Ironically, after overnight rains threatened to put a dampener on proceedings and caused a whole session to be lost, the West Indies came up with their best cricket of the series so far

Anand Vasu18-Oct-2002Ironically, after overnight rains threatened to put a dampener on proceedings and caused a whole session to be lost, the West Indies came up with their best cricket of the series so far. Despite grassing as many as three catches, the mercurial men of the Caribbean managed to restrict India to 190 for five at the end of the second day’s play.A West Indian team of the 70s, with batsmen swaggering to centuries and bowlers brushing aside batsmen with high-quality pace, would not be enthused by the situation they are facing. For Carl Hooper though, with no more than one colleague able to play the Indian spinners and only a group of rookies to send down the overs, this position is more than acceptable. Without being cruel, one remembers the old saying that refers to beggars and their lack of choice.Some say it’s basketball, others the lack of role models. Whatever the reason for the lack of genuine talent coming through on the cricket scene, chairman of selectors Sir Vivian Richards can take heart from the way debutant Jermaine Lawson performed today. Bowling with heart, the paceman from Jamaica bowled good line and length, extracting reverse swing and keeping the batsmen under pressure, all this while bowling at considerable pace.But talking about pace, the manner in which Virender Sehwag continued from his overnight score of 24 suggested that he wanted to finish this game early to spend some time with his family in Najafgarh. A slew of boundaries off the pacemen that pierced the infield and peppered the advertising hoardings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium meant that was not long before Hooper turned to the other debutant in this game – batting-off-spinning-all-rounder Gareth Breese.In Breese’s very first over, the young bowler learned something about bowling off-spin at the highest level as Sehwag, hitting with the turn, launched Breese over the ropes at long-on. The next ball saw a tentative defensive shot edged to short leg, where Wavell Hinds fluffed a catch; but what a maiden Test wicket that would have been! To rub it in, Sehwag just clattered the next delivery into the upper tier of the stands at long-on.The West Indians could only heave a sigh of relief in the 26th over of the day when a peach of a delivery from Pedro Collins had Sehwag playing down the wrong line and losing his off-stump. Sehwag’s entertaining 61 came off just 65 balls and included a remarkable eight hits to the fence and three sixes.Rahul Dravid, attempting to equal Everton Weekes’ record of five centuries in as many Tests, was cleaned up by the delivery of the day when he was on just 11. A cracker of an inswinger, hitting the deck at just the right length, zipped past Dravid’s bat at express pace and shattered the furniture. An overjoyed Lawson had the first wicket of his Test career, a fine scalp at that.Sachin Tendulkar, batting at one of his favourite grounds, began unconvincingly. While several deliveries from Hooper reared off a length or bounced awkwardly, Tendulkar defended without conviction. However, when the bowlers erred in line or length, he was quick to pounce and send the ball to the fence.For company, Tendulkar had a solid ally in Sanjay Bangar. Batting as to the manner born, the Railways cricketer kept the bowling stolidly at bay. The stodgy defensive stroke was in operation, as was the effective leave outside the off-stump. The push past covers or through point yielded a high proportion of Bangar’s 40 that came off a labourious 171 balls, but almost four hours into his knock, a similar stroke presented a catch to Hooper at slip off the bowling of Dillon.Off the very next ball, Dillon struck again, although it would be more appropriate if umpire Asoka de Silva were given credit for that particular dismissal. After handing Wavell Hinds a raw deal just yesterday, umpire de Silva raised the dreaded finger on Ganguly even as he thickly inside-edged a straight one from Dillon onto his pads. “Ganguly lbw bowled Dillon” is the entry in the scorebook; more believable lines have been written in ten-penny pot-boilers.Tendulkar proceeded to score at an even clip, despite not being at his best. When he moved past 16, the little man reached yet another milestone – 20,000 runs in international cricket. Allan Border, with 17,698 runs, is the closest to Tendulkar. But Border, renowned for his obdurate attitude, would certainly have batted with greater concentration on the day than Tendulkar did. On 43 (156 minutes, 113 balls, five fours), Tendulkar dragged a wide delivery from Lawson back onto his stumps.When Tendulkar was dismissed, with the clouds gathering, the sun setting and the floodlights coming on, India were 180 for five. Parthiv Patel did not get a chance to get his feet moving, and with a fluent VVS Laxman (18 not out) at the crease, play was stopped due to bad light less than three overs later. On the day, 28 overs were lost, taking into account the late start and the inability to go on for the extra hour after the scheduled close.At 190 for five, India still have much to do in this game. After bowling the West Indies out for a mere 167, they need to make sure they now garner a substantial lead. For their part, the men from the Caribbean will be able to enjoy at least one good night’s sleep. To their credit, it’s well-earned. There is fire in the belly and rain in the air, and the two might just be enough to keep this series alive.

Birmingham City have agreed a deal that will see Matija Sarkic spend next season at St. Andrew’s.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by The Athletic, who claim that the Blues have agreed to take the Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper on a season-long loan deal after impressing during a trial period at the club.

The report continues by stating that the 23-year-old will now challenge for a place in the Birmingham starting XI ahead of the club’s upcoming Championship campaign, with Neil Etheridge looking likely to be sidelined for what could be a number of months following his hospitalisation due to illness.

Finally, it is reported that the Montenegro international’s switch to the Championship side is expected to be confirmed by the club in the very near future.

Bowyer masterclass

With Lee Bowyer having already secured the services of a number of impressive arrivals at St. Andrew’s in the summer transfer window, with all of Jordan Graham, Ryan Woods, Chuks Aneke, Dion Sanderson, Juan Familia-Castillo and Tahith Chong linking up with the Blues squad, considering just how much potential Sarkic appears to possess, the 23-year-old looks to be yet another transfer masterclass by the 44-year-old manager.

Indeed, the ‘keeper impressed over his 26 League One appearances while on loan at Shrewsbury Town last season, with the £90k-rated man keeping nine clean sheets, conceding an average of just one goal per game and making an average of 2.3 saves per league fixture.

These returns saw the man Kris Boyd dubbed an “excellent” player earn an average SofaScore match rating of 6.80, ranking him as the Shrews’ joint 11th-best performer in the English third tier.

Furthermore, the £4.9k-per-week shot-stopper also impressed in Birmingham’s recent 3-0 pre-season friendly victory against Cheltenham Town, keeping a clean sheet and making a number of important saves.

And, with Etheridge’s fitness ahead of the start of the Championship season appearing questionable at present, Bowyer was very much in need of another solid option between the Blues sticks, with Sarkic seeming to be exactly that.

In other news: Alan Nixon drops 8-word transfer claim that’ll surely have Birmingham fans buzzing

Sheffield United are reportedly interested in a deal to sign QPR goalkeeper Seny Dieng, according to The Sun (8th August, page 67). 

What’s the story?

Sheffield United have already been faced with considerable interest from Arsenal for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, who has recently returned to the first-team squad having been away from England on international duty over the summer.

Ramsdale has been with the club since 2020, although it’s claimed that he could be heading for the Bramall Lane exit door in the near future, with the transfer window set to close on August 31st.

Therefore, the Blades are seemingly preparing for his departure by targeting a move for Dieng, who has two years remaining on his current contract with Mark Warburton’s QPR side.

He has made 44 appearances in total for the Rs in total, which includes 43 from the 2020/21 season, as QPR finished ninth in the Championship table.

The Sun report that Dieng could be on the move this summer for a fee in the region of £6million, with the Blades eyeing a move for the 26-year-old.

Dieng has been with QPR since 2016, and kept 11 clean sheets with them last season, as they finished last year’s campaign strongly under the watchful eye of Warburton.

The shot-stopper has previously been attracting interest from West Ham United, and you don’t do that by chance, so that speaks volumes about his ability at this moment in time and the exciting potential he has.

Dieng has shown that he’s more than capable of performing to high standard in the Championship, with the shot-stopper adjusting well to the demands of life in the second-tier, which can sometimes be an unforgiving league.

He had an average Whoscored rating of 6.71 from the 2020/21 season for QPR and he could turn out to be a smart signing by Sheffield United this summer.

Slavisa Jokanovic’s side will be looking to win promotion back into the Premier League at the first time of asking, having been relegated from the top-flight last term, in what was a disappointing campaign for the Bramall Lane faithful to witness.

The Blades haven’t been very active in the summer transfer window, but Ramsdale’s potential departure late into this summer could prompt some late movement, which is certainly needed.

Sheffield United were beaten by Birmingham City in their opener this term, and Jokanovic will be keen to see a positive response from his side in midweek when they return to action against Carlisle United in the EFL Cup.

Dieng made an error against Norwich City last term, but Warburton labelled the shot-stopper as ‘outstanding’ for his performances during last year’s campaign.

“He’s human. There’s no-one in the world [who doesn’t make mistakes]. [Lionel] Messi makes mistakes, [Cristiano] Ronaldo makes mistakes, the very, very best people in the world make mistakes.

“Seny’s had an outstanding season, he’s just human. It’s as simple as that.”

Dieng would be a smart signing by the Blades if they can get a deal over the line to secure his signature, as he’s shown that he’s capable of performing to a more than good enough standard at this level, and it’s a deal that the Bramall Lane faithful should be buzzing about.

AND in other news; Sheffield United also want to sign this in-demand star before the window closes…

Aston Villa confirmed on Saturday that they have reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for winger Leon Bailey.

The Athletic’s Gregg Evans shared just how much a transfer is thought to be worth, which led to a number of Villa supporters sharing their positive thoughts at his claim on social media.

Villa revealed that the transfer of Bailey is subject to agreeing on personal terms and completing a medical.

They didn’t share a fee, but Evans believes a transfer would be in the region of £30m, should it officially go through.

Sources told The Athletic that a move could be finalised as early as next week, with Bailey potentially becoming Dean Smith’s third senior signing of the summer after Emiliano Buendia and Ashley Young.

Villa fans react

Well-known Villa outlet @villareport shared Evans’ claim on Twitter on Saturday afternoon. This is what these Villa supporters had to say, with one ‘buzzing’ and another describing the fee as a ‘mad bargain’.

“Cantwell and Ward Prowse then we’re on our way to Europe”Credit: @Villabo58965244″Buzzing”Credit: @ajbyrne_avfc”Mad bargain that is”Credit: @GW_94″LETS GOOOO”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Oh my god what a bargain”Credit: @xxxoooxoooxxx”JOHAN MASTERCLASS”Credit: @av_reece

In other news: ‘That’s a deal breaker’ – Lots of Villa fans go wild at ‘class’ club post. 

أشاد أسطورة ليفربول، ستيفن جيرارد، والمدير الفني لفريق أستون فيلا، بالأداء الدفاعي لـ ريال مدريد أمام الريدز أمس في نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وفاز ريال مدريد ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا بهدف فينيسيوس جونيور، على ملعب سان دوني بالعاصمة الفرنسية باريس.

وقال جيرارد في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية: “ليفربول لم يرتكب أي خطأ، لكنهم لم يكونوا دقيقين أمام المرمى، وكان كورتوا هو رجل المباراة”.

طالع أيضًا | بعد خسارة دوري أبطال أوروبا.. أرنولد: غرفة ملابس ليفربول صامتة ومدمرة

وأضاف: “هذا يخبرك بكل شيء، ريال مدريد كان يدافع أمام ليفربول، وحاول الريدز طوال المباراة بمختلف الطرق، لكن في النهاية، لم يتمكن من التسجيل”.

وشدد: “بصراحة، دفاع ريال مدريد كان رائعًا، لمدة 90 دقيقة كانوا بالمرصاد لتسديدات الخصم، ويدافعون بتمركز مثالي”.

واختتم: “سيتعافى ليفربول من هذه الليلة سريعًا، هذه اللحظات للتعلم، قد تكون تلك المباراة إما الليلة الأفضل في حياتك، أو أسوأها”.

Three matches into his comeback Shane Watson has fully justified the call-up by scoring his first ODI century at better than a run a ball to set up a seven-wicket win for Australia

Cricinfo staff29-Jun-2008
Shane Watson capped off his comeback with his first ODI century © Getty Images
One month ago international cricket was both a distant memory and a seemingly unreachable goal for Shane Watson. His only outing for Australia in the previous 12 months had been a single match at the ICC World Twenty20 and yet another hamstring injury had plagued his Australian summer, severely denting his hopes of quickly regaining his spot in the ODI side.But timing is everything in cricket and Watson’s naming as Player of the Series in the Indian Premier League came just a few days before Australia needed to decide on a replacement for the injured Matthew Hayden for the one-day series in the West Indies. Three matches into his comeback Watson has fully justified the call-up by scoring his first ODI century at better than a run a ball to set up a seven-wicket win for Australia.”Things are progressing well,” Watson said after the game. “A year or so ago things weren’t looking that great. To be able to come out and get through some games and perform with the bat especially is a lot of fun.”Watson was not surprisingly named Man of the Match for his 126 and 1 for 23 and it was a pleasing turnaround after he was out for a duck in the first over of Friday’s match at the same venue. But Watson was desperate to impress having been given the chance to open and he hopes he can make the position his own in the long-term.”I normally bat three or four in the longer version of the game,” Watson said. “So I enjoy coming in when the ball is new, with a few more gaps and taking on the quicks.”Ricky Ponting batted with Watson through most of the innings as they built up an imposing 190-run partnership and he said it was pleasing to see Watson play such a great hand after six years in and out of the ODI side. “It was a magnificent innings today,” Ponting said. “He controlled the tempo of the innings very, very well.”He’s a big strong lad and I think we saw today just how effective he can be at the top of the order. His bowling spell in the middle of our bowling innings today was pretty impressive as well, so he’s a very, very good all-round cricketer for us.”Ponting was also glad to find some form himself having struggled in the first two games, although he battled with a hand injury and needed treatment from the physio after reaching his half-century. There is a chance he could be rested when the series continues in St Kitts on Friday as Australia have already taken an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match contest.

Crystal Palace announced the signing of former Sunderland goalkeeper Remi Matthews on Tuesday.

And, as to be anticipated, the confirmed transfer had a number of Palace fans talking on social media.

The Eagles revealed that both Wayne Hennessey and Stephen Henderson have left the club, with Matthews now brought in as a third ‘keeper alongside Vicente Guaita and Jack Butland.

Matthews has signed a two-year contract at Selhurst Park and becomes the club’s second summer signing alongside Michael Olise.

The 27-year-old has made over 100 senior appearances during his career, representing Bolton Wanderers, Hamilton, Plymouth Argyle, Burton Albion, Doncaster Rovers and Sunderland.

Matthews was pictured in the club’s new goalkeeping jersey, with the club sharing a closer look at the top later in the day.

Palace fans react

Palace posted the news on Matthews on their official Twitter page. This is what these Eagles fans had to say in reply to the move, with one describing the transfer as ‘cool’.

“Oh my”Credit: @joelcpfc_”YESSSSSSSS”Credit: @BMCPFC”we’re going to europe”Credit: @BobbyCPFC”Cool”Credit: @amancpfc”Vieira pull”Credit: @paIaceawayy”Welcome to the Palace Remi”Credit: @jackstacpfc

In other news: ‘Kidding me?’ – Many Palace fans fume as transfer talks emerge, find out more here.

MELBOURNE, Dec 15 AAP – Shane Warne’s dislocated shoulder has put Australia’s World Cup plans in a spin, with fears his latest injury could be a career-threatening one.Warne dislocated his right bowling shoulder when he dived to try to cut off a drive from England’s Craig White during Australia’s 89-run win at the MCG.Warne was taken off the ground on a stretcher and will undergo arthroscopy surgery tomorrow to allow specialists to determine the extent of the damage.Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott said a best-case scenario would see Warne miss four to six weeks of cricket.That means he will miss the remainder of the Australian summer but aim to return in time for World Cup starting in February in South Africa.But Alcott hinted the injury could be career-threatening given Warne has previously undergone shoulder reconstruction.”It’s a good question,” Alcott said when asked if the injury could end Warne’s brilliant career.”I think it’s one of those situations where we need to wait and see what damage has been done and assess it from there.”Also we haven’t seen a dislocation in a legspinner. In fact, we haven’t seen a dislocation in any of the Australian team that I can remember so it is new territory.”But Shane Warne, in particular, given his pre-history, some of these questions we’ll have to wait and see to be answered.”Warne’s shoulder was popped back into place by team doctors before he was taken to hospital.Alcott said while the dislocation was a typical one, Warne’s previous surgery could complicate his recovery.”It’s a little bit difficult because we don’t know the extent of the damage,” he said.”So best-case it just stretched the capsule and the joint popped forward and it’s four to six weeks and you can only add time on if there’s something further been injured.”Alcott said it was vital Warne did everything he could to return to full fitness regardless of the World Cup.”I think it’s just a question of Shane Warne’s shoulder getting better as soon as possible and with as little chance of re-injury,” he said.”We can’t use the World Cup as a milestone for his rehab.”Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Warne’s injury – which came when the home side was well on its way to victory – had taken the gloss of the team’s win.”It was just a disappointing and sad thing to happen,” he said.”The way he’s trained and put in in the last 12 months and the way he’s been bowling, it’s sad that something like that happens to someone who’s worked so hard.”Ponting said Warne was “squealing” in pain and said the legspinner knew he had suffered a serious injury immediately.”He knew straight away, he was saying to all of us that he thought it was out and he could feel it was out of joint so he had a pretty good idea straight away,” he said.Warne who’ll also miss the remaining two Ashes Tests, missed much of the 1998-99 season after needing a reconstruction of the shoulder.He also was out of action for several months during the 2000-01 season when he broke the spinning finger in his right hand in a fielding accident.England captain Nasser Hussain, who was bowled by Warne for 19 today, said the injury was a blow to world cricket.”Let’s hope it’s not serious because he got himself really fit, he had a shoulder problem a few years ago which he’s just now coming back from and bowling exactly how Shane Warne wants to bowl,” Hussain said.”There must have been a lot of hard work and effort put in to be where he is now and let’s hope it’s not too serious because world cricket needs Warnie bowling the way he has done in the last few months.””Let’s hope he’s out for a couple of weeks and then is back to his best.”

ينطلق نهائي مباراة فيناليسيما بين بطل أوروبا إيطاليا أمام بطل أمريكا الجنوبية منتخب الأرجنتين، في تمام التاسعة إلا ربع بتوقيت القاهرة.

المباراة التي تنطلق بعد أقل من ساعة، ستجمع بين بطلي أمريكا الجنوبية وأوروبا، على ملعب ويمبلي، والفائز سيتوج بالسوبر الأوروبي الأمريكي، بعد الاتفاق بين الاتحادين اليويفا والكومينبول، تحت رعاية الاتحاد الدولي “فيفا”.

طالع أيضًا.. بونوتشي: علينا احترام ميسي.. كان ولا يزال الأفضل هو ورونالدو

روبرتو مانشيني المدير الفني لمنتخب إيطاليا يدفع بـ جورجيو كيليني أساسيًا في تشكيل الأزوري، بمباراته الأخيرة بقميص بطل أوروبا.

ويشارك بيلوتي في هجوم الفريق بجانب راسبادوري وبيرنارديسكي.

بينما ليونيل سكالوني، يدفع بـ نجم باريس سان جيرمان ليونيل ميسي أساسيًا، بجانب باولو ديبالا ولاوتارو مارتينيز.

كلا الفريقين يلعبان بطريقة 4/3/3، مما يجعلنا ننتظر مباراة هجومية بين بطل كوبا أمريكا وبطل يورو الصيف الماضي. تشكيل إيطاليا أمام الأرجنتين

حراسة المرمى: دوناروما.

الدفاع: دي لورينزو، كيليني، بونوتشي، إيمرسون.

وسط الملعب: ، باريلا، بيتسينا.، جورجينيو

الهجوم: راسبادوري، بيلوتي، بيرنارديسكي تشكيل الأرجنتين أمام إيطاليا

حراسة المرمى: إيمليانو مارتينيز.

الدفاع: تاليافيكيو، مولينا، روميرو، اوتاميندي.

وسط الملعب: دي باول، رودريجيز، لوسيلسو.

الهجوم: ميسي، دي ماريا، لاوتارو مارتينيز.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has allotted more than Rs 500 million to upgrade the facilities at the three Champions Trophy venues

03-Aug-2008
Rs 240 million will be spent on upgrading the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium alone © Cricinfo Ltd
The Pakistan Cricket Board has allotted more than Rs 500 million to upgrade the facilities at the three Champions Trophy venues – Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore – ahead of September’s Champions Trophy, despite security fears over the tournament.”We are putting our best foot forward,” Mansur Sohail, PCB’s media chief, told the . “Whether its security arrangements or upgrading the facilities, nothing is being left to chance. We are confident of delivering a successful Champions Trophy to the cricket world and all possible steps are being taken to ensure it.”In 2006, Pakistan won the bid to host the Champions Trophy and decided to upgrade and expand the facilities at three of its major cricketing centres for the tournament last year.While the National Stadium in Karachi didn’t need any major changes, a lot of construction and renovation work had to be carried out at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.A total of Rs 240 million will be spent at Rawalpindi alone. Though a Test venue, it hasn’t staged an international match since December 2006. At the Gaddafi Stadium, the board will spend Rs 210 million. “The Gaddafi Stadium’s seating capacity will be raised by 6500 for the Champions Trophy,” Mansur said.The PCB had given six months to the contractors to finish work at the two venues and is now expecting the facilities to be fully ready at least ten days before the start of the tournament, which runs between September 12 and 28.