All posts by h716a5.icu

A fine imposed on Barbados all-rounder Vasbert Drakes during the Red Stripe Bowl West Indies limited-overs championship earlier this year has been rescinded

West Indies Cricket Board Media Release06-Dec-2002A fine imposed on Barbados all-rounder Vasbert Drakes during the Red Stripe Bowl West Indies limited-overs championship earlier this year has been rescinded.Drakes was fined half his match fee for showing dissent in the Red Stripe Bowl match against Jamaica at Sabina Park on Saturday, August 24.After the match, Drakes was summoned to a hearing also attended by umpires Cecil Fletcher and Maurice Chung, as well as Barbados manager Tony Howard and match referee Johnny Gayle.After a review, it was found that the hearing was improperly conducted because the Barbados captain Courtney Browne was not invited to the hearing as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

An update has emerged on Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon, regarding Brighton’s interest in his services…

What’s the talk?

According to The Sun, Brighton have identified Tottenham centre-back Joe Rodon as a potential replacement for Ben White this summer. Graham Potter will need to bring in a defender if one of his current stars walks out of the AMEX and it seems as though he would like to reunite with his former Swansea colleague Rodon.

The report claims that the Seagulls are ready to pursue a permanent deal for the Welsh international. However, they would also be open to signing him on loan if Spurs are unwilling to part ways with him permanently.

Fans would be gutted

Fabio Paratici must avoid making a grave error following this update. The newly-appointed chief must keep hold of Rodon and refuse to allow him to join Brighton, especially on a permanent deal. With Nuno Santo coming through the door this summer, Rodon could have a chance to stake a claim for his place in the side and the Portuguese boss’ preferred formation could increase his chances of becoming a regular.

Santo lined up with three centre-backs, either in a three or a five, in 24 of Wolves’ 38 Premier League matches last season and all 38 of the games in the 2019/20 campaign. This suggests that he could look to employ a similar system in North London this year, which could open the door for Rodon play as one of the three central defenders in the team.

Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez and Toby Alderweireld all played more minutes in the Premier League for Spurs last season, but The Sun recently claimed that the club are open to selling any of those three this summer. Therefore, Rodon could become one of the three first-choice options in that area of the park.

Earlier this year, Jose Mourinho lavished praise on “brave” Rodon and refused to blame him for making a mistake in a Premier League clash with Liverpool as his overall performance was excellent.

He told the Evening Standard:

“He showed good personality, good concentration, was good on the ball. First half building well and going for duels. Not a coward for not to assume the duels, a brave boy to go for every duel, even against difficult opponents like they are.

Mourinho seemingly rated the £24k-per-week beast and saw potential in him at Tottenham. He did hand the centre-back 12 Premier League appearances, but opted to go with experience for the most part with a back four the most used formation for the club. This means that he was competing with Dier, Alderweireld and Sanchez for two spots in the team.

The fans would now be gutted if a promising young player is not offered the opportunity to show what he can do as part of a back three for Santo, given that the likes of Sanchez and Dier have hardly set the world alight.

Therefore, Paratici must reject any offers from Brighton – loan or permanent – for Rodon and keep him this summer. If it gets to January and he has not been able to force his way into the XI then they could reconsider their stance but for now, Rodon should stay.

AND in other news, Imagine him and Kane: Spurs must swoop for Nuno-approved beast compared to Haaland…

New Zealand dominated the second day’s play at Old Trafford with Ross Taylor’s magnificent 154 providing the backbone to a solid first innings of 381

The Bulletin by Will Luke24-May-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
Ross Taylor hoists another six during his Test-best 154 © Getty Images
A majestic 154 by Ross Taylor drove New Zealand into a dominant position on the second day against England at Old Trafford. With the visitors squeezing out four late wickets, it is the hosts who are limping, weighed down by that favourites-tag millstone around their necks.After Taylor’s superb hundred provided the backbone to a solid first innings of 381, Iain O’Brien – who replaced Tim Southee for this Test – broke through with an 82mph legbreak to Alastair Cook. Replays suggested the batsman had every right to grumble, but luck and the match momentum were with New Zealand for most of the day. Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan then put on a calming 78 in 34.2 long overs before Strauss, who had passed 50 from 125 balls, edged O’Brien to Brendon McCullum, who grasped the most athletic, initiative-seizing of catches low to his left – reminiscent of Alec Stewart’s brilliant snaffle to dismiss Brian Lara at Lord’s in 1995. Daniel Vettori, who turned it square, then had Michael Vaughan trapped in front before Ryan Sidebottom, the nightwatchman, fell three overs before the close.New Zealand owe their dominant position to Taylor, however. No one ever doubted his class and prodigious talents, but pedigrees are habitually unpredictable – as those two reckless innings at Lord’s (19 and 20) proved. The contrast between the rusty Taylor of last week and today’s supercharged (or IPL-charged?) model could not have been more defined. No other New Zealander looked as settled at the crease, and few have the audacity to move to 150 with an expansive six over midwicket. His method is a curious mix of the poise of Martin Crowe (whose record at Old Trafford he beat) and Nathan Astle’s frenzied brutality – but crucially, his hundred today provides much-needed evidence that, under his lid, there lurks a brain. It’s quite a package.Some of England’s tactics were confusing at best, and their fielding lurched from average to embarrassing. Monty Panesar – who turned it square yesterday – was delayed from entering the attack, as was James Anderson who Jacob Oram struggled against yesterday afternoon. In fact Anderson didn’t bowl until 30 minutes before lunch, and it wasn’t due to outstanding bowling from Sidebottom or Stuart Broad. With a strong wind blowing across the ground, Taylor was immediately into his stride with a short-arm bunt through extra cover followed by an audacious cover drive right out of the textbook.
Kyle Mills provided valuable support to Ross Taylor with a Test-best 57 © Getty Images
Oram continued to struggle, however, never resembling a batsman fresh from a Lord’s hundred last week. Broad persisted in peppering him with bouncers from around the wicket and Oram responded by swaying, ducking and weaving out of the way, but never was he comfortable. Once Panesar was belatedly introduced, Oram took him on with a skip down the pitch but Panesar beat him in the flight, the ball circling above Anderson at mid-on. He flunked a relatively easy chance, labouring after the ball and failing to even get a hand on it.Oram gifted his wicket four runs later when, on 38, he too laboured as Taylor called him through for a single to point. Cook – whose fielding has improved beyond sight since the Bambi-like figure who debuted two years ago – swooped, threw down the stumps and Oram was a foot short. Worse was to come, however. Two balls later, Vettori ambled through for a single – as though on a Sunday jog – but failed to ground his bat, and Panesar’s throw was sufficiently straight for Tim Ambrose to whip off the bails in time. Vettori’s foot was airborne, and so were England’s ecstatic fielders. New Zealand had slipped to 250 for 6 in the blink of an eye.Taylor needed a partner, and Kyle Mills responded. A streaky edge off Sidebottom was followed by a heave off Panesar. Another carved four off Sidebottom took him past his previous Test-best of 31 before he matched Taylor’s own elegance with two classical off-drives. Taylor’s hundred – his second in Tests – came from 130 balls, while his and Mills’ fifty partnership came up from just 72. The momentum was entirely with New Zealand.Taylor expanded and flourished after lunch, moving from 100 to 150 in 42 breathless balls, smacking four fours and four sixes, the last of which sailed into the top tier of the stand at midwicket. Vaughan was left flummoxed, as depicted by an awful shy at the stumps which missed by several feet, handing five overthrows. Broad matched that effort with a similarly hapless attempt in the next over off Sidebottom, and the same fielder – now stationed at deep midwicket – failed to cling onto a Taylor mow, parrying it over the rope. Sidebottom’s apoplectic rage could be heard ringing around Manchester as New Zealand ran England ragged.The contrast in run-rates between New Zealand, who skipped merrily along at nearly four-per-over, and England (a yawningly dull 2.57) neatly demonstrates whose confidence levels are spiralling, and whose have plummeted. Kevin Pietersen remains not out, and the pitch is a belter, but England have their work cut out.

New FC Koln signing Dejan Ljubicic has revealed that he turned down a move to Glasgow Rangers before switching to the Bundesliga this summer.

The Lowdown: Ljubicic joins Koln

The Gers were linked with a move for the 23-year-old last summer when he was still playing for Rapid Vienna in Austria (The Daily Mail).

However, he has ended up making the switch to Koln in Germany on a free transfer instead (fc.de).

The Latest: Ljubicic admits Gers snub

Speaking after his transfer in April, Ljubicic has admitted that he snubbed a move to Ibrox, revealing (via The Daily Record):

“I had offers from several clubs in Germany and I was also in Italy for negotiations and Glasgow Rangers wanted me too.

“I decided on Cologne early on, but I admit I was worried when they had to win their relegation play-offs.

“My family and I decided immediately Cologne was the place for me because I will definitely get a start there too.”

The Verdict: Disappointment

Steven Gerrard and Ross Wilson will no doubt be disappointed not to have signed the £2.7m-valued Austria under-21 international (Transfermarkt) – after all, it is never a good feeling when a player turns you down to move elsewhere. Rangers will be aware firsthand of the ability of Ljubicic – he has scored against them in the Europa League in the past few years. His style of play has even been compared to Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong (totalfootballanalysis.com).

Still, the Gers have clearly moved on from that disappointment and looked at other targets, and they have recently announced the signing of John Lundstram (rangers.co.uk). The 27-year-old has Premier League experience as well as plenty of football left ahead of him, and Rangers have recovered rather well from the setback involving Ljubicic.

In other news, Rangers have a funding gap to fill.

Crystal Palace are set to offer Joel Ward a new contract after his previous deal expired at the end of last month.

What’s the story?

According to the Evening Standard, the 31-year-old had been expected to remain at the club alongside fellow experienced duo Christian Benteke – who has penned a new two-year deal – and Gary Cahill – who is yet to be offered fresh terms.

The report claims that Ward was informed of Palace’s intention to offer him fresh terms towards the backend of last season, but the Eagles’ hierarchy were waiting until a new manager was appointed before completing the majority of new deals. With Patrick Vieira now in charge, he’s seemingly signed off on the deal to keep Ward at the club.

Fans will be elated

Ward had been on the books of the capital club since arriving from Portsmouth back in 2012 and was a reliable and consistent performer under Roy Hodgson throughout the recently concluded campaign.

The 6 ft 1 right-back made 26 Premier League appearances for Palace last term, keeping former Liverpool ace Nathanial Clyne on the bench and started the last 14 top-flight fixtures in a row.

His honest, full-blooded displays over the years have seen Ward turn into a fan’s favourite at Selhurst Park, meaning the club’s supporters will be elated at this latest revelation.

Several first-team figures departed Palace earlier in the summer following the expiration of their contracts, but news that Ward is set to put pen to paper on a new deal will be comforting to large sections of the fanbase.

His departure – along with Clyne’s – had left Martin Kelly as the only recognised right-back within the current setup, leaving nVieira desperately short of options.

The former Nice boss faces a tough task in overseeing a major squad overhaul on a shoestring budget, although that prospect would be significantly easier if Ward returns to his old stomping ground.

Many exciting names have been linked with a move to Palace in recent weeks, such as Kasper Dolberg, Victor Nelsson and Ismaila Sarr, but retaining their experienced players with bags of Premier League experience could be just as important in their battle to beat the drop next season.

Palace fans will be very, very happy about this news.

And, in other news…Crystal Palace announce transfer update that’ll surely leave fans buzzing 

West Indies’ buoyant mood after the Twenty20 may be dinted by the absence of some senior players for the opening match against Australia

Cricinfo staff23-Jun-2008
Chris Gayle will play through the pain in St Vincent © AFP
West Indies’ buoyant mood after the Twenty20 may be dinted by the absence of some senior players for the opening match of the five-game series against Australia on Tuesday. Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpual, who missed the success on Friday, are carrying niggling injuries alongside the wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.Gayle, the captain, is concerned with the groin complaint he picked up two months ago, but will ignore the discomfort to lead the team in St Vincent. “I never got any sort of injury like this before and speaking to people who had groin injuries, they say it does tend to take a lot of time,” Gayle said.”I thought it was going to be two weeks but it is two months now. I just have to blank it out and try and play with it and see how well I can contribute to the team. If it’s not working out then obviously I’ll have to sit out.”He said he would have to overcome fears of aggravating the injury when batting. “I want to go out there and be positive and block out the negatives,” he said. “You don’t want to take on too much at this particular time, you go out there a bit worried about the injury so you have to know how to pace yourself.”A decision on Sarwan (groin) and Chanderpaul (leg) will be left until the morning of the game. “We’ll see how they feel,” Gayle said, “and if they get a chance to play, we have to wait and see.” If Ramdin, the wicketkeeper, is not cleared Patrick Brown, the Barbados gloveman, will take over.”The team is carrying a few niggles so we have to be careful how we use the guys because guys are struggling, but we will try to come with the best combination and see how well we can cope with it against Australia,” Gayle said. “It is an opportunity for the likes of Andre Fletcher and Kieron Pollard, who have been around, to get a chance to play and try and prove themselves.”

A round-up from the latest Twenty20 Cup matches as Lou Vincent slams a century

Cricinfo staff23-Jun-2008North Division
Lou Vincent celebrates his Twenty20 hundred during Lancashire’s win over Derbyshire at Old Trafford © Getty Images
Lou Vincent’s Twenty20 century, the third from all players in this year’s competition, launched Lancashire back up to the top of the table in an important win against Derbyshire as the business end of the group stage approaches.Vincent’s quick pile – his century came from 60 balls with 11 fours and three sixes – and some handy figures for Glen Chapple and Sajid Mahmood all added up to the nine-wicket victory at Old Trafford, while a hard-working Derbyshire were knocked out of the competition.Lancashire had a pleasingly neat 100 for 0 at the 10-over mark – Vincent on 71 runs from 43 balls; Loye 27, from 17. Loye fell on the same score, caught off Wavell Hinds and it was left to Vincent and Stuart Law (19 not out) to finish things off.Wickets were at a premium throughout as the runs flowed, with Derbyshire managing to profit from a 4th-wicket stand of 103 between Hinds and James Pipe. Hinds ended with a 52-ball unbeaten 72 that left the visitors in the reckoning; Pipe made 44. Chapple took the first two scalps and Mahmood followed up with a brace of his own while yet again Simon Marshall was in the wickets.Vincent had said before this competition that it suited his game and this was a fine way to prove it. He ended on an unbeaten 102 and ultimately, he had it all figured out.South DivisionHampshire moved into joint top position with a six-wicket win over Surrey in front of 6500 under the lights at The Rose Bowl. Surrey got off to a decent start but were never able to really up the run rate despite Scott Newman’s 52, and the innings fell away as they lost five wickets for 19 in 23 balls, finishing with 147 for 7. Michael Lumb (63 off 45 balls) and Ian Harvey (34) made a much more positive opening stand of 80 as Surrey wilted. At one point they were penalised with a no-ball for not having the correct number of fielders inside the circle, prompting a furious tirade against the blameless umpires from Mark Ramprakash. “It was a bad day for us but we’ve had a few in this competition,” he said afterwards. “We got off to a good start but perhaps there was some inexperience and we fell away and there was not enough for us to defend.”

North Division Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Lancashire 8 5 3 0 0 10 +0.884 1206/151.5 1120/158.4 Durham 7 4 1 1 1 10 +0.631 801/97.2 813/107.0 Nottinghamshire 7 4 2 0 1 9 +0.450 870/110.3 850/114.3 Yorkshire 7 4 2 1 0 9 -0.213 1050/134.4 1076/134.2 Derbyshire 8 3 5 0 0 6 -0.203 1034/145.0 995/135.4 Leicestershire 7 0 7 0 0 0 -1.378 917/140.0 1024/129.1

South Division Team Mat Won Lost Tied N/R Pts Net RR For Against

Kent 75 2 0 0 10 +0.6441076/127.5 995/128.0 Middlesex 7 52 0 0 10 +0.845 948/120.0903/128.0 Hampshire 8 5 30 0 10 -0.293 1267/157.1 1249/149.3 Essex 7 4 3 00 8 -0.013 954/132.0 963/133.0Sussex 7 2 5 0 04 +0.164 1017/126.5 1059/134.5 Surrey 8 1 7 0 0 2-1.095 1157/158.0 1250/148.3

Manchester United are the frontrunners to sign Real Madrid centre-back Raphael Varane this summer, according to Spanish football journalist Euan McTear.

After losing Sergio Ramos to PSG earlier this summer, Real Madrid won’t want to lose another star centre-back but with only one year left on his contract, the Spanish giants may look to cash-in on him, rather than risk losing him for free next year.

After playing for France at the Euros, Varane will now turn his attention back to club football and where he will be playing this season coming, with McTear telling TT: “At this point, Manchester United seem like the frontrunners”.

Varane has played plethora of trophies in his time at the Bernabeu and McTear thinks there’s definitely a space for the French defender at Old Trafford.

He added: “They’re are one of the clubs that do have a space there, next to Maguire there is a question mark, some of the other clubs have their two settled centre-backs so Manchester United makes a bit of sense”.

It looks like United are ready to make their move for Varane, with The Guardian reporting that the Red Devils are preparing a bid and that Varane would like to play in the Premier League.

A round-up of the County Championship action

Cricinfo staff01-Aug-2008Robert Croft spun Glamorgan to a walloping 220-run defeat by bowling out Essex for a lowly 78 at Garon Park. Croft took his first five-wicket haul of the season after Glamorgan played themselves back into the game yesterday, ending with 5 for 6 from 8.1 overs. At one stage he had 5 for 2 in 24 balls, having been brought on with Essex already in trouble at 50 for 5. The fast bowlers had knocked over the top order earlier. On came Croft, whose five wickets all came from catches. James Foster was caught at short square leg, then Graham Napier was taken at leg slip for a golden duck. Tim Phillips pushed an edge to first slip, David Masters was next, finding short mid-wicket, and finally Chris Wright fell in the same fashion.Vikram Solanki continued his glorious innings to end with 270, the third-highest score at Cheltenham in its 136-year history, with Worcestershire now well-set to defeat Gloucestershire. Solanki moved on from his overnight 179 but was happy to leave Steven Davies on 99 as he declared at tea on 672 for 7. Gloucestershire closed on 128 for 4 after losing Steven Snell and Hamish Marshall early, and Kadeer Ali and Alex Gidman just before the close. North is still there on 70.Jamie Pipe helped Derbyshire avoid the follow-on at Chesterfield despite a broken finger, as he batted bravely for 17 overs against Northamptonshire. His side certainly needed him after they had stumbled to 124 for 4, needing 250 to avoid being potentially asked to bat again. Greg Smith and Jonathan Clare also made their contributions count in a stand worth 97 which forced Derbyshire to safety. Northamptonshire’s tail succumbed to Graham Wagg and the hostile pace of Charl Langeveldt, to leave them 399.Leicestershire built on a strong second day as Nadeem Malik stamped his mark against Warwickshire with five wickets, forcing them to follow on at Grace Road. Warwickshire were all out for 267 in their first innings and then moved to 19 without loss by stumps. It was Malik’s third five-for for the season and he used the swinging conditions well, while also finding some lift.Yorkshire strengthened their grip against Surrey, with Adil Rashid and Deon Kruis firing them to a lead of 210 at Headingley. They also picked up maximum batting points as they closed on 414 for 9, no mean feat having slipped to 257 for 6 and then 282 for 7. Rashid reached 67, while Kruis brought up his first Championship fifty in the final over, ending a good day in which he had picked up a career-best 5 for 47. Yorkshire will be grateful, too, for the efforts of their groundsman, Andy Fogarty, who set about drying the pitch after a thunderstorm – at 5.15am. Now it could be time for them to register their first win after three losses in a row.Unless the Nottinghamshire attack can make quick inroads into the Durham line-up on the final day, the match looks to be heading to a draw after much of the first two days at Trent Bridge were washed out. Durham ended with a lead of 70 on the third day, with two wickets down having started the second innings two runs behind Nottinghamshire. The home side were grateful to Bilal Shafayat who reached 100, his seventh first-class century, and even more so when they lost 4 for 22 to stumble to 199 for 8.Michael Yardy and Matt Prior manoeuvred Sussex into a fine position against Somerset, their fifties lifting their side to a lead of 335 with five wickets remaining at Horsham. It was Prior’s eighth fifty in 15 Championship innings, while Chris Adams was unbeaten on 43 at the close. Sussex are now handily placed to bid for their third win in a row. Somerset earlier lost their final six wickets for 95 as Robin Martin-Jenkins ended with three and Corey Collymore was also in the wickets.Fifties for Sean Ervine and Nic Pothas rescued Hampshire from a wobble to set up an interesting final day at Canterbury. Azhar Mahmood had an excellent day, ripping out the top order having earlier lifted Kent with 73, but Hampshire were indebted to Ervine and Pothas who have given them a lead of 183 with four wickets remaining. The early session could prove crucial tomorrow. Earlier, Imran Tahir’s fine form continued with five wickets, while James Tomlinson took four to dismiss Kent for 369 and leave the sides virtually level pegging.

West Ham have been linked with a move for Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk this summer and his signing could help to unleash Andriy Yarmolenko in David Moyes’ side next season.

What’s the word?

It was reported by EuroSport earlier in the summer that West Ham were seriously considering an offer for the Gent forward after his impressive performances at Euro 2020.

The 25-year-old scored twice and registered one assist for Andriy Shevchenko’s side as they reached the quarter-finals of the competition before a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of England.

It was also an impressive season for Yaremchuk at club level, as he hit 23 goals in all competitions for Gent, including 20 strikes in the Jupiler Pro League in just 34 appearances.

He was in top form at the Euros, being described as “phenomenal” by reporter, Zach Lowy.

Could Yaremchuk unleash Yarmolenko?

Yarmolenko was another key player for Ukraine at the European Championships this summer, scoring two goals and assisting twice in five appearances, which may have left many West Ham fans wondering why he isn’t able to produce those sorts of performances on a more regular basis in the Premier League.

Since signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2018, the winger has managed just ten goals and six assists in 54 appearances for the Hammers, whilst he managed no goals in 15 top-flight appearances last season.

The 31-year-old’s contract at the London Stadium is set to expire at the end of next season, so it would not be a surprise to see him sold this summer. However, the potential arrival of Yaremchuk could give him a new lease of life with the west London club.

The two worked well together effectively at the European Championships and could form an excellent partnership in Moyes’ side next season if he is given more opportunities to start in the Premier League.

Yarmolenko is clearly appreciated by those at West Ham, with Moyes singing his praises earlier in the summer, saying:

“Andriy Yarmolenko is a footballer with terrific technical ability and a mentality that allows him to thrive on such a grand stage.”

Therefore, if one of his international teammates is brought in, perhaps we will start to see the Yarmolenko who turns up for Ukraine, rather than the one who rarely seems to turn up for West Ham.

And, in other news… West Ham dealt transfer blow with £22.5m-rated “top player”, Moyes surely gutted