All posts by h716a5.icu

Warwickshire pile up runs and now need wickets

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Hampshire and Warwickshire’s relegation and promotion hopes still remain in the balance after an arduous second day’s play in their County Championship Division One clash at the Rose Bowl

13-Sep-2011
Scorecard
Shivnarine Chanderpaul ground Hampshire down with 171•AFPHampshire and Warwickshire’s relegation and promotion hopes still remain in the balance after an arduous second day’s play in their County Championship Division One clash at the Rose Bowl.Hampshire’s slim hopes of surviving in the top division of English first-class cricket are now dependent on them claiming maximum batting points and forcing an unlikely win over high-flying Warwickshire after fellow basement battlers Worcestershire gained a solitary batting bonus point in their clash with Durham.Title-chasing Warwickshire, meanwhile, for whom a win would guarantee the championship, will now have one eye on the progress of top-of-the-table rivals Lancashire, who could yet pip them to the title if they can defeat Somerset and Warwickshire fail to see off their hosts.Away from the calculations at both ends of the table, on the pitch at the Rose Bowl on the second day, Warwickshire, resuming on 296 for 3, went past 300 to gain their third batting point. However, they lost their fourth wicket soon after, when skipper Jim Troughton nicked Dimitri Mascarenhas behind to keeper Michael Bates with the score on 303.Bates was again in the action when young seamer Chris Wood drew an edge from keeper Tim Ambrose to leave the Bears on 345 for 5. And Wood struck again just 12 runs later, when he forced former England man Rikki Clarke to play on for just 8.But while Hampshire launched a spirited fightback, overseas star Shivnarine Chanderpaul remained an immovable object at the other end, moving serenely and unhurriedly to his 150, thanks to three sixes and a staggering 20 fours. A short but heavy downpour after lunch briefly threatened to leave both sides stymied, but play finally resumed just after 2.30pm, after which Chanderpaul was finally dismissed, falling lbw to Liam Dawson for 171.That brought Chris Metters to the crease with allrounder Chris Woakes and the pair formed a frustrating partnership, which led the Bears from 409 for 7 to 478 for 8 when Woakes finally fell for a brisk 62 from 99 balls, caught by Jimmy Adams off young spinner Danny Briggs. The last two wickets fell quickly, Metters falling to Wood, after the paceman had helped to run out on-loan quick Chris Wright, to close the visitors’ innings on 493.Hampshire, knowing they must score at least 344 to avoid the follow-on and even more if they are to bag the win they need – began in fine form, opener Adams and Dawson moving without alarm to their half-century partnership inside 17 overs, before finally closing the day on 57 without loss.

Sarfraz impressed by fast bowling talent

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

The ongoing two-week emerging players camp for fast bowlers at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore has helped iron out flaws in promising bowlers, Sarfraz Nawaz has said

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2011The ongoing two-week emerging players camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore has helped iron out flaws in promising quick bowlers, former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz said. He was impressed with five of the bowlers during the camp, featuring current Test players and youngsters with the potential to represent Pakistan.”There is a lot of competition at the camp, and friendly rivalry. Mohammad Talha has impressed me, as have Sohail Khan, Tanvir Ahmed and Sohail Tanvir, who is an improving bowler. Aizaz Cheema, who is deceptively quick, has also impressed me,” he told . “All of these boys have a lot of potential.”Talha – who has played one Test match in early 2009 – had an issue with his follow-through, said Sarfraz, which he worked on at the camp. “There is a lack of coordination with his [Talha’s] body in the follow through. He was stopping abruptly. I’ve told him to put all his weight down on his front foot, release the ball when his front leg straight, rather than bent as he is doing now. He has not been getting the impetus upon delivery, as his front knee was bent when he released the ball. Since we’ve spoken to him, he is hitting the deck a lot harder.”He has also worked on issues that Sohail Khan, who has played one Test and four ODI’s, had with his grip. “When he was releasing the ball, the way he was holding the ball was not ideal. [But] Already we can see improvements.The camp had the bowlers working with the red ball through week one. This week the focus is on the white ball with an eye on the rule change in one-day cricket that comes into effect in October. The bowlers will be coached in dealing with the “reduced chance of reverse swing in the 50-over format” that the new rule entails, Sarfraz said. “[We will] ensure that the bowlers are getting advice to better prepare them for all formats of the game.”

Tait to play in Zimbabwe T20 tournament

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Shaun Tait, the Australia fast bowler, is set to add to his tally of Twenty20 teams after agreeing terms with Zimbabwean domestic franchise Mid West Rhinos

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Aug-2011Shaun Tait, the Australia fast bowler, is set to add to his tally of Twenty20 teams after agreeing terms with Zimbabwean domestic franchise Mid West Rhinos. Tait will play for Rhinos during Zimbabwe’s domestic Twenty20 competition in late November this year.Tait, who signed up to play for the Melbourne Renegades in Australia’s Big Bash League six weeks ago and will also represent Dolphins, the Durban-based South African franchise, for the Pro20 competition early next year, said he hoped his Zimbabwe stint would help boost his match fitness ahead of his Big Bash outing.”That’s the thing with Twenty20 tournaments, you’ve got to pick which ones are at the right time to keep your match fitness up, and rest in between,” he said. ”It’s just [before] the Big Bash, so it’s perfect timing.”The dates for Zimbabwe’s fortnight-long Twenty20 tournament have not been finalised but it is expected that the competition will be completed by December 3, which will allow Tait to travel back to Melbourne well in time to prepare for the Big Bash.Tait retired from Tests in 2008 and quit ODIs too following Australia’s exit in the quarter-final stage of the 2011 World Cup. He then represented Rajasthan Royals in the IPL this year, grabbing six wickets in four games. He was forced to turn down a deal with Surrey earlier this year due to an elbow injury sustained during the IPL. His Zimbabwe deal was set up by his former teammate Jason Gillespie, who has also re-signed as coach of Rhinos.”The way it’s going I’m just going to play [Twenty20] tournaments,” Tait, who is still available to play Twenty20 cricket for Australia, said. “If clubs are keen to sign me, that’s great. I’ve become sort of a freelance Twenty20 player.”

MCC appoint Phillip Hodson next president

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Phillip Hodson, a Yorkshire businessman and former Cambridge cricketer, will serve as the next president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, for a one-year term that starts on October 1

ESPNcricinfo staff05-May-2011Phillip Hodson, a Yorkshire businessman and former Cambridge cricketer, will serve as the next president of the Marylebone Cricket Club, for a one-year term that starts on October 1. Hodson will become only the fourth MCC President to hail from Yorkshire, and the first for 50 years.His appointment was announced at Lord’s, on Wednesday, by current club president Christopher Martin-Jenkins, during the MCC’s annual general meeting. Apart from playing for Cambridge, Hodson also played over 300 games for the MCC and represented the club on several tours.He joined the players and fixtures sub-committee in 1987, became chairman of that committee in 1993, and continued to serve on it until 2000. He has spent eleven years on the main committee, five on membership and general purposes committee and now stands on the cricket committee and the youth sub-committee.Hodson is also chief executive of the Oval group, the biggest privately-owned corporate insurance brokers in the UK. The Oval group currently sponsors Leicestershire CCC and Durham MCC University.”I believe that Phillip Hodson will become only the fourth President in a very long line to be what one might call Yorkshire through and through, and he follows three very distinguished presidents indeed in Lord Hawke, Sir Stanley Jackson and Sir William Worsley,” Martin-Jenkins said of his successor. “But for so great a cricketing county you might think only three MCC presidents a rather scant representation.”Phillip is a man greatly respected by everyone who knows him and who has worked with him at the MCC, and he has already been a great servant of this club.”

Didn't pay above the odds for Murali – Larsen

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Gavin Larsen, chief executive of Cricket Wellington said that the province hadn’t “paid above the odds” to secure the services of former Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan

ESPNcricinfo staff14-May-2011Gavin Larsen, chief executive of Cricket Wellington said that the province hadn’t “paid above the odds” to secure the services of former Sri Lanka offspinner Muttiah Muralitharan.”He was very affordable and comparable to what the other key overseas players have received in New Zealand,” Larsen told the . Wellington have signed Murali for next season’s domestic Twenty20 tournament.”He’s a really good bloke and he loves New Zealand. He’ll bring his family out and he’s really keen from a lifestyle point of view, and keen to contribute on and off the park,” Larsen added.New Zealand’s domestic Twenty20 competition will run from late December through early January. Larsen said Murali could also play a one-day or Plunket Shield game if schedules permitted.Meanwhile, Jamie Siddons, whose coaching contract with the Bangladesh national side ended after the World Cup, remains in contention to become the next coach of Wellington after Anthony Stuart vacated the role at the end of the 2010-11 season. Siddons was interviewed on Thursday by Larsen, high performance manager Robbie Kerr, board representative Mark Heisenbuttel, captain and players’ association representative Grant Elliott and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) director of cricket John Buchanan.”I’m definitely keen to talk to them again,” Siddons said. “There’s a lot of things to chat about if they want me to do the job. We obviously need to agree on terms but I’m pretty comfortable, pretty keen to do the job.”I’m waiting to see what transpires with the Australian team and the fielding coach position, but that’s a fair way off yet and I’m not putting all my eggs in that basket,” he said. Siddons was Buchanan’s assistant coach with Australia.Siddons, however, remained non-committal over Wellington’s decision to sign Murali. “That’s good … well, I hope it’s good. I’ll have to think that one through. I probably have some thoughts but I don’t want to discuss them.”It wouldn’t put me off the job but it would be nice to be in the job and have some say in those types of appointments, for sure.”Larsen, though, felt the signing of Murali ahead of the coach’s appointment would not be an issue. “I certainly hope not. I wouldn’t like to think that any new coach would balk at Murali’s name,” he said.Larsen confirmed that former England batsman Matthew Maynard, who is being linked to the post of assistant coach with India, was also interviewed in the last week.

Arsenal could sign Fabregas 2.0

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Arsenal are one of three top clubs who are reportedly interested in signing Leicester City’s Belgian sensation Youri Tielemans.

That is according to none other than Fabrizio Romano, who has boosted the Gunners’ hopes in securing the 25-year-old, having stated on Twitter that “Arsenal are discussing Tielemans internally since January.”

As if the reliability of Romano was not enough, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has entered the rumour mill with a report which will surely have Arsenal fans excited.

On Twitter, alongside a link to his latest report, Ornstein said: “AFC decision makers all keen to sign Youri Tielemans + agent dialogue encouraging so far.”

Whilst Arteta will be keen to wrap up a deal for the 25-year-old in order to improve the Gunners’ depth issue in midfield, fans may well be excited at the Belgian’s resemblance to Cesc Fabregas.

With the strength of his link-up play, defensive astuteness and ability to contribute with attacking returns, Tielemans may well provide a modern-day influence to Arsenal similar to what the Spaniard exerted in the Emirates Stadium’s early years.

The Belgian, who has been dubbed “scary” by Sam Dean and a “genius” by Roger Bennett, is capable of fitting into the one-touch possession focus that Arteta looks to employ at Arsenal. Also, he is more capable of progressing the ball than the likes of Thomas Partey, who is evidently more defensive-minded than the Belgian.

Partey’s match average of 12.8 touches in the attacking third, in comparison to Tielemans’ average of 19.86, is demonstrative of what kind of style those players would bring to the team.

In the context of styles, Arteta will have surely taken influence from Pep Guardiola’s ideology at Manchester City, in which he ensures that he has a different style for each position. For instance, on the right wing, he has an inverted winger in Riyad Mahrez, an inside forward in Gabriel Jesus and a wide man in Raheem Sterling who can help to spread the play.

Arteta can look to implement this throughout the Arsenal engine room with a player like the £40m-rated Tielemans, who can offer the b0x-to-box midfielder element that the Gunners have been missing.

In other news: “Arsenal are..”: Romano drops exciting transfer claim that’ll leave supporters buzzing 

FICA boss reiterates security concerns

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Tim May, the chief executive of the players’ body, FICA, has said that security remains a “very serious” concern for all players, officials and spectators at the World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff18-Feb-2011Tim May, the chief executive of the players’ body, FICA, has said that security remains a “very serious” concern for all players, officials and spectators at the World Cup, despite a claim of the eve of the tournament from the ICC’s CEO Haroon Lorgat that it was a “non-issue”.When questioned about the security ahead of the tournament, Lorgat told reporters in Dhaka: “We’re mature in our processes, we’re very robust and as a consequence of our experiences, we’ve got systems and personnel in place. It’s in fact a non-issue.”May responded in a FICA press release, stating that while he was satisfied that their appointed security consultants, Eastern Star International, had found the proposed arrangements to be sound, the onus remained with the ICC to ensure that they are carried out to the letter.”I have spoken recently to Haroon, so as to gain an understanding of the context of his comments, and remain confident that the ICC shares FICA’s concerns regarding the importance of security measures at the World Cup,” said May.”The continued focus on the implementation of security plans is still a very serious and relevant issue and is far from ‘a matter that is not an issue to anyone’. The plans are only a part of the security solution, and now it is up to the ICC and World Cup security personnel to ensure that the plans are implemented as laid down.”The final, on April 2, is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, which has yet to be passed off as fit for purpose following a fire safety check, while Mumbai itself was the venue for a terrorist attack in November 2008 that led to the postponement of England’s Test and one-day tour.Pakistan had been due to co-host the World Cup, but no international cricket has been able to take place in the country since an attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore in March 2009. And in the 1996 World Cup, the last to be staged in the subcontinent, Australia and West Indies forfeited group matches in Colombo following bombings and security concerns.”Provision of security in the World Cup is a massive challenge to the organisers of the event, with 14 teams moving around three countries,” said May. “It is a significant and complicated task to protect players, officials and spectators.”There is no place for complacency in the delivery of these plans and we trust that the importance of the issue of security remains the highest priority of the ICC, event hosts and security forces.”

Gul, Tanvir put Pakistan ahead in windy Wellington

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Pakistan’s seamers punctuated spells of ordinariness with sparks of brilliance to dismantle New Zealand’s top order and put their side ahead at stumps

The Bulletin by Nitin Sundar14-Jan-2011Stumps
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsRoss Taylor’s innings was a heady mix of caution and enterprise•Getty ImagesPakistan’s seamers punctuated spells of ordinariness with sparks of brilliance to dismantle New Zealand’s top order and put their side ahead at stumps. Umar Gul and Tanvir Ahmed were lethal in the first hours of the first two sessions, and though Ross Taylor survived their bursts with a mix of caution and enterprise, the home batsmen suffered from a general lack of confidence that prevented them from counterattacking when the bowlers were on song, and from dominating when they weren’t.Gul began Pakistan’s dominance with a new-ball spell that oozed intent from the outset. Resisting the natural urge to crank up the pace when aided by a breeze, he relied on subtle sleight of hand and a high release to probe away at the top order. In the first over, he got a swerving inducker to strike Brendon McCullum – who was not offering a shot – above the knee roll. Umpire Daryl Harper ruled in Gul’s favour, though replays suggested the bounce was taking it over the stumps. Things were evened out in Gul’s next over, when Martin Guptill edged a legcutter on its way to Adnan Akmal, unnoticed by Harper.That delivery set the template for Gul, who relentlessly pinged uncomfortable lengths on and around off stump, serving up the odd legcutter to go with ones that held their line, carrying through at good height. In his seventh over, he nailed Kane Williamson with a carbon copy of the delivery that Guptill had edged.Gul also threatened to dislodge Taylor early, beating his outside edge and inducing an inside edge within the batsman’s first three deliveries. His opening burst was, however, coming to an end, and Taylor faced fewer challenges thereafter and approached the pre-lunch session with refreshing freedom. Every time Wahab Riaz offered width, Taylor attacked through the off side, driving square and through the covers, and cutting for boundaries.Consigned to the Scoreboard End, Abdur Rehman resorted to a quick arm and flat trajectory while bowling into a wind that stiffened to 70kmh by lunch. Taylor settled down after the initial flourish and, along with a cautious Guptill, promised to push New Zealand ahead in the second session. Tanvir, however, had plans of his own.Tanvir had an infuriatingly inconsistent day that was bookended by listless spells into the wind, with both new balls. In the middle session, though, he whistled in from the Vance End at the mid-130s, settling into a miserly rhythm that accentuated the threat of the occasional away-seamer. Guptill was gradually choked for runs and, after playing 12 successive dot balls, he flashed at one well outside off. Jesse Ryder came and went, nicking a ball that was dangled across him, bagging his second successive first-ball duck. James Franklin kept out the hat-trick ball, a scorching yorker that was aimed at the toes but, at 100 for 4, the force was with Pakistan.Taylor spent most of Tanvir’s rampant spell at the non-striker’s end, facing only five deliveries from the seamer in the hour following lunch. His battles were against Rehman’s teasing line of attack, straightening deliveries from leg stump without offering too much flight, while getting extra bounce. taylor attempted to disperse the crouching in-fielders with a lovely loft for six over wide long-on, and forced two men back on the leg side. However, with wickets falling at the other end, Rehman continued to attack with slip and short leg, and Taylor played within himself unless presented with a bad ball. When Rehman was marginally off-line, he glanced and cut for boundaries, and brought up his half-century by slapping Gul through point for three. As was the case with Tanvir, Gul too metamorphosed at the lunch break and posed no problems through the rest of the day.Franklin sealed an end with compact defence, camping on the back foot, and keeping out a barrage of searching length deliveries that were angled across him. Along with Taylor, he seemed to have taken the sting out of the Pakistan attack, and when he creamed Tanvir for two early boundaries post tea, New Zealand’s fightback seemed set to step up a gear.Adnan Akmal shifted the momentum back in Pakistan’s favour, though, with the best of his five catches in the day. He moved quickly to his right and showed admirable hand-eye coordination to grab a thin edge from Franklin. Riaz took the big wicket, after plodding through the day without courting the extremes like his seaming colleagues did. Returning to the attack for a final fling before the new ball became due, Riaz got Taylor to nick a harmless delivery angling across him and Adnan – scarcely reminiscent of his butter-fingered brother Kamran – pouched another one with elan, diving to his right.Wind interruptions, and a shocking lack of urgency, meant that Pakistan were well behind the over-rates, forcing Rehman to operate for longer than they would have desired. Thus ensued a period of attrition, with both sides too encumbered to challenge the status quo. Vettori used the opportunity to play himself in, cutting and pulling Rehman for easy boundaries. Young was solid in defence, blocking his way to 7 off 59 balls, before opening up against the second new ball that leaked 36 runs in eight overs. Tanvir was visibly out of steam by now, and was duly taken for 21 in two overs as New Zealand ended the day with a flourish. The fact that they still finished a distant second, underlined just how far they had allowed an average attack dictate proceedings.

Leeds: Orta plotting Ebiowei swoop

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Leeds United are interested in a deal to bring Malcolm Ebiowei to Elland Road in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a recent report by The Sun, who claim that Leeds have now joined the race to land the Derby County winger this summer, with the 18-year-old set to become available on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract at Pride Park at the end of the current campaign.

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The report goes on to state that the likes of Tottenham Hostpur, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig are also keeping a very close eye on the situation of the England youth international ahead of a potential swoop this summer.

The next Gelhardt

While it would appear unlikely that, should Victor Orta go on to seal a deal for Ebiowei in the coming months, the youngster would be thrown straight into the Leeds first-team next season, considering the sheer amount of potential the forward possesses, it would never the less appear wise for the Whites sporting director to do everything he can to land the 18-year-old this summer.

Indeed, over his 15 Championship appearances this term, the £140-per-week winger has highly impressed for Wayne Rooney’s side, scoring one goal, registering two assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots, making 1.1 key passes and completing a whopping 3.2 dribbles – the most of any player in the league – per game.

These returns have seen the former Arsenal and Rangers starlet average a very respectable SofaScore match rating of 6.79, ranking him as the Rams’ tenth-best player in the second tier.

As a result of these eye-catching performances, Ebiowei has come in for a considerable amount of praise, with Derby’s first-team development coach, Justin Walker, stating of the teenager earlier this season:

“I think he has been a breath of fresh air. You can see how much the fans have warmed to him, he gets people out of their seats. He has got that little bit of X-factor, if you like, that creativity we have lacked at times in the final third.

“The only thing probably missing from his game is a goal, but I am sure that will come. He has got so much talent, and more importantly his attitude and his character.”

Furthermore, following the 18-year-old’s man of the match performance in a 1-1 draw with Coventry City back in March, Rooney also raved about the potential of the youngster, stating:

“He has got an enormous amount of ability. He’s brave; he’s not afraid to take players on, get tackled, and make mistakes. I thought he was excellent all game. He was the best player on the pitch.

“It is one of the best performances I have seen from a young player consistently for 90 minutes in a long time, and he deserves that because he’s worked so hard. His attitude is incredible, and he’s an exciting young player. I know it means a lot to him.”

As such, with Orta boasting an impressive record of cherry-picking some of the most exciting young talents in the English game – such as the signings of Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood – it would very much appear the signing of Ebiowei would fall into the same bracket as the arrivals from Wigan Athletic and Arsenal, as it is evident that the Derby starlet has an incredible future.

AND in other news: Huge blow: Phil Hay reveals latest Leeds injury news, Jesse Marsch will be fuming

Brendon Diamanti retires from domestic cricket

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Brendon Diamanti, the New Zealand and Central Districts allrounder, has retired from domestic cricket in order to spend more time with his family

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2010Brendon Diamanti, the New Zealand and Central Districts allrounder, has retired from domestic cricket in order to spend more time with his family. Diamanti, 29, played only one ODI and one Twenty20 international for New Zealand but was a regular for Central Districts in all three formats.”After some months of deliberation I have decided that my priorities in life have changed and I want to spend more time with my family,” Diamanti told NZPA. “I also felt that I had achieved what I wanted as a player at first-class level and that the time was right to step aside and allow someone else the opportunity.”Diamanti, a lower-order batsman and medium-pace bowler, made his debut for Central Districts in 2003 and scored two hundreds in 27 Plunket Shield matches. He averaged 25.72 as a batsman and took 57 wickets at 34.77 apiece. He played 59 List A matches and averaged 28 with both bat and ball.”We are sad to be losing Brendon to retirement as he has been a major contributor both on and off the field,” Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson, who was surprised by Diamanti’s decision, said. “Brendon is a complete professional and has always demonstrated the commitment and work ethic required to succeed.”