هارفي إليوت: لا أصدق التواجد مع محمد صلاح كل يوم في تدريبات ليفربول

أشاد هارفي إليوت لاعب فريق ليفربول الإنجليزي بالدولي المصري محمد صلاح زميله في الفريق، مؤكدًا أنه دائمًا ما يساعده ليصبح أفضل.

هارفي إليوت أشاد كثيرًا بمساعدة محمد صلاح له للتطور في ليفربول، وكرر الأمر الآن في تصريحاته التي نقلتها صحيفة “ليفربول إيكو” المقربة من النادي الإنجليزي.

طالع أيضًا.. نابي كيتا يتخذ قرارًا بشأن مستقبله مع ليفربول

وقال هارفي إليوت: “محمد صلاح لا يصدق، أنا لست مضطرًا للتحدث كثيرًا عن مو، فقد أظهر سبب كونه أحد أفضل اللاعبين في العالم اليوم، وقد فعل ذلك في العديد من المباريات”.

وأضاف: “مو دائمًا موجود لمساعدتي، كما أنني ألعب على الجانب الأيمن مثله، ومن الجيد دائمًا وجود شخص يمرر الكرة إليه أو يحصل على الكرة منه، إنه لاعب رائع ويسهل الأمر على زملائه”.

وشدد: “أحاول فقط أن أتعلم منه كل يوم والتأكد يومًا ما أنني أتعامل معه يوميًا في التدريبات، إنه حقًا أمر لا يصدق أن يشاركني التدريبات ويحاول مساعدتي في التطور والتحسن”.

Ashraful dropped for England ODIs

Bangladesh’s highest-profile batsman, Mohammad Ashraful, has been dropped from a 13-man squad for the three-match one-day series against England, which gets underway on Sunday, after an extended run of poor form

Andrew Miller in Fatullah25-Feb-2010Bangladesh’s highest-profile batsman, Mohammad Ashraful, has been dropped from a 13-man squad for the three-match one-day series against England, which gets underway on Sunday, after an extended run of poor form. His place in the squad has been taken by the uncapped allrounder, Mohammad Sohrawordhi, while the country’s leading strike bowler, Mashrafe Mortaza, comes back into the reckoning after an eight-month injury lay-off.Since scoring a century on debut as a 17-year-old, against Sri Lanka at Colombo in September 2001, Ashraful has gained a reputation as one of the most naturally gifted batsmen in the world game, and on rare occasions, such as his matchwinning century against Australia in June 2005, he has lived up to that star billing.But his respective Test and ODI averages of 22.78 and 23.72 do his talent no justice whatsoever, and the past 12 months have been particularly torrid. His last century came against Zimbabwe in August 2009, shortly after he was relieved of the captaincy to help him concentrate on run-scoring, but he managed just 62 runs in six innings, across all three forms of the game, on the recent tour of New Zealand.”Ashraful himself wanted a break and we also felt that the pressure on him had increased to the extent that his confidence was suffering,” said the Bangladesh chairman of selectors, Raqiful Alam. “We believe that a gap from international cricket would be beneficial for him and he will come back strongly soon and do justice to his calibre.”Ashraful’s replacement, Sohrawordhi, adds depth to the team, in the opinion of the selectors. “He is a very capable cricketer and is in the team as a specialist left-arm spinner,” said Alam. “He can also be a more than handy batsman in the middle and lower-order and he is a top fielder. He is someone who has progressed step-by-step through the development system and has been a consistent performer at Academy and A Team levels over the years.”The return of Mortaza is the big boost to the Bangladesh squad, following his latest bout of rehabilitation after suffering a knee injury in the Caribbean in July. Although he went wicketless in his appearance for the BCB XI in Fatullah on Thursday, the selectors are confident that he is ready to resume his role of strike bowler.”He has played in the practice match today [against England] and he has also been declared fit by his doctor,” said Alam. “Someone like Mortaza has got nothing to prove regarding his ability and we have confidence in him. He is a big-match player.”Roqibul Hasan, who toured New Zealand earlier this month but made just 9 in his solitary ODI at Napier, was not able to preserve his place in the squad when he fell for 14 in the Fatullah warm-up, while the selectors also omitted the pacemen Nazmul Hossain and Shahadat Hossain because of the balance of the side.Bangladesh squad Shakib Al Hasan (Captain), Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes, Zunaed Siddique, Aftab Ahmed Chowdhury, Mahmud Ullah, Naeem Islam, Masrafe Bin Mortaza, Abdur Razzak, Rubel Hossain, Shafiul Islam, Md. Sohrawordhi.

Benitez could score a swap deal for Digne

The ongoing rumoured feud between Rafa Benitez and Lucas Digne at Everton has further encouraged more rumours to develop surrounding the left back’s future at Goodison Park, especially with the transfer window opening in a few days time.

What’s the word?

According to Italian news outlet, TuttoJuve, Juventus could offer a swap deal of Aaron Ramsey to Everton in exchange for Digne during the January transfer window.

However, according to the report this would only be a short term loan until the end of the season, to help Juventus to cover their position for the rest of the season and get the Welshman’s salary off the wage bill at the Italian club.

Ramsey can’t get into the Juventus team with just two appearances in the Serie A this season so far, with the club making it no secret that they are interested in offers for the 31-year-old, who is currently on a whopping £175K a week.

Digne has now not featured in the last three games for Everton, with Benitez asked recently in a press conference if he believes that the 28-year-old was ill after he pulled out of the squad last minute, the Toffees boss responded;

“It is not that I believe or not,”

“I have been in football for so many years and I have so many experiences similar to this one and it is a question of making a decision.

“I have to be sure that the players that will be there tomorrow want to be there and they want to fight for the club and that’s it.”

Is it the right move?

There is no doubt that Ramsey has talent, and when he is not injured, he has proven at the clubs he has played at that he can offer performances at the highest level, playing in the Champions League for both Arsenal and Juventus with 78 appearances in the competition over his career, however, if it is at the cost of losing Digne it may not be worth it.

Digne has been with Everton since the Summer of 2018 when he joined the club from Barcelona and has since offered 127 appearances, six goals and an impressive 20 assists from his full-back position so far, with Gary Lineker taking to his Twitter account back in 2019 to praise the £27M-rated gem hailing him “quality”;

“What an excellent signing Lucas Digne has been for @Everton. Quality fullback. 👍🏻”

With that being said, a loan deal could be beneficial for Digne’s long term future with the Merseyside club, if he could go away keeping up match fitness with another team, whilst allowing his rumoured feud with Benitez to cool down, going into pre-season in the Summer of 2022 back with Everton, with the opportunity of a fresh start.

In other news: Rafa Benitez struck gold with Demarai Gray

Com proposta do México, Sóbis fica fora de treino nesta quinta-feira

MatériaMais Notícias

A notícia que agitou o Cruzeiro nesta semana foi a proposta encaminhada por uma equipe mexicana ao clube pelo atacante Rafael Sóbis. Sem agradar nos últimos jogos, o jogador vem recebendo cada vez menos espaço no clube. E, no treino desta quinta-feira, foi poupado pelo técnico Mano Menezes, o que alimentou ainda mais as chances de uma possível saída do clube. Além dele, o zagueiro Léo também ficou de fora, ainda tratando de lesão.

Quem voltou aos trabalhos com o restante do grupo foi Robinho. Sem atuar desde a final da Copa do Brasil, o jogador, que sofreu lesão na coxa na decisão, voltou a treinar normalmente e virou opção para o comandante celeste para a partida contra o Verdão.

A atividade, conduzida por Mano, foi realizada em campo reduzido, com a divisão do grupo em três times, com sete jogadores em cada. Enquanto dois se enfrentavam, o terceiro ficava “na de fora”, caracterizando o famoso “rei da mesa”. O Cruzeiro volta a treinar nesta sexta-feira, visando a partida contra o Palmeiras, que acontece nesta segunda-feira, às 20h, em São Paulo.

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Presente na Arena do Grêmio, Mano elogia vitória do Cruzeiro

MatériaMais Notícias

Ainda se recuperando de um tratamento de pele realizado após a conquista da Copa do Brasil, Mano Menezes esteve presente na Arena do Grêmio, na última quarta-feira, onde o Cruzeiro venceu o time da casa por 1 a 0, com gol de Rafael Sóbis. O treinador comentou sobre a pausa no trabalho para cuidar da saúde e elogiou o bom trabalho que a equipe vem fazendo ao longo do ano.

– Estava precisando ficar um tempinho parado por orientação médica, mas estou liberado para voltar a trabalhar normalmente. Então, isso deixa a gente feliz, assim como desempenho da equipe. A gente sabe que isso valoriza nossa conquista na Copa do Brasil, foi uma conversa importante para que déssemos tudo que pudéssemos. Dormir na segunda colocação dá um gostinho especial.

Perguntado sobre seu futuro na equipe celeste, Mano declarou que tem contrato até o final da temporada, mas que pretende renovar.

– Tenho contrato com o Cruzeiro até 31 de dezembro. Está tudo bem. Depois disso, a gente senta e renova o contrato ou não renova. Já pensei, já disse isso no final da Copa do Brasil, quando me perguntaram. O mais importante de tudo é as coisas estarem claras para todos os lados, porque será um ano importante para o clube. Sabemos como são as expectativas. Quando se cria expectativa, precisamos criar maneiras de atender essa expectativa do torcedor para que esse momento bom que se tem hoje não virar frustração ano que vem. Isso é o mais importante de tudo.

Mano também comentou da importância de dar sequência ao trabalho e da vontade de vencer a Libertadores 2018. O treinador ainda elogiou o fato de a equipe estar invicta há 13 partidas e do bom momento dos jogadores.

– Vamos discutir internamente. O Cruzeiro sabe a grandeza do que se coloca para ser disputado no ano que vem. O clube tem experiência nisso. É bicampeão de Libertadores, sabe o nível da disputa. Acho que temos um elenco de qualidade muito boa, o elenco vem mostrando isso na temporada. Acho que o mais importante é que todos estejam preparados para ambicionar coisas grandes no ano que vem – finalizou.

O próximo compromisso do Cruzeiro será na próxima quarta, pela 29ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, quando visita o Coritiba no Couto Pereira.

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Tendulkar, Harbhajan seal title in thriller

The ghost of the R Premadasa lights was almost slain tonight

The Bulletin by Sidharth Monga14-Sep-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
Party like it’s the nineties: Tendulkar reaches his 86th international hundred, a completely risk-free effort•AFP

The ghost of batting under the R Premadasa lights was almost buried tonight. Sachin Tendulkar’s master class, an 86th international century close to his best, almost became a footnote on a night of punches and counter-punches. Sri Lanka knew being ultra-aggressive was the only way of going about this huge chase, and they counterattacked every time a wicket was lost. Thilina Kandamby, batting at No. 7, almost pulled off a heist against India for the second time in his short career, but the loss of early wickets had left him with too much to do.Don’t go by the 46-run margin. India’s fielders and fast bowlers were rattled during the frenetic chase. It was their spinners, Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh, who saved them the embarrassment. They took critical wickets at critical points and Raina’s dismissal of Chamara Kapugedera in the 43rd over, with 68 runs and the batting Powerplay to go, proved to be the decisive blow. A pumped-up Harbhajan then finished off what he started, dismissing the last three batsmen in a hurry. He had earlier taken two wickets in the eighth and 10th over of the innings to rein in an explosive start to the chase.When Harbhajan came on for his first spell, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sanath Jayasuriya had jolted the Indian team out of a dream afternoon. Sixty runs were scored in seven overs and all three fast bowlers were clueless. Harbhajan’s first over was a masterpiece. With a slip and leg slip in place, and a strong on-side field, he invited Dilshan to take the risk and hit through the off side. Dilshan took the bait – he didn’t have many choices – got one boundary through cover, and was bowled the next ball.In his next over, Harbhajan got Mahela Jayawardene with a doosra, and India were on all-out attack. Three more bowlers took wickets in the first over of new spells, though failing to bring Sri Lanka’s run-rate down, which was helped by Thilan Thushara’s pinch-hitting. But after they lost the fifth wicket, Kumar Sangakkara and Kandamby settled in for longer innings.Sangakkara was unfortunate when his bat slipped out of his hand and landed on the top of the stumps in the 28th over. With four wickets left, and 138 to get, it seemed over but Kandamby and Kapugedera had other ideas. They didn’t panic, kept the singles and the odd boundaries coming, and were helped by sloppy fielding – India missed at least two run-outs and an easy catch.With 80 required in the last 10 overs, five of which would be bowled under field restrictions, India relied on the spinners. Raina and Yuvraj gave nine runs in Nos. 41 and 42 and, in the 43rd, Raina got the ambitious shot out of Kapugedera, ending a 70-run stand in 15 overs. Harbhajan then came on to finish his third five-for in ODIs.The beauty of the chase was that it overshadowed a classy knock by Tendulkar, who rolled back the years, and then some. He stroked, ran and yearned for runs like it was the 1990s, but unlike those days he didn’t need to take any risks on the way to setting what looked like a total safe beyond doubt.This was Tendulkar’s ninth international century since May 2007, to go with seven scores in the 90s. Judging by this form, 100 international hundreds have become a distinct possibility. A measure of the bowlers’ helplessness lay in the fact that the first time he hit a ball in the air was to reach his fifty, that too off a free hit. With Tendulkar batting the way he was, who needed aerial shots?He shared valuable partnerships with Rahul Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj, especially crucial being the one with Dravid. Tendulkar and Dravid, walking out with 73 years and 762 ODI caps between them, took charge of what has looked a shaky batting line-up: their 95-run opening stand took them to No. 6 on the all-time partnership aggregates in ODIs.Harbhajan Singh grabbed his third five-for to help India lift the Compaq Cup•Associated Press

Tendulkar you simply couldn’t take your eye off. Albeit on a flat track, Tendulkar and Dravid were prepared to work hard in sapping conditions, their shirts turning to dark blue with sweat even before the shine went off the white ball.Nuwan Kulasekera and Thilan Thushara didn’t serve up loose half-volleys or long hops; Tendulkar had to work for every forceful shot. The first ball he faced he punched sweetly off his toes, wide of mid-off for three. In the fourth over, he took a similar delivery and wristed it wide of mid-on for three. We were on to something.A string of lovely boundaries followed, the best being the punches through a tight cover ring, and the late flicks from off and middle stump to midwicket and cow corner. After Dravid’s dismissal, Tendulkar added 110 with Dhoni, who kept the tempo up.By then Tendulkar had started taking the odd chance, stepping out, making room, and hitting Jayasuriya and Mendis over extra cover. One such shot off Mendis, in the 29th over, took him into his 90s and serenely, with ones and twos, came the hundred. After the hundred came the cramps, and when Tendulkar opted for a runner we were reminded for the first time it was in fact the year 2009.Dravid came back to run, but Tendulkar did most of the calling. The bowlers showed no mercy, Malinga bowling a mix of bouncers and yorkers. Tendulkar’s response was to hit Mendis for a six inside-out and reverse-sweep two boundaries in three balls. After he got out in the 46th over, trying one reverse-sweep too many, Yuvraj’s big hitting got India 42 runs, which also proved crucial in the end.

Leeds can form deadly duo with John Swift

Leeds United could form a formidable duo after being linked with a move for Reading midfielder John Swift ahead of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to The Star, Marcelo Bielsa’s charges are one of a number of Premier League sides interested in securing the highly-rated 26-year-old’s services.

Swift is set to become a free agent next summer, and with no sign of an extension being signed at the Madejski Stadium, an imminent exit could be on the cards.

Imagine him and Raphinha

After rising through the ranks of boyhood club Chelsea, Swift soon became frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities after he made just one senior appearance for the senior side.

A string of loan spells at Rotherham United, Swindon Town and Brentford led to the Stamford Bridge outfit offering the academy graduate a new contract back in 2016, but he rejected it in order to get regular game time at Reading.

Since arriving at the Madejski Stadium, Swift has become one of the Championship’s star performers, bagging 31 goals and laying on a further 32 assists in 181 appearances for the Royals.

But he’s elevated his game to new heights this term. In 17 outings for Veljko Paunovic’s charges, the 6-foot dynamo has notched eight goals and provided a further seven assists, highlighting his top-class potential.

Earlier this week, One Leeds Fan YouTuber Conor McGilligan urged the Leeds hierarchy to sign the former England Under-21 international after his eye-catching displays in the second tier.

“[He’s] an absolute grafter, someone who’s worked his way up the football pyramid, someone who, for me, has the technical ability that would sort of replicate a Pablo Hernandez, a Samuel Saiz in tight pockets.

“Someone who is not afraid to drive at the defence; someone who is happy to pick the ball up in uncomfortable situations; someone who, when there’s a throw-in on the left, a throw-in on the right, will go and collect the ball, and then he’ll recover the ball, he’ll rotate – and I think that cycle is what Leeds are missing.”

With Swift famed for his ability to play defence-splitting passes, skilful dribbling and set-piece delivery, he has the potential to strike up a deadly partnership with current Leeds ace Raphinha at Elland Road.

The Brazilian has been phenomenal himself over the last few years, beating the goalkeeper on 11 occasions and supplying nine assists.

Thus, the duo have the technical ability to hurt any Premier League defence, and Swift’s arrival in west Yorkshire will add another exciting weapon to Bielsa’s arsenal.

And, in other news…“I don’t think”: Journo drops big update on £38k-p/w gem, it could be fatal for Leeds

Strauss confirms Bell will bat at No. 4

Andrew Strauss expects Andrew Flintoff to be fit for the third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday, and has confirmed that Ian Bell will bat at No.4 in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen

Cricinfo staff27-Jul-2009

Ian Bell has been in impressive form for Warwickshire this season•Getty Images

Andrew Strauss expects Andrew Flintoff to be fit for the third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston on Thursday, and has confirmed that Ian Bell will bat at No. 4 in place of the injured Kevin Pietersen.Flintoff, who retires from Test cricket at the end of the Ashes, continues to struggle with a chronic knee injury which has threatened to hasten his retirement. But Strauss has been encouraged by Flintoff’s fitness and remains confident that England’s allrounder will be fit enough to once again lead the attack.”All the indications are that Andrew will be fine. We need to see how he goes over the next couple of days during practice,” Strauss said at The Oval, where England announced their new team sponsors, Brit Insurance. “But at this stage we are very confident and obviously he will want to build on his performance at Lord’s.”I spoke to him the day after the second Test at a charity dinner and he said then he was recovering well. That’s encouraging. He won’t have bowled until practice tomorrow but has been in constant contact with our medical team. When you’ve had as many injuries as him you get a good indication of how you’re feeling. Everything we’ve heard so far has been positive.”Flintoff produced a typically talismanic final-day effort at Lord’s last week, taking five wickets for just the third time in his career as England ended a 75-year wait to beat Australia at the home of cricket. But while England can be heartened by Flintoff’s news, another instrumental player, Pietersen, has been ruled out of the series after undergoing Achilles surgery.Strauss confirmed that his replacement, Bell, will bat at No. 4 instead of shuffling the line-up to accommodate him. “Ian Bell will come in for Pietersen at four. We’re very clear on that,” Strauss said. “It causes the least possible disruption to other members of the side.”We’re all very excited for Ian. He was left out of the team and had to work very hard to get his place back. He’s done a huge amount of work on and off the field. He’s very hungry. We’re excited to have him back in the team.”Bell was dropped earlier this year after a string of inconsistent performances, with Ravi Bopara taking his place at No. 3. Bopara may not have set the Ashes alight, yet, but Bell – who himself has struggled against Australia in his two previous Ashes appearances – is confident he is in the right frame of mind, and in good enough form, to make the most of this surprise opportunity.”Of all the countries I’ve played, I’ve played well apart from against Australia. I know that – it’s in the back of my mind,” Bell told Sky Sports News. “This is a different Australian team than I’ve played in the past, but a very fine one as well. But cricket’s a stats game, and I’ve got those stats to put right and to improve on.”Shane Warne reignited an old friendship with Bell today when he wrote in his column that he hoped Bell’s return to England colours “will hopefully be greeted with ‘welcome back, Shermanator’, the nickname I gave him in 2006.”

Forewarned means forearmed

Match facts

Sunday, June 14
Start time 1730 local (1630 GMT)

Big Picture

England will remember Yuvraj Singh’s assault when the two teams meet at Lord’s•Getty Images

Well, that’s livened things up a bit. West Indies’ stunning seven-wicket win over India on Friday has transformed the dynamics of Group E, and left the holders facing what is, in effect, an elimination show-down with the hosts. On paper it ought not even to be close – when England and India last faced each other in a limited-overs contest, in India in November, a unprecedented 7-0 whitewash was only averted by the abandonment of the tour due to the Mumbai terror attacks.Nothing that England have done in this tournament to date gives much reason to believe they have a prayer of progressing any further. A laughable defeat against the Dutch was followed by a competent dismissal of a distracted Pakistan, but their humbling against South Africa on Thursday was a truer reflection of their standing. Quite simply, they were outclassed, rolled over for 111and routed by Jacques Kallis on cruise control.India, by contrast, were progressing pretty serenely (give or take the odd testy press conference) until their surprise derailment at the hands of Dwayne Bravo. They qualified comfortably from a weak group made up of Bangladesh and Ireland, and it’s possible they were caught unawares by the sudden step-up in class that West Indies presented.Whatever the reasons, forewarned means forearmed. The last time these two sides met in the World Twenty20, in Durban in September 2007, Yuvraj Singh strode into history with his brutalising of a young Stuart Broad, and India marched into the final stages as England skulked home early from yet another global tournament. Little we’ve witnessed thus far in 2009 suggests the story will be any different. But then again, shocks are part and parcel of this format, and any side containing an in-form Kevin Pietersen cannot be dismissed out of hand.

Semi-final chances

A win for either team will obviously boost their chances of making it to the semis, but India have far more riding on this game than England. If India lose on Sunday, they are definitely out, since the winner of the England-West Indies game on Monday will join South Africa on two wins and knock India out even if they win their last game.If England lose, however, there is still a chance for them if they beat West Indies, and if South Africa beat India. In that case, South Africa will finish with three wins, while England, India and West Indies will all have one each, bringing net run rates into play.

Form guide

(last five matches, most recent first)
England: LWLLW
Up and down, up and down. England’s yo-yo performances demonstrate just how inexact their science is when it comes to Twenty20. Paul Collingwood said his team would carry on attacking despite their defeat against South Africa, but the best sides are able to adapt on the hoof.India: LWWLL
A brace of defeats in New Zealand earlier this year dented India’s overall record, but they have still won nine of their 15 T20Is dating back to December 2006.

Watch out for…

Yuvraj Singh’s astounding feat under the Durban floodlights was the unequivocal highlight of the last World Twenty20, as he battered Broad for six consecutive sixes. There has been mutual antipathy between Yuvraj and England ever since, compounded by the success his left-arm spin has enjoyed against Pietersen. With 67 from 43 balls in the West Indies defeat, he’s certainly in form ahead of the rematch.Ravi Bopara has been tipped by Sachin Tendulkar, no less, as a very “special” talent, and Indian audiences already know what he’s about, after he produced one of the finest innings of the IPL – 84 from 59 balls for King’s XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore. After two consecutive failures against Pakistan and South Africa, he’s due a return to form.

Team news

After a false start against Netherlands, England seem to have settled upon their best eleven for this format, with Adil Rashid impressing as the second spinner, and Dimitri Mascarenhas taking the pace off the new ball. Despite crashing horribly at Trent Bridge, it’s hard to see how they can improve the team, short of shooing in Graham Napier for his international debut.England: (probable) 1 Ravi Bopara, 2 Luke Wright, 3 Kevin Pietersen, 4 Owais Shah, Paul Collingwood (capt), 6 Dimitri Mascarenhas, 7 James Foster (wk), 8 Graeme Swann, 9 Stuart Broad, 10 Adil Rashid, 11 James Anderson.The loss of Virender Sehwag was a blow to their big-hitting aspirations, but India still possess oodles of potent thwackers all the way down the order, even as far as Harbhajan Singh at No. 8. It’s unlikely they’ll be altering what was, up until Friday, a winning formula.India: (probable) 1 Gautam Gambhir, 2 Rohit Sharma, 3 Suresh Raina, 4 Yuvraj Singh, 5 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 6 Yusuf Pathan, 7 Irfan Pathan, 8 Harbhajan Singh, 9 Zaheer Khan, 10 Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha

Stats and Trivia

  • England and India have only played in one Twenty20 international to date – Yuvraj’s match in Durban, which finished up as 18-run win for India.
  • Despite their habitual lack of success (seven victories in 18 matches) seven of the England players who contested that match are likely starters this time around.
  • Six different Indian batsmen have struck 13 sixes between them so far in the tournament. England’s tally is eight.

Quotes

“We were able to raise the required run rate close to 10 runs per over, we were good at that, but he took the game away from us.”

“We’re not going to win by sitting back. Twenty20 cricket is about putting the opposition under pressure from ball one. We’ve got to make sure we have the attitude of ‘keep going for it’. We’re not going to get anywhere by being conservative .”

Hayward joins Derbyshire

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.

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