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A round-up of IPL news on April 15, 2015

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Apr-2015Gautam Gambhir, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain, is not travelling with his team-mates to Pune ahead of their clash against Kings XI Punjab. “Cramps, weakness and fever…bad timing,” Gambhir tweeted. “Living on khichdee and curd-rice…”

Not travelling to Pune with @KKRiders today. Cramps, weakness and fever…bad timing. Living on khichdee and curd-rice…

— GGF (@GautamGambhir) April 15, 2015

Knight Riders face Kings XI on April 18, which gives Gambhir a decent window of time to recover and join his team in time for the match.Boult ahead of Steyn – WarnerDavid Warner, the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain, has said that on current form Trent Boult is “just ahead” of Dale Steyn, who has not been included in the XI for Sunrisers’ first two games. Boult, with four wickets in two matches, is the leading wicket-taker for the team.”Trent Boult has been in fantastic form. Look at how he bowled in the World Cup. He was the best bowler barring Mitchell Starc,” Warner said. “The condition suited him [Bangalore] here and suited him in the last game. We feel Trent is just ahead of Dale. We will definitely use Dale in the tournament … At the moment Trent is going fantastic so Dale just misses out.”Watson targets return in next home game
Shane Watson, the Rajasthan Royals’ captain, is eyeing a return to the team for the home game against Chennai Super Kings on April 19. “I got hit around the hip during the first training session of the tournament and it has taken a bit of time to recover,” Watson told . “We are going to travel to Vizag overnight, so it’s going to be touch and go for the next game. I will surely be back in the team for our game here against the Chennai Super Kings.”Royals, on a three-match winning streak under Steven Smith’s leadership, face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam on April 16.Vijay looking to make it big
M Vijay, the Kings XI Punjab opener, is one of the two Indian batsmen to score two centuries in the IPL and he has said he is looking forward to a couple more this eason. “I don’t think openers can ever blame (anything) because we have got 20 overs to go and play,” Vijay told . “If I can play out around 15-16 overs I will be somewhere close to my hundred. So I have got the best opportunity; I cannot have any problems with that. Obviously I am happy in that way and I am looking forward for maybe a couple of more (centuries) this season.”Curbing his natural aggression has brought Vijay success in Test cricket but in IPL, he is looking to, “not do that! Not to curb yourself, but just go and express yourself and give the start the team requires,” he said.Vijay’s idol, not surprisingly, is another stylist. “I always liked Mark Waugh,” he said. “I am a Mark Waugh fan. I was crazy about him when I was a kid. I don’t know why, but I liked the way he carried himself in the field, the way he was and everything about him.”Anderson keen on finishing touches
Corey Anderson, the Mumbai Indians allrounder, has said that he wants to improve as a finisher. With two half-centuries, Anderson is the leading run-scorer for his team. “We had (Michael) Hussey last year with us,” he said. “He was an unbelievable finisher and so was Michael Bevan. These guys finished games and made it look easy. I have been able to put myself into positions where I can potentially win the game but I tend to get out just before doing so. I am hoping that with a bit of experience and time I’ll start learning these things. You learn to put the pieces together.”

Australia’s selectors appear to have been wrong-footed by a bone dry SCG surface forcing them to consider the recall of Shane Watson and the inclusion of the left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for his first game of the World Cup

Daniel Brettig07-Mar-2015Australia’s selectors appear to have been wrong-footed by a bone dry SCG surface for their pivotal meeting with Sri Lanka, forcing them to consider the recall of Shane Watson – only one match after he was dropped – and the inclusion of the left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty for his first game of the World Cup.The captain Michael Clarke was told by the coach Darren Lehmann and his fellow selector Mark Waugh that the panel was reserving judgment on the composition of their XI, opening up the possibility of including Watson for his bowling expertise on slower surfaces and Doherty as the squad’s only slow bowling option. The spin bowling coach John Davison was working prominently with Doherty on match eve.Late-season Sydney surfaces have a tendency to tire, and the strip being prepared for Sunday has the look of one that will spin and also get slower as the night goes on, even if the ground staff were seen sprinkling grass clippings onto the surface and rolling them in during mid-afternoon.”Looking at the wicket today [and] if we had to play today, the toss would be crucial,” Clarke said. “But a day of sun on the pitch, and a bit of rolling tomorrow, might be a little bit different. Generally under lights at the SCG the ball can skid on a bit more, outfield looks magnificent so think it’s going to be a fast outfield, it’s just how much the wicket slows up and that’ll be dictated by how hard the pitch is tomorrow, I think.”If we turn up tomorrow and the wicket is rock hard, I think it’ll be a really consistent pitch for both teams. If it’s still a bit tacky like it’s today then I’d really want to bat first if I was playing today. It looks like spin is going to play a part. Looks quite dry and certainly hasn’t got as much grass on it as I’ve seen in past one-day matches at the SCG.”Australia’s apparent unhappiness about the surface illustrates how pitch preparation in the country does not run according to the whims of the home side. Contrast this with the last time Australia met Sri Lanka in a World Cup, in Colombo during the 2011 tournament, when a strip described as “rolled mud” by the visitors seemed tailored to Sri Lanka, though a washout prevented them from taking full advantage.Should Watson play, it would be a major change from the strategy that appeared to have been established when he was left out against Afghanistan. While the omission of Watson was criticised by his former captain and friend Ricky Ponting, it suggested that a top order of Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith and Clarke would be the norm for the rest of the tournament.However, it is now plausible that Watson will be included for Mitchell Marsh, who complained of foot soreness in Perth and is not known for his ability to extract wickets on slow pitches – something that was apparent during his brief spell against New Zealand at Eden Park when he was used and Watson was not.Irrespective of the team he is given, it will be Clarke’s responsibility to name the batting order, and he suggested Watson would not have to bat at No. 3 if included, following Smith’s successful return to the position at the WACA Ground where his composure helped allow Warner and Glenn Maxwell to spread their wings.”I think he [Watson] can bat anywhere,” Clarke said. “I think he’s shown at the top of the order he’s been extremely successful. He averages over 40 in one-day cricket and he’s striking at about 90 so I think he’s skillful enough to bat anywhere in the order, but I think he’s shown he loves batting up the top in all forms of the game.”As for Clarke, an extra session of throw-downs with the batting coach Michael Di Venuto underlined how much he was striving for some semblance of batting touch ahead of a match that will dictate who finishes second in group A and wins a more favourable draw. Defeat for Australia may mean an away semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland rather than a home date in Sydney, something Clarke will be eager to avoid.”I feel I’m fitter and healthier than I’ve been in a long, long time,” he said. “I have that hunger to be successful and help Australia go as far as we possibly can in this World Cup. I’ve copped a fair bit of criticism over the last few months, so I’m excited about what lies ahead. I feel I’m at my best and ready to have this team have success.”

A pair of teenagers and a trio of New York Red Bulls headline Goal's selections as the best values, based on salary, in Major League Soccer

Salaries in Major League Soccer continue to rise, and have seen a considerable spike since the infusion of targeted allocation money in the past two seasons. That has led to a near doubling of the number of million-dollar salaries in the league, and a sizable jump in the number of players making more than $500,000.

That doesn't mean there still aren't some super-sized bargains to be had. Players signed via homegrown player deals and those who enter the league via the MLS draft continue to give MLS teams a steady stream of bargains, several of which make up the squad chosen by Goal to be part of the MLS Bargain XI, the best values in the league.

Here is the 2018 MLS Bargain XI, with salaries based on guaranteed compensation as released by the MLS players union last week .

Greg BartramGK Alex Bono, Toronto FC, $102,200The 24-year-old goalkeeper is in the midst of his second full season as Toronto FC's starter and is continuing to show improvement, building on his MLS Cup-winning 2017 season. His exploits in TFC's CONCACAF Champions League run turned heads, and he has also broken into the U.S. national team picture. Still playing on his rookie contract, Bono should be securing a new contract soon, assuming he doesn't head to Europe via transfer.AdvertisementRB Julian Gressel, Atlanta United, $111,250A midfielder who has thrived this season since being moved into a right wing-back role, Gressel has carried over the success from his MLS Rookie of the Year award-winning 2017 into the 2018 season. He has been one of the key reasons Tata Martino has seen his team enjoy such success playing in a 3-5-2 formation. The 24-year-old German-born standout should be drawing attention from scouts and will have a strong case for a new contract this winter.Mark J. RebilasCB Tim Parker, New York Red Bulls, $115,935How is Parker so underpaid? He's still playing on his original rookie contract, which expires at the end of this season. He is in line for a big payday this winter, either in Europe or in a new MLS deal. The Vancouver Whitecaps traded him rather than making him one of the league's highest-paid defenders. Since joining the Red Bulls, Parker has been outstanding and has helped his new team forge the best defense in club history.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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CB Aaron Long, New York Red Bulls $73,125A repeat selection on the MLS Bargain XI, Long has followed up his breakout 2017 season with a strong start to 2018. His skill on the ball, coupled with an improving defensive skill set, make him one of the league's most underrated defenders. It shouldn't be long before the 25-year-old central defender secures a new contract with the Red Bulls.

The England midfielder played a decisive role as the treble winners came back from the dead to make it five Champions League wins out of five

Never write Manchester City off, even in games they barely need to win. That was the lesson here as the treble winners overcome a shabby first-half display and hauled themselves to a 3-2 victory that clinched top spot in their Champions League group.

Pep Guardiola's side were unrecognisable in the first half as they lacked concentration and shipped two goals for the first time in a game all season, with Belgian striker Lois Openda capitalising on woeful defending from Manuel Akanji and Ruben Dias.

City were 45 minutes from losing a first Champions League home game for five-and-a-half years but Guardiola must have given them a rollicking at the break as they came out a different side and Erling Haaland pulled a goal back – his sixth against Leipzig in 2023 – and then Phil Foden and substitute Julian Alvarez followed suit.

GOAL rates Man City's players from the Etihad Stadium…

Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence

Stefan Ortega (5/10):

Beaten too easily for Openda's second goal.

Kyle Walker (5/10):

Out of position for the second goal and his usual leadership was lacking.

Ruben Dias (3/10):

A stinker from the Portuguese, who was barged off the ball for the second goal and risked picking up a yellow card, which led to Guardiola hooking him at half-time.

Manuel Akanji (4/10):

Misjudged Blaswich's long kick for Openda's opener, a rare error from the usually switched-on Swiss.

Josko Gvardiol (5/10):

Could have done more to close down Openda for the second goal but made amends by setting up Foden's equaliser.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Bernardo Silva (7/10):

Provided the foundation for the fightback.

Rodri (5/10):

Way below his usual high standards.

Rico Lewis (6/10):

Missed a big chance to score in the first half. Kept the faith in the second.

Getty ImagesAttack

Phil Foden (8/10):

Recovered from a flat first half to play a hand in every goal. The sign of a top class player.

Erling Haaland (6/10):

Scored his 12th goal in his last eight games against Leipzig to pull City back into it but missed big chances either side of that.

Jack Grealish (5/10):

Not the best return after missing the Liverpool game although he also sustained a knock to the head. Upstaged by his replacement Doku.

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Getty ImagesSubs & Manager

Nathan Ake (6/10):

Came on when City were trailing 2-0 and they were 3-2 up by full-time. Enough said.

Jeremy Doku (8/10):

His pace and trickery sent shivers down Leipzig's spine and was a key factor in the turnaround.

Julian Alvarez (8/10):

A bundle of energy and excitement and completed a fightback which he played a big role in sparking.

Sergio Gomez (N/A):

Came on in the 92nd minute.

Pep Guardiola (8/10):

His half-time talk breathed life back into City and his substitutions finished the job.

David Beckham, Gary Neville and the rest of Manchester United's Class of '92 who co-own Salford City are looking for new investors for the club.

Article continues below

Article continues below

Article continues below

Beckham, Neville and Co, own SalfordGroup looking for investorsClub currently 19th in League TwoWHAT HAPPENED?

The League Two side are co-owned by key members of the famous Red Devils squad, including Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Phil Neville, alongside brother Gary and Beckham. Butt, who took over as the club's chief executive from Gary Neville in October 2022, has announced Salford's pursuit of "strategic partners" to take advantage of "major opportunities" and boost the club's growth.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT BUTT SAID

Salford's CEO said in a statement: “We are backing Salford City with as much commitment and confidence as ever. We have achieved very special things here but there are major opportunities in front of us and we want to make sure we have the right mix of investment and strategic partners to take advantage of those opportunities. We had an original 10-year plan and with strong foundations now in place, it was always the intention to explore options for the next phase. That includes potentially bringing in new partners to help us grow the club and best serve the fans and community.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Beckham, Neville and Co have helped increase the capacity at Salford's Peninsula Stadium from 3,000 to 5,000, as well as securing four promotions since their takeover of 2014. The Class of '92 co-owned side now share a league with Wrexham, whose co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are currently aiming for back-to-back promotions. The Hollywood duo have been lauded for their growth of the Wrexham community as well as the club through strategic partnerships, and it is fair to assume they may serve as inspiration for Salford and their owners.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SALFORD?

Salford did celebrate a memorable win over the Red Dragons earlier this month, recording a 3-1 victory at the Peninsula Stadium. However, their league form has been underwhelming elsewhere, as they sit 19th in the League Two table and nine points clear of safety after 34 games. Salford's next match comes on Tuesday at home to Colchester.

Fifties from Marlon Samuels and Kyle Hope put Sagicor High Performance Centre only 42 behind the Zimbabweans with three wickets in hand at the end of the second day of the tour match in Barbados

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2013
ScorecardFifties from Marlon Samuels, returning from a two-month injury break, and Kyle Hope put Sagicor High Performance Centre only 42 behind the Zimbabweans with three wickets in hand at the end of the second day of the tour match in Barbados.Continuing from their overnight score of 222 for 5, Zimbabweans added 33 before declaring. Kyle Jarvis soon reduced SHPC to 15 for 2, taking two wickets in two overs. Samuels and Hope put on 74 to steady the innings but SHPC lost two quick wickets again, both to Graeme Cremer in the space of three balls, to slip to 89 for 4. Cremer struck again to dismiss Keddy Lesporis for 13 and Hope for 62, putting SHPC in trouble at 144 for 6. Jahmar Hamilton and Yannick Cariah put 68 together for the seventh wicket, but Hamilton was dismissed for 37, and became Cremer’s fifth wicket.

Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, has urged his batsmen to be mentally focussed and do whatever it takes to get West Indies back in the series after their 63-run loss in the opening Test in Kingston

Sriram Veera at Sabina Park 24-Jun-2011Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain, has urged his batsmen to be mentally focussed and do whatever it takes to get West Indies back in the series after their 63-run loss in the opening Test in Kingston. Asked what this team was missing, Sammy simply replied: “Runs on the board”.”The batting unit know that we have been way behind the eight-ball … I still believe the guys are trying their best,” Sammy said. “It’s about being more mentally focussed when you are out there in the middle and doing whatever it takes to put your team in good position. Like how Dravid played and Harbhajan came and played the situation of the game, taking charge of the situation. We need more guys to take on that responsibility.”It was an interesting post-match press conference. At no point did Sammy look ruffled or angry. At times he evaded straight replies, especially to questions about Chris Gayle. “It’s about us wining the key moments. Having them 80-odd for 6 we should have bowled better. Then we had the chance to bat well but we were behind them by 70-odd runs. There is not much between the teams but it’s a matter of winning the key moments.”Well, we have still to be positive. This is a three-Test series. We have to pick ourselves up … The way the bowlers have bowled If we can put up a good score or chase well we stand a good chance to come back and level the series. The games come down close. The thing for me as a professional is that you get out there and try to do well. For us, as batting unit, most times it has not come off well.”Sammy was asked repeatedly about Gayle but chose to take a detour around the subject until he finally gave an answer that was open to interpretation. The question was direct: Are you missing the firepower of Gayle at the top. “The batting has not been the problem only this series; it has been plaguing us for the last ten years,” he said. “Maybe I could have Sobers, Viv [Richards], Walcott all of them. I think whoever is picked for West Indies, if you are a batsman the onus is on you to make a difference.”Darren Sammy knows that his team can’t win unless their batting improves•Associated PressThe questioner persisted again. But Gayle would have made a difference? “You never know, when he comes back we will see.” The reporter gave up and smiled.The questions moved back to the batting. Does he talk to the batsmen or leave it for the batting consultant Desmond Haynes?”I have my say as well,” Sammy said. “We brought Dessie in as batting coach. So he and the coach [Ottis Gibson] have a say. I as a captain or Dessie as batting coach or Gibson as coach we can only talk but at the end of the day we as players have to get out there and do the best for the team. You can’t score runs in the nets. You have to get out there in the middle and do what is necessary for the team.”There was another question about possible team composition. Should they have played Marlon Samuels? Samuels and Gayle are both from Jamaica and they are bound to be featured in lots of questions in this region. Again, Sammy didn’t offer a straight answer. “The selectors came up with the eleven to represent West Indies and whoever is there should take the responsibility to perform.”Will there be any change for the second Test? “We have 13 people in the squad. There is every possibility that we can have changes.”There were positives to emerge from this team, mainly the effort of the bowlers with ball and bat. “We bowled out India twice,” Sammy said. “So we know we can take 20 wickets. Batting last we got the highest score in the match. If we can correct batting and I don’t drop Dravid we can put ourselves in a better place to win the next test.”He said he will continue to back his team and hoped that they will bounce back in the second Test at Barbados. “Just as the team believes in me, I also believe in them. We try to keep positive atmosphere in the dressing room. Next game is a different day. If we can prepare hard in the nets we can do it. As long as the players take responsibility to put the team first we will be in a better position.”If the batsmen don’t show that responsibility? “Well, when you look at the team, it’s selected by the selectors. At the end of the day people have a job to do, they will analyse us and come up with the best possible solution.”

A devastating spell of bowling from Glen Chapple and Gary Keedy helped Lancashire to an innings-and-55-run victory over Sussex in their County Championship match at Liverpool

11-Apr-2011
Scorecard
A devastating spell of bowling from Glen Chapple and Gary Keedy helped Lancashire to an innings-and-55-run victory over Sussex in their County Championship match at Liverpool. The majority of the final morning’s play was wiped out due to wet weather and that gave the visitors plenty of hope in their bid to save the game.When played resumed at 1.10pm at total of 24 overs had been lost. Sussex were 151 for 3 after 47 overs and still faced a deficit of 78 runs. But Murray Goodwin’s men slipped to 174 all out in double quick time thanks to four wickets for Chapple and three for left-arm spinner Keedy.At their worst, Sussex lost six wickets for 12 runs in 35 balls to fall from 152 for 3 to 164 for 9. In victory, Lancashire collected 22 points from the game. Keedy finished with innings figures of 5 for 41 from 26 overs and Chapple 4 for 49 from 19.5.The rain may have provided the Lancashire duo with a little more assistance from the pitch but Sussex’s batsmen did not do themselves any favours at all with their kamikaze approach. Chapple struck with the eighth ball of the day when he had Joe Gatting caught behind by Gareth Cross for 28 before Ben Brown left a ball from the Lancashire skipper which cannoned into his off stump.Goodwin was then caught by Paul Horton at first slip to give Keedy his third wicket of the innings to leave the score at 154 for 6 in the 52nd over. With the Zimbabwean’s departure went Sussex’s last realistic hope of salvaging a draw, although Lancashire would not have dreamt that an opening-round win could come as quickly as it did.Rana Naved-ul-Hasan crashed Keedy down the ground for six with his second ball at the crease but could only divert the same bowler into the hands of Steven Croft at silly mid-off shortly afterwards. Naved Arif was just as expansive as his team-mate and fell the very next ball -bowled when trying to crash the ball through the off side.James Anyon was the ninth Sussex wicket to fall – and the third with the score on 164 – when he was well caught by a diving Tom Smith at second slip off the bowling of Chapple. The match was concluded when Chapple trapped Monty Panesar lbw for 4 with the last ball of the 63rd over.Sussex closed with little cheer and just three points from the fixture.

Simon Taufel has referred Phil Hughes’ lbw dismissal in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia to the ICC as a serious question mark against the accuracy of Hawk-Eye, the ball tracking technology

Daniel Brettig in Galle02-Sep-2011Simon Taufel, the senior international umpire, has referred Phil Hughes’ second innings lbw dismissal in the first Test between Sri Lanka and Australia to the ICC as a serious question mark against the accuracy of Hawk-Eye, the ball tracking technology. Taufel and the officiating umpires Richard Kettleborough, Aleem Dar and Tony Hill have have also sent the relevant footage of the incident to the ICC’s cricket operations department.Hughes was given out lbw on the second evening when he attempted to sweep Tillakaratne Dilshan. Replays indicated that the delivery had spun appreciably from around middle stump towards off, but the Hawk-Eye predicted path had the ball going straight on with the angle from round the wicket to to strike leg stump.Though he reviewed the decision, Hughes was sent on his way by umpire Kettleborough after consultation with third umpire Hill who is obliged to grant significant weight to the original decision made on the field when he decides whether to reprieve or dismiss a batsman.In Galle to conduct a third umpire accreditation seminar, Taufel has observed the first two days of the Test in part to assess the impact of technology’s inconsistent use and accuracy, having umpired in England’s home series against India under vastly different playing conditions and technological aids.Taufel told ESPNcricinfo that more needed to be done to prove the veracity of devices such as Hawk-Eye, HotSpot and Virtual Eye via independent testing that sits outside the views of broadcasters and suppliers.”Why can’t we tap into technology if the match official is missing a piece of information, and is it right that the match official has to make a decision before technology can be used?” Taufel said. “That’s a fundamental question I think we’re still working through. Under the current system we’re encouraged to make decisions and if a player feels they disagree with that then they’ve got the right to review. But if they get that wrong twice, then we can’t use technology anymore in that innings for that particular team.”They’re the parameters we’re working with and that’s the value we want to promote within the sport – do we just want to get the obvious mistake fixed up or do we want to get as many decisions right as possible? What are the technology tools we have to achieve that, and then how accurate are those tools? Have we really investigated that from an independent perspective, and have we got a categorical answer with that? Is it reliable on the day, rather than just relying on the provider of that technology to say ‘it is x-amount accurate and the result is right’ and we just take that on face value?”The third umpire’s job in particular has become increasingly difficult as each series brings a different set of parameters for reviewing decisions, and the technological means by which they may be reviewed. Taufel said players had also become confused on the field by the transient nature of rules relating to referrals and technology.”From the training perspective we did with the third umpire accreditation module it is very difficult, because there is no consistency of inputs,” Taufel said. “How do I train and develop a third umpire when I don’t know what technology tools are going to be available on the day?”From an umpiring perspective, as a third umpire, it is incredibly challenging here [in Sri Lanka] because the frame rates used by Ten Sports per second will be different to the ones used by Sky in Britain. There’s ultra-motion available in the UK, there’s none of that here. We have Hotspot in the UK, we don’t have Hotspot here. The camera rates used by Hawk-Eye here would be different to the camera rates used there.”Therein lies the challenge of consistency – how can you possibly expect consistent outputs if you’ve got inconsistent inputs? We’ve also noticed the players are somewhat confused as to what they can challenge and what they can’t. In the UK they couldn’t challenge lbws, they could only challenge caught decisions. Here we’ve gone back to a different system where you can challenge both.”Surely that’s got to be difficult for the players and the match officials to keep adjusting from series to series. Our message as umpires was rather strong at the ICC cricket committee meeting where we said, we either want to use everything or nothing at all, let’s try to make it consistently easier for everybody. That’s what we want to work towards.”

Andrew Strauss, the England Test captain, will be among seven key players heading overseas in December to step up their preparations for the series against Pakistan in UAE early next year

Andrew McGlashan17-Nov-2011Andrew Strauss, the England Test captain, will be among seven key players heading overseas in December to step up their preparations for the series against Pakistan in UAE early next year.Strauss, Matt Prior and Eoin Morgan, who is recovering from the shoulder injury that ruled him out of the end of the English season and one-day tour of India, will travel to Pune and Mumbai. Meanwhile, four fast bowlers – James Anderson, Chris Tremlett, Stuart Broad and Graham Onions, will head to Potchefstroom in South Africa for a training camp. Both trips are part of the England Performance Programme for the winter.Like Morgan, Tremlett and Broad are both aiming to make comebacks after injury. Tremlett hasn’t played since the first Test against India, at Lord’s, after being ruled out of the remainder of the series with a back injury. Broad, England’s Twenty20 captain, suffered a shoulder injury in the home one-day series against India which ruled him out of the return tour in October.Anderson was rested for the tour of India after a heavy workload during the summer and will be expected to lead the attack on flat pitches in the UAE alongside Broad. On Wednesday, Anderson tweeted: “Had my first bowl for two months yesterday, bleep test and fitness testing today. I can’t move and my feet are bleeding.”Tremlett will be aiming to reclaim his Test spot which he had cemented following a successful return to the side during the Ashes series, but in his absence Tim Bresnan has made a convincing case to remain in the team having played a key role against India.Onions is another option for the selectors and they have been very keen to get him back in the set-up following his lengthy lay-off with a serious back injury that threatened his career a year ago. He was drafted into the squad for the final Test against India, at The Oval, when there was doubt over Anderson and was then called into the one-day squad on the subcontinent after Chris Woakes flew home injury although didn’t make an appearance.Meanwhile, Strauss and Prior are Test specialists following Strauss’s retirement from ODIs and Prior’s omission from the limited-overs set-up. Both players returned to their counties at the end of the domestic season, but haven’t had any action since mid-September. Strauss hasn’t hit a Test century since his 110 against Australia, at Brisbane, last November and only has two in his last 26 matches.”These camps will not only see the players working on their cricketing and physical preparations through training but will also involve matches in highly suitable conditions which will provide an invaluable form of practice prior to commencing a Test series in sub-continental conditions,” David Parsons, the England performance director, said.”The players attending these camps didn’t participate in England’s recent ODI tour of India or have been sidelined through injury so this is the ideal opportunity to build up their preparations during an important period leading into January and provides the talented young players on both the EPP and EDP programmes a chance to train alongside and learn from some of the very best.”England’s tour against Pakistan in UAE during January and February includes three Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s. Their winter is then concluded with a two-Test series in Sri Lanka at the end of March. Although currently ranked No. 1 in Test cricket they could well have lost that position by the time they resume action if South Africa win all their home Test matches against Australia and Sri Lanka.