All posts by h716a5.icu

Darren Sammy insisted his side can make the quarter-finals, and that they can overcome the loss of Dwayne Bravo

Firdose Moonda in Delhi27-Feb-2011The West Indies squad formed a circle around the small field where they were going to do their fitness drills in Delhi. Two players took turns standing in the middle and hurling an inflated ball at their team-mates, who had to get out of the way or get hurt. They squealed and squirmed and amid the protests most managed to avoid being blasted in the end.Not so when they are not in training.The squad has been playing a figurative dodgeball with the media since the mid-90s and most times they get stung hard. Most of the international press don’t have any positive feelings about the side, their ability, their commitment, their desire and their skills and nothing the players can say will change their minds. Those critics don’t want justification, they want crucification, a forum to tell the men from the Caribbean, time and time again, that they have failed their predecessors and are simply not good enough.This time it came as an accusation when a reporter said the West Indian batsmen were not prepared for South Africa opening the bowling with a spinner in their World Cup match on Thursday. “We were not caught off guard,” Darren Sammy, the West Indies captain said. He was, of course, challenged on that statement. Why was Chris Gayle out after three balls if they weren’t surprised? “These things happen in cricket,” Sammy explained, before he attempted to justify further. “The second wicket pair put on a partnership of over 100.”None of it mattered, because the hyenas wanted more. The West Indies had only scored 222 in their first match of the tournament and hadn’t even been able to bat out all fifty overs. The Netherlands, who they will play on Monday, managed to bat out their full allotment of overs and post 292 against England. Dodge that one, Darren.Darren Sammy insists West Indies can cope with the loss of Dwayne Bravo•AFP”They put on a good batting display against England. We saw how England bowled to them. We’ve been practicing hard in the nets. Our bowlers did their best defending 223 but we need a better batting and fielding performance.”Ah yes, that’s what they want to hear: the West Indies admitting that they have to try harder and that they need to do more and that’s it going to be difficult for them to do that. Already, the last part of that is fact because they are missing premier allrounder Dwayne Bravo, who injured his knee in the match against South Africa. “He covers two options for us, with bat and ball,” Sammy said. “The other allrounders, and I am one of them, will have to put up their hands and put performances in on the field.”Sammy gave little indication suggesting who may replace Bravo. Having seen the South African spinners perform well on the Kotla pitch, he said that Nikita Miller “has a strong case for coming into the starting XI.” That will leave them a batsman short given the lack of penetration in their attack, it may be more beneficial to have the extra bowler.Bravo’s loss is going to present the West Indies with this puzzle for the remainder of the tournament, they’ll have to continually “rethink combinations” and will need to be able to rely on the top order batsmen like Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo even more than usual. It’s a massive setback in their attempt to dodge more claims of incompetence, but it’s one they are determined to turn into a positive. “Dwayne’s injury will be an inspiration for us,” Sammy said. “We’ve seen him give his heart for the West Indies and we are going to do the same.”It’s a nice thought but not one that has anyone convinced that West Indies are serious about what they’re here to do as could be heard from the snide sneers when that comment came out. Sammy became more serious, trying his best to put across that the knockouts are still in his team’s sights. “Everyone in this team is responsible. We know what to expect. This is a must-win game for us.”

According to an update by reliable journalist Alan Nixon of The Sun, there has been a development in West Ham United’s search for a striker involving Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Lowdown: West Ham in forward hunt…

Coming a year after West Ham sold club-record signing Sebastien Haller to Ajax, David Moyes is still yet to see a confirmed replacement come through the door at Rush Green.

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That isn’t for lack of trying, as the Hammers and recruitment chief Rob Newman draw up a list of targets, with offers having already been made according to reports.

Sky Sports reported that West Ham made a loan-to-buy bid for Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa, news which has since been backed by the player’s own representative, while the Irons are also weighing a move for Blackburn Rovers star Ben Brereton Diaz.

In a surprise update, Moyes and co have now set their sights on an England international.

The Latest: West Ham on Calvert-Lewin alert…

Writing for The Sun, reliable reporter Nixon claimed that Moyes has been ‘alerted’ to the possible availability of Toffees forward Calvert-Lewin, but it will cost them an eye-watering £60m.

The Hammers boss would apparently ‘really push the boat out’ to sign him but Everton’s valuation is currently too high.

Refusing to rule out a move, Nixon believes that West Ham will be right at ‘the head of the queue’ if that aspect of the story changes.

The Verdict: Big claim…

There is little doubt that Calvert-Lewin would be the ultimate centre-forward signing if West Ham decide to make a move, even despite his injury-ridden 2021/22 campaign.

Called ‘sensational’ by former West Ham favourite Tony Cottee, the £100,000-per-week striker scored 16 goals in 32 Premier League starts last term, whilst also averaging more attempts at goal per 90 than any Everton player (WhoScored).

At 24 years of age, Calvert-Lewin also comes with real potential for sell-on value, and his homegrown status comes as another incentive.

However, given that West Ham may have to break their transfer record again to land him, this is a move on which Moyes and Newman will have to deliberate carefully.

In other news: ExWHUemployee claims West Ham are eyeing ‘absolutely incredible’ ace with loan-to-buy move in discussion, find out more here.

England Under-19s made steady progress on a rain-interrupted second day to finish 32 runs behind Sri Lanka Under-19s in the first Test at Northampton

Cricinfo staff22-Jul-2010England U19s 255 for 5 (Javid 79* Rafiq 73*) trail Sri Lanka U19s 287 (Dunn 4-50) by 32 runs
ScorecardAzeem Rafiq followed up his 23 overs on the first day with an unbeaten 73•PA PhotosEngland Under-19s made steady progress on a rain-interrupted second day to finish 32 runs behind Sri Lanka Under-19s in the first Test at Northampton. When bad light brought a premature end to proceedings captain Azeem Rafiq and Ateeq Javid were both unbeaten with half-centuries having guided England out of trouble after they had slipped to 123 for 5.With conditions still aiding the seamers Sri Lanka had to wait until the 23rd over to strike, with Charith Jayampathi snaring Daniel Bell-Drummond for a 32. Having broken the 77-run opening stand Jayampathi burst through with two quick wickets in his next over. He had Joe Root caught for a patient 40 and removed Luke Wells two balls later.With England wobbling on 78 for 3 Lewis Gregory joined Javid for a careful 45-run stand before Chathura Peiris revived Sri Lanka’s fortunes with two wickets in two balls. First he trapped Gregory in front and then had Jack Manuel caught for a duck.Thereafter Javid and Rafiq took control, easing to a 122-run stand in just under 31 overs. Rafiq was the more positive of the two, stroking 12 boundaries while Javid ticked along at his own pace, facing 130 balls for his 79. With the captain at the helm, England will look to push on tomorrow and, weather permitting, build a lead big enough to ensure there is no way back for the tourists.

Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has said he is ready to meet the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to “clear things out” with regard to the one-year ban slapped on him by the board

Cricinfo staff23-Jun-2010Pakistan fast bowler Rana Naved-ul-Hasan has said he is ready to meet the PCB chairman Ijaz Butt to “clear things out” with regard to the one-year ban slapped on him by the board. Naved-ul-Hasan’s appeal hearing was postponed until June 26 and in the meantime he was asked to approach the PCB and request it to reconsider his punishment.”I am ready to meet the PCB chief to clear things out,” Naved told “I will respond to the PCB call immediately but so far I haven’t received any word since my hearing was adjourned on Saturday.”Naved-ul-Hasan, along with several of his team-mates, was punished by the PCB following the tour of Australia in 2009-10. He was banned for one year and slapped with a Rs 2 million fine. All the punished players, barring Naved-ul-Hasan, Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf, met the PCB and had their bans revoked, and fines lifted or reduced. Yousuf did not file an appeal against his ban because he had retired from international cricket.Younis’ situation, however, is unclear. His ban was reversed by the PCB but he was not selected in the Twenty20 or Test squads for the tour to England, which begins later this month. “As per order by Irfan Qadir [the arbitrator], we will send another showcause notice to Younus in a couple of days,” PCB lawyer Talib Rizvi said.Over the last couple of weeks the sense has emerged that the board will not let Younis back in unless he apologises for what they deem to be his mistakes, as the other returnees have done. Butt said last week that Younis’s return would require clearance from the board, an issue that wasn’t deemed to be an issue at all with Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi and the Akmal brothers.

England surged to a six-wicket win on the third afternoon of their tour match against Western Australia at Perth, captain Andrew Strauss’s unbeaten 120 guiding their fourth-innings pursuit of 243

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Nov-2010
Scorecard
Andrew Strauss acknowledges applause after a match-winning century•Getty ImagesEngland surged to a six-wicket win on the third afternoon of their tour match against Western Australia at Perth, captain Andrew Strauss’s unbeaten 120 guiding their fourth-innings pursuit of 243. Four wickets for Graeme Swann, with admirable back-up from Stuart Broad and Steven Finn, had brought England back into the game after Western Australia started the day well placed at 1 for 109. The last nine wickets tumbled for 93 runs to set up England’s second-innings chase, and though Alastair Cook again fell early Strauss ran to an aggressive hundred and a string of contributions from the middle order sealed the win in the 48th over.England looked set for a long day in the field while Wes Robinson and Michael Swart built on a strong opening stand of 77 with a 53-run partnership for the second wicket. But Swart’s removal, pinned in front of his stumps by Finn, sparked a collapse as Robinson was stumped off Swann shortly after passing fifty, captain Marcus North was run out by substitute fielder Eoin Morgan and Adam Voges was caught behind off Broad in the space of eight overs.From then on, England kept firm control of the match and wickets fell at regular intervals. No. 11 Michael Hogan bashed 21 from just 12 balls, including two fours and two sixes, to boost Western Australia’s innings past 200, but when he was run out England were left with the appetising task of chasing 243 in 52 overs.Hogan kept up the counter-attack with the ball in his hands, clean bowling Cook in the fifth over as England’s chase suffered an early setback. But Strauss anchored the innings with aplomb, adding a sedate 65 in 16.2 overs for the second wicket with Jonathan Trott and then shifting gears in a 66-run partnership with Kevin Pietersen that took half that time.Pietersen followed his first-innings 58 with a quickfire 35, striking three powerful straight drives in succession off Hogan and lofting left-arm spinner Michael Beer over midwicket before being given out leg before to the same bowler attempting an adventurous reverse sweep. The decision didn’t impress Pietersen, who stood at the crease for several seconds looking at his bat before walking off.Strauss then added a third half-century stand, with Paul Collingwood, and brought up his 36th first-class century with a crisp straight drive off Swart’s part-time spin. After Beer had Collingwood caught for 26 for his second wicket, he finished the job in partnership with Ian Bell. Bell hurried the conclusion with three fours and a six in his 22 as England sealed victory with more than four overs to spare.

Manchester United are interested in a deal to bring Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by Italian publication Il Messaggero (via Sport Witness), who claim that both Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United and Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain have submitted offers worth €65m (£55m) to Lazio for the central midfielder.

However, the report goes on to state that, while it is widely expected that the 27-year-old will leave Rome this summer, Lazio president Claudio Lotito is unlikely to be willing to part with the Serbia international for anything less than a figure of around €80m (£67.5m).

Bye-bye Pogba

Considering that it very much appears as if Paul Pogba has now played his last game for United, it is easy to see why Rangnick and the United board would be interested in a move for Milinkovic-Savic this summer.

Indeed, the 27-year-old has been incredibly impressive throughout his near seven-year spell with Lazio, scoring 56 goals and registering 51 assists over his 290 appearances for the club – helping his side lift the 2018/19 Coppa Italia and two Italian Super Cups along the way.

The £63m-rated dynamo has been in particularly fine form over his 33 Serie A outings this season, scoring nine goals, providing 11 assists and creating ten big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots and making 1.3 key passes per game.

The £95k-per-week central midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, enjoying an average of 79.7 touches per fixture, in addition to making an average of 0.9 interceptions, 1.9 tackles, 2.2 long balls, 1.2 clearances and winning seven duels – at a success rate of 52% – per appearance.

These returns have seen the player who journalist David Amoyal dubbed “unreal” average a rather breathtaking SofaScore match rating of 7.27, not only ranking him as Maurizio Sarri’s joint best performer in the Italian top flight but also the joint 12th-best player in the league as a whole.

As such, considering his undoubted ability at both ends of the pitch, it would indeed appear as if Milinkovic-Savic would be a perfect replacement for the outbound Pogba – not to mention a signing United could very easily afford if they were to get the Frenchman’s enormous £290k-per-week wages off of their books this summer.

AND in other news: “I’m told…”: Fabrizio Romano drops big MUFC transfer update, supporters will love it

Taking to Twitter, Sportitalia TV reporter Rudy Galetti has shared some Tottenham Hotspur transfer news involving attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye Lingard…

As reported by multiple reliable sources, Tottenham have joined the race to sign Manchester United’s man with his contract set to expire in 2022 as things stand.

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Lingard could agree a move to Spurs on a free deal later this year or, alternatively, sign for the Lilywhites and manager Antonio Conte for a reduced fee this month.

Alasdair Gold and Sky Sports both back that Tottenham are interested with Sportitalia TV reporter Galetti now sharing what he knows.

The Latest: Galetti makes Lingard to Spurs claim…

According to his update, Spurs have made contact to ask for information alongside competitors West Ham and Newcastle in the race for his signing.

The Red Devils, meanwhile, could even let him leave Old Trafford for less than £10 million this month as United ‘request’ around ‘€10-15m’ (£8.4m-£12.5m).

The Verdict: Bargain?

Homegrown, proven in the Premier League and at international level – signing Lingard this month for anywhere around £8.4m could prove to be a masterstroke by sporting director Fabio Paratici.

If they can get a deal done, or alternatively wait to the summer, the 29-year-old could come in to finally fill the void left by former fan favourite Christian Eriksen in a creative midfield role.

Scoring nine goals and assisting four others across his half-season loan spell at West Ham in 2021, he was lauded as ‘phenomenal’ and the top flight’s best player on form at the time (Adrian Durham, talkSPORT).

Nurturing that ability from Lingard could certainly boost Tottenham and Conte’s rebuild at N17.

In other news: Spurs agree £33.4m option to buy ‘sensational’ player after loan spell with EPL rivals, find out more here.

Australia could one day have separate Twenty20 and Test teams playing simultaneously, according to the chief executive of Cricket Australia James Sutherland

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2010Australia could one day have separate Twenty20 and Test teams playing simultaneously, according to the chief executive of Cricket Australia James Sutherland. The gap between the formats has grown and only five of the 11 who lost the World Twenty20 final to England are regulars in Australia’s Test outfit.Sutherland believes the separation will continue to grow, with more and more Twenty20 specialists likely to appear. The reported that Sutherland outlined the vision in his keynote speech at a Cricket Australia conference in Queensland on Tuesday.”While hosting Tests here, Australia could have its Twenty20 team touring somewhere else,” Sutherland said. “It is difficult not to see a generation of players coming through with an eye to becoming Twenty20 specialists. As more Twenty20 cricket is played there are clearly opportunities for players to choose to be specialists.”Taking it through to its natural extension, if you have a specialist team then why can’t you have a specialist Twenty20 team and a specialist Test team [playing] at the same time? In rugby union, for example, the ARU has a sevens team and a Wallabies team.”However, while such an idea might suit older players who retire from first-class cricket to pursue a Twenty20 career, such as Dirk Nannes, it could make for some tough choices for younger men. Steven Smith, for example, has made his name as a Twenty20 player but his Test hopes could be scuppered if such a concept was in place.

Aston Villa made the surprise signing of Steven Gerrard’s former Liverpool teammate, Philippe Coutinho, from Barcelona in January, and not only will his talent and ability surely have a fantastic impact on the side’s Premier League season, but he could also become hugely influential to the players around him.

The 29-year-old has already scored for the Villans on his debut in the eventful 2-2 draw to Manchester United at Villa Park last month, where he helped the side secure a point after going 1-0 down in the first half, scoring his goal just 13 minutes after coming onto the pitch in the 68th minute.

One player who also shone in the game against Manchester United is Jacob Ramsey, who not only opened the scoring in the second half for his team but also assisted Coutinho in his first Premier League goal in over four years.

Ramsey has been going from strength to strength at Aston Villa, with the current manager at the club being one of his biggest fans.

Gerrard hailed the £15k-per-week gem “outstanding” following his wondergoal scored against Norwich at Carrow Road in a 2-0 victory, and his progression at the club can only enhance with the arrival of Coutinho, something we saw glimpses of against Man United.

Ramsey has the world at his feet, being described as a “big talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, and as a midfielder, not only having one of the greatest central players to grace the game as his manager, but the opportunity of playing alongside Coutinho who has experience on the left wing and in attacking midfield positions, racking up 102 goals and 75 assists in his career so far.

The £13.5m-rated Birmingham born youngster was instantly put into Gerrard’s Villa first team when he took over in November, with the side now picking up 16 points from just ten games in the league since the Liverpudlian took the reigns.

Ramsey has also offered an attacking output from his position that puts him in the top 18% of Premier League goal scoring midfielders, with 0.23 goals per 90 and an xG of 0.14 per 90 minutes.

Evidently, Gerrard now has a scary duo for Aston Villa going forward, with the 20-year-old being given the best opportunity to develop into a fantastic player working with Coutinho’s influence and experience.

He can learn a lot and become part of a formidable attacking threat with the Brazilian by his side to lead the team to greater things in the future.

It will be interesting to see how the pair progress over the remaining months of the season, and how far the former Rangers boss can take his players in the future with new additions being integrated into the existing Villa squad and the continued development of young players like Ramsey.

In other news: Gerrard already planning to pounce for Bissouma

Victoria have been charged with ball-tampering during their win over South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where Jon Holland took a career-best four-wicket haul

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Dec-2010
ScorecardJon Holland finished with 4 for 61•Getty ImagesVictoria have been charged with ball-tampering during their win over South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, where Jon Holland took a career-best four-wicket haul. The Bushrangers were penalised five runs during South Australia’s innings after the umpires Simon Fry and Bob Parry found markings on the ball after the last delivery on the second day.The side will face a Code of Conduct hearing this week after being reported for a level one offence under rule 1.7 of the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour, which relates to “failure by a team to ensure the condition of a ball is not changed in breach of law 42.3”. The standard penalty is a fine of 10% of each player’s match fee, as well as the five-run penalty.Victoria’s captain Cameron White said after play he was not aware of any specifics to do with the alleged breach. “I can’t say a lot, obviously the umpires have made an allegation,” White told AAP. “We know that it’s a team thing and it’s a hearing so that is about all we know to be honest. We actually … don’t know what the allegation is at this stage, so when we find out, we’ll assess where it goes from there.”The charges took the gloss off a comprehensive eight-wicket win for Victoria, which took only three days. Chasing 81 for victory, the Bushrangers reached their target with only two wickets down, with Aaron Finch on 25 and David Hussey on 8, after the Redbacks struggled in their second innings.Only one ball was possible in the first session due to rain, and when play resumed South Australia quickly lost Callum Ferguson for 15. Holland and Clint McKay (3 for 66) then ran through the rest of the Redbacks line-up to keep the home side to 213.The left-arm spinner Holland ended up with 4 for 61 and in the current state of Australian spin bowling, a couple more handy performances like that and he could find himself in the mix for a national call-up. The win was Victoria’s second of the summer and they sit fourth on the Sheffield Shield table, while the Redbacks are second-last.