All posts by h716a5.icu

Kabir Khan, the former Pakistan fast bowler and Afghanistan coach, will now coach the United Arab Emirates

ESPNcricinfo staff02-Oct-2010Kabir Khan, the former Pakistan fast bowler and Afghanistan coach, has accepted an offer to coach United Arab Emirates. Kabir ended his association with the Afghanistan team in August, resigning over a dispute with the officials of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, and now aims to help UAE qualify for the World Twenty20 in 2012.”I have agreed to take over as UAE coach on a three-year deal and my target will be to help the team to the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka in 2012,” Kabir told . “UAE team has played the World Cup (50 overs) in 1996 so the idea will be to help them qualify for the World Twenty20 and help them achieve good status.”UAE has a lot of potential and the administration is also keen on improving the team, so I will do my best to help UAE regain their status at international level and there is enough talent to achieve that.”Afghanistan’s ascent in international cricket occurred under Kabir’s supervision. His achievements include guiding Afghanistan to official one-day status in 2009, helping them qualify for the World Twenty20 this year in the Caribbean, and securing third place in the World Cricket League Division One. UAE’s next assignment is the Intercontinental Shield final against Namibia between November 25-28.

Eoin Morgan had four Tests against Pakistan to prove he should be on the plane to Australia. He’s booked a ticket in one innings after his maiden Test century carried England to 331 for 4 on the opening day at Trent Bridge

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan29-Jul-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsEoin Morgan brought out all his shots during a thrilling maiden Test century•PA PhotosEoin Morgan had four Tests against Pakistan to prove he should be on the plane to Australia. He’s booked a ticket in one innings after his maiden Test century carried England to 331 for 4 on the opening day at Trent Bridge. Morgan finished on 125 alongside Paul Collingwood on 81 as the fifth-wicket pair added 213 after Mohammad Aamer’s three wickets left England struggling on 118 for 4Other than Aamer’s continued excellence Pakistan’s cricket was shambolic less than a week after ending their 15-year drought against Australia. The support bowling lacked control with Danish Kaneria’s struggles creating a major headache for Salman Butt and Kamran Akmal had another nightmare behind the stumps. During the first session he dropped a regulation edge from Andrew Strauss and with the game being taken away from them during the final session he couldn’t complete a simple stumping when Collingwood charged Kaneria.Morgan, though, was breathtaking. He raised his hundred (just his seventh in first-class cricket) from 151 balls with a signature straight six off Kaneria – to rubber-stamp an individual battle he won hands down – and it was an innings that answered a lot of questions about technique and temperament.The fact he did it from a position where England were in some trouble after Kevin Pietersen and Jonathan Trott departed in four balls after lunch added further weight to the innings. Neither did he change his game from what has brought him one-day success; he used his feet to the spinners, drove inside-out through cover and even unfurled the reverse sweep.There were a couple of nervous moments. Early in the innings he edged Aamer to Akmal but although the keeper claimed the catch – perhaps just in the sheer joy of thinking he’d caught one – replays soon showed it had grazed the turf. When he’d reached 78 he was given lbw to Kaneria but was saved by the UDRS when replays showed the ball would have spun past leg stump. Two of the next three deliveries were driven effortlessly through the covers.Ironically, had Pakistan not used up their two reviews early in the day they could have referred a lbw appeal against Morgan on 34 when he swept at Shoaib Malik and the ball was hitting flush on leg stump. Both Pakistan’s reviews were taken during Pietersen’s painful 29-ball innings as the visitors twice challenged not-out decisions. Mohammad Asif was the bowler on both occasions, firstly with an lbw appeal which replays showed was only clipping the bails then when he thought Pietersen had edged to the wicketkeeper but the noise, expertly noticed by Asoka de Silva, had been bat clipping pad.Pietersen, though, never settled and looked woefully short of form in his first innings for nearly a month and there was no doubt about his eventual dismissal when Asif nipped a ball back which took the inside edge into the stumps. It was another wonderful piece of bowling from an intelligent operator.England’s problems were compounded in the next over when Trott, who had been reprieved by the UDRS when he had 13 after being given lbw to Kaneria despite an inside edge, padded up to an inswinger from Aamer and this time Trott’s request for a review couldn’t save him.While Morgan entered needing to prove himself in a tricky situation, Collingwood has made his name in such positions and was quite happy to play second fiddle as his young partner sped away. However, he never passed up a scoring opportunity such as consecutive long hops from the struggling Umar Gul that were cut through the covers after Pakistan had kept England’s scoring rate to less than two-an-over for an hour after lunch. By the end of the day the hosts were racing and the stand was England’s first over 200 since Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara added 213 against West Indies, at Chester-le-Street, last May.Strauss had also looked in good form during the morning session although had a huge stroke of luck when Akmal added another awful drop to a sizeable collection of keeping horrors. Akmal had been tidy during the recent series against Australia but he remains an unconvincing gloveman. Aamer did manage to break the opening stand when he squared up Cook and Imran Farhat at first slip showed his keeper how to take a catch.Already, though, it was becoming clear that the onus was on Aamer to do the damage himself and when his opening six-over spell ended life became much easier for Strauss and Trott. But 10 minutes before lunch Aamer was recalled for his second burst and with his fourth ball he found Strauss’s top edge as the England captain’s eyes lit up at a hint of width. Pakistan might have thought they’d shifted the key left hander in the nick of time, but then along came Morgan to stamp his name on Test cricket.

Celtic have been dealt a huge blow regarding the availability of Daizen Maeda.

What’s the latest?

According to a recent report by Sky Sports, the 24-year-old has been called up by Japan for their World Cup qualifying fixtures against China on January 27 and Saudi Arabia on February 1.

The report added that the centre-forward will duly miss league matches against Hearts and Dundee United, as well as the Old Firm clash on February 2. Ange Postecoglou will be left with only Giorgos Giakoumakis as an out-and-out centre-forward for this period, as Kyogo Furuhashi is also currently unavailable for selection due to injury.

Earlier reports had initially suggested that Celtic’s Japanese internationals could be set to remain in Glasgow for their country’s upcoming international fixtures, as their country’s government had imposed a ban on the entry of all foreigners, but it now appears that an exception has been made for Maeda.

Postecoglou will be fuming

Considering how impressive Maeda was for Celtic on his debut against Hibernian earlier this week, and that the 24-year-old’s impending departure means that Postecoglou will be left with only Giakoumakis as an option up front for the end of the month, it is sure to have left the 56-year-old manager fuming.

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Indeed, over his 74 minutes on the pitch against Hibs, the £1.44m-rated Japan ace scored one goal, found a team-mate with 80% of his passes, completed his one attempted dribble and made one interception. These returns saw the forward earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.3, ranking him as the Hoops’ fifth-best player to feature on the night.

As such, the fact that Celtic will be unable to call upon the Japanese hitman for three crucial fixtures in the coming weeks will undoubtedly come as a huge blow to the club’s hopes of picking up maximum points from the games in question. That could well have disastrous consequences for the Bhoys’ Premiership title hopes this season.

In other news: Postecoglou must finally unleash rarely-seen £4.95m-rated Celtic “leader” today, he’s a game-changer

Phil Mustard opened a new chapter in his career at Edgbaston, making his first century in the County Championship since taking over as Durham’s captain

30-May-2010
ScorecardPhil Mustard opened a new chapter in his career at Edgbaston, making his first century in the County Championship since taking over as Durham’s captain. He was last man out for 100 – his second 50 coming from only 38 balls – after countering a return of 8 for 114 by Warwickshire’s Imran Tahir.The Pakistan-born wrist spinner twice took two wickets from three balls in registering the best figures by a slow bowler against Durham since they joined the Championship in 1992. But Tahir’s outstanding performance, the best for Warwickshire since 2002, was not enough to dampen Durham’s resurgence after their recent problems.The reigning champions took their total to 379 before Mustard became Tahir’s final victim, holing out on the leg side immediately after reaching his third first-class hundred with his second six.Facing 140 balls in all, he also hit nine fours in leading his side into a strong position which was underpinned when Darren Maddy departed in Mitchell Claydon’s first over as Warwickshire replied with 18 for 1.Quickly rebounding from a heavy defeat by Kent last week, Durham began the second day strongly as Mark Stoneman and Gordon Muchall extended their second-wicket stand to 153 in 45 overs. Stoneman (77) compiled his first Championship half-century since scoring 64 in the corresponding fixture at Edgbaston last June and Muchall (60) went beyond 50 for the first time since his unbeaten 106 against Sussex at Hove in May last year.Things only changed with the introduction of Tahir. Relishing an opportunity to bowl on a dry pitch, he made a breakthrough with three wickets in 15 balls without conceding a run.After dismissing Muchall, lbw playing from the crease, he continued to use the googly to good effect. Richard Johnson, called up in place of the omitted Tim Ambrose, stumped Stoneman when the opener lost his balance, and Maddy held a slip chance from Ian Blackwell.Ben Stokes sparked off another clutch of wickets for Tahir after lunch with a slog to Jim Troughton at wide mid on. Dale Benkenstein was next to go, lbw for 26 and Scott Borthwick thrashed a long hop to midwicket.Tahir ended his two spells, one from each end, with 6 for 73 but a change of tack failed to pay off for Warwickshire. With Mustard restricting himself to four boundaries in his first 50, Durham were able to rebuild after the home side had taken the new ball.Liam Plunkett was a positive partner in an eighth-wicket stand of 95 from 28 overs. The former England seamer made 41 from 85 balls before he was bowled, playing defensively, on Tahir’s return to the attack.

Dale Steyn and Kemar Roach were fined 100% and 50% of their match fees respectively after being found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct during the third Test between West Indies and South Africa in Barbados

Cricinfo staff01-Jul-2010Dale Steyn and Kemar Roach have been fined 100% and 50% of their match fees respectively after being found guilty of breaching the ICC code of conduct in separate incidents during the third Test between West Indies and South Africa.Steyn pleaded guilty to spitting in the direction of West Indies’ fielder Sulieman Benn, and was found to have committed a Level 2 breach of clause 2.2.11 of the ICC code of conduct, which relates to conduct of a serious nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game.The incident took place when Steyn was dismissed in the 132nd over of South Africa’s first innings after having exchanged words with Benn in the previous few overs. As Steyn walked off, he appeared to spit in Benn’s direction.The match referee Jeff Crowe condemned Steyn’s actions even though they had been instigated by Benn. “Dale’s behaviour was entirely unacceptable and he knows that. The fact that he was provoked by Sulieman during his time at the crease helps to explain his actions but cannot excuse them,” Crowe said. “Test cricket can be an examination of one’s emotions as well as skill and players must learn to keep those emotions in check sufficiently to play within the spirit of the game. This was an ugly moment of which I’m sure Dale is not proud.”Benn escaped without a penalty, but his team-mate Roach was punished for a run-in with Jacques Kallis on the fourth day. Roach repeatedly walked up to and exchanged words with the batsman after testing him with a series of bouncers. The stand-off threatened to escalate and required the intervention of the umpires and West Indies fielders to come under control. Roach pleaded guilty to a Level 1 offence and was found to have breached clause 2.1.8 of the code which relates to conduct of a minor nature that is contrary to the spirit of the game.”Kemar was involved in an unpleasant altercation in the final overs of the Test where he had to be pulled away by one of his fellow players,” Crowe said. “This was after he received warnings from the umpires and so it could easily have been avoided. It was not acceptable behaviour for a player at this or any level of the game and it’s not the first time Kemar has been involved in such behavior.”Since this was Roach’s second breach of this clause within a 12-month period, the range of sanctions applicable was more severe – between 50% of his match fee up to a maximum of his full match fee and/or two suspension points, which amounts to one Test match or two ODIs.

The investigation of Pakistan’s tour of Australia by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has come as a surprise to Cricket Australia

Brydon Coverdale21-May-2010The investigation of Pakistan’s tour of Australia by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) has come as a surprise to Cricket Australia. The ACSU’s outgoing chief, Paul Condon, said on Thursday that Pakistan’s tour during the past Australian summer was “a series that worried us”.Although Condon stressed there was no evidence of match fixing his comments inevitably caused speculation about the memorable Sydney Test, which Australia won despite beginning the final day only 80 runs in front with two wickets in hand. Pakistan collapsed in the chase and the result was hailed as a triumph for a developing Australia team.”It’s come as a total surprise to Cricket Australia,” CA’s spokesman Peter Young said of Condon’s comments. “We’re not aware of and have not been aware of any issues with the Sydney Test match. Our continuing view is that we came from behind and won the game on the merits of our on-field performance and through no other influence.”[CA chief executive] James Sutherland will be writing to the ICC to seek a briefing. We do understand the ICC-ACSU protocol is that they don’t talk to you, you are not aware an investigation is going on unless it involves one of your own players. They haven’t asked us to help them with any of their questions or investigations and we’d be very surprised if they did.”It is critically important that the public has total confidence in the integrity of the outcome of the sporting events they support. As such we are fully supportive of the ICC-ACSU philosophy. We’re confident that it has done and continues to do a very good job.”Intikhab Alam and Aaqib Javed, Pakistan’s coach and assistant coach during the tour, have raised questions of their own about incidents during the Sydney Test.

As per a report by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via Sport Witness, a Tottenham Hotspur transfer update has emerged involving AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie.

The Lowdown: Tottenham eye Kessie move…

The 52-cap Ivory Coast star has been on managing director Fabio Paratici’s agenda for quite a while as Spurs reportedly eye his signing as a free agent next summer.

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The Milan midfielder is currently set to leave on a free as things stand, with his contract running down next summer amid claims that Tottenham are certainly interested in him. Paratici is reportedly eyeing top players for low fees as he aims to boost Antonio Conte’s chances of success at N17.

Now, as per Corriere dello Sport, a fresh update has emerged on Spurs’ interest.

The Latest: Kessie handles Spurs offer…

According to their information, relayed by Sport Witness, Kessie has ‘attractive proposals’ from both Tottenham and Paris-Saint Germain, reportedly a major factor as to why he hasn’t agreed a contract extension at the San Siro.

The 25-year-old is demanding €8m (£6.7m) per year while Milan can only offer €6m (£5.07m), with the Lilywhites’ offer apparently more enticing. It is also stated that both Spurs and PSG are ‘on pole’ for his signature.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Thriving further forward under Stefano Pioli last season, scoring 13 goals and four assists in Serie A, Kessie has continued in that vein of form over 2021/22 so far. With five goals across 13 Italian top-flight starts, that’s far more than any Spurs midfielder has managed by comparison, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg coming closest (two).

Despite being a natural defensive midfielder, the Ivorian could provide an extra degree of threat through the middle for Conte, and his signing on a pre-contract deal would certainly be a bargain.

In other news: Conte personally sets sights on signing £21m ‘top player’ with club now willing to sell, find out more here.

Rangers continued their superb run of form under Giovanni van Bronckhorst as they won for the fourth time in five games under the Dutchman.

The Gers beat Hearts 2-0 away from home and have now won all four of their Premiership matches with the 43-year-old at the helm.

Alfredo Morelos scored the opening goal with a composed finish from inside the box after electric wing play from Fashion Sakala down the right to tee him up.

Joe Aribo then doubled the lead after he latched onto a sublime pass from Connor Goldson before clinically dispatching a shot into the far corner, with the Gers holding out for the 2-0 win in the end.

Whilst Morelos and Aribo may get the credit for their part in sealing the three points, one player who also deserves immense credit is central defender Calvin Bassey – who impressed at centre-back.

Defensively, he was almost faultless. As per SofaScore, he won 100% (2/2) of his duels on the pitch, whilst making four clearances, two blocks, two interceptions and two tackles. This shows how strong he was defending his own goal, as he was able to make numerous key contributions at the back to keep Hearts at bay.

One criticism of his performance could be that he came close to scoring an own goal in the second half. He was caught in a difficult position at the front post from a cross and deflected the ball up onto his own crossbar and was fortunate that it bounced down the right side of the line from his perspective.

On the ball, he was reliable. As per Sofascore, he completed 100% of his passes as he found a teammate with all 40 of his attempts. He was successful with all three of his long passes and had 51 touches of the ball overall. This shows that he has quality in his distribution to go along with his excellent defending.

Therefore, he was the unsung hero for Rangers as he effectively and efficiently went about his business at centre-back and helped the side keep a clean sheet along with the three points. The £6.4k-per-week beast has been in fine form and van Bronckhorst will surely be hoping he can continue to put in performances like this at the back.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Kent: GvB must seal Rangers deal for £9.3k-p/w gem who “creates opportunities”…

Leeds United winger Jack Harrison only suffered a dead leg against Arsenal and won’t be injured for any upcoming action, according to journalist Phil Hay.

The Lowdown: Leeds humbled by Arsenal

The Whites’ worrying Premier League form continued on Saturday evening, with the Gunners cruising to a 4-1 victory at Elland Road.

An injury-ravaged Leeds side were rarely in the contest against Mikel Arteta’s team and there are now genuine concerns regarding a relegation battle.

Marcelo Bielsa has a host of key men unavailable and there were worries that Harrison had also suffered an injury after being replaced in the first half.

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The Latest: Positive Harrison update

However, taking to Twitter after the game, Hay confirmed in a nine-word verdict that the winger only had a dead leg, with no serious injury detected.

The journalist tweeted: “Harrison has a dead leg so that’s not serious.”

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The Verdict: No more injuries

This is a rare positive injury update in an otherwise disastrous season for Leeds, who simply cannot afford any more injuries to important figures.

Harrison may not have been at his best this season, failing to score in 15 Premier League appearances, but his availability is crucial in terms of allowing Bielsa to rotate in attack.

Saturday’s defeat only heightened the need to bring in January reinforcements, though, with Leeds’ squad looking threadbare at best amid their precarious league position.

In other news, one Leeds player has been linked with a move away from the club. Find out who it is here.

Bill Lawry and Garth McKenzie, two greats of the 1960s, will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame

Cricinfo staff14-Feb-2010Bill Lawry and Garth McKenzie, two greats of the 1960s, will be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame at the Allan Border Medal on Monday. Bob Lloyd, the selection panel chairman, praised the contributions of both players.”Bill was an outstanding opening batsman and captain of Australia during his 67 Test-match career and has also since then had an on-going and significant role in cricket as an administrator with Cricket Victoria and as a commentator with Channel 9,” Lloyd said. “Graham, or ‘Garth’ McKenzie as he was universally known, almost single-handedly led the Australian attack over a 10-year period and his 246 wickets places him eigth on the list of wickets taken for Australia.”The Australian Cricket Hall of Fame began in 1996 with 10 inductees and 22 more have been included since then. Selectors take into account the players’ status as sporting legends in addition to their outstanding statistical records and inductees must have been retired from international cricket for a minimum of five years.Hall of Fame inductees Fred Spofforth, John Blackham, Victor Trumper, Clarrie Grimmett, Bill Ponsford, Sir Donald Bradman, Bill O’Reilly, Keith Miller, Ray Lindwall, Dennis Lillee, Warwick Armstrong, Neil Harvey, Allan Border, Bill Woodfull, Arthur Morris, Stan McCabe, Greg Chappell, Lindsay Hassett, Ian Chappell, Hugh Trumble, Alan Davidson, Clem Hill, Rod Marsh, Monty Noble, Bob Simpson, Charles Macartney, Richie Benaud, George Giffen, Ian Healy, Steve Waugh, Bill Lawry, Garth McKenzie.