All posts by h716a5.icu

West Indies were struggling at 197/6 at stumps on the second day of their second Test against India being played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain

Santhosh S20-Apr-2002West Indies were struggling at 197/6 at stumps on the second day of their second Test against India being played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain. They still trail by 142 runs in the first innings with just four wickets in hand. At close of play, Carl Hooper was unbeaten on 30 while Mervyn Dillon was on six not out. Javagal Srinath was easily the best Indian bowler on view with figures of 16-4-56-3.After bowling India out for 339, the home side got off to a brisk start with Stuart Williams smashing the ball to all parts of the field. His fellow-opener Chris Gayle (13) was the first batsman to be dismissed, falling to a well-laid trap, caught at short cover by Shiv Sunder Das off the bowling of Javagal Srinath. Williams, who struck three consecutive fours off Srinath, was dismissed just before the tea interval, caught bat-pad at short leg by Das off Harbhajan Singh. He made 43 off 62 balls, striking eight boundaries.Ramnaresh Sarwan (35), who came in at his customary No. 3 slot, as always promised so much but failed when he looked set for a big score, caught by Rahul Dravid at slip off Ashish Nehra. This brought together the experienced pair of Brian Lara and Carl Hooper in the middle. Lara looked in ominous form, but fortunately for India was caught behind off Zaheer Khan soon after he reached his half-century. He made 52 off 78 balls, striking half a dozen boundaries.Umpire Daryl Harper has had a nightmare of a Test match; he gave Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1) out leg before off Srinath, when the ball had clearly pitched outside the leg. There was more joy for Srinath in the same over, Junior Murray being trapped plumb in front for a duck. The home team had lost three wickets in the space of ten deliveries, and were struggling at 180/6 at that stage.Hooper and Dillon might have ensured that the West Indies did not suffer any further jolts on the day but there is no denying the fact that the Indians will be calling the shots come Sunday. The tourists find themselves in a strong position thanks largely to some dubious umpiring decisions over the first two days of the Test match. It would take a Herculean effort from Hooper to bail West Indies out of trouble on the third day.Earlier, in the morning, India resuming on 262/4 were bowled out for 339 in the second over after the luncheon break. Sachin Tendulkar, resuming on his overnight score of 113, was the first to go after adding only four more runs in the morning. But not before surviving a very confident shout for lbw off the bowling of Cuffy; umpire Asoka de Silva once again ruling in the batsman’s favour after Tendulkar had padded up to it.The whole of the Caribbean must have wondered about this endless run of bad luck. However, with the very next ball, Cuffy had Tendulkar shuffling back and across, rapped on the pads. The ball would have gone on to hit the middle stump. Umpire de Silva after a dramatic pause put his finger up and Tendulkar was finally dismissed for 117 (260 balls, 14 fours).Ratra making his Test debut couldn’t do much with the bat, caught behind of Cuffy for a duck, which also made him his counterpart Junior Murray’s 100th victim as a wicket keeper. Harbhajan Singh too was dismissed for a duck, caught by Cuffy at long leg off the bowling of Sanford. Zaheer Khan (5) played and missed too many times outside the off and was finally bowled by Sanford after playing all over a full length delivery. India were 298/8 at that stage.Srinath and Laxman staged a mini-recovery adding 41 runs for the ninth wicket. Soon after lunch, though, Marlon Black trapped Javagal Srinath (18) plumb in front of the wicket. Last man Ashish Nehra lasted only three balls, caught by Hooper at second slip for a duck. Laxman was left stranded 69 not out (123 balls, 11 fours). Black finished strongly with figures of 17.5-7-53-3, while Cuffy (30-12-49-2) and Sanford (29-5-111-3) also bowled well before lunch to share the remaining four Indian wickets that fell on the day.

Former Tottenham Hotspur hero Graham Roberts believes Julian Nagelsmann was the club’s first choice to replace Jose Mourinho as manager.

Spurs sacked Mourinho earlier this season after falling as low as ninth in the Premier League table.

The Portuguese struggled to give the club the consistency needed to finish in the top four, as they routinely threw away leads and lost to those clubs above them in the Premier League table.

Spurs are yet to appoint a new boss, having given Ryan Mason the job on an interim basis until the end of the season.

Nagelsmann was touted as a top target in the immediate aftermath of Mourinho’s sacking but he has instead opted to join Bayern Munich from RB Leipzig, replacing Hansi Flick, who has agreed to become the manager of the German national team.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, Roberts claimed that Spurs initially believed they would appoint the German prior to his move to Bayern.

He said: “I think the Nagelsmann one mucked everything up because they thought they were going to get him.

“With the Bayern Munich manager going, it mucked everything up and put everything on the back foot.”

New Zealand Cricket are not pursuing retired All Black Jeff Wilson, and are leaving him alone until he feels ready to make a return to cricket

Lynn McConnell28-May-2002New Zealand Cricket are not pursuing retired All Black Jeff Wilson, and are leaving him alone until he feels ready to make a return to cricket.There had been some recent speculation that Wilson might be included in a party of 10 players going to Darwin for some winter training.Wilson’s manager David Howman, a Wellington lawyer, said today that Wilson would not be going to Darwin.NZC operations manager John Reid said today: “Jeff’s made a public statement that he wants to return to cricket.”We haven’t talked to him. Martin Snedden [NZC chief executive] has talked to his manager and that is all. Jeff hasn’t even talked to Otago as far as we know.”As far as we’re concerned, the decision on the when and how Jeff returns to cricket is going to be up to him.”We will facilitate his return as best we can, when he’s ready,” Reid said.New Zealand’s three Test players who are not part of the one-day team, Robbie Hart, Mark Richardson and Chris Martin will travel to Darwin on June 5 with NZC’s player development manager Ashley Ross to get some preparation in before they join the side in the West Indies.Also travelling with the group will be James Franklin and Joseph Yovich. They will be joined in Darwin by leg-spinner Aaron Redmond who is playing cricket in the local competition.Then on June 8 the remaining players in the group targeted to prepare for next summer and the 12 months beyond, will join them. They include: Glen Sulzberger, Brooke Walker, Brendon McCullum, Richard Jones, Mathew Sinclair, Kyle Mills, Andre Adams.Unavailable to attend were Hamish Marshall, who is playing in Europe, and Chris Cairns and Shayne O’Connor who are recovering from injuries.Adams is only travelling as a batsman while he recovers from a back strain and Mills is starting out on his rehabilitation and increasing his bowling workloads.Reid said such a big squad had been developed in order to provide cover for injuries, lack of form and any other unavailabilities.Ross said the one-day group would be doing work that will allow a benchmark assessment of their skill levels and techniques.”We will be doing specific one-day exercises and also exposing the players to the sorts of things we will be looking to do in the World Cup, just as the players in the West Indies will be working on these elements,” Ross said.Lessons from the past have been merged with strategies for the future to build towards a specific World Cup campaign, he said.

Reading have made an offer to bring Chuks Aneke to the Madejski Stadium this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by TEAMtalk, who claim that Veljko Paunovic has submitted an offer to the Charlton Athletic forward regarding a switch to the Royals this summer, with the 27-year-old’s contract at The Valley set to expire at the end of the month.

The report goes on to state that the £360k-rated attacker has rejected the offer of a new deal with Nigel Adkins side, meaning that he will be available to sign on a free transfer in the coming weeks.

However, TEAMtalk also claim that a number of other Championship sides, including the likes of Middlesbrough, Coventry City, Queens Park Rangers and Bristol City, have also submitted an offer for the former England U19 international.

Paunovic must move

Considering how highly Aneke impressed for Charlton this season, it is hardly surprising to learn of the enormous amount of interest in the former Arsenal forward this summer.

Indeed, over his 38 League One appearances for the Addicks this term, the 27-year-old scored 15 goals, registered two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.3 shots and winning 4.9 duels per game.

These returns saw the £5.4k-per-week man earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.03, ranking him as Charlton’s fifth-best performer in the third tier – something that is all the more impressive when considering the fact that Aneke started just 11 of his 38 League One fixtures.

As such, it would very much seem as if the Charlton man would be an excellent addition to Paunovic’s attacking arsenal at the Madejski Stadium, something that could well be required, as one of the club’s brightest stars, Michael Olise, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Royals this summer.

So, it would be highly advisable for the 43-year-old manager to do all he can to convince Aneke of a switch to Reading this summer, or else risk missing out on the man Lee Bowyer dubbed “unplayable” to one of the club’s Championship rivals.

In other news: Reading dealt big transfer blow over “fearless” £2.2k-p/w gem, Paunovic will be gutted

Crystal Palace have been handed a major boost if they want to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to Football.London, the 27-year-old is set to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal this summer after failing to establish himself in the first-team set-up throughout his five-year stay.

The report claims that Chelsea hope to receive a fee in excess of £10 million for Batshuayi, with one unnamed top-half Premier League side already showing interest in the Belgium international.

Major transfer boost

After arriving from Ligue 1 outfit Marseille back in 2016, Batshuayi struggled for game time under Antonio Conte, making just one league start in his maiden campaign with the Blues.

Subsequent loan spells with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Palace followed, bringing mixed success before the pacey forward found himself wanted by his parent club again in 2019/20 due to their transfer ban.

However, he still found his route to the starting XI blocked by Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud, again making a solitary start while on league duties.

Batshuayi ended up signing a one-year contract extension last summer before returning to Selhurst Park on a temporary basis, although his second stint in south London wasn’t as successful as the first.

Injuries and lack of form saw the striker fall down Roy Hodgson’s pecking order this time around, limiting the £9m-rated marksman to just two goals and two assists in 722 minutes of Premier League action.

Nevertheless, the success of his original stint shouldn’t be forgotten and under a new manager, Batshuayi could return to the Eagles for a third time.

After Batshuayi bagged his first Palace goal back in 2019, Michael Owen lauded his clever finish telling BT Sport (via the Daily Mail): “You know as a centre-forward when the ball’s virtually on target or going off target. In this case, it was definitely off target.

“You just throw a leg at it. There’s no way you aim for a certain corner, you just try to guide it towards goal. It’s actually a very good finish.”

John Hartson added: “He’s clearly got genuine quality, look at the clubs he’s been with. He can be proud of his afternoon’s work.”

Palace have been linked with a permanent move for Batshuayi in the past, only to be put off by his price tag, but with only 12 months remaining on his current deal at Chelsea, his reduced fee could see a revival in their interest, and Steve Parish should seriously consider making an offer.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace handed major transfer boost over £9m beast that’ll have fans buzzing 

Northern Districts, the first of New Zealand’s major associations to present their annual report this year, have declared a loss for the past season

Lynn McConnell14-Jun-2002Northern Districts, the first of New Zealand’s major associations to present their annual report this year, have declared a loss for the past season.The loss was $72,991, a turnaround of $137,393 after last year’s surplus of $57,402.Sponsorships, donations and grants improved by nearly $17,000 and gate income increased by $19,000 and sundry costs, including interest payments, were down by $53,000.Taking part in cricket competitions cost nearly an extra $70,000 last summer while coaching and development costs were up by just over $70,000.Despite the financial result, the ND Association’s general reserves showed a $20,000 improvement and now sit at $1,630,784.ND chief executive officer John Turkington said: “Financially, it has been a very challenging season and obviously it is disappointing to record a small net deficit after a few years of surpluses.”Whilst we are becoming increasingly dependent on funding from NZC and they in turn on the international product, we need to continue to maximise local funding to enhance our programmes.”Next season promises to be an even greater challenge,” he said.

Former Everton star Michael Ball says that the next manager has to get along with Marcel Brands if he is to be a success at Goodison Park.

The Toffees are on the hunt for a new boss since the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, who shockingly left his job to join Real Madrid after Zinedine Zidane left his role at the Santiago Bernabeu.

It is unclear who will be chosen to come in and replace the Italian but ex-Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo appeared to be the frontrunner prior to developments seeing him touted as the top target for Crystal Palace, though there is also said to be interest in David Moyes, who is under contract at West Ham United.

Brands is staying at Goodison Park as the club’s Director of Football, and he is leading the chase for Ancelotti’s successor.

As a result, Ball believes that whoever comes into the club must agree to work alongside the Dutchman, and give him the power to strengthen the squad, instead of disagreeing over pursuits of players et al.

He also believes that owner Farhad Moshiri cannot be at the forefront of the chase for a new boss, given his track record of mistakes in the market.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Ball said: “It’s a huge decision for Moshiri and he’s got it wrong quite a few times. He’s spent a lot of money so I understand why he wants his input but you’re paying a guy there, Marcel Brands, to have a relationship with the manager, you want them to be on the same page.

“You don’t want them to be hammer and tongs, you know, ‘this is my player, this is my player’ and have two or three people on recruitment, which we have in the past, and it hasn’t worked.”

Lincolnshire now need just one more victory to go through to the next round of the 38 County Cup, having overcome main rivals Norfolk at The Lindum

Lincolnshire CCC Media Release16-Jun-2002Lincolnshire now need just one more victory to go through to the next round of the 38 County Cup, having overcome main rivals Norfolk at The Lindum.Mark Fell won the toss and, having elected to bat, was first man out, bowled Paul Bradshaw with the Lincs score on 28.A run out saw Martyn Dobson depart for 16 with 59 on the board and only five runs had been added when Jason Harrison was caught behind for 25, leaving Norfolk in command.But once again it was Jonathan Trower and Richard Howitt to the rescue, this partnership putting on 94 before Trower was stumped off Carl Rogers for 48 which came off just 48 balls and included seven fours.James Clarke was next to go, also stumped off Rogers with the score on 170, and from here the Lincs run rate slowed. Howitt and Duncan Heath added 34, Howitt the next to be stumped for 69 in which he hit a six and eight fours. He was followed swiftly by Heath, caught and bowled Rogers for 17, and David Christmas was run out to make it 212 for eight.But some lusty blows from Oliver Burford, ably supported by David Pipes saw Lincs to 237 for eight at the close, Burford unbeaten on 19 and Pipes on 11. Rogers was the pick of the bowling with three for 48 off nine while wicketkeeper James Garner ended with two catches and three stumpings.The Lincs players knew that openers Carl Amos and Carl Rogers were both capable of scoring quickly, but Rogers didn’t get the opportunity as the third ball of the Norfolk innings saw him caught behind by Burford off Christmas.The same combination saw the dismissal of his replacement with the score on 34 and with 10 runs added Amos became the third victim for Burford and Christmas for 28.But like their opponents, Norfolk had the partnership to stop the slide, Steve Goldsmith and Steve Livermore putting on 55 for the fourth wicket. Dobson split the partnership, bowling Livermore for 25 and when Simon Oakes trapped Goldsmith lbw for 29, Norfolk were 103 for five.From here, the visitors fell steadily behind the required run rate, losing two more wicket to Dobson for 25 runs. A dogged eighth wicket partnership of 54 between Garner and Bradshaw gave Norfolk a ray of hope but Christmas returned to dismiss Garner for 26.And after David Pipes took his only wicket on 198 it was left to Oakes to seal the victory, having Bradshaw caught next ball for 39 as Norfolk were all out for 198, Christmas finishing with four for 41 off his 10 overs, Oakes with two for 22 off seven and Dobson three for 22 off 10.Lincolnshire must now beat the Leicestershire County Board XI in their match at Cleethorpes on July 7 to go through to the next round of the competition as winners of their group.Prior to that, Lincs play Buckinghamshire in a three-day Minor Counties Championship match at Grantham starting on Sunday June 30.

It was second against fourth in the top division of the Norwich Union League as Glamorgan Dragons – backed by their vocal coterie of supporters – did battle with Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston

George Dobell28-Jul-2002It was second against fourth in the top division of the Norwich Union League as Glamorgan Dragons – backed by their vocal coterie of supporters – did battle with Warwickshire Bears at Edgbaston.And it was the Dragons who emerged victorious as they defended a daunting total of exactly 300 to win by 62 runs and draw level with the Bears on points in the table. The Bears remain second for the moment, courtesy of a marginally superior run-rate.The Dragons, inserted by Bears’ skipper, Michael Powell, made a bright start until Croft missed a drive at Neil Carter (63-1) in the eighth over. It hardly halted their progress however, with the new man David Hemp, returning to his former county, soon picking up Richardson for a six over square leg as the Bears missed the bowling of the injured Pollock (thigh strain).Powell’s gamble on calling Neil Smith’s off-spin into the attack as early as the 12th over, with only two fielders allowed outside the ring, backfired with the impressive Thomas striking successive fours back over the bowler’s head. The left-handed opener brought up the 100 up in just the 15th over with a pulled six off Brown.But in the same bowler’s next over he dismissed Hemp, pulling a ball that was too close to him to mid-on where Neil Smith clung on to a tricky chance well above his head (103-2).Ian Thomas batted beautifully. Only in the team in place of the injured Steve James he went to 50 in 42 balls (8×4 1×6) with a push off the legs, and celebrated with a delightful late-cut, a shot he played well several times, off Smith that raced to the boundary.He was furious with himself after perishing for an excellent 72 (65 balls 1×6 11×4), well caught by a diving Richardson off Powell on the mid-wicket fence.But Maynard was soon into his stride, crashing a brace of boundaries over mid-wicket off Smith before treating Powell to the same punishment. It wasn’t long before he brought up his own half-century with a dismissive six over mid-wicket off the suffering Carter (9-0-67-2). But Maynard fell to a poor ball, clipping Powell straight into the hands of Knight on the square-leg fence.Adrian Dale (63 from 48 balls, 7×4) continued the momentum, accelerating well thanks in part to a loose over from the rusty Mark Wagh (one over for 17). But when Dale fell (280-6) the Dragons lost some impetus with Wallace and Mike Powell (caught by his namesake) sacrificing themselves in the search for quick runs.Indeed, 300 was fewer than they had looked capable of with 10 overs to go, And, on a good batting pitch and with the Dragons missing Kasprowicz (hamstring problem) the Bears were far from out of it.They needed a good start to their reply however, and promoted Carter to the pinch-hitting role. But it didn’t work out as he drove Wharf straight to mid-on. Worse was to follow as the in-form Nick Knight departed to the same bowler for just six, in what was probably the key moment of the game.Knight gave Wharf (who dismissed the top three in the order) the charge, but in trying to turn the ball to leg succeeded only in chipping the ball up to Powell at a short-ish mid-on. Wagh and Ostler – smartly caught by Wallace standing up to the stumps – soon followed as the Bears looked to be heading for a heavy defeat.But a fine partnership of 104 between two of the brightest batting prospects in the domestic game, Ian Bell and Jamie Troughton threatened to turn the game on its head. Both players found the gaps in the field, and were harsh on any error of length from the Dragons bowlers.The experience of off-spinner Robert Croft proved crucial however, and when Troughton succumbed to the wily Welshman for 48 and Powell followed, there was a great deal of pressure left on Bell.He recorded a career-best one-day score of 86 (77 balls; 10×4 1×6), but found the requirement simply too great. And, when he fell, lbw to Thomas, with almost 100 still needed, the writing was on the wall.

Former Manchester City defender Steve Howey has told The Transfer Tavern in an exclusive interview that Erling Haaland would be a better option than Harry Kane for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Kane continues to be linked with a move away from Tottenham, with The Athletic recently claiming that the England international has his “heart set on a move to Manchester City” this summer.

Meanwhile, 27-goal forward Haaland is thought to be interested in a move to Chelsea, even if he has to wait a year before leaving Borussia Dortmund for the European champions.

Discussing the two strikers, Howey told TT:

“He [Haaland] certainly knows how to score goals. He would be a better option than Kane for me, even though Kane’s a class act, because this lad’s still got years and years ahead of him.”

Haaland is still only 20, turning 21 next month, so it is a very good point. However, getting him out of Dortmund before next summer, when his release clause becomes active, is looking like mission impossible.

The German club continue to insist that Haaland is going nowhere, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl telling Sport1 (via The Telegraph) last month that their talisman will still be wearing black and yellow once the new season starts.