All posts by h716a5.icu

Stephen Fleming rescued Middlesex from a precarious 5-2 with his first CricInfoChampionship half-century on an attritional second day at Bristol

Richard Latham10-May-2001Stephen Fleming rescued Middlesex from a precarious 5-2 with his first CricInfoChampionship half-century on an attritional second day at Bristol.But, despite the New Zealand captain’s elegant 52, the visitors were stillin some trouble at the close on 186-7, 86 runs behind.The day began with Gloucestershire on 247-7 and Kim Barnett just eight runsshort of his 58th first-class century.Having taken 45 minutes to move to 99, the 40-year-old elder statesman ofcounty cricket was bowled by Phil Tufnell looking to work the ball throughthe leg-side for his ton.Barnett had batted for five-and-a-half hours and faced 271 balls. AfterGloucestershire had been bowled out for 272 the true value of his vigilbecame apparent.Andrew Strauss fell in Jon Lewis’s opening over and when Owais Shah wasjudged lbw to an Ian Harvey inswinger Middlesex looked in deep trouble.But Fleming looked a class act from the start, scoring boundaries all aroundthe wicket in reaching his fifty off 112 balls, with nine fours.Fellow left-handers Ben Hutton (47) and Paul Weekes (31) also made valuablecontributions, but could not break free of the shackles imposed by somedisciplined Gloucestershire bowling.Mark Alleyne took 2-14 from his 13 overs and, with Lewis (2-36) and Harvey(2-55) also keeping a check on the runs, the scoring rate barely exceededtwo an over.It was a dour battle on a pitch that continued to demand application frombatsmen and bowlers. The loss of Weekes and Simon Cook late in the day froma promising 174-5, left Middlesex with an uphill task to gain first inningslead.

A rain-interrupted second day at Taunton saw only 27 overs bowled in twosessions of play

Richard Latham17-May-2001A rain-interrupted second day at Taunton saw only 27 overs bowled in twosessions of play.The first came after a delayed start at 12.30pm. In the 45 minutes beforelunch David Fulton was finally dismissed for 140 as Kent progressed from312-5 to 341-7.The opening batsman, unbeaten on 138 overnight, was one of two quick victimsfor Somerset. Matthew Fleming was first to go for 16 in the opening over,which was sent down by off-spinner Keith Dutch to allow Steffan Jones toswitch ends.Both batsmen had added a single when Fleming attempted to play Dutch’sfourth ball on the leg side and got the finest of glances through towicket-keeper Rob Turner.Fulton soon followed lbw, swinging across a full-length ball from PeterTrego, having faced 243 deliveries and hit 19 fours.Somerset skipper Jamie Cox immediately took off Dutch, despite his wicket,and introduced Jones in an all-pace attack.But James Golding and Min Patel frustrated Somerset’s hopes of wrapping upthe innings quickly by adding 23 in an eighth-wicket stand that was unbrokenat lunch.Drizzle was already falling when the players went off and it grew steadierduring the afternoon. It was some surprise when umpires Alan Whitehead andJohn Holder ruled that play could resume at 5.30pm.Kent were able to add only two more runs as Golding, Mark Saggers and Patelfell in the space of 16 balls, with Peter Trego claiming two of the wicketsto finish with 3-85. The other fell to Jones, who returned 3-71, and bothsides claimed three bonus points.Somerset were left with eight overs to bat. Jamie Cox survived a loud appealfor a catch behind off Mark Saggers as he and Piran Holloway took the scoreto 12-0.

There is ‘absolutely zero chance’ that Mohamed Salah will leave Liverpool to join Chelsea this summer, according to journalist James Pearce.

The Lowdown: Salah linked with Chelsea move

The Egyptian played a key role in the Reds’ 2-0 win at home to Southampton on Saturday night as the Premier League champions picked up a crucial three points. Salah teed up Sadio Mane for the opening goal at Anfield, before Thiago sealed the win with a late strike in front of the Kop end.

A transfer claim from Christian Falk earlier in the week suggested that Liverpool’s number 11 was being eyed up by Chelsea, with a return to Stamford Bridge mooted for the 28-year-old.

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The Latest: Pearce laughs off Salah rumour

Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic after the victory over Saints, Pearce said that a return to Stamford Bridge simply won’t happen, with the Reds desperate to keep hold of Salah. He outlined:

“There is absolutely zero chance that Salah goes to Chelsea this summer. Liverpool have no intention of selling him and certainly if he did ever leave it wouldn’t be to another English club.”I struggle to believe he’s even on a shortlist because Chelsea will know it’s impossible.”

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The Verdict: Salah to stay put

Despite constant murmurings surrounding Salah’s future, it would be a huge surprise if he ended up leaving Anfield in the summer transfer window.

For starters, he appears happy at Liverpool, with 29 goals in a tough season proof that he is still giving his all, while the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid are in no financial position to spend fortunes on players these days.

The idea of Salah moving to Chelsea is indeed a laughable one – why would Jurgen Klopp even entertain the idea of making a direct rival far stronger? – so it is a transfer rumour which seemingly has no legs, as Pearce has hinted.

In other news, one Liverpool attacking player has been tipped to leave the club this summer. Find out who it is here.

According to a report in the paper edition of the Sunday Mirror (16/5; page 73), via The Boot Room, Tottenham Hotspur and, by extension, chairman Daniel Levy are now eyeing Southampton striker Danny Ings.

The Lowdown: Spurs in striker hunt

Recent reports have suggested that Tottenham want to sign a new striker this summer alongside the problem position of centre-half.

Sky Sports revealed that Spurs will not take up the option to make Carlos Vinicius’ loan deal permanent and will instead be on the hunt for a new forward at a cheaper price.

Tottenham will need to adopt a sell-to-buy policy, as per reliable sources like Alasdair Gold, with this upcoming transfer window under the rule of a new manager set to be an interesting one.

The Latest: Spurs and Levy now eyeing Ings

As per the Sunday Mirror, Tottenham are among the clubs interested in signing Southampton striker Danny Ings alongside the likes of West Ham, Manchester City and Everton.

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The 28-year-old has scored 12 goals and supplied four assists in 25 Premier League starts over 2020/21, less than his scintillating 22 top-flight strikes last term. However, Ings has suffered from various injury absences this season, halting his momentum (Transfermarkt), and these clubs appear to still be interested given his quality.

The Sunday Mirror claimed that there is a growing belief he will sign a new deal at St Mary’s but, if he chooses to leave this summer, he would command around £30m.

The Verdict: Perfect for Spurs…

Homegrown and in his prime, Ings could come as the perfect rotation option to star striker Harry Kane and at a cheaper price than the loan with an option to buy deal for Vinicius (£41m, Goal).

When comparing the Southampton striker to players in the Tottenham squad, only Kane (3.9) has averaged more shots per game than his counterpart (two) this season in the Premier League.

Spurs pundits have voiced their approval of signing Ings upon previous links, with podcaster Lee McQueen telling Last Word on Spurs near the end of last year that the 28-year-old is ‘absolutely phenomenal’ . Meanwhile, former Lilywhites midfielder Jamie O’Hara dubbed him the ‘perfect’ fit for Spurs when speaking to talkSPORT in January.

Therefore, if Levy can win the race for his signature, Ings could come as a real coup for Tottenham.

In other news: Tottenham favourites to appoint this ‘perfectionist’, find out more here.

Loughborough University, who last week won the inaugural ECB Universities Championship under the guidance of Former England Test star Graham Dilley, tomorrow host the ‘village’ side Lashings for a one-day match

Loughborough University press release13-Jun-2001Loughborough University, who last week won the inaugural ECB Universities Championship under the guidance of Former England Test star Graham Dilley, tomorrow host the ‘village’ side Lashings for a one-day match.”Given the publicity Lashings has received recently, we are naturally pleased they accepted our challenge and are bringing a team to Loughborough tomorrow.” commented Guy Jackson, Director of Cricket at Loughborough which houses one of the six ECB Centres of Excellence.He added “University cricket is changing shape rapidly and Loughborough has emerged as one of the top sides. We know Lashings have played Oxford and other University sides but we beat Oxford on Monday by ten wickets in the semi-finals of the British Universities Championships.The Lashings side may not feature recent addition Shoaib Akhtar who is due to play his first match for Lashings on Friday, but West Indians Richie Richardson, Jimmy Adams, Stuart Williams, Junior Murray and Franklyn Rose are available to play.Coach Graham Dilley, himself a veteran of West Indian head to heads added “There is a powerful wind of change blowing through University cricket and I am delighted to be part of it. It’s great Loughborough’s results have been so good this year, including victories over Oxford, Cambridge and Durham, going some way to show that Oxbridge are no longer the dominant forces in University cricket.” he added.For further information or to attend the game, please contact Vision Sports PR on 020 8875 1001 / 07957 355 317The Cricket Centres of Excellence:ECB funded University Centres of Cricket Excellence (UCCE) plan to ensure that more aspiring county professionals have an opportunity to gain academic qualifications, and simultaneously to inject more competitiveness into University Cricket.The scheme boasts some of nation’s best coaches, including Graeme Fowler (Durham Univ) and Graham Dilley (Loughborough Univ), and some of finest young playing talents in the game.While Loughborough have taken the inaugural UCCE Championship, Loughborough and Durham will also contest a ‘final’ for the Championship’s two top sides at Lord’s on June 27th.

The last thing beleaguered Zimbabweans are wanting in these turbulent times is to be stabbed in the back by those who claim to be on our side

John Ward29-Mar-2002The last thing beleaguered Zimbabweans are wanting in these turbulent times is to be stabbed in the back by those who claim to be on our side. Yet many are thinking that is exactly what the Australian government and their cricket Board of Control have done by cancelling the tour.It is impossible to guarantee total security for any team on any tour, but all we can honestly say in Zimbabwe is that conditions for the visiting Australians are scarcely more dangerous than they have ever been for any tourists. They would never have gone near any of the problem areas in the country, and the chances of any danger to any of them were absolutely minimal.This is scarcely the place to talk politics, but I am willing to give my personal views of the situation to readers outside the country, should they wish to contact me personally.On the other hand, the effects of the cancellation can only be to the detriment of Zimbabwe cricket. In this current difficult situation, people need something to distract their attention, to provide another side of life, and what better than following a tour by the best team in the world? Now this is denied them.A number of players are probably considering emigration. Apart from the local situation, they could make more money playing elsewhere, as Murray Goodwin and Neil Johnson have done. Now their chances of representing their country have been brutally reduced, especially at home, the temptation will be greater. We noted not so long ago a number of good players just outside the Test team who have already done that.Financially the loss is very serious. We rely more than any other country on television revenue, and this season we have only had short tours by South Africa and England. How can cricket in this country develop without money? The Australians were a major attraction, and whatever the results their tour would have been a massive financial success for Zimbabwe.The reaction of the ICC is deeply disappointing. It appears they have not even troubled to investigate the situation, but merely accepted the Australian refusal that throws their five-year plan into further disarray.It is difficult enough in normal circumstances to build a team from this small country. When the present troubles are over, will Zimbabwe still have the resources to compete at international level at all? If Australia and the ICC are content to have this tour cancelled – and their lead may well be followed by others – are they content to see cricket in Zimbabwe wither as a consequence?**********In this issue we have, unexpectedly, two interviews with Stuart Carlisle, one by Trishna Bose conducted while he was in India, and one by Larry Moyo who contacted him on his return for his views on that tour.We also continue with biographies of the Academy players, this week’s being opening batsman and leg-spinner Neeten Chouhan, and we update the biography of former Academy and current Matabeleland all-rounder Mathew Townshend. More players were interviewed, but our busy schedule during the last week means they well have to be held over for the present. At least the postponement of the two Harare Logan Cup matches scheduled for this weekend (until 19 April) will give us a chance to catch up on the backlog.

Some Wolves fans have been left to slam the display of Fabio Silva in their 1-0 away loss to Everton in the Premier League on Wednesday evening.

In a game that was played in front of several thousand Toffees supporters at Goodison Park, Richarlison grabbed the only goal as Carlo Ancelotti’s team took all three points.

On the opposite side of the pitch, Silva struggled to make an impact, as he lost out on 67% of his duels, and also failed to record a single shot on target or key pass, losing possession of the ball on no fewer than on 13 separate occasions in the match (Sofascore).

Nonetheless, the former FC Porto man will be hoping for a better performance in their final fixture against Manchester United at Molineux.

Wolves fans on Silva display

These WWFC supporters slammed his performance on Twitter, with one even going as far as to call the 18-year-old ‘petulant’:

“Silva needs to stop diving. #wwfc”

Credit: @kevins1966

“Where was Wayne Rooney, David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Ronaldo, etc, etc!! These were class youngsters who always showed they had something about them!! Silva is a petulant kid nowhere good enough & in my opinion never will be. Biggest waste of multi millions in Wolves history.”

Credit: @SteveWiles20

“I really hope we buy an experienced striker over the summer. Fabio Silva is just a kid and out of his depth at the moment.”

Credit: @BalSinghBad

“Stop sending crosses to Fabio. Completely uncapable to connect. It´s like playing with 10 men”

Credit: @RodrigoBecarius

“What the hell is Nuno playing at taking MGW off when you’ve got Silva doing nothing and Moutinho misplacing passes and taking rubbish corners left right and centre. The mind boggles #wolves”

Credit: @mikeaitch20

“Will those fans who still rate Fabio Silva please make an appointment at the nearest psychiatric unit. Thank you. #wwfc”

Credit: @dougan_the

In other news, find out what transfer update has left Wanderers buzzing here!

Despite the last-minute fight back of their lower order, Barbados succumbed to the combined efforts of Guyana and suffered their first defeat in the 2002 Regional Under-15 cricket tournament yesterday

Louis Holder01-Apr-2002Despite the last-minute fight back of their lower order, Barbados succumbed to the combined efforts of Guyana and suffered their first defeat in the 2002 Regional Under-15 cricket tournament yesterday.After suffering a middle order collapse, Barbados, chasing a target of 211 to secure their second consecutive victory, were struggling on 126 for eight at the Gilbert Park ground in central Trinidad.But intelligent and careful batting by their Nos. 9 and 10, Javon Searles and Gary Belle, gave them a temporary glimmer of hope.The pair added a valuable 47 for the ninth-wicket, but the task was always going to be a tough one.When Searles was stumped by the big and vociferous Guyanese wicket-keeper Tyrell Tull for 42, it was virtually over for the spirited Barbados team.Searles’ innings included five fours and a six.Last man Steve Pinder kept company with Belle until the completion of the 50 overs.Three of Barbados’ four batsmen made it to the 20s without going on to get a major score.Three sixesCaptain Nicholas Squires made 21 with three sixes and a four, while left-hander Omar Phillips, who hit 84 in Barbados’ 144-run win against Jamaica on Saturday, was run out for 32 that included four boundaries.Jed Yearwod, batting at No. 4, also chipped in with 22.Earlier, Guyana, having won the toss, reached 210 for eight with the help of some sloppy fielding by Barbados.Six chances went abegging after Guyana lost two early wickets.Off-spinner Belle and fast bowler Andre Gill bowled economically, but left-arm spinner Steve Pinder was lashed for 59 runs from his 10 overs.In another match, two-time defending champions Trinidad and Tobago defeated Jamaica by seven wickets at Monroe Road.It was the second successive victory for the hosts.Windward Islands registered their first win by defeating Leeward Islands by 62 runs at Barataria Oval.The tournament continues tomorrow after today’s rest day.

Kaveh Solhekol has dropped a big Tottenham Hotspur manager update on Mauricio Pochettino, claiming that one of his sources believes a deal is already done.

The Lowdown: Tottenham contact Pochettino

As per BBC Sport, Spurs have made contact with Pochettino over a sensational return to the North London club.

The former Southampton boss took over at PSG back in January, but they lost the Ligue 1 title at the hands of Lille in the 2020/21 term, and got knocked out in the UEFA Champions League by Manchester City.

Nonetheless, while there has been no formal contact between Paris Saint Germain and the Lilywhites over his potential availability, there has been between ‘Poch’ and THFC themselves.

The Latest: Pochettino to Tottenham update

Speaking on Sky Sports (via Football Daily), journalist Solhekol has dropped a massive claim with regards to Pochettino’s potential return to Tottenham, saying: “One source I have spoken to this morning actually said that he felt the deal is basically done, and that Mauricio Pochettino would be returning to Spurs.”

Of course, nothing has been confirmed on this front and this is only from one source, but it is still a huge call, with the story likely set to develop quickly over the next few days.

The Verdict: Pochettino not the answer

Although the Argentine was loved by many Spurs fans when he was in North London, getting them to a UEFA Champions League final and achieving no fewer than four top-four finishes in the Premier League, he never won a trophy during his time there.

Managers are often judged on what they win, and while the 49-year-old is undoubtedly a good coach – he would not have got the job at PSG if he was not – the Lilywhites should not be rushing into such a massive decision.

They should instead bide their time to see who else comes into the frame, with the likes of Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane recently leaving their posts at Inter Milan and Real Madrid respectively.

In other news, find out what Fabrizio Romano has shared about Daniel Levy’s plans for Gareth Bale here!

Earlier this month Southampton announced that Ryan Bertrand would be leaving the club when his contract expires this summer and former Leicester City defender Steve Howey has urged the left-back to join the Foxes.

Bertrand joined the Saints in 2015 when he left Chelsea having won both the Champions League and Europa League with the Blues, and he may leave with a heavy heart having made 240 appearances on the south coast.

Since the news broke that the former England international would be leaving the Saints, he has been heavily linked with a move to both Arsenal and Leicester with the two clubs experiencing very different fortunes this season.

Howey believes that if he wants the bright lights and money then go to London, but for footballing reasons he has to pick the Foxes – something he explained exclusively to Football FanCast:

“I think Leicester is a fantastic club at the minute and you just look at the squad and it appears that they are a close-knit group so for me, I would pick them.

“It always sounds better when you tell people you played for Arsenal instead of Leicester, but Leicester is a fabulous club with an unbelievable owner, very good manager and they have some top players.”

The Foxes managed to finish higher in the Premier League than Arsenal so if Bertrand was to join the Gunners then he would not be experiencing any European football for at least one season.

Left-back appears to be more of a problem area for Mikel Arteta as he has often wanted to deploy number one full-back, Kieran Tierney, as a third centre back so having Bertrand at the club could help him do that on a more regular basis.