A century by Adam Voges gave the home side the honours on the first day of South Africa’s three-day tour match at Perth. At the close, Western Australia were 5 for 306 with David Bandy unbeaten on 59, and Shawn Gillies on 10 to deny the South Africans from striking any early psychological blows.Voges and Marcus North blunted South Africa’s early assault with a 146-run stand, with North making 71. Voges, 26 – who hit a record 62-ball century in an ING Cup match last year – fell shortly after making his hundred, which came in 168 balls and included 17 boundaries.The South African bowlers made early inroads after Mark Boucher, standing-in as captain for Jacques Kallis, won the toss and chose to field. Charl Langeveldt made the initial breakthrough, bowling Justin Langer with a legcutter for 21. He then caught Chris Rogers (22) on the boundary off Andre Nel to reduce Western Australia to 2 for 51. Shaun Pollock capped a hostile spell, conceding just 10 runs in nine overs, with the wicket of Clint Heron, caught behind for 11.Rain interrupted play after lunch with Western Australia struggling at 3 for 73, and after the break, Voges and North pressed on resolutely to deny the bowlers any success. Resuming at 3 for 177 after tea, the pair immediately attempted to lift the run-rate and, finally, it was Langeveldt who made the breakthrough when Voges, on 101, attempted a straight drive and was caught by Garnett Kruger at long-off. Bandy, who struck his maiden half-century, and Gillies guided Western Australia safely through to stumps.Boucher replaced Kallis as captain after he had damaged a tendon in his left elbow. Kallis had originally sustained the injury while practising in the nets during the tour of India and was supposed to stand-in for Graeme Smith, who had hurt a finger in the final ODI against India at Mumbai. Shane Jabbar, South Africa’s physio, hoped Kallis would be fit to play the second warm-up game against a Western Australian XI on Sunday.
Pakistan have recalled Azhar Mahmood and Taufeeq Umar to their squad for the VB Series, the triangular one-day tournament which also features Australia and West Indies. Mohammad Hafeez and Iftikhar Anjum have also been included, while Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Asim Kamal, Imran Farhat and Mohammad Asif will return home after the Test series.Mahmood has been a star performer for Surrey over the last couple of seasons, but has struggled to make a permanent place for himself in the Pakistan team. He last appeared an ODI in 2003-04, when Pakistan toured New Zealand, and has played only 13 of them in the last two years. His return will be especially pleasing for Bob Woolmer, who has often spoken highly about Mahmood’s allround ability.Taufeeq and Hafeez, meanwhile, return after being dropped due to poor form. Taufeeq, a left-handed opener, was earlier seen as a Test specialist, but has slowly been part of the mix for the one-dayers as well – the last of his 18 one-dayers came against India at Lahore last year. Hafeez, an allrounder who bowls offspin, made an impressive start to his international career in a triangular tournament in Sharjah immediately after the 2003 World Cup, but was then dropped after a string of dismal performances.A media release from the Pakistan board also announced that Inzamam-ul-Haq and Abdul Razzaq would be fit for the tournament. Both missed the ongoing Sydney Test – Inzamam failed to recover from a back injury while Razzaq was struck with a mystery ailment during the second Test at Melbourne.The VB Series starts on January 14, while Pakistan play their first match against Australia a couple of days later.Pakistan squad for the VB Series Salman Butt, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Mohammad Hafeez, Yousuf Youhana, Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Younis Khan, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Kamran Akmal (wk), Shoaib Akhtar, Naved-ul-Hasan, Mohammad Khalil, Iftikhar Anjum.
The MA Chidambaram Stadium at Chennai has hosted eight one-day internationals so far, of which four have been day-night matches. India have a 50% win record in the four ODIs they have played here.
New Zealand’s only ODI here – a quarter-final match of the 1996 World Cup against Australia – was a high-scoring game with two memorable batting performances. Chris Harris smashed 130 off just 124 balls as New Zealand amassed 286, but Australia found their man for the moment in Mark Waugh, whose beautifully paced 110 took his team to a six-wicket win with more than two overs to spare.
Past record suggests that the toss doesn’t have much of a bearing on the result of a day-night match at Chennai. In the four games played under lights, captains winning the toss have won two and lost two. Also, batting first seems as good an option as batting under lights, with both options achieving a success rate of 50%.
The first ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was also the most thrilling of the eight played here so far. In a league match of the 1987 World Cup, Australia scored 270 and scraped through by one run after India’s middle and lower order fluffed their lines and made a mess of an excellent start provided by the top three. In fact, Chennai has been a particularly favourable ODI venue for Australia, who have won all four matches.
India’s other defeat here came courtesy a stupendous effort by Saeed Anwar, whose 194 – still the highest score in an ODI – allowed Pakistan to notch up 327. Rahul Dravid led India’s reply with 107 – the only Indian centurion at Chepauk – but Pakistan still eased to a 35-run win.
Sachin Tendulkar, in the throes of a horror run with the bat, hasn’t had as much success in ODIs in Chennai as he has had in the Tests. In three one-dayers, Tendulkar has scored just 80 runs, 68 of them coming in one match against England in 2001-02.
The England and Wales Cricket Board today announced a 16-man squad to tour New Zealand this winter.With Andrew Caddick returning to the squad and Andrew Flintoff retained after playing in all three Tests before Christmas, Martyn Ball and Richard Johnson are the players omitted from the party which toured India.Ball and Johnson were called up into the squad for India after Andrew Caddick and Robert Croft chose not to tour following heightened fears about security in the wake of the September 11 attacks on New York.Croft, who was named in the original 16-man Test squad announced last August, is not included in the squad for New Zealand. James Ormond has been included subject to passing a fitness test on a shoulder injury.Chairman of Selectors, David Graveney, said: “In picking this squad, we werekeen to retain the nucleus of the team which exceeded many people’s expectations in India before Christmas in drawing two Test Matches and losing one.”Andrew Flintoff made a significant impact with the ball on the sub-continent and he thoroughly deserves to retain his place in the squad. Andrew Caddick is a high-class bowler of proven pedigree at Test level and we are delighted to have him back in both the Test and One-Day squad.”It was always our intention to reduce the number of spinners in the party from three to two for the second leg of this winter’s tour as we expect to encounter more seamer-friendly surfaces in New Zealand.”While Robert Croft remains in our thoughts for the future, Richard Dawsonshowed great promise in India and we are keen to give him an opportunity todevelop his international career still further.”England Test Squad to tour New Zealand – 2002
1. Nasser Hussain (Captain) Essex 28.3.682. Usman Afzaal Nottinghamshire 9.6.773. Mark Butcher Surrey 23.8.724. Andrew Caddick Somerset 21.11.685. Richard Dawson Yorkshire 4.8.806. Andrew Flintoff Lancashire 6.12.777. James Foster Essex 15.4.808. Ashley Giles Warwickshire 19.3.739. Warren Hegg Lancashire 23.2.6810. Matthew Hoggard Yorkshire 31.12.7611. James Ormond Leicestershire 20.8.7712. Mark Ramprakash Surrey 5.9.6913. Graham Thorpe Surrey 1.8.6914. Marcus Trescothick Somerset 25.12.7515. Michael Vaughan Yorkshire 29.10.7416. Craig White Yorkshire 16.12.69
Coach – Duncan Fletcher Assistant Coach – Graham Dilley Operations Manager – Phil Neale Physiotherapist – Dean Conway Physiologist – Nigel Stockill Media Relations Manager – Andrew Walpole Scorer – Malcolm Ashton
Struggling at lunch time on the second day to save the follow on, the target was achieved more easily than expected, due in the main to an innings of patience coupled with an array of fine stokes by Hampshire wicket-keeper Adrian Aymes. His three hour innings of 71 brought an air of respectability to the home sides reply. Hampshire finishing 38 runs behind on the first innings, a score that looked a long way away at the lunch break.He soon lost Robin Smith shortly after the interval but found Dimitri Mascarenhas as foil to a 52 run partnership. Mascarenhas was bowled off stump trying to drive, and Aymes was joined by the left handed Alex Morris and together they brought Hampshire their one batting point with a gathering of 54 runs for the ninth wicket.Aymes eventually fell to a diving catch from wicket keeper Burns, his 71 had lasted three hours and was by far the leading scorer of the innings. Morris pulled a loose ball to deep square leg where Ben Smith took the catch to conclude the innings.The Leicestershire bowlers minus their main attack acquitted themselves admirably. Boswell and Wells each took three wickets. Dakin who dismissed both openers in the morning looked an excellent prospect for the future.When Leicestershire started their reply with 17 overs remaining in the days play, Maddy and Sutcliffe looked in little trouble against four Hampshire bowlers in the evening sunshine to advance to 42 without loss, a useful a lead of 80.
As per Claret & Hugh, there has now been a fresh update on West Ham United’s efforts to tie down midfielder Tomas Soucek to a bumper new contract.
The Lowdown: West Ham hold talks over Soucek…
The insider recently claimed that West Ham and GSB were set for discussions over fresh terms for the 26-year-old this week as David Moyes priorities tying down the club’s most crucial players.
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This comes amid reports of the club also eyeing new deals for the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Declan Rice, but despite Soucek’s worrying form in parts over 2021/22, the Czech ace is still considered an important member of Moyes’ squad.
The Latest: Insider drops fresh update on Soucek…
According to Claret & Hugh, a fresh midweek update has come to light as West Ham and Moyes, who was present at the table, were unable to find an agreement with Soucek following a new round of negotiations.
However, a close source has explained that more talks are scheduled as both sides agree to keep discussions going.
The informant explained: “We have been unable to come to terms to day but we’ll continue talking towards and at the end of the season”.
The Verdict: Get it done…
The 2021 Hammer of the Year has been a revelation overall since signing from Slavia Prague in 2020, regardless of some sticky patches this season.
Soucek’s towering physical presence has been a real asset for Moyes both defensively and going forward, as he finished 2020/21 as West Ham’s joint-top Premier League scorer.
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He also won an incredible 6.2 aerial duels per 90 on average in England’s top flight last term and it’s safe to say that, if Soucek rediscovers such form, he could come good again for the Irons.
Taking this into account, it’s little wonder that former Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has said that it would be a ‘massive statement’ for GSB and Moyes to secure the 26-year-old’s future at the London Stadium.
In other news: Insider: West Ham exit now on the cards for ‘extra threat’ who Moyes called ‘really important’, find out more here.
Liverpool talisman Steven Gerrard will undergo tests on Monday to assess the seriousness of the ankle injury he picked up in training on Friday.
The veteran midfielder missed The Reds’ 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday after receiving up the knock in the build up to the game, and is now a doubt for England’s friendly with Spain in two weeks time.
Gerrard has just returned from seven months on the sidelines due to a groin operation, and club boss Kenny Dalglish has revealed that the extent of damage will be revealed at the start of this week.
“We will not mislead anybody and we will know more about Steven on Monday or Tuesday,” the Scottish coach told the Daily Mail.
“He was in our minds for the game but he got a kick in training on Friday and the ankle now has an infection. It is like having an abscess in your mouth, isn’t it? The ankle just flared up.”
The news will have a big impact on the Anfield outfit one way or the other, as the Merseysiders look to challenge for a top four finish this term.
Gerrard showed his quality by scoring on his return from injury against Manchester United a fortnight ago, and gives Liverpool drive and determination that at times has been missing in his absence.
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Roberto Mancini has urged his Manchester City side to adopt a cautious approach against Dynamo Kiev despite going into the game 2-0 down on aggregate.City managed a tense 1-0 win over Championship side Reading in the FA Cup at the weekend, only breaking down the visitors after 74 minutes from a well-worked set-piece.Mancini knows how much City fans want to end their 35-year wait for a trophy yet he still will not endorse an attacking approach despite the first-leg defeat in Kiev in their Europa League tie.”At the start of the game we just tried to score, score, score but I think we should play our game and not concede which I think is very important and then we can score one or two goals,” he said.”It’s not important if we score after five minutes or half an hour. It’s important that we play as a team and play strong and we do not concede because Kiev are a team that plays on the counter attack and it will be important to pay more attention tomorrow.”In spite of City’s continuously cautious approach, with over 100 million pounds of attacking talent at their disposal, Mancini wants the silverware-hungry supporters to get behind his side.”It’s important our supporters play close to us like they did against Reading and then we can play our game,” Mancini added. “I think we have a chance to score I think if we play our game we should win,” he said.Mancini has bemoaned the injuries that have affected his side but there is hope on the horizon.”James Milner is not 100 percent but he can probably go on the bench,” he said.”I hope that Nigel De Jong will be feeling good after playing in the Reading game because he had a problem with his ankle in the last 10 minutes. Adam Johnson has been working with the team for four days but he will not be ready.”Meanwhile, City defender Vincent Kompany said he expected his team would progress despite being down in the tie.”Obviously it was not a good result but having said that it is a home tie now and we expect to do the same to them as they did to us and possibly more,” he said. “If they believe they can score one goal then we will have to score four but we are confident and we know the fans are going to give us support and it is going to be a special game.””It is down to the manager which fashion we play in, we believe that whatever way we play there is a lot to play for. We should use our head and remember that we have the 12th man in the crowd and use that to our advantage and not make mistakes. I am confident that we have enough to go and score goals.”
I suppose one should never be surprised by the way the media contrives to sell a story, but the way Harry Redknapp’s words have been twisted this morning is another blatant attempt to make the club something of a laughing stock. Rival club’s supporters are already having a giggle at our expense on their respective forums as we apparently see ourselves as title contenders for next season.
It is not often I find myself applauding the Express, but at least they had the decency to report his actual quotes. Harry believes that Tottenham can challenge for the title, providing that he is able to bring in four world class players to complement the current squad.
Redknapp said: “If I went out now and brought in the four players I wanted from anywhere, we would win the title. If we went out and bought four world-class players, no matter what the price, we would have a fantastic chance.” Daily Express
Quite a different story I’ll think you agree, yet I suppose it doesn’t make for as interesting a headline or story that the journalists in Fleet Street crave, as they attempt to sell their shoddy papers. Print rubbish and move onto the next one seems to be the underlying theme of British Journalism these days; it’s just a shame that we are the ones who have fallen victim to it this time.
I know I should get so uptight about it, but unfortunately when you have to work in an office where nobody reads beyond the headline, or look at what was actually said. I thought the days of Tottenham fans getting ridiculed as a result of the media’s tripe was a thing of the past; it appears the past few months have proven to be a false dawn.
Written By Matt Wright
Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
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When hearing someone say Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has lost control, the images that are conjured up are those of a player revolt, with dressing room difficulties, and John Terry leading the protests, in a repeat of the Mourinho situation, thinking he knows better than the manager – sorry JT but the decline in both your and Chelsea’s form since the departure of a certain Special One suggests this is not the case. Maybe the phrase ‘lost control’ at the club in fact refers to a dispute with the man upstairs – no not god, as he likes to think of himself as, but Roman Abramovich. Again you’d be wrong in that assumption. What AVB has in reality been accused of losing control of is the discipline at the club.
For a man who learnt his trade under someone who makes his team train with 11 v 10, just in case UEFA and the relevant opposition are displaying favouritism once again, it is not as shocking as it should be when revealing that AVB and his Chelsea side have incurred 5 red cards in the last 8 games, finished the game against QPR with only Cech and Mata not receiving a caution from the starting 11 and can also claim to have never escaped having at least one player on the wrong end of a yellow card in every game this season.
Yes, Chelsea may point to the fact they never fare well under the officiating eye of Chris Foy, and he has been responsible for the sending off of 4 Chelsea players this season alone, yet for the vast majority of the red card offences, Chelsea can have little to no complaints. This is something that has been a prominent factor at the club for more than a couple of seasons now, with disciplinary issues marring much of the success Chelsea have had. Many may point back to the Mourinho era and say it was instilled in the players since then, and has not been cut out of the team despite the amount of managers since.
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This however is something that AVB quite simply has to cut out of Chelsea’s game, as sooner or later playing with ten men or less as the case may be will cost them more than just 3 points at Loftus Road. Not only is it physically draining on the players but they also have to then deal with the suspensions on top of the injuries that inevitably occur and the loss of several players to the African Nations. Needless suspensions are something that have to be cut out and are something that AVB cannot let carry on any longer or the manager will be serving his head on a platter to Abramovich’s overused managerial gauntlet.
Another lingering factor from the Mourinho days is the way players harass the referee. Chelsea players are nearly but not quite as guilty of this as Barcelona ones, but there are few teams in football that are as bad. John Terry and Ashley Cole are by far the worse culprits of this, and the way in which they can intimidate the officials would put Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher to shame. Again this does not look good on Chelsea’s record, but players cannot be expected to stop doing it when the manager is just as culpable.
For the majority of the time he’s been in the hot seat at Stamford Bridge, AVB has remained relatively cool, mannerisms on the touchline aside, yet after the game against QPR the young manager lost his cool completely and now faces having to ‘explain his conduct’ to the FA.
Every manager can be forgiven for losing their cool once in a while, and if this is an isolated incident then little should be made of it – Fergie especially has got away with more than a couple of comments over the years. Yet the way in which Chelsea surround the referee again is not a particularly good look for them and something Roman Abramovich is none too happy about.
Following the QPR game, Chelsea and John Terry have much to answer for, and it is vital that AVB shows strong leadership. The victory over Everton, unsurprisingly with 10 men, was a good reply performance wise, yet the ill-discipline has got to stop.
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Should JT be found guilty of making racist remarks towards Anton Ferdinand, not only should the FA throw the book at the player, but Chelsea must do so as well. It is there that AVB may face his toughest challenge yet – suspending or stripping Mr Chelsea himself of the captaincy? One can only imagine the revolt – no wonder AVB and Chelsea are defending John Terry so vehemently. Before this potential problem however, AVB must deal with the issues in hand, and none are more pressing than the loss of discipline at the club.
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