Darren Lehmann, the Australia coach, has given a lukewarm response to the prospect of summit talks with his opposite number Andy Flower to try to defuse this winter’s Ashes tensions after a number of fiery incidents during the first Test at Brisbane.
Flower himself conceded, after a suggestion in a news conference on Monday, that he might consider a chat with his former South Australia teammate to try to calm the tensions between the two sides.
The pair will meet again at their old stamping ground in Adelaide – former Zimbabwe batsman Flower played there in 2003/04 – before next week’s second Test that begins on December 5.
It was after England announced on Monday that Jonathan Trott has left their tour because of a stress-related illness that Flower took on board the idea of speaking to Lehmann.
England’s defeat inside four days at the Gabba included a series of heated exchanges, culminating in the spat between Michael Clarke, the Australia captain, and England’s James Anderson that resulted in the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposing a near £2,000 (Dh11,891) fine on Clarke.
The tourists were also angered by David Warner's public critique of Trott in a news conference during the match, describing his batsmanship against Mitchell Johnson as "poor" and "weak" after he had got out twice the left-arm bowler.
Lehmann does not appear especially keen to discuss all those matters arising directly with Flower.
He told FIVEaa radio: “From my point of view, Andy looks after his side, and I look after my side.
“That’s what you do in the game of cricket. I played cricket with Andy – I know him and I talk to him all the time.
“But at the end of the day, he’s in control of the England cricket team – and we have to try to get the Ashes back.”
Lehmann said his best wishes for Trott’s recovery to those also expressed by Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland.
“Jonathan Trott’s gone home, and I hope he gets well soon,” he said, insisting nonetheless that Australia are not about to change their steely on-pitch persona because of events at Brisbane.
“We’re still going to play really hard cricket – that’s what we’re about. We copped a lot in England, and we didn’t shy away from that.
“That’s what happens – you expect it when you go away [from home]. So I don’t see what the difference is from England to here, considering we’re on the other end of it.
“That’s just the way it goes. Both teams played hard – and as long as it stays on the field, I’m happy with that.”
Peter Siddle, the Australia seamer, voiced similar views, making it clear his understanding is that Anderson gave as good as he got in the argument with Clarke that had reportedly happened after Anderson had verbally clashed with home debutant George Bailey.
“Anderson brought it on himself. So fair’s fair,” Siddle told Radio Sports National.
“There was a lot of other stuff going on, and James Anderson was in the thick of it and a culprit for it all happening.”
Siddle, too, wishes Trott well in dealing with his illness.
“Everyone knows what a class player he is,” he said. “For us, it’s a big bonus. But for him personally, it is disappointing.
“I hope he comes back strong after whatever it is.”
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Retirement funds heavily invested in equities at a risky time
Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.
Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.
The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.
The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.
Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.
The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.
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Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
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AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
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