New Zealand Cricket want to host one-day and Twenty20 domestic competitions with Cricket Australia to help improve the quality of their game. Martin Snedden, the NZC chief executive, said he had met with his CA counterpart James Sutherland to discuss the events earlier in the year.”We first started talks six or seven months ago and we’ll have quite a bit of contact over the next few months with the reciprocal tours,” Snedden told the Sydney Morning Herald. “We’ve not discussed it further, but it’s still out there and it’s a live issue.An initial proposal suggests a week of Twenty20 matches between the state and provincial teams and a game between the winners of each country’s one-day competition. “My view is that the more playing time and exposure our cricketers have to different players and conditions, the better it is for us,” Snedden said. “But it’s also a question of whether Australia would be willing to go ahead with some of these things.”Stephen Fleming has already suggested that North and South Island sides compete in the Pura and ING cups. New Zealand played in knockout one-day touraments in Australia for three years until 1974-75.
After a disappointingly lacklustre season, Somerset are already plotting their bid for a return to the first division of the County Championship. Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid are both being earmarked as possible overseas players in 2004.”Somerset are talking with Dravid and Ponting with a view to them joining the county for 2004,” said Peter Anderson, Somerset’s chief executive. Two batsmen of the highest class are precisely what Somerset need at the moment – several of their first-team players were threatened with the sack earlier in the season, after a terrible run of results.One of those was the England one-day allrounder, Ian Blackwell. But he is once again the flavour of the month after a stunning 247 not out in Somerset’s latest championship victory, over Derbyshire, and Anderson is keen for him to stay at Taunton.”Ian still has one more year of his contract to run," said Anderson. "He is very happy here, and we are currently in negotiation to extend his contract.”
Left-handed batsmen are considered to be very elegant and over the yearslot of them have provided enormous pleasure to cricket fans all over theworld. Some consider watching a left-handed batsman caress a ball to theropes the ultimate spectacle. I would not disagree with that sentimentfor obvious reasons.
I have been tongue-tied when asked why left-handers look more elegantthan the right-handers. It has to be mentioned that not all left-handersare elegant as a rule, but the ones who are, become the people’sfavourite. David Gower, for one, made people throng to the grounds towatch him bat for he was elegance personified.Any side would like to have a left-hander in its ranks and it would be abonus if he happens to perform a dual role for his side a la AdamGilchrist. A left-right combination at the crease upsets a lot ofbowlers and frustrates captains too. Incidentally, the highest rungetter in Test cricket happens to be a southpaw in Allan Border.There is a concept that left-handers are at an advantage in relation toright-handers. Like everything else being a left-hander has itspositives and negatives. One advantage is that the bowlers are used tobowling to right-handers more often than not and hence may give scoringopportunities off the pads.Talking of the disadvantages, left-handers have to play at bowlersbowling more on their blind side. It is something similar to a bowlerbowling from round the wicket to a right-hander. Not many right-handersare comfortable when this ploy, starting right from the days of theinfamous Bodyline series, is employed.There are some exciting left-handed batsmen in world cricket these daysand they play a very important and indispensable role for theirrespective sides. Brian Lara, Adam Gilchrist and Sanath Jayasuriya, toname a few, are batsmen who give nightmares to bowlers. All three ofthem play their shots and try to dominate the attack most of the time. Iam not suggesting that they lack the discipline or the technique togrind the attack. It is just that their extraordinary talent makes themthat much more positive and successful.Gilchrist performs the role of an all-rounder for his side and therebygives enough options to his captain. His versatility is tremendous as hecan open the innings in the one-dayers and bat in the lower order inTests. Such is his capability that he has produced innumerable matchwinning knocks in both positions.
Lara, the champion batsman that he is, has been in indifferent form inthe last couple of years. One got the impression that he was fightingwith himself rather than suffering a slump because of the issues widelypublicised all over the world. At one stage there was even a danger ofthe cricketing world losing this enigmatic champion. But the way hebatted in the recent series against Sri Lankans allayed all those fearsand he showed that he has what it takes to be a real class act. Hishunger was back and he became one of those rare batsmen who had thesatisfaction of taming Muttiah Muralitharan on the latter’s home tracks.The one remarkable aspect about Lara is that once he gets going, he getsbig hundreds and double hundreds. He is the only batsman capable ofwinning a Test match on his own as he did against the Australians a fewseasons ago. It is a pity that he is not getting enough support from hiscolleagues in the top order.
The current series between England and India will be a real challengefor the two seasoned elegant left-handers, Sourav Ganguly and GrahamThorpe. Both have their share of problems to contend with and it isimperative they get into top gear. While Ganguly has been off-colour inTests the whole of this year, Thorpe has not been consistent either.Ganguly, at the moment, has to be decisive about how he is going totackle the short-pitched deliveries. He is in a dilemma as to whether toplay the pull shot or not. He is capable of playing that shot well andhas scored enough runs in international cricket to allow himself to bebullied like a rookie.Thorpe, for his part, has not done full justice to his talent. He willbe a key player for England on the turning tracks in India. Both Thorpeand Ganguly have to get big scores – one has to do more for his side’ssake and the other for his own sake. Only time will tell how theseelegant left-handers handle the pressure but one thing is for sure -left-handers can really frustrate their fans if they are not in theirbest of form.
An offer is now being readied from Antonio Conte and Tottenham Hotspur to try and sign Gleison Bremer in the summer.
The Lowdown: Centre-back eyed
With the future of Joe Rodon in doubt, it looks as if Spurs will try and buy a centre-back for Conte this summer.
Stefan de Vrij and Josko Gvardiol are the latest names to be linked with a move to Hotspur Way, and it will be interesting to see what kind of calibre of player the club can attract, depending on where they finish in the Premier League and what (if any) European competition they will be playing in next season.
The Latest: Offer ready
As per Tutto Juve, Tottenham would ‘try to convince’ Bremer and Torino to move in the summer with a ‘good proposal’, and their interest in the player is ‘predominant’.
However, they will face competition from Manchester United, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan for his signature.
The Verdict: Get it done
If the Lilywhites are going to sign a centre-back, then they should look no further than Bremer.
Described as an ‘animal’ by fellow Torino defender Mergim Vojvoda, the 6 foot 2 powerhouse is currently averaging a WhoScored rating of 7.23 in Serie A this season. That is only bettered by Son Heung-Min among Spurs players in the Premier League (7.31), and interestingly the South Korean shares the same agent as Bremer.
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The Brazilian is also averaging more aerial duels won and interceptions per game than anyone at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which suggests that he would be a big upgrade in Conte’s defence.
In other news, find out who Conte has lost patience with at N17
Guernsey and Jersey are the two new additions to the European Under-15 and Under-17 Division One Championships for 2008. It is the first time more than four teams have battled for the title since the tournament began in 1999.In 2007 Jersey won the Under-19 and Under-23 Division 2 Championships and were runner-up to Guernsey in the Under-15 Division 2 Championship. Both sides did not lose a single match, other than to one another, in any of the competitions.The two championships will be the first real test of Guernsey and Jersey since their elevation to ICC Associate status.”It is a fantastic opportunity for Guernsey’s young cricketers to test themselves against the strongest nations in Europe at their own age group,” David Piesing, chairman of the Guernsey Cricket Board said. “Young players can only benefit from playing against strong opposition and in the past couple of years these youngsters have acquitted themselves well in friendlies against Scotland and Holland so they will be keen to renew those acquaintances.”Our Under-15s showed this year that they were a very strong side by winning the Division 2 tournament in La Manga. Five or six of those same players are still in the Under-15s in 2008 while the remainder of that squad will now move to the Under-17s age group.”We are delighted that ICC Europe has recognised the playing strength of our youth sides in this way and we eagerly look forward to the challenges ahead. It will provide an additional impetus for our youngsters as they enter this winter’s coaching programme.”The Under-17 Division One tournament will be held in Belfast over four days in July 2008. Six teams will form two groups of three, with each team playing two 50-over matches over the first three days. Following a coaching day, each team will play-off against its counterpart from the other group to determine the final championship standings.The Under-15 Division two championship will take place in Jersey, also in July, and will be played to 45-over playing conditions.Scotland host the Under19- Division One championship in August, with the same playing conditions as the Under-19 World Cup, whilst remaining a four-team competition. And Germany will host the Under-17 Division Two championship in the Northern Rhine region surrounding Düsseldorf.Dates and precise venues of all events have yet to be finalised.
Scorecard Centuries to Michael Di Venuto and George Bailey overshadowed the brief Shane Warne-Ricky Ponting contest in the Pura Cup match between Victoria and Tasmania at the MCG. Di Venuto’s 37th first-class hundred – he made 129 – and the fourth for Bailey (101) put the Tigers within reach of first-innings points, but when Jon Moss took three late wickets Tasmania were 6 for 393 chasing Victoria’s 429.Di Venuto was rock solid for most of the day, taking few risks in his 244-ball innings. He hit 11 fours, pulled a loose Andrew McDonald delivery for six and put Warne over the boundary at long-off, but also appeared comfortable in defence. He and Bailey added 167 for the fourth wicket after Cameron White had given Victoria the momentum with two wickets in the last over before lunch.Bailey looked almost Daryll Cullinan-like against Warne early in his innings as Victoria crowded him with two slips, a silly mid-on and a silly mid-off. Despite feeling forward from his crease and a string of play-and-misses, Bailey survived and gradually built the confidence to put away the loose balls, hitting 11 fours and pulling White for a six.Warne’s efforts to dismiss his Test captain failed but the small crowd made the most of their chance to see two of the all-time greats go head-to-head. Ponting (51) watchfully faced 23 balls from Warne and hit him for three fours through cover and mid-off, but then played on to a straight ball from White. Despite getting out when he was settled, Ponting was happy with his innings.”I would have liked a bit longer but I felt really good today,” he said. “I felt I hit everything pretty much in the middle. It’s been a nice transition to get into some four-day cricket and not feel you have to go out there and get things moving right from the start.”Warne extracted significant turn from the pitch and worked desperately hard without luck. A number of beaten edges and shots falling just wide of catching men left him with 0 for 113, figures that disguised how much he troubled the batsmen.With Victoria’s attack one man down – Mick Lewis is expected to miss nearly two weeks after tearing a muscle in his hip on day two – and McDonald struggling to find the right length it was Moss who stepped up to break partnerships when required, finishing with 4 for 58. Moss had the in-form Tim Paine caught behind for 18, before returning later in the day to bowl Di Venuto, have Bailey caught at mid-on from a mistimed pull shot and trap Sean Clingeleffer lbw for 38.But Victoria did themselves no favours in the final session. Brad Hodge dropped an easy catch at deep square-leg when Dan Marsh (38 not out) had yet to score and Adam Crosthwaite put down a tough, diving chance with Clingeleffer also on 0. With Tasmania set to bat on and try to pass Victoria’s first-innings score, an outright win for either team now looks unlikely.
An elated VVS Laxman, the India A captain, praised his team’s ability to “play as a unit” after they sneaked a humdinger of a contest against India Senior at Mohali. His counterpart, Mohammad Kaif, was expectedly downcast but was happy to have been part of a “fantastic match”, one that was wrenched from their grasp in the final moments.”We had spoken about the importance of playing as a unit,” said Laxman, whose side triumphed in a high-scoring contest despite none of their batsmen managing a half-century. “It’s easy for players to concentrate on individual performances in these games and we were keen that all focus to contribute towards a team cause. We were always in contention during the chase.” He felt that Dinesh Karthik and Niraj Patel had provided the momentum during the chase and felt that their partnership “set it up” for them.He added that his bowlers had been guilty of conceding too many extras, but was appreciative of both the Singhs, VRV and Rudra Pratap, who he termed as “amazing talents”. “VRV is probably the fastest bowler in India,” he said, “and RP Singh is definitely one for the future. The tour of Zimbabwe seems to have helped him.”Kaif wasn’t too critical of his players and spoke about the positives from the game. He said he didn’t expect VRV Singh to play so well towards the end and defended his profligate bowlers when he said, “It was a good wicket and they had a strong batting line-up. Both Murali Kartik and Harbhajan Singh bowled well and the game could have gone either way.”He also hinted that the experiment of Irfan Pathan opening the batting was only meant for this tournament as “we wanted Mahendra Singh Dhoni to continue batting in the middle order. There is no point in trying out new things against Sri Lanka or South Africa so we thought we will use this opportunity to experiment.” He also added that captaining the side had been a “learning experience” and looked forward to facing an inexperienced India B tomorrow.
Chaminda Vaas led a spirited recovery to lift Colts to a handy 276 for 7 by the end of the first day’s play in the Premier League final against Burgher RC at the Sinhalese Sport Club.Vaas hit eight fours in his undefeated 60, and has so far put on 77 for the eighth wicket with the former Test slow left-armer Niroshan Bandaratilleke, who has made 44 not out.Earlier Burgher’s new-ball pair, Priyankara Silva and Chamara Soysa, had Colts in some trouble, taking three wickets apiece. Soysa struck early to remove Shantha Kalavitigoda for 7, but then Sajith Fernando (41) put on 88 with the left-hander Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who top-scored with 69 – he biffed 12 fours and faced only 97 balls – before he was dismissed by Sajeewa Weerakoon. After a middle-order slide it was left to Vaas and Bandaratilleke to pick up the pieces.
Chaminda Vaas the Sri Lankan left arm bowler is set to make his debut at The Rose Bowl when Hampshire Hawks entertain the Scottish Saltires on Monday 4th August (1pm).Vaas who arrived in England today, met up with his new team mates during the tea interval of the Championship match against Northamptonshire. “The only three players I have met before are Robin Smith, Alan Mullally and Simon Katich”, said Vaas. He arrived at Heathrow this morning (Sunday) with his wife and child, to be met by Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett.Hampshire Hawks include him in their squad of thirteen which includes the eleven that defeated Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Wednesday evening last, plus Alan Mullally.Hampshire could go top of Divison Two of The National League if they beat their Scottish rivals. “This is a banana skin fixture” said one Hampshire cricketer, “the sort of game we could win, but also easily lose as Sussex Sharks found out today”.Hampshire 13: James Hamblin, Simon Katich, Derek Kenway, John Crawley, John Francis, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Lawrence Prittipaul, Shaun Udal, Chris Tremlett, James Bruce, Alan Mullally, Chaminda Vaas,
The Canadian Cricket Association held its Annual General Meeting in TorontoNovember 24, 25 2001.Included in the Agenda were the Year End of the Finances and the electionsof President, 2nd Vice President and General Secretary.Finances are in horrible shape as a direct result of considerable lossesincurred in the ICC Trophy 2001 Event and the absence of any sponsorship for that event!Incumbent President, Dr. Geoff Edwards was returned as President.Errol Townshend, was elected 2nd Vice-President, and General SecretaryCalvin Clarke was returned by acclamation.A short verbal report on the ICC Trophy report was offered, with a writtenreport expected shortly. The ICC Trophy/Management/ Secretariat is alsoexpected to finalize finances in short order.