All posts by h716a5.icu

According to Football Insider, Tottenham have entered the race to sign Max Aarons.

Spurs eye Aarons

The 21-year-old recently earned promotion back to the Premier League with Norwich City.

According to this report, the Canaries agreed with the right-back last summer that he could depart in one year’s time. Everton are also interested in Aarons, with Norwich looking for a fee of £30m to part ways with the youngster.

Worth it?

Aarons has been virtually an ever-present this season for Daniel Farke’s side, playing 44 matches in the Championship out of a possible 45 (Transfermarkt). During that time, he has managed two goals and four assists, while former England under-21 manager Aidy Boothroyd called him “outstanding” last October (The Pink Un).

However, Tottenham already have plenty of options at right-back. Serge Aurier has had his problems, but he has shown promise this season and illustrated his attacking threat with two assists against Sheffield United on Sunday. Matt Doherty, meanwhile, was only signed from Wolves last summer – even if he has failed to nail down a first team spot, he still deserves time to do so.

For £30m, Aarons’ signature would represent a significant outlay, and those funds could be put to better use elsewhere.

In other news, this Champions League winner is interested in managing Tottenham.

It was the 1713th ODI in cricket history

Rajneesh Gupta05-May-2001It was the 1713th ODI in cricket history.It was West Indies’ 419th and South Africa’s 224th match.It was the 20th match between these two sides. The record now reads: South Africa 13, West Indies 7.Umpire Clancy Mack was officiating for the first time in an international match. The other umpire Basil Morgan was standing in his 14th match.Shivnarine Chanderpaul was making a comeback into West Indian side after about 16 months. He had last played against New Zealand at Christchurch on 11-01-2000 thus missing 25 matches in between.Jonty Rhodes was playing his 18th match against West Indies – maximum for South Africa. The previous record was on the name of Hansie Cronje with 17 appearances.The match was 17th for Lara and Hooper against South Africa which makes them the most experienced West Indians against South Africa. Both of them were earlier at level with Curtly Ambrose with 16 matches.Gary Kirsten was playing his 150th match. He became third South African after Jonty Rhodes (195) and Hansie Cronje (188) and 55th player in the world to do so.The second wicket partnership of 179 runs between Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis was South Africa’s best for any wicket against West Indies. This obliterated the previous highest of 162 between Gibbs and Hansie Cronje at Port Elizabeth on 30-01-1999. Incidentally the previous highest second wicket partnership for South Africa against West Indies was worth 97 between Andrew Hudson and Daryll Cullinan at Karachi on 11-03-1996.This partnership was also the highest for second wicket by any side against West Indies in all ODIs-home or away beating the 166 run-partnership between Pakistan’s Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas at The Oval on 20-06-1979.The partnership was also the highest for any wicket for any side against West Indies in West Indies bettering the 172 unbroken fifth wicket partnership between Darren Lehmann and Michael Bevan for Australia at Grenada on 14-04-1999. Incidentally the previous highest second wicket partnership against West Indies in West Indies was 130 run between Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid at Arnos Vale on 30-04-1997.Gibbs (104) scored his fourth hundred in 65th matchhis second in seven matches against West Indies. His innings was the highest for South Africa against West Indies on latter’s soil. The previous highest was Andrew Hudson’s 50 at Kingston on 07-04-1992 which was the first ever match between these two sides. Incidentally Gibbs also holds the record of playing the highest individual innings for South Africa against West Indies-home or away. He had scored 125 at Port Elizabeth on 30-01-1999.Nixon McLean by conceding 40 runs in his four overs achieved the dubious distinction of recording most expensive figures by a West Indian in a four over spell in all ODIs. The previous record was on the name of Shivnarine Chanderpaul who conceded 36 runs in his four overs against Sri Lanka at Sharjah on 16-10-1995. The previous worst analysis for West Indies in a four over spell against South Africa was on the name of Neil McGarrell who gave away 31 runs at Port Elizabeth on 30-01-1999. The accompanying table lists the worst four-over spells by West Indians in ODIs:

Bowler
RpO
Balls
Runs
Wkts
Vs
M#
Series
Venue
Date
NAM McLean
10.00
24
40
0
SA
2
[SA]
St. John's
02-05-2001
S Chanderpaul
9.00
24
36
0
SL
5
Champions Trophy
Sharjah
16-10-1995
IR Bishop
8.75
24
35
0
Ind
2
[Ind]
Port-of-Spain
27-04-1997
CL Hooper
8.50
24
34
0
Ind
4
[Ind]
Cuttack
09-11-1994
CL Hooper
8.25
24
33
0
Eng
2
[Eng]
Bridgetown
01-04-1998
NC McGarrell
7.75
24
31
0
SA
4
[SA]
Port Elizabeth
30-01-1999
CL King
7.50
24
30
0
Eng
12
B&H World Series
Melbourne
20-01-1980
PV Simmons
7.50
24
30
0
Eng
2
Texaco Trophy
Manchester
25-05-1991
RA Harper
7.50
24
30
1
Eng
8
World Cup
Melbourne
27-02-1992
SC Williams
7.50
24
30
1
Eng
5
[Eng]
Port-of-Spain
08-04-1998
IVA Richards
7.25
24
29
0
Aus
4
Cable & Wireless
Bridgetown
13-03-1991
CH Lloyd
7.00
24
28
0
Aus
1
[Aus]
Adelaide
20-12-1975
CH Gayle
6.75
24
27
0
Zim
7
Natwest Series
Chester-le-Street
16-07-2000
McLean's economy rate (10.00 runs per over) was also the worst by any West Indian bowler bowling atleast four overs in a match. Ian Bishop had conceded 49 runs in his five overs (9.80 runs per over) against Sri Lanka at Port-of-Spain 13-04-1996.McLean's analysis was also the worst by a bowler in a four-over spell against South Africa. Sri Lanka's Dilhara Fernando had conceded 38 runs at Bloemfontein on January 14 this year.The victory margin of 8 wickets was the largest for South Africa against West Indies. The previous largest win for South Africa against West Indies was by six wickets at Port Elizabeth on 11-03-1993.The victory margin of 8 wickets was also the largest for any side against West Indies in West indies. Pakistan had beaten the hosts by seven wickets at Port-of-Spain on 27-03-1993 (though India defeated West Indies at Port-of-Spain on 27-04-1997 with all ten wickets intact, the target was reduced, hence `technically' India's performance does not fall in the same category as that of South Africa).Gibbs was winning his fourth Man of the Match award.

											

Profile: Agha Akbar profiles Shahid Afridi

Agha Akbar16-May-2001
Shahid Afridi
Photo © AFP
A completely unknown commodity, a teenage cricketer one has not even heard of, who establishes a world record in only his second international outing is a clear indication of natural talent, cheeky confidence and limitless potential. An aggressive young Pathan, Shahid Afridi, then only 17, pulled off the impossible when he scored the fastest century in one-day cricket (off only 37 balls, 11 sixes), and that too against the finest exponents of the shortened version of the game, Sri Lanka.But, despite this dazzling debut, and a few memorable innings following it, Afridi’s international career has been an on-off affair. And, the latest setback has been his omission from the squad to England for the Test series. He, however, is likely to regain his place in the triangular series, which would follow the two-Test rubber, with Australia being the third team.There are many who believe that Afridi should not be left out of any Pakistan team, be it a limited-overs outing or a Test match. To his protagonists, he is too good an all-rounder to be left out of the eleven, for he contributes to the team’s cause by winkling out crucial wickets with his fastish leg-spin and stems the flow of runs with his athleticism in the field.In addition to his all-round skills his undoubted charisma and the prospects of dazzling fireworks, if he gets into his stride, also brings spectators to the ground.These are all valid arguments, more so because Afridi took a five-wicket haul on his Test debut against Australia in 1998-99 and followed it up with a big hundred, 142 to be precise, in his second Test against India at Chennai.At his best, Afridi is simply mesmerizing, a delight to watch. At his worst, he can be incredibly irritating, because he gets out time and again to the worst possible shot selection. At the start of the innings, his early departure upsets the whole game plan, and usually leaves the team in disarray.A natural hitter of the cricket ball, his failure lies in his inability to curb his instinctive aggression when the situation so demands, lack of patience, and failure in disciplining himself to play as a team man, on occasions to just stay there and wait for the wayward deliveries.But, on his day, he is a one-man demolition squad. The opposition fielders can do little but retrieve the ball, which usually lands far outside the biggest ground. Setting a field to him is well nigh impossible, as he improvises and out-maneuvers the bowling with a mocking glee. Then Afridi becomes one of a kind in the present world of generally plodding, mediocre cricket, and indeed transports us by his magic to the golden age of the game. Like the great England batsman of the late 19th and early 20th century, Gilbert Jessop (known as The Croucher), he ‘hits sixes playing defensive’.And this is Afridi’s biggest quality, that he is a rare, indeed an endangered, species in the modern era due to his cavalier approach, natural batting genius and a chivalrous acceptance of any challenge, whatever the situation. Afridi is no exponent of the convenient art of padding up to an uncertain delivery, he lashes out at anything and everything. His instinct demands that every ball be hit, preferably hard, and preferably out of the stadium.And in his element, just as stand-in Kiwi captain Craig McMillan acknowledged after his side was mauled for a 24-ball 50 that laid the foundation of a successful run-chase recently at Sharjah, Afridi is simply too dynamic a batsman to be stopped by any attack in the world. And, McMillan’s assessment is not an exaggeration by any means!

Leeds United have been handed a late Premier League boost after confirmation that fans will be allowed to return to Elland Road for the final game of the season against West Brom.

What’s the story?

Marcelo Bielsa’s side haven’t been able to welcome their supporters for the club’s return to the top-flight after 16 years away, but Boris Johnson’s announcement that up to 10,000 fans will be permitted at outdoor sports venues from May 17 has opened the door for that to finally happen.

And, in response to the news, former Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny admitted that it would be a major boost for the club to have their fans back inside the stadium, and that it will be “even harder” for visiting teams.

He said: “This record against these very top teams is without any fans being there for the full season. I can only imagine with fans being there it will be even harder for these teams coming to face Leeds.

“In the Premier League, with a full crowd, it would be absolutely frightening for an away player. Every club could say they will have a boost. But Elland Road when it’s rocking is a really, really special place to be.”

Bielsa will be buzzing

As Kenny says, when Elland Road is rocking, there’s not many stadiums up and down the country that can better the kind of atmosphere that gets built up.

While 10,000 fans is hardly going to have the stadium filled to the rafters, it’s certainly more than enough to make a major impact on proceedings, especially when you consider players have gone months without really playing in front of anybody at all.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-leeds-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Leeds transfer rumours and news!”]

Bielsa and the club’s fans have built a really close relationship since the Argentine became manager a few seasons ago, so he will be absolutely buzzing to have some of them back and witnessing their first Premier League game in the flesh since well over a decade.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa is eyeing Gjanni Alioski’s successor in this star…

The Indian tourists continued to dominate their warm-up match against the CFX Academy at the Country Club in Harare

John Ward03-Jun-2001The Indian tourists continued to dominate their warm-up match against the CFX Academy at the Country Club in Harare. They declared at 446 for four and looked possible victors in two days until a fine fighting innings from Gary Brent revived the Academy tail. The Academy were dismissed for 192 and the tourists decided to take more batting practice, finishing the day on 15 for no wicket (Badani 6, Ramesh 7).It was a typical winter’s day in Harare: cloudless sky, pleasant in the sun but often cold out of it. The Indians continued from their overnight total of 370 for three, with Hemang Badani again taking the eye with his classy drives. He may well find it more difficult with his apparently limited footwork on pitches where the ball moves around more, but on this showing he looked a class act.Sourav Ganguly gradually seemed to be finding his form, and was satisfied enough to retire on reaching his fifty. Badani (112 not out) went on to his century, being dropped in the deep off the luckless Ian Coulson the ball before Ganguly declared after an hour’s batting. Sairag Bahutule was unbeaten on five.Despite their mauling, the Academy players were not disheartened, appreciating that they were on a steep learning curve on what had become the flattest of pitches. Campbell Macmillan and Gary Brent bowled most creditably to concede fewer than three runs an over.Dion Ebrahim and Terry Duffin faced some spirited pace bowling by Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar with dogged determination, a single to the former off the first over being followed by six maidens. Then, just as the runs were beginning to come, Ebrahim flashed and was caught by wicket-keeper Samil Dighe for nine. As he was by far the side’s most experienced batsman, this was a major blow for the Academy.Duffin and Guy Croxford struggled for runs, and on the stroke of lunch the dogged Duffin (7) was trapped lbw by Zahir Khan. Two wickets fell quickly after the interval: Barney Rogers (6) edged Khan to the keeper, while Croxford was adjudged lbw for 21. There was a brief respite as Sean Ervine joined Mluleki Nkala, but he could score only three laboriously before being bowled by Agarkar.It became rather a procession. Nkala, with his experience less in awe of the opposition than most of his team, batted well for 23, but then drove Harbhajan Singh straight to deepish mid-on. The lower order contributed little until Wisdom Siziba, who injured his knee keeping wicket on the first day, came in at No 10 and held firm.After tea Brent played a typically defiant and courageous innings, making the most of a couple of slices of luck, while Siziba gave admirable support. Brent passed his fifty but finally lost Siziba (20), clipping back a catch to bowler Bahutule. The pair came together at 78 for eight and added 77.With last man Coulson at the crease, Brent passed his previous highest first-class score of 55 and was particularly harsh on leg-spinner Bahutule. When Coulson, after a bright 17, was superbly caught by Shiv Sunder Das at short leg off Harbhajan, Brent had 72 and the Academy were dismissed for 192, a deficit of 254. Harbhajan (four for 43) was the best bowler.

In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, David Norris, who made 36 appearances for Leeds United, has urged his former side to reignite their interest in Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

It was widely expected that De Paul would join Leeds last summer after the club reportedly agreed personal terms with the 26-year old, but an agreement on the fee was never reached by the two clubs.

Marcelo Bielsa could see centre midfield as a position that needs addressing this summer as he looks to find someone who is capable of filling the void Kalvin Phillips leaves when he is out injured.

Speaking on why he would like Leeds to target De Paul again this summer and how De Paul would be a big name signing for Leeds, Norris exclusively told FFC:

“From the players I’ve seen Leeds been linked with at the minute, I think Rodrigo De Paul from Udinese is most likely going to be one of the bigger signings coming in.

“They could be looking for someone in his mould and specifically that position, and I don’t think Leeds would ever rule out the chance of signing any decent player.”

Leeds are still waiting for official confirmation that Bielsa wants to extend his contract beyond this summer when his current deal is set to expire, with the hierarchy reportedly planning for life without him.

Bielsa made some smart signings last summer with the likes of Raphinha, Diego Llorente and Jack Harrison, who have all performed very well in the Premier League.

Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes that Pablo Hernandez knew it was time to call an end to his fantastic Whites career.

The Lowdown: Superb servant

The 36-year-old has been a wonderful player for Leeds, playing a big role in them returning to the Premier League with a nine-goal haul in their promotion-winning campaign and shining with his quality.

Hernandez has scored 36 goals and registered 41 assists in 174 appearances for the Whites, becoming a hugely popular individual in the process, with journalist Phil Hay describing him as ‘unreal’.

Despite still having a year remaining on his current deal, the midfielder will leave Elland Road at the end of the season, bringing an end to his time at the club.

The Latest: Whelan discusses Hernandez decision

Whelan spoke about the decision to Football Insider, saying that Hernandez’s lack of game-time this term will have played a part in him wanting to move on:

“He’s not needed by Leeds, he’s served his purpose.

“He’s done his job, he’s been a great servant, a fantastic player. He has entertained us for sure and been an integral part of our promotion and push to where we are now.

“I think when you look at his age, look at the players that are coming through now at Leeds and the players they’ve brought in, you’ve got to say he is third choice. Maybe even further down the pecking order now.

“Another player that will be held as a legend of the club for absolutely the right reasons. A player that has been a massive part of our growth to where we are today. I think everyone would thank him for that.”

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-3/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Right time to leave

Hernandez could easily have run down his contract at Leeds, but it is admirable that he may still be eyeing up regular football elsewhere at the age of 36.

The Spaniard has only managed two starts in the league this season and Marcelo Bielsa will be looking at summer signings, potentially sending him even further down the pecking order, as Whelan had feared.

Now is a good time to depart for all concerned and Hernandez deserves to be remembered as a true modern Leeds hero. Hopefully he will get a fitting send-off from the Elland Road faithful in today’s season-ending clash at home to West Brom.

In other news, Leeds have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a player this summer. Find out who it is here.

Ian Bell would have every reason for excusing himself and pinching himself hard today to actually realise that he was in New Zealand as a replacement player with the full England side

Lynn McConnell20-Mar-2002Ian Bell would have every reason for excusing himself and pinching himself hard today to actually realise that he was in New Zealand as a replacement player with the full England side.Winters in England have almost become a thing of the past for him. Three years ago he was in New Zealand with the England Under-19 side which drew their three “Test” series with New Zealand Under-19 1-1.In the final match, in which England were beaten by an innings, in Alexandra, Bell scored 115 and 17.In the first match, won by England, in New Plymouth he scored five and 91, and in Wellington for the second match he scored two and 10.The Under-19 tour of New Zealand had been a big turning point for him. He grew up from being a schoolboy cricketer and Mike Gatting had given him some help.”The experience I gained out here was really good.”Then having captained the England Under-19 team in India last winter, he was home for a weekend before flying out to join the England A team on their tour of the West Indies where he was given a good taste of intimidatory bowling.This year, he had been in Australia with the ECB National Academy and was hardly home before he was called out to New Zealand as cover for the injured Mark Butcher.As Bell put it himself, he has not really had any jetlag because when he got the call to come back his body clock was still on Australian time.But his call-up is a significant move in his career, which since he opted for cricket over soccer when aged around 15-16, has been on a rapidly climbing escalator.”Football got to the point at 15-16 that it was keeping my fitness up for cricket. That’s the reason why I kept it going,” he said in Wellington today.A player regarded as one of the comers on the England scene he showed some of his potential with Warwickshire last year when playing 11 games and scoring 836 runs at an average of 64.30. He hit three centuries and four 50s for the club and had a highest score of 135.People might be keen to attach labels of promise to him but Bell is clear on one thing, his main goal is to score as many runs as he can for Warwickshire in the coming summer, and that is his No 1 priority.”The key for me at the moment is just to concentrate on scoring runs for Warwickshire and if I can keep doing that, and improve, and things go right and I can learn from the experiences I am going to gain out here and learn from Duncan [Fletcher] and all the players, it will help me towards becoming a decent Test cricketer,” he said.The recent tour of Australia had been worthwhile, even if not all the matchplay had been at first-class level.It had been good to go out and play some winning cricket in the Australian situation and having experience on grounds like the MCG where they beat the Victoria 2nd XI which had been a great experience.Being part of the Academy had helped him and helped his game. Especially on the physical side and with fitness.”I am a lot stronger and fitter than I have ever been before,” he said.Bell has grown up admiring former England opener and captain Mike Atherton and he recalls the effect watching Atherton’s battle with South African fast man Allan Donald at Trent Bridge and also the battle he had in South Africa had on him.He admired Atherton’s mental strength as much as anything else.He is not really sure where he would prefer to bat in the line-up but is prepared to leave that Warwickshire to decide.While he is a replacement player he has come out with the attitude of preparing to play. It was a policy that paid off for him when he went to the West Indies last year and he intends to continue that approach.”I’m the type of player who likes to spend a bit of time at the crease and like to occupy the crease before I start playing shots. One of the strengths of my game is that I leave the ball quite well. I’d label myself as an innings builder rather than someone who goes out and smashes it from ball one.””Knowing where off stump is, is a valuable thing. I look to leave and leave well.”When heard that Butcher was injured some team-mates had been asking him if he was ready to go.Now he is here and as captain Nasser Hussain has put it, in contention for a place in the Test side tomorrow.

Eddie Howe will revamp Celtic’s sports science department when he takes over at Parkhead, according to journalist Stuart Hodge.

The Lowdown: Howe announcement imminent?

It seems as if the Hoops will finally get their man, who they first spoke to at the beginning of April.

According to the Daily Mail, Howe is closing in on becoming Celtic’s new manager, with an announcement imminent.

The process of pushing a deal through was thought to be helped by Bournemouth’s Championship playoff exit, with Howe looking to bring a number of staff members from the south coast to Scotland.

And it seems as if Howe has one area in mind that he wants to improve significantly.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-4/” title=”Celtic updates” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Latest: Hodge’s Howe claim

Hodge took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to provide an update on Howe’s proposed move to Glasgow.

He admitted that the sports science department will be revamped, with that area in need of bolstering since Brendan Rodgers left the club back in 2019.

“When Eddie Howe arrives with his entourage at Celtic, it will include a big revamp of the sports science department. This is an area of the Celtic operation which has been in need of bolstering since Brendan Rodgers left the club.”

The Verdict: An exciting time

In our opinion, the news of Howe coming to Celtic and bringing a number of staff members from Bournemouth should be a hugely exciting prospect for Hoops fans.

He’s been out of management since August, so you’d expect he’d be extremely excited ahead of a Scotland switch after admitting his next job would have to be one that ‘really motivated’ him.

Howe seemingly wants every minor detail to be checked before putting pen to paper on an official deal, but as the Daily Record claimed on the weekend, all roads now lead to Parkhead for the Englishman.

Bolstering the club’s sports science department could turn out to be a shrewd move in the long run, and if he can have the same success as Rodgers did at Celtic Park, it will turn out to be an excellent move by the Hoops.

In other news: Versatile attacker passes Celtic medical ahead of Parkhead switch, find out more here.

Mohammedan Sporting Club made their easiest victory in GrameenPhone Premier League as they crushed City Club in a totally one sided affair held in BNS today

Shahryar Khan05-Apr-2002Mohammedan Sporting Club made their easiest victory in GrameenPhone Premier League as they crushed City Club in a totally one sided affair held in BNS today. Mohammedan came out prominently after they received a 24-run defeat at the hands of Victoria Club three days before.In response to Mohammedan’s 241 all out in 49.2 overs, City was bundled out for 71 from 21.2 overs only. Both seamers from Mohammedan, Shafiuddin and Taposh Kumar, were absolutely splendid with the new ball to create the havoc in the opponent line-up. They bowled relentlessly for 20 overs and did the damage with ease. Shafiuddin Ahmed, the ex-national new ball operator and probably one of the quickest bowlers in Bangladesh, took advantage of the weather condition along with the lateral movements in the track.City Club’s foreign recruit Wasim Nayeem and his opening partner Shahryar Hossain were the two men to reach the double figure amidst the mayhem. Wasim top scored 18 off 37 deliveries where Shahryar managed 11. Shafiuddin Ahmed, expecting a come back in the national side, mauled with 5 wickets for 38 to become the man-of-the-match and Taposh Kumar picked up 4 for 30.Earlier Mohammedan won the toss and didn’t hesitate to bat against the comparatively weaker bowling attack of their opponents. Though Rashedul Haque fell cheaply Ehsanul Haq and man-in-form Habibul Bashar made a solid rapport between them to form a 132-run partnership in the second wicket. Ehsanul contributed with 84, the highest total in the match, and Bashar marked off with 59. He played a fairly slower innings (Completely against his nature) today as to do this he faced 86 balls.There weren’t many options left for the City bowlers to watch and see their proceedings except in the 35th over when Suja Irfan lastly eliminated Habibul Bashar caught at the hands of Rezaul. Minhajul Abedin (18) and Hashan Tilkaratne (28) chipped in with a couple of cameo innings that helped Mohammedan reach a pretty imposing total of 241. The only worrying matter for Mohammedan in this match was their frail tail order (The last 6 wickets gathered up 40 runs).Tareq Aziz Khan was most successful one for City Club to take 2 for 36.