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Mashrafe Mortaza has lost his race to be fit for the World Cup after being left out of Bangladesh’s squad for the tournament

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Jan-2011Mashrafe Mortaza, the Bangladesh allrounder, has not been included in the 15-man squad for the World Cup. Mortaza had injured his right knee while playing club cricket in Dhaka in December and was striving to recover in time for the tournament. He had begun bowling off a short run-up during net sessions in the last few days but the selectors decided against including him in the campaign. Shakib Al Hasan was named captain of the squad and Tamim Iqbal will be his deputy.”There is little chance that Mortaza will be fit before the World Cup,” chief selector Rafiqul Alam told AFP, adding that coach Jamie Siddons supported this assessment. “Mortaza, however, has the chance to be included in the team later if he fully recovers and an opportunity arises.”Mortaza’s absence is a blow to Bangladesh but they have enjoyed a string of positive results under Shakib recently, including beating New Zealand 4-0 in October 2010 and Zimbabwe 3-1 in their most recent outing in December.The doubt over Mortaza’s selection was the only major question ahead of the announcement. And though his exclusion effectively means that Mortaza won’t be part of the World Cup, Siddons was optimistic. “He [Mortaza] is on track with his rehab. He was supposed to bowl today, bowl off a full run-up at the end of the month in eight to ten days,” Siddons had told the day before the squad was announced.”We definitely want him to be fit. If the selectors don’t pick him, and if he’s fit by the first match, we can use him as a replacement in the World Cup. There are a few good reasons for him to bowl. I expect him to be fit by the start of the World Cup. I want him in the team, I want a fit Mashrafe.”The Bangladesh physiotherapist, Michael Henry, had said Mortaza had “responded well and there were no negative repercussions after his bowling stint.”Mortaza described his exclusion “as the most painful day” of his life. “I was 100% confident of regaining my fitness,” Mortaza told reporters. “However, this is life and I am quite accustomed to it.”I respect their decision and you can say this is just bad luck.”Bangladesh will play the tournament opener against India in Dhaka on February 19 after which they play their remaining group games at home.Squad: Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Junaid Siddique, Shahriar Nafees, Raqibul Hasan, Mohammad Ashraful, Mushfiqur Rahim, Naeem Islam, Mahmudullah, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Suhrawadi Shuvo.

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.

A request by the PCB to have an observer present at the spot-fixing hearing currently underway in Doha, Qatar, was turned down by two of the three players

Osman Samiuddin in Doha06-Jan-2011A request by the PCB to have an observer present at the spot-fixing hearing currently underway in Doha, Qatar, was turned down by two of the three players defending themselves against the ICC’s charges, reaffirming the distance that has grown between the players and their former employers.The code of conduct under which the ICC hearing is held allows for such a provision but leaves the final choice to the discretion of the tribunal. The relevant portion of article 5.1.8 of the ICC Anti-Corruption Code states, “At the discretion of the Anti-corruption tribunal, a representative of the Player’s or Player’s support personnel’s relevant National Cricket Federation may also attend any such hearing (but strictly as an observer only and with no right to be heard).”ESPNcricinfo understands the request was made ahead of the hearing that began on Thursday. The request was considered by Michael Beloff QC, the chairman of the tribunal and the ICC’s code of conduct commissioner, and discussed with other members of the tribunal as well as the players and their lawyers. Though the final decision remains with the tribunal, in this case it appears that the players’ objections have been heeded. Had it been accepted, the PCB would have sent a legal representative.The reason behind the PCB’s request appears to have been nothing more than wanting a representative present at such a significant trial involving players who have been such an important part of the national team until recently.”When the request was made for Shahid Afridi and Waqar Younis [who will appear as witnesses for the ICC] we felt there should be a board man there too because they are our players in that sense and to keep an eye on the proceedings to ensure justice is done,” a board source told ESPNcricinfo.The refusal might not ultimately be a bad thing, as one source pointed out. “Whoever went would be under a bit of tension in the sense of whether they should support the players or the system so in that sense it isn’t a bad development ultimately.”When the scandal first broke in England last summer, the PCB as well as the Pakistani High Commission in London assumed broadly supportive stances. The board did not suspend the players until the ICC officially charged and suspended them, even offering initial legal representation in their interactions with Scotland Yard.But since then, at the insistence of an ICC concerned that its members might be seen as supporting players potentially facing spot-fixing charges, the board has stepped back. The players’ central contracts have been suspended, they have not been allowed to practice at board facilities and no legal or financial assistance has been offered. On at least a couple of occasions, Salman Butt and Mohammad Amir have indicated public bewilderment at how the board has left them to fend for themselves.Given that one player is believed to have not raised an objection the move also points to a growing individuality in the players’ approach to their defence. The trio have been staying separately in Doha and arrived and left separately on the first day of the hearing.

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.

Wolves midfielder Leander Dendoncker is reportedly subject to interest from Serie A side Lazio ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

What’s the latest?

According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (via Inside Futbol), the Rome-based outfit are looking to attempt a fresh swoop for the 27-year-old after a failed attempt last summer.

The Italian club could lose midfielders Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Lucas Leiva in the upcoming window and are therefore identifying potential replacements, with the Belgian reportedly on their wish list.

Dendoncker’s contract at Molineux expires in 2023 and could be available for a cut-price fee this summer if a contract extension cannot be agreed upon.

Wolves must keep hold of Dendoncker

Like Lazio, Wolves could see two key midfielders depart this summer in Ruben Neves and Joao Moutinho and cannot afford to let a third depart.

Neves has been subject to interest from an array of clubs, including Arsenal, whilst Moutinho’s contract is set to expire in June.

Dendoncker has had to work hard to prove himself to Bruno Lage this term, with the Belgian starting just one of the West Midlands club’s first seven Premier League matches of the season.

However, since then the 27-year-old has gone on to start a further 15 matches in the top flight with Wolves still in the hunt for European qualification.

According to SofaScore, the versatile midfielder has completed 86% of his passes in the league this campaign whilst averaging 1.2 tackles, 1.2 clearances and 0.3 interceptions per game.

Although the Belgian’s average match rating of 6.81 is bettered by three other Wolves midfielders Neves (7.2), Luke Cundle (7.1) and Moutinho (7.04), it’s vital that Lage holds onto at least some of his current midfield options as opposed to the risk of having to reinvent his entire team’s core.

The £75k-per-week midfielder scored his sole goal of the campaign in Wolves’ vital 2-0 win away at Tottenham in February and was subject to praise from defender Max Kilman, who said: “He’s brilliant, nothing phases him. He knows his task and he doesn’t feel the pressure.”

Following an initial loan move from Anderlecht in 2018 that became permanent the following summer, Dendoncker has been a kingpin during Wolves’ current streak in the Premier League, having joined ahead of the club’s first season back in the top flight after six years away.

In that time the midfielder has made 149 appearances, making the prospect of a departure an upsetting concept for the Molineux faithful. Lage must not make that mistake this summer.

AND in other news: “My understanding…”: Wolves receive huge injury boost that could aid bid for Europe

South Africa levelled the one-day series with a resounding seven-wicket victory at Trent Bridge after England’s batting had subsided

The Report by Andrew McGlashan 05-Sep-2012
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsAB de Villiers made his highest score of the tour•PA PhotosSouth Africa levelled the one-day series with a resounding seven-wicket victory at Trent Bridge after England’s batting had subsided to a collection of poor strokes. The visitors wobbled briefly in their chase, but Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers put the quality of what had gone before in the shade with the classiest batting of the day in an unbroken stand of 169 for the fourth wicket.In keeping with the trend of the series it was not a gripping contest the match was completed well before the scheduled time. At least that meant the spectators did not have to sit through the autumnal chill. Day/night cricket is not made for an English September. The one period where the game did spark into life was the start of the chase when South Africa were reduced to 14 for 3, but it was a short-lived high point for England who were as poor as they were in Southampton. It must be hoped Andy Flower was not watching the TV on his rare day off.The performance will again raise questions about England’s ability to set defendable targets, where they appear significantly less comfortable than knowing what they have to chase. Only Ian Bell, who fell lbw to Robin Peterson when the left-arm spinner was smartly given the new ball, can be said to have not gifted his wicket away and 28 balls of the innings were unused when Jade Dernbach wafted at Wayne Parnell rather than at least trying to stick around with Chris Woakes who has significant pedigree as a batsman.With so few runs on the board England’s only chance was to run through South Africa and for a short while it looked possible. Graeme Smith flashed to second slip, where James Tredwell held the catch with a juggle, then James Anderson collected a brace in a superb display of pacey swing bowling.Faf du Plessis, who has had a lean series, was the latest option to be tried at No. 3 but edged a rising delivery to Craig Kieswetter then Dean Elgar was given a working over. Showing exemplary control of the ball, Anderson probed away at Elgar’s outside edge before the left hander could not resist pushing at one.Amla, though, was not being shifted and this time had not even been offered a life. He had to be on his guard against Anderson and Dernbach, but without Steven Finn, who picked up a back injury, England did not quite have the pace resources to maintain the pressure although Woakes did find Amla’s edge only for it fall well short of slip.De Villiers had not scored an international fifty on the tour but got himself going with a back-foot drove, then drilled Anderson through mid-on before back-to-back pulls off Dernbach. The introduction of spin brought aggression from Amla as he drove both Samit Patel and Tredwell for boundaries – the latter with an effortless loft over mid-off – and the match was back under South Africa’s control.Amla reached his latest half-century from 63 balls and de Villiers moved through the 40s with a string of trademark drives straight and through cover. As England’s intensity dropped runs came at a canter and, in the blink of an eye, Amla finished with 97 to his name. His tour-de-force shows no signs of halting as he ends the series with 335 runs – the next best was Bell with 181.This was just England’s second defeat of the year in 50-over cricket – and a drawn series against South Africa is no disgrace – but it will leave a bitter taste for Alastair Cook that it was handed away so easily on a plate. South Africa’s bowlers – seven of them were used as de Villiers juggled his options effectively – shared around the wicket-taking.The biggest bonus for them, especially in light of strengthening the batting, were the scalps taken by part-time spinners JP Duminy and Faf du Plessis. The stuffing was knocked out of the innings as England gifted away three wickets in six overs after Cook and Jonny Bairstow had started a recovery from 24 for 2 with one of the early losses that of the struggling Ravi Bopara for a second-ball duck. Bairstow, who had replaced the injured Jonathan Trott, could not have picked out deep square-leg with more precision when he flicked Morne Morkel off his pads straight to Justin Ontong.Then in the next over, Duminy’s first, Eoin Morgan tried to clear mid-on and offered a simple catch and England’s most dynamic one-day player had gone without scoring. Moments after the halfway mark of the innings it got worse for England when Cook, having reached a steady fifty from 69 balls, punched a low full toss back to du Plessis also in his first over to leave the home side tottering on 99 for 5.There was little option but to just try and bat out the innings, but each time a partnership was starting to form, a lose shot gave it away. Patel got into a tangle against a slower-ball bouncer from Dale Steyn – who bowled beautifully throughout – and gloved a catch to the keeper while Kieswetter, after showing promising signs, tried to clear the infield in the Powerplay but could only sky a catch to mid-off.The generous nature of the batting continued with Tredwell missing a charge at Peterson and Anderson trying to launch him down the ground first ball and did not get further than mid-off. It suggested that minds were not entirely focussed.However, there is no doubt who has the most frazzled mind of England’s batsmen right now. Bopara had been promoted to No. 3 in the absence of Trott and, after leaving his first delivery from Steyn, was drawn into pushing at his next and edging to de Villiers. It was a good delivery, moving away late from the right hander, but Bopara did not offer much footwork and it was a carbon copy of his previous two dismissals, meaning he ends the series with scores of 16, 0, 6 and 0. He, more than anyone, needs a change of fortunes in the Twenty20 series.

Shaun Pollock is set to be the bowling consultant for the South African ODI team for their three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe

ESPNcricinfo staff06-Oct-2010Shaun Pollock, the former South Africa captain, is set to be the bowling consultant for the South African ODI team ahead of their three-match one-day series against Zimbabwe that begins on October 15 in Bloemfontein.Pollock, who retired from international cricket in early 2008, confirmed to that he would be in Bloemfontein to assist the South African team for a couple of days.Pollock played 108 Tests for South Africa picking up 421 wickets and scoring 3781 runs. He played 308 ODIs scoring 3519 runs, picking up 393 wickets.

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.

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

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.