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Sri Lanka’s captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has demanded more from his batsmen following their first-innings surrender for 174 in the second Test against Australia in Pallekele

Daniel Brettig in Pallekele08-Sep-2011Sri Lanka’s captain Tillakaratne Dilshan has demanded more from his batsmen following their first-innings surrender for 174 in the second Test against Australia in Pallekele. He threatened numerous changes to the team if performances did not improve.Dilshan was one of a series of batsmen dismissed cheaply as Sri Lanka lurched to 76 for 5 at lunch on the first day, a position from which they never recovered despite an excellent batting pitch. The start seemed to reflect the chaotic nature of the hosts’ lead-in to the Test, with Rangana Herath (finger) and Ajantha Mendis (back) ruled out on the morning of the match due to injuries.”Definitely there is something wrong in the batting,” Dilshan said. “We are talking, discussing, we are doing a lot of hard work in the training and we are discussing a lot of things, but now is the time to deliver.”We can’t say the wicket is bad. They’ve bowled really well but we’ve played the last series in England, where there was a better attack, and on a difficult wicket we batted really well. Now the players should put their hands up and deliver, they have to deliver, now is the time, we can’t wait anymore.”This is the third time we’ve got out cheaply [including 82 on the final day against England in Cardiff]. They bowled really well in the start but our batsmen didn’t bat well, that is why we got out. It is a good wicket, we are playing seven batsmen, we can’t expect 174 all out.”Several ideas have been tossed about in Sri Lanka’s dressing room, including the employment of the sports psychologist Rudi Webster at the conclusion of the series. Dilshan also said the older batsmen, including himself and Thilan Samaraweera, had to take more responsibility or risk being dropped. Their struggles contrasted with the success of Angelo Mathews, who followed a second-innings 95 in Galle with 58 here.”He’s batted really well in the No. 7 position,” Dilshan said. “We have problems with the middle order and the top order. We don’t want to change someone batting really well at No. 7, but we have to think about the second innings. Maybe change the batting line-up and send someone in top.”Dilshan described the changes to the side minutes before play as “unfortunate”. They necessitated the inclusion of the offspinner Suraj Randiv, who was going to be dropped, and the legspinner Seekkuge Prasanna, making his debut.Herath was struck on the finger during a fielding drill on the eve of the Test, while Mendis had a back problem that worsened in the lead-up to the game. “We thought he [Herath] would be okay but today he tried to grip the ball and he couldn’t, his finger was very sore,” Dilshan said. “Ajantha had a back injury in last one-dayer but he managed to play, but today morning he talked to the physio, he was worse than the last few weeks. I don’t want to take a chance and play him, so that is why we gave a youngster a chance. Unfortunately we had to make two changes in the morning.”

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s recently axed one-day captain, has announced his “conditional” retirement from the international game, as a mark of protest against the way he has been “humiliated” by the PCB

ESPNcricinfo staff30-May-2011After weeks of growing tension and speculation Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s recently axed one-day captain, has announced his retirement from the international game. It is, however, a “conditional” retirement in protest against the way he has been “humiliated” by the PCB, a temporary self-imposed exile more than a permanent retirement. Afridi said he was ready to reverse his decision if and when a new board came into power.”There is nothing bigger than a man’s respect, and the way the board has treated me, there is a limit to everything,” an emotional, angry Afridi told from London, where he is currently preparing for a Twenty20 stint with Hampshire. “I will not play under this board. If a different board comes in, I will definitely return but I cannot play under this board. When you have been humiliated like this, by dishonourable people, what is the point in playing on?”The way I’ve been treated… the future doesn’t look too good. I can’t play under a board that doesn’t respect its players. Because of this, under protest, this is a conditional retirement.”Afridi, a Pathan who has lived in Karachi all his life, also hit out at “a Lahore lobby that has been filling the chairman’s ears against me,” reviving an issue of regionalism that has been festering for some time now, and shows few signs of stopping; in recent weeks, Karachi officials have protested loudly against the PCB for not selecting players from the city.The decision caps – for now – a saga that began last December effectively, when the board first began to hesitate in appointing Afridi captain. He was made leader for the New Zealand ODI series and then, only two weeks before the tournament began was he made captain for the World Cup. The impermanent nature of his appointments was one of the reasons for Afridi’s unhappiness.”I wasn’t told anything when I was made captain, I wasn’t given a tenure, I wasn’t told what my squad would be, nothing,” Afridi said. “I took a broken team along with me. When I took over the Pakistan team was in the middle of the spot-fixing crisis. Then the Zulqarnain Haider case happened but my side fought both against England and South Africa in the ODI series. Then we beat New Zealand, we got to the semis of the World Cup and beat West Indies there as well. Maybe I have become a thorn in their throats. It’s better that I step aside for now as I have respect for myself.”But the tipping point came upon Afridi’s arrival back from the Caribbean, growing differences between him and coach Waqar Younis over matters of selection being another concern. Then, he told reporters, “Although the differences in team management are not such which could not be solved, I feel everyone should do his job and need not interfere in other’s work”.That led to the board issuing him a show-cause notice to explain his remarks, unhappy with his penchant for public straight-talking and his cosy relationship with the media; indeed it is understood a major concern of the board was their belief that Afridi was leaking news to the media. Incidentally, Afridi didn’t touch on the selection issue at all when announcing his decision, though he did say that as captain, if he “didn’t speak to the media, who else in the team would?”Soon after his return, the board removed him from the ODI captaincy he picked up in June 2010, not giving any official reason for the removal. “We had very solid reasons to remove Afridi and I will reveal them when the time is right,” PCB chairman Ijaz Butt said recently. “We haven’t taken this action without any reasons.”That prompted Afridi to pull out of the two ODIs against Ireland; speculation was that he was unhappy over his ouster, though he said he had decided to miss the series due to his father’s ill-health. It was around this time that stories began to appear that he may retire soon.Afridi is not new to retirement. He first announced a temporary sabbatical from Test cricket in April 2006, in a bid to concentrate only on ODIs in the lead-up to the 2007 World Cup. He later returned to the side, and even led Pakistan’s Test side at the start of their tumultuous tour of England last summer. He, however, once again retired from the longest format, as soon as Pakistan lost the first Test against Australia at Lord’s.How long the current impasse lasts is difficult to ascertain. Afridi, until the World Cup, was Pakistan’s most effective and successful limited-overs bowler of the last three years. And his public popularity – he remains the most sought-after autograph in Pakistan as well as the only current player brands will invest in – ensures that the pressure on the PCB, and in particular the chairman, will be immense.In any case, Butt’s tenure has been pockmarked by constant instability – nine captaincy changes in Tests and ODIs, five different selection heads and three coaches – and regular spats with senior players: Mohammad Yousuf announced a brief retirement last year and Younis Khan wasn’t chosen for almost a year after the pair were handed open-ended bans last year. Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan have also faced one-year bans (eventually overturned), while after the World Cup, Butt had a dig at Abdul Razzaq as well, saying that he should retire now.Afridi will play in the Friends Life t20 for Hampshire, and he will also be available for the inaugural edition of the Sri Lankan Premier League, while continuing to participate in domestic cricket in Pakistan as well.

From the wreckage of this match, two miserable batting performances stare back at every Bangladesh cricketer, coach, fan and administrator

Mohammad Isam in Harare08-Aug-2011As the Zimbabweans celebrated their historic victory with champagne-soaked joy at the post-match presentation ceremony, the Bangladesh players stood still for a while, watching the revelry. It was a poignant moment as the group seemed collectively lost in thought, pondering their lost opportunities.If the team’s mindset in recent years is taken into account, however, it could well be that their thoughts are already of the backlash that awaits. A 130-run loss at the hands of Zimbabwe, a team that they have dominated regularly for the past six years, will not be easy to accept and the visitors will be keen to make amends.From the wreckage of this match, two miserable batting performances stare back at every Bangladesh cricketer, coach, fan and administrator. A relatively experienced Bangladeshi batting line-up should have been able to give an impressive account of themselves against a bowling attack that has played a combined 31 Tests, and what transpired on a batting-friendly Harare Sports Club wicket should be considered a travesty.The inadequacy of the Bangladesh’s preparation and the botched first-class system back home has as much to do with the loss as the batsmen’s lack of footwork against Brian Vitori or their inability to convert a start into a hundred. It also didn’t help that they hadn’t played a Test for 14 months, and in that regard the fault lies squarely with the Bangladesh Cricket Board.The emphasis on one-dayers as preparation for the World Cup has come back to bite them. The BCB happily agreed to host New Zealand for only one-day matches in October last year and shut down the first-class competition. Though Bangladesh stormed to a 4-0 series win, the magnitude of their win hasn’t translated into long-term consistency.Instead, it has exposed the fact that the Board’s priorities lie almost entirely in Dhaka’s club cricket. By lessening the importance of domestic first-class cricket – a format in which thethe likes of Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and Rubel Hossain have rarely appear last 3 to 4 years, they sowed the seeds of this defeat.The aforementioned players, and some of the others, also haven’t done themselves any favours by losing concentration after they were set and batting with an artificial sense of confidence on their ‘own game’. In the first innings, Shahriar Nafees rode his luck one too many times and got out on 50. Mohammad Ashraful valued his wicket for a change, but not for more than 73 runs, and Shakib Al Hasan’s forceful advances had him gambling on the Zimbabwean bowlers’ lengths; a bet that he lost.”There’s a lot of talk going on. It’s time to stop talking and put them into action,” said Stuart Law, Bangladesh’s new coach. “Everything was discussed but if you can’t back the talk with actions,you look stupid.”Law may or may not have been referring to Tamim’s strut at the press conference on Sunday, which would have looked better had he not got out in slightly brainless fashion to Christopher Mpofu and was a thwarted attempt at brinkmanship.Shakib, too, batted poorly and he admitted it wasn’t the right approach. “We never thought of drawing the Test match, of defending and spending time at the crease,” he said. “We thought of winning the game. I thought I played some shots which were too early in the innings. I shouldn’thave played those shots.”I don’t know if this is the most disappointing day for us or not, but it is disappointing to lose a cricket match, especially in this situation against them. Taking nothing away from [the opposition], they were disciplined. They outplayed us in both departments,” he said.”Maybe it is because we haven’t played longer-version cricket for a long time. Although we played some practice game and three-day game, actually it didn’t help us to get the Test match feeling.”

Sussex youngster Luke Wells took the opportunity of an County Championship match heading nowhere to score his second century of the season

07-May-2011Sussex 438 and 254 for 6 dec drew with Hampshire 480
ScorecardSussex youngster Luke Wells took the opportunity of an County Championshipmatch heading nowhere to score his second century of the season at the Rose Bowlwhere another easy-paced pitch led to a dramaless last day against Hampshire.Sussex predictably batted through before declaring their second innings 212ahead at 254 for 6, leaving Hampshire no time to respond. The visitors began the day 42 behind after each side had completed their first innings over the first three days and a draw seemed inevitable.Ed Joyce and Chris Nash put on 32 for the first wicket before slow left-armerDanny Briggs took the first of his four wickets. Joyce mistimed a sweep and top edged Briggs to square leg where Friedel de Wet clutched the opportunity.Wells signalled his intentions on arrival with a straight six off Briggs and itbecame clear the match was petering out when Sussex went in at lunch with a leadof 66 at 108 for 1. Briggs, who got through another marathon spell of 30 overs spread across the innings, struck again at 124 when Nash, who had hit six fours in his 56, choppedthe ball onto his stumps.Nash and Wells had put on 92 for the second wicket to make sure there were noalarms and the afternoon session brought little respite for the Hampshirebowlers. Murray Goodwin, the Sussex captain, was the third to go at 157, curiouslyoffering no shot to a delivery from Briggs and being bowled via the top of his pad.Five balls later De Wet struck for the first time when he had Ben Brown caughtat the wicket with the score 158 but there was still no real hope forHampshire. Wells, who made 103 earlier in the season, reached his century off 169 balls,hitting 11 fours in addition to his six.But Wells failed to go on and beat his previous best score because at 248 andhaving faced only another seven balls, Wells drove Sean Ervine to James Vincefor exactly 100.Wells and Luke Wright had put on 90 for the fifth wicket to make the game safeand by then the few spectators were already heading home. Wright perished soon afterwards, edging Briggs to Jimmy Adams after making 39 soon afterwards Goodwin decided to call a halt.Briggs was rewarded with figures of 4 for 99 as the match fell away. Hampshire, still looking for their first Division One win of the season in four attempts, finished with nine points and Sussex took seven back home along the south coast.

John Hastings derailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI chase with a hat-trick to spur the visiting Australians to a comprehensive victory in their only warm-up game ahead of the three-match ODI series

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Apr-2011
Scorecard
John Hastings rattled the hosts with a hat-trick•Associated PressJohn Hastings, the medium-pacer, derailed the Bangladesh Cricket Board XI chase with a hat-trick to spur the visiting Australians to a comprehensive victory in their only warm-up game ahead of the three-match ODI series.Raqibul Hasan and Maisuqur Rahman had built a solid century stand in the BCB XI’s response to 308, though the hosts were well behind the required rate. But that partnership was put to an end by Hastings, who bowled Raqibul for 65 and trapped Alok Kapali and Shuvagoto Hom off successive deliveries to claim a hat-trick in the 36th over. He wasn’t done, as he returned in the 38th over to dislodge Maisuqur. The tail offered some resistance as BCB XI limped to 218 for 7.Australia’s strong performance with the bat centered around half-centuries from four of their batsmen – Brad Haddin, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey. Ponting, having relinquished his post as captain, played a fluent innings, striking 10 fours and a six in his 69. Clarke, his successor, made 55 in 56 balls and Hussey made a quickfire 69.At 236 for 3 at the end of 41 overs, Australia would have hoped to pile up more than what they eventually got, but it proved more than sufficient. The first of three ODIs begins on April 9 in Dhaka.

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.

Tottenham Hotspur secured a hard-earned point against title-chasing Liverpool on Saturday evening with the Champions League finalists needing a deflected goal to salvage a draw at Anfield.

Heung-min Son opened the scoring for Spurs in the 11th minute after Ryan Sessegnon squared the ball across the face of goal for the South Korean to slot home his 20th goal of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.

The 29-year-old was among the Lilywhites’ standout performers in Merseyside, hardly a surprise given there have been few better than him this season.

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However, some of his teammates certainly fought for the cause and arguably, Eric Dier was one of the names to steal the show against the 2020 champions.

The English colossus was a big part of why the north Londoners held on amid a barrage of late attacks from the home outfit.

He registered a whopping match-high 11 clearances, on top of a further three blocks and two interceptions with the latter two figures only being beaten by one other player in the match, as per SofaScore.

It’s no wonder he was described as “very impressive” by The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare at full-time. The praise didn’t stop there as much of the local press waxed lyrical about his performance.

The Evening Standard’s Dan Kilpatrick wrote in his post-match ratings column: ‘An imperious display in the heart of the back three. Superb in the air and led Spurs’ brave approach to playing out [from the back].’

Indeed, just three of the Reds’ 22 shots were on target and they failed to convert any of their 11 corners, further proving the £18m-rated titan was an absolute rock at the back for Conte.

Elsewhere on the pitch, he was equally adept with the ball at his feet, averaging an 83% passing accuracy despite attempting seven long balls. Dier also won three of his five duels (60%).

Once lauded as “sensational” by former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas, Dier was certainly an absolute animal up at Anfield this weekend. Those sorts of performances could well put him back in Three Lions’ reckoning before the winter’s World Cup in Qatar.

AND in other news, Conte could land his own Jorginho in Spurs swoop for “extraordinary” £45m-rated titan…

Paul Robinson has now dropped an Everton claim after some transfer news emerged on Richarlison.

The Lowdown: £50m+ wanted

As per Football Insider, a recruitment source has revealed that the Goodison Park faithful will now listen to offers for Richarlison in the summer.

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They are confident that they can sell him for at least £50m, as he is under contract on Merseyside until June 2024, putting the Toffees in an extremely strong negotiating position even if they go down.

The Latest: Robinson reacts

Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur and England international goalkeeper Robinson, who now contributes for Sky Sports, has claimed that Richarlison’s price tag is ‘massive’, but admits that the Toffees need a ‘huge’ overhaul this summer, and so could look to cash in on the Brazil international:

“He has been in and out of form this season.

“I don’t think he’s been good enough in all honesty. They’re down in the bottom three for a reason.

“Richarlison has a massive price tag on his head and a massive reputation.

“He has not performed enough this season. He has scored a few important goals but it’s not been enough. Most of the Everton players have underperformed and he is one of them.

“They need a huge overhaul in the summer but the financial situation is difficult. They will have to sell before they buy. If Everton can get a good price for Richarlison they should cash in and revamp their squad with that money.

“I think it’s a similar situation to Raphinha at Leeds. They are the kind of luxury players you can afford to cash in on. Everton need players out of the door to bring in finances.

“They need players who are going to keep them in the Premier League next season. Richarlison isn’t consistent enough.”

The Verdict: Snap your hand off

If the Blues can get anywhere near £50m for Richarlison in the summer, then they should take it and run.

Yes, he has scored some important goals recently, including a last-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw at home to Leicester City and most recently the winner against Chelsea, but overall has been far too inconsistent to warrant that price tag, scoring just nine times in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt).

Richarlison has also been criticised for having attitude problems when things do not go right for him on he pitch, and so a player who could be a disruption in the dressing room is one that Frank Lampard and his team could do without, should they receive a huge transfer sum.

In other news, find out which Premier League giant is now eyeing this EFC star here!

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.

Glasgow Rangers have been hit with a European concern ahead of the 2022/23 campaign…    

What’s the talk?

The Glasgow Times have dropped an update explaining what Villarreal’s progress in the Champions League could mean for teams in Scotland.

If the Spanish outfit go on to win the European title this season then it is would mean that Gers would need to go through the qualification stages in 2022/23 – if they were to win the Premiership title.

As it stands, the winners of the Scottish top-flight will immediately qualify for the group stages of the Champions League next season. This would result in a major £40m bonus for competing in the competition, but that is now under threat.

Their automatic qualification will be taken away if a team wins the tournament this year whilst failing to finish in the top four of their domestic league. Villarreal are on their way to doing this as they are in the semi-finals whilst currently sitting seventh in LaLiga.

Gio van Bronckhorst will be sweating…

This update will leave the Gers head coach sweating buckets as it gives him another Champions League concern to worry about.

Firstly, he is nearing the end of an exciting – for the neutrals – Premiership title battle as the Light Blues are attempting to catch up with Celtic in the table. They are six points behind their rivals as it stands and will not be giving up on their attempts to lift the trophy for the second season in a row.

Whilst it may seem unlikely due to the current gap between the two teams, all Rangers can do is continue to win games in the league and hope that the Hoops drop points along the way. If they can claw it back and secure a stunning title win then that would put them in a fantastic position to qualify for the Champions League, but that is now in danger.

Van Bronckhorst will now have to keep a close eye on results in the competition and root for Liverpool in the semi-finals against Villarreal. He will be desperate, as will Ange Postecoglou, for the Spanish side to fail in their efforts to win the tournament as it would dampen Rangers’ chances of hitting the £40m jackpot later this year.

Although they will still have the opportunity to access that cash fund if they make their way through the qualification phase, the Dutch head coach would surely prefer to go straight into the group stage instead of enduring the stress of play-off football.

AND in other news, From £4.5m to £25m: Wilson had huge Rangers howler over “remarkable” 12-goal gem…