Sri Lanka’s World Cup star, Lasith Malinga, has joined Kent on a short-termdeal. Malinga, 23, will join the county for three weeks as a replacementfor the South African all-rounder, Andrew Hall, who has international commitments.Malinga, who bowls with a unique slinging round-arm action, grabbed fourSouth Africa wickets in as many balls during a World Cup Super Eight matchin March.”I am delighted to get the opportunity and I consider the experience to bea great one,” said Malinga. “I will try to maximise every opportunity at Kent for the betterment of mygame.”This is the first time I have played any form of domestic cricket in anothercountry and I am looking forward to an enjoyable three weeks in the Kentdressing room.”Kent’s director of cricket, Graham Ford, confirmed the deal and an officialannouncement from the county is expected tomorrow. “He is a top performer,” said Ford. “Andrew Hall was called up to return to South Africa so obviously we needed a replacement.”
A row has broken out inside Zimbabwe Cricket after the announcement of the Zimbabwe A side to take on Bangladesh later this month. The argument is said to be between a top unnamed ZC official and Bruce Makovah, the controversial convener of selectors, over the composition of the team.ZC last week named a heavily-depleted A-team squad which included mostly players who have not played first-class cricket. The side was chosen mainly from the weakened ZC National League which ran this year after a number of top clubs withdrew. They ignored players from the splinter local league, which was formed by the rebel clubs which broke away from ZC over administrative differences. This was despite insistence by ZC that players playing outside its own structures would be considered.However, the bone of contention appears to be within the ZC circles. Sources told Cricinfo that ZC interim committee members and some club officials had confronted Makovah, alleging that he had been biased against some players whose deserved to be picked.For example, the two best players in the ZC’s own National League, Mbekezeli Mabuza and Daniel Soma, were not included. The same goes for the batsmen, where players with glaringly better averages were picked ahead of lesser-performing ones.Bangladesh A will soon arrive in Zimbabwe for a five week tour.
When S Mohan, the former Supreme Court judge charged with the task of being the interim administrator in charge of the affairs of the Indian Board, arrived in Mumbai on Saturday morning, he was in for a rude shock. He proceeded to the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in India shortly before noon – and, after finally locating the office in Stadium House at the Cricket Club of India, was greeted by a big padlock.”Oh, the doors are locked,” he exclaimed to the few journalists gathered to see how the interim administrator would take charge of his duties. When one pressman asked him if he was shocked or surprised by the fact that the office was closed, he could only reply: “I feel sorry. My good wishes are with the team. If this is the way a former Supreme Court judge is treated, you can draw your own conclusions.”Mohan insisted that he had not planned to deal with the purely cricket affairs of the board. “I don’t intend to interfere with the cricketing part. I only meant to look into the administration,” he said. He added that he came to meet people concerned with the board office and explain the scope of the Madras high-court order. He was also going to inform the various state associations of his appointment as interim administrator.The Board’s office is usually open from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays, according to a notice outside the office. But apparently a high-ranking official ordered the office to remain closed, and declared two days’ leave late on Friday evening. Mohan may be unfamiliar with the workings of the board, but he is not a complete stranger to cricket – he played for the Triplicane Club in Chennai in the late 1940s as an offspinner.
Western Province Boland 122 for 4 (Puttick 63*) beat Dolphins 121 for 6 by 6 wickets ScorecardThe much-marketed Standard Bank PRO20 Series got underway in front of 10,035 spectators at Newlands as the new franchise system also kicked off with Nashua Western Province Boland playing host to Nashua Dolphins.A new concept in South African cricket, with each team set a maximum of 20 overs, saw Ashwell Prince winning the toss and asking the Dolphins to bat first. Doug Watson, after being bogged down, had the distinction of becoming the first player to lose his wicket in the Series, being caught by Graeme Smith off the bowling of Charl Willoughby. Disaster followed with Imran Khan and Dale Benkenstein falling off consecutive balls and then six balls later Hashim Amla followed also for 0. Shaun Pollock, batting up the order, was next to go, leaving the Dolphins 57 for 5 at the halfway mark.With Jon Kent losing his wicket, Lance Klusener joined Ahmed Amla and together they upped the scoring rate, accelerating to 121 for 6 at the end of the 20 overs. Klusener hammered 39 off 28 balls, including two fours and two sixes, while Amla added 30 off 37.Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs opened the innings for Western Province Boland and both got first ballers from Pollock. Andrew Puttick and Neil Johnson got the innings back together taking the total to 56 after 10 overs before Klusener struck, getting rid of Johnson in the 11th.With Puttick going to his 50 off 46 balls and Prince riding his luck, they brought up a 50-run partnership in 37 balls, taking Province Boland to the brink of victory at 111 for 4 when Prince holed out to Khan. Puttick, winning the Master Blaster award, guided them to a six-wicket win.The match showed that the Dolphins have a lot to learn, with Klusener stuck at the crease after coming in too far down the order at No. 8 and Shaun Pollock only bowling three overs.
To England supporters, there is a peculiarly ghastly symmetry about the fact that the coup de grace to their World Cup aspirations has been delivered in Zimbabwe. Just as rain deprived South Africa of a critical two points at Kingsmead last night, so it intervened in Zimbabwe’s favour at Bulawayo today.Far from being in the Super Six, England have joined South Africa and the West Indies in the group that might be termed the “What If” Three. Three captains have known the misery of watching the weather intervene to their disadvantage – Carl Hooper at Benoni, where rain deprived West Indies of a certain win over Bangladesh, Nasser Hussain, who could probably hardly bear to think about, let alone watch, today’s watery scenes at Queens Sports Club, and of course Shaun Pollock last night.No true cricket lover who saw Pollock’s agonised expression as his team’s hopes drained away in the Durban drizzle will have drawn any pleasure from it. But the cold light of another day must remind him that in losing to both the West Indies and New Zealand – even though the latter match was also rain-affected – South Africa left themselves an awful lot to do.As has so often been said during this World Cup, you cannot expect to progress unless you beat the top teams. On that basis Sri Lanka and New Zealand deserved to go through, despite the solitary aberration of the former against Kenya, who have taken maximum advantage. The only significance of New Zealand’s decision not to go to Nairobi rests in the number of points the two sides take through.
ShaunPollock – agony Photo Reuters
In Group A, the same applies to Australia, who beat everyone, and India, who beat everyone else. Pakistan, who lost to Australia, England and India, can hardly bewail their fate. England, to their credit, came closest to upsetting the favourites. If last Sunday’s result had fallen on the other edge of the knife, they would be through.Which brings us to the other “might have been” scenario for England, which is so glaring that it seems almost superfluous to highlight it. Well before the politicians got stuck in to the Zimbabwe match, it was plain that victory in Harare was England’s need as well as their expectation. Australia, India and Pakistan were their three toughest matches. Suffice to say that but for the forfeiture, England could have gone through despite being beaten in two of those three. Their exit is no disgrace.So we have a scenario that few would have put money on before the tournament. The primary hosts are out, while the two lesser hosts are both hanging in there against the odds. Not quite what the organisers had in mind – indeed rather the reverse – but there is nothing completely new about that. Remember what happened to the host nation in 1999?
West Indies comfortably completed a 3-0 one-day series victory over Kenya with a seven-wicket win in the final game in Nairobi.But the result was harsh on Kenya’s Steve Tikolo who hit 71 and took two West Indies wickets.Tikolo is generally regarded as the finest Kenyan cricketer of all-time and showed just why with a dashing innings.But West Indies openers Leon Garrick and Chris Gayle put on 116 to set up victory. Gayle was eventually caught by David Otieno for a run-a-ball 70, while Garrick, in only his third One-Day International, dug in to make 76.Number three Wavell Hinds compiled a patient 44 not out, with Marlon Samuelsadding 30 before being dismissed only eight runs short of the victory target of 233.West Indies finished on 234 for three, easing to what had looked a testing target with 17 balls left.Tikolo’s 55-ball innings was the highlight of Kwenya’s effort as they made 232 for seven in their 50 overs. Tikolo made his debut 11 years ago and averages more than 30 in One-Day Internationals.Other major contributors in the Kenyan innings were openers David Otieno (34)and Ravindu Shah (29) who put on 74 for the first wicket, while Thomas Odoyuhit 31 and left-hander Hitesh Modi made an unbeaten 29.Spinner Neil McGarrell was the top West Indies bowler with three for44.
Talks between Liverpool officials and Mohamed Salah’s representative are set to continue as the attacker plays his way through the African Cup of Nations with Egypt over the next month.
It’s been a disquieting period for a club already in turmoil, this breakdown in relations between star player and the club. Whether or not you feel Salah’s post-Leeds United outburst was justified, there’s no argument to be had that it has not done Arne Slot’s struggling side any good.
But this is the situation, and FSG are dealing with it. The 33-year-old’s inclusion during the win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League last weekend certainly hints toward reconciliation, but Saudi and US-based suitors are said to be circling, and there’s no denying the £400k-per-week Reds star has struggled to perform this season.
Salah’s Premier League Career
Season
Apps
Goals + Assists
25/26
14
4 + 3
24/25
38
29 + 18
23/24
32
18 + 10
22/23
38
19 + 12
21/22
35
23 + 13
20/21
37
22 + 5
19/20
34
19 + 10
18/19
38
22 + 8
17/18
36
32 + 11
Data via Transfermarkt
How could Liverpool replace their talisman this January, if he does indeed agitate to leave? Well, Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have a few options.
How Liverpool could replace Mohamed Salah
A range of reports have outlined Liverpool’s interest in Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo over the past few months, and The Athletic have confirmed the versatile forward has a £65m release clause in his contract and FSG are ready to activate it this winter.
He is a terrific player and has rode the crest of a wave this season, albeit with the goals having dried up amid the Cherries’ tough run over the past month or so.
Could he be the man to replace Salah?
There’s also a forgotten man named Harvey Elliott, who is expected to be withdrawn from his difficult loan spell at Aston Villa, having scarcely played.
Elliott is creative and dynamic, but he’s not the most mobile and he was limited to a bit-part role under Slot’s wing last season, only starting twice in the Premier League, both times in May.
There may, however, be another prospect on the Anfield books who could step up and replace Liverpool’s wide talisman in the near future.
Liverpool's cost-free Salah replacement
Salah is irreplaceable. How can you find a wide forward who boasts such a keen edge in front of goal, just like that?
FSG likely recognised this well in advance, signing both Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike this summer. Two high-profile forwards with their best years ahead of them, supposedly.
But Liverpool have a rising prospect with a show-stopping style that reflects Salah’s own, in a different way. Rio Ngumoha has already become a part of Slot’s plans, playing eight games this season and scoring the winner at St. James’ Park back in August.
Liverpool star Rio Ngumoha
Aged 17, he is one of the most dangerous ball carriers in the Premier League. That rawness now needs to be focused and developed on the major stage.
But he’s got the grit to go with the glitz and glam, alright, having shown as much against Newcastle, in the right spot to dispatch a wonderful curling strike past Nick Pope. It was Salah’s ball that brought the goal about, coincidentally.
Principally a left-sided winger, the direct and dynamic winger would symbolise a new talisman out wide, should Slot help him become a superstar.
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Reporter Lewis Bower considers him a unique and “frightening” talent, with a mix of physical and technical qualities that differentiates him from rivals in his age bracket.
The teenager’s former youth coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst has even said this: “I don’t say it lightly, he is one of the best academy talents I have come across, and I have seen some top players become superstars.”
Youngest Scorers in Premier League History
#
Player
Age
1
James Vaughan
16 yrs, 8 months, 27 days
2
James Milner
16 yrs, 11 months, 22 days
3
Wayne Rooney
16 yrs, 11 months, 25 days
4
Rio Ngumoha
16 yrs, 11 months, 26 days
5
Cesc Fabregas
17 yrs, 3 months, 21 days
There is so much still to come from this young man. Let’s not forget that he has joined Liverpool at a testing point in their direction under Slot’s management.
But still he has shown off his quality, his capacity to provide on the biggest stage.
Ekitike 2.0: FSG in the race to seal big-money £123m signing for Liverpool
Liverpool is still in the race to land this statement signing, although it will be tough to secure his coveted signature.
A convincing display with both bat and ball helped the ICL Pakistan XI pull off a comfortable win over the ICL World XI in their opening game of the tournament in Hyderabad.World XI had outclassed their Indian counterparts on Wednesday, but Pakistan XI turned out to be a much tougher opponents. Chris Cairns, the World XI captain, chose to bat, and openers Matthew Elliott and Ian Harvey got their side off to a brisk start.But once the first wicket fell with the score at 41, Pakistan XI managed to pick up another two for the addition of six runs. In the 14th over half the World XI side had been dismissed with just 80 on board, with offspinner Arshad Khan taking three wickets in his four overs, Shahid Nazir picking the other two.Lou Vincent and Russel Arnold put on a 32-run stand before Abdul Razzaq struck off the final two deliveries of the 17th over. Naved-ul-Hasan scalped two lower-order wickets as World XI were restricted to 130 in their 20 overs.The Pakistan XI openers then put the match in the bag with a commanding 119-run partnership. Imran Nazir scored 69 off 62, including eight fours and a six, before throwing away his wicket in sight of victory to the part-time bowling of Elliott. Razzaq remained unbeaten on 55 off 42, with three fours and three sixes, as Pakistan XI romped to a nine-wicket win, the second in a row for the side batting second.
One of the most keenly contested series in women’s cricket takes place later this month when New Zealand tour Australia in a bid to regain the Rose Bowl. Karen Rolton, the Australia captain, can’t wait to play their trans-Tasman rivals, and she will expect to pass 4000 runs during the series, needing 61 to reach the milestone.Australia have lost only three out of 27 games against New Zealand since the 2000 World Cup defeat, and they have won every Rose Bowl this decade. Despite this one-sidedness, Rolton is expecting a close contest.”I don’t think there is too much difference between the two teams, any team can win on the day,” Rolton said. Although Australia won the Rose Bowl 5-0 in 2006, the first three matches were decided in the last over. The two sides also reached the final of the Quadrangular series in Chennai in March, which Australia won by six wickets.”Every time we play New Zealand we are ready for a tough, hard-fought series,” Rolton said. “The two teams really enjoy playing against each other. We can’t wait to play this series as we really enjoy playing against one of the best teams in women’s cricket.”Rolton said the Australia team had changed a lot since the World Cup in 2005, which they won, and were in the process of rebuilding. They will certainly feel the loss of Cathryn Fitzpatrick, their leading fast bowler, who retired after the Quadrangular series.The Rose Bowl will be good preparation for the World Cup that Australia are hosting in 2009. “It is important to try as many players as we can to see who can perform against the best teams in the world,” Rolton said, “so we can have the best performing players ready for action in 2009.” The series begins at Darwin’s Garden’s Oval with a Twenty20 game on July 19, followed by five ODIs between July 21 and 29.
The identity of the squad of players that will carry Australia’s attempts to win the Champions Trophy, regain the Ashes and retain the World Cup will be revealed on Monday when Cricket Australia announces its central contracts. There will be upward movement for some stars – such as Mike Hussey – while others, like Simon Katich and Jason Gillespie, are facing a pay cut.This will be the first contracts list released since Australia lost the Ashes and, although they have since embarked on an all-conquering run, the names and retainers will reflect this. Hussey is set to be the biggest winner after becoming the quickest batsman to 1000 Test runs – in terms of days since debut – and his low to mid-range contract could now be increased to match the likes of Adam Gilchrist and Brett Lee.A glimpse at Australia’s future will be given with the younger players who are offered deals. Mark Cosgrove’s impressive debut in Bangladesh should earn him a low-level contract, while Mitchell Johnson could also benefit and Dan Cullen can expect to be retained in the list. Phil Jaques is likely to be included but Brad Hodge could miss out despite his Test double-century against South Africa.Although 25 is the number of players usually contracted, Cricket Australia may stretch the group this year to cover for Shane Watson and Shaun Tait, who are earmarked for key roles in the future but are currently under injury clouds.