India’s crushing 6-1 success in their ODI series against Sri Lanka has brought them to within touching distance of a host of sides ranked above them in the LG ICC ODI Championship.The wins have lifted India’s rating to 107 points, just one behind sixth-placed New Zealand and only two behind Sri Lanka and England, which occupy fourth and fifth spots on the table.A clean sweep in their next engagement, a five-match series against South Africa starting at Hyderabad on November 16, will lift them to 114 points, overtaking all the above-mentioned sides plus the South Africans (who will slip to110 points), and into third place with only Pakistan and Australia ahead of them.A 4-1 success for India in that series would raise their tally to 112 points and cut South Africa’s to 113, while even a 3-2 success for the home team would take them above New Zealand, England and Sri Lanka, to 110 points (South Africa would drop to 117).For South Africa, a 3-2 success would see them maintain their current rating of 120, (under that scenario India would rise one point, to 108), a 4-1 win would lift them to 123 points (India would slip to 106) and a 5-0 clean sweep would take Graeme Smith’s side to 127 points (India 103), just nine points short of leaders Australia.Player rankingsIndia’s wins over Sri Lanka have been a triumph not just for the team but also for several individuals, who have surged up the LG ICC Player Rankings.Dravid has moved up 18 places during the series and is now India’s top-rated batsman and is close to his highest-ever rating, while Sachin Tendulkar has also returned to the top ten, in joint ninth spot, after his long-term elbow injury.
Mahendra Dhoni has smashed into the top 20 for the first time on the back of his outstanding form, climbing a whopping 38 places from the start of the series, and he now occupies 16th place in the batting listings. Below that trio is Virender Sehwag (25) while Yuvraj Singh has moved up to 31 in the table and is now just short of his best-ever rating.The news is just as good for India with the ball. Irfan Pathan has moved up to tenth place, and they have two other bowlers, Harbhajan Singh (13) and Ajit Agarkar (16th), in the top 20 with Agarkar also closing in on his best-ever rating.For Sri Lanka, the news is not quite as good. They now have just one batsman, Kumar Sangakkara, in the top ten, with Marvan Atapattu sliding nine places to 18 while Sanath Jayasuriya, dropped from the Test squad, has also dropped out of the top 20 and is now 23rd in the batting listings.Among the bowlers, Muttiah Muralitharan is still in third spot but Chaminda Vaas has dropped to ninth in the listings.
Andy Moles is on the final four-man shortlist for the job of Scotland coach. It is believed that Cricket Scotland received 20 applications and Moles and Omar Henry are the two favourites to land the post.Cricinfo exclusively reported in November that Moles was looking to leave Kenya, frustrated by infighting and underfunding, and despite categorical denials at the time by the Kenyan Cricket Association, his interest in the Scotland role shows that he is indeed searching for new challenges.Sharad Ghai, the KCA chairman, was clearly caught on the hop when told the news. “As far as we are concerned, Moles is still our coach," he told the Nation yesterday. "He is currently on holiday and is scheduled to return next month. But if he decides to take up the job, we can’t stop him."Henry has strong links with Scotland, having played for them, and was recently removed as South Africa’s chief selector, so having the time to devote to the role. It is also being reported in Scotland that Gary Kirsten and Jonty Rhodes are among those who have been interviewed.
Cricket NSW Chief Executive David Gilbert has announced the SpeedBlitz Blues team to play Western Australia in a Pura Cup match at the SCG from Tuesday November 4th to Friday November 7th, 2003.
Stephen Waugh (C) Michael Slater Greg Mail Simon Katich Phil Jaques Mark Waugh Brad Haddin Stuart MacGill Matthew Nicholson Stuart Clark Don Nash Grant Lambert
12th man to be named on the morning of the match.There are three changes from the side which beat Queensland in the 2002-03 Pura Cup final in Brisbane. Michael Clarke (India), Doug Bollinger (injured) and Shawn Bradstreet (injured) were not available for selection. Jaques, Nicholson and Lambert come into the 12.
Young South Australian paceman Paul Rofe pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion in near-40 degree temperatures to claim seven second innings wickets and lead the Redbacks to an outright Pura Cup win over NSW today.SA dismissed the Blues for 247 in the second innings to win by 67 runs, with man of the match Rofe taking a career-best 7-52 in 20 overs to give him 13 wickets for the match.He took his previous best figures of 6-60 in the first innings.It was the first ten-wicket Pura Cup match haul for Rofe, who turned 21 on the first day of the game, and gave him 34 wickets for the season, the most of any player in the competition at an average of 18.2.Rofe said he had pushed himself to his physical limits in the searing heat before claiming the final wicket of Stuart Clark.”It was hot, I’m tired, I was hoping I’d get that wicket because there wasn’t much left in the tank,” he said.”I was in tears when I came off.”Starting the day at 0-10 and needing 315 to win, NSW lost five wickets in the morning session, Rofe picking up the first three, including the scalp of the sadly out-of-form Michael Slater, who was caught behind bottom-edging an attempted pull shot for a duck.Mark Higgs (67) and wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (47) revived the Blues’ chances in the second session with a 104-run partnership in 103 minutes to carry NSW to5-200, 115 short of victory. The pair took 35 runs from a seven-over spell from leg-spinner Peter McIntyre.But Rofe replaced McIntyre to take the vital wicket of Haddin, his 10th for the match, then dismissed Don Nash in his next over to leave NSW struggling at 7-218at tea.Rofe had Higgs caught behind soon after tea to virtually end the Blues’ chances, and after a brilliant Mike Smith caught and bowled ended Stuart MacGill’s innings, Rofe fittingly claimed the final wicket of Clark.SA cricket manager Greg Chappell said Rofe’s performance was remarkable, particularly on the Adelaide Oval pitch – traditionally known as a fast bowlers’graveyard.”He bowls the right line and length and it doesn’t matter what the conditions are if you do that, he’s a remarkable young man,” Chappell said.Chappell said Rofe was a future Test prospect.”I have no doubt he has the potential but there are plenty of people that have burst onto the scene and faded away just as quickly,” he said.”But he is level-headed and I don’t think he’ll have that problem, if he keeps doing what he’s doing he’ll keep having success and he’ll be noticed.”Paul’s not only an outstanding performer but he has the potential to be a leader and all those sorts of things, it’s pleasing to see someone like that come through and take their opportunity.”
An unbeaten century by Mukund Parmar helped Gujarat draw withMaharashtra in the West Zone Ranji Trophy match at the Shri ShivajiStadium, Karad on Tuesday.Gujarat ended up on 324 for five in 110.1 overs. Resuming on 73 fortwo, Niraj Patel (58) and Tejas Varsani (64) made patient halfcenturies in the second innings. But the star of the day was MukundParmar, who scored 102 off 229 deliveries, including 14 hits to thefence. Parmar and Pathik Patel (52 not out) put on an unbeaten 83-runpartnership for the sixth wicket. Iqbal Siddiqui bagged two wicketsfor 53 runs.Maharashtra earned five points on their first innings lead, andGujarat picked up three.
Newcastle United return to action today as they travel away from home to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea in the Premier League.
The Magpies won 2-1 against Southampton last time out to extend their unbeaten run in the division to nine matches. Chris Wood and Bruno Guimaraes both scored their first goals for the club to seal the three points and now they come up against the champions of Europe.
Eddie Howe will surely be keen to hit ten games without a loss in the Premier League, but will he alter his line-up from the one that beat the Saints?
We are predicting that he will make three alterations to the side, with Javier Manquillo, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron coming in.
Emil Krafth sustained an injury at St. Mary’s on Thursday night and his unavailability would open up a spot at right-back in the XI. If he misses out, Manquillo is the only natural right-back left in the senior squad and he would, therefore, be the logical option to start in the back four.
In midfield, we are predicting that Joelinton will make his return from injury. The £80k-per-week colossus missed out against Southampton and could now come in for Joe Willock after the ex-Arsenal man’s underwhelming showing in midweek.
As per SofaScore, he lost seven individual duels and was dribbled past three times. He also missed a ‘big chance’ and Howe may look to his Brazilian teammate’s physical strength to replace him. Joelinton has won 7.7 duels per game, whilst making 3.4 tackles and interceptions per match, this season and his work rate will be key to stopping the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Jorginho.
Finally, Jacob Murphy could make way for Almiron on the right. FFC published an article explaining why the former must be axed from the XI and we are predicting Howe to take him out of the team for this clash with Chelsea.
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.
Martin Keown dubbed him “annoying” after, what he deemed to be, a dive in a Premier League match against Aston Villa previously. Replacing him, Almiron could offer defensive quality and work rate on the flank to deal with Chelsea’s attacking threat. He has averaged 2.2 tackles and interceptions per game and this shows that he likes to get stuck in against the ball.
We are predicting that the rest of the team from the one that played against Southampton will remain the same.
AND in other news, Worse than Almiron: Howe must axe Newcastle “cheat” who averages 32.1 touches per game…
Uttar Pradesh will meet Delhi in the Vijay Merchant Trophy (under 16)Tournament final. The three day match commences in Calcutta on January13. Uttar Pradesh confirmed their place in the title clash thanks to the206-run first innings lead over Punjab in the semifinal match at the EdenGardens on Thursday.Resuming at 248/4, UP lost three quick wickets in the morning to findthemselves at 267/3. Alok Singh made 20 as Mohd Amir and Vishal Francisfailed to open their account. Praveen Gupta made 12 and was caught andbowled by Vipul Sharma at 288. UP lost their overnight batsman Aris Alam,who was shaping well with 78, when he was stumped by Bupinder Singh offAnkur Jand at 300. Alam struck nine boundaries off 238 balls in his fiveand a half hour stay at the crease. Devendra Singh and last man AvinashYadav put on 66 runs for the tenth wicket. Yadav was the last man to bedismissed after making a patient 43 off 131 balls which included six fours.The UP innings lasted 144.4 overs to be bowled out for 366. Vipul Sharmawas the best of the bowlers with figures of 47-15-81-3In their second innings which would have made no difference to the resultof the match, Punjab were 69/4 in the 29th over when play was called off atthe fall of the fourth wicket. Viswas Bhalla was unbeaten on 29. DevendraSingh picked up 2/28 in nine overs.
Tim May, the chief executive of the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations (FICA), will discuss Andrew Symonds’ complaint about the racial taunts by the crowd in Vadodara with James Sutherland, Cricket Australia’s chief executive. “I will be quizzing James as to what happened and the positions Cricket Australia and the ICC are taking,” May told the .Symonds said he was disappointed by the local authorities’ denial that any monkey chants had been directed at him, but according to Peter Young, CA’s public affairs and anti-racism officer, Symonds decided to move on from the issue. “Andrew’s observations to James were that it was best to just ignore these things and move on,” Young said.Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary, was confident it would eventually turn out that the whole issue was a misunderstanding. “Nobody has pinpointed anything,” Shah said. “He [Symonds] shouldn’t be disappointed. The truth is the truth. What can you do?”There have been rumours that relations between CA and the BCCI had soured following the incident. But Young discounted them. “I am not aware that we have spoken to the Indian board at this stage,” he said. “The Indian board and Cricket Australia and the other eight nations all voted for and supported this policy when it came to the ICC table.”Young also said it was difficult to control crowd racism and added that CA itself had a problem when South African players complained of being abused by spectators in Afrikaans during their tour of Australia two years ago. “It can undeniably be difficult with spectator comment,” Young told . “Most of the time you don’t get to hear it. When South Africa were here two summers ago no one from CA or any of the state associations ever heard the comments and it made it very hard to locate the alleged offenders and then take action.”All we could do was go through the policy and reinforce all those things that we were able to reinforce the training of venue staff, ensure the communication to spectators was clear and the like.” Last year the ICC adopted the amended anti-racism code which includes penalties like imposing life bans on spectators found guilty of racial abuse and revoking the international status of the venue where the incident took place.
Glenn McGrath believes he still has plenty to offer despite Australia’s selectors looking to the future by choosing Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait alongside him in the first-Test squad. Speculation over McGrath’s form after eight months out of cricket to care for his ill wife led some detractors to suggest his time was up.”We have a lot of good young bowlers coming through in Australian cricket and the time will come when I won’t be around or have to make way for someone like Mitchell Johnson,” McGrath said. “Obviously, I’m getting closer to the end of my career than the start, but I still feel I have a lot to offer the team. I still feel that I can contribute. Each game I’ve played, I’ve put a little piece of the puzzle back together. It’s feeling pretty good and I shouldn’t be too far off 100%.”McGrath said his own fitness could help Australia regain the Ashes. “England are not as strong as they were last year,” he said. “But Australia are a lot stronger. And I’m fit, unlike last time. Put it this way, in the three Tests I played in last time, we drew two and won one. I can still remember standing there on the final day and watching them celebrate. So that’s deeply ingrained in my memory and I’ll be drawing a bit of inspiration from that.”Although he was left eating humble pie last year after predicting Australia would take the Ashes series 5-0, McGrath was not backing away from a similar claim this year. “I reckon it will be 5-0 this time, as well,” he said. “To say anything else would be negative. If we’re going to win 2-1, or 3-2, which games are we going to lose?”
Alex Loudon, the 25-year-old Warwickshire allrounder, believes England’s tour to Pakistan will be a steep incline in his learning curve as an international cricketer. Loudon was selected from the domestic crop to represent his country at the highest level on the back of some commendable performances, and is keen to impress on the tour.Despite scoring five Championship fifties and claiming 34 victims with his effective offspin, the call-up came as a surprise for Loudon himself. “The day the squad was announced was all pretty extraordinary really,” he told . “I was extremely surprised. I am immensely lucky to have been given this opportunity, and I am just looking to contribute and help as much as I can both on and off the field.”It was widely regarded that the English selectors would opt for Gareth Batty, the off spinner who had toured with the side to Sri Lanka and South Africa, as an understudy to Ashley Giles, the premier spinner in the side. Public belief was that Loudon, who averages 32.56 and 38.22 in first-class cricket with the bat and ball respectively, would instead be a part of England A’s tour to the West Indies in February.Loudon has played less than 40 first-class matches, but has obviously impressed the selectors and Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, who will be trying to mould players like Loudon into long-term mainstays of the one-day squad. He recently took 6 for 66 against Gloucester as Warwickshire signed off the domestic season with a win, and admits that working on mastering a doosra – the ball that leaves the right handed batsman – was key to his claims of being an effective allrounder.Much has been said about Loudon’s special delivery, but he is quick to clarify that he has a way to go. “It (the doosra) is something I have been working on but it’s far from perfected, as is my bowling,” he said. “It’s a little variation and that’s how I view it at the moment, just something that can keep a batsman on his toes every so often.”Critics of the English spin department have seen 36-year old Shaun Udal’s selection for Pakistan as highlighting the lack of depth beneath Giles. Batty, who has been on the cusp of selection to the final XI, however, has played down this spin debate. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a Shane Warne – he’s a one off, as is Muttiah Muralitharan,” he told .He is currently working at the National Academy and hopes to make a strong comeback. “My year wasn’t as good as the three previous years. I’m obviously disappointed but Shaun [Udal] had a fantastic year.” On his being overlooked, Batty was undeterred. “They’ve not discarded me – they’ve given me an opportunity to work on things that will make me better at the top level.”Batty broke into the England one-day side on the back of a consistent spell at the Academy in 2002-03, and believes that his stints with England have been more than as an understudy to Giles. “Last time I was on the Academy I improved in leaps and bounds,” he said. “I was involved with the full side for the period in-between, getting a go and then sitting on the sidelines for a bit and I think I improved then.”
Like Loudon, Batty has admitted that working on the doosra was one of his goals this winter. “It’s still a bit raw but I’ve got a perfect opportunity here to nail it, maybe have a day where I just bowl it for three hours. I’ve spoken to Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh about how they’ve developed different things.”While Loudon’s selection did come as a surprise, so was the exclusion of Owais Shah from the touring squad. The Middlesex batsman and the highest run scorer in English first-class cricket in 2005, seems destined to remain on the fringes of the national side. John Emburey, Shah’s coach at Middlesex, referred to the batsman’s exclusion as “criminal”. “He’s going to have to bat like Don Bradman to play any better.”Shah, who amassed 1728 runs at 66.46 last season despite a cartilage problem, remains confident of his chances, and cites England’s reluctance to alter its Test squad as only to be expected. “Yes, I’m a bit disappointed – why wouldn’t I be? But I’m not distraught or anything; it came down to the fact that you wouldn’t change a winning team.”Shah now heads to the National Academy for surgery and rehabilitation, and is confident that his seven Championship centuries were not entirely overlooked by the selectors. “For them (the selectors) to put me in the Academy means I’m still in their thoughts. There are other batsmen like Ed Joyce and Rob Key who have had good years so it’s unlucky for all three of us.”There remains one aspect that all three cricketers have insisted is the key to selection – consistency with the basics. “First and foremost I’m an off-spinner, and that will not change,” Batty has stated with confidence. For Shah, the focus remains batting. “You can always improve your batting. I’ll probably look at how I got out this year and try and iron those out.”And for Loudon, the plan is to remain consistent on tour. “A player improves most in a game situation, so I am going to be doing my best to get onto the field.”