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Michael Clarke’s increasing seniority within the Test team is set to continue with his likely promotion to No. 4 during the series against Pakistan

Brydon Coverdale01-Apr-2010Michael Clarke’s increasing seniority within the Test team is set to continue with his likely promotion to No. 4 during the series against Pakistan in England. As the vice-captain, Clarke is being groomed to take over the leadership whenever Ricky Ponting retires and over the past year he has shouldered that responsibility by being Australia’s leading run scorer with 1171 at 65.05.While Clarke’s form has been outstanding at No. 5, the No. 4 Michael Hussey had a tougher year, although he lifted his output during the home summer. The Australians are already looking towards next season’s Ashes series and after beating New Zealand 2-0, Ponting said he had been pondering whether the in-form Clark would be more valuable up the order.”It’s something I’ve been thinking about this week, to tell you the truth,” Ponting said. “He’s handled a lot of situations particularly well the last couple of years and in most conditions. There are a few other little things we think about as well as far as the placements in the batting order is concerned but Michael is doing everything right to get up the order, certainly one more spot, anyway.”Clarke was one of Australia’s best during the Ashes tour last year and they will be reluctant to shuffle the order during their battle to regain the urn. The only Tests remaining before the Gabba opener against England are two against Pakistan in July, and Ponting said that would be the best time to trial Clarke at No. 4.”We’ll see what happens in England and certainly leading into the Ashes series,” Ponting said. “He probably has been our best and most consistent player with Simon Katich so we’ll definitely have a look into that. The next games we play are against Pakistan and we obviously don’t want to be making moves like that on the eve of the Ashes so if we do it, that would be a good time to do it.”Clarke showed his focus with a career-best 168 in Wellington after flying home to deal with his relationship with Lara Bingle. He finished the tour second only to Katich on the run tally, with 259 at 86.33, and in a month will be heading to the Caribbean to captain Australia in the World Twenty20.

Since Aston Villa’s current owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris took over the Midlands club back in 2018, they have not been reluctant in spending money on bringing new players to Villa Park that can help the team fulfil their ambitions of taking the club into the upper echelons of football.

With this in mind, Villa journalist Gregg Evans has dropped a clue regarding one player that has been mentioned with a move to the Midlands club in the past that could push them closer to being an elite club competing for European football.

What’s the news?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Evans had this to say about Villa’s interest in Leeds United midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

He said: “Yes they like him, there’s no denying that. Whether there’s even a one per cent chance of getting him is another matter.”

Break their transfer record

As a product of Leeds’ youth academy, Phillips has gone on to make a total of 226 appearances for the Yorkshire club, showing how important he is to the team and why they would presumably want to keep hold of him for as long as possible.

Having ended the previous Premier League season as one of Leeds’ highest-rated players according to WhoScored with an overall performance rating of 7.01/10, it would place him fourth among Villa’s highest-rated players.

Thus, it’s easy to see why the Midlands club have an admiration for the England international and why Villa fans would surely be overjoyed to see him at their club.

As well as being an important figure for Leeds, Phillips has made himself a significant player on the international stage as well. For instance, he was one of the five outfield players that started all seven of England’s Euro 2020 games last summer.

While the likelihood of Phillips eventually making the move to Villa Park is yet to be determined, the Villa fans should be excited by the fact that their club has an interest in Phillips and have a previous record of being very active in the transfer market, like they have been this month with the arrivals of Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Digne.

Looking ahead to the future, with the £60m valued midfielder’s current contract at Elland Road not set to expire until the summer of 2024, it could be a challenge for Villa to secure his signature anytime soon.

It may also be very expensive, potentially causing them to breach their transfer record fee of £33m that they paid for Emi Buendia last summer. Villa haven’t been afraid to splash out of late with the likes of Digne, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Danny Ings costing north of £25m.

With previous claims suggesting that Gerrard would want to sign a defensive midfielder this month, if they don’t manage to sign one this month, this could increase their need to make a move for Phillips next summer.

Considering his quality, they must do all they can to lure him to the Midlands, including smashing their transfer record.

In other news: Aston Villa reveal exciting transfer news, it’s another Lange masterclass – opinion

England completed a clinical 39-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval to get one foot in the semi-finals

The Bulletin by Liam Brickhill08-May-2010
Live scorecard and ball-by-ball details
England – How they were out
South Africa – How they were out
Kevin Pietersen and Craig Kieswetter took the fight to South Africa in a 94-run partnership for the second wicket•Getty ImagesEngland completed a clinical 39-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval to get one foot in the semi-finals. The win was set up by a blistering half century from Kevin Pietersen, who added 94 for the second wicket with Craig Kieswetter as England got the better of South Africa’s pace-heavy attack to post 168 for 7. England’s spin duo of Michael Yardy and Graeme Swann then picked up 5 for 55 between them to run through the middle order, and were well backed up by the seamers as South Africa were rolled over for 129.South Africa seem to bring out the best in Pietersen, and his match-winning knock today came in the nick of time as he will return to the UK in the next 24 hours to be present at the birth of his son. Provided there are no complications, he will return to the Caribbean in time for the semi-finals, which England now have a very strong chance of reaching.The first signs that South Africa had misread a slightly tacky surface in opting for an attack based around quick bowling came when Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel were carted for 90 in a combined eight overs in the midst of Pietersen and Kieswetter’s barnstorming partnership, while Johan Botha went for a miserly 15 and picked up wickets at important moments.Steyn was smeared for three momentum-seizing boundaries in his first over and Morkel, perhaps trying too hard to live up to the pre-match hype about the pace and bounce of the Barbados pitch, overstepped twice in his first over. He bounced back to find the edge of Pietersen’s bat with a rising delivery on off stump, but was left livid as Mark Boucher behind the stumps and Jacques Kallis at slip watched leaden-footed as the chance flew between them.A clearly flustered South African unit looked to Charl Langeveldt to stem the flow, but after giving away an unnecessary five wides with a ballooning half-tracker in his first over, he was dispatched for 16 in his second – including a monstrous mow over long off by Kieswetter – to leave England well-placed at 65 for 1 after the Powerplay and the two batsmen peacocking haughtily mid-pitch.The introduction of Kallis’s experienced head to the attack, and the return of Botha, introduced a measure of calm to proceedings but South Africa’s uncharacteristically sloppy fielding performance continued when JP Duminy put down a lollipop at deep midwicket to give Kieswetter a life.Graeme Smith, desperately searching for a wicket, brought Steyn back into the attack, but his comeback over was duly carted for 16 as Pietersen charged to his half century from just 30 deliveries. Smith stuck with the economical Botha, and the entire South African team breathed a sigh of relief when a catch finally stuck as Pietersen was picked up at short fine leg to give the offspinner his second wicket.When Kieswetter got underneath a lofted mow and Steyn held the chance at long on. South Africa sensed an opening, and when Paul Collingwood and Luke Wright fell on either side of another leaky over from Steyn, it looked as though they could keep England to a relatively modest total. And indeed, with Langeveldt finding the blockhole with unerring accuracy at the death and Eoin Morgan suffering a rare failure to finish an innings, South Africa’s seamers came back from a shaky start to restrict England after it had looked like a total of 200 was on the cards.South Africa’s Powerplay was the antithesis of England’s as Smith and Kallis chose to bide their time rather than attack and Tim Bresnan provided the metronomic accuracy to restrict the flow of runs. The pressure soon told, as Kallis toe-ended a drive straight to Pietersen at mid off in the fifth over.It had been spin that made the breakthrough for South Africa when Pietersen and Kieswetter’s power hitting was threatening to take the game out of their reach, and when Yardy struck to remove Herschelle Gibbs with his first ball of the match it was apparent that spin would be the deciding factor in this match. Yardy’s wicket owed everything to Ryan Sidebottom’s remarkable leaping catch running back from short fine leg.Graeme Swann was brought into the attack in the very next over and almost immediately had Smith in trouble with his guileful variations as the South African captain was caught at deep midwicket off a desperate, top-edged sweep.Albie Morkel was next, propping half forward to a delivery from Yardy that turned in a touch only to be bowled through a massive gap between bat and pad. The procession continued in Swann’s next over as AB de Villiers went to pull a short ball over midwicket but top-edged and was well-caught by Collingwood to leave South Africa on 53 for 5 needing more than 11 runs an over.They could soon have sunk further into the mire had Kieswetter not fluffed a simple stumping chance, but the miss was not a costly one, as Boucher chipped to midwicket soon after to hasten South Africa’s slide. Sidebottom completed a superb day in the field with two wickets in his final over – the first from a sharp caught-and-bowled chance – to wrap up a resounding win and take England one step closer to the semi-finals.

With a loan deal in place and a reported medical completed for Philippe Coutinho with apparent negotiations set to begin for the potential signing of Everton left-back Lucas Digne, Aston Villa have been very busy in the 2022 January transfer window so far.

Looking ahead to the rest of the window, it seems as though Villa have their eyes on signing yet another player this month that also has experience of playing in the Premier League which some Villa fans will be pleased to hear.

What’s the news?

According to Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth, Villa are “in talks” to sign a back-up ‘keeper during the winter window.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News on Monday, he said: “We’re told they’re in talks to sign the West Ham United goalkeeper, Darren Randolph.”

Sheth also revealed that if a deal can be struck for Randolph this month, Villa could then allow current goalkeeper Jed Steer to leave on loan so he can get regular game time.

Randolph originally joined West Ham back in the 2015 summer window from Birmingham City on a free transfer. The Hammers then sold him to Middlesbrough in the summer of 2017 before buying him back in the 2020 January window.

Smart work from Villa

Overall, the 34-year-old, who is currently valued at £900k according to Transfermarkt, has made a total of 52 appearances for the east London club, keeping 15 clean sheets in the process.

With 34 Premier League appearances under his belt, it would be smart work from Villa to have a back-up option for Emi Martinez, who has played in all but one of their 19 league games so far this season. And when considering the experience of the top-flight that Randolph possesses, he very much fits the bill.

He’s made no appearances in any competition for David Moyes’ side so far this season with Lukasz Fabianski and Alphonse Areola ahead of him in the pecking order, but a move to Villa could give Randolph more of a chance to get some games under his belt should anything happen to Martinez.

If Villa do manage to secure a deal for the Irons stopper and then manage to get Steer, who filled in for Martinez in Villa’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea back in September, out on loan and get some regular minutes, this could end up being a solid and fairly low-risk deal for the Midlands club to make.

In other news: Imagine him & McGinn: Gerrard could form deadly AVFC duo with “intelligent” 91 G/A ace – opinion

Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, said that although they lost the Twenty20 series to South Africa 2-1, he was pleased with the way his young team responded after the drubbing in Durban

ESPNcricinfo staff26-Dec-2012Brendon McCullum, the New Zealand captain, has said that although they lost the Twenty20 series to South Africa 2-1, he was pleased with the way his young team responded after the drubbing in Durban. McCullum pointed out to the progression of the young players in the squad as one of the big positives from the series.”The introduction of the new guys, playing in front of big crowds, is a positive,” McCullum said. “We have seen some good performances from the new guys, especially Mitchell McClenaghan, and it is encouraging.”Although, we didn’t get the results, we took significant strides in the series. The key thing is to continue to build the team inside out. We saw some guys step up, and they would now know what’s required in international cricket. Progression of where we were a couple of weeks ago and where we are now, it’s good.”New Zealand started the tour in a disastrous manner when they collapsed to 86 batting first in Durban and lost by eight wickets. But they turned the tables on South Africa in East London, mainly due to an unbeaten century by Martin Guptill. The deciding match in Port Elizabeth was expected to be an even contest, but it didn’t turn out that way.”We came into this game with high hopes,” McCullum said. “We built up some good momentum after the East London game. For few moments today, we competed well, but South Africa grabbed the bigger moments and we were found wanting.”New Zealand, after being asked to field, kept a tight leash on the South African scoring till the 14th over, but gave away 80 runs in the last six overs to cede the advantage. Chasing a big total, they lost Rob Nicol early and though Guptill and McCullum shone for a while, their wickets ended New Zealand’s challenge.Some of the members of the T20 team are headed back to New Zealand and McCullum said that for the rest, the focus quickly needs to change to Test cricket now. “The Test guys that have joined us two days ago, we need to channel our focus towards Tests, to the challenge of taking on the No. 1 Test side in the world.”

Yorkshire made a great start to their home season in the County Championship by bowling out Somerset for 272 at Headingley despite a sparkling century from the visitors’ new captain, Marcus Trescothick

15-Apr-2010
ScorecardYorkshire made a great start to their home season in the County Championship by bowling out Somerset for 272 at Headingley despite a sparkling century from the visitors’ new captain, Marcus Trescothick.Trescothick hit 117 off 175 balls with 15 boundaries after winning the toss butYorkshire took a grip on proceedings during the afternoon session, when Englandpaceman Tim Bresnan claimed three wickets for 10 runs in 26 deliveries asSomerset dipped to 139 for 5. Each of Yorkshire’s five main bowlers managed to get among the wickets, five of which fell to lbw decisions.Yorkshire made one change from the side which got off to a winning start against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, with newly-capped left-arm spinner David Wainwright being preferred to paceman Steven Patterson, while Australian Damien Wright and former Middlesex batsman Nick Compton made their debuts for Somerset.On a chilly and overcast morning, Yorkshire had to wait only until the fifth over before making their first breakthrough when Ajmal Shahzad, also capped before the start of the season, had Arul Suppiah caught by wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow.Having enjoyed a five-wicket haul against Warwickshire, 20-year-old fast bowler Oliver Hannon-Dalby was not long in claiming his first wicket in a home match as Compton moved across his stumps and was lbw.James Hildreth applied himself diligently while Trescothick soon stepped on the accelerator with a flurry of boundaries, three of them coming off successive balls from Hannon-Dalby, to complete his half-century from 46 deliveries with 10 fours.Former Yorkshire captain Anthony McGrath, who handed over the reins to Andrew Gale during the close season, was also punished by Trescothick during a three-over spell and when Shahzad strayed he was hit for consecutive boundaries by Hildreth.Honours were even when Somerset went into lunch on 107 for 2 but a fine spell by Bresnan shifted the balance in Yorkshire’s favour. He began by trapping Hildreth lbw for 30 to end a troublesome stand of 86 in 22 overs with Trescothick and quickly followed up by having Zander de Bruyn caught at gully by Joe Sayers and dismissing the potentially dangerous Craig Kieswetter lbw.Peter Trego helped to steady the ship with Trescothick, who on-drove Adil Rashid for four to reach his century off 160 balls with 13 fours, his three previous Championship scores against Yorkshire being 78, 146 and 96. The sixth-wicket pair had put on 67 when Trescothick was trapped in front by Rashid but Wright reacted positively by picking up a ball from Wainwright and hitting it high over mid-wicket for the first six of the match.Somerset were 221 for 6 at tea but their innings began to crumble after the break, Trego chopping Hannon-Dalby into his stumps and Wright driving a full toss from Rashid straight to Shahzad at mid-off. The innings was finished off by Wainwright, who sent back both Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby – though the latter was soon claiming a wicket of his own in the first over of the Yorkshire reply, Adam Lyth becoming the sixth lbw victim of the day to his second ball.In deteriorating light, Sayers was dropped at third slip by Trego off Wright before he had scored and with 11 overs remaining it became too dark to continue, Yorkshire happy to call it a day at 16 for 1 in seven overs.

Gladstone Dainty, the president of USACA, has broken the board’s silence following the dismissal of Don Lockerbie as chief executive, but revealed almost nothing

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Nov-2010Gladstone Dainty, the president of USACA, has broken the board’s silence following the dismissal of Don Lockerbie as chief executive.While none of the board has been willing to discuss events leading to Lockerbie’s removal, Dainty, who almost never speaks to the media, gave an interview to dreamcricket.com.In it, Dainty revealed almost nothing about what happened with Lockerbie, aside from a completely non-committal response. “You know getting into details about personal issues, that’s not my style and I don’t think that should be discussed of anybody that’s professional,” he said. “That was a personal issue and there’s a confidential aspect of that that I won’t get into that. But we’re not together anymore. He’s not together with USACA.”Pressed to explain if Lockerbie was fired or resigned, Dainty said: “We’re just not together anymore.”He did, however, insist there would be a replacement. “We are expecting to have somebody who would lead the organisation. It costs a lot of money and administratively with Don being there we realised that having a full-time person is very important so we’re trying to get not only a CEO but hopefully we can get resources to increase our professional staff.”Asked if Lockerbie’s departure would impact on the image of the USA both in international cricket and with sponsors, Dainty said: “You’re always concerned about your image, especially when people leave. But in any organisation, you have change and I mean to say that change for better or for worse sometimes people are uncomfortable with it. But once you know the facts surrounding these departures, then… you know it’s not as… the organisation will continue.”A second part of the interview is flagged and it has to be hoped Dainty is pressed about reports USACA’s finances are in a poor state following the Florida Twenty20 event and other recent initiatives which have fallen by the wayside.

Ireland completed a 37-run win to ensure their progress to the Super Fours stage after Scotland collapsed on either side of a threatening partnership between Kyle Coetzer and Gordon Drummond.

Cricinfo staff11-Feb-2010
Scorecard
Trent Johnston ripped through the top order as Scotland collapsed to 99 all out in Dubai•International Cricket CouncilIreland completed a 37-run win to ensure their progress to the Super Fours stage after Scotland collapsed on either side of a threatening partnership between Kyle Coetzer and Gordon Drummond. A team performance with both bat and ball was behind Ireland’s victory, as no batsman made more than 19 and the wickets were shared around by the bowlers.Despite their defeats to USA and Afghanistan, Scotland still had an outside chance of sneaking through to the next stage of the tournament coming in to this game. Had they won today, they would have drawn level on two points with Ireland and USA. With Ireland scoring 136 for 7, Scotland had to chase down the runs in 14.5 overs or less in order to overtake Ireland’s net run rate.Their innings lay in tatters within the first two overs, however, as Peter Connell and Trent Johnston ripped through the top order to reduce Scotland to 6 for 4. After Connell got rid of Fraser Watts and Gavin Hamilton in consecutive balls, Andre Botha held onto two chances at a well-positioned short third man off Johnston as Richie Berrington and Neil McCallum slashed wildly at deliveries outside off stump. Two overs later Jan Stander mistimed an attempted heave over midwicket and Scotland had collapsed to 12 for 5.Then came the fightback, as Coetzer and Drummond saw off the opening bowlers and began to accumulate runs steadily. With a win in under 15 overs firmly out of the question after the top order crumbled, the pair had only pride to play for, and their partnership was just beginning to look ominous when Coetzer popped a low full toss to a backtracking William Porterfield at cover to depart for 43.Simon Smith’s run out in the 17th over broke Scotland’s resistance. George Dockrell dismissed Ross Lyons and Drummond in his second over, and Kevin O’Brien wrapped up the match with a well-directed yorker to disturb Dewald Nel’s stumps.Apart from Alex Cusack, who was trapped lbw by Majid Haq for two, every one of Ireland’s top nine made a start with the bat to contribute to what turned out to be a match-winning total. Johnston, O’Brien and John Mooney all chipped in with 10, while Andrew White, Gary Wilson, Niall O’Brien, Porterfield and Botha all made it into the teens. Haq and Coetzer were Scotland’s most successful bowlers, with two wickets apiece.Ireland had to win this game to be sure of a spot in the Super Fours, and will take some confidence in the way they rallied as a team in this game as they progress to the next round.

Everton have received a potentially significant boost as the club approaches a pivotal period under the stewardship of under-pressure manager Rafa Benitez.

What’s the story?

Rumours circulated on Monday suggesting that popular assistant manager Duncan Ferguson was set to depart the Merseyside outfit as the behind-the-scenes changes continue to gather pace.

Former director of football Marcel Brands recently departed after three-and-a-half years in the role, following board member Sarvar Ismailov out of the exit door.

Following Brands’ shock and sudden exit, head of recruitment and development Gretar Steinsson and ex-manager of scouting and operations Dan Purdy also left the Toffees as Benitez begins to re-shape his backroom staff.

The ongoing shake-up at Everton led to speculation that Ferguson was going to be the next to seek pastures new, but The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has poured cold water on those theories.

He tweeted: “From what I’m hearing Duncan Ferguson isn’t on the brink of leaving #Everton despite the rumours on Twitter last night”. 

Everton fans will be buzzing

News that Ferguson is set to remain in his position as Benitez’s No.2 will surely leave the club’s supporters buzzing, given his importance to the club and popularity amongst the fanbase.

The 49-year-old earned legendary status at Everton after scoring 68 goals across 260 games for the club, becoming their seventh-highest goalscorer in the process.

After arriving from Rangers in 1995, the former Scotland international remained at Goodison Park until 1999 before joining Newcastle United, but re-joined the Blues just 12 months later, eventually retiring in 2006.

His FA Cup success in his maiden campaign in English football was the beginning of a magical relationship with Everton that has continued until the present day.

Since then, Ferguson has been a long-serving coach at Everton, even taking charge of the first-team on an interim basis for four games back in 2019 after Marco Silva was sacked.

He’s since been an assistant to both Carlo Ancelotti and Benitez, and the Spanish tactician appeared keen for Ferguson to remain in his current role upon his appointment last summer.

“Duncan is an Everton legend and has great experience,” the 61-year-old said. “He will be vital for us with his coaching expertise and understanding of the players.

“His spirit, personality and character are invaluable. He knows the club and people and what the Evertonians expect from their players. He will be an inspiration for us and crucial with his insight.”

Therefore, Everton fans will surely be delighted at O’Keeffe’s latest revelation and looking forward to many more years of Ferguson’s insight.

And, in other news…Everton can end their midfielder hunt with £175k-p/w gem who’s a “Frank Lampard type”

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Paul Brown of The Daily Star has made a transfer claim involving Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij and Tottenham Hotspur.

The Lowdown: Spurs eye defensive overhaul?

Coming after the signings of Emerson Royal and Cristian Romero in the summer, it appears that Spurs chief Fabio Paratici isn’t quite done there in terms of defensive reinforcements.

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Since Antonio Conte’s arrival at the north London club, they have also been tipped to add more centre-backs to their roster, including marquee Serie A names like De Vrij, Juventus sensation Matthijs de Ligt and AC Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli (Calciomercato.it).

This could be ever more important given Romero’s recent hamstring injury, with Conte himself believing that it is ‘serious’.

In an update, Brown has now shared what he knows on Tottenham’s pursuit of De Vrij in particular.

The Latest: Brown makes de Vrij claim…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the reporter said that Conte wants a ball-playing centre half and Spurs like the Nerazzurri mainstay the most out of the aforementioned targets.

He explained: “I think the main role Antonio Conte wants is a centre back who can play it out. De Vrij seems to be the one Spurs like most for that role.”

The Verdict: Best target?

It appears to be a toss-up between De Ligt and De Vrij for Spurs’ most prestigious centre-back target, with the former even being likened to Cristiano Ronaldo for his work ethic.

Meanwhile, the latter has been called a ‘worldbeater’ by former Leeds striker Noel Whelan after he played a crucial role in guiding Inter to the 2020/21 Serie A title.

De Vrij could be a more realistic purchase for Spurs going by price tag considering that he is rated at around £40m, whilst De Ligt could cost significantly more going by his £63m Transfermarkt valuation.

The only caveat may be the Inter defender’s age, however, with the 29-year-old hardly possessing a long shelf life when compared to De Ligt, who is seven years his junior.

In other news: ‘Coming from Tottenham’…Journalist makes exciting transfer claim with big offer tabled, find out more here.