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Marvan Atapattu, the former Sri Lanka captain and opening batsman, has been hired by Singapore as their coach till the end of 2010

Cricinfo staff22-Jan-2010Marvan Atapattu, the former Sri Lanka captain and opening batsman, has been hired by Singapore as their coach till the end of 2010. This is Atapattu’s first full-time assignment of a coach of a national side, after a short previous stint as Canada’s batting coach in early 2009, subsequently helping them qualify for the 2011 World Cup, and his main task will be the World Cricket League Division 5 in Nepal next month.”We have been looking around for a suitable person to help us move our cricket forward,” said Singapore Cricket Association deputy president Mahmood Gaznavi. “And Atapattu is definitely one who has the experience to push the team in the right direction.”Atapattu, 38, has previously also worked with the Fingara Cricket Academy, a coaching facility in Sri Lanka, for a couple of months before the Canada role. He will travel with Singapore to the six-nation tournament and fight for a place among the top two to advance to Division 4.”I am looking forward to doing all possible to help Singapore cricket,” said Atapattu, whose assignment started this week. “It is a challenge that can be realised by effort from both the players and the coach. I have seen some of the players at practice sessions and I must say I am impressed with the quality of some of these players.”Singapore won the World Cricket League Division 6 tournament last September with an unbeaten run against Guernsey, Botswana, Bahrain, Malaysia and Norway. In Nepal, they will face the hosts, Bahrain, Fiji, Jersey and the United States of America.”We have a realistic chance of doing well in Nepal,” said Singapore captain Munish Arora. “With proper application and commitment, Singapore can take on any of the other teams in Division 5. Atapattu’s engagement will be useful.”The Australian Trevor Chappell had coached Singapore for the World Cricket League Division 5 but his engagements back home did not permit him to continue with the team this year.

Doug Bollinger will bring plenty of energy to Australia’s line-up when he walks out for his second Test

Cricinfo staff02-Dec-2009Doug Bollinger couldn’t be much less like Ben Hilfenhaus, who he will replace in Australia’s Test team in Adelaide. The right-arm swing bowler Hilfenhaus is quiet and the last man you’d expect to be involved in a bit of on-field banter. Bollinger is a left-arm hit-the-deck type who, when asked what he would bring to the Australian team, gave this response.”Probably a lot of noise, a lot of energy, that’s what I like to do, I like to be loud, I like to have fun and I like to get in amongst it and have a good time with the guys,” Bollinger said. “You can’t be sitting around all quiet all the time, I like to bring a bit of everything.”I like to be loud and obnoxious – I think that’s just me and my profile, ‘Doug’s loud and obnoxious’. I like to do that on the field as well as doing the work, it makes everyone enjoy themselves whether you have long or short days in the field.”Bollinger not only enjoys banter with his team-mates and opponents but also with spectators. During Australia’s tour match in Potchefstroom on the tour of South Africa earlier this year, some local wags kept yelling ‘wide’ at Bollinger during a slightly wayward spell.They didn’t count on a response from the bowler himself, who yelled back “it’s a four-day game, there are no wides, ya nuffies”. Never mind that wides do of course exist in the longer format and, in any case, it was actually a three-day match. It just wasn’t in Bollinger’s nature to keep his mouth shut.Fortunately, his bowling also speaks volumes. A tireless worker on the field, Bollinger has a happy knack of regularly taking bags of wickets. He picked up eight in last week’s Sheffield Shield game in Perth, already has two five-fors in a seven-match ODI career, and has been on so many tours with Australia it’s hard to believe he has played only one Test.”It felt really good in Perth, against the WACAs for New South Wales,” he said. “I was swinging the ball and bowling pretty fast. I was swinging the new ball and bowling Irish with the old one, so I’m feeling really good at the moment. I think [the Adelaide pitch] will be flatter than Brisbane, so you’ve just got to bash away.”However, Bollinger isn’t brash enough to predict another three-day victory for Australia after their innings triumph at the Gabba. He knows that he, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Nathan Hauritz will have to work hard to knock over the visitors on a surface likely to be a batsman’s paradise.”They are not bunnies. They are a good team,” he said. “They just got beaten by a better team in Brisbane. [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul is a very good batter. He likes to face a lot of balls and is just a rare talent. [Ramnaresh] Sarwan bats long and well and [Chris] Gayle could go off at any time.”West Indies will be hurt by the loss of Jerome Taylor, who was heading home due to a back strain, and is likely to be replaced in the starting XI by Gavin Tonge. However, they should regain Sarwan, who missed the Gabba Test with a back injury.

Newcastle United have been dealt a blow in their bid to appoint Ramon Planes as their director of football.

What’s the latest?

According to reports from Spain (via Chronicle Live), Newcastle are one of a number of clubs interested in making a move for the former Barcelona technical secretary, who is thought to be interested in taking up a role away from Spain for his next job.

However, in a further twist to the story, 90min has claimed that AS Roma have now initiated talks with the 54-year-old, while Bayer Leverkusen are also believed to be interested in the Spaniard.

Fans will be furious

With the January transfer window edging closer with each passing day, the fact that Newcastle’s new owners appear no closer to appointing a director of football is sure to have left fans of the club furious.

Indeed, the Magpies have been linked with a host of names regarding the position, with Michael Emenalo, Marc Overmars, Michael Edwards, Brian Marwood, Paul Mitchell and Luis Campos all being touted as potential targets for the club.

However, in recent comments cited by Chronicle Live, Mark Douglas suggested that the club are no closer to making an appointment, with the journalist stating: “It may not be the news people want to hear, but I think there’s still a fair bit of work to be done on getting the power lines sorted behind the scenes.

“Some elements of the consortium would go one way and others another way. Michael Emenalo has been mentioned and has several rounds of talks with the hierarchy but it’s getting those things decided.

“I heard a few weeks that they hadn’t decided fully on the structure so that is ponderous in my opinion and they need to get it all sorted before January. It’s something they do need to resolve fairly quickly.”

As such, the news that PIF look set to miss out on yet another target for the role in Ramon Planes, something that it would appear is due to their inability to agree on the club’s overall direction, will undoubtedly be a huge cause for concern amongst fans, who will certainly be hoping the club can make an appointment well ahead of the turn of the year.

After watching talks with Unai Emery fall flat, fans should be concerned over the strength of Amanda Staveley and co’s negotiation skills.

In other news: PIF could “easily” seal NUFC deal to kickstart Howe era in £76m-rated “golden boy”

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could be set for a January exit after finding opportunities hard to come by during his time at the club.

What’s the story?

The 24-year-old has been linked with an Old Trafford departure for several months, with the likes of Everton, Newcastle United and Wolves all credited with an interest in his services.

And now, well-known journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Van de Beek’s future, stating he expects the creative talent to leave United over the coming months unless his current situation changes.

Popular Twitter page UtdReport relayed his comments, tweeting: “Fabrizio Romano: ‘As things stand now, in November, if the situation continues with Solskjær as manager, not trusting or playing Donny van de Beek, I expect Van de Beek to leave the club in January.'”

Man Utd fans will be worried

The Netherlands international arrived at United in the summer of 2020 via a £40m move from boyhood club Ajax but has been unable to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side on a regular basis.

In his maiden campaign on English shores, Van de Beek started just 15 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, with only four of those outings coming in the Premier League.

His bit-part role under Solskjaer led to heavy speculation that he could seek pastures new last summer after only 12 months at the club, and Everton reportedly came close to securing his signature.

Marcel Brands, the Toffees director of football, openly admitted that the creative talent was on his list of potential targets before the deal collapsed.

“We had him on our list. At the beginning of the transfer window, we enquired at United, then it was impossible,” he told Dutch outlet NOS.

“At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute, it was cancelled. Stopped again.”

Since then, Van de Beek has only been awarded 154 minutes of action in all competitions in 2021/22 as he’s been forced to watch on from the sidelines and changed agents in an attempt to end his United nightmare.

And news that the engine room operator is set to depart Old Trafford will leave large sections of the club’s supporters worried, despite his limited impact.

With Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all in the final year of their contracts, United could be desperately sort of attacking midfielders next season, and Van de Beek’s exit would only add to their woes.

And, in other news…Murtough could finally end Man Utd’s midfielder hunt with “extraordinary” £42.5m beast

The review of Brendon McCullum’s lbw was a vital moment; one that Ross Taylor believed left the Test “evenly placed” at stumps on the first day

Cricinfo staff24-Nov-2009
Ross Taylor’s 94 was the top score for New Zealand on the opening day•Getty ImagesWhen Simon Taufel gave Brendon McCullum lbw off the penultimate ball in Dunedin, Pakistan appeared to have separated New Zealand’s last reliable batsmen and won the day. McCullum, however, asked for a review and Taufel changed his decision after replays showed the ball hitting pad just outside off stump. It was a vital moment; one that Ross Taylor believed left the Test “evenly placed” at stumps on the first day.”The last decision going our way helped us immensely,” Taylor said. “The partnership between Daniel [Vettori] and Brendon [McCullum] has probably put us back in the match. Being 200 for 6 at the end of the day’s play would have favoured Pakistan, but 270 for 6, I think it’s pretty even.”Taylor’s fighting 94 propped up New Zealand after the loss of two early wickets before a mini-collapse, during which they lost three wickets for 19 runs. McCullum and Vettori then added 65 for the seventh wicket to help the hosts recover before the scare in the final over.Earlier in the day Pakistan had also referred a close lbw shout against Taylor, which was ruled in the batsman’s favour when he was on 54. After two reviews went New Zealand’s way on the first day of the new system’s implementation, Taylor was happy with it.”I have seen it [the first referral] since I have been out, it was a little bit closer than I thought,” he said. “When I first got hit I thought it was high and might have even hit outside the line. As it worked out, the umpire made the right decision and I suppose I am happy for that. With the referrals system, last year, we had a few that did not go in our favour and today we had a couple go our way, so it is good at the moment.”Taylor began his innings after New Zealand were reduced to 27 for 2 in the sixth over and survived a testing period against the seamers. He got hit on the body thrice by Mohammad Aamer, kept getting beaten outside off by Mohammad Asif, and scored only 6 off his first 44 balls. However, he settled in and forged a 117-run partnership with Martin Guptill. Taylor didn’t make it to 100, though, edging Saeed Ajmal to first slip on 94.”Obviously the goal as a batsman is to get to three figures. To be very close in the end, but not close enough is disappointing,” Taylor said. “But I can’t really complain too much. The shot I played in the end wasn’t a poor shot. You are going to play and miss on that wicket occasionally, and you just hope you don’t nick it.”It has been a struggle over the last month and a half. [I have] been working hard on my game with various people over the last week or so. It is always good when you put in the hard work and get some reward.”Taylor had words for encouragement for Martin Guptill who batted well in his company to stabilise the innings. Guptill too failed to capitalise on his start, perishing for 60 by top-edging a pull off Aamer.”Yeah, I thought he batted very well,” Taylor said. “He has had a few starts over his career, so it is good for him to go on and get past 50. But I’m sure he will also be disappointed with getting out for 60, doing all the hard work. Hopefully we can both kick on in the second innings.”The pitch will play a crucial role over the course of this Test and Taylor said that the bounce would be unpredictable. “There are some bare patches and a lot of grass. So some get through and some don’t. Not all balls carried through to Kamran Akmal, so obviously that’s going to play a part over the next four days. Hopefully we can learn from that and hopefully maybe just bowl a little straighter for a consistent period.”

A number of Liverpool supporters have been reacting to the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw, with the Reds pitted against Leicester City in the last eight.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are in superb form at the moment, not only in the Premier League but also in cup competitions.

A win away to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League was followed up by the astonishing 5-0 victory at Manchester United, before Preston North End were dispatched of in the Carabao Cup.

[freshpress-quiz id=“375258″]

Liverpool have had to wait a few days to find out who their opponents will be in the quarters, but all was revealed on Saturday morning and confirmed on the club’s official Twitter account.

Klopp’s side will take on Leicester at Anfield, meaning Brendan Rodgers returns to his former club, in what looks like an exciting tie.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news-9/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Liverpool fans react to quarter-final draw

These Liverpool fans provided their positive thoughts on the draw on Twitter.

“Yeaahhhhhhh we are going to accidentally win it this year”

Credit: @zackerigi

“Home game, we’ll win it”

Credit: @kj__95

“Bring it on”

Credit: @ImranSyaffi

“Sound”

Credit: @shaunplfc_1906

“Origi will be ready and waiting”

Credit: @WEBBZJAY

“We’re winning it all”

Credit: @beamerrrrrr

In other news, some Liverpool fans are delighted with some injury news that has emerged. Read more here.

Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott, along with seven other players, has signed a three-year contract extension with the county

Cricinfo staff23-Oct-2009Warwickshire batsman Jonathan Trott, along with seven other players, has signed a three-year contract extension with the county.Warwickshire captain Ian Westwood, Darren Maddy, Chris Woakes, Naqaash Tahir, Richard Johnson, Boyd Rankin and Ateeq Javid were the others to commit to the county until the end of the 2012 season. Wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose agreed to a one-year extension, while Ian Bell, who has a year left on his contract, will hold discussions after he returns from holiday.”I am over the moon that so many have signed up for three years,” said Ashley Giles, the county’s director of cricket. “I don’t like messing around with too many contracts at the end of every season. This gives us a real chance to keep some continuity in the squad and build on what we are trying to achieve.”

Having joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in an initial £10m move back in the summer of 2020, Ki-Jana Hoever may not have progressed as quickly as many had initially expected at the time of his signing.

Indeed, under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo last season, the 19-year-old was handed just five starts in the Premier League, making a further seven appearances from the bench.

Although, despite this lack of game time, the £6.3m-rated man nevertheless managed to turn in a number of impressive performances for the club – most notably in the 2-1 win over Brighton & Hove Albion back in May, in which the teenager earned a SofaScore match rating of 7.1, as well as the 2-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the subsequent fixture, in which Hoever received a match rating of 7.0.

However, upon Bruno Lage’s appointment at Molineux this summer, the £40k-per-week right-back has once again seen his first-team opportunities limited, with the 46-year-old manager handing the teenager just one start in the league, in addition to two more appearances as a substitute.

This continued lack of game time is somewhat surprising, as the defender once again impressed in his solo start, making one key pass, two interceptions, four tackles, completing two dribbles and winning 10 duels in the club’s 1-0 defeat to Leicester City, with these returns seeing the 19-year-old earn a SofaScore match rating of 7.4.

As such, considering the fact that, when handed the opportunity of a starting spot, Hoever has more often than not turned in an impressive performance, it would appear highly advisable for Lage to place his trust in the Netherlands U21, or else the 46-year-old risks slowing the former Liverpool man’s progression in senior football.

And, with the Reds academy director Alex Inglethorpe stating his belief that the youngster is an “outstanding talent” who boasts “serious potential” to become “a top player”, it would very much appear as if Hoever has the ability to make a real impact in the Wolves first-team, all he needs is a chance to do so.

In other news: Wolves set for negotiations over “spectacular” £7.2m-rated gem, Lage would love him

A round-up from the latest domestic action in South Africa

Firdose Moonda05-Oct-2009Last week Morne Morkel bowled a superb spell to stake his claim for national selection and this week was the turn of brother Albie at Durban. The older Morkel took four for 70 although he was the most expensive of the Titans bowlers. Morkel was overshadowed by the Dolphins’ Yusuf Abdulla. The left-armer, who rose to prominence during the IPL, showed that he is not simply a 20-over player. His five for 62 demolished the Titans as they were bowled out for 164.However, the weather had the final say as the Dolphins ended on 128 for three in their second innings, a lead of 197. There wasn’t too much to speak about with the bat in this match, with Ahmed Amla notching up a half-century. The draw means the Eagles still top the table.Rain also played its part at Randjesfontien, the Oppenheimer-owned ground, where the Lions hosted a Warriors outfit rich in national talent. But it wasn’t only the international players who starred. Arno Jacobs scored a century in his 100th first-class match and Justin Kreusch notched up his first century. Together with Johan Botha’s 88, the Warriors amassed an imposing 474. The Lions bowlers all toiled hard, with Friedel de Wet, Cliffie Deacon and Robert Frylinck each picked up three apiece.The Lions top four batsmen had three half centuries between them, with Neil McKenzie and Alviro Petersen once again finding form. But it was national under-19 captain Jonathan Vandiar who held the innings together though with a confident, undefeated 128.McKenzie made a challenging declaration for the second match in a row, calling the batsmen back on 395 for seven, and giving the Warriors a 79 run first-innings lead.McKenzie’s decision looked like it might pay off when Friedel de Wet had Ashwell Prince out for a duck but most of the final day was rained off.In the Provincial three-day league, the Free State and North West drew their match. Mohammed Akoojee and Andrea Agathagelou scored centuries while the pick of the bowlers was the North West’s Johan Mostert with four for 40.The Free State earned a comprehensive 92-run victory in the limited-overs game. Jonathan Beukes’ 130 not out helped the home side to 242 for six but it was Hancke von Rauenstein six for 21 that won the game for the men from Bloemfontein.Glen Addicott scored 104 and 21 year old Kyle Nipper took four for 97 as the KZN Inland team drew with Western Province at Pietermaritzburg. The Inland team’s enforced declaration occurred when they were on 250 for six. In response, they bowled Province out for 266. Alastair Gray’s good form continued as he scored 46. Natal’s second innings ended on 124 for three.Western Province had the better of their opponents in the limited-overs game, winning by six wickets. Mario Olivier’s five for 37 saw the Inlanders restricted to 199 for eight. Gray scored 49 opening the batting and Martin Walters was undefeated on 56 as Province reached the target with four overs to spare.Batsman of the week
Jonathan Vandiar announced his comeback to first-class cricket properly this week by notching up his second hundred. After suffering an horrific Achilles injury last season, Vandiar made a fairly quiet return to the game last week. This week, though, he catapulted himself into the top six batsmen in the table, joining two other Lions players, McKenzie and Petersen.Bowler of the week
Von Rauensterin’s match-winning performance earns him this week’s award. He removed Akoojee when the Free State were still very much in the game on 78 for two in the 13th over and then removed two middle-order batsmen (Riyaadh Bhayat and Brett Pelser) in successive balls. Four overs later, Agathagelou, who was on 51 also succumbed to the legspinner and he added two of the lower order batsman to his tally for good measure as well.

Liverpool could finally replace departed winger Xherdan Shaqiri after being linked with a move for Porto ace Luis Diaz.

What’s the story?

According to Spanish outlet TodoFichajes (as relayed by CaughtOffside), the Reds are one of several sides interested in securing the highly-rated 24-year-old’s services.

The report also lists Bayern Munich, Barcelona and AS Roma as potential suitors for Diaz, while his current club are thought to value their prized asset at a minimum of £43m.

Edwards must sanction Liverpool move

Colombia international Diaz arrived at the Estadio do Dragao from his homeland back in 2019 and quickly established himself as a key player for the Dragons. In 106 appearances for Sergio Conceicao’s charges, he has bagged 30 goals and provided a further 14 assists for his teammates, playing a pivotal part in their domestic double in 2019/20.

He then featured heavily for his nation last summer in the Copa America, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with four strikes.

Diaz scored the winning goal for Colombia as they won 3-2 in their third-place play-off with Peru, earning the praise of teammate Juan Cuadrado, with the former Chelsea man insisting that Los Cafeteros wouldn’t have won without the skillful forward.

“We won because of Lucho, he has an excellent level, and he will achieve great things,” Cuadrado said after the game.

With former Liverpool attacker Shaqiri departing for Lazio in the previous window, manger Jurgen Klopp is currently light on options in the final third of the pitch.

Therefore, director of football Michael Edwards must sanction a swoop for Diaz, providing the German with a plethora of options across the front three, allowing him to rest and rotate his star performers.

Although Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have started the new campaign in impressive fashion, the pair are approaching their 30th birthdays and Diaz’s arrival at Anfield could ensure Liverpool remain a potent attacking force for years to come.

In other news… Report reveals exciting Liverpool transfer update, fans will be absolutely buzzing