All posts by h716a5.icu

Having telecast the ARY Gold Cup in Sharjah recently, Sony MAX is nowplanning a series between left and right handers involving playersfrom five different countries

28-Apr-2001Having telecast the ARY Gold Cup in Sharjah recently, Sony MAX is nowplanning a series between left and right handers involving playersfrom five different countries. Kacon Sethi, executive vice-presidentand general manager of Sony Max said, “For the first time in theworld, MAX will be conducting a series of three one-day internationalcricket matches between a team of lefties and righties.”On the commercial success of the channel after the Sharjah triseries,Sethi said, “we earned around Rs 15 crore without India while we mighthave earned about Rs 30 crore with India as the third team.”Besides conducting the three-match series between lefties andrighties, Sethi said the channel will also telecast live India’s tourof Sri Lanka where the teams will play three Test matches and atriangular series involving India, Sri Lanka and New Zealand inAugust-September this year.The channel has also got exclusive rights for the Zimbabwe and Englandtours of Bangladesh. The Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka comprising threeTest matches followed by a triangular one-day series between SriLanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe will also be shown live early nextyear, Sethi said.Other tournaments to be telecast by the channel include Pakistan’stour of Bangladesh and West Indies tour of Sri Lanka early next year,she added.The matches between lefties and righties will be played on May three,five and six at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, she said and addedthat all the matches will be played under flood lights and will startat 3 p.m on all these days.The teams: Lefthanders (from): Saurav Ganguly, Sanath Jayasuriya,Chris Harris, Roger Twose, Robin Singh, Russel Arnold, HashanTillakaratne, Yuvraj Singh, Chaminda Vaas, Sunil Joshi, Nuwan Zoysa,Zaheer Khan and Kumara Sangakkara.Righthanders (from): Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, V V S Laxman,Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Aravinda De Silva, Adam Bacher, JavagalSrinath, Paul Reiffel, Marvan Atapattu, Romesh Kaluwitharana,Harbhajan Singh and Nikhil Chopra.

Former Leeds United striker and current BBC Radio Leeds commentator Noel Whelan has launched a scathing attack on Ezgjan Alioski following his performance against Brighton.

The Whites were beaten 2-0 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon on a disappointing day for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Having taken five points from matches against Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United, the defeat saw them slip to 11th in the Premier League table.

Someone who was a “liability” all afternoon was Alioski, who had an erratic day at the office, playing a key role in the defeat and rarely looking settled. His clumsy foul on Danny Welbeck gave Pascal Gross the chance to open the scoring with a penalty, while he won only three of his nine duels and lost possession 10 times (Sofascore).

Whelan criticises ‘diabolical’ Alioski

Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan laid into the left-back, claiming performances such as these show why he will likely leave Elland Road this summer amid reports that he has rejected a new contract, urging DoF Victor Orta to ‘go into the market’:

“Alioski was diabolical to be quite honest with you.

“The free-kick, where he is trying to get a megs in the wrong area, that was his first mistake. The second mistake was back to the Alioski of old.

“I’ve been impressed with him over the last three games. I thought he did really well and learned how to defend up against the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood but against Brighton he reverted to his old style. We saw that weakness on the left-hand side again.

“The challenge on Welbeck was rash, stupid and unnecessary. It gave them the platform that they needed.

“The right thing was to take him off, 100 per cent. He was a liability.  Another game which highlighted our need to go into the market for a left-back.”

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Transfer Tavern take

There has always been an overly emotional, unpredictable side to Alioski’s game – one which has made him something of a loose cannon – and that came to the fore against Brighton.

While he has undoubtedly done well at Leeds overall – he has contributed 22 goals and 17 assists in 167 appearances – they can upgrade on him in the summer transfer window, bringing in a more reliable left-back, such as the recently-linked Nicolas Tagliafico.

If Bielsa’s men want to have European aspirations next season, having consistent, reliable figures throughout the team is vital, and Orta’s first job this summer should be finding a star at left-back for Bielsa – fitting square pegs in round holes can only get you so far.

In other news, a pundit has offered an encouraging update on the future of one Leeds United star. Find out who it is here.

The final day of Glamorgan`s Championship match with Kent at Swanseaeventually began at 3.50pm after another morning of continuous rain and apersistant sea fret

Andrew Hignell28-May-2001The final day of Glamorgan`s Championship match with Kent at Swanseaeventually began at 3.50pm after another morning of continuous rain and apersistant sea fret. Both teams had patiently waited in the Swanseapavilion, hoping that the mizzle would lift in mid-afternoon, and with bonuspoints at a premium, both captains were eager for the chance to secure afurther point.As on the previous three days, the shroud of mist slowly lifted as the tidewent out in Swansea Bay, and in the 16 overs that were possible, both teamswere duly rewarded for their patience, each picking up a further batting andbowling point.Glamorgan resumed on 177-8, with Darren Thomas and Dean Cosker initiallythwarting Kent`s hopes of a third bowling point. Their partnership hadreached 36 as Darren Thomas guided Ben Trott to the third man boundary toput the Welsh county in sight of their first batting point. But in the nextover, Cosker was bowled off his thigh pad as he tried to fend off a shortball from Saggers.Eight balls later, Darren Thomas saw the Welsh county to their first battingpoint with a pull for two off Trott, and then with the doughty support oflast man Steve Watkin, Thomas then set about seeing the Welshmen to what hadseemed at first the unlikely prospect of a second batting point.Thomas duly became the top scorer in the Glamorgan innings when he straightdrove Trott to the sightscreen, before Watkin guided the ball to theunguarded third man boundary. Watkin repeated the stroke on two otheroccasions to take their partnership to 40, but then Thomas chipped Flemingto backward square leg where Robert Key took a chest high catch.There were 13 overs remaining as the players took to the field again, butbefore another ball could be bowled, the rain and mist descended again, andthe game ended in a soggy draw.In all, over 200 overs were lost in this, the first of three games whichform this year`s Swansea Festival. The loss of so much play was a hugedisappointment for the cricketing folk of south-west Wales, and inparticular the St.Helen’s Balconiers who have worked so hard over thewinter months to organise the Festival.After three days of thick low cloud, steady drizzle and a dank sea fret,there was hardly anything festive about the conditions at the historicSt.Helen`s ground. However, the weather forecasters are more optimistic aboutconditions for the rest of the week, so hopefully the loyal supporters willbe rewarded for their hard work with a prompt start to the Championshipmatch against Yorkshire at this ground on Wednesday.After so many blank days, they will be eager to get back out into themiddle, none more so than captain Steve James, who missed the openingfortnight of the season after a knee operation. So far in 2001, theGlamorgan opener has had just one Championship innings, in which he scored asingle, and he will be hoping to take his seasonal aggregate into threefigures with a more lengthy stay at the crease against Yorkshire.It was not that long ago that county batsmen at the start of each seasonaimed to join the small and illustrious group of players who had scored1 000 runs in first-class cricket by the start of June. Graeme Hick was thelast batsman to reach this landmark, back in 1988, but if the weatherpatterns of the past fortnight are repeated in the years to come, there is achance that no other county batsman will ever reach this milestone again.

Everton’s game against West Ham on Sunday afternoon should be a captivating one.

The Hammers are in the race for Champions League football, while Carlo Ancelotti’s men are vying for a place in the Europa League.

Both potential achievements would be just desserts for their impressive campaigns but Everton will have to play a lot better than they did last weekend.

On the chalkboard

Ancelotti’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Aston Villa last time out and one of the biggest reasons was due to Mason Holgate’s lacklustre defending. He surrendered possession to Ollie Watkins inside his own half before the Villa striker found the back of the net.

However, the defender wasn’t the only poor performer on the day – Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes was also particularly abject, but not for the first time since returning from injury. The former Barcelona man was lumped off with 20 minutes to go against Arsenal after turning in a lightweight performance which saw him win only two tackles.

That has been a theme of his performances when playing against some of English football’s big boys. Gomes won just one of his 12 ground duels against Liverpool back in February and three of 14 duels against Chelsea in March. He was equally as bad when the Villans beat Everton at Goodison last time out.

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The midfielder lacked physicality again and prevailed in only two of his nine defensive duels throughout the contest, losing 78%. Therefore, Ancelotti must take the ruthless decision to axe him from his starting XI against West Ham this afternoon.

The £140,000-per-week earner isn’t up to speed and the Toffees are now bolstered by the return of Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Dangerous Doucoure

The Frenchman was back in full training this week after missing a period of seven league games dating back to the beginning of March.

Doucoure has been absent due to a small fracture in his foot but that now looks to have healed sufficiently for him to be ready for action.

It would be a gamble to start him given his fitness issues but he’d likely offer a lot more physicality in the middle of the park compared to Gomes. The ex-Watford general has won 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game this season, compared to 1.4 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per match from his Portuguese colleague.

This should be a straightforward decision for the manager to make. Out with Gomes and in with Doucoure against David Moyes’ Irons.

AND in other news, Imagine him & DCL: Everton must swoop for £24.9m gem who gives oppo “sleepless nights”…

CARDIFF, Wales – Queenslander Andy Bichel has been called into theAustralian one day cricket squad for tomorrow’s match against England atBristol

AAP09-Jun-2001CARDIFF, Wales – Queenslander Andy Bichel has been called into theAustralian one day cricket squad for tomorrow’s match against England atBristol.Nathan Bracken (shoulder), Jason Gillespie (hamstring) and Damien Fleming(calf) were unavailable for today’s game against Pakistan, which Australiawon by seven wicketsBichel has been playing for English country side Worcestershire this seasonand will remain with the touring party until the injured players return tofull fitness.

After the weekend’s results so far, Tottenham Hotspur could give their European hopes a major boost with a win in North London this afternoon.

Ryan Mason and his side welcome Wolves to N17 knowing that three points would see them leapfrog local rivals West Ham into sixth place, and that would put them just four points behind the top four, with six points left on offer.

Last time out, Spurs suffered an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Leeds, so the interim head coach will want to see a reaction from that pathetic outing, though he could do himself a favour or two when it comes to team selection.

Up at Elland Road, Eric Dier suffered a disaster of an afternoon as Patrick Bamford ran him ragged throughout the 90 minutes and the England international was arguably at fault for all three goals.

Writing in The Athletic, Alan Shearer slammed the centre-back and questioned his involvement ahead of this summer’s European Championships. He wrote:

“We saw Tyrone Mings and Eric Dier make big errors at the weekend, but that hasn’t been uncommon this season. Dier was given the runaround during Tottenham Hotspur’s dismal 3-1 defeat at Leeds United.”

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Dier allowed Jack Harrison’s cross to fly past him for their opener, was stood like a statue for Bamford’s strike and was woefully out of position when playing Raphinha onside for the third.

Defensive problems and a lack of cohesion have been the defining theme of Spurs’ turbulent season.

No centre-back has started more games in the Premier League than Dier (26) and that comes as a surprise considering their issues and his performances.

In February, former midfielder-turned-pundit Jamie O’Hara urged Jose Mourinho to drop the 27-year-old, he told talkSPORT: “As a centre-half, he just looks lost around the box. In my opinion, he needs to be dropped.”

Indeed, just a few months later, Danny Mills was heard describing Dier’s mistake against the Whites as a “defensive calamity” during commentary.

The £26m-rated centre-back, who earns a reported £85k-per-week in North London, must surely be facing the axe this afternoon, especially with Joe Rodon waiting in the wings.

Mason may have provided a hint heading into kick-off, too.

“He’s trained well,” he revealed to reporters ahead of the match – will there be a change? Only time will tell but on the above evidence, the 29-year-old caretaker must show no mercy and chop Dier from his starting XI today.

He has let Spurs down for far too long now.

AND in other news, Levy could seal Spurs’ best signing since Son in £36m beast who’s “similar to Eriksen”…

Somerset coach Kevin Shine was back at The County Ground on Monday morning after watching his side gain their first points of the season in the Norwich Union National League when they tied with Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday

Richard Walsh05-Jun-2001Somerset coach Kevin Shine was back at The County Ground on Monday morning after watching his side gain their first points of the season in the Norwich Union National League when they tied with Kent at Tunbridge Wells on Sunday.”What a fabulous game” he said. “We bowled poorly at the start and they got off to a flyer. When they tried to bat a bit our bowlers started to get on top and 180 on a poor wicket looked about right. Keith Dutch (2 for 22) and Jamie Grove (1 for 27) were the pick of the Somerset bowlers for me,” he went on.”When we batted Ben Trott bowled well against us again, but Rob Turner and Keith Dutch put us in a strong position, though the game was still poised in their favour with three overs to go. We needed 14 off the last over, and thanks to Rob’s two great shots, the final ball of the day he paddled to the boundary over the head of short fine leg we managed to tie the match.”The National League match and the draw against Leicestershire the previous day “have given us a great lift – it’s good to get our first points on the board in the National League.”The coach also reported that Matt Bulbeck had shown “no sign of any back stiffening after playing in the four day match at Leicester. Matt bowled well in the first innings, but in the second didn’t get the ball to swing so much.”Kevin Shine rates the young left-arm seamer very highly indeed and went on: “Matt is a potential England bowler,” and paid tribute to everybody who has been involved in his return to fitness. “He’s half-a-year ahead of schedule, everybody has done a good job to get him back to where he is now,” he said.

Southampton travel to the London Stadium on Sunday to face West Ham in the final game of the Premier League season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side can still finish as high as 12th should they earn the three points against the Hammers, although David Moyes’ side will be desperate to avoid defeat, as they can secure Europa League football for next season with a point.

Therefore, there is plenty at stake for the hosts, but Southampton will be out to spoil the party on Sunday afternoon, although they will have to do so without Che Adams, who has been ruled out of the game through injury.

After a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Leeds United on Tuesday changes, seem likely for Southampton, although a strong starting eleven is still likely to be named.

Here’s how Football FanCast expects Hasenhuttl to line his side up on Sunday, with five changes to the team that started in the defeat against Marcelo Bielsa’s side…

Alex McCarthy certainly should have done better for Leeds’ opening goal in midweek so he drops to the bench, with Fraser Forster replacing him in between the sticks.

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There’s one change in defence, as after returning to the bench in midweek, Jan Bednarek replaces Jack Stephens at centre-back, and is partnered by Jannik Vestergaard.

There are two changes in midfield, as Nathan Redmond comes in for Moussa Djenepo on the left after another poor display from the Mali international, whilst Stuart Armstrong moves out to the right-wing to accommodate the return of Oriol Romeu in the middle, with Theo Walcott dropping to the bench.

Finally, with Adams sidelined, the “outstanding” Danny Ings seems likely to partner Nathan Tella in attack, after he was left on the bench for the first 45 minutes against Leeds in midweek.

And, in other news… Southampton can finally sign their Hojbjerg heir in £8.6m beast who dreams of playing in the PL

Darryl Foster, the experienced former coach of Kent and Western Australia,has been appointed as a technical advisor for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming tourof England

CricInfo03-Apr-2002Darryl Foster, the experienced former coach of Kent and Western Australia,has been appointed as a technical advisor for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming tourof England.Foster will work with the team up until the end of the three-match Testseries, working specifically with the pace bowlers, but also providingtechnical assistance and support to head coach Dav Whatmore.Foster, a bio-mechanical expert based at the University of WesternAustralia, has had a long working relationship with the Sri Lanka havinghelped to establish a successful fast bowling academy three years ago andacted as fast bowling advisor since.Sri Lanka will travel to England with their strongest back-up team in theirtouring history, a team that includes: head coach Whatmore, technicaladvisor Foster, leading international physio Alex Kontouri, manager ChandraShaffter and a full-time video analyst.

Tottenham Hotspur legend Graham Roberts has hit out at Steve Hitchen’s record at the club in an exclusive interview with Football FanCast.

Hitchen was previously the chief scout at Spurs and is now the club’s Head of Recruitment, meaning that he heads up the search for new signings in north London.

However, Spurs have struggled in recent transfer windows and have failed to bring in a multitude of targets.

The club have been linked with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Milan Skriniar, with Hitchen actually pictured in Italy negotiating for the latter.

Fernandes and Dias moved to Manchester United and Manchester City, while Skriniar is still at Inter Milan.

Last summer, for example, there was something of a mixed bag of a transfer window, as Spurs brought Giovani Lo Celso, Sergio Reguilon, Matt Doherty, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Joe Rodon, Carlos Vinicius, Joe Hart and Gareth Bale to the club.

It is arguable that none of those players have been complete successes, and Roberts believes that Hitchen should be held to account for his work.

He told FFC: “Our recruitment has not been the best.

“It’s not been the best.

“And Steve Hitchen has a lot to answer for really, to be fair.”