Graeme Smith, the South African captain, has backed Ray Jennings to be the permanent coach of the team. The United Cricket Board of South Africa, which is currently advertising the post, will consider Jennings, if he reapplies. However, Jennings said that he would reapply only if his team wanted him to.”Jet (Ray Jennings) is very important, but we will have to wait and see what the United Cricket Board of South Africa decides. It is a difficult situation at present,” said Smith. “I think Ray is also enjoying his position more now. It is always easier when you win.” After a humiliating loss 1-2 in the Test series against England, South Africa salvaged some pride by winning the one-day series 4-1.Jennings was appointed the temporary coach of the team before the tour to India last year, and had come under pressure after the series loss to India and England. He re-iterated that the support of his players would play a big part in his interest in pursuing the position further. “It does not help if I waste my time and energy and the people around me do not support me,” Jennings said. “I will talk to the players in the next two or three weeks and ask them, because I am still in the dark at present.”
The 15 cricketers representing Sri Lanka ‘A’ who left on a five-week tour of India on Saturday will have the home series against England very much on their minds.The reason for such thinking can be explained by the fact that they have been told by Lalith Kaluperuma, the chairman of selectors, that anyone performing outstandingly well will be given due recognition for the England Test series starting on December 2. Kaluperuma emphasised when the team was picked 10 days ago, that in the event the national team needs any replacements during the England series, players who are in form in India will be given due consideration.That comment by Kaluperuma is encouragement enough for the players to perform well. “Touring India is not easy. We expect to play tough cricket. If anyone can score runs and take wickets in India he has to be good,” explained Hemantha Devapriya, Sri Lanka A’s coach. "Our strength is batting and we have a few batters who can fill the middle-order slot in our national team with good performances here.”Among those who are vying for places are Jehan Mubarak, a beautifully balanced player who scored centuries in South Africa and Kenya during Sri Lanka ‘A’s recent tour, skipper Naveed Nawaz and Lanka de Silva, who batted with tenacity. All of them have had a brief taste of Test cricket some time during their careers.The tour also affords wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene to make amends for his batting failures in South Africa and Kenya and prove to the selectors that he can get useful runs at the highest level. “Prasanna is the best wicketkeeper we have today," said Devapriya. "He kept beautifully on the African tour. It is very unfortunate that he cannot combine his high level of wicket-keeping with some runs on the board.”Devapriya said the bowling was a bit inexperienced and a lot of their success on the tour would depend on how well they bowled. That Kaushalya Weeraratne is the most experienced of the fast bowlers tells a story of how green the attack looks. Others in support are Tharanga Lakshitha, Lasith Malinga and Umesh Wijesiriwardene.To persist with left-arm spinner Rangana Herath, who was one-time Muttiah Muralitharan’s spin partner, is an indication that he is still the best spinner available apart from the banned Kaushal Lokuarachchi. Apart from his lack of height which at times is a disadvantage, a lack of confidence has been his main concern.Batsmen Nuwan Shiroman and Anuska Polonowita and off-spinner Chamara Mudalige are being rewarded for their performances in the Premier trophy competition.Sri Lanka ‘A’ will play four first-class matches against India ‘A’ and then participate in the ACF ‘A’ team one-day triangular with Pakistan and India. Kaluperuma said that changes will be made to the team for the one-day competition.Sri Lanka A tour party Naveed Nawaz (capt), Lanka de Silva (vice-capt), Ian Daniel, Tharanga Paranavithana, Nuwan Shiroman, Jehan Mubarak, Prasanna Jayawardene (wk), Anushka Polonowita. Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Weeraratne, Rangana Herath, Chamara Mudalige, Tharanga Lakshitha, Lasith Malinga, Omesh Wijesiriwardene, Officials: Nuski Mohamed (manager), Hemantha Devapriya (coach), Chris Clark (physio).
The final chapter on Hampshire CCC’s long association with the Northlands Road ground draws to a close this week as the county plays its last first class match at Southampton before the bulldozers move in and a new phase in the Club’s history beckons.It was 115 years ago that Hampshire played its first game at the ground, but opponents Marylebone Cricket Club, fielding such distinguished names as William Gunn and Russell Bencraft, who became the main influence in Hampshire cricket in the first half of the 20th century, won the game by an innings and 113 runs,In that first match in 1885 [Match], a Hampshire bowler by the name of James Fellows ended with the best figures of 3-38 in the opening innings as MCC made 269. Batting last, he was also top scorer with 18 in a miserable first innings total of 74 and remained unbeaten on seven when the second innings was wrapped up for 82.Coincidentally, the name Fellows reappears on the scorecard in this final match and Gary Fellows of Yorkshire CCC would have been harbouring dreams of ending Hampshire’s record at the ground in the same momentous way that it began.After that inauspicious start, Hampshire went into their first championship match against Derbyshire [Match] with their confidence in tatters. Losing the toss, they struggled to stem the flow of runs coming from the Derbyshire blades, in particular from the blade of one Frank Sugg who made 187. Fellows snapped up three more wickets but Hampshire once again replied feebly, crashing to an innings and 243 run defeat.It was not a happy introduction to championship cricket at Northlands Road but despite that, Hampshire asked for the final fixture to be against Derbyshire as a fitting end to a long tradition but after a controversial final match between the two sides in 1999, a sentimental end was denied them.The disappointment of early 1885 has been matched during 2000 and Hampshire will bring the curtain down on Northlands Road knowing they will be heralding the new era at the new Rose Bowl ground just outside Southampton playing second division cricket, following one of their poorest summers in years.If there is a symmetrical feel to the start and finish of the Northlands Road chronicles, the intervening years have delivered an extraordinary range of contrasts, from the championship successes of 1961 and 1973 plus the one day triumphs of recent times to the sizeable collection of nightmare seasons, to which 2000 can now be added.The highest score on the ground was completed two years after the Club moved to Northlands from its previous base at Itchen. In 1887 Francis Lacey made 323 not out against Norfolk that no batsman, not even Barry Richards, Philip Mead, Roy Marshall or Gordon Greenidge were able to match. Mead came closest with an unbeaten 280 Nottinghamshire in 1921 but Mr Lacey’s record remains in tact to this day.The bad times of 1889 when the groundsman’s donkey went missing leading to a ten shilling reward were tempered by some good times in the early part of the 20th century, starting in 1912 with a victory over touring side Australia, Hampshire’s first and only win against the auld enemy.Australia got their own back in 1921 by scoring a whopping 708 for seven declared, the highest first class innings on the ground and again in 1930 when crowds flocked to watch Don Bradman complete his 1,000 runs before the end of May.But Mead was the local hero and by 1932, the great man had completed centuries against every county, finishing with a hundred against Derbyshire. In a career that spanned from 1905 to 1936, he made 138 centuries in 700 matches and heads the list of Hampshire’s great runmakers.Another prolific batsman Roy Marshall made his debut in 1953 against Australia and he too finished on Southampton’s batting leaderboard making 30,303 runs in 19 seasons with the county. Five years into his career, the county appointed a new captain and Colin Ingleby-McKenzie kicked off with a duck, century and victory against Kent then took Hampshire to second place for the first time in their history.He bettered that achievement in 1961 with the championship title, a famous and historic moment for the county and one that is still fondly recalled by many of today’s members.Between then and now, those members have been able to enjoy some of the world’s best exponents in the arts of batting and bowling, including ten years of the legendary South African Barry Richards, 17 years of West Indian great Gordon Greenidge and 14 seasons of Malcolm Marshall who went on to become the county coach in 1996 and remained so until his death from cancer last year.They have also been treated to some fine recent performances from county stalwarts such as Cardigan Connor who took 9-38 in 1996 and Kevan James who took four wickets in four balls in the match against India the same year.Mark Nicholas, the popular captain of the 1980’s and 90’s, had a star studded array of talent in his side, David Gower, Marshall, Chris and Robin Smith to name but four, but despite some one-day trophies – the Sunday League in 1986, the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and 1992 and the NatWest Trophy in 1991 – he was never able to generate enough consistency in his side to add the championship title to his trophy cabinet.Hampshire have now gone eight seasons without a title but the move to the new £20 million Rose Bowl ground, made possible by Lottery funding, will do much to renew optimism.In the meantime, the final days at Northlands Road are played out amid a haze of nostalgia and affection and for those who want to keep their special memories of the ground alive long after it has been replaced by a new housing estate, an auction is to be staged on October 21st where patrons can bid for their favourite piece of memorabilia, be it the elegant Edwardian pavilion in its entirety or a tired old slither of the sacred turf.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey has revealed that Newcastle United could now be in the mix to sign Harry Kane this summer.
The Lowdown: Future uncertain
Kane’s future at Tottenham Hotspur remains uncertain, with Manchester City still and Manchester United now reportedly interested in signing him in the summer.
Some pundits believe that he will leave Spurs, especially if they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Kane has just picked up the Premier League’s Player of the Month (POTM) award for March, which is a joint-record seventh time with Sergio Aguero, and really needs to be playing in a team with the ambition to win trophies.
The Latest: Kane on radar
Writing in his latest piece for 90min, Bailey has revealed that Kane is one of a number of high-profile players on the St. James’ Park faithful’s radar this summer, should he end up quitting North London.
Kalvin Phillips, John Stones, Sven Botman, Nico Schlotterbeck, Lloyd Kelly, Hugo Ekitike, Darwin Nunez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Patrik Schick are also mentioned, as well as a potential permanent deal for Matt Targett.
Bailey has also revealed that the Tyneside outfit have set a £100m budget for the summer transfer window, and taking to Twitter, he added that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) have made it clear that money is available for marquee signings:
“Newcastle have set a transfer budget for the summer. Eddie Howe will be allowed to mould squad and will look for evolution rather than revolution. That said majority owners PIF have made it clear that there is a money available for marquee signings.”
The Verdict: Exciting
While there are some very exciting targets listed, Kane is the one that really stands out, and the fact PIF are willing to splash the cash if a marquee option becomes available should have supporters on Tyneside buzzing for the summer.
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After a slow start, he now has 22 goals and six assists in total over all competitions so far this season (Transfermarkt), and would no doubt be the kind of marquee signing that would make the world take notice of the Magpies.
Of course, Kane would have to believe in the long-term project, but with the ambition that the new owners have, he could well win trophies at the Toon in time if he joined.
In other news, find out what ‘interesting’ NUFC transfer update Craig Hope has now revealed here!
Without putting too fine a point on it, West Indies’ 128-run victory in Port Elizabeth was one of the major surprises of 2007. They hadn’t won a Test for 19 months and, more significantly, had beaten major opposition away from home only once since the turn of the millennium. Now the question is whether they can continue to turn the tables on South Africa in the New Year Test in Cape Town and complete a series triumph no one really thought was possible.The key to their success last week was a determined effort from the batsmen, which set up a total of 408 for the five-pronged pace attack to bowl at. An undercooked South Africa battling line-up slumped twice, although West Indies still showed their ability to conjure a collapse as they lost 6 for 22 late on the third day. It didn’t cost them dearly – and meant the possibility of a safety-first declaration was taken out of Chris Gayle’s hands – but they will need more of their stickability to keep the home side at bay for a second time.Shivnarine Chanderpaul led the batting with a fine 104, but his limpet-like qualities are already well-known. The eye-catching performance came from Marlon Samuels, named Man of the Match after his innings of 94 and 40, as he showed previously unseen powers of concentration and responsibility.”Test cricket is very difficult and I would love to get a chance to play more Test matches back-to-back instead of being in and then out of the side so often,” Samuels told the . “It will give me the chance of getting better scores more regularly and being more consistent. I was very disappointed that I didn’t get the century, but if I could score 94 and the West Indies go on to win every time, I’ll be satisfied.”South Africa have tried to avoid appearing in panic mode and they have recent form in bouncing back from an early loss. Last year they slipped up against India in Johannesburg before coming back to taking the series 2-1. Mickey Arthur, the coach, said: “We’ve won four Test series in a row. We intend to win this one too. The bowling attack has led us to victory in the last four Tests we’ve played, and don’t forget they bowled the West Indies out for 175 in the second innings. We had one bad innings and that happens to teams from time to time.”Captain Graeme Smith is also banking on the past experiences of his team: “We had a very good training session yesterday, and we seem to be hitting our straps again,” he said. “Hopefully it’s just about executing and getting things right out in the middle. We know we’re capable of it, we’ve proven our worth. We know we’re going to play this game under pressure, and we know we can play a lot better than we did in Port Elizabeth.”However, the call-up of Neil McKenzie highlights the concerns over the top order, which has failed to perform consistently for a lengthy period of time. Even during their success in Pakistan and easy victory over New Zealand the run-scoring was largely in the hands of Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla. Smith is desperately in need of a score and Herschelle Gibbs appears set to pay the price for his pair in the first Test.The axe has been looming over Gibbs for some time; his last Test century came in January 2005 against England in Johannesburg and in the subsequent 26 Tests he has averaged 26. But the selection of McKenzie, one of the few high scorers in domestic cricket, to open while he is primarily a middle-order batsman shows the lack of options available. Boeta Dippenaar was another option, but there has been a push around South Africa to get McKenzie back in the fold for some time.Another old face pushing for a recall is Shaun Pollock, who hasn’t played Tests this season after being left out in Pakistan, and Arthur said “he’s definitely in the reckoning.” A return for Pollock would strengthen the lower order to a more familiar level for South Africa. However, the management has been keen to build the attack on the three frontline quicks and Paul Harris, with a view to the tough tours of England and Australia later this year. Recent events, though, could force a rethink as this series against West Indies, initially thought to be a formality, has now became a major challenge for South Africa.South Africa (probable) 1 Graeme Smith (capt), 2 Neil McKenzie, 3 Hashim Amla, 4 Jacques Kallis, 5 Ashwell Prince, 6 AB de Villiers, 7 Mark Boucher (wk), 8 Shaun Pollock, 9 Paul Harris, 10 Dale Steyn, 11 Makhaya NtiniWest Indies (probable) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Daren Ganga, 3 Runako Morton, 4 Marlon Samuels, 5 Shivnarine Chanderpaul, 6 Dwayne Bravo, 7 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 8 Darren Sammy, 9 Jerome Taylor, 10 Daren Powell, 11 Fidel Edwards
Michael Hussey again finished a difficult job for his team, taking Australia to victory against New Zealand with two wickets to spare. Hussey’s unbeaten 65 was the key in a tight run-chase of 219 and he brought up the win with a six in the 49th over.New Zealand pushed Australia to the very end but their decision to play only four bowlers cost them dearly as Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle proved too easy to score off in the dying overs. McMillan had already done his part with 89 in New Zealand’s 219 but Hussey and Michael Clarke (75) earned Australia their fourth win of the series.Clarke’s dismissal in the 38th over triggered a mini-collapse as Cameron White and Brett Lee fell soon after and when Nathan Bracken was caught with two runs required the outcome was still uncertain. But Hussey pulled Astle over square leg for six to end another matchwinning innings.The visitors played an extra batsman with Hamish Marshall replacing Jeetan Patel and the move backfired on two counts. Marshall made 0 in another disappointing team effort and in the dying overs Stephen Fleming was forced to use part-time medium-pacers when his four strikers were bowled out.Defending New Zealand’s below-par total was always going to require a flawless performance in the field. Instead, they repeatedly gave lives to Clarke and Hussey and failed to capitalise on a terrific opening that had Australia at 3 for 17.The most telling error was a shambolic attempted run out when both batsmen almost ended up at the striker’s end. With the score on 4 for 116, Clarke pushed into the off side and took off for a single before halting but Hussey kept coming and should have been caught well short at the bowler’s end. Marshall fumbled several times before ending up sprawled on the pitch and flicking the ball back to Daniel Vettori who broke the stumps with his hand rather than the ball with Hussey short of his ground.The mistake not only allowed Hussey, who was 18 at the time, to continue through the innings but it also demoralised the tourists at a critical moment. Clarke was dropped on 17 and again on 42 and holding either chance could have put New Zealand back on top. The first was a simple outfield opportunity when James Franklin spilled a top-edged hook at deep backward square leg. The second was an inside edge to Brendon McCullum, standing up to the stumps, off Franklin’s bowling.
When Clarke gave his third chance, a skied opportunity that Ross Taylor took on the second bite at midwicket, he had already hurt the visitors and taken Australia within 52 runs of victory. Clarke and Andrew Symonds (38) steadied Australia after the home team stumbled to 3 for 17 from six overs.Adam Gilchrist flayed at an extra wide Franklin outswinger and was caught behind for 3 and Matthew Hayden continued his disappointing series with a drive in the air to cover for 0. Ponting, who batted at No. 4 to allow Clarke a promotion, was lbw for 5 to a Michael Mason ball that jagged back off an uneven strip on the pitch.New Zealand also started poorly and it was only through McMillan’s innings – his best ODI score since 2002 – that they recovered from 4 for 54. McMillan’s 87-ball innings featured three sixes – one was a spectacular cut shot over backward point off Lee – and he made the most of a lucky break when he was given not out on 1 despite replays suggesting he edged behind.McMillan and Franklin added 57 in a 39-ball eighth-wicket partnership that restored some dignity to the New Zealand scorecard but Glenn McGrath (3 for 24) and Stuart Clark (4 for 54) ensured the total did not get out of hand.The visitors were unable to bat out the 50 overs and their inability to compile a consistent, professional batting effort was again underlined. The top order remained a concern as Lee’s opening spell shattered any hopes of a solid foundation. New Zealand were 2 for 7 as Lee had both openers caught behind with fast, swinging deliveries.
Shane Warne has warned South Africa they could need their team psychologist after Australia has finished with them in the three-Test series starting on Friday. Referring to the squad’s plan to fly Francois Hugo from Johannesburg to motivate the players, Warne said it may be a good idea.”They might need one by the time we’ve finished with them,” Warne said. There is little love lost between the two Test nations and South Africa are aiming to regain some lost pride, having failed to beat Australia in a Test series since being readmitted to international cricket in 1991.Warne is a particular concern for the Proteas and has an excellent Test record against them, having taken 101 wickets at 22.34. The visitors have also rankled the Australians by claiming they use sledging to upset and distract their opponents. Herschelle Gibbs said last week the players had come to expect such tactics and would think something was wrong if they weren’t sledged.”As usual, the South Africans have had a bit too much to say, they should worry about their own backyard, get it in order first,” Warne said. After recovering from back soreness, Warne said he was looking forward to the first Test even though the WACA is not known for taking spin.”I feel pretty good, I’ve done a lot of yoga, I’ve done stretching, I’ve done pool and all the strengthening for my back,” he said. “It’s still a bit stiff, hopefully it will loosen up with another three or four more days of treatment. It’s an ongoing thing I suppose at 36. I’ve bowled a few balls over 15 years – I’m going to have to put up with some sort of soreness.”Warne was under no illusions about his role on the pace-friendly WACA, saying he would be called upon more to break partnerships than as a front-line strike bowler. “You know when you go there,” Warne said, “that you’re not going to take a big haul of wickets.”
Western Australia’s biggest electrical retailer has signed a one-year agreement with options to extend for a further two years as the major sponsor of the re-named Retravision Warriors valued at an estimated $1 million a year for WA cricket, whilst continuing the group’s support of the sport’s junior players which commenced last year.Announcing the new major sponsorship today at a special launch event at the WACA Ground on the eve of the 2003-04 season-opening Lilac Hill Festival Match, WACA President Mr Brian Rakich said the values represented by Retravision – professional, competitive, family and community based – mirrored the traditions of the sport and WA’s premiere team."This is a great match for the Warriors, the sport and for our new major partner Retravision," Mr Rakich said."The sport sponsorship market is very tough. Getting this support from Retravision puts in place a vital foundation on which to build the future performance of WA’s most successful sporting team."Last year Retravision put its sponsorship support behind junior cricket in WA and that’s been a great success. When the major sponsorship of the Warriors became available it seemed logical to see if we could build on that relationship. The WACA is delighted to have secured this agreement with Retravision," Mr Rakich said.The WACA President said for the first time in the history of the sport in WA the State team would carry the sponsor’s name in its logo – this follows a trend which has been adopted by other State cricket teams in recent years.Retravision Chairman Bill Harries said the deal with WA cricket was the biggest sponsorship the group had ever undertaken."Retravision has looked at a number of major sponsorship proposals and opportunities in recent years but none of them fitted with the values our brand represents through the 58 mainly family-owned and operated stores which are a part of communities throughout Perth and regional WA. The traditions, ethos and following of cricket fits the bill. We’re really looking forward to being part of the Warriors team," Mr Harries said.Last year Retravision committed $50,000 to sponsoring WA junior cricket for the first time. Retravision’s investment in the sport through the new combined sponsorship agreement announced today is estimated to represent a value of $1 million a year through a cash component, plus leveraging the Retravision Warriors involvement through the retailing group’s planned advertising, marketing and sales programs."The commitment of Retravision to leveraging the sponsorship will continue to develop the Warriors high profile. That’s very important for keeping cricket in the spotlight in a highly competitive sports market in WA," Mr Rakich said.The Retravision Warriors make their first home appearance for the 2003-04 domestic season with the opening fixture of the ING Cup series, a day/night game against the Southern Redbacks at the WACA Ground on Friday, October 24.The Retravision Warriors first Pura Cup match will be against NSW in Sydney, starting on November 4. Their first home game will be against the Tasmanian Tigers, starting on Sunday, December 7.