All posts by h716a5.icu

Eight members of a proposed 10-member interim committee, appointed to runthe affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) earlierthis month, have formally accepted letters of appointment from SportsMinister Johnston Fernando

CricInfo24-Apr-2002Eight members of a proposed 10-member interim committee, appointed to runthe affairs of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) earlierthis month, have formally accepted letters of appointment from SportsMinister Johnston Fernando.Roshan Mahanama, former Sri Lanka Test batsman and Sri Lanka A coach untilstanding down recently, is among those to have confirmed his participationin the committee despite being reported to having a strained relationshipwith Sidath Wettimuny and Michael Tissera.But although the interim committee have now held two meetings, and wereapparently appointed in the first week of April, there has still been noofficial confirmation from the Sports Ministry or the Chief Executive’soffice that a new interim has been appointed after the previous VijayaMalalsekera led committee stood down on March 31.The two members to not accept their letters of appointment are TrevorRajaratnam and Mohan de Silva, both former BCCSL Executive Committeemembers, who have legal cases pending against the BCCSL and are believed toseeking advice before deciding whether to accept Fernando’s invitation.The interim committee is headed by Hemaka Amarasuriya and has been asked toserve until the 2003 World Cup in South Africa. A press conference with thenew members is expected to be held in early May at the BCCSL headquarters.Full 10-member committee:Hemaka Amarasuriya (chairman), Nalin Ladduwahetty, Michael Tissera, SidatWettimuny, Mohan de Silva, Lawrance Amarasena, Trevor Rajaratnam, KushilGunasekera, Triphone Mirando, Roshan Mahanama.

Aston Villa could land a perfect alternative to Norwich’s Emi Buendia this summer in Reading starlet Michael Olise.

What’s the story?

Reports in recent months had suggested that the French talent is on Dean Smith’s radar as the manager looks to rejuvenate his Villa squad with younger talent, but it appears that they now face significant competition for his signature.

According to TEAMtalk, Lille are keen on bringing Olise back to his home country, with the recently-crowned Ligue 1 champions are keen to see him arrive as a potential replacement for Jonathan Ikone.

He matched Jack Grealish

Hailed as “super talented” by Reading manager Veljko Paunović, the 19-year-old has been widely hailed for his skill, with Jose Gomes – his former boss at the Madejski Stadium – adding: “Michael is really special. He can see, even before receiving the ball, more options than regular players. His technical ability and speed, decision capacity is really, really good.”

That speed of thought to which Gomes is referring is something very much akin to Villa talisman Jack Grealish, who was the main source of inspiration for Smith’s side this season – he has managed 12 assists in the Premier League, with seven goals in all competitions.

Both of those tallies were matched by Olise, who also recorded 12 assists in the Championship alone this term, as well as adding a further seven goals to his name.

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The £10.8m-rated teenager ranks in the top ten for most fouled players per game in the Championship (Grealish ranks top in the Premier League), and is second for key passes in the division (the Villa man is also second for that metric).

With Buendia also linked with a move to Arsenal, Villa have a real fight on their hands to land the Argentine this summer. If they miss out on the playmaker, or decide to go on a different direction, then Olise must absolutely be the man who Smith targets.

The Villa boss could forget all about Buendia by landing the much younger Olise this summer.

Meanwhile, Villa are eyeing a move for this free agent…

Tamil Nadu did not give this game young cricketer a fair deal,dropping him at the first sign of loss of form rather than nurturinghis undoubted talent and big-match temperament.

V Ramnarayan08-May-2002N Gautam, who died on May 7 after battling cancer, was one of the mostpopular cricketers of Tamil Nadu. Tall and slightly built, thisAlwarpet CC, MRF and Tamil Nadu middle-order batsman batted in aclassically correct, erect style, playing mostly in the ‘V’ andbuilding innings with care.

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Tamil Nadu did not give this game young cricketer a fair deal,dropping him at the first sign of loss of form rather than nurturinghis undoubted talent and big-match temperament.

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If Gautam’s batting was solid and dependable, his medium-pace was morethan useful, sometimes breaking partnerships when the main bowlers hadfailed and slowing things down when the opposing batsmen were on thewarpath. He was a swift mover and hard-working fielder who gave 100per cent all the time. Gautam was the quintessential team man thatevery captain loved to have in the side for his never-say-die spirit,the same spirit that enabled him to face his personal crisis withcourage and confidence.When I played against Gautam for the first time, I bowled him with anunplayable ball. He was barely 18 or 19 then, I perhaps 40, and heflashed a boyish smile at me when I assured him it had been a fluke.We later played for the same club in the senior division league andenjoyed several moments of friendship despite the age differencebetween us. I enjoyed pulling his leg and, judging by the size of hisgrin, he enjoyed being teased by me too.Tamil Nadu did not give this game young cricketer a fair deal,dropping him at the first sign of loss of form rather than nurturinghis undoubted talent and big-match temperament. It was as much thestate’s loss as the youngster’s, as cricketers of the stature of KapilDev and Mohammad Azharuddin were heard to remark on occasion.Gautam later played for Goa, and even scored one of his three firstclass hundreds for that state, but by that time he was past his prime.He never let his disappointments at the first-class level interferewith his contributions to MRF and Globe Trotters in local cricket. Hewas one of the mainstays of the side and often came to the team’srescue when the bigger stars had failed.Almost every cricketer who came into contact with Gautam was convincedthat he was that rarity among cricketers – a good human being. I couldnot agree more.

According to a report by West Ham United insider Claret & Hugh, Slavia Prague starlet Abdallah Sima is one of two strikers who could be targeted this summer as things stand.

The Lowdown: Hammers and the striker hunt…

Since club-record signing Sebastien Haller opted to depart the London Stadium in early January, David Moyes has been on the search for a striker who can bolster their forward line.

Michail Antonio, whilst scoring 10 goals and assisting five others in the Premier League last season (WhoScored), has also proven unreliable when it comes to keeping fit, and he is currently the only natural senior centre-forward at the club.

A plethora of forwards have been linked to West Ham in recent months, including Adam Armstrong, Youssef En-Nesyri, Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney (ExWHUemployee).

The Latest: Sima could now be targeted…

Sharing the latest on West Ham’s striker pursuit, club insider Claret & Hugh have revealed the two most likely forward options for Moyes this summer. Indeed, as things stand, the Irons striker target appears to be a choice of either Abraham or Sima.

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The latter comes as an interesting name given his impressive form in the Czech Republic this season and his fledgling age of 19.

West Ham’s priorities this summer are apparently a striker, central defender and the permanent signing of Jesse Lingard from Manchester United.

The Verdict: Do it GSB…

The teenage sensation, valued at around £9.9m by Transfermarkt, could prove to be an amazing alternative to Abraham, who Moyes has previously stated may be too expensive.

Sima has scored a very impressive 20 goals in all competitions for Slavia, and we urge West Ham to prioritise a move for him ahead of the Chelsea outcast.

The teenager has cut a prolific figure in the Fortuna Liga and he would likely serve as another brilliant signing from Slavia alongside Vladimir Coufal and Tomas Soucek. Lauded as a ‘phenomenon’ by Slavia chairman Jaroslav Tvrdik, we struggle to think of a better option for the Irons this summer.

In other news: West Ham player now really wants to leave, Cottee dubbed him their ‘best footballer’…find out more here.

West Ham United have once again been linked with a move for Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car this week…

What’s the word?

The 24-year-old is among the list of central defensive targets this summer, according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, nearly a year on from their initial interest.

Other reports from The Athletic suggest that despite the Ligue 1 outfit’s €20m (£18m) valuation, he is expected to depart for a fee in the region of just €15m (£13m).

The Hammers failed in their attempts to sign him last year as they could not offer European football, something that now puts them at a major advantage, having qualified for next season’s Europa League.

Bye-bye Diop?

David Moyes appears to be fairly well-stocked in the defensive department, though they do require some strength in depth.

Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson are likely to enter the 2021/22 campaign as his first-choice duo, with Aaron Cresswell dropping into a back three when required, so where does that leave Issa Diop?

At just 24, his career is by no means finished but his time at the London Stadium could be forcibly ended by the arrival of Caleta-Car.

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Back in April, Irons fansite Claret & Hugh claimed the Frenchman could be a possible departure during the summer transfer window, alongside players like Felipe Anderson, Manuel Lanzini and Andriy Yarmolenko.

The commanding 6 foot 4 Croatian international would give Moyes a more solid and imposing option at the back. He averaged 2.5 aerials won and found the net twice across 33 league appearances last term, via WhoScored.

Furthermore, he’s proven effective with the ball at his feet, recording a better pass success rate (86.1%) than any of the Hammers’ current squad.

Former Premier League defender and international teammate Dejan Lovren has tipped him for big things and that will only provide further encouragement in any move for him this summer.

He told La Provence: “In my opinion, Duje could easily play in England. He is physically very strong, stronger than other players. He will explode in a few years and become even stronger.”

For just £13m, David Sullivan and co could land an absolute bargain for Moyes’ backline, the only potential downside would be the fact that it pushes Diop closer to the exit door.

AND in other news, ExWHUemployee drops encouraging transfer claim that’ll have many Irons fans buzzing…

Surrey were forced to settle for a draw at Taunton after setting Somerset 379 to win

Stephen Lamb06-Jul-2002Surrey were forced to settle for a draw at Taunton after setting Somerset 379 to win. A second century of the match from Matthew Wood (131) and 68 from Michael Burns gave the Cidermen brief hopes of victory before a flurry of wickets, four of them to Saqlain Mushtaq left them hanging on for a draw. Earlier Jonathan Batty continued his impressive batting form, making 151 to set up the Championship leaders’ declaration.Inevitably the rain over the past few days doomed some matches to draws. They included Hampshire against Sussex at The Rose Bowl after Hampshire, set 195 to win, closed on 56 for no wicket. At Maidstone, Min Patel took five for 32 as Warwickshire were bundled out for 172 in reply to Kent’s 306, but a result never looked feasible and Kent eventually declared on 118 for five. Time also ran out at Grace Road, despite Devon Malcolm taking five for 52 to shoot out Lancashire for 180. The game ended when the hosts declared on 206 for four.In Division Two, Glamorgan beat the leaders, Essex, by eight wickets at Swansea. Simon Jones (five for 28) completed the rout of Essex for just 139 in their second innings, leaving the hosts needing just 112 for victory. Captain Steve James (56) ensured a steady march to the target.Northants contrived a thrilling win over Durham after the two captains each forfeited an innings in pursuit of a result. An 82-ball innings of 109 from Graeme Swann was they key to Northants’ win, although David Sales (74) and Tony Penberthy (47) helped to lay the foundations.Gloucestershire managed to hold on for a draw at Derby, thanks to an innings of 95 from Craig Spearman. After Dominic Cork (67) helped to give Derbyshire a first-innings lead of 219, Gloucestershire had passed that figure by the time Spearman was out, forcing a draw with the Second Division’s third-placed team.A century for Paul Weekes ensured a draw for Middlesex against Worcestershire at Lord’s. Weekes made an unbeaten 127 to enable Middlesex to declare at 417 for eight in reply to Worcestershire’s first-innings 503. Abdur Razzaq and Phil Tufnell then shared the wickets as Worcestershire closed on 99 for five.

Lawrie Sanchez has exclusively told The Transfer Tavern that he was surprised that Sam Allardyce left his post at West Brom recently, with the club no nearer to appointing his replacement following the exit of Luke Dowling on Monday.

Not for the first time in his career, Allardyce was hired with a Premier League side flirting with the bottom-three and in need of someone with experience to get themselves out of trouble.

However, just six months after replacing Slaven Bilic as Baggies manager, the former England boss stepped down following their immediate relegation back to the Championship.

Allardyce recorded just four victories from his 25 Premier League games in charge of West Brom, ending his own proud record of never having been relegated as a manager despite their shock 5-2 victory at Chelsea which briefly gave them hope.

He was offered a new deal to stay at the club, but the 66-year-old rejected West Brom’s terms due to doubts over his commitment to the cause should the Baggies have bounced straight back.

Whilst Allardyce is an expert at leading teams to safety, he also boats an impressive record of getting teams out of the second-tier, which is exactly why Sanchez exclusively told The Transfer Tavern he thought he’d stay on:

“It surprised me that to be fair.

“But the Fireman Sam one, it’s quite a good job, taking over at the death, being a hero, getting paid two years money in six months, you can go in and say ‘I’m going to keep you up so I want x million because it’s going to cost you x million to go down plus my wages over the course of that time and if I keep you up its two-three years money for three months of work’.

“You know next year there’s going to be clubs in relegation fights, and you know, the first thing everybody’s going to say is ‘where is Sam Allardyce?'”

SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP – Almost ten years on and Mark Waugh still appears unable to get away from the biggest mistake of his career.

Hamish Esplin01-Aug-2002SYDNEY, Aug 1 AAP – Almost ten years on and Mark Waugh still appears unable to get away from the biggest mistake of his career.In 1998 it was revealed Waugh had been fined $10,000 by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) for accepting money from a bookmaker in return for pitch and weather conditions in 1994.Many felt the punishment was too lenient, especially given the life ban handed later out to South African captain Hansie Cronje for match-fixing.Waugh endured years of more severe allegations until his name was finally cleared in August 2001 by the ICC’s anti-corruption body.Still his sense of guilt remains.It’s there in the foreword to his biography, launched in Sydney today, when Waugh writes: “I have had my ups and downs, and made my mistakes.”It’s also there in a quote from US President Theodore Roosevelt, included at the front of the biography;”It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles … The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”Waugh even admitted so to reporters at the launch today: “The sport could have done without the scandal obviously but it’s happened now and the important thing is that it doesn’t happen again.”Waugh’s name, along with team-mate Shane Warne, was mentioned in allegations and investigations around the world – an event he described as “a nightmare really that snowballed from something I didn’t believe to be that bad”.In response, Waugh’s perception of those around him changed, especially the media.”Since 1998 I haven’t really enjoyed my cricket career,” explained Waugh, who said he got headaches, felt ill and lost weight throughout the ordeal.”I’ve felt the media has always been nagging away, keeping a close eye on me and my form. I don’t think I hate anything more in my career than dealing with the media.”Alan Jones was on hand to launch Waugh’s biography with the laudatory words of Sir Donald Bradman that the 37-year-old was “the most elegant and graceful cricketer of the modern era”.But no matter how many stories of match-saving innings, freakish catches and witty retorts permeate the book, Waugh’s sense of victimisation remains.”I didn’t hear the ACB come out once and say that Mark has been a great player for Australia,” writes Waugh, who said he was still hopeful of playing in next year’s world cup.”He’s played 100 Tests, we’re fully behind him. They never once said that.”While many will remember for his relaxed stroke making and clean hitting, others will remember him more for his casual and carefree approach to batting that leaves him with a Test average of just over 42.”I’ve copped a fair bit of criticism from people who say I don’t give my best, people who say I look lazy and don’t value my wicket enough,” Waugh concludes in the book.”I’ve had some tough times because of the corruption issue. All I can say is that I have played my guts out for my club, my state, my country.”I’m proud of what I have achieved.”

Nick Knight frustrated Surrey’s hopes of wrapping up their third County Championship title in four years as Warwickshire secured a battling draw at Edgbaston

Stephen Lamb30-Aug-2002Nick Knight frustrated Surrey’s hopes of wrapping up their third County Championship title in four years as Warwickshire secured a battling draw at Edgbaston. Knight, batting with a runner because of a hip injury, added 109 with Jim Troughton (63) and another 73 with wicket-keeper Tony Frost, who made 20 after taking 53 balls to get off the mark. Knight was eventually bowled by Ian Ward for 133, and the game ended when Warwickshire declared on 404 for nine, 205 runs ahead. They remain the only county with a mathematical chance, albeit wafer-thin, of overhauling the leaders.Middlesex enhanced their Second Division title hopes with a six-wicket win over Worcestershire at New Road. They were left needing 190 to win the match after Steve Rhodes (47) helped extend the hosts’ second innings total past 400 after they followed on yesterday. Andy Strauss and Sven Koenig set Middlesex on their way with an opening stand of 56, and after a brief wobble as they lost three wickets for 14 runs, Ed Joyce (46*) and Paul Weekes (40*) saw them home.Usman Afzaal made a century as Nottinghamshire settled for batting practice on the final day of their Second Division clash with Glamorgan at Colwyn Bay. Afzaal finished unbeaten on 104 as the game was drawn with the visitors on 274 for five, a lead of 243. Afzaal shared in a stand of 143 with Nicky Boje (70) for the fifth wicket; Dean Cosker finished with three for 101 for Glamorgan.

According to a report by Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor, writing on Twitter, Tottenham Hotspur target Nicolas Gonzalez is ‘intrigued’ by their interest and now ‘wants to see’ if a bid arrives.

The Lowdown: Spurs eyeing Gonzalez

Tottenham have been linked with a move for the VfB Stuttgart forward for a while now, with reports as far back as January detailing interest from the Lilywhites.

Recently, amid Brighton’s heavy interest, Spurs have re-emerged as possible suitors for the Argentine and reliable sources believe chairman Daniel Levy and managing director Fabio Paratici are planning to make a move.

The Latest: Gonzalez waiting for Spurs bid…

As per Taylor, writing on his social media, Gonzalez is ‘intrigued’ by the interest from Tottenham as Brighton weigh up a club record swoop for the attacker.

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The player is said to be focused on his Copa America tour with Argentina as clubs negotiate behind the scenes over where he will be plying his trade next season.

While Brighton are seriously interested, Tottenham are still in the running according to Taylor.

Gonzalez hasn’t made his mind up yet and it is even said that the 23-year-old ‘wants to see’ if a bid arrives from the Lilywhites this summer.

The Verdict: Still hope, but need to move…

Brighton appear overwhelming favourites to sign Gonzalez as things stand, but this update provides fresh hope as he contemplates his future.

Lauded as ‘amazing’ by Fabrizio Romano, it’s little wonder Spurs are interested given his very threatening 3.3 shots on goal per 90 over 10 Bundesliga starts last season (WhoScored).

He did miss a portion of 2020/2021 due to injury, 19 games to be exact, but his performances when available showcase a real potential coup for Spurs if they can pull it off.

In other news: Spurs will now swoop for £31.5m-valued ‘leader’ with Paratici calling, find out more here.