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A round-up of the second day’s play of the second round matches of the Ranji Plate League

Cricinfo staff12-Nov-2008
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Haryana’s fast bowlers followed up their batsmen’s efforts to give their side complete control of the match against Jharkhand on the second day. Sunny Singh added only one to his overnight score before being dismissed for 127 but Haryana amassed 500 with the help of a brisk 82 from Sumeet Sharma and a half-century from No. 9 Abir Lavasa. In reply, Jharkhand crumbled to 84 for 6 with new-ball bowler Sachin Rana taking three wickets. With two days remaining, Jharkhand are facing an uphill battle to stave off an innings defeat.
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In Margao, Goa were also in charge of their match, against Jammu and Kashmir, but not as emphatically as Haryana. Robin D’Souza and Ryan Ninan extended their ninth-wicket partnership to 121 runs to frustrate J&K. The centrepiece of Jammu’s reply was a patient 122-run association between Manoj Joglekar and Samiullah Beigh. Their side were in a hole because they lost three quick wickets each on either side of that stand. Medium-pacer Saurabh Bandekar, a former India Under-19, was their main tormentor, taking four wickets.
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There was another one-sided match in progress in Dharmasala where Himachal Pradesh were eying full points against Kerala. On a day on which fifteen wickets fell, Kerala were forced to follow-on, and were 27 for 2 at stumps in their second innings. It was a great day for Ashok Thakur: he started off with a breezy 33 to boost Himachal to 370, and then took five wickets as Kerala were shot out for 135. It would have been even more embarrassing for Kerala had it not been for their late-order resistance, the last two wickets lifting them from 59 for 8.
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It was an action-packed day in Agartala as well where a low-scoring tussle was playing out. Debutants Sarupam Purkayastha and Deepak Sharma (46) were the only Assam batsmen to make more than 20 when their side were bowled out for 195. Tripura had a slim first-innings lead but Assam’s bowlers took wickets periodically to wrench the advantage back. Tripura finished on 96 for 5 with Nishit Shetty (15*) the only recognised batsman remaining.
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It was a far quieter day in Gwalior with only four wickets falling and 174 runs being scored. Bengal were threatening to dominate the game but Madhya Pradesh captain Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Brijesh Tomar ensured it was a tight affair. Fast bowler Ashok Dinda, who came into prominence during the IPL, took three wickets to leave MP in trouble at 59 for 5, before cautious half-centuries from Kanitkar and Tomar took them to stumps within sight of Bengal’s total.
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In Delhi, Services folded for 77 in their first innings, undone by the quick bowling pair of Sandeep Singh and Mohammad Hashim, to give Vidarbha the edge. That advantage was magnified by an unbeaten century from opener Faiz Fazal, who had top-scored in both innings in the previous match against Madhya Pradesh. Vidarbha finished the day with a 252-run lead and having eight wickets in hand, well-placed to push for victory.

Nottinghamshire have signed Jason Brown, the former Northamptonshire offspinner, on a two-year contract

Cricinfo staff10-Dec-2008Nottinghamshire have signed Jason Brown, the former Northamptonshire offspinner, on a two-year contract. Brown was released by Northamptonshire at the end of 2008, his benefit year and took 414 first-class wickets during his 14-year stint.”There’s going to be scope for me to play some good cricket at Notts, particularly with Graeme Swann and Samit Patel in the England one-day squad,” he said. “I bowled a lot with Graeme [Swann] at Wantage Road and we seemed to compliment each other. I’m pleased that he is getting opportunities with England and I can step in for Notts whenever he is unavailable.”Brown’s signing will be a handy addition to the county’s spin options after left-arm spinner Rob Ferley rejected a new contract and joined Kent. Brown, now 34, was part of England’s touring party to in 2001.”We expect Graeme and Samit to be involved with England next year and that will provide opportunities for Jason,” Mike Newell, Notts’ director of cricket, said. “He’s an experienced player and there is a possibility we’ll deploy three spinners at times in one-day formats.”Brown made his first-class debut for Northamptomshire against Yorkshire in 1996 and was awarded his county cap in 2000.

Newcastle United are reportedly now ‘on the lookout’ to sign Boubacar Kamara before the summer transfer window ends.

The Lowdown: ‘Good discussions’

According to L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), the St. James’ Park faithful have held ‘good discussions’ with Marseille over a potential move for Kamara.

He would not mind changing teams, and so a deal could still be possible before the window shuts.

The Latest: ‘On the lookout’

As per L’Equipe (via Sport Witness), it is now ‘money time’ for Marseille, in other words they need to start selling players before bringing any new ones to the club.

The Magpies are now said to be ‘on the lookout’ to sign Kamara, and retain an interest in him, although they are looking more for a ‘box-to-box’ midfield player.

Marseille would be looking for a fee in the region of €15m (£12.9m) from the North East club should they follow up their interest in the Frenchman.

The Verdict: Sign

For a player who is currently rated at £33.3m by Transfermarkt, to get Kamara for potentially as little as £12.9m could turn out to be a real bargain for the Tyneside club.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-updates-5/” title=”Newcastle updates! (5)” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Once dubbed a ‘phenomenon’ by his former teammate Rolando back in May 2020, he still has a lot of potential at just 21 years of age, and his value will only increase.

Nonetheless, playing for an established European club in Marseille, Kamara should have little problem in adapting to life in the Premier League, and could be a valuable addition to Steve Bruce’s squad.

In other news, find out what NUFC transfer business has been lauded here!

Aston Villa target Todd Cantwell could seek a move away from Norwich City if their form does not drastically improve by the turn of the year, according to Dean Windass.

The Canaries are back in the Premier League after sealing an immediate return thanks to clinching the Championship title last season.

But they have made an underwhelming start to the new campaign and suffered back-to-back defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City.

The setback comes after seeing talisman Emiliano Buendia depart the club in favour of a club-record switch to Aston Villa despite playing a vital role in Norwich’s rise to the top flight.

It has looked as though Villa could return to Carrow Road for another of their key players, with Cantwell on boss Dean Smith’s radar.

While a move has failed to materialise so far, Windass believes Villa could look to seal a deal for the 23-year-old winger if Norwich are still struggling when the January transfer window opens.

The former Premier League striker exclusively told The Transfer Tavern: “It’s one of those situations where you’ll know where Norwich will be by January. You’ll know whether they’re going to be in a relegation battle or sitting pretty in mid-table.

“I think January will be the only time that he will move if Norwich slump like they did in the Premier League before.”

David Richardson, the former South Africa wicketkeeper and ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, has accepted an invitation to join the MCC World Cricket Committee

Cricinfo staff20-Jan-2009
Dave Richardson: from ICC to MCC © AFP
Dave Richardson, the former South Africa wicketkeeper and ICC’s General Manager of Cricket, has accepted an invitation to join the MCC World Cricket Committee.The committee, chaired by Tony Lewis and comprised of current and past greats of the game such as Steve Waugh and Rahul Dravid, debates cricket’s key issues and makes recommendations aimed at improving the game and its governance.Established in 2006, the MCC World Cricket Committee was the first body to recommend a trial of the Umpire Decision Review System and is at the forefront of technological research into the game.Tony Lewis, the chairman of the World Cricket Committee, said: “David has attended our previous meetings as an observer and has already contributed a great deal to the work of the committee. As an outstanding international wicketkeeper, he sits comfortably with the group as a player and with his unrivalled knowledge of the practicalities of managing world cricket, he brings considerable skill and experience to our table.”The MCC World Cricket Committee will always be an independent body that will speak out in the interests of cricket. David’s membership of this committee is proof of the healthy relationship that MCC and ICC share and we welcome him on board.”Richardson himself said he was “extremely pleased and honoured” to be joining the committee. “It is a talented group and passionate about the game. In providing an independent view and offering checks and balances to the governance of the game, the committee plays an important role in world cricket and I look forward to contributing to it and offering an ICC perspective on the major issues, even more so as a proud MCC member.”Richardson became the General Manager of Cricket of the International Cricket Council in 2002, the same year he was elected to Honorary Life Membership of MCC. He played 42 Tests for South Africa, taking 152 dismissals. A qualified lawyer, David has also worked as both a business director with Octagon SA and as a media commentator. David also sits on the MCC Laws sub-committee and his son, Michael, is on the books of the MCC Young Cricketers at Lord’s.He becomes the nineteenth member of the MCC World Cricket Committee and, after Barry Richards and Shaun Pollock, the third from South Africa.

The PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, has ordered an inquiry into fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s detention in Dubai last year

Cricinfo staff15-Jan-2009
Mohammad Asif’s Dubai detention is set for another inquiry © Getty Images
The PCB chairman, Ijaz Butt, has ordered an inquiry into fast bowler Mohammad Asif’s detention in Dubai last year for possessing opium. The board has kept Asif under suspension since he tested positive in the IPL; he last played for Pakistan in April 2008.A three-member committee, consisting of Wasim Bari, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper and now director of human resources, Sohail Saleem, a doctor, and Asif Sohail, the PCB’s acting director of media, will probe the matter. “We had sought the legal advice on this case and the PCB chairman has formed the committee to look into this matter,” PCB chief operating officer Saleem Altaf told the . “Moreover, the International Cricket Council had also inquired from us whether we had investigated the matter or not.” The committee, which will start work on Friday, has not been given any time-frame to conclude its investigation, Altaf said.Asif was detained at Dubai airport for 19 days in June 2008 on his way back to Pakistan from the IPL. Dubai authorities found 0.24 grams of opium in his wallet but decided, despite deporting him, the case was not worth pursuing. Asif admitted during an interrogation that he had used the substance earlier in the year.The PCB’s order comes soon after it emerged that the ICC was taking an interest in the case as well, having recently announced a revamped and stringent anti-doping policy. Altaf said the board had received a copy of the Dubai authorities’ investigations – leaked to the public earlier this week – from the ICC. “Yes, the ICC has inquired about Asif’s incident and have sent us the copy of the Dubai investigation,” he said. “We will provide them with more information once we receive legal advice from our lawyers.”Earlier this week, Pakistani senators had also demanded the board conduct a probe into Asif’s detention. The previous administration, under whom the incident took place, claims it carried out an internal inquiry and produced a report, which has not yet seen the light of day. In its latest order, the PCB has said Shafqat Naghmi, the board’s former chief operating officer, “stole (for reasons rooted in the ulterior) the file containing the order of inquiry as also the documents received from Dubai at the time the present management took over.”Asif was due to travel to New Delhi on Thursday to sort out financial issues with his IPL team, the Delhi Daredevils, but has delayed his departure. “I was due to fly on Thursday afternoon, but now I might go to New Delhi either tomorrow or on Saturday,” he said. “I have to go and sort out this money issue because I was not paid a single penny.”He is set to appear before the IPL drugs tribunal on January 24 in Mumbai. Asif had appealed against his positive test for nandrolone, with the level of the drug having varied in his two samples.

Crystal Palace are reportedly pushing to bring in Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah as Patrick Vieira eyes striking reinforcements, according to Sky Sports.

Playing his part last term, the 22-year-old managed to notch seven goal contributions in 29 appearances for the Gunners with six goals and one assist [Transfermarkt].

In the last moments of the transfer window, he could now be set to swap north London for SE25 as the Eagles eye further attacking depth.

Crystal Palace are keen on the striker and have been embroiled in discussions over a fee, although no such breakthrough has come to light as of yet due to disparities in the clubs’ respective valuations of Nketiah [Sky Sports]. An unnamed German club are also mooted to be in the hunt for his services.

In light of this news, plenty of Crystal Palace diehards took to Twitter to discuss the links with the Arsenal marksman.

Crystal Palace fans react

Replying to multiple outlets on Twitter, here is what some Palace fans had to say about the “interesting” possibility of the Eagles signing Nketiah:

“Please get it done”

Credit: @joelcpfc_

“If I had to bet on which striker we’d end up with, I think it would be him…”

Credit: @e_crystalpalace”I have a feeling a double swoop for him (buy) and Reiss Nelson (loan)”Credit: @creasep”Really impressed with him in Arsenal’s pre-season, he’s improving a lot and I think he could do really well given game time”Credit: @CpfcDan_”he’s suit the system better too, Benteke can be a super sub lol”Credit: @cpfcbeast”Interesting”Credit: @JacobCPFC_In other news, Crystal Palace have been linked with another striker. Find out more here.

West Ham United are close to sealing a move for Alex Kral before tonight’s transfer deadline…

What’s the word?

That’s according to the ever-reliable ExWHUemployee, who delivered a fresh update on the Irons’ pursuit of the Spartak Moscow midfielder to his ‘The West Ham Way’ Patreon site this afternoon.

“Kral deal is looking close, [on] loan with [the] possibility to buy for £12m initial fee moving to £17m, the proposed offer,” he said.

The Hammers’ interest in Kral dates back to early in the summer but in June, The Athletic suggested that David Moyes had turned his attentions elsewhere after a sub-par showing at Euro 2020.

The 23-year-old was, however, named as one of his ‘ones to watch’ at the summer tournment in a column for The Times, which only stoked the fire even more.

Much-needed depth

This update should leave many around the London Stadium absolutely buzzing as one of the most trustworthy West Ham sources has confirmed that a deal is on the verge of actually happening.

Plenty of supporters have been waiting anxiously all summer for some movement in the window, especially as know too well that the squad was in need of further numbers following their qualification to the Europa League.

Right now, Moyes only has three central midfield options for his engine room and one of those is the retiring Mark Noble, who is unlikely to feature much at all. For example, he only started eight league games last season, playing a total of 704 minutes in the top-flight, via Transfermarkt.

For a long time, the Hammers’ only signing was a backup goalkeeper in Alphonse Areola – that was until last week when they managed to lure Kurt Zouma from Chelsea.

Earlier today, Nikola Vlasic was announced and now it seems as if Kral is the likely next name up. It’s certainly an exciting day to be a West Ham fan as the deadline quickly looms.

The Czech dynamo has drawn inspiration from Toni Kroos and Frenkie de Jong, so that gives some insight into the sort of player he’ll be in the claret and blue, and that surely only builds the fanbase’s anticipation to see him in action.

Kral has also played in defence, earning him the tag of being “one of the most versatile youngsters in world football” from talent scout Jacek Kulig, who al that he was “extremely solid,” had “so many qualities” and will one day be “one of the leaders of the Czech” national side.

Signing him on loan first, just like with Tomas Soucek, could be an absolute masterstroke. If it doesn’t work out, then no fee will have to be paid. If it does work out, £12m could be an absolute steal.

AND in other news, West Ham could finally end Moyes’ striker nightmare, but Sullivan now has to act fast…

Javed Miandad has resigned as director general of the PCB, bringing to an abrupt end his fourth stint with the board since retiring as a player

Cricinfo staff28-Jan-2009
Javed Miandad talks to media in Lahore after resigning © PA Photos
Javed Miandad has quit as director-general of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), bringing to an abrupt end his fourth stint with the board since retiring as a player. At a little over two months, it was considerably shorter than any of his three tenures as coach.Miandad stepped down after differences emerged over the exact scope of his role. There was always a lack of clarity over the exact nature of his work. He spoke openly of it as being a troubleshooting role of sorts, delving into whatever areas needed fixing.He unveiled grand plans for domestic cricket, but talked of removing ICL bans and played an active part in arranging the Sri Lanka tour of three ODIs. He was also known to have said that he would don a tracksuit and get out on the field to coach if needed.But in the contract the board offered to him yesterday, which defined his role for the first time since he took over, he found that only domestic affairs were within his ambit and thus did not sign it. “The PCB wanted to restrict me to domestic affairs and I don’t want any interference in my work. I have therefore resigned,” Miandad told AFP.”All the agreements that we had with him so far were verbal,” PCB official Asif Suhail was quoted by espnstar.com. “When he was offered the appointment letter yesterday, Miandad refused the contract.”Though Wasim Bari, the director of HR and administration, refused to confirm the news, another board official said that Miandad wasn’t happy with the contract and neither its financial rewards. “He didn’t like what he had been offered,” the official told Cricinfo. “The scope of the role was that he look after domestic cricket, infrastructure growth and work with the games director at the National Cricket Academy and be based in Karachi. He wanted more. Monetarily he also felt he deserved more given his stature as a Test cricketer.”Miandad later spoke to reporters at Gaddafi Stadium and denied that finances had anything to do with the decision. He said he wasn’t leaving on bad terms, but just that the role wasn’t suitable to him. “Money has nothing to do with this. I wasn’t doing the job for money. I have no problems with the PCB, just that this role didn’t suit me. I don’t leave with a heavy heart and am always available to serve cricket in this country in any capacity possible,” he said.Though Miandad was one of the few men not in favour of the captaincy change that saw Younis Khan replace Shoaib Malik – it wasn’t the personnel as much as what he saw as the panic-stricken reaction to defeat which he objected to – it is understood that had nothing to do with his final decision.”My views on the matter were not sought but I am certainly not angry about yesterday’s decision. My thoughts were that you cannot base a decision on just a loss but my views weren’t sought. I have high hopes that Younis can do well,” he said.Miandad will continue to remain a member of the nine-member governing board committee, however.

A round-up of the first day’s play from the 11th round of Quaid-e-Azam trophy matches

Cricinfo staff25-Feb-2009
Imran Farhat hit 100 but HBL could manage only 202 against WAPDA © Getty Images
Group AIn Sheikhupura, Water and Power Development Authority managed to bowl out Habib Bank Limited for 202 despite opener Imran Farhat’s 100. Apart from captain Hasan Raza’s 31, there was not much support from the other batsmen for Farhat after HBL were put in. They were reduced to 29 for 3, with the rest in the top four besides Farhat scoring 1, 0 and 0. Farhat then combined with Raza to take them past 100, but HBL lost wickets regularly once Raza was out. WAPDA opening bowlers Naved-ul-Hasan and Azharullah took three wickets each. WAPDA lost opener Salman Akbar for 15 before closing at 29 for 1 in 15 overs.Second-placed Khan Research Laboratories were also dismissed for 200-odd after being asked to bat by Pakistan Customs, but Sohail Tanvir managed to wrest back the initiative with three strikes before close in Mirpur. Farhan Ayub snared 5 for 86 and fellow medium-pacers Aamer Yousuf and Waqas Qudratullah scalped two wickets each to restrict KRL to 208. Ali Naqvi top scored with 64, and rescued his team along with Bazid Khan (37) after they were reeling at 69 for 5. No. 9 Yasir Ali’s quick 23 was only the fourth double-digit score in the innings. KRL, however, lost their last five wickets for 51. Tanvir then removed Pakistan Customs’ top three to leave them at 67 for 3 at stumps. KRL are six points adrift of leaders National Bank of Pakistan.National Bank of Pakistan were also put in by defending champions Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at Multan Cricket Stadium, but three half-centuries from the top four helped the Group A leaders to 248 for 4 at close on the first day. No. 3 Umar Amin made 84 – he had scored 85 in the second innings in NBP’s previous game – and strung together 85 with opener Nasir Jamshed (51). Naumanullah chipped in with 55. Left-armer Samiullah Khan took 2 for 41 off 21 overs.An unbeaten 112 from Fahad Iqbal helped Pakistan International Airlines score 291 for 7 on the opening day against Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium. Put in, PIA were reduced to 52 for 3 before Fahad combined with Kamran Sajid (45) for a 107-run partnership. Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed, fresh off his two half-centuries in PIA’s recent two-wicket win over SNGPL, made a brisk 65, but ZTBL bounced back with three wickets in the space of 12 runs, with Afaq Raheem striking twice in his two overs. Iftikhar Anjum and Iftikhar Anjum also picked up two wickets.Abid Ali made 114 and Sheraz Butt scored 96 to help Lahore Shalimar reach 270 for 4 in 83 overs on the first day against Sui Southern Gas Corporation at Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. The two put on a 211-run stand after Lahore lost two early wickets. Abid hit 16 fours; Butt was more patient but missed out on his maiden first-class ton. Murad Khan took 3 for 51 for SSGC.Group BTop-placed Sialkot dominated the first day against Faisalabad at the Jinnah Stadium, dismissing the visitors for 122 and ending the day 39 runs in the advantage with seven first-innings wickets still in hand. Sarmad Anwar, Bilawal Bhatti and Nayyer Abbas grabbed three wickets each as Faisalabad, put in, were dismissed in 44.2 overs. Top-scorer Mohammad Salman was the only batsman to make it past 25, scoring 39. Zahoor Khan struck twice to leave Sialkot wobbling at 59 for 3, but an unbroken 102-run stand steadied the hosts. Haris Sohail made a quick 61 off 70 balls, while Bilal Azmat was also unbeaten at stumps on 44.It was the day of the medium-pacers as 20 wickets tumbled on the first day of the clash between Peshwar and third-placed Rawalpindi at the Arbab Niaz Stadium. Peshawar captain Nauman Habib would have rued his decision to bat first after the fast-bowling trio of Rizwan Akbar, Mohammad Rameez and Sadaf Hussain ran riot, leaving the innings in tatters at 62 for 8. It was Riaz Afridi’s 66 and the 93-run partnership with Nauman (39) that helped Peshwar save face by reaching 156. Rizwan was the most successful bowler for Rawalpindi with 4 for 26. In reply, Rawalpindi were off on the wrong foot with Waqar Ahmed trapping Hamid Riaz early on. The bowler got good support from Riaz, and the Rawalpindi batsmen failed to put up any resistance. Zahid Mansoor was the top scorer with 33 as Rawalpindi were shot out for 157, the slenderest of leads. Waqar picked up a five-wicket haul while Riaz finished with 4 for 31. Rawalpindi need a win to have any chance of upstaging Sialkot for a place in the final.Twin centuries from Ashraf Ali and Sohail Ahmed helped Lahore Ravi post a strong 284 for 5 against second-placed Islamabad at the Diamond Club Ground. Islamabad, who also need a win to move ahead of Sialkot, put Lahore in. A partnership of 51 between openers Sohail and Raza Ali was followed by three strikes from Saad Altaf, the leading wicket-taker in the tournament so far. But an 89-run fourth-wicket stand between Sohail and Ashraf followed. Sohail hit 11 boundaries in his steady 102, before he was caught by Imad Wasim off Raheel Majeed. The day ended with Irfan Zaman’s dismissal, while Ashraf remained unbeaten on 111.Nasrullah Memon’s half-century firmed up bottom-placed Hyderabad against Karachi Blues on the first day at the Nawabshah Cricket Stadium. Choosing to bat, Hyderabad openers Aqeel Anjum and Azeem Ghumman put on 38 for the opening wicket before offspinner Tabish Nawab tore into the top order. He dismissed the openers and then had Abid Ali caught by Mohammad Faheem for 4. But Nasrullah continued strongly, eventually finishing with 70 off 110 balls. Tabish Khan then struck twice to leave Hyderabad at 244 for 7.A hundred for wicketkeeper Fawad Khan and a half-century from captain Ghulam Mohammad took Abbottabad to 295 for 5 against Multan at Okara. Ansar Javed gave Multan the early breakthrough after they chose to field, removing opener Adnan Raees for 10. In the first of three crucial partnerships thereafter, Ghulam added 66 for the second wicket with Hamman Ali and put on a third-wicket stand of 75 with Fawad. He fell leg-before to Zulfiqar Babar for 64, stroking 11 fours in his 146-ball innings. Fawad added 110 with Mohammad Kashif and brought up his century. Babar had Fawad caught and bowled, but not before he had struck 19 boundaries and a six in his 111. Rehan Afridi (10) and Rahim Khan (1) then guided Abbottabad through to stumps.