Graeme Smith, despite a poor run of form in Australia, has been retained as captain. Cricket South Africa today announced its list of 14 national contracted players for 2006-07.Gerald Majola, Cricket South Africa’s CEO, said, “Cricket South Africa has the fullest confidence in Graeme Smith as captain of the Proteas. Everyone knows that he is going through a tough batting period. But this has happened to the best batsmen, including Adam Gilchrist recently. It is only a matter of time before Graeme is back to his best. We have seen that Graeme has outstanding leadership qualities, and we believe he has the talent and determination to come out of this batting slump. Cricket South Africa had no hesitation in confirming our confidence in him as captain and opening batsman.”Nicky Boje is the only omission from the list of contracted players of the previous season. Haroon Lorgat, convenor of the national selection panel, said, “We are sticking to our plans of developing a high-performing and consistent squad of national contracted players. Nicky has been omitted, and no other spinner has been contracted as we would like to see what develops in this area over the next few months. In any event, at this point Nicky is not available for the ICC Champions Trophy in India later this year. The scarcity of top class spinners remains a concern, and our high-performance programme has this as one of its main priorities. Johan Botha shows a lot of promise, but he has yet to establish himself at international level.”Lorgat also stressed that the selection of players for the World Cup in 2007 will be based purely on merit and that being contracted doesn’t guarantee an automatic selection in the squad.Contracted players Graeme Smith (capt), Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph.
India’s coach, John Wright, has criticised his team for not delivering the final blow in the first Test at Mohali against Pakistan, and has advised them to be more hungry for success if they are to attain to the highest levels of international cricket.”We could not get the killer blow in,” said Wright after India failed to take the last four wickets to win the Test. “That result has to make us more hungry. It’s disappointing not to get the result we wanted, after the situation the opposition was in.” India can overtake England at No. 2 in the world Test rankings if they win the three-Test series 2-0.”If you want to be a top side, you have to get the job done. This is an area where we are still learning. If we want to climb the list we’ll have to have the killer instinct. This is what I look for and want from the team.”Pakistan were struggling at the start of the fifth day with just a 53-run lead and only four wickets in hand. However, a record 184-run partnership between Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq saved the Test for Pakistan. “In India-Pakistan contests, players always seem to find that little bit extra, but it came on the last day from the Pakistani batsmen.”When asked whether Harbhajan Singh would be selected for the Kolkata Test, Wright said: “Conditions suit us here and he [Harbhajan] has a good chance of making the side. Harbhajan has done well at the Eden Gardens and likes bowling here. I don’t think we’ll go with five bowlers. Traditionally we have always played two seamers and two spinners here and it has worked for us.”
Subrata Guha, the former Indian swing bowler, died in Mumbai following a massive heart attack early this morning. He was 57.Guha was an accurate right-arm medium-pace bowler who could swing the ball both ways, but his Test appearances were limited. Guha played only four Tests for India, in the late 1960s. He finished with three wickets at an unflattering 103.67, and 17 runs at 3.40. His best bowling was 2 for 55 – the wickets of Paul Sheahan and John Gleeson – at Kanpur in 1969-70.He made his presence felt when he took 11 wickets in the match to bowl an unfancied combined Central & East Zone team to a shock victory over the all-conquering West Indian side in 1966-67. But he had a nightmarish start to his Test career, when he sent down 48 overs and conceded 115 runs without taking a wicket against England at Headingley in 1967.In the Ranji Trophy, however, Guha was a pillar of strength for Bengal for over a decade, and took 209 wickets at 14.61, with a best return of 7 for a8 against Assam at Gauhati in 1972-73. In his first-class career, Guha captured 299 wickets at an average of 20.29.
SHARJAH-Shoaib Akhtar and Abdur Razzaq carved up the West Indian batting with venomous pace, to rustle up a comprehensive victory for Pakistan by 170 runs. It was Pakistan’s fifth consecutive win under Waqar Younis, the first in this sequence being their Old Trafford triumph against England last year.The second and last Test of this truncated rubber will be played on an adjacent wicket from Thursday. With an emphatic victory under their belt, the Pakistanis are not going to relent and the ‘visitors’, to their further dismay, may find out that even the neutrality of the venue is no help in restoring their fortunes.Set a daunting target of 342, and 318 in arrears at the start of the day, the West Indians were never likely to win. But at 115 for one with two sessions to go they must have harboured hopes of some reprieve by ensuring a draw. That was not to be, as Shoaib tore into the upper order and then came back to annihilate the tail, returning his career-best figures of five for 24, improving on his 5 for 43 against South Africa in Durban in 1997-98. In between, Razzaq struck some telling blows, to take four wickets from the other end for 25.The duo wrought such havoc that the last nine West Indian wickets could add only 56, the last seven, a mere 25. For their part, the West Indies may have cause to grumble about a decision or two – in particular the run out of Sherwin Campbell. They would argue, with some merit, that the benefit of doubt should have gone to the batsman. But the third umpire in front of the television screen felt convinced that Campbell had failed to reach his crease. Despite that point of contention, the fact is that the West Indies batsman had no answer to the sheer pace of Akhtar and Razzaq, who either bowled or trapped leg before seven of the batsmen. It was high-quality stuff, on a wicket not conducive to pace bowling, and the West Indies had no answer to that. They simply disintegrated, much as they had only recently against Muralitharan and in one of the Tests against Chaminda Vaas.The day had started on a brighter note for Carl Hooper’s charges, as Chris Gayle and Darren Ganga held the fort with considerable confidence – the former obviously more adventurous than the latter.The first hour saw the Pakistani bowlers other than Akhtar hit for runs, 49 from 12 overs, 19 of these from Danish Kaneria’s first over, Gayle thumping him for four boundaries. Ganga’s fall, to an express Shoaib delivery, didn’t stop Gayle from going after the bowling and the West Indies reached the lunch break very comfortably placed at 111-1, Gayle’s contribution an impressive 62.At that point, the Pakistanis must have felt desperate. They shouldn’t have been overly concerned. Shoaib struck two telling blows after lunch. Gayle was castled, his stroke-filled 66 including 15 boundaries. Next over Shoaib’s rising delivery took Wavell Hinds’ gloves and Rashid Latif doesn’t miss anything these days. It was his 100th victim behind the stumps, in his 28th Test – a really memorable one for him as he reached two other major milestones: his maiden hundred which also took him past 1,000 Test runs in style. Great comeback this, and Rashid deserves it.Campbell was adjudged run out, and from here on Razzaq took over; his three wickets in one over took the wind out of the Caribbean sails. The first ball of his first over, Razzaq had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught behind, and the fifth and sixth deliveries trapped Hooper and Ridley Jacobs in front of the wicket. At seven for 150, the slide was irreversible.Razzaq was not to get his second hat-trick in Test cricket, and Shoaib too was denied the honour after he clean-bowled Mervyn Dillon and Cameron Cuffy. Ryan Hinds and Pedro Collins defied Shoaib and Razzaq for a while, putting together 16 runs in a brave last-wicket stand, but then Razzaq put this to an end by clean bowling Collins. Pakistan has drawn first blood, and they are hungry for more.
Matthew Hayden’s undefeated 96 took Northamptonshire to victory by 4 wicketswith nine balls to spare over Leicestershire at Grace Road. It was his firstNational League half-century of the summer and the Australian left-handercelebrated by hitting three sixes and eight four from 110 deliveries in thechase for 188 runs.The target was less than it had appeared it would be at one time – however Leicestershire’s last six wickets toppled for 26 runs in seven overs.Quick bowlers Darren Cousins and Tony Penberthy took three wickets apiece insnatching away the advantage Phil DeFreitas and Aftab Habib had seemed togain by putting on 73 in 16 overs. Habib hit 70 from 109 balls with a sixand four fours, but his dismissal brought about the collapse. In the nextover DeFreitas was run out for 40, and then the remaining batsmen followedeach other out in procession.The batting jitters continued into Northamptonshire’s innings with AdrianRollins caught magnificently before he had scored by Darren Maddy in JamesOrmond’s opening over. The same bowlers had Mal Loye taken at slip. And ifany of the three chances offered by Hayden had been taken they would havebeen in serious trouble.He and David Sales pulled the game round with a 70 runs stand for the third wicket. Although few other batsmen stayed with him Hayden lasted the distance to make his highest score in the National League in a summer and a half with Northamptonshire. He took 72 balls to reach his half-century with six fours, and hit three sixes to win the match.
Everton have the option of terminating Frank Lampard’s contract with the club at the end of the season, claims insider Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Lampard’s struggle
Since arriving at Goodison Park, the new Toffees boss has seriously struggled in turning the Blues’ season around.
In his first seven league games in charge, 17th place.
Most recently, Lampard’s side were destroyed 4-0 by Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup, denying them a place in the semi-finals.
This has of course raised questions over the former Chelsea man’s future with the Merseyside club, with plenty of media outlets left debating his merit in the aftermath.
The Latest: Jones’ reveal
Jones has revealed that Everton have the option of parting ways with Lampard at the end of the season, without having to go through the compensation process.
Speaking with GiveMeSport, he claimed:
“From what I’m told, Everton do have the option to part ways with Lampard at the end of the season.
“I think it’s only a one-way thing, so it doesn’t count for Lampard too, as far as I understand it.”
The Verdict: Survive or go
The Toffees sit three points ahead of 18th place Watford, having played two less games than the Hornets. However, 19th place Burnley have also played the same number of matches as the Blues, and sitting just four points behind, Everton’s Premier League status is anything but guaranteed.
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One would have to think that Lampard will be sacked if he cannot guide the side clear of the bottom three come the end of the campaign, and fans should be relieved they won’t have to shell out a big compensation fee given the financial struggles at the club, allowing them to rebuild once and for all from the ground up with a clean slate.
Even if the former England international keeps his side up, the board at Everton could decide to part ways in the summer, given the convenience of this clause in his contract.
In other news: Everton: Frank Lampard shares Andros Townsend injury update
Resist. Resist the temptation to focus on England losing on penalties. Avoid that search for a scapegoat and look on a grander scale as to why England failed – as some such as Jonathan Wilson have ruminated before (especially in the Anatomy of England) there is no sole reason for England’s (continued) lack of success.
Still, some search peerlessly for someone to take responsibility, with the main candidates this year Ashley Young and Ashley Cole having missed penalties. However, the wisest words from the England camp came from Theo Walcott when he spoke to BBC Radio 5live after the game.
“Sometimes for the positives, you have to learn from the negatives,” was the eloquent summation from Theo Walcott after another spot-kick heartbreak. Quite a few negatives are there to point out. Even in the two games which were won at Euro 2012, England weren’t impressive. Their weaknesses were there for all to see against, in comparison to previous years, sub-standard France and Italy sides.
On Sunday evening against the Italians, the ball retention was poor as shown by 32% possession and a pass completion ratio 15% less than the opposition. The first touch of many players was also lacking. As soon as any real pressure was applied by Italy to England on the ball, they struggled. Whilst some of the last ditch tackles by Joleon Lescott and John Terry were impressive, it is worrying that in over three hours against France and Italy, England managed only two shots on target. Their only one of the night arrived from right back Glen Johnson – and that came within the first few minutes in Kiev too.
And for all the defensive qualities Hodgson’s 4-4-2 gave England, on numerous occasions, Italy successfully got between the two banks of four to create chances, with Ricardo Montolivo in particular, a constant menace. Now, these rigid tactics which Hodgson used suited the English team overall, but not necessarily the certain individuals like Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney. Those two in particular are used to playing with more creative freedom at their respective clubs. To give them that might have proved suicidal to the team. Still supporters crave the fluidity of play that Spanish and German fans enjoy.
They must realise playing in the fluid fashion demanded does not come quickly. According to Uli Hesse, Jürgen Klinsmann helped to put in place the attacking philosophy which we are seeing from Germany currently, back in 2004. It’s only now that Germany appear to be peaking. Of course, there’s more to this, especially in terms of how football is structured in Germany.
Now, no matter what the choice of style is, there will always be a loud minority, voicing their discontent – such is the nature of it being a national team, everyone feels it is of extra importance to voice their opinion on how it should be run.
Ultimately, as many as possible within the game need to be pulling in the same direction and it’s something that is still not happening in English football, such is the way the Premier League and the FA seem to work against each other, rather than with.
Now at Euro 2012, there was some improvement from the 2010 World Cup debacle. In South Africa, the togetherness and subsequently the passion appeared to be lacking. What was missing in Kiev though was the skill and the technical ability. Not the first time that’s been said either as some like Chris Waddle have bemoaned the coaching of young players in England previously.
He has a point too. As mooted earlier though, you cannot ignore the other factors from trying to explain why England lost to Italy. Whether it’s the amount of time Hodgson has been the England manager, that players were tired after another long Premier League season or that they just weren’t good enough – there is no single, correct answer way to explain as to how England reached the quarter finals.
Whilst the words of Theo Walcott are encouraging in that it gives the impression action will be taken, again, as Chris Waddle pointed out in the aftermath, little has changed technically on the pitch since 2010. To expect major progress when there has only been two years since South Africa is unrealistic – like the expectations of those who thought that having edged past Sweden and Ukraine, “England really could go all the way.”
Hodgson’s team can take positives from the tournament – the new manager still hasn’t lost a game in normal time and there were some good individual performances from some of the squad’s younger players.
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Whilst fans will yearn for more, in both results and in style at the World Cup, they must realise this – Football is not necessarily about being able to play beautifully all the time. It’s about having the ability to play the football which suits the situation. It’s something that England still doesn’t have. Maybe when they can, they’ll have a chance in a major tournament but for now, England are some way from this – and it’s not the first time they have been either.
Article originally written @ Gone With The Rhind – For more musings on Twitter, follow @archiert1
Liverpool made it back-to-back wins on their pre-season tour of Asia with a thrilling 6-3 victory against Malaysia XI.New signing Charlie Adam got the ball rolling with an early penalty, while a brace each from David N’Gog and Maxi Rodriguez spared Liverpool’s blushes after the hosts mounted a late comeback.
The English Premier League club was gifted a goal on 25 minutes when striker Andy Carroll was brought down in the box.
The referee made new signing Charlie Adam retake the subsequent spot-kick, but the former Blackpool midfielder opened his Liverpool account at the second attempt.
The home fans were on their feet just before the break when Mohd Safiq Rahim beat the wall and goalkeeper Brad Jones with a stunning free-kick.
Liverpool reasserted their authority in the second half with two goals in two minutes.
They both came from the feet of striker David N’Gog, who turned home a deflection for his first and made it 3-1 on 69 minutes with a confident finish.
Malaysia looked beaten when Argentine Maxi Rodriguez converted a cross from compatriot Emiliano Insua.
But the hosts staged a late comeback with two quick goals from Mohd Safee Mohd Sali, capitalising on some unconvincing goalkeeping from Reds substitute Peter Gulacsi.
Liverpool were not finished yet, however, and made it 5-3 as Rodriguez grabbed his second in the 90th minute.
Dutchman Dirk Kuyt made it six in stoppage time to wrap up an entertaining work-out.
This has been one of the most exciting starts to a Premier League season in recent memory. The title race is wide open and who knows how far the relegation battle goes up? The top teams are getting weaker but the smaller clubs are having a go – and it has been great to watch. We give you 10 surprises from the Premier League….. so far.
The Promoted Clubs
To just put Blakpool in this category would be extremely unfair on Newcastle and West Brom. All three clubs have equipped themselves fantastically well in the Premier League, and have played an attacking brand of football that some of the more established clubs could learn from. All three look like Premier League sides – and have taught a few lessons along the way. Newcastle thrashed both Aston Vill and Sunderland, West Brom thrashed Everton at Goodison Park and Blackpool hammered Wigan at the DW Stadium. It is their attitudes that have been so refreshing this season, and long may it continue. Further more, none of them look like doing a Hull City. Well played Blackpool, Newcastle and West Brom.
Samir Nasri
The best player in the Premier League this season. Where did it come from? Omitted from the French World Cup squad – granted because of an injury, but they gambled on Frank Ribery. At Arsenal, he always look average. He showed a fine touch but without ever dominating games. This season that has all changed. He looks comfortable playing from the right of Marouane Chamakh and has scored some sublime goals. Everyone knew how good he was but it is the way it has all come together this half of the season for Nasri that is surprising.
Wolves
Oh dear, what has happened here? Last season they had grit, determination and a focus to stay up. They did – with a few games to spare. This season they have been hopeless. There team has actually been improved with the signing of Steven Fletcher – but they have got worse. They look a team destined for relegation and have fallen into that second season trap. Wolves have the quality to stay up but they need to improve dramatically to be a Premier League team next season.
Continued on Page TWO…
Bolton Wanderers
Owen Coyle is pretty good isn’t he. After Gary Megson I guess the only way was up, but the way they have gone about it has been so impressive. They have a new expansive way of playing, getting the ball on the floor and using players like Martin Petrov. They still go long to Kevin Davies but in a more measured and considered way than before. Look what Owen Coyle has done with Johan Elmander. The Swede now looks like a footballer again – and a pretty good one. His goal against Wolves was sublime – a goal Lionel Messi would have been proud of. Bolton are sitting in fifth and look set to challenge for Europe come the end of the season.
Arsenal’s Home Record
The one thing Arsenal will always have is a superb home record. The Emirates has become a fortress over the last couple of years, but this season teams are starting to get at Arsenal. Arsenal have lot twice to promoted clubs and have made hard work of Bolton. It has to be worrying for Arsenal fans because they have the best away record. If Arsenal could be consistent they would be clear in the Premier League. They haven’t played any of the top teams at the Emirates, and if their form at home continues to be shaky, they could loose out on the Premier League title this season.
Wayne Rooney’s Attitude
Now cast your minds back to 19 October. Wayne Rooney announced that Manchester United had no ambition and wanted to leave the club. Old Trafford was plunged into chaos – all for money. Many Manchester United fans never thought Rooney was one of them. We were told by his PR guru – Andy Gray – that he loved the game, and would play whenever he could. How wrong we were. Rooney and Peter Stretford created a saga to get more money for themselves. Better we know his true colours now I guess.
Pepe Reina
What has happened to him? For the past couple of season he has been by far the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, and if he any other nationality, Reina would have at least 50 international caps. This season has been strange for the Spaniard. He made a howler on the first day of the season against Arsenal and hasn’t fully recovered. The keeper has terrible against Argentina and his club form has been dodgy. Is transfer speculation getting to Reina or is it just a run of bad form?
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Continued on Page THREE…
Ray Wilkins’ Departure
What a fire storm this has caused. Who is in control at Chelsea, and do they trust Carlo Ancelotti? Strange that they wouldn’t after winning the double last season – but that’s Chelsea for you. Ray Wilkins by all accounts did a sterling job when Ancelotti first arrived. He changed the whole set up of training and the club with the Italian. He was a popular figure with the players and fans, and was doing a good job. Fired? Something is wrong. Chelsea have been awful since, and Ancelotti stands a lonely figure on the sidelines. Will the Wilkins departure be the catalyst for big change at Stamford Bridge.
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Chris Hughton’s Sacking
What on earth are Newcastle thinking? A man that saved the club from imploding on itself, won the Championship – the first time of asking and masterminded victories over Arsenal, Aston Villa and Sunderland and Newcastle sit 12th in the table. If you can get sacked for that, you can get sacked for anything. Chris Hughton is one of the nice guys but most of all he is a very good manager. The club love him, the players love him and the fans adore what he did for their club. Newcastle should be ashamed.
Tottenham in Europe
How refreshing this has been. Just when the group stages needed a change, Tottenham have come along. Hats off to Harry Redknapp and his players because when the draw was made many people were concerned not only for Tottenham but for England’s co-efficient ranking. They scored eighteen goals in a group that featured the European Champions, German Champions and Dutch Champions. To win the group is extra special and is testament to this group of players. How far can Tottenham go? By finishing top – who knows?
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From Barcelona to Rome, Bojan Krkic has done alright for himself. But would a move to the Premier League be the next best move for the striker?
One of Barcelona’s best talents to graduate from their famed La Masia youth academy in recent years has struggled to make his mark on European football. The pressures and expectations at Barcelona weren’t greatly eased by his move from the Nou Camp to Roma last season, either. New coach Luis Enrique attempted to assemble a squad of players to tie-in with the playing ideals of his former club Barcelona. But even with Bojan arriving on a two-year loan deal, and with the possibility of more playing time, both he and his new club have struggled to a degree this season.
Bojan has admitted to entertaining the idea of returning to Barcelona in the future, however his playing time might be significantly less than his first stint at the club due to the emergence of other La Masia graduates.
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Interest in the striker from the Premier League has always been high, as this morning once again showed with Liverpool showing an interest. But with Liverpool looking to bolster their squad ahead of next season, more questions should be raised as to whether Bojan would fit in with the style of the Premier League and specifically Liverpool.
The problem the youngster has had in recent years is the serious lack of time to develop as one of the most impressive talents in European football. You couldn’t hide from commentators emphasising how young the player was whenever he turned out for Barcelona, and even more so when he got himself on the score sheet.
A player like him jumping across big clubs in Europe with the hopes of settling down is going to be a problem. He hasn’t developed into a natural goal scorer that his youth days suggested, and he’s done little over the past two years to warrant a starting place in any big side.
His small frame will also be a problem in the Premier League. There has been a significant shift over to smaller, technically gifted footballers in England, but Bojan lacks the confidence of those players. Strength is a problem for him, unlike compatriot Iker Muniain, who has been afforded less of the limelight at Bilbao and is developing at a steady yet impressive pace.
That’s not to say Bojan wouldn’t be a good fit for any Premier League club. After all, this is still a player who played for Barcelona. He’s quick and, with the right guidance and environment, can fulfil the potential he showed as a teenager.
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Would Liverpool be a step too far at this stage? From what we’ve seen of Bojan so far it does appear so. But he still has time and bags of potential to develop into a player capable of leading the line for a big club.