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As the IPL season heads to the halfway mark, Chennai Super Kings star batsman Matthew Hayden, who participated in an online chat with Cricinfo’s readers, believed that the key to reviving his side’s lukewarm campaign was to get on a winning roll.”I love the Chennai Super Kings and being in Chennai and I still believe we have a good chance to make the semi-finals, but as you know we have to start winning and keep winning,” Hayden said. “Unfortunately we have had a few results which could have easily gone the other way and which would have made a great difference to our season. However I do not like to look backwards and I’m now looking forward with a very positive mind and with a very determined team to deliver the results that we know that we can achieve.”Chennai’s plans of making the semi-finals have hit a rut, with five defeats, including four on the trot, out of seven games. Hayden thinks that the side’s inability to strike a winning combination is to blame, but is confident that they can turn it around. “I think we have been trying to establish in the first half of this tournament what our best side is, it has changed a number of times, with mixed results. This game, coming tomorrow night, is the opportunity to have that decision to find our balance and play the cricket that our talent is capable of,” Hayden said.As expected, a lot of questions were aboutn Hayden’s revolutionary Mongoose bat, which he has used with mixed results in the IPL. “I actually first started toying with the idea before the last World Cup, when I started hitting balls at practice sessions with a baseball bat and was surprised at how well I was hitting them and how far the ball would travel.”It gave me great leverage, as you would have seen already, and there is no question it gives you extra power when you are in an attacking position and wanting to dominate the bowlers,” Hayden said.When asked whether the unusual dimensions of the Mongoose – it has a longer handle and a shorter blade than normal bats – made it difficult to wield, especially while facing short-pitched bowling, Hayden admitted that it took him a while adapting. “It was a bit intimidating at first with the shorter blade. After hitting thousands of balls with it, I was mentally prepared to play with it,” he said.Hayden welcomed the expansion of the IPL and was of the opinion that the inherent tight schedules were not to blame for the high number of player injuries during the tournament.”I’m pleased with the introduction of the two new teams into the IPL for next season and also very happy that Mr Modi has announced there will be no more expansion for many years to come, as I believe that 10 teams is the perfect number. And I also know that if you train and prepare well for the IPL and have a very good support team around you, that injuries can be kept to a minimum, but then again, injuries are a part of the game,” he said.Hayden shed light on his unique tendency of standing well outside the crease to fast bowlers. “Standing out of the crease is a sign of strategy rather than of straight out aggression. For instance, against [Lasith] Malinga, whose execution of the yorker is second to none, I stand two metres out of the crease and the yorker becomes a knee-high full toss. This is a way of changing someone’s game,” Hayden explained.He may have intimidated several bowlers during his time, with his imposing presence and aggressive intent, but Hayden admitted that it was the other way around. “Truth is I was afraid of every bowler, but I soon realised the only thing a bowler could do that could hurt me was the thing that he held in his hand, the cricket ball. Only if I watched it and executed the hundreds of thousands of balls that I have hit over my lifetime could I focus my energy on that,” he said.Hayden singled out Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Parthiv Patel, Robin Uthappa and Shikhar Dhawan as the young Indian players to watch out for in the future.

Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain are still in talks over a loan move for club-record signing Tanguy Ndombele, and the Lilywhites are considering various options as a direct replacement for the midfielder, according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Ndombele exiled from Spurs

Spurs manager Antonio Conte has exiled the 25-year-old at N17, leaving the Frenchman out of the matchday squads for their previous two games against Leicester and Chelsea, even forcing him to train alone at Hotspur Way.

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Tottenham have been looking to offload the midfielder after a series of disputes and lacklustre performances since his arrival in 2019. PSG are said to have been in talks with the north London club over the possibility of a transfer, with former Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino keen to reunite with the player.

There has even been talks of a swap deal, as Jason Burt of The Telegraph claimed that Tottenham have been ‘offered’ midfielder Leandro Paredes in a straight swap.

The Latest: Romano provides Ndombele update

According to a recent update by Romano, Tottenham and PSG are still in talks over a loan move for Ndombele.

When questioned over the potential transfer, the Ligue 1 club’s boss Pochettino said: “I’m not talking about Ndombele because he’s not in our club. PSG are open to progress, to improve”. According to Romano, the Argentine added: “I think everything is open, one week left”.

The journalist provided a further update on the Ndombele transfer saga, claiming that Tottenham are considering options to replace the Frenchman if the transfer does go through before the end of the month.

Fiorentina midfielder Sofyan Amrabat is one of many candidates on Spurs’ list, although nothing has been decided or agreed upon as of yet.

The Verdict: Departure seems inevitable

Since asking to leave the club last summer, many Spurs fans may have lost any hope they had of Ndombele regaining the sensational form he showed during his tenure with Lyon. That talent has been seen in flashes during his time in north London, but there has also been criticism of his application.

Romano’s claim that Fabio Paratici is drawing up a list of potential replacements would seem to indicate that the deal with PSG is close to being done, with the former Ligue 1 star is set to return to the division where he made a name for himself.

Letting him go now seems inevitable following his recent omissions and the frosty reception he got from Spurs fans after his strop against Morecambe earlier this month, and it may be best for all parties involved if the 25-year-old calls time on his spell in N17.

In other news: Spurs are hoping to offload one of Ndombele’s team-mates on a swap deal

Journalist Mark Hendry thinks Celtic may now see Reo Hatate as a left-sided option after their move for Yosuke Ideguchi, Football Scotland report.

The Lowdown: Terms agreed

Celtic are wasting no time when it comes to their transfer activity ahead of the January transfer window and appear to have got a head start on two possible signings.

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Reports earlier this month have claimed that terms have been agreed for both Hatate and Ideguchi, while Celtic also want to bring forward Daizen Maeda to Parkhead.

The Hoops initially viewed Hatate, who can also play as a left-back, as a midfield addition, but it seems that may change following their swoop for Ideguchi.

The Latest: Hendry’s claim

Football Scotland relayed comments from Hendry in a story on Thursday evening.

This is what he had to say regarding the Kawasaki Frontale man, claiming Celtic may now see Hatate as a left-sided option.

“I’ve been told that Reo Hatate is being looked at as a midfield option. That might change because the other player they’re looking at, Ideguchi, he is a midfield player as well so things may have changed where they’re looking at Hatate as a left-sided option.

“He can play on the left, but a source told me they were looking at Hatate as a midfield option.”

The Verdict: Good move

Hatate looks like he could be an extremely shrewd signing by Postecoglou due to his versatility. He already has the winning mentality which is needed to play for Celtic after helping his current employers to a second consecutive J1 League title.

Should he complete a move to Glasgow, he’ll be able to rival Greg Taylor at left-back while also providing Postecoglou with an option in midfield, or on either wing. [Transfermarkt]

That would leave the Celtic boss with Ideguchi as an out and out midfield option, but having squad members like Hatate could prove priceless in the second half of the season, especially when you consider the club’s recent injury woes.

In other news: ‘Could be a long time’ – Devlin shares worrying injury update on Celtic ace after bone ‘break’. 

تحدث روي فيتوريا المدير الفني لمنتخب مصر الأول، عن مباراتي الفراعنة أمام النيجر وليبيريا الوديتين.

وكان منتخب مصر قد فاز بثلاثية دون رد على النيجر في أولى التجارب الودية تحت قيادة فيتوريا، فيما سيواجه ليبيريا في الثامنة من مساء الثلاثاء.

وقال فيتوريا في تصريحات تلفزيونية بفضائية “أون تايم سبورتس1”: “حللنا مباراة النيجر، تنظيمنا الدفاعي كان جيدًا، ورد فعلنا كان سريعًا في استرداد الكرة، وهجوميًا نقل الكرة كان سريعًا وكنا نرهق الخصم في المساحات”.

وأضاف: “مباراة النيجر كانت جيدة وإن شاء الله نستمر على هذا المنوال، وانطباعي عن اللاعب المصري إيجابي، تصرف وأداء اللاعبين مثالي جدًا”.

وأردف: “قررت استبعاد الثلاثي محمد صلاح وأحمد فتوح ومصطفى محمد من ودية ليبيريا، فتوح تعرض لإصابة لكنها ليست خطيرة، ولكنها لا تسمح له بخوض المباراة القادمة”.

طالع | عماد متعب: محمد صلاح لم يتوسط لأي لاعب في منتخب مصر.. وحسني عبد ربه سألني عن جاريدو

وواصل: “مصطفى يعاني من إصابة بسيطة لكن نظرًا لأنه سيلعب حوالي 11 مباراة مقبلة ففضلنا منحه راحة، وصلاح شارك في المباراة الماضية وسيشارك في مباريات كثيرة الفترة المُقبلة، لذا سنستغل الودية الثانية في مشاهدة عناصر جديدة”.

واستكمل: “نجهز لمباراة ليبيريا بشكل طبيعي جدًا، وسيظهر الفريق بنفس أفكار الودية الماضية، ولكن مع وجود بعض التغييرات، وبصرف النظر عن الخصم ننظر لفريقنا وماذا يجب أن نفعله”.

واستطرد: “أشعر بالراحة لأن هذه الفترة تمنحني أريحية في مشاهدة اللاعبين بشكل أفضل، لكن بالتأكيد كنت أتمنى أن يلعب منتخب مصر في كأس العالم، والآن نجهز الأمور لأننا لن نشارك في المونديال”.

واستأنف: “انطباعي عن أيمن عبد العزيز إيجابي جدًا، مارسنا عملنا كجهاز بشكل رائع، وليس فقط أيمن ولكن كل العناصر في الجهاز لها أهميتها وأعتمد عليهم جميعًا، معي الجهاز الفني الذي جئت به من البرتغال وهم يساعدوني بجانب أيمن وباقي الأعضاء، أعلم جيدًا كل عنصر له دور ونجتهد بشكل جماعي ولكن أنا صاحب القرار لأنني قائد الجهاز”.

وكشف: “محمود حمدي الونش وزيزو سيعودان لمعسكر منتخب مصر، وتسجيلهما لهدفين مع الزمالك اليوم أمر طبيعي، اللاعبين بعد عودتهم من المنتخب يكون لديهم حماس أكبر”.

روي فيتوريا يستبعد محمد صلاح وثنائي منتخب مصر من مواجهة ليبيريا

وأكد: “ما أعلمه أن مواجهة بلجيكا مؤكدة، ستكون تحدي كبير أمام خصم قوي، وستكون مختلفة بالتأكيد، في شهر نوفمبر قد تكون الأمور مختلفة بالنسبة للمنتخب المصري سيكون الشكل مختلف”.

واختتم: “أشكر القائمين على تنظيم المعسكر ودعم اتحاد الكرة لنا، وأشكر الجماهير المصرية، وأتمنى أن أشاهد أعداد أكبر في المباريات القادمة”.

Ireland will play a quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, involving Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan and Canada

Cricinfo staff18-Dec-2009Ireland will play a quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in Sri Lanka, involving Sri Lanka A, Afghanistan and Canada, as part of their preparations for the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in the UAE in February.Ireland will travel to Sri Lanka after the completion of their Intercontinental Cup match against Afghanistan and the four-team tournament will be held from January 31 to February 4,”This will give the squad a good work-out ahead of the UAE leg of the tour. It’ll get the players into the mindset of the shorter format of the game,” Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said. “We still haven’t played a lot of 20-over cricket, although the experience of playing in the finals in England last year will help us. There are only two places up for grabs for the finals in the West Indies, so it will be difficult for all the teams. There will be a lot of pressure games with so much at stake, but we have a lot of experience in our camp, which is so vital as we showed last year when we won the World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa.””I and the players want to make it four in a row in terms of qualifying for the major tournaments – when you get a taste of the big time, you want more. The players are still hungry for more success, and for me there would be the added bonus of coaching Ireland in the West Indies. We did fantastically well there in 2007, as that’s where we really announced ourselves on the world stage. Ireland has happy memories of the West Indies – it’d be great if we could have a few more in 2010.”

It took last-pair heroics from Hiren Varaiya and Alfred Luseno to help Kenya scrape to a one-wicket win over Uganda

Cricinfo staff21-Dec-2009Kenya 129 for 9 beat Uganda 126 by one wicket
ScorecardKenya took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their series against Uganda, but it took last-pair heroics from Hiren Varaiya and Alfred Luseno to help them scrape to a one-wicket win.It all appeared to be going to plan when Uganda were stuck in and , after a solid opening stand of 34, were bowled out for 126. Once again Kenya’s bowlers did what was asked of them but, not for the first time, their batsmen failed to meet expectations.Seren Waters’ return to international colours ended with a duck, although a breezy 20-ball 24 from David Obuya appeared to have calmed the nerves, and even when the in-form Rakep Patel fell for 17, at 56 for 3 a win still appeared well within reach.But the middle order offered nothing as Alex Obanda (14), Maurice Ouma (7), Jimmy Kamande (5) and Shem Obado (0) came and went, and at 77 for 7 Uganda sensed an upset.Nehemiah Odhiambo and Varaiya then added 33 for the eighth wicket before Odhiambo and Lucas Oluoch fell in quick succession. Eleven were needed and the last pair managed to get them, but it was a far from convincing effort.Kenya will have to end the series with a much better display tomorrow if the critics are to be silenced.

A round-up of the second day’s action of the seventh round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2009-10

Cricinfo staff16-Nov-2009Group A
When the top two clash, expect an exciting match on the cards. As events unfolded on the second day at the Diamond Club Ground, both Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) sweated over first-innings points. Resuming on 10 for 1, HBL were buoyed by Sham Massod’s 61 at the top of the order, but right-arm fast bowler Asad Ali’s 6 for 98 reduced them to 191 for 8. But defining contributions from Kamran Hussain (63), Abdur Rehman (45) and Fahad Masood (30 not out) ultimately helped HBL tiptoe past SNGPL’s first-innings total of 245.National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) took the patient route in search of a first-innings lead against Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) in Rawalpindi. Mohammad Talha was the wrecker-in-chief, picking up a five-for, as KRL were bowled out for 353, after adding 34 to their overnight score. Imran Javed was the star during NBP’s reply, compiling 60 off 132 balls, and putting together an unbeaten stand of 103 with captain Naumanullah (42 not out). NBP finished the day with seven wickets in hand, still 180 shy of first-innings points.It was the turn of captain Saeed Bin Nasir to score a hundred, following Azeem Ghumman’s stellar show the previous day as Sui Southern Gas Corporation (SSGC) powered their way to a huge total batting first against Lahore Shalimar at the Gaddafi Stadium. While Ghumman could add 40 to his overnight score of 143, Nasir smashed 11 fours en route to 101. Having declared on 422 for 6, SSGC then proceeded to remove the top three Lahore batsmen, to leave them tottering at 130 at the end of the day.A superb bowling spell by Tabish Khan could not rescue Karachi Whites, as they surrendered first-innings points to Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) at the National Bank of Pakistan Sports Complex . Tabish finished with 6 for 90, but every contribution from the WAPDA middle and lower orders were made to count, as they nosed ahead of Karachi’s first-innings total of 170, to finish on 222. Opener Mohtasim Ali (76) and wicketkeeper Mohammad Hasan (65) easily erased the deficit with a second-wicket stand of 146, but the WAPDA bowlers hit back with four wickets as Karachi took stumps with the score on 196.Zulqarnain Haider was in fine form for Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and his century gave them the upper hand against Pakistan Customs at the Marghzar Cricket Ground. His 161 off 302 balls comprised 21 boundaries as ZTBL powered on from 224 for 8 to finish on 358. The good work was carried on by Kashif Daud during the reply, as the right-arm fast bowler sent back three of the top six Customs batsmen, to leave them in trouble with a 215-run deficit.Group B
Faisalabad fast bowler Ahmed Hayat took 5 for 77 to limit Karachi Blues to 293 for 8 on the opening day at the National Stadium. Five Karachi batsmen got off to starts but only Adnan Baig scored more than 50. His 71 was the top score of an innings that slumped to 166 for 5 before picking itself up to reach 293. Tanvir Ahmed, the No. 9 batsman, scored an unbeaten 37 off 50 balls to take the innings into the second day.Sialkot restricted Rawalpindi to 215 in their first innings at the Jinnah Stadium. Resuming on 115 for 4, Rawalpindi slumped after their captain Naved Ashraf was dismissed for 59. Sialkot bowlers Naved Arif and Bilawal Bhatti took four wickets each but their batsmen’s poor first-innings performance meant that Rawalpindi still had a lead of 108. Sialkot wiped out that deficit by reaching 153 by stumps on the second day but lost four second-innings wickets. Ayaz Tasawwar was unbeaten on 52 and Sialkot will look to him to stretch the lead, which is presently 45.Islamabad’s bowlers dismissed Peshawar cheaply in the first-innings at the National Ground, enabling their team to take a firm grip on the match by stumps on the second day. Peshawar resumed on 47 for 2 and were soon skittled for 156, conceding a first-innings lead of 100. Nasrullah Khan, who finished with 54 for 5, reduced them to 107 for 8 and only a 36-ball 40 from No. 10 Nauman Habib lifted the innings at the end. Habib, and his new-ball partner Riaz Afridi, took two wickets apiece to dent Islamabad’s reply but the hosts reached 174 for 5, with a strong overall lead of 274.Lahore Ravi opener Kashif Siddiq missed out on a century but his valuable 95 at the top allowed his team to edge a lead against Quetta in Lahore. Siddiq was eventually one of Arshad Khan’s five wickets and the offspinner kept chipping away at the Lahore line-up. Mohammad Asim contributed an unbeaten 70 in the middle order and the hosts ended the day on 264, leading by 44 runs with only two wickets in hand.Mohammad Hafeez remained unbeaten on 84 but Multan struggled in their reply to Abbottabad’s first-innings total of 300 at Okara. Several other middle-order batsmen got starts but failed to make it count as Junaid Khan took 3 for 61 to restrict Multan to 207 for 7. Armaghan Elahi and Khalid Usman also took two wickets apiece for Abbottabad. Earlier in the day Multan had been dismissed for 300 after resuming on their overnight score on 279 for 9.

Many Glasgow Rangers fans have been left extremely proud of their club thanks to some news that has emerged ahead of their game against Ross County in the Scottish Premiership.

As per the official website of the Light Blues, the club will mark Remembrance Day on Sunday at the match with a minute’s silence in honour of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The team will wear special commemorative poppy shirts in honour of the occasion, in what will be a fitting tribute from the club.

It is important that the day is treated with the utmost respect, and that is exactly what the Teddy Bears are doing ahead of November 11 next week, and the news has certainly left the supporters proud.

Steven Gerrard will also be hoping for a performance to match the one that he got from his side last time out in the Scottish Premiership, the 6-1 win away at Motherwell.

Rangers fans on Remembrance Day tribute

These Gers were left with nothing but pride as the ‘class’ news regarding the club’s tribute to Remembrance Day was shared on their official Twitter page:

“Class but expected”

Credit: @JT3106

“Love this club”

Credit: @stoofa2010

“Classy Rangers”

Credit: @bolton2021

“WATP”

Credit: @teddyh112

“Proud of my club”

Credit: @RangersRobbie83

“Lest We Forget”

Credit: @alangers82

In other news, find out what Ewan Murray claim has Gers fuming here!

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.