Sports

Vaughan regrets ‘disgusting’ tweets but denies making ‘you lot’ comment

Published

4 years ago

2023/03/6

Historic tweets from Michael Vaughan took centre stage on the third day of the ECB’s racism hearings, as the former England captain denied having made the statement that forms the core of the ECB’s charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

As he has done publicly before, Vaughan emphatically denied ever having said, “There’s too many of you lot, we need to have a word about that” to Azeem Rafiq, Adil Rashid, Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Ajmal Shahzad at a T20 game in June 2009. The ECB’s charge stems from Rafiq’s recollection of the remark which was, on Thursday, supported by the testimony of Rashid.

Vaughan, appearing at the Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) hearing in London, said of the day in question that he had “a very clear mind about back in 2009” and that he knew he did not say what had been alleged. He added that he would never have gone on to the field and said something to team-mates that could “put them in a bad state of mind” before the game.

“Knowing me in 2009, that’s not the sort of thing I would’ve said.”

Vaughan was questioned by the ECB’s lead counsel Jane Mulcahy KC for nearly 90 minutes, during which she argued that some historical tweets of his were “remarkably similar in tone” to the alleged remarks.

Vaughan said the tweets were unacceptable and that he had apologised for them before and would continue to do so. But he disagreed with the suggestion that they were similar in tone. Mulcahy pointed out that both Rafiq and Rashid claimed Vaughan likely made the alleged comment as a “bad joke” and said the tweet was similar in tone because it was “lighthearted but offensive”.

Asked if he agreed, Vaughan said: “No.”

Vaughan said he was “disgusted” with the tweets. “I apologised for them. I put myself on an online course, Inclusion. I wanted to lead the game in knowing how to lead in modern times. The tweets are disgusting, awful, and other words you could use. But the most important thing is I have said sorry and I am learning from them. As I say, if I get things wrong in my life, I stick my hands up.”

He went back to his recollection of the day of the game – which he has written about in his memoir – that he “could not have been more proud [of] four Asian players, three of whom had come through the system.”

Vaughan was also questioned about his meeting with Rafiq in November 2021 saying he felt the need for it because “the whole situation was escalating out of control”. Vaughan said he was apologetic in the meeting with Rafiq because he was “disgusted” by what Rafiq had to go through at Yorkshire but did not accept he made the alleged comment.

Vaughan: ‘Team-mates fighting it out terrible for game’

Vaughan said that the CDC hearing was a “terrible look” for cricket. “It’s not been easy for anybody. This is not the right process to deal with word-against-word comments from 14 years ago. Ex-team-mates fighting it out over hearsay is a terrible look for the game and a really bad look on how cricket has dealt with this situation.”

Earlier in the morning, scrutiny fell on the ECB’s scope in the investigation of the incident as well as the rigour deployed, with Meena Botros, its director of legal and integrity, facing a three-hour grilling from Christopher Stoner, Vaughan’s lawyer.

The line of questioning took in a recent interview with Lord Kamlesh Patel, the outgoing Yorkshire chair, in Eastern Eye. In it the claim was made that the ECB had “urged” Lord Patel to “get rid of people” at the county when he took over. Talking about his role, Patel said: “I was asked by the ECB to meet a set of criteria that most people would have winced at, would have thought there’s no way we can deliver this, and I delivered it.

“I was asked by the ECB to work with them to create a framework and an environment where we would prove to the world that we want a non-racist institution, and I did all that. I was asked by the ECB to ensure some people who were there from the previous regime did not take part in that governance process, very clear about that.”

Stoner suggested those comments showed that the ECB was “actively involved” in the Yorkshire investigation, in breach of the process as described in Botros’ witness statement, that the ECB remained independent of action being taken by one of its counties in such matters.

Botros said he couldn’t talk about what Lord Patel had said but insisted that Stoner was “mistaking” the ECB’s regulatory function in getting involved, from its other roles in such cases. Stoner pointed to Botros’s witness statement which read: “In its capacity as a regulator, the ECB must remain independent of action being taken by one of its member first-class county clubs.”

“That’s just not what happened, is it?” Stoner asked.

Botros replied: “It is what happened.”

Stoner then zeroed in on the day Vaughan is alleged to have made the remark, questioning whether the ECB could and should have gone further in its investigations of events. He confirmed with Botros that the only players the ECB had spoken to about the incident were Adil Rashid and Ajmal Shahzad.

Stoner asked why all Yorkshire players that day weren’t spoken to. Botros said the ECB “did speak to the individuals where we were able to” but that “certain individuals either didn’t want to take part or engage”, or that the ECB “weren’t able” to get contact details for others.

Stoner also asked Botros why the on-field umpires that day had not been contacted by the ECB for their version of events.

“There is no suggestion that the umpires were close enough to hear it,” Botros replied. Botros added that if it was such an important point, Vaughan’s team could have taken it on themselves.

The hearing is scheduled to end next Tuesday. (cricinfo)

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Nissanka’s return headlines Sri Lanka’s Test squad against Pakistan

Published

10 hours ago

2026/10/13

Priyan

Pathum Nissanka’s return to the red-ball fold provides a downtrodden Sri Lanka with a timely boost, while debuts are also in the offing for wicketkeeper Anjala Bandara and seamer Eshan Malinga after both were named in Sri Lanka’s 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Pakistan.

The 22-year-old Bandara is tipped to make the playing XI following Kusal Mendis’ promotion to captain, with the longtime Test keeper now likely to play solely as a specialist batter. Malinga’s inclusion is less certain, with Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Milan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka – who returns to the squad having been omitted from the one named for the second Test against India – all in line to make up Sri Lanka’s pace contingent. Dinesh Chandimal, who missed the second India Test with an injury, is also in the squad.

Making way are Kamil Mishara and Sahan Arachchige – both of whom had drafted in for the second Test against India – as well as Lahiru Udara, Niroshan Dickwella and Vishwa Fernando.

Malinga’s inclusion comes as Sri Lanka’s red-ball fast-bowling stocks had been waning. Former skipper Dhananjaya, who has been retained in the squad, had been vocal during the India tour of Sri Lanka’s need for more express seamers in the playing XI – aside from Lahiru Kumara, who is capable of clocking speeds in the 140kph range, most other options tend to veer around the low 130s. Malinga is certainly capable of matching Kumara on the speed gun, and that could point towards a potential first Test cap.

Bandara has been a player of genuine promise since making his debut in 2022, with his 31 first-class matches fetching 2239 runs at an average 65.85. There had been a clamour among fans for The Colombo CC keeper to be included in the squad to face India, but that spot was eventually taken by Dickwella.

The rest of the squad pans out as expected, with Nissanka’s return the headline. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who made his debut earlier this year against India, retains his place ahead of the more experienced Udara. However if Bandara does take up wicketkeeping duties as expected, it Dhananjaya could be the odd man out, with Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis all assured a spot in the playing XI. Sri Lanka have two spin bowling options in Prabath Jayasuriya and Keshara Nuwantha.

The first Test will take place in Rawalpindi on November 9.

Sri Lanka squad for Pakistan Tests

Pathum Nissanka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Kusal Mendis (capt), Dhananjaya De Silva, Anjala Bandara, Keshara Nuwantha, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayaka, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga

[Cricinfo]

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Former Zimbabwe player and umpire Sarah Dambanevana dies aged 36

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/13

Priyan

Sarah Dambanevana (1990-2026) ( Zimbabwe Cricket)

Former Zimbabwe fast bowler and umpire Sarah Dambanevana passed away in Harare on Monday. She was 36.

A Zimbabwe Cricket release said Dambanevana was in hospital receiving care since undergoing a medical procedure in March.

Her senior international umpiring career began on 2 September 2023, and she went on to officiate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 in India and Sri Lanka, where she was part of the tournament’s historic all-female panel of match officials.

Prior to that, Dambanevana officiated in the final between India and England at the 2023 Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa, becoming the first Zimbabwean woman to umpire a World Cup final.

Overall, she officiated in 63 senior internationals, comprising 42 women’s T20Is, 11 women’s ODIs and 10 men’s T20Is, alongside her assignments in domestic cricket and global youth tournaments.

Dambanevana also represented Zimbabwe as a player between 2009 and 2014, including at the World Cup Qualifier in 2011. She joined the ICC development panel of umpires in 2022.

“Sarah served Zimbabwe with distinction, first as a player and then as an umpire whose ability earned her a place on the world stage,” ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani said. “Watching her stand in a World Cup final was a moment of immense pride for our cricket community and our country. She showed young Zimbabwean women that they belong at the highest levels of the game, including in roles where opportunities had long been limited.

“Through her achievements, she opened doors and gave others the confidence to pursue their own ambitions. We will remember her dedication, her professionalism and her willingness to help others grow. Her passing leaves a painful void in our cricket family, but the example she set will continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.”

(Cricinfo)

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Deflated Sri Lanka look to prevent whitewash against dominant Pakistan

Published

12 hours ago

2026/10/13

Priyan

Kusal Mendis will hope for a better performance from himself and his team (Cricinfo)

Even counting the win against Bangladesh at the Asian Games Sri Lanka have lost 12 T20Is to the two they have won since their win against Australia in the 2026 T20 World Cup. There have been significant personnel changes in that period. Captains have changed. There is a new head coach. Various batting orders have been trialled. But on Sunday’s evidence, they are deeply outmatched by even this Pakistan side, who themselves are hardly world-beaters at the moment, having not made the World Cup semi-finals this year.

With as highly-rated a coach in Gary Kirsten and a new captain in Kusal Mendis still searching desperately for a stronger combination, expect Sri Lanka to be in flux for this match as well. In game two, spinner Maheesh Theekshana was taken apart, while the seamers struggled to threaten Pakistan’s batters on a flat Rawalpindi deck. The decks don’t look like they are going to be any better for bowling. Sri Lanka’s attack will have to find new gears.

Pakistan are in the rare position of being utterly dominant in a white-ball series against an opponent who even in their previous low ebbs have challenged them. Having sewn up the trophy 2-0, Pakistan are in a position to rest key players. But it is so rare that their batters get to dine out across a whole series, management will be mighty tempted to keep this tuneful band together.

Even if Sri Lanka’s bowlers get through the Pakistan top order this time, the middle order could do with a decent workout.

So far in this series, Maaz Sadaqat has thumped 50 off 29 balls, and 96 off 51, showcasing not only power against spin, but touch against pace when the ball has demanded it. Sri Lanka are going seam-heavy in this series, but Sadaqat has found ways to take down even the little spin he has come up against, particularly in the second T20I. Sri Lanka are likely to switch up their attack a little for the last match, so he may have new problems to solve on Tuesday.

A long-term performer in Sri Lanka’s domestic cricket, Lahiru Udara has finally made a mark in white-ball internationals, hitting 91 off 55 balls in the first match of this series. A good bouncer from Salman Mirza prevented him from making a similar impact in the second match. But at age 32, Udara will know he doesn’t have many chances to convert an excellent domestic record into a long run in the national side. Anotherood score in match three will shore up his place.

Rawalpindi surfaces have tended to be batting friendly, and the track for the third T20I will likely have plenty of runs in it. The weather on Tuesday evening is expected to be fine, with temperatures in the low 20s celsius.

As legspinner Abrar Ahmed has had a couple of modest outings in this series, Pakistan may bring in left-arm wristspinner Sufyan Moqim, whose T20I stats so far in a 21-match career are encouraging.

Pakistan XI (probable): Sahibzada Farhan (capt), Fakhar Zaman, Maaz Sadaqat, Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim

Sri Lanka’s misfiring top order could do with a tweak or two, but there are not many spare batters on this tour. They could potentially bring back Kamil Mishara in place of an allrounder, however. With Maheesh Theekshana having been taken down on Sunday, Sri Lanka will also be tempted to try out legspinner V Viyaskanth. Dushmantha Chameera could also come back if he is fit.

Sri Lanka XI (probable): Lahiru Udara, Sineth Jayawardena, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Kamindu Mendis, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana/V Viyaskanth, Eshan Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera/Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara