All posts by h716a5.icu

Essex cricketers Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield have been questioned by Essex police in connection with an ongoing investigation into spot-fixing

Cricinfo staff15-May-2010Essex cricketers Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield have been questioned by Essex police in connection with an ongoing investigation into spot-fixing, according to a report in the .Kaneria, the Pakistan legspinner, and Westfield, a right-arm seamer, are believed to have appeared at Brentwood police station on Friday. The investigation centres on alleged spot-fixing in Essex’s Pro40 match against Durham last September.Both were questioned under caution and released on bail until September 15, pending further enquiries. However, they can continue to play cricket as they were not charged.The controversy came to light on April 9, when a short statement confirmed a police investigation had been launched, and Kaneria, who was linked with the reports, immediately denied the claims.Reacting to these reports, the ICC president David Morgan said the game’s governing body is doing its best to keep an eye on illegal activities. “What is very clear is that we are extremely vigilant. We have the anti-corruption and security unit,” Morgan said in Barbados. “They look very carefully at movements in terms of the amounts bet on particular issues and so on. I can honestly say to you that I have no knowledge of any spot-fixing that I am refusing to tell you about.”Spot-fixing, which unlike traditional match-fixing (where the end result is the important aspect), is based on betting around small moments within a match, for example how many runs will come off a certain over, or how many no-balls or wides will be sent down.

Aston Villa have introduced a new manager, with Steven Gerrard joining the club in November, and he will surely be confident going into his first Premier League winter transfer window, making his own mark on the squad.

Gerrard has been in charge of the side for seven games, with four wins for the Villains so far climbing from 16th to 10th since his arrival, and has had the opportunity to work with the current crop of players at Villa Park to determine his next moves in the upcoming transfer window.

He recently spoke to Birmingham Live to offer an insight to his plans for January;

“In terms of the January window, there’s obviously conversations at Villa and there always will be behind the scenes identifying areas where we can improve.”

Time to go

One player who is expected to be axed in the winter transfer window is striker, Wesley Moraes, who has been on loan at Club Brugge for the first half of the season, struggling to make an impact on the Belgian side with no goals or assists in his seven appearances.

The centre forward suffered a horrific ACL injury back in January 2020, when he was playing for Aston Villa, which saw him injured for almost 18 months, making his return in April 2021, and being sent out on loan to Club Brugge a few months later.

He is now linked with a move to one of two Brazilian clubs, Sao Paolo or Internacional, who are both rumoured to be interested in the £35K-p/w gem and it could really be a blessing in disguise for Gerrard, as he will be looking to free up funds so that he can spend on players he wants to add into his Aston Villa team of the future.

Rumours of a replacement

Gabriel Barbosa, better known as Gabigol, has been heavily linked with Aston Villa and a number of other Premier League clubs for that matter, including Newcastle United, West Ham, Arsenal and Everton.

The Flamengo forward has offered a much better output in his most recent season for his club compared to Villa flop, Wesley, with an impressive 29 goals and nine assists in 43 appearances, and has quite rightly grabbed the attention of Premier League clubs desperate to add goals and creativity to their side.

Flamengo legend, Zico, claimed Gabigol “has everything” in an interview: “I think Gabigol has everything to be the greatest striker in Flamengo’s history.”

Reports suggest that the goal machine would costs around £17m, but with the competition so broad across a number of Premier League clubs rumoured to be interested in securing Gabigol’s signature, it could be a battle of the highest bidder.

The Villa boss would surely welcome a striker with the volume of goals Barbosa has scored for his Rio De Janeiro based club at Villa Park, as he continues to attempt to climb the Premier League table in the second half of the season, in the hopes he will be able to repair the damage done before his arrival to the club last month.

In other news: Gerrard dealt a blow in securing transfer target

Aston Villa have approached Bologna over a move for left-back Aaron Hickey.

That’s according to Sky Sports reporter Rob Dorsett, and his update has had a number of Villa supporters talking on social media.

Hickey was linked with a move to Villa Park back in October when Dean Smith was in charge, but it seems as if Steven Gerrard is also keen on a move after being impressed by the Scot during his time as Rangers boss.

Dorsett revealed on Wednesday evening that Villa have approached the Serie A side for Hickey’s services, with Johan Lange also exploring alternative left-back options.

Hickey is valued at £11.7m by Transfermarkt and is under contract with Bologna until 2024. He’s missed just one Serie A game all season and has mainly turned out as a left-midfielder in a back three system.

Villa fans react

Both villareport and The AVFC Faithful shared the news regarding Hickey on Twitter. This is what these Villa fans had to say in reply, with many hoping to see Hickey in the Midlands.

“IM GONNA FAINT”

Credit: @catrinavfc

“very huge news. would be a delight to have him play LB for us”

Credit: @NoahKnowsBall

“I’m excited by this more than the potential Coutinho signing”

Credit: @JimGroves11

“OH STOP THAT”

Credit: @AVFCCharlie

“Don Lange is on one today”

Credit: @lukerobinson89

“ITS HAPPENING”

Credit: @noah_avfc

In other news: ‘Mental’ – Some Villa fans fume as Gerrard eyes club-record transfer. 

Salman Butt, the mainstay of Pakistan’s batting in the recently concluded World Twenty20, believed that his success during the event was based on understanding that the youngest format of the game was not about just slogging

Cricinfo staff25-May-2010Salman Butt, the mainstay of Pakistan’s batting in the recently concluded World Twenty20, believed that his success during the event was based on understanding that the youngest format of the game was not about just slogging.”Twenty-over cricket has a place for what I would term “proper stroke-makers” – batsmen who play their shots on the merit of each delivery,” Butt told . “Bowlers are fighting back when it comes to this form of the game and they are finding new ways to innovate and to restrict the batting side. As a batsman I think you have to play the high percentage shots, the shots that you know you can play, the shots that you feel you can score off effectively.””If you think about it, get four or five singles in an over and one boundary in the same over, and you have accumulated eight or nine runs in that over, which if you can maintain and you will end up with 160-plus. It’s not just about the fours and sixes”. Butt was the third highest run-getter in the tournament, with 223 runs at 44.60, and a strike-rate of 131.17. Interestingly, he hit only four sixes during the tournament, fewer than anyone else in the top fifteen.His top score came in the Super Eights match against New Zealand, which Pakistan contrived to lose by one run, when tail-ender Abdur Rehman spooned a catch into the deep off the last ball, with Butt stranded at the non-striker’s end on 73. Butt had run a bye off the penultimate ball to relinquish the strike, and he backed his decision in hindsight.”We needed 11 off the last over and then three off two deliveries after I managed to hit two boundaries. Rehman and I had a chat before the penultimate delivery and decided that we would go for a bye even if I did not connect with the ball. We scampered a bye and then had another chat before the final delivery. We decided that again we would run for anything and we were confident that if it went to the super over, in Mohammad Aamer we had a bowler who would see us to victory.Rehman had not batted previously in the tournament as of course it was his first match, so I said to him to at least look for a single. However when the ball was bowled by [Ian] Butler, Rehman’s eye’s lit up at the leg-stump half volley. He went for a boundary and connected really well. If the ball had been a few yards either side of the fielder it would have gone for a boundary. Thinking back I thought the planning was satisfactory and it was really painful when we did not at least score a single on that final delivery,” Butt said.Despite that loss, their second in two Super Eights games, Pakistan roared back into the tournament with a fine victory against South Africa to enter the final four. They dominated their semi-final match against Australia from the outset and looked on course for their third consecutive World Twenty20 final before running into a rampaging Michael Hussey, who stole 18 off the final over to put it past them. Butt admitted there was little his side could have done to deny Hussey in that kind of form.”Yes we can be satisfied with reaching the semi-finals, but the target is always to win trophies. We came back very well after the New Zealand defeat to beat the South Africans and I thought we were gaining enough momentum and on our way to the final. “We made the highest score any team made in the tournament against Australia, but it was one of those occasions where you have to credit Mike Hussey for his batting. I would say that rather than Pakistan losing the semi-final, it was more a case of Hussey winning the match for Australia,” Butt said.Butt credited his coaches, Ijaz Ahmed and Waqar Younis, for his fine run of form in the West Indies. “They really backed me during the tournament and gave me a lot of self-belief and confidence. As a batsman once you receive the backing and you have the self confidence, then that is half the battle,” Butt said.Butt hopes to feature in Pakistan’s next assignment, the Asia Cup one-day tournament which will be held on the bowler-friendly wickets at Dambulla in Sri Lanka. “Hopefully I will get selected. The conditions in Dambulla are very tricky for top order batsmen as the ball seams around a lot in the first hour or so. Winning the toss could be pivotal in the result of the matches in Sri Lanka,” he said.After the Asia Cup, Pakistan embark on a tour of England where they will face the hosts and Australia in six Tests, and Butt is up for the potentially tough examination. “Facing the Australian and English bowling attacks will be a tough test. They are amongst the best bowling attacks in the world at the moment and they will thoroughly test me and the other Pakistani batsmen. However when you face tough opponents, it helps you to develop your game and to work harder at improvements in your game and technique,” Butt said.Butt’s name has done the rounds as a potential captain for Pakistan in Test matches, following the retirement of Mohammad Yousuf, but he has not dwelled much on the possibility. “I have read a few articles in the press and I know that a few ex-players have suggested that I should be given the opportunity. Of course it would be an honour to lead my country, but it is not something I have been thinking about. I would much rather concentrate on my batting in the upcoming Asia Cup and tour of England,” he said.

Some Everton fans have been left fuming as the arrival of Anwar El Ghazi was confirmed by the Toffees.

As per the official website of the Goodison Park faithful, the winger has now signed on loan from Aston Villa for the rest of the season, and so is eligible to play Norwich City away from home in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

However, while El Ghazi offers an extra body in the attack and plenty of top-flight experience, some supporters of the Merseyside club have been left underwhelmed by his signing.

The Netherlands international has sizeable number of wingers that he can call upon in the squad already, with other areas of the pitch arguably needing strengthening more.

Everton fans on El Ghazi transfer news

These Toffees were baffled as the transfer news was shared on Twitter, while one Blue even went as far as to claim that he is a ‘fraud’, perhaps given his lack of goals or assists in the Premier League this term:

“It just keeps getting worse #RafaOut”

Credit: @Gethsfa

“Ehhhhhhh…”

Credit: @gaming_uki

“Fraud”

Credit: @NoGrayDays11

“Oh dear”

Credit: @alexgriffiths96

“Moshiri out”

Credit: @BlueJamie99

“Liquidate”

Credit: @Hnsno1878

In other news, find out what club post also had Evertonians fuming here!

Cricket Australia has agreed to the BCCI’s proposal to convert the seven-match ODI series scheduled for October to two Tests and three ODIs

Cricinfo staff24-Jun-2010Cricket Australia has agreed to the BCCI’s proposal to convert the seven-match ODI series scheduled for October to two Tests and three ODIs. The Indian board’s Tour, Programme and Fixtures committee announced the new itinerary today, with the first Test to be played at Mohali beginning October 2.Tour itinerary for India v Australia

October 2-6 First Test – Mohali
October 10-14 Second Test – Bangalore
October 19 First ODI – Kochi
October 22 Second ODI – Goa
October 24 Third ODI – Vishakapatnam

The second Test will be played in Bangalore, followed by three one-day matches to be held in Kochi, Goa and Vishakapatnam. Australia will also play a three-day practice match at Mohali in September to begin the tour.This is not the first time the Indian board has made changes to a tour itinerary. Earlier this year, Cricket South Africa agreed to replace a five-match ODI series with two Tests and three ODIs. The board’s determination to schedule more Tests has come in the wake of India ascending to the No.1 Test ranking for the first time.The BCCI also announced the schedule for New Zealand’s tour of India in November. The teams will play three Tests and five ODIs. The first Test starts on November 4 and will be played in Ahmedabad. The second and third Tests will be played in Kanpur (November 12) and Mumbai (November 20).The schedule for the ODIs will be decided later based on logistics but the venues are Bangalore, Mohali, Chennai, Guwahati and Hyderabad.

Tottenham are still interested in signing Wolves winger Adama Traore in the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

The Lowdown: Traore linked with Wolves exit

The 25-year-old may have scored his first goal of the season last weekend but his Wanderers career looks likely to reach its conclusion at some point this year.

Traore has been strongly tipped to move away from Molineux this month, with the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham thought to be interested in signing him.

While it has been claimed that the winger will be staying put in January, a new update may suggest otherwise.

The Latest: Romano makes fresh Traore claim

Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Romano confirmed that Spurs are still eyeing up a move, as Antonio Conte looks to bring in a new wide man:

“Tottenham are still trying to sign Adama Traore in January. Wolves manager Bruno Lage’s pushing to keep him until the end of the season – Spurs want to give Conte a new winger as he asked.”

The Verdict: Matter of time

It does feel as though Traore will be moving on in either January or the summer, with Bruno Lage seemingly not considering him a key part of his plans, with the winger having been in and out of the starting line-up throughout the season.

In truth, it makes sense for Wolves to get as much as they can for the Spaniard, using the money to bring in players who the manager believes would suit his style of play.

For all Traore’s entertainment value, he continues to be a player who flatters to deceive – one goal contribution by the middle of January is not good enough for a senior attacker – and it is time for the Old Gold to cut ties with him.

The only reason he should stay this month is if Wolves are unable to find a suitable replacement in time, with squad depth affected by losing him and signing nobody.

In other news, Wolves are reportedly ‘very interested’ in signing one player. Find out who it is here.

Taking to Twitter, reliable club insider ExWHUemployee has backed a development in West Ham United’s pursuit of Manchester United star and top target Jesse Lingard.

The Lowdown: West Ham ready to pay fee…

It is no secret that the 29-year-old is on manager David Moyes’ radar as he seeks to bolster his side’s options and give them a fighting chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

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After his sensational spell on loan in east London over the second half of 2020/2021, West Ham, Moyes and recruitment chief Rob Newman have been targeting Lingard as his current deal at Old Trafford looks set to expire at the end of this season.

The England international, as a result, can either wait until the summer and leave for free or opt to join a new club in January if any suitors table a bid before deadline day.

Recent reports say West Ham are indeed willing to do just that with the Irons now apparently ready to pay a £3million fee to seal Lingard’s signing.

The Latest: ExWHUemployee backs Lingard development…

Taking to social media, reliable Hammers source Ex backed this development in the Lingard transfer saga.

Whilst stating ‘yes’ in reply to a supporter who asked if there is any truth to the £3m bid rumours, the insider did also provide a degree of caution – going on to claim West Ham’s willingness to pay doesn’t necessarily mean the player wants to make the move.

The Verdict: Get it done…

While the £75,000-per-week ace’s current stance on a move to West Ham remains the last major hurdle, if his mind is swayed, signing him would be a big boost for Moyes.

Scoring nine goals and assisting four others in 16 Premier League starts last season on a temporary spell, Lingard is a proven player under the Irons boss and could gift the club a different dimension going forward.

Taking into account his 2021 numbers at West Ham, with talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham calling him ‘absolutely phenomenal’, £3m seems like a real bargain.

Hammers supporters may be hoping that there is a development on Lingard’s side that favours him joining West Ham permanently before January 31.

In other news: ‘Please please please’, ‘Baller’, ‘Perfect’ – Many West Ham fans rave as GSB eye ‘fantastic signing’…find out more here.

A judge of the Lahore High Court has heavily criticised senior Pakistan police officers for not performing their duties properly on the morning of March 3, 2009, when the visiting Sri Lankan team was exposed to a terrorist attack in Lahore

Cricinfo staff30-Jul-2010A judge of the Lahore High Court has heavily criticised senior Pakistan police officers for not performing their duties properly on the morning of March 3, 2009, when the visiting Sri Lankan team was exposed to a terrorist attack in Lahore. Shabbar Raza Rizvi identified more than a dozen policemen guilty of incompetence in his report on the incident, which is due to be submitted to the ICC, has reported.The attacks took place as the players were on their way to Gaddafi Stadium for the third day of the second Test, in the team bus. Eight people were killed, while seven Sri Lankan players and the coach were also injured. The match officials and the bus driver also had narrow escapes. Since then, there has been no international cricket in Pakistan and the national side has been forced to rejig its home commitments to various neutral venues.Rizvi wrote that senior police officer Haji Habibur Rehman, who was supposed to be the overall commander of the Sri Lanka team’s security, was not to be seen when the attack took place.”I wish I had seen him marching on the road … or at least sitting in his office before 8am,” Rizvi wrote. “Unfortunately, he only became visible and audible after the occurrence had taken place.”Rizvi also criticized police Deputy Inspector General Amjad Javed Saleemi for a “dereliction of duty” after Saleemi admitted he was not sure whether police officers in the area of the attack were even on duty.”Obviously he (Saleemi) would have only known, if he himself were there,” Rizvi wrote. “He made contradictory statements before me and did not have moral courage to state the truth.”Rizvi also pointed out that Police Superintendent Mohammad Abid fell short in his duties. “He had the direct responsibility, and placement of snipers on high-rise buildings is an area of his jurisdiction,” Rizvi wrote. “He miserably failed to do that and was absent from duty when the occurrence took place.”The ICC has sent reminders to the PCB to submit an incident report on the terror attacks but the game’s governing body is yet to receive it. The PCB, however, is still waiting for permission from the government to submit Rizvi’s report to the ICC.

Taking to Twitter, reliable transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has shared a big update out of Tottenham Hotspur involving another target in Uruguay international Rodrigo Bentancur.

The Lowdown: Spurs close in on Kulusevski…

According to reliable sources, the Lilywhites and transfer chief Fabio Paratici are finally close to completing a major first signing of the window with Juve winger Dejan Kulusevski nearing a move.

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Romano and Sky Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio back that the Sweden international is nearing a move to north London in what could be a big boost for manager Antonio Conte.

A whirlwind January has seen Spurs miss out on key past targets like attacker Adama Traore and forward Luis Diaz, but with Kulusevski apparently close, it appears Paratici and co are far from done there.

The Latest: Romano makes late night Bentancur claim…

Sharing news late Saturday night, Romano claims Spurs have now also lodged an ‘official bid’ for another Juve ace in Bentancur as the 11pm Monday deadline fast approaches.

“Tottenham have submitted their official bid for Rodrigo Bentancur around €19m plus €6m add ons,” he explained on Twitter.

“Talks in progress with Juventus to reach the agreement – to be continued on Sunday.”

The Verdict: Get it done?

The 2018 World Cup gem, who played every game of that tournament for Uruguay and even grabbed an assist (Transfermarkt), could be a brilliant capture for a meagre €25m (£20.7m) fee in total.

Bentancur could really strengthen Conte’s options in the middle of the park, especially considering he has averaged an impressive 2.8 tackles per 90 in the Champions League this season under Massimiliano Allegri (WhoScored).

That’s the joint-most out of any Juve player in Europe over 2021/2022, potentially highlighting how he could add a real injection of steal and dynamism for Spurs.

In other news: Reliable journalist says Spurs have now been ‘offered’ player once valued at £90m! Find out more here.