All posts by h716a5.icu

Aston Villa are set to complete the signing of talented West Brom youngster Tim Iroegbunam, according to a fresh report which has emerged.

The Lowdown: Iroegbunam impresses in academy

The 18-year-old is yet to make a first team appearance for the Baggies, but he has caught the eye in the youth ranks, being named the club’s Academy Player of the Season for 2020/21.

Iroegbunam has made 30 appearances for Albion’s under-18s, chipping in with four goals and four assists in that time.

The Latest: Villa set to sign youngster

According to Football Insider, the young midfielder looks set to depart The Hawthorns imminently, with Villa expected to acquire his signature despite West Brom offering him a new contract.

The teenager is believed to have ‘agreed terms’ over a four-year deal with the Baggies’ Midlands rivals, with a ‘six-figure compensation fee’ mentioned in the report.

The Verdict: Blow for the Baggies

Losing talented young players is always disappointing, so this has to be considered a blow for West Brom, with Iroegbunam potentially having a bright future in the game as illustrated by his academy recognition for 2020/21.

That being said, he was unlikely to play a prominent role next season having yet to make his senior debut, and Valerien Ismael may feel that the 18-year-old didn’t have a long-term future under him.

The fact that Iroegbunam has joined a local rival might not go down too well, but it should still be interesting to see how he develops in the coming years.

In other news, a pundit has dropped a transfer verdict on one rumoured West Brom target. Find out who it is here.

West Ham United risk losing out on mooted transfer target Tammy Abraham…

What’s the word?

According to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, the Irons’ top-flight rivals Aston Villa are poised to make a substantial bid for the 23-year-old Chelsea striker.

“We especially need to move soon for Abraham if we want to secure him because it looks like Aston Villa are going to firm up their interest and make a substantial bid for the player,” he told The West Ham Way Patreon page.

It’s thought that Abraham is David Moyes’ number one target this summer as he seeks to bolster his barren frontline, although there have been reports suggesting that the Scot is not prepared to pay the England international’s £40m price tag.

Instead, he believes the Blues star is worth just £25m but it certainly seems like his former loan outfit are prepared to stump up the cash, leaving it in the hands of the Hammers’ hierarchy to make their move.

Time to act

And strike they must.

If Moyes considers Abraham to be his top target, then he should consider a drastic U-turn on his stance or he will risk losing out, and that is something they must avoid considering he will get the opportunity to punish such a decision at least twice next season.

Despite falling out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, the £45m-rated forward ended the campaign with 12 goals and six assists across all competitions, whilst only one player managed to score more goals in the Premier League, the penalty-taking Jorginho.

What Abraham offers more than most of the Irons’ mooted striker targets is the fact that he is tried and tested in England and would surely take no time to settle in. He’s only on around £50,000 per week at Stamford Bridge right now, too.

Furthermore, the east Londoners have qualified for the Europa League and that would also put Moyes in a stronger position than Villa, who cannot offer him any sort of European football next term.

Abraham has done one better than that in his career, winning the Champions League last month, where he scored his fourth goal in the competition whilst his total for the Hammers’ London rivals is 30 goals and 12 assists, as per Transfermarkt.

Described as “unbelievable” and “phenomenal” throughout his career, the 6 foot 3 frontman would help to instantly fill the void alongside Michail Antonio.

Moyes cannot afford to go into 2021/22 with just one injury-prone option up top, and considering that Villa are on the verge of getting involved, it would be foolish of the Hammers boss to drop their interest over a discrepancy of £15m.

After this concerning news, it’s time to act.

AND in other news, West Ham handed huge transfer boost as exciting claim emerges, Moyes will be buzzing…

A 74 from No 8 Chandrasekhar Atram helped Vidarbha pile on 484 runs in their first innings against Services at Nagpur

Staff Reporter21-Nov-2002A 74 from No 8 Chandrasekhar Atram helped Vidarbha pile on 484 runs in their first innings against Services at Nagpur. Despite being faced with the daunting total, an unfazed Services made 117-1 in reply. Middle-order bat Jasvir Singh, who made 73 not out, and opener PMS Reddy, who made a painstaking 39, will resume battle when play resumes on the third day.In the opening day of another plate group encounter at Margao, a century from middle-order bat Timir Chanda (134, 233 b, 16 fours, two sixes) helped Tripura post 241-6 against Goa. For the hosts left-arm quick, Sandeep Dahad, claimed 3-36.

There were two mascots at the County Ground on Sunday where Somerset Sabres entertained Worcester Royals in the NUL National League

Richard Walsh08-Jul-2002There were two mascots at the County Ground on Sunday where Somerset Sabres entertained Worcester Royals in the NUL National League.Before the match started both mascots, `Stumpy’ the Somerset County Cricket Club’s Dragon and Caty Larcombe from Ilminster went out to the middle to toss up with the captains Mike Burns from the Sabres and Graeme Hick from the Royals.Caty, then enjoyed the rest of her day as the guest of the club, and sat on the balcony of the Colin Atkinson along with members of her family. She won her day as mascot after naming the club’s new dragon in a competition run by the Somerset County Gazette.For Stumpy however that was just the start of what was probably his busiest day yet at the club.During the match he circulated among the crowd meeting supporters and signing autographs, and yet again he almost became the hero of the day. Whilst Somerset were batting skipper Mike Burns drove a ball hard into the crowd in front of the Colin Atkinson Pavilion , where it hit a spectator.Luckily enough the St Johns Ambulance were quickly on the scene, but also on the scene was Stumpy, who as well as being a dab hand at mending pipes is also a qualified first aider. Stumpy was not called upon on this occasion but was all ready to help and had his dragon first aid kit at the ready!During the tea interval Stumpy invited his young fans to try to bowl him out. Under the watchful eye of his coach, Peter Robinson, Stumpy was beaten only once, and that was by a slower ball that was bowled by ten year old Richard Stabbins from Bridgwater.Richard, who attends Enmore Primary School is a keen cricketer, and plays `Corner Cricket’ for South West Somerset. After his achievements he was presented with a minicricket bat, an autographed team sheet and the match ball from the Somerset innings by Peter Robinson.Later in the day Stumpy was introduced to comedian John Cleese, who was supporting his fellow `Westonian’ Rob Turner whose benefit match it was.Membership secretary Jo Betsworth told me at the end of the day: "Stumpy is proving to be very popular indeed with all the supporters both young and old and he certainly seems to have enjoyed himself today."At the end of a long hard day Stumpy went back home for a well earned rest before next appearing at the County Ground on August 19th when Somerset Sabres entertain Nottingham Outlaws in a Floodlit NUL match.

Canterbury Cricket’s long-awaited indoor training facilities at their new management complex on Iverson Terrace have proven a hit

Lynn McConnell22-Aug-2002
Players train at the CCA’s new indoor facilityCanterbury Cricket’s long-awaited indoor training facilities at their new management complex on Iverson Terrace have proven a hit.Since opening just over a fortnight ago the facilities have been in use nearly every day from 3.30pm until 10.30pm by clubs and representative sides.Canterbury Cricket chief executive Richard Reid said the administration group of Canterbury Cricket have settled in well to the new facilities and they have been very good.And the use of the indoor facilities had been great.”We shouldn’t be surprised that they are so popular, they are what have been needed for some time,” he said.The new facilities will also be the venue for this year’s annual general meeting of Canterbury Cricket on September 25.

Minor Counties started brightly having been inserted by Middlesex, the opening partnership of Dawson and Dobson putting on 53 for the first wicket in 10 overs

Gordon Child11-Jul-2002Minor Counties started brightly having been inserted by Middlesex, the opening partnership of Dawson and Dobson putting on 53 for the first wicket in 10 overs.Dawson and Trower flourished in a second wicket stand of 94 before Dawson was run out for a belligerent 83 with the total on 147 in the 32nd over.A big score seemed on the cards, but with Thrower’s dismissal for a hard-hitting 60, wickets fell regularly and only a late cameo from wicket keeper Wilton took the score to 242 in the allotted 50 overs.A couple of dropped catches allowed Alleyne to go on to make a valuable 56, but with his dismissal at 90-4, a stand of 126 between Dalyrymple and Maunders took the score to 216-5 off 45.4 overs, before Howitt struck with two quick wickets.Brown bowled his flighted off-spin with great control but no luck. When the eighth wicket fell at 228, 15 runs were still required off 11 balls.In an exciting finish, Duncan and Coleman squeezed out the winning runs with two balls to spare.

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea defender Marc Guehi ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

What’s the story?

The 20-year-old enjoyed an impressive loan spell at Swansea City last season, attracting the attention of several sides, including Palace.

That’s according to The Athletic, who claim the Eagles are targeting Guehi as they plan an overhaul of the centre-back positions over the coming months.

Parish masterstroke

It’s not stated whether Palace are hoping to secure the youngster’s services on a temporary or permanent basis, but either way, he would be a brilliant option for the south London outfit.

With the likes of Mamadou Sakho, Gary Cahill and Scott Dann approaching the end of their current contracts with the capital club, chairman Steve Parish is going to have to bring in multiple replacements and securing Guehi would be a masterstroke.

The England Under-21 international made 45 appearances for the Swans in all competitions last season as Steve Cooper’s men reached the play-off final, recording a highly respectable WhoScored rating of 6.90 in the process.

His 1.6 tackles and 1.6 interceptions per league game saw Guehi form a pivotal part of the Welsh outfit’s defence and showcased his potential to play at a higher level in 2021/22.

After Roy Hodgson’s departure from Palace, the Selhurst Park side are embarking on a new chapter where trimming the average age of their squad is set to form a key part of their plans.

Bringing in the £9million-rated Chelsea starlet, therefore, would solve several issues at once.

Despite his tender years, Parish should have no qualms about bringing Guehi in to play in the Premier League on a regular basis as his natural physique lends itself to the physical demands of the English top-flight.

“Easy, Marc Guehi. He’s an absolute tank,” Stoke City goalkeeper Josef Bursik said when asked to pick the strongest player in the England U21 squad.

“It’s like having a brick wall in front of you, he’s massive.”

Hodgson’s successor is yet to be named and is likely to want to have their say on Palace’s transfer dealing this summer, but it’s hard to imagine anyone turning down the opportunity to sign Guehi, and his arrival could mark the beginning of a new era in south London.

And, in other news…Get it done: Parish must sanction Palace swoop for “outstanding” £14.4m-rated prodigy 

Olivier Ntcham has been offered a surprise Celtic escape route by Greek side AEK Athens, as reported by The Scottish Sun.

The Lowdown: Disastrous 12 months for Ntcham

Ntcham hasn’t had an easy ride of things in the last year or so. In a sparkling 2019/20 campaign at Parkhead, he registered 12 goal contributions in 39 outings [Transfermarkt].

Linked with moves away around that time to Porto and Marseille, Ex-Celt John Collins pleaded for Celtic to keep the playmaker; stating “Olivier is an excellent player and I’d be sad to see him leave Scottish football that’s for sure.”

Fast forward to 2020/21, the midfielder suddenly started finding his opportunities limited under former Hoops manager Neil Lennon. Only starting 11 fixtures [Transfermarkt], the 25-year-old was loaned in January 2021 to Ligue 1 outfit Marseille in order to obtain first team football [Daily Record].

This backfired in disastrous fashion, as then Marseille boss Andre Villas Boas was sensationally sacked from the French giants for bemoaning Ntcham’s signature [talkSPORT].

The Latest: Glasgow return could be short lived

A benchwarmer on loan in France, the former French youth international is now scheduled to return to Glasgow this summer.

AEK Athens are now firmly believed to be focused on signing Ntcham. His current deal with Celtic is set to expire in summer 2022 [Transfermarkt].

The Athenians are willing to offer him nearly £20,000 per week to move to Greece [The Scottish Sun].

More importantly for the Hoops though, they will offer an immediate fee for his signature, quite the relief considering the club was considering terminating his contract and losing him for nothing, but could now sell and boost their own transfer kitty.

Verdict: Good business for Celtic, AEK and Ntcham

Fundamentally, this could represent good business for both Celtic and AEK Athens. Though mercurially talented, Ntcham has been a peripheral figure at Parkhead for quite some time, and it feels like a win-win-win to grant the Hoops a fee for his services, AEK a quality player with age on his side, and Ntcham himself a fresh start.

Receiving a decent sum of money for his services could go a long way to kickstarting a much needed reconstruction of a fragmented Celtic side, as they look to reinforce a squad that finished miles behind Rangers last season.

In other news, Alan Brazil has had his say on a new potential Celtic appointment.

Whatever the future of off-season international matches in Australia – and no-one is yet sure what the long-term holds – their earliest protagonists have at least wasted little time in marking them with brilliant individual performances and the

John Polack19-Jun-2002Whatever the future of off-season international matches in Australia – and no-one is yet sure what the long-term holds – their earliest protagonists have at least wasted little time in marking them with brilliant individual performances and the perpetual thrill of an unexpected outcome.Two years ago, Australia and South Africa perfectly split a winter series with one win apiece and a tie in their three games at Colonial Stadium in Melbourne. And, although Australia’s second foray into off-season contests only occasionally looked like concluding in similar equilibrium, the hosts’ status as pre-tournament favourites was again undone today by a hard-working and committed group of tourists.Ultimately, high-octane pace bowling from Shoaib Akhtar (5/25) and breathless lower order strokeplay from Wasim Akram (49*) were the keys behind Pakistan’s decisive 91-run win at the ‘Gabba. They thus became the latest in a range of high-quality contributions from players among the visitors’ squad during the course of their 2-1 victory in Super Challenge II.Living up to pre-series hype that has only intermittently been made to look overblown, Akhtar was simply outstanding as his team defended a score of 7/256 during the series-decider’s evening session. In the moments that he wasn’t required to hurl himself into the path of balls in the outfield, and receive treatment for niggling pain in his right shoulder, his modus operandi was to spend a busy night wringing five wickets out of a bouncy pitch.It was the collection of the first four of those scalps – in the space of a thunderous 23-ball blitz – that effectively put this game on ice.The manner of each dismissal was different but all were significant: Ricky Ponting (10) bowled as he drove across the line of a blistering inswinger; Darren Lehmann (0) shuffling too far across his crease and losing his leg stump; Damien Martyn (14) failing to ground a cut and top-edging to third man; and Michael Bevan (10) magnetically drawn into following a leg cutter and edging to the wicketkeeper.He later returned to trap Jason Gillespie (0) with a yorker as a Shane Watson (44*)-led Australia fought in vain to bridge the gap between the teams.Akram (1/27) also played an important role in the evening session, kickstarting Australia’s slide on a cool Brisbane night. An excellent new ball burst accounted for Matthew Hayden (5) and partially restrained the ever-dangerous Adam Gilchrist (20) in the lead-up to the latter batsman’s run out from a direct hit by Yousuf Youhana at mid on.Albeit that Akram’s input with the ball failed to match an earlier cameo at the batting crease that had prevented Pakistan’s innings from haemmorhaging in a manner to rival Australia’s later problems.The indefatigable Pakistan all-rounder used the occasion of a world-record equalling 334th one-day international appearance to help smear a jaw-dropping 79 runs from the closing eight overs of the innings. Few of Australia’s bowlers were spared punishment – spearhead Glenn McGrath (0/48) even forced to watch in horror when 23 runs were belted from his final over – as Akram joined with Youhana (61*) to add 88 runs in a crucial unbroken stand for the eighth wicket.Akram’s career hit a low ebb when allegations of his potential involvement in match-fixing surfaced in the late 1990s; thankfully, however, it is for the sublime rather than the ridiculous that he continues to be renowned. His ability to tame batsmen of all standards and on all manner of pitches remains a calling card; extravagant hitting in the lower order is also an enduring trademark.Two consecutive sixes over McGrath’s head, and a welter of boundaries, flowed here as he batted with an air of confidence and a sense of destruction that was only previously spotted among his teammates in the latter stages of a 94-run stand between openers Imran Nazir (66) and Saeed Anwar (26).By the close of Pakistan’s display, a cautious start and a mid-innings collapse had accordingly each become distant memories for a crowd numbered at 11,612.In frequently exceeding the 150 kilometre per hour mark during Pakistan’s defence of its score, Akhtar’s deliveries were then only matched in pace by the rapidity with which batsmen were replacing one another in the middle.With a similarly plucky Shane Warne (31), the strapping Watson ultimately stepped in to haul the home team back from potential humiliation at 6/83 with a half-century stand for the seventh wicket. It was a brave and determined rearguard response in the circumstances. Alas, for Australia, it was also not nearly enough.

FULL NAME: Clement Mahachi BORN: 27 September 1979, at Bulawayo MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (1999/2000), Matabeleland (2000/01)

John Ward05-Apr-2002FULL NAME: Clement Mahachi
BORN: 27 September 1979, at Bulawayo
MAJOR TEAMS: CFX Academy (1999/2000), Matabeleland (2000/01). Present clubside: MacDonald Club (Bulawayo)
KNOWN AS: Clement Mahachi. Nickname: `Donkey’ – a translation ofMahachi
BATTING STYLE: Left Hand Bat
BOWLING STYLE: Left Arm Medium Pace
OCCUPATION: CFX Academy studentFIRST-CLASS DEBUT: 3-5 March 2000, CFX Academy v Mashonaland, atCountry Club
TEST DEBUT: Still awaited
ODI DEBUT: Still awaitedBIOGRAPHY (updated April 2002)Unaccountably, all Zimbabwe’s black players to come through have been right-handers. Until Clement Mahachi, that is. The former Bulawayo Academy student, now a fulltime professional in Matabeleland, is a useful all-rounder who bats and bowls left-handed.Clement comes from a keen sporting family, but the predominant family interest is soccer and, like virtually every other black cricketer coming through at present, he has no family background in the game. His interest in cricket started at the age of ten or eleven at Lozikeyi primary school in the Bulawayo high-density townships, where the Zimbabwe Cricket Union introduced the game under their development scheme. He was very involved in soccer himself then, but had a friend with whom he used to play cricket for fun at times. He showed enough talent at both batting and bowling for his friend to use that as a reason to join him in attending the cricket sessions in the afternoon, run by Nicholas Sisingo.Clement remembers his first match, against the prominent Reps (Rhodes Estate Primary School) team, which was attended by Heath Streak and Henry Olonga. Opening the batting, he made his team’s top score of 30, and then took four wickets for 21 runs. He did not have the opportunity to attend the selection trials for the Matabeleland side that takes part in the national primary schools cricket week, though.Unfortunately there was no scholarship scheme in Bulawayo to ensure that Clement was able to attend a cricket-playing high school, and he had no school cricket after that. He did join Bulawayo Athletic Club, though, and was able to continue in the game there. In Form One, he says, he played for the BAC second team and scored 133 against a team from Sunrise, still his highest score in any class of cricket. He feels that his confidence in himself was his main attribute in such a remarkable innings at the age of about 14.It was not until the 1998/99 season that Clement was actually included in the BAC first team. He was playing successfully for the local development team that plays on Saturdays in the Bulawayo reserve league, later captaining the side to two league titles, and in 1997/98 he averaged 51 with the bat and also took plenty of wickets. Because of his lack of school cricket he was unable to attend representative trials for years, but finally, thanks to the provincial coach, former New Zealand Test player Bob Blair, he won selection for the Matabeleland Under-19 team and met experienced school players like Mluleki Nkala and others.Clement pays tribute to Mr Blair as a coach who has done a great deal to help him develop his game, especially with his bowling action. More recently Carl Rackemann has also helped him with his bowling. He has also had opportunities to bowl at the national side, and such touring teams as the Sri Lankans and Australians, in the nets, and has picked up useful tips from top players there.Clement was now in the squad for the full Matabeleland team, and played for a Matabeleland Invitation XI against the touring Australian Cricket Academy side, but without getting the chance to prove himself with bat or ball. He was invited to attend trials for the national Under-19 team for the World Cup, but it was discovered that he was too old to qualify.In 1999 Clement played well for Bulawayo Athletic Club, opening the batting, with 70 against Bulawayo Sports Club as his highest score amid several fifties, and taking wickets regularly, including four in an innings for 17 runs against Queens Sports Club. He was recommended as an Academy student for 2000 by the Matabeleland Board and by players like John Rennie who were impressed by his ability.At the Academy, with a number of all-rounders in the team, he was played mainly as a bowler who could bat, going in at number nine, while in the Logan Cup he became known mainly for playing an adhesive role, sometimes as night-watchman. He admits that he lacked confidence with the bat at first, which perhaps helped to account for a lowly position in the order to start off with. He regularly opened in Bulawayo club cricket, but felt he should aim for about number six in the Academy side. He is at present more fluent on the off side than the leg, and can cut well. He is also predominantly a front-foot player but is working on his back-foot technique.He spent the English season of 2000 playing for Brook Cricket Club in Surrey. "I struggled to bat there in the first couple of games because the pitches were a bit slow," he said. "But in the end I did well with the bat. The pitches were very good for my bowling, bowling my dibbly-dobbers!" He scored a couple of unbeaten eighties and his best bowling figures were four for 32. Unfortunately in mid-season he picked up a calf injury, which handicapped his batting and forced him to turn to spin bowling.He finished his year at the Academy, while playing with success for Old Hararians in the Vigne Cup. His best bowling performance was his four wickets against Old Georgians, but was unable to bowl for a month after dislocating a finger. He was posted back to Bulawayo after his year at the Academy and played for MacDonald Club, with more success in batting than bowling. His finger recovered in time for the Logan Cup programme, where he bowled some useful spells.He continued in Bulawayo in the final year of his contract with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union, but moved to Bulawayo Sports Club on their promotion to the national first league. He scored 101 not out against Old Hararians in the very first match, but later suffered a back injury while practising his bowling that put him out for almost two months and caused him to miss the early part of Matabeleland’s Logan Cup programme. He felt his confidence as a batsman had improved while at the club.As a bowler the away-swinger is his stock ball, with an occasional inswinger as a surprise weapon. He usually fields in the middle distances, mid-on or mid-off.Although Clement does not come from a rich family, he is very grateful to them for their support. Although they are not a cricketing family, they used to watch him regularly in Bulawayo and give him every encouragement. He hopes to receive a new contract as player and coach at the end of 2002 but feels that he will need to work hard and produce the goods to merit it.Cricket heroes: "I’ve always looked on Brian Lara as my model as a batsman, and Wasim Akram as a bowler. Hopefully I will play better than them!"Toughest opponents: "In England I faced Saqlain Mushtaq in Graham Thorpe’s benefit match, and it was quite difficult to face the guy. On the local scene, Bryan Strang because he is quite deceptive; most of the time I have struggled facing him. The most difficult batsman to bowl to is Andy Flower, but while I was playing in that benefit match I had to bowl to Alec Stewart and he gave me a very difficult time."Immediate ambitions: "It’s quite a tough year for me because there’s a lot for me to do to improve myself as a professional cricketer. Hopefully I’ll make it as a professional cricketer. I would like to play for my country Zimbabwe and that means quite a lot of work."Proudest achievement: "Coming to the Academy has always been a dream for me because I felt that it would expose me to quite a lot of cricket. I think I will go one step further here by working hard and something has to come up."Best friends in cricket: "I’ve got a lot of friends, and in the Academy here I’ve discovered that we are all working as a team. It’s quite a bond and everyone here is my friend."Other sports: "I’ve played for the Zimbabwe junior side and at secondary school I used to play for the first team that twice reached the Coca Cola national finals. I love tennis, which is a morale-booster for me because of the ball-eye co-ordination."Views on cricket: "I give all credit to the establishment of the Cricket Academy here. Believe me, it’s worked wonders for me. Young guys get the exposure and spend lots of time thinking about cricket, playing cricket, and doing a lot in terms of physique. The professional supervision is very good and guys get to go to England to play. You get to understand cricket more than if you were practising on your own or playing for a club. I think it is going to make a difference in the near future."Going to the Academy was inspirational for me because I brushed shoulders with guys with different views and I got a lot of help from Dave Houghton, who has taught me different techniques and approaches to the game which has made a difference."