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England cricket coach Duncan Fletcher was certain he would havea full squad available for the first Test against Australia next month,despite injury concerns surrounding several tourists.England’s tour party flies out to Australia tomorrow for the five Testtour with clouds hanging over pacemen Darren Gough, Simon Jones and AndyFlintoff and batsmen Mark Butcher and Michael Vaughan.Gough, Jones and Flintoff will arrive in Australia still a long way fromfull fitness but Fletcher was confident the three first class matchesbefore the opening Test in Brisbane on November 7 would give them enoughtime to recover.Spearhead Gough, who has 228 Test wickets to his name, is vital toEngland’s bid to win back the Ashes for the first time since 1987.And Fletcher played down fears that knee surgery in the summer wouldkeep the 32-year-old out of at least the first two Tests.”We expect Gough to be fit for the first Test. He’s ahead of schedule,”Fletcher said.”He’s been bowling off a short run for the last week and a half.”Flintoff has not fully recovered from a hernia operation and said todayhe was still unable to run.Jones, however, was making good progress with his side strain, as wereButcher and Vaughan with their niggling knee injuries”Everybody is as we hoped. The only person that is slightly behindschedule is Andy but we do have time on our side,” Fletcher said.”We can get him along in the next 10 days or two weeks in Australia.”Simon Jones has been bowling in Glamorgan and is bowling at 85 to 90per cent.”Butcher and Vaughan, from what I’ve heard, they will be available fromthe start.”Fletcher today announced he had signed a one-year extension to hiscontract to keep him at the helm of the England side until 2004.”We have already laid the foundations of a successful side and thecontract extension will give me the opportunity to help the England teamprogress even further,” he said.

Frank Chamberlain, the chairman of the Test & County Cricket Board between 1990 and 1994, has died at the age of 78.Chamberlain, who made six first-class appearances as an amateur for Northamptonshire in 1946, succeeded Raman Subba Row at the helm of English cricket’s governing body – the forerunner of the ECB. He served a four-year term before being succeeded by Dennis Silk.Chamberlain was also chairman of Northamptonshire from 1985 to 1990, and later served as their president. He was educated at Uppingham School, but his playing career was cut short by the demands of business.

The ICC Cricket World Cup South Africa 2003 today marked the launch of one the event’s most important projects – the Learners’ Homework Diary 2003. The mass-produced publication forms part of a commitment to use the world’s premier cricket tournament to spread ownership and knowledge among South Africans of all walks of life.A total of 700 000 of these will be distributed free nationwide to 7000 secondary schools (essentially Grade 12s) as the new school year begins.This is believed to be the biggest print order for a book yet produced in South Africa.At a media function in Johannesburg it was announced that the Homework Diary had come about through a partnership involving the SA Post Office Ltd, Penguin Books and the Department of National Education.The diary is packed with cricket facts and figures, diagrams, photos of top SA players, information on SA’s national symbols and geography graphics of the competing nations.Dr Ali Bacher, executive director of ICC CWC 2003, thanked all those involved. “This could well be the most significant of a number of wonderful projects that are being launched at this very important time for our country, and for international cricket. It is our commitment to spread the game of cricket through all our communities and there is no better way than to embrace the youth of our country than by providing them with a book that will be both educational, motivational and inspirational.”Dr Bacher said he was delighted to announce that the printing contract for this mass publication was awarded to a black empowerment company Shumani Printers who are linked to CTP Printers in Cape Town.”Black empowerment is a cornerstone of all our endeavours at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. It is indelibly inscribed in our mission that we will spread ownership and transfer skills at every opportunity. This, I am proud to say, is one of them.”The Minister of Education, Prof Kader Asmal, said the Homework Diary “will go a long way in bolstering our efforts as the Ministry of Education in developing a new generation of learns who embrace the values that are the foundation of our new democracy: tolerance, friendship and fair play for all.”Dr Bacher praised the involvement of the SA Post Office Ltd who have contributed R4 million to the project. “The Post Office has become an important ally, not only through this but through the postage stamps and related products that they are putting out to mark the ICC CWC 2003.”Mr Maanda Manyatshe, CEO of the SA Post Office, said the backing for the Homework Diary was part of a series of projects that the SAPO had initiated to deliver opportunities to young South Africans countrywide.Alison Lowry, chief executive of Penguin (South Africa), a member of the CWC 2003 Publications Consortium, said: “Penguin are proud to have been in a position to make a contribution to the CWC 2003 organising committee’s vision of leaving something of value in the hands of SA’s youngsters once the tournament is over. The learners’ diary is intended to be both inspirational and aspirational, giving them role models in the cricketers who are showcased in it, as well as providing an educational spin in the information its pages contain, which is presented in an interesting and user-friendly way.”

Mark Ramprakash, in magnificent form, took Surrey to their first CricInfo Championship victory of the season as he led the way during the second session on the final day, chasing a target of 209.During those two most entertaining hours play, while he was at the crease, the London side thrashed Somerset’s bowling, hitting 143 runs with Mark Ramprakash at his best. He came in at the start of the session and was out in the penultimate over before tea, which was taken on 184 for four with Surrey only 25 runs away from victory.Ramprakash fell just ten short of what would have been his second century of the match. Had he achieved it, it would have been the fifth time in his career, having completed the feat on four occasions for his previous county Middlesex.It had been a wonderfully aggressive knock, he hit fourteen boundaries and a six from the 99 balls that he had faced. After putting on 65 with Mark Butcher for the second wicket, he added 60 for the next with Nadeem Shahid.He brought up the 50 in confident fashion, with a straight six off left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell and later got to his own 50 with a stylish cover drive for four. With dark clouds threatening at that stage, he scored quickly, at the rate of a-run-a-ball. It was a marvellous exhibition of batting, featuring perfectly timed cuts and beautiful drives, particularly in the cover area.After tea, it was just a formality, with Gary Butcher hitting the winning boundary in the fifth over to bring about a six-wicket victory.Earlier, it had taken Surrey an hour and ten minutes this morning to claim the remaining two wickets after Somerset had added 44 runs in 18.2 overs to their overnight score of 190 for 8.Martin Bicknell had Richard Johnson caught behind for 21 in the sixth over and finally Ian Salisbury took a return catch from Matthew Bulbeck – who had come out to bat with a runner, still suffering from a back injury – after the last pair had put on 27 to take their side to 234. It left Steffan Jones not out with 29.Salisbury, who seems to enjoy bowling against Somerset, finished with his first five wicket haul of the season for 95 runs from a long spell of 35.2 overs. His best bowling figures last season were also against Somerset.Afterwards Surrey skipper, Adam Hollioake, showered Ramprakash with praise.”His innings made the tough target really easy,” he said. “He played positively and took out all the close catches. If a guy can average 50 in all his cricket he can play; you don’t do that without being a class player. He can score runs anywhere.Commenting on the fact that this win was achieved without several key players, either injured or on England duty, Hollioake said: “If you look over the years we have performed as well or better without our international players. I don’t know if it’s because when they are here it is early season but it has been a long time since we have been beaten without our internationals.”

Celtic have not been shy when it comes to signing players from their fellow Scottish clubs, either on loan or on permanent deals.

One player that the Hoops signed from a fellow Premiership side in recent memory who has turned out to be a great bit of business is David Turnbull.

In August 2020, Celtic struck a deal with Motherwell for the signing of the midfielder, 14 months after a previous deal for him between the two clubs collapsed.

Since arriving at Parkead, the 22-year-old – who is currently picking up £14k-per-week according to Salary Sport – has already racked up 70 appearances for the Hoops across all competitions, scoring 18 goals and providing 15 assists in the process, highlighting how important he is to Ange Postecoglou’s side.

With five goals and four assists to his name in 19 league appearances this season, the midfielder has also shown in his overall performances how important he is for the team. WhoScored list him as the highest-rated player in Postecoglou’s current squad with a rating of 7.66/10, which also makes him the second-highest rated player in the entire Scottish top flight.

In January 2021, just a few months after becoming a Celtic player, Transfermarkt had Turnbull’s market value listed as £1.62m. It now stands at £5.85m, making him the second-most valuable player at the club and also showing a massive increase of 261% based on what he’s delivered for the Hoops on the pitch in terms of his goal contributions and overall performances.

Labelled a “phenomenal” player by Alan Hutton, Turnbull has certainly shown why the club were right to reignite their interest in him and finally secure a deal with Motherwell for the midfield maestro.

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If the 22-year-old can keep delivering solid displays and add further goal contributions to his record for the campaign – especially in their next league game against Rangers once the current international break concludes – then he will definitely be seen as a big reason as to why the Hoops could be getting their hands on the league trophy by the end of the season.

In other news: Celtic now handed huge boost ahead of Old Firm clash, Postecoglou surely buzzing

	Mohammad Kaif: Ready to seize the future © Cricinfo Ltd

Having earned a Test recall after nearly two years, Mohammad Kaif said he was expecting to be picked based on his domestic performance. He was named as replacement in the squad for the second Test against South Africa after Sachin Tendulkar was ruled out with a groin injury.”I had scored some 1000 to 1200 runs,” Kaif told the tabloid . “A bulk of them were scored on tough wickets so the call was kind of expected.” He scored 687 runs at 59.73 from eight Ranji Trophy games for Uttar Pradesh and 266 at 52.46 from two Duleep Trophy matches for Central Zone this season.Kaif was dropped from the Test side after India’s tour of West Indies in June 2006 despite scoring an unbeaten 148 in the second Test in St Lucia. “I had learned a lot during this period. I think whatever happens, happens for some good only. So I think there must have been some good reason of my being away from the Indian side.”I must thank my supporters and those who stood by me in my bad period. I hope that the bad phase has ended and this selection will bring more good news for me in the future.”Though excited about being included in the squad, Kaif said India would no doubt miss Tendulkar. “Captain Anil Kumble will never have wanted him [Tendulkar] to be out of the side,” Kaif said. But now I have got a chance and if I play, I will try and make the best out of it.”

The ongoing dispute between the Kenya Cricket Association and the provincial boards marred the opening weekend of matches in the Nairobi Provincial Cricket Association league, as umpires boycotted games in a strike over pay. But, that aside, the season started well.According to the KCA, its own rival league will start in three weeks time, but it already appears to be strangled at birth. Almost all leading players and clubs have opted to play in the NPCA league, and those clubs who have backed the KCA version have lost players in droves.Last week, Ruaraka withdrew from the NPCA league and are reported to be unable to field a side after seven top players walked out as a result. It is a sad time for Ruaraka, who were one of the pioneers of cricket in Kenya. Three Obuya brothers – Kennedy, Collins and Charles – all left Ruaraka for the Narobi-based Jafferys. "We had to leave because we want to play cricket," Kennedy told The Daily Nation.Ruaraka officials claim the club’s withdrawal from the NPCA league so late in the day was not motivated by politics. But its grounds are the home of the KCA, and the other high-profile club to boycott the NPCA league – Simba Union – are home of the KCA’s Academy. Simba Union also suffered defections following its decision.It was rumoured that a third side – Sir Ali – would also pull out as they are home to the national squad net facilities. But an official of the club said that the view was that is was more important for their cricketers to play the game at the highest level.

Ramesh Powar’s one-day form has earned him a call-up to the Test squad © Getty Images

Sambit Bal on India’s Test match squad for West Indies
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Streaming Audio: WMATeam selection is one issue that always sparks off discussion. On Wednesday, India named their team for the Test matches that will begin in West Indies in early June. Ramesh Powar and Suresh Raina have been picked after their impressive performances in the one-day internationals. VRV Singh, the Punjab fast bowler, and Dinesh Karthik, the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper, have also been included in the squad.Should Ajit Agarkar, who has bowled so well in the ODIs, have been included for the Tests? Are India one short of a specialist opener? To answer these questions and more we catch up with Sambit Bal, Cricinfo’s editor.Download MP3 (right click and select “save target as”)
Streaming Audio: WMA

Queensland 2 for 64 trail NSW 203 (Haddin 66, Dawes 6-49) by 139 runs
Scorecard

Joe Dawes appeals on his way to a six-for© Getty Images

The ball dominated as 12 wickets fell on the opening day of Queensland’s Pura Cup match against New South Wales at the Gabba. At the close, Queensland were 2 for 64 in reply to NSW’s 203.There was little untoward in the first two hours as NSW cruised to 1 for 89 after winning the toss. But then they lost nine wickets for 114, including four for nine runs in a torrid half an hour after lunch as Joe Dawes and Andy Bichel wreaked havoc. Dawes finished with 6 for 49.Brad Haddin led a spirited counterattack with a 90-ball 66, which included 10 fours and a six, but he received scant support. Queensland wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe took four catches in the innings, taking him past 500 first-class career and 450 domestic four-day dismissals.Matthew Nicholson took two quick wickets when Queensland batted to reduce them to 2 for 31, but Jimmy Maher (23*) and Andrew Symonds (29*) arrested the slide with an unbroken 47-run stand.

ScorecardA magnificent burst of bowling by Warren McSkimming almost set up a win for Otago, but they eventually had to settle for a draw against Sri Lanka A. McSkimming took five wickets for four runs in a seven-over burst in the morning, as Sri Lanka stumbled to 49 for 6. But Pradeep Hewage (67) and Hasantha Fernando (66 not out) then added 121 for the seventh wicket, and the declaration came at 170 for 7. Chasing 233 to win, Otago could only manage 208 for 8, with Craig Cumming smacking 92 off 104 balls.Dinuk Hettiarachchi, the left-arm spinner, followed up his four-for in the first innings with 5 for 74. Otago stood a realistic chance of winning as long as Cumming was at the crease, but they lost their way after he was out.