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South Australia have offered Younis Khan, the Pakistan batsman, a short-term contract for the 2008-09 domestic season

Cricinfo staff28-May-2008
Younis Khan could be on his way to Adelaide © AFP
South Australia have offered Younis Khan, the Pakistan batsman, a short-term contract for the 2008-09 domestic season as they attempt to cover the loss of a group of senior players. After looking at their own talent and failing to capture any significant interstate signings, the struggling Redbacks have finally gone overseas in their bid for a high-quality performer.”Recruiting Younis is an important step in our strategy and an opportunity that presents itself as too good to miss,” South Australia’s coach Mark Sorell said. A report last week mistakenly linked Younis to Western Australia, but it is the Redbacks who are chasing him to add stability to their line-up after losing Darren Lehmann, Matthew Elliott, Ryan Harris and Jason Gillespie.”This is a short-term scenario which would see Younis play with us until about Christmas and then possibly return to South Australia for the finals, if required,” Sorell said. “His Redbacks duties will not impinge on his commitment to Pakistan.”Younis, who has played 58 Tests and 167 one-day internationals, has series against India between December and February. Looking overseas for talent is not a regular method in Australia because part of a state’s charter is to develop players for national teams. However, there have been some big names involved in the domestic game.Barry Richards played for South Australia in the 1970s while in the 1980s Graeme Hick and Ian Botham turned out for Queensland and Imran Khan appeared for New South Wales. Most transfers have gone the other way, with state representatives heading to England for county assignments.”Recruiting an international player is a new approach for South Australia and a bit outside the square,” Sorell said. “But one of the things to be learnt from the Indian Premier League is just how much younger Australian players from the domestic level have really benefited from being exposed to, and playing with, some of the world’s best international players.” South Australia have struggled in first-class cricket in recent times and finished the 2007-08 season second last.

Leeds United could potentially sign Denmark star Mikkel Damsgaard this summer, according to former England striker Kevin Phillips.

The Lowdown: Damsgaard linked with Leeds move

The 21-year-old is hot property at the moment following a hugely impressive Euro 2020 campaign with Denmark, which included a superb free-kick in the semi-final defeat to England.

Damsgaard has been linked with a move to Leeds, as well as a host of other clubs, as Marcelo Bielsa eyes up key additions in the summer transfer window.

The Dane is currently playing for Sampdoria, but an exit could be on the cards in the next few months.

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The Latest: Phillips makes key claim

Speaking to Football Insider, Phillips claimed that Damsgaard is likely to move to the Premier League, possibly paving the way for a switch to Leeds. The former Sunderland striker said:

“I picked him out as one of their danger men before the game the other night. Obviously he stepped up and scored a wonderful free kick. He was a danger throughout the night.

“He looks like a very good young player and a lot of players have done that this tournament. Big clubs will sit up and take notice of him now. Some big clubs have already been linked with him.

“No surprise. It wouldn’t surprise me if we see him in the Premier League at the start of next season.”

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The Verdict: Outstanding potential signing

Damsgaard looks to be a player of immense potential, possessing so much natural ability and end product, scoring twice and setting up one goal at Euro 2020.

He could add an extra dimension to Leeds’ attacking play, not only popping up in central attacking areas but also providing competition for Jack Harrison and Raphinha out wide.

Damsgaard may cost a lot of money – Sampdoria reportedly want €30m (£25.7m) for him – but he could be worth every penny given his quality and long-term potential.

In other news, a key week reportedly lies ahead in Leeds’ quest to sign one player. Find out who it is here.

One of the biggest areas of concern heading into the new campaign for Everton is in defence.

The Toffees ended last season with the third-worst defensive record in the Premier League’s top ten. With that in mind, it’s hardly a surprise they failed to usurp some of the best team in England.

On the chalkboard

One player who Everton have targetted relentlessly throughout the summer window is Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch full-back lit up Euro 2020 by scoring twice from defence and he now finds himself with a long list of suitors.

Everton are reportedly his next destination but a move is far from certain until we see the robust full-back posing with the blue shirt.

He would be an exceptional signing for the Toffees, combining pace and power with an unrelenting desire to burst into the final third.

The Netherlands gem is not your archetypal defender and that’s precisely why many clubs, including Bayern Munich, have also shown an interest.

Alternatives?

If a move for Dumfries falls through, then Rafa Benitez should look no further than Lille defender Zeki Celik.

The right-back was tremendous under former Everton manager target Christophe Galtier last season as his side capped a remarkable title-winning campaign. In pipping PSG to the Ligue 1 crown, the £18m-rated Celik was undeniably one of the most impressive full-backs in the division.

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Speaking to Football Transfer Tavern about the Turk recently  Adam White of Get French Football News said: “He has been great for Lille and been so consistent. He is great at both ends of the pitch, very accurate with his crossing and is good defensively.

“Seamus Coleman is an extremely underrated player and has been for a decade. It would be a step up to the Premier League for Celik, which is always a difficult one, but he is certainly talented enough to slot into that role at Everton.”

Coleman’s contract expires in a year’s time so it certainly makes sense for Benitez to dip his toes into the market to uncover a potential replacement.

However, Celik could actually be more in the mould of Ben Godfrey, a player who can feature across the back four, primarily at centre-back and right-back.

The Lille ace has featured in both positions already in his career and looks up to Kyle Walker, a player with similar positional sense. Celik once commented: “I’ve been watching him (Walker) since he played in Tottenham. Sometimes Guardiola also plays him as a centre-back – something I have done myself.”

Last season, the Turkey international produced 2.5 tackles per game, which for context was more than any Everton player besides Allan. Celik is also an incredibly hard-working player and keen to play on the front foot, just as Godfrey does.

For Ligue 1 right-backs over the last year, he ranks in the 87th percentile for progressive passes while he sits in the 91st percentile for passes into the final third according to FB Ref. Furthermore, he is in the 88th percentile for successful pressures and ranks at 98% for pressures in the middle third of the pitch.

With that in mind, he would be an exquisite capture by Benitez and Marcel Brands.

AND in other news, Rafa could discover Everton’s new Kanchelskis by signing “wonderful” £50m dynamo…

Scotland are preparing to face the twin challenge of New Zealand and Ireland in the one-day tri-series at Mannofield in Aberdeen next week, the first time the ground has hosted ODIs

Cricinfo staff24-Jun-2008
County first: Kyle Coetzer won’t be available to face New Zealand and Ireland as he remains with Durham © Getty Images
Scotland are preparing to face the twin challenge of New Zealand and Ireland in the one-day tri-series at Mannofield in Aberdeen next week, the first time the ground has hosted ODIs.The last time New Zealand played in Scotland was during the 1999 World Cup, when captain Daniel Vettori was 12th man. New Zealand and Ireland last met in the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean, when New Zealand won by 129 runs.Ireland and Scotland are old and frequent foes, and competition between them is always tense. After Ireland’s famous victories in the World Cup against Pakistan and Bangladesh they are ranked 10th in the world, while Scotland are three places behind. They will be keen to use this match in Aberdeen to set the record straight.However, Scotland will be without Kyle Coetzer, who will remain with Durham to continue his county season after the two parties came to an agreement. Navdeep Poonia, who plays for Warwickshire, is available for the ODIs.”Scotland has yet to defeat a Test-playing country, and this is therefore another opportunity for us to break new ground against New Zealand,” said coach Peter Steindl. “We have several players who are in fine form at the present time, so we hope to spring a surprise or two on both our visiting teams.”Roddy Smith, chief executive of Cricket Scotland, added: “It will be a real challenge for our squad taking on nations ranked fourth and tenth in the world – and I am sure the Aberdeen public will come out in force to support the team.”Tickets for the ODIs are available for purchase in advance from the Cricket Scotland website and office, the Aberdeenshire clubhouse, or on the match days at the entrance to the Mannofield ground. For the Scotland-New Zealand match the entry price is £25 (concessions £15), and for the other two games £15 (concessions £10).Squad Ryan Watson (capt), Richie Berrington, Dewald Nel, Craig Wright John Blain, Gordon Goudie, Gavin Hamilton, Majid Haq, Neil McCallum, Navdeep Poonia, Glenn Rogers, Qasim Sheikh, Colin Smith (wk), Fraser Watts

Wilfried Zaha is 75 per cent certain to still be a Crystal Palace player when the transfer window slams shut, according to Matt Woosnam.

The exciting winger wants to leave Palace after enjoying another fine campaign at Selhurst Park.

Zaha, who returned to the Eagles from Manchester United in 2014, is keen to challenge himself in European football and has also asked to depart in the summer of 2019 and 2020.

Although Palace chairman Steve Parish has confirmed Zaha will be allowed to leave if an offer meets their demands this summer, The Athletic reporter Woosnam has revealed no clubs have firmed up their interest by submitting an official bid.

The Ivory Coast international scored 11 goals in 31 appearances last term and has attracted interest from the likes of Everton and Arsenal since heading back to Selhurst Park.

However, Woosnam is expecting new boss Patrick Vieira to have Zaha among his options during his first season at the helm.

He told The Transfer Tavern: “Right now, I would say there is 75 per cent chance of him staying.

“I think it’s very unlikely that he’ll leave this summer. I don’t see why Palace would let him go.

“In a summer where so many clubs are very heavily restricted with their finances, I think it would take quite a sizeable bid for him to depart.”

Cricket Kenya has angrily denied claims in the Daily Nation that it broke its own selection rules in picking former captain Ragheb Aga for their European tour

Cricinfo staff15-Jul-2008
Ragheb Aga: as a county-contracted player there was not a need for him to return to Kenya © Getty Images
Cricket Kenya has angrily denied claims in the Daily Nation that it broke its own selection rules in picking former captain Ragheb Aga for their European tour.The newspaper, which has been overtly critical of the new board ever since the old Kenyan Cricket Association was replaced in 2005, accused CEO Tom Tikolo of double standards. “The basis on which Aga was picked is only known to the selectors,” Richard Mwangi wrote. “By picking Aga the selectors could have denied a deserving youngster who has been training with the rest of the boys an opportunity of being exposed to a high level, which does not augur well with the development programme.”The claims by the paper were dismissed by Tikolo as “wholly inaccurate and misinformed”. He continued: “It reflects a misconceived notion that the Kenya national cricket team can only be picked from amongst those players who participate in its elite domestic leagues. This condition is meant for all players who ordinarily reside in the country during the season. There are several Kenyan players who play overseas and do not participate in local leagues and still feature in the national team – because they play in a country and for a team that participates in the top flight of cricket. The most recent examples of such players are the the Obuya brothers who played in Australia.”Aga is contracted to Sussex, and while CK rules insist that overseas players participate in local leagues and to return home to prepare for a fortnight before any matches or tours, Tikolo explained that exceptions had to be made as Aga has a professional and binding contract with the county.”His record and performance speaks for itself, particularly so in the English press where he is reported as being in impressive form for his county,” Tikolo explained. “He cannot participate in the Kenya domestic league because by doing so he would lose his county contract. After much persuasion, Sussex have agreed to release Ragheb so that he can play for Kenya in important matches without this prejudicing his contract.”Samir Inamdar, the board’s chairmen, met with Sussex officials in Hove last week to obtain the necessary clearance, and Aga’s inclusion has to be seen as a plus at a time many players from Associate countries are opting to miss national games and remain with their counties.The Nation also attacked the board for its handling of Tanmay Mishra, who, it claimed, “was dropped from the side for failing to attend nets earlier in the year, although his form was not in doubt”.Mishra had in fact turned his back on Kenyan cricket to investigate furthering his education in India at the end of 2007, and was unable to commit to his game when pressed to do so by the national selectors earlier this year.

The Twenty20 quarter-final between Warwickshire and Kent at Edgbaston has been abandoned due to heavy rain and will now be played on Thursday

Cricinfo staff09-Jul-2008The Twenty20 quarter-final between Warwickshire and Kent at Edgbaston has been abandoned due to heavy rain and will now be played on Thursday.Kent are the defending champions, while Warwickshire went through the group stage with just one defeat. The winners will join Essex and Middlesex who are already in Finals Day, but the fourth team won’t be known for a while after the postponement for Durham’s match against Yorkshire.The hearing into Yorkshire fielding an ineligible player, Azeem Rafiq, will be heard at Old Trafford on Thursday.The draw for Finals Day, which was due to take place after the Edgbaston quarter-final, has also been delayed pending the outcome of the disciplinary hearing.

Manchester United could be set to lose star midfielder Paul Pogba this summer, with the 28-year-old looking ‘increasingly unlikely’ to sign a new contract.

What’s the story?

According to Sky Sports, talks between the France international’s representatives and United failed to find a resolution after reports claimed a concrete offer had been rejected by Pogba.

The World Cup winner has attracted the attention of Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks, and the Red Devils must now make a decision on whether to sell him this summer or allow him to see out his contract.

Pogba’s current deal expires in 12 months’ time, meaning he can sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January. It’s thought he wants to assess all his options before deciding on what is likely to be the last big contract of his career.

Manchester United fans will be worried

Despite PSG’s reported interest in Pogba, the Ligue 1 giants have made no official bid as of yet, and there’s been no direct contact between the two clubs.

Nevertheless, large sections of United supporters will be left feeling worried at these latest revelations given the importance of the £290,000-per-week dynamo to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Although Pogba has been on the receiving end of much criticism since his arrival on English shores, he’s undoubtedly one of the Old Trafford outfit’s most talented players.

The 20-time English champions have made great strides under Solskjaer in recent years, achieving consecutive top-four finishes for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, and Pogba has been central to their success.

He made 42 appearances in all competitions for United last season, scoring six goals and providing nine assists, achieving a respectable 6.85 WhoScored rating in the process.

Therefore, Pogba’s potential departure would be a significant setback in the progress made by the Red Devils under their Norwegian tactician.

While several big names have been linked with replacing him in the red half of Manchester in recent days, such as Saul Niguez, Leon Goretzka and Eduardo Camavinga, Pogba’s exit would be a bitter blow and leave United reeling ahead of the upcoming campaign.

And, in other news…Journo drops exciting MUFC update on “incredible” £63m-rated gem, fans will be buzzing

Celtic are interested in signing Rennes striker M’Baye Niang, according to Foot Mercato reporter Sebastien Denis.

The Lowdown: Niang profiled

Niang has been with Rennes since 2019 and is under contract until 2023. He’s primarily a centre-forward but can also play out wide on either side.

The 26-year-old has scored 67 goals during his career for club and country and is currently valued at £4.05m by Transfermarkt after his market valuation plummeted from £13.5m in August 2020.

Niang, who is on £62,000-a-week with the Ligue 1 side, is attracting interest from clubs in four different countries.

The Latest: Denis’ tweet

Denis posted on Twitter on Thursday evening on Niang. He claimed that Serie A side Venezia are ‘very hot’ on Niang, with Celtic, Fenerbahce and Shanghai Shenhua all ‘interested’, but to a lesser degree.

“As reported in Italy, the Italian team from Venezia is very very hot on M’baye Niang for a dry transfer. Fenerbahce, Celtic Glasgow and Shanghai are interested in the Rennes striker but to a lesser degree.”

The Verdict: A gamble

Celtic’s reported interest in Niang could be due to Odsonne Edouard’s stance on his Parkhead future.

The French forward still wants to leave Celtic Park after his move to Leicester City fell through, but bringing in Niang could be a gamble.

His wage in France is over three times the amount of Celtic’s highest earner, Callum McGregor, and his form last season didn’t represent that of a player on £62,000-a-week.

Niang scored just once in 17 appearances in all competitions, so perhaps Celtic would be better off looking elsewhere for attacking reinforcements.

In other news: £5.4m-rated club captain admits he would ‘immediately’ sign for Celtic; he’s on £18,000-a-week. 

The PCB has rubbished speculation over the future of Nasim Ashraf, claiming that the chairman of the board is not going anywhere and will be back from the USA within the next few days

Cricinfo staff11-Aug-2008
Nasim Ashraf will return to Pakistan after his trip to the USA was extended due to a minor surgery © AFP
The PCB has rubbished speculation over the future of Nasim Ashraf, claiming that the chairman of the board is not going anywhere and will be back from the USA within the next few days.Ashraf is currently in the USA on a personal trip and undergoing some medical treatment, but the timing of his trip, with preparations for the Champions Trophy in full swing and an ICC task force visiting the country, has sparked chatter about an uncertain future.Some reports have linked his position to the future of Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, who is facing possible impeachment from the ruling government. As patron of the board, Musharraf directly appoints the chairman, and is thought to be close to Ashraf.But a board spokesman said such talk was baseless and insisted the chairman would be back soon. “There is nothing in all this,” Mansoor Suhail told Cricinfo. “The chairman had planned this trip quite some time ago and has in fact reduced it considerably with a view to the Champions Trophy. He has undergone some treatment there and will be back within the next 5-6 days.”Questions have been raised about the timing of the trip in particular as the ICC’s task force is in the country to assess final arrangements for the Champions Trophy. It has been suggested that the current four-man task force, missing a number of top delegates, was re-jigged because concerns about the venues weren’t of such importance. But Suhail insisted that Ashraf’s presence in any case wasn’t necessary.”This is not the exact task force that was originally nominated but they have come to discuss concerns and by their own admission have had excellent sessions in Islamabad and Lahore. It is not necessary for the chairman to be here as the PCB management has handled it and done it well.”Suhail also downplayed the implications of the political situation in the country on Ashraf’s position. “There is no link between what is happening with the presidency and the chairman of the board and to suggest as such is completely off the mark. The chairman will be back shortly and is very much looking forward to hosting the Champions Trophy.”