Left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has signed a two-year deal with Northamptonshire.”We are delighted Monty has committed his future to us,” said chief executive Steve Coverdale. “We believe he is one of the most promising spin bowlers in the country. He will be given every encouragement to progress his career here.”Panesar will not be available for all matches as he is still a full-time student.
Mathew Sinclair is as well aware as everyone that his call-up for the New Zealand one-day side was unexpected, but he is determined to grasp the lifeline that has been thrown him for a resumption to his international career.Sinclair, the only member of the New Zealand squad with two Test double centuries to his name, can also claim two One-Day International centuries in his stop-start 23 game career.Given the setbacks that had occurred in his game he had set himself a goal of making the World Cup final 15. Now, in Auckland on Thursday, he has the chance to move himself a peg or two up the pecking order.Selection convener Sir Richard Hadlee said when announcing the team for the first two ODIs after which the World Cup 15 has to be named, that the selectors wanted to look at one or two players.Sinclair knows he is one of them.”I know there are positions available. I know it is a case of putting my hand up and taking it. I hope I can provide that opportunity to the New Zealand selectors and the public that I’m the man for the job,” he said.The sight of Sinclair in full and confident flight would be one that most cricket lovers in New Zealand would enjoy because there is no doubt that when he is on his game he can be a highly-attractive batsman to watch.He said he feels in good form, but the challenge ahead of him is to expose the form for all to see.”Everyone goes through those stages where you think you’re right for the job but you find that you’re not. I just wanted to put pressure on the batting order. Now I’ve been given that opportunity I’m keen to take it. And I think is the perfect time for it.”The pitch looks good so there is no reason why I shouldn’t be able to get out there and do the job.He has had some reasonable form in matches played so far this year, the result of off-season work with Glenn Turner in Dunedin, and the early exposure to grass pitches as the result of his playing for Blenheim’s Celtic club in the Marlborough competition.”I guess to my detriment I haven’t been able to go on and get some big scores, but hopefully I can bring that sort of form into the one-day environment.”I know that I can do it. These two games are quite crucial. There is definitely a lot of pressure there for myself to perform, and a few others, who have been included in the team as well,” he said.Changing to one-day mode was no problem as he was already doing that in readiness for Central Districts’ State Shield campaign.He’s just delighted to be back in the national team environment and determined to get on with the job of gaining a place in the top 12. There’s nothing like a little competition to put the pressure on players.But Sinclair doesn’t mind. The pressure he is under with the two-match chance was exactly the same as he would face were he to find himself in South Africa with the World Cup side.For the record, Sinclair has played 23 ODIs and has scored 572 at 26.00 with two centuries and two half-centuries.
The Pakistan players show their displeasure that umpire Palmer has called a Saqlain wide Photo © CricInfo |
London: It’s been often stated that the future is an extension of the past and that the present spans the two. The past has had both wonderful and disturbing memories for Pakistan cricket teams touring England. And, even though the last Test series in 1996 was saved the acrimonious interactions of the 1992 tour, unwarranted ugliness raised its head more then once during the ongoing series of Tests and ODI’s. If Old Trafford and Edgbaston were the past and best forgotten, Palmer’s wide ball signal nearly brought it up again. Mercifully, Pakistan won; otherwise one would have witnessed unwarranted sights that would have taken away the gloss of a really well contested match.Pakistan won by two runs, statistically very narrow, appreciatively larger in terms of heart and mind. Here was a team defending a moderate and according to Pakistani and British experts, a poor total to defend on a batsmen friendly batting strip. And with Pakistan only having one genuine, established fast bowler, 242/8 was far removed from what Pakistan wanted, and much nearer winning shores for England struggling to record their first win in this Triangular contest.Pakistan won, not because England collapsed under pressure, but because its ‘future’, the team of tomorrow, rose to the occasion and held their nerves. Imagine a centurion, the like of Trescothick, losing his nerve with fewer then a stroke to win a match for England. The Pakistan team has shown yet again that they have the poise and patience to extricate themselves from trying and testing conditions with a flair lacking from the armoury of the opponents.
Inzamam-ul-Haq looks back at the stumps flying high after being bowled for a duck Photo © AFP |
Toss losing Pakistan went to bat minus two of the stars of yesterdays; Saeed Anwar, unavailable due extenuating circumstances, and Wasim Akram still nursing a sore shoulder. And showed it had what it takes to be classy winners. And what winners? With no contribution coming yet again from the bat of Inzamam-ul-Haq. The stars of tomorrow Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan, batted Pakistan out of hopelessness and thereafter the spin and guile of Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi complimented Waqar’s opening efforts, to stall yet again, an England effort to reach the shore.Yousuf Youhana already has the credentials to support his batting. Younis Khan though, is fast blossoming into a ‘Mr Reliable’. And his innings of 41 from 56 balls an apt reminder that one can score against the most penetrative bowling without being flamboyant or rash. His innings did not contain any boundary. Youhana’s elevation to No.3 spot, though two matches late, was an opportune decision. And he endorsed his class through a very well planned innings of concentration and selective stroke-play. 7th out for 81, Youhana partnered Younis Khan for 80 runs and added another 50 with Rashid Latif. Then, Pakistan did well to score 35 runs from the last 27 balls, thanks yet again to Azhar Mahmood, who may not be bowling to his promise and potential, yet bats convincingly to put runs on the board, Cardiff notwithstanding.Yet another loss to Pakistan at Lord’s on Tuesday has more or less made England the ‘bridesmaid’ for June 23, the scheduled final. And even if England prove an exception to the rule by upsetting favourites Australia, twice in the forthcoming matches, a very unlikely happening, they may still miss out due a poor run rate. This is England’s 8th loss since that win over Pakistan at Karachi and fourth against Pakistan in succession.
Marcus Trescothick celebrates his wonderful century Photo © CricInfo |
Through this win, Pakistan has drawn a lot of confidence. This ‘future’ looking team did them proud through this achievement where one and all thought 242/8 was a poor total to defend. It certainly looked all the more poorer through that Tescothick 137 that nearly gave England the much sought yet elusive win. It augurs well for Pakistan and reflects a potentially greater significance, for it was achieved without the super stars. England’s 8th defeat in a row was yet another blow to morale. For Pakistan, this win erases those unhappy moments of Lord’s 1992 when they lost to England by 79 runs.Umpiring has been consistently inconsistent and even though Saleem Elahi was unfortunate earlier on, KE Palmer nearly ‘recreated’ Old Trafford, 1992. Here’s hoping conscience rules the hearts of the umpires in coming matches and they are also alert enough to spot no balls.Pakistan plays Australia next at Chester-le-Street and certainly would feel comfortable if Australia triumphs over England at Old Trafford, Thursday.
Peter Barrable, a former batsman and captain of Northern Transvaal, has died at the age of 72 on Thursday.He had played 16 first-class matches and scored 626 runs. His career began in the 1964-65 season and lasted a decade. He led Northern Transvaal for his final two years between 1972 to 1974 and had been president of the Northerns Cricket Union even as he played cricket.”Not many cricketers possess the skill and leadership qualities to represent the union as batsman, while also being given the captaincy role and simultaneously serve as president,” Titans chief executive officer Jacques Faul said. “Barrable had the skills and knowledge to lead in the board room and on the field and we are grateful for his legacy to the NCU. On behalf of the Northerns Cricket Union family I extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his cricketing colleagues.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been at the centre of another frantic – and on more than a few occasions, chaotic – year, but for all the turmoil, they have lifted silverware, winning the Europa League, and are piecing together a project under Thomas Frank’s leadership.
Still, Tottenham are stuck in 14th place in the Premier League as the season’s midpoint looms. They have lost their past two matches, but only trail fourth-place Chelsea by four points.
This has been a difficult transitional period, for sure, but Frank is right in urging patience, with dynamics between the players evident during the nine-man struggle against Liverpool last weekend, resulting in a spirited 2-1 defeat.
Multiple areas need attention, but Tottenham could do with a sharp new attacker, even after being rejected in their long-standing bid to sign Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo.
The latest on Spurs' search for forwards
With Semenyo, 25, honing in on a £65m transfer to Manchester City, Tottenham have had to turn their attention elsewhere. Now, ENIC Group’s powers of adaptability will be called into practice.
It is pleasing, nonetheless, that Tottenham’s interest has been confirmed as genuine. There is money to spend this winter, and the right signing could help catapult Frank’s project up several rungs of the ladder.
According to TEAMtalk, Tottenham have joined Chelsea in keeping a close eye on Juventus superstar Kenan Yildiz, with the 20-year-old’s contract talks having stalled in Turin.
Yildiz is a versatile attacking midfielder who has found a home down the left wing this season. He is the real deal and has been appraised at around £88m. Manchester United have also shown an interest in recent weeks but he is described as a ‘dream’ target for the Lilywhites.
Why Kenan Yildiz would be a dream signing
Yildiz is young, but he’s already been picked out as a “generational” Turkish talent by sports writer Cetin Cem Yilmaz. Across all competitions, he has posted six goals and six assists across 22 matches.
This is not a player who is defined by statistics, but even so, the metrics lean in his favour, with Yildiz’s performances down the left wing for Juventus this season telling much of his potential to become a superstar.
Indeed, he ranks favourably against Semenyo, whose efforts in the Premier League will indeed land him a move to Man City under the management of Pep Guardiola.
League Stats 25/26 – Semenyo vs Yildiz
Stats (* per game)
Semenyo
Yildiz
Matches (starts)
16 (16)
15 (14)
Goals
8
5
Assists
3
4
Touches
48.9
53.3
Shots (on target)*
2.4 (1.3)
2.4 (1.0)
Accurate passes*
19.9 (77%)
27.2 (82%)
Chances created*
1.4
2.3
Succ. dribbles*
1.6
1.3
Ball recoveries*
5.1
3.7
Tackles + interceptions*
1.9
0.8
Duels won*
6.4
4.1
Data via Sofascore
Given his age and the expectation that he will continue to go from strength to strength over the next few years, there’s little question that Yildiz would be the better deal to complete for the Lilywhites, who could restore some superstar power to their ranks through the Turkey international’s inculcation.
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After all, he already ranks among the top 7% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, and the top 12% for successful take-ons per 90, as per FBref.
Spurs haven’t exactly been slick on the playmaking front this term, and Yildiz would add directness and creative craft to the fold, killing two birds with one stone, lifting the club up and up after an inconsistent few years.
Semenyo is the talk of the town right now, but he’s already a more creative talent than Semenyo, and he’s on his way to becoming an athletic and combative star besides.
He’s exactly what Tottenham need, and would be a transformational signing for Frank’s side.
Kudus upgrade: Spurs looking at 'future £100m star' after Semenyo rejection
Tottenham are looking to improve their frontline in the January transfer window.
ByAngus Sinclair
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
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Centuries from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke pushed the game towards astalemate, but the story of the fourth day was Adam Gilchrist, and mostlikely the final innings of an exceptional career. He didn’t make much ofa dent on the scoreboard, but those that witnessed a little cameo willnever forget the glimpses of greatness. Amid the outpouring of emotion,Australia gathered a valuable 37-run lead and then picked up the wicket ofIrfan Pathan, leg before to Mitchell Johnson, before India had wiped offthe arrears.Virender Sehwag was dropped by Clarke off Brett Lee, and survived two vociferousleg-before appeals as well before ending the day with a six and four offAndrew Symonds. India’s lead was a mere eight, and they faced the samestick-or-twist conundrum that was England’s undoing in the last AdelaideTest.All of that was peripheral though in the face of a hero’s last stand.Walking out to bat after Clarke’s innings of 118 had ended with a stunningcatch from VVS Laxman at second slip, Gilchrist received a standingovation from a crowd of 19,407. He was also clapped to the middle by theIndians, but the generosity ended there. Ishant Sharma was in the middleof a superb spell, and there was a sense of relief when Gilchrist struckone sweetly past him to get off the mark.A straight smack for four that nearly decapitated Billy Bowden was athrowback to the halcyon years, and there was a deft cut or two before hedrove Pathan straight to Sehwag at cover. As disappointmentstarted to seep through the stands, Ishant ran all the way from third manto shake his hand, and the rest of the Indians gathered in a group toapplaud him off.In the midst of all the sentiment, two superb hundreds were almostforgotten. Ponting had got to his before lunch, but after experiencingback spasms, he soon had Michael Hussey come out as a runner. The runs -there had been 103 in the morning – just kept coming though, with Clarkeeager to get to his own hundred. He got there with a single to cover offSehwag, and though it hadn’t been the usual ebullient and stroke-filledknock, it was vital in virtually eliminating any possibility of anAustralian defeat.Ponting got as far as 140 before an attempt to guide Sehwag past pointresulted in an inside edge on to the stumps. The partnership was worth 210by then, and India’s hopes of a series-equalling win were evaporating inthe afternoon heat.That didn’t stop Ishant from tormenting Symonds with some sensationalswing bowling. Two edges flew down to third man, and the ball whizzed pastthe outside edge on other occasions. Had he not got the wicket of Clarke,it would truly have been rough justice. After tea, he got Symonds too,chopping one on right after Australia had taken the lead.Pathan then picked up his 100th Test wicket by having Lee caught behind,before Harbhajan Singh and Sehwag wrapped up the innings. Anil Kumble,perhaps nursing a sore shoulder, bowled just nine overs in the day, and itwas noticeable that Sehwag was the more potent of the two offspinners onview.The morning session had been all about Australia grinding the bowlingdown. On a pitch that showed no great signs of deterioration, the new ballfailed to do the trick and the spinners got little purchase either.Ponting and Clarke went about run-making in steady rather than spectacularfashion, and India’s best chance of ending the partnership came a quarterof an hour before lunch, when Clarke moved away to cut Sehwag.The edge was travelling fast, but all Rahul Dravid could do was palm theball away from him at first slip. Clarke was on 84 at the time. Pontinghad enjoyed his slice of luck early in the morning, when a miscued hookoff Ishant just eluded Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s leap on the leg side. Ishantwasn’t as accurate or threatening in the morning as he was on Saturday,and with Pathan also unable to break through, Kumble turned to Harbhajan.Heroics with the bat aside, Ponting’s tormentor has had a poor game, andthe batsmen easily picked up singles and twos with pushes and drives intothe gaps. It took Clarke all of 126 balls to bring up his half-century,and he celebrated by clipping Ishant through midwicket.After all the criticism of the past few weeks and sly jibes about beingHarbhajan’s bunny, it was perhaps fitting that Ponting should get to a34th century off his bowling. After taking 114 balls for the first 50, thesecond had spanned just 69 deliveries.Kumble brought himself on soon after, but India’s fortunes didn’t changeon a baking hot morning. While Clarke slog-swept both spinners for four,Ponting did damage with the pull, effortlessly piercing the field whenKumble dragged it short.After the euphoria of the first two days, it was India’s turn to feel thepain and appear lost for answers. A soft ball didn’t help, but neither didtwo premier Australian batsmen determined not to cede an inch. The thirdcouldn’t make the same impact, but it was his 21-minute stint that manyfolk might talk about years from now when the I-was-there stories aredusted off.
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Andrew Symonds is prepared to employ his medium-pace to help Australia cover the loss of Shane Watson against England on Sunday. Symonds, who has delivered only offspin since returning from arm surgery, hopes to be back to full bowling fitness in time for the match as the team runs through its options after losing an allrounder.Mitchell Johnson is a chance of coming in but if Symonds is able to increase his pace it opens the way for Brad Hodge to return. “I’m not far off,” Symonds said in the Sydney Morning Herald. “With Shane being injured, I think it is just a bit of cushioning for Ricky Ponting if he needs to have someone else to go to for medium-pace in a Powerplay or something, or just wants to change it up a bit.”Watson is due to have a review on his injured left calf and James Hopes, the Queensland allrounder, has been placed on standby in Australia. While Hopes waits for a phone call, Hodge is desperate for a recall after scoring a century against The Netherlands before being squeezed out by Symonds.Hodge has been staying in shape by undergoing a draining exercise program. “It’s pretty much the only way to keep yourself sane when you are running the drinks most of the time,” Hodge said in The Australian. “I just think it’s an important part of training.”You have got to keep yourself mentally ready and quite strong. I am just trying to keep myself as busy and as fit as I possibly can.” If Australia decide to pick Johnson and attack England with four fast bowlers then Hodge will spend more time on the sidelines.”It’s a couple of nervous days ahead,” Hodge said. “I guess the good thing is I have played well over the last two months. The confidence is definitely there. It’s just a matter of seeing which way the side fits best, and hopefully I’ll get a game.”
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Viv Richards, the former West Indies captain, has said that England have taken a step backward after wresting the Ashes from Australia last year.”It’s all well and good winning a series at home against the best in the world as they did in the Ashes. But you only become great when the odds are really stacked against you and you come out on top,” Richards told BBC Sport. “As it stands, England have gone backwards quite a bit since the summer.”England lost the Test series 2-0 in Pakistan in December 2005, and go into the final Test against India in Mumbai, trailing 1-0. Richards said that to be a great team England had to win in both Pakistan and India.”I remember India and Pakistan were really hard places to tour – the hardest in the game in fact,” said Richards. “It’s not just that their teams are so hard to beat; the conditions are tough and generally most of the team are ill. When you overcome that – what I like to call beating a bad dog in his backyard – only then do you become real world beaters.”England have to win at Mumbai to draw the series and Richards said that with someone like Andrew Flintoff, whom he compared with Ian Botham, at the helm the tourists can pull it off.”I’ve been watching Freddie on the TV and he sounds really pumped up. It’s a really tough ask to win but I wouldn’t put anything past him,” Richards said. “He’s a really magnificent player and, at times, it’s like a mirror of Ian Botham. I always felt Freddie had really underachieved but now he’s superb in every game. He’s the aggressive player England have missed for so many years.”When he and Kevin Pietersen are at their best at the crease, it kind of reminds me of West Indies when we were at our peak.”
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Mohinder Amarnath and Sandeep Patil, two of the heroes of India’s World Cup-winning side in 1983, are among those shortlisted to succeed John Wright as India’s coach. Greg Chappell and Tom Moody, who both wore the Australian cap with distinction, are the two other candidates in the running after a six-member committee formed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India held deliberations on the issue in Kolkata on Sunday.After the meeting, a BCCI media release said that depending on their availability for the job, the candidates would be called for an interview. Ranbir Singh Mahendra, the president, and SK Nair, the secretary, represented the board on the committee, which also comprised Jagmohan Dalmiya, former ICC chief. The other half of the panel comprised Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Srinivas Venkataraghavan, who represented India in over 200 Test matches between them.Patil inspired a Kenyan charge to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2003, and had also enjoyed success in charge of the India A team. Amarnath’s coaching resume includes a stint in Bangladesh.
Sussex have signed Jason Voros, a 26-year-old seam bowler, on a one-year contract. Although Vroos is Australian, he has Hungarian parents and so is eligible to play as a non-overseas player from May 1 when Hungary joins the European Union.”It’s a fantastic opportunity for me,” he said. “To be joining the County Champions is awesome. If you’re going to play County cricket then you might as well join the best and I’m looking forward to the challenge. My signing with Sussex shows that all club cricketers can aim at the top.”Voros was born in Canberra and has played one-day cricket for Australian Capital Territories. Last season he played for Sussex’s 2nd XI, taking 14 wickets in four appearances.