Queensland have been boosted by the return of their two international allrounders for the vital final round of the Pura Cup against Western Australia at the Gabba tomorrow. Andrew Symonds and James Hopes have stepped back in for the Bulls after helping Australia to a 5-0 series victory over New Zealand, and intend to push their state to a home final.The Warriors have welcomed back Mike Hussey and Brad Hogg from ODI duty and both sides are chasing wins in a three-way contest to make and host next week’s decider. Two points will seal Queensland, who lead on 40 points, a spot in the final and may be enough to host it. Western Australia sit four back knowing an outright win would earn them a Perth home advantage, while New South Wales (34) can upset both sides if they draw level because of a superior quotient.Symonds and Hopes have replaced Lachlan Stevens and Brendan Nash from the side that beat Victoria at the MCG last weekend. Conditions before the match will determine whether Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke or Craig Philipson is 12th man. Western Australia will trim their 13-man squad tomorrow morning.Queensland Jimmy Maher (capt), Clinton Perren, Martin Love, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds, Craig Philipson, James Hopes, Wade Seccombe (wk), Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Joe Dawes, Mitchell Johnson.Western Australia Michael Hussey (capt), Murray Goodwin, Ryan Campbell (wk), Beau Casson, Brett Dorey, Ben Edmondson, Brad Hogg, Steve Magoffin, Shaun Marsh, Marcus North, Chris Rogers, Adam Voges, Brad Williams.
When England discussed the dangers Muttiah Muralitharan posed before this series, they probably didn’t spend much time fretting over his batting talents, but a last-wicket stand of 40 between Murali and Chaminda Vaas took the shine off England’s hard-working display in the field. Murali scored 38 from 37 balls to help Sri Lanka recover from 239 for 7 to reach a useful 331 all out.England, on the other hand, will be disappointed after a fruitful morning session, in which they took charge with three wickets – but after losing the toss, they could still take some satisfaction with their efforts.At the start of play, all Sri Lankan eyes had been on Kumar Sangakkara, their one remaining specialist batsman. He was in sublime touch on Tuesday evening, and soon showed the benefits of a good night’s sleep by hoisting his fourth ball of the morning, from Ashley Giles, over long-on for six. He brought up his fifty soon afterwards by tickling Giles into the leg for a single.After a three-over burst from Andrew Flintoff, who was steered for two fours through the gully by Thilan Samaraweera, England turned to their spin pairing of Giles and Gareth Batty. But the Sri Lankans remained keen to impose themselves, as Samaraweera showed when he danced down the track and slammed Batty over midwicket for four.It was the new ball that did the trick for England. With his very first delivery, Richard Johnson found the perfect line and length to trap Sangakkara lbw for 71 (202 for 5), as he played back and across. And when Samaraweera chased and edged a wide one from Flintoff, England were well on top (238 for 6).But it didn’t end there. Upul Chandana had battled hard for his 21, but with Flintoff on a roll, Chandana was adjudged lbw by Daryl Harper, although the ball appeared to be skimming over the top of middle stump. Sri Lanka, who had packed their middle order with spinning allrounders with a view to a quick victory, were beginning to regret their shortage of specialist batsmen.Kumar Dharmasena and Chaminda Vaas held up England’s progress with a handy partnership worth 40 stubborn runs, but that was ended by Batty’s first wicket of the match. Dharmasena tried to sweep but missed the ball, which pitched outside off and hit him in line, and he was judged lbw by Venkat (279 for 8).It was a deserved wicket for Batty, who, like Matthew Hoggard, had bowled tirelessly but without any luck, while Sri Lanka pushed towards 300. And Batty got more reward when Dinusha Fernando, on his Test debut, prodded forward and edged a low chance to Paul Collingwood, who took his third catch on debut, at short leg (291 for 9).Murali immediately livened the crowd when he slapped his first ball over mid-off for four, and then he signalled the 300 with a huge straight six off Batty. He then flicked Batty over mid-on for another four, and Michael Vaughan was beginning to get a little edgy. He brought back Flintoff to finish the job off, but he couldn’t. Murali top-edged him over the slips for two fours in consecutive balls, and he continued to frustrate the bowling with his unconventional style.He finally fell when he edged Giles to Read, but he was smiling all the way to the pavilion, while Vaughan was pondering on what could have been. Tea was then taken, with England contemplating their reply to Sri Lanka’s 331.
Bing Crosby might have been dreaming of a white Christmas, but Steve Waugh was still dreaming of a whitewash after the first day’s play in the fourth Ashes Test at the MCG. Waugh won the toss and then sat back as Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer each compiled hundreds and, in the process, broke a 95 year-old record. By the close, Australia had reached 356 for three with Langer unbeaten on 146 and Waugh relieving pressure on his own place in the side with an innings of 62 not out.Australia, already three-nil up in the series, made two changes from the last Test in Perth. Leg-spinner Stuart MacGill replaced the injured Shane Warne, while Martin Love made his Test debut at the expense of Darren Lehmann who was unable to shake off his leg infection. With Alec Stewart failing to recover from his bruised hand, James Foster was included to keep wicket for England with resulting changes to the composition of the rest of the side. They opted to play an extra batsman with John Crawley returning in place of Alex Tudor while Andrew Caddick was recalled for Chris Silverwood.This left England’s attack looking thin, with only four recognised bowlers in Caddick, Steve Harmison, Craig White and off-spinner Richard Dawson. The same paucity could not be detected in the Australian batting line-up as Hayden and Langer made full use of a pitch promising plenty of runs when Waugh won the toss.Hayden has been in unstoppable form during the series, but he did offer the odd moment of hope to England’s bowlers who far from disgraced themselves during the morning session. In the first over he hooked Caddick just over Harmison’s head at long leg for a boundary and another opportunity went begging when Crawley failed to sight the ball at deep backward square leg and it bounced in just front of him before going over the rope.The Queenslander, averaging 94 in the first three Tests, was also inconvenienced in the ninth over of the morning when struck a blow on the knee by Caddick. However, he took only a short time to recover before going on to pass the milestone of 3,000 Test runs including 400 in the current series. He also survived a convincing shout for lbw when Dawson was introduced into the attack for a single over just before lunch.The score had reached 88 without loss at the interval before the Australian batsmen cut loose in the afternoon session, adding a further 147 runs. Hayden and Langer, drawing inspiration from one another, broke the ground record of 126 for an opening partnership in Australia-England Tests established in 1907/08 by Monty Noble and Victor Trumper.When Hayden went to his hundred off 138 balls with a somewhat fortunate shot to the fine leg boundary, it was his third in the series and twelfth in Tests. He acknowledged the applause of a crowd in excess of 64,000 but perished 11 balls later when he was caught at mid-off by Crawley off the bowling of Caddick.Langer’s hundred came up in three balls less than Hayden’s as he took a six and a four off consecutive balls from Dawson. Not for him the nervous nineties as the man who has been forced to play second fiddle to his opening partner emerged in his own right. He displayed his composure when three wickets fell in relatively quick succession at the other end.After he had lost his opening partner, Langer watched as Ricky Ponting chopped a ball from White onto his stumps and then, ten overs later, saw Damien Martyn edge a ball from the same bowler low to first slip where Marcus Trescothick held on to a good catch. That reduced Australia to 265 for three and there was a glimmer of hope for England.That was extinguished by Langer and a defiant innings from Waugh. There has been much speculation that the Australian captain’s international career is drawing to a close, but he obviously has other ideas. He did survive an awkward moment when it seemed that he had edged the sixth delivery with the new ball from Caddick low to Butcher at slip, but the third umpire ended lengthy deliberation in Waugh’s favour.His fifty came from only 49 balls and now he will want to at least double that personal tally before leading Australia to an unassailable first innings total. He and they are well on the way and England’s depleted attack will not be looking forward to trying to stop them with any confidence.
Hosts Tamil Nadu were in a strong position at the end of the first day oftheir three day encounter against Andhra in the State Under 22 tournament.On winning the toss at the Alagappa Chettiar Institute of TechnologyGround, skipper Vasanth Saravanan decided to bat first. All rounder RajatBhatia opening the innings cracked a century and vindicated his skipper’sdecision.After surviving a loud shout for LBW off the very first ball he faced, theMRF and Tamil Nadu all rounder Rajat Bhatia moved from strength tostrength. In the last season, Bhatia played a couple of vital knocks in theRanji Trophy and regained his touch today. In an innings that saw 15boundaries and one hit that sailed past the ropes, Bhatia made 135.Although an unbeaten 59 from Vasanth Saravanan boosted the total, it wasRajat Bhatia who made all the difference. Of an eventual total of 274/3,Rajat Bhatia contributed 135.For the bowlers there was no joy on the day. Ram Mohan, Faiq Ahmed andSrinivas took a wicket each after a hard day’s toil. When the players takethe field tomorrow, Tamil Nadu hold all the aces.
As per Calciomercato, there has been an update on Tottenham Hotspur’s transfer plans for Southampton defender Tino Livramento.
The Lowdown: Paratici makes ‘preliminary moves’…
The exciting defender, described as a ‘perfect’ modern full-back by PFF football data analyst Evan Patrick, has been subject to strong interest from Spurs in recent weeks, as reported by Football Insider.
It is believed that Tottenham, and by extension their transfer chief Fabio Paratici, have made ‘preliminary moves’ to sign Livramento, as bolstering Conte’s right-wing-back options remains a major priority.
The Lilywhites were knowingly on the hunt for a signing in that position over the January transfer window, with Barcelona ace Adama Traore a rather public target at the time. Alas, after the Catalans hijacked Tottenham’s move, Paratici was unable to add a right wing-back to Conte’s ranks.
Sharing an update on the chase for Livramento, Calciomercato claimed that Spurs may table Harry Winks or Cameron Carter-Vickers in exchange for his signature.
The Latest: Calciomercato share Livramento update…
According to their information, Paratici and Spurs ‘could offer’ either player ‘in a bid’ to sign the 19-year-old.
Carter-Vickers, currently on loan at Celtic, has been excelling north of the border, whereas Winks is somewhat blowing hot and cold under Conte.
The Verdict: Get it done?
Regardless of his fine Celtic form, the USA defender doesn’t appear to have a future at Spurs, having played just five times for the first team since making his debut in 2016/17 (Transfermarkt).
His contract also expires in 2023, surely making it a no-brainer to offer the 24-year-old in a swap deal for the Southampton ace, but much will depend on whether the Hoops take up a purchase option in his deal.
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Meanwhile, Winks has displayed at various points this season he can still prove useful for Conte. The Englishman has impressed in certain games, particularly in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at the end of last year, with pundit Jamie Redknapp calling him the ‘main man’ against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Former Tottenham goalkeeper Paul Robinson has also lavished Winks with praise, calling him an ‘amazing player’, so we believe that Carter-Vickers should be the one sacrificed in a potential swap deal for Livramento.
In other news: Tottenham make pre-summer move as they chase ‘massive’ signing for Conte, find out more here
James Sutherland, the chief executive of Cricket Australia, is confident India’s tour will continue as planned and he has called on the captains Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting to sort out their differences in the next few days. Despite rumblings of discontent from within the Indian team, Sutherland said Sharad Pawar, the BCCI president, had indicated the remaining two Tests would be played and the squad would not be heading home early.”There’s nothing to suggest that it won’t [go ahead],” Sutherland said. “Sharad Pawar, who is the president of cricket in India, has overnight made such commitments, so that’s good enough for me. We’re looking forward to Perth now.”Australia won the second Test on Sunday with barely ten minutes remaining and after the match Kumble questioned whether Australia had played within the spirit of the game. Ponting angrily defended his integrity and Sutherland said following such a tense finish it was understandable that emotions were running high.”It was a classic Test match, it went right down to the wire,” Sutherland said. “Anil Kumble had a fantastic Test match as a captain and as a player, and no doubt he was disappointed in the end.”To some extent it’s not surprising in that emotionally charged environment that he would say what he has. It is only appropriate in that circumstance for Ricky Ponting and Anil Kumble to get together and to talk about exactly what differences of opinion there may be in that regard.”The match was marred by poor umpiring, contentious catches, queries over walking and a report that resulted in Harbhajan Singh being suspended for three Tests for making a racist comment to Andrew Symonds. Brad Hogg might also face the match referee over allegedly using offensive language during the match but Sutherland was unsure when or if a hearing would take place.”I don’t know any of the detail,” he said. “As I understand it a report hasn’t specifically been laid yet but it may well be pending.”The controversies during and after the game have taken the gloss of Australia’s record-equalling 16th consecutive Test victory. Sutherland said it should have been no surprise that Australia would fight tooth and nail to win the match.”It has always been the Australian way to play the game of cricket hard but fair,” he said. “Tough and uncompromising is certainly the way in which all Australian teams have played no matter who has been the captain and this team under Ricky Ponting is no exception.”
Prosper Utseya has been fined 40 percent of his match fee for a slow over rate in the fourth one-day international against Bangladesh at Harare.Other members of Zimbabwe’s team were fined 20 percent of their fee from Saturday’s match following the hearing conducted by match referee Cyril Mitchley.”This was Prosper’s first offence of this nature but he must be careful not to let it happen again. He has received a stern warning,” said Mitchley. “Slow over rates are not fair to the opposition or the spectators and captains have a responsibility to ensure their players adhere to the regulations in that regard.”Bangladesh claimed the series 3-1 after a one-wicket win in the final match on Saturday.
After yesterday’s washout, today’s semi-final was reduced to seven overs per side between Cape Cobras and Titans, with Australia’s Ian Harvey taking the Cobras through to the final. Harvey’s blistering 45 was made from just 18 balls, with five fours and three sixes, after the Cobras had won the toss and chosen to bat. Their total of 95 for 5 from seven overs proved too much for the Titans, who lost Bodi in the second over for one. AB de Villiers, however, was striking the ball cleanly, hitting three sixes and a couple of fours in his knock of 30. But his wicket spelled the end of Titan’s chances of making it to the final, and they fell 22 runs short.Soaking rain all day forced the postponement of the Standard Bank Pro20 semi-finalbetween the Eagles and the Lions in Bloemfontein on Sunday. The match was rescheduled to 6 PM on Monday, and the winners will meet the Cobras in the final next Sunday.
Sajid Mahmood bounced back from early onslaught from Avishka Gunawardene to rip through Sri Lanka’s top order and tighten England A’s grip on a match that they’ve controlled ever since Ian Bell walked to the crease in the first hour. At stumps on day two, Sri Lanka A still trailed by 245 runs with only four first-innings wickets remaining.Mahmood, who was held back as a second-change bowler, was initially expensive as Gunawardene, a powerful and fearless dasher, raced to 40 from just 56 balls. But Mahmood’s extra pace had the final say, and Gunawardene was eventually caught behind.At that stage, Sri Lanka A, who lost their Test prospect Ian Daniel early, caught in the covers, had been ticking along smoothly at 65 for 1. Soon, however, they had slipped to 77 for 4 and were deep in trouble as Mahmood continued to breach their defences. Anuska Polonawita (16) was caught behind for 16 and Jehan Mubarak (10) was caught on the crease and clean bowled.Thilina Kandamby (28), confident after his fine form in the Provincial Tournament, counterattacked with a brisk 28 from 45 balls before a desperate slice of misfortune. Driving the ball through extra cover, he cracked the silly-point fieldsman on the full and ball ballooned up to Graeme Swann, the grateful bowler.But Sri Lanka’s fightback continued in the final session. First, Prasanna Jayawardene scored 24 before being pinned lbw and then Gayan Wijekoon (17 not out) and Malinga Bandara (30 not out), both handy allrounders, chipped away at the lead during an unbroken 49-run stand.Earlier, Matthew Prior had starred after Bell had fallen for 144, Nandika Ranjith finally unlocking his sound defence and sending his stumps cart-wheeling. Prior ensured that the lower order didn’t melt away on another scorching day, breezing to 76 from 85 balls, an innings that included 10 fours.Malinga Bandara eventually mopped up the tail with his legbreaks, finishing with 5 for 96 from 37 overs, but England’s 424-run total left Sri Lanka on the back foot and by the close England A still held the initiative.Bandara’s performance was praised by his coach, Stan Nel: “"The pitch is an absolute batting paradise. It is more difficult for the bowlers. In that respect Malinga Bandara’s five wickets was a great haul in his first game back for Sri Lanka `A’."But Nel was less happy with the bowlers: "We bowled well in parts yesterday (first day) and fielded really well. Today our top four batsmen let us down. They have come after a good provincial tournament and they are in form. I’ve had a chat with them and asked them to take on more responsibility.”Having said that, Kandamby was a bit unlucky the ball ricocheted off the shoe and Prasanna Jayawardene was also unlucky when he was given out when he edged the ball onto the pads. It was disappointing but that’s cricket," he said.
After three days of searching cricket, the Indians played out a drawagainst the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS). Set 305 to win, theIndians suffered yet another top-order collapse, but reached 121 for 4thanks to sensible batting by Saurav Ganguly (35), SadagoppanRamesh (37 not out), and Rahul Dravid (20 not out).Earlier, riding on Lee Carseldine’s second hundred of the match, QASdeclared at 208, galloping at four runs an over. Interestingly, India had taken 20 overs more to make an identical score in their first innings.The third day threw up more questions than answers, as India’s horrorrun with both bat and ball continued. At one point, the Indians were at32 for 3. What’s worrisome was that the three dismissed batsmen were Deep Dasgupta, Virender Sehwag, and Akash Chopra – all prospective openers. Ganguly and Ramesh then put on 56, before the former perished for an aggressive 35.Unlike the Indians, Carseldine found the pitch and the attack tohis liking. His unbeaten knock of 109 came of 155 balls, and was lacedwith 18 boundaries. And following the first innings script, the otherbatsmen played around his century to put the game beyond the Indians’ reach.Irfan Pathan and Anil Kumble picked up two wickets each, to complete a reasonably successful tour match. Kumble ended with match figures of 6 for 102, and has been the one Indian bowler to impress on tour sofar. Ajit Agarkar, though wicketless, bowled economically. With Balaji’snon-performance, the fast bowlers for the first Test will most likely be three out of Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Agarkar and Pathan.