All posts by h716a5.icu

Durham’s summer has got considerably hotter with the announcement that Lashings World XI will play at the Riverside in August

Durham CCC Media Release09-May-2002Durham’s summer has got considerably hotter with the announcement that Lashings World XI will play at the Riverside in August.Captained by Richie Richardson, the Lashings World XI, with a reputation asthe Harlem Globe Trotters of the Cricketing World, will include some of cricket’s greatest names. Players confirmed will be announced over the summer, but in the past have included players such as Wasim Akram, Sir Viv Richards, Shoaib Akthar, Brian Lara and Alan Donald.This unique team of cricketing legends will be at the Riverside on Wednesday7th August 2002 for 45 overs of top class action against Durham XI. Capacity has been limited to 5,000 and the game is expected to sell out in advance. This is one game no real cricket fan can afford to miss.The match adds to Durham’s summer of international cricket. England take onIndia on 4th July in the first ever floodlit international at the Riverside,with a record capacity of 17,200 expected. Durham will also be hosting aWomen’s One Day International between England and India on 19th July at theRiverside, along with the Final on Saturday 20th.David Harker, Chief Executive of Durham County Cricket Club, said: “International cricket is not only important to the cricket Club, but is amajor boost to the image of the region. We are delighted to add the Lashings match to our calendar of international fixtures and I hope it will whet people’s appetite for next year’s Test Match. We hope to announce some big name players once contracts have been finalised.”Tickets for Durham XI v Lashings World XI are on sale now. Tickets cost £10for adults (in advance or £12 on day), £5 for U18s and £25 for a family tickets. Call the ticket hotline on 0191 387 1717 to get your ticket for this world class event.

In an exclusive interview with The Transfer Tavern, former West Ham striker Brian Deane has called for Said Benrahma to be given patience at the London Stadium.

The 25-year-old winger recently grabbed his first league goal for the club after what has been a difficult start to life in east London.

After tearing up the Championship last season, much was expected of Benrahma when he joined West Ham.

However, the Algeria international has been in and out of David Moyes’ starting XI and, as already mentioned, only registered his first Premier League strike this month.

Deane, however, does not believe Benrahma should be written off so quickly and has urged for him to be given time.

Speaking exclusively to TT about the former Brentford man, Deane said:

“He’s like [Emiliano] Buendia. He’s that type of player, isn’t he? But in a wide area. Listen, I mean, sometimes you don’t get somebody on fire straight away, but he’s got all the tools.”

Like Benrahma during his final season at Brentford, Buendia absolutely thrived in the Championship this term.

The Argentinian attacker scored 15 goals and provided 16 assists on Norwich City’s way to the title, so it is a fair comparison, with Benrahma doing similar numbers back in 2019/20.

Marcus Bent has exclusively told Football FanCast that Ross Barkley should snap up the chance to return to Everton should the opportunity present itself this summer.

The England midfielder, who’s currently on loan at Aston Villa, left Goodison Park for Chelsea back in 2017, but has never been seen as a key player during his time in the capital.

He was favoured by Maurizio Sarri, but then restricted to a bit-part role under Frank Lampard, with a move to Villa Park used as a chance to help the midfielder rediscover his best form.

But besides an impressive run, which included goals against Liverpool and Leicester during the early stages of his loan spell, Barkley has found himself out of Dean Smith’s team.

Barkley will return to Chelsea this summer in a bid to try and impress Thomas Tuchel, but his Stamford Bridge career would appear to be hanging in the balance.

And former Everton striker Bent told Football FanCast that the 27-year-old could make a huge difference to the Toffees squad:

“Ross Barkley, for me, when he came through, and still is, an absolute talent, the problem being is that he hasn’t stabilised a spot at any team.

“If he were to go back to Everton, and I’ve spoken to Everton and they’re lacking that in midfield. He’s got skill on the ball, he’s like a Stevie G.

“He went to Chelsea at a young age and hasn’t done it, so going back to Everton, this is a chance to go home and get at a club that he knows well. The fans love him.”

Plenty of Crystal Palace fans have been giving their thoughts to a transfer update regarding striker Christian Benteke.

The Belgian, on £120,000-a-week with the Eagles, is out of contract at Selhurst Park in a matter of weeks.

He’s scored five times in his last 11 Premier League appearances, including netting in back-to-back away games over the last five days.

However, it seems as if a move away from the club could be on the cards. According to Sportslens, the 30-year-old is keen on playing in Italy, with Inter Milan as the preferred option.

The report suggests that Benteke’s agent recommended the striker’s services to Inter Milan, but they are yet to hear back from the Serie A champions regarding a possible cut-price move.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared the news on Benteke on Twitter on Wednesday morning.

Their post received plenty of interaction throughout the day, with the majority of these Palace supporters wanting the forward to stay.

“If we let him go it (will) be a joke”Credit: @Kevbartleyy”He’s gonna go just as he’s hit incredible form isn’t he? I’m worried if we also have to sign a striker this summer. ST RW CM CB (maybe 2)”Credit: @Phillyconcarne”Inter defo took that offer as an insult”Credit: @BigAlThinks”No stop”Credit: @CPFCMax03″Plz sign the contract @chrisbenteke :(“Credit: @osian_davis”Please don’t go @chrisbenteke”Credit: @CPFCH10

In other news: Many CPFC fans buzz at plans for another documentary series, find out more here. 

Vaughan carries his bat to lunch for Yorkshire against Northamptonshire

David Warner25-May-2001Michael Vaughan, chosen by England for the forthcoming one-day international series, batted throughout the morning at Headingley today after Northamptonshire had inserted Yorkshire in the CricInfo Championship match.Vaughan, who made a brilliant unbeaten 125 in Yorkshire’s Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-final triumph over Somerset on Wednesday, was 43 not out at the interval when Yorkshire were 75 for one in 36 overs, the batsman out being Scott Richardson.In a surprise late change, Yorkshire called up Craig White from the Second XI game against Worcestershire Seconds to replace Australian Darren Lehmann who was suffering from a pinched nerve in his neck.White, who has been told by England not to bowl until his back problem is cured, returned to batting form with the Seconds yesterday by blasting an unbeaten 82.Northants also made a last-minute change to their line-up with off-spinner Graeme Swann being pulled out of the second team match with Essex at Saffron Walden after reporting a recovery from his shoulder injury. He came in to deny paceman Lesroy Weekes a Championship debut.Richardson and Vaughan put on 38 for the first wicket without too much difficulty before Richardson turned Tony Penberthy to Graeme Swann at square leg.Vaughan occasionally pierced the field with some well placed shots but generally adopted a careful approach and at lunch he and Matthew Wood had added 37 for the second wicket.

Steven Gerrard looks to have suffered a blow at Rangers this week, with the revelation that transfer target Kwadwo Baah has had a medical at Watford ahead of a potential move to the Hornets this summer, which seemingly rules out the possibility of him moving to Ibrox.

Rangers were heavily linked with the Rochdale winger in January as a result of his impressive performances in League One for Brian Barry-Murphy’s side, but it had seemed as if Manchester City would be signing him after they reached an agreement with the Greater Manchester club.

However, following an issue with his medical, the England under-18 international was not signed by the Premier League leaders, and he returned to Rochdale for the rest of the season.

Whilst his performances since then have been disappointing, the fact that he is out of contract with the Dale this summer meant it was always likely that top clubs would return for him this summer, and he now seems to be on the brink of joining Watford.

The 18-year-old could have been signed on a free transfer by Ross Wilson this summer, which could have represented a superb deal for Rangers given his obvious talent.

In 29 league appearances this season, Baah has three goals and two assists for Rochdale, including a brace in a 4-4 draw against Charlton Athletic, with both goals certainly catching the eye.

Earlier in the season, Barry-Murphy was full of praise for his young winger after he scored another stunning goal in a 5-0 thrashing of Wigan, saying: “He’s a very special talent, he’s going to attract the headlines – and rightly so because he’s a very dangerous player.”

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Therefore, Gerrard will undoubtedly be disappointed that Rangers weren’t able to strike an agreement with the youngster, as he looks destined for a big future in the game and could’ve enjoyed a lot of success at Ibrox.

In other news… Gerrard could be set for huge blow to £10k-p/w “leader”, Rangers fans will be devastated

Three declarations came to nothing when Worcesteshire were unable to match a steep asking rate of 296 in 49 overs to beat Sussex

Roy Bradley28-Apr-2001Three declarations came to nothing when Worcesteshire were unable to match a steep asking rate of 296 in 49 overs to beat Sussex.Opener Philip Weston supplied one half of a matchwinning formula by staying unbeaten for 78, including nine fours from 124 balls, but he could not find a big partnership with any of the classy stroke-makers.They all made some progress and then fell under the containing influence of Robin Martin-Jenkins in a sustained spell of 3 for 50 from a dozen overs.Anurag Singh moved briskly to 20 before giving the all-rounder a caught-and-bowled chance and Graeme Hick, though dropped at second slip, looked good until he was caught at cover by Tony Cottey for 34 out of 56.Worcestershire then tried the less scientific methods of Andy Bichel and this ploy nearly paid off with three fours before his stumps were knocked back as he attempted to slog Martin-Jenkins to a distant part of the ground.With the rate up to ten an over, Vikram Solanki made one last stab at the target, with 34 in a stand of 56 with Weston, but Worcestershire closed on 188 for 4 as soon as the England batsman was bowled behind his legs by Umer Rashid.The two teams had to use their imagination to bring about a spirited finish to a game dogged by bad weather. Sussex declared their first innings at 255 for 7, Worcestershire went in briefly to make 14 for 1, and Murray Goodwin, unbeaten with 42, quickly guided Sussex to 54 for 2 when they batted a second time.In a good match for new overseas signings, Goodwin posted an aggregate of 136 and Worcestershire’s Australian pace bowler, Bichel, had overall figures of 5 for 89 in his first appearance at New Road.

Celtic’s hopes of ending the season in the strongest way possible have been dealt an almighty blow.

The Bhoys went crashing out of the cup last weekend and they will now finish a season without a trophy for the first time in a decade.

What didn’t help last weekend was that James Forrest was ruled out of the clash.

Speaking in the build-up to the game John Kennedy revealed that they’d leave it late in terms of his fitness. However, he failed a late test and missed the defeat to Rangers.

Unfortunately, they will be without Forrest again on Wednesday when the Hoops face Aberdeen.

It would appear that the winger is still yet to recover from an injury problem but if there is one consolation, he should be back at the weekend.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday afternoon, the interim manager commented: “Out with that, James Forrest will still be missing for this midweek, but will hopefully be fine afterwards.”

Celtic may not have anything to play for but after the dismal way in which they lost to their biggest rivals a few days ago, being without Forrest again is a bitter pill to swallow.

They can only lust after his goal-scoring antics and ability to create. Odsonne Edouard and Mo Elyounoussi missed golden chances to score last Sunday, opportunities which Forrest surely would have lapped up.

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He scored 16 times last season, providing 22 assists for his teammates in the process. With Forrest suffering from an injury since September, missing a player with that kind of record has clearly had a big say in the title race.

Forrest has already made a pretty big impact since coming back into the fray, scoring against Falkirk in the cup and against Livingston.

To have him absent from the squad again just about sums up their torrid campaign. Kennedy and the supporters must be cursing their luck.

He is such an imperative part of what Celtic have become in the last decade; they need him fit and firing as soon as possible.

AND in other news, Exciting twist emerges in Celtic manager hunt, Desmond could now perform a big U-turn…

Leicester City have been handed an injury boost ahead of their FA Cup semi-final showdown with Southampton on Sunday after Cengiz Under returned to first team training.

The on-loan AS Roma man has missed the last five matches in all competitions having picked up a “knock”, according to Brendan Rodgers.

However, he has now been pictured back in training, suggesting that he could well be available for this weekend’s cup clash.

Whilst Under has not been seen on too many occasions throughout the 2020/21 campaign, having made just 19 appearances and nine starts in his time at the King Power Stadium, his return will be a huge boost to Leicester as they prepare for their trip to Wembley.

Even in his limited time on the pitch, the winger has still managed to contribute. He has scored two goals and notched three assists in all competitions, teeing up Jamie Vardy on two occasions against Arsenal and Leeds United in the early stages of the campaign.

For context, only six players in the Leicester squad can boast a greater tally of direct goal contributions than Under this season, a remarkable feat considering that the Turk has completed 90 minutes on just three occasions for the Foxes.

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Despite Rodgers overlooking the forward on a number of occasions, the manager has still been left impressed by Under, even labelling him as a “special talent”.

Whilst the 23-year-old’s return will of course be a boost considering his individual skill set, his inclusion would also make the Leicester squad far stronger heading into this weekend’s clash against Southampton.

During the 3-2 reverse against West Ham United last time out, the Foxes’ bench looked threadbare, with the likes of academy graduates Thakgalo Leshabela, Vontae Daley-Campbell, Sidnei Tavares and Thanawat Suengchitthawon all included to make up the numbers.

The £18m-rated Under gives Rodgers a far more experienced option should he choose to turn to his substitutes against the Saints. His timely return is a huge positive despite his limited action so far this season.

AND in more news, find out why Florian Thauvin is Leicester’s outstanding right-wing candidate for next season…

Jordan Rhodes’ recent form has presented Sheffield Wednesday with a fresh problem.

The Owls’ club-record £8m signing is out of contract in the summer and after scoring the most goals since Darren Moore’s appointment, he looks to finally be finding his goalscoring boots once again.

A lot of his Hillsborough career has been forgettable.

Indeed, the 31-year-old talisman, who is just eight more strikes from becoming the Championship’s all-time record holder, has only scored 19 goals in 103 appearances for the club – he joined in February 2017.

In that time, he’s even had a stint away on loan to Norwich, helping the club to the league title. Canaries boss Daniel Farke dubbed Rhodes “the most special, unique guy I’ve worked with,” so clearly he left an impression.

Moore is clearly a fan of his, having worked with him at Blackburn Rovers in the past, too. The 46-year-old lauded the Scotsman in his very first press conference, he said (via YorkshireLive):

“Jordan is a good striker. He can finish and we don’t doubt that finishing ability.

“There’s plenty more football left in Jordan. There’s a wonderful talent if we are looking at him as an isolated figure.

“He’s a goalscorer, and he knows where the back of the net is.”

To make the situation worse, this sudden upturn in form has coincided in interest ahead of the summer transfer window, and local rivals Huddersfield Town are among the teams keen to land him.

That move would make a ton of sense given the Terriers’ lack of striking options, but the Owls simply cannot let that happen. Instead, Dejphon Chansiri must offer all he can do to keep hold of him.

His brace against Barnsley last time out was atypical for a poacher – a deft, well-placed header, and neat, calm finish. Speaking after the match, the smiling £810k-rated forward spoke about his mood at the club. He said (via YorkshireLive):

“I feel like I’m playing with a smile on my face, and I’m really enjoying it. It’s nice to be out there and it’s nice to be wanted again. I’m doing my best.”

If that’s the case, then Rhodes is happy at Wednesday, happy under Moore and perhaps would accept an extension. If the former West Brom coach is to be the long-term manager here, then he ought to get to keep his goalscoring talisman.

Chansiri must tie the 14-time international down before it’s too late. He cannot leave for Huddersfield, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Sheffield Wednesday handed fresh injury boost…