All posts by h716a5.icu

Boyd Rankin will play for Ireland for the first time since the World Cup after being named in the squad to face Kenya

Cricinfo staff19-Aug-2008Boyd Rankin will play for Ireland for the first time since the World Cup after being named in the squad to face Kenya. Rankin, who is now with Warwickshire, is available for the first two games of the three-match series.He has had an injury-hit season and only made his Warwickshire debut last week, taking four wickets against Essex in the County Championship.Captain William Porterfield and Gary Wilson have been released by their counties – Gloucestershire and Surrey respectively – for all of the games, but Niall O’Brien is only there for the first before returning to Northamptonshire, while Eoin Morgan misses all three.The matches will be played at Stormont, on August 24, 25, and 27.Squad William Porterfield (capt), Andre Botha, Peter Connell, Alex Cusack, Gary Kidd, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Paul Stirling, Reinhardt Strydom, Andrew White, Gary Wilson

The ECB has confirmed that Michael Vaughan won’t be selected for the Test series in India

Cricinfo staff27-Sep-2008
Michael Vaughan troops off after another late-season failure for Yorkshire © Getty Images
The ECB has confirmed that Michael Vaughan won’t be selected for the Test series in India, the squad for which will be announced on Monday.Vaughan, who was awarded a central contract earlier this month, stood down as captain after the penultimate Test of the summer and chose to miss the last match at The Oval. He had been looking to regain his form playing for Yorkshire, but in four Championship innings he managed only 41 runs.”Michael has not been selected for the tour of India because his place in the Test squad cannot be justified based on recent form,” said national selector Geoff Miller. “Our view is that it will be to England’s benefit if he takes a break from international cricket in the period leading up to Christmas and spends time working on his game.”We have discussed the situation with Michael. He fully understands the reasons for the selectors’ decision and has made clear to us that he is fully committed to winning back his place in the England Test side.”Miller, though, offered Vaughan hope of a return, possibly on the tour of West Indies early next year, and the ECB is putting a schedule together to help him find some cricket. He could follow a similar path to Andrew Strauss and Steve Harmison last winter, when they played in New Zealand and South Africa respectively prior to tours. Strauss is the best comparison, as he was then recalled for the New Zealand tour after being dropped for the Sri Lanka trip.”Like all centrally contracted players Michael will be given a clear programme over the next six months which will include training and match practice over the winter period,” Miller added. “With a busy period of international cricket on the horizon, we would like to stress that he remains very much part of our plans over the coming year.”When Vaughan stepped down as captain, following the third Test against South Africa, he said he still wanted to extend his career. “I believe the best thing for me is to try and get back to being best batsmen I can be. I’ll still have all the experience and knowledge to pass on and I hope to be a valuable player for both my county and the England team.”Vaughan opted out of Yorkshire’s final match against Sussex at Hove – a game they went into needing to win to guarantee staying up – and there has been increasing speculation that he is looking at other options.

The Chronicle have dropped a big update on reported Newcastle transfer target Axel Tuanzebe regarding his thoughts on a possible move to the northeast.

What’s the talk?

According to The Chronicle, the Manchester United centre-back is interested in signing for the Tyneside club on a season-long loan deal this month.

Football Insider claimed that the Magpies are keen on the defender, who is seemingly open to making the move happen, as Steve Bruce eyes reinforcements for his squad before the end of the transfer window.

Fans will be buzzing

Newcastle fans will surely be buzzing with this news as it is an encouraging update which seems to suggest that there is a strong chance of a deal being done. The club wants it to happen, the player wants it to happen, and now it is down to whether or not Manchester United are prepared to loan him out to the Magpies.

If they agree to it, then it could become a simple process for Newcastle and Tuanzebe given the mutual desire for the move. However, it would be in Bruce’s best interests to get a deal over the line as quickly as possible to prevent another club from swooping in to tempt him away from St James’ Park, with Aston Villa also interested in the 23-year-old.

The Toon Army must be delighted as the defender could be an excellent addition to the squad. He is a promising young talent who has already shown glimpses of his quality at first team level for the Reds Devils.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lauded him as a “tremendous” defender after he was able to produce an impressive display against French forward Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain last year.

The Norwegian said: “Axel’s a tremendous defender, a great leader. He’s come through the academy and we’ve known for years that he’s going to be a top player for us and he’s got the character and the attitude that a Man United player should have.”

Solskjaer added: “Sometimes you’ll get in a foot race with Mbappe and you have to run with him and we know Axel’s qualities, he’s a top defender.”

This shows that the £38k-per-week beast has the potential to be a strong performer on the Champions League stage, suggesting that he would also excel in the Premier League. Furthermore, his 88.6% passing accuracy last season was better than any Newcastle starter managed throughout the campaign, so he could be a tremendous asset in terms of improving ball retention for the Magpies.

Newcastle fans could enjoy seeing his development under Bruce at St James’ Park next season if they are able to secure a loan for the centre-back, which is why they must act swiftly to get this over the line.

AND in other news, Newcastle could land dream midfield signing with swoop for £100k-p/w “special talent”…

Owais Shah has said he was “kind of surprised” to be included in the 15-man squad for the two-Test series in India in December

Cricinfo staff30-Sep-2008
Owais Shah: “I wasn’t expecting it but I’m very pleased that I’ve been selected to go to India” © Getty Images
Owais Shah, the England and Middlesex batsman, has said he was “kind of surprised” to be included in the 15-man squad for the two-Test series in India in December. Shah was preferred to Ravi Bopara, who was in the squad for the Oval Test against South Africa.”I got a phone call from Geoff Miller this morning saying I was selected and I was a bit shocked,” Shah told . “I wasn’t expecting it but I’m very pleased that I’ve been selected to go to India as part of the Test team. I’m just really happy to get the opportunity to play for England. Hopefully I can take that chance this winter.”Shah had made his debut in Mumbai during the 2006 tour of India and made a vital contribution – scoring 88 and 38 – towards England leveling the series. Since then, he’s played only one more Test, against West Indies at Lord’s in 2007.”I had a reasonable Test match [on debut],” Shah said. “I quite enjoyed the challenges of the subcontinent. Obviously you’ve got the spin bowlers over there being very good in Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh. The conditions are also quite tough. It’s very warm out there and you have to take plenty of fluids on board. I was subject to a lot of cramps the last time I played there.”In his column for former England captain Nasser Hussain wrote that Shah’s inclusion in the squad showed a “slight inconsistency” in selection.”If you remember the last Test squad that was announced against South Africa at The Oval, Ravi Bopara was in it,” Hussain said. “He made the 13 but not the actual side, but how come he isn’t good enough to be in the 15 now?”Hussain was also of the opinion that England changed their wicketkeeper too many times. Matt Prior, who made a comeback during the one-dayers against South Africa, and Tim Ambrose are the wicketkeepers in the squad.”Peter Moores has known Prior and Ambrose for a long time now since their Sussex days and it’s just time to work out which one is the better one – and stick with him,” Hussain said.”For me I would have gone with Prior and I would have gone with James Foster – if they don’t believe Ambrose is the right choice – and I am not one just to stick with Ambrose just because he played this summer. I think Foster and Prior are the best two but the selectors have seen it differently. All I would call for is some consistency.”

West Ham United have set their sights on a new central defensive target, according to reports…

What’s the word?

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath claims that the Irons are now considering a move for Southampton and Denmark colossus Jannik Vestergaard.

It’s thought that the 29-year-old was considered last summer but he opted to stay at St Mary’s for another season but he is now entering the final year of his £60k-per-week contract, thus making him a viable option before this month’s deadline.

David Moyes was interested in Chelsea centre-back Kurt Zouma but talks failed to progress very far, whilst his primary defensive target Nikola Milenkovic could come at a hefty price.

Transfermarkt currently value the 6 foot 6 Denmark titan at £16.2m.

Sullivan must swoop

Given Vestergaard’s experience in the Premier League, he must be considered a very good option, and if David Sullivan and co were to make their move, it would certainly end this ongoing defensive nightmare for Moyes.

The Denmark international has been integral to the Saints’ fortunes in recent seasons, having racked up 79 appearances for the club since joining in 2018.

“An outcast for much of last season, an epitome of the transformation since last autumn,” wrote Ben Fisher in the Guardian when describing the Dane last November.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-west-ham-news-transfer-rumours-the-latest-gossip-and-more” title= “Read the latest West Ham news, transfer rumours, gossip and much more!”]

Indeed, Vestergaard rated out as Ralph Hasenhuttl’s third-best player for the 2020/21 season, behind the midfield talents of James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu.

At 6 foot 6, he’s obviously a massively imposing presence – an average of 3.3 aerial battles won per game also highlights that – but he also has displayed impressive ball-playing qualities, averaging a 83.3% passing accuracy despite spraying 3.6 long balls per game, via WhoScored.

“It’s his passing. It reminds me of [Virgil] Van Dijk. I call it a stationary platform,” claimed Martin Keown to talkSPORT. “When you don’t run with the ball you stop and when you look at those two, the way the ping balls, the way he threads things into midfield, the challenges, he’s a big man.”

Furthermore, Hasenhuttl has waxed lyrical about his leadership qualities and that should appeal to Moyes greatly, especially if Angelo Ogbonna faces a further stint on the sidelines through injury.

“This season, especially, he has shown some very good qualities and has developed his game massively. He knows that we want him here,” the Saints boss said, via HampshireLive. “I think he feels at the moment like a real leader on the pitch.”

Vestergaard’s current contract situation surely benefits West Ham, so GSB must look to secure him before the end of the month. Moyes would surely love him at the London Stadium.

AND in other news, West Ham can seal bargain swoop for “physical” £18m-rated beast, Moyes would love him…

Many Aston Villa fans have been expressing their delight on Twitter after the club posted footage showing Danny Ings’ first goal at Villa Park in a 3-1 pre-season friendly win against Salernitana.

Producing commendable numbers in 2020/21, the 29-year-old registered 17 goal contributions in 33 appearances for Southampton, with 13 goals and four assists [Transfermarkt]. That fine return prompted Villa to swoop for his services in a deal worth £31.68m, and the early signs under Dean Smith are promising.

As his new club saw off recently-promoted Serie A outfit Salernitana, Ings converted from close range after a pinpoint pass from Jaden Philogene-Bidace. In an entertaining encounter, Anwar El-Ghazi and Ashley Young also got on the scoresheet after Joel Obi opened the scoring for the visitors [avfc.co.uk].

Aston Villa fans react to Ings’ goal

Replying to Aston Villa’s official Twitter account after it posted footage of Ings’ strike, here is what some fans had to say about the “awesome” finish:

“What a signing!! #SaintsFc are going to miss his goals so much, hopefully he’s our missing piece to fire us into Europe! Watkins x Ings #AVFC”

Credit: @VillaWatch1

“Ingsyyyy”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“Feed the goal machine and watch Danny go”

Credit: @MerseMagic

“His movement in the box is first class”

Credit: @raffsteveraff

 “Absolute bagsman”

Credit: @DL1992_”Awesome”Credit: @sankeysaddleryIn other news, many Aston Villa fans react to an update on this transfer target

The women’s Challenger Series kicks off just a few weeks before India’s tour to Australia

Nishi Narayanan01-Oct-2008
A strong performance in the Challenger Series could help Anjum Chopra make a comeback to the national squad © AFP
The second women’s Challenger Series gets underway in Ahmedabad on Thursday and the timing couldn’t be better since India will be heading to Australia later in the month for five ODIs and one Twenty20.The 39 players, divided into India Senior, India A and India B squads, will get a chance to impress the new selection committee, headed by former Indian batsman Sandhya Agarwal, before the tour. And with two World Cups – one in Australia – in the next nine months, the selectors will be keen to have a look at the available talent collected under one roof.The players for whom the Challenger Series is crucial can be categorised into two groups: seniors trying to make comebacks, like Anjum Chopra, Preeti Dimri, Karuna Jain and Nooshin Al Khadeer; and younger players hoping to fix their place in the side, like Niranjana Nagarajan, Gouher Sultana and Snehal Pradhan.After India’s 4-0 defeat in the ODI series in England, Mithali Raj had said the lack of experience may have been one of the reasons for the team’s dismal show. If the new selectors feel the same way, then Chopra and Co. must string together a series of performances in the Challengers that are hard to ignore. However India’s fielding has been a cause for concern for a while now and the selectors may pick younger players as a solution.Five players to watch out for:Niranjana Nagarajan: She made her debut in England last month as a replacement for the injured Rumeli Dhar. Nagarajan took only one wicket in two matches but the hard Australian pitches will favour faster bowling so a half-decent Challenger Series could get her picked for her second overseas tour in three months.
Gouher Sultana: Anju Jain, the former head of the selection committee, backed the 20-year old left-arm spinner saying she could soon be an integral part of the Indian squad. Sultana had a successful Asia Cup – taking six wickets from five matches – but struggled in unfavourable English conditions. The Challenger Series, played on a spin-friendly surface, will help restore her confidence and, if she is among the wickets, the selectors could pick her as the starting spinner for Australia.Nooshin Al Khadeer: Another left-arm spinner, who will be competing with Sultana for a place in the squad. Nooshin was overlooked for the Asia Cup and the England tour and is eager to prove herself ahead of the Australia series. She needs four wickets to become the third Indian woman to cross 100 wickets in ODIs.Anjum Chopra: Like Nooshin, Chopra’s last international series was the Quadrangulars in February-March 2007. But India’s miserable performance in England may urge the selectors to recall her for the tour to Australia, where she averages 33.33 from three games, based on how she does in the Challengers.Asha Rawat: Judging by her three half-centuries in the Asia Cup, Rawat should score heavily on the slow Ahmedabad pitch and get her first tour of Australia.

Aston Villa must make a ruthless call on Anwar El Ghazi this summer amid a recent transfer update on his future.

What’s the story?

When asked about reports linking the Dutchman with an exit from Villa Park this summer, The Birmingham Mail’s Ashley Preece replied: “He’s got less than two years left on his deal and there’s been no talk whatsoever about Villa wanting to extend it which tells you everything.

“It’s a big season for AEG who *could* be sold for a small profit. I am, though, expecting him to stay knowing Trezeguet’s out long term. AEG scored 10 last season; his Villa career is in the balance going into this one…”

And now, according to Football Insider, Villa are now planning to sell the winger, and could secure a fee of up to £17m for him.

The report adds that Dean Smith accepts his squad is too full at the moment, and is prepared to let El Ghazi leave on a permanent basis.

Dean Smith must sell

A lack of consistency is something that has affected El Ghazi badly in his time at Villa Park – last season score the bulk of his 10 Premier League goals in just two purple patches over the course of the campaign – and it’s something Smith will no doubt be wary about.

And, speaking back in September, Villa journalist Dan Bardell, said: “There’s something wrong with him. I think his head has just dropped completely. I think (his) confidence is absolutely on the floor – that never helps – but if people like (Henri) Lansbury and El Ghazi, they’re not taking games like this by the scruff of the neck, then they’re not going to be playing in the Premier League either.”

The £40k-a-week earning ace now has incredibly stiff competition for a place out wide, and it’s difficult to see how he would fit into the strongest starting eleven at Villa with these new signings at the club.

The likes of Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey have arrived to further strengthen the wide areas, while you already have Bertrand Traore and Trezeguet still waiting in the wings too – although the latter is currently injured at the moment.

This summer represents the perfect chance for the Midlands club to cash in and take advantage of AS Roma’s interest in him. It would be a ruthless call to sell someone who was Villa’s second top scorer last season, but it’s one that makes sense given the kind of upwards direction the club are now heading in with their impressive recruitment.

Meanwhile, Ashley Preece has dropped a new Aston Villa transfer update…

In what appears to be a softening of his earlier stance, Ijaz Butt, thenew chairman of the PCB, has said he bears no grudge against GeoffLawson, the Pakistan coach, and that the PCB will continue to support himthrough the rest of his contract period

Cricinfo staff23-Oct-2008
Geoff Lawson has been promised full support till his contract ends in August next year © AFP
In what appears to be a softening of his earlier stance, Ijaz Butt, thenew chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has said he bears no grudge against GeoffLawson, the Pakistan coach, and that the PCB will continue to support himthrough the rest of his contract period.”As the PCB chairman, I am duty-bound to fully back Lawson and to takecare of all his liabilities,” Butt told . “What I said in thepress conference was my personal opinion which I had also given to thethen chairman Nasim Ashraf.” Butt added that Lawson would be givenwhatever support was needed to help him improve Pakistan’s performances onthe field.In his first press conference as chairman, Butt had given an unusuallyharsh assessment of Lawson’s tenure as coach, concluding that Pakistan had”no utility for him.” He also said that his contract would not be renewedonce it was over.Cricinfo has also learnt that efforts at a reconciliation of sorts withLawson have been made by the chairman. Speaking to Cricinfo, Lawson revealed that there had been no contactwith Butt since he took over. But it is believed that a message has been passed on to Lawson through a third party that there “may have been some misunderstanding” over the initial comments made by Butt.Lawson has also received unexpected backing from former Pakistan captains Imran Khan and Javed Miandad. Both felt it was unfair to blame Lawson entirely for Pakistan’s inconsistent performances since he took over last August.”How can you blame the coach for Pakistan cricket’s ills when your domestic structure is stagnant,” Imran told . “Don’t expect miracles from the coach.”Miandad, who had three stints as coach, felt the players should also shoulder the blame. “It is not just an issue of coaching,” Miandad said. “Lawson should not be blamed solely. The players should also take responsibility and I think they should be held accountable as well.”Lawson told Cricinfo during the four-nation Twenty20 tournament in Canada recently that he was unfazed by the criticism directed at him.

Crystal Palace confirmed seven new squad numbers ahead of the new season on Thursday.

One of which involved Eberechi Eze, and a number of Eagles supporters shared their positive thoughts about the change on the back of his shirt on social media.

Eze, who remains sidelined after rupturing his Achilles back in May, wore the number 25 shirt last season.

However, after Andros Townsend’s deal expired earlier in the summer, the club have now confirmed that the £37,000-a-week ace will inherit his number ten jersey.

There are also new numbers for Tyrick Mitchell (three) and Vicente Guaita (13), whereas new signings Marc Guehi (six), Michael Olise (seven), Joachim Andersen (16) and Conor Gallagher (23) were also assigned numbers.

However, it was Eze’s switch that got plenty of Palace fans talking on Thursday.

Palace fans react

The club posted the news on all seven players on their official Twitter page. This is what these Eagles supporters had to say regarding Eze’s change in number.

“AHHHHH EZE 10″Credit: @SWPalace”EZE 10 yesssss”Credit: @WestgateElliot”Eze 10. Glorious.”Credit: @ohjoewalker”Eze10 we moveee”Credit: @cpfcbailey”YESSSS EZE 10″Credit: @KB_EAGLES”Best number 10 in the league”Credit: @20SterlingDual

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘Oh boy’ – Lots of Palace fans go wild as ‘massive’ news is confirmed.