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Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has decided to skip the 2009 season of the IPL because of his country’s packed international schedule

Cricinfo staff19-Feb-2009
Ricky Ponting won’t be playing in India this summer © Getty Images
Ricky Ponting, the Australia captain, has decided to skip the 2009 season of the IPL because of his country’s packed international schedule. Ponting felt he wouldn’t be able to give his all for his country if he used his two-week break from national duty to play for the Kolkata Knight Riders.”My country comes first and there was no way I could give my all for Australia if I used the only two-week break we have to go and play in India,” Ponting wrote in his column in the . “I have been talking with my team, the Kolkata Knight Riders, for a month or two now and in the end my only choice was to withdraw from the 2009 competition, but I will most certainly be back for 2010 when I hope to be able to make a much greater contribution. The franchise has been fantastic about the whole thing and I want to thank them for their understanding.”Australia are currently in South Africa where they are scheduled to play three Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs. This series comes soon after the end of the Australian summer, during which the team played home Test and ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand. The Australian selectors wanted Ponting to take a break during the five-ODI series against New Zealand but he returned to the squad after Australia conceded a 2-0 lead to the visitors.”As everybody is aware, I could not really take a break through the Australian summer,” Ponting wrote. “However, I have to say that I had been talking with my manager about not playing the IPL well before any issues came up about me having a break, or, as it turned out, not having a break, during the one-day series against New Zealand.”Part of the reason I decided to withdraw from the IPL is that Twenty20 is such a physically demanding game and you have to be at your best to play the game and I want to be at my best for the [Twenty20] World Cup. “After the tour of South Africa ends in April, Australia are scheduled to play an ODI series against Pakistan, following which is the two-week gap when Australia’s players are expected to be available for the IPL. However, the itinerary is packed after the break with the ICC World Twenty20 in England followed by the Ashes, ODIs in England, a bilateral series in India, a Test series against Pakistan and the Australian summer.Joy Bhattacharya, Kolkata’s team director, confirmed the franchise will seek a replacement. “We are looking for a replacement and are bargaining hard with two or three players already. We are looking for a batsman who will be an able replacement,” he told Cricinfo. “The rules for a replacement says that if for any reason a player is unavailable for the entire season, only then a player from the auction list [the original auction list of 110-odd] can be picked.”Ponting is the third high-profile Australian to miss the 2009 season of the IPL after fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and vice-captain Michael Clarke, both of whom did not take part in the inaugural season either.

Crystal Palace fans will have to be patient with deadline day recruit Odsonne Edouard, according to The Celtic Way reporter Anthony Haggerty.

Patrick Vieira, who was appointed as Roy Hodgson’s successor in July, solved his search for a new striker by signing Edouard from Celtic in a deal worth £14million.

Palace followed up their interest in Edouard after being unwilling to meet Arsenal’s £20million valuation for Eddie Nketiah.

Edouard has made the move to Selhurst Park having enjoyed a trophy-laden stint with Scottish giants Celtic, where he scored 86 goals in 179 appearances.

The 23-year-old, who is the France under-21s’ all-time top goalscorer, has also enjoyed an impressive start to the new season by finding the back of the net three times.

But he was ready for a fresh challenge and even changed his agent at the start of the year as he looked to seal a move away from Celtic.

Haggerty is certain Edouard will be prolific for Palace but feels he still needs to work on his game if he is to be a roaring success in the Premier League.

He told Football FanCast: “I think he is a highly talented and skilful footballer. In front of goal, he will score if you put him through one-on-one or put the ball across the box. He takes a mean free-kick as well.

“He will frustrate the life out of you though. He will take an extra touch and try to beat guys.

“To cut it in the Premier League, you need to be the complete package, run into the channels, play guys in, hold it up and compete. That’s maybe where he lacks.”

Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, has called for more rigorous preparation for future home Test series, following the 2-1 defeat against the Australians last week

Cricinfo staff25-Mar-2009Mickey Arthur, the South African coach, has called for more rigorous preparation for future home Test series, following the 2-1 defeat against the Australians last week. Arthur said the rustiness that grips the team in the first Test match of a series has led to early defeats in each of the last three seasons. He felt a practice game would be necessary to get the team in shape.”I am frustrated with the situation. That is why we got together five days before the first Test rather than the usual three days,” Arthur told . “A two-day game will be ideal. The batsmen can bat for a day and the bowlers bowl on the other. It’s one thing training, but you can’t underestimate the effect of game time.”Australia lost the opening Tests against India in Johannesburg and against West Indies in Port Elizabeth, but fought back to win the next two Tests and the series on both occasions. They lost the opening Test against Australia in Johannesburg this season but failed to mount a similar fightback and lost the series after the defeat in Durban.The team has experienced similar first-Test blues on recent away tours but showed a lot of character to bounce back. They hit back after being asked to follow on at Lord’s and in Perth, chased a mammoth 414 to set up their historic series win in Australia.South Africa face England at home this summer and Arthur has suggested the team practice in smaller centres to avoid distractions.”There are just too many commitments and things in Johannesburg that deflects attention,” Arthur said. “Players are asked to do things for team sponsors and even their own sponsors. I believe the team will prepare a lot better in a small city or town.”

West Ham fans will love the latest claim from ExWHUemployee this week…

What’s the word?

Reports had surfaced suggesting that Irons midfielder Declan Rice was keen to insert a release clause as part of any new contract at the London Stadium as he prepares for this current campaign to be his last at the club.

However, the ever-reliable insider has poured cold water on such claims in a recent update on ‘The West Ham Way’ Patreon site.

“Despite many rumours and reports from various outlets, as covered on the podcast, Declan Rice has not been in talks over a new contract recently!” he said.

“Therefore, he has not requested a release clause and any reports of this are simply false. The situation remains as it has been for a while, now that transfer season is over, unfortunately, stories like this will emerge so that there are things to talk about regardless of facts.”

A sense of relief?

This will come as encouraging news for many around east London as it means that Rice won’t currently be getting a release clause within any new deal – something that would make it easier for him to leave, should any club pay the right fee.

Manchester United are one team eyeing up a move for the England international next summer, according to ESPN, so the interest will certainly be there.

Rice currently earns around £60k-per-week, which isn’t even among the club’s highest earners, with summer signing Kurt Zouma thought to be on £125k-per-week and fringe forward Andriy Yarmolenko on a reported £115k-per-week, too.

Back in July, the Telegraph reported that the 22-year-old had rejected two new contract offers from the club but ultimately, he’s tied down until the summer of 2024, so he’s somewhat powerless for the time being.

And this is why the Irons faithful should be absolutely buzzing by this latest claim from Ex.

It means Rice is unlikely to leave the club anytime soon, and that’s a major positive as he’s a crucial part of David Moyes’ squad and to their success. He will also be a big influence in the Europa League this season.

He’s currently ranked as the Hammers’ third-best player (7.64), as per WhoScored ratings, where he tops the charts for interceptions (2.3) and dribbles (three) per game, as well as managing a squad-high 94.9% passing accuracy, even despite registering the joint-most number of passes per game.

That goes to show just how important he is to this side and also proves why Moyes and the fans need him to stick around for the foreseeable future.

Many supporters can now breathe a sigh of relief.

AND in other news, West Ham “monster” sees value crash by 48.5% under Moyes, Sullivan won’t be impressed…

When it mattered, Scotland finally produced a performance meritingtheir pre-tournament status as one of the two favourites, thumping UAEby 122 runs and, with it, retaining their status as an internationalcountry by the thinnest of margins

Will Luke in Benoni17-Apr-2009
ScorecardGavin Hamilton’s ton ensured Scotland retain their financially lucrative ODI status•Ian Jacobs / Cricinfo LtdWhen it mattered, Scotland finally produced a performance meritingtheir pre-tournament status as one of the two favourites, thumping UAEby 122 runs and, with it, retaining their status as an internationalcountry by the thinnest of margins.To produce it at this last-gaspstage of proceedings, however, will not lessen the disappointment ofthe loyal supporters – a few of whom were scattered around Benonitoday – nor, more prosaically, Scotland Cricket or the ICC, both ofwhom have invested four years of money and time into a team who haveplayed well beneath themselves. A Scottish stalwart, Gavin Hamilton,came to their rescue yet again with 127 from just 124 balls, butquestions remain about Scotland’s poor performances.UAE either fire explosively or implode rather limply. Today they chosethe latter, though were undone by a fine display of seam-and-swingfrom Scotland’s ever-green allrounder Craig Wright. The formercaptain, now 34 and who many expect to stand down at the end of thistournament, produced tidy figures of 4 for 41 from 10 nagging overs asUAE chased an unlikely, but gettable, 300 on a very flat surface.John Blain removed Amjad Javed, who has sunk rapidly since hisbreathtaking 164 earlier in the tournament and, in the 10th over,Wright picked up his first wicket when Arshad Ali was neatly held byGavin Hamilton. Saqib Ali was also safely held by Calum Macleod atmid-off, but Nithin Gopal stood in Scotland’s way with a carefullycrafted 50 from 72 balls. Two of his three fours were streaky, but heprovided UAE with a vital anchor upon which to base their chase. On50, however, he dropped one out to Neil McCallum at point whose throwto the non-striker’s end was fast, flat and left Gopal comfortablyshort. At 125 for 5, in the 27th over, UAE’s chase was all butfinished and, as evidence of Scotland’s growing confidence, KyleCoetzer held a fine chance on the deep extra cover boundary.Fayyaz Ahmed hit three of the crispest boundaries in the innings,including a skilful square-drive through the hands of point, but acalamitous mix-up ended his frolics on 19 when Dewald Nel – below hisbest with the ball – left him short of his ground. The rest of thetail folded without so much as a whimper, losing with more than 10overs to spare.Excellent in the field, it was Scotland’s batting – such adisappointment in the last three weeks – which finally fired to putthem in the box seat. It was a conundrum, though, combining boththoughtlessness and aggression in a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance splitalmost evenly by 25 overs. On a flat pitch offering only a hint ofswing with the new ball, their openers, Hamilton and Navdeep Poonia,crawled and nudged nervously, too aware of the pressure on theirshoulders. UAE’s opening bowlers were reasonably accurate to beginwith but nevertheless offered several gifts, none of which were takenadvantage of. With Poonia retiring hurt after top-edging into hisforehead – a nasty blow that required stitches – Scotland took 13overs to reach their fifty. Their hundred came up in the 25th and,with twenty overs remaining, had reached an unconvincing 128. UAE’sspinners were controlled and bowled an excellent length, but where wasScotland’s inventiveness?Well, it took a while to arrive, but eventually Hamilton opened hisshoulders to loft Amjad over midwicket before uppercutting himbeautifully over the slips. With McCullum for company, the pair put on121 off 123 as Hamilton’s hundred – celebrated with a subdued raise ofthe bat and nothing more – came up from 110 balls. UAE’s brittleconfidence snapped in two; the blistering last 20 overs yielded 171runs, the sort of match-defining partnership which Scotland havefailed to produce in this tournament.As a nervous changing room waited for news of the other matches, newsfinally came through that Scotland had snuck into fifth place and,crucially, retained their ODI status by the skin of their teeth. “Weobviously had our eyes set on a high-placed finish, and obviouslythings didn’t go to plan at various times and we just lackedconsistency really,” their coach, Pete Steindl, told Cricinfo. “All inall, today, the way we played, I’m much happier and it was a goodperformance and it’s nice to get in there in the top 6.”The man most under pressure is the captain, Ryan Watson, who againfailed with the bat today, with a former player, Paul Hoffmann, calling for hisresignation. Steindl, however, was right behind his skipper andrejected calls for widespread changes to the squad. “You’ve got totake stock, reflect on what happened any time you get into asituation, and there’s a momentary loss of form,” he said. “Ryan inparticular has worked hard but had a poor tournament, but he’s stillcontributed as a batsman and bowler. It’s the way it is. He has mysupport. It’s not helpful when former players add in little comments,if indeed that was what was said.”

Speaking to Football Insider, former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been left stunned by some Harry Winks news which has come out of Tottenham.

The Lowdown: Spurs in Winks offload drama?

The 25-year-old is a somewhat divisive figure among Tottenham fans since making his senior debut for Spurs in the Europa League in 2014/15.

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A Lilywhites academy graduate, time is running out for the midfielder to realise his full potential, and there have been reports suggesting Spurs could well cut their losses with him.

Courtesy of The Times, news has emerged about Winks, with the club now open to selling him but quoting a seismic figure of around £40m.

The Latest: Kenny reacts to Winks’ valuation

Speaking to Football Insider, seven-cap international Kenny has been left stunned by this report and quite simply can’t believe that chairman Daniel Levy wants a fee of £40m for Winks.

The former goalkeeper fumed: “It’s ridiculous money. I think this just shows you that the game’s gone. He has not been a regular, week in, week out for a while, so £40m is crazy.

“He has played 100-odd games since he’s come through and he is 25 years old now. Those aren’t exactly huge numbers. So that fee seems excessive.

“If they are trying to move him on, I would be shocked if they got anywhere near that amount of money for him.”

The Verdict: Correct?

Since he first appeared in a Tottenham jersey back during the 2014/15 season, Winks has averaged a cool and composed 90% pass accuracy across all competitions for Spurs (WhoScored).

However, as Kenny hinted, he was a bit-part figure under the club’s former manager Jose Mourinho last year and has struggled to become a regular since the 2019/20 campaign.

We believe that Tottenham should definitely consider cashing in on him, but given his lack of game-time, they may have to lower their demands.

In other news: Spurs request already advanced to sign ‘invaluable’ player, Paratici now ready to meet demands…find out more here.

Everton are extremely proud when it comes to their academy but over the last 12 months, they’ve experienced some problems.

Their young players are beginning to close the door on Finch Farm and walk away just as they move closer to gaining a first-team breakthrough.

That was the case for Thierry Small who rejected a contract, refused to turn up for training and then joined Southampton.

However, Goodison Park remains an attractive place for the stars of tomorrow to come.

While they may lose some budding prodigies, Marcel Brands has tried to repair some of the holes that have emerged in the Everton academy.

That began last week when the Toffees completed a £1m move to sign Francis Okoronkwo.

The attacker was at Sunderland before he was poached away by Rafa Benitez’s men in an exciting move for the youngster.

A quick forward with the ability to play all across the frontline, he has been on the Everton radar for a while now.

What provoked them to entertain a move was a clash with Sunderland last season.

The U18s faced the Black Cats at the end of last term and it was Okoronkwo who caught the eye the most, scoring against them in a 4-3 win.

Everton have eventually signed him and he looks a wonderful capture.

Aged just 17, it could be a while before we see him in the first team but there are certainly openings available.

Anthony Gordon has gained match time under Benitez this season while Ellis Simms has also appeared on the bench with Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured.

The thought of Okoronwko appearing alongside the latter is a thought to behold.

After all, some of his characteristics are similar to the England international. Sources have described the teenager’s game as “powerful” and “quick” to the Liverpool Echo.

The best review given to the outlet, however, was about his form in 2020/21: “[He was] one of the best players in that age group,” they said.

Capable of making darting runs, terrifying defenders and scoring goals, the young attacker looks like someone to get excited about.

His play combined with someone as ruthless as Calvert-Lewin provides plenty of hope for the future at Everton.

AND in other news, Rafa may have Everton’s long-term Rodriguez heir in “sensational” rarely-seen 17 y/0…

Just days after another sad chapter pushed them further onto the margins of the cricket world, Pakistan glimpse a rare opportunity to make a significant on-field statement

Osman Samiuddin20-Apr-2009Just days after another sad chapter pushed them further onto the margins of the cricket world, Pakistan glimpse a rare opportunity to make a significant on-field statement. They take on Australia in a five-match ODI series followed by a Twenty20 international in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from Wednesday, a contest Younis Khan believes offers Pakistan the chance to begin another era on a brighter note.As an indication of just how much Pakistan have faded away off the field in recent years – and Australia’s reluctance to tour Pakistan – Wednesday’s game will be the first ODI between the two sides since February 2005. In fact, the two sides have only met once in any format since then: at the World Twenty20 in September 2007, when Pakistan trumped them on the way to the final.Much has changed since then – four players from each side remain – not least the fortunes of both sides, but Younis believed that good performances here may well lead to a repeat of Pakistan’s last successful era, which began around the time the two sides last met.”This is a very big series for several reasons,” Younis told Cricinfo. “If we play well – not necessarily win – but play well then we can become like Inzi and Bob Woolmer’s sides in 2005 and 2006,” he said. “If we perform well – and win – then people will have to take notice because it is Australia. I want to see good moments…after the series I want to be able to look back and pinpoint 7-10 moments where we did really well, with a bowling spell, a bit of fielding, some batting. That will be an achievement.”Pakistan’s squad is neither inexperienced nor raw, but undercooked and rusty: since April 2007, Australia have played 45 ODIs against top-flight nations and Pakistan just over half, with 24. But for the players, says Younis, the series is a golden opportunity. “Any guy who takes the opportunity here and does well, it’ll be a massive break for them internationally. This is how I am looking at it personally and trying to instill in the team. I am fairly sure they are aware of it. If as a player you take off in this series, nobody will be able to bring you down.”The time to do that, some might argue, is ripe. This remains a transitional period for Australia as ODI losses to South Africa and a shared home series with New Zealand indicates. The absence of Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson and Brett Lee will be felt but this is, according to Younis, still Australia.”They are still very balanced and the style of play and their motivation doesn’t ever change,” he said. “They are the only team in the world where players come in and go out and it makes very little difference. They are still a top side. If we do well, play to our potential and win a few matches, then I really think we can start getting out of this phase and move on.”

Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq have expressed their relief at returning to the national team after the PCB accepted their resignations from the ICL

Cricinfo staff30-May-2009Pakistan players Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq have expressed their relief at returning to the national team after the Pakistan Cricket Board had accepted their resignation from the unofficial ICL. The PCB had waived the “cooling period” for the duo, meaning that they could return as early as the tour of Sri Lanka which starts in late June.”It is a great relief to be cleared to play for Pakistan again because I have missed the competition that is available while playing for your country,” Yousuf told PTI. “I had given my resignation to the board sometime back and finally the ICL has accepted it.”Yousuf had signed up with the ICL in 2007, quit and rejoined the following year. He also had his differences with the previous PCB administration under Nasim Ashraf and the former captain Shoaib Malik. He represented the Lahore Badshahs along with a number of other Pakistan players for one season in 2008.Now set for a second stint with the national side, he said he was looking forward to starting off on a clean slate. “What happened in the past is now in the past,” he said. “My experience with the ICL was a short one but there is no greater pride then playing for your country.”Razzaq had a longer spell with the ICL, joining the league in 2007 after he was excluded from the World Twenty20 squad the same year. He was one of the key players for the Hyderabad Heroes in their title win in 2008.”I had resigned from the league sometime back but they gave an NOC recently. But I have always said I wanted to play for Pakistan and it was the board’s decision to not allow us to play for the national team.”He also assured that the ICL had no issues with him quitting. “They understand the situation and they never stopped us from playing for our country they looked after us well.”

Chris Sutton has been reacting to more Celtic injury news, this time on summer signing Giorgos Giakoumakis.

The Lowdown: Calf injury

Giakoumakis was included in a Celtic matchday squad for the first time on Thursday but failed to make his debut in a 3-0 win over Raith Rovers.

Ange Postecoglou confirmed after the game that the Dutch striker injured his calf in the warm-up and was sent for a scan as a result.

As a result, Giakoumakis looks set to join Christopher Jullien, Greg Taylor, Kyogo Furuhashi and Mikey Johnston on the sidelines, with captain Callum McGregor also missed the last three games.

The Latest: Sutton reacts

Sutton took to Twitter late on Thursday evening to give his thoughts on the striker.

He described the latest setback for Giakoumakis as a ‘nightmare’ for Postecoglou.

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The Verdict: Concerning…

Giakoumakis was brought in on deadline day to fill the void left by Odsonne Edouard and Leigh Griffiths.

However, he last kicked a competitive ball in May and seemed to be quite far off fitness-wise earlier this month.

Add a fresh calf injury into the mix, you’d expect he’ll miss Dundee United on the weekend, so it does seem a bit concerning in regards to the Hoops splashing £2.5m on the 26-year-old.

In other news: ‘Hopefully’ – Kieran Devlin shares ‘important’ area Celtic may add to next after McElhone.