All posts by h716a5.icu

ICC crime buster, Sir Paul Condon made some interesting points in his long-awaited report on corruption in cricket

Chris Cairns30-May-2001ICC crime buster, Sir Paul Condon made some interesting points in his long-awaited report on corruption in cricket.Amongst an in-depth report were some issues close to my heart, mainly the ICC KnockOut tournament we had in Kenya, where Mr Condon has said some investigations are to be held.Until any further report comes out, it would be silly of me to say outright that I thought the intensity and desire showed by the teams we played in the ICC tournament would put to rest any suspicions that wrongdoing had occurred.Everyone before the Hansie Cronje situation thought he was a man of integrity and honesty.I will wait with interest the outcome of any findings on the tournament and what games might have been affected.The game of cricket throws up many variables, in fact, if you could translate another name for cricket, variable would be a comfortable winner.All this match-fixing debate in cricket will be very tough.How do you confirm someone’s apparent lack of form with not trying or tampering with the game?As cricketers we all know the bad trots and bad luck that is omnipresent in this great game. Why did someone play and miss 20 times and go on to make a hundred? Why was someone bowled off a no-ball? Why was that dolly catch dropped at mid off then a screamer taken at second slip next ball?When the match-fixing scandal erupted and accusations of today’s players were flying around I thought back to 1981 and the famous after-dinner talk of [Dennis] Lillee and [Rod] Marsh, two of Australia’s heroes of the baggy green.Third Test at Headingley, the Ashes were about to kick in to full swing. Odds of over 100-1 were to much too good to ignore for Lillee and Marsh on an England victory so they put a few pounds on considering England were an innings behind.The rest of the story is well documented as a great laugh with wads of pound notes being dumped on a losing Aussie dressing room.England, sorry [Ian] Botham, then rallied and England came back to win the series 3-2 to take the Ashes.Now this story, in today’s light, looks a trifle clouded but cricket is the game that throws up some of the most unlikely scenarios of any sport. It was Botham’s series and every time I see his performance of that time I sit back and marvel at his skill because that’s exactly what it was.How to tell skill from skulduggery is a job Mr Condon will have to try and figure out. For the game’s sake, I hope the games he publicly denounces do indeed have substance behind them.The second Test at Old Trafford against England and Pakistan kicks off this week. What is traditionally a very flat wicket will see Saqlain [Mushtaq] called back into the Pakistan side. The hold he has against English county players will be one that he hopes will work against this English Test side.Personally, I’m very impressed by these English players and all I can see is another English series win.

Former Sheffield Wednesday defender Jon Newsome has told Football FanCast that attacking midfielder Josh Windass could leave the club this summer.

Windass, who’s played in the Championship in each of the previous three years, has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise wretched season for the Owls, which culminated in relegation following their draw at Derby on Saturday.

He managed nine goals and six assists in 41 league appearances but couldn’t save Wednesday from slipping into the third tier.

Despite their relegation, Windass could make an immediate return to the Championship, with the former Rangers man linked with both West Brom and Fulham, whilst a host of other second tier teams have already joined the race to sign the talented midfielder.

Windass’ deal at Hillsborough runs out next summer, but relegation could force Wednesday to cash-in on the 27-year-old, who Newsome believes might be reluctant to playing League One football.

He told Football FanCast:

“It’s a difficult one really. He’s not had a prolific season, he’s scored nine league goals, 10 in total, but he’s played in a side that are struggling.

“His performances of late have been good and he’s scored a number of goals in the last few games that have put his name out there.

“The players have got to ask themselves, do you want to play in League One? It’s a big thing.”

Signing the biggest three year deal in the world of cricket, Sahara India Parivar on Saturday became the new sponsors for the Indian cricket team for home and abroad

02-Jun-2001Signing the biggest three year deal in the world of cricket, Sahara India Parivar on Saturday became the new sponsors for the Indian cricket team for home and abroad. The deal would be “biggest of its kind in the world, eclipsing the deal between Vodafone and the English Cricket Board or the new multi million Australian dollar Ansett team sponsorship deal with Aussie board”, board officials said.Announcing the new deal at a press conference in Mumbai on Saturday, the president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India AC Muthiah said that the Sahara India would be replacing the previous two sponsors Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) and Pepsi following the contract given to the International Management Group (IMG)-TWI.The board officials as well as Sahara India and IMG representatives declined to disclose the exact sponsorship amount and said the unofficial figures (Rs 90 crore to Rs 150 crore) quoted as sponsorship deal were mere speculation, Sahara officials said.Sahara’s sponsorship covers all Tests and one day internationals for a period of three years. There will also be company sponsorship on the non-leading arm to ensure that there would be a single corporate sponsor for the team.Muthiah told reporters that the board was looking forward to a long and fruitful association with new sponsors. He said, “we were happy to know that Sahara India were interested in sponsoring the Indian cricket team after the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC) pulled out due to certain regulations by the Indian government.”In fact we (board) have had a long association with both Sahara India and IMG in the past and we hope to continue this good relationship with them”, he said.BCCI secretary JY Lele, who too spoke at the press conference which started an hour late, said the board was very happy to be associated with Sahara India, after the Indian teams were sponsored by ITC and Pepsi in the recent past.”Our team has been doing very well in the recent past and with Sahara sponsoring our team in India and abroad I am sure we will do much better and perhaps win the next World Cup to be held in South Africa in 2003″, he said.Muthiah immediately had a jibe at Lele saying “Whatever Lele predicts comes true and I hope he is right this time as well.”Pallav Agarwal of Sahara India said they have been associated with sports in India since a long time. “Some of the events we were involved includes the Sahara India Gold Cup Indira hockey tournament and the Sahara World junior powerlifting (both held in 1995 at Delhi), Sahara Asia Cup tennis at Delhi and Sahara Asian sub-juniors chess at Mumbai (both held in 1997), Sahara Cup cricket at Toronto (Canada) from 1996-98, Sahara Kargil benefit at Delhi in 1999 and Sahara drought benefit at Mumbai last year”, he added.Muthiah said that the board was extremely pleased that Sahara had come forward to sponsor the Indian team and we look forward to this new and mutually beneficial relationship as Sahara has done the country proud.When queried about India playing the Asian Test Championship in Pakistan, Muthiah said, we agreed to play in Pakistan as the tournament is on a reciprocal basis. “Moreover, the Indian government had clearly said that we should not play Pakistan at non regular venues but could play them when more than two countries are in the fray hence we agreed to play in the Asian Test Championship as two other teams- Sri Lanka and Bangladesh – are taking part apart from India and Pakistan”, he said.”If the government decides to send the team to Pakistan, then preference would be given to the Asian Test Championship and we will not play the indoor one-day three-match series in Australia as the dates of the above tournaments are clashing”, Muthiah said.

It is well known that Sam Allardyce has a clause in his contract that allows him to walk away from West Brom following their relegation, and former Wigan manager Paul Jewell has told Football FanCast exclusively that Baggies fans would love to see Chris Wilder take over.

Wilder surprisingly left Sheffield United earlier this year with the club seemingly already destined for relegation, which came to fruition as Paul Heckingbottom was unable to steer the club to safety.

Allardyce took over from Slaven Bilic last year as he aimed to keep the club up and maintain his reputation of never being relegated from the Premier League but this was not the case as their lack of goals ultimately cost them.

Jewell spoke exclusively to FFC about how if Wilder was to be appointed as manager at the Hawthorns, their fans would be more than happy to see him take the reins in the Championship:

“If that’s the case with Sam leaving then certainly the supporters would be happy with Chris Wilder. He did a brilliant job with Sheffield United and he will be able to take over a team that’s full of really decent players at West Brom.

“I think what West Brom have done really well in the past is keep their manager and a good group of players together, and then bounced back straight away.”

During his time at Sheffield United, Wilder managed to take the Blades from the depths of League One into the Premier League and guided them to a respectable ninth-place finish last season.

The three relegated teams have already been confirmed with three rounds of fixtures still to be played as Fulham joined the Baggies and Sheffield United in failing to escape the drop.

Brandon Barker’s loan spell at Oxford United ended in disappointment after they crashed out of the play-offs, and his performances there did little to suggest that he will make it at Rangers next season, so Steven Gerrard should axe the winger from Ibrox this summer.

The former Manchester City man joined the English League One outfit on loan in the winter transfer window and has been a regular in Karl Robinson’s side for the second half of the season as they reached the play-offs.

The 24-year-old made 21 appearances in total for the U’s, contributing three goals and four assists and averaging a solid 7.01 rating from WhoScored for his performances.

However, he failed to impress when it mattered most, earning disappointing 6.29/10 and 6.3/10 ratings in the recent play-off games against Blackpool, which saw Oxford lose 6-3 on aggregate and fail to reach Wembley, where they could have earned the chance to earn promotion to the Championship.

Perhaps Barker was always likely to struggle to reclaim a starting space in Gerrard’s side next season, considering the manager will have the likes of Ryan Kent, Scott Wright and new signing Fashion Sakala available to him as options on the left wing, and this latest setback could be the nail in the coffin for the 24-year-old’s time at Ibrox.

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Since signing from Manchester City in the summer of 2019, the Englishman has made only 26 appearances for the Gers, in which he has managed just three goals and no assists.

His contract at Ibrox is set to expire at the end of next season, which suggests that a summer exit could well be on the cards if Rangers are to recoup any money for him rather than potentially losing him for nothing in 2022.

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Although Barker has shown glimpses of his ability, with Gerrard lauding his “dangerous” style of play in 2020, he has been far too inconsistent and has done little to show that he would be capable of playing in the Champions League next season.

Therefore, after this unfortunate setback for the winger, it seems likely that his time at Rangers could well be up.

In other news… Wilson should seal Rangers swoop for “brilliant” beast who will “only get better”

The forty over match at the County Ground on Saturday was deemed to be a great success by all those who were involved

Richard Walsh06-Apr-2002The forty over match at the County Ground on Saturday was deemed to be a great success by all those who were involved.Certainly the players took the match that was played out in bright sunshine between themselves very seriously, with each side having its own separate coach and dressing room.Kevin Shine told me: "It was very good, an excellent day’s cricket. Batting was difficult especially early on, but all of the bowlers performed well."For the winning team two of Somerset’s rising young stars Matt Wood (56) and Tom Webley (27) shared a good opening partnership, with Mike Burns also making a useful contribution.Fast bowler Steffan Jones told me: "It’s been a very worthwhile day, and a good workout for everyone. It was good for me because I was bowling a good pace with my new action."Regarding the new season Steffan told me: "I’m very much looking forward to the new season because Richard Johnson and myself will have good back up bowlers to support us. Whoever it is, Joe Tucker, Matt Bulbeck, Pete Trego or Simon Francis they are all top performers which may mean that we won’t have to bowl such long spells!"Piran Holloway, who was missing from the Somerset scene for the second half of last season because of injury, and who has spent the winter out in Perth coaching Scarborough CC told me: "It’s been an excellent first week back out on the grass for us."Piran continued: "I’m fully fit now and really happy to be playing again and I’m enjoying everything. Hopefully I’ll will be in the side for the three day match at Millfield next weekend and will have a good season and regain the form that I enjoyed a couple of years ago. As long as I am playing and scoring runs then I’ll be happy."One of last season’s heroes Keith Dutch who made such an impact after joining from Middlesex the previous winter told me: "It’s been pretty good out there and Frosty has prepared a good wicket for us today."With regard to the first week back on grass "Dutchy" told me: "We have been very fortunate with the pleasant weather and made use of the excellent facilities here at the County Ground. We’ve tried out a few different things which will get us ready for both the four and one day game."Regarding next week he told me: "I’m looking forward to some competitive games next week and some more nets and then hopefully playing at Millfield next Saturday ahead of the first championship match."Somerset Chief Executive was also in the thick of things in the match today. Mr Anderson was one of the umpires and was able to have a look at the players from close quarters.

Rangers’ hopes of signing Ryan Gauld this summer have taken a blow after it was revealed that SC Farense have triggered an extension to his contract, meaning that Steven Gerrard will no longer be able to bring him to Ibrox on a free transfer.

The former Dundee United man has been linked with a move to Rangers in recent weeks and it had seemed as if he would be available on a free transfer, as his contract was set to expire in the summer.

However, Portuguese news outlet O Jogo have now revealed that Farense have taken up their option of extending his contract by another year and will only let him go for €4m (£3.5m) this summer.

It is no surprise that the Lions of Faro are keen to receive a fee for the 25-year-old, although they will perhaps be resigned to seeing him leave following their relegation from the Portuguese top flight, especially with a number of Premier League and Championship clubs also reportedly showing an interest.

Despite his price tag, which would likely make him the third-most-expensive signing of the Gerrard era at Rangers behind Ryan Kent and Kemar Roofe, his performances in recent seasons certainly suggest that this would be a deal worth doing for Ross Wilson this summer.

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Farenese’s former manager Sergio Vieira was full of praise for Gauld last season, saying: “He has given us fantastic individual quality, played most of every 90 minutes and has been crucial in contributing with assists and goals.

“He’s a great player, technically very developed and, with the ball at his feet, capable of realising actions that only the best players do.”

Gauld contributed an impressive nine goals and seven assists in 33 league appearances this season and has averaged a solid 7.19 rating from WhoScored, which certainly suggests that he could be a stellar addition to Gerrard’s side ahead of their return to the Champions League next season.

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Therefore, despite this setback, Wilson should definitely act quickly if he wants to bring Gauld to Ibrox this summer.

In other news… Gerrard dealt Rangers blow with “very dangerous” 32-goal beast, time is running out

Inzamam-ul-Haq secured a place among the all-time batting greats of cricket when he stroked a masterly triple century on an eventful second day of the first Test against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium Thursday

Samiul Hasan03-May-2002Inzamam-ul-Haq secured a place among the all-time batting greats of cricket when he stroked a masterly triple century on an eventful second day of the first Test against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium Thursday.Inzamam, the Pakistan vice-captain who started the day on 159, went onto blast a magnificent 329 that propelled the home side to a mammoth first innings score of 643 – their highest total against New Zealand, usurping the 616 for five declared at Auckland in 1988-89.Just when Inzamam was set for further landmarks, he threw away his wicket by holing out to Daryl Tuffey off Brooke Walker on the last but one delivery of the wrist spinner’s 15th over after having blasted him for three sixes.In the final 20 overs of the day, world’s fastest bowler Shoaib Akhtar then produced one of the most hostile spells for a long time to snare four wickets in 25 balls with deadly yorkers to leave the beleaguered tourists tottering at 58 for six.Without any shadow of doubt, Inzamam’s great achievement – that is sure to earn him the reputation, respect and standing he so richly deserves – took 81 Tests to silence his critics and forced them to place him in the same bracket as those greats.The underachieving batsman proved this time that he is the finest batsman this country has produced after Hanif Mohammad, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas.Inzamam’s innings had the same patience as exhibited by Little Master Hanif Mohammad. The Multan-born burly right-hander occupied the crease for nine hours and 39 minutes and scored 206 runs in boundaries with the aid of 38 fours and as many as nine sixes.Inzamam, 32, had to hobble through the last 139 minutes of his unforgettable knock, during which he scored 108 runs, and was visibly in severe discomfort after being denied a runner by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming at the start of the afternoon session. The cramps in the legs also affected his foot work.Had Fleming allowed him a runner or had Inzamam been fully fit, he would have broken Brian Lara’s world record of 375. Nevertheless, he ended up eight short of Hanif Mohammad’s Pakistan record of 337. But Hanif’s innings at Bridgetown in 1957-58 was played under different circumstances when Pakistan were forced to follow-on.Earlier this year, Fleming had deliberately allowed South Africa to score bonus point in the tri-nation series in Australia that led to the world champions failing to qualify for the finals.Inzamam left a trail of records behind him. On reaching 169, he became Pakistan’s second most successful batsman behind Miandad, who has 8,832 runs from 124 Tests, overhauling Salim Malik’s 5,768 runs in 103 Tests.It was also the second triple by a Pakistani after Hanif and 10th biggest individual score in the history of Test cricket. Interestingly, it was also the second instance that a triple century was scored on Pakistan soil after Australian captain Mark Taylor hit 334 not out at Peshawar in 1998-99.Credit must also be given to Pakistan’s lower middle-order that showed the trademark resilience.At one stage though, Inzamam’s triple century looked like a dream when Pakistan slumped to 399 for six having resumed the day at 355 for four. However, the last five batsmen helped Inzamam add 244 with the big man contributing 148.Inzamam received excellent support from Saqlain Mushtaq (30) with whom he put on 111 in 104 minutes for the seventh-wicket. For the ninth-wicket with Shoaib Akhtar (37), the 32-year-old batsman added 63 from 97 balls. And for the last wicket with Danish Kaneria (four not out), 31 runs were added.He sprinted for a couple while defeating Lou Vincent’s direct throw from mid-wicket to reach 200. He then dashed to take a cheeky single at covers to reach 300.New Zealand’s agony didn’t end here. Needing to negotiate 20 overs for the day, Shoaib Akhtar fell on them like a lightening to leave them on the verge of follow-on.Shoaib, generating fearsome pace from the slow track, fired deadly yorkers to send the stumps of Matthew Horne, Mark Richardson, Fleming and Chris Harris cartwheeling. He finished the day with figures of four for 11 from seven overs.New Zealand had hardly recovered from 21 for four when South African umpire Rudi Koertzen declared Craig McMillan caught bat and pad off Saqlain Mushtaq after initially indicating that the ball had rebounded to Shahid Afridi off his pads.With New Zealand requiring another 386 runs to avoid follow-on, defeat looms large. But Thursday will be long remembered for Inzamam’s memorable batting heroics.

A new name has emerged in West Ham’s search for a striker this summer…

What’s the word?

According to Claret and Hugh, Sheffield United marksman Oliver McBurnie could be of interest to David Moyes, but he is thought to be just one of several targets as the 58-year-old looks to bolster his frontline before next season.

The 24-year-old has been linked with Scottish Premiership champions Rangers in recent weeks, with the Daily Mail claiming that he is thought to be valued at around £15m despite the Blades’ relegation to the Championship.

He cost the Yorkshire club a whopping £20m in 2019, becoming the most expensive Scottish footballer in history at the time before Kieran Tierney’s £25m move to Arsenal a few days later.

Hugill 2.0

Whilst it’s no secret that Moyes is desperate to find a new striker in the upcoming window, it’s hard to believe that McBurnie would be the answer after an abysmal campaign both on and off the pitch at Bramall Lane.

In 25 appearances in all competitions, the 17-cap Scotland international found the net just once, but his season was marred by controversy after he was arrested when footage of an altercation surfaced on social media, as per BBC.

Last year, he was warned by the Football Association for his conduct, while two years ago he was fined £28,500 and banned from driving after he was caught drink-driving.

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Moyes has never been one to risk tarnishing the reputation of the club, so these reports are hard to believe, and it’s not like McBurnie’s goal record in the Premier League has been good enough to look past that either.

In some ways, the Hammers could be looking at another Jordan Hugill situation here.

The former Preston man was signed for £10m as Moyes’ second signing at the club in 2018, even though he only bagged 30 goals in 114 appearances in the Championship. His time at the London Stadium was instantly forgettable, playing a grand total of 22 minutes for the club and failing to hit the net.

Similarly, on top of his one Premier League goal all season, McBurnie’s record isn’t outstanding. As per Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old has found the net 75 times in 203 career appearances, a respectable but unspectacular tally.

Former Scotland international and Manchester United midfielder Michael Stewart deemed the Blades striker “simply not good enough” back in November, whilst he also slammed him in an article for The Scottish Sun in which he wrote: “For a £20million striker he can’t run, he can’t hold up the ball, he doesn’t link well, he doesn’t shoot. He’s simply not strong enough to play that role.”

Now valued at just €15m (£12.5m) by CIES Football Observatory, Moyes is certainly playing with fire if the interest in McBurnie is genuine. Considering that the Irons have been heavily linked to plenty of other centre-forward candidates, including Adam Hlozek and Tammy Abraham, then the manager should see sense sooner rather than later and leave the Sheffield United forward where he is.

AND in other news, Forget Tammy: GSB can take West Ham to new level by signing 24 G/A “incredible talent”…

Sri Lanka’s bowlers made limited progress in a rain-interrupted first day of their tour match against Durham at Chester-le-Street

CricInfo07-May-2002Sri Lanka’s bowlers made limited progress in a rain-interrupted first day of their tour match against Durham at Chester-le-Street. Although Chaminda Vaas claimed two early victims to reduce Durham to 17 for two, the tourists then found wickets hard to come by as the hosts closed on 219 for four.England one-day international Paul Collingwood hit an impressive, unbeaten 103 to show the selectors that he can build an innings in the longer format of the game. Collingwood, 25, was in command from the start, and his first hundred of the season came off 119 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.Gordon Muchall, 19, compiled his maiden first-class 50 as he and Collingwood added 129 for the third wicket. Sri Lanka looked ill at ease in the cold, overcast conditions. In the 52 overs that were possible only Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa looked dangerous with the ball.Vaas, who is sure to be in the tourists’ side for the first Test againstEngland at Lord’s beginning on May 16, bowled Jon Lewis for nine as he played no stroke to a delivery that moved back off the seam to clip his off stump.Vaas then accounted for Pratt for four in the same over, with wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara taking a comfortable catch to leave the hosts in trouble.But after Muchall settled, Ishara Amerasinghe and Ruchira Perera struggled to bowl with the venom and accuracy of the opening pair. Spin was introduced in the 25th over in the form of Thilan Samaraweera, but Muchall immediately flicked the ball through midwicket for another boundary.Rain then halted proceedings for just over three hours. On the resumption, Muchall square-cut the first ball to the boundary and another cracking shot through extra cover brought up his half-century, 75 balls with seven fours.Collingwood soon followed to 50 off the same number of deliverieswith nine boundaries, but Muchall then went for 69, caught by Russel Arnold at second slip off Zoysa with the score on 146.Nicky Peng was also caught by Arnold off the same bowler for 17 but Collingwood continued to dominate with a rich array of strokes including two huge sixes off Samaraweera. Ashley Thorpe, making his first-class debut, joined Collingwood and the duo added 24 before bad light brought an early close.