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James Hunter has shared some Sunderland injury news from Alex Neil on Alex Pritchard, who hobbled off in the 0-0 draw away to Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

The Lowdown: Star man

Giving him an 8/10 rating in his player ratings piece for The Chronicle, Hunter thought that Pritchard was the Wearsiders’ star man against the Addicks, claiming that he ‘pulled the strings’ and ‘set up so many chances’.

Indeed, the attacking midfielder won three of his duels and recorded one shot on target and one tackle, along with a team-high six key passes and three accurate crosses (SofaScore).

The Latest: Pritchard injury update

Taking to Twitter, Hunter has now shared a concerning injury update from Neil on Pritchard.

He outlined: “Alex Pritchard’s injury doesn’t look good. He’s rolled his ankle and will need a scan. It’s a big concern.”

The Verdict: Big blow

From this update, it sounds like Pritchard may now be facing a lengthy spell on the treatment table, which is no doubt a big blow for Sunderland and their promotion hopes.

The 28-year-old currently ranks as their fifth-best player in League One so far this season, having scored four goals and supplied a further seven assists for his team (WhoScored).

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He also ranks highly among his team-mates in terms of average shots, key passes, crosses and through balls per game (WhoScored), so losing him for the next matches would clearly be a massive miss for Neil and the Black Cats.

In other news, these were Sunderland’s three worst performers against Charlton

ScorecardAlex Blackwell’s 39 laid the platform for Sydney Thunder’s win•Getty Images

Sydney Thunder became the first team to qualify for a Women’s Big Bash League final as they strangled Perth Scorchers to defend an underpar total of 118 in a fascinating finish. Thunder had been the competition’s pace-setters, and are greater than the sum of their parts, while Scorchers had crept into the semi-finals, only for their vaunted batting line-up to let them down.It’s hard to estimate how close the Scorchers came to crashing out in the pool stages. But they went into the final weekend of action in Adelaide having lost two more games than they had won, and knowing that if Brisbane Heat beat Adelaide Strikers, or Melbourne Stars won one of their two games, Scorchers were out. But neither of these eventualities played out, and the Scorchers veritably thrashed the competition’s weakest team, Melbourne Renegades, twice in two days, losing just two wickets in the process, to sneak into this semi-final.This, though, proved a bridge too far. Scorchers had bowled stingily and fielded smartly, but their batting – stuffed with top-order class from around the world – lost its way badly after an impressive start. They had twice lost to Thunder in the pool stages, but six of their seven wins came chasing, so it was something of a surprise when Thunder captain Alex Blackwell won the toss and opted to bat.Katherine Brunt was tough to get away early, and the introduction of Suzie Bates saw Rachael Haynes dismissed as she skied to mid-on. Stafanie Taylor was positive if not fully fluent, heaving Nicky Shaw to leg for six then pulling Bates for four through square leg.Just as Taylor looked to be settling, Nicole Bolton brought Brunt back to bowl her final over. The first delivery was cut behind point for a classy boundary, but two balls later Taylor edged behind when trying to go inside out off a ball too straight for the stroke. Naomi Stalenberg was promoted to push the rate but was gone an over later, slicing to mid-off off Heather Graham.Blackwell and Nicola Carey set about a careful rebuild; boundaries were rare, but the strike was rotated effectively and the pair shared 36. They took 13 from a Bolton over, including a Blackwell straight drive and a Carey flick to leg, both for four, the first of which was the first boundary for 25 deliveries. Erin Osborne was run out by some smart work from Bolton and keeper Jenny Wallace. Blackwell met the same fate off the innings’ last ball, failing to make her ground running a second, but after she and Claire Koski – who struck Bates for a beautiful straight drive – had pushed the score along.Thunder’s innings never got above a run a ball, and a target of 119 did not look enough to trouble this batting line-up.How wrong that proved. Elyse Villani had found form since being dropped from Australia’s squad for next week’s T20Is against India, scoring 72 and a quickfire 43 – both without being dismissed in the romps over Renegades. She was immediately into her work, consecutively pulling, straight-driving and flicking through midwicket for four off Nicola Carey. Charlotte Edwards was in on the act too, cutting Lauren Cheatle beautifully behind point for four more.But Villani was run out by Maisy Gibson, and Edwards struggled to get going as the dot balls piled up and the spinners started the strangle. Edwards tried to hit Osborne over long-on but was caught, before Gibson had Bolton caught at mid-off and Bates offered a return catch, shortly after Gibson had dropping a simpler chance off her own bowling. Gibson’s leggies had produced a mixed bag, often dropping too short or failing to make use of the pitch, but her 2-16 confirmed her status as a star of the future.After a fine performance with the ball, too much was asked of Katherine Brunt with the bat. Fourteen was required off Rene Farrell’s final over, and while Brunt found a lap sweep for four, she was dismissed lbw shortly after. Farrell found a dot to complete a remarkable strangle. It’s taken Thunder’s male counterparts five shots to even reach a semi; the women’s team has a final in the first attempt.

Stuart Law, the Lancashire batsman who had expressed doubts about playing for the club next season, has signed a new one-year contract.”Stuart is an exceptional batsman and has just finished another great season for the club,” Mike Watkinson, Lancashire’s cricket manager said. “His experience at both a domestic and international level is invaluable, and he brings a lot to the squad both on and off the field.”Law, 39, joined the county in 2002 and has been the club’s leading batsman with 7,141 first-class runs at an average of 58.53.”Lancashire is one of the biggest clubs I’ve even been involved with,” Law said. “I thought that Queensland had a big fan base, but Lancashire probably has the biggest in the world and the pressure for success is immense – which makes it an even bigger privilege to play for such a passionate county.”I’ve always wanted to play for Lancashire ever since playing League cricket for Littleborough in 1991-92, and I’m very grateful I’ve got the opportunity to continue my career at Old Trafford for at least another season.”Law will be taking part in the Indian Cricket League (ICL) later this month before spending Christmas in Brisbane, where he can inspect the newly opened stand named in his honour at the Allan Border Field.

Scorecard

Kulasekara feasted on Windies A’s line-up of left-handers © Getty Images

There are just two “Tests” in which West Indies and Sri Lanka hopefuls can make an impression on their respective selectors. The West Indians did not have a good first showing. Yesterday at Guaracara Park, the Caribbean batsmen turned up but really didn’t play in decent November conditions. The result was 130 for 6 on day one of the first four-day “Test”.Even with the preparation moisture in the surface, the experienced West Indies A line-up had no genuine excuse for their weak showing. Coach David Williams and captain Sylvester Joseph had enough confidence in the strip to bat first when play was finally possible after lunch. The entire first session had been lost because of soggy sections in the bowler’s run-up at the southern end.And while there was not a great deal of sideways movement for the Sri Lankan seamers, Nuwan Kulasekara bowled a disciplined off-stump line and kept the ball up to the vulnerable West Indians. The result was five wickets for him. Four of those came in his decisive first spell of eight overs with the new ball when he took 4 for 15 runs. He feasted on the plethora of left-handers.Running the ball across them, he got opener Sewnarine Chattergoon to snick to Jeevan Mendis at third slip before he had scored; had Wavell Hinds edging to wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva for another duck; and induced a tentative Ryan Hinds to give a catch to captain Tilan Samaraweera at first slip. Kulasekara also trapped Joseph lbw as he shouldered arms to one that came back at him.The West Indians desperately needed someone to drop anchor. And for most of the post-lunch session, Devon Smith seemed to be that man. For just about two hours and 80 balls, he was patient and responsible in getting to 21. But in the closing overs before tea, he lost the plot, drove loosely at left-arm seamer Ruchira Perera and was bowled.Narsingh Deonarine, the fifth left-hander in the top six, went to tea with wicketkeeper Patrick Browne and the total on 55 for 5. The scores of missing fans at the Park were spared more agitated discussions among themselves about the state of the game in the region. Those who came in after work, though, saw some more encouraging stuff.Recognising the crisis their side was in, Deonarine and Browne set about sensibly starting a recovery. Aggressive counterattack was not necessary, just calm occupation. And that is what the left-hand right-hand pair managed to do in the final session – accumulate runs where available without taking unnecessary risks.Kulasekara was not as effective against them in that determined mood. Samaraweera tried five bowlers against them, including the spin pair of Sajeewa Weerakoon and Kaushal Lokuarachchi in tandem. Left-armer Weerakoon almost broke through when Deonarine had reached 28 and turned him through the hands of the forward short-leg fielder. It was a vital escape for Deonarine and Windies A.Together with Browne, he eventually added 64 for the sixth wicket in just under two hours. It was not eye-catching stuff, although both batsmen allowed themselves a few liberties as their stand grew. But Kulasekara was determined that they would not steal his thunder. Re-introduced for one final spell, he got Browne to play across a delivery which trapped him lbw. It was a misjudgment which tipped the balance more firmly in Sri Lanka A’s favour.

Tom Graveney re-opens the pavilion© Martin Williamson

The refurbished Lord’s pavilion was today opened by Tom Graveney, the MCC’s president, after a seven-month, £8.2 million makeover. In a blend of the old and the new, Graveney was joined by Alastair Cook, the 20 year-old England A batsman who will be playing for MCC in the season’s opening match which was due to start this morning.Outside, the pavilion, which was originally opened in 1890, looks almost unchanged, with the exception of the restored viewing areas in the two turrets and the terrace at the very top of the building. But inside, aside from a complete redecoration, there has been considerable restoration, especially to the Long Room. The installation of new gas fires was particularly appreciated by the few hardy souls who braved cold wind and rain to turn up for the first day of the season. The refit has also been used as a good opportunity to move around the works of art. Adam Chadwick, the Lord’s curator, estimated that 70% of the MCC’s collection is now on show, a two-fold increase.”The refurbishment of the pavilion has been a complex, as well as expensive, project,” Roger Knight, the MCC’s secretary, said. “We wanted to improve every aspect of the building, from top to bottom, but needed to complete all the work in the gap between the 2004 and 2005 cricket seasons. Despite some unforeseen difficulties, I’m delighted that the project has been completed within our budget.” It might be churlish to point out that the entire pavilion was built in the same time over the winter of 1889-90 at a total cost of £21,000.Graveney was also understandably delighted. “I first played here more than half a century ago and, quite simply, I’ve never seen the pavilion looking better. For decades to come, spectators, officials and players will benefit enormously from the improvements which this great project has brought about. I congratulate everyone concerned in improving the pavilion in such a spectacularly successful way.”Members of the public can see the refurbished pavilion for themselves during a Tour of Lord’s. (Details are available from the Tours Office on 020 7616 8595 or via [email protected])

Kate and Alex Blackwell: women’s cricket’s answer to the Waugh twins?© Women’s Cricket NSW

The Australian women’s team due to tour India for seven one-day internationals is all set to feature two identical twins. The selection panel announced a 13-person squad including Kate and Alex Blackwell. Alex has played eight ODIs but Kate, if selected to play in a match, will be making her debut. If this does happen, this will be the first pair of twins representing Australia in women’s cricket. Shelly Nitschke, the 27-year old left-hand bat, was named in the squad as replacement for Kris Britt, who made herself unavailable for personal reasons.Australia and India have met 14 times before in women’s one-dayers, with India winning just once. The only time India were successful was in 1995.The Blackwells will inevitably draw comparisons to the Waugh twins. But, they insist they aren’t the female equivalent of the more famous cricket twins. “I guess we are progressing along similar to the way Mark and Steve were early in their careers and we appreciate the comparison,” Kate told the Australian Associated Press. “We look up to them a lot but female cricketers should be recognised for themselves, not as the equivalent of Mark Waugh or Steve Waugh or Matthew Hayden or anybody.”While Alex has played two Tests and eight one-dayers, this tour is a first for Kate. “We were fighting for the same position and I got used to living up to what she had achieved.” she said. “I had seen her go through the steps (to get to international level) and I thought that if she could do it, I could do it. She’s a role model for me and we’re all really, really excited – it’s a big celebration day.”Squad 1 Belinda Clark (captain), 2 Karen Rolton, 3 Alex Blackwell, 4 Kate Blackwell, 5 Leonie Coleman, 6 Shelley Nitschke, 7 Cathryn Fitzpatrick, 8 Julie Hayes, 9 Melanie Jones, 10 Lisa Keightley, 11 Clea Smith, 12 Lisa Sthalekar, 13 Emma Twining

Michael Vaughan expects to be fit for England’s next triangular series match against Zimbabwe on July 1. He missed their game against South Africa due to back trouble – he said it was a "precautionary measure" – and Marcus Trescothick had stood in as captain.Vaughan back injury was suffered before Thursday’s defeat by Zimbabwe at Nottingham, and he played with the help of pain killers. Although he seemed to have recovered, he stiffened up again on Friday night and was taken to hospital on Saturday morning for a precautionary scan to try and assess the extent of the injury. The conclusion was that he is suffering from slight tissue or ligament damage.”On Thursday morning in fielding practice I managed to pull my back in some way but the adrenalin and looseness of being on the park got me through,” Vaughan told Sky Sports. “I travelled down to London on Friday and after four hours in a car I am struggling to bend at the moment. I’ve tried to warm it but I wasn’t quite ready for the South Africa game … I really wanted to play but [England physio] Dean Conway said it was too much of a risk with all the cricket we have to play in the next few weeks.”I had a scan which showed mainly tissue damage. Dean says that with acouple of days rest and treatment I should be all right for Tuesday’s game.”

At one stage, when Ajay Ratra and Dinesh Mongia were cantering alonguninhibitedly, Rest of India looked certain to overhaul Baroda’s totalcomfortably and establish a daunting first-innings lead. But then aBaroda left-arm orthodox spinner decided to leave his stamp on thematch. A Buch-mark, so to speak.Valmik Buch, who had found little success on Day Two, took four of thelast six wickets to fall, finishing with figures of 34.3-11-94-5. Hisperformance was significant; on a pitch that was hurriedly prepared inthree days, spin may decide the outcome of this match.Baroda broke the Mongia-Ratra partnership only at a score of 264 whenIrfan S Pathan had Ratra leg-before for his first wicket of the match.Sarandeep Singh offered a return catch to Buch to depart at 285 and,with Rahul Sanghvi falling and 299 and the tail dangerously exposed, acollapse looked imminent.Mongia, however, batted with assurance and a resolute Debasish Mohantyto register a century. His 125, when it ended, included 14 fours andthree sixes and, more importantly, helped Rest of India to hobble pastBaroda’s first innings total.When Mongia finally departed at 323, Buch snapped up Tinu Yohannan andShalabh Srivastava in rapid succession. The innings crumpled at 331,giving Rest of India an anaemically thin lead of 13 runs.Even though opener Satyajit Parab fell to Yohannan for 3, Barodamarched stridently forward in the second innings. Captain ConnorWilliams followed up his first-innings ton with another superlativeeffort; hitting 13 fours and a six, as he exploded to 83 off only 122balls. Williams found sedate support from Nayan Mongia, who scored anunbeaten 31.Day Three closed when Sarandeep Singh picked up Williams’ wicket.Baroda will thus start Day Four at 124 for two. On a badly preparedtrack that may crumble at any instant, every run that Baroda scoreswill count heavily against Rest of India in the final chase.

Steve Bruce’s West Bromwich Albion side head into Tuesday’s Championship clash against Middlesbrough in a disastrous run of form, with the Baggies having won just one of their last ten outings in the second tier of English football.

The latest defeat in this catastrophic series of results came on Saturday, when Albion continued their five-game sequence of failing to find the back of the net, with Luton Town running out 2-0 winners over the 61-year-old’s lacklustre outfit.

As such, with a much more challenging trip – on paper, at least – to Chris Wilder’s seventh-placed Boro coming up this evening for West Brom, Bruce will know he has to get his team selection absolutely spot on if his side are to have any chance of leaving the Riverside Stadium with all three points.

So, how many alterations will the 61-year-old make to the side that started the loss against the Hatters last time out? Here’s how we think the Baggies could line up against Middlesbrough, along with the latest team and injury news…

With Dara O’Shea appearing ready for a return to the starting lineup – with the defender having not started a game for West Brom since August – while Jake Livermore remains unavailable for selection due to suspension, we predict that Bruce will make three changes to the team that lined up at Kenilworth Road last weekend.

The first of these changes comes in the back five, with the £16.5k-per-week Semi Ajayi – who Adrian Goldberg once dubbed “dreadful” – dropping out of the XI after an extremely poor showing against the Hatters, while the aforementioned O’Shea returns to the starting lineup.

In midfield, the “fearless” – in the words of Valerien Ismael – Taylor Gardner-Hickman is handed his first start under Bruce, with Jayson Molumby making way for the 20-year-old, while Callum Robinson takes the place of Adam Reach in the number 10 role.

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Up top, both Andy Carroll and Karlan Grant retain their place in the front two, meaning Grady Diangana once again has to make do with a spot on the Albion bench.

In other news: Major boost: Maher drops teasing WBA injury update ahead of Boro, fans will be buzzing

Shane Watson: “I love bowling too much [to give it up]” © Getty Images

Shane Watson says there is no chance he would consider giving up bowling this early in his career, although he concedes Test cricket is on the backburner for him after his latest hamstring injury. Watson hopes to be back playing for Queensland within a month but will not rush himself into contention for international selection before he is ready.His former coach John Buchanan said the allrounder should consider playing as a specialist batsman to ease the strain on his fragile body. “No way, that’s never crossed my mind,” Watson told . “I love bowling too much. I’m still only 26 and I’ve still got quite a few years under my belt.”But the big question is how much cricket he will play in those few years. Watson missed the entire Ashes campaign last season with a series of recurring hamstring problems and sat out the start of the ICC World Twenty20, also with hamstring trouble. The muscle failed him again in his comeback match as he broke down while bowling his fourth over.Buchanan and Jimmy Maher, Watson’s captain at Queensland, both said he should consider giving up bowling, while Ian Chappell said Australia could not risk choosing Watson again until he had survived a full domestic season without injury. “It’s not annoying everybody giving me their opinions,” Watson said. “It’s amazing for me. It’s pretty overwhelming how many people are concerned and care about me.”Watson said he would not make the same mistake as last year when he kept pushing himself to get fit as each Ashes Test approached, only to aggravate his injury on several occasions. “Test cricket is on the backburner for me,” he said. “The most important thing for me is to get some cricket under my belt, get some workload with my bowling and play some games.”Trefor James, Australia’s team doctor, said Cricket Australia would consider sending Watson to Germany to consult a soft-tissue expert who this year successfully treated the ongoing hamstring problems of the Australian rules footballer Max Rooke. “It’s very minor but I think he needs to have a continuous time playing,” James told the , “partly for his confidence and partly for the benefit of the team that he is not having to go off during games all the time.”