The proposed series of matches between an Asian XI and a World XI in Houston have hit another snag as several Pakistani players have said they have yet to receive visas to travel. “I still haven’t got a visa to fly to Houston so I don’t know whether they are having the matches or not,” Shoaib Akhtar, who is currently playing for Worcestershire, told .Shoaib and several others were originally slated to turn out for the Asian XI. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq were also awaiting visas that would allow them to travel to Houston and play in this series. However, the report indicates that the players were likely to be issued visas in Islamabad over the next few days and that they would fly to America on the 13th or 14th. The one person who has no problems in this case is Yousuf Youhana, who already has a five-year multiple-entry visa to America.Meanwhile, several promising Pakistani fast bowlers are set to travel to India to train at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. The Foundation has been a finishing school to cricketers from around the world, and has been preferred to other similar schools thanks to Dennis Lillee’s active involvement over the years.”There is no doubt that when it comes to talent, Pakistan pacers are much higher placed than that of India,” a Pakistan Cricket Board official is quoted as saying in . “However, what they need is proper coaching and guidance from a renowned coach and expert in the field. If we consider this aspect then there is no better place around than the academy run by Lillee in India.” The report names Mohammad Asif, Najaf Shah, Mohammad Irshad, Mohammad Khalil and Wahab Riaz as likely candidates to be selected for the training programme.
The South African board has received a cash donation of 200,000 Rand from Bellingham Wines.The announcement was made during the innings break of the fifth and final one-dayer between South Africa and West Indies at the Wanderers.The money is from proceeds of sales of the wines during the last year’s World Cup.Harry Dare, Bellingham’s marketing director, said, “We are delighted to be associated with cricket, especially during the prestigious event like the World Cup." He added, “For the wine brand to support cricket development is very special.”Maxwell Jordaan, the manager for amateur cricket, expressed his gratitude. “This unexpected windfall will go a long way to assist the remote regions of our cricket affiliates," he said. "It will serve as a fantastic kick-start for our elite programmes within our newest fledgling associates.”
Changes to both teams appear likely for the second match in the National Bank Series between New Zealand and England at the WestpacTrust Stadium in Wellington tomorrow.New Zealand’s change, bringing in Brendon McCullum for Ian Butler, is a response to the expected slow pitch while England’s choices are likely to be more extensive with Andy Caddick being touted as a victim of Wednesday’s first loss to be replaced by Matthew Hoggard with Owais Shah possibly to come in for Paul Collingwood.Wet weather, the curse of this New Zealand summer, has allowed minimal preparation on the Stadium pitch which is still sporting the after-effects of last weekend’s IRB Sevens tournament.Groundsman Trevor Jackson has followed the trend in place at the Basin Reserve, the Capital’s other cricket venue, where he used a marquee before the Boxing Day Test against Bangladesh to get the necessary pitch preparation done.Cricket Wellington chief executive Ervin McSweeney was unconcerned at claims in the city that the match would definitely be transferred to Sunday.”It’s supposed to be clearing. We have had periods today with sun and the cloud has been higher than over the past few days.”The pitch is under a tent, because it has been raining for four days.”We put the tent up because we want to do the best we can. I’m optimistic that everything will be OK, there is only so much you can do,” he said.The game was scheduled to go at 2pm tomorrow and that would be the case if the weather conditions were right.”The pitch at the Stadium is significantly better two days out from the match than the Test wicket was.”We do need some sort of help from the elements and the next 24 hours are very important,” he said.England will be looking to pull a match back on New Zealand to level the series but just as they didn’t perform well in the first game, they must also know that New Zealand are capable of much better.Both sides need to lift their batting through the middle and later overs of the innings while England also need to sharpen their fielding.England have pigeon-holed the first match as a game they lost rather than New Zealand won.Such thinking discounts the fact that despite being under a brutal assault at the start of the game, New Zealand managed to keep their wits and apply the pressure when the opening came.The fact is that New Zealand won because they wanted to win more than their opponent.They won because when it mattered they took their chances.Increasingly, recognising those moments of vitality in a game when the winning or losing can be gone so quickly, is the element New Zealand must harness if it is to become a more efficient one-day unit.That also includes, as it does for England, recognising the value to be had from partnership building. It is still the key to success in one-day cricket.Should McCullum be included in the New Zealand side it is likely to be down the order to allow further development of the Nathan Astle-Chris Nevin alliance.One thing is certain, if McCullum is preferred to Butler, the margin between the fielding ability of the two sides is only going to be widened.
Glamorgan will regroup over the weekend after their 328 run defeat by Yorkshire in the County Championship match at Swansea.”Nobody likes to lose, but we must take our hats off to Yorkshire,” said Glamorgan captain Steve James. “They put in a much better performance than us and thoroughly outplayed us. We have got to stick our hands up and say that Yorkshire got too many runs in the first innings – 280 was way above par on quite a sporting pitch."”When it was our turn to bat, Chris Silverwood bowled superbly early on and we were three down for virtually nothing. From then on we were chasing the game, and in the second innings, they began 180 ahead and we knew it would be difficult batting from that position. Our eventual target was to score 454 in over five sessions, but I could never see us batting for that length of time because the ball was still doing plenty.”Whilst Glamorgan have never lost before by so many runs in a County Championship match, their defeat by Yorkshire is not their heaviest in the competition. The table below lists the four heaviest Championship defeats, all recorded during the inter-war period:
Innings and 331 runs v Surrey at Cardiff Arms Park, 1936Innings and 327 runs v Nottinghamshire at Trent Bridge, 1929Innings and 270 runs v Sussex at Horsham, 1923Innings and 258 runs v Yorkshire at Cardiff Arms Park, 1922
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, but face competition from Arsenal.
The lowdown: Rise to prominence
Having made the grade at senior level at Sparta Prague, Schick moved to Italy and enjoyed successful spells at Sampdoria and AS Roma before arriving in Germany.
Now a regular feature for both club and country as a fully-fledged Czech Republic international, the 26-year-old looks to be ready for the next step in a promising career, having bagged 20 Bundesliga goals in as many appearances this season – even more than Harry Kane has managed in the Premier League.
As Spurs continue to be linked with attacking players, from Paulo Dybala to Lautaro Martinez, Schick is the latest named indexed with a move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The latest: No deal
As per the report from the Daily Mail, Tottenham are one of ‘several’ clubs to be interested in the 6 foot 2 frontman.
It’s claimed that Schick is on the ‘radar’ of both sides in north London as well as at Manchester City, Everton and West Ham.
However, there could be an immediate stumbling block as the report also states that the CEO at the Bundesliga club, Fernando Carro, has ‘insisted’ the towering forward is not for sale.
The verdict: Reinforcements needed
Having recently been touted with a move for Darwin Nunez before the latest links to the 33-cap Czech ace, it’s evident that Spurs’ boss, Antonio Conte, is desperate to add a striker to his ranks.
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And , albeit seemingly an unlikely move at this juncture, adding a player of the £36million valued star’s calibre to the squad would be a bonafide option to strengthen the striker department.
Hailed as a ‘very special’ player by Czech Republic Under 19 manager David Holoubek and having netted 90 career goals for club and country, Schick would undoubtedly be a target for top clubs and a worthy option to support and perhaps eventually succeed Kane.
In other news: Journalist drops huge update pursuit of Serie A star! Find out more here.
“It’s just for us to go back to the drawing board and come back really prepared, focused and ready to play a tough Test match in Trinidad.”West Indies captain Chris Gayle is looking for a quick regrouping from his team in time for next week’s second and final Digicel Test match against Sri Lanka at the Queen’s Park Oval. On Wednesday, West Indies lost to the Sri Lankans for the first time on home soil, by 121 runs, at the National Stadium in Providence.But Gayle still saw positives in defeat – the bowling and the general contribution of debutant Sulieman Benn, the half centuries by vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, and the second-innings 83 by Dwayne Bravo, who took Gayle’s place at the top of the order.Questioned about that move, Gayle explained how it came about: “While Bravo was bowling, I went up to him and said (jokingly): ‘Bravo, you want to open the batting?’ And he said, ‘Yeah man, that will be better off for me as well.’ So I decided to exchange positions.”It paid off in the end. He got a half-century, I got a half-century. But it’s not something I’m looking at for the next game, for Bravo to open the batting.”Gayle did admit too to his difficulty against Man-of-the-Match left-arm swing bowler Chaminda Vaas. “It’s no secret. Yes, he has got me out the majority of times in Test cricket whenever I play against Sri Lanka. It’s something you have to face and something you have to deal with. I tried something different, tried something new, coming a bit later when the ball is a bit older, and it worked. But I don’t know if I’m going to do it in the next game.”Gayle’s unbeaten 51 yesterday, however, was not enough to save his side. But he is hopeful that it was the start of better for him against Vaas and company.”The stats haven’t been very good against Sri Lanka, so this is a motivation factor for me, to try and move on from strength to strength.”
Phil Jaques and Stephen Moore combined for an opening stand of 234, and Vikram Solanki also hit a hundred, as Surrey’s woes continued on a tough first day against Worcestershire at New Road. Jaques was in typically belligerent form, bringing up his ton off 126 balls, and his innings eventually included 17 fours and two sixes when he was caught behind off Matthew Nicholson. But Surrey’s bowlers continued to toil with Moore crossing to a hundred for the first time this season before being stumped off Ian Salisbury. Although Salisbury provided the breakthrough it was an unproductive day for the spinners with he and Chris Schofield going for 165 off 44 overs. With the openers having done their job, Solanki reached three figures shortly before the close and Surrey had another day to forget.Mark Chilton struck his first century of the season as Lancashire fought back from a poor start during a closely contested encounter with Durham at Chester-le-Street. Chilton’s 115 was vital for Lancashire after they’d slipped to 63 for 3 – with Brad Hodge out for 1 – following their decision to bat first. The recovery began slowly, but Chilton’s fourth-wicket stand of 140 alongside Stuart Law built during the afternoon until, with Law – dropped on 5 by Will Smith – appearing set for another large score, he fell to Ottis Gibson for 60. Chilton, though, went to his hundred from 185 balls before being stumped off the last ball before tea. Luke Sutton and Glen Chapple pushed their side closer to 300 during the evening session, while former New Zealand offspinner Paul Wiseman collected his second wicket. Bad light ended player 14 overs early.Centuries from Joe Sayers and Anthony McGrath made it a tough day for Kent as Yorkshire built a strong first-innings position at Tunbridge Wells. The pair added 204 for the second wicket with Sayers hitting his third Championship ton of a fruitful campaign and McGrath his first to follow his fine one-day form. McGrath was marginally faster to three figures, 220 balls to Sayers’ 233, but was trapped by Andrew Hall three balls after reaching the landmark. Sayers remained unbeaten through to the close and, despite a failure for Younis Khan, Yorkshire are ideally placed to push onto a monstrous total.Sussex failed to make the most of a solid start against Hampshire at Arundel although Mushtaq Ahmed’s late fifty redressed the balance somewhat. Chris Nash and Richard Montgomerie laid a foundation of 105, but Shane Warne and Chris Tremlett shared the top four wickets as Sussex slipped to 130 for 4. Chris Adams (52) and Andrew Hodd (28) added 77 then another four wickets fell for 26 after Shaun Udal removed Adams. However, Mushtaq brought out the long handle and swung a 43-ball 54, adding 69 with Luke Wright, to edge Sussex over 300. He fell to the final ball of the day, bowled by Stuart Clark for his first scalp, while the bowling honours went to Warne and Tremlett.
Division Two
2nd daySeventeen-year-old James Harris has already produced the goods with the ball this season, now he as shown his ability with the bat becoming the youngest Glamorgan player to score a Championship half-century. His unbeaten 87, alongside a stand of 185 with Robert Croft, who made 115, meant Glamorgan reached the heights of 429 after being 193 for 8 on the first day against Nottinghamshire at Swansea. Croft’s hundred, his seventh in 341 first-class matches, took 158 balls but it wouldn’t have been possible without Harris’s support. He faced 224 balls and was not all defense, either, striking 11 boundaries before Dean Cosker fell for 30 to leave him 13 short of a memorable century. Nottinghamshire were strongly placed in reply at 143 for 1, but Cosker nipped out Jason Gallian (78) and, crucially, Stephen Fleming for eight via a brilliant catch at slip. However, the final say went to Harris as he trapped Mark Wagh lbw and removed Chris Read with the last ball of the day.Derbyshire continued to control their clash against Gloucestershire at Derby after declaring on 500 for 9 and taking five wickets. Ant Botha built on Steve Stubbings’ opening-day century, adding 93 with Greg Smith and 85 with James Pipe, but was run out two short of his ton. When Simon Katich eventually ended the innings, after 157 overs, his bowlers set about making full use of the total under their belts. From 83 for 1 Gloucestershire slumped to 120 for 5 as Tom Lungley took three wickets, including Chris Taylor for a third-ball duck.1st dayRonnie Irani’s runs will be sorely missed by Essex, but in Ravi Bopara they have a run-machine of the present and future, or at least until England take him away. He hit his second consecutive Championship ton to give Essex the honours against Northamptonshire at Chelmsford on the day Irani announced his retirement. Bopara was dropped twice, on 0 and 90, before reaching his hundred, with a powerful cut, off 182 balls. His knock included a six over long on and he ended the day four short of his career-best. He added 116 for the second wicket with Varun Chopra, a stand broken by a sharp catch from Stephen Peters, a former Essex player, at slip off Jason Brown. Grant Flower then provided solid support, in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 182, as the home side accumulated steadily.Somerset overwhelmed Leicestershire on the opening day at Taunton, racing into a lead of 189 after skittling the visitors for 168. Steffan Jones grabbed 6 for 61, ripping through Leicestershire’s middle order. The paltry effort was put into stark perspective when Marcus Trescothick and Neil Edwards sped past the total shortly after tea and both went onto post centuries. Edwards’ came first, off 114 balls, followed by Trescothick’s second of the season and he had time to pass 150 before the close. Somerset screamed along at nearly six-an-over and Stuart Broad, who conceded 84 off 12 overs, will be wondering if he timed his return from injury correctly.
A top Indian board (BCCI) official today refuted allegations that the Asian bloc had entered into an understanding with the West Indies to bag the rights to host the 2011 World Cup at a recent ICC meeting.The West Indies voted for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh but in return the BCCI agreed to play a triangular series at a neutral venue to help raise funds for the Caribbean islands in the lead up to the 2007 World Cup, media reports had said.IS Bindra, a BCCI Marketing Committee member and a former president, rebutted the charges. “We playing the West Indies in North America or the Caribbean had nothing to do with the World Cup bid,” Bindra said. “It was part of the ongoing scheme of playing 25 matches against top teams at neutral venues over a period of five years. Playing in North America would benefit the Caribbean because there is a considerable expatriate population there [North America].”There was no quid pro quo for their support. They voted for us because they thought it was in the best interest of world cricket, and it was morally right, that the 2011 World Cup be held in the subcontinent. We had jointly fought in 1987 when we got the World Cup moved out of England.”Bindra also denied former ICC president Malcolm Gray’s allegation that the subcontinent won the bid by flexing its money muscle. “It was they who had the veto, from 1909 when the ICC was formed to 1993,” Bindra said. “We have always acted like equal partners.”Bindra said he was questioned by the ICC members at the executive board meeting in Dubai earlier this week “for half an hour” when he told them the 2011 World Cup, if held in the subcontinent, would generate USD 400 million more. “I told them that the ICC makes USD two million from a match day whereas we make USD 8.77 million, which is more than four times. The ICC sold the television rights [of 2003 WC] to India for USD 250 million and for seven-eight million USD to Australia.”Asia won the bid to host the 2011 World Cup overcoming a joint bid by Australia and New Zealand by ten votes to three.
Rajshahi secured their first domestic one-day title with a 140-run victory over Barisal in the ninth round of the National Cricket League at Barisal Stadium. The win gave them 16 points, and with second-placed Sylhet’s match against Khulna being abandoned, that was enough.Rajshahi, who have won eight games in succession after losing their opening match, were always in control after posting 280 for 9, Moniruzzaman and Raqibul Hasan putting them on their way with an opening stand of 80 in under 12 overs, and then Anisur Rahman anchored the middle of the innings with a 90-ball 75. A fourth-wicket stand of 113 between Anisur and Mushfiqur Rahman ended the match as a contest. Barisal were never in the hunt after a poor start, and they did well to recover from 38 for 6. Mushfiqur won the Man-of-the-Match award for his 48 and 4 for 33.Dhaka remained in third position despite slipping to a second straight defeat against Chittagong at the Fatullah Stadium. Dhaka struggled to build any momentum and were held to 193 for 9 after winning the toss, with Ahsanullah Hasan (4 for 36) ripping through the middle order. Gazi Salahuddin cracked an excellent 90 to set Chittagong on their way to a four-wicket win – only their second win in the competition – and Shabbir Khan saw them home with a well-paced 61 not out.Dhaka will have a chance to make amends when the penultimate round of the four-day Nation Cricket League starts on Wednesday. They need four more points from their remaining two games to retain their title.
Scorecard The West Indians’ tour match against Border at East London ended in a drizzly draw after persistent rain, and a saturated outfield meant there was no play for the second consecutive day.It spoiled an interestingly poised match with the West Indians leading by 195 runs in their second innings. However, rain had the final say and Brian Lara and his team will now prepare for the Boxing Day Test at Durban.Day 2 Bulletin Adam Sanford did his chances of a Test recall no harm after he took 5 for 58 to give the West Indians the advantage in their tour match against Border. After Border were dismissed for 251, a half-century from Ramnaresh Sarwan guided the West Indians to 168 for 3 at the close of the second day.Resuming on 68 for 2, Border made a quiet start before they lost three wickets for three runs as Sanford cut through their middle order. He trapped Steven Pope lbw for 28 and then dismissed Justin Kreusch and Laden Gamiet in the space of three balls.Piet Stydom and Abongile Sodumo steadied the innings with a stand of 81 before Strydom, who top-scored with 74, was one of Dave Mohammed victims. Mohammed, the wrist-spinner and late call-up to the squad, also impressed with 3 for 89 as the last four wickets fell in only six overs.Vasbert Drakes also grabbed a couple. He had both Burton de Wett and Abongile Sodumo caught as West Indies gained a first-innings lead of 27 runs.When the West Indians batted again Sarwan led the reply with 71 not out, batting for three-and-a-half hours. He started briskly, reaching his fifty from 55 balls, but thereafter chose to consolidate, the next 21 runs coming off 63 balls.But Wavell Hinds’ continuing poor form was a worry, managing 1 from 24 balls before he prodded at Tyron Henderson and was caught behind.