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Match facts

October 9, 2008
Start time 9.00am (0300 GMT)

Big Picture

It’s the first test for Bangladesh after the exodus to the ICL. There didn’t appear to be much mercy coming from New Zealand, who arrived early to acclimatise, but unforeseen circumstances may have left the visitors a bit underdone. Their only warm-up game, in Fatullah, was washed out, and a day before the first ODI, the New Zealanders lost patience with the traffic and did a u-turn to the team hotel en route to the ground. The minor hiccups aside, New Zealand will still fancy their chances of a 3-0 win and the No. 2 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.The match will also be the first time the new Powerplay rules come into place. The batting team now has the opportunity to choose either the second or third Powerplay in the innings; earlier the Powerplays were taken only by the fielding side. It will the interesting to see the strategies adopted by the teams. Bowling teams generally tried to get rid of the Powerplay overs as soon as possible, especially when fielding first, but how will the batting side react? Will they use it up first-up or wait to hammer tired bowlers in the final five overs. Will they choose the Powerplay when the lesser bowlers are on, or when their best hitter is at the crease? It’s a whole new element that teams will need to strategise on. One small concession for the bowlers: three fielders can be outside the 30-yard circle for the second and third Powerplays.

Pitch & conditions

What is encouraging is that, apart from an odd light drizzle, Mirpur has experienced dry conditions and play is likely to take place. Even if there are any overnight spells of rain, locals are confident the drainage facilities at the ground can have the ground ready in an hour.The pitch is expected to favour batting. The average score in Mirpur has been 239, but New Zealand’s strong batting line-up will look to put up a big score. Captain Daniel Vettori said they would prefer to bat first and put up a score of around 280-300. New Zealand’s line-up has aggressive stroke-players in Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Brendon McCullum and they will definitely put pressure on Bangladesh’s bowling line-up. Mohammad Ashraful, though, was confident his bowlers could defend a score of 230-240.

Form guide (last 5 ODIs, most recent first)

New ZealandWWWWW
Bangladesh LLLLL

Watch out for

Jesse Ryder: Ryder has been rewarded with places on both the Test and ODI teams for the tour, during which captain Daniel Vettori expects him to make his mark as an international batsman. Criticised for his fitness in the past, Ryder had a great debut ODI series at home against England. A punch in a window of a bar ruled him out of action in February, but Ryder made a successful return, captaining New Zealand to the Emerging Players title in July. If McCullum and Ryder get going, not many from Bangladesh will be lining up to bowl.Mohammad Ashraful: A man under immense pressure. Another bad series and Bangladesh’s captain could be out of the team; even coach Jamie Siddons has said time is running out for Ashraful. He had been at the centre of Bangladesh’s greatest triumph – over Australia in 2005 – but three years since, even the biggest of fans will find it hard to not find fault.Tim Southee: The Player of the Tournament at the Under-19 World Cup this year, Southee has had a tremendous start to his international career. He scored a blistering 77 not out and took a five-for on his Test debut, and in seven ODIs, he has 16 wickets at 16.93. Those games came in seamer-friendly conditions in New Zealand and England; subcontinent pitches will make for a different challenge.

Team news

Bangladesh have left out Mehrab Hossain jnr and Imrul Kayes from the XII for the match, which means uncapped Naeem Islam, who captained the Academy side in Sri Lanka, could make his debut. Junaid Siddique is likely to get another chance as opener, while Mahbubul Alam, another newcomer, might miss out.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Junaid Siddique 3 Naeem Islam 4 Mohammad Ashraful (capt), 5 Shakib Al Hasan, 6 Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Mashrafe Mortaza, 9 Abdur Razzak, 10 Shahadat Hossain, 11 Syed Rasel.New Zealand have not announced their XII but Jeetan Patel could get a game if the pitch favours spin.New Zealand (probable): 1 Jesse Ryder, 2 Brendon McCullum (wk), 3 Jamie How, 4 Scott Styris, 5 Ross Taylor, 6 Jacob Oram, 7 Grant Elliott, 8 Daniel Vettori (capt), 9 Jeetan Patel, 10 Tim Southee, 11 Kyle Mills.

Stats & Trivia

Tata Steel, which maintains the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur, has expressed its regret at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association’s (JSCA) decision to withdraw it rights to host the ODI between India and England on November 23.The JSCA informed the BCCI on Thursday that it could not host the November 23 fixture since Tata Steel is yet to agree to a takeover of the stadium by the association.”It is indeed a pity that the JSCA has taken this hasty step without consulting the company, as the Tata Steel has always maintained that the request from JSCA is ‘under active consideration’ and its engineers’ report on the status of the galleries was awaited,” said a statement from Tata Steel.”We are aware of the interest of the people of Jamshedpur in the ODI and as such were expediting the process of inspection. The JSCA has only been writing letters and giving media interviews but they never considered it important to discuss the details with the steel company.”The BCCI said the ODI could be shifted to Bangalore instead.

An update has emerged on Watford midfielder Will Hughes, regarding his transfer to Crystal Palace.

What’s the talk?

According to The Athletic, Crystal Palace are finalising a deal to sign Watford midfielder Will Hughes for a fee that could rise to £10m.

The report claims that the ex-Derby man is now set to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms with the Eagles before being officially unveiled as the club’s latest signing.

Over the moon

Palace boss Patrick Vieira will be over the moon with this news as it means that his fifth senior outfield signing is close to being completed. The club have already brought in Joachim Andersen, Marc Guehi, Michael Olise and Conor Gallagher (loan), with Hughes on the verge of joining them at Selhurst Park ahead of next Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

Vieria will be buzzing because it is a much-needed reinforcement to his midfield options heading into the rest of the season. Gallagher, James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic are currently the only out-and-out central midfield options he has available, with Jairo Riedewald and Chiekhou Kouyate being used in a variety of positions across the pitch.

This means that bringing in Hughes could offer the French head coach more variety in his team selections and allow him to rest players when needed. For example, if one of the starting midfielders suffer an injury or suspension, he can bring Hughes in – or whoever the Watford man displaces – and that allows Kouyate and Riedewald to be used elsewhere if there are other gaps to fill.

In the Championship last season, Hughes averaged an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.98 in 30 appearances as the Hornets finished second in the league and secured automatic promotion to the Premier League.

He averaged 3.1 interceptions and tackles combined per game in the second tier, showing that he has a knack for winning the ball back in the middle of the park.

Vieira would love having a player like Hughes in the middle of the park as his industry and defensive work rate could allow the attacking players more freedom to go and do what they do best.

The Englishman would work his socks off in the engine room to then give the ball to the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Christian Benteke to score the goals to win matches for Palace.

AND in other news, Palace suffer major blow in pursuit of “explosive” 19-y/o prodigy, Vieira will be gutted…

Nathan Hauritz, the Australian offspinner, echoed Shane Watson’s feelings on playing in Pakistan, scheduled to host the Champions Trophy in September, saying he didn’t care where he played as long he got to represent his country

Cricinfo staff12-Jul-2008
Nathan Hauritz, named in 30 probables for the Champions Trophy, last played for Australia in 2004 © Getty Images
Nathan Hauritz, the Australian offspinner, has echoed Shane Watson’s feelings on the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, saying he didn’t care where he played as long he got to represent his country.Watson had said he’d play anywhere but some Australian players, including Andrew Symonds, expressed their reservations on touring Pakistan, which had two bomb attacks on its cities in the past two weeks.However Hauritz, who was named in Australia’s 30 probables for the Champions Trophy, said getting the chance to play for the national team didn’t happen all the time. “You can go to a number of places in this world that are dangerous,” Hauritz, who last played for Australia in 2004, told the Sydney-based . “But at the end of the day it’s not my call and it’s up to Cricket Australia. I’m sure they will do everything they can to make sure it’s safe.”Peter Young, the Cricket Australia spokesman, made it clear the board wouldn’t send players to a place that was dangerous. “We understand the players’ concerns,” Young said. “It is a concern of ours. International cricket is important to billions of fans around the world but, like Andrew [Symonds] said, ‘It’s only a game’, and the issue is if we can justify sending our players anywhere where it might be dangerous.”Australia are expected to take a decision on whether or not to tour Pakistan in three weeks. While the board, along with New Zealand Cricket and the England board, had hired Reg Dickson, an independent security expert, to visit Karachi and submit a report on the security measures for the Asia Cup, Cricket Australia’s own operations chief, Michael Brown, is not expected back from his annual leave till next week, Young said.

Leeds United could seal a summer move for Celta Vigo midfielder Okay Yokuslu, according to former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

The Lowdown: Yokuslu impresses for West Brom

The 27-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom, impressing for the Baggies despite their relegation to the Championship. Despite only joining midway through the campaign, he ended up as their joint-highest ranked performer according to WhoScored.

Yokuslu made 15 Premier League starts overall, averaging 2.4 tackles and 2.2 interceptions per game in the division and proving to be a force in the middle of the park under Sam Allardyce.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359346″]

The Latest: Leeds tipped to sign midfielder

Leeds have been linked with a summer move for the Turkey midfielder, and in an interview with MOT Leeds News, Robinson talked up the idea of him moving to Elland Road. He said:

“I think Celta Vigo are a club you should be able to deal with. I think a deal could be done.

“He’s certainly a player who’s able to play in the Premier League and I think when he’s made aware of the Premier League interest, it’s very hard to keep a player who doesn’t want to be at a club.

“A club of that stature in Spain, there should be an attraction to play in the Premier League for Leeds United.

“I think he could be a really good signing for Leeds if they are able to get him.

“His team (Turkey) were poor at the Euros but I think he was the only one in the team who played well.”

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The Verdict: Shrewd potential signing

Yokuslu could be a great signing for Leeds, considering how much he impressed for West Brom, even enjoying a 93% pass completion rate against the Whites back in May.

He is someone who could provide competition for the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Stuart Dallas, strengthening Marcelo Bielsa’s squad options in the process. Indeed, his match average of 2.2 interceptions was superior to that of any Leeds midfielder in 2020/21.

With Celta possibly happy to sell Yokuslu, Leeds should do their utmost to snap him up, especially as he has already proven himself in the Premier League.

In other news, Leeds are interested in signing a goalkeeper this summer – find out who it is here.

Aston Villa target Valentino Livramento has been training with Chelsea’s Under-16 side, according to reliable reporter Adam Newson.

The Lowdown: Livramento links

Villa were linked with a move for the 18-year-old last month. Goal suggested that a move to Villa Park was a viable option, however, AC Milan also made contact with the Englishman.

Livramento, who can play as a right-back, right wing-back or right-midfielder, has just 12 months remaining on his Stamford Bridge deal.

He registered 10 assists in just 26 games for the Blues’ youth side last season, however, it now seems his future is up in the air.

The Latest: Newson’s post

According to Newson, Chelsea’s correspondent for Football London, Livramento’s future in London is uncertain.

Here is what Newson posted on Twitter regarding Livramento and two other Chelsea youngsters, claiming they have been training with the club’s Under-16s.

“Understand Tino Livramento, Lewis Bate and Myles Peart-Harris ended up training with the Under-16s yesterday as the Dev Squad and Under-18s were in Scotland for pre-season friendlies. Their Chelsea futures remain uncertain.”

The Verdict: Time for Villa to swoop?

With Livramento demoted to train with the Under-16’s, now could be the perfect time to swoop.

Villa have already made two exciting in-demand teenage acquisitions in defender Josh Feeney and winger Ajani Burhcall, so Livramento may well turn out to be the third.

The club could possibly persuade him with a more direct route to first-team football, as Villa’s only senior right-backs on the books at this moment in time are Matty Cash and Frederic Guilbert, compared to Chelsea’s three high-profile right-backs.

Villa may well have to battle Milan for Livramento, should they still be keen, but it could turn out to be a shrewd move in the long run.

In other news: ‘No Aston Villa move’ – Fabrizio Romano confirms Twitter transfer update on £16.2m-rated ace.

The XXXX Queensland Bulls will take a top-strength team into their tourmatch against England this weekend at Allan Border Field.The Queensland selectors today made one change to the team that playedthe last Pura Cup match against NSW, adding Australian One Day spinnerNathan Hauritz in place of left-arm spinner Matthew Anderson.Test players Matthew Hayden and Andy Bichel were not available for thematch as both players will be in camp from Sunday with the Australianteam, preparing for the First Orange Test match at the Gabba fromNovember 7-11.The three-day tour match against England will start on Saturday, withEngland scheduled to arrive in Brisbane late on Thursday. The touristswill train on Friday at Allan Border Field.The Bulls are keen to disrupt England’s preparation, having gone withinone wicket of beating their rivals on the previous Ashes tour. The tourmatch in 1998 was played in Cairns, with England winning a thrillingmatch late on the third day.England also beat the Bulls later in the summer in a day/night limitedovers match at the Gabba.Bulls pace bowler Michael Kasprowicz, who played alongside new Englandquick Simon Jones at Glamorgan during the off-season, said the matchpresented a dual opportunity for Queensland.”We get to test ourselves against international opposition and maybegive them a few headaches before the first Test but we also get a chanceto build our form for our Pura Cup clash against Victoria in Melbournenext week,” he said.The match is at Allan Border Field, 1 Bogan St Albion. Play starts 10amdaily. Tickets: $8 adults, Children U-16, pensioners: $2. Entry willalso be via Brothers Rugby Union, Crosby Road.Meanwhile the selectors have also named former Australian pace bowlersAdam Dale and Scott Muller in the Queensland Academy of Sport team toplay South Australia in the ACB Cup 2nd XI match in Adelaide next week.Dale is continuing his steady comeback from major shoulder surgery lastseason, taking 6-61 for Wynnum-Manly on Saturday, while Muller has beenamong the leading wicket-takers for the Gold Coast in the first threerounds of the Brisbane XXXX First Grade premiership.XXXX Queensland Bulls v England, Allan Border Field, Sat-Mon: JimmyMaher (c), Brendan Nash, Martin Love, Stuart Law, Andrew Symonds, LeeCarseldine, Wade Seccombe, Ashley Noffke, Michael Kasprowicz, NathanHauritz, Joe Dawes, Damien MacKenzie (12th man to be named).Queensland Academy of Sport v South Australian 2nd XI, Adelaide,Mon-Thurs: James Hopes (c), Duncan Betts, Jerry Cassell, Daniel Payne,Clinton Perren, Chris Simpson, Chris Hartley, Scott O’Leary, Adam Dale,Scott Muller, Scott Brant, Matthew Anderson. (all 12 to play).

Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin may be tempted by a move to Everton because he could ‘push for Europe’ at Goodison Park.

That’s according to former Sheffield United and Leeds goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, speaking to Football Insider.

The lowdown

The Mirror reported earlier in July that Everton would swoop for Saint-Maximin as a replacement for Richarlison if the Brazilian was lured to Real Madrid.

They claimed Newcastle would demand £60million to part with a player who scored three goals and provided four assists last season.

That would represent a huge profit on the £16.5million they initially paid to bring him in from OGC Nice in 2019.

Everton, who finished 10th in last season’s Premier League, are now managed by former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

The latest

Kenny expressed a concern that Newcastle would not be able to match Saint-Maximin’s ambitions.

And he predicted that Benitez’s prior relationship with Newcastle would give Everton an upper hand in any battle for his signature.

“Newcastle are a massive club but for me, they look like they are a team that’s just struggling to stay up every year,” he said.

“I’m sure Saint-Maximin wants to be pushing for Europe with a team like Everton. What a player he is.

“If Everton are interested then, with Benitez’s link with Newcastle, I’m sure it could be an option for him,” he continued.

“I’m sure they’ll be looking to go one step further and challenge again for Europe this season.”

The verdict

Look no further than the game against Burnley, when he came off the bench to engineer a season-defining turnaround by scoring one and making another, for an illustration of Saint-Maximin’s worth to Newcastle.

They must fight off any interest until the fate of their proposed takeover is clear. If it fails, it would probably worth be selling and reinvesting that huge sum of money.

But if it succeeds, Newcastle should be assembling a Europe-chasing squad of their own built around Saint-Maximin, who’s still only 24 years old.

In other news, John Barnes has issued this huge claim on Newcastle’s takeover.

علّق يورجن كلوب المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول على إصابة اللاعب فابينيو في مباراة اليوم أمام أستون فيلا، في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وفاز ليفربول على أستون فيلا بهدفين لهدف، في مباراة مؤجلة من الجولة الثالثة والثلاثين، على ملعب فيلا بارك.

ولم يتمكن فابينيو من استكمال المباراة حيث اضطر إلى الخروج في الدقيقة 28، بعد شعوره بإصابة عضلية. إصابة فابينيو في مباراة ليفربول وأستون فيلا

وقال كلوب في تصريحات نشرها الموقع الرسمي للنادي: “لا أعرف كم هي إصابة سيئة، شعر بشيء ما في العضلات، ليس كثيرًا”.

وأضاف: “إنه إيجابي للغاية لكني لست متأكدًا مما يمكنني فعله حيال ذلك، لأكون صادقًا، سنرى”.

وواصل: “لديه شعور جيد وهذا يعطيني شعورًا أفضل مما كنت أشعر به عندما استبدلته، ماذا يعني ذلك؟ أنا لا أعرف حتى الآن”.

ويلتقي ليفربول مع تشيلسي يوم السبت المقبل في نهائي كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي، على ملعب ويمبلي.

Lawrie Sanchez believes that Everton will follow a recent trend and appoint another proven manager, with reports on Tuesday suggesting they are still talking to other managers despite Nuno Santo being the overwhelming leading contender to replace Carlo Ancelotti.

Aside from Roberto Martinez and Marco Silva, the two exceptions, the Toffees have always turned to an experienced face since David Moyes’ departure in 2013.

But only the Spaniard has taken charge of more than 100 games, with Everton’s next appointment their sixth in the space of just eight years since Moyes was hired by Manchester United.

Former Wolves boss  Santo appears the standout favourite to replacement Ancelotti in the Goodison Park dugout, although the Portuguese was also on the verge of becoming the new Crystal Palace manager recently before talks broke down.

The likes of Sam Allardyce and Ronald Koeman have both been hired in between Moyes and Ancelotti, with the Toffees hierarchy looking for instant success rather than investing into a longer-term project.

And Sanchez, who also took aim at Nuno, exclusively told Football FanCast that with Everton looking to close the gap on the top-six, that theme will continue:

“I think a club like Everton want someone proven at that level of what they want to achieve.

“They’ve gone for established names – Koeman, Ancelotti and Allardyce.

“From the outside, I think they will go for a solid name. Nuno, are there any other clubs in the Premier League he’s being tapped up by? They will have read their reports of Nuno at the end – he fell out with players.”