All posts by h716a5.icu

Nottinghamshire have declared a record surplus in financial results for last year. The surplus further establishes the county as one of the most financially stable in the country.

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2012Nottinghamshire have declared a record surplus in financial results for last year. The surplus further establishes the county as one of the most financially stable in the country.Strong ticket sales for international matches at Trent Bridge, higher attendances for T20 and an increase in membership contributed to a surplus of £542,210 to September 30, 2011.The results enhance the legacy of outgoing chief executive Derek Brewer, who left the county in December to succeed Keith Bradshaw as secretary and chief executive of MCC. Brewer has overseen the continued renovation of Trent Bridge and recently helped the club secure the gold package of international matches, guaranteeing Ashes Tests in both 2013 and 2015.Nottinghamshire chairman Peter Wright said delivering a record surplus and securing major matches reflected “tremendously well” on the staff at Trent Bridge. “International cricket is vital to our financial prosperity and having a guaranteed supply of matches to 2016 will allow us to continue to invest in our team and our venue,” said Peter.”We’re very proud of what we have achieved but a lot of hard work remains and it is very important that our members and cricket supporters in general continue to attend matches at Trent Bridge.”

ESPNcricinfo previews the CLT20 match between Chennai Super Kings and New South Wales

The Preview by Nikita Bastian03-Oct-2011Match factsChennai Super Kings v New South Wales, October 4, Chennai
Start time 2000 (1430 GMT)Will New South Wales’ spinners baffle the Super Kings batsmen?•Getty ImagesBig PictureGoing into the last Group A match, the equation is simple for New South Wales, who have four points. Win, and they are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League T20 as the group’s toppers. If they lose, they are out.Super Kings, who are on two points, will need Trinidad & Tobago to beat Cape Cobras in the first match of the day. If T&T win, Super Kings can make the semi-final, so long as they register a big enough win to go ahead of NSW and T&T (whose net run-rates are presently marginally superior to Super Kings’) on net run-rate. If the match is washed out – scattered thunderstorms are forecast – Super Kings will not progress, while NSW will need T&T to beat Cape Cobras.The advantage both sides enjoy, as MS Dhoni pointed out after the defeat to T&T, is they are playing the last game in their group. Based on the Cobras-T&T result, these teams will know exactly what they need to do to progress. If Cobras win, however, the Super Kings are out before the game begins, and only NSW can progress.NSW should be in a better frame of mind for this make-or-break match than Super Kings. They took advantage of the low, slow pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday, keeping Mumbai Indians to 100, before overcoming a top-order wobble to chase the target on the difficult track. Super Kings, meanwhile, allowed T&T’s Kevon Cooper to produce a late blitz and were then woeful in the chase, albeit against a bowling attack that was well-suited to the conditions.Watch out for …It’s been a tough few months for MS Dhoni. Things have gone quickly downhill for him following India’s 2011 World Cup win and Super Kings’ successful defence of their IPL title. It was hard to relate the batsman who struck a commanding six to win the World Cup to the one who struggled to 7 off 22 balls, albeit on a very different pitch, against T&T. Dhoni will be eager to put to rest at least some of the questions arising on his form and fitness, especially ahead of a busy international season.Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe seemed to enjoy bowling on the Chepauk track against Mumbai Indians, claiming 2 for 18 in his four overs. He bowled Andrew Symonds and got R Sathish, who had settled in, to hole out. With more of the same slowness and lowness guaranteed to be on offer against Super Kings, O’Keefe could prove crucial to NSW’s chances.Team newsSuper Kings’ Shadab Jakati was hit on the finger on Sunday, when Lendl Simmons whacked the ball back at him in his follow-through. Later, during a television interview, Jakati said the finger was a bit swollen. If he is unable to play, offspinner Suraj Randiv could get a game, most probably replacing Albie Morkel as the fourth foreign player in the XI. Even otherwise, the nature of the Chepauk track might prompt playing three spinners.NSW’s three-pronged pace attack – Stuart Clark, Patrick Cummins and Mitchell Starc – have all put in decent performances. Given the conditions and Super Kings’ previous performance, though, Simon Katich will have to decide if it’s worth playing the extra spinner, to back up O’Keefe and Steven Smith. Nathan Hauritz is NSW’s third spinning option, but he was quite expensive in the one match he played in the tournament.Stats and triviaOnly three New South Wales batsmen – David Warner, Shane Watson and Daniel Smith – have strike-rates above 100 in the tournament. Of these, only Warner has a strike-rate above 105. Apart from Michael Hussey, none of the Chennai Super Kings batsmen have gone past 50 runs in the tournament so far. Quotes”We couldn’t read which way he [Sunil Narine] was spinning the ball, because we haven’t played him before. Sometimes, it’s tough to play someone we haven’t faced.”
“That’s the beauty of our team. Hopefully, as we go through the tournament, guys will [continue to] put their hands up and get the job done.”

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said Shahid Afridi proved he was a matchwinner in his first match since coming out of a conditional international retirement

ESPNcricinfo staff11-Nov-2011Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, has said Shahid Afridi proved he was a matchwinner in his first ODI since coming out of a conditional international retirement. Afridi took 3 for 27 in 9.3 overs in Dubai, helping bowl Sri Lanka out for 130 and set up an easy Pakistan victory.”Shahid Afridi is a matchwinner and he proved that today,” Misbah said. “He came on when we needed wickets and also needed to keep the runs down. He bowled a wicket-to-wicket line, didn’t give away runs and also made key breakthroughs. He’s started his comeback well and I hope he continues to perform.”Afridi’s wickets came after Pakistan’s seamers had got a couple of early breakthroughs. Misbah said it had been the constant pressure his bowlers asserted that had been Sri Lanka’s undoing. “The pitch played well and was the same across both innings. Credit goes to our bowlers. We pressurised them right from the start by being disciplined with the ball. The seamers were disciplined early and then the spinners came on and did really well.”Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lanka captain, said it was once again poor shot selection that was behind the batting failure. Sri Lanka’s batsmen had struggled in the Test series too, getting dismissed for first-innings totals of 197 in Abu Dhabi and 239 in Dubai. Dilshan said it had nothing to do with any technical faults but was down to making bad choices.”Our mistake again was shot selection,” Dilshan said. “It’s not the technique of the batsmen because they are all getting starts but throwing it away with poor shots. There were one or two good balls today, the rest were all bad shots. We knew this was not a 250-280 pitch but felt that with four seamers we could defend something around 220-230. But 130 was obviously too low.”Dilshan had chosen to bat, as he had in the Test at the same venue. There was a little help for Pakistan’s seamers early but Dilshan said it wasn’t the pitch that got Sri Lanka’s batsmen out. The next ODI is also in Dubai, on November 14, and Dilshan said if the game was played on the same pitch he would not hesitate to bat first again.”The track was not bad. If we are playing on the same track in the next match I think batting first will still be the right option.”Dilshan also said Mahela Jayawardene was a doubt for the next game as he had hurt his knee. He said Jayawardene would have a scan on Saturday after which the team would take a call on whether he would be fit for the second ODI.

ESPNcricinfo’s Plays of the Day from the one-off ODI between Ireland and England in Dublin

Andrew McGlashan in Dublin25-Aug-2011Tough debuts of the day
England gave out three new caps before play as James Taylor, Ben Stokes and Scott Borthwick were named in the XI. Taylor was the first to have a chance to impress, and much is expected of the Leicestershire batsman, but he couldn’t shine on this occasion despite his fine form in county and England Lions cricket. Facing Boyd Rankin, in the ultimate little-and-large duel, he got underneath a pull and top-edged to square leg. Taylor wasn’t alone, though, as none of England’s new faces enjoy a great day. Ben Stokes faced 10 balls for 3 and Scott Borthwick’s first over was taken for 13 courtesy of Kevin O’Brien.Welcome of the day
Much had been made of Eoin Morgan’s return to Dublin as England captain, but he was given a warm reception by the home crowd when he walked in at No. 4. His boundaries, though, weren’t greeted with quite the same affection as he moved to a swift half-century and threatened to take the game away from his former team-mates. However, Paul Stirling found Morgan’s leading edge and made excellent ground to his left to take the return catch and the crowd gave Morgan another warm hand.Team-mate duel of the day
Steven Finn and Stirling both play their county cricket for Middlesex and came face-to-face as Finn shared the new ball at the start of Ireland’s chase. After a first-ball wide Stirling wasted no time in making a mark as he cut a six over deep cover, but two balls later Finn had his revenge when Stirling couldn’t resist playing a huge heave across the line and the top edge looped to cover.Tactical run out of the day
After an afternoon of frustrating rain delays play finally resumed with Ireland needing another 87 off 10 overs. William Porterfield and Niall O’Brien were at the crease, but they really needed a certain Kevin O’Brien there. Off the second ball of Borthwick’s over Porterfield nudged the ball into the leg side and ambled out of his crease. He turned to try and get back as Borthwick fielded quickly off his own bowling but couldn’t quite reach the crease. For Ireland, though, there was no point Kevin O’Brien waiting around to bat and in he strode at No. 4. When he launched his third and fourth balls in the stands Clontarf was rocking with chants of ‘easy, easy’ from boisterous local support.Ball of the day
While Kevin O’Brien was in the middle Ireland were winning this match, but he had no answer to a pinpoint yorker from Jade Dernbach which zoomed in on middle and leg stump as he tried to bring his bat down. Dernbach had just bowled a series of slower deliveries, which are his trademark in one-day cricket, but showed the skill to immediately change up a gear. It was just the latest display of the nerve that has impressed England’s selectors in the early days of Dernbach’s international career. And, vitally for a bowler who is used at key moments, he relishes the challenge.

This time there was no post-tea demolition job as Sri Lanka kept themselves alive in the series by surviving the final afternoon at Lord’s on 127 for 3

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan07-Jun-2011
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsIan Bell struck a brisk fifty but England weren’t aggressive enough on the final day•Getty ImagesThis time there was no post-tea demolition job as Sri Lanka kept themselves alive in the series by surviving the final afternoon at Lord’s fairly comfortably by reaching 127 for 3. Andrew Strauss’s declaration left a notional target of 343 in 58 overs after Alastair Cook hit his 18th Test hundred, but England could have been more aggressive and they never really looked like hustling through Sri Lanka again.The visitors have shown twice in this series – the second innings in Cardiff and the first innings here – that the batting is prone to collapse. Adding to that on the final day Tillakaratne Dilshan was only prepared to bat in an emergency, having sustained a hairline fracture to his thumb, which meant they had four fit frontline batsman, but Strauss opted to bat Sri Lanka out of the contest and hope for another last-session demise.However, to Sri Lanka’s credit they kept their composure although wickets went down with enough frequency to keep a semblance of interest. Thilan Samaraweera, who was given lbw to Graeme Swann on 4 but successfully used the DRS, secured safety alongside Prasanna Jayawardene when Strauss called the game off with a handshake at the start of the final hour despite Sri Lanka’s weak batting to follow.When Kumar Sangakkara, opening in place of Dilshan, drove loosely to point in Chris Tremlett’s third over England sensed a chance. They could have had a second major scalp before tea when when Mahela Jayawardene went for a single to cover and would have been out with a direct hit from Eoin Morgan. Instead, Jayawardene and Tharanga Paranavitana put together an 18-over stand which took the sting out of England.Stuart Broad provided a lift when Jayawardene edged to fourth slip where Kevin Pietersen held a fine catch, but England didn’t strike in clusters. Jonathan Trott proved a surprise with the ball when he hooped one back into Paranavitana which struck pad first and at 96 for 3 with 25 overs left there was time for a final push.Steven Finn produced a lively spell – and Samaraweera edged between third slip and gully as Strauss didn’t pack the cordon – but when Swann and Pietersen began racing through a few overs it was clear the end would come as early as possible.Throughout the day England seemed to lack a little intensity. Their second innings included plenty of positive signs, not least Pietersen’s 72 and Ian Bell’s brisk 57, yet it wasn’t quite a performance with the verve of a team that aspires to be the best in the world. The first hour was fine as Pietersen led the way but scoring slowed towards the interval and Cook added 26 in the two hours. Overall they made 111 runs from 26 overs in the morning, but it didn’t quite feel ruthless enough.Pietersen dominated the scoring during the morning by reaching his fifty from 85 balls. Although he was still battling his technique at times, far more shots were coming off the middle particularly when he drove two boundaries in an over off both Chanaka Welegedara and Suranga Lakmal.Smart Stats

The nine fifty-plus scores in the match is a record for England in Tests. It equals the record in the Test between England and Australia in Manchester in 1934

England’s 335 is their ninth score 300-plus score in the team second innings in Tests since 1990. None of them have come in the fourth innings

Alastair Cook’s century made it the sixth instance of him scoring a century and a half-century in the same match. The previous occasion came in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane in 2010

Ian Bell’s strike rate of 132.55 is the sixth-highest for a fifty-plus score by an England batsman in Tests. Andrew Flintoff’s strike rate of 170.45 in his innings of 75 off 44 balls against New Zealand in 2002 is the highest

The 127-run stand between Cook and Kevin Pietersen is the fourth-highest for the third wicket for England against Sri Lanka in Tests

Surprisingly, it was half an hour into the day before Rangana Herath was introduced by which time Pietersen had bedded in. However, his scoring rate had slowed when Herath went over the wicket and, after padding one delivery away, watched a ball spin past his outside edge and hit off stump. This time, though, it was just a cracking delivery.Cook didn’t do anything to move out of his comfort zone and towards the latter part of the session England’s run-rate actually dropped when logic suggested it should have been going the other way. Dilhara Fernando bowled a decent spell from the Pavilion End, beating Cook a few times from round the wicket, but both he and Herath – who sent down a 10-over spell for 21 runs – were allowed to bowl without any undue pressure being applied.In that respect Pietersen’s departure wasn’t a bad thing for England. Bell played the perfect innings for the situation although should have been run out on 27 when Billy Doctrove didn’t ask the third umpire. He already had three boundaries in one Fernando over before lunch and barely played a defensive shot after the break. Neither, though, did he resort to slogging but instead relied on timing and placement.Cook, meanwhile, went to his 18th Test century from 223 balls having missed out by four runs in the first innings and then started, uncharacteristically, to manufacture some shots. His dismissal was the first time he’d been stumped in first-class cricket and led to some rather fruitless slogging down the order.However, there was one unfortunate by-product when Matt Prior, after being run out in the search for quick runs, smashed a dressing-room window with a piece of equipment and had to apologise to the MCC members who were showered in glass. Unlike the window, Sri Lanka didn’t crack.

Sri Lanka’s batsmen made light work of a tricky chase to give their side a four-wicket win in their World Cup warm-up game against West Indies in Colombo

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Feb-2011
ScorecardChris Gayle was on fire before he was bowled by Muttiah Muralitharan•Manoj RidimahaliyaddaSri Lanka’s batsmen made light work of a tricky chase to give their side a four-wicket win in their World Cup warm-up game against West Indies in Colombo.West Indies had scrapped to 281 on the back of half-centuries from Chris Gayle and Darren Bravo, but Sri Lanka’s batsmen were never rushed as Tillakaratne Dilshan, captain Kumar Sangakkara and Thilan Samaraweera all made half-centuries to guide their team to victory.Co-hosts Sri Lanka are one of the favourites for the World Cup and are looking to repeat the heroics of 1996 when – as a team of outsiders – they went on to win the trophy. Their victory on Tuesday was built on Lasith Malinga’s three wickets and three key scalps for left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.Malinga struck in the first over, removing Devon Smith. The opening position alongside Gayle is already a problem for West Indies, who have also used Adrian Barath in the position. The early wicket brought Darren Bravo to the crease and he combined with Gayle to give West Indies their most productive passage of the match. The pair rushed to 88 by the 12th over, with Gayle cracking eights fours and a six, before he fell to Muttiah Muralitharan for 58 from 38 deliveries.It was Muralitharan’s only wicket of the innings but was probably the most important to fall. Darren Bravo then found useful support from Ramnaresh Sarwan, who is showing good signs of form on his return to the side, but Herath struck twice in two overs to remove both. Some breezy lower-order batting from Darren Sammy (21), Carlton Baugh (29) and Andre Russell (19*) lifted the total to 281.”We should have scored more runs than we did, because we were well placed after 15 overs and then got some key wickets when they chased,” Sammy said. “But we didn’t finish it off, that’s what we should do when we play the main tournament.”What should have been a competitive total was made easy with Upul Tharanga and Dilshan getting Sri Lanka off to a bright start. Dilshan was typically flamboyant, striking three sixes and five fours in his 50-ball 62. With Kemar Roach rested, West Indies’ pacemen suffered – Andre Russell and Dwayne Bravo both coming in for fearful punishment. The spinners fared much better with Sulieman Benn taking the first of three wickets when he had Tharanga out.It brought Sangakkara to the crease and he silkily worked his way to 71 from 89 balls, hitting just four boundaries to lay the foundations for the chase. After he fell Samaraweera took the responsibility and rotated the strike skilfully to make 55 at almost a run a ball before some late-order biffing from Chamara Kapugedera saw Sri Lanka over the line.”It’s good to have won both the warm-up matches,” Sangakkara said after the match. “I think there is still a lot of work to be done, mainly the first 15 overs. I think we should have chased it down with one or two wickets less than we did, but I think mentally we are slightly better chasing under lights now probably than a few years ago.”

It would be a huge surprise if Wolves captain Conor Coady moved away from Molineux this summer, according to ‘transfer journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: Coady a superb servant

The 29-year-old has been a magnificent servant for Wanderers, helping them return to the Premier League and continuing to shine in England’s top division, becoming a nine-time capped England international in the process.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/all-the-latest-from-wolves-2/” title=”All the latest from Wolves!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=“none”]

Coady has made 311 appearances for Wolves in total, including starting all 32 league games this season, as Bruno Lage’s side look to clinch European football.

Everton have been linked with a move for the former Liverpool youngster, with the Toffees apparently aiming to pull off a ‘surprise coup’ to sign him – raising some doubt over his Wanderers future.

[freshpress-poll id=“388780″]

The Latest: Expert shocked by potential exit

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones admitted he would be shocked if Coady traded Molineux for Goodison Park ahead of next season:

“He’s the guy that has held them up and got them through tough moments on and off the pitch, he’s so valuable to them, so I would be absolutely amazed if they even consider selling him in the summer.”

The Verdict: Would be a big surprise

Coady has been a rock at the heart of Wolves’ defence for so long and it would be an almighty blow to lose him at the peak of his powers.

Not only is the Englishman an outstanding leader for Lage’s men but he is also an excellent footballer, averaging a 93.3% pass completion rate in the Carabao Cup this season.

Coady’s current Wolves deal doesn’t expire until 2025, with his recent extension in September 2020 suggesting he is more than happy at the club, so it would be a major shock if he decided Everton were the better option this summer.

In other news, a journalist has claimed that one Wolves player may have to be sold. Find out who it is here.

James Hopes’ shock promotion to Queensland’s caretaker coach began with a victory after he replaced Trevor Barsby on a sensational day for the Bulls

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Dec-2010
ScorecardThe captain James Hopes is the new caretaker coach•Getty ImagesJames Hopes’ shock promotion to Queensland’s caretaker coach began with a victory after he replaced Trevor Barsby on a sensational day for the Bulls. Barsby stepped down after a meeting on Wednesday morning due to an “unworkable” situation with his players and support staff.Before the season Barsby, who was in charge since 2008, had his contract extended to 2012, but he made the decision to walk away after five squad members were questioned by Queensland Cricket’s board on Tuesday night. “We’re not sacking Barsby,” Jim Holding, Queensland Cricket’s chairman, said at the Gabba.”Trevor made his own decision this morning to stand down. No players directly approached me and said there was a problem. When Trevor decided that his relationship with the playing group and support staff was unworkable, I can tell you some of the players we spoke to yesterday said it was becoming unworkable.”The Bulls are having a difficult season after the campaign began with Chris Simpson being replaced as captain by Hopes. The allrounder Hopes is currently out with a hand injury but was put in off-field charge for the win over Western Australia. He will also coach for the four-day game starting on Friday.Queensland’s young line-up posted 210 in their 45 overs, with Jason Floros leading the recovery from 4 for 44 in difficult conditions. Floros finished with 60 while Craig Philipson (35) and Nathan Rimmington (32 off 24 balls) also provided valuable contributions.Ryan Duffield collected 4 for 58 from 12 overs before the Warriors slipped to 132 in their chase. Chris Swan led the locals with 3 for 28 while Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman and Alister McDermott got two each, giving the new captain Ben Dunk a 78-run win.However, the result was overshadowed by Barsby’s sudden exit. Barsby, who took the side to two Sheffield Shield finals, went on immediate leave but plans to discuss his employment situation with the board. “We will look at the coaching options for the Bulls for the rest of the summer as a matter of urgency,” Holding said.

Manchester United are reportedly interested in making Feyenoord’s Tyrell Malacia their first signing of the Erik ten Hag era.

What’s the word?

That is according to a report from The Sun who claim that Manchester United will back their incoming manager in this summer’s transfer window, with Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia “set” to join the Premier League side for a fee of around £20m.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-man-united-news-transfer-rumours-gossip-and-more-nunez-ten-hag-nkunku-richarlison” title=”Read the latest Man United news!”]

The Pitbull

Known as a “pitbull” for his tackling technique, Malacia has been described as “the sharpest [full] back in the Eredivisie” as per NOS Sport.

In 31 league appearances this season, Malacia has notched up a respectable five attacking returns in the form of one goal and four assists.

Whilst boasting some healthy numbers for his defensive participations, with his average of 2.7 tackles per game perhaps a standout, the 22-year-old has asserted himself as a creative threat this season.

Malacia’s eight big chances created see him rank second in Feyenoord’s squad this season, with his expected assists total of 5.9xA another demonstration of his offensive quality.

Though the signing of the Netherlands international will most certainly provide additional competition for Luke Shaw, the move could also see the likes of Alex Telles and Brandon Williams axed, something that would no doubt delight supporters who are keen to see the overall quality of the squad improve.

Brandon Williams has been on loan at Norwich this season and having suffered a relegation with the Canaries, is eager to return to Old Trafford having said: “I know I can play in this league, and I know I can get to the top and that’s what I want to do” (as per Manchester Evening News).

Telles, on the other hand, has started just 44% of his 19 appearances for United this season having chipped in with four assists – a creative return more than Luke Shaw, who has shared the left-back spot with the Brazilian this season.

The signing of Malacia could cause a domino effect for Manchester United’s full-backs this summer, with the likes of Telles and Williams surely concerned over their place in the squad, come next season.

In other news: ETH plotting major MUFC deal for “unbelievable” £29m “weapon”, he’s Beckham 2.0…