All posts by h716a5.icu

THE Western Australian Cricket Association is pleased to announce that bowler Matthew Nicholson has been cleared to resume training.

Western Australia Cricket Association10-Dec-2002THE Western Australian Cricket Association is pleased to announce that bowler Matthew Nicholson has been cleared to resume training.Nicholson suffered a rare arm injury when bowling during last Friday night’s ING Cup win over Tasmania.In a freak injury the former Test paceman ruptured a tendon in his right forearm when bowling the fourth ball of his first over.He had an MRI scan on Monday and was examined by a surgeon on Monday night.Nicholson is receiving constant treatment from WACA physiotherapist, Ross Clifford."The issue now is to ease the pain in Matthew’s arm and get him playing as soon as we possibly can," Clifford said."We want him to be completely pain free by the weekend with a view to him resuming playing."Nicholson will endeavour to be fully recovered in time to play club cricket in the SunSmart League with Scarborough on Saturday.If he bowls without pain, Nicholson will be available for selection in the Pura Cup match against the Southern Redbacks in Adelaide starting on Thursday-week, December 19.

India will be able to factor the dangers posed by Chris Cairns out of their plans for at least the first Test of their National Bank series with New Zealand starting on December 12

Lynn McConnell30-Nov-2002India will be able to factor the dangers posed by Chris Cairns out of their plans for at least the first Test of their National Bank series with New Zealand starting on December 12.Cairns is unavailable for the first Test in Wellington, although he may be available for the second Test starting a week later in Hamilton.The world-class all-rounder is wary of committing himself too soon to the physical workloads needed after his recovery from knee surgery earlier this year after feeling he came back too quickly after another operation to play in Australia last year.Cairns only bowled five overs for Canterbury as he slowly worked his way back into the game in their match with Otago yesterday in Dunedin.The news was not new to selection chairman Sir Richard Hadlee and he said that Cairns had told him some time ago that he was targeting the first One-Day International against India on Boxing Day as his comeback time.However, he subsequently told Hadlee that he would like to be considered for the second Test.Time is short for Cairns to get the required bowling behind him before the match so there may be a temptation to leave him until the one-day series as the most important role he is to play this summer is in New Zealand’s World Cup plan. However, he is still going to lead New Zealand in the Super Max International against India in Christchurch on Wednesday. But whether that is as a batsman only will be decided on the day.Andre Adams will also not be ready for the Test series while he recovers from the stress fracture in his back, his recovery prospects also having been diminished due to the suspension he received in club play last weekend which denied him an outing for Auckland against Northern Districts.Their absence from Test consideration has livened the race to join Shane Bond in the Test attack. Daryl Tuffey and Ian Butler appeal as the most likely prospects while Scott Styris is almost assured of playing his first Test match at home.That would give New Zealand a useful attack of Bond, Tuffey, Butler, Styris and Daniel Vettori. Canterbury’s Chris Martin could force his way into the frame with some good bowling in the two State Championship matches available to him.

The multi-billion dollar Indian Premier League appears to have netted another big name with Dilip Vengsarkar, the former Indian captain and current chairman of selectors, reportedly set to join them as the Director of Operations

Cricinfo staff11-Jun-2008
Is Dilip Vengsarkar set to join the IPL bandwagon? © Getty Images
The multi-billion-dollar Indian Premier League appears to have netted another big name with Dilip Vengsarkar, the former India captain and current chairman of selectors, reportedly set to join the league as its Director of Operations.Reports suggest Vengsarkar, whose tenure ends in September, will join the IPL for a two-year period and is expected to be paid an annual salary of around US$ 235,000.The move will come as a major step in the Indian board’s relationship with Vengsarkar, one that has been strained in the past. Vengsarkar had his share of run-ins with the BCCI, including one over writing columns in newspapers. He even demanded a hefty compensation for having to stop writing.Now Vengsarkar is set to join two other former India captains in the IPL roster – Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri are already part of the IPL governing council.

RECORD-breaking paceman Jo Angel will stride from a successful England league season into a youthful Western Warriors team to play Victoria on Sunday.

Western Australia Cricket Association25-Sep-2002RECORD-breaking paceman Jo Angel will stride from a successful England league season into a youthful Western Warriors team to play Victoria on Sunday.The genial giant, who has taken more Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup wickets (387) than any other West Australian, will make his return on his club home ground at Lilac Hill.But, Champion Western Warriors speedster Brad Williams has been rested for matches against the Bushrangers.He has been granted leave to freshen up following his recent Australia "A" tour of South Africa.Star batting pair Mike Hussey and Murray Goodwin, who both enjoyed outstanding English County seasons this year, have also been granted a week’s leave by Warriors coach Mike Veletta.However, all-rounder Darren Wates has suffered a slight setback after he strained his groin.The 25-year-old had substantial surgery to his groin during the winter. His soreness after his first match conditions bowling last week will force the popular squad member onto the sidelines for up to three weeks.Williams has been excused from Warriors one-day matches against the Bushrangers on Friday and Sunday and a two-day game against his former state at Richardson Park in South Perth on Monday and Tuesday.Williams wants to refresh his mind and body for the start of the season in tour matches against England in Perth next month."I bowl at my best when I’m fresh," he said."A few days off after a pretty hectic travel and playing schedule in South Africa and I will be raring to go again."Coach Veletta said nursing his battery of fast bowlers is important in the Warriors limited-overs and first-class campaign in the approaching season."Brad had had a very intense three weeks on the road with Australia A," Veletta said."We are very conscious of our obligations not to overload these fast bowlers so early into the season with such a heavy schedule in front of them."Veletta said "nothing should be read into" appointments of all-rounder Brad Hogg and wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Campbell as captains for the two limited-over matches against the Bushrangers.Friday’s Team (The match commencing at 10am)Brad Hogg (Captain), Kade Harvey, Andrew James, Stuart Karppinen, Marcus North, Luke Ronchi, Craig Simmons, Michael Thistle, Callum Thorp, Adam Voges and Geoff Cullen.Sunday’s Team (the match commencing at 10am)Ryan Campbell (Captain), Jo Angel, Sean Cary, Beau Casson, Michael Clark, Shaun Marsh, Scott Meuleman, Matthew Nicholson, Marcus North, Chris Rogers and Peter Worthington.

Steven Gerrard could be set for a huge blow at Rangers this summer, as Watford are reportedly in talks to sign Glen Kamara, which could well tempt the midfielder away from Ibrox.

According to Italian football journalist Gianluigi Longari on Twitter, Watford are in ongoing negotiations with Rangers as they look to bring the Finland international to Vicarage Road this summer, following their promotion back to the top-flight.

Kamara has established himself as a key player at Ibrox since completing a bargain switch from Dundee in 2019, going on to make 106 appearances for Gerrard’s side, contributing four goals and five assists in that time.

The former Arsenal youngster played a key part in Rangers winning the league title unbeaten last season, making 33 appearances in the Scottish top-flight, whilst he was also a regular in their Europa League campaign.

After such an impressive season, it is no surprise that Premier League sides are starting to take notice of Kamara, and there will be plenty of eyes on him at Euro 2020, where he has already shown his quality for Finland in their 1-0 win against Denmark and 1-0 defeat against Russia.

[snack-amp-story url=”https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-rangers-transfer-rumours-and-news” title=”Read the latest Rangers transfer rumours and news!”]

During the defeat against Stanislav Cherchesov’s side earlier this week, Kamara earned the praise of BBC commentators Robyn Cowen and Martin Keown, who said:

“He’s really bursting onto the ball there, he’s impressed me has Kamara today, as he did in the other game

“He’s really important for Finland.”

“He has been described as a Rolls Royce.”

The 25-year-old reportedly earns just £6.2k per week at Ibrox and whilst there is the offer of Champions League football at Rangers next season, he may well have his head turned by the wages and Premier League football that Watford can offer.

[freshpress-quiz id=“593776″]

Gerrard would be gutted to lose one of his most influential players ahead of next season but there may be little he can do to convince Kamara to stay should Watford meet Rangers’ valuation for the midfielder this summer.

And, in other news… Rangers could sign their long-term Defoe heir with swoop for “fabulous” gem

Runs were not easy to come by under the Hove lights as Sussex Sharks and Lancashire Lightning played out a tense Norwich Union Division Two League match

Ralph Dellor20-Aug-2002Runs were not easy to come by under the Hove lights as Sussex Sharks and Lancashire Lightning played out a tense Norwich Union Division Two League match. In the end, it was the visitors who edged home in a game that showed it is not necessary to have a lot of runs to produce an exciting finish.Sussex Sharks won the toss and elected to bat but were soon in trouble. Glen Chapple took three quick wickets and it was left to Murray Goodwin with an innings of 40 to keep the home side afloat. He only just about managed to do so with wickets falling at regular intervals. The only other batsman to exceed 20 was Matt Prior with 30 and a total of 169 all out in exactly 45 overs did not appear to be a total to cause problems to the visitors.Despite losing Alec Swann early on, the other batsmen all got themselves in, but then got themselves out. With a rather long tail Lightning must have been concerned when the rate started to rise and every time they appeared to have the situation under control, a wicket fell to set them back in their tracks. Chris Schofield was the man who really settled things down with his unorthodox approach to batting, but it proved to be very effective until he was bowled by Billy Taylor while playing an ungainly and unnecessary stroke. Nevertheless, his innings of 36 was the top score.James Kirtley bowled an over at John Wood with the batsman only making contact with one ball, but he remained to strike the first ball of the last over through the leg side for four and Lancashire Lightning had eased home by four wickets. With the four points, they keep outside hopes of promotion alive, so close is the grouping in the middle of the table.

If players perform for New Zealand they will be better off financially under the payment system offered by New Zealand Cricket in pay talks with the national Cricket Players’ Association

Lynn McConnell23-Oct-2002If players perform for New Zealand they will be better off financially under the payment system offered by New Zealand Cricket in pay talks with the national Cricket Players’ Association.That was the message today from New Zealand Cricket’s (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden in response to claims that NZC wasn’t being reasonable in what it was offering the players.Snedden said that it had been frustrating not to receive a response from the Players’ Association to the offer when talks were held in Wellington yesterday.The Players’ Association have said they will respond to the offer by Monday, and despite the fact it is a public holiday both parties have agreed it was necessary for the response to be made then in order for talks to resume on Wednesday.Snedden said he thought it was a bit much for the Players’ Association to be expecting NZC to be paying the costs of the Association not only for this round of negotiations but into the future as well. The demand is part of the Players’ Association bargaining document.Just because the Australian Cricket Board and the New Zealand Rugby Football Union paid for their players’ committees, Snedden said he didn’t agree with the principle.”I have suggested the players should have a clear understanding of this issue,” he said.The cost to NZC of paying for the Players’ Association was estimated to be around $300,000.Snedden said that while yesterday’s meeting had resolved “a whole lot of secondary issues” he was disappointed that the NZC bargaining team had been given no indication of where the Players’ Association stood on the key issues.”Until we get their offer I don’t know what progress we can make on those issues,” he said.”The players’ association raised our expectations with their comments on Monday but then that didn’t happen,” he said.Snedden denied that the concerns of New Zealand’s leading players were not being addressed.”New Zealand Cricket is well aware of how important the key players are to New Zealand cricket,” he said.NZC had a constitutional requirement to foster cricket in New Zealand across the board and he felt the 75-80% of resources that went into the elite aspects of the game was about the right figure.”All the different groups in New Zealand cricket are entitled to be respected,” he said.”Everyone knows we have limited funding. We don’t pay top dollar because we can’t.”Australia, England and India are well out in front of the rest of the world for obvious reasons,” he said when referring to the greater financial resources of those countries.While the withdrawal of players’ services for the month of October was nearing an end, Snedden said it was too early to be talking deadlines for decisions to be made.Snedden said he had not been surprised the process was taking some time to resolve. Players’ associations, a concept he supports, have been using their muscle increasingly around the world and dispute was a natural consequence of the process when the participants were so far apart in their views.Snedden said he had been keeping all of NZC’s major commercial partners in touch with what was happening and they had “universally confirmed their support for NZC,” he said.Meanwhile, Snedden said the interests of women’s cricket were not a factor in the Players’ Association concerns.Women’s cricket around the world was an amateur game.”In New Zealand we in fact have the best professional set-up in the world for women’s cricket.”We don’t make any player payments in the women’s game and have never been asked by them to get involved in a players’ association,” he said.

Portsmouth must complete a swoop for “excellent” Millwall utility man Shane Ferguson this summer.

What’s the talk?

The midfielder has admitted that he will be leaving the club on a free transfer this summer as he is not happy with sitting on the bench on a regular basis. Football Insider claimed earlier this year that Portsmouth were in talks with the 29-year-old over a loan switch to Fratton Park, although it failed to materialise on deadline day.

Ferguson is out of contract at the end of the month and has said that he wants to playing instead of watching on from the bench at Millwall, which is why he has decided to leave the club.

He told London News Online: “It just felt natural (to leave Millwall now). I didn’t play much this season and I want to be playing. I didn’t feel I could do another season of that, it wouldn’t be good for my career at all.

“I had a good chat with the manager, we were both really honest where we were at with it. I’m looking forward to what happens next, I’ve left that to my agent. I’m away on internationals and I’m focused on that, just keeping myself fit. I’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.”

Millwall manager Gary Rowett has lauded the “excellent” Northern Ireland international and commended his work in training despite his lack of involvement on matchdays – the 29-year-old started just two Championship matches last season.

Rowett told London News Online: “Fergie is a great lad. He comes in every day and he trains well. He never gives you an ounce of a problem off the pitch and comes battering your door down.

“I know he wants to play more, he desperately wants to play more. Sometimes you get to the point with a player when they are a full international that you can’t keep them from playing and starting games for a further season.

“I think it is one of those natural ones where Fergie recognises he needs to go and play more regularly and we have to create some space in the squad financially and numbers wise to go and do something different.

“But as a player he has been excellent for me and brilliant around the group.”

Cowley would love him

Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley would surely love to have Ferguson at Fratton Park. For starters, the deal makes financial sense for Pompey as he is available on a free transfer. This means that the club can avoid negotiating with Millwall over a fee and will only need to worry about the player’s personal demands, rather than the club desperately trying to find the money to pay a seven-figure sum for his services.

Secondly, he has played plenty of football at Championship level and could provide experience for the younger players in the group at Portsmouth. Over the last four seasons with Millwall, Ferguson has played 101 times for Millwall in the second tier – scoring twice and setting up seven goals – whilst being deployed as a left-back and as a left-midfielder.

This shows that he could have the quality to drop down to League One and be a useful player for Cowley, as he has been picked to play more than 100 times across four seasons in a higher division.

The £6,000-per-week dynamo could also strike a chord with Cowley because of his attitude. The quotes from Rowett above suggest that Ferguson is extremely professional and a great character to have in the dressing room. This could be beneficial for when times are tough as Ferguson can make sure that setbacks do not keep him down for long whilst helping his teammates lift their own spirits throughout the season.

This combination of experience, professionalism and the absence of a transfer fee make him an ideal transfer target for Cowley and Portsmouth.

AND in other news, Pompey must sanction swoop for 10 G/A ace who is a “nightmare for defenders”…

The England women’s cricket team will play current World Champions New Zealand tomorrow, with victory guaranteeing either team a place in the inaugural women’s One-Day International tournament final at Chester-le-Street on Saturday 20th July.

Media Release15-Jul-2002Vodafone sponsor the England women’s cricket teamThe England women’s cricket team will play current World Champions New Zealand tomorrow, with victory guaranteeing either team a place in the inaugural women’s one-day international tournament final at Chester-le-Street on Saturday 20th July.Both teams have six points, following convincing victories over India last week in Jersey, and the teams took 2 points each following their rain abandoned match on Friday.The match will be played at Durham’s Racecourse Ground, with India playing New Zealand at the same venue on Wednesday, followed by England v India on Friday 19th July at Chester-le-Street.

According to TuttoSport (via The Boot Room), Tottenham are interested in signing Arkadiusz Milik from Napoli this summer.

The Lowdown: Spurs target a striker

Harry Kane recently dropped a bombshell on the club when he revealed that he wants to leave north London this summer (Sky Sports).

As such, Spurs could well need a new striker. That has led to them targetting a forward who has regularly been compared to Robert Lewandowski.

The Latest: Spurs eye Milik

It is now being reported Spurs are interested in Poland international Milik, who currently plays for Marseille in France on loan from Napoli.

Along with Tottenham, Juventus are also said to be interested in signing the 27-year-old.

The Verdict: Good target

Milik has struggled with injuries in the past, but he is certainly a forward who knows how to find the back of the net. In 281 senior career matches, he has managed 119 goals, with his best spell coming at Ajax, where he managed 47 in 75 outings (Transfermarkt).

With 34 career assists, he is also capable of creating for his teammates. Currently valued at £19.8m (Transfermarkt), he could be available for a good price as well.

The sale of Kane would bring in a considerable amount of money for Spurs – if they could sign Milik for a reasonable price, they would have plenty of funds to improve other parts of the squad as well.

In other news, Spurs are interested in signing this Bundesliga midfielder.