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FULL NAME: Arnold Rushambwa BORN: At Harare, 1 March 1982 MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2001/02)

John Ward22-Mar-2002FULL NAME: Arnold Rushambwa
BORN: At Harare, 1 March 1982
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (2001/02). Present club side: Takashinga
KNOWN AS: Arnold Rushambwa. Nickname: Rush
BATTING STYLE: Right Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Right Arm Fast Medium
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy studentFIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 1-4 March 2002, CFX Academy v Mashonaland A, at Country Club,Harare
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaitedBIOGRAPHY (March 2002)Arnold Rushambwa is another young black Zimbabwean cricketer who is the first of his family to play the sport. His interest was first aroused at Mbizi Primary School in Highfields, a black township of Harare, when Stephen Mangongo introduced the game to the boys at the school.His first matches were played for the school team, and his best batting performance was 97 not out, which remains his highest score in any class of cricket. He notes that his bowling in those years was notable more for its accuracy and economy than wicket-taking. In Grade Seven he was selected for a development tour in Gauteng, but feels he was not successful.He progressed to Churchill High School, earning a scholarship in Form Two. Here he scored 68 not out against Prince Edward School, and took five wickets for three runs against Watershed. He did not play any inter-provincial or national cricket for age-group teams while at school.Arnold left school in 1999, but successfully retook O-level subjects that he had failed at school. He has played club cricket for Takashinga since he was in Grade Seven, his best performances for the club being 68 with the bat and six wickets for 14 runs with the ball against Kwekwe.Without any outside encouragement, but through his own enthusiasm, Arnold applied for the CFX Academy for 2002 and was accepted.As a batsman Arnold tends to favour the back foot, being strong on the drive and pull. He would like to bat at number five or six in the order. With the ball he moves the new ball into the batsman, but is mastering the art of reverse swing with the old ball. He generally fields in middle-distance positions, with a special liking for backward point.As with so many other black players, Arnold pays tribute to Stephen Mangongo as the coach who has helped him the most throughout his career. He says, "I think this year is going to be a great year for me because I have the most wonderful coaches, Dave Houghton at CFX, and Eddo Brandes. I want to use the competition we have here to the best of my ability."Cricket heroes: Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Jonty RhodesToughest opponents: Henry Olonga so far as a bowler; Andy Flower as a batsman.Personal ambitions: "I’m aiming to play county cricket, and also the national team if I can. I would like to take a hat-trick, if I can, and score a hundred."Proudest achievement so far: "Being in this year’s CFX Academy."Best friends in cricket: Vusi Sibanda, Elton Chigumbura.Other qualifications: None.Other sports: Rugby (lock) at Churchill School.Outside interests: Reading novels and magazines, "to improve my vocabulary."Views on cricket: "I want my national team to win more games. I know it is just a matter of time before they will achieve."

SYDNEY – Australian captain Steve Waugh today criticised the points system in the new International Cricket Council Test championship as

Adrian Warren22-May-2001SYDNEY – Australian captain Steve Waugh today criticised the points systemin the new International Cricket Council Test championship as “stupid” andclaimed every Test should count.The championship, which started with last week’s Test between England andPakistan at Lord’s, will pit the 10 Test playing nations against each otheron a home-and-away basis over a five-year period.Two points are awarded for a series win and one for a draw.If a team wins the first three matches of a five-Test series, the last twowould effectively count for nothing while a team winning a series 5-0 wouldget no more points than one triumphing 3-2.Waugh today admitted he didn’t fully understand the system, but rejected thesuggestion Tests could be vulnerable to match fixing if they weren’t worthany points.”I wouldn’t think it would leave it open to match fixing, but I think it’sstupid,” Waugh said.”We pride ourselves in every Test match being special and what’s the pointof playing if they don’t count for anything?”They still count for our personal pride and the team. I must admit Ihaven’t looked at the championship specifically and seen how it works, butI’m surprised those Test matches don’t count, they should count.”That’s what it’s all about, that’s why you’re the number one side, becauseyou can perform I guess when other people don’t expect you to.”With 10 teams having to be accommodated in a packed international schedule,Waugh even suggested the days of the five-Test series were numbered.”I think eventually they might even go back to four. Four Tests might be themost convenient number, I don’t know,” Waugh said.”With five, you definitely sort out the best team, in three sometimes youget the feeling `I’m not sure whether the best side is actually on top atthis stage’ and you’re just getting to know the opposition really well.”Australian Cricket Board chief executive Malcolm Speed said it consideredplaying five Tests in each country rather than three in this summer’shome-and-away series against South Africa, but felt the additional workloadwas too much.”Five here and five in South Africa is pretty much ridiculous,” said Waugh,who along with Speed admitted Australia probably would ultimately play afive-Test series against South Africa.”Ten Tests in a row against the same side and I think you’re on automaticpilot by about the seventh Test, I don’t think too many people would bewatching it, you’ve got to keep it special and not overdo it.”Waugh welcomed tomorrow’s much-anticipated release of the ICC AntiCorruption Unit’s report into alleged matching fixing.”We want to know what’s going on and people want the game cleared up, so assoon as it comes out the better,” Waugh said.He wouldn’t comment on a claim by former England all-rounder Ian Botham thatup to a billion dollars had been wagered on a single Test, but Speeddescribed the claim as “a frightening thought.”Waugh also today called for any technological advances aimed at assistingumpires to be trialled at lower levels of the game.The technology issue will be raised at the ICC’s annual cricket committeemeeting in London tomorrow at which former Test captain Allan Border willrepresent Australia.Speed said the ACB supported technology provided it improved the game andintroduced a level of certainty while Waugh didn’t want the game to become”too Americanised” with each decision referred to a video replay.”They (the umpires) are going to make errors on occasions and I think we canlive by that, that’s the way it’s always been,” Waugh said.”But if there’s a decision where there is a line involved with a stump or arun out, I think that’s fine.”If they’ve got the technology to show where a ball has carried for a catchthen use it, but I think at the moment it’s unclear and it’s caused morecontroversy than the issues that it solves.”

A number of Celtic fans slammed Ryan Christie on social media for his performance against Hibernian on Saturday afternoon.

Interim boss John Kennedy made two changes from the side which hammered St Johnstone 4-0 on Wednesday, with Christie keeping his place in the team.

It could be the 37-year-old’s final game in temporary charge of the Hoops, with reports claiming that former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe is in line to become Neil Lennon’s permanent successor at Parkhead.

The Hoops ended their campaign with a 0-0 stalemate at Easter Road in what was Scott Brown’s final appearance as a Celtic player, but many fans couldn’t help but talk about Christie’s performance for the final time of this troubled season.

Christie, who has been linked with a move away from the Hoops, was making his 46th appearance in all competitions this term and started alongside David Turnbull and Mohamed Elyounoussi in behind Odsonne Edouard.

The attacking midfielder was replaced just after the hour mark, coming off for James Forrest. He failed to complete a key pass and lost possession nine times, as per Sofascore, while he rarely threatened Hibs goalkeeper Ofir Marciano.

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Celtic fans react to Christie’s display

Here is what these Celtic supporters had to say about Christie, with one going as far as calling him a ‘donkey’.

“I’m watching this Celtic game in the hope that it’ll be Christie’s last. Was a big fan of his prior to last summer but he’s worn out my goodwill completely this year.”

Credit: @AnDeoraiRua

“Ryan Christie. What’s the point”

Credit: @DavidPa55539859

“I’d take £5 and a bag of footballs for Ryan Christie just now.”

Credit: @Plac1dCasual

“Hopefully this is the last time I see Ryan Christie in a Celtic top”

Credit: @Jamie_D94

“100% can’t stand Ryan Christie”

Credit: @FR14LLL

“Canny wait to see the back of Ryan Christie and Jonjoe Kenny, absolute donkeys”

Credit: @frankjnrjnr

In other news: Celtic looking at two big-money transfers; presented targets to Howe, find out more here. 

Many West Ham United fans were far from happy with the performance of Issa Diop during their 1-0 defeat to Everton on Sunday.

The Hammers’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time were damaged on Sunday thanks to a Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike. While it is not impossible for them to reach the group stage of Europe’s premier club competition, they face an uphill battle to get there – they are now five points behind Leicester City in fourth with just three games left (Sky Sports).

Diop, valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, started at the heart of the back four against the Toffees, and it is fair to say he wasn’t at his best. For example, he was dribbled past on two occasions (SofaScore) by an Everton team who seemed reluctant to attack, while he was partly at fault for the only goal of the game along with fellow defender Craig Dawson.

These Irons supporters were far from happy with what they saw from Diop, who one fan labelled a “liability”, and they took to social media platform Twitter to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what these fans had to say about Diop

“I like Diop but he needs to remember he’s a centre back, he gets caught out far too high up the pitch time and time again. That’s coachable, Moyes needs to have a word and if he won’t listen don’t play him”

Credit: @TheLawless

“The amount of times he gets dragged out of position! They definitely studied that, in fact they definitely did as Calvert-Lewis confirmed. Exposed Dawson. Horrible defending.”

Credit: @RyanMac97158556

“They were both at fault for the goal. Diop out of position leading to Dawson being out paced. We need to bring in a next level CB in the summer.”

Credit: @Sam6WHU

“Diop & Dawson are average, need a 2nd CB with Og in the summer IMO, Dawson does improve with Og tbf but Diop for me is a liability as a CB, I reckon he’d be a good CDM,”

Credit: @rickwhufc

“Diop had another usual stinker. But Benrahma was shocking today. It seems Moyes’ criticism has got to his game negatively I think 8th is now more likely”

Credit: @westham_mo

“100% need to get rid of Diop…”

Credit: @Jsklen_face

In other news, West Ham fans want the club to sign this man.

John Buchanan’s role as national coach will be scrutinised when he meets with Australian CricketBoard chief executive Malcolm Speed on Wednesday

Michael Crutcher07-May-2001John Buchanan’s role as national coach will be scrutinised when he meets with Australian CricketBoard chief executive Malcolm Speed on Wednesday.It is believed the board wants to clearly define the coaching role for the first time after Buchanan encountered controversyduring the recent Indian tour.The successful Queenslander was criticised for an outspoken criticism of Shane Warne’s fitness leading into the deciding Test ofthe Indian series.It was a rare slice of controversy for Buchanan but it has led to claims from an English newspaper that he could lose his role asa tour selector for the upcoming Ashes defence.Buchanan said he was surprised at the article and said he had no idea whether his automatic role as joint tour selector would bereviewed by the ACB’s board of directors.But it is believed there is tension between Buchanan and the ACB, which is still expected to renew his contract during theAshes series.The crux of the issue remains whether the coach should be a behind-the-scenes mentor or a spokesman for the team.Buchanan’s wings could be clipped by the ACB despite his outstanding record as national coach – 15 wins from 17 Tests.The Queenslander said he would be disappointed to lose his role as tour selector but admitted it could be seen ascontradictory.Former English coach David Lloyd decided against selecting teams because it could stand in the way of his dealings withplayers.”It depends on what the role of the coach is on tour and at home and that’s why it’s an important issue,” Buchanan said.”Being a selector on tour hasn’t necessarily jeopardised that role at the moment but, if it was seen to be, I would probably seethere isn’t a role as a selector.”Australian coaches have taken on varied roles since Bob Simpson pioneered the position in the 1980s.Simpson had different roles under captains Allan Border and Mark Taylor while incumbent leader Steve Waugh has a firm sayon the current team.Buchanan hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with his players, most notably Stuart Law in Queensland and Middlesex pair MarkRamprakash and Mike Gatting.But his success and support from most players have been unquestioned, leading to his appointment to the Australian position inNovember 1999 following the retirement of Geoff Marsh.Buchanan was not afforded much credit during Australia’s record-breaking streak, but his role came under question in Indiawhen Australia lost its first series in more than 18 months.The article in England’s Sunday Telegraph, said Buchanan could become “invisible” if Australia was unable to defend the Ashes.It likened him to a “control freak” and “Rasputin in white”, questioning his coaching claims because of his limited experience as aplayer.It could be the first of several attempts to unhinge the Australian squad before the opening Test in July as England tries to regainthe Ashes for the first time in more than a decade.

If Nuno Espirito Santo left Wolves, it would leave a great big hole at Molineux.

The Portuguese manager has been such a huge part of the Old Gold’s development in the last few years, guiding them from the Championship to European football.

They are now an established Premier League club and Nuno has consequently caught the interest of Tottenham.

On the chalkboard

This isn’t the first time that their manager has been coveted by clubs elsewhere – Arsenal were chasing the Wolves boss after they sacked Unai Emery in 2019.

However, after Jose Mourinho was sacked by Spurs, he is now an option for the Lilywhites. Wolves are well aware of how sought-after their manager is and they have duly begun to draw up contingency plans.

The Daily Mail reported this week that they were considering a list of candidates in case Nuno departs in the coming months.

The report revealed three names the Midlands outfit had already considered contacting – Vitor Pereira, Rui Faria and Bruno Lage.

The latter is someone who Jeff Shi has admired for the best part of two years, and it’s clear to see why – he develops talent for the future.

Silva to become a star?

When Lage was in charge of Benfica, he delved into the youth ranks of the Liga NOS outfit to give them a bigger and better squad.

In doing so, he uncovered the likes of Ruben Dias, Florentino Luis and Gedson Fernandes. He guided the Lisbon giants to a league title in 2018/19, sparking a “spectacular” revival at the Estadio da Luz.

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However, Lage’s biggest success story to date has to be the effervescent Joao Felix. It was under the 44-year-old that the current Atletico Madrid maestro made a proper breakthrough in Portugal and it’s under Lage that he has flourished the most so far in his career.

Back in his homeland, the attacking midfielder racked up 17 goals and ten assists in just 29 outings with Lage at the helm. Felix was only a teenager at the time but that form earned him a move to Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £113m – the fifth-most expensive transfer in history.

It’s evident that Lage is good at working with young players, so his potential arrival at Molineux could be game-changing for a certain Fabio Silva.

The 18-year-old set Wolves back £35.6m last summer but he’s had a pretty disastrous spell in England so far. Silva has scored just three goals all season and, rather than his football catching the eye, it’s his luscious locks which have been a source of debate.

He has scored and assisted a crucial goal for Adama Traore this month as the teenager finally begins to show signs of his high potential, but Nuno is yet to really extract the very best from him.

That could be different with Lage in the dugout. He had immense success with Dias before his move to Manchester City and turned Felix into a world phenomenon. Like Silva, the Atletico Madrid star was a bushy-haired prodigy before Lage got to develop his game.

It would be a very exciting time for the youngster if Shi hires the former Benfica manager as Nuno’s eventual successor.

AND in other news, Forget Dendoncker: Wolves must swoop for £4m beast who tortured Danny Batth in 2014…

Manchester City are being linked with Inter striker Romelu Lukaku ahead of the summer and his potential arrival could spell bad news for Liam Delap and his chances of establishing himself in Pep Guardiola’s first team next season.

According to Italian news outlet Calcio Mercato, Guardiola is keen to bring the Belgian international to the Etihad ahead of next season as he sees him as someone who can replace the outgoing Sergio Aguero.

The former Everton and Manchester United man has enjoyed a superb campaign in Serie A, with his 21 league goals helping fire Antonio Conte’s side to the Scudetto this season.

The 27-year-old has 27 goals in all competitions this season and has also contributed 10 assists in the Italian top-flight, which has helped him average a superb 7.48 rating for his performances – which is comfortably the best of any Inter player this season, emphasising how important he was to the title win.

If he were to join Manchester City, they would undoubtedly have to pay a significant fee for the £81m-rated striker, although given that Guardiola has described him as “world-class” in the past, he would clearly love to sign him as City’s replacement for Aguero this summer.

Therefore, Lukaku would presumably compete with Gabriel Jesus as the starting striker in Guardiola’s side next season if he were to arrive, which would most likely leave Delap with very few first-team opportunities.

The 18-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal season with the academy sides, contributing 21 goals and four assists in 19 Premier League 2 appearances, which has led Guardiola to confirm that he will be training with the first team next season.

Delap, who has been labelled “fantastic” by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, is reportedly being targeted by a number of Premier League and Championship clubs as they look to bring him in on loan next season and whilst he will undoubtedly want to challenge at Man City, Lukaku’s potential arrival would surely limit his chances of becoming a regular.

And, in other news… Guardiola must ruthlessly axe “world-class” gem this summer, his value has already dropped 37.5%

A very worrying behind-the-scenes claim has emerged on Harry Kane and his future at Tottenham Hotspur.

As per Football Insider, there has been some ‘encouragement’ behind-the-scenes at Manchester United as the Spurs star is ‘said to be interested’ in a potential move to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.

A source from the Old Trafford faithful has claimed that the Red Devils are currently ‘keeping tabs’ on his situation at the North London club and would be ‘very keen’ in signing him.

The source added that MUFC ‘have always wanted’ the England international captain and that ‘nothing has changed in that regard’.

He is thought of by the club to be their ‘perfect spearhead’ to take them back to the top of the table in the Premier League, and Daniel Levy and the Lilywhites board ‘could be pushed into a corner’ if Kane were to go public with his ‘desire’ to leave them.

The 27-year-old has three years left on his current deal at THFC and United are one of a few clubs who can afford his £125m+ valuation.

The report adds that Kane is ‘100 per cent thinking of moving on’ as he has been left ‘unimpressed’ with the ambition shown by his club’s hierarchy.

Tottenham must keep Kane

Jose Mourinho’s side must try and keep Kane at all costs, as he is of course such an important player to the club. It is not only that though – selling him to a rival for the top four in the Premier League would be downright ludicrous, especially considering the Lilywhites do not exactly have the best record of reinvesting smartly when selling star players, as we saw when Gareth Bale left.

Yet another great season has seen the striker score no fewer than 29 times and make a further 16 assists in 42 games in total over all competitions (Transfermarkt), and if Tottenham have any ambition of getting back in the UEFA Champions League, Kane would be nothing short of vital in doing so.

In other news, find out which ‘magnificent coach’ Levy could hold a meeting with here!

According to reports, West Ham United have been handed a huge boost to their chances of keeping Declan Rice at the London Stadium this summer despite numerous exit rumours.

The report by Football Insider claims that a Manchester United source has revealed the 22-year-old is not Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s priority target in midfield this summer, with the Norwegian thought to have “other targets” who are “ahead of Rice” on his shortlist.

Football Insider added that the Old Trafford recruitment team will “pursue other players” in the position before deciding whether or not to make a move for the West Ham star, who Gareth Southgate recently dubbed an “outstanding” player.

Transfer Tavern Take

Considering that Rice has continuously been linked with a move to Manchester United in recent weeks, if Football Insider’s sources are to be believed, the news that the England international is not one of Solskjaer’s priorities this summer is likely to be fantastic to hear for David Moyes and West Ham.

Having said that, if the £62,000-per-week midfielder continues to improve at the remarkable rate he has done so far in his career, it is not a difficult scenario to imagine Manchester United, or indeed another elite club, reigniting their interest in the Irons stalwart in the not-too-distant future.

In other news: ‘Scenes’, ‘Finally’, ‘Yessssss’ – Loads of West Ham fans ecstatic as transfer news emerges – find out more here!

With the Premier League very quickly reaching its conclusion, Leeds can begin preparing for a second season in the top-flight.

They have been a breath of fresh air this term but cannot let up in their pursuit of breaking into the division’s top half.

What’s the word?

It would appear that Leeds’ main priority this summer is improving their defence.

Crystal Palace full-back Patrick van Aanholt has already been linked with a free transfer move but they are now pursuing another potential free agent.

According to The Daily Mail, the Whites are interested in landing Torino centre-back Nicolas N’Koulou.

The 30-year-old is out of contract in the summer and as a result, is now free to speak to foreign clubs about his future.

Consequently, Leeds are keeping tabs on his progress with the hope of potentially striking a deal in the near future.

Perfect for Leeds

On a free transfer, there would be little risk to this deal from Victor Orta. N’Koulou already knows Bielsa from his days with Marseille and as a result, there would surely be little adjustment time.

It’s crucial when a new signing arrives that they get up to speed with Bielsa’s training methods as quickly as possible. As the likes of Jean-Kevin Augustin will tell you, murderball is tough.

N’Koulou, however, will be used to that. The 72-cap Cameroon international has played in a number of Europe’s top five leagues and has qualities that would be ideal for the club and its manager.

That happens to be in the way he passes the ball out from the back. After Orta failed with three attempts to bring Ben White back on a permanent basis, he moved for Robin Koch and then Diego Llorente.

However, with their fitness wreaking havoc with Leeds’ defence all season, they could do with another body. Thus, N’Koulou feels like the perfect addition.

Speaking to HITC earlier this month, Emile Heskey analysed the club’s prior interest in the defender, saying: “[N’Koulou is] a Bielsa type of player; someone who, if you put him man for man, he knows he can dominate.”

Indeed, a quick look at the stats tells you he’s exactly like White.

For starters, he is brilliant at bringing the ball forward and finding a teammate. In Serie A this term, the centre-back has completed 88.7% of his passes. That’s compared to the 84.5% managed by White at Elland Road last season.

In terms of their reading of the play, they are also incredibly similar. During the 2019/20 title-winning campaign, White won 2.5 interceptions per match. N’Koulou, on the other hand, has won 2.4 interceptions per outing in Italy’s top-flight.

On that evidence, this feels like a match made in heaven.

AND in other news, Phil Hay thinks Leeds should sign 42-goal gem this summer, he could be their new Klich…