All posts by h716a5.icu

Luke Butterworth’s four wickets rolled Western Australia for 176 before Tasmania battled to 5 for 142 at stumps on day one of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA ground

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Oct-2011
Mitchell Johnson had to leave the field after he slipped in his delivery stride•Getty ImagesLuke Butterworth’s four wickets rolled Western Australia for 176 before Tasmania battled to 5 for 142 at stumps on day one of the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA ground.Mitchell Johnson was forced to leave the field with a rolled ankle while Ricky Ponting could make only 33 on an eventful day in the west. The Tigers captain, George Bailey, was dropped twice on his way to compiling an unbeaten 49.The Warriors never quite recovered from being reduced to 3 for 41 as Butterworth cut through the top order in a manner reminiscent of his success in Tasmania’s Shield-winning 2010-11 season. He pinned Liam Davis lbw before Marcus Harris and Marcus North edged deliveries angled across them.Butterworth later accounted for Adam Voges, the only WA batsman to make a score of any great substance, before the innings petered out.Tasmania’s reply was kept in check by the WA seam bowler Michael Hogan, who started off by having Ed Cowan caught in the slips then adding the wickets of Nick Kruger and James Faulkner.Johnson, who tipped the young paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile out of the WA XI for reasons of team balance, was dismissed cheaply and then bowled indifferently before he slipped in his delivery stride and walked gingerly from the field without finishing his seventh over.Ponting looked in good touch, but failed to go on from his start, squeezing a catch off bat and pad to short leg from the bowling of the left-arm spinner Michael Beer.

The India-Pakistan series scheduled for 2012 in the new Future Tours Programme (FTP) faces an uncertain future with the PCB awaiting word from the BCCI on whether the Indian government will grant clearance to the tour

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Jul-2011The India-Pakistan series scheduled for 2012 in the new Future Tours Programme (FTP) faces an uncertain future with the PCB awaiting word from the BCCI on whether the Indian government will grant clearance for the tour. The PCB is not even clear at the moment about which country will host the series, though the FTP says that Pakistan are scheduled to tour India for three Tests and five ODIs in March-April 2012.”In fact, we have to play four series against India in the FTP, spread from 2012 to 2020, but there is a question mark over the 2012 series as to who will host it,” PCB chief-operating officer Subhan Ahmed told the . “Pakistan toured India in 2007 and they had to visit Pakistan in 2009, but they skipped the tour. Pakistan have to play as hosts in 2012 according to the reciprocal turn.”Ahmed said the PCB had discussed the future of the 2012 series at the recent ICC annual conference with the BCCI, which said that it would reply after getting clearance from the Indian government. “As soon as they get clearance we will resume talks to decide the number of matches and the venues,” Ahmed said.There has been no international cricket in Pakistan after the attacks on the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, forcing the PCB to ‘host’ teams at neutral venues like the UAE. Ahmed said that the board was willing to continue the same policy with India as well. “We are already playing our home series at neutral venues due to security concerns of other teams. And we feel no problem in hosting India too at any neutral venue.”There have been no tours between the neighbours since Pakistan’s visit in 2007, as relations broke down in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. This has also led to Pakistan being the only major Test nation without representation in the Champions League Twenty20 [which is organised by the Indian, South African and Australian boards], something that has not impressed the PCB.Ahmed said that such matters were down to the current state of political relations between the nations. “Once the two countries come on track to restore bilateral series, these smaller issues will be solved automatically. Once the ties revive, we’re confident we’ll be included in the Champions League.”Sohail Tanvir, captain of Faysal Bank Super Eight T20 winners Rawalpindi Rams, shared Ahmed’s view. “The matter of our qualification for the next edition of the Champions League T20 is dependent on the relations of the two countries and their cricket boards,” Tanvir told the . “As players we can only perform on the field and the rest is up to the government and the PCB.”

Fiji and PNG have each booked a place in Friday’s gold medal match after wins over Vanuatu and New Caledonia respectively at the Pacific Games competition in Noumea

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Aug-2011Fiji and PNG have each booked a place in Friday’s gold medal match after wins over Vanuatu and New Caledonia respectively at the Pacific Games competition in Noumea.In the match of the tournament so far, Fiji fought back from the jaws of defeat to snatch a four-run victory over Vanuatu. Set the modest total of 114 to win, Vanuatu were in control for the majority of the run chase before terrific bowling spells from both Viliame Yabaki and Jikoi Kida caused a late innings collapse to hand Fiji the victory.”It’s an awesome feeling to win and I haven’t had that feeling for a long time,” said Fiji captain Jo Rika. “Yesterday we spoke about playing to our strengths and improving our fielding and bowling and taking nothing away from our great batting performance, but we really improved in the field today.”Sakaraia Lomani was again the stand out with the bat for Fiji smashing another 44 not out and was well supported by his captain Rika who was in fine touch for his 36. In reply Vanuatu were well in control early thanks to a terrific 44 from Lenica Natapei and 27 from Andrew Mansale. However, once Mansale departed and Natapei followed soon after the young Vanuatu side struggled to deal with the spin of Yabaki who took two wickets in three balls to set up the win. Yabaki ended with figures of 4 for 21 and Kida also got well among the wickets taking 3 for 21.In the afternoon PNG dealt the hosts New Caledonia a significant blow, defeating them by 150 runs and setting up a showdown with Fiji. New Caledonia put up a spirited fight in the field restricting PNG to 197 for 6 off their 20 overs, which considering their performance yesterday against Fiji was a great improvement from the inexperienced side.”It is a huge pleasure to play against a side like PNG and to keep them to under 200 which was less than Fiji scored against us yesterday and was one of our targets so we are pretty happy,” said Noel Sinyeue who top scored and also took two wickets. “To take six wickets against a team like PNG is a real achievement.”For PNG Kapena Arua top scored with 62 and Tony Ura once again performed brilliantly with 57. Sinyeue was the only multiple wicket-taker for New Caledonia ending with figures of 2 for 28.After a solid performance in the field, sadly it all went downhill with the bat for New Caledonia bowled out for just 47 thanks mainly to an awesome display of bowling from Inoa Baeau who ended with the incredible figures of 5 for 3 from four overs.Wednesday will see PNG v Fiji and Vanuatu v New Caledonia in two matches that will not influence who will play-off in the medal matches. These fixtures will be repeated again on Friday when PNG and Fiji play off for gold and Vanuatu and New Caledonia for bronze.PNG’s Arua says however they will hold nothing back against Fiji in what is effectively a dead rubber. “We always do the normal routine, we are a good side and always want to maintain our standard,” he said. “We have many strengths and tomorrow we will make sure we use them.”

The PCB has responded to Shahid Afridi’s retirement by putting together a showcause notice detailing several breaches of the code of conduct, which he will eventually be expected to respond to

Osman Samiuddin31-May-2011The PCB has responded to Shahid Afridi’s retirement by suspending his central contract and putting together a showcause notice detailing several breaches of the code of conduct, which he will be expected to respond to within a week.Announcing his retirement to a TV channel, the board said in a press release, was in itself a breach of Clause 2.1.4 of the Central Contract dealing with Covenants of the Cricketer.Afridi’s criticism of the board officials in the same interview to also constituted a breach. “In passing disparaging remarks about the board and its officials, Shahid Afridi is in breach of Clause 4.4 dealing with Media obligations.”A showcause notice has been issued to him seeking his explanation on these comments. Afridi has been asked to respond to the letter within seven days. His Central Contract has been suspended with immediate effect. Consequently, all NOCs granted to him have been revoked. All payments on account of Central Contract have been suspended.”A day after Afridi’s outburst against the administration on TV, and his decision to not play international cricket under this board, PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said he was “disappointed” by the remarks and that the “retirement” was not an issue at all.”It was disappointing to hear what he said,” Butt told ESPNcricinfo, “and it wasn’t correct or true. It was wrong of him to do that. If he doesn’t want to play under this administration, then he’s welcome. We’ve detailed several instances where he has breached the code of conduct and will issue a showcause notice to him, which he has seven days to respond to.”Senior board officials spent much of the day in a budget meeting, but the issue of Afridi was a live one throughout. The board took legal advice before acting on the suspension of the contract, as well as the withdrawal of the NOCs given to him for a T20 stint with Hampshire, and one for his participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka Premier League (SLPL).Afridi was sent a separate showcause notice earlier this month for comments he made on his return to Pakistan from the Caribbean about the team management, remarks which landed him in trouble in the first place. Disciplinary action, if any, is pending on that notice as well.

Andy Flower will be staying on as England team director in a permanent capacity, after the ECB confirmed that he had renewed his contract following negotiations in the build-up to the 2011 home campaign against Sri Lanka and India

Andrew Miller03-May-2011Andy Flower will be staying on as England team director in a permanent capacity, after the ECB confirmed that he had renewed his contract following negotiations in the build-up to the 2011 home campaign against Sri Lanka and India.Flower, who was first offered the role on a permanent basis in 2009, has overseen back-to-back Ashes victories at home and away, during which time the England team has risen from No. 6 in the ICC Test rankings to third behind India and South Africa.Aside from the achievement of masterminding a first series win in Australia for 24 years, he also helped secure England’s first global trophy in 2010, when they won the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.Flower’s achievements ensured that he was a major target for the BCCI in their bid to replace their World Cup-winning coach, Gary Kirsten, a role that eventually went to his fellow Zimbabwean and predecessor as England head coach, Duncan Fletcher. Flower’s reluctance to uproot his young family from their home in Stratford-upon-Avon was a factor in his decision, and by extending his staff contract, rather than offer him a fixed-term deal, the ECB hope to ensure he remains a part of the furniture for the foreseeable future.Flower said: “I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to build on the considerable progress we have made to date as a squad and remain fully committed to developing the side and ensuring we are in a position to realise our objective of becoming the number one side in the world.”When I was appointed England Team Director in 2009 I stated that I wanted to create a winning England team and I am very pleased with the advances we have made as a squad over the last two years in all formats of the game. Regaining the Ashes in 2009 and retaining them last winter and the 2010 World Twenty20 title are obvious highlights, but there is still plenty more we want to achieve in the longer term.”We have made no secret of our determination to become the No. 1 side in the world and challenge for global titles and I feel we have been making steady progress. I firmly believe we have the talent amongst the playing squad and management team to help us realise our ambitions and am looking forward to testing ourselves against quality opposition this summer and beyond.”Although the terms of the contract have not been disclosed, it is understood that Flower lobbied hard for a clause permitting him to skip specific tours in a bid to avoid burn-out. He was heavily critical of an England winter itinerary which involved five months on the road with just three days at home between the tours of Australia and the subcontinent, and Hugh Morris, the England’s team managing director, will be factoring such issues into the ECB’s plans for their next four-year cycle of international commitments.”Andy Flower has made a huge impact during his time as England Team Director and I am delighted that he has committed to the role and will be continuing to build on the considerable progress the England team has made during his time in the position,” said Morris.”Andy’s outstanding leadership, commitment, and his open and honest approach have been key factors in the success the England squad has enjoyed over the last two years and I have no doubt that under his direction we will continue to see England improve as we strive to become the No. 1 side in the world in all formats of the game.”

For the past three months Canada’s squad has been hard at work preparing for their country’s fourth appearance at the World Cup

Umar Ali 11-Feb-2011For the past three months Canada’s squad has been hard at work preparing for their country’s fourth appearance at the World Cup.In squad are five players aged 20 or younger – Nitish Kumar, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Hamza Tariq, Hiral Patel and Parth Desai – all five of whom played in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup team, and are now looking ahead to their first outing on the main stage.”The Under-19 World Cup experience really helped me [become] knowledgeable of what level the other Under-19 players in the [ICC] member countries are at and how to fine tune my game to become a better cricketer,” said stand-out batsman Gunasekera.”A lot of players came through the Under-19 World Cup [team], so it was a good experience and I got to know what international cricket is going to be [like],” added fellow batsman Patel.With such a young group, it’s understandable to think the long road training for the World Cup would grow tiresome, but they see it as an experience they’ve been waiting for their entire lives. “My goal was to play in this World Cup in 2011 and I’ve been preparing for a much longer time than the three months,” said Gunasekera. “From the day I picked up a bat my dream was to play at a World Cup and I think all of the players here that’s what they dreamt of when they picked up a bat or a ball.”Since beginning their World Cup training process in India back in November, Canada have participated in a number of tours and the youngsters have been able to stay concerned with the task at hand to overcome the gruelling regime en route to the World Cup. “We don’t think that far ahead when we’re on other tours, so that’s how we stay focused every time we go on tour,” said Patel. “Yeah we’re away from families but it’s World Cup time.”Though it’s a privilege for the young group to play on the world stage, participating amongst the elite is not the ultimate goal. Rather, producing results that have never been seen for Canada is on the minds of the youthful core.”Make a name for Canada at the World Cup, since we’ve only won one game [at the World Cup]. The first thing that comes to my mind is Ireland reaching the Super 8 [at the] last World Cup, so I think we have to at least repeat that,” said Gunasekera.With such lofty goals the youngsters understand what it will take for the team to reach the quarter-finals. “We know what we have to do, what the team has to do to succeed, we all know our roles and goals, so it’s hard to lose focus as long as we stick with the team,” said backup wicketkeeper Tariq.There’s no shortage of experience on the Canadian roster and the younger members have used all the experience available to improve their own games, inheriting the enthusiastic work ethic the elder players demonstrate.”Looking at all the senior players and how you get [there] pushes you when you’re practising. You want to do what they’ve done to get to where they are right now,” said Tariq. “They share their experiences with me so that’s helped me a lot and they’ve gone through the system as well, so their experience I use as my guidelines to help me survive at this level,” added Patel.Though the older players are there to assist their younger counterparts, Gunasekera says it’s ultimately up to the players themselves to improve. “I think all their experience [will] help you transition to the national system and once you’re there I think it’s up to you how you handle the situation and how to improve from there.”

The top Associate nation doesn’t want to contribute verbally to the current debate; they want to give the ICC reasons to include them through their performances on the field

Sidharth Monga in Dhaka21-Feb-2011With opinion divided world over on the Associates’ participation in future World Cups, with opinions ranging from that of Ricky Ponting’s to Graeme Swann’s, the one voice that should matter the most, that of Ireland, is typical of how the team plays its cricket. Four years ago, they not only won two big matches and tied one, they also won the hearts of the cricket followers all over the world. Despite continuing the good work, they are still waiting for the elusive Test status perhaps after the Bangladesh misadventure, the ICC is cautious inviting teams into the Test family. The top Associate nation, though, doesn’t want to contribute verbally to the current debate; they want to give the ICC reasons to include them through their performances on the field.Niall O’Brien, Ireland’s wicketkeeper-batsman, knows the uninspiring show by Canada and Kenya on Sunday provides the ICC, and more importantly its commercial partners, reasons to keep the number of non-Test-playing nations in the tournament down. “It’s obviously two disappointing results from Canada and Kenya,” he said. “I am disappointed with how they played, but from my point of view, we pride ourselves in being the top of the so-called Associates and the so-called minnows. So from my point of view, we have got a good enough team to go a long way in this tournament. Yes it is disappointing the way they played, but they have five games to rectify that. Hopefully they put in strong performances in the next three or four weeks.”O’Brien didn’t harp too much on the decision to prune the next World Cup down to 10 teams. “Yes, it is a shame, because the game has got to grow,” he said. “[However], it’s up to the ICC to decide who is going to be a part of the next World Cup. Hopefully we will be a part of that. In the next six weeks, if we can put in strong performances, and win matches, against teams we so-called ‘shouldn’t beat’, as we have done in the past, we only strengthen our case. From our point of view, we are not thinking too much about it. It’s for ICC to think, it’s out of our hands.”Bangladesh, being a Test nation, are one team they so-called ‘shouldn’t beat’, but they have done so at the world events of both the formats they are qualified to play in – and at 74 runs and six wickets, the margins are quite comprehensive too. This game, crucial as it is for both teams’ ambitions to progress to the next round, will be a different kettle. The conditions here will be the most foreign to Ireland, despite all their training against spin in their one-month camp in Pune last year. When they toured here last, Ireland failed to win a game in the three-ODI series.”That was a long time ago, and that schedule, that tour, was a bit hard on us,” O’Brien said. “We only turned up on a Monday, and played 36 hours later in some pretty difficult conditions. That’s a long time ago, that’s past, and we have beaten Bangladesh three of the last four times we have played them. Confidence is high, and we know we have got a good enough team to win here Friday night.”Bangladesh spinners, the likes of [Abdur] Razzak and skipper [Shakib Al Hasan], we have to play them with the respect they deserve, but at the same time we have to be proactive and quite aggressive.”Ireland know a good performance in subcontinent conditions will be a natural progression from four years ago. As long as they can do that, O’Brien feels, the rest will fall in place. “We have got the next four to five weeks to concentrate on our cricket, and 2015 in a long way away. We have got a World Cup here, we have got the T20 world cup in Sri Lanka in not too distant future. We have got plenty of cricket to look forward to. We played Australia in August in Dublin, and should have beaten them. We have got England in August this year, so hopefully we go out there and put in good performances, and let the rest look after themselves.”So 2011 it is, and O’Brien and his side are looking forward to playing in front of full houses, as opposed to in front of four people and their dog back home. On the way if they spoil a few parties, that may or may not include Bangladesh’s, then so be it.

Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, who was appointed New Zealand’s bowling coach on Monday, has said that he hopes to instill aggression in the side’s bowling ranks

ESPNcricinfo staff20-Jan-2011Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, who was appointed New Zealand’s bowling coach on Monday, has said that he hopes to instill aggression in the side’s bowlers.”This is an opportunity I have been waiting for, and I know I’m coming into a side which has had a few problems in one-day cricket but I feel I can help with the bowlers,” Donald said. “The big thing I always focus on is attitude and intensity and that all started at the training ground.”New Zealand have not won a Test since February 2010 when they defeated Bangladesh, but have suffered from bigger setbacks in the one-day format in which they are on a 11-match losing streak. The lack of incisiveness in the bowling, particularly since the retirement of Shane Bond, has been one of their worries. The 44-year-old Donald insisted that his focus would be to get the bowling unit to punch above its collective weight.”You can’t expect miracles and we need to discuss this as a bowling group, I need to find out from them about what their thoughts are and what they’re lacking, where we can improve,” Donald said. “But I’ve got to try and find a way to inspire. I grew up in a South African set-up where I knew what I was going to get from the guy at the other end, and I knew what I was going to get from the bowling group as a collective unit.”I’ve played against New Zealand a lot. I felt you could pick out the individuals within the bowling unit who were going to make a difference, guys like Dion Nash and Chris Cairns, for instance. But not collectively, and I think that’s what we need to bring to the table as a collective unit, the intensity and the attitude. You can work with someone who’s got a dodgy action or struggling, or injury prevention. If the fitness and strength is good then the mental aspect will fall into it.”Donald was also keen to bring about a difference in the way the bowlers trained. “You’re working with players who know and understand their actions and their roles in the team, so you’re not going to come in and over-coach things, but the big thing I always focus on is attitude and intensity, and that starts at the training ground,” he said. “I learned a lot from Eddie Barlow and he kicked my butt when I was practising wrong. So not only the skills, but that’s the inspiration I think these boys need now.”Donald was confident that he would have a rich line of talent to work with. “I switched the TV on the other day and I saw this kid Adam Milne run in at 150kmh, so there are some bright youngsters coming through the ranks. I like Tim Southee, I watched him the last three days [of the Wellington Test] and the way he operated. I think you need a guy who has got a bit of white-line fever. That aggression is good and that’s the kind of attitude that I’m talking about as a collective unit that we need to instill.”I know it’s not in everybody’s culture and makeup to be that aggressive but I think that the team needs to understand how it lifts people and the buzz it creates.”

Leeds United will make Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson a ‘prominent target’, should Jesse Marsch keep the Whites in the Premier League, according to The Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Johnson starring at Forest

Johnson, who can play anywhere across the front three, has scored 15 times in 43 Championship games this season.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-42/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/cropped-2022-03-10T184055Z_1834933207_UP1EI3A1FW561_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LEE-AVA-REPORT-1-scaled-1.jpg” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The 20-year-old has now netted 29 senior goals during his career and has played a key role in Forest’s push for promotion to the Premier League.

As is stands, the Wales international will be entering the final 12 months of his City Ground deal in the summer, and it looks as if Leeds are still keen after Victor Orta revealed he tried to sign the winger when he was just 16.

The Latest: Leeds links

The Daily Mail shared an update regarding Leeds and Johnson on Tuesday afternoon.

They claimed that the Whites will join Brentford and Newcastle in the race to sign the forward, valued at £20m, in the summer.

However, the report adds that Marsch will need to keep Leeds in the top flight and Forest will have to remain in the Championship for a transfer to have any chance of materialising.

The Verdict: Next few weeks key

It looks as if Andrea Radrizzani and the 49ers group are willing to reward Marsch, should he guide the Whites to safety, by splashing the cash ahead of his first full season in charge.

However, there is still a lot of work to be done, and you could argue there is a growing possibility Leeds and Forest will be swapping divisions over the coming weeks.

Hopefully, that isn’t the case, and if the Whites want to sign Johnson, they’ll be keeping a close eye on Forest’s automatic and playoff promotion bids in the second tier.

In other news: ‘Big blow…’ – Sky Sports man now reacts to ‘dramatic’ confirmed Leeds news for run-in. 

Manchester United have been dealt another huge injury blow to the team following the defeat at Anfield last night.

What’s the word?

Ralf Rangnick has revealed the extent of Paul Pogba’s calf muscle injury sustained in the first half of the club’s away defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday evening.

The German coach told MUTV in his post-match conference:

“He pulled his calf muscle and, as it seems right now, this will not be an injury like the one Fred has which will be gone in one week.

“I fear he will not be available for Arsenal or Chelsea.”

Huge setback in the season

Pogba joins a long list of first-team players that have sustained injuries over the last few weeks with Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Fred and Edinson Cavani all not fit to play in last night’s game and Cristiano Ronaldo on compassionate leave.

This amount of injuries and absence from first-team players could ultimately be a huge setback and season-ending for Manchester United in terms of their pursuit for a spot inside the top four to secure Champions League football next season.

The squad and the midfield, in particular, will be weakened further ahead of the difficult Chelsea and Arsenal fixtures if Rangnick’s assessment is right on the Frenchman’s recovery time however, Scott McTominay was on the bench at Anfield so is likely to be fit for the games ahead following a foot injury.

Pogba is set to leave Old Trafford this summer with the £49.5m-rated midfielder unable to reach an agreement with the club to extend his stay. The “machine” will be out of contract so if his injury is more serious it could have been the last time we see the 29-year-old in a Man United shirt last night, with just five games left to go.

The Red Devils remain sixth in the Premier League matching Arsenal for 54 points however, the Gunners have two games in hand on their top-four competitor, whilst fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur have one game on Man United, so Rangnick will have to hope that both London clubs drop points to stay in with a chance of a fourth-place finish.

AND in other news: Get rid: Ten Hag must brutally axe “terrible” MUFC flop who made just 11 passes v LFC