All posts by h716a5.icu

A superb, even 100 from Kevin Pietersen, his first hundred as England captain, provided the mainstay of England’s 316 on the second day against South Africa at The Oval

The Bulletin by Will Luke08-Aug-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out – England
How they were out – South Africa
Kevin Pietersen cracked his 14th Test hundred and first as England captain © Getty Images
A superb, even 100 from Kevin Pietersen, his first century as England captain, provided the mainstay of England’s 316 on the second day against South Africa at The Oval. Yet with England’s brittle middle-order again struggling – Makhaya Ntini took five wickets for the first time in 17 Tests – it was left to none other than Steve Harmison and the tail to extend their lead from a thrifty fifty to a challenging 122. James Anderson then capped a solid day for England by removing Graeme Smith for a duck to put the hosts firmly on top.In helpful bowling conditions, the momentum swung wildly throughout the day. After Pietersen fell for his hundred, soon followed by Tim Ambrose and Andrew Flintoff, the onus fell on Paul Collingwood to chivvy the tailenders. But he too fell to Jacques Kallis, who bowled a nagging line all day, as England slipped to a precarious 248 for 7. A collapse was on the cards, but Harmison – clearly relishing his return – cracked his highest first-class score, falling one short of a maiden fifty, to lift England’s lead and alter the whole feeling of the day.An enigma with the ball during his career, Harmison is pleasingly uncomplicated with the bat. He stood tall to Ntini, punching him elegantly off the back foot before smudging another four over midwicket. A couple of fortunate swipes off the struggling Morne Morkel further deflated South Africa before he unleashed an exquisite cut to beat his previous best of 42. At the other end, Anderson was his muted partner but blocked and nurdled his way to a 34-ball 13 in the pair’s crowd-lifting ninth-wicket stand of 53. A fifty for Harmison on his comeback to the England side, perhaps? Sadly not, as Monty Panesar was ball-watching for what was a tight single, but Harmison had already done the damage.And Anderson made good England’s tail-wagging with a brilliant set-up to dismiss Smith. Much as he did to Kallis in the first innings, two outswingers gave the batsman a sighter before he bent back a killer inswinger, trapping Smith bang in front. Anderson and Harmison couldn’t break Hashim Amla, however, who looked in fine touch with five crisp late-evening fours.If it was a day for the bowlers, then more power to Pietersen’s elbow for his hundred. Ian Bell, promoted to the No.3 position which he yearns to cement, fell to the fourth ball of the day, and although Alastair Cook hung around for 102 balls, his 39 lacked fluency and confidence. Rather inevitably, he fell to a loose slap outside off. Yet the predicament England found themselves in didn’t affect Pietersen. Rather, it – and the added responsibility of the captaincy – seemed to spur him on. There was no discernible difference in his extravagant method at the crease, picking Ntini over midwicket with one-legged flair of Desmond Haynes and taking advantage of Smith’s heavy off-side field – an odd oversight to a player so strong on the leg-side, from a captain usually so aware of players strengths. Pietersen’s driving off Kallis – indeed all the seamers – down the ground was at its imperious best.Nevertheless, he wasn’t faultless and offered a chance on 52 when he top-edged Morkel into the deep, where Paul Harris was dozing. Ntini made a good effort to snaffle it, as he did again when Pietersen mis-hooked Andre Nel from around the wicket, but all the luck was falling England’s way. Collingwood, meanwhile, was fed with leg-side gifts aplenty, working and nudging through midwicket with ease, but he was no less strong through the covers when given the chance. A fierce cut scorched through extra cover as England took the lead and South Africa struggled to maintain the run-rate.Pietersen’s 15th four was flicked from outside the off stump through midwicket to bring up his hundred – a trademark stroke from a man writing his own script – as the crowd honoured him with a long standing ovation. But two balls later, he nudged a wide teaser from Ntini straight to Kallis at third slip; captain or not, it seems unlikely he will ever change his batting style. Nor should he.Collingwood forced his way to another fifty, on the back of his magnificent hundred at Edgbaston, and though England suffered a middle-order collapse of 5 for 44, South Africa’s slight complacency allowed Harmison off the hook during his trailblazing hour of fun. The momentum slipped away from South Africa with each four, and though Amla played with pleasing freedom in an extended final session, England remained in control in Pietersen’s first Test of his tenure.

The behaviour of present-day players is not much worse than their predecessors, according to Vince van der Bijl, the ICC umpires’ and referees’ manager

Cricinfo staff06-Sep-2008
Vince van der Bijl: “When I meet the players and umpires that I know and from what I have seen, I really don’t think the game in terms of conduct and behaviour is any different to when I played” © Wisden Cricket Monthly
The behaviour of present-day players is not much worse than their predecessors, according to Vince van der Bijl, the ICC umpires’ and referees’ manager. The on-field conduct of players has come under increased focus in recent years; Scyld Berry, the editor of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2008, had even made note of the threat of violence in the game, but van der Bijl disagreed with these observations.”I certainly don’t think the spirit of the game has worsened, it is just more visible,” van der Bijl told the Associated Press. “This is not an excuse for the [poor] behaviour – just reality. I saw this job as an opportunity to be part of the process to keep the spirit of cricket strong and healthy. What one sees today on TV occurred in the old days, but it was not as visible. Lapses in sportsmanship and aggressive behaviour have been there since the game began.”van der Bijl, the former Natal and Middlesex fast bowler, was appointed by the ICC with an “overall responsibility for the management and smooth running of the umpires and referees section”. The new role will also see van der Bijl monitor the manner in which umpires and match referees deal with disciplinary issues.However, van der Bijl felt there was not much to be worried about. “When I meet the players and umpires that I know and from what I have seen, I really don’t think the game in terms of conduct and behaviour is any different to when I played.”There is huge pressure on them to be role models,” he said. “I do believe that the general public want from their sports stars, the perfect human beings. Supporters expect players must have tunnel vision and be driven to absolute perfection in their specific art, yet be balanced and broad in their worldly views. Be determined and driven yet caring and sensitive. Few [people] like this exist. And in reality it is almost impossible to find these kinds of people, other than a [Nelson] Mandela or a [Desmond) Tutu. The pressure for players to be perfect is very high.”Player behaviour has come under focus in the past year, with the ICC even calling for improved conduct on the field. Andrew Symonds’ claim that Harbhajan Singh racially abused him during the Sydney Test in January, a charge that was later not proved, was one of several flashpoints that brought the game into disrepute. Harbhajan was later penalised when he slapped his India team-mate Sreesanth after the end of the match in the Indian Premier League.Elsewhere, Paul Collingwood, the England captain, received flak for not withdrawing an appeal against New Zealand’s Grant Elliott after the batsman was run-out following a collision with Ryan Sidebottom. Jelly beans also stirred a row during India’s tour to England last year, when Zaheer Khan showed his displeasure to opposition fielders after a few were placed on the batting crease.”I fear the day is approaching when a high-profile, televised cricket match will see an outbreak of physical violence on the field,” Berry said, “and nothing could be more injurious to all concerned.” He noted the increasing on-field physical contact between players. “James Anderson was fined 50% of his match fee for “inappropriate and deliberate physical contact” with Runako Morton … Paul Hoffmann of Scotland barged into Canada’s opening batsman Abdool Samad so forcefully that Samad needed four minutes of treatment on the field before continuing; Hoffmann too was fined 50%.”The worst example came in the Kanpur international when Gautam Gambhir ran straight down the pitch and straight into Shahid Afridi. As the bowler, Afridi was allowed to stay where he was at the end of his follow-through; it was up to the batsman to swerve and avoid him. Gambhir looked to be the chief culprit and, even though it was his first offence, should have been penalised more harshly than Afridi, whatever his verbal provocations. As it was, Gambhir was fined 65%, Afridi 95%.”van der Bijl also felt umpires were under increased pressure, with TV cameras and technology available to scruntinise every decision. “I actually believe, though, that the umpires are under even greater pressure – every ball – as they can make three unbelievable decisions and they can go unnoticed, but as soon as they make a mistake it is highlighted on televisions across the world.”van der Bijl, who took 767 wickets at 16.54 in a first-class career that spanned from 1967-68 to1982-83, didn’t play a single Test as it came at the time of South Africa’s sporting isolation because of their policy of apartheid. “I don’t regret anything,” he said. “All I hope for now is that the players have fun and express themselves in the right way and show their talents.”

Speaking to FootballFanCast, Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge has made a claim involving Tottenham Hotspur summer signing Pierluigi Gollini.

The Lowdown: Spurs sign Gollini…

After weeks of talks with Serie A side Atalanta, Spurs recently confirmed the signing of Gollini on a season-long loan with the option to make his stay permanent.

Indeed, the 26-year-old was announced as Nuno Espirito Santo’s first major summer acquisition as the former Wolves head coach gears up for his debut season as Tottenham boss.

Gollini has previous experience in England with Aston Villa and he will now provide sufficient competition for long-time number one Hugo Lloris.

The Latest: Sky reporter makes Gollini claim…

Speaking to FFC, Bridge has made a claim on Gollini on what exactly his role will be at Spurs over 2021/2022.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-updates-copy/” title=”Tottenham latest developments…” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The reporter says that he will in fact be utilised in a number two goalkeeping role behind Lloris, but that isn’t to say he won’t get plenty of minutes.

“From what I was told about Gollini, he will play every cup and every European game,” Bridge explained.

“Things change, if Lloris gets an injury, Gollini keeps six clean sheets and saves a penalty then Nuno has got a problem, a good problem.

“But Gollini will be number two for now, with a view to playing quite a few games this season.”

The Verdict: Shrewd signing…

Even though this isn’t a role which will really excite supporters, the signing of Gollini as back up is arguably a shrewd move given the long-season ahead and his impressive stint at Atalanta.

Landing the accomplished shot stopper on loan with a view to make the deal permanent could be deemed a masterstroke by Fabio Paratici given the finances saved in this move.

In one fell swoop, Spurs have snapped up a capable keeper whilst spending little to no money.

In other news: Talks underway: Nuno green lights yet another Spurs exit as N17 news emerges, find out more here.

“If he’s good enough, he’s old enough” was the verdict of ex-Tottenham captain Graham Roberts when asked whether Dane Scarlett will be given senior opportunities next season.

The teenage striker only signed his first professional contract back in March, but is highly-rated by those in north London and is expected to soon be making an impact in the first-team.

Scarlett became Spurs’ youngest player in their history when he came off the bench in the Europa League last term, one of three first-team appearances he made under Jose Mourinho, including his Premier League debut against West Brom.

Despite having the likes of Harry Kane ahead of him, the 17-year-old isn’t expected to head out on loan, and has already made an impact in pre-season, scoring the opener against Leyton Orient earlier this month before seeing an effort ruled out for offside four days later at Colchester.

With Tottenham’s seventh-place finish seeing them qualify for the Conference League, the third tier of European football, Roberts is confident Scarlett will get his fair share of chances under Nuno Espirito Santo.

He exclusively told The Transfer Tavern:

“Yes, you’ve got the League Cup; you’ve got the Conference League. He’s a young kid, only 17-years-old, but if he’s good enough, he’s old enough.”

There were wins for Tanzania, Afghanistan and Hong Kong on the opening day of the World Cricket League Division 4

Cricinfo staff04-Oct-2008
Tanzania’s Hamisi Abdallah during his 31 against Jersey © Cricket Europe/ICC
Hong Kong recovered from a poor start against Italy to win the clash between two of the pre-tournament favourites by 46 runs on the opening day of the World Cricket League Division 4 in Dar Es Salaam. In a game reduced to 41 overs per side, Hong Kong managed to overcome the loss of two early wickets to post an imposing score of 210 for 5, with Zain Abbas (70), Ilyas Gul (48) and Butt Hussain (44) all in excellent form. Hong Kong then put in a good bowling and fielding display, to restrict Italy to 163 for 9, leaving coach Aftab Habib content with his side’s start.”It was a really good team performance,” Habib said. “We’ve got a lot of character and fight in our team and Zain Abbas played an exceptional innings today. There’s still a lot more to work on in the rest of this tournament though.”Hosts Tanzania started well, beating Jersey by 34 runs. In a low-scoring match, Tanzania were bowled out for 142 after a mid-innings collapse saw them slump from 85 for 2 to 119 for 9. A tenth-wicket stand of 23, interrupted by rain showers, between Man of the Match Hamisi Abdallah (31) and Riziki Kiseto (8*) gave them a defendable target, and then their spinners proved too tricky for Jersey who also suffered a dramatic collapse. Seemingly well on course at 69 for 2, four wickets fell for eight runs and that left them with too much to do.”Everybody worked hard and my team gave me the support that I asked of them,” Abdallah said. “It’s our first game and there are so many games in this tournament we just need to keep playing well. We tried to bowl to our field and at the stumps. The spinners did a wonderful job.”Afghanistan, who qualified for this tournament by winning the Division 5 competition earlier in the year, also got off to a winning start with an 80-run victory over Fiji. Their batsmen also struggled in damp conditions as they limped to 132 all out with Iniasi Cakacaka (4 for 26) and Waisake Tukaha (3 for 16) doing most of the damage. However, Fiji were undone by some excellent bowling led by Hamid Hassan (4 for 25) and they only managed to muster 52.”We always thought that would be enough runs,” Hassan said. “As bowlers, you can’t change the score so we just tried our best with the ball. And it paid off.”In the second round of matches on Sunday, Hong Kong take on Tanzania, Italy play Fiji, while Afghanistan meet Jersey in a repeat of the ICC World Cricket League Division 5 final.

Aston Villa have been handed a potential boost in their chase for Fulham midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa this summer amid a major transfer update.

What’s the story?

Following the Cottagers’ relegation from the Premier League last season, it would be no surprise to see a number of their key players look to move on.

According to previous reports from The Daily Mail, Dean Smith’s Villa side are monitoring developments over Anguissa ahead of a potential move, with Fulham braced for offers for many of their key men.

And now, The Athletic have revealed that Anguissa was left out of the squad to face Middlesbrough in the Championship at the weekend due to his desire to leave.

It’s added that “the 25-year-old midfielder is subject to interest from clubs in Italy, Spain and the Premier League and has made it clear that he does not want to play in the Championship.”

Premier League proven

Joachim Andersen, his teammate at Fulham, has raved about about the £22.5m-rated powerhouse, saying: “He’s a top player. He’s a machine in the midfield. He’s winning so many balls and driving forward with it.”

And, when you compare the key stats between Anguissa and Villa’s own Douglas Luiz, it’s the former who comes out on top.

As per Whoscored, he is defensively far stronger than his Brazilian counterpart, averaging more tackles and interceptions per game in the Premier League, and also committing far fewer fouls too – something Villa fans will be relieved to know after Luiz’s mindless challenge to give away a penalty against Manchester United at the weekend.

And, as Andersen said, Anguissa is also adept at driving the ball forward, averaging a whopping 2.7 dribbles per game – far higher than Luiz, and actually only slightly below Jack Grealish with 2.8 in the entire Villa squad.

It’s exactly why Villa should now be pouncing on a move for Anguissa, especially with this recent development. Johan Lange must pounce now.

The fact Anguissa was left out and has made it clear he wants to move, has given Villa the perfect chance to swoop.

Meanwhile, Villa could sign a dream Jack Grealish replacement in this star…

A 132-run opening stand between Hamish Marshall and Deep Dasgupta guided Royal Bengal Tigers to a nine-wicket win over Chennai Superstars

Cricinfo staff04-Nov-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Upul Chandana and Hamish Marshall were the stars for Bengal as they moved closer to sealing a semi-final spot © ICL
A 132-run opening stand between Hamish Marshall and Deep Dasgupta guided Royal Bengal Tigers to a nine-wicket win over Chennai Superstars. The victory put Bengal back in second place. They are now level on ten points with table-toppers Chennai and have virtually assured themselves a place in the semi-finals.Hamish Marshall signalled his intent right from the start as he tore into Shabbir Ahmed with two fours and a six. Dasgupta played the perfect foil, holding up the other end and rotating the strike as Marshall raced to 45 off 25 balls. Marshall was handed a lifeline when Russel Arnold dropped him off G Vignesh in the ninth over.Marshall soon brought up his half-century in 29 balls, with five fours and two sixes. Chennai clearly seemed to be off-colour; Dasgupta also got a second chance when Chennai’s captain Stuart Law dropped a sitter, again off Vignesh, at midwicket.Vignesh’s frustration was evident when he got into an altercation with Dasgupta in the 13th over after the batsman lifted him over long-off for six. A timely intervention from the on-field umpire ensured matters didn’t flare up. Having been smacked for four off the penultimate ball in that eventful over, Vignesh saw an edge from Dasgupta dropped again, this time by Hemanth Kumar behind the stumps.R Jesuraj was flayed for three boundaries the very next over as Dasgupta brought up his half-century off 44 balls. By the time Shabbir Ahmed trapped him leg-before on 54, Bengal were on course for victory. Marshall remained unbeaten on 80 and his captain Craig McMillan hit the winning runs during his 21.Chennai suffered early losses after Law chose to bat. Hemanth was the first to go, holding out to Rajiv Kumar at point off Andre Adams with the score on 12. Vignesh, who boasted a strike-rate of 161.90 before the match, was looking good as he smashed two consecutive fours off Lance Klusener, but he top-edged a pull to midwicket and was caught by Rohan Gavaskar.Arnold and Hemang Badani kept the run-rate ticking just below six as the seamers piled on the pressure. However, McMillan’s move to introduce legspinner Upul Chandana in the ninth over paid off immediately as Arnold lofted the bowler to Marshall at long-on. Chennai’s woes were further compounded when Jesuraj was run out soon after; the score read 59 for 4.However, Badani and R Sathish led a superb fightback. While Badani looked the more composed, Satish went after Chandana in the 13th over, clubbing him for a four and two sixes in a 22-run over. Mihir Diwakar and McMillan also came in for some harsh treatment as Chennai looked set for a big score.But once Eklak Ahmid removed Sathish in the 18th over, Chandana swung the momentum back Bengal’s way, removing Badani, S Saravanan and Jamaluddin Syed Ahmed. Five wickets fell in the last twelve last balls – Eklak took two in the final over – as Chennai were kept to 154.

The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece has delivered a teasing transfer claim on Aston Villa’s pursuit of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent weeks and months had suggested that Dean Smith’s side had made Ward-Prowse a key target of theirs this summer as they look to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.

But, The Athletic’s David Ornstein then revealed that the Midlands club had had a bid rejected by the Saints, and that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s club had no intention of letting him go.

But now, Preece has delivered a 12-word update on where things currently stand from a Villa point of view.

He said: “All I’ll say is JWP could well happen. It’s not dead yet.”

Villa fans will be excited

Having already sealed deals for the likes of Emi Buendia, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings, among others, Villa have enjoyed a fruitful summer transfer window thus far, with the obvious caveat of losing Jack Grealish, of course.

But sealing a deal for Ward-Prowse, an England international and a captain of a Premier League rival, would be fantastic business for Villa, and it’s no surprise that it’s received a lot of backing from the likes of former Three Lions goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

He said: “He would be a great signing for Aston Villa though and in truth, Villa are moving forward faster than Southampton. They are a bigger club as well.

“If he moved I think it would enhance his international opportunities and for that reason I think it is a move the player will try and push through. Southampton will not want to do business but they are a club that will do business at the right price, of that I’m sure. I think Villa can get the deal through if they are willing to pay.”

And that claim from Robinson that Villa are “moving forward faster” than the Saints is the one that really stands out and tells a big picture about the kind of exciting project the Midlands club are building under NSWE’s ownership.

They have been quick out of the blocks with their summer recruitment, and while only time will tell how much of a loss Grealish leaving will be, have done virtually everything possible to try and still take that next step.

It’s exactly why Preece’s latest claim that a move for Ward-Prowse may not be dead should have Villa fans drooling at the prospect of another hugely exciting signing arriving at Villa Park this summer.

Meanwhile, Gregg Evans has dropped an Aston Villa transfer update…

The organisers of the Stanford 20/20 for 20 have denied rumours that the president of the tournament’s board of directors, Andrea Stoelker, has been sacked

Cricinfo staff30-Oct-2008The organisers of the Stanford 20/20 for 20 have denied rumours that the president of the tournament’s board of directors, Andrea Stoelker, has been sacked.”I’ve received all sorts of calls this morning asking if she’s been demoted, sacked or reprimanded, but this speculation is absolutely untrue,” a Stanford spokesman told Cricinfo. He also confirmed that Stoelker is Allen Stanford’s fiancée.Stoelker has been closely involved in much of the organisation surrounding the event and was believed to be the main point of contact in dealings with the ECB. She also worked on the dispute between the West Indies board and Digicel which at one stage threatened to lead to the cancellation of the main game.

Mumbai are on the brink of an innings victory against Hyderabad, who need another 185 runs to clear the deficit after they were forced to follow-on

The Bulletin by Nagraj Gollapudi in Mumbai04-Dec-2008
Scorecard
Ramesh Powar relied on loop and flight to complete his second five-for in the Ranji Trophy this season © Getty Images
Mumbai are on the brink of an innings victory against Hyderabad, who need another 185 runs to clear the deficit after they were forced to follow-on. Resuming at 82 for 2, Hyderabad folded up for 251 in the first innings. Ramesh Powar took five, ending the visitors’ challenge with an attacking spell. Hyderabad, who have six wickets in hand and opener Ravi Teja unbeaten on 107, will hope to bat out the final day for a draw.On a pitch where patience was needed all round, Teja pulled, hooked, drove, lofted and cut with impunity en route to his second century of the season. Ajit Agarkar was hit for two sixes, Usman Malvi was hooked for one and Powar was lofted over long-on for a fourth. Preferring the big strokes over running, he brought up his hundred with a back-foot drive past cover for four.However, there was no fight from Hyderabad in the morning session, which Powar dominated. With the fast bowlers not getting any assistance from the pitch and the dry conditions, he posed the biggest hurdle for the visiting batsmen.Hyderabad began steadily, with TS Suman and Anoop Pai carrying forward the momentum built the previous evening. Suman started the day with two fours off Agarkar. He went past 50 with another four, a forward push past mid-off, and followed it with a flick over the empty square-leg region. Powar replaced Agarkar in the 11th over of the morning and Suman, having read the length well, stepped to hit the offspinner past long-off for a four and then freed his arms for the first six of the day, over long-on.On a lifeless pitch that hardly turned, and with no breeze to aid the ball drift, Powar had to fall back on his strengths: flight and loop. Smartly, he took the cue from Suman’s aggression and tried to draw the batsman further out with variations in flight. Against one such loopy delivery, Suman stepped out to hit a big one, but the leading edge was picked up well by Amol Muzumdar at cover. Abhinav Kumar offered an edge off Malvi soon after. Arjun Yadav was far from settled despite his first five scoring shots being fours – the first four were edges that sneaked through the slips and gully.Hyderabad now relied on Pai, but he got bogged down by the tentative batting of his partners after reaching his half-century and was eventually dismissed while trying to defend against Powar, giving keeper Vinayak Samant his third catch of the innings.Hyderabad’s hopes of a fightback were dented by a double-strike by Powar in the over before lunch. Yadav’s bat-pad push went straight to Vinayak Mane at short leg, and the following ball, MP Arjun tried to play a forward defensive to flighted delivery, but the thin edge was picked brilliantly by Jaffer, who swiftly leaned to his left side. Powar completed his second five-for of the season when he castled Shoaib Ahmed behind the legs.Powar bowled an unbroken spell of 21-1-40-5. Jaffer’s ploy to persist with him worked wonders yet again: in their first round, against Rajasthan, Powar had a spell of 20-3-44-5.Hyderabad’s second innings started ominously. Dhawal Kulkarni picked a wicket in his first over for the second time in the match, trapping Suman, Hyderabad’s top scorer in the first innings, plumb in front. At 38 for 3 Hyderabad seemed to be falling apart, but Teja started his assault and got good support from Arjun Yadav. But at the fag end the day, the Hyderabad captain prodded at a legbreak from Sairaj Bahutule, who got his first wicket of the match after Jaffer latched on to another sharp catch at first slip.