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The PCB chairman has warned of a divide in the cricket world if countries decide not to tour the subcontinent because of security concerns

Cricinfo staff29-Nov-2008
Ijaz Butt: “It’s a mutual thing. If they [overseas teams] don’t come [to the subcontinent], we won’t go [there]” © AFP
Ijaz Butt, the PCB chairman, has warned of a divide in the cricketing world if countries decide not to tour the subcontinent because of security concerns in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai.”If certain countries play separately with two sets of rules it will be a dangerous situation,” Butt told the . “It’s a mutual thing. If they don’t come [to the subcontinent], we won’t go [there]. You cannot have separate pockets with England only playing Australia.”We have to agree something. It has to be with all Test countries. You can’t have four Test countries playing each other and the other four playing separately as well.”England cut short their tour of India after five ODIs following the terrorist strikes and returned home. It is uncertain whether they will return for the two-Test series scheduled to begin on December 11 in Ahmedabad. The atrocities in Mumbai also forced the postponement of the inaugural Champions Twenty20 League, which was scheduled from December 3.Pakistan have also suffered from teams putting off tours to the country citing security concerns. Australia postponed their tour earlier this year and the Champions Trophy was also shifted from September 2008 to October 2009. Pakistan have not played a Test since December 2007 and there are security-related doubts over the upcoming home series against India in January.

Manchester City fans want to sign Cristiano Ronaldo this summer after it was suggested the Portuguese striker has been offered to the Citizens.

Despite possessing a squad full of talent and recently adding Jack Grealish (mancity.com) to their plethora of attacking options, it has not been the best start to the campaign for City this term.

They lost the Community Shield against Leicester City and they followed that up with a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on the opening matchday of the Premier League season.

In a shock report, the Corriere dello Sport (via Marca) has suggested £40.5m-valued Ronaldo (Transfermarkt) has been offered to the Etihad Stadium outfit. While the 36-year-old may be approaching the end of his career, he has still managed 101 goals in 133 games for Juventus (Transfermarkt), showing he still has plenty of his legendary ability.

The news was shared on Twitter by @City_Xtra, and it attracted plenty of attention from the City supporters. They took to the social media platform to share their thoughts.

Let’s see what the fans had to say about the Ronaldo news below

“PLEASEEEEEEEEE”

Credit: @ZinnySZN

“Yes him over Kane easy. plus a pen scorer”

Credit: @JrJrjuniorsjr1

“IMAGINE THE SCENES ‘Welcome back to Manchester’”

Credit: @Puttci0

“you love to see it”

Credit: @TomWoods_

“Imagine the goals he’d get with KDB behind him”

Credit: @JesusRole

“As much as I call him Penaldo, he is exactly what we need. Someone to just stay in the box and be at the end of crosses. His movements are probably amongst the greatest ever. The only concern would be his pressing.”

Credit: @RDragon7l

In other news, Man City fans slammed this man against Spurs.

Martin Guptill’s century and 94 for Scott Styris put Auckland on track for first-innings points

Cricinfo staff15-Dec-2008
Craig Cumming started the game well with a century for Otago © Getty Images
Martin Guptill’s century and 94 for Scott Styris put Auckland on track for first-innings points before the final match of the round also ended in a draw in Auckland. The Otago captain Craig Cumming started the game with 105 and enjoyed a 158-run partnership with Aaron Redmond, who picked up 50 after being cut from the Test team.Greg Todd, the No. 3, missed his hundred by two, but Neil Broom’s 60 also helped them reach 418 after losing the toss. With Auckland 379 for 6, the visitors were a chance of taking a first-innings advantage, but Steven Croft’s 53 ensured a couple of points, which pushed the home team to seven behind second-placed Wellington. Guptill top scored with 148, his maiden first-class hundred, while Reece Young also registered a half-century.There was only a 12-run difference between the sides so when Otago went back in on the third day only a quick collapse could lead to a result. They escaped the danger and moved to 343 for 7, with Shaun Haig recording 108 and Derek de Boorder (63 not out) and Cumming (58) contributing heavily.Todd Astle’s 101 gave Canterbury a chance of sealing a thrilling victory, but their last-day chase ran out of puff and they held on for a draw with Northern Districts in Hamilton. Canterbury were in a reasonable position at 238 for 2 in their pursuit of 318, but the task became too hard when Peter Fulton went for 56 and they were 294 for 8 at stumps.Northern Districts were in trouble at 63 for 4 on the opening day before the 18-year-old Kane Williamson, who recorded a personal best of 98, and Joseph Yovich (65) put on 141 for the fifth wicket. Further assistance came from Peter McGlashan’s 91 and 75 from Graeme Aldridge in the healthy total of 430.Fulton hit back from being dropped from the Test side with a patient 84 from 263 balls and Johann Myburgh chipped in with 61, but Canterbury were dismissed for 265 after scoring at slightly more than two an over. Myburgh then captured 4 for 56 with his offbreaks as the home side set up its declaration and the innings was closed at 152 for 5. Northern Districts gained their first points of the season for the first-innings success while Canterbury remain bottom.Mathew Sinclair, the Central Districts captain, completed centuries in consecutive matches, but his efforts went unrewarded in a rain-ruined draw against Wellington at the Basin Reserve. Sinclair, who has 516 runs at 103.20 in four games this season, followed his 108 against Otago last week with 164 as his side rode to 523 after Wellington won the toss and bowled. At one stage Jeetan Patel was so frustrated by Sinclair, who was dropped twice, he was no-balled for throwing.Rain cut the first day to 24.3 overs but the 235-run stand between Sinclair and Bevan Griggs, who collected a career-best 143, put the visitors on top as they batted into the third day. Matthew Bell (75), Neal Parlane (54), Grant Elliott (63) and Luke Woodcock (59) registered half-centuries for Wellington, but the weather cut short the final day and ensured a soggy draw, with the home side 376 for 7 in its first innings. Central Districts lead the competition on 25 points while Wellington are second on 18.

Southampton’s hopes of signing Tammy Abraham this summer are over after the England international completed a move to Roma earlier this week.

What’s the word?

Even before Danny Ings’ departure for Aston Villa, Southampton were regularly linked with a move for Abraham, although Chelsea’s asking price for the 23-year-old was always likely to be a sticking point in any transfer negotiations between the Saints and the Blues.

Ralph Hasenhuttl suggested before the transfer window that his club would target players for £10m or less this summer, and whilst they went slightly over budget when signing Adam Armstrong from Blackburn Rovers, they have brought in plenty of funds with the exits of Ings, Jannik Vestergaard, Angus Gunn and Mario Lemina.

Abraham completed his move to Roma in a deal reportedly worth £34m on Tuesday, and whilst that suggests that he was never likely to be a realistic option for the Saints this summer, there is no doubt that he would’ve been a stellar addition to Hasenhuttl’s squad.

Would Abraham have been a good signing?

Although Armstrong made an excellent start to his Southampton career at Goodison Park last weekend, clinically finishing past Jordan Pickford to give the Saints the lead, you could argue that Hasenhuttl is missing a proven Premier League goalscorer in his side.

Che Adams has steadily improved during his time at St Mary’s and looks set for a solid campaign, but he only managed nine league goals in total last season; whilst Armando Broja, who has joined on loan from Chelsea, has played just four minutes in the English top flight.

Therefore, signing someone such as Abraham, who hit 30 goals in 82 appearances for Chelsea during his time at Stamford Bridge, would’ve been a smart move by Southampton this summer.

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The Englishman, who was dubbed “unbelievable” by Jack Grealish after they shone together at Aston Villa in 2018/19, would’ve offered the Saints a different option up front due to his height and goal-poaching ability. Hasenhuttl will no doubt be disappointed that a move for him this summer is now officially off the cards for Southampton.

In other news… Southampton linked with relegated Premier League defender as Vestergaard replacement

Sri Lanka’s itinerary for a three-match trip to Pakistan has been revised once again, at the request of the Sri Lankan cricket board

Cricinfo staff14-Jan-2009Sri Lanka’s itinerary for a three-match trip to Pakistan has been revised once again, at the request of the Sri Lankan cricket board.The three ODIs will now be played in Karachi and Lahore, with the port city hosting the first two ODIs back-to-back. “We have received a request from SLC for the change and it has been agreed upon,” Salim Altaf, chief operating officer PCB, told Cricinfo.In the new schedule, Sri Lanka arrive in Karachi as planned on January 18. Karachi’s National Stadium then hosts the first two ODIs on January 20 and 21. The third ODI will be played in Lahore on January 24 before the visitors return home a day later, to complete a quickfire week-long trip. Faisalabad – or Multan – thus miss out as a venue.Altaf gave no reason for the latest change but it is likely that the confirmation of a five-match ODI series between Sri Lanka and India has been factored in. The two agreed yesterday to India’s tour, which will include a Twenty20 international as well.Sri Lanka will return after the Indian series to play two Tests in Pakistan, likely to be towards the end of February.

Some Liverpool supporters have been left stunned by a statistic which has emerged regarding the Reds’ domestic cup opponents under Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp has masterminded a wonderful period in Liverpool’s history, winning the Premier League and Champions League, as well as playing some breathtaking football along the way.

But while the German has shone in the league and in Europe – he also reached the Europa League final in 2016 – he has done very little in the domestic cups.

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Liverpool reached the League Cup final in 2016, losing to Manchester City on penalties, but they have never even got to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with Klopp at the helm.

The Reds have been drawn away to Norwich City in the third round of the League Cup, the latest top-flight opponent to be pitted against them.

In fact, Liverpool have faced Premier League teams 18 times out of a possible 27 in the domestic cups under Klopp, as revealed by journalist Ian Doyle on Twitter.

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Liverpool fans bemused by cup statistic

These Reds fans took to Twitter to show their bemusement at the statistic.

“This is ridiculously bad luck”

Credit: @daleyland

“Whereas Man City have now been drawn against lower league opposition 27 times in 18 domestic cup draws under Pep Guardiola”

Credit: @jrewingL4

“And people wonder why we haven’t won one”

Credit: @Ronnie_lfc19

“Don’t tell me this isn’t rigged”

Credit: @jimmers1976

“An amazing stat when you think about it”

Credit: @binfampho

“Nuts this”

Credit: @Web6times

In other news, some Liverpool fans are also unhappy about a transfer update that has emerged. Read more here.

Cricket Australia has refused a request from Queensland to allow members of the national one-day squad to appear in Wednesday’s preliminary final

Cricinfo staff19-Jan-2009
James Hopes will not be able to play for both his state and country this week © Getty Images
Cricket Australia has refused a request from Queensland to allow members of the national one-day squad to appear in Wednesday’s preliminary final of the domestic Twenty20 competition, which will give one team an opportunity at a multi-million dollar prize. The winner of the match between the Bulls and Victoria at the Gabba will earn a spot in the lucrative Champions League in India in October, making it the most pressure-packed game of the season.The national selectors, coaching staff and Cricket Australia officials decided no players would be released for either Wednesday’s game or the final, which is being hosted by New South Wales at the Olympic Stadium. “The sole focus needs to be on the preparation and performance of this group in Australian colours during an important and tough series against the No. 2-ranked one-day team in the world,” Cricket Australia’s Michael Brown said. However, Queensland will have Ryan Harris available after he was replaced by Mitchell Johnson in the one-day squad for the series against South Africa.Graham Dixon, Queensland Cricket’s chief executive, wrote to Cricket Australia on Friday asking for the bigger names, including the state’s allrounder James Hopes, to be available for the finals. “Not just for Queensland players but on behalf of the three participating states for the integrity of the competition, for the integrity of the sponsors and because of the fact there are pretty significant stakes at risk,” Dixon told the Australian.”It appeared to me the [international] program allows for that bit of latitude to be shown, particularly given the people involved in Wednesday’s match haven’t been regular Test players this summer. They are basically state players so their workload hasn’t been great.”The Australians have a couple of days off before preparing for Friday’s third match of the CB Series with South Africa in Sydney before the fourth contest in Adelaide the following Monday. David Hussey and Cameron White are Victoria’s representatives in the national squad while Brad Haddin, Nathan Bracken, Nathan Hauritz and David Warner are from New South Wales, who qualified for the final with a last-ball win over the Bushrangers on Saturday.The winner of the Champions League earns $3 million and New South Wales’ players will have to choose whether to share the money throughout the entire squad or just the outfit that goes to India. The Sydney Morning Herald said the team had the opportunity to win $130,000 each and Dave Gilbert, Cricket New South Wales’ chief executive, was hoping for a formula to divide the money fairly.”I will certainly bow to what the player group ultimately decides, they are the guys that are going to be the sharing the money,” Gilbert told the paper. Simon Katich, the captain, did not expect any problems.”I don’t think there will be too much of an issue there, it’s the way things have always been with prizemoney,” Katich said. “When we won the Pura Cup last season the money was split up amongst the entire squad. We will obviously sit down as a playing group and discuss it, but I can’t see there being too many dramas with that – we’ve always had a squad mentality.”Queensland squad Chris Simpson (capt), Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley (wk), Ben Laughlin, Alister McDermott, Craig Philipson, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Wade Townsend.

Leeds United reportedly have a genuine interest in Manchester United winger Daniel James as Tuesday’s transfer deadline day looms on the horizon.

The Lowdown: James linked with Leeds move

It hasn’t been the busiest summer transfer window at Elland Road, with Kristoffer Klaesson and Junior Firpo the only new additions, as well as Jack Harrison signing permanently from Manchester City.

However, one player with whom Leeds have been continually linked is James, who could leave Manchester United before the window ends on Tuesday.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Whites have ‘concrete’ interest

A fresh update has now been provided on the situation, with Football Insider claiming that a Thorp Arch source has said there is “concrete” interest in the Wales international.

The Whites are thought to be open to the idea of a loan or permanent deal for James, with Marcelo Bielsa a long-time admirer of the 23-year-old.

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The Verdict: Shrewd signing?

James could be an excellent signing in the final couple of days in this transfer window, bringing searing pace and a strong work ethic to Leeds’ squad.

Granted, his end product leaves a little to be desired – he scored just three goals and registered one assist in 15 Premier League appearances last season – but he could thrive working under Bielsa.

Not only that, but a new wide man would add some welcome squad depth at Elland Road, with Raphinha and Harrison arguably being relied upon too much to provide a cutting edge from the wide positions – the duo provided 14 goals and 17 assists combined in last season’s Premier League.

In other news, Leeds could reportedly still make a late swoop for one player. Find out who it is here.

Alan Hutton has claimed that a club in the Premier League are now eyeing up a move to sign Nathan Patterson from Glasgow Rangers.

The Lowdown: Everton bid

According to The Daily Mirror, Everton have made a £5m bid to try and sign Patterson before the summer transfer window ends.

However, The Scottish Sun have claimed that Liverpool have been following his progression since the beginning of the year, and so it could turn out to be a two-way tussle between the Merseyside clubs for his signature.

The Latest: Hutton on Patterson

Speaking to Football Insider, former Light Blues player Hutton has claimed that he has heard that Liverpool are eyeing Patterson, but wants him to stay at Ibrox and continue to fight with James Tavernier for the starting right-back spot:

“We’re looking at a guy with the potential to be very good.

“To be at Rangers for a number of years, to be a Scotland international for a number of years. We’re looking at potential, we’ve seen glimpses of him, I would like to see more.

“I think now where we’re getting to a stage where there’s interest in him from down south, from big clubs. I have heard Liverpool are now sniffing about him as well.

“Steven Gerrard will probably have a big decision to make in the coming months. Is it Tavernier or is it Patterson?

“Can he share the load with Tavernier? We know how good he’s been, he’s the captain, his numbers are excellent. Patterson’s really now starting to push him.

“It’s probably a headache, I was going to say that he doesn’t want, but it’s a good situation to be in.

”I’d love to see him push Tavernier all the way. I think he’s got all the makings of being an excellent full-back for Rangers.

“Two very good full-backs fighting each other for their place.”

The Verdict: Keep

With only a few days left of the window remaining, Steven Gerrard’s team must be looking to try and keep hold of Patterson now, as there would be so little time to find a replacement for him.

At just 19 years of age, he has already shown just how much potential he has by getting called up to the senior Scotland squad for Euro 2020, playing in two matches in total under Steve Clarke (Transfermarkt).

With the Gers involved in the UEFA Europa League group stages once more as well, Gerrard will need to rely on his whole squad for the season, meaning that Patterson may well get more minutes under his belt by rotating with Tavernier.

Nonetheless, his market value will only get bigger as he develops, and so now is not the right time to sell.

In other news, find out who RFC fans fumed at against Alashkert here!

Steve Harmison is in line for an instant return to England’s bowling attack after being left out of the side at North Sound on Friday morning

Cricinfo staff14-Feb-2009
Steve Harmison has a chance to reclaim his place on a lively ARG wicket© AFP
Steve Harmison is in line for an instant return to England’s bowling attack after being left out of the side at North Sound on Friday morning, after the captain Andrew Strauss hinted that pragmatism would dictate team selection as England look to bounce back from their humiliating innings defeat in Jamaica last week.Harmison was left out of the side for the second Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday morning, as England opted for the skiddy swing of James Anderson on a pitch that was expected to be low and slow. In the event, Anderson never got the opportunity to prove his worth as the match was abandoned after ten deliveries due to a dangerous outfield.Now, however, the action switches to the Antigua Recreation Ground, where both teams practiced in the build-up to the second Test. The nets, as it happens, were erected on the same square where the Test will now take place, and the amount of pace and carry that was on offer to the faster men has persuaded England to think about bringing Harmison, their most hostile option, back into the fold.”I think the players are reasonably understanding to think that the XI you pick is the one that you think is going to give you the best chance of winning the Test match,” said Strauss. “Any wicket that offers the chance of a result is good for us at this stage, being 1-0 down in the series. If there is a bit of pace and bounce then we’ve got bowlers that can exploit that.”Such a scenario would be unfortunate for Anderson, who had been a regular selection for England ever since the Wellington Test in New Zealand last March, until his omission in favour of Ryan Sidebottom at Sabina Park last week. “It is not ideal being picked one day and then not being picked two days later if we make a change, but that is something we’ll have to decide on,” said Strauss. “No-one likes being left out by any means but I’m sure they’ll be understanding about it. In different conditions that means different personnel.”Ever since the likelihood of an abandonment emerged on Friday morning, England have been determined that the show must go on, largely for the sake of the 6000 England fans who have made their way out to Antigua to watch some cricket. “It’s the best solution that was available, although that doesn’t mean it is ideal,” said Strauss. “We practised on the ground for a few days before the Test match and the wicket seemed very playable, the outfield was not brilliant but not dangerous to the bowlers, so it’s a better solution than what we had first time around.”The ICC match referee, Alan Hurst, is expected to rubber-stamp the venue at 5pm local time, but Strauss retained his right to raise any concerns if the conditions are notably sub-standard. “I think it is the same situation as the other day,” he said. “If bowlers can’t bowl at full pace or if there is a significant chance of injury to players on the pitch then it is my duty as captain to say ‘this isn’t right for us to be playing on it’. As players we are generally happy to get on with it in most circumstances but no-one wants to see a career threatening injury just for the sake of trying to put a Test match on.For West Indies’ captain, Chris Gayle, the most pressing issue is neither the conditions nor team selection, but the rediscovery of the momentum that his side took from Jamaica but lost, through no fault of their own, on that fateful morning in North Sound.”This requires new focus,” said Gayle. “Our main focus now is about playing at the Antigua Recreation Ground. It is not too difficult because we are here to play cricket and it is the same gameplan we had before. It’s a new venue but we have to be ready for it and hopefully we can get things right again.”England (probable) 1 Andrew Strauss (capt), 2 Alastair Cook, 3 Owais Shah, 4 Kevin Pietersen, 5 Paul Collingwood, 6 Andrew Flintoff, 7 Matt Prior (wk), 8 Stuart Broad, 9 Ryan Sidebottom, 10 Steve Harmison, 11 Monty Panesar.West Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Devon Smith, 3 Ramnaresh Sarwan, 4 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 5 Brendan Nash, 6 Ryan Hinds, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Jerome Taylor, 9 Daren Powell, 10 Sulieman Benn, 11 Fidel Edwards.