All posts by h716a5.icu

Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, has begun a meeting with ICC chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s New Delhi residence

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Sep-2010Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, has begun a meeting with ICC chief Sharad Pawar at the latter’s New Delhi residence. While an official statement on his visit is awaited, it is understood that the meeting Thursday will cover the spot-fixing controversy, the resumption of bilateral cricket between India and Pakistan and issues related to World Cup revenues.Butt checked into a New Delhi hotel on Wednesday evening. While Pawar’s office continued to maintain that there was no ‘official’ meeting lined up between Pawar and Butt, sources in the BCCI indicated that there were plans for an unofficial discussion.Butt is expected to first bring up the possibility of staging Indo-Pak matches to raise funds for flood relief in Pakistan. “Matches like these will open the door for India-Pakistan cricket to resume,” a senior BCCI official said. It was likely that the ‘spot-fixing’ controversy would crop up, the official said, only later as a secondary point of discussion.Butt’s visit comes in the wake of the spot-fixing scandal, in which four Pakistani players have been questioned by Scotland Yard and three of them – Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Asif and Salman Butt – have been suspended by the ICC.

A major update has emerged on Rangers duo Kemar Roofe and Ryan Jack regarding their injury situations…

What’s the latest?

Gers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has revealed, in his pre-Aberdeen press conference, when the pair will be returning from their respective knocks.

He told the club’s Twitter channel: “Aribo will miss out on International duty. Helander started training but the game will be too early for him. Arfield and Davis will also both miss out with injury. Roofe and Jack will both start training with the team this week.”

Fans will be buzzing

Rangers fans will surely be buzzing with this news, as both players are capable of being key figures for Van Bronckhorst’s side.

Jack has been plagued by injuries this season but previously proved himself to be a top player at Premiership level under Steven Gerrard. Last season, he averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.14 as he played 19 matches in the league.

He won 56% of his duels and completed 90% of his passes as he produced consistently dominant performances in the middle of the park. This suggests that he could be a valuable player for the Gers if he is able to return to full fitness and be a regular option in midfield, so this news could be a big boost for the club, and fans could enjoy seeing him back after only two appearances in the league this term.

Roofe, on the other hand, has proven his class this season and last. In the current Premiership campaign, he has scored six goals in six starts whilst also creating 0.8 chances per game. This is after he found the back of the net 14 times in 18 starts in 2020/21 as Rangers won the title, averaging an impressive SofaScore rating of 7.12, showing that his overall performances were also strong.

The former Leeds marksman is a natural goalscorer and has shown that he can find the net on a consistent basis at this level, which is why his return could be a major boost to the side in the coming weeks. Supporters will be delighted to see him back in action and competing for a spot in the starting XI or coming off the bench, as he can provide moments of quality in front of goal to get fans off their seats and celebrating.

AND in other news, Van Bronckhorst could find Rangers their next Patterson in machine who’s tipped for a “big career”…

A number of Liverpool supporters are overjoyed after Harvey Elliott took part in a behind-closed-doors match, potentially the final step in his recovery from injury.

The Reds haven’t always convinced in midfield this season, with the likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson arguably looking their age, while other key figures like Thiago have been injured.

One player who made an excellent start to the season was Elliott, with the 18-year-old enjoying a real breakthrough and starting three Premier League games in the early weeks.

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Sadly, the creative midfielder suffered a serious ankle injury in the 3-0 win at Leeds United back in September and he has been out of action ever since.

Elliott’s return to the fold is edging closer all the time, however, with journalist Paul Joyce taking to Twitter to confirm that the Liverpool youngster was playing in an Under-23s game against Wrexham on Saturday – he scored and provided an assist.

This is not the first piece of big news the supporters have been greeted with this week, with reliable reports claiming a deal for Porto star Luis Diaz should be wrapped up soon.

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Liverpool fans love Elliott latest

These Reds fans expressed their happiness at the news on Twitter, as Joyce confirmed Elliott could even be back in first-team action next weekend.

“This boy is special and he’s BACK”

Credit: @EmadZafar

“OMG my starboy is back”

Credit: @sweetsadio

“Love it”

Credit: @JamalJilloo

“My life just keeps getting better and better”

Credit: @SawkurGod

“Yesss”

Credit: @LFC_Lewis66

“Things you love to see”

Credit: @ste_malone

In other news, some Liverpool fans have mocked a Premier League rival after a key update. Read more here.

Speaking to talkSPORT in a video message, reporter Alex Crook has dropped a teasing Tottenham Hotspur transfer update involving Wolves star Adama Traore.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Traore move…

As reported by multiple sources, Tottenham are firmly in the mix to sign the Spain international with some reports suggesting they are in pole position.

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Matt Law of The Telegraph even believes Traore becoming manager Antonio Conte’s first signing since taking over is actually ‘pretty likely’.

90min, meanwhile, claim Wolves are set to greenlight his exit from Molineux after their boss Bruno Lage personally sanctioned the move – with a price tag set at around £20 million.

In an update, talkSPORT reporter Crook has shared what could be an exciting update.

The Latest: Crook drops update…

Speaking in a video message (via Twitter), the reporter claims that Tottenham are set to make a ‘formal’ bid to sign Traore ‘very soon’ with an offer expectedly imminent.

“Interest from Tottenham in Wolves’ enigmatic winger Adama Traore appears to be hotting up,” he explained.

“Antonio Conte has a cunning plan to use Traore’s pace to turn him into a wing-back.

“We know that Conte loves to play with a back three and now he has the backing of the Tottenham sporting director, Fabio Paratici, who has a long-term admiration for Traore.

“£20m should be enough to prise him away from Wolverhampton Wanderers, I’d expect a formal bid very soon.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

At £20m, the winger could be an absolute coup for Conte and Paratici as the Italians aim to solve Tottenham’s wing-back conundrum.

At 25-years-old, Traore already possesses years of English top flight experience without being too long in the tooth – all whilst proving to be a real threat on countless occasions.

According to WhoScored, the winger has averaged a very impressive 4.5 dribbles per 90 in the Premier League this season – almost double that of Lucas Moura, who is Spurs’ best in that bracket.

If Conte can successfully re-mould the former Barcelona man into a right-wing back, the potential could be limitless in terms of threat from out wide.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option for ‘sensational player’ after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

Jamie Siddons has witnessed plenty of disappointing days in his three years as Bangladesh coach, so he was in a phlegmatic mood as he assessed the damage done to their prospects on the first day of the Lord’s Test

Andrew Miller at Lord's27-May-2010Jamie Siddons has witnessed plenty of disappointing days in his three years as Bangladesh coach, so he was in a phlegmatic mood as he assessed the damage done to their prospects on the first day of the Lord’s Test. A close score of 362 for 4 was not as grim as it had threatened to be at one stage when Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott were in full flow, but once again, he was left to rue the inexperience of his young attack.”We wanted to bowl in good areas, put some pressure on the batsmen, and make them make some mistakes. But I don’t think they had to take any risks today,” said Siddons. “We didn’t put enough balls in the right spot. We probably bowled eight maidens for the day and in Test cricket that’s nowhere near good enough. I think our fast bowlers really let the side down today.”Bangladesh’s hopes of competing had been given an early boost when Shakib Al Hasan won the toss under heavy cloud cover, and chose to bowl – a decision that not only gave his team a chance to push for early breakthroughs but also spared his batsmen the prospect of facing James Anderson and Steven Finn on a zippy surface. But by mid-afternoon, all such help from the heavens had gone, and all that remained was a long hot day of toil.”I guess looking out at the ground half an hour into the game, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day for batting,” said Siddons. “The ball didn’t swing as much as we thought, or maybe the bowlers didn’t stand the ball up on the seam as much as they should have, and it went downhill from there pretty much.”The skill to put the ball in the right areas often enough, under the pressure of a Test match at Lord’s or just a Test match against England over here, it was very difficult for them. A couple of their batsmen made mistakes and gave us a few wickets, and you end with four for a lot of runs at the end of the day.”Of the three-man pace attack, only Shadahat Hossain had played at Lord’s before, having toured as a rookie back in 2005, while Robiul Islam was making his Test debut. “I’m sure they weren’t trying to bowl half-volleys and short balls outside off-stump but they certainly bowled a lot of them,” said Siddons. “Look, two wickets in a hurry tomorrow, work hard for the rest, bat well in the first innings, and you never know. But we are a long way back.”Siddons was impressed, however, with the discipline shown by Trott, who had endured a tough tour of Bangladesh, where accidents and anxieties curtailed most of his innings before they had been fully formed. “He was really patient, but the bowling was quite poor today,” he said. “He didn’t try to step up the pace at all but he’s still ended up with 175 at the end of the day.”Good on him for persevering, sticking at it and making sure he was still there at the end of the day. I thought he batted really well.”Bangladesh’s main threat, once again, came from their captain, Shakib Al Hasan, who has been suffering from chicken pox and only resumed full training earlier this week. “He’s a bit tired, he’s still recovering and trying to get his energy back from his illness,” said Siddons. “But he’ll be right tomorrow to go again.”

The 2010 Champions League Twenty20 will be contested by ten teams, as opposed to the 12 that participated in the inaugural edition in 2009

Cricinfo staff24-May-2010The 2010 Champions League Twenty20 will be contested by ten teams, as opposed to the 12 that participated in the inaugural edition in 2009, after the ECB said its domestic sides could not compete because the competition clashed with the end of the English domestic season. The tournament will feature 23 matches (the same number as 2009), with the format, schedule and venues to be decided in the coming weeks.Nine of the ten teams for the tournament in South Africa, scheduled between September 10 and 26, are confirmed. The West Indian representative will be known once their domestic Twenty20 competition ends in July. Trinidad & Tobago represented the Caribbean in 2009 and reached the final, which they lost to New South Wales. There is no team from Pakistan because PCB chairman Ijaz Butt ruled out a participant following this year’s IPL auction, where no Pakistan players attracted any bids.The teams that have already qualified for the 2010 CLT20 are: Chennai Super Kings (India), Mumbai Indians (India), Royal Challengers Bangalore (India), Victorian Bushrangers (Australia), South Australian Redbacks (Australia), Warriors (South Africa), Highveld Lions (South Africa), Central Stags (New Zealand) and Wayamba Elevens (Sri Lanka).”The fact that only a third of last year’s field have re-qualified to play for the US$2.5 million first prize demonstrates the evenness of Twenty20 competitions around the world and the desperation of teams to compete at the world’s most prestigious domestic event,” N Srinivasan, the BCCI secretary, said. “There is no doubt that the Champions League Twenty20 has improved the quality of domestic Twenty20 cricket around the world and motivated teams in all countries to strive for a coveted place at the tournament.”James Sutherland, chief executive of Cricket Australia, said one of the most satisfying aspects of the tournament was the “development opportunities for non-capped players”, while Cricket South Africa head, Gerald Majola, said staging the tournament would “reinforce South Africa’s reputation as an ideal host for international sporting events”.

Cricinfo previews the opening match of the tri-series between Zimbabwe and India

The Preview by Sidharth Monga27-May-2010Match FactsFriday, May 28, 2010
Start time 0900 (0700 GMT)
Elton Chigumbura will make his debut as Zimbabwe captain•Associated PressThe Big PictureOnce was Zimbabwe cricket. Now it’s just a carcass, almost like a country starting anew after a bloody war. World cricket looked healthy when Zimbabwe were healthy. A team comprising Heath Streak, Flower brothers, Alistair Campbell, Paul Strang, Neil Johnson, Murray Goodwin, Henry Olonga, Guy Whittall and Stuart Carlisle at the bottom of the pile was not a bad sign at all. In the mid-to-late nineties, this team threatened the notion of minnows. A decade later, they have just about started rising from the shambles and have already hit the first roadblock – Prosper Utseya’s resignation from captaincy under mysterious circumstances.By no means is this tri-series top-flight international cricket: it features two other teams who should by now be sick of playing each other, that too massively under-par because of rested players. Nonetheless, it is international cricket, it is being played in Zimbabwe, and that should be cause for celebration, cause for looking forward to whether the game still enjoys a following in the country.As far as India is concerned, Zimbabwe is remembered as the place where Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell embarked upon a rather harmonious captain-coach journey. That was five years ago, and no such drama is expected this time. None of the players from that tour have made the trip this time around. Some, like Irfan Pathan, have taken their personal careers down the Zimbabwe route. Some, like Harbhajan Singh who recently helped Zimbabwe get proper kits, have been rested. It only promises closer contests. India, led by young Suresh Raina who’s yet to play a Test, against Zimbabwe, charged by their battery of strangulating spinners, who have everything to gain.Form guide (most recent first)Zimbabwe LLLLW
India LWWLWWatch out for…Weeks after the coach Alan Butcher raised a mild disciplinary question about him, Elton Chigumbura finds himself leading the side, following Utseya’s resignation. He is one of the most cleanest hitters in the side, and he now has a very important responsibility.Raina is an unlikely captain too, keeping the seat warm for a resting MS Dhoni. He promises a more eager, energetic performance from the young side he is leading, something his own play does too.Team newsOn the slow and low pitches in the West Indies, Zimbabwe were used to playing a line-up full of spinners, with Chigumbura to bowl some seam-up. Here they could get Chris Mpofu in.Zimbabwe (possible) 1 Vusi Sibanda, 2 Hamilton Masakadza, 3 Charles Coventry, 4 Brendan Taylor, 5 Tatenda Taibu (wk), 6 Elton Chigumbura (capt.), 7 Andy Blignaut, 8 Greg Lamb, 9 Graeme Cremer/Prosper Utseya, 10 Chris Mpofu, 11 Ray Price.India, too, should rely mainly on their spinners, including part-timers like Ravindra Jadeja, whose career ODI economy-rate of 4.90 is in stark contrast with his performance in the World Twenty20 (9.75).India (possible) 1 M Vijay, 2 Dinesh Karthik/Naman Ojha (wk), 3 Suresh Raina (capt.), 4 Virat Kohli, 5 Rohit Sharma, 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 R Ashwin/Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Vinay Kumar, 9 Amit Mishra, 10 Pragyan Ojha, 11 Umesh Yadav.Stats and trivia Zimbabwe have won only one out of their last 11 ODIs. Four of those losses have come against Bangladesh. At 23 years 182 days, Raina will become the ninth-youngest man to captain an ODI side. He has played 90 ODIs without a Test cap, overtaking the Indian record for 73 ODIs before Test debut, held by Yuvraj Singh. By the end of the tri-series, he should have at least equalled Andrew Symonds’ world record – 94.Quotes”The tour will be an opportunity to learn and press for a regular berth in the ODIs and stake a claim at the highest level – Test cricket.”
“This is a real tough two weeks for us as we try to re-establish ourselves as a top cricket country. We have done pretty well in the last couple of months and are keen to continue.”

If Stuart Broad’s first day here was a disappointment, the second certainly was not, even though the England all-rounder added to a string of low scores when he was dismissed for just one run in Nottinghamshire’s 250 all out

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge22-Apr-2010
ScorecardStuart Broad revived Nottinghamshire’s fortunes with a sensational five-wicket haul•Getty ImagesIf Stuart Broad’s first day here was a disappointment, the second certainly was not, even though the England allrounder added to a string of low scores when he was dismissed for just one run in Nottinghamshire’s 250 all out.It was what happened next, or at least only a little while later, that illuminated this ground as brilliantly as the spring sunshine.Broad, whose 19 overs on Wednesday had cost 79 runs, even though they brought him three wickets, responded with a performance fired up by the raw hostility on which he thrives, tearing the heart out of Somerset’s batting with five wickets in the space of 27 deliveries.At the fierce height of his spell, the 23-year-old took three in seven, culminating in an extraordinary roughing-up of wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter, who will be a team-mate in England’s World Twenty20 line-up.Broad, who had dismissed Arul Suppiah with a short delivery that the opener could only fend to Andre Adams at third slip, struck twice in two balls to remove James Hildreth and Zander de Bruyn, pinning the former in the crease before Adams held an excellent low catch to snare the de Bruyn.Those wickets came with the last two balls of Broad’s fifth over. When he began his sixth, Kieswetter was the man in the spotlight. He stepped away from Broad’s first hat-trick attempt, apparently distracted by something in his eyeline. When he settled again, he was struck on the pads, although it was clear the ball was drifting to the leg side and Broad cut short his appeal.But then came more of the short stuff and Kieswetter was immediately in trouble, taking a bang on the side of the helmet, behind his left ear, that required play to halt for a few moments with the physio in attendance.He recovered to continue but was clearly unsettled. He swayed backwards as Broad again hit the deck hard, but while he succeeded in getting his head out of the firing line, he was not so lucky with the bat, which deflected the ball into the gloves of Chris Read behind the stumps.With that, Somerset were 33 for 5, their lead a mere 55. More trouble was to follow as Broad claimed his fifth success, Samit Patel at short leg taking a splendid catch, thrusting an arm above his head to catch the ball on the full as Peter Trego went for the pull.At 43 for 6 Nottinghamshire were sensing something extraordinary. Fortunately for Somerset, however, their captain, Marcus Trescothick, escaped the carnage – he was put down on 18 by ex-colleague Neil Edwards at second slip off Adams with his side still reeling at 33 for 6 – and the close-of-play card showed a rather less painful 120 for 6.Trescothick was on 63 and with the help of Damien Wright’s 37 off 31 balls as Broad took his sweater and Nottinghamshire’s bowling not surprisingly lost a little venom, Somerset have reached a position from which they might just leave Nottinghamshire with a tricky last-innings target.Earlier in the day, what had been unfolding as a disappointing Nottinghamshire effort with the bat was rescued by Paul Franks, whose 61 signalled a continuation of what may be a season of rehabilitation for the 31-year-old allrounder.Two down overnight, the home side had seen Mark Wagh and Samit Patel get in only to get out, Wagh losing his off stump to David Stiff before Patel, having seemingly found his timing quickly, fell into a trap set for him by driving a wide ball from Charl Willoughby in the air to short extra.Ali Brown misjudged one from Alfonso Thomas that jagged back, Read was caught in the crease by Trego and Broad, who has not managed to get to 30 in any of his last 18 innings, edged Willoughby to second slip.Hashim Amla showed his class, picking up 11 boundaries before following a ball from Wright to nudge a catch to Kieswetter, but it was Franks, charged with becoming Nottinghamshire’s dependable allrounder now that Mark Ealham has retired, whose 97-ball innings, also containing 11 fours, might yet be the vital one.

Former Granada boss Diego Martinez is the ‘front-runner’ to replace Marcelo Bielsa as Leeds United manager, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The Lowdown: Bielsa’s future unknown

The 66-year-old Argentine has been an incredible manager for the Whites since taking charge back in 2018, guiding them back into the Premier League and leading them to ninth upon their top-flight return. However, he only signed a one-year contract extension in the summer and it is currently unknown if he will do the same at the end of the season.

One figure who has been linked with the Leeds job in the past few weeks is Martinez, whose most recent role was at Granada, prior to leaving in May of this year.

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The Latest: O’Rourke makes Martinez claim

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, O’Rourke claimed that the 41-year-old is the most likely manager to replace Bielsa at Leeds, should the Argentine move on in the near future.

The journalist said: “I think Diego Martinez is probably the front-runner for me. He’s out of work. Victor Orta’s got the Spanish connection with Martinez. He plays an attacking, innovative style of football as well.”

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The Verdict: Ideal candidate?

Martinez may be a relative unknown in England but he looks an exciting candidate to come in and potentially replace Bielsa at Elland Road.

He guided Granada back into La Liga, much in the way Bielsa did with getting Leeds into the Premier League, also taking them to the top of the Spanish table for a brief period in 2019/20, as well as the Europa League quarter-finals last term.

The fact that Martinez has reportedly been in England studying the game suggests that he could be eyeing up the Whites job, and the attacking style of play to which O’Rourke refers is similar to Bielsa’s. Put those pieces together and it seems a real possibility that the 41-year-old could be the next man for Leeds.

In other news, a pundit has discussed the prospect of a Leeds player joining another Premier League club. Read more here.

Having gained a significant first-innings lead, South, thanks to Karthik and CM Gautam, consolidated their dominant position to set West Zone an intimidating 536 for victory

Cricinfo staff04-Feb-2010West Zone 50 for 0 (Pathak 41*, Khadiwale 8*) and 251 need another 486 runs to beat South Zone 400 and 386 for 9 decl (Dinesh Karthik 150, Gautam 88, Kulkarni 5-58)
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Dinesh Karthik became a member of a unique club on the third day•AFPDinesh Karthik became only the third batsman to score a century in each innings in a Duleep Trophy final – the others are Lalchand Rajput and Yuvraj Singh – on yet another favourable day for South Zone. Having gained a significant first-innings lead, South, thanks to Karthik and CM Gautam, consolidated their dominant position to set West Zone an intimidating 536 for victory.Not that it was smooth sailing all along. Dhawal Kulkarni found plenty of swing and movement to rattle the South top order, which squandered a solid start delivered by the openers. S Anirudha and KB Pawan fell pray to away going deliveries, failing to curb the temptation to play at them and producing the outside edge. Arun Karthik and Ganesh Satish were clueless against the inswinger, one comprehensively bowled and the other trapped in front. At 71 for 4 – the four wickets had fallen for just 16 – West, despite having conceded a massive first-innings advantage, had reason for optimism but a counter-attack, not unlike his previous knock, from Dinesh Karthik quashed any hopes.Boundaries were easy to find and with a reliable partner in Gautam at the other end, Dinesh Karthik was quick to swing the game back South’s way. His 150, off 162 balls, was laced with 22 boundaries, though he was extremely fortunate. Fresh to the crease, he too, almost, succumbed to Kulkarni’s teasing length, pushing at one to get the outside edge while on zero, but earning a lifeline as Ravindra Jadeja, who would be kind to him again later in the innings, spilled a sitter. The reprieve might well prove decisive in the outcome, for Dinesh Karthik and Gautam went on to add 247 for the fifth wicket, taking the lead close to 500. Both fell off consecutive balls, allowing the bowlers to run through the tail but after much damage had already been inflicted.West had another highlight after Kulkarni’s five-for. When South decided to declare on 386 for 9, they may have hoped to nip out a couple of wickets before the close. But opener Chirag Pathak defied the norm, opting to play the aggressor in only nine overs available to smack seven boundaries in his 27-ball 41. The innings has begun on a positive note, but with two days to go, South will back their bowlers to complete what Dinesh Karthik had set up.