All posts by h716a5.icu

The Pakistan team which did so well at Sharjah with four back-to-back wins, still failed at the last gasp, capitulating to Sri Lanka

Salahudin Ahmed (Sallu)02-May-2001
Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu)
Photo © CricInfo
The Pakistan team which did so well at Sharjah with four back-to-back wins, still failed at the last gasp, capitulating to Sri Lanka. It was Pakistan’s catching in the final that turned the ending into a damp squib for them. Yet it was their fielding which had helped raise the level of their game in the league matches.And in my view the three youngsters, Shoaib Malik, Imran Nazir and Shahid Afridi – not necessarily in this order – who had brought about this metamorphoses in Pakistan’s traditional weak link should have been part of the 17-member squad which has commenced its tour of England.Malik is out, understandably because he has been reported for chucking as he was thus not available for selection. Though its likely he would get restored in due course, after a visit to one of the correctional gurus in England or by some university from Down Under granting him a clean bill of health. Imran Nazir, highly talented but short of runs in his recent outings in both forms of the game, quite predictably, didn’t find favour with the selectors. But Shahid Afridi’s exclusion is a trifle inexplicable. Afridi may not always score runs but he is a tremendous all-rounder who could be extremely valuable in both forms of the game. And when he is in his element, he can devastate any opposition. That is why his exclusion is bound to raise a few eyebrows.Akram’s inclusion, though I wonder why it was made at the last minute and after such a lot of fuss, further strengthens Pakistan’s pretty strong attack. With skipper Waqar Younis at the other end himself having a point or two to prove, we might see some really belligerent stuff. Considering that the back-up is in quality all-rounders Abdur Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, one wonders whether young pace prodigy Mohammad Sami would get a chance in the Tests.One area of concern, however, would be Shoaib Akhtar, who having gotten his all-clear for the second time as far as his action goes, is reportedly still not completely fit to send down his thunderbolts. Concerns about his fitness have meant that he has not travelled with the team, and will be joining the squad only if he is deemed physically capable.Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed, the off-spinner and the leggie, have enough experience of English conditions, though one has reservations about their having a role in the first half of the summer. Perhaps they are there to acclimatise themselves for the three-way one-day tournament that commences later in June, in relatively dryer conditions.Personally, I have little doubt that Pakistan has enough firepower in bowling to take care of England.The moot point, however, is whether the batsmen would provide them with enough runs on the board to be able to carve out victories?I believe that a whole lot would depend on Saeed Anwar and Inzamam-ul-Haq – the duo of veterans who were in good nick recently. But then conditions in England would be different, and they would have to come to terms with them rather quickly. If they score runs, and carry the team along, Pakistan might end up winners for a fourth successive time in England.In their own backyard, the England pace and seam attack of Darren Gough, Andrew Caddick and Dominic Cork is quite a handful – as the West Indies would vouch, as last season they lost the series 3-1 despite having drawn the first blood.So, the Pakistan batting would have to produce something special. I have great faith in Saeed and Inzamam, and given support they should be able to put England on the back foot. Pakistan will, I believe, miss Moin Khan. For one, it would be far quieter behind the stumps, but apart from that he, with his experience and ability, could have been really handy in front of the stumps as well.

Ed: Salahuddin Ahmed (Sallu) is a former Test cricketer, and has served as a PCB selector nine times; his last stint (1999-2000) was as chief selector.

Noel Whelan believes Steven Gerrard will be ecstatic to hear of interest in Glasgow Rangers ace Ianis Hagi.

Whelan discusses Hagi

Hagi, who only signed for the Gers last summer on a permanent basis from Genk, is said to be of interest to Lazio – it is has even been suggested they would pay €13m (£11.3m) for his services (Sport.ro).

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan thinks Gerrard will be happy with this interest. He said when asked if it would be a blow to lose the Romania international:

“Yeah, it would be.

“Gerrard will be extremely ecstatic about how every squad player is being targeted. Even those who haven’t been playing regularly. 

“Hagi’s been in the squad and had to fill in at times but the way he’s gone about his professionalism, his job, his performances, I think that shows the harmony Rangers have.

“It also shows Gerrard’s man-management skills. It’s not easy to keep players happy when they’re not playing and to still get that top performance out of them.

“Will he let him go though? He’s been so influential off the bench and when he’s been given an opportunity. Gerrard will see a future for him at Rangers.”

Future at Ibrox

Hagi has not been a regular starter for the 55-time Scottish champions and has come in for criticism at times from Rangers supporters, but he has enjoyed a solid first full campaign at the club. He has managed seven goals and 13 assists throughout the term (Transfermarkt), which is far from a poor record.

This has been a successful season for Rangers as they have clinched the Premiership title – their first major trophy in 10 years – and that has led to speculation surrounding plenty of the club’s players. While interest in Hagi shows the 22-year-old himself and Gerrard have done something right, the former Liverpool captain will surely be looking to hold on to the youngster at least for another season.

In other news, Gerrard makes this transfer admission.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa could reignite Harry Winks’ career amid Paul Robinson’s suggestion that the Whites should sign the Spurs midfielder.

What’s the story?

The England international has endured a difficult campaign in north London this year, falling out of favour under former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho and making just 12 appearances in the Premier League.

And now, former Leeds and Spurs goalkeeper Robinson has claimed he “would love to see” the midfielder join Bielsa’s side this summer, and insisted he could add a real bit of quality.

He said: “One player I would love to see at Leeds in the Kalvin Phillips role is Harry Winks. He’s not been given his opportunity at Spurs, I think he is a fantastic player. Not only can he do the Phillips role, he can play in midfield as well,

“Someone with Winks’ quality would really add something to that Leeds side. He is able to play more advanced but can do the Phillips role when he’s not available. I would love to see Winks at Elland Road next season.”

Bielsa could transform him

While Winks’ career might have stalled somewhat at Spurs, Bielsa has proven in his incredible work with getting Leeds promoted that he’s a truly exceptional coach who can get the most out of his players.

And in the still 25-year-old Winks, the Leeds boss could find the kind of pet project that excites him, with the midfielder coming for huge praise from former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

He said: “Harry has the profile of the perfect midfield player. His characteristics are perfect. When we talk about midfielders like Xavi and (Andres) Iniesta, he’s like this type of player. He has this capacity but he needs to take my words in a very positive way — he needs a lot of work.”

And, Dean Windass has previously thrown his weight behind a potential Leeds move for Winks, saying Bielsa’s coaching ability could be exactly what Winks needs.

Speaking exclusively to FFC, he said: “I think if Bielsa does stay and brings in his own players, they will be a top four or top six side, and Harry Winks could get into any of them teams. He’s Bielsa’s sort of player.

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“Is he going to play to two sitting midfield players? But Winks can get forward as well. Phillips was once a right-back and now he’s turned him into an England international sitting midfield player. The manager is obviously good on the training ground at developing players.”

A revitalised Winks under Bielsa could see the midfielder once again be the established England international that he once was.

Meanwhile, Bielsa could light up Elland Road with this £26m-rated magician who’s “something special”…

The England team management today announced that contracted England players will be available to play for their Counties in this week’s Benson and Hedges Cup Quarter-Finals

ECB Media Release21-May-2001The England team management today announced that contracted England players will be available to play for their Counties in this week’s Benson and Hedges Cup Quarter-Finals.The decision means that Andrew Caddick and Marcus Trescothick can play for Somerset in Wednesday’s quarter-final at Taunton against Yorkshire for whom Darren Gough, Matthew Hoggard and Michael Vaughan will also be available.Craig White is not being considered for this match by Yorkshire, but will play second team cricket for the County as a batsman only in a three-day match starting at Scarborough on Wednesday. Graham Thorpe and Alec Stewart will also be available to Surrey for their Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final at Hove against Sussex on Wednesday.The England Head Coach Duncan Fletcher has requested that Dominic Cork(Derbyshire) and Darren Gough (Yorkshire) are rested from the next round of CricInfo Championship matches due to start on Friday, May 25.Andrew Caddick and Michael Atherton will not play in the next round ofCricInfo Championship Matches as Somerset and Lancashire do not have games, but Atherton will be available to Lancashire for their Norwich Union League fixture at Durham this Sunday, May 27.

Four days have now been completed of quite splendid Test cricket, played on one of the finest pitches seen in England for many years

Dave Edmundson03-Jun-2001Four days have now been completed of quite splendid Test cricket, played on one of the finest pitches seen in England for many years. The game is poised for a fascinating final day and beautifully balanced with England overnight on 85 without loss.Michael Atherton had to endure a fearsome examination from his old colleague Wasim Akram who peppered him with a series of shortpitched deliveries but both he and Marcus Trescothick stood firm. Waqar Younis was expensive but Saqlain turned several deliveries past the outside edge of the England left-hander which will give Pakistan significant hope for tomorrow. There were several close calls, and a handful of pleading appeals, but to Pakistan’s dismay both umpires remained unmoved.Trescothick helped himself to a final dessert with consecutive boundaries from the last two balls of the day. He needs two for his half-century tomorrow morning and England require a further 285 runs to win from a minimum of 90 overs.The day’s play, once again, had everything. Magnificent batting, plenty of boundaries, quick bowling and fortunes always in the balance.Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana had resumed in the morning and they moved their partnership serenely on to 141, Inzamam repeating some of the wonderful strokes of his first innings century. There was fluent driving, clips through mid-wicket and he was particularly harsh on anything short – one memorable six over mid-wicket off Caddick had the large crowd roaring their delight.Yousuf, also began to find his form and timing, but history repeated itself within 24 hours when both players in a big partnership departed inside six balls. Hoggard deceived Inzamam with a slow off cutter and Youhana was adjudged to have gloved a snorter from Caddick to Stewart, though TV replays showed that the ball had actually touched the helmet. Similarly, Younis Khan was unfortunate to get the nod from umpire Shepherd, lbw to Cork when he probably had nicked the ball on to his pad.The new ball was taken and Pakistan took the initiative. Although Caddick yorked Azhar, Wasim Akram flayed Gough, Caddick and Hoggard to every part of his beloved Old Trafford. Caddick was removed from the attack with figures of one for 16 from his two overs with the new ball. Driving, and pulling with savage intensity, the Pakistani icon established his team as the favourites to win at this juncture.A partnership of 50 with Rashid Latif, and some slogging from Waqar and Saqlain at the end ensured that England would require 13 more than their first innings score to emerge as winners in this magnificent Test Match.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, former captain Graham Roberts has warned Tottenham pair Serge Aurier and Harry Winks to improve or risk being sold.

Aurier has been in an out the side this season, starting 19 of Spurs’ 36 Premier League games so far this season – he missed the visit of Wolves on Sunday through injury.

The right-back enjoyed an improved year under Mourinho last term but has still made several needless errors – the costliest of those coming in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City when he conceded a late free-kick which led to Aymeric Laporte’s winner.

Despite those mistakes, the Ivorian is still Spurs’ first choice right-back when fit, although the same can’t be said about Winks, who’s fallen out of favour in north London, starting just once in the league since the middle of January.

The England midfielder had struck up an impressive partnership with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg earlier in the campaign, but his Tottenham career is now hanging in the balance, which have damaged his chances of being named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euros.

“They’re going to have to improve if they are going to be there,” he told Football FanCast.

“If I were a coach, I would say to Aurier, stop giving free kicks away, stay on your feet. He’s given away about 10 free-kicks and penalties that have cost us.

“Winksy is a really good player, he played for England, but he needs to start moving the ball forward. If I were a coach at Tottenham, I’d pull him aside and say we need you to play quicker and forward, and he will be a better player.”

There is a feeling of unease within the ranks of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) as the international cricket season approaches

28-Mar-2002There is a feeling of unease within the ranks of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) as the international cricket season approaches. That’s because several members are still awaiting outstanding payment from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for the 2001 season.It is almost a year since the last international season ended and still the more than 100 lawmen and women have not been paid. Officers were originally expecting their money no later than six months after the conclusion of the Barbados leg, but were told they would get it at the end of February.Now that date has come and gone and still no money. Last year’s Test match between West Indies and South Africa was played March 29 to April 2.One angry officer told NATIONSPORT he was reluctant to work at this year’s matches, while another said several colleagues were quite upset.Hartley Reid, the president of the Police Association, tried to put a more measured approach, but said officers were eager to collect their pay."The Police Force is a trained organisation and we do not become outraged. We are disappointed, upset, frustrated even, but as long as a commitment has been given by the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) we still expect the agreement to be honoured," he said."Police officers are always concerned when they do not receive monies owed to them and this is no different."He explained that his body did not deal directly with the WICB, but conducted business through the BCA.In discussions with the BCA he was told that the payment should be available by the end of February. This had not happened, and even if it did, some members of the force still believed the situation had gone on too long. These details were usually settled within six months, Reid said.When contacted yesterday, Selwyn Smith, the BCA’s consultant with day-to-day responsibilities with management of the secretariat, said the office "could not comment" at this stage.NATIONSPORT understands that the constabulary were to be paid on average $18 per hour for eight hours duty over the five days of play.The 2002 leg of the season reaches Barbados on May 2 when the West Indies and India meet in the third Test at Kensington Oval. There will also be a One-Day International against India on May 29 and New Zealand are expected here for a Test in June.Money for last year’s Busta Cup was only collected in January, just before the start of this season.

Sunderland midfielder Lynden Gooch had something of a shocker on Wednesday evening as Sunderland slipped up in their play-off semi-final first leg.

Having picked up four points against Lincoln City over their two meetings in the regular League One season, with a thumping 4-0 victory at the LNER Stadium back in December and a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light in March, Lee Johnson’s Sunderland side could well have gone into Wednesday’s clash against Michael Appleton’s outfit believing they held the upper hand over the Imps.

However, this was far from the case in the fixture itself, with second-half goals from Tom Hopper and Brennan Johnson securing a hugely important 2-0 win for Lincoln, and leaving the Black Cats with it all to do in the second leg of the tie if they are to have any hope of playing Championship football next season.

Perhaps unsurprisingly considering the result, a number of Lee Johnson’s players did not fare particularly well in the match, although, Lynden Gooch’s performance stood out as one of the worst on the night.

Deployed in the middle of an attacking midfield three, just behind centre-forward Charlie Wyke, Gooch was extremely ineffectual for the Black Cats in an offensive capacity, managing no shots on target and completing just one of his four attempted dribbles.

The £5k-per-week midfielder failed to ever really get a foot on the ball either, with his 47 touches over the 90 minutes only being more than that of Charlie Wyke, Jordan Jones and Denver Hume of Sunderland’s starting outfielders – with the latter of this trio being withdrawn after 11 minutes due to injury.

And, on the occasions the £540k-rated man did have the ball at his feet, he was extremely reckless with it, losing possession a whopping 20 times in the match, with no other Black Cats player losing the ball more often than the USA international.

Furthermore, Gooch also committed four fouls – with no player from either side making more – and won just three of his 11 duels – with a 27% success rate – while his overall SofaScore match rating of 6.3 was the joint-worst of any of Johnson’s starting XI.

As such, if Sunderland are to have any chance of overturning their deficit in the second leg of the semi-final, Gooch will undoubtedly have to up his game – if, that is, Johnson opts to stick with the 25-year-old in his starting XI.

In other news: Nixon drops big SAFC claim over £653k-rated “wizard” that’ll surely leave fans gutted – opinion

Celtic are thought to be interested in signing Barcelona youngster Mika Marmol, according to reports from Spain.

The Lowdown: Marmol profiled

Marmol appears to be a rising star for the Catalan giants. The 19-year-old, primarily a left-back, can also play as a central defender.

He has five caps for Spain at Under-20 level and was a regular for Barcelona’s B side in the 2020/21 campaign.

The teenager has a total of 27 appearances under his belt for Barcelona B, with 14 at left-back and 11 as a centre-back this season.

It seems Marmol, who has over two years left on his Barca deal, has caught the eye of the Hoops, but they aren’t the only side interested.

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The Latest: Hoops make approach

According to Mundo Deportivo, cited by the Daily Record, Celtic have made an approach for Marmol.

It is unclear if the Hoops have enquired over a loan or permanent deal, however, Spanish sides Getafe and newly-promoted Mallorca are also interested in Marmol’s services.

The Verdict: Down to recent Laxalt U-turn?

Marmol is highly thought of at the Nou Camp, so a possible deal for the defender could be a shrewd one by new CEO Dominic McKay.

In our opinion, Celtic may have looked at the youngster after making a U-turn regarding loanee Diego Laxalt.

The Hoops reportedly ‘abruptly changed their mind’ regarding a permanent deal for Laxalt at the end of the campaign.

Bringing in a young player like Marmol to rival Greg Taylor instead of signing Laxalt, who is on £57,000-a-week, could be smart.

Of course, there’s plenty of work to be done over any potential deal yet, but it’s good to see the Hoops taking a proactive approach when it comes to summer acquisitions.

In other news: Celtic win race for versatile teenager, find out more here. 

Mrs

Vic Isaacs02-Apr-2002Mrs.Susanne Marlow a Hampshire member since the 1950’s became the first lady ever to be elected to the Hampshire Committee.Mrs.Marlow a regular at Hampshire home and away matches is often seen at the grounds sporting her array of cameras, many of the photographs appearing in the clubs publications.With Hampshire Cricket now hosting a board of directors, the “Members Committee” under the presidency of Colin Ingleby-Mackenzie was elected as follows:

Susanne Marlow
Photo Vic Isaacs
Ray Cook
Colin Coxon
Bernard Frowd OBE
Bill Hughes
Chris Laine
Mrs Susanne Marlow
Tim Milligan
Andrew Renshaw
David Robinson
Peter Towler
Roger Treherne
Neil Trestrail