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A greatly improved bowling performance by Zimbabwe, with Henry Olongaclaiming six wickets, enabled them to beat Kenya by nine wickets with 34overs to spare in the third and final one-day international, thus taking theseries by two victories to

John Ward15-Dec-2002A greatly improved bowling performance by Zimbabwe, with Henry Olongaclaiming six wickets, enabled them to beat Kenya by nine wickets with 34overs to spare in the third and final one-day international, thus taking theseries by two victories to nil, with one match abandoned.The sun was shining hotly at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo as Kenya won thetoss and decided to bat. Zimbabwe decided to rest Travis Friend, toaccommodate Andy Blignaut, passed as fit again. Kenya replaced Tony Sujiand Collins Obuya with David Obuya and Peter Ongondo.Kenya, no doubt hoping for a better performance at the end of their brieftour of Zimbabwe, must have been very disappointed to slide to a total of133 all out. Henry Olonga, bowling with much more control than he has doneagainst Kenya so far, was the main destroyer with six wickets, but on thewhole Kenya simply failed to handle accurate bowling with little help fromthe pitch.Zimbabwe took an early grip on the match thanks to much improved bowlingfrom Blignaut and Douglas Hondo on an excellent batting pitch. They movedthe ball little if at all, but maintained a good length and a teasing linejust outside off stump and three batsmen fell for 23 runs. Ravindu Shah (0)was caught at the wicket in the first over, prodding outside the off stump,while Kennedy Obuya almost did a dance of frustration at the diagonal-batdrive outside off stump that cost him his wicket.Brijal Patel announced his arrival with an exquisite cover drive for fouroff Blignaut, but had only 8 to his credit when he tried to drive Blignautthrough the off side and was caught at second slip.Kenya had to look to her two vintage batsmen, Steve Tikolo and Maurice Odumbe, to effect a recovery, and this they did to good effect. The bowlers’ accuracy slipped a little, and Odumbe pulled Hondo for a remarkable low six in an over that cost 16 altogether. Tikolo’s preference was for Murphy, 12 runs coming off his first over.The partnership added 82 off 85 balls, bringing up the hundred in the 20thover, and was causing Zimbabwe some brow-furrowing when it came to anunfortunate end and again the balance of the match altered rapidly. Tikolodrove Murphy through the covers but a superb recovery and return by Blignautfound him short of his crease coming back for the second. He scored 34 off51 balls and had looked well set to play a major innings. This was themajor turning point of the match.In the next over Hitesh Modi (0) was another Taibu catch, this time offOlonga, who bowled much more accurately than he has done so far this tour.In his next over Kenya’s remaining hopes crumbled as Odumbe disappointinglygave it away, caught for 48 (49 balls) from a half-hearted attempt to clearthe field. Kenya suddenly found themselves struggling again at 116 forsix – and, with their rather weak tail exposed, at the point of no return.Olonga took his wicket tally to five with another full-length delivery thattrapped Martin Suji lbw for 4, following which Peter Ongondo (0) drove himtamely straight to mid-off. Last man Joseph Angara (2) was bamboozled andtrapped lbw by Olonga’s slower ball, a full toss, giving him figures of sixfor 28 and leaving David Obuya 8 not out.In the first over of Zimbabwe’s reply, bowled by Kenya’s most impressivebowler of the tour Martin Suji, Campbell (5) played an exquisite on-drivefor four, but was then forced back and caught at the wicket; David Obuya waskeeping in this match instead of Kennedy, who had a poor match in Kwekwe.Campbell was replaced by Andy Blignaut, Zimbabwe trying out anotherpinch-hitter after their success with Travis Friend in Kwekwe.Mark Vermeulen though was the more dominant figure, standing tall anddriving powerfully, and the Kenyan bowlers were able to offer him littlemore than batting practice. Two cracking fours in succession brought upVermeulen’s fifty off 43 balls, with 10 fours. Zimbabwe almost finished itoff before lunch when they were 122 for one, with Blignaut havingaccelerated to reach his fifty off 35 balls. A worry was an approachingstorm; the umpires asked Kenya if they would be willing to conclude thematch, but they opted for the break.Rain did come during the interval, delaying the resumption by just under anhour. Kennedy Otieno enjoyed the experience of bowling in internationalcricket for the first time, and it took two further overs for Zimbabwe tofinish the match.The stand between Vermeulen and Blignaut realized 130 unbroken; Vermeulenfinished with 62 (12 fours) and Blignaut with 63 (8 fours, 3 sixes). Man ofthe Mahtch, however, was Henry Olonga and Man of the Series Travis Friend.

Aston Villa confirmed on Friday evening that 10 new scholars have joined the club, and a number of Villa fans have been reacting to the news on social media.

Villa have already bolstered their academy ranks his summer with the acquisitions of England under-16 captain Josh Feeney and Bournemouth’s Ajani Burchall.

They have now added a number of youngsters from different clubs, whereas others have progressed through Villa’s youth system (avfc.co.uk).

Goalkeeper James Wright has joined from Manchester City, full-back Jayden Barber from Fulham, Finley Munroe from Chelsea and Kyrie Pierre from Bristol Rovers.

Defenders Harvey Rhoades and Luke Softley, midfielders Todd Alcock and Mikell Barnes and forwards Charlie Lutz and Kobei Moore have all been rewarded for their displays coming through Villa’s academy.

Villa fans react

Villa shared the news about the 10 youngsters on their official Twitter page, and these fans of the club were quick to share their thoughts, with one describing the news as ‘exciting’.

“I love this club. The whole club is moving forward tremendously. Exciting times!”Credit: @lVathan_”Incredible work going into the academy”Credit: @AVFCchats”exciting times at this club”Credit: @catrinedwards18″Announce Champions League winners 2026/2027″Credit: @MShauib1″Love it”Credit: @VillaVisionBen”The future is bright”Credit: @FCVillans

In other news: Reliable reporter shares just how much Aston Villa offered for Kalvin Phillips, find out more here. 

Stuart MacGill’s retirement has raised more questions over whether Shane Warne could end his international exile

Cricinfo staff02-Jun-2008
Beau Casson is the front-runner to replace Stuart MacGill in the short term © Getty Images
Stuart MacGill’s retirement has raised more questions over whether Shane Warne could end his international exile, but Cricket Australia is confident there will be no return. While Darren Lehmann and Kerry O’Keeffe feel Warne could make a successful comeback, James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive, believes he has heard the final word.”I am in Mumbai and I let Shane know that Stuart was about to announce his retirement,” Sutherland told the Sydney Morning Herald. “Shane was very clear on the subject: he said that not only is he very happily retired, but also that [a comeback] is the furthest thing from his mind. So that would seem to be the end of that.”Warne’s former mentor Terry Jenner told it was “time to move forward” and said in the Herald there was “no logical reason to go backwards”. However, his position was not as clear in the Australian.”The very situation that Warney talked about has arrived,” Jenner said. “All the criteria have been met for what Shane said would be the criteria for him to come back. Shane has been playing cricket, albeit Twenty20, MacGill has retired and the choice is to go to one of the young kids who might not be ready.”Beau Casson, who is on the West Indies tour, is the best-placed person to replace MacGill in the short term while the South Australian pair of Dan Cullen and Cullen Bailey held Cricket Australia contracts for 2007-08. The third Test against West Indies starts in Barbados on June 12 and Andrew Symonds and Michael Clarke could also be employed instead of Casson.O’Keeffe, who played 24 Tests in the 1970s, said in the Australian Warne was a “big chance of a comeback now”. “I think he would do very well in England,” he said. Last month Warne said he would consider stepping in for one Test series if Australia really needed him.”You would have to be mad not to take him if we were struggling for whatever reason,” Darren Lehmann told the paper. “He definitely still has the fire in the belly. I saw that first-hand in the IPL. He is still bowling brilliantly, has been working hard on his fitness and can still bowl a lot of overs in a day.”

An update has emerged on Joe Willock, regarding Newcastle’s attempts to sign him. 

What’s the talk?

According to The Times, Newcastle are in talks with Arsenal over a season-long loan deal for central midfielder Joe Willock.

The report claims Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is yet to decide on Willock’s future, with the Toon Army hoping that the Spaniard will allow him to return to Tyneside for a second spell. Conversations are ongoing between the two parties and a conclusion could be reached in the coming weeks.

Bruce will be buzzing

Steve Bruce will be buzzing with this news as it shows a sign of intent from Mike Ashley to seriously pursue another deal for Willock. The midfielder flourished at St. James’ Park last season following his move to the club on loan in the January window and Bruce would love to have him in his squad again due to the impact he had on the side.

Willock broke a Premier League record whilst at the club, becoming the youngest player to score in seven successive matches in the competition at the age of 21. He ended the campaign on eight goals in 14 appearances for Newcastle, 11 starts, and averaged a sublime WhoScored rating of 7.13. None of his teammates managed a higher rating, with Allan Saint-Maximin’s 7.12 the only other score of 7.00 or above within Bruce’s squad.

After a debut goal against Southampton, Bruce hailed the youngster as a “terrific” athlete and said that he is the modern-day midfield player.

He said:

“It was a classic midfield player’s goal from the ability to arrive in the box, and that’s what he’s brought us. He can go box-to-box, he’s a terrific athlete, the kid, a typical modern-day midfield player who has the ability to get up and down the pitch quickly and has that added ability to score a goal.”

This shows how highly the £20k-per-week gem is rated by Bruce and why the ex-Villa boss would be delighted to see him walk through the door this summer.

Willock’s goals from midfield could provide a key boost to Newcastle’s chances success next season, as he has the ability to win games with his late runs into the box to finish off moves. Seven of his eight goals for the club resulted in a positive result for Newcastle, showing that his strikes made a significant impact.

Ashley must ensure that these talks with Arsenal result in Willock returning to the club. Another season on loan at St. James’ could allow him to further develop his game and show that he can be consistent over the course of an entire campaign, which could be the selling point to Arsenal in terms of negotiations.

AND in other news, Get it done: NUFC could land bargain £4m deal for “powerhouse”, Bruce would love it…

England raced to a nine-wicket victory in the Twenty20 against New Zealand at Old Trafford, led by impressive performances from Stuart Broad and Ian Bell

The Bulletin by Andrew McGlashan13-Jun-2008
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Stuart Broad was outstanding with the ball as he removed James Marshall early in the innings © Getty Images
Maybe it was the lure of Allen Stanford’s millions, but England produced their most convincing Twenty20 performance since crushing Australia at The Rose Bowl during their first game in 2005. They restricted New Zealand to 123 for 8 at Old Trafford, then an effortless 60 from Ian Bell made the run-chase a cakewalk, as a full house watched them romp home by nine wickets with 15 balls to spare.It was almost the perfect Twenty20 game from England. The bowlers were exemplary, led by Stuart Broad and James Anderson, as Brendon McCullum – the man who made 158, the highest Twenty20 score, in the opening IPL match – batted into the 11th over for 24. The ground fielding was fast and accurate while the catching, except for one drop by Paul Collingwood, was secure. Contrast this with New Zealand who lost Jacob Oram 10 minutes before the game, were laboured with the bat sloppy in the field and there’s no question which side enters Sunday’s first ODI with the momentum.The stage scores of New Zealand’s innings show the hold England exerted. After six overs they were 33 for 2, after ten 59 for 3 and in total the innings included just 10 fours and four sixes. Broad was outstanding, conceding a little over four an over, showing that he has long since recovered from the mauling he received at the hands of Yuvraj Singh in Durban, when he went for six sixes in an over.By contrast, England’s latest opening pair gave the run-chase the ideal flying start. Bell looked a different player than the one who scratched around during the Tests, cracking effortless boundaries during the Powerplay, while Luke Wright was more agricultural. Wright has been promised a run at the top, but at times he appeared to be trying to hit the ball too hard. A couple of drives, though, showed why the selectors like him as an opening option, before he swung a catch to long-on.As he is prone to do after one too many energy drinks, Kevin Pietersen was rather skittish early on and offered a leading edge which Daniel Vettori couldn’t hold before he’d scored. However, by the end he was dominating the attack with his usual strut, while Bell eased to a 38-ball half-century, more than he’d scored in his previous four innings put together. The strokeplay of Bell and Pietersen that sealed the crushing victory was what the visitors never managed.New Zealand were never really in the contest once McCullum was denied the chance to light the fuse. He faced just eight balls in the first six overs, and by the end of the fielding restrictions didn’t have a run. He was pinned to the crease, especially by Anderson whose second over was a maiden, a fine effort for a bowler who isn’t renowned for his economy, and he also cracked him on the helmet with a bouncer.You would have got long odds on McCullum taking nine balls to get off the mark, but the key for England’s quick bowlers was the extra pace provided by the surface. Unlike in New Zealand, where the short stuff was dispatched by McCullum on easy-paced surfaces, here Anderson and Broad were able to keep him on the back foot.Ross Taylor broke the stranglehold by taking 14 off the sixth over including a slog-sweep over deep square-leg for six, similar to those he played during his 154 in the Test on this ground. But Collingwood – fresh from his 5 for 14 for Durham on Wednesday – nipped one back between bat and pad for a crucial wicket. McCullum finally cut loose with a pulled six off Luke Wright, but it was brief onslaught. Wright had his revenge when he squeezed a yorker under McCullum’s bat.Batting was no easier against spin when Graeme Swann was introduced in the 12th over and his second ball spun through Peter Fulton’s half-hearted push. He should have struck again next ball when Daniel Flynn edged to slip, but Collingwood couldn’t get his hands in an ideal position.Flynn, on the ground where he lost two front teeth against an Anderson bouncer in the Test, played as well as any of his team-mates, bustling between the wickets and connecting sweetly with a couple of powerful blows. However, Scott Styris barely middled a ball during his painful 22-ball stay, and it was clear that those batsman remaining from the Tests were low on confidence and those recalled short on practice.For England the transition appeared seamless and they rode on the momentum created from the Test series. With one eye on Antigua in November, their only concern is that they might have peaked too early.

K Thimmappiah, the former Karnataka (then Mysore) batsman and Karnataka State Cricket Association president, died in Bangalore on Sunday

Cricinfo staff28-Jul-2008K Thimmappiah, the former Karnataka (then Mysore) batsman and Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) president, died in Bangalore on Sunday. Thimmappiah was 92. He played 11 first-class matches, scoring 418 runs in a career that spanned 11 years.A right-hand batsman, Thimmappiah became Mysore’s first centurion when he made 127 against Tamil Nadu at the Central College grounds on January 2, 1942. He had made his debut against the same team in December 1940.Thimmappiah was later involved in the game as an administrator, taking over as KSCA president from M Chinnaswamy in 1990. He served in the position for eight years. He was also manager of the Indian junior team during their tour to Sri Lanka in 1963-64.He is survived by his wife and four children.

Kyle Bartley would have been a ‘top’ signing for Newcastle United, Kevin Phillips has told Football Insider.

The lowdown

The Telegraph reported last week that the Magpies had decided against a move for the West Bromwich Albion defender, who was apparently valued at just £3m by the Championship club.

Newcastle are keen to sign a ‘ball-playing’ centre-back this summer, with Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer, former Liverpool loanee Ozan Kabak and Tottenham Hotspur’s Cameron Carter-Vickers among the other options they have considered (via The Athletic).

Bartley made 30 league appearances for West Brom last season as they unsuccessfully tried to stay in the top flight. He averaged 3.6 successful aerial duels and 5.3 clearances per game, along with a passing accuracy of 77.1% (via WhoScored).

The latest

Phillips feels that, even if he wasn’t ever-present in the Newcastle team, Bartley would have brought key traits such as experience and leadership to St James’ Park.

The former England striker told Football Insider: “He’s a solid defender and you could have seen him and Lascelles forming a good partnership. I think for £3m plus his wages it’s not going to kill you.

“He possibly wouldn’t have played week in, week out. But he’s also got that experience which could be vital for Newcastle next season.

“He was definitely one of the best players at West Brom after Allardyce came in last season. He’s a leader on and off the pitch as well, which helps. It could be a top deal.”

The verdict

Despite Phillips’ endorsement, Bartley would have been a somewhat underwhelming signing in comparison to targets like Ajer and Kabak, imposing young defenders with plenty of potential and experience of major European competitions.

Perhaps they were simply priced out of moves for those targets, leading them to briefly consider a fairly cheap swoop for Bartley. The deal would have felt like short-term thinking, with the club currently in limbo as it waits to see whether the prospective Saudi-led takeover will go through.

Ultimately, it’s doubtful whether Bartley would have represented any improvement on the options already at Bruce’s disposal, considering that the 30-year-old was a regular in a Baggies team which had the worst defensive record in last season’s Premier League.

In other news, Newcastle are said to ‘admire’ this midfielder. 

North East journalist Scott Wilson has claimed that ‘advanced talks’ have taken place on the Newcastle United transfer front.

The Lowdown: Low budget

The St. James’ Park faithful have been linked with a number of low-budget players so far in the summer window.

The likes of Mario Lemina, Cameron-Carter Vickers and James McCarthy could all reportedly be on the way to the North East for relatively low transfer fees, as Steve Bruce looks to bolster is squad ahead of the new 2021/22 season.

The Latest: Transfer activity

Writing on his Twitter page, The Northern Echo journalist Scott Wilson has given an update on the Tyneside club and what is currently going on on the transfer front:

“I’m told that #NUFC are actively pursuing things in the transfer market – and that fairly advanced talks have taken place on a number of different fronts.”

The Verdict: Clock ticking

The new campaign is only a matter of weeks away now, and the Magpies have not signed anyone of note.

With more uncertainty over whether the takeover from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium can be completed, the Toon do not have the embarrassment of riches that they would have done should a deal have gone through.

Nonetheless, with the players that have been linked, there is still money available, and that needs to be used to bring in new faces soon.

It will be important for Bruce to get any new recruits to gel with the team as soon as possible, and so NUFC need to get a move on with regards to transfer incomings.

In other news, find out what consortium insight has been shared on the takeover here!

Bangladesh are ready to step into the Champions Trophy if any teams pull out of the tournament, according to the coach Jamie Siddons

Cricinfo staff20-Aug-2008
Jamie Siddons: “We’ve been called to Pakistan recently to fill in for the Aussies and we’ll do it again if we get invited” © AFP
Bangladesh are ready to step into the Champions Trophy if any teams pull out of the tournament, according to the coach Jamie Siddons. Siddons’ side replaced Australia when they postponed their tours to Pakistan earlier this year and Bangladesh were also part of the Asia Cup, which was staged in Karachi and Lahore in June and July.Ninth in the world rankings, Bangladesh could slip into the eight-team Champions Trophy if a re-shuffle is required. “I think we’re free to play if it happens but, personally, I can’t see it happening,” Siddons told the Age. “We’ve been called to Pakistan recently to fill in for the Aussies and we’ll do it again if we get invited.”The state of the Champions Trophy remains undecided as Australia, New Zealand, England and South Africa wait on an ICC ruling on the event, which is due to start on September 12. A final decision on the venue of the contest is due after an ICC meeting on Sunday.Bangladesh are currently in Australia preparing for a three-match one-day series starting on August 30. They lost their first warm-up against the Australian Institute of Sport, but earned a three-wicket victory in Wednesday’s match in Darwin.

Former Leicester City defender Steve Howey understands that midfielder Youri Tielemans might want a move to Liverpool, but thinks the Foxes have been “really good” for him.

The Leicester midfielder scored a wonder-goal to ensure that the east Midlands outfit won the FA Cup last season against Chelsea and was apart of the Belgium squad for Euro 2020.

Signing for the Foxes from AS Monaco initially on loan, Tielemans made the switch permanent in July 2019 and has become a key player for Leicester, making 108 appearances in all competitions.

However, his time at the King Power Stadium could be coming to an end, with Voetbal24 reporting that Tielemans wants the move to Liverpool. The Daily Mail are reporting that if Jurgen Klopp wants Tielemans though, it will cost at least £64million to secure his signature.

Steve Howey can understand Tielemans wanting the move to Anfield, but also praises Leicester City, saying: “I understand he might want that move, but at the same time I think Leicester has been really good for him.”

After Georginio Wijnaldum’s departure from Anfield, Liverpool have a void in their midfield, and it appears that Tielemans is the target to fill that and also appears from reports that he wants to make the move to Merseyside.