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New Zealand’s fast bowlers wanted to get plenty of overs under their belts in their only tour match and they got their wish as Dominic Thornely and his New South Wales colleagues batted throughout the second day

Cricinfo staff14-Nov-2008
Scorecard
Iain O’Brien ended the day with 2 for 56 © Getty Images
New Zealand’s fast bowlers wanted to get plenty of overs under their belts in their only tour match and they got their wish as Dominic Thornely and his New South Wales colleagues batted throughout the second day. At stumps New South Wales had a lead of 43 and were 6 for 309, with the teenager Steven Smith on 47 and Daniel Smith on 5.It was a frustrating day for the New Zealanders, who lost Jesse Ryder to a mystery illness and Brendon McCullum to back spasms. Aaron Redmond took the gloves when McCullum failed to emerge after tea, although New Zealand’s manager Lindsay Crocker said resting McCullum was only a precautionary measure.”He’s had a bit of stiffness in the back for the last couple of days, and in that session he experienced a bit of a spasm in the back,” Crocker told . New Zealand are hopeful McCullum will be able to return to the four-day match and Gareth Hopkins, the squad’s backup gloveman, will still fly to Australia early next week as originally planned.To add to New Zealand’s woes they dropped four chances in the field and allowed three New South Wales batsmen to post half-centuries, in stark contrast to the one-man show from Jamie How on the first day. They picked up three wickets in the first session but the breakthroughs became less frequent later in the day as Thornely (85) and Steven Smith combined for a 101-run partnership.Thornely, the captain of a very youthful New South Wales side, was only carrying on the good work that had started with two of his young colleagues. Phillip Hughes, 19, continued his excellent start to the season and made a fluent 64 before he edged a wide delivery behind off Iain O’Brien.O’Brien was the most dangerous bowler early and before lunch he also picked up Peter Forrest, who was caught in the gully for 26. Chris Martin had already made a strike when he had Usman Khawaja caught behind for 5 and the visitors went to the first break with some momentum.But Moises Henriques, the allrounder who spent time with Australia’s squad in Darwin in September, began to show his potential with his first half-century at first-class level. Henriques struck six fours in his 55 before he edged to slip off Daniel Vettori.It was the only success for New Zealand in the middle session but a wicket each to Martin and Tim Southee provided slightly more joy after tea. At least the fast men, who did not have much opportunity to bowl in the recent Test series in Bangladesh, were getting a decent workout ahead of Thursday’s first Test in Brisbane.

It feels like we’ve only just said goodbye to the Euro’s but football’s packed schedule leaves no time for respite. Domestic leagues across Europe are about to resume with the English Premier League leading the way.

Brentford and Arsenal kick things off this Friday 13th August before a packed weekend of fixtures. Among a mouthwatering set of opening ties is the clash between Spurs and Manchester City while Manchester United are set to host historic rivals Leeds United at Old Trafford.

We’re ready for another entertaining and dramatic campaign but what, exactly, can we expect from the EPL in 2021/22?

New Faces

The summer transfer window has been open for some time and we’ve already seen some big money deals go through. One of the breakthrough stars in England’s national squad from recent years is Jadon Sancho who has left Borussia Dortmund to play in the red of Manchester United.

Sancho began his youth career with United’s great rivals Manchester City but that’s not the only reason why this is a big coup for the Red Devils. The 21-year-old is one of the brightest prospects in the game and it will be great to see him in the Premier League.

Other major deals in August have seen Ben White move to Arsenal from Brighton while Leicester City have signed the prolific striker Patson Daka from RB Salzburg. It’s been a busy summer of deals and there should be more to come.

Lining them up

England midfielder Jack Grealish has now completed terms for a move to Manchester City while his former club Aston Villa are already spending the money. Southampton’s Danny Ings has moved to Villa Park for an undisclosed fee which is believed to be in the region of £25m.

When the ink is dry, it’s likely that City will step up their pursuit of Harry Kane who has effectively gone on strike at Tottenham Hotspur.

In contrast to Manchester City, Chelsea have been quiet by their own standards, but the Blues remain linked with a number of players, including Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.

The Teams to Watch

Even if Manchester City were to miss out on their transfer targets, it’s likely that the defending champions will be the team to beat once again. A squad that contains world class talent such as Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez is always likely to compete at the top of any division.

With City adding Grealish and possibly Kane to their ranks, they will start to look unbeatable. Premier League betting markets already list Pep Guardiola’s men as odds on favourites and the new arrivals would see the prices slip even shorter.

Leading the chasing pack are Chelsea who overcame City in the 2021 Champions League final. Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will also be confident of making a challenge while Manchester United’s new faces should make the Red Devils more competitive.

Lots to Consider

The Premier League is one of the biggest draws for betting companies and there is plenty for customers to consider besides that overall winner market. Millions of pounds are staked on the Premier League each season by punters across the world, in turn, EPL clubs receive around £50 million in shirt sponsorship.

Fans can place bets on individual games with win, lose or draw markets available. Many hundreds of side markets are listed including Total Goals, First Goal Scorer, Winning Margin, Both Teams to Score and many more.

Other long-term markets have options including the league’s leading goal scorer while punters can also speculate on top four and top six finishes. The diverse choice offered by the sportsbooks is a key factor in the popularity of betting on the Premier League.

The main attention may fall on the potential winners but there are other markets to consider at the other end of the table.

Beating the Drop

Norwich City and Watford returned to the topflight at the first time of asking while Brentford will take their place in the Premier League for the very first time. All three newly promoted teams will now face a battle to stay up and many feel that they will occupy the three relegation slots at the end of the campaign.

For Brentford, much will depend on striker Ivan Toney whose goals saw the Bees earn promotion via the playoffs. Norwich also have a key centre forward and Finnish international Teemu Pukki will need to improve on his modest return from the Canaries’ last EPL campaign.

Watford will have the experience of Troy Deeney to call upon while all three clubs have been busy in the summer transfer market. The sides will face a battle and early results will be an indicator as to whether they have what it takes to beat the drop.

All to Play for

We’re just days away from the start of the new Premier League season and this is an exciting time for all involved. New players in the ranks give cause for optimism around the division and everyone is starting with a ‘clean slate.’

It’s evident that Manchester City will be the team to beat once again but there’s more to play for beyond the title race. Champions League and Europa League places are up for grabs while the battle for relegation is on, and it will be fascinating to see how it all plays out.

Jurgen Klopp and Michael Edwards believe that their replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum may already be present within the current squad, according to The Times’ Paul Joyce. 

Wijnaldum left Liverpool in the summer, as he pursued a move to French giants PSG on a free transfer ahead of the 2021/22 league campaign.

He’ll leave a sizeable void in the heart of the Liverpool team, with the Dutch international making 237 appearances in total for the Reds, which includes 51 from last year’s league campaign.

Jurgen Klopp’s side finished third in the Premier League table last term, and their supporters will be eager to see them find a suitable replacement for Wijnaldum to help improve on that finish.

But Joyce has stated that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has enjoyed his first uninterrupted pre-season since signing for the club back in 2017, and the club may opt to turn to players like the England international instead of a new signing.

Plenty of Liverpool supporters took to social media to react to this transfer update, with many of the Anfield faithful being left frustrated at the club’s reluctance to find a new signing in the transfer market this summer.

Take a look at the best of the reaction from The Anfield Talk Twitter account, who shared Joyce’s update….

Reds fans fume at transfer update

“Breaking: FSG won’t spend any money because they need money to buy new personalised yacht.”

Credit: @robert87478508

“Gini a player who never missed a game yeah, let’s replace him with Ox who’s renowned to having injuries every season. Yep smart.”

Credit: @_2306_YNWA

“Not impressed. Showed speed and enthusiasm, but very poor football-wise. lost every ball he touched, made very bad long balls, every pass put teammates in trouble. This is just not Liverpool quality.”

Credit: @SabihOmar

“No. Not good enough. Would not make any of our rivals teams.”

Credit: @robertsp

“This club will be the death of me.”

Credit: @Jambabox99

“Would be such an unnecessary risk. It is more likely that Keita and Ox will get injured than that they stay fit.”

Credit: @John92121476

“Embarrassing.”

Credit: @Dj67776349

“He can’t replace Gini’s availability.”

Credit: @Gambino_LFC

“I give up man.”

Credit: @ayxshxlfc

Former Manchester City player Michael Ball believes that manager Pep Guardiola could improve Harry Kane. 

The Tottenham striker has been linked with a summer move to the Etihad Stadium, with journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting that Spurs turned down a £100m bid earlier in the summer, insisting they want to keep Kane at the club.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola told the media [via Simon Stone] that: “He is a Tottenham player. If Tottenham don’t want to negotiate, it is finished. If they want to negotiate, many clubs would like to sign him, we are not an exception. We are very interested in him.”

Harry Kane published a statement on his own Twitter account on Friday, explaining that he will be returning to Tottenham on Saturday as planned and that he hasn’t refused to train, and never would.

But with the speculation linking him to Manchester City, Ball believes Pep Guardiola could improve the striker, exclusively telling the Transfer Tavern: “Harry Kane, you’d love to see him at Manchester City teaming up with De Bruyne and the other guys, I think Pep would bring Harry Kane’s game on as well, like he did with Aguero.”

Kane has been an unbelievable player for Tottenham, scoring three occasions, finishing with 25 goals in the 2015/2016 season, 29 goals in 2016/2017 and 23 goals last term.

The Cityzens have already strengthened their star-studded squad ahead of 2021/2022, completeing the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100m, but Pep Guardiola’s very public admission that he is indeed interested in Kane’s services suggests he may be prepared to cheque book out again before the transfer window closes.

Thursday’s win over New Zealand would have brought much relief but the pressure will be on Bangladesh to play the ‘perfect game’ once more in the remaining two ODIs

Cricinfo staff10-Oct-2008Match factsOctober 11, 2008
Start time 9.00am (0300 GMT)
Will Mohammad Ashraful’s team get the better of Daniel Vettori and Co again? © AFP
Big Picture Thursday’s win over New Zealand would have brought much relief but the pressure will be on Bangladesh to play the ‘perfect game’ once more in the remaining two ODIs. Their only ODI series wins against a Test-playing nation have come against Zimbabwe, and if Mohammad Ashraful and Co. can get it right on Saturday, New Zealand could well join the list.With hopes of the No. 2 ODI ranking out of the window, Daniel Vettori’s team will need to recoup to avoid further embarrassment. Bangladesh outsmarted them in all three departments in the first game, and New Zealand could not recover after an undisciplined approach from their batsmen on a sticky pitch. Bangladesh’s batsmen are often mocked for their impatience, but it was their patience and simple approach that stood out as they chased 202.Pitch & conditionsEven if the game will be played on a different pitch, conditions are likely to be similar. Most of New Zealand’s batsmen, apart from Jacob Oram, failed because they couldn’t adjust to the slowness and low bounce. The overnight rain did aid Mashrafe Mortaza in his first spell (8-3-19-3) on Thursday, and forecasts suggest 20% chance of rains. New Zealand will hope they get the advantage this time around, if it rains that is.Form guide (last 5 ODIs, most recent first)New Zealand LWWWW
Bangladesh WLLLLWatch out forMashrafe Mortaza: After his superb spell that broke the back of the New Zealand top order, expectations will soar from Bangladesh’s bowling spearhead. Not that it bothers Mortaza, who has proved in the past he can trouble the batsman no matter what the conditions with his patience and consistency.Ross Taylor: After his dismal first outing in Bangladesh, Taylor will look forward to bouncing back strongly and delight the crowds with his wide array of strokes.The Powerplays: New Zealand were the first batting team to use the Powerplay under the new rules. The timing for both teams was similar: overs 38 to 42 for New Zealand and 37 to 41 for Bangladesh. New Zealand scored 35, Bangladesh 34.Team newsIt’s unlikely Bangladesh will tinker with a winning combination. However, Syed Rasel bowled only two overs in the first game, and he could make way for Mahbubul Alam’s debut.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique 3 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk) 4 Mohammad Ashraful (capt), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Naeem Islam, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shahadat Hossain, 11 Syed Rasel.New Zealand might opt for a second spinner in Jeetan Patel.New Zealand (probable): 1 Jesse Ryder, 2 Brendon McCullum (wk), 3 Jamie How, 4 Scott Styris, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Daniel Flynn, 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Jeetan Patel, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Kyle Mills.Stats & Trivia Bangladesh went winless for 28 games after the last win over a Test-playing nation, against South Africa at the 2007 World Cup. After Thursday’s result, they will hope for another win without much delay. Vettori’s 0 for 48 in nine overs equalled his worst figures in ODIs against Bangladesh. Ashraful’s unbeaten 60 was his fourth 50-plus ODI score in 2008, the first time he’s had four scores over 50 in a year.Quotes”They played smarter than us. We didn’t bat particularly well and they bowled particularly well as well. It [the loss] was a combination of them playing very well and us playing very poorly, but they deserved the victory.”
“If we do well in all three departments then we stand a good chance of being competitive. Yesterday’s performance was proof of that and it should pave the way for more wins.”
“I don’t think it’s a complete train wreck at the moment. It’s one game, and it’s our first game for three months.”

Syed Rasel, the Bangladesh left-arm medium-pacer, is expected to be sidelined for two months after suffering an injury last week

Cricinfo staff24-Jul-2008
Syed Rasel is likely to be out of action for two months © AFP
Syed Rasel, the Bangladesh left-arm medium-pacer, is expected to be sidelined for two months after suffering an injury last week. Rasel, part of the Bangladesh A team touring England, injured his waist in the match against Leicestershire, and scans confirmed he needs time to recover.”The preliminary diagnosis suggested that he needs to rest for quite sometime to recover from injury,” Gazi Ashraf Hossain, the chairman of the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s cricket operations committee, told the Daily Star. “At the very beginning of the ongoing trip, Rasel complained about the pain and that’s why he was dropped from the first game. He played the second match but complained about his discomfort.”We have asked him to take guidance from local physicians and after that we will take the decision when he would be brought back home.”Rasel has been in and out of the Bangladesh side since he dislocated his collar bone in New Zealand in December 2007. He suffered the injury in a tour game ahead of the ODI and Test series, and wasn’t included in the 14-man squad for the home Tests against South Africa, but was recalled for the subsequent ODI series. He featured in only three of Bangladesh’s ODI since then, and wasn’t part of the squad for the Asia Cup.

Netherlands bounced back from their crushing defeat in last week’s four-day game to cruise to a six-wicket win over Kenya in a rain-affected ODI in Rotterdam

Cricinfo staff22-Aug-2008
Scorecard

Bas Zuiderent led the way for Netherlands with an unbeaten 41 © Getty Images
Netherlands bounced back from their crushing defeat in last week’s four-day game to cruise to a six-wicket win over Kenya in a rain-affected ODI in Rotterdam.After the heavy rain over the previous week reduced the game to a 24-over affair, Netherlands captain Jeroen Smits unsurprisingly chose to bowl first on a slow pitch. Kenya’s openers Kennedy Otieno and Alex Obanda provided a steady, though slow, start before left-arm spinner Pieter Seelaar struck.Otieno and his captain Steve Tikolo, two of Kenya’s most experienced batsmen, took their side to a promising 96 for 1 before Otieno was run out. Tikolo fell soon after – stumped for a 32-ball 34 – as Kenya lost their momentum; they mustered only 22 runs in the final eight overs to finish on 118. Seelar, fresh from his five-for in the four-day match, was the most effective bowler with returns of 3 for 22.Netherlands’ chase got off to a poor start as Darron Reekers fell in the first over, giving a catch to Obanda at backward point. Eric Szwarczynski and Tom de Grooth kept the asking rate in check and had taken the hosts to 40 by the ninth over before de Grooth was run out by a direct hit. Bas Zuiderent (41 not out), returning from a thumb injury, and Szwarczynski then added 66 to ensure that their bowlers’ good work didn’t go in vain.The next stop for Kenya on their European tour is Belfast, where they play three one-dayers against Ireland.

Australia snatched a victory that should never have been theirs as Shane Watson delivered a superb final over that consigned West Indies to a one-run defeat. Chasing 283, it looked like West Indies were cruising and Chris Gayle’s 92 appeared to set up a c

The Bulletin by Brydon Coverdale04-Jul-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out
Andrew Symonds top scored with 87 at better than a run a ball © AFP
Australia snatched a victory that should never have been theirs as Shane Watson delivered a superb final over that consigned West Indies to a devastating one-run defeat. Chris Gayle’s 92 had set up what appeared certain to be a successful chase as West Indies pursued 283, but a string of late wickets ensured Michael Clarke tasted success in his first ODI as Australia’s captain.Clarke found out just how tough it is juggling bowlers at the end of a tense match as he used up his main men Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken in the 48th and 49th, leaving Watson as the only realistic option to send down the 50th. But crucially the final overs of Bracken and Lee contained a wicket each and when Shivnarine Chanderpaul (53) was bowled trying to turn Bracken through leg it left eight required from six balls.Darren Sammy and Denesh Ramdin could only manage six singles as Watson pitched the ball up magnificently. Three were needed from the final delivery, which Sammy drove to mid off, where Clarke collected it cleanly to keep them to one and give himself a perfect, if stressful start to his one-day captaincy career.He probably could not believe the result after West Indies were cruising through most of the innings. With eight overs remaining, they had seven wickets in hand and needed just 41 with Dwayne Bravo and Chanderpaul at the crease. Bravo was bowled by James Hopes for 31 but the momentum didn’t really start to shift until a cracking late spell from Brett Lee, who tied down the debutant Shawn Findlay and took 1 for 10 from his final three overs.Lee picked up Findlay through a stunning catch from Michael Hussey, who dived at full stretch to his left at midwicket. Four dot balls to Ramdin followed and West Indies could sense something was going wrong. Disappointment is a feeling that has been common for them in this series, but to throw away such a promising start would have been heartbreaking.Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan had set them off to a terrific start with a 137-run second-wicket stand that was a welcome change in a series where they have cried out for contributions from their senior batsmen. After battling a groin injury and a dip in form, Gayle was back to his best in an innings that featured some powerful strikes, including a ferocious six over long on from a Lee half-volley.Gayle also took a particular liking to Hopes, whom he clubbed flat and straight for six before clipping him for four through the leg side in an over that cost 14. His half-century came in 45 deliveries but his frustrating exit just short of triple-figures – he skied Watson to point, where Hopes took a terrific catch – turned out to be a key moment.Already Sarwan had departed for a well made 63, edging behind off Lee having just dispatched him for a pair of fours. Sarwan pounded the part-time offspinner David Hussey straight over his head for six having started superbly with his first two deliveries driven straight and through cover for boundaries off Lee.The Gayle-Sarwan union seemed to confirm what most observers thought: Australia’s 282 for 8 was unlikely to be enough on a ground with a lightning fast outfield and tiny boundaries. In their three previous one-day internationals at Warner Park, all at last year’s World Cup, the lowest total Australia had reached was 334. On this occasion, despite an excellent 87 from Andrew Symonds and a promising 50 from the debutant David Hussey, it was a string of unfulfilled starts from the top-order players that limited the team’s score.Daren Powell nipped the new ball around dangerously and removed both Shaun Marsh and Watson after they made starts, and when Clarke and Michael Hussey fell in the 30s, Australia were 129 for 4 and in a bit of a hole. But Symonds, the Man of the Match, paced his innings well, starting with singles and twos before launching a late attack that featured a massive six straight down the ground off Powell. It was Symonds’ 101st six in ODIs after he brought up his 100th with a controlled drive over long on against the first-gamer Nikita Miller.Symonds also showed off his version of the reverse sweep, an unconventional take on an already unusual stroke. When Miller pitched the ball on his pads, Symonds shaped as if to play a normal sweep, then ran the ball off the back of his bat down to the third-man boundary. It was nowhere near as gobsmacking as Kevin Pietersen’s switch-hitting but it was innovative all the same.When his 78-ball 87 ended with a drive caught at mid off, it was the finish of a 127-run partnership with Hussey, whose 50 from 51 deliveries included a six slogged over midwicket off Bravo and another driven viciously over long off against Powell. To their credit, West Indies’ bowlers pegged back the rate in the dying overs when they picked up 4 for 23.It was enough to limit Australia to a gettable total. As West Indies know only too well, they should have got it. Instead they will return to the same venue on Sunday for the final match, desperate to prove a point to their critics, including their own disgruntled board president.

Leeds United could sign Marcelo Bielsa’s new Alexis Sanchez in Arnaut Danjuma.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Bournemouth star has caught the eye of several Premier League clubs, including the Whites, although it will take a significant offer for the Cherries to let the £13.5m-rated flier leave.

Bielsa’s new Sanchez

While Sanchez’s career may have tailed off in recent years, he was in fine fettle under Bielsa when the duo worked together at international level with Chile between 2007 and 2011 – it was a relationship which even saw the now 32-year-old pay big respect to the current Leeds manager.

He said: “I learned a lot from him and it is because of him that I am who I am. What I remember the most about Bielsa was the mentality that he tries his players to have.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez’s former teammate at Arsenal, raved after a superb free-kick from the Chilean against Southampton: “It’s moments of brilliance like that (which show his quality) but at the same time he works harder than I think I’ve seen anyone work. He is so skilful but he also does the defensive work up front and sets the tone.”

Sanchez’s combination of pace, eye for goal and work-rate is something very much similar to Danjuma, with the Cherries speedster banging in 17 goals and providing another eight assists in all competitions last season.

Speaking on The Official EFL Podcast, former Cherries boss Jonathan Woodgate said: “He’s an exceptional player, in a really good place at the minute, Arnie. He’s another one who I’ve always done a lot of work on him at his previous clubs, so I knew all about him coming into this role, I knew what type of player he was.

“He made an unbelievable run for one of the goals, I showed him that, but then I showed him what he did winning the ball back, when he had to sprint 50 yards and get the ball back. That’s what makes a really good player, for me, getting that work rate in because we know, with the ball his feet, he’s a top player. Can he do the rest going the other way? And he’s starting to show that now, so yeah, he’s doing well.”

Given that quality and energy, Leeds could sign Bielsa a new Sanchez with whom to work, a decade after he worked with the Inter Milan ace.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this “complete” star as a Nahitan Nandez alternative…

French football expert Adam White says Zinedine Ferhat would be a coup signing for Rangers this summer.

Gers boss Steven Gerrard is looking to strengthen his squad after guiding the club to the Scottish Premiership title.

Ferhat has been identified as a transfer target after the right midfielder impressed for Nimes last term.

The 28-year-old was unable to help his current employers to avoid relegation from Ligue One as they finished second-from-bottom in the standings.

However, the former Le Havre man scored six goals and registered 10 assists in 33 appearances, leading to clubs offering Ferhat a route out of second tier football.

Rangers face competition for Ferhat’s signature as French giants Marseille are keen to welcome the Algeria international, who has won 12 caps, to the Stade Vélodrome.

Strasbourg are also vying to have discussions with Ferhat, according to reports.

White has urged the Scottish Premiership champions to move quickly and get the deal over the line before Marseille and Strasbourg make the first move.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, White said: “He’s a player I really like and he’s been great for Nimes.

“He’s a technically-gifted player who drifts in from the flank and creates. He’s good for the odd goal and from set pieces.

“If Rangers were to get him it would be a coup, to be honest.”