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Both South Africa and New Zealand have qualified for the next phase so this contest is a warm-up for the Super Eights

Cricinfo staff08-Jun-2009Match factsTuesday, June 9
Start time 17.30 local (16.30 GMT)Graeme Smith’s men already look in great shape•Getty ImagesBig PictureWhile England and Australia suffered early shocks, there have been no such problems for South Africa and New Zealand. South Africa thumped Scotland by 130 runs on Sunday and New Zealand also wiped them aside, overcoming a slight scare when they gave up 89 runs in seven overs during Saturday’s rain-reduced contest at The Oval.Both teams have already qualified for the next phase so this contest is reduced to a Super Eight warm-up, with no points being carried through from the group stage. New Zealand’s bowlers will use the contest to fine-tune following their heavy punishment in the opening game while the batsmen on both sides will attempt to maintain their gargantuan hitting.The way de Villiers, Kallis, Morkel, Taylor, McCullum and Ryder struck the ball in their first outings was frightening. South Africa’s display was superior and was probably the most impressive of the tournament so far, but they know they will have to repeat it against major sides if they are to end their drought at global events.T20 international form guide (last game first)South Africa WWWLL
New Zealand WWWLW
Watch out for…In a batting order full of fear for bowlers, Albie Morkel strides out with the job of extending the pain. He took only 11 balls to launch 24 runs against Scotland and has proved the consistency of his power. Australia were tormented by his blade during the southern hemisphere summer – and he can bowl as well.Brendon McCullum is the global star at the top for New Zealand, but Jesse Ryder offers the perfect support. Being a left-hander, Ryder can take advantage of the line from bowlers used to aiming at McCullum, and he is quick to benefit from any lapse. Sometimes his shots are effortless; others are as fierce as they look. If this pair fires over the next week it can land New Zealand a spot in the final.Team newsThe captain Daniel Vettori is likely to miss his second match in a row with an injury to his bowling arm, especially as this game will have no bearing on what happens in the Super Eights. Kyle Mills is bowling again following a back strain picked up during his non-playing stint in the IPL and could be available.New Zealand squad Daniel Vettori (capt), Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Brendon Diamanti, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum (wk), Nathan McCullum, Peter McGlashan (wk), Kyle Mills, Iain O’Brien, Jacob Oram, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor.South Africa will be torn slightly between giving their fringe squad members, such as Robin Peterson and Justin Ontong, a game or continuing with their first-choice line-up. It was hard to fault any of their players in the demolition of Scotland.South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Yusuf Abdulla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe.Pitch and conditionsThis is the tournament’s return to Lord’s following England’s defeat to the Netherlands on the opening day. On that occasion run-scoring wasn’t easy in the greasy conditions, which could be repeated with rain predicted on Tuesday.Stats and TriviaJacob Oram’s career strike-rate of 155.95 is the highest for New Zealand and places him 12th on the game’s all-time list. Albie Morkel leads South Africa with a mark of 143.92 sitting him in 24thSouth Africa’s 211 for 5 against Scotland was the fifth-highest total in Twenty20 internationals In the three matches between the teams, South Africa won twice in 2007 and lost in 2005Quotes”We’ve played against New Zealand enough to know they are tough competitors, and on their day they can challenge and beat anybody. We will respect them as we would any opponent.”
Graeme Smith”They’re probably the tournament favourite at the moment. Theoretically our game against South Africa is a dead rubber but Twenty20 is all about momentum.”
Ross Taylor

According to The Telegraph (via The Express), Graham Potter turned down the chance to manage Tottenham Hotspur as he did not want to work with Daniel Levy.

The Lowdown: Potter flying

Potter was linked with the Tottenham job before Spurs finally settled on appointing Nuno Espirito Santo.

It seems the Brighton manager did well to stay with the Seagulls, though – the south-coast side have won six of their opening eight games in all competitions (75 per cent), with their only defeat coming against Everton (Sky Sports).

The Latest: Potter snubbed role

As per this latest report, Spurs did indeed approach Potter about making the move to north London.

However, the former Swansea manager did not want to make the switch as he did not want to tarnish his budding reputation by working for Levy.

The Verdict: Damaging for Levy

Tottenham’s search for a new permanent boss after the sacking of Jose Mourinho was a farce. They went through a whole host of candidates, including Antonio Conte (The Guardian), Gennaro Gattuso (ESPN) and Paulo Fonseca (The Mirror), before finally deciding to choose Espirito Santo – mainly, it seems, because he was out of work and obtainable.

Potter’s Brighton have enjoyed a fantastic start to the new term and look to only be getting better. It is early days, of course, but they are four points ahead of Spurs at the moment in the Premier League table.

This report is damning news for Daniel Levy, whose reputation is taking a battering at the moment, and one has to wonder where the future lies for the club if an up and coming manager would rather – with all due respect to the Seagulls – stay put than join a club who were in the Champions League final just a few short years ago.

In other news, Gary Neville takes aim at these two Tottenham players.

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has said that Hoops pair Kyogo Furuhashi and Callum McGregor are ‘ready to go’ against Aberdeen.

The Lowdown: Leverkusen return

Furuhashi missed five games due to a knee injury, curtailing a strong start to the campaign which saw him net seven goals in nine matches, while captain McGregor was out for four games with a hamstring problem.

The pair both made surprise returns from the off in the Europa League on Thursday night, but they failed to complete the full 90 minutes in the 4-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen.

It appears as if they are still getting up to full fitness, but they seem to be good to go from the start against Aberdeen this lunchtime.

The Latest: Ange’s comments

Postecoglou was talking to Sky Sports in a post which went out on Twitter on Friday evening. In the video, the Hoops bossed was asked for an injury update following the defeat to Leverkusen.

Although he revealed that no more players would be back from the sidelines, the 56-year-old said that Furuhashi and McGregor came through Thursday ‘really well’ and are ‘ready to go’ at Pittodrie.

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The Verdict: Huge news

Two games in the space of four days for Furuhashi and McGregor could have been too much to ask, considering their length of absence beforehand, so knowing they are ready to go is a big boost.

The pair both missed the 1-0 defeat to Livingston recently, which meant it is now seven months without a domestic away win, so hopefully having them back fit in the league will help Celtic put that right.

In other news: ‘Great’ Celtic ace who has been training under Ange seals late-night Parkhead exit.

Ganguly is confident that the Cricket Association of Bengal will appreciate the difference he can make

Cricinfo staff08-Jul-2009Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian captain, has expressed an ambition to join cricket administration in his home state of West Bengal though he did not specify when he would do so. Ganguly, who turned 37 today, was confident that the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) would appreciate his concern for the state’s cricket and the difference he could make.”At some point, I will find a way to get into the CAB where people have known me since I was a kid,” Ganguly told . “I am convinced that I can play a positive role. Having played the game at the highest level and being part of the system, I know what it takes to make a difference. I intend to take it step by step.”Ganguly retired from international cricket after the home series against Australia in October last year. He played a few domestic matches for Bengal after that, followed by the IPL this year. He also joined the television commentary team for the World Twenty20 in England last month.

Taking to Twitter, journalist Ekrem Konur has shared news on West Bromwich Albion ace Sam Johnstone as he backs claims that West Ham United are eyeing a move.

The Lowdown: Transfer changes on the horizon?

Since the club officially appointed new recruitment chief Rob Newman, there have been many links emerging to transfer targets.

West Ham are continuing the chase for a new striker, with reports from Spain even claiming that they are prepared to invest significantly in the chase for Espanyol’s Raul de Tomas.

Elsewhere outfield, the Irons are also apparently interested in USA international Weston McKennie.

Konur, however, has now come out with a claim on who Newman is eyeing for West Ham between the sticks.

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The Latest: Newman eyeing Johnstone move for West Ham…

As per the Turkish source, West Ham, and by extension Newman, are eyeing West Brom ace Johnstone even after their failed bid to sign him in the summer.

Football Insider even claimed that the 28-year-old was ‘very keen’ on a move to the London Stadium but GSB’s alleged bid was swiftly rejected.

Konur, however, believes West Ham are still interested in the player alongside the likes of Tottenham and Southampton.

“WBA and England goalkeeper Sam Johnstone is targeted by Tottenham,” he explained on social media.

“Southampton and West Ham are the other interested teams with the young keeper. Johnstone will be free to negotiate with those clubs in January. His West Bromwich contract will expire at the end of this season.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

Depending on whether West Ham opt to make Alphonse Areola’s move a permanent one at the end of this season, Johnstone could certainly come as a shrewd signing.

Lauded as ‘unreal’ by former Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, the England international proved a more than capable shot stopper in the top flight before the Baggies’ relegations last season.

Acquiring Johnstone on a free deal in 2022 certainly seems like a no-risk move by Newman and the club.

In other news: West Ham join race to sign ‘complete’ 6 foot 4 forward likened to Firmino, find out more here.

Eimear Richardson’s brilliant all-round display ensured Ireland cruised to a comprehensive victory against Scotland in Dublin

Cricinfo staff04-Aug-2009
Scorecard
Eimear Richardson’s brilliant all-round display ensured Ireland cruised to a comprehensive victory against Scotland in the opening game of the European Women’s Championships at the Clontarf Cricket Ground Club in Dublin. Chasing a relatively modest 86 to win, the Irish opening pair of Richardson and Cecelia Joyce knocked off the runs in just 14.3 overs.Put in to bat, Scotland battled against a tight and impressive Irish bowling display, with captain Kari Anderson top scoring with 29. But her dismissal with the total on 62 for 4, heralded a dramatic collapse. Anderson leg glanced Amy Kenealy to wicketkeeper Valmai Gee, who took a superb catch standing up to the stumps. The same combination accounted for Fiona Urquhartfor just a single, before Richardson took centrestage.The offspinner accounted for Catherine Smaill, Caroline Sweetman, Lynne Dixon and Lorna Jack in quick succession, to finish with the excellent figures of 4 for 10 off her eight overs. Leigh Kasperek (10), was the only other Scottish batsman to reach double figures, before being brilliantly run out by a direct hit from Jill Whelan.During the chase, Joyce struck some lovely cover drives, and was particularly severe on anything remotely short, striking seven boundaries in her unbeaten 43-ball innings. Richardson was equally impressive, favouring the midwicket areas and finding the ropes regularly as too often the Scotland attack strayed in length and line. Richardson struck six boundaries during her 50-ball stay.

Speaking to Football Insider, pundit Paddy Kenny has been left thrilled by West Ham United as they allegedly eye a move for Torino striker Andrea Belotti.

The Lowdown: Hammers targeting Belotti…

As new recruitment chief Rob Newman arrives at Rush Green, one of his first major tasks will be the signing of a new back-up striker to support Michail Antonio.

West Ham have been in fine goalscoring form so far this season but one serious injury to the Jamaica international could spell real trouble if manager David Moyes isn’t careful.

As such, the club and Newman have been linked with signing a striker, with one target being Torino star Belotti.

As per reports from WestHamFans.org and The Daily Express, the Italy international is on West Ham’s radar amid his tenuous contract situation at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

The Latest: Kenny thrilled…

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League goalkeeper Kenny has heaped praise on both the player and West Ham – insisting Belotti would be a ‘bargain’ at £15 million, as some reports suggest.

“He’s got a goal nearly every other game for Torino and quite a few Italy caps,” he explained.

“He’s 27, so he’s a good age for a striker. He isn’t very big and he’d be a different striker to Antonio at West Ham.

“At £15m? That sounds like a bargain. I don’t see why he wouldn’t want to go to a team like West Ham too.

“He knows where the back of the net is. That’s an incredible record. It could potentially be a very, very good signing for them.

“In this day and age, £15m is pennies, not a big gamble at all. He’d give them something different up front and that can only be a good thing.”

The Verdict: Get it done…

Belotti comes as, by far, West Ham’s most fruitful option in our opinion.

A proven goalscorer with 151 senior strikes across a career spanning over 10 years, the fact he is Torino captain could also point to leadership qualities and the kind of attitude which could bonus Moyes’ dressing room.

If the club can secure him in January, or even on a free deal next year, Belotti may well come as a brilliant capture.

In other news: ‘Disgrace’, ‘Get him gone’…West Ham fans slaughter ‘painful player’ after ‘shocking’ Genk display, find out more here.

Brett Lee has conceded he will be unavailable for the third Test next week and is instead focusing on a potential return in the fourth Test at Leeds

Cricinfo staff23-Jul-2009Brett Lee has conceded he will be unavailable for the third Test next week and is instead focusing on a potential return in the fourth Test at Leeds. Lee had hoped to recover from his side strain in time for the Edgbaston match, starting next Thursday, but the selectors chose not to rush him back and he will sit out of this weekend’s tour match in Northampton.”I’d be lying if I said I was available for the third Test because it’s going to be very, very tight,” Lee told the . “I don’t want to put the team in jeopardy because there is a chance something might happen. It’s not a great outcome if I’m out there bowling and I tear it again.”Lee’s delayed return will ease some of the immediate pressure on Mitchell Johnson, who has bowled poorly in the first two Tests. Lee picked up seven wickets in the match against the England Lions before being ruled out of the opening two Tests and he said his sights were now firmly set on the fourth Test at Headingley, starting on August 7.”The way I’m looking now I’m focused on aiming for the fourth Test and making sure I’m right,” Lee said. “Even if this is a three or four-week injury, that’s three or four weeks before you start bowling. Then you’ve got your preparation time after that. A batsman can come straight back in and bat but a bowler has to build up their pace again.”So I need a week and a half or two weeks to get myself ready. The way I’ve planned it is I hope to start bowling in the next day or two, which will leave me exactly two weeks of bowling to get up to full pace again. That is an ample amount of time to ensure I’ll be available for the fourth Test.”

Andriy Yarmolenko could soon be handed a route out of West Ham…

What’s the word?

It’s evident that the 104-time Ukraine international is far from a first-choice option in east London and he may well be offered a return to his home country after some interesting comments emerged this week.

The 31-year-old played for Dinamo Kyiv for almost a decade before earning a move to Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and their club president, Ihor Surkis, has hinted that he would be interested in signing him.

“There is no such agreement, but it depends on both parties. If Andriy has a desire, I will gladly give him the opportunity to end his career at his home club. I have great respect for what he did for Dynamo, and I consider him a very decent man,” he told TaToTake (via NV Sport).

Get rid!

If this opportunity does arise, then David Moyes must let the £3.6m-rated outcast depart the London Stadium as he’s been absolutely stealing a living since his £18m move from Dortmund over three years ago.

In that time, he’s only managed to play 64 times for the club, contributing a paltry ten goals and six assists, having dealt with a number of injuries and inconsistent performances on the pitch.

Last season, Yarmolenko made just one start in the Premier League and that looks to be a similar case this campaign after managing only 206 minutes (33 in the league) across all competitions, via Transfermarkt.

That’s just an abhorrent waste of money, considering he was the Irons’ top earner on around £115k-per-week prior to the arrival of Champions League winner Kurt Zouma – the fact that he’s only on £5k-per-week more speaks volumes.

Since joining on July 11th 2018, Yarmolenko has cost a total of £39.4m, when factoring in his wages during those 171 weeks, as well as that £18m transfer fee.

That means the 31-year-old flop has seen GSB burn £615k per appearance and even more worryingly, £3.94m per goal, which is diabolical considering he’s a versatile frontman that can play out wide or up top.

Whether Kyiv come forward with an offer in January remains to be seen but at the very least, Moyes and co should do all they can to shift the Hammers dud on in January.

AND in other news, Forget Rice and Antonio: “Incredible” West Ham leader has been an unsung hero for Moyes…

Ever since he claimed six wickets on debut for Yorkshire at Scarborough in 2006, Adil Rashid has been the coming man of English cricket

Andrew Miller at The Oval04-Sep-2009Ever since he claimed six wickets on debut for Yorkshire at Scarborough in 2006, Adil Rashid has been the coming man of English cricket. The only wonder is that his advance has been so relentless yet composed. For all that England’s selectors have attempted to ease him through gently, knowing full well how priceless a top-class legspinner will be to their long-term goals (never mind a legspinning allrounder), Rashid has already shown enough gumption to suggest there’s no point in shielding him from the limelight any longer.Later this month, England’s Test squad for their winter tour of South Africa will be selected, and there is a growing belief that Rashid will be named as one of the two specialist spinners, alongside Graeme Swann and ahead of Monty Panesar, whose heroics with the bat in the first Test in Cardiff cannot disguise the erosion of confidence he has suffered with the ball.Rashid, on the other hand, has grown with every game, and in every discipline. And in the opinion of the Australians who faced him in the Lions match at Worcester back in July, he has been ready for top level cricket for several months now.”After seeing him bowl in the practice match we played earlier on, I thought he might’ve played a part in the Test series as well,” said Australia’s captain, Michael Clarke, who is unquestionably one of the finest players of spin bowling in the modern game, but who seemed paralysed at times at The Oval on Friday, as Rashid varied his flight and bite in an unrewarded spell of 0 for 37 in ten overs.”I thought he bowled really well, I thought the conditions helped him,” said Clarke. “The wicket was a little bit slow, but I think he’s a wonderful player, he’s got a lot of talent, and once again tonight he showed he can bat as well.”I think he’s got a bright future, I couldn’t seem to hit him for any runs tonight – I probably didn’t play as well as I would have liked. But any spin bowler that spins the ball is quite difficult, especially for a right-handed batsman.A legspinner spinning it away, there’s risk there. Especially for a player like me who likes to move his feet, there are chances of getting stumped. But give credit where credit’s due, I could have played better but I thought he bowled really well. Hopefully I can play a lot better over the next six games against him.”Clarke’s assumption that Rashid will feature for the rest of the series overlooks the fact that this was his home ODI debut, not to mention the longest spell he has yet bowled for England, after his last outing – against Ireland in Belfast last week – was reduced to a 20-over chase by rain.But England’s captain, Andrew Strauss was every bit as impressed as his opposite number. “He’s mounted a pretty strong case [for inclusion] today, but you’ve always got to look at the conditions,” he said. “Some of the games later on are at Nottingham and Durham, where there may not be a case for two spinners. We’ll have to play that by ear. But certainly taking the pace off the ball looks like a good option against Australia.””We’ve always known Adil was a very talented individual with ball and bat,” added Strauss. “Just recently for Yorkshire he’s been putting in more consistent performances, and he’s starting to realise that talent. Today, in a big game for him, I thought he was exceptional with the way he bowled.”Someone like Michael Clarke who is a very good player of spin struggled against him for a while there. That’s encouraging. He’s got the capability to be a genuine allrounder, which is exciting.”