Taking full advantage of his first outing in the Deodhar Trophy thus far, Sridharan Sharath hit a responsible 65 to guide South Zone to a three-wicket win over Central Zone at Gurgaon on Tuesday.Batting first, Central Zone made 230/8 in their allotted 50 overs. The bulk of the runs came from openers Jyoti P Yadav and Gagan Khoda, who made 55 and 44 respectively and put on 107 runs for the first wicket. The highest scorer of the innings, however was Mohammad Kaif, who hit 60 off just 52 balls, with four fours and two sixes.Chasing 231, South Zone started well with a 61-run opening partnership. But wickets tumbled thereafter, and when they were 141/5, Central Zone had a decisive upper hand. But Sharath played calmly, accumulating the runs at exactly the right pace.When Sharath fell, therefore, as the sixth wicket with the score on 213, he had taken South to the threshold of victory. He scored 65 off 86 balls, with four fours and one six. Only one more wicket fell thereafter, and South Zone reached their target with three wickets and 16 balls to spare.
The Orissa slow attack of Sanjay Satpathy and Jagannath Das spun outTripura for a meagre 114 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy tieat the Maharaja Bir Bikram College Stadium in Agartala on Friday. Inreply the visitors strolled to 80/2 at stumps with skipper Shiv SunderDas showing the way with an unbeaten 42.After the Orissa opening duo of Debashis Mohanty and Ajay Barick madethe initial breakthroughs, the slow men held complete sway over theproceedings. From a position of relative solidity at 85/2, Tripuralost their next eight wickets for 29. Offspinner Satpathy claimed 4/25and leg spinner Das complemented his efforts to a nicety with a bag of3/36. None of the last seven men reached double figures as the inningssputtered to a close in the 69th over. One-drop RN Ghosh top scoredwith 24.Opener Pradeep Das fell in the fourth over when Orissa got their turnbut his namesake SS Das, playing his first Ranji Trophy match of theseason, and Pravanjan Mullick steadied matters with a 55 runassociation. Although Mullick fell late in the final session, Das camethrough unbeaten in the company of Sanjay Raul as Orissa closed outthe day just 34 behind.
Tottenham are closing in on finalising a new long-term deal for midfielder Oliver Skipp, Alasdair Gold reports.
The Lowdown: Skipp sidelined
Skipp, whose current deal runs until 2024, had been a regular under both Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte before suffering a groin injury back in February.
The 21-year-old hasn’t featured in the club’s last eight Premier League games, while also missing two FA Cup games.
Conte recently admitted he wasn’t sure when Skipp would make a return to action due to complications with his current issue, but it seems as if he has taken this time to sort out his long-term future in north London.
Gold took to Twitter on Thursday to share a link to a football.london story.
He suggested that a new deal for Skipp is ‘incoming’ and revealed in his report that discussions over a bumper contract for the player are nearing a positive conclusion.
The Verdict: Announced before West Ham?
It seems as if it is just a matter of time until Skipp’s new contract is announced following this update from Gold, so there may well be an official announcement prior to the clash with West Ham on Sunday.
This update is good news for everyone involved, with Skipp enjoying a breakthrough campaign after spending last season on loan with Norwich.
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The club clearly sees the central midfielder as a key part of their plans going forward, so hopefully, a contract will be confirmed and Skipp will be back playing before the season comes to an end.
In other news: Tottenham ‘monster’ now eyeing exit as club chiefs already make contact to sign him…find out more here.
England’s cricketers were delayed en route to Wellington, the venue for Saturday’s opening one-day international against New Zealand, after Christchurch airport had to be closed for two hours following a security alert.According to police, a 33-year-old woman passenger on an incoming plane from Blenheim stabbed at least one of the two pilots and then threatened to blow up the aircraft. The woman was arrested and sniffer dogs were deployed while the passengers were evacuated, but no explosives were found.The incident caused a major backlog of flights, and England’s departure was delayed for two-and-a-half hours, during which time they remained at their Christchurch hotel. Their scheduled training session at Wellington had to be abandoned and instead they held a team meeting at their hotel.Paul Collingood, England’s ODI captain, felt the two Twenty20 wins had given his side some positive headaches. “There’s going to be some tough decisions, there’s no question about that – the boys who have come in for the Twenty20 format have done really well,” he said. “But you have to also remember the performances that we put in in Sri Lanka. I know we have different conditions here in New Zealand, but we’re a well-oiled one-day side at the moment.”England sprung a surprise when they beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in an away series last year. They now play New Zealand for five ODIs.
While Bangladesh’s senior team continued to create shock waves in the Caribbean, their A side had a somewhat disappointing tour of Sri Lanka where they were beaten convincingly in the two unofficial tests and the three one-day limited-overs matches.Anura Tennekoon, the Sri Lanka A team manager and former Sri Lanka captain, felt that the series did not assess the real strength and weakness of the team. “It was a good achievement by our team to win both series but we should not go overboard with that success,” said Tennekoon.”I would like to see our team tested against better opposition like Australia, South Africa and India. The series gave us the opportunity to play some kind of cricket and an overall improvement of what we are doing,” he saidTenekoon said that the Bangladesh A side had some raw talent particularly in their batting order but added that they were not good at shot selection. “They play far too many shots too early.”Meanwhile, Sri Lanka A coach, Chandika Hathurusingha, was a lot more impressed by the opposition and stated that in the given conditions they were a better side than England A. “The opposition was not so bad as the scores suggested,” said Hathurusingha. “We played exceptionally well.”Hathurusingha added that though Bangladesh A at times lacked intensity on the fieldThey challenged Sri Lanka A in all aspects of the game except quality fast bowling.In Tenekoon’s opinion, Malinda Warnapura, Sri Lanka A’s right-arm offbreak bowler, was the stand-out cricketer of the series. Warnapura, 27, represents Colombo Colts CC in the Premier tournament. He excelled in both forms of the game in the series reeling out a double-century (242) in the first unofficial test and then following it up with an undefeated 104 in the second unofficial ODI.”He is more suitable for the longer game than the shorter one,” said Tenekoon. “His strength is his mental ability to overcome different situations. He has the shots required to become a good batsman and he has the ability to pick the gaps.”He has made all of his runs in the subcontinent in India and Sri Lanka. In the West Indies he was ill and missed most of the matches. It would be interesting to see how he would perform in countries like England, Australia and South Africa.”Tennekoon was also happy with the way Jehan Mubarak performed in the series. “He showed a little bit more consistency by scoring a few fifties. He seems to have improved from getting out in the 20s and 30s,” he said. He also praised fast bowlers Akalanka Ganegama and Ishara Amarasinghe and felt they had shown the progress to become future regulars in the national team.
Brad Hodge produced a fine century that put his name back in front of the Australian selectors and pushed Victoria into a strong position on the first day of the Pura Cup final. Queensland’s bowlers suffered as Hodge, who was cut from the South Africa tour squad despite a Test average of 58, targeted them, and the Bushrangers were firing on a damp day at the Gabba until they lost three late wickets to finish at 5 for 269.James Hopes started the surge with the wicket of Nick Jewell, ending a 192-run stand for the third wicket, and Andy Bichel drove the Bulls home by removing Hodge and the captain Cameron White in a spirited spell. Bichel’s first delivery with the second new ball deceived Hodge, bowling him for 108, and the Bulls will start day two buoyed by their recovery.Three sets of showers interrupted the day, including one a minute into the match, and Queensland struck twice in the opening session with Mitchell Johnson and Ashley Noffke removing both openers for 15 with catches to Chris Hartley. Hodge arrived at 2 for 46 and shared a punishing partnership with Jewell as the visitors upset the plans of Queensland, who as hosts need only to draw the five-day match to win the trophy.Hodge crashed 14 boundaries in an innings that lasted only 168 balls and showed he had re-found his form at a crucial time. Overlooked for Damien Martyn and Michael Clarke, Hodge has said he wants a place on the Bangladesh trip and delivered an ideal calling card.”I guess that every time I play I have to make runs so that’s going to be my job from here on in,” he told . “I still feel a part of that [Test] group and my aim is to be back in that group. Today’s a pretty good step in trying to achieve that goal.”Hodge’s combination with Jewell, who was more patient in crafting 89, ended when his partner hit Hopes to Shane Watson at square leg before Bichel finished with 2 for 56. David Hussey was unbeaten on 20 when he accepted an offer of the light while the nightwatchman Mick Lewis was on zero.
Contrary to reports that have appeared in sections of the Indian media, Harbhajan Singh’s action has not been given the all-clear by the International Cricket Council. What’s more, he is still very much under the spotlight.Cricinfo has learnt that the ICC is on the verge of appointing a biomechanical expert to determine whether there is any discrepancy between Harbhajan’s action as seen in the laboratory and as seen in match situations. The result of this process will determine whether they will ask Harbhajan to appear once again for testing in laboratory conditions. At any rate, it has emerged that the ICC has not, at this stage, either given a blanket approval, or suspended investigations, into Harbhajan’s action.Harbhajan was reported for a suspect action on March 20, the final day of the second Test against Pakistan at Kolkata, when his doosra, the delivery that leaves the right-hander, was reported again. This meant that, under the new procedures for dealing with suspect actions, he would have to appear before an ICC-appointed panel within 21 days to take the process forward. However, this 21-day period comes into effect from the time the Indian board received the official communication from the ICC, and not 21 days from March 20 as widely believed. This 21-day period is now coming to an end, although time has not quite run out yet.The ICC has not acted in haste, because they already have a library of biomechanical data on Harbhajan. When Harbhajan was first reported for a suspect action, back in 1998, he travelled to England and spent some time with Fred Titmus, the former Middlesex and England offspinner. More recently, he was at the University of Western Australia under the watchful eyes of Bruce Elliott, and was filmed in great detail. Aside from this the ICC also has plenty of footage from live-match situations.
Stats Guru: Croft’s Test career Stats Guru: Croft’s ODI career England offspinner Robert Croft has announced his retirement from international cricket.”I’ve come to the conclusion that I will no longer offer myself for selection for any future England Test or one-day side,” he said. “In making this decision I was conscious that I’ve had a challenging and full career with England both at Test and one-day level of which I am extremely proud.””It’s been a great honour and privilege to represent England as much as I have and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. I would also like to thank my fellow players for all their help and huge contribution to my career over the years.”Croft made his debut for England against Pakistan in 1996, but struggled to hold down a regular place in the England side. In 21 Tests he took 49 wickets at 37.24, but no great turner of the ball, he was more effective overseas. In nine Tests abroad he took 35 wickets at 24.65, compared with 14 at 68.71 at home.His best performances for England were in Sri Lanka three years ago when his nine wickets and useful contributions with the bat helped England come back from behind to win the series 2-1. But after what turned out to be his final Test appearance, against Australia in 2001, he refused to tour India in 2001-02 because of security concerns and he was always on the periphery thereafter. He was picked for the Sri Lanka tour this winter, but he remained on the sidelines for all three Tests as England persevered with Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty.In one-day cricket, Croft was a useful utility player, taking 45 wickets in 50 matches, the last against Australia in 2001.Croft, 33, now intends to concentrate on Glamorgan, and said that he has “another four or five seasons” in him. “As captain of Glamorgan I intend to concentrate my efforts to further develop our success and to be consistently competitive in the four-day championship and one-day competitions.”Those efforts will involve not only actions on the field but also the further nurturing of our young Academy players and the development of many exciting plans for the future of Glamorgan.”
Otago made rather a sandwich of their first innings of only 241 when they won the toss and batted first on the opening day of their State Championship match against Auckland at Colin Maiden Park today.The sandwich had a substantial and hearty filling built round a marvellous 111 by the 26-year-old captain Craig Cumming, supported by a solid and patient 39 by the No 6 batsman Craig Pryor.These two put on 106 for the fifth wicket. Sadly, the outside parts of the Otago sandwich were soggy bread. The first four wickets were lost for 81 runs. The last six went for 54 runs.There were few demons in the pitch, as Auckland showed in the 19 overs before stumps when they scored 56 without loss from 19 overs. Mark Richardson was 43 not out (eight fours) and promised, or threatened, depending on the point of view, to do some substantial damage to his old Otago team-mates tomorrow.Otago also face the prospect that another southern favourite Matt Horne has been in wonderful form this summer, and only a bruised foot (a temporary injury) prevented him from joining Richardson in the entree this evening.Otago lost Robbie Lawson for one in the fifth over, but once Simon Beare had made a nervous start (his three previous innings were ducks) and Cumming quickly settled in Otago prospered.These two went steadily along to 62 before Beare, 98 minutes over his 22, misjudged the line of Gareth Shaw’s medium-fast line, and shouldered arms while his middle stump was being knocked out. Chris Gaffaney went quickly, also to Shaw and when Andrew Hore gave Chris Drum his second wicket without scoring Otago were 81 for four, and had wasted good batting conditions.With Pryor showing poise and good judgement, Cumming was able lead a counter-attack of quite splendid quality. The Otago skipper’s fifth first-class century was not an affair of sparkling stroke-play from some fancy batting manual. Rather Cumming batted with quite marvellous efficiency, and with the rare ability to make the most of any ball that did not threaten his castle.Pryor gradually joined in the counter-thrust, and while the first 50 of their partnership was a solid foundation, the second 50 produced a flow of firmly-struck boundaries by Cumming, and with Pryor occasionally lending an attacking hand.Cumming sailed past the 100 in 216 minutes, from 157 balls and there seemed the prospect that he and Pryor would completely dominate an Auckland attack without any sharp teeth left.Unfortunately for Otago Pryor lifted a solid drive at Tama Canning’s bowling and at a shortish cover Llorne Howell took a brilliant two-handed catch. All a sudden, the face of the game changed. Cumming seemed to be half-forward when given out lbw to Canning – Otago 194 for six.Martyn Croy played some solid blows, but he, too, fell to a fine catch by Howell, and the door was open for the Auckland bowlers.Suddenly Brooke Walker, the Auckland captain and leg-spinner, began to confuse the Otago tail-enders with the ball which went quickly and straight through. This brought him three lbw victims, from Barry Frost, the umpire, which took the last three Otago wickets at 232, 236 and 241.So Otago, which probably needed a first innings of 300-plus to justify batting first in favourable conditions, fell seriously short of their target, and they must have had the worry beads out tonight as they regarded the mastery that Richardson enjoyed before stumps.
The Orange city provided an ideal batting strip for the Indians totake on Zimbabwe in the second and final Test. Shiv Sunder Das notchedup his maiden century, Rahul Dravid neared his eighth hundred andIndia chalked up a comfortable 306/2 after electing to bat first. TheZimbabwean bowlers simply did not have the firepower to stop theIndians. Everything now depends on Zimbabwe. If they can get their acttogether with the bat, they just might be able to hold on for a draw.When play began, Sadagoppan Ramesh and Shiv Sunder Das were verycomfortable against the Zimbabwean bowlers. Driving through the offside with characteristic ease, Ramesh was soon scoring at a run aball. Shiv Sunder Das at the other end was the ideal foil for Ramesh.Solid as a rock when it was needed, Das treated the bowling on merit.Being a short man proved to be a blessing, as he unveiled the cut shotevery time the ball was short of a length.Just when he looked good for a big score, Ramesh was involved in anunnecessary run out. Playing the ball to the mid on area, Rameshunderestimated Streak’s throwing arm. A good strong throw found Rameshshort of his ground. Ramesh’s 48 included seven hits to the fence.If the Zimbabweans came to India fearing Sachin Tendulkar, they aregoing to leave with nightmares of Rahul Dravid. Cutting and drivingwith precision, Dravid found the gaps with ease and it was no surprisethat he brought up his third consecutive score of fifty or over.Das was in good nick all day, displaying why he is a natural choicefor the opening slot. His shot selection was impeccable on the day,and his persistence bore fruit. After plodding on manfully for overthree hours, Das came down the track to a well flighted delivery fromMurphy and flicked magnificently. As the ball thudded into theadvertising hoardings, Das held up his bat to acknowledge the crowd’scheers. The young opener from Orissa had found the fence on 17occasions on the way to his century.The wicket was so flat that the Zimbabwean bowlers could not pick asingle wicket. Ramesh was run out and Das’ wicket really belonged toumpire Arani Velayudham Jayaprakash. Brian Murphy did what he knowsbest and tossed up a big leg break, Das, trying to play his favouriteshot, the cut, missed the ball altogether. Alright, so the ball wastoo close to the body to cut. But you can’t give a batsmen out forthat. The ball went past the bat, brushed the wicketkeeper’s glovesand went through to Alistair Campbell at slip. After pouching theball, the appeal that followed was neither spontaneous nor unanimous.In the eyes of the man in the middle however, 110 runs was all Das wasdestined to make. Although one has to concede that these things happenin the course of the game, Das’ look of disbelief on being given outtold its own story.The youngster had played well for his 110 runs. Taking as much time aswas required, Das waited for the right ball to hit. On nineteenoccasions in his 252 minute essay he put the ball away. At 227 fortwo, India were still very well placed.Amidst roars from the mediumsized Nagpur crowd, Sachin Tendulkarwalked out to the middle. However, there were to be no real fireworksfrom Tendulkar. Although he showed bursts of aggressiveness, hisinnings of 49 was largely a sedate one. As the day’s play was drawingto a close, Tendulkar opened his shoulders and played a trademarkcoverdrive. This brought the crowd back to life after a series of dullovers. Three balls later the umpires called stumps and that was that.Rahul Dravid on a patient 93, and Tendulkar on 49 were bothirritatingly close to the century and half century marks respectively.Tomorrow, when India resume on 306 for two, both Dravid and Tendulkarwill look to quickly cross those marks and get on with the scoring.