Captain Piyush Chawla and medium pacer Abu Nechim shared eight wickets to bundle out New Zealand for 147 and power India to a comprehensive victory by an innings and 50 runs in the first four-day Under-19 match at Lincoln today.Legspinner Chawla followed up his century in the first innings with a haul of 5 for 19 while Nechim took 3 for 55 in the New Zealand second innings.For New Zealand there was nothing of note except a knock of 42 by Michael Taiaroa in the second innings. New Zealand trailed India by 197 runs in the first innings and were forced to follow on.Earlier, India had declared their first innings on 499 for 8 after being put in to bat with Ravi Teja, Virat Kohli and Chawla slamming centuries to which New Zealand replied with 302. Medium pacer Ishant Sharma took 5 for 55.India lead the three-match series 1-0. The second four-day match is at Carisbrook, Dunedin from January 27 and the final match is from February 2 to 5 at Lincoln.
Bob Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the bowling attack on the second afternoon of the second Test against India. With Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman at the crease, India eventually ended the day on 110 for 1 but Pakistan will be happy with the wicket of Virender Sehwag, who has haunted and taunted their bowling in equal measure in this series and a generally tidy performance.”I thought we were quite disciplined and bowled well against their batsmen in the right areas. We bowled really well to Sehwag in particular and got the length and line right this time, especially Shoaib who beat him a couple of times with superb deliveries,” Woolmer told Cricinfo. Mohammad Asif, who bowled 11 mostly tight and often probing overs in his second Test appearance, came in for special praise.”He was excellent, he really bowled very well. He kept a tight line to Sehwag and was very unlucky not to get Rahul Dravid (an edge fell just short of Kamran Akmal). That would have been a huge wicket. Danish’s leg-before appeal against Laxman was also very close, one of those that could go either way. But I am happy with their performance.”Asif’s solitary Test appearance came against Australia at Sydney a little over a year ago, and in conceding 88 runs from 18 overs, it wasn’t a particularly fruitful one. Since then, however, he has become, in Woolmer’s own words, one of the most improved bowlers in Pakistan, tweaking his action a little and gaining a little extra pace.After taking ten wickets in a warm-up game against England in October last year, he came very close to being picked for the subsequent Test series, eventually missing out on a place in the final XI. He made his ODI debut against them in December and it turned out to be a more impressive one. One day after his 23rd birthday, he took the wicket of Marcus Trescothick with his third ball and ended with 2 for 14 off seven overs.Woolmer was also happy with Abdul Razzaq’s contribution thus far. Razzaq picked up the vital wicket of Sehwag with a ball that bounced a little more than expected; bowling from the Pavilion End, Razzaq exploited some uneven bounce in a seven-over spell occasionally troubling both Dravid and Laxman. Razzaq was surprisingly included in the side at the expense of Rana Naved-ul-Hasan but the decision resulted from a combination of a shoulder injury to Rana and the belief that the pitch might be better suited to Razzaq’s bowling.
Hopes that Zimbabwe’s remaining striking players might soon return to the fold appear to be stalling, according to a report in the local Independent newspaper.The stumbling block appears to be the rebels’ demands over the selection process, although other sticking points are said to include their demands for three-year contracts. Few countries give such long-term commitments and it is hard to see Zimbabwe Cricket doing so if that is what it is being asked to do.At the moment the rebel players are in ongoing talks with a committee under the leadership of Addington Chinake. Only when this committee presents its findings will the full board discuss the matter.But one of the rebels told The Independent that some of the reported conditions had never been raised. "It’s mischievous for anyone to claim that we have demanded tax-free salaries and three-year contracts," he said. "So far our discussions with the committee have been promising, though I’m bound not to say much."What appears to be factual is the stalemate over the choice of selectors. The rebels have demanded all along that the national selection panel should be made up of people with first-class cricket experience, or at least a good level coaching qualification. Crucially, that would rule out Max Ebrahim, currently the senior selector, as he has no such background."All we want are selectors with a cricketing background like in any other country," the player told the newspaper. "We’re hopeful everything will work out well because we hear [Peter] Chingoka has been really good and has already tasked a constitutional committee to review the whole selection policy. If Zimbabwe Cricket does not accede to our proposals, that’s it. No rebel will return."
The final schedule for England’s tour of Sri Lanka later this year has been confirmed after slight changes by the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka.The BCCSL is determined to take cricket away from Colombo to more far-flung areas, where larger crowds can be expected, and has now scheduled the first one-day international at Dambulla, and the second Test at Kandy rather than the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.England will play a total of three ODIs before a three-match Test series, which will start at the picturesque Galle International Stadium on the south coast.Schedule:November 13: arrive in Colombo November 15: v Sri Lanka A, Moratuwa (previously Colombo) November 18: v Sri Lanka, first one-day international, Dambulla (previously Colombo) November 21: v Sri Lanka, second one-day international (day/night), Colombo November 23: v Sri Lanka, third one-day international (day/night), Colombo November 26-28: v Sri Lanka A, Colombo December 2-6: v Sri Lanka, first Test, Galle December 10-14: v Sri Lanka, second Test, Kandy (previously Colombo) December 18-22: v Sri Lanka, third Test, Colombo December 23: depart for England
As metaphors go, they were pretty telling.In perfect sunshine at the ‘Gabba at the start of the second day of this tour match between Queensland and New Zealand, Nathan Astle (223) continued his near-remorseless assault on the home team’s bowlers.Yet, as a chain of storm clouds began to brew at the end of a steamy afternoon, so the murky problem that continues to plague the tourists reared its ugly head again.Astle remained a tower of strength in the morning session, not only outlasting Adam Parore (30) and Glen Sulzberger (0) at the other end but alsorearranging several individual and collective milestones.He steadily pushed his score into unchartered territory, rendering Martin Crowe’s hand of 188 in 1985-86 (previously the highest score by aNew Zealander at the ‘Gabba) the first major landmark to be overhauled.Astle’s domination of the attack had already extended into a seventh hour by the time that he then moved past both his own previous first-class best of191 and 6000 first-class runs in total.Just for good measure, he quickly proceeded to square cut the 333rd delivery of his innings, an off cutter from Michael Kasprowicz (0/118), to the point boundary to reach his first-ever double century at this level as well.But, where Astle’s voracious run scoring had given the Kiwis a position of early ascendancy, the tourists’ total of 9/444 – reached before amid-afternoon declaration – soon began to be placed in better context.Admittedly, there remained little on offer for bowlers in the pitch. But the sternest examination of the New Zealanders’ readiness for next week’sFirst Test against Australia was always likely to arrive when their attack swung into action. The Kiwis have so far been unable to take ten wickets inan innings at any stage of the tour and, in coming face-to-face with a talented batting line-up, the early results of this battle were not encouragingeither.Queensland openers Matthew Hayden (56*) and Jimmy Maher (47) were not discernibly bothered by anything offered to them in a 64-runassociation that spanned either side of the tea break, both defending and attacking with minimal risk.Maher, in particular, slaughtered loose deliveries. And such commodities seemed to be in ever-increasing supply once the shine started to disappearfrom the new ball. There was a classic cover drive at Chris Cairns (0/23); a thunderous hook and off drive at Chris Martin (0/35), and severalsuperb straight drives from the bowling of Shayne O’Connor (0/28).Even across an increasingly damp outfield, many of Hayden’s drives also showed few signs of slowing in their passage to the boundary.When Maher ultimately gifted away his wicket – charging, driving and missing as he attempted to smear a delivery from Sulzberger (1/52) to theboundary for the third time in the spinner’s opening over – it resembled something of an act of mercy.Martin Love (33*) quickly took up the slack upon replacing his teammate at the crease, albeit that his elegant approach was briefly curtailed by aflurry of rain that forced a five minute recess in the action.Matthew Bell had missed a tough, low chance at point as Maher (on 32) drove uppishly, and a shy at the stumps of the scurrying Love (on 13) flewwide when a minute window of a run out opportunity existed.Otherwise, there was not a single semblance of alarm for the batsmen. And even Astle couldn’t intervene this time, forced off the field as he was because of a minor groin strain.The Queenslanders still require a further 155 runs to avoid the follow-on when they resume in the morning. But either they would have to bat verypoorly, or New Zealand’s attack would have to produce a major reversal of form, to make the prospect of successive Queensland innings a reality.
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been rested for the remainder of the one-day series against Australia and will be replaced by Jonny Bairstow for the final three matches.Although Buttler’s glovework has continued to improve his batting has faded in the second part of the season against Australia. He made just 122 runs at 15.25 in the Ashes and fell for a third-ball duck at Lord’s on Saturday, lbw to Glenn Maxwell. That followed a score of 4 at the Ageas Bowl when he drove loosely to mid-off.Being England’s wicketkeeper across all three formats since the middle of last year, when he was promoted to the Test side following Matt Prior’s ultimately career-ending injury against India, has meant Buttler has had an extensive workload.He missed the last one-day international against New Zealand and the T20 earlier this season, having sustained a finger injury, but has played 43 internationals since making his Test debut against India, at the Ageas Bowl, last July. Only Joe Root, with 44 appearances, has played more for England during that period and he has been granted a rest since the end of the Ashes.Between the end of the Ashes and the start of the limited-overs leg against Australia Buttler appeared in the NatWest Blast finals day for Lancashire having also played the quarter-final between the fourth and fifth Tests. Barely 12 hours after picking up the trophy at Edgbaston, as Lancashire overcame Northamptonshire in the final, he was at a training session in Cardiff ahead of the T20 international.Trevor Bayliss, the England coach, said: “While we initially felt Jos would have enough left in the tank for this ODI series, it has become clear in the last couple of days that he will benefit from a break from cricket ahead of the winter tours. We know that for players involved in all formats finding periods throughout the year when they can rest is key and Jos has had a heavy workload throughout 2015.”Resting players provide opportunities for others in the international arena and Jonny Bairstow now has a chance to build on the one day form he showed at the end of the New Zealand series earlier this summer.”Bairstow was unlucky to be omitted from the original one-day squad having made a matchwinning, unbeaten 83 against New Zealand, at Chester-le-Street, in June on his recall. He was then also recalled to the Test team during the Ashes at the expense of Yorkshire team-mate Gary Ballance although did not completely convince at No.5.England already had Sam Billings, the Kent wicketkeeper-batsman, in the squad but do not yet view him as an option for the gloves and have left him out of the first two matches against Australia after he played the series against New Zealand and the T20 against Australia as a batsman.While Bairstow’s call-up to replace Buttler means at least one change to the England side for the third match at Old Trafford on Tuesday they will have to consider further alternative options as they try to keep the series alive having gone 2-0 down at Lord’s.David Willey and Reece Topley, the left-armers, will come into the equation to provide the bowling attack with some variety.
West Ham boss Sam Allardyce is looking for his side to spoil Southampton’s party on Saturday when the pair meet at St Mary’s.
Both sides are closing in on the coveted 40-point mark and a win for the south-coast club, who have beaten both Chelsea and Liverpool in their last two home matches, would see them reach that point ahead of the Hammers.
The draw at Liverpool last weekend means a win for the Boleyn club would see them reach the 40-point mark.
Allardyce told the official club website: “They will be full of confidence. The fans will be expecting to beat us, there’s no doubt about that, after they’ve just beaten Liverpool and Chelsea at home.
“I think we’ll just be the next step on the ladder for them to beat. I thought the Liverpool fans probably thought they were turning up and going to beat us last week, so we’ll hopefully spoil Southampton’s party as well.”
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Arsenal’s want-away striker Robin van Persie is set to play his first pre-season game for the Gunners today as they tackle Cologne in Germany.
New Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal explained to the Sunday Mirror that the striker told him he was playing for the north London club today and that this game was vital to his international selection.
Speculation over a move to Manchester United continues for last season’s Premier League top goalscorer but he is set to remain as Arsenal captain as he will play at least 45 minutes for the club today.
Van Gaal, explained the situation: “Robin will play his first game this Sunday.
“He has told me he is at least going to play 45 minutes this weekend. It is a good job, because I almost had not selected him.
“This is the only time I’ll pick Van Persie and Tottenham’s Rafael van der Vaart while they are not fit.
“They have not played a single game yet for their clubs and normally I don’t pick players then. In future I will only pick fit players.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
“But van Persie is so important for the Dutch team.”
Over the last 20 years Sky have brought numerous fantastic self-promoted innovations to the football viewer, all in the name of making football bigger and better than ever before, but none are more timeless and successful than Super Sunday.
Perhaps I’m just a sucker for the endless hyping of the Premier League, but when I see a Super Sunday coming up I know I’ll be watching. Every couple of months the scheduling fates collide and throw up two mouth-watering clashes, then Sky whack them back to back on a Sunday and that’s it. Six hours of my day are locked down and I know there will be absolutely no need to leave the house.
The question ‘what are you doing this weekend?’ is instantly met with ‘well on Sunday I’m watching the football.’ It makes absolutely no difference what the weather’s like – why would you need to know when the pre-match build starts at one and the pundits round it all off at 7? It’s a glorious medley of sofa sitting, split up only by jumping up and down with delight, burying your face in your hands and the occasional pee.
Sunday is traditionally a day of rest so I have no qualms with the lie-in, late breakfast and build up routine. Bring on the completely over-the-top half hour of endless adverts and montages, at one o’clock on a Super Sunday I’m ready to soak it all in. Build build build, I’m not going anywhere. If it’s a glorious day outside I might open the back door, maybe.
I face the row of pundits, responding as though I’m in the studio, agreeing, contesting, scoffing, even laughing with the banter with a worrying over-familiarity. ‘Oh Jamie! How could you! Hahahaa..’ (Seems surprisingly camp reading that back!) I’m in the zone and it’s a great place to be.
Sky do a fantastic job of getting you excited about teams that you don’t support, playing games that won’t necessarily matter at all in the long run. Every game is HUGE, every decision is HUGE, even every advert is bookmarked with epic Sky voiceovers and shots of crowds going mad. It’s impossible not to get sucked into Sky’s distorted world in which football matters more than everything else put together.
At the end of it all, six hours later, you realise that you’ve actually just watched two football matches, not the most important events of all time. There’s also a high chance that next weekend you’ll do the same again, but there’s no time to dwell on that. Just have some dinner and settle back into that sofa groove. Match of the Day 2 starts at 10.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
When I’m not watching football you can find me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/philipwroe tweeting about guess what….
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini voiced his frustrations after Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Fulham effectively ended his side’s title hopes.Mario Balotelli gave City the lead in the 26th minute before Damian Duff secured a deserved point for the Cottagers with an equaliser just after the interval. City are now 10 points behind arch rivals and Premier League leaders Manchester United, and when asked if Sunday’s result put his side out of title contention, Mancini told Sky Sports: “Now for us it is difficult in this moment I think.”Speaking of the stalemate against Mark Hughes’ side, the Italian manager said: “The performance was so, so. I think that we didn’t play well but in the first half we scored one goal.” “It is normal but when you score one goal, you finish the first half one-nil and you should start better the second half but it is possible that when you play every day – and at this moment we have a lot of players injured – we have some problems.”The final whistle was followed by some drama between the two managers, as Mancini failed to lean into his handshake or make eye contact with Hughes, which caught the ire of the Fulham boss.Mancini, despite seemingly being the protagonist, said it was not the first time he met with an angry Hughes.”Always I think, I don’t know. He seemed (angry in) the first game in London but I don’t know,” Mancini said.Hughes said he was disappointed with Mancini’s behaviour.”Well I was a little bit disappointed at the end,” he said.”Listen, I was disappointed with the performance of my team when we last played Man City, we lost 4-1, but I acknowledged that Man City on the day were the better team and I acknowledged that with my handshake and I just felt maybe Man City’s manager just didn’t really offer his hand with any sincerity so that’s why I reacted a little bit. So I apologise if I upset anybody.”