Category Uncategorized

Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain and one of 13 ‘rebel’ players slapped with a ten-year ban for joining the ICL, has said the board’s amnesty offer may force those concerned to think twice

Cricinfo staff10-May-2009

Habibul Bashar, the former Bangladesh captain and one of 13 ‘rebel’ players slapped with a ten-year ban for joining the ICL, has said the board’s amnesty offer may force those concerned to think twice. But Bashar, Bangladesh’s most successful captain and highest run-scorer in Test cricket, was cautious about a swift move back to domestic cricket.”They [the BCB] opened a window of opportunity for us. We can now see some light at the end of the tunnel,” said Bashar. “We want to take the opportunity and play for the national team. If we leave the ICL, we have to sacrifice a lot of things. If we come back, what will we get in return?”The ICL is highly lucrative compared to domestic cricket in Bangladesh.”The BCB, following the lead of the BCCI and the PCB, decided to allow those cricketers who signed up with the ICL to participate in domestic cricket, subject to the termination of their contracts with the unauthorised league by June 15. Bashar felt the decision created an opportunity for the rebel but was uncertain about the chances of it proving beneficial for all concerned.”The most important thing is that after this decision we have got an option to make our comeback in the domestic and international cricket,” he said. “I think the problem will remain because we have to terminate our contract first. Let us see everything before making any final comments.”We had recently met to discuss what would be our approach if the BCB announced amnesty like the Indian board and what we decided is that one can take his own decision. But first of all we have to look at the ICL contract. I know that the contract we have with the ICL is pretty much one-way.”

Both captains agreed that the Kensington Oval pitch didn’t do Test cricket many favours as the fourth Test ended in a predictable draw. Over five days, 1628 runs were scored for the loss of 17 wickets. At a time when the game is trying to retain relevancy, matches like this do little to help. The only people they keep entertained are excitable statisticians and the only people happy are the TV executives.This non-contest followed on from an equally bat-dominated Test in Karachi last week, while the ongoing match in Lahore is shaping up as another run-fest. The tussle between South Africa and Australia in Johannesburg showed how compelling Test cricket can be on a surface that offers something for everyone, but this pitch never threatened to be an even battle.”I don’t know how groundsmen prepare pitches but maybe there’s a will on the part of the administrators for Test matches to go five days,” Andrew Strauss said. “And that might mean the incentive is there for groundsmen to make sure it goes five days and be a little bit conservative on how they prepare the wicket.”As a group of players we all want to see result wickets which are fair and I appreciate that’s a difficult balance for a groundsman to come to, but those are the wickets that produce the best cricket.””No one knew it would be so good,” Chris Gayle said. “But we have to play on what we get – it was really flat and a hard wicket for bowlers to toil on. But we are 1-0 up so we are not going to come out and make too much complaint about the wicket. England made runs on it, it was just one of those Test matches.”Gayle’s more phlegmatic approach to the pitch is unsurprising. West Indies are a draw away from regaining the Wisden Trophy for the first time since losing it at The Oval in 2000. It would also be their first series victory since they beat Bangladesh in 2004 and their first against major opposition since Sri Lanka in 2003.However, Gayle said he wouldn’t mind a bit more life at the Queen’s Park Oval. “Hopefully we will have a bit more excitement there, even though we are 1-0 up, it would be good to have some good cricket and more excitement. We will see what happens, we’re not sure what kind of track we will get.”For all the run-scoring feats in this game, topped by Ramnaresh Sarwan’s magnificent 291 and Denesh Ramdin’s career-best 166, they need to be weighed against conditions. For example, Graham Gooch’s 154 not out in 1991 is rated as one of greatest innings played because it was made against a fearsome West Indies attack on a Headingley greentop. Perversely, Younis Khan went to No. 1 in the current batting rankings after his triple century in Karachi, despite it being his first Test for more than a year. Players are aware that their skills are shown in a better light with a tougher challenge.”That wicket remained incredible flat throughout the game, if anything it was probably flatter today than any other days,” Strauss said. “As cricketers you want to see a wicket that deteriorates as the match goes on and we didn’t get that in this game. As a result it became a fairly boring draw which I don’t think anyone wants to see.”Generally I think even if you can’t force a result you want to have a pretty tight tussle like in Antigua where you can nearly force a result. Clearly on this wicket that would have been extremely difficult to do.”West Indies’ tactics in Trinidad will be fascinating. This is such a rare advantage for them to hold that there must be a temptation to play it on the safe side. They have named the same squad and Jerome Taylor is expected to be fully fit despite only bowling four overs on the final day in Barbados because of a minor ankle problem.However, Gayle talked a good game and promised to aim for a victory regardless of conditions. “Definitely we are looking for the win, we are not going out to play for the draw and be negative,” he said. “We still have to play positive cricket. Once you go out with a negative mentality it can do more damage to you.”Pitches that produce run-fests like we have just witnessed over the last five days are certainly not to the benefit of the game at large, but from a purely pragmatic point of view there will be one team quite happy if there is a repeat performance in the final game. With a major success within their grasp West Indies will try and take it any way they can.

MatériaMais Notícias

A Polícia Federal notificou o Vasco nesta quarta-feira por conta de utilização de seguranças privados irregulares em jogos da equipe em São Januário. A informação foi publicada inicialmente pelo “Globoesporte” e confirmada pelo LANCE!. Funcionários da PF estiveram pela manhã no estádio e entregaram ao presidente Eurico Miranda um Auto de Encerramento de Atividade de Segurança Privada Não Autorizada. Um descumprimento pode configurar crime de exercício de atividade com infração de decisão administrativa (artigo 205 do Código Penal). A pena é de detenção, de três meses a dois anos, ou multa.

o Auto de Encerramento de Atividade de Segurança Privada Não Autorizada entregue ao Vasco significa que o clube não pode utilizar o atual grupo de seguranças privados nos jogos. Funcionários da Polícia Federal já estiveram em São Januário no jogo contra o Atlético-GO no mês passado e constatado esta irregularidade. Notificaram pela primeira vez o Vasco e, segundo a PF, o clube não cumpriu a decisão – o que ocasionou o caso desta quarta-feira. A lei diz que para poder fazer uso de segurança privada, há necessidade de o clube contratar uma empresa devidamente autorizada e apta a prestar o serviço pela Polícia Federal ou então constituir corpo próprio de segurança mediante autorização da PF.

RelacionadasVascoSTJD marca data para julgar o Vasco por confusão em São JanuárioVasco12/07/2017Futebol InternacionalEmpresa de dono do Leicester é acusada de fraude na TailândiaFutebol Internacional12/07/2017BrasileirãoFla e Grêmio fazem confronto direto na Ilha do Urubu. Quem é melhor?Brasileirão12/07/2017

Journalist Luke Hatfield has told Football FanCast that Wolves are the likeliest of the Midlands clubs to be involved in some Transfer Deadline Day drama.

Aston Villa have already splashed out on Emiliano Buendia, Danny Ings and Leon Bailey following Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City, whilst West Brom have made some shrewd signings under Valerien Ismael, although three loan deals and free transfers apiece mean the Baggies are yet to spend a penny.

Meanwhile, Wolves have made seven additions under Bruno Lage, but have started the season with three straight Premier league defeats following 1-0 losses to Leicester, Tottenham and Manchester United respectively, and are in desperate need of some firepower in attack.

Adama Traore now looks set to stay despite recent links with Tottenham with Wolves keen to keep him according to Spurs journalist Alasdair Gold, but Hatfield still reckons that the Midlands club could be busy before the window closes at 11pm on Tuesday, with a loan move for Renato Sanches of Lille mooted.

When asked what he expects from the Molineux outfit on deadline day, Hatfield told FFC:

“I think Wolves are the most likely to make a big signing or a player leave for big money, that’s the most likely because Wolves need to get some business done. But Wolves are most likely to make a splash.”

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.

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 

Kevin Pietersen has said he wants his team, playing the Stanford 20/20 for 20, to respect the current economic crisis around the world whether they win or lose the US$20 million match against the Stanford Superstars on November 1

Cricinfo staff21-Oct-2008
Kevin Pietersen: “People have lost their jobs and stuff, and there’s no way in the world I want anyone to carry on like a clown, win or lose” © PA Sports
Kevin Pietersen has said he wants his team, playing the Stanford 20/20 for 20, to respect the current economic crisis around the world whether they win or lose the US$20 million match against the Stanford Superstars on November 1. Over the last few months several investment banks in England and USA have declared bankruptcy, forcing a lot of people out of jobs.”This game has obviously come at a very difficult time in terms of what’s happening in the world and I want 100% respect for that, so there won’t be any nonsense happening in and around and after the game and I will be really angry if it does happen,” Pietersen said. “It’s simple. I respect everything that’s happening. Friends of mine are struggling, really struggling. People have lost their jobs and stuff, and there’s no way in the world I want anyone to carry on like a clown, win or lose.”Pietersen said the three matches that England will play in Antigua – against Middlesex, Trinidad & Tobago and the Stanford Superstars – will work as warm-ups ahead of the tour of India. “The Stanford game will be as pressured as playing India in India or Australia on the first day of an Ashes Test series. It will be interesting for me as a skipper to see how people deal with the week. Mentally, how they talk, what their primary focus is. It’s a case of winning games out there and taking momentum to India, which we can see is going to be really tough.”Pietersen will pick the final XI from the 15-man squad named last month, which he said would be a tough decision. “I might have to take a bodyguard. But I’m going to find out a lot about some individuals.” If England win, Pietersen will give a portion of his earnings to charity but that would not be mandatory for the rest of the players. “There are guys in the team who are older than me, I’m not their financial adviser,” he said.Whatever happens in the Caribbean, Pietersen’s focus remained cricket’s traditional form. “My message to those younger players is that if you play well for England over the years, you will earn that type of money and earn more than that,” he said. “Twenty20 is here to stay and is the future of coloured-clothes cricket, but white clothes separate the men from the boys. Tests are the pinnacle and I want to be remembered for having pretty good stats in Test cricket.”The Stanford Super Series kicks off on Saturday with the Superstars taking on T&T. England’s first match is against Middlesex on Sunday.

Arsenal could revive their interest in Newcastle United’s Freddie Woodman, Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder has claimed.

The lowdown

Arsenal have a ‘pressing need’ for a second-choice goalkeeper but it was revealed on Wednesday that talks over a potential deal for Sheffield United’s Aaron Ramsdale were ‘on the brink of breaking down’ (via The Athletic).

The Blades were demanding £35million for Ramsdale when Arsenal hoped to pay around half that figure.

Woodman is set to start Newcastle’s Premier League opener at home to West Ham United on Sunday with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow both sidelined.

He spent last season on loan at Swansea City, keeping a league-high 21 clean sheets for the beaten playoff finalists. The 24-year-old’s Transfermarkt value has now climbed to £9million.

Newcastle and Arsenal have already done business this summer, of course, with Joe Willock’s permanent move announced on Friday.

The latest

Ryder reports that, earlier in the summer, a swap deal was discussed whereby Woodman would head to the Emirates and Willock would return to Tyneside.

That was abandoned after Dubravka and Darlow were hit with separate issues, but Arsenal could now re-open conversations after encountering frustration in their Ramsdale pursuit.

The verdict

Newcastle might not stand in Woodman’s way when Dubravka or Darlow return to the fold, but it will be interesting to see what the player himself decides.

Will the allure of Arsenal persuade him to accept another back-up role, or will he express a preference for first-team football elsewhere?

Off the back of his displays for Swansea last season, he really ought to be a starting ‘keeper in the Premier League.

In other news, Newcastle have reached an agreement for this perfectly-named ace. 

Leicester City’s pursuit of Champions League football got off to the best start possible after Jamie Vardy’s strike saw off Wolves 1-0 at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.

The Foxes’ talismanic striker found the back of the net just before half-time thanks to an extremely well-taken header following Ricardo Pereira’s cross from the right-hand side.

Beginning life under new manager Bruno Lage following Nuno Espirito Santo’s departure, Wolves had a golden opportunity to take the lead with the score at 0-0, with pacey winger Adama Traore running clear of the Leicester defence. 

However, the Spain international could only side-foot his effort tamely wide of Kasper Schmeichel’s post, and the FA Cup holders barely gave the opposition attack a sniff after that. 

Although Vardy will get the headlines for his match-winning goal, it was stand-in centre-back Daniel Amartey who provided the base for Leicester’s success.

Rodgers decided to keep faith with the 26-year-old following his impressive showing in the Community Shield despite Jannik Vestergaard completing his move from Southampton to take his place in the matchday squad.

As per SofaScore, Amartey received a match rating of 7.6 out of 10 this afternoon, the second-highest total amongst his teammates, while his 89 touches were the third-most of anyone in Rodgers’ side.

The Ghanaian won four of his five duels and made made two tackles and two clearances during his 90 minutes on the pitch. but he was also excellent with the ball at his feet. Amartey achieved a passing accuracy of 92% while completing four of his six attempted long passes.

New signing Vestergaard will have had a week’s worth of training with his new teammates under his belt by the time Leicester take on West Ham United in the Monday night fixture next up, but Amartey will be hoping that his impressive showing has done enough to see him start again in nine days’ time.

In other news… Sky Sports reveal intriguing transfer update which could leave Leicester fans gutted 

A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the IPL has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo

Ajay S Shankar13-Jul-2008Drugs in cricketJune 2008: Mohammad Asif is detained by authorities at Dubai Airport on suspicion of possessing drugs. He is released, but the PCB begins its own inquiry.October 2006: Asif and Shoaib Akhtar are withdrawn from Pakistan’s squad a day before the Champions Trophy in India after they test positive for nandrolone in an internal PCB test. Asif and Shoaib were banned, but are let off after appealing.June 2005: Scotland bowler Asim Butt is banned for a year after he tests positive for Ecstasy, a recreational drug.May 2005: Keith Piper, the Warwickshire wicketkeeper, is banned for the remainder of the season after failing a drugs test.October 2004: Graham Wagg, the Warwickshire and England A allrounder, is banned from cricket until January 2006 after being found guilty of cocaine use.February 2003: Shane Warne is sent home from the World Cup in South Africa after it’s revealed that he tested positive for banned diuretics in samples provided to the Australian Sports Drugs Agency in Sydney. Warne is later handed a one-year ban.A sample taken from random testing at the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League has tested positive, IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has confirmed to Cricinfo. This is the first step of the verification process, Modi said, and there are several stages before a player is deemed to have failed the test.The tests were carried out by IDTM, a Sweden-based independent agency, in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards after the IPL adopted the ICC’s anti-doping code. The samples were forwarded to a WADA-approved laboratory in Switzerland for testing. “Two days ago the IPL received a letter from the Swiss lab, mandated by WADA, which said one sample had tested positive,” Modi said. “The IPL will follow set procedures from now on.”The first step, he said, is to match the identity of the player with the sample. Next, the player’s form, filled out before the match, will be scrutinised for any pre-declared or prescribed drug by the IPL medical committee, consisting of an IDTM representative and Dr Anant Joshi; if that matches the drug found in the sample, the matter ends there and the player’s name won’t be revealed.If the medical committee investigation reveals the player had not applied or been granted an exemption for using the drug found in the sample, the player, the concerned IPL franchise and national board will be informed in writing of the positive test that violates the anti-doping code. The player has the right to request that his ‘B’ sample [supplied at the same time as the one that tested positive] be sent for analysis, which he and his representative can attend along with an IPL representative.If that too is positive, the matter will be taken up by the IPL’s drugs tribunal, comprising of Sunil Gavaskar, Dr Ravi Bapat (ex-Vice Chancellor of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences) and lawyer Shirish Gupte. The tribunal will study the issue and take a decision in accordance with the code. “This is just the procedure,” Modi said, “as of now we are at the first stage where one sample has tested positive. The issue is now with the IPL’s medical committee. The identity of the player will matter only after we check on the pre-declared drugs.”The ICC, in a release, said it had been informed of the “adverse analytical finding” and that it was the responsibility of the ICC member, in this case the BCCI, to deal with the process. The ICC stated it will “be closely monitoring the situation to ensure the correct action is taken by the BCCI”, and “retains a right of appeal if any penalty that may be imposed is inconsistent with the WADA code”.