All posts by h716a5.icu

India took the field on the third day of the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka without Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma

Cricinfo staff09-Aug-2008
Sachin Tendulkar was soon off the field to get some treatment on his elbow © AFP
India took the field on the third day of the Colombo Test against Sri Lanka without Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Ishant Sharma who are nursing injuries which were sustained on the second day.An MRI scan revealed a swelling in Tendulkar’s left elbow which he jarred while attempting a catch in the 47th over of Sri Lanka’s innings. His hand was immediately wrapped in an icepack and his elbow movements are not comfortable at present. Laxman was still unable to bear full weight on his left ankle which he sprained before the second day’s play while doing a fielding exercise. He did not take the field and underwent an MRI at a local hospital. Both Laxman and Tendulkar were expected to bat in India’s second innings.India’s bowling attack took a hit when Ishant limped off the field after falling to the ground while bowling his 16th over. A muscle in Ishant’s right buttock was the source of his discomfort and he was unable to continue bowling. He has a right glutues muscle contusion confirmed by an MRI and is unable to bear weight on that side.Parthiv Patel also copped a blow on the nose from an edge off Sangakkara’s bat and suffered a minor cut. He was kept under observation overnight but was passed fit to keep on the third day.

Steve Howey reckons that selling Isaac Hayden would be a major loss for Newcastle.

A knee injury might have forced the midfielder to miss the final nine Premier League games, but the former Arsenal academy graduate had already been one of the Magpies’ better performers in a largely disappointing campaign.

Prior to his season-ended injury, Hayden had started 22 of the 29 league matches, forming a solid partnership with club captain Jonjo Shelvey.

However, whilst the 26-year-old’s form proved pivotal for Steve Bruce’s side last season, it could land Hayden a move away from St James’ Park.

According to the Daily Mail, Southampton are interested in the midfield man, who penned a six-year contract with the club last September, with Newcastle valuing the Englishman at around £12m.

Asked whether losing him would be a blow to Bruce, Howey exclusively told Football FanCast:

“Yes, because I think he had a very solid season last season, obviously got injured towards the end. Newcastle cannot afford to lose players without getting players in.

“I understand that it’s a catch twenty-two that the manager might be thinking ‘I need to offload players to get some funds’, but the funds that you get, they’re not going to be massive funds.”

Whilst Hayden might not score the goals like Callum Wilson or have speed like Allan Saint-Maximin, he’s an underrated figure in the middle of the part, proving himself as a vital part of this Newcastle team in recent years.

And at just 26, with the ability to play in several positions, he would be tough to replace for Bruce.

Jon Culley reports on the first day of the Championship table-topper at Trent Bridge

Jon Culley at Trent Bridge24-Sep-2008
Scorecard
Darren Pattinson caused plenty of problems for Hampshire to leave Nottinghamshire on their title course © Getty Images
If Hampshire’s 11th-hour inclusion of Imran Tahir was intended to knock Nottinghamshire out of their stride towards the title, it hasn’t worked. Needing only to win this match, irrespective of how many points they accrue, to clinch their second County Championship in four seasons, Chris Read’s team ended the first day of the deciding round of matches firmly on course.Hampshire, invited to bat, were 199 for 9 when bad light ended play just before five o’clock. Tahir, in the event, is 23 not out. Having signed a two-year contract for the county, he may well bowl like a demon tomorrow, seeking to continue in the prolific form that has seen him take 36 wickets in six Championship matches, but his efforts are likely to count for much less than Hampshire hoped they might.They began still in with a theoretical title chance of their own – thanks largely to Tahir’s wickets – but realistically needed to win with something close to maximum points to finish top of the pile. Without even one point secured yet, however, they can pretty much say goodbye to that.Tahir turned up here in spite of Hampshire’s insistence, even on the eve of the game, that he had been summoned to South Africa, under contractual obligation, to prepare for a new season with Titans. So late did his availability become known that the first draft of teammate Nic Pothas’s column in Wednesday’s lamented his absence.But if Hampshire were hoping to gain something from this apparent subterfuge, they now look a bit silly. The bowlers that mattered on day one were the pair that have taken Nottinghamshire to the brink of the title.With 104 Championship wickets between them, Charlie Shreck and Darren Pattinson have been the most effective new-ball partnership in the competition this year. Three apiece for them as Nottinghamshire took maximum bowling points only cemented their reputation, even though, in the event, their first spells were unsuccessful.It was during that period, in the opening hour, that Hampshire might have thought they had a chance, on a dry – if rather slow – pitch, of posting a substantial score. With Michael Carberry and Michael Brown progressing watchfully, the beginnings of a platform were established as Read turned to Mark Ealham and Andre Adams for a change of pace.Yet, as the opening pair were soon to be reminded, there are few cannier bowlers to call upon to make something happen than Ealham, who needed only 10 deliveries to make the breakthrough, getting just enough movement to brush the edge of Brown’s defensively proffered bat, Read snaffling the catch, standing up.
Andre Adams made the early inroads after a steady start from Hampshire © Getty Images
Adams, moreover, has become a useful addition to Nottinghamshire’s seam bowling armoury with his right-arm medium pace. The loss of Brown at 40 for 1 was followed by a double strike as he went round the wicket to have Michael Lumb leg before shouldering arms, and persuaded umpire Richard Kettleborough to raise the finger a second time when Chris Benham thrust his front pad down the pitch, bat tucked in behind, but failed to get out of line.Hampshire were looking by now to Carberry to build on his start and with the left-hander seemingly in solid form they could reasonably hope that he would restore substance to the innings. The return of Shreck, however, dashed that hope, as he put his 6ft 7ins frame to good use to find some extra bounce, forcing Carberry to fend the ball at chest height and offer a chance that Read, diving to his left, eagerly took.After lunching at 83 for 4, Hampshire suffered two more setbacks early in the afternoon, Sean Ervine bottom-edging a pull from an ill-judged delivery from Pattinson, who had Liam Dawson leg before, playing down the wrong line, just two deliveries later.There followed a recovery of sorts, as Dimitri Mascarenhas joined Nic Pothas to restore order, although the former had an escape on nine when Graeme Swann could not hold on to a sharp caught-and-bowled chance. Still, 56 was a promising partnership in the circumstances, until, on 44, Pothas undid his good work with a loose drive at Pattinson that cannoned into his stumps off an inside edge.When the new ball became available, Shreck returned and quickly claimed the two further wickets required to bag Nottinghamshire a third bowling point, confusing Chris Tremlett enough with some late inswing to induce a leading edge, moving quickly to take a return catch, before the Hampshire skipper, on 41, succumbed to a similar delivery, spooning the ball to Will Jefferson at short cover.

Middlesbrough are willing to listen to offers for Chuba Akpom this summer, Neil Warnock has confirmed.

What’s the story?

Akpom only signed for Middlesbrough back in 2020, having previously been on the books of Greek side PAOK earlier in his career.

But his spell at the Riverside hasn’t gone as well as he would have hoped for, with the 25-year-old scoring just five goals in 39 appearances for Neil Warnock’s side.

Boro are light on options in attack heading into the 2021/22 Championship season, with both Akpom and Uche Ikpeazu being the only recognised senior options for the first-team at this moment in time, after Ashley Fletcher and Britt Assombalonga departed at the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Warnock has recently revealed that Middlesbrough are willing to listen to offers for Akpom though, but only if their valuation of the forward is met.

“I think everybody knows if the right offer comes in, we’d consider that but at the same time, we are still looking at other forwards.”

Statistics speak for themselves

Akpom’s statistics don’t make for the best of reading from last year’s campaign, as Boro finished tenth in the Championship table under Warnock’s management.

The 25-year-old had an average Whoscored rating of 6.42, and chipped in with just five goals in total for the second-tier side, who would have hoped to have challenged for promotion into the Premier League last term, although an inconsistent run of results saw them miss out on a top-six finish. That Whoscored rating put Akpom 19th on the list in terms of ranking the Middlesbrough squad, which doesn’t make for the best of reading.

Akpom averaged 1.1 shots per game, but only mustered an average of 0.3 dribbles per game. Whereas Duncan Watmore was deployed as a makeshift forward during the second half of the 2020/21 season and had an average of 0.9 shots per game, whilst averaging 0.8 dribbles per game.

However, Watmore took the chances that fell his way, with the former Sunderland winger scoring nine goals for Boro last term, as they finished tenth in the second-tier standings.

Warnock has previously criticised Akpom after his performance earlier in the 2020/21 season, and labelled him as ‘very poor’.

He said:

“I’m hoping things calm down for him in the next couple of weeks and he can still contribute. He’s got everything in his locker.

“We speak a lot about inconsistencies and that isn’t limited to Chuba that’s right through the squad.

“But the last time he came on before Saturday, I thought he was really poor. The inconsistency around the team is what bugs me more than anything.”

It’s the right call to consider offers for Akpom this summer, but you can understand Warnock’s thinking behind only letting him depart if their valuation is matched, as they don’t have a considerable amount of options in attack ahead of the new Championship season.

Boro are set to take on Fulham in their opening match of the new campaign, in what is certain to be a tricky test up against Marco Silva’s side at Craven Cottage. Time will tell if Akpom is part of the squad. Boro will be hoping he’s not, as that should mean that another club has met his valuation.

Tottenham Hotspur sporting director Fabio Paratici could be about to rectify one of Daniel Levy’s more recent transfer blunders…

What’s the word?

According to the Evening Standard, the Premier League side are to turn their attentions to signing a creative player after agreeing a deal for Atalanta centre-back Cristian Romero.

And there’s an interesting name on their shortlist, former Hotspur Way academy player Noni Madueke.

It’s claimed that Spurs are monitoring the 19-year-old attacker ahead of a potential move to bring him back to the club, although they face competition from across Europe.

The likes of Bayern Munich and Leeds United have been mooted by the report.

Bring him home!

It certainly seems like Levy made a premature decision to let the England U21 international leave in June 2018, especially for nothing, as he’s only gone on to thrive ever since.

As per the Evening Standard, Madueke’s value is ever-increasing with his impressive performances, whilst the departure of Donyell Malen to Borussia Dortmund is another factor driving up his price.

Transfermarkt value the teenager at just £14.4m but just last month, The Sun revealed PSV had a £20m asking price and were desperate to keep hold of the English starlet.

Madueke enjoyed quite the breakthrough last season. In 32 appearances (11 starts), he provided nine goals and eight assists, averaging a direct goal contribution once every 75 minutes, via Transfermarkt.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/spurs-latest-team-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-much-more-copy” title= “Read the latest Spurs news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

To put that into more of a perspective, Harry Kane’s 33 goals and 17 assists during 2020/21 were achieved at a rate of one every 79.6 minutes.

That form already looks to have continued into the new campaign as he’s bagged two goals and provided one assist across PSV’s three Champions League qualifiers so far.

Ex-Dutch midfielder Tommie van der Leegte describes the 19-year-old as “explosive”, which would back up comments from former England U21 head coach Aidy Boothroyd, who believes he’s a “powerhouse of a player.”

“Technically very good, left-footed and likes to come in off the side of the pitch, off the right and go and link. He’s got a goal in him, he’s very creative. He’s got a massive smile, a lovely kid. The lads have taken to him, as they would because he’s a good player, he has that respect for what he’s done at PSV.”

Indeed, if Spurs are looking for that creative ace, then Boothroyd’s endorsement shows exactly why they may be looking to the Eredivisie for the solution.

The English winger averaged 1.6 key passes per 90 minutes in the Dutch top-flight last term, which was more than Kane (1.4), Giovani Lo Celso (1.4), Lucas Moura (one) and even Tanguy Ndombele (0.8), as per WhoScored.

Paratici must look to seal a move for the £20m-rated gem this summer. In doing so, he’d be righting one of Levy’s big mistakes.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Kane: Spurs eyeing “complete” £36m-rated goal machine…

Jhulan Goswami, the fast bowler, has been appointed captain and former captain Anjum Chopra finds a place in the 15-member squad to tour Australia

Cricinfo staff07-Oct-2008
Jhulan Goswami takes over as captain from Mithali Raj © International Cricket Council
The new selection committee has sprung two surprises, naming Jhulan Goswami, the fast bowler, as India’s captain for the women’s tour of Australia and recalling the former captain Anjum Chopra to the 15-member squad. Goswami takes over from Mithali Raj, who led the team since the 2005 World Cup. The tour, starting October 28, features five ODIs and one Twenty20 international.”I am really excited and honoured by the Board’s decision to make me the captain of India,” Goswami told the .”I am ready for the job and looking forward to playing in Australia.”Goswami also welcomed the return of Chopra, who is India’s second highest run scorer in ODIs but last played for India in the Quadrangular Series in February 2007 in Chennai. The forthcoming tour will be India’s last series ahead of next year’s World Cup, also in Australia. “Anjum carries a great amount of experience which will help the side immensely. It is an important tour for us because the World Cup will follow soon after.”The other players making a comeback are batsman Anagha Deshpande, allrounders Reema Malhotra and Thirush Kamini and offspinner Nooshin Al Khadeer. Kamini was sent to Cricket Australia’s Centre for Excellence in August just before the tour of England.Raj said India’s 4-0 loss on their recent tour of England could have prompted the selectors to replace her. “England was miserable and that’s the reason I think the selectors chose to name another captain,” she said. “Jhulan is good. Her captaincy might give the team a much-needed boost, with the World Cup round the corner.”Squad:
Jhulan Goswami (capt), Rumeli Dhar, Jaya Sharma, Sulakshana Naik (wk), Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, Thirush Kamini, Amita Sharma, Priyanka Roy, Snehal Pradhan, Gouher Sultana, Anagha Deshpande, Reema Malhotra, Nooshin Al Khadeer, Seema Pujare

Chris Taylor, the Gloucestershire batsman, has been invited to join the England Performance squad coaching staff, primarily as a fielding specialist

Cricinfo staff06-Nov-2008Chris Taylor, the Gloucestershire batsman, has been invited to join the England Performance squad coaching staff, primarily as a fielding specialist.Taylor is known as one of best backward point fielders in county cricket and has been drafted in to sharpen the skills of England’s second string, who will spend a month in India before Christmas at the same as the senior team is touring the country.”I was approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board to do some coaching during the winter,” Taylor told . “I’m working on the England Performance Programme until Christmas, which includes a trip for a month to India.”Fielding is an area I’m really passionate about I really love the coaching.”Taylor will have some time to work with Monty Panesar, who is part of the EPP before joining up with the Test squad, and possibly Michael Vaughan if he is brought into the group to begin his search for a Test recall.

Many Everton fans have been slamming the performance of Alex Iwobi in their 4-0 pre-season defeat at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon.

The Nigeria international missed a good chance to bring the Toffees back into the game midway through the first half, as they were already 2-0 down at that point to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men.

Iwobi did not have a great game in general as Twitter fan page The Everton End voiced their frustrations with the winger during the match, which prompted a lot of negative reaction.

With the new Premier League season starting on Friday night, Rafa Benitez would have not been convinced by the Nigerian’s performance, and so the 25-year-old could well face being dropped to the bench for their opener.

He has played 65 times for Everton competitively but scored a paltry four goals in that time and has set up just four more (Transfermarkt) – centre-back Michael Keane netted three league goals last season alone – while he has drawn the ire of some Toffees fans in the past.

Everton fans hammer Iwobi

These Everton supporters slammed Iwobi’s performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to claim that he was a ‘disgrace’:

“I’m really struggling with having to watch him this season”

Credit: @BrunsypPB

“Got to be the worst ever buy”

Credit: @kevdano

“Worst £40 mill we’ve spent!”

Credit: @_Sumz

“I mean this literally. He is the worst signing Everton have ever made. There has not been a worse signing, I won’t be convinced otherwise”

Credit: @BradleyHilditch

“Iwobi you are a disgrace”

Credit: @RobertS91163055

“Niasse was genuinely a better signing than Iwobi”

Credit: @efcdylan_

In other news, find out what confirmed news has had these Toffees buzzing!

Former Australia opener Justin Langer, who retired from the Test scene in January 2007, is considering extending his competitive cricket career to the age of 40

Jason Dasey08-Nov-2008
Justin Langer wants to keep playing for some time yet © Getty Images
Former Australia opener Justin Langer, who retired from the Test scene in January 2007, is considering extending his competitive cricket career to the age of 40. Langer, the Somerset captain, said his body was holding up well and he was enjoying the game more than ever. He turns 38 on November 21st.”Many years ago when I was starting out, I set the target of playing until I was 40,” he said. “I’m still feeling good so it’s something that I’d like to achieve.”Langer has agreed to return to Somerset for a fourth season in 2009 after agreeing to a new one -year contract. He’s also planning to play for the Rajasthan Royals in next year’s Indian Premier League after missing the 2008 campaign with the Jaipur-based franchise because of his commitments at Somerset.”Adam Gilchrist told me that the IPL was six of thebest weeks he’s had in his entire career,” he said.”There’s a few more details to finalise, but I’mreally looking forward to being part of it.”Langer made his comments in Hong Kong where he’splaying for an All-Stars team in this weekend’s HongKong Cricket Sixes. His team-mates include former NewZealand captain Stephen Fleming, the West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul and veteran Sri Lankaopener Sanath Jayasuriya.”I’ve always been fascinated by the Sixes,” he said. “So to getthe invitation this year to play in Hong Kong I wasthrilled.”It’s the start of a busy week for Langer that will seehim oppose his former Australiateam-mates in a Twenty20 game at the Gabba in Brisbaneon November 14. Langer and old friend Gilchrist -with 201 Test matches and 40 Test centuries betweenthem – are the big-name members of another All-Starsteam, coached by ex-India boss, Greg Chappell.”For me and Gilly, it should be great fun and good tobe back on the big stage again,” he said. “But playingagainst Australia and playing against my mates, I’mnot so sure about that. It pays me back when Australiaplayed Australia A nearly ten years ago.”Langer had another successful season as Somersetcaptain in 2008, taking the newly-promoted side to thebrink of success in Division One of the CountyChampionship before they eventually finished fourth.He was Somerset’s second-highest run-scorer – behindformer international opponent Marcus Trescothick -with 1083 runs at 43.32 including three centuries.He said: “I love playing for Somerset. For me thegreatest challenge now is to stay hungry. I’ve justgot to keep setting myself new goals from a battingperspective. All the rest of it I really enjoy: thelifestyle, the competition, the management side ofbeing captain and I can stay nice and fit.”Langer added that he’s not too concerned about therecent struggles of the Australia Test team on thetour of India. “India is the toughest place in the world to play,” he said. “When we won the last series in India that for me, was the highlight of my career.”It was like reaching thecrest of Mount Everest. So I’m going to keep it inperspective. We have a young side in India at themoment and they’ve competed very well. We don’t haveto worry too much about Australian cricket.”

Leicester City have been linked with a move for Barcelona youngster Ilaix Moriba, with the La Liga giants fearing he could leave on a free transfer next summer.

What’s the story?

The highly-rated 18-year-old has entered the final year of his current contract with his boyhood club and has so far been unable to reach an agreement over fresh terms.

As a result, Barca are thought to be open to Moriba’s departure after being forced to train with the reserves, and several Premier League clubs are believed to have been in contact with the player’s representatives, according to 90min.

The report claims that England’s traditional ‘Big Six’ have been offered the teenager’s services, along with Leicester, West Ham United, Everton and Wolves.

Leicester City fans will be buzzing

The £22.5m-rated Moriba burst onto the scene for Barca last season, scoring one goal and providing three assists in 18 appearances for Ronald Koeman’s charges.

As per WhoScored, he recorded an average of 0.9 shots per league game in 2020/21, 0.5 key passes and 1.2 dribbles, highlighting his considerable contribution to Barca’s play.

It was hoped that the 6ft maestro would become a pivotal part of the Catalan club’s new era, but his imminent exit is now looking inevitable.

The news of Moriba’s availability will surely have a large section of Leicester fans buzzing. The Midlands outfit have largely built their recent success off the back of buying promising youngsters for low fees before developing them and selling them on for astronomical profit.

Stars such as N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire have all come and gone after gracing the King Power Stadium with their considerable talent, allowing the club to reinvest the proceeds of their sales into the playing squad and a new training ground.

And bringing in Moriba would fit perfectly with that management style. The Spain Under-18 international has established himself as one of the most promising central midfielders in the European game and looks destined for a glittering career.

Whether Leicester act on his attainability only time will tell, but manager Brendan Rodgers would surely be delighted at the opportunity to work with such a talented young player. The Leicester boss must act now.

And, in other news…Bye-bye Maddison: Leicester must get “phenomenal” £27m-rated gem with “magical powers”