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League One outfit Sunderland have reportedly registered an interest in 18-year-old Guiseley striker Josh Stones, with the Black Cats trailing league rivals Wigan Athletic.

What’s the story?

According to Football Insider, the Wearside outfit are keen on the non-league sensation, who is also part of the England schoolboy set-up, but face competition from both Wigan and Scottish giants Rangers.

The young Englishman has scored 21 times in 13 games for the National League North side’s youth team this season whilst making 15 appearances for the first-team scoring once.Â

The striker signed first-team forms with Guiseley in October but could be lured away from the West Yorkshire club this summer.

Sunderland must sign Stones

Having seen Jermain Defoe retire this week after a brief second stint proved unsuccessful, whilst there are no guarantees that loanee Nathan Broadhead will sign permanently, the Black Cats will undoubtedly be looking to add a striker to their ranks this summer.

Granted, if the Wearside club were to sign Stones, it would be incredibly unlikely that manager Alex Neil would throw the youngster into the first-team mix straight away, but there is definitely bags of potential there.

Having scored a ridiculous tally of goals for Guiseley’s youth side as well as impressing in the National League North, there is no doubt that the striker is ready to make the next step up, and joining Sunderland’s youth ranks could be exactly what the 18-year-old needs to continue his development.

It’s still uncertain as to what status of a club the Black Cats will be in the summer with the League One outfit now sat outside of the playoff positions in seventh after Sheffield Wednesday beat Cheltenham Town 4-1 yesterday.

With seven games to secure a playoff spot, Neil’s side face a crucial couple of weeks which will certainly factor the pedigree of talent that they can recruit in the summer.

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Moreover, as Wigan lead the race for Stones’ signature, the Latics are also on course for a return to the Championship, with Leam Richardson’s team three points clear of third-placed MK Dons in second with two games in hand.

Although the Wearsiders are trailing in the hunt for the 18-year-old’s signature, the North-East club must continue to pursue bringing the Guiseley man to the Stadium of Light, with the striker already showing glimpses of exciting potential.

In other news: Big boost: Sunderland handed huge transfer lift which could finally see them promoted

	Ashley Noffke could come up against Ricky Ponting in the Indian Premier League after agreeing to a deal with Bangalore © Getty Images

Ashley Noffke will warm up for his Test tour of West Indies with a brief stint in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Bangalore picked him to replace the injured Nathan Bracken. Noffke leaves for India on Tuesday but must be back in Brisbane in early May for Australia’s training camp ahead of the Caribbean series.Noffke did not originally nominate for either of the IPL auctions and intended to stay focused on his push for international honours. But after he was confirmed for the West Indies trip and named in Cricket Australia’s 25-man squad of contracted players for 2008-09, Noffke decided a short Twenty20 spell could be beneficial.”It’s a pretty exciting proposition to go up against so many good players,” Noffke said. “I’m taking the view that it will be good for my development as a player as well as a chance to get some bowling under my belt ahead of the Windies tour.”Noffke’s last-minute dash to India means he will be available for Bangalore’s opening clash against Kolkata on Friday. If selected, that could pit Noffke against the Australia captain Ricky Ponting as well as the newly-contracted David Hussey.He will also be free to play three more IPL games before heading home for the training camp. Bracken, who is still recovering after having knee surgery in March, will be assessed prior to the ODI tour of West Indies to determine whether he can take part.

The abscence of big stars such as Sachin Tendulkar in the Asia XI prompted Nimbus’ decision © Getty Images

The Afro-Asia Cup, already undermined by the non-availability of several big-name players, has received another jolt with Nimbus Sports, which owned telecast rights for the tournament, pulling out of the deal. In a desperate bid to salvage to tournament, which is scheduled to begin on June 5 in India, the Asian Cricket Council are now trying to finalise a last-minute deal with ESPN-Star.”We will not be part of the event in any way,” Harish Thawani, the Nimbus chief, told PTI. “We will not be telecasting the event. Neither will we be producing nor bringing sponsorship for the matches.”Nimbus Sports bought the rights for three editions of the tournament, which was first played in 2005 in South Africa, for $12 million, and cited the absence of several big stars in the Asia XI as the reason for pulling the plug. Among the names missing are Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Muttiah Muralithran, Chaminda Vaas, Kumar Sangakkara, Shoaib Akhtar and Lasith Malinga.”Nimbus committed the money on the understanding that the teams will be drawn from the best available talent,” said an industry source. “This is clearly not the case with this tournament and the thus terms on which the deal was signed are not valid anymore. It would be understandable if the players were injured. But this is not the case here.”Muralitharan, Vaas and Sangakkara are currently playing county cricket with permission from the Sri Lankan Cricket Board, and Shoaib was pulled out by the Pakistan Cricket Board on the grounds that he had not regained full fitness. The last straw, according to the source, was the voluntary withdrawal of Tendulkar a couple of days ago. Dravid had not been originally picked in the XI that will be captained by Mahela Jayawerdene.”By no stretch of imagination this is the best Asian XI,” said the source, adding that the Twenty20 team, which doesn’t feature a single player from the one-day XI, has only one Indian player in Sreesanth, who is hardly an automatic choice for India’s limited-overs matches. It is hardly a secret that India is the biggest source of television revenue in cricket, and the absence of the top Indian stars have left Nimbus with little chance of recovering their fee.However, the tournament is likely to go ahead with ESPN-Star being roped in at the last minute. While no financial details are available at the moment, it is understood the deal will be significantly lower than the original sum. Though ACC officials and ESPN-Star refused to comment, an official decision is expected to be announced on Monday.The brainchild of Jagmohan Dalmiya, the former president of the Indian cricket board, the first Afro-Asia Cup was held in South Africa in August 2005. The idea was to raise money for the Asian Cricket Council and the African Cricket Association, and the whole venture was given a massive boost when the ICC agreed to give the series of one-day matches full ODI status. It could not be held in 2006 owing to a busy international calendar.

Doug Insole: the next MCC President © MCC/CS

Doug Insole has been appointed president of MCC for a one-year term beginning this October.Insole, who turned 80 last month, played for England nine times and while he had a distinguished 17-year career with Essex, he is perhaps better known for his achievements off the cricket field.He has previously chaired both Essex and the Test & County Cricket Board (TCCB) and currently chairs the European Cricket Council. He was an England selector for ten years and managed the 1978-79 and 1982-83 Ashes tours to AustraliaInsole played 450 first-class games and scored over 25,000 runs. Coincidentally, his year as president will end 60 years after he made his first-class debut.

Mushfiqur Rahim: a wise head on young shoulders © Getty Images

When the Bangladesh team steps onto the hallowed turf of Lord’s today, back home some thousands of miles away millions of eyes will be glued to television sets in anxious, nervous anticipation. But nowhere will they glow with as much pride as in a fenced-off complex which is roughly an hour’s drive from the capital, Dhaka.For the coaches, teachers and trainees of the Bangladesh Institute of Sports (BKSP), the historic Lord’s landing of the Tigers has a special significance. The XI to take on England will feature two players who are still students at the institute – Shahadat Hossain and Mushfiqur Rahim – and another one, Anwar Hossain, who is a recent graduate. In 1987 BKSP welcomed its first batch of cricket talents, some 30-odd dreamy-eyed seventh-graders, but until today, it has never had three of its products in the playing XI of the national team.Anwar, a fast-medium bowler, is appearing in only his second Test after two years in the wilderness. He has apparently shown more adaptability to English conditions than the tireless Tapash Baisya. Shahadat’s debut was inevitable after he made a pacey and hostile first impression against the British Universities in the tour opener. But the newsmaker so far has been the angel-faced Rahim.Picked originally as cover for Khaled Mashud, the 16-year-old Rahim, who barely exceeds five feet, was given a go in Bangladesh’s second warm-up match, against Sussex, and ended up batting better than any of his team-mates in that ill-fated game, including scoring the only half-century. Just to confirm it was not a fluke, he then smacked an unbeaten hundred against Northamptonshire, during which he even advised his 36-year-old batting partner, Mohammad Rafique, to “play the balls a little late” in order to get proper timing. That’s the uninhibited, confident gait with an unmistakable touch of innocence which sets him apart from other kids of his age. And there are some other traits in Rahim that money can’t buy.”He comes from one of the most reputed and affluent families of his district [Bogra],” says the BKSP’s cricket coach Mohammad Salahuddin. “He could have had all the comfort in the world. Instead, he has decided to shape his life through hard work. His work ethic is exemplary, and he is absolutely single-minded about pursuing his goals – being successful in cricket and career. Mind you, he is academically very sound too.”We have had individuals who have been far more talented than Rahim,” added Salahuddin. “But some have fallen by the wayside while others have not made the next leap forward. That is why he is different. He has not got distracted and hasn’t lost focus. His level of determination is much higher than the average trainee and he carries himself with dignity. He is very polite and disciplined. You won’t hear anything negative about him from anyone here.”Rahim was in Australia with the Under-19 side when the news emerged that he had been picked for the senior side, and he was suitably dumbfounded when Nazmul Abedin, the chief coach at the institute, dropped the bombshell. But Nazmul also foresees brilliant times ahead for Rahim. “I think he is a future Bangladesh captain. He has the attributes to go the distance.”While BKSP gave Rahim the scope to flourish his sporting gifts, his character was moulded under the influence of the Australian, Richard McInness, the outgoing High Performance Manager of the Bangladesh Cricket Board and coach of their Under-19 and A squads. McInness had a good idea how his pupil was going to react to the Lord’s adventure: “Obviously he’ll be excited but he won’t let it show. He will go about his business without letting the occasion get to him. That’s the kind of character he is. He is very, very professional, which is a rarity in someone so young.”

When Steve Waugh said Australia would come hard at India, he wasn’t kidding. A team scoring 400 for 5 in a single day was not something the Adelaide Oval had experienced before. Australia went on a run-riot and overtook the 387 they scored against West Indies on the second day of the fourth Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy in 1968-69.A closer look at the scoring pattern lets slip an interesting ploy.

Session	Runs	Overs	Runrate
Morning session	135	27	5
Afternoon session	106	24	4.42
Evening session	159	39	4.08

Australia played to put India on the defensive as soon as the game began, and once the pressure was on, the batsmen could step off the gas, play a relatively safer game, and still end up with a huge total on the first day.

Batsman	Strike rates
Langer	80.6
Hayden	80.0
Ponting	71.5
Martyn	76.9
Waugh	56.6
Katich	68.8
Gilchrist	90.0

Ricky Ponting was unbeaten at the day’s end, with a score of 176 in 246 balls with 24 boundaries. His strike rate of 71.5% suggests a poor bowling performance, but on closer inspection, it was Ponting’s frame of mind and the pitch’s true bounce that attributed more to his final score. Ponting had an in-control percentage of 87.4, compared to the team total of 84%. His back-foot strokeplay was authoritative, and the number of runs he scored off the front foot reveals how consistent the bounce was.

	Front foot	Back foot
Runs scored	99	62
Balls faced	169	60

When Ponting reached his hundred, he achieved the rare distinction of scoring all 16 of his boundaries on the offside. It had a lot to do with the line the Indians bowled.

Percentage of deliveries bowled to Ponting on the offside
Bowler	% offside
Agarkar	100
Pathan	88.2
Nehra	91.8
Kumble	82.4

For a large part of the day, India bowled a good length, and just short of a good length. The arrival of Steve Waugh, unsurprisingly, brought a change in tactics. Of the nine bouncers bowled in the day, five were directed at Waugh. Ironically, it took a half-volley – just the delivery the bowlers were trying to avoid – from Ashish Nehra to dismiss him.

The Kwekwe first team travelled to Bulawayo to play against the MacDonald club first team. Kwekwe won the toss and decided to bat first.Kwekwe scored 321 runs for five wickets in their allotted 50 overs, the top scorers being Doug Marillier with 96 runs, which included 10 fours and 2 sixes, Raymond Price with 89 runs which included 11 fours and 1 six, and Terry Duffin, who scored 84 runs which also included 11 fours before he was run out chancing a short single so as to increase the run rate to over six an over. This was once again an excellent spell of batting by the Kwekwe batsmen, who got off to a rather slow start.The partnership between Raymond and Terry was worth 133 runs off 128 balls; it lasted 85 minutes and included 17 fours and 1 six. The partnership between Terry and Doug was worth 60 runs off 69 balls and lasted 46 minutes and included 6 fours.Best bowlers for Mac Club were Gavin Wren, who took two for 67 in his ten overs, including the wicket of Doug Marillier, and Stephen Brown, who took one for 58 from his ten overs. Brown’s wicket was that of Raymond Price.Mac Club then batted after lunch and scored 179 for eight in 33 overs. The top scorer for Mac Club was Frank Marara with 57 runs that included 6 fours.The best bowlers for Kwekwe were Dirk Viljoen (2/13), Colin Delport (2/20) and Heath Fourie (2/30). Raymond Price and E. Rainsford each took one wicket. It was a fine spell of disciplined bowling by all concerned.The second team hosted Old Georgians Second Team and unfortunately, although I know that they won, at the time of writing this report no information was available.Kwekwe Queens, who take part in the Northern Zone League, travelled to Harare to play against Shamva and yet again no results are available for this game.I am pleased to report yet again that the development sides here in the Midlands are doing well and have again started having their friendly games on Saturday mornings. There are plans under way for this little tournament to include the Gweru Sports Club side.The Inter-town 30-over a side matches played on Saturday afternoons here in the Midlands are due to start shortly, as well as the Logan Cup games, and this year there are going to be three games played at the Kwekwe Sports Club.

England’s stand-in captain Alec Stewart made no excuses for his team’s humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia in the latest NatWest Series encounter at Old Trafford.England were bundled out for their lowest-ever one-day score of 86 to lose by 125 runs. It was their ninth consecutive one-day defeat and means the remaining qualifying matches in the triangular competition are largely meaningless.Stewart said:”We have lost heavily and we were never at the races.”I am not going to use excuses. The fact is that they bowled well in helpfulconditions and we were not up to it.”He found some solace in the performance of Ben Hollioake whom the Australians struggled to get away. Stewart said: “Ben Hollioake’s bowling was very good – ten overs for 30 was very impressive and he has grown in stature in each game he has played in this series.”To keep them to 208 at the close of their innings was a good effort.”But then you get the first four wickets knocked over early in our innings and you do not recover from that.”Australian skipper Steve Waugh had some sympathy for his opposite number. “I do not think he made any tactical errors out there,” said Waugh.”I thought he captained pretty well but what can you do when your side getsbowled out for 86?”He is the captain but he cannot work miracles.”The next game in the series is between Pakistan and Australia at Chester-le-Street on Saturday while England are back in action against Pakistan at Headingley on Sunday.

Sunderland will be looking to extend their five-game unbeaten run in League One as they travel to face Lincoln City on Saturday.

The Black Cats have won three of their last four games and have the chance to head into the international break on a high with another three points this weekend.

They beat Crewe Alexandra 2-0 at the Stadium of Light last time out as Dan Neil and Patrick Roberts both came off the bench to score, which could see them force their way into the team against the Imps.

Game-changer

One player who Alex Neil must unleash from the start alongside the pair is wide forward Nathan Broadhead. The club have reportedly been monitoring his fitness this week in the build-up to the game, and Neil must select him in the starting XI if he is available to play.

The Athletic journalist Patrick Boyland previously lauded the young attacker’s form at the Stadium of Light, tweeting: “Nathan Broadhead excelling at Sunderland. Regular competitive games making world of difference but too good for League One really.”

The reporter added: A lot to like. Mobile, finishes well, can play across the front line.”

The 23-year-old has the quality to be a game-changer for the Black Cats, as he has shown that he can find the net at an impressive rate. Boyland believes that the forward is too good for the third tier and his goalscoring record from out wide backs that up, with five goals in nine starts and 0.8 key passes per game.

Broadhead has scored six goals in his last seven matches for Sunderland in all competitions, which proves that he can change games by finding the back of the net. He could also come in at the perfect time after a disappointing performance from one of his team-mates last weekend.

Lynden Gooch started out wide on the right against Crewe but struggled badly. As per SofaScore, he only completed 16 passes and failed to complete a single chance as he lost four of his seven duels. He lacked the ability to make a difference in the final third, which is why he must be axed in favour of Broadhead.

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Neil must select the on-loan winger to play instead of the American, as the statistics suggest that the 23-year-old would be a major upgrade to the starting XI. If he is not 100% fit, then he would still be a terrific option to bring off the bench as a substitute to potentially win the game for Sunderland.

AND in other news, Moyes flop who’s “like Eden Hazard” has seen his value rise by £14.4m after leaving Sunderland…

	Allan Donald manages to bring a smile to Steve Harmison’s face © Getty Images

As Steve Harmison lurches into his latest crisis following an insipid performance in Hamilton, Allan Donald, the man who last summer was charged with trying to coax him into action, has revealed Harmison came to him and admitted he was ‘scared’.Donald was England’s bowling coach during the 2007 season but turned down the full-time position so that he could spend more time with his family and has joined Warwickshire as their bowling coach. The moment when Harmison opened up came at Old Trafford during the third Test against West Indies after he’d struggled to hit the cut strip.”He needed confidence,” Donald told the . “He needed to feel appreciated. I’ve never seen a cricketer as low as he was. He came off the field in the Test at Old Trafford and told me he was scared. It was so sad.”From his low point in the first innings at Old Trafford, Harmison did manage to regain some composure with an improved performance on the final day and in the fourth Test on his home ground at Chester-le-Street. However, just as he was finding some confidence another injury came along and he missed the rest of the summer. He has continued to suffered fitness issues, especially with his back, during the winter tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.Harmison’s fate is now in the hands of Ottis Gibson after Donald opted against a full-time role. “To be honest with you, I wouldn’t have taken the England job even if this role at Warwickshire hadn’t come up,” Donald said. “Working with the England team was fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel I made a positive impact. And, I have to say, the ECB were brilliant. They are a highly professional organisation and, in many ways, everything about the job was great.”But I’ve been on the road for years. At some stage you have to put the family first. I want to see my children grow up.”