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Joe Root's T20 World Cup hopes, Adil Rashid's Test comeback in doubt
Ed Smith has provided the strongest hint yet that Joe Root is likely to miss out on the T20 World Cup and that there will be no Test comeback for Adil Rashid.
Explaining Root's absence from England's squad for the T20 section of their tour to South Africa, Smith insisted the door for a recall was not shut. But he also suggested Root would continue to be "rested" from T20 cricket at the start of next year. With England currently focused on settling on a line-up ahead of the T20 World Cup less than a year away, that would appear to provide a clear indication of their intentions.
And while Smith has previously suggested Rashid could be in line for a Test recall, he has now admitted his troublesome right shoulder means such a scenario "doesn't seem likely" in the immediate future.
ALSO READ: Wood prepares to pit his pace against 'battle-hardened' IPL stars
Had it not been for a dramatic last over, Root could easily have been named player of the match in the last World T20 final. But although there have been glimpses of brilliance in his T20I career, his strike-rate since that final - 107.16 - is modest and the aggregate of runs - he has averaged 29.90 in that period - insufficient to compensate. With Dawid Malan, in particular, taking his chances when offered - in the same period, Malan is averaging 48.71 at a strike-rate of 146.66 - Root's position as the accumulator has been squeezed. And, having not bowled in T20I cricket since September 2017, Root has had little chance to compensate with his spin.
Smith's hint that Root would continue to be rested from T20Is in early 2021 is also revealing. England are due to play both Tests and limited-overs series in India at the start of next year. It would seem perverse not to include Root for the T20 segment of that tour if he is a serious candidate for the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be played in the same country from October in the same year. By contrast, all England's IPL stars - the likes of Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer - have been included in this T20 squad despite their busy recent schedule. Root hasn't played a game since September 20.
So although there were flattering words from Smith about Root's inherent class and ability when the squad was announced on Tuesday, it was hard to avoid the impression they were there for consolation.
"It's obviously true that Joe Root stays outside that T20 set-up for now," Smith, England's national selector, said. "We're very aware just how great a cricketer Joe Root is; he's one of England's greatest ever cricketers. If there was a major tournament around the corner - as there will be next autumn with the T20 World Cup - we could easily include him.
"But as it stands he's not in the starting XI in T20s. And it's also the case that Joe is one of those people who will need to have some rest over the next year. If I had to make a prediction, I would say that England would use T20s to rest Joe Root in early 2021.
"That doesn't mean that he's in any way ruled out or couldn't come in for a major tournament later on in the year. But looking after players like Joe Root who are so central to England's success is very important."
Root's involvement in the T20 World Cup cannot be completely ruled out. Such is his desire - he appeared for Yorkshire the day after England's international summer was concluded - and such his ability, England could yet come calling once more. Equally, with Moeen Ali and Rashid the only two frontline spinners in England's squad, it could yet be the selectors conclude Root's spin could play the sort of role they once saw Joe Denly providing.
But his opportunities to prove himself in the format would appear to be thin on the ground now. As a key part of England's Test and ODI squads, he has little time to appear in franchise cricket and, when he has done so, his record has been modest. He could, at a push, yet make an impact in The Hundred or even in the inter-squad games that preface this tour.
It was only a few weeks ago that Smith was expressing the hope that Rashid could play a part in England's Test plans over the next few months. It now seems he has reluctantly concluded this is unlikely. Rashid hasn't played a first-class game since January 2019 since when he has suffered a significant shoulder injury.
"Adil is making a very successful comeback from a serious shoulder injury which kept him out of cricket for the second half of 2019," Smith said. "He's doing really well and that shoulder is getting better all the time.
"But at the moment there is a real question mark about whether Adil feels it's the right thing to do to push that by playing in four and five-day cricket. That doesn't seem likely in the immediate term. However, I think Adil is an exceptional all-round cricketer in all formats and there might be a time when that's something he feels able to do."
Although England did not announce the coaching set-up for the tour, ESPNcricinfo understands that Marcus Trescothick will fulfil the role of consultant batting coach.
Paris Masters: Dan Evans beaten by Stan Wawrinka in first round
British number one Dan Evans fell to a straight-set defeat by Stan Wawrinka in the first round of the Paris Masters.
Evans lost 6-2 7-6 (7-3) to the Swiss 12th seed, who now holds a 5-0 winning record against the Briton.
A single break of serve was the difference in the opener before Wawrinka edged past the 30-year-old in the second set tie-break.
Wawrinka will play either Gilles Simon of France or America's Tommy Paul in the second round.
"A not perfect end to the year, but it probably summed up the year of 2020 for tennis.
"It was flat. It was very different from last week."
Evans also confirmed he plans to work on a trial basis with Australian coach Chris Johnstone when he arrives down under next month.
Johnstone is a former top 100 player who has worked with Gigi Fernandez and Wayne Ferreira.
"He was pretty much the first person I thought could do the job, just because I had spoken to him before, and I liked the way he thought about tennis and worked," Evans added.
Top seed Rafael Nadal begins his campaign in Paris against Feliciano Lopez on Wednesday.
Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike have proved great ambassadors for table tennis over the years. Both players have featured at past ITTF World Cup events and, despite approaching their late 40s, they are still active for their clubs and countries. Notably last year, Oshonaike sealed qualification to her seventh Olympic Games, becoming the first female table tennis player to achieve the feat.
Ahead of the upcoming ITTF World Cups and ITTF Finals in China, Toriola and Oshonaike analysed the events which mark the return of international action after seven months of inactivity across the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Segun Toriola is clear that this year there is a significant difference.
“For me, these events are going to be a little bit strange because we can’t comment about the players’ recent form, but I know the Chinese always try to be in shape and ahead of the game. I am sure it is not going to be easy for many players because during the COVID-19 lockdown most players across the world were not able to practise very well, then after the lockdown, players tried to come back, but it has not been easy for players in terms of managing their feelings and confidence.
Although some of the European countries have started playing leagues, these are very different to competing in international events, so it is not going to be easy for players. I think that the Chinese are the favourites because during the lockdown they were still practising and also played some competitive events in China. They are always well prepared and well organised. However, the Chinese players need to watch out for Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan, because he is a very dangerous player.”
It is going to be difficult for Africans at the World Cups. It’s a big challenge for Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh, particularly with the pace of the present players. Also considering his style of play, he is an experienced athlete who defends a lot, but I think that Quadri Aruna can go far in the competition. On his day, he has the quality to match anyone in the world.”
Meanwhile, an excited Oshonaike cannot wait to compete internationally and she commended the ITTF for managing to stage international table tennis events amidst the global pandemic.
“I’m so very happy that finally we are starting again and that the ITTF can now hold events again. I am overjoyed about that. The world’s best players will be competing at these events. For me, the top contenders in the women’s events are coming from Asia. Even though a lot of Europeans have tried hard to break into the quarter-finals of major events, it has often been hard for them.
“Egypt’s Dina Meshref has really been pushing to be up there but it will be a tough challenge. I am just being very realistic because if we have to see the way the Chinese and Japanese are playing, they are very fast and it is going to be very difficult to overcome them. I wish Dina all the best.
“In the men’s event, nothing is impossible. (Quadri) Aruna has been in the quarter-finals before in 2014, but that was a very different time. Now the players are just returning to action again. Meanwhile, the Chinese have been training hard so they have better chances. I just hope that Aruna goes out there to try his best by just being relaxed because if you are more relaxed in table tennis there can be a lot of surprises!”
All you need to know about the Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup!
When and where is the Women’s World Cup happening?
Weihai, in China is the home for the forthcoming Dishang 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup. It will be staged from Sunday 8th to Tuesday 10th November.
Played in a three-day period, intense action and high-quality matches from start to finish await; no quiet introduction, adaptation to the environment must be immediate. The pressure is on the shoulders of those who compete from the very start and there is only minimal margin for error. If any.
The venue for the proceedings is the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre. The total prize fund is USD 250,000; for the winner USD 60,000 and for the runner-up USD 40,000.
Who are the star players on show?
The withdrawal through injury of Liu Shiwen (China), the reigning World champion and record-holding five-time Women’s World Cup champion, has allowed compatriot and WR 1 Chen Meng to enter the action. Chen Meng is setting her sights on the trophy that she has yet to win in her stellar career to date. Her greatest competition for the title comes in the form of WR 2 Mima Ito (Japan).
Among the players to have qualified via the continental cups, there are Dina Meshref (Egypt), who holds the record of eight Africa Cup titles; Petrissa Solja (Germany), winner of back-to-back Europe Cup titles; Sofia Polcanova (Austria), Europe’s highest-ranked female player at WR 14; Adriana Diaz (Puerto Rico), winner of back-to-back Pan America Cup titles; and Lily Zhang (USA), the 2019 ITTF Breakthrough Star and one of the standout players at last year’s Women’s World Cup in which she reached the semi-finals.
Since the Asia and Oceania Cups were unable to be held due to COVID-19, players have been selected according to world ranking with many more familiar faces set to enter the action, such as Zhu Yuling (China), Kasumi Ishikawa (Japan), Cheng I-Ching (Chinese Taipei) and Feng Tianwei (Singapore). Meanwhile, Melissa Tapper (Australia) replaces compatriot Lay Jian Fang.
Additionally, Bernadette Szocs (Romania) enters as the wild card, while Suthasini Sawettabut (Thailand) qualifies as the original host player, since the event got moved from Bangkok to China.
Click here to see the full list of players for the 2020 ITTF Women’s World Cup.
How have players qualified?
Due to the length period of inactivity owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the usual qualification system with the Continental Cups and World Championships has had to be adjusted.
There are 21 players competing at this year’s World Cup, many of whom have qualified either as World Champion or via completed continental events (Africa, Europe and Pan America). The other players were selected by world ranking from the other continents (Asia and Oceania) as well as the whole world according to the provisional World Cup playing system.
The Asia players list is in accordance with the original list for the 2020 ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup, which was cancelled due to COVID-19. The remainder of players have been selected as new entries to replace athletes unable to take part in the events.
This change was sanctioned by the ITTF Executive Committee, who decided to allow more flexibility for the entry procedure, increasing the quota to 21 players per event, due to the timelines afforded to the players to enter the events and certain changes to the conditions of the event series, as well as last-minute changes to some league matches.
In addition, the Wild Card direct entry is still in play, with the ruling being that entries cannot be more than two players from a single association.
For the complete qualification system, click here.
What’s the order of play?
As for the order of play, seeding is organised according to the latest available World Rankings. The overall tournament consists of two stages – group stage and the main draw.
The top eight names receive a direct entry to the main draw; those ranked no.9 to no.21 (13 players) compete in the initial phase; three groups of three players, one group of four players.
The players ranked 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th will be in groups A, B, C and D respectively. Players ranked 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th will be drawn randomly into the second position of each preliminary group. The remaining players ranked 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st will be drawn randomly into the third position in each preliminary group with the remaining player drawn randomly into the fourth position in any of the preliminary groups.
If there are two players from the same association, they will be drawn into separate groups. Next, the top two finishers of each preliminary group shall join the top eight seeded players in the second stage of the competition.
For the complete technical details of the draw, click here.
When do we know the final groups?
Finally, the first stage group draw will take place on Saturday, 7th November at 16:00 local. The location for the draw shall be Weihai Blue Lake (Lanhu) Hotel; a press conference will follow.
The main draw will be held at the Weihai Nanhai Olympic Sport Centre on Sunday 8th November 2020 at 19:45 local time, after the conclusion of the group stages.
For the complete schedule, click here.
Can I watch it at home?
Absolutely! Here’s all the information you need for your local listings.
And you can always follow all the action here on ITTF.com and live on itTV!
Kyle Moyle & Jay Tyack: Gloucester bring in Cornish Pirates duo on loan
Gloucester have signed Cornish Pirates duo Kyle Moyle and Jay Tyack on loan until January.
Full-back Moyle, 27, was a prolific try-scorer in the Championship for the Penzance-based club before missing almost a year due to injury.
He has played more than 130 games for the Pirates and scored almost 50 tries since his debut in 2012.
Loose head prop Tyack, 24, began his career with Pirates and rejoined them in 2019 from Birmingham Moseley.
"With no start date confirmed for the Championship season we felt this was a deserved and great opportunity for Kyle to test himself at the highest level," said Pirates joint head coach Gavin Cattle.
"He has been a stand-out player in the Championship for a number of seasons and has inevitably been a huge influence on our team's performance."
On Tyack, Pirates' other joint head coach Alan Paver added: "The loan arrangement clearly provides a great opportunity for a young front-rower such as Jay.
"He has developed immensely since his return to the club, which from my perspective it is always good to witness, and to also now gain experience with a Premiership team will inevitably benefit him and the Cornish Pirates still further when we start playing again."
Nathan Catt: Bath forward retires because of injury
Bath prop Nathan Catt has had to retire because of an undisclosed long-term injury.
The 32-year-old was a member of the club's first-team set-up for 12 years, making his debut in 2008 and going on to play 170 games.
Catt told the club website: "It's been an extremely tough decision to make.
"Whilst I have great pride when I look back on my career, I do think of what could have come. But injuries are part and parcel of the game we all love."
Catt, who has been taking his level three coaching qualifications while injured, added: "My time has come before I'd have liked to hang up my boots, but I'm very proud of what I've achieved, the friends I've made and the memories I will cherish."
Director of rugby Stuart Hooper said losing the forward "is a big blow".
"First and foremost, he has given a huge amount in his career, both emotionally and physically," Hooper said.
"He is a world-class individual and he is going to be missed. Catty is a player who wears his heart on his sleeves and when things got tough, he was always the guy to roll his sleeves up and bring everyone in and then charge headlong into the opposition.
"Unfortunately, his body has told him that it is time to stop."
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Cody Webb broke through for his first GEICO AMA EnduroCross overall win of the season on Monday at Glen Helen Raceway.
The FactoryOne Sherco rider had 3-1-2 moto scores versus Colton Haaker’s 1-6-1 moto finishes on his Rockstar Husqvarna. Trystan Hart gutted out a third-place finish despite a painful hand injury suffered at round four (2-3-4 moto finishes).
With one round remaining on Tuesday, Haaker leads Webb in the championship by 10 points and Hart is another four points back in third. So Haaker will need a sixth-place or better finish to lock up his fourth AMA EnduroCross championship.
Haaker managed to top Webb in the hot laps to earn the first gate pick for the first moto. Webb was just .3 of a second slower in second and Hart was third fastest. Noah Kepple and Cory Graffunder rounded out the top five.
Hart blasted to the Fox Holeshot in moto one with Haaker, Kepple and Max Gerston and Ty Cullins in close pursuit. Webb was buried at the back of the pack. Haaker took over the lead at the end of lap two and opened a small gap on Hart. Webb worked his way up to third by the midway point. Haaker made a few small mistakes near the end that allowed both Hart and Webb to close in but they finished in that order. Beta’s Gerston had a strong ride for fourth in the first moto and Kepple held onto fifth despite getting stuck in the first k-rail section in the middle of the moto.
With the inverted moto start putting the top riders on row two, Canadian Spencer Wilton took the holeshot to lead the riders into the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC rock garden. Cooper Abbott took over the lead with Gerston and Haaker chasing. Haaker tried to make a pass on Abbott at the start of lap two but went down and something lodged into his front brake lever causing two more small crashes. A quick stop at the mechanic area put him well behind the field. Webb pushed through the pack and took over the lead from Abbott halfway through the moto and slowly pulled away for the win. Abbott held on for second with Hart third. Gerston was fourth and Kepple had another top five.
Going into the final moto, Webb held the lead over Hart and Haaker needed a win to get himself back onto the overall podium. Haaker came away with the final moto Fox Holeshot with Webb on his heels. Webb passed Haaker in the Rocky Mountain ATV/MC rock garden on lap two and led a few laps. When Haaker pressured Webb, the Sherco rider backed off and allowed Haaker past to avoid jeopardizing his overall win. Haaker took the moto win while Webb finished second to earn the overall win.
Hart finished fourth in the final moto for third overall while Abbott finished third for fourth overall. Gerston was fifth in the final moto to earn fifth overall.
Webb was happy to get his first EnduroCross win of the season and Sherco’s first EnduroCross win.
“It was really special for me to get an overall win,” said Webb. “It has been since 2018 since I won an EnduroCross because I missed last year due to injury. The tracks have gotten a little harder each round and that is helping me since I am better on the tougher tracks. The Sherco team has also worked hard with me to keep dialing in the bike. Today was the first time I have had my son at the races so it was also special to get a win with him here.”
Haaker had two moto wins but the second moto took him out of contention for the overall.
“I set the fastest hot lap time, won the first moto despite almost crashing at the end,” Haaker said. Then that second moto, I was riding at about 120 percent trying to make a pass and crashed. My front brake lever got stuck in and I crashed two more times before getting to my mechanic. So that ruined it for me. And in the final moto, Cody didn’t need to beat me for the overall so I was able to get another win and work back to second overall. So I’m not happy about that but I am still in a good position for the championship.”
In the Women’s class, Shelby Turner raced to her fifth win in a row on her KTM. Louise Forsley (Sherco) and Morgan Tanke (Beta) battled again for second with Forsley coming out on top.
Shelby Turner took another win in the Amateur/Intermediate main event, her second of the season so far. Ryan Gouveia finished second on his TM and Tyler Smith rounded out the podium on a Husqvarna.
Craig Thompson won the Vet 35+ class on a Husqvarna and Ryan Gouveia was a close second on a TM. Dan Hayakawa rounded out the podium.
Fasnacht To Field Cars For Gular & Strunk In Louisiana
VIVIAN, La. – Last year, Terry Fasnacht was surprised at the Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco Awards Banquet with the Car Owner of the Year Award.
As the series heads to Louisiana to meet the Southern Super Modified group for a series of exhibition events, Fasnacht continues to show his dedication to the Short Track Super Series. Not only will Fasnacht’s Conestoga Valley Custom Kitchens team field one car for its regular driver Mike Gular, they’ll bring a second for Pennsylvania star Jeff Strunk, who served as a mentor for Gular through the early stages of his career.
Both Gular and Strunk will be aboard the familiar No. 2A Bicknell cars as the Short Track Super Series breaks new ground on Louisiana soil competing at Ark-La-Tex Speedway in Vivian, La., Nov. 11-12 before working two hours east to Chatham Speedway in Chatham for Friday night qualifying and Saturday’s 75-lap, $20,000-to-win Mods in the Marsh special.
All events will be broadcast live on SPEED SPORT TV affiliate Dirt Track Digest TV for those unable to attend in-person.
Gular enters the Louisiana Cajun Swing after a successful campaign that has included a track championship at Big Diamond Speedway in Minersville, Pa., two top-five finishes in the Short Track Super Series Modified Halmar International North (second) and Velocita-USA South Region (fifth) standings and a Diamond Nationals triumph among other highlights.
Strunk is riding the momentum from a convincing $35,000-plus victory in the Freedom 76 at Grandview Speedway driving for Glenn Hyneman. With Hyneman vacationing in November, Strunk jumped at the opportunity to compete in Fasnacht’s equipment when the series ventures south to Louisiana next week.
USAC Sprints Set For First Race At Selinsgrove In 50 Years
SELINSGROVE, Pa. – Selinsgrove Speedway will host the USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Series for the first time in 50 years next season as part of the annual Eastern Storm tour.
In addition, the USAC Silver Crown Series will also return to the track after a successful return this year.
The USAC Eastern Storm tour will visit Selinsgrove Speedway on June 17. The 30-lap, $6,000-to-win USAC Eastern Storm event will be the first USAC 410 sprint car race at the track in 50 years.
Mitch Smith won the only other USAC sprint car race ever contested at Selinsgrove Speedway on July 17, 1971.
The USAC Silver Crown Series will return for the second running of the Bill Holland Classic, which has been scheduled for Aug. 8. The anniversary special will go 75 laps in distance and will pay $8,075 to the winner.
Shane Cottle won the inaugural Holland Classic in August.
“After a great Silver Crown event this season, we are very happy to expand our relationship with Selinsgrove Speedway in 2021,” said USAC Executive Vice President & National Series Director Levi Jones.
“All of us at USAC are excited to showcase all the best that USAC has to offer at the historic track next season. We already know how exciting Silver Crown is at Selinsgrove and for sure the USAC sprints will really kick it up at that big place too.”
GEORGETOWN, Del. – With New York State regulations not allowing for the annual Gobbler to be presented at its home since 2013 – Accord Speedway – Georgetown Speedway promoter Brett Deyo has announced the post-Thanksgiving event will take place at the First State half-mile oval on Saturday, Nov. 28.
The Gobbler will serve as the Northeast dirt-track finale on the last Saturday afternoon of November.
“We are looking forward to continuing the tradition of the ‘Gobbler’ while New York State regulations are still prohibiting spectators in the grandstands at auto racing events,” Deyo said. “Hopefully, next season racing in New York State will be back to normal and the event will go home to Gary and Donna Palmer at Accord Speedway.”
L&J Sheet Metal Modifieds headline the program racing 35 laps for $4,000 to win. However, any driver who has perfect attendance at any BD Motorsports Media LLC affiliated tracks or series (Georgetown, Fonda Speedway or the Short Track Super Series North or South Series) will receive a Grandma’s Gravy bonus of $2,000, bringing the winner’s share to $6,000.
Chesapeake Paving/J.W. Brown Trucking Crate 602 Sportsman run a 25-lap main with $1,500 going to the winner. Any driver with perfect attendance at Georgetown, Fonda, or the Short Track Super Series Crate 602 Sportsman South Region in ‘20 able to win the feature will take home a Grandma’s Gravy bonus of $500 to bring the total to $2,000.
RUSH Late Models will complete their Georgetown Speedway point season in a $1,500-to-win, 25-lap event. Should the winner have perfect attendance at Georgetown in 2020, there will be a Grandma’s Gravy bonus of $500, elevating the winner’s share to $2,000.
Completing the program will be 12-lap features for the Little Lincolns (rescheduled from the Sunday, Nov. 1 rain-out), Delmarva Chargers and Delaware Super Trucks.
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