Steve Rixon, the former Australian wicketkeeper and New Zealand coach, has joined the call for Matthew Hayden’s exclusion from the Australian team for the fifth Ashes Test, which starts at The Oval on September 8. Hayden has struggled throughout the series, scoring only 180 runs in eight innings at an average of 22.50, and Rixon reckoned it was time for Simon Katich to move up the batting order as Justin Langer’s partner.”I’d be leaving Matthew Hayden out and letting Simon Katich open,” Rixon told . “I’ve no doubt Ricky [Ponting] will want him in the team, but it shouldn’t happen. I’m a fan of Matthew Hayden. He’s been sensational for Australia. But this is a one-off Test with everything – and I mean everything – at stake. It’s the biggest match Australia has played for as long as I can remember. Matthew is a frustrated batsman. Even he would have to admit he’s out of form. It’s been too long since he’s made a big score.” Hayden hasn’t scored a hundred in his last 15 Tests, and averages only 30.23 over that period.”He can come back for the next Test, but he shouldn’t be in this one,” Rixon continued. “I’ve never seen him play the way he is at the moment. Some of the balls he misses, he wouldn’t have hit it with two bats.”If Hayden plays, I hope he gets runs and proves me wrong. But we need batsmen to go out there and fight to save the series. Katich will do that. He was ready for the innings of the life before he was taken out through no fault of his own,” Rixon said, referring to Katich’s 183-ball 59 at Trent Bridge, an innings which was cut short by a dubious lbw decision. “Simon showed that’s it’s possible to bat for a long time against these bowlers when you get tough. The selectors need to be strong on this.”Meanwhile Jason Gillespie, another Australian who has been struggling throughout the tour, rejected suggestions that there will be wholesale changes to the Australian team after the current series. Gillespie was dropped from the fourth Test after taking just three wickets at 100 apiece in the first three.”I honestly don’t believe there is a feeling of a sea change within the team,” Gillespie told . “There is talk of this being an older team but you’re only as old as you feel. We all feel fresh, the batsmen are hitting the ball well, the bowlers are doing well, it’s business as usual.”So, I don’t know if I buy into that sort of talk. That sort of talk always happens when you’re not playing well. “We’ve played a couple of bad games, we haven’t played to our usual standards, and you have former players in the media having their bit to say, which is fine. We know we can do better, it’s time for us to fine-tune our skills and we’ll silence [the critics] when we win at The Oval.”
The second phase of the bidding process for the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies has begun. The Venue Assessment Team (VAT), the ICC and the World Cup organising committee began the tour yesterday and will visit all the countries bidding to host matches in the tournament.The VAT, comprising experts from various sports, began the tour with a two-day visit to Lauderhill in Broward County, Florida. They will then move on to Antigua (June 8 and 9), St Kitts (June 9 and 10), Jamaica (June 10 and 11) and Bermuda (June 11 and 12).The touring party had covered St Lucia, Grenada, St Vincent, Trinidad, Guyana, and Barbados in the first part of the tour from May 24 to 29. After the first leg, the VAT had held private meetings with local bid committees while the officials had discussed venue arrangements and related matters with the governments and cricket officials.Expressing satisfaction with the work done so far by the VAT on the verification tour, Chris Dehring, the managing director of the organising committee, said: “This tour is a critical phase in the venue selection process following which the VAT will prepare a technical report for submission to the CWC [Cricket World Cup] board who they will also fully brief on their findings.”The VAT will present their technical report on June 24 to the board who will make the decision on the venues and allocate matches. That will require an approval from the ICC, who will then announce the list of venues to host matches on July 4 and allocate matches on July 13.
Nathan Astle was in no doubt about the significance of New Zealand’s six-wicket win over Zimbabwe, although he insisted that his team still had little margin for error despite his match-winning century.The win lifted New Zealand into fourth place in the Super Six table, with gamesagainst the top two sides Australia and India to come.”It was a big game,” Astle said. “We knew we had to win two out of the three. We were probably chasing a little more than we would have liked in the end, but I just thought if it was a good wicket and the longer I stayed in there, it would get better if we could get a partnership going. Cairnsy provided that partnership and it worked out nicely.”Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming, who himself hit a fluent 46, said: “In the end it was comfortable but at half-time it was 50-50. I was disappointed with the way we finished. Sixty from three overs is not ideal and we have got work on that.”On his own form he added: “It is going well. I would have liked to score a few more whilst batting so well but hopefully it will continue.”Zimbabwe captain Heath Streak, who had kept his side in the game with an unbeaten 72, conceded that they had been second best on the day.”We had a bit of a bad start,” he admitted. “We started slowly and lost a few wickets. We fought back an got a total that we tried to defend but we were probably 30 runs shy. In the end we didn’t have enough runs on the scoreboard. We were beaten by the better team on the day.”
Ashley Giles is still struggling with his Achilles tendon problem and may require surgery.Speaking to The Daily Mail Giles admitted: “It’s permanently inflamed and sore to touch. I’ve had this injury for a long time and I can’t say I’m 100% fit. I’m playing on with it, but there’s not a moment when I can forget it.”I’ve lost a lot of strength in my leg and it affects me a lot,” he continued. “It’s the kick-through leg in my bowling action and I just don’t seem to be pulling through all the time as I should be.”England are thought likely to play a spinner at Trent Bridge, with a fit Giles almost certain to play after his excellent tours of Pakistan and Sri Lanka. But the news that he is less than 100% fit may force a rethink from the selectors.Interestingly, in a CricInfo poll, Phil Tufnell has emerged as the fans’ favourite for a recall to the national team. The left-arm spinner and CricInfo diarist is in top form for Middlesex, with nearly 50 first-class wickets to date this season.It is worth remembering that Tufnell was man of the match when England last beat Australia at home, taking 11 wickets at The Oval.He’s keen to return to the Test team, commentating in his latest diary: “I keep on bowling and batsmen keep on getting out… I hope the selectors notice.”Robert Croft is another option for the selectors. He was in the squad for the First Test at Edgbaston and recently enjoyed a 10-wicket match against Northants, adding 93 runs in the first innings too.England need to win the Third npower Test to prevent Australia retaining the Ashes.
Tottenham Hotspur are now exploring a stunning move for an “unbelievable” Premier League forward, as an alternative to AFC Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
Spurs eyeing new forward as Semenyo alternative
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Spurs are very keen on signing Semenyo, who has already scored eight league goals this season, with the transfer expert saying: “Tottenham have genuine and strong interest and are being very aggressive. But the final decision will depend on the player.”
However, it could be difficult to get a deal for the Ghanaian over the line, given that he is attracting interest from a number of top clubs, with Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal also being named as potential suitors.
Such is their level of interest, Tottenham have already held talks to sign the forward, but it remains to be seen whether they are able to lure him to north London, given that they are not enjoying the best of campaigns.
Following the 2-1 loss against Liverpool on Saturday, the north Londoners sit 13th in the Premier League table, which means the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may not be the most attractive of destinations.
As such, alternatives to the Bournemouth star are now being identified, with a report from TEAMtalk revealing they are now exploring a stunning move for Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium for £59m back in January.
Marmoush’s game time has been very limited this season, which means he could be open to a move away, although Pep Guardiola is hesitant to sanction a departure, as the manager is keen to have strength in depth, given the busy fixture list.
With Semenyo making a move to Spurs deemed ‘increasingly unlikely’, amid rival interest, Thomas Frank has started to scour the market for other forwards, and there are indications the City ace could be an excellent addition to the Dane’s squad…
Tottenham set ridiculous Micky van de Ven price as Real Madrid plot January move
It wouldn’t be enough to buy his left foot.
1 ByEmilio Galantini "Unbelievable" Marmoush could flourish at Tottenham
The 26-year-old has found it difficult to force his way into Guardiola’s plans, so it may be wise to move on this January, and his goal and assist record for Eintracht Frankfurt suggests he could flourish at Tottenham.
Season
Appearances (all competitions)
Goal involvements
2023-24
41
23
2024-25
26
34
The former Frankfurt man also put in some eye-catching performances during his first season with City, amassing seven goals and two assists in 16 Premier League outings.
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One of those goals was particularly impressive, with the Egyptian scooping up the Goal of the Season award courtesy of a remarkable strike against AFC Bournemouth.
Lauded as “unbelievable” by Guardiola, Marmoush could be a fantastic signing for Tottenham, and if they are unable to get their hands on Semenyo, they should definitely make a move for the Man City ace.
Four days ago, Jamaican left-arm spinner Nikita Miller did not know what if felt like to take five wickets in an innings at the first-class level.Within three days of a one-sided Carib Beer Challenge final which saw Jamaica prevail over Trinidad and Tobago by nine wickets at Sabina Park, he has two five-wicket hauls, and ten in a match for the first time.”It’s been a long time coming, and I must say that I’m really, really elated,” Miller told the . “I’m really, really happy. I’ve been working really hard this season, and I’m very grateful.”He attributed his performances this season, which landed him 42 wickets, one more than T&T off-spinner Amit Jaggernauth, and the Bowler-of-the-Series accolade, to hard work and “a bit of luck”.”I love the game of cricket and I put in a lot of work for it, and maybe that’s what has worked for me this season,” Miller said.Like many of the region’s slower bowlers, he is sitting in wait to be noticed and acknowledged by the West Indies selectors. “It [being selected] would be on my mind, but the only thing I can do is to go on and perform to my best. If the coach or the selectors see it fit, then they will select me. I can’t say that I deserve a game or not. So I’ll just wait and see what they’ll do.”Tamar Lambert, Jamaica’s stand-in captain, also had high praise for Miller. “Nikita has been exceptional for us this season. And to get 42 wickets in just six games has been a good season for Nikita Miller. He just continues to bowl well year in, year out,” he said.
Events at The Oval continued to move along rapidly as 17 wickets fell on the second day to follow 16 on the first. However, a result is still too close to call as Durham began defending 152 with three early Surrey wickets. Steve Harmison ripped into the top order and removed Jon Batty, Mark Ramprakash – victims of sharp lifters – and Scott Newman before bad light ended play. The vital factor could yet be the 52-run lead Surrey managed during the morning session before reducing Durham to 132 for 7 second time around. Four middle order wickets went for six runs against Chris Schofield and Neil Saker before stubborn efforts from Will Smith (41) and Liam Plunkett (33) gave Durham’s attack something to bowl at.Thunder showers and hailstorms restricted play at The Rose Bowl to 28.4 overs as Warwickshire built a strong total against Hampshire. Darren Maddy could only add two to his overnight score before being caught off Chris Tremlett, but Alex Loudon and Tim Ambrose put on 60 for the fifth-wicket. Dimitri Mascarenhas removed Ambrose 20 minutes before the rain arrived. Hampshire wicketkeeper Nic Pothas has been ruled out of action for up to three weeks after being hit in the eye when a delivery from Michael Carberry bounced off Jonathan Trott’s pad on the first day. His deputy, Tom Burrows, took the catch to remove Maddy.Two heavy showers put paid to any chance of Lancashire and Yorkshire getting their Roses clash started at Old Trafford. Puddles formed on the outfield and the umpires called play off in early afternoon. The lack of cricket makes Darren Gough, Yorkshire’s captain, feel he will have Michael Vaughan and Matthew Hoggard available for next week’s game against Warwickshire as they search match practice ahead of the first Test against India. “The decision was always dependent on how much part they could play in the game here – so both of them will probably be available next week, as far as I’m concerned,” said Gough.It didn’t take long for the inevitable abandonment at New Road as Kent continued to be frustrated by Worcestershire’s decision to play at their headquarters. Any hopes of a start vanished when a heavy shower made the outfield like a mud bath. Kent have lodged an official complaint with the ECB who have said they will look into it urgently.
Division Two
Essex went on a run rampage against Nottinghamshire at Chelmsford as James Foster’s double century and a breathtaking 78-ball hundred from Graham Napier launched them to 700. It was unrelenting aggression from Essex as Foster and Andy Bichel (148) extended their seventh-wicket stand to 254 with Bichel registering a career-best score – his second ton in two Championship matches since joining Essex this season. Napier was then the dominate partner as he and Foster added 195 for the eighth wicket in 26 overs and Essex scored at more than six-an-over during the day. Nottinghamshire responded positively to the onslaught as Mark Wagh and Samit Patel added an unbroken 121 for the third wicket.Paul Nixon marked his first game as Leicestershire’s Championship captain with a vital century as he and HD Ackerman led an impressive fightback against Glamorgan at Grace Road. The pair added 213 for the sixth wicket after three early wickets for James Harris put Leicestershire on the back foot at 88 for 5. Ackerman’s second hundred of the summer took 166 balls while Nixon’s first came off 128. Mansoor Amjad continued to extend the advantage and by the close it was 111. Harris was the pick of the attack with four wickets, leading the way ahead of his more experienced colleagues.The Twenty20 fortnight has done nothing to slow Tom Lungley’s Championship form as his fine season continued with 5 for 33 for put Derbyshire on top against Middlesex at Southgate. Lungley broke the opening stand by trapping Billy Godleman lbw then wrapped up the innings with four quick wickets as Derbyshire gained a valuable lead of 82. Ed Joyce offered the main resistance with 81, but he was seventh out as Middlesex slipped from 166 for 3. Andrew Strauss, in need of some runs ahead of the Test series against India, reached 38 with some fluent shots before being caught at midwicket off a mistimed pull. An early finish prevented Derbyshire building on their advantage.Chris Taylor hit an unbeaten 112 to keep Gloucestershire afloat against Northamptonshire at Northampton. The visitors fell to 52 for 5 against the new ball with Johan van der Wath doing the damage before the recovery began. Steve Kirby batted three hours as nightwatchman, but it was a seventh-wicket stand of 102 between Taylor and Steven Adshead which brightened Gloucestershire’s day. Taylor took 148 balls over his hundred, but despite his efforts they still conceded a lead of 60 while Monty Panesar wrapped up the innings with three wickets. Northamptonshire steadily extended their lead to 152 during the final session.
The fateful aircraft that killed Hansie Cronje in 2002 had incomplete maintenance records, an inquest into the crash heard yesterday.The only witness called to testify, Dr Andre de Kock, Civil Aviation Authority senior accident investigator, confirmed that Airquarius Aviation did not have its own maintenance crew and subcontracted its aircraft maintenance work.When questioned by assessor Bruce Hyde on how pilots could determine whether defects were rectified if the maintaince folio was incomplete, de Kock said it could have been signed in the office only. “Technically speaking it should be signed off in the flight folio . . . [in] smaller operators there are closer links between ground crew and pilots,” he said.On Monday, the inquest – presided over by Siraj Desai, a Cape High Court judge – heard that pilot error, faulty equipment and inclement weather contributed to the fatal crash. Desai asked de Kock if it was “reasonable for a pilot not to respond to 13 warnings”. After he ruled in favour of an application by independent newspapers to obtain crash photographs, except those which depicted the deceased, Desai said a decision would be handed down on August 14.Gavin Bramson, the managing director of Airquarius, and his attorney Carel le Roux, were also present at the hearing. The inquest is taking place in the Cape Town High Court.
An innovative technique to balance wicket conditions is being trialled at Old Trafford. Peter Marron, the groundsman there for the last 22 years, has been applying a glue-resin directly on the pitch to bind it together to prevent wearing, with particular emphasis on the one-day game to ensure the pitch condition remains the same for both batting sides.Speaking to , Marron said: “Everybody thought I was joking when I first suggested trying it on the net pitches, and I admit I had a laugh when it was first suggested to me. But in fact the substance used is a glue-resin, PVA, which bonds and seals the surface so that conditions remain the same for both sides in the course of a one-day game.”Marron has been experimenting on the net pitches at Old Trafford, which have proved successful, providing “consistently hard, long-life strips.” The wicket used for the one-day game between the England and Sri Lanka Under-19s yesterday was due to use Marron’s pioneering technique, but the match was called off after four overs due to bad weather.
Rahul Dravid appeared relaxed and cheery despite India’s nine-wicket loss in the second Test. His counterpart, Inzamam-ul-Haq, was equally candid in the post-match press conference.
Rahul Dravid On the reasons for the defeat They [Pakistan] played well over three-and-a-half days. They played better cricket than us. It is as simple as that.On what the team could have done better You can look back upon [a lot of areas] and do [things] differently. I wish we had batted better, got the tail out quicker, but the toss is not the only reason. We didn’t bat well enough in the first session, and as you saw, the wicket was up-and-down towards the end. It would have been interesting if either team was chasing 250 on the last day. In hindsight we could have done it differently. If I knew that we would be four down at lunch, we would have done things differently. But we don’t have the benefit of hindsight.On whether his run-out in the second innings was the turning point One run-out cannot be the turning point. It is the team that plays better that wins, and they [Pakistan] were deserving winners.On not making runs as captain I was looking forward to this Test. But I played a poor shot [in the first innings]. I was disappointed personally, and hopefully, I will have the opportunity to correct this in Rawalpindi. And make some runs on this tour.On Pakistan’s tail wagging in the first innings In the first innings we could have done with 75 more runs. And we could have restricted them to less. We needed 150 runs from somewhere. Shoaib Akhtar showed the character to stay at the wicket, something that is not in his nature. Credit to him.On whether mental fatigue led to a rare occasion when India’s batting failed in both innings of a Test There was no mental fatigue, at least I hope not. We were all very keen and excited to play well here. It’s very hard to point out exact reasons why we failed twice. We know we are most dangerous when we bat well and put runs on the board.On whether umpiring decisions going against India made a difference We were better in Multan, they were better than us here, and in both games the better team won. Umpiring is part and parcel of the game. I believe that both teams should accept what they get in terms of umpiring.On the fact that India has won the first Test of a series and then immediately lost the next in away series We definitely think that we have not [handled] this aspect well. We have to find solutions to that problem. I don’t think complacency was a factor. It is not as if we did not try hard enough. That is something we can rule out. We have changed a lot of things over the last two-and-a-half years and hopefully this is something we can change.On the positives India can take out of this match Yuvraj [Singh] was brilliant. He was batting under pressure and did brilliantly for someone who is playing only his third Test. [Irfan] Pathan and [Lakshmipathy] Balaji showed great heart on what became a flat wicket on the second and third days. They ran in hard consistently. Viru [Virender Sehwag] has been fantastic and Parthiv’s attitude towards the end showed guts and character. I couldn’t have asked for more.On Umar Gul’s spell in the first innings I admit [Umar] Gul was a surprise package, an inspired selection. Hats off to the young kid. He did well to put the ball in the right areas. He broke the back of our batting and was deservedly the Man of the Match.On the fact that India won comprehensively in Multan and that Pakistan also completed their win with plenty of time to spare It has been an evenly contested series. Neither team has had a clear advantage. Whoever executes their plans better is going to win. It will be the same in Rawalpindi.On coming back from defeat It’s disappointing to lose – personally and as a team. I don’t deny that. But character is how you pick yourself up and come back. It does hurt but you have to look ahead and stay positive.On whether the deciding Test would be more intense and competitive It has been intense and competitive right through. It can’t get any more intense than it already has. Rawalpindi is an important game, the last of this tour.On whether the team was affected by speculation about who would be dropped if Yuvraj Singh was to be included in the third Test It did not affect the side. That’s the beauty of the game. In this part of the world all sorts of things are discussed, in board-rooms and living-rooms, but there was no talk about this in the dressing-room.
Inzamam-ul-Haq On the criticism after Multan This was a very good comeback by our team after what happened at Multan and it was a good answer to the criticism. The boys were very demoralized after the defeat but the criticism in the press was overboard. I was very disappointed by a lot of remarks from ex-Pakistani players and greats. I expected them to try and lift our team after what had happened but they did the exact opposite and I wasn’t very happy with that.On India batting first I wasn’t that surprised – there was some support for the bowlers and I would’ve bowled anyway had we won the toss. There was something in it for the first few hours.On Rawalpindi It’s the decider and it is a crucial game. We have to work even harder for that match. There are still some weaknesses in the team. We know that but they will have to be ironed out for the next game. I will not take these lightly at all, and we intend to work even harder now.On Javed Miandad’s hints at retirement following the criticism The criticism has been intense and uncalled for. I feel similar to Javed that if it continues then it will become difficult for me to carry on as well. If I had said something like this following Multan, then people would have said that I have lost. I am saying this now, after a victory, because I want to make it clear that it is difficult to work under this amount of pressure. Criticism is okay but it has to be positive and constructive.On the new players and selection for the next Test We will have to see what happens in the next few days. There are still injury concerns, but these players all played extremely well. We will decide on their status closer to the next game.On the failure of the India batting We know India has a very strong batting line-up and that is why it was so important to take such a big lead. Our bowlers then bowled very well, to a good line and length and it worked. A failure in one match doesn’t mean that their batting isn’t strong, but our bowlers are also confident now for the next game. We will have to work even harder for the next game.On the pressures of captaincy Captaincy is about handling pressure, but I would argue that international cricket is itself mainly about how you handle the pressure.On confidence The boys were obviously down after the first game but they now have their confidence back. It will spur them to work even harder for the next match.On the lack of crowds I think the one-day series played a part as it was held before the Test matches. Also, the security and all its concerns probably helped to keep a few people away, but with a win now, hopefully, more people will turn up for the next game.On Shoaib Akhtar There was no question of him not wanting to play this Test. He was obviously down after Multan but he is a human being. Like everyone else he goes through bad patches, he performs sometimes and sometimes he doesn’t. He can still bowl better than he did today although his rhythm is coming back. Hopefully he will be in full flow in the next Test.On the fielding We need to improve our fielding still. It was okay but it can get better. And no, I don’t think we need a coach for it.On the turning point in the game Rahul Dravid’s run out in the second innings.On his own form and Sachin’s My own form is good at the moment and I hope to continue it. Sachin is a big player and he will perform no doubt. But if he has another match like he did here then I won’t mind.On the tiff with Kumble We spent so much time on the field together I just thought we should have a chat. It was nothing special.On the overall progress of the team The entire squad has been working hard and they have done well. There are some areas that we need to work on and we are still learning as a team. But there is a picture emerging of a team now and a group of players who, if they continue to work hard, will be of benefit to the team.