ECB block on Billings
SAM BILLINGS’ growing importance to the England set-up was underlined yesterday when the ECB vetoed his return to the IPL.
Billings, above, who kept wicket in the absence of Jos Buttler in the 2-0 Royal London Series victory over Ireland that concluded at Lord’s on Sunday, will not fly back to play for the Delhi Daredevils, as was originally planned.
Billings’ franchise team can no longer qualify from the IPL group stage, so Billings will instead be available to Kent this week before joining England on their training camp in Spain, as they prepare for their next Royal London Series against South Africa and then a Champions Trophy campaign.
England captain Eoin Morgan has returned to India and hopes to feature in at least two more matches for Kings XI Punjab.
Buttler, Chris Woakes and Ben Stokes all remained at the IPL rather than taking part against Ireland but will be back in time for England’s trip to Spain next week.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board have summoned all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz to appear before their security and vigilance department as part of their ongoing probe into corruption.
The PCB are probing allegations of corruption in the Pakistan Super League and have initiated proceedings against suspended players Sharjeel Khan, Khalid Latif, Nasir Jamshed and Shahzaib Hassan.
In March, Mohammad Irfan was suspended for a year after he failed to disclose approaches made by bookmakers. ANDY MURRAY has called for a change to the rules regarding the allocation of wild cards in the wake of Maria Sharapova’s return from a 15-month drugs ban. The world No1 made his views clear on the Sharapova case from the moment the news broke that she had failed a dope test. In his eyes, those who fail tests must face the consequences – it is as simple as that. Now that she has served her time, Murray, left, is happy for Sharapova – who tested positive for meldonium last year – to work her way to the top, if she can, but he disapproves of the wild cards that are being thrown at her. “This isn’t just about Maria; this is about the sport of tennis in