All posts by h716a5.icu

England’s head coach, Andy Flower, believes that several key members of the squad to face West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s on Wednesday are ‘under-prepared’

Cricinfo staff05-May-2009England’s head coach, Andy Flower, believes that several key members of the squad to face West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s on Wednesday are “under-prepared” having spent the early part of the season in the IPL in South Africa.The middle-order trio of Kevin Pietersen, Ravi Bopara and Paul Collingwood did not return to England until late last week, with Collingwood having failed to play a single game during his stint with the Delhi Daredevils. And Flower told BBC Radio Five Live: “They are [under-prepared], without a doubt, with regard to first-class cricket.”Another of England’s IPL players, Owais Shah, was dropped from the squad for the first Test having failed to cement his place during the winter series in the Caribbean, while West Indies also have their own preparation concerns, with their captain, Chris Gayle, arriving in the country on Monday morning, just 48 hours ahead of the match.Flower did not take charge of the England team until January, and was not formally unveiled as the Director of Cricket until late last month. He did not, therefore, have any say in the ECB’s decision to allow its centrally contracted players a window to play in the IPL.”That is ECB policy, that they were allowed to go to the IPL in the first place,” said Flower. “But they have had a superb experience, the atmosphere of the tournament has excited them about the game and they have come back really energised for the season ahead.”

Relaying a ‘message to Spurs fans’ from Nuno Espirito Santo, Alasdair Gold has shared what the Portuguese has now told him about one worry at Tottenham.

The Lowdown: Nuno in hot water…

After a hot start to the 2021/2022 season which saw early victories against the likes of Manchester City, it appears Spurs and Nuno have been dragged right back down to earth by their recent form.

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Indeed, their latest loss in a resounding 3-0 London derby defeat had it’s slight positives, particularly in the first half, but the next 45 was certainly one to forget.

As they gear up for their second clash of the season already against Nuno’s old club Wolves, Gold has now relayed a message from the Spurs boss about one big worry at N17.

The Latest: Gold shares Spurs fan message…

Relaying a message to Spurs supporters from Nuno, Gold has shared what the Lilywhites head coach has now said about ‘the lack of attractive football’.

Chairman Daniel Levy wanted to reinstall the open, attacking style Tottenham are known for and even published that promise in an end of season letter (Sky Sports).

Alas, what fans have seen so far arguably doesn’t reflect Levy’s pledge, with Gold now sharing what Nuno told him about the matter in a press conference (via football.london).

When asked by the journalist if Nuno’s Spurs will score goals and show creativity, as well as being pragmatic, the 47-year-old responded.

“We have to find the balance Alasdair,” explained the Spurs manager.

“We have to find the balance in our game. If you want me to talk about the game against Chelsea, all the positives happened in the first half and we can share a lot of things that were ok and for sure the fans were happy.

“In the second half we didn’t do things. We opened ourselves. One concern we have is when we concede first we are not able to react. The team is not strong enough to go and give a good response.

“A lot of things that we have to improve on, but what we saw is what is moving us forward in the first half, this attitude, this willingness to go and really nice football, really nice football.”

The Verdict: Interesting times ahead…

Much was made of putting the regrettable Jose Mourinho era behind Tottenham and bringing back an exciting, entertaining brand of free-flowing football.

It is arguably too early in Nuno’s tenure to make a full judgement on his ability to do this and time must be awarded to a manager who guided Wolves to successive seventh-placed Premier League finishes straight after promotion from England’s second tier.

That said, the collapse in the second half against Chelsea is definitely cause for concern, and the fact the Lilywhites have barely created a clear-cut chance across their last two league matches certainly goes against Levy’s pledge for exciting football.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Levy is a criminal’, ‘This can’t be real’…Many Tottenham fans flock to ’embarrassing’ claim, find out more here.

Some Liverpool supporters have talked up the idea of Karim Adeyemi joining the Reds, following a social media exchange with Harvey Elliott.

Jurgen Klopp had a quiet summer in the transfer market, only signing Ibrahima Konate and waving goodbye to the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri.

While Liverpool’s squad remains strong, there will come a time when reinforcements are needed, perhaps even in January, depending on the injury situation.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

One player who the Reds have been linked with targeting is Adeyemi, who is making a name for himself at RB Salzburg, scoring 17 goals in 61 appearances to date.

Fuel has now been added to the fire after the 19-year-old sent Elliott his best wishes on Instagram [via LFC Transfer Room on Twitter], following the Liverpool youngster’s injury at Leeds United.

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Liverpool fans talk up Adeyemi signing

These Reds fans took to Twitter to talk up the prospect of the move coming to fruition, with one supporter calling it a ‘dream’…

“Come home @karim_adeyemi”

Credit: @lfc_elliot

“I’m so invested and it’s still only September”

Credit: @_SalahSzn

“We have to sign him come January. A bit young and raw still but if develops correctly he can become a star no doubt. We should try and sign 2-3 plays similar to this style. Doku too maybe.”

Credit: @RomeoLFC

“The thing that further fuels this is the fact that Adeyemi and Harvey doesn’t even have a friendship”

Credit: @Gerrard_addict

“Would be a dream”

Credit: @TPK_31

“I beg”

Credit: @lfcjason1

In other news, James Pearce has denied that one Liverpool player could leave the club. Find out who it is here.

Aimee Watkins (formerly Mason) will take over as captain of the New Zealand women’s team following the retirement of Haidee Tiffen

Cricinfo staff27-Apr-2009Aimee Watkins (formerly Mason) will take over as captain of the New Zealand women’s team following the retirement of Haidee Tiffen.Watkins, who was the vice-captain during the team’s run to the World Cup final in Australia earlier this year, will lead New Zealand during the World Twenty20 in England in June.Watkins, 26, said she was proud to be given the captaincy of the national team. “Following on from Haidee is a big ask – but I know the team is going to be fully behind me,” she said. “It’s a big challenge but exciting at the same time.”I see one of my strengths as being a pretty calm sort of person – I’m not easily flustered. I hope to lead by example and by my performance on the field.”New Zealand coach Gary Stead said Watkins was the logical choice as leader after Tiffen’s retirement. “She has been in the vice-captaincy role on previous tours, including the 2009 World Cup, and has experience and a good understanding of the New Zealand women’s team leadership and management group,” he said.”Her aggressive style as a player makes her someone that can have a significant impact on the game – and the T20 style of cricket will be a great way for her to lead from the front.”Watkins made her New Zealand debut in 2002, and has played 84 one-dayers and two Tests. She was the side’s leading wicket-taker at the World Cup in February, bagging 11 scalps at 14.27.

Speaking on live TV, via Persian Soccer, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg forward Sardar Azmoun has lifted the lid on a summer transfer offer from Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Spurs fail in forward hunt…

As per numerous reports, Spurs managing director Fabio Paratici had a striker on his summer transfer agenda.

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Indeed, the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Dusan Vlahovic were heavily linked with a move to north London but Tottenham ended the window with nothing to show for their efforts.

They seemingly also looked at less high profile names for the forward positions, with Azmoun now claiming he had an offer from the Lilywhites.

The Latest: Azmoun lifts lid on Spurs offer…

Speaking in a live interview, as translated and shared by Persian Soccer on Twitter, the 52-cap Iran international has made an admission involving Spurs and a summer offer.

He says that Tottenham were one of the teams who came forward for him during the transfer window but Zenit rejected Paratici’s advances as well as interest from other clubs.

“I have a contract. Even if I wanted to leave, Zenit can prevent me & there is nothing I can do,” the attacker explained.

“I had offers from Tottenham, Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen & Roma but they rejected them. If I leave, it will be this summer as a free agent.”

The Verdict: Missed out?

The 26-year-old enjoyed a rather prolific season in the Russian Premier League last year, bagging 19 goals and six assists in 24 top flight appearances (Transfermarkt).

He’s continued that fine form into this current campaign with five strikes and another assist in just six league outings and we believe he could have been a brilliant back up option for Harry Kane.

Azmoun, way back in 2015, even drew comparisons with Paris-Saint Germain superstar Lionel Messi – with a report from The Independent detailing his previous nickname the ‘Iranian Lionel Messi’.

Given he can leave on a free deal next summer, Tottenham entering negotiations in January could be one to watch out for.

In other news: ‘Finished article’…Sky pundit in awe of Spurs starlet who’s an ‘improved version of Ndombele’, find out more here.

At stumps on the second day at McLean Park, the second Test between these two sides carried an ominously one-sided look

The Bulletin by Jamie Alter27-Mar-2009
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out
After Jesse Ryder’s 201, Brendon McCullum weighted in with a stroke-filled 115•Associated PressAt stumps on the second day at McLean Park, the second Test between these two sides carried an ominously one-sided look. On a dodo-dead pitch, India were hammered to the tune of 619 for 9 – only the third time New Zealand have crossed 600 – after which they lost their openers to utterly irresponsible shots. The script was written by New Zealand on a lifeless track and the central characters were Jesse Ryder, with a maiden double-century, Brendon McCullum, with a stroke-filled ton of his own, and Daniel Vettori, who followed a half-century with two wickets before stumps.As on day one, partnerships were again the secret of New Zealand’s accomplishment on such a track. Ryder added a sedate 121 in the morning with James Franklin, then 62 with McCullum, after which McCullum and Vettori put on 128 to utterly flounder India. It all appeared a touch too easy for New Zealand, and India didn’t seem to have a plan.India had been frustrated in the first session, but what really flattened them was the interval between lunch and tea. After Ryder was bowled the delivery after raising an excellent double – the first since Stephen Fleming’s 262 against South Africa in 2006 – McCullum piled the pain on a cumbersome India and continued an exemplary day’s work for the hosts.The sight of McCullum striding to the middle at 415 for 5 can demoralise the best of sides. Timing the ball with fluency from the start, he kept the tempo by cutting Munaf Patel for four, and then did the same to Harbhajan Singh. Hardly allowing himself time to soak in the magic of his 201, Ryder was bowled next ball attempting an expansive drive. It was truly a splendid innings and if India thought it was a window to break through, they were mistaken.McCullum judged the pace – or complete lack of – of the pitch and played the field superbly. He waited against the three spinners used, playing primarily off the back foot, and his shuffled paddles also got him handy runs. He brought up his half-century with another aggressive cover-drive and continued to cut the ball into the gaps. McCullum negotiated his way easily from there on and the rest was a blur as he raised his century from 131 balls.Smart StatsNew Zealand’s total of 619 for 9 declared is their third-highest in Tests, and only the third time they’ve topped 600. It’s the fifth 600-plus score in New Zealand, and the first in ten years.It’s the 12th time a team has scored 600-plus in the first innings against India. Of the 11 previous occasions, India have lost seven games and drawn four. The last time it happened was against Sri Lanka in Colombo last year, when India lost by an innings and 239 runs.There were three or more centuries in an innings for New Zealand for only the fifth time in Tests.Jesse Ryder’s double-century was the first by a New Zealander since Stephen Fleming’s 262 against South Africa in Cape Town nearly three years ago. That was also the last time New Zealand batted more than 150 overs in an innings.Harbhajan Singh averages 53.82 in the first innings of overseas Test. In 18 innings he has taken 29 wickets. Vettori started off more circumspectly, content to defend and nudge the singles, but gradually he opened out too, essaying some deft late-cuts and soft-handed steers for four. The singles and doubles frustrated India and allowed New Zealand to creep toward 600. Vettori (55) and McCullum fell in relative succession – Ishant took his 50th Test wicket – and along came the declaration.Having looked on as his new-ball pair failed to have any effect on India’s openers, Vettori brought himself on in the ninth over. Two singles, a double, a dot and a disdainful six later, Vettori was swamped by ecstatic team-mates. In a reckless swipe reminiscent of his charge down the track to Stuart MacGill in Adelaide in 2003, Virender Sehwag reached out at a very wide delivery and nicked to McCullum. Gautam Gambhir survived an extremely tight run-out call on 10 – replays suggested a bail was not entirely off the groove – but fell in Jeetan Patel’s first over. Vettori called on his spin partner 25 minutes before stumps and was rewarded when Gambhir needlessly chipped to mid-on. Ishant, the nightwatchman, survived 13 scoreless deliveries before Vettori claimed him with an arm ball. India were 78 for 3 and the pressure had told.New Zealand finished the day as they had begun – in control. They were kept in the ascendancy during the morning by Ryder, who hardly broke a sweat, and Franklin, who fought out a dogged 52. Ryder, with all the assurance of a seasoned pro, slowly chipped away at India’s esteem and spirits.Ryder was very solid, if a tad more watchful. But stamina was not a problem for a player of his gait and he played with caution, content to wait for the occasional boundary. When they did come, they were ever so casual. Ryder drove a tired Munaf sumptuously through the covers for four, clipped Ishant to fine leg and dispatched Harbhajan over extra cover. He produced the shot of the morning session just before lunch – another gorgeous cover-drive that singed the grass and left a dent in Munaf’s figures.Franklin looked a lot more assured this morning, composed in technique and scored the majority of his runs down the ground. Like Ryder, he kept the score ticking with ease and as the bowlers tired he helped himself to anything off target. His run-out brought McCullum to the crease, and more hurting to India.On a pancake pitch India’s bowling was tired and toothless. Zaheer Khan tried hard but with little luck, an extremely disappointing Harbhajan and Yuvraj Singh posed no threat, while Munaf simple faded. Sehwag turned his arm over as well but was just clutching at straws. It was a long day for India, and they continue to look down the barrel of more misery.

The West Indies selectors have invested in youth by selecting a young squad with an average age of 21 for England’s solitary first-class warm-up ahead of next month’s first Test in Jamaica

Cricinfo staff19-Jan-2009The West Indies selectors have invested in youth by selecting a young squad with an average age of 21 for England’s solitary first-class warm-up ahead of next month’s first Test in Jamaica.England, who fly out to the Caribbean on Wednesday, January 21, will play a three-day practice match against a St Kitts XI at Basseterre from January 25-27 before taking on West Indies A at the same venue two days later.There has been one change to the original squad with fast bowler Kevin McClean replacing Nelon Pascal, who was injured in the second round of the regional four-day competition.Of the 12 players named for the second fixture, only Darren Sammy – who claimed seven wickets on his Test debut at Old Trafford in 2007 – has faced England at the highest level, although Lendl Simmons played in a Twenty20 international at The Oval on the same tour.Simmons, Amit Jaggernauth and Darren Bravo were also part of the Trinidad & Tobago side that came within one run of beating England in their Stanford Series warm-up in October.West Indies A 1 Adrian Barath, 2 Brandon Bess, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Amit Jaggernauth, 5 Leon Johnson, 6 Kevin McClean, 7 Keiran Powell, 8 Kemar Roach, 9 Darren Sammy, 10 Lendl Simmons, 11 Devon Thomas, 12 Gavin Wallace.

Hampshire have announced that six players have signed extensions to their existing contracts

Cricinfo staff17-Feb-2009Hampshire have announced that six players have signed extensions to their existing contracts.Batsmen Michael Lumb and Michael Carberry and bowler Chris Tremlett have signed new three-year deals, while Jimmy Adams, Chris Benham and David Balcombe have all signed new two-year deals.”I am delighted that this group of players have extended their contracts,” said team manager Giles White “They’re all highly valued by the club and it is hoped that they will form the core of the side for years to come.”For the first time, five development contracts have also been awarded. The one-year deals have been signed by Tom Parsons, Benny Howell, James Vince, Hamza Riazzuddin and Chris Morgan, all graduates from Hampshire’s Academy.

Celtic have made some incredibly strong progress under Ange Postecoglou but the time to properly judge the Australian will be next May.

The Hoops have signed some exceptional players to suit his system and all of that has provided six wins on the spin.

Yet, given how everything unravelled last season, supporters must be realistic about their chances.

What’s the word?

With just over a week to go before the transfer window closes for the month, the Bhoys still have plenty of business they want to conclude.

Odsonne Edouard could still head to the Premier League and if he does depart, a replacement will be required.

Celtic have been in the market for Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis but they are also interested in signing a player closer to home; Kevin Nisbet.

The Scotland international has been a target all summer and according to reporter Peter Martin, they are trying to tempt Hibernian with a player swap deal involving Leigh Griffiths.

Whether Hibs decide to bite on a deal, however, remains to be seen.

Must sign him

With Nisbet having expert knowledge of the Premiership, deciding to sign him this summer should be a no-brainer for Postecoglou and Dominic McKay.

Only Edouard scored more goals in the Scottish top-flight than the 24-year-old last season while a further two strikes in 2021/22 has taken him to 20 in Hibernian colours.

Furthermore, Celtic have seen firsthand the damage he can do.

On his way to being described as “wonderful” by Frank McAvennie, Nisbet scored twice against the Bhoys last term, including a last gasp goal in the League Cup.

On that occasion, he embarrassed the catastrophic Shane Duffy late on. A ball was swung into the area but the Irish centre-half typically failed to deal with it.

He lost balance and then instead of clearing the ball sufficiently, played it straight into the path of Nisbet who fired home in injury time.

It was a typical poacher’s finish from a player who has made the Premiership his playground over the last 12 months.

His record might not be as attractive as someone like Giakoumakis who found the net 29 times last campaign, but he knows the SPFL inside out.

Needing little adjustment time, he may well be the perfect heir to Edouard’s coveted throne. Ange needs him for that reason alone.

AND in other news, Imagine him & Kyogo: Ange must seal Celtic swoop for “dazzling” 27-goal weapon…

David Norris has urged Leeds United to capitalise on Rangers’ Champions League exit by swooping for Ryan Kent.

The reigning Scottish Premiership champions crashed out of European football’s elite competition after suffering a third qualifying round defeat to Swedish side Malmo last week.

Missing out on the financial windfall that comes with competing in the Champions League has resulted in Rangers boss Steven Gerrard admitting some prized assets may have to be sold.

Among those gaining interest is former Liverpool winger Kent, who has been a long-term target for Leeds. The Whites failed with a bid for the 24-year-old 12 months ago.

However, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa has not given up on welcoming Kent to Elland Road and reports suggest he could persuade the Gers to sell him for £15million.

Kent has made a strong start to the new season, making four appearances and registering two assists so far, and former Leeds midfielder Norris believes Victor Orta should pounce following Rangers’ Champions League frustrations.

He exclusively told Football FanCast: “Go and get him. Rangers are making those whispers that they might need to sell and it feels like they’re putting those feelers out.

“He has been linked many times and is obviously thought really highly of at Leeds. I think he would make a big difference as well.

“I would say signal your intent and put a decent offer in. I think he would be a good player at Leeds.”