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Ashish Nehra, who was very much the best Indian bowler on the openingday of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Thursday, has said that hisimmediate objective was to cement his place in the Indian squad.Since the tour of Zimbabwe began, skipper Sourav Ganguly and coachJohn Wright have been singing Nehra’s praises. The left-arm fastbowler from Delhi has performed so well on the tour that the thinktank of the Indian team did not think twice about including him in theteam in place of a seasoned campaigner like Ajit Agarkar. And Nehra,who worked steadily to improve his bowling, did not disappoint them.In an interview to a vernacular daily in Kolkata, Nehra has said,"for the last two years, I have worked very hard. Probably I made myinternational debut a bit to early. But then, I realized whatinternational cricket was all about. Since then, I have worked quietlyin Delhi to increase my pace and, at the same time, my length andline. I can definitely say that I am a better bowler than what I wastwo years ago."Nehra attributes his success to coach John Wright saying, "the lasttime that I was at the conditioning camp with Wright at Bangalore, Ilearnt quite a lot. I learnt that in international cricket there wasno scope for error. The coach has given a number of tips which havecome in very handy."Nehra also said that he was determined to put up a good show atZimbabwe. "When I left home, I had only one aim – to work very hardand to fight. I knew that nothing would come easy. I told myself thatI would be better than everyone at the nets. It seems that my hardwork has finally paid off."Nehra is also thankful to Ganguly for his help. "From the first dayof the tour, he has really backed me and inspired me. A bowler, needsthe confidence of his captain. I’ve got that."

Arsenal can overtake their north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and break back into the top four this evening if they secure a win against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Gunners’ previous league match saw them secure a 1-0 win against Aston Villa away from home before the recent international break, leaving Mikel Arteta’s side with five victories in their past six league games.

On the chalkboard

One player that should be in the team to face the Eagles on Monday night is midfielder Emile Smith Rowe.

As a product of Arsenal’s youth academy, the youngster racked up 21 goals and eight assists in 54 appearances across the club’s U18 and U23 sides before eventually breaking into the senior team.

With nine goals and two assists to his name in 24 league appearances this season, the Englishman, who is reportedly picking up a weekly wage of £40k-per-week, currently stands alongside Bukayo Saka as the club’s top scorer.

To further highlight the 21-year-old’s attacking talent, with 20 of the 34 shots at goal he’s had being on target, only Manchester United midfielder Fred (60%) has racked up a higher percentage of shots on target than Arsenal’s young star (58.8%) in the Premier League.

His overall performances for the north London side, which have been described as “exceptional” by his manager, have earned him a season rating of 6.89 from WhoScored, making him the sixth highest-rated player in Arteta’s squad.

Labelled as a “difference maker” for the Gunners by former Arsenal figure Mesut Ozil, Smith Rowe certainly has what it takes to make a difference for his side once again this evening in front of goal against Palace.

After all, in the words of Rio Ferdinand, not only does he echo Alexander Hleb, but he’s also “got a Robert Pires vibe” to his play.

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Taking into account how Patrick Vieira’s side have kept three clean sheets in their three previous league games across all competitions against Wolves and Manchester City in the league and Everton in the FA Cup, having such a clinical figure like the England international on the pitch is exactly what Arsenal will need to get three points.

When it comes to putting his starting XI together, Arteta should definitely have Smith Rowe in his mind for tonight’s showdown.

In other news: Arteta now handed huge injury boost ahead of Palace, it’s great news for Arsenal

The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) has been re-recognised as an Associate member of the ICC following their suspension in March 2007.The USACA held their elections at the weekend when Gladstone Dainty – despite facing strong criticism over the past few years – was re-elected president, beating off the favourite, Ram Varadarajan, who was widely tipped for the post. The elections were a last-gasp effort for American cricket; without a formal constitution in place, the ICC would have had no other choice than to continue their suspension. With that particular condition met, the ICC’s president, Ray Mali, was pleased to welcome the board back as an Associate member.”We congratulate all elected representatives to the USACA Executive, Board and Regional Administrations and hope that this newly elected group of people, with a new constitution to operate within, can now truly represent a fresh start for cricket in the United States,” Mali said. “We are grateful to the West Indies Cricket Board and its representatives, especially past and current presidents Ken Gordon and Dr Julian Hunte, for all their work on this matter, together with USA cricket’s stakeholders, over the past 12 months.”Following USACA’s suspension in March 2007 the WICB – headed by its president, Ken Gordon – was asked to intervene between the two fractious parties: Dainty’s association and the regional league presidents who opposed him. For now at least, the infighting has quietened down.”And we are also grateful for the work of Chris Dehring, who played a significant role in finding a solution to the process as an independent third party,” Mali added. “Everyone at the ICC now trusts that, following these processes, those now charged with the important responsibility to govern for the good of the game in the USA will be able to do so with distinction as a team.”The ICC now looks forward to the USA’s involvement in all our international cricket activities and also playing a role in supporting the further development of the game there alongside our ICC Development Program and its Americas Regional office.”This development, however encouraging on the surface, is only the start. Opposition to Dainty remains fierce, with US cricketers and leagues threatening to break away from the USACA and form their own tournaments.Nevertheless, it is welcome news for American cricket – regardless of the infighting which will doubtless persist – as it provides the USA with much-needed money from the ICC. And now that they are recognised, it paves the way for their national side to participate in Division 5 of the World Cricket League which begins in Jersey in May (they were relegated from Division 3 last year) and begin the long road to qualify for the 2011 World Cup.

Pathan: ‘I am oozing with confidence to play competitive cricket’ © AFP

Irfan Pathan, the fast bowler who has been out of the Indian team since January, believes that he has regained his rhythm and is confident of making a comeback to international cricket.Pathan was training at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai for six days and said that he had made some technical changes to his bowling. “I am back to my usual bowling rhythm,” Pathan told PTI. “You see the light in my face. I am happy to come back to the Academy to take corrective measures.”He felt he had lost the rhythm during India’s tour of Pakistan in 2005-06 and taking advice from too many experts did not help.”It took just two seconds for Sekar [the chief coach at the Academy] to tell me where I am going wrong. He worked on a few technical aspects of my bowling. From last Monday, I have been trying to make amends. I have been bowling with old, semi-old and new balls at the nets here.”Sekar will never have nice words but he is clear about what he says. Today, he told me that he was satisfied. I had to work hard to get back to the team by proving myself in the domestic circuit. I am oozing with confidence to play competitive cricket after my stint here.”Pathan last played a Test in the West Indies in June 2006 and did not play a single match during India’s 2007 World Cup campaign .

Have you had problems getting tickets – or even getting through to the website – or have you found everything as smooth as silk. Click here to send us your views on the sale of Ashes tickets

James Sutherland: ‘Systems are sometimes slower than expected’ © Getty Images

The first day of cricket’s biggest and most unusual family went as smoothly as many more traditional gatherings, with lengthy delays, grumpy arguments and disappointment about missing out on presents. As Cricket Australia’s locals-only policy for Ashes tickets was opened to the Australian Cricket Family, members of the 128,500 unit were furiously mouse-clicking in the search of the promised seats in stints that lasted the equivalent of three sessions of play.The current slogan for the summer is “It’s definitely on”, but today it should have been changed to “It’s definitely crashed” as computers all over the country – and in England for those with Australian-resident friends – refused to budge on the ticket-selling websites. Seats went on sale at 9am, by which time the server on Cricket Australia’s page had turned off due to overload. The online outlets Ticketmaster, who was selling for the Gabba, the WACA and the MCG, and New South Wales’s Ticketek quickly joined in as pages loaded at a pace that would have made even Chris Tavare yawn. Telephones lines were engaged as workers worried that they would end the day empty-handed.”Our system is currently busy due to a large event on sale,” the Ticketmaster site read. “We apologise for the inconvenience.” Servers spent more time going down than big ships in blockbuster movies, and buyers who were told to rush to avoid missing out were being ordered to be patient.After five group emails and months of signing up members, Cricket Australia and the ticket sellers knew exactly how many people were prepared to purchase and they expected the “unprecedented” surge. Unprecedented has been the favourite word of the publicity campaign – it was the headline of a Cricket Australia email an hour after the release – and can be used again. The delay in getting tickets to a Test was unprecedented.”We understand that due to the volume of interest systems are sometimes slower than expected,” James Sutherland, the Cricket Australia chief executive, said generously. “I would urge all members of the Australian Cricket Family to continue to be patient through this process as the day continues.”Andrew Symonds had surgery this week on a wrist problem that flares during heavy periods of batting. He will be in demand for tips on prevention and cures after the mass development of RSI for users who spent the day trying to refresh the pages – or attempting to get into the main ticket sites. Australian supporters must hope the five-Test campaign is better planned and runs more smoothly than this family affair.

3rd day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsA 108-run partnership, made under a lot of pressure, between LanceKlusener (66) and Duncan Brown (55) saw the Dolphins pass the WesternProvince Boland total of 346 at Kingsmead in Durban. Earlier Shaun Pollockhad lost his wicket on 66 giving Paul Adams the first of his twowickets, but it was Thami Tsolekile who stole the limelight equallingthe South African first-class record as he joined a group of ten wicketkeepers to make 7 dismissals in a first-class innings.WPBOL, with a star-studded batting line-up, were soon in trouble in their second innings. Pollock took the wickets of Herschelle Gibbs (0), Graeme Smith (2) andAndrew Puttick (9) to set the Dolphins up for a thrilling finish tomorrow.Mfuneko Ngam, after his injury scare on the first day, once again could notcomplete his overs, as he struggled with his shoulder injury to take twowickets. At close WPBOL had slumped to 115 for 7, with Ashwell Prince on47, a lead of only 73 going into the last day. To add to their woes JPDuminy, breaking his finger while fielding, had already left for CapeTown, effectively leaving them at eight down, and Jacques Kallis may notdo too much bowling as he battles his way through a thigh strain.3rd day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIn Potchefstroom the Warriors face an uphill battle as they chase down atarget of 397 after being bowled out for 173 in their first innings.Andrew Hall and Charl Langeveldt took three wickets apiece as theWarriors struggled to come to terms with their batting. A fighting 49from Pieter Strydom, their captain, in 3-and-a-half hours was almost in vain as wicketsfell around him. Neil McKenzie (71) and Justin Ontong (57) allowed theLions the luxury of declaring at 194 leaving the home team ample time tobowl the Warriors out for a second time. At close the Warriors had puton a quick 53 for 1 in the 14 overs bowled.3rd day
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsThe batting paradise at SuperSport Park ensured that the game betweenthe Titans and Eagles was destined for a draw. There was someencouragement in the batting department with Davey Jacobs’s 149 stillbeing spoken about, while Boeta Dippenaar continued his early-season formwith a sparkling hundred. For the bowlers it was hard work, as only 17 wickets fell while 934 runs were scored in the first three days. Maybe it is time to end the preparation of bowler-friendly pitches and teach the bowlers how to bowl on flat beds. Congratulationsto the ground staff in Centurion.

NSW Speedblitz Blues players will be a welcome boost to Sydney grade Cricket teams as Round 13 begins this Saturday. With just three remaining rounds, competition will be fierce, as team’s battle for the right to feature in finals cricket. Sunday will feature semi finals of the one-day competition. Bankstown will host Eastern Suburbs at Bankstown Oval while Mosman take on Sydney University at Rawson Oval. Mosman have been involved in the last four one-day semi finals and will be keen to claim a title, which has so far eluded them. They take on a rejuvenated Student’s outfit that welcomes back the experienced Greg Matthews for the encounter.Mosman have consistently shown their ability in the one-day cricket format being involved in the past three semi finals. Whilst playing in the final two seasons ago, the Whale’s are keen to end their title drought. Mosman believe their strength is in their experienced bowling attack, which features three former NSW pace bowlers in Warwick Adlam, Phil Alley and Trent Johnston. "We all seem to be bowling as quick as we did three years ago, but with more experienced heads now", Adlam said.The 32 year old Adlam claimed his 500th first grade wicket in his teams recent clash with Sutherland and sits second only to Aaron Bird (59) with 48 wickets so far this season. Adlam further believes the Clubs latest acquisition in Nottingham’s Guy Welton is a secret weapon. "Guy is a powerful hitter who has an uncanny resemblance to Ian Botham in physique, batting style and looks". The Whales will be hoping Welton (568 runs) can continue his form with his adopted club.Bankstown will be looking to continue its current form in their semi final with Eastern Suburbs. Talented Bankstown speedsters Aaron Bird and Scott Thompson will target NSW Speedblitz Blues hard hitter Brad Haddin and former Blues batsman Mark Patterson in their clash. The encounter should be an enthralling one with two of the form teams in the competition.In Round 11 matches; Fairfield-Liverpool v Campbelltown-Camden at Rosedale; Blacktown v UTS-Balmain at Joe McAleer; Hawkesbury v Randwick Petersham at Owen Earle; Manly-Warringah v Eastern Suburbs at Manly; Mosman v North Sydney at Rawson; Northern District v Bankstown at Waitara; Parramatta v Sydney University at Old Kings; St George v Gordon at Hurstville; Sutherland v Penrith at Caringbah and University of NSW v Western Suburbs at Village Green. . All Saturday games will commence at 11.00am, while Sunday’s semi finals will commence at 10.00am

February 4, 2002CANADA SQUAD FOR AMERICAS 2002 CRICKET CHAMPIONSHIPNicholas DeGROOT CaptainIshwar MARAJ V. CaptainAshish BAGAIIan BILLCLIFFDesmond CHUMNEYAustin CODRINGTONMelvin CRONINGMuneeb DIWANNicholas IFILLBarry SEEBARANSanjayan THURAISINGAMSukhinder RANAAbdul SAMADFazil SATTAURKaram GOPAULSINGH – ManagerJeff THOMAS – Coach

CAPE TOWN, Dec 27 – Western Province’s newfound ability to defend a totalsaw them edge ever closer to a Standard Bank Cup semi-final place with a50-run victory over Free State although their ultimate fate rests in thehands of others.Their 244 for five was too much for Free State and once opener Kosie Venterwas fourth out for a well made 80, the visitors’ Christmas goose was welland truly cooked.Province’s success in claiming the last Free State wicket with two balls tospare also gave them the bonus point that may yet prove crucial.Mind you, Province were prepared to give Free State a life or two to make itmore entertaining for a 5 000-strong crowd which was quite as healthy asthat for the Durban Test match.Herschelle Gibbs, Lloyd Ferreira and HD Ackerman all dropped catches (Gibbs’by far the hardest, Ackerman’s the easiest) but some sparkling glove workfrom Andrew Puttick made up for those lapses.Thami Tsolekile’s promoted understudy produced two stumpings and a catch offthe slow left arm bowling of Claude Henderson to vitally assist the FreeState innings losing its way in mid-innings.His first as the most important. Wiaan Smit – dropped by Ferreira before hereached double figures – was threatening to help the visitors to theirtarget in a 75-run second-wicket partnership withVenter.But his attempt to go down the track to the Henderson in tears and whenMorne van Wyk was brilliantly caught by the diving Graham Smith on the deepmidwicket boundary for 21 it was the cue for four Free State wickets to fallfor 16 runs. There was no way back from there.Western Province’s 244 was founded around the efforts of the prolific NeilJohnson and Ashwell Prince.Johnson thumped his third score of 90 or more in the competition thisseason – 91 this time – and shared a 97-run partnership with Prince (67) in118-ball to give the innings real impetus after it threatened to losedirection at 68 for three when they came together.Johnson made his runs from 115 balls and thundered 11 fours while thefleet-footed Prince scampered to his runs in 75 balls with four fours andone six.With Lloyd Ferreira back to lash 18 in nine balls at the death, Province hadgiven themselves the kind of total that is expected to be defensible as thedew sets in at Newlands.Many of the crowd had probably turned out to see Herschelle Gibbs continuehis rich vein of form. he didn’t. After three balls the prolific openerstepped away in an attempt to cut Bakkes and was caught behind.

As per Football Insider’s recruitment source, Tottenham are interested in signing Villarreal central defender Pau Torres in the summer transfer window. 

The lowdown: Torres’ rise to stardom

Having made a Spain debut in 2019, the 25-year-old has quickly become established as a regular for both club and country.

Torres made six appearances for Luis Enrique’s side at Euro 2020 having received lavish praise from the manager following a goalless draw with Portugal in the build-up to the tournament.

Enrique hailed Torres as ‘superb’, ‘sensational’ and ‘outstanding’ for a starring role alongside Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.

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His club form certainly supports that, starting 26 of 29 La Liga games this season and even scoring four goals from the back.

The latest: Spurs ‘plot’ move

According to FI sources, the Lilywhites are ‘keeping tabs’ on the Villarreal academy graduate.

Citing the ‘strong interest from the north Londoners last summer’, Tottenham are expected to return for the Spaniard with bids upwards of £50million required.

At present, the former Malaga loanee is under contract until 2024 at the Europa League holders.

The verdict: Conte a big fan

Unsurprisingly, Conte is seemingly looking to enter the market for defensive reinforcements in the summer having previously lamented the lack of squad depth, and this latest report claims that the Italian boss would welcome the addition of Torres in particular, claiming the Spurs boss is personally a ‘huge admirer’ of the Spain star.

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The previous incumbent of the hot seat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Nuno Espirito Santo, was also reportedly keen on signing the Spaniard but the move failed to materialise.

Now with Spurs seemingly on an upwards trajectory, perhaps the presence of a world-renowned coach in Conte could convince Torres to make the move to England after he allegedly rejected to the chance to work with Nuno.

In other news: Source claims Tottenham will make record-breaking striker bid, find out more here