The Daily Telegraph - Sport

Morgan accepts tourists’ handshake request

- By Nick Hoult

Players from both teams will shake hands before the opening match of the Royal London series at the Oval today at the request of Tim Paine, the Australia captain.

The handshake is an idea Paine has adopted from football and something he introduced when he captained Australia in South Africa in the Test after the ball-tampering scandal in March. Paine told the media he would like to continue the trend against England and checked with his opposite number, Eoin Morgan, after their photocall with the Royal London trophy.

“They don’t have to do it, but it’s something we want to bring in to start a series,” said Paine. “We’ve spoken internally about our values. It’s time for us to act on those words and show it by actions.”

It will be the first time in England that cricket teams have shaken hands before a game. “I’m absolutely happy with that,” said Morgan. “They’re trying to turn around the image of the game in their country and we are all for that.”

Justin Langer, the new coach, has introduced a team charter and Paine said on arrival in England last week that his players would continue to sledge, but that personal abuse would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, England have turned down a request from Yorkshire to release David Willey and Liam Plunkett to play in the Royal London One-day Cup. Yorkshire had asked the duo to be made available for tomorrow’s match against Essex.

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