Simon Katich has warned his team-mates to prepare for some Adam Gilchrist-style treatment if Kevin Pietersen fulfils his potential during Australia’s tour of England. Pietersen is still waiting for his Test debut, but Katich said he was capable of turning a game in a couple of hours.Australia will get their first look at Pietersen in the Twenty20 international at Southampton on June 13, but Katich has spent time with him as a batting partner at Hampshire. Katich, who is involved in a pre-Ashes training camp in Brisbane, said Pietersen was a formidable stroke-maker whose shots when firing were too big for any ground.”It’s hard to put someone in Gilly’s category because he’s got the record that speaks for itself,” Katich told AAP. “KP’s only 24 and he’s a lot younger and more inexperienced. But he’s got something about him that says this guy’s going to be a dangerous cricketer.”Ian Bell was preferred to Pietersen in the Tests against Bangladesh, but after averaging 139.5 in 11 ODIs Pietersen is a certainty to play in the two one-day tournaments before the Ashes series. Katich said if Pietersen performed well he would expect him to be involved in the five Tests.”It wouldn’t surprise me if he plays, just knowing the type of character he is and how crucial he could be in that he can turn a game in the space of a couple of hours,” Katich said. “He’s done that in the one-day game, and someone who plays like that in Test cricket can try and dominate our bowling.”Katich said England were a more balanced outfit than when he played one Test on the 2001 tour, but he predicted Shane Warne, the Hampshire captain, would again cause a lot of problems. “Shane’s been bowling very well and as the game wears on in England – on day three, day four, day five – the wicket will certainly turn,” he said. “The fact we’re playing later in the summer is an advantage to him because generally the weather improves.”
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its decision to send a three-man team to Pakistan in the first week of February to assess the security arrangements for India’s tour in March. Jagmohan Dalmiya, talking about this delegation, said, “we have to rely on specialists.”The only security specialist among the three people named, though, is Yasovardhan Azad, an inspector general of police for VIP security, who has been nominated by the ministry of home affairs. The other two members of the delegation are Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI’s joint secretary, and Amrit Mathur, the director, communications.
The young cricketers who are part of the Academy at the County Ground in Taunton may have been away for a few days over the Christmas period, but during their time away will most certainly have kept in touch with coaches Mark Garaway and Kevin Shine.Thanks to the generosity of the Somerset Wyverns each of the eleven young players now has the use of a hand held computer.For sometime now the Wyverns have donated funds to the club to help with the development of young players, but this year their money has been used specifically to fund the Personal Data Assistants that each of the Academy members have been given to use.Academy Director Mark Garaway told: "We are very grateful to the Somerset Wyverns for their generosity. Both Kevin Shine and myself have worked with these hand help computers for a while now and they do make a difference and they will most certainly help the young players."He continued: "We can put all the information that we want the players to have into the computers and it’s there for them as and when they need to use it, as well as us being able to keep in touch easily."Somerset coach Kevin Shine told me: "These computers have an infra-red capability. Each session that we have with the players we can put the information onto their computers rather than just tell them and it’s there for them to use."The coach continued: "We can also monitor their progress and keep in regular touch so that we can all be clear about what we are doing."
Mumbai failed to deliver the knock out punch to Baroda, as Baroda managed tohold out Mumbai to a Draw in the West Zone Ranji match at MIG, Bandra onTuesday. Baroda ended the day at 360 for nine off 112 overs chasing a target of464. The hosts took away five points and the visitors fought hard for theirthree.Mumbai began the day needing nine wickets for an outright victory and Barodaneeded to survive 90 overs. The latter doing the same on a match saving inningsby stumper Mongia. Nayan Mongia proved the hero of the day battling for 203minutes for his unbeaten 41 runs. He played 117 balls with seven hits to thefence. Mongia and Valmik Buch added 48 runs off 12.3 overs for a crucial eighthwicket partnership. Buch lost his nerve in the 107th over and called for a nonexisting single, Mongia sent him back but it was too late as an accurate throwfrom Paras Mhambrey caught him short of his ground.Zaheer Khan joined Mongia at the fall of Buch’s wicket. He hung around for 3.4overs and looked to save the game. Mumbai bowlers toiled the whole day but wereunable top get the break throughs. The turning point of the match was providedby Sachin Tendulkar who bowled the second last over of the day. He cleaned outZaheer on the first ball, turning the tables around for Mumbai. It became aquestion of getting one wicket for Mumbai and surviving eleven balls for Baroda.Last man Sukhbir Singh held his nerve and Mongia saw the last over through toguide Baroda to a draw.Earlier in the day, Baroda resuming on 75 for one at the start on play on thelast day were comfortably placed at 249 for five off 79 overs at the teainterval. Opener Connor Williams played a patient and sensible innings. Hescored 81 off 193 balls. One drop Himanshu Jadhav was the other steadycontributor to the Baroda score card.Jadhav’s 41 came off 110 balls. Tushar Arothe chipped in with 59 off 100 balls.Ajit Agarkar had figures of three for 66, Robin Morris was the pick of thebowlers bagging four for 64 in the second innings. Morris ended with matchfigures of eight for 91.Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Man of the Match award by MCA president ManoharJoshi at the prize distribution ceremony.
Quite how England respond to their Lord’s thrashing remains to be seen, but for Michael Clarke there was no screaming and shouting after Australia’s opening defeat in Cardiff as he instead trusted his players to answer their own questions: he could not have hoped for a more emphatic outcome.When Josh Hazlewood bowled James Anderson well before the Lord’s clock had struck 5pm on Sunday afternoon, Australia completed an overwhelming 405-run victory to level the Investec Ashes at 1-1. Given the way Australia themselves were out-performed in Cardiff it was a remarkable turnaround – not just a victory but an evisceration.”We didn’t talk too much about Cardiff, once we left that changing room our focus was turning up here and making sure we played some of our best cricket,” Clarke told . “We knew we didn’t play our best, but today the boys up there can look themselves in the mirror and know they played some pretty good cricket”Couldn’t have asked for a better performance from every single player, the way the boys batted – Smith, Rogers, Davey Warner – and the intent through the second innings was outstanding then the execution from the bowlers.”Australia made two changes for this Test. They were forced to hand Peter Nevill a debut after Brad Haddin withdrew for personal reasons and the gloveman responded with seven catches and a jaunty maiden innings. The selectors also decided to ditch Shane Watson for Mitchell Marsh and the allrounder claimed three top-order wickets to help the frontline bowlers dismantle England.”Marshy played really well, his intent shows how much of a team player he is,” Clarke said. “He got two crucial wickets in the first innings, didn’t get a long bowl in the second dig but did a great job as well. Credit to the selectors for going with their gut, it was hard on Watto who has been a fantastic player for us but that’s the advantage we’ve got with the squad.”The eye-catching bowling on the fourth day came from Mitchell Johnson who rattled England with his pace – reviving memories of what happened in Australia – but Clarke devolved questions about any reopening of scars.”That’s probably a question for Mitchell Johnson or the England batsmen. He’s such a great athlete that he can bowl long spells or I can ask him to bowl short spells – it’s about assessing the wicket and the game. Credit to the rest of the attack, too, because the way they operated allowed Mitch to do that.”
It was difficult not to be heartened by the courage and resilience shown by Ruben Amorim’s makeshift Manchester United side on Friday evening, with the hosts clinging on to secure a vital 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Wave after wave of Magpies attacks were repelled even amid a carousel of changes in the Red Devils’ backline, with 19-year-old Ayden Heaven scooping the man of the match gong following his standout display as the only ever-present in that defensive unit.
The teenager’s task was no doubt made all the more difficult considering the woes of those ahead of him, with United’s string of attack-minded absences leaving them with little in the way of an out ball in that battling second-half.
How Amorim’s side could have done with the pace and power of a figure like Antoine Semenyo to drag them back up the pitch, with the Ghanaian’s blistering ball-carrying speed having been so evident in the 4-4 thriller with Bournemouth not too long ago.
Unfortunately, it looks increasingly likely that the 25-year-old will be heading elsewhere next month, with INEOS and United perhaps turning their attention to a suitable alternative instead.
Man Utd hold talks over Semenyo alternative
A summer that saw both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo snapped up from Premier League rivals might also have seen Semenyo follow suit, albeit with United believed to have been put off by the ex-Bristol City man’s £70m plus price tag.
Heading into the looming January window, those at Old Trafford seemingly revived that interest following suggestions that calls were being made last week, with the in-form forward available for a fee of £65m, owing to his upcoming release clause.
Frustratingly for United and other top-flight rivals, it looks to be Manchester City who will ultimately win the race for his signature, with Semenyo reportedly choosing the Etihad as his preferred destination for 2026, as per David Ornstein.
With that in mind, Amorim and co might well be shifting their focus, with TEAMtalk reporting that the club have ‘joined the chase’ for RB Leipzig sensation, Yan Diomande.
As per the report, United are the final member of the traditional ‘big six’ to have registered their interest in the 19-year-old, with INEOS having already held talks with the teenager’s camp in recent weeks.
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The piece does note that any potential move would likely have to be a summer one, however, with prior speculation suggesting he could be available for a fee of around £87m.
Why Diomande is so "similar" to Semenyo
It was evident again on Friday evening that a handful of absentees can leave United looking so desperately short at the top end of the pitch, with the hosts ending the game with Patrick Dorgu on one flank and Diogo Dalot on the other as the two most advanced wide options.
With no Amad and Mbeumo to call upon, and having allowed the likes of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to depart, Amorim appears in real need of an extra spark – something to ignite his side in the final third.
Semenyo, with nine goals to his name already this season in the Premier League, would surely have done just that, although young Diomande might just be the next best thing, even if the Red Devils have to wait until next summer.
Indeed, in the view of The Athletic’s Seb Stafford-Bloor, the pair are “physically similar”, with Diomande possessing “all the same skill and touch” as his senior counterpart.
That likeness can no doubt be seen in their recent goalscoring hot streaks in 2025/26 to date, with the Leipzig starlet – who is currently on AFCON duty – scoring six goals in the Bundesliga thus far, alongside providing two assists.
Like Semenyo too, there is a real two-footed quality to the £87m youngster, with Diomande having scored four of those with his right and two with his left, as per Sofascore.
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The most notable attribute that the Ivorian possesses is his fleet-footed dribbling prowess, ranking in the top 1% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref, as well as in the top 3% for progressive carries per 90.
Diomande – 25/26 Bundesliga stats
Stat (per 90)
Diomande
Non-penalty goals
0.61
Assists
0.20
Shot-creating actions
4.66
Pass completion
81.3%
Progressive passes
4.05
Progressive carries
6.28
Successful take-ons
4.26
Prog passes received
7.91
Tackles
1.32
Interceptions
0.71
Stats via FBref
Not only an outlet in attack, Diomande also chips in defensively from his wide berth, ranking in the top 3% for interceptions and the top 11% for tackles per 90, with it no surprise that journalist Bence Bocsak hailed him as a “generational talent”.
Semenyo, for comparison, has his own strengths in a defensive sense too, ranking in the top 3% for both blocks and aerial duels won per 90, across the last 365 days.
Of course, it is the latter man who is hot property in the Premier League right now, yet if United are keen to seek out a more long-term, high-potential alternative, then Diomande could well be the man.
Worse than Sesko: £105k-per-week dud should never play for Man Utd again
Manchester United’s flaws were exposed even amid Boxing Day’s battling win over Newcastle United.
Bill Brown, who has died aged 95, epitomised the Australian cricket ethos and was an invaluable role model for the younger generations of Test cricketers, according to Steve Waugh. It was during the Waugh era that Australia’s players embraced the team’s history and Brown was called on to present baggy green caps to modern stars Adam Gilchrist and Michael Hussey.”I reckon that if one person could have their picture beside the baggy green cap to illustrate what it stood for, it should be Bill,” Waugh told the . “Bill was the man who my generation really looked up to. I say that all the time at corporate functions.”For us he was the embodiment of everything great about the baggy green cap. He had everything – strength, great ethics, character and wonderful stories from the past and yet still had great respect for the modern game.”The remarkable thing about him was he was so sharp. You never had to repeat anything. Nothing got past him. You felt as if you were talking to a 30-year-old. He was always putting himself down. He used to say his best shot was a leg glance and that he was just the guy who used to bat at the other end [to champions like Don Bradman].”Gilchrist said cricketers of the past decade adored Brown’s willingness to keep up with the game and appreciate the newer generation of Australian Test representatives. “He was just so respectful of the modern players,” Gilchrist said. “You never heard Bill complaining about modern bat weights or covered wickets.”Sam Loxton, who is now one of only four surviving members of the 1948 Invincibles touring squad, said Brown was a good friend. “Bill was a great fellow and a terrific player,” Loxton said. “He was always fun to be with.”Creagh O’Connor, the chairman of Cricket Australia, said Brown would be remembered as a first-rate batsman of the 1930s and 1940s. “Bill was a fine cricketer, good enough to carry his bat while making a double century at Lord’s,” O’Connor said. “But those of us who had the good fortune to meet and know him in more recent years will also remember him with great affection as an impish wit and good-humoured servant of the game, always ready to lend his assistance.”
Following New Zealand’s exit from the World Cup semi-final, Stephen Fleming, the Test captain, is hopeful their coach John Bracewell will stay on after his contract expires next month. “I think Braces should stay on, I think he’s a fine coach, he’s worked well with this side,” Fleming said in The Press.Bracewell, who is expected to submit a detailed performance appraisal of the squad to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), said a review of the World Cup campaign would determine his future. He was recently under-fire from Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, who suggested that he should resign.However, Bracewell hasn’t given any indication he would join the mass exodus of international coaches and said the priority would be to sort out the player contracts for the forthcoming season. “Once we’ve gone through that review process I’ll make that decision on whether to continue, or that decision will be made for me,” Bracewell told .”Ric Charlesworth [the NZC high performance manager] has a lot of things on the table when we get back in terms of the development plan. We have a month of hard cricket ahead of us, not in terms of playing, but players’ contracts have to be sorted out. There’s a lot of work to do.”New Zealand impressed through the group stages but faltered towards the end of the event. They were exposed in all departments in the semi-final against Sri Lanka, raising questions about their ability to lift their performance in knock-out games. This was their fifth semi-final loss in World Cup history.Though NZC were non committal on Bracewell’s future, Justin Vaughan, the newly-appointed chief executive, was also hopeful that he would continue. He said the off-season would be ideal time for the players to reflect on their performances. “They have been going at it since the series against Sri Lanka in December so they deserve the chance to sit back and reflect on things,” Vaughan said.Reflecting on his side’s showing in the tournament, Bracewell said they had performed above expectations, but admitted they were completely undone by a far superior side in the semi-final. “We were as well prepared as any side that’s has been put together,” he said. “We really have to put our hands up and say we didn’t perform on the day. A good dose of Test cricket will do us the world of good – players like Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton need it to continue their development.”
A hike in monthly pensions for former players, plans to boost support to other sports, and venues for the 2006 Champions Trophy were some of the issues discussed in the BCCI’s working committee meeting in Mumbai on Sunday.Showing the money Players who have figured in 25 Tests or more will receive up to Rs35,000 as pension amount while those who have played in less than 25 will get Rs25,000. The widows of Test cricketers will also receive the same amount. Former cricketers who played for India in Tests and ODIs after December 31, 1993 and all international umpires will receive a sum of Rs10,000 per month.Sharing the booty Sports other than cricket will also benefit from the BCCI’s largesse, after they decided to set up a corpus fund worth Rs50 crore (approx US$11 million) to boost budding talents in the under-15 age group in various sports. “It’s the responsibility of the BCCI to support young talent in sports that figure in the Asian Games and Olympics,” Sharad Pawar, the president of the BCCI, said about this initiative. “The BCCI will pick the No.1 in the under-15 age group and help them in training in India and abroad. The modalities have to be worked out and the BCCI constitution has to be amended for this purpose. We will set aside Rs50 crores and add the proceeds of one off-shore match every year [around Rs40 crores] to build the corpus.”Ground work The board, after negotiations with the ICC, confirmed four venues — Cricket Club of India, Mumbai, Jaipur, Mohali and Ahmedabad — for the Champions Trophy to be held in October-November this year. “The ICC has agreed to reduce the compensation money from US$1 million to under 200,000 dollars for the fourth venue,” informed Pawar. “The ICC rejected Chennai and Bangalore because of the threat of rain and the Cricket Association of Bengal informed the BCCI that it was not in a position to conduct the Champions Trophy games.”Pawar will choose eight venues in India for the 2011 World Cup and the “eight centres will have to send the compliance letter soon,” reported BCCI treasurer N Srinivasan. Also, a special committee headed by Chirayu Amin, the vice president, and comprising Arun Jaitley of the Delhi District Cricket Association, Lalit Modi, Bindra and Ajay Shirke, Maharashtra Cricket Association president, had been formed to come up with proposals to develop the 30 acres of land given by the Delhi Development Authority to the board.To cap it all Agreeing with Sunil Gavaskar’s views on the India cap, Pawar announced that only the national players will wear the cap with the BCCI’s crest on it, while the support staff will not be allowed to wear it.Searching for talent A special committee headed by former chief IS Bindra will give suggestions about optimum usage of the board’s funds, and will also offer recommendations on the Talent Research Development Wing (TRDW). “The committee will submit a preliminary report on all the related issues, including the scraping of the TRDW and the change in the format of the national selection panel [from five members to three],” said Pawar. Gavaskar had earlier criticised the proposed move to scrap the TRDW, asserting that the increase in the number of players from smaller towns was due to this system. He felt it would be a “big mistake” to scrap such a successful system.
Makhaya Ntini and Charl Langeveldt, the two South African fast bowlers, have been fined part of their match fees for breaching the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct during the third one-dayer against West Indies in Barbados. Both bowlers were found guilty of “excessive appealing” by Jeff Crowe, the match referee, in a hearing after the game finished at Bridgetown on Wednesday.Langeveldt, the hero of South Africa’s one-run triumph with a last-over hat-trick, was fined 20% of his match fee as he was found to have breached 1.5 Level 1 of the ICC Code. He was penalised for his actions after the fifth ball of the final over, when he celebrated the dismissal of Corey Collymore, the last batsman, before the umpire had given the decision. Crowe added, “Charl, albeit emotional in the dramatic moment, simply did not turn to appeal to the umpire for an lbw decision and pleaded guilty to the breach.”Ntini, who incurred a 25% fine on his match fee, was also found guilty of celebrating the dismissal before the umpire’s verdict in the 11th over of the West Indian innings. “At the ODI pre-series meeting, team management was advised by the Playing Control Team that no tolerance would apply for these actions,” Crowe said. “Makhaya was apologetic after the event and pleaded guilty to the breach.”All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee. The charge was brought to Crowe’s notice by Darrell Hair, Eddie Nicholls and Billy Doctrove, the three match umpires.