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The Ashes may have gone and the possibility of a second successive whitewash is growing but the game in England and Wales is “in extremely good shape” according to the ECB’s chief executive

George Dobell23-Dec-2017The Ashes may have gone and the possibility of a second successive whitewash is growing but the game in England and Wales is “in extremely good shape” according to the ECB’s chief executive, Tom Harrison.While accepting the Ashes result was “disappointing”, Harrison believes that progress made elsewhere showed the ECB was doing good work. As a result, he said there would be no “knee-jerk reactions” to England’s defeat and suggested the positions of the coaching staff were quite safe.London Stadium decision expected in 2018

Tom Harrison has said the ECB is open to using the London Stadium – built for the 2012 Olympics and currently used by Premier League football club West Ham – as a venue for the 2019 World Cup. A test event is expected to be held next summer, to ascertain the viability of drop-in pitches at the ground.
“We’d very much like it to be used but the cricket has to be right,” Harrison said. “These are World Cup fixtures. The drop-in wickets are being grown. We’re at pains to ensure the cricket element has to be nailed. So we’ll run a proper test event at the end of the football season, which will enable us to mitigate some of the risk inherent in laying turf, dropping in wickets and floodlights. At some point in 2018, we’ll make a final decision.”

In particular, Harrison was encouraged by attendance figures, the success of the women’s team at the World Cup, the launch of the All Stars Cricket scheme and changes to the way the ECB is run.And while it seems doubtful many England supporters will be consoling themselves with the thought that the governance structure of the game has been altered – referred to by Harrison as “an exciting moment as it means the quality of decisions we make will be in the context of the future of the whole game” – the improved performance of the white-ball sides might provide more realistic grounds for encouragement.”The health of the game is more than just Ashes series overseas,” Harrison said. “We’ve had record-breaking attendances in domestic and international cricket, changed our governance structure, hosted two global events, won the women’s World Cup and launched a participation initiative for kids. We’ve had a successful entry into the broadcast rights market out of which we have secured the financial future of the game until 2024.”It’s a shame this series hasn’t gone our way but there’s more to play for over the course of the winter. It’s also important to remember that in every one of the three games England have been in a position where things could have worked out differently. We just haven’t managed to turn the screw in those moments. But we’ve remained pretty competitive even in Australian conditions.”We have a plan and we’re making progress on that plan. We’re in the middle of an Ashes series where England have been very competitive for large parts. What it has shown is that Test cricket is the ultimate form of the game, where those marginal periods of play can turn a game and we haven’t been able to do it.”We are in a process of delivering cricket across three formats. They’re making huge strides across the white-ball game, up to a place where we’re winning 70% or so of our white-ball matches – the ODI side in particular – and the T20 side is making good progress.”In Tests we’re finding it very difficult to win overseas. We did win a series in South Africa, which is a significant achievement, but we’ve found it difficult in Dubai, India and here. We’ve got to take a look at that. There are the moments you understand the progress that’s been made and it’s very difficult to look at it through the mirror of three matches over the course of a difficult Ashes series.”Tom Harrison•Getty ImagesHarrison did concede that the ECB had been “striving to find the answer” to England’s apparent deficit of pace bowling but expressed his belief in the performance centre at Loughborough. Instead, he felt there should be an emphasis on providing more sympathetic pitches for pace bowlers but insisted “this isn’t an alarm-bell situation”.”We’ve a fast bowling programme at Loughborough, which offers excellent results for the guys who go through it,” Harrison said. “The work we’re doing at Loughborough is there. The talent is there. You’ve seen George Garton, Mark Foottitt and Mark Wood. They’re all at that level. But for one reason for another, they’re not coming through. Whether due to injury or consistency. But this isn’t an alarm-bell situation.”These are the situations you can find yourselves in overseas. Sometimes you require different skill sets to the ones you can acquire in your own conditions. We have to look at that and wicket structures. There are questions about whether our wickets reward extra pace and how we can arrive in place with the right firepower to compete.”We have to be careful not to overreact half way through an Ashes series. We can all understand there’s some frustration and we haven’t been able to close those matches out. Now is not the moment to be overreacting. There will be no review. This is not the moment for knee-jerk reactions or rash decisions about what we do from here in respect of performance.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will be hoping that the last week of the summer transfer window is productive as he really needs to bring in another one or two fresh faces.

There have been just three summer arrivals thus far in Manchester and if the Dutchman holds any ambition of fighting on both domestic and European fronts, depth is needed.

With this in mind, the Red Devils have shown interest in a Paris Saint-Germain midfielder recently and given how little time the manager has to work with, could he secure his services before the end of next week?

Are Manchester United going to make more signings?

Marco Verratti is a name that has cropped up recently, according to French outlet L’Equipe (as relayed by Get Football News France), with United are keen on luring him to the Premier League.

The Italy international is looking likely to leave the French capital this summer following an 11-year stint at PSG and this could tempt Ten Hag into making a swoop.

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE…

According to FootballTransfers, Verratti is currently valued at €31.1m (£27m) and given that he has a contract until 2026, the Dutchman may have to shell out slightly more to secure his signature before deadline day.

What could Marco Verratti offer Manchester United?

Along with adding some new faces to his squad, Ten Hag has also been busy in having a clear-out.

Among his most high-profile departures are Anthony Elanga, David De Gea, Alex Telles and Fred, freeing up some room in the wage budget in the process.

Moving on the Brazilian midfielder could perhaps be the best bit of business the manager does this summer.

Although they couldn’t quite recoup the £52m they shelled out on him five years ago, it was evident that he didn’t quite have a future under the Dutchman as he failed to impose himself in the squad last term.

Fred started just 12 games in the Premier League while ranking in a lowly 18th place across the squad for overall Sofascore rating, suggesting that even when he did get a chance, he failed to impress.

United could forget all about Fred with the signing of Verratti, and he has emerged as one of the finest midfielders of his generation over the previous decade.

Indeed, throughout the previous 12 months, the 30-year-old machine ranks in the top 1% when compared to positional peers for pass completion percentage per 90 (92.5%) while also ranking in the top 6% for progressive passes (9.87) and tackles (3.2) per 90, indicating that not only would he be able to dictate the play wonderfully in Ten Hag’s side, but his tenacious nature would allow him to win the ball back often.

Mauricio Pochettino, his former coach at PSG, hailed the midfielder previously, saying:

"He is a player with a very good ability to read the game. He allows for us each time to have attacking possession and to bring the ball out into good situations, to better start off attacks. In attacking phases, he can double his efforts and provoke situations going forward. For me, he is a truly great player."

High praise indeed, so Ten Hag must act fast in order to bring him to Manchester, and it will allow him to move on from Fred in the process.

Craig Overton came away with a massive bruise on his chest as a mark of his impressive efforts on debut but knows he needs to condition himself to the demands of Test cricket

George Dobell07-Dec-2017Craig Overton admitted he had never experienced a short-ball barrage like it but, despite the match result and a huge bruise, insisted his Test debut had been “good fun.”Amid the rubble of another disappointing England performance, Overton enjoyed an impressive debut. As well as claiming four wickets – including that of Steven Smith – Overton top-scored in England’s first-innings with a gutsy 41 not out and took a fine, diving catch at fine-leg. It was a display that impressed the England management and left Trevor Bayliss purring about “the fire in the belly” of his new recruit.While Overton was picked primarily as a seamer, it was arguably his batting that impressed most. Despite having been dismissed for a duck every time he batted in the warm-up games, Overton withstood a sustained spell of short-pitched bowling as well as anyone in England’s first innings and showed both courage and technique in adding 66 runs for the eighth wicket with Chris Woakes.It was a contribution that might well have convinced Smith not to enforce the follow-on and could have helped drag England back into the match. And it contrasted with the contribution made by Jake Ball, who was dismissed by short balls in both innings of the first Test and was the man replaced by Overton for the second Test.”I’ve probably not been peppered like that in first-class cricket before,” Overton said. “You might come up against one fast bowler in each side in a county game, but to have three like that is tough work.”But you have to expect that in Australia. I knew what I was getting into going out to bat in the middle. You could tell from the field; especially when Pat Cummins came around the wicket at me. I was pretty much waiting for it.”I think you have to enjoy it. It was good fun and I felt like I played it pretty well.”The one time he did not play it well cost him. Ducking into a good-length delivery from Cummins in the second innings, Overton saw the ball evade his chest-guard and take him on the rib cage. While he admits the blow remains “a bit sore and a bit bruised” he does not seem overly concerned that it could threaten his involvement in the third Test in Perth.”He [Cummins] didn’t say anything,” Overton said. “If you are hit in the chest you know it’s not going to kill you. It might give you a broken bone, but it’s not life threatening. It’s a bit different when you get hit on the head. That’s when you become worried.”Most of the Australia team are good lads and came up to make sure I was all right after I was hit. On the pitch they like to create a bit of a bubble and say a few words. But off the pitch they seem like pretty good lads.”I haven’t had a scan or anything. We think it’s just bruising. We are not too worried.””It’ll take more than that to slow him down,” Bayliss said with obvious admiration. “He’s a big fella. He’s not complaining.”While Bayliss and co. clearly like Overton’s spirit, they would also dearly love him to have an extra yard of pace. But while he will never be an outright quick bowler (unlike his twin brother, Jamie, who is recovering well from a stress fracture and is expected to bowl at the England players in the nets ahead of the Melbourne Test), they are hopeful he can sustain his pace for longer as he adjusts to the workloads required in Test cricket. He bowled 33 overs in the first innings in Adelaide – more than he had ever bowled in a first-class innings – and admits he will have “to get used to” such stints.”It is not common to field for 150 overs in first-class cricket back home,” Overton said. “And to bowl that amount of overs was a challenge. But it’s one I have to get used to.”I know I’m not the quickest – I am the first to admit that – so for me it’s all about control and little variations. The bad balls are going to be put away. It’s all about doing the basics right.”He will, at least, have a break this weekend. With only Moeen Ali, who has been out of sorts with the ball in the series so far, of the Test XI required to play in the two-day warm-up match in Richardson Park, Overton and the rest will be encouraged to take a complete break from the game. To that end, the midnight curfew – recently introduced as a result of Butt-gate – will be relaxed for a night or two.

Leeds United are running out of time to get transfer business over the line in the summer transfer window, but a hugely encouraging update has now emerged.

Who are Leeds signing?

The Whites were relegated from the Premier League to the Championship back in May, bringing an end to a three-year stay in the top flight after a bitterly disappointing season.

The hope is that Leeds are able to make a speedy return to arguably the best league in the world this season, though, although they haven't started in particularly convincing form, failing to win any of their opening three matches in 2023/24. They have drawn two and lost one of them, sitting 19th in the table in the process.

For the Whites to improve, new signings need to arrive between now and next Friday, when the transfer window closes until the beginning of January. They have been eyeing a host of names, with Joel Piroe coming in from Swansea City and Bayer Leverkusen's Nadiem Amiri linked too, in what looks like some hugely exciting business.

What's the latest on Leeds' transfer business?

Speaking to Give Me Sport, transfer expert Dean Jones claimed Leeds could also look to sign Genk's Joseph Paintsil:

"Thursday and Friday this week are viewed as really key days for Leeds with a bid for Kamara ready to be lodged but other serious interest in players also being stepped up.

"They are close to three other deals that I know of and those are Amiri, Piroe and Paintsil from Genk. I have it on good authority that those are being worked on.'

And Phil Hay has now brought even more exciting news, revealing on Twitter: "Leeds United have tabled an offer for Genk forward Joseph Paintsil. Bid worth 10m Euros (£8.5m). Southampton were keen but that move has fallen through."

This is exactly what Leeds fans will want to hear in the lead-up to deadline day, with their early performances under Daniel Farke suggesting that new faces are badly needed. Granted, it is still very early in the season and the Whites should still be considered one of the promotion front-runners, but more depth and quality is required.

If they could snap up both Amiri and Paintsil, it could go a long way towards making Leeds look like a far more daunting proposition.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Both are exciting midfielders who have shone for their respective clubs, and having them in the starting lineup as well as Piroe could suddenly making them so much more dangerous in the attacking third, especially with winger Wilfried Gnonto seemingly staying put after threatening to leave throughout the summer.

Painstil has been hailed as part of a "superb" group of young players at his current club by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, and he already has two assists in as many Jupiler Pro League starts this season.

There is no guarantee that Leeds will get this business over the line, however, but it is vital that they get it done and kick on the Championship, overcoming this disappointing start and suddenly finding their groove in the coming weeks and months.

A steady batting effort from Barbados in the first innings and seven wickets in the match from offspinner Kenroy Williams lead them to a 135-run win against Windward Islands in St Vincent

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Nov-2017Associated PressA steady batting effort from Barbados in the first innings and seven wickets in the match from offspinner Kenroy Williams lead them to a 135-run win against Windward Islands in St Vincent. After taking a first-innings lead of 138, Barbados managed only 171 in the second attempt, but Williams struck with 4 for 36 to skittle Windward for 174 as they chased 310.Barbados lost the toss but used the opportunity of batting first to score 360 with half-centuries from Kevin Stoute (84), Anthony Alleyne (82), Williams (55), Sheyne Moseley (54) and Justin Greaves (54). Tyrone Theophile finished with 5 for 56 that included three top-order wickets. Windward lost their openers cheaply in reply before Roland Cato (64) and Kyle Mayers (56) resisted but they managed only 222 as Jomel Warrican and Williams picked three-fors.Windward offspinner Shane Shillingford picked a five-for as Barbados struggled to put on substantial partnerships in their second attempt. No. 9 Mario Rampersaud’s unbeaten 36 dragged them to 171, stretching the overall lead over 300. The Windward batsmen struggled again even though Mayers chipped in with another half-century (76). He batted with the tail too but Williams’ four-for included Mayers’ wicket and other middle-order wickets to seal the win.

West Ham United have reportedly entered the chase for Man United defender Alvaro Fernandez after their previous interest in Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire.

Who will West Ham sign?

After months of waiting for his summer signings, Hammers boss David Moyes has now watched two targets come through the door in midfielders Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse.

The former, who put pen to paper on a move from Ajax, will contribute to replacing former star Declan Rice after his £105 million transfer to Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Ward-Prowse will add further steal to the West Ham midfield and brings with him real Premier League experience. The player himself, speaking after he signed, says he cannot wait to get started.

"I’m buzzing to be here at West Ham United," said Ward-Prowse.

"It’s great to be here and I’m looking forward to getting going. From the outside looking in, this is a Club that has been on the rise for a number of years now and coming off the success in the UEFA Europa Conference League last year, you can feel there is real momentum around this Club. It’s great to be a part of it and I can’t wait to play my role in the games to come.

“When I think about my game, it is based on hard work, graft, and giving 100 per cent. West Ham United has always been a club that has epitomised that."

Read the latest West Ham transfer news HERE…

The east Londoners are looking to back Moyes with further signings, especially amid Lucas Paqueta's potential move to league champions Man City.

West Ham, as they also gear up for another campaign in Europe, must keep adding quality to their ranks with journalists Alvaro de Grado and Manuel Amor sharing news on Fernandez.

The 20-year-old, who enjoyed a brilliant campaign on loan at Preston North End last term, is being courted by several clubs in Spain, Germany and England.

Granada, Las Palmas, Espanyol, Eintracht Frankfurt, Burnley and the Hammers are all named as clubs to have recently enquired about Fernandez's situation at Old Trafford.

Amor and de Grado go on to claim that there have been "contacts" between West Ham and United over the left-back, who Erik ten Hag's side value at around £6 million.

Fernandez is available for that price and it appears many clubs are keen to jump at the opportunity.

How good is Alvaro Fernandez?

The Spaniard made 39 Championship appearances for PNE last term, ranking among their top ten best-performers by average match rating according to WhoScored.

An attack-minded full-back, Fernandez completed more successful take-ons than any other member of Ryan Lowe's squad – all while registering four assists.

Lowe, commenting on his former loanee back at the beginning of 22/23, called the player "immaculate".

"He's an immaculate kid though, isn't he?" Lowe told the media after a match.

"Everything about him. He's asked questions on a daily basis, is playing a different role to what he is probably used to at Manchester United – as a left wing-back for us, not left-back.

"He is a fantastic talent – you don't play for Real Madrid and Manchester United if you are not any good. We knew that when we saw him, we knew he'd bring something different to us and he certainly did that tonight."

With Middlesex appealing the two-point penalty imposed as a result of their slow overrate in the abandoned game at The Oval a few weeks previously, it remains possible they could jump back above Somerset in the table

George Dobell12-Oct-2017Somerset are preparing to take legal action against the ECB should they suffer relegation as a result of Middlesex’s appeal against an over-rate penalty.Somerset finished one point above Middlesex having beaten them in the final game of the season and, as a result, Middlesex were relegated.But, with Middlesex appealing the two-point penalty imposed as a result of their slow over-rate in the abandoned game at The Oval a few weeks previously, it remains possible they could jump back above Somerset in the table. As a consequence, Somerset could still face relegation.But Somerset’s chief executive, Lee Cooper, has claimed the ECB will have “brought the game into disrepute” if his club are relegated and threatened immediate legal action.”The implications of overturning the [over-rate penalty] decision are significant,” Cooper told Somerset members at a club lunch that was also broadcast on Facebook. “We would be relegated. Having fought so hard to survive, that would be an unfair outcome.”The decision regarding Middlesex’s points deduction was made and because of that ours and other teams’ tactics were determined by what we needed to do to stay in Division One.”One example of that was the last game: if we needed two extra points, we would have had completely different tactics. We would have scored 300 in the first innings and we would have been fine. We prepared a result wicket, we won the game and we achieved the number of points we needed to survive. If in retrospect the ECB change that decision, they have brought the game into disrepute.”If they overturn their decision, the case goes to the High Court and is deferred until 2019. What does that do to the game of cricket and where are we next year? So the decision that will be taken this afternoon is: do we go along that path and effectively play the same game that Middlesex are playing? On balance, I expect we’ll issue legal proceedings this afternoon.”Shortly after the members’ lunch, Somerset issued a statement confirming they had instructed a London law firm to prepare a case.Cooper, who was appointed in June but has only been in the role at Somerset a few weeks, also raised some doubts as to the integrity of the ECB disciplinary process. As well as claiming the ECB had already broken their own rules by allowing Middlesex an appeal – at the time of the original penalty, the ECB said there was no right of appeal available – Cooper said he had been given some sort of “reassurances”that the appeal was now taking place only so the ECB could be “seen to be going through a process” and Somerset had “nothing to worry about.”As a result, he suggested he had little trust in them.”The conversations [with the ECB] started with them saying ‘Middlesex have no right of appeal’ and that was quite conclusive,” Cooper said.”Since then it has gained some traction and an appeal process is underway, which is a contradiction.”We have reassurances – albeit not guarantees – from the ECB that they need to be seen to be going through a process but that we have nothing to worry about. [But] Having said there was no right appeal and now there being an appeal, we are not trusting that.”We are left with a decision: we either trust that we’ll be okay or we issue legal proceedings against the ECB.”The ECB has been contacted for comment.

Harry Maguire remains in negotiations with West Ham United over one crucial point, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The England international has been a key target of Hammers boss David Moyes this summer.

What is the latest news on Harry Maguire?

Maguire is as close as ever to leaving Manchester United this summer.

That is according to Romano, who stated that the two sides have reached an agreement in principle for the transfer with the fee being £30m. The verbal agreement has been reached, however discussions remain ongoing regarding the structure of the deal, and personal terms are still yet to be discussed.

This verbal agreement is a massive boost to West Ham, who had the England international as their top priority defensive addition this summer, and had seen a £20m offer rejected for the defender earlier in the window.

Sky Sports reports that personal terms are not expected to be a problem, however other reports are stating that due to the defenders current £190k per week wages at Old Trafford, the Red Devils have made a severance payment to their former captain in order to offset some of the wages that will be lost as he takes a wage cut down to £120k per week at the London Stadium.

It was previously reported that the defender wanted to stay at Old Trafford this season and fight for his place in Erik ten Hag's squad, however it appears the England international is resigned to the fact that a move away is the best thing for his career, especially with the upcoming Euros, playing regular first team football may be the thing that keeps him in Gareth Southgate's starting lineup for the tournament.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano revealed that whilst the verbal agreement has been reached, the crucial part is making Maguire happy with the financial aspect of the deal. Should that happen, the deal should get the green light.

He said: "Harry Maguire is still in negotiations with West Ham, so there is a crucial point: the salary of Maguire. At Manchester United it’s completely to the salary of Maguire at West Ham, so it is crucial that the sides find a way to make Harry Maguire happy with the financial point of view. The fee is agreed, £30m between Man United and West Ham, but they have to get the green light on player side. So while I’m speaking we are still waiting to get the final green light from Maguire and then Man United will go on a new centre back."

Read the latest Man United transfer news HERE..

Who will Man United replace Maguire with?

There are a couple of names reported as potential Maguire replacements.

Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is a reported target for the Red Devils. The Englishman impressed many last campaign during his loan at PSV Eindhoven where he made 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring four and assisting two en route to lifting the Dutch cup with the club, whilst the Englishman ended the season with a 6.80 WhoScored rating. According to Football Insider, the Red Devils would have to part ways with £25m to bring the player to Old Trafford.

Another name that is reported as a target is Jean-Clair Todibo. The Frenchman has shone at OGC Nice following his move from Barcelona in 2020, recording average ratings of 6.82, 6.87 and 6.79 across each of the last three campaigns according to WhoScored. According to Romano, The Manchester side have asked to be informed on the conditions of a Todibo deal, with the defender one of the names being considered should Maguire depart.

Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard is another name being considered alongside Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba.

Leeds United have been strongly linked with a move for Nathaniel Phillips this summer, and now a new update has emerged on the club's pursuit of the player.

What's the latest on Leeds' interest in Nat Phillips?

According to LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross, the Yorkshire giants remain interested in signing the Liverpool centre-back this summer.

As per the report, the journalist claims that although the noise around Phillips' move has fallen quiet, the Whites had made enquiries about the defender earlier in the summer and remain interested in securing his signature.

Read the latest Leeds transfer news HERE…

Will Leeds sign Nat Phillips?

There is no doubt that Daniel Farke is still in desperate need of reinforcements this summer, considering the number of outgoings already confirmed whilst the future is not promised for many others at Elland Road.

Several first-team regulars have left the club following relegation from the Premier League last season including Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Brendan Aaronson, Marc Roca, whilst more recently, Maximilian Wober completed a season-long loan move to the Bundesliga via Borussia Mönchengladbach.

As a result, Farke desperately needs to bolster the defensive depth, quality and experience in the Leeds squad to ensure they have the best chance of competing for automatic promotion in the Championship next season, something Phillips could help the side achieve if he makes the move this month.

Despite struggling to gain consistent first-team football over his career at Liverpool due to huge competition in the centre-back position with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate occupying the starting spots, Phillips became a cult hero during a huge injury crisis at Anfield back in the 2020/21 season.

Over 17 Premier League appearances, the 26-year-old titan scored one goal, delivered one assist, successfully completed 100% of his dribbles and won 61% of his ground and aerial duels combined, as well as keeping seven clean sheets to help Liverpool secure Champions League qualification in the final fixtures of the season.

His successful breakthrough for the Reds led to huge praise from many including ex-Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp who waxed lyrical about the defender in 2021 after he scored a goal against Burnley:

"The second goal really helps and Nat Phillips has had an unbelievable time, he's full of confidence. He's a throwback defender. He wants to make blocks, he wants to make tackles, he's got great anticipation."

Since then, the Bolton-born colossus has been rarely seen at Anfield but was given the opportunity to play regularly and gain more first-team minutes whilst on a six-month loan in the Championship with AFC Bournemouth during their promotion challenge of 2022, so such experience would be massively advantageous in the Leeds squad next season.

Phillips – who has a reported price tag of just £10m – tallied up an 82% pass completion rate, kept eight clean sheets, successfully completed 50% of his dribbles and won 65% of his duels combined over 17 appearances in the second tier, contributing massively to the South coast club's final push for automatic promotion success.

With that being said, the opportunity to sign Phillips should not be missed for Farke this summer, as his strong presence, consistency and domination in the defensive third would help Leeds achieve their dreams of instant promotion back to the Premier League.

Lancashire and England opener Haseeb Hameed has had surgery on a fractured finger suffered at Lord’s earlier this week

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Sep-2017Lancashire and England opener Haseeb Hameed has undergone surgery on a fractured finger sustained during the Championship fixture at Lord’s earlier this week.Hameed was injured on Thursday while batting in Lancashire’s second innings against Middlesex. He left the field after being hit on the hand by James Harris and, although he returned to bat with Lancashire nine down in an attempt to stave off defeat, a fracture was confirmed after Middlesex eventually prevailed by 36 runs.Lancashire have now announced that Hameed “suffered a fracture of the middle finger of his right hand … and underwent surgery within 24 hours of the injury occurring”. A statement added: “Haseeb will be monitored by the medical team on a regular and ongoing basis until he recovers full function and returns to batting.”The injury is likely to remove Hameed from England’s Ashes planning, although he was perhaps an outside shot to be included in the squad having averaged only 28.50 in the Championship this season.England’s squad for Australia will be revealed next Wednesday, with a number of question marks over the party. Toby Roland-Jones suffered a back stress fracture in the same match at Lord’s and is set to miss at least the start of the tour, while Mark Wood has only played one Championship game since hurting his heel during the Test series with South Africa.Hameed has not played for England since last year’s tour of India, when he fractured a finger on his left hand and required a plate to be inserted. He lost his place to Keaton Jennings, who scored a century on debut but was dropped this summer in favour of Mark Stoneman as England continued to tinker with their top order.