 15 October 2021 T20Is will provide further lift to our passionate fans, both in Pakistan and across the globe. The nation has waited patiently for cricket to return sustainably to Pakistan and the 2021 tours by South Africa, New Zealand and England will only ensure international cricket is played uninterruptedly.

"The enhanced progress made over the last two years has been down to nurturing relationships with various cricket boards and international players, as well as building trust and confidence.

"The ECB's confirmation further endorses Pakistan as safe and secure. Importantly, this announcement speaks volumes for the relationship that we have with the ECB and I would like to thank the ECB for their strong will and desire to make this short tour a reality.

"England's visit in 2021 is an outcome of the PCB's efforts and hard work to ensure Pakistan cricket continues to move in the right direction."

Exeter director of rugby Rob Baxter says the English and European champions are on "red alert" over possible Covid-19 infections.

Exeter start their Premiership title defence at Harlequins on Friday.

"We're very much on red alert because we're also aware that we've had very little of it in the camp," he said.

Sale missed the play-offs after a series of positive tests forced them to forfeit their game with Worcester, while Wasps, Exeter's opponents in the Premiership final, almost had to withdraw after a number of players tested positive.

Sale boss Steve Diamond said on Tuesday that the club had been "cleared" of any wrongdoing after an enquiry into their high rate of Covid-19 cases by both the Rugby Football Union and Public health England

"We had an antibody test very early on which showed very few people, literally two or three people within the 50-man group, had Covid already in that pre-lockdown and lockdown period," added Baxter.

"That's different to a lot of clubs, and I know that because I've spoken to other directors of rugby. Some clubs know they've had it very early on before we came back into training and have relatively little worries about it.

"We here have had so little of it that we're very worried about it because if it's going to get into the community then it's very hard for it not to get into a rugby environment, no matter how good you are."

Meanwhile, Baxter says his club may need to do more to assess any emotional impact on his players from the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdowns that have followed.

"I've probably been a little bit remiss of that, probably based around the fact that by winning trophies there's an assumption that emotionally we stay pretty good on things," he said.

"But I have to admit, now talking about it, it's certainly something I'll potentially look into in the next couple of weeks and discuss with our medical team, particularly whether there is something else we need to do, especially now with lockdown being extended."

Afghanistan left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan and West Indies bowling allrounder Keemo Paul are set to play in the upcoming BBL after signing with the Melbourne Stars and the Hobart Hurricanes respectively, while a Covid-19 outbreak in South Australia has affected the Adelaide Strikers' preparation.

Zahir had played in last season's BBL for the Brisbane Heat but is set to join the Stars as their third overseas signing after they lost Haris Rauf to international duty.

The Stars signed Zahir in the hope he could play the entire season, but the availability of Afghanistan's players for the BBL - including Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Mujeeb Ur Rahman - has been thrown into doubt with the scheduling of Afghanistan's three-match ODI series against Ireland in the UAE in January.

The Stars' coach David Hussey said Zahir would complement their spin stocks despite already having a left-arm wristspinner in Clint Hinchliffe.

"We're looking forward to having Zahir on board for this season," Hussey said. "His left arm wristspin will give us a variety of options. Together with Adam Zampa, Tom O'Connell, Clint Hinchliffe and the support of our skipper Glenn Maxwell, we're pleased with the group of spinners we'll have available over the course of the season."

Paul won't have the same availability issues as Zahir, given he is already in New Zealand and like Nicholas Pooran, will not have to quarantine on arrival in Australia due to a travel arrangement between the two countries.

Paul has been signed by the Hurricanes on the urging of former Hurricanes and Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has coached Paul for the last two seasons at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Paul did not play a game in the recent IPL as the Capitals reached the final, but he did meet with the Hurricanes' coach Adam Griffith while in the UAE, as Griffith was working as the bowling coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"I am really excited to be joining Hobart for the upcoming BBL, and I am very grateful for the opportunity," Paul said.

"I have always been a big BBL fan and an avid watcher of the tournament, and I cannot wait to join up with the Hurricanes group. I have spoken to Ricky here at the IPL about Hobart and Tasmania, and he has spoken really positively about the team and the competition. I also caught up with Griff after our [IPL] game recently, and it was great to hear more about the very exciting squad this year."

Griffith was excited about Paul's inclusion into the squad as the third overseas signing, alongside Dawid Malan and Will Jacks. Colin Ingram is locked in as Malan's early-season replacement while the Englishman plays the T20I series in South Africa, which ends on December 2. Malan will also need to complete 14 days of quarantine after arriving in Australia.

"Keemo is another exciting young player in the early stages of his international career," Griffith said. "A bowling allrounder with very good skills, Keemo uses different types of slower balls and loves bowling at the death. He's also a hard-hitting batsman that can clear the fence, adding more power to our lower-middle order to finish off an innings."

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The BBL remains on track to begin on December 10 with games being played in hubs in Tasmania, ACT and Queensland prior to Christmas.

There are games scheduled to be played in Adelaide between Christmas and new year too. However, a recent Covid-19 outbreak in Adelaide's northern suburbs has created a number of headaches for Cricket Australia with the Strikers being forced to leave South Australia at short notice on Tuesday. Those who played in the last round of the Sheffield Shield in Adelaide also remain in quarantine in other states.

There has been no change to the BBL schedule yet and no confirmation of any of the venues for the games in January in February. However, curators at the Marvel Stadium and the MCG in Melbourne have been told to prepare their drop-in pitches for BBL matches in January.

The MCG held a small-scale practice run for hosting socially distanced spectators on Tuesday ahead of the upcoming Boxing Day Test against India and the BBL fixtures being held there in December and January.