Brad Hodge has been given some hope of playing for Australia again, after being named in the preliminary 30-man squad for next year’s World Cup. Brett Lee is also in the running for Australia’s title defence, while James Pattinson is the only man in the group who hasn’t played for Australia in any format.The squad will be pruned to 15 by January 19, giving the selectors just one ODI against England to answer any remaining questions they have about their players. Lee has a strong chance of being part of the tournament, which starts in February, as he has 15 Ryobi Cup wickets at 21.73 this summer, while Hodge is the form batsman in the competition with three hundreds from seven games.”There is blend of youth and experience in this extended group with exciting young talent like David Warner, Mitchell Starc, James Pattinson and Stephen O’Keefe all pushing for inclusion in the final fifteen,” Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. “These players have some opportunity between now and January 19 to push for a spot in the final squad of 15.”Australia is the reigning world champion and also holds the ICC Champions Trophy in the 50-over game. We’ve selected an initial squad with conditions in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka in mind and expect this group to be equal to the challenge ahead.”Squad Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Doug Bollinger, Dan Christian, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Shaun Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Steve O’Keefe, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

The Redbacks have proven why they are the team to beat in this year’s Big Bash with a nine-wicket demolition of Tasmania in their top-of-the-table clash at Bellerive

The Bulletin by Alex Malcolm24-Jan-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Dan Harris made light work of the modest target•Getty ImagesThe Redbacks have proven why they are the team to beat in this year’s Big Bash with a nine-wicket demolition of Tasmania in their top-of-the-table clash at Bellerive.South Australia dominated right from outset despite losing the toss and having to bowl first. Tasmania were, in reality, the architects of their own downfall, drowning in a flurry of rash strokes to be all out for just 110 without even batting the 20 overs.Both openers gifted catches to infielders inside the first five overs while the captain George Bailey chopped on for just 1. Three soon became four when the dangerous Travis Birt, who looked to be flowing on 15, fell to a sensational one-handed catch by Aaron O’Brien at cover with the total on just 40.The innings was summed up when Rhett Lockyear was stumped after slipping over attempting to sweep and the Tigers never recovered.The spin bowlers of South Australia once again strangled their opponents, with find-of-the-summer Nathan Lyon netting 3 for 14 from four high quality overs, to take Man-of-the match honours. Originally from the ACT, Lyon was plucked from the ground-staff at the Adelaide Oval to play in a Redbacks trial game. The off spinner is now the leading wicket-taker in this year’s Big Bash. English-import Adil Rashid also took 3 for 20 after opening the bowling. He has been a handy acquisition who has fitted into the Redbacks’ game-plan perfectly.The runchase was clinical despite the loss of skipper Michael Klinger to a peach from Ben Hilfenhaus. The Test bowler found some swing in the opening over, squaring-up Klinger with a late moving outswinger, from a good length, which scratched the outside edge.But apart from that success Tasmania had little else to smile about as Dan Harris (66 not out) continued his great form to race to the target inside 12 overs with the help of Kieron Pollard’s replacement, Aiden Blizzard (36 not out). Harris was clinical striking seven boundaries and three sixes, including one off James Faulkner to seal the win.Again the Tigers didn’t help their cause by dropping Blizzard twice and Harris once in consecutive overs to confirm their fate.South Australia are now top of table with their fourth straight victory. They can host the final and book another trip to the Champions League with a win on Friday night against the struggling Bushrangers. Tasmania will need to recoup quickly as they host Western Australia on Thursday.

Former Premier League striker Kevin Campbell has predicted a mass squad overhaul at Newcastle United in the upcoming summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: A new era awaits at Newcastle

Following the completion of the protracted takeover in 2021, newly-appointed Toon manager Eddie Howe was able to sign Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Trippier, Matt Targett and Chris Wood during the January transfer window.

Those arrivals meant that previously regular first-teamers Jamal Lewis, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden were all left out of the Premier League squad for the second half of the 2021/22 campaign.

Since then, the Magpies have moved clear of the threat of relegation and can already begin planning for life in the top flight next term, as Howe himself predicted that ‘difficult decisions’ regarding the squad lie ahead.

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Those plans could well include a mass exodus, according to one onlooker…

The latest: Campbell predicts multiple departures

Speaking to Football Insider, Campbell – who works for talkSPORT as a pundit – has suggested that Howe will oversee plenty of changes to his Newcastle squad this summer.

The 52-year-old former Arsenal striker explained: “They have got to clear the decks. They might have to play some players off. That is the other thing that has to be considered.

“We saw Arsenal do it in order to create room in their squad for new signings. Players are on such good contracts now. Clubs have to pay players off in some cases.

“Newcastle will have a plan of what they want to do. I’m sure they have a deep budget. Adding quality to that squad is the order of the day. I don’t think it matters what department. They will be big, big movers and shakers this summer.”

The verdict: Exciting times

Following on from the euphoria of the eagerly anticipated takeover, the Newcastle faithful will have been delighted with the upturn in fortunes under Howe.

However, the recent defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Manchester City have served as a reality check as to just how far away the Magpies are from challenging in the upper echelons of the Premier League.

Similar smart recruitment akin to what was an impressive January window would suffice for the Toon, whilst the likes of Lewis, Clark and Hayden in particular could be fearing for their futures at St James’ Park as the new-look hierarchy make their intentions known.

Beyond that outcast trio, the likes of lesser-seen players such as Federico Fernandez, Paul Dummett, Jeff Hendrick and Dwight Gayle (just 22 combined Newcastle appearances this season) might all be fearing for their roles in Howe’s plans, should Campbell be on the money with his prediction.

In other news, talkSPORT man admits ‘concern’ over Newcastle star

تباحث أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة، اليوم الاثنين مع رجل الأعمال أنسي ساويرس، آليات دعم مؤسسة ساويرس للتنمية الاجتماعية للمنتخبات الوطنية، وبخاصة في مرحلة الناشئين بمبلغ 250 مليون جنيه، خلال الفترة المقبلة.

واجتمع الوزير مع رجل الأعمال بحضور الإعلامي سيف زاهر، وهيثم عبد العظيم رئيس مجلس إدارة شركة أورا، وقيادات من وزارة الشباب والرياضة.

طالع أيضًا.. وزير الرياضة يهنئ اتحاد التايكوندو ببرونزية سيف عيسى.. وهنا جودة بذهبية بطولة العالم لتنس الطاولة

وناقش الطرفان سبل التعاون المشترك بين وزارة الشباب والرياضة ومؤسسة ساويرس للتنمية الاجتماعية، ودعم كرة القدم المصرية، مع تقديم دعم مادي يقرب من 250 مليون جنيه كدعم للمنتخبات الوطنية وبخاصة في مرحلة الناشئين.

في سياق ذلك، أكد وزير الشباب والرياضة دور الدولة المستمر لدعم أبطاله ولاعبي المنتخبات الوطنية لمختلف اللعبات، وتذليل كافة العقبات أمام المنتخبات الوطنية في كرة القدم، وذلك بالتعاون المستمر مع مؤسسات القطاع الخاص مشيرا أن هناك مشروعات طموحا لتطوير منظومة كرة القدم المصرية يستهدف جميع المنتخبات ودعم المشاركات المصرية وتطوير منظومة رعاية موهوبي كرة القدم خلال الفترة من 2022 حتى 2034.

وتم التنسيق خلال الاجتماع على إنشاء وحدة خاصة ضمن صندوق دعم الرياضة المصري مع مؤسسة ساويرس، باعتبار أن الصندوق يمثل الخطوة الأكثر شمولاً واستدامة التي توجت الجهود المبذولة في مجال توفير الرعايات الخاصة والدعم المناسب للمنتخبات الوطنية والأبطال الأولمبيين والمنتخبات والفرق القومية المؤهلة لمختلف المنافسات العالمية وخاصة الألعاب الأولمبية.

Mitchell Johnson has spied the doubts in the eyes of the England batsmen after regaining his powers as one of the game’s most potent fast bowlers

Peter English at the WACA19-Dec-2010

Mitchell Johnson has spied the doubts in the eyes of the England batsmen after regaining his powers as one of the game’s most potent fast bowlers. Johnson responded from his dropping in Adelaide with nine wickets in the third Test, including a game-turning effort on the second day which Ricky Ponting called “one of the all-time great Ashes spells”.His inswingers to the right-handers at 140kph make him a brutal weapon and he was a constant threat to England’s batsmen during the 267-run victory. “I saw a bit of doubt in their minds throughout the second innings and when that ball is swinging around it puts a lot of doubt in people’s minds,” Johnson said. “But there are still two Tests to go and I’ve got to take it one at a time, keep trying to improve as a cricketer.”Johnson spent two weeks rebuilding his action in the nets with Troy Cooley, the bowling coach, before the contest and Ponting was hugely satisfied with the results. England were 0 for 78 in the first innings before crashing to 187 after Johnson’s stunning burst of 4 for 7 in the opening session of the second day.”The ball was swinging and Mitch’s spell was probably one of the all-time great Ashes spells,” Ponting said. “Him coming into the game under a bit of pressure as well, it was an amazing achievement and set up this victory and the series for us.”The spell has transformed him and transformed how they think about him in the English dressing room. Some of the deliveries he bowled will have them seriously thinking about how they play him. I heard rumours coming into the game that they had Mitch’s type of bowling worked out – I am not sure they think that now. You don’t end up with the record he has by fluke, you have to have a lot of skill and commitment.”After taking 6 for 38 in the first innings, Johnson backed up with 3 for 44 in the second as he and Ryan Harris knocked England over for 123. Harris matched his team-mate’s haul of nine wickets, finishing with a career-best 6 for 47.Harris’ collection included four of the five victims on the final morning, with the crucial breakthroughs being the lbw of Ian Bell and the edge of Matt Prior. He has played only four Tests but already has 20 wickets and has quickly become a key member of the developing attack.”He’s not put a foot wrong and is at home in the international game,” Ponting said. “It was great to see him get that reward. He has toiled away all week and to see him contribute the way he has is great for him and the team.”Harris’ only worry is the state of his right knee, which was operated on a couple of times during the off-season. The pain will stay with him for the rest of his career, but it is not going to stop him from taking part in the fourth Test on Boxing Day.”He’s just taken six-for in a Test match so he’s fine,” Ponting said. “He’s got a couple of extra days off now so that will help.”

Ramnaresh Sarwan made a composed hundred, and Andre Russell and Kemar Roach combined to take seven wickets, to give the West Indies a 61-win over Kenya

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Feb-2011
ScorecardRamnaresh Sarwan rescued West Indies from a poor start•Getty ImagesRamnaresh Sarwan made a composed hundred, and Andre Russell and Kemar Roach combined to take seven wickets, to give the West Indies a 61-win over Kenya in their World Cup warm-up match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.Sarwan was not selected for the original tour of Sri Lanka last year because of concerns about his fitness, before being named in the World Cup squad, but this innings should put to rest any lingering doubts about his readiness for international cricket. Sarwan came to the crease with the West Indies in a spot of bother at 32 for 2, with Thomas Odoyo having removed openers Devon Smith and Adrian Barath inside the first 10 overs. Darren Bravo and Shivnarine Chanderpaul followed their team-mates back to the pavilion with only 65 on the board, but Dwayne Bravo stuck around long enough to make a half-century, and together with Sarwan added 94 for the fifth wicket to steady the innings.Bravo eventually fell to Steve Tikolo for 54, but Sarwan batted through the 50-overs – he was run-out off the last ball of the innings – to make 123, and take West Indies to a defendable total. Sarwan struck 11 fours and five sixes in his 125-ball knock.Kenya began confidently with opener Seren Waters making 43 and Collins Obuya 68, but they were always behind the required run-rate, and when Darren Sammy bowled Tikolo for 15, it sparked a middle order collapse. Roach bowled Obuya and trapped Maurice Ouma leg before, before Russell polished off the tail to make sure there would be no repeat of Kenya’s famous victory in the 1996 World Cup.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah ahead of the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

According to The Mirror, the Magpies are one of a number of clubs hoping to snap him up on a free transfer at the end of the season.

Eddie Howe is plotting a swoop for the striker but will need to fight off interest from Brighton, West Ham and Crystal Palace, among others.

The striker is valued at £9m by Transfermarkt at present.

Huge upgrade on Chris Wood

PIF must ensure that they can work with Howe to get this deal over the line as Nketiah would be a huge upgrade on Wood at the top end of the pitch.

Newcastle brought the New Zealand international in from Burnley during the January transfer window and he has struggled to live up to his £25m value.

Since arriving on Tyneside, he has found the back of the net twice in 16 appearances – once from open play – for the Magpies. He has scored five goals in 33 games for the Clarets and the Toon combined this term – missing nine ‘big chances’ and amassing 8.22 Expected Goals along the way.

Nketiah, meanwhile, has started five Premier League matches for the Gunners and produced four goals and one assist from 4.26 xG. This shows that he is finishing off the chances he is being provided with instead of wasting them, as Wood has been doing throughout the season.

Former Magpies forward Michael Owen previously lavished praise on the Englishman, saying: “He’s very good. He’s got a real smell for it, hasn’t he? He knows where the ball’s going to drop. I like his movement. I like his hunger to score goals. With his attitude, the way he plays, he’s just going to be a goal machine all his career.”

He also excelled in the EFL Cup as he scored five times in four starts in the competition earlier in the season for the Gunners. This means that he has scored nine goals in nine starts for Arsenal in the League Cup and Premier League combined, living up to Owen’s comments on his goalscoring prowess.

Nketiah is also eight years younger than Wood and this means that he has the potential to improve and develop over time. He is already proving himself to be a better striker than the former Burnley man, so imagine how good he can be after a couple of seasons working with Howe.

The £17k-per-week England U21 international would be a major upgrade on the 30-year-old dud and Newcastle must work hard to get this deal done.

AND in other news, “Sources have confirmed”: Edwards drops huge Newcastle claim that’ll excite supporters…

German source Sport Bild has now shared a big transfer update out of Southampton involving Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

The Lowdown: Saints gear for summer…

The Saints and manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be gearing up for the 2022/2023 Premier League campaign behind the scenes.

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Links have already emerged to summer targets as the St Mary’s side seek to build and potentially challenge for a place higher up the top flight table next year.

It is believed that a fair few of Hasenhuttl’s squad could be heading out the door given their contract situations, including Moussa Djenepo, Nathan Redmond and Theo Walcott (GiveMeSport).

In terms of incomings, Sport Bild (via Sport Witness) now have an interesting update involving in-form Bundesliga talisman Awoniyi.

The Latest: Southampton ‘trying to sign’ Awoniyi…

The German publication claims Hasenhuttl and co are ‘trying to sign’ Union’s striker as they now attempt a move.

This comes as Chelsea loanee and star striker Armando Broja looks set to leave Southampton and return to his parent club with a permanent deal looking unlikely as things stand.

The Verdict: Get it done…

Scoring a solid return of 13 goals in 29 top flight appearances this season, the Nigeria international has been called ‘remarkable’ for his form over 2021/2022 (Stefan Bienkowski, Bundesliga reporter).

It is believed that Awoniyi has a meagre €20 million (£17m) release clause in his deal, an affordable fee which would allow Southampton to bypass negotiations and head straight to talks over personal terms with the player.

This could mark the 24-year-old out as a seriously credible transfer target for Hasenhuttl and there is little surprise his side are now attempting a move.

In other news: ‘Quite a key figure’ – Journalist shocked by who could now leave Southampton, find out more here.

by one wicket
ScorecardChris Woakes kept his cool to guide England to an eighth Twenty20 win in a row•Getty Images

Chris Woakes showed nerves of steel on his international debut to seal England a thrilling one-wicket victory at Adelaide and a world-record eighth Twenty20 win on the trot. Woakes finished unbeaten on 19 from 15 balls as he struck the final ball over midwicket having lost Graeme Swann at the start of the last over with four needed.Ajmal Shahzad faced two dot balls before scrambling to the non-striker’s end then Woakes scythed Shane Watson, who produced an outstanding all-round display with 59 and four wickets, through backward point to level the scores and ensure, at worst, England couldn’t lose. They really shouldn’t have pushed it so close having always been in control of the asking rate, but it’s a credit to their belief that they could still pull through for victory despite a late clatter of wickets.Watson will feel the defeat particularly acutely having almost pulled the match back for Australia. Eoin Morgan, in his first major innings since September, had eased 43 off 33 balls when he drove to cover and Michael Yardy fell first ball as he failed to get his bat out of the line of a short ball. But Woakes, a replacement for Stuart Broad in the England squad, showed why he was sent in ahead of Swann when he pulled Shaun Tait for a mighty six and was there to see his side home.Australia were still some way short of the standards they set themselves having lost momentum with the bat after a fine start, the combined eight overs of Tait and Brett Lee went for 81, and their fielding display included a number of errors. They should have struck first ball of the innings but Steve O’Keefe dropped a regulation chance at square leg as Ian Bell went to pull Tait. Bell responded with three boundaries, including an effortless back-foot drive which oozed the class he has shown all tour.England clearly weren’t going to hold back in the first six overs. It was thrilling cricket to watch as the sides traded boundaries and wickets. Steven Davies drove his second ball to cover to give Brett Lee a wicket on his international return then Bell was given a second life, again off Tait, when David Warner dropped a tough chance at backward point.Bell, playing his first Twenty20 international since 2008, unleashed an uppercut over third man of which Virender Sehwag would have been proud and Kevin Pietersen didn’t want to be left behind as he joined in the boundary hunt. Australia continued to lapse in the field as O’Keefe let one through his legs at deep square-leg with England scoring at more than 10-an-over.The batsmen didn’t want to rein themselves in, however, even though the asking-rate was plummeting, and Bell drove Mitchell Johnson’s third ball to cover. O’Keefe, meanwhile, must have feared how his evening would develop when Pietersen hit his first two balls for four and six but the left-arm spinner struck back when Pietersen failed to clear a leaping David Hussey at mid-off. It was a needless shot in terms of the run-rate, but England’s tactic – which has reaped rich rewards – has been to go hard regardless in the first six overs.The situation was made for steady accumulation and for a period Morgan and Paul Collingwood calmly ticked off the runs. It was hard to tell which batsman had barely played an innings since the end of the English season. Morgan pulled Lee for six then placed him perfectly over mid-off, but kept losing partners when Collingwood top-edged a sweep and Luke Wright walked across his stumps. And for once, Morgan couldn’t finish the game himself.Australia had threatened a far greater total than 157 when Watson was cutting loose to take Swann’s first over for 26 on the way to a 27-ball half-century. He added 83 for the first wicket with Warner, but when the pair were separated the innings struggled to regain momentum and Australia failed to double their score.Watson struck one boundary off Bresnan so hard that his bat broke, but the real damage came against the spinners. Yardy’s opening over cost nine before Watson took Swann’s first three deliveries over midwicket for increasingly large sixes and he added another boundary to reach fifty. Yardy, though, is a canny operator and fired one past Watson’s attempted cut to give England a much-needed boost and he later had Warner taken at deep midwicket.Despite Watson’s departure Swann was whipped out of the attack but when he returned he produced a tight three overs which only went for 14. Hussey struggled to find his usual striking range, and though he eventually pulled Bresnan over midwicket for six. he then missed a perfect yorker next ball. England’s bowlers were superb in the closing overs and the final result once again showed how the smallest of margins can make the difference in Twenty20 cricket.

South Africa wrapped up the series 3-0 with two matches still to play with another ruthless performance against Zimbabwe, winning by 157 runs in Franschhoek

ESPNcricinfo staff16-Jan-2011
ScorecardSouth Africa wrapped up the series 3-0 with two matches still to play with another ruthless performance against Zimbabwe at the Bridge House School in Franschhoek. In the absence of regular captain Keaton Jennings, who had scored half-centuries in each of the first two matches, the rest of South Africa’s batsmen took up the mantle and took their team to a score of 293. Thereafter South Africa’s spin duo of left-armer Prenelan Subrayen and legspinner Lionel Vaaltyn ran through Zimbabwe’s line-up, taking eight wickets between them as the visitors were bowled out for 136 in 40.3 overs.James Price, who scored 98 in the first match of the series, was the only one of South Africa’s top seven who scored less than 25 as everyone contributed to the total. After Price and his fellow opener Quinton de Kock were out, Regardt Verster and Johan du Preez put together 96 in quick time. The scoring-rate dipped between the 25th and 40th overs, but Vaaltyn’s 38 off 25 balls and captain Shaylin Pillay’s quick-fire 20 picked it up again and South Africa reached the biggest total of the series so far.Zimbabwe were given a brief moment of hope of at least putting up a fight when Godwill Mamhiyo and Kevin Kasuza put together 63 for the second wicket. But Vaaltyn and Subrayen dismantled the rest of their line-up. Vaaltyn struck first, removing Kasuza and then getting two more wickets, and Subrayen ran through the lower-middle order and tail as Zimbabwe surrendered meekly.