Preview to the first ODI between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai

S Rajesh21-Apr-2009Match factsApril 22, 2009
Start time 2.30pm (10.30GMT)Andrew Symonds returns to the ODI fold after a long absence•Getty ImagesBig PictureFor a team which has had little international cricket in the recent past the next couple of weeks is a huge opportunity: Pakistan have only played two Tests and six ODIs in the last nine months, but will play five ODIs and a Twenty20 game over the next 16 days against the second-best team in one-day cricket. While that’s a significant occasion for Pakistan, it’ll also test their preparedness – if they come out rusty, their lack of match practice could be ruthlessly exposed. It’ll help, though, that their team is being led Younis Khan, a captain who exudes positive energy and is probably the best man to keep team spirits high in such depressing times.For Australia, the problem is the opposite: they’ve played 12 Tests and 18 ODIs in the last nine months, and they have so much more cricket coming up in the next few months that some of their big names have been forced to take a break. Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey and Mitchell Johnson are being rested, while Brett Lee isn’t yet fit enough. In Ponting’s absence, Michael Clarke will lead a team which has been struggling to assert itself in ODIs lately, losing a couple of series to South Africa and drawing one to New Zealand. The series is also an opportunity for a couple of players to return to the national fold – Andrew Symonds is back in ODIs after a ten-month absence, while Stuart Clark has an opportunity to stake his claim again after recovering from an elbow injury.There’ll be plenty of focus on the venue too: the Dubai Sports City Stadium will become the 172nd venue to host an ODI, and by all accounts the 25,000-seater has impressed both teams. With so much uncertainty over the security situation in Pakistan, a good show here will encourage more games – possibly even Tests – at this ground, which will be good news for Pakistan and for world cricket.Form guide (last five ODIs, most recent first)Pakistan LLWWW
Australia WLLLW
Watch out forAndrew Symonds: Back in the Australian ODI team for the first time since July 2008, Symonds will be keen to prove he has worked on his attitude and his form, and is ready to perform at the top level again. Strong displays here will strengthen his case for a place in Australia’s squad for the World Twenty20, and perhaps even the Ashes.Shoaib Akhtar: There are plenty of question marks about Shoaib’s form and fitness, but his ability to turn it on when fully focused isn’t in doubt. The dry conditions in Dubai should help his reverse-swing too.Team newsPakistan are most likely to play three specialist fast bowlers – Shoaib, Umar Gul and Sohail Tanvir – with Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Malik offering spin support. Nasir Jamshed should be back at the top of the order after missing the last couple of series.Pakistan (probable) 1 Salman Butt, 2 Nasir Jamshed, 3 Younis Khan, 4 Misbah-ul-Haq, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Kamran Akmal (wk), 8 Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Shoaib Akhtar, 11 Saeed Ajmal.Despite putting together century stands in their last two games in South Africa, Australia are likely to disturb the opening combination of Brad Haddin and Clarke, and instead put Shaun Marsh and Shane Watson at the top of the order. Haddin is likely to drop to No.3, with Clarke in next. With Johnson and Siddle resting and Lee injured, the bowling attack will have some changes too, and Clark might get an early chance to prove his fitness.Australia (probable) 1 Shaun Marsh, 2 Shane Watson, 3 Brad Haddin (wk), 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 David Hussey, 7 Callum Ferguson, 8 Nathan Hauritz, 9 Stuart Clark, 10 Nathan Bracken, 11 Ben Laughlin. Pitch and conditionsPakistan aren’t playing at home, but conditions at the Dubai Sports City Stadium will probably resemble those in Lahore or Karachi. The heat will be quite acute, and the dry conditions should offer plenty of encouragement for the spinners.Stats and Trivia Australia have been in wretched ODI form this year, winning only five matches out of 15, and losing nine. Nathan Bracken has been one of the below-par performers during this period, with 16 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 39.93 and an economy rate of 5.34. In 11 ODIs against Australia, Younis has only scored 158 runs at an average of 15.80, with one half-century. These two teams last played an ODI more than three years ago, during the VB Series in February 2005. Australia won the best-of-three finals 2-0. Quotes”Personally, I’m delighted to be back in Aussie colours – I’ve had a few decent tussles with Pakistan over the years, my debut in Pakistan for starters, and the 2003 World Cup, and I’ve no doubt this will be a tough series against them. The challenge is there for all of us to roll up our sleeves and get into it.”
“We’ve been given a fantastic opportunity to perform and put your hand up while guys are out resting or injured. It gives somebody else an opportunity to push for the 2011 World Cup.”
“There is no alternative to playing at home but unfortunately we have to play in Emirates but the conditions here are similar to Pakistan and we feel it is like a home away from home. I hope Pakistani people who live here will come to encourage us.”
“I am pleased at Shoaib’s discipline both on and off the field. He has shown promise and he is bowling with commitment, and I have lots of hope that he would deliver for us, which, I tell you, is very important.”

Queensland have four days of relief before running into Victoria again and they will look for revenge in the final

Cricinfo staff08-Mar-2009Queensland 302 and 1 for 187 (Broad 100*, Love 77) drew with Victoria 8 for 806 dec (Hodge 261, Rogers 123, White 124, Wade 100*, Quiney 94, Simpson 4-194)
Scorecard
Points table
Cameron White posted 124 early in the day, but delayed his declaration until Victoria had 806 © Getty Images
Queensland have four days of relief before running into Victoria again and they will look for revenge in the final after the hosts waited until 8 for 806 before declaring on the final day. The Bulls will try to forget this match after learning of their second-placed finish with Tasmania’s draw with South Australia in Adelaide, a result which sealed their progress to the Junction Oval decider on Friday.The Bushrangers, who have not given up a point this summer, finally closed their first innings in the second session with the seventh-highest total in the competition’s history. Queensland’s batsmen showed some steel by reaching 1 for 187 at stumps, with Ryan Broad warming up with 100 not out and Martin Love chipping in with 77.The teams have been involved in a tit-for-tat battle over big scores for the past five years, with Queensland’s 6 for 900 declared in the 2005-06 final a response to Victoria’s 710 in the 2003-04 decider. It is unlikely the home side’s aim will alter from Friday.Cameron White started the day on 96 and brought up his hundred, but Victoria continued batting to eliminate Queensland’s hopes of an early declaration. White went on to reach 124 before he was taken by Chris Simpson, who later caught John Hastings (4) off his own bowling.In between those breakthroughs the wicketkeeper Matthew Wade got settled and he was the fourth Victorian to reach three figures after the score had already ticked to 800. It was Wade’s second century in consecutive matches and he was called in by White after raising his bat. Brad Hodge’s 261 led the punishment over the past three days along with Chris Rogers’ 123.The Bulls have some weary bowlers after their loads were increased by Chris Swan’s groin injury and their attempt to protect James Hopes ahead of the final. Ben Laughlin’s 2 for 223 came from 55 overs, Simpson delivered 65 in his 4 for 194 and Nathan Rimmington’s 0 for 183 came from from 44.

MatériaMais Notícias

Cuca confirmou apenas um titular do Palmeiras para o jogo deste domingo, contra o Sport: Jailson. O goleiro, destaque no empate com o Flamengo, segue na equipe, e consequentemente Fernando Prass ficará mais uma vez no banco. No ataque, Deyverson deve ser usado ao menos em parte da partida.

A mudança na meta foi uma forma de preservar Fernando Prass, segundo o treinador. O camisa 1 vinha sendo questionado por atuações ruins e perdeu a vaga no jogo de quarta. Jailson entrou bem e pegou pênalti de Diego, no segundo tempo do 2 a 2 com o Fla.

– O critério que usei é: goleiro quando tem uma falha pequena, microfalha, e ela não passa despercebida. Uma falha normal e ela é vista como grande falha, acho que é hora de preservar. Foi este meu critério de colocar o Jailson no momento. Mas o Fernando para mim é um cara a ser espelhado por todos, inclusive pelo Jailson. Cara que tem todo nosso respeito e admiração e pode voltar, natural, é do futebol – afirmou o treinador.

-O Jailson sempre apoiou ele, em todos os jogos, e agora é a vez do Fernando, como ele apoiou o Jailson depois do jogo de quarta, em que foi cumprimentar ele. Isto é uma equipe. Fernando e o Jailson fazem parte dela – completou.

Em relação à rodada passada, Michel Bastos, Tchê Tchê, Dudu e Borja estão suspensos. Willian, machucado. Com tantos desfalques, Cuca terá de antecipar o uso de Deyverson. O ex-jogador do Alavés (ESP) ainda não está no ideal físico, mas precisa ser preparado também de olho no jogo contra o Barcelona (EQU), dia 9 de agosto, pelas oitavas da Libertadores. O técnico ainda não diz se o colocará como titular ou no segundo tempo.

– O Deyverson precisa de rodagem. Ele automaticamente vai jogar uma parte do jogo, vamos analisar que parte. É um jogador que precisa de rodagem, não pode jogar no meio de semana (não está inscrito na Copa do Brasil). Não é o ideal estrear, precisaria de um tempo maior, estava há 30 dias de férias, e seis, sete de trabalho. É pouco, mas usá-lo um pouco, é necessário – encerrou.

Após o treino desta tarde, o Verdão fará mais um trabalho sábado, em Pernambuco, antes de pegar o Sport, domingo. Uma possível escalação tem: Jailson; Mayke, Mina, Edu Dracena (Luan) e Egídio; Thiago Santos, Bruno Henrique e Zé Roberto; Keno, Róger Guedes e Deyverson (Erik).

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasChuva muda planos, e Palmeiras faz treino perto do hotel em PernambucoPalmeiras21/07/2017PalmeirasHospital diz que Marcos se recupera de forma ‘satisfatória’ após cirurgiaPalmeiras21/07/2017

Richarlison is ahead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the injury comeback trail, Everton manager Rafael Benitez has said. 

The England striker hasn’t featured for the Toffees since the 2-0 win at Brighton in August, having sustained a fractured toe (via Transfermarkt). He had scored in all three Premier League matches prior to that injury and bagged eight more than any of his team-mates last season.

Richarlison, meanwhile, has been missing since the 3-1 victory over Burnley on 13 September, when he was on the end of a brutal lunge from James Tarkowski.

How have Everton coped?

Salomon Rondon, a summer signing from Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Professional, has deputised in their absence but is yet to find the net for his new club.

Everton have won only one of their four matches without the duo, and that was against bottom side Norwich City at home. They have suffered defeats against Aston Villa and West Ham United and picked up a point against Manchester United.

As per Liverpool Echo, Benitez said: “I think Richarlison is closer, Dominic will take longer but Richarlison is getting closer.”

Everton fans fret over injury update

Twitter fan feed Toffee TV relayed the manager’s update on the injury-afflicted duo, and here’s what some Everton supporters made of it.

“Can’t take anymore of Rondon up front”

Credit: @lebatman1

“Not getting much proper info on Dom..! Hope it’s not worse than first feared. I reckon we will miss Richy for the Watford game as well but don’t like the vibes about Dom at all..”

Credit: @Kieranbuckley5

“It’s scary how much we are missing him. Rondon looks so out of his depth it untrue. We need to try someone else upfront until DCL is fit”

Credit: @kevertonH

“What is @CalvertLewin14 injury? Thought it was just minor?”

Credit: @garath_t

“Cannot understate how much I miss these 2”

Credit: @lil_platinum

“Richarlison has to replace Rondon and Gordon has to replace Iwobi and then pray for no more injuries”

Credit: @JamesBrownEFC

In other news, some Everton fans slammed this man’s display against West Ham

Flocking to Twitter, some West Ham United fans have erupted over a fresh transfer claim involving Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette.

Irons boss David Moyes has been on the look out for a new striker since the beginning of this year, even confirming that bids had been made in January.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/west-ham-developments/” title=”West Ham developments!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

As well as this, the Scotsman candidly admitted that he was ‘desperate’ to sign a forward in the summer – but West Ham failed to make a transfer happen in time.

The Hammers are arguably short of options in that area given their over-reliance on Michail Antonio, but some encouraging news has emerged on their hunt.

Indeed, as per 90min, West Ham are now a ‘potential destination’ for Gunners forward Lacazette – with it also looking likely he will leave the Emirates Stadium.

What’s more, despite interest from abroad, the 30-year-old is open to remaining in London as GSB and co eye a move.

Flocking to this claim, some Irons supporters have erupted with a wide array of takes – find all of their best ones from Twitter down below.

West Ham fans flock to Lacazette news…

“take this all day long”

Credit: @stephenlott

“No way Moyes would want him”

Credit: @WESTHAM_AWAY

“Yes please”

Credit: @didsofire

“Yes plz, be great back up for Antonio”

Credit: @ElToneGSBOUT

“I’ll take this”

Credit: @isForeverFly

“I’d be all over this dependant on price.”

Credit: @Hayds_

In other news: ‘I’ve heard’…Insider drops ‘boardroom level’ claim in possible boost for West Ham and Moyes, find out more here.

Following a breathtaking 3-3 draw at Brentford in their previous Premier League fixture and a convincing 5-1 win against FC Porto in the Champions League, Liverpool are set to welcome Manchester City to Anfield on Sunday.

The clash is set up to be an intriguing one with the Reds, who have scored 15 goals in six league matches, facing a City side who have conceded just one goal in six top-flight games.

Milner could make the difference

One Liverpool player who will be missing from the match is right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold after Reds manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed that he is out with an injury after missing the midweek win at Porto.

Following this news, the manager revealed that the options he has to compensate for the 22-year-old’s absence are to either play James Milner, Neco Williams or Joe Gomez there, or even change the system altogether.

In our view, it should be the 35-year-old, who was described as “remarkable” by Match of the Day host Gary Lineker last month, who gets the nod over Williams or Gomez to start in the right-back position, even though Klopp revealed that the veteran apparently doesn’t like playing there.

Liverpool signed Milner, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £140k-per-week according to Spotrac, back in 2015 from Sunday’s opponents on a free transfer.

Since then, the 35-year-old – who is currently valued at £2.7m according to Transfermarkt – has made 254 appearances for the Merseysiders, more than for any other club he’s represented, with 26 goals and 45 assists along the way.

Throughout his career, Milner has played in just about every outfield position possible, providing five assists in the 15 games he has played as a right-back. While he may not like the roles and may have more experience playing in other positions, he has shown he is capable of being very effective from there.

Looking at the Porto game, the 35-year-old won three ground duels and three aerial duels, made two key passes and ultimately earned himself a solid overall match rating of 7.1/10 according to SofaScore. That shows just how capable he is of playing as a right-back who can balance attacking and defensive duties.

In our view, that should make him the favourite to fill in for Alexander-Arnold when City come to Anfield tomorrow. His experience and ability to operate at right-back could make a crucial difference against the champions’ prolific attack.

In other news: Klopp could finally replace Coutinho for Liverpool with “talented” £40.5m-rated beast – opinion

Group A

With five of their top six batsmen chipping in with useful scores Multan Tigers needed just 42 overs to chase Hyderabad Hawks‘ 253 in Mirpur Khas. Babar Ali (36) and Shoaib Maqsood (48) gave Multan a 56-run opening stand after which debutant Fayyaz-ul-Hasan (52), Gulraiz Sadaf (49*) and Rizwan Haider (35) drove Multan to a five-wicket win that took them to the top of the Group A points table. Opener Aqeel Anjum scored 74 for Hyderabad but a middle-order collapse, where Hyderabad lost five wickets for 20 runs, nearly had them bowled out under 200 before Mohammad Urs’ unbeaten 40-ball 58 took them to a competitive total. However it wasn’t enough to stop Multan in their tracks.Half-centuries by Hammad Ali and Riaz Kail took the Abbottabad Rhinos to a 130-run win over the Quetta Bears in Karachi. Hammad scored 81 in only his second List A match and added half-century partnerships with Mir Azam (44 off 29) and Ghulam Mohammad (44 off 52) before Kail slammed 71 off 56 balls as Abbottabad reached 294. Quetta lost their openers with only six on the board and without any half-century stands they fell far behind the run chase. Umair Khan picked up 3 for 29 in his seven overs while Armaghan Elahi and Khalid Usman took two each. Taimur Ali top scored with 35 as Quetta were bowled out inside 37 overs.Khalid Latif’s century and 142-run opening stand with Ali Asad set up the Karachi Dolphins‘ six-wicket win over the Rawalpindi Rams after debutant medium pacer Khalid Mahmood picked up 5 for 56 to restrict Rawalpindi to 268 at the National Stadium. Mahmood opened the bowling with Mohammad Sami and the two had reduced Rawalpindi to 4 for 24 before Usman Saeed (109) walked out to the middle and began a rescue effort along with Zahir Mansoor (74). The two added 156 together before Usman was bowled by Mahmood.The third-round matches for groups’ B,C and D were postponed because of the current political situation in Pakistan. The revised schedule for the groups will be released later.