All posts by h716a5.icu

Kumar Sangakkara is not yet sweating over an inconsistent Sri Lankan middle order, and feels his batsmen will step up when required to.

Nagraj Gollapudi in Mumbai17-Mar-2011Kumar Sangakkara is not yet sweating over an inconsistent Sri Lankan middle order. Even a dependable batsman like Mahela Jayawardene has stuttered in the World Cup, logging just 134 runs in four completed innings, 100 of which came against Canada. In three innings Angelo Mathews has 39, Thilan Samaraweera 61, Thisara Perera 22 and Chamara Silva has 61 from two innings including a half-century.Except in the rain-abandoned match against Australia, Pakistan are the only strong opponent Sri Lanka have faced so far. Chasing a challenging total of 277, Sri Lanka got off to a good start with Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga adding 76, but the hosts lost control immediately as four wickets fell for just 20 runs in seven overs. Sri Lanka have just one match left to repair those mistakes before the quarterfinals.”When the time comes, the guys will step up,” Sangakkara said, shrugging off the idea that the middle order had some work to do. “We had probably one bad game against Pakistan. We looked pretty solid against Australia and the other games, the middle order didn’t have much to do. So the real test will come and the guys are very capable of stepping up in those games for us.”The fact that batsmen in the lower middle order – Mathews, Perera, Silva – have not spent enough time in the middle is not causing any distress for Sangakkara. “If we can win matches with just the top order, I think that is good enough for us. But if the middle order needs to come in, that’s why they are selected because they’re good enough to do the job. Failures do happen. So that’s the way cricket goes. You take those opportunities and do as much as you can. If you cannot be successful, you try and learn and get better.”Sangakkara said it was important the Sri Lanka don’t lose the focus going into the knockouts. “You know, when you play in a World Cup, past doesn’t really matter and it’s exactly what you do when the game comes. For us, it’s going back to the basics and probably we cover all our bases and take the opportunity.”Many captains, including Ross Taylor, Sangakkara’s counterpart for tomorrow’s game, have stressed that a victory in the final group clash would provide the momentum going into the quarterfinals. Sangakkara differs. “Every side likes to build momentum and take it into the really important stages. At the same time sides also might not win in the final first-round game and won’t be too much worried about it. The quarters, semis and the finals are the one that really count. Therefore, what happens just before does not really matter, unless it takes psychological toll on that particular side.”

ExWHUemployee has dropped an update on West Ham United’s bid to secure a deal to bring Jesse Lingard to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent post on The West Ham Way, the Hammers insider suggested that, following reports claiming that the Manchester United attacking midfielder is nearing a move to Newcastle United, the 29-year-old’s return to East London looks increasingly unlikely, either this month or in the summer.

In his post, Ex said: “I have tried to get a clear answer on the Jesse Lingard situation. Rumours are that he is set to join Newcastle on loan after they agreed to match his £100k a week salary (and more) as well as paying a fee. Whereas Manchester United will not agree a deal with us due to being in competition with them for a Champions League spot.

“I spoke to a couple of club sources about what was happening with Jesse and all I got back was, ‘It’s Jesse’s call.’ It is clear that Lingard wishes to become a free agent in the summer where he will obviously be able to command a large wage and signing on fee, hence why loans are the option until then.

“There does appear to be a contradiction in messages coming out regarding the deal. Lingard’s side believe West Ham have not made contact (despite Moyes making it clear he wants him back), whereas West Ham are saying it is up to the player. Clearly, there is a difference of opinion between the two parties and unless something changes quite dramatically it appears he won’t be returning before the summer, if at all.”

Fans will be fuming

Considering how much of a success Lingard was during his short-term loan spell at West Ham last season, in addition to the fact that David Moyes has made it clear that he would like to bring the England international back to the club this winter, the news that the 29-year-old now looks unlikely to make a return to the London Stadium will undoubtedly leave fans fuming.

Indeed, over his 16 Premier League outings last term, the £18m-rated man was in remarkable form for the Irons, scoring nine goals, registering five assists and creating three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.6 shots and making 1.1 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £75k-per-week forward earn a quite spectacular seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.19, ranking him as the club’s best player in the English top-flight last time out.

As such, while it seems there is some ambiguity as to whether or not West Ham have made an approach for Lingard this winter, should the versatile midfielder go on to join a side who are currently second-bottom in the Premiership standings as opposed to one who currently sit fourth, West Ham fans will quite rightly be livid.

In other news: Moyes must now launch WHU bid for £46k-p/w “phenomenon” as key transfer twist emerges

England duo Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn batted out the last 12 overs as Middlesex held on for a draw against Sussex in Division Two of the County Championship at Uxbridge

24-Jul-2010
Scorecard
Monty Panesar had the better of Andrew Strauss on his way to a five-wicket haul, but could not force a win•PA PhotosEngland duo Eoin Morgan and Steven Finn batted out the last 12 overs as Middlesex held on for a draw against Sussex in Division Two of the County Championship at Uxbridge. Monty Panesar had looked to have put leaders Sussex on course for a dramatic victory as he took five wickets to help reduce Middlesex to 175 for 8 in pursuit of a target of 343.But after England colleagues Andrew Strauss and Owais Shah both failed, Morgan dug in for over two and a half hours for his unbeaten 58 and got good support from Finn to frustrate Sussex, as Middlesex finished on 204 for 8.The visitors had started the day 211 ahead with five remaining wickets but lost nightwatchman Lewis Hatchett in the sixth over to give Steven Finn his third wicket of the innings and sixth of the match. First innings centurion Luke Wright and Michael Thornely put on 86 for the seventh wicket in 21 overs, reaching their half-centuries off successive balls. Wright got there first with his taking 65 balls while in comparison Thornely’s lasted three hours and 133 balls.Thornely’s stay came to an end soon afterwards when he chopped a ball from Neil Dexter onto his own stumps while Wright departed to the first ball he received after lunch for 62, trapped lbw by Shaun Udal. Udal then had Ollie Rayner caught on the boundary which prompted Sussex skipper Mike Yardy to declare on 240 for 9 and leave Middlesex chasing a target of 343 from a minimum of 58 overs.England skipper Andrew Strauss began positively having made just eight in the first innings but was lucky to be given two reprieves by Sussex. First Rayner was unable to hold on to a difficult chance at second slip when Strauss was on 14 and then Matt Prior missed a tough stumping opportunity off Panesar when he was on 18.Panesar also saw Lewis Hatchett put down John Simpson before three wickets fell in the space of 21 balls to give Sussex hope. Panesar trapped Simpson lbw as he padded up to a straight one and had Dawid Malan caught at short leg, while Owais Shah was caught behind for just 14 off part-time seamer Thornely.Strauss’s luck finally ran out when he was bowled by a quicker ball from Panesar for 37 to leave Middlesex in trouble at 89 for 4. Neil Dexter and Morgan looked to have ended Sussex’s hopes of victory with a partnership of 71 in 23 overs but then Middlesex lost four wickets in seven overs to blow the game wide open again.Dexter and Gareth went in the space of three balls to Rayner before Panesar picked up the scalps of Udal and Tom Roland-Jones to finish with figures of 5 for 89, but it wasn’t enough.

A number of Manchester City fans have flocked to the transfer news that AC Milan are interested in defender Nathan Ake.

According to a report by MilanNews.it (as relayed by City Xtra), the potential transfer of Ake to Milan is proving to be ‘difficult to achieve’, and sources close to Man City have stated that the centre-back will not be leaving the club in the January window.

The Dutchman has struggled for Premier League playing time this season, having made just eight top flight appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, lately Ake has been utilised in the various cup competitions that City are still in the running for, including the club’s recent 4-1 FA Cup victory against Swindon Town.

It would certainly be a surprise were he to leave, given he is just now beginning to stamp his mark after joining 18 months ago (BBC), particularly impressing against Brentford and Leeds in recent weeks.

These Man City fans flock to the Ake transfer news

Manchester City Twitter source City Xtra shared the news to fans, with many flocking to the comments to share their joy for Ake, who looks set to remain at the club. Supporters were reluctant to see the Netherlands international exit due to a number of fantastic recent performances.

Here’s what some of these fans said…

“Ake is getting better & better at City, top player, at CB or LB, hope he stays and sure he will”

Credit: @MCFCTone

“He’s absolute class and isn’t going anywhere. I was so wrong about him”

Credit: @ManCityKD

“You think Pep will let our defensive depth and stability go now that we finally have it again? In JANUARY? In such a crucial part of the season? Lmaooooooo”

Credit: @mvx_mcfc

“Def don’t give up Aké. That save against Arsenal should keep him a blue for quite a while.”

Credit: @NathanDean904

“AC Milan is one of my favorite clubs in Europe, but Ake needs to stay because he’s actually been very solid when starting.”

Credit: @SoraPalmer

“Tell those Italians to go shop somewhere else, Ake ain’t leaving, no chance”

Credit: @mxnxl_

Harbhajan Singh has said that India’s effort to save this Test from the depths of 5 for 15 showed why they were the No. 1 team

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Nov-2010Harbhajan Singh has said that India’s effort to save this Test from the depths of 5 for 15 in their second innings showed why they are the top-ranked Test side in the world. “This is what the No. 1 team can do; anyone can come and perform. We believe in each other. Everyone felt that if Ishant [Sharma] and VVS Laxman can win the game in Mohali, why can’t Harbhajan Singh go out and make 60-odd, and Laxman score 150 for team India and save the game?We have lots of self belief and that’s why we are the No. 1 side.”Harbhajan won the Man-of-the-Match award for his batting exploits, something he never dreamed he would do in a Test. “May be in the one-dayers I thought I can get a chance to go up the order, slog a few, get a quick 50-odd and be the Man of the Match.He also felt that Chris Martin was the real Man of the Match for his devastating spell on the fourth day. “Hats off to this guy (Martin) for he bowled his heart out on this flat wicket. For me he is the Man of the Match; to take five wickets on this pitch was something really special.”Harbhajan has talked in the past about his team-mates have always believed he could get a Test hundred, and they shared his joy after he finally reached the landmark. “Now I know how it feels to get a hundred. I was really thrilled and excited. It helped us save the Test. You must have seen how the players were enjoying each other’s success. When I got my hundred everyone was in the balcony to support me. That was a great sign.”He was effusive in his praise for Laxman. ” toh Laxman hi hai (Laxman is the man for a crisis). I was just supporting him. He was the reason I got my hundred; He kept saying I am batting really well and to concentrate this over, then the next over and then the next. If he was not on the other side, things could have been different. He batted superbly. He was little unlucky with his decision, else he would have got his hundred as well.”Both Laxman and Zaheer Khan fell to poor umpiring decisions today, and Harbhajan was asked his opinion on the Umpire Decision Review System. “As a bowler, I don’t mind if that system comes. We had it in Sri Lanka and I quite liked it as I got couple of wickets. But I am no one to decide on this. Big people decide; my job is to just bowl, bat, and field. That’s the best I can do.”Harbhajan said a lot of the credit for his innings should go to Laxman, who told him what shots to play and what shots not to play. “He told me to not to play on-the-rise shots; that was the only thing I looked to avoid on this pitch. I was just waiting for the right kind of ball in my area where I was comfortable to hit my shots.”The lifeless pitch was reason why India decided not to declare and push for the win. Daniel [Vettori] bowled 35-36 overs to take two wickets. And you saw the replays of them to see what sort of decisions they were. There was nothing in the pitch. We made the right decision of not declaring.”Harbhajan also reiterated his pre-match statements that New Zealand are a good side, saying one bad series doesn’t make them a bad side. “I think it [the performance in Bangladesh] was over-hyped in New Zealand. We also lost to Bangladesh in the World Cup. That doesn’t make us a bad team. When two teams play, one will win and one will lose.”

India’s advance party for their three-Test series against South Africa will train on “hard, bouncy pitches with no lateral movement” to simulate conditions they expect to find through the series

Firdose Moonda06-Dec-2010The India Test squad, whose advance party arrives in South Africa on Monday evening, will prepare for their three-Test series by training on “hard, bouncy pitches with no lateral movement” to simulate conditions they expect to find through the series, particularly in Centurion, venue of the first Test. Their training will take place at the Gary Kirsten Performance Zone Academy in Cape Town.”We received a brief to prepare pitches that are similar to the Centurion surface,” Martin Brand, the patron for the Claremont Cricket Club where the academy is, told ESPNcricinfo.As India will have no warm-up matches before the first Test, their coach Gary Kirsten has been keen to get the players practicing on South Africa’s bouncy wickets to prepare them for the barrage of short balls expected from the home-team bowlers. India are expected to spend a week working in the academy to improve their record in South Africa, where they are yet to win a series and have won only a single Test in 12 attempts since 1992.The first batch of players to arrive in Cape Town will be Virender Sehwag, Cheteshwar Pujara, Umesh Yadav and Jaidev Unadkat, and the training will begin on Tuesday afternoon. “More groups of players will arrive after that and they have requested morning sessions on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,” Brand said. “We expect the full Test squad to be here by Friday and they will all have a final net session on Saturday.” Friday’s session will also include intensive fielding drills.The academy has prepared seven pitches: three on the lower oval and four on the practice field. They will provide fielders for the Indians on Friday and bowlers from the club and the Western Province amateur side throughout the week. What the Indians won’t be getting is help from some of the frontline fast bowlers in Cape Town. Richard Pybus, who coaches the Cape Cobras, the city’s franchise, said the likes of Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt and Monde Zondeki will not be bowling to the India batsmen at any stage.Kirsten, Paddy Upton and Dale Williams founded the academy in 2006, about a year before Kirsten started travelling with India in late 2007. “He got the job with India before the academy could really get going, so there hasn’t been much going on here.”Kirsten’s brainchild has been lying dormant for some time but its first job is a big one. Brand and his ground staff have been getting ready to host India for the past week and are excited about the first assignment. “I can’t say we know what to expect because it’s the first time we are hosting a training camp here. This is the first time the academy has done something like this and been used in this capacity, but we are confident we will do a good job.”

Gloucestershire have signed Louis Gegg on an emerging player contract

Cricinfo staff07-Jun-2010Gloucestershire have signed Louis Gegg on an emerging player contract. Gegg, 21, is from Bisley, near Stroud and has played cricket locally in Frocester for 5 seasons. A wicketkeeper, he has been part of Gloucestershire age-group teams since he was 11 years old and was also on the Academy between the ages of 15 and 17.”I am relishing the opportunity to further my cricket and it is a great chance to play for Gloucestershire,” said Gegg. “I have worked incredibly hard for a number of years to reach my first goal of signing for the county. I would like to thank my father, who has been a big support and Frocester CC have been great in my development over the last 4 years, especially the help from the captain, Nick Trainor.””We have set Louis some very tough tasks over the last year,” added Gloucestershire’s team mentor Jack Russell. “He has come through extremely well. This is an opportunity for him to move his game to another level, which he thoroughly deserves.”

Steffan Jones earned career-best bowling figures as Derbyshire launched their Twenty2 cup bid with an 11-run win over Leicestershire

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2010
Scorecard
Steffan Jones earned career-best bowling figures as Derbyshire launched their Twenty2 cup bid with an 11-run win over Leicestershire. The 36-year-old Welsh seamer took 3 for 20 in his four overs to restrict Leicestershire to 154 for 8 as they failed to chase down a victory target of 166 at Grace Road.Jones’s victims included Australian allrounder Andrew McDonald, who hit a blistering 67off 50 balls to keep Leicestershire in the chase after they had lost early wickets. Fellow Australian Brad Hodge, signed by the county as their second overseas player for the competition, went in the second over and then the home side collapsed from 41 for 1 to 64 for 4 in the space of four overs.McDonald was in tremendous form reaching his half century off 37 balls with seven sweetly-struck boundaries and by the time he skied a catch to long on off the bowling of Jones, had reached a career-best score in Twenty20 cricket.But his effort was not enough to give Leicestershire a winning start with a tough run of three successive away matches now to follow. Only Paul Nixon provided any real assistance to McDonald, scoring 24 before being caught off his trademark reverse sweep.Derbyshire also struggled in the early part of their innings with only 23 runs coming off 10 scoring shots in the first six overs. Left-arm seamer Harry Gurney conceded only one run in his first two overs and in all there were a total of 25 dot balls.But Derbyshire’s innings gained momentum as Loots Bosman smashed 16 in an over off McDonald and Greg Smith hit a six off Claude Henderson. When Bosman cleared the ropes for a second time at the expense of Hodge the visitors had more than made up for their slow start.Although Hodge gained his revenge by bowling Bosman for 39 the rest of the Derbyshire batsmen maintained the run rate and 101 runs were scored off the last 10 overs to post a challenging total which proved out of the home side’s reach.

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their interest in Atalanta powerhouse Duvan Zapata…

What’s the talk?

Magpies reporter Keith Downie has rebuffed claims that the club will make a move for the centre-forward before the window slams shut.

Speaking live on Sky Sports News (21:20), he said: “I heard a slight whisper about an hour ago that they may try for Duvan Zapata. I’m told that is not the case.”

Gutted

This update will surely leave Eddie Howe gutted as Zapata could have been a huge signing for the club on deadline day, due to what he could have brought to the table.

The Colombian striker could have been a difference-maker for the Toon as he has proven his quality at the top level for Atalanta. He has scored 78 goals and provided 38 assists in 152 matches for the Italian club, including nine goals and five assists in 16 Serie A games this term.

Meanwhile, Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin are the only players in the Newcastle squad who have scored more than twice in the league this term for the club. Neither of them have managed more than six, three short of Zapata’s nine, which suggests that Howe is in dire need of attacking reinforcements.

The ex-Cherries boss does not have an abundance of goalscorers in his team and the signing of Zapata could have gone a long way to solving that issue. He is a proven finisher who has shown that he can regularly find the back of the net in a top European league, suggesting that he could have been a huge player for the Toon, as he could have scored the goals to seal vital points in the Premier League.

Therefore, Howe will be gutted that the club have not pursued a deal to sign him on deadline day. He could be frustrated with those behind the scenes making the decisions as he could now be left without adequate resources to work with in the final third heading into the final few months of the season.

AND in other news, Ornstein: NUFC make “dramatic late attempt” for deal that’ll get St James’ rocking…

Newcastle United moved on to 43 points on Saturday as they beat Norwich 3-0 in a Premier League encounter at Carrow Road.

The Magpies are well clear of relegation and are on course to avoid the drop down to the Championship after an impressive resurgence under Eddie Howe.

They can now start to think about what they are going to do in the summer transfer window as attention turns to 2022/23 and their ambitions to compete higher up in the table.

One player the club are reportedly in the running for is Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen, who has been thriving in the Serie A this season.

Speaking about a potential transfer, his agent – Andrea D’Amico – said: “If a very important offer arrives, it goes away. But this is true for every player who plays in Italy.”

“At the moment I have no requests from the Premier, but it is early, it is a situation that remains evolving. England remains a top-tier market. When I speak of an important and indispensable offer for Osimhen, I mean offers of 150 million.”

Imagine him & Bruno

If the Magpies can bring the £126m (€150m) attacker to St. James’ Park then he would be able to form an exciting partnership with Bruno Guimaraes.

Osimhen has scored 12 goals in 19 Serie A starts this season and averaged an excellent SofaScore rating of 7.12 for Napoli. The dynamo also scored four goals in five Europa League matches earlier in the campaign and this shows that he has been a reliable scorer, and performer, for the Italian side.

He is finally fulfilling the potential that he showed earlier in his career. Whilst in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, his then-manager Andries Jonker outlined his talent, saying: “He has great potential in him. He is ambitious, quick and highly unpredictable, he will be a star in the future if he maintains his focus.”

Guimaraes, meanwhile, has four goals and one assist in 13 games in the Premier League since arriving in England in January. He has averaged a fantastic SofaScore rating of 7.25 as he has been able to hit the ground running in the top-flight under Howe.

The Brazilian has proven that he can make an impact in the division and now you can imagine what his link-up with a striker as clinical as Osimhen would look like. Imagine both of them exchanging passes and running at opposition defences next season; it’s an exciting thought and a dream that PIF can, hopefully, realise in the coming months.

AND in other news, “Newcastle want..”: Journo drops exciting claim on £109m duo, it’ll delight supporters…