James Hopes has become the second young talent of Australian cricket to praise Bennett King, who will coach West Indies in the three-Test series starting at Brisbane next week. Shane Watson raved this week about King’s work that helped rebuild his game following stress fractures, and Hopes, who made his one-day international debut this year, has also credited him with reviving his fortunes.King, the former Queensland coach, told Hopes he would need to lift his effort to be a successful player and the chat pushed him towards the ING Cup Player of the Year award last summer and into the national team. “Kingy really showed me what was required to make the next step and put it down plain in front of me what I needed to do if I wanted to make it as a cricketer,” Hopes told .”My results over the past 18 months have been long overdue from a personal viewpoint. Most of it can probably be put down to the fact it took me quite a while to realise that as an allrounder I couldn’t afford to let any part of my game slip. I couldn’t cut corners.”Hopes will be on the opposite side to King tomorrow when he starts the four-day tour match for Queensland at Allan Border Field. West Indies are currently ranked third-last on the ICC Test table, but Hopes said King was the ideal man to lift the side. “Bennett is among the best coaches in the world,” he said. “They have some world-class players and some remarkable talent coming through, it’s just a case of being patient. They’ve had stability problems in the side for the past few years, but I couldn’t think of a better person to have.”Queensland and West Indies had hoped to field 12 players for the match but Cricket Australia over-ruled the request that would have affected the game’s status as first-class. The opening Test begins at the Gabba on November 3.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has approved the restructured graded-payment system for the international cricketers. Jagmohan Dalmiya, the president of the board, confirmed this after the working-committee meeting in Kolkata. However, the board rejected a request to increase the non-playing members’ match fee by 20%.The players will be divided into three grades, receiving Rs5million (US$108,000 approx), Rs3.5million (US$75,000 approx) and Rs2million (US$44,000 approx) respectively on an annual basis. Apart from this the players will continue to receive their match fees.Dalmiya said the players could have signed the documents before their departure for Holland, but it could not be done since John Wright was unavailable. quoted Dalmiya as saying, “Had this confirmation come two days earlier, the contracts could have been signed by now. Now let us see if it could be done tomorrow. Otherwise it would be done after the team returns from England.”Wright, Sourav Ganguly, Syed Kirmani (the chairman of selectors), and SK Nair, the secretary of the BCCI, will decide the slotting of the players into the various grades.
JOHANNESBURG, March 3 AFP – Among the millions of cricket enthusiasts following the progress of Sourav Ganguly’s Indian team at the World Cup, the identity of two caught even the players by surprise.India’s deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishan Advani and army chief General Nirmal Vij were the first to call Ganguly’s team after the six-wicket win over arch-rivals Pakistan at centurion last Saturday.Advani spoke to team manager Jyoti Bajpai on the phone from New Delhi and later made separate calls to Ganguly and man-of-the-match Sachin Tendulkar who hit 98 off 75 balls to lead India’s charge of Pakistan’s 7-273.General Vij asked Bajpai to convey his congratulations to the entire 15-man squad, a team official said.”The boys were mighty proud when they were told that the Deputy Prime Minister and Army Chief had called,” the official said.”Both congratulated the team and then asked them to keep up the good work.”The Indians have received thousands of calls since Saturday from fans around the world for maintaining their unbeaten streak against Pakistan at the World Cup.”We have only made it to the Super Sixes. Wonder what awaits us if we win the World Cup?” the official said.Seamer Javagal Srinath and Tendulkar are the only players in the current team who have featured in all World Cup wins against Pakistan in 1992, 1996, 1999 and now.”It’s a terrific feeling, but we have a lot of hard work ahead in the tournament,” said Srinath, looking forward to the start of the Super Sixes on Friday.The Indians, whose only loss in the league came against Australia, will carry forward eight points into the Super Sixes – four gained against the third-placed qualifier and four more from the non-qualifiers.Their opponents for the three matches in the Super Sixes will be known only on Tuesday when the Group B league ends.Kenya are the only ones from the other group assured of a place in the next round, while Sri Lanka, South Africa and New Zealand battle for the two remaining spots.India will play the second-placed team from Group B in their first Super Sixes match under the Newlands lights at Cape Town on Friday.They then clash with group B winner at the Wanderers on March 10 before returning to SuperSport Park in Centurion for the last match against the third team from Group B on March 15.It will be India’s third game in Centurion, having lost to Australia there on February 15 before defeating Pakistan on Saturday.
It’s coming up to two years since I was given the honour of captaining SriLanka. It’s a job that I cherish and that I am very proud to be doing for mycountry. I would have to admit though that it’s not all been plain sailing -the first six months were particularly difficult.The job was given to me after our disappointing performance in the 1999World Cup in England. I had captained the Sri Lanka Under 24 in SouthAfrica, but had never experienced the kind of pressure associated with thenational captaincy.For a start, I was stepping into the shoes of Arjuna Ranatunga, who had ledthe side with such distinction for so long. He left a legacy that was alwaysgoing to be difficult to follow. There was a question mark in my head – canI do it?The huge weight of expectation was a difficult burden to carry. The public’sexpectations had soared after becoming world champions and after the defeatin England the team had a responsibility to perform better. Being thecaptain, the brunt of that responsibility fell on my shoulders and I had tolearn how to carry it.I was lucky though on two counts. Firstly, Dav Whatmore had returned ascoach and was expertly backed up by physiotherapist Alex Kontouri, both ofwhom were full of encouragement and advice. Secondly, the team gave me 100per cent support.The first thing I did upon being given the job was to call together theplayers for a meeting, in which I spelled out our objectives and asked themfor their total support. They did so and continue to do so, which makes thejob so much easier and helped through that difficult early period.The overriding goal was to bring the team together. We needed to merge the15 players and 15 minds into one cohesive whole, so that we could moveforward together as a group, rather thanas a collection of individuals. We achieved that and created a strong teamspirit within the group.Now, when I look back, I believe that we have come a long way. Throughoutthe last two years the emphasis has been on young players, especially in theone-day side, and some have now established their positions in the side. Wenow have a nucleus of talented players and the basis of a tremendously goodside in the future.Although grooming youngsters, we have met with plenty of success and havewon a handful of one-day tournaments. In the Test matches, however, afterearly wins against Australia, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan, we still have a longway to go. The recent loss to England was particularly disappointing.Personally, I feel a large part of the problem has been a lack ofexperience. Test cricket is harder than limited overs, hence the need forexperienced players like Aravinda de Silva and Hashan Tillakaratne.The young players need more games under their belt. Only then will theydevelop the necessary confidence to withstand the pressure of Test cricket.We are moving in the right direction, but need some positive results soon.With youngsters coming into the side and the extra responsibility of thecaptaincy, my batting has developed. I went through a lean patch aftertaking on the job, but emerged from that and have matured as a batsman.Crucially, I have learnt how to adapt my game to the situation and this hasincreased my consistency. That is not to say that I no longer will go forshots, it just depends on the situation.Technically too, I have been working closely with Dav, making slightadjustments to my technique. These have worked and I am looking forward toscoring plenty of runs in the future, hopefully during this tournament!So, two years have passed, much has been achieved, but there is still plentyto be done. We now have to focus more on the 2003 World Cup in South Africaand for this have identified the need for fast bowling all rounders. Duringthe next 18-months we want to start introducing these players wherever theconditions allow it.Now though it’s time to get stuck in because the action is about to startagain.
Glenn McGrath was installed as Worcestershire’s Player of the Year after a defiant but ultimately unsuccessful bid to snatch promotion with victory over Northamptonshire at New Road.The Australian took eight for 41 – the second best return of his career – to dismiss the Second Division champions for 125 and become the leading bowler in the Championship with 76 wickets.But Worcestershire were unable to clutch the last straw when set to make 262 in 43 overs. They could only hold on for a draw at 119 for six with Ryan Driver unbeaten on 47 when bad light brought about an earlyclose.Openers Paul Pollard and Elliott Wilson to leg-side catches in the first two overs from Darren Cousins and Paul Taylor.The long-serving left-armer, Taylor, went on to take four of the first five wickets, including danger man Vikram Solanki, who played one big shot too many after racing to 30 out of 41.So Northamptonshire head for the top-flight while Worcestershire stay in the lower division – and with no McGrath to boost their chances next year. He will be touring with Australia before returning to the county in 2002.An all-action last day began with Worcestershire needing to add 61 to their overnight 50 for five if they were to head off the threat of the follow-on.This was achieved in quick time by David Leatherdale (46) and Steve Rhodes (42) before a declaration at 124 for seven presented Northants with a lead of 136 but only 80 overs in which to conjure up a result.The possibility of setting a target was taken out of their hands as McGrath bowled Adrian Rollins first ball and captured five for 31 in his first spell. Kevin Innes and Toby Baiiley then added precious runs before their tormentor returned to polish off the last three wickets in 11 balls.
With a third of the Premier League season now gone by, the table is starting to find its level and supporters are starting to get a better understanding of where their respective clubs are at this season and the challenge that faces them in the coming months. Once again the Premier League has been broken up into three tiers, with each team facing their own private battle.
Unlike previous years there has certainly been some stability on the managerial front with only Steve Bruce succumbing to the bullet so far, as clubs look to show patience with their managers to turn around their current plights. The managers may not be so patient with players at their disposal and may look to make significant changes in the January transfer window.
The January transfer window is loved and loathed in equal measures, with many managers and supporters alike welcoming the opportunity to freshen things up, while others see it as a source of distraction. History shows it is a renowned place for panic buying, as last January certainly proved, but there have been notable successes in the past that shows it can be a significant period to turn around a club’s fortunes. I feel the African Cup of Nations and the unprecedented amount of long term injuries we have seen will force many club’s hands and subsequently we can expect to see another expensive month for many Premier League chairman.
So how do you feel about Liverpool’s fortunes so far this season and would you look to see changes made in January? Who would you like to see brought in and ultimately who would you like to see moved on in the up and coming window?
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In keeping with the theme of taking stock during this most frenetic of Premier League seasons, our focus during this brief sojourn from top flight action switches to one of the relegation battle’s most intriguing of sub-plots- namely the plight of Aston Villa.
Although the papers have been dominated by stories of how the rise of Manchester City and Tottenham have facilitated the collapse of the big four mentality in the Premier League, the biggest losers in the battle for European football and top half supremacy have undoubtedly been a Villa side that slipped to 1-0 home defeat to relegation rivals Wolves last weekend.
Having been outside bets for the title two seasons ago, Gerard Houllier’s men are looking over their shoulder and are having to face up to a genuine battle for Premier League survival.
Of course they would not be the first side to suffer such a dramatic fall from grace. Fans of Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers remain scarred from their own sudden slips down the league ladder and Newcastle United have only just returned from their own sabbatical in the Championship.
Whereas these other clubs could have seen their slumps coming, Villa fans will struggle to comprehend relegation when the same squad of players reached Wembley twice last season and managed a comfortable top half finish.
Much blame will be attributed to Martin O’Neil’s departure from the Villa hot seat on the eve of the new season, but there is no doubt in the minds of many supporters that the appointment of Houllier has been a backward step for the club.
The Frenchman’s last spell in the Premier League was broadly successful, but by the time he left Liverpool in 2004 he was a figure of frustration for the club’s supporters.
The same can certainly be said for Aston Villa fans at this point in time. Many will struggle to see how a side capable of challenging on multiple fronts last season, have this year have struggled to maintain moderate league form.
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The meek FA Cup surrender to Manchester City was a particular bone of contention for the Villa Park faithful, who saw the Citizens treated with the sort of deference that lower league opposition might show a top flight outfit.
Tony Casacarino claimed in The Times this week that the former French national coach had lost the faith of the dressing room- but is an accurate picture of a club only two wins outside a place in the top ten?
Granted, this campaign has been monumentally disappointing for last year’s Carling Cup finalists, but should Houllier be given the chance to stamp his authority on the Midlands club, or have his tactical and management style been shown up as being outdated? Does he have the hunger and desire to build a team capable of sustained success?
Despite all of this, are Randy Lerner and the rest of the board likely to part company with a manager who has only been in charge at the club since the autumn?
History suggests that a change at this stage is unlikely. Few clubs would dream of giving a new manager such a small window of opportunity to stave off potential relegation. The club have publicly reiterated their support of the under fire Houllier, but concerns must have been expressed privately that in the midst of the closest fought relegation battle in the history of the Premier League, that the squad slip through the trap door.
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Looking across the bottom half of the division, it is not hard to pick out at least half a dozen teams you would imagine to be weaker than the current Villa squad. Of course, we have seen similar sentiments expressed previously, only for the most fancied of teams to slip into the mire, but with games against those closest to them on the horizon it certainly appears that the opportunity to rescue themselves from the unthinkable remains in hand.
Nevertheless, with games against Liverpool and Sunderland to come immediately before this, the resolve of the Villa board could be sorely tested if the club arrives at Easter with no further points in the bank.
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Manchester United will be going into the new Premier League campaign off the back of largely disappointing 2009 /2010 season. Last season threw up many nearly moments for Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and, after falling short in the major domestic and European competitions, United only had the Carling Cup to show for their efforts.
It’s widely recognised that if United want to regain their status as the biggest and best club in the world then Ferguson will have to dip into this season’s transfer market.
With the inevitable retirement of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville; question marks hanging above Owen Hargreaves’ fitness and a lack of back-up for an aging Edwin van der Sar, United need a major reconstruction.
The World Cup in South Africa has acted as a shop window over the summer and various players have caught the eyes of Europe’s top clubs.
A player that has certainly caught my eye is Dutch shot stopper Maarten Stekelenburg who was ever present at the world cup during Holland’s impressive run to the final.
Stekelenburg, who plays in Holland with Ajax, has put in some great performances this summer most-notably in the final against Spain.
This, along with his young age of only 27 makes him a realistic target for Ferguson this term. Reports have indicated that Stekelenburg would invite a move to Old Trafford and if the price is right then we could see a new understudy for van der Sar next season.
After watching Manchester United last season it’s become worrying how much pressure is put on the shoulders of Wayne Rooney. Without Rooney on the pitch the team seems to run out of ideas without any real cutting edge in front of goal.
Ferguson has recently renewed his interest in Italian bad boy Mario Balotelli despite him having yet another season riddled with disciplinary problems. Balotelli has been declared ‘priceless’ by Inter Milan sporting director Marco Branca. However, it’s understood that the Nerazzuri could let the troubled 19-year-old leave if a bid of around £30million is tabled.
More bizarrely, the media has even thrown former United player Diego Forlan into the mix following his Golden Ball performance at the World Cup. However, I think Ferguson will be wiser than to buy a 31-year-old who’s already proven that he can’t hack life in the Premier League.
In addition to these players come the usual suspects. Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema, despite not travelling with the troubled France squad, has cropped up as another familiar name on Fergusons wish list. The problem is, Real Madrid are likely to over-price the under-performing super star which would lead Ferguson to look elsewhere.
Written By Jordan William Ormrod
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Click on image to see a gallery of the BEST BABES at the World Cup this summer
Manchester United moved back to the top of Group C of the Champions League with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Otelul Galati on Wednesday night.
An early goal from Antonio Valencia had the Old Trafford faithful hoping that the floodgates would open, but they had to wait until the 87th minute for a second, when Wayne Rooney’s shot took a deflection off Cristian Sarghi to seal the victory.
After the game Sir Alex Ferguson spoke of the importance of getting three points against the Romanians.
“Winning was important. The opposition were very aggressive, they defended well, pressed us everywhere and made it difficult for us,” he told Sky Sports.
“The win makes it more comfortable for us at the top of the group and if we beat Benfica we win the group, it’s as simple as that. It should be a very good night.”
Ferguson started Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen in attack, but the English striker had to be replaced in the early exchanges with a new injury.
“It’s a blow for the lad. He’s done a thigh muscle and it’s a complete freak. I feel for him. It’s difficult to say how long-term it is,” the Scottish coach continued.
With the two fringe attackers starting up front, Rooney started in a central midfield role, and his manager was happy with the performance put in by the England star.
“I thought he was fantastic in central midfield. His awareness of people around him and choice of passing was really good. He did very well for us tonight.
“I think it’s a short-term thing at the moment. It’s difficult to say. The opposition played really well against us tonight but I’d be confident of playing him there (against bigger teams),” Ferguson concluded.
United received a boost in the other game in the pool, as Benfica dropped points by drawing 1-1 with Basel at the Estadio da Luz.
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Rodrigo Moreno put the Portuguese side into the lead after less than five minutes, but the Swiss visitors fought back and a goal from Benjamin Huggel in the second half meant the spoils were shared.
United host Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, and will look to make up ground on cross-town rivals and current league leaders Manchester City.
Tottenham fans will still be celebrating this morning after making it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It wasn’t vintage Spurs at White Hart Lane last night, but they showed plenty of resilience and manager Harry Redknapp is looking forward to the next round, as long as Tottenham avoid Barcelona!
Elsewhere in the newspapers this morning, the fallout from Arsenal’s loss at the Nou Camp continues, with Gunners ‘keeper Manuel Almunia questioning his teammate’s effort while Sergio Busquets has also stuck the knife in and accused Arsenal of lacking ambition. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his media silence, Chelsea’s Ashley Cole is set to escape police punishment and Manchester City are set to take a financial hit on Felipe Caicedo.
Harry: Don’t give us Barca – The Sun
Arsenal criticised for lack of ambition – Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson breaks media silence – Guardian
Gerrard facing operation on injury – Daily Mail
City set to take £4m hit – Daily Mirror
Almunia accuses Arsenal of walking – Telegraph
Cole to avoid police punishment – Guardian
Newcastle line up move for Espanyol striker Jose Maria Callejon – Daily Mail
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Dzeko: I won’t flop live Shevchenko – The Sun
Stoke after out-of-favour Aston Villa defender – Daily Mirror