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While attention was firmly focussed on Pakistan’s trio of players at the Pakistan High Commission in London, the rest of the squad enjoyed the tranquil setting of Taunton to seal an eight-run victory against Somerset

Cricinfo staff02-Sep-2010
Scorecard
Shahzaib Hasan gave Pakistan fans something to smile about with a matchwinning century•PA PhotosWhile attention was firmly focussed on the trio of players at the Pakistan High Commission in London, the rest of the squad managed victory against Somerset in the tranquil setting of Tauunton but ended with barely 11 first players.Though hardly a panacea to the ongoing woes off the field, Shahzaib Hasan’s century allowed Pakistan to overcome a difficult start to their innings, and a career-best 122 from Zander de Bruyn, to wrap-up a much-needed win. However, just to add to their problems Umar Akmal suffered a concussion before play after a blow in the nets, Abdul Razzaq pulled out of the match with a back strain and is doubtful for the Twenty20s while both Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz picked up niggles.The victory was built on a 169-run stand for the fourth wicket between Hasan and Fawad Alam, who himself fell three short of a century. They came together with Pakistan wobbling at 43 for 3 but hauled their side into a position of strength before Somerset fought back with England Under-19 bowler Lewis Gregory taking 4 for 49 as Pakistan lost their last seven wickets for 53 runs.The Pakistan batting has been prone to collapses all summer and was weakened further by Umar Akmal being ruled out after taking a blow to the face in practice. But the fight showed by the fourth-wicket pair will do the under-fire tourists no end of good ahead of the upcoming limited-overs series against England.The innings began with Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali lasting just 10 balls between them before Mohammad Yousuf arrested the decline with a flurry of boundaries. Since his return from ICL-inspired exclusion, Yousuf has been unable to convert his undeniable class into substantial scores and having looked well set, he again contrived a way to fall needlessly, attempting a single too swift for his ageing legs to cope with.It left Alam, who made a century in the first of his three Tests just over a year ago, with plenty of time to rebuild the Pakistan innings. In partnership with Hasan the pair began slowly before increasing the rate as the innings went on.Hasan went on to reach his hundred from 117 deliveries to take Pakistan to a commanding 211 with ten overs remaining. However, his dismissal soon after reaching the landmark proved the catalyst for the collapse as Shahid Afridi became Gregory’s first wicket. Fawad then fell for 97 and the remaining Pakistan batsmen could not resist Gregory’s pressure as the tourists were bowled out 2.3 overs short of the allocated overs.Chasing 265 looked well within Somerset’s grasp even in Marcus Trescothick’s absence but Craig Kieswetter, recently dumped out of England’s ODI squad, fell to Umar Gul for 5. After the early loss, Somerset rallied as Shoaib Akhtar suffered a luckless and expensive opening spell.Nick Compton and de Bruyn profited against the pacemen but get bogged down by the spinners and after reaching a patient fifty from 71 balls, Compton offered Afridi a return catch.de Bruyn slowly built his confidence and alongside James Hildreth, the pair threatened to build a matchwinning platform but Afridi struck again to remove Hildreth for 31 and Somerset could not quite recover. Saeed Ajmal picked up three wickets and it was only de Bruyn who kept the home side in the game. He reached a century from 132 balls but could not find the support at the other end to keep the required rate in check.With the off-field issues still unravelling it was a relief for the tourists to get the right result against Somerset ahead of the first Twenty20 against England on Sunday, now their challenge is find an XI to put on the field.

Shaun Tait, the South Australia fast bowler, has said quick bowlers will relish bowling on the fresh pitches in South Africa during the Champions League Twenty20

ESPNcricinfo staff08-Sep-2010Shaun Tait, the South Australia fast bowler, has said quick bowlers will relish bowling on the fresh pitches in South Africa during the Champions League Twenty20. He has been in top form this year, reclaiming a regular place in Australia’s limited-overs sides and sending down one of the fastest deliveries in history – 161.1kmh at Lord’s in July.”South Africa’s always traditionally been a good place to bowl quick,” Tait said. “I think the wickets usually offer quite a bit, and some of the grounds offer altitude, where the ball reportedly travels quicker through the air. I think the fast bowlers are licking their lips.”Tait expected stiff competition in the Champions League, and didn’t think the cash-rich IPL teams will have an edge in the tournament. “It’s a good chance for all the countries to put their best teams on the park and see how they measure up against each other,” he said. “They [IPL teams] have the big-gun players and the Sri Lankan team [Wayamba] are pretty talented themselves, so it’s a big raffle about who’s going to make the final.”The Redbacks went down by five wickets to Wayamba in their final practice game on Tuesday. They kick off their campaign against South Africa’s Lions on Sunday and also have Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Guyana in their group.

According to TUTTOmercatoWEB, Liverpool are already plotting a move for Juventus forward Paulo Dybala ‘as early as February’ with club chiefs expected in Italy.

The Lowdown: Dybala on the move?

The Argentina international’s current deal in Turin expires at the end of 2021/2022, leading to clubs from the Premier League becoming linked with a real interest in his summer signing.

Dybala’s soon-to-be free agent status has attracted suitors from all over Europe, including Jurgen Klopp’s side, as Liverpool and owners Fenway Sports Group continue to plot strengthening the German’s options at Anfield.

An Italian source in TMW now believes, even despite the January transfer window only just closing, that the Reds are already plotting a pre-contract move for the 28-year-old this month.

The Latest: Liverpool chiefs expected in Italy…

According to their sources, Liverpool will be ‘actively moving’ towards Dybala ‘as early as February’ after they managed to complete the signing of Colombia star Luis Diaz.

It is believed that Reds ’emissaries’ are in fact ‘expected’ in Italy over this next month to make contact for the £220,000-per-week star.

The Verdict: Get it done…

So soon after securing Diaz, Liverpool should have no hesitation in moving for another South American big name given they could snap him up for no transfer cost.

Lauded as a ‘world class’ and ‘phenomenal’ player by former Tottenham Hotspur keeper Paul Robinson (Football Insider), Dybala’s impressive career tally of 140 goals and 67 assists highlight just how much of a threat he could be under Klopp in the Premier League.

News of Liverpool’s willingness to act so soon after January comes as promising, especially given the amount of suitors who could also take a keen interest.

In other news: Liverpool also made a lucrative offer to sign ‘devastating’ player before he joined another club…find out more here.

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has said the team will focus on fielding ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Oct-2010Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, has said the team will focus on fielding ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa in the UAE, which starts on October 26. The Pakistan squad will have a week-long preparatory camp ahead of the series.”We have set up a six-day camp from October 17 before departing for the UAE on October 23,” Waqar told the newspaper. “Although I am placing emphasis on the three departments of batting, bowling and fielding – fielding, once again is our highest priority as it has never been good.”Pakistan’s catching during the recent tour of England was abysmal, with plenty of simple chances being put down. Waqar was also unhappy with the level of fielding in the Faysal Bank T-20 competition in Lahore this week. “I see weak fielding in the ongoing domestic Twenty20 championship as well, even though it is a vital aspect of the game, and if you start working on it at the lower levels it can help you at the top at the international level.”Already reeling from the spot-fixing crisis that has deprived them of three key players, Pakistan’s build-up to the series had further trouble after Waqar and Shahid Afridi, the limited-overs captain, complained that the selection committee hadn’t consulted them before picking the squad.Pakistan’s chief selector, Mohsin Khan, defended the decision by saying it was not in the PCB’s constitution that the captain and coach needed to be consulted for the selection of the squad.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, journalist Michael Bridge of Sky Sports has raved over Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier for his general form this season.

The Lowdown: Dier impressing for Spurs…

Overall, it has hard to make the argument against the 28-year-old being one of Spurs’ best players in the current campaign.

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Indeed, the Englishman may have seemingly fired himself back into international contention in time for the Three Lions’ 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar later this year.

Speaking earlier this season, Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle explained his disbelief over how ‘different’ Dier looks under Antonio Conte, whilst also praising the Italian for ‘getting a tune’ out of the 28-year-old.

The Latest: Bridge praises Dier…

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Sky Sports reporter Bridge has now made his own claim on Dier’s general form throughout 2021/22, calling him the Lilywhites’ ‘most improved’ player under the 52-year-old.

When asked about the centre-back, the journalist replied: “I think he’s Tottenham’s most improved player under Conte.”

The Verdict: Deserved praise…

Often criticised for his performances last season, Dier’s rejuvenation under Conte has arguably been one of the standout Spurs success stories of the current campaign.

Bridge and Hoddle aren’t the only members of the media to single out the 28-year-old’s impressive form, with another reporter in Paul Brown calling the player and his passing ‘underrated’ (GiveMeSport).

Gareth Southgate could well be watching on ahead of the World Cup in November, and it’s safe to say that Dier should be a contender to earn his place back in an England squad for a major tournament for the first time since 2018.

In other news: ‘Wow’, ‘One to watch’…Media blown away by ‘stunning’ development at Tottenham, find out more here.

Jimmy Adams, the Hampshire opener, has agreed a new three-year contract with the county that will see him remain at the Rose Bowl until 2013

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Oct-2010Jimmy Adams, the Hampshire opener, has agreed a new three-year contract with the county that will see him remain at the Rose Bowl until 2013.Last season Adams, 29, led Hampshire’s charge to the Friends Provident t20, becoming the first batsman to score 600 runs in a domestic Twenty20 season and finished as the competition’s highest run-scorer. In addition to his prolific Twenty20 form he scored 1351 runs at 48.25 in the Championship.It was enough to earn him selection for England’s performance squad that heads out to Australia next month as well as a deal to play in New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition with Auckland Aces.”Hampshire is my home so I’m very happy to be signing a new deal at The Rose Bowl,” he told the club website. Hampshire coach Giles White echoed the sentiment saying: “Jimmy has been such a big part of the team’s success in 2010, so I couldn’t be happier that he has pledged his long-term future to Hampshire.”

Aston Villa have set their sights on signing Rangers centre-back Filip Helander, Football Insider report.

The Lowdown: Helander profiled

Helander, labelled as ‘very tough’, was brought to Ibrox by Steven Gerrard back in 2019 in a deal worth £3.5m.

Since then, the Sweden international has made 60 appearances for the Scottish giants, however, only 11 of those have come during the current campaign, with Helander missing large parts of the season through injury.

He will be entering the final 12 months of his Rangers contract in the summer, and it looks as if Villa are keen on a cut-price deal for the now £3.15m-rated defender.

The Latest: Source shares update

Football Insider shared a story on Tuesday morning regarding Helander after being informed by a Villa source.

They claim that Johan Lange and co. are interested in signing the 28-year-old this summer, but Gerrard is concerned over Helander’s injury record, something which could put a move in jeopardy.

The Verdict: A risk

A number of defensive signings could well be needed this summer, especially with the futures of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa up in the air.

Should the pair move on, bringing in someone like Helander in a cut-price deal could be a shrewd move to bolster the club’s options, however, it would also be a gamble.

The Rangers man has missed 66 games through injury since arriving in Scotland, so Gerrard may feel he could be signing a player he can’t rely on completely heading into his first full season in charge.

In other news: Source: Villa now open to selling 2022 star this summer despite Gerrard being a big fan. 

While nothing has been officially confirmed there were more than a few hints that this might be the last time Grant Flower would be seen on the field in a competitive match

Liam Brickhill21-Nov-2010Grant Flower came back to Zimbabwe after a fruitful final season for Essex that saw the county hold their own in the limited-overs competition but crash out in the semi-finals of both the Friends Provident t20 and the Clydesdale Bank 40 all the same.On Sunday in Harare, he made amends as captain of the Mashonaland Eagles as they secured the Stanbic Bank 20 Series title. While nothing has been officially confirmed and there remains a possibility that Flower could play his final game in Zimbabwe, rather than Mashonaland, colours, there were more than a few hints that this might be the last time he would be seen on the field in a competitive match.Flower was given a guard of honour as he left the field during the innings break – despite the fact that he hadn’t faced a ball with Hall on strike throughout his time at the wicket – and suggested after the match that it was a fitting end to his career. “It’s a great way to finish my career,” he said. “The guys have been great throughout the tournament. I think most people had written us off before the tournament started, it’s all credit to the guys.”A guard of honour after nought not out, nothing wrong with that,” he laughed. “But it’s been a great way to finish. It’s been a really good tournament, all the teams have been really close and it’s been a great standard of cricket.”Mashonaland Eagles were forced to scrap hard to get to this position ahead of more fancied sides, but they have in their ranks players of grit and tenacity and both the leading batsmen and leading allrounder of the tournament hail from the Eagles camp. “It was great fun,” said Nick Compton, who was awarded the Batsman of the Tournament award for his 233 runs. “We scrapped, we fought, we found ways of winning. We didn’t play that well at times, but it’s just nice to be standing here with a trophy.””Im ecstatic, you can see how happy the guys are,” added Netherlands and Essex allrounder Ryan ten Doeschate. “We’ve all put in so much hard work. It was a case of the team winning in spite of the overseas player rather than because of him. I’ve played a very small part, it’s really been a team-effort to get here.”Ryan Butterworth captured the Allrounder’s Award for his 165 runs and six wickets at an economy rate of under six an over. Butterworth came to the fore in Eagles’ must-win game against last year’s champions Mountaineers on Tuesday, hitting an unbeaten 41 and taking two cheap wickets, and sealed a win over the Rhinos on Wednesday with a brutal, unbeaten half-century. Apart from the tournament award, he has also been rewarded – at the age of 29 – with a call-up to the national squad for the trip to Bangladesh. “It’s been a really good week for me,” he said. “I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved.”Eagles’ win was sealed by Andrew Hall’s nerveless final over, and the former South Africa allrounder suggested that luck had been with him today. “It’s not always that easy,” he said. “You stand at the back of your mark, and all you can do is hit your areas. In the previous over, [Malcolm] Waller managed to get one down to third man for four, and that’s just the way it goes. The last over just went my way. Once you bowl it in the right place, there’s not much else you can do. If the batsman plays a great shot, that’s the end of that. If you hit your mark six out of six, there’s not much better you can do.”Hall added that he was “tremendously” happy to have been involved with the Zimbabwean tournament. “We’ve got a great bunch of lads, we’ve put in so much hard work and it’s great to see that pay dividends.”

According to the Daily Record, Celtic first-team coach John Kennedy is likely to remain at Parkhead despite interest from Hibernian. 

The lowdown: Hibs links

The 38-year-old has previously been linked with the managerial role at Easter Road and was believed to be in contention once again after ex-Hoops ace Shaun Maloney was sacked this week.

Having previously spoken of a desire to go into senior management, ideally in the Celtic Park hot seat on a permanent basis in the future, it’s no surprise to see Kennedy indexed to vacant positions elsewhere.

However, it appears as though this particular job may go elsewhere…

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The latest: Record provides fresh update

As per the report from the Daily Record, Hibernian executive chairman Ron Gordon is expected to appoint an experienced man following Maloney’s departure.

The report states that Hibs want an ‘older boss’ with the likes of Scott Brown and Malky Mackay mentioned as the leading contenders.

It’s also claimed that Kennedy is ‘unlikely to leave the Hoops’ at this stage as Ange Postecoglou’s side attempts to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title.

The verdict: Big boost

This will come as music to the ears of Celtic fans everywhere.

Whilst much of the transformation at Lennoxtown has rightly been placed at the door of Postecoglou, the influence and stability provided by Kennedy cannot be underestimated.

Once branded the ‘most important’ member of the Hoops’ backroom staff by Kristoffer Ajer, the young coach is an important part of the setup and could remain so for many years to come.

If Celtic are going to continue to their current levels of progression, then keeping Kennedy at the club will be a huge positive ahead of next season.

In other news, former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has been left fuming. Read more here.

Daryl Tuffey, the New Zealand fast bowler, will return home to recover from a bicep strain he suffered during the first one-day international against India in Guwahati

ESPNcricinfo staff30-Nov-2010Daryl Tuffey, the New Zealand fast bowler, will return home to recover from a bicep strain he suffered during the first one-day international against India in Guwahati. New Zealand have not named a replacement yet, and will do so if the need arises during the ongoing five-ODI series.”Daryl developed some discomfort in his right bicep when playing but was able to manage it during the match,” Mark Greatbatch, New Zealand’s coach and selector, said. “It’s appears to be okay when he bowls but he’s unable to throw without pain, so he will return to New Zealand for further assessment and treatment.”Tuffey took 2 for 56 in eight overs during the series opener, which New Zealand lost by 40 runs to go 0-1 down in the series. Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori did not play that match because of back problems and their fitness will be assessed ahead of the second ODI in Jaipur on December 1.”We are hopeful that both Dan and Brendon will be available for the next match,” Greatbatch said. “Dan is more likely at this stage but we are monitoring both on a day-by-day basis. A decision on the final line-up is not expected until shortly before the match.”