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The touring Indian cricketers will keep one eye on the approaching World Cup, and the other looking after the interests of the supporters at home, according to Sourav Ganguly, the captain, and John Wright, the coach, when the Indians arrived in

Don Cameron02-Dec-2002The touring Indian cricketers will keep one eye on the approaching World Cup, and the other looking after the interests of the supporters at home, according to Sourav Ganguly, the captain, and John Wright, the coach, when the Indians arrived in Auckland today.India will start their National Bank tour with a Super Max International against New Zealand’s Max Blacks on Wednesday night, a three-day warm-up game against Central Districts and then two Tests and seven One-Day Internationals against New Zealand.Ganguly said he would regard the two Tests against New Zealand equally as important as the seven one-dayers which will be the dress-rehearsal for the World Cup in February-March.He said this after being reminded that India had not won a Test series in New Zealand since 1967/68, and had a 4-6 winning Test record in New Zealand.”We have played well this year – we will try our best,” said Ganguly.Wright agreed that his team’s build-up during the last year had been good, and the Indians already had the core of their World Cup squad in place.”Maybe we are still looking at one or two players,” said Wright, “but we have our pattern and personnel fairly well settled and I am happy with our progress.”Wright said it would not disturb the team to have the World Cup squad named by December 31, after two Tests and two of the seven one-dayers.”I do not think that will be embarrassing for the players, naming the Cup side in mid-tour. We have identified the players we want for the Cup, and maybe there could be only one or two places up for grabs.”It seems likely that Rahul Dravid, the princely batsman, will be the one-day wicket-keeper. Dravid gave the impression that he accepted the task as it was necessary to the one-day team’s balance.Wright said that the master batsman Sachin Tendulkar had recovered from the hamstring strain which kept him out of the recent one-day series against West Indies, and would lead a formidable batting line-up.”In terms of batting we are a strong side,” said Wright. “We have put the runs on the board and proved we are formidable not only in India where we have our brilliant spin bowling, but also away from home.”It was, for example, most pleasing that during our tour of England there were two Test pitches that did a bit, at Nottingham and Leeds. We managed to bat well on those two pitches – conditions that could be similar to those we find in New Zealand.”In his two years as India’s coach Wright said he had become aware of the importance of the team’s success.”There is really a lot at stake. There might not be any difficulty for all of us to focus on the time and work we put in.”But we have the huge responsibility to the people at home in India. They love their cricket, they rejoice at our victories, and they are what we try to give them.”For once India will not have a wrist-spinner in their bowling armoury.Anil Kumble, the top India bowler with 349 Test wickets, will not be here to bowl his top-spinners in the Tests, but will play in the later one-dayers.Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner (139 Test wickets) will lead the spin attack, with support from Murali Kartik, the 26-year-old left-arm orthodox spinner, who has taken nine wickets in four Tests and has been recalled to the side after a year’s absence.Wright said that Virender Sehwag, the dashing opening batsman, was a useful spinner, and Tendulkar “can bowl anything.”

Crystal Palace have joined the race for Ryan Christie’s signature as the Celtic midfielder enters the final six months of his contract at Parkhead.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have recently appointed Patrick Vieira as their new manager, and the former Nice boss is thought to be a long-term admirer of the Scotland international.

Nice had a bid turned down for Christie a year ago, but he could now be available at a bargain price due to his contractual situation and Vieira is expected to follow up his interest in the creative talent now he’s at Selhurst Park, according to the Daily Mail (as reported by the Daily Record).

Vieira can generate success

Christie first caught the eye of the Arsenal legend back in 2019 when he scored both home and away against Nice’s Ligue 1 rivals Rennes in the Europa League group stages.

His impressive performances for the Hoops and the national team have earned several plaudits in recent years, including ex-Celtic striker Chris Sutton.

“You have to admire his attitude as well as his versatility, to be able to play so many positions at such a high level…he gives it absolutely everything.

“We all know he can produce moments of magic, but he combines it with a ferocious workrate. Christie is a manager’s dream,” claimed Sutton.

In 142 appearances for the Glasgow giants, Christie has bagged 40 goals and provided a further 41 assists, winning six major trophies along the way.

Although he failed to quite hit top form last season, the £6.3m-rated gem still recorded impressive underlying numbers, illustrating the quality he would bring to Palace, should he arrive in south London over the coming months.

Christie made 2.1 key passes per league game throughout 2020/21, had 2.8 shots and provided eight assists, bettering Eberechi Eze on each metric.

While many may correctly point to the higher standard of opposition that Eze faced on a weekly basis last season, these figures still show that Vieira could generate success at Palace by acquiring Christie’s services.

Eze is set to be sidelined with a serious injury until the new year, robbing the capital club of one of their most influential attacking forces for a considerable length of time.

Bringing in Christie could be a logical solution to this problem, and Vieira will be surely be hoping that he can finally secure his man this summer.

And, in other news…Get it done: Vieira must sanction £20m CPFC summer swoop for Phil Foden-esque dynamo 

Trevoh Chalobah could be announced as a West Bromwich Albion signing next week, according to journalist Joseph Masi. 

The lowdown

The 22-year-old, who can play as either a centre-back or a defensive midfielder, has just completed his third loan spell away from Chelsea. After earlier periods with Ipswich and Huddersfield, he spent the 2020/21 campaign with Ligue 1 outfit Lorient and finished in the league’s top 10 for interceptions per game with 2.4 (via WhoScored).

Despite appearing 44 times for the west London club’s under-23s, Chalobah hasn’t been handed a senior debut for Chelsea.

West Brom have already commenced their summer business, reuniting former Barnsley midfielder Alex Mowatt with their new manager Valerien Ismael.

The latest

Talks between West Brom and Chelsea ‘have continued to progress well’ in recent days and the signing of Chalobah is getting closer, Masi told the Shrophshire Star. He added that reports in London are ‘saying he could be confirmed as an Albion player next week’.

Lorient are said to be keen on a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, but his preference is to remain in England.

In even more positive news for the Baggies, it is ‘unlikely’ that Chelsea will demand a transfer fee even though his contract still has two years to run.

The verdict

This would be excellent business from West Brom and a true statement of intent as they look to win back their place in the Premier League. If it is indeed a free transfer for Chalobah, it could genuinely prove to be a contender for the Championship signing of the summer.

The Chelsea ace really ought to be playing top-flight football somewhere in Europe given how well he did in Ligue 1, but perhaps he views West Brom as his route to making a breakthrough to the Premier League.

If they intend to use him as a shield for the defence, he would likely represent a more than able replacement for former Baggies loanee Okay Yokuslu, who has returned to Celta Vigo.

In other news, this midfielder might struggle to fit into Ismael’s plans. 

The England coach, Duncan Fletcher, was quick to defend captain Nasser Hussain after he was criticised by Australia’s Justin Langer for standing his ground after Jason Gillespie had apparently caught him at mid-on off Stuart MacGill.

CricInfo27-Dec-2002The England coach, Duncan Fletcher, was quick to defend captain Nasser Hussain after he was criticised by Australia’s Justin Langer for standing his ground after Jason Gillespie had apparently caught him at mid-on off Stuart MacGill.As at Adelaide, when Langer himself believed he had caught Michael Vaughan during his innings of 177, the matter was referred to the third umpire. Hussain was ruled in when television replays did not show whether Gillespie had controlled the ball before it hit the turf.”It was within the rules, but in an ideal world I would like to see if a player says he’s out, he’s out,” Langer said. “It’s something we have got to look at. As it is now it takes a bit of the integrity out of the game. Jason was sure he caught him and I guess it’s disappointing the decision didn’t go his way.”But Fletcher insisted that Hussain was perfectly within his rights to stand, given the availability of television to prompt a firm ruling.”It’s very, very difficult,” Fletcher told Sky Sports. “With those decisions you don’t really know if you have caught it or not. It’s very difficult to see if the ball has touched the ground.”I think it should just be left to the third umpire. The technology is there so why not use it? It has proved he did the right thing by standing his ground.””I think there was a lot of intensity at the back end of today’s play,” Fletcher added. “The batsmen were put under a lot of pressure from some quality bowling.”Hopefully we can go into tomorrow and withstand some more. It’s going to be a huge battle and hopefully we can get that 350. The first morning session is going to be important.”It’s a difficult job – there are some really good bowlers there. They don’t seem to have any weakness – they have a good batting line-up and a good bowling line-up.”Langer scored a career-best 250 as Australia declared on 551 for six before taking three key England wickets before the close.We are in a great position,” said the Australian opener. “It looks like the pitch in going to spin a bit. England are in for a tough game from here on in. Hopefully we can put enough pressure on England and win the game.”Of his own innings, Langer said: “It was probably not the best I have ever hit them. I am thrilled. It was nice to capitalise and get the opportunity to get a really big score. I really wanted to take the opportunity to nail a big one.”It gets easier because the ball gets older and it loses a bit of extra bounce and pace but you are still facing world-class bowling. You can never afford to think it’s getting easier, otherwise you end up back in the changing rooms.Langer was also thrilled by Martin Love’s 62 on Test debut, adding: “He’s a very classy player. I haven’t seen him bat much before. He’s certainly in the mould of Mark Waugh in the way he bats and I’m sure he will be delighted with the way he played.”Love, 28, has already scored two double centuries against the England touring team. He said he would like to play against England every week.”It would be nice. I guess I’m seeing the ball pretty well against England at the moment. I’ve spent a fair bit of time facing their bowlers. I’ve certainly had a good run against them so far this year. Unfortunately you can’t keep following England around all the time.”Langer was also outspoken in his criticism of England’s Barmy Army, who picked up on suggestions about the legality of Brett Lee’s action, which was cleared by the International Cricket Council two years ago, to shout “No Ball” every time he ran into bowl.”I thought they were a disgrace – there’s no better sight on a cricket fieldthan Brett Lee or any fast bowler running in like that, it’s a magnificent sightand if it did help fire Brett up then all the better for us,” claimed Langer.”These people stand behind a fence drinking beer with most of them 50 kilos overweight making ridiculous comments. It’s easy for someone to say that frombehind a fence, they’re within their rights because they’ve paid their money,but there’s still some integrity in life, I think.”Barmy Army spokesman Paul Burnham said the chants were meant as a joke.”Watching the guys’ faces while they were no-balling Lee, you could tell they were smiling,” he said.”From what I saw it was in very good humour and if they can’t take a joke then shouldn’t be dishing it out so readily – we’ve taken abuse from the moment we arrived in the country about the performances and injuries England have suffered.”

English cricket is set for a massive shake-up, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph

Cricinfo staff20-Jun-2008
Giles Clarke: Twenty20 set to dominate in his brave new world © Getty Images
English cricket is set for a massive shake-up, according to a report in the Daily Telegraph.Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, is preparing to push for sweeping changes that include the splitting of the County Championship into three divisions, a move whose main objective is to clear room for more Twenty20 cricket. This is despite growing worries from some counties that crowds at matches this season have been down, something many attribute to the increase in the number of games.This will upset many, but he also wants to end promotion and relegation between divisions, so the three conferences will be randomly drawn at the start of the season. It is unclear quite what this will leave them playing for, and a number of county chairmen are known to be opposed to tinkering to this degree.Clarke is also likely to recommend salary caps to try to balance the gulf between the counties, as well as a more controversial plan to loan foreign players to less well-off counties.The ultimate aim is to create an English Premier League to rival the IPL, with teams drawn from outside the traditional county structure. Part of the agreement with Allen Stanford might well have included provision for him to field a side in such a competition.Clarke’s proposal will be further discussed at the next county chief executives’ meeting in July.

New Everton manager Rafael Benitez has requested the signing of Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, according to 90Min.

The Spaniard has apparently told director of football Marcel Brands to make the 30-year-old the club’s primary centre-back target, with Yerry Mina’s potential departure creating a gap.

Napoli, who once slapped a near-£100m price tag on Koulibaly, are now open to bids in the region of £35m.

The report from 90Min added that any concerns over the defender’s wage demands have been eased by the departures of Joshua King, Theo Walcott, Yannick Bolasie and Muhamed Besic at the end of their Everton contracts.

The Toffees have alternatives in mind if a deal for Koulibaly cannot be struck, and former loanee Kurt Zouma is among them.

Koulibaly was named Serie A’s Defender of the Year for the 2018/19 season and has twice been voted the Senegalese Footballer of the Year (via Transfermarkt).

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed 90Min’s claims, and here’s how these Everton supporters reacted.

Everton fans on possibility of Koulibaly move

“We’re going to sign 3 defenders and no one else lol”

Credit: @Brose1878

“If true, then someone is on the way out.”

Credit: @sicklecrown

“Yes please”

Credit: @kypredsfan

“Please Please Please”

Credit: @KitsOnHangers

“We will all be hanging on for this at 22:59 on transfer deadline day.”

Credit: @Lea_EFC

“This would make me so, so happy!”

Credit: @MistopherGuy

In other news, many Everton fans reacted to links with these two right-backs. 

According to The Telegraph, Southampton are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder Yangel Herrera this summer.

The Lowdown: Saints prepare for new campaign

Ralph Hasenhuttl is preparing his squad for the new season as the Saints aim to improve on their 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last term.

Only Romain Perraud has been added to their squad so far this summer, though (Transfermarkt), and we are fast approaching the start of the new season.

The Latest: Saints eye Herrera

The Telegraph reported that Southampton are interested in Herrera, who spent last season on loan at Granada in Spain.

West Ham United and Crystal Palace are also in pursuit of the 23-year-old, but the Hammers have the advantage of being able to offer European football to the Venezuela international.

The Verdict: Emerging talent

While Herrera is yet to make a single appearance for the Citizens, he has already proven himself elsewhere throughout his career, right from when 2010 World Cup winner David Villa said that he was “the best player in the 2018 season in Major League Soccer” (The Manchester Evening News).

He has made 82 appearances across two seasons for Granada (Transfermarkt), helping them reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the process, and he also has 24 caps for his country.

Valued at £16.2m by Transfermarkt, it is said that City are looking for up to £20m to part ways with him. That would be a significant outlay for Southampton, but sometimes you must speculate to accumulate. If they don’t take this calculated gamble, they may end up regretting missing out on the 23-year-old.

In other news, Southampton also want to sign this Premier League defender.

Lalit Modi insisted the US$5 million salary cap on franchisees will remain in place for at least the next two seasons

Cricinfo staff10-Jun-2008Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, has insisted the US$5 million salary cap on franchisees will remain in place for at least the next two years. Modi said in a statement that the players are legally bound by their three-year contract with franchises.”The three-year contractual clause was made public to both the franchisees and players prior to the auction (on February 20 this year) and the player’s participation,” he said. “All the parties will abide by the terms and conditions laid down by the governing council and it is only up to the franchisee to trade players as and when the trading window opens next year.”Ricky Ponting, Australia’s captain, had earlier expressed concerns that lifting the salary cap would be “detrimental to the whole set-up” as franchises with deep pockets could end up with the best players, leading to a loss of competitiveness.Modi also said that rules for trading of players will be issued early next year. “The IPL will issue a fresh set of guidelines on the player transfer protocols for the next season keeping in mind the transfer window,” he said. “It would however, be the prerogative of the franchisee alone to take a decision to trade players, when the trading window opens in the early part of 2009 just prior to the second season.”

South Africa dismissed England for a disappointingly meagre 203 before they themselves lost three quick wickets, while Hashim Amla was a hair’s breadth away from joining those dismissed in the pavilion. After last week’s dull draw in London, this was Test

Will Luke18-Jul-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were out (England)
How they were out (South Africa)
Dale Steyn removes Kevin Pietersen © Getty Images
After last week’s dull draw, this series needed igniting, and Headingley has provided it. South Africa dismissed England for a disappointingly meagre 203 before they themselves lost three quick wickets, while Hashim Amla was a hair’s breadth away from joining those dismissed in the pavilion. This was Test cricket at its most compelling and frantic.The commotion of the day took place in the 25th over of South Africa’s reply, in early-evening sunshine. Amla, on 9 at the time, fended a sharp bouncer from Flintoff to Michael Vaughan at mid-off, the captain diving forward to claim what appeared to be a clean catch. However Amla was sent back by his coach, Mickey Arthur, as well as his captain Graeme Smith, forcing the umpires to refer the decision upstairs. The evidence was inconclusive, as it so often is; Vaughan scuffed his toes in annoyance and Amla shovelled Flintoff’s next ball unfussily for four.The decision will rankle with Vaughan and England overnight, and doubtless the debate surrounding the use of technology will rumble on – particular in light of England turning down an offer to use the umpire-referral system in this series. Regardless of all that, Amla survived to put South Africa’s noses in front by a few whiskers, and they went to stumps trailing by 102.Smart statsEngland’s 203 all out is the lowest first-innings score at Headingley since 2000, when West Indies were bowled out for 172. It’s England’s lowest first-innings score here since 1997, when Australia bowled them out for 172, again.Dale Steyn has dismissed Michael Vaughan thrice in 56 balls in Tests. Vaughan has only scored 38 runs against him.Kevin Pietersen has scored 422 runs from 492 balls at Headingley. The strike rate of 85.77 is his highest at any ground.Only three times have England won a Test at Headingley after scoring less than 203 in their first innings. The last such instance was against West Indies in 1991.Andrew Flintoff dismissed Graeme Smith for the fourth time in Tests. Only two bowlers – Glenn McGrath (5) and Chris Martin (6) have dismissed him more often.The day was dominated by South Africa’s bowlers, however. Morne Morkel again impressed with four wickets, mostly continuing the encouraging display he showed at Lord’s. And Headingley proved a happier hunting ground for Dale Steyn, who took 4 for 76 in 18.3 angry overs. Makhaya Ntini toiled for 11 overs, but although he did remove Tim Ambrose around the wicket – his first wicket in the series – the younger bucks are making this great, tireless bowler look a little innocuous.It was Morkel who broke through for South Africa – a little fortuitously – when Alastair Cook attempted to flick a leg-side drifter around the corner. He failed to make contact, but South Africa’s raucous appeal was vindicated by Billy Bowden. The door was open, and it soon became a procession as England struggled to cope with the swing on a dank, gloomy day.Vaughan lasted a mere seven balls when he edged Steyn’s beautiful outswinger to Smith at first slip. It was the third time in five Tests that Steyn has removed the England captain through suspect defence of straight deliveries. There were no such concerns for Kevin Pietersen, however, fresh from his hundred at Lord’s. Steyn fed him with an easy-paced delivery on middle-stump, flamingo-flicking it through midwicket. Two balls later, a half-tracker was dispatched into the midwicket stand for the morning’s most authoritative shot for six, as the drizzle began to fall more steadily.Strauss fell victim to the day’s first piece of juicy contention when he edged a Morkel lifter to AB de Villiers at third slip. Wonderful fielder though he is, it was clear even to Strauss that de Villiers had grounded it, and despite South Africa’s protestations the third umpire let Strauss carry on. After playing sensibly and cautiously – unlike nearly all his colleagues – he soon fell when he edged Morkel for 23 and England found themselves struggling on 70 for 3 at lunch.Pietersen responded after lunch with consistently audacious strokeplay. Steyn, overpitching, was picked through cover and mid-on; Ntini, wide of the crease, was mowed through midwicket for two more boundaries. On such a spicy surface, however, it was only a matter of time before Steyn would find his length, and after being clouted for yet another four, he induced Pietersen into edging an outswinger to a gleeful Smith. Everything rested on Ian Bell’s shoulders, and how would England’s new No.6, Tim Ambrose, cope?
Andrew Flintoff returned to England colours, bowling with fire and accuracy © Getty Images
Not altogether wonderfully well, nibbling at Ntini from around the wicket to fall for 12. Meanwhile Bell, fresh from his magnificent 199 at Lord’s, was in supreme touch, oozing class with five delicate boundaries, but like Pietersen before him, he chased a wider ball from Jacques Kallis which clattered into the stumps. England were 150 for 6 and South Africa were already into the tail.All eyes on Flintoff. After an absence of 18 months, any hope of England scraping a challenging first innings rested on his fit-again shoulders, and he responded to a rousing reception with two muscular fours through the off-side. Another wide, tempting carrot outside his off stump from Kallis lured him into a poor stroke on his comeback, and with him went England’s chances of a substantial first innings.Whereas South Africa enjoyed plenty of swing, England couldn’t find quite as much, as it became sunnier. Geoff Miller’s surprise package, the 29-year-old Darren Pattinson, looked understandably overawed by the whole occasion, but James Anderson soon found his length and broke through Neil McKenzie and Graeme Smith’s excellent opening stand of 51 to have McKenzie smartly snaffled by Flintoff at slip. Flintoff took two overs to crank up his pace, but bowled with wonderful rhythm in his 10-over spell, removing Smith with a brutish riser from around the wicket. Kallis’ miserable series continued three overs later when he inside-edged Anderson onto his stumps, and South Africa’s high was tempered somewhat at 76 for 3.It could yet be the match’s defining point, Vaughan’s non-catch of Amla, particularly for a batsman so keen on large scores. Much rests on Flintoff’s shoulders once again if England are to make early inroads tomorrow. Welcome back, Fred.

Former Southampton midfielder Carlton Palmer has told The Transfer Tavern that he would be “totally against” Graziano Pelle returning to the Saints.

Pelle enjoyed a successful spell down on the south coast between 2014 and 2016, scoring 30 goals in 80 appearances before going on to join Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng.

The 36-year-old striker is now a free agent following his exit from Parma, prompting some Southampton fans to call for him to be re-signed.

It is something that Palmer, though, would be against, with the ex-Saint suggesting it would be a backward step for the club.

“I’m totally against it,” Palmer said when asked if the Premier League outfit should bring the Italian back to St. Mary’s.

“Fans, you know, will always put their hands up for a former favourite of theirs to return to the club, but it’s not always a wise move for him to come back. I think that would be a backward step for them.”

Nostalgia aside, there is little reason to re-sign Pelle this summer, with the 6 ft 4 former Southampton striker not having the best of times at Parma. In 13 games, he scored just once before leaving the Serie A outfit at the end of his contract.