Category Uncategorized

West Indies opener Omar Phillips acknowledged he had missed one of the easiest opportunities to reach triple-figures in international cricket

Cricinfo staff11-Jul-2009

West Indies opener Omar Phillips – who made a solid 94 – rued missing a century on debut on the third day in Kingstown, and acknowledged he had missed one of the easiest opportunities to reach triple-figures in international cricket. “It was one of the easiest hundreds you will ever get at this level and I was really disappointed,” Phillips said at the end of the day’s play. “The hundred was in the bag for the taking but that’s the way cricket plays, to carry on from here is the hardest step because the next innings starts from zero.”Phillips’ innings had laid a strong foundation for a sizable lead before Bangladesh struck back to limit the damage to 69 runs. Fast bowler Rubel Hossain and offspinner Mahmudullah – both on debut – grabbed three wickets each to undermine a strong batting effort early in the day from the hosts. Phillips displayed sound technique and determination in his 177-ball knock which included seven boundaries, and was supported well by nightwatchman Ryan Austin in a dogged stand of 79. He then proceeded to add 48 for the third wicket with Travis Dowlin, and left his team in a position of control when he was dismissed with the score on 176.His departure for 94, when he played a loose shot off Rubel to short cover, Phillips said, was a consequence of a change in tactics after he had reached the 90s. “I changed my game plan a little going into the 90s, you always hear talk about the nervous 90s but I should have continued the way I was going at the time,” he said.Phillips, who represents Combined Campuses and Colleges in the domestic circuit, also said that his achievement would bode well for his first-class team. “It sends a good message to the public that you don’t necessarily need to represent your country, you can play for CCC which is a team of a lot youngsters around the Caribbean and you can also play cricket and further your education which is a good thing.”The teams ended the third day on almost even terms, and though West Indies still retain a lead of 43 going into the fourth day, they will be wary of the fact that they’ll be batting last on a turning track against an opposition whose main strength is spin.

Umar Akmal scored his fourth first-class century as the match between Pakistan A and Australia A petered out to a draw

Cricinfo staff29-Jun-2009
ScorecardUmar Akmal scored his fourth first-class century as the match between Pakistan A and Australia A petered out to a draw in Townsville. Chasing an unlikely 318 for victory, Pakistan finished on 5 for 207 with Umar unbeaten on 100 and Sarfraz Ahmed on 50.Umar, the younger brother of the Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, struck 11 fours and two sixes in his 110-ball innings but despite his speed the target was too great. Clint McKay added two second-innings wickets to his six from the first innings, while the spinners Jason Krejza and Jon Holland were both expensive.Australia’s second innings was anchored by the captain Cameron White, who made 77. He was assisted by the wicketkeeper Tim Paine, who finished on 54 not out when the Australians declared at 5 for 256. Australia A coach Mark Sorell said he was pleased with the performance of his team, and the way they had come out on top during some crucial phases in the match.”We played some really good cricket over the four days, another couple of wickets with the new ball to put some pressure on would have been handy,” Sorell said. “We certainly won some key moments in the game and we pretty much drove the game, it was pretty much our game to drive and pretty happy with that and went well. It would have been a good reward for us to get the win at the end of the day but unfortunately it didn’t happen.”Sorell credited the Pakistan batsmen, particularly Akmal and Sarfraz Ahmed, who put on an unbeaten 98-run partnership and helped secure the draw. “A couple of quick wickets after tea would have been really handy and probably would have put us well in control of the game, but to the credit of the Pakistani guys, they played really well and didn’t give their wicket up,” Sorell said. “Those two guys at the end there played very well and proved a tough partnership for us to crack.”The teams remain in Townsville for a second four-day match, which begins on Friday. They then head to Brisbane for three one-day matches and a Twenty20 game.

فسر إيهاب الكومي عضو مجلس إدارة الاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، تصريحاته بشأن عدم انضمام لاعبي الأهلي لمعسكر منتخب مصر المقبل، كما كشف تفاصيل جلسة كلاتنبرج مع الحكام.

وكان الكومي صرح بأن لاعبو الأهلي بسبب حصولهم على إجازة سلبية سيكونوا خارج منتخب مصر في معسكر سبتمبر المقبل، على أن يتم ضمهم في المعسكرات المقبلة.

طالع | إيهاب الكومي: اقتربنا من إقامة ودية مصر والأرجنتين.. وفيتوريا لن يضم لاعبي الأهلي لمعسكر المنتخب

وقال الكومي خلال تصريحات عبر برنامج “الماتش” المذاع على قناة “صدى البلد”: “تصريحي جاء أن اللاعبين المصابين لن يتواجدوا، لكن ضم أي لاعب من أي فريق سواء من الأهلي أو الزمالك هذا أمر يخضع لرؤية فيتوريا، وأي لاعبين في راحة سلبية من كلا الفريقين أو أي فريق آخر انضمامه يعود لقرار من المدرب البرتغالي”.

وعن تفاصيل جلسة كلاتنبرج مع الحكام، أوضح: “كلاتنبرج أصر أن يحضر الاجتماع وجلس مع أعضاء اتحاد الكرة حوالي 10 دقائق، ووجه الشكر لـ عصام عبد الفتاح على الفترة الماضية، والخبير الأجنبي أكد أنه سيدخل في معسكر مع الحكام، وجمال علام أكد دعمه وعدم التدخل في عمل اللجنة اطلاقًا، وكلاتنبرج لديه راحة كاملة في اختيار مساعديه”.

عن المباريات الودية لمنتخب مصر الأول، قال: “يجب التدرج في المباريات من الأدنى للأعلى، برزينتيشن أوشكت على انهاء الاتفاق مع الأرجنتين لإقامة مواجهة ودية، ولكن المشكلة الآن في تحديد الوقت، وبلجيكا طلبت من إحدى الشركات لخوض مباراة أمام مصر، وسيتم عرض الأمر على فيتوريا”.

وأكمل: “هناك مباراتين آخريتين سيكونا قبل مواجهتا الأرجنتين وبلجيكا، ووارد أن المباراتين الأخيرتين إحداهما تُقام في الإمارات والأخرى في الكويت”.

عن معسكر المنتخب الأولمبي، تحدث قائلًا: “منتخب مصر لن يخوض الدور الأول من تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا، وميكاليلي طلب معسكر في الشهر القادم للتعرف على اللاعبين، ثم يبدأ المباريات الودية، ومحمد بركات يتابع المدرب باستمرار، وهدفنا هو التأهل إلى أولمبياد باريس 2024”.

وبسؤاله هل كيروش وفينجادا يقتربان من العودة إلى مصر، كشف: “الاتجاه داخل الاتحاد هو أنه يمكن الاستغناء عن منصب المدير الفني للاتحاد المصري، والاكتفاء بلجنة تدير الاتحاد فنيًا، وسيكون هناك محاضرات، ولن يعمل أي مدرب بدون الحصول على رخص تدريبية”.

وأتم: “كيروش وفينجادا مرحب بهما في أي وقت، ونحترم الثنائي، ونحن على تواصل مع فينجادا كثيرًا، لكن كما قلت الاتجاه هو عدم وجود منصب للمدير الفني للاتحاد”.

Everton are set to face a battle to keep star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the club over the coming months after Newcastle United reportedly joined the race for his signature.

What’s the story?

The Magpies have joined football’s financial elite after their Saudi-backed takeover was eventually ratified by the Premier League, and Calvert-Lewin is believed to be high up on their wish list, according to The Telegraph.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on the list of Newcastle United’s potential targets under their new Saudi Arabian ownership. The Everton striker, 24, is being monitored by several Premier League clubs, including Newcastle, whose new wealth from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) will make them major players in future windows,” the report states.

“Calvert-Lewin is highly regarded by the current recruitment team at Newcastle and would be expected to remain a player of interest even with a potential change of technical staff behind the scenes as PIF start their new era at the club.”

Previous speculation claimed both Arsenal and Real Madrid are also interested in securing the 24-year-old’s services, meaning a bidding war could be on the cards either in January or the following summer.

Everton fans will be concerned

The £40.5m-rated forward only signed a new five-year contract with the Merseyside outfit in March 2020, but the club’s supporters will still be concerned over their talisman’s future.

Spearheading the attack for a new superpower such as Newcastle could be a very attractive proposition for Calvert-Lewin, and he may be tempted to depart the Blues in search of pastures new should an acceptable offer come in.

His exit would be a major blow to any ambitions new manager Rafa Benitez has, given his importance to the side, and replacing his work ethic and goal contribution would be far from an easy task for the Spanish tactician.

Over the last couple of campaigns, Calvert-Lewin has become a key figure to Everton, scoring 39 goals in 83 appearances in all competitions since the beginning of 2019/20, more than any of his teammates.

As a result, the continued speculation regarding the England international’s potential departure will be of growing concern to everyone associated with Everton, and the club’s chiefs, manager and fans alike will be hoping he stays loyal for the foreseeable future.

And, in other news…”Still uncertainty” – Patrick Boyland drops Everton update that should concern fans 

Tottenham Hotspur are set to revisit their interest in Nahitan Nandez this January, according to reports…

What’s the word?

Italian journalist Nicolo Ceccarini has claimed (via Sport Witness) that Spurs were one of the clubs who were keen to sign the Uruguayan midfielder during the summer transfer window, something which Cagliari chief Stefano Capozucca has also confirmed, stating that the two parties even held talks.

Now it appears that the north London outfit have been given a second shot at signing him in 2022.

It’s thought that the Serie A club will sell if a ‘suitable offer’ arrives, though they would like to ‘cash in as much as possible.’

Calciomercato.it reported last month that Nandez had a €36m (£30.5m) release clause but Cagliari were prepared to offload him for around €26m (£22m), whilst Transfermarkt currently values the 44-time international at £19.8m.

Sign him up!

Arguably, Nuno Santo’s midfield has not only lacked balance but genuine depth too. That much was seen during the weekend, when his engine room trio of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Harry Winks and Oliver Skipp looked quite some way off the mark.

Injuries meant that the Portuguese was forced into changes, with Dele Alli playing a wide role in the absence of Heung-min Son, whilst Tanguy Ndombele was overlooked and Giovani Lo Celso was unavailable for selection.

It makes the decision to not sign another midfielder look quite a disaster, especially as they held an interest in a player like Nandez, who would’ve improved Nuno’s options tenfold on Saturday.

Despite only being 5 foot 7, the Uruguay international has been described as “so powerful” and as “a machine” by Italian football expert Conor Clancy to This is Futbol.

Indeed, the little dynamo averaged 1.8 tackles and 6.1 duels won per game in Serie A, as per SofaScore, on top of averaging 10.95km per game, which rated out amongst the division’s top 20 players – industrious.

Throughout the course of his career, Nandez has also attempted 2.3 dribbles every 90 minutes, which suggests that he likes to try and bring the ball forward – something that the aforementioned Spurs trio failed to do on Saturday afternoon.

Lilywhites sporting director Fabio Paratici could make amends this January by launching a swoop for the Cagliari powerhouse. He must now present them with that ‘suitable offer’ in order to give Nuno a much-needed additional option in the heart of the pitch.

AND in other news, Spurs make “incredible” £36m-rated monster their top 2022 target, Nuno would love him…

Australia 7 for 150 (Hussey 41) beat New Zealand 5 for 149 (McCullum 61) by 1 run
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out

Nathan Bracken inspired Australia – and weary Twenty20 bowlers the world over – with a sequence of 10 consecutive dot balls from which New Zealand never fully recovered. A late Brendon McCullum onslaught positioned the visitors for a charge at Australia’s modest 7 for 150, but Bracken bookended the innings with a canny final over that left the tourists stranded a run short.Bracken became just the second Australian bowler to register a maiden in Twenty20 internationals with his first over to Peter Fulton, then proceeded to tie down the lively McCullum for a further four deliveries before conceding a run. He was later summoned by his captain Brad Haddin to close out the New Zealand innings, and he did not disappoint.The tourists might have lost by a run, but only did so when Nathan McCullum blasted a four and a six from Bracken’s final two deliveries when the match was all but gone. Prior to those two balls, Bracken had conceded no worse than a single. He finished with figures of 0 for 16; enough to earn the Man-of-the-Match honours.New Zealand’s run-chase began disastrously, when Martin Guptill – just two days removed from a breathtaking half-century at the Gabba – fell to Peter Siddle (2 for 24) in the first over of the innings. Siddle struck again with the wicket of Fulton in his next over and, combined with precise spells from Bracken and David Hussey, served to restrict the tourists to a steady run-rate through the early-to-middle overs.The match appeared headed for an insipid finale until the the New Zealanders roared back into the contest by taking 20 from James Hopes’ final over – McCullum proving the chief destroyer. But a suffocating closing spell from Bracken and a bizarre catch to Adam Voges ensured the result fell the way of the hosts.Voges’ effort to remove the dangerous McCullum (61 from 47) will grace highlight reels for years to come when, in the penultimate over of the match, he claimed the ball at long-on, stumbled towards the boundary, hurled it skywards, tripped over the rope and regathered centimetres from the turf. McCullum remained at the crease to view the replay before eventually accepting his fate.Twenty20 matches are generally vibrant, high-octane affairs, but the opening stanza was decidedly subdued. The tourists countered the bright start provided by David Warner (23 from 15 balls) with a suffocating six-over period delivered by Daniel Vettori and Ian Butler – the master and the apprentice – that yielded 35 runs, and took full advantage of the holding Sydney pitch.Vettori, as has so often been the case, proved particularly troublesome for the hosts, bowling a tidy, flat line that yielded the superb figures of 1 for 23, and included the wicket of Australia’s top scorer Hussey (41 off 39). Vettori was ably supported by the debutant Butler, who finished with 1 for 30, and Iain O’Brien, who conceded 22 runs from his opening two overs but fought back for figures of 2 for 34.The Australians threatened to post a large total when Warner and Haddin (15 off 10) skipped away to a brisk start, but Tim Southee’s dismissal of the captain dampened the pace of the innings. The hosts did not clear the boundary rope until the 15th over – a criminal offence in the 20-over game – and managed only one more before the innings was out.The largest cheers were saved for the arrival of the debutant Moises Henriques to the crease, but those were soon silenced. Henriques, the New South Wales allrounder, was run-out for 1 after facing just two balls, stifling Australia’s momentum in the dash for late-innings runs.

Some Manchester City fans have been reacting to reports that Pep Guardiola is keen on signing Theo Hernandez.

According to Italian journalist Daniele Longo for Get Italian Football News [via City Chief on Twitter], Guardiola has been keeping a close eye on the left-back’s progress as a potential incoming. Longo also stated that only a ‘big offer’ will tempt AC Milan in allowing Hernandez to leave for the Premier League champions, with the player apparently claiming that he is happy at the San Siro.

With Benjamin Mendy suspended, Guardiola has been utilising Joao Cancelo at left-back, and Hernandez could be a potential replacement for Mendy in the long run.

The 23-year-old has appeared 84 times for the Rossoneri since moving from Real Madrid in 2019, scoring 15 goals and grabbing 14 assists in demonstrating his abundant attacking qualities.

Hernandez, who is valued at £45m by Transfermarkt, has played every minute of Milan’s Serie A campaign so far as they have seen off Sampdoria, Cagliari and Lazio, while he made his senior debut for France in last week’s World Cup qualifying win over Finland.

Man City fans react to Hernandez link

These Man City fans have been reacting to the reports linking the Milan defender with a move to the Etihad ahead of the January transfer window.

“Idc you’re coming to City”

Credit: @MCFCTSaucy

“They all say the same thing before coming to City. This just confirmed it.”

Credit: @Jordan_dbe

“Big offer you say? Mendy swap. @acmilan Take it”

Credit: @Abdul_Moeez4

“Need this guy at the camp”

Credit: @don_papichulo__

“Sign him”

Credit: @PricelessKDB

“Said he was good in Milan”

Credit: @BluuMoonRising

In other news, journalist explains the reasoning behind loan spell away from the Etihad. Find out more here.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul has said he will not only look to achieve his personal goals, but will also be keen to play a major role in West Indies’ success on their tour of New Zealand

Cricinfo staff04-Dec-2008
Shivnarine Chanderpaul: “I try harder, I work harder and I try to eliminate any mistakes. I just try to get better. The aim is to improve my skills.” © DigicelCricket.com
Shivnarine Chanderpaul has said he will look at not only achieving personal goals on the tour of New Zealand but will also be keen to play a major role in West Indies’ success as a team.”I want to improve all the time,” he said. “I try harder, I work harder and I try to eliminate any mistakes. I just try to get better. The aim is to improve my skills. You never know what will happen on the cricket field, but you know once you prepare properly you give yourself every chance to play well.”Chanderpaul, the ICC’s Cricketer of the Year in 2008, currently heads its Test batting rankings. He is also currently No. 4 in the ODI player rankings and was the third-highest run-scorer for West Indies in their previous ODI series – a 0-3 whitewash against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi last month – with 146 runs in the three matches at 73.00.He was also the highest run-getter in West Indies’ previous Tests series, at home against Australia in May-June this year. He scored 442 runs at 147.33 but, as has often been the case, could not prevent West Indies from winning the three-match encounter 2-0.West Indies arrive in New Zealand ranked No. 8 in the ICC ODI standings and just ahead of New Zealand at No. 7 in the Test rankings – something Chanderpaul indicated they would look to improve on in the upcoming series. “I have been playing for so long and I want to win. As much as I do well personally, I want to win as a team as well. That would be good for everyone. We have an opportunity here to start winning some games and make some steps up the rankings,” he said.The West Indies Test squad has a number of first-timers – Lionel Baker, Leon Johnson, Kemar Roach, Brendan Nash – along with four players who have played less than six matches.”We have a young team, guys who have not experienced these kinds of conditions before. It comes back to how well we can get acclimatized to the conditions out here and get accustomed to the pitches. It is obvious they all have talent – in the Caribbean we are full of talent – but it is how well we can perform in each department.” Chanderpaul said.”It depends on how well we play and I know we can play well. I know we are capable. Once we perform in all departments it would make for a very good Christmas.”The thought was not lost on coach John Dyson, who backed the experienced players in the team to lead from the front. “I’m confident that our senior players will continue to do well and also that the inexperienced players have had good preparation and stand in good stead to do well…it’s a matter of doing it in the middle,” he told . “We came to New Zealand early to get rid of the jet lag problem, which we’ve done and we’ve had excellent practice facilities particularly in the last couple of days in Auckland and Christchurch.”In addition to the lone warm-up game against Auckland, West Indies will play two Tests, two Twenty20 internationals and five ODIs on their tour from December 5 to January 13.

Some Liverpool supporters are fuming with the fact that Jurgen Klopp has named four goalkeepers in his 2021/22 Premier League squad.

Following a quiet summer at Anfield, Liverpool only brought in defender Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig and failed to add further depth to their squad over the course of the transfer window.

With Xherdan Shaqiri departing for French side Lyon, Klopp confirmed his 24-man Premier League squad earlier this week, naming four goalkeepers.

Alisson and Adrian were joined by Caoimhin Kelleher and Loris Karius as the four, and some Liverpool fans aren’t happy with the German’s inclusion in particular.

The 28-year-old hasn’t appeared in a competitive fixture for the club since his nightmare Champions League final against Real Madrid, whilst Kelleher played in Premier League games with Wolves and Brighton last season.

That leaves only 20 outfield players and demonstrates Liverpool’s issues going forward with their lack of depth, although the likes of Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones can feature without being registered due to being under 21.

Liverpool fans fume over squad

Responding to a tweet from Anfield Edition, these Liverpool fans have taken to Twitter to share their feelings on the matter, with one fan stating he would ‘tear up’ Karius’ contract.

“That looks bang average apart from the starting 11”

Credit: @TD_Tishen

“I really don’t think we need 4 GKs”

Credit: @juliabuzniak

“Why the hell is Karius still here, I’d tear up his contract. Cost us the champions league”

Credit: @frankfrance12

“We have the same amount of goalkeepers as usable attackers…..”

Credit: @LFC_James

“4 keepers? I am done with this club”

Credit: @arun_sarai

“Just sad”

Credit: @Ybr_Manu

In other news, some Liverpool fans don’t want this player to be signed. Find out more here.

Daniel Vettori will look for a magic cure to New Zealand’s traditionalbatting woes before Friday’s second Test as they attempt the difficulttask of levelling the series in Adelaide

Cricinfo staff23-Nov-2008
Daniel Flynn is unlikely to be moved up the order from No. 6 © Getty Images
Daniel Vettori will look for a magic cure to New Zealand’s traditionalbatting woes before Friday’s second Test as they attempt the difficulttask of levelling the series in Adelaide. One of the many worries forVettori when he took over the leadership from Stephen Fleming in 2007 wasthe side’s lack of run-scoring ability and it was on display again inBrisbane as they were dismissed for 156 and 177 on the way to a 149-rundefeat.”It’s been a problem well before I was captain,” Vettori said. “A lot ofguys went through it and tried to find ways of redeeming it. I still lookat the guys and think they’re extremely talented, but we have to turn thattalent into consistent performances and unfortunately we’re not justgetting that.”A lack of output from the batsmen is a long-term problem and it is madeharder by the fact five of the current top six have played fewer than 20Tests. Vettori hopes his team-mates will learn quickly on the job anddevelop in to strong international players.”We’ve always produced quality bowlers but with the batting there’s MartinCrowe, who averages 45 with 17 Test hundreds, and then there’s a prettybig gap,” he said. “Historically, we’ve always struggled with our batting.But I look at Jesse Ryder, I look at Ross Taylor, Jamie How, BrendonMcCullum and Daniel Flynn, who are very good players, and once they haveplayed 20 Test matches in those positions they can average 40 and can bevery good players.”At the moment we’re trying to work with some very young guys, some veryinexperienced guys. I think even Australian guys in their first 10 Testmatches would find it difficult coming into conditions like this.”Taylor top scored for New Zealand with 75 in the second innings but onlyhe and Ryder looked capable of attacking Australia, while Daniel Flynnstood firm on both occasions from No. 6. Vettori will resist making manychanges to the line-up and is reluctant to alter the order.”Jesse has always batted in that area his whole career and Daniel hasbatted five, so we would have been changing and probably upsetting a guyin his third Test and a guy in his sixth Test,” he said. “It would be abit too much.”Despite the side’s batting woes, Vettori does not believe he is resignedto a couple of tough years in charge. “I do have a lot of faith in them,”he said. “I see the talent in them and I think they are very good players.I’ll back them. We’ll get them improving, we have to accelerate thatimprovement.”Most guys maybe get 15 Tests to improve themselves and we’re trying toget guys to do that in five to 10. I hope we can turn it around comeAdelaide because Adelaide is renowned as a great batting deck. If we canget some guys to stand up there and get those hundreds on the board, thenI think we give ourselves a chance with our bowling line-up.”