Shaun Pollock was a relieved man after South Africa registered their first win of the VB series on Sunday, beating Australia by five wickets as Brisbane. Pollock, who won the Man-of-the-Match award, admitted their next game, against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, held an added significance.”We’ve played some good cricket, we’ve just not been able to capitalise on certain times in matches where we can kick on and put pressure on them,” he said. “But it’s nice to get a win under our belts. It’s a big game now for us on Tuesday against Sri Lanka. We’ll try to keep the momentum going for the rest of the series.”Mike Hussey played well with Brett Lee, who did a great job, but we realised the wicket was playing better,” Pollock said. “It didn’t seem to do as much later so we knew that if we kept them down to as little as possible we could chase them down.”After losing three early wickets to Pollock, the home side recovered through Hussey, who compiled another fifty, and Lee to post a total that Ricky Ponting felt wasn’t enough. “You can’t get 228 on that sort of wicket and expect to be competitive,” he said. “We are going to have a look at the way we were dismissed and some of the shots we played early on in our innings. We had a very good hit-out as far as skills were concerned a couple of days ago so we were 100% ready and ripe for this game.”
Tasmania have paved the way for Andy Blignaut to return for Zimbabwe by releasing him from a two-year state contract. While Blignaut re-committed to his homeland on Monday, the Tasmania Cricket Association did not receive formal advice of his decision until today."The TCA has always been of the view that it would not stand in the way of any player’s aspirations to play international cricket," David Johnston, the TCA chief executive, said. "It appears that Andy’s impasse in Zimbabwe has been resolved and he can now work to regain his position in the national team."Tasmania stopped paying Blignaut when he flew to Zimbabwe before Christmas to resume negotiations with the country’s board after he had struggled to break into the first team because of injuries and poor form. Blignaut’s arrival in Australia at the start of the summer was delayed by visa troubles and things didn’t improve when he landed. He played only one Pura Cup match against Western Australia, bowling 12 overs for 79 and making 9 and 0.
Muttiah Muralitharan, an unlikely batting star yesterday, returned to type and tormented England with the ball at Galle, finishing with 7 for 46, his best figures on this ground. That restricted England’s first innings to 235, and although Ashley Giles and Gareth Batty hit back, reducing Sri Lanka to 99 for 5 in their second innings, the overall lead of 195 is assuming ominous proportions for England, who will have to face Murali again in the final innings of the match on a pitch taking increasing amounts of turn.The first two sessions belonged to Murali. There was an air of inevitability as he mowed his way through England’s inexperienced middle and lower order with a magical spell of spin bowling – which included his 50th Test wicket against England. Mark Butcher and Graham Thorpe, the overnight batsmen, did their best to resist him with a third-wicket partnership of 75, but the danger signals were all too apparent.Had Sri Lanka’s fielders – and umpire Daryl Harper – been more alert, England would have been even deeper in the mire. In the space of eight deliveries in the first hour, Butcher was reprieved twice and Thorpe once, and Sri Lanka’s frustration was plain to see, especially when Murali threw the ball to the ground in anger after dropping Butcher off his own bowling.But after England’s trial by spin, it was the seam of Chaminda Vaas that made the breakthrough, as Thorpe was trapped lbw for 43 by a ball that was angling into middle and leg (142 for 3). One run later, and Paul Collingwood had completed an unhappy first Test innings, when Murali found the outside edge, and Sanath Jayasuriya snaffled an excellent one-handed catch at slip.Murali was rampaging and England were unable to resist. Andrew Flintoff tried to play himself in, but was caught napping when he played back to a big-turning offbreak and was given out leg-before for 1. Then Chris Read fell for a duck to become Murali’s fifth wicket of the innings, Tillakaratne scooping up a one-handed chance at bat-pad (155 for 6).As the wickets tumbled and the run rate dried up, the pressure piled onto Butcher’s shoulders, and while he managed to keep Murali at bay, he fell to Jayasuriya shortly after lunch. Attempting to cut a ball too close to his body, he nicked it to Kumar Sangakkara for a hard-fought 51 (177 for 7).Batty hung around for 41 balls, and scored a gutsy 12, including a sweep for six off Kumar Dharmasena. But in his next over, Dharmasena got his man when Batty clipped him to Jayasuriya at leg slip (183 for 8). Giles whacked Dharmasena for six over mid-on to bring up the 200, and then repeated the shot in Jayasuriya’s next over. But when he tried to do the same against Murali, he picked out Marvan Atapattu on the midwicket boundary (201 for 9).Richard Johnson and Matthew Hoggard put on a valuable 27 to give the total some respectability, including two meaty sixes over midwicket by Johnson. He perished, though, going for another big shot, as Atapattu took his second catch on the boundary.England trailed by 96 runs and needed to make early inroads, and Giles did just that. Jayasuriya edged a well-flighted delivery to Marcus Trescothick at first slip, who did well to latch on to a sharp chance at the third attempt (26 for 1). Atapattu and Sangakkara were then made to work hard for their runs, as the bowlers built up the pressure and gave little away. Little urgency was shown by either batsmen, even though Sangakkara slowly began to up the tempo with a couple of elegant cuts for four off Hoggard.
Just as Sri Lanka seemed to be grinding their way to a big second-innings lead, two wickets in five balls dented their progress and sparked off a mini-collapse. Atapattu drove Giles into the body of Collingwood at silly point and set off for a risky single. Collingwood turned and chased the ball, and as the batsmen hesitated, he returned to Read and Sangakkara was run out by miles (72 for 2).The mix-up must have affected Atapattu, as in the next over he was outfoxed by Batty. Atapattu danced down the track, but completely missed a straight one and Read stumped him (72 for 3). Suddenly England had a spring in their step. Batty gave them more heart when he trapped Tillakaratne leg-before. Padding up to a quicker one, Tillakaratne was hit in front of middle and given out by Harper to complete a miserable match with the bat (78 for 4).Thilan Samaraweera was next to go when he edged Giles to Trescothick. The ball flew off the bat, hit Read’s right glove, and Trescothick was alert enough to take his second juggled catch of the innings – this time at the second attempt (85 for 5). Vaas and Mahela Jayawardene shut up shop for the last ten overs, but it was England who finished the stronger. They were understandably buoyant after their impressive fightback, but there is still much for them to do to save, let alone win, this intriguing Test match.
Alan Edwards has announced his decision to stand down as Chairman of the West Australian State Cricket Selection Panel, effective at the end of this season.Edwards made his announcement to the WACA’s International and Interstate Committee (I & I) during a regular monthly meeting of the committee, last Thursday evening at the WACA ground.Alan Edwards is one of WA’s most experienced Cricket Selectors, having stood on the State Selection Panel for a total of 27 years, from 1960-61 to 1987-88, including the final 20 years as Chairman, from 1967-68.Edwards returned to the State Selection Panel for this season to add experience, following the loss of Ron Bowe, Doug Harris and Chairman Kim Hughes from last season’s panel.WACA Cricket Manager Rob Thompson said, "The WACA would like to thank Alan Edwards for making yet another valuable contribution to WA cricket. Alan returned to the State Selection Panel this season to add some stability and experience after the loss of some long serving members and once again Alan has done a great job for WA cricket."The WACA’s I & I Committee is due to appoint next season’s State Selection Panel and appoint a new Chairman at its next scheduled meeting in April. The State Selection Panel is appointed by the I & I Committee via nominations received from WACA District clubs.
NatWest are bringing cricket fans live, free coverage of the NatWest Series match between England and Australia at Old Trafford, tomorrow at the first-ever NatWest Giant Screen Event in Manchester.With all games sold out and Old Trafford being one of the first venues tosell all tickets, the first NatWest Giant Screen Event will offer family andfriends a free, action-packed and social day out. Located at the G-Mexcentre forecourt on Thursday 14 June, coverage of this day/night game willbe broadcast live on the giant screen from 2pm, with food and drinkavailable throughout.The NatWest Series is the triangular one-day international tournamentbetween England and the two visiting teams, Australia and Pakistan, runningfrom 7 June through to the final at Lord’s on 23 June.England will be hoping to improve on their recent performances that tookthem so close to winning against both Australia and Pakistan in the NatWestSeries so far this year. Fans can join in and enjoy the big-match atmospherewith free four and six cards, as well as having the chance to win a cricketbat signed by all three teams competing in this year’s NatWest Series.The NatWest Giant Screen Event is part of a series of new NatWestinitiatives introduced this year to encourage and develop people’s interestin cricket. The ‘Cricket in Unusual Places’ promotion that is taking cricketinto shopping centres across the country has been a huge success. Theroadshows that have taken place in Durham, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchesterand Bluewater, Kent, with one in Leeds to come, have given the youngergeneration the opportunity to test their cricket skills.NatWest has been a major sponsor of cricket since 1981 when the bank began20 years of sponsorship of the NatWest Trophy. In 2000, following asuccessful sponsorship of the 1999 Cricket World Cup, NatWest become thefirst title sponsor of the new international, one-day triangularcompetition, the NatWest Series.NatWest, now part of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, is one of the biggestbanks in the UK. NatWest provides a whole range of financial services toover seven million personal and business customers. NatWest has over 1,640branches and operates nearly 3,800 cash machines.
Tasmania have picked 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Jake Doran and uncapped 21-year-old right-arm pacer Ryan Lees in their squad for next month’s Matador Cup one-day competition. The 14-member squad also includes fast bowler Jackson Bird, who has not played a List A game for Tasmania since December 2012.The side will be captained by George Bailey, with Alex Doolan serving as his deputy. The squad includes left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty and allrounder James Faulkner, who, along with Bailey, were part of Australia’s World Cup-winning squad.Lees, who hails from Flinders Island, has represented Tasmania in the Imparja Cup and earned a rookie contract in the 2013-14 season. He was picked in the squad after strong pre-season performances, according to Michael Farrell, Tasmania’s chairman of selectors.Doran, who is uncapped in List A and first-class cricket and moved from New South Wales to Tasmania recently, has performed consistently in Under-19 cricket. The left-handed batsman is Australia’s highest run-getter in Under-19 cricket with more than 1000 runs in 30 Youth ODIs between 2013 and 2015. He was also the leading run-getter for Australia Under-19s in the 2014 World Cup and made his Twenty20 debut for a Cricket Australia XI against the touring South Africans last November.”Ryan Lees has been rewarded with selection due to strong performances in various games throughout the preseason, and we are delighted with the form of our newly recruited player Jake Doran,” Farrell said.Tasmania, though, will be without the services of fast bowler Andrew Fekete, who has been picked for the Tests against Bangladesh. Batsman Jordan Silk was unavailable for selection due to personal reasons, according to Farrell.Tasmania’s first match of the competition will be against Queensland on October 5.Tasmania squad: George Bailey (c), Alex Doolan (vc), Jackson Bird, Xavier Doherty, Jake Doran, Ben Dunk, James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, Hamish Kingston, Ryan Lees, Dominic Michael, Tim Paine, Sam Rainbird, Clive Rose
As per Claret & Hugh, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has now made a top transfer demand in a different position amid all the noise surrounding striker Erling Braut Haaland.
The Lowdown: Haaland dominates discussion…
Since Daily Mail reporters Jack Gaughan and Craig Hope broke news of City allegedly having a deal in place for one the world’s most exciting forwards, Haaland to Eastlands has dominated the headlines.
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Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain are well in contention to sign the Norway superstar with journalist Rafa Almansa even claiming that, after speaking with a source close to Haaland’s father and ex-Blue Alf-Inge, that the 21-year-old is nailed on for Eastlands (El Chiringuito).
Amid all of this noise, however, it appears City’s head coach has made a top transfer demand in another position as he eyes a new left-back option this summer.
The Latest: Etihad insiders make Guardiola claim…
As per C&H, hearing from their ‘insiders at the Etihad’, Guardiola ‘wants another top left-back’ with City scouts/officials now ‘on the lookout’.
They also claim the Spaniard’s transfer demand could throw question marks around Oleksandr Zinchenko’s future given City’s versatile ace still hasn’t been offered a new deal.
The Verdict: Needed?
Joao Cancelo is quite clearly City’s first choice makeshift left-back and a real contender for one of the best full-backs in world football.
The Portugal international’s creativity on that side has been crucial for Guardiola and the Sky Blues over these last two seasons, but if the 27-year-old were to be sidelined, it could seriously put a dent in City’s system.
That being said, Zinchenko has proved time and time again just how capable he is slotting in at left-back when needed – perhaps most notably through some stellar performances in the run up to City’s first ever Champions League final last year.
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The presence of Nathan Ake also, who is capable of playing in that role, arguably nullifies the need to spend too much time in the transfer market hunting for an accomplished left-back.
While Guardiola is allegedly determined to sign a player for that role, we believe all of City’s efforts should be put towards sealing the deal for Haaland.
In other news: Man City eyeing ‘unplayable’ forward as well as Haaland, Pep’s in love with him…find out more here.
Roy Hodgson is looking forward to having Wayne Rooney back in the starting line-up and believes he is privileged to have a player of his quality at his disposal:
“Wayne’s a quality player, a world-class player. His ability is a bit special. You’re lucky if you’re a manager of a national team to have players of his quality available. Hopefully, he’ll make life that bit easier for us going into the next game when we need another result.”
Hodgson has refuted talk that there is a weight of expectation on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney and believes that it is part and parcel of being a top class player:
“This is part of being a top, top player in an important national team. If you are Sweden it’s Ibrahimovic, if it’s Ukraine I’m sure it’s Shevchenko. If it’s England it’s about Rooney and Gerrard and if it’s France it’s about Ribéry and Nasri. You trust these players who have put up with this kind of pressure in their lives for a long time, and that they know how to deal with it.
“Wayne won’t need reminding if he plays well on Tuesday everybody will be saying fantastic things about him. If he misses a chance or two people will say other things. As a coach you can’t protect him, but the players know their job.” (Guardian)
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Roma stars Francesco Totti and Simone Perrotta are excited with the plans set in place by new manager, Luis Enrique.The legendary midfielder, who starred for Barcelona and Real Madrid throughout a terrific career, took over from caretaker Vincenzo Montella, who initially replaced Claudio Ranieri, who resigned in February.
The permanent appointment has kickstarted a new era at Roma, with the players pleased with the coach’s new tactics.
“The system and methods proposed by the coach are new, interesting and above all very stimulating,” Totti told the club’s official website.
“The sessions began in earnest today at Riscone di Brunico. We are only at the start: day by day we will discover new things and settle into this different reality.”
“Everything depends on us and it’ll be our duty to put in the maximum effort right from now.”
Enrique is keen to implement a new style of football at the club, focusing on possession, something that had pleased Perrotta.
“The squad working here in pre-season is pretty much the same as in previous years, but everyone likes this new style of football,” Perrotta said.
“The coach wants us to keep possession of the ball a great deal, whereas in Italy we’re accustomed to seeking cross-field passes immediately to get it closer to the goal.”
“The coach has made it clear he does not want long balls.”
With Edin Dzeko set to move to Manchester City, Emmanuel Adebayor’s first team opportunities will be even more limited than they already are at Eastlands. Tottenham, West Ham and even Real Madrid have been linked with the 26 year old, but Sky Sports believe that Liverpool have also enquired about the services of the striker. Considering his high wages and a big fee that would be demanded, a move to the Reds would most probably be a temporary loan until the end of the season. With the Reds needing a striker, it seems an interesting prospect, but is Adebayor the type of player Liverpool need at the moment?
To some extent it is actually disappointing that a move from Manchester City to Liverpool is a possibility. After all, in years gone by, City would have seen the Reds as rivals at the top of the table but with the Manchester club 14 points ahead of Liverpool, and with the Reds all but out of the race for a top four spot, let alone the Premier League title, City obviously feel that the Merseyside club are no longer a big enough threat, to allow some of their players to leave for Anfield.
It is kind of dispiriting to see Liverpool being constantly linked with other Premier League club’s rejects but with while we lie in mid table; we must at least consider some of these options. The prospect of Adebayor at Anfield is a difficult one to debate. On the hand, Liverpool are in desperate need of a striker and somebody like Adebayor who has a good aerial presence and can hold up the ball would be an excellent addition to the team. He would certainly prove a better choice than Carlton Cole. As well as being a good foil for Fernando Torres, he would also contribute his fair share of goals, taking the onus off Steven Gerrard and Torres.
These are the positives but Emmanuel Adebayor certainly has a great many negatives as well. He is perceived as a somewhat disruptive figure in the dressing rooms at both Arsenal and City. At the Gunners, Arsene Wenger seemed to be pretty willing to let him go for £25million to City, despite his undoubted ability, while in Manchester, even as recently as today, he was rumoured to have had a training ground bust up with Kolo Toure.
Especially with Liverpool in as difficult times as they are at the moment, would adding the 26 year old to an already down dressing room be a good idea? With some of the players seemingly low on confidence as they are, would the combination of this and the notoriously confrontational Adebayor be a good mix? The striker is prone to having arguments with team-mates at the best of times, but if things are going poorly, won’t frustrations boil over even more?
In Liverpool’s current mid-table position, they certainly need players with his ability, but they also need players with the right attitude. Hopefully, if a move was made for Adebayor, the striker would come here to be positive and prove the doubters at City wrong. He could become a very good signing, but with the 26 year old, there is always the other possibility and that he could lower team spirit in a team that really needs to be high on morale at the moment. Do the pros outweigh the cons for you?
Read more of David’s blogs at his excellent site Live4Liverpool
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