Category Uncategorized

Another (overcast) day, another spectacular clatter of wickets at New Road.Even allowing for the intervention of further showers, fourteen morefigures perished today as Worcestershire and Gloucestershire’s ‘batsmen’did their best to outdo one another in seeing just how rapidly they couldfritter their innings away. As it was, though, the former lost the battlefor mediocrity and their team now holds an overall lead of 229 runs withone more second innings scalp in tact.Again it seemed that the batting calamities were no fault of the pitchalone: a view certainly shared by ECB pitch liaison officer Phil Sharpe,who will not be initiating action against the club on account of thequality or otherwise of the surface. For however lopsided the contestbetween bat and ball has become in this match, it was indeed more thecombination of some fine bowling and some equally poor strokeplay that wasresponsible. There was a suggestion too that the dull, bleak conditions inwhich the day’s play began also loomed large; a state of affairs aboutwhich Glenn McGrath was hardly complaining. He used the bowler-friendlyweather to rise to his destructive best and captured all but three wicketsin the course of a demolition job that saw Gloucestershire slidehorrendously to 87. Believeable or not after their own ineptitude of theday before, the locals had somehow seized a first innings lead of elevenruns in the process. McGrath’s rival Australian, Ian Harvey, admirablytried to stop the rot with a plucky 27 – the highest score mustered byanyone in the match until then – but even his ability to occasionallypierce a tightly set attacking field became akin to an exercise in tryingto pile up sandbags in the face of a tidal wave.McGrath was methodical, hostile and relentless. It is difficult tocomprehend the notion that he hasn’t taken a five wicket haul on thisground at any stage previously in the Championship season but then that hasprobably had as much to do as anything with the loss of substantialportions of a number of games to poor weather. In any case, his 7/29 here- the third best figures of his brilliant first class career – redressedthe situation eloquently.It did not take long for the Gloucestershire seamers to begin returning thecompliment even if their inability to make the ball lift off the pitch aseasily as McGrath allowed Worcestershire’s top and middle order slightlymore respite. Harvey (5/95) followed up with five wickets of his own onthe back of his trademark variations of pace. But Vikram Solanki found amethod of countering the apparent impossibility of occupying the crease forlong enough to make a productive contribution – by crashing his way to 41off only thirty-two deliveries – and the home team’s lead was soonbillowing beyond the positively gigantic figure of one hundred. Solanki’seffort suddenly made batting look easier, and David Leatherdale (56), SteveRhodes (50*) and Paul Pollard (20) all profited handsomely from being shownthe value of positive thinking.

Aston Villa saw their three-match winning streak ended by West Ham United on Sunday.

Andriy Yarmolenko put the Hammers in front with 20 minutes remaining at the London Stadium before Pablo Fornals doubled their lead. Jacob Ramsey’s 90th-minute effort proved to be too little, too late for Steven Gerrard’s men.

Here at The Transfer Tavern, we delve into the three worst-rated starters for the Villans as per statistical specialists SofaScore, with players required to feature for at least 45 minutes for ranking.

Matty Cash – 6.4/10

Cash has started every single Premier League game for Villa so far this season but this may go down as one of his poorer displays.

He lost possession 25 times (second among all players on the pitch, behind only West Ham’s Ben Johnson) and misplaced 13 of his 33 passes (39%). None of his crosses found a team-mate, while five of his six long balls went astray.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old was dribbled past twice during the game and lost four of the eight duels that he contested.

Calum Chambers – 6.5/10

Chambers was making his third consecutive start, but could he lose his place to Ezri Konsa off the back of this performance?

He surrendered the ball 11 times and misplaced six of the 10 long passes that he attempted, while not making any crosses. The ex-Arsenal defender won only one of his three ground duels and also committed two fouls during the match.

Douglas Luiz – 6.5/10

Luiz played 79 minutes before Gerrard brought him off to replace him with Emiliano Buendia.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

In that time, the 23-year-old failed to complete any of his three long balls or two crosses and, like Cash, he was dribbled past on two occasions.

The Brazilian came off second best in two of his four ground duels and turned over the ball nine times overall.

In other news, Steven Gerrard is eyeing this blockbuster transfer

Ross Taylor, who picked up 50 in Adelaide, has scored only two half-centuries since the World Cup started © Getty Images

Ross Taylor, the talented New Zealand batsman, is aiming for greater consistency as he attempts to overcome a bumpy ride since his heroics against Australia last summer. Taylor became a closely marked player after his 84 off 82 deliveries in Hobart and 117 at Eden Park, but he has managed only two half-centuries since the World Cup began.One of those came in the opening match of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy – he was 5 not out when the rain came in the second fixture in Sydney – and he is looking for another contribution in the final contest of the series in Hobart. “I want to be a more consistent in the next few games,” he told NZPA. “It’s been a big learning curve, there have been ups and downs. I’ve had a few more downs than I would have liked but you learn from that.”After making his dramatic introduction against Australia in Hobart, Taylor was whisked off to hospital. He was suffering extreme cramps and was put on a drip.”It was a high and low,” he said. “First bat against Australia, scoring 80, but at the same time it was quite scary not knowing what was wrong with my body.” A new diet and training methods have contributed to the pain not returning.Despite being dominated in the opening two games, New Zealand have a chance to retain the trophy and Taylor was not concerned about his fellow batsmen dealing with Australia’s attack. “A few low scores doesn’t make you bad players but a few batsmen are in some pretty good form and others aren’t,” he said. “We are all fired up for this last match.”Brad Haddin, the Australia wicketkeeper, is also excited as he takes over the gloves from Adam Gilchrist for the first time since the tour of New Zealand in February. Haddin has been a permanent part-time member of the side and has relaxed his attitude.”Five years ago I thought too much about it and it detracted from my performance, but these days I’m doing what works for me and everything will take care of itself,” Haddin said in the Australian. “I feel comfortable with my game at the moment, and I feel comfortable at this level.”

Pakistan have retained Inzamam-ul-Haq as captain for next year’s World Cup.”Inzamam has led the team admirably and we have extended his tenure as captain for the tours of South Africa and more importantly for the World Cup 2007,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Naseem Ashraf told a press conference. “The World Cup will be won by a team which has self-belief and I saw this current Pakistan team to have exemplary belief, unity and maturity.”Inzamam, who took over as captain in September 2003, has led Pakistan in 28 Tests, winning ten, losing nine and drawing nine. He has also led Pakistan in 82 one-day internationals with 50 wins, 29 defeats and three no results.The PCB also showed confidence in their English coach Bob Woolmer and vice captain Younis Khan who will continue in their posts. Woolmer, who took over in July 2004, was appointed as coach until the end of the tournament.

Karachi fans urging India to play in Karachi in 2004: They may not have to resort to such measures this year © Getty Images

India are likely to play a Test in Karachi during their tour of Pakistan early next year. Natwar Singh, India’s foreign minister, expressed no reservations regarding India playing a Test there during a recent visit to Pakistan.Shaharyar Khan, chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, told PTI he met Singh at a social gathering and discussed the issue informally. “It was not a formal [meeting], but a social gathering and I found a little time to discuss cricket. I was told by Singh that the Indian government has no reservations about India playing a Test in Karachi. I think it is a big development and although the official confirmation has to come from the Indian board, I am now quite certain that India will play in Karachi.”Shaharyar added, “Actually, Natwar said the decision has to be taken by the BCCI. The government approval to BCCI was delayed due to the sad demise of Sunil Dutt, the Indian sports minister.”When India toured Pakistan in 2004, Shaharyar and Rameez Raja, then chief executive of the board, played crucial roles in convincing India to play at least one ODI at Karachi. And despite Sri Lanka playing a Test match in the port city in November last year, the venue’s status remained under a cloud, especially after England refused to play a Test match there on their forthcoming winter tour, which gets underway from October 26.The Indian cricket team are expected to arrive in Lahore on January 2 and play a two-day warm-up match before the first Test starts in Karachi, tentatively scheduled for January 7.

Scorecard
Reetinder Singh Sodhi amassed a mammoth 251 as Punjab trampled all over Maharashtra on the second day at Mohali. After being shot out for just 123, Maharashtra were flogged all day as five Punjab batsmen passed the 50-mark. Ravneet Ricky carried on his great form this season with a patient 119 while Yuvraj Singh, Ankur Kakkar and Pankaj Dharmani made quickfire half-centuries. But the hero of the day was Sodhi who smashed 28 fours and two sixes on the way to his highest first-class score.
Scorecard
Hemang Badani led the run-feast as Tamil Nadu piled on 485 for 5 before declaring their innings at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati. Resuming at 288 for 3 overnight, Tamil Nadu rode on Badani’s fine 146 with the rest of the middle order chipping in with plucky knocks. Badani hammered 14 fours and two sixes to bring up his 12th first-class hundred while Subramanium Badrinath and Sreedharan Sharath managed half-centuries. Assam were 123 for 2 at the end of the day with Vasanth Saravanan and Zakaria Zuffri sharing an unbeaten 76-run stand.
Scorecard
After Wasim Jaffer had given Mumbai a solid platform yesterday, Nishit Shetty capitalised with a fine hundred. Shetty, who has been in and out of the Mumbai side, got a chance because of Vinod Kambli’s illness. But he took the opportunity and reached his third first-class hundred with the help of 15 fours and a six. Ajit Agarkar, Ramesh Powar and Vinayak Samat took Mumbai past the 500-mark and all but assured themselves of the first-innings lead.
Scorecard
Thilak Naidu bailed Karnataka out of trouble with a dogged century as his side gained a slender 39-run lead at the end of the second day in Bangalore. At around the same time last year, Naidu was in the reckoning for the wicketkeeper slot in the national side. But a poor run with the bat lead his dropping from the Karnataka side and he hasn’t been considered ever since. But today, he held things together as the Andhra Pradesh bowlers picked up wickets at regular intervals. Most of the other top-order batsmen managed to get past 20, but none kicked on to make it count. Naidu, though, creamed 20 fours in his innings and helped Karnataka take the lead.
Scorecard
Amay Khurasiya and Devendra Bundela thwarted the Delhi bowlers at the Jamia Millia Ground as Madhya Pradesh inched towards a first-innings lead on the second day. Sanjay Pandey and Sunil Dholpure snared four wickets apiece and helped restrict Delhi to just 239. Though MP have faltered against lesser opposition like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, they secured two points in Mumbai and were on their way to gaining the upper hand here as well.
Scorecard
Narender Pal Singh’s seven-wicket burst helped Hyderabad gun down Baroda for just 93 at the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad. After restricting Hyderabad for 170, Baroda found the going extremely tough with Singh accounting for seven out of the first eight wickets to fall. Shekhar Joshi and Nayan Mongia were the only two batsmen who crossed 20. Hyderabad replied with 179 for 6, with Daniel Manohar making a battling 58 and were strong favourites to wrap up the game tomorrow.
Scorecard
Jai Prakash Yadav and Kulamani Parida picked up three wickets apiece as Railways clawed back at the Motera in Ahmedabad. Resuming at a commanding 201 for 2, Gujarat were restricted to just 384. Siddharth Trivedi notched up a breezy half-century, which included six fours, while Kirat Dhamani made a solid 43. Railways were 62 for 2 at stumps.

Wisden Asia Cricket“I was shocked when Sourav said, `Salvi, you’re starting’.”

Aavishkar Salvi © AFP 2003

“So far everything in my cricketing life has happened suddenly. I only opted to pursue cricket instead of engineering at the very late age of 18. I played two games for the Mumbai Under-19s and was still not sure of my decision when I attended the Frank Tyson camp at the Wankhede in 2000. His guidance and belief in me removed all remaining doubts.”The following year I was picked for the Mumbai Ranji team and my first match was against Maharashtra. Hoping to take five wickets I ended up with one. But I did take a five-for on my one-day debut against the same opponents. A lesson was learnt: set goals, but don’t get depressed if they are not met instantly.”Midway into my second season, I was selected for the India A tour of the West Indies, where I finished as the highest wicket-taker with 29 at 18.55. To do well on those placid tracks felt good.”So I wasn’t surprised when I heard that I was picked for the TVS Cup, and felt proud seeing my name in the media. I thought of how a boy from Thane who had no cricketing dreams had progressed to make his debut for the country.”On the eve of my first game I was calm and wanted to just go out there and perform. Next morning I was shocked when Sourav [Ganguly] tossed the new ball to me, saying, “Salvi, you are starting.” I was sure I would bowl first change after Zaheer [Khan] and Ajit [Agarkar]. I measured my mark to 20 paces, closed my eyes, thought of my parents, Tyson Sir, and all the wickets I had taken. All this took four seconds.Then I bowled my first ball and was immediately confident that I would take wickets, and I did take one with my fourth ball.”I had mailed Tyson Sir after my selection and he acknowledged it by writing, `You have done it a thousand times earlier, you can do it hundred times more’. Words enough to inspire me anytime.”

Australia’s cricketers came to the WACA Ground in Perth anticipating early wickets, saw a few deliveries promptly beat the bat, yet left it conquered by a phenomenal partnership between two cool, calculating and experienced New Zealand right handers on the second day of the Third Test today.Just one loss away from potentially handing over their billing as cricket’s top Test team, the Australians were put to the sword by an extraordinary exhibition of brow-beating authority from Nathan Astle (156*) and Adam Parore (110). They had snaffled five wickets in less than two hours in a dramatic closing session yesterday, but the home team’s bowlers went wicketless for all of five hours today as the Test was transformed from an evenly-tilted game overnight to one blessed by New Zealand dominance.By stumps, the Australians were at 2/75 in response to a massive total of 9/534 – a position that now leaves them potentially exposed to surrendering their number one status on the International Cricket Council Test Championship table to South Africa.The New Zealanders have been followed across the land by suggestions that the 0-0 series scoreline that they brought into this match had been based on considerable luck with poor weather. But they set about making all of their own luck today, with an incredible partnership that left statisticians buried underneath a quire of shredded pages from the record books.At the day’s outset, the Black Caps’ score was 7/293. At lunch, it was 7/363. At tea, it was 7/467. And, when captain Stephen Fleming played executioner to mercifully terminate the torment of the Australian fieldsmen an hour after tea, it had swelled to a monumental 9/534.At the core of it all was the astonishing liaison of 253 runs between Astle and Parore that left theirs as the second-highest eighth wicket partnership in the history of Test cricket. Duly, it was also New Zealand’s best-ever stand against Australia for any wicket, and it also became the country’s new high watermark for partnerships for the eighth wicket against all opponents.Old marks, not to mention the bowling figures, were being re-arranged about as quickly as many of Astle’s cover drives and cuts – and Parore’s pulls, slog-sweeps and glances – were racing into and over the boundary ropes.The approach had been one of unstinting patience initially, and Jason Gillespie (3/112) put more than one ball past the outside edge of the bat.But caution quickly gave way to command after the pair had weathered the sustained 13 over burst from Gillespie and Glenn McGrath (1/72) as play began.Sagacious defence was mixed with daring attack as Australia found itself heading increasingly toward desperation point. Most of its bowlers tried changing the angle of their line, consistently toying with the idea of going around the wicket. Their field settings were persistently rotated too. And then, half an hour before tea, captain Steve Waugh resorted to the prospect of turning to the part-time bowling options of Damien Martyn (0/44) and Mark Waugh (0/26).But, until the moment that Parore eventually fell to a top edged hook at Brett Lee (4/125), the batting was simply too good.A majestically off driven boundary from Astle off McGrath in mid-afternoon, and a belligerent Parore pull to the square leg boundary from Shane Warne (1/135) after tea, carved further niches in history for the Kiwis. The strokes defined the innings as the first in their nation’s history that had yielded four individual centuries – even the feat of three or more batsmen reaching the landmark in the same innings having occurred only twice previously.The total itself was the fifth best plundered from an Australian attack in a period that stretches all the way back to 1992-93.No doubt shattered by the whole experience, Matthew Hayden (0) was rapidly squared up by Shane Bond (1/21) and edged a low catch to gully as the reply began. Even more trouble arrived when an aggressive Ricky Ponting (31) lost concentration to outside edge a drive at Chris Martin (1/21).Admittedly, the New Zealanders’ mammoth score was amassed on a pitch that continues to offer little assistance to the bowlers. And the fact that a number of their strokes enjoyed an unimpeded passage to the boundary owed a considerable deal to a blindingly fast outfield.The tourists’ achievements with the bat will therefore be better set in context the further their opponent’s innings unfolds.Whatever comes, whatever is seen over the next three days, though, this is a day which will forever command a high place amid New Zealand cricketing folklore. Of that, there is no doubt.

ICC chairmanship
While there have been reports of N Srinivasan being replaced as the BCCI’s nominee for ICC chairman, it is learnt that the board is divided on the issue. A member from the East Zone said some people within the BCCI felt that prematurely ending Srinivasan’s tenure, which is set to end in June 2016, would draw global attention to “BCCI politics”. A member of the South Zone, though, maintained that it is “highly unlikely” that Srinivasan would continue in the ICC role.Two new IPL teams
There is likely to be greater clarity on the bidding document for the two new franchises following the AGM, wherein a discussion on parties that have shown interest in buying the two new franchises is likely to happen. A BCCI official said a few companies from Kerala had shown interest in owning a franchise in the IPL.Conflict of interest
Discussion on the document prepared by BCCI president Shashank Manohar that deals with conflict of interest issues is likely to be the main item on the agenda at the AGM.Composition of IPL governing council
The IPL governing council may likely see three new independent directors introduced alongside five BCCI members. It is understood that Ravi Shastri and Sourav Ganguly, who hold key positions within the India team and the Cricket Association of Bengal respectively, may be dropped in keeping with Manohar’s attempts to eliminate conflicts of interest.The selection panel
There has been plenty of conjecture on the composition of the senior team’s selection committee, with different suggestions – ranging from a comprehensive overhaul to a continuation of the existing panel – floating around. The dominant theory, however, is the panel, save for possibly Roger Binny, is expected to continue till the conclusion of the World T20.Appointment of ombudsman
This has been one of the new administration’s pet projects. An independent observer, who according to a senior administrator will be an “eminent figure”, is likely to be appointed on Monday to offer a dispassionate assessment of the workings of the BCCI.Trimming committees
It is understood that Manohar is keen on pruning the number of members on different committees, and the downsizing is likely to be effected at the AGM.Discussion on venues
The board is likely to discuss the recent controversies surrounding the DDCA and the impact of that on Delhi hosting the fourth Test against South Africa. Cricket Association of Bihar Secretary Aditya Verma told ESPNcricinfo that he had made submissions in connection with Bihar’s affiliation to the BCCI, and the matter was set to come up in the AGM. There is also likely to be discussion on the status of the disputed stands at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, which, if unresolved, would lead to the city losing hosting rights at the World T20. Sources in the Andhra Cricket Association have also indicated that they will push for Test status for the stadium in Visakhapatnam.

The news that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale sent shock waves across the football world, but the decision was in the best interests of the club with everything that is happening in Ukraine right now.

Implications yet aren’t too clear, but it is believed that the club are going to become more ‘self-reliant’ and may need to sell to buy in the summer – allowing the potential sale of Armando Broja.

Southampton fans have fallen in love with the 20-year-old striker on-loan from the European Champions, who on Wednesday scored a sensational solo goal to secure his team’s spot in the FA Cup quarter-final, and the player himself is seemingly beginning to fall in love with the club too.

In an interview with the Saints matchday programme, Broja said: “It’s gone so fast. When you think about it, it’s crazy! That six months have flown by. I would say I’m very happy with how it’s gone – I came here as a young boy and every day I’m learning and progressing, and starting to build into a man.

“That’s thanks to Southampton. They’ve helped me with my journey so far, and hopefully it keeps getting better.

“I would say I’m very happy with how it’s gone – I came here as a young boy and every day I’m learning and progressing, and starting to build into a man.

“That’s thanks to Southampton. They’ve helped me with my journey so far, and hopefully it keeps getting better.”

Despite playing just the second half on Wednesday, Broja was Southampton’s highest performer in match rating (7.6) according to SofaScore, winning a penalty also that James Ward-Prowse converted and terrorising the Hammers back-line with his pace, power and aggression.

His development has been rapid, and it has earned him admirers in the form of other clubs too, with Arsenal said to be also keen on the striker who journalist Fabrizio Romano believes is “performing at an incredible level.”

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl needs to do everything in his power to make sure Broja turns down any other interested teams though, as his combination of size, athleticism and natural goal-scoring instincts could make him soon one of the best strikers in Europe. At a reported fee of £20m too, he could turn out to be a bargain.

In other news: Imagine him & Salisu: Southampton “weak link” is now finally proving everybody wrong