All posts by h716a5.icu

Chris Gayle has been dismissed four times by Doug Bollinger this season and admits the left-arm fast man has his number

Cricinfo staff10-Feb-2010Chris Gayle has been dismissed four times by Doug Bollinger this season and admits the left-arm fast man has his number. Gayle, the West Indies captain, didn’t know who Bollinger was before the second Test in December, but has learned quickly and is still trying to find a way to deal with him.Gayle was lbw first ball in Adelaide on Tuesday as Australia raced to a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. “He has my measure, definitely,” Gayle said in the Advertiser. “There is no doubt about that.”Despite his troubles, Gayle is looking forward to his next contest with Bollinger at the SCG in the third match on Friday. “These things are good for the game,” he said. “Hopefully we can get a good start in Sydney and we don’t expose our middle order again.”The Australians have talked about cramping Gayle for room and the move has been successful, with the batsman scoring seven runs in the opening two fixtures. Bollinger’s plan in Adelaide revolved around bowling as straight as possible.”It was great to get Chris Gayle again,” Bollinger said. “If he wants to be my bunny he can. I’ll be happy to get him again.”The West Indians currently need much more than a firing Gayle if they are to overcome the Australians in any of the final three matches. Interest in the series is dwindling and only 8358 spectators turned up in Adelaide in a record low attendance there for an ODI.”We can still win 3-2,” Gayle said. “If we can get to 2-1, we can get things happening for us. We need to make it more interesting so you can get some more ticket sales.”

On another soporific day of cricket, Mumbai’s top order returned to form against a listless Hyderabad attack to seize control of the match. The biggest gain on a dominant day for Mumbai was the chanceless innings from Ajinkya Rahane

Siddarth Ravindran in Hyderabad02-Dec-2009
Scorecard
On another soporific day of cricket, Mumbai’s top order returned to form against a listless Hyderabad attack to seize control of the match. The biggest gain on a dominant day for Mumbai was the chanceless innings from Ajinkya Rahane, his first major contribution this Ranji season. He combined with opener Sahil Kukreja for a patient, unbroken 171-run stand to leave Hyderabad nervously glancing at scores from the match featuring their companions at the bottom of Group A, Himachal Pradesh.It had been a promising start from Hyderabad’s bowlers, troubling the Mumbai openers in the 10 overs before lunch. Vinayak Samant, the latest occupant of the merry-go-round at the top of Mumbai’s batting, faced a particularly torrid over from Ashwin Yadav – surviving a massive lbw shout, then barely getting to block a ball, which kept lower than he expected.Samant was gone three balls after the break, prodding at a delivery outside off giving wicketkeeper Ibrahim Khaleel a regulation catch. Hyderabad were buoyed by the wicket, and Ajinkya Rahane’s entry was greeted by a shout of (we’ll get him, he was talking a lot while fielding) from fast bowler MP Arjun at fine leg. There wasn’t to be any more breakthroughs for Hyderabad, though, as Rahane and Kukreja cut out the flash shots and unrelentingly pushed Mumbai forward.The pair was initially helped by a diet of legstump offerings, which were clipped towards midwicket for some cheap runs. Their running between the wickets was also sharper than Hyderabad’s batsmen, shown by the many threes that Mumbai picked up.The bowling started to flag in the face of the solid batting, with the lack of pace in the surface allowing the wicketkeeper to stand up to the hulking fast bowler, Shoaib Ahmed. Hyderabad shuffled their bowlers around to no avail. The frustration increased when their complaints about the condition of the ball were not heeded by the umpire – there were eight appeals from the home side before the ball was finally changed (for the second time in the innings).Things perked up just before tea as Rahane punched a full delivery past Arjun for four and followed it up with a cover-driven boundary to bring up his half-century. Soon after tea, Kukreja reached his fifty in even finer style, blasting Amol Shinde for a six over long-on.By now, both batsman were in fine touch and the run-rate started to make a slow ascent. Kukreja charged down the track, even to the fast bowlers, and worked them around for singles, while Rahane’s drives and flicks kept him moving along. Arjun’s annoyance at his lack of impact showed when he flung the ball back towards Rahane after a defensive push from the batsman.With no encouragement in the wicket for the bowlers, it seemed the most interesting question towards stumps was which of the batsmen would reach triple figures first. Inexplicably, though, both batsmen shut shop after moving into the 80s, playing out four maidens, after 25 consecutive scoring overs.The Mumbai top order’s efforts came after a 20-over spell of resistance from the Hyderabad tail. Overnight batsman Syed Quadri slapped the third ball of the day through cover to reach his half-century, but there was no rush to move the score along when batting with the lower order. Just as Mumbai were getting antsy at getting only one wicket in 19 overs on the day, a couple of run-outs ended Hyderabad’s go-slow at 266.Mumbai coach, Praveen Amre, termed those two run-outs “the best thing to see” but was even more thrilled with Rahane’s performance. “Everyone was looking for runs from Rahane,” he said, “and he looked rock solid and very confident. There was pressure on him because Mumbai isn’t a side that carries non-performers, the person who is sitting out is equally good.”Mumbai have been at 14 for 2, or worse, at least once in each of their matches this season, so the big stand was just what they needed. “They have given us a solid foundation, more than 150 runs partnership after a long time,” Amre said. “The top order had to contribute, their failure wasputting a lot of pressure on the middle order.”There was even more good news for him as Rohit Sharma’s shoulder injury proved to be not too serious. The only relief for Hyderabad, though, was that Manpreet Gony had shot out HP for 82 after Punjab had conceded a first-innings lead.

Despite having a solid start to their season in the Premier League with seven wins, four draws and one defeat under their belts and winning all of their Champions League and Carabao Cup games, Liverpool have a big issue on the horizon.

Their top two goalscorers in the league, Mohamed Salah (11) and Sadio Mane (seven) fly off to join their respective countries and take part in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in January.

With this in mind and the fact that the duo are such crucial goalscoring threats for Jurgen Klopp’s team, it’s safe to say that this will be a big blow for the Reds.

Taking this into account, it seems as though the Merseyside club have their eye on signing a new attacking player that could fill the void left by Salah and Mane’s absence.

What’s the news?

It has recently been reported by Fichajes.net that Liverpool will target a January move for West Ham United winger Jarrod Bowen to fill in while Mane and Salah are away.

With Bowen having been linked with a move to Anfield in the past and praised by Klopp, it’s easy to see why the club apparently see him as a potential January target.

Since joining West Ham from Hull City back in the 2020 January transfer window in a deal worth a reported fee of over £20m, the 24-year-old, who has been described in the past by Grant McCann as “unplayable” has scored 12 goals and provided 15 assists in 72 appearances for the Hammers.

Labelled as a “world-beater” by talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan, Bowen showed in West Ham’s 3-2 win over Liverpool in recent weeks just how dangerous he is by assisting two goals and earning himself a strong overall match rating of 7.4/10 from SofaScore.

Taking all of this into account, if Liverpool were able to sign Bowen, who is currently valued at £27m according to Transfermarkt, in January, this could be a great piece of business from FSG and would certainly ease the burden of having Mane and Salah away.

However, with the winger having played in every single one of West Ham’s games across all competitions so far this season, it could be rather hard to get the east London club to part ways with the winger, who is clearly an important figure in David Moyes’ squad, and they probably wouldn’t want to let him go to a club so close to them in the league table.

In other news: Klopp can save LFC millions with “unbelievable” 19 y/o gem, he’s going to be “massive” – opinion

A most incredible match ended with Sri Lanka nearly chasing down the second highest target in the history of one-day cricket

The Bulletin by Dileep Premachandran15-Dec-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Kumar Sangakkara’s whirlwind 90 was the innings of the match•Associated PressThe numbers were mindboggling enough. Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan made big hundreds at a frantic lick, but the innings of the match was Kumar Sangakkara’s90 from 43 balls.The decisive spells were bowled by Harbhajan Singh, whose three overs in the middle had gone for 32 runs, and Zaheer Khan, who finished with the most expensive analysis in India’sone-day history. At the end of it all, after 100 overs in which 825 runs were scored, Sri Lanka’s lion cubs couldn’t quite hold their nerve. Ashish Nehra did, and India crept home by three runs.When India piled up a team-record 414 for 7, it seemed as though this too would be a depressing no-contest. But with a full-throttle approach their only option, Sri Lanka came out with genuine intent and no little menace. India had the chance to strike early, but with Upul Tharanga on 10, Virat Kohli grassed the simplest of chances at short point, and they were madeto pay as Dilshan cut loose with a flurry of boundaries. He pulled and cut anything short or wide, and drove precisely down the ground when the ball was pitched too full. Just for variety, he threw in a couple of scoops as well, each evading the fielder placed at short fine leg to stop it.Dilshan got to his half-century from just 38 balls as 81 came from the first 10 overs. Zaheer’s introduction drew an imperious drive through the covers and Ravindra Jadeja was greeted with six-four-four in an over that yielded 17. Soon after, he had his hundred from 73 balls and it was Tharanga who then took up the attack, lashing Jadeja straight down the ground for two sixes on his way to 50 from 51 balls. Suresh Raina too was thumped for a straight six, before an error of judgement saw him stumped.Sangakkara was put down by Zaheer when he had just 16, a difficult return catch, and after that India were chasing shadows. Raina was heaved for two sixes over midwicket and one down the ground and when Dilshan scooped Zaheer over fine leg for six the two had taken just 28 balls to add 50. With 164 needed from 20 overs, Sangakkara then smacked Harbhajan over long-off to reach his half-century from 24 balls.Harbhajan then put down a straightforward chance at midwicket when Sangakkara had 58, and by the time the batting Powerplay was taken, Sri Lanka needed 124 from 15 overs. Sangakkara started it as though he intended to finish the game in a hurry. Zaheer was taken over mid-on(four), slapped over midwicket (six) and then stroked through the covers twice in an over that cost 21. But then Sri Lanka, as with India, lost the plot somewhat.Sangakkara miscued one from Praveen Kumar to deep square leg, and after Dilshan had swung over over midwicket to reach 150, Harbhajan returned to have Sanath Jayasuriya stumped. When Dilshan was bowled going for a big heave off the first ball of his next over, the game was once again in the balance but it swung India’s way when Mahela Jayawardene was run out by Kohli’s throw from square leg.Thilina Kandamby and Angelo Mathews got within range with singles and the odd shot that breached the field but with Zaheer and Nehra started to get appreciable reverse swing, knocking off the runs was no formality. They whittled it down to 15 from 12 balls when disaster struck. Kandamby didn’t bother to ground his bat while going for a single and Zaheer whipped the bails off after Sachin Tendulkar had arrowed in a throw. Thilan Samaraweera too was caught short and suddenly Sri Lanka needed 11 from the final six balls.Mathews got that down to six from three before swinging Nehra to Tendulkar’s right at midwicket. Unlike some of his younger teammates, he held on without a problem, and as Mathews trudged off disconsolate, he took Sri Lanka’s hopes with him.Such drama had appeared unlikely when India started quietly after being sent in on a well-grassed pitch. There was some early movement for both Nuwan Kulasekara and Chanaka Welegedara, making his one-day debut, and the openers didn’t taken too many chances as just 19 came from the first five overs. Suddenly, though, the game exploded into life, with Sehwag taking Welegedara for three fours in an over.Virender Sehwag reached his century off only 66 balls•AFPThereafter, Sri Lanka were all over the place, with Tendulkar timing the ball magnificently in the V and Sehwag moving into six-hitting mode. Kulasekara, with his lack of pace, was the ideal target, clouted over cover and then pulled over midwicket with an ease that must have sent achill down Sangakkara’s spine.Another emphatic pull off Welegedera took him to 50 from just 34 balls and he then spent some time at the non-striker’s end watching Tendulkar do his thing. After two glorious lofts down the ground, Tendulkar opted for the impudent, upper-cutting Fernando over gully and slip to reach his own half-century from 48 balls.Worse was to follow. Mathews was introduced, and Sehwag immediately went downtown, thumping one behind the sightscreen and then over cover as the six balls cost 18. Tendulkar joined in with an imperious straight loft off Jayasuriya and it needed Fernando to give the Sri Lankans some breathing space, with a beautiful incoming delivery sending him back for 69.Sehwag, though, doesn’t like pauses, and after a brief lull when only singles were taken, he whacked a short one from Jayasuriya over midwicket for six. Two fours off the hapless Mathews later, he had his 12th century, from just 66 balls. On such a great surface for batting, Dhoni wasn’t going to stand and watch the fun. A six off Jayasuriya nearly went out of the ground, and when a desperate Sangakkara turned to the part-time spin of Kandamby and Dilshan, the fours continued to flow. Dhoni should have gone on 31, but Sangakkara missed a stumping after Kandamby sent down an innocuous full toss, a reprieve celebrated with straight sixes off bothspinners.Sehwag had the record individual score in his sights, but soon after the batting Powerplay was taken, Welegedara returned to get him with a low full toss that lobbed to point off the leading edge. Dhoni, after 72 from just 53 balls, followed four balls later, miscuing a slower ball fromFernando into the hands of cover. The stutter continued as Gautam Gambhir edged Kulasekara behind, and the Powerplay fetched Sri Lanka three wickets for 33 runs. Raina and Harbhajan didn’t inflict much damage, but attractive cameos from Kohli and Jadeja ensured that the last few overs would be all about breaking records.But Sri Lanka refused to blink till the very last, and it was almost the Wanderers all over again. Unfortunately for Sangakkara’s brave side, Mick Lewis was nowhere to be seen.

Why were little-known stadiums Hambantota and Pallakele given the nod ahead of SSC, Galle and Dambulla for the 2011 World Cup?

Interview by Sa'adi Thawfeeq13-Nov-2009No World Cup matches at the picturesque Galle Stadium•Getty ImagesCan you justify the choosing of Hambantota and Pallakele as World Cup venues ahead of other reputed grounds?
The project to build an international cricket stadium in Hambantota with lights was taken three to four years ago and its ownership is with SLC. As Hambantota is a rapidly developing city, with a port and airport to be constructed in the near future, having an international stadium with a capacity of 25,000 would be beneficial for schools around the area and for international cricket. SLC will also accrue tax-free benefits as the cricket stadium is part of the massive Hambantota project (to develop a new sea port in the city). The entire cost of the stadium is Rs 900 million (US$7.86m) and we have already invested Rs 600 million (US$5.24m) on it. It will be ready by August 2010.Pallakele was acquired by SLC three years ago and as the ownership is with us we thought of investing into it and developing it into an international venue with lights so that international cricket matches can be hosted. The Asgiriya Stadium belongs to Trinity College and there was a crying need for a stadium in Kandy so that schools in and around the area can benefit. The capacity of the Pallakele Stadium is 25,000 and the entire cost of the project is Rs 450 million (US$3.93m). We will play the first international matches at this venue later this month when we host the Under-19 one-day tri-series with Pakistan and Bangladesh.Why were venues like Galle, Dambulla, SSC and P Sara Oval not considered as World Cup venues?
The problem with venues as Galle, SSC and P Sara Oval is that the capacity of these grounds is less than 20,000. If we are to develop SSC and P Sara Oval with a larger capacity, lights and a bigger media box it will cost us at least Rs. 750-800 million (US$6.55m to 7m) for each venue. We cannot invest such a large amount of money at venues where SLC don’t have any ownership. The ICC requirement for a media box is for a minimum of 200 journalists. With Galle we cannot increase the crowd capacity and fit lights because of the constraints of erecting buildings in front of the Galle Fort which is a world heritage site. At Dambulla there are a few technical issues to overcome like lights, and increasing the media box capacity to 200 and the spectators’ capacity from the present 17,000 to 25,000. We plan to have Dambulla ready by 2012 when we host the ICC World Twenty20.Does the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo measure up to the World Cup requirements?
Not quite but the improvements are minimal compared to the other venues. We have to increase the media box capacity from 80 to 200 and the spectator capacity from 14,000 to 35,000. We intend doing this by increasing the seating capacity of spectators in stands ‘C’ and ‘D’. The wiring in the lighting system also needs to be redone.

Michael Vaughan has made his first step towards forging a new career following his retirement from first-class cricket by agreeing to use his expertise as the new Business Development Manager at International Sports Management

Cricinfo staff21-Sep-2009Michael Vaughan has made his first step towards forging a new career following his retirement from first-class cricket by agreeing to use his expertise as the new Business Development Manager at International Sports Management.The former England captain, who led the team to their historic 2005 Ashes triumph alongside Andrew Flintoff, has been weighing up opportunities since announcing his retirement mid-way through this summer.He has already confirmed he will be joining the BBC’s Test Match Special team for England’s winter tour to South Africa and will now take on greater responsibility within the ISM business in tandem with guiding and mentoring some of the exciting cricketing talent on their books.Vaughan will take an increasing role in generating new business and clients while helping in the development of players such as Glamorgan’s allrounder Jim Allenby, Somerset’s wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter, Hampshire batsman James Vince and England seamer Graham Onions.Andrew Chandler, ISM’s managing director, said: “We’ve had a relationship going back to 2001, we know Michael well and I’ve always thought he had great potential in the business world – this is the next logical step for him.”

Crystal Palace are reportedly one of several Premier League clubs closely monitoring the situation of Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson.

What’s the story?

According to Football League World, the Eagles have joined a number of other clubs in the race to acquire his signature.

Johnson’s current deal is set to expire in the summer of 2023, and Forest manager Steve Cooper is believed to be playing an active role in the negotiations.

The report states that: “Football League World understand that Cooper is now involved in those attempts and is looking to convince Johnson to commit longer term.

“There is Premier League interest still in the forward, though, after Brentford’s failed attempts to sign him in the summer. Everton, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton and Hove Albion are keeping close tabs on him.”

Parish must seal a swoop

After rising through the ranks at his boyhood club, Johnson enjoyed a successful loan spell at League One outfit Lincoln City last term.

The youngster played a pivotal part as Michael Appleton’s Imps reached the third-tier play-off final in 2020/21, bagging 13 goals and providing 14 assists in 48 appearances.

And Johnson has carried his good form into the Championship during the opening weeks of the current campaign, finding the back of the net on three occasions and laying on a further three assists in 15 outings.

He’s starred in a more attacking system under Cooper in recent weeks, and a particularly impressive performance against Queens Park Rangers last time out caught the eye of former striker Glenn Murray.

“For me, Brennan, he just looks special. He just looks a cut above, and he’s destined for the top,” Murray told Sky Sports (as relayed by Nottingham Forest News).

“Yes, he’s not getting everything right at the moment, but he looks at the top-level easily. I expect a really big future from him.”

With Johnson fast approaching the end of his contract, and Palace in desperate need of attacking reinforcements, Steve Parish must swoop for the Wales international over the coming months.

His addition to Patrick Vieira’s new-look squad would bolster the capital club’s ranks in the final third of the pitch and add even more firepower to an already dangerous forward line. Just imagine the thought of him and Wilfried Zaha running rampant with Odsonne Edouard in attack.

It’s an enthralling thought for Palace supporters.

And, in other news…Parish must revive CPFC interest in “extraordinary” £10.8m-rated gem, Vieira needs him 

West Ham United return to Premier League action this afternoon and they could break into the top-six with a result against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

David Moyes’ men continued their fine form this season with another victory in the Europa League, defeating Genk 3-0 to maintain a 100% record in midweek, whilst they defeated Everton last weekend.

The Scotsman is left with some interesting decisions to make in terms of team selection, so what sort of XI could we see in east London today?

Here’s what we are predicting…

There could be as many as six changes from Thursday night.

Moyes has two absentees in the injured Vladimir Coufal, who is not expected to be available today, and loan midfielder Alex Kral, who is still isolating after a positive test.

It means he has a big call to make at right-back and it could see him stick with impressive 21-year-old Ben Johnson, instead of Ryan Fredericks.

He’ll be joined in defence by Aaron Cresswell, who also keeps his place from the Genk victory, along with Kurt Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna. They replace Craig Dawson and Issa Diop.

They’ll sit in front of no.1 Lukasz Fabianski, with PSG loanee Alphonse Areola seemingly the designated cup ‘keeper, for now.

In midfield, it’s likely that we see the same pairing of Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek, whilst the 58-year-old has seemingly settled on a balanced front four in recent matches.

Thursday’s goalscorer Jarrod Bowen remains but instead of playing up front, he’ll be back on the wing on the opposite flank to Said Benrahma, with Pablo Fornals sitting in the middle.

That’s because talismanic forward Michail Antonio, who has recently been dubbed a “complete monster” and an “absolute revelation” by journalist Paul Brown, is set to return having not been involved in midweek whatsoever.

The 31-year-old’s game time does need to be managed and that could pay dividends here today as he looks to add to his six goals and four assists, certainly well worth his reported £70k-per-week wages.

AND in other news, Moyes could unearth West Ham’s next Joe Cole in 19 y/o gem “similar to Jack Grealish”…

Wet conditions forced the abandonment of the third ODI between Canada and Kenya at King City

Cricinfo staff23-Aug-2009.
Scorecard
The Canadian weather again proved the winner in the final ODI between Kenya and Canada in King City. The persistent rains on Saturday and the high water table meant there were plenty of wet areas on and near the pitch as well as the outfield. The unfavourable conditions resulted in the match being called off without a ball being bowled. Canada, due to their win in the first game, and the abandonment of the next two, won the series 1-0.

Derbyshire have signed Nantie Hayward, the former South Africa quick, until the end of the season to strengthen their seam attack after losing Charl Langeveldt to injury

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2009Derbyshire have signed Nantie Hayward, the former South Africa quick, until the end of the season to strengthen their seam attack after losing Charl Langeveldt to injury.His arrival is subject to obtaining a visa, but head of cricket John Morris said it was important to bolster the fast-bowling resources. “After the disappointment of losing Charl Langeveldt for the season, it was very important that we brought in somebody to strengthen our bowling department.”Although we have got some great young talent and some fine bowlers already at the club, there is a lot of cricket to be played this year and a squad of bowlers is always needed.”With that in mind, to be able to get somebody of Nantie’s experience at such short notice is a timely boost for the team.”Hayward, who has 431 first-class wickets, has had previous county spells with Hampshire, Middlesex and Worcestershire.