Jonh Wright, the former India coach, has said the incumbent Gary Kirsten is “probably better” in that role than him

Cricinfo staff12-Mar-2009
John Wright is impressed with Gary Kirsten’s performance as India coach © Getty Images
John Wright, the former India coach, has said the incumbent Gary Kirsten is “probably better” in that role than him. Since taking over last year, Kirsten has overseen India’s Test victories over Australia and England at home, and several highs in ODIs as well, including the longest winning streak by an Indian side.”He is very thoughtful and very passionate and I think he understands the importance and the privilege of coaching India,” Wright told . He was India’s coach for five years from November 2000 during which India won a historic series against Australia in 2001 at home, won in Pakistan in 2003, and also guided the team to the finals of the 2003 World cup.Wright, a former New Zealand batsman, also said that adapting to the way things work in India was a key factor in being a successful India coach. “You bring some ideas from outside India but there is also an understanding of how things are best handled and getting to know your players and keeping them contented and happy and confident and being able to correct them when they need to.”Wright, who is currently a New Zealand selector, was also glad the upcoming Test series was a three-match affair and not two, as was originally planned. New Zealand won the Twenty20s and India have sealed the one-dayers, and Wright felt the home side would have to play “right upto their potential” if they are going to put up a fight against India in the Tests.

MatériaMais Notícias

O sistema defensivo do Flamengo terá uma novidade para o duelo contra o Cruzeiro, pela 14ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro, às 16h deste domingo, no Mineirão. Trauco está suspenso por ter tomado o terceiro cartão amarelo na partida contra o Grêmio e fica de fora da partida contra os mineiros.

Sem o camisa 13, o comandante rubro-negro irá promover a entrada de Renê ao time titular. Os dois laterais revezaram a posição durante a temporada e em certos momentos chegaram a atuar juntos, no período em que Diego esteve ausente, por motivos de lesão.

Se por um lado Zé Ricardo não poderá contar com o Trauco, o treinador terá o retorno de outro peruano. Guerrero cumpriu suspensão no duelo contra o Grêmio, foi substituído por Leandro Damião e volta ao comando de atauqe do rubro-negro neste domingo.

Contra o Cruzeiro, dois atletas ainda entrarão em campo pendurados. O lateral-direito e o volante Cuéllar estão com dois amarelos e se tomarem mais um contra a Raposa neste domingo, irão desfalcar o Rubro-Negro contra o Palmeiras, na Ilha do Urubu.

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Manchester City kick off their 2021/22 Carabao Cup campaign with a clash against League One outfit Wycombe on Tuesday night.

Pep Guardiola’s side are looking to defend the crown after beating Tottenham 1-0 in the final last season, when Aymeric Laporte’s goal was enough to secure the trophy for City against a Ryan Mason-led Spurs side.

They now head into this clash with Wycombe off the back of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Southampton at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League at the weekend.

One player who needs to be thrown into the starting XI is England international and City academy product Phil Foden. He is yet to start a match in any competition this season after a recent injury, but he made his first appearance in the league as a substitute against the Saints.

It could now be time for Guardiola to unleash the attacking midfielder from the start. Playing 70-80 minutes against lower league opposition could help to get him back up to speed after a number of weeks out, whilst his ability on the pitch could help City to victory.

Guardiola once hailed Foden as an ‘incredibly talented’ player, rejecting calls for him to be loaned out at the time. The Spaniard said: “The people say he doesn’t play too much. He is 18 years old and he has played a lot of minutes.

“The people say he should be on loan; Phil Foden will not be on loan. All the time he is here he will be close to me because he is an incredibly talented player.”

The 21-year-old can be a game-changer with his talent and has proven this for City on several occasions. Last season, he managed nine goals and five assists in 17 Premier League starts, with two goals and two assists in four Carabao Cup starts.

This shows that he has the quality to score and set up goals on a regular basis when unleashed from the start, which is why Guardiola must name him in his XI against Wycombe. Foden’s craft and guile could help to pick off the League One outfit and enable to him build up his match fitness ahead of important Premier League and Champions League matches.

AND in other news, 102 touches: Man City gem with two key passes was shining light for Pep vs Southampton…

استكملت اليوم مباريات الجولة الـ26 من عمر الدوري المصري الممتاز، والتي شهدت خوض ثلاث مباريات.

ونجح الأهلي في تحقيق الفوز على الجونة بهدفين دون رد، كما حقق بيراميدز فوزًا على مضيفه الإسماعيلي برباعية دون رد.

ونجح علي معلول في رفع رصيده التهديفي بتسجيله هدف اليوم، كما سجل رمضان صبحي ثنائية في فوز بيراميدز.

فيديو | علي معلول يسجل هدف الأهلي الثاني أمام الجونة

واختتمت اللقاءات بفوز الزمالك على سموحة بهدفين دون رد، سجلهما أحمد سيد زيزو، ليعود للانفراد بصدارة الهدافين. ترتيب هدافي الدوري المصري الممتاز بعد فوز الأهلي وبيراميدز

1- أحمد سيد زيزو (الزمالك) – المركز الأول – 13 هدفًا

2- مابولولو (الاتحاد السكندري) – مروان حمدي (سموحة) – المركز الثاني – 12 هدفًا.

3- جون إيبوكا (إنبي) – المركز الثالث – 10 أهداف.

4- أشرف بن شرقي (الزمالك) – مصطفى شلبي (إنبي)- أحمد رفعت (فيوتشر) – عبد الكبير الوادي (سموحة)- شادي حسين (سيراميكا كليوباترا) – المركز الرابع – 9 أهداف.

5- علي معلول، محمد مجدي أفشة (الأهلي)، خالد قمر (الجونة)، ناصر منسي (البنك الأهلي) – محمد هلال (البنك الأهلي)، المركز الخامس -8 أهداف.

6- محمد شريف (الأهلي) أحمد عاطف (فيوتشر) – المركز السادس- 7 أهداف.

7- عمر السعيد (الزمالك) ، أيمن الصفاقسي (فيوتشر)، إبراهيم عادل (بيراميدز)، رمضان صبحي (بيراميدز)، أمادو نياس (المقاولون العرب)،  المركز السابع – 6 أهداف.

Ange Postecoglou admitted last week that he felt he’d walked under a ladder after the start of his Celtic tenure.

Indeed, after the Hoops suffered more dropped points and yet another injury on Sunday, he’d have been wondering how many ladders had been placed in his way.

On the chalkboard

This is Celtic’s worst start to a campaign for 23-years and after an injury problem to Josip Juranovic, the issues are only mounting for Postecoglou.

The Bhoys only have ten points from their opening seven matches and barring a miracle, it would take a lot of work in order to regain the Premiership title.

Juranovic has now joined a plethora of other bodies on the treatment table with fellow defender Greg Taylor out alongside the likes of Callum McGregor, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Kyogo Furuhashi.

Now is the time for Celtic’s most experienced players to step up. You’re asking for Joe Hart to lead by example and for Tom Rogic to really grab the bull by the horns.

Sadly, the Australian’s performances have waned in recent weeks. He started the campaign in excellent form and looked a rejuvenated figure under Postecoglou following a goal against Dundee FC.

However, he’s now struggling to add impetus to the final third and he’s also losing the ball on a regular basis.

As Celtic laboured to a 1-1 draw with Dundee United this weekend, he was particularly poor. Rogic missed a golden opportunity that struck the woodwork, gave away possession 20 times and completed just 71% of his passes.

The solution

One simple remedy would be to withdraw Rogic from the starting XI for a period of games.

However, with Celtic’s injury list mounting, that’s easier said than done.

A way they could solve that issue is by looking into the B team and unleashing some of the young players who are set to star in the future.

Postecoglou hasn’t been shy to grant opportunities to young players with Dane Murray featuring in the Champions League a few weeks ago and Adam Montgomery now becoming a key part of the manager’s plans.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/check-out-the-latest-celtic-news-duffy-mccarthy-brady-knockaert” title= “Read the latest Celtic news!”]

Another teenager they should turn to is Owen Moffat.

The 19-year-old was on the bench against Dundee United last weekend and has been a rampant threat all season long for the B team.

Capable of playing out wide but also through the middle, Moffat is a mightily talented individual, someone who’d be prepared to offer more in the final third than his Australian colleague.

He has been among the goals already this season, finding the net five times in a 10-0 win over Vale of Leithen.

The youngster started that game on the flanks but moved centrally before catching the eye again.

At his age, versatility will be extremely important when it comes to breaking into the senior set-up.

He’s never made a first-team appearance but one can’t be far off after the acclaim he’s received in 2021/22.

Speaking during pre-season, skipper Callum McGregor commented: “A mention for young Moffat – his attitude has been first class. I remember watching him at the end of last season, training on the astro himself. Every day they would do finishing and I remember thinking: ‘He’s got a finish on him’.”

With Celtic stuttering, they will be lusting after the return of their injured stars. Though, for the time being, it’s surely worth exploring Moffat’s qualities in the first-team.

AND in other news, 93% pass success: 26 y/o now shining after leaving Celtic, he was a “laughing stock”…

Syed Kirmani, the former Indian wicketkeeper, has criticised the wicketkeeping technique of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He said Dhoni lacked the “copybook basics” of a wicketkeeper and said the flaws were not attracting attention because the Indian team has been in top form in recent months.”He is improving with every match, though he is not technically sound behind the wicket.” quoted Kirmani as saying. “He doesn’t have the copybook basics of a wicketkeeper.Dhoni does not have the natural instincts of an athlete, which is very important for a wicketkeeper.”Kirmani, 59, played 88 Tests for India in a 12-year career that started in 1976 and is one of India’s greatest wicketkeepers. He was also concerned about Dhoni’s long-term future as a wicketkeeper. “No player remains the same after four years. The agility and reflex of a player diminishes with age,” said Kirmani. “The body and muscles start wearing out. And Dhoni is playing all three forms of the game round the year.”Kirmani said that at 27, it was too late for Dhoni to modify his technique. “These things have to be done at the grassroot level. Not only Dhoni, I can’t change the technique of a Parthiv Patel or a Dinesh Karthik.”This is not the first time Kirmani has found fault with Dhoni’s keeping technique. In 2006, he had questioned Dhoni’s tendency to stand on his heels while waiting for the ball instead of being on his toes.

According to reliable reporter Sam Lee of The Athletic, West Ham have been keeping tabs on Manchester City attacker James McAtee.

The Lowdown: West Ham look to future…

As Rob Newman comes in as the club’s new recruitment chief, his West Ham transfer mission may stretch far beyond simply signing first team stars for the present.

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The Athletic relayed manager David Moyes’ personal desire to bring in promising, young players with re-sale value to the club in a bid to plan for West Ham’s future.

As such, news has now come to light involving the Hammers and interest in a very exciting talent.

The Latest: West Ham now eyeing McAtee…

As per Lee of The Athletic, West Ham are now keeping tabs on the dazzling 18-year-old who recently made his senior debut for The Sky Blues in a 6-1 Carabao Cup victory over Wycombe Wanderers last month.

As well as the Irons, Crystal Palace and Brighton are interested with the latter club even having an £8 million bid rejected for his services.

The teenage talent is apparently ‘not for sale at any price’ with City believing he has a real future at Eastlands.

The Verdict: Difficult move…

McAtee’s potential is vast enough to even draw comparisons with Premier League and City legend David Silva (Goal).

Pep Guardiola lauded the attacking midfielder as one of the ‘special’ crop of youngsters coming through at Eastlands after he featured against Wycombe and it’s clear he may be one to watch for the future.

However, with all these tags, it is clear to see why City won’t sell at any price – so this may be a difficult move for West Ham to pull off.

In other news: Newman gifted boost in race to sign ‘outstanding’ star who is ‘very keen’ to join West Ham, find out more here.

One over from Andrew Flintoff was enough to show West Indies the task they face to save this Test

Andrew McGlashan in Antigua16-Feb-2009
Andrew Flintoff was nailed by low bounce. He has the chance to get his revenge on the third day © AFP
One over from Andrew Flintoff was enough to show West Indies the task they face to save this Test. He doesn’t need a diagram to show him where to bowl, but in this match he has the help of a football marking on a perfect length. That the over was bowled to Chris Gayle merely rubbed in the fact that West Indies had asked England to bat first. No wonder Gayle’s swagger was not as noticeable as it was in Kingston.”When you are consistently hitting that area the ball is misbehaving quite a bit,” said Paul Collingwood. “But the other parts of the pitch are behaving quite well and there’s not a lot in it for full [length]. The short balls are going through quickly, but the more you hit that halfway area there is inconsistent bounce. Hopefully we can home in on that tomorrow. It looks like Freddie’s length and we all know how accurate he can bowl.”In the 36 hours that the groundstaff had to prepare this surface they used a road-roller to try and flatten the ridge as much as possible. England’s end result of 566 for 9 showed that the trick worked for a while, but an increasing number of deliveries have started to interest the bowlers.Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Flintoff both received balls that kept low from Jerome Taylor at the Factory Road End. Gayle was then on the wrong end of the opposite extremes as one climbed past his nose before the next kept low by his ankles. The mind-games had started and when Gayle drove lazily to mid-off it was the shot of a distracted man.However, John Dyson, the West Indies coach, had no qualms about the surface. “There were a few balls that misbehaved, but one of the things I’ve said about Test wickets in the last 12 months is that some of them are just too good.”They aren’t meant to last six or seven days. You expect them to wear and play a few tricks. Just how many tricks it will play we won’t be sure on until we see it tomorrow. The main tricks have been made by the soccer line, not the wicket itself.”In the aftermath of the abandonment on Friday, Gayle joked that this Test should be played back in Jamaica. At the time it was said with tongue firmly in cheek, but the demeanour of West Indies throughout the opening two days has been of a side that doesn’t want to be here. Unlike England, they don’t appear to have been able to put all the various issues out of their minds.”I was a little disappointed with the way we bowled today,” Dyson said. “On a wicket like that you have to be very patient and we fell back into an old habit of being to be aggressive.”Fidel Edwards was an exception as he ran in hard throughout and bowled with intelligence and extreme pace, and Brendan Nash stood out in the field for the manner he continually cajoled his team-mates. Nash’s Australian upbringing shone through, for Aussies don’t accept anything except total commitment. It’s a trait the home side will need plenty of in the next three days.In the aftermath of West Indies’ stunning victory in Kingston both Dyson and Gayle called for calm. They realised that an evolving team was going to have some days like this. Now they have to show that when the going gets tough they can battle it out. That will be a true test of how far this side has come.

Many Wolves fans have been left fuming as some transfer news emerged on Sven Botman.

Speaking to AD, the central defender admitted that he was ‘open’ to leaving Lille before the summer window shut, as the Midlands club had a bid turned down for him.

Sevilla were also interested in his signature, but he is now happy to stay in France and is looking forward to playing in the UEFA Champions League.

Botman was such a key player for Lille on their way to winning the Ligue 1 title in the 2020/21 term, playing in all but one match and helping his side keep no fewer than 20 clean sheets in the process, while he himself won an impressive 4.9 of his duels per game and also averaged 3.2 clearances and 1.5 interceptions per appearance (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, it looks as if the Molineux faithful have now missed their chance.

Wolves fans on Botman transfer news

These WWFC supporters fumed as the transfer news was shared on Twitter:

“Bed”

Credit: @wwfcglover

“Pain.”

Credit: @StephenPotts96_

“And we bottled it”

Credit: @WolvesNumber37

“Man alive”

Credit: @Sandhurstwolf

“I refuse to like this tweet, is there a hate button instead Dave?”

Credit: @DannyPowers82

“This is why Jeff Shi’s comment on ‘budget was not an issue’ does not sit right with me.”

Credit: @jaffajub

In other news, find out what revelation has Wanderers fuming here!

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou will be without Callum McGregor against Raith Rovers, while Giorgos Giakoumakis is also unlikely to start, Alison Conroy reports.

The Lowdown: Poor run of form

The Hoops go into Thursday’s League Cup quarter-final off the back of four defeats in five games in all competitions.

Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Livingston now means it’s seven months without a domestic away win, with the Hoops making their worst league start in 23 years.

Captain McGregor and Giakoumakis both missed the loss to Livingston, and it seems as if the pair will both be missing from the starting lineup against Raith Rovers.

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The Latest: Conroy’s post

Reliable reporter Conroy took to Twitter on Wednesday, just over 24 hours before the meeting to share updates on the pair.

Postecoglou admitted that McGregor will miss the meeting at Parkhead, while Giakoumakis is unlikely to start.

“Ange Postecoglou says Callum McGregor won’t be back for Celtic’s League Cup tie v Raith Rovers. Giorgos Giakoumakis is in the squad for tomorrow night’s game but unlikely to start.”

The Verdict: Not ideal

A cup quarter-final won’t be straightforward, regardless of the opposition, so having the pair missing from the starting lineup could be a big blow.

Giakoumakis is still yet to feature for Celtic after his summer move, so the clash against Raith Rovers could have been the perfect opportunity to announce himself to the Parkhead crowd from the off.

He may still get the chance to feature, potentially from the bench, should he make it, unlike McGregor, but it appears as if Albian Ajeti could be the man to lead the line once again for Celtic.

In other news: Celtic icon smiles and reveals whether he would replace McKay at Parkhead.