Anglia Cricket News

The achievements of Essex and England cricketer Alastair Cook will be celebrated today when he collects an honorary degree from the University of Essex. The former Bedford Schoolboy made his county debut ten years ago. He's gone on to score more test centuries than any other Englishman.

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The England and Wales Cricket Board has fined Essex batsman Owais Shah and the club over the use of an unregistered agent.

In a statement the ECB Cricket Discipline Commission said it had fined Essex £500 and Shah £250 for "a breach of regulations in that an unregistered agent was engaged in the execution of a recent employment transaction...

He continued: "although neither party knowingly and wilfully breached the regulations, they admit the breach and apologise for it.

"Both parties have accepted the financial penalty.

"In these circumstances the matter has been dealt with by way of summary procedure."

Shah signed a new contract with the club last month, running from the conclusion of his 2013 Indian Premier League campaign with Rajasthan Royals until the end of the forthcoming domestic season.

The 34-year-old former England international joined Essex in November 2010 after leaving Middlesex.

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Northamptonshire have signed Australia paceman Trent Copeland to a short-term deal for the start of the new season.

Copeland, 26, will join up with the squad ahead of their LV= County Championship match against Glamorgan, starting on April 10, and will remain with the county until returning to Australia on June 8.

During the course of his deal, Northamptonshire will play seven County Championship matches and six Yorkshire Bank 40 matches.

Copeland has taken six Test wickets in three matches. He has 131 first-class wickets at an average of 26.1, but will be making his debut in county cricket.

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England women's cricketers could still reach the final of the World Cup after beating South Africa in their Super Six clash.

The side captained by Cambridgeshire's Charlotte Edwards' side destroyed South Africa by seven wickets in Cuttack. South Africa all out for 77 in 29.3.

Charlotte Edwards' defending World champions needed to win well if they were to set up a vital clash with New Zealand in their final game.

England reached their target with 40.3 overs to spare at the Barbati Stadium, closing the net run-rate gap on a New Zealand side they face on Wednesday.

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Cambridgeshire's Charlotte Edwards has become the all-time record run-scorer in women's one day international cricket.

England captain Edwards made 109 as the defending champions won the second match of their Women's World Cup campaign in Mumbai yesterday, beating India by 32 runs.

Edwards and England are back in action against the West Indies tomorrow.

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Ireland international Niall O'Brien will join Leicestershire for the start of next season, Northamptonshire have confirmed.

The 30-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman, Northants' player of the season in 2008, moves on after five years at Wantage Road.

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Essex have agreed contract extensions with seven first-team players including veterans Graham Napier and Mark Pettini, along with seam bowler Maurice Chambers. Upcoming talents Tom Westley, Tymal Mills, Ben Foakes and Jaik Mickleburgh have also put pen to paper on new deals.

Essex chief executive David East said: "Successful teams flow in cycles and we now have an amazing crop of talented youngsters maturing together.

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