Courtney Walsh and Michael Holding, bowling greats, differ on the chances of the West Indies making a fist of their three-Test cricket series against Australia, set to begin at Brisbane on Thursday.Walsh, till recently a wicket-taking world record-holder in Tests, believes the West Indies can spring a surprise by winning a Test in Australia, something they haven’t done since February 1997. “Definitely, I think the way they’ve started (the tour) would have given them a lot of confidence,” he said on Tuesday. “It’s the first time this team has played together in about two or three tours because of politics (over sponsorship).”These guys have a chance to gel here, and I’m sure that they’re going to play some good consistent cricket. They’re up against the best team. It’s going to be hard but if you want to make a mark you’ve got to play against the best.”Holding, another former West Indies great, disagrees and forecasts that the Caribbean tourists will be drubbed 3-0 by Ricky Ponting’s side, determined to prove they are still world cricket’s top team after losing the Ashes to England last September. “People don’t like to hear the truth, but this group does not possess the right attitude to win Test matches,” Holding said.”I’m concerned about their general focus. They aren’t focused on their game enough. They aren’t focused on representing the Windies enough.”The West Windies are the last touring team to win a series in Australia, winning 2-1 in 1992-93, but they were spanked 5-0 by the Australians on their last visit down under in 2000-01. The one-time powerhouse of world cricket have fallen on hard times and are looking to recapture lost glory under the coaching of Australian Bennett King, who went to the Caribbean last year with the pedigree of having coached Queensland and the Australian Cricket Academy. “I think you’ll see a change in their fortunes sometime, but certainly it’s quite young in their development,” King said.The Windies had the better of Queensland in the warm-up four-day tour match at Brisbane last weekend. Marlon Samuels was the stand-out with his highest first-class score of 257 and a best return of five wickets.The Caribbean tourists have a formidable battery of quicks in Jermaine Lawson (50 wickets in 12 Tests), Fidel Edwards (45 wickets in 17 Tests) and Tino Best (26 wickets in 12 Tests). Walsh likes what he sees in Edwards, a 23-year-old from Barbados. “He could be a handful if he can get things right,” Walsh said. “He swings the ball away and he’s got some good pace.”Australia will have a Test debutant this week when Mike Hussey opens the innings with Matthew Hayden, after Justin Langer pulled out with a broken rib. No Australian ever has made more first-class runs (15,313 runs at 52.8) before making his Test debut.
The West Indies Cricket Board is reportedly in a mess over its handling of player contracts and payments, against the backdrop of a complication between its new sponsor, Digicel, and its former sponsor of 20 years, Cable & Wireless, according to an article on the Caribbeancricket.com website.It is claimed that in 2003, Cable & Wireless signed an endorsement contract with Brian Lara, and later signed several other players, all with the Board’s co-operation. When the new deal was struck with Digicel, the Board then sought to buy out the deals through the retainer contracts negotiated with the West Indies Players’ Association.According to the website, “Two weeks ago, the board did an about-face on the agreed-upon buyout … One can only assume that they failed to get Digicel’s buy-in for their buy-out, and the new sponsor applied some pressure on the board to prevent its newly acquired rights from being diluted by the Cable & Wireless players. C&W, not surprisingly, is standing by its endorsement deals with those players and is not about to give them up.”It has led to an awkward situation, involving the Board, the players’ association, Digicel and C&W, with neither of the sponsors seemingly willing to back down. Whatever the outcome, it’s the players – particularly those with C&W contracts – who seem to be at risk the most.
Pakistan’s start in the Bank Alfalah Cup could best be described as absolute brilliance one day then a shoddy performance the next. Back-to-back matches against two quality oppositions are never easy, but it was really some masterful swing bowling by the Kiwis in helpful conditions that undid them on Sunday.Against Sri Lanka the Pakistan young guns proved their victory in Sharjah was not merely good luck but they had the capability to pulverize the full strength hosts in their own backyard. A cautious start laid the platform for a decent score, which in the end proved to be more than enough under the conditions.The Rangiri Dambulla ground was certainly not up to par for ODI cricket, with conditions tilted towards the bowlers, and shot-making rather difficult. Even though Hafeez and Faisal Iqbal weathered the early storm, their performance in the middle overs left a lot to be desired. Caution is understandable against the swinging new ball, but both showed little intent even against the second string Sri Lankan spinners. A lot of work is still needed to perfect the art of rotating strike, to make sure they don’t pressurize the likes of Youhana and Younis Khan when they come in after.Pakistan’s bowling and fielding in the opening match could be called brilliant, with Shoaib Akhtar proving he isn’t a spent force by any means. However, I believe they are committing a tactical blunder, when it comes to handing Shoaib the new ball, and bringing Umar Gul in as first change. Umar is a seam bowler very much in the mould of the great McGrath, and is not as potent when he operates first change. The seam is worn by then and since he lacks pace, gets taken for runs as was the case against New Zealand.With Umar and Razzaq operating in the middle overs there is very little pressure on opposition batsmen and they can stabilize the innings. Pakistan would do better to let Umar partner Sami with the new ball and have Shoaib come in to attack on one end, while Razzaq does the hold up job.If they do want to persist with Shoaib Akhtar opening, then it is better to drop Umar Gul for Kaneria, to provide greater variety. The pitches in the second round in Colombo are likely to be slow turners, unlike the moist ‘seamers’ at Dambulla, so Kaneria could prove very useful.The Pakistan batting may have done reasonably against the Sri Lankan attack, but failed when they encountered New Zealand’s top quality pace attack under similar conditions. For the first time the youngsters were up against a quality attack and wilted under some trying conditions unable to cope with swing and seam. I shudder to think what will happen during their England tour unless they learn to cope with such wickets.Problems exposed need to be addressed immediately, they could not handle the swing of Shane Bond who beat them on almost every ball of his opening spell. Only Younis Khan displayed an adequate technique in countering his sharp inswing.Faisal Iqbal looked quite ordinary, and it may be time for either Faisal Athar or Yasir Hameed to get a chance in the next match.Youhana got out to very loose shots in both matches, and must be made to realize he is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting line-up, and must cut down on some of the flair he is so well known for.Taufeeq Umar was a little disappointing, after having done all the hard work weathering the new ball attack he got out to a very loose shot. Taufeeq looks in reasonable form but has a terrible habit of giving it away when well set. He is a naturally defensive player who takes his time, and must realize that playing aggressive shots is not his job. He needs to stay out there, rotate strike and allow the stroke makers in the line-up to play around him. Instead, he seems to suddenly feel pressure when the going is tough and in trying to emulate a Saeed Anwar, starts playing risky shots.The defeat to New Zealand should not lead to wholesale changes, or cries to bring back more experienced players, but does offer the team a chance to reflect on their mistakes and strategy. Young players will only learn if they get a chance to play the best bowlers in the world, and cannot be expected to massacre them at first sight, especially when conditions are as difficult as in Dambulla.Hopefully, we will see a much improved effort under the batsmen friendly conditions in Colombo.Ed: If readers wish to correspond with the author, please email Taha Noor
The remarkable Andy Flower hit yet another fifty as Zimbabwe declared theirinnings closed at 419 against South Africa just before the close of thethird day at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. However, only some unusuallygood or bad play by one of the teams can bring about a result in this matchon a benign pitch.Play began 30 minutes early in an effort to make up for lost time after thecomplete washout of the second day’s play. The weather was still overcastbut at least the strong frigid wind had gone; by lunchtime the sky wasfinally clear again. Hamilton Masakadza and Stuart Carlisle, the batsmen inpossession, played positively from the start. Masakadza had just hooked Nelsuperbly for four when he drove at a leg-cutter from the same bowler, to becaught at the wicket by Mark Boucher for 13.Flower began as if he had been batting all week – which he virtuallyhad – taking just eight balls to reach double figures. It took over an hourbefore Claude Henderson was given a belated bowl, and immediately he got theball to turn sharply. Carlisle, struggling against the spin, became almosta sleeping partner, contributing only 12 runs when the fifty partnershipcame up, as Flower again held court. He scored mainly through well-judgedpushes and nudges through gaps in the field, but when South Africa finallydecided to bowl very straight at him, as he entered the forties, theymanaged to restrict his scoring temporarily.Yet another fifty, his 12th in his last 15 innings, came off 79 balls. Oneunusual aspect of it was his faulty running between wickets, normally verygood, but in this session he had four narrow escapes, the third only becauseMark Boucher dropped the ball as he swept the bails off.Flower fell soon after lunch for 67 in uncharacteristic fashion: hequite misjudged a ball from Henderson that kicked viciously off the pitch,and lobbed up off the glove to give silly mid-off the easiest of catches.Zimbabwe were 261 for four.Grant Flower, with several unsuccessful Tests behind him, obviously decidedthat there was nothing to lose by being positive, and was soon catching upCarlisle, who occasionally surprised with a sparkling stroke, such as aswept six off Henderson when he was 40. Then came a mix-up in mid-pitch,which resulted in Flower (44) slipping and failing to beat the throw fromJacques Kallis; 327 for five.Carlisle failed to reach his fifty, adjudged lbw to Pollock for 49 off 201balls, although the camera seemed to reveal a thin inside edge. Althoughthe slow pitch and the now heavy outfield made scoring difficult, hisinnings was slower than Zimbabwe would have liked, with time at a premium.Heath Streak scored a single off his first 24 balls before he suddenlyhammered Henderson for six into the top of the sightscreen. Guy Whittall on8 appeared to be brilliantly caught by Pollock at slip of Henderson, butumpire John Hampshire called for decision by camera, which was inconclusive,leading to a decision of “not out”. Streak went on to record a powerful 31before skying Henderson into the off-side field. Without addition Whittall(16), who never really settled, was caught attempting a reverse sweep atHenderson; Zimbabwe 377 for eight.Paul Strang hit brightly on his return to Test cricket, mainly throughpulling the short balls, and the 400 came up in the 176th over. Shaun Pollockmoved a ball back in to bowl Travis Friend (4), the first batsman of the innings tofail to reach double figures. Streak declared shortly afterwards withZimbabwe 419 for nine; Strang was unbeaten with 38 off 28 balls, with twosixes and four fours. Henderson bowled 66 overs in the innings, a recordagainst Zimbabwe, including an unbroken spell of 38 overs at one stage,conceding 143 runs (29 off his last three overs) and taking four wickets.The South African openers found little difficulty in the Zimbabwean paceattack, and after seven overs Streak brought on Strang, and then RaymondPrice. Price came very close to dismissing Gary Kirsten lbw, but the batsmenheld out until the close, when Herschelle Gibbs had 15 and Kirsten 11.
ScorecardJames Vince, seen here in England Lions action, made his first Championship century of the summer•Getty Images
James Vince notched his maiden LV= County Championship century of the season before the bowlers lead Hampshire well on the way to a crushing victory at the Ageas Bowl. Captain Vince amassed 1525 runs last season and seemed on the brink of an international call-up but bar three figures in a university match he has struggled in red ball cricket.His ton was followed up by a team effort with the ball as Liam Dawson and Fidel Edwards both snatched two each with Hampshire needing four wickets on the final day for their maiden home win of the season.Vince, with batting partner Michael Carberry, began the day as they ended the previous in glorious touch – the pair amassing 180 for the second wicket. Both went past 50, Vince in 105 balls and Carberry in 120 deliveries – with the former smashing a six over midwicket – as the hosts scored quickly.
Hampshire in false position – Brown
Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown said: “If we’re totally honest we have been short in both disciplines, bat and ball. With the ball we have tried really hard but they have outplayed us. “This game shows where the Division One Championship is at the minute: there are a lot of good teams. The position Hampshire are in in the Championship belittles their ability.”
The partnership was ended out of nowhere when England and Ireland international Boyd Rankin found an edge before Tim Ambrose pulled off an eye-catching catch behind – Carberry departing for 91, his second dismissal in the 90s this season. Will Smith came and west for two before lunch with a loose cut shot – another bowled Rankin, caught Ambrose.After lunch, Vince reached his lavish century from 170 balls – which included 11 fours and a six. Vince and Gatting scored quickly putting on 79 runs in 9.5 overs before the former called the sides off to give Warwickshire almost five sessions to either chase 444 or find a draw.And the quest to avoid defeat started badly when Varun Chopra was leg before to a Gareth Berg ball which nipped back and stayed low. Laurie Evans was then bowled by Jackson Bird – the ball pinging back the batsman’s off peg for a duck – and Jonathan Trott’s continued a horrendous week against Hampshire by departing lbw for 5. Wickets continued as Sam Hain was leg before to first innings star Edwards.Ian Westwood provided a minuscule of personal delight with his fourth fifty of the season – from 108 balls – but the next ball he looped a push to Will Smith at short leg. Former Test duo Tim Ambrose and Rikki Clarke delivered some resistance in the twilight with a sixth wicket stand of 64.Clarke became the second Warwickshire player to reach 50 in the match, coming in 55 balls, and brought up with a clanging pull in front of square. Wicketkeeper Ambrose prodded to Vince at first slip off the West Indian Edwards – as he ended the day with figures of 2 for 25, Dawson 2 for 34.
The British summer is upon us once more and surprisingly nothing much has changed. The English rain still falls, Murray still hasn’t won Wimbledon and now Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insists he still won’t be spending big in the transfer market.
It’s a recurring trend that sports fans across the country have become accustomed to but the Frenchman’s principles have led to another of his star players being linked with a move away from the club. Robin van Persie’s impending departure has raised further concerns at the Emirates Stadium that they cannot compete financially with Premier League’s big spenders. While many fans appreciate the Gunners’ sustainability, Manchester City’s ability to snare their best players every summer has led to some questioning why their top talent cannot be persuaded to stay in North London.
With one year left on his contract, Van Persie’s future is not set in stone but many believe it is only a matter of time before the Dutchman leaves and while Wenger’s philosophy of spending wisely is admirable, the Arsenal project has lost another talented individual at a time when they should have been playing their best football for the club. The one positive will be the hefty chunk of cash received but since Wenger has announced he will not be splashing out, Arsenal fans will certainly not be witnessing the same sort of player influx as Paris Saint Germain this summer.
It may not be a glamorous recruitment policy but its needs must given Wenger’s philosophy so which players can Arsenal realistically sign on the cheap that will improve their squad?
Click on Mathieu Valbuena to unveil the top 10
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QPR had a miserable return to Premier League football as Bolton Wanderers thumped them 4-0 at Loftus Rd.
Goals from Cahill, Klasnic, Muamba and an own goal from Danny Gabbidon ensured an emphatic win for Owen Coyle’s men who found their hosts defence in a particularly generous mood this afternoon.
It was by no means one way traffic, especially in the first half; however the quality of Bolton in the final third proved decisive and it certainly could have been more than four in the end. To complete a frustrating afternoon for Neil Warnock he saw new signing Kieron Dyer stretchered off in the early stages of the game, while Clint Hill saw red later on after a clash with Martin Petrov.
Boos rang out at the final whistle and supporters will be hoping that the apparent Fernandes takeover goes through sooner rather than later.
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Transfer record breaking Chelsea will be looking for revenge tonight at the Stadium of Light against a Sunderland team that caused a shock 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge earlier in the season. Despite the defeat, Chelsea are still in the running for the title race but will need to continue their recent form.
Black Cats boss, Steve Bruce, could give a debut to new signing Stephane Sessegnon, who joined from Paris St Germain – however, loan signing Sulley Muntari is not available for selection. Despite losing striker Darren Bent, Sunderland have gained 10 points out of a possible 12 in the month of January and are currently 6th place.
Carlo Ancelotti will not have new lucrative signings, Fernando Torres and David Luiz, available for selection but will be looking to continue their recent run of form which saw them smash four goals away at Bolton in their last league outing – whilst maintaining their excellent defensive record.
Prediction: 0-2
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Samir Nasri has taken a swipe at former club Arsenal once more, stating that he is glad that he is at Manchester City so he can be in the running to win trophies.
The France international left the Emirates Stadium last summer to join Roberto Mancini’s men, and had a parting dig at the north London club by stating that he was leaving to win silverware.
The attacking midfielder has once more slated Arsene Wenger’s men, which will infuriate fans of his ex-employers.
“Celebrate your third-place achievement and I will focus on winning titles,” Nasri is quoted as saying by The Daily Mail.
“I’m glad I left because City are far more competitive and are winning titles, not dreaming about it.
“I have said 300 times I did not leave Arsenal for money, only for sporting aspirations and if people don’t believe me that’s their problem,” he continued.
Nasri looks set to feature for France on Monday evening against England, and the City playmaker has admitted that losing is not an option.
“There is a great deal of confidence in the French camp but much will depend on the opening game against England.
“They remain an extremely tough opponent. I have had banter with Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott at City but losing is not an option.
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“I would like to see both sides qualify but people need to understand that if France qualify at the expense of England then so be it,” he concluded.
Tony Pulis is lining up a shock £9 million move for Nicklas Bendtner the Telegraph understands.
Bendtner is free to leave the Emirates Stadium after a poor season and Stoke boss Pulis is lining up a club record bid for the striker.
He became a target for frustrated Gunners fans last season with his frightening self-confidence never being replicated on the pitch.
Arsene Wenger sealed his fate at the club by leaving him out of the Far East tour and now Pulis is ready to pounce.
Interest from Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Lisbon has already evaporated due to Bendtner’s transfer fee and wage demands but that hasn’t put off the Potters boss.
Pulis is determined to add to his squad as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign along with the Europa League.
He told the Telegraph: “We are threadbare at the moment. Fingers crossed we can bring one or two players in over the next few days.
“The biggest thing we have to do as a football club is improve our recruitment from the lowest level right through to the top level.
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“We’ve brought people in to help us do that and we’re really going to concentrate on that and put more resources into it.”
He is prepared to offer Bendtner the option to remain in England and revitalise his career, which is in danger of fizzling out, at the Britannia Stadium.
Whether the 23-year-old Danish international would be prepared to move to the FA Cup runners remains to be seen. Stoke can offer him European football and a guaranteed first team place every week.