On the eve of England’s first Test against Bangladesh, Graham Thorpe has sprung a major surprise – and given further evidence of his impending retirement from international cricket – by signing a contract to play for New South Wales in the coming Australian season.”At this stage of my career, it makes sense to start planning for the future and this is an excellent opportunity for me to develop my career in a new environment,” said Thorpe in a statement. “I will be using the time to enhance my coaching qualifications and looking to contribute as much as I can to their cricket on-and-off the field.”It is quite common for Australian cricketers to come over to England in the final years of their career, but it is virtually unheard of for English players to go in the other direction, and it is further evidence of the high regard in which Thorpe, 35, is held Down Under. In 16 matches against Australia, Thorpe averages 45.74 with three centuries, but for various personal and fitness reasons he has played in just one of England’s last 14 encounters.Thorpe will be available from January 2006 until the end of the Australian domestic season in March, in which time he will be playing for a Sydney Grade club side, assist the NSW coaching set-up and be available to play for NSW if required. In theory, it means he will still be available for England’s tour of Pakistan in November and December, although it would rule him out of the trip to India in the new year.But, by ruling himself out of one tour, Thorpe has almost certainly ruled himself out of both, if the precedent set in 2001-02 still stands. On that occasion, Darren Gough and Alec Stewart opted to miss the pre-Christmas India leg, but found themselves on the sidelines for the New Zealand tour as well, as Fletcher stamped his authority on the selection process.Retirement is far from Thorpe’s thoughts for the time being, however, as a busy summer of international cricket gets underway at Lord’s tomorrow. “I informed Duncan Fletcher and David Graveney of my plans yesterday and have also assured them that as far as this summer is concerned, I will be giving all my attention to the forthcoming npower Test Series against Bangladesh and Australia.”
Many psychological battles are raging ahead of India’s upcoming tour to Pakistan. While Sourav Ganguly has proclaimed that the Pakistan bowling attack is not as formidable as its predecessors, Javed Miandad and Rashid Latif have delivered counter-punches.Speaking at a corporate function in Delhi, Ganguly said, “They have a good bowling department. But just being fast doesn’t help. They should have quality. The present lot of Pakistani speedsters are not of the class of Wasim Akram who could swing the ball both ways. We have little to worry from them.” A few days back Ganguly had gone to the extent of saying, ” … even if we play [at] 60% of our game, we will win the Pakistan series.”But Ganguly has to contend with fierce salvos from the other side. Miandad has never been one to shirk a mental joust and the build-up to the series has him in the thick of things. When asked if the Pakistan team needed a bowling or fielding coach or a psychologist to assist them, Miandad said, “I don’t need anybody’s help now because I believe no one can perform miracle[s] in such a short time.”Miandad added, “All the cricketers have come through a process and now they don’t need training of a preliminary level.”Miandad is not alone in this regard. Latif, the former Pakistan captain, branded the Indian team as “under-achievers”. Latif told , “They are not the favourites for this series. If you look at their recent record, they have not achieved anything notable in Tests and in one-day internationals, they have choked in the big matches.”And he also said that the Indians, at times, tended to take a negative approach. “You can count the number of occasions when they have bowled out sides twice in a Test. Which is why they have not won many Tests or series. Plus they are prone to playing negative cricket.” He spoke about how India did not have the confidence to enforce the follow-on after scoring 700 runs at Sydney, “even though Australia was struggling with its bowling”.”In comparison, look at Pakistan’s record. It may be an unpredictable team but it has won more Tests and ODIs in the last four five years simply because it has had the bowling to bowl out sides twice. Secondly, Pakistan has no big superstar but plays like a unit with every player capable of turning in a match winning performance.”He finished with a flourish as he said, “Pakistan has another edge over them [India] — Inzamam-ul-Haq commands his place in the team on pure performance alone and not simply because he is the captain.”
The Valley, Anguilla Having surrendered their cup title, Barbados will try to restore some pride over the next four days.They will be seeking a place in the semifinals of the International Shield when they oppose the Leeward Islands in a sixth round Busta Series match at the Ronald Webster Park starting today.Barbados, sixth among the eight teams in the standings with 24 points, face a tall order if they are to progress to the International Shield, which is contested by the top four teams at the end of the preliminary phase.They will need to beat the Leeward Islands this weekend and the West Indies ‘B’ next weekend and then hope that other results go in their favour.Leewards, second on 39 points, have always been one of the most feared teams at regional level, but recent history points to Barbados having a chance in the Leewards’ backyard.Last season, when Barbados were desperately trying to stay in contention for the cup, they toppled the Leewards at Grove Park in Nevis, with Ryan Hinds, known more for his batting, setting up the victory with a regional record match haul of 15 wickets.Two seasons earlier, Barbados beat the Leewards at Webster Park, with another left-arm orthodox spinner, Winston Reid, snatching a career-best eight-wicket haul in the first innings.The Leewards have had a tendency to have difficulties against spinners who turn the ball away from right-handed batsmen, and Barbados are likely to recall left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn in place of off-spinner Ryan Austin.Fast bowler Tino Best, who was asked to sit out the last match against Bangladesh ‘A’ following the return of four West Indies selectees, is also tipped to feature in Barbados’ first four-pronged fast bowling attack in a few seasons.Barbados will also be closely monitoring the other matches.They will be hoping that Jamaica, the cup champions-in-waiting, secure maximum points against fourth-placed Trinidad and Tobago.Barbados will also want bottom-of-the-table Bangladesh ‘A’ to deny fifthplaced Windward Islands and for seventh-placed West Indies ‘B’ to avoid defeat against Guyana.Standings:Jamaica 51, Leeward Islands 39, Guyana 36, Trinidad and Tobago 33, Windward Islands 30, Barbados 24, West Indies ‘B’ 12, Bangladesh ‘A 10.
North West had put themselves in a commanding position by the end of the second day of their home encounter with Northerns, reducing the visitors to 152 for seven after piling up a first innings total of 327.Garth Roe and Jan Dreyer grabbed two wickets each, but it was a team effort for North West, which sent Northerns reeling to finish 175 behind and still 26 runs off avoiding the follow-on. Northerns may be through to the Super Eight phase of the Supersport Series and North West still bidding to make absolutely sure of their passage, but the visitors will not want to lose the match as their hosts would carry the points from this encounter forward to the next stage.Only opener Rudi Steyn, with 45, made much of an impression as the visitors’ wickets tumbled on Saturday.Earlier, Morne Strydom had been the mainstay of the home side’s innings with an unbeaten 89, including 14 fours, made off 177 balls, but there were useful contributions from the middle order and the tail. Mark Lavine, 48 not out overnight, made only one further run, but then Craig Light made 47, Alfonso Thomas made 31 and his partner in a record-equalling 10th-wicket stand earlier this season, Garth Roe, made 21. Clearly they have been out to show that stand of 174 was not a flash in the pan.
Everton grabbed a vital three points in the Premier League on Thursday night with a 1-0 win at home to Newcastle United.
Alex Iwobi scored the winner deep into injury time after the match was delayed for several minutes when a protester tied himself to one of the goalposts at Goodison Park.
It was not plain sailing for the Merseyside club by any stretch of the imagination, though, as the visitors had more possession of the ball and more shots on goal. The Transfer Tavern have used statistical experts SofaScore to analyse who the three worst performers (to have played at least 45 minutes) were for the home side on the night:
Demarai Gray (6.7)
Given a 6.7 rating, Gray ranked as the Toffees’ third-worst player.
The winger lost out on six of his seven duels and failed to record a single shot on target, while he also gave the ball away 10 times.
Struggling to make any major impact, Gray was substituted off for Dominic Calvert-Lewin with the score still at 0-0.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (6.6)
Admittedly tied as Everton’s worst starter in terms of overall rating (6.6), Doucoure ranks second here as he at least kept a clean sheet as a defensive midfielder.
However, the Frenchman lost a player-high 13 duels and never managed a shot on target, successful dribble, interception or key pass, losing the ball on 13 separate occasions.
He also committed four fouls, again more than any other player on the pitch.
Richarlison (6.6)
With a 6.6 rating, Richarlison ranks as the Blues’ worst performer on the night.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
The Brazilian was unsuccessful in a mammoth 12 of his duels, while he managed no shots on goal at all and lost the ball 15 times, committing three fouls in the process.
In other news, find out why Anthony Gordon ‘fumed’ at Ben Godfrey
Jesse Ryder is in line for his New Zealand debut after he was called up for their Twenty20 and one-day series against England. Paul Hitchcock, the medium pacer who last played for New Zealand in their ODI tour of Pakistan in 2003-04, has been recalled, while the uncapped Tim Southee was named in the Twenty20 squad.Ryder, a hard-hitting batsman and handy seamer, has been on the fringes of the national squad for some time but was frustrated by not being selected sooner. He didn’t turn up for Ireland last UK summer, was considering playing for England, and refused to attend the training camp for New Zealand’s initial 30-man World Cup group. He made himself unavailable for last year’s New Zealand A tour of Australia, but he has finally won an opportunity.”Jesse has the potential to provide an explosive start alongside Brendon McCullum at the top of the innings in both forms of the game,” Richard Hadlee, the selection manager, said. “Tim will join the squad for the Twenty20 leg only. He is an impressive young bowler and the Twenty20 internationals present an ideal opportunity for him to step into the senior fold. He will then rejoin the New Zealand Under-19 World Cup squad for the World Cup.””Off the field I have had a few problems in the past but this year has been great,” Ryder told the New Zealand Herald. “You have to grow up sooner or later if you want to make the big time. It’s taken me a little longer than I had hoped.”Southee, 19, a right-arm fast bowler, made his debut for Northern Districts late last season. In his most recent first-class match, in December, he collected 6 for 68 in a losing side. He will be joined in the Twenty20 attack by Hitchcock, 33, who played 13 ODIs from 2002 to 2003.”Paul Hitchcock is an experienced bowler whose style is well suited to New Zealand conditions and venues,” Hadlee said. “He also gives greater depth to the batting order and a versatile range of bowling skills. Michael Mason replaces Tim Southee for the ODI series, with Jeetan Patel bringing the squad to 13.”New Zealand play two Twenty20 matches against England, the first on February 5, and then five ODIs. The squad announced today will be reviewed after the third one-dayer.Twenty20 squad Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Tim Southee, Paul Hitchcock, Chris Martin.ODI squad Brendon McCullum (wk), Jesse Ryder, Jamie How, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Jacob Oram, Daniel Vettori (capt), Kyle Mills, Michael Mason, Jeetan Patel, Paul Hitchcock, Chris Martin.
Phil Jaques showed he had overcome a disappointing stint in the Australian one-day side with a century before Dominic Thornely and Simon Katich added to Queensland’s troubles as New South Wales posted an imposing 2 for 402. Jaques, who made 1 and 3 in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, splashed 21 fours in his fine 141 – it was his third century of the Pura Cup campaign – while Thornely and Katich sped towards stumps in an unbroken stand of 172.Thornely struck Clinton Perren for six to bring up three figures and he cleared the rope on three other occasions during his 109 not out from 122 balls. Katich, the captain, was also aggressive, registering his hundred in the third-last over, and he will look to build on his 102 on the second day.Queensland’s first setback came before the start when they lost Andy Bichel to an infected foot and he was replaced by Grant Sullivan, who was travelling with the team as the benefactor of a mentor program. Sullivan had a bright moment in his second first-class game when he had Jaques caught behind on 102, but he was called for a no-ball.Jaques opened with a 117-run partnership with a patient Ed Cowan, who fell to a legside take by Chris Hartley off Ashley Noffke for 30. Noffke was also responsible for the second wicket when he had Jaques caught by Ryan Broad, but he was the only bowler to have any success on a day belonging to the hosts. Tasmania’s even stronger performance in Adelaide pushed New South Wales to second while the chances of the fourth-placed Queensland staying in contention for the final are slipping away.
On a sunny day with high clouds and a good breeze, Scotland met a West Indian Select team in the first of two matches. The home side’s captain for the day, Ryan Hinds, won the toss and chose to field at the picturesque Windward CC ground. The cricket, however, was far from picturesque as Scotland crawled to 164 for 8 in their 50 overs.Dougie Lockhart and Gavin Hamilton gave Scotland a solid start, putting on 50 in good time. However, once Lockhart (18) was dismissed by Hinds, wickets began to tumble. Ryan Watson failed to score, also falling to Hinds, and Hamilton went for 34. 78 for 3 was less than inspirational for the Scots.As in previous matches, Scotland’s batsmen seemed to be getting settled only to get out cheaply and wastefully. Fraser Watts (21), Colin Smith (26) and Dougie Brown (22) all fell to unnecessarily lazy shots and although Craig Wright (5) was unlucky to be given run out, John Blain (13*) again batted to the finish.Scotland faced 30 overs of spin in this game but, not for the first time, too little was made of the last 10 overs when sides are normally expected to push their score on, and the final total of 164 for 8 looked unlikely to trouble the opposition on a good pitch.And so it proved. In the seven overs before lunch, John Blain removed Lendel Simmons for 4, but the hosts had progressed to 43 by then.On 68, Ryan Watson picked up the valuable wicket of Hinds for 34, but that was to be the last success for the Scotland bowlers. Even though he tried eight bowlers in all – including Fraser Watts (0 for 11 off 2) – Wright could not winkle out another batsman. Dale Richards (72*) and Deonarine (47*) saw the home side reach their target in only 32 overs.
Andrew Flintoff is set to make an early return to action in Lancashire’s National League match against Middlesex, at Lord’s on Sunday. Early indications were that he would not return to competitive action until mid-May and although he will only be playing as a batsman his comeback will be a boost to the England camp ahead of the Ashes.Flintoff underwent ankle surgery after returning from England’s Test series against South Africa at the end of January. He was originally given a timescale of around 12 weeks before he would be ready to play again, but he was worked intensively with Dave Roberts, the former England physio, and has been given permission to play by Dr Peter Gregory, the ECB’s chief medical officer.”I’m desperate to the back in action,” Flintoff told . “It’s over 10 weeks since I’ve had a game but I’ve felt in decent form in practice and I just want to get going again.”Dr Gregory visited Flintoff in Bolton and at Old Trafford where he bowled six overs in the nets. Mike Watkinson, the Lancashire cricket manager, said: “Dr Gregory spent time with Freddie watching him bat and bowl and there were no mishaps – he looks ready to play. It will be a boost for us but even more so for him because he has reached saturation point in his rehabilitation programme and just wants to get out there again with his bat.”If Flintoff gets through the National League match without any reaction he could make his first-class return in Lancashire’s County Championship clash with Worcestershire at New Road, starting on April 27. However, he will still miss England’s two Tests against Bangladesh.
Middlesex’s plans for the 2004 season have been dealt a double blow with the news that Ashley Noffke and Anil Kumble won’t be joining them in 2004.Noffke will miss the entire season with a chronic back problem, having decided that he needs a complete rest to try and ease a long-standing complaint.And that was followed by Middlesex’s admission that their plans to sign Anil Kumble had been vetoed as the Indian board decided his international commitments were too great."We had sorted things out with Anil before Christmas but didn’t announce his signing because we were awaiting clearance from the board, Vinny Codrington, Middlesex’s secretary told the BBC. “It was disappointing that it became public knowledge before any permission was given … but we perfectly understand the BCCI’s and Anil’s decision.”