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.
IN-FORM swing bowler Callum Thorp will celebrate the New Year with his Western Warriors debut.Thorp, 27, has been selected to make his first appearance in the ING Cup match against Queensland on Thursday, January 2.Pace bowler Matthew Nicholson has also been recalled to the Warriors limited-overs team after recovering from an injury to his right forearm.Thorp and Nicholson replace star pair Brad Williams and Brad Hogg.Williams and Hogg have been included in the Australian 13-man squad for the Fifth Orange Test against England in Sydney starting on Thursday, January 2, 2003.The Warriors ING Cup team is:Mike Hussey (Captain), Ryan Campbell (vice-captain), Jo Angel, Murray Goodwin, Kade Harvey, Stuart Karppinen, Shaun Marsh, Scott Meuleman, Matthew Nicholson, Chris Rogers, Callum Thorp and Paul Wilson.Thorp, a right-arm swing bowler, is in his first season with the Warriors senior squad after several injury-plagued years as a prolific wicket-taker in the WACA SunSmart League with Wanneroo. He heads the season 2002-03 wicket-takers list with 32 scalps at an impressive average of 12.
England coach Duncan Fletcher would be the first to admit that his charges play too much cricket.So the decision to add a new tour – to Zimbabwe in September and October for five One-Day Internationals – to his side’s already hectic schedule might have caused a few eyebrows to be raised.It extends England’s winter itinerary, which also includes Test and one-dayseries in both India and New Zealand, to almost six months for players who areincluded in both parties.But ever the realist, Fletcher knows that England urgently need to play all the limited-overs cricket they can as they prepare for the 2003 World Cup. The events at Old Trafford when Australia bundled them out for their lowest-ever one-day score of 86 only served to emphasise the work that needs to be done.Fletcher said: “There’s no doubt we play too much cricket which is why we try to look after the Test players especially.”There is too much cricket and that period (in October) was the first decent break we were going to have.”When you compare it to southern hemisphere sides like South Africa andAustralia they have a three-month break every second year, but England just donot seem to have that.”We also have to perform well in the next World Cup so we have to go outthere and play more one-day international cricket.”Fletcher added: “England have got to really look at why in the past they haven’t played enough one-day international cricket.”With the Zimbabwe tour we can look at some players and also give the batsmenin particular experience of one-day cricket.”We’re the youngest side in international cricket by a long way and we wereeven before we made the changes in this tournament – we’re far behind any otherside bar Bangladesh.”Fletcher has pointed out that England’s line-up at Old Trafford boasted only445 caps compared with Australia’s 1,214, while Pakistan fielded a side with 1,169 appearances at Lord’s last Tuesday – despite being without Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram.Now Fletcher is searching for young, athletic cricketers who can gain experience before the next World Cup – players like Ben Hollioake and Owais Shah who, along with Marcus Trescothick, have been the success stories of the series so far for England.”The young players have an awareness and an ability, but we still have toidentify more players,” he stressed.”We’re trying to get a side together that’s a lot more athletic which is oneof the areas identified as a bit of a concern during the series in Pakistan andSri Lanka.”We have to identify a certain amount of players now that we believe in andare going to stick with. That’s the only way we’re going to get out of ourlosing run.”We can’t suddenly bring guys in, give them a couple of games and then hurlthem out because that’s going to cause real problems and knock the confidenceout of the team and each individual player if he comes in and out in a situationlike this.”England’s next One-Day International is against Pakistan in the NatWest Series at Headingley on Sunday – weather permitting.
Newcastle lost for the second match in succession as they were beaten 1-0 by 10-man Everton in the Premier League on Thursday night.
The Magpies lost 1-0 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last time out and were unable to bounce back in a controversial clash at Goodison Park.
In a game devoid of quality, the most exciting period of the match came when a pitch invader successfully ziplocked himself to the Toffees goalpost as part of a protest. It took multiple stewards and a failed attempt to cut the tie before they eventually got him out after an eight-minute delay.
The home side found their winner, after Allan was sent off for a lunge on Allan Saint-Maximin, during the lengthy stoppage time as Alex Iwobi played a one-two with Dominic Calvert-Lewin before sliding the ball into the back of the net. Martin Dubravka left a large gap to his left and the ex-Arsenal man took full advantage to secure the three points.
First mistake
Eddie Howe has worked wonders since arriving at St. James’ Park as he recently led the team on a nine-game unbeaten run to send them clear of the relegation zone.
In this match, however, he made his first mistake as he opted to select Joelinton in midfield.
Ahead of the game, Howe said this of the Brazilian’s availability:
“He is touch and go for this game. We have a decision to make. Whether we look after him with the break we have afterwards or whether we push him back out there – we’ll have to make a late call on that one.”
This was after he missed the clashes with Southampton and Chelsea due to injury, with his comment pre-match suggesting that he was not fully fit.
Instead of heeding his own warning, Howe decided to start with Joelinton and his performance was one of a player lacking in fitness and match sharpness. He struggled throughout the game and ended up proving that picking him was a big mistake from the head coach.
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.
As per SofaScore, he lost possession every 3.1 touches as he flopped big time on the night. He failed with three of his four attempted dribbles and did not create a single chance throughout the game, whilst only completing 74% of his attempted passes.
Off the ball, he left a lot to be desired. Via SofaScore, he lost nine of his 13 ground duels and failed to make a single block, tackle or interception, whilst he was dribbled past three times. This shows that he was unable to deliver on or off the ball as he looked off the pace.
However, it is hard to blame Joelinton for his performance as the evidence suggests that he was not ready to play the game. Howe took a risk by selecting him and it backfired badly, with his display contributing to the defeat on Thursday night.
AND in other news, NUFC plot bid for £101m ace who Messi says “is one of the best”, it’s a huge statement…
The Bangladesh players have been fined five percent of their match fees for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third ODI against Pakistan in Lahore. Mike Procter, the match referee, also reprimanded Shahriar Nafees, the Bangladesh batsman, for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.Bangladesh were found to be one over short of the target after taking time allowances into consideration. Players are docked five percent for every over their team fails to complete within the alloted time and captains are penalised double, resulting in a ten percent cut in the match fee for Mohammad Ashraful.Nafees was found guilty of breaching clause 1.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct which relates to “abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings.” Nafees kicked and damaged an advertising hoarding after a misfield, but was let off with only a reprimand.”It was Shahriar’s third misfield in the innings and he was obviously frustrated as it was a crucial game because Bangladesh was playing to stay alive in the series,” Procter said. “But it is not the sort of example that players should be setting at any time. Shahriar pleaded guilty, apologised for the incident and promised not to repeat it again.”All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee.Nafees had scored a duck in that match, and was dropped in the subsequent game in Multan. Pakistan lead the series 4-0.
Andrew Flintoff has given England another cause for concern ahead of the first Test after reporting discomfort in his left ankle following Lancashire’s Championship match against Hampshire at The Rose Bowl.He didn’t bowl in England’s net session at Lord’s on Tuesday – which is a worrying sign – but an ECB spokesman is hopeful he will bowl on Wednesday. “We will then assess his chances of playing.”He underwent a scan on Sunday after the Championship match, and the ECB said the results would be released on Monday. So far, there is no news.However, on Monday he was positive about his chances of playing: “I’m still hopeful for Thursday. Sometimes when it is the ankle the alarm bells start ringing a bit but I’m still very hopeful.”When I was operated on it was on the back and the inside of the ankle but this pain is more on the outside. This discomfort is something I felt during the winter so it is not something completely new.”Flintoff’s left ankle has been a constant source of problems and last summer he needed surgery following an aborted comeback for Lancashire. He was ruled out of the series against Pakistan before slowly returning to full bowling duties for the Ashes series. However, his workload continues to be carefully monitored by the England management.During his three appearances for Lancashire this summer he has bowled a total of 23 overs (14 in one-day cricket and nine at the Rose Bowl last week) and generated decent pace.England’s build-up to the first Test has been hit by a list of injuries with Michael Vaughan ruled out with a broken finger and Kevin Pietersen picking up a calf strain playing for Hampshire, although he is expected to be fit for Lord’s on Thursday.
Nottinghamshire completed a 142-run win over MCC to launch their season in fine style. Despite a defiant 123 from Alex Loudon and Tim Bresnan’s aggressive 94, Nottinghamshire’s attack completed an efficient display midway through the final session.Ryan Sidebottom finished with the best figures, 3 for 77 to add his first-innings haul of 4 for 42, and jolted his team into action with two wickets in two balls during the morning session. MCC had started confidently through Alastair Cook, who made up for his first-innings failure with a boundary-filled 51. He struck 11 fours in his 55-ball stay before being trapped lbw by Sidebottom, who followed up by having Ed Joyce caught behind first ball.Rikkie Clarke also fell before lunch and when Luke Parker and Steven Davies followed early in the afternoon session a quick finish was on the cards. However, Loudon didn’t waste the opportunity to show the talent that earned him selection for the tour of Pakistan before Christmas.He struck 19 fours and a six off 191 balls as he reached only his second first-class century, three years after his first for Durham UCCE. Even though it was his off-spin that primarily caught the selectors’ attention, at the end of last season, these runs will have done him no harm as England continue to search for players to bring balance to the one-day team in particular.Loudon wouldn’t have been able to post three figures if it hadn’t been for the support from Bresnan, who arrived in the middle with him on 74. When Loudon eventually fell, top-edging a pull, Bresnan delayed the inevitable with some powerful strokeplay. He was within touching distance of a maiden first-class century, but was left stranded with the tail, and was the last-man out when he clubbed a catch to midwicket off David Hussey.This match has provided a useful showcase for some of England’s promising young players. Cook will be hoping he returns to Lord’s next month as part of the Test team to face Sri Lanka, while Loudon and Clarke have put forward their claims to be considered as allrounders when the selectors next sit down.
The Gloucestershire quick bowler Steve Kirby has been found guilty of altering the condition of the ball during the County Championship match against Glamorgan, at Cardiff, on May 8, and given a suspended three-day ban from all ECB cricket.An ECB disciplinary hearing was held a Bristol today to consider the two separate allegations that Kirby knowingly and deliberately rubbed the ball on concrete and tarmac after it was hit into the car park.The panel, which included the former Warwickshire seamer Tim Munton, found enough evidence to prove both charges and imposed the three-day suspension, which itself will be suspended until September 30, 2005 providing Kirby doesn’t commit any futher offences.Kirby issued a statement through the PCA and said: “I understand that I was in breach of Law 42.3 (b) but I am an honest player who has never intentionally altered the condition of the ball and I never will. I’m looking forward to putting this issue behind me, and concentrating on getting back on the field for Gloucestershire.”His sentiments were echoed by his employers. “We note that the penalty imposed is at the bottom end of the scale,” said Tom Richardson, Gloucestershire’s chief executive. “We are a team that always takes pride in playing within the rules, we are glad that a line has now been drawn under this affair and we now wish to move on”.PCA chief executive Richard Bevan commented: “The umpires are duty bound to change the ball as set out in Law 42.3 (d) (i), if the condition of the ball has been altered, as was alleged of Steve Kirby in Law 42.3 (b). According to the umpires report, there was no clear evidence that the match ball had been tampered with and the match ball was not changed.”Normally, interfering with the ball would be considered a very serious offence which would attract the maximum penalties a panel could impose. However, in arriving at its decision, the panel was not satisfied that on either occasion damaged was caused to the ball which materially altered its condition. Kirby was ordered to pay £125 towards the costs of the hearing.
ScorecardBengal reached a strong position before losing seven wickets for 45 runs, as Mumbai came out on top by just 5 runs after scoring 262 for 8 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.Mumbai’s batsmen asserted themselves against Bengal’s bowling, with the top six getting starts. Robin Morris first put on 70 with Vinayak Mane, and then 51 for the second wicket with Vinod Kambli, before falling to Utpal Chatterjee for 55, the only half-century of the Mumbai innings. With the score reading 121 for 2, he had ensured an ideal launching pad for his team. It didn’t go waste. Kambli and Indulkar both made 31, before Nishit Shetty and M Bangara came together and hammered 62 in close to seven overs. Shetty scored 41 in 38 balls, before Sanjib Sanyal, who had a good outing, nailed him to get his fourth victim of the day. The tail biffed the ball some more, and Mumbai ended their innings at 262 for 8.Bengal’s reply got off to a spirited start. Arindam Das and Nikhil Haldipur galloped to 109 in little more than 18 overs, making the target look eminently achievable. Das was the first to go, having scored a 60-ball 57. Deep Dasgupta gave Haldipur company, and both put on 59, before Manoj Joglekar ran out Haldipur for 78. With seven wickets in hand, 14 overs to go, and only 80 runs needed, Bengal then blew it. Thakur, who bowled valiantly the previous day and still ended on the losing side, returned to dismiss Dasgupta (42), Laxmi Ratan Shukla, Sanyal, and Saurasish Lahiri in quick succession, and Bengal could only watch on in horror as their last seven wickets fell in a heap, just short of the finish line.