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Pakistan Under-19s registered their third win in as many matches in the Tri-Nation Under-19 tournament, beating Zimbabwe Under-19s by 90 runs in Franschhoek

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Jan-2012
ScorecardPakistan Under-19s registered their third win in as many matches in the Tri-Nation Under-19 tournament, beating Zimbabwe Under-19s by 90 runs in Franschhoek.Pakistan chose to bat, and piled up 305 for 5 in their 50. The total was set up by a fine opening stand between Sami Aslam and Babar Azam: they both made scores in the 70s and strung together a 148-run stand in 26 overs. Umar Waheed built on the start, hitting 68 not out of 55 balls at the death.Three of Zimbabwe’s top five got starts in the chase, but could not carry on to make significant contributions – Ryan Burl was the top scorer with 40. Despite maintaining a brisk-scoring rate all through, the regular loss of wickets resulted in Zimbabwe being bowled out for 215 in the 41st over. Quick Ehsan Adil was the most economical and incisive of Pakistan’s bowlers, taking 3 for 29. Waheed was named the Man of the Match.

Fabian Cowdrey, the son of Chris Cowdrey and grandson of Colin Cowdrey, will continue the family connection with Kent after signing his first professional contract with the club

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Oct-2011Fabian Cowdrey, the son of Chris Cowdrey and grandson of Colin Cowdrey, will continue the family connection with Kent after signing his first professional contract with the club.The latest Cowdrey to play county cricket is 18 and was part of the Kent junior academy from 2008 to 2010 and has played regularly for the 2nd XI.He was one of a group of players to sign new deals with Kent as the county look ahead to next season followed the departure of Martin van Jaarsveld and Joe Denly along with director of cricket Paul Farbrace. Adam Riley, the offspinner, and Chris Piesley have both extended their contracts while further academy members, Ivan Thomas, an allrounder, and Benedict Kemp, who is a right-arm seamer, have secured deals.”It was very pleasing to see academy products Ivan Thomas, Benedict Kemp and Fabian Cowdrey performing well in second eleven cricket this season,” Simon Willis, the Kent high performance director, said. “They have been rewarded for their efforts with contracts for the 2012 season and I look forward to seeing their continued development as they become exposed to the professional environment.”However, batsman James Goodman, who represented England Under-19s, has ended his professional career after deciding to pursue opportunities away from the game.

ScorecardAn entertaining stand of 132 between Darren Stevens and Sam Northeast helped Kent to a four-wicket victory over the Netherlands in the Clydesdale Bank 40.Stevens was at his fluent best with 70 from 67 balls, while Northeast more than played his part with 58 not out as Kent won with more than four overs to spare to bring an end to a successful 160th Canterbury Cricket Week.Allrounder Stevens, whose knock was a season’s best, and Northeast helped Kent recover from 51 for 4 to score 200 for 6 in reply to Netherlands’ 199 for 6, which was dominated by a record seventh-wicket partnership of 124 in 106 balls between Tom de Grooth and Mudassar Bukhari.Pakistan-born Bukhari chanced his arm with several lusty blows in a season’s best unbeaten knock of 78 from 62 balls, featuring seven fours and two sixes. His partner, de Grooth, anchored the innings with an unbeaten 37 from 49 as the pair ensured the Netherlands had something to bowl at after having slumped to 75 for 6.Kent had earlier looked like bowling the Netherlands out for less than 100 when a lively opening spell from Wahab Riaz and Azhar Mahmood heralded two wickets as the Dutch side were reduced to 7 for 2.Wilfred Diepeveen then went to Simon Cook and visiting skipper Peter Borren walked after edging a slow James Tredwell turner to Geraint Jones as the Netherlands slipped to 67 for 4. Adam Ball, the left-arm seamer, then bowled Michael Swart to end his 46-ball knock of 17 and Tim Gruijters, who missed a straight one.It was then left to Bukhari and de Grooth to share in a vital partnership, although they were helped along the way by 19 wides by an, at times, wayward Kent attack.Kent, too, struggled in the first 10 overs of their reply, losing four quick wickets as the ball continued to do plenty on a two-paced St Lawrence track. Openers Joe Denly and Daniel Bell-Drummond, in for absent skipper Rob Key, both fell to left-arm seamer Shane Mott and when Mahmood and Martin van Jaarsveld were both out in the first nine overs, Kent were struggling at 51 for 4.However, Stevens and Northeast, who was dropped by wicketkeeper Barresi when on 49, shared in a crucial stand from 136 balls. The home side lost Stevens four overs before the end and Geraint Jones, leaving Adam Ball to hit the winning boundary off the penultimate ball of the 35th over as Kent recorded just their fourth win in nine outings in the CB40.

تحدث جراهام بوتر، مدرب تشيلسي، عقب الهزيمة أمام مانشستر سيتي، في منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، مشيرًا للوضع الصعب الذي يمر به فريقه.

وتعرض تشيلسي إلى هزيمة من مانشستر سيتي بهدف دون رد، ويحتل الآن المركز العاشر في البريميرليج.

وشهدت المباراة إصابة مبكرة لثنائي تشيلسي رحيم ستيرلينج وكريستيان بوليسيتش.

وقال بوتر إلى قناة “سكاي سبورتس”، و”بي بي سي”: “لا يزال الأمر مؤلمًا، نشعر بخيبة أمل ولكن في نفس الوقت كان هناك الكثير من الإيجابيات على ما أعتقد”.

وأشار: “عندما تفكر في كل شيء، خسارة رحيم ستيرلينج وكريستيان بوليسيتش مبكرًا، قدم اللاعبون كل شيء، لقد كان أداءً مفعم بالحيوية ضد فريق كبير، لذا بصرف النظر عن النتيجة أنا فخور باللاعبين”.

وأردف بوتر: “اعتقدت أنها كانت مباراة صعبة، ويمكن القول إنها مباراة متكافئة، من الواضح أن مانشستر سيتي يتمتع بالجودة، ويمكنك أن ترى من خلال لاعبيه في مقاعد البدلاء، يؤثر ذلك على المباراة بالطبع، نحن لسنا في نفس المكان بسبب أشياء مختلفة”.

وأضاف: “الوضع صعب في الوقت الحالي يجب أن أعترف به وأشعر بالأولاد، علينا أن نبقى معًا، كان من المخيب للآمال خسارة هؤلاء اللاعبين لكن اللاعبين على أرض الملعب والذين جاءوا قدموا كل شيء وهذا كل ما يمكنك أن تطلبه”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا بعد الفوز أمام تشيلسي: أنا عبقري.. وعلينا أن نتصدر الدوري الإنجليزي 

وتابع مدرب تشيلسي: “في أي هدف يكون لديك شعور أنه يمكنك القيام بعمل أفضل قليلاً ولكن عليك أن تنسب الفضل إلى مانشستر سيتي”.

واستطرد: “لا يمكننا الشكوى من ذلك [قائمة الإصابات] علينا فقط مواكبة الأمر، قدم الأولاد على أرض الملعب كل شيء وفعلوا ما طلبناه منهم ومانشستر سيتي لا يمنحك الكثير”.

وأفاد بوتر: “كان علينا تجديد الأمر، لكن لويس هال وهاتشينسون لاعبان شابان في البداية وقدم كونور جالاجر كل شيء، كان من الجيد أن تكون لديك تلك الشخصية من مقاعد البدلاء”.

وأكد: “لكن بشكل عام الإيجابيات موجودة، لقد أحببت الفريق، كان رد فعل الجمهور جيدًا، لكننا نشعر بخيبة أمل لعدم حصولنا على أي نقاط”.

وشدد بوتر “عليك دائمًا تحمل المسؤولية ولكنك تأمل أن ينظر الناس إلى السياق بأكمله ويرون أين نحن وما كان علينا التعامل معه ولكن في نفس الوقت تكون العواطف عالية وعليك محاولة تجاوز أي عاصفة ومحاولة البقاء على مستوى، كان الجمهور وراء الفريق وكان بإمكانهم رؤيتهم يفعلون كل شيء”.

وواصل حين سُئل عن الثنائي المصاب: “من السابق لأوانه الحديث عن الإصابات، شعر رحيم ستيرلينج بذلك في الدقيقة الأولى من المباراة، وبعد ذلك مع كريستيان بوليسيتش، نأمل ألا يكون الأمر خطيرًا للغاية”.

وأتم بوتر: “لا توجد أخبار انتقالات جديدة ولكن هناك دائمًا أخبار وتكهنات، إلى أن يتواجدوا هنا، لا يوجد شيء آخر للتعليق عليه”.

Ricky Ponting has congratulated Shoaib Akhtar on “an outstanding career” and said Akhtar was unquestionably the fastest bowler he had faced while playing for Australia. The two men could face off one final time in Colombo on Saturday, after Akhtar announced he would retire at the end of the World Cup, and Ponting said he would always remember the battles they had shared.”I had some great duels with Shoaib over the years,” Ponting said. “To this day, I’ve always said he’s the fastest bowler that I’ve ever faced in international cricket. There’s one spell that everyone can watch on the internet of him bowling to me at the WACA. That was reasonably entertaining – more so for Justin Langer, who was at the other end laughing at me all the time when I was trying to keep Shoaib’s deliveries out.”He was express pace, a very, very good bowler. Over the years he’s had his fair share of injuries that have not allowed him to play as much as he would have liked. But even in this tournament so far, you can see that he’s still got it with the new ball. He still has good pace, and his experience has helped him at different times as well. Congratulations to him on what has been an outstanding career.”Shoaib made his decision known to his team-mates on Thursday morning at an emotional gathering where he delivered a farewell speech and was embraced by fellow players and support staff.”We feel sad for Shoaib as he has been a very nice team-mate and we’ll always remember him as someone who always tried hard for the team and every player thanks him,” Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan captain, said.The Pakistan coach Waqar Younis added: “”I played with him and then coached him. He has been a great bowler for the country and served the team well. It is a nice way to leave the place for youngsters and that’s something we must appreciate.”Several former Pakistan captains also paid tribute to Shoaib. “I would like to remember him as a tear-away bowler who with his strike-rate was a match-winner on his day. He battled through injuries and controversies with a lot of heart throughout his career,” Ramiz Raja, now a television commentator, said.Rashid Latif claimed Shoaib was the fastest bowler he kept wicket to. “He was amongst the most glamorous cricketers of all time,” Latif said. “He was famous for his attitude but let me tell you he was down to earth and never been a problem for me when I was his captain. The only worry for me was his pace, quite easily he was the fastest bowler I kept to.”Aamer Sohail added it would be difficult for Pakistan to find a replacement for Shoaib. “When I captained him I found him to be very responsive and eager to perform for the country. He has done the right thing to retire now but it will take time for someone to take his place.”He has set a good precedent for the future generation of cricketers.”

As if Virender Sehwag’s batting strike-rate of 102 over a decade in one-day cricket wasn’t enough to frighten bowlers, he has now set his sights on batting long during the World Cup

Siddarth Ravindran in Bangalore11-Feb-2011As if Virender Sehwag’s batting strike-rate of 102 over a decade in one-day cricket wasn’t enough to frighten bowlers, he has now set his sights on batting long during the World Cup. During his astonishing double-century against Ajantha Mendis and Muttiah Muralitharan in the Galle Test in 2008, Sehwag carried his bat but he is yet to bat out the full quota of overs in one-dayers, something he hopes to achieve.”I think I never played 50 overs in one-day cricket, maximum I faced is 42-44 overs,” a relaxed Sehwag said in Bangalore. “This time I’ll try to bat 50 overs if I can. I have been trying for 10 years, I’m still trying.” Emulating Sachin Tendulkar, who made the first and only double-century so far in the format when he played out 50 overs against South Africa last year, wasn’t a target for Sehwag though. “Sachin has played 50 overs many times, not just once, but he could make 200 only once because it is not easy to make 200 in a one-dayer.”Nearly a third of Sehwag’s innings have been single-digit efforts, a proportion he aims to reduce with a more measured approach early in the innings. “I have Yuvraj [Singh], MS Dhoni, [Suresh] Raina, [Virat] Kohli and Yusuf [Pathan] in the middle order, so I can go after the bowling straight from the first ball, but nowadays I’m a giving a little bit of respect for first 4-5 overs,” he said. “Then I can take on the bowlers to make sure I give a good start so even if I get out the middle order can take their time and then go after the bowling.”This will be the first World Cup since Twenty20 become a big-money phenomenon, and Sehwag says the rise of cricket’s newest format will mean teams batting first will have to set bigger targets to feel safe. “If you get a good batting track, 320 or 300 will be a par score in the World Cup,” he said. “IPL changed a lot of batsmen’s mindsets, because batsmen now think we can chase 10 run an over anytime. Before teams thought you have lost the game if they needed to chase 10 an over, but now with the power-hitters in the team, they will chase it and that will be very exciting to see in the World Cup”Injuries and the team management’s decision to rest him from some recent series has meant Sehwag goes into the World Cup not having played a one-dayer in more than five months. He missed the recent series against South Africa due to a shoulder problem, and though he is satisfied with his recovery, he is yet to start bowling. “I’m taking regular treatment, so hopefully it will be fine when the match comes,” he said. “I don’t want to bowl in the nets and get injured again, so when I feel my shoulder is better I can start bowling.”Shoulder trouble ruled Sehwag out of the past three global ICC tournaments – the Champions Trophy in 2009, and the previous two World Twenty20s – and India have had early exits in each of those, despite entering as title contenders. This World Cup, too, India are one of the front-runners. What lessons has the team learnt from past failures? “The only thing we learnt is that we are not favourites.”

Nick Compton carried his fine Twenty20 form into the first-class format as his first century of the season helped Mashonaland Eagles earn a draw against Southern Rocks at the Harare Sports Club. Rocks, however, took one point from the game after securing the first-innings lead.Compton, who was the leading run-getter in the Stanbic Bank 20 Series that Eagles won in November, came to the crease with his team in trouble at 61 for 5 in their second innings. By stumps on the third day, Eagles had lost another wicket and Compton was unbeaten on 44 with his team at 127 for 6. At that stage, Rocks were odds-on favourites to win the match, having taken a 36-run lead in the first innings. But Compton found an able partner in fast bowler Trevor Garwe, and the two defied Rocks well into the second season on the final day. When Garwe was out for 64, Eagles declared at 293 for 7, with Compton unbeaten on 136. Rocks needed 256 to win in half a day, and the match petered out to a draw.Rocks had taken the advantage on the first day, bowling Eagles out for 202 after putting them in to bat. Seamers Robertson Chinyengetere and Michael Chinouya took three wickets each as Eagles struggled to get going, with none of their batsmen reaching 50. Their bowlers responded well on the second day, reducing Rocks to 180 for 7 at one stage. Eagles seamer Innocent Chinyoka took 4 for 53 and Rocks needed Steve Tikolo’s 57 to give them a first-innings lead. Rocks bowlers then struck five early blows to give them a chance for their first win of the season, before Compton’s match-saving innings. Eagles stay above Rocks in the table, with two points compared to their one.Matabeleland Tuskers were hampered by incessant rain at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo as they tried to catch up with Mountaineers at the top of the table. The first and then the fourth day were completely washed out and neither team picked up any points.Tuskers elected to bat first and when play began on the second day, managed to reach 264 in their first innings, riding on Paul Horton’s 121. Tuskers’ bowlers then gave them a shot at the first-innings lead, reducing Mountaineers to 99 for 4 on the third day. But rain played spoilsport and ensured there was no more play in the match.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte has been handed a defensive boost following Matt Doherty’s fantastic performance in Spurs’ 4-0 victory over Leeds at the weekend, with the manager raving about the ‘good’ options now at his disposal.

The Lowdown: Conte’s desire for a right-back

Conte was heavily linked with a number of potential right-back moves during the January transfer window.

Fabio Paratici was close to signing Wolves winger Adama Traore, with Sky Sports reporting that, after an initial £15 million bid was rejected, both sides were nearing a compromise on the fee.

It was said that the Italian boss would utilise Traore as a right wing-back, despite his more attacking origins. However, La Liga giants Barcelona swooped in at the last moment with an offer, as the 26-year-old opted to return to Spain due to his reluctance to play at the back.

This left the 52-year-old with Emerson Royal as his primary option at right-back. Doherty can of course play on both flanks, but shined for Wolves on the right, where he also grabbed a goal and assists against Leeds last weekend.

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The Latest:  Conte handed defensive boost

In his pre-Middlesbrough press conference, Conte sung Doherty’s praises, claiming his versatility offers a ‘good alternative’, as he also confirmed news of returns for Sergio Reguilon and Emerson.

As quoted by football.london, he claimed:

“He’s another player improving, working very hard and improved a lot. He’s a serious guy. I like him, if he plays or doesn’t play, his commitment and his attitude is always at the top. I think he’s improving a lot and he understood that in this squad he can have an important part for this team.

“With Emerson on the right but also Doherty on the left he can give me a good alternative. I was pleased to see him perform at this level. It was the same for Sessegnon.

“Now we have recovered Sergio Reguilon and also Emerson. We’re improving, we’re working hard. We have to use the defeats to learn, to continue to improve in many aspects, not only football aspects but also character and spirit and desire to be strong.”

The Verdict: Much needed depth

Conte will be thrilled to see Doherty’s improvements. This will provide him with much-needed squad depth, as Spurs look ahead to their FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough.

Statistically, when comparing full-back performances over the past year in European competition and the ‘big 5’ leagues, the Ireland international has been phenomenal.

He ranks in the 99th percentile in Europe for non-penalty expected goals, assists, blocks, clearances and aerial duels won (via FB Ref).

If the 30-year-old can maintain his fine form from the Leeds game, where he earned himself an 8.3 rating, Conte will be sure to utilise him much more frequently.

In other news: Conte sends Dane Scarlett message

Sky Sports have dropped a live TV update on new Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.

The Lowdown: Official announcement

The Red Devils first spoke to the Dutchman last month and have now confirmed the 52-year-old as their new manager.

Ten Hag will replace Ralf Rangnick in the summer and has penned a deal through to June 2025 at Old Trafford, with United having the option to extend that by a further 12 months.

The club pointed out that a move is subject to work visa requirements, and Sky Sports have been speaking to ‘people close to Ten Hag’ following the announcement.

The Latest: Sky Sports claim

Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol was speaking live on Wednesday, relayed by Football Daily, after talking to those close to Ten Hag ‘in the past few minutes’.

Solhekol revealed that Ten Hag has been told the first things he needs to do by United – ‘stop the rot’ and to ‘get Manchester United to play the way United are supposed to play’.

The Verdict: Summer rebuild required

Ten Hag is going to have an extremely busy first summer at Old Trafford, both on and off the training pitch looking for immediate results.

Up to 12 players could reportedly leave over the coming months and the new boss may have £200m to spend on new players, with Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Darwin Nunez and Ruben Neves four targets for Ten Hag.

He’ll be looking to get key incomings and outgoings finalised as soon as possible, which will allow him to work with a fresh squad for pre-season, looking for instant results when it comes to a playing style at the beginning of the 2022/23 campaign.

In other news: ‘Revolution begins’: Fabrizio Romano now shares key Man Utd exit news emerging from Old Trafford. 

Four wickets for Adil Rashid, bowling with a self-assurance that can only encourage both Yorkshire and England, helped the Championship leaders reach a position from which they might take a clear lead at the top of the First Division

Jon Culley at Headingley06-Jul-2010
ScorecardFour wickets for Adil Rashid, bowling with a self-assurance that can only encourage both Yorkshire and England, helped the Championship leaders reach a position from which they might take a clear lead at the top of the First Division.Warwickshire’s position at the close – delayed until almost seven o’clock after a 30-minute stoppage for rain – leaves them needing 55 more to avoid the follow-on, although they at least had the consolation of a batting bonus point – only their second in six matches in an increasingly grim season.That was made possible for the most part by their first opening partnership in three figures for more than a year as Ian Westwood and Darren Maddy put on 102.Rashid’s current status is difficult to assess. Largely a passenger on England’s winter tour of South Africa, he has not played any international cricket since he bowled three overs in the second one-day international at Centurion Park on November 22nd. He was overlooked for the World Twenty20 and both series, home and away, against Bangladesh.But while some may judge that to be insensitive treatment by the selectors, it may actually be just what he needs. Armed with some knowledge, at least, of the standards he must attain to be successful at the top level, a period giving his undivided attention to county cricket should make him a better bowler. If a snub by design is taking place, the selectors may yet congratulate themselves on their wisdom.Yorkshire will not mind if he does not get a look-in for the rest of the season. He is their leading wicket-taker in first-class cricket with 37 successes and has been their most effective weapon in Twenty20 thus far for good measure. What’s more, he looks as though he is enjoying every minute, particularly with the support of a captain, in Andrew Gale, who encourages self-expression.Rashid was Yorkshire’s trump card in the evening session. In the morning, it was wicketkeeper Gerard Brophy’s turn to enjoy an overdue moment in the sun. Under pressure from Jonathan Bairstow for the gloves, he did his cause no harm by completing his seventh first-class century – his second for Yorkshire – off 168 balls with 15 fours.Unfortunately, though, he did not extend it by much, giving his wicket away somewhat with a loose stroke as Warwickshire mounted a fightback that, for two sessions, went well.After Rashid had been leg before to Neil Carter off the second ball of the day, Brophy aimed to cut Rikki Clarke but steered the ball straight to point. Azeem Rafiq was then taken at gully off Clarke before a fine throw by Steffan Piolet – a direct hit from short third man – ran out Steve Patterson at the non-striker’s end.A brave effort from Rich Pyrah, suffering a bout of sickness and clearly under the weather, gained Yorkshire a fourth batting point. He finished unbeaten on 45, despite being stopped in his tracks several times by an irresistible urge to retch. Tino Best showed rather less resolve. He was caught at gully fending off a short ball from Boyd Rankin, and with Oliver Hannon-Dalby caught at short leg soon after lunch, Warwickshire could claim to have dominated the day to that point, having claimed six Yorkshire wickets for 100.They were still on top at tea. Captain Westwood, with Maddy in the supporting role, led a partnership that took them past 100 without the loss of a wicket for the first time since June 2008. Most of this season’s efforts have been broken in single figures.Missing Ian Ball and Jonathan Trott, Warwickshire’s form with the bat had been woeful coming into this match. Topping 150 has often proved beyond them, which explains why relegation looks a strong possibility. Westwood’s 95-ball 66, therefore, represented rare riches.But after both he and Maddy fell leg before in consecutive overs, the innings began to lose its way. Westwood was a first victim for Rashid, playing back to a delivery that shot through with a low trajectory, as Warwickshire found themselves 104-2. They should have been 111-3 at tea but Ant Botha was missed by Anthony McGrath at slip on six off Rashid with the last ball of the afternoon session.That reprieve allowed Botha and Jim Troughton to build a recovery of sorts but three wickets in the space of 10 balls shifted the balance back in Yorkshire’s favour as the visitors slipped from 148 for 2 to 153 for 5.Rashid, looking confident and making the ball turn and bounce, claimed his second success when Troughton popped the ball obligingly to Adam Lyth at forward short leg and dismissed Botha in much the same fashion. In between, 18-year-old Atiq Javid was leg before to an arrow-straight delivery from Steve Patterson.Tim Ambrose, who had been short of his best with the gloves, would have been out without scoring had an edge off Patterson not flashed past a motionless Jacques Rudolph at slip, after which the former England wicketkeeper had another piece of luck on 17 when he squirted a ball from Rashid onto his stumps without dislodging the bails.After the rain, Warwickshire lost two more wickets. A straight and fast ball from Best left Ambrose looking helpless, then Rashid had Piolet leg before, although the first impression, which the batsman seemed to share, was that he had put bat on ball first, although fourth-floor level at third man is possibly not the best place from which to make an accurate judgment.Warwickshire will want Clarke and Carter to dig in on day three and lose some more time rain. But even that might not be enough.