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Steve Harmison has become the first England squad player to speak out on the rift between Peter Moores and Kevin Pietersen

Cricinfo staff06-Jan-2009
Steve Harmison: wants the row to be settled for the good of the team © Getty Images
Steve Harmison has become the first England squad player to speak out on the rift between Peter Moores and Kevin Pietersen, urging the pair to sort out their differences for the good of the team.Often happier to stay away from media attention, Harmison said the issue is not about individuals and any split in the camp will tear the team apart.”They have got to get their heads together and have a chat and sort out the issues,” he told BBC Sport. “It’s about the England cricket team — not Peter Moores or Kevin Pietersen.”It’s not ideal at this moment in time because we are at the start of an Ashes summer and we don’t want it to go on and on with what we’ve got coming over the next nine months. They will come and go like all other players, but they have got to be in harmony because otherwise they will drift the team further apart.”Harmison owes his current England place to Pietersen, who lobbied successfully for his recall the moment he became captain. Harmison returned to face South Africa at The Oval before being persuaded to reverse his one-day retirement and was later included in England’s Stanford Super Series squad.However, the early promise shown on his return faded in India when he was dropped during both the one-day and Test series.Hugh Morris, the managing director of England cricket, and a close friend of Moores, has stepped in to mediate in the row, although the final decision on Moores’ position will be taken by David Collier, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The situation, though, is looking increasingly tough to solve through a few handshakes. Moores has only won eight of his 22 Tests in charge, with seven of those against poor New Zealand and West Indies teams.Support for Pietersen has come from Mick Newell, the Nottinghamshire coach, who was involved when Pietersen fell out with the county in 2004 and moved to Hampshire. Newell said that the divide between captain and coach will be hard to mend now that the row has become so public”You want to be backing the captain but you set a very dangerous precedent if you over-rule the coach to give the captain what he wants,” he told the Press Association. “It would be better to get an agreement between them and get on with it but it being in the public domain now makes that more difficult.”It’s Hugh Morris’ job to mediate in all this but, with the stage at which this is at, there does not appear much way back,” he said. “Kevin is our best player by a long way, not only the captain, so it’s a very difficult situation.”We have had things like this at county level several times in the last few years but never at the very top.”

Scorecard

Uday Kaul’s vigilant century helped Punjab bounce back and frustrated Mumbai, who probably expected a favourable result at the start of the penultimate day at the Brabourne Stadium. When bad light stopped play four overs before stumps, Kaul was unbeaten on a chanceless 117. His 107-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Ankur Kakkar had helped the visitors take a 129-run lead.Grey and overcast conditions prevailed throughout Saturday, but Mumbai’s fast bowlers, particularly the pair of Usman Malvi and Rahil Shaikh, failed to make an impact in the vital first hour, either pitching too full or short or wide. Punjab’s opening pair of Sunny Sohal and Karan Goel took advantage of their waywardness.An hour into the first session Wasim Jaffer decided to replace the struggling pair with the spin-pace combination of Ramesh Powar and Rajesh Verma and it proved to be a successful move. Familiar with the conditions, Verma, who plays for CCI at the same ground in the local cricket league, got enough movement in the air as he trapped Goel plumb with one that ducked in. A jaffa then beat the helpless Sohal. The ball moved away after pitching and clipped the off bail.Powar had played his hand in building the pressure by keeping the batsmen busy, and in doubt, at the other end. He drew the batsmen out with the flight and loop, something Punjab’s spinners failed to do. It was a matter of time before he would trap the prey: Ravi Inder Singh’s attractive short innings came to an end when he edged back to the wicketkeeper while trying to cut against Powar’s spin.Punjab were left in disarray when Pankaj Dharmani, their captain, played an irresponsible shot and was caught at midwicket by Abhishek Nayar – Dharmani went for a big hit, stepping out to Powar. It was once again left to Kaul and Kakkar, whose 95-run partnership had saved the visitors from falling apart on the first day, to avoid a collapse. The duo played their parts convincingly, in contrasting styles: if Kaul played on the bowler’s patience by holding back his intentions till the last moment, Kakkar was more enterprising with his power-hitting.Using his aggression smartly, the well-built Kakkar deceived the opposition bowlers, who might have thought he was taking too many chances. But Kakkar had understood that if Punjab needed to survive, someone had to pump the drives. He was lucky to get away on 33 when his attempted big hit off Powar went high towards deep mid-on, where Shaikh, easily the worst of the Mumbai fielders, failed to position himself under the ball, let alone catching it. A determined Kakkar charged Powar the next ball to hit a six over wide long-on. A swatted six over point off Ankit Chavan, the left-arm spinner, got him his second fifty of the match.At the other end, Kaul advanced against Chavan to drive through the narrow space between mid-on and midwicket for a four to get to his half-century. Mumbai’s patience started to waver, with Punjab virtually dominating the second session. Just then, the visitors suffered a major setback when Kakkar feathered an edge while trying to cut Malvi too close to his body off the first ball of the final over before tea.However, Chandan Madan made sure the momentum was not lost post tea and supported Kaul well with his little cameo (32) that involved some smashing drives. Kaul moved into the 90s with a cut off Powar, a reverse-sweep in the offspinner’s next over took him to 99, and he duly achieved his century with a single to midwicket. It was his second successive ton this season: his hundred in the previous game against Hyderabad had helped Punjab turn the tables and snatch a win on the final day.Punjab will now rely on Kaul to stretch their lead further and hope for an encore. A victory on Sunday will not get them to the quarter-finals but will surely boost their pride. For Mumbai, who have already qualified for the quarter-finals, the job is not done yet.

Tottenham are not interested in a move for reported Aston Villa target Weston McKennie, according to Fabrizio Romano.

And the update from the transfer expert had plenty of Villa fans talking on social media.

McKennie emerged as a Villa target on Tuesday, with Sportmediaset, cited by GIFN, suggesting links regarding a potential Villa Park switch were new.

The 22-year-old is reportedly up for sale, and Romano provided some more details on the USA international on Twitter.

Romano admitted that Spurs and Juventus are not in talks over a transfer, ruling out a possible swap move involving Moussa Sissoko.

He then claimed that the Italian giants would only part ways with the central midfielder if they receive an ‘important bid’ of more than €25/30m.

Villa fans react

Romano’s Twitter post on Tuesday lunchtime led to these Villa fans giving their thoughts.

Many urged Villa to make their move late in the window, with McKennie potentially becoming the club’s fourth big-money addition of the summer.

“Wow @AVFCOfficial pay imo”

Credit: @DG_Avfc

“come on villa”

Credit: @jordstrangeAVFC

“Guess that only leaves Villa interested”

Credit: @OllyAVFC_

“Pay it villa”

Credit: @LeoAVFC82

“Notice how he didn’t say villa aren’t interested”

Credit: @ViIlaI_

“Villa might be able to pull this off!!!”

Credit: @BOOMBEEF

In other news: £25.6m price tag: Jose Mourinho now keen on late swoop for ‘fantastic’ Villa star. 

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has said international players will be forced to opt out of matches in order to give themselves rest in a crammed calendar of cricket

Cricinfo staff19-Nov-2008
Mahendra Singh Dhoni: “It’s important for a player to decide when he cannot take it any more. It’s getting increasingly tough, especially for the fast bowlers” © AFP
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, has said international players will be forced to opt out of matches in order to give themselves rest in a crammed calendar of cricket.Dhoni had skipped the three-Tests series in Sri Lanka earlier this year after an 18-month streak that included 14 Tests, 56 ODIs, eight Twenty20 internationals, and a high-voltage IPL. “I myself opted out of the Test series in Sri Lanka because I needed a break,” he said. “It’s important for a player to decide when he cannot take it any more. It’s getting increasingly tough, especially for the fast bowlers.”Players know their body best and in future more and more players would come out and say that they are going to skip events.”When asked whether players had fallen into the trap of excess cricket due to the riches on offer, Dhoni said: “It’s not only about money. In fact when you play 10-12 years for India, you earn ample money. You don’t need more unless you want to buy a chartered plane or have private airlines. Money will keep flowing as long as you play.”Dhoni also clarified he would prefer to play for the country over his obligations with his franchise, Chennai Super Kings. Dhoni will lead Chennai in the inaugural Champions League from December 3-10, but if his team makes it to the final, Dhoni may have to make a choice between leading his franchise or India in the Ahmedabad Test against England, which starts on December 11.”I have no information regarding this but for me, country always comes first,” Dhoni said. “I will go by whatever BCCI decides, but in case I have to make a choice, of course I would like to play the Test match.”

MatériaMais Notícias

Na sexta-feira, Bruno Silva não iria enfrentar o Bahia por conta de suspensão do STJD (três jogos) por desrespeito a arbitragem na derrota para o Grêmio, pela primeira rodada do Brasileirão. No sábado, o departamento jurídico do Botafogo recorreu e conseguiu um efeito suspensivo para o volante. E valeu a pena, com ele sendo o autor do gol da vitória no Nilton Santos no domingo.

-Verdade. Futebol tem dessas coisas né. Queria jogar, iria ficar fora… consegui o efeito suspensivo e fiz o gol da vitória. Feliz, sei da minha importância. Ajuda bastante para a sequência. Gol foi para minha filha, que fez 12 anos e não pude estar com ela – celebrou o volante/meia do Botafogo depois da vitória por 1 a 0.

Essa foi a segunda vez que Bruno Silva teve atuação de destaque – no ataque – pelo Brasileirão. Contra a Ponte Preta, ele já havia balançado as redes em um outro triunfo do Botafogo na competição. Até por isso, o técnico Jair Ventura sabe da importância do atleta e celebrou sua presença em campo no domingo.

-O Bruno é uma arma importantíssima no Botafogo. Sabemos da importância dele na equipe e da competitividade dele dentro de campo. Acaba tendo um preço nos cartões. Nosso advogado foi bem, conseguiu o efeito suspensivo e o Bruno fez o gol da vitória – ressaltou o comandante alvinegro depois do jogo.

Contudo, Jair terá que se virar sem o volante na quarta-feira: por conta de uma expulsão no primeiro jogo, Bruno Silva está suspenso contra o Sport, na Ilha do Retiro, pela Copa do Brasil. Ele lamentou não poder estar em campo com os companheiros, mas aproveitou para destacar a qualidade do elenco alvinegro.

-Tem Copa do Brasil agora. Queria estar jogando, desde que eu cheguei peço para jogar. Infelizmente foi expulso no primeiro jogo, mas vou estar na torcida. Tenho certeza de que quem entrar no meu lugar vai fazer um bom jogo lá.

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An update has emerged regarding Everton’s interest in Lazio forward Joaquin Correa.

What’s the talk?

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Toffees have cooled their interest in the Argentine, alongside Arsenal, PSG and Tottenham.

The report claims that Lazio are looking for a fee in the region of £30m (€35m) for the 26-year-old, but are yet to receive a single bid for his services this summer.

Fans will be livid

Everton fans may well be livid following this news as Correa could be a sublime signing for the club and exactly the type of player Rafa Benitez needs. The Toffees struggled to find consistent goalscorers in the Premier League last season, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin the only player able to score more than seven.

This suggests that the Spaniard needs more firepower in his squad for the 2021/22 campaign, and Correa could offer just that. He provided 17 direct goal contributions for Lazio last term, with 11 goals and six assists for the club in the Serie A and Champions League. The Argentine can score and provide assists at a respectable rate at the top level and could offer quality support to the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in the final third.

In a tactical analysis of the forward, Breaking the Lines described him as a menace who is able to use his ability and movement to create chances for his side. They wrote:

“It is no wonder why his style of play is drawing fans towards his potential. Correa’s wide repertoire of skills and his tricky dribbling makes him a menace for opposing defenders. His quick movement and awareness allow him to move into spaces or drop deep to enable his teammates to move forward.

“He can be the creative outlet of the side, creating chances for his teammates. It is because of his movement that he is able to draw defenders away, then using his dribbling to get past them and either provide a key pass or go for goal himself.

“Highly versatile, he can play on both wings or in the centre, with his wide array of assets allowing him to flourish in either position.”

This offers an example of the qualities he could bring to Everton, which – along with his aforementioned statistics for Lazio – makes him seem like an ideal signing for the Merseyside club. He could bring creativity, trickery, quality and goals which not many of the current batch of Toffees players are able to provide.

Therefore, fans may be frustrated that Marcel Brands has opted against pursuing a move as it stands, and they will surely be hoping that he changes his mind before the end of the transfer window.

AND in other news, Brands must ruthlessly axe £112k-p/w Everton flop, Ancelotti wanted him gone…

MatériaMais Notícias

A Portuguesa-RJ conseguiu suspender o leilão do Estádio Luso-Brasileiro, que estava marcado para acontecer nesta sexta-feira,na Corregedoria Geral da Justiça do Rio, no Centro. A Prefeitura do Rio cobra mais de R$ 30 milhões do clube da Ilha do Governador de IPTU (Imposto Predial e Territorial Urbano). No entanto, a agremiação alega que é isenta desta tarifa. A estrutura está alugada pelo Flamengo por três anos. Procurado pela reportagem do LANCE!, o presidente da Lusa, João Rêgo, mostrou-se aliviado.

-Nossos associados não poderiam sofrer um golpe desses. Agora vamos buscar um acordo com a Prefeitura – disse o mandatário.

Segundo o presidente da Lusa, o clube assinou um compromisso para resolver a situação com a Prefeitura do Rio. A Portuguesa tentará provar que não precisa pagar tal quantia.

O clube da Ilha alega que o processo é antigo e que não estava mais ‘devendo’. Com a mudança no comando da Prefeitura (eleição de Marcelo Crivella), a quantia voltou a ser cobrada.

O Estádio Luso-Brasileiro deve receber o primeiro jogo sob administração do Flamengo no dia 10 de maio, contra o Atlético-GO, pela Copa do Brasil.

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Allen Stanford has said that the structure of West Indies cricket administration needs to be “streamlined” and that there were “too many players handling too few dollars” at present

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2008Allen Stanford, the Antigua-based billionaire who is bankrolling the Stanford 20/20 for 20, has said that the structure of West Indies cricket administration needs to be “streamlined” and that there were “too many players handling too few dollars” at present.”How can you have the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), the Leewards and Windwards boards, and the individual island boards running a programme that really ought to be run through one board with a representative from each island to streamline efficiency,” Stanford told the . “That is what makes business sense.””We have too many cooks in this little kitchen. We need to streamline this. None of this is disrespecting people. None of this is saying we are doing anything wrong in terms of any island, but we have too many players handling too few dollars.”The WICB comprises 18 directors, including a president and a vice-president. The six territorial associations have two directors each and the numbers are made up by four non-elected directors.Stanford’s view was supported by former West Indian fast bowler, Wes Hall, who is one of the 14 legends on the Stanford 20/20 board of directors. Hall was the WICB president between 2001 and 2003.”You need a board that is not 18 people,” Hall said. “You want a West Indies Cricket Board and not a West Indies business board with a cricket committee that has no clout. You don’t need 18 people. You need eight. We’ve said so for years, but nobody is listening.”The WICB and chief sponsors Digicel are currently heading to arbitration over the issue raised by the Irish telecommunication company that the Stanford five-year, US$100 million series – which consists of one All-Star match per year against an England team – encroaches on their exclusive sponsorship rights.

Speaking to Sky Sports, via Football Daily, reporter Dharmesh Sheth has unveiled more West Ham United transfer news involving goalkeeper Paris-Saint Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and another name.

The Lowdown: West Ham in Areola talks…

As per a previous update by Sky, via Football Daily, West Ham are indeed in talks to sign Areola with the terms believed to be a season-long loan including the option to buy.

The Hammers have been targeting new shot stoppers despite tying down Lukasz Fabianski with a one-year extension at the London Stadium (football.london).

Bringing more news on West Ham’s hunt for new keepers, Sheth has now made a live TV claim.

The Latest: West Ham have held ‘a couple’ of talks…

According to the reporter, Areola remains West Ham’s primary goalkeeping target with talks ongoing, but the Irons also made another bid.

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

Indeed, GSB allegedly lodged a £6 million bid to sign West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone, with Moyes and co now turning to Areola.

“A couple of talks regarding potential arrivals,” he explained on Sky (via FD).

“They’ve had a bid rejected, we believe to be around £6m by West Brom for their keeper Sam Johnstone.

“I’ve been told today that West Ham’s primary target remains the PSG keeper Alphonse Areola, talks are continuing with PSG over a loan with an option to buy.

“But it is clear that West Ham United are in the market for a goalkeeper.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

As the new season looms and so to a campaign competing in the Europa League, West Ham need to strengthen in priority areas as soon as possible.

While between the sticks is arguably not as big of an issue as up front, where the depth is minimal, the club will want to wrap up this move and turn their attention to other priorities.

West Ham also want to reinforce their central defensive options after the departure of Fabian Balbuena and it is imperative that the club start getting some business done.

In other news: ‘Yes yes yes’, ‘Unreal’, ‘Come ooon’…ExWHUemployee’s news has many West Ham fans ecstatic, find out more here.

Celtic confirmed on Friday evening that Vakoun Bayo has joined Belgian side Gent on a permanent deal, and a number of Hoops supporters have been giving their thoughts on the transfer on social media.

Bayo was signed by Celtic back in 2019 in a deal worth £2m. The 24-year-old made just 17 appearances in Scotland, scoring on two occasions.

He spent last season on loan at Toulouse and impressed in 2021, scoring 11 of his 13 goals for the campaign following the turn of the year.

The move to Gent is thought to be worth £1.4m, meaning that Celtic have made a £600,000 loss on Bayo, who left Ivory Coast’s Olympic squad to finalise a deal.

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Celtic fans react

Celtic quoted Gent’s transfer tweet and confirmed the move on their official Twitter page, wishing the forward the best of luck for the future.

Here is what these fans had to say in reply, with one describing the club’s decision to sell him at a loss as ‘mental’, perhaps due to his upturn in form since January.

“Another player sold and Celtic yet to buy anyone of note. Must be about the 7th season in a row we’re a mess going into CL qualifiers. Only so long the fans will continue to back the club under this board. Already heard a number of players saying Celtic didn’t come back etc.”Credit: @MarkFeely6″today is a sad day.”Credit: @tmcc67″Mental we let him go and a team like Gent obviously see something in him.”Credit: @danjd_”Bitterly disappointed”Credit: @ScottMcb7″sold the wrong striker Celtic”Credit: @patrykklimala”What is the plan here? Get papped early from the CL & Europa qualifiers and try and scrape into that Conference thing? What are we doing?”Credit: @EtienneBojan

In other news: Well-placed source claims ‘outstanding‘ ace is now keen on Celtic move; contact has been made, find out more here.