The batsman he idolises got 774 runs at a mind-boggling average of 154.80 in his debut series here in the Caribbean almost 31 years ago. But the 25-year-old Shiv Sunder Das, with 1202 Test runs at an average of 40.06 (two centuries against Zimbabwe), knows well that emulating Sunil Gavaskar is probably impossible.India’s most dependable opener after Navjot Singh Sidhu, however, is a born optimist; he wants to score big hundreds in this series. “In fact, that’s the only area where I have failed in my previous tours. I played reasonably well in South Africa and Zimbabwe, but failed to convert those fifties into three-figure marks. My second hundred in Nagpur boosted my confidence. I am now eager to make the most of it and concentrate more,” said Das.Already, he has had seven opening partners in the 18 Tests in which he has appeared for the country. He is not complaining though. “It is an area where I can do nothing. If you are playing with a particular partner for some days, it improves on-the-wicket understanding. But basically, our (the openers’) job remains the same – to allow the batsmen scheduled to come later more freedom by seeing the polish off the new ball and putting some runs on the board,” he said.For the last six Tests, however, he has been opening with Deep Dasgupta and it is more than likely that the duo will open in the Guyana Test too. Dasgupta might have struggled behind the stumps, but with the batting gloves on, he averages almost 40 at the top of the order. So the team management is in favour of giving him a couple more opportunities.”Since we both come from the same zone, we have had earlier experience of batting together. He did play well and we have a good understanding. The way he played in South Africa was simply superb,” Das said about Dasgupta.The Orissa opener, meanwhile, had his preparatory sessions on the matting wickets of Bhubaneshwar, where the pacers were asked to bowl to him from 18-yards with wet tennis balls. “I did so to master the lifting deliveries and the pace. I know the West Indian bowling attack, sans Walsh and Ambrose, seems vulnerable, but on their own grounds, they can be formidable.”And although, they are losing outside their country consistently, they are still the team to beat in their own backyard. So, I’d tried to be as prepared as I could. I even watched the West Indies, Pakistan series in Sharjah to have a feel of how their faster bowlers bowl. I now know how Dillon and Cuffy bowl. That will be an advantage for me since I’ll be playing them for the first time in a Test match,” Das said.The West Indian wickets have become increasingly lifeless over the last few years. But Indian batsmen, as we all know, have always discovered new ways and new bowlers to get out whenever they have been abroad. And the capitulation had always begun at the top of the order. Das is determined to do his bit to put an end to that. If he succeeds, Sourav Ganguly’s India would surely be grateful.

Paul Robinson has been deliberating over the prospect of West Ham acquiring reported target James Tarkowski for £15m this summer

The Lowdown: West Ham get busy in transfer market

As the 2021/22 season fast approaches, Irons fans up and down the country will be intrigued to see how West Ham go about improving upon their outstanding sixth-placed finish last term.

Already busy in the transfer market, the east Londoners have completed the signings of Craig Dawson (permanent) and Armstrong Oko-Flex respectively. However, perhaps their most high-profile documented pursuit has been that of Burnley skipper James Tarkowski.

Recent reports have suggested that his current employers may look to cash in on him this summer rather than lose his services for nothing in 2022 when his contract expires [Football Insider].

The Latest: Robinson evaluates pros and cons of Tarkowski situation

In light of these developments, Sky Sports pundit Robinson evaluated the positives and negatives of a potential switch in a recent interview with Football Insider, stating:

“Tarkowski is into the final year of his contract now and Burnley do not want to lose him on a free next season.

“There is one big question that the club need to ask though. Can they get the money they want for him now?

“They need to assess whether it is worth taking £15million or so from a West Ham for him. He could guarantee them Premier League safety next year and if that is to be the case perhaps it is worth keeping him for one more season and losing him on a free.

“The pros and cons need to be weighed up because he brings so much value to that side.”

The Verdict: West Ham are in a favourable position to acquire Tarkowski

This situation may well work in the Hammers’ favour either in the short- or long-term.

Tarkowski was outstanding for Burnley in 2020/21, making 39 appearances for the Clarets and scoring once [Transfermarkt], and Robinson rightly suggests that the Lancashire club will not fancy seeing the 28-year-old leave Turf Moor on a Bosman deal next year.

Mooted to prospectively be available for the quoted £15m fee in this transfer window, West Ham may be able to snap up an England international for a fraction of his true value. On the other hand, the Mancunian is unlikely to agree new terms with Sean Dyche’s club.

Should this come to pass, the Irons may be able to land a defender in the prime of his career in 2022 without paying a single penny. Looking ahead, it may be worth waiting 12 months should the east Londoners have the luxury to do so.

In other news, these West Ham fans react to a transfer update on a La Liga ace.

England are struggling to avoid a serious batting crisis going into the first Test of their three-match National Bank series with New Zealand

Lynn McConnell04-Mar-2002
MarcusTrescothick
Photo CricInfo
England are struggling to avoid a serious batting crisis going into the first Test of their three-match National Bank series with New Zealand.Two collapses suffered against State Championship minnows Otago, their late arrivals from England all struggling for form and time in the middle, their leading batsman on the last day of their game against Otago, Marcus Trescothick, complaining of concentration problems and the prospect of no respite against a stronger Canterbury team in their next game starting on Thursday at Hagley Oval.The only point in England’s favour going into the Test has to be that New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond is still on the injured list.Trescothick admitted after today’s drawn game with Otago that he was tired after having played all of England’s one-dayers against India and New Zealand and in most of the other games on the Test section of the Indian tour.He was hopeful that he might be spared duty when Nasser Hussain returns to lead the side against Canterbury.”I find I’m not mentally switched on when I’m going out to bat.”I found that in the last two or three one-day games,” he said.It was a problem that needed to be assessed as soon as it happened to find out what was going wrong and try hard to put it right.”I’ve found it very tough to concentrate. I’ve been going out and working really hard in the nets, almost twice as hard as I normally do, trying to get it right but the mental side of it has been the problem and being able to concentrate properly,” he said.Trescothick said he had a similar problem last summer when scoring five centuries in six innings just before the first Test against Australia. He took a week off before the second Test and scored a century in the second innings so on that occasion the break had worked.It was a fact with the amount of cricket being played that this sort of thing happened.”If anything I need a bit more of a break than the constant cricket,” he said.However, his innings of 68 today in England’s second innings had been of some comfort to him as he found his batting rhythm returning and he was pleased with his shot selection.His newly-arrived team-mates from England did struggle to make an impact however and it would be tough for them to be ready in time for the Test.”Two games to warm up is all right for those who were here for the one-day games, the rest of the guys, I don’t know. Having come from England where there was no outdoor practice, it will be tough for them,” he said.While not dominating Otago, England had managed to “cover” them, he said and there had been some good opportunities for the bowlers to have a good, long bowl.”We should have batted a lot better than we did, we still came out of it OK,” he said.Leading bowler Andy Caddick did pick up seven wickets during the game and he had a good work out.”He’s still got a little bit of work to do – his rhythms were coming back the more and more he bowled. He came back right at the end bowling five overs, sometimes I’ve seen him and that’s the best time he bowls, when he is quite tired. Sort of running him into the ground almost, as he tends to get a bit more rhythm,” Trescothick said.

Andover’s bid to remain in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership race has been hit by the absence of four key players against all-day specialists BAT Sports at London Road tomorrow, 11 o’clock

Mike Vimpany (as produced in the Southern Daily Echo)20-Jun-2002Andover’s bid to remain in the ECB Southern Electric Premier League leadership race has been hit by the absence of four key players against all-day specialists BAT Sports at London Road tomorrow, 11 o’clock.Jerry Hayward, all-rounder Ian Langdown and opening bowler Dean Woodhouse, along with fractured wrist victim Toby Radford, are absent against BAT, who have moved menacingly into second place behind Havant.Andover led the field for the first six weeks of the season, but crashed to a heavy defeat in their opening `time’ game at Portsmouth last week.Second XI captain Tim Keighley and teenager Rob James, who hit an unbeaten Hampshire League half-century last week, get the Andover call.BAT, all-conquering in all-day cricket since June last year, are unchanged, with left-arm paceman Dan Goldstraw eager to build upon his six-wicket return against Bashley (Rydal) last week.Leaders Havant are without Steve Snell, on Lord’s groundstaff duty at the Benson & Hedges Cup final, against lowly Burridge at Havant Park.Burridge, in need of a victory after playing only four games so far, surprisingly knocked Havant out of the SEC Cup in midweek.Also in need of a bonus are second-from-bottom Calmore Sports, who entertain Portsmouth at Loperwood Park. Teenager Doug Bellchamber, plagued with back problems, returns for Portsmouth, who otherwise field the side which trounced Andover last week.Bashley (Rydal) have slipped down the table after a series of inept batting performances. Fit-again Chris Sketchley returns from an ankle injury and John Whiting is back for the trip to South Wilts."Lower Bemerton is normally a road," said beleaguered skipper Neil Taylor. "So we have every reason to apply ourselves and get some runs on it."We’ve had one batting failure after another and the fact that Hampshire’s James Tomlinson is playing for Cardiff University tomorrow should boost our chances of getting some runs on the board."South Wilts are also without Tim Lamb, but have Russell Rowe anxious to improve on his 330-run tally for the season.Teenager Tom Webley faces an exhausting 400-mile tea-time trek from Blackpool to play for Bournemouth at Liphook & Ripsley.Webley has been in Blackpool this week playing for Somerset in a Second XI Championship match against Lancashire II."If the game goes the distance, I can’t see myself getting back to Bournemouth until the early hours of tomorrow (SAT) morning," Webley explained from his seaside hotel last night."And I’ve go to be at Chapel Gate for an 8.30am departure, so it looks as though I’ll be eating my cornflakes going along in the car !"Alex Allum, who hit a match-winning 67 not out for Bournemouth’s Hampshire League side at Basingstoke & North Hants last week, could be poised for a first team recall.David Kidner pulled up with a recurrence of a long standing back injury in last week’s drawn match with Calmore Sports and could miss the Liphook trip.

Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, according to Completesports.com.

The Lowdown: Romano’s transfer claim

Adarabioyo made the move to Craven Cottage last October for just under £1.5m. He made 34 appearances in all competitions under Scott Parker but couldn’t help the Cottagers prevent an immediate return to the second tier.

Reliable transfer expert Fabrizio Romano shared some news on the centre-back earlier this week. He suggested Adarabioyo could leave the club this summer and has a £10m buy-out clause in his current contract.

The Latest: Villa aren’t the only side keen

Completesports.com shared a transfer update on the defender on Wednesday evening.

They suggested that Villa, along with Newcastle United, Norwich City, Southampton and West Ham United are all interested in the player who Pep Guardiola described as an ‘exceptional person’ earlier this year.

The Verdict: A smart option?

Bringing in Adarabioyo for £10m could be a shrewd piece of business by sporting director Johan Lange.

It seems as if Villa are looking to offload Bjorn Engels this summer, and should they succeed in doing so, would be left with three senior centre-backs.

One injury to Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings or Kortney Hause may leave Dean Smith sweating, so bringing in a new centre-back could be handy.

Adarabioyo has a full season of Premier League experience under his belt, and at the age of 23, you’d expect he can still improve even further into a solid top-flight defender.

In other news: Villa linked with move for Chelsea teenager, fans react, find out more here. 

أعلن الاتحاد المصري لكرة الطائرة، عن موعد المباراة النهائية لبطولة كأس مصر والتي تجمع بين الأهلي والزمالك.

وكان الأهلي قد تأهل للمباراة النهائية بعد فوزه على نظيره بتروجيت، بنتيجة (2-0).

كما أن الزمالك صعد لهذا الدور، بعد الفوز على نظيره طلائع الجيش، بنتيجة 2-0.

طالع | اتحاد الكرة الطائرة يعلن تغريم لاعب الأهلي بسبب سلوكه أمام الزمالك موعد مباراة الأهلي والزمالك في نهائي كأس مصر للكرة الطائرة

وأخطر اتحاد الطائرة ناديي الأهلي والزمالك، بأن المباراة الأولي ستكون يوم الجمعة الموافق 22 أبريل الجاري في تمام الساعة 11 مساءً بصالة حسن مصطفى بأكتوبر.

والمباراة الثانية ستكون يوم السبت الموافق 23 أبريل، في تمام الساعة 11 مساءً. 

وأشار الاتحاد المصري لكرة الطائرة، بأنه في حالة فوز كل فريق بمباراة، ستلعب مباراة فاصلة يوم الأحد 24 أبريل، وذلك في تمام الساعة 12، لتحديد البطل.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي طلائع الجيش مع بتروجيت، في مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع ببطولة كأس مصر.

جدير بالذكر، أن الزمالك هو حامل لقب البطولة الماضية عقب فوزه على غريمه التقليدي الأهلي بنتيجة (3-2)، في اللقاء الذي أقيم على صالة هيئة قناة السويس بمدينة الإسماعيلية.

Crystal Palace have angered some of their supporters after their official Twitter account posted Ian Holloway’s famous speech ahead of their crucial 2012/13 fixture against Peterborough United, from their new documentary When Eagles Dare.

Still without a manager after the departure of Roy Hodgson last month, Palace face an enormous task to restructure their backroom and playing staff, having also released 22 first team players earlier in June following the publication of the Eagles’ retained list [The Sun].

Lucien Favre now seems to be the frontrunner for the vacant role in the Selhurst Park dugout [Inside Futbol], butno such announcement has come to pass as pre-season draws ever closer for the south Londoners.

Upon viewing yet another official club post without an announcement on managerial clarity, loads of Crystal Palace fans took to Twitter to vent their frustrations at the lack of white smoke on that front.

Crystal Palace fans react:

Replying to the club’s official Twitter page, here is how some fans summarised their opinions on the documentary clipping in the context of the ongoing managerial search:

“Not back to this are we lads? Thought we moved on ahahah”

Credit: @rileyeaglesWow didn’t know that you released a documentary!Credit: @bentekefan0″Lads please, you’re killing me”Credit: @BenM_CPFC”I don’t see Favre tho”Credit: @CPFCMax9