All posts by h716a5.icu

Charlie Dagnall and Mohamed Sheikh took Warwickshire into the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic last-wicket partnership of 37 in 13 overs against local rivals Worcestershire

Roy Bradley07-May-2001Charlie Dagnall and Mohamed Sheikh took Warwickshire into the Benson and Hedges Cup quarter-finals with a dramatic last-wicket partnership of 37 in 13 overs against local rivals Worcestershire.Dagnall, a singer in a soul-funk band in his spare moments, hit the right notes with an unbeaten 21 – the highest score in the innings – and won the gold award after taking 2 for 18 in the home side’s struggle to 138 for 9.Warwickshire also had their problems on an unpredictable pitch. Stuart Lampitt took wickets in three overs in succession and David Leatherdale weighed in with two after their batting heroics in a stand of 58 in 16 overs.Graeme Hick then sent Warwickshire tumbling to 105 for 9 before Sheikh, unbeaten with 19, shepherded a nervous partner to an unlikely victory. “I was a bag of nerves when I out to bat,” said Dagnall, with a previous best score of 6 not out.But the moment he enjoyed most was earlier in the day when Hick inside edged on to his middle stump to complete an unhappy series in the competition with only 50 runs from five innings.This sparked a Worcestershire slump to 10 for 3 as Dagnal’s partner, Vasbert Drakes, went through his first seven overs for four runs and the wicket of former Warwickshire batsman Anurag Singh.Skipper Michael Powell bowled instead of off-spinner Neil Smith to make up a full hand of five seamers on a poor pitch, but Leatherdale gave his side a score to defend with four boundaries until he was bowled by Drakes for 55.

There is nothing as liberating in this beautiful game of ours as slaying the beast that is the four-pronged pace attack

Chris Cairns22-May-2001There is nothing as liberating in this beautiful game of ours as slaying the beast that is the four-pronged pace attack.This current England side have done better than that. They have tamed an even rarer beast, the five-pronged pace attack.But what of Saqlain Mushtaq? Where is the best off spin bowler in the world? This decision not to play him will harm Pakistan.It’s great to have fast, faster, faster even, fastest, and surely is fastest playing, in your team, but variation is a key element and this pace quintet lost momentum because it became the norm.Preparation for Pakistan perhaps personified performance publicly. Only two warm-up games before the first Test raises the issue of better preparation. Whose decision was this?Often at this venue, Lord’s, England have been a victim of their own institution. Opposition teams rise above themselves to give England a miserable record at the home of cricket.But this game’s outstanding play has been produced by England. Continuing their great winter form has seen a continued buzz that resonates through all involved with cricket in Blighty.Success in Test cricket is historically laid down by two departments – opening bowlers and opening batsmen.England now have both.In these departments they have a well-rounded Yorkshireman, an ex-Kiwi (damn!), a dry Lancastrian and a champion sausage eater.With this series only being two Tests (again you’ve got to ask who’s decision was that?) England still have to wrap up the series but they will know Pakistan will bounce back as they get more familiar with English conditions.Talking of adaption, my own captain Stephen Fleming has zoned in his signals on the elite of county cricket.After an indifferent start his blade is beginning to plunder attacks and two tons in succession have seen Flem stamp his mark on the county scene.As conditions dry out I am predicting a big season for the Kiwi skipper and I know all New Zealanders will wish him the best.With the Ashes just around the corner, the epitomy of cricketing heritage, it sees England poised with their best chance since Maggie Thatcher’s days.Up against an Aussie side that contains a few elder statesmen on the brink of retirement, this resurgent Lion of England brigade will be involved in what will no doubt be an exciting, enthralling encounter.Above these two teams though the paying public will be surrounded by the immortal message that I know will ring true – cricket will be the winner.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Wolves legend Steve Bull has laughed off suggestions that Nuno Espirito Santo could leave for Aston Villa.

Despite a difficult season which has been overshadowed by several high-profile injuries, Santo has already secured Wolves’ Premier League status for a third consecutive campaign.

Maximum points from their three remaining matches could even see the Midlands outfit finish in the top-half, although they’ll need both Leeds and Aston Villa to slip up quite dramatically.

And Santo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is reportedly pushing for the Portuguese manager to take over at a club with ‘greater financial resources and ambition’ – with Villa seen as one of those.

Dean Smith has worked wonders to make Villa European contenders this season, and only signed a long-term deal at Villa Park 18 months ago, whilst Santo extended his stay at Molineux prior to the start of the 2020-2021 campaign.

With that in mind, Bull believes that 47-year-old won’t be going anywhere this summer.

He told The Transfer Tavern:

“Aston Villa – I can’t stop laughing! Villa have two good coaches there in John Terry and Dean Smith.

“I don’t think they’ll need to change anything because they have come on leaps and bounds, so I don’t think Nuno will go there.”

After enjoying two good days, Somerset Seconds fell away badly and lost their three-day match against Northamptonshire at the County Ground

Richard Marsh08-Jun-2001After enjoying two good days, Somerset Seconds fell away badly and lost their three-day match against Northamptonshire at the County Ground.Resuming on 66 for three, Michael Coles( 40) and Oliver Bailey (30) took the score on to 85 before the next wicket fell. From 85 for four Somerset collapsed to 96 for nine with Joe Tucker, who was injured, not batting. For Northants former England bowler Paul Taylor took 6 for 62.Requiring 136 to win Northamptonshire made heavy weather of achieving their target, thanks to some accurate bowling by Ian Jones who took 6 for 63 before the vistors moved to 139 for seven to win by three wickets.Somerset Seconds take 6 points from the game and Northants take 20 points.

West Brom winger Matheus Pereira would be an ideal summer signing for Leeds United, according to former Whites striker Noel Whelan.

The Lowdown: Pereira shines for relegated Baggies

The Baggies may have been relegated from the Premier League this season, but Pereira has been a shining light for Sam Allardyce’s team. The 25-year-old has scored 10 goals and registered six assists, which is an excellent return considering West Brom’s struggles throughout the campaign.

He has previously been described as ‘unbelievable’ by team-mate Matt Phillips, often standing out as a star player at The Hawthorns.

The Latest: Leeds told to sign the Brazilian

Leeds have been linked with a move for Pereira in the summer transfer window, with the Brazilian highly unlikely to be playing Championship football in 2021/22.

Whelan believes the 25-year-old would be a great signing at Elland Road, telling Football Insider that his former club should make a move for him:

“It is a mouth-watering prospect. We missed out on certain players last season, and this is a player that excites everybody. I would definitely take him all day long.

“He’s a fantastic player, he’s great on the ball, he can turn people inside out. Pereira’s another option we can use right across that front three and maybe in a number 10 role as well.

“He’s the right age and he’s the sort of player we should be looking at. Imagine, if you put him alongside Raphinha, Rodrigo, Harrison etc, that’s pretty formidable.”

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The Verdict: Could be an excellent addition

Pereira could be a shrewd addition at Elland Road ahead of next season as Marcelo Bielsa looks to add quality and depth to his squad. The winger’s goal and assists return this season speaks for itself, proving that his game possesses plenty of substance and isn’t just about a few eye-catching tricks.

He is both technically gifted and hard-working – he averages 0.8 tackles and 0.9 interceptions per game in the league this season – which should appeal to the demanding Bielsa, and he shouldn’t yet be in the peak years of his career.

Whelan is right to advocate Pereira as a recommended signing for Leeds.

In other news, a Leeds player has been linked with a summer exit, despite plenty of appearances this season. Find out who it is here.

An innings of high quality by Nicky Peng assisted top-of-the-table Durham to a substantial total against Essex at Ilford with the 18-year-old remaining unbeaten on 112 when the innings closed on 263-3

Paul Hiscock17-Jun-2001An innings of high quality by Nicky Peng assisted top-of-the-table Durham to a substantial total against Essex at Ilford with the 18-year-old remaining unbeaten on 112 when the innings closed on 263-3.The highly promising batsman easily surpassed his previous highest one-day league score of 47 as he made the home attack pay the full price for some inconsistent bowling.Peng reached his half-century from 59 balls that incorporated one six and seven fours and took just a further 51 deliveries before reaching three figures despite adding only four more boundaries.His innings of powerful strokeplay was supported by an equally effective performance by Jon Lewis who scored an unbeaten 63 from 58 deliveries that included six boundaries as he too kept the scoreboard moving at a lively pace.The pair composed a fourth-wicket partnership 127 in 18 overs after opener Danny Law had given the innings some impetus with 47 against his former colleagues as he and Peng added a brisk 72 in 11 overs for the second wicket to set the tone.

Southampton have been linked with Colombian winger Santiago Moreno recently, and if he were to join Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side this summer, it could be a repeat of the deal which saw Sadio Mane move to St Mary’s in 2014.

According to The Telegraph, Southampton, Leeds United and Rangers are all interested in signing the 21-year-old this summer as he continues to impress with Liga Dimayor side Deportivo de Cali.

His style of play has been compared to current Liverpool winger Mane, and given the latter’s impressive performances with the Saints between 2014 and 2016, Moreno could certainly prove to be a hit on the south coast next season.

Mane was signed by Southampton from RB Salzburg back in 2014 and made 75 appearances for the Saints in two seasons, contributing 25 goals and 14 assists before completing a £34m move to Liverpool in the summer of 2016.

Therefore, that signing by Southampton certainly proved to be a masterclass from Les Reed, who had a big role in signing the Senegal international, and there seems no reason why the potential signing of Moreno couldn’t be a repeat of that.

The 21-year-old has made 49 appearances for the Colombian side so far, in which he has contributed 10 goals and seven assists, an impressive return for someone so young.

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This season has seen the youngster manage six goals and four assists in all competitions, which is more than any winger in Hasenhuttl’s squad has managed, with Stuart Armstrong’s four goals and five assists in the Premier League the most of any wide player at Southampton.

Therefore, the Colombian could certainly add a threat in the final third and ease the pressure on Danny Ings and Che Adams as Southampton’s main goalscorers next season, especially as the likes of Nathan Redmond, Moussa Djenepo and Theo Walcott have all struggled to contribute regular goals and assists in the Premier League this term.

Certainly, if Moreno could go on to have a similar impact to Mane at St Mary’s, then he would definitely be a worthwhile signing for the Saints this summer, so current vice-chairman Martin Semmens should definitely be looking to bring him in.

In other news… Southampton could sign their dream Bertrand heir in £5.1m beast

Bournemouth were left disappointed and frustrated after rain rescued Southern Electric ECB Premier League rivals South Wilts from probable defeat at Lower Bemerton

Mike Vimpany17-Jun-2001Bournemouth were left disappointed and frustrated after rain rescued Southern Electric ECB Premier League rivals South Wilts from probable defeat at Lower Bemerton.South Wilts were in desperate straits, at 82-8, when a 4 o’clock downpour rain spared their blushes and denied Bournemouth only their second win in six weeks.”I’ve no doubt at all we would have won,” said skipper Matt Swarbrick.”We bowled and fielded well, particularly Paul Warren and Peter Waite, who caused no end of problems to the South Wilts batsmen on a damp, helpful surface.Both bowlers nipped the ball about – teenager wicketkeeper Chris Park having a field day, claiming his second five-victim haul of the season.It was Park, the Dorset Under-19 ‘keeper, who shattered Russell Rowe’s dreams of scoring a record fourth successive Premier League century.Rowe, the Southern Electric Cricketer of the Month for May, had made only ten runs before getting a nick to a delivery from Western Australian Peter Waite (2-31), who later had Rob Wade, the former South Wilts captain, caught behind.Constant rain interruptions made batting doubly difficult for South Wilts, who sank into deep trouble at 38-5.Warren (3-18), the ex-Somerset and Glamorgan bowler, trapped Jamie Glasson leg before on the back-foot, bowled Brendan Pauwells (who shouldered arms to an off-cutter) and forced Chris Newton to give Park his third catch behind.Tom Caines (21 not out) and Simon Woodhouse (21) staged a determined post-lunch rally, but a suicidal run-out – the batsmen unwisely took on Martin Miller’s arm – sank South Wilts back into the mire.Teenager Tom Webley, recently snapped up by Somerset, joined the Bournemouth attack and, thanks to Park’s glovework, removed Sean Little and Chris Steedon in successive deliveries.Park, 17, who has been having trials with Northants, bagged a stumping and a catch to take his season’s haul to 17 victims.But the efforts of the young wicketkeeper and Bournemouth’s “W” bowling formation were to no avail as a 4 o’clock rain storm wrecked any prospect of further play with South Wilts 82-8 .. and in desperate trouble.The matches at Bashley-Rydal (v Hungerford) and Calmore Sports (v Andover) were washed out without a ball being bowled.Burridge, the club whose notoriously wet ground suffered more than most from the heavy winter rains, were the only Southern Electric ECB Premier League side to complete a Division 1 match.They side-stepped the elements to inflict a 52-run defeat on Liphook & Ripsley, who suffered a fourth defeat in seven games.Burridge totted up 198-7 in 36 overs, with Paul Hawkins (51) and Dave Jackson (41) sharing a second-wicket stand of 86 after in-form Neil Cunningham had gone cheaply.Jon Francis (39) marked his return with a quick-fire knock as Burridge posted a formidable total, despite the attentions of Tim Wheatley (3-53) and Chris Wright (2-34).Liphook, requiring 159 off 28 overs after a tea-time downpour, promptly lost Steve Riley, but New Zealander Ben Jansen (25) and teenager Wright (21) added 49 for the second wicket.The visitors became disinterested as spinners Matt Godwin (4-29) and Paul Ancell (3-22) carved into their order and finished with 102-9, 57 runs adrift of their adjusted target.Third-placed BAT Sports had reached 156-3 off 37.1 overs when heavy rain forced the abandonment of their meeting with unbeaten leaders Havant at Southern Gardens.Richard Kenway (26) and Damien Shirazi (14) gave BAT a 57-run start before both openers were caught behind in quick succession by Simon Greenfield off the bowling of Shawn Gillies.But any prospects Havant had of carving significant inroads into the BAT top-order were denied by Australian Dave Carson, who is beginning to show the form he produced for Hambledon in the past two seasons.The University of New South Wales all-rounder, who plays alongside Australia Test opener Michael Slater in the powerful Sydney A-Grade competition, hit his third half-century in a week, scoring 53 not out before Havant achieved a third breakthrough.Dave Banks (21) was bowled by the left-arm spin of Stephen Foulger at 86-3, but Adam Hayes (22 not out) joined Carson in an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 70 before a 6 o’clock cloudburst ended play for good.Lymington’s scheduled Division 2 visit to Easton & Martyr Worthy was a weather casualty, as were the Premier Division 3 games involving New Milton, and Bashley (Rydal) and Lymington 2nd XIs.

Sheffield Wednesday may well be tracking Solihull Moors striker Kyle Hudlin this summer, according to YorkshireLive journalist Dom Howson.

The Lowdown: Hudlin linked with Owls move

The Owls are preparing for life in League One, following their relegation from the Championship, and Darren Moore will be looking to perfect his summer transfer business.

One player who Wednesday have been linked with is the giant 6 foot 9 Hudlin – the tallest professional footballer in Britain currently – who scored 10 goals for Solihull last season, nine of which were in the National League.

Hudlin’s current deal runs out in the summer of 2022, meaning Solihull may be keen on receiving a fee for him now, rather than risking him leaving for free next year.

The Latest: Howson provides key update

Speaking in a Q&A on Friday, Howson gave his thoughts on Wednesday’s pursuit of the 21-year-old, admitting ‘it wouldn’t surprise me’ if the rumours are true because the Owls ‘desperately’ need quality like Hudlin up front:

“Still looking into this one. It wouldn’t surprise me if he is someone the Owls have been tracking. He fits the profile of the type of player Moore wants to sign and Wednesday desperately need more attacking reinforcements.”

The Verdict: A new Nuhiu?

While it may be a lazy comparison, Hudlin could have the potential to be similar to former Owls striker Atdhe Nuhiu, in terms of offering something aerially.

Nuhiu’s height allowed the Owls to play a route one style when it was needed and he proved to be an effective substitute down the years.

Hudlin’s giant stature means he is of course going to be a handful for defenders and Moore may like the idea of having a varied mix of strikers at his disposal.

In other news, one Sheff Wed player is set to stay put for another year. Find out who it is here.

Everton are interested in signing Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha in the summer transfer window, according to Goal. 

The report says the Blues have been keen on Zaha since the summer of 2019, when they offered £70million plus Cenk Tosun and James McCarthy.

That ‘admiration’ remains, and they believe Zaha’s price is now far lower. Indeed, he could be available for less than £40million.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side may face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who are said to be ‘monitoring the situation’.

Zaha a vital figure at Selhurst Park

Though Palace’s demands appear to have eased somewhat, they understandably want to keep hold of him.

Zaha scored 11 goals for the Eagles last season, the highest tally in the squad. Christian Benteke (10 goals) was the only other player to pass the five-goal mark (via BBC Sport).

Roy Hodgson is leaving Selhurst Park, and there may be serious concerns about the impact of losing both a manager and a talismanic on-field figure.

Fan feed The Toffee Blues relayed Goal’s report, and here’s how supporters reacted.

These Everton fans implore club not to sign Zaha

“No absolutely not”

Credit: @bobmarl03974950

“No no no thanks”

Credit: @jimefc21

“Same issues…. never learning if this is the type of profile of player we’re signing. Definition of insanity”

Credit: @MichaelHilditc5

“If we sign anyone over the age of 23 there should be a riot at Goodison park. Buy youth and keep buying youth… with pace”

Credit: @PtkToffee

“Yet again another signing towards the twilight years of his career and would demand stupid wages”

Credit: @MarkFer07565155

“Any chance of us signing players under 28?”

Credit: @DVDWLKNSN

In other news, Marcus Bent made this sensational claim about a transfer across Stanley Park.