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Liverpool forward Divock Origi is on the verge of joining AC Milan this summer, with a move now reportedly ‘very close’ to being completed.

The Lowdown: Origi’s departure expected

The Belgian has had to accept being nothing more than a bit-part player for the Reds this season, not starting a single Premier League game to date in 2021/22.

The arrival of Luis Diaz in January has only pushed Origi further down the attacking pecking order at Anfield, leading to strong speculation over his future. Milan looks set to be his next destination, with constant reports suggesting as much.

The Latest: Milan move ‘very close’

According to journalist Nicolo Ceccarini [via Sport Witness], Origi is now ‘very close’ to joining the Rossoneri, with ‘great confidence’ that the move will go through.

The 26-year-old’s current Liverpool deal expires at the end of this season, allowing him to move to Milan on a free transfer.

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The Verdict: Goodbye to a Liverpool hero

Milan would be a perfect move for Origi, affording him more regular playing time at a top club, with the slight drop-off in standard from the Premier League also working in his favour.

The Belgium international will leave Liverpool as an undisputed cult hero, considering the magnitude of the goals he scored against the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham and Everton, to name just a few.

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Despite his iconic status, though, it makes sense for both Liverpool and Origi for him to leave in the summer, bringing an end to one of the more eventful Reds careers, with Jermaine Jenas hailing the 26-year-old as ‘very unique’ after a trademark late winner against Wolves earlier in the season.

In other news, Liverpool are reportedly keen on a move for a Premier League player. Find out who it is here.

Karnataka were in line for a bonus-point win over Assam as K Gowtham triggered another second-innings meltdown courtesy three wickets to take his match tally to seven, in addition to a maiden first-class century. Assam, made to follow-on, were tottering at 169 for 6, still needing 155 to avoid an innings defeat in Mysore.Gowtham was complemented by fast bowler Abhimanyu Mithun, who picked up two wickets. The only semblance of resistance from Assam came courtesy a 56-run fourth-wicket stand between Gokul Sharma and Sibsankar Roy, who made 44. Gokul, the captain, was unbeaten on 62.Delhi, denied victory courtesy bad light in their season opener, were in closing distance of seven straight points at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi. Following on, Railways, were reduced to 157 for 6, requiring another 154 to avoid an innings defeat. Pulkit Narang, Vikas Mishra and Manan Sharma picked up two wickets each, while Ishant Sharma, the Delhi captain, sent down 10 overs for 19 runs and no wickets. Nitin Bhille, the top-scorer for Railways in the match, remained unbeaten on 54 at the close of play on the third day.Hyderabad’s frustration continued as they couldn’t step out onto the field for a seventh consecutive day this season. Their second game, at Gymkhana Grounds in Hyderabad, is set to face similar fate as the first one: abandoned without a ball bowled. Torrential rain in Hyderabad had earlier rendered the outfield at Rajiv Gandhi International stadium unsuitable for the T20I between India and Australia last week. Uttar Pradesh, their opponents, are also in desperate need for game time, particularly after a loss to Railways in their tournament opener.

Matthew Hayden is unavailable for Queensland as he prepares for the Chappell-Hadlee Series © Getty Images

Queensland will rely on an inexperienced line-up to push them to a fourth FR Cup victory in a row when they encounter New South Wales in Brisbane on Wednesday. After beating South Australia last week, the Bulls have had their team cut down by representative calls and will miss Matthew Hayden, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke and Andrew Symonds, who are preparing to face New Zealand this week.The fringe fast bowlers Scott Brant, Chris Swan and Grant Sullivan were promoted and the batsman Nathan Reardon was also included. Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Watson will provide the side with much-needed nous while Jimmy Maher, the captain, has extra batting responsibility as his team tries to close the gap on the leaders Tasmania.Both Watson and Kasprowicz showed strong patches of form on Wednesday after struggling with injury. Kasprowicz put Queensland on track for victory with 3 for 38 while Watson helped finish the match with 70. The Bulls are in second on 16 points, seven behind the Tigers.New South Wales have made one change with Daniel Smith replacing Brad Haddin, who is also in Australia’s Chappell-Hadlee squad. The Blues’ match against South Australia at Wollongong on Sunday was abandoned without a ball being bowled and they have not won an FR Cup game since November last year.Queensland squad Shane Watson, Jimmy Maher (capt), Clinton Perren, Aaron Nye, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Chris Simpson, Chris Hartley (wk), Michael Kasprowicz, Chris Swan, Scott Brant, Grant Sullivan.New South Wales squad Phillip Hughes, Phil Jaques, Peter Forrest, Simon Katich (capt), Dominic Thornely, Steve Smith, Daniel Smith (wk), Moises Henriques, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Nicholson, Mark Cameron, Doug Bollinger.

Pakistan 313 and 103 for 2 (Farhat 41*, Younis 32*) trail South Africa 417 (Prince 138, Gibbs 94, Asif 5-89) lead by one run
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out – South Africa
How they were out – Pakistan

Danish Kaneria celebrates one of his three vital wickets © AFP

South Africa kept their noses in front on the third day at Centurion Park but Pakistan showed true fighting spirit to ensure the match remains a real contest. After a fifth-wicket stand of 213 between Ashwell Prince and Herschelle Gibbs the home side lost six for 61. Pakistan managed to reduce the lead to just one by the close, although Jacques Kallis’s two wickets meant South Africa never relinquished control.The resilience of the visitors, vital for this match and the series, was typified by the way they battled through the final session despite the surrounding thunderstorms and light drizzle. There were signs, especially in the latter part of Danish Kaneria’s 41 overs, that the surface is starting to offer plenty for the spinners and if Pakistan can set a target of over 200 it could become a tight race to the finish line.South Africa’s attack maintained their discipline and it was Kallis who gained the rewards for a powerful six-over spell. Mohammad Hafeez couldn’t resist the booming outswingers and Graeme Smith was waiting at first slip for the edge, and a similar delivery brought a thinner nick from Yasir Hameed. However, Farhat remained – albeit with the benefit of some flashy drives – and Younis Khan showed his class while escaping a close lbw shout against Paul Harris, on 16, adding to a day where the umpires didn’t shine.Pakistan’s hope of staying in the contest initially rested on their bowlers as South Africa resumed on 254 for 4. Prince and Gibbs batted out almost the entire first session, setting a new record for a South African fifth-wicket stand on home soil. Prince registered his sixth Test century and the second of a productive season to follow his equally vital 121 against India at Durban. However, he advanced down the pitch to Kaneria and was stumped off the last delivery before lunch.Soon after the break Kaneria added Mark Boucher, who couldn’t mark his 100th Test with a runs contribution as he sent a leading edge back to the bowler, and the afternoon gained a sub-continental feel as leg-spin and reverse swing kept Pakistan alive. Gibbs, so fluent before lunch, had slowed up as he tried to work through the 90s. Without a Test century since January 2005, he was eking the remaining runs rather than searching for boundaries. After 205 deliveries he was undone by Naved-ul-Hasan who, after a poor three-over spell earlier which leaked 24 runs, found some late movement.

Ashwell Prince tries to drive during his 138 © AFP

Pollock swung merrily to add valuable boundaries but the Pakistanis can rightfully feel they continued to get the rough end of the umpiring decisions. Ntini was given not out to a bat-pad appeal, then survived a plumb lbw shout to Naved-ul-Hasan’s yorker. Mohammad Asif eventually broke a frustrating final-wicket stand of 26 to complete a notable five-wicket haul and the lead was 104.A much larger difference was looming as Prince and Gibbs made comfortable progress during the morning session. Prince, who began the day on 77, was quickly into his stride and the moment he reached three figures was typical of the man, a nudge behind square leg and a scampered two runs off his 178th delivery. When the fifth-wicket partnership reached 193 it went past the 192-run effort by Gary Kirsten and Mark Boucher against England, at Durban, in 1999-2000.Gibbs was equally important to the stand’s productivity. He is finding a comfortable home in the middle order, following his pair against India at Johannesburg as opener, and after his struggles earlier in the season was starting to look more like his old self.The Pakistanis believed they had broken through with Prince on 126 when Shahid Nazir clung onto a low caught-and-bowled chance. However, the TV umpire offered the benefit of the doubt to the disbelief of Inzamam-ul-Haq. That wasn’t the end of Pakistan’s frustrations but it is to their credit that they maintained their composure as is the way they refused to give up on this Test.

Ehsan Mani: ‘In reality the ICC today is a multi-cultural body that reflects and embraces the diversity of the cricket world’ © Getty Images

Ehsan Mani, the ICC president, has said that the comments made by Wasim Akram that alleged a bias by the ICC against Asian countries are ill-informed and offensive.”As a Pakistani I am honoured by the privilege given to me to lead the ICC in carrying out its responsibility to act without fear or favour to any nation. It is a great disappointment to see this former great player, particularly as he is from my own homeland, make such ill-informed, offensive and inaccurate comments,” Mani said in a media release. “The reality is that what Wasim has alleged is offensive not just to me, but to everybody involved with the ICC – the directors, the umpires and referees, the staff and the many former great players from across the cricketing world, including many from Asia, who are involved with the ICC through its Cricket Committee. His comments are not supported by any facts, are ill-informed and make no constructive contribution to the debate on moving cricket forward.”Mani also emphasised on Asia’s integral involvement with the ICC. “With Sunil Gavaskar, the former Indian captain, as chairman of the ICC Cricket Committee that includes four representatives from Asia; with David Richardson, the former South African vice-captain as General Manager – Cricket; and with, Ranjan Madugalle, the former Sir Lankan captain, and Roshan Mahanama, the former Sri Lankan player, among the Emirates elite panel of referees we have access to some outstanding cricketing people to deal with cricket issues. In this process, the views of the Asian region are well represented.”In reality the ICC today is a multi-cultural body that reflects and embraces the diversity of the cricket world. This is reflected at the board table, at all levels of the administration and in the critical operational areas of the Cricket Committee, umpiring and refereeing and anti-corruption. In light of the reality of the modern ICC, these comments are a poor reflection on Wasim’s ability to play a constructive role in debating cricketing issues and bring into question his ability to research, understand and make judgments on the way in which the ICC carries out its mandate from all members.”Akram had earlier made the following comments, reported on the Manorama Online website: “ICC has become a forum for white cricketers. [Ehsan] Mani may be a Pakistani but he has never played cricket and never been associated with Pakistan or India or Bangladesh. He has never watched a first-class game. My objection is that why players like Imran Khan and Kapil Dev do not get the top job in ICC? But people from Australia and England — all these one-Test wonders — get the job … I think if cricketers head ICC, their opinion will be respected more. We [the subcontinent] have the passion, money and the crowds. But nobody from India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka ever gets the top job in ICC.”

India’s triumph in the Kolkata Test, and their series win over South Africa, has lifted them to third place in the ICC Test Championship table, the highest they have been ranked.This was the first time India broke into the top three of the table since it was launched in May 2001. India currently trail England by two points and with an away series against Bangladesh coming up, they will be expected to close the gap. A 2-0 victory in Bangladesh would boost their ratings to 108 points. England have a tough assignment in South Africa starting later this month.Australia’s comfortable series win against New Zealand has extended its lead at the top of the table. The whitewash meant that Australia were on course to ending the year with a big lead.The defeats rounded off a disappointing year of Test cricket for South Africa and New Zealand which has seen their ratings fall by nine points and 11 points respectively.

Position	Team	Rating
1	Australia	130
2	England	109
3	India	107
4	Pakistan	105
5	Sri Lanka	103
6	South Africa	100
7	New Zealand	93
8	West Indies	73
9	Zimbabwe	51
10	Bangladesh	0

James Anderson will miss England’s second one-day international against Sri Lanka after he twisted his ankle playing squash.An ECB spokesman said: “James has been receiving ice treatment to the area and will undergo an X-ray tomorrow morning, with further assessment likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.”Anderson is likely to be replaced by James Kirtley for the day-night game at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo this Friday. The blow followed the news that Stephen Harmison will be unavailable for the forthcoming Test series with an injured back.

MIKE TAYLOR, 59, announced today that he would be retiring from his position as Marketing Manager of Hampshire County Cricket Club on 31st March 2002.

Mike Taylor

It will be 29 years to the day since Mike joined Hampshire from Nottinghamshire as a player on 1st April 1973.Following eight successful seasons, including winning the County Championship in his first year, Mike then served on the Administrative Staff first as Assistant Secretary and from 1986 as Marketing Manager.He is presently the longest serving member of of the Hampshire Staff and also the longest serving Marketing Manager on the County circuit.”It has been a long innings but a very enjoyable one,” says Mike.”The game has seen a great many changes over the last three decades mainly for the good, but not in all cases.””Hampshire’s move to The Rose Bowl was of course a major change and one the club was destined to make to secure its future. Many challenges lie ahead and my good wishes go to the Club as The Rose Bowl is developed into an International venue.”

Kaushik Aphale made a fine century to place Maharashtra in a commanding position against Gujarat on the second day of the Ranji Trophy West Zone league at Shri Shivaji Stadium at Karad. Maharashtra amassed a healthy 476 in 139 overs.Resuming on 318 for five, Aphale (115) and Mandar Sane (32) added 77 runs for the sixth wicket. Aphale’s 191 ball innings had 13 hits to the fence. Lalit Patel (5/73) picked up four of the five wickets to fall in the session.In reply, Gujarat had a disastrous start to their innings, losing both the openers with five runs on the board. Iqbal Siddiqui bagged two of the wickets to fall. Mukund Parmar was struggling to keep the innings together. He toiled around for 104 deliveries and was unbeaten on 35.Gujarat ended the day on 64 for four from 39.1 overs, trailing by 412 runs.

Why was the CLT20 culled and what is the most significant impact?
The CLT20 was cancelled because of the lack of viability from a broadcaster’s perspective. An IPL insider revealed that the tournament was worth almost a billion dollars over ten years but the broadcasters failed to recover even a tenth of that.The biggest impact following the cancellation of the CLT20 will be felt by non-Indian domestic teams, who have lost out on a three-way income stream. Non-Indian teams in the tournament received participation fees of US$500,000 per team, prize money and US$150,000 per player who chose to turn out for his IPL team instead of his domestic team, in the event that both qualified.”The CLT20 was a cash cow for international teams,” the source told ESPNcricinfo. “For a team like T&T, when a Samuel Badree or Dwayne Bravo is playing for other teams, the money they receive from them would change things immediately. The CLT20 was a game-changer for other teams around the world given the sheer amount of money.”

Impact on respective boards

BCCI
Of the three stakeholders – the BCCI, CA and CSA – the Indian board and its teams are the best off. The BCCI will receive US$190 million – more than half the $330 million settlement between the three boards and the broadcaster Star India – and the IPL teams will no longer have to spend thousands of dollars for retaining overseas players for the CLT20. “For Indian franchises, most of the amount would be spent towards retaining the services of a Pollard or de Villiers,” the source said.Cricket Australia
CA is the next biggest beneficiary. It will receive US$80 million following the closure of CLT20 and has a television rights deal to cushion it against other loss. Cricket Australia made somewhere in the region of US$25 million in each edition of the Champions League, and in the early seasons of the Big Bash League, it was this money that allowed the BBL project head Mike McKenna to say “domestic Twenty20 operations” were running at a profit.The broadcast networks, Channel Nine and Channel Ten, alleviated CA’s reliance on this revenue in 2013. The deal with Channel Ten for the BBL alone is worth $20 million per season, while Nine’s investment of $500 million over five years also strengthened the board’s position and the funds that could be doled out to the states and their BBL teams.Cricket South Africa
The South African board will receive US$60 million from the settlement but its franchises, who operate as separate companies to the national body, are concerned about their own affairs. CSA will split the participation fees of the two teams who took part in the tournament between all six of their franchises, who received R350,000 (US$28.778) a year.Several franchise CEOs described the funds coming in from CLT20 as “essential”, because the income-earning opportunities for South African franchises are limited. “The participation money from the CLT20 is worth more than we get in prize money for winning a domestic tournament,” Nabeal Dien, CEO of Cobras, said. For turning up in the CLT20, teams receive the equivalent of R2.4 million (US$200,000). In comparison, South Africa’s first-class competition carries a total prize money of R2 million (US 166,666).West Indies Cricket Board
The West Indies Cricket Board loses between $300,000 and 400,000 as a whole from the tournament being cancelled. A major portion, over 65% of the money they would earn from the CLT20 was channelled towards development in the territories with the remainder retained by the board.The WICB was also concerned about the impact on domestic teams. “It’s what funds the region will be devoid of, not the board. Everything does not just go in the WICB coffers as that money has to be shared,” Michael Muirhead, CEO of WICB said. “You can’t just say what money the board will be missing out on.” He estimated that the funds that “the region” would no longer be privy to could be around “a couple hundreds of thousands of US Dollars.”Sri Lanka Cricket
For Sri Lanka, where the board owns all the franchises, the effect will be felt at national level. The SLC received the US$500,000 participation fee plus the amounts from players retained by IPL franchises. Around 5% of this money went into operational costs, another 5% to the players and the remaining 90% into SLC coffers.