All posts by h716a5.icu

Hashan Tillakaratne, the former captain, has said Sri Lankan cricket is going though “the dark ages” and that an elected body is the way forward

Sa'adi Thawfeeq30-Nov-2008
Hashan Tillakaratne: “Today the cricket committees are corrupt” © Hong Kong Cricket Association
Hashan Tillakaratne, the former captain, has said that Sri Lankan cricket is currently going through “the dark ages” and that an elected body is the way forward.”Under Arjuna Ranatunga the interim committee is divided,” Tillakaratne said. “The most popular sport in this country is cricket. Arjuna is not allowed to do the work he wants to do by other interim committee members. Normally when an interim committee is appointed the previous members are dissolved and a new committee is appointed. The decisions taken by Arjuna are not approved by the Sports Minister [and] as a result of this the development of cricket is not taking place. Because of their differences all cricket development has come to a standstill. After so many years I see Sri Lanka cricket at present going through the dark ages.”Tillakaratne, 41, felt cricket in Sri Lanka was not progressing because interim committees were allowed to run for longer periods than elected bodies. “Since 1999 it has become a habit that whenever there is a TV deal around the corner the elected body is dissolved and an interim committee is appointed. Even in the past and even today this has been the practice,” he said. “Don’t be surprised if elections are held the moment a new TV deal is struck by the present interim committee.”If someone comes up with an action plan for SLC he is not allowed to implement it because someone else comes and puts a spoke in the wheel. Elected bodies run for only six months but interim bodies carry on for more than three years.”Tillakaratne also said politics played a role in stemming the chances of players from villages and smaller localities. Constant political interference, he believed, led to a breakdown in development.”The meaning of interim is for a short time,” he said. “For so many years cricket administration has been run by interim committees where development cannot take place. You can make money and waste money and you are not answerable to anyone. Appointing interim committees should be for a short time maybe to clear a problem that has come up. But elections should be held immediately and elected bodies should run cricket.”As a result of a breakdown in the development of cricket in the outstations, Tillakaratne said clubs do not receive funds, thereby leading to the stagnation of provincial cricket. “Our cricket is going backwards. Look at India and how they have developed youngsters. [Sachin] Tendulkar, [Rahul] Dravid, [VVS] Laxman and [Sourav] Ganguly are under constant pressure from the youngsters because of their development. Where is Sri Lanka today in comparison? Our international calendar is empty. We are trying to win the 2011 World Cup but how can we develop new cricketers playing against weak teams like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh? The only way to solve this problem is to go for elections.”Tillakaratne, who also works with Cricket Aid, the SLC’s tsunami-relief programmes, said cricket committees were “corrupt”. “I am a member of the present cricket committee. The appointment of former captains to the committee makes it difficult for me to do any work inside it. There are a lot of problems with cricket. For these problems we don’t get a proper answer. I don’t think my services are required. Arjuna is saying one thing and Gamini Lokuge [Sri Lanka’s sports minister] is saying another. This problem has to be solved first before we can take any decisions with regard to cricket.”In July, Tillakarante was removed as Sri Lanka’s team manager for the India series after just two days into the job.

The review system has elicited concerns from both New Zealand and West Indies, particularly with regards to the limited availability of television technology to the third umpire

Cricinfo staff23-Dec-2008
Daniel Vettori feels umpires must have access to more technology to make accurate decisions © Getty Images
The review system trialled in the recently concluded Test series between New Zealand and West Indies has drawn concern from both teams, particularly with regard to the limited availability of television technology to the third umpire.Brendon McCullum’s controversial dismissal on the final day of the second Test in Napier raised doubts over the system’s ability to produce accurate decisions. McCullum was adjudged caught behind by umpire Rudi Koertzen and the decision, when referred, was upheld by third umpire Mark Benson. However, Benson’s review of the decision was, under the rule, limited to normal television coverage and not the advanced “hot spot” technology, which indicated no contact between bat and ball. The decision was crucial as New Zealand, batting aggressively in pursuit of 312, called off their chase with 92 required off nine overs.Daniel Vettori said all available technology should be used in the referral process, without which it would not meet its intended purpose. “It was clear he didn’t hit it,” he said of McCullum’s dismissal. “If you’re going upstairs you should give umpires as much technology as they can have.”Hot Spot seems to be the best one I’ve seen in my time. You couple that with the snicko and the naked eye and you’d think you’d get the decisions right 100% of the time.”John Dyson, the West Indies coach, agreed. “I think if the feeling about technology like snicko is very good, that should be another tool given to the umpires to make decisions. Sometimes the eyes and the cameras don’t pick up everything.” There were a total of 19 reviews in the Test series, with seven used on the final day in Napier.Vettori, who had earlier called for referrals to be used only for ‘obvious calls’, also felt the three unsuccessful challenges allowed for each team gave captains an opportunity to use the system quite liberally for marginal decisions, as he did when he appealed for a leg-before decision against Chris Gayle early in his innings of 197.”We took a chance with Chris because it was such an important wicket. I don’t think that’s why the referral system was brought in. If we’re looking to rid the game of the obvious wrong decisions then it has to be brought back to one (challenge) in my opinion. If we get caught up in the 50-50s (decisions), that takes the power out of the umpires’ hands. Everyone involved in the game still wants that human element.”Dyson preferred two challenges. “With three there’s a bit of a feeling there; ‘Oh well, we’ll give it a go because we’ve got three’.”

Manchester United travel to Southampton for their second Premier League game of the season this afternoon, and they’ll be hoping to make it back-to-back victories on the south coast.

The Red Devils began their 2021/22 campaign in emphatic style last weekend, demolishing Leeds United 5-1 in a stunning display at Old Trafford.

What’s the word?

United’s thrashing of Leeds was made even more impressive by the fact that they were missing star striker Edinson Cavani from the matchday squad altogether, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed that he should be able to call upon the Uruguay international this time around.

“Edinson’s always looked after himself and is lacking in team training, football training; he had different reasons to why he came late,” revealed the manager in Saturday’s press conference.

“There were some personal reasons, and his body can tolerate a lot. It was something required not physically, a different matter, he’s ready to train, ready to go and let’s see how much we can get out of him.”

The return of the Uruguay veteran may not be the only boost to United when they take on the Saints in today’s 2pm kick-off. Solskjaer also provided an update on the fitness levels of summer signing Raphael Varane, stating that the former Real Madrid centre-back could travel with the squad following his £41m move.

The Red Devils boss stated of the Frenchman: “He’s been keeping fit, he’s a naturally fit lad, and he’s had a good week. He’s coming through the last session, and if that goes well, he’ll probably travel.

“Looking at him from afar, you see he’s a professional and humble lad, he’s a winner. He’s still asking questions, he wants to learn about how we want to play, and he’s hard-working. Of course, he wants to do the foundation first before he goes into a very intense season, I’m sure.”

Solskjaer will be delighted

Despite Cavani being well into the twilight of his career, the 34-year-old played a pivotal part in United’s success last season, bagging 17 goals and providing six assists in 39 appearances for the Old Trafford giants.

Therefore, his return to match fitness, coupled with Varane’s potential availability, will surely leave Solskjaer feeling delighted and confident of picking up another three points at St Mary’s.

In other news… Man Utd could finally replace RVP with £141k-p/w “phenomenon”, fans would be buzzing 

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks is reportedly subject to interest from Newcastle United, as reported by the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Change engulfs Tottenham Hotspur as 2021/22 gets underway

Despite the positivity that comes with a new era at any football club, Spurs boss Nuno Espirito Santo will be under no illusions that tough decisions have to be made in order to cultivate a winning culture at a football club.

Showing no falsely placed sense of sentimentality, the Portuguese coach has got rid of well-liked squad members such as Toby Alderweireld, Erik Lamela and Juan Foyth [Transfermarkt].

Now, Spurs could be set to cut loose another member of their roster following recent reports.

The Latest: Newcastle United eye loan move for Winks

Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is said to be keen on a swoop to bring 25-year-old Winks to St James’ Park this summer on loan [Daily Mail].

The Toon Army are said to be looking into destinations to farm out youngster Matty Longstaff temporarily, in order to free up wages to bring in another midfielder.

Not an immediate first-team priority in the present, Winks could be given the green light to find regular game-time on loan this week. However, Leicester City anchor man Hamza Choudary is also on Bruce’s radar.

The Verdict: Winks to Newcastle on loan is an agreeable solution for both parties

Needing to play frequently at an important stage in his career, moving to the North-East may represent an intriguing opportunity for Winks to re-establish himself as a key player at top flight level.

In 2020/21, Winks enjoyed a decent campaign in North London, registering four goal contributions in 30 appearances; two goals and two assists [Transfermarkt].

Capable of dictating play in central areas, the Spurs youth product impressively recorded a passing accuracy of 84.9% in the Premier League across this time period [WhoScored].

Former manager Mauricio Pochettino clearly adored the player, even saying Winks is ‘like Xavi and Iniesta’, but a move to Tyneside may be the best course of action for both parties at this stage [Birmingham Mail].

In other news, Tottenham Hotspur have made a part-exchange offer in their chase of a Serie A ace. Find out more here.

Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, has been ruled out of the Test series against England as he recovers from ankle surgery

Cricinfo staff26-Jan-2009
Dwayne Bravo remains on the sidelines for West Indies © Getty Images
Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, has been ruled out of the Test series against England as he recovers from ankle surgery. It is hoped he will return to action for the one-dayers towards the end of March.Bravo has been out of cricket since he underwent surgery on a long-standing ankle problem last November, which forced him to miss the Stanford Super Series, the one-day series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, the recent New Zealand tour and the start of the domestic season.”I spoke to Dwayne last week,” Clyde Butts, the chairman of selectors, said. “He’s started to train about now, and is hoping to be ready about the middle part of the England tour.”He wants to start playing club cricket before he starts playing for Trinidad and Tobago, so he can be fit and ready. Probably, we might see him in the ODIs.”Bravo’s last appearance for West Indies was against Australia last July and his absence leaves the team without the balance that his all-round skills bring.His younger brother, 20-year-old Darren, has been making the headlines recently with an impressive start to the domestic season. He hit 97 against Barbados before following that with his maiden century against Windward Islands at the weekend.

The results from the third day of the Ranji Trophy one-day tournament 2008-09

Cricinfo staff17-Feb-2009
Ashish Nehra took a hat-trick against Punjab © Cricinfo Ltd
North ZoneAshish Nehra took a hat-trick which sent Punjab crashing from 21 for 1 to 21 for 4, a position from which they never recovered against Delhi in Dharamsala. Nehra had begun his spell by bowling Sunny Sohal off the first ball of the match and returned to strike thrice in the seventh over. He had Ravi Inder Singh caught by Shikhar Dhawan, trapped Pankaj Dharmani lbw, and had Ankur Kakkar caught behind. Despite Uday Kaul’s 107, Punjab could only reach 202, a target which Delhi overhauled in the 39th over. Virat Kohli starred in Delhi’s chase, smashing 119 off 110 balls while Rajat Bhatia contributed 53.Yashpal Singh scored an unbeaten century to ensure that Services clinched a thriller off the last ball against Jammu and Kashmir at Una. Chasing 232 for victory, Services had slumped to 14 for 4 before they were rescued by a fourth-wicket partnership of 157 between Yashpal and Sarabjit Singh. Sarabjit contributed 61 to the stand before he was bowled by Ahmed Nizam but Yashpal remained firm and added 59 with Abhimanyu Singh to secure victory. Earlier Ian Dev Singh and Parvez Rassol had scored 81 and 59 respectively to get J&K off to a steady start, reaching 147 in the 36th over. However, they lost their way thereafter and lost eight wickets for 84 runs to finish with 231 for 9 when they looked like getting much more at one stage. Narender Singh took 4 for 32 for Services while Digamber Attri picked up 3 for 44.A strong all-round performance from Himachal Pradesh helped secure a seven-wicket win against Haryana in Una. Rahul Dewan and Dhruv Singh scored half-centuries for Haryana but they were restricted to 201 by Vishal Bhatia and Mukesh Sharma, who took three wickets apiece. Sangram Singh led Himachal’s strong reply, scoring 80 off 93 balls with three sixes. He steered his team to 126 before he became Amit Mishra’s second wicket. Paras Dogra and Vinit Indulkar added an unbeaten 76 for the fourth wicket to complete Himachal’s victory.East ZoneAn unbeaten century from wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha steered Bengal to an eight-wicket win against Assam at Eden Gardens. Chasing 270 to win, Bengal openers, Saha and Abhishek Banerjee, added 98 for the first wicket, a partnership which was dominated by Abhishek who scored 68 off 71 balls before he was trapped lbw by offspinner Arnald Konwar. Sourav Ganguly ensured that Kolkata didn’t lose momentum after the wicket, scoring a quick 64 in a 136-run stand with Saha for the second wicket. Ganguly too fell to Konwar but Saha remained not out on 102 as the winning runs were scored in the 46th over.Earlier, Assam opener Sibsankar Roy had also scored a century – 111 off 120 balls – to lead his team to 269 for 8. He didn’t get much support from the top order and Assam stumbled to 92 for 4 before Roy and Deepak Sharma, who scored 79 off 74 balls, added 147 for the fifth wicket.A weak batting performance from Tripura allowed Orissa to complete an easy run-chase with seven wickets and 97 balls to spare at the Jadhavpur University Complex in Kolkata. Having won the toss, Orissa struck early, reducing Tripura to 35 for 2 before a second wicket partnership of 67 between Sourav Dubey and Nishit Shetty offered some resistance. Their partnership was broken when Dubey was run out and thereafter Orissa struck regularly to dismiss Tripura for 179 in 44 overs. Orissa’s openers Natraj Behera and SS Das, who top scored with 73, provided their team with a solid start and laid the foundation for an easy run-chase.Central ZoneSanjay Bangar was agonisingly stranded one run short of his century as his team, Railways, crushed Vidarbha by eight wickets in Indore. Chasing 191, Bangar scored 99 not out off only 110 balls and received solid support from opener V Cheluvaraj and No.3 Dhiraj Salvi, who contributed 48 to the run-chase. Earlier medium-pacer Anureet Singh and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik had taken three wickets a apiece to cripple Vidarbha’s innings. Anureet took three top-order wickets to help reduce Vidarbha to 37 for 5, and Kartik broke the resistance offered by half-centurion Ranjit Paradkar and claimed two more lower-order wickets to restrict them to 190 for 9.A strong performance from Uttar Pradesh’s spinners, Praveen Gupta and Piyush Chawla, set up a comfortable seven-wicket win against Madhya Pradesh in Indore. Chawla took 4 for 36 and combined with Gupta, who picked up 3 for 23, to run through MP’s middle and lower order. Faced with a target of 152, UP captain Mohammad Kaif scored an unbeaten 51 to lead his team to victory in the 39th over.

Tottenham Hotspur are plotting a late move to bolster Nuno Santo’s engine room, according to reports..

What’s the word?

The Sunday Mirror (29th August, page 66) claims Spurs are looking into whether they can complete a deal for Brighton and Hove Albion star Yves Bissouma before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.

It’s thought that Moussa Sissoko’s exit to fellow north Londoners Watford has freed up space in the squad for another midfielder and that the 24-year-old Malian is seen as the ideal replacement.

The Seagulls are said to value the Graham Potter regular in the region of £40m, so it’s now on the Lilywhites to make their move.

Shades of Dembele

Replacing the veteran Frenchman with Bissouma would certainly be a shrewd move from sporting director Fabio Paratici and co, particularly as he’s an obvious upgrade in both the age and ability department.

The 6-foot powerhouse is an ideal box-to-box option to play alongside the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Oliver Skipp and Dele Alli, who have all started every league game under Nuno this campaign.

Bissouma’s playing style has been modelled by the influence of Premier League legend Yaya Toure and he can mix his physicality – averaging 2.8 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game in 2020/21, with a deft touch on the ball – averaging 1.5 dribbles and a 87.4% passing accuracy rate, via WhoScored.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-spurs-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-more” title= “Read the latest Spurs team and injury news, transfer rumours, gossip and much, much more!”]

These are the sorts of numbers that may bring some Spurs fans to think about Mousa Dembele, who in his prime would surely love to play alongside the Lilywhites’ great Dane.

For example, one of the Belgian’s best campaigns (2015/16) saw him put up 3.6 tackles, 1.9 interceptions and 2.9 dribbles per league outing. Bissouma isn’t far off these returns, when playing in a poorer side, too.

Through the first three league games of the season, the Seagulls sensation is matching such an output, averaging 3.3 tackles, 2.3 interceptions and two dribbles, as per WhoScored.

Dembele joined Spurs from Fulham, so there would be further similarities if Paratici can strike a deal for Bissouma before time runs out.

As described by his former Brighton boss Chris Hughton, the Mali international is a “wonderful talent” and is one that would surely thrive under the Portuguese head coach.

After going unbeaten through their first three Premier League matches, the north London outfit could cap off a perfect summer by signing Bissouma. They could well unearth their next Dembele in doing so.

AND in other news, Fabio Paratici dealt Spurs transfer blow over £22.5m-rated midfield target…

Many Liverpool fans have been angered on Twitter, following news that their defender Andrew Robertson started on the right-hand side of defence for Scotland in their World Cup qualifying match against Denmark [BBC].

Walking into the game with no natural right-back figure due to COVID-19 related issues, former Reds assistant manager now Scotland head-coach Steve Clarke made the surprise decision to start Robertson at right wing-back in Copenhagen over Kieran Tierney [BBC].

Not proving to be a success and achieving a match rating of just 5/10 in The Daily Record newspaper, the 27-year-old was restored to his more natural berth at left-wing back for the second half.

Upon seeing this unusual turn of events, no wonder loads of diehard Liverpool fans took to Twitter to vent their frustration at the occurrence.

Liverpool FC fans react:

Replying to popular Liverpool FC fan outlet This is Anfield on Twitter, here is what some fans had to say about Robertson filling in on the right:

“Ye bit weird, taking away a big part of Robertson’s game not being able to bomb down the line and whip it in, think Tierney would be alright at RB and just sit and do a solid job defensively”

Credit: @2110lfc

“So we have got cover for Trent then …”

Credit: @kevhLFC”Stinking the place out unsurprisingly”Credit: @Kieran_Reid99″We’re giving FSG ideas”Credit: @KazzyLFC”Don’t tell Klopp”Credit: @mgksuarez”Klopp seeing this and now thinking that he can be the cover for Trent if needed”Credit: @alibaggedagainIn other news, Liverpool weighed up a move for a Premier League ace in the transfer window. Find out more here.

Nepal beat Malaysia by ten wickets in front of 8000 spectators to win the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup

Cricinfo staff14-Feb-2009
Nepal celebrate after their victory in the final © Asian Cricket Council
Nepal beat Malaysia by ten wickets in front of 8000 spectators to win the ACC Under-17 Elite Cup.Malaysia were always second best in front of a passionate home crowd and were bowled out for 124 in 37.1 overs. Nepal cruised to victory in 23.3 overs, Sagar Pun scoring 65 and Aakash Pariyar 53.”We just couldn’t cope with the pressure,” said Malaysia’s captain Keithan Goonasageran. “Playing in front of a crowd like this for the first time shook a few of our players but really it was the spot-spot-spot bowling of Nepal’s spinners that hurt us.”Organisers have been delighted with excellent crowds throughout the competition, and strict checking of all teams ensured there were none of the embarrassing rows over the age of players which have marred recent events.That spared Nepal, who, it is reported, had 16 of their original 30-man squad outside the stipulated age qualifications.

It seems as if Southampton are already making transfer plans for next summer, with West Brom goalkeeper Sam Johnstone reportedly on their shortlist.

What’s the word?

According to The Athletic’s Southampton correspondent Dan Sheldon, the Saints are targeting a move for the Baggies shot-stopper next summer, as they look for a long-term solution in goal.

It has been suggested for some time now that Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side will add a new goalkeeper to their ranks next summer, with Fraser Forster looking likely to leave when his contract expires at the end of this season, and Johnstone could be a superb replacement.

As it stands, the England international is also set to become a free agent next summer, which suggests that he could be a very appealing option for the Saints in the transfer market.

Would Johnstone be a good signing for Southampton?

The 28-year-old produced some eye-catching saves last season despite West Brom’s relegation and deservedly earned himself a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championships.

[freshpress-quiz id=“594431”]

It is no surprise that Southampton are looking for a new ‘keeper when you consider that they conceded 68 goals in the top-flight last season, whilst Alex McCarthy hasn’t covered himself in glory in his three appearances so far this season, conceding notably soft goals against Everton and Manchester United.

Former Baggies manager Sam Allardyce was full of praise for Johnstone last season, saying:

“He’s one of the best. I think that’s pleasing to see as he’s one of the two most important people in your team.

“The goalscorer is the first and your goalkeeper is the second.

“He’s right up there at the right level and he’d already saved more shots than anybody before yesterday.”

As a full England international, who is just 28-years-old and a player who has already proven himself in the Premier League, Johnstone could be a superb signing for Southampton, especially if he arrives on a free transfer, so Saints fans will surely be delighted with this update from Sheldon.

And, in other news… Hasenhuttl may already have his next JWP in 17 y/o who is “getting stronger every day”