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Marvan Atapattu is still in line to become Sri Lanka’s head coach, as the search for the job moves to its final stages, amid controversy

Andrew Fidel Fernando23-Sep-20141:51

Fernando: ‘No clarity on why Jayasuriya resigned’

Marvan Atapattu is a strong contender to become Sri Lanka’s head coach, as the search for the job moved to its final stages, amid controversy. The coach-selection committee selected Atapattu as one of its two final candidates, but the meeting that arrived at those decisions was not attended by chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya, who had resigned from his position in the committee late on Tuesday morning.The board has not named the other remaining candidate, but the coach-selection committee will interview him on Tuesday afternoon, before making its final recommendation on Wednesday. That recommendation will then need to be ratified by the executive committee at their meeting on the same day, before the appointment is official. The committee had already interviewed Atapattu on Tuesday morning.Jayasuriya’s resignation had come as a surprise to most in the 11-member committee, and is a significant shift for the coach-selection process because Jayasuriya had been among those taking the lead in finding and interviewing candidates for the position. He had also been among the strongest voices and key decision-makers in the Sri Lanka setup since his appointment as selector in early 2013.Jayasuriya said there was nothing more to his resignation than “personal reasons”. In an email sent to SLC on Tuesday, however, he had expressed dismay that factions within the coach selection committee had publicly “given the impression that my sole intention was to appoint a foreign coach”. In the email, he had also suggested that there appeared to be a perception that selecting the strongest candidate to oversee the World Cup campaign was not the only consideration for some committee members.Atapattu had been the sole local candidate for the position, and has been strongly considered because of his intimate knowledge of the Sri Lankan system and its players, and because SLC could afford him. He has also been successful in his three-month tenure as interim head coach, overseeing a major Test-series triumph in England, as well as Test and ODI series wins against Pakistan at home.There had been concerns whether Atapattu was ready for the position, given his recent retirement from Test cricket, and his relative inexperience as a top coach. He joined the Sri Lanka staff as a batting coach in 2011 before being promoted to assistant coach under Graham Ford, in 2013.Doubts over whether Atapattu should be put in charge of a side that featured former team-mates Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene had been among the reasons why SLC had considered making a short-term coach. It was thought this coach could stay until the end of the World Cup, after which Jayawardene and Sangakkara would likely retire from limited-overs cricket and Atapattu would be free to take the job. However, both coaches that have now been shortlisted are long-term candidates, committee members confirmed.If Atapattu is appointed, he will become Sri Lanka’s first local long-term coach since 1999, when Roy Dias oversaw that year’s World Cup campaign. If the foreign coach gets the position, Sri Lanka will have its eighth coach – long-term or interim – in the last four years.

Clubs in the English top flight have until June 23 to tie down players to short-term deals if they want to finish the 2019-20 season

The coronavirus pandemic threw football into chaos this year.

While the Premier League season has now resumed, clubs and players alike face an uncertain future.

The financial ramifications of the disruption are yet to be truly seen but, in the short term, players up and down the country find themselves with decisions to make.

Most player contracts in the Premier League end on June 30 of a given year, but the 2019-20 season is now expected to run until late July. For clubs playing in Europe, fixtures may continue until the end of August.

The Premier League has set a deadline of June 23 for players to agree short-term contract extensions in order to play until the end of the season.

Some have already taken up this option – David Silva at Manchester City and Liverpool’s Adam Lallana among them – but plenty of players are still set to be without a club on July 1.

GettyWillian – Chelsea

Brazil international Willian has played more than 300 times for Chelsea since joining in 2013, winning two Premier League titles after the Blues hijacked a proposed move to Tottenham.

However, his future has been up in the air for some time now and he has been linked with a number of clubs during the 2019-20 season.

Manchester United and Arsenal have both been linked, with the 31-year-old still a useful player for any club looking to add strength in depth.

Barcelona were also rumoured to be considering a move during the January transfer window but for now, he is believed to be open to signing a temporary contract to finish the season with Chelsea.

AdvertisementGettyRyan Fraser – Bournemouth

Fraser’s decision not to agree a short-term contract extension has left Bournemouth staring down the barrel of relegation as the final stretch of the season looms.

He notched seven goals and 14 assists in the Premier League last season, though he has scored only once in the current campaign.

The Cherries restart the season in 18th. Simon Francis, Andrew Surman, Artur Boruc and Charlie Daniels have all agreed to short-term deals, but Fraser will depart for free.

Arsenal and Tottenham have both been linked with his signature.

Getty ImagesJan Vertonghen – Tottenham

Contrasting reports around Vertonghen’s immediate future mean it is currently unclear whether or not he will still be a Tottenham player come July 1.

The 33-year-old has been at Spurs since 2012, one of the key figures in their progression under Mauricio Pochettino.

His experience also means he will be a wanted man if he does leave on a free transfer.

Fellow defender Japhet Tanganga, who made his debut earlier this season, is also out of contract but had reportedly been in talks over a new deal before Covid-19 struck.

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GettyDavid Luiz – Arsenal

Arsenal are looking to reshape their squad on a budget under Mikel Arteta, and it remains to be seen whether Luiz will be part of the rebuild.

He may well have already played his last game for the Gunners, having been sent off in a disaster-class performance against Manchester City in their first game back.

Luiz has shown signs of being keen on another year at the Emirates Stadium but, after an unconvincing season, some fans would doubtless be content to see him go.

The defender’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, has said his future will be decided before the June 23 deadline.

The Germany goalkeeper will travel to the tournament without playing a competitive match this year, but he's not the first injured star to travel

Getty ImagesPaolo Rossi – 1982Before going to the World Cup in 1982, Juventus forward Paolo Rossi had played just three games in two seasons thanks to a lengthy suspension for alleged match-fixing while at Perugia. He was a shock inclusion in the Italy squad, with major doubts over his fitness proven correct during the group stages where he made little impact. By the time the knockout stage arrived, he was much sharper, scoring three times against Brazil and the opening goal in the final to help the Azzurri to a shock win over West Germany.AdvertisementGettyKevin Keegan – 1982England forward Kevin Keegan scored 21 times in 63 appearances for his country, but only played in one World Cup game. The Three Lions missed out in both 1974 and 1978, but when they qualified in 1982, their captain was suffering from a serious back injury. The problem kept him out of all their first-round games as well as their first two matches in the second round. He came on for the last half hour against Spain, but wasted his best scoring chance to see England knocked out of the tournament.GettyBryan Robson – 1986Bryan Robson travelled to the 1986 World Cup with a shoulder problem, but started England's first two games before suffering a re-occurrence of the same injury which kept him out of the rest of the tournament and forced the Three Lions to change their formation in the absence of 'Captain Marvel'. Four years later, he was fit enough to start at the World Cup, but was injured early in the tournament after dropping a bed on his toe while having a weight-lifting competition with team-mate Paul Gascoigne.ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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GettyRonaldo – 2002Brazil superstar Ronaldo played in the 1998 World Cup final just hours after having a seizure and as a result played poorly as France took the trophy. Four years later, his appearance at the tournament looked to be in jeopardy having played just 16 times in two seasons due to a cruciate ligament injury. However, he made a remarkable return, guiding Brazil to a fifth world title with eight goals along the way.

Angelo Mathews hit fifty and Dinesh Chandimal an unbeaten 47 off 31 balls to set up a hefty thumping of Kent in Sri Lanka’s second tour match in England

Alan Gardner at Canterbury16-May-2014
ScorecardAngelo Mathews was the one Sri Lankan batsman to pass fifty but plenty had useful innings•Getty ImagesAngelo Mathews hit fifty and Dinesh Chandimal an unbeaten 47 off 31 balls to set up a hefty thumping of Kent in Sri Lanka’s second tour match in England. Having put out a strong side – only Lasith Malinga was rested – Sri Lanka gave a truer measure of themselves than in defeat to Essex on Tuesday, sweeping up a mixture of Kent first-teamers and irregulars for 173 on a cool, clear evening.Suranga Lakmal immediately applied a tourniquet at the top of the innings, his opening spell of 4-1-10-2 providing both control and penetration. Alex Blake played neatly for his 60, which included reverse-sweeping Ajantha Mendis for four, but Thisara Perera plucked out key wickets during the middle overs and a long tail succumbed quickly. Without the likes of Rob Key, Darren Stevens and Brendan Nash, a Kent target in excess of 300 proved steeper than the Dover cliffs.A partnership of 84 between Lahiru Thirimanne and Mathews provided the ballast for Sri Lanka, after a sprightly but evanescent performance from the top order. Thirimanne’s high front elbow was a feature of his strokeplay, his first and only boundary coming off his 63rd delivery, while Mathews showed greater muscularity in an innings replete with bottom-handed clubs to the rope.Mathews struck the first sixes of the contest before spooning a full toss to mid-off but Chandimal and Perera skipped along in his footprints during a rapid 71-run stand from 48 balls. Chandimal might have been caught at deep midwicket attempting to go to his half-century from the penultimate delivery of the innings but Fabian Cowdrey had to throw the ball back in as he fell towards the boundary rope.Robbie Joseph, the one-time England Lions bowler who returned to Kent at the start of the summer, claimed 4 for 58, while James Tredwell also put in the sort of dependable shift he is known for, ahead of his involvement in the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka. He dismissed Thirimanne with one that lured the batsman out to be stumped for 49, though his figures were slightly smudged when Chandimal lofted the fourth and fifth balls of his final over for four and six.Kent lost Daniel Bell-Drummond and Cowdrey, grandson of Colin, with the score on 17, as they struggled to get going during the Powerplay. Blake’s half-century, his third in the format and first since 2010, came at a run-a-ball and a stand of 68 with Sam Billings kept them afloat but, from 148 for 5, Kent lost their last five wickets for 25. Only the combined figures of spinners Mendis and Tillakaratne Dilshan – 3 for 92 from 15 overs – would have given the tourists a moment’s pause.Sri Lanka were beaten in their first warm-up fixture, a soggy, 21-over affair in Chelmsford, but with the sun shining over hop country they found the St Lawrence ground to be a more welcoming venue. Kent’s is probably the closest English ground to Colombo (though still 8,000km as the crow flies) and there were several Sri Lanka shirts on display in the crowd, as well as a flag being waved in the breeze on the Old Dover Road grass bank.The vexed issue of Sri Lanka’s junior-senior question will not be solved by one tour match but, after Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene fell for scores between 30 and 35, the contributions from Nos. 5, 6 and 7 will have encouraged Marvan Attapatu, the team’s interim coach.Sangakkara joined up with the Sri Lanka squad on Thursday, having missed the early part of the tour to play in two Championship matches for Durham, and reclaimed the wicketkeeping gloves off Chandimal (before swapping halfway through the innings). Following his 159 at Hove, he looked in good order until playing down the wrong line against Kent left-armer Adam Ball to have his stumps rattled.After Sangakkara’s dismissal, Sri Lanka appeared content to settle in, only for the longueurs to get the better of Jaywardene. Between the end of the 14th over and the beginning of the 36th only three boundaries were struck, before Mathews and Thirimanne, then Chandimal and Perera redoubled their efforts. The rate had dipped below five an over but 129 runs flowed from the last 15 as a team that should be a contender at the 2015 World Cup flashed their credentials.After Sri Lanka’s well-oiled start on a decent pitch, 300 always looked in range. Dilshan could not be much more buccaneering if he batted with a parrot on one shoulder while wearing a tricorne hat. He cut, pulled and drove his way to 35 off 28 balls before Joseph, bowling with decent pace and hitting an awkward length in his first List A game since August 2012, had him caught skying a piratical hack high to third man.That was Joseph’s second wicket, having removed Sri Lanka’s other opener, Kusal Perera, with his first delivery, the batsman caught on the crease and fencing to slip. David Griffiths was not able to match Joseph’s economy, however, as the tourists reached the end of the ten-over Powerplay on 64 for 2.Charlie Hartley, Kent’s 20-year-old debutant, came on for his first bowl against a pair with more than 25,000 ODI runs between them. Both Sangakkara and Jayawardene dismissed him for boundaries as the over leaked 10 runs but Hartley found better control after switching ends. Jayawardene became the third member of Sri Lanka’s illustrious triumvirate to depart in the 30s when he miscued a lofted drive to mid-on to provide Hartley with his first senior wicket.

England named Moeen Ali and Stephen Parry as surprise inclusions in their squad to tour the West Indies and for the World Twenty20

Alan Gardner06-Feb-2014England have sprung a surprise in the selection for their squad to tour the Caribbean and then travel to the World Twenty20, including an eye-catching batsman who also bowls capable offspin. Moeen Ali is not quite as box-office a name as Kevin Pietersen but, along with the uncapped Lancashire spinner Stephen Parry, his call-up was indicative of England’s desire to begin a new era.Harry Gurney, the Nottinghamshire left-arm seamer, has also been included an an extra bowler for the West Indies, where England will play three ODIs and three T20s. Otherwise, the group that were crushed 3-0 in Australia has remained largely intact, with Danny Briggs and Boyd Rankin dropped from James Whitaker’s first squad as national selector.Whitaker, who met on Wednesday with Ashley Giles, the limited-overs coach, and former team director Andy Flower to discuss selection, would not be drawn further on Pietersen’s exclusion, referring to a “precarious situation in terms of what we can say” and citing legal reasons for the ECB’s continued silence.While Moeen, a former England Under-19s captain, has been tipped to play at international level for some time, Parry’s selection will appear straight out of left field to some. However, the 28-year-old has built a solid reputation in limited-overs cricket at Lancashire and has 63 T20 wickets to go with an impressive economy of 6.86.England appear to set to enter something of a spin cycle, after the retirement of Graeme Swann, and Parry could become the fifth slow bowler tried in a matter of weeks. Monty Panesar and Scott Borthwick were turned to in the final two Ashes Tests, before James Tredwell and Briggs suffered varying degrees of ignominy during the limited-overs leg of England’s dismal tour.The need to find a reliable spin option is all the more pressing, given the slow pitches expected in Bangladesh for the World T20. Parry has only played six first-class games, with Gary Keedy and then Simon Kerrigan blocking his way at Lancashire, and missed much of last season after breaking his arm in the nets. He spent the winter playing grade cricket in Perth.”It goes without saying that I was absolutely delighted to have received the call from James Whitaker. I am still in a bit of shock,” Parry told the . “It’s always an ambition to play for your country and being in the squad brings that dream a step closer to reality.”Moeen, an elegant, wristy batsman who is currently on tour with the England Lions in Sri Lanka, has experience of T20 in Bangladesh conditions, having previously played in the BPL. In 2013, he scored more than 2000 runs and took 55 wickets in all formats. The fact that he can also bowl the , after instruction from Saeed Ajmal at Worcestershire, will be mentioned in dispatches, though he has so far been reluctant to use it and may stick to more orthodox skills if given a chance.”Both Moeen and Stephen have been very consistent performers for Worcestershire and Lancashire and both counties and their coaching staffs, must take credit for their continued progress,” Whitaker said. “This group has an exciting mix of youth and Twenty20 experience and I am sure with good preparation, desire and determination they will be able to produce an exciting brand of cricket.”Moeen’s first senior call-up provides Giles with another top-order option as he prepares for an extended chance to work with his first-choice squad – minus the disbarred Pietersen – and attempts to press his case for the vacant England team director role.Giles, who with Alastair Cook and Paul Downton formed the triumvirate that decided Pietersen’s future, may have been left questioning the wisdom of that decision when discussions turned to the Caribbean tour and the subsequent World Twenty20.The preference of Stuart Broad, the T20 captain, is unknown, though he will have been consulted during Downton’s review of the Ashes debacle. Broad, who has an official deputy in Eoin Morgan, will also captain in the West Indies ODIs, with Cook rested.Whitaker, Giles and Flower, who remains a selector for the time being, will have considered that their top three in Australia scored just 88 runs between them in eight innings. Michael Lumb, Alex Hales and Luke Wright have performed well for England in the past – Lumb and Wright were part of England’s 2010 World Twenty20 win, while Hales was previously the No. 1-ranked batsman in the format – but none has the reputation and intimidatory qualities of Pietersen.When England lifted their first global limited-overs trophy four years ago, Pietersen was at his exhilarating best, finishing as Man of the Tournament. Now, as in Sri Lanka in 2012, his absence will weigh heavily on those England have chosen in his stead.World Twenty20 squad: Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, vice-captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent), Luke Wright (Sussex).England squad to tour the Caribbean: Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire, captain), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex, vice-captain), Moeen Ali (Worcestershire), Ravi Bopara (Essex), Tim Bresnan (Yorkshire), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Jade Dernbach (Surrey), Harry Gurney Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Chris Jordan (Sussex), Michael Lumb (Nottinghamshire), Stephen Parry (Lancashire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Ben Stokes (Durham), James Tredwell (Kent), Luke Wright (Sussex).

Ben Hilfenhaus’ hat-trick was the headlining performance on a 17-wicket day in Hobart, and when the dust settled after the frenetic action, Queensland were left with a daunting target to chase

ESPNcricinfo staff22-Feb-2014
ScorecardBen Hilfenhaus’ hat-trick was the headlining performance on a 17-wicket day in Hobart, and when the dust settled after the frenetic action, Queensland were left with a daunting target to chase against Tasmania.The day had begun with Queensland 3 for 136 in their first innings, and little did they know they would be batting in their second before the sun set. Joe Burns, resuming on 76, remained firm but wickets tumbled at the other end. Peter Forrest and Chris Hartley fell early to Sam Rainbird, and then Hilfenhaus ripped apart the lower order. He had James Hopes lbw and bowled Ben Cutting and Cameron Boyce to complete a hat-trick in the 72nd over. Andrew Fekete mopped up the last two wickets and Queensland were dismissed for 183, having lost their last seven wickets for 40 runs.Tasmania, however, could not build significantly on their first-innings lead of 167. Hopes took 5 for 59 and Luke Feldman claimed 3 for 41 as Queensland steamed through the batsmen, reducing Tasmania to 9 for 165 before the declaration came. Jonathan Wells top scored with 43, and some lower-order contributions lifted Tasmania from 6 for 60.Chasing a target of 333, Queensland had seven overs to face before stumps and during that time Rainbird removed Burns for 1.

Mohammedan Sporting Club confirmed a place in the second phase of the Dhaka Premier League with a 40-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2013Mohammedan Sporting Club confirmed a place in the second phase of the Dhaka Premier League with a 40-run win over Kalabagan Krira Chakra. Ezaz Ahmed’s maiden List A hundred set up a formidable 305-run total.Ezaz hammered five fours and six sixes in his 120-ball 109 after they were sent in to bat by Kalabagan. He rode out the loss of two early wickets, after which he added 165 runs for the third wicket with Habibur Rahman, who made 64 off 85 balls with two fours and three sixes. Rahmat Shah blasted a 26-ball 42 which took the Mohammedan total past the 300-run mark.Kalabagan’s reply started well with Mithun Ali scoring 41, and Bilal Shafayet 43. Naeem Islam kept everything together with 82 off 83 balls with six boundaries, but found little support afterwards, with only Farhad Hossain making 25 off 23 balls.Mohammedan legspinner Rahmat Shah took five wickets while Delwar Hossain picked up two.

Colin Ingram has signed a three-year contract to play county cricket with Glamorgan from next season

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Nov-2014Colin Ingram has signed a three-year contract to play county cricket with Glamorgan from next season. He will join as a Kolpak player, meaning he does not count as overseas, which will rule him out of playing for South Africa.Ingram, 29, who was recently made captain of the Warriors franchise, last played for his country a year ago. He scored a century on ODI debut in 2010 and averages 32.42 from 31 appearances but is only an outside chance for South Africa’s World Cup squad, despite JP Duminy’s injury and the poor form of Farhaan Behardien.His form has been good in the domestic one-day competition, however, putting him fifth on the run-scorers’ list after five games.He will join another former South Africa international at Glamorgan, with Jacques Rudolph returning as overseas player. Ingram’s signing, which will require clearance from Cricket South Africa and the ECB, should strengthen Glamorgan’s batting after the departures of Jim Allenby, Murray Goodwin, Stewart Walters and Gareth Rees.”I’m delighted to be joining Glamorgan,” Ingram said. “I had my first taste of playing county cricket with Somerset last July and I enjoyed it. I’ve spoken to Jacques Rudolph about the club and I’m looking forward to the challenge and to playing with my new team mates.”In 2014, Ingram signed with Somerset as an overseas replacement for Alviro Petersen, appearing in all three formats and scoring three fifties. His final appearance came against Glamorgan, a match in which Rudolph scored a matchwinning century, and Ingram has previously played in Cardiff, during South Africa’s 2013 Champions Trophy campaign.Hugh Morris, Glamorgan’s chief executive, said: “Signing a player of Colin Ingram’s undoubted calibre and experience is a great boost as we continue our preparations ahead of the new season. Our strategy is to develop a team with a strong Welsh identity, but we have always said that we need pillars of experienced players in key positions to supplement our home-grown talent by recruiting from outside our borders.”Colin is an outstanding talent and aged 29 is in the prime of his career. Anyone in Cardiff, who saw his innings against the West Indies last year in the Champions Trophy couldn’t help be impressed. I look forward to welcoming Colin to Glamorgan.”

Bangladesh A held their nerve to beat Bangladesh by 12 runs in the first of three T20 matches

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Dec-2013
ScorecardImrul Kayes top-scored for Bangladesh A with a 36-ball 45•Getty ImagesBangladesh A staged a late comeback to defeat Bangladesh by 12 runs in the first of three matches in the Bangladesh T20 Challenge Series in Mirpur.Chasing 172, Bangladesh were well placed at the drinks break, needing 63 from 42 balls with nine wickets in hand. But Nasir Hossain had Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind for 33 in the first over after resumption, to break a 55-run partnership with Shamsur Rahman. Shamsur had also put on 55 with Anamul Haque for the first wicket. Bangladesh lost momentum after losing Mushfiqur, with Shamsur departing for 48 off the first ball of the next over and Mahmudullah and Soumya Sarkar falling not long after, as only 50 came from the last seven overs. Left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny gave away just 16 in his four overs, and took the wicket of Mahmudullah.Bangladesh A had produced a strong batting performance after winning the toss, with opener Imrul Kayes making a 36-ball 45. He put on 38 off 23 balls with Mominul Haque, who scored a 17-ball 31, before left-arm spinner Abdur Razzak brought Bangladesh back with the wickets of Mominul, Nasir Hossain and Sabbir Rahman. Bangladesh A kept scoring quickly, though, and Razzak’s final figures of 4 for 36 in four overs told the story of the innings.

ESPNcricinfo has been named Online Publication of the Year for the third year running in the ECB’s annual County Journalism Awards

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Nov-2014ESPNcricinfo has been named Online Publication of the Year for the third year running in the ECB’s annual County Journalism Awards. With increased video coverage to accompany detailed match reports and the ever-popular County Cricket Live blog, the site was described as being “without peers” in the online category.Vithushan Ehantharajah, one of ESPNcricinfo’s regular county reporters, was named Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journalist of the Year, while Tim Wigmore, another contributor, was highly commended in the same category. Ehantharajah receives a £5000 prize supported by the .For the second year running, the collected the National Newspaper award, while the also retained the Regional Newspaper crown. Richard Rae, of BBC Radio Leicestershire, won the Christopher Martin-Jenkins County Broadcaster of the Year award and also collects £5000.The awards, which recognise outstanding contributions towards the coverage of domestic cricket during the county season, were judged by three journalists – Mark Baldwin, chairman of the Cricket Writers’ Club, Pat Gibson and David Lloyd (who, in the interests of disclosure, also contributes to ESPNcricinfo) – and the ECB’s director of communications, Colin Gibson. Former BBC Test Match Special producer Peter Baxter adjudicated the broadcast award.The presentations will be made on Thursday evening at the ECB’s Business of Cricket Awards, which will be attended by representatives of all 18 first-class counties and the MCC.”The print, online and broadcast media play a vital role in the wider promotion of our domestic game and we were delighted to see such strong competition for this year’s awards across all categories,” the ECB’s chief operating officer, Gordon Hollins, said. “We congratulate all our winners and also thank the Times once again for supporting the Young County Journalist of the Year award.”Baldwin added: “The awards are designed to recognise outstanding coverage of county cricket and there was no doubt, as in 2013, that the Cricket Paper produced the most comprehensive and consistent coverage of every level of the domestic game. ESPNcricinfo was also without peers in the Online category, particularly impressing with the depth and breadth of its domestic coverage across multi-media platforms despite operating within tight budgetary constraints.”It was most heartening to see the strength, and depth, of the field in the Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journalist of the Year award, and Vithushan Ehantharajah can be proud of his achievement in coming out on top in this category.”I would also like to congratulate Richard Rae on heading a similarly-competitive Christopher Martin-Jenkins County Broadcaster of the Year field, while The Yorkshire Post was a deserved winner of the Regional Newspaper of the Year award by rising to the challenge of chronicling Yorkshire’s triumphant County Championship campaign besides providing outstanding all-round coverage.”