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Tim May, the chief executive of the international players union FICA, has warned that Twenty20 cricket is ‘ripe for corruption’

Cricinfo staff16-Feb-2010Tim May, the chief executive of the international players union FICA, has warned that Twenty20 cricket is ‘ripe for corruption’.May, a former Australian offspinner, told magazine “Lord Condon, who headed up the ICC’s Anti-corruption and Security Unit, said only last year that we can never think we have this cancer beaten. Twenty20 is just ripe for corruption – the shorter the game the more influence each particular incident can have. So I think it opens up a great deal of opportunities for the bookmakers to try and corrupt players into providing various different outcomes in the game, if not the result itself. Cricket needs to be very, very careful.”Cricket only recently emerged from a nasty episode of revelations about match-fixing when in 2000 Hansie Conje, then South Africa captain, admitted to taking money from bookmakers. It spiralled into a full enquiry headed by Condon’s team at the ICC. Since then the game has stayed clean but the rise of Twenty20 has created new vulnerable areas. In July last year Dave Richardson, the ICC general manager, said the ICC was ‘concerned’ and that the IPL will “inevitably attract the interest of match-fixers and people like that.”With Lalit Modi recently announcing that the second season of the Twenty20 Champions League will clash with the climax of the English domestic season, May also criticised the ‘arrogant’ decision making of the IPL executives.”The refusal to grant players the ability to review the security arrangements and the decision of the IPL and its franchises not to recognise or deal with any players’ managers or agents, is self-defeating. Its decision-making is very arrogant. The attitude is that they’re the only game in town, they’re the biggest game in town and, as long as they pay these huge amounts of money, they can do what they like. That may not always be the case.”Seeking avenues to protect the Test game, May said a Test championship would add much-needed context to the format but fears that political wrangling of the ICC members could prevent it from developing. “At the moment it’s just a mad scramble of bilateral series that mean nothing. A Test championship over a period of one or two years would increase the value of those contests and make it possible to play significantly less cricket but maintain or increase commercial revenues,” he said.”The political nature of the ICC board and its members means it’s going to be a difficult concept to sell. There is an over-riding need for boards to be absolutely in control of their destiny, and going with a Test championship would hand over a lot of power to the ICC. A lot of boards don’t want to do this – that selfish mind-set isn’t in the best interests of the game.”Ahead of England’s departure to the UAE for two Twenty20s against Pakistan, the England offspinner Graeme Swann said the squad was fully aware of the dangers of match-fixing. “There are guys from the [ICC] Anti-Corruption Unit who travel all year round with us and everyone is fully educated about the dangers. It probably does go on in some form with some teams and some players, but you never know who it is. I certainly don’t think any of this England team could be considered match-fixers.”We haven’t been given any warnings specifically for this trip. You’d have to be an absolute idiot to do it.”

Cricinfo presents the plays of the day from day four in Hobart

Cricinfo staff17-Jan-201098, 99, 100!
It’s been a hard summer in the 90s for Simon Katich, who began the season with 92 against West Indies in Brisbane. He has also posted a 98 and a 99, so when he was faced with the triple-figure barrier again, albeit in a much lower-pressure situation, he was determined not to fall at the final hurdle. Katich brought up his milestone with a clipped single behind square on the leg side but that was his last run. In the next over he was caught on the boundary.Delayed gratification
Shane Watson picked up two wickets with lbw decisions but on neither occasion was he certain that he had his man, as Mohammad Yousuf and Umar Akmal both called for reviews. Watson was confident that both times the ball would have hit the stumps and the third umpire’s verdicts backed him up, but he said the review system had created a strange dynamic on the field. “When there’s a decision now it’s hard to fully celebrate because you know there’s a good chance of it being referred,” Watson said. “Occasionally it’s given not out so you don’t want to carry on too much. It’s always nice to see the finger go up but you know it’s not a confirmation until the referral goes ahead.” Who needs a fielding coach?
At last count Pakistan had dropped 16 catches and four were missed by Kamran Akmal in one Test alone. All along the camp has insisted no fielding coach is needed and that everything that can be tried is being tried. This morning before play Intikhab Alam, the coach, was practicing edging catches to the wicketkeeper, with a fielder throwing a ball at him. It is routine practice, but Intikhab was ultimately only able to direct roughly four edges in the direction of the wicketkeeper.Rain, rain, go away (or stay)
Australia knew there was going to be wet weather on the horizon towards the end of the game and the players will be racing to the hotel windows as soon as they wake on Monday. The forecast is for cloudy periods with occasional showers, which is a better predicament for the locals than the heavier falls predicted earlier for the start of the week. The final hour of the fourth day was lost to the weather with the hosts in a commanding position. They want six wickets, the visitors need Hobart’s unpredictable weather to turn into a day of rain.

Crystal Palace have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their trip to Leeds United in the Premier League after manager Patrick Vieira confirmed Joachim Andersen will not travel with the squad.

What’s the word?

The 25-year-old was unable to play any part in the Eagles’ 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa over the weekend after picking up a thigh problem, and it now appears as though he’s set for an extended stint on the sidelines.

“Joachim is not going to travel, he is not 100%,” revealed Vieira in Monday’s press conference, although there was also some positive news.

Star forward Eberechi Eze made his long-awaited return to first-team action last time out, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute following six months on the treatment table with an Achilles issue.

“I think it’s good for him, for the club and the fans,” said Vieira when asked for an update on his situation. “He needs to play games, he needs time to get to his best, and we will give him the support that he needs.”

Crystal Palace fans will be gutted

Despite Eze’s impressive progress in his quest to return to full fitness, Palace supporters will be gutted to learn that Andersen will be absent for the potentially crucial clash at Elland Road this evening.

The south London outfit’s seven-game unbeaten run came crashing down on Saturday, and Vieira will be desperate to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

With only four points separating Leeds and Palace in the top-flight table, this midweek encounter could have a sizeable impact on the two sides’ fortunes for the rest of the campaign, and Andersen will be a big miss.

As per WhoScored, Andersen has averaged 1.5 interceptions per league game throughout 2021/22, 2.9 clearances and a whopping 6.3 long balls, placing him in the top three for each metric when compared to his teammates.

With winnable fixtures against the likes of Southampton, Everton and Watford coming up over the next few weeks, Palace will be hoping to see Andersen back in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.

And, in other news…Palace “lining up” swoop for “complete” £12.6m-rated gem, Vieira surely buzzing

An update has emerged on Rangers’ financial situation that could impact potential head coach Gio van Bronckhorst…

What’s the talk?

Football finance expert Kieran Maguire has warned Gers fans to expect the sales of some of their top players due to loans owed to directors.

Maguire believes that Rangers will need to follow their bitter rivals Celtic in terms of the way they develop players and sell them on for big fees in order to be sustainable.

He told Football Insider:

“Most of the loans from directors are on lengthy terms.

“So there is no short-term cash flow stresses. But they will have to embrace the player trading model that Celtic have, i.e to expect sales.

“John Bennett knows they don’t have to sell players but that it would be silly not to if they receive a good offer. I don’t think there’s any need to worry about those loans being repaid. I think the big issue was dealing with Dave King. That loan has now been repaid.

“The investors have been very benevolent to date. But they don’t have investors of the same magnitude as some Premier League clubs. So these people are entitled to an interest-based return on their investment because they are helping the club cover its running costs.”

Disastrous

Rangers are reportedly closing in on a deal to bring van Bronckhorst to the club to replace Steven Gerrard and Maguire’s comments suggest that he could be walking into an instant problem at Ibrox. It could be disastrous for the Dutchman if the Gers end up needing to cash in on some of their top performers in the January or summer transfer windows.

9min have reported this week that Steven Gerrard already has his eyes on a number of Rangers players to potentially sign for Aston Villa. Ryan Kent, Borna Barisic, Glen Kamara and Nathan Patterson are believed to be on his radar, which shows that there is interest in Gers stars from elsewhere and they could be placed in a position where it is hard to ignore.

If Villa, or any other club for that matter, come in with a big offer for a player like Kent or Barisic, these comments from Maguire suggest that they may be forced to listen to them. This, in turn, will mean that van Bronckhorst may need to deal with his key players leaving and being replaced on a regular basis in the future, particularly if Rangers adopt a selling mentality.

The club’s Old Firm rivals found life difficult under their new boss in the early stages of the campaign, being dumped out of the Champions League after losing star men Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer. That, therefore, serves as an example that Rangers cannot afford to replicate.

It could be disastrous for Rangers and van Bronckhorst unless it is managed correctly, as replacing them could be very difficult. Selling players in the summer window would be the preferred way to go about it as January offers the club less time to source new signings, whilst competitive matches are also being played during the month.

Either way, these comments will be concerning to the Dutchman and could leave him with some immediate problems to solve at Ibrox…

AND in other news, Behind-the-scenes: Report delivers Rangers manager detail that’ll leave fans buzzing…

Australia needed 21 balls on the last day to win the final Test and take the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 2-0 result over West Indies

The Bulletin by Peter English20-Dec-2009Australia 7 for 520 dec & 150 beat West Indies 312 and 323 (Deonarine 82, Nash 65) by 35 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
How they were outDoug Bollinger finished off the match with the wicket – and debatable edge – of Kemar Roach, giving him eight for the game•Getty ImagesAustralia needed 21 balls on the last day to win the final Test and take the Frank Worrell Trophy with a 2-0 victory over West Indies. The result was virtually assured as soon as the day broke sunny, with the hosts wanting one wicket and it came when Kemar Roach was ruled caught behind via an umpiring review.Roach and Gavin Tonge had added 15 when Doug Bollinger and the Australians were certain Roach had got an edge to Brad Haddin. The batsman immediately called for a review: there was a noise but no replay showed a clear nick and there was nothing on Hot Spot. Everyone was standing around for a couple of minutes before Billy Bowden finally raised his finger for a second time following consultation with Asad Rauf.”He smashed it,” Bollinger said. “He hit it, he was out.” Bollinger finished with 3 for 71 and eight wickets for the game.Roach (17) and Tonge (23 not out) started the last day chasing 51 to reach the victory target of 359 after putting on 29 from 30 balls on the fourth evening. Roach played and missed a couple of times in Shane Watson’s first over before Bollinger was taken for five runs by the aggressive Tonge. Tonge then inside-edged Watson for four and drove over mid-off for two before the fielding mood changed when Roach sliced a four over gully. They were soon celebrating again in a mixture of relief and satisfaction.The reason West Indies still had an outside chance on the final morning was due to the 128-run partnership between Narsingh Deonarine (82) and Brendan Nash (65), but their hopes diminished when they lost six wickets in the final session. Mitchell Johnson bowled through the discomfort of an illness to take three victims yesterday while Watson gained two.The game will be remembered mostly for the Man of the Match Chris Gayle’s 70-ball century on the second day, his second hundred of a series which started with a three-day loss but quickly became competitive. Australia’s next engagement is the first game of the three-Test series against Pakistan starting on Boxing Day.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended the contract of coach Jamie Siddons to June 30, 2011, keeping him in charge during their 2011 World Cup campaign

Cricinfo staff23-Nov-2009The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has extended the contract of coach Jamie Siddons to June 30, 2011, keeping him in charge of their 2011 World Cup campaign. Siddons began coaching Bangladesh in October 2007, replacing Dav Whatmore, and during his tenure Bangladesh won their first overseas Test series, against West Indies in July this year.The meeting of the BCB board of directors, chaired by president Mostafa Kamal, also decided that assistant coach Khaled Mahmud will stay with the team until June 2011.However, a decision was taken not to renew the contract of Mohammad Salahuddin, the Bangladesh fielding coach, after it expires on November 30, 2009. National Cricket Academy head coach Ruwan Kalpage will oversee the fielding of the team until the appointment of a specialist foreign fielding coach.The BCB also said that the South Africa and West Indies A teams would tour Bangladesh in April-May 2010. The teams would participate in a tri-nation one-day tournament with Bangladesh A, and play two four-day matches each with Bangladesh A.

Flocking to Twitter, these Manchester City fans have been left in awe of a major transfer update involving Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong, as Pep Guardiola seeks to strengthen his options.

The Sky Blues, currently sitting second in the Premier League table, are aiming to overtake frontrunners Chelsea as they return from November’s international break.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/man-city-latest/” title=”Man City latest!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Before the players set off on their respective national side duties, Guardiola’s Premier League champions put a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace behind them by taking the spoils on derby day.

Goals from Eric Bailly (OG) and Bernardo Silva cemented a 2-0 victory over cross-town rivals Man United at Old Trafford and that result could serve as a platform to build some momentum heading into the festive period.

Sporting director Txiki Begiristain and co will also have one eye on the transfer market in a bid to bolster Guardiola’s options as a major transfer claim emerges on who could now be added to the Spaniard’s ‘core’ plans.

According to Fichajes, City have just lodged a ‘formal proposal’ to sign Catalans midfielder de Jong. Indeed, as per their sources, the Sky Blues have now placed a ‘whopping’ €90 million (£75.5m) bid on the table with the offer ‘already a reality’.

Man City fans buzz…

Despite his supposed bad run of form, as highlighted by Fichajes, it’s no surprise some City supporters are excited by this de Jong offer given his pedigree.

Club legend Fernandinho’s current deal expires in 2022 and Begiristain is tasked with the decision of either extending his stay for a third season running or signing his replacement.

Rodrigo has, arguably, taken that mantle given he’s been one of City’s players of the season whilst thriving in a defensive midfield role.

However, future rotation will be key and de Jong would certainly come as an ideal alternative to the Spaniard – especially going by his stats.

Even in a poor season in La Liga, the 36-cap Netherlands star has averaged more tackles per 90 (2) than any Sky Blues midfielder whilst also proving difficult to dispossess.

Completing 3 dribbles per match, better than that of all Guardiola’s current crop, de Jong comes as a real all-rounder as these Citizens become excited by their side’s alleged £75.5m bid – a real statement of intent.

Find all of their best Twitter verdicts down below:

“With Dinho heading out Frenkie would be an ideal replacement. He wasn’t used properly at barca…just watch his DM highlights at Ajax…outstanding.. He will only become better under Pep.”

Credit: @MirrorMan1996

“This would be amazing”

Credit: @yungoatzay

“Now that’s a proper signing!”

Credit: @Kippaxboys1981

“This can’t get more exciting. De Jong is Pep player out and out, will improve the team tremendously. Now add Dusan as well by offsetting Sterling”

Credit: @iambarid

“Yes please”

Credit: @ThisisDela_

“Limbs if this is true”

Credit: @MCFC_Etho

“Salivating at this”

Credit: @BernardoControl

In other news: ‘Siuuuu’, ‘Finally’, ‘The stars are aligning’…Erling Haaland update has many Man City fans excited, find out more here.

Zimbabwe won the battle of the bats in Harare to go up 3-1 against Kenya and take the series

Cricinfo staff17-Oct-2009
Scorecard
Brendan Taylor’s unbeaten 60 guided Zimbabwe to an easy win and gave them an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series•AFPZimbabwe won the battle of the bats in Harare to take the series after going up 3-1 against Kenya. The series win was their second over the same opposition this year. Zimbabwe were boosted by a collective batting display, with each of their top five batsmen making important contributions, as they chased down a challenging target with ease. Three of their batsmen – Mark Vermeulen, Forster Mutizwa and Brendan Taylor – struck half-centuries to see them home by six wickets with two overs to spare.With a stiff task ahead of them, Zimbabwe were given a strong start when the in-form Hamilton Masakadza knocked 23 in an opening partnership of 30. Vermeulen and Mutizwa then seized control, adding 111 at better than a run-a-ball. Nehemiah Odhiambo brought an end to the stand, dismissing Vermeulen for 56, but a solid foundation for a successful chase had been laid.If Kenya sensed an opening with Vermeulen’s dismissal, they were thwarted by Brendan Taylor, who supported Mutizwa in a solid partnership. Despite the fall of a wicket, the scoring rate remained healthy. Mutizwa struck six fours and a six in a stand of 79, and added 47 with Taylor before being trapped lbw by Lameck Onyango.Taylor then took up the responsibility of anchoring the innings, and Stuart Matsikenyeri, one of the mainstays of the Zimbabwe line-up, continued the good work. There was little aggression in his knock, but the scoring remained unhindered; he struck just two boundaries in his 39-ball 37. Taylor, too, worked it around; only 16 runs of his better-than-a-run-a-ball 60 came in fours. By the time Matsikenyeri was castled by Odhiambo, Zimbabwe’s task was a mere formality and Taylor ensured the game was sealed with no fuss.Zimababwe had been set such a tall target chiefly due to Maurice Ouma’s run-a-ball half-century, which had led Kenya’s batting effort.Kenya were well placed at 190 for 3 in the 40th over, with Ouma and Rakep Patel adding 86. But legpsinner Graeme Cremer struck twice in two overs to dismiss the two settled batsmen. Kenya slowed down a touch before Thomas Odoyo, coming at No. 8, smashed 30 off 17 balls to lift the total.Kenya were given a confident start by their openers David Obuya and Alex Obanda, who put on 64 in 12 overs before Obanda edged one off Ray Price for 33. Three overs later, Prosper Utseya took the first of his four wickets, catching Steve Tikolo off his own bowling. Obuya and Patel ticked along at under four an over till Utseya trapped Obuya one short of his fifty.Zimbabwe would have expected to keep Kenya to 250 when they broke the Ouma-Patel stand. However, Odoyo’s violent hitting – three fours and two sixes – ensured 73 runs were scored off the last eight overs, but the effort, in the end, was in vain.

Celtic captain Callum McGregor has hailed Anton McElhone’s impact at Parkhead, Celts Are Here report.

The Lowdown: McElhone’s arrival

Postecoglou highlighted the need for a Head of Sport Science addition in Glasgow and brought in McElhone back in September.

The former Morton caretaker, who prefers a 4-2-3-1 system, has previously worked as a fitness coach at Tottenham and with MLS side New England Revolution.

Celtic have never officially confirmed McElhone’s arrival, so some might not even know he was at Parkhead, however, Postecoglou’s first backroom staff signing appears to be settling in nicely.

The Latest: McGregor’s comments

McGregor, who has been a regular this season, was quizzed on McElhone’s impact in a press conference on Tuesday, relayed by Celts Are Here.

This is what he had to say in reply, with the Hoops regular labelling the head of sports science as ‘a great personality’.

“It was a position that we were looking for throughout the summer in terms of trying to recruit the best type of people that we could get in the building with good knowledge.

“Anton’s certainly got that. He’s been at Spurs – worked in America – and he’s come in and been a great personality. He’s just helping the good work that’s been done as well.

“There are a lot of good guys in the building that are desperate to do well and get the boys fit and hungry on the pitch.

“Anton’s certainly come in and helped on top of that with the ideas that he’s brought from Tottenham and America.”

The Verdict: Good signs

McGregor has clearly been impressed by what McElhone has brought to Lennoxtown, and results have also been on the up in recent weeks.

The Hoops are unbeaten in six domestic games, winning their last four, and hopefully, things will only get better under Postecoglou and McElhone in the background.

There seems to be a feel-good factor at Celtic Park at this moment in time, which may have a lot to do with the work the likes of McElhone and others are putting in.

In other news: Nicholson may be close to Celtic signing with electric speed and the player has now spoken. 

Liverpool have been in hot form so far this season, particularly from an attacking point of view with a total of 28 goals scored across all competitions, resulting in Jurgen Klopp’s side remaining unbeaten.

Despite this impressive start to the season, it seems as though the Merseyside club have their eyes on a potential new attacking star to add to their squad.

What’s the latest?

It has recently been reported by Spanish media outlet Fichajes (via Liverpool Echo) that Liverpool are still interested in signing Watford winger Ismaila Sarr at some point in the future as a potential replacement for either Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino or Mohamed Salah.

The Reds were previously linked with a move for Sarr before turning their attention to Diogo Jota who they signed in the 2020 summer transfer window.

Sarr joined Watford back in the 2019 summer transfer window from French club Stade Rennais on a five-year deal for a reported fee of £40m.

Since then, the 23-year-old, whose two goals in Watford’s 3-1 Premier League win over Norwich City last month were described as “outstanding” by BBC pundit Garth Crooks, has made a total of 77 appearances for the Hornets across all competitions in which he has managed to score 23 goals and provide 16 assists along the way.

So far this season, Sarr, who is currently earning a weekly wage of £63k-per-week at Watford according to Spotrac, has played 90 minutes in all of Watford’s seven Premier League games and scored four goals in the process, proving just how important he has been for the team.

Long-term option?

Taking all of this into account, the fact that Liverpool have reportedly shown an interest in signing Sarr in the past and the fact the age of current Reds wingers Salah (29) and Mane (29), Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards should do all he can to sign Sarr either in the upcoming January transfer window or in the next summer window as he could be a fantastic long-term attacking option for the club.

However, Watford would want a significant transfer fee for him given his age and how important he is to them, which could potentially put Liverpool off.

But if Salah, for example, were to leave the club when his current contract runs out in 2023, Liverpool will have to make sure they have someone that can try and replace the plethora of goals and assists the Egyptian has delivered for the club since his arrival.

And with Sarr having some experience of playing and scoring goals in the Premier League so far with nine goals in 35 league appearances under his belt, he could well be a good option in that regard.

An average of 2.4 shot and 2.6 dribbles per game, via Sarr, this campaign suggests that he is a constant threat on the wing and is another ready to why he could be perfect to replace Salah one day.

In other news: £180k-p/w Liverpool “problem” sees his value crash £45m in nearly 2 years under Klopp – opinion