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Tamim Iqbal was confident of a Bangladesh win for he felt West Indies would struggle against Shakib Al Hasan on a turning pitch on the final day

Cricinfo staff12-Jul-2009

Tamim Iqbal’s maiden Test century helped Bangladesh wrest control of the opening Test in St Vincent, and the opener was confident of success, given his team’s sizable lead and strength with spin on a turning pitch. By stumps Bangladesh had built a strong lead of 252, and with five wickets remaining they stand a chance of setting West Indies a formidable target on the final day. Tamim believed the left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan would be the main threat for West Indies in their chase. “We are going very well, around 300 will be the target,” Tamim said at the end of the day’s play. “Shakib is one of the best spinners in the world, he is No.1 now and it will be hard for them [West Indies] to handle him on the last day.”Coming into this Test, Tamim had a modest average of 22.83 and he set about making things up with a determined innings, riding his luck – he was dropped twice – to score 128, his first century in 18 innings. He added 146 with Junaid Siddique for the second wicket, and cut loose in the final session, carting David Bernard for 17 in an over, before mistiming a pull to mid-on. While acknowledging that the century was a dream come true, Tamim credited his performance to the guidance of Jamie Siddons, the Bangladesh coach. “Our head coach, Jamie Siddons, has always said the more you leave (the ball) that means you’ll get a big score,” he said. “It’s not about the shots, the good balls you leave, that will give you a big score.” Tamim also conceded that batsmen had it easy on the St Vincent pitch. “It’s very flat, if you don’t want to get out, no one will get you out,” he said. “I was going good but I played a bad shot to get out.”Bangladesh were in control for the most part of the fourth day but experienced a middle-order wobble as they lost Siddique, the struggling Mohammad Ashraful and Raqibul Hasan in a space of nine runs. However, wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim and Shakib steadied the innings with an unbeaten 54-run stand, rotating the strike well, to stretch Bangladesh’s lead.

A round-up from the latest County Championship matches

Cricinfo staff07-Jul-2009Division OneOnly four overs of play were possible on the opening day between Warwickshire and Sussex at Edgbaston after which rain forced the players off the field for the rest of the day. During that short period, Sussex, who chose to field, managed to pick up a wicket – Tony Frost lbw to Yasir Arafat – and Warwickshire were 5 for 1 when play was stopped.Division TwoNorthamptonshire and Derbyshire managed double the number of overs in Northampton before rain ruined their first day as well. Nantie Hayward dismissed Ben Howgego for a duck after Derbyshire put the hosts in but Stephen Peters and Rob White prevented any further damage, taking Northamptonshire to 23 for 1 before play was eventually abandoned.As many as 48 overs were possible on the first day at Chelmsford and during that time Essex slipped from a strong position to an average one against Glamorgan. The visitors’ openers, Gareth Rees and Herschelle Gibbs, laid a sound foundation after they chose to bat by adding 115 for the first wicket. Both batsmen reached half-centuries but, unfortunately for Glamorgan, they fell shortly afterward. Gibbs was lbw to Ryan ten Doeschate for 53 and Rees edged David Masters to the wicketkeeper for 59. Essex slipped further from 118 for 2 to 138 for 3 when Ben Wright was leg before to Graham Napier and eventually finished the day on 155 for 3.

In a match of two fine centuries, Ed Joyce’s career-best 146 outshone Alex Gidman’s fine response to guide Sussex into the Friends Provident final with a 34-run victory against Gloucestershire at Hove

Cricinfo staff05-Jul-2009
ScorecardEd Joyce collects another boundary during his career-best century•PA PhotosIn a match with two excellent centuries, Ed Joyce’s career-best 146 outshone Alex Gidman’s fine response to guide Sussex into the Friends Provident final with a 34-run victory against Gloucestershire at Hove. On a sun-soaked day with a parched outfield runs flowed freely and the visitors were on course in their pursuit of the target of 325, but they couldn’t maintain the momentum until the end.After his outstanding innings, Joyce produced a vital piece of fielding to run out Hamish Marshall after he and Gidman had added 155 for the second wicket to make the chase look achievable. When Gidman reached a 104-ball hundred there was still a decent chance for Gloucestershire, but those hopes faded when Yasir Arafat showed his brilliance with reverse swing and the Sussex spinners picked up vital wickets.Kadeer Ali fell early in the chase, but Marshall and Gidman made the most of the fielding restrictions in conditions tough for bowlers to maintain pressure. Balls scudded across the quick outfield but Sussex have a trusted one-day method this season and backed their spinners to play a key role.Once Marshall was run out, Rory Hamilton-Brown made an important breakthrough when he removed Craig Spearman for 2 and Will Beer, the young legspinner, deserved credit for conceding less than five an over.Chris Taylor – playing despite a split webbing on his hand – ticked along nicely with Gidman before he was cleaned up by Arafat. Then it was over to the spinners. Michael Yardy had Gidman caught behind and Steven Adshead missed a heave to be well stumped by his opposite number.Arafat was spearing in his pinpoint yorkers and when James Franklin briefly threatened to jangle Sussex nerves, Yardy closed out the match and finished with four wickets. There has been a changing of the guard at Hove, but Yardy has retained the same team spirit and competitive attitude instilled by Chris Adams.Yardy was pleased when asked to bat on a used pitch and Sussex set off at a decent rate with Joyce and Chris Nash laying the platform. Joyce, who has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving from Middlesex, played the anchor role, allowing the others to free their arms. Nash fell to Steve Kirby for a 30-ball 32 the Luke Wright cut loose to carve 36 off 26 balls.Goodwin, the engine of Sussex’s one-day batting, then joined Joyce in the key third-wicket stand and the pair began to run Gloucestershire ragged in perfect batting conditions. Joyce picked up sixes over the leg side although the second nearly brought his downfall when Vikram Banerjee clung onto the catch at deep square-leg only for his foot to touch the rope.Joyce brought up his century with a thick edge down to third man and with two batsmen set Sussex took the batting Powerplay. Runs came at more than nine an over and Goodwin had enough time to also reach three figures before he lost his leg stump against Jon Lewis when he attempted a lap sweep.Joyce stayed to see the total past 300 before being run out and he certainly picked a good time to set a new career benchmark. Sussex have become used to claiming silverware and are one match away from showing the new-look team can add to the trophy cabinet.

IPL teams that have more South African players in their side, especially Bangalore, have a clear home advantage now that the tournament has been relocated to that country, coaches and players from the league have said.Ray Jennings, the coach of Royal Challengers Bangalore, which has five South Africans in the team, the maximum in this season’s IPL, says his side has a definite tactical advantage – Jennings himself is a former South Africa coach. Darren Berry, the coach of Rajasthan Royals, the IPL champions who have three South Africans in their side, including Graeme Smith, the national captain, says the insights provided by these players would be an advantage. And Adam Gilchrist, who will lead Hershchelle Gibbs as captain of Deccan Chargers, says that local knowledge would add a new dimension to this IPL starting on April 18.”Tactically, it must be an advantage,” Jennings said. “The coaching staff is also from South Africa so the preparation would be done to perfection because we obviously know what we are doing. Our team may have more of a home base than anybody else because we have five South African players and six if you count Kevin Pietersen, the captain.”Shaun Pollock, who is coaching Mumbai Indians, admits that Bangalore has an advantage with players like Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher and Dale Steyn in the side. “Probably Bangalore have a slight advantage as they have five South African players,” Pollock said.But Mumbai Indians, who he coaches along with Jonty Rhodes are not far behind, having signed up JP Duminy, the star allrounder, for US$ 950,000 this year. “But it doesn’t count for too much as people play in all kinds of conditions,” Pollock said. “As for Mumbai, quite a few of our Indian guys are here and that works to our advantage as they are exposed to the local conditions and that will definitely help.”Berry says Rajasthan Royals would fancy their chances, too, having players of the calibre of Smith in the side. “It is good we have a got strong South African contingent (Graeme Smith, Morne Morkel, Tyron Henderson),” he said. “It is an advantage. We are lucky that Smith, the South African captain, whose insight will help into what the conditions we can expect.”Gilchirst, who has Gibbs to bank on for Deccan Chargers, admits that local knowledge provides a definite edge. “Obviously some local knowledge always helps,” he said. “But it would be interesting to see various team make-ups coming under close scrutiny now that the venue has changed with different conditions and different circumstances to what everyone was planning for in India. It does add a new dimension.”However, the players and coaches admitted that adaptability would be a key factor on South African pitches, irrespective of whether teams have South African players or not.”South African conditions will present a different set of circumstances than India and with that we have the flexibility in our squad to alter what type of player we will take,” Berry said. “You must have players who can adapt to different conditions. We have that but there were some teams last year in the IPL that didn’t have players who could adapt. Perhaps bowling will have a bigger impact in South Africa as they could benefit from the bounce and carry the pitches offer there.”Pollock agrees but adds that spinners may have a crucial role to play over the next two months. “Yes, definitely,” he said. “If you look at the records during the Twenty20 World Cup guys like Harbhajan Singh and Daniel Vettori did well so I have no doubt spinners will have a role to play.”As for the South African players, they are just happy to be playing at home after almost 18 months on the road, including gruelling tours to England and Australia. “From a personal point of view, it’s fantastic that we don’t have to leave the country again,” Dale Steyn said. “We have spent so much time on the road over the last two years, and to have the Champions Trophy and now the IPL at home will be great for all of us. It feels like we are forever going overseas, and it will be nice to spend more time with family and friends.”

Craig Pawson will be the man in the middle for Manchester United’s trip to Leicester City on Saturday afternoon.

And, as to be expected, a number of United supporters have been reacting to the confirmed news on social media.

Pawson will be assisted by Lee Betts and Dan Robathan, with Andy Madley as fourth official and Darren England in charge of VAR. [Premier League]

The 42-year-old was the referee when United lost to the Foxes at Old Trafford last season and has already taken charge of a United game during the current campaign in the 1-1 draw with Southampton.

Bruno Fernandes had an appeal for a free-kick waved away before the Saints’ opener at St Mary’s back in August, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer labelling it a clear foul after the game.

United fans react

The news of Pawson’s appointment made its way across social media on Monday. This is what these United fans had to say in reply, with one describing the referee as ‘awful’.

“Well…what do you know. Craig Pawson for the Leicester vs Man Utd. Maguire and *Varane absent…why not give them Craig Pawson to add salt to injury?”

Credit: @Mr_Eto

“Who cares no referee is going to be easy …it’s tough though for Ole to swallow #oleout”

Credit: @Rakhith08344994

“Pawson is awful, you will all see this on the weekend”

Credit: @Red_Devil87

“Ole ball + No Maguire and Varane + Craig Pawson”

Credit: @rele1m

“Another loss loading. I have this feeling that Leicester will break that away record”

Credit: @Paul40519722

“The refereeing is going to be poor son”

Credit: @Mcsauceunited

In other news: ‘Yesss’ – Lots of MUFC fans go wild at Fabrizio Romano’s ‘important news’.

Junior Kwebiha, the Uganda captain, has singled out earning the ODI status as his team’s main objective going into the World Cup Qualifiers set to begin on April 1 in South Africa

Cricinfo staff23-Mar-2009Junior Kwebiha, the Uganda captain, has singled out earning ODI status as his team’s main objective going into the World Cup Qualifiers set to begin on April 1 in South Africa. Uganda qualified for the tournament after finishing second in division three of the World Cricket League after table-toppers Afghanistan. The top six teams in the World Cup Qualifiers secure ODI status till 2013 and earn an immediate qualification for the ICC Intercontinental Cup in 2009-10.”One of the things that is very important to us is to get ODI status and if we get in the top six we will achieve that,” Kwebiha said. “I am not saying we won’t be trying to get into the top four and qualify for the World Cup – we fully intend to do that – but to get into the top six would be a very big achievement for us and that is where we are putting our focus.”Uganda’s World Cricket League campaign included four wins – including those against Afghanistan and Hong Kong – and their only defeat came against Papua New Guinea, who, as a result of a lower net run-rate, failed to qualify.”We have taken a good look at what happened in Buenos Aires,” Kwebiha said. Despite coming second there are quite a lot of things from that tournament that we have to work on… We know that a lot of the future development of cricket in Uganda is going to depend on our performance in South Africa so it is very important to us.”Coming through the divisions, Afghanistan and ourselves are going to have to work harder because we haven’t been exposed to this level of cricket as often as the others in the tournament. We know it’s not going to be a walk in the park as some of the teams have professional players in the teams.”Kwebiha was upbeat about Uganda’s chances but said he wary of the fact that his team would have to encounter stiffer opposition, including those who it hasn’t played before.”We just have to take it a step at a time and see how it goes from there. There is an element of surprise I suppose in that the other teams will not know too much about us but then we haven’t played against them either so we are going to be just as surprised as they are. It only takes one good ball to get a batsman out and as bowlers we know we just have to put the ball in the right areas.We don’t see ourselves as underdogs really. We don’t approach events in that way. We know what our abilities are, we know what our strengths are and we will just go out there and play our own game. We are trying to get into the culture of going out there and taking control of games and playing to our strengths.”

MatériaMais Notícias

No jogo contra o Avaí, o técnico Jair Ventura abriu mão da trinca central – dos considerados volantes, apesar de cada um ter característica peculiar – para que a dupla Montillo e Camilo pudesse atuar junta no meio. Com a saída por lesão do argentino, lançou Guilherme, atuando quase em um 4-2-3-1, que com a bola atacava muito com os dois pontas que são – posição de origem – atacantes.

Se na frente a equipe criou diversas oportunidades, atrás o Botafogo voltou a sofrer com dois gols cedo, em situação parecida – e até citada por Jair – com a derrota para o time do Barcelona-EQU na fase de grupos da Copa Libertadores. Coincidentemente, o jogo contra os equatorianos havia sido o último em que o Glorioso não utilizara a trinca-central – no meio – desde o começo de jogo.

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Se as mudanças estruturais foram importantes no resultado final ou não, é uma outra questão. Mas o comandante alvinegro admitiu que a mudança no seu esquema se ocasionou mais pela falta de opções para a área de volante do que uma nova postura mais ofensiva que seria tramada pelo time alvinegro.

– Sempre falo que não me prendo a sistema. Mas quando perco Airton, João Paulo e Matheus Fernandes, tem que se mudar. Eu só tinha o Dudu, que não tinha as características para o estilo desse jogo. Só fiz essa mudança por causa dessas perdas – ressaltou o técnico do Botafogo, que também lembrou da entrada de Guilherme e defendeu o esquema com dois meias titulares.

– E eu só entrei com o Guilherme por que já estava perdendo em casa. Eu tenho três atacantes no elenco, tomo o gol e perco o Montillo… imagina se boto um zagueiro ou volante… e vejo até que é para repensar esse pensamento do esquema. Nas vezes em que mudamos (jogamos com dois meias) e vencemos, fica um pouco apagado. Contra o Colo-Colo-CHI e Olimpia-PAR jogamos assim e vencemos. E você me deu o exemplo dos dois jogos que perdemos (Barcelona e Avaí). Ainda está 3 a 2 para o sistema com os meias – respondeu Jair Ventura.

Se no ataque o Botafogo consegue ter mais volume com o esquema ofensivo – muito também por sair atrás no placar cedo, mudando o panorama do jogo – defensivamente a equipe tem oscilado com um jogador a menos na posição entre os volantes. Com Matheus Fernandes ainda dúvida – no Departamento Médico – o comandante alvinegro terá, na volta de João Paulo – que cumpriu suspensão na segunda – ao time a chance de retomar o esquema com a trinca.

Leeds United reportedly have a genuine interest in Manchester United winger Daniel James as Tuesday’s transfer deadline day looms on the horizon.

The Lowdown: James linked with Leeds move

It hasn’t been the busiest summer transfer window at Elland Road, with Kristoffer Klaesson and Junior Firpo the only new additions, as well as Jack Harrison signing permanently from Manchester City.

However, one player with whom Leeds have been continually linked is James, who could leave Manchester United before the window ends on Tuesday.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Whites have ‘concrete’ interest

A fresh update has now been provided on the situation, with Football Insider claiming that a Thorp Arch source has said there is “concrete” interest in the Wales international.

The Whites are thought to be open to the idea of a loan or permanent deal for James, with Marcelo Bielsa a long-time admirer of the 23-year-old.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-14/” title=”Latest Leeds United news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

The Verdict: Shrewd signing?

James could be an excellent signing in the final couple of days in this transfer window, bringing searing pace and a strong work ethic to Leeds’ squad.

Granted, his end product leaves a little to be desired – he scored just three goals and registered one assist in 15 Premier League appearances last season – but he could thrive working under Bielsa.

Not only that, but a new wide man would add some welcome squad depth at Elland Road, with Raphinha and Harrison arguably being relied upon too much to provide a cutting edge from the wide positions – the duo provided 14 goals and 17 assists combined in last season’s Premier League.

In other news, Leeds could reportedly still make a late swoop for one player. Find out who it is here.

Sri Lanka began their tour of Zimbabwe in bullish fashion, dismissing a Zimbabwe Select XI for 159 on the first day of their first warm-up match

Cricinfo staff in Bulawayo12-Nov-2008
ScorecardSri Lanka began their tour of Zimbabwe in bullish fashion, dismissing a Zimbabwe Select XI for 159 on a rain-affected first day of their warm-up match in Bulawayo. Ajantha Mendis picked up four wickets and in reply, Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte propelled the tourists to 50 without loss in 14 overs.The umpires twice suspended play because of drizzle and eventually ended the day 20 minutes early due to bad light.Zimbabwe’s innings began poorly when Chamu Chibhabha steered a very wide delivery to gully, and it never gained any real momentum other than a brief seventh-wicket renaissance of 46 from Elton Chigumbura and Prosper Utseya which lent the score a degree of respectability. They missed the experience and bravery of Tatenda Taibu, who was dropped in rather odd circumstances. Dilhara Fernando took full advantage early on, picking up two of the first four wickets to fall, including the promising Hamilton Masakadza leg-before for 26.It wasn’t long before Mendis was brought into the attack and he soon bowled Regis Chakabva to get his name on the scoreboard. When he followed that up with the wicket of Keith Dabengwa, also bowled, Zimbabwe had slipped to 90 for 6. However, Chigumbura and Utseya staved off the collapse with a vital seven-wicket stand of 46.Aware of the situation, both players dropped anchor and gradually shovelled Zimbabwe’s total past 100, but Fernando returned to have Utseya caught behind for 22 while Chigumbura – who had spent over two hours at the crease – was beaten by Mendis. Angelo Mathews mopped up a flaccid tail.Zimbabwe squandered an early chance when Mahela Udawatte edged Christopher Mpofu but Stuart Matsikenyeri at second slip failed to hold onto a routine catch. Tharanga went on the attack and cracked five fours in his unbeaten 31 while Udawatte ended on 17 as Sri Lanka made brisk headway to reach 50 in 14 overs.Unless the weather plays a major part, this match appears unlikely to go into a fourth day.

Crystal Palace have received a potentially significant boost in their pursuit of Celtic striker Odsonne Edouard.

What’s the story?

The Eagles have been linked with a move for the highly-rated 23-year-old throughout the summer, but fierce rivals Brighton and Hove Albion were believed to be in pole position for his signature in recent weeks.

However, according to The Scottish Sun, the Seagulls and fellow Premier League side Southampton have baulked at Edouard’s £85,000-per-week wage demands, leaving Palace as the only interested party.

Patrick Vieira would love him

Since arriving at Celtic Park back in August 2017, the £15.3m-rated gem has established himself as one of Europe’s most promising young forwards, bagging 85 goals and providing 39 assists in 175 appearances for the Hoops.

The former France under-21 international’s standout displays have earned several plaudits, with former Celtic boss Neil Lennon labelling him “magnificent” after a match-winning performance.

His arrival at Selhurst Park would be seen as a significant coup for the south London outfit, and new manager Patrick Vieira would surely love to be able to call upon the services of a proven goalscorer.

It’s a luxury the French tactician arguably doesn’t have at this moment in time, with Michy Batshuayi’s departure leaving Christian Benteke and Jean Philippe-Mateta as the only out-and-out strikers in the first team squad.

Palace’s opening day fixture against European champions Chelsea highlighted their need for attacking reinforcements before the current window closes after they only managed to produce one shot on target all afternoon.

The exceptional powers of talisman Wilfried Zaha can only carry the capital club so far, and the addition of Edouard could provide the catalyst they need to propel themselves to a 10th consecutive season in the top flight.

Chairman Steve Parish has already secured the signatures of several exciting young acquisitions this summer in the shape of Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher, but Edouard would perhaps be the most sensational of them all.

With Palace now having a clear run at the Frenchman, Parish must complete a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain academy graduate, providing Vieira with the quality and strength in depth that he needs to succeed at Selhurst Park.

In other news… Crystal Palace enquire over £14.4m-rated magician, he’d be another Parish masterclass