Australia face the prospect of beginning their ICC World Twenty20 campaign against Zimbabwe without several key players who are nursing injuries. Shane Watson has a strained hamstring, Michael Clarke has a lower abdominal strain and Matthew Hayden has been struggling with back spasms.Australia had a long break after their World Cup victory in the Caribbean and played two Twenty20 warm-up games in South Africa, beating New Zealand and losing to the hosts. Tim Nielsen, the coach, said the players were just getting into the groove before their tournament opener on Wednesday.”It’s normal early season stuff at the moment,” Nielsen told . “The fact that we have had some competitive hit-outs have been beneficial from a skill point of view, but physically at the moment it’s taken a bit of time to get up and going.”Hayden hurt his back against New Zealand and batted at No. 7 against South Africa as a precaution. “He’d been flat on his back overnight,” Nielsen said, “so Alex Kountouris [the physio] had done a great job to get him up and going.”Clarke was rested for both warm-ups and Nielsen was uncertain of his availability for the Zimbabwe clash. “He’s getting better, all the signs are that he’s improving, and again it’s just a management thing and seeing how he goes,” Nielsen said. “We’re hopeful he’ll be playing during the week, whether it’s Wednesday or Friday [against England].”Watson injured his hamstring at a training session in Australia last week and although he has been retained in the squad he is unlikely to play Zimbabwe. Watson arrived in South Africa on Monday along with Ricky Ponting, who had initially stayed home because of concerns over his wife’s health.
The pressure on coach Kevin Curran is increasing after Zimbabwe’s dismal display in their opening match in the Champions Trophy. Zimbabwe were dismissed for 85 in 30.1 overs by West Indies, losing the match by nine wickets.Curran had already been under fire at home. Last week it emerged that a senior board official and the head of selectors had resigned after attempts to have him dismissed were rejected by the main board.One source close to the Zimbabwe squad said that a number of players did not have faith in Curran and they accused him of having several favourites. It was a showdown over the inclusion of Terry Duffin in the squad during the series against Bangladesh which triggered events leading to last week’s resignations.And yet, in a manner which seems to be the norm in many walks of life in Zimbabwe itself, Curran refused to even acknowledge what was clear to everyone – that his side might be immensely keen, but they are woefully short of being good enough. “These boys are all very talented,” he said after the rout. “If you look at our stats, we have won eight of our last 20 ODIs. That makes for a 40% success record.”In fact, since Curran was appointed following the controversial dismissal of Phil Simmons, Zimbabwe have played 21completed ODIs, winning eight. Of those successes, five have been at home, three against Bangladesh and two against Kenya. The other three wins were abroad … against Bermuda (twice) and Canada. Their record against the bigger fish is poor, but the real stat that should be worrying Curran is the margin of defeat in those games.Not that Curran was about to let minor details like that get in the way of the party line. “Previous Zimbabwean teams with a lot more experience and a lot more fanfare had a success percentage of 27,” he concluded, manipulating statistics to the extreme. “We are looking forward to doing well.”The result will also add to pressure on the ICC to reconsider Zimbabwe’s status unless they turn things around dramatically in their remaining games. The match yesterday did not even run half its course, and Cricinfo learned from the ground authorities that only 32 tickets had been sold shortly before the scheduled start. The stats might say one thing, but it’s clear that the public are not so easily fooled.
Sourav Ganguly has said that he does not mind playing under Rahul Dravid, the current Indian captain for the triangular series in Sri Lanka. He has also said that he was pleasantly surprised that his ban for slow over-rates had been reduced from six ODIs to four. He will now be available for selection for the game against Sri Lanka at Dambulla on August 3.”I did not expect that the ban will be reduced so much,” said Ganguly quoted by PTI. He said that as a cricketer, his sole aim was to play for India irrespective of whether he was captain or not. “I don’t mind playing under anybody – be it Dravid or [Virender] Sehwag or Harbhajan [Singh].” He also said that, though he had played primarily as an opener, he did not mind batting at any position if it was in the team’s interest.Ganguly was initially banned by the ICC for six ODIs after India twice failed to bowl its 50 overs within the allotted time against Pakistan in April. The reduction to four matches came after the Indian Cricket Board argued Ganguly’s case with an ICC Dispute Resolution Committee after an earlier appeal was rejected by an ICC Appeals Commisioner.Ganguly, who did not play the last two ODIs in the series against Pakistan, has to sit out for two more matches to serve his ban. He will leave for Colombo on Sunday and join the Indian team in Dambulla before their third match of the IndianOil Cup.
Jason Molins, Ireland’s victorious captain, hopes his side’s shock five-wicket win against Surrey in the second round of the C&G Trophy, as well as victory over Zimbabwe last summer, might help them to be inlcuded in the National League.Molins believes Ireland have the capacilty and ability to follow in the footsteps of the Scotland, who are in Division Two of the National League. "It would be great to compete in the National League," Molins, who top-scored with 58, said. "I think we are more than capable, as we proved here, and beating Surrey certainly won’t harm our credentials."This win can only raise our profile, and the third-round game should attract lots of publicity. There are lots of things we compete against like football, rugby and Gaelic sports, but the interest is there."He added, "The wins against Zimbabwe and Surrey are great, but they won’t get us to the World Cup – that is the priority."
Rain played a crucial part in denying India A a possible win against Leeward Islands in a four-day Carib Beer Cup match that ended at Grove Park, Charlestown, Nevis on Monday.India A, who had posted 450 in their first innings, were frustrated when rain washed out the pre-lunch session on the third day. Eventually when the Leeward Islands reply got underway, opener Fabian Adams (54) and No 3 Sylvester Joseph helped their side get to 102/2 before rain again intervened – this time decisively.Draw, then, seemed the most likely result at the start of the fourth day. India A spinners Amit Mishra and Ambati Rayudu, though, brought the match roaring back to life by claiming nine first-innings wickets between them. Joseph, who ended up making 46, and captain Stuart Williams (40) were among their victims. Mishra returned 5/55 in his 18 overs while Rayadu had figures of 4/43.When the home team returned after being forced to follow-on, opener Junie Mitchum (72) and middle-order bats Tonito Willett (41) and Omari Banks (51) ensured that their side managed 232/4 before play was called off. For India A, Mishra was against the most successful bowler with 3/63.The first-innings lead, though, helped the tourists open their account with six points. Leeward Islands, meanwhile, had to be content with three points.
Graeme Hick nudged Dominic Cork out of the spotlight on his return to the Championship arena with the 115th century of his career as Worcestershire piled up the runs against a weakened Derbyshire attack.Hick scored 171 from 209 balls to condemn the Championship’s bottom team to another day of hard labour in steamy heat.With Vikram Solanki hitting 109, Worcestershire had reached 390-5 by the close to leave the home side fighting a rearguard action at the end of the first day.Derbyshire must have feared the worst after Hick won the toss and batted first on a pitch which was devoid of any pace or bounce.Cork claimed a wicket in his fifth over when he had Philip Weston lbw for 17 and he had what looked another good shout for leg before turned down early in Hick’s innings.Anurag Singh became his second victim when he top-edged a hook and was caught at square leg for 60 but Derbyshire had to wait a long time for their next success.Hick and Solanki picked off the bowling in the stifling humidity and although Hick miscued an attempted hook at Cork, there were few other moments of encouragement for the bowlers although Derbyshire did not wilt in testing conditions.Hick reached his hundred – his third in four Championship innings – with a lofted drive for four off Nathan Dumelow and he was well on course for a double century until Paul Aldred took a brilliant running catch at wide long on.David Leatherdale went for a duck but Solanki reached his first Championship hundred of the season when he drove Dumelow for his fourth six of what had been a brilliant innings.He was out in the penultimate over of the day when he pulled Dumelow hard and low to square leg where Lian Wharton took a good catch but Worcestershire are firmly in control.
One more game to prepare. One more game before our World Cup host is labelled false or justified. Thomas Rooney of footballtips.com looks forward to England v Honduras and gives us three facts ahead of the action.
Betfair are offering new customers a HUGE 3/1 on England beating Honduras!
I don’t know about you, but World Cup fever has well and truly set in now. It’s less than a week to go until non-stop football for a month.
There’s plenty of reasons to be cheerful as an England fan too. We have an exciting young squad and can attack the group stages with confidence.
Before we kick a ball in Brazil though, let me state 3 World Cup FACTS for you. Some you’ll agree with, some you’ll question – but listen up.
FACT ONE – Wayne Rooney is still England’s best player
Yes, you read that correctly. For whatever reason, we’ve decided to pick on our best player ahead of the World Cup. He’s become a bad player overnight it seems.
Now, although it’s refreshing we aren’t as reliant on him – he still has to start and is still the key to our success.
Can we have a successful World Cup without Rooney’s influence? Definitely not. Just imagine him at his best, along with our bright young players.
He has a point to prove too and will work tirelessly for the team. The goal v Ecuador would have done him the world of good.
So – stop the Rooney bashing and watch him fly this summer. In fact, why not sign-up to Totesport and get 5/1 on him being England’s top scorer?
FACT TWO – England will beat Honduras
It’s crunch time for Roy Hodgson and the starting XI you see against Honduras is likely to be that he goes with against Italy.
The Ecuador game was the time to experiment, this is time to prepare for the Italians. I’m certainly looking forward to seeing who he goes for.
Refreshingly, we’ve got plenty of choice and although Ross Barkley is getting all the praise – don’t be surprised to see him start on the bench for this one.
We can then unleash him against a tiring Italy defence!
It would be great to see The Ox flying down the left wing ahead of Welbeck, but injury puts a stop to that. Raheem Sterling is then suspended.
Regardless, it’s a very strong team this and one that will be focused on this final warm-up game. We expect the Three Lions to win and win well!
If you’re as confident as we are, head over to Betfair and get 3/1 on England!
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FACT THREE – Brazil will win the World Cup
I’ve believed for some time now that Brazil are well and truly the team to beat. They will deliver the goods too.
Neymar comes alive in a Brazil shirt and with his influence, home advantage and a settled back four – they will be very, very tough to stop.
Just look at the Confederations Cup last year – they stormed to victory and the pressure was there. Perhaps not as much as it is now – but it showed how comfortable they are playing on their home turf.
With this in mind, don’t miss out on 8/1 for Brazil to win the World Cup over at Paddy Power.
So here it is, the final game of what has been a quite phenomenal season for Reading Football Club.
Reading fans will be travelling to St.Andrew’s in great numbers on Saturday, with over 4,000 tickets sold and as traditional for Reading fans on the last away game of the season it will be “inflatable’s day” adding to the carnival like atmosphere that should be created.
With Birmingham guaranteed a spot in this season’s playoffs and Reading of course already having secured the title, there may not seem a great deal to play for either team.
However, Birmingham have dropped to 5th in the table, meaning they would play at home in the first leg of the playoffs and away in the second. This is always seen as a negative, so expect Birmingham to be desperate to win, overtake Blackpool and secure 4th spot, meaning home advantage in the crucial second leg of the playoffs.
Reading will of course also be looking for the 3 points on Saturday; Brian McDermott is not the kind of manager to make wholesale changes for any game, despite having nothing to play for. With Jason Roberts suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace, Adam Le Fondre is the likely replacement, although Benik Afobe may be brought in to replicate Roberts pace and power. However, do not expect many more changes to the team that played Palace, if any.
Both clubs should be pleased with their seasons and hopefully both sets of fans should be in good spirits which should lead to a great atmosphere and a great game!
Birmingham are coming off the back of 4 straight draws and will be looking for a win to gain some momentum heading into the playoffs. The game earlier in the season between the two teams saw Reading come out 1-0 winners at the Madejski thanks to a Noel Hunt winner in the 75th minute.
Reading will also be keen to finish the season on a high, following our fabulous run. It will not be an easy game of course, with Birmingham boasting a very good home record having only lost once this season on home soil. This will not phase Reading however, who have recently won at arguably the hardest away grounds in the league in Upton Park and St Marys.
Reading fans should be happy that everything is already sewn up and not having to rely on a result in what is sure to be a competitive game on Saturday. Fans should take the opportunity to enjoy the game and give our players the full support and appreciation that they deserve before they embark on what is a huge summer for the club!
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It’s that time of year again. With no domestic football to worry about or comment on, and no international football until the autumn, attention inevitably turns to the clubs’ summer rebuilding plans, and the maddening transfer merry-go-round, as the infamous transfer window will soon open once more for business.
A transfer window is effectively the period when clubs can register a player into the club through FIFA. The window was introduced much more recently than I thought, in response to negotiations with the European Commission, stemming from growing concern at Commission level about spiralling transfer fees. In response Fifa devised a worldwide transfer system, including instruction for domestic leagues. The restriction of transfers had begun.
The system has been used in many European leagues anyway, before being brought into compulsory effect by FIFA during the 2002–03 season. It was only brought into full effect in the lower leagues in this country during 2005. The Football League was massively against its introduction, fearing it would further hit lower league clubs already struggling after the collapse of ITV digital. Eventually they succumbed.
So the rule is that there must be two windows, a longer one (maximum twelve weeks) in the break between two seasons and a shorter one (maximum one month) in the middle of a season. The specific periods depend on the league’s season cycle and are determined by the national football authorities. The Russian authorities tried (and failed) for a third window, because of the way their league is set up next season (it will be 18 months long!).
Of course, the windows do not prevent movement of footballers completely. Free agents can be signed by a club at any time in the season, if they had been released by their previous club before the end of the transfer window. A club can request to sign a player on emergency basis, e.g. if several goalkeepers are injured at the same time, as Manchester City did only last year, causing considerable outrage.
Like any change to the fabric of football, be it transfer rules (see also the Bosman rulings), play offs or even points per win, there will be those for and against the change. Any system has its pros and cons. So what are the pros?
Well, it has been argued that it has limited clubs buying their way to success (or out of trouble) towards the end of a season, by stopping clubs with ample resources purchasing extra players to get them out of a “pickle”. This way, with set periods when purchases can be made, means that clubs have to plan more carefully, and work with what they have. Some have argued that this also gives more youngsters a chance of first-team action, as managers cannot splash the cash to cover an injury crisis or a run of bad form – they must work with what they have.
What’s more, it does protect (smaller) clubs who have some in-demand players. As they cannot be snapped up by predators at any time, there is a certain relief to be had that come September 1st or February 1st their players cannot be poached in the immediate future.
And the cons?
Well firstly, is it fair? We live in the European Union, with free trade, movement across borders, and increased workers’ rights. Is it acceptable to restrict trade for a whole industry for the majority of the year? Should clubs not be able to purchase as they see fit? After all, the clubs with bigger spending power will continue to spend more, whatever the system in place – nothing has changed in that respect.
It brings on a fire-sale mentality, and often means that rather than clubs planning well and working out what they require for the season, clubs actually purchase too many players, knowing that they have a limited time to do so. This was Steve Coppell’s argument, when he spoke out against the windows in 2008, frustrated at the endless speculation in the press about many of his Reading squad.
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And if the introduction of transfer windows was designed to stop spiralling transfer fees, it certainly hasn’t worked. If it was designed to curb the spending power of the big clubs, it has failed too.
The main problem for me though is the January transfer window. Thirty-one days seems like a long time to sort out the odd deal or two, but it never seems long enough for a lot of clubs. And for teams whose season isn’t going quite as planned, it induces panic. Even for those that are doing well, it induces the feeling that perhaps some strengthening should be done whilst they have the opportunity. The end result is unnecessary buying and inflated transfer fees. There is little value much of the time in a January transfer window. Good for a selling club perhaps, but potentially catastrophic for those doing the buying.
And it seems that many people underestimated how much panic buying would happen in January transfer windows. When the BBC covered the introduction of the window all those years ago, they quoted the infamous football agent Eric Hall, who said: “I don’t think there will be any winter madness on the transfer market, with only about 10 to 20 players moving at the most. So it won’t affect people and clubs that much.”
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The fact is it does affect clubs. Even in the summer window, there is a period of panic as the deadline approaches.
The greatest downside of transfer windows must be the tedious succession of transfer rumours throughout the summer period and throughout January, which leads to a raft of wind-up merchants on football message boards who are “in the know”. They can never say too much, but their brother’s girlfriend works with someone whose uncle is a kit supplier to the reserve women’s team at Arsenal, and he said that the club are definitely signing Miroslav Klose, and before you know it, someone has spotted him at the airport, or sneaking out of the back entrance of the Emirates, or in an estate agents in Highbury. Of course these rumours would exist without two transfer windows, but the windows intensify the scurrilous rumours and petty wind ups, especially as the deadline approaches, and deadline day is full of these fictional sightings, made-up whisperings and fabricated enquiries.
And there is always one story that runs and runs throughout the summer, until every fan has lost the will to live. As a Manchester City fan, I hope Carlos Tevez remains at the club (though I doubt it), but whatever happens, I pray to god that it is sorted soon – if I have to endure another three months of will-he-won’t he rumours I may have to go and hibernate in my garage until September. But if it is sorted soon, the press will turn to Cesc Fabregas instead, or maybe Samir Nasri, or Didier Drogba, or……
The window can be a guilty pleasure, especially deadline day – you never know if something truly surprising is about to break (though more often than not, it doesn’t). But on the whole, I cannot agree that transfer windows are a good thing. Not only are they a restraint of trade (an important consideration for smaller clubs and the lower leagues), but they cause panic buying close to the deadlines that creates swamped squads in some instances, and insufficient squads for those that were forced to sell late in the day. The limited period to deal leads to more bad buys, and a lack of reasoned planning in my opinion. You cannot have an all-year transfer window, and the current system is certainly not without its merits, but perhaps the system would work better if the transfer windows covered a greater period of the year.
Everton manager David Moyes has allowed youngster Jack Rodwell to team up with the England Under-21s squad, despite not being fully-fit.
He has not featured for the Toffees since injuring an ankle in the defeat to Aston Villa on August 29, but after being named on the bench for the previous three games, Moyes believes it will do him some good linking up with Stuart Pearce's young lions ahead of next week's game with Germany.
With a Premier League clash against Arsenal at Goodison Park next up, the Scot has also suggested he may be ready to make a return.
"Today is the first day I have actually thought, 'Yes, you're looking better'," he said.
"He's said this morning he is feeling more confident in his ankle, so I'm happy for him to go with the under-21s.
"With a bit of luck he might get a bit of that game, which will help him improve his fitness and give him some match time.
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"He is closer, he has got a chance of starting this weekend. I don't think in the last couple of games he was, but he is now just about there."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email