Ott-shot Laurent’s holding all the Aces
Virus scare for Sam as first Test approaches
SAM CURRAN has been caught up in a coronavirus scare just six days before England return to international action against West Indies.
The all-rounder has been placed in self-isolation and is awaiting the results of his Covid-19 test today.
Curran experienced sickness and diarrhoea during Wednesday night after playing in the first day of the intrasquad warm-up in Southampton.
In line with strict medical protocols, he remained in his room at the on-site hotel yesterday.
England will be crossing their fingers that Curran’s condition continues to improve, with news of his illness sparking inevitable fears within the biosecure bubble at the Ageas Bowl.
An ECB statement read: “Sam Curran has had sickness and diarrhoea overnight. He is feeling better this afternoon,
■ (inset)
■ (left) and has been self-isolating in his room at the Ageas Bowl.
“He will play no further part in the practice match. He has been monitored by the team doctor throughout and was tested for Covid-19 earlier today.”
A 30-strong training group has been living, training and sleeping at Hampshire’s ground since linking up on June 23, with all players and staff receiving twice-weekly Covid-19 tests.
All other day staff involved have also been subject to regular testing and last week the ECB announced a clean bill of
LAURENT FRAYSSINOUS wants rugby league’s latest Canadian club Ottawa Aces to join Toronto in Super League, after being confirmed as their first coach. The ambitious Aces will follow in the Wolfpack’s footsteps by joining League One next season under former Catalans coach Frayssinous. He was in charge of the Dragons for four and a half years before his 2017 exit.
And that experience – plus his ability to speak French and English in a bilingual city – attracted the fledgling club.
They start in the third tier of the professional game in 2021 – and Frayssinous had no hesitation in joining.
He said: “Building a 702 negative tests. Full precautions are being taken to establish a fully bio-secure venue.
Curran’s absence cast a shadow over the second day of the intra-squad clash as the battle for bowling places intensified.
Jos Buttler’s team, who declared on their day-one score of 287-5, dismissed Ben Stokes’ side for 233.
Buttler’s hand was strengthened by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer’s first appearance together in red-ball cricket and the pair offered a promising club from zero and trying to make sure it can be a Super League team at some stage is what was appealing to me.
“I share a lot of beliefs with founder Eric Perez about how we build a club and a team.
“The challenge to get into Super League is exciting and that’s why I wanted to come to Ottawa.”
Frayssinous has yet to glimpse of what they might be capable of in tandem.
Injury has kept them apart since England’s World Cup victory last year but they took three wickets between them yesterday.
Zak Crawley top scored with 43, while skipper Stokes made 41.
Meanwhile, Stokes will lead out an England side against West Indies sporting Black Lives Matter logos in a display of solidarity against racism.
But the ECB stressed the team’s support for the anti-racism movement does not amount to an endorsement of any associated political organisation.
England’s decision reflects growing concern over the appropriation of the BLM message by those pushing toxic ideology and promoting civil unrest.
Cricket bosses believe they have balanced those concerns with the desire to stand shoulder to shoulder with their visitors on the wider issue. make any signings but insists the task of building a squad from scratch on the other side of the Atlantic won’t be a difficult one.
He added: “To be honest, it will be easy because the project is so appealing for every player.
“In League One there are a lot of players who are part-time.
“We will be full-time and rugby league players I know are also keen to travel and discover new countries.
“The hardest decision I will have is to make the right choices.
“That is because I know we will have plenty of candidates.
“We will take time to make sure our roster is good because these are the first steps to build a club.”