All posts by h716a5.icu

Australia’s win in Pune was so special, captain Steven Smith knew to a day how long it had been since they won a Test in India

Brydon Coverdale25-Feb-2017If you thought for a moment that this was like any other win for Australia, think again. It was so special, so rare, that Steven Smith knew the length of the drought his men had broken. “We haven’t won a game here for 4502 days,” he said after Australia’s triumph in Pune. The number rolled easily off his tongue in every interview. It might be imprinted in his brain forever.When Australia last won a Test in India – in late 2004 – Smith was 15 years old, Matt Renshaw was an eight-year-old English boy living in New Zealand, Mitchell Starc was a 14-year-old wicketkeeper, and Steve O’Keefe was a 19-year-old yet to make his first-class debut.Here, Smith made a century he will remember for the rest of his life, Renshaw scored more runs than any Indian batsman, Starc scored more runs than any Indian batsman (to go with a couple of important wickets), and O’Keefe gained better figures than any visiting spinner had ever before achieved in a Test in India.And all of this on a pitch that should have suited India. “It was one of the most difficult wickets you’ll bat on,” Smith told ABC radio after the win. “This was, from day one, the driest surface and most inconsistent sort of spinning surface that I’ve ever seen. It’ll be interesting to see what they’ll come up with [for the second Test].”Yet for all of that, Australia outperformed India in every facet of the game, more than doubling India’s total in each innings. Their batsmen found ways to score, their bowlers created more chances, their fielders snapped them up. Australia’s frontline spinner, Nathan Lyon, took five wickets for the match, but the stand-out was O’Keefe, who claimed 12.Compare this to India’s two lead spinners: R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja managed “only” 12 wickets between them. Smith said the result was credit both to the way O’Keefe adjusted his bowling to suit the Indian conditions, and to the way Australia’s batsmen resisted the urge to chase deliveries that might turn away.”A lot of our right-handers – and left-handers – got beaten on the outside edge of the bat,” Smith said. “Those guys are big spinners of the ball, and generally it’s the one that goes straight that gets you in a bit of trouble. It’s great the guys are learning and actually playing for that straight one and allowing the other one to spin past the bat. That has been a big learning curve for us as a team for a while.”It’s great that we were able to implement the things that we’ve practised and talked about in the game. In regards to our spinners, I think SOK [O’Keefe], compared to Jadeja, probably goes a little bit wider of the crease and a little bit more side-arm, so potentially doesn’t have to get the ball to straighten quite as much to find the outside edge. It’s really smart bowling and you reap the rewards for that.”In the first innings, O’Keefe picked up three of his wickets through outside edges and one from a stumping that beat the edge; in the second, five of his six wickets came from attacking the stumps for lbw or bowled dismissals. His match haul of 12 for 70 was second only to Ian Botham’s 13-wicket bag in Mumbai in 1980 for a visiting bowler in India.”I love SOK’s willingness to learn, and try different things and adapt to different conditions,” Smith said. “He’s able to bowl differently to what he does back home. Back home he gets over the top of the ball a lot more, and here he comes around it and changes his seam positions and gets the most natural variation out of the wicket – very similar to Jadeja.”O’Keefe was Man of the Match, but Smith’s contribution was also significant. In the second innings, he came to the crease at 10 for 1 and soon Australia were 23 for 2; they had a healthy lead already, but a collapse could have handed the momentum back to India. Smith had some fortune, dropped three times, but went on to make 109. Among Australians, only Mark Taylor and Damien Martyn had previously made second-innings hundreds in India.”I obviously rode my luck throughout the innings and had a few lives, but you need a bit of luck on a wicket like that,” he said. “I was pleased with myself to score a second-innings hundred here in India and formulate some different sort of plans than how I normally play and problem-solve on the spot. From that aspect I’m pleased with myself and it was great we were able to get such a big lead.”That Australia emerged with a win in India for the first time in 4502 days was a remarkable achievement, and Smith was understandably proud of his men. But he was also at pains to note that much work remained in order to win the series – although as the holders of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy one more victory would be enough for Australia to retain it.”It’s only one game,” Smith said. “It’s a four-match series, and we’d like to win the series. For us it’s about taking it one day at a time.”

Arnaut Danjuma is hoping for a move back to the Premier League this summer, with Crystal Palace among his potential suitors, according to Jack Rosser of The Sun.

The London club will need to find a way to replace the impact of Michael Olise after the winger suffered an injury blow that will see him miss the start of the Premier League season.

Crystal Palace transfer news – will they sign Arnaut Danjuma?

With Danjuma keen on a move back to the Premier League, a move to Crystal Palace could be on the cards this summer.

The Villarreal winger spent the second half of last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur, but struggled to ever really gain an influential role in a struggling side, playing just 162 minutes in the league – the equivalent of just under two games.

As per Rosser, Villarreal want £25m for Danjuma this summer, but are open to another loan move in which could be positive news for Palace.

Would Arnaut Danjuma replicate Olise's quality?

Without Olise, Palace are undoubtedly a worse side. Last season, the Frenchman was involved in 13 goals for the London side, with 11 assists to his name.

Replacing that quality will be no easy task at the start of the season, but Palace will be left with no choice after his recent injury. And that's where Danjuma could come in.

Although he struggled to make the desired impact at Spurs, the 26-year-old has previously shone in England for Bournemouth, where he scored 15 times in the Championship, earning a move to Villarreal.

It was his debut season in Spain when Danjuma really burst into life, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, including six in the Champions League as the Yellow Submarine reached the semi-final stage.

So, the quality is certainly there, it's just about unlocking it. It could be said that around more unorthodox players such as Eberechi Eze, the winger could rediscover his best form.

When compared, both Danjuma and Olise are glaringly similar at their best when it comes to output. The reported Palace target completed more take-ons per 90 at his best for Villarreal in his debut season, whilst also enjoying a better take-on success percentage.

So, the ability to take players out of games in one-on-one situations that Roy Hodgson would lose without Olise can be gained by bringing Danjuma to Selhurst Park this summer.

In the Netherlands winger, you wouldn't be getting a player who assists as often as his French counterpart, but you would be getting a more natural goalscorer. And, given that Palace's top scorer last season was Eze with ten goals, another player who knows where the back of the net is wouldn't go amiss.

Speaking on Danjuma's quality, Kevin Phillips told Football Insider back in 2022: "On his day he is a nightmare for defenders. He can create and score goals. He can hurt any defence with his pace and directness.

“I know it was in the Championship but he’s proved he can perform in this country. I think he’d be available for reasonable money as well. I don’t think he’d cost the world.

“He is a player who can hurt any defence on his day. He’s shown that countless times. Players like him are a rarity in this day and age.”

With that said, it is clear that, if Palace do sign Danjuma, they'd be getting themselves a solution to their enforced Olise absence.

Jason Behrendorff finished with 9 for 37, the fifth-best Sheffield Shield figures, to help Western Australia gain control against Victoria

ESPNcricinfo staff25-Feb-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Jason Behrendorff returned the second-best figures by a Western Australia bowler in first-class cricket•Getty ImagesIn his first domestic match on return from injury, Jason Behrendorff produced the fifth-best figures in Sheffield Shield history, a sensational 9 for 37, to help Western Australia bowl out Victoria for 117. In reply, Western Australia closed the first day in control at 178 for 4.Behrendorff began Victoria’s slide from the third ball of the match, having Marcus Harris pinned in front for a first-ball duck. In his next over, he had Marcus Stoinis caught behind before Victoria put on a temporary fightback. In the 12th over, Aaron Finch was caught off David Moody for 34, the only batsman not dismissed by Behrendorff. Daniel Christian top-scored with a quick 39.Opener Jon Wells carried Western Australia through with an unbeaten 70 off 164 balls. Along with a 59-ball 43 from Michael Klinger, Western Australia went to stumps with a lead of 61.

Burnley have made an offer to sign Anderlecht defender Noah Sadiki, with contacts advancing with the player’s agent, according to Fabrizio Romano.

What’s the latest Burnley transfer news?

The Clarets and Vincent Kompany have wasted no time in adding to their squad ahead of their return to the Premier League for the 2023/24 season.

Centre-back Jordan Beyer has arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach, whereas full-back Dara O’Shea has come in from West Brom at a combined cost of €22m. There could be more defensive additions over the coming weeks, though, with Sadiki on the club’s radar.

Romano took to Twitter in the last 48 hours to provide a transfer update from Turf Moor regarding Burnley and Sadiki. The transfer expert revealed that an offer worth around €1m has been made, with talks advancing with the player’s agent.

“Burnley have submitted an official bid for Belgian fullback Noah Sadiki — deal being negotiated with Anderlecht around €1m.

“Contacts advancing with player’s agent Christopher Mandiangu.”

Who is Noah Sadiki?

Sadiki is just 18 years of age and is primarily a right-back who can also play on the left or even in a holding midfield role if required.

The Belgian has come through Anderlecht’s academy, so Kompany may have been keeping an eye on him during his time as manager of the Jupiler Pro League side.

Hailed as one of Anderlecht’s “highly talented” teenagers by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, Sadiki has made 19 senior appearances for his current employers, turning out in numerous positions.

He’s valued at a career-high €2m by Transfermarkt and is out of contract in just over 12 months time, so Burnley could be making a shrewd signing, if their €1m bid is accepted.

The Belgium U20 international could come in and rival the likes of O’Shea, Connor Roberts and Vitinho at right-back, or he could be initially sent out on loan with a view to breaking through into the first team in the future, but it looks as if a transfer is one to watch over the coming weeks.

Tottenham Hotspur will feel that Brenford 'have to cave in at some point' regarding their valuation of goalkeeper David Raya, according to journalist Dean Jones.

What's the latest transfer news involving David Raya?

According to 90min, Spurs have communicated to Raya that they may be willing to walk away from a deal to sign him if Brentford don't lower their asking price for the Spain international.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank is said to want around £40 million before he considers sanctioning Raya's departure, which has led Tottenham to evaluate potential alternatives in their hunt for a new goalkeeper, including Guglielmo Vicario, Robert Sanchez, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Gregor Kobel.

Football Insider claim that Manchester United could be ready to hijack Tottenham's attempt to bring Raya to north London this summer amid uncertainty over the future of David De Gea.

Red Devils' boss Erik Ten Hag is believed to be a big fan of Raya's ability to play out with the ball at his feet and is keen to offer him the opportunity to swap the Gtech Community Stadium for Old Trafford.

Capology understand that Raya earns around £25,000 per week at his current employers on a contract that runs until June 2024.

Speaking to Football FanCast, journalist Jones thinks that Tottenham will expect Brentford to 'cave in' over Raya's valuation at some point during the window.

Jones told FFC: "I think that they feel that Brentford have to cave in at some point and actually negotiate. Brentford can't be left with Raya on the bench next season. It's not helpful to anyone, and his value will drop anyway, so if he's not in the team, you might as well have sold him because he's not going to be £40 million at any point in the future. He's been quite diplomatic about it, to be fair to him."

Would David Raya be a good signing for Tottenham Hotspur?

Raya would be an intelligent pickup from Ange Postecoglou this summer as he looks to get his ducks in a row in the transfer market ahead of the new season.

In 2022/23, the 27-year-old made 39 appearances in all competitions for Brentford, managing to keep 12 clean sheets in the process, as per Transfermarkt.

As shown on WhoScored, Raya also features among Brentford's top five performers for his performances during the campaign, having achieved an average match rating of 6.97/10.

FBRef show that Raya was a reliable presence between the sticks for the Bees and racked up an impressive save percentage rate of 77.7%.

Despite this, it remains unclear whether Raya will end up at Tottenham this window as their pursuit of the stopper threatens to turn into a long-winded saga at Hotspur Way.

Batsman Chris Lynn has been ruled out of the remainder of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan and the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand due to a neck injury

Brydon Coverdale18-Jan-2017Batsman Chris Lynn has been ruled out of the remainder of Australia’s ODI series against Pakistan and the upcoming Chappell-Hadlee Series in New Zealand due to a neck injury. However, the Australians are hopeful that Lynn will recover in time to be part of the Twenty20 side to take on Sri Lanka in mid-February, when the Test players will already be in India.Lynn made his ODI debut on his home ground at the Gabba in the first game against Pakistan last Friday, but was ruled out of the second match in Melbourne due to an aggravation of his existing injury. The sidelining of Lynn comes at an unfortunate time for the batsman, who had lit up the Big Bash League with the Brisbane Heat and had a chance to make a one-day spot his own.”He’s obviously been playing in a lot of pain, even through the BBL,” Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann said ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan in Perth. “It’s just got to the stage where he can’t function anymore.”He’s got a couple of weeks with really no cricket, light duties … a little bit of physical stuff but nothing weight-bearing. He’s got to calm down the neck – it’s quite aggravated. He’ll start his rehab as of now, but he won’t be doing too much strenuous stuff before hopefully getting back for the Sri Lankan series.”As a result of Lynn’s absence, Peter Handscomb will make his ODI debut at the WACA on Thursday, having been added to the squad. Although Handscomb has averaged just 23.83 in the past two years in List A cricket, his outstanding form when stepping into the Test line-up this summer – he is yet to be dismissed for less than 50 in a Test innings – encouraged the selectors to look to him again.”He’s done really well, he’s been outstanding,” Lehmann said of Handscomb. “A good reward for a good summer. We want four quality batters going at the top, so he’ll get his chance there … That number four spot is there and Peter has done a really good job for us in the Test matches, so he gets another crack at it.”He played a very good one-day sort of innings for us in the Sydney Test match, where we scored quite quickly. He’s got all the shots and he’s quite innovative. But if we lose early wickets he can consolidate from there.”Handscomb’s inclusion for Mitchell Marsh, who hurt his shoulder during Australia’s loss at the MCG, is one of two changes to the XI. Mitchell Starc has been rested for the third match, with fast bowler Billy Stanlake set to return to the side after making his debut in the first game at the Gabba.”He’s tall and he’s got some bounce, so we think he’ll be quite effective here,” Lehmann said of Stanlake. The teams head into the Perth ODI level at 1-1 in the five-game series, after Pakistan’s win in Melbourne ended a stretch of 16 consecutive losses to Australia in Australia across all formats.Australia XI for Perth ODI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith (capt), Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade (wk), James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake.

Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 94 off 41 balls, studded with a record 10 sixes, led New Zealand to another whitewash of Bangladesh

The Report by Deivarayan Muthu08-Jan-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsCorey Anderson’s 94 not out off 41 balls was a blur of clean hitting•Getty ImagesCorey Anderson ushered in 2014 with the then fastest ODI century off just 36 balls. In the second week of 2017, he threatened to shellack the fastest T20I century. He didn’t quite have the time for that and so had to settle for the record for the most sixes by a New Zealander in the format – as many as 10 in an unbeaten 41-ball 94 that set up a 3-0 clean sweep of Bangladesh in Mount Maunganui.Anderson was involved in another New Zealand record along with his captain Kane Williamson as they added 124 runs for the fourth wicket – one run better than Colin Munro and Tom Bruce’s work on Friday. Williamson completed his second half-century in three innings and helped offset an early wobble – New Zealand were 41 for 3 in 6.1 overs – and Anderson provided the muscle at the end taking the total to 194 for 4. In reply, Bangladesh started brightly with a 44-run opening stand, but they couldn’t sustain it. There was just too many runs to chase.A run fest seemed highly likely when Williamson slapped Shakib with the vertical and horizontal bat for back-to-back boundaries in fourth over. It looked less likely when Rubel Hossain got rid of James Neesham – Williamson’s third opening partner in three matches – and Munro in the space of five balls. When offspinning allrounder Mosaddek Hossain struck with his first delivery to dismiss Bruce for 5, and along with Shakib Al Hasan, conceded only 14 runs between the seventh and 10th overs, it looked like Bangladesh had regained control.With the spinners firing them in on middle stump, Williamson resorted to shuffling across or coming down the track for his runs. He did not always look pretty, and even fell on the floor while attempting a wild slog, but launched a six onto the roof of the ground. He then pushed the team past 100 in the 14th over with a whip to the square leg boundary.Anderson then took charge of the innings from there on, clubbing Mashrafe Mortaza for 17 runs in four balls and smacking part-time seamer Soumya Sarkar for a hat-trick of sixes over midwicket. The second of those blows raised his fifty off 27 balls, but the third – a violent swipe against a full ball – was the pick of the lot. It sailed over the grass banks and landed on a Thai curry stall.Rubel Hossain took three wickets, including two in an over, and staked his claim to lead the Test bowling attack•Getty ImagesWhen Anderson hoisted Taskin Ahmed in the last over of the innings for his ninth six, he snatched the record for most sixes by a New Zealand batsman in a T20I. Brendon McCullum had hit eight against Australia in Christchurch in 2010. Anderson put the seal on the innings with another clean six over long-on and walked back to a rousing reception.About 100 minutes later, he soaked in the applause from the crowd again, this time after claiming a catch to send Shakib back in the last over of the match, by which time New Zealand were certain to win their sixth straight limited-overs match of the series.Bangladesh, despite having to worry over possible injuries, fought hard in the chase. Imrul Kayes left the field after he tripped over the ad boards located beyond the boundary while trying to attempt a catch. Mashrafe joined him in the dressing room not long after when he hurt his right hand while trying to stop a straight drive. Neither man came out to bat.Getting to 69 for 1 in six overs, therefore, was a pretty good start for the visitors. But they couldn’t keep up the tempo when pace was taken off the ball. Sarkar spooned a return catch to Ish Sodhi, and Williamson bowled Sabbir Rahman, but the ball of the day was Sodhi’s ripping googly to Mahmudullah. It pitched outside off and hit the top of leg stump, making a mess of the batsman’s attempt to sneak some runs on the leg side.Shakib and Nurul Hasan connected with late boundaries, but the game was up by then. Bangladesh’s only silver lining in this match was Rubel, who picked up three wickets and staked his claim to lead the inexperienced Test bowling attack.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou could start life in London with a bang by completing the signing of Bristol City teenager Alex Scott.

What's the latest on Alex Scott to Aston Villa?

According to journalist Dean Jones – speaking to GIVEMESPORT – Tottenham have invested time and attention to the development of Scott this year and could now look to make their move to tie up a deal with the transfer window in full swing.

He said: "One of the stories to look out for this summer involves Alex Scott. He has been coveted by loads of Premier League teams previously, including Tottenham and Leeds, but at the moment, no one seems willing to offer the £25m Bristol City want for him.

“He’s a really good player, so I think it's only a matter of time before something happens.”

Tottenham have been credited with an interest in the 19-year-old since March following Bristol City's defeat to eventual champions Manchester City in the FA Cup, earning praise for his "fearless" performance by The Times' Henry Winter.

Bournemouth, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also vying for his signature, but Postecoglou will be determined to sign a prodigious talent who could catalyse the club's desired resurgence.

Should Tottenham sign Alex Scott?

Hailed as the "Guernsey Grealish" for his striking resemblance to the City phenom, Jack Grealish, Scott has exhibited his prowess in dribbling and ball-carrying, with his display against the Sky Blues setting him apart from the swathes of hopefuls, earning a Sofascore match rating of 7.0 after succeeding with four of his five attempted dribbles and winning 11 of his 15 attempted duels,

Given that Manchester City's £100m man also remarked that Scott is a "top talent", he seems to have the approval of a man distinguished and admired as one of the Premier League's most naturally talented players around, capable of petrifying opposition with his gliding gait.

This season, he recorded an average league rating of 6.83, making 40 starting appearances, scoring one goal and supplying four assists, completing 79% of his passes and making 1.8 tackles per game.

As per FBref, given that he ranks among the top 11% of midfielders across Men's Next 8 divisions for progressive carries and the top 17% for successful take-ons per 90, he could well emulate Grealish as he continues his burgeoning rise.

Grealish, comparatively, ranks among the top 3% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for progressive carries per 90, which only further illustrates the superlative company Scott finds his name likened to.

While Tottenham have failed in their endeavours this season and concluded the campaign with an eighth-placed finish, thus confirming an absence from European competition to strike a detrimental blow to hopes of brighter fortunes.

Scott's acquisition could be a turning point, unleashing a new wave of prosperity on a proud football club desperate for silverware once more.

The Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Central Districts in Wellington has been abandoned after NZC said the players were in “no fit state” to play the game

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Nov-2016The Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Central Districts in Wellington has been abandoned after frequent aftershocks, in the wake of an earthquake on late Sunday night, left players sleep-deprived and anxious, New Zealand Cricket said.The match, originally scheduled to start on Monday, was delayed so that the venue – Basin Reserve – could be checked for structural damage caused by the earthquake. The stadium was assessed as safe by structural engineers and the match was given a go-ahead by local authorities, but NZC decided against it. The city has also seen heavy downpours since the quake.”Although the Basin Reserve has been assessed as safe by structural engineers, and the match has been given the go-ahead by local authorities, New Zealand Cricket has decided proceeding with the game would be unfair on the players involved,” the board said.Central Districts coach Heinrich Malan said NZC had taken the right decision. “It’s been two long days to be fair,” Malan told . “It’s not ideal when people are not able to sleep and things like that. At this stage it’s about looking after the welfare and health of the players.”NZC will look at options for re-playing the game over the next week.The board also said that the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan, set to begin from Thursday at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch, and the ODI between the two countries’ women’s teams, to be played on the same day at the Saxton Oval in Nelson, are expected to go ahead as planned.The Pakistan women’s team was in Christchurch while their men’s team was in Nelson when the earthquake – measured at 7.5 on the Richter scale – occurred on Sunday night. Both teams were safe.

Everton are expected to miss out on a deal to bring Southampton striker Che Adams back to the Premier League, according to reports.

Is Che Adams leaving Southampton?

Adams has made a total of 145 appearances since arriving on the south coast from Birmingham in 2019, but with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, Ruben Selles’ former side will be presented with their final big opportunity to cash in during the upcoming window.

The Scottish international established himself as the St. Mary’s outfit’s second best-performing offensive player last season, and having been relegated to the Championship, the centre-forward has been attracting interest from Goodison Park.

Back in May, it was reported that the Toffees and Leeds United were both interested in a swoop for the 26-year-old who was keen to return to the top-flight, but unfortunately for Sean Dyche, it sounds like his target might not actually be heading for Merseyside.

Are Everton signing Adams?

According to TEAMtalk, Burnley are now also “eyeing a move” for Adams, and despite the admiration from Everton, Leeds and even Nottingham Forest, a move to join Vincent Kompany’s newly-promoted side is the “most likely” outcome.

Southampton receiving an offer of £12m would be enough to “persuade” them to sanction his sale, and it’s stated that he would “jump at the chance” to complete a switch should the Clarets “firm up their interest and strike a deal”.

Would Adams not joining be a blow for Dyche?

Southampton’s former manager Ralph Hasenhuttl previously dubbed Adams a “phenomenon” during his time at the club, and considering the positive impact he made during last season, the striker not joining would definitely be a blow for Dyche.

The Unique Sports Group client posted eight goal contributions (five goals and three assists) in 28 Premier League appearances and made a total of 47 shots over the course of the campaign which was higher than any of his fellow teammates, as per FBRef.

The Leicester-born talent, who has the versatility to operate in five various positions across the pitch, would have also been an ideal target man despite only standing at 5 foot 9 having averaged 2.2 aerial wins per top-flight game, with this physical presence likely to be a desired quality to emulate that of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Whether Everton would have been able to afford Adams’ £12m price tag anyway remains to be seen, but the boss will now have to turn his attention to other targets on the market as he searches for suitable candidates to add to his attacking ranks ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.