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A round-up of matches from the fifth day of the ICC World Cricket League Division Four

Cricinfo staff18-Aug-2010USA suffered their first defeat of the tournament as a clinical bowling performance from Italy consigned them to a 51-run defeat in Medicina. Italy’s batsmen did not fare too well after winning the toss, but they found their saviours in Andy Northcote and Peter Petricola, who lifted them to what proved to be a match-winning score of 212.Wickets tumbled early with Hayden Patrizi and Nic Northcote managing just three runs in between them. That brought Andy and Petricola together, and the pair added a decisive 111 for the third wicket. Andy scored a 108-ball 72 before Muhammad Ghous got the better of him, and things went downhill for Italy thereafter. Petricola also missed his ton, falling 15 short to the impressive Lennox Cush who snared three wickets. The tail managed to lift Italy to 212, a score their bowlers comfortably defended.USA’s chase was wrong-footed early when their in-form batsman Sushil Nadkarni departed for a duck. Italy’s seamers never released the pressure and soon USA were 26 for 4. A battling 51 from Aditya Thyagarajan, and a couple of reasonable contributions from the tail took them past 150, but the result was never in doubt after the early damage.Petricola, who was adjudged Man of the Match, was pleased to put it past the USA. “It was great to beat the USA today, a side that is particularly strong. I felt today was real team effort by us all in the field and it felt particularly great to bounce back after our first game defeat at the hands of Nepal.”Our batting showed good strength and depth and I’m proud of the fact I managed to add a few runs to our final total today. I was also happy with how we performed as a side in the field, we kept our bowling tight and I was thrilled with my team-mates overall performance,” he said.Tanzania’s bowlers ensured that their side surged to their second win in two days, against Cayman Islands in Pianoro. It was a stop-start innings for Tanzania after they won the toss as batsmen either threw away solid starts or got out early. Four run-outs out of the nine wickets that fell added to the general chaos of the innings. Five batsmen managed to get past 29, but all of them succumbed for scores under 40, while the rest of the batsmen fell for single-digit scores. Still they managed to put 197 on the board, and their bowlers, fresh from a spirited defence of a poor score against Nepal, stuck to their task again.Khalil Rehmtullah was once again the hero, scalping 3 for 28, including two early wickets as Cayman Islands’ chase was stunted at the top. Saheed Mohamed and Ryan Bovell repaired the damage from 10 for 3 in a patient 80-run stand spanning nearly 20 overs, but just like the Tanzanian batsmen, they too chucked it after reaching 30s. Unfortunately for Cayman Islands, they did not have enough reserves to pick up the slack, and despite a stubborn 25 from Conroy Wright, they folded 43 short of Tanzania’s effort.Kassim Nasoro, leading the side today, was pleased that the side managed to pull off a win despite missing their regular captain. “I’m really proud of the way we played today. Having lost our captain Hamisi Abdallah this morning due to injury, we really came together as a side and our game plan paid off. Our bowlers kept things tight and the batsmen made a solid total that proved too hard for the Cayman Islanders to make, it feels great to have our second win of the tournament and hopefully our good run continues,” he said.Nepal put their forgettable outing against Tanzania behind them and trounced Argentina by eight wickets with a professional performance in Navile. Argentina’s innings, after electing to bat, never went into gear against a determined Nepal attack and, despite an attacking 83 off 73 balls from Alejandro Ferguson, they could only manage 193 in their 50 overs. The wickets were shared around, with Shakti Gauchan and Basanta Regmi picking two wickets in particularly niggardly spells.Mahesh Chhetri began Nepal’s chase in sedate fashion with a 60-ball 36, while his colleagues went after the bowling. His opening partner Anil Mandal struck 60 off 58 balls with seven fours and three sixes. After their exits, Pradeep Airee and captain Paras Khadka sealed the deal with a 92-run stand, with the latter on 53 off 40 balls when the winning runs were scored in the 33rd over.Man of the match Mandal was pleased that his side shrugged off the batting failures from the previous games. “I think we batted well compared to the previous two matches and I’m happy I was able to contribute to the team score. I felt we needed to see the new ball off first and once we’d settled in, I felt I could go back to my basic skills and hit the ball freely to put the runs on the board. I think we have to be even more focused tomorrow for the USA, they will come back stronger and we have to be ready to take on their bowling attack and ultimately claim victory,” he said.

Pete O’Rourke has dropped an update on Celtic’s reported interest in a deal to bring Ahmed Kendouci to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What’s the talk?

In a recent interview with GIVEMESPORT, the journalist stated his belief that, after missing out on the signing of FC Charlotte central midfielder Riley McGree to Middlesbrough, Ange Postecoglou could well firm up his reported interest in the ES Setif playmaker with an offer during the closing stages of the current transfer market.

Speaking about Celtic’s interest in the 22-year-old, O’Rourke said: “Celtic probably are looking for a central midfielder after missing out on Riley McGree. That was a player they thought they were going to land until Middlesbrough came in late doors and managed to lure him to the Riverside, so Kendouci could be a target for Celtic.”

Dream McGree alternative

While McGree would have undoubtedly been an impressive signing for Postecoglou to get over the line this month, considering the sheer amount of potential Kendouci is quite clearly in possession of, the signing of the Algeria U23 international would very much appear to be a dream alternative to the Australian.

Indeed, the self-titled football talent scout, Jacek Kulig, is very much of the belief that the left-footed 22-year-old is a player with a huge future in the game, stating that Kendouci’s strengths are his “pace, passing, vision, technique, ball control, creativity, long shots [and] tackling,” as well as comparing the ES Setif midfielder to Tottenham Hotspur’s Giovani Lo Celso and awarding him an 8/10 regarding his potential.

It is easy to understand why Kulig feels this way, as, over Kendouci’s £1.17m-rated playmaker scored ten goals and provided ten assists, as well as bagging a further goal and two assists over eight outings in the CAF Confederation Cup – taking his haul for the 2020/21 campaign to 11 goals and 12 assists.

As such, considering the fact that Celtic did indeed miss out on McGree, in addition to Callum McGregor picking up an injury in the Scottish Cup win against Alloa Athletic on Saturday, Postecoglou could well be tempted to once again dip his toe in the transfer market prior to its closure at the end of the month – with the “complete” Kendouci looking as if he would make an extremely impressive addition to the Bhoys’ current options in the middle of the park.

In other news: “I’m sure…”: Teasing January transfer claim emerges that’ll have Celtic fans buzzing

Leeds United fans won’t want to hear what The Athletic’s Phil Hay has to say about deadline day at Elland Road…

What’s the word?

Speaking on Twitter, the ever-reliable reporter delivered a gutting claim about the likelihood of the Whites conducting any sort of business before the 11pm deadline.

“As for incomings at Elland Road, still expecting a quiet day,” he revealed.

In just 11 words, Hay has surely ruined the hopes and dreams of many supporters around west Yorkshire with just a few hours left to go.

Gutting news

Much of the Leeds faithful have been desperate to see Marcelo Bielsa handed some reinforcements to his decimated squad this month but it appears as if it just isn’t going to happen.

Their attempts to bring a new midfielder to the club have fallen short after seeing bids of £15m and £20m rejected by RB Salzburg for their star maestro Brenden Aaronson.

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That’s a deal that is expected to happen in the summer instead, meaning Leeds haven’t signed anyone for the engine room for four years now when Adam Forshaw joined from Middlesbrough in January 2018.

That area of the pitch has been a pressing need with influential England international Kalvin Phillips, who was subject of interest from West Ham United in the past few days, absent through injury until March at the earliest.

He along with skipper Liam Cooper and last season’s leading talisman Patrick Bamford have been huge absentees for the Yorkshiremen.

There have been times where Bielsa has been without as many as 11 first-team players in the Premier League, leaving him to fill the bench with academy players who simply aren’t ready for a crack at the big time.

This latest bombshell from Hay will leave many around Elland Road absolutely furious, that’s for sure.

AND in other news, Enquiry made: Leeds submit last-ditch “offer” on deadline day, Bielsa badly needs him…

The WIPA has “condemned” the exclusion of Ramnaresh Sarwan from the WICB’s list of contracted players, and has questioned the board’s reasoning behind the decision

Cricinfo staff14-Sep-2010The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) has “condemned” Ramnaresh Sarwan’s exclusion from the WICB’s list of contracted players, and has questioned the board’s reasoning behind the decision. The WICB said it had cut Sarwan because of concerns about his attitude to fitness. According to a WIPA release, Sarwan’s recent injuries had occurred while playing for West Indies and that he had shown initiative in trying to recover quickly, following all directions issued by the board.According to WIPA, Sarwan had been informed by the WICB chief executive, Ernest Hilaire, of the board’s concerns about his attitude to fitness following a report on West Indies’ tour of Australia in November 2009. Neither the players’ association nor Sarwan, however, had seen the report. According to the WIPA, in a letter dated January 11, the board said it was not highlighting specific incidents illustrating its concerns about Sarwan but only wanted to sensitize him to the problem.In its reply to the WICB, the players’ association had asked for specific instances when Sarwan did not meet the standards demanded, and wanted the batsman to be given an opportunity to state his case. No reply had so far been received by the WIPA.The players’ association also highlighted that Sarwan’s recent injuries had occurred while on West Indies duty – a back problem during the tour of Australia, and a hamstring injury in the home series against South Africa earlier this year. It also outlined the measures Sarwan had taken on his own initiative and expense – undergoing treatment in Florida and Canada – to recover from the injuries. The WIPA also said that there had been no complaints from the team management about Sarwan’s attitude or his commitment to training in the past and during the series against Australia and South Africa.Sarwan, however, had said that he was expecting the setback but that the disappointment would not affect his focus in leading Guyana’s ongoing Champions League Twenty20 campaign in South Africa.

England’s captain Andrew Strauss has brushed off suggestions of Kevin Pietersen being a potentially divisive member of the squad for this year’s Ashes tour

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Oct-2010England’s captain Andrew Strauss has brushed off suggestions of Kevin Pietersen being a potentially divisive member of the squad for this year’s Ashes tour. And Strauss is confident Pietersen’s big-game mentality will ensure he lifts for the battle for the urn, despite having not made a Test century since the tour of the West Indies in March 2009.The former Australia coach John Buchanan, who is working with England this Ashes series, has said Pietersen “has the potential to be fragmentary and an individualist” and could be a “major problem”. However, Strauss said he had no such concern with Pietersen, who briefly was Strauss’s predecessor as captain until a falling out with the then-coach Peter Moores.”Kevin Pietersen has never been a problem for the England cricket team,” Strauss told BBC Sport. “Buchanan is off the mark to say that – I’m sure Kevin will come to the party.”Pietersen, 30, has enjoyed his past tussles with Australia and averages 50.72 in his 12 Tests against them. But his recent form has been well below average, and since the start of England’s triumphant 2009 Ashes campaign he has averaged 36.61 with a highest score of 99.He was dropped for the first time in his England career in August for the limited-overs contests against Pakistan, which prompted him to type out a Twitter tirade. However, Strauss does not believe there is any possibility Pietersen would be cut from the team for the first Test at the Gabba, even if his form in the warm-up matches was poor.”No, I couldn’t see that happening,” Strauss said. “We all know what sort of character he is, we know these sort of big Ashes series tend to bring out the best in him and to me that’s very encouraging. He’s been out of form – that happens to all of us – and anyone who’s played international cricket for any length of time knows it only takes one innings to get yourself back in form.”For Kevin it might be one of the first-class games that precede the Ashes, it may be in the first Test match, but he’ll come right – he’s too good a player not to. I don’t have any concerns that he’s going to come right, the key is that he hopefully hits that first Test feeling in great form and ready to make his mark on an Ashes series.”England set off soon for what will be the defining tour of Strauss’s captaincy if he leads his men to victory, and they are in the unfamiliar position of being ahead of Australia on the ICC Test rankings. Australia are under pressure after losing their past three Tests, against Pakistan and India, but Strauss was wary of reading too much into Australia’s efforts in India.”The conditions in India are so different,” he told Sky Sports. “They’ve obviously lost a few Tests and have a few questions they need to iron out and that might preoccupy them where we don’t have that.”But we know from past experience that as soon as you arrive in Australia, from day one things get pretty tough. They’re a proud side, their record in Australia is outstanding and we’re expecting them to be at their best … so if we want to beat them we have to be better than that.”

Leeds United are now stepping up their chase to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol in the summer transfer window.

What’s the story?

According to reports, Jesse Marsch’s side have tracked the Croatia international for two years now, and they initially came close to signing him back in the summer of 2020.

It is now suggested that Victor Orta and his recruitment team have continued to keep tabs on the defender and are finally ready to make their move.

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However, while Leeds scouts have been present at some of his recent matches, they are likely to face competition from other Premier League clubs for his signature too.

Perfect signing for Marsch

Valued at a whopping £100m by CIES, a fee which would shatter Leeds’ club-record outlay, Gvardiol is very much emerging as one of European football’s brightest centre-back prospects.

In an analytics-based profile done on the 20-year-old by The Athletic, they noted: “When it comes to defending, Gvardiol looks to be well-trained in the aggressive Leipzig way. He is always active in getting tight to his man (defending intensity 99 out of 99). He is also above average in his frequency of ball recoveries and interceptions (79 out of 99), highlighting how much he likes to step out and read the play.”

Meanwhile, in a piece for BBC Sport earlier last month, journalist Izak Ante Sucic claimed that the defender is “built like a tank” and that those in his homeland liken him to Liverpool powerhouse Virgil van Dijk.

He said: “In Croatia we like to compare him to Virgil van Dijk, because he’s built that way (6 foot 1). He’s one of his role models in football and he’s also mentioned Thiago Silva and Sergio Ramos – Ramos because he’s also one of those players who likes to score as many goals as he can.

“In my opinion, I think he can be as good as Virgil one day. When you see how he behaves on the field and off the field, he’s one of those guys where you’d say ‘he’s going to succeed’.”

The Van Dijk comparisons certainly paint a picture of just how highly-rated Gvardiol is, and given the Whites’ defensive troubles this season – they have conceded 68 goals in the Premier League, the most of any team – he could come in and have a huge impact.

Also, with his ability to play at both centre-back and left-back, the young Croatian offers a versatility which would be invaluable to Marsch, given both the club’s tragic injury record and the unconvincing performances of summer signing Junior Firpo.

It’s a move which would certainly have the Leeds manager delighted.

AND in other news – Signed for £5m, now worth 700% more: Orta struck dream Leeds deal with “quality” 22y/o

Former Australia fast bowler Geoff Lawson has called for Ricky Ponting to be removed as captain to enable him to concentrate more on his batting

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Oct-2010Geoff Lawson, the former Australia fast bowler, has called for Ricky Ponting to be removed as captain so he can concentrate on his batting. Australia were beaten 2-0 by India in a Test series where Ponting’s tactics drew criticism from various quarters, including former team-mate Shane Warne. The seven-wicket loss in Bangalore was also Australia’s third in a row, prompting concerns ahead of the Ashes later in the year.”I mean he’s now lost five series, it may be time to say ‘look mate, we’ve got Michael Clarke ready to go with a nice fresh young mind, he can be the captain and you focus on your batting and try to restore yourself to the level we know you’re capable’,” Lawson told .Ponting notched up three half-centuries in four innings on the tour of India, his best returns in a series in the country. But Lawson claimed he could have done better. He referred to Sachin Tendulkar’s experience with captaincy and the prolific run he’s enjoyed since being relieved of his leadership duties.”It’s a great point and Ricky’s still batting reasonably, he got two scores of 70 in this [Bangalore] Test match,” he said. “The difference is that Tendulkar got a double-hundred and then backed it up with a 50-odd not out and obviously he can focus on those big scores.”You’ve got to look at the way Ponting is batting and think mentally he can’t concentrate for long enough.”

Leeds United are eyeing a move for Hoffenheim’s versatile star Florian Grillitsch, and that could spell bad news for Robin Koch at Elland Road…

What’s the story?

Reports in recent days have claimed that Jesse Marsch’s side have joined fellow Premier League sides Arsenal and Newcastle in the race to sign the Austria international this summer.

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It’s been suggested that the midfielder’s representatives have sounded out a move abroad amid his contract at Hoffenheim expiring this summer.

Marsch can axe Koch

Reports earlier last year claimed that former Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa actually thought the versatile defender was “too soft” to really succeed at Premier League level, and when you look at how he has fared in general, it’s perhaps understandable to see why.

The German had a injury-hit debut campaign at Elland Road last season, playing just 17 times in the Premier League and missing a number of games with a knee problem between December and March.

And, when he has played, he has shown signs of really struggling to get to grips with the pace and intensity of the English game – you only have to look at his performance against Spurs recently to see that.

Writing in his post-match player ratings against Spurs, Leeds Live’s Beren Cross gave him a four, saying: “No protection for the defence or any presence in the middle of the park as Adam Forshaw was left isolated and alone.”

The £50k-a-week earning ace just isn’t a natural fit when deployed in midfield, while at centre-back, he already has a significant amount of competition to battle against with the recently returned Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk all ahead of him in the pecking order.

But in Grillitsch, they could find someone who is equally comfortable of playing in the middle of the park, and also being trusted with playing at the back too – in the 18 games he has played in the Bundesliga this season, 12 of them have come in central defence, while the rest have seen him used as either a holding midfielder or in a more box-to-box role.

Indeed, Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann raved about the kind of under-rated nature of the Austrian ace, saying: “In my opinion, Flo Grillitsch is one of the best six in the Bundesliga who is already a little under the radar. At least you rarely read anything about him.

“He still has a few construction sites, he knows that, I’ve told him that often enough. But he is an extraordinary footballer and has an incredible ability to determine the rhythm of the game.”

The 6 foot 2 Grillitsch could be a superb addition to this Leeds side, and could see Marsch finally axe one of his side’s poorer players.

AND in other news – Leeds facing major nightmare as worrying news emerges, Elland Road would be devastated

Three Pakistan batsmen made half-centuries as they edged closer to saving the follow-on, but South Africa did enough throughout to keep a door to victory open

The Bulletin by Osman Samiuddin22-Nov-2010
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Misbah-ul-Haq’s presence in the middle is crucial to Pakistan’s fate in the Test•AFPPakistan found a good time to put up one of their most resolute collectivebatting displays of the year, defying South Africa on an engrossing secondday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Three from the middle order madehalf-centuries as they edged closer to saving the follow-on, but SouthAfrica did enough throughout to keep a door to victory open.Two partnerships dominated the resistance, both centred most pleasantlyaround youth. The first was a 117-run stand between Azhar Ali and TaufeeqUmar that spanned much of the morning. Azhar was the centrifugal force.Rare among his younger countrymen in that he seems wired for Testsspecifically, Azhar has been Pakistan’s sleeper hit this year.The impression he made in England solidified here with another well-judgedvigil. There was more oomph to his third half-century of the series andnot only because the fields were attacking and open. He took on Dale and Morne Morkel whenever the opportunity arose but was most impressiveholding off the latter as he attacked his ribs. Azhar was jumpy but athumping pull to bring up the fifty shortly before the first drinks breakput paid to that plan temporarily. Later, as Morkel tried his luck again,he pulled him even more emphatically.Off the backfoot, Azhar in fact is strongest and most elegant, as Steyn foundin occasional punches through off. A first ton was there for Azhar’s taking;instead he now has two nineties.The second developed over the afternoon, a 105-run partnership betweenMisbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq and it was the debutant who steered it. Quick of feetand hands, Shafiq has looked comfortable since his ODI debut earlier thisyear. His first Test yielded a similar sense. In at a genuinely trickyperiod soon after lunch when two wickets had fallen in two overs, Shafiqwas particularly bright against spin.To anything remotely short – and there was enough from Johan Botha – heleant back to cut. To much else he moved his feet to kill the length. Oncehe improvised, flipping Botha over his shoulder. One cut, off Paul Harris,made him the 20th Pakistan batsman to score a fifty on debut. Against pace he wasless forthright and less willing to use his feet, so it was a surprisethat he fell to Harris eventually.And this is the thing about world-class attacks: they are never out of it.They may not be up to much for a session or more, but eventually theirquality will out. Steyn was more world class than the rest, taking fourpelts at the batsmen through the day. In the morning he probed rather thanthreatened. It had been the way since his return from injury in the lastTest and the pace hasn’t yet touched the peaks it can.Lunch helped Steyn find some rhythm and swing, however; immediately he wastempting a restless Younis Khan into nibbling at delicious, late-bloomingoutswingers. A few overs later temptation became downfall. Younis squeezeda drive through gully but a ball later, reaching out again, drove straightto cover. It was infectious, for in his next over, Azhar drove loosely aswell, straight to mid-off. It wasn’t unplayable stuff, just gooddisciplines playing on the impatience of opponents and similar to hisbreakthrough performance against the same opponents in Karachi three yearsago. This gave South Africa their first real peek.The last spell mirrored the first, though given he had a fresh ball, itwasn’t incisive enough. But by then he had Harris, looking every inch acop from a 70s cop show, to fall back on. Like all left-arm spinners, hegenerally does well against Pakistan and he tied them down for much of theafternoon. Timely middle-order breakthroughs, from good bounce, in thelast session ensured South African ascendancy.It was needed, for Botha was poor, bizarrely starting his day’s work as aseamer before belatedly resuming his day-job deep into the afternoon;seven expensive overs later, perhaps he should’ve stuck to seam-up. Morkelwas never consistent enough with his lengths.In this relentlessness it was left to Misbah to keep up the fight. He wentnowhere to begin with but on a day of dismissals as soft as baby cheeks, hisability to stick around was admirable. He opened up on Botha and eventually thepacers as they tired; some of the pulls and clips, as well as the mannerof work, was reminiscent of his Test peak in 2007-08 in India. More willbe needed to avoid the follow-on.

West Bromwich Albion have been rather active in the transfer market over previous years, with many players moving in and out of the Midlands club.

As many Baggies fans will be very much aware, not every deal that has taken place at the Hawthorns has ended up being particularly fruitful.

One move that was particularly disappointing for the club was their 2013 swoop for Victor Anichebe.

Signed in the 2013 summer transfer window from Everton for a reported fee of £6m, the striker made 63 appearances for the Baggies across all competitions before being released in 2016.

In those appearances, the Nigerian could only find the back of the net nine times in total, which is considerably less than what the Baggies would have been hoping for considering the money they shelled out for him.

The 2013/14 Premier League season saw the attacker score only three goals in 24 league appearances before registering another three strikes in 21 league appearances the year after.

As well as his lack of regular goal contributions in the league, the striker’s performances were not much to shout about either.

His debut campaign saw the now 33-year-old earn himself an overall performance rating of 6.56 from WhoScored, whereas the 2014/15 season ended up being worse, this time with a rating of 6.52.

Playing just ten league games after that, the club called an end to Anichebe’s time as a West Brom player in the summer of 2016.

To further highlight the lack of attacking prowess the player had, he only registered 25 shots on target throughout the three Premier League seasons he had as a Baggies player.

To put that into perspective, his final league season at Everton saw the centre-forward rack up 33 shots on target.

Despite being described as being an “absolute nightmare” to play against by Jamie Carragher, the only person that will have been having nightmares about the striker is former West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace.

Having reportedly been on wages of £32k-per-week at the Hawthorns, it’s safe to say that the striker rinsed Peace’s pockets of £10.7m over 147 weeks from the transfer fee and wages the club had to pay to have Anichebe in their squad.

Taking all of this into account, it’s hard to deny that this was one of the poorer decisions the Baggies made in terms of their transfer business.

In other news: Sold at £16.5m, then won a Ballon d’Or: WBA had mare on “extraordinary” £275k-p/w ace