All posts by h716a5.icu

Former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has demanded an explanation from WICB chief Ernest Hilaire regarding the comments he made regarding the lack of discipline and application in the team, leading up to the massive post-World Cup overhaul

ESPNcricinfo staff28-Apr-2011Former West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has demanded an explanation from WICB chief Ernest Hilaire regarding the comments he made regarding the lack of discipline and application in the team, leading up to its massive post World Cup overhaul. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Hilaire, a copy of which is with ESPNcricinfo, Chanderpaul questioned whether the comments were directed at him.Chanderpaul, along with senior players Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan were axed from the side for the ongoing series against Pakistan. Hilaire’s interview with network, a copy of which was later released by the WICB, touched upon a number of the problems ailing West Indies cricket over the past 15 years.Chanderpaul’s concerns were over the following excerpt from the interview: “If you look at West Indies cricket since the mid-90s, a lot of the systems we had in place broke down. There’s no discipline, there’s no application. We’ve been doing that for 15 years and we’ve been losing. We need to put a new system in place. No one man is bigger than the team, no one man is such a superstar he can decide if he is training today, if he’s going to have treatment tomorrow, if he’s going to attend a team meeting. It cannot work that way.”In response, Chanderpaul wrote: “I am particularly concerned about the following statements: 1. There’s no discipline, there’s no application. 2. No one man is bigger than the team, no one man is such a superstar he can decide if he is training today, if he’s going to have treatment tomorrow, if he’s going to attend a team meeting.”I am of the opinion that anyone reading these comments in the specific context will conclude that:”1. I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, am an indisciplined individual and during my tenure as a West Indies player over the past fifteen years have lacked discipline and contributed to the West Indies team losing.”2. I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul have not applied myself or demonstrated any real application to my role as a member of the West Indies team over the past 15 years and by so doing have contributed to the West Indies team losing.”3. I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, consider myself to be bigger than the team.”4. I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while a member of the West Indies team during the past fifteen years, have decided when I was training or not training.”5. I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while a member of the West Indies team during the past fifteen years, have decided when I was going to attend or not attend team meetings.”6. (Based on the accusations above) I, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, while a member of the West Indies team during the past fifteen years, have disregarded the coaches and managerial staff or undermined team discipline by my actions and attitude.”Chanderpaul also questioned whether the statements were reflective of Hilaire’s personal opinion, or were made in his capacity as WICB chief. “If they were made by you, I note that you constantly use the word ‘we’ in the excerpt above,” Chanderpaul wrote. “I would like to know if this is a ‘royal we’ or, in other words, are you speaking for yourself, albeit as CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board or are you speaking for and on behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board itself? This is important to me since I believe I have served the WICB and West Indies Cricket faithfully and well during my career and it would be difficult for me to accept that the members of the board of directors of West Indies cricket have sanctioned those remarks. On what basis have you made those statements and with what purpose?”Asking Hilaire to reply urgently, Chanderpaul said he was worried the comments would damage his reputation. “I am convinced that those persons who do not know the sacrifices I have made on behalf of West Indies Cricket and my dedication to the cause of West Indies Cricket would believe, based on what you have said in your interview, that I lack discipline and application and have not demonstrated the sense of responsibility which I know that I have shown throughout my career. While I would refer you to my unblemished reputation for professionalism and to all the other CEOs, coaches and managers with whom I have worked, I believe that you have crossed the line by making these public accusations that, while they may include others, are also directed at me and if unchallenged and corrected may destroy my career.”Chanderpaul told Hilaire in his letter that if he did not receive an adequate explanation he would take whatever action necessary to clear his name. “While it would help if the WICB as an organisation repudiates your comments in this regards, it would still not be sufficient to erase the tremendous damage already done. I await your urgent response and reserve all of my rights in this matter.”

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe must make a ruthless call and cut Ciaran Clark from his final Premier League squad as news emerges from the final few days of the January transfer window.

What’s the story?

Reports earlier in the window had suggested that Clark was made available for a loan move away from the club, with Championship side Middlesbrough among those touted with signing him.

However, it was claimed that the Republic of Ireland international turned down an exit from St James’ Park, and it now remains to be seen whether he makes the final squad for Howe’s side for the second-half of this Premier League season.

He must never play again for Newcastle

Clark’s performances this season for Newcastle have left a lot to be desired, with the centre-back part of a defence that has conceded 43 goals – the second-most of any side in the division.

As per Whoscored, the Irishman’s abysmal average match rating of 6.24 ranks him as the club’s worst performing player out of any of those who have played more than ten times this campaign in the Premier League.

His cause hasn’t been helped by the fact that he also got into an altercation whilst on the club’s trip to Saudi Arabia, with Paul Robinson even raising the possibility that he may have already played his final competitive game for the club.

He said: “You don’t know what has gone on behind the scenes but that was the perfect example of how not to perform in an audition in front of your new bosses.

“You don’t get sent off in a friendly game in front of your new owners when you’re on a training camp. He has played in quite a few games this season. If the manager sees him as surplus to requirements I’m surprised we didn’t see him move on before the deadline. Given his recent disciplinary record, this could be the end for him at Newcastle.”

Indeed, writing for The Athletic, Chris Waugh delivered another update on where things stand with Clark, revealing: “The squad is yet to be confirmed, though it is understood Lewis and Ciaran Clark were informed they would not make it, which is why they were told they could go out on loan.

“Given they have stayed, Howe is believed to have assessed the final list again, with it appearing to be a straight call between Clark and Federico Fernandez for the last centre-back berth.”

If it is to be decision and a straight toss-up between Clark and Fernandez, then there can simply be only one option.

The £35k-a-week earning Irish ace must never play for the Magpies again.

Meanwhile, Newcastle made an error in the January transfer window with this man…

A century from Jacques Rudolph set Yorkshire on their way to an eight-runvictory over Derbyshire at Chesterfield to keep them top of Group B in theClydesdale Bank 40

08-Aug-2010
ScorecardA century from Jacques Rudolph set Yorkshire on their way to an eight-runvictory over Derbyshire at Chesterfield to keep them top of Group B in theClydesdale Bank 40.The South African scored 105, sharing a second-wicket stand of 144 in 22 overswith Adam Lyth, who made 91, as Yorkshire made 276 for 6 from their 40overs. Chesney Hughes hit 54 and Wayne Madsen 65 from 57 balls but, despite a latecharge from Graham Wagg (27) in his first game since late April, the Falconscame up short on 268 for 8.Rudolph came into the game with an average of 99.25 in the 40-over competitionand the Falcons may have feared the worst when he was dropped on 16 at slip byChesney Hughes off Tim Groenewald. The South African did not give another chance until he had reached his century as he and Lyth plundered runs after Andrew Gale had become Wagg’s first victim in the 12th over.The Falcons had to wait another 22 overs for their next success and by thenYorkshire were on course for their best 40-over total against Derbyshire. Rudolph reached his fourth 50 in Group B from 52 balls and lifted Garry Park for six over midwicket as he cruised to his second ton in this summer’s CB 40 league.Lyth drove Groenewald into the timber-framed pavilion to bring up the 200 inthe 32nd over, and although Rudolph went for 105 off 107 balls when he failed toclear mid off and Jonathan Bairstow was bowled first ball by Groenewald, AnthonyMcGrath accelerated the scoring in the closing overs.He drove the left-arm spin of Robin Peterson into the sightscreen at the LakeEnd and sent a Wagg delivery into the spectators behind the ropes at extra coveras Yorkshire passed the 248 for 5 they made at Chesterfield in 1979. Lyth was finally caught at deep midwicket going for his third six, but McGrath’s unbeaten 31 from 17 balls left Derbyshire with a tough chase and they made a dreadful start when Chris Rogers was run out by a direct hit from Lyth in the second over.But Hughes reeled off some silky strokes to keep his side in the hunt and alsopulled Ajmal Shahzad for six as he and Peterson took the Falcons past 50 beforePeterson was caught at slip driving at Tim Bresnan. Hughes was looking dangerous, but after completing a 43-ball fifty he drove Steve Patterson to cover.Madsen and Wes Durston added 74 in 11 overs to keep the game alive beforeMcGrath broke the stand with his second ball when Durston cut him low to point. The Falcons went into the last 10 overs needing 93 but accurate bowling backed up by sharp fielding built up pressure which forced Madsen into a switch hit into the hands of point.Derbyshire needed 56 off the last five overs and although Wagg smashed anunbeaten 27 off 18 balls, Yorkshire held their nerve to clinch their seventhvictory and stay on course for a semi-final place.

South Africa A opener Dean Elgar scored a century to steady a stuttering batting line-up on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka A at the SSC

Cricinfo staff16-Aug-2010
ScorecardSouth Africa A opener Dean Elgar scored a century to steady a stuttering batting line-up on the first day of the second Test against Sri Lanka A at the SSC. Elgar remained firm amid falling wickets and remained unbeaten on 118 at stumps.The South Africans made a promising start after they chose to bat, with openers Stephen Cook and Elgar adding 62. Cook’s dismissal for 26, however, started a trend in which the visitors would begin to have a partnership but the Sri Lankan bowlers would cut it short before it did any damage. Middle-order batsmen Rilee Rossouw, Stiaan van Zyl, Jonathan Vandiar and Heino Kuhn entered double figures but no one got past 30.Elgar, however, batted steadily to reach his century and led his team to 235 for 6 at the close of play. Sachithra Senanayake and Janaka Gunaratne were the most successful Sri Lanka A bowlers, taking two wickets apiece.

The rain finally cleared late on the third day to allow Tasmania to add 19 runs and lose a wicket against Queensland at the Gabba

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2010Tasmania 2 for 52 v Queensland
Scorecard
The rain finally cleared late on the third day to allow Tasmania to add 19 runs and lose a wicket against Queensland at the Gabba. Wet weather has limited the match to 31 overs, with 13.2 wedged in this afternoon as the Tigers reached 2 for 52.When play resumed at 4.30pm Nathan Rimmington finished the over he started on Friday. Tasmania walked back out at 1 for 33 and Rimmington soon had some success when Ed Cowan (19) was the victim of a diving catch from the wicketkeeper Chris Hartley.Bad light ended play with Alex Doolan on 13 and George Bailey on 9. With life in the wicket there is a slim possibility of a first-innings result, but more rain is predicted for Monday morning.

West Ham United and manager David Moyes have been gifted an ‘advantage’ in the race to sign Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard this summer, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Moyes eyes Lingard move…

The Premier League ace has been on Moyes’ transfer radar for the better part of a year with reports first emerging in 2021 that West Ham wanted to make Lingard’s loan deal a permanent one.

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

However, GSB’s efforts to prise away the England international were in vain, with Lingard electing to stay at Old Trafford and fight for his future under ex-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Following his lack of game time, a January exit for Moyes’ long-term target was on the cards and West Ham even made late attempts to seal his London Stadium return in the winter.

The Irons couldn’t finalise his capture yet again, but as they reportedly go for third time lucky, Lingard’s soon-to-be free agent status could make his signing that bit less complicated.

The Latest: O’Rourke makes promising Lingard claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Pete O’Rourke claims that West Ham have one ‘advantage’ in the race for United’s departing ace.

He also believes that Hammers supporters would certainly ‘encourage’ a move for Lingard going by his brilliant spell in east London last year.

When asked if the 29-year-old’s familiarity with Moyes at West Ham will be a factor, O’Rourke explained: “I think you’ve got to say that it gives them an advantage; they both know each other. Jesse Lingard was such a big fans’ favourite during his loan spell at West Ham, so the fans would definitely encourage that move.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

While the Europa League semi-finalists are arguable front-runners for Lingard, does that mean West Ham should be competing for his signature yet again this summer?

Moyes, as per reliable reports, is targeting a central defender, new midfielder, striker and potential reserve keeper to boost his 2022/2023 ranks.

Lingard is a player of proven top flight quality and experienced England international who has already shined under the Scotsman at West Ham.

The fact he could join for zero cost makes this an arguable no-brainer, even despite the frustrating sagas of West Ham’s last two efforts to sign him.

Moyes, by saving transfer funds on a swoop for Lingard, could then spend big on trying to seal world class central defensive and forward signings.

Called a would-be ‘massive signing’ for West Ham by former England keeper Paul Robinson, we believe that remains the case.

In other news: As of now: ExWHUemployeee shares fresh West Ham player update after agreement reached…find out more here.

Monty Panesar took his first five-wicket haul since September 2008 as Sussex beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets at Arundel

09-Jul-2010
ScorecardMonty Panesar took his first five-wicket haul since September 2008 as Sussex beat Gloucestershire by eight wickets at Arundel to go top of Division Two in the County Championship. Almost a year to the day since his heroics with the bat helped England save the first Ashes Test in Cardiff, Panesar took advantage of a wearing pitch to claim 5 for 44 in Gloucestershire’s second innings to give him match figures of 8 for 114.Panesar was well supported by offspinner Ollie Rayner, who took 3 for 24, but Gloucestershire folded abysmally under pressure as they lost their last seven wickets for 52 in 16 overs to be bowled out for 131 despite an unbeaten 89 from Hamish Marshall. Sussex lost both openers before passing their target of 50 in 11 overs and they now go five points clear of Gloucestershire at the top in their bid for a quick return to Division One.Panesar struck in his first over when his arm ball deceived Jonathan Batty. Gloucestershire, who had conceded a first-innings deficit of 82, had already lost Kadeer Ali, one of five batsmen to get ducks, when he was lbw playing no shot to Yasir Arafat. Chris Dent drove to second slip but from 27 for 3 Marshall and Alex Gidman led a brief recovery with a stand of 52.But when Gidman was superbly caught at short leg by Michael Thornely off Rayner, Gloucestershire’s innings nose-dived. Panesar defeated Chris Taylor’s sweep, had James Franklin taken at short leg and Jon Lewis at slip before claiming his fifth wicket when Vikram Banerjee fatally played back to a ball which scuttled through.At the other end it often appeared as if Marshall was involved in a different game. He played some superb back-foot shots off the spinners and hit 15 fours in 126 balls but there was negligible support at the other end. Gemaal Hussain drove to mid-off and last man Steve Kirby was taken at backward short-leg to give Rayner the final two wickets of an innings which lasted just over 40 overs.Earlier, Sussex’s last four wickets had added a further 75 runs but Robin Martin-Jenkins missed out on a century in his last championship appearance when he was caught at second slip for 78.Yasir Arafat contributed his first half-century of the season whilst left-arm spinner Banerjee picked up 5 for 94, his second five-wicket haul of the season.

Aston Villa have been rather busy when it comes to adding new players to their squad so far in the January transfer window, with deals completed for Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.

It now appears that the Midlands club have been making moves in trying to tie down one of their current players for the foreseeable future.

What’s the news?

According to a recent report from the Daily Mail, Villa have offered Kortney Hause a new contract to try and keep him at the club after his current deal expires in the summer.

Villa originally signed the defender on loan from fellow Premier League club Wolves three years ago before securing him on a permanent basis in the summer of 2019 in a deal worth a reported fee of £3m.

Overall, the 26-year-old – who is currently valued at £4.5m by Transfermarkt – has made 53 appearances for the Villans across all competitions, scoring four goals in the process – the latest of which came in their 1-0 win over Manchester United in the Premier League earlier this season.

Even though Hause has only made one appearance for Villa in the Premier League since Steven Gerrard was appointed as manager back in mid-November, it will still be hugely pleasing for the Villa boss to see the 26-year-old sign a new deal at the club.

They currently have only Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings in their squad who predominantly play at centre-back alongside Hause, after Axel Tuanzebe’s loan deal was cut short earlier this month.

Despite making just five appearances for Villa in the Premier League this season, Hause has shown that he is just as capable of performing to a solid level as Mings and Konsa, with WhoScored giving him an overall rating of 6.67/10 – the same as the former and higher than the latter.

With this in mind, if the ex-Wolves defender were to put pen to paper on a new deal at Villa Park, it would be a great piece of business for the club to get done this month rather than have owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens worry about Hause potentially leaving in the summer as a free agent if he decides that he would be better off going elsewhere to get regular game-time.

In other news: “In the last hours…” – Journalist drops Aston Villa transfer update, Gerrard will be delighted

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly believes India will win the two-Test series against Australia so long as they bat well

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Sep-2010Australia’s strong batting performance on the first day of their match against the Board President’s XI in Mohali had no impact on former India captain Sourav Ganguly’s view as to how the forthcoming Test series will go. Ganguly said, “India will win the series if they bat well.”Regardless of India’s revolving-door bowling attack, Ganguly said the venues of the two-Test series help the home team maximise its spin resources. “Bangalore may not offer assistance early for spinners, but there’s a bit for them later and Mohali has always been a good venue for us”, Ganguly said at the India Today Youth Summit in Delhi this afternoon.He picked Suresh Raina and Cheteshwar Pujara as the leaders of the next generation of Indian batsmen who have it in them to go the distance. Raina, while inexperienced in the Test format, has shown great improvement according to Ganguly. Pujara, picked for the first time in the Indian team to play Australia, has what Ganguly called a “terrific attitude towards batting. I’ve seen him with the [Kolkata] Knight Riders and he can bat all day, he just loves it.”As India’s strong middle-order draws closer to the end of its era, the team, Ganguly said, had plenty of options. “There is talent in Murali Vijay; there is talent in Yuvraj Singh. There are many other young players who have got talent, but it’s what they do with that talent that is important.”Ganguly, who was captain of the Indian team that kicked off India’s now-celebrated rivalry with the Australians in 2001, said his advice to current India captain M S Dhoni did not include making Ricky Ponting wait for the toss, a habit which had incensed Steve Waugh in the 2001 series. “The series is going to be really enjoyable and Ricky’s a great guy”, he said.Ponting and Ganguly were teammates at the Kolkata Knight Riders for the last three years, an association that will most probably end when the IPL hosts its latest player auction later this year. Ganguly said he agreed with Sachin Tendulkar about maintaining and building a team, but thought the IPL had “done well to leave player retention in the franchises hand, to make it their decision”.The most essential ingredient of every franchise’s team, according to Ganguly, was “identity”. He said, “So what happens if Tendulkar doesn’t play for Mumbai? If Tendulkar plays for Bangalore then it looks like something different, doesn’t it?”As one of the speakers in the Youth Summit, Ganguly’s brief speech was followed by an exchange with an audience made up mostly of university students. He spoke openly of the time he took over as India captain in 2000, which is when the match-fixing controversy first broke. “We had some worries once the news came out in the open. We would speak to each other but none of us knew what to do, or to deal with the situation – we’d not been approached or anything.”The six month break between seasons that followed made a difference, Ganguly said. “The BCCI decided to take players off the team and we got a lot of youngsters into the side. So we didn’t have to deal with those issues, but we had it at the back of our mind”.Ganguly said he had not come across any experience to say that matches were fixed “in my entire cricketing life personally, and I can vouch for that … Now I presume those guys, they know whom to approach. It’s not just about Pakistani cricketers but players all around the world. Maybe they can just judge someone’s character and know they might get through to one player and not another”.When he was asked if would ever like to coach the Indian team, Ganguly said, “Yes, not very shortly but at some stage of my life. I would really want to do it because anything connected with Indian cricket is an honour”.Ganguly also replied to a question about a ‘five-point programme’ on coaching that he would give to Greg Chappell, who had a controversial tenure as India coach from 2005 to 2007. “Don’t be too friendly with the media,” Ganguly said, “be honest with the players and don’t talk to them through the media, always work with players, get confidence out of players and stay on the backstage. The captain is the boss of the team.”

Manchester United are acting on a mega-money bid that would see Napoli striker Victor Osimhen trade the Serie A for the Premier League if it all comes to fruition.

What’s the word?

That is according to La Repubblica, via Sport Witness, who claim that Manchester United “have already come forward” for the 23-year-old striker “with an offer of €100 million” (£84m).

Corriere dello Sport’s report is along the same lines, with the outlet stating that Manchester United and Arsenal “may make a sacrifice (a big bid) that would make him happy.”

The report states that “Napoli would not falter” if they were “faced with an indecent proposal worth €110 million” (£92.5m), but would “let the deal happen.”

United’s “Lion Heart”

If there is one thing that Manchester United need in the side, it is heart. Previously dubbed a “Lion Heart”, Osimhen brings that in abundance.

The 23-year-old has had a tough upbringing. His mother died when he was still a child and his father lost his job three months later. He sold bottled water in the middle of traffic to help his family get by financially.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-man-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more-nunez-ten-hag-nkunku-richarlison” title=”Read the latest Man United news!”]

It seems as though his work ethic has transitioned into his play style on the pitch, with Osimhen willing to graft from the front in order to win back possession for his side. The Nigeria international’s match average of 10.31 pressures in the attacking third are elite level, as per FBref, and fit perfectly with the pressing system that Erik ten Hag will seek to employ at the Old Trafford side.

Osimhen is enjoying yet another prosperous season at Napoli in Serie A, with his five times in a row.

With two goals) combined.

With his average of 3.89 shots total per 90, he pips that of Erling Haaland’s average of 3.65, with the Norwegian previously linked.

His threat up top could see him become a talismanic figure for the Red Devils, and with his link as a similar player to Erling Haaland, as per FBref, he could well be United’s version of the Dortmund sensation.

In other news: Man United now plotting bid to sign £70m “machine”, he’s a big upgrade on Martial