All posts by h716a5.icu

Mauricio Pochettino could make a sensational return to Tottenham Hotspur this summer, according to emerging reports…

What’s the word?

The ever-reliable Alasdair Gold at football.london has dropped an exciting new claim suggesting that there is interest in bringing the 49-year-old home, over 18 months after his departure.

“Spurs have held talks with Mauricio Pochettino about returning to the club and I understand he wants to come back,” he wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

Pochettino has made no secret of his intentions to one day return to North London to complete his ‘unfinished business but nobody could’ve expected to be this soon, even more so as he’s under contract as the manager of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

It’s even thought that the Argentine is back at his home in England following a dismal end to the 2020/21 season, so it’ll be on Daniel Levy to negotiate with PSG if he’s to seal a comeback to Spurs.

Hugely exciting claim

If you’re a Spurs supporter, then this news is as good as anything you’ll hear this year. Many believed the fan-favourite coach was unfairly dismissed, just a few months after reaching the Champions League final.

In fact, much of the Lilywhites faithful have made their voices heard in response to Gold’s massive suggestion.

One fan claimed that he would “love Poch back” and another told the football.london journalist that he was a “magnificent bearer of good news,” whilst a further supporter dubbed it the “perfect appointment.”

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-managerial-updates-transfer-news-rumours-gossip-and-more-levy-kane-enic” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, managerial gossip, transfer rumours and more!”]

It’s hardly a surprise to see this sort of reaction as Pochettino gave Spurs many seasons of attractive and entertaining football, and he arguably overachieved with what he had at his disposal.

There was a time when the club went 18 months without making a signing, and even then, it wasn’t one for the senior side.

In comparison, Jose Mourinho was well-backed by Levy, bringing in Steven Bergwijn in his first window before going on a spree in the summer, adding Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Matt Doherty, Joe Rodon, Sergio Reguilon and even Gareth Bale to his ranks.

Indeed, Pochettino could well be the “ideal candidate” as it seems as if Levy is searching for an exact prototype – so why not the man himself, once again?

The Argentine’s return could also bolster Spurs’ claims to keep hold of wantaway talisman Harry Kane, as the England international has always spoken well about the relationship he had with his former boss.

That would certainly please the fanbase, who have been protesting against the chairman and the owners in recent weeks, even more.

All in all, the fact that Spurs have held discussions with Pochettino, and that he would be open to returning, is hugely encouraging and exciting news.

AND in other news, Imagine him AND Conte: Levy could transform Spurs with landmark double swoop…

It was a day of nail-biting cricket, make no mistake about that

Anand Vasu23-Apr-2002It was a day of nail-biting cricket, make no mistake about that. Whether you were an Indian fan or a West Indian supporter, the day’s play would have left you satisfied. It was a humdinger of a game, with a tough fight between bat and ball, but ultimately the target of 313 proved to be too much for the West Indies. With a 37-run win, India went 1-0 up in this five-Test series.When the fifth day began, there was much anticipation of an inspired performance from either home-boy Brian Lara or skipper Carl Hooper. But clearly, India had the edge. Even with 182 to chase with eight wickets in hand, the West Indies had an uphill fight ahead of them if they were to pull it off. Barring rain, even the draw seemed extremely unlikely.Perhaps it was fitting, then, that Lara began the day by looking over to the boisterous Trini Posse stand and asked them to turn the music off. Even the Prince was tense and needed to concentrate hard. Little did Lara know at that time that the Posse might as well have packed up their steel drums, put away their trumpets and saved their baritones. There would be no great West Indian win to celebrate.For their part, India were as wound-up as they have been in recent times. Sourav Ganguly, constantly chatting to his bowlers in animated tones and occasionally even slipping a word in to the batsmen and umpires, was fired up. His team, not far behind, accordingly delivered the goods. Javagal Srinath, Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan all bowled with purpose and fire to dismiss the hosts for 275.Overnight on 40 and still searching for that elusive hundred at his home ground in Port of Spain, Lara flattered to decieve. After adding seven runs to his overnight score in a period of abundant caution and a hint of nervousness, Lara edged a quick one from Ashish Nehra to Dravid at slip. A perfectly pitched ball just outside the off-stump did just enough off the wicket to kiss the edge of the bat before landing safely in the hands of first slip. The West Indies were 157 for three at this stage.Just two overs later, Hooper pulled a short one from Nehra straight to the hands of Shiv Sunder Das at square leg. Hooper had already played a couple of handsome strokes on the day, but he was clearly cramped for room when he attempted his shot. At 164 for four, the hosts were in trouble.Chris Gayle, who went off the field of play after making 20, made his way back out to the middle at the fall of his captain’s wicket. Getting his foot to the pitch of the ball, he made full use of every loose delivery that came his way. At the other end, Chanderpaul was his usual self, playing with care and application.But Gayle is the kind of cricketer you don’t want to entrust too serious a task to. After batting beautifully for 52 (176 balls, eight fours), the left-hander committed a serious blunder in driving the first ball of a new Zaheer Khan spell straight to Harbhajan Singh at point. West Indies were 237 for five when Gayle fell, and they slumped quickly to 238 for seven.Junior Murray, who had not scored a run in two knocks in this series, replaced Gayle at the crease. After working one ball away to fine leg for a single, Murray committed suicide, taking off for a run without looking to Chanderpaul for confirmation. A good throw from Ratra to Das found Murray well short of his ground.Mervyn Dillon lasted a breezy 30 seconds, walking all the way out to the middle to be clean-bowled by a quick, straight one from Javagal Srinath. Dillon’s duck paved the way for an early entry for Marlon Black.Using a very basic technique, planting his foot well forward and defending with a dead bat, Black managed to see off 24 balls before Srinath snuffed him out. With Black (3) playing forward almost every ball, Srinath banged one in a touch short for Black to awkwardly glove the ball through to Das at forward short-leg.Chanderpaul, motoring along with a look of growing anxiety on his face, brought up his half-century with a streaky slash over the slips that raced away to the third-man fence. Going after Harbhajan Singh off the very last ball before tea, Chanderpaul (60 batting, 122 balls, four fours) had the hearts of West Indian supporters in their mouths as Asoka de Silva looked long and hard before saying “not out” to the appeal for a catch behind.Adam Sanford’s inexperience meant that his stay at the wicket yielded a solitary run and did little for the West Indian cause. But if people expected the West Indian last man to give in meekly, they had to think again.In the 107th over of the innings, Chanderpaul had a big drive at a quick one from Srinath. Ajay Ratra, diving across well, pouched the ball low and in front of first slip. Umpire Asoka de Silva, unsure of the outcome, got on the walkie-talkie and consulted third umpire Eddie Nicholls. After a long delay and several replays, the green light came on. The decision is one that might be discussed ad nauseam, but given that India managed to go on to win anyway may quickly be forgotten.It took 28 balls of obstinate defending before Zaheer Khan could entice Cuffy into a cut shot that landed in Bangar’s hands at gully.And then all India erupted in joy…

Tottenham’s Serge Aurier has revealed that he intends to leave the club this summer.

The Lowdown: Heavily linked with an exit

The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with an exit away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with his former club Paris Saint-Germain believed to be particularly interested in his services (Le Parisien).

The 66-cap Ivory Coast international himself has now spoken out on where he sees himself over the coming months.

The Latest: Aurier wants to leave

In an interview with French outlet L’Equipe, Aurier revealed his plans for the future, saying:

“Everyone is aware that if I wanted to extend my deal at Tottenham, I would’ve done so already. I’m not going to do it in six months.

“I’ve reached the end of a cycle and it’s time to look elsewhere. The two parties, Tottenham’s board and my agents, have agreed upon the conditions. We’ll see after that.

“I’ve never hidden my desire to return to PSG one day. It’s the club of my heart, the one that I support and I feel free to speak about it.”

The Verdict: The end of the road

Aurier’s time at Tottenham has been a mixed one. Of course, he was part of the squad which reached the Champions League final in 2019, and he has managed 110 games for the club in all competitions, scoring eight goals and providing 17 assists (Transfermarkt). However, he has also come in for criticism for a few of his performances (Football Insider).

With just one year left on his £68,000-a-week contract, now would be the perfect time for Spurs to sell Aurier. He is still valued at £18m (Transfermarkt) and could therefore bring in a healthy sum which could go towards new signings. If he has no desire to stay in north London, then frankly he is of no use to anyone at Tottenham.

In other news, Tottenham eye this Bundesliga midfielder.

The second delivery of the day saw Mark Butcher stroke test colleague Andrew Caddick effortlessly to the boundary, the third, a fast accurate in-swinger brought Caddick his wicket

Ed Green25-May-2002The second delivery of the day saw Mark Butcher stroke test colleague Andrew Caddick effortlessly to the boundary, the third, a fast accurate in-swinger brought Caddick his wicket. Earlier he had won the toss on a day where start was delayed by rain and a wet outfield for forty five minutes and elected to bat. Given the conditions decision surprised many, but with the return of Saqlain and the fact that Surrey’s spinners have dominated this fixture for the past three years there was certainly method in the choice.The fall of Butcher brought Mark Ramprakash to the crease for an almost equally brief stay at the crease before he was well caught by Burns at short leg from the bowling of Bulbeck. This brought Graham Thorpe, and left him and Ward with a clear duty to rebuild the home side’s innings, it wouldn’t be an easy task with the ball swinging and the Somerset openers bowling performing well. For some time though, the two responded successfully and with resolution, the inevitable edges were well controlled by soft hands and what scoring opportunities came were taken, Bulbeck was seen out of the attack and his replacement, Jones proved incapable of keeping the pressure on being struck for two crisp boundaries from the bat of Ward in his opening over.At this point though the showboat label reared its ugly head, with Caddick coming to the end of his spell, and Somerset’s fourth seamer the vastly less capable Parsons in the wings Graham Thorpe flicked lazily at the last ball of the fifteenth over to gift Burns with a dolly catch. It was a foolish shot by a senior player, played just as Surrey were getting into the game and put the home side back in trouble at 56-3.Ali Brown took a few deliveries to get off the mark, but when he did he did so he did it spectacular fashion, pulling the first ball of Jones’ third over for six over square leg and driving two more boundaries from the same over, his tally would have been higher but for Burns who, this time unconsciously aided the visitors cause when struck by another boundary headed blow at short leg. Brown and Ward now looked in good form and by the time they had raced the score on to 90-3 at lunch, Surrey would have liked the session to carry on longer but both sides had some cause to be pleased with their shortened morning’s work.After the Caddick and Bulbeck, refreshed by the break came racing in again, Caddick immediately troubling Brown with a series of deliveries the like of which Sri Lanka’s batsmen were not exposed to in the recent test. Ward now took the initiative in the partnership nudging, stroking and punching the ball around as the two sought to once again see off Somerset’s two best bowlers. Caddick though had other plans and with the score on 106, Brown having added five to his morning score, he drew the explosive middle order batsman into snicking a thin edge to Turner behind the stumps.Brown was quickly followed into the pavilion by Alec Stewart, who was drawn into a false shot by the now rampant Caddick and with the score on 120 for five Surrey were in serious trouble. Caddick then gave Alex Tudor such a torrid time that when Ward’s fine innings was brought to an end by a sharp slip catch by Dutch even the mythic properties of the Surrey tail seemed unlikely to prolong things much further. Bicknell and Tudor though, despite heavy cloud and drizzle were able to push on as far as 153 before the rain became heavy enough to force the players off. Once again the session had been so shortened that the support bowlers were barely exposed.The first ball after tea saw Caddick bring up his fivefer, bowling Martin Bicknell and the next phase of the patch up job was left to Salisbury and Tudor contributed 24 and whose wicket gave Jones his one success of the day. Salisbury nudged and pushed his way to a useful twenty-six and Saqlain struck twenty one runs in a style that showed the tremendous effort he has put into in recent years. By the time that Bulbeck had taken the spinners wickets the tail had done enough to earn a single batting point adding 92 for the loss of four wickets when the regulars had managed just 128 from their six.Bicknell and Tudor were left with time to send down four probing overs to the Somerset openers, but despite an LBW appeal by Bicknell against Cox that was certainly within Daryl Harper’s definition of out they were unable to pry Trescothick and Cox apart.The weather was a crucial feature of Somerset’s successful first day each of the three sessions was shortened, and this allowed Andy Caddick, their best bowler to deliver more than forty percent of the innings’ 69.1 overs while his partner Bulbeck send down nearly thirty percent. There was also movement in the air throughout the day, but there is not taking away from the visitors that they played better than their hosts on the opening day, whether it will be enough to beat the weather and allow them to go on and establish a first innings lead high enough to put Surrey’s spinners out of the game in the second innings remains to be seen.

BRISBANE, June 9 AAP – Test opener Matthew Hayden has continued his resurrection in the one-day arena by inspiring Australia to a commanding total in their practice match today against Queensland at Allan Border Field

Stephen Gray09-Jun-2002BRISBANE, June 9 AAP – Test opener Matthew Hayden has continued his resurrection in the one-day arena by inspiring Australia to a commanding total in their practice match today against Queensland at Allan Border Field. Hayden, elevated to the one-day opening ranks during the recent one-day series in South Africa, top-scored with 78 as Australia raced to 7-226 off their 40 overs.Hayden and fellow Queenslander Jimmy Maher, opening the innings in the absence of Adam Gilchrist, got Australia away to a flying start, putting on 85 runs in the first 12 overs before Maher was dismissed for 60 off 43 balls. Australia then experienced a mini-collapse, losing 4-12 with captain Ricky Ponting (3), Damien Martyn (1) and Darren Lehmann (0) all dismissed cheaply.But Hayden and Michael Bevan (17) put on an 87-run partnership to provide a handy pointer to Australia’s prospects for the opening Super Challenge series match against Pakistan in Melbourne on Wednesday.Queensland off-spinner Nathan Hauritz produced his second stand-out performance with the ball in as many days, finished with 1-17 off eight overs.Hauritz had stood out in a hammered Queensland attack in their practice match against Pakistan yesterday.

Wolves have given the ‘green light’ for Dion Sanderson to make a permanent exit in the summer transfer window, according to Football Insider.

Former boss Nuno Espirito Santo apparently doubted the defender’s Premier League prospects and reckoned he was better suited to the Championship.

The Portuguese manager left the club at the end of the season, perhaps raising hopes that the Sunderland loanee would be given a chance in 2021/22, but the report claimed that the change in the dugout will make little difference to Sanderson’s situation.

It’s claimed that Wolves value at him at just over £2m, with only a year remaining on his contract. Sunderland are looking to strike a permanent deal for the 21-year-old, but there is competition from clubs in the Championship after a campaign in which he won the admiration of numerous Black Cats supporters for his fine performances.

Sanderson has played one game for Wolves’ senior side, featuring in a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Reading in October 2019.

Fan feed Talking Wolves relayed the report, and here’s what some supporters made of it, with a few urging likely new manager Bruno Lage to “have a look” at the defender before sanctioning his exit from Molineux.

Wolves fans bemoan potential departure of Sanderson

“This is good management isn’t it….loan a player out to get experience, they win young player of the year at that club and get glowing feedback, so we decide to sell him instead of having a look at him to see how much he has developed! Ridiculous.”

Credit: @dtoe1984

“Another mistake, I swear this club at the moment is just sending us bad news 24/7.”

Credit: @cpj93070

“I hope this isn’t true. Surely it would be wise for Lage to have a look at Dion before any decision is made. Given how good he is working with and bringing through young players, it would seem to make sense.”

Credit: @PaulAston6

“That just about sums us up at the moment, I thought we were supposed to be developing young players for the future, Jeff Shi. He was one of the players that I thought could have made the grade, shame that if it’s true”

Credit: @wayneedoodle

“We seem to be happy to flog anyone now, what happened to us becoming a top 6 team?”

Credit: @AlanDavis1983

“Is there ever any good news?”

Credit: @OldManWolves

In other news, these fans reacted to a report linking another Wolves defender with a move away. 

Kevin Phillips has dropped an intriguing verdict surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s prospective role in Celtic’s recruitment process [Football Insider].

The Latest: Celtic finally have a new man in the dugout after nearly four months of limbo

After nearly four months in the managerial wilderness, Celtic officially confirmed 55-year-old Ange Postecoglou as their new head coach on Thursday 10th June 2021 [Celtic FC Official].

Though youngster Liam Shaw is set to be the Hoops’ only playing summer arrival as of yet, Celtic have been linked with moves for Charlie Wyke and Mat Ryan as they look to build for 2021/22

As reported by the Scottish Sun, the Australian is set to have the final say over incomings and outgoings at the Glasgow giants. In response, Phillips was quick to share his take on proceedings, as the Australian is thrust into the Scottish football goldfish bowl.

The Latest: Phillips agrees that Postecoglou should have autonomy over transfer activity

Speaking in an interview with Football Insider, Phillips signified that Postecoglou should have full power to cultivate his own squad, stating:

“That’s one of the biggest things as a manager going in. They want to keep control of who comes in and who doesn’t because then there’s nobody to blame. There’s no director of football to blame, you take sole responsibility.

“It’s brave because if signings don’t work out, you get the blame for it.

“But I think it’s great that managers are going in there with full control because ultimately they’re the ones that have to work with them.”

The Verdict: Postecoglou should be given every chance to succeed at Celtic

Upon reflection, the ex-pro turned pundit makes an interesting point. If the former Yokohama Marinos manager is to be a smash hit at Parkhead, he should be given every opportunity to operate in an agreeable environment.

By having full control over his own acquisitions, Postecoglou will be able to tactically mould a side that is comfortable within the realms of his high-octane style of football.

Ultimately, this will create the fairest reflection of his capabilities to handle the pressure of being a Celtic manager without interference.

If he can get it right, the Hoops could mount a serious challenge as they look to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title at the first attempt.

In other news, Olivier Ntcham nears an exit from Celtic Park.

India have been beaten for the first time in the NatWest Series, after England completed an emphatic 64-run victory at The AMP Oval in the dress rehearsal for Saturday’s final at Lord’s

Stephen Lamb09-Jul-2002India have been beaten for the first time in the NatWest Series, after England completed an emphatic 64-run victory at The AMP Oval in the dress rehearsal for Saturday’s final at Lord’s. Ronnie Irani was made Man of the Match after adding five Indian wickets to his first half-century in one-day internationals. For good measure he also took the catch which completed England’s win.Needing to score at a shade over seven an over to win a game reduced by rain to 32 overs a side, India had started confidently. Sehwag, perhaps lucky to survive a caught behind appeal in Gough’s second over, hit Tudor for 15 in an over, including a brace of off-side fours and a hooked six. Flintoff’s first ball was whipped through square leg with astonishing power. To England’s huge relief Sehwag was caught behind in Irani’s first over. His 46 had come off a mere 41 balls.Ganguly had already departed in bizarre fashion, stepping away to drive Tudor, and playing well away from his body to give Flintoff a straightforward slip catch. After promising a productive stand with Tendulkar, Laxman was caught at mid-off, pulling too soon at Collingwood. Yuvraj was out to an extraordinary stumping, after a wide from Irani was gathered by the excellent Stewart, who waited for Yuvraj to lift his foot before taking off the bails. To say it was a hairline decision by third umpire Mallender would be putting it mildly; it required several minutes’ deliberation.Although Tendulkar raised the tempo with three boundaries in an over off Flintoff, Irani quickly struck again, bowling Kaif between bat and pad. Ratra, playing back, was caught by Stewart for just two. When Agarkar clipped his second ball to Collingwood, Irani had five and his joy was unconfined. Not since Mike Hendrick against Australia in August 1980 had an England bowler taken five wickets at The Oval, and Irani’s five for 26 bettered even Hendrick’s figures.To a massive roar from the now near-capacity Oval crowd, Hoggard made the decisive breakthrough when Tendulkar was caught behind. After that it was academic; Gough held Khan at mid-off as he drove at Flintoff, although a limping Kumble (who needed Ratra to run for him) shared a defiant and entertaining last-wicket stand with Nehra before he swung Tudor to the ubiquitous Irani at long-on.Earlier, Ganguly had made some shrewd bowling changes after putting England in. Kumble, brought on first change, yorked Trescothick with his first ball. Yuvraj Singh accounted for Knight, who had begun aggressively but top-edged a sweep for Kaif to take a brilliant, diving catch running round from square leg. Enter Flintoff, who gave England the mid-air refuelling they needed. Highlights included a mid-wicket six off Kumble, and a straight drive so fierce that Sehwag, the bowler, covered his head as it passed him. Agarkar was smashed through mid-wicket, extra cover and square leg, Ganguly behind cover point.Irani, dropped on 20 by Kaif off Yuvraj, found himself playing a supporting role. It ended when Flintoff hoisted Agarkar high to mid-wicket, where Nehra took a steepler with calm assurance. Flintoff’s 51 came off 38 balls, with a six and six fours. Vaughan, after a mid-wicket four off Agarkar, should have been caught there by Ganguly in the same bowler’s next over. India missed another chance when Ratra failed to stump Irani as he charged Yuvraj; the batsman celebrated with six over long-off. Vaughan, having just clipped Khan for a remarkable six behind square leg, fell caught by Yuvraj at third man.Irani, after completing his first ODI 50 off 53 balls, was bowled swinging across the line at Kumble. In the last-minute rush Nehra bowled Collingwood in similar fashion, and Hussain hit Khan down Kaif’s throat at long-on. Stewart was out first ball, bowled as he tried to guide a straight ball from Khan to third man, but Gough finished the innings in characteristically exuberant style, hitting the last ball for six over mid-wicket. It looked a respectable total; in the event it was comfortably enough.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing a move for Lyon star Maxwel Cornet, a player who impressed Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

What’s the story?

With the Premier League fixtures released earlier on Wednesday morning, anticipation is no doubt already growing at Elland Road about the Whites’ second season back in the top-flight.

And now, reports claim that Leeds are interested in signing Ivory Coast international Cornet this summer, and that his “pace and skill is attractive to boss Marcelo Bielsa”.

He impressed Guardiola

The £26m-rated Cornet initially broke onto the scene as a winger, but last season under Rudi Garcia, transitioned into a flying left-back, and enjoyed a superb campaign because of it.

The 24-year-old managed four goals and six assists in 39 games across all competitions, and showed that he’s more than capable of sticking to the defensive side of the game – as per Sofascore, he made 1.9 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per game in Ligue, and won 4.6 duels per match too (contrast that to Kalvin Phillips who averaged 2.6 tackles, 1.6 interceptions and 5.3 duels won per game).

But really, Cornet’s versatility – he’s played up and down the left-flank and also on the right – is reminiscent of Leeds’ very own jack of all trades star, Stuart Dallas.

The Northern Irishman was one of the stand-out performers for Bielsa’s side last season, filling in a number of different roles, including both full-back positions and in central midfield too.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/leeds-united-marcelo-bielsa-transfer-gossip-rumours-news-elland-road-rodrigo-de-paul” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

While Cornet hasn’t yet had a stint in the middle of the park, the fact his defensive numbers were so strong last season indicates he could well be an exciting box-to-box option for Bielsa in the Premier League, especially given his natural pace and attacking instincts from being a winger.

And, after seeing him shine against his Manchester City side in the Champions League, even Guardiola was left raving about the Ivorian.

He said: “We only talk about PSG but there are many good French teams, I was very impressed by the talent of Maxwel Cornet. There are many talents in France, I like to play the Champions League because there is a very high quality everywhere, players, coaches.”

With his versatility and his energy, Bielsa could sign Leeds’ new Dallas in Cornet this summer.

Meanwhile, Leeds United could sign a new Ian Harte in this star…

England have recalled Dominic Cork and Craig White in a 13-man squad for the first Test against India at Lord’s

Stephen Lamb20-Jul-2002England have recalled Dominic Cork and Craig White in a 13-man squad for the first npower Test against India at Lord’s. John Crawley and Simon Jones, both of whom were in the squad for the last Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, are retained.As has been their consistent policy this season, the selectors have preferred experience to youth at the end of a week in which they were forced to broaden their search as a result of injuries. Marcus Trescothick (fractured thumb) Andrew Caddick (rib) and Alex Tudor (tendonitis) were all unavailable for selection.Cork, 30, is again recalled on the ground where he has put on some command performances in the past, and where he played his last Test against Sri Lanka in May. He continues to carry all before him at Derbyshire, and is currently England’s leading first-class wicket-taker.The inclusion of White, 32, who hasn’t played Test cricket since England’s tour of India last year, is designed to increase England’s batting options.”The injury to Alex Tudor means that we need someone with batting capability in the number eight position,” said chairman of selectors David Graveney.”Depending on the balance of the side and the nature of the wicket, there could be an opportunity for either Dominic Cork or Craig White in this position.”Craig played well in India in the winter, making his first Test hundred, andalthough he had a few injuries that affected his bowling, he is now back tofitness and bowling well again.”We feel his ability to reverse swing the ball could be useful if the Lord’swicket is as flat as it was against Sri Lanka whilst Dominic will give usanother option if the wicket is more seamer-friendly.”Given the injury to Trescothick, Crawley’s selection comes as no surprise. The 30-year-old remains in good form at number three for Hampshire, and may well bat in the same position given England’s plans to open with Mark Butcher.”John Crawley came into the side for the first npower Test against Sri Lankaand acquitted himself well,” Graveney said. “There is no reason why he should be overlooked now as we want to be consistent in our selection policy.”We have had some injury problems ahead of this match – but we are fully aware of how important it is to start this Test series well as this an area we have sometimes fallen down on previously,” Graveney added.Butcher is currently playing his first Championship match for Surrey since knee surgery last month, while Darren Gough is aiming to prove his fitness in the longer form of the game in his first Championship appearance of the season for Yorkshire. Graham Thorpe is included, although he is not involved in Surrey’s current game.Graveney admitted he was disappointed by the failure of England’s younger batsmen to stake their claims for selection.”I think the wickets have been good to bat on,” he told Channel Four. “That doesn’t exclude David Fulton and Robert Key from future teams or Ian Bell, but if you look at the averages they are dominated by overseas players.”It’s slightly disappointing that some of our home-grown players haven’t beenknocking on the door.”Alec Stewart will become England’s most-capped Test cricketer on Thursday, overtaking Graham Gooch’s record of 118 Tests.Squad: N Hussain (Essex, capt) Age 34, Tests 72, MA Butcher (Surrey) 29/41, MPVaughan (Yorkshire) 27/19, GP Thorpe (Surrey) 32/76, JP Crawley (Hampshire)30/30, AJ Stewart (Surrey, wkt) 39/118, A Flintoff (Lancashire) 24/18, C White(Yorkshire) 32/24, AF Giles (Warwickshire) 29/15, MJ Hoggard (Yorkshire) 25/11,SP Jones (Glamorgan) 23/0, DG Cork (Derbyshire) 30/35, D Gough (Yorkshire)31/56.